an Interlude

Err so it's been a rather crazy month with no signs of settling down. I'm actually moving so I probably won't be able to post or go online for a few weeks (possibly a month?) although I can't precisely say since I don't know when I will be able to get internet. Until then...I've been packing and getting ready. I've found out that most all my makeup fits into around 4 boxes o_o

Box #1

 and yes, that last row is all MAC MSFs + some blush xD

and the other boxes I was too distracted to photograph but I will hopefully photograph later? ^^~

Hopefully I will be able to still pop in to read other ppl's entries but there prolly won't be any from me soon xD

and so until next time...adieu~~ :)

EcoTools Powder Brush

So I know I said I found my HG Powder Brush in Real Techniques, but it's so big & dense that after I wash it, it takes too long to dry so I needed another one to alternate with. I could always get another one but why get 2 of the same when you can get a brand new different one =D

Luckily, Rite Aid was having a BOGOF EcoTools promotion that week and seeing that I've heard excellent things about it I figured it was a good time to pick one up on the cheap :)

My powder brush requirements are:


1) big & fluffy. Honestly this was what deterred me from getting this brush the last time around. It wasn't big or fluffy enough in my opinion. I think being squished in the packaging didn't help. However, having used this brush for a week, I find it plenty fluffy and a great size.

comparing the shapes of the brush, they're both quite fluffy 

ecotools is a bit wider and flatter while RT is rounder and fatter

2) soft. it is just as soft as i would like powder brushes to be

3) deposit color. great for piling on the powder :)

optional 4th) cheap. I think it retails for around $8 and with the BOGOF I theoretically picked this up for around $4! Kinda sorta since I got the Retractable Kabuki as well. Total steal at that price!

the ecotools powder brush is actually a tiny bit longer/taller

Overall, I may actually prefer this brush over my Real Techniques? They're still battling it out but as for me, I'm one happy camper :D

Benefit They're Real

I thought this was such a cute, brilliant marketing campaign. Featured in my January faves, this is definitely deserving of a review :)

Packaging:

I like the tube. I like the chrome color and the overall shape. It's easy to hold and work with.

And the mascara checklist:

1. volume

2. holds curl

3. lengthening

4. non-smudging/non-clumpy/non-flaky with a drier formula (this isn't as important cuz I just wait a little bit after opening to dry out the formula a little)

So the brush actually isn't my favorite. I do like that it's not humongous and while I do like the spiky points at the end, I do wish it thinned out a little more towards the front so that it's easier to coat my inner lashes. Overall, I did like this mascara. I think it's appropriately named since it does give you a false lashes look. It's volumizing, super lengthening, and holds a decent curl although not so great with the separation and lift. It smudges very little and is a tiny bit flaky. The formula isn't very wet to begin with so I do feel like it will dry out more quickly than other mascaras I've used. Unless I can find it on sale, I probably won't repurchase given the price point but it's a great mascara overall.

Have you tried any Benefit mascaras?

What's in my Travel Makeup Bag Round 2!

See Round 1 here!

Another week long trip except I'm packing for different weather this time around. That and I tried to pack more lightly xD tried being the key word >_< I'm heading for the sunny part of Cali except it's supposed to rain this week T_T

Top Row L-R:
Benefit Hervana (which I will review eventually)
MUFE HD Foundation (since I like to take pictures on trips)
Benefit Play Stick (which I will review soon)
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder
Physician's Formula Healthy Skin Powder (which I sorta double up as sunblock since it has spf 50)

Bottom Row L-R:
Lancome Photogenic Concealer
Maybelline Quad in Chai Latte (which I will review soon)
MAC warm palette(?) which has 6 diff eyeshadows which I will post on eventually
MAC Fluidline in blacktrack

(not pictured) since I added them later
Naked palette
Cargo blush

 Brushes:
Sigma F80 (for cream foundation)
EcoTools Powder Brush (review coming soon for powder)
MAC 217 (for blending)
ELF eyeshadow brush (for eyeshadow)
ELF small smudge brush (for liner)
RT dome shadow brush (for concealer)
Mac 168 (for blush)

I didn't photograph skincare since it's the same as last time and rather uninteresting. Since I'm going to be away no posts this week although I might try to schedule one in the middle if I can :) Have a goood week!

Viva Glam I

Sorryyy another lippie post xDD Next few shouldn't be lipsticks sooo a respite :) But for now another Viva Glam!

Everyone should know that MAC does a program called Viva Glam to help support people with AIDS. According to their website, "Every cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass is donated to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS." 

