MAC "All That Glitters" Eye Shadow Swatch + Review

MAC "All That Glitters" Eye Shadow

 Last weekend I went home and spent sometime tidying up my room. Imagine my surprise and delight when I stumbled upon my MAC eyeshadow pallete tucked away in one of my drawers. Don't ask me how or why it was in that drawer, I have no idea, but I'm glad that I finally found it. I don't have a ton of shades--only about eight--and I'm always amazed, and slightly horrified, when I see other beauty gurus with four or five palletes filled to the brim with MAC eye shadows. I mean, that's hundreds of dollars on eye shadows. It blows my mind when I stop to think about it.
But enough about that, let's get on with the review!

MAC "All That Glitters" Eye Shadow

"All That Glitters" is famous on the internet, not only because it is a cult favorite amongst beauty gurus, but also because it is the namesake of one of the most popular YouTube beauty guru's channel, Elle Fowler. And I can see why Elle chose to name her channel after this shadow. On the MAC website,  this shade is described as a beige with gold pearl. It is a lovely all over the lid color for a natural, everyday look. It's also really great to blend with, if you're going for a shimmery smoldering look. It's probably tied for the MAC eye shadow that I get the most use out of--the other two are "Naked Lunch" and "Brule".

MAC "All That Glitters" Eyeshadow

After months of exclusively using drugstore eye shadows, I had forgotten how creamy and smooth MAC eye shadows feel on the skin. I don't have to struggle to get a nice, opaque swatch. I had almost forgotten what that feels like. However, despite the name, "All That Glitters" doesn't actually have any glitter. Way to be misleading MAC. Instead, it is classified as a veluxe pearl and has a nice, but subtle, shimmery finish. 

This shade is loved because it is extremely versatile and a great everyday color. It's one of the few MAC eye shadows that I know I would repurchase if I ran out--although I don't think that's going to be any time soon. It's a luxurious and beautiful shade. If you have the money to spend, I highly recommend giving it a look the next time make a purchase at MAC.

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Stila "Spectrum" Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Swatch + Review

Today is a very special day. It's my first liquid eyeliner review and the first time I've ever reviewed a Stila product on the blog. For the longest time I stayed far, far away from liquid liner. I was never very good at applying liquid liner. It also came out uneven and splotchy. It was a mess. But recently I was playing around with the Stila Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in "Sepctrum" and the sparks were flying and you know how this tale goes. One thing led to another and pretty soon I was smitten.

The Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner comes in about eight shades but the one I own--"spectrum"--is a black with rainbow glitter. I hadn't heard anything about this product when I bought it but I was hoping that it would last longer than the few drugstore liquid liners I'd tried in the past. It retails for $22 at Sephora and Ulta. At first, I was disappointed with the product. I had a lot of unfair expectations (like I had hoped that my liquid liner application skills would increase exponentially if I paid a lot of money for a liner) and in my frustration this product got lost in my bathroom drawer.

After using it again this past month, I realized that while the Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Liner is, by no means a perfect product, I was being unnecessarily harsh. I have extremely oily lids and it takes a serious primer to make my eye makeup last all day. This stuff is good for five hours but any longer than that the product will begin to smudge and rub off. However, if you have dry eyelids, I don't think that that would be a problem. The applicator (while it didn't transform me into a liquid liner ninja over night) is a pleasure to work with. The handle is long but  is close enough to the applicator to give you maximum control. The end is a stiff (but slightly flexible) sponge that is easy to maneuver and create different eye liner looks. It is easily the best part of the product. I find brushes too difficult to control and pens don't give enough control. 

One of the things that is kind of annoying is that while the glitter is noticeable on the applicator and even when swatched on the back of the hand, it somehow doesn't translate very well when applied to the lids. Today, I used this product to do my makeup and my friend came to my dorm room as I was getting ready. She saw that my eye liner was supposed to have glitter in it but she commented that she couldn't see the glitter when applied. I hadn't really noticed before--but she was right. From five inches away, you can barely tell that there is a hint of glitter in the product. This is kind of annoying considering that this sparkle liner is more expensive than a basic black Stila liner.

