Products I Regret Buying | November 2016

This post contains affiliate and referral links.*

Hi again! We're skipping product favorites this month in favor of a little reality check. After all, I test beauty products so that you don't have to, and sometimes not all of them work.

Life doesn't always drop unicorn magic in my lap. Statistically speaking, a few duds are bound to make their way into my product testing stash.

The way I see it, it's just as important to share those experiences with you, as it is to share the positive ones because:

• I want to keep you from spending your hard-earned money on a product that might not be the best fit for you
• How are you supposed to trust my reviews, if it seems like I love everything I try? 
• This is a place where we can all learn from each other. So if something didn't work for me, maybe some of you have tips that would help improve my experience. 

It's not about bashing a product or a brand. In fact, I love the brands I'm talking about today -- just not these specific products.

It's about sharing information and experiences and helping you make an informed decision that works best for your specific needs.

So with that in mind, here are five products I tried recently that I regret buying. Check out the list below for all the products mentioned and what I consider better alternatives in a similar price point.

Products mentioned + optional items that I think work better (because why would you want to buy a product I said I didn't like? I still included links to those in case you do -- I don't know your life): 

• Stila Custom Contour Duo ($40) | Better option: Anastasia Beverly Hills Foundation Sticks ($25 each contour and highlight shades available
• Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes Liquid Liner ($20) | Better option: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ($19)
• Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara ($23) | Better option: Urban Decay Perversion Mascara ($22)
• Benefit Porefessional Matte Rescue ($28) | Better: Mehron Touch-up Antishine ($11.50) 
• Soap & Glory Sexy Motherpucker XL  ($14) | Sorry, I don't have a better option for this. Suggestions welcome!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: 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.”

Products I've Used Up | Makeup | #Empties

I'm back! Please forgive my unpredictable posting "schedule" -- life's just getting in my way. And it's not even exciting life stuff. It's the mundane stuff that's not even interesting to post about on social media. Nobody wants to watch a Snap about me sitting behind a desk working all day. YAWN. (I nodded off typing that sentence)

So, let's just leave it at this: I've been adulting.

But one exciting thing did happen last week. We got a new couch, finally. Our old one had been through five moves (read beat up). Suffered countless spills. Had a hole that always swallowed the remote. And the cats got sick on it a few too many times (all thoroughly cleaned, but still, I knew the incidents happened). Plus, I was tired of looking at it and ready for a different aesthetic.

I finally got it. My living room is now brighter, cozier and more open and inviting. I'm currently typing from the cuddler corner of the couch (an extra large corner seating area) as giddy as a school kid meeting their favorite boy band member. It's which quickly become my cozy little pillow and throw blanket covered nook.

And that is what qualifies as exciting in my world lately. Yup. That's full fledged adulting. And just in case you think I've reached some adult life low, it's been worse. I've also gotten stupid excited about a new vacuum. Basically, couch excitement is a step up.

Ok. While I was adulting, I decided it was time to clean out some junk. Literally. It was high time I shared a video about all the products I've used up, so I can finally toss out the packaging.

So without further ado. Check out my video below to see all the products I've used up and whether I thought they're good enough to repurchase.

Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner Quick Dry Formula | Sephora Microsmooth Foundation | It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Powder | L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion foundation | It Cosmetics CC Veil Fluid Foundation | Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation | L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black mascara | Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara | Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye mascara | Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen | Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner | Lorac Front of the Line Pro liquid eyeliner pen | Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz | NYX Micro Brow | Maybelline Define-a-Brow | Maybelline Age Rewind concealer | Make Up For Ever HD Concealer | First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy | Skindinavia Primer Mist | Model in a Bottle Sensitive Skin Setting Spray  

What was the last makeup product you used up? Is it something I need to try? Comment below!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links” or "referral links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or join a program, 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.”

Review: Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm

Press Sample

I received Stila's All Day Prime & Anti-Shine balm as part of a press kit when I attended the Makeup Show in Orlando. That seems like ages ago now. It was sitting in the things-to-try pile until maybe a month and a half ago, when I finally picked it up.

Since then, I've hit pan on it. I suppose that means I've sufficiently road tested it and it's time for a review. 

But first, let's check out what the product claims to do (from Stila's site):

This multi-tasking, secret weapon provides invisible coverage for a flawless complexion. Use under makeup as a primer to create an impeccable canvas for flawless makeup application, use over makeup to set and extend wear, or use in place of a pressed powder for touchups throughout the day. 

