Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powder Review

This particular product from Revlon was on clearance at Walgreen's for only $3.59, so I snatched it because I need a nice bronzer for summer.  This product normally retails for about $11 and up.  I picked out #020 in Suntan Matte.  This has some cream and darker brown color swirled into the copper color. 

This product is marketed as a Mineral Finishing Powder, but I think that I would probably use it as just a bronzer.  The back label suggests that it be used as an "all over enhancing color."  I assume that it could probably be used just like Warmth from Bare Minerals, which I also have.  

Here I swatched it onto my fingers.  There isn't a whole lot of color payoff right away and it seems rather powdery, even though this formula is talc-free.

But then I swatched it onto my hand, and it looks better once its applied onto the skin.  In natural light, there is a slight sheen to this formula, even though the label says matte.  Once blended out, it seems a little too orange for my skin tone, so I have to try it on my face to get a better idea.   

The package allows for a lot of product, but I am worried that because of the dome shape and because it's baked, this might be prone to breakage easily.  Maybe that's why its packaged the way it is?  I might go back for the other color, Brighten.  See the product and reviews here:  RevlonBrighten

Baked and bronzed,
Cherrie

Sinful Colors & Polish Haul

Yay! Sinful Colors is on sale this week at Walgreens for only .99 cents each!  I picked up six new colors today:

These nail polishes usually retail for $1.99 at Walgreens and at Target.  I love this line because it is so affordable and there is a great selection of colors.  This is my new favorite cheapie nail polish brand!  Here are swatches of the new colors I got:

 From left to right: Under 18, Folly, Soul Mate, Unicorn, Nail Junkie & Frenzy

 Closer look:  Under 18, Folly, Soul Mate

 

Left to right:  Unicorn, Nail Junkie, Frenzie

Did I mention that I absolutely love the names!  So creative!  Under 18 is a metallic bronze red, Folly is a bright fuchsia color, Soul Mate is a dusty rose, Unicorn is a pastel yellow, Nail Junkie is tinted blue polish with light blue, green and aqua glitter and Frenzy is blue and purple glitter with clear polish.  

I didn't swatch these on my nails because I just did my nails last night with a purple glitter gradient look:

 Colors and brands used in order:

Wet n' Wild Wild Shine # 401 Clear Nail Protector (2 coats as base)

NYC #146 in Love Letters (2 coats all over nails)

Wet n' Wild Wild Shine #465 in Wild Card (2 coats only at tips)

Wet n' Wild Wild Shine #435 Sparked (1 coat halfway on nail)

Wet n' Wild Fast Dry NP #234C Hannah Pinktana 

(2 coats only on tips)

Wet n' Wild Wild Shine #401 again (2 coats to top off)

If you like this look, I would recommend watching Szuchnic's video on Youtube for this nail tutorial.  

See video here:  Gold&SilverGlitterGradientNails

While I was at Walgreen's I also picked up two new nail polishes from Wet n' Wild.  These were on sale for .69 cents each.

I picked up #402, Tickled Pink and #469 in Hallucinate.  I think this soft pastel pink would be great paired with the pastel yellow (Unicorn) I also got.  So great for spring! 

Then I also trolled the clearance area and found that some of the Sally Hanson Salon Effects polish strips were on clearance for only $5.  I nabbed the butterfly strips #330, Fly With Me, right away.  These polish strips usually retail for around $9.99 each, so these were a steal.  I have never tried them before so I am excited!  

My poor nails are also almost all grown out now, where the ridges from having acrylics on are almost to the tips of my nails.  Once these ridges are gone, I will have a smoother base on my nails so these strips will apply more evenly and not accentuate them so much.  Once I decide to apply these I will post more pictures, a review and a the final look for you all.

Waving with fancy nails,

Cherrie

Wet n' Wild MegaLash Clinical Mascara

It seems like every brand is coming out with lash growth serums and lash growth mascaras.  I would love to try Latisse, but my pocketbook says otherwise.  And the possible side effects - I could do without.  Another more affordable option is RapidLash.  See their website here:  https://www.rapidlash.com/  This product retails for about $50 at drugstores.  I found this product on clearance at Walgreens for $25, but because my basket was already filled with $20 worth of products, I put RapidLash back on the shelf.  I wanted to do some more research before I go back and commit to buying.

