New Product Curiosity: Cover Girl Intense Shadowblast

Just saw an ad in a magazine about this new cream eyeshadow from Cover Girl that is supposed to be have instense color but also a built in primer so it lasts. It's called Intense Shadowblast. It comes in 6 colors: Beige Blaze, Platinum Pop, Forever Pink, Brown Bling, Extreme Green, and Blue Bomb.

The colors look interesting. I would be interested in either Forever Pink, Brown Bling, or Beige Blast. I think the next time Cover Girl goes on sale at CVS, I'll pick up a tube :) Seeing others' posts, looks like it's going to be about $8, a little steep if you ask me, but it seems as of late, drugstore products have been getting a bit more expensive, faster than the higher end stuff.

My First Beauty Product Allergic Reaction

For as long as I've known my skin...I mean really known my skin (maybe the past 8-10 years), my face is pretty durable, whatever I put on will either work or not work...never cause any horrible madness.

So, I bought MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 last week, and after putting some on the back of my hand, I thought it would be good for me because it was a high SPF, and it applied pretty dry. I used it and I kinda liked what it did. It was a sunscreen that didn't feel too much like a sunscreen, in that it didn't have a super greasiness to it, but it does have a slight greasiness, not too much to grumble. I've been experimenting with a couple of other sunscreens, like the Neutrogena Liquid Moisturizer SPF 50 and a CVS one too, but they were too greasy that my face oiled up within an hour or two.

After my somewhat pleasure in this product, I started to notice that I was getting weird, small "pimples" around my mouth and my forehead was starting to look really bumpy, like it did when I was in high school. I didn't really think too much about it, but that I was weird because it isn't near my "time" of the month, and on top of that, mine was a couple of weeks ago, and that's when I really break out. Another weird thing was that the pimples by my mouth were really small, and like whiteheads, which I only get in larger pimples. I also had some right next to my lips that were more like clogged pores, which were really hard to extract (yes...I gouge them).

So after all these "weirdnesses" to my skin, I came across an article in beautylish (if you don't know about beautylish, here's my description) about some sunscreens causing allergic reactions. It also talked about how it's usually chemical sunscreens (that absorb UV rays) that will cause a reaction rather than physical ones (that reflect UV rays). However, this primer is actually part chemical (Octinoxate), and part physical (Zinc oxide). Anyway, it's probably too much of the Octinoxate, so I have since stopped using it and am using the Shiseido one that protects against environmental damage (the one I got as a sample in my last haul). My skin hasn't broken out since, so I am going to assume that it is either the amount of Octinoxate is too much for me, or there's something else in the product that I am allergic to, since there is Octinoxate in the Shiseido product I am using today.

My hunt for a high SPF primer/moisturizer (that doesn't leave my face a greaseball after an hour or two) continues!!

Ebates Haul & First Impressions

I bought a bunch of stuff on ebates a few weeks ago. You can read more about it in my earlier post. So I was ready to do this like last week with all the stuff I got from Sephora, but I decided to wait for my Lancome stuff to come in :) Above is the stuff from Sephora and Lancome respectively. I will give some of my first impressions of these products. I haven't had a chance to really use all these yet (and I just got the Lancome stuff yesterday), so these aren't full reviews, just what I see for now.

Here's the Sephora stuff:

Shiseido Skincare 1 2 3 Pureness Oil Control Set

I've mentioned before that I've tried the moisturizer from this set, and to be honest with you, this whole set altogether is not really impressing me right now, but skincare always takes a while to get used to you, so I'm going to give this a few more weeks to set in.

Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Shampoo

This shampoo is nice. There's nothing horrible special about it, and I've never found a shampoo that completely blows me over, except for when I used Garnier Fructis shampoo for the very first time (made my hair feel like silk).

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray

I heard that this is a great eyeliner for the waterline. However, I've been using this pretty regularly, and I have found that it's a good color and consistency, but it doesn't stay very well on my waterline :( It ends up smearing underneath my lashes, like most eyeliners. The search continues.

Dior Best in Show Mini Mascara Duo

I was looking forward to trying these two out because I've heard so many good things about them. I find the mascara to be a little wet, probably because it wasn't the waterproof formula. I don't find it especially great at anything, not worth the $24 (for the full size product). The primer is also nothing special. the brush is pretty neat though (see below).

The brush on the Diorshow mascara is really big, comparable to MAC Opulash, and Benefit Badgal Lash. I also find the formula quite similar, wet.

The brush on the primer was interesting, something like the rubber/silicone brushes you see on the Buxom Lash mascara, Maybelline One By One, and Covergirl Lashblast Volume. However, what makes it different is that the rows of bristles are slanted a little, which I think makes it weird to use, but it probably takes more getting used to.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder

Couldn't get the greatest picture of this stuff (still gotta learn how to take these pictures). The product is kinda cool. It's lightweight, and colorless which makes it a good setting powder. It's also good for touch ups, I've noticed. It's not spectacular at oil control, but that's like most setting/finishing products that I've used in the past.

