Makeup – Page 5 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Makeup

NYC New York Color Show Time Lip Balms | Swatches & Review

Posted on July 11, 2016June 7, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you swatches and a review of the NYC New York Color Show Time Lip Balms. I absolutely love tinted lip balms, as they are easy to wear and also help add moisture to the lips. I am always up for trying out different brands, and NYC New York Color is a very affordable one. There are six shades in this line, and I received four of them to review. Let me jump right into the swatches!

The Show Time Lip Balms are formulated to be moisturizing, while at the same time providing a sheer wash of color. Each Show Time balm is infused with Vitamin C to minimize chapping and cracking. I definitely agree that these lip balms are moisturizing. They immediately feel very creamy on the lips, and even upon removal my lips feel hydrated. I’m impressed that the Show Time Lip Balms have such great moisturization! They also have a very light fruity scent.

Cool Nude

First up is Cool Nude, a tan shade packed with holographic glitter. Cool Nude doesn’t have much of a color payoff, and instead just adds sparkle to my lips. I really appreciate that the glitter in this lip balm is very comfortable to wear, and not gritty like some other glittery products. This is not a shade I would wear because I don’t like to have any glitter on my lips, but if you are looking for that this is a great option!

Trendy Peach

Next up is Trendy Peach, a light baby pink packed with glitter. Trendy Pink also has a very light pigmentation, and is almost a completely clear. I do wish there was more of a color payoff with these glitter balms, but they can certainly be layered over other lip products to add some shine.

Popular Pink

The Show Time line also includes lips balms without any glitter or shimmer whatsoever. Popular Pink is one of those shades, and it a blue-toned pink balm. Popular Pink feels amazing on the lips, and is very wearable. I think the pigmentation is very well done, because it’s sheer but still has a nice payoff.

In Vogue Red

Last but not least is In Vogue Red, a cherry red shade that also does not contain glitter. In Vogue Red is my favorite of the bunch! It looks so nice with my fair skin tone, and is a more comfortable option to the traditional red lip. Plus, it is really easy to apply!

All in all, I am quite impressed with the NYC New York Color Show Time Lip Balms. While I wouldn’t personally wear the glittery shades, I think they are great quality. Makeup transcends age, but I do think the Show Time Lip Balms are the perfect option for younger people first trying makeup. I would have been all over the glitter shades in my preteen years! I also recommend Popular Pink and In Vogue Red for anyone! These $1.99 lip balms are super fabulous and affordable, and a great option for my tinted lip balm fans. You can find these at your local drugstore or department store!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

June Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s time for my monthly check-in with all of you to share the products I used up towards my #365DaysofEmpties goal. I was getting a bit nervous in June, as I only emptied a few products at the beginning of the month. Thankfully, as the month came to a close, a bunch of my products did also. I’m excited to share my mini-reviews with all of you this month, as I emptied a wide variety of products. Let me share my thoughts on the products I used up in June!

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Cream Body Scrub – 1 tub [BUY]

Mini Review: I really enjoy body scrubs from The Body Shop. While I liked the Coca Butter scent of this one, I didn’t love the texture. It felt more abrasive than the sugar and gelee scrubs they also offer.
Would I Buy it Again? I wouldn’t get this particular scrub again, but others from The Body Shop.

Bath & Body Works Beautiful Day Shower Gel – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: While I loved the clean and fresh scent of Beautiful Day, I found it to be quite drying on my skin despite it being labeled as “Shea Enriched.” That being said, this bottle lasted me a few months because only a small amount of product was needed to get a nice lather.
Would I Buy it Again? No, I’m going to look for more natural cleansers in the future.

MAKEUP

Evian Facial Spray – 1 can [BUY]

Mini Review: I mentioned last month how much I love this facial spray. I use it to dampen my BeautyBlender, but also to freshen up in the hot weather. Last month it got really hot, and I was unable to use the air conditioning. This was a lifesaver!
Would I Buy it Again? I would not buy this travel size can again. The full size lasts me about a year, but the mini ran out in just a month. Go big with this one!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve heard great things about this Primer Water, but I didn’t see much of a difference when I used it. It did feel nice on the skin, but it took a while to dry and added time to my makeup routine.
Would I Buy it Again? No. I didn’t see enough results for the price tag.

Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer – 1 tube [BUY]

Mini Review: This is a staple concealer for me. I’ve repurchased it several times, and really enjoy it as a drugstore option. That being said, it does make my fine lines a bit more pronounced, and it’s expensive for the small amount of product.
Would I But it Again? No. I’m going to look for a better option that is more affordable

SKINCARE

Up & Up Refreshing Wet Cleansing Towelettes – 1 pack

Mini Review: I love these makeup wipes from Target! They are super affordable, but work well to remove my makeup. Plus, I find wipes really refreshing in the warmer months.
Would I Buy it Again? I’m using another pack right now!

StriVectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: This scrub is awesome! It feels very creamy and gentle on the skin, but truly works to remove dead skin cells. I loved how clear and even my skin felt after using this scrub. Plus, this sample lasted much longer than just the 1.5 weeks it advertised.
Would I But it Again? Maybe. It’s very expensive!

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield – 1 deluxe sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I’m not sure how I feel about this product! Invisiblur is part serum, part sunscreen, and part primer. I do love how it is a multi-tasker, but I didn’t like the smell. I also found that my foundation didn’t apply as well when I used this product.
Would I Buy it Again? No.

ORAL CARE

GUM Comfort Slide Flossers – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I love using flossers because they make flossing super easy! While they are a bit more expensive than traditional floss, it is 100% worth it if I floss more. I’ve made flossing part of my normal routine since using these!
Would I But it Again? Yes!

HAIR CARE

göt2b Rockin’ It 4Ever Stylestay Dry Shampoo – 1 can [BUY]

Mini Review: I got this dry shampoo because it was on sale and I had a coupon. Unfortunately, I really did not like it, but still used it all up. It was better than not using any dry shampoo at all, but really didn’t do much for my hair. I don’t recommend it!
Would I Buy it Again? No!

JUNE EMPTIES: 10

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 55

We are now halfway through the year, and I am ahead of my goal to finish up 100 empties! It always feels great to use up a product completely. This month I focused a bit on my deluxe samples, and that helped to move them out of my collection. Plus, it saves me money to use my samples first! As always, please share your thoughts on any of the products I mentioned today with me in the comments.

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

June Sephora PLAY! Unboxing | The Minimalists

Posted on June 24, 2016June 20, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I’m unboxing my June Sephora PLAY! box with all of you. It’s been a couple months since I shared this beauty subscription with you on the blog, and I’m excited to do so today. I did want to let you know that I’ve decided to cancel my PLAY! subscription, and this will be my last box. I am doing this for a plethora of reasons, but I first thought about cancelling simply because I haven’t been using the products. While the box is only $10 a month, and I’ve gotten the opportunity to try some great products, I’ve not used most of the products I’ve received over the past several months. Nonetheless, let me share the June box with all of you!

Here’s a quick look at my June Sephora PLAY! box. Last month Sephora changed up the packaging big time and replaced the box with a reusable bag. I love that Sephora created a more environmentally friendly packaging for its subscription. In the past, the products came in a box filled with paper shreds all packed in another box. Major thumbs up for providing us with reusable bags! I know these bags will come in handy during travel.

June’s theme is The Minimalists, and includes products to prove that sometimes less is more. Minimalism is very on trend right now, and it makes sense that Sephora is embracing it when it comes to beauty products!

bareMinerals BareSkin Sheer Sun Serum Bronzer – $2.80 [BUY]

The first product in the June box is a serum bronzer from bareMinerals. This is a really unique product that can be worn alone or mixed in with your foundation. I’m glad this came in the subscription box, as I never would have tried this on my own!

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara – $8.00 [BUY]

Next up is the well-known mascara from Benefit called They’re Real! I think this is a great product to include in the box, because it is definitely a favorite in the beauty community. I’m one of the few people who don’t like this mascara, because it is very thick and weighs down my lashes. This sample is definitely a great value!

BECCA Backlight Priming Filter – $7.60 [BUY]

I am really excited to try the BECCA Backlight Priming Filter, as I know this is a favorite product of Jaclyn Hill. This primer is designed to blur imperfections and give the skin an illuminated look. I don’t typically go for the dewy look, but it will be a lot of fun to try it!

Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion – $4.33 [BUY]

I am also really excited to try this sunscreen from Tarte. I was actually looking into this product on my own, as I’m looking for a new sunscreen. Now I get to try before I buy, which is perfect because this is quite the expensive sunscreen. I am definitely up for writing a full review of this product in the future, so let me know if you’re interested in reading one!

Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow it Hair Styler – $3.10 [BUY]

Next up is a product from Bumble and Bumble that is formulated give your hair style without the need for a blow dryer. I haven’t had good luck with this brand in the past, so I’m not sure if I will give this product a try. I do lot my hair air dry daily, and then usually flat iron it. We’ll see if I put this product to use!

TOCCA Eau de Parfum Florence – $2.00 [BUY]

Last but not least is a perfume sample from TOCCA. As always, I’m not a big fan of perfume samples included in subscription boxes because you can get them for free at any Sephora. This one in particular is quite floral scented, so I definitely won’t be wearing it because of my sensitivity to flowers.

All in all, the June Sephora PLAY! has a value of $27.83, which is more than double the cost, but definitely a low amount compared to months past. I will definitely be using three out of the six products, which is good. I would love to know in the comments your thoughts on the Sephora PLAY! subscription service. Do you subscribe? Have you cancelled? Are you on the wait list? I would love to know!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Zoya Hydrating Cream Lipstick Review & Swatches | Mellie & Candy

Posted on June 13, 2016May 18, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am completing my reviews for the Zoya summer releases with the new Hydrating Cream Lipstick shades. I’ve been a fan of Zoya Nail Polish for four years now, but this is the first time I am trying the lip products the brand also offers. Zoya released both Mellie and Candy just in time for the summer season, and both are bright and pigmented shades perfect for the warmer months. Let me share my thoughts on these lipsticks with all of you!

Each lipstick comes in a black cardboard box and then in sleek black packaging. I really like the rounded tube, and the classic look to these lipsticks. The lipsticks do not have a fragrance, but they do have that typical ‘lipstick’ smell. It brought me back to my days of a dancer where we wore bright red lipstick for each performance!

First up is Zoya Mellie, a bright red lipstick. Mellie is extremely pigmented and it does feel very creamy and comfortable on the lips. I do recommend using a lip detailer brush to apply these lipsticks, as I had some difficulty getting a clean application. Mellie is a staining lipstick, which I like because even if it wears off you will still have a nice wash of color on the lips. I have not done a true wear test to see how these lipsticks wear over time, but they felt very nice on my lips.

Next up is Candy, a bright pink lipstick that I would call a fuchsia shade. Candy also has a rich pigmentation and glides onto the lips well. I don’t like how it looks with my fair skin tone, but I think it will look amazing if you have a darker complexion. Of course, it is all personal preference! I will say that Candy does tend to make the teeth a bit yellower than they actually are, so keep that in mind. Nonetheless, it is a great summer shade with a nice formula.

All in all, I’m so glad I finally tried the lipsticks offered by Zoya. I really love the formulas and the texture of these lipsticks, and I want to check out the other shades in the range for sure. These lipsticks retail for $12 each on Zoya’s website HERE. I definitely recommend the Hydrating Cream Formulas! Make sure to let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any Zoya lipsticks and which ones you recommend.

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

March PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing & Giveaway!

Posted on April 27, 2016March 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am super excited to share with you what I received in my March PLAY! by Sephora. Plus, I have a giveaway to share with you! I know a lot of you haven’t been able to join Sephora’s monthly subscription program yet. I was lucky to get off the wait list right away, and so I’m going to be giving back to one of you. First I’ll be sharing my unboxing as always, and the giveaway will be at the end. If you’d like to see a quick look at my February PLAY! by Sephora, I posted about it on Facebook HERE since I didn’t share a full unboxing during Manicure March. Without further ado, let me show you what I got in March!

March’s theme is The Perfection Collection, and features products to allow us to put our best face forward. To be honest, I don’t find the monthly themes to really be a good representation of what’s inside, but that is fine to me. I have no problem getting a random bunch of goodies from Sephora so long as they are products I’ll use!

Sephora The Perfectionist Sponge Sephora Collection The Perfectionist: Airbrush Sponge – $12.00 [BUY]

The first product I received is a beauty sponge from Sephora’s own collection. I am always up for trying a BeautyBlender dupe, so I’m very excited to test this out. I’m also glad we got a full size sponge that retails for more than the entire PLAY! by Sephora box! How awesome is that? I was just about to invest in a new BeautyBlender, but I’ll happily try this first. I’ll be sure to share my full thoughts on this product after testing it.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser – $4.47 [BUY]

I am also very excited to receive this cleanser from Fresh. I absolutely love this brand, but never do I purchase the products for myself because they are quite expensive. I’ve tried a sample of the Soy Face Exfoliant before and really liked it. I’ll be sure to keep this on hand for when my current cleanser runs out of product!

