cosmetics – Page 3 – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: cosmetics

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.

December PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing! | $60 Value for $10

Posted on January 6, 2016January 5, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m here to share what I got in my PLAY! by Sephora subscription for December. I talk all about what PLAY! by Sephora is in my November Unboxing, so if you want to learn more please see THIS blog post. I was really looking forward to this box after an awesome first month, and I was a bit disappointed when it arrived. Nonetheless, it does have an amazing retail value! Let me show you what was inside my December PLAY! by Sephora box!

December PLAY! by Sephora Unboxing! | $60 Value for $10

The December theme was Oh What Fun! in celebration of the holiday season, but to be honest I don’t really see a cohesive theme with the products. Just like last month, I got a mix of makeup, skincare, and fragrance products. As I show you each product, the dollar amount listed is the retail value of each sample size, which I calculate in proportion to the full size product.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb – $4.00

I am once again disappointed to get a perfume sample in this month’s box. Perfume samples are free at Sephora, both online and in-store. Nonetheless, I understand that Flowerbomb is an iconic perfume, and many people love it. This sample would be great for travel, or if you wanted to test out this luxury scent. Unfortunately, I cannot use it at all because floral scents really bother my allergies. I know I’m a unique case here, but this product is a bust for me.

Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil – $5.00

The next product is a face oil, similar to the argan oil I received in last month’s PLAY! I really love the brand Fresh, and am always excited to try out different products from the company. I do tend to have bad luck with face oils, as they don’t work well with my combination skin. I’m still going to try this out, though, just because I’ve had good luck with Fresh in the past.

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette – $6.92

The next sample is one that is really awesome, and that is a mini eyeshadow palette from the brand Smashbox. I love that this sample comes with two eyeshadows, and that you get a mirror with it. The shadows can even be worn together! Unfortunately for me, I just purchased the Smashbox Full Exposure Travel Palette, and both of these shades are included. That is definitely a risk you take if you are a regular Sephora shopper!

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in Black

Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in Black – $11.88

The other makeup product in the December box is a black eyeliner from Make Up Forever. This is another awesome sample in general, but for me it is disappointing. I received an eyeliner last month, and I don’t wear eyeliner often at all. I’m glad this is a black shade, because it is the easiest to wear and use. I’m not sure if I’m going to keep this for myself, or pass it on yet.

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator – $7.25

I received two more skincare samples, and the first I am really excited about! I absolutely love Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion, and use it on a regular basis. However, because it is so expensive, I wouldn’t be able to repurchase it when my bottle is empty. Now I have a backup, or a travel sized bottle. I’m so glad I got this sample!

NUDE Skincare Advanced Renewal Serum – $27.30

The last sample is definitely the most perplexing one in the box! I got seven foil packets of the NUDE serum. At first I was annoyed to get foil packets, but then I realized that I could try out the serum for an entire week to see how I liked it. When I calculated the retail value, I was absolutely floored. These foil packets do not have any sort of size marking on it, but I did some research and most foil packets are 0.05 fluid ounces. I used that for my calculations, and cannot believe how much these samples cost! While it is annoying that these are free samples that could be given out at any Sephora (I’ve even had one before!), the value is definitely impressive.

Overall, my December PLAY! by Sephora box has an approximate retail value of $62.35. That is amazing considering I only spent $10 on it! However, I’m very disappointed that the box is quite similar to last month’s. In both boxes I got a perfume sample, eyeliner, and oil – all things I don’t typically use. The only item that I am particularly excited to use in the December box is the PoreDermabrasion. Thus, despite the high retail value of the box as a whole, it is a flop for me. I’m going to be trying out January’s box to see how it compares, but if it is repetitive I will most likely cancel. For more information on PLAY! by Sephora, see the official website HERE.

Do you subscribe to PLAY! by Sephora? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the December box!

Shop for the items inside my December PLAY! by Sephora box using the widget below and I will earn a small commission. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Top 10 Beauty Products of 2015!

