Review: 2 NYC Lipsticks!

I strongly feel that NYC is a brand that gets overlooked at times because of how cheap the products are. I think people assume that if the products don't cost much then they must not be any good. While yes, some of NYC products do such, they have a vast array of products that are actually fairly good, among them their lipsticks. I was at Target a couple of weeks ago and picked up two lipsticks to try out.

First one is Caramel:

Caramel is part of the Ultra Last collection. I actually purchased it because it reminded me a lot of a lipstick I've got from Lancome called Natural Glimmer. Both are glimmery bronzes that give lips this gorgeous bronzy/metallic glow.

The next one I got was a red called Retro Red:

Retro Red is from the Ultra Moist line. It's a true, blue based red. I picked it up because I don't really have a true red and it looks awesome under a balm in the summer for that super kissable lip look.

Caramel:

It's a bit more orange in real life.

Retro Red:


Some swatches:

L to R, Caramel (light application), Caramel (heavy application), Retro Red.

Caramel:

I applied it very lightly here. It gives my lips this bare sheen that is soooo pretty! It looks amazing with dark bronze eye makeup.

Retro Red:

I applied it lightly over my C. O. Bigelow Rose Balm for a really moist look.

Overall, my experience with NYC lipsticks has almost always been a positive one. Like many women, I've used NYC products since junior high and I'm proud to say that I still like them, haha! That being said, there are a few warnings I'd like to give out in regards to NYC lip products. First off, beware of shimmer. Many of the shades have very frosty finishes so if you're not a fan of the shimmer be careful when choosing a shade. Also, be careful when opening/closing the lipsticks. One of my pet peeves with the packaging is how the actual lipsticks don't retract all the way into the tube. I suppose part of the strategy there is so that consumers can view the shades more accurately. However, it becomes a problem when I'm in a hurry and end up nicking the lipstick when I open/close it. It's not a major inconvenience, but be careful.

On a more positive note, these lipsticks are incredibly pigmented. I'm not really that big a fan of super dark lipsticks, but for around a dollar they really are pretty good. Especially the red, if you look at the swatch above. It's super vibrant, not sheer, like many other discount lipsticks. Also, the price is great if you are looking to experiment with shades. Again, I don't usually wear red lipstick and was looking to experiment with a lip combo for a summery look. I know that I'll probably never finish the tube so spending close to $10 on another drugstore lipstick doesn't make sense to me. It's a great value to be able to try out a shade for around a dollar.

Now, as for the promises the lipsticks make (Ultra Last and Ultra Moist), while they're not amazing, surprisingly they don't all together fail either. The Ultra Last in Caramel lasted almost five hours on my lips. Granted I didn't eat or drink, but that's pretty good in my book. The Ultra Moist lasted less, but that was because I applied it over a balm for a more watered down effect. While both aren't the most moisturizing lipsticks, neither did they dry my lips out. Of the two Retro Red is the more moist. It has a more creamier consistency and goes on smoother. Caramel is a bit drier in texture, but that does help it last longer on the lips. In general, for around a dollar you really can't go wrong trying out a shade or two.

Info:

Price:

Retro Red: $0.97
Caramel:$1.74

Ingredients:

Retro Red: Ricinus Communis(Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic, Capric Triglyceride, Ozokerite, Euphorbia(Candelilla)Wax, Ethylexyl Palmitate, Ceresin, Ppg-2, Myristyl Ester Propionate, Beeswax, Lanolin Oil, Peg-4, Diheptanoate, Petrolatum, Hexadecene Copolymer, Coperinicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Wax. Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Fragrance, Propylparaben, Tin Oxide, Silica. May Contain Mica,Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Red Lake 6, Red Lake 7, Red Lake 27, Blue Lake 1, Carmine

Caramel: Ricinus Communis (Castor)Seed Oil,Octyldodecanl, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla)Wax, Tridecyl Stearage, Neplentyl Glycol Dicaprylate, Dicaptrate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacladipate-2, Peg-4 Diheptanotae, Polyethylene, Peg-8 Beeswax, Vp-Hexadecene Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba)Seed Oil, Beeswax, Tocopheryla Acetate, Propyparaben. May Also Contain Tin Oxide, Silica. May Contain Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 27 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Carmine.

