Favorites of 2014

[All purchased by myself or given by friends.]



I thought I tried a lot of new products in 2014. but it seems like I just branched out more in a few categories and stuck with what I knew for the rest.  I found a couple of new face products loves and had a good year of eyeshadow crayons.  Lip products wise, though, I tried a lot of new things closer to the end of the year and I didn't feel like it was a fair representation to include them in this population, especially since I rotate around lip products so often.

 This year was all about the makeup sponge.  I tried the Beautyblender later in the year but the majority of 2014 was spent using this Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge.  I think I have to retire it soon as you can see the wear and tear on it.  I just feel like sponges are easier to clean and faster to use.  They provide a seamless base and gives the product a more skin-like finish.  Sadly, I do think the Beautyblender is my preferred sponge because of its shape, but this was a standout product for me before I purchased the Beautyblender.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation was a real surprise.  I know a lot of people gave this great reviews, but I was skeptical for a long time because I never liked Covergirl foundations.  The shade range always seemed too pink, so I had to verify that this foundation would have a yellow toned option before I bought it.  This has amazing lasting power but isn't cakey at all.  It isn't heavy like Revlon Colorstay and it blends in like a much lighter foundation.  On a scale of 1-10 I feel the coverage is a solid 5.  It is medium and buildable and is the best option I found this year for my oily skin.

Skin79 BB cream will probably always be my favorite bb cream as I've tried so many and this one always wins.  It has the best combination of texture, coverage and lasting power of the bb creams I have used.  It will probably be forever a favorite.

The Nars Creamy Radiant concealer won my heart this year with its ease of use.  It has high coverage and blends with minimal effort.  Other concealers might be more intense, but this one perfects with just a pat (no brush required).

My favorite powder of the year is the Nars Light Reflecting setting powder in the pressed form.  It contains a lot of silica so it smooths over pores, but it has a great way of mattifying the skin with an undetectable finish.  The only thing I don't like is that (like other Nars products) the top layer can bubble up or harden over.  It makes going through the product happen much faster which is a pain.

The best cushion compact I used this year was this Innisfree Long Wear cushion.  I didn't like the Etude House one on my oily skin but this one provides a matte finish.  It does last for a long time and is a great option for the summer time.  You can touch up for coverage as well as sun protection.

Blush wasn't too fancy this year as I chose brighter options that perked up my complexion.  The Elf studio blush in Pink Passion isn't neon at all, and turns into a mid tone pink that pops against yellow skin tones.  The Etude House Cookie blush was a gift from a friend and the shade Grapefruit Jelly is a very nice matte bright coral.  

For eyes, it was all about the pinks and the eyeshadow crayons.  The Naked 3 was my favorite palette of the year.  You can mix any of the colors together and the look will turn out pretty and feminine.  I also like the mix of sparkles, from larger flecks to metallic.  

I bought the Laura Mercier crayon set from Sephora and it turned out to be a great investment.  Amethyst and Cocoa are my favorite colors and they make an easy look together.  My favorite of the shadow sticks this year is Mally's Evercolor in Bronze.  It looks like a metallic rose gold that can be built up boldly or blended out and used under any of the Naked 3 shades.  

Brows were dominated by the Missha Eyebrow Styler.  It has an angular shape that's simple and effective.  There's a wide shade range for dark brows, and the one in Grey Brown is what I use.

Shockingly I didn't have a ton of lip faves for the year as I transitioned to stains at the end of the year.  Throughout the year though, I had some stand outs.  Bite Beauty lipstick in Rose is a super gorgeous pink with a warm rose flush.  The texture is super pigmented and smooth but almost a little too soft, as it can melt.  You can see where the top smooshed from when the cap fell off in my purse.

Innisfree's Creamy Tint Lip Mousse was another great discovery this year over the summer.  All over the lips it's a super bold (I have shade #4) and dries to a matte finish.  My favorite way to use it is tapped into the middle of my lips with a light pink gloss all over.

Hard Candy's All Glossed Up in Sand Castle is probably my favorite of these pencil balms.  It's pigmented, glossy and leaves behind an impressive stain.  It's also the smoothest and most moisturizing of the balm pencils.  

Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette Review

[Purchased by myself, part of a holiday set/palette series, Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks next!]


