Review - Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in True Black

You can find a full review on this product on my YouTube Channel NOW!

I have purchased a good deal of gel liners that were not Blacktrack Fluidline by Mac.  I know, I know, I should stay true when I find one that works well.  However, not everyone likes to purchase MAC no matter how many times I tell them that the $17 is worth it considering it will last FOREVER!  They only see the price tag and that they must take a department store trip to pick it up.  THIS is the main reason I had to have this one...it is easily attainable at your local drugstore, Target, or WalMart and constantly going on sale keeping the price tag around or below $8. 

I rather enjoyed the formula.  You can see in the vid that I made sure to take notes about the wear throughout the day as to not miss anything for you guys.  It worked rather well in my waterline as well as on my lash line.  There was minimal fading...generally only where I rubbed my eyes or they watered profusely throughout the day that day.  However, by the end of the day, it was still looking decent and my complaints if any were about things that were not super relavant. 

The consistancy is very creamy and BLACK.  It was not runny or clumpy and when I used one of MY liner brushes (NOT the one that came with it), I had great luck with no bleeding.  It glided on with ease and since I have been using this product, the double winged and reverse liner techniques have become very easy and second nature to me!  This is just an easy product at an easy price!

Make sure to check it out, the next time you are in your local drugstore!  If you have a review on this product, make sure to post it as a video response to the YouTube video on my  channel!  I would love to see you thoughts and opinions, especially if they differ from mine! 

Have you picked up this product?  IF so, how long have you been using and why do you love it or hate it??  Let us all know in the comments below!

Much love always...xoxo!

NOTD: Sinful Colors Mint Apple

Have you checked out this nail polish brand at Walgreens?  Obviously, it is called Sinful Colors Professional.  I have a few colors from this brand and really like them for the price!  Purchasing any of the colors from this line will only cost you $1.99 and any of the treatments are only $3.99!  THAT right there is a STEAL especially for the quality you get.


Personally, I don't like super thick polishes, it makes it pretty difficult to apply 2 thin coats, which is what I do (drying in between).  This formula isn't as thick and goopy as some brands, but that doesn't mean you will sacrifice pigmentation and coverage!  The lighter colors and the matte shades they have won't generally apply with one coat and give me the opaque look I want, but most of the normal, everyday colors will if I am in a rush.  I have never had issues with streaking and the color is generally even throughout the entire manicure.  The brush offers decent control around the cuticles because it isn't ginormus, so I didn't make too big of a mess this go around!  LOL!

This particular color is called Mint Apple.  I was intrigued by this color because of all the new mint polishes on the market that I can't seem to stumble across in the stores.  Of course, I can place an order, but when I order one thing, I want to order a million more items to go with it and save on shipping.  (Is that your excuse too??  Please tell me I'm not the only one!  LOL!)  I was worried this color was going to be thin since I own glitters and mattes from this company and none in the pastel category.  So, I was pleasantly surprised when I got the results I described above!  I think this HAS to be my favorite polish!  I got SO many compliments when I wore it too!

I have started doing my DIY mani's a bit different these days so my color will generally last no less than 4 days!  Some polishes will give me 6!  I plan to do a DIY Mani video on YouTube soon, so make sure to keep your eye out for that! 

Let me know what you think of this Mint revolution!?  Do you thing it's HOT OR NOT?!  If you love it, what mint polishes have you picked up and why do you love them or hate them?  I would like to find one that is creamy and has no shimmer to it.  Where I LOVE this one, I think I would enjoy Essie's Mint or Chanel's Jade more.  I really like the Chanel, because it is more of a true green and the Essie is a bit on the blue side, like the Sinful Colors version above. 

Make sure to check out Sinful Colors at your local Walgreens!  You can pick up 4 bottles for the price of ONE OPI!  Now, THAT is a deal in my book!  :)

SAVE @ eyeslipsface.com

You know you have been wanting to try all the new Studio Products ELF has added to their line-up!  Well, the time to do that is NOW!  You can get 50% off ALL Studio Products on their site by entering the coupon code STUDIOSAVE at checkout! 

There are so many new items in addition to the ones they had to begin with!  You have no excuse to not buy when the products will only cost $1.50-$3, in most cases!  This sale DOES include their new brush holders, tools, brush belt and more! 

