Review: Sephora Flashy Liner

From left to right: Silver, Mauve, Copper, Brown, Blue, Green, Black

I've been meaning to write a post about the Sephora Brand Flashy Liners. I really like them. I think they are quite comparable to the Urban Decay (UD) 24/7 liners. I wouldn't say the colors match completely, but the quality of these liners is excellent. They are creamy and glide on smoothly much like the UD liners. They are waterproof and have excellent wear. When I got the holiday set, which came with seven liners for $20, I did the swatch above. I tried to rub it off, and they did not budge (once they set that is, because you can smudge them if that is the look you are going for, you just have to work quickly same as with the UD liners). I was too lazy to wash it off and fell asleep that night with the swatch on my hand. The swatches were still there the next morning: unsmudged. I had to use soap and water to remove them, they didn't just wipe off with water. These liners stood up to quite the test. I don't recommend sleeping with your makeup on, but the liners stayed put on my hand that night.

Since then, I have worn some of these liners (mostly the black and brown) as they are meant to be used, and they did well, as I expected after having the swatches last through the night. I've worn them on my water line (NOTE: always remember to disinfect our makeup before and after using it on your waterline) and they stayed put. They come off pretty easily with eye makeup remover.

I definitely recommend these liners to anyone who may want something similar to the UD liners but with a bit of a smaller price tag. As mentioned, the holiday set, which includes seven liners (not full sized, but still a good size) was $20. If you aren't really into color liners and just want your basic black and brown, the full-sized, individual versions are $8. UD's liners (individual prices) are $17. This is by no means intended to dissuade anyone from getting UD's 24/7 Glide On liners. I have Bourbon, which is a shimmery dark brown,  and I absolutely adore it. I got it as part of a kit that included the half backed shadow and a glitter liner. I completely understand why UD liners have a cult following, and you do get a lot more color options with UD. However, I do think that Sephora's Flashy liners are a good alternative if you need to pinch a few pennies (or in this case $9).

A few notes: The Silver is a little whitish, but its still kind of metallic. I used it for a while when I needed white, and though it wasn't a bright white (like UD's Yeyo or NYX's Jumbo Pencil in Milk), which I don't really think its supposed to be, it did an OK job at substituting. But once I got Milk, then I was really able to see the difference. However, it's definitely a light light silver. Also, the mauve wasn't really a favorite for me. It just didn't go that great with the looks I tried it out with. But, for $20, if one of the colors is a bust, I think I still got my money's worth. I still like the silver, it's the mauve that really isn't getting any use.

I will certainly purchase some of these colors again.

Have any of you tried these? How did you like them?

My growing holiday wish list

There are quite a few items on my wish list this year. In the past, I've usually wanted things like digicams and clothes, but this year, I'm salivating over makeup and pretty girly things. Maybe if I share, my list might give some of you out there a few ideas for yourself, or the beauty mavens in your lives. Listed in no particular order of preference:

• LAVANILLA Vanilla Coconut rollerball (available at Sephora and Sephora.com; $19.50). I love, love, love perfume, and I love love love the scent of coconut. I grew up in Puerto Rico where we are big fans of coconut: coconut deserts, coconut drinks, and just plain coconut by itself. Yum, yum, yum! Add that to the sweet smell of vanilla and I'm head over heels! I love the rollerball because it's easy to stash away in any purse, gym bag, and it travels easily. The delicious smell takes me back to the island beaches and reminds me of all the fun we had in those days.

 

• Sigma Makeup Professional Brushes Face and Eyes kit ($49): I have read many great reviews about Sigma's brushes. I was planning to take the plunge and buy some MAC brushes soon, but I'm thinking I'd like to try these out first, and the face and eye kit has all the brushes that I'm missing in my own collection, namely the SS217 (I want a stiffer blending brush and you get the SS217 as a gift with purchase), the SS150 (I have a large face brush but I want a new one), a kabuki or SS182 (my kabuki is soft and all but it sheds...sigh...), and a duo fiber brush (SS187). 

•  (NEW ITEM) Brush roll ($15): How cute is this? I currently have two brush rolls, one of which is falling apart. I can't fit all my brushes into the one roll and this one is just too cute! I found it on etsy.com at ComeOutAndPlay's shop. It's hand made and it rolls up and ties all cutely to secure it shut. It has a lot of compartments too, so i can fit a lot of my brushes in there, and a big compartment for a compact, or other tools, or heck, more brushes. I have a thing for brushes afterall. I just love the fabric chosen and really want to make it mine!

