Makeup

CocoFeed: December Ipsy – Thinking Of You

Coco

This month’s Ipsy bag arrived! Not super impressed this month, but the Sexy Hair spray smells nice.

The NYX balm would be awesome if it was a different shade, like pink. I kinda want to purchase it in another color because I actually like the formula a lot.

The Cailyn eye shadow is pretty standard, and so is the tarte mascara. Nothing special. Although, I would love to try a different tarte product.

I haven’t tried the Beauty Without Cruelty cleanser yet. Mostly because I simply do not use them that often.

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Sephora Favorites Superstars Set

Coco

A $15 off coupon for Sephora arrived in the mail the other day and I knew immediately that I would be making a purchase from Sephora very soon. After some browsing on the site, I decided on the Superstars value set for $75 (worth $225)… which after the coupon, was only $60!!! Not to mention, lots of sample goodies as usual!

This set features bestselling, head-to-toe beauty essentials. With an array of full-size products, from nail polish to styling spray, they’re perfect for every beauty lover. Gift them out to your best friends or indulge yourself with this special holiday treat.

My main reason for trying this set is because I already love Nars Orgasm blush and thought it would be fun to try a few new products. And I have to say… I am way more pleased than I thought I would be! For one, I am actually using the eye liner! And I ALWAYS hated eye liner and Stila. I think this set is definitely a winner and a great gift as well.

I like just about every product in this set and I cannot wait to use them everyday.

This set contains:
– 0.003 oz Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown
– 0.25 oz Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional
– 0.10 oz Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real Mascara In Jet Black
– 1.7 oz Bumble And Bumble Surf Spray
– 0.34 oz Chloè by Chloè Rollerball
– 0.4 oz Formula X Nail Color in Ignite
– 0.08 oz Fresh Sugar Rosè Tinted Lip Treatment
– 0.5 oz Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
– 0.16 oz Nars Cosmetics Blush in Orgasm
– 1 oz Smashbox Cosmetics Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 in Light
– 0.016 oz Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner In Intense Black
– 0.05 oz Urban Decay Eye shadow in Sin

The eye liner surprised me the most. If I keep up with wearing eye liner, I will definitely be purchasing it again. The Argan Oil smells wonderful. And of course, the Nars blush is always a winner.

The jury is still out on the Smashbox BB Cream (I haven’t been a huge fan of Smashbox in the past). And the Benefit POREfessional hasn’t lived up to my expectations, but I will have to use it a few more times to really know for sure.

Regardless, I am very impressed and excited to have this set!

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine “Nude York City”

Coco

New York Color (NYC) Liquid Lip Shine in 582 Nude York CityHave you heard the gossip? There’s a new gloss in town! NYC New York Color Liquid Lip Shine is getting headlines with seriously high-drama color at a seriously low price. Pure pigments give a 3-D effect that’s off-the-charts glossy. Tons of hot new shades, from preppy nudes to bold statement hues – all for less than your weekly fashion magazine.

Included in my Influenster Holiday Voxbox was NYC’s new Liquid Lipshine in #582 Nude York City! Currently in 10 beautiful shades, check out New York Color’s website for more information on Liquid Lipshine!

 

First Impression:

We all know NYC, it’s one of the cheapest priced makeup brands in the drugstore, and most usually write it off as cheap quality as well. I generally agreed with the assumption, but after using NYC’s new Liquid Lipshine for the last few days, the rumors are completely false. It may not be the best lip gloss on the market, but at its price point of $2.49, it is, in my opinion, the best lip gloss in its range.

Application:

New York Color (NYC) Liquid Lip Shine in 582 Nude York CityOne thing I noticed right off the bat was that the applicator was a little longer than most lip gloss applicator tips (at least from what I’ve noticed) and it bent fluidly with your lip rather than being stiff, which for me, made it easy to apply without a mirror. The lip color of Nude York City is a glossy nude with a lot of shine, pictured below, in certain lights you see soft hints of a fleshy pink underneath. The gloss smells wonderful, I believe of vanilla, coconut and a hint of chocolate, which really makes for a great combination. The formula is non-sticky (it’s more thick than sticky), and it glides on perfectly and feels very smooth on the lips. Amazingly, it lasts quite a lot longer than most glosses I’ve used.

