COVERGIRL Lip Perfection Lipsticks

I have heard all the hype behind these lippies and as much as I wanted to try them out, I was on Project 10 Pan so I wasn't able to pick any up. Well, I just happened to be in Rite Aid yesterday and noticed that all COVERGIRL products were Buy One, Get One 50% Off. Perfect time to try these out! I think it came out to be around $11.00 US.

I picked up two shades, Enchantress (a blue based bright pink) and Delight (a pink based red.) There were so many gorgeous colors to choose from and, based on my first impression of the colors I bought, I may have to go back and get a few more. I don't know what made me get Delight, it is beautiful but it's not a color I'd normally go for. I do know why I picked up Enchantress, even though I need another hot pink like I need a hole in the head...it's somehow different from the ones I own already.

Now, since I only picked these up yesterday, I cannot comment on the claims that they transform your lips in seven days. They do, however, feel very nice and smooth on the lips.

I love the packaging on these, very classy and modern pewter squared tubes with the true color of the lippy on the bottom. The tube does tend to attract fingerprints but who really cares? ;)

Enchantress is a beautiful color in it's most opaque form, but even when it wears off (or you wipe it because you just had to try it on as soon as you got to work, ahem) it's evenly and almost like a stain. In fact, the swatch from last night is still visible on my hand this morning. The color itself is very bright, almost neon, and has a sheen (not shimmer), metallic frost if you will, but it does leave traces of glitter everywhere that I don't notice when it's on...? Given the frost factor and the color of this lipstick itself, if not applied correctly could make you look like an extra from an 80's sitcom, if you know what I mean. (not that there's anything wrong with that...) It's still a pretty color though. I can say that my lips felt pretty tight after wearing this and it wasn't moisturizing, which normally isn't a big deal, especially if it stays on for a long time...but when your claim is that it "perfects" your lips...
Delight is a more wearable bright, I'd say. It's perfect if you want to do a modern red lip but don't want to have to worry about being so careful with a deep true red. This color goes on sheer at first but is buildable and much easier to wear than a plain old red color. Delight's formula reminds me of a MAC Lustre. Definitely more moisturizing of the two.

I'm really dying to try more shades, perhaps a peachy coral next?

Let's get to the swatches, shall we?

I plan to update this blog if I ever get the chance to wear one of these lipsticks for seven days straight...ha! Or if I happen to purchase a few more colors!

Have any of you tried these new(er) lipsticks? How do you like them?

-Liz

40 Beauty Questions - Revisited :)

I thought I'd pop on here and fill out this beauty questionnaire, just in case any one was wondering if any part of my beauty routine had changed, and of course, to invite all of you to fill it out as well. If memory serves me correct, I haven't done this tag in over a year. This was one of the first posts I ever wrote on this blog, and I remember writing it on a chilly March day, at Starbucks, while on my break from class.

I also want to write this because I've once again neglected this blog a little. I will continue to do NOTDs and other posts as well, I've just been very busy lately. Between trying to get the yard done before Summer, work and school (yes, I went back to school) I haven't had much free time! Enough blabbering, here we go.


Skincare!

1)How many times do you wash your face daily? Once or twice, depending on the day and how tired I am. If I don't wash it at night, I will wash it in the morning. Sometimes I wash it at night and in the morning and there are some days where I only wash at night and use a toner in the morning.

2)What skin type do you have? I have combination/sensitive/acne prone. Not the best combo, I know! I'm hoping one day I'll become too old to break out. But by then I'm sure I'll have wrinkles so I guess I'll never win in the skincare department!

3)What is your current facial wash? I currently use a mixture of cleansers. I alternate between a salicylic acid wash (Biore Ice Cleanser) and a Benzoyl Peroxide cleanser (my favorites are Clean & Clear Continuous Control and Nuetrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask) and for exfoliators I use St. Ive's Green Tea Scrub. I recently purchased a Black African Soap from Target that seems to work well.

4)Do you exfoliate? Whoops, I guess I answered this one too soon. Yes, I do, my favorite exfoliators are the St. Ive's Green Tea Scrub and BeFine Brown Sugar Scrub. I also have a face brush and a Neutrogena Wave Sonic that I like to use to get a deeper clean.

5)What brand do you use? See above :)

6)What moisturiser do you use? For years I've been using the Up & Up Dual Action Moisturizer, which is the Target brand version of the Clean & Clear moisturizer of the same name. It's the only lotion that doesn't break me out and I believe that's because it contains salicylic acid. It's also not greasy.


