Review: Sephora Color Flip Palette

SEPHORA COLOR FLIP PALETTE
A travel-sized, colorful, layered palette. It has three layers: eyeshadow, lip color, and cheek color.

EYESHADOWS Range from purples to neutrals to blues and greens. Unfortunately, the quality is uneven. I found the two matte shades on the far left to have the strongest pigmentation and the purples to have the weakest. With a base and a firm hand, I was able to "make them work!"

LIP COLORS A fun range of mostly fall-themed shades; there are neutrals, berries and even bubblegum pinks. My favorites are pictured in the second row from the top; a sheer, shimmery neutral brown and a vamp deep berry.

CHEEK COLORS Supposedly one is a bronzer, but I find the two shades to be more of a highlighter (left) and a blush. The highlight is pink-toned with shimmer; the blush is a lovely deep rosey color, but is unfortunately a total glitterbomb. I don't mind it so much, but some might.

OVERALL The quality is lacking in places, but it's a cute idea and encourages me to try new color combinations. It's compact and easy to toss into a purse.

TO BUY Sephora, $15.

What do you think of the Color Flip palette?
Love, Val

PS - Sorry for the long, long break - school has gotten really overwhelming. I've missed blogging so much and am glad to be back!

Nuance Salma Hayek Launch, Reviews + Swatches

This month, a new brand of makeup is launching to CVS drugstores! Nuance, by Salma Hayek, is inspired by the subtleties, or nuances, of beauty. From what I've seen, it features earth tones and a variety of finishes. In addition, the line does not test on animals!

I have two quads: a lip quad in "warm," and an eye quad in "smokey." 

Eye Quad

Shades: "Cool Charcoal," a shimmery black-based green; "Warm Smoke," a satin taupe; "Pearl Teal,"a shimmery almost-teal; and "Silver Mist," a pinky-cream.

Packaging: Interesting! A black plastic bulb that opens into a "flower." Comes with a detachable smudge brush in the center. (There is a lot of empty space in the center; therefore, the item is not as compact as it could be.)

Pigmentation: All of the shades have nice pigmentation and smooth texture; my one gripe is that Silver Mist swatches a bit unevenly. 

Lasting Power: Unfortunately, the shadows fade quickly. Use with eyeshadow primer for a full day's wear.

Pearl Teal, Warm Smoke, Cool Charcoal, Silver Mist

Lip Quad

Shades: "Red Hot," a berry red; "Mauve Berry," a muted beige/pink; "Sheer Champagne," a sheer pink with gold shimmer, and "Plum Shimmer," a muted rose with shimmer.

Packaging: Same as the eye quad, but with a lip brush. 

Pigmentation: All are comparable to lipsticks; Red Hot is most pigmented, Mauve Berry and Plum Shimmer are close, and Sheer Champagne is, yes, sheer.

Lasting Power: The shine will fade soon, but the color lasts nicely as a stain throughout the day.

Plum Shimmer, Sheer Champagne, Red Hot, Mauve Berry

Price: I'm not sure of the particular prices of these items, but I do know that the line ranges from $7.99 to $19.99. 

Overall: Worth a shot if you're looking to try a new brand! The quality is great and the products are well thought out. 

All for now! Will you be trying Nuance?

Love, Val

I got these items for free; they were passed out at BlogHer. I am in no way affiliated with or sponsored by CVS or Nuance.

Review: e.l.f. Blush & Bronzing Powder

This blush/bronzer duo was my first e.l.f. product ever, and well - it's responsible for my obsession today!

Color: The blush is a light, neutral pink; the bronzer is a warm brown.
Finish: The blush has large, visible shimmer - this is the only downfall to either product. The bronzer has small gold reflects, but I don't notice them on the face.
Texture: Really nice for the drugstore! Smooth and well pressed.
Payoff: Decent color payoff; just enough without being difficult to work with.
Wear: All day, as most cheek powders are for me.

Overall: If you don't mind a little glitter, this duo is wonderful for any makeup collection and definitely worth the price. The bronzer is my absolute favorite for summer, and the blush adds a pretty light pink glow!
To buy: The e.l.f. website or Target stores, $3.

**I've heard that the blush is a good dupe for Nars "Deep Throat" blush, and the bronzer for Nars "Laguna" bronzer. I don't own either, so I can't compare, but keep it in mind!

Hope you enjoyed the review!
Love, Val

My 3 Essential Brushes

Hey guys! So lately, I've been realizing that I reach for the same brushes over and over again: my Sigma F80 for face, my MAC 168 for cheeks, and my MAC 217 for the eyes. Here I'll give you a review and overview of each brush!

top to bottom - F80, 168, 217

Sigma F80 Brush
Design: Flat-topped, synthetic bristles densely packed in a circle.
What it does: Perfectly blends out concealer, applies foundation or tinted moisturizer, or applies cream blush.
Why I love it: It cuts down so much time in my getting-ready routine! I especially love it for blending out concealer - the finish is flawless without losing coverage. See my review.