This versatile, cream-to-powder formula smoothes skin imperfections, minimizes pores, evens skin tone, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and controls oil production. A silky, translucent crystal finish catches and re-emits light, diffusing imperfections for a perfectly smooth and even skin tone. Makeup glides on with ease and sets for long-lasting, high-definition results. When used in place of a powder, it absorbs excess oil, eliminates shine, and never leaves a powdery trace behind. This weightless formula is easy to apply, velvety soft and completely undetectable on the skin. 

Features & Benefits

• sheer, lightweight formula with a matte/satin finish

• formulated with a unique gelling system for a creamy, rich texture that blends into a thin and invisible film

• micro-fine spherical silicone resin delivers a translucent finish with a soft focus effect

• a silicone elastomer blend gives skin a long lasting, silky smooth finish

• ideal for all skin types

• paraben and fragrance free

Sounds pretty awesome, right? I won't hold you in suspense. I'm a fan. Let's get into all the details. 

Packaging:

The Stay All Day balm is packaged in a handy compact with a magnetic closure, nicely-sized mirror, and a hidden compartment to house the application sponge. It's sturdy and portable. And I'm impressed with the quality of the sponge. I've washed it multiple times and it's still in pristine condition. 

Performance & consistency

The first thing I want to point out is how to properly use this product. I'm used to using liquid-like primers, so I'm used to swiping the product onto my skin. You don't want to do that with this balm. First, it resulted in wasted product from picking up way too much of it on the sponge. Second, it deposits too much balm onto your skin, resulting in a slick surface that made makeup shift around. 

Instead, blot the sponge on to the balm, then press it gently into your skin. This made a huge difference. By pressing it into the skin, it helps fill in pores to help mask them. It also helps you use the right amount of product.

Once I started doing that, it was a game changer. I used this as a primer. (I'm not one for touch ups throughout the day. I'm just too lazy.) When applied under my makeup, I definitely noticed that it helped significantly reduce shine (immediately as well as controlling it throughout the day). It also helped my makeup apply smoothly and gave it lasting power. I could easily wear it for 8 hours without a problem, sometimes longer.  

I also noticed it helped reduce redness. However, let's set expectations right. It's not a miracle worker. It only reduces, it doesn't eliminate. Regardless, I thought it was a nice perk. 

This balm feels completely weightless on my skin as well. I actually have to touch my skin after I apply it to make sure I got it everywhere. It leaves that smooth, velvety feel behind -- a telltale sign that I wasn't just pressing a product-less sponge onto my face. 

The consistency is balm-like with a velvety touch (just like other silicone based primers). To give you a better idea, it's like a solid version of Smashbox Photo Finish primer. I think the cream-to-powder description is a bit misleading (but in a good way) because this never actually dries down to a powder finish, something I really liked. You'll get a satin finish without the powdered look. 

Cost & availability

The balm retails for $30 and has 0.29 oz of product. You can purchase it at Sephora, ULTA, Nordstrom, and directly from Stila. For the sake of comparison, Cover Girl's TruMagic Skin Perfector has 0.27 oz of product and retails for $8.99 (depending where you buy) and Benefit's Dr. Feelgood has 0.85 oz of product and retails for $31. 

Fragrance

It's fragrance free. That is all there is to it. 

Ingredients

For those of you who like to know, this product does have dimethicone in it, as you can see from the ingredient list. 

Ingredients: Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Myristyl, Trisiloxane, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylyl Methicone, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline wax/cera microcristallina, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-DI-t-Butyl HydroxyHydrocinnamate, Laureth-4

Overall thoughts

I like this product and I'd recommend it to others. It's very similar to Benefit's Dr. Feelgood, except the consistency is slightly less creamy. (P.S. Turns out I'd used Dr. Feelgood wrong back when I had it. I wonder how much of a difference pressing it into my skin would make if I tried it again). 

My only complaint is that I wish this brought more product for the $30 price tag. I hit pan on this within 4 weeks, which isn't a terrible run, but I feel like I go through it faster than other primers. I'd be curious to see how long it would last if I used it correctly from the start. There was definitely a lot of product waste from swiping the sponge on the balm in the early days. I imagine if someone were to use it as a primer and keep it on hand for touch ups, they might use it up pretty quickly.

What do you think? Would you consider using a balm primer? Have you used this already? Did you like it? 

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. 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.”

More Beauty Stocking Stuffer Suggestions

The holiday hustle and bustle isn't quite done yet, but you only have a few days left to polish off that shopping list. Buying beauty gifts can be so daunting, but there are quite a few cute little gifts you can add to someone's stocking. Here are just a few ideas to take the load off whatever's left of your shopping duties. These are sure to elicit a few "Ooohs" and "Ahs" and earn you a place on the awesome gift giver list.

