L.A.Girl Glazed Lip Paints

Everyone has been saying these L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paints are dupes for the Tarte Melted Liquified Lipsticks.  At $4 vs $21 - it's a big savings!  I haven't tried the Tarted Melted version yet, because of the price tag, but read on for my review of the L.A. Girl Glazed versions.

I talked about picking up the Glazed Lip Paints in my Drugstore.com haul here.  Here are the three colors I chose to test out:

top to bottom: Peony, Blushing, Pin-Up

L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paints

Claims From lagirlusa.com:

"Making their much anticipated debut, Glazed Lip Paints give the intensely pigmented appearance of a lipstick, with the ease and glossy finish of a lipgloss. Glazed Collection includes 18 of the most sought-after, trendsetting colors this season while providing long lasting, hyper glossy, ultra rich color to lips.

This proven iconic product offers shades that range from nudes to brights to deep berries. Cool and nourish your lips with the added benefits of vitamin E and peppermint oil. The Glazed Lip Collection is an instant must-have that accurately portrays the color trends expected to be seen on the runway. A precision tip applicator is provided to facilitate application."

Shades: 18 Shades

Product Size: 0.4 fluid ounces

Price: $3.49 [drugstore.com]

left to right: Peony, Blushing, Pin-Up

I thought these would have more of a minty taste or smell with peppermint oil as an ingredient (like the C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shines - I am obsessed with these!).  Only Pin-Up had any mint to it and it was fleeting.  There definitely wasn't any cooling sensation or breath freshening factor like the Mentha Lip Shines.

These are a complete mess to put on.  If you use the applicator like you would a normal squeeze tube gloss applicator it ends up all over your mouth and teeth.  It's like the angled tip doesn't run smoothly over your lips; it drags a bit and way too much product comes out at once.  It's not as tacky as I thought it would be, so maybe that's why it got all over my teeth. 

These definitely hold a good punch of pigment in them.  They don't go on sheer at all, despite looking like a gloss consistency.  They stay on for quite a good amount of time, considering it stays a bit shiny for a while.  After the shine is gone (or if you eat or drink) it still leaves behind a nice stain from the color.

These aren't bad for to price...there are just so many other drugstore lip products I like more where I don't feel self-conscious putting them on without a mirror and a lip brush.  After seeing how these performed, I am curious about the Tarte Melted Lipsticks, especially since they are supposed to be long-wearing.  I am a huge fan of long-wearing lip products lately, since I tend to forget to reapply.

Drugstore/Drugstore.com Haul and First Impressions

II recently used Drugstore.com to order some vitamins that were only available online so I decided to make the most of the free shipping at $35 and get some drugstore makeup products I haven't been able to find in store.

Drugstore.com has free shipping on $35 and my order came with a coupon for their sister site (beauty.com).  They also have online coupons and deals (just like a drugstore would have weekly specials)!

Here is my beauty haul:

Jessie's Girl Waterproof Liquid Liner
Everyone raves about this liner!  Jesse's Girl is sold at Rite Aid, but I have never been able to find the liquid liner and was dying to try it.  Swatched quickly on my hand, the tip is super flexible, easy to use, and it's super pigmented.  I get the hype!

elf Lip Exfoliator

This exfoliator smells like vanilla and for $3 does an amazing job of exfoliating.  Every little flake of dry skin was gone.  elf is also available at Target and has been popping up at Old Navy.
 

L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paints

Colors: Peony, Blushing, Pin-Up.  People have found these at Walgreens, but I haven't seen them at my local W.  They are a supposed dupe for the Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks.  I was expecting a bit more.  They come off a bit patchy and make a mess - definitely use a brush or finger because the applicator is terrible.  The smell is a bit gross as well.

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer
I got this in Creamy Beige but probably would've done slightly better with Classic Ivory or Nude.  I tried this once and man, you only need a tiny tiny bit!  This is definitely a full coverage concealer.  The brush applicator is not a great idea for concealer at all - brush it onto the back of your hand first then pat on with a finger or brush.

Milani Baked Blush
Since the baked blush in Luminoso is one of my favorite blushes, I picked it up in Corallina.  I probably saw this in store and thought it would be too dark.  It's darker than other blushes I have but it's a beautiful darker coral that's great for spring and summer.  Milani is also sold at CVS.

