Best Drugstore Concealer

Forgive my absences, I had finals and then I went on a mischievously marvelous trip for a week and just recently I remembered "Oh shit, I have a blog and wonderfully loyal readers" and I better book it and give my fingers a work out on SpotBlog if I want to keep both of them.

This is my second attempt at a "Best Concealer" post. I went back and looked at my draft on it a year ago and all I wrote was:
"This concealer is thick enough to give you a perfect coverage yet it doesn't look like you plied on makeup!" 
Haha Amy. Plied? Oh girl.


Best Drugstore Concealer


E.L.F. All Over Cover Stick



This little concealer is tiny and come in a cute little container with a lid on it. You don't get a lot of product, but for $1 it doesn't matter that much. It has a very creamy consistency and the coverage is buildable to full. There is a slight orange smell but it's quite faint. The coverage of this product is great for under the eyes and discoloration, but does it settles into lines a little. A downfall of this is that shades are limited (around 5) and they do take on more of a orange hue. Also, those with oily skin may want to stay away as the combo might look greasy.


Hard Candy Glamoflauge

Found at local Walmart stores, this little gem comes in a lipgloss style squeeze tube with a mini pencil concealer. Glamoflague is extremely pigmented and is full coverage so all you need is a small dot for your entire face. It blends well, covers dark circles and has a creamy consistency. Don't over-apply or it will look cakey. The colour selection is disastrous, however; there is light, medium and tan. If you are in between categories then you will need to dilute the concealer with witch magic or just pray for more shades. :(


Cover Girl CG Smoothers Concealer




Resembling a nude lipstick at first glance, Smoothers comes in a lipstick tube to be dabbed on the face in a similar manner. It has a creamy consistency, gives smooth application and covers up blemishes and dark circles. The coverage is medium but can be built up and the product is easy to blend. This product is considered to be a cult classic and has been a staple for years. This product also comes in 'Neutralizer' and 'Illuminator'.


Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer




Lightweight and fluffy, it's like a marshmallow confection for your face! Glides on soft and creamy and dries to a powdery finish. It does not cake up, even though it may look heavy, and gives good coverage. It comes in a heavy glass container and doesn't give a lot of product but a little goes a long way. Use in conjunction with Dream Mousse Foundation for a rockin' flawless airbrushed look.

* I believe this product has recently been discontinued. Stock up if your drugstore is still carrying them.




(:

Mail haul~ Maybelline Eystudio

Mail call time~ :D

I received two packages in swaps from two lovely ladies. These took an exceptionally long time to arrive, waiting for them was a pain.. =( They look nearly 3 weeks to come in!



This one is from my girl A.

I wanted the Revlon Super Lustrous but my girl was kind enough to through in an E.L.F. concealer as well an a sample (:

Revlon Super Lustrous in Pink Afterglow.
I could have bought this but it was nice to receive something I like for something I didn't need but someone wanted. It makes the item seem so much sweeter (:

This gloss has a thick formula but isn't sticky and goes on smoothly. It lasts for around 5 hours but doesn't survive through meals. Pink Afterglow is appears bright in the tube but goes on a subtle pink shade. Has lot of shimmer and makes lips look super glossy ^~*
I love this colour because it has just the right amount of colour and sparkle, but it's not over the top. It actually looks quite natural on, which is great because I'm not a fan of bright lips. This glossie rocks.

E.L.F. concealer which unfortunately is not my shade. Above are two swatches, one blended in and other not.
I've got to stop ordering E.L.F. stuff, I keep getting the wrong shades! Someone call me when they finally make a face product perfect for Asian skin tones >=(

This concealer has a bit of a runny consistency, and is of medium-ish coverage. It's perfect for patting over small blemishes because it won't appear cakey or heavy on top of it. It has a slight orange undertone, which apparently is supposed to cancel out dark circles. The E.L.F. concealer has a orange scent and comes in a small tube, great for throwing in a purse or a pocket on-the-go!

From my girl J, you rock.

Milani and Sally Girl quads and Mary Kay samples!
Haven't tried these in a look yet but the green shadow on the Milani seems to be busted LOL. I couldn't get an colour on my fingers!

