Review/Video: Philips Satin Perfect Epilator

OVERALL RATING:  9/10

PROS: Removes hair very well, leaves skin smooth for weeks, comes with massaging and hair-lifting attachments, soothes skin while it works, sturdy, can be used all over the body, portable

CONS:  Stings a bit, can be messy since it just pulls out a bunch of hair and doesn't store it anywhere.


When I found out that I'd be getting this epilator for free through Bzzagent.com, I actually squealed out loud.  It was an excellent coincidence;  I had been considering buying an epilator literally the day before, but faltered because of the price.  This BzzCampaign happened at exactly the right time!

Video: Introduction to the Ben Nye Theatrical Creme Kit

Hey, everyone!  Today I decided to do my first post related to theatrical makeup.  As an actor, I know how confusing a new stage makeup kit can be, so I thought I'd try to explain the parts of a basic, well-known theatrical makeup kit for those who don't know too much about stage makeup!
Let me know what you think of the video and what your experiences with Ben Nye have been like in the comments!

Review: Maybelline XXL Extensions® Washable Mascara

OVERALL RATING:  8/10

PROS:  Drastically lengthens lashes, brushes are easy to use, comes with both a primer and mascara

CONS:  Actual mascara may make lashes a little spidery, clumps easily if not applied carefully


I ran out of my go-to Covergirl Lashblast Fusion mascara a little while ago, and while I believe that the Lashblast mascara definitely does its job, I wanted to try something else out for a change and to see if there was anything better out there that I was missing.

Review: Maybelline Eye Studio® Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow

OVERALL RATING: 6/10

PROS:  Easy to apply, nice color selection, stays on all day, very pigmented color

CONS:  Feels a bit gritty after a while, difficult to remove, hard to get it to look exactly right


As you can probably tell by some of my previous posts, I'm a little bit of a Maybelline addict.  I've been really happy with the new products that they've been coming out with lately, so it was only natural that I would try to go out and find their newest cosmetic item.  The Eye Studio® Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow (which is quite the mouth full) was out of stock for a while at my local drugstores, but on a recent shopping trip--which, if you're like me, is originally intended for food and other necessities, but ends up turning into a makeup haul--the display was fully stocked.  I couldn't resist, and grabbed some of the Color Tattoo shadow in Pomegranate Punk.  I went home and put it on right away.  Sadly, I have to say that this product didn't quite live up to the recent Maybelline hype.

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

PROS: Great color selection, smooth application, feels good on lips, nourishes lips, very long-lasting

CONS: Packaging feels very cheap, many layers are required for full-impact color


After recently being required to purchase a rather expensive stage makeup kit for an upcoming show, I was sure that I would have all of the makeup I would need for my future performances in Real Women Have Curves.  However, as much as I love Ben Nye stage makeup, I quickly discovered a major flaw in this particular kit--the only included lip color was a muted neutral; which, for a play set in the 80's, was just simply not going to do. With our second dress rehearsal approaching quickly, I found myself in dire need of a great, bright red lip color that would last easily through an entire performance.

Naturally, I trucked over to the campus area CVS and started browsing.  The display for the Revlon Lip Butters caught my eye immediately.  It was bright and inviting, with plenty of pretty little tubes in a wide array of colors.  Recently in the beauty blogging world, the Revlon Lip Butters have been generating a lot of buzz, so I figured that I'd pick up the brightest red I could find in the collection and pray that it would live up to the hype.

Not only will the Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple work beautifully for stage makeup, but I have a feeling I'll be wearing it offstage as well.

I have to start by saying that I'm not a huge fan of the packaging of this product.  The design is nice;  the cap of the tube has a pretty quilted pattern, and the tube itself looks very sleek and elegant.  However, the whole thing feels very cheap and plastic-y.  I'm a little worried about the durability of the packaging, since it feels that the whole thing could very easily be crushed or cracked.

Revlon definitely makes up for the lack of packaging quality when it comes to the quality of the product itself.  Applying the Lip Butter feels just like putting on my favorite lip balm, and it definitely has the same smooth and soft feel on my lips.

The color itself is beautiful on, but I did have to apply several layers to get a high-impact color payoff.  In my opinion, this isn't that much of a problem, because it means that the color is buildable and you can adjust the saturation/intensity to fit your needs.  For example, when I'm wearing this color on stage, I'll be able to layer it enough that it reads as a nice, bright red from a distance, and when I wear it for every-day purposes, I can create a softer, prettier look by applying less.

I wore the Lip Butter today, and it stayed put and kept its color intensity for a full six hours with no problems.  When I ate, however, the color definitely started to come off.  This just means that you'll have to reapply the color after eating or drinking, but this is the same as most other lip colors, so I'm not counting it as a negative aspect of the product.

After the Lip Butter wore off (and a little bit was taken off with makeup remover), my lips definitely felt softer than they did before I had applied the product.  The Lip Butter certainly nourishes the lips like it claims to!

As someone who doesn't enjoy lipstick at all, I find this to be a great alternative.  It feels much more like a lip balm than a lipstick, while still providing beautiful color.  I'm glad I picked this up... both my character and I will be using it frequently!

Have you tried any of the Revlon Lip Butters?  Which shades are your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!