This is the first Vice palette I've ever owned and I was surprised even by myself for wanting it.  Something about the color combinations really spoke to me and I am a sucker for pink shadows (Naked 3 is my favorite Urban Decay palette).  After wearing all the shadows at least once, I decided I can form an opinion on the palette as a whole now.  Sorry I didn't do swatches and the lighting in these photos not being great but there's already so many great swatch pics online (the ones that inspired me to order it) and I got excited so I had to use it right away when it arrived.

The packaging of the palette is pretty unique I would say, and the added case is nice.  It's not essential, but I think it makes a good makeup bag for other uses.  Size-wise, the palette is surprisingly compact which is great for people who don't like bulky packaging (most people I'd say).  The brush included is use-able, but not as dense as the brushes that come in the Naked palettes and with these shadows that could pose an issue.  I'll get into that soon, but I thought I'd break down the palette in columns based on the colors are grouped together.

Column One:  The "Mattes"

UD knows how to make some great mattes, but these are off from the ones in their other palettes.  The texture is very powdery and kicks up a lot of fall out which can be a pain.  I wish they were as densely packed as some of their other matte shades. However, the shades in this palettes are very pretty and practical.  They lean more pink almost mauve but aren't excessively warm.  The powdery quality doesn't impact the way they blend and the result you get when you use these in the crease is not lacking in any way when compared to other matte shadows.  I wish the texture was better, but the pigmentation and blendability isn't impacted.  

Column Two:  The "Blues"

While most other companies would probably falter when it comes to blues, UD really brought it with these shades.  I would actually say Brokedown is the least intense of the four (but still pigmented and smooth).  Freeze is an absolutely gorgeous metallic teal blue that comes out a little darker than your average turquoise and paired with Freeze it makes for a really stunning look.  The pairing isn't overly blue because it's not too light, so I find it surprisingly easy to wear.  

Column Three: The "Neutrals"

I find the neutrals in this palette to be pretty, but unexciting.  The first three shades have a satin finish and are extremely wearable.  Even though Vanity could technically be called a purple, it doesn't come on too strong and makes for a nice shade to smoke out the outer corners.  

Column Four:  THE PINKS AKA THE BEST SHADES IN THE WHOLE THING

Can you tell I was excited about this column?  Well it didn't disappoint as Sonic is probably the best performing and prettiest color in the whole palette. Alchemy and Bondage are more satin than the metallic awesomeness that is Sonic and the three work well together.  Alien is a bit of a weird color.  I can't tell if it's supposed to be a sheer with gold flecked shimmer shade or a pale pink that is not pigmented.  I prefer to think of it as a subtle shade with pretty micro glitter, but I can see some people not liking that one.

Column Four:  A repeat, see above

Column Five:  The "Greys"

I get a surprising amount of use from this column since I don't find this palette to be particularly cool-toned, adding in these darker greys and charcoals keeps the looks from getting too warm and making you look sick (a common problem with pink shadows).  Last sin is the weird shade in the bunch, working better as an overspray shadow than something to pack on to the lid, but the other three are straightforward satin finishes. 



My final thoughts on the palette?  The formula isn't with issues here, as the mattes are prone to fall out and you have a couple shades that work better as enhancers rather than stand alone shades.  The texture is not the same as the Naked palettes, which might bother some people but that's being nit-picky if you're talking Urban Decay.  These are 20 new shades, the packaging is gorgeous and I can tell a lot of thought went into it.  I don't think this is something you would buy if at least 60% of the shades didn't appeal to you.  When I look at the palette as a whole, I get excited because there's a lot of interesting color combinations that I can make and it kicks me out of a neutral rut.  But if you look closely, there's a lot of good neutral shades that you can wear on a daily basis too.  I think it was worth the purchase based on my own preferences, but I don't think it suits everyone's tastes.

Product Empties

[All purchased by me]



Another few weeks (months?), another several empties.  This one got kind of out of control with so many products.  I also have a few things that aren't completely empty, but needed to go for various reasons.


