Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

In general, I am not a Covergirl mascara fan. I have tried every mascara in the Lash Blast line and none of them really worked for me. When Clump Crusher hit the shelves,  the curved brush stood out to me. I gave in after seeing the flashy bright green tube, oh why must new mascara be so tempting? 

Claims: "A revolutionary new mascara, provides 200% more volume, and clump-free separated lashes even after 30 coats!"
Formula: I absolutely hated how dry, thick, and messy this formula felt on my lashes! It was so thick that it made my lashes spike together at the tips, giving me a weird spidery look. The formula is so dry, that when I applied multiple coats it flaked, everywhere. It made my lashes feel heavy and crunchy,  it was just dreadful. There was a bit of clumping, but only at the end of my lashes. 
Wand Type: The wand is just like the original lash blast but slightly curved. I really liked how the curve was a gradual curve, and not an extreme C shape curve. The small rubber bristles deposit too much product, and are too short to comb through the lashes. This is why I dislike the Lash Blast line, all of the bristles are so short that they don't separate the lashes properly.
Price/Availability: I paid $8.00 at CVS 

Results:
This mascara didn't do much for me. The lashes look very spiky and unnatural. I prefer separation and length, which Clump Crusher just doesn't have (my lashes are naturally that long). If you look closely at the tips of my lashes, you can see that there are clumps. Normally the outer corner of my lashes don't droop down as they are in the picture. This happened due to the thickness and heaviness of the formula. Clump Crusher doesn't live up to any of its claims! 

Likes:

• The packaging is different, I haven't seen a green mascara tube at the drugstore
• The gradual curve on the brush fits many eye shapes 

Dislikes:

• The formula is way too dry and thick
• It made my lashes spike together at the tips 
• Doesn't separate the lashes
• The small rubber bristles deposit too much product and can't comb through lashes
• There was clumping at the tips of my lashes

Overall:
This mascara isn't for me. As I said before, I'm not a fan of Covergirl mascaras and I was just hoping that the curved brush would offer something different. The small rubber bristles aren't good enough for separating through the lashes. Also, the short rubber bristles cause the mascara to settle in the wand a lot faster, and I find myself constantly wiping off excess product. Mascara shouldn't make your lashes look crunchy or heavy, and that's why I really hated Covergirl's Clump Crusher. 

On a side note, I want to congratulate the two winners of my giveaways: Deb Anderson (won the Living Clay Company prize) and Rabia Akhter (won the Emani Minerals prize).  I hope everyone is having a nice holiday! I am so ready for all of the new 2013 beauty products that are coming out. I just bought the Maybelline Color Whisper lipsticks and I will be doing a review shortly! 

Dita von Teese Perfume Launch and Review!

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting my biggest fashion and beauty inspiration, Dita von Teese! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to talk with her, take photos, and add her new perfume, Rouge, to my collection! 

The meet up was at Fred Segal's on Melrose in West Hollywood. Dita wore a vintage Thierry Mugler suit-dress and her signature Christian Louboutin heels! It was so amazing getting to have a conversation with her about makeup, old Hollywood, and her perfume collection. When I told Dita how much of an inspiration she is to me, she even teared up! She was so sweet, and even said that I looked fantastic! 

I talked with Dita about her makeup line with Art Deco, which I am a huge fan of, and she said that she is trying to release the makeup collection in the United States! Dita even opened her clutch, and showed me her powder compact and told me how she applies it with her brush. It was so amazing talking about my favorite subject, makeup, with her! I asked about her beauty mark, and she told me that she had it tattooed 20 years ago and that it has since faded. Dita told me to never get tattoos, so I promised her that I wouldn't, haha! When we talked about old Hollywood she told me stories about how she met Liz Taylor and Lauren Bacall! I was beyond thrilled that I had the chance to talk with her, and it was definitely a memorable experience!