Urban Decay Revolution lipstick ($22 each) / MAKE UP FOR EVER Extravagant Glamour Set  ($38) / L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Lips Set ($20) / The Body Shop Shower Moisture Gift Set ($7) / Tarte Limited Edition Lash Set ($19) / Stila Portrait of a Perfect Eye Palette ($16) / Holiday BeautyBlender ($20) / Philosophy Purity Made Simple™ Ornament ($10) / Stila Portrait of a Perfect Cheek Palette ($16) / Atelier Cologne perfume miniature duo ($18) + Nordstrom Atomizer ($5)

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick: Soft, buttery, long-wearing all packaged neatly in a gunmetal chrome tube. It's hard to go wrong with this lipstick line. The hardest part is choosing a color, mostly because they have so many great ones to choose from. Only you know the person you're shopping for, but some nice neutral work-for-everyone shades include Naked (nude with a little pink) and Fiend (rose). If your giftee is bold check out Anarchy, F-bomb, or Jilted. It will be hard to pick just one (read: not buy them all). You may even need one (or 5) for your stocking. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Lips Set: Soft hands and lips will make a great gift this holiday season, especially since so many people are experiencing ridiculously cold weather. I'm partial to the L'Occitane line because it feels so luxurious (and sounds fancy because it's French). My favorite is the rose scented line, but this set comes in a variety of scents, so choose whichever you think is best. 

Tarte lash set:  Everyone wants enviable lashes, right? How fun to reach into your stocking and pull out this little gilded set. All it needs is a little pouch so you can carry them with you anywhere. 

Beauty Blender: Does this gift need any explanation? The Beauty Blender has enjoyed quite a bit of fame for a reason. I doubt any beauty lover (even if they already have one) will turn this away. A flawless makeup finish is always appreciated. 

Purity ornament: Listen up. This will make my holiday gift list every year for as long as Philosophy will put it out on the market. I love this face wash. It cleanses and tones and is gentle on your skin. I didn't believe the hype until I used it myself. My skin was noticeably softer, even before I started pairing it with my Clarisonic. The travel-size version is a great way to introduce your friends to this gem and it lasts a long time. 

Stila cheek and eye palettes: I love that Stila released these little sets this holiday season. You'll get to choose different ones for eyes, and while I love all the colors they offer, I keep gravitating toward that cheek set. Both or either will make a great gift because the quality is outstanding. Bonus: Adorable packaging. 

Make Up For Ever Extravagant Glamour set:  This is a phenomenal deal. Three full sized products at a reasonable price (valued at $63). If you have a bold glamour puss on your list, this will have her jaw on the floor. A full-sized bright red lipstick, smokey lash mascara, and waterproof black liner? Yes. Please. If I had a mic, I'd drop it. 

Atelier Cologne perfume mini duo set: I got this for myself recently. The full-size equivalent of each of these mini's is more than $100. I had to see why. They smell amazing and linger on your skin for a whiiiile. This set comes with the vanilla and blood orange perfumes. Yes, the mini's are tiny, but they have the same amount of product as most roller ball perfumes. Pair this with an atomizer ($5 at Nordstrom) and they'll make perfect purse or travel companions. 

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Beauty Gifts $30 or less

1. Real Techniques Cosmetics Brush Set ($30) / 2. Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral LE Matte/Neutral Palette ($30) / 3. Stila Color Me Glossy Lip Glaze ($28) / 4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Covet Waterproof Liner set ($28) / 5. Stila Tools of the Trade brush set ($28) / 6. MAC Stroke of Midnight Viva Glam 1 set ($30) /  7. Benefit Cosmetics Luve It Up! Color Kit ($25) / 8. Julep Hand Model kit ($25) / 9.  ALTERNA Caviar Experience Kit  ($29)/ 10. Living Proof beauty product ($29)

Makeup and beauty tools:

It's quite possible to purchase quality makeup and brushes for affordable prices, especially during the holidays with all the great gift sets. Best of all, you don't always have to hit up a specialty store to find them. Case in point, the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Limited Edition matte and shimmer palette is available at Target and offers fantastic pigmentation and easy blending. Speaking of blending, you can also find a Real Techniques brush set while you're there. 

If your giftee prefers high-end brand (how particular of him/her) don't fret. Stila has a great lip glaze set that includes nine glosses and a brush set both just under $30. There's also Anatasia Beverly Hills waterproof liner set and Benefit's cute LuveiIt Up kit, which includes three neutral shadows, a mini creaseless cream shadow, and Dandelion lip gloss. For the bold diva on your list, check out MAC's Viva Glam 1 holiday set that includes the original lipstick and gloss inspired by RuPaul. Bonus, every cent you pay for the set goes to HIV/AIDS research, so it's a do-good, look-good gift. 

