New at the Drugstore: Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

Hello, Beauties!

I have a first impressions post for you today about a product I have been dying to get my hands on; the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser!

I spotted this at my local Bed Bath & Beyond and snatched it up immediately. If you read my Best of Beauty 2013 post, then you know that my favorite primer has been The POREfessional by Benefit. When I saw the description of Maybelline's pore filling primer, I was very intrigued.  The price point is much more affordable than The POREfessional and even much more affordable than L'Oreal Miracle Blur, which is supposed to give a similar effect. I purchased my Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser for $5.29 at Bed Bath & Beyond. 

The Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is said to do the following: 

• Instantly blur the look of pores, without clogging them
• Smoothes and refines skin's appearance

Size comparison next to L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder

It is described as a transparent gel formula that smoothes on clear, and is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. The packaging says that you can wear it alone, or "smooth a thin layer under foundation for a smooth looking finish."

I applied a thin layer of the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser under my L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder: 

Pardon the breakouts! This photo has no filter and no retouching. My pores are not 'erased' but are definitely 'blurred' and look much better than they did before!

Overall, I really love this primer. I think it is such a bargain for the price. It feels smooth and luxurious on the skin, and definitely minimized the look of my pores. I don't think it 'erased' them as the product name implies, but in the official claims of the product it says it will 'blur' your pores, and it does do that. I felt that it made my skin more matte in consistency, and helped my foundation apply much more beautifully and last much longer. It has no scent and no minty or cooling sensation when applied, which I think will be great for those who have sensitivities to those things. On top of all that, I am a huge sucker for packaging, and it doesn't get much cuter than this.

If you are looking for an amazing primer and are on a strict budget, this may just be the primer for you!

Have you tried this product? If so, what do you think? 

Jorden

Best of Beauty: 2013 Edition

Hello, Beauties!

I am sorry I have been away for so long. I recently moved and have had a lot of things pop up in the meantime. I am happy to say I am back! I have really missed posting.

Today I am going to share my beauty favorites for the year of 2013. I have had the chance to try some fantastic products this year! I will break it down by category, and at the end of the post, I will add a few not-so-favorites!

Face

Foundation

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

     *Honorable Mention - L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder
*Honorable Mention - YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Illuminating Foundation
Tinted Moisturizer
Jouer Luminizing Tinted Moisturizer
BB Cream
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
*Honorable Mention - L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Liquid BB Cream

Primer

Benefit The POREfessional

Concealer

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

Powder

bareMinerals Ready Foundation

Translucent Powder

TheBalm Sexy Mama

Blush

MAC Blush in Royal Sunset

     *Honorable Mention - Benefit Cha Cha Tint

Bronzer

Tarte Park Avenue Princess

Luminizer

TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Eyes 

Eyeshadow

 Urban Decay

*Honorable Mention - Wet n Wild Eyeshadow in Nutty

Eyeshadow Primer

Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

Eyeshadow Base

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly

Undereye Concealer

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

Eyebrows

Benefit Gimme Brow

Mascara

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Mascara Base

Chanel Beaute Des Cils Mascara Base

Eyeliner

Maybelline Eye Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner

Em Cosmetics Waterliner

Lips

Lipstick

YSL Rouge Volupte in 1 Nude Beige  

Lip Gloss

Buxom Full On Lip Cream in White Russian

Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss in Bellini

Lip Crayon

Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in Demure

Lip Stain

Buxom Full On Lip Tarnish in Extortion

Lip Liner

Urban Decay Lip Liner in Naked

*Honorable Mention - Starlooks Lip Liner in Bare

Lip Treatment

Tarte Maracuja Lip Exfoliant

Palettes

Makeup Palette
Tarte Aqualillies Waterproof Eye & Cheek Palette

Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

Hair

Shampoo

TheBalm En Root Keep My Color Shampoo

Conditioner

TheBalm En Root Keep My Color Conditioner

Deep Conditioner

Ion Extreme Moisture Creme

Dry Shampoo

Batiste Dark & Deep Brown Dry Shampoo

Oil

MoroccanOil Light Treatment

Hairspray

Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray

Heat Protectant

Kerastase Nectar Thermique

Tools

Farouk Systems Chi 1" Flat Iron

Remington Keratin Therapy 1" Clip Free Curling Iron

Brush

Tangle Teezer

Bath and Body

Body Wash
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Body Wash

Lotion
Pacifica Body Butter in Indian Coconut Nectar
*Honorable Mention - 100% Pure Coconut Nourishing Body Cream

