Best & Worst Drugstore Pencil Eyeliners

From Left to Right: Almay, Neutrogena Nourishing, CoverGirl Liquiline Blast, WetnWild Fergie on Edge, L'Oreal Infallible 16 hr, NYX Slide On, Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl, Essence Long-Lasting, NYC Waterproof, Jordana 12 hr Made to Last, 

Maybelline MasterDrama, L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil, Milani Liquid Eye Liner

After rubbing with dry hand

 After rubbing with water only

 After rubbing with soap & water

I finally took my collection of drugstore, long-wearing pencil eyeliners  and put them through a few tests. I tried to pick the darkest black from every brand, with the exception of Essence, which is shown in dark brown. It is amazing how much more you discover when you compare makeup side by side. Let's just say I was a little surprised by some of the results, and quite happy to discover that some of the best drugstore eyeliners are the ones under $5. Check out my YouTube video for more detail on each.

Ranking (from worst to best):

13. Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner ~ Cosmic Black ~ $8.99

Avail. in 4 shades

12. Almay Eyeliner ~ Black ~ $6.99

Avail. in 6 shades (4th longest lasting)

11. CoverGirl Liquiline Blast ~ BlackFire ~ $7.99

Avail. in 6 shades

10. Wet n Wild Fergie CenterStage On Edge Longwearing Eye Pencil ~ Midnight Girl ~ $3.49

Avail. in 6 shades

9. L'Oreal Infallible 16 HR Neverfail Eyeliner ~ 

Carbon Black ~ $8.99

Avail. in 5 shades

8. NYX Slide On Eyeliner ~ Jet Black ~ $7.99

Avail. in 18 shades (Greatest color variety)

7. L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner ~ 

Carbon Black ~ $9.99

Avail. in 4 shades

6. Maybelline Masterdrama by Eyestudio ~

Midnight Master ~ $7.99

Avail. in 4 permanent shades (also have limited edition colors)

5. Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil ~ Hot Chocolate ~ $2.49

Avail. in 6 shades (3rd longest lasting)

4. NYC Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil ~ Black ~ $2.99

Avail. in 4 shades (2nd longest lasting)

3. Jordana 12 HR Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil ~

Black Point ~ $2.49

Avail. in 6 shades

2. Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Pencil ~ 
Black ~ $4.99

Avail. in 10 shades (2nd largest color variety, longest lasting)

1. Milani Liquid Eyeliner Pencil ~ Black ~ $8.99

Avail. in 7 shades (most black, 5th longest lasting)

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Paints Review + Swatches

Right to Left: Beige, Chestnut Taupe, Rich Russet, Golden Bronze, Magnese Purple

 Chestnut Taupe

 Left to Right (with flash): Manganese Purple. Golden Bronze, Rich Russet, Chestnut Taupe, Beige

YouTube Video Review

These creamy eyeshadows are one of the new launches in the United States from Rimmel. They did already launch in Great Britain a while back, although only in 5 shades. We are lucky enough to get 8 shades. The 4 new shades the U.S. launch includes are Chestnut Taupe, Manganese Purple, Beige, and Garnet. The British launch includes a color called Mercury Silver, which is not part of the U.S. line. Overall, they are a really interesting concept. I love the packaging which looks quite similar to the Rimmel lip glosses. Unfortunately, the packaging and the colors are about all I really like with these eyeshadows. Maybelline's 24 HR Color Tattoos are still the best cream shadow product I have used from the drugstore, especially if you are looking for something that can double as an eyeshadow base. Check out my list of Pros & Cons below. 

Price: $4.99 at Ulta

Pros:

• Good neutral color range with a couple fun colors (Manganese Purple, Garnet)
• Beautiful shimmer/reflective quality on the eyelid without large pieces of sparkle. 
• Most apply creamy, cooling to the lid
• Great packaging - less messy & more hygienic than a classic cream eyeshadow pot. 

Cons:

• NOT Waterproof - although they claim to be. 
• Can crease/fade if you have oily eyelids and don't prime since they are not waterproof. 
• Have no slip/tackiness so cannot be worn as eyeshadow bases.
• No matte color options. All have shimmer.
• Some colors not as pigmented and apply a little streaky (i.e. Manganese Purple).

Final Grade: C-

NYX Butter Lipsticks Review & Swatches

From Right to Left: Hubba Hubba, Fun Size, Fireball

Hubba Hubba, Fun Size, Fireball

I was very excited to see this new launch from NYX for 2014. I have a great love for the NYX Butter Glosses and was really hoping that these lipsticks, marketed under the same line, would hold their own. Unfortunately, the more I use these lipsticks, the less I find myself liking them. Don't get me wrong, the color range is beautiful. It is the sheerness and wear of them that I am not loving. Even for a creamy lipstick that does not claim to be long wearing, I find them to have one of the shortest lifespans on my lips. With all the other great lipsticks coming out in drugstore for Spring 2014, these just fall to the back of my makeup drawer. 

Price: $5.99 - 22 shades

Where to Find: Ulta, http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/p-229-butter-lipstick.aspx

Pros:

• Somewhat hydrating
• Sit nicely on lips - don't settle into fine lines
• Beautiful color range
• Non-sticky
• Price

Cons:

• Poor staying power - even for a cream lipstick
• Pigmentation is a little sheer, especially on the light shades. Have to apply a couple coats for color to show true to packaging. 
• Not as moisturizing as the Butter Glosses. 

