Showing posts with label Summer Beauty Essentials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer Beauty Essentials. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation
I have got to tell you about the foundation I've been using all summer long. If you read Glazed Over often, you might recognize this Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation from my June Favorites. I think this has been my #1 favorite thing this entire summer, and for a number of reasons. In case you're wondering, I'm in shade 805 ivory.
First off, this formula is magical. It's no joke that this is a primer, foundation and concealer in one. Thanks to this foundation, I use far less concealer, and never use a primer when I use it. It isn't cakey, it isn't thick, it doesn't oxidize on my face - it is amazing. You need very little to get great coverage (I use one pump with a brush, and two pumps if I use a sponge applicator). It covers some scarring I have on my face like a charm. If I have any blemishes, I usually go over them with another concealer for extra coverage, but the redness is zapped very well with this foundation alone.
The wear time of the Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation is exceptional. I put my makeup on for work around 6:30 am in the morning, and get off work at 5 pm and it is still on and looking flawless. You know a foundation is good when it holds your blush on all day, and that's exactly what it does. I typically set my foundation with a powder of some sort, however this is the one and only foundation I've ever used where I can actually skip this step if I want to. Once applied and dried, it finishes matte on the skin and doesn't require any sort of setting powder on my dry/combination skin to keep me shine-free.
To top it all off, the pump applicator is awesome. It makes the foundation easy to get out of the bottle, and once it gets low, it's easy to get the foundation off the pump manually.
Hands down, I would recommend giving this foundation a try. You can find it at most any drugstore, and it can usually be purchased for under $10! You can't beat that!
If you've tried the Covergirl Outlasts Stay Fabulous foundation, let me know what you think of it in the comments below!
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
OPI - Big Hair... Big Nails
Today I've got an oldie but a goodie, and one I've never tried. It's called Big Hair...Big Nails (LOVE that name) and it's from OPI's Texas Collection which came out in spring of 2011.
To me, this color screams SUMMER not spring, but that's really beside the point. This is a gorgeous pinkish orange jelly. The application was very smooth and easy to work with. As with most jellies, one coat would not be enough, unless you like the streaky nail look. I used three coats and as you can see, I still have some visible nail line (jellies like Big Hair...Big Nails finish kind of see through).
If you like this color, you might also like Kate by Zoya or Coraline which is also a Zoya polish. I think the plain old jelly fad has kind of passed (now on to jelly sandwiches - layering glitters with jellies) but I still think they're really fun, and this color is certainly really pretty. What do you think?
Monday, June 24, 2013
June Birchbox - Wanderlust
It's here, it's here! My June Birchbox is here, and it comes with an updated logo and branding. This month's box is all about wanderlust, or traveling - it includes samples to serve one well on any summer adventure. Let's dive in...
Color Club Nail Polish in Mod in Manhattan | Full-size: $8
This color is part of an exclusive collection created by Birchbox and Color Club called the Wanderlust Collection which was inspired by four of Birchbox's favorite cities. Mod in Manhattan is a milky off-white that appears to have the slightest tint of pink in it. I have to say I'm not the least bit excited about this color. I don't like my nails being all white - to me that looks like pure white-out, and is a bit sophomoric. I like Color Club polishes a lot, but I'm not sure I'll be wearing this any time soon.
--What I love: The brand - Color Club polishes are a favorite of mine.
--What I can live without: The color!
Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo | Full-size: $24
My first thought upon seeing this sample was how pleased I was by the size. I mean, when you get shampoo or conditioner samples in the little rip off packages, there's never enough product to truly tell how well you like it. But THIS is a good size! This shampoo has a really fresh natural scent that I love. This product claims to soften and nourish hair, especially dry and frizzy hair. I will definitely take this little sample with me while traveling, but I can guarantee you I wouldn't spend $24 on a full size bottle of this - outrageous.
--What I love: The branding. I'm in love with this packaging - simple and modern.
--What I can live without: The price of a full-size bottle.
Oscar de la Renta Perfume in Something Blue | Full-size: $85-115
Marked by a blend of mandarin and linden blossoms, Something Blue by Oscar de la Renta has summer scent written all over it! It seems most of the beauty world hates getting perfume samples, but I'm part of the minority that loves getting them! Unfortunately, this scent reminds me of a perfume from the Gap that I had in middle school. Considering I'm in my mid-20s, I'd like to think my scents have matured a bit since then.
--What I love: Nothing, really. Boo.
