Mom's Makeup Starter Kit

A few weeks ago, I posted about a few beauty goodies that I got for my fiance's mom, who is newly interested in beauty. Over the course of the summer, I've been giving her fun little goodies to try. Read on to see what's in her makeup bag! (Her comments in italics!) 

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream
This has a sun screen in it so it is perfect for days when I'm not going to wear any other make up but want a little color coverage and a sunscreen. After using the Ole Henriksen Perfect Truth CC Cream for a couple of days now I have found I like it much better than the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB. The Ole covers better (maybe it is slightly darker?) goes on more easily and looks better on me, though I'm not sure how I feel about the scent. 

Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick
On the hunt for an easy to use foundation/concealer option for her, I picked up this guy sight unseen shortly after it was released. Turns out I didn't pick the best shade, but reports say this does go on very easily and definitely is shine free. 

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller
I like this too. It goes on smoothly, covers dark circles well but doesn't look like I have under eye cover up on.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
I also gave her a Jouer Tinted Lip Enhancer in Pearl* and here are her thoughts on the two. I think the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments are a hit! 

Of those two with the tints I like the Sugar Lip one more.  It is probably because it isn't as shiny as the Jouer one. But I do like both.  I think the Sugar one also feels a little less greasy on me and a little more like a regular chap stick but smoother.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Pencil in Bulletproof Beige
I'm not sure of the beige on me, I'd like to try another color.  But it is easy to put on, stays on all day, has a little shine to it and I feel like it makes my eyes look brighter.

Clinique High Impact Mascara 
Surprisingly I really liked this. It's black and on my blond lashes sometimes that is overwhelming but you said to try it and I did. The way it covers my lashes is good, doesn't clump up and stays on all day.

I also included a neutral Rimmel eyeshadow trio that I had laying around, which now appears discontinued. Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover has also been a hit! 

What did you think of her makeup bag? Is your mom into makeup? When she finishes up a few products, what should I get her next??  I'd love to know your thoughts! 

This post contains affiliate links. Products marked with a * were provided for review.  

Budget Beauty Buys

To the dismay of my wallet, I'm all for shopping at Sephora and other luxury retailers. There is just something about luxury beauty that gets me - that hefty Guerlain lipstick bullet, that smooth Burberry plaid... I can't escape the call of those brilliant high end products. 

Surprisingly, I have gathered a few favorites from the drugstore. Aside from Real Techniques brushes, these are my drugstore beauty favorites. Read on to find out more!  

First off, Rimmel Scandaleyes pencils are just brilliant. While I love the chunky shadow pencil too, these liners are more up my alley and come in a variety of shades. I have black, dark blue, taupe and nude, and I love them all. They're super creamy and long-lasting, and this is a waterproof formula that doesn't irritate my eyes. 

Another almost forgotten product is the lovely CoverGirl LipPerfection lipsticks. I have the shade Spellbound here, and it is the most gorgeous opaque hot pink. Not drying, and wears quite a long time - a perfect choice for those of you who don't get along with my sheer favorite, Maybelline Color Whisper.  

Now on to the eyes - of course I would pick the creamy options! Though the L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadows are actually pressed powders, in my mind they are just like creams. So soft and easy to swipe on, I have a number of shades. I think Bronzed Taupe is my favorite! On the other hand, Maybelline Color Tattoos are an affordable pick, and said to be dupes for MAC Paint Pots. I wasn't initially impressed with these, but really their neutral shades are quite good. I love Bad to the Bronze, and their LE shades Barely Beige and Rich Mahogany were definite favorites this time last year.  

Last but not least, every girl needs an affordable drugstore bronzer. I prefer mine matte, and this little Revlon Photoready Bronzer in Bronzed & Chic is a total winner. A potential dupe for the Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons bronzer (see my post here), this bronzer has a decent texture and wears quite well. It takes a bit more blending than Guerlain, but I firmly believe nothing can beat Guerlain when it comes to powder bronzer. However, Revlon lands on the top of my list for a girl on a budget!  

So there you have it, all of my drugstore favorites! Do you have any of these products or have any stellar drugstore items that I must try?  

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Drugstore First Impressions

I recently grabbed a few new goodies from the drugstore, and I thought I would post a first impressions video of me trying these on for the first time.  Here's a quick look at my iniitial conclusions! Check out the video to see the products in action! 

