Maybelline Drugstore Haul

My local CVS was having a buy one, get one 50% off sale on all Maybelline   products so I picked up a few things I had been meaning to try. I was actually really pleased with all of them! I’d recommend any of them. Here’s what I thought in more detail:

Color Tattoo Cream Gel Shadow in Bad to the Bronze
Wow, these Color Tattoo shadows are great! I used this both with and without an eye primer and it lasted amazingly both times. This bronze color is actually pretty natural looking with one layer and can be built up to a very shimmery and opaque color with a few more. If you want to add some shadows on top, though, beware because it can be very hard to blend. I usually like to use it alone.

Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer

I was looking for a good, lightweight undereye concealer and this works pretty well. I chose the shade “Neutralizer” which is just supposed to combat any darkness. Sometimes it does fade away by the end of the day but you need to make sure to lock it in with powder. This concealer does not settle into lines at all. It’s supposed to also be a “treatment” but I haven’t really notice any difference.

Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Brown

I loved the consistency of the black gel eyeliner I got from Ipsy recently, but black can sometimes be too dark for my fair complexion and blonde hair (unless I’m wearing black). This eyeliner is great because it comes with its own brush and goes on very smoothly. For the most part, it lasts all day, unless you put it near a crease. Usually, if I wing it out, the wing will be the first part that fades away.

ColorSensational Color Whisper Lipcolor in Cherry on Top

I had heard good things about the Color Whisper collection and it’s been compared to Revlon’s Lip Butters, which I love. These are actually a lot more lightweight than the Lip Butters and have a more glossy texture. When they dry up, they do leave behind a bit of a stain, though it doesn’t last long. Cherry on Top is a super bright reddish-pink that will be perfect once the spring and summer roll in. 

- Bun

Rabbit Reviews: Maybelline Volum’ Express Mega Plush

I got this on a whim in the drugstore because I had seen its commercials on TV and it seemed like it could be promising. I’m always on the lookout for great drugstore products because there are always ones that are absolute knock-outs. I was hoping that this could be my new favorite mascara, especially since it said on the commercials that it keeps your lashes soft and plush (hence, the name) all day and I definitely hate when my mascara starts to flake. It also promises volume, which I always need.

Let me say first, it definitely deliver when it comes to plushness! My lashes are so freaking soft and have not flaked off even the littlest bit. In fact, it has great staying power and doesn’t smudge easily. However, when it comes to volume, I’m not as impressed. I rely on mascara heavily to really pump up my lashes (which are long but sparse) and this unfortunately didn’t add any volume. I also put on about 2-3 coats and still wasn’t impressed by the results. Maybe it’s because of the plushness that it adds, but I couldn’t build up a good coat. It looks great if you’re going for a soft, natural look, but for those who need some impact, you might be disappointed. 

The brush for this mascara is really interesting. First of all, it has a little flexible joint that helps you more evenly apply the product. It also never clumps! Seriously, I was putting on a ton of coats to get volume and I did not see a single clump. It was amazing and I wonder if it’s because of the gel-mousse formula they advertise. The brush itself is pretty large, too, and makes application very easy.

In conclusion, I think this is a good mascara for the price but probably doesn’t do all it promises. I think the plush factor is pretty great and it’s a good mascara when you want natural looking lashes. However, for those hoping for extra volume, you might want to pass on buying this one.

- Bun

Rabbit Reviews: Smith’s Rosebud Salve

This salve may be the best stuff in the world. Not even joking! It’s been a cult classic for years and I always keep a tin of it at my desk. 

Even though I mostly use it on my lips, you can use it on a ton of different things. To quote what it says on the back of the tin, it can be used to relieve “chapped lips and skin, diaper rash, blemishes” and many more. Dry lips? BOOM, Rosebud Salve. Dry hands? BOOM, Rosebud Salve. Irritated, itchy skin? BOOM, Rosebud Salve. It creates a super thick protective layer, moisturizes and soothes, and ultimately heals. It’s really a miracle and never fails me. It also has a nice rosebud scent that is not overpowering. It’s also petroleum based, so if you like Vaseline, you’ll probably like this as well, especially because it has extra additives as well.

It’s pretty inexpensive at about $6 a tin and I’ve seen it in many places— drugstores, beauty stores, Forever 21, Sephora, etc. If you have dry skin or lips, I really recommend picking up one. Also, it makes a great stocking stuffer for any friends this holiday season!