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation

I've been happy with Maybelline products lately, so I bought the Dream Liquid Mousse in Nude Beige, Light 3.5.  As usual, my foundation comparisons will be below.

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation
Claims from Maybelline.com:

• 100% PORELESS SKIN
• AIR-BRUSHED PERFECTION
• Ideal for Normal Skin
• Air-whipped liquid provides perfecting coverage for 100% poreless skin
• Ideal for normal skin
• Oil-free, fragrance-free,  Dermatologist-tested, allergy-tested, non-comedogenic – won’t clog pores, safe for sensitive skin
• For Best Results: Apply smoothly and evenly to your face and blend with your fingertips.

Product Amount: 1 fluid ounce
Shade Range: 12 Shades, not great dark shades available
Price: $7.70 [Target]

This reminds me of a more liquid form of the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse (see my review and duel here).  I only needed two pumps to cover my whole face, and buffed it in with the Real Techniques buffing brush.  The coverage is very good.  I would definitely say this is medium to full coverage right from the get-go, no building up is necessary.

Even without powder, this does give an airbrushed texture that makes your skin look flawless.  It's weightless with no heavy makeup feel on the skin.  With powder, you can definitely tell it's foundation (it's not a second-skin natural look), but it's a perfecting layer that's very pretty.

The downside - this comes off slightly shiny and oily, even if I set it with powder.  It's shiny right from the start, not from my skin being oily as the day goes on.  I used the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Sandstorm and it took away some it, but still had some shine around my nose.  I can understand a bit of shine after a few hours but this one gives an oily cast right away.  Maybe it would be better on dry skin and would give a more dewy look.

I liked the airbrushed finish from a few feet away, but close up the sheen isn't the best cast on my skin.  I probably wouldn't repurchase this one.

**What's on My Face**
Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse -- Nude Beige, Light 3.5
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder -- Sandstorm
Milani Baked Blush -- Corallina

Maybelline Ulta Liner (reviewed here)
L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara -- Waterproof, Blackest Black
L.A. Girl Lip Paint -- Peony

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My Foundation Shade Comparisons:
MAC -- NC 20-25
MAC Studio Fix Powder -- NC30
Makeup Forever HD -- 130 Warm Ivory
Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation -- Light 48
Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation -- Medium 52
Urban Decay Naked -- 3.0
Bare Minerals -- Medium Beige N20
Revlon Colorstay Combo/Oily -- Medium Beige 240
Revlon Colorstay Whipped -- Medium Beige 250
Neutrogena Healthy Skin -- Nude
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear -- Nude 40
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation -- Nude 40
Maybelline Fit Me! Matte - Nude Beige 125 (found.) / Buff Beige 130 (powder)
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse -- Nude (Light 4)
Maybelline Dream Smooth -- Nude Beige 180
Maybelline Dream Wonder -- Nude 40
L'Oreal Magic Nude -- Natural Buff 318
L'Oreal True Match -- N3 Natural Buff

March/April 2015 Favorites

I missed my March Favorites so I combined them with April 2015.  Here are my quick rundowns of the products I loved in March and April.

Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation in Light

This is supposedly a dupe for the Dior Airflash.  I haven't tried the Airflash, but would love to someday.  The Sephora Airbrush is a bargain at $28 vs $62 for Dior Airflash and holy cow, does the Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation make your face look flaaaawless.
 

Revlon Colorstay Makeup - Normal to Oily - Medium Beige (summer) / Sand Beige (winter) {Buff is a match for lighter NC20's, but these two look the best on me}.
This is a tried and true foundation that I will always have in my rotation.  You know you can count on it to look great at a drugstore price and last a long time.  I use it with the Colorstay Powder in Light/Medium and the Photoready Concealer in Light.

NYX Baked Powder Blush in Wanderlust

This leaves a gorgeous glow on your cheeks in a light pink/coral color.  I don't like heavy or too pink blushes and this is perfect.
 

Kat von D Innerstellar Palette

If I use colorful eyeshadows, I usually lean towards purple tones because I wear a lot of purples and blues.  When I saw this palette I knew it was right up my ally!  The colors are right on and the pans are huge and will last a long time.  Kat von D does a really nice job with her makeup.  Everything is pigmented so well and the palettes are always a really great value.
 

