Review: Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Skin Perfector

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BB Cream has finally hit the western market and many familiar U.S. beauty companies have created their own versions of the "skin perfecting" BB Cream.  Revlon is certainly no exception.  When I saw this on sale a couple weeks ago at my local CVS I knew I had to try it out.

This product usually retails for about $10.99 for a measly 1 oz at local drugstores.  But what I love most about BB creams is it claims to be a moisturizer, "skin perfector", and SPF all in one -- which theoretically makes what was once three steps in my morning routine into a one step miracle.

Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Perfector claims to be:

A Lightweight, Multi-Benefit Beauty Balm 

• Hydrates Like Moisturizer 
• Smoothes Like Primer 
• Covers Like Foundation 
• Blurs Flaws Like Concealer 
• Protects with SPF 30 Like Sunscreen

Medium was a perfect match for my NC40 (winter)/NC 42 (summer) skin.  As for my skin, I have fairly "nice" skin.  I take very good care of my skin (after much trial and error with my skin routine), and have very few blemishes.  However, due to my ethnicity, scarring lasts much longer on me when compared to fairer skinned gals.  In addition, I have a bit of redness, and my skin tone is naturally uneven.

I've read others' reviews on this BB cream and have read much criticism regarding the "greasiness" of this product.  I have combination skin (specifically:  dry in some areas, normal in some areas, and oily in my T zone) and have found this to be non-greasy upon initial application, even after applying a moisturizer beforehand.  However, as the day goes on, I get a tad bit oily in my T zone area if I don't set it with a powder.  If I do set it with a powder though, I don't have any T zone oiliness issues.  But I do think that those with oily skin would not like this product.  This lasted on my skin for 8 hours without any issues except the ones previously mentioned.

As for coverage, I would say this BB cream is sheer to medium coverage.  With a small application it'll "blur" some of my pimple scarring and even out my skin tone.  A medium application helps with the aforementioned problems a bit better.  The formula is thicker than other American drugstore BB creams I have tried.  I did not experience any "breaking out" from this product, and I've been using it pretty regularly for the past 3 weeks.

As for comparison with Asian BB creams, I'd say this product leans more towards a tinted moisturizer than a "true" BB cream.  But for the price and availability of shades for us tanner gals, I'd likely repurchase this over other American BB creams.

Review: Makeup Academy (MUA) Undressed And Comparison With Urban Decay Naked

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Makeup Academy (MUA) is a UK based cosmetic company that is available in Superdrug Stores in the UK and online.  As mentioned in a previous post MUA was having a 40% off everything sale (in lieu of 40k+ Facebook fans), and I knew I had to try the Undressed palette as it us toted by many UK bloggers as an Urban Decay Naked Dupe!

Undressed comes in a black, sleek, plastic, professional looking casing.  There are 12 shadows in the palette.  This palette retails for £4 ($6.32 in the US) for 9.6 grams of product (0.8 grams per shadow).  This is slightly less product when comparing it to Urban Decay's Naked Palette which contains 15.6 grams (1.3 grams per shadow) and retails for $50.00 in the U.S.

Let me first off say that this is the best drugstore dupe for Naked that I have ever come across.  For the most part, each shadow is pigmented, creamy, and very blendable.  I was very impressed by this palette, as I have tried many dupes for the Naked palette and this is the only one that I think could actually replace my Naked palette.

Okay, let's describe the shades.  The shades aren't named like they are in the Naked palette.  On the back of the palette MUA labels each shade:  "Shade 1, Shade 2...".

• Shade 1 is a frosty nude beige.  It is very pigmented and a complete dupe of UD Virgin.
• Shade 2 is a champagne with pink undertones.  UD Sin has silver microglitter and Shade 2 has chunkier glitter, but otherwise it is a dupe of UD sin.  The pigmentation is wonderful.
• Shade 3 is a matte beige.  The pigmentation isn't great, but in my opinion Urban Decay Naked's pigmentation isn't either.  It is a complete dupe of UD Naked.
• Shade 4 is a pigmented frosty bronze.  It is a complete dupe of UD Sidecar.
• Shade 5 is a matte medium brown.  The pigmentation, again, isn't great like Shade 3 (the other matte).  UD Buck is more pigmented and darker.
• Shade 6 is a gold bronze.  The pigmentation is amazing.  I've had such a hard time finding a good drugstore dupe of UD Half Baked.  This shade is identical to UD Half Baked.
• Shade 7 is a bronze shade.  The pigmentation is good.  It has a slightly more red undertone when comparing it to UD Smog.
• Shade 8 is a chocolate brown.  The pigmentation is good, UD Darkhorse is slightly darker and slightly more pigmented.
• Shade 9 is a pink brown.  The pigmentation is great, but again it's slightly lighter/pinker than UD Toasted.
• Shade 10 is a dark frosted brown.  The pigmentation is wonderful, and is an exact dupe of UD Hustle.
• Shade 11 an almost black with silver glitter and blue undertones.  I am very impressed with the pigmentation of these.  The pigmentation is better than UD Creep.
• Shade 12 is a frosted gunmetal color.  It is a touch more silver than UD Gunmetal, but almost an exact dupe!  The pigmentation is again, amazing.

Review: Orly Nail Laquer in Ancient Jade

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Anyone following my blog knows that I have a thing for anything mint!  So when I saw this on HauteLook for $4.00 I had to buy it.

Ancient Jade is a minty jade shade that is gorgeous with only one coat.  As with other Orly shades, chipping is very minimal and only happens after prolonged wear.  I wore this shade on a snowboarding trip and it was chip free the entire week.  Plus all the gals in the cabin were complimenting me on this vintage mint shade!

As for packaging, I always enjoy Orly's rubberized top, making it super easy to open and close.  The brush is fab, as always!

Style Report: Airport to Outing Style Tips

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I often find myself in a conundrum when it comes to traveling.  I like to be comfortable on my flight, but many times I find myself having to change my clothes in an airport bathroom to be ready for an outing directly after my flight touches down.  For example, next week I will be going to Chicago to visit my best friend, and we have girls' night out plans immediately after my arrival.

After a lot of living and learning, I finally realized I can go from comfy and chic to sexy and sophisticated with the change of a cardigan to a blazer... and a few other changes! ;)

Here is my most recent Airport to Outing style:

1. Michael Kors Watch, Gold , $250 - Available here.
2. Tom's Black Canvas Classics, $44  - Available here.  Tom's are my favorite.  So comfy and chic!
3. Nivea Lip Care, $3  - Available here/local drugstores.  My holy grail drugstore lip balm!
4. Peplum Lace Top, $32 - Republic - Available here.
5. Colored Skinny Jeans, $28 - Similar from Forever 21 here.
6. Heavy Dolman Sleeve Cardigan, $32 - Uniqlo - Availble here.  Big, comfy sweaters is always an airport must have for me.  I am always cold!  And if it's warm on the plane it makes for a pretty awesome pillow. :)
7. Woven Scarf, $9 - Similar from Forever 21 here.
8. Michael Kors Luggage Bowling Tote, $398 - Available here.

1. Michael Kors Watch, Gold , $250 - Available here.
2. Clutch - ASOS - Available here.
3. Statement Necklace - Similar from Forever 21 available here.
4. Bangles - Similar from H&M available here.
5. High Heels with Jewelled Metal Toe Caps - Available here
6. Peplum Lace Top, $32 - Republic - Available here.
7. Colored Skinny Jeans, $28 - Similar from Forever 21 here.
8. Black Blazer, $50 - Similar from H&M here.
9. Gold Heart Earrings, $13 - Similar from Pilgrim here.
10. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick, $25 - Available here.  Try a vampy lipstick like Black Cherry for a color pick me up after a long flight!

Another perfect example of how a blazer, heels, jewelry and your favorite lipstick can transform any look in 2 minutes flat! ;) 

What are some quick changes you do when you have plans immediately after your plane touches down?!

BeautyTribune Asks: What's Your Favorite Concealer?

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I've been on a bit of a concealer craze lately.  I recently tried Maybelline's Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer, Sephora's Perfecting Cover Concealer, Revlon's ColorStay Concealer, and Benefit's Erase Paste.... not to mention the many others I tried before my craze!  Though some of them were good nothing compared to my oh-so-versatile holy grail concealers:  MAC's Studio Finish Concealer (high end) and Sonia Kahuk's Hidden Agenda Palette (drugstore).  

Though I re-purchased these concealers today (to replace my empty ones), I still believe there are other concealers out there that I can add to my holy grail concealer list! :)

So I ask you, my fellow beauties, what is your holy grail concealer?!

Found: Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Sticks

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While shopping at Walgreens recently the Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Sticks caught my eye.   I am a big fan of cream shadows, and recently fell in love with Milani Shadoweyez after finding out they were complete dupes for Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil.  If they're anything alike I plan to buy every single color!

The Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Sticks promise:

• Rich, intense color applies in a flash. 
• Jumbo applicator creates a dramatic look in just one stroke. 
• Can use as an eye shadow or an eyeliner. 
• Creamy formula blends effortlessly for a luminous finish. 
• Waterproof & Smudge-proof with 24HR wear. 
• Dermatologist & ophthalmologist tested.

