NYX Clear Mega Shine Lip Gloss--The Perfect Clear Gloss

Sometimes, when the beauty world overwhelms you, you have to take a step back and remember that sometimes, basic staples are the workhorses in any kit. 

 Everyone needs a clear lip gloss. Layer it over lipstick, more gloss, over liner...the possibilities are endless, and NYX's version is not only cheap at $4, but tacky enough to stay put and glossy enough to make a statement. A good investment. 

 This gloss instantly makes my lips look fuller. And I think every woman has a beautiful natural lip color, so why not embrace it every once in a while? If you don't like tacky gloss, then stay away, but for under $5, I get so much use out of this! Do you ever wear clear gloss? Have a favorite? 

NYX Clear Mega Shine Lip Gloss--The Perfect Clear Gloss

Sometimes, when the beauty world overwhelms you, you have to take a step back and remember that sometimes, basic staples are the workhorses in any kit.  

  Everyone needs a clear lip gloss. Layer it over lipstick, more gloss, over liner...the possibilities are endless, and NYX's version is not only cheap at $4, but tacky enough to stay put and glossy enough to make a statement. A good investment.  

  This gloss instantly makes my lips look fuller. And I think every woman has a beautiful natural lip color, so why not embrace it every once in a while?   If you don't like tacky gloss, then stay away, but for under $5, I get so much use out of this!   Do you ever wear clear gloss? Have a favorite?  

Rimmel Soft Kohl Eye Liner in Jet Black

Not all black eye liners are created equally. How does Rimmel's basic one stand up to the rest? 

 At a mere $5, Rimmel's Soft Kohl Kajal Eye liner in Jet Black pencil is a steal. It is creamy, pretty black, and applies easily. 

 This is your standard eye liner pencil. No bells or whistles here, but it doesn't tug or pull on the lash line, so that is a plus! 

 You can use this as a base for a very dark eye look, as a thick liner, or to tight line. However you use it, it sticks around, but does smudge a bit. Great if you are doing a smoky eye, not so great if you are looking for a very precise line. Overall, this is your better than average black kohl drugstore liner. Will I buy another? No---there are plenty of other black liner fish in the sea for me to try, but I will pull this out for smoky eye looks! Favorite drugstore black liner? 

Rimmel Soft Kohl Eye Liner in Jet Black

Not all black eye liners are created equally. How does Rimmel's basic one stand up to the rest?  

  At a mere $5, Rimmel's Soft Kohl Kajal Eye liner in Jet Black pencil is a steal. It is creamy, pretty black, and applies easily.  

  This is your standard eye liner pencil. No bells or whistles here, but it doesn't tug or pull on the lash line, so that is a plus!  

  You can use this as a base for a very dark eye look, as a thick liner, or to tight line. However you use it, it sticks around, but does smudge a bit. Great if you are doing a smoky eye, not so great if you are looking for a very precise line.   Overall, this is your better than average black kohl drugstore liner. Will I buy another? No---there are plenty of other black liner fish in the sea for me to try, but I will pull this out for smoky eye looks!   Favorite drugstore black liner?  

Get Glimmering Gorgeous With BA Star Makeup: Review

**Press sample** Hey everyone! In conjunction with Brandbacker I am thrilled to bring you a review of two products from the company BA Star.  BA Star is a company marketed towards cheerleaders and dancers on a professional level, but that doesn't mean that their affordable makeup can't work for everyone else! 

 The products I received for testing were the Bronze Star Dust ($8.75 for 5 oz.) and the Glue Liquid Shadow Base...labeled as the body shimmer base ($8.75 for 1.5 fl oz.).  Let's start with the base...which is basically an eye shadow primer. 

 

The primer base comes in a simple white tube with a doe foot applicator. This has a slightly tacky feel (reminds me of Too Faced Glitter Glue) but sets to an all day hold.

 

But because these products are meant to perform at an intense level, I decided to test this while line dancing for nearly 5 hours. If you have never been line dancing...it isn't exactly easy. Packed into a tight, hot, country club basically doing non stop cardio makes myself and all of my friends sweat.

 

Yeah, sounds kinda gross but it is extremely fun.

 

To my happy surprise, the BA body shimmer base held the BA Star Dust (below) on the whole night. It may not have been a cheer leading competition, but it passed my test!