Rouge, on the left and Femme Totale on the right

Dita von Teese/Femme Totale
Dita's first fragrance is unlike any perfume I own. It is a very strong, warm fragrance that has hints of floral notes. At first, it is a little too strong and a bit overpowering, I instantly smell the patchouli and musk. I prefer the scent after wearing it for a few hours, when the spice has toned down and the Bulgarian rose becomes more prevalent. The exact notes are: fresh bergamot, peony, bourbon pepper, Bulgarian rose, Tahitian tiare flower, jasmine, incense, patchouli, musk, guaiac wood and sandalwood. It stands alone and comes with a pump that is reminiscent of old-fashioned perfume bottles. Overall, I like this fragrance, but it is not my first choice.  

Rouge
This is my personal favorite of the two. When I first sprayed Rouge in the store, I instantly wanted it! The raw amber and orange notes are very prominent, and combine perfectly with the subtle magnolia. It lasts all day without feeling too strong, just the way I like a perfume to last. The exact notes are: orange, bergamot, pink pepper, smoked Lapsang Souchong tea, magnolia, woody tones and raw amber. I purchased the smaller size, which lays on its side. I love the multi-faceted look of the ruby red bottle, and the velvet bow adds a perfect cute touch! 

Here is a video of the perfume launch that I found on the RonRobinson Youtube Channel! I also just bought my ticket this morning to see Dita's show in February at the House of Blues! I am so anxious to finally see her perform! 

Emani Minerals Review and Giveaway! CLOSED

Hello everyone, today I am back with another review and giveaway, featuring products from Emani Minerals! Emani Minerals is a vegan friendly, cruelty-free beauty brand that only uses certified natural and organic ingredients. All Emani products are PETA certified, paraben free, talc free, gluten-free, and eco-friendly! When I was given the opportunity to test out a few products from their line, I felt so honored and excited! 

About Emani Minerals
"EMANI was established in 1998 with one simple purpose in mind; to provide a line of clean cosmetics that meet and exceed the high standards of the professional makeup industry and at the same time, promotes a healthy complexion for all women." read more here.

The Products:

• Organic Lip Shine -"Name Dropper"
• Vitamin Infused Hydrating Lip Color-"Drama Queen"
• How 2B Guide (includes vegan brush, lipstick, and 3 mineral shadows)- "Day Diva"
• Foundation primer and serum samples

Organic Lip Shine

I chose the shade, Name Dropper, because it is a pretty, classic cool pink that has a creamy finish! The doe foot wand allowed for easy, smooth application, and gave a lustrous shine. I appreciated that it didn't feel sticky on the lips and lasted comfortably for hours. It has medium coverage, and can be worn sheer or opaque. Vitamin A, E, and natural oils are infused in the formula, and I believe that is why this gloss is so comfortable to wear. It also felt very hydrating, like a lip balm. There is a slight scent that reminds me of orange sherbert , but it fades once on the lips. I was very pleased with the richness and quality of this gloss! 

Swatches from left to right: Vitamin Infused Hydrating Lipsticks in Ava and Drama Queen, and Organic Lip Shine in Name Dropper

Vitamin Infused Hydrating Lip Color

Drama Queen is an identical match to the Name Dropper gloss, and I love to pair similar lip colors together!  Made with natural plant waxes and oils, this lipstick glides on like butter. The hydrating formula softened my lips and delivered creamy opaque color! The wear time was average, but I definitely don't mind reapplying this lipstick throughout the day. Ava is a warm nude lipstick that came in the Day Diva How 2B Guide. The color is slightly glossy and sheer, unlike Drama Queen which is opaque. Although it is too warm for my fair complexion, Ava has a great formula. Also, the packaging feels very sturdy and luxurious!

How 2B Guide
I chose the Day Diva guide for the stunning neutral Crushed Mineral Color Dusts!  The kit also includes the Ava Vitamin Hydrating Lipstick, and a vegan eye shadow brush. The Ava lipstick looked like a pale pink on the website, but I will find a way to make the shade work somehow! I think it's so helpful that the side panel of the box gives a tutorial with illustrations on how to use the mineral dusts. 