New York Color (NYC) Liquid Lip Shine in 582 Nude York City

 

Bottom Line:

I am a big fan of this lip gloss for many reasons, but mainly because the quality is great and it’s easy to apply during a hectic day. And for $2.49, you can’t beat that price! Get it!

Start shopping for NYC at these stores nearest you: Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, CVS, Family Dollar, Duane Reade, Kmart, HEB, and others. Visit newyorkcolor.com to check out all shades and fun products from New York Color!

Courtney’s Rating: A

Disclaimer: I received these products to test for free through the Influenster VoxBox program.

Stila Collectible Travel Palettes

Coco

Stila Collectible Travel Palettes - Make an impression in Moscow

Almost exactly one year ago, I bought one of Stila‘s travel palettes (“Make an impression in Moscow,” pictured left) from Sephora because it was only $10 and I needed another item to get free shipping. The palette came with four eye shadows (cutely named Matruschka, Chill, Nadia, and Mink) and a Convertible Color (Lily). I didn’t expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised when I used the palette for the first time. The colors went together beautifully, and I use the palette every time I go on an overnight trip or even just a quick fix for a day/night out. So, this year as I was doing my Christmas/Birthday Sephora shopping, I needed a few more items to get free shipping, and once again purchased Stila’s travel palette, but this time I bought 3 from the Beach collection: Wonderful in Waikiki, Haute in the Hamptons, and Striking in South Beach! I probably would have purchased the entire set, but Stunning in Sayulita (No.1) and Living the Life in Laguna (No.5) were out of stock! Apparently, the palettes went up to $14, but the Beach collection is on sale for $9 now that Summer is over, and they’re selling out fast!


Haute in the Hamptons – Beach Palette No. 2
The Hamptons conjurs up images of windswept sandy beaches, picket fences, and opulent surroundings. Haute in the Hamptons pays homage to this summertime playground of the rich and famous.
Eye Shadows: Sand, Linen, Route 27 , Blue Skies
Cheek Color: Hydrangea
Bronzing Powder: Montauk Highway

Striking in South Beach – Beach Palette No. 3
World famous for glitz and glamour, pristine beaches, fashionable people, and a lively nightlife, South Beach is the place to see and be seen, where you can play all day and party all night. Striking in South Beach celebrates the vibrant culture and international flavor of this popular beach community.
Eye Shadows: Ocean Drive, Wave, Nightlife, Cabana
Cheek Color: Art Deco
Bronzing Powder: Sobe

Wonderful in Waikiki – Beach Palette No. 4
Located on the south shore of Oahu, Waikiki is celebrated for its soft white sand, turquoise water, gentle breezes, and spectacular sunsets. Whether you’re learning how to hula, trying your hand at surfing, or partaking in a festive luau, it’s easy to see why Waikiki is known as paradise found and the epitome of fun in the sun.
Eye Shadows: Wahine, Sarong, Coconut, Surf
Cheek Color: North Shore
Bronzing Powder: Hanauma Bay

First Impression:

The palettes, although cute, look incredibly small and I was very apprehensive at first, but the super low cost was the turning point for me. Each palette consists of four 0.15 oz eye shadows, a 0.11 oz cheek color, and a 0.11 oz bronzing powder. The color combinations are classy and fun at the same time, and could be used for many different social settings. Unlike previous collections, each palette comes with application instructions, but I probably wont use them very often. Luckily the Convertible Color has been replaced with a blush and bronzer in this collection, because I rarely used it. The one thing I didn’t like about “Make an impression in Moscow” was the random blue eye shadow, and it’s the same case with this collection. When done right, I’m a huge fan of blue eye shadow, but unfortunately I rarely do them right.. so the blues will most likely go untouched again. Overall, what I love the most about these palettes is how versatile each one is and how many options it gives me, all the while staying on a budget.

