Makeup – Page 9 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Makeup

Huge Makeup Destash! | How to Clean Out Your Beauty Collection

Posted on June 6, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I recently went through my entire makeup collection and decided to get rid of a lot of products. My main focus was throwing away things that were expired, but I also tossed products that I never use and couldn’t be given away to a friend. I’m moving in about two months, so the less I have to pack the better. I thought it would be fun to quickly show you all of the products I destashed, and share some tips on how I choose to get rid of things!

Here you can see the big box of products I decided to let go. I’ll show you the products by type so you can get a better idea of what I threw away, but I won’t mention each product specifically (that would take a long time!). Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments about a specific product!

EYE PRODUCTS

The easiest place to start with any beauty destash is with your eye products. Mascaras should be thrown away after three to four months of use. I regularly toss the mascaras I use on a daily basis, but colored mascaras tend to stay in my collection longer because I don’t use them often. It was time to get rid of this Maybelline Great Lash! Similarly, eyeliners tend to dry out even if they aren’t necessarily expired. This occurs most often with gel eyeliners, such as the ones here from Cailyn. I also tossed some pencils that were old and unusable.

It’s a bit more difficult to get rid of eyeshadows. I first destashed what was broken. Here, a NYX shadow was missing a lid, and my NYC palette was broken resulting in a messy compact that I didn’t think was salvageable. Then, I got rid of old eyeshadows, such as the Sephora single. Finally, I took out products I never use. I got the JCat and bhCosmetics palettes in subscription boxes, and they need to go!

LIP PRODUCTS

Lip products also tend to have a long shelf life, especially if they do not contain ingredients like SPF that expire quickly. First, I took out any lip stains and lip glosses because they were clearly expired and separating in the tube (yuck!). Then, I tossed the Cailyn lip products that were dried out. Finally, I simply reached for products that do not suit my skintone. I own more lip products than anything else, so I was really happy to get rid of a bunch!

FACE PRODUCTS AND TOOLS

Last but not least, I threw out a face product that was expired, and some broken beauty tools. This was easy! If they don’t work, throw them away! There is no use to keep products that are taking up space and serve no utilitarian function. Make room for better things!

All in all, I hope you liked seeing what makeup I destashed. The products in this post were not bad products, but they simply needed to be thrown out because they were expired, old, or not in use. I felt so good after getting rid of all these products! It allowed me to see all of the useable products I own better, and gave me a better idea of what products, if any, I need to buy. I highly recommend going through your stash at least 1-2 times per year.

Do you have any tips for destashing your makeup collection? Share them in the comments!

Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner Review

Posted on May 23, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I’m excited to share with you a review of the Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner. I’ve been looking to try out an invisible lip liner for the longest time, so it was perfect when I got the opportunity to test this one out for all of you. Let me go ahead and jump right into the review!

The Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner is just what it sounds like – it’s a colorless lip liner that is designed to go with any lip product no matter the formula or color. The pencil is designed to prevent bleeding or feathering, and it even enhances the color of your lip product. Plus, it is long-lasting and free of any mineral oil, paraffin, preservatives, and animal-derived ingredients.

Here is a closer look at the Invisible Lip Liner. As you can see, the pencil itself appears white, but goes on clear. It has a light feeling that makes my lips feel a little waxy, but that truly locks in your lip color. I’m happy to report that I love this lip liner! It works with all sorts of lip products – glosses, balms, lipsticks, etc. I’ve used it so much that I’ve had to resharpen it for this blog post! I’m also impressed with its long-wearing formula, and I’m glad that it does not dry out my lips. It even makes it easier for me to apply my lip color because the product has something to stick to, if that makes any sense. I’m definitely reaching for this on a daily basis now!

All in all, I’m loving the Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner and highly recommend it! It’s a fabulous and affordable price of $9.99 on the brand’s website HERE. I think this is a must in any makeup collection, and will be repurchasing it in the future for sure. Please let me know if you’re going to snag one in the comments!

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

Top 5 Makeup Products Under $5.00!

