Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara Review

 

Hey lovelies! I was raving to Kia about the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara, so she asked that I share my thoughts with all of you on the blog. Well, it’s been a few weeks and I’ve had time to really form an opinion about this product.

First, let me tell you that this mascara was brought to my attention by watching others’ reviews and hearing how much they loved it. Secondly, before I decided to search for this mascara, I visited the Five Below in my area for something totally different, and happened upon it for three bucks. Done deal in my book! So, if you decide to give this mascara a try, check your area Five Below first :o)

The first few times I used the mascara, I was doing make up on the go. I had to do five-minute looks in the car. I loved it! It made my lashes nice and bold, black and gave the volume I was looking for. Winning, right?

Well, when I finally took my time with the mascara, as I created a more intricate look, I found a couple of things that leave more to be desired from this product. Here’s a list of the pros and cons.

PROS

Volumizing

Lengthening

Darkens lashes well

Defines lashes well

CONS

Causes spider lashes when building

Defines lashes, but some become stuck together

Dries really fast

Here’s how I overcame the issues I had with the mascara:

I monitored how much mascara was on the wand when I took it out of the well and adjusted it as necessary. I know this is a step that we all take, but I had to do this more than usual with this particular mascara.

Secondly, I used a disposable mascara wand to separate my lashes and take away any excess mascara, while they were still wet. I did this to ensure that my lashes didn’t look like spiders.

In my opinion, this is not mascara that you can really build on and separate lashes without having a clumpy look. However, because it dries pretty quickly, if you’re a one and done type of girl that doesn’t obsess over every lash being in a specific place, this will work just fine for you. For three bucks, it’s definitely doable. However, I won’t be using it in lieu of my L’Oreal Voluminous anytime soon. So far, I have been using it along with other mascaras, since I do appreciate the volumizing effect of the Rimmel Lash Accelerator. If you currently use this mascara, be sure to tell us what you think. Also, let us know what your fave mascara is. Until next time… Make up, not war.

Fast Friends with NYX Butter Glosses Merengue and Creme Brulee

NYX says: "Buttery soft and silky smooth, our scrumptious new Butter Lip Gloss tastes as sweet as a sugar cookie—and makes your lips look downright luscious. Swipe it on alone or over your favorite lipstick for creamy sheer to medium coverage that melts onto your lips and is never sticky."

Yup, that's about right! I purchased the NYX Butter Glosses in Merengue which is a pink lilac, and  Creme Brulee which is described as natural or I would call it a tan/pinky nude.  These are nice creme glosses that are sheer to medium in opaqueness.  They aren't a jelly gloss, nor are they full on creme lipstick, but these glosses do have color.  The colors aren't shy, but aren't too bold to make you feel overdone.  We've become fast friends and I may purchase more as there are 12 shades in total to choose from. These retail at about $5.99.  I purchased mine at a neighborhood drugstore, but NYX is showing up every where...even in Target! 

Have you tried these?  What do you think?

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation Review

First BB creams, now we have a ‘naked’ explosion.  Not bad for Urban Decay which has a line of Naked products.  Revlon leads the pack for the drugstore variety.


I found myself interested in the Nearly Naked foundation because I was growing weary of my thicker, fuller coverage foundations. I wanted something lighter, something fresher. While a tinted moisturizer would usually remedy that need, I’m an oily girl and tend to stay away from those. With Nearly Naked being an accessible item at the drugstore, it fit the bill and I was all in.

About Revlon Nearly Naked foundation:

“Revlon’s breakthrough nearly naked makeup balances skin and makeup so they work in perfect harmony. With buildable coverage and seamless blending, you are sure to cover flaws and perfect your skin’s tone and texture. No heavy cakey or greasy mess.

Available in 16 true to tone shades.”


What I like:

With a helpful little guide at the store, I was able to narrow my foundation of choice down to Warm Beige. I like that for a “nearly naked” foundation, I don’t feel naked. I do feel like I’m wearing slightly more than a tinted moisturizer, but leaving out the grease factor. The foundation feels weightless, but it doesn’t disappear on my skin. I do set this foundation with a powder. Right now, my powder of choice is my MAC Studiofix powder. There is no crazy transference, but I don’t think it’s budge proof.  This makes a January favorite product of the month!

What I don’t like:

There’s not much to not like. I’m loving this! The only qualm I will have is that you won’t find the full range of shades everywhere. The shades go all the way up to cappucino.

