Beauty Blender Dupe for $5.99?!

I swear by the BeautyBlender to apply foundation because it truly applies make up flawlessly but at $19.99 it is a bit of a splurge. I've tried other copy cat sponges that claim to do the same thing but none of them were as good as the original.

The main difference is the texture of the sponge and that difference makes all the difference! (Wow, I think that's a new personal record for how many times I've used the word difference in one sentence! Haha)

If you have tried any of the more affordable versions, they are a much more dense sponge. They usually don't expand that much when you apply water to it and again the density…they are very firm and not soft at all like the BeautyBlender. This prevents the sponge from distributing and blending the product effortlessly on the face.

A few weeks ago, I had heard all the buzz that Real Techniques had come out with their version of the BeautyBlender and it was actually good. Of course I had to give this a try and the verdict is in: we have a winner!

Jesse's Girl: Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

I can't believe it, the day has finally come.

I'm in love with an affordable version my beloved Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner!!! Ringing in at a nice $6.99, Jesse's Girl Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is all that and then some!

I received this liner in my September Glam bag and I was sooo excited because I have been wanting to try this liner out for awhile. The only place I know you can purchase Jesse's Girl Cosmetics other than their website is at Rite Aid, and my local Rite Aid's never carry the liner. Thanks again IPSY, you rock!

Favorite Beauty Blender and Brush Cleanser for under $5!

Beauty Blender- $19.95

Beauty Blender Cleanser- $17.95

Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser- $15.95

I'm no mathematician but spending almost the same amount as the product to clean the product is not the business. 

I've always used Neutrogena Naturals Cleansers to clean my beauty blender and the occasional dish soap for deep cleaning. (P.S. dish soap with a bit of olive oil works amazing for cleaning brushes as well.) I've been content with how well this cleaned my Beauty Blender, until I started using....drum roll please....

Wet n Wild: Mega Last Lip Color vs Fergie Center Stage Collection Lip Color

So similar and yet slightly different. That's exactly how I would compare Wet n Wild's Mega Last Lip Color line to Fergie's Center Stage Lip Color Line.

Similarities

Lipstick shape- Both are round instead of the traditional lipstick shape that comes to a point

Packaging- Both tubes are made of plastic with clear plastic caps that snap on

*I believe both have the same amount of product- .11oz (but not 100% sure)*

Differences

Size of packaging- Fergie collection is taller, but I believe both carry the same amount of product

Formula/Finish- Fergie collection is a bit creamier/hydrating and has a bit more of a shine finish. This is a subtle difference but I did notice a little more ease when applying the Fergie line lipsticks.

L-Mega Last              R-Fergie Collection

Price- Mega Last is $1.99 and Fergie Collection is $3.99

Color Selection: The Mega Last line offers 26 colors and the Fergie line offers 10 colors.

Final Thoughts

These lipsticks are almost identical products aside from it's exterior packaging. I do think the Fergie collection has a slightly more hydrating formula which is nice. I don't know if it justifies a price difference though, as it is just slightly more smooth. I think the price difference has to do more with packaging costs and the fact that it's a celeb branded line. Eitherway, both lines of lipsticks are wonderful! They both offer great pigmentation, last for hours, and are very affordable! The Mega Last line has more colors to choose from compared to the Fergie line, but the Fergie line does offer shades that are different. With that being said though, I purposely used the 2 colors above to show you the 2 lipsticks that I thought were the most similar between the lines. If you own one of those, you could skip on the other. 

*Direct shopping links provided via ShopSense*

Wet n Wild Haul with Swatches!

Last week Wet n Wild was 40% off at Walgreens and Rite Aid, so naturally this happened:

I'm a big fan of Wet n Wild's megalast polishes and lipsticks and at 40% off, saying they are a steal is an understatement! I've also never tried anything from the Fergie line aside from the polishes, so I picked up a few of her lipsticks as well.

Jordana: INCOLOR Fabuliner Liquid Eyeliner

As a self proclaimed connoisseur of liquid liners, I am always trying to find the next best one. I'm still a die hard fan of Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof  Liquid Liner but my only gripe is that by month's end, it's pretty much dry and done. At $20 a pop, that gets a bit pricey to keep purchasing.

