Review: L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Tender Mauve

You know what one of my favorite things is? Getting makeup from other people, particularly lipstick. A friend of mine bought this and decide it wasn't her color (She's a tad paler then I am and a ash blonde). I would have never picked this shade for myself, but it turned out to be a win for me. So off to my lip drawer it went! I decided to review it for y'all today because frankly I've been lazy and needed to review something.

 So first off color, this is a sheer pinky mauve neutral with a glossy finish. I have slightly more pigmented lips than your average white girl and it showed up fine on me, which means thats its not too sheer. It feels nice on the lips, however I don't find that it actually moisturizes at all. In fact after wearing this all day my lips are a tad dry it the center. It has a yummy scent- reminds me of B&BW Warm Vanilla Sugar, but the taste is bit weird if you put too much on. Almost soapy? I'm not a big fan of that. The packaging is pretty cute, I like that the cap is the color matched to the shade. I should start giving ratings so I'd give this.... 3.5/5.

Have you tried any of the Colour Riche Balms? Tell me in the comments!

MyGlam April '13 Bag Review!

Hey there lovelies! Today I have a review of this month's Glam Bag. In case you don't know what A Glam Bag is, MyGlam is a beauty subscription service run through Ipsy Michelle Phan's online beauty community. Its ten dollars per month, and beginning of every month you get sent a small bag of deluxe samples and/or full sized products. So lets see what we got this month!

This month has a pretty broad range of products that go along with the theme 'Pretty in Pink'. First is a nail polish by Sation called Love at First Byte, then a Big Sexy Hair Powder Play volumizing and texturizing powder, a Two Cosmetics Eyeshadow Duo in Heartache, and a blush from Be a Bombshell in the color Sweet Cheeks.

Lets talk about the nail polish! I got Love a First Byte, a peachy pink neutral. I'm happy to report that its not as sheer as I feared it to be, you can get it pretty opaque in two coats! Nothing too exciting but a fine polish. This retails for $5 USD.

Next up is the Power Play hair powder. I was honestly the most excited for this product. To use you sprinkle on dry hair a tousle for volume. I used this on second day hair that I'd sleept with french braided. It gave the curls really nice texture for a beachy-casual sort of look. The full size of this retails for around $15 USD.

At first I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get the other eyeshadow option, but after using the eyeshadow duo I was consoled. This duo in the shade Heartache comes with a shimmery baby pink, and a matte mauvey-rose color. They're very soft and the pigmentation of the light pink is very good. The mauve rose color isn't quite as pigmented but can be built up nicely. The packaging of this reminded me a lot of MAC's, though even though they look quite similar the MAC is heavier and more expensive feeling.  These retail for $7.50 USD.

LR: Two Heartbreak vs. MAC Free to Be

Finally our Sweet Cheeks blush from Be a Bombshell, this was the winner of this bag IMO! Which I found a bit surprising since the last Be a Bombshell product I tried ( Hot Mess Lipgloss from Dec's Bag) left quite a bit to be desired. Its a super pigmented bright pink blush, in the pan and swatched it seems very frosty but fortunately the shimmer doesn't translate on your face. The packaging pretty flimsy but the blush it self is fantastic! This retails for $16 USD.

Worth the ten bucks? I'd say yes. ;D What did you guys think? 

Maybelline Color Vivid Review: Vibrant Mandarin

The Maybelline Color Vivids have been talked about a lot lately and I thought I'd check out what the hype was all about. Particularly because the shade I bought,  885 Vibrant Mandarin, was said to be a dupe for MAC's Sail Le Vie Lipstick from last years Hey Sailor! collection. I loved that lipstick, and was completely heartbroken when I lost it. So you guys know I had to check this out!

Sorry not the best light, pretty color accurate for the lippie though!

So lets start with packaging. It comes in a very shiny red semi-transparent tube, (easy to find in a purse!) and doesn't have any brand marking on the tube itself. If you flip it to the bottom it has a color coordinated sticker with the name and number of the lipstick. I personally think it looks and feels a little cheap, but that really not the point now is it. ;D It doesn't say how much is in the tube on the packaging, but for the record its .15 oz or 4.2 grams of lipstick.

Formula? This lipstick is pretty comfortable on the lips, though hardly 'creamy'. Maybelline talks about it having 'honey nectar' to add creaminess but I don't buy it. It wears pretty well, about four hours on me, but it will kiss off at any point in the wear. Thats a problem for me, and I wish it did dry a little more.

Now for color which is honestly the most important part. Its a bright orange-red (not just warm or orange leaning red) with a semi matte finish. Its bright, but a little on the sheer side. Though it builds quickly, and goes on smooth no weird patches. I don't have Sail Le Vie anymore, but the color does seem pretty similar. 

Yay or Nay? I'd go with Yay on this one. However I don't think I'd repurchase or buy more from this line because of how much they kiss off.

What do you guys think of the Vivids? Let me know in the comments! =)

March Favorites! '13

Hey guys, sorry I'm a little late for this. I normally try to do it the first of second, but that just wasn't happening this week! So anyway these are my favorite for the month of March, I hope you enjoy them!

So lets start with makeup favorites, since there actually aren't a ton this month.

1.) NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk. I've had this baby for awhile now, but it really shined on a day to day level for me this month. I normally only use it for making very bright colors pop (which it does very well!) but lately I've been using it to make pastels show up more true to color to great success. You can by the at Ulta for around $6 USD but be warned these are often out of stock.

2.) Sleek Rose Gold Blush. Ughhhh this is so beautiful! I can't get over it, this is a must have especially for light skinned girls. Its a beautiful warm pink/coral with a golden sheen. It has great pigmentation, but can be played up or down. I've had this awhile, and sort of neglected it over the winter. But now its back in heavy rotation for spring.

3.) Sugarpill Burning Heart Palette. Just did a review on this so I won't go on about it too much, but its worth every penny.

Now on to some misc. favorites!

4.) Sally Hansen Nail Polish in Sun Kissed. This is such a pretty Dreamsicle color! A lovely light orange cream finish. I find this line to be pretty long lasting, and also this one is opaque in about two coats. Always a plus!

5.) B&BW Country Chic Shower Gel. This actually the second favorites post this has wiggled its way into. Its such a great spring scent, its a warm yummy floral that not overwhelming. I have this in shower gel and body butter form, they're great layered together but bath and body works lotion breaks me out it I use too much of my back or shoulders. :(

6.) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock. I know I should use this all year, but I forget in the winter. :p But I've started to get in the habit of using this everyday again. It doesn't break me out or make my makeup go on weird so its a win-win for me.

7.) Wallet from Charlotte Russe. Isn't in cute? The other side has a holder for my iphone which is very handy, especially when I don't want to carry a purse. I've seen ones with the same concept, but they all looked really cheap. This one was really cheap, but looks much classier. Yay! ;D

8.) Sunglasses from Target. Nothing too special but they're really cute and do their job. I'm very light sensitive so I always need a pair with me. Plus they were only $12 at target! I love the sort of retro vibe they have.

9.) (Not Pictured) Fovever 21. I've seriously considered moving there a few times this last month. Their plus size section is a godsend for curvy girls! This dress in particular is one of my favorite things this month!

So non-beauty favorites? That would have Caribou Sparkling Lemon Ginger Pomegranate Juice! Omg that stuff is like crack, I need to stop.... or not. But for music this month I've really loved Regina Spektor's most recent album What We Saw From the Cheap Seats, and the song Safari Disco Club by Yelle.

What were your faves from March? Let me know in the comments, and check out my twitter for more!