Posted on December 30, 2015December 29, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today’s Top 10 post is the last in this year’s series, and features my favorite beauty products of 2015. I used to wear makeup only for special occasions, and it’s amazing to me how I’ve really come to love beauty products. I tried out some amazing products this year, some from the drugstore and others that are high end splurges. I’m excited to share my Top 10 Beauty Products of 2015 with you, so let’s jump right into the post!

Top 10 Beauty Products of 2015! | Adventures in Polishland

10. Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos [REVIEW] [BUY]

Cargo Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos I got this bright coral blush in a Birchbox, and was surprised at how much l loved it! The blush is very pigmented, and has quite a bit of shimmer. Somehow it looked great on my fair skin! I wore it a ton this past summer. It is a high end product, but worth the splurge if you’re looking for an amazing blush.

9. L’Oreal True Match LUMI Powder Glow Illuminator in Rose [REVIEW] [BUY]

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator in Rose I was really excited to find a new highlighter line at the drugstore by L’Oreal. I had to get the rose gold one, just because I love anything rose gold. This highlight is no exception! It is quite shimmery, but it works. I wore it a lot in the summer and fall, and will definitely reach for it again once winter is over. Don’t forget to use coupons on this one!

8. CoverGirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup in L2 [REVIEW] [BUY]

My holy grail liquid foundation is the TruBlend from CoverGirl. It is a medium coverage, and perfect for everyday wear. I do mix it up with other foundations and bases, but I know I can always count on it. Plus, my skin loves CoverGirl products! I never break out. In fact, my skin stays clearer when I wear CoverGirl foundation on a regular basis. Of course, I love that it’s only around $10 at the drugstore!

7. Fresh Sugar Tulip Tinted Lip Treatment [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve been a huge fan of the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments ever since I got a free sample duo as a Sephora Birthday gift a few years back. I’ve never purchased a full size for myself because they are quite expensive, but I love them! The shade Tulip is a pretty pink. It has the same amazing smell and feel of the original, but with a sheer wash of color.

6. NYX Buter Gloss in Creme Brulee [REVIEW] [BUY]

Another lip product that I’m loving is the NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee. It is a ‘my lips but better’ color for me, and it feels so nice on my lips. I definitely reach for lip glosses more often, simply because they are low maintenance when compared to a lipstick. I also love that this NYX gloss is super fabulous and affordable!

5. Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner [REVIEW] [BUY]

Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner Review

Can you tell I love lip products?! This one is a must have for any makeup lover, because it is an Invisible Lip Liner that can be worn under any lip product. It makes me feel more confident because I know my lip product will stay inside my lip line and will last longer. Make sure you grab one, too!

4. elf Studio Blush Palette in Light [REVIEW] [BUY]

ELF Studio Blush Palette in Light | Review & Swatches

I’ve been really into blushes and other face powders this year, and one of my favorite blush purchases is this elf Studio Blush Palette. Not only is this palette extremely affordable, but the blushes are fabulous quality, too. I definitely wear the shades labeled 1 and 2 on a regular basis. I highly recommend purchasing this palette!

3. Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Dolly [HAUL] [BUY]

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Dolly I’ve become really obsessed with Buxom in the past couple of months, and my favorite lip product thus far is Dolly. It is the perfect shade of mauve-pink, and it is so easy to wear. Plus, it feels great on my lips. I’ve been reaching for this consistently since I got it, and even wore it for Christmas Eve!

2. BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop [REVIEW] [BUY]

BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop

I splurged on the Jaclyn Hill highlighter from BECCA because I had been hearing so many great things about it, and I am so glad I did! This product is just beyond stunning. I wore it nearly everyday for a month when I first got it, and have continued to reach for it regularly since then. Even if you are fair-skinned like me, I say go for it. I love how it looks!

