Covergirl Stay Fabulous Outlast 3 in 1 foundation Review

This foundation is a 4 star foundation.
*It lasts and lasts all day
*Is a medium to full coverage
*Dries to a powder like finish without the powdery look
*Blends great with a beauty blender or fingers
*Moderate range of colors

I would have given this 5 stars if it weren't for the pinky undertones and if it blended easier with a brush. Other than that this is a fantastic foundation that I will purchase again and again.

Revlon/Loreal under eye concealer review

If there is one thing that's hard to find, it has to be a GREAT concealer. Mind you I LOVE concealer but, finding a great one is hard. On my quest I have found some good ones and some not so good ones and those are what I'm talking about today.

 I have been wearing Revlon's Colorstay under eye concealer for about a month now and I'm almost out already! That seems a tad ridiculous to me. There is hardly any product only 1.1 ml and on top of that it settles into the fine lines making my eyes seem older UGH! I bought it because I LOVE Revlon's colorstay mineral mouse foundation and thought it would work well together but alas it is a FAIL product for me.

 Another under eye concealer that is a FAIL for me is Loreal's Visible lift  concealer again, this contains the same small amount and does nothing for the fine lines around my eyes. It claims to enhance tone and to minimize lines but, I really don't see a difference after a solid month of using which is why I switched over to the colorstay by Revlon. It is slightly better that the Revlon as far as texture but I prefer the color of the Revlon product.

 I think what made me try both of these was the fact that they both contain sunscreen which is important for around the eyes but, neither worked and both made my eyes burn (maybe a result of the sunscreen). These come in those click up wands which I think stink with the exception of Yves St. Laurent's Touche Eclat my all time favorite under eye brightener/concealer.

 Results:
Revlon gets 2 stars - for color and it really does stay put.
L'oreal gets 2 stars - for smooth texture but, that's about it.

So, if you were considering either of these two products, save your time and money and go with Loreal's True match Super blendable concealer as I mentioned in a previous post. It doesn't contain sunscreen but does a nice job of concealing without looking like it.

If you have a favorite under eye concealer please let me know so I can try it. I'm always on the hunt for a great concealer. If there is a product you would like me to review please leave a comment here and I will get right on it.

Happy concealing,
Shawna

Lancome Bi-Facil eye makeup remover Dupe

 For a looong time, more years than I'd like to admit since it will give away my age, I have used the BEST eye make-up remover from Lancome called Bi-Facil. It removes EVERYTHING and I do mean EVERYTHING. I use waterproof eyeliner and mascara and it all comes off with two swipes of this stuff.
I haven't been able to find a better eye make-up remover yet but, I have found a drugstore alternative from Neutrogena.
 Now, before I start I must tell you that I wouldn't normally try another eye make-up remover unless I was absolutely desperate and this is exactly what led me down the Rite-Aide cleanser aisle to find the next best thing to Lancome's Bi-Facil called Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup remover.

There are only a couple of differences between the two....
1. Bi-Facil removes everything in two swipes whereas Neutrogena takes about four swipes.

2. Bi-Facil leaves more residue on your skin so it's a little more difficult to wash off entirely.

3. The price for a 4.2 oz bottle of Bi-Facil is now $26.50..geesh! I remember when it was $19.00!

4. The Price for a 5.5 oz bottle of Neutrogena is $7.99...WOW! REALLY??? I didn't even realize what a steal that was until I just typed it!

I am not sponsored by either of these companies but, I can honestly tell you that I have been converted to a Neutrogena fan and unless someone wants to send me a free bottle of Bi-Facil I just can't justify buying a bottle of eye makeup remover for $26.50!
 By all means buy what works for you and fits in your budget but as for me and my eyes, we're stickin' with Neutrogena!

Revlon Colorstay Mineral Mousse foundation (Review)

 Recently I gave you the thumbs up on  the L'Oreal true match blendable foundation which is great for all skins but, I have been trying out a matte foundation by Revlon Colorstay called Mineral Mousse in Light Medium and I absolutely LOVE it! I don't think it's necessary to use a powder with extra coverage with this foundation so stick with Make-Up forever's HD powder for a flawless look.

