Savvy Thinker » Allure Choice Award

FOTD Review: E.L.F. cosmetics

Karin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:21:29 +0000

This is a little more of a made up look than I've been wearing lately, but it is really the same amount of product. I could tweak it with a little glitter on my lips, but wanted to show it as-is.

I wanted to try a few E.L.F. products because they are so inexpensive.

Mineral Shadows
The mineral shadows come in the same jar as BE and are about the same size. They compare favorably with BE. They are not as sparkly as AL or Meow, at least the colors I chose. The minerals were the most expensive of any of the products I ordered -- $3 each for full size.

Lip liner pencils
The pencils are called Feather-Proof Moisturizing Lip Liner. It has not migrated. For $1, it is worth trying. They have a pretty good mix of colors, most of them are fairly neutral with nuances of color. Spice is not at all orange, but more of a true neutral. I like it, even though it wasn't what I ordered.

Waterproof pen liner:
This worked well yesterday. The felt tip is sharper (in feel) and dryer than the Mary Kay one that I loved that is discontinued. I forgot to try the black today. I used Midnight yesterday and it did well. Again, $1.

Eyes: All dry except where noted
Base: Trish McEvoy, then my beige sparkly mix
Crease: E.L.F. Caffeinated mineral
Outer corners: E.L.F. Glamorous mineral
Inner Corner: Meow because photo made it look matte, which it doesn't in RL -- don't know why the camera does this -- and of course, in RL you don't go around with one eye closed; it is a flash of color when you blink.

Drylined E.L.F. Royal mineral, top and lower outside pencil line, then wetlined on top, very pretty wetlined
Pencil lined, top and bottom (no MAC, LOL) E.L.F. Plum brightening eye liner
Mascara: top BE Buxom; lower Lancome Definicils
Brows: Victoria Jackson pencil

Face:
Comparing Lancome foundation on one side and Chanel on the other
Revlon Primer
E.L.F. Persimmon Shimmering Facial Whip glimmer up middle of face (this would be good to give your face color in winter or whenever you needed a pick-me-up, placing it differently on your face)
E.L.F. Spice Lined lips and filled in (they sent me this by mistake, not the one I ordered, but I thought I'd try it anyway)
E.L.F. Blossom Hypershine Lip Gloss
E.L.F. Bitter Went over lip line and inside with
E.L.F. Pink Lemonade All Over Color Stick (such a cute little size, almost a sample)

And my glimmer powder mix.

Shimmering Facial Whip: this is a nice product and comes in several shades. The browner ones would be good for getting a tanned look without being in the sun. I might try one of those next. This has an Allure Choice Award.

Multipurpose, on-the-go whipped colorant is vitamin B, C and E packed to instantly brighten and sooth skin with no greasy after-feel.

Squeeze a pearl-sized [more like a dot] amount onto finger and blend into cheeks, eyes, or lips.

Hypershine Gloss
This was not as visible as some glosses I own. It has some taste, but it was not at all objectionable. I punched it up with more lip liner. I intentionally chose a neutral, as well as to the color range I don't usually buy. If you can't do that for $1, when can you?

Hyper, glass-like shine infused with micro-mirror technology to reflect light. Smooths lips on contact with a conditioning shine that lasts for hours. Create that natural lip stain of color that's sheer, subtle and beautiful!

Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara
Book Girl has gorgeous thick lashes that almost brush her sunglasses. Any colored mascara looks mascara-y. I thought this might give her some definition, but still look natural. She tried it yesterday, and it worked well.

Achieve glossy, shiny, healthy-looking lashes and brows with the infused long wearing conditioning agents in our wet gloss lash & brow mascara. Looking pulled together has never been easier!

Today she is using the AL clear mascara. She says this went on with more product on the first application. Both feel equally light.

All over color stick This would be good for airplane travel.
This worked well. It's quite a darling little size. I wouldn't mind an array of colors. I would think this would work better for dry skin than for oily.

Duo Eye Shadow Cream
This is the only product I bought that I haven't tried yet. I thought I might try it as a dark base under minerals.

My opinion, you can't go wrong for the price.

The actual packaging, not of the product, but of the containers is not as rich as NYX. NYX has more of the look of MAC.

These are not as high-glam or as Indie in appearance when on as AL or Meow, but some items, like the lip pencils, are more than favorable for drugstore lines, especially for price.

