Maybelline

The Symptoms of This Fever Are Pink: Maybelline Face Studio Master Glaze Glisten Blush Stick in Pink Fever

May 22nd, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

Maybelline Face Studio Master Glaze Pink Fever — Maybelline Face Studio Master Glaze Glisten Blush Stick in Pink Fever, $8.99

I feel like Maybelline made Pink Fever for hoarders of pink products like me. If it’s pink, I want it. I want errrrrthing!

Pink Fever, one of six cream blush sticks in the Maybelline Face Studio Master Glaze Glisten Blush Stick line released earlier this year (wow, now that name is a mouthful), is perfect for quickly adding a hint of sheer color with a soft, shiny finish to my cheeks.

I usually just run my fingers across the top of the stick to pick up some product, then dab it directly on my cheeks.

And dabbing is the key here… Any amount of rubbing disturbs the foundation I wear underneath.

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$10 Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black Will Put the Wind Beneath Your Winged Liner and Keep It There for Hours

May 14th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Maybelline Blackest Black Lasting Drama Eyestudio — That’s Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black ($9.99) on my upper lash lines

Easy to control and totally legit, Maybelline’s $9.99 Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black makes quick work of cat eye flicks (meow!), and it stands up to perspiration like Tabs stands up for gravy!

Plus, once it’s on, it doesn’t budge for nothin’.

Oil-free formula holds highly concentrated pigments in a clear gel base

Smudge-proof and waterproof for 24 hours

Safe for sensitive eyes

— maybelline.com

Pretty dark, but not as dark as my current black gel liner love, Black Valley Eye Paint by NARS, Blackest Black looks closer to a charcoal black than a black cat/midnight black to me.

I think darker would be better here…but it’s no big whoop, as Blackest Black is only $10 (versus $25 for NARS Black Valley).

The formula is designed to last a full 24 hours, which is kind of inconvenient to test… I’ve worn it about 10 times already, usually from morning till night or late afternoon, and I’ve never even seen it begin to give up the ghost. I have to physically remove it every time.

Maybelline Blackest Black Lasting Drama Eyestudio swatch — Blackest Black

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The New $10 Maybelline Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow Palette in Desert Fantasy: When YSL Makeup Fantasies and Bangin’ Budget Drugstore Palettes Collide

September 30th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

Maybelline Eye Studio in Desert Fantasy — It’s not a fantasy all. It’s real — the limited edition $9.99 Maybelline Eye Studio Plush Silk palette in Desert Fantasy…

For a penny less than $10 (and sometimes less than that on sale), these Maybelline Eye Studio Plush Silk palettes are some of the best drugstore palettes around.

I’d been so really impressed by the couple I picked up earlier this year in Sapphire Sire and Give Me Gold (both permanent, so you should still be able to find them in stores) that I recently went back for more.

They’re packed with pigment and therefore easy to build up in layers (read: I don’t have to spend hella time buildnig up the colors), and it only takes a few swipes from my brush to blend the colors together, which makes them great for gradients and looks involving multiple shadows.

Plus, I can totally swoosh these on my lids in the morning, do my cat’s bidding all day long, and know that my eyeshadow will look just as fresh at gravy time 8-10 hours later.

Until today, though, it never occurred to me just how similar these are to YSL’s (much more expensive) eyeshadows. In the case of Desert Fantasy, the tabby tum-like texture, seamless blending and creative combination of colors remind me of something you might find basking on a Yves Saint Laurent counter.

If you’ve got YSL dreams on a Pop Tart budget, it’s dream time, babe! Catwalk down to your favorite drugstore, and check out these palettes.

There are a number of potentially winning palettes in the permanent line, but don’t miss the four limited edition “Fall 2013 On the Runway” palettes ($9.99 each).

Ohmigosh! — they’re seriously beautiful.

Maybelline Fall 2013 On the Runway — The entire Maybelline “Fall 2013 On the Runway” collection…

They feature brown, gold, black and khaki neutrals; and dreamy jewel-toned teal, blue and purple. When I bumped into them the other day at Rite Aid (I wanted a Vitamin Water), I was like, “Oooh, this one needs a nice lady to adopt her… And this one. AND MAYBE THAT ONE TOO!” 🙂

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Why Maybelline’s $4.99 Fit Me Blush in Light Rose Will Have You Blushing

August 22nd, 2013 by Karen 5 Comments

Maybelline's Fit Me Blush in Light Rose — For gals who love the look of barely-there blush, there’s Maybelline’s Fit Me Blush in Light Rose ($4.99)

3 things I brought home with me from Kauai…

Angry red mosquito bites. OMG! SO ITCHY! The skeeters came out in force whenever the trade winds subsided.
A tan, despite regularly slathering myself with SPF 55.
A pair of skinny jeans that had previously fit me better before the trip… 🙂

Yeah, I may have gone a little overboard with the french fries. And the shave ice. And the ice cream. And the —

Whatev! I was on vacation.

