Review: Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer

Ok, so how many of you have very dull, boring, or sparse eyebrows that need some filling in?! I think I saw about 50% of ladies hands go up. I mean c'mon! Let's face it, some of us have beautifully crafted brows that require no work but tweezing or waxing..while others -- like myself -- need to use something to give them a little UMPH!

While paroozing through Target on my lunch break (yes, my lunch break! lol) I ran into this little baby again. I say again because I picked it up in CVS before, but didnt want to pay $10 for it because at the time I was thinking about getting the Anastasia pencil after reading IndianMakeUpDiva's review on it.

But anyway, Target has it for ~$7, so I got it, tried it &&&&&&&&&&& Results?!

I have mixed feelings about this....now, its not a PENCIL its actually tinted wax. So for those of you who have a heavy hand and tend to press color on to your brows so much that you look like Scruff McGruff, then no worries -- this stuff goes on very sheer but it's buildable. The reason I have mixed feelings is because this will fill in your brows to the extent that they look very full && volumptuous, BUT I myself have been trying to master the airbrushy eyebrow look...& I can achieve that better with a brown eyeshadow and a brow brush. Just my personal opinion :\

Like I always say: Try it -- dont like it?! Return it!

But anyway, the brow enhancer also comes with a highlight color to place right under your brows to give them super UMPH! lol I tried it & honestly, I dont like the pinkish color that comes with the medium brown -- at least not for highlight, but I will use it as a base for my eyeshadows, its really creamy. && if it lives up to the ColorStay promise of lasting many hours, then I'll definitely repurchase! Hope this helps!

XOXO,

Kelsey

Initial Reaction: AcneFree vs. ProActiv Solution

Alright Acne Sufferers!
I've been an avid user of ProActiv Solution for the past 2 years. As soon as I used ProActiv, I saw results -- there was no denying that. But I learned the hard way that ProActiv isn't a permanent fix. Once I saw a decrease in the number of pimples on my face, I stopped using ProActiv -- big mistake! About 4 months after I discontinued using the system, I had acne flare ups all over again.

One thing I absolutely hate about ProActiv (& I'm sure many will agree) is the fact that if you want the system for a cheaper price, you have to be a part of their Clear Skin Club. If not, you're going to pay a lot more $$$ buying it elsewhere (like eBay). Soooo with that said, I opted for the longest delivery time of "every 13 weeks" & yet, I still had enough product left over from previous orders. Paying $40-$50 every 13 weeks for a system I couldnt use because I still had a lot left, was really kickin my butt because I'm a broke college student! lol and they always managed to charge my card during my most brokest weeks! lol

So I ended up canceling my membership. After going to CVS and finding AcneFree's Terminator 10 spot treatment (which I wrote a review on), I fell in love with the product. So recently, I went & purchased AcneFree's Severe System -- they advertise this product as working a bazillion times better than ProActiv (due to the 10% benzoyl peroxide). So I took a chance, and I used this stuff everyday for about 1 week. Opinions?
UGH! I abso-freakin-lutely hate this!!! Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating - so I'll break it down.
AcneFree has 4 parts to their system, but Im going to compare the first 3 steps to ProActiv.

1. AcneFree vs ProActiv Renewing Cleanser: AcneFree's cleanser has about 3 microbeads in the entire bottle, while ProActiv's is FILLED with them. Therefore, the AcneFree cleanser offers no kind of "exfoliation".

2. AcneFree vs. ProActiv Toner: I think everyone who has used ProActiv knows that this stuff BURNS THE CRAP OUT OF YOUR FACE! lol, fortunately, AcneFree toner doesnt burn at all. But if you're wierd like me & think that the burning sensation is a good thing & means "its working" then AcneFree wont do a dang thing for you.

3. AcneFree vs. ProActiv Repair Lotion: Ok, so this is where the real diappoinment comes into play. I abosolutely LOVE the feeling of ProActiv's repairing lotion. After burning off my pigmentation in my face with their toner (lol), it feels very cooling to put their lotion on right after. Its very smooth & silky like :) -- But AcneFree on the other hand?? Makeup wearers & sensitive facers BEWARE! I think AcneFree took all the microbeads out their cleanser & put them in their repair lotion. I say this because their lotion HURTS! Its kind of a sand-like texture & I felt like it was ripping my face apart. Not only that, but I think this stuff is like body-heat activated because as soon as I rubbed it in, my face began sweating uncontrollably. I mean my forehead, bridge, nose, and top lip were DRIPPING SWEAT! It was so gross - & there was no way I was going to be able to put on my beloved Everyday Minerals foundation over top of that gunk. So I immediately washed my face off, & AcneFree will be going back to Target :\

Soooo whats the lesson here folks? Well, for me the lesson was "stick with ProActiv" -- but on a plus side...I still recommend you try AcneFree Terminator 10. Put it on at night & that stuff works miracles!