Hands and nails:

If you've got a nail obsessed giftee on your list, instead go for a little something different than  nail polish and try this Model Hands set by Julep. Help your nail fashionista take care of her hands and tips so all the fun colors and designs she wears will look even better on her soft smooth and nourished hands. 

Hair

If you're gifting a gal (or guy) with luscious locks, consider helping her (or him) discover some awesome new hair products. Alterna's Caviar kit is a great anti-aging hair travel set that will help keep locks nourished, shiny, and full -- all signs of a youthful mane. And if Jennifer Aniston is his/her hair icon (and honestly, isn't she everyone's?) give them one of the various Living Proof hair care travel kits to address a variety of hair needs. My personal favorite is the  No Frizz Smoothing and Frizz Fighting line. Fantastic humidity fighting products that are light weight, smell great, and leave your hair looking ah-ma-zing. 

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Beauty Gifts Under $50

Each year we face a conundrum. What do we get the beauty loving friends and family members on our list? You want to give them something cool and thoughtful (preferably something they don't already have) but you also might not want to break the bank.

Well, fear not. It's quite possible to give your beauty fanatics some awesome gifts at reasonable pricing. Let's take a moment to thank the beauty industry for putting together some awesome gift sets that will help you do just that.

If you're looking for gifts that will cost you less than $50 (sorry Urban Decay lovers that new Naked 3 palette missed the list by $3), you're in luck. There are a lot of options.

I've assembled a list of some of my top picks that range from makeup and skin care, to nails and fragrance. There's something for everyone's beauty-related preferences.

Makeup sets: LORAC Rockin' Red Hot PRO Set ($39) / LORAC Close Up PRO Face Tutorial ($42) / Stila Masterpiece Series Eye & Cheek Palettes ($39) / Skincare sets: Fresh Sugar & Seaberry Sanctuary ($48) / Korres Radiance Revealed Wild Rose Brightening Duo ($48) /Boscia Mask Medley ($38)/ Fragrance set: Nest Luxury Hand Cream gift set ($38)/ Nail set: Sephora Collection Makeup Academy Nails ($36) 

Makeup sets

Listen, there are a lot of makeup sets out there ringing in at less than $50. I can't possibly list them all. This list is clearly not exhaustive. I chose the three makeup sets listed because they offer quality and value. It was difficult to narrow it down to these three. But I didn't want a gift guide that only had eyeshadow palettes in it. We gotta think of everyone else. It's the holidays after all. That being said, if you want a gift guide that's my favorite palettes, say the word. A post of this nature could easily be arranged. 

For now, I want to draw your attention to the three palettes I've picked out that are actually quite affordable and offer you amazing value:

LORAC Rockin' Red Hot Pro Set - I have a lot to say about this set. I'll try to keep it short and sweet. First, you get the LORAC Pro Palette - a huge fan favorite - for less than buying the palette on its own. Yes, that is right. You save $3 and  you get extra stuff. I had to do a double take when I got it. Second,  you also get a travel-sized eyeshadow primer and a full-sized pro liquid liner (which has out shined all my other liquid liners) for only $39. Third, many people have said they like this neutral palette more than the infamous Naked palettes (not referring to Naked 3) because you get equal parts shimmer and matte shades. Four, the quality is ah-ma-zing. The shades are pigmented, buttery smooth, and blend easily. The eyeshadow primer works just as well as its competitors. And that liquid liner is perfection. It's an easy to apply pen liner that glides on so smoothly it doesn't tug on your lids at all. It's cut the time it takes me to apply liquid liner in half and it always comes out looking perfect. I'm in love. Available exclusively at ULTA. Good for the beauty lover on your list who loves his/her Naked palettes and neutral shades. Expand their horizons. 

LORAC Close Up PRO Face Tutorial - This gift set is on my personal holiday wish list. You get an eyeshadow trio with three neutral, look-good-on-everyone shades that will take you from day to night easy peasy (a vanilla-esque shade, a light latte brown, and a dark chocolate brown), a travel-sized mattifying primer, PRO mascara, rosy cheek stain, and peach lip lustre. This set could easily become your every day go-to products. It also includes makeup tips to help you apply your face like a pro. Available exclusively at ULTA. Good for any makeup person on your list because the colors will flatter all skin tones and can be worn for any occasion. From novice to expert, this one is fool proof. 

