REVIEW: Hard Candy Natural Eyes palette - Chalk City Blues

As a neutral eyeshadow palette freak, I ran to Walmart to get the last Hard Candy Natural Eyes Neutral Eyeshadow Palette on the shelf and went home. I was so excite! (Intentional misspelling.)  After using it three times on three different primers- Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Lorac Behind the Scenes, and the Hard Candy one that came with the palette- I am so not excite.

Ingredient list. Click to enlarge

Comes with a fold-out card showing day to evening looks and the names of each shadow

 Jumping early to the TL;DR - Use the super cute tin to depot your eyeshadows! 

It will fit 15 MAC or Makeup Geek shadows, though you'll have to add magnets to your MUG shadows. You can also fit some shadows into the plastic part where the info card sits by using double-sided tape or you can go to the craft store and get some peel and stick magnets that come in sheet form.

I pried out the plastic part holding the shadows by sticking an orange stick in one of the corners.

Ended up with this. From left to right starting at top row: MAC Tete-a-Tint (disc), MUG Cocoa Bear, Milani Java Bean (disc), MAC Expensive Pink, MUG Frappe, MAC Satin Taupe, MAC All That Glitters, MAC Texture, MAC Scene, MAC Vex, MAC Soft Brown, MAC Quarry, MAC Ricepaper, MAC Woodwinked, MAC Humid. Shadows on the left are random discontinued Revlon shadows.

Can you tell I didn't like the shadows nor the primer? Lol. To be honest, I wanted to get this for the cute packaging.

SWATCHES & THE BASICS

 THE RUNDOWN:
~$8 and exclusive to Walmart
~9 shadows (11.1 g)- 4 matte & 5 shimmers
~Comes with a primer, a pretty nice double-ended sponge-tip applicator that isn't cheap foam and a black wooden pencil eyeliner (smudge city)
~Includes a look card that I didn't take a picture of (sorry)
~Easy to open metal tin with magnetized closure. You won't lose your fingernails by prying it open.
~Decent-sized mirror

The primer dries to a very powdery feel that I didn't care for.  Those with dry eyelids might not enjoy that.  I have super oily lids and it surprisingly kept my oiliness away and the shadows didn't crease.

Tease, Toying, Minx, Bashful, Girlie, Philander, Chatty, Coy, Frisky (with flash)

Tease, Toying, Minx, Bashful, Girlie, Philander, Chatty, Coy, Frisky (no flash)

SHADOW NAMES, DESCRIPTIONS & REVIEW

 Top row Day:
1. Tease- matte cream, chalky as heck!
2. Toying- matte mid-tone cool brown, pigmented but powdery and also chalky
3. Minx- matte dark cool brown, pigmented but also chalk city

Middle row Drama:
4. Bashful- shimmery pale pinkish champagne; really disappointing color; pigmentation is poor and the finish is a low shine; thought it would be a nice lid color but wasn't
5. Girlie- mid-toned champagne; this was the only shadow I liked out of the bunch; texture was the smoothest and pigmentation was nice, although a little powdery
6. Philander- dark cool-toned brown with gold glitter; doesn't go on smoothly; must be built up and fallout galore

Bottom row Evening:
7. Chatty- matte light cool-toned brown; the transition color in the palette and nice blender color but also chalky as heck like the other mattes; it kind of reminds me of Naked in the first Urban Decay Naked palette but lighter
8. Coy- shimmery copper bronze; really disappointing color; texture is gritty and color doesn't go on smoothly; has to be built up and is fallout prone
9. Frisky- shimmery darker warm brown with gold glitter; gritty and also fallout prone; color must be built on

Chalk city after dipping into Tease

The aftermath. See how chalky and powdery the palette is? So much residue. It required too much work even after tapping off the excess on my brush.  Not worth the effort for me.

Even though I didn't love the Wet n Wild Fergie palette in Milano Collections, I would recommend that palette over this one because the textures are better.  The middle shadow, Girlie, in the Hard Candy palette was my most liked but overall, I only like the tin packaging. Lol!  But $8 for a "Z Palette" isn't bad.

I had seen a couple good reviews about this palette before purchasing but I'm with Tati's opinions about this palette. You can watch her review here.

The last time I tried Hard Candy makeup I was also disappointed. I think I'll just be sticking to their nail polishes. Thanks for stopping by!


 Copyright © 2015, Lady Lostris Beauty 

Repost: HG Blush & Bronzer

My Holy Grail blush and bronzer do not get much recognition.  Thus, this repost. =) You can find my original review here, posted on November 2009.  Please click for that detailed review.

