First Impression Review of New Drugstore Beauty Products | EcoTools | Physician's Formula | Jesse's Girl Cosmetics | Maybelline

This post contains PR samples and affiliate links

Doesn't it seem like there are new beauty products popping up every week? While it's totally exciting to oooohhh and aaaaahhhh over a shiny new product, figuring out which ones are worth the purchase isn't quite as pleasant.

Having to pick and choose totally puts a damper on those makeup baller dreams.

Alas, most of us need to be reasonable and avoid the FOMO purchase trap. Not nearly as fun. But probably much more satisfying in the long run. After all, you'll be happier with a few products you love than a room full of stuff you don't even use. Right?

Just think about how sad it would be to toss out a barely used product once it's reached its expiration date. Ouch! So many missed possibilities. 

So let me help you out.

Today I'll be applying a full face of makeup using new drugstore beauty products and letting you know whether each of these items is worth purchasing.

Jesse's Girl Backstage Collection Eyeshadow Palette | Jesse's Girl Eyeshadow Primer | Jesse's Girl Liquid Eyeliner | Jesse's Girl Matte Liquid Lip Color | Physician's Formula Cushion Corrector and Primer | Physician's Formula Butter Blush | EcoTools Perfecting Blending Duo | EcoTools Define & Highlight Brush Duo | Maybelline Cushion Foundation | Maybelline Dream Brightening Concealer | NYX Micro Brow Pencil

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more!

Join the ULTA Rewards program (free), get a $10 coupon! 

Use ebates for added savings and cash back when you shop! (Get a $10 gift card when you sign up)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Additionally, some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Top 5 Beauty Favorites | August 2016

This post contains products I purchased myself, press samples, and affiliate links. 

I can't believe summer is pretty much over.

Don't get me wrong. It's not like I'm sad because the days of frolicking on the beach are coming to a close.

Let's get real. I'm in Florida.

Fall is just an extension of summer down here. So it's certainly not time to pack up the flip flops and bikinis. Heck, it might even be better than summer. Why? For starters fewer tourists, which means the beach is less crowded and fewer people are feeding the seagulls. The kids are back in school -- another contribution to the quiet beach ambiance. And, as long as hurricane season doesn't totally assault us, then it's still warm, but much less humid -- making outdoor activities (ahem, back to the beach) more tolerable.

Summer "light" does have its benefits.

No. I'm sad because I'm gonna miss that carefree summer feeling. Everyone at work will be coming back from their summer trips and the post-summer work frenzy begins. This time of year also makes me a yearn for some of the things the rest of you get to enjoy about fall. Particularly that crisp, comfortable fall air. It may not be bathing suit friendly, but boy is it refreshing (and makes for some amazing hair days!).

So, I'll be sitting around with my fall scented candles trying to recreate that awesome fall feeling -- even if I have to do it in sandals and tank tops.

But I digress.

We've officially put another month behind us as we speed through 2016. That can only mean it's time to round up my favorite beauty products from the past month. So let's discuss.

Mink Wink Lashes (Cherie) | Mirrovana 8" 5X Magnifying Daylight LED Mirror |  It Cosmetics Brush Bath | Physician's Formula Butter Bronzer | Makeup Revolution Rose Gold Lipstick  

Mink Wink Lashes 25% off coupon code: GirlyE (exp. 9/30/16)
NOTE: I do not receive commission on sales. This is just an opportunity to pass on savings!

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more!

Join the ULTA Rewards program (free), get a $10 coupon! 

Use ebates for added savings and cash back when you shop! (and a $10 gift card when you sign up)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Also, some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards.Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

How I Apply Blush

Super Simple Makeup

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How I got free Physician's Formula products at CVS

Yes, you read that right - free! How? I went to the scan box, scanned my CVS card and I got a $10 off Physician's Formula coupon. I read about this over at Noveau Cheap this afternoon and headed to my CVS to see if the coupon was still printing. Low and behold, it was! Here's the skinny, you can either get a $3 off coupon or a $10 off coupon for Physician's Formula products. I do not know what qualifies you for $10 versus $3, but either way, it's a good discount, considering CVS has a lot of beauty products on 75 percent off clearance and there are a lot of Physician's Formula products at my local CVS store still left. So, I ended up getting 4 products and only paid $2.14! Yes, I did. Here are the pics and how much each product was (at the discounted cost)

Felt tip Eye Definer: Warm Black

$1.82

I always need a good felt tip liquid liner. I love how much easier it is to apply than regular liquid liner, since it's much like using a pen. To my happy surprise, the warm black was a nice dark black, and just glided on. The swatch below is just a quick thin line I drew on my hand.

I also picked up two blushes. Two! These are actually the products I'd gone in hoping to find. Thinking I'd only get the $3 off coupon, I planned to pick up Blushing Glow, which is a matte peach color blush, since it got such rave reviews over at Noveau Cheap (and I tried it on, it is quite deserving of the praise, sorry no swatches just yet). Each of these were $2.99 after the 75 percent discount. Having a $10 coupon, I decided to pick up Pink Glow. These are not only a great product -- they apply smoothly, the packaging is sturdy, and they are for sensitive skin (to help prevent any irritation or breakouts) -- but this clearance price is amazing. Three dollars for a blush is a steal! Anyone in the market for a matte blush should definitely check these out. Even if you don't get the coupon, you are still getting a bargain.

Lastly, I picked up a translucent powder from the same Mineral Wear line. I didn't really need it, but I figured translucent powder is always good to have to set your makeup. It has a soft green undertone to help reduce the appearance of redness, which is great for anyone with acne prone skin or rosacea. This little ditty was only $3.49.

I've purchased quite a few products at the CVS clearance sale, visiting various CVS locations in two different states. The bargains are incredible! I'll have to do a post with pictures of all the products I picked up. There are a lot (and I've spent less than $50 total), and the CVS locations I visited also accepted coupons on top of the discounts, so I ended up getting products for free or just a few cents. 

Have you scored any goodies at CVS? Were you able to take advantage of the Physician's Formula CVS coupon? What did you get?