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows in Bella Charcoal, Bella Espresso, Bella Taupe
These eye shadows are quickly becoming my favorite drugstore shadows...hands down.  Milani in general is becoming my top drugstore brand.  These shadows have great pigmentation, plus they have any color you could possibly need or want.

Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipsticks - Matte Orchid and Matte Confident

Matte, but moisturizing?  Seem like an oxymoron?  Yet they are both, I promise!
 

Real Techniques Brushes:

Multi-Tasking Brush (in the Travel Essentials Set) - great powder brush!
Setting Brush - awesome size for setting under eye concealer.
{See my full review of all the Real Techniques brushes I have here}

Burt's Bees Hand Salve

My hands get super dry and crack a lot in the winter time and this is a lifesaver!  I slather it on and wear cotton gloves at night to let it sink it without getting it all over my sheets.
 

Other 'Non-Beauty' Faves:

Old Navy Active Go-Dry Compression Capris in Blue
It's not quite warm enough for shorts everyday here, but when I work out I don't like wearing long pants either.  I do pilates/yoga, ride inside on a spin bike, or do weight training.  These keep me warm enough without getting caught up in the bike or under my feet if I am barefoot doing yoga or pilates.  Great quality and affordable.
 

The Best of Tamilee Buns, Abs & Arms Workout DVD
Workout like it's 1997!  This DVD is quick and easy and all you need is weights and a mat!  The segments are only 15 minutes each but you'll definitely feel the burn.  I love doing the Abs & Arms workout back to back on days I don't ride my bike (cardio).  I do them 2-3 times a week and have seen results really quickly, especially on the arms segment.

Real Technniques Brushes

I have ordered a few Real Techniques Brushes from Target recently and have been loving them.  They seem to be less expensive on the Target site than at Ulta or Bed Bath & Beyond (even with coupons).  Plus you get the extra 5% off with the Target REDCard.

If you want to learn more about Real Techniques brushes, you can visit their website here.  Real Techniques was founded by Sam and Nic Chapman, the Pixiwoo sisters on YouTube.  The brushes have hand-cut bristles and are cruelty free.  They are high quality brushes at an affordable price.

Real Techniques Travel Essentials Set - $11.59, Target

From RealTechniques.com:
Everything you need to create flawless looks at home and away:

• Essential Foundation Brush: Build flawless custom coverage with liquid foundation or concealer
• Multi Task Brush: for effortless application of powder, blush, and bronzer
• Domed Shadow Brush: tapered design smoothly shades and defines eyes
• Panoramic brush case is a 2-in-1 case + stand

I bought this set pretty much because of the raves over the Multi Task Brush.  I use it for setting my all-over face powder.  It's extra fluffy and dense, and does an amazing job.  I prefer putting on my foundation with a domed brush or sponge, so I use the foundation brush included for my under eye concealer, then set it with the setting brush (mentioned below).  One can never have too many shadow brushes (in case some are dirty, or for blending).  This little guy is a dense dome brush great for packing on shadow all over the lid or blending in the crease.

Real Techniques Setting Brush - $5.99, Target

This small little brush is PERFECT for setting under eye concealer.  The size is just right for getting powder right where you want it, either under eyes or on a small pimple or some other mark you are trying to cover.  Sometimes you don't want to powder your whole face so this is great for setting concealer and your t-zone area.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - $6.79, Target

This brush is great for buffing in foundation.  It would work great with liquid or powder/mineral foundations.  I have only tried it with liquid but its so dense it reminds me of the bareMinerals Kabuki Brush but not as scratchy and with a full handle.  It blends in my foundation beautifully.

Originally, when I was scoping out Real Techniques, I was going to get the Miracle Complexion Sponge ($4.99, Target) instead of the BeautyBlender.  However, I couldn't get my hands on it because it kept going out of stock.  I had placed my order and checked out, but they cancelled the sponge off my order because it was so backordered.  I also want to eventually get the Powder and Blush brushes.

These brushes are fantastic!  I can't believe they are so reasonably priced.  The quality is much better than the elf brushes I have and use, and the price point is awesome.