Anyway, hope this helped. Leave a comment if u have questions!

XOXO,
Kelsey

Blistex Takes Lips to a New Level!!!

How many of us are in LOVE with Blistex products?
I remember when I was a little girl my mom would make sure she smeared Blistex all over my lips before I went out to play in the snow - just to be sure my lips stayed nice and moisturized. And ooohhhh that good ole' menthol tingling feeling :)

Well, even though Blistex still produces the #1 lip protectant, they've decided to kick it up a notch like Emeril lol......

Introducing....Blistex Lip Massage!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's still the lip protectant we all know know and love, just with a little UMPHHHHHHH!!!!!

The application tip of the little tube now has a rigged but smooth surface to help "massage" your precious soup coolers! When I saw this is the store, I knew I had to try it. As soon as I purchased it, I cracked open the packaging and rolled it on my lips - HEAVEN! It really does have a "STIMULATING MASSAGE TIP"....I find myself applying this every 10 mins, not because it doesn't last, but because it feels soooooo good gliding on my lips!

For about $2 you can try it too...this product is extremely NEW, seeing as how it isnt even listed on the Blistex website, or any other sites like Drugstore.com, CVS.com, etc. etc. As a matter of fact, I had to do a google search with quotation marks just to find a picture of this product!!! So I hope you'll be able to find it in your local drugstore!

PS: It also has SPF 15!

XOXO,
Kelsey

Revlon Matte Lipstick - Pink Pout

Pink is definitely "IN" this summer! Pink eyeshadow, pink blush, pink, nail polish, and pink lipstick!! LOL so much pink :) As I was checking out the latest celeb gossip on MediaTakeOut.com, I saw one story about Kanye West & Amber Rose. Every time I see pictures of her, or see her on TV I think to myself "She is really pretty, & that pink lipstick is the bizness!"

So I did some research and came across Revlon's Matte l/s in Pink Pout. This stuff has been out for a while now, so Im not really sure why I dont already have it. I think its because when I went on MakeupAlley.com & read the reviews for the Nude Attitude color, ppl were saying how Revlon's formula was very drying. But anyway, I went to target & got it for about $6, and as soon as I got in my car- I HAD TO TRY IT! lol

I smeared Pink Pout on my lips, and OMG! This stuff is EXTREMELY PIGMENTED! & its so freaking pretty! lol I'll post pictures once I get home to my camera, but for right now, enjoy these pictures of the beautiful Amber Rose & her pink pout! lol

XOXO,

Kelsey

Acne Sufferers Check This Out!!

Ladies,

How many times have you gone to sleep only to wake up and find something other than your reflection staring at you in the mirror? No, Im not talking about a ghost, I'm talking about a pimple!!! (Which is just as scary, IMO)

For the longest time, I've been fighting a war against ACNE!!!! It's truly my worst enemy! & for as long as I've been battling pimples, I've been on the hunt for products to help me get rid of them. I've tried just about everything advertised, and the one product that has EVER worked for me until now was ProActiv. ProActiv literally saved my face, and as "paid advertisy" as that may sounds, its true. The only thing about ProActiv is that it tends to burn really bad if I do all 3 steps. So usually I will opt out of using the toner, just because I find it to be very drying to my skin.

BUT, I'd like to share with you all another product that is really giving ProActiv's Repairing Lotion a run for its money.....

This little baby right here......
AcneFree Terminator 10 is a spot treatment. The active ingredient is 10% benzoyl peroxide (BP). This product is marketed as having the highest amount of BP that you can get in an acne medication without a prescription, and I believe them. (I think ProActiv's Repairing Lotion has about 2% BP)

I LITERALLY was in CVS for over an hour comparing acne products, and while most of the spot treatments had either 5% BP or 2.5% salicylic acid - this was the ONLY product that had 10% BP. For that reason, I rushed to the counter and paid ~$6 for it

When I got home and was getting ready for bed, I washed my face with my ProActiv Renewing Cleanser, and put Terminator 10 on all of my big gushy pimples. Results? When I woke up the next morning my pimples were no long gushy, its like the pusky stuff (eww) had been sucked out of the pimples! At that moment, I fell in love :)

This product has even made me question switching to the AcneFree 3-Step System as well, but I've spent a great amount of $$$ on ProActiv, so I will wait until I'ved used every last bit of it. But for all of you acne sufferers who have yet to try AcneFree Terminator 10, PLEASE go and get it TODAY! - I can just about promise you that you will see results after using it just one time. If not, come back and curse me out! lol

You can find this product at your local drugstore, Wal-Mart, and at Drugstore.com :) Good Luck Ladies!