POSTIVES
-Firm but felxible applicator
-Lasts well


NEGATIVES
-Price ($22)
-Once it dries, it can be rubbed off very easily
-Glitter is unnoticeable from a distance

In conclusion, I will probably not be repurchasing this product once I'm done with it. I really liked it but Maybelline's Stiletto Liquid Eye Liner is a very similar formulation with a very similar sponge applicator for a fraction of the price. Maybe in the future when I have a steady job and income, I might think of splurging on this product again but not any time soon.

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First Impressions: Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate Moss Lipsticks

Rimmell Lasting Finish By Kate Moss Lipsticks

It's been a while since I've written any lip product reviews and I've got to say that I've genuinely missed doing so. Maybe its because I'm a total lipstick-a-holic but lip product reviews are my favorite. The Rimmell Lasting Finish By Kate Moss lipsticks recieve so much love on YouTube and the blog-o-sphere, so it's more than a little surprising that I've never bit the bullet and tried them--until now.

This isn't a detailed and comprehensive review--that will come after I've played around with them for a bit longer. I've only had them for a few days but I just had to talk about them. They're so good!

Rimmell Lasting Finish By Kate Moss Lipsticks

The first thing I noticed about these lipsticks was the packaging. It's so sleek and modern. Even though I'm not a Kate Moss fan, I still love that they added Kate's signature on the side. It's a nice detail that makes these lipsticks feel a bit more luxurious than their five dollar price tag.

Rimmell Lasting Finish By Kate Moss Lipsticks

Rimmell Lasting Finish By Kate Moss Lipsticks

During my trip to Target, I picked up three shades--01, 10, and 12. As far as I could tell, these lipsticks doesn't have any names (other than the numerical ones I've listed above) which can be a bit annoying and confusing. While I was doing swatches I kept taking pictures of 10 when I was supposed to be swatching 01. It doesn't help that they're both red shades. As you can see from the pictures above, that its an easy mistake to make.

Rimmell Lasting Finish By Kate Moss Lipsticks

Here are the three colors I bought swatched side by side. 01 and 10 are very similar but 01 is a slightly darker red while 10 is a true cherry red. 12 is a lovely bright coral color. They all easily apply to the lips but I've noticed they stain the skin--a lot. If you smudge your lipstick onto her face or your hands, you need makeup remover to get it off. Also, its a nightmare to eat with. It'll get all over your food and your straw--basically anything that comes near your mouth--and the mess is a bit difficult to clean. However, the opacity is amazing and the colors (while there aren't many of them) are great classic shades that would look fantastic in almost any girl's collection. I have noticed a few flaws in the Rimmel Lasing Finish By Kate Moss lipsticks but overall I'm impressed. I plan to purchase a few more shades from the line and I'll be back in a few weeks with a more comprehensive review!

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Sarah Jessica Parker SJP NYC Fragrance Review

Sarah Jessica Parker SJP NYC Fragrance

 I had so much fun writing my review for the Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly fragrance, I went straight to my perfume collection and picked out another scent to review. I chose something that I've had around for a while but haven't talked much about on the blog. Like almost all of the perfumes I won, SJP NYC was a gift from my sister. What attracted me to this scent was NOT the packaging. Because let's be honest, the packaging is really ugly. Carrie Bradshaw would not have let this happen! What happened?

Sarah Jessica Parker SJP NYC Fragrance

 But thankfully for my decor, the gaudy plastic packaging on the outside can come off to reveal a simple clear bottle on the inside. Unfortunately, the bottle on the inside is rather plain and underwhelming. I don't know who approved the design of the bottle. It's very confusing. 

Sarah Jessica Park SJP NYC Fragrance 

Sarah Jessica Parker SJP NYC Fragrance

SJP NYC is such a sweet, whimsical, and youthful scent. Oddly enough, the smell sort of reminds me of something that Carrie Bradshaw would wear while she's walking the streets of New York. The top notes: strawberries, Italian mandarin, and white osmanthus. Middle notes: gardenia, honeysuckle, and mimosa. Bottom notes: rum flavor, sandalwood, creamy musk. 

I've had this fragrance for years but (as you could probably tell from the pictures) I haven't used much of it. It's weird because this is a scent that I love smelling in the bottle but I don't like it as much when I wear it on my skin. Sometimes I spray it in my room but this fragrance doesn't get a lot of use. But I still really love it. I just wished that it mixed with my personal chemistry better. 

And that's the end of my review. It's weird. I've only done a handful of fragrance reviews but lately I've been really, really enjoying writing these. So, I think I'll try to make these types of posts a more regular part of my blog and I'm really excited. 