Scrub
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub in Coconut Lime

Sunscreen
Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum

Self Tanner
Million Dollar Tan Cabana Tan Extreme & Cabana Tan Extreme Face

Deodorant
Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant

Fragrance

Perfume
Dolce & Gabbana 3 L'Imperatrice Eau de Toilette

Skincare

Eye Makeup Remover
Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Makeup Remover Wipes
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

Cleansing Water
Caudalie Cleansing Water

Cleanser
Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash

Exfoliator
Benefit Refined Finish Facial Polish

Toner
Michael Todd Blue-green Algae Toner

Serum
L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate

Moisturizer
L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Day & Night Cream

Eye Cream
Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream

Lip Balm
Smith's Rosebud Salve in a Tube

Face Mist
Urban Decay B6 Vitamin Infused Complexion Prep Spray

Tools
Clarisonic Mia 2 Cleansing System

Not so Favorite Products of 2013
Almay Wake up Undereye Concealer
Maybelline The Falsies Big Eye Mascara
Dior Creme De Rose Lip Balm
Michael Todd Pink Grapefruit Body Lotion
Evolvh UltraShine Moisture Conditioner
Pacifica Alight BB Cream
Chapstick Hydration Lock 
ModelCo Fibre LASHEXTEND Lengthening Mascara



So, that's the list! Did any of your favorites make it on my list?  Disagree with any of my un-favorites?


I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! 

Jorden

My Everyday Makeup Routine

Hello, Beauties!

Today I am going to update you on my everyday makeup routine. This is the routine I use Monday through Friday at my office job... but I love it so much, that it has become my weekend staple as well.

Here is the roundup of products that help me achieve my perfect daytime look: 

Foundation: L'Oreal True Match Lumi in W4 Natural Beige, Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, BareMinerals Ready Powder Foundation in Medium Beige N20, Real Techniques Powder Brush

Concealer: Benefit Fake Up in 01 Light, L'Oreal True Match in Fair/Light N 1-2-3, MAC 188 Duo Fibre Stippling Brush

Eyes: Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer, WnW 380B Walking on Eggshells Eyeshadow Trio, MAC 217 Shadow Brush, e.l.f. Professional Blending Eye Brush,  Maybelline Line Stiletto in Blackest Black (upper), Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Matte Black (lower), Chanel Beaute Des Cils Mascara Primer, L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black

Brows: Tweezerman Slanted Tweezers, Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Deep

Cheeks: Studio Gear Contoured Blush Brush, on my cheeks I have been using the deepest pink shadow from the Sephora + Pantone Palette that is pictured

Lips: Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in Berry Soft, Maybelline Color Elixir in Petal Plush

Both photos were taken in natural light, which accounts for the variation. No filters were used in these photos, only text was added.

Here is a closeup of the eye look.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post. 

If you have any questions about the products in this post, let me know in the comments section below!

- Jorden

Disclaimer: Benefit Gimme Brow was gifted by Benefit Cosmetics. All other products were purchased by me.

L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara (Lash Out Butterfly)

Hello, Beauties!

You all know how I love L'Oreal Voluminous Mascaras. So when I saw that they were coming out with yet another version, I knew I just had to have it. 

I stumbled across the new Voluminous Butterfly Mascara at my local Wal-Mart and snatched it up in the shade Blackest Black (868). I have been using it for two weeks now, and wanted to share my results with you. 

The applicator is like nothing I have ever seen before. It has two "wings" that are open on the sides. The "winged" side is great for the top lashes, while the opposite side with the very short bristles is perfect for the bottom lashes. It did take some getting used to, but not long after beginning my very first application of the product, I got used to it. 

It is a nice, wet formula that is very similar to the Voluminous Million Lashes mascara. I personally love this type of texture in my mascaras. It has the signature "L'Oreal Voluminous" scent, so if you are not a fan of the way that those mascaras smell, you probably will not enjoy the scent of this one. I find that the scent is fairly strong, and I do notice it hours after application, but the scent doesn't bother me. It gives great length to your lashes and a fair amount of volume. The formula is a nice jet black shade. I felt that my lashes were very well separated after using this mascara and there was no issue with clumping, smudging or flaking at all. 

 Left side after using Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, right side with nothing.

One thing that I don't like about this mascara is that the brush is not symmetrical. The side with the "wings" is tapered to a point and the winged side is supposed to be applied to the outer lashes and the slimmer side pointed towards the inner lashes. I personally don't like to use my left hand when applying mascara, (can you say hot mess, anyone?) so the winged side gets applied to the inner corner. Honestly, I don't notice a difference between the side that is winged and the slimmer side. 