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield – $11.05 [BUY]

Another brand I love but don’t buy myself because of the high price tag is Murad. Inivisblur is a priming spray, which I feel is super trendy right now. I love that this contains SPF 30, and that it is designed to smooth out the skin. I will definitely be using this in the summer, because priming sprays are lighter than a standard primer.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil – $5.46 [BUY]

I also received a primer from Smashbox in my March box, this time in the form of a Primer Oil. I don’t usually like face oils because they tend to breakout my skin, but I’ve had great luck with the other primers from the Smashbox Photo Finish line so I hope I’ll like this, too. I’m definitely stocked up on primers for a while now!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper (Black) – $6.65 [BUY]

Now we are getting to the part of the unboxing where I grumble about getting the same kind of products every month. I’ve received an eyeliner in my PLAY! by Sephora box four out of five times, and three of the four eyeliners have been black. As someone who doesn’t wear eyeliner more than a few times a year, this is quite frustrating. Even if I wore eyeliner every day I would find it annoying! I appreciate that I get to try high end brands, but there are so many different beauty products we could be receiving. Why not mascara? Why not blush? Why not nail polish? Please mix it up in the future, Sephora!

Replica Beach Walk Perfume – $1.47 [BUY]

The last product is a perfume sample, and if you’ve been reading my PLAY! by Sephora posts from the beginning you’ll know I don’t enjoy receiving these. Sephora gives these samples away for free in online orders and in the store, and I’d much rather go to the store and pick a scent that works for me. I would love to stop getting these in my subscription and instead receive a deluxe skincare or makeup sample.

Overall, I have mostly positive things to say about my March PLAY! by Sephora subscription. The box has a total retail vale of $41.10, and I am excited about four of the six products. I am definitely getting my money’s worth! My box also came with a little plastic tub that I can bring into Sephora and be matched for a foundation. That’s a fun incentive to go shopping! I’m going to continue with this subscription for sure!

GIVEAWAY

As a thank you for supporting my blog, I wanted to curate a PLAY! by Sephora box for all of you! I’ve collected some of the products I won’t be using from past PLAY! boxes, and put them together in a kit. I hope that if you have been waiting to get your hands on one of these boxes this will be a fun prize! One winner will receive:

TOCCA Isabel Perfume Sample
Viktor & Rolf Flower Bomb Perfume Sample
Stella McCartney Stella Perfume Sample
Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil Khol Eyeliner
Sephora Contour Eye Pencil in My Boyfriend’s Jeans
Smashbox Full Exposure Eyeshadow Duo
Bonus: miscellaneous Sephora samples!

This giveaway is only open to those in the United States. I apologize to my international readers, but perfume must be sent by ground shipping, and so I am limited to the USA with this one. This giveaway is open for two weeks, ending on May 11, 2016. To enter you must be following my blog and provide me with your email through the Rafflecopter widget. All other entires are your choice and bonus entries! Please email me at adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com with any questions, and read the full Terms and Conditions in the widget before entering. Good luck!a Rafflecopter giveaway

I purchase PLAY! by Sephora with my own money. Sephora is not affiliated with this giveaway. Links used are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

NYX Eye Shadow Base Review | ‘Skin Tone’

Posted on April 18, 2016March 21, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the NYX Eye Shadow Base in the shade Skin Tone to share with you. During my most recent makeup declutter, I tossed the two bases I owned because they were expired. I was going to splurge on a MAC Paint Pot, but while at Target I saw that NYX had an affordable option. I purchased the shade Skin Tone to try. Before I jump into the review, I did want to note that I am quite unhappy with the shade name as Skin Tone. Not everyone has the same skin tone, of course, and it’s quite disappointing that a brand would use a name that is so excluding. I hope that in the future NYX will use other descriptors for skin toned products. Nonetheless, let me share my thoughts on the actual product with you.

