I ❤ Drugstore Makeup Tag!

Another post just sitting in my drafter folder.

I watched emilynoel83's video on this tag. If you follow her then you know she is a lover of drugstore makeup.  I think in 2011, I started paying more attention to makeup at the drugstore. Doesn't help that I have a CVS and Walgreens within walking distance of where I work. Ulta is close by too. So I decided to give this tag a go. Now keep in mind this a video tag, so bare with me trying to do this as a blog post. I didn't take pics of everything. So here's the tag!

1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand?

I'd have to say Wet n' Wild. I love a lot of the products in the Color Icon line. I have eyes, lip and cheeks products. Their eyeshadows are super pigmented, go on nicely and have nice staying power on me. I've picked up quite a few of their MegaLast lipsticks (black tubes picture above). Sugar Plum Fairy hands down is my favorite lipstick from the MegaLast line.  I have all 4 of the color icon blushes and 3 of their shimmer palettes. I also have some of their nail polishes

2. What are your favorite face, cheek and lip products?

• Face - Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer. I don't have a lot of face products from the drugstore but this concealer is nice. I have this #30 Cafe. I use this as an undereye concealer.

 

• Cheek - Wet n' Wild Color Icon Blushes . These are some great blushes. They only released 4. It would be nice if they did more colors. These are nicely pigmented, not chalky and brown girl friendly. 

• Lip - oh gosh this is HARD for me. Back when I originally started this post I probably would have said Revlon lipsticks or even their lipglosses which were my favorite from the drugstore. But now I'd have to say Maybelline Colorsensational Lipglosses. These are hands down my favorite lipglosses from the drugstore.  Can't you tell? I think there are 2 more that I have not shown in this picture.

3. Least favorite product?

Drugstore foundations. No brand in particular but in general. My dislike is mainly due the lack in color range at the drugstore. We all don't fit into 4 or 5 shades. And for women of color our choices are a lot less. So until drugstore brands realize this my foundation will always be "high end".

4. What is the best makeup bargain?

Hmmm...anything by Wet n' Wild. They have some miss products but you still can't go wrong with most of their products. Plus if you run into a sale at the drugstore or have coupons, it's damn near free makeup.

5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?)

Another hmm...I'll say my L'Oreal Hip Duo eyeshadows. These were some of my first eyeshadows from the drugstore and I love them. Like I've said before, I do simple eye looks and these are perfect for that since it pairs two colors together. Need to reach for these more often.

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?

Anything by Physician's Formula. I've tried a few on their products and they're nice. Tried one of their mascaras that's a popular favorite (Get Up and Grow) and I wasn't a fan of it. Nothing overly special about their products. I lucked up and got them during different sales. What I had I've given away. I think I still have one lipgloss and a blush. It's not a brand that I gravitate to when I troll the beauty section at the drugstore.

7. Show your best drugstore dupe(s)!!

NYX Lip Liner in Expresso. I fell in love with Smashbox's Nude Lip Liner in Dark. I used to purchase a duo from QVC. Then I can't remember if it was a blog post or a YouTube video that had mentioned the NYX Liner. I went to pick it up from Ulta. I swatched it against Smashbox and was like hellooo dupe! I wear this liner with pretty much every lip product be it lipstick, gloss, or whatever. So it was nice to find a cheaper alternative. 

8. Drugstore product that isn't worth the hype?

Maybelline Baby Lips!!!! I purchased 2 of these off of YouTube hype and I cannot stand them. They are not moisturizing enough for me. Give me Carmex any day!

And there you have it. You also got a little peak into my makeup stash which will be coming later in the month. Stay tuned...

11 Nail Polishes I Would Repurchase

Another post that was just sitting in my draft folder *smh*

This pic is from 2012 when I posted my nail polishes for a photo-a-day challenge on Instragram.

I have purged a lot from my stash since I posted this pic but I still have a lot.  But if something happened to them and I had to repurchase nail polishes, here's what I would repurchase:

1. Essie Mink Muffs
2. Essie Turquoise and Caicos
3. Zoya Pasha
4. Chanel Black Pearl
5. Sephora by OPI Metro Chic
6. Sally Hansen Pacific Blue
7. Butter London The Black Knight
8. Zoya Ibiza
9. Revlon Royal
10. OPI The Living Daylights
11. Essie Sexy Divide

As you can see I love my blues and taupey gray shades. My favorite/holy grail base and top coats are Duri Rejuvacoate and Out the Door. My favorite nail polish brand is Essie.

Again I can't pick 10! Ok I seriously could have listed 20-25 easily LOL!!! Maybe I'll do a part 2.