So make sure to head over to ELF's website between now and March 15, 2010 to save a bundle!

New 15-Piece, Premium Brush Kit

Today Sigma has released their new 15 Piece Brush set on their website.  I hurried to check out the price and get ready to order so I didn't get left out of this set...again!  I know this will be a hot commodity considering the brushes in the kit. 

Sigma, for anyone that doesn't know, replicates MAC brushes (almost perfectly) and charges less for them.  This kit has replications of some LE brushes from MAC that are pretty hard to find which is why I think this kit will go fast!  Not to mention that it includes a full length SS217 which is comperable to the MAC 217...which has to be by far their best brush.  If you own ANY MAC brush, it is the 217.

In a hurry to get my order in this morning, I go to the site and find the new Premium Brush Kit (including roll).  It was pretty hard to get the site to work for me.  Understandably so, since everyone and their cousin is probably online at this very moment doing what I was trying to do....ORDER THIS KIT!  Well, I finally got to the page, scrolled down to purchase, thinking that this kit would be around the same price as the original kit and BAM...NOPE!  The original 12 Piece Kit (with roll) is $89...a FAR cry from the cost of the new 15 piece kit which is $149!!!  I left the site and didn't order them, because I had only allowed myself $100 for the purchase of it...BUMMER.

Don't get me wrong, I feel the brushes are worth it and I like Sigma and all, but since I have been having issues with some of the ones I purchased about a year ago (issues like horendous shedding, loss of shape, and bristle breakage with little use) I just don't find that around $9-$10 a brush is something I am going to go for at the moment.  I don't HAVE to have any brushes right now, but I would love to have these since I don't have the majority of them in MAC.  I would have loved to be one of the first people to do a review, but I just can't fit it into my budget right now.  :(

I am sure I will eventually get this kit, just not right now!  LOL...I have never been the one with the latest and greatest items/products...I won't start now!  Wish I could though, but I value the roof over my head and the car I drive!  Hehehe.

So, let me know what you think about the price increase on this kit.  Yes, I know you get three additional brushes and a new roll, but I just don't understand why it wasn't around $100 rather than $150!?  Once shipping is paid, we are probably looking at around $160-$175 depending on where you live.  do you plan to pick up this kit for yourself?  I think it is great for anyone that is an MUA.  Personally, I think if you are a person just starting out, you will want to grab up the 12-Piece kit instead of this one.

Let me know what you guys think about it!  :)

Beauty Blog Link Love - LOVE THESE BLOGGERS!

Rae from theNotice shares her skincare secret to flawless, pore-free skin.


Phyrra gives you an exclusive interview with Fyrinnae Cosmetics in February's Indie Spotlight.

Betty's Dragon Fruit Eye Look is now up at Betty Girl Makeup. It's her first tutorial and she's wicked excited!

Arianne at Glitter Geek is absolutely smitten over her new drugstore superhero -- Aveeno Hand Cream.

Krasey Beauty takes New York Fashion Week by storm, and goes backstage with L.A.M.B, MAC, CND, and MoroccanOil.

Lisa Kate attempts her first Konadicure...please help her!

Jellyminx goes shopping again and again and again and again!!

Sarah at I Heart Cosmetics hunted high and low, and finally managed to purchase the Estee Lauder and Michael Kors Very Hollywood Collection.

Thought you found your HG red lipstick? So did Hell Candy Make Up until she discovered this oh so glamorous lippie!


There be lemmings-a-plenty when Lipglossiping shows off NARS Purple Rain this week!


Tarte ReCreate Anti-Aging Foundation just so happens to be the answer to Prime Beauty's prayers.


Melovemakeup shows how gorgeous the eyeshadow in the Trucco Angelface Palette is - duochrome heaven!


Say bye bye to dark circles and hello to bright eyes with Liparazzi!

Maggie gets electrified by L'Oreal HiP's Black Shock.


This week on Get Lippie, Louise goes a little bananas at the makers of "Chemical Free" products and hopes she'll be forgiven.

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed gets super excited by Chanel's new Fast Track Orient Extreme mini collection!

Interested in joining Beauty Blog Link Love? Check out this information page and give us a shout!

