What I'm Wearing - 5/21/10

Happy Friday! Last weekend I tried a new look on my eyes. I was going for a more interesting way to get the "no eyeliner" look, different from my usual "as much eyeliner as possible" look. I used:

-Urban Decay's primer (Sin on top lid; Original on outside and bottom)
-Urban Decay eyeshadow in Scratch (a beautiful shimmery baby pink for across the lids included in this palette)
-Maybelline eyeshadow in Urban Brown (for the outside wing, crease, and a little underneath)
-Urban Decay Liquid Eyeliner in Roach (just a little on the outside half of the top lid)
-Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula in Black Onyx (top and bottom, for a clean, "awake" look)
-Nars Orgasm blush


After priming, I swept Scratch across my entire lid with an eyeshadow brush (from EcoTools). Then, using the top of the brush, I worked Urban Brown into the crease, extending the line past my eyelid for a little wing. I took the angled brush and smudged some Urban Brown into and right underneath my bottom lashes (outer half of my eye only) and connected it to the wing. I cleaned the eyeshadow brush and used it to blur and soften the lines, making it look more natural but still dramatic. I lined the outer part of my top lid with Roach--I couldn't go completely without eyeliner! I think it looked really cool but I'll still need to work on perfecting the angles. The colors are amazing though--brown and pink are so flattering on hazel eyes.





I also put up a new discussion on our Facebook page: How much makeup do you carry in your purse? Click on the icon in the sidebar and become a fan!
Muah!
-T

Maybelline Color Pearls Marbleized Eyeshadow, Carbon Frost, $5

When I saw this little gem I couldn't help but get it. Maybelline's Color Pearls Marbleized eyeshadow in Carbon Frost is an awesome combination of two shadows that are layered with so many shimmery swirls which make your eyes twinkle. The Carbon half of Carbon Frost is a nice silvery-coal colored shimmer eyeshadow. It can go on more grayish or black depending on how much you layer it. However, it is not a true black shadow it is more of a gunmetal. Paired with the Carbon is the Frost, a pink shimmery shadow swirled with different grays and silvers with an added pearl effect. The pink is very cool because it never goes on the same. Obviously it doesn't look THAT much different, but the swirls make the color vary slightly each time you swipe it across your lids.


What I do when I wear this is start with the pink frost over my eyelids and up to the brow bone. I then use a brush to spread some of the dark shadow around, usually in a cat-eye shape. I then take some more of the pink and blend it in the center of the eyelid. This results in a dark shimmery look with a touch of pink. You can also use each shadow individually or use the dark color over the eyelid and the pink as a highlighter.


I'm very satisfied with this eyeshadow and love that I am pretty much getting two for the price of one. There are many other Color Pearls Marbleized eyeshadows you can see here.

Final verdict:
Cost: Around $5 found at various drugstores. Don't forget to look around for Maybelline coupons or sales at drugstores, you know they are always going on!
Does the shadow hold up all day?: Used with primer this shadow lasts just as long as any high end shadow.
Is it really shimmery?: This shadow is definitely as shimmery and it looks in the case. It has tiny sparkles laced throughout so if you don't like shimmery shadow this isn't for you. If you are like me and don't differentiate between evening and day eyeshadow, the shimmer will be perfect for you!
Repeat offender? I definitely want to try another duo of the Marbleized eyeshadows by Maybelline, I also want to try some of their other kinds of shadows. So my answer is yes, this is a repeat offender!
-M

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume Waterproof Mascara in Very Black, $4-$10

As promised to two loyal readers this week, I've got a mascara review, a waterproof mascara review to be more precise. I love to try different mascaras each time I run out because unlike other beauty products it seems like most mascaras are truly unique formulas. The one I picked up is Maybelline's Waterproof Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara in Very Black.


Alright so here is the rundown, this product promises "zero clumps," "clean definition," and "voluptuous volume." Do we get all 3 promises? Not so much, but two out of three isn't so bad. You definitely get "clean definition" and "voluptuous volume" because this baby goes on thick and dark. I really love the look of super dark voluptuous lashes and the "clean definition" is referring to (in my opinion) the fact that this stuff dries super fast. But "zero clumps" is something to argue. Ok so I'll give them this, there are no clumps on the brush, because as you can see it is one of those new plastic brushes with the little plastic spikes sticking out as opposed to a traditional brushey-brush (technical word, I know!). But clumps definitely appear on the lashes after a few layers of mascara. I like to layer mascara on a few times, and around the fourth brush stroke this mascara starts to clump. It isn't a horrible problem because I've been dealing with clumping since I started using mascara, I don't really see it as a product turn off.



Final verdict:
Cost: You can find this priced between $4 and $10. I found it on Amazon for $4.99 and on Drugstore.com for $6.99 (with a buy 1 get one 50% off special). Not bad.
Brush functionality: I love the long and thin shape of the brush. If you look carefully it has an hour-glass shape with a point at the top, designed to hit even the shortest lashes. I think the brush's design is definitely a winning point for me here.
Does it clump?: If you layer it on too thick (as I tend to do) yes it does clump.
Is it waterproof?: Yes, I went to the gym with it on, even took a shower with it on and it stayed in place. After getting wet if you touch it with your fingers it does flake off, but it doesn't run down your face like in the movies. Also, it dries on thick and hard, so you aren't going to have soft lashes.
Repeat offender?: I don't tend to repeat mascaras but this is a pretty good deal, it is a big bottle what will last a long time and it achieves the promised look. I dig it.