• Number One: I love matte blushes, because shine and shimmer does not flatter oily, large-pored skin.  
• Number Two: I want something that is oil-free and talc-free, because talc clogs my pores and tends to get cakey.  
• And finally, Number Three: I want a pressed blush/bronzer (that is also talc-free), which is almost non-existent.  Some loose mineral blushes are talc-free but sometimes I like the convenience of a pressed product.  

So what product fills these requirements? Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Blush (whew, long name).  Not only are these well-pigmented, but you can easily find them in the drugstore or at Target.  Hopefully, their not being discontinued...ever!  However, they only come in five colors.

 

My favorite blush is called Blushing Glow, a tan peach, while my favorite bronzer is Warming Glow.  Most of the time, I just wear the bronzer shade.

Swatched lightly

BTW, I'm still waiting for my three free Zoya polishes to come to me but they still haven't shipped.  I'm definitely getting their Spring collection, though.

Have a great weekend! ^_^

Two Great Nail Colors & Happy New Year!

Hey Lovelies!  I just wanted to share swatches of a couple of drugstore nail polishes. 

The first is called Taunting Teal by Sonia Kashuk, which you can find at Target stores.  It's a dark, true teal with no shimmer.  Gorgeous!  The second color is Hard Candy's Mushroom, which can be bought at Walmart, and also comes with a matching plastic puffed heart ring.  Mushroom is a dark brownish-taupe and can sometimes look a little more mauve-ish or a little more taupe-ish, depending on the lighting.  Mushroom ended up being my OPI Over the Taupe "close enough dupe", since I couldn't find it anywhere!

So New Year's is coming up and I want to wish my readers a very happy and safe New Year.  My resolution is to make more use of what's lying around - like makeup or nail polish I hardy touch, little sample packets that have been sitting around forever, clothes and shoes that have been neglected, or whatever beauty or non-beauty item that's laying around the house and needs more attention.  (Not to mention the tons of swatches I've been meaning to do!)

Once again, Happy 2011!

Give Me Some Lip: Revlon Soft Nude & Maybelline Warm Me Up

Do I really need some more lipsticks when I already have tons?  No.  Do I need to try them just because? Yes!  The following will be a review of a Revlon ColorBurst lipstick and a Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick.

 Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Soft Nude

THE RUNDOWN

PRICE: ~$6.50+ (I bought it at Target)
AMOUNT: 0.13 oz or 3.7 g
PRODUCT COLOR: Soft Nude #070 - a creme, peachy nude with no shimmer
TEXTURE: Creamy and moist, but still requires gloss over it
PIGMENTATION: Good, but with this color, I find I need to rub in on several times until I get my desired look since my lips are so pigmented.  But it's still nicely pigmented.
SCENT: I really can't detect any scent whatsoever
PACKAGING: Square, matte black tube with a quilted or fishnet etched pattern on two sides of the tube.  It has a round edge at the tip instead of the usual point, and the Revlon name is etched into the lipstick itself - very nice!  The colored swatch at the top of the cap seems to be very accurate to the actual product.  The sticker seals the tube so people can't test them in the stores, ensuring you get a clean product.
INGREDIENTS: Check them out at Drugstore.com (They also have very nice product photos of the other colors)

PROS: I find everything about this color and product is totally awesome! =)
CONS: I really can't find anything I don't like about it.

Top: True colors with flash; Bottom: Natural light

FINAL WORDS:  A perfect creamy and moist peachy-nude color with good pigmentation and lovely packaging.  It's now one of my favorites!

Love! <3

This is my FAVORITE lipliner: Flesh by Ulta. I used it with Revlon's Soft Nude and it works perfectly, but I also use this with my nude pinks. It's a matte, peach-toffee sort of color.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Warm Me Up

THE RUNDOWN

PRICE: ~$5.50+ (I bought it at Target)

AMOUNT:  0.15 oz or 4.2 g

PRODUCT COLOR: Warm Me Up #235 (in the Naturals family) - a berry pink with a very subtle golden shimmer, which I didn't notice until I took macro photos.  I don't notice any shimmer when applied on the lips.  I don't understand why this is in the Naturals category, when it clearly is a berry pink color!  There's no brown in it whatsoever. A lot of pinks turn sort of purple-pink on me, and this one does that.  I don't know why; it could be my natural lip color or the lipstick just oxidizing?