Hair:

L'Oreal Oleo Therapy Shampoo (not shown) and Conditioner.  I used up the shampoo before the conditioner for once and threw it away accidentally.  This duo smells great first of all (like the scrub I will mention later oddly) and is pretty moisturizing but you have to kind of change your expectations.  The texture of the shampoo is heavier than your typical shampoo and is more of a thick gel.  It foams up but isn't overly foaming and doesn't leave your hair dry.  The conditioner is runnier than the average conditioner so I tended to squeeze more than needed.  It does nourish the hair well, but doesn't weigh it down.  For seriously dry girls, this might not do the job but it does have its benefits.

Biosilk, oh the holy grail of hair products for many beauty bloggers years ago, couldn't get completely used up.  I just had it for so long that the texture got too runny and seemed to separate.  I got fed up with it since it just feels like you're coating your hair in silicone.  I think hair products have come a ways since this product reigned supreme, and I prefer more of a cream texture than silicone any day.


Body Care

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub in Hawaiian Kukui smells amaaaaazing.  It is, however, hard to find as every store seems to carry all the other scents except for this one.  If you like a floral scent that leans a little tropical and a tiny bit warm, then try to find this one. This is a good sugar scrub but I didn't like that it came in a tub.  Currently using a Golden Sugar Scrub from Bath and Body Works which is revolutionary for me.

Dove PISTACHIO CREAM and magnolia is punctualized how I would like this to smell but instead it was heavier on the magnolia.  It really only started out as a pistachio scent.  Still, it was my favorite Dove body scent until I tried the Almond one.

Dove Visible Care Body Wash is a heavier body wash that lathered nicely.  However, the packaging wasted a lot of product and I don't see the need to include those tiny microbeads (that may not be good for the environment and definitely do nothing for my skin).

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer is the best fool proof way to get an easy, even tan.  It's pretty much foolproof and nothing else from the drugstore really compares to this.

Lubriderm Daily Moistuer SPF 15 was purchased to use as SPF on my neck so I didn't get past half the bottle before it expired.  It was nice for that purpose being light and non-scented.  If you'd like your body moisturizer to contain SPF, this is a good choice, but it wouldn't replace a sunscreen for me.

Caramance Water with Chamomile smelled questionable and was water in a nice aerosol spray.  It felt refreshing and I used it before my treatment products so that they would be easier to spread on my face without pulling or tugging.  All these things in the aerosol cans perform pretty much the same for me.  

Shu Uemura Vitazing Revitalizing Emulsion is included here even though I don't love to include samples to serve as a warning.  It is HEAVILY scented.  It borderline smelled like a scented body lotion to me that's how intense it was due to the proximity to my nose.  I don't understand why facial skincare has to be scented, especially the high end brands.  These companies should know better, but they're also trying to sell "an experience" as well as a product.  However, I did not enjoy this experience and it was a very average, light emulsion product that was in no ways superior to other similar products I'd used in the past.

Clinique Take the Day Off Balm shows up here for the second time in an empties.  For warmer weather and my oilier skin, I think I may lean more towards cleansing oils (also for the convenient pump those come with) but this is a great cleansing balm and I recommend it to anyone with any kind of skin type looking for a cleansing balm to try.  If you have acne prone/oily skin (like me), you can always use a regular cleanser after if you are worried.

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic mask smelled great, worked well but for how long it lasts, how much you get, and how much it costs, you're better off just making your own.  It isn't my favorite clay mask, I actually prefer the cheapie Freeman one I have.  Lush is pretty overrated in my opinion anyway, I try to avoid going in so as not to be suckered in.

Physician's Formula Lash Booster in Clear and Black is my favorite liquid liner.  It does boost my lashes over time, but the clear formula never seems like it's running out.  The tip of the liner is a calligraphy tip, making it easier to use in my opinion.  It isn't super black like the Stila one, but lasts longer than the Jesse's Girl option and it just is my favorite ever.

L'Oreal Butterfly Mascara Waterproof is one of my favorite drugstore mascaras that I've tried.  I was pleasantly surprised by the fanned out effect I got with this and am excited to try the new "Intenza" version.

Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous FINALLY got used up.  I was so tired of this thing because it felt like such a waste of money.  It did even the skin and made it look nice, but it felt like a tinted primer that was just not really what I expected.  Although it's discontinued I have a sneaking suspicion that new Big Easy foundation is an extension of this formula.  

Sheer Cover Concealer is one of the best concealers I've tried.  It blended easily, had good coverage and came in two tones to correct the whole face.  Sadly I think it's sold in a set which bums me out since I'm not a mineral makeup user normally.