I think my girls would enjoy having some of this. It would make good stocking stuffers. Or even birthday favors.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-16 14:39:56.

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Sales Alert: Avon products I like

Karin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:44:15 +0000

Here are some products I like. The link will go directly to the shop of the one who sells to me, but you can as easily buy from your own consultant, if you have one.

Avon is not your mother's company. They are innovative in color and in skin care. And moderate to inexpensive in price.

Anew Clinical Peel
This is really a good product. It has good stats. I cut my circles in half -- or used it, then let one of my kids use it. I notice a difference when I use it. It is one of my go-to products when I want a pick-me-up. Just a couple of days and my skin is radiant again.

Here are 2 other products in the Anew line, one of which is endorsed by Allure, the eye cream.

New Lip Gloss Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss Intro Special - SAVE 50%! price: $6.00 now $2.99
This sounds very nice. I haven't tried it, but I do love glosses!

High-shine lip gloss formulated with blue optical brightening pearls to create the illusion of a brighter smile. Refreshing minty scent.

Eye or lip, any 2 for $7.99

When you go to the site, click brochure along the left side. That shows you several brochures where you can find a lot of sales.

What's your favorite Avon product?

Have fun!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-26 17:04:07.

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Review: Comparing Clinique Mascaras

Karin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:53:58 +0000

Clinique mascaras are in my staple of mascaras. I reach for them at the first sign of any skin irritation from using other mascaras. They work to clear up any situations; they work as mascaras; and they do not irritate my eyes.

Right eye top (to your left): Clinique Lash Curling Mascara
I had a hard time building this today, but in all fairness, it is not a new wand.

It has an interesting spiral brush, which I like.

Bottom: Lancome mascara

Left eye top (to your right): Clinique High Definition Lashes Mascara, recommended by Allure
I'm not sure if you can see the odd little brush it has. One side is a regular brush; the other is a sort of comb. It takes some getting used to using this brush.

Between the two, the high definition is stronger, longer and darker. Without comparing side by side, I don't know that I would have noticed.

Bottom: no mascara

I am considering leaving mascara off the bottom lashes. (This is Lancome.) I like the MAC liners so well, and really, I like my eyes with and without mascara on the bottom with these liners.

What do you think? Do you prefer my eyes with or without mascara on the bottom?

Do you have Clinique mascaras? Minis are often given in gwp's, and gwp is a good time to buy a full size one that you liked as the mini gift. I keep a mini or two in my travel bag, so it is one less thing to pack.

Karin
5 for all Clinique mascaras that I own, not just these two
5 not irritating
5 rarely, if ever, smudge
5 need in my staples

Originally posted 2009-03-08 14:31:29.

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Review: Before there was Aromaleigh, there was Girlactik

Karin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:34:05 +0000

Before there was Aromaleigh, there was Girlactik.

Glitters

I'm not sure that is strictly true, but it was true for me. I found Girlactik and fell in love with some of the products before I ever knew an Internet search would likely find me more companies than I could possibly sample. I tried one glitter, then I ended up, as usual, buying several. If one is great, would 4 or 5 be better?

I've used the Lavender in one look here. It's a gorgeous bright but deep lavender.

I have colors that are similar to AL's prettyplease rocks! glam glitter, but enough different to justify having both.

Because I like the Girlactik so well and because the glitters were around the caps, I transferred them all to ziplocks, the way AL's come as samples. That way I don't lose a single piece of glitter.

The colors I have (I love all that I have): White Gold; Lavender; Multi-Jewels; Champagne. I thought I also had Multi-Bronze, but I don't see it in my stash. It might still be in a container.

Pearl Base (a soft pink with glimmer) is used under light ones:

There is a savings if you buy the products together. This is White Gold:

They do have a darker base for darker colors.

I find applying the glitter over eye pencil works just as well.

Star Shadow
This has an Allure Choice Award.
Girlactik Beauty Star Shadow is a wonderful, lush, silky shadow. I only have one color, Buttershine, a soft beige, that I bought for a base or highlighter. If you like the color, you'd likely like it.

Edit: I didn't realize they could be applied wet or dry. I've only tried dry.

One of the nicest compliments I've received was from a young girl working in the shop where I bought it. She thought it was terrific that I was wearing the glitter -- it looks great! I knew I'd love it. She said most women who weren't her age wouldn't even look at it.

Have you tried any girlactik glitters or other products? What is your fave?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-29 18:44:32.

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