REVIEW: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in 23 Bad to the Bronze

I finally picked up one of these much talked about Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadows. I went the totally boring route and picked a safe aka neutral colour - Bad to the Bronze.

It's been a long time since I've used a cream eyeshadow. I think my last one was one of those Revlon eyeshadow quads that came with a row of 4 round pans. Anyone remember those?

Anyway, while I liked the ease of application on those, they had horrible staying power. So since then I've stuck with pressed powder eyeshadows. I decided to give it another go after hearing all the hype surrounding these long lasting cream eyeshadows. Maybelline has Color Tattoo, Make Up Forever Aqua Creams, MAC Paint Pots, Stila Smudge Pots, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liners, and well, you get the idea...

Although Maybelline is a drugstore line, it's been receiving great reviews on Makeupalley and various blogs. It's also been compared to its higher end counterparts, particularly MAC's Paint Pots, so I thought I'd start with it.

Bad to the Bronze is a metallic medium tan color. When I think Bronze, I think of something a little more golden. Temptalia has a swatch on her website where it seems very gold and shimmery, but I didn't find that to be the case. Reviewing my own swatch photo and those of other bloggers, it seems most see it as being more in the tan or taupe family. Also, while it is metallic, it's certainly nowhere near a chrome finish. The metallic is more of a satin with subtle shimmer. I would still categorize this in the "safe" - versatile, wear to work, everyday type of color.

I'm hesitant to make a blanket statement about the Color Tattoo in general as I've read reviews that the pigmentation/application is different depending on the shade. However, I can say that Bad to the Bronze in particular, has staying power. I was using Stila's Primer Pot in Taffy but this is just as good and unlike the primer pots, these can be used alone as eyeshadow. I would say this particular shade is similar to Stila's Smudge Pots in that they are long-lasting cream eyeshadows but the texture is closer to the Primer Pots - thicker, more opaque, budge proof.

I can also attest to its claim of lasting 24 hours. Yes, I applied it before work (around 9AM), went out after work, then prompty fell asleep when I got home until about 9AM the next day. I had what my husband calls "panda eyes" when I woke up, but my lids were still Bad to the Bronze'd up!

I'm currently using this eyeshadow as a base under Revlon's Luxurious Color eyeshadow single in Polished Bronze. The two colors are very similar (Polished Bronze is less metallic) but the Revlon has horrible staying power. Previously I used Stila's Primer Pot as the based but using a like-colored base means even longer staying power - as the powder shadow wears off, the color remains.

I am definitely purchasing more cream eyeshadows. I might pick up a couple more neutral shades from the Color Tattoo line. The rest of the colors are beautiful but not wearable for the office. I'm also going to venture out and try a few more, perhaps from MUFE, MAC, and Benefit.

Do you use cream eyeshadows? Any recommendations?

REVIEW: Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Warm

Physcians Formula is a brand I've never tried. Surprising as half my cosmetics collection consists of drugstore brands.

I finally decided to try it out by taking advantage of one of their very generous rebate offers, a $9 mail-in-rebate off of the Happy Booster. Already on sale from $15.99 to $11.99 with $9 was a small price to pay to try out this cute product. Plus, it came with great reviews on various beauty blogs and Makeupalley.com

Plus, I'm just a sucker for adorable packaging!

The Happy Booster™ Glow & Mood Boosting Blush contains multi-reflective pearls providing soft iridescence and radiance to highlight and contour the cheeks. It also contains their "Happy Boost Blend" featuring Happ Skin and Euphoryl, a natural plant extract that is purported to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effects of Endorphins and protecting the skin from environmental stress. The blush is violet scented and gives a feeling of joy upon each application.*

The square packaging is quite of deceiving. I was expecting a MAC sized blush but it's actually smaller and thicker (with the added brush holder side) and fits perfectly into the palm of my hand.

It's just so cute! If nothing else, the packaging alone puts a smile on my face!

The brush is just as adorable as the rest of the packaging, coming in a duo pink/red. It is wide and soft enough to use in a pinch, (unlike the ones in the Covergirl Cheekers compacts) although I still find it a tad scratchy. You're better off using an actual blush brush instead of this flat style.

Since I've never tried this product, I chose the universally flattering Warm, which contains various shades of pinkish brown. This blush is also available in Rose, Pink, and Natural.