Swatches from left to right: Safari, Peach Attitude, and Star Struck

Crushed Mineral Dusts
Made of 100% pure mineral pigments, these shades really do pop! They are suggested to be used wet, but I actually used mine dry, and got fantastic color payoff. Since these mineral shadows are loose, you have to be careful and take your time to apply them. Even using the tiniest amount gave me high color payoff! They feel very light, blend easily, and remind me of a loose version of the L'Oreal Infallible shadows.

Giveaway
Emani minerals has offered me to giveaway the How 2B Guide in "Park Avenue", which includes 1 Vegan Contour Brush, 3 Mineral Color Dust Shadows (White Gold, Java Java, Parfait), and 1 Lip Base Transformer, a $28 value! 

How to enter: 
-You must be following my blog, via Google Friend Connect (see the blue "Join this Site" button in the column to the right). 
-Like EMANIFANS Facebook fan page, here.
-Follow Emanitweets, here.
-Comment down below that you did all three entries and leave me your name! 

For extra entries: 
-Follow eatinglipstick on tumblr, here.
-Follow me on Instagram: hollieforrest
-Follow me on twitter, here. 

Please note that I will need your address so that I can forward it to Emani Minerals, who will be shipping you the products. This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. The giveaway will close Saturday, December 22nd at midnight pacific time. 

Thank you to the kind people at Emani Minerals for making this review and giveaway possible! Please be sure to check out my other giveaway, here. Also, I will be doing an international giveaway soon, so check back shortly! 

Maybelline Super Stay 10 Hour Stain Gloss

Even some of my favorite brands turn out flops, and the Maybelline Super Stay 10 Hour Stain Glosses are no exception. It was unbelievable how poorly these "stain glosses" performed. I was unsatisfied and disappointed to say the least!

The packaging is quite bulky and reminds me of a mascara tube. Also, the lettering on the front started to scratch off somehow, making me feel that the packaging is cheap. Definitely not the prettiest, or sleekest packaging.

The wand was a pleasant and unexpected surprise. I actually liked the unique oval-spoon shape of the applicator. It allowed me to apply color precisely and give me more control. 

From left to right: Refreshing Red and Ruby Indulgence

Pigmentation: The pigmentation is quite sheer, but that is expected with a stain. They don't layer very well, making the color difficult to build up. (Flaking occurs when layering). 
Finish/Texture: These claim to give a glossy finish, but the gloss wears off into a matte finish within minutes. Normally, this wouldn't bother me, but since it claims to stay glossy for 10 hours, I have to take that into consideration. 
Scent: As you know, I hate it when products are strongly scented. These remind me of grape soda, which is a rather odd choice for a lip product (plus I hate grape soda). I have never owned anything that smelled this strongly of grape before. The grape scent lingers throughout the day, it was unbearable for me. They also had a really strange, bitter taste that was horrible.
Lasting Power:  Seriously, these took forever to dry! Almost instantly after drying, I was shocked to see that the stain had settled into each and every line my lips has. The 10 hour stain glosses don't even have an hour's worth of staying power. 
Price/Availablity: I paid $6.94 per stain at Target. These are available at most drugstores.

Likes:

• Unique wand allowed precise application

Dislikes:

• Settled into lines quickly/doesn't apply evenly
• Shine disappeared quickly
• Flaking occurs when trying to layer
• Color only lasted about an hour before completely fading
• Takes about 5 minutes to dry after application
• Leaves lips feeling dry/uncomfortable
• Smells strongly of grape, has a bitter taste

Overall:
Obviously, these could never have lasted 10 hours. I already had a feeling that these weren't going to live up to such a claim, but the way that they performed was a disgrace. The shine barely lasted a minute, while the color faded within the hour. The grape soda smell was overwhelming, and the taste was disgustingly bitter. The worst thing about these stains is that they settle into the lines of your lips, even when a thin layer is applied. I have never had such a problem 

Sadly, this is one of the worst products I have tried from Maybelline. I usually am a fan of their lip products (I love the Color Sensational Lipsticks and High Shine Glosses) but these stains just didn't work at all. 

Revlon Photo Ready Cream Blush

The Revlon Photo Ready range isn't one of my favorites when it comes to drugstore makeup. When these cream blushes were released in the summer, I was a bit apprehensive about picking them up right away. All in all, it is hard for me to resist such a bright, hot pink pot of blush!