1. elf Angled Blush Brush [HAUL] [BUY]

I never would have predicted that my favorite beauty product of the year would be a $3 makeup brush from elf! I bought this brush on a whim and it quickly became a go-to for me. It applies any blush evenly and beautifully. The angle helps to control the product, and can work for contouring and highlighting as well. Plus, the brush is super soft. I’m amazed by it, and highly recommend it!

All in all, I’ve tried so many amazing beauty products in 2015! I hope this post helped you discover some new products. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your favorites of the year were as well. I’m looking forward to trying even more goodies in 2016!

Shop for the products mentioned using this widget! I earn a small commission when you do. Thanks for your support!

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

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Créme and BB Radiance Perfecting Powder Review

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a review of two new products from NYC New York Color’s Smooth Skin BB line. I was really excited to test out the BB Créme and BB Radiance Perfecting Powder because each retails for a fabulous and affordable $3.99 at the drugstore. The Smooth Skin line is designed to give you perfect skin in an instant. Let me go ahead and share my thoughts on these new products with you!

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Créme and BB Radiance Perfecting Powder Review

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Créme 5 in 1 Skin Perfector

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Créme 5 in 1 Skin Perfector First up, I tested the BB Créme, which is a lightweight and liquid product just like any traditional BB créme. This 5 in 1 product is designed to protect skin, minimize pores, erase imperfections, smooth the skin, and brighten the skin. I am the shade 01 Light, which is the lightest shade available. I tried it both with a face primer and without. I much prefer to use it with a primer, because I found that the product disappears into my skin without that extra barrier. In order to get any coverage at all, I have to use a lot of this product – way more than I would ever use my normal BB crémes. I also found that the product has a scent that was off-putting. While I didn’t smell anything while it was on my face, I definitely smelled something during application. It made me not want to use the product at all! I did find that the BB Créme wore nicely throughout the day, and I liked the appearance of my skin overall. If you’re looking for a really affordable BB créme option, you might try this one for yourself. I, however, wouldn’t repurchase it for my skin.

NYC New York Color BB Radiance Perfecting Powder

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder

Next up I have the BB Radiance Perfecting Powder. This little compact comes with a mirror and sponge, and I love the sleek packaging. This product is designed to improve the appearance of the skin and even skin tone by smoothing fine lines and minimizing the appearance of pores. BB Radiance also provides a matte finish. My first impression of this product was that it is necessary to use a sponge for application – even a light hand with a brush crumbles the powder into a big mess. Despite using the lightest shade in the line, which is 01 Naturally Beige, the shade is too dark for my skin. I attempted to try it despite it not matching my skin, but the powder actually enhanced my pores and looked terrible on my skin. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend it at all due to my experience.

All in all, I am a bit underwhelmed with the NYC New York Color Smooth Skin line. While the BB Créme is just okay for me, the BB Radiance did not work for my skin at all. As with any makeup products, my experience may vary from yours, because we all have different skin types. If you try out this line, please share your thoughts in the comments! I would love to know your experiences, as always.

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

Rimmel London Keep Calm and Lip Balm | Swatches & Review

Posted on November 25, 2015November 18, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am very excited to share with you three new products from the drugstore brand Rimmel London. I absolutely love tinted lip balms, because they are really easy to apply and wear. Rimmel just released a new line called Keep Calm and Lip Balm. Not only is the packaging extremely adorable, but the product is designed to increase lip moisture by 22%. With the colder weather in full swing, I couldn’t wait to test these out! Let me show you swatches of the three colors I received, and share my thoughts on them.

Each product has a sheer wash of color in addition to its moisturizing qualities. I do really like the formula of these lip products. They glide on easily and feel very soft and nourishing on the lips. I don’t find that these work as well as a medicated lip balms – while my lips feel nice while wearing the lip balm, they are not healed upon removal. Nevertheless, these are a great option if you want an affordable tinted balm that will not irritate your dry lips. Let’s jump right into swatches of the three I received!

