Review: Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation in Warm Golden on NC30

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation in 320 Warm Golden

I was never a fan of drugstore foundations...until now.  I read all the rave reviews about Revlon's Colorstay Whipped Foundation and decided I must try it.  I was running out of my usual Makeup Forever HD Foundation anyway.  So I headed to Target and came home with the color 320 Warm Golden.  I read a ton of reviews before I made my purchase.  It's impossible to see what color you are getting because the glass container is so thick that every color looks similar. 

320 Warm Golden

Swatch of 320 Warm Golden 

This full-coverage foundation has a nice semi-matte finish and leaves my skin looking flawless.  It hides imperfections like minor hyperpigmention pretty well.  The shade 320 Warm Golden is a good match for my NC30 skin tone although I wish it were a little bit more yellow.  The texture is like Cool Whip.  I have to be careful about the application because I layered too much once and my face looked and felt very cakey.  I find the easiest way to apply it is with my fingers and it blends nicely.  I have normal/combination skin and the formula lasts all day (that I am awake and wearing makeup).  The packaging says it's 24-hour coverage but I don't know about that.

When I wear this foundation I first apply a layer of Eucerin's Daily Protection Moisturizer in SPF 30.  After that, I dip a mini spatula or Qtip in the foundation pot and apply little dots over my face.  Then I use my fingers to blend.  Viola!  Flawless skin.  I don't use any powder to set it although I do blot during the afternoon to control slight shine on my t-zone.  I use Clean and Clear Blotting Sheets or Maybelline's Dream Matte Pressed Powder in Medium Sand.

Overall, this was a great purchase for $11.99!  Give it a try!

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with any of these companies.  Although all of my links are for Target, you can purchase these products at other retailers such as CVS, Rite Aid and Drugstore.com.

Review: NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Smoky Look and Pink Rose

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Rose (top) and Smoky Look

A lot of the YouTube beauty gurus mention NYX Cosmetics and I believe it's supposed to be a drugstore brand.  However, I've never found it at any of the drugstores in my area (San Fernando Valley, CA).  I purchased these two Mega Shine Lip glosses on-line at Amazon.com for $5.50 each.  Ulta carries NYX too.

There's a wide variety of colors to choose from and I picked two:  Smoky Look and Pink Rose.  Smoky Look is a nude pinky-beige with subtle shimmer and Pink Rose is a vivid pink with a lot of shimmer.  While these glosses are not opaque, they give my lips a nice wash of color.  I was impressed by the quality. They are not sticky or tacky but they do provide a high shine.  This is in contrast to my Guerlain Kiss Kiss gloss which is also shiny but much more sticky.  The NYX gloss is not a long wearing formula so like many lip glosses, I have to reapply often if I want to have color on my lips all day.

L to R:  Pink Rose and Smokey Look

The cap of the lip gloss wand has cute little bows!

The one thing that I am not too sure about is the flavor.  The glosses have a strong fake cherry flavor that is very artificial.  On the one hand, I'd rather have a lip gloss taste like fake fruits instead of chemicals.  But on the other hand, the flavor reminds me of cherry flavored Nyquil.  Overall all though, I would repurchase this lip gloss and I want to try other colors.  I definitely think they are worth $5.50.

Disclaimer:  I'm not affiliated with any of these companies.

Review: Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion Light and Milky Lotion

L to R:  Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion Light and Milky Lotion

I became intrigued by Hada Labo products after I read that in Japan, one bottle of the lotion sells every 4 seconds.  The first time I went looking for it at a local Asian beauty supply store, I bought the wrong one. The original "lotion" is actually a liquid, sort of like a toner.  I bought the milky lotion instead.  I went back a few days later to get the liquid lotion in the light formula.

I do like the liquid lotion although to me it seems more like a toner.  Hyaluronic acid is supposed to deeply moisturize the skin.  I ended up purchasing the light version because while I have normal/combination skin, my tee-zone becomes pretty oily in the summer.  I pour a little of the clear lotion on my hands and then splash it on my face.  It feels light and soothing.  It does moisturize my skin and it feels just right during the hot summer months.  I generally use this at night or on days when I won't be wearing a lot of makeup.

As for the milky lotion, I am not a big fan.  It leaves my skin feeling oily and sticky.  That may be because I don't really need the extra moisture in the summer.  Maybe it will be better in the winter when my skin is much drier.  I have been applying a thin layer over the liquid lotion.

What I do like about both products is that they are unscented.  A lot of Asian beauty products are heavily scented compared to the products I regularly use.  I paid $14 for the original lotion and $18 for the milky lotion.  You can find these products at amazon.com and drugstore.com.