Just one more little package I got in the mail.
Oh.. what's this..?

Oh my goodness~!!!!
My Maybelline Eyestudio kit has finally arrived! Thank you, you guys are amazing.
Contains 4 mascara, 4 gel liners, 12 eyeshadow palettes and 10 duo shadows.
I'm having a lot of trouble finding time to properly blog (I'm supposed to be studying right now) but I'll find time after my exams and post reviews. And I'll look for my camera, maybe that can give my better quality photos. Thanks a lot again, Maybelline, WOMMA and Matchstick. You guys are so generous!


**Disclosure* I am participating in a word of mouth marketing program and I received these products on behalf of Maybelline, WOMMA and Matchstick. However this will have no effect on my opinion or reviews. **

(:

E.L.F. haul + pro review yo

I received this package more than a week ago.. I was hoping for more mail so I could present it all at once. But SADLY NO. My mailbox is unfortunately devoid of love packages, swap mail and university news. So I must make due with what I have~ but I'm expecting a HUGE package from Maybelline which some have received already ^~* That's all I'm gonna say for now, stay tuned for more!

My rockin package from my girl S (:
Inside... is ALL E.L.F. products! I really wanted to try the brand haha.

E.L.F. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen
E.L.F. Clarifying Powder in Honey and Spice
E.L.F. All over Coverstick in Beige
E.L.F. Brightening Eyeliner in Black
E.L.F. Eye Widener

Left to right: Brightening Liner, Eye Widener, Waterproof Pen (one stroke), Waterproof Pen (multiple strokes)

The Brightening Liner wasn't bad, I don't know why it was called 'brightening' because it just seems like a normal black eyeliner. The tip was tough and hard on the skin until I wore it down on my hand, then it had no problem gliding smoothly over my lids. The pigmentation wasn't much for this liner, so those looking for a nice bold, dramatic line should look elsewhere. I noticed that it would smudge after a few hours and the colour didn't seem to last that long.



I chose the Eye Widener because I was looking for a white eyeliner with nice pigmentation to give my eyes a POP but I was disappointed with this product. First of all, the liner is incredibly tough to apply. A simple stroke does not grant you enough colour so you'd have to retrace the line until it's properly built up. And the tip of the pencil was so stiff and hard that you could rub your skin raw just trying to get some product on! It did not even last an hour.. I swatched it on my arm (above) and when it rubbed against my sleeve, it came right off. This liner does not rock.


The Waterproof Pen was a great product to use (: It reminded me so much of a Sharpie- with the pen-like packaging, felt tip (though thinner) and the thick bold line that resulted from just a light stroke. This liquid liner had great pigmentation and the applicator is SO simple to use, even I had no problem doing a winged look. Waterproof Pen is is stated waterproof (XD) but half of it came off with a wash. So not the longest lasting liquid pen around.

This was my arm 2 days later, after washing it off with normal soap and water. As you can see, there is still a imprint on my skin from the eyeliner! The white liner is long gone but the waterproof pen held on for days.

The E.L.F. Coverstick on my skin. As you can see, it's not my correct shade (I think it's off by one) but I can tell it provides nice medium coverage for the skin and it blends easily. When I first swatched it I thought 'Oh my goodness this is orange!' but when you work it into your skin it doesn't appear anymore.
I can't give a better review than this because this was the wrong shade for me. I would repurchase this but it doesn't seem like any of the other colours would suit me either.

E.L.F. Clarifying Pressed Powder. I like this product, I rock it everyday ^^ After foundation, I lightly dust it over the areas that get shiny after a few hours (nose and the area around it, forehead and cupid bow) and my face stays oil-free ALL DAY! It provides good coverage but the pigmentation isn't very high. The packaging is terrible, it's cheap and made of plastic and the little sponge that comes with it is useless. But hey, it's only a dollar (:

(:

Best Primers

Best Primers

Primer is quickly becoming an staple in my makeup bag. It helps my eyeshadow stay on longer, even my skin and allow for smoother application.

I think I missed some good ones in this article.. I may edit in the future.