TEXTURE: Creamy and moist. A hint more moist than the Revlon ColorBurst.

PIGMENTATION: Well-pigmented

SCENT: I can't place the scent but it's like a light candy scent which I actually love.  Those sensitive to scents may be turned off by it, though.

PACKAGING: Square transparent tube with a color-coded cap that corresponds to each lipstick, either belonging to the Pink, Plum, Red or Natural family.  It has a shiny silver base and the lipstick has a pointed tip.  Since the cap is almost the length of the whole lipstick, it can be a little hard to grasp onto the small base while opening the lipstick.  This is the only thing I don't like about it.

PROS: Great pigmentation, creamy, moist and inexpensive. Comes in 48 colors, not including the new Pearl colors.

CONS: Scented. May be a little hard to open since the base is so small and hard to grasp.  It's not sealed so the lipsticks in stores may have been tested on, so you might have to sanitize it when you get home, which is what I did just to be safe.

Lips are little crusty here...lol..because I just got done eating so I'm sorry for that. Also, this was before I decided to swatch Soft Nude by itself, hence, the half-lip swatches.

FINAL WORDS: I love the pigmentation and texture of Warm Me Up, but it wasn't really the kind of pink I was looking for. (I really want to try Pink Please or Totally Toffee.)  Other than that, it's a great, inexpensive lipstick with nifty color-coded caps.

Have a great day everyone! =)

I Found a New HG Mascara! REVIEW: Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof

A REPLACEMENT

I've been looking for a replacement for my beloved Max Factor 2000 Calorie Waterproof mascara, since they don't ever have BOGOs anymore, and Max Factor products will no longer be sold in the US early next year. Boo! I'm guessing Carmen Electra wasn't such a great help for their products?

Although 2000 Calorie Aqua Lash defines, lengthens and volumizes my lashes in one coat, the one con about that mascara is that it flakes, like many waterproof mascaras. But I found something better that knocks down 2000 Calorie a notch or two...

MAYBELLINE VOLUM' EXPRESS TURBO BOOST WATERPROOF MASCARA

• PRODUCT NAME: Pay special attention to the exact name of the product since there are 4 other Volum' Express Mascaras. Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof is packaged in a black tube with a gray cap and is only available in Very Black.
  
• PRICE: ~$7 - $8
• AMOUNT: 10 ml (0.34 fl. oz.)
• WHERE: Found just about anywhere
• BRUSH/WAND TYPE: Normal type of brush; not rubber or plastic
• BRUSH/WAND SHAPE: Fairly skinny with a slight taper at the tip. When viewed on end, the brush is shaped like a rounded-off triangle.
• TEXTURE: Smooth, creamy gel-like texture that's not as wet as Clinique High Impact and not thick, dry or gloppy.
  
• PRODUCT CLAIMS: Will give you "5X volume and builds instantly." "Speed Expand waterproof formula and Turbo Brush take volume up to 5x in one clean stroke." (NOTE: The washable Turbo Boost claims to volumize 7x.)
  

INGREDIENTS

THE RESULTS

One coat = one dip, several strokes (enough to coat all lashes). Can you see the obvious difference?

Again, with one coat. It looks a little blah here in this picture but the other pics do it justice.

Top view

One coat

THE PROS & CONS

PROS

• VERY MINIMAL FLAKING - This is the only waterproof mascara I've tried with practically no flaking. I'll get about 3 - 5 itty bitty dots upon application, but they're hardly noticeable and flick off easily with my fingernail or a small fan brush. That's a wonderful thing for a waterproof mascara. (Maybelline Full 'N Soft Waterproof flakes like crazy - all over my nose and cheeks when I apply it, after I finish my makeup, before I leave the house, and while I'm out. I'll never buy that again!)
• DEFINES, LENGTHENS AND VOLUMIZES IN ONE COAT - One coat to me is one dip of the brush with several brushstrokes.
• WATERPROOF- You'll never know when you might bust out crying so I always use waterproof mascara. This holds up all day without smudging or flaking, too.
• AFFORDABLE- This is around $8 or less but even cheaper when there's a BOGO special. Drugstore mascara is so much more affordable than higher end brands.
• SKINNY BRUSH - This allows me to get close to the base of my lashes without poking my eye out, like with fuller brushes. I hardly get mascara on my eyelids, either.
  