UPDATE:  I tested out the wear more and for an oily girl, a primer is definitely needed.  This product isn't oil  free, so it seemed to break down on my skin after a full day's wear (I could see pores, appeared to need refreshing or just wipe my face clean all together).  I've heard you get better results with a primer, so I'm going to update once I try it with the Black Radiance Primer.

Have you tried this? Here is me wearing the foundation.  I concealed under my eyes with Kevin Aucoin’s SX10, but the rest is the Nearly Naked foundation and Studiofix powder and a bit of bronzer for contour.  I bought the matching powder in Medium Deep, but I'm still on the fence about it.

Rimmel Stay Glossy Lip Gloss Review

I ran across Rimmel Stay Glossy lip gloss on an enticing end cap, showcasing colors recommended by hair color.  I don't have red hair, but Non Stop Glamour looked like a cheap thrill ($3.99) that I didn't want to pass up.   With  a range of 8 colors, I was interested.  My last Rimmel purchases of lipstick by Kate Moss were divine, these should follow suit.

I got home, popped the safety plastic and noticed the wand.  The wand was the firm, stick sponge deal that I'm not really a fan of.  I prefer a small brush.  Then.. SNIFF.   A repackaged Rimmel Underground product?

This won't go on my HG list, but I am pleased with this gloss as it doesn't run clear as soon as you put it on your lips.  It's a great lipstick topper and a great mixing gloss to pair with bold statement lips when you don't want to be so bold. Non sticky, decent pigment at a great price.

This product has been out for a few years.  Have you tried Rimmel Stay Glossy gloss?  What are your thoughts?

Spoiled's Trust Fund Baby

I've been finalizing my selections from MAC's Glamour Daze collection and I was undecided about the polish, Everything that Glitters. Should I get it?  Can I replicate that from my own polish stash?

Strolling through CVS, where I saw the Essence of Beauty Premium Blending Brush, I also checked out the Spoiled polishes to see if anything was new.  Trust Fund Baby caught my eye.  It's not a new polish, but one of Spoiled's hits. 

Holy crap! Trust Fund Baby over black is Everything That Glitters on crack!  ETG has smaller, more dense turquoise, pink and gold glitters in a black base and $17.50.  TFB has larger more sparse glitters in a clear base and $1.99 at the drugstore.

Soooo, that means no Everything That Glitters for me.  I love Trust Fund Baby!

Do you have either?? What are your thoughts?

Essence of Beauty Premium Blender Brush

I loved my Sephora makeup sponge, similar to the  Beauty Blender sponge,  so I was immediately drawn to this Essence of Beauty Premium Blender Brush when I saw it in CVS!  A beauty blender sponge on a stick?  I'll take it, but it was a bit awkward that this  beauty tool reminded  me of this.  Imagine how awkward I felt when the sales associate in Brookestone told me what it was  -___-

This blender sponge retails for $7.99 at CVS.  Reasonable, but I need a coupon or discount at least :p

Janelle Monae is our newest CoverGirl!

On the heels of Pink's announcement as a new face of CoverGirl, yesterday it was announced that Janelle Monae is also a CoverGirl.  With her unique sense of style and artistry, I'd love to see what her face brings to the brand.  I'm so excited that she has joined CoverGirl!

Janelle Monae on becoming a CoverGirl:
“I believe it’s time that women truly owned their superpowers and used their beauty and strength to change the world around them,” said Monáe. “One of my core values is to help redefine what it means to be a strong and beautiful woman in the music and fashion worlds and to empower the wonderful things that make us unique. Becoming a COVERGIRL is truly an honor and a gift: it opens up a new platform for me to inspire women to feel stronger, braver and more beautiful inside and out."

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation Review

Many of us are familiar with True Match foundation by L'Oreal.  Now comes an updated version of this foundation now titled: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup ($13).  This foundation is said to contain 3 powerful ingredients to improve your complexion: 40% water for hydration, vitamins C and E... AND liquid light technology for a luminous finish.

Like I said in my review of the Maybelline BB cream, regardless of being oily, I opted to try this foundation even though it claims to be luminous and hydrating... #deathtooilygirls.  Read on to see my thoughts on this foundation.

My sister, Toni P, uses True Match as one of her go to foundations after her favorite HiP foundation was discontinued.  I haven't tried the original True Match, but knew I wanted to get my hands on this formulation.