Posted on March 4, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you some of my all-time favorite and most affordable beauty products! I’ve seen this type of post on YouTube countless times, and figured it was about time I go ahead and share my Top 5 Makeup Products Under $5.00 on my blog. After all, Adventures in Polishland is dedicated to fabulous and affordable beauty! Let me share some of my favorite makeup products with you!

Just a quick note before we get into the products – the prices reflect the retail price that I found online. Pricing varies by store and by region, so keep that in mind when you go to your local store. The good news is, you can buy each item online with the links provided!

RIMMEL STAY MATTE PRESSED POWDER

$3.97 on Amazon [BUY]

I’ve loved the Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder for years, and I’ve repurchased it time and time again. It does an excellent job of controlling my shiny skin, and it’s never cakey. I use the shade 001 Transparent, which does not add color to the face. It’s perfect over any makeup look, or on days you just want to reduce shine. I’ve tried other pressed powders, but always go back to this one. I’ll need to purchase a new one soon!

e.l.f. STUDIO BLUSH

$3.00 on e.l.f. [BUY]

This is the first blush I purchased when I started trying out makeup in my everyday life a couple years ago. I grabbed it because of the cheap price, and I’m so glad I did! The shade you see above is Pink Passion, and while it may look very bright and intimidating, it’s actually quite wearable because it blends out flawlessly. I also love the sleek packaging. I hope to try out more shades from this line very soon.

PHYSICIANS FORMULA MATTE EYESHADOW

$4.37 on Drugstore.com [BUY]

I don’t wear eyeshadow often, but when I do I automatically reach for this quad. The matte formula is great, and I can create a complete eye look with these four shadows. In fact, I only use three – the dark grey is not my style. I picked this up during a coupon deal at Rite Aid a while back, and I’m so glad I did! It’s a must if you’re seeking affordable matte shadows.

JORDANA FABULINER EYELINER

$2.49 at Kmart [BUY]

This eyeliner is such an insane bargain! I first learned about it from my favorite YouTubers EleventhGorgeous a couple years back. I have trouble applying eyeliner, and I thought this marker-like tip would be helpful. It’s definitely easier to apply, and it leaves a nice, black line. I appreciate how affordable the Jordana Fabuliner is, because I very rarely use eyeliner and don’t have to worry about wasting my money on a product that’s almost never touched. If you’re looking for a perfect eyeliner, you need to try this one!

BABY LIPS TINTED LIP BALM

$3.68 on Amazon [BUY]

I’m a Baby Lips superfan, and if you’ve followed Adventures in Polishland for a while I’m sure you know that already! Lately I’ve been loving the Dr Rescue line because of the added moisturization (the shade Berry Soft is pictured above), but I honestly love them all and wear them so frequently. I have 13 Baby Lips in my collection, and it pains me that I don’t own them all! The light wash of color is just perfect, and Baby Lips are definitely one of my all-time favorite product lines.

That’s it for my Top 5 Makeup Products Under $5.00! I hope this post helped you discover something new at a great price. Keep in mind that these items often go on sale, plus you can use coupons for an even cheaper price. How awesome is that?! Share some of your favorite affordable products in the comments, and let me know if you’d like a nail polish edition of this post as well!

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

Mia Adora 3D Fiber Lash Mascara Review | Step by Step Photos

Posted on January 24, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! If you’ve been a follower of mine for a while now, you’ll know that I am a mascara junkie! In the past year or so, I’ve noticed a big trend in the beauty community when it comes to 3D Fiber Lashes. I was contacted by the brand Mia Adora to review its 3D Fiber Lash Mascara, so I decided to go for it and see if it lives up to the hype. Let me go ahead and show you the product and how it works!

ABOUT THE PRODUCT

The Mia Adora 3D Fiber Lash Mascara comes in a sturdy case with a magnetic closure. I really like how the instructions on how to use the product are clearly printed on the inside of the case. As you can see, this set comes with two tubes – one is the Magnifying Gel and the other is the Natural Fiber Lashes. This product is designed to make your lashes instantly longer and thicker. In fact, the claim is that your lashes will be 300% magnified.

STEP BY STEP APPLICATION

Here are my lashes in their natural state. Can you see them?! I’m going to apply product on the left eye only so you can see the difference in the photos. Mia Adora also recommends you apply the product one eye at a time.