OOTD: 9/15/12 Comedy Club

OOTD:  Sat, 9/15/2012

Sorry for the wonky lighting and shadows.  I wore this outfit to a comedy club.

Top:  Rebecca Taylor - I love this blouse, especially the sleeves.

Layering tank:  C &  C California - I think they make the best layering tanks.  They're thin and long.

Jeans:  J Brand 901 Jeggings in Seal [color no longer available but similar here]

Shoes:  Stuart Weitzman Minx

Bath and Body Works Fall 2012 Slatkin Candle Haul and Storage

Candle Storage

When Bath and Body Works recently had their 2 for 20 candle deal, I went a little bit nuts.  I bought five 3-wick candles.  My justification for this was that they were only $7 each with a coupon - and they smell so delicious!  Now I regret not buying more.  Next time, I have my eye on Pumpkin Cupcake, Cranberry Woods, Cider Lane, and Salty Caramel.  During my most recent haul, I purchased:  Frosted Cupcake, Leaves, French Baguette, Cafe Au Lait and Cinnamon Sugared Donuts.

My favorite fall scent from BBW is their signature scent, Leaves (it doesn't really smell like leaves).  So amazing!  For me, it captures the scent of the season.  Leaves is described as, "a rich blend of golden nectar, red apples and berries."  It's a little bit spicy, which I love.  I smell apples and spices.

Right now I am burning Cafe Au Lait which smells yummy.  It doesn't smell like coffee, which is what I thought it would smell like.  It smells more like a cafe/bakery with some chocolaty notes...almost like tiramisu. Throw is great and wicks haven't had any problems. 

I'm also burning Coconut Water since it's still very warm in California and thus, season appropriate for me.  It's a mild creamy coconut scent with a light throw.  The wicks on this candle suck.  I do have to mess with it a bit to keep it burning evenly. 

I store my candles and fragrance oils in a buffet in the small dining area of my apartment.  They are kept in a cool dark place.  These new ones won't be kept in storage for long!  I can't wait to burn them.

OOTD: 9/9/2012 Lunch with Friends

Outfit of the Day:  Sat, Sept 9

I wore this outfit to grab lunch with friends at a local Indian restaurant down the street from my apartment.  I forgot I owned that skirt!  I'm trying not to buy any new clothes for a while so I have been rummaging through my overflowing closet to find items I've neglected.

Tank:  J Crew

Skirt:  Free People "Cantina" Wrap Skirt

Sandals:  Dolce Vita

Bracelets:  Kenneth Jay Lane and unknown brand

Top 5 Scents/Fragrances

L to R:  Iris Noble, Child, Creme Bouquet, Monyette Paris and La Chasse Aux Papillons

I love perfume but I often forget to wear it.  In high school I wore Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers or Estee Lauder Beautiful.  My taste has changed and over the years I have collected a few fragrances.  These are my top five picks in no particular order:

1.  Acqua di Parma Iris Noble [packaging has been revamped] - Sephora.com claims that "Iris Nobile strikes the perfect balance between the elegance of a classic floral bouquet and modern, refined notes like Mandarin from Sicily, cedar flower, vanilla from Madagascar, and ambrette crystals."  A nice light citrus-y Spring/Summer scent.
2. Child - I have been wearing this for about a decade and it's probably my signature scent.  Beautyhabit.com describes this scent as having the following top notes: vanilla, lilac, and faint magnolia.  Heart notes are jasmine, tuberose and violet with base notes of creme musk, rose, and mimosa.
3. Stila Creme Bouquet [packaging has been revamped but this old bottle is cuter!] - Stila.com claims this scent "sparkles in notes of sweet vanilla entwined with rare lily of the valley and sensual pink lilac essences."  This smells soft and powdery sweet.
4. Monyette Paris [packaging has been revamped] - Luckyscent.com describes this perfume as "creamy and luscious, this bewitching scent combines voluptuous gardenia and island vanilla orchid, a sweet earthy vanilla." A creamy floral that smells divine. 
5. L'Artisan Parfumeur - La Chasse Aux Papillons - I have also been wearing this scent for years.  A lovely feminine Spring/Summer floral scent.  According to Luckysent.com, these are the top notes:  linden blossom, lemon tree blossom, orange blossom, jasmine, and tuberose.   
6. Honorable mention [not pictured]:  A good friend gave me a limited edition Jo Malone Gift Set with 6 fragrances to wear alone or layered.  My favorite from the set is Orange Blossom.  I also love Pomegranate Noir.

What are your top 5 scents?