New at the Drugstore

Now that I have a blog, I can justify spending too much money at the drugstore. Think of it as me trying it out so you can get it or pass by.

FACE

Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder

I saw a review by one of my favorite YouTubers/bloggers EmilyNoel87 about this and decided to give it a try. Usually I don't see much of a difference between powders, but this is just a nice, smooth powder to have. I'd be interested to see how it works with oily skin, or those who need more powder than I do.

Buy it.

Revlon Colorstay Concealer

I've heard mixed reviews about this concealer, but I happen to like it a lot. I was on the hunt for a good liquid concealer with medium coverage that wouldn't be drying. I like this for my skin type, but I don't know how it will work in different seasons. I like how it blends out and is a smooth consistency. All in all, just what I was looking for.

Buy it.

NYX Blush in Dusty Rose

 

I've tried the creme blushes from NYX, but this is my first powder. It's been a good one so far. I haven't really formed an opinion about it yet. I've heard great things about these and they are so cheap that it doesn't hurt to try it out.

Love the color of this blush. I think "Dusty Rose" is the perfect way to describe it. Well done, NYX. Easy to wear and I think it would look great on most skin colors.

Buy it.

EYES

Maybelline Lasting Drama by EyeStudio Gel Eyeliner

     

I've heard great things about this and that it is comparable to Bobbi Brown. I love the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners, but they seem to dry out before I get a chance to finish them. That ain't cool. I figured I'd rather buy a cheap, yet comparable one and if it dries out, who cares.

Now this says it is 24 hour, smudge proof, and waterproof. I wouldn't necessarily say that it's all of these things, but it does have a good staying power and great color. I didn't find myself needing to reapply throughout the day. It comes with a small brush that would work just fine, although I haven't tried it.

Buy it.

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

There has been a lot of hype around this product, so you know I had to have my opinion about it. It has similar packaging and a rubber brush, like it's parent product, Lash Blast. There was noticeable definition throughout my lashes, but not as much volume as other mascaras. It is a good everyday mascara and one to try if you are on the market for a new one, but let's just say if it were over $10, I probably wouldn't purchase it.

Toss up.

Wet-n-Wild Eyeshadow in Silent Treatment

This is absolutely beautiful. The online beauty world raves about this line: their fantastic pigmentation, small packaging, and very affordable price. I have always wanted to try one, but just couldn't find a color family I liked. I guess I felt like everything was comparable to something I already had. I really like this one though! Very wearable during the day, but buildable to a dramatic eye at night. All those beauty girls were right after all, and I'm definitely going to purchase more soon.

Buy it.

Loreal Colour Riche Brazen Bolds Eyeshadow in 313 Neon Skirt

I really wanted this to be great. I even second-guessed buying this because I have such low expectations for Loreal eyeshadows. They have never been super pigmented for me, and seem more chalky than others I can buy at a similar price.

The colors are beautiful and I can, and will, build them up to a nice shade, but overall I hate working that hard. Again, there are just better shadows out there.

Don't buy it.

Loreal 24-hour Infallible Eyeshadow in 889 Midnight Blue

As I bash Loreal shadows, I'm here to rave about one. The Infallable line is absolutely incredible. This is my third color in the range, and one of my favorites. The shadows are an interesting texture and extremely smooth. They build up to a nice color and don't budge. Wouldn't say they last 24 hours as they claim (cause I've never had my makeup on that long), but they do have great lasting power.

Buy it.

LIPS

NYX Lip Pencil in 843 Citrine

Here's another thing NYX does well: lip liners. I never want to spend a lot of money on lip liners because A. I feel like I don't use them enough to validate splurging and B. I lose them. Good thing NYX is dirt cheap and they make nice products. This specific color is a good "spice" color and would look great on fair or medium skin types. For darker skin, I would build this up for a very natural lip.

Buy it. Also check out the color "Rose".

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in 40 Bright Berry

Here's another recommendation by EmilyNoel73. She called this the "sweatpants of lip products" and I couldn't agree more. It feels amazing on your lips, even better than some lip balms I've tried. This is the best of the jumbo lip balm/pencils I've tried, but the staying power isn't anything incredible.

