I'm not gonna lie, I was drawn to the packaging on this one. The concept is cutesy and retro inspired. I was also curious about the two part brush system.

The pros, it's a nice rick black color, the small section of the brush is great for reaching the hard to grab lashes and ease into the corners. It really lifts my lashes kind of like a pushup bra for your eyes. It didn't flake or crumble. The formula layered well with my Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir for added staying power and length. I loved that it didn't get clumpy either. This is a great mascara for creating the relationship between your falsies and natural lashes too. I like this type of brush for that.

The cons, I didn't feel like I got that feathery look I go for. The texture felt a little too wet but that could have been because my Marc mascara was on its last leg and dry as a desert.

Overall, if you are looking for an inexpensive mascara that lifts and curls like a champ, I would check this out! I don't know if I would repurchase since I just wear it with another mascara or falsies but I might use my Extra Bucks for it from time to time.

I had to go to CVS today and happened to have a 25% off coupon so I grabbed some lashes, brow razors, gum, and a new Chapstick. I found this Just Hatched baby lotion at the supermarket and since I already have a love for baby lotion I thought I would give it a shot. It smells so good and has a bunch of natural ingredients like coconut oil. I finally picked up the Ardell individual lash kit (lasts a few weeks) to try out. I figured it would be worth a shot with a coupon plus it's a cool thing to try out for Halloween tutorials.

This is going to be a new series of posts! I know everyone looks for budget friendly makeup whether it be dupes for high end products or just an affordable favorites. When you are able to find a mascara or lipstick that is just as good as the high end brands it is worth sharing! So here I will share with you good quality, affordable makeup finds.
Hard Candy has been around a while and their brand has grown to include a huge line of products, everything from lip gloss to body illuminators. You can find their products at your local Walmart in the beauty department.

The following eyeshadow palettes retail for $6 a piece and contain 10 eyeshadows. These palettes are great starter products for younger girls as well as nice collection additions for my fellow makeup addicts. I picked up Guilty Pleasure, a palette of neutral sparkle shades and Birthday Suit, a palette full of neutral mattes. I would recommend a primer with both palettes to get the full pigmentation and staying power of the shades. Although all swatches below are done on bare skin.

I really love the mattes shades in Birthday Suit. They have great pigmentation and the colors included are just really pretty. Guilty Pleasure is a nice collection of sparkle. There is definitely fallout here but with a good primer I think it will be awesome for a night out or when you need a little glitter in your workday. And who wouldn't love this adorable packaging?

swatched with no primer

swatched on bare skin

Brows are the perfect way to complete your look and make a statement. Whether you are on a budget and stay within the drugstore or venture out into the high end realm you are looking for a top notch product.

I am always intrigued by the new and different formulas out there. While still learning, it's fun to test different products and find the best shape and finish for my face.

While looking through all the new drugstore makeup out there in good old CVS, I came across this awesome brow powder (which can also be used for an eyeliner too, bonus!) by Covergirl. I will say a little goes a long way and it might take a couple tries to get it right (and not look like Groucho Marx). But this is a superb brow product from the drugstore that will set you back about $9.

It's a light texture and easily blendable with it's flexible rubber-like applicator. I purchased the shade dark brown after almost leaning towards the black. I am so glad I didn't buy the black because it would have been way to dark for me even with my hair being black. I might however purchase it to use as an eyeliner.

The only negative I can think of is that it does have some fallout when you apply it. You will want to do your brows before your foundation or at least over apply powder around your eyes so that you can simply brush it away afterwords. Also to finish, I like to apply Maybelline's Clear Mascara to set the product.

all swatched on bare skin

Maybelline has come out with a collection of creamy matte lipsticks for Fall. I love matte lipstick so when I saw these I knew I had to test them out. I ended up purchasing Nude Embrace a pale caramel nude and Darling Nude a Rosy Nude. They both have a creamy texture which gives your lips the much needed moisture they crave when wearing a matte lip. They retail for $7.99 and can be found at your local drugstore or Harmon's Discount. Ulta also has them available here.