Deep Ransom Product Listing

You can find the video tutorial for this look on YouTube.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  I appreciate all your support and hope you guys enjoy this!  :)

Eyes:

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

NYX Jumbo Pencil Milk

MAC Gesso e/s

MAC Freshwater e/s

MAC Deep Truth e/s

Urban Decay Ransom e/s

MAC Talent Pool e/s

MAC Cloudburst e/s

Urban Decay 24-7 Liner Binge

MAC Glitter Liner Wonderwhite
Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner Black
Bare Escentuals Lash Primer
MAC Dazzlelash Mascara
ELF Brow Kit Light

Face:

Smashbox Photofinish Primer

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

Benefit Erase Paste
Benefit Boi-ing Concealer
ELF Complexion Perfection Powder
Bare Minerals Matte Foundation
Bare Minerals Feather Light Mineral Veil
Red Earth Blush Spicy Summer
Rimmel Bronzer
MAC CCB Pearl

Lips:
Benefit Boi-ing Concealer
NYX Gloss Baby Rose

NOTD: Nail of the Day - Forrest Green Shimmer

HOT OR NOT

Love it or Leave it?  It won't hurt my feelings either way you vote!  I found this Nicole by OPI polish at TJMaxx for $1!!  Yep, one buckaroo.  I had never tried these polishes up until this point.  I really didn't want to spend $7 at Target on a polish that may or may not work.  I figured I would give it a whirl since it was such a steal!  (OH, TJMaxx also had Essie polish for $1-$4 each.  If you have one of these stores locally, make sure to go check it out!)

First impression, on the first coat of this polish was that it was going to be crap.  I mean, it went on super thin and almost looked like motor oil with glitter in it.  See, I generally start off with one relatively thin first coat of color, so it doesn't take as long to dry.  But, by the time I got the second coat on, the color was completely opaque and looked rather nice.  The dry time was about normal.  I let each coat dry for about 30 minutes before moving to the next.  It doesn't have the high shine finish I love so, as usual, I added 2 coats of my Seche Vite Quick Dry Top Coat (6.99) that I got at Sally's. 

I have had this polish on now for about 16 hours.  Generally, if I use the Seche Vite Top Coat, I will not have any tip wear or chipping until about the 2nd or 3rd day when I am working.  I am pretty hard on my mani's at work, considering the manual labor I do some days and all the typing that goes on.  I am pretty disappointed that I already have tip wear and that the edge of one of my nails has already chipped.    I have just never had this issue this quickly since I started with the SV.  I am wondering if it is the formula of the polish?  I haven't done anything strenuous to my nails yet today...just type a couple of emails and this blog!

<<--And please don't mind the messy mani.  I had not gone back to clean up mistakes before I made the picture.  Plus, my nails are short again from breaking.  I have the most wussy nails on the face of the planet!  Anyone know of a great strengthener/anti break treatment that works?  I will pay upwards of $15 for something that will acutally do me some good!  :)  Leave suggestions in the comments below.

I would rate this particular polish a 3 out of 5.  I realy love the color, but the consistancy is sort of lame.  I like a polish that if I apply one layer and I need to run out for something then it isn't this huge issue and you can't tell I have one layer on.  One star was taken away once I noticed the quick tip wear and chip.  I really dislike the brush, which is why this brand has lost the other star from me.  (This is the only factor of packaging I really take into effect.  Most polishes are packed about the same besides that.)  It is too narrow and not full enough for my liking.  You might even be able to do some designing with this brush.  I LOVE the brushes in the Sally Hansen Qwik Dry Polishes.  They fit my nail perfectly and go on in one to two strokes.  The color is great.  I am really diggin this green.  However, I feel that I do have a color that is similar, just thinner than this one!  Needless to say, I never wear that other polish! 

Let me know what your favorite colors are from Nicole by OPI.  I would like to pick up a few more to try out since the formula wasn't just dreadful!  LOL!

Love Your Cuticles & Stop Picking Them!

Hi, my name is Laura and I'm a...finger picker (as my family has so sweetly named me).  I know, I know, it is TERRIBLE for my nails and terrible to look at!  But, I am working to reform myself.  Actually, it is in my genes, so I was doomed from the beginning (my mom is a cuticle picker)!

