e.l.f. EYELID PRIMER

$1.00 
(TARGET, KMART, EYESLIPSFACE.COM)

THE CLAIMS:

Preps your eyelid for smoother, longer-lasting and crease-proof eyeshadow. The lightweight liquid formula quickly absorbs into the skin for comfortable wear and increases eye color longevity.

SHEER, PEARL, CHAMPAGNE

THE INSPECTION:

Nothing fancy....but it works!  One of the best eyelid primers I have ever used.  It comes in 4 shades but I can only find the "sheer" at Target.  The other 3 shades are Champagne, Pearl, and Golden.  You can find these on the eyeslipsface website.  This does exactly what all of the expensive primers do and probably better in my opinion.  My eyeshadow stays on all day, doesn't crease, and I never have to touch it up.  I love this!!

RIMMEL LONDON SEXY CURVES MASCARA

2 SHADES

$6.00 WALMART 

(PRICE VARIES AT DRUGSTORES)

THE CLAIMS:

Lashes look up to 70% curlier with voluptuous volume

• Patent pending Lash Inflation technology contains a protein enriched formula to instantly amplify your natural volume for fabulously fuller, clump free lashes.
• Unique Triple Plump Brush curves in for volume and curves out for maximum curl.

THE INSPECTION:

I hated this mascara. I experienced the opposite of everything the claims say.  It didn't curl or really lengthen my lashes.  It clumped them together and it took forever to dry. The more I put on, the worse it got. The brush works good on the bottom lashes. The only other good thing I have to say is I love the colorful packing.

e.l.f. LUSCIOUS LIQUID LIPSTICK

12 COLORS

$1.00 

(TARGET, KMART, EYESLIPSFACE.COM)

THE CLAIMS:

Lip therapy is here! Intensive hydrating agents along with natural pigments leave lips with long-lasting color and moisture. The Luscious Liquid Lipstick creates gorgeous wearable color that flatters a multitude of skin tones and looks.

TOP TO BOTTOM:  PINK LEMONADE, PERFECT PINK, MAUVE, BABY LIPS

THE INSPECTION:

COLOR: BABY LIPS - THE MOST NEUTRAL

I love this lipstick!  I have a lot of e.l.f. products, but I had never tried this one yet.  One of my nieces had this on one day and it looked gorgeous!  When she told me she had this on in Pink Lemonade, I had to go get it.  I ended up buying all of the colors that Target had which was only 4.  (Perfect Pink, Baby Lips, Mauve, and Pink Lemonade).  

PINK LEMONADE

They all have a gold shimmer to them but the Pink Lemonade seems to have a lot more gold in it.  The website is the place to go to really see all of the colors they offer.  I was impressed with the moisture and how long they stayed on.  The colors are not that pigmented but are very pretty.  They are subtle, but not too natural looking.  The tip is like a sponge and it makes it very easy to apply as it keeps any excess contained so you don't waste product.  Only one has a brush applicator (mauve) and its called hyper shine gloss.  I'm not sure why this one is different than the others.  There is not a lot of product in this, but at least they show you how much you are getting.  You have to twist the bottom about 10 -15 times to get the product to the tip. 

THIS ONE BROKE WHEN TWISTING THE BOTTOM

CONTAINER I USED FOR THE ONE THAT BROKE

One of mine broke when I twisted it and now the tip won't work, but I can still use it because I just put the product in another container.  I have heard that this does happen sometimes.  That would be the only con.  I guess I could return it, but since it is only $1.00, I probably won't.

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CAVIAR NAILS

CURRENT HOT FASHION TREND FOR YOUR FINGERS!

ESSIE - PLAY DATE

Texture seems to be a big trend right now with nails. The inspiration behind the Caviar Manicure is to give your fingers a 3-dimensional look, that isn’t too big on your nails. These tiny beads are applied directly to the nail. The finished effect gives your nail an instant enhanced look. 

$25.00 AT SEPHORA

You can get this look a few ways.  Sephora has a caviar kit called Ciate.  It contains a base polish, a bottle of beads and a funnel for returning all loose beads back in the bottle. It also comes with a tray to catch the beads when you are sprinkling them on your nails.  The price for this is $25.00.

MICHAELS CRAFT STORE - $7.00

A less expensive way to get the look is to get the beads from Michaels craft store. I got 6 bottles of different colored beads for $7.00. I already have a base coat, so this is clearly the better deal.  

 

 I tried this with a few colors and it's not really that hard to do.  I think it looks better if you paint your nails the same color as the beads you will put on. You just paint your nails, then sprinkle the beads on your nail and press with your finger or a small makeup brush. Shake off the excess. Wait until they dry and then apply a top coat to the free edge of your nail or just dab on the top coat-(not brush) on top of the nail.  If you brush it on, you will probably loose the beads or the color will come off of the beads.