Disclosure: The products featured in this post were bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Summer Nails Part 2 (NYC, Sally Hansen, & Milani!)

Here's another summer nail post! This time, with cheaper nail polish, too.
Left to right, NYC Molten Metal (from an earlier collection, but you can probably find it on ebay/a dupe), Sally Hansen Bronze Ambition, and Milani Electric Pink.

Oh, and FYI, THE PICTURES ARE NOW CLICK-ABLE, SO CLICK IF YOU'D LIKE A CLOSER LOOK AT ANY OF THEM!!!

Ok, first up, NYC Molten Metal:

This is two coats. It's a sheer color, so I would recommend layering it over another color. It looks great over Wet n' Wild's Black Creme. I'll post a pic of the combo later. It is uber glittery! I've noticed that metalic shades always make a big com back in the spring and summer, and this ones a good choice, if a bit annoying to apply due to it's lack of opacity.

Next up is Sally Hansen's Bronzed Ambition:

Now, I'm not a big fan of the Sally Hansen Salon line. I feel that SH puts the word "salon" on just about any crappy nail polish to trick hopeful consumers into snapping them up. Unfortunately, it is true with the formula of this line. The brush is a bit smaller than I'd like, so application is a uncomfortable and streaky. However, every now and then a shade comes along that I just have to get. This polish got my attention immediately. It's a super glitzy, glittery, warm shade of bronze. If you have a tan, this shade will look killer on you! Also, the shimmery shades in the Salon line do apply better than the creme/matte shades, which is a plus. I'd just be careful applying more than two coats. If you absolutely need to, go with super thin coats otherwise you will have a mess on you hands, no pun intended, as these polishes take eons to dry. And I think that SH is phasing this line out (to be replaced with the new Complete Salon Manicure line), so snap this shade up while you still can. I've still seen these in a couple of Walgreen's, so hurry! There's also a silver version of this color if you're interested!

Last but not least, Milani Electric Pink:

This one was actually given to me by a friend, and is A LOT brighter than the picture shows. Think neon. I love this shade for my feet. On my hands it feels a bit too much, but I love how much attention my feet get whenever I wear this color. I always get compliments when I do. The formula is good, too! It dries in a reasonable amount of time and is super shiny. It's usually a lot shinier than the pic above shows. I've had to thin this polish out with nail polish remover cause I've used it so much that it was getting glumpy (is that a word?). Using nail polish remover (as opposed to clear nail polish) detracts from the lacquer shine you'd normally see with the Milani polishes. I highly recommend this polish. I've been wearing it for weeks on my feet!

Oh, and the little red mark is just a small cut :( It hurt like heck when I was cleaning my nails off with polish remover :/ Hope you enjoyed and more to come!

Review: Philosophy Kiss Me Lip Balm

Hello! SO today's review is a lip balm/gloss from Philosophy. Prior to this year I hadn't used anything from the brand, partly because of the price but also because the only makeup they used to have was glosses and I wasn't keen on glosses for the longest time. I would hate the way my hair would stick to it, my lips would feel goopy, or my cups would always look gross. Not to mention they would dry my lips out like crazy. Well, not anymore! I have to say that Philosophy has some of the greatest glosses around. They are soooo moisturizing, but light at the same time. The one I have is called Kiss Me, a very emollient lip balm. Even though it's called a balm I'd say it still counts as a gloss as it does give shine. I checked on Sephora.com and the only shade they had this type of gloss/balm in was a deeper red, but I'm sure that you can find it online. If not, check out Marshall's. That's where I got it for $3.

Here's the applicator:

It's packaged in a standard squeeze tube. One thing I don't like is sometimes, if it's cool, the balm tends to be thicker and is harder to squeeze out. If you keep in in your pocket though you shouldn't have a problem. Body heat and all, haha!

A swatch:

Sorry, no lip swatch today :( Kiss Me is just a very sheer pink with some very fine, barely noticeable shimmer in it. It really does look mostly clear on the lips. It feels sooooo good! It smells minty and has a bit of a cooling sensation when you first put it on. It's sooooo refreshing! Also, it's very moisturizing as well. After I wear this I feel like I've exfoliated and moisturized my lips with a heavy duty balm, no joke. Other glosses have always left my lips peeling and gross, but this one leaves them nice and clean and smooth. And although it's a balm it does give a bit of a shine to the lips--very understated and natural. I'm definitely going to get more Philosophy glosses. This one is, without a doubt, one of the best balms/glosses I've tried.

