DUPE: Clinique Blushing Blush Powder in Aglow

 

 I recently got a little sample version of Clinique's Blushing Blush Powder in "Aglow" in my stocking for Christmas, and I couldn't help but notice it looks a lot like e.l.f.'s Studio Blush in "Peachy Keen"!

Clinique's full-size blush in Aglow costs $20.00 while e.l.f.'s blush in Peachy Keen is only $3.00

As you can see in the swatch, Aglow is a little more gold and Peachy Keen is more of a lighter peach color but they both have the exact same shimmery finish.

The Clinique blush has a smoother texture, is more pigmented, and has a longer wear time while the e.l.f. blush is a tad chalky, requires some building, and wears off in about 3 hours.

But if you're looking to save $17.00 and don't mind the difference in fomula, definitely check out e.l.f.'s Studio Blush in Peachy Keen, there's absolutely no difference in color when its on your face!

NOTD: Celeb City

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color- Celeb City

Orly- Sec 'N Dry Quick Deep-Dry Topcoat

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin

 

Want makeup that is flawless and weightless for 16 perfect hours? Revlon has the solution - ColorStay™ Makeup with SoftFlex™.

Specially formulated for combination or oily skin, this oil-free formula helps control shine all day and gives you flawless looking skin.

Makeup looks fresh and feels great for up to 16 hours thanks to the lightweight, comfortable feel from the SoftFlex ColorStay™ formula.

Medium to full coverage, with SPF 6 protection*.

*Golden, Caramel, Toast, Rich Ginger, Cappuccino, Mahogany, and Mocha do not contain SPF

Pros:

-Sleek and classy glass packaging

-Thick formula covers redness, blemishes, and mild discoloration

-A little bit of the foundation can go a long way and can be thinned out with moisturizer for those who prefer lighter coverage

-Doesn't settle in the creases of your face throughout the day

-The finish is very natural, not completely matte

-Works fairly well to control oil throughout the day, I still need to blot every two hours but that's much less frequent than other foundations I've tried

-Hasn't caused any breakouts

-Is fairly transfer resistant

-The SPF of 6 isn't high enough to interfere with flash photography

-Doubles really well as a concealer if you dab on your problem areas

-Doesn't oxidize throughout the day

Cons:

-The price of this foundation ranges from about $10-$14, which is quite pricey for the drugstore (but I can deal since they frequently do 40% off Revlon)
-REALLY difficult to clean off your brushes, I usually have to spot clean with my MAC brush cleanser and then take my brush to the sink and wash with baby shampoo a few times to actually see the white on the bristles again!

-Its pretty much a guessing game when you go to pick this foundation out at the drugstore since they don't do testers (not to mention there's only 20 shades so if you're super fair or super dark you might be out of luck); I had to return the first shade I picked out and grab another which I still don't think matches me correctly (lesson: grab from a store with a good return policy)!

-For some reason a lot of the darker shades don't contain SPF (those shades are listed above)

-Dries on your face really quickly, you need to do some speedy blending!

-The smell is pretty strong, you're going to notice it once its on your face (but don't worry it fades in about 10 minutes)

-If you're not one to set your foundation with powder be advised that the Revlon Colorstay will feel very sticky

-A big downfall that usually happens with most drugstore foundations is the lack of a pump, I usually either get too much or not enough, and let me just tell you that when you get halfway through the bottle tipping it over and over again because you didn't get enough is the most annoying process
-Because of the lack of a pump, the screw on lid gets massively messy with dripping foundation

-If you use the back of your hand to put your foundation on before applying and let it dry, its pretty much going to stay there all day unless you use a makeup remover wipe

-The SPF of 6 is better than nothing but not high enough to protect you skin on an everyday basis alone

-The coverage is good, but needs a few layers to cover bad discoloration

-It takes some trial and error to find a brush that will apply this in a way that works for you, I find my Sigma F80 does the best job since its so dense which prevents it from absorbing too much product, but I also like using my fingers (aside from the fact that this foundation is a nightmare to get off once it dries)

- This foundation will stain like no other! I keep a white towel on my vanity for spot cleaning, wiping my hands and such, and it's just covered with foundation spots from the Revlon ColorStay, so make sure you don't get it on anything that's going to upset you if it doesn't come out