E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer



xteener on youtube recently did a review on the E.L.F. shadow primer in comparison with UDPP, and it held up quite well despite being a drugstore brand! The primer goes on smooth, dries quickly and makes your eye makeup last HOURS without creasing. Comes in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. And for $3, you can't beat the price ;)


Urban Decay Primer Potion



The ultimate eye primer.. It's hard to find any makeup junkies who do not own or at least heard of this product. It goes on smoothly and keeps your eye shadow looking fresh all day. The staying power is awesome.. at least 10 hours. And creasing makeup is a thing of the past! Even if you do have oily lids. The only bad part is the packaging of the product. It makes it difficult to get the remaining primer out near the end. An easy solution is cutting the tube in half and depotting the remainder into a glass jar.


M.A.C. Prep + Prime



This can be used all over the face to give your skin a silky and smooth canvas before you apply your makeup. Helps control oil without being too matte and gives skin a nice overall glow (: It helps smooth the pores and helps foundation last the whole day. Comes in a sleek black pump bottle.. however may be hard to tell how much is left.



Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch



This primer absolutely lives up to it's name! Goes on velvety smooth and feels like silk when you touch your skin! ISPT should be used sparingly as a little goes a long way. Makes makeup last longer and reduces the look of pores. Comes in a small red jar which doesn't contain enough product when you look at the cost.



Primer should be patted on gently.. not smudged or wiped on.
For best results, wait a minute before applying makeup over top of primer. This will allow it to dry and settle better onto the skin.

Best Drugstore Lipgloss

Best Drugstore Lipgloss

Some people are so picky about their lipglosses though. They want them super pigmented, sheer, sticky, smooth, with glitter, without shimmer, with fragrance, non scented, in a tube or in a jar! = =
Here, I'll try and cover a large variety of different lip glossies.




Milani Crystal Gloss



A good dupe for M.A.C. LipGlass, these contain just a hint of shimmer and smells lightly of vanilla! They have great pigmentation and last for a couple hours. Crystal Gloss goes on shiny but doesn't feel as sticky as LipGlass. It comes in a small tube, perfect for slipping into a pocket or a purse!


NYX Lipgloss with Mega Shine



Great pigmentation with good texture. These lipglosses are never sticky and in fact, seem to moisturize! High shine, nice shimmer with a 'Juicy Fruit' candy smell :D (some may not like the scent). NYX Lipgloss wears off after about an hour and isn't one of the longest lasting glossies out there.



Revlon Super Lustrous



Super Lustrous goes on lips smoothly but has a thick formula, is non-sticky and lasts for around 4 hours! Contains finely milled shimmer and has SPF 15! They have a good selection of colours, all of which look very natural and wearable. Super Lustrous contains a sweet scent and comes in a glass tube that looks very classy :D



E.L.F. Super Glossy Lip Shine



Great quality for the price and the gloss goes on super smooth. They're nicely pigmented, come in a wide array of colours and come in small little tubes; good for just tossing inside your purse.
Super Glossy comes with SPF 15 with only a hint of shimmer. Has a yummy grape smell ^^ As with every other E.L.F. product, these are sold for only a dollar!



L'Oreal Colour Juice



This lipgloss tube has a rounded applicator instead of the slanted tip that most lipglosses have. It goes on smooth and glossy and the colours are well pigmented. Contains a bit of shimmer and a sweet, candy scent. Some may say that Colour Juice is a good dupe for Lancome's Juicy Tubes!



Sally Hansen Diamond Lip Treatment



A thick but not too sticky gloss that lasts a long time. Moisturizes well and makes your lips look glossy. Diamond Lip Treatment comes in a variety of colours (with shimmer) that flatter the wearer's lips and give a beautiful shine. Comes in a long, sexy tube with a tiny brush applicator and smells slightly of coconut.


Chapstick Lip Moisturizer



'Why is there a lip balm in the lipgloss section?'
Well, sometimes a natural colour on your lips is better sometimes. This chapstick is incredibly moisturizing, makes lips really soft and has an SPF of 15! The vanilla scent that comes with it smells nice as well. Also, it can be layered under lipstick or used as a base to make lip gloss last longer. Stock up and keep them everywhere!


(: