Maybelline Waves of White Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow

Maybelline has released some limited edition Color Tattoo cream eyeshadows for spring/summer, and they finally arrived at my Rite Aid.  Having already seen quite a few blog posts on these, I knew that the two I wanted were the duochrome Waves of White and Seashore Frost.  Today I've got Waves of White to show you.

Who doesn't love a good duochrome?   Waves of White is a cream base with an aqua shift.  If you enlarge the picture above by clicking on it you can better see the aqua shimmer - so pretty!  On it's own, Waves of White works well as a base shadow or highlighter.  However, when layered over black, it becomes an intense turquoise blue shimmer that is quite fetching.

The consistency of this batch of Color Tattoo's is thinner and more slippery in texture than previous Color Tattoo shadows.  Since I was using Waves of White more as a base shadow and highlighter, that wasn't an issue.  If you are planning on wearing this alone, building the color in thin layers and letting each layer dry before applying more would be the way to go to avoid patchiness.

When trying to decide how to wear Waves of White, I pulled out my Urban Decay Glinda eyeshadow palette.  Glinda has two duochrome shadows in it called Aura, and the blue side may be a powder dupe for Waves of White.  I'm going to have to swatch them side by side so I can see. 

I used Waves of White as a base shadow, on my inner eyes, and over Tarte's skinny smoulderEYES Amazonian clay waterproof liner in Onyx.  See how it looks turquoise?  I also used Illusion, South, and the blue side of Aura for the look above.  Anyone tried the new Color Tattoo's yet?

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

April Eco Emi: Transitioning to Spring

The theme I took away from this month's Eco Emi box was transitioning from winter to spring.  I love the change of seasons, and spring in Mobile arrives early with the azaleas blooming in March and full on hot weather peaking through in April.  I'm pleasantly surprised that we are having a cool spring and that the high will only be 69 degrees today - I'm not ready for the 90+ weather yet!

As always, the packaging was lovely.  Pink and green are one of my favorite combos, probably because those were the colors of my childhood bedroom (think bright pink and chartreuse green, but you get the picture).  Eight items were in this month's box, including a few new to me brands.

Oluv Car by OluvSkin is a salve made from estate cold-pressed 100% extra virgin olive oil, medicinal herbs, Shea butter, virgin coconut oil, unfiltered bee's wax, and lavender essential oil.  I'll be using it on my cuticles, which always need help.  This is full sized and the value is $5.36.

Dead Sea Facial Mask is the second mask and the third product I've received from Rainwater Botanicals, and I'm liking this brand!  I did have problems opening the container, as it was a bit tricky and I managed to make a mess :-)  Sample value is 80 cents.

Organic Hemp Shine by Colorganics is a clear USDA organic certified lipstick that will moisturize and protect lips.  I've been using it before going to bed and to moisturize my lips prior to other lip products and I like it! The is full sized and the value is $17.25.

I've yet to meet a Shea Radiance product that I didn't like, so this Moisturizing Hair Milk will be a nice addition to my collection.  This is supposed to be a light and weightless spritz on conditioner that softens, detangles, and eliminates frizz.  This deluxe sample is generously sized and the value is worth about $3.75.  I also love the postcard that came with it - an African proverb that says "If you want to go FAST go alone.  If you want to go FAR, go together."  I'll be using this quote in an Interprofessional Collaborative  Education presentation I'll be doing later this month - very timely!

I wish I had a tub conducive to taking baths in, but mine sadly isn't.  However, I've taken to using bath soaks when I give myself a pedicure, so this will not go to waste.   The scent is Comforting Geranium it contains geranium, lavender, and rose essential oils.  Sample value is $3.29.

 

Dahlia creme eye shadow by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques is a light mauve shimmer and is infused with a lovely organic vanilla scent.  It makes for a nice highlight on the brow bone or inner eye.  I tried it as a base shade for powder shadows and the shimmer added a nice dimension.  Sadly, it creased on me by mid day and looked rather messy and faded by the end of the day.  I wore it over primer, but this is a creme that stays creamy rather than setting, and those just do not work for me.  Too bad, as I liked the effect it gave.  Full sized versions are $9 and I'm going to estimate the value of this sample at $2.

I also received two packets of Crystal Body Deodorant Towelettes.  I've used one and thought it worked well!  These would be really convenient for gym use, camping, or just carrying in your purse for when needed.  A 6 pack is $2.99, so the value of these is $1.  The other item in the box guacamole dip from Simply Organic.  I love avocado so just need to get to the grocery store to pick some up.  The value is $1.69.

Overall, another great box from Eco Emi!  The total value for April's box was $35, making it one of the higher value boxes that I've received from Eco Emi.  Usually the value is only slightly more than the $15 subscription fee, which I don't mind as I'm more interested in being introduced to more green products than anything.  Also, Christine from Eco Emi credited $3 to subscribers for May's box due to a delay in shipping on April's box.  I didn't notice a delay, but great proactive customer service!

Disclaimer:  I subscribe to Eco Emi for $15/month.

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L'Oreal Miss Candy Infallible Eyeshadow in Strawberry Blonde

I ventured out from my usual drugstore beauty shopping at Rite Aid recently and headed over to Walgreen's.  I was rewarded by finding a display for the L'Oreal Miss Candy Summer 2013 collection, which had 4 new to the US Infallible eyeshadows (they were previously released in the UK and Canada under different names ).  I was the most attracted to Strawberry Blonde, so home it came with me.