Final Grade: C+

Maybelline Color Sensational The Buffs Lip Color Review & Swatches

 Left to Right (with Flash): Blushing Beige, Nude Lust, Truffle Tease, Sin-A-Mon, Stormy Sahara

 Without Flash: Same order as above

 Stormy Sahara - 945

 Sin-A-Mon - 935

 Truffle Tease - 930

**Favorite 

 Nude Lust - 920

Blushing Beige - 915 

**Favorite 

I have always loved Maybelline's Color Sensational line of lipsticks, and last year when they came out with the "Vivids" collection, I was so excited! So considering how much I gravitate towards wearing nude lipsticks, do I even need to tell you how this collection makes me feel? By the way, I apologize for the chapped lips in the swatches. It is just that awful time of year when no matter how well I moisturize or exfoliate, I can't seem to keep them soft enough.

I am thrilled to see more and more variations of nude lipsticks at the drugstore. Their is such a spectrum of skin tones that one nude for everyone does not always work. These lipsticks are some of my favorite nudes I have tried from both drugstore and high end because of how comfortable they feel on the lips. 

Price: $5.49 - $7.99

Where to Find Them: Ulta, any major drugstore, & online at any of the major stores websites (i.e. Walmart.com, Target.com).

Pros: 

• Creamy, smooth application
• Feel hydrating
• Good color payoff
• Great nude color variety for any skin tone
• Affordable

Cons:

• Lighter shades can accentuate fine lines, dryness of lips
• Not super long staying power - about what you would expect for a creamy formula. (Maybelline is not making the claim that they are long wearing). 

Final Grade: A+ 

Love these lipsticks! Definitely worth checking out if you like nude lipsticks!

Revlon Age Defying CC Cream Review

YouTube Video Review + Demo

New launch from Revlon for 2014. This CC cream is supposed to hydrate, smooth, brighten, cover flaws, and even skin tone. It appears the new craze this coming Spring will be CC Creams. The supposed superstar sister to the quite popular BB creams, CC creams are supposed to offer even more benefits. Specifically, CC stands for color correction (i.e. more evening of skin tone and better coverage). I have yet to be overly impressed with the U.S. versions of CC creams. This new one from Revlon has yet to change my mind. Below is my list of pros and cons with the Revlon Age Defying CC cream and thoughts.

Pros:

• Good hydration (especially for dry skin)
• Has SPF 30
• Nice packaging (Squeeze tube makes for easy use without a mess or contamination of product)

Cons:

• Did not do very much for evening skin tone on initial application or over time.
• Has poor coverage (sheer to light). Did nothing for flaws.
• Heavy moisture content (so if you are combo to oily, you may find it makes skin too oily)
• PRICE! About $13.99 for 1 oz. 

Final Grade: C-  

Would NOT repurchase. 

Best Hair Masks / Treatments

Video Review on YouTube

Years of trial and error have led me to finding some pretty amazing hair masks for my thick, dry, and frizz-prone hair. The masks/treatments featured below are truly some of the best in regards to imparting shine, moisture, body, and styling manageability. 

Drugstore Options:

12. Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment ~ $3.99 

www.ulta.com, www.drugstore.com, Walmart, Target

11. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Recovery Hair Mask ~ $5.99 - 7.99 (for 6 oz)

www.ulta.com, www.drugstore.com, Walmart, Target

10. John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shine Release Moisturizing Conditioner ~ $5.99 (for 8.45 fl oz)

www.drugstore.com, Ulta

9. Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ~ $8.79 (for 16 oz)

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Coconut-Oil-Ounce/dp/B003B3OOPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384277525&sr=8-1&keywords=coconut+oil

8. Matrix Biolage Ultra Hydrating Balm ~ $16 - 20 (for 8.5 fl oz)

Ulta, Hair Cuttery, http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=86393&catid=183410

7. Redken Smooth Lock Butter Treatment ~ $16.50 (for 8.5 fl oz)

Ulta, Hair Cuttery

6. Redken All Soft Heavy Cream Treatment ~ $16.50 (for 8.5 fl oz)

Ulta, Hair Cuttery

5. It's A 10 Miracle Hair Mask ~ $30 (for 8.5 fl oz)

Ulta, Hair Cuttery

4. MoroccanOil Intense Hydrating Mask ~ $34.60 (8.5 fl oz)

http://www.moroccanoil.com/usa/h_us_en/intense-hydrating-mask-319, Nordstrom

3. Wella Brilliance Treatment for Coarse, Colored Hair ~ $29 (for 16.9 fl oz)

Ulta, http://www.wella.com/en-US/salon-finder.aspx

2. DermOrganic Intensive Hair Repair Masque ~ $16 (for 8 fl oz)

http://www.dermorganic.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3, Ulta

1. Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque ~ $36 (for 8.5 fl oz)

http://www.macadamiahair.com/products/detail/deep_repair_masque, www.folica.com, Ulta

Best & Worst Drugstore Concealers for Acne / Blemishes

Their are so many different drugstore concealers claiming to be the best for coverage. I decided to test out 10 of the most popular drugstore concealers for spot coverage (acne, discoloration, blemishes) and see how well they held up throughout the day. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised by several. An in-depth video is up on YouTube. Below is my ranking of the 10 I tested out (10 being the worst, 1 the best).

10. NYX Full Coverage Concealer in a Jar ~ Shade Beige ~ $4.99

9. Revlon Photoready Concealer ~ Shade Light ~ $9.99

8. L'oreal True Match Concealer ~ Shade W 1-2-3 ~ $8.99

7. NYX Waterproof Concealer Stick ~ Shade Beige ~ $4.99

6. Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette ~ Shade Light ~ $10.49

5. Maybelline Super Stay 24 Concealer ~ Shade Cream ~ $7.99

4. NYX HD Photogenic Concealer ~ Shade Beige ~ $4.99

3. Almay Clear Complexion Concealer ~ Shade Light/Medium ~ $7.99

2. Hard Candy Glamoflouge Concealer ~ Shade Medium Light ~ $6.00

1. L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Crayon Concealer ~ Shade N 4-5-6 ~ $8.99