 I love this foundation based on these things.........
1. Color range~ There are a good amount of colors to match just about any skin color.
1. Coverage~ It provides a medium to full coverage with a matte finish but, doesn't look flat or un-natural.This is best for women who need to cover flaws and imperfections but as a caution-DO NOT use around eye area becuase it is matte which will only enhance lines and look dry.
2. Long wearing~ It really stays all day long. The claim is that it lasts for 16 hours. I'm not sure about 16 but I'd say a good 10.
3. No Transfer~ I haven't noticed any rubbing off or transfer to my clothes.
4. SPF~ It has an spf 20 which is great for the everyday sun here in California.
5. Feel~ It feels light weight almost like not wearing anything at all.
6. Packaging~ The packaging is perfect for traveling. It comes in a small tube rather than a glass bottle.

Who can wear this? I would recommend this for Normal to oily skins or acne prone skins.It does a pretty good job of NOT settling into my fine lines and pores. This is NOT for dry skin or mature skin with lines and wrinkles.

How much does it cost? You can buy this foundation for about $14.00 and even less sometimes. I bought it when it was 40% off at Rite Aid


Where can I buy this? You can find Revlon products at your local drugstore or Target stores. Or you can buy online at www.drugstore.com

 Overall I would rate this  5 stars for a MEDIUM to FULL coverage matte foundation. I have nothing bad to say about it at all! I LOVE it!

Lancome dual finish powder dupe

 In the  land of dual finish powders Lancome has always remained at the top of my list. I always seem to go back even after finding a "new favorite" for some reason I just keep going back. Well, on my search for a less expensive version I decided to try L'Oreal's infallible never fail powder.

 Now,You may have noticed a trend here in the products I've been trying and yes, I am guilty of trying one line at a time and since I love Lancome I figured I may as well try L'Oreal considering L'Oreal owns Lancome. WHAT?! you didn't know that?! Well, now you do.

 Here are the similarities.
 1. They both offer sheer to full coverage. You can use them wet or dry which gives you a wide range of coverage options.
 2. The basic colors are similar. I wear Matt neutrale II  in Lancome and Nude Beige in L'Oreal.
 3. They are both mattifying.

Here are the differences:
1. Lancome packaging is larger and nicer. The L'Oreal packaging is smaller which is better for a small purse and I do like that the sponge is in a separate compartment so it can breathe but, I do not like that the packaging is on the cheap side.
2. The total amount you are given for Lancome is .67 oz 19 grams versus L'Oreal which is .30 oz or 8.5 grams. When you look at the total amount you are getting, $35 for Lancome vs $14 for L'Oreal you are still getting a better deal for the L'Oreal powder.

 All in all they are pretty much the same as far as feel and purpose although, the L'Oreal powder lasts longer throughout the day. So, If you're looking for a great dual finish powder and don't want to commit to a larger quantity of product then, I say try the L'Oreal infallible never fail powder.

L'Oreal True Match blendable foundation Review

 

  Before I get started I want to let you know that I LOVE FOUNDATION in general. It could be because I don't think I have the greatest skin so, when I apply foundation and powder I feel like I have flawless skin and THAT makes me feel great!
  Now, that you know about my craziness let's get on with the review. I've been using the L'Oreal true match blendable foundation for a couple of months now so, I can give a better review of the product. I really like this foundation based on a couple of things.....
1. There are an abundant amount of colors ranging from warm to neutral to cool.
I personally am a perfectionist when it comes to matching my skin so, I ALWAYS fell like I'm in between colors. I usually buy 2 colors and have to mix which is what I did with this foundation as well. I picked W3 & W4 which stands for WARM level 3 and 4 or nude beige and natural beige.I really feel like the blend of the two is perfect for me.
2.  It gives a sheer to medium coverage.
This is great everyday  foundation for most women with average imperfections. If you want a fuller coverage I recommend using a powder foundation along with the foundation.There is a matching powder but I haven't tried that yet. I'm currently using Mac skin finish natural in medium plus.
3. Has an SPF 17.
This is good for everyday protection and is light enough that it really doesn't reflect back with flash photography.
4. It really is blendable.
I find that it blends very easily and doesn't feel like I'm wearing foundation. It looks great without a foundation primer but, I wouldn't recommend wearing it that way since, it's not a long wearing foundation.
Who can wear this?
This works well for normal skins or combination skin. If you have dry skin you'll still need a good moisturizer underneath and if you have oily skin you'll need to use a good oil control product underneath.
How much does it cost?
One of the GREAT things about this foundation is that it is VERY inexpensive. I purchased it for about $11.00 on a buy 1 get 1 half off deal so, it was about $16.50 for two 1 oz bottles. That's a GREAT deal!
Where can I buy this?
You can find this foundation at most drugstores or online through www.riteaidonlinestore.com
Overall I'd rate this as a 4 star SHEER to MEDIUM coverage foundation.