Keep Calm and Kiss is a pale pink shade that Rimmel describes as Pink Blush. It’s not highly pigmented, but adds a nice wash of color. I think it’s perfect for the winter months. It looks great with my fair skin tone, but I think it can work on anyone! I should also mention that each of these balms has a sweet candy smell. It’s not overpowering, but I love it!

Next up is Keep Calm and Rock, a berry shade with purple undertones. I’m so impressed with the rich pigmentation of Keep Calm and Rock! This is the perfect product for those who want to try out darker lips, but may be intimidated by a lipstick. I love this for the holiday season as well!

Last but not least is Keep Calm and Play, what I would describe as a rosy coral shade. It has a light pigmentation, and is a ‘my lips but better’ shade for me. This is definitely the shade I would wear on the daily!

All in all, I am loving the Keep Calm and Lip Balm line from Rimmel London! While these are not a replacement for a healing lip balm for me, they are the perfect product to wear all day for a hint of color and a moisturizing feel on the lips. These will make an excellent stocking stuffer this holiday season, and are a fabulous and affordable $2.50! Keep an eye out at your local drugstore and department store, or use the store locator on Rimmel’s website HERE.

Will you be grabbing any of these? Let me know 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.

Drugstore Beauty Haul! | Couponing Tips & Tricks

Posted on October 16, 2015October 14, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Here at Adventures in Polishland I am always focused on living a fabulous and affordable life. One of my favorite parts of each week is going through the Sunday paper and clipping coupons. I then match the coupons up with the weekly sales to score awesome deals at the drugstore. I like to buy beauty products regularly, not just for myself, but for blog reviews and giveaways. I’m able to purchase items at a fraction of the cost thanks to the time I spend planning out my purchases and using coupons. Today I want to share a quick drugstore haul and show you how I got over $35 worth of makeup for just $15. Let’s get started!

I went to my local CVS for this particular shopping trip. There were two deals that I wanted to check out, one from Maybelline and the other from L’Oreal. Each brand was having a sale where when you purchased two items, you got $5 in ExtraCare Bucks (“ECB”) back. CVS has an amazing rewards system called ExtraCare where you score tons of great coupons and can earn ECB, which work like free money. If you’re not a member yet, I highly recommend signing up HERE. Otherwise you won’t get exclusive sale prices and coupons! I’m going to break down the two deals I made during this purchase so you can see how I used my coupons.

MAYBELLINE DEAL – Buy 2 Products, Get $5.00 ECB

I really wanted to purchase the Maybelline Shine-Free Foundation from the Fit Me line because I used it in the past and really loved it. I always recommend you buy products that you either know you’ll use, or you really want to try. There is no use buying items just to use a coupon! I grabbed the mascara up for either a gift item or a future giveaway here.

Items Purchased:

Maybelline Great Lash Big in Blackest Black = $5.99

Maybelline Shine-Free Foundation in Classic Ivory = $9.79

Coupons Used:

$2.00 off Maybelline Mascara (manufacturer’s coupon)

$2.00 off Maybelline Fit Me Product (manufacturer’s coupon)

Money Spent: 5.99 + 9.79 = 15.78 – 4.00 = $11.78

ECB Earned: $5.00

L’OREAL DEAL – Buy 2 Products, Get $5.00 ECB

Next, I grabbed a couple items from L’Oreal. My favorite drugstore mascaras come from L’Oreal, so I figured I would try the Miss Manga because I’ve heard great things about it. Plus, I like to have mascara on back-up because it’s good to change up mascaras every three months. I was also on the hunt for a new blush for the fall, so I picked one up from the True Match line to try.

Items Purchased:

L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Blush in Baby Blossom = $11.49

L’Oreal Miss Manga Mascara in Black = $8.49

Coupons Used:

$3.00 off L’Oreal True Match Product (manufacturer’s coupon)

$1.00 off L’Oreal Eye Product (manufacturer’s coupon)

Money Spent: 11.49 + 8.49 = 19.98 – 4.00 = 15.98

ECB Earned: $5.00

I used one manufacturer’s coupon on each item, as I showed above in the deal breakdowns. CVS also allows you to use CVS coupons, too. For this particular purchase I had a $5.00 off any $15.00 purchase coupon that I received in my email. Sometimes I have specific coupons for beauty products, other times I will receive percentage off coupons, but it changes every week. What I can tell you is that CVS will always send me at least one CVS coupon that I can use on each purchase!