The first step is to apply the Magnifying Gel from base to top in 15-20 strokes. This is a black gel that looks and feels like a normal mascara. It separates the lashes and primes them for the fibers.

While the Magnifying Gel is still wet, apply 10-15 strokes of the Natural Fiber Lashes from mid-lash to the top. Then, wait about 20 seconds for the fibers to dry.

Finally, apply another 15-20 strokes of the Magnifying Gel. This is designed to lock the fibers into place.

Here is my my finished look with one round of the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara. I do think my lashes look nice and full, but the look isn’t different from my normal mascara routine. The only difference is the bit of added length, but I could use some more volume.

Mia Adora’s instructions mention that you can repeat Steps 2 and 3 if you want a more dramatic look. I did a second coat of the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara on my left eye so you can see how it compares to one coat. It definitely adds more volume, which I really like. If I were to use this mascara on a regular basis, I would definitely go for a second round of the mascara.

WHERE TO BUY

All in all, I think the Mia Adora 3D Fiber Lash Mascara is a good product to own if you have short eyelashes and you really want some added length. It does add some time to your makeup routine, and clean-up is very messy because the fibers go everywhere! Mia Adora does say that this can be worn over your normal mascara for an even more dramatic look, but because this product is $29.95 on Amazon HERE, I wanted to test it alone. I shouldn’t have to purchase an additional product to get my money’s worth! Thus, while I think the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara works, I do not see a 300% magnification in my lashes. I recommend it if you have the money and are looking to test out the product, but I don’t think this is a must have for your beauty routine. My drugstore mascaras get me results that I can enjoy just as much!

Please let me know your thoughts on the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara craze in the comments! Do you love it? Do you want to try it? I want to know!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Makeup by One Direction Limited Edition Tour Case Review

Posted on January 17, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I have another review of one of the limited edition products from the brand Makeup by One Direction. If you are looking for an all-inclusive set, look no further. This case includes eyeshadows, eyeliners, mascara, nail polish, lipstick, lip gloss, glitter pots, and stickers! I got to work swatching the products for you so you can see what’s inside. Let me open up the tour case for you!

Here is what the Tour Case looks like before and after opening it. As you can see, it expands to three pop-up drawers. This is really an all-in-one set if you’re a One Direction fan!

Here are close-up looks of each drawer. First is the eye makeup drawer that includes 45 eyeshadows, two eyeliners, and one mascara. Next is the nail polish and lip product drawer that includes six polishes, two glitter pots, one lip gloss, and two lip crayons. There is also a UV light if you’d like to see how the nail polish looks in that kind of light. Finally, the third drawer contains stickers that you can use to decorate the tour case. Now let’s move on to the swatches!

EYESHADOW

This case contains 45 eyeshadows in a variety of formulas. Most are shimmers, but there are also a few mattes thrown in as well as some glitters and creams. The quality of the shadows varies dramatically. Some are amazing, while others are not great at all. The pigmentation also varies. I think this is a fun set for younger girls starting out with makeup who just want to play around with color, but I don’t recommend it for everyday makeup use. I swatched the shadows without a primer, and will let you know the colors from left to right in each swatch picture.

Metallic Mint, Khaki, Graphite, Spark, and Spotlight

Night Sky, Glacial, Poser, Mocha, and Dawn

Quartz, Bronzed, Ultra Violet, Sequin, and Blush

Surfer Blue, Mushroom, Cornflower, Dusk, and Amped

London Sky, Midnight, Center Stage, Irish Luck, and Lime Light

Aqua Mist, Spring, Georgia Rose, Melody, and Harmony

Brick, Sherwood, Terra Cotta, Earth, and Faded Jeans

Cityscape, Galaxy, Summer Rain, Lightening, and Twilight

Coffee Bean, Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst, and Onyx

EYELINER

This set also includes two eyeliners in silver and black. I think it’s great to have these in any set!

Not pictured is also a purple mascara. If you’d like to see swatches of other colored mascaras from Makeup by One Direction, check out my review HERE.