So, she was at the dermatioligist last week and the doctor noticed.  After scolding her for 20 minutes about how bad it is for your skin and your nails, she gave her the best trick ever!  Of course, you can use moisturizer or cuticle oils to help with the dryness, but those are not always the most portible resolutions to this problem  The derm said to grab a hold of a tube of Vaseline Advanced Lip Therapy (at Wal-Mart, Target, or any corner drugstore).  It is the only lip balm that Valleline makes.  It is not in a stick but in a tube. 

Every time you feel a rough spot on or around your cuticles, reach in your pocket for this little gem in a tube!  Massage into the cuticles and any other dry spot on your nails/hands.  Let it absorb into your skin and viola!  It is a little greasy, so I wouldn't suggest just getting it all over your hands and typing out your novel, but it doesn't take much time to absorb.

Since I have been doing this little tip, I have had MUCH less cracking, peeling and bleeding of my cuticles and nail beds.  On top of this trick, I have kept my nails polished and that is always something that will curb my desire to pick at my cuticles or nails.  I am really impressed at my dedication to this.  Wish I could say the same for my mother!  LOL!  I am sure she is fiddling with her nails now!

Are you a nail/cuticle picker?  What other bad habits do you have that you will admit to us?  If you have a trick to help stop biting and grow longer nails, let us know in the comments below!  Remember, all comments get you an entry into the on-going quarterly giveaway!  I am rounding up some great prizes you probably won't want to miss out on!

MAC Riveting - Hot or Not?

As usual, I am excited about yet another MAC collection!  I got this email with photos showing the MAC Riveting Collection on Temptalia.com this weekend and I am pretty stoked about it.  I suppose, like the round-up thoughts on Temptalia, most are going to think this collection is a leave it.  Well, the reason I hope to get my hands on some of it is because it embodies that whole rocker look that I am in love with at the moment. 

Hot pink, black, and silver are colors I just love, especially when it comes to makeup.  Not many people feel they can break out and go for the use of these colors on an every day basis.  No, not everyday do I want to throw on hot pink lipstick and black glitterly nails, but most days I do!  LOL! 

I especially want to get my hands on the nail polishes!  Black Enough? is a leave it for me, because I have a matte black, but Wham, Bam, Glam & Studded are two colors I would like to grab up.  I am VERY into the whole matte nail thing and I just hope that MAC has improved their formula enough for me to not end up kicking myself in the butt for buying them!

The glosses and lipsticks are very pretty and will be in my bag together to layer and wear together, especially Rockout Lipglass.  I think this see thru, silver glitter will look great over just about any lipstick in your collection!  And, if I don't get to buy anything else, Show Orchid and Riveting lipsticks will be coming home with me!  :)  Talk about PRETTY!

The blushes for me are the take it or leave it items.  I believe I have some blushes that are similar already in my collection.  Don't get me wrong, they are VERY pretty colors, but I feel easily dupable.

This collection releases this Thursday, Feb 18th at your counter and PRO stores.  You will most likely see it online in the next day or so as well.  Until then, check out Temptalia.com for photos and product swatches!  (Man, I wish I was as lucky as her to be able to get all these products in hand prior to release!  How much fun would THAT be??!!)  Let me know what you guys think of this collection...is it a Love It or Leave It for you?  If it is a NOT for you, tell us why and if it is HOT for you, tell us what you plan to get and why you love it!

Huge Drugstore Cosmetic Sales Today!

If you are wanting to try any new drugstore products, today is the day you should hit the stores! 

Rite Aid:
All REVLON products are Buy One Get One 1/2 Off
Maybelline Buy One Get One 1/2 Off

Walgreens:
All RIMMEL products are BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!
Loreal True Match Foundation, Powder, & Concealer 40% Off
Loreal HIP Products $3 OFF!
Cover Girl Buy One Get One 1/2 Off

CVS:
Cover Girl Buy One Get One 1/2 Off
Sally Hansen Nail & Lip Products Buy One Get One 1/2 Off
Spend $15 on any Maybelline products, get $5 in register rewards

These were the most interesting sales I saw this week...I believe they have more though!  I did hit Walgreens and got some of the new Eye Studio Stuff and some Rimmel products.  I saw that Wet & Wild has a new line of eye shadows out and I will be picking up some of these to try soon!

 Just remember, these sales end today, so get up and go take advantage of it!  :)

If you know of any great sales going on this week, leave them in the comments below!  If you have taken advantage of these sales, let us know what you got, why you got it, and how you like the products!