I bought the shade Flushed, which appears to be a bright fuchsia. The packaging is very simple, which doesn't bother me at all. What does bother me is that I had to pay $13 at Rite Aid for only 0.44 ounces of product. That is steep for being a drugstore item.

Claims

• Creamy blush provides buildable, beautiful flush of color
• Lightweight formula with silky soft feel on skin
• Blends evenly over cheeks for smooth application
• Photochromatic pigments bend and reflect light to provide cheeks with a beautiful glow

The little pot instantly reminds me of the old Bobbi Brown pot rouge packaging, but they are both completely different and incomparable. I like that the name is right on the top, so I can see it easier among my sea of blushes in my drawer! 

Unfortunately, the bright pink here is not exactly what you get when the blush is applied to the skin. I was a bit disappointed because these really do lack in pigmentation. To get a decent flushed look, at least four layers are needed. 

In order for the swatch to even show up in this photo, I had to use about four layers of blush. I also didn't see any glow that it claims to give to the skin. The color is very pretty, but you really have to use your time and build up the color for a few minutes. 

The best thing about this blush is that it does feel very lightweight and is wearable. In this photo I had been wearing the blush for about an hour or so, and it had already faded quite a bit. 

Application: I used my fingers to apply this blush, for me it's the easiest way to get a smooth finish. When I tried using a brush the color barely showed up, and layering was difficult. 

Finish/Texture: The finish is creamy and sheer. The texture feels like a lip balm, it's really bizarre for a cream blush. I suppose that's why it felt very lightweight on the skin. 

Lasting Power: The lasting power was horrible. It was nonexistant basically. Barely an hour later most of the color was gone! 

Scent: There wasn't a scent at all, yay! ( I hate scented face products).

Packaging: The packaging is basic, just a small pot with a twist off lid. Similar to the old Bobbi Brown pot rouge packaging. 

Price/Availability: I spent $13 at Rite Aid. I'm sure you could find it cheaper at a Target or Wal-Mart. Available at most drugstores

Likes:

• Wearable 
• Feels lightweight and creamy
• Blends nicely and evenly

Dislikes:

• Very sheer
• Color fades quickly
• Difficult to build up color
• Expensive, $13 
• Doesn't give a glow to the skin

Overall:

I was expecting a bright burst of color from this cream blush, and instead I got a natural flush that faded within an hour. Don't get me wrong, I like a natural flush too, but this blush wasn't worth keeping since the wear time was next to nothing. When I put on blush, I want it to stay looking fresh all day. I don't recommend the Photo Ready cream blush line, simply because it requires too much work for what it's worth. Sorry, Revlon better luck next time! 

Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Lip Gloss

When these glosses first hit the shelves, I only picked up one. Now I have four, and I'm trying to hold myself back from buying the rest of the entire collection. The formula is perfect, the packaging is functional, and the colors are saturated, an all around incredible product! I'm absolutely loving these so much that they are my all time favorite drugstore lip glosses!

From top to bottom: Raspberry Reflections, Electric Pink, Gleaming Grenadine, and Plum Luster

Pigmentation: These are definitely true to the color in the tube! Maybelline claims to use pure pigments in this formula, and I believe it. Each color is vibrant and gives medium coverage, but they are easily buildable without feeling gooey. 

Finish/Texture: Each gloss has super shiny finish, living up to it's name! I noticed that there is a bit of shimmer in all of them, but on the lips the shimmer seems to disappear completely. Overall, I would say they are cream finish. The texture is completely smooth and light, and is Maybelline's first wax-free formula! 

Scent: They smell a bit fruity, exactly the same way Revlon Superlustrous lip glosses smell. It isn't too overpowering, and wears off within minutes. 

Lasting Power: I had to reapply these a couple of times while I was wearing them, about once every two hours. They aren't the longest lasting glosses, but they are so pleasant to wear that I don't mind to reapply them! 

Packaging: Each gloss has a doefoot applicator, my favorite! The tubes are long and sturdy making it easy to find in my makeup bag.