-Can look extremely cakey if you use a setting powder that's too heavy (like MAC's Studio Fix Powder), I like to set this with MAC's Pressed Blot Powder

-You need to have a good makeup remover when using the Revlon ColorStay Foundation, when I first starting using this I thought just cleansing my face was enough to get it all off, but nope, it clogged my pores like no other, so invest in some good makeup removing wipes

Overall:

Usually I stay away from liquid foundations because I just know they're going to slide off my oily skin during the day, but I'm very pleased with the Revlon ColorStay foundation for Oily/Combination Skin! I find myself not having to blot as frequently, not having to use as much concealer, and I'm much more comfortable with my skin because this foundation has fantastic coverage. I'm pretty in love with the Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin, so it's going to be a long,long while before I venture out and try another liquid foundation! If your skin is similar to mine (very oily/lots of discoloration/acne) I strongly suggest that you try this out!

Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush in "Blushing Peach"

Description

• A beautiful mosaic of complementary hues to contour and accentuate cheekbones with soft color and discreet shimmer.
• It’s the perfect combination of colors that blend together to naturally enhance your cheekbones.
• The finest Italian talc provides a silky-smooth application that blends easily without streaking or irritating sensitive skin. 

Hypoallergenic. Fragrance-Free. Dermatologist Approved. Oil-Free.

Net Wt. 0.17 Oz/5g
Price :  $10.95

Directions

• Using a soft powder brush, sweep over entire palette to evenly blend colors.
• Tap excess powder from brush before applying.
• Brush over cheekbones to define and contour or apply right below cheekbones for a more defined and dramatic look.

Ingredients 

TALC, ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, ZINC STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, BHT, TETRASODIUM EDTA, SORBIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN. MAY CONTAIN: MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, IRON OXIDES, CARMINE, ULTRAMARINES, MANGANESE VIOLET, FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN, YELLOW 5 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, RED 6, RED 7 LAKE, RED 30 LAKE, BLUE 1.  

Pros:

-There's minimal shimmer in this blush, it translates to more of a glow on your cheeks so you look very fresh

-This blush is very travel friendly since it has a large mirror and a little brush

-I absolutely love the shade of peach this blush turns out to be, I usually find some peach blushes to lean too brown, but this one is a very true peach that will flatter many skin tones!

-The texture of "Blushing Peach" is super smooth, not at all chalky

-Because its so smooth, this blush blends like a dream

-Though the chunky plastic packaging isn't the prettiest thing to look at, it definitely protects the product really well (mine has hit the floor a few time and hasn't shattered or even chipped once)!

Cons:

-This blush usually retails for $10.95 (I got mine during a sale) which in my opinion is just WAY too much for something from the drugstore
-I think the silver and plastic packaging is pretty darn ugly, it just doesn't look cute when sitting on your vanity
-I don't like that you have to push the little button to get the blush to open, sometimes it gets stuck and its just a hassle
-The blush itself has a very old school "cosmetic-y" smell to it (can't smell anything when its actually on your cheeks)

-The way Physicians Formula packages their products in stores is really flawed, there's a little window cut out on the box that has no barrier between it and the actual blush, so the likelihood that you're going to be able to find one that's not already all banged up is very slim

-The packaging is pretty deceiving, it looks like you're getting a ton of product, but all that extra room is actually just the little compartment for the brush

-The "Blushing Peach" shade is fairly sheer, you really need to swirl your brush around to grab enough color and even then it still requires some building on the cheeks

-The lasting power isn't that great, you'll get a solid 4-5 hours of wear before things start to fade

-I personally don't care for the packaging, silver products always look cheap/show wear and tear a lot faster (go for something classic like black Physicians Formula!)