--What I can live without: The aggravating sample packaging - I prefer spray samples, but this is the pop off top container. I can live without the scent, too.
suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser | Full-size: $32.95
This product from suki is a two-in-one cleanser and exfoliater that lathers and smells like lemons. I like the scent a lot and I'm betting I can get a couple uses out of this sample - awesome! This is a brand I've never heard of before, but I'm looking forward to trying it out.
--What I love: The scent and the two-in-one awesomeness.
--What I can live without: The price of the full-sized item - crazy talk.
Davines Love Smoothing Conditioner | Full-size: $27.50
Another product from Davines, but am I missing something? Why in the world did I get a massive shampoo sample but my conditioner sample surely won't be enough to cover even a fourth of my hair?!?! This is one of my biggest pet peeves regarding samples - this little bit of conditioner will never give me an impression of your product, so why would I waste my time? Not sure I'll even bother trying this one out. If it were as big as the shampoo sample, it would be perfect.
What I love: I like that I got both the shampoo and conditioner to try out.
What I can live without: The sample size and packaging - total fail.
Davines Oi/Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion | Full-size: $40
Yet another Davines product - and this one I'm really looking forward to trying. This oil claims to instantly tame frizz and strengthen hair over time. I'm prone to frizzy hair, so I will certainly get some use out of this. Considering how little oil you need to use in one application, I should get a good amount of use from this sample.
--What I love: I love hair oils, hoping to love this once I try it, too.
--What I can live without: The packaging. A tube would have been much more convenient for multiple uses.
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Overall, I expected more from this Birchbox. After the announcement of their rebranding, which came about a week or two before I received this box, I expected they'd kick off their first newly branded box with some stellar products. The variety of brands and the tiny product samples were disappointing, and I'm not so sure it was worth my $10.
On another related note, I signed up for Ipsy - a subscription service similar to Birchbox, but it appears you get much more value from the $10 a month price point. I'll get my first "glam bag" (as they call it) in July, and I can't wait to share it with you. A battle of the subscription services will have to happen... stay tuned...
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** This post contains my referral link. If you click on the link and sign up, I will earn credit towards Birchbox products.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Allure Beauty Box!
I am SO excited about what I'm going to show you today! I was lucky enough to snag an Allure Beauty Box when they went on sale a week ago. Within 10 minutes these babies were gone, and for good reason, too! For just $40, you get a bunch of full sized products valued at over $250! You read that right.... JUST $40!!!! And even cooler, a portion of the proceeds are donated to the Skin Cancer Foundation. If you didn't score a Beauty Box for yourself, don't worry - I'll give you all the details!
It came looking more organized than this, but I'd rifled through it a few times by this point.
BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Chic
According to the description, "Bon Chic celebrates style and joie de vivre." (whatever that means) This is a nice scent, but it's nothing unique and doesn't really stand out to me. I'm sure I'll use up the bottle, but I'm pretty sure it won't make it in to my favorites.
Burt's Bees Lip Gloss in Spring Splendor
I've got a weakness for lip products, so I'm super excited to try this out. This is one of the new Burt's Bees lip glosses, made with natural oils and nutrients.
Butter London Nail Lacquer in Bit Faker
Despite being a polish junkie, I have never tried any Butter London polishes as the high price is a bit of a deterrent. It appears to be full of bronze sparkles, and I can't wait to try it.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil is a gentle daily cleanser that removes makeup, and oils without overdrying or irritating sensitive skin. I've tried this cleanser before and it's not bad, but with combination acne-prone skin, I often need something a bit stronger to keep things under control.
Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Damage & Color Repair Shampoo & Conditioner
This is a relatively new product line, and I haven't given it a try so I'm excited to give it a go. I've heard good things, and I can certainly use some damage repair on my hair!
Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes
This is a product I'm excited to try! I already use Dickinson's witch hazel toner and have enjoyed it (aside from the smell, which is awful) so I expect these will be nice as well. Witch Hazel is great for the skin, especially for calming redness and blemishes. I'll probably throw these in my gym bag for a quick clean before or after my workouts!
GKHair Leave-In Spray
This leave in spray by GKHair protects hair while moisturizing and repairing split ends. I'm all about leave-in sprays, so I'm sure I'll use this down to the last drop.