Price/Availability: I paid $5.50 at Target. I have also seen these at Ulta and most drugstores.

From left to right: Electric Pink, Plum Luster, Gleaming Grenadine, and Raspberry Reflections

Likes:

• Vibrant, pigmented colors
• Can be worn sheer or opaque
• High shine, creamy finish
• Glide on smoothly and evenly
• Feel light and moisturizing on the lips
• Functional packaging with doefoot applicator
• Affordable and readily available

Dislikes:

I don't have anything to dislike about these glosses! 

Overall: 

I can't believe how amazing these are, seriously this is the best drugstore lip gloss I have ever tried. The formula is non-sticky, moisturizing, pigmented, and gives off insane shine! I can't even pick which one is my favorite because I have been enjoying all of them equally. Hopefully Maybelline will expand this line and come out with more shades! 

Also, have any of you seen the newest Maybelline mascara, the Rocket? They are coming out with a ton of new products for 2013 new Color Tattoo shades, new Colorsensational lipstick shades, a new foundation, and a new line of lipsticks called Color Whisper! I can't wait to try everything! I saw pictures and swatches of the new products on Maybelline's Instagram page. 

Elf Glossy Gloss

Elf is definitely a hit or miss brand with me. I have tried a wide range of their products now, and I would have to say that these Glossy Glosses are my favorite product that Elf has to offer! These smooth, vibrant glosses are a huge steal at only $3 a piece! 

Swatches from left to right: Funky Fuschia, Wild watermelon, and Merry Cherry

Pigmentation: Excellent, these shades give opaque color in just one swipe! 
Finish/Texture:The gloss does have a bit of a sticky feel to it, but they glide on smoothly and evenly even if you're lips aren't in the best condition. They also feel very moisturizing! 
Scent: There is a slight sweet scent of vanilla/sugar in each gloss. Not too strong or overpowering at all, and it doesn't linger throughout the day.
Lasting Power: Since these are a bit sticky, they have strong last power. I don't even need to reapply this gloss during my day, unless I eat or drink. 
Packaging: The applicator is a standard brush, you can see a photo of it here. The square shape of the acrylic plastic is quite nice for a drugstore lip gloss. 
Price/Availability: $3 at elfcosmetics.com I have never seen these at Target, unfortunately.

Likes:

• Bright, pigmented,opaque colors
• Glide on smoothly
• Moisturize my lips
• Super Affordable, $3
• Last all day

Dislikes:

• I've only seen them available on elf's website
• The brush isn't a doefoot applicator (it's a standard brush applicator)

Overall:
I recently ordered more shades during the Cyber Monday sale, and I can't wait to get them! These Glossy Gloss shades are all bright, rich, and opaque. They look fantastic alone and layered over lipstick. My favorite thing about them is that they last all day, and are unbelievably creamy for only $3. The elf website states that these Glossy Glosses are Vitamin E infused, and I really do feel the moisture. Ever since I bought these (cue the music) I just can't get enough, I just can't get enough!

Baked Goodies From Hard Candy

I have been longing for the Living Doll blush and Peace baked eyeshadow duo for quite some time now! When I came home from Texas, my mom surprised me with these goodies from Hard Candy! 

Since these products are baked, you can use them either wet or dry. I love how simple you can intensify the color by just dampening your brush. I like to think of baked makeup as "transformers", because they really can change up your look from light to intense so easily. 

I have only tried a few Hard Candy products, since they are only available at Wal-mart  and usually everything is out of stock. I can't wait to give these a try! Also wanted to say that I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving holiday! 

Makeup From Austria!

Whenever I see or hear about beauty brands that are only available abroad, I automatically want to try them. Recently, my dad went to Austria and brought me back all of these goodies! My aunt also helped out by picking the shades that she thought would suit me, and even pitched in! So, thank you to my dad and my Aunt who bought me all of this wonderful makeup and brought it back home for me! 