Info:

Price: $12 (retail--isn't this a good price for a high end gloss!? I got mine at Marshall's for $3. Even better!)

Ingredients: Oxybenzone (2.0%),Octinoxate (7.5%), Hydroxylated Lanolin, Petrolatum, Steareth-2, Mineral Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladiapate-2, Microcrystalline Wax, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Beeswax, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Squalane, Paraffin, Alcloxa, Tocopheryl Acetate, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Seed Oil, Water (Aqua), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Sodium Saccharin, Phenoxyethanol.

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Review: AcneFree Terminator Spot Control Gel (Benzoyl Peroxide)

So after using Clean Advantage Acne Spot Treatment for the past five years I didn't think that I'd ever find anything that works better. Well, I did. I'd recently run out and, when I was at Ocean State Job Lot I spotted Acne Free's Terminator Spot Control Gel for $4. Now, I'd never tried anything from Acne Free so I was a bit curious. And this a benzoyl peroxide treatment, not salacylic acid, like I'm used to and I wanted to see how well this would compare. I have to say that it blew Clean and Clear Advantage out of the park! It's that good!


The gel is 2% benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria that causes acne. As it is an oxidizing agent, it infuses the inflamed area with oxygen. This kills the bacteria as it likes an oxygen free environment.


One major reason that I really like this gel over Clean and Clears is the packaging. This one is in a squeeze tube with a flip top. Clean and Clears has a tiny little screw off cap. I don't like it cause I tend to lose the cap every now and then and have to hunt around for it, which is annoying beyond belief especially when I'm in a a hurry or just really tired. The flip top is definitely more convenient.

Here's the actual product:

It's a bit of a chunkier/thicker gel. I am in love with this product. While the gel is a bit thick (thicker than the C & C one) it dries very quickly and perfectly clear. The C & C one takes longer to dry and it feels odd. It has this odd texture and if you touch it it tends to rub off in these weird crumbles. The Acne Free one I can easily wear under makeup--it doesn't have any odd texture to it when it dries. Also, this gel works overnight. If I put it on before I go to sleep I see dramatic results the next morning. With the C & C gel I don't see results for at least two days. Also, unlike the C & C one, this one doesn't irritate or dry out my skin. When I put the C & C gel on I feel this strong tingle, an almost burning sensation. I used to be like, "Oh, well that's ok. At least I know it's working." I subscribed to the notion that harsh skincare was the only kind that worked, which is soooo wrong. Anyway, after using the C & C gel my skin would be sooo dry in that area. I would always hate to put concealer on as it would look so obvious over the dry, flaky, scaly skin. I have no such problem with the Acne Free gel. My skin doesn't dry out and it doesn't tingle/burn. It's very gentle but also effective at the same time, which I love!!! I'd tried Neutrogena's On The Spot acne cream which I was told was a gentle formula. It didn't work at all, so after that I would look for harsher products thinking that if I could feel them working they'd be more effective. Anyway, I was wrong and I've been treating my skin a lot more gently. Anyway, this gel is really good and I highly recommend it to everyone!!!

Oh, and if you're interested in Acne Free products, check out Ocean State Job Lot if you live near one. They had three step sets for $10, a 50% savings from the retail price!

Info:

Price: $5.99 (that's retail--I got it for $4 at Ocean State Job Lot)

Ingredients: Benzoyl Peroxide (2%), Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract (Licorice), Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Tea Tree), Bisabolol, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Algae (Seaweed) Extract (Seaweed), Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates (Vitamin E), Artemisia Vulgaris Oil (Mugwort/Armoise), Triclosan, Willow Bark Extract, Iodopropynyl Butlycarbamate, Diazolidinyl Carbamide

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Summer Nails Part 1 (OPI)

Left to right: Cosmo-Not Tonight Honey, Bronzed to Perfection, Vodka and Caviar

I'm starting a new series of nail polishes by season and this will be the first installment (well, duh, haha). Here are three great nail polishes perfect for summer, all by OPI. I'll try to have an installment a week.