Neutrogena MicroMist Sunless Tanning Spray
Due to the fact I'm basically blinding people with my pasty white skin, I am overjoyed to receive this in my beauty box! This MicroMist airbrush sunless tan is supposed to apply streak and missed-spot free. This fair-skinned redhead can definitely use a product like this!
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15
Buying moisturizer is one thing I hate doing. I absolutely need it, but hate shelling out $10-15 for it. Luckily, this moisturizer came included in my beauty box, sparing me a moisturizer shopping trip any time soon! This moisturizer is 100% alcohol, fragrance, dye and oil-free.
Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20
This is a product I will always skip over in the cosmetics aisle because the packaging is so boring. It's true to Neutrogena's brand, but there are a million other lip balms that will catch my eye before this one (even if this product rocks!) As you can see I already opened it up and tried it, and I have to say I like it! It has a sheer tint and goes on nicely - I just wish it wasn't shaped in an oval; it's kind of uncomfortable to put on because of the shape.
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
The thing that catches my eye about this product, is it claims to clean sensitive skin and remove 99% of dirt without stripping skin of it's natural moisture and softness. I will definitely be giving this a try soon!
Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixir
You might recall I got a sample of this product in my April birchbox, and to be honest, I haven't even tried it yet! I've heard nothing but good things about this product so far, so tomorrow I'm going to try this out and see just how great it is.
Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Hair Cream
This product claims to give hair a sexy tousled wavy look with a matte finish. I can see this being a great summer product to help control frizz and give the hair some volume.
Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in No. 6 True Teal
I absolutely love Pixi products, so naturally, I'm thrilled to receive one of their long-wearing and waterproof eyeliners! This teal color will be bold and bright for summer.
Pureology Colour Stylist Supreme Control Maximum Hold Zero Dulling Hairspray
I don't go through hairspray quickly, but I'm looking forward to trying this product out - even if it's for color-treated hair (which I don't have). It claims to provide maximum hold with extra shine.
Redken Control Addict 28 High-Control Hairpsray
I think I now have enough hairspray to last me a lifetime. This Redken hairspray claims to hold hairstyles for 24 hours! If this is true, I will certainly be impressed. It also says it won't flake, will dry fast, and is brushable without being stiff.
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Leave-In Treatment
According to the description, this is Redken's #1 selling treatment which reduces breakage and minimizes split-ends, AND serves as a heat protectant! This is a product I'd normally skip past for a cheaper alternative, so I'm looking forward to trying this out!
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in #400 Get Juiced
We all know I love a good nail polish! I've tried out one or two from this line of Sally Hansen polishes, and didn't love or hate them, so this will be a good addition to my collection. I love a good coral color!
Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Dry & Go Drops
I have to admit, I'm pretty curious about this product. A good topcoat should pretty much eliminate the need for something like this, but perhaps they work well in tandem? Needless to say, I will definitely be giving this a shot.
Sally Hansen Zero Bumps Bikini Spray
This product helps keep skin soft and smooth between shaving and waxing by reducing bumps, irritation and in-grown hairs. Interesting that it's scented...
Sation Nail Lacquer in Love at First Byte
I have never tried the Sation brand of nail polish, although I believe I do have one sitting in my "untrieds" pile, and I know I've seen them at Wal*Mart. I wish this was a different color, as it's pretty darn close to the Sally Hansen polish, but I'll give it a shot!
Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Makeup Remover Pads
I love the Simple brand. I've tried a few of their products, and I'm currently using their cleansing pads (even on my eyes - oops!) so I can only assume that this will be another great product!
Suave Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil
Suave has stepped it up recently, eh? This product conditions without weighing hair down and smooths the cuticle for a long lasting shine. The conditioners in this product line weighed my hair down like no other (but smelled amazing!) but I'm willing to give this product a chance.
Tan Towel The Original Self-Tanning Towelette for Face & Body
I have to admit, I am REALLY skeptical of the product. How can a towelette have enough product on it to make your whole body evenly tan? I've also heard bad things about this (it's streaky, uneven, etc.) I would maybe attempt this on my legs while using another self tanner, but it will take some courage!
Tresemme Platinum Strength Strengthening Heat Protect Spray
I've used the Tresemme Heat Protect spray for years, only to change it up in the last couple months because I wasn't sure it was doing anything. However, I haven't tried this Platinum Strength version. I've been intrigued by this line of products, and even bought the shampoo and conditioner (which I have yet to try) - but I've heard good things and I can definitely get some use out of this product.
Well, that's all folks! Quite the steal, eh? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments below!
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