Estee Lauder Lilly Pulitzer Shadow was barely ever used but so sheer and flaky that it wasn't worth keeping.  I think Clinique and Lancome have good gift with purchase shadow options but Estee Lauder is always a miss.  I've never been tempted to buy their shadow for this reason even though other brands usually impress me.  I don't see this getting fixed in the near future.  

Lypsyl lip balm got smashed into the cap before I could finish it but I did like this.  It doesn't contain as much beeswax as I would like (check out the full ingredient list) but it felt nice.  I wouldn't repurchase since I prefer balms that are in tubes to contain SPF as they are for on-the-go use.

My Favorites of the Year So Far....

[All purchased by me or given by family/friends]



Even though it's almost done being 2014, I thought it would be nice to keep in mind what I've really enjoyed this year.  While I didn't make a ton of big purchases, I definitely went crazy for lip products.  I like experimenting with the ones I have, but they didn't make it here because I don't feel like I have a good idea how they rank against each other.  I just know the drugstore/high end lip trend is welcome after the years spent chasing the newest, biggest palettes.


To start, let's talk body and hair products:

Supergoop! Sunscreen Oil Spf 50, Blow Pro dry shampoo and Royal Apothic Hothouse Peonie

I needed a new sunscreen for the summer and was too intrigued not to buy this new sunscreen oil from Supergoop!  It was only after I left Sephora that I realized L'oreal makes a very similar product and purchased that as well.  I have since given the L'oreal away, not because it's bad but because I didn't see the need for two such similar products.  This one is less scented, less oily and contains no alcohol.  In fact, the ingredient list is pretty impressive.  Be careful with sunscreen oils as it can leave oil spots on certain fabrics and will appear shiny before it absorbs into the skin.  However, for how soft and un-"sunscreeny" this leaves my skin, I really enjoy this product.

Blow Pro Faux Dry Shampoo is non-aerosol and non-scented, two big things that annoyed me about every other dry shampoo I had ever tried.  I feel like all the chemical propellants and heavy fragrances could not possibly be good for me and it also interfered with my perfumes.  I scoped this one out and it's turned into a favorite.  It controls oil well, leaves no white cast and is very economical (this thing still feels full!).  

Royal Apothic Hothouse Peonie is a brand new purchase but one of the only perfume purchases I made all year.  I was pretty happy with the few that I have, but this floral scent really took me by surprise.  The miniature is thankfully not a rollerball, but an actual spray which made it worth picking up in my opinion and the little box it comes in is too cute.  It's hard to describe this, but a warm floral like the name implies is pretty accurate.

Essie Spin the Bottle, Nails Inc Baker Street, Out the Door topcoat and OPI Don't Pretzel my Buttons

This year has all about finding the perfect nude polish, a trend I thought I would never fall for.  Something about the clean, sleek look eventually appealed to me and I tried a lot of shades before I found the right ones.  Essie Spin the Bottle was my favorite for most of the year.  It has a beige, neutral undertone that still has contrast against my skin.  Essie formulas, though, are really not a favorite so I was happy to find OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons.  It looks very similar on the nails but applies about 10000x better.  OPI formulas are my favorite and I was late on this shade since it debuted last year.

Out the Door topcoat is the only topcoat that has ever made a difference in the dry time of my nails.  I feel that it does help with chipping but really the amount of time it cuts down in dry time is enough for me to recommend this to anyone and everyone.  I've never used Seche Vite, but this is also much cheaper so I'm not tempted to look elsewhere.

Nails Inc Baker Street is so so so so bright and sooooooooo awesome.  Compliment-inducing (more than any nude shade ever) and just really attention grabbing.  I love this shade.  I recommend this to anyone who loves a good blue polish.  

Milani Luminoso, Innisfre Long Wear Cushion, Bite Beauty Rose, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard and Jane Waterproof eyeliner in Brown

What can I say about Luminoso that hasn't already been said?  It's very pretty, not overly shimmery and just looks great.  I am curious about Coralista now that this has lived up to the hype.  