One of my friends was raving about Jordana's Fabuliner and at $2.49 +tax at Walgreens, it was kinda a no brainer to give it a try. (I checked Jordana's website and it's listed for $2.99). Basically this liner is dirt cheap. 

Now, I'm not gonna lie, I'm always up for a good deal but sometimes when a product is really inexpensive, I get a little apprehensive about trying it out. It's still mind boggling to me how a really affordable product can be just as good if not better than a high end product. Aside from organic/natural products which will usually always cost more, I guess we really are paying more for a name brand sometimes. Hmph.

Nails of the Day and $1 Glitter polish!

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I kinda have a thing for nail art. Anyone who is into nail art or nail polish hoarding knows that changing your polish several times a week, if not everyday, can become a very normal thing.

Anytime a polish stays on my nails for longer than 2 days or if I re-paint my nails with the same color after it chips, i'm pretty much diggin' it.

Case in point: China Glaze's Tart-y For The Party (Any fellow Bravo Housewives Fans?!)

I've been rocking this color for a hot minute but just recently I decided to add some glitter accent nails, because well, everything is better with glitter.

I stumbled upon Maybelline's limited edition Color Show Sequins polish at Big Lots! For $1!!! I picked up Lavender Sparks, which is an amazing purple glitter polish. It was full of micro and larger glitter pieces which is my favorite kind of glitter polish formula. Did I mention it was $1?! You seriously can't beat that!

So my advice to all the nail polish whores like myself: don't forget to check the make up aisle of any discount store because you might find something awesome for a steal!

*So obsessed with this combo right now! It reminds me of sugar plum fairies and gumdrops...haha*

Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM!

Rimmel: Show Off Lip Lacquer Apocaliptic

I recently posted my review on Rimmel's Show Off Lip Lacquers which you can read here. I love them but my local Walgreens rarely has any left that haven't been tampered with. I was so excited to finally find an un-open one in Apocaliptic. It was definitely on the top of my list when they first came out!

As far as the color goes, I find that it wears a bit darker than what you see in the tube. It's a rich raspberry color with a slight hint of hot pink and it's awesome. I think this color is actually wearable for anyone and it makes a great statement lip!

In terms of formula, I'm happy to report that this one is just as great as Celestial. Goes on smooth, amazing pigmentation, and lasted for several hours. Definitely another favorite for me!

NYX: Xtreme Lip Cream

I had mentioned these lippies in my last post and realized I have never reviewed or posted swatches of them yet. NYX lip products are some of my absolute favorites and these Xtreme Lip Creams are another great addition to that category!

These Xtreme Lip Creams fall into the lipstick/lipgloss hybrid category. I love these kinds of lip products because not only are they a time saver, they are so convenient! It's nice to only have to bring one lip product with you instead of a couple (definitely not trying to add to the madness that is my make up bag). Oh and the pigmentation of these Xtreme Lip Cream's...amazing! As I mentioned in my last review, these are very similar to Rimmel's Show Off Lip Lacquers as far as consistency. They are a bit drier in formula and a little less shiny than the Rimmel Show Off's but that's being super technical and it's nothing overly obvious. If you have tried NYX's soft matte creams, they are a bit thicker in formula and more hydrating. They are definitely very comfortable on the lips and last for at least 3-4 hours on me.

The only major negative to them is the scent. If plastic & play-doh were a desirable scent, then NYX totally nailed it. Unfortunately, I don't know many people that look for that scent in a lip product, I know I sure don't. The good news is the scent isn't really noticeable once the product is applied. Thank Goodness.

Rimmel: Show Off Lip Lacquer Celestial & Luna

Finally! I got my hands on the long awaited Apocalips by Rimmel! I was a little disappointed that they changed the name for the US release...Apocalips is so much better than Show Off Lip Lacquer. Not sure why the name was changed...are you trying to tell us something Rimmel? Are we Americans not worthy of a cool lipgloss name?! Well, we did get 14 shades whereas the UK only have 8, so that's pretty awesome...I guess all is forgiven.