Money Spent: 11.78 (Maybelline) + 15.98 (L’Oreal) = 27.76 – 5.00 = $22.76

Now, $22.76 would be your total if all you had was the manufacturer’s coupons and CVS coupon. That is still an incredible savings! The retail price of all the items totals $35.76, so there is already a savings of $13.00, or 47%. But because I am a regular CVS shopper, I had $7.00 in ECB from my last purchase. That means I only spent $15.76! I saved $20 just by clipping some coupons and paying attention to sales. Plus, I earned a total of $10.00 in ECB to use on my next purchase! Every week I earn some ECB that I can use the next time. It makes saving so easy, and shopping really fun!

All in all, I hope you enjoyed this Drugstore Beauty Haul and found my couponing tips and tricks helpful. I go to the drugstore about once per week, so if you would like to see how I use coupons to save money on a regular basis, please let me know in the comments! I am not affiliated with nor am I sponsored by CVS, but it is definitely my drugstore of choice for beauty deals at the moment. Make sure you stop by for some new goodies, either for yourself, or for your friends – the holiday season is just around the corner!

What beauty products have you purchased from the drugstore lately? Let me know in the comments!

Rimmel London Wonder’Lash | Lift Me Up Mascara Review

Posted on September 25, 2015September 16, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to review a brand new mascara from the Rimmel London Wonder’Lash line. The Lift Me Up Mascara has a unique formula with vitamins and cucumber, and is designed to provide lift and volume to the lashes for an eye-awakening look. It comes in a bright green tube with a twisted design, which is sure to stand out in your makeup collection. The Lift Me Up comes in two shades – Black and Extreme Black. Let me share my thoughts on Extreme Black with all of you!

THE FORMULA

First things first, let’s talk about the formula. The Lift Me Up has a wet formula, much like the Covergirl Lashblast Volume and the Benefit They’re Real. I personally prefer dry mascara formulas, because wet formulas weigh my lashes down. That being said, I do find that the Lift Me Up does a great job at separating the lashes, and really pulling them up to give the lashes a fuller look. While I do wish the formula was lighter, if you like wet formulas you will really like this one. Keep in mind that the mascara does have a cucumber scent to it. While I can’t smell it once it is on my eyes, and I haven’t experienced any irritation, the scent is strong during application. Finally, the formula is great in terms of staying power. The mascara does not flake, and only comes off with eye makeup remover. The Lift Me Up is definitely long-wearing!

PRECISION BRUSH

The Lift Me Up also comes with what Rimmel is calling a Precision Brush. The brush is quite thick, and I have a lot of trouble with it. For some reason I end up with mascara all over my eyelids despite a careful application. I can’t even feel the brush hitting my eyelids, but I always have to clean up with cotton swabs afterwards to remove the mess. That being said, I usually like to stick with rubber applicators, as these brushes don’t work well for me. If you like mascaras with this type of applicator, I think you’ll have better luck.

All in all, I think the new Rimmel Lift Me Up mascara is good, but much better suited for someone else. I will not be repurchasing this mascara simply because it doesn’t work well for me, but I do think the wet formula and full brush will suit many of you well. The mascara retails for $8.99, but keep an eye out for sales at your local drugstore or department store. I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this mascara, so please let me know what you think of the Lift Me Up in the comments if you’ve tried it already!

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

ELF Studio Blush Palette in Light | Review & Swatches

Posted on July 20, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! We are taking a detour from Manicure Monday this week so I can show you the gorgeous blush palette I picked up at the ELF Studio here in NYC (see my haul post HERE). I’ve been loving this palette, and wanted to rave about the gorgeous pigmentation in each blush. I am still amazed that this palette of four blushes only cost me $6.00! Let’s jump right in and look at these fabulous and affordable blushes!