-The little brush that comes in the compartment is quite scratchy, but I guess it could work if you were in a pinch

-There's little holes in the bottom of the compartment, if you use the brush that comes with the blush and put it back in the compartment some product will go through the holes (not the best if you keep this in your purse or makeup bag)

Overall:

The Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush in "Blushing Peach" has become a daily staple for me, it goes with pretty much every look and gives my face a nice glow! I would say pick this blush up only if you can grab it during a sale (I'm talking like 40% off Physicians Formula) otherwise I think you're getting ripped off by a drugstore product. I only paid $1.00 for this blush back when there was a big Physicians Formula sale going on at CVS and I had a bunch of coupons, but if you're even thinking about shelling out at least $10.95 on a drugstore product, you mine as well spend another $10.00 and just grab something high end like a MAC blush since they're much more pigmented and long lasting!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eyeshadow Primer

What It Is: 

Your full coverage insurance policy against all fading, creasing and smudging. Our skin-soothing formula evens out skin tone and smoothes fine lines to create a perfect canvas for shadows. Color is intensified and locked down until you take it off. 

More To Love: 

• Unique Binders: Volatiles lock down eye shadow pigments for amazingly long wear. 
• Versatility: Use with powder or cream eye shadow products. 
• Fights Fading: Anti-creasing formula holds eye products in place by securing a barrier between the oils of your skin and your makeup. 
• Concentrated: The size of a rain drop covers the entire lid.

Net Weight:
0.35 Oz. (Metric: 11g)


Ingredients:
Isododecane, Talc, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyethylene, Trihydroxystearin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Isopropyl Lanolate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Mica. (+/-): Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Pros:

-I love the design of the tube (I'm such a sucker for anything vintage!), its very classy and simple

-The squeeze-y tube design is very functional (unlike the old Urban Decay Primer Potions) and allows you to get all the product possible out of the tube/control the exact amount you want

-I don't really mind paying $18 for the Too Faced Shadow Insurance, I think you really get your moneys worth with the amount of product you get (I've had this eyeshadow primer since April/I pretty much use it 5 days a week and I still have 3/4 left)!

Cons:

-If you leave this unused for a few days the product actually separates inside the tube and you'll end up with a watery mess if you don't roll the tube between your hands

-I find the smell of this primer to be dreadful, its very plastic-y and so strong that I can smell it when applying (it does fade in a minute or two)

-Some people claim that you only need a little dab of the Too Faced Shadow Insurance to keep your eyeshadow from creasing all day, but if I only use a small amount it creases within 3 hours which means I have to use more than a small dab in the morning (I'd rather have a product that doesn't require more than usual in order to work like it should)

-Even with extra primer, I still begin to fade after 3 hours and crease after 4

-I have pretty dry skin around my eyes and if I get even the tiniest amount of this primer near the dry patches it looks horrid, it turns white and chalky, looks like my skin is going to flake off!

-You have to make sure to really blend this on your eyelid, if you don't you can tell where the primer is because it gets this white-ish color when dry

-This primer only comes in one light skin tone shade, and since it dries to a white-ish finish it could look really ashy if you have a darker skin tone

-I don't notice that the Too Faced Shadow Insurance makes my eyeshadows look anymore vibrant than they do on their own

Overall:

I had such high hopes for the Too Faced Shadow Insurance because of all the hype it receives about being a holy grail item for so many people. But I have to say this just ends up in my over-hyped disappointments pile! I have to use more product than the average person just to get it to last a couple of hours due to my oily lids, and even then it still fades/creases. The only reason I ended up grabbing this back in April instead of the Urban Decay Primer Potion is because there were serious flaws with the Primer Potion packaging. Now that Urban Decay has fixed all that and put it in a squeeze-y tube like the Too Faced Shadow Insurance, its on my list (I actually exchanged the Shadow Insurance today for the Primer Potion, love the Sephora return policy)! Maybe the Shadow Insurance works for some people, but it just failed miserably on my oily lids! So if you have the same problems as me, I'd skip this and go give the Primer Potion a try because you most likely need something thicker!

*I'm trying out a new style of reviews, this way is a lot faster for me to do so I can get a lot more done and I think its a little more to the point! So let me know if you like this style or prefer the old one!*

Nail Polish Haul!

MAC Paint Pot Haul!

So we all know MAC has previously been lacking in the "wow department" with their collections over the past year, but Posh Paradise (and even the new Glitter & Ice) are working towards redemption!

Paint Pots are my thing; I love them!