Anyways, I've been waiting for months for these bad boys to make an appearance here in the U.S. and I was at my Walgreens as soon as I heard they had arrived. To my dismay, not only were a lot of the colors sold out, the ones left over had been opened. So annoying.

There is a seal on the product but like most drugstore makeup, a little clear sticker doesn't prevent tampering. If you aren't familiar with this product, there is a way to tell if the applicator has been pulled out all the way or not.

From L-R: If the center section is clear like the photo on the left, then the applicator has not been pulled out of the tube. Regardless if the seal is broken, if you see a clear section, that means no one has pulled the applicator out yet. The photo in the middle shows the applicator about to be pulled out. You can see the color start to fill the section. The photo on the far right is what happens as the applicator is being taken completely out of the tube. If you see a gloss that has a center section filled with product, then you know someone has pulled the entire applicator out.

After searching forever for just one gloss that hadn't been tampered with, I was eventually able to get my hands on Celestial and Luna. There were shimmer shades but I was only interested in the creme finishes. Though these weren't my top picks, they were new and sealed and that's all that mattered to me!

SinfulShine At Sea

Previously I reviewed VIP from the SinfulShine line and mentioned that I wanted to try a few more to see if the formula was the same in all of them. Lucky for me, I had received At Sea in my Influenster box to test out. I'm so glad I did, because I absolutely love it!

Almost every negative I had mentioned in my review (which you can read here), was the complete opposite with At Sea! The formula was so much better with this color. It was almost opaque in 1 coat, the formula wasn't too thick, dried in a reasonable amount of time, and it lasted a few days without chipping! I also like that I can get away with not having to put a top coat on because these polishes dry with a nice shine finish.

I definitely have my eye on a few more colors that I need to add to my collection!

At Sea

Walgreens Beauty Sample Box: Glamour Recharge

To receive a Walgreens Beauty Sample Box, you can read my last post to find out how. As I mentioned in my last post, I picked out my box in February but just received it a few days ago. Definitely way over the suggested 6-8 weeks arrival time! It's free so it doesn't really matter but if you have signed up for one and are wondering where it is, I'm sure it's coming...it just might take almost 5 months to receive it!

Out of the choices at the time, I chose the Glamour Recharge Box. Keep on reading to see what was inside!

Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics

Goody Website

So I'm sure you have all seen these ties before...a stretchy piece of elastic ribbon tied in a knot at the bottom. I was first introduced to them over a year ago because of Birchbox but the elastics were made by a different company. I remember seeing quite a few people rave about them and how cute they thought they were. I was never really that impressed with them and after receiving a bajillion of them in my Birchboxes over this past year, I was totally over it.

The main deterrent for me was the price vs function. They went for $5 for a 3 pack and $10 for a 6 pack. Umm what? I could get like a 32 pack of my good ol' Goody black elastics for under $5 and they worked better.

As you can imagine, I wasn't that excited to see these bands again when I opened up my voxbox.

Although I don't entirely get the whole hype, I will say I'm glad Goody has come out with their own because they are better and more affordable.

e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator

There's something about finding a product that is super affordable and actually works that makes me all giddy inside! Case in point, e.l.f.'s Studio Lip Exfoliator!

Ages ago I was using The Body Shop's Lip Scuff but at that time I was so young, it was more of a luxury purchase than a necessity.  More recently I have tried DIY lip scrubs and more expensive ones, which I talk about in this review. I don't have terribly dry lips, but I still require the routine exfoliation, especially when taking close up photos for the blog.

I randomly came across e.l.f.'s Studio Lip Exfoliator a few months back at Target and thought I would give it a try since it was only $3. I loved that it was in a lipstick package, which is very reminiscent of The Body Shop's Lip Scuff that I had used literally over 12 years ago.

What I love about this type of packaging compared to the typical lip scrub in a jar is:
1. You don't have to stick your fingers in anything (hello...germ central)
2. It's less messy because you just apply it like lipstick instead of having the scrub going all over the      place when you apply it with your fingers
3. Super compact for travel

Summer Ready Feet!

Today marks the first official day of Summer...wooooo!!!! Happy Summer Solstice!

Image from dukky.com

Summer marks the official start of living in flip flops, wedges, sandals, heck, even going barefoot! With all this foot exposure, not only is nail polish a must but so are some nice looking feet! No one wants to see crusty, flaking heels or dried skin around your toe nails..eww! Now I must say, I'm guilty of not taking caring of my feet as much as I should and I walk outside barefoot A LOT. Overtime, this has created some not so pretty feet...calluses and dried heels, gross.

Recently, my feet have done a 180 and it's thanks to 2 products that work amazing together! Separately, I think these products are blah but together they are almost miracle worthy as to how well they work together!

UPDATE: Essence Eyeliner Pen

Almost a month ago, I posted a review on the Essence Eyeliner Pen. Since that review, I have ordered a new one from Ulta.com and tested the pen out again. I can confidently say I finally have a final verdict on this product!

So how did this pen fare?

Put the champagne away, there isn't gonna be a celebration. 

So the first couple of days using the pen was great. Easy to use, extremely black, and it reminded me yet again why I liked the pen so much. Then day 4 or 5 came around and the pen started drying out again. It was to the point that I could line one eye fine but then I would have to put the cap back on, wait a couple minutes, and then use it for my second eye. I was so bummed. I only use the pen once per day, so for the pen to dry out that quickly is ridiculous. 

So even for $2.99, this product is a waste of money. Even the ELF eyeliner pen lasts almost a month before drying out and you can get that for $1! 

I definitely would not recommend this pen and the search for an inexpensive Stila Eyeliner dupe continues...

Must Have Nail Polish Remover!!!

CVS Instant Polish Remover, $3.29 at CVS (Duh.)

I mention in my April 2013 Favorites that I have become quite obsessed with this product! As a nail polish addict, I paint my nails at least 2-3 times a week and sometimes 2-3 times a day! I've always used pure acetone that you can find at beauty supply stores because it's the quickest way to take off polish. Seriously, once you go acetone, you don't go back...ain't nobody got time for that!

If you have ever used pure acetone, you know that it dries the crap out of your nails and the skin around it. For me, it was a small price to pay for how fast it took off polish. Then I came across this little gem and holy F, I'm in love!

Essence: Eyeliner Pen

As I continue my quest for cheaper alternatives of liquid eyeliners, I came across this particular one at ULTA. I've never used anything from the Essence brand but I have heard good things about some of their products. I hadn't heard anything about this particular product, but for $2.99, it was definitely worth a try.

From my first use, this product reminded me of my absolute favorite: Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner. This was super exciting for me. The liner was nice and dark black, the tip was perfect for precise application and winging out the liner, and it stayed put all day on me. It's not water proof or as smudge proof as Stila's, but for the price I thought this was an amazing liner.

Dollar Tree Finds!

I have to share a few things that I was excited to find at the Dollar Tree today! I love the Dollar Tree and I'm always excited to find name brand items for a $1. A dolla makes me holla honey boo boo! I always go there for my cotton rounds and kleenex tissue (damn allergies), but today I saw some beauty goodies I haven't seen before!

NYC: Smooch Proof 16HR Lip Stain

Wow, I just noticed this is my 3rd post about lip stains in less than a week! So I raved in my previous two posts: Revlon Balm Stain and L'OREAL Wet Shine Stain about how much I really liked those products, so let's see how this product faired.

As I mentioned before, I'm not a big fan of marker type lip stains. I've tried affordable and high end ones and I've never been impressed to the point that I wanted to try more. About a month ago, I was at Rite Aid and noticed that NYC was buy one get one free (aka a deal you should never pass up). NYC is one of the drugstore brands that I'm least familiar with as I've only tried one.. maybe  two products from the brand. I saw that the lip stains were running scarce and figured people must like them if there aren't that many left.

They retail for $4.99 and with the promo going on, even if I hate them, I was only out $5. I picked up two colors: Forever Fuchsia and Forever Freesia.

These marker type lip stains claim the following (taken from NYC's website):

• Color lasts up to 16 hours
• Will not transfer, rub off or smear, even when eating or drinking
• Lightweight formula, bare lip feel, matte finish
• Precise and even application
• Allows you to build color

So let me break it down real quick about the claims and my experience with the product.