Bubblegum Pinks: Sally Hansen Carmindy Lipstick in "Baby Pink"

Repurchase: Yes

Price: $9.99 drugstores, $2.49 sale CVS, $3.99 Ulta (.08oz)

Product: 8/10

Packaging: 7/10

Value: 9/10

Overall Grade: B

I didn't find much during CVS' Clearance Sale (where select cosmetics are 50-75% off) so I picked up a Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Color Comfort Lipstick in "Baby Pink" (I know.. long name) to make the sale somewhat worthwhile. Honestly, I figured it wouldn't be that great since drugstore lipsticks normally don't work well for me (as I have insanely dry, sensitive lips) but to my surprise, I was totally mistaken! These lippies just may be a hidden drugstore gem.

The Packaging: The plastic-y tube is the exact same color of my mom's Honda Odyssey in "Granite Green." It's a medium silvery green color that stands out from your typical black, gold, or silver drugstore lipstick. Also, the cap is imprinted with a cute little leaf and the very bottom of the tube is clear so that you can see the lipstick color. What I don't like is that the tube scratches easily and it's flimsy (when I squeeze the tube, it "bends" easily.) Also, there's a clear sticker displaying the brand, product, size, etc. which looks yucky -they could've had it printed on the tube (way neater.)

The Product: The lipstick feels like an emollient lip balm when I'm applying it. The texture smooth, moisturizing, and creamy -but in a sort of slick way. The lipstick applies sheer at first but it's very buildable if you layer it and gives good color payoff after about 3 layers. The scent is light and floral.

I do have a few problems with the lippie. While it feels so moisturizing when I first apply it, after a few minutes of wear and after I remove it, my lips feel a little dry. I'm not sure why this happens -it's sort of like me and Vaseline. I don't have a huge problem with this because most lipsticks make my lips feel very dry anyways and it's pretty cheap so I can't complain. If this was a $25 lipstick, that would be another story. Another thing is that once it's applied, my lips look pretty chapped (even if they're not to begin with.) This could be because of the particular shade (most pale shades make lips look dry -no matter what lipstick/brand) but I haven't tried any of the other shades from the line yet.

I still think the lipstick is good though for a drugstore product. It doesn't dry out my lips so much to the point that I'm uncomfortable plus I like that it's buildable and pigmented. I do wish the moisture lasted though. With some work (lip balm, exfoliating, etc.), this has the potential to be a pretty darn good lipstick.

The Color: The color is true to the name. To me, it's a medium baby pink with a bit of peachy-ness and a tiny hint of lilac in it.

Swatches..

Above (no flash): Sally Hansen Carmindy Lipstick in "Baby Pink" (Left shows 3 layers, right shows 1 layer)

Lip Swatches..

Above (no flash): Sally Hansen Carmindy Lipstick in "Baby Pink"

Above (with flash): Sally Hansen Carmindy Lipstick in "Baby Pink" (Actual shade better resembles flash lip swatch but is slightly more toned down with a tiny bit of lilac.)

Eeeek! =P

Overall: At $2.49 a pop, I'd definitely love to add a few more to my collection, but I wouldn't pay the full $9.99 for it. I think these lipsticks are good for a drugstore brand but they won't replace my Shu Uemura or Shiseido lippies. The value definitely helped to bring the overall grade of the lipstick to a B instead of a low B- since I did have issues with minor dryness and "chapped looking" lips but with some work, it worked out fine. (In no way is a B- bad. Just remember, a C is "average.") I recommend this to anyone who's looking for some new lipsticks that are good but cheap. Anyone interested needs to bust there behind out to their local CVS pronto before these are removed from the shelves permanently (I'm pretty sure that since these are clearance items, they are being discontinued from CVS stores.)

Where to Buy: CVS, Ulta

MAC Dazzle Lipsticks form Digi-Pop (Swatches)

Launch Date: July 15, 2010 at Nordstrom & The Bay

The Dazzle lipsticks are the only thing I'm semi-interested in from the entire MAC (Nordstrom Exclusive) Digi-Pop collection. I wanted them, then didn't want them (after seeing swatches online), and went back to sort of wanting them after I swatched them in person. To me, they're basically like frosts but more pigmented and packed with a ton of glitter. They feel smooth on the hand are seem to be buildable. I thought a few of them were a bit on the sheer side at first but after layering, I got some decent color payoff.