Reviews from what I got this week, coming soon in addition to a haul!  :)

Going Gaga For MAC Viva Glam

Oh me oh my...I am in LOVE!!  I enjoy Viva Glam as much as the next guy, but the new Gaga & Cyndi shades in the new Viva Glam release are just TO DIE FOR!  They look like colors just about any of us could wear easily day or night.

Viva Glam Cyndi is a light reddish coral lustre shade that is named after the notorious Cyndi Lauper.  If you don't know who Cyndi is, it means you are a hell of a lot younger than I am!  She was one of my 80's idols with her big hair and out there style!  I have seen many girls and women lately working to bring that style back.  However much I LOVED the 80's...lets leave that style in that decade, PLEASE!  I am excited about this lipstick shade simply because I am loving the coral and peach colors for the upcoming spring.  Sure this one is more on the red side, but I feel the coral hue just as much in the color.  Make sure to hit up your local MAC Counter tomorrow for it's official release or you can, of course, shop the MAC website now and place your order!

Now, my new Cyndi Lauper-esque idol is LADY GAGA!  How stoked I was to hear that SHE was going to be the other spokesperson for the new Viva Glam Collection this month!  Now that I have seen the ad campaign and her gorgeous shade, Viva Glam Gaga, I am even more pumped to get to my counter and purchase TWO of these lovelies...or THREE! 

The Gaga Shade is a BEAUTIFUL, lustre shade.  It is a cool blue pink, according to the MAC website.  This is the perfect pink/nude shade that would pair well with an over the top smokey eye, like Gaga herself is wearing in the ad campaign, or a sweet neutral eye for a daytime look.  This is a lipstick that I would HAVE to buy two of so one could stay in my purse and one at my vanity!  Hey, I may even have to get one for a giveaway prize as well!  We will see!

Let's talk about packaging.  I have always liked the MAC lipstick packaging.  The bullet shaped, black/silver tube is extremely attractive to me.  (ALL of the MAC packaging is attractive to me, tho!  LOL!)  So, you guessed it, the VIVA Glam packaging HAS to be my favorite!  In the place of the silver on the permanant lipsticks, they use a deep red color.  These tubes even have the signature of each spokeswoman on the inner portion of the tube.  The only thing that would have made it better would have been them putting the signature of Cyndi Lauper & Lady Gaga on the outside in red.  Now THAT would have been fantastic!  But, this packaging still works for me!

Oh and for any of you guys that don't know about the MAC Viva Glam products, every last penny of your purchase goes towards the MAC AIDS Fund to help support the fight against AIDS.  I don't know about you, but I am MORE than happy to purchase these lipsticks and would probably pay WAY more than $14 each for them! 

Make sure to go check out the New Viva Glam Collection today!  I am sure most of you won't be disappointed!  Once you have explored these new colors, let me know what you think about them!  Are you super pumped to get your hands on them or are they just not for you?  Either answer you have, let me know why!  If you all seem to love them for the most part, I may have to see about picking them up as quarterly giveaway prizes, just let me know what you think! 

Cyndi Lauper

Lady Gaga

Check Out These Killer Bloggers!

Rae falls in love with an amazingly pigmented violet eyeshadow-- for under $5! -- and tries it on as a blush.

Jeweled Thumb gives you the deets regarding a brand new line that may be popping up at your CVS by the ever famous Salma Hayek!

Feast your eyes on this two-parter from Lipglossiping and see what happened when IMATS rolled into London Town last weekend.

In her constant search for a flawless complexion, Beautyjunkielondon reviews the latest foundation launch from Maybelline.

Check out "The EOTD Series: Color of the Week" at xLovelyMakeupx.

Vex in the City shares her experience of the 2010 London IMATS.

Sophie from Melovemakeup talks about her collection of Sleek Palettes.

Maggie gets her rave on with these Rimmel blushes!

Krasey Beauty whips out Essie's matte topcoat and lets the nail polish fun begin.

Hell Candy Make Up attended the London IMATS show last weekend. Check out the various MUAs looks from the show.
A purple smokey eye with a pop tutorial from Lisa Kate at Sparkle is my Crack!