Innisfree Long Wear Cushion is the best face product discovery of the year.  Before this I tried the Etude House Precious Mineral Cushion but I felt it broke me out and the oil control is not as strong as this one.  This cushion is unique in that it doesn't claim to have a dewy finish.  Instead it wears well, is not overly scented and applies in SECONDS. Convenience and speed is really the best thing about cushions and I think it's worth it to embark on finding the right one for you since it will save you time getting ready and makes for the easiest, highest SPF touch ups.

Bite Beauty lipstick in Rose is a gorgeous bright pink with rosy (hence the name) undertones.  I think the color is stunning but the formula is also top notch.  I'm not super fussy about lipstick formulas, but this one does feel especially moisturizing without losing any wear time.

Last but not least the Jane waterproof eyeliner is my favorite eyeliner currently.  Stila waterproof pencils are also a close favorite and the Marc Jacobs pencil is just not a favorite.  This was a great discovery for how cheap it is and how well it lasts without giving up any creaminess.  

More Empties, and some Products I Need to Let Go

[All purchased by me, or gifts from friends]



Another few months, another empties post.  I think keeping track of this is pretty useful for me and it encourages me to be more selective about which products I want to use again.  There's also some products I've just had to let go because they're so old/unused/unflattering.  

Essential Nuance Airy Shampoo and Conditioner
I love the smell and the textures of both these products.  They're under $20 which isn't so bad, but hard to find if you don't live near an Asian grocery/beauty store.  After using this and the yellow version, I can say that I would repurchase either in the future.  This is slightly less moisturizing than the other one, but my hair isn't very dry.  In the meantime though, I'm pretty happy with the regular drugstore shampoo/condition I am using from L'oreal.  My hair isn't too picky, so I think I'll give a few more options a shot before coming back to this.

Vera Wang Lovestruck Shower Gel and Body Lotion
These came in a set with the perfume during a holiday gift set.  I used them up and really enjoyed them for the scent, since the texture was nothing extraordinary.  The perfume isn't something I would've sought out to purchase, but I get a surprising amount of wear out of it.  It's a warm fruity/floral scent (so descriptive I know) that I think is perfect for someone wanting a young feminine scent, but not veering into teenage territory.  I get compliments on this scent, but the perfume takes a ton of spritzes to show up/last on me, so the quality is probably not there.  I enjoyed these but wouldn't repurchase unless it came in a set again.

Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream (Unscented)
One of the only nonscented hand creams I could find.  This is a very moisturizing hand cream packed with a ton of glycerin so the texture is a heavy gel/cream.  I enjoyed it, but I am always looking for an even more hydrating yet non-greasy hand cream.  Best from the drugstore and I would repurchase again.

Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer
I used this up because it didn't work for my sister.  It's not very oil controlling at all so I just thought of it as a good, basic day cream with a very high SPF.  It had no scent which was great and the texture was almost a little glue-y?  It reminded me of glue even though it's non-sticky.  Actually, it reminded me of the Boscia Oil Control Moisturizer, so if you're a fan of that one, this could be good for you.  I wouldn't repurchase because it was just so-so for my skin type.  If this wasn't marketed as oil controlling, I think it would do better as a standard option for normal skin.

Missha Setting Spray (with Hadasui inside)
I've discussed both products before, but the setting spray didn't do much and the toner was basically water.  I wouldn't recommend either, though the spray nozzle is nice.

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover
Most heavy duty eye makeup remover.  This was a gift with purchase obviously and I used it and liked it.  Even though it takes the most makeup off, it can be a bit oily and I think that would bother some people.  

Legere White Multi BB Cream
My friend gave this to me when she was tired of it, so I finished using it and really enjoyed it.   It's more finicky than other BB creams in the sense that it comes out very tan and then adjusts to a pale shade.  It's adjusted color is the palest BB cream I've used, but it does sometimes oxidize, so you have to check up on it if you're changing up your primer/moisturizer.  I really enjoyed the dewy, natural finish it gave, but it isn't my #1 BB cream pick because of how much you have to check on it.

Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara
My absolute favorite mascara of all time.  I've been trying some drugstore options in order to get away from using this all the time and also because I was tired of splashing so much water to get the fibers off.  Haven't found anything that tops this yet though.

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash
A super easy, almost universal product that is versatile and works for many people.  I use a larger, flat angled brow product now for the convenience, but this definitely gives the most defined, clean look of any brow product I have tried.  