Mac Concealer dupe

On my search for a lightweight, medium coverage concealer I have found the Mac select Moisture cover Dupe at the drugstore.

L'Oreal makes a great concealer called True Match Blendable concealer and I have to say that these feel and look exactly the same.

Here are the similarities...
1. They are great for around the eye area because they don't settle in the lines
2. They are great for minor spot coverage for the face.
3. They both can even be used as foundation in a pinch.
 4. They are both super blendable.


The main difference between them is the color range and price.

I actually prefer the colors to the L'Oreal concealer (9 colors) but, Mac does have a larger range of color. (15 colors). The Mac concealer is $16.50 and the L'Oreal concealer is about $8.00. So if you are a die hard Mac fan but wanna save a few bucks try the L'Oreal true match concealer. I bought them for my kit on a buy 1 get 1 half off sale so that's like saving 25 % what a deal!

N.Y.C. Lipstick Review

I've been wearing these N.Y.C. Ultra wear lipsticks for a couple of weeks now and I have to say I've grown very fond of them. I purchased them at my local Rite Aide store for $1.99 (WHAT?!) ya, you heard me right.
 This is a great lipstick for such an amazing price. They really do last quite a while and have a beautiful shimmer so you almost don't have to wear a lipgloss.
 I purchased 6 colors which, if you do the math that's just about the price of 1 M.a.c. lipstick! I swatched them below to show you the color range and metallic shimmer.

  There are even more colors than what I purchased so I'm sure you'd be able to find at least 1 lipstick you like. The only thing I didn't like about them was the way they are packaged. Most lipsticks wind down into their case. These do not. They wind up but not down so you have to be careful about the way you place the cap back on. Other than that these are a winner for all these reasons.......
  Long wearing
 High shimmer
 Good pigment
 Fragrance free
 Inexpensive

Makeup removal cloths review

Okay, I'm the first to admit that I have on occasion slept in my makeup....YUCK! I know but, that's what happens when your chasing after 3 kids all day and fall into bed at 12:00am. Not to fear though, the answer to my problems of exhausted mommy syndrome is found in a pretty blue package called NOXZEMA makeup removal cloths. I have tried many cleansing cloths from Mac which WAS my favorite but left my skin feeling greasy to drugstore brands which never did a great job at removing waterproof makeup. I love these because I can sit down on the couch and watch Rachel Zoe and get a great scrub down all at the same time.

 I have to say these are a thumbs up in my book. Not only do they remove ALL of my makeup but it has that wonderful Eucalyptus scent and slight tingle that just makes your skin feel clean but not stripped.You don't even need to wash your skin after using these. You can put your night treatment on and hit the hay. It is safe to use around the eyes but, if you have extremely sensitive eyes or skin these may not be for you.

The only downside to this product for me was that it only comes in a package of 25 for about $3-$5 depending on where you purchase them. Since I use these everyday I need more than one pack for a month. Other than that these are a permanent part of my skincare routine and Noxzema if your listening PLEASE make a larger size!

Green eyeshadow tutorial

GREEN EYESHADOW!? How do I wear that? That's what some women say when they see a green eyeshadow but don't be afraid. I'm going to show you how to wear that shocking green eyeshadow.
 I chose 2 eye palettes from Wet n Wild and I have to say not only are they inexpensive but the pigment is amazing! I bought them on a buy 1 get 1 free deal so they came out to about $2.50 each!

 

To start this look I chose the light peach matte shadow and the medium peach matte shadow from the GREED set. I did a wash of color from the base of my lashes to under my brow bone with the lightest color with my #10 Kolinsky brush from Shu Uemura. Next, I added the medium matte peach shadow to the lid and went back and added more of the first color to the inside corner of the lid.

 

 

Next I took the matte green eyeshadow from the GREED

 Palette and formed a v shape on the outer corner of my eyelid shown below.

  

 Next I used my #217 blending brush from Mac to pick up a little of the matte navy and matte green shadow together and blended the v shape color out. I also lined my eyes using the 1/8 angle shader from Simply Simmons with the matte navy eyeshadow all the way around.