Cosmo-Not Tonight Honey (Russian collection)

Get it? As in a cosmonaut? Haha, took me a while. Anyway, I usually go with one coat. Gives lots of shimmery goodness! It's one of my favorite shimmery beige's.

Bronzed To Perfection (South Beach collection)

I know it looks kinda ugly on my finger nail, but it looks amazing on the feet. It's unlike any other color I own. It's a red based, very warm, rich brown with golden glitter. This was the only polish I got from the South Beach collection as the other ones were variations on what I already have. I guarantee you that you do not have anything like this in your collection.

And finally, Vodka and Caviar (Russian collection)

This one is the perfect cherry red. It does have a bit of a jelly texture so it does apply slightly on the sheer side, but it is the perfect blue based red. If you have a tan this polish will made your skin look even tanner.

More to come!

Review: C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve (HIT PAN!!!)

Ok, I have to say that I thought this day would never come. I've been using this very same balm for the past, oh I would say almost year and a half and still, and I never thought I'd actually hit pan!!! Well it's not really a pan, but whatever... I'm sooooo happy! There's something so justifying about getting close to finishing a product. I feel like if I actually come close, then I am somewhat reasonable in the amount of makeup (or beauty products) that I buy. Delusions, I know, but it feels good all the same. Ok, onto the review.


Mine's really beat up cause I've had it for the longest time.


See how beat up it is? I even think I stepped on it once :/ Oopsie!

The actual balm:

Isn't that beautiful!? I'm almost done!!! The balm is just a slightly rose tinted jelly. It's got a very smooth consistency. You do have to be careful how you store it, however, especially if you like to toss it in your purse. Don't leave it anywhere warm because the balm will become soft and/or melt. I've never had it leak out of the container, but I have had it set in weird ways. One time I left it standing up vertically in the cup holder in my car and I came back the next morning and half of it was set to the lid. I don't have to say it was a pain to use. Now I just leave it by the bed to use at night. It's not very convenient to use during the day as you need to stick your finger in it.

A swatch:

So yeah, pretty much clear.
Another swatch:

As you can see, it does give a bit of shine. And it is very moisturizing. I have to say though, I does sit on the lips for a long time. But if you don't mind that, you'll like this balm. Another thing I like about it is how multipurpose it is. You can use it on dry patches, cuticles, etc, not just your lips. Personally, I don't as I find it kinda gross to use it on my body when I put it on my lips as well, but if you get a separate one to use elsewhere, I don't see any problems with it. I did use it once on my dry, red, and cracking nuckles in the winter and I have to say that it does work.

I've also been using this to refill lip palettes. I don't use it on its own as it would probably make a huge mess if it melted anywhere. I melt down a half-half base of this and a more solid lipbalm, like my Yes To Carrots, C-Me-Smile lip butter. It works as well as Vaseline without that nasty smell. Well anyway, I really like this product. Can't wait to be done with it, but still really like, haha! I kinda wanna try out the strawberry version from Smiths. Let me know in comments if you like it too!

Info:

Price: $5.50

Ingredients: Petrolatum, Lanolin Oil, Squalane, Flavor (Aroma), Octyldodecanol, Gossypium Herbaceum (cotton), Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Jojoba Esters, Red 30-lake (CI 73360)

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Changes to the Blog :)

I just wanted to let you guys know that I'll be making some changes to the layout. Nothing crazy. I just felt like trying something new. Let me know what you think! Just not right now, cause I'm not done yet, haha! Have a good day!

Comparison: CK Summer Affair Bronzer and Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer

A couple of days ago I posted a review on the Calvin Klein Summer Affair Bronzer in Sun Dance. Here's a comparison of it to my Guerlain Terracotta Bronzer in 02.


As you can see, the Guerlain bronzer is a bit darker and definitely more orange than the CK one. And if you remember, it shattered and I had to re-press it which is why it looks so messy :(

And swatches:

Left: CK. Right: Guerlain.

The CK one is a lot more subtle. I use it as an overall bronzer and then use the Guerlain one over top to contour my face. It looks a lot more natural and gradiated this way, and not as obvious.