Stila Masterpiece Series Eye & Cheek palettes - This set combines three eyeshadow and cheek palettes into one collection. You get a cool toned palette, a warm toned palette, and a rosy palette each with five eye shadows and one coordinating blush. If you don't want to do the math, that's 15 shadows and three blushes. The limited edition set retails for $39. At the time of this posting it was available at ULTA for $29. This gift set is adorable and sure to go over like a hit. Available at Sephora and ULTA. Great for the indecisive beauty person on your list. Three palettes. One set. No need to settle.

Skincare Sets

If you have a skin care fanatic on your list, there are plenty of great gifting options available to you as well. Skin care can be a little trickier than makeup because you need to know a little more about the person you're buying for. Do they have oily/dry/combo/sensitive skin? What are the skin concerns they want to battle? Will giving them a product be a touchy matter? You’ll have to be the judge of that when buying. However, here are three items that I think are innocuous enough to please anyone. Plus, if you're gifting a skincare fanatic, they are likely to recognize and appreciate these.  

Fresh Sugar & Seaberry Sanctuary  - This set will let you give the gift of skincare without worrying about getting all the details right (skin type, concerns, sensitivities). It’s basically like giving a little at-home spa treatment. It includes Fresh's Brown Sugar Body Polish, Seaberry Restorative Body Cream, and Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF 15. It’s a great bath and body experience that’s a bit more grown up and sophisticated than that other store we know and love. Available at Sephora. Good for anyone on your list that enjoys at little at-home pampering and spends a lot of time grooming (and no, we’re not implying they’re vain). 

Boscia Mask Medley -  There are a few beauty gals I know who would flip to receive this Boscia mask medley.  The set contains three of the brands most popular masks, sure to help treat an array of skin situations that ail us all. Plus, you can give it without fearing you’ll cause offense. This set says you know a thing or two about cult favorites and you know they enjoy a little at-home facial time. Way different than giving someone, say, an anti wrinkle cream they didn’t ask for… Yikes! Available at Sephora. Good for the beauty lover who has it all. If there’s a beauty blogger or editor on your list, they’ll likely appreciate this set.

Korres Radiance Revealed Wild Rose Brightening - Korres’ Wild Rose line is immensely popular for a reason. And this set is on this list because it’s one of my personal favorites. This brightening duo offers two full-sized products for the price of one (it's ridiculously popular Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial). These days, people of all ages are chasing that illustrious glow. Brightening products have out shined the battle against wrinkles in the quest of youthful, envious skin. The Wild Rose sleeping facial delivers. It's luxurious, smells amazing (um, roses people), contains no yucky parabens or sulfates, and is great for all skin types. And that cleanser? Well it's an added bonus! Admittedly, you'll need to know the person you're gifting this to a little better to offer up this set. But, if they happen to love scouring the beauty isles for all things facial care, they're likely to recognize and appreciate this set. Available at Sephora. Good for anyone chasing after radiant skin

Nails

All of us have that one friend who always has amazing nails. They're groomed to perfection and rock some of the hottest nail trends. Heck, that person may also have a nail polish collection to rival the local nail salon. But trust me, they'll always appreciate more. I know. I'm one of them. I may have a million different shades of pink, purple, mint, or grey, but by golly they are all different!

The Sephora Collection Makeup Academy Nails set is perfect for the nail addict on your list. Not only do they get 10 full-sized nail polish colors, they also get a multi-glitter top coat, a jar of star jewels and a booklet that offers 12 different nail art tutorials. How does that not sound like fun? Available at Sephora. Good for the person on your list who seems to rock a new manicure every week (and maybe sometimes multiple manis per week). 

Fragrance

Alright, fragrance is an incredibly personal experience. I've chosen this set of Nest Luxury Hand Creams because it's a great little gift for the person on your list who has an impressive fragrance collection. You know that friend. The one who smells great, and when you ask what they're wearing, the spout out a name of a fragrance (or brand) you've never even heard of. That's right. They're likely wearing something you can't get at any ol' department store. This set (also available in a mini fragrance set) is perfect because they are well known, but not so common that everyone has them. I like the idea of giving the lotion because it's something you can easily keep in your purse or car without fear of a broken bottle. 

Well, there you have it. Those are my picks this year for holiday beauty gifts. Stay tuned for the next holiday gift guides, which will include my picks for gifts $30 and under and my guide to fun beauty stocking stuffers ($20 or less). 

Comment below and share your thoughts! Happy holidays!

Beauty Haul: The Makeup Show Orlando Part 1

*This post includes press sample products*

So you guys know I recently attended The Makeup Show Orlando. I've posted pre-show announcements. I tweeted. I instagramed. I've even shared a few of the things I learned (don't worry there's more to come on that front). But I haven't shown you yet, and what I'm sure you're waiting to see is what I got while I was there.