MAC 168
Design: Softly angled, super soft natural bristles; just enough pressure to pick up blush.
What it does: Beautifully applies bronzer as a contour, blush, and highlights! It's versatile too - turn it on its side for a thinner line, or use it wider to cover the apples of the cheeks. (See my 168 tutorial here!)
Why I love it: It's so convenient to have one brush for every cheek product!

MAC 217
Design: Domed, flexible bristles in an ellipse shape.
What it does: Easily creates an eye look! Can be used in the crease, on the lid, for blending, highlighting, or even under the eye.
Why I love it: Again, convenience wins out here! The quality is outstanding as well.

All for now! What are your favorite brushes??
Love, Val

I received the Sigma brush for review; I am not being compensated, nor am I affiliated with Sigma.

Rave: NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick + Blush

Today I have for you a review and some swatches on two wonderful NARS products: Dolce Vita lipstick and corresponding Dolce Vita blush. I absolutely love each of them, worn separately or together - so let's get into the rave review!

Sorry for the dim lighting, it made the picture more true to color.

Swatches: lipstick on top, blush below

Me wearing both products!

The Lipstick

Finish: Glossy, but not overly so - sort of like a lip balm.

Consistency: Weightless and super moisturizing!

Color: Nars describes it as a "dusty rose," and I couldn't phrase it any better. :) It's definitely the perfect "my lips but better" color for me.

Payoff: Sheer, but buildable.

Wear: Unfortunately this does not last very long for me, probably only 2 hours. But it's quick to reapply!

The Blush

Finish: Matte texture. If you look really closely, there are a few tiny sparkles, but nothing visible when on the cheeks.

Color: Same as the lipstick when swatched or worn; in the pan it looks a tad more purple toned.

Payoff: Super, super pigmented! Have caution when applying this, only take a tiny amount to start.

Wear: Lasts all day, as most powder blushes do for me.

Overall: Each product has a gorgeous, flattering color to it and excellent quality. If you're willing to make the investment, these will become staples in your makeup collection.

To buy: Lipstick, $24 and blush, $27; at NARS or Sephora.

All for now! Hope you enjoyed this review, and have a great Sunday.

Love, Val

Review: Revlon Berry Haute Lipstick

This has been my favorite lipstick of the last two months! Applied directly, it's a fun berry color, but as a stain (apply, then blot) it's a more natural pink color. I love it both ways. :)

application of Berry Haute lipstick

"stain" of Berry Haute lipstick

Formula: Satin. No shimmer, a little creamy. When you apply as a stain it usually ends up with a matte finish, applied normally it has more sheen.


Color: It's a gorgeous berry color! Kinda like a hot pink + blue tones. Nice color payoff.

Packaging: Classic and sophisticated, like most Revlon packaging. It's from the "Super Lustrous" line of lipsticks.

Wear: For me, the sheen lasts around 2 hours; the color, 3-5 hours.


Overall: If you're looking for a berry color, or something different to wear on your lips, I definitely recommend this!


Buy: At most drugstores or drugstore.com for $7.99.

Love, Val

Review: Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki

So a couple weeks ago Sigma sent me their Sigmax Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki. After testing it out for a while - I've used it for foundation, bronzer, and blush! - I've compiled a review for you all. Enjoy!

Basics

This brush is from Sigma's "Sigmax" collection, meaning it is dense and synthetic. These brushes were made to be used for high definition makeup and flawless application of liquid, powder, or cream products.

Design

Unlike most kabukis, this brush has a handle. The bristles are short, very dense, and firm but flexible. This makes the brush excellent for stippling or buffing. Also, the bristles are super soft, a total plus in my opinion!

Washing

This brush washes quite easily. Wash it as soon as you get it to eliminate shedding (I haven't experienced any after the first wash.) Using the white bristles on makeup will leave them stained, but it's easy to fix. Just buff it into a towel with brush shampoo and water, and your brush will have white tips again.

Application

Foundation - This brush is excellent for liquid foundation. I've found it makes application a lot quicker than a typical "flat" foundation brush. Simply distribute the foundation, then buff or stipple your way to a clearer complexion. (I haven't tried it with cream foundation, and the brush is too dense/small for powder foundations, which work better with fluffy brushes.)

stippled foundation onto a mirror using F80

buffing foundation onto a mirror using F80

what a flat foundation brush does

Cream Blush - I'm so glad to have finally found a brush for my cream blushes! Pick up some blush, apply it to your cheeks, and blend well. Be sure to spread the blush well; the brush doesn't cover a whole cheek.