(Well, I pretty much love anything that I can swipe on my eye with my finger and go)

I went to a MAC counter at my local Macy's where I'm pretty well known by the makeup artists (who are total sweethearts, love them!) since I'm always in there swatching away!

I went in thinking I was going to grab Nubile, Genuine Treasure, and Treasure Hunt.

But my plans changed quite a bit...

When I swatched Nubile I just couldn't help but think it was going to just be too pink on my lids, and the slight shimmer you see in the pot doesn't translate.

I still kind of want it being a neutral girl and all ;)

I REALLY wanted Genuine Treasure since I previously swatched it, but I was told some inconsiderate twerp actually stole the tester for that one and it was all sold out/they weren't getting anymore. Such a bummer, Genuine Treasure is continuously sold out online and since it is Limited Edition I just don't know if I'm ever going to get a chance to buy it :(

While bumming around after they told me Genuine Treasure was sold out, I went and looked through the permanent paint pots. I already own Indianwood which is a bit too bronze-y for everyday use, so I was looking for a brown shade that was more neutral. I wouldn't normally have gravitated towards Groundwork Paint Pot just because it looks like nothing special at first glance, but when I swatched it, it turned out to be the most gorgeous taupe color with a little bit of shimmer!

I already knew I was going to love Hidden Treasure, yellow golds are right up my alley since I think they look great with my brown hair/eyes! I'm a little on the fence with this Paint Pot though, it applies really streaky, but I think I just need to play around with it a bit more.

And the last Paint Pot I grabbed was totally out of my comfort zone. Again, someone stole the tester for the Idyllic Paint Pot, but the makeup artist said that I would really love it and pulled out the last remaining one to swatch. Surprisingly, I really have fallen in love with this burgundy copper shade!

Sigma F45 Buffer Brush Giveaway Winner!

You guys were all so great during my Sigma Giveaway (you always are)!

I wrote all your entries down with your number of entries and used Random.org to pick the winner.

The lovely Beauty on a College Budget is the winner of the Sigma F45!

I hope she does a review of the brush as well,

I'd love to hear another opinion!

Hope you guys are having a great November so far (can you believe it?!)

and I look forward to doing another giveaway soon :)!

♥

Brr, It's Cold Outside (And Inside)

As you may know, New England was blasted with snow on Saturday!

Where I live this is day 3 without power and I'm just typing this up on what's left of my phone battery.

Its now officially colder inside my house than it is outside!

My poor dogs are trying to burry themselves in blankets to keep warm.

Everyone around here is cancelling Halloween until next week,

but we're told it may be another 4 days until we get power back!

So because of this, I'm going to end my Sigma giveaway a day early

 (since I don't know when I'll be able to get back on to pick a winner)

Just bear with me and I'll be back as soon as possible!

Sigma F45 Buffer Brush Giveaway! *CLOSED*

 

 I just put my thoughts together on the Sigma F45 Buffer Brush which you can read here,

so I thought you guys might like to experience it for yourselves :)

To Enter:

1.  You must be a follower of my blog!

2. This is open internationally!

3. If you're under 18 then, make sure you have parents permission to give out your home address because I will be sharing it with Sigma since they are shipping the brush directly to you!

4. Leave a comment below saying anything your heart desires, but be sure to include your email!

5. Post a link in your side bar or blog about this for one extra entry (two entries total if you do both!), and please leave me a link to your blog in the comments so I can see!

6. The giveaway will end at 12:00 AM on November 1st!

7. I will notify the winner by email (but if you don't respond within 24 hours I will pick a new winner)!

  

8. The winner will be chosen by Random.org!

Good luck to everyone and thank you for all the lovely comments that you take the time out of your day to write me :)

♥

Sigma F45 Buffer Brush

Ideal to apply mineral foundation, loose or pressed powders. Also great to buff colors and obtain a soft, blended look. Natural bristles.  $19.00

Pros: This brush is INCREDIBLY soft! I actually like how the bristles are less dense and more spread out, I find it makes it easier to cover my face in a couple swipes. I love the finish the Sigma F45 Buffer Brush gives my skin whether I buff powder over my liquid foundation or I'm just using powder foundation, you won't end up with that "powder-y" look!