Pros:
-Light weight
-Light to medium coverage
-Glass bottle with a nifty pump
-Vitamins E and C
-Satin to dewy finish
-Great for running errands or getting dolled up
-15 shades
-SPF 18

Cons:
-Luminous = Glittah!
-Shade range seems a bit dodgy

L'Oreal seems to have come out with this new Lumi line, which in my opinion competes with Revlon's Photoready line.  Photoready foundation adds a bit of sparkle to our favorite ColorStay foundation and thins it out "at the same DAMN time"-- sorry for the FUTURE reference; I can't help it these days, LOL.   Same with True Match Lumi; it has a bit of sparkle in it for the luminous finish, when original True Match is sans sparkle.    When I applied the foundation (with my MAC #130) it goes on  thin and is wet. The 40% water, perhaps?  You have to give it a second to dry down (similar to MAC's Prolong Wear foundation).  Even though I'm oily, this luminous finish didn't bother me.  The foundation looked and felt more natural and polished in real life.  In pictures, it's a bit more luminous... "Blot that T-zone!"  See my pictures above for reference.  I would have bought this foundation sooner if I didn't feel confused about which foundation was right for me.  I ended up with W6 Sun Beige for my NC44 skin tone (really NC43 if it existed).  This shade seemed to be my best bet.  I wish this foundation was  a touch richer in color pigments, but this matched me decently enough. I'm not sure if that will be the case for everyone. This foundation makes a nice addition to drugstore foundation options.

Have you tried this foundation.  Do you prefer it to the original True Match formulation?

My Maybelline BB Cream Review

Asian BB (beauty balm, blemish balm, blemish base) creams have finally hit mainstream cosmetic companies in the US; Garnier, Revlon and Maybelline have them.  I decided to try Maybelline Dream Fresh BB cream as I felt their shades catered to my skin tone.  I'm NC44 and got the medium/deep BB cream.

Touted as a 8 in 1 skin perfector (blurs imperfections, brightens, evens skin tone, smooths, hydrates, enhances, protects with SPF 30, 0% oils and heavy ingredients) I was excited to try this, despite the hydrating claim, which is usually a no-no for my oily skin type.  I fell for the hype and tried it any way.  Here are my pros and cons after I giving it a test run:

Pros:
Light weight
Decent range of shades
Great for dry skin types
Great for those that don't like foundation
Great for those that want a bit of makeup without wearing a makeup look
Great for teens getting into  a makeup routine (with a dry skin type!)
SPF 30

Cons:
Not for the #teamoilygirls

While I was a bit impressed by the less-than-a-tinted-moisturizer feel (no coverage, slight tint), this balm had me greasy.  I would have had to set this balm with blot powder.  I would even feel uncomfortable wearing this in the cooler, drier months.

This was a no-go for your girl; FAIL, but I'm sure this will make a lot of women happy.  A bit of pampering for the skin without the "I'm wearing a heavy foundation makeup" look.

Have you tried this? What's your skin type?  What do you think of it?

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Hey family! My Summer is going pretty well, especially now that I have a computer again! *applause* I hope Summer is treating you well also!  I can now blog normally and tell you guys about what's going on in my cosmetic and beauty adventures.  I hope you've been following along with some of my shenanigans via Twitter and Instagram :D

One of my first posts on Instagram was a pic of my Balm Stain purchase.  I picked up two.  With the love I had for the lip butters, I was sure that the Balm Stains were going to be pretty lipstick friends.

Did they exceed expectations or disappoint??  I tried them out, the colors weren't too bad-- a light lilac and a peachy nude.  The feel and texture of the lip products were decent. The stain from the colors I had weren't too deep or dark, but reasonable.  However, I was left unimpressed. This is a balm stain, so you wear the balm then a stain is left behind.  I wasn't crazy about the balm-- it's a bit creamy.  The stain left behind from both colors I got were very similar on my natural lip color. I wanted the stains to be different colors. No bueno.  While these work for plenty of people, I have way too many lip products to not be in love with these. I returned them.  For just two at regular price, I was able to pay for a basket of toiletries with a few bucks being returned to me.  Good.

I imagine that one day I'll find a stain that can be topped with a glossy topcoat for an innocent juicy, popsicle lip look.  This product comes closer than any other lip stain I've tried.  

Have you tried these?  What do you think of them?