Powder Blush - This isn't the best for most powder brushes; the firm bristles pick up a lot of product instantly, so you'll likely end up with "clown cheeks!" If you are very cautious it can work, but I'd recommend a fluffier brush instead.

Bronzer - For dramatic, chiseled cheeks, this brush is great. Try using the brush with bronzer around the borders of your face (hairline, temples, cheekbones, jawline). With a lighter hand, you can achieve "everyday" contouring as well. However, this brush cannot replace a fluffy powder brush for lightly sunkissed cheeks.

Overall

This is a great addition to any brush collection. If you're looking for a way to 1) apply your liquid foundation, 2) apply your cream blush, or 3) chisel out your face with bronzer, this is the brush for you!

Where to Buy

Purchase this brush for $16 at Sigma's website. They ship internationally!

Love, Val

This brush was sent to me for free from Sigma. I am not being paid to do this review. All opinions and words are my own.

Rave: Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Glosses

  Hey all! So several months ago, I picked up Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef. It was the perfect summer color, and I absolutely fell in love with the formulation (I usually prefer lipsticks to glosses, but this is an exception). Recently I decided to get the color Pink Pop as well, and turns out I love it even more! Read on for some swatches and features of my new favorite glosses.

Coral Reef on top, Pink Pop below

Coral Reef on left, Pink Pop on right

Sheer application of Coral Reef

Sheer application of Pink Pop

   Features:
  -Excellent pigmentation; the swatches above we just one quick swipe from the applicator.
  -Doe foot applicator applies an even coat.
  -Perfect balance between sticky and oily - I love the formula! SPF 15.
  -Great color choices - I haven't tried any of the other ones yet,  though I want to.
  -Buildable color. One swipe across the lip makes for a natural tint (as pictured); apply to both lips and you'll achieve an almost-lipstick effect.
  -Pink Pop and Coral Reef contain no shimmer, and are just glossy enough.
  -Very elegant, sturdy packaging. Reminds me of Estée Lauder packaging.

  All in all, the glosses are definitely a favorite for me. Buy at any drugstore, or on drugstore.com for $7. That's all for today! What's your favorite lip gloss?

   Love, Val

Review: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

  Happy Saturday everyone! Today I have for you a review of the Maybelline Dream Matte Powder, as requested by the lovely Rakhshanda. I am absolutely in love with this powder, and was thinking about reviewing it anyway. So let's begin!

Coverage: I wouldn't buy this for the coverage - it's quite sheer and just blends into the skin. That's a plus though, color-wise, as they only carry four colors (I have Medium Sand).

Finish: Completely matte. This is definitely not a "satin" or "natural finish" powder, so don't expect that.

Texture: Silky smooth! Doesn't feel drying on my skin.

Application: For sheer application, apply with a kabuki brush or powder brush; for more product (read: if you're getting oily) use the provided powder puff.

Formula: The powder is oil-free, so it won't clog pores. No SPF. Dermatologist tested.

Packaging: This might be the most fun part - the bottom swivels out to reveal a mirror and powder puff!

Overall: This is a great powder to stick in your bag for midday touchups. It's easy to use, completely mattifying, and could be a real lifesaver for those of us with oily skin. Buy it at any drugstore; I got mine at CVS for $9.

Hope you enjoyed! Leave any questions in the comments below. What's your favorite powder?


Love, Val

OPI: Just A Little Dangerous

  Hey all! So I've heard so many great things about OPI nail polishes... and now that it's fall, I've been looking for a good dark nail color. I was beginning to feel like I was the last person on earth to try OPI, so I picked up OPI for Sephora's "Just A Little Dangerous" yesterday and I love it!

Color - Vampy deep plum! Not too dark (I avoid black nail colors), and not too serious because of the glossy finish and blue shimmer. Beautiful color, and I love the name. :)
Packaging - Typical nail polish bottle, but with a larger cap that's easy to unwind (even with wet nails!). The brush (though you can't tell in the picture) is actually quite wide, and with the right amount of pressure you could color a whole nail in one stroke. I stick to the 3-stroke method, though.
Formulation - Very pigmented! You can easily get away with just one coat of this stuff. It also makes things a lot easier for me, as I tend to mess up second coats, hee hee. Glossy finish.
Price - $9 - a little more than drugstore, but not awful.
Overall - I love it! I feel trendy (plum is a fall nail/eye/lip/everything trend) but not emo with this color, it's gorgeous and I can't wait to try more OPI.

