Old Makeup, New Life: Part 2

Welcome to another post on my series on giving your unloved makeup a second chance by "retraining" it for a new job (hehehe Recession-speak happening on a makeup blog!). Up this time is my e.l.f bronzer ($1). Aaah I bought this at my very very beginning of makeup collection. This product really sucked as a bronzer, because its just copper-shimmer with very little pigmentation and zero staying power. However, I love using this to mattify and bronze up my super pink lipsticks. Do you have a lipstick that is too cool toned, washes you out, or is just too pink to pull off? Whip out this bad boy, and take a look at the transform!

Here I'm showing my To Swoon For lipstick by MAC. The hand swatch shows To Swoon For at the top (too cool-toned for my skin!). The bottom swatch shows  the same lipstick, but this time with the bronzer dabbed over it! A huge improvement I'd say! I never like a totally matte lip though, so I have put Ever So Rich Cremesheen Glass on top of it (as seen on the lips). I love Ever So Rich by the way. It's a very sheer baby pink gloss, and is perfect when you want a bit of shine but no color to compete with your lipstick. This was a great gift from a dear friend. :-)

Have you tried face products on lips to get a different effect? If so, please share below!

Products I Regret Buying

The best thing about being a makeup blogger is that even my duds get some use. Here are the products I regret buying. I've chosen them based on poor/wierd consistency and quality rather than things like products that broke me out, because that can be very subjective.

Face

MAC (gasp I know) Mineralize Satinfinish: the thick, gel-like consistency makes my skin feel suffocated and I always look mask-like, no matter how little I apply.

BareVitamins Prime Time primer (from Sephora): This feels very silicone-y, and made my skin feel suffocated. It didn't really help my foundation last longer anyway.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzer: Although I love my Dream Mousse blush, the bronzer does nothing for me. Its just bits of golden shimmer, not much pigmentation. Maybe it matches my tan skin too much, but its not really a bronzer. More like a shimmer-er.

Lips 

Coastal Scents Lip Smacks: at $2.95, I was tempted to amass tons of glosses. However, there isn't a lot of pigmentation, and its UBER shiny, so I find myself putting it on only to dab it off with a paper napkin. If you must purchase, avoid the shimmery ones because after a while, your lips end up with random bits of silver glitter and no color or shine. Not sexy. Lancome Pink to the Club: Got this as a gift for buying a perfume. This is too sheer for a lipstick, is not very moisturizing, and chunky glittery bits. 

Elf Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15: lame color, sucks the moisture outta my lips, and chunky glitter bits.

Eyes

 

Lancome Color Design Quad: I got this as part of a gift for buying Miracle. There is very little color payoff, just makes my eyes look kind of shimmery with not much color.

Mary Kay Signature Liquid Eyeliner in Black: the nib is not at all flexible, which makes for sloppy lining. The consistency is watery, and there is no staying power.

Hope this helps you guys. Hey, a penny saved is a penny earned right?

Affordable October Favorites

Coastal Scents 26 shadow blush combo palette ($19.95): this is a mix of shimmer, matte and pearl finish e/s and blushes. CS always delivers in terms of pigmentation, and this palette is no exception. For day time, a single swipe of e/s will give you a lovely sheer wash of colors all over the lids. Also, the multitude of purples and grays are so fall-appropriate. Finally, the 2nd blush from the left is an absolute staple. Having a pre-assembled palette really helps me explore colors I would't have naturally picked up by themselves.


Conair 2" ceramic hair straightener ($19.99): I've been happily using this baby for years now. It heats up in 60 seconds, has extra-wide ceramic plates, and a very handy removable comb is attached to it so you don't have to comb your hair sections anymore. LOVE it.


Elf Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Warm Tan ($1): Do not, I repeat, do not use this as a bronzer. It's just bits of coppery gold shimmer. So why is it a fave? I love applying this with my finger over a pink lipstick for the fall. It turns a matte pink into a coral-bronzey pink. I've also created a custom lip balm by mixing bits of this stuff with my Merle Norman Superlube (you can use Vaseline) and a bit of powder blush. Superb multi-tasker.

Elf Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets ($1): You all know what blotting sheets do, so I'll spare ya. This is a fave because its a shame to blow a lotta money on blotting sheets, so for $1, stock up!

Sorry it took me so long to post this! October just flew by!