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation
This one seems to be a great light coverage, natural finish foundation from the drugstore, and I would recommend it to those on a budget who do not already have high end foundations they love. I wish the shade range had more yellow undertoned shades, but oh well! In the interest of not having too much stuff around, I may be returning this one. 

Revlon Baby Stick in Pink Passion
Again a great drugstore find for those on a budget. Not a ton of product in the little tube, but I love the color. It does have a silicone feel to it, so that may or may not be a problem for you.

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller in Sheer Tint 
I like the feel of it, and the coverage is decent for my minimal circles, but I think this might be just a tad too light for me. What do you guys think?? Should I return it??  

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Seashore Frosts & Lavish Lilac
These are fun colors from the summer collection, but I imagined they would be more pigmented or opaque in color. But maybe I'm not applying enough, or something! I'm loving the lilac shade, and haven't decided on Seashore Frosts. 

Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick in Ravishing Pink
I am totally in love with this shade! I love the light formula of these lipsticks and how they're not drying, and this shade is such a natural pink. YAY!

What do you think? Have you tried any of these products from the drugstore? What about the summer collection items from Revlon and Maybelline?? I'd love to hear your thoughts!  

BLOG - bronzerbunny.com TWITTER - twitter.com/bronzerbunny INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/bronzerbunny DISCLAIMER: Products marked with an * were provided for review. All other products mentioned were purchased by me or given as gifts by friends and family. All opinions are my own, and I am not being paid to make this video.

I ♥ Drugstore Makeup Tag

Christine from Brazen Beauty tagged me the other day, and I thought I better do this drugstore makeup tag before I miss the boat entirely! In general, I haven't been much of a drugstore makeup person. One of my New Year's Resolutions was actually to give drugstore makeup a chance this year! :) 

1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand? I am entirely incapable of picking favorites in all areas of my life, lol. However, I do keep an eye out for Revlon, Maybelline, and L'Oreal. So I suppose I should pick between the three brands!

2. What are your favorite face, cheek and lip products? I love Revlon's PhotoReady Bronzer from the summer, and the PhotoReady Cream blush. I do like Revlon's Just Bitten Lip Stain too. I love the recent Maybelline Color Tattoos, and L'Oreal Infallible shadows! I also kind of have lived by Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Scrub. I quite like a few Ecotools and Real Techniques brushes as well!

3. Least favorite product? I'm hard pressed to pick a least favorite product... I just avoid it and don't buy it! But in general I don't love cheek products with shimmer from the drugstore. Only the Physician's Formula Happy Booster bronzer seems to have a manageable amount! Oh, I sort of have this love-hate relationship with Milani Liquif'eye eyeliner. I love the formula but I *think* it makes my eyes itch. Or it is just a weird coincidence? I don't know, I wish it would work for me!

4. What is the best makeup bargain? I don't know, I think the Color Tattoos and Infallible shadows are a bargain! I'd say they're comparable to much higher priced items! I also like the Milani ShadowEyez and Nyx Jumbo Eye Sticks... Maybelline mascara works pretty well too!

5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?) Probably the Revlon PhotoReady bronzer and cream blush! That bronzer is so matte and nice, while the blush shades are great and nearly comparable to higher brand's options.

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced? Physician's Formula... Why do some of those things have to be $14? So weird. I mean yeah, CVS always has those huge sale offers, but still.

7. Show your best drugstore dupe(s)!! Maybelline Color Tattoo Barely Beige and L'Oreal Infallibles... I don't have the more expensive versions but I'm happy with these! I really don't search for dupes from the drugstore, actually! From what I've noticed, Maybelline mascaras seem to be really close to Lancome mascaras too. Maybelline's wands match nearly all of Lancome's popular mascaras, and they even smell the same!

8. Drugstore product that isn’t worth the hype? I don't know, I can't fall in love with drugstore lipsticks like everyone else. Revlon Lip Butters and L'oreal Rouge Caresse are nice I suppose, but I'm just not wowed. In the other corners of my growing lipstick stash, I have a CoverGirl one I haven't even used, and a Maybelline 14hr one that was sort of meh! I'd say the NYX lipsticks aren't too bad, especially if you can catch them on sale, but yeah, I'm just not wowed by drugstore lipsticks! ...Maybe this is just because I have fallen so hard for Guerlain, Burberry, and Tom Ford lipsticks! Oopsies!

What do you think? Do we share some drugstore favorites? Do you have any recommendations? Please feel free to do this tag in the comments! I'd love to hear! :)