This program started in 1994 when M·A·C introduced the original VIVA GLAM, (aka Viva Glam I) which they describe as an outspoken deep red that was universal in appeal and glamour.

 matte finish

lipstick in tube

Arm swatches:

L: NYX Snow White,  MAC Viva Glam I

Lip Swatches:

 bare lips

  applied sheerly

2nd coat

3rd coat (applied opaquely)

This is the original matte formula which is a little more drying than their newer formulations but it's a great red brown. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the brown hue and despite the similarity in arm swatches with NYX Snow White & Viva Glam I, I find that NYX applies way more darker on my lips than Viva Glam I which I find doesn't get much darker than that 3rd coat lip swatch whereas the NYX does get darker.

If you're in the mood for a red lip, this is a great one to check out, at least due to its great cause :)

MAC Shop, Cook, & Vera

Ok so I didn't actually pick up anything from Cook or Vera but since they all released on the same day I figure they are just one collection xD

Isn't the packaging adorable? The outer box is designed and then the normal MAC lipstick box slides out. :)

As is the norm, I picked up some lipsticks from this collection.

I don't know why but Watch Me Simmer is ACTUALLY shorter than Quick Sizzle. It's really strange.

Arm Swatch:

L-R: Quick Sizzle, Watch Me Simmer

Lip Swatches:

Watch Me Simmer.

amplified finish

bare lips

I thought this was a coral-ly color and so I couldn't not pick it up. On me I find it more orange than I would have thought. Still a great color though.

Quick Sizzle.

 matte finish

bare lip

applied sheerly

applied opaquely

So I thought people were kidding when they were talking about the formulation of the bright Matte lipsticks but when I tried on Quick Sizzle I was surprised at how smoothly it applied. Despite the brightness of the color (it's kind of neon-tinged) you can actually apply this sheerly for a more wearable look or wear it boldly (as probably intended).

I do think it is more of a deeper, fuscia tinted pink, compared to Pink Pigeon (which I will be doing a post on soon~ :D) in real life even though it doesn't capture that way on camera >,<

 pink pigeon on lips

 L-R: Pink Pigeon, Quick Sizzle, Watch Me Simmer

Overall I loved my picks and even though they're sold out now I have heard they are restocking them so be on the lookout! :D

Did you pick up anything from Shop, Cook, or Vera? Anything catch your eye?

L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadows

I'm sure people are tired of the plethora of posts and hype regarding these eyeshadows but what's one more xD

Everything you read/hear about them is true. They have amazing pigmentation, long wear time, and are some combination of cream & powder. I probably can't add anything to what's already been said so swatches ahead.

 beautiful packaging <3

 a little cheaper on this side lol

 comes with a topper that says "Do Not Discard"

the texture of the eyeshadow in the pot

 

L-R: Iced Latte, Bronzed Taupe, Amber Rush

 swiped on my fingers

 L-R: Iced Latte, Bronzed Taupe, Amber Rush

slightly different lighting same order as above

I own three although I'm contemplating going back for the purple and continuous cocoa. All the ones I've picked up have a slightly metallic finish which is most evident in Amber Rush. I can't compare them to Armani shadows since I don't own any and actually never swatched any either. Hmm must go swatch some soon. Either way, for a drugstore product these eyeshadows are unbelievably impressive and I'm glad I got them. I'm a little bit sad that different countries seem to have gotten different colors and the range of the US colors seem to be more limited than others I've seen.

Have you tried them? What are your favorite colors?

Revlon Whimsical

Another infamous dupe. Revlon does them very well. Although I don't own the original to compare, it does look quite similar from swatches. It's such a beautiful color. I was so glad I could get my hands on it. But honestly, I think I prefer this version and not just for the price point.

Introducing Revlon Whimsical:

bottle color

Nail Swatch:

 1 coat

 2 coats

3 coats

Then I decided I needed a base.

2 coats of the Color Club

 no base on the ring finger

2 coats of color club as a base, 3 coats of Whimsical

 different lighting

compared to Color Club bottle color

side by side bottle comparison

It's such a gorgeous color I'm so glad I found it. Honestly, I can't justify Deborah Lippman polishes (or any polish over $8 really xD) so I'm glad that I found Whimsical because I thought it was discontinued. I will say that this is definitely a polish you need to layer with a light blue. Honestly, the shade of blue doesn't really matter that much I think as long as it's a lighter blue since I've seen swatches over tons of different blues and the end result comes out pretty similar.