Nars Sin vs Black Radiance Plum Sorbet... Dupes? Pictures and Swatches

Hi guys!!
I'm loving the Black Radiance Artisan Color Baked blushes.  I wasn't sure what Plum Sorbet had in store, but once I swatched it I was reminded of another blush I own, Nars Sin.  I set out to compare them.  In the skin swatch (top photo) Nars is on the left and Black Radiance is on the right. Nars is a bit more rosey with a golden sheen while Plum Sorbet is a hint more true plum.  On my medium- NC43 (NC42 and 44 mixed, lol) skin, the two look very similar. that I can't tell them apart when wearing them blended like normal blush.  Heavier swatches may reveal their differences, but I won't wear them that way.  For all intents and purposes, they are dupes in my book.  Try them on your skin and tell me what you think!

Are you following me on Instagram where I post most of these pics first?

First Look: New Black Radiance Bronzer in Blackberry Photos and Swatches

(Swatches Blackberry bronzer l-r: blended out, single swipe)

I saw a few new items from Black Radiance in the drugstore over the weekend.  This was the most unique item.  Blackberry bronzer is a swirl of darkest grape or blackberry, lilac and caramel for a the deepest bronze glow I've ever seen.   I tried it on me with a skunk brush (MAC #187) and it appeared like smoke, sheer black with a sheen to it. I can't wait to use it on the right skin tone!

Have you seen this or tried it? 

Go Mommy Go!: Maybelline Color Tattoos

Ahh! It's been quite a while since I've done one of these posts.  Welcome back.  My Go Mommy Go! series is a series of posts showcasing products, tips, tricks, and topics of discussion to help moms on the go and busy women alike work makeup into their high speed routines to stay fabulous.

I'm sure you've heard so much about the new Maybelline Color Tattoos ($6-$8, varies by retailer).  If not, read on:  They are the drugstore version of MAC paint pots.  I'm a big paint pot fan as well as a huge fan of Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream colors.  Both of the higher end lines offer cream shadows that stay put throughout daily wear.  They can be used as a lid color or eye shadow base.  Multi-tasking products? Major bonus.  You can now get all of this is a drugstore line.  Yes, go and get these.  You need them.

Maybelline offers ten colors ranging in a few neutrals to colorful shades.  Heres's what Maybelline says:
"Dare to wear our longest-lasting shadow. Our ink technology creates super-saturated color.
Cream gel smoothes on for vibrant color that does not fade"

I picked up Tough as Taupe (cream), Painted Purple (cream), Fierce and Tangy (cream) and Edgy Emerald (cream)

Clockwise from top left: Taugh as Taupe, Painted Purple, Fierce and Tangy and Edgy Emerald

Swatched in same order as above

 

Since starting this post, I've picked up more everyday wearable colors such as Pomegranate Punk (soft cranberry color with slight shimmer) and Bad to the Bronze (soft bronze shimmer).  I'm missing the Too Cool (white), Bold Gold (soft yellow gold shimmer) and Audacious Asphalt (silver shimmer).  I use pomegranate punk and bad to the bronze often.  Move over paint pots!  These offer an easy, fool proof way to add color and the effect (when I applied with my fingers) isn't over the top, but work appropriate.

These will definitely pop up in some future looks (I need some Go Mommy Go! vids on YouTube!)  For now, check out a vid from Maybelline:

Glitter Love

I thought I was sort of over my glitter phase since I have quite a few that I haven't worn, but here is more glitter love that I've acquire over the past week:

Glitters: LA Girls Nostalgic, Spoiled by Wet N Wild Jewelry Heist, Milani Hot Pink and Sephora by OPI To the Glitter End!

Swatched the same as above

Let's try descriptions: Nostalgic is a sea foam green, turquoise that  has small glitter mixed with huge hexagonal glitter of the same color.  Jewelry Heist grabbed me because it was a twist on rose pink glitters. Huge rose pink and gold hex glitters, tiny multi colored square and hex glitter. Milani Hot Pink is huge hex hot pink glitters mixed with fewer 3D silver hex glitters... silver but depending on what angle it reflects blue,green, yellow,etc. and lastly Til the Glitter End! is a dark silver, pewter glitter.  I have a black glitter and the glitters don't shine, so this for me is an alternative.

These are all better used as layering glitters.  Nostalgic is on my current mani and Hot Pink looks like a great Vday mani for the win!

Two gripes here:
1- Sephora by OPI retails for $9.50.  I can get OPI retail $8;  online for cheaper.  I'm over it already.  This may be my last polish by Sephora by OPI.  I love the collection mini sets though.
2- I think the Spoiled by Wet N Wild collection is solid.  It covers neutrals, brights, glitters, grays and blackened/deepened colors, cool names and all with an affordable price tag. BUT.. this brush for the glitter is ridic and ugly.  I don't polish my own nails often or think much about the brush, but when even trying to swatch the glitter this brush caught me by surprise.  While it's supposed to be tapered, the end of the bristles looks unruly giving the brush a thicker spread at the bottom. It was really awkward when trying to place the glitter. I seriously hope the brush in the regular colors are not like this.  Is this a problem for you guys???