Bag of the Moment - Dooney & Bourke Leather Crescent Tote

I purchased this bag from none other than QVC. I hadn't reached for this bag in a while. I love the green shade. It's perfect for transitioning from summer to fall. The green isn't too bright but not super dark either. This is a nice size tote for everyday. But it's not too large to carry around on weekends and such.  It doesn't get "in the way" like some tote bags can. There's a zip pocket on the back of the bag and one on the inside. It also has two pockets on the front. I got this back when the cell phone pockets were smaller. But my phone fits in the one of the front pockets nicely. I'm kind of bummed that it's not longer available. Kind of wanted in another color. Like I really need another bag LOL!

Makeup Brushes I Would Repurchase

October's Blogapalooza is underway!

I started this post back in October of 2012 and it has been sitting in my draft folder ever since. Sheesh! This was supposed to be a "top 10" but of course I went beyond 10.

I have quite a few makeup brushes. Some I like more than others. If I had to up and repurchase makeup brushes, here is what I would get:

Elf Studio Powder Brush - I love using this blush to apply my Bare Minerals foundation. I have 2 and may pick up another one. A lot of people like to use this brush for liquid foundation. I didn't like for that.

Elf Angled Contour Brush - this is an eyeshadow brush but I use it to blend out whatever undereye concealer I'm using.

Real Techniques Powder Brush - this brush is super soft and applies face powder nicely.

Sigma F05 Small Contour Brush - I use this brush to apply my Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder on the outside of my face and hollows of my cheeks to contour. I've also used this brush as a blush brush and like using it that way as well.

Elf Studio Small Stippling Brush - this is a newer favorite. I like this brush to apply cream blushes, really pigmented blushes like La Femme blushes and highlighters (power or cream).

Elf Studio Eyeshadow "C" Brush - this is my favorite brush for packaging eyeshadows on my lid and into the crease. I have also used the brush to apply cream eye products like Maybelline Color Tattoos. I currently have 2 and wouldn't mind 2 more. You can't beat the price of $3. My looks are very simple so this brush along with the next brush mentioned, gets the job done.

Elf Studio Contour Brush - this is my favorite brush for applying eyeshadows in my crease. Also it has a little give to it so that you can blend a little bit as well.

Sigma E25 Blending Brush - this is dupe for MAC's 217 brush. I have a bunch of these in the mini size. Got them as a gift with purchase with various Sigma Beauty orders. This a good all purpose eye brush and I always have one in reach.

Bare Minerals Crease Defining Brush - to me this a blending brush. I really like for applying a brow bone highlight, cleaning up the edges on an eyelook and of course blending.

Smashbox Arced Liner Brush - I originally got this brush in a set with 2 of their gels liners. When I thought I lost this brush, I went out and got another one. I know there are similar brushes like this that are cheaper, but I wanted the same brush and not an alternative to it.  Of course once I bought the replacement brush, I found the one I thought I lost. Which was fine at the time. Now I have a back up when the other one is dirty or in between washings. 

Sedona Lace Synthetic Blender Brush - I use this brush to mainly apply Maybelline Color Tattoos on my lid. I also like using this brush for 1 eyeshadow looks.

Bare Minerals Tapered Eyeshadow Brush - I've had this brush for a while but only started using it within the last few months. I love that this brush is small. You can lay eyeshadow all over your lid easier. Especially in the inner corner. It also double as a smudge brush for the lower lash line.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush - this is another brush I love to use for applying Bare Minerals foundation. I've also used it with cream foundations as well. Unfortunately this brush is not available for individual purchase. It is included in their Core Collection set. If it was available for individual purchase, I would get another one.

Sigma Large Angled Contour Brush - I love angled brushes like this to apply blush. It makes it easy to place on your cheek and blend it out. I have one from Bare Minerals that I really like as well.

Bare Minerals Contour Brush - I love this brush to apply blush and bronzer. I got this brush in various sets. I don't see it on their website currently which is a bummer. I think I have like 3 so I'm good lol!!

And there you have it. These are the brushes that I reach for/enjoy using the most. I probably could have listed 5 more. I think this is enough ;)

September 2013 Top 3

Fall is here!!!!! I love when the weather transitions from summer to fall. Bring on the boots, cozy sweaters and yummy good food!! Football is back!!!! Woot! Also bring on the deeper shades of makeup. Especially the lippies! Speaking on lippies, I feel like this is the favorite lippies edition since everything is a lip product. Excuse the nail polishes show below. If you're wondering it's Essie's Damsel in a Dress.  This polish has been on my wish list forever and I randomly stumbled upon it in Walgreens. Now for my favorites!

