Almay Smart Shade Perfect and Correct Primer Review

I usually use L'oreal's Magic perfecting base as my main primer, but there are some days when my skin has redness in it, or it just looks blah and dull.  Almay's Perfect and Correct Primer contains green and purple shades blended together to counteract redness and brighten up dull skin tones, so I definitely wanted to try it out. 

Here's what the Almay website says about it:  

"New multi-tasking face primer intuitively adjusts to smooth and soften skin while correcting skin's most common problems with visible color correcting strands. green ribbons neutralize redness, while swirls of lavender pigments even out and brighten skin tone. imperfections are diffused and skin is up to 265% more hydrated. this lightweight, non-oily formula works for all skin types but is specifically formulated for sensitive skin. wear it alone for a flawless finish or underneath foundation for the first step to perfected skin."

Here are some swatches:

This primer has a very silky texture compared with other primers I've used.  It has a dewy finish, as opposed to a matte finish, and feels really moisturizing on the skin.  For someone like me who's dry, it feels amazing, but if you're oily, it might feel like it has too much slip for you. So does it really counteract redness?  I put it to the test...I put the primer on my left hand and compared it to my right- 

My left hand looks way smoother, more hydrated, and yes, less red!  I was really impressed that I could see an obvious difference, because I wasn't expecting to notice it that much.  

While I'm not sure if this made my foundation last any longer, I love it just for the fact that it creates a super smooth, soft, neutral base to apply my makeup to.  

Have you tried this yet?  Also, if anyone with oily skin has tried this, I'd love to hear what you thought and if it worked for you!

L'oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner Review in Gray

I've seen the new L'oreal Voluminous Smoldering eyeliner in drugstores for a while, but I've been too intimidated by them to buy one.  Just the sheer size and chunkiness of it made me afraid of the giant smudgy mess that would become my eyelids.  

But I finally decided to go for it in Gray, which is a little less intense than black, and see what happened.  I was pleasantly surprised!

                               

When I first saw these, I thought they would be very soft and smudgy, but they're not.  They are actually a little on the stiff side, which makes them easy to control, but not so stiff that it pulls on your eyelids.  I was able to make a thin line using the point, or a thick line by using the edge. Also, this grabbed onto the skin pretty well, has great staying power, and didn't smudge underneath my eyes all over the place.  

I came across this video by Makeup By Alli, on how to get a smoky lash line with this pencil, and it really inspired me to try this eyeliner, even though I was a little afraid to.  If you get a chance, I highly recommend it! 


I think I might try this in black next!

The Budget Beauty Forum is finally HERE!

A lot of you have suggested I create a place where you can discuss everything makeup & beauty related, and today, the Budget Beauty Forum is open!


The Forum is the place to go to ask all those burning questions, like "where can I find a dupe for Diorshow mascara?" or "what's the best drugstore anti-wrinkle cream?", and let fellow readers answer them for you.  Or, if you have an amazing beauty tip, or the inside scoop on makeup, skincare or hair care products, the Budget Beauty Forum is the place to share them!


So head on over to the forum, and have fun! 

L'Oreal 24hr Infallible Eye Shadow- Endless Pearl Review and Swatch

The other day, I reviewed L'oreal's Infallible eyeshadow in Continuous Cocoa, last month I reviewed Sultry Smoke, and I love these shadows so much, I wanted to review more of them.  But this time, I thought I'd try something a little lighter and Endless Pearl seemed like a perfect highlight color.

Like the other shades, this one has a creamy texture that's technically a powder, but feels super soft, almost cream-like.  

It comes with a little disc that you're supposed to keep inside the jar to keep the powder pressed down. 

I'm super impressed with the pigment on these, and how long they last.  Unfortunately, my skin color is so light, this color soft of blends in a bit, and is hard to see. I really layered it on just so you could see the color a little better. On those of you with darker skin tones, this will really pop and look beautiful.  It doesn't contain shimmer, but it does have a sort of pearlized finish.  

So how many of you are hooked on these like I am?  What's your favorite shade?

Physicians Formula Youthful Wear Cosmeceutical Foundation Review

Physician's Formula has a new Youth Boosting line of concealers, foundations and powders that are supposed to make you look 10 years younger.  I was intrigued, so I decided to start with the foundation, especially since the package came with a rebate to try it for free!


Here's some packaging shots: 

This foundation comes in a tube, and includes a synthetic foundation brush.  

Here's what the dispenser looks like: 

The formula is a lightweight mousse-like consistency that blends easily.  It has a matte finish, but is really moisturizing and doesn't sink into lines and pores.  All I needed was a tiny pea sized amount to cover my whole hand.  

Here's my hand before: 

And here's the after: 

The bottom line...this foundation is awesome!  It not only gave me medium to full coverage, but it didn't look like a mask and seemed to smooth over lines and wrinkles.  I really want to try the concealer and powder now.  
Have you tried any of the products in this line yet?  

February Crushes List

Valentine's Day is coming up, and there are tons of products I've got a crush on this month.  
So get in the mood for romance with these budget beauty picks that will leave you looking gorgeous, and leave him speechless!

Every guy loves soft, touchable hair, and Aussie's 3 minute miracle brings dry damaged hair back to life.  This product has been around forever, but I just tried it for the first time recently, and I've been hooked! My hair has never been softer, or shinier, and it doesn't weigh it down at all.  Plus, it smells like the beach...it's heavenly. 