Instead I found this product for much cheaper:  Wet n' Wild MegaLash Clinical Mascara for $3.50 on clearance.  This product originally retailed for $6.99 and the packaging says limited edition, so I'm not sure if this is still available on shelves.  It came with a coupon for $1 off any MegaLash Clinical Serum or Mascara inside it, but that coupon expired on 4/30/11.  This box was the last one on the shelf.

This product claims results in just four weeks with daily use.  I have really short, stick straight Asian lashes that I can do nothing with, so I really hope this product delivers!  What I want to try to do is update this particular entry every day with pictures to capture any results.  Wish me luck!

4/28  Day 1 of use:

Directions on back of packaging say: 
Step 1: Apply MegaLash Clinical Serum AM to bare lashes
Step 2: Gently sweep MegaLash Clinical Mascara brush through lashes from root to tip.  Repeat action.  Do not let dry between coats for a more dramatic look..  
Step 3:  Apply Megalash Clinical Serum PM to clean lashes before bed.

Huh???  I checked the contents again.  Yep, only one tube of Clinical Serum.  Was there supposed to be a PM and AM tube??? whaaaaattt?? 

Needless to say- directions were very confusing.  But alas, I concluded that I needed to apply the serum once in the morning and once before bed.  So- I guess I have to take a break from my Lash Stiletto mascara in my daily makeup routine.  

The serum applicator is a brush, which doesn't really make sense to me.  If I'm supposed to apply it to my lashes, wouldn't it make more sense to have a mascara wand?  

This brush will make the procedure difficult.  Gotta practice.  Anyways, I applied the serum to my lash line as well because, well...what could it hurt?  I want thicker and longer lashes.  

I noticed a tingly sensation right away when I placed it on my lash line.

...Does that mean it's working?  :/

4/29 Day 2 of use:

Used the serum again this morning.  It takes forever to dry when I place it on my lash line, so I must remember to apply only to lashes when I'm doing my morning routine.  I must say though that this mascara does nothing for my lashes.  :(

My eyes were unusually rather dry today.  I don't know if it was because I was wearing my colored contacts or because of the serum so tomorrow I will wear my regular contacts to see if there is a difference.  

4/30 Day 3 of use:

 

I did wear my regular contacts today but fell asleep with them in for 3 hours so my experiment was faulty.  Better luck tomorrow.
:(

5/1 Day 4 of use:

Different lighting today.  I didn't wear the mascara today.  Just applied the serum again in the morning.  Eyes seemed fine today- no abnormal dryness.  

5/2 Day 5 of use:

Con: Some of the serum sometimes gets flicked into my eye when I'm applying and it stings like a mutha. 


5/4 Day 7 of use:

I gave up on the mascara.  I don't like the formula and it does nothing for my lashes. Just applying the serum.  I think this serum is just nourishing my lashes.  No growth.  Disappointing.


5/9 Day 10 of use:

I skipped a couple of days because I was out of town and forgot to pack the serum.  Still no noticeable difference yet. :(  

5/12 Day 13 of use:

See any difference yet?


5/13 Day 14 of use:

I thought I saw new baby lashes growing under these when I was trying to apply mascara.  Or maybe it's the placebo effect.  I hope it's not the latter.

5/18 Day 19 of use:

I think that at the end of this week I am going to discontinue using this product.  I really  haven't noticed an immediate difference and because this product is limited edition, I can't buy another vial to continue using even if I liked the results I got. Truthfully, I haven't been using it consistently twice a day like the directions say.  I also gave up on the mascara that came with the set because I just hated the formula.  Until then, I will keep taking pictures.


5/22 Day 23 of use:

 5/25 Day 26 of use:

6/7
Final thoughts on this product?  I think it needs more work.  I really disliked the mascara formula because it was so wet and clumpy.  It also did nothing for my lashes.  I didn't have any problem with the lash serum but it was a pain to put it on twice a day.  The serum does take a while to dry in the mornings so maybe put it on and then brush your teeth and then do your morning routine.  I really had high hopes for this product because I really do like (and use!) Wet 'n Wild products on a daily basis.  But the reality is, I really did not see any difference in my lashes and I did not experience any real results.  I give this product a 2 thumbs down.


6/15
Update:  I went over to Walgreens today and Wet 'n Wild now has the MegaLash clinical mascara and lash serum on their display for sale.  These are packaged separately and were around $4 each.