 

 

The other product sent for review was the Bronze Star Dust loose mineral shadow. These are very similar to Bare Minerals and other mineral shadows and Bronze is a glittery dark gold color with a shimmery finish.

 

 

Here is a swatch of the base alone on the left. The Star Dust alone in the middle, and the two products combined on the right. You can use the Star Dust alone for a milder effect, or combine it with the base to really amp it up!

 

 

So let me break it down... Cons: A little messy to apply, because it is obviously a loose shadow. Not going to win any awards for packaging or naming... Pros: The base and shadow merged stay on through whatever life throws at you, are cheap, and are made for facing up to heat and sweat.  Overall I think that BA Star is a really fun company that will now be on my radar. They also have more adventurous colors if bronze just isn't your thing. Also, if you know a younger girl in dance, gymnastics, or cheer leading, this is a great line for them but we can always keep this as a secret for ourselves! ALSO: BA Star has been so kind to give my readers a discount on the Star Dust shadows. If you are interested in checking them out, visit here!! The discount code is BBDUST and it is for 50% off! Valid until Sept. 30th. Thanks for reading! 

Get Glimmering Gorgeous With BA Star Makeup: Review

**Press sample**   Hey everyone! In conjunction with Brandbacker I am thrilled to bring you a review of two products from the company BA Star.   BA Star is a company marketed towards cheerleaders and dancers on a professional level, but that doesn't mean that their affordable makeup can't work for everyone else!  

  The products I received for testing were the Bronze Star Dust ($8.75 for 5 oz.) and the Glue Liquid Shadow Base...labeled as the body shimmer base ($8.75 for 1.5 fl oz.).   Let's start with the base...which is basically an eye shadow primer.  

 

The primer base comes in a simple white tube with a doe foot applicator. This has a slightly tacky feel (reminds me of Too Faced Glitter Glue) but sets to an all day hold.

 

But because these products are meant to perform at an intense level, I decided to test this while line dancing for nearly 5 hours. If you have never been line dancing...it isn't exactly easy. Packed into a tight, hot, country club basically doing non stop cardio makes myself and all of my friends sweat.

 

Yeah, sounds kinda gross but it is extremely fun.

 

To my happy surprise, the BA body shimmer base held the BA Star Dust (below) on the whole night. It may not have been a cheer leading competition, but it passed my test!

 

 

The other product sent for review was the Bronze Star Dust loose mineral shadow. These are very similar to Bare Minerals and other mineral shadows and Bronze is a glittery dark gold color with a shimmery finish.

 

 

Here is a swatch of the base alone on the left. The Star Dust alone in the middle, and the two products combined on the right. You can use the Star Dust alone for a milder effect, or combine it with the base to really amp it up!

 

 

So let me break it down...   Cons: A little messy to apply, because it is obviously a loose shadow. Not going to win any awards for packaging or naming...   Pros: The base and shadow merged stay on through whatever life throws at you, are cheap, and are made for facing up to heat and sweat.   Overall I think that BA Star is a really fun company that will now be on my radar. They also have more adventurous colors if bronze just isn't your thing. Also, if you know a younger girl in dance, gymnastics, or cheer leading, this is a great line for them but we can always keep this as a secret for ourselves!   ALSO: BA Star has been so kind to give my readers a discount on the Star Dust shadows. If you are interested in checking them out, visit here!!   The discount code is BBDUST and it is for 50% off! Valid until Sept. 30th.   Thanks for reading!  

Rimmel Stay Glossy 3D in Lights, Camera, Action: Swatches and Review

The Rimmel Stay Glossy formula has been around forever, but for summer they kicked it up a notch with Stay Glossy 3D! 

 The 3D formula has holographic glitter in a semi-sheer base to make your lips really stand out and look extra luscious, and for $5, how can you top that? 

 

I am really digging the wand on this thing. It is extra long and it picks up a nice amount of the gloss. There is a light rose scent to the gloss (as with most of Rimmel's lip products) but it doesn't bother me.

 

 

Here is a swatch of Lights, Camera, Action by sunlight so you can see the dense shimmer. It is a pale peach base and is really pretty.

 

 

And here is the same swatch in artificial light. If you are looking for crazy intense pigment, you won't find it here, but if you are looking for shine, this has it in spades.

 

 

Although it doesn't lend much color to my lips, it makes them look fuller and very glossy. I love the texture of this gloss as it sticks around for 4 hours (2 less on me than their claim) but never feels tacky. This is also a great layering gloss to amp up any lipstick.