The Haul:

• Astor Soft Sensation Lipstick- "060"
• Dita von Teese for Artdeco Lipstick- "Erotique"
• Isadora Perfect Moisture Lipstick-"Flirty Fuchsia" 
• Catrice Absolute Eye Colour Mono-"Starlight Expresso"
• Catrice Absolute Eye Colour Mono-"Oh, It's Toffeeful"
• Catrice Absolute Eye Colour Mono-"My First Copperware Party"
• Labello Fruity Shine Cherry Lip Balm
• Labello Rose Shine Lip Balm
• Astor Big and Beautiful Boom! Volume Mascara
• Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara
• Isadora Big Bold Mascara
• Manhattan Supersize Mascara

I have heard so many great things and seen some awesome swatches of most of these products, and I'm so excited to finally try them out myself! I have been longing for a Dita Von Teese lipstick ever since I heard that she was creating her own line with Artdeco, about a year ago. I can't wait to post about each and every one of these items in detail. It's so much fun to discover new beauty products! 

Avon Haul and a Big Thank You!

Hello again everyone! I'm still in Texas,  and I have been a little slow with the posts lately. I was trying to post at least once a week while I'm out here, but I have been quite busy! Texas is so much fun, it's so nice out here. I have really been enjoying myself, and I've been taking pictures of everything.. which I will be posting about, of course! 

Avon has made quite a few new products recently, and when I saw them I just couldn't pass them up. 
The Haul:

• Ulta Luxury Eyeliner Pencil -Black
• Vitaluscious Glazewear Lipgloss-Rose Flush
• Vitaluscious Glazewear Lipgloss-Pink Boost
• Kohl Eye Liner
• Caramel Apple Lip Balm 
• Butterscotch Lip Balm

The Ultra Luxury eye liner pencil isn't a new product, but it's a favorite of mine, it's seriously one of the best eye pencils I've ever used! I was so excited when the Vitaluscious line of Glazewear lip gloss was introduced, I have since bought more shades and I plan to swatch/review them all in an upcoming post. I must say, Rose Flush is one of the prettiest lip gloss shades I have come across in a while! I have been using it non-stop, and I even posted about it on my Instagram (follow me @hollieforrest). Unfortunately, the lip balms were quite disappointing, and I will elaborate soon. I did not have the chance to use the Kohl eye liner yet, but it looks very promising! 

Also, I wanted to say a special thank you to Bloggers.com for featuring me as one of the Editor's Picks of The Day! I felt so honored when I found out the big news! If you found my blog through this site, welcome and thank you for checking out my blog! I cannot believe that I have reached 60 followers now.. 

I now realize that blogging has become more than just a hobby for me. It's actually being read by other makeup lovers out there! Thank you to my subscribers out there who are supporting me here at eatinglipstick! I really appreciate it and hope that you truly enjoy reading my blog, thank you again! :)

Wet N Wild Haul

Two weeks ago at CVS, all Wet N Wild products were buy one get one free! Wet N Wild is one of the cheaper drugstore brands, but that doesn't mean that they don't have some great products. I've been loving their mono shadows and Megalast lipsticks! They also have great eyeshadow trios, "Walking on Eggshells" is my favorite. 

The Haul: 

Color Icon Eyeshadow Single- Panther

Color Icon Eyeshadow Single- Nutty

Megalast Lip Color w/bonus lip pencil-Red Velvet

Megalast Lip Color w/bonus lip pencil-Sugar Plum Fairy

Silk Finish Lipstick-Nouveau Pink

Silk Finish Lipstick-Dark Wine

Megaslicks Lipgloss- Cotton Candy

Megaslicks Lipgloss-Seedless Watermelon

Wild Shine Nail Color-Clear

Total: $8.50 (with tax) 

If you've never tried Wet N Wild, I suggest you give them a try! Their Megalast lipsticks are my favorite product that they offer. They're super pigmented and they stay put! The eyeshadows are my other favorite product from Wet N Wild. The trios and singles are both smooth, blendable, and pigmented. The Wild Shine nail polish in clear makes a great basecoat! I'm really excited to try the lipgloss and Silk Finish lipstick. 