First and foremost, I want to take a quick look at the packaging. I love the sleek black packaging, and how sturdy it is. The palette closes well and, at the same time, is easy to open. Plus, the inside contains a huge mirror that is very useful, especially if you are traveling. You can definitely pay upwards of $6 just for the mirror alone! Here are swatches of the four blushes inside. I did label them in the photos because I, of course, had to swatch them out of order (whoops!). I will take a second and describe each blush below, but I do want to mention that each blush has an amazing formula. They are extremely pigmented, but you can easily control the application. They blend out beautifully as well. I like to use the ELF Blush Brush to apply them, but any blush brush you already own will be just fine! Now, let’s talk about these colors.

This is my favorite shade in the quad! It is a matte rosy pink, and it goes really well with my fair complexion. This blush can easily be worn any time of year, and I’m loving it at the moment for sure.
If you love pink, this is the blush for you! It may seem scary in the swatch above, but trust me, it blends out really well. This is a great blush for spring and summer, and will work with a multitude of skin tones. I would pair this with a nude lip color, as it’s definitely quite bright!
This is the one shimmer blush in the quad, and is a red-orange shade with gold shimmer. It’s definitely the more intimidating blush for me, but I’ve worn it once or twice and really liked it. I suggest a light hand with this one! I can’t wait to wear it during the holiday season!
Finally, we have a brownish-orange matte blush. I thought I could use this as a bronzer at first, but it is really too orange-toned for that. However, with a light hand it makes a beautiful blush. It adds warmth to my face without being overdone. I’m going to experiment more with it for sure!

All in all, I’m very impressed with this blush palette from ELF. I highly recommend picking it up if you are looking for some blushes that won’t break the bank, but are still great quality. I purchased the palette in Light, but there is also a quad with darker shades if you’re looking for that as well. You can buy this palette on ELF’s website HERE. I will continue to check out more of ELF’s products in the future, so please leave me your recommendations in the comments!

Maybelline Brow Precise in Blonde | Drugstore Fail?!

Posted on July 16, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I have a review of a new drugstore brow product from Maybelline called the Brow Precise. I was on the hunt for a new brow product, and decided to grab this one at my local Rite Aid about a month ago. I couldn’t wait to test out this product – it looked fancy with a spoolie brush on one end and the brow pencil on the other. Sometimes, looks are deceiving! Let me go ahead and share my thoughts on the Brow Precise with you.

I purchased the Brow Precise in the lightest shade, which is 250 Blonde. This product only comes in four shades, and I have to say I’m disappointed that this is the lightest shade. I have light brown hair, but even this blonde was too dark for me. I made it work by applying this shade with a light hand and using the spoolie to blend out the color, but I definitely need a shade lighter. If you have very light hair, this product will not work for you!

The Brow Precise is also a very soft pencil, which makes it apply easily, but that also means the pencil is prone to breaking, and that it runs out very quickly. I wore this off and on for about a month, and I’m nearly out of product already. I need to sharpen it at least twice each time I use it as well. That being said, I think this is just the wrong product for me. I have very sparse eyebrows that need a lot of filling in, so I used a lot of product with each use. I also found that this product does not look the most natural for me – it was pretty obvious I penciled in my brows (not cute!). Alas, as much as I loved that spoolie being on the end, that doesn’t justify a repurchase in my book.

All in all, the Maybelline Brow Precise was a bit of a fail for me. I wore it on days where I wanted to be out the door in a matter of minutes, and where I didn’t care too much about having perfect brows. I think this product will work really well for those of you that only need small touch-ups with your brows, and not a big overhaul like I do. You can find the Maybelline Brow Precise at your local drugstore for about $7.99. I will be sticking with my beloved Milani Brow Kit for now!

What is your favorite brow product?! Let me know in the comments!