Strawberry Blonde is an ethereal pink gold with a duochroome finish that flashes light aqua.  The finish is sparkly but rather sheer, although it can be built up.  I actually like it as a topper for other shadows so the sheerness is okay with me.  Strawberry Blonde will look more intensely pink over a black base, so there is some versatility going on here.

It can be hard to capture the duochrome shift in photos, but I think you can kind of get the idea here.  I wanted to do an eye look with Strawberry Blonde as a wash over some neutral creams and beiges to give a subtle shimmer (click on photos to enlarge).  I did experience some fallout when applying Strawberry Blonde, as it's a bit crumbly. 

I found a lipgloss in my stash that is a perfect complement to Strawberry Blonde.  Unfortunately it's been discontinued, although I did see some available on ebay  - Too Faced's Girls Dig Pearls lipgloss in Mermaid.  Mermaid is a nude gloss with an opalescent shimmer and I really like the effect it gives!

Disclaimer:  I bought these.

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Ulta Kohl Eye Liner in Halo Review, Swatch, and Comparison

I bought several Ulta eyeliners in different formulations a while back, and I've got to say the Kohl Eye Liner in Halo has really impressed me!  It reminds me of the Urban Decay 24/7 eye liners in that it is smooth, nicely pigmented, and is smudge resistant once it sets.  Furthermore, it's a nice budget option, as the Ulta Kohl pencils are $7 compared to Urban Decay's $19 price tag.  Score!

Ulta Kohl Halo

Halo is a bisque or cream colored shimmer that I like to use as an inner eye highlighter.  The only other eye pencil I have that is similar in color is Yeyo by Urban Decay.  Halo is actually more yellow in tone than the whiter Yeyo, but both performed similarly in terms of finish and wear.  I may actually prefer Halo, as my skin has yellow undertones which Halo complements well.  If I had to pick a comparison, think of ivory versus white bridal dresses and which you would look better in.  It's ivory for me!

Left:  Halo, Right: Yeyo

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

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NOTD: Sasha by Julep

Sasha is what I think of as Miami coral - it's one of those colors you see in the Miami Beach Art Deco area.  I loved in south Florida for a hot minute when I was fresh out of college.  I can't say I cared for the area, but it was definitely visually striking!

Source:  miami-florida.com

I feel like I look tan when I wear this color.  I'm probably still a pasty white, but I swear my skin takes on a more golden tone when I'm wearing Sasha!

The formula was spot on and two coats were plenty.  Sasha dried shiny but I used a base and top coat, per usual.  Loving this!  Julep polishes are a hefty $14 each, unless you are part of the monthly Maven program, which makes them much more reasonable.

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

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Mally Evercolor Shadow Stick in Firework

Mally is not a brand that I've ventured into much, so when beauty.com offered a free Evercolor Shadow Stick in the color Firework with any $25 purchase, I decided I'd take that offer.  Firework is a metallic rose gold color that is actually more delicate looking than I was expecting.  I think the name had me thinking it would be more red or copper in color.

Firework has a shimmery, metallic finish that looks nice on the inner eye.  I also like using it as a base for other shadows, as the sparkle will peek through and add some dimension without overwhelming me with shimmer.   The swatches below show a more solid swatch and then one smudged out.

Mally Shadow Sticks are supposed to be quick and long wearing, as they are a primer, shadow base, and eye shadow all in one.  You have to work quick to smudge them before they set, and once they do, they are there for the long run.  They have a smooth, slippery texture that makes them easy to apply and overall I found Firework easy to work with.  The rounded dome does make it difficult to use these for precise lining.

Here I used Firework as a base shadow from lash line to crease.  You can see how the sparkle does come through.

 

In this look I used Firework as an inner eye highlight.  The Evercolor Shadow Sticks are a bit pricey at $25 each, but I'm impressed with Firework enough that I may pick up a few more!

Disclaimer:  This was a gift with purchase.

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May Julep Boho Glam: Set the Stage

Julep took us back to the roaring 1920's for the May Maven boxes, perfect timing for the upcoming The Great Gatsby release.  Not only were there new polish colors, but also an adorable trio of mini lipsticks.  Lots to get excited about here!

Millie, Alice

I stayed with my usual Boho Glam box, as I wanted the warmer toned lipsticks included in that profile.  The dusky dark blue cream Millie also appealed to me, as navy or dark blues have some sort of hold on me.  The other polish is Alice, a lilac shimmer.  I don't have anything like it in my collection, and while I'm not sure it will work with my skin tone, it's a lovely color.  

I'll be doing separate reviews of the lipsticks after I get a feel for them, but they are:

• Tea for Two: a sheer caramel beige with a slight shimmer
• Satin Doll: a sheer poppy red
• Lady in Red: an intensely pigmented crimson red matte

I love the extra item this month and cannot wait to try them out.  Julep really hit it out of the park this month!  Not counting the hair clips, the value is $56, as each of the polishes are $14 and the lipstick set is $28 for those not in the Maven program. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.  I subscribe to the Julep Maven program for $19.99/mo.  If you would like to subscribe, please consider using my affiliate link, which helps me earn Jules that can be spent in the Julep shop.  

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