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb [LET GOOOOO]
I pretty much never used this and these are re-packaged.  The color was a nice deep brick color but it was so minty and I just don't like minty products on my lips.  It took a while to figure that out and my limit is the Revlon Just Kissable Balm Stains.

E.L.F. lipstick in Classy [Let Go]
The formula of this isn't bad at all.  It's not dry or slippery and has a decent amount of pigmentation.  However, the color was a little too cool and I didn't love the smell.  It is a little bit like cherry, which I don't love.

Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes Liner in 21L [Let Go]
Someone gave me this and while I liked the shade and how long it lasted, this got too dry for me to keep using.  

L'Oreal Color Juice Lipstick in Island Punch [Let Go]
I had this for so long but I really really loved it.  It smelled amazing like grapefruit candy, and had a decent amount of both pigmentation and shine.  It was a tiny bit gritty but otherwise was a favorite.  I wish L'Oreal hadn't discontinued this line of lipsticks and glosses.

Bath and Body Works Handi Bac in Vampire Blood
My favorite scent that comes out every Halloween and sells out.  A friend was nice enough to gift me a few of these to get me through the year.  It smells like plum (nothing weird) and is pretty enjoyable.

Spring/Summer Lids and Lips

[All purchased by me, or gifts from friends]



So with warmer weather (and my unexplained hiatus) I am starting to steer towards brighter pops of color.  It's an easy thing to do when you don't want to pile on a lot of products, but creates enough impact to make it look like you took the time to put yourself together.  I really enjoy bright, bold colors on the face and it's something actually very easy to do.

Some of my favorites for this season are:

3CE Lip Lacquer in Fever
My friend actually had the foresight to give this to me during Christmas, probably knowing I'd love it for the Spring.  This color gets a lot of compliments, probably from being so neon and eye-catching.  The formula is a liquid lip lacquer that is matte.  It wears like any liquid lipstick would, and leaves a slight stain behind.  It's super opaque and bold, so not for the faint of heart.
Wear with:  a bronzey eye and light peach cheeks

NYX Butter Gloss in Peaches and Cream
Highly raved, popular product that doesn't disappoint.  It's very creamy, non sticky and this shade has very good pigmentation for a gloss.  I think the range is worth checking out if you like to wear a single layer of gloss as it deposits a nice amount of color without a lipstick underneath.
Wear with: a bold pop of blue eyeliner and coral cheeks

Bite Beauty Lipstick in Rose
I initially got the shade Fig to try to wear as an everyday neutral shade, but found it too cool toned.  I exchanged for Rose and am so happy with the color.  It's a bright pink that leans neutral, which is key since a lot of bright pinks are so cool.  The formula is very pigmented and easy to work with, but the product will melt in heat, so try not to carry it around.
Wear with: winged liner and lots of mascara

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in Pink in Paris
Purchased in the same trip as I exchanged the Bite lipstick, I must have felt a strong pull towards neutral/warm pinks that day since these shades look very similar.  The formula of this lipstick is not super intensely pigmented, but more balmy and shiny.  There's also a slight shimmer to this that isn't gritty and the formula (and packaging) is luxe, luxe, luxe.
Wear with: a soft smokey eye and glowey cheeks

Jane Water Resistant Eyeliner in Lime Green
Similar to my mint/lime green phase last year, I really wanted to try to find a great neon liner to use on my lower lashline or above a winged liner to enhance my dark eyes.  Generally, I think brown eyes look great with really bold pops of color worked into a neutral backdrop.  This range of liners is great, as I've mentioned before.  They last all day, stay vibrant and don't smudge easily.  Highly recommend.
Wear with: a neutral eye and only on 1/3 of the lower lashline (compliment inducing!)

Etude House Color Pop Drawing Show Eyeliner in RD303
Why would anyone want a red eyeliner?  I was feeling the pinky/burgundy trend in eye makeup that has been more popular in Asia and decided to track down a unique shade to add to my collection.  I bought this on eBay, and it was very affordable.  This liner does not budge.  It is very intensely long-lasting and bold.  If this range were more readily available I would buy a lot more of these fun shades.
Wear with: a simple winged eye, or accenting a pink/burgundy eyeshadow

Jane Water Resistant Eyeliner in Aqua
Every girl needs a turquoise liner when warm weather rolls around.  There are a lot of tutorials floating around with this shade so I don't think I need to discuss it too much in detail, but this is a good option to choose.
Wear with: a copper eye (obviously), either top/bottom lashline

Rimmel Extra POP Lash in Pop Turquoise
I think this is limited edition, but a bright blue mascara (or dark and cobalt for a more subdued look) is one of my favorite things.  It adds a lot of interest to the eye and will get you a lot of comments/compliments because people are staring to try to figure it out.
Wear with: any eye look you would normally wear

Makeup Removal: Products for Different Levels of "Made-up"

[All purchased by me!]


