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Thursday, January 31, 2013

L'ORÉAL Color Riche lipstick in Blushing Sequin: Swatches and Review

Spring is almost here! Well not almost...but bright lipsticks are becoming all the rage once more!
 
 

L'ORÉAL Color Riche lipstick in #172, Blushing Sequin. It is a bright pink with a slightly coral tinge that has pink sparkle and a slightly sweet smell that is not overpowering. It retails for just over $10 at Ulta and Target and comes in classy gold packaging with a strip of color so you can see which hue you are reaching for.
 

 
If you want a lipstick that is going to last around 6 hours, fade evenly, and be on trend, then this shade is for you. It is creamy enough to go on smoothly, but it doesn't feel like much on the lips. It is slightly drying so I suggest a balm layered under or over it.
 
 

I really like the Color Riche lipsticks because they come in trendy colors, wear well, but do not look too heavy. This looks natural and light!
 
Price: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10
Total: 48/50 = A = Happy Happy Panda!
What is your favorite Color Riche shade?
 

 
 

L'ORÉAL Color Riche lipstick in Blushing Sequin: Swatches and Review

Spring is almost here! Well not almost...but bright lipsticks are becoming all the rage once more!
 
 

L'ORÉAL Color Riche lipstick in #172, Blushing Sequin. It is a bright pink with a slightly coral tinge that has pink sparkle and a slightly sweet smell that is not overpowering. It retails for just over $10 at Ulta and Target and comes in classy gold packaging with a strip of color so you can see which hue you are reaching for.
 

 
If you want a lipstick that is going to last around 6 hours, fade evenly, and be on trend, then this shade is for you. It is creamy enough to go on smoothly, but it doesn't feel like much on the lips. It is slightly drying so I suggest a balm layered under or over it.
 
 

I really like the Color Riche lipsticks because they come in trendy colors, wear well, but do not look too heavy. This looks natural and light!
 
Price: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 10/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10
Total: 48/50 = A = Happy Happy Panda!
What is your favorite Color Riche shade?
 

 
 

L'ORÉAL Magic Lumi Primer: Quick Review

I have been searching for a good primer for a while now...
 
But a good primer is hard to find. I have been using my moisturizer (Philosophy's Hope in a Jar) as a stand in as it is tacky enough for my foundation to stick to it, but I want a real primer, ya know?
 
 
 
 
L'ORÉAL's Magic Lumi primer is a light infused primer that is supposed to give a subtle glow to your skin. It retails for around $12, but luckily I picked it up in a buy one, get one 50% off sale...you will soon see why.
 
 
I was pretty impressed with the packaging at first: sleek, portable, classy...but when I went to test it, all of my happiness jumped out of the window. It came out like water! Sparkly water, but water nonetheless. I tried shaking it, squirting more out, tipping it upside down...and all that happened was more water and some gross, lumpy, separated primer. Eww.
 
After doing some research, I found that a lot of other people had the same problem. I don't know if it has a short shelf life, or if it was just a bad batch, but it was unusable and I wasn't the only victim. I am really sad about it, but this was just one big fail!
 
 
Save your money and spend it on a different primer. Also, don't make impulse buys!
 
Price: 8/10

Performance: 0/10

Color/Wearability: 0/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 0/10
 
Total: 18/50 = F! = Sobbing Panda
 
What do you think? Tried this primer? Had the same problem? Sound off!
 
 

L'ORÉAL Magic Lumi Primer: Quick Review

I have been searching for a good primer for a while now...
 
But a good primer is hard to find. I have been using my moisturizer (Philosophy's Hope in a Jar) as a stand in as it is tacky enough for my foundation to stick to it, but I want a real primer, ya know?
 
 
 
 
L'ORÉAL's Magic Lumi primer is a light infused primer that is supposed to give a subtle glow to your skin. It retails for around $12, but luckily I picked it up in a buy one, get one 50% off sale...you will soon see why.
 
 
I was pretty impressed with the packaging at first: sleek, portable, classy...but when I went to test it, all of my happiness jumped out of the window. It came out like water! Sparkly water, but water nonetheless. I tried shaking it, squirting more out, tipping it upside down...and all that happened was more water and some gross, lumpy, separated primer. Eww.
 
After doing some research, I found that a lot of other people had the same problem. I don't know if it has a short shelf life, or if it was just a bad batch, but it was unusable and I wasn't the only victim. I am really sad about it, but this was just one big fail!
 
 
Save your money and spend it on a different primer. Also, don't make impulse buys!
 
Price: 8/10

Performance: 0/10

Color/Wearability: 0/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 0/10
 
Total: 18/50 = F! = Sobbing Panda
 
What do you think? Tried this primer? Had the same problem? Sound off!
 
 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Mani of the Week featuring Julep's Lauren!

I have been thinking of doing a mani of the week so this is an attempt!
 
 
 
This mani was very much inspired by a hopefulness for warmer weather in California as well as a nod to 60's mod. I did a white base with Sally Hansen's White On and then left a little bit of the white exposed as I painted the hot pink over it. Finished with a layer of Posche topcoat.
 