Overall, I think my lashes turn out looking great after using this product. The brush is innovative, but I don't think my results are any different than when I use Voluminous Million Lashes. I think it is a great mascara, and if you like the brush, I think you will love this product!

Questions? Comments? Fire Away!

Benefit + ipsy Lash Bash Party!

Hello, Beauties! 

As you know, I was chosen to host a Lash Bash Party sponsored by Benefit Cosmetics and Ipsy. I wanted to share a few photos from our fun night!

We played a "What's in my bag" game and Cookie from 

The Charming Cheshire was our winner!

She won the "Bronze of Champions" set by Benefit. 

Photo courtesy of Sephora.com.

This product can be purchased at Sephora.com.

Each of the adorable pink goodie bags included these three products for the guests. We had a tutorial on how to use benetint and then made over our lashes with the They're Real Mascara!

Here are the before and Afters!

...And and After Photo just for fun!

Did you attend or host a Lash Bash party? How did you like the products, and what did you do? I would love to hear your stories!

-Jorden

First Impressions - Maybelline Color Elixir Liquid Color Balm & RevlonColorburst Lacquer Balm

Hello, Beauties!

I made a quick stop by my local Bed Bath & Beyond store last night and was happy to see displays filled with shiny, new products from Revlon and Maybelline. I hauled a good range of products and I will be breaking it down by product type for you guys, so be on the lookout for more first impressions posts detailing the other products I purchased.

Today I will share with you my thoughts on the lip products I purchased. The main things that caught my eye were the Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balms and the Maybelline Color Elixir Liquid Color Balm. I will start off by saying that the range I purchased is very limited. The reason for this is because someone had gone into the store removed the protective seals, and used (or at least uncapped) EVERY SINGLE ONE of the new Revlon Lacquer Balms and Matte Balms. I was lucky enough to find one shade that had been uncapped and nicked up, but not used, and that is the one I will be sharing with you today. This really angered me because the range of shades that Revlon offers for this line is AMAZING. I just really do not understand how people can be so disrespectful! Honestly, I would have purchased 95% of the shades offered. I fully intend on searching high and low for these products elsewhere, and will feature them here.

The shade I purchased is actually the shade I was most interested in for everyday use. The sad part is that my shade does not even have a sticker on it to indicate what it is called... of course! [EDIT: I have since found out that the shade is called Demure] My shade was the lightest in the range and is a light pinky nude with glitter. It should be noted that all of the Lacquer Balms contain glitter and/or shimmer particles, but they were not super noticeable when applied. 

I have seen some bloggers comparing these to the L'Oreal La Laque and Le Matte line. I guess in essence, it is the same concept, but I found that you really cannot compare the two. I obviously was not able to try the Matte Balm, but the L'Oreal La Laque and the Revlon Lacquer are very different. I found the L'Oreal La Laque to be more of a very opaque, glossy, lipstick type product whereas I found the Revlon Lacquer balm to be more of a subtle, sheer, balmy type product. I love them both, but they are very different. It should also be noted that these do not stain your lips like the Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stains, but they do have the same minty flavor.



Most of the Maybelline Color Elixirs had been opened as well, but I was lucky enough to find two that were clearly still sealed. The shades that I purchased are shades 100 Petal Push and 060 Nude Illusion.

(I don't know why this picture is uploading so grungy and pixelated looking? Does not look like that before uploading!)

Again, a lot of people have been comparing these to the L'Oreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain. The applicator is very similar, but it's a very different product. These will not stain your lips and apply thicker than the L'Oreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain. There are a ton of shades from this collection, so there will be something for everyone. I really enjoyed the opacity of these glosses. If you don't mind a thicker gloss, you should really like these. The scent is the same as the Color Whispers, and I really enjoy it.

So what do you think about these new products? Will you buy any of them? Have you tried them? Share your thoughts!

Unboxing - Ipsy Glam Bag September 2013

Hello, Beauties!

Can you believe that September is almost over? This year is flying by so fast that I can't keep up! My Ipsy Glam Bag came earlier this month, and I wanted to share it with you all!

Here is what I got: 

The signature pink bubble mailer

Two views of the Cailyn Lip Balm (Possibly Full Size?)

Starlooks Obsidian Eyeliner (Full Size)

Victoria Jackson Eyebrow Pencil in Taupe (Full size)

It's So Big Mascara (Sample)

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Velvet Suede (Full Size)

CRAZY NAIL POLISH ALERT!

Paper Sample of EM by Michelle Phan Life Palette

As you can see from the photos most of the products I received in my bag this month were full sized. I wouldn't say that my color matches were spot on, or that this was my favorite bag, but I am still happy with it!

What did you think of the Ipsy Glam Bags this month?