See what I mean?

Are you in glitter love right now?  What are your favorite glitters?

CoverGirl Lash Fanatic Mascara Review

I've been on a roll with the mascara reviews, huh? Today, I'm showing you one of the new CoverGirl Queen Collection products, the Lash Fanatic Mascara!

CoverGirl says:
"Get up to 2x* the look of more lashes rain or shine!* The mircochannels in each bristle of our Lash Surround brush smoothly and precisely deliver mascara to each and every lash - creating the look of more lashes.
*vs. bare lashes"

 

I received the Lash Fanatic mascara in very black for review.  If you are a long time reader of my blog, you know that I'm a Queen Collection fan!  I love most of the items including the bronzers, foundations and powders.  (I'm holding out hope on the concealers.)  Knowing that a new mascara would be added to the line up made me very happy. I was a fan of the LashExact and VolumeExact (VolumeExact is being discontinued. ) so I had high hopes for this mascara.

Let's see how it performed:

Met expectations: Nice black color, no flaking, held lashes in place, decent lengthening and volumizing formula; performed as CoverGirl said it would.
Nice to have: No outrageous clumps, good every day mascara.
Didn't meet expectations? I wanted a little more from this mascara in the volume department... but that's just me.  Lash Fanatic is such a great name, I wanted to believe it would have been more like "FALSE Lash Fanatic"
.

 

The brush:  This brush is a wand with rubbery bristles, which for some is love or hate.  For me I don't have much of a preference these days.  With that said, this brush's bristles are bit more tight knit than usual rubber wands.  My lashes were coated well with one to two coats.  I piled on the mascara trying to build it up and see if I could get intense volume.  I got close enough for my liking and the close knit, strong rubber bristles kept clumps at bay.  Very nice!

Overall, this is a good every day mascara that you can build the volume on from daytime pretty to going out.  Lash Fanatic struck a good balance in the lengthening and volumizing department.  This mascara also held my lashes up without being being dry and brittle.

This mascara retails for approx. $7.

Have you tried this yet?  Do you have a favorite CoverGirl mascara?

Drugstore Paparazzi's Lust

I'm sure I have something close enough to all of all of these colors in my stash, but I want all six colors from the Essie Go Overboard Collection (1 of 3 Spring 2012 collections from Essie.)

I spotted a new display of Wet N Wild at a Rite Aid, but where are the new Megalast lipstick colors in my area?? *sigh*

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara Review with Photos!

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black is my holy grail mascara.  I had to put it to rest a little while back as my eyes formed a sensitivity to the formula or something.  Now, I claim Maybelline The Falsies as my go-to mascara.  I've skipped quite a few mascara releases.  Why fix something that's not broke?  I've been through enough mascaras to now know what I want and what works for me and what doesn't.

Well the raves and pictures around the web lured me into the seduction of the False Fiber Lashes' fat, gold, shiny tube. Listen to the claims: volumizing fibers, false lash/ sculpted lash effect; longer, sculpted and curled lash look from every angle.

If you're a reader that's been around for a while, you'll know that I'm a volumizing mascara type of girl.  That's criteria #1 for me.  Did this mascara deliver for my average length, thin lashes?

 

Bare lashes

After mascara application

Don't ask me how many coats this is.  I have a pretty extensive mascara application process. (Roll, wiggle and tease.. approx 5-8 mins to complete, lol)

The formula for me was a standard volumizing formula.  The fibers are supposed to wrap and encase your lashes.  Yeh, I'll go with that.

The wand is a decent one. Not too fat and not too thin.  Just right.  I was disappointed that I didn't get to see the cobalt blue brush before dipping it into the mascara.  Seeing the cobalt blue bristles is just a preference, but wouldn't have anything to do with the look of my lashes, hehe.

The volume of my lashes from the mascara was a bit impressive.  ALMOST the look of mascara and primer on lashes without the primer.  I was taken aback by my dad's comment to me before heading out to a family dinner... "Your lashes look magazine worthy."  I heard mascara gods opening the clouds. WOW.  My dad is into details, but generally won't say too much unless when asked.  Unsolicited comments from him are usually about a lip or nail color... or fragrance lol.  They are still few and far between.