NAIL POLISH

The first nail polish in this Tour Case is Strobe, a white creme polish. Strobe’s formula was a little tricky, but it evened out nicely in three thin coats. It’s awesome that Makeup by One Direction included the basics in this set!

Next up is Blue a Fuse, a glitter top coat with blue, white, and pink glitters. I applied one coat over Strobe, and I was a little disappointed with how many glitters came out. I would have liked more glitter in one coat, but overall Blue a Fuse is still a great polish!

My favorite polish in the Tour Case is Rebel, a bright fuchsia pink. Rebel has a perfect formula, and it is just stunning. I love my pink polishes, and this is a great one to have!

The next glitter polish in the set is Star Struck, a clear base filled with pink, white, and fuchsia glitters. The glitters were easier to apply with Star Struck than with Blue a Fuse, and I put one coat on top of Rebel. I am really liking this polish combination!

Along with a white, Makeup by One Direction also included a basic black creme. This polish is called Street Punk, and is a good black polish. I applied two coats and didn’t have any issues with the formula.

The last polish in the Tour Case is Graffiti, a glitter polish with black and white glitters. I applied one coat over Street Punk, but in the future I think I’d layer it over a non black polish to see the glitters easier.

Also included in this set are two loose glitter pots that can be used on the nails or even as eyeshadow pigments. They are in the shades Voltage (orange) and Shock (pink).

LIP PRODUCTS

Last but not least, the Tour Case includes three lip products. Here are swatches of all three on my arm, but I have lip swatches for you as well!

The lip gloss in this set is Backstage, a red glitter gloss. It has a nice wash of color without being too dramatic, but the glitter is a bit grainy on the lips. I would love this gloss if it didn’t contain glitter, but if you like glitter you would love this!

Next up is a pink Lip Crayon. I’m really liking the formula of these lip crayons. They apply super easily and have a matte finish. You can, of course, add gloss on top, but I like the matte look. Be forewarned, though – these stain! That’s a benefit if you want it to last though eating and drinking, though.

Finally, there is also a true red Lip Crayon. I’m really impressed with the great quality of this lipstick. I definitely think it’s a highlight in the tour case for sure!

All in all, the Makeup by One Direction Tour Case is chock full of a ton of fun makeup products. I do recommend this case for One Direction fans, or for those who are just getting started with makeup. The quality is not the best on the eyeshadows, and some of the other products could have better formulations as well. However, for a full case that retails $49.95, I would definitely consider whether that price is worth it for you. If you’re looking for a good deal, check out the sale going on right now at Macy’s, where you can snag the tour case for 50% off HERE! As always, you can like Makeup by One Direction on Facebook HERE to stay up to date with the brand. Please let me know your thoughts on the Tour Case in the comments!

This product was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Majestic Bombay Precision Eyelash Curler Review | Before & After Photos Included

Posted on January 14, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to bring you a review of the new Precision Eyelash Curler from the brand Majestic Bombay. I’ve only tried one eyelash curler before in my life (see that review HERE), and while I don’t use eyelash curlers often they are certainly great beauty tools to have on hand. I luckily have naturally curled lashes, but I know some of you have straight lashes. I hope this review will help you decide if this is the curler for you!

ABOUT THE PRODUCT

The Precision Eyelash Curler has a “no pain” design to make curling your lashes super easy. The handles are gripped so your fingers won’t slip during the clamping process, and the head of the curler is large and curved to fit any eye shape. It is also designed to capture every lash so they stay curled all day. Majestic Bombay provides two refill pads with each curler, and there is a 90-day money back guarantee! If you don’t like your curler you can return it after use for a full refund. How awesome is that?!

MY BEFORE & AFTER

As you can see from my Before and After photos, there is a significant curl to my lashes after using the Precision Eyelash Curler. I found it very easy to use, and I think the head of the curler really did fit my eye shape well. I was especially impressed with how the curler worked on my left eye. For some reason, my left eyelashes are wonky and tend to clump up easily. The Precision Eyelash Curler completely solved that problem! I now have beautiful and full lashes on both eyes. I’m really excited with the results!