But now that I’m back, I want to get fit, like this blush by Maybelline.

It’s called Fit Me Blush in Light Rose… Get it? Fit Me? Fit?

Sorry! Weak pun. I’m still a little jet-lagged.

Maybelline Fit Me Blush Light Rose — Maybelline’s Fit Me Blush in Light Rose ($4.99)

Every time I see the word “Fit” on this sheer matte neutral pink blush’s cover it reminds me that I should probably go for a run to start working off all of those bowls of saimin I had (it’s a noodle soup like ramen, only taken to the next level with lots of delicious toppings).

Along with acting as a gentle reminder to get my butt moving, the blush also leaves my cheeks with the same soft pink post-workout flush I get after sprinting through the finish of a 30-minute treadmill sesh…except without the heavy breathing and perspiration.

By comparison, it’s effortless.

When all I want is a basic pink flush — something that won’t compete with my eye or lip makeup — Light Rose hits the spot.

Like Maybellinne’s other Fit Me Blushes, it’s very sheer, so if you grab it expecting NARS-caliber color, you might be disappointed. I really have to build it up in layers to see the color clearly on my skin.

Maybelline Fit Me Blush Light Rose Swatch — Three layers of Light Rose

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Unsung Makeup Heroes: Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balms

July 25th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

About the Author
The following guest post was written by Jessica Desjardins of Beautezine. You can also find Jessica on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

There are a few things I love to collect, like cute USB keys, shoes and Maybelline Baby Lips lip balms.

As much as I adore makeup, I don’t consider myself a collector of limited-edition collections, adorable packaging or even designer pieces, but I can’t help myself when it comes to these Maybelline Baby Lips. I just have to have them all!

I admit that I have a slight addiction to these fun, colorful lip balms…

I don’t feel too guilty though. They retail for just $3.99 USD / $4.99 CAD each, so my wallet doesn’t get angry at me when I feel the need to hoard a few more. The permanent lineup features six shades — two of which are clear and the other four have a sheer tint. Sometimes they launch limited edition shades too, and those fly off the shelves super fast (psst! keep your eyes peeled for the new neon shades this fall).

Maybelline Baby Lips in (L-R) Pink Punch, Grape Vine, Peach Kiss, Cherry Me & Quench

I wanted to share five of my favorite shades and a bit about why I’m so head-over-heels for these drugstore lippies.

First of all, they’re totally adorable. The fun packaging features bold colors and a cute design. Next, they smell great and have a sheer tint that’s totally fool-proof to apply, yet slightly buildable too. These are the types of lip balms that you keep in your office drawer, on your nightstand, and a couple in every purse. Finally, they have SPF20, so they are great for daily protection (but don’t have that awful sunscreen taste), and they’re super moisturizing too.

The long-running Unsung Heroes series features much-loved permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.

Quenched. Quenched, probably my most-loved shade, is clear and smells like lemon-lime. It has a permanent spot on my nightstand; I use it each night before I go to bed, and my lips feel soft, smooth and hydrated every morning.

Peach Kiss. Peach Kiss is another favorite. It smells like peaches and has a shimmery, peachy bronze tint. It’s pretty neutral, so it goes with almost every look! It’s my go-to when I’m in a rush or can’t decide on a lip color.

Pink Punch. Pink Punch is a super fun, bright pink with a berry scent. It’s quite buildable and pairs perfectly with an ultra black cat eye!

Cherry Me. Cherry Me is your classic cherry Chapsticky balm kicked up a few notches. The juicy cherry scent is totally nostalgic and leaves lips with a rosy tint.

Grape Vine. Grape Vine is so dark that it might look a little scary in the tube, but it goes on super sheer and kisses lips with a soft berry tint. The grape scent is so amazing I wish I could eat it!

I could go on and on about these lip balms, but really, it comes down to this: they’re affordable, hydrating, cute and come in some pretty awesome shades. If you haven’t tried them yet, run — don’t walk — and snatch up as many as you can because you’ll definitely love them all!

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Pair It Up: Kick Your Summer Makeup Repertoire Into High Gear With Matching Lips and Tips

June 13th, 2013 by Karen 27 Comments

Five of summer’s must-have lip and tip combos

This summer inspiration is brought to you by Target. Find more fun and surprises all season long on Target’s #SummerUp Pinterest board.