 

Gold Bond Sheer Ribbons body lotion in Pearl Radiance is a creamy mousse-like lotion that has a hint of shimmer to give your skin an ethereal candlelit glow.  What I love about this, aside from the fact that it makes your skin feel like silk, is that it's not glittery- the shimmer is extremely subtle, and it just makes your skin look like it's glowing and radiant.  Plus, it has a really subtle fresh scent that won't interfere with perfume. 

  Get smooth, super soft, kissable lips with Yes to Carrots color balm.  When it comes to guys, they usually like the look of gloss or lipstick, but most don't want to kiss you when you have it on (my guy usually makes a face and wipes it off). The best thing about this balm, is that it soaks right in, isn't waxy, and has no scent or taste whatsoever.  It literally makes your lips feel velvety soft (and my guy doesn't notice I have it on!).

Victoria's Secret Simply Gorgeous is a new fragrance that I'm totally in love with (and my guy, who's pretty picky about fragrance loves it too!).  It's sexy and seductive without being loaded with musk or vanilla.  It's a blend of crimson apple, sunkissed petals and velvet amber- to me, it just smells warm and inviting, like you just want to snuggle up to it.  Of course, if you're wearing it, that's what your guy will want to do to you! 
Plus it comes in this seriously pretty atomizer bottle that makes it totally fun to spritz on. 

Revlon's Colorstay Nail Polish has a gel-like consistency and finish, and looks beautiful and shiny for days.  I love this color in Rich Raspberry.  It's the perfect pink for winter- not too summery, but still romantic and girly.  

Revlon's Colorstay Gel eyeliner in Plum.  I reviewed this in black last month and this week, I bought the purple one and I'm loving everything about it.  It's a beautiful dark plum shade that will make a fantastic smoky eye when used with other purples and grays. 

Maybelline's Dream Bouncy blush gives your cheeks a soft, romantic flush of color that looks so pretty, sheer and natural.  I love the soft texture and gorgeous colors it comes in.  They create the perfect flush without looking obvious.  

L'Oreal 24hr Infallible Eye Shadow- Continuous Cocoa Review and Swatch

Last month, I reviewed the new Infallible eyeshadow from L'oreal Paris for the first time, and absolutely loved it (to see that review of shade #998 Sultry Smoke, click here).  So today I picked up a few more.  

The first one I want to talk about is Continuous Cocoa.  It's a really, really dark brown, which is perfect for creating a smoky eye while keeping it a little softer than black.  I also love using brown because it tends to make blue eyes pop. 

As I said in my last review, these are quite an interesting texture- almost cream like in consistency, kind of like a packed powder such as brown sugar or wet sand.  It comes with a little plastic insert that you're supposed to keep inside it to keep it packed down.  

The pigment is fantastic, it lasts all day without creasing, and once you put it on, it's no easy task to remove it.   When I swatched this on my arm, I had to scrub with dish soap to get it off!

Here's a swatch on my arm: 

I'm loving these- they're such amazing quality!  Next up, I'll be reviewing Infallible eyeshadow in Endless Pearl.  

What colors have you tried?  Favorites?

Maybelline Color Tattoo Tough as Taupe Review and Swatch

Last month, I posted a review of Maybelline's new Color Tattoo eyeshadows in Bad to the Bronze and Audacious Asphalt.  I absolutely love them and use them almost every day, either alone, or as a base for powder shadow, so I thought I'd expand my collection a little bit.  

These are selling out of stores like crazy, so I had to visit a few drugstores to find the color I wanted, which is Tough as Taupe.  
When I first saw this color, it looked mainly medium brown, with a hint of gray in it.  

But when I actually started using it, the color in the pot seemed to change and have a lot more gray in it, which made me like it even more! 


 I seriously feel like I've been looking for this color my whole life, but didn't even know it.  It's such an awesome color!

Here's what a swatch looks like on my arm: 

This looks amazing on its own, or layered under either gray or brown shadow.  It really goes with and compliments both.  I love this whole line: they last forever, have amazing pigment, and are easy to work with.  
To see my review of two other colors, Bad to the Bronze and Audacious Asphalt, Click Here. 

Sally Hansen Moisture Twist 2-in-1 Primer + Color Gloss- Twisted Nude Swatches

Yesterday at CVS, I spotted new Sally Hansen Moisture Twist lip glosses, which are lip color + primer in one tube.  They remind me of creamcicles, how they're all swirled together. 

According to the Sally H website: 


Prime and color lips in just one moisturizing twist. The primer sets a smooth, super moisturizing base for flawlessly smooth shiny lips. Available in 10 luminous shades.

Benefits:

+30% more moisture, instantly

Antioxidant formula has Jojoba, Sunflower & Moroccan Argan oils

Non-sticky, weightless feel

There are 10 colors to choose from: 

Since I'm all about nude lips, I decided to try Twisted Nude, a pretty peachy pink.

It comes with a regular doe foot applicator, which I actually like.  I think they make it easy to apply the color, and are soft and velvety feeling.  The formula tastes like cake batter- so yummy!

The formula is so super moisturizing with the Argan Oil in it, and is not sticky at all!  It gives the perfect sheen without being too glossy or thick and my lips felt smooth and soft for hours afterwards.  It really melts into the lips and feels incredible.  The more I use it, the more it seems to soften the lines, especially if I've applied it more than once that day.

It wears pretty much like a normal gloss, so you will need to reapply pretty often.  But it doesn't claim to be long wearing, so I didn't think it would be.

Here's my before and afters: 

BEFORE

AFTER

  Have you tried this, or any other glosses with Argan Oil in them, and if so, what did you think?