XOXO,
Kelsey

Short Foundation Reviews

Hey Ladies,

So, I know there are a lot of women out there who have skin just like me: oily & acne-prone.
It's an extremely sad and depressing situation because you have blemishes that you want to cover, but the products that you put on your face to heal or cover your acne could be making it worse.

Last summer is when I really started paying attention to the ingredients in all the products I'm interested in -- from moisturizer to blush and everything in between. Throughout this past year, I can honestly tell you all that I have NOT found a product that does NOT cause acne. Yes ladies, you heard me right. Every product I've tried on my face has made me break out! Its a sad reality, but I'm determined to fine a quality product.

Here's a list of foundations which I've tried:

1. MAC Studio Fix Fluid - has silicone which is basically plastic & extremely bad for your face
2. MAC Select SPF 15 - Even though its water-based, I still broke out horribly
3. Revlon ColorStay for Oily/Combo Skin: didn't break out too much, but too hard to blend
4. MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural - Contains talc & bismuth oxychloride (BAD FOR SKIN)
5. CoverGirl Clean Liquid - I barely broke out with this, but it didnt last very long
6. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse - Broke out after 3 weeks of using it, but I loved the way it felt :\
7. Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse - loved this as well, but I still broke out, not as bad as MAC though
8. NYX Twin Cake Powder - The name says it all "Cake" - this stuff sucks! too thick, broke me out
9. Everyday Minerals - The best foundation I've tried, doesnt break me out until summer time when it mixes with my facial sweat :\ Doesnt contain talc or bismuth oxychloride :)
10. iD Bare Minerals - itches really bad due to the bismuth oxycloride, didnt break me out, but it just itched!!

I hope this list can help you determine which foundations to stay away from. IMO, I honestly recommend you all try Everyday Minerals if you havent. They offer free sample kits - all you have to pay is shipping which is no more than $4.00USD.
Here's the link for the sample kits:
https://www.everydayminerals.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=26&Itemid=40


Enjoy!

XOXO,
Kelsey

Product Review & Comparison: Eyeliners

Hey ladies,

So I wanted to write a review for these two products and basically compare the two because I believe they're worth blogging about! :) I try not to hold back anything when it comes to reviews because I want all of you to get the best products at the best prices - so hopefully you find these reviews helpful!

First Up: CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Pencil

I'm on my second one, and in the beginning, I would just the grey khaki color to fill in my brows, but I died my hair black, and the khaki didn't fit anymore. I loved it when I used it as an eyebrow filler, so I thought that I would love the black one just as much to line my eyes. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT :(

During the day, I tend NOT to line my waterline because it looks to dramatic for me - so I only line the bottom of my lid. After about 3 hours, this stuff somehow managed to settle right under my eye - making me look as if I had the darkest circles under my eyes.

So I told myself, "Ok, maybe it was just that one time." I've used this pencil over 10 times, and each time, the color smudge from my lid to my under eye area. Sucks! BUT - there is a positive side to this.....if you're looking for a super smudgeable (is that a word?) pencil to use when doing smokey eyes, I definitely think you should check this one out! Regarless of what you're using it for, be sure not to press to hard when applying because the "self-shapening" effect makes the product so easy to break off :(

Next Up: L'Oreal Telescopic E/L (Carbon Black)

This is another "OKAY" product :-\
One thing that I've always liked about liquid eyeliner was that its hard to smudge, and that remains true with this product. My only issue with liquid e/l is that you cannot use it to line your water line, because it will eventually fall into your eye and form a black string - & the only way to get it out is to rub the crap out of your eye.

As far as this exact product is concerned, the praised "felt-tip applicator" HURTS!!! OMG I felt like it was cutting into my eyelid! For that reason, I honestly dont recommend this product to women who are heavy-handed, or beginners.


I hope these two reviews helped!
Until next time ladies!!

XOXO,
Kelsey

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

Ooookkkk....
So this is going to be my review of this mascara...

I purchased this mascara from Target for about $6.99USD. I wanted to try it out after hearing a lot of people on YouTube go on and on about how great it is. So I took my chances and got it....

Now, being a Covergirl LashBlast lover, I would consider myself to be narrow-minded when it comes to mascara because I absolutely LOVE LashBlast.