Every once in a while, the blogosphere gets obsessed with one kind of makeup removal product and I feel the need to try everything.  With the totally unnecessary amounts of makeup removers I have in my rotation currently, I thought it would be a good idea to sift through the noise to what I use each product for, and to hopefully come to a conclusion as to what is actually worth using.

Cleansing Mousse/Water:

I am using the Napoleon Perdis Marshmallow Foam Makeup Remover after getting over the whole cleansing water thing.  I felt like they didn't really do a great job at getting rid of eye makeup and became intrigued after using this at Ulta.  It does a better job than cleansing waters like Bioderma, but is not ideal for long wearing makeup.  It comes out as a foam and you can tissue off or rinse off.  I always follow up makeup removal with a second cleanser, which for this, would be imperative to get rid of the remaining makeup since this isn't heavy duty.

I use this when I am wearing light makeup.  It removes concealer (Glominerals), non-waterproof mascara (Rimmel Extra Pop Lash - awesome product), lip gloss (NYX Mega Shine) and khol liner (Lancome) easily with little residue.  Great for people who wear natural makeup and have no need for intense, long-wearing formulas.

Cleansing Mousse/Water + Eye Makeup Remover:

To get better removal of waterproof eye makeup, I incorporate a dual-phase eye makeup remover like this Clinique Take the Day Off version.  I really like this one because it's so heavy duty.  However, it does leave an oily layer on the skin afterwards.  This doesn't bother me since I follow up with a cleanser afterwards.  While it takes off most long-wear products, I don't like irritating my eyes with a cotton pad and pulling on my lashes to get all the product off.  If I am just wearing concealer and powder, the Napoleon mousse goes on the rest of my face and the two create a nice combo.

The kind of products this duo removes well are waterproof mascara (L'oreal), long-wearing cream shadow (Smashbox), liquid liner (Physician's Formula) and a light balmy lipstick (YSL).   

Cleansing Balm:

Lots of people are on the cleansing balm bandwagon and I think it's a great option for most people who wear a full face of makeup, or for someone with dry skin.  The Clinique Take the Day Off cleansing balm is the only one I've tried, but it ticks off all the boxes of a good makeup remover so I don't feel the need to branch out to others.  It takes mostly any makeup easily, but does take some time to work into your skin.  You have to massage lightly for a little while to get the balm to dissolve and then it emulsifies to rinse easily.

Here I pair this balm with a BB cream (Skin 79) and a lip/cheek stain (The Face Shop).  I like using this balm with a full face of makeup because it just feels cleaner than other products I've tried.  This is also great at dissolving long wear eye makeup, but where it stands out from a dual-phase makeup remover is that it can remove long wearing face makeup with no issues as well.

Cleansing Oil:

Some people may think cleansing balms remove more heavy duty makeup than an oil, but I think cleansing oils remove the same amount of makeup in a shorter amount of time.  You don't need to massage it into your face for as long before it removes everything.  The one above is the Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil.  Buying this violated a couple of my skincare rules: it contains mineral oil and fragrance.  I was just so darn curious about an US drugstore cleansing oil that I couldn't help it.  I also figured that since it's a cleanser it really doesn't stay on my face long enough to be too harmful (but that's just my guilty justification).  This is an effective product, but you get very little and the bottle leaks.  Just taking that one photo leaked product which is very frustrating.  If I can find a better alternative for a relatively low price, I would switch over.

For this product, a long wearing foundation (Lancome - discontinued sadly), super long-lasting lip (Makeup Forever) and a trusty extreme wear liner (Stila) are no match for its makeup dissolving capabilities.  It doesn't take as long to work into the skin as a balm, and is a great lazy option for those who don't want to have to buy two products to get a full face of makeup off.