March Favorites

With the end of the month comes my list of favorite and most reached for products. I got into quite the routine with my makeup this past month and had to do zero thinking when it came time for this post because it was obvious what I have been loving.

Face

 -Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer in Fair Light 0-1

This is my favorite concealer for cancelling out the redness of blemishes and any blotchy spots.

-L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base

I don't use this all over my face, I just focus it where my pores are most noticeable (apples of my cheek, nose, and chin) and I also smooth it over blemishes to reduce any flakey skin (this stuff is super moisturizing), and ensure my makeup can last all day and keep those things covered.

-CoverGirl Fresh Complexion pocket powder foundation in Ivory (605)

This gives a lot of coverage and keeps my face matte all day.

-e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation in Porcelain

This is my absolute favorite foundation (aside from the smell) because of its thick consistency (I can't stand thin watery foundations) and it's the perfect shade for my skin. It works great at cancelling the redness from my skin tone. I also love that it comes it with a pump which makes application much easier.

-Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 bronzer in Light

I know in my CVS haul I wasn't sure how well this would work as a bronzer because it is so light but I actually came to love this and used it every day for a tiny bit of contouring on the cheeks and color to my temples and jawline. It's so natural and sheer that application is fool proof and I don't have to worry about turning into an oompa loompa.

-Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Sheer Highlighting blush in Fresh

Another product I didn't have high hopes for when I got home from CVS but it's subtle and gives such a healthy pink glow to the skin.

-e.l.f. Golden Bronzer

This is a product I re-discovered this month as my cheek highlighter. I had been using a more pigmented and shimmery highlight but with my subtle bronzer and blush I was craving a simple highlight to my cheekbones.

Brows

-Maybelline Define-A-Brow in Light Blonde

I somehow ended up with a random little bald patch in one of my brows this month and I have no clue how it got there. This brow pencil has been my best friend and filling that in.

-e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara in Crystal

If you can tell from the picture above, I have completely used up the side that is open and will be opening the other side with my next application. I'm obsessed with this brow gel and I can't imagine using anything else. It keeps my brows tamed all day.

Eyes

-Wet n Wild Ultimate Expressions eye shadow palette in Sand Castle

I found myself reaching for this palette almost everyday of March. The colors are gorgeously pigmented and blend so well together. Whenever I see looks done using the Naked palette or the TooFaced  Natural Eye palette I think of my good ol' WnW palette, the colors seem quite similar.

-e.l.f. mineral eyeshadow primer

Although I got 2 higher end eye shadow primers in the month of March I still found myself reaching for my e.l.f. primer, perhaps out of habit but it's such an awesome primer that it's a great habit to have!

-e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Ash and Mineral Eye Liner in Black

I used this liner combo almost every single day of the month. I line my upper lash line with the mineral liner and then top it off with the waterproof liner. Then the mineral liner on my waterline and a tiny bit of the waterproof liner on my lower lash line that I smudged out with my finger before it set. I don't know why I decided to do this but I have been loving the combination of the two liners.

Lips

-Jane Auguceuticals lipstick in Oasis

I wasn't real thrilled with this lip stick when I first got it because I thought it was too frosty. I was so wrong. It's such a nice light pink.

-e.l.f. Mineral Lipgloss in Au Naturale

Every day that I wore my Jane lipstick I layered this gloss over top. It gives me such a nice light pink/nude/natural lip.

My lips became a dry, cracked, horrible mess at the beginning of March and I have spent the last few weeks trying to combat these awful symptoms. I'm not cured yet, I think I need stronger products or something... I don't really know what to do. But here is what has been helping.

-Carmex Original Moisturizing lip balm

This has definitely made the biggest difference on my lips, especially at the corners of my lips where they are cracking really bad :( I really kind of hate the smell of Carmex but I'm suffering through for the sake of lips.

-Neutrogena Lip Boost Intense Moisture Therapy

I switch off using my Carmex and this. Again, I really don't like the smell but it is super moisturizing so I slather it on at the corners of my lips in hopes my lip issues will subside and then disappear!

-Nivea Kiss of Smoothness lip balm

I love this lip balm. I find it ridiculously moisturizing and it's my favorite for all over my lips. I layer this on my lips and then would put either Carmex or Neutrogena at the corners.

-EOS lip balm in Honeysuckle Honeydew

I used this much like my Nivea lip balm especially when I was craving something that smelled yummy. It is also very moisturizing and worked great in combination with my Carmex or Neutrogena.

Skin Care

-Clean&Clear Morning Burst Facial Scrub

I bought this on a whim from the travel size section at Walmart. I've realized my St. Ives Apricot scrub is too harsh but I hate the feeling of my skin when I don't exfoliate so I thought I would buy a more gentle scrub. I think it's helping my skin a lot.

Hair

-Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is my hair's best friend. This works great at absorbing oil and adding volume and lift to my roots.

Happy April!

xoxo

e.l.f. Haul #12

I, Brittany, do solemnly swear to go at least 56 days without an e.l.f. haul. Does this mean I won't buy makeup at all? Of course not! But I have spent way too much money on e.l.f. and it is definitely my makeup weakness.

4.27.2011 is 56 days from the day I made my last e.l.f. order and until then I think I am even going to have to delete eyeslipsface from my bookmarks... it's too much of a temptation.

It's a good thing I have this last e.l.f. haul to show you :)

This is the order I mentioned that I thought my HD powder was going to be left out and I was right, I didn't get it. I'm disappointed but it was a rather large order so I have plenty of other goodies to occupy my time.

Let's take a look...

