Mascara Favorites

It will be best if I just put this out there... I am constantly on a search for the best mascara. It is impossible for me to stay loyal to just one brand. I have favorites that I go back to, but it seems like I'm always looking for something more. The other day I asked my Twitter followers for their favorite mascara and got a lot of different results. I plan on trying all of them. Here are my followers suggestions:

Too Faced Lash Injection -  I have tried it before, and don't love it. However, I know many people that do like it that would disagree with me. Amy likes it a lot.

Covergirl Lash Exact

Maybelline Lash Stiletto - Tried recently and it's ok. Gives great length, but not much volume. Review coming soon.

MAC Pro Longlash - I may not get to try this one, as it is a pro product and the closest MAC pro store is NYC.

Covergirl Exact Eyelights

Clinique Long Pretty Lashes - Not available anymore. I'm assuming it was replaced by High Lengths Mascara

Benefit Bad Gal Lash - One of my top favorites. Gives tons of length and volume. The brush is great!

L'Oreal Telescopic

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash

Publish Post

DiorShow

Maybelline Pulse Perfection

So tell me... what's your favorite? Have you tried any of these?

XOXO
Colleen

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss

I'm addicted to lip gloss. Shiny, juicy lips look both sexy and soft at the same time... how can I resist? The new Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss was my latest victim. I really wanted 'Glamorous Guava', which is out of stock every where I looked, because it is the color used in all of their advertisements. I ended up settling on 'Peach Sorbet'. The color is pretty, but comes out nude compared to the color it looks in the tube. Of course, peach is a light shade and I don't really expect it to pop on my lips. Surprisingly the gloss isn't sticky! And it stays on for pretty long, considering it's a gloss. I liked it, and I really want the guava color. I am going to keep stalking the stores. Added bonus: It smells great.

Packaging: ***
Effect: ****
Color: **
Staying Power: ***
Cost: $5.99 at Ulta
Total Grade: ***

Have you tried it? Tell me what you think!

XOXO
Colleen

To Prime, Or Not To Prime

Hello kittens! Last night I was hanging out with one of my best friends and the subject of eye shadow primer came up. I prime every time I use my eye shadow and think it makes a world of difference.  But also, I love lots of bright, vibrant colors and it helps to increase the pigmentation of the eye shadows.

My all time favorite primer is M.A.C. Prep + Prime Eye. It's creamy and wonderful, plus they offer 3 neutral shades. I use the medium and it looks fantastic under light colors. Because the coloring is so close to my natural skin tone you can't see the primer at all. My eyelids are darker than the rest of my face and everything looks so much better if your coloring is even. M.A.C. products are all cruelty free. One major bonus to using M.A.C. products is their Back to MAC program. More info on that at the bottom. The cost is $16.50, but it lasts a while and is worth every penny.

Another good option is  Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. They offer 2 different shades: nude (purple bottle) and champagne shimmer (bronze bottle).  I have not tried the new bent wand, but I think it's a great idea. My main complaint  about the old one was the flat applicator because it made the application hard and sometimes it went on too thick. Since I have not tried the new wand I can't say for sure that it will be any different. The champagne shimmer is not your typical primer color, as it adds shine to your plain shadows. I love the idea! Maybe it's not the best for every day use but fun for spicing up boring eye shadow colors. All in all these are both great choices. Urban Decay's products are all vegan friendly and cruelty free. Also, they list all of their ingredients on their website. Cost: $18.00 each and worth it!

M.A.C. and Urban Decay are two of my favorite companies. Along with their great primers they offer tons of other products. My wish lists from both companies include tons eye shadows. I LOVE high pigmentation and they have it! Their shadows are seriously amazing and if you haven't tried them I reccomend you do ASAP. Besides, you will need something to put over your new primer!

Here is some information on the Back to MAC program if you are interested. Basicly, you return 6 empty M.A.C. product containers to a M.A.C. counter or send them to M.A.C. online and you get to select a free lipstick. If you go to a M.A.C. store and give them your information you can choose a free item from one of 3 product categories: lipsticks, clear or tinted gloss and small eye shadow(excluding all Viva Glam products).  Click here to find a location near you.

So what is your favorite primer? Or do you skip the primer all together?

XOXO
Colleen

Friday, finally!

TGIF! I have a busy weekend ahead. Wedding dress shopping with my bff tomorrow and either the Philly flower show or crabs at the beach on Sunday. Obviously the Oscars are on Sunday night too! I'm debating on having an Oscars party with all kinds of lame things like prizes and themed snacks. I know, I'm nuts. Anything to get me through the last few days of winter. Since I will be busy the next few days I will try to get a few posts up today.

So are you planning an Oscars party or attending one? Play Oscars bingo? Couldn't care less? Tell me about it!

XOXO
Colleen

L'Oreal Go 360° Clean Review

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for clever marketing. As soon as I saw the ad for this facial cleaner I knew I had to get it. Afterall, who doesn't want a cleanser with a pop-out scrubber?!

Here is what L'Oreal's website says about it:

"Go 360° Clean Deep Facial Cleansers bring you the very first Scrublet™. This super-soft, flexible cleansing disc applies the cleanser with 500 extra-supple touch points that gently glide across the skin. The cleanser formulas activate on contact to create a hi-foaming lather, which goes deep into pores, unclogging them and gently removing traces of dirt, oil and makeup in every last pore, crease and crevice."(read more here)

Pure genius.  I purchased the deep cream cleanser (pink/white bottle.) My skin tends to be dry this time of year, so I need a creamy cleanser. The scrubber works great!It is soft and gentle on your skin, but also very effective. The cleanser tingles on your skin and feels fantastic! This product makes washing your face fun. I don't use it daily because it still does dry out my skin, but it's nothing a little moisturizer won't fix. All in all I really like this product and will probably buy it again. 

Packaging: ***** 

Result: ****

Cost: $6.99 at Ulta

Total grade: ****

XOXO
Colleen

The Journey Begins Here

I've always had an immense desire to look and feel good just the way I am. It sparked my interest in experimenting with makeup when I was in 6th grade. I remember hanging out with my friends and doing each others makeup, wiping it all off, and starting over again. I used to do my makeup in the bathroom at school because my mom said I was too young to wear it. She should have told me I looked like an idiot, because I wore purple lipstick and blue eyeshadow. That was a long time ago... you live and learn.  Now I'm 23 and that desire still hasn't faded. The only difference is that now I know what I'm doing.

I decided to start this blog to help other women feel as good as I do. I'll be offering advice, answering questions, reviewing products, and sharing things I love. Hopefully some of you will find this blog helpful. Since I've never done this before I would love to hear from my readers with suggestions, questions and comments. Email me anytime at blushxoxo@gmail.com.

Welcome.

XOXO
Colleen