Well, the wait it over. This post I'll show you some of the goodies I brought home from the show. But since I went a little crazy (I was at a makeup trade show on payday weekend, what did you expect?), I'm splitting this haul up into a few posts. Product reviews and swatches will follow in posts to come. For now, you get a a sneak peek of all the products I'll be testing and talking about.

Blogger Preview

As a blogger attending the show, the first thing I got to do was attend the blogger preview, where James Vincent, director of artistry for The Makeup Show, showed us some of his favorite items that would be available from the various vendors. He also gave us a goodie bag that included a few of those items in it for us to test out for ourselves. 

Before I share those photos with you, I need so say this: James is a amazing. His personality is magnetic. His passion and enthusiasm for his work is infectious.  And his extensive knowledge is evident when he speaks. During the small amount of time I got to spend listening to him throughout the show, it was clear that he is an incredible educator -- the kind of person that truly captivates his audience when he speaks. 

 Clearly, I'm quite the fan girl.

Now, let's check out the great product recommendations James had for us.

Nars eye paints in Snake Eyes

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm

Temptu Pro S/B Concealer Wheel

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Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow blush in Pravella

Ells Faas Mascara

Mehron Intense Pro Pressed Powder Pigments

Crown Brush zebra tweezers, powder puffs, black kohl eyeliner pencil

Kett Fixx Creme Blush for lips and cheeks in Daiquiri

Senna Cosmetics Brow Fix X in Golden Brown

Xtreme Lashes Glide Liner long lasting eye pencil in Black Pearl

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Stained Gloss in Mein Herr

Cara Cosmetics eye glimmers in Dakota Glimmer

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

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Graftobian Magic Set Mixing and Lining Liquid

Prana SpaCeuticals Organic Hand Sanitizer

Make Up For Ever 202 Brush

T3 Hair Elastics

Cosmetic spatula from Nigel's Beauty Emporium

Stay tuned for my Makeup Show Haul Part 2 where I'll show some of the products I purchased while at the event.

Don't forget to comment to let me know which products you'd like to see me review and swatch first.

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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. 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.”

Review: Stila Stay All Day HD 10-in-1 Beauty Balm

During ULTA's 21 Day's of Beauty, I stopped by to take advantage of the special pricing on the Stila Stay All Day HD 10-in-1 Beauty Balm, which was $20 (reg. $38). I'd seen this product at a few makeup and cosmetics shows (at the same $20 price point because they have special pricing at those types of events) but I'd never really pulled the trigger because I'd had such bland experiences with BB creams so far.

After trying the Garnier BB cream I liked so much (read about it here), I decided that I should give this one a shot, especially since it was on sale. After all, the benefits seemed promising, check them out:

• Innovative microspheres that hide skin imperfections and reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth up to 84% (I don't have wrinkles yet, so this one wasn't at the top of my list, but hey, I'll take it)
• Infused with natural skin protecting antioxidants that increase antioxidant activity by up to 89.7%
• Enriched with tripeptide-37, bamboo, and pea extracts to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Long-wearing HD formula
• Helps reduce pore size and provides oil and blemish control
• Exclusive complex to reduce redness and irritation
• Uses the smallest particle size of coated pigments for seamless, smooth coverage
• Luxurious bauty balm glides onto skin and leaves a silky powdery finish
• Ideal for all skin types and tones
• Oil-free, paraben-free, and dermatologist tested

Sounds good right? Here's what I found while using it:

• The consistency of this product is great. It's creamy and soft and glides on easily. It also feels really nice once it's on, when you touch your skin it feels soft and non-sticky.
• Wearing it throughout the day I found that my skin didn't get oily or shiny, but it didn't provide enough moisture for my forehead, which looked dry. I used a serum underneath to counteract that and it seemed to work fine without causing me to over moisturize and then look oily.
• The coverage is nearly invisible. It helped reduce redness, but not much and small imperfections still showed through. 
• I still have to wear foundation over it, so it just seems like a glorified primer. Definitely not a one-stop product. 
• No SPF makes it great for use in photo shoots (or if you're allergic to SPF its good for you too), but you'll have to remember to apply SPF if you plan on this being an every day product.
• I can see how it would be ideal for all skin tones, since it doesn't really leave much pigment behind. 
• I didn't really notice any reduction in pore size or diminishing of fine lines (and I can't really speak to the wrinkles claim).

Overall, I wasn't a big fan. When I think of a BB cream, I envision a product that can help me skip moisturizer and foundation while also providing skin benefits. This doesn't seem to do all of that. It certainly falls short when it comes to foundation replacement. If I was looking for a primer with all these benefits, then this would be great. I just wish they hadn't slapped it with the beauty balm name to help curb my expectations.