Honest thoughts,
Cherrie

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Review

I picked up this foundation from Maybelline from my previous Walgreens haul with the bogo sale.  I was using Maybelline Dream Mousse foundation when they first came out with it and I liked it enough to go through two jars of it.  But then I switched to mineral makeup and never went back since.  

Lately I have been watching a lot of Youtube gurus and they have been reviewing and raving about the Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse.  I was curious about the product so I picked it up as well while I was at Walgreens.

I picked up the color Buff in #260.  So I was surprised and a little taken back when I opened up this product because I was expecting the light mousse formula I was used to instead of a cream foundation.  The packaging describes it as an"ultra-hydrating, cream whipped foundation."  :/  I swatched a little bit on the back of my hand when I got home and it seems a little sheer to me.  I prefer foundation that provides a lot of coverage.  

The packaging, like the FitMe foundation, has a separate compartment for the sponge applicator so I like that.  This compartment lifts up, but the foundation compartment twists off. lol. I was confused trying to open it.  I was also expecting more product because of the packaging, but a little disappointed when I twisted off the foundation and saw how much I actually had.  I feel like you would probably hit pan too soon if you want good coverage from this foundation.  Also a con, there is no mirror on the top of the compact.  :(

I used this foundation today and used a regular makeup sponge to apply the foundation instead of the little sponge included with the foundation.  I was expecting the foundation to be a creamy solid so I dabbed a lot of foundation onto the sponge.  That was a mistake because I ended up with a lot of product on my face.  The foundation melts from the cream form into an almost liquid form on the skin.  It took me a while to blend it out but I think that that was because I had too much product on my sponge.  I set this foundation with my BareMinerals powder and Elf stipple brush.  I also noticed that I was also really oily around my nose area a couple of hours after using it.  Not cool. After using it, I just don't see what all the hype was about because I could do without this product.

Dreaming of the perfect foundation,
Cherrie

Tresemme Hair Product Review

I just recently chopped off six inches of my hair, which leaves it now at shoulder length.  This amount of hair is so much easier to straighten and manage.  I like to give myself a mini-blowout in the mornings before I head out with my blow dryer and a very hot hair straightener.  To protect my newly cut hair I wanted look for a heat protectant spray.  I had picked up two bottles of these from Walgreens a while ago because they were buy one get one 1/2 off.  I have already gone through one bottle and am on my second, but I wanted to try something else.  

After I got my haircut, I stopped at Target to see what else was on the market.  I picked up this Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray (left) because I had a coupon for $1 off any Tresemme hair product and- bonus!- select Tresemme products were on sale.  In all I only paid $2.34 for it.  I used it the other day and I really liked it.  It is scented, and to me, it smells like bananas. lol.  Like really ripe bananas. To use it, I spray down my hair with the product before I take the blow dryer to my hair.   

I also picked up the No Frizz Shine Spray from Tresemme to add some shine to my 'do.  I picked this up on clearance also from Target, but I forgot how much I paid for it (prob under $3).  I don't like this product as much.  It smells too much like alcohol that I'm afraid if I so much as walk by a stove my hair will just *poof* go up in flames. On my hair, I don't notice a whole lot of shine but it looks and feels rather greasy.  I don't spray this on my roots, but rather at the ends and then work my fingers through it.  I also noticed that a lot of this spray ends up on my bathroom floor which makes it super slippery and quite hazardous. lol.  In all, I think that saving this product for updo's instead and special occasions is a better than for everyday use.

Wishing you shiny tresses,

Cherrie

My Fave Dollar Tree Products

One of my favorite places to go when I want really good deals is the Dollar Tree.  Sometimes I find some really good beauty products that I can not find anywhere else.  I picked up some MAX Factor eye shadows there once.  That was a great find.  And sometimes they carry Elf cosmetics.  Selection is pretty limited though.  You really have to comb through the other cheapie makeup, and sometimes you leave with nothing.  

For about a month, the Dollar Tree had these lashes stocked and I picked up a bunch of boxes.  The lashes in the black boxes are the ones from the Dollar Tree:

These lashes are super dramatic and really long.  I used to only wear Modella and Ardell lashes until I found these.  I like them a lot, especially the price. :)

 I also like to pick up cotton rounds from the Dollar Tree.  Why pay $2 or $3 for cotton rounds elsewhere when you can buy them for $1?  I always keep these stocked in my bathroom.  I like using these better than cotton balls.  I use these to apply toner to my face after I shower every night.  I also use cotton rounds to remove glitter nail polish with the tinfoil method.