All in all, I highly recommend this eyelash curler. It’s very easy to use, and it definitely curls your lashes with an all-day curl. You can purchase the Precision Eyelash Curler from Majestic Bombay on Amazon HERE. The retail price is $31.00, but as I type this post it is on sale for just $17.00! I think it is worth the price since you are getting a great quality beauty tool, and because it comes with two refill pads. Please let me know in the comments if you decide to pick up this product!

UPDATE: I have great news! Majestic Bombay has just informed me that there is a $5.00 off coupon for this eyelash curler on Amazon. Enter code 5X8X9V9W in your cart at checkout for these added savings.

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

My Most Successful Sephora Haul Ever | $100+ in Product for $33!

Posted on December 29, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! If you’ve been a follower of Adventure in Polishland for a while, you’ll know that I only shop at Sephora a few times per year. And when I do drop some cash on high end products, I make sure to get the most for my money. I’ve written two step-by-step guides on How to Get the Most for Your Money at Sephora in the past (see them HERE and HERE), and today I just have to share my latest haul! Let’s jump right into the products!

REGULAR PRICE ITEMS

As always, every Sephora haul starts out with the purchase of regularly priced products. I always spend as close to $50 as possible to get free shipping online. This time around I hit the $50 mark right on the nose! Here is what I purchased from left to right:

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray – $30 [BUY] – This product is the entire reason for this Sephora purchase! I absolutely love this setting spray, but it’s definitely a splurge item. One bottle lasts me nearly a year, so it’s definitely worth it when I can afford to spend the money.
Soap & Glory The Righteous Body Butter – $6 [BUY] – I added this body butter to my cart in order to make it to $50. I can always use a nice moisturizer, and I’ve loved the products from this line that I’ve tried in the past.
Lavanila Pure Vanilla Mini Deo Duo – $14 [BUY] – I’ve heard great things about this natural deodorant from several beauty gurus, but most recently Ingrid Nilsen (watch her on YouTube HERE). I love my Dove deodorant, but I’ve been wanting to try a natural option, so I figured now was the time. More thoughts on this product to come in a future blog post!

With these three items, I hit the $50 for free shipping, but I also lucked out big time! I used my $15 off of $50 coupon that all Beauty Insiders received in December and only spent $35 total. I was so excited that I still got to use free shipping! And, that means all of the products I show you in the rest of this post were completely free.

WEEKLY SPECIAL COUPON CODE

The reason I love to shop at Sephora online is because of the freebies available in the Weekly Specials section of the Sephora website, which you can find HERE. This page includes all of the bonus coupon codes that can be used. There is always a great perk for spending $25 in regular priced merchandise, but this time I surely hit it big! I grabbed the Pampered Party Prep makeup bag filled with all of these samples! Let me tell you all of the products inside and their retail values.

Living Proof Style Lab Satin Hair Serum – $3.29 [BUY] – I am so excited about this hair serum sample! I recently discovered the amazing product line that is Living Proof, and want to test out everything.
Nude Perfect Cleanse Omega Cleansing Jelly – $ n/a [BUY] – I can’t assess the value of this foil packet, but it’s definitely a nice bonus in the bag. I use foil packets when I travel, and facial cleansers are always great to have on hand.
GLAMGLOW Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment – $9.74 [BUY] – I’ve been wanting to try the coveted GLAMGLOW line for so long! As you can tell from the sample’s retail value of nearly $10, this is a luxury skincare brand known for its masks. This one sounds awesome!
Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil – $5 [BUY] – This is the only goody in the bag I’m not too excited about. My skin does not like face oils, but I know Fresh is a great brand. It is definitely a good product to include, and has an awesome retail value!
Calming FX Calming Primer – $6.08 [BUY] – I’ve never heard of this brand before, but this primer sounds great! It’s formulated for sensitive skin, and is designed to reduce redness. I can’t wait to put it to the test!
Benefit Stay Flawless Primer Stick – $2.37 [BUY] – I’m surprised there was another primer included, but I’m not complaining! Primers are very expensive, so getting free samples is perfect.
Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish – $3.76 [BUY] – This is a face exfoliant that I’ve yet to try. I’m sure it will be great! Laura Mercier has a wonderful reputation in the skincare world.
Lancome Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate – $1.85 [BUY] – Wow, can you believe this foil packet is worth so much?! It’s because this serum is valued at over $100 for the full size bottle.