• NO FOUL ODOR - Has a very nice, decent smell and it's not stanky like Maybelline Lash Stiletto
• BUILDABLE - One coat gives you nicely defined natural-looking lashes, but you can apply two coats for a more dramatic look. (See pics below)
• EASY TO FIND - You can find this at all drugstores, Target and Walmart
• DOESN'T CLUMP - Hardly ever applies a glob of product but if it does, just keep stroking the brush up and it will brush right off
• HOLDS CURL - Doesn't weigh down my lashes and doesn't curl down my lash tips like Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume (hate that one!)
  
• SOFT LASHES - Doesn't make my lashes feel stiff or too brittle
  

CONS

• CAP DOESN'T CLICK SHUT - On some mascaras, the cap will click into place when you've turned it to the right place. This mascara doesn't, and I feel like I have to really tighten it or else it might not be properly shut.
• LASH COMB - If you apply two or more coats, you'll probably need a lash comb to separate your lashes.
• ONE COLOR - This only comes in Very Black.
  
• NOT ENOUGH RECOGNITION - This wonderful mascara doesn't get props! I've never even heard of it, either, until I bought it on a whim.
• YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary because mascara is that one makeup item that gives different results for everyone. So I can't promise that you'll get the same results that I did.
  

DRAMA

Two coats applied for a more dramatic look.

My lashes look much thicker and darker with two coats than one. Compare this with the previous pics. I'm happy with just one coat, though.

NOTE: I had no eye makeup on before or after applying the mascara except for a light shimmery eyeshadow on the lids, inner corners and lower lashlines. No eyeliner, either.

A shout out goes to my $1 elf Eyelash Curler. I love this thing!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I LOVE Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof Mascara! The name is too dang long, though, and I don't see the wittiness in the name. Why not just call it Volume instead of Volum'?

Anyway, if you're looking for a waterproof drugstore mascara, with a skinny, non-rubber brush that doesn't flake and gives you length and volume, then you may want to check this out. Just remember, I can't promise you anything since everyone will get different results.

********************

If you have this or if you try this, let me know how it worked out for you. What's your favorite mascara?

My Favorite Mascaras Ranked in Order:

1. Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof
2. Clinique High Impact
3. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Aqua Lash
4. Maybelline Intense XXL Volume + Length Waterproof Microfiber

(Hope you ignored my bloodshot eyes.)
Copyright © 2009 Lady Lostris

My 10 Fave "Drugstore" Beauty Items

Here's a list of my 10 favorite "drugstore" beauty-related items. I say "drugstore" because a couple of items can only be purchased at Walmart or Target. So let's get to it...

#1: Softlips

Mmm, Softlips. They're priced under $3 for a two-pack and come in Vanilla, Cherry, Strawberry and Raspberry, as well as a few limited edition scents and flavors such as Coconut Cream, Peach Mango, Sugar Cookie and Winter Mint. All go on clear and are flavored and scented depending on it's name. The untinted Softlips will moisturize and protect your lips with SPF 20, while the tinted shades - Bronze, Rose, and Pearl - have a citrus scent and flavor, and have SPF 15. I like them better than Carmex.

MY PICKS: Vanilla, Coconut Cream, and Cherry

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#2: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Color Comfort Lip Color

These lipsticks go for about $9.99 but they are worth it! They're so creamy, moist, and pigmented, and contain sweet almond oil, grapefruit extract and cocoa butter. I usually skip lipgloss when wearing these because I feel that it's not needed. These lippies are paraben-free and come in 21 colors. My only gripe is that there isn't a nude, beige color.

MY PICK: Rosy Brown - a creamy brownish-pink.

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#3: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Blush

It's so hard finding a pressed blush that's talc-free and oil-free, especially in a drugstore - I think this is the only one. These are wonderful for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin, but any skin type can use these blushes. Price: ~$11.99 in drugstores.

MY PICK: Pink Glow, a matte peachy-pink that would look nice on most people.

Click here for more swatches and a review

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#4: Revlon ColorStay Eyeliners

When they say ColorStay, it's no joke. I have hooded eyelids and used to have a problem with eyeliner smudging onto the middle of my eyelid, but since I've discovered these, it's not a problem. They come in 8 colors (I'm missing Navy) and they have a pull-out sharpener at the other end. I only wish it also came with a sponge tip smudger at the end. Price: ~$7.49 at drugstores.

MY PICK: Black Brown, not as harsh as black but still friendly for brown-lovers.

