Review: Stila Smudge Crayon

I was super excited when I found these Stila Smudge Crayons online about a month or so ago online. They are described as a liner + shadow + primer, which was immediately exciting to me because I love those quick all in one products!

(Top - Kitten, Bottom - Smoke)

I originally picked it up in Smoke, a taupey almost gray shade. I love using this to line my lower lash line, because it gives it definition without actually looking like any type of liner. I knew I wanted more shades, and finally decided to pick up their classic shade Kitten because it is such a gorgeous peach champagne highlighter!

(L-R: Kitten, Smoke)

After successfully wearing Smoke as a liner all day, I decided to try it as a shadow and base under some UD shadow. The Smudge Crayon is not super crayon-like in my opinion - it is not as blendable as a typical eyeshadow stick would be. However, once I applied the color and quickly smudged it to the areas I wanted, it created a beautiful base for eyeshadow. My look wore for at least 8 hours and didn't seem to be going anywhere. (At that point, I removed it to go to bed!)

I love them, and hope Stila makes more shades of them in future collections!

Review: Too Faced Natural Face Radiance Palette

I was super excited for this palette all winter (as soon as I saw a video on Too Faced's website!!) and picked it up the second I spotted it at my local Sephora.

The palette includes 6 products in neutral shades - potentially all the face products you might need on any given day. I love the concept, and wish more brands did palettes like this! It's perfect for travel, especially if all the shades work for you!

(L-R: Bronze Veil, Creme Blush, Blush, Conceal, Luminize, Brighten)

Bronze Veil is a nice light bronze shade with some shimmer, Creme Blush is a nice pinky/peach shade that will fit many skin tones, and the Blush reminds me a bit of Nars Orgasm. (Maybe I can pull up comparisons later) This shade also has some shimmer. The Concealer is a nice light/medium tone and a close match for me. It works well on minor blemishes or dark circles depending on skin tone. The Luminizer is a nice shade that will work on most skin tones, and the Brighten shade works well to perk up dark areas.

At first, I was very surprised that a product meant to be natural had any shimmer in it, but when it is on my face it definitely imparts a nice glow rather than a feeling of too much shimmer. (YAY!)

One of my favorite parts of Too Faced products are the instruction cards, which are often great for trying out new techniques or styles. The cards in this one are particularly good reminders of great techniques to use on face. I'm definitely one to go for a tried & true dusting of blush/bronzer and typically don't think to use any other technique. I will definitely use these cards to apply my other products as well!

In summary, this is a great travel palette that will teach (or remind) you of great techniques to use on your face. The shades are gorgeous and will work on all light to medium skin tones. (Darker skin tones may want to test it out first!) My favorites are the creme blush and instruction cards, and I enjoy having more cheek & concealing options.

EDIT: If it helps, check out the post I did here with the looks from the instruction cards applied lightly.

Physician's Formula Happy Booster Set

I spotted a great deal on Physician's Formula's heart themed products at Walmart the other day while buying Lysol wipes (LOL)

I was able to pick up the Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Bronzer and I <3 Rose lipstick for $10!

I have always been interested in these products (hearts get me every time!) but never wanted to shell out the cash to actually try them. The bronzers are usually between $11-$14 here, and I'd much rather put the money towards high end makeup than drugstore!

They had the new bronzer variations as well as a few shades of this one. Anyway, here are some closeups :)

I wasn't a fan of the enclosed brush for the bronzer... it's cute, but didn't blend well and actually made a line in the hollow of my cheek on one side- no idea how that happened! The compact is quite large, so it would be nice to make it smaller without the brush. The shade is quite nice on with a regular brush, however. I'm also happy that it's also natural on my face and no blatant shimmers which is a problem I have with many drugstore cheek options.

The lipstick had a bit of a scent, but is a cute carnation pink color. Come to think of it, the bronzer had a scent as well, but I didn't mind that. (I hated the scent of the Bamboo Wear products!) Physician's Formula describes the scent as violet, but I'm not sure if that's really what it is... I could see how the lipstick scent could bother those who are sensitive, so that's something to think about!

Here's a quick shot of me with the products on, and no other makeup. Also my cheeks are kind of pink/splotchy and my hair is kind of yucky. My camera seems to have highlighted that but it was definitely more rosy/bronzy in real life. 

In any event, I think it's a great addition to any Valentine's gift package for a sister or best friend! :)

Review: Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara

I was really excited to pick up this Maybelline mascara when it first came out, and I've finally gotten around to reviewing it! At first I was disappointed in the smudginess of the mascara, but afterwards I realized I was definitely having allergies and rubbing my eyes. Recently, I have not experienced any smudging or raccoon eyes. I did find after extended wear (10+ hours), the mascara did flake off a bit. Also I did wear it while taking a very hot bath, and in this case one of my eyes definitely smudged! However, it was not severe and this mascara is not meant to be waterproof!

As you can see, this mascara has a cone shaped wand. It reminds me of the Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes mascara that came out last year, but I have not tried that mascara to offer a comparison. (I'd love to hear if you've tried both!! If it is similar then it is a great budget alternative!)

I was surprised to find that the cone shape doesn't go all the way around, but when I used those sides in a twirling motion on my lashes, I think this design is the reason that my lashes got some curl! (I have Asian lashes that go straight down, so I was shocked when I tried this technique and my lashes actually curled up!)

Here are a few shots of me wearing the mascara. I think it definitely has a doll lashes effect (from what I've seen in photos/reviews), but I can see how this might make sparse lashes look spidery.

I definitely find that an eyelash comb would be helpful to comb out my lashes a bit, but that may just be because I'm not used to the wand.

All in all, I think this is a great drugstore mascara, and definitely an option if you are on a budget! The wand is cool, and if you have a tough time with mascaras holding a curl, I think this is worth trying!

Although I prefer waterproof and thickening formulas, I definitely enjoy this mascara and would purchase it again in a pinch!

Note - I've only worn one coat and did not wear primer. I think primer and multiple coats may have a great effect as well!