Cons: Even if I leave this out on my vanity for a couple hours, you can see noticeable dust collecting on the bristles of the brush. I don't know if this is just because my room is extra dusty, but this thing attracts it like no other, so I find it to be kind of a hassle to keep it inside a drawer where I store my makeup! After a few washes my F45 Buffer Brush has really opened up more, its only slightly denser than any old powder brush. Because of the this, I feel like the brush almost absorbs some of the powder when I use it, which in returns makes me have to put more powder on the brush, which results in a waste of product! I really hate how the writing is around the kabuki handle, there's no way to avoid grabbing it so eventually it's going to completely rub off. I've only had my F45 Buffer Brush for a little under two months and I already see the writing coming off (you should've put it on the bottom of the handle Sigma)! So you'll either have to do the old clear nail polish trick or suffer with an un-numbered kabuki. After you wash this brush, there's really no good way to let it dry. When you lay it on the side you'll end up with an indentation in the bristles and I find every time I dry to lay it completely upside down to dry (bristles down) it always falls over when I'm not looking. The drying time is also a little irritating, this takes about twice the normal time to dry than my other brushes. I have had some issues with this brush shedding, it was a little concerning the first time I washed it, but every time after that hasn't been anything more than a hair or two.

Overall: I think after you factor in the price of the Sigma F45 Buffer Brush and the cost of shipping, you're lookin' at a pretty penny for an average kabuki brush. The F45 is great for just setting your makeup with powder (which is only what I use it for), but I think you could find a drugstore kabuki for a lot less to do the job just as well! But if this is something that floats your boat because you love Sigma brushes so much, head over here to grab it!

These products were sent to me for review purposes. I was not compensated, and I am a Sigma affiliate. These thoughts are my own & I will always be honest :)!

Fall Nail Polish Picks!

Ahh, my favorite time of year is finally upon us :)

and with it comes my favorite nail polishes for the season!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in "350 Wined Up"

 I love this polish for fall because its your classic dark red with a bit of a twist, it has the most gorgeous red shimmer in it that looks fabulous when it hits the light.

Sephora by OPI Nail Color in "Who's Spinning Tonight?"

Just like the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polish, this one has stunning shimmer that looks great when in the light and its one of those looks-almost-black colors on your nails, so if you're afraid of brights, this is a polish for you!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro in "270 Steel Grey"

I never used to think putting gray on the nails would ever look flattering, but its really subtle and looks very put together! I especially like this one because it almost has a purple hue to it.

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in "370 Black Out"

Every girl needs to paint her nails black at least once this fall, it looks great with any outfit and you just can't go wrong! The Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear one is great because it lasts for at least 5 days on my nails.

Essie "Tie The Knot"

There's always that time where I get sick of wearing all these dark colors, so when that happens I always break out my nude colors! "Tie The Knot" is great beige polish that is completely opaque after two coats, Essie is always great at making pale colors!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in "550 All Fired Up"

Nothing looks classier than a true red on your nails, and although I love to wear this polish year round, its a great staple for me in the fall when I don't know which color to choose!

NOTD: Wined Up

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color- 350 Wined Up

Seche Vite- Dry Fast Top Coat

Its Starting to Smell a lot Like Christmas...and a Little Like Halloween (Bath & Body Works Haul)

A couple of weeks ago Bath & Body Works was having a deal where all the online exclusive body care items were $5.00 each and Twisted Peppermint was added, which is my absolute favorite scent (I think that's probably because it was the first one I ever smelled from Bath & Body Works)!

So I went ahead and placed a little online order:

Twisted Peppermint Triple Moisture Body Cream

Price: $5.00

Twisted Peppermint Fragrance Mist

Price: $5.00

Twisted Peppermint Shower Gel

Price: $5.00

Twisted Peppermint Body Lotion

Price: $5.00

PocketBac Sanitizing Hand Gel 3-Pack Glow-in-the-Dark Bundle with Sour Drop, Gum Ball, and Chocolate Chew  
Price: $2.25
 

I LOVE this time of year, I especially can't wait for the holidays :)