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm Duo

Left: Black Tea & Blackberry, right: Grapefruit & Ginger

I like these lip balms, they're pretty good. I find that every once in a while they do get dry if I don't reapply, but they're one of the best lip balms I've used in a while.

SAMPLES!!

Of course, you can't forget the samples. Sephora gives three samples per order, their beauty insider program gives a deluxe sample for every 100 points you accumulate (sometimes an super deluxe sample for 500 points), and there are coupon codes you can use for deluxe samples as well. The regular samples (that are automatic with the orders), I usually don't end up using, I just get them because they're free. I always save my beauty insider points for the good deluxe samples and the 500 point perks.

I haven't used these yet, but here's what I got: Lancome La Base Pro, Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish (I actually don't really know what it's supposed to do), Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream for face/body. The two deluxe samples I got was the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Packet Trio, and Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cream Blush in Quickie. Also, because I got the Bumble and Bumble shampoo, I got that card at the top for a free service (styling) at a Bumble and Bumble salon, although I don't know if there are any here in Hawaii :/

Here's my stuff I ordered from Lancome:

Definicils Waterproof Mascara

I've used this mascara only once (today), and I have to say that I actually kinda like it so far. It doesn't clump, and I've had it on for maybe 5-6 hours and it hasn't smudged. The lengthening powers isn't all that grand, but I shall continue to try this one out and I'll see if it really is worth $25.

Here's the samples I got (I feel like I really scored with this one coupon code I used):

Color Design Lipstick in Wannabe

Juicy Tubes in Touched By Light

Juicy Tubes in Moulin Rose

Here's some swatches of those lip product samples:

Top to bottom: Juicy Tubes in Moulin Rose, Juicy Tubes in Touched by Light, Color Design Lipstick in Wannabe

I like the two Juicy Tubes lip glosses. The lipstick looks a bit intense for me, but we'll see what I can do with it

Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Bright Expert Dark Spot Corrector

All in all I am still trying to get a feel out of these products. Hopefully I'll be able to do more full, in-depth reviews in a week or two.

This post contains affiliate or invite links that I am able to earn commission from. I would not support any company that I didn't like. What I earn from affiliate programs are going to be used to improve this blog, and bring more things for my followers.

Ebates: My New Found Respect

This is so awesome I have to share it with everyone.

I've been raving about ebates and how it's a good way to save money. However, I actually had an issue I was waiting to clarify before I shared this experience. So I signed up for ebates and I went shopping at Sephora, but for whatever reason, I did not see any cash back transactions in my account. I kinda forgot about it until I went shopping at Sephora again, and I didn't get my notification, so I went snooping around and there's a form to fill out in case you haven't received your cash back yet. All you do is fill out some information about the day you clicked through, and it will generate your "ticket number" and you can verify that too (it keeps track of your click throughs). After that, it took less than an hour for my first one, and less than a day for my second one.

I was actually shocked. I really didn't expect ebates to give me anything because I actually thought I must have took to long to shop (I actually do take a while to shop...online, in store--it doesn't matter, I'll take FOREVER!). So by making the inquiry, I was able to get my almost $7 from one Sephora purchase (they offered 14% at the time) and a little over $10 on another...that's almost $20 I'm going to get just for shopping online!! I LOVE it!

If you click any of my ebates links, sign up, and make a qualifying purchase (I think it's like $25 or more), then I get $5. Yes, I want people to sign up through me, but hey, you can do it on your own too, you aren't required to sign up through an invite. Either way you sign up, you'll get $5 back after you make your first purchase (I believe the same $25 minimum). I would so appreciate you using my link though!!!

But the conclusion to my story is I am now sure that ebates is thee way to shop online. If you're thinking about purchasing ANYTHING, look to see if the store is on ebates. Even if cash back is like only 2%, it can add up, and it's money you didn't have before, or like a sale. Of course I do have to wait till August to get paid, but after hearing a bunch of other people talk about it, I'm sure I'll get my money!

This post contains affiliate or invite links that I am able to earn commission from. I would not support any company that I didn't like. What I earn from affiliate programs are going to be used to improve this blog, and bring more things for my followers.

My ebates Shopping Spree

Wowzers...this past week was beauty week on ebates, and I believe it's still going on right now, where certain beauty vendors are giving double cash back. I took advantage of the 14% that Lancome was giving and the 8% that Sephora was giving. I normally do not buy Lancome stuff because it's super expensive, but since the cash back was so good, I thought I'd browse. So, I got a Definicils Waterproof for myself and a Hypnose for my aunty that did me a favor last month (she likes the stuff but can't imagine spending the dough to buy it).