The color applies more pink than brown on my medium tan (MAC NC35 / Revlon Golden Beige) skintone and has medium shimmer. The color payoff is average and it is sheer. I imagine as the blush flattens out you'll pick up more product. However, I would say it is the same as most drugstore brands while the 3d affect is still in place and it's certainly nothing to write home about.

I apply with a round blush brush, swirling it on the blush a few times to blend the various shades together, then lighting tapping on the lip before application. Since the hearts are various colors, a heavy hand without swirling can cause unevenness when applied to the cheeks.

I've used this blush a few times now and I like it but I don't love it. There's nothing really negative to say about it because it's a flattering blush with just enough shimmer. And because it's kind of sheer, it is dummy proof and easily layered.

But on that note, I wouldn't buy it again even on sale, unless there was another amazing $9 rebate offer. There are other drugstore blushes that work better. Rimmel with their excellent color payoff, lasting power, and compact packaging at a fraction of the Happy Booster's retail price comes to mind. At $15.99 retail, that to me is just too much to pay for a drugstore blush. And even at the sale price of $10-12? I'd rather pay a little more for a single buttery soft, extremely pigmented blush from Nars or two well pigmented, easy to use Rimmel blushes.

I guess at the end of the day, I was expecting a product that WOW'd me as much as the packaging did and it just fell a little short.

*Taken from www.physiciansformula.com product description

REVIEW: Maybelline Volum' Express Mega Plush Waterproof Mascara in Very Black

I picked up the new Mega Plush version of Maybelline's Volum' Express along with Colossal Cat Eyes which I reviewed yesterday. Yet another cute package from Maybelline. I love this color combination. Even the font is cute!

Mega Plush is unique, at least to Maybelline. It's their first ever "gel-mousse" formula mascara and that's supposed to be volumizing without the brittle hairspray affect. Lashes are left soft and "plush". The brush is also supposed to be soft and flexible. From Maybelline's advertisements, it sounds like they are going for the mascara akin to a soft hold hairspray. Something that adds more oomph without stiffness.

As always, I picked the waterproof formula and blackest color I could find. In this case, the color is "Very Black".

The brush for this product is short on the ends and thick in the middle (like a football!). The bristles are fairly thin which makes them more flexible, but dense which helps to catch and coat more lashes. This is great for those who have very fine and/or sparse lashes.

However, I do find it difficult to maneuver the brush around my short lashes. I did accidentally deposit some product on the corner and lid when trying to get towards the roots of my lashes. This is more of a problem for those of us with monolids. On the other hand, the softer and dense bristles do a great job of gently but sufficiently depositing product on my lashes.

The formula applies thin (not in the consistency, but the coat) so I've used 3 coats. It's equivalent to 1-2 coats of Maybelline Falsies Black Drama but it looks much more smooth on the lashes (due to the lack of fibre and the gel-mousse formula I imagine). It has the same sheen as natural lashes - a satin or eggshell, I guess? It's neither glossy nor matte which I like.

It does hold a curl sufficiently but not dramatically. In a full day's use (about 12 hours for me) my lashes are no longer dramatically curled but definitely still there. I would say about 70% curl left.

What I really do not like about this mascara is its Flexor Brush. In the photo you'll see a kink about a third down the brush. That part bends! The idea is that it gently sweeps the mascara on your lashes and helps with that soft plush look.

Unfortunately, it also means less control of the brush. This may be especially noticeable if have thicker, stiffer lashes. You press the mascara on your lashes and it sort of just rests there....there is a similar brush on the L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion which I reviewed a while back (click here to see photos of that brush applicator) and I found that equally difficult to use.

Below is a comparison of Mega Blush against 4 other Volum' Express mascaras - Colossal Cat Eye, Turbo Boost, Falsies Flared, and Falsies Black Drama. Just like the Colossal Cat Eyes from yesterday, the actual tube is the same as other Volum' Express versions, just different in color scheme and of course, the labeling. The brushes do differ in shape and none are similar to Mega Plush.

Not shown above is the original Colossal as it was a work. However, it is the closest brush to Mega Plush. They both have long dense but thin bristles, both have shorter bristles at the front. Both formulas are on the thinner side but buildable. However, the Colossal brush is rigid throughout and the bristles are longer at the end like a fat cone instead of football. Click here for my previous review of Colossal.

Overall, I do like this mascara. It's not a favourite but it's good enough that I will keep using it until it's done. I might use this more when wearing my glasses as my lashes are kept soft (and therefore can bend if they hit my lenses) and for conservative business looks where dramatic lashes will look place with a super natural look.