7)Do you have freckles? A few on my nose and shoulders when I get some sun in the summer.

8)Do you use eye cream? I have an Olay one but I don't use it as often as I should :(

9)Do you or did you have acne prone skin? YUP! Ever since I can remember.

10)Did you ever have to use Pro-Activ? Yes I did in high school. It was a bit too drying for my skin, though.

Make-up!

11)What foundation do you use? I've been a fan of Revlon ColorStay for a while but I've been on the hunt for one with slightly more coverage. I recently picked up three samples (MUFE HD, MUFE Mat Velvet + and Chanel AquaLumiere) and while the others were just okay, MUFE Mat Velvet + (shade 25 for reference) has become my HG Foundation after just a few uses. I think it's safe to say I'm in love and I don't think it even breaks me out, which a lot of foundations tend to do. Amazing coverage and the color match is spot on. I am going to pick up a bottle this week! Note to self: Film Updated Foundation Routine.

12)How about concealer? Well, it's no secret that I couldn't live without my Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque. But for heavy duty coverage on the face, I've got to go with Hard Candy Glamoflage. That stuff covers everything. I am starting to like my Bare Minerals Well-Rested for setting my under eye concealer.

13)Do you know your undertone colour? Pink.

14)What do you think of fake eyelashes? I really don't use them. I think they look gorgeous but I'm not that good at applying them and they annoy me when they're on. I like the effect though!

15)Did you know you were supposed to change your mascara every 3 months? Yes but I don't necessarily follow that rule. Depends on the mascara.

16)What brand of mascara do you use? I love trying new mascaras. My favorite one has to be Makeup Forever Smoky Lash.

17)Sephora or Mac? Both!!

18)Do you have a Mac Pro card? No :(

19)What makeup tools do you use in makeup application? I use a lot of different brushes  by different brands but I'm going to try the Ulta brand "BeautyBlender" soon. I bought it last week. Perhaps I'll try it today.

20)Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes? Always, just out of habit. I'll either use a MAC Paint Pot or Urban Decay Primer Potion.

21)For the face? Rarely. If I'm going somewhere where I'm going to be for a long time, or I really want to try to achieve a a flawless face.

22)What is your favourite eyeshadow? Colour or shade? I tend to like warm browns, taupes and bronzy colors. Anything neutral! I love using the NAKED Palette, and colors like MAC All That Glitters, Woodwinked, Satin Taupe...the list goes on and on.

23)Do you use pencil or liquid liner? Sometimes pencil, sometimes gel. Rarely ever liquid.

24)How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? I'd say about once a week, lol.

25)What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? I used to be terrified by them, because I thought they'd be nothing but a mess. But it turns out I really do like them. I wouldn't necessarily call them a pigment (but they are loose)  but I love Bare Minerals shadows and NYX Pigments.

26)Do you use mineral makeup? Bare Minerals. Not the foundation because I prefer liquid but I do like their shimmery eyeshadows and Well-Rested. I also like the finish their Mineral Veil gives.

27)What is your favourite lipstick? Just one!? That's too hard. A few of my favorites are MAC Creme Cup, MAC Shy Girl, Revlon Fashion's Night Pout and I love Clinique Chubby Sticks.

28)How about lipgloss? I really like Revlon Super Lustrious Lip Glosses and I like the NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss.

29)What is your favourite blush to use? I love how NARS Blushes blend but I only own two of them. I really like NYX Blushes too, they have a good color selection and are great quality for the price.

30)Do you buy your makeup on Ebay? I've only bought one nail polish, Essie Topless & Barefoot, on Ebay.

31)Do you like drugstore makeup? Of course! There's a lot of good finds there!

32)Do you go to CCO's? Cosmetic Company Outlet? Yes, a few times a year. We have two that are about an hour and a half from where I live in Michigan and I go to one in Tennessee when I'm there on vacation.

33)Did you ever consider taking makeup classes? Yes.

34)Are you clumsy in putting on makeup? I'm clumsy in general but I think the fact that I do it every single day helps out a lot ;)

35)Name a makeup crime that you hate? Overdrawn eyebrows. Or eyebrows that are plucked way too much in the middle, making them over an inch apart, EW.