The grand total for the Pampered Party Prep makeup bag in terms of retail value is $32.09! How awesome that I get to try them all for free! In fact, that’s nearly how much I paid out of pocket for this order. I’ve almost doubled the value already!

3 FREE SAMPLES, BIRTHDAY GIFT, & POINT PERK

I know I sound like an infomercial when I say this…. but wait! There’s more! I still have more free products to show you! Each Sephora online order comes with three free samples. This time I got:

Algenist Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector Gel Moisturizer – $1.63 [BUY] – I’ll definitely be using this moisturizer when I’m traveling this month! Foil packets come in handy!
Agave Oil Treatment – $1 [BUY] – Oil treatments for hair are always a plus during the cold winter months. I’m sure this will smell amazing and tame my frizz!
Anna Sui La Nuit de Boheme – $1.80 [BUY] – My last sample is perfume. I love getting perfume samples because it’s fun to try out new scents without having to walk into a perfume store and spray ten of them!

Next, I got my annual Birthday Gift, and I discovered a way to cheat the system! My birthday is actually in October, but I didn’t plan on purchasing anything. So, I logged into my Sephora account in October and added my Birthday Gift to my cart. There it sat all the way through to December. So, here is your trick – add the gift to your cart during your birthday month and it will be there when you want to make a purchase in the future! This year, Beauty Insiders received a Make Up For Ever mascara and lipstick duo worth $22.14! Amazing!

Finally, the last product I got was a Point Perk that I cashed in 100 rewards points to receive. I got a mini Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in F-Bomb that has a retail value of $8.56! I’ve heard so many great things about this lipstick range, but I didn’t want to drop $22 for just one. Now I get to test the formula!

My grand total retail value for all of the products I purchased in this Sephora haul is (drum roll please) $101.95! That’s right, I got over $100 worth of products and only spent $35. That’s nearly triple my spendings! Of course, I also shopped through Ebates and received $2.00 cash back on my purchase. That means I only spent $33. I think this is definitely my most successful Sephora haul ever! Now, it’s not every day that Sephora offers a coupon or such an amazing Weekly Special, but you can use all of the tricks I shared here to get an amazing Sephora haul as well. Please share your amazing Sephora goodies in the comments!

Makeup by One Direction Limited Edition Beauty Collection Review

Posted on December 10, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of another amazing beauty collection from the brand Makeup by One Direction. The company released a set of five tins – one for each member of One Direction – that contain some fun beauty products. They make perfect holiday gifts, and are also super affordable at just $12.95 each. Let me show you the tins and the goodies inside of them!

I was sent three of the five tins to review for you– Niall, Harry, and Liam grace the covers! Inside all of the products are the same, so make sure you stay tuned to Adventures in Polishland for giveaways in the future (hint hint!). I decided to open up the Harry palette. He was too STYLE–ing in that hat for me to resist.

Here is a quick overview of everything inside the tin. As you can see, you get six eyeshadows, four lip glosses, two nail polishes, a lip glitter, an eyeliner, and two applicators. I really appreciate that the lip glosses are packaged away from the eyeshadows so any fallout doesn’t get mixed into the glosses. Also, It’s great that the packaging contains the names of each product so I know what the colors are.

NAIL POLISH

The first nail polish is Stole my Heart, a bright pink polish with pink shimmer. Stole my Heart has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It is such a fun shade, and I love the shimmer formula.

The other polish is Alive, a glitter top coat filled with a mix of multicolored glitters in a variety of shapes. Alive has a good formula, and I applied two coats over Stole my Heart in the photos you see here. I do wish more glitters applied with each coat, but the end look is awesome. I could see this as a New Year’s Eve manicure for sure.

EYESHADOW

Here are swatches of all the eyeshadows in this palette without primer. From left to right, the shades are: Everything About You, Summer Love, I Would, Same Mistakes, Tell Me a Lie, and Nobody Compares. I’m really impressed with the smooth formulas and great pigmentation in these shadows. Each is very shimmery and great for the holidays, but I will say I wish there was at least one matte shade in the palette. I would have to reach for another palette to get a full eyeshadow look. Nonetheless, this collection has some really nice shadows!