Studio Pressed Powder in Porcelain

Lately I have been on such a face product kick. I just want to find my perfect foundation, concealer, and powder. I'm always impressed with my studio products and decided to try the face powder. It comes with a really large mirror so it will be great to keep in my purse for touch ups. The powder lifts up and there is a little cheapie pouf/sponge underneath. If I end up liking the color, texture, and finish I will put a nicer sponge in the compact for touch ups throughout the day.

Studio Translucent Matifying Powder

My first impressions of this powder are reminding me a lot of my HG powder foundation from CoverGirl. Now I realize a translucent powder and a powder foundation are like polar opposites but this powder is not translucent. It definitely has color and pigmentation to it. The sponge that comes in the compact is really nice quality and is actually the same sponge that comes with my CoverGirl powder. I haven't used it yet but am really excited to find an even cheaper alternative for my everyday powder (which is already only $8.00).

Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in Blushed/Bronzed

Do I need this blush and bronzer? No. I got it purely as a result of all the hype. A billion makeup obsessed gals like myself can't all be wrong so I added it to my cart as well!

They are gorgeous shimmery shades. Lots of glitter like my buddies at elf are known for and I can't get enough of. (What am I going to do when I have to grow up and stop wearing glitter on my face...?)

Studio Concealer Pencil & Brush in Fair

This is another one of those products I haven't heard a whole lot about and was hoping to find a little hidden gem. I think elf had a really great idea here

Unfortunately the only thing I like about this combo is the...

BRUSH!

Please excuse the nasty dried glue all over the plastic, epic fail elf!

The brush itself isn't captured 100% perfect here. It's not as flat as it appears here. To be honest, pick up a sharpie, look closely at the tip, and that is the EXACT shape of this brush. It's super densely packed and I'm so excited to use this when doing my makeup.

The actual concealer is a whole different story...

First off, dear lightest shade you are so dark and orange. It's also super ridiculously hard to blend. Maybe I should spend more time warming it up with my finger. Actually no, because it's 100 times the wrong color. I will save it for the brush and maybe give it another shot in the summer.

Studio Blush in Pink Passion

Genius me ordered two of this same blush. As least it's a super pretty pink and will be perfect for spring. I'm thinking I will save the blush for my first giveaway (my 10 subscribers giveaway haha)

Studio Blush in Gotta Glow

Obviously this is not a blush. But it is a super pretty cheek, inner corner, or brow bone highlight. I didn't swatch it because it's so light and has such fine shimmer that I couldn't capture it with my camera. It's slightly powdery but gives the perfect hint of shimmery gold that I'm willing to overlook the powdery texture.

Studio Mineral Face Primer

Oh boy... I haven't put this on my face yet but I have swatched it three times on the back of my hand (hoping for different results). I have watched my fair share of reviews on this product and while the weren't all rave reviews I don't feel like any of them considered this an absolute fail product... I do.

First off, the pump is horrible. It sticks and causes a ton of product to come out at once (not an immediate deal breaker, but def annoying). It has the texture and appearance of hand sanitizer (more of an observation than a good or bad thing). The biggest issues, smells overpoweringly of sunscreen and feels like olive oil. The smell I would get over it didn't feel like pure oil. It took what seemed like forever to sink into the skin on my hand and even then my fingers felt sooo oily. It was gross and messy and so off-putting. The stank and oiliness are enough to keep me from ever putting this on my face.

Studio Makeup Mist & Set

I really have not clue what to expect from this product so I don't have a lot to say yet but I did smell it and it was king of plastic-y. I might have just been smelling the bottle though... I will come back with more once I have tested it out.

Studio Conditioning Lip Balm in Romantic Rouge

I have a love affair with sheer red lip colors. This is no exception. It gives the most beautiful red tint to my lips and is quite long lasting for a lip gloss eater such as myself. The texture is extremely creamy and has a slight vanilla scent in my opinion.

Studio Kabuki Face and Studio Blush Brushes

Quite a while ago I ordered the kabuki body brush because it looked so cute but is rather impractical for actual use (what do you put on your body with a makeup brush?!) So I picked up the face brush with is much smaller and more compact. I love it! I can't wait to give this a shot. The blush brush is already one of my favorite brushes and I picked up another one so I don't have to keep using the same one for bronzer, blush, and highlighter each morning.

Studio Cream Eyeliner in Plum Purple

This is my favorite product from the whole purchase, please let me explain...

This is my fourth cream eyeliner from the studio line and I have been extremely unimpressed with the first three. They were all, well... NOT creamy. One of them (Bronze to be exact) actually comes out all in one piece if I tip the jar upside down. Nothing called cream should do this. The other two weren't quite as bad but I have a really difficult time getting enough, if any, product onto my brush. I'm a sucker for purple so I ordered another (despite not really loving the previous purchases) and can I just say I am so glad I ordered this one. It applies like a liquid!

I swiped the brush in the product once and was able to do the three swatches above! I'm so impressed with the product. I am loving this for my eyeliner everyday, it's totally changed my outlook on cream eyeliners.

This is an issue I have experienced with e.l.f. quite often. I can order the same product in different shades and the products will come with packaging that isn't the same, formulas that are different, completely different textures and overall quality really. It makes me a little frustrated with elf because I want to be able to count on them 100% to provide me with quality products but I never know if I will end up with an old formula they aren't making anymore but had laying around so they threw it in my order...

It makes me unsure of re-purchasing some items...

tisk tisk e.l.f.

And finally my freebie

It's a quad I already have so I gave it one of my sisters but it's actually one of the few Brightening Eye Colors I actually like so I felt okay giving it my sister (:

That's everything I got with this order. I love all the goodies I picked up and as always I am so excited to play with all of these and come back with reviews on the products of e.l.f.

love you all

xoxo