Unfortunately, I have primers that I need to use up before I go and replace them with this product. If all it's meant to be is a great primer, then this performs quite well. I may even consider it for that purpose alone in the future. But otherwise I'm not blown away.

This is going back, so I can spend my money on a different Stila product that caught my eye while I was shopping that day. There's no sense in saving it until I go through my primer because I think it will expire by then. I'd rather just wait until I need it to give it another shot.

Check out my video review to see the beauty balm in action!




Have you used the Stila HD beauty balm? Did you have a better experience that I did? If so, comment about it below, maybe it will help turn someone's opinion around. Did you have a similar experience? Tell me all about that too!

Stila Luxe Palette & Smokey Pink/Berry Eye Tutorial

I purchased the limited edition Stila Luxe palette while at the Makeup Show in Orlando and I really love it. In this video I show you the palette and the colors that come in it, and put together an eyeshadow look using the palette.

The luxe eyeshadow palette comes with nine eyeshadows, most of them quite neutral and useable, and a full-sized smudge stick (in lady killer - a slate grey/pewter liner with purple sparkles).  It retails for $45 and can be purchased at Nordstrom or Stila.

Note: In the video I say that the color Crushed Velvet is a matte black. However, I am wrong. I blame the bright lights in my eye. My original assessment while filming the tutorial section were right, it is a shimmer, but it's a plum shimmer. It's very dark, and can fool you into thinking it might be black, but it's a dark plum-grey shimmer. 

Music by Dan-O at danosongs.com

Comment below and let me know if you'd like to see a tutorial using any of the other colors in the palette.

Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty Gifts under $50

I love holiday time in the beauty industry because of all the great gift sets. It's a great time to get a lot of bang for your buck, try out new products without spending a fortune, and get some stand-by items in pretty sparkling packaging.

In my last post, I showed you some of my picks for gifts specifically at Sephora. This time, I extended my search to other stores for the beauty obsessed on your list.

Gifts under $25

1. Real Techniques brushes ($6-18) - If you've got a beauty lover on your list, chances are, she loves a great makeup brush. Makeup brush quality and prices can range wildly, but you can find some great brushes at great prices. Real Techniques brushes are fantastic and they're available at fair prices. Individual brushes range from $6-10 and brush sets are $18. The brushes are sturdy, have synthetic, soft, taklon bristles, and are cruelty free. Order them online or get them at your local ULTA, they are bound to please.
2. Sonia Kashuk All Out Glam brush set ($24.99) - Check out the sparkles on this gorgeous brush set. It's so festive and perfect for the holidays. Who wouldn't feel like a million bucks when getting glammed up with these makeup brushes? Sonia Kashuk makes great brushes and the best part is their easily accessible at your local Target. 
3. Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Formal Affair face palette ($19.99) - A compact palette that flatters most skin tones is great for on the go. It has a pretty shimmery bronzer, matte pink blush, shimmery coral blush, and four metallic, yet neutral, eyeshadows. Great for the holidays and to use year round. 