EYELINER

The eyeliner in this kit is I Want, a matte black pencil. I am really impressed with this product as well. It applies so easily and has a true matte effect. You can also smudge out this liner for a smokey look.

LIP GLOSS

This palette also includes four lip glosses and a lip gloss top coat. From left to right, the shades are: Over Again (lip gloss top coat), Heart Attack, Irresistible, One Thing, and Loved You First. Each lip gloss gives a subtle wash of color to the lips and has a sheen to it. If you want added glitter, Over Again is perfect. I do recommend using your own lip brush to apply these, as the one included in the kit does not work well at all. Of course, layer over lipstick for a more opaque look.

All in all, I think these Makeup by One Direction tins are great items for any One Direction fan. The nail polish is a huge favorite of mine, and I think the eyeshadows are a nice addition to any makeup lover’s collection. These tins can be purchased at Sears USA, KMart, Target, and Walmart Canada. At just $12.95, I think they are a steal. Let me know which tin you’d pick based on your favorite One Direction member in the comments!

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

Limited Edition Makeup by One Direction Kits | Rock Me Nail Kit, Liquilights Glow Gloss, & Electroglam Mascara

Posted on December 3, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! I’m super excited to share with you three limited edition kits from the brand Makeup by One Direction that are the perfect gift items for the holiday season. I’m going to jump right into the product reviews now because I have a lot to show you!

ROCK ME NAIL KIT

The Rock Me Nail Kit contains three nail polishes and three pots of loose glitter. I was super excited about this set in particular because I absolutely loved the Makeup by One Direction polish I tried this summer (see it HERE). Plus, these polishes and glitters can be mixed and matched to your tastes.

First up is Happily, an iced blue polish with a jelly formula. I used three coats of Happily to achieve opacity, and I’m loving the color! I’m a sucker for blue shades like this one. It is just so gorgeous!

The first glitter I have to show you is Kicks, what Makeup by One Direction calls “snow cone blue.” I dipped in two accent fingers on top of Happily and followed up with a top coat. I am obsessed with this combination! How gorgeous is the holographic glitter?! Be careful, though – you’ll want to lay down newspaper when applying these glitters. It gets VERY messy!

Next up is Moments, a stunning neon pink creme polish. Moments has a perfect formula that is opaque in two coats. While the color is not unique, this pink is a staple that everyone needs in her nail polish collection. I think it’s a great addition to the Rock Me Nail Kit!

Not Afraid is the next loose glitter in the set, and this one was a bit of a flop for me. While it is a fun neon pink shade, it was a bit on the clumpier side and harder to apply than the others. This is the one product in the nail kit that I’m not truly loving.

The last polish in the kit is Diana, a glitter top coat filled with silver holographic glitters. I applied one coat over Moments and I’m super impressed! The glitter applies really easily, and it is very glossy so no top coat needed. I’m ready for New Year’s Eve with this one!

The last nail product is Star, a holographic glitter with a nude base. I applied Star alone over a base coat and I’m thrilled with the result. It is just so beautiful and worth dealing with the loose glitter! Definitely follow up with a top coat as I did to make sure that glitter stays put!

LIQUILIGHTS GLOW GLOSS

The next set is the Liquilights Glow Gloss. It contains three lip glosses with UV reactive formulas. I don’t own a UV light, so I can only show you what these glosses look like in natural light. The three shades left to right are: Kiss You, Through the Dark, and Taken. Each is quite glittery, but not grainy on the lips. I’ll show you what they look like on my lips as well.

First up is Kiss You, an orange shade that is actually quite wearable. The glitter does stand out on my lips, but the orange color is subtle. I think it’s really pretty!Next is Through the Dark, a poppy shade. Through the Dark is the most pigmented of the bunch, and I really like the pink color. It’s wearable enough for the daytime if you don’t mind some glitter!Last but not least is Taken, a lighter pink lip gloss. Taken is a beautiful wash of pink on the lips. Of course, you can layer it over a lipstick if you’d like a more pigmented base, but I like the sheer quality it has.