I also like to wash my face with these micro-fiber cloths instead of regular cotton wash cloths.  These feel nicer on my skin and I like how I can air dry them without the wet musty smell that cotton wash cloths can carry.  At the end of every week, I just throw this into the wash when I am washing all of my other towels.  Because the cloth is micro-fiber, I like how it also exfoliates your skin while you are using it.  I have gone through three of these already.  Throw them out when the cloth gets rough and dry.  I really recommend this product. 

I also noticed this product next to the microfiber cloths when I went today:

I thought that these would be nice to use in the shower.  As you can see, the scrubber is double sided. One side of the scrubber is microfiber and the other is textured.  How cool.  I threw one of the three scrubbers into my travel bag and one in my shower right away.  I used this while I was in the shower and I was surprised at how much makeup was still left on my skin after I scrubbed my face with my Proactive cleanser.  It's so great to see results right away when using a new product!  Also, I'm not wasting any of this product because I can just throw it into the wash at the end of the week and reuse it, unlike my Neutrogena Wave pads, where you have to throw them out after every use and repurchase the pads when you run out. :(  

I also picked up this travel size St. Ive's warming facial scrub while I was there today:

I used it this morning and I actually really like it!  To use it, wet your face first.  Squeeze a small amount onto fingers and gently massage into skin.  I felt an immediate warming sensation when the product was on my face but it dissipated too soon.  I don't know if I didn't have enough water on my face for it to thoroughly warm through.  I liked how the product has tons of tiny micro-beads and the cream is so rich, it feels amazing on your skin.  I can really feel it exfoliating my skin and working it's magic!  It left my skin so baby smooth after I rinsed my face.  I definitely have to go back for more of this product- one to keep in my shower!

I love browsing through the travel size bath and beauty products to find great deals.  It is such a great way to sample different brands and find new loves.  I usually buy things from that section throw into my purse like hand sanitizer, tweezers, nail filers, etc.  I have found some of my favorite obsessions by browsing through these sections.  Love finding great deals. :) 

Deal Hunting,
Cherrie

Maybelline ColorSensational Lipsticks Haul & Review

I picked up some more Maybelline ColorSensational lipsticks because they were buy one get one half off at Walgreens.  From left to right, Hot Tamale, Pearly Pink, & Pink Me Up:

Hot Tamale is a nice bright satiny red.  This red lipstick has a more orangey undertone so I found it a little tricky for me to wear.  I found this lipstick in the clearance section for $3.75.  Pearly Pink is a frosty pink lipstick and Pink Me Up is a nice satin mauve color.  

Out of these three, I like Pink Me Up the most on my lips.  It offers a little bit more color to my naturally pigmented lips.  I topped it off with some gloss and it looks really pretty.  Pearly Pink is a little too cool for my skin tone.  The shimmer and frost in it just doesn't jive on my lips.  It would probably look better on someone who has fairer skin.  This lipstick reminds of me of the 90's look with dark lip liner and frosty lipstick. lol. 


xxx,
Cherrie

Pinup Makeup!

I experimented with a look for a pinup girl contest that I might participate in.  Here is what I came up with:

 Products used: 

Foundation-Maybelline FitMe in #230, Natural Buff

Concealer- Elf Corrective Concealer Palette
Nose Contour- Max Factor eye shadow in #210, Fawn

Eyebrows- Sephora Brow Sculpting Pencil in Dark

Shadows- Elf Everyday Brights eye shadow palette (gold & bronze colors), highlight color in #200, BFF from Max Factor

Eye primer- Urban Decay Primer Potion

Lashes- Sonia Kashuk Full Glam Lashes
Liquid Liner- Wet n' Wild Mega Liner in #868
Eye liner- Wet n' Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow Pencil in #130, Pixie

Mascara- Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost in Very Black

Blush- Elf Blusher and Bronzer Duo 

Lips- Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in #85, Ruby

This is my first attempt.  I think that I will try this look again with a more prominent black winged liner.  More pictures will be uploaded soon so check back!

Updated:  So I tried it again...but I think it still looks the same. lol. oh well.

Red Cherry Kisses,

Cherrie