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COVERGIRL "Dazzle" Lip Perfection Lipstick Swatch + Review

Covergirl "Dazzle" Lip Perfection Lipstick

"Dazzle" was one of the six shades I bought from Drugstore.com when I went through my COVERGIRL lipstick obsession phase. Now, don't get me wrong, I still love COVERGIRL lipsticks. They're very pigmented and have a wide range of colors but "Dazzle" is not one of my favorites. If I'm being perfectly honest, "Dazzle" is one of those shades that just doesn't suit me.

"Dazzle" is a very blue-toned baby pink color with a subtle bluish reflex. It's a unique color but not something that I would repurchase. I've had this lipstick for over a year, and as you can see from the pictures, I've barely touched it. It took me a while to write this review because I didn't want to write a negative review soley based on the shade (because this color could suit someone else perfectly) but I didn't want to fake enthusiasm for a product that left me feeling meh.

In the end, I decided not to hold back my feelings of dislike for the color but to emphasize that it was a personal preference. I just prefer to wear matte or cream finishes. It's a lovely color but not something that I would on a day-to-day basis...or really ever. 

COVERGIRL "Dazzle" Lip Perfection Lipstick

Here is the color on the lips. It's a bit hard to see the blue-ish reflexes in the picture but I promise they're there! I'm not crazy! I have very strong yellowish undertones in my skin and I don't think that this color is very flattering. Although, I was looking at some pictures online and this color looks gorgeous on people with really dark skin. It's so striking and beautiful. 

In conclusion, the formulation of this lipstick is the same as any other COVERGIRL lipstick I've tried. It's not as opaque but its still creamy (although it gets a bit gritty the more you use it) and easy to apply. I hope these swatches were helpful! See you on Wednesday!

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Drugstore Dupes: MAC "Darkside" Lipstick vs. Maybelline "Blissful Berry" Lipstick

Drugstore Dupe: MAC "Darkside" vs. Maybelline "Blissful Berry"

Who doesn't love a good bargain and a great lipstick? MAC has some of the best lipsticks on the market but they're pricey. In August I published a post featuring a drugstore dupe for the popular MAC lipstick in the shade, "Lustering". Click here if you haven't seen it.  But it was very popular so I'm back with another drugstore dupe post but this time I'm writing about a fall favorite--"Darkside". 

In the bullet these two shades look nothing alike. "Darkside" looks like a deep, intense purple shade. A color that is extremely intimidating. While "Blissful Berry" looks like a lighter, berry color. I recently picked up the Maybelline lipstick because I thought it didn't look like anything in my collection. Yeah. I was wrong about that. Lipsticks in the bullet can be very deceiving.

When you swatch them on the back of the hand you can begin to see how similar the two shades actually are. They're both deep berry, burgundy shades with a cream finish. Although, right away, you can tell that the MAC lipstick has a more opaque and creamier finish.

Here are the two shades applied to my lips, side by side. Even in this final swatch you can see that "Darkside" is a tad bit more opaque. This is especially noticeable on the top lip, near my cupid's bow. But, all things considering, the two lipsticks are extremely similar. 

Other subtle differences include consistency and scent. The MAC lipstick is, as expected considering the price, a lot creamier in consistency. It also has that nice vanilla smell. However, the Maybelline lipstick retails for around $7.50 (depending on where you buy it). That is half the price of a MAC lipstick. If you're looking for a bold, berry color this fall and you don't want to spend too much, Maybelline's "Blissful Berry" is a wonderful choice.

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Bath & Body Works "S'Mores" Candle Review

Bath & Body Works "S'Mores" Candle

 I know what you're all thinking. Another Bath & Body Works candle review? What? This is the best day ever! And the "S'Mores" candle from Bath & Body Works is one of the best scents ever! And to that, I must say that I agree with you on both counts. No, but seriously, I love this scent. As...you could probably tell from how much of this stuff I've already burned. 

Bath & Body Works "S'Mores" Candle

This candle is marketed as smelling like "layers of gooey marshmallow, melted dark chocolate, and sweet graham cracker". Gosh. That makes me want to eat it! And don't burn this candle if you're hungry because it'll just make you crave s'mores. Or do--but make sure you have some graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate on hand. 

