Product Reviews

The Too Faced Cocoa Contour Palette, With Its Simple, Logical Layout, Is Almost Perfect!

May 24th, 2016 by Anna Oh 19 Comments

The words “contouring” and “easy” don’t usually fit into the same sentence for me, but I think it is possible to have them both with this particular popular palette: the Too Faced Cocoa Contour Palette ($40).

Most contouring palettes have a LOT going on, but this one has such a logical, simple layout. It only has four pans, but it always comes in handy, no matter if I feel like wearing a little makeup or a lot. Contouring has never been a part of my daily makeup routine, but I’m surprised by how quickly I’ve grown to like using this palette!

too faced cocoa contour buki brush — The super soft contour buki brush is included with the palette

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Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: Now Waterproof!

May 20th, 2016 by Anna Oh 19 Comments

Remember when Too Faced made a mascara that was “better than sex?” Well, this one is even better than that one because it’s waterproof!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara ($23) works magic in every department now — volume, length, and (now) curl.

Feeling upgraded in every way, it’s packaged in a heavy metal tube with a water-fleck texture like the one I fell in love with from the MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection (2014).

Waterproof mascara isn’t for everyone, though. For some, it means blinking away black flakes, dry crunchy lashes, and even losing a few eyelashes trying to take it off, but I think this is one of the better waterproof mascaras I’ve used, and it’s worth a try if you’re looking for a new one. This one’s now my favorite mascara for special occasions.

Better lashes, here I come!

too faced better than sex waterproof — Closeup of the “Better Than Sex” wand…

So, the wand on this mascara is ridiculously huge, and my first few tries with it were super messy. I’m not sure if the wand has to be THIS big, because sometimes the product can collect into clumps on the brush.

But since I love the way it makes my lashes look, I can overlook a few messy applications. The jet-black formula really sticks to my lashes, but instead of weighing them down like the original Better Than Sex Mascara does, this one holds them in place.

Multiple layers are also possible because of the slow-drying formula.

Now, even though your waterproof lashes look amazing, what do you do with them at the end of the day?

Removing waterproof mascara

You grab Too Faced Mascara Melt Off ($17), which you swipe right onto your lashes, and the oil-infused formula conditions and literally “melts off” waterproof mascaras.

The main reason I don’t wear waterproof mascara more often is because cleanup is so difficult, and even though I always use a separate waterproof eye remover, this mascara still doesn’t budge easily.

But Mascara Melt Off works great and takes less effort. I just let it sit on my lashes for a full minute before wiping off the oil and the rest of my eye makeup with a warm makeup wipe (I warm the makeup wipe by running it under hot water).

These products were made for each other, and Mascara Melt Off really works.

See you in the next!

Anna

Anna Oh

Anna is an illustrator and designer from Atlanta, GA. Her work focuses on fashion, beauty, and awesome women. A former tomboy, Anna now happily embraces all things pink, glittery, and floral scented. You can see her illustration work at www.helloannaoh.com and on Instagram.

These MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter Pens Should Really Be Called PERK+Prime! Miracle Workers

May 20th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 12 Comments

I’m guessing that by now you’re all getting tired of hearing me bang on about how tired I am.

But really, it’s a vicious cycle. I recently read a meme on Facebook (don’t judge me) while scrolling through my feed during the wee hours of sleeplessness with a fussy baby that read, “Parenting is the constant battle between going to bed to catch up on some sleep or staying awake to finally get some alone time.”

L-O-L, is that ever true!

Hopefully for this tired mama, MAC’s new $26 Prep+Prime Highlighter click pens can help. They’re supposed to “effectively [bring] a soft, sheer wash of colour to skin.”

But first, can we briefly pause to appreciate the shimmering — dare I say sexy? — packaging? I’m in love with these boxes and tubes…

The MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters in all their glittery packaged glory!

Available in nine shades (including two correctors in peach and rose) to suit a wide range of skin tones, the Prep+Prime Highlighters are MAC’s answer to YSL’s eponymous Touche Eclat Stylo. Creamy and easy to apply thanks to the gentle brush head from which the product is dispensed, these highlighters do dry down quickly and oxidize slightly to a somewhat deeper tone than I’d expect based on the swatches.

Although the two shades on the right are just too deep for my complexion, any of the first three on the left would suit my skin tone, depending on what I want and need. The one called Light, for instance, is a classic highlighting concealer, while Medium would be better suited to cancel out the blue tones under my eyes.

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First Impressions of the (Fab) Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner and Lash Paint Mascara

May 19th, 2016 by Anna Oh 27 Comments

I’ve worn eyeliner nearly every day of my life since I started wearing makeup, and I consider myself an experienced liner lady (like, if eyeliners were cats, that’s me!). When I find a great product, I usually don’t stray from it, and I’ve been faithful to my current favorites until now.

Will the new Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner ($24) and Lash Paint Mascara ($23) from Tarte dethone my tried and trues?

Let’s find out!