This week GlossQueen tells us how she loves her By Candlelight MSF.
Come discover 32 different nail colors in 32 days with Audrey.

This week at Get Lippie, Louise tries out a Kevyn Aucoin-infulenced makeover.

Lisamarie at Beauty Crazed tests out eyerollers to see if they live up to the hype!



**Many thanks to Rae for allowing me to participate in this fabulous group of bloggers (I finally got this posted after more work than I am sure was needed!)!  I feel it is a wonderful way for everyone to get new readers and find new material to read!  :)  I know I did!  If any of you are interested in participating in this group of beauty bloggers, let me know and I will happily give you all info!  Just make sure you are posting at least every 3 days!  :)**

Killer MAC Coupon Code!!!

Make sure to check out the Coupon Cheif widget in the sidebar for a killer MAC coupon code.  Use it today, only, to get FREE 2 DAY SHIPPING ON ANY PURCHASE!  I can't use it so someone should take advantage!


Love you guys!

YT Tag: A Few of My Most Worn

Being so busy at work has kept me from concentrating as much as I would like to on YouTube and my blog.  However, I found this video on my computer and honestly couldn't figure out why I hadn't posted it yet!  I thought this would be perfect to post to let everyone know I haven't skipped out on YouTube and I am still here working on things as much as I possibly can.  Things WILL start getting better soon, because my hours have been cut at work.

I saw Allthatglitters21 do this tag and I absolutely loved it!  This is one in which you share your most worn products/items.  The categories are lipstick/lipgloss, jewelry, shirt, nail polish, shoes, hair product, fragrance, & handbag.  You know that there is, in each of these categories, ONE thing you constantly wear...at LEAST once a week!  Some of these things, I wear more than that. 

You can check out my video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1t2Jv-u2pI .

I would love to see some video responses on this tag!  It is certainly different, in my opinion, and was a lot of fun realizing that there ARE so many things in my collections that I wear time and time again!

Thanks for coming by you guys!  Much love to you all, always!

Be My Guest!

Personally, I feel there are SO many great bloggers out there that don't get noticed.  Now, I know that I don't have this HUGE following or anything, but I value each and every person that decides to stop in and read a post whether they subscribe or not!  I also appreciate everyone that takes their time to comment, which is why I started holding my quarterly comment contest/giveaway.  Additionally, I know that people that visit blogs have a great deal of wonderful advice and choose not to maintain a blog for one reason or another.  Well, I have an idea...

I would like to host, anyone that would like to participate, guest blog entries.  In my previous post, you will notice I had one of my girlfriends do a write up about her last experience at the MAC counter.  Yes, I could have very well told the story myself, but why should I when she can do it so much better!?

I feel that this would be a positive way for bloggers that may not get a great deal of attention to get the attention, at least, of my 42 subscribers and those people that have something to say on a subject a venue to do so.  If you are interested in doing this, shoot me an email.  I will post your write-up in the same manner as I did Molly's and include, your name, blog or web address (if applicable).  If you have a super beauty trick, a follow up to a post I have made, a website you would like to share, anything! 

I will review each write-up via email for content.  It goes without saying that I will not post anything that is tasteless or tacky.  Even if your blog is not about beauty or fashion, I would love to post something you would like to inform people about!

I may also contact some of you guys as well!  Do not feel obligated at all, I would just like to share the love in any way I possibly can!  Let me know if you would like to participate.  I have heard all of your wonderful tips and tricks...why not share them with everyone??  :)

OH - make sure to sign up to receive new blog posts right to your email!  Enter your address on the right side of the page to subscribe to my feed!

Foundation Issues...Try Your Concealer Instead!

I was talking to my best friend, from the web, yesterday and we both ended up ranting about how we needed new foundation and didn't quite know what to get.  We chatted about new drugstore brands first and foremost since money is tight these days.  Then, as always, the coversation turned to MAC...go figure! 

Molly ended up telling me that she prefers a matte foundation and would LOVE to have one that wouldn't end up being non-existant by midday.  I have to agree with her!  Well, the other night, she ended up at MAC...another go figure...looking for foudnation!  Because the suggestion the MUA there made, I asked Molly to write a little something about her visit to the counter.

