Benefit - Benetint Rose-tinted lip & cheek stain

I've heard  a lot of good things about Benefit Cosmetics, but until a few days ago I hadn't tried any of their products, I was super exited when I got a sample back in March from their Benetint  Rose-tinted lip & cheek stain from my Birchbox subscription.

After using it several times this is what I experienced:

The first thing I noticed was the smell, deep strong smell of roses I love it! I also like the fact that you can use it as lip and cheek stain, perfect for my tiny night purse!

Is very light textured, almost like water, it dries quickly, you can use it as little or as much as you like, a little goes a long way! it gives you a nice subtle rosy tint.

It looks very natural in my cheeks, like a long lasting flush. For my lips I like to use it alone during the week and if I want a more dramatic look I apply some gloss over it.

The main before/after difference that I have a long lasting tint in my lips and cheeks and I don't need to worry about retouching every 2 hours !

pd. I will buy the full-size product ASAP !

Brand

Benefit Cosmetics

Product Type

Lip/Cheek Color

Description

The original—and still the best—rose-tinted cheek and lip stain.

Directions

Draw three small strokes across the apple of your cheek. Blend quickly in a circular motion with fingertips. Apply Benetint evenly on lips.

Size

Full Size - 0.42 Oz.

Price

$30.00

Website

http://www.benefitcosmetics.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/benefitcosmetics

Revlon - Color Stay Ultimate Suede Lipstick

Hello everyone !

For my daily life I like to have a natural makeup look, but for a night out I love to experiment with different shades of lipstick, I was obsessed a couple of months ago with bright pinks, but now I'm on my quest to find the perfect deep red color, almost like a wine-ish red.

I found myself walking around Target the other day, when I saw the Olivia Wilde Ad for Revlon featuring the Color Stay Ultimate Suede Lipstick and it was love at first sight!

I had 20 shades to choose from! but I immediately went for the 035 Backstage which is the one Olivia has on the Ad.

After using it several times this is what  I experienced:

It's so easy to use, and it stays on for hours ! I even had a bath and when I got out it was still there! I really like that the color is very accurate to the tube, because sometimes you buy something when you see the packaging and then when you try it at home it's a totally different color, but I'm happy to say that with this one you get exactly what you pay for!

It gives a nice matte finish and it feels soft, the only thing that I noticed is that it dries a little bit my lips, so to keep them moisturized I apply some gloss over it.

The main before/after difference is that I have a very long lasting lipstick color on my lips. The next one I'll like to try is the 005 Muse.

20 Shades Image via Target

Brand

Revlon

Product Type

Lipstick

Description

Is your lipstick giving you both moisture and wear? This velvety soft formula by Revlon with moisturizing shea butter and aloe is food proof and doesn't quit.

Directions

Apply onto clean, smooth lips.

Price

$7.99 (Some stores $9.99)

Website

http://www.revlon.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/revlon

Physicians Formula - Sexy Booster - Sexy Glow Blush

Happy Friday !

If you like Facebook promotions you should stop reading this post right now and become a fan of Physicians Formula! seriously this brand has AMAZING deals and promotions ! I love their products!

I was lucky enough to win the Sexy Booster - Sexy Glow Blush from their 2013 Spring Colletion from a giveaway they did a couple of months ago,  it comes in 2 shades, Natural and Rose, I got the Rose one!

After using it for several weeks this is what I've experienced:

First of all THE PACKAGING!!! this product definitely stands out in the drugstores! at the beginning I didn't wanted to use it because it's so beautiful!

On the product there's the blush that has one dominate color and two smaller shades (the stiletto), and on the back there's a small mirror with a brush.

It smells great, I think it was vanilla, I apply it in my face and the color blends easily, it's a light pink with a frosty finish that gives a very nice natural looking glow.

I'm not a big fan of the brush, the bristles are soft but I prefer to use my big brush at home, the small one it's perfect to take it everywhere for any makeup emergency ! I really like the color, it's very natural and I'm in love with the packaging !

The main before/after difference is that I have a light pink natural glow!

Brand

Physicians Formula

Product Type

Blush

Description

Silky soft blush glides onto skin creating a radiant and flirty blushing glow that blends and builds easily. Irresistibly soft and effortlessly sexy, this luminous blush delivers a faux glow that lasts all day, up to 12 hours.