By the way, in this look I’m also wearing Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, Makeup Geek Eyeshadows, L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer, Tarteist Clay Blush Palette, and Ofra Cosmetics Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in “Miami Fever” (by KathleenLights). And yes, I am forcing myself to use a different lipstick every day and have fallen in love with this color, again.

Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner

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These MAC Soft Serve Shadows Are Sooo My Cup of…Ice Cream!

May 19th, 2016 by Adia Goss 27 Comments

Seriously, sparkly cream eyeshadows are my go-to shadows most mornings (if I’m wearing eyeshadow at all), and I LOVE this cushiony cream-to-powder formula. I am 100% completely onboard with these creamy new MAC Soft Serve Shadows. There are 11 of them in the new Soft Serve collection with lots of pretty shimmer!

I think you’ll love these if you also like the Dior Fusion Mono or Chanel Illusion D’Ombre cream eyeshadows because the formulas are very similar. I like applying them with my fingers because they’re easy to build up and blend, but once they set, they stay put.

Basically, these are my dream eyeshadows.

The 11 shades

Bounce Around (Light, cool taupey silver)
Cushy Life (Light warm golden beige)
Best Make Up (Light golden highlighter)
Plead Gilty (Vibrant sparkling gold)
Quite Yummy! (Light pink)
So So Saucy (Mid-tone peach)
Put Me to Shame (Mid-tone dirty taupe)
Softened Up (Mid-tone warm brown)
Girls, Girls! (Soft pastel purple)
Big Bad Blue (Soft pastel blue)
Jealous Girl (Mint green)

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Would You Rock Pastel Brows? Introducing the MAC Soft Serve Collection Dare Hue! Brow Pencils

May 18th, 2016 by Adia Goss 29 Comments

mac soft serve brows — Introducing the new MAC Soft Serve Eyebrow Pencils!

Well…this collection is definitely outside my comfort zone. The first time I saw the new Dare Hue! Brow Pencils from the MAC Soft Serve collection ($16.50 each, available online May 26, 2016; in stores June 2 through July 14), I kept asking myself, “Are these definitely brow pencils? Because maybe these are really supposed to be eyeliners.” But, no, these are definitely brow pencils.

These six pastel-hued eyebrow pencils are pretty impossible for me to pull off with my coloring, but I gotta hand it to MAC for totally stepping outside the box. This is the kind of crazy-unique product that I expect from MAC, and I think it’s cool that the brand is still staying true to its non-traditional roots!

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Lipstick Queen Cupid’s Bow Jumbo Lip Pencils: These Pretty and Precise Pencils Hit the Target

May 13th, 2016 by Adia Goss 20 Comments

I love that these $22 Lipstick Queen Cupid’s Bow lipstick/jumbo lip pencil hybrids are so smooth, pigmented and easy to apply, and you can get a nice outline around your lips with them. Lipstick Queen is a new brand to me, but I’m loving the luxe vibe.

I’ve reviewed my share of lipstick/lip pencil hybrids (remember the ones from Glo Minerals?), so I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert on the subject.

DETAILS:
0.07oz

“Inspired by the artful precision of a perfectly applied cupid’s bow, this jumbo pencil is packed with pigment and works just like a lipstick and lip liner together in one. Loaded with hydrating ingredients to keep your pout in perfect condition, these pencils give lips a velvety drama that can be drawn on with one simply stroke. Lips are instantly saturated with rich, plush pigments and a dramatic yet moisture-rich satin matte finish. Naughty, nice and playful, with allow-like precision…just like Cupid himself!”

— lipstickqueen.com

Plush, powerful pigments with intense staying power and a satin matte finish

Contains precious mineral Tourmaline sourced from metamorphic rock in Brazil, known for its energizing and radiance-boosting qualities

Luxurious formulation cushions lips in comfort

Artful precision with one effortless application – glides on with intense color pay-off

Complimentary sharpener included

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Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Chrome Mascara in Sapphire Makes Lashes Twinkle Like Little Gemstones!

May 12th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 9 Comments

I can’t lie, I’m a little “vanilla” when it comes to mascara. When I was getting a new one a few weeks back, I accidentally picked up one in “brown/black” and recoiled the instant I recognized my gaffe. I’ve just always been more of a “blackest black” kind of chick when it comes to these lashes, and I don’t deviate that often.

Not long ago NYX released an immense range of vibrant, affordable colorful mascaras that seem lovely, and the world of glittery mascaras is vast, but I just haven’t been able to part with my precious carbon black hues…

Enter Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Chrome Mascara (about $6 at Walmart), a different, also affordable take on the brand’s already popular glitter mascaras.

Graphite, a metallic aluminum silver, and Sapphire, a deep, luminous gemstone blue, have me changing my tune about shimmery, colorful mascara.

They’re both new shade additions to the existing range, all of which are about $6 each.

“Create futuristic chrome lashes that are fun and flirty with Lash Tinsel Chrome Mascara. The pearl packed formula evenly coats lashes and the comb-like applicator removes any clumps for a professional look every time! Layer over black or a tonal mascara for a more vivid, multi-dimensional look.”

— hardcandy.com

Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Mascara in Sapphire

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