After doing some internet searching, I found out that there are a wide variety of colors available via the Ulta website:

Bad Bronze

Holy Grail Diaries: Ardell Individual Eyelashes Review

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I have not been blessed with long lashes.  I've tried everything:  Latisse, Rapidlash... even drugstore brands like Rimmel Lash Accelerator and Wet 'n' Wild MegaLash Clinical Serum.  Although they gave me some length and additional volume, nothing made me feel more feminine than eyelash extensions.  From the moment I glanced at myself in the mirror I knew that I could never go back to my stubby "Asian" lashes.  But extensions are expensive.  And after I had somehow grown allergic to the process I was back to square one.

Until a girlfriend introduced me to Ardell Individual Eyelashes (which retails for $3.99 at drugstores and comes with 54 lash bundles).  I usually buy the knot-free medium length.  This coupled with Ardell Lashtite Eye Lash Adhesive Dark ($4.99, I've only been able to find the Dark version at Sally Beauty) I had lash extensions I could do at home on my own for a fraction of what I used to be charged for my lash extensions.  Furthermore, I was able to replace any lashes that fell out in the comfort of my own home whenever I had the the time to.  (Anyone who has had lash extensions knows how painful it can be to walk around with lashes missing in between lash "fills".)

So how do I apply these?  On a clean, dry face using my tweezers (I use Tweezerman) I:

• Brush the cluster against the glue, making sure at least 1/3 of the cluster base has glue.  (This ensures the cluster will adhere properly and securely.)
• Then I place the cluster between my natural lashes, making the cluster adhere to my natural lashes
• Voila! Instant lash extensions!

When applied properly I can wear these lashes for 1-2 weeks with minimal touch up.  I shower, sweat, and swim in these without any issues.  I love 'em.  They look natural, and minimize my morning routine.

Warnings:

• This does take some practice.  Be patient.  Perhaps you may want to use non-permanent glue while practicing.  But if I can learn how to do this, trust me, anyone can learn!
• Lashtite is semi-permanent glue.  Do not, I repeat do not, pull at the lashes to remove them.  Trust me, I've tried everything from makeup remover to olive oil to remove Lashtite and nothing works better than Ardell LashFree Adhesive Remover.

Before lash application and after

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal Cream in Gold Rush, 24HR Gel Shadow: Review, Swatches, and Photos

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Gold Rush is a yellow gold shimmer, and retails for $5.99-$6.99 for 0.14 oz.  It is the most glittery of the five shadows in the Color Tattoo Metal collection.  I was really excited for this one, as I don't have anything in my extensive makeup collection that is similar in color.   However, it does remind me of the L’Oreal Gold Imperial Infallible Eyeshadow which was limited edition.  I have found that when it is blended out it is rather sheer, and someone patchy due to the glitter.  But with some layering it becomes very opaque and true to pan.  Gold Rush falls a little short in terms of longevity when comparing it to it's counterparts in Color Tattoo Metal collection, as I found that it creases at the 5-6 hour mark.  But when it's set with some shadow it definitely surpasses my expectations.

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal Cream in Inked in Pink, 24HR Gel Shadow: Review, Swatches, and Photos

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Inked in Pink is a frost pink with a hint of mauve, and retails for $5.99-$6.99 for 0.14 oz.  It similar to the Too Faced's Boy Toy Eye Shadow.  Similar to other Color Tattoos, it is creamy, very pigmented, and easy to apply (found using my fingertips work best with Color Tattoos).  It was a bit patchy when I tried applying it with a brush, but when I used my fingertips I think the warmth helped to melt the product a little more making it easier to apply and more even.  I wore this through 4 hours of class and 8 hours of work (12 hours total), and it held up very well with minimal creasing.

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal Cream in Electric Blue, 24HR Gel Shadow: Review, Swatches, and Photos

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Electric Blue is a dark midnight blue with a hint of frost, and retails for $5.99-$6.99 for 0.14 oz.  It is the least "metallic" of the five shadows in the Color Tattoo Metal collection.  Electric Blue is similar to the Crease color in Wet 'n' Wild Icon Collection Eyeshadow Set in Blue Had Me at Hello.  This shade is also the most patchy of the five shadows in this collection, likely because it is the deepest/darkest color.  Also, I have found that it will crease a bit if it's not set with some kind of powder.  Maybe I'm just giving this shade such a hard time because compared to the others in it's collection it comes up somewhat short.  Still overall, I like this shade, and I can see it working perfectly for a blue smokey eye.