Review: Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

OVERALL RATING:  9/10

PROS:  Fun texture, melts into skin, easy to apply, beautiful color selection, stays on all day, sheer color, buildable, dermatologist and allergy tested

CONS:  May be difficult to get used to at first for those used to powder blush, a lot is needed for a more dramatic look


I have to say, Maybelline is on a roll lately with their new products!  They're introducing a lot of really great, quality stuff, and the Dream Bouncy Blush is another example of this.

I've never really been a big blush wearer myself, although I knew that it would probably be a good idea to use a bit.  If I felt like adding a little natural flush or playing up my cheekbones, I'd just swipe on a tiny bit of powder blush and go.  When I first heard about the Dream Bouncy Blush, though, it definitely caught my attention.  There's something about the word "bouncy" that suggests a fun, youthful product, and it made me curious (good job, Maybelline marketing department).  How could a blush, or any makeup product for that matter, be "bouncy?"  Curiosity got the best of me, and on a shopping trip to my local CVS, I decided to pick some up.  I'm glad I did... I'm loving it!

My Dream Bouncy Blush in #40, Pink Plum

I chose to get the blush in #40 Pink Plum, shown on the right.  With my extremely fair, cool skin tone, I need to be careful to get blushes that are more pink hued, instead of peach.  Pink Plum has proven to be an excellent match for my skin.  Fair skinned ladies, don't be afraid of how bright it looks in the pan!  It's a nice, light pink that goes on very sheer, so it gives me a pretty, natural flush that makes me look more energized and alive.

The first thing that I noticed about this blush is the texture.  You apply this blush with your fingertips, so when I went to pick some up for the first time, it caught me a little off guard.  I actually started giggling... They weren't kidding when they decided to call this blush "bouncy!"  It has sort of a jelly, sponge-like texture, but picks up just like a cream.  I spent a few minutes swirling my finger around it, just because it's so fun to feel!

To use this blush, you pick up some of it with your finger (by rubbing or swirling your fingertip on the blush), then use your fingertip to pat and blend the color onto your cheeks.  I find that if I apply it to the apples of my cheeks first and blend outwards and upwards towards my temples, it gives the best effect.  Because you use your fingertips to apply the blush, you are entirely in control of where the blush goes.  It may take a little while to get used to for people who are used to applying powder blush with a brush, but because of the color payoff and the more natural, less "makeup-y" look, I think it's definitely worth it.

The blush melts easily into your skin like a cream, providing a nice wash of color that looks natural instead of just sitting on top of your skin.  The way it applies reminds me a lot of the Tarte Cheek Stains, but this is obviously a much more frugal option.  I think it looks just as good as my Tarte Cheek Stain in Flawless!  It also appears to last just as long as a stain.  I wore it all day to meetings, a physically demanding rehearsal, and then a night out, and it kept me looking fresh-faced the entire time.

The Dream Bouncy Blush does go on very sheer, but the color is buildable for a more dramatic look if you so choose.  To the left is a swatch on the back of my hand (taken in yellow lighting).  The bottom left side of the swatch is what it looks like after two layers are applied, and the upper right side is just one layer.

This blush also comes in a wide range of colors suitable for many different skin tones.  There are light pinks for the fair skinned, peaches for those with yellow undertones, deep pinks for the darker cool-toned skin types, and even reds and browns for the deepest skin colors.  All of the colors are lovely, and the right shade will give you a beautiful, natural, youthful flush.

The Dream Bouncy blush is available at most drugstores in the U.S. (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc.), and also at some select specialty stores such as Ulta.   It retails for about $7.99, which in my opinion, is a steal when you look at the price of some comparable products.  For more information and to see all of the available shades, go to www.maybelline.com.

Maybelline is quickly becoming my favorite and my go-to when it comes to drugstore cosmetics.  After trying out the Dream Bouncy Blush, I can definitely say that it is going to become a daily part of my makeup routine.  I will, without a doubt, be purchasing this again!

Have you tried the Dream Bouncy Blush?  Which shade looks best on you?  Let me know in the comments!

Face of the Day: Winter Classic

Hey, all!

I ended up pretty happy this morning with the way my makeup turned out, so I thought I'd share.  I did a very simple, wearable look that will enhance your features without making you look too made-up.  The shades I used are really nice for winter;  The sparkly shadow will give your eyes an icy, snowy look, and the deep pinkish-red lip gloss will make your lips really stand out. Sorry that the photo quality isn't the best, but you should be able to get the general idea!

Eyes

• Shadow:  Urban Decay's Naked Palette.  Sidecar all over the lid, Smog on the outer corners, Naked on the brow bone, and Virgin under the brows and on inner corners.
• Brows:  ELF's Eyebrow Lifter and Filler in Medium
• Mascara:  Covergirl LashBlast Fusion
• Eyeliner:  Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner on both upper lash line and waterline.

Lips

• NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in 580 Rivington Rose (I LOVE this stuff!  It's my new go-to lip gloss.)

Face

• Tarte Cheek Stain in Flawless on the apples of the cheeks

Hair

• Showered at night, threw my hair up in a tight bun, went to bed, and woke up with some nice waves.  :)

That's all there is to it!  Let me know if you guys try this makeup combination.  I'd love to see how it works on some different complexions!