NYX Eye Shadow Base Review | 'Skin Tone'

The NYX Eye Shadow Base comes in a pot, and I really liked that it was wrapped in clear plastic on the outside and had a safety seal on the inside so I know the product wasn’t opened or tested by another customer. This base is formulated to keep your eyeshadow in place, and maximize the color as well. I like to wear a base like this to cover the veins in my eyelids even if I’m not wearing eyeshadow. It just creates a cleaner and brighter look for me.

Here is a swatch of Skin Tone. It is a bit darker than I would have liked, but on the eyes it does a great job of evening out the discoloration while still looking very natural. The formula is good, and very creamy. I like to use a concealer brush to apply it so I’m not constantly dipping my fingers into the pot. I did notice some creasing on the lids at the end of the day, and this product does wear off throughout the day, too. My eyelids do tend to be on the oily side, so I think this product would work much better for someone who doesn’t have oily lids. I think this is a good product for the price, but I will be trying out another base next time around.

All in all, I have mixed feelings about the NYX Eye Shadow Base. I love the formula and that it is cruelty free, but I am still aggravated with the name choice and the fact that it creases with my eyelids. I will continue to use this base until I find a better option for me, and will be sure to check in with you when than happens! If you have a favorite eye base, please share with me in the comments!

My Everyday Makeup featuring MAKE Beauty | Limited Time Coupon Code

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you my everyday makeup look, and also review a couple of products from the brand MAKE Beauty. I first tried MAKE Beauty a few years ago through the subscription service Birchbox. I luckily got the opportunity to review some of the brand’s products for all of you, and I was so happy when they arrived because they perfectly fit into my normal makeup routine. This post will provide first impressions reviews of the MAKE Beauty Matte Finish Eyeshadow in Alabaster and the Silk Cream Lipstick in Taffy, and then conclude with an overall look at my full makeup. Make sure to stay tuned to the end of this post where I will share a coupon code for MAKE Beauty with all of you!

Matte Finish Eyeshadow in Alabaster [BUY]

MAKE Beauty Matte Finish Eyeshadow in Alabaster

First up is the Matte Finish Eyeshadow in Alabaster. I’ve swatched Alabaster on my hand, but you probably will have a hard time seeing it because it is my exact skin tone! I was so excited to discover that, because I don’t like to wear eyeshadow on a daily basis. However, I do have quite veiny eyelids, so I often use an eye primer just to cancel out the discoloration. Alabaster works perfectly to fully cover up my veiny lids. It is smooth, pigmented, and wears very nicely throughout the day. This eyeshadow formula also contains Vitamins C and E to help provide anti-oxidant protection to the eye area, and I think it does a great job because I didn’t experience any irritation. I’m in love with Alabaster!

Silk Cream Lipstick in Taffy [BUY]

MAKE Beauty Silk Cream Lipstick in Taffy

Next up is the Silk Cream Lipstick in the shade Taffy, a medium pink with purple undertones. Taffy just happens to be a ‘my lips but better’ shade. I couldn’t believe how well this fit my complexion! I also like how Taffy applies smoothy, and feels nice on the lips. I’ve had really dry lips lately, but Taffy still applied nicely and wore well throughout the day. Taffy did not add any moisture to my lips, but it also didn’t feel drying. I know I will be reaching for this lipstick often!

My Everyday Makeup Look

Here’s my completed makeup look! I’ll list all of the products for you if you’d like to learn more about what I use on the daily. Links to the MAKE Beauty products are above in each review.

Make Up For Every Step 1 Equalizing Primer [BUY]
Covergirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup in L2 [BUY]
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer [BUY]
Maybelline BROWdrama Pro Palette in Blonde [BUY]
Maybelline Great Last Mascara in Clear [BUY]
Rimmel London Scandaleyes XX-Treme Mascara in Black [BUY]
Rimmel London Natural Bronzer [BUY]
Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion Blush [BUY]
L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Eyeshadow Palette (I used the highlight shade) [BUY]
Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent [BUY]
Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]

All in all, I am really loving the products I received from MAKE Beauty, and am excited they fit into my daily routine. MAKE Beauty is a boutique brand with higher end prices, but I think these are great products in which to invest. From now until April 15, 2016, you can save 20% off your purchase at makebeauty.com with the code MAKEYOURSELF at checkout. I highly recommend snatching up these savings while you can!

What products are part of your everyday makeup look? Please share in the comments!

The products from MAKE Beauty were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Products I Buy High End!