I do think there are some of you out there who will enjoy this mascara a lot more than me. Namely those of you with eyes that are more deep set and lashes that are longer and easier to hold a curl.

Maybelline Volum' Express Mega Plush Waterproof Mascara in Very Black is available at most drugstores and discount department stores such as Walmart and Target. It retails for $5-10 depending on place of purchase.

REVIEW: Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Cat Eyes Waterproof Mascara in Glam Black

I am so excited every time Maybelline comes out with a new mascara. Not only is their packaging super cute yet durable and their prices affordable, their mascaras are really really solid. It seems with other brands for every hit there's a miss but with Maybelline I've had way more hits than misses.

Of course, that's in the last few years. I have found that the older releases from the Volum' Express and Great Lash lines (I've lost count of how many they have!) just don't do the trick for me.

I am East Asian with very fine, sparse, and straight lashes that do not like to hold a curl. Because they are so feathery light, any weight (mascara!) will undo my freshly curled lashes. So the only solution are mascaras that will bind the curl in place. Waterproof mascaras seem to hold the curl much better (I guess because they bind to the lashes better?) so you'll see that my reviews are almost exclusively for these versions.

On that note, let's get to the review shall we?

First off, I just adore this packaging. The orange leopard print is a fun feature and makes this mascara such a fun thing to pull out of my makeup bag each morning. I also really like the tube - it's similar to the Covergirl Lash Blast ones. The thick tube allows for a good grip while applying.

The formula is great. Of course, it's a little wet as this is a new tube but it's not so liquid that I cannot blink for a good minute. About 10-15 seconds after I apply, I can bat my lashes without getting mascara on my eyelids. I usually prefer mascara after I've used it for a month when the formula dries out a little. It is a thinner formula than I've become used to since my last few have been fibre-infused but you know what? It works just as well!

In terms of volume, the first coat is average - not too thin, not too thick. However, unless you have very thick lashes, you'll want more than one coat. I use 2 full coats then lightly wiggle a third coat on to add a little more volume while separating a few lashes that have become caught together (due more to the way my lashes grow than the product). I do want to note that this mascara is not clumping and in fact quite good at coating individual lashes.

The thin curved brush is great for getting right down to the roots of my lashes without getting into my contacts. It often happens with longer bristles or thicker centers like on the Lash Blast applicators (I can't see around it so bam! It hits my contacts...). It doesn't create "cat eyes" for me but I can see where the name comes from. For those with longer lashes, I imagine you would use a thicker brush to volumize and these on the corners to define and lift the last few lashes. My lashes are short/sparse enough to use on the entire span.

I applied this mascara at 9AM this morning and it is now midnight. My lashes have not drooped at all which is usually only the case with fibre-infused waterproof mascaras for me. My lashes have grown a little longer these fast few years so these days my main concern is curl and this really delivers just as good as my fave Maybelline Falsies.

There was a slight bit of smudging by early afternoon on my eyelid but light enough I could lightly rub off without affecting my eye makeup. There was no smudging in my undereye area which has occurred with other mascaras, particularly non-waterproof ones.

If you're curious, I've compared it to 3 other Volum' Express mascaras - Turbo Boost, Falsies Flared, and Falsies Black Drama. You can see that the tube is the same, just a different color. However, the brushes differ in shape. The thickness of the bristles are similar in the Cat Eyes and both Falsies. The Turbo Boost is short and thick. The Turbo Boost is also one that absolutely did not work for me, even though waterproof...

Not shown is the original Colossal as it was a work. However, here is a link to that review. I will say that I prefer the Cat Eyes version to the original by far.

Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Cat Eyes Waterproof Mascara in Glam Black is available at most drugstores and discount department stores such as Walmart and Target. It retails for $5-10 depending on place of purchase.

REVIEW: Essence Sun Club 100% Splash-Proof Eyeliner Pen - Ultra Black

I love liquid because it's bolder and sharper than pencil liner but doesn't require a separate brush to apply like creme liner. I hate brush tips as they're too flexible and take longer to apply in my opinion.