Lounging languidly beside any pools this summer? Planning any barbecues at the beach? Don’t forget those all-important warm-weather essentials like your swimsuit, big floppy hat, sunscreen, cooler filled with drinks and snacks, and of course, your matching lips and tips. 🙂

Some among us may argue that those last two items aren’t summer fun essentials. Either way, I sure do love bright nails and lips this time of year, especially when they match!

Gotta get that quick burst of color from your fingers as you write your name in the sand, or blow kisses into your camera phone as you snap a quick selfie to send to your sweetie (“Wish you were here, boo!”).

I searched high and low for a few fun, affordable combinations to wear this summer and combed through countless contenders (a tough job, but someone had to do it) to come up with the following five trendsetting color combos.

You don’t have to pay Dolce & Gabbana prices to look fashionable and fab. These five lip and tip pairings are available now at Target stores and online at target.com.

Look 1: Fruit salad

L’OREAL Colour Riche Le Gloss in Peach Fuzz ($5.99) and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Lickety-Split Lime ($3.80); Xhilaration Neon Floppy Hat ($14.99)

This juicy combo with lime green nails and lush peach lips begs to be worn with umbrella drinks and on lazy days by the pool.

Look 2: Playful purple

Revlon Super Lustrous Gloss in Sugar Violet ($5.99) and COVERGIRL Outlast Saty Brilliant Glosstini in Purple Freeze ($2.99); Mossimo Purple Fedora ($14.99)

Nothing says “fun in the sun” quite like shiny purple tips and shimmery violet lips.

Look 3: Think hot pink

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in No. 1 Unique Pink ($16) and Pixi Nail Colour in Summer Pink ($8); Merona White Floppy Hat ($14.99)

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Unsung Heroes: Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara

November 23rd, 2012 by Karen 33 Comments

I have a theory that if by some magical force we were all turned back into babies and allowed to go buck wild in a drugstore, I doubt that very many of us would go goo-goo, gaa-gaa over Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara based solely on its simple, unassuming tube.

I mean, just look at it. That’s some pretty basic packaging right there. No neon to speak of, vibrating brushes, fancy fonts or flashing lights.

But man! — I gotta say, this $7 workhorse is quite a wonderful drugstore gem.

My reasons for having kept a tube of it in my makeup bag for the past few years (I literally never leave home without it) reads like an awesome laundry list (or an awesome list of awesomeness from Trader Joe’s).

First and foremost, it’s only seven bucks! And it’s carried in probably 5,000 drugstores nationwide.

I think those are two pretty great reasons, but Full ‘N Soft Waterproof also does all of the things I want a mascara to do — adding length and separation to my lashes while holding a curl, so that I look wide awake (even when I’m not).

What about raccoon eyes? you might ask.

Great question, but nope. None of that. Full ‘N Soft doesn’t flake, smudge or run, and one of the things I really like about it is how well it layers.

No bumps or clumps, just smooth, evenly coated lashes, which means I get control over how my lashes look.

When I want them to look natural, like for the beach, I just apply one or two layers for that feathery, separated look. Or when I’m craving something more dramatic, I’ll do three or four.

Either way, I think my results with this mascara are consistently great.
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A Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream for $7? Almost, Thanks to Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Eyeshadow

January 16th, 2012 by Karen 43 Comments

Hop on a unicycle, hitch a ride with a team of sled dogs, or lace up those rollerblades — use any means necessary to get thee to a drugstore to see these new Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Eyeshadows ($7 each) up close.

The potent pigments span an eclectic range of 10 colors from neutrals to brights, and either worn by themselves or as bases for powder shadows, these budget beauties can swagger all night long.

Maybe not the 24 hours advertised, but 10-12, nevertheless.

Of course, there is a catch (isn’t there always?)…

maybelline color tattoo eyeshadow (7)

To coax out that kind of wear time, I have to wear them with something else — something like a primer applied beneath them or a powder shadow on top — and really pack them on my lids with a finger or a firm synthetic brush (like the MAC 249).

Even when I don’t, though, these shadows still hang tough for 5-6 hours before succumbing to creases and fading.

Not bad for seven bucks.

Their fluffy, smooth texture reminds me of the pricier Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams, but I think the Aqua Creams do have them beat in terms of drying time, which could be good or bad, depending on your point of view (or in my case, how far I’m running behind, haha), and longevity. MUFE’s versions last me 14-16 hours, versus 10-12 for these.

If you like neutrals, don’t miss Bad to the Bronze (my fave!). I’ve been wearing it with bronzy colors like NARS Star Sailor Duo, and with neutrals like the ones in Urban Decay Naked and Naked2.

If you prefer brights, check out Tenacious Teal and Edgy Emerald. Both should look great by themselves or as bases for teal/green eye looks.

Wearing Bad to the Bronze
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