On The Shelf

Overview:

Benefit Cosmetics Girl Meets Pearl

Purchase Price $30 + tax

Retailer Local Sephora

Check out www.benefitcosmetics.com for more product info

Product Review:

This golden pink pearl luminizer will surely brighten up, those too soon to be coming, dreary winter days. When your skin is in need of a little extra luster and moisture Girl Meets Pearl is the perfect solution. Containing beneficial fruit, nut, and seed extracts and oils it will greatly aid in keeping skin supple and healthy looking. Anyone with oily skin be mindful of application of this product since it does contain oils.

The color is truly gorgeous and will provide that subtle pop when applied to the brow and or cheek bones. Having a twist knob makes dispensing and product control a breeze. Since this is a liquid based product it does not mix well with powder.  So make sure to apply your powder after this liquid has set. I have used this product in two ways each with very different finished looks. As mentioned before as a highlighter it gives a nice finish when applied with fingers or a Beauty Blender. The second application method was a full face dewy glow by mixing it with a liquid foundation. I received a lot of positive feedback and questions about this look.

Having a steep price of $30, even for a Benefit product, needs to be a justified purchase in my opinion. Since I do like this as its intended purpose, a “highlighter”, it is hard to say I would not repurchase it. The only way I can see that happening is if they offered it as an individual travel size (it is available in the You Go Gals! kit) and even then the price would have to be just right for the size.

On The Shelf

Overview:

Bdellium Tools Pink Bambu Complete 14pc Brush Set

W/Rollup Pouch

Purchase Price $110

Retailer IMATS NYC 2014

Check out www.bdelliumtools.com for more product info

Product Review:

First off, the quality of a brush means EVERYTHING to me! When potentially purchasing a brush/set I look past just the item itself and try to envision how it will help me obtain a desired, if not many, looks. Some basic question I pose are: Will this brush/set wear out fast? What materials go into making this product? Does the price seem fair, and if so are there comparable products at a different price? Of course this should be done when purchasing most things but when it comes to brushes most of us forget they are not as disposable or replaceable as they are treated.

Next, I have found this set to be pretty. The attractiveness does not necessarily reflect quality. This set inspires me to always try to add some color or a pop to my look. “Made with all sustainable bamboo handles & all vegan soft synthetic bristles, this is our way of preserving our environment while still keeping you beautiful.” This was taken directly from the Bdellium website as these brushes are a great and cost effective way of staying “Green” even in pink!

Lastly, after using and washing these brushes numerous times shedding has been very minimal. The shape and texture of the bristles has not changed at all. The handles have not cracked or shown any excessive wear plus there has been no separation of the ferrule from the handle. The added rollup pouch houses all of these tools neatly with some room to spare. As I could go on and on about the individual brushes contained in this set, and their uses, I may have to save that for another post demonstrating looks you can achieve with them. I will continue to purchase this brand as my makeup needs grow.

On The Shelf

Overview:

Marvelous Moxie Lip Gloss – Dare Devil

Purchase Price $18 + tax

Retailer Sephora inside JCPenney

Check out www.bareescentuals.com for product info

Product Review:

Lip gloss is one of those pocket products most girls love in the makeup world. Adolescent memories come rushing forward with the slightest overly sweet artificial cherry smell. Unfortunately, inexpensive drug store brands don’t always fill your adult needs the way in which they did. Depending on what you want out of your lip gloss is the real problem that needs to be answered, and this can be very complicated. How much do you want to spend? When/where do you want to wear it? And I know there are other questions that could be asked but let’s keep it simple.

Dare Devil is an adventurous sparkling dark berry color which is perfect for fall, as I always receive compliments all the way through winter. Applying the first coat the coverage is a bit sheer, but no worries as a second swipe gives a great full color pay off without feeling heavy. It has a perfect finish with that noticeable shine without being messy. Absolutely no dryness or irritation with this gloss as I have used it for over a year. Key ingredients like avocado, shea, and murumuru butter are what keep those lips moist. The only downside for me was the smell.  I found it to be somewhat of a generic sweet odor that was just put there. The amount of product for your money is well worth it. And there being seventeen other colors to choose from I doubt you will not find one to take home.

Moxie has been a wonderful and more importantly MARVELOUS addition to my shelf!

On The Shelf

Overview:

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NC15

Purchase Price $20

Retailer www.maccosmetics.com

Check out www.maccosmetics.com for product info

Product Review:

Being a longtime fan of anything MAC trying this concealer was an obvious choice. Reading many reviews and seeing YouTube reviews definitely gave me the push I needed into purchasing this product. Being so fair skinned the NC15 is the lightest shade available and it is still a bit dark for me but this didn’t stop me from using it.

Applying with a Beauty Blender this concealer goes on with no issues and just a dab of this product goes a long way. The under eye coverage is great making any fine lines or dark circles disappear with virtually no effort or heavy application. Blemishes as well seem to vanish with a medium coverage that could be built up to full for those more stubborn spots. Extremely lightweight it truly feels as if nothing is on my skin after setting this is also beneficial as it does not seem to leave pores clogged as some heavier concealers do.