ELECTROGLAM MASCARA

The last kit contains three colored mascaras that can double as hair mascaras. However, I wouldn’t recommend using the same mascara on both your eyes and your hair. I decided to test each mascara on the eyes.

First up is Why Don’t We Go There, an electric blue mascara. This is my favorite mascara in the bunch, as the pigmentation is great. Plus, I feel like blue is a wearable color on the eyes.

Next up is Does He Know?, a pink mascara. Does He Know? has a good pigmentation, but does get a bit lost on the eyes with my fair complexion. I’m not sure that I would wear this mascara on a daily basis, but it’s great if you’re dressing up as Effie Trinket in the Hunger Games, right?! So fun!

Last is Story of My Life, a yellow mascara. I’m really not a fan of this one. While the mascara itself has a good formula and application, the yellow makes me look sick. It’s just not a good shade for the eyes, I think! Plus, the color wasn’t very opaque.

WHERE TO BUY

These Makeup by One Direction kits are available now at Macy’s, Dillards, Boscov’s, Stage Stores, Beauty Brands, and Lord & Taylor now. The kits retail for $16.50 each, which is a great price! I highly recommend the Rock Me Nail Kit for everyone, and the Liquilights Glow Gloss Kit for lip product lovers. I’m personally not a huge fan of the Electroglam Mascara for practicality purposes, but it’s definitely fun for One Direction fans! Be sure to let me know which kit you plan to grab in the comments! You can also like the Makeup by One Direction Facebook Page HERE to stay up to date with this makeup brand!

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

Lashem Colour Strokes Brow Tint & Lift Review + Coupon Code

Posted on December 2, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I have a review of the new Colour Strokes Brow Tint & Lift from Lashem. I love trying out new brow products, and because I really enjoyed the last brow mascara I tried, I couldn’t wait to see how this one would measure up. Let me go ahead and tell you all about Lashem’s Colour Strokes!

Lashem sent me the Colour Strokes Brow Tint to review along with two samples of the brand’s skincare products. I did give each product a try, but did not do full reviews on them. I found Picture Perfect, an instant wrinkle reducer, to be extremely drying on my skin so I didn’t want to keep applying it for further testing. Similarly, the 3 in 1 Eye Brights was very shimmery and not a product I would use. Thus, I didn’t have good first impressions with these products, but that doesn’t mean you won’t love them!

The Colour Strokes Brow Tint & Lift has gorgeous packaging. However, I was disappointed with how large the applicator is. It is difficult to work on the brows with such a large brush. I would have preferred a smaller wand, such as those that come with bottom lash mascaras.

Here are my brows before applying the product. As you can see, my natural brows are very uneven, with my left brow (on the right here) being much sparser that my right. I typically fill them in with brow powder, which I find to be very natural.

Here are my brows after using the Colour Strokes Brow Tint & Lift. I do like how the product looks on my right brow. It does a good job filling in my brow while keeping in it line. My left brow, however, is a mess. It is obvious that I’m wearing a brow gel because of how sparse that brow is. Thus, I would really only recommend this product if your brows are already quite full. Otherwise, it will be obvious you’re painting the skin!

I know mascaras and brow products aren’t usually swatched, but I wanted to do so to talk about this product’s shade, which was a huge problem for me. I have the Colour Strokes in the shade Brunette. The product is only offered in three shades – Blonde, Brunette, and Raven – so I figured Brunette would be my best bet. Unfortunately, it is not my shade at all. It is too light and also contains a lot of gold shimmer. I don’t know about you, but I do NOT want glittery eyebrows! Because the Colour Strokes is not matte, I find it unwearable.

All in all, I’m quite disappointed with the Lashem Colour Strokes Brow Tint & Lift. The formula does not work well with my eyebrows, and the coloring is completely wrong for me. If you have golden brown hair and don’t mind shimmery eyebrows, you might enjoy this product. However, it does retail for $20.00 on Lashem’s website HERE. Use code BROW30BB at checkout to get 30% off your order.

Have you tried Lashem’s products? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

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