It smells very fruity and sweet. Sweet!

Buy it.

Maybelline Color Whisper in Cherry on Top

I think the name of this is hilarious. I could see them having terrible commercials like some god awful perfume ads. That aside, it's nice. It is supposed to be the Maybelline version of Revlon Lip Butters. I would argue that the Lip Butters are more moisturizing and the Whissssper has more of a sheen and possibly more sheer. I'd like to try more but for to me (for now), it's a glorified balm. 

Toss up.

(Those last two looked so similar so I swatched them to show the difference. Neutrogena is more of a berry color and has less sparkle/sheen.)

Hope you enjoyed this! Let me know if you try anything out. Leave a comment or find me on Twitter at @SaybeeSays! 

Spotlight: Coconut Oil

Looking for an all-natural, cheap, does-it-all product? Enter: coconut oil.

  

You'd be surprised how many ways you can use coconut oil. In fact, this article says you can use it 101 different ways. This article, and others, mention how you can put it in pretty much any food and it will improve circulation, energy, allergies, or as a vegetable oil replacement, among other things. Now, I am a little grossed out by the idea of eating it, but who knows what I'll do next! It doesn't have a scent and I don't think it has a taste... maybe I'll test that out next.

Basically, I see this as the Windex from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Cheap and lots of uses.

          

The way I use it most:

• Hair treatment: At night, I will coat this throughout my hair, concentrating on the ends. Then I throw it up in a bun and hit the hay. When I wake up in the morning, I shower and it leaves my hair soft and moisturized, but not greasy(!!!). 
• Shaving: This is a new use in my world, but it works great! Just rub it all over your legs and shave normally. Be careful not to use too much because it will clog your razor. Talk about annoying. 
• Chapstick: As easy as that! Just rub on yo lips, girl.
• Cuticle oil: Apparently it can help your nails grow, but I just use it as a moisturizer. 

L what it looks like when you scoop it out 

R what it looks like when you rub it together in your hands

 Here are some other articles mentioning less common ways to use coconut oil: here, here, and here.

Let me know if you try it out! 

 

Best of 2012

Wowewow. I cannot believe it's another year. I accomplished a lot this past year and went through plenty of change. I hope to keep this blog growing, so please share with friends!

Anyway... let's get onto my picks for the best beauty products of 2012!

Best foundation: Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich

You can see it does have a sheen to it. And yes, it does match my face better than my arm.

So this foundation was introduced to me when I got a makeover at the Bobbi Brown counter. I know, I know, how fancy am I?! It's a medium coverage foundation that blends really well. It's a nice thickness and leaves a dewy finish on the skin. It's good for my skin type (dry in the winter and normal all other times of the year aka the better seasons). A very close second to this is the Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua, which is a lighter coverage. Check out my post on foundations if you are at all interested! 

Best blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay in Dollface

 

This is a vibrant, bubble gum pink color that would look good on a lot of different skin tones. The Amazonian Clay line from Tarte is natural and long-wearing. Really long-wearing. I didn't notice my other blushes didn't last long until I used this. Love the color, texture, and the staying power. This is the mini size (about the size of a half dollar) that came in a gift set and I can't wait to purchase different colors ("Exposed" is the one I have my eye on).

Best concealer: Bobbi Brown Corrector

Ok - it's not really a concealer for me, but who cares. This is a peach toned corrector for the under-eye area to cancel out darkness and purple, brown tones. Hot dog! This is an absolute staple for me (especially for early mornings after late nights). I have gone through this one pretty fast, but I will definitely be repurchasing this.