 

 The final step was to line my eyes with a brown mineral shadow from Micabella using the same Angel shader brush then, a couple of coats of mascara and voila! A not so shocking green eyeshadow look.This look could be punched up a bit for nightime by using the shimmery shadows which are great for picking up light in a dark environment and by adding a bit more of the navy to the crease for even more definition. 

This color works great with green eyes, hazel eyes and brown eyes.

 

 I hope you enjoyed this tutorial as much as I loved making it for you. Please let me know if you have any special tutorial requests. If I get enough requests for a same look I will choose that one as my next tutorial.

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Gray nail polish review

Searching for the perfect nail color is always fun to do but finding that perfect color is worth the time it takes.
 I had been looking for a gray nail color that was not quite black but almost there. This one by Finger paints  fits the bill! It's called "Meet me at the Met". It's a dark gray with a slight shimmer. I would've preferred a flat nail polish but the shimmer almost makes it more feminine.
 I was so excited to try it out that I forgot to put on a base coat and of course the nail color chipped off within a couple of days so with this brand you definitely need a base coat but, all in all I give it a thumbs up for color.
The price is comparable to drugstore brands coming in around $5-$6 and is sold exclusively at Sally Beauty supply or online at www.fingerpaints.com 

Make-up Brushes that won't break your budget

Using the right tool to get the make-up effect you want is critical but, you don't have to spend a fortune on a great brush. Don't get me wrong I love my collection of designer brushes but, when you're a  make-up artist you need a couple of each brush you have and that can really add up. So I've been on the hunt for great brushes at a great price and I'm sharing my finds with you.
 The following brushes are actually ART brushes purchased from Michael's Art's and Craft Store for $2.99 each! That's a steal!!!

 This is how I used them.... First up was the 1/8 Angle shader from Simply Simmons. It gave a very thin precise line. I used it with a cream eyeliner in black from wet n' wild. This brush may be taking the place of my favorite Bobbie Brown Ultra fine eyeliner brush.

 Next, was the #8 Chisel blender from Simply Simmons. I used this to line my lower lash line and waterline with Bon Bon from Bare Minerals. This would also make a great line on the top lash line as well.

 and Finally, I added a little shimmery nude shadow from Bare Minerals in Nude Beach with the #10 Filbert brush from Simply Simmons. I used the shadow wet to get a more intense color. This brush is great for Mac pigments or any loose pigment shadows and also great for concealer. I actually bought two of these because I have similar ones and always need a few of these.

 I am very excited about these brushes! Their handles are very similar to the Bobbie Brown handle. They're tapered nicely and comfortable to hold. They say they are SHORT handles but that's compared to regular art brushes which are VERY long. All in all I HIGHLY recommend these to everyone!

Review...Just Bitten lip marker

I've always loved coloring inside the lines. Even now as an adult I can still get my coloring fix! I've stumbled across super mom friendly makeup... just what is "Mom friendly makeup"? It's makeup that stays on YOU and not on your kids.

I tried a brand new product by Revlon. A marker or stain for your lips called Just Bitten. Here's what I love about it....

1. The colors are pretty true to the tube. That being said I chose "Gothic" which is a true red. I mean very, very red. I'm either a red lip gal or a nude lip gal. I haven't tried the nude colors so let me know what you all think if you decide to try them.
2. It comes with a lip balm, which is great because that's one less item I need to carry in my purse.
3. Once it's on it's not coming off, not even if you rub really hard. I had mine on all day until I ate a salad with oil and vinegar dressing but, even then the stain of color was still there. You pretty much need to scrub with a toothbrush and toothpaste to get it off.
4. I could kiss my kids and not worry about getting lip gloss or lipstick all over them.
5. The price was just right . It was about $8.00 which is a good drugstore price and even better than department store prices which can be up to $24.00

Here's what I didn't like about it....
 The only thing I didn't like was the packaging. I felt like it was a little too big for the amount of product and it really does look like a kids' marker but, I could get over that based on the price alone.

 I was a department store makeup snob for many years but, now with the economy the way it is I've learned that I can find equivalent items from the drugstore. Of course there are still quite a few things that can only be found in a department store but, for the most part there are some really great products out there for a great price.
 If you would like more posts like these please comment below and let me know so, I can bring you more "Drug store cowgirl reviews"  ; )