36)Do you like colourful shades of makeup (lipstick or eyeshadow) or neutral ones? Neutral on eyes with bright colors on the lips. Hot pinks and corals are my favorite!

37)Which celebrity always has great makeup? Kim Kardashian. Of course, I would too if I had my own personal makeup artist!

38)If you could leave the house using just ONE makeup item, what would you use? I guess concealer, but a close second would be mascara.

39)Could you leave the house without any makeup on? Yes, I do all the time. And I usually run into the people I absolutely would not like to see when I don't have makeup on. Isn't that how it always works?

40)Do you think you look good even without any makeup on? Lol, not really. Like I said my skin isn't perfect, I have bad dark circles and scaring. I just feel more comfortable in public with it on.

41)In your opinion what is the BEST makeup line? I honestly enjoy products from so many different brands that I can't name just one.

42)What do you think of makeup? I love makeup. I love collecting it, trying out new products and sharing it with my friends and family and seeing them be excited about it too! I also love coming up with new looks to wear every day. It's just a fun hobby to me :)

Well, there you go. Not sure why there's 42 Questions...I guess there's some bonus ones in there. If you have time, fill out this survey and post in (or the link) in a comment, I'd love to read it!

-Liz

NOTD

Now, I know it seems as if I've been posting nothing but Nail of the Day pictures lately, but that's only because it's true.

I will have some other, more exciting posts coming soon, promise! But for now, let's take a peek into what I'm wearing on my nails today, shall we?

Essie French Affair (don't mind the sloppy-ness!)



This is the pink shade from Essie's French Affair collection, and the apparently the star of the show since the entire collection was named after it. When I first saw this color, I wasn't super excited about it. I normally don't like how baby pinks look on my nails at all. (Same goes for mint green, good thing I only had to buy 4 different bottles of it to figure that out.) But since this week at Rite Aid, Essie nail polishes are buy one, get one half off, and the only colors they had that I didn't were this, Mademoiselle and Ballet Slippers...I decided to get it. Hey, you can't pass up a deal like that! I also purchased Ballet Slippers because I've heard great things so I'm excited to try that one out on my toes next.

I have four out of the six shades that came out with French Affair. I first purchased Nice is Nice*, when I had a free salon nail polish with my rewards points at Ulta, then i ordered Topless & Barefoot from Ebay because I couldn't find it anywhere (and it's gorgeous so I can see why), I later bought Sand Tropez which is a really nice nudey-brown and now, French Affair! I really like how French affair has a purpley undertone, and I bet it would look even better on tanned skin. It reminds me of Viva Glam Gaga 1 in nail polish form. Needless to say, I'm loving this color for spring!

*I originally had my heart set on purchasing Lilacism with my rewards points from Ulta because it had been on my wish list forever. When I got there, Lilacism was sold out (isn't that always the case) but there was one bottle of Nice is Nice (the first "nice" is pronounced "Neece" as in, the city in France...would have never figured that out if no one had told me) and it looked very similar to Lilacism. I fell in love with it the first time I wore it and have since worn it four times on my nails, and that means a lot considering how many polishes I own. I think, even if I did own Lilacism, I'd still be reaching for Nice is Nice more often because it has a slightly more pink tone to it and I think that works well with my skin tone. Blah blah blah...the point of this ramble is that I'm slowly learning that even though you want a certain thing, trying new, unexpected things out sometimes works out best! :)

Anyway, I promise to have more interesting blog posts and videos posted soon! Thanks for reading!

-Liz

Another NOTD

And...another nude polish. This one is really pretty. I bought it at Sally's because it was the only one left (which obviously made me want it) even though I didn't need another nude polish. I actually thought it would be similar to Essie Topless & Barefoot, my favorite nude thus far.

I was wrong though, Orly Pure Porcelain is more white/beige with a slight pink shade to it than Topless & Barefoot. You can see pictures and read my post on Essie's polish here. It's a creme finish just like Essie's, and I'm into shimmer-less polishes lately. The application was alright on this one, I needed three coats for an opaque, streak-free finish. I'd say I liked Essie's application better. I was pleasantly surprised, though, on how pretty this color actually is.

Taken in natural light, no flash.

This color fits perfectly for the perfect weather we've had this weekend. I hope it sticks around. What's your favorite shade for spring?