Best palette: Urban Decay Naked Palette

      

Enter the Urban Decay Naked palette. This has been a staple in my collection since I picked it up this summer. Since it had a steeper price tag ($50), I considered it for a while. That was kind of a waste of time. I knew deep down I'd use all of these shades because it's easy to wear, neutral, and travel friendly. (It also came with a synthetic brush and a mini primer potion which were both fine, but not great)

Here are my most used shades: Sin (top), Sidecar (middle), Hustle (bottom)

  

Best single eyeshadow: MAC All That Glitters

 

This is a shade I feel that will always be in my collection. I've had it for probably 9 months and use it most days. It's a great color to sweep all over the lid, add some mascara, and you have a quick natural eye look. It has more dimension than most gold-toned, shimmery eye shadows on the market. I just laaaave it. 

P.S. I realize in the picture it looks similar to Sin from the Naked palette. ATG is more gold, while Sin is more pink. 

Best cream shadows: MAC Bare Study Paint Pot & Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit (yeah there are 2. so sue me)

So Bare Study was one of those that I thought about for a long time. Here was my thinking: 1. I really like Benefit cream shadows, why change a good thing? 2. It's such a light color, would it even make a difference? 3. Do I even like cream shadows? 

Then I finally bit the bullet and got it. All those reasons were just excuses to not give MAC anymore of my money. It's freakin' amazing. The color is perfect for my light skin tone, just a shimmery pink. Serves as a great base for shadows. And yes, I do like cream shadows. I might even say I love them, but I don't want to move too fast. 

Benefit's Birthday Suit is a beautiful shimmery gold color. Are you beginning to understand that I like neutrals? This is a really easy shadow to throw on and be done with the eyes. It is less smooth than MAC, but I think it stays on longer. I've had it for a while and it's starting to dry out, that's why it looks weird and cracked on the edges. :(

Here are both the cream shadows (L Bare Study, R Birthday Suit). Side by side, there is a difference in the colors, but yes, they are still neutrals. 

Best brow product: Benefit Instant Brow

I was introduced to this when I got my free birthday eyebrow wax at Ulta (which is awesome by the way). I have always struggled with what to do with my brows. They are light, hold a pretty good shape, but are sparse. This is a waxy product that you run through your brows using short, light strokes. It gives the right amount of color for me and the wax keeps them in place. An awesome product for beginners and I will repurchase this for sure! 

Best lipstick: Revlon's Sassy Mauve

Since I have naturally pinker lips than most, I can't wear a lot of nude shades and some shades just do not show up on me. First world problem fo sho. This is not one of those shades. It's the definition of  "your lips but better" and is just moisturizing enough to 1. not dry out the lips and 2. not slip right off. It's a perfect color for me and therefore, Revlon will continue to get my money. And I love the name of the shade.

Best lip product #2: Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum

Another one of the shades that looks good on me - I couldn't pick just one. This is extremely moisturizing and I don't even need a mirror to apply it. What?! I know. Honestly, I just love all of the Lip Butter colors. I have...6. At least they are cheap!

Best lip treatment: Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

I did a blog post about these here so I won't go into it, other than to say you need a lip butter in your life.

Best nail polish: Essie Demure Vix

             

What a neat color this is! Or should I say colorS! HA! Ok but really, this is perfection in a bottle. Dramatic I know, but you'll get used to it. This is a taupe/brown/gray with a purple/pink/blue iridescence. It's been my fall/winter go-to color, and works great with any outfit for any occasion.

Best eyeliner : Loreal Lineur Intense 

Sorry, bad picture. Just trying to show the brush tip. mehhh

This. This is good. I'm not the best at applying liquid eyeliner, but I like the look of it. What a sad life I live. But, alas, the brush tip arrived. It makes it much more manageable (still can get annoying) but this has become my everyday eyeliner. Who woulda thunk a girl like me could do it?! Well. I can.

Best finishing product: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

This is not a product I need, but it is certainly one that I like. I use this when I know it will be a busy day or for nights out. It "seals" in your makeup by some magic that is a fine mist over your face. When I'm done applying my makeup, I spritz about 3 pumps onto my face and that's it! I don't use powder in the winter so this works great as a setting product. 

_________________________________________________________________

Whew! 

Let me know in the comments your favorite product of 2012! Also if there are any posts you'd like to see in 2013, that is helpful too.