Posted on February 26, 2016February 15, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Here at Adventures in Polishland I have always focused on living a fabulous and affordable life. However, there are a few products that I do save up for and splurge on because I think they are worth the money. I thought it would be fun to share with you the products that I tend to buy high end. Of course, I am always looking for affordable alternatives, but because these products work well for me, I don’t mind splurging on them. Let me go ahead and share with you the products I buy high end!

Dry Shampoo

I’ve tried what feels like a thousand dry shampoos from the drugstore, but I always come back to the Klorane Dry Shampoo, which unfortunately costs about $20 per can. This is the best dry shampoo I’ve ever used because it absorbs the oil and leaves my hair looking fresh and clean. Unlike other dry shampoos, it doesn’t add texture. It also brushes out well so that no white film is left in my brunette hair. I always buy this from Birchbox when there is a coupon code because I don’t like to go without it!

Face Primer

I’ve also tried a couple primers from the drugstore. While they’ve worked, they haven’t been as good as the high end primers I’ve used. My favorite primers are from Smashbox. The Photo Finish Light is oil free and great for sensitive skin or oily skin. I’m currently using the regular Photo Finish, and it’s great for combination or dry skin. I think it’s worth the price for sure!

BeautyBlender

I know, I’ve talked your ear off about the BeautyBlender, but it really is that good! Buying a sponge for $20 might seem ridiculous until you try it. The BeautyBlender is truly the best product for applying foundation and other cream products. It is worth the investment because it will last you a very long time so long as you wash it regularly. Trust me, you’ll love it! And don’t buy a cheap one – the ‘dupes’ are never as good.

Highlighter

My highlighter stash is composed of half high end products and half drugstore products, but I can definitely see a big difference in quality. I love my L’Oreal highlighters, but they tend to be a bit more glittery than I’d like. That’s why I think it’s great to invest in a few high end highlights. I absolutely love Cheeky from Ofra that is pictured here. It’s a bit more expensive than the drugstore, but lasts for such a long time.

Setting Spray

Last but not least is setting spray. This is the one product in this blog post that I’ve never tried from the drugstore! I purchased Urban Decay’s De-Slick for the first time about three or four years ago now, and I loved it so much I’ve never tried anything else! I did try Urban Decay’s All Nighter, but that’s the only other setting spray I’ve used. De-Slick is where it’s at for me!

All in all, while I love to bargain hunt and buy affordable products, it’s always nice to splurge on a high quality product every once in a while. I can’t justify buying mascara, blush, or other makeup products high end regularly because there are so many affordable options. That being said, I would love to know what products you buy high end, so please let me know in a comment!

Simple Glam Makeup Look featuring Rimmel London | All Drugstore Products

Posted on February 19, 2016February 11, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a makeup look to share with you featuring products from the drugstore brand Rimmel London. I was recently sent a package from Rimmel filled with products to create a glam makeup look. I couldn’t wait to test out all of the goodies and share them with you! In this post I’ll first be sharing each product individually and my first impressions of the product. Then I’ll share my completed makeup look at the end! Let’s go ahead and get started with this simple glam makeup look using all drugstore products!

THE PRODUCTS

Lasting Finishing Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation – $7.99

I was really intrigued with this foundation. It claims to be a long-wearing, 25-hour formula, and it also is formulated to be full coverage. I received the shade Classic Ivory, which is a bit too dark for me right now. The formula is definitely a medium coverage, and I recommend it for those with combination or oily skin, because it does stick to dry patches. That being said, it dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish. I love the feel of it on the skin, and it wears nicely throughout the day. I think this is a good pick for a drugstore foundation!

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer Natural Bronzer – $5.99

I was a bit hesitant to try out this bronzer, but if you’re going for a glam look you might as well go all out! I’m really impressed with this bronzer. It applies so smoothly and blends out beautifully. It truly is a natural bronzer, and I highly recommend it for bronzer newbies like me. I received the shade Sun Bronze, which worked well with my fair complexion. I’m excited to continue using this product!

Rimmel Scandaleyes in Bulletproof Beige Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige – $4.59

I went for this shimmery gold eyeshadow stick for my entire eye look. I applied this cream shadow over the lid and into the crease. It’s a beautiful color, and because it’s shimmery it can stand on its own. I like that this is a no fuss product! Plus, because I was wearing a bold lip, I knew I could go lighter on the eyes.

Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara – $6.99

I’ve had mixed luck with Rimmel mascaras in the past, but I have to say I am really impressed with this one! The brush has the rubbery texture that I like, and it definitely gives me both volume and length. The formula is a bit on the wet side, but I’m sure once it dries out a bit I will love it even more. I got the shade Black, and I highly recommend this one!

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick Moisture Renew Lipstick – $7.99

Last but not least is the Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert. While this shade is outside of my comfort zone, I am loving the formula! It definitely feels very moisturizing on the lips, and it applies very smoothly. I often feel weird when wearing lipstick, but I found this one very comfortable to wear. The red color is a bit staining, but I used a makeup remover wipe and that worked well. I will be checking out the other shades in this line for sure!

THE MAKEUP LOOK

Here is my final look! I used all drugstore products in this look, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I would wear this for a special occasion or a night out, or I would wear a lighter lip color for a day look. All of the products I used will be listed for your convenience.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation in Classic Ivory http://amzn.to/23ZBxvN
Rimmel London Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze http://amzn.to/1V6Q7LO
NYC New York Color Blush in Riverside Rose http://amzn.to/23ZCnbY
L’Oreal True Match Lumi in Rose http://amzn.to/23ZBNL9
Maybelline BROWdrama Pro Palette in Blonde http://amzn.to/1Q9Z4jc
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige http://amzn.to/1V6QVQZ
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara in Black http://amzn.to/1Kei2cq
Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent http://amzn.to/1V6Rieg
Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert http://amzn.to/23ZD6d8

All in all, I’m so glad I received these products from Rimmel to test out for all of you. I’m quite impressed with the great quality, especially with the mascara and lipstick. Rimmel is often on sale at the drugstore, and coupons can sometimes be found in the Sunday newspaper. I highly recommend trying out these products! Also, please let me know if you’ll be recreating this simple glam look!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Makeup I (Almost) Never Use!

Posted on February 17, 2016February 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I thought it would be fun if I shared with all of you the makeup products that I almost never use. I review all sorts of beauty products here at Adventures in Polishland, and I really love trying new things. However, the reality of the situation is that in my regular routine I tend to reach for the same products all the time! I’m comfortable with my daily makeup routine, and it’s rare that I step outside the box. Let me share with you the five makeup products that I almost never use!

5. Lipstick

This might sound crazy because I love buying and trying new lip colors, but I rarely wear lipstick! If I’m wearing a lip product I will reach for a tinted lip balm nine times out of ten. I feel really comfortable with a sheer wash of color, but when it comes to lipsticks I shy away. Lipstick is more high maintenance to apply and touch up throughout the day, and I just feel so aware of lipstick when I’m wearing it. There are a few shades that I use regularly, but the rest of my stash sits unused!

4. Eyeshadow

Despite my efforts to wear eyeshadow more often, my palettes still sit unused most days. I’d say I wear eyeshadow perhaps 1-2 days per month, and even that might be a stretch! Part of my problem is that I’m still not good at application, which can only be improved with more practice. I need to go through my stash and get rid of the shadows I never use for sure!

3. Eyeliner

You can tell I keep the eye area pretty basic, because I never wear eyeliner either! I recently paired down my eyeliner collection to one liquid and one (unopened) pencil. I probably wear eyeliner 1-2 times per year – if that! I just feel that it looks so harsh and overdone with my fair complexion. I’ve tried other shades besides black, but it’s just not my cup of tea. I basically keep them for the odd occasion where I reach for the eyeliner!

2. Bronzer

Next up is bronzer, a product that I’ve only tried to use a few times. I just don’t get it! I’ve watched countless YouTube tutorials, but I can’t get the hang of bronzer. Plus, I don’t mind my nice pale skin. I embrace it!

1. Contour

Finally, a makeup product that I never wear is contour! I don’t even own a contour powder to show you, so I grabbed a stock photo of this Anastasia palette. I definitely think contouring is really cool, and I love seeing how makeup artists use it to transform the face. I think one day I will give it a try, but it’s not in the near future for me.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what makeup products I almost never use! Believe it or not, but I am still very new to makeup. Besides wearing it for dance performances my entire life, I didn’t use makeup regularly until my early twenties. I’m still leaning the ins and outs of beauty products every day, and I think it’s a lot of fun! Please share with me in the comments if there are any makeup products that you rarely use! I would love to know!

Some of the products pictured in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.