PS--In honor of Earth Day Drugstore.com has a special 40% off on green and natural product, thought I'd share that with you guys! I noticed some Burt's Bee's products are in this sale too so stock up if you are into a specific one!

-M

Maybelline Pure Concealer Blemish Treatment Stick, about $5

Unless I had a really terrible zit, I was always hesitant to put makeup over it--I would generally just dab it with the blemish stick and try to forget about it. I was always under the impression that makeup would make it worse. That's why I was really excited for Maybelline's Pure Concealer Blemish Treatment Stick. It's a concealer stick (basically like an eyeliner pencil but for your face) that contains salicylic acid, so it covers your zits as it treats them.

The coverage is about as good as any concealer. It works really well when covering smooth surfaces, especially those painful underneath zits that are red and shiny and awkward. It does less well on pimples that have been popped and scabbed over--not a smooth surface, so the makeup doesn't blend as well. But, I have found that it does reduce redness and make my blemishes calm down a bit, all while giving me a little coverage...which is better than what other concealers do! Unfortunately I don't think they sell it anymore as a new item, but it can be found on Amazon for cheap.

Final verdict:
Cost: I think it was around $7 originally, now about $4-$5 on Amazon.
Coverage: Average--not spectacular but adequate. Does its job.
Salicylic acid: This makeup impressed me because it has ingredients to heal the problem, instead of making it worse. You don't have to choose between letting the skin heal or keep it looking good.
Repeat offender: I would buy this item again--I've kept it in my purse for emergencies and it has definitely come in handy. I don't think Maybelline still sells it but it's available through Amazon.

-T

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow, $4

(Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in Urban Brown)

The other day I wrote about how I didn't have much luck with Maybelline's pencil eyeliner. I have, however, enjoyed Maybelline's eyeshadow, especially their "high pearl finish" colors. I particularly love this beautiful shade called Urban Brown. It's a dark metallic golden brown, almost like a muddy copper. It's velvety soft, builds up nicely, and stays on pretty well, even without primer. Maybe I'm biased against matte shades in general, but I've found their textured ones to be of better quality; I think they have more pigment, more blendability, and more staying power. Check them out in stores before buying though--the websites I've found don't show the colors very accurately.

I'm wearing Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original, Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in Urban Brown, Clinique's Cream Liner in True Black, CoverGirl Pencil Eyeliner in Black Onyx (inner rim only), Maybelline's Full N' Soft Mascara in Very Black, Nars Orgasm blush, and my girl Hello Kitty

Final verdict
Cost: $4 is an amazing price--you don't have to be scared of trying something new.
Quality: I'm impressed with the quality of their high pearl finish eyeshadow--soft, good colors, stays on pretty well. I've tried their matte shades and they haven't wowed me as much.
Wearability: Ok, so maybe completely gold-brown eyelids aren't for you. It would also work with a lighter coat or blended into the crease. They have a lot of other colors in case brown isn't your cup of tea.
Repeat offender: I would buy more shades of their eyeshadow, definitely.

-T

Maybelline Define-A-Line eyeliner, $6

(Maybelline Define-A-Line eyeliner in Ebony Black)
While I tend to stick with liquid or cream eyeliner for the serious endeavors, I like to use a pencil on my inner rims--I just feel like my eyes look awkward without it. It's been hard to find one that I really enjoy, so I keep trying new kinds. I must admit, I'm also secretly hoping to find a pencil that (1) I don't need to sharpen, and (2) will stay in place for a long time. Sometimes liquid or cream just takes too long and I would love to have something simple. I decided to try Maybelline's Define-A-Line eyeliner and, um, I'm still looking. Let me try to recreate my experience here.

Exhibit A: Here I prepped my hand with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original (because, obvs, I wear this under any eye makeup) and drew a quick line with the liner. The liner is smooth and soft and highly pigmented.

Exhibit B: I ran my finger gently over the line I just drew.

Final verdict
Cost: $6, but don't waste your money.
Texture and color: The liner is really soft, really really soft. It comes with a built-in sharpener but it is too squishy to hold the point for very long--not really "defining." The color is very dark, but . . .
Does it last?: Not at all. It smudges everywhere, even with the primer underneath. I wore it for only a few hours but got sick of seeing it below my eyes, on my eyelids, on my fingers, etc.
Repeat offender?: No, I would not buy this again. I don't even know if I can finish it. I was pretty disappointed. But, I am willing to try Maybelline again, because I have liked some things from them in the past. Oh well, looks like I'm still on the lookout for my perfect pencil eyeliner.

-T

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara, $5-$8

(Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara in Very Black)
I have found Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara to be the least irritating mascara I've ever used. It's great for my extremely sensitive eyes because it has a very smooth, inky kind of texture that never makes your lashes feel stiff or tight. Maybelline says it has an ingredient that allows for easy removal, thus reducing the loss of lashes that can happen when mascara just won't come off. Its thick, bristly brush deposits a lot of color onto the lash line, creating the illusion of thickness. It looks really good if you comb through your lashes first, add a coat or two (while still wet), and wear a lot of dramatic black eyeliner (my fave!).

It is also available in a waterproof formula--however, because I have such problems with mascara, I've stuck with the regular kind. And let me warn you, it is extremely not waterproof. Any rubbing or crying will make it come right off--but hey, I think it's worth it. I just won't wear it to the beach. :)

Final verdict
Cost: Very affordable, and available nearly everywhere.
Good for sensitive eyes?: Definitely. This mascara keeps your lashes soft, doesn't flake at all, and comes off easily.
Looks?: Hot. Adds a lot of sultry thickness to your eyelashes.
Repeat offender?: Oh yeah. I've bought this stuff for years.

-T