"The MAC MA suggested that since I wanted a foundation that lasted longer than my current foundation (which is a mixture of face and body, tinted moisterizer, and studio sculpt) that I could use a concealer. She said that since I have good skin I could use the Studio Finish concealer on problems spots, and then use their Prep and Prime powder to set the concealer. My main concern when going in was finding something that would last through work, and was matte. If you have a more labor intensive job this might not work as well. I was finding that even with a desk job my little mixture was melting off halfway through a normal work day. After the MA applied the concealer ( which she only used a very tiny bit with their small stippling brush) I could see a difference. It didn't look like I was wearing foudation/concealer, and it was matte. Perfect!!"    Molly Dermer 2.4.10

Concealer!  Seriously, I never thought about doing it!  It IS essentially the same thing with the same types of ingredients.  So, I ended up having my own experience this afternoon.  I had to be at my daughters' school immediately after work today.  Obviously, since MY foundation doesn't last all day, I wanted to touch up my makeup before going.  As usual, I forgot to put something in my makeup bag...my foundation & beauty blender!  I remembered this conversation with Molly, so I grabbed my Boi-ing concealer by Benefit and tried a little on my cheek.  It seemed to be working so I applied a light, even coat all over.  Followed by my BE Matte foundation, the combination gave me a nearly flawless look to my skin!  The only issues was where my acne has ended up flaring up again...nothing covers that! 

So, if you are in a bind or even if you are looking to try something new for foundation, reach for your concealer!  You will most likely be impressed by the results!

Have you tried this??  Where did you get the idea from if you have?

ELF Coupon Code - Valentine's Day Treat!

This would be perfect for a friend for Valentine's Day!  Go to ELF's website and make any purchase to receive a FREE Mini Makeup Kit!  They have jazzed up this kit with a new case that is red just in time for Valentines day!  There are 27 pieces of makeup and brushes in there for you to use.  It would be perfect on the go or to throw in your suit case for a trip or vacation.  All you need is in these kits, colorwise.  Pick up a mascara and you are set...FOR FREE!!

Just enter the code REDFREE at checkout and the Red Mini Makeup Kit will be added to your order!  Again, a perfect gift for a friend or daughter for Valentine's Day, or something special for yourself!

Make sure to check out all the new stuff that ELF has to offer as well!  They are adding to their Studio line regularly and coming up with phenomenal products at killer prices!  Let me know what your favorite ELF products are in the comments below!  Mine is the complexion perfection and the Studio Line Blushes...SOOO pigmented!  If you don't own any ELF, what have you been looking at that you would like to try??

Has Anyone Tried Murad?

I see that since I posted about my beloved ProactivProactiv, there have been ads about how Murad is better.  I was just wondering if anyone has tried the Murad system that is similar to the Proactiv system.  If you have tried Murad, what did you think?  Would you mind writing a mini review below for other readers? 

I started to order Murad rather than Proactiv.  I went to their site and saw that their 3-Piece Acne Complex System was also $29.99 a month.  However, for that price with Proactiv, I got 2 additional products to the basic cleaner, toner, and lotion.  The products were the oil control lotion and the oil free moisutre.  I wanted these products because my skin tends to be dryer in the winter and more oily in the summer.  (Like most of you with combination skin.)  I have not tried these products, but I feel they should work.  I plan to review them once I see how they are going to work for me.  I feel I did get more for my money with Proactiv though.

Since my opinion is my own and goes along with my skin and what works for me, I thought if anyone had any alternatives to Proactiv that have worked for them, we could use this as sort of a share time to inform others of what options are out there!  I only wish Proactiv would come out with an acne cleanser that would also help with wrinkles and complexion brightening.  They do have a brightening lotion, but it is a bit pricey to add to the $30 a month!  Murad has an Anti-Aging Acne System, BUT (and this is a HUGE but) it does not come in a system and each piece will set you back $30-$50 EACH!  I know for a FACT I can't afford that!  So, for me, I would LOVE Proactiv to come out with a line made for aging skin that could be ordered like their current sets.

I hope that anyone that has tried Murad will let us know what you think!  I didn't give in to the advertisements and went with something that I knows will work for me!  Sorry guys, I would have loved to review it for you all!  That's why I am looking for a little help!  Even if it is word of mouth from a friend!  Lets give everyone an alternative to Proactiv!  I feel that there are numerous options out there, you just have to find one that will work for your skin!