So here's the deal:

I HAVE: very straight medium-length eyelashes which can't hold a curl for crap

I WANT: full and thick lashes with the hopes of it being able to curl

I GOT: clumps. somwhat thick, non-curlable (is that a word) lashes.


Soooooo after using Voluminous mascara for about two weeks now, I dont think its a product that I will buy again. It wasnt the worst that I've tried, but it didnt hold up against LashBlast.



Im my personal opinion, all mascaras are the same. Meaning the black tar stuff that you put on your eye. The things that sets all of them apart is the wand/brush. The quality of the brush says a lot about how effective a masacara will be. So with that said. I plan on making a video comparing both Voluminous and LashBlast, BUT I'm going to mix the brushes up so that I use the LashBlast brush with Voluminous and the other way around.


So be on the lookout for that vid!!!

XOXO,
Kelsey

My Empty Blush Palette!

So, I decided to try and press my Everyday Mineral blushes because I have so many of them that its hard to remember which shades I have w/o having to open each jar. So I purchased this from StarsMakeupHaven.com for $9.99USD + shipping.

You can also buy this palette from CoastalScents.com BUT they raise the prices of shipping! For that reason, I NEVER buy anything from CoastalScents.com. I honestly think they're scammers because all they do is buy their products from China for very low prices, then jack the prices up high and their shipping. So I always look for undiscovered alternative sites that sell the same items. eBay has these palettes as well, but I wanted to give StarsMakeUpHaven.com a try! And I'm really happy with my purchase :)


Sooooooo......look forward to a video on my YouTube account, and a blog post (w/ pics) about me pressing my mineral blushes from Everyday Minerals!!!!!

Review: Milani Sunset Blush Bronzer Duo in Sunset City

So I picked this up from my local CVS for about $6.99USD, and I must say its a pretty good bronzer. For reference, my complexion is Buttered Tan in Everyday Minerals...and last time I checked I was an NC30 in MAC.

This is a blush/bronze duo, majority of it is a bronzer. I swatched the blush with my Luminous blush (also Milani), and its the exact same blush. So if you were eyeing both this and Luminous, all you need is this duo!

You can wear this two different ways. The first way is swirling your brush to pick up both of the colors to mix them together, or put the blush on first and then the bronzer.

The color payoff is great, but I must say it doesnt really last on your face longer than about 3 hours. So you'll have to take it with you for touch ups!

I'll post swatch pictures soon!

XOXO,

Kelsey

Review of Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation

soooooo, some of us may know about all the rants and raves this foundation has been getting, and its constant comparison to MAC StudioFix Fluid Foundation....
Though I don't use MAC's foundation (mainly because of the price, and my budget) I chose to follow everyone else and try Revlon.....so here goes.....

So I purchased this foundation from CVS Pharmacy, when they were having a "Buy One Get One Free" sale (dont EVER buy cosmetics from CVS until there's a sale..CVS is OVERPRICED!...go to Walmart!) Soooo....its priced at 12.99 I think. At Walmart its about $9.99-$10.99.

Anyway, I was so excited to rush home and put it on my face...so I washed my face with my Apricot scrub, put on some moisturizer, pulled out my MAC 109 brush and applied it all over my face. What's my reaction????? "This is no different from CoverGirl Clean MakeUp?"

It offered me the same sheer/medium coverage as CG, so I was beginning to think that I wasted my money because CG only costs about $3-$4. But, not wanting to jump to EARLY conclusions, I kept the product on my face for a couple of hours, since it's marketed to last 16 hours. Sooo..of course I didn't keep the product on for 16 hours, more like 9 hours (while I was at work), and when I got home, I wiped my face with a Pond's Clean Sweep wipe, and voila, the product came off! Meaning, there was minimal to no rub-off throughout the day. It lasts.....so that's a plus...another thing I noticed, which made me come to the conclusion that this stuff really works....you know how some people pour a small amount of foundation on the back of their hand, then dip the brush in it and apply it to their face? Yeah well, thats the method I use, and one day, I forgot to wash the product off my hand before leaving for work....so when someone pointed out what they thought was a "really big birth mark" on my hand, I held in my laughter and rushed to the bathroom to wash it off...and get this.......soap and water did NOT do the trick hunnie! It got some of the product off, but not all of it, not even most of it. So all day I had to walk around with a "birth mark" on my hand. Eventually I got home and was able to use my make up remover to get it off completely........

So in my personal opinion, this stuff does its job, and is worth it, especially at its price, compared to MAC foundation....so give it a try, and if you dont like it......keep your receipt!