Directions

Blend shades together and brush on over cheekbones to define and contour or apply right below cheekbones for a more defined and dramatic look.

Size

.19oz

Price

$11.95

Website

http://www.physiciansformula.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/PhysiciansFormula

L'Oreal - Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream

Hello everyone !

First they came the AA creams, then BB creams and lately I've heard so many brands releasing their new CC creams, but what are all those letters about?

Here's the difference:

• AA Cream - stands for Anti-Aging typically in a cream or moisturizer,  are used in products that help reduce wrinkles, sagging, discoloration, blemishes,  etc.
• BB Cream - stands for Beauty Balm or Blemish Balm, it's a combination of a moisturizer with the coverage of a foundation that usually helps with other concerns such as fine lines, oiliness, SPF protection, blemishes, primer, etc. I think this are the ones that I've heard about the most.
• CC Cream - stands for Color and Care or Color and Correct, basically is an advanced BB cream, they are designed to offer more coverage and moisturize, plus they have anti-aging ingredients.

I've been using for 5 or 6 months the L'Oreal BB Cream, personally it's my favorite one, because I have an oily type skin, and this is perfect for that, I feel other BB creams make my skin even oilier so I was in love with this cream from the very first time I used it!

This is what I've experienced:

I apply it every morning after washing my face, since my skin is oily, immediately I feel that this cream takes away the shine, and creates a perfect base for my foundation.

 It comes in 4 different shades: Fair, Light, Medium and Deep.

The cream comes out white and when you start to apply it in your face it blends and transforms into your perfect color! it's so easy to use, after that I apply my makeup as usual.

The main before/after difference is that my face has a flawless base and feels moisturized and protected all day long.

Brand

L'Oreal

Product Type

BB Cream

Description

Instantly transforms to your perfect shade for a flawless bare skin finish. Primes, Corrects, Hydrates and Perfects.

Directions

Apply all over your face, avoid eyes.

Size

1oz

Price

$10.95

Website

http://www.lorealparisusa.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/lorealparis

Napoleon Perdis - Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer

“Not to Prime is a Crime!” - Napoleon Perdis

I love online shopping! The fact that you can have almost anything delivered to your doorstep will never stop to amaze me!

I bought  in Neiman Marcus the Neo Noire Long-Wear Liquid Eyeliner Pen  from Napoleon Perdis ($20) back in March and I got as a gift a deluxe sample of the Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer, many stores are having amazing beauty offers so be on the look for that !

After using this primer this is what I experienced:

The first thing I noticed was the smell, it's so good! It looks like a soft white cream, its light weight so when I apply it on my face I couldn't even feel it was there!

It dries fast and it allowed me to apply my foundation very smoothly, I did noticed a big difference on how my foundation looked, much more evenly!

 During the rest of the day I felt my skin hydrated and the base of my makeup lasted so long! If you have acne-prone skin this is a great option!

The main before/after difference is that my face feels moisturized with my makeup lasting longer and a healthy looking glow!

(full size product image via www.napoleonperdis.com)

Brand

Napoleon Perdis

Product Type

Foundation Primer

Description

Auto Pilot helps to prime and soothe the complexion for that flawless finish and helps makeup last even longer.

Directions

Apply it all over your face before any foundation.

Size

Full-size -  1.7oz

Price

$42.00

Website

www.napoleonperdis.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/napoleonperdisfanpage

Tarte - Clean Slate Deluxe Primer Trio

There's something about beauty kits that makes me want to buy them all ! maybe it's the packaging or the fact that you are getting a complete set, I don't know, I just love them!

I bought this Tarte Clean Slate Deluxe Primer Trio at Sephora, the price was AMAZING! $9.00 dollars for a 3 piece kit? I couldn't pass that ! Although they are not full-size products, you have enough amount of product to know if it's right for you and if you want to buy the full-size later!

The kit includes  2 face primers and 1 eye primer.

This is what I experienced:

• Tarte - Clean slate poreless 12-Hour Perfecting Primer (purple one): is a transparent waterproof primer,  feels very nice and it makes my skin smoother, it helps the makeup to stay in place longer, and the best of all, is that it minimizes my pores!
• Tarte Clean Slate Flawless 12-Hour Brightening Primer (brown one): is a white light textured  cream, silicon free, that goes on very nice and smooth in your face, it's great for a matte finish, it also helps the makeup to stay in place longer and it gives you a brightening healthy complexion
• Tarte Clean Slate 360° Creaseless 12-Hour Smoothing Eye Primer: it's a very liquid formula, it helps the eye shadow to stay perfect the whole day, I even noticed it made the colors a little bit bolder, I like to use it under my eyes too, so that my makeup for dark circles stays perfect  as well.