 

• Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($40): I got a sample of this a few weeks ago at Sephora, in shade 120. Let me tell you, that small little sample, is still kickin'! I don't use it every day... yet. I want to get the full-size version before I run out of the sample. It. Is. Fantastic. A little goes a loooooooooong way. I mean it. And, it makes my skin look fabulous. Pores? What pores? I was also able to try a sample of Smashbox HD foundation and was just as equally amazed. But I don't know what color I use. It came in my Smashbox primer. I stupidly opened the pouch too much and had to toss out all that was left. A little goes a long way for this one too, and it also has great coverage. If you happen to prefer Smashbox, I highly recommend their HD foundation. I really like that it has SPF 15 in it. I wish I had taken note of my shade. I think both of these are very good. I have gotten to use the MUFE one more often, so I've grown attached to it. I also already wear SPF, since I live in Florida and need something a bit stronger than SPF 15. 
• (NEW ITEM) Make Up Forever Mist & Fix ($27): Ok, as I've mentioned before, I live in Florida, land of heat and sticky humidity, which means bad bad things for makeup. Melt? Yes. Splotchiness? Yep, sometimes. Primer helps keep these things at bay, but I really want something that is going to make me look like I just applied my makeup all day long. I've read good reviews on this product, and quite frankly, I don't think I've heard an ill-spoken word uttered about the MUFE brand. So, this item has made it into my wish list. 
• (NEW ITEM) Coastal Scents 10-piece professional blush palette ($15.95): I think a girl can never have enough blush. Why? Because sometimes you want rosy cheeks - be it bright pink or a soft rose-, sometimes you need peach, and others you just want some bronze and highlighter. This palette gives you all those options, and when you layer colors, you get even more to choose from -- all in one location that you can easily travel with. Also, did you see the price?! 
• (NEW ITEM) Coastal Scents 28-iece Eye Shadow Neutral Palette ($18.95): While I'd love to have the 88 Warm palette, this one seems more practical to me. The colors are great for every day. This may sound odd, but I'd probably choose having this palette over the 88 warm because I really think I'd use every color in it. Also, I'min love with the top color in the furthest right-hand column. In the picture is just looks gorgeous! I must have it. 
• Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette ($24.95): I have the 88 palette and love it. So, naturally, I already want the 88 Warm. This is palette seems like it would make a great gift for anyone who loves makeup but prefers to wear more neutral colors (like my sister). I like all makeup, so I'm drawn to it. Ooooohhhh pretty..
• NYX cosmetics: Prices vary, but these are very affordable and quite nice. I'm a big fan of their Jumbo Eye Pencils, and I really want to try their glitter products and some of their eyeshadows. I've checked them out at ULTA, and hope to add them to my collection. 
• Sedu Revolution 1" flat iron ($139.95): I have the Sedu 1 1/2 flat iron and I love love love love it. I gave away my Chi after I used this flat iron. It leaves my hair silky and shiny and wonderful. I think it puts the Chi to shame. The only thing is, that I want to be able to use my flat iron to curl my hair as well, which I can't do with my large Sedu. I need the new 1" one. I'm hoping that ULTA sends out a 20% off coupon this holiday season (this is how I got my original Sedu) so I can save some much needed dinero. I plan to write a blog entry just about my Sedu (be it my current one, or if all works out well, my new one).
• Frederick Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo ($23): I have dry hair, and can't (or have been told I should not) wash it daily. However, I workout 4 days per week, and I sweat (boxing and spin will do that). I've been thinking of trying out a dry shampoo. Maybe I can take my hair out of the go-to ponytail I wear nearly every day. 
• Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System ($149.95): I've read good things about this product. I'd like to try it. I'm currently diligently entering this as my Christmas wish at http://www.sephoraclaus.com/. They are granting one wish per day. All you have to do is go to the site enter your wish (product price limit $150), put in your Twitter info, and it will tweet your request and enter you into the contest. 

• (NEW ITEM) High Definition powder by e.l.f. ($6): I wrote about this in my blog entry regarding my favorite e.l.f. products. I have never used it, but I am dying to try it out. Yes, dying. I've had pretty good luck with e.l.f. products, and I have been very excited about this recent little release. Oh Santa, won't you please please please grant my HD wishes!

Products I'm testing out:

• Origins Brighter by Nature ($39.50): I just got a sample of this from Origins. I am quite a fan of Origins. I use the A Perfect World serum, moisturizer and Modern Friction face scrub. I love them. And I love that they last a long time! I had my moisturizer for nine months! I was told it was a six-month supply. To be fair, I do only use it once per day. Anyway, I was at the mall and walked by the store and it had a sign about a product that would help brighten skin and reduce dark spots. When I was younger, I wasn't as diligent with my sunscreen. So, I'm starting to notice a few freckles here and there (I have had them looked at by a dermatologist, and he cleared me). I've always had freckles on my nose, but I've got some coming out here and there on my face. Since they are still pretty light, I thought, maybe I can give this a shot. I've only been using it since Sunday. So far, I like that it is very light, has a clean soft scent, and is a nice light moisturizer that I wear under my serum, moisturizer and SPF (it needs to be light). 

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($42): I got a sample of this with my last Sephora online purchase after hearing Kandee Johnson (makeup guru extraordinare!) laud Laura Mercier products so much in her makeup tutorials. I haven't used my sample yet, but I plan to this weekend when I'm running around taking advantage of all the holiday sales. I'll keep you posted on my thoughts. I hope it is as good as I'm expecting it to be. UPDATE: This item has been tested and reviewed. Love. It.

Stay tuned, I'll be updating this post frequently, as I'm sure I'll see more fun gift-worthy items, and that I'll ask for samples of other products to test out.

What are some of your holiday wish-list items?