Bath & Body Works "S'Mores" Candle

 "S'Mores" is very similar to another Bath & Body Works scent, "Marshmallow Fireside". Which is another one of my favorites. Apparently I just love it when my room smells like the inside of a marshmallow. Who knew? But while "Marshmallow Fireside" does have the noticeable marshmallow smell, "S'Mores" is a little bit more layered with the strong chocolate and graham cracker scent. They're both fantastic. It just depends on my mood which candle I end up burning. "S'Mores" is a sweet scent but it isn't overwhelming like a lot of the more sugary candles from Bath & Body Works. I'm not a big fan of super sweet smells (they can give me a bit of a headache) but I can burn "S'Mores" with no problem. I would definately check this scent out if you're looking for something on the sugary side but don't want your home to smell like its made out of candy. 

Although I'm a bit nervous writing this review. I didn't see this scent the last time I went into Bath & Body Works but I'm hoping that's because this is one of their winter scents. *crossing my fingers* I love this scent and I would hate to find out that it's no longer part of their permanent range. 

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Revlon "Sweetheart" Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Swatch + Review

Relvon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in "Sweetheart"

 I love the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains (even though it is literally the longest name for a beauty product ever) and I feel like I'm always talking about the shade "Honey". But today, I'm going to be talking about the shade "Sweetheart". I originally bought this color because I thought it was the color that Emma Stone was wearing in the Jut Bitten Kissable Balm Stain advertisements. Unfortunately, I was wrong. She was wearing the shade "Lovesick". But in my defense, the shades are very similar. 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in "Sweetheart"

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in "Sweetheart"

 Before I get into my opinions on this particular shade, I'm going to do a quick summary of my thoughts about the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains in general. These are the perfect hybrid (as the name would suggest) between a balm and a stain. They're ultra long lasting (especially the darker and bolder colors) but they're incredibly moisturizing on the lips. They come in an easy to use crayon and they're great to apply on the go. I can't get enough of these bad boys and I have then in at least six shades. They're fantastic!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

 "Sweetheart" is a super bright, super bold fuchsia shade. I know that there are hundreds of women out there that love this shade but, for me personally, it isn't my cup of tea. I prefer to wear more neutral or plummy lipsticks. There is a very similar shade, "Lovesick", and it is slightly darker and slightly more purple and I think that it suits my skin tone a bit better. I'm not the biggest fan of this color but I wanted to do a swatch because I knew that a lot of my readers would love it. It's a gorgeous color but I don't think it's right for me. 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in "Sweeatheart"

 Here is a swatch of the product on the lips. It's strange. I think it looks lovely here but I just feel uncomfortable wearing such a bold color in person. 

POSITIVES
-Great pigmentation

-Lasts all day and all night

-Moisturizing

-Price ($9)

-No sharpener need (product twists up)

-Fresh mint smell

NEGATIVES

-Fades unevenly 

In conclusion, I think the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are fantastic. I can't wait to get my hands on more shades but this isn't one that I find incredibly flattering. The formulation is fantastic but this is probably the shade that I reach for the least. But please don't let my lack of enthusiasm for this color discourage you from going out and buying it. "Sweeheart" truly is a great product but it isn't for me. 

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MAC "Dame" Blush Swatch + Review

MAC Blush in "Dame"

I knew exactly what I wanted the first time I walked into a MAC store. I remember that I actually had a mental list of my must-have purchases and on that list was the MAC blush in "Dame". Unfortunately, they had sold out of "Dame" but the MAC girl recommended that I try "Well Dressed". Compared to "Well Dressed", "Dame" is a slightly darker and slightly plummier.

MAC Blush in "Dame"

"Dame" is a great everyday color for the entire year but especially for fall and winter. I still love my Sonia Kashuk blushes but the colors that I own are very bright, very summery. Sometimes its nice to go for a bit of an understated look. This blush is very buildable but its sheer enough that its something that you could apply without a mirror. Perfect for my hectic dorm life! In the time since I've gone back to school, I've seriously cut down on my makeup routine. I barely have time to eat much less apply a full face of makeup. But I will always have enough time for "Dame". 

MAC Blush in "Dame"

MAC Blush in "Dame"

Here is the blush swatched on the back of my hand. As you can see, it's quite sheer. This makes it a favorite for MAC starter kits and makeup newbies everywhere. However you can achieve a moderately bold look but it'll take quite a bit of work.