 

 

  

ESSIE- TURQUOISE AND CAICOS

I think this is fun for a special occasion or night out, but it doesn't last very long.  It will probably only be good for one day.  The beads eventually start falling off because it is so 3 dimensional.  If you run your fingers through you hair, or hit your nails on something, some of them do drop off. 




Is it worth taking the time to do this?  I would say if you have the time, it's definately a head turner, but my recommendation would be to do this last before you are out of the door. You will also need a solid 20 minutes for this to dry.

MAYBELLINE MEGA PLUSH MASCARA

$5.94 WALMART 

(PRICE VARIES AT OTHER DRUGSTORES)

THE CLAIMS:

First gel-mousse mascara with 40% less hard waxes for massive volume with a supple touch.

Extra-soft, patented Flexor Brush caresses lashes.

Lashes never brittle or flaky.

Available in washable and waterproof formulas.


 THE INSPECTION:

BORING

I wasn't that impressed with this mascara.  I love Maybelline mascaras, but this one is just ok.  The brush is fluffy and dense.  It gives your lashes a natural look which is not what I'm looking for in a mascara.  This brush does keep them from clumping together which is the one thing I did like, but there is just no wow factor.  As far as the claim that your lashes stay soft and not crunchy, I disagree. My lashes felt the same as they do with any other mascara.  I'm still not sure why the wand bends and is flexible.  I will use the rest of this but I probably won't purchase it again.

             

URBAN DECAY EYESHADOW PRIMER POTION

$20.00 

(SEPHORA, ULTA, URBANDECAY.COM)

THE CLAIMS:

This is it – THE most legendary primer in the beauty industry.  Eyeshadow Primer Potion is coveted by makeup artists and makeup junkies alike because it guarantees more vibrant eyeshadow that lasts for 24 hours and NEVER CREASES!  Once you experience its powers (plus how smoothly it glides on – an added bonus) you’ll never want to live without it.  Original formula dries down invisibly, while Eden, Sin and Greed are shades that can also be worn as shadows or highlighters!

 

 THE INSPECTION:

Love this!  The claims are true.  I use this as a solo eyeshadow as well as a primer. There are 4 different colors: Original, Eden (tawny nude-matte), Greed(gold), and Sin (shimmering champagne).  My favorites are Greed and Sin.  Crazy names!!  They add a little shimmer to your lid if you want to wear this just as an eyeshadow, but if using as a primer, it really holds your eyeshadow in place all day.  If you have oily lids or aging eyes, your eye makeup can end up in the crease of your eye lids after a while.  This primer is the solution!

e.l.f. STUDIO CONDITIONING LIP BALM

SPF 15

$3.00 

(TARGET, KMART, EYESLIPSFACE.COM)

THE CLAIMS:

With the e.l.f. Conditioning Lip Balm, lips get treated to a sheer splash of color that’s super smooth, velvety soft and non-sticky. Not only are these sheer, natural shades beautiful, they’re also beneficial, with natural ingredients that condition dry, chapped lips including Vitamins A & E. SPF 15 to protect delicate lips against harmful sun damage.

BLISSFUL BERRY

THE INSPECTION:

This does everything the claims say.  It has really great pigmentation, and is very moisturizing.  The quality of this product is really impressive considering the price.  They smell really good and I love the colors.  You can actually use some of the colors as a blush.  They are not sticky and I love that they have an SPF.  The only negative is the packaging is a little bulky and they take up a lot of space in your makeup bag. Other than that, I love it!!

SERIOUS SKINCARE OLIVE OIL REPLENISHING BODY OIL

$28.50 (SERIOUSSKINCARE.COM, HSN)

THE CLAIMS:

Get your glow on. This rich, warm, golden moisturizing oil slowly sinks into the skin, helping dry and dull skin look and feel luscious and glowing.

• 8 fl. oz. First-Pressed Olive Oil Replenishing Body Oil
• Helps replenish the moisture in dry/stressed skin
• Enriched with first-pressed olive oil, olive leaf extract and hydrating lipids
• Helps skin look and feel younger and deeply hydrated

THE INSPECTION:

This is the best body moisturizer I have ever used.  It is extremely hydrating and I love the way it smells.  It is an oil so I usually pour it into my hand over the sink in case it drips.  Rub your hands together and then apply it on your body.  

 

You know the feeling of your skin when you have been on the beach and have had oil on all day?  This is how this makes your skin feel.  It's not greasy, it just makes your skin feel very soft and deeply hydrated.  Hours after you have put it on, if you run your hand across your arm, you can still feel the moisture on your skin.  If feels like it goes deep into the layers of the skin.  It will also accentuate a tan and give your skin a dewy sheen.

The only negatives about this are the price and although I love the scent of this, it is strong and my husband said he does not like it.