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.

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.

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?  

Favorites: Trader Joe's Strawberry Ice Cream Made With Coconut Milk

Trader Joe's Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Cream

So I'm a little bit obsessed with coconut stuff.  I love coconut water, coconut oil, coconut lotion, etc.  The other day I picked up this Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Cream from Trader Joe's.  Yummy!  Very creamy and sort of tropical.  The coconut isn't overpowering to me - strawberry is definitely the main flavor.  Dairy and gluten free.  Also less calories per serving than regular milk ice cream!

Top 5 Skincare Products

My skincare routine is always changing but these 5 items are staples in my bathroom:

1. Cetaphil - I started using this in my 20s because I read in a magazine that dermatologists recommend it for sensitive/normal skin.  I tried the combination/oily skin version (because I have combination skin) and for some reason, it made me break out.  The original version cleans my face without stripping it of oils.  I've used other drugstore soaps such as Purpose, Neutrogena Deep Cleansing Gel, Biore, etc. and they always left my skin feeling a little bit tight afterwards.  
2. ROC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (Retinol) - I wanted to incorporate a retinol skincare product into my routine when I was in my 20s and I started with the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream.  That made me break out.  I tried this ROC version and it works much better for me.  I also like Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 Treatment but it's a little harder to find.
3. Eucerin Everyday Protection SPF 30 - One of my best friends turned me on to this moisturizer.  I use it everyday, even if my foundation or BB Cream has SPF in it.  It doesn't leave a pasty white finish even though it offers good sun protection. 
4. Origins Spot Remover - Sometimes I get milia around my eyes and the internet told me this helps prevent it.  I need to be more diligent about using this regularly though.
5. Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream - A richer eye cream for the night.  I don't like crepey looking skin under the eyes so I do what I can to prevent that from happening.  Since this formula is creamy, I don't use it during the day under makeup.  I prefer something more sheer under makeup.

What are your top 5 skincare products?

Favorites: Harmless Harvest 100% Raw Organic Coconut Water

I've always liked coconut water and I've tried many different brands.  My favorite was O.N.E. which comes in juice box.  But I was at Whole Foods the other day and decided to try this:


Harmless Harvest Coconut Water 8 oz.

When I was paying for it, the cashier said to me, "Oh my god, those are so good!...They taste just like water straight out of the coconut.  But it's better because you never know how much you will get in a coconut.  At least in the bottle you can see."  And he was right!  These are sooooooo much better than boxed pasteurized coconut water.  When I was younger, my mom used to buy raw coconut water from Asian supermarkets.  This tastes just like that!  It is a little pricey for such a small bottle ($2.69 USD) but I can't go back to the other kind.

Link to Harmless Harvest Website (I'm not affiliated with this company):  http://www.harmlessharvest.com/

Favorites: Leighelena Jigsaw Cuff Bracelet in Black Anaconda

 

Leighelena Jigsaw Cuff in Black Anaconda with Gold Buckle

One night I decided I needed a black cuff bracelet ASAP, preferably in snakeskin.  So naturally I googled "black snakeskin cuff bracelet."  One of the results was the Leighelena Jigsaw Cuff pictured above.  It was love at first sight.  The buckle is so modern and sleek.  The only problem was that the Jigsaw style comes in a wide variety of colors and I wasn't so sure I wanted the black anymore.  There's a very cool Stingray Rainbow Hologram style that I was eyeing:

Photo from http://www.shopleighelena.com/

In the end, I decided the black would match with more of my clothes.  Here is a picture of the bracelet on my wrist:

It comes in two sizes:  S and M.  I bought the S.  It's supposed to have a snug fit but I have very small wrists.  Nevertheless, I still like the way it fits.  I hope to purchase more later but they are $100 - $150 each so it's something I have to plan for in my budget.  I do think they are worth it because it is a well made piece of jewelry (made in the USA).  Plus, I will use it for years.  I also like this one and this one!  Which style do you like?

Where to buy Leighelena:

http://www.leighelena.com/

http://www.endless.com/Leighelena-Jewelry/s?brands=Leighelena&node=2366135011

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A3885441%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A2687674011&page=1