-Liz

NOTD

China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint. First of all, the name is adorable. Second, I don't think anything is more fitting for spring than pastels. And boy, do we need spring here. It started snowing earlier so I needed something to life my spirits! This color is so perfect. Its not too unique, i do have a few similar ones in my collection, but this one definitely dries the fastest. a little streaky in application but with three coats, you can't tell. Now if only the weather would fllow my lead...

NOTD 03/28/11

I'm in love...

...with a nail polish.

Essie Topless & Barefoot. I'm so glad I finally tracked this down on Ebay. I should have bought a backup. It's perfect, from the application to the final result. I love it.

My Go-To Products...Revisited!!

Alright, so the last time I did this tag was almost exactly a year ago today. If you want to read that post click here.

Favorites by ep3074 on Polyvore.com


Primer: To be honest, I really don't wear a primer on my face every day. I do use Urban Decay Primer Potion or MAC Bare Study Paint Pot on my eyes daily, though.

Foundation: I've recently been trying out a sample of Makeup Forever HD Foundation. I love it, I'm going to try MUFE Mat Velvet + next. But my go-to foundation has been a mixture of Revlon PhotoReady and Revlon ColorStay. Whew...that's a lot of foundations.


Concealer: Hands down the best concealer for under eyes is Bobbi Brown Corrector. My shade is in light bisque. If I really look tired, I'll throw some MAC Select Cover-Up in NW20 over that, with Bare Escentuals Well-Rested to set. For blemishes, I usually grab Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Concealer.


Setting Powder: I always use my NYX Twin Cake Powder in Natural.


Blush: One of my favorite combos lately is MAC Ladyblush Creme Blush with NARS Sex Appeal Blush over top. I also reach for Physician's Formula Happy Booster in Natural often. It's cute, it smells good, and it has cute hearts all over it.


Bronzer/Contour: I use Physician's Formula Healthy Wear Bronzer. It's very subtle and light.


Highlight: My favorite highlight for this time of the year is (and has been for a long time) MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping. Love!


Mascara: I absolutely LOVE Makeup Forever Smoky Lash. It's the best mascara I've ever used. But I don't want to waste [all $22 of it] at work so I use LOReal Voluminous daily. It's a great mascara but it does tend to transfer on me.


Eyeshadow: I have been trying to use up my Ulta Truffle Eyeshadow for...well ever now. It's on my P10P list so I'm dying to get done with it. It's pretty, I'm just becoming bored of it quickly. I also wear MAC Brule everyday. And I like to throw a Bare Minerals shimmery shadow like Nude Beach or Queen Tiffany, on top once in a while.


Eyeliner: Again with the P10P, I'm trying to use up my Urban Decay Bourbon pencil as well as my Rimmel Black Magic liner. But I do find myself reaching for MAC Dipdown Fluidline a lot.


Lipstick: I use a lot of different lipsticks, usually whatever is in my purse. I like MAC Viva Glam Gaga II, MAC Creme Cup, MAC Shy Girl, Revlon ColorBurst in Baby Pink...just to name a few.


Lip Liner: The only one I use throughout the week is Jordana Easy Liner in Rock 'n Rose.


Lip Gloss: Oh geez...MAC Viva Glam Gaga II, Revlon ColorBurst in Crystal Lilac, NYX Sweetheart, Revlon Super Lustrous in Lilac Pastelle and Peach Petal...the list goes on.


Brows: Now that I'm blond, nothing.


Brushes: Sigma ss217, Sigma ss239, Sigma ss187, Sigma sswhatever-the-straight-eyeliner-brush-is-called, Elf Blush Brush, Elf Angled Eyeshadow Brush, Elf Powder Brush, Alicia Silverstone for Eco Tools Powder Brush...


Nail Polish: I wear all of my nail polishes...which is a list way too long to list. Some of my favorites include Essie Nice is Nice, OPI Melon of Troy, China Glaze for Audrey, Rimmel Steel Grey, OPI Sweetheart, Essie Playa del Platinum, Essie Topless and Barefoot...I guess I'm into nudes right now...there's about a gazillion more. I love my CND Stickey Base Coat, too.


I decided to add Perfume: Vera Wang princess is always a favorite, SJPNYC is a good spring scent, I love the VS Pink Body Mists in Bold & Playful and Warm & Cozy...and I can't forget my favorite, Viva La Juicy!


Well, that's all, and it's a lot.


What are some of your go-to or favorite products?


-Liz


collage from my polyvore :)