Volumized? Yes.  Sculpted? Maybe.  Curled? ..ehhh.  Satisfied? Yes. Impressed? Yes.  Would I repurchase again? Definitely.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Coffee Cake Product Review and Swatches

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush is a lightweight powder that melts into a cream according to Maybelline.   When I tried this I didn't think it was a powder at all.  It feels like a hardened, dense mousse.  Once applied, it doesn't settle down as an emollient cream, but a cross between a cream and silky refined powder.

Sorry that the blush doesn't look picture perfect.  I had to try this blush instantly when I bought it. Often times, picture taking comes second, lol.    I don't mind that you see the blush in this messy state.  In fact, it's important that you see this side of the product.    The name of the blush will lead you to believe that once you touch it, it will bounce back into its dome shape.  Not so much.   It moves around like play dough.  It doesn't keep neatly in its pot. 

The blush is not super pigmented, at least in this color 60 Coffee Cake.  This quality has its pros and cons.  Pro? It makes it a fool proof product so that you don't over apply and look like a clown.  Con? You may have to swipe a few times to build up the intensity that you desire.  More swipes, more pushing on the product. I wish the blush could bounce back into the dome shape.

Swipe on the finger.  

I was hoping the picture would show you that I didn't pick up a lot of product on this finger after one full swipe.

Left, one swipe; right, heavy swatch

Coffee Cake is a neutral, tan, peachy/rosey brown.

Overall, the product behavior in the pan didn't turn me away from this product.  I love this blush!  Lately, I've been doing the less is more look and this falls right into the scheme of things.   I nice little glow on my cheeks, not an oily glow, but a polished makeup glow.  This product also has the teensiest bit of shimmer, but barely noticeable.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush, $7-8

Do you have one of these blushes?  Which is your favorite color?

L'Oreal Charming Cockatoo's Gaze Shadow Palette: Ease into Spring (Blue, Purple and Lime)

I started this post and look by wanting to solely showcase L'Oreal's limited edition Charming Cockatoo's shadow palette from the Project Runway Take Flight collection.  However, 1. I had to add some personal flare to it, 2. Discuss the collection inspiration and 3. Realize this was a Spring FOTD.

When the collection hit the stores, I was very excited, but limited myself to 3 products: 2 blushes and one nail polish, the infamous Owl's Night.  It's been a few months since the collection has been out and in most place sold out, but at my local Bed Bath and Beyond one shadow palette lingered, begging for me to bring it home. I obliged.

The palette I finally purchased was the Charming Cockatoo's Gaze Shadow Palette.  I've been very amused by cosmetic companies' names for products and the story behind the inspiration.  It all helps me to appreciate the colors and the feel of the collections.  For this collection, the theme was birds.  Die hard PR fans will understand the theme behind this collection.  I didn't watch Project Runway this season (shame, shame, but I do know who won! ) , but a quick google search clued me in to how the exotic birds correlate to the designer's clothes... it was a challenge! (Season 9, Ep.11)  While the cockatoo featured on the show was your standard white cockatoo with a yellow crest, I think those designing the cosmetics may have had the Palm Cockatoo in mind. 

I did a video tutorial on how I used the shadow for a blue look (if you haven't noticed, navy is my favorite color right now).  Truth is, I wasn't feeling it.  I chucked the false lashes and was about to wash off the look, but decided to experiment.  I added purple liquid liner on top of my black liquid winged liner and added a lime green liner on my bottom lids.  Can I tell you I fell in love (even if my eyebrows came out a little too red)?  This is subtly colorful and neutral all at the same time.  A perfect look for me to welcome Spring (in the retail world that is!)

All shadows had decent pigmentation.  A plus for one of our favorite drugstore brands!

Deets!
FACE
Revlon PhotoReady Mousse foundation
NYC Bronzer in 720A Sunny
MAC Mystery Powder

EYES
MAC Studio Finish concealer NW25
MAC Nubile paint pot
L'Oreal Charming Cockatoo's Gaze shadow palette
(sparkly nude on lid, light blue in crease and bottom lid, deep blue in outer v)
MAC Superslick liquid liner in Smoky Heir
MAC Petrol Blue Pearlglide liner
MAC Colour Matters Technakohl eyeliner (lime liner)

CHEEKS
MAC Love Rush blush
MAC Porcelain Pink MSF

LIPS
NYX Smoky Look lip gloss (not pictured)

Did you get anything from this collection? Did you like the designs that were inspired by the birds?