I've used Maybelline's Line Works Waterproof Eyeliner with great results but I wanted an applicator tip that was slightly more flexible. The Maybelline is a felt-tip applicator but quite stiff. I have also tried L'Oreal's Waterproof Lineur Intense and the longer, slighty bendier applicator along with the budge-proof jet black pigment won my heart over. It is a great liquid eyeliner and if you use Lancome's Art Liner, this is a a great dupe. (see Beautiful Me's comparison of Artliner vs. Lineur Intense)

Heart being fickle, I decided to try MAC's Penultimate Liquid Eyeliner in Rapidblack. What an insanely precise pen! Unfortunately...it smudged. And by smudged, I mean within an hour, I had black under my eyes and unlike eyeshadow which ends up smokey, smudgey liquid eyeliner looks like Monet stippled your undereyes with a black paint brush.

Fed up but not wanting to return to L'Oreal with my head bowed in shame....I decided to go downmarket instead of up this time. I picked up Essence's Sun Club 100% Splash-Proof Eyeliner Pen in 01 Ultra Black (mouthful much?) for all of $3.49.

Compared to Stila's Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

I like the packaging - it's nothing fancy so I don't feel guilty throwing it into a junky makeup case. It's slim and the snap on cap holds its place with no wiggle. I like the applicator - It's thin enough to be precise but thick enough for a speedy application. It's long enough to stay out of the lashes if you dot between them like I do, but the conical shape means the base is sturdy enough that the brush does not bend too much during application.

Ultra black is also a true black - no green or red or bluish tinge. It has an eggshell finish (painting walls also on my mind, clearly) meaning neither matte nor glossy. A perfect finish as I hate glossy eyeliner but really matte eyeliner looks out of place when paired with shimmery shadow.

As for staying power? It's pretty good but not great. After 12-14 hours, it is still about 80% there if I use it to line just above the upper lash line. However, I usually line only under my upper lash line and this does smudge a couple hours in.

I would say the staying power is about the same as the MAC Penultimate which is not waterproof. However, at $3.49US/$3.49CDN vs $18.50/$22.50CDN, this is an absolute steal.

Conclusion on this cheap thrill? I would still fork out a few dollars more for the truly smudge-proof Maybelline or L'Oreal eyeliner to line under my lashes but this is a great felt tip liquid eyeliner for lining above the lash line. And seriously, at that price you really can afford to have a couple on hand.

On a side note, I do not generally purchase higher end liquid eyeliner or mascara as I go through them really REALLY fast and it's just not worth it for me.

Essence Sun Club 100% Splash-Proof Eyeliner Pen is available in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart and in the US at Ulta for $3.49US/CDN.

REVIEW: L'Oreal Color Riche Intense Lipstick in Pink Carat 383

It's been quite a while since I've purchased a L'Oreal lipstick....even longer since I've purchased anything from the Color Riche line.

I do remember my mom used to love this line because it was quite moisturizing and of course, I'd "borrow" a tube to try out.

During the last L'Oreal warehouse sale, the "Intense" label on this tube of Color Riche called out to me. The color looked to be a coral-pink with shimmer. If it looked as good as it did in the tube, it'd be a great color for the summertime.

That "Intense" sticker is great advertising idea. If I saw similar words like "Bright" or "Pop of Color" or "Bold" I'd totally cave and buy a few tubes, too!

I really like how the label at the bottom is a similar color and even finish (shimmery) as the actual lipstick. Of course, it'd be even better if the top of the lid was clear (like the Revlon lipsticks!) so you can see the actual lipstick but this is better than nothing and also quite cute.

This particular lipstick is as moisturizing as I remember the Color Riche line being. It's more hydrating and feels lighter on the lips than Revlon's Super Lustrous but not as much as Revlon's lip butters.

The color itself is a coral pink with gold shimmer. There is minute grittiness to the texture due to the shimmer but I think you would only notice this if you are really sensitive to such things. I am NC35 and on my skin it's a very easy color to wear, although not particularly interesting.

I have no problems with the texture or staying power of the lipstick (lasts approx. 2-3 hours, which to me is a long time for a moisturizing lip product) but I'm sorely disappointed by the "Intense" claim. The swatch you see above is actually from swiping the lipstick back and forth with a heavy hand 3-4 times. A single swipe would give you a sheer application, not unlike the Color Riche Lip Balms or some of the lighter shades from the Revlon Lip Butter line.

I was expecting something more along the type of bright summer lipcolors the likes of NARS, MAC, and Urban Decay excel at.

So all in all this lipstick is just....okay. It's nothing special and I think this is going back to mom, who likes this line and thinks hot pink lips are a little cuckoo.

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick is available at drugstores and discount department stores for $10-12CDN although it goes on sale regularly for $7-8CDN.

