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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