(I didn't swatch them on my lips. By the time I got to them, the lipsticks were disgusting, smooshed, and a few of them even had hairs in them. Plus, I'm afraid of these strangers' germs -even though the lipsticks are sanitized.)

Dazzle Lipstick ($14.00 USD/$16.50 CDN)

(I have swatches for the following)

1. Baby's On Fire (LE) (Pearl)- Deep red

2. Glaring Hip (LE) (Pearl)- Light Peach

3. Hellraiser (LE) (Pearl)- Light lavender

4. Hot Sass (LE) (Pearl)- Bright orange

5. Liquid Lurex (LE) (Pearl)- Tarnished gold

6. Naughty You (LE) (Pearl)- Neon pink

7. Smash Hit (LE) (Pearl)- White beige

8. Snazzy (LE) (Pearl)- Deep plum

9. Sweet Bits (LE) (Pearl)- Light lavender pink

10. Win-Win (LE) (Pearl)- Light pink

(No swatches)

11. Infused With Glam (LE) (Pearl)- Copper brown

12. Troublemaker (LE) (Pearl)- Magenta

13. Wham (LE) (Pearl)- Plum brown

Swatches.. (I apologize for lack of hand swatches. I took pics of the swatches on my hand but they got erased! I had these as backup though..)

No flash

With flash

No flash

With flash

Promo Pics..

Promo Pics Source

Collection Info Source

Nudey Tuesday: Prestige Sun Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in "Glam Tan" (Review & Swatches)

Repurchase: Yes

Price: $11.99 (.28oz/ 8g)

Product: 9/10

Packaging: 6.5/10

Value: 9/10

Overall Grade: A-

As you all know, I've been on the search for a good cheapie bronzer for awhile. I wanted to give Prestige a try before I headed over to Sephora to give higher end bronzers a try and I'm really glad I did! I purchased the Prestige Skin Loving Minerals Sun Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in "Glam Tan." Mineral products usually act up on my senstitive skin but I still wanted to give this a try.

The Packaging: The bronzer comes in your average drugstore cheapie plastic case and snaps to a close. The case is a bit bulky, which isn't ideal for traveling. I also have a feeling it'll crack/break easily if I'm not careful.

Ingredients!

The Product: The texture of the bronzer is very smooth and silky. I love the way that it gives me a nice, dewy glow but it can get a little too shimmery (I have to buff it out a bit.) Also, I love that it's not too orange and doesn't look muddy whatsoever. Also, this stuff lasts for hours. After I swatched this, I fell asleep and took a long nap. Over 6 hours later, it was still vibrant on my hand like when I first swatched it. After washing my hands with soap, there was still some color with a nice sheen and shimmer. It wears well and lasts from when I first apply it to when I remove it at night (about 10 hours) and only fades a tiny bit (I'm sure it would remain more vibrant if I'd remember to apply primer and set my makeup.)

I accidentally dug my nail into it! =P

The Color: I picked up the darkest shade in "02 Glam Tan" which is a very pigmented golden bronzey glow with shimmer that leans more towards red than orange.

 Swatches..

Above (no flash) not blended: Prestige Sun Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in "Glam Tan"

Above (no flash) not blended: Prestige Sun Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in "Glam Tan"

Above (with flash) not blended: Prestige Sun Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in "Glam Tan"

 Above (no flash) blended: Prestige Sun Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in "Glam Tan"

Above (with flash) blended: Prestige Sun Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in "Glam Tan"

Overall: I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a glowy, shimmery bronzer at low price. It wears long, has an awesome color, and is super pigmented for a drugstore product. The only downside to the bronzer would be the packaging and the fact that it can be a little overly shimmerly. It's also a little pricey for a drugstore product but I think it's worth it -compares to other higher-end bronzers from Sephora. I swatched a few the other day including Tarte's Mineral Bronzer and a few Too Faced bronzers and they look similar. (I've never tried any of those though -only swatched.)

Where to Buy: CVS, Rite Aid