 

Overall, fun summer cheap thrill! Have you tried the 3D gloss yet?

 

Panda Approved.

 

Rimmel Stay Glossy 3D in Lights, Camera, Action: Swatches and Review

The Rimmel Stay Glossy formula has been around forever, but for summer they kicked it up a notch with Stay Glossy 3D!  

  The 3D formula has holographic glitter in a semi-sheer base to make your lips really stand out and look extra luscious, and for $5, how can you top that?  

 

I am really digging the wand on this thing. It is extra long and it picks up a nice amount of the gloss. There is a light rose scent to the gloss (as with most of Rimmel's lip products) but it doesn't bother me.

 

 

Here is a swatch of Lights, Camera, Action by sunlight so you can see the dense shimmer. It is a pale peach base and is really pretty.

 

 

And here is the same swatch in artificial light. If you are looking for crazy intense pigment, you won't find it here, but if you are looking for shine, this has it in spades.

 

 

Although it doesn't lend much color to my lips, it makes them look fuller and very glossy. I love the texture of this gloss as it sticks around for 4 hours (2 less on me than their claim) but never feels tacky. This is also a great layering gloss to amp up any lipstick.

 

Overall, fun summer cheap thrill! Have you tried the 3D gloss yet?

 

Panda Approved.

 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Native: Swatches and Review

To go with my two new Revolution lipsticks, I picked up the 24/7 Glide-on Lip Pencil in Native ($19). 

 Native is a pretty natural light pink to match the Revolution lipstick of the same namesake. The formula of this is not exactly as creamy as the lipstick though. It does glide-on but looks slightly chalky on lips. However, I won't be wearing this alone, and it performs and looks just fine under lipstick. 

 This is a pencil you have to sharpen yourself, which doesn't bother me, but since the formula is pretty soft, have a sharpener dedicated to this product or similar colored lip liners.  

 This is VERY matte, hence its not exactly the most flattering on lips alone, but I do find the matte formula keeps lipstick on much longer. I think this is a great product and it lends a hint more pigmentation to the 'Native' lipstick, giving me full mod-60's lips. Love it. 

 I really want to check out some of the other 24/7 Glide-on pencils, as they perform great. Unless you are getting 'Native' lipstick though, I would pass on this one. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Native: Swatches and Review

To go with my two new Revolution lipsticks, I picked up the 24/7 Glide-on Lip Pencil in Native ($19).  

  Native is a pretty natural light pink to match the Revolution lipstick of the same namesake. The formula of this is not exactly as creamy as the lipstick though. It does glide-on but looks slightly chalky on lips. However, I won't be wearing this alone, and it performs and looks just fine under lipstick.  

  This is a pencil you have to sharpen yourself, which doesn't bother me, but since the formula is pretty soft, have a sharpener dedicated to this product or similar colored lip liners.  

  This is VERY matte, hence its not exactly the most flattering on lips alone, but I do find the matte formula keeps lipstick on much longer. I think this is a great product and it lends a hint more pigmentation to the 'Native' lipstick, giving me full mod-60's lips. Love it.  

  I really want to check out some of the other 24/7 Glide-on pencils, as they perform great. Unless you are getting 'Native' lipstick though, I would pass on this one.  

Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion: Review

There has been so much buzz about Urban Decay's Anti-Aging Primer Potion, so I had to try it! This product truly has more than a cult following, and they only succeeding in making a great product better! 

 The Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion will set you back $24 but is a enough to last you quite a while, ever since they changed their original packaging to their awesome squeeze tubes. No waste! 

 This works just like the original and pigmented versions. A little dab spread on each eyelid locks your shadow in all day and really increases the vibrancy. 

 Here is what UD has to say about this product: "Optical blurring pigments minimize flaws while Dermaxyl and Kalpariane fight the signs of aging. In a clinical study, 100% of participants had a measurable improvement in the appearance of wrinkles after 8 weeks of use." Obviously I haven't used this for 8 weeks, but it does instantly soft focus my eyelids and I apply it on my under-eye as well and it holds my concealer beautifully. I am hoping it might improve the very fine lines starting to show up around my eyes, but so far, this is a great product with anti-aging benefits for a few bucks more. What is not to love? 

 Overall, if you see this product and need a back-up or a new eye primer, get this one! It applies beautifully, does everything the original does, but with benefits! Have you tried this yet?