 
Julep's Lauren was the perfect color for this mani. It is a bright, almost fluorescent pink that dries slightly matte. The matte finish would have been cool too, but I love manicures to be glossy. The formula for this particular color runs a little thick but is still easy to work with.
 
 
What do you guys think? Hit or miss?
 
 


Mani of the Week featuring Julep's Lauren!

I have been thinking of doing a mani of the week so this is an attempt!
 
 
 
This mani was very much inspired by a hopefulness for warmer weather in California as well as a nod to 60's mod. I did a white base with Sally Hansen's White On and then left a little bit of the white exposed as I painted the hot pink over it. Finished with a layer of Posche topcoat.
 
 
Julep's Lauren was the perfect color for this mani. It is a bright, almost fluorescent pink that dries slightly matte. The matte finish would have been cool too, but I love manicures to be glossy. The formula for this particular color runs a little thick but is still easy to work with.
 
 
What do you guys think? Hit or miss?
 
 


Sneak Peek! Frankens!

I recently ordered a make-your-own frankens kit off of Etsy here. It came with 10 bottles with solvent and tons of glitter as well as funnels and little spoons. I set aside an afternoon to make them and I came up with 10 really fun glitter polishes. Once a week I will be showing you one of my creations as well as how you can make your own version.

Who knows, maybe I will open my own Etsy store one day!!


I am really happy with how they came out! Here are some swatches on a nail wheel of a few of them!

 
 

Sneak Peek! Frankens!

I recently ordered a make-your-own frankens kit off of Etsy here. It came with 10 bottles with solvent and tons of glitter as well as funnels and little spoons. I set aside an afternoon to make them and I came up with 10 really fun glitter polishes. Once a week I will be showing you one of my creations as well as how you can make your own version.

Who knows, maybe I will open my own Etsy store one day!!


I am really happy with how they came out! Here are some swatches on a nail wheel of a few of them!

 
 

Friday, January 25, 2013

Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss

I am forever hunting for matte things! Whether it be polish, eyeshadow, or in this case--lipstick--I am always searching for the perfect fit!
 
Will Rimmel's new Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss be a winner?
 
 

This shade, simply called 103 is a medium pink with a slight peachy/dusty pull. It is supposed to have a totally matte formula but there is a bit of creaminess before it dries down. Retails for $4.99 at Ulta, Target, and drugstores and is housed in a pretty red bullet with Kate's iconic signature. 4 hours of good wear, no flaking, and feels feather light on the lips. However, there is a very strong, lingering floral mixed with candy smell that is really off-putting.


I really do love the packaging. It is a pretty tube that will get noticed when you pull it out to apply.
 
 
This lipstick is for any fans of Rimmel, Kate Moss, and matte lipsticks, pretty much in that order. If you are looking for a way to ease into matte's, this is a nice baby step because it is so comfortable and user friendly. Not very dramatic, and very smelly...so be warned!


I love the way it looks on my lips, and has gone strong for 4 hours...but the smell is still there and is killing my sensitive nose! Ugh, so sad!
 

This would have been my new Holy Grail matte lipstick if it weren't for the smell. I am so disappointed. I urge you to check them out for yourself! They really are worth it besides the scent.

Price: 10/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 7/10 (smell makes it hard to keep on for me)

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10
 
Total: 46/50 = A- = Happy Panda
 
Have you tried the new matte version of the original? Thoughts?
 
 
 
 

Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss

I am forever hunting for matte things! Whether it be polish, eyeshadow, or in this case--lipstick--I am always searching for the perfect fit!
 
Will Rimmel's new Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss be a winner?
 
 

This shade, simply called 103 is a medium pink with a slight peachy/dusty pull. It is supposed to have a totally matte formula but there is a bit of creaminess before it dries down. Retails for $4.99 at Ulta, Target, and drugstores and is housed in a pretty red bullet with Kate's iconic signature. 4 hours of good wear, no flaking, and feels feather light on the lips. However, there is a very strong, lingering floral mixed with candy smell that is really off-putting.


I really do love the packaging. It is a pretty tube that will get noticed when you pull it out to apply.
 
 
This lipstick is for any fans of Rimmel, Kate Moss, and matte lipsticks, pretty much in that order. If you are looking for a way to ease into matte's, this is a nice baby step because it is so comfortable and user friendly. Not very dramatic, and very smelly...so be warned!


I love the way it looks on my lips, and has gone strong for 4 hours...but the smell is still there and is killing my sensitive nose! Ugh, so sad!
 

This would have been my new Holy Grail matte lipstick if it weren't for the smell. I am so disappointed. I urge you to check them out for yourself! They really are worth it besides the scent.

Price: 10/10

Performance: 10/10

Color/Wearability: 7/10 (smell makes it hard to keep on for me)

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10
 
Total: 46/50 = A- = Happy Panda
 
Have you tried the new matte version of the original? Thoughts?