POSITIVES
-Sheer but buildable color
-Sleek and modern packaging


NEGATIVES
-Price ($21)

In conclusion, I'm a big fan of this blush. It's just so easy and so pretty. It gives a natural flush to the cheeks. The only downside is the price. Gosh. How did I justify spending $21 on a blush? I must be insane. But...at least I really, really love it. Right? At least I'm going to get a lot of bang for my buck. I own three other MAC blushes and I have yet to put a huge dent in any of them. Well, except for "Well Dressed" but that's only because I cracked it while I was traveling. So it's not quite the same thing. But maybe "Dame" will be the first. I wouldn't be surprised at the rate that I'm using this stuff. 

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Maybelline "Warm Me Up" Color Sensational Lipstick Swatch + Review

Maybelline Lipstick in "Warm Me Up"

During my trip to Portland back in August, I decided to splurge and picked up some makeup goodies from the drugstore. For the past two months I've been testing out the products and I'm finally ready to share my opinion. I'm going to start with one of my favorite Portland purchases, the Maybelline lipstick in the shade "Warm Me Up".  

Maybelline Lipstick in "Warm Me Up"

"Warm Me Up" is the first Color Sensational lipstick from the nude section. I normally gravitate towards deep plums or bright reds but I told myself that I had to be practical. So I searched for a color that was nude that wasn't too brown or too light or too pink. You know the drill. In the end I finally settled on this color and I think I made a great choice.  

Maybelline Lipstick in "Warm Me Up"

 "Warm Me Up" is a nude color with a slight berry undertone. It's very similar to my own lip color (probably only a shade or two darker) but when I wear it, the color just gives a nice sheen and color to my lips. It somehow just makes me makeup look a bit more complete. 

Maybelline Lipstick in "Warm Me Up"

Maybelline Lipstick in "Warm Me Up"

Here are the swatches of the product on the back of my hand and my lips. It's such a nice everyday color. There is no shimmer or glitter. Just a nice cream finish. I slap "Warm Me Up" on in the morning and then I can rush out the door. I don't have to worry about it smudging or fading unevenly. It's one of those nice your-lips-but-better lipsticks. It's just fantastic. 

POSITIVES
-Lovely everyday nude color

-Price ($6)

-Available at almost all major drugstores

-Smooth application

NEGATIVES

-Packaging

-Generic chemical smell

-No safety packaging in stores

-Finish of lipstick is not labelled on packaging

In conclusion, I love this lipstick. It's a lovely and effortless. Plus, it's available at the drugstore for around six dollars (depending on where you go). I do have some issues with the Maybelline Color Sensational range of lipsticks (click here to read a more detailed account about those issues) but I still enjoy the lipsticks enough to purchase them. I'm just wary about where and when I buy them. 

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10 Things I Love About Louise Pentland [aka Sprinkle of Glitter]

1. Her catchphrase is so dang catchy. 

Via hellozoes.tumblr.com

2. Her hair. Not everyone can pull off blonde hair with pink tips but Louise manages to do so with style.

Via sprinkleorzoella.tumblr.com

 

3.  She's not afraid to ask the hard questions.

Credit: youtubahs.tumblr.com

4. Baby Glitter is, quite possibly, the cutest baby in existence. This is not an exaggeration. 

Via oncechesirecat.tumblr.com

 

Via dreamsandicecream.tumblr.com

5. She has GREAT taste in men.

Via cheekyjackharries.tumblr.com

 

6. She's a dancing machine! Watch out world, here comes Louise!

 

Via peace-love-youtubers.tumblr.com

Via teen-wuff.tumblr.com

7. She isn't afraid to look silly.

 

Via sprinkleofzoella.tumblr.com

 

Via britishandamericanyoutubers.tumblr.com

8. Her friendship with Zoe is a joy to watch.  

Credit: itszoella.tumblr.com

9. She creates helpful, informative, and inspirational content.

Via sprinkleofzoella.tumblr.com

Via c-lauren.tumblr.com

10. Her videos ALWAYS make me smile.

Via inmyownlittlefantasyworld.tumblr.com

Via tjcoolthingsaboutme.tumblr.com

And there ten reason I love watching Louise's videos! If you have different reasons, leave them in the comments below. I really enjoyed writing this post. Keep your eyes peeled for similar ones in the future. 

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