 All for now! What's your favorite OPI color?
 Love, Val

Review: CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast

Hello lovelies! Sorry I've been gone so long, the last few weeks of school were brutal, and then I was a camp counselor for a week. But now I'm free to blog as much as I want!
So, I went to CVS a few days ago and picked up three things. Two Revlon ColorBurst lipsticks in 'soft nude' and 'peach' - I love them both!! Then, on my way out I saw CoverGirl's Smoky Shadow Blast, and I picked it up as well because I thought a cream eyeshadow would be nice for summer.

The color I chose is called 'Purple Plum.'

The 'gimmick' here is that you can easily achieve smoky eyes by applying step one (the rounded side) all over your lid, and step two (chiseled) into the crease and upper lash line.

This is going to be a long one, so please read my entire experiment/review after the jump!

Final Score: 1/5 Stars

Haul coming soon! Thanks for reading-

Love, Val

Review: Revlon PhotoReady Foundation

Hey guys! As promised, here is my review of a new liquid foundation of mine, Revlon PhotoReady Makeup. To avoid making this review tedious, I'm going to break it up into segments. :)

Coverage
Though the bottle claims complete coverage, I'd call this more of a medium coverage foundation. It's definitely buildable though - if you use more product, it can work up to full coverage. This covers minor flaws, but if I have a blemish I like to use concealer over.
Consistency
This foundation has a heavenly consistency - not runny like some liquid foundations, rather it felt creamier. It blends very smoothly. I like to apply this foundation with my fingers for more control.
Finish
PhotoReady gives the most gorgeous dewy (not oily) finish! I never use powder over this, because that would just take away all the dewiness. 
Price
I'm not a huge fan of Revlon's prices, as they're on the high end of drugstore makeup. I got this foundation for $13.49 at CVS, and it contains the standard 1 fluid ounce.
Color Selection
Now, this is one section where this makeup is lacking. There are only 12 color selections, and I've heard many people couldn't find their correct match. However I lucked out and found the perfect match for my skin tone, which is 004 Nude.
Shimmer
If you've been doing your research on PhotoReady Foundation, you'll know that it does contain shimmer. As soon as I purchased this, I took a small dab and blended into my hand. The shimmer is visible, but it's not like clumpy glitter, just tiny reflective bits. I thought the shimmer would bother me a ton, but turns out it doesn't bother me at all. I like the idea of shining when the sun catches you just right. However, opinions vary from person to person, which is why I would recommend sampling this foundation at a friend's or at the store to decide what you think of the shimmer.
Extras
One of my favorite aspects of PhotoReady: it comes with a pump! That means you can get the exact same amount of foundation every time, with no mess. Also it contains SPF 20 (though I wear sunscreen under it for full protection). It's oil-free and fragrance-free.
Overall
Test this out before purchasing to decide what you think about the shimmer. Otherwise, this is a great drugstore find that leaves me with medium coverage, a dewy finish and a smile. I'm giving this 4.5/5 stars, and I definitely recommend it.

Let me know what your favorite liquid foundation is, and if you have PhotoReady tell me if you like it too!
All for now -
Love, Val

Oh, and in case you can tell - here is a drop of the foundation on my wrist so you can see the consistency.

Drugstore Mascara Showdown!

Hey guys! So today I decided to do a little makeup post, and I thought a 'mascara showdown' would be fun and useful for those of you who want to try a new mascara. All four of the mascaras are available at any drugstore, so without further ado, let's begin!

From left to right: Lash Exact, Clean Definition, Great Lash, and Telescopic Explosion.

1) First is CoverGirl Lash Exact, a mascara designed for definition and length. The wand is rubber, with lots of short, straight bristles. I love this mascara because it does what it claims - gives me a clump-free lift!

2) Next, L'Oréal Paris Clean Definition Telescopic. That's a mouthful! Similar to Lash Exact, this mascara is also designed for clump-less lashes. Its wand is also rubber with short, straight bristles, but the wand is longer and the bristles are more organized than Lash Exact's. This mascara really delivers, and I like it even more than my previous favorite, Lash Exact.

3) Now an old staple, Maybelline Great Lash. This mascara is supposed to be for thickened, voluminous lashes. While I do like this mascara, its old-fashioned bristle wand only gives me a bit of a natural lift. This mascara is perfect for first-time mascara users because it's very easy to use and will give your lashes a nice pick-me-up.

4) Finally, L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Explosion. This is the drugstore 'dupe' of Givenchy Phenomen'eyes, which is a high-end mascara and the first to come out with a spherical wand. L'Oréal's version has the same spherical wand, and promises you volumized lashes, and that its wand will reach every lash. While the mascara did give me volume, the formula clumped on my lashes, and I am the sort of person who hates clumpy mascara. I do like the design though, and will be using it on my outer corners.

That's all for now! I hope this was useful to you guys. Comment and let me know what your favorite mascara is!

Love, Val

P.S. More pictures after the jump!