Overall I like very much all of them, I think it depends on your complexion if you go for the Poreless Primer or the Brightening Primer, if you have more of an oily skin with large pores I suggest you choose the Poreless one (purple) and if you want to achieve a more glowing look you should go for the brightening one (brown)

Or you can buy the kit ($9.00) and test them all :) 

Brand

Tarte

Product Type

Primer

Description

Infused with naturally derived ingredients that will power through the day, these primers help you to achieve a flawless “pore-less” and “crease-less” creaseless look for up to 12 hours. 

Directions

Apply a small amount to your clean face.

Size

Kit

- 0.09 oz Clean Slate™ 360° Creaseless 12-Hr Smoothing Eye Primer
- 0.25 oz Clean Slate™ Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer
- 0.25 oz Clean Slate™ Flawless 12-Hr Brightening Primer 

Full-Size

- 0.39 oz Clean Slate™ 360° Creaseless 12-Hr Smoothing Eye Primer
- 1 oz Clean Slate™ Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer
- 1 oz Clean Slate™ Flawless 12-Hr Brightening Primer 

Price

Kit

$9.00

Full-Size

$22.00 - Clean Slate™ 360° Creaseless 12-Hr Smoothing Eye Primer
$30.00 -  Clean Slate™ Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer
$30.00 -  Clean Slate™ Flawless 12-Hr Brightening Primer 

Website

http://tartecosmetics.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/tartecosmetics

Burt's Bees - Tinted Lip Balm

Almost April !

Last month I talk about Burt's Bees, and like I said, I like this company very much, they make their products with natural ingredients and engage in environmental friendly practices !

Their Tinted Lip Balm comes in 9 different shades, I bought the Red Dahlia which is a dark red.

This is what I experienced:

I really like this product ! it has all the elements of a great lip balm with a touch of beauty! it goes on so smoothly, very moisturizing and it lasts a long time!

I love that I can use it both for lip balm and color, the only thing is that I wish the color would be a little bit stronger. It looks very natural and it feels great in my lips!

The price is higher than other lip balms, but I know I'm getting a great quality product made with all natural ingredients, plus the packaging is AMAZING ! (I'm obsessed with packaging design :)

The main before/after difference my lips are protected and moisturized with a touch of color!

Brand

Burt's Bees

Product Type

Tinted Lip Balm

Description

Care for your lips with beautiful, sheer color. Burt's Bees tinted balms give you a hint of color with a soft, sweet flavor and natural ingredients that moisturize and condition your lips.

Directions

Apply tinted balms to lips as often as needed or desired.

Price

$6.99

Website

http://www.burtsbees.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/burtsbees

ALMAY - Smart Shade Powder Blush

Hello everyone !!!

Today I'm going to talk about ALMAY Smart Shade Powder Blush, first of all, I love this brand! and I was SO impressed when they introduced Smart Shade line, makeup that instantly adjusts to your ideal shade! isn't that amazing? I remember when I used to buy makeup and I got the color all wrong so it was a waste of time and money ! but not anymore ! It's great to see companies like this innovating products all the time!

The Smart Shade Powder Blush comes in 3 different tones, Pink, Nude and Coral. You can choose the one that works best for you, I went for the pink one, because I like a daily natural look and I feel pink goes great for spring !

This is what I experienced:

One of the main things about Smart Shade is that these products are meant to look different on everyone, they adjust to each person, so keep that in mind !

It comes in a dual compact, the blush on top ,and on the bottom there's a mirror and a small brush, which makes it ideal to take it with you in your purse !

The powder is a little bit difficult to pick up at the first, I think it's because it comes very compressed, but after several uses it's perfect ! The color looks very natural in my face, it gives a delicate flush to my cheeks, depending on my mood, sometimes I like to apply a little bit more for a more dramatic effect, but otherwise it gives me soft natural look which I love.

The main before/after difference is that I have a natural look with blush that suits my skin!