Application:

The eye shadows are fairly pigmented with a smooth texture, and are very blend-able.

Bottom Line:

Link to buy at stila:
http://www.stilacosmetics.com/category.asp?category_id=37
sephora:
http://sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml?brandId=Stila&categoryId=C115

Courtney’s Rating: A

Sephora Collection Lip Balm Trio

Coco

A set of hydrating lip balms, two with a tint and one clear. Formulated with shea butter, jojoba, sunflower, and grapeseed oils, each of these balms softens and conditions your lips. The tinted balms add a sheer wash of color to lips.

This set contains 3 x 0.1 oz lip balms in:
– Fuchsia
– Clear
– Rose

First Impression:

As a self-proclaimed penny pincher, $10 for three lip balms is not the BEST deal in the world, but $10 for three Sephora lip balms is another story. I ordered a friend’s Christmas present and was a few dollars shy of getting free shipping, so I grabbed this trio because the price was too good to pass up and the lip balms looked promising.

Application:

The lip balms go on smooth, and add a light touch of color to the lips. I was actually relieved that the colors were sheerer on than they look on the stick. The red balm is a light red/pink, the pink balm is a light, frosted pink shade, and the clear balm simply adds moisture to your lips. The lip balms are non-sticky, but slightly waxy at times, although not uncomfortably. The lip balms are somewhat glossy, but still slightly matte. With a light lip gloss on top, they really do pop. So it just depends on what you’re in the mood for that day. They have a very interesting pigment, the first time I applied the red, I was pretty surprised at how much I liked it. Red lip stick simply doesn’t work for me as much as I wish it would, but this red balm is a great alternative for those who’ve always wanted red lips! Add a red lip gloss on top, and I’m sure it would complete the look. The lip trio is super versatile and can go with many different looks.

Bottom Line:

The Sephora Collection Lip Balm Trio is not the be all and end all of lip balms, but they are definitely a great option value and quality wise! The red lip balm is the best part of the trio, and makes the set worth it, I use it daily! You can purchase the Sephora Collection Lip Balm Trio online at Sephora.com for $10.

Courtney’s Rating: B+

(The red lip balm separately I would give an A+)

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve No. 012

Coco

C.O. Bigelow’s famous Rose Salve has been a favorite since the early days, due to its ability to care for lips and beautify skin. Emulsified with extra-soothing rose extract, which helps ease irritation and condition the skin.

I bought C.O. Bigelow’s Rose Salve almost a year ago, and have been obsessed with it ever since. I didn’t know much about C.O. Bigelow before purchasing, but Bath & Body Works was having their usual sale, and I purchased two other lip balms and got the Rose Salve for free!

First Impression:

The salve is in a red round tin (as pictured above), and seemed very simple and classic to me. It immediately caught my eye because I had never bought anything like it and was super excited to try it out!

Ingredients: Petrolatum, Lanolin Oil, Squalene, Flavor (Aroma), Octyldodecanol, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Jojoba Esters, Red 30 Lake (CI73360).

Application:

“Pat on anytime as needed to care for lips or anything that needs a fix.” It really is as simple as that! Open the tin, dab a little on a finger and apply to your heart’s content! The salve is so smooth, and smells wonderful! My lips feel immediately hydrated. On occasion I use the salve on my hands, cuticles, and elbows and it is definitely more convenient than carrying around a bunch of different lotions and lip balms; this salve does it all! I carry it around wherever I go, and if I am not carrying a purse or backpack, I tuck it into a jeans pocket. It’s my lifeline, I wouldn’t leave the house without it. In the past, I never remembered to use lip balm, but now I use it daily! I love everything about this salve!

Bottom Line:

At $5.50 each, C.O. Bigelow’s Rose Salve is a real WINNER. Even though it’s only 0.8oz/22G, my tin has lasted me over a year of everyday use — even multiple times a day, and if I let it, it could probably last many more years. If it hasn’t been clear, I’m begging you to run out to your local Bath & Body Works (or from C.O. Bigelow online directly) and purchase this salve ASAP. Your skin will thank you!

Courtney’s Rating: A+