If you're a fan of Wet N Wild on Facebook, you can enter to win a trip to Hollywood! I'll be reviewing the products as soon as I get home from Texas! I'm visiting my boyfriend, so far I'm loving it out here! 

Rubie's Glow in the Dark Lipstick

Now that October is in full swing, I've been looking forward to Halloween makeup! I usually give in to buying at least a few things that are Halloween themed. I was so excited when I saw this Glow in the Dark lipstick at a Michael's craft store. I just had to test it out! 

The brand is Rubie's, a costume retailer that also sells accessories, including costume makeup. This is the first time I've seen their products before, and I figured $1.50 wouldn't be too bad of a loss. It's worth a shot! 

 Here's a close up of the lipstick in the packaging. Nothing too exciting, the packaging could be better. I hate it when Halloween makeup looks goofy. Maybe that's just me? 

 It does state that this lipstick isn't recommended for children under 14. The phrase "ingredients are recognized as safe" also concerns me. It doesn't say that they are safe, is says "recognized as".. that's a bit suspicious. 

Here's the lipstick in the tube itself. Before applying it to my lips, I held it up to the sunlight for a good minute or two. Nothing happened. It didn't glow at all on my lips! I was extremely disappointed, because I did exactly what the directions stated. I even tried holding it to the light for five minutes, still nothing. It only glows in the tube. Even a swatch doesn't glow. 

It looks promising in the tube doesn't it? It's cool to look at, but it doesn't even work on the lips! 

Dislikes:

• Doesn't actually glow on the lips
• Ugly packaging
• "Ingredients are recognized as safe" -what does that even mean? 
• Tastes like plastic
• Can only be used for ages 14+

Overall:
This lipstick doesn't glow on the lips as it states it does. I don't like products that have such high claims. For exapmle: "The longer lips are exposed to light, the longer and brighter they will glow" obviously not.. Oh well, looks like I'll have to go back to the drawing board to find a glow in the dark lipstick that actually works! If anybody knows of a good one, leave me a comment please! 

Mini Ulta Haul

Hello everyone, I just wanted to do a quick post of some new products I bought at Ulta the other day! I used my '$5 off of $15 or more' coupon from Allure magazine and took advantage of the BOGO 50% sale off of all Revlon lip products.

The Haul:

• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick- "Raspberry Bite" 
• Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick-"Brilliant Bordeaux"
• Essence Stay With Me Longlasting Lipgloss-"Kiss, Kiss, Kiss"
• Essence Eyebrow Designer-"Brown"

I've been searching for a good drugstore brow pencil for a while now, hopefully this will be a nice one. So far I've tried Rimmel, Wet N Wild, and Maybelline brow pencils without any luck. I already have a few of the Essence Stay With Me Glosses, and I love them. The colors are true to the tube and opaque without being sticky, plus they smell delicious! This is my first time trying the Revlon Ultimate Liquid Lipstick, and I'm really excited! Raspberry Bite looks like a really pretty shade of red. I'm probably going to be wearing it all throughout fall. 

Oh, and I wanted to say a special thank you to those of you who are following my blog! I can't believe I have 40 followers! :) 

Revlon Black Cherry Super Lustrous Lipstick

Fall is officially here! For me, that means trying every deep red shade of lipstick that I come across. I don't have many dark reds, and lately I've been wanting to expand my collection. I decided to try Revlon's "Black Cherry" - A deep purple tinged red.

In the tube, black cherry looks like a completely black lipstick! 

As you can see, it looks very dark in the tube. Once it's applied however, it lightens up quite a bit. I know sometimes deep shades can be intimidating, however Black Cherry is actually a flattering red that would look nice on just about any skin tone. 

Here it is swatched on my wrist. It's hard to tell in this shot, but it applies very patchy and almost thin/runny. I adore the shade, but the texture isn't smooth. 

On my lips you can notice the patchy-ness quality that Black Cherry has. This is the first time I've come across this problem with a Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick. That's the one reason why I didn't enjoy Black Cherry as much as previous shades I've tried in this collection. 