I am OBSESSED with Maybelline's Lavender Intrigue lipstick....OBSESSED. I gushed about this lipstick on Instagram. Called it the wrong name and everything! *head palm* It is just gorgeous. I could wear it everyday and be happy. It's not too dark, wears well throughout the day and feels comfortable on the lips. I don't have a lot of Maybelline lipsticks (outside of the Vivids) but I like the ones that I have. One of the "trends" for fall beauty is purple lipsticks. These trends kind of irritate me. I'm like where have y'all been? Purple has BEEN the trend. At least with a lot of people I know. So I guess we're ahead of the curve LOL! If you are a purple lippie lover then you should definitely check this out. It's limited edition which SUCKS! It's part of Maybelline new Fall collection.

Mary Kay True Dimensions lipstick in Rosette was given to me courtesy of my beauty pusher Crystalis007. I swear she's become my beauty BFF lol! I hadn't tried this line of lipsticks from Mary Kay before but had seen posts about them. These are great. They remind me of Revlon Lip Butters. This color matches my natural lip color. So it's a good everyday shade that I can throw on with any eye/blush combo.

Maybelline Lavender Lavish lipgloss is the BUSINESS!!!! It's also part of Maybelline's Fall collection. My beauty pusha Crystalis007 did a post recently on this gloss and she mentioned that she's already gotten a backup. I said to myself I wasn't going to purchase anymore back ups of color products (lipstick, glosses, eyeshadsows, etc) because Lord knows I do not need them (you'll see this during October's Blogapalooza). BUT she was nice enough to scoop one up for me when she was out and about! I have looked in couple of stores but some trifling people had OPENED them up! I hate, hate, HATE THAT! It's sealed for a reason you big dummies! Hmph! Anywho...This gloss pairs well with lighter purple/lavender lipsticks. I've paired it with MAC's Daddy's Little Girl, Revlon's Berry Haute and another lipstick that escapes my mind right now but it was in the same color family. I was like OMG with each lip combo. So I'm glad that I got a backup since I plan on wear this lipgloss a lot!

Something a little different...I guess I'll call this the surprise item of the month. There are times when I want to mention an item but it's not necessarily a favorite because I haven't used it enough. If that makes sense and these items did take me by surprise. I picked up two of the Maybelline Eye Studio quads that are part of the Fall collection. They are limited edition. I saw them in CVS when I was looking for some of the lip products from the collection. I told myself no, you don't "need" them. I ended up in Walgreens looking for one of the lipsticks that I couldn't find and ended up picking up Violet Femmes and Fall Temptation. Neutrals and purple shadows are my weakness. I've played around with them and they are really nice. I've never tried these quads before. Some have compared them to the Lancome Color Design palettes.

Let me mention a quick regret purchase for the month. I had picked up Sonia Kashuk's Jewel of an Eye palette from Target. A couple of weeks ago there was a deal on Target's Cartwheel app. If you are a Target lover then download this app to your phone and save on various products. The deal was 20% off her larger palettes. So I was like sweet! I didn't have any of her palettes at the time and people have spoke highly of them. I had 2 single shadows of hers, but never really used them since they were colors I didn't really wear (I don't have them anymore). I've played around with this palette and now I'm like meh. I could have done without it. The brown/neutral shades are nice. Some of the colors I had to DIG into to build up color on my lid. I thought maybe I was tripping. I had mentioned to a friend of mine who got different palette with the Cartwheel deal. She felt the same way about the palette she picked up. I was going to pick up her other 2 neutral palettes but now I'm not. Debating if I was to keep this palette or put with my giveaway items.

And there have it! Maybelline got a lot of love from me this month. Let October Blogapalooza commence!!!!! \O/ Hopefully I can keep up.

We Remember...

I posted this on my various social networks today. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones on this day 12 years ago. I'm sure we all can remember where we were when the events of this day happened. I know I gripe about the ills and happenings of the United States and "joke" about moving abroad, but at the end of the day there is no where else I really want to be. In times of tragedy I amazed how we can all come together. I only wish it didn't take a tragedy for everyone to come together.

Never forget...

Be easy good people.

October Blogapalooza is Coming!

I was going to try and do this in September but didn't give myself time enough to prepare. Next month I am going to try to do a blog post everyday. Keyword being TRY O_o. I'm in the process of making a list now and will get to work on it in the next week or so. A lot of beauty related posts but I going to throw some other random things in the mix since that's what I do lol. If there is anything you would like to see/hear about let me know.

Stay tuned....