- Bun

Rabbit Reviews: Primers Galore

Recently, I’ve been on a kick trying out a bunch of face primers. I received quite a handful of face primer samples these past few weeks, so I decided to give each of them a try. Here’s what I thought after using them once, along with a rating out of 5 stars. (5 being the highest!)

Smashbox Color Correcting Primer (Green, for minimizing redness)
Wow, where did the red go? I was pretty skeptical about this primer living up to its promises, but my skin looks fantastic after using this. Redness has always been one of my big problems and now my skin just looks porcelain and flawless. It also did a great job with hiding my large pores. It does make my skin a tad bit oily, but since it’s not overtly so, I can overlook it for its benefits. Love it, love it!
5 out of 5 stars 

Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer
I thought this was a decent primer. It created a nice smooth canvas on my skin (without any feeling of slickness) and it wasn’t drying. It didn’t do much to even out my skintone, but it did conceal my pores a little bit. My makeup stayed on fairly well throughout the day, though nothing extraordinary.
3 out of 5 stars 

Benefit POREfessional
Wow, I had heard people say good things about this but I had no idea until I tried it. It’s called POREfessional for a reason; it really erases my pores and my pores are really large. My skin looks so smooth with this on! Plus, it really helped my foundation last all day and stay matte. The only downside was how slimey it felt when I put it on. However, given that my pores look amazing, it’s the one of the best primers I’ve used. 
5 out of 5 stars 

Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer
This stuff smells good! All joking aside, this is a pretty good primer. It’s promise is to “mattify” your skin, which it actual does pretty well. No oiliness here! It also concealed my pores more than I thought it would. My only problem was that it didn’t soak into my skin easily and I had to wait for it to dry a bit before I continued with my makeup. 
4 out of 5 stars

Stila One Step Bronze
Now, this is technically a bronzer but you can totally use it as a primer. What’s nice about this one is that the bronze color is really subtle, so I used it under my foundation over the summer to give me a nice glow. (I have really fair skin, just to note) It didn’t do much to shrink my pores, but my makeup did stick to it nicely and it did even out the color of my skin. My face did get a bit oily by the end of the day, though.
2 out of 5 stars

What are your favorite primers?

- Bun

Rabbit Reviews: Sephora Primal Instincts Eyeshadow Palette

Hello, Sephora! I am in love.

I don’t like to buy single eyeshadows because I’m not always great at coordinating shades together. Therefore, I tend to go for palettes with a ton of already coordinated shadows, and they are usually cheaper than buying individually. I was looking for a great neutral palette that was versatile, affordable and would last me a long time.

Sephora’s Primal Instincts Eyeshadow Palette answered my prayers and it’s probably the best palette Sephora has made. Ever! First of all, the colors are beautiful and pigmented. There is a nice mix of shimmery and matte colors and the colors are flattering for all skin tones. They go on smoothly, last a long time and are super blendable. Plus, you can create so many different looks, from something very neutral to something incredibly dramatic and smokey. Very high quality for a Sephora palette and the best part is, it was only $28. A total steal!

I definitely have some favorites. The two colors on the far right, Matte Brown and Must Have, are great as liners, and the white shade on the top far left, Beige, is a perfect highlighting color. For the fall, I’ve been using the trio of Sable and Gold (second and third shades from the top left) and Mahogany (third shade from the bottom left) as an everyday look and it’s beautiful and warm. When I need something a bit cooler, Camel and Bronze (first and second shades from the bottom left) together or Tea Rose (third shade from top right) and Deep Burgundy (middle shade on bottom) together. Tea Rose and Plum (third shade from right) are great together for something purpley and smokey. These are just a few of the combinations I like, but of course, with a palette like this, the possibilities are endless. 

I am really bad at taking photos of swatches, but luckily, some other blogs have already done some nice ones. Check out MakeupComa for some great swatches!

If you’re looking for an affordable neutral palette (or don’t want to shell out for Urban Decay’s Naked palettes), then this Sephora palette is definitely for you. With its price tag, it’s definitely worth picking it up for your collection.