I am so excited about the good deals I got. I got tons of cash back, and also a lot of deluxe and coupon code samples. Be on the lookout for reviews on these products:

• Lancome Definicils Waterproof mascara
• Lancome Genifique Concentrate (sample)
• Lancome Color Design Lipstick (sample, not too sure what color)
• Lancome Juicy Tubes in Moulin Rose (sample)
• Lancome Bright Expert (sample)
• Lamcome Juicy Tubes in Touched By Light (sample)
• Shiseido Skincare 1 2 3 Pureness Oil Control Set
• MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder
• Stila Smudgestick Waterproof Eyeliner in Stingray
• Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Shampoo
• Dior Best in Show Mini Mascara Duo (Diorshow in Black & Diorshow Maximizer)
• Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm Duo in Black Tea & Blackberry and Grapefruit & Ginger
• Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Quickie (sample)
• Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Packet Trio (sample)

I'm really interested in the Dior mascara (I've heard a TON of people, especially people I know personally, rave about this stuff), and the Bobbi Brown foundation. These are two products I didn't purchase a full size, but they're so expensive that I don't think I would feel very comfortable purchasing.

I got a bunch of samples from Lancome, and that goes to show the greatness of coupon codes. And the best part was I found that particular code on the ebates' website, not the Lancome one. So even if you're not interested in cash back (sorry, I think you'll have to be nuts to not be), the site is a great resource for coupon codes :D

One more note/piece of advice: since Sephora is such a great place to find all kinds of department store brand makeup, if you're interested in a certain product, go to the store and ask for samples. Now don't go off asking for samples of all the products in the store. It's suggested that your "limit" should be 2-3, or else the staff may not be too nice to you. After sampling these products, you can buy more confidently, especially if you like buying things online.

This post contains affiliate or invite links that I am able to earn commission from. I would not support any company that I didn't like. What I earn from affiliate programs are going to be used to improve this blog, and bring more things for my followers.

Beautylish

So I found this website, that is sort of like the facebook for beauty enthusiasts, called beautylish. I just signed up, and I've been snooping around, and they have great articles, also tips for those who do tutorials. They also feature different gurus and looks that they do. It's a bit like an interactive magazine. This is also a good place for new gurus to get noticed.

I haven't really interacted yet on this site, but I do have a profile. Come follow me if you want!

New Product Curiosity: INGLOT Freedom System

I've been reading about this brand called INGLOT that is based in the UK that has this eyeshadow palette like MAC and MAKEUP FOREVER that you can customize with eyeshadows of your choice. I've been contemplating getting a Zpalette, and getting MAC and MAKEUP FOREVER eyeshadows, and de-potting my Urban Decay eyeshadows. And after doing a little looking up, it seems that I think the INGLOT route is right for me.

At first, there were a few problems, one was that INGLOT was only a brick and mortor store...only a product listing was available online. Now that they finally have an online store, shipping is quite redonkulous-it's based on the price you're paying (the more you buy, the more you have to pay for it to be shipped). Anyway, there are stores in the US, including one in Vegas and a bunch on the east side of the country. This excites me because I would like to travel to New York (where they have a store) in the winter...just waiting on one of my friends to confirm so we can start planning our adventure there.

Anyway, I would like to point out a few things that make this company rise above the rest:

• SIZE: The size of the INGLOT eyeshadow pans are 2.7 grams. MAC and Urban Decay ones are 1.5, MAKEUP FOREVER comes close at 2.3 grams, and stila comes even closer at 2.6 grams (not too sure if these are the same size as the pans they used to sell-they're now sold in a pot)
• PRICE: When bought in bulk (>10), INGLOT eyeshadow pans are $4.50, even when you buy only one, the price is $7. MAC ones are $11 (for the pan only, in the pot it's $14.50), Urban Decay is $17, and you do not have the option to buy just the pan, also no pan only, stila at $18, and MAKEUP FOREVER at $19.
• FREEDOM: INGLOT comes in many varieties. You can choose from the duo eyeshadow palette for $1, 3 pan for $7, 5 pan for $10, 10 pan for $20, and 20 pan for $23. They will be releasing a 40 pan palette, which I'm not too sure about the price for. MAC Pro Palettes come only in the 4 and 15 option. The empty palettes (without the eyeshadows) are actually cheaper than the INGLOT ones. The quad is only $5 and the 15 pan (which can hold up to 22 I believe) is $14. MAKEUP FOREVER also has a palette you can put their eyeshadows in that holds 10, for $20. I thought they had another one (that holds less), but I can't find it. stila has empty palettes: 3 pan for $13, 4 pan for $16, 6 pan for $24, and 8 pan for $30.

So, if you get together with some friends and go to the store, you can get a good deal on eyeshadows. I've seen swatches on Temptalia's, Beautezine's and Xsparkage's blogs, and the color payoff looks great. Also, it seems after reading that the glitter in these are better at staying on your eyelid, instead of your cheek, which is something I really think Urban Decay should look into working on.

All you need to do is buy 10 pans, and you can get them for cheap. For me, that's just enough to get colors for natural look, a black, a gray/silver, an eye color enhancing look (for me a few purples), and a pink (which I like to use with neutrals). I think that could easily fill 10 pans. If I buy in the near future, I think I'm gonna pick up a 20 pan palette, and a few of the colors I mentioned. One thing I would like to do, if possible is make a dupe for the naked palette. However, in actuality, the Naked Palette is actually a good deal ($4 an eyeshadow, plus a free brush and primer potion), but I don't like the fallout from the glitter shades