I can't believe it is July, we are more than halfway through 2015 already! I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend!

This is kind of a double post, a Friday Favorite and a Budget Beauty. I did not like the original Maybelline Dream BB but once I saw they had a bronze one, I had to try it out of curiosity.

The first thing I thought of was, oh could this be a dupe for Stila's Bronze Beauty Balm (which I love but it's $32)? Well so far I wouldn't say it's an exact dupe but maybe the darker shade would be. I really like this so far. It's the perfect amount of glow for a quick makeup look during the week or just a touch of sun for a laid back weekend.

I would say this has very sheer coverage. It adds more of a veil of warmth to the skin. I think this would be nice in the Winter too for some life during those pale sunless days. It is available in two shades, Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. I chose the Light/Medium shade. I think the Medium/Dark would be nice to use to warm up a lighter foundation in the Summer so I might try that out.

These swatches are the heaviest I could get!

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.

This will be a new series of posts for products that I feel are NOT worth the hype or money. If I can save someone else from buying something that is a waste, I want to.

The first product is Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream. I originally had this in my dry skin series as a good BB cream but have now taken it off. I just find that it has zero coverage on it's own. When I pour some into my hands it feels like the thicker consistency would work well but I just didn't find that it gave me anything. I don't think it made my skin any better either.

The whole point of a BB cream is to have skincare and makeup in one product. I didn't see either in this one and wouldn't repurchase.

Save your money ladies...

" BETTE DAVIS once said that she owed her success to brown mascara. But if Davis were alive today, the actress with the famously dramatic eyes might give the same credit to her mascara brush. "   (NY Times)


I've collected some of my favorite lash products to share with you. These are by far the best lash enhancing tools I have come across. Like I have said in previous posts I like long and thick (spidery) lashes. I put on multiple coats of whatever mascara I am wearing. These ladies add some serious drama. 

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Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions - Length like no other! This baby can give you volume plus length in a few swipes. The brush is great for your lower lashes too because it is slim and has sort of that comb like shape. The tiny bristles grab each lash and extend them for miles. It comes in waterproof and regular. 

Maybelline New York The Falsies Mascara, Black Drama - This baby has lash fibers right in the mascara itself. They build onto each other as you layer. I love the brush and texture. This is definitely a keeper in my book - a great way to have the falsie look without the glue and sometimes the weight of a strip of false lashes. 

Dior Extase - This was last week's Friday Favorite and it will continue to be a favorite for a long time. I think it's similar to Covergirl's Clump Crusher Extensions in that the formula has a similar texture but this one is much more black and needs fewer coats. Friday Favorite - Dior Extase

Dior lash plumping primer - A great addition to the Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions or any of these for that matter... It prepares your lashes before your mascara and adds that crucial extra layer for extreme length and conditioning too. I feel like it protects my lashes from harsher mascaras. 

Benefit They're Real - This mascara is no joke. This formula will create that false lash effect quiet simply. I do find it is harsher on my lashes so I don't always wear this. It does not say it's waterproof but I feel like it is that is how strong it sticks to your lashes. I definitely need to work with this to get it all off at night but that would also be from how many coats I use too. 

DivaDerme Lash Extender Lashes in a Bottle - Lash fibers are an interesting product. What you do is put a coat of mascara or primer on your lashes and then swipe the fibers on your wet lashes (the come with a mascara like brush) then add another layer of mascara for instant false lash drama (layer for even more drama)! I have sensitive eyes but this does not bother me. I would just be careful since they are small fibers and can fall in your eyes and cause irritation. 


Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions  - Clump Crusher Extensions is not the blackest mascara on the planet but this feathers out and lengthens my lashes beautifully. I love the light texture. My lashes never feel brittle when it dries. It's a mascara that I feel like I need to use a lot of coats to get the desired effect but it is worth it in the end. The brush and formula help prevent clumping. It's a real steal. 

Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

Here is an interesting article about mascara and how it has changed... The Art of the Lash Advances

The drugstore is full of beauty steals and yes some not so great things but the gems you can find are so worth the testing you must do. I have been asked to do some posts on drugstore makeup. Below are some of my favorite drugstore items. This list is always growing so when I discover more great products u will post about them.

Foundation:

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation - has to be one of my favorite foundations ever made! It has the most beautiful glow finish, moisturizing, and makes my skin look better when I don't have anything on my face. I feel like it is skincare and foundation in one which I love.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation - has similar skincare benefits to L'Oreal's True Match Lumi

Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation - this is a favorite when I get a spray tan. It has great coverage and has some sparkle too which I love.


Eyeshadow:

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow - amber rush, bronzed taupe, smoldering plum 

Maybelline Color Tattoo - pomegranate punk, tough as taupe, bad to the bronze, bold gold

Wet n Wild Palettes - comfort zone (as in my previous post), greed,  and they come out with limited edition palettes too that are all usually just as pigmented.


Mascara:

Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions Mascara - very black

Covergirl Lashperfection Mascara - very black

Maybelline Falsies Drama Mascara - black drama

L'Oreal Shocking Extensions Mascara - carbon black (this is even more fabulous paired with Dior lash primer!)

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara - carbon black


Lipstick / Gloss:

Revlon Lipstick - mink, siren, cherries in the snow, matte nude attitude, fire & ice, black cherry

Bonnebell Lipgloss - cappuccino (a great neutral brown nude gloss)





Some special offers from Elf below! Elf is also a very affordable cosmetic brand that has some great products. They can be found at Target, Harmon's Discount, and of course their website...