(Images from the 3 different shades are from www.almay.com) 

Brand

ALMAY

Product Type

Powdered Blush

Description

Brighten up your complexion with smart shade powder blush. this lightweight, smooth formula glides on easily and evenly for a look of natural radiance. three shades of bricked color swirl together to create the perfect blush shade for your skin.

Directions

Swirl the brush across the top of the palette. sweep across the apples of your cheeks. for an all-over glow, apply subtle strokes across the contours of your face.

Size

0.24 oz

Price

$11.49

Website

http://www.almay.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/almay

CLINIQUE - Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

Hello everyone !

I was out for a couple of days ! I'm so happy the spring is arriving !

Today I'm going to talk about the Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm from CLINIQUE, I'm always trying to find the perfect lip color and these were a great find!

This is what I experienced:

First of all I like very much that it comes in the form of a crayon is so convenient ! They come in 8 different shades,  I have the Chunkiest Chili color and I absolutely love it !

It goes on very well adding the right amount of color and it stays on for a good time, the texture is very creamy, the intense formula gives more color than the regular ones, the regular ones are more like a tinted lip balm, both of them are great, but I wanted a more dramatic look so I choose the Intense one!

I love their color selection!

The main before/after difference is that my lips feel moisturized with the right amount of color!

pd. If you buy any Clinique product from their website right now, they will give you 2 mini serums for dark spots for FREE!!! it's a 2-week supply !

Brand

CLINIQUE

Product Type

Lip Balm

Description

Tempt lips with a soft cushion of colour that's not quite sheer, not quite opaque just the perfect happy medium. Loaded with mango and shea butters so lips feel comfortably soft and smooth.

Directions

Apply directly to lips. For subtle definition outline lips first, then fill in with natural-looking colour. Never needs sharpening: simply swivel up to reveal more lip colour balm.

Size

.10 oz

Price

$16.00

Website

http://www.clinique.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/clinique

Laura Mercier - Finishing Brush

“The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.” ― Yves Saint-Laurent

If you want to achieve a natural look Laura Mercier Cosmetics are a great choice! according to the Wall Street Journal the goal of the brand is to offer "high-quality, natural-looking makeup products for all skin tones and types" and as Laura Mercier being a French Makeup artist I think she knows exactly how to achieve that with her trademark "flawless face."

I bought this brush a couple of months ago and since then I use it every day !

This is what I experienced:

It's a great brush for loose setting powder, the bristles are so soft so when you apply the powder on your face it feels really good, I also use the brush to apply bronzer and blush, what I like the most about it is that you can wipe off the rest of the product and then remove any excess you have on your face, you can change smoothly from bronzer to blush to powder and just remove what's left,  it's so easy to use and clean!

The main before/after difference is that I can apply my makeup easily and evenly and use the same brush for different products!

Brand

Laura Mercier

Product Type

Finishing Brush

Description

Comprised of both natural and synthetic hairs to pick up and buff color onto the skin for buildable, even color application.

Directions

Swirl brush to pick up product applying enough pressure to ensure product is absorbed into the black base fibers.

Tap off excess and gently brush into the skin where needed.

Price

$42.00

Website

http://www.lauramercier.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/lauramerciercosmetics

Smashbox - Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Smashbox Cosmetics is a brand that I really like, the quality of their products it's amazing, I received a sample of their Photo Finish Foundation Primer and it was love at first sight !

This is what I experienced:

After washing my face, before putting any makeup on, I applied a small amount of the primer all around my face (a small amount goes a long way) , the texture is so light and soft, it makes your skin feel like satin-smooth!

It felt a little bit greasy at the beginning but it disappear after a couple of minutes, leaving your face fresh ready for makeup !

The primer lets your foundation go much more smoother on your face and lasts all day ! isn't that amazing?! All your makeup and blush stay put and you don't need to be retouching it several times a day !

The main before/after difference is that my makeup lasts all day long and the primer makes my skin and foundation look amazing !

Brand

Smashbox

Product Type

Foundation Primer

Description

Create a perfect canvas for foundation application with this lightweight, oil-free, silky blend of vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea. Worn alone or under foundation to increase its longevity, this unique formula helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for visibly softer skin with a velvety smooth finish. Oil free. 

Directions

Smooth over clean, moisturized skin. Can be worn alone or underneath foundation.

Size

Original - 1oz

Price

$36.00

Website

http://www.smashbox.com

Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/smashbox-cosmetics