As there have been no issues of excess oiliness or drying of my skin I would recommend this for all skin types. The matte finish makes claims of lasting up to fifteen hours and I can attest to having no problems after wearing it for nine. The only drawback, if any, is the fact it comes packaged in a glass bottle that some have actually dropped and broken. This has only made me more cautious but will not deter me from keeping this on my shelf.

 

On The Shelf

Overview:

NYX Slim Eye Pencil (White)

Purchase Price $3.50 + tax

Retailer Ulta

Check out www.nyxcosmetics.com for product info

Product Review:

White eyeliners are a MUST. The diverse use of this product to achieve multiple looks is fantastic. Applying to the waterline will give you a great bright eyed wide awake look that will not go unnoticed. Lining the upper lid, as you would normally, along with splashing the right color combo of shadows or pigments you will get a psychedelic 60’s throwback making you feel down right groovy. A fun trick is to line the cupid bow of the upper lip with this and blend it out for a more full lip look. In comparison having used Sephora’s brand eyeliner in white, not the worst but far from the best, the NYX pencil is simply better at all the tasks I’ve required.

The pure white is not hidden behind any glitter or shimmer it is a bright white color. The formula of this creamy pencil is perfect for applying easily on the waterline as well as a tug free application on the upper lid. Without having any irritation issues after a full eight hour day I couldn’t find any bleeding or dulling of the color either. Best part about this pencil is, if white is not your color don’t fret as there are thirty-nine other shades to choose from. And the price is so ridiculously low for such a high quality product I will have to grab a hand full for my shelf.

On The Shelf

Overview:

Maybelline Dream Pure BB/Dream Fresh BB (both in Light)

Purchase Price $8.99 ea + tax

Retailer Local Ulta

Check out  www.maybelline.com for product info

Product Review:

Although these two may look like twins they are far from identical so here’s my breakdown of these sibling BB creams.

Pure BB – This is Maybelline’s first BB cream with blemish fighting properties by containing two percent salicylic acid making it an easy choice for those with acne prone or oily skin. A creamy consistency with a light makeup scent, not medicinal, that does not linger after it has dried makes this a great standalone product. This cream is a designed to be a light coverage product but can be built up to a suitable medium. I have noticed a long set time before being able to apply a powder. This has lead me to an issue of using this as a primer/base for liquid foundation, it simply does not work as one. It appears to break down to a smearing oily mess, which is surprising since it has no oil in it, which has too much movement on the skin and wipes off the skin.

There is a definite reduction in redness, breakouts, and is a great clear skin barrier when used just with a setting powder.

Fresh BB – After this one came out on the market I tried it with great hopes, all of which were dashed when realizing application with fingers and or brushes was a nightmare. So after purchasing a Beauty Blender I figured give this another shot and PRESTO what a night and day difference. I was able to get an even buildable coverage in a solid shade (still a tad dark/warm for my true tone) which worked for my “lighter/cleaner” looks. As with the Dream BB the setting time is longer than I would like so after application I usually do my hair and then finish my makeup look. Having great success as a primer/base I will often use this then go to my foundation (both powder and liquid have worked with this one for me) and then to a setting powder. Although having adverse reaction to anything containing SPF I have had minimal breakouts with this product.

Using both of these BBs I have no major complaints as they are great additions to my shelf. I however recommend if anyone were to venture out and buy these, purchase a Beauty Blender first as you will never regret having one regardless. The similarities were; the color of both (which happened to be a tad dark for me), the setting time, and price. But the differences between them was noticeable after weeks of use. I will be repurchasing the Dream Fresh BB due to its compatibility with one of my favorite liquid foundations.

On The Shelf

Overview:

L’Oréal Voluminus Miss Manga Mascara

Purchase Price $7.99 + tax

Retailer Local Ulta

Check out www.lorealparis.com for product info

Product Review:

Almost out of no-where came this wonderful find that should be on everyone’s lashes. The eye catching packaging is for the true manga/anime fan hands down, but this is a mascara for ANYONE! Pretty in pink “360° Flexor Brush to build bold volume” works but newbies to the ways of the wand be careful as this will take a few strokes to find the proper application pressure. This “Voluminus” formula does work as it thickens and adds visible length. As it does not seem to separate each lash but at the same time does not exactly clump. Non-irritating, quick to dry, and a solid black color are major pluses to this drug store priced mascara. Do not be fooled by the price on this one, because two coats and anyone will have va-va-voom lashes without the smudging. Easy to remove with a makeup remover or lotion.

Having stayed true to my higher end brand mascaras I was in total disbelief when this worked greater than I could have ever expected. I gave up on a lot of “drug store” priced products especially mascara since all the ones I used always smudged or were irritating and never accomplished their claims. Hopefully this is more than just a gimmick to sell more mascara for L’Oréal and they will continue to have this one around for a while because this is simply a natural repurchase for my shelf.