Pigmentation: The pigmentation isn't as high quality as I expect from a Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick. It's somewhat lacking, and isn't as opaque as I would like. It'svery difficult to layer too. 
Finish/Texture: I feel that Black Cherry is quite thin for a cream finish lipstick. It feels runny, thin, and slippery, which is definitely unusual for a Revlon lipstick. 
Scent: I don't notice any scent at all within the Revlon Super Lustrous line. It's one of the many reasons I keep coming back to these. (I prefer unscented lipsticks in general).
Lasting Power: Since this lipstick is very runny, it bleeds all over the place. There basically isn't any lasting power, it just disappears! 
Price: $8.00 at CVS 

Likes:

• pretty color
• suits many skin tones
• unscented

Dislikes:

• bleeds, everywhere
• applies messy:  thin, patchy, and unevenly
• lacks pigmentation

Overall:
I'm a huge fan of Revlon Super Lustrous lipsticks, but this one was a miss. It didn't have any of the qualities that I expected. The color was patchy and uneven, andt was a nightmare to apply! Within five minutes of having it on, it started to bleed out of my lines. I never have a problem with lipsticks bleeding, this was a first for me. Thin, runny textures aren't my first choice when it comes to lipstick. The deep purple-toned red is beautiful, but the texture is what ruined it for me. 

How to Save Money at Forever21

Forever21 is a relatively affordable clothing line that offers a variety of fashionable clothing and accessories. When I feel the urge to buy new clothes, I want to go to places that are affordable. 

Usually when I'm "in the mood" for shopping, or just want to browse around a store, I end up at Forever21.  Whenever I walk into one of their shops, I feel overwhelmed because they have so much stuff to look through! It's hard to leave empty-handed, and that's when prices start to add up..

Tip Number 1: Invade the sale section
To prevent getting carried away and over-spending, I like to do a thorough search throughout the entire sale section! I know you're probably thinking that it sounds boring and that you won't find anything worth the time and effort, but trust me, you will likely find something. Most Forever21 locations have a whole wall, or sometimes even a room, dedicated to sale items! 

Tip Number 2: Double checking 
Most of the items in the sale section are already marked down in red ink on the tag itself, so you know that the item is definitely on sale. However, sometimes things aren't always properly marked. Meaning that an unmarked item might actually be on sale. (This actually happened to me the other day). Just ask an employee to check the price for you before putting it back on the rack. 

Tip Number 3: Sale within a Sale 
When clothes go into the sale section at Forever21, it's usually because they're no longer "in style" or that the store is trying to make room for seasonal clothing. Since they're so desperate to get rid of stuff, they usually have extra promotions. For example, there will be a "Buy one get one free of equal or lesser value" or "Additional 50% Off". I always take advantage of sales like this, I mean it's like you're getting clothes for next to nothing, sometimes free. 

Tip Number 4: Challenge Yourself
I find myself even more motivated to find good deals when I make it a challenge for myself. I'll think Ok, let's see how many different items I can get with $20, $15, or $10. It sounds kind of lame, but it's actually surprising how much value you can actually get out of the sale section.

Tip Number 5: Baby Steps
Sometimes the sale section can be a little disheveled and unorganized. To avoid this, try to come early in the morning before most people tear it up. If you can't go early, divide the room into sections. Start with the wall racks and then move to the bins, or something along those lines. If you don't want to look at everything, just scan through whatever catches your eye. 

Remember
If you're one of those clowns that think sales are for people who are underprivileged, just remember that you're shopping at Forever21 here. Sales are a great way to satisfy the urge to get something new or to update a wardrobe without over-spending. Just think of all of the money that you'll be saving! I think sales are wonderful and there's absolutely nothing wrong about wanting to save money. Go for it and have fun! 


Here are more photos from my most recent sale spree:

I actually ended up buying the cute floral dress and the out until dawn shirt shown here.  My mom bought some sunglasses and shirts too! 

It's not to late to get in on the additional half off sale. Right now on Forever21.com you can still get the deal, but it ends today! I prefer looking in stores, because they have so much more to look through. I also noticed that each location tends to vary what they put on the racks. 

I really enjoy bargain hunting when I have the opportunity to. It's so much fun getting great deals!