- Bun

Rabbit Reviews: L’Oreal EverPure Sulfate-Free Shampoo & Conditioner

A few months ago, I wrote a post about going sulfate free in order to protect your hair. When I ran out of my last shampoo by Organix, I noticed my hair was becoming drier and frizzier and I needed something a bit more moisturizing. After checking out some of the options in the drugstore, I decided to try out L’Oreal’s sulfate-free products, opting for the Volumizing ones. (Because my hair is so baby fine and thin!)

Let me say, first of all, this stuff goes on like butter! Even though the shampoo is sulfate-free, it still turns into a huge creamy lather that just coats your entire hair. When you rinse it out, your hair doesn’t feel stripped or dry. The conditioner has a thick, creamy consistency that completely coats your hair and leaves it incredibly moisturized and conditioned. Despite that the conditioner feels very thick, my hair feels very light after blow-drying and holds volume better than other volumizing shampoos I’ve used. 

Also, some people have complained with sulfate-free shampoos that their hair never feels cleaned completely and they feel like residue and oils build up. However, with this set, I’ve never felt like my hair was dirty and actually, my “second day” hair is much nicer and less oily than usual. I usually have to shampoo everyday but now I feel like I don’t have to. (Which is healthier for my hair, overall)

Because the formulas are so creamy and coat your hair so effectively, you only have to use a small amount. (Or else with the shampoo, you have a HUGE, ridiculous suds on your head and with the conditioner, you’ll spend a lot of time washing it out) A little bit goes a long way, which also means the product will last you a long time. 

Overall, I think this is the best sulfate-free shampoo I’ve used, among both drugstore and high-end brands. It’s incredibly moisturizing and effective, plus gentle for your hair!

- Bun 

Top 5 Faves of the Moment

Here are some of my favorite products of this summer! I use each of these products almost everyday and I love them. What are you favorites right now?


Dr. Jart++ Water Fuse BB Cream
After receiving a sample of this, I decided to put away my tinted moisturizer and use this. I use it everyday and it has just the right amount of coverage without being heavy.
$34 per tube
 


Stila One Step Bronzer
I got a full sized bottle of this in my most recent Birchbox. I’m normally afraid of bronzer but I use this under my BB cream and it gives me just the right amount of summer glow. Plus, it’s a great primer.
$36 per bottle 


Clinique Emergency Gel Lotion
I unfortunately suffer from mild acne, which gets worse in the summer time. When I have big blemishes, the littlest bit of this stuff with kill it within a day or so. It’s the strongest acne treatment I own and it’s such a lifesaver. It contains benzoyl peroxide as its active ingredient.
$15 per tube


Revlon Moon Drops Love That Pink Lipstick
I bought this lipstick on a whim. I was looking for something pink and fun, not realizing how ridiculously pigmented this shade is! At first I didn’t like it but I realize its incredibly versatile. I can have a nice hint of pink or a full hot pink pout. I love the potency of these green tubes!
$9 per tube 


Living Proof No Frizz Styling Cream
I received a small bottle (I think 2oz?) in my most recent Glam Bag. I have really fine hair so I use half of the recommended amount (which is “generous”) but it works to keep my hair smooth and frizz free throughout the hot days. Perfect for the summertime humidity!
$15 per 4oz bottle 

- Bun

Rabbit Reviews: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

In the first Glam Bag (December 2011), they gave everyone a full size NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream. Ever since then, I’m convinced that this lip cream is the best matte lip product on the market. And at only $6 a tube, it’s totally worth to buy a few to include in your make up collection! You can buy them from NYX Cosmetics directly, ULTA or even Amazon, just to name a few places.

I currently own two shades, Amsterdam and San Paulo. (See pictures below!) Amsterdam is a bright apple-y kind of red with cool undertones. San Paulo is like a berry rosy pink color. They’re both really vibrant and beautiful, not sheer at all! (However, if you want them to be sheer, apply with your fingers)

What I love about these lip creams is the great color pay off and their staying power. I like to put some on, blot and then put some more on, and it dries super quickly and stays for most of the day, even through eating and drinking and kissing. They don’t dry out your lips at all, although I wouldn’t call them moisturizing. 

I may buy a few more colors, just because I love them so much and they’re so inexpensive! They come in 11 great shades, named after the international cities they are inspired from.

Swatches, Amsterdam on left and San Paulo on right

Amsterdam

San Paulo


-Bun