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?

What's in my travel makeup bag?

Hi guys, sorry I haven't updated my blog in a while; I was away in Chicago for a conference. For my 6 day trip, I packed makeup that made me look polished, but not colorful. After all, this was a scientific conference. No one was going to appreciate a Manish Arora pallete on my eyes.

I picked up a generic travel kit that included a soap case, hairbrush, toothbrush holder, and 2 empty bottles ($2.99!). I didn't take the bottles or hair brush, just the toothbrush holder, the soap holder, and the travel kit. The soap holder was filled with hair accessories, q-tips and toothpaste. The travel kit contained makeup:

Face:

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation

Maybelline Dream Mousse in Soft Plum

Mary Kay Mineral Powder Brush

Mary Kay Signature Concealor

Loew Cornell concealor brush

Eyes:

Lancome eye makeup remover

MAC Powerpoint Engraved

MAC Fluidline Blacktrack

Kat von D eye palette in Ludwig

Loew Cornell 1/8" angled shader

Coastal Scents blending fluff

Random Target eyelash curler

Maybelline Define-a-Lash

Lips:

Egyptian magic (sample size)

MAC Fastlane

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine

I was kind of strict about how many "me too" products I took along just cuz I like to travel light. I'm overall quite happy with everything I took, but the only thing I'd change is to take more than one lip color. What kind of stuff can you not live without when you travel?

My Top 6 Favorite Makeup Brushes: Tag

One of my favorite YouTube gurus, xteeener just did a video about her 6 favorite makeup brushes. I love that her makeup is usually natural and she goes for affordable products. Here are my 6 favorite brushes:

1. Loew Cornell 1/8" 7400C Angled Shader $3.29

This is a MUST HAVE for gel eyeliner. The brush glides on the product without wrinkling the delicate skin above your lashes. I also use this wet to line my lids with eyeshadow. It does such a great job that I am not at all tempted to buy different colored eyeliners.

2. Loew Cornell #8 7500C Filbert $4.29

This is what I use for concealing undereye circles as well as blemishes. Its size and shape is perfect.

3. Loew Cornell 3/8" 270 Maxine's Mop $3.79

This is a nice dense brush for packing on eyeshadow to your lid. It's actually its a bit scrapy, but I like that because it helps when you are trying to pack on color.

4. Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation Brush. $10.00

This brush is perfect for quickly and flawlessly applying powder foundation. I use it to apply my Studio Fix.

5. Coastal Scents Silver Duo Fiber Stippler Brush. $7.95 

This is a perfect dupe for MAC187. I use it for liquid foundation. I've also bought the pink duo fiber stippler for applying blush for an airbrushed finish.

6. Coastal Scents C218 Blending Fluff $1.99

I use this a lot to highlight my browbone, blend harsh lines, or give my lids a simple wash of color. I actually reach for this more than my MAC holiday eye brush collection.

Honorable Mention: Coastal Scents Pro Eyelash Defining Comb $3.89

Although not technically a "brush", this is super effective at removing clumpy mascara, and the price is great.

My favorite foundation & concealor

 Behold my absolute Holy Grail foundation and concealer!

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC45

Mary Kay Signature Concealor (in bronze)

Mary Kay mineral brush

On weekdays, I just skip the concealer because the Studio Fix gets most of the job done. My MK mineral brush is just dense enough to cover my face in 3 swipes. The only downfall of the Studio Fix Powder is that you need another product to add a dewyness to your skin. I guess one can get dewyness by using liquid foundation, but the time factor just makes this more enticing for me.

As for the MK concealer, its consistency is fluid and yet still gives full coverage. I also like that it's in a tube, so there's no question of the product drying out. This is the only product where I've bought a backup. However, I don't recommend this for undereye circles cuz it sinks into the tiny wrinkles.

By the way, a great brush for concealing spots is the Loew Cornell #8 filbert 7500C. This is available at any crafts store like Michael's or Hobby Lobby.