Click here to see my video with a dry rub and water rub test

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#5: Milani Single Eyeshadows

There are some good brands of drugstore eyshadow but Milani is probably the best because of it's awesome pigmentation and texture. You can find them at Walgreen's, some Targets, and at a few perfume shops in malls for around $4. Twelve colors are usually easy to find but there are some rare colors - like Almondine, Antique Gold and Taffy - that you won't be able to find in a store. Fortunately, Nonpareil Boutique has them all (24) while Cherry Culture doesn't.

The only color I have that I didn't like was Sheer Sand because if it's gritty, sandy texture. Maybe I just got a bad one.

MY PICK: Java Bean, a gorgeous warm brown that I use almost everyday.

Click here to see the 3 Milani shadows in my GoTo Palette

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#6: Studio Tools Medium Shadow Brush

This is the one brush you'll need if you're feeling a little lazy. You can pack on color onto your lid, line your lashlines, do your highlight and outer-v with this baby. If you hold the brush head vertically, you can blend and do your crease area or the area right above the crease. Hold the brush head horizontally for more precision and get shadow right into your crease. You'll find this brush at Target for only $2.49 and it's super soft. Get five of them!

Click here for my Studio Tools Brushes review

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#7: Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

Are you getting shiny in the summer heat or are you like me and suffer from oily skin? These blue, flexible, plastic-like sheets sop up the oils on your face without smudging your makeup or adding excess powder, like some blotting sheets do. These are not papery and they don't make crunching noises when you use them. I usually fold them in half and put a piece of tissue or toilet paper behind them before blotting my face so I don't get sebum on my fingers. Price: $4.49 - $5.29

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#8: Dove go fresh Beauty Body Wash

I hate when body washes lose their lather after just washing the front part of my torso. Every shower gel that I've tried from a designer perfume line or from a drugstore brand just don't stay foamy. I still have to put a decent-sized glob on my loofah when using this, but the lather lasts for my whole body and leaves my skin feeling soft. This body wash comes in four different scents: Burst, Energize (has little beads), Refresh, and Cool Moisture. Price: $5 - $7

Another good thing about this is that it does not contain the evil Sodium LauRYL Sulfate, which is an ingredient that dries out your skin and hair. It does contain Sodium LauRETH Sulfate, but that is not as harsh as the other. Just remember that Lauryl ends in "l" like evil - that's how I always distinguished between the two.

I love Dove! Their shampoos, conditioners, and body bar are also great.

MY PICK: Burst, a fruity scent of nectarine and white ginger.

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#9: Garnier Fructis Anti-Frizz Serum

I have thick, wavy hair and I always use this after straightening or curling my hair to get rid of fly aways and frizzies. If you don't like strong, citrus scents then you'll hate this but I think it smells great. This is a lighter oil than Baby Oil, which some people use in their hair. Now, there is a trick when using this. Do not pump a full pump into your hand and glob it onto your hair because then you'll look greasy. Pump half a pump's worth and rub it between your hands. Then, apply this little by little starting from the ends of your hair and fingercomb it upwards until you get your desired results. It's also best to section off your hair when applying this oil. I don't apply this near the roots of my hair because it will weigh it down. Since my hair is so static-prone, I still need a bit of hairspray afterwards. Price: $4.79 - $6

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#10: Pure Ice Nail Polish

I've only seen Pure Ice at Walmart so I don't know if you can find them anywhere else. These polishes are only $2 each and they come in a wide range of colors and finishes that will please everyone's tastes.

I once bought two bad bottles where the formula was horrible, only because someone at the store played around with them and didn't screw on the tops tightly. I hate when people do that. So if you get a bad bottle, don't let that discourage you into trying another one.

MY PICK: I love all the colors! Their creme and shimmers are great but, beware of their chrome/metallic formula.

Twinkle, a beautiful orange-coral with gold shimmer, kind of like a deeper Nars Orgasm. (That sounds nasty)

Coral Reef, a lovely pink-coral with small flecks of silver glitter.

Click here for some of my Pure Ice swatches

UPDATE: I bought another one of Pure Ice's chrome/metallic colors because the first one I tried - First Time, a mint green - applied horribly and the color would slide off my nail; I thought I just got a bad bottle since all the other colors applied so well. But after trying out another one called Outrageous, a pretty pinkish-lilac chrome, the formula was the same. It slides off your nail the more you stroke it with the brush. But I found if I applied it thickly, and brushed it on very lightly with no more than 3 or 4 strokes, then I could work with it. You also have to let it dry well before applying another coat. They have some really pretty chrome/metallic colors but stay away from them because of the formula. What a shame since their cremes and shimmers are great!

Thank you for reading and commenting!

<3