REVIEW: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter (Part 2)

This will be a quick one since I've already reviewed the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters (click here for review).

Just to recap, Revlon describes the Lip Butters as:

- Buttery balm with beautiful shiny color to give you baby soft, healthy glowing lips 94% of women felt lips were softer, smoother, and instantly hydrated.
- Hydrating mango, shea and coconut butter formula boosts lip moisture by 156%
- Pampering gel formula provides super charged hydration and glides on lips buttery smooth
- Sheer to medium color

A month or so ago Shopper's Drug Mart had a crazy deal on these. It was only $3.99 when the regular price is $9.50. Since the Lip Butters are pretty amazing, I had to add to my collection.

I tried to pick shades that are still wearable for me (the others were either too brown or too pale) but different from what I already had. The end result was Tutti Frutti, Berry Smoothie, and Sugar Plum.







Swatches from left to right:

Sugar Plum is a beautiful mauve. This may look a little purple to some (my photo is a little more red than IRL) but once on the lips, it's very natural. The pink and brown dominate so you are safe from purple alien lips. And its pink enough not to wash you out with the brown but brown enough to be muted enough to be a MLBB for some and the perfect color for more
conservative settings.

Berry Smoothie is another super wearable color. This one is less purple-berry and more rosy pink although it is on the cooler side of things. It's a color that's very versatile and goes great with a silvers and golds if you're looking for eyeshadow or lip gloss ideas.

Tutti Frutti is a beautiful coral. It looks quite bold in the tube and after a few coats on the lips, it can be. But those for whom this is just a little too bold or orange? A lighter application with a clear or shimmery gloss overtop would look beautiful for the summer.

I'll be keeping an eye out for Cherry Tart and after that? I think I'm done with the current line. I would absolutely love it if they came out with more finishes. Currently the line is more creams with a few shimmers but I'd like to see pearly and glittery ones, too. Perhaps not as wearable but I think it would add variety to the line up.

How many do you have? Which colors are your favourites?

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters are available wherever Revlon is sold - mainly drugstores and discount department stores. It retails for approx. $7.50US/9.50CDN.

REVIEW: Maybelline Illegal Length Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black

Since moving on from my trusty L'Oreal Voluminous Lash mascara, I've had great luck with fibre-infused formulas and Maybelline mascaras in general.

I was using Maybelline Falsies for a while but started to dislike the clumpiness of the formula, which was one I found to dry very quickly after opening. So I started to use L'Oreal's Voluminous False Lash mascara (read review here) which I really begin to love. If you read that review, it was a positive one but I said I would not buy it again. I started to reconsider that comment because as the formula "aged" and thickened, it seemed to create more volume than before.

Then Maybelline released their Illegal Length mascara and I had to try that out before another tube of Voluminous False Lash was purchased. It seemed to be Maybelline counter part to False Lash. Both had slim architectural-like tubes (the Maybelline version is based off their Lash Stiletto mascara) and use fibre-infused formulas.





I wish I had a comparison with False Lash but it was in my car so here I've pictured it with the Maybelline Falsies and L'Oreal Voluminous Lash (classic) mascaras. As you can see, the brush is thinner and stick straight (like a stiletto!) and the brushes short and further apart.

You'd think it would be easy to tell if a brush works or not by comparison with other brushes - short would grab smaller lashes, thick would help curl and deposit formula, etc. but it definitely is not. A perfect combination of brush and formula has to exist to make luscious lashes happen.

So, would this be the perfect mascara? Would it do what all that False Lash does but provide more volume? Volume, length, curl, and staying power?...







The conclusion? A big fat NOPE!! This mascara has two things going for it - staying power and length. But even that it does not excel in.

The formula is thin and it's hard to imagine there is fibre in there. The first coat is barely there - like the result regular run-of-the-mill mascara gives. After 3 coats, it looks decent but still lacks oomph. I feel like it emphasizes how fine my lashes are. It does last all day without smudging but I suspect it's more due to the thin formula.

It sort of holds a curl. My lashes don't stretch out straight but there is definitely some drooping to my curled lashes. I would say perhaps a 1/4 less curl.

I'd love to say this mascara would work for X, Y, or Z but I can't. I really don't know what type of lashes this mascara would benefit over any other mascara.

So no. Don't buy it.

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara retails around $9US/$11CDN and is available at drug stores and discount department stores.