Gifts under $50

1. Stila Seeing Stars Smudge Stick waterproof eye liner set ($32) - I purchased this eye liner set for myself at the Makeup Show in Orlando and I love it. Five, long-wearing metallic shades in very wearable colors. Fun to wear and not too in-your-face, for those out there who are color shy. Available at Sephora and ULTA. 
2. Korres Butter Me Up body & lip butter collection ($38) - If you have any natural beauty fans on your list, consider giving the gift of moisture with this Korres gift set that includes three super smooth lip butters (guava, jasmine, quince) and four luxuriously creamy body butters (guava, jasmine, basil lemon, and apple blossom). What it doesn't include: parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Pick it up at your nearest Sephora.
3. Stila Luxe Eyeshadow Palette ($45) - Another palette I purchased at the Makeup Show and absolutely love. It includes nine eyeshadows in neutral, smokey, and bright colors and has a nice mix of matte and shimmer shadows, as well as a smudge stick eye liner in lady killer (a pewter/purple metallic). The shadows are soft, pigmented and easy to blend and has a lot of great go-to every day colors. Available at Nordstrom. 
4. BareMinerals The Star Treatment set ($40) - If you've got a mineral makeup lover on your list (like I do) check out some of the great gift sets BareMinerals has this season. There were too many to include them all, so I chose my personal favorite of their products, their pressed shadows. This particular palette is limited edition for the holidays and it has some gorgeous colors in it. Ten gorgeous shadows to be exact, an eyeshadow brush, and an eyeshadow primer.  You're getting quite the deal, since normally the two-shadow palettes run for $20 and here you're getting five times as many shadows. Available at Sephora. (If you'd like a separate post on all my BareMinerals gift set favorites, just leave me a comment below.)
5. Sephora Favorites Glitz and Glam Party Sampler ($45) - If you have an ultra-glam gal to gift, consider this gift set from Sephora that includes nine of their best-selling products that give you that holiday glow. Three of those products are full-sized items. Give your glam puss a full look and the chance to sample some new goodies. 
6. Lorac Eye Candy Eye Pencil set ($28) - This eye liner set is just functional, it's gorgeous to look at. I'm gushing over it! The golden packaging with rhinestone accents is positively luxe. But it's not just pretty on the outside, it's functional too. The set includes four wearable eye liners in coal (slate grey), licorice (black), cocoa (brown), and plum. Available at ULTA.
7. Lorac Pro palette ($42) - If you know someone who owns and loves the Urban Decay Naked palettes (either of them), surprise them with the new Lorac Pro palette. It's a great neutral palette to add to their arsenal, with 16 gorgeous shadows that are generously pigmented and easy to blend. Use shadows wet or dry to line, define, shadow - creating office friendly and all out glam looks with the same palette. Available at ULTA and Sephora. 
8. MAC Guilty Passion 4 pigment gift sets ($32.50) - Pigments are so much fun! Use them as shadows, apply them on your lips, or mix them into polish -- they're truly versatile. MAC released three new sets of mini pigments this holiday season, but don't let the term "mini" fool you. These are generous minis, with 3g each they'll last you quite a long time. Ask anyone who's ever owned a MAC pigment. They are seemingly endless. My two favorites are the Sweetly Smokey and Tenderly Warm sets. I think Tenderly Warm will give you a great glow the likes you might see in on the pages of Victoria's Secret. Secretly Smokey has some great shades in purple, berry, frosty pink and shimmery taupe. 
9. OCC Lip Tar gift set ($49) - The lip junkie on your list will go nuts over this collection. Five favorite Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics lip tars they can mix and match to create their own unique shade or wear straight out of the tube. The possibilities are endless and the price is right. The tubes of liquid lipstick might look small, but they'll only need a pea-sized (that may even be too much) amount to pretty their pout. Check out my post where I swatch my OCC lip tars here. You can purchase this set from Sephora. 

What are some of your favorite beauty gift sets this year? Are you buying for yourself or to give to others? 

Giveaway: 500 Youtube Subscribers

Here's a giveaway to commemorate having reached 500 subscribers and Thanksgiving.

Rules:
1. Must be 18 years old or have parental permission to enter giveaway.
2. Comment giveaway. ONLY ONE comment per person. Tell me what you are thankful for this year. "Enter me" comments will be result in disqualification.
3. For an additional entry, visit my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/girlythingsbye) and leave a comment on the link to this video (only on the link not on my wall or it doesn't count). Tell me you entered the giveaway and leave your YouTube handle.
4. Contest closes 11/30/12. I will notify the winner via YouTube message (keep an eye on your inbox). Winner has 48 hours to respond or I will choose another winner.
5. Giveaway open worldwide.

The prizes are three Stila eyeshadow trios (Bella, Goddess, Ethereal) and one single eyeshadow (Kitten).

Prize cannot be redeemed for cash. The makers and manufacturers of the items being given away are in no way affiliated with this contest. While I take every precaution to ensure packages are delivered to contest winners, I do not take any responsibility for items lost or stolen during the shipping process once I have confirmed shipment from my end.


FTC disclaimer: None of the products in this video were given to me for the purpose of review or promotion. I purchased the products myself.

Video editing software: iMovie
Music by Dan-O at danosongs.com. Song: En la Brisa

Holiday Gift Guide: Sephora Gift Sets, $30 and under

The holiday season is around the corner and many of us are thinking about what kind of lovely gifts we can give our loved ones to show them a little appreciation. If you have a beauty fanatic on your list this is a great gifting time since so many companies put out great gift sets this time of year.

After perusing Sephora's site, here are my picks for gift set ideas that won't break the bank. All of these can be purchased for $30 or less.

1. Sephora Collection Flashy Eyeliner Set ($16) - I got this set a few years ago and I loved it. Sephora's Flashy eyeliners are fantastic. They're creamy, smudgeable, and waterproof. Once they set, they last all day. They're comparable to the Urban Decay 24/7 liners, at a fraction of the cost. The set includes five travle-sized liners, letting you explore some new fun colors while still providing the neutral stand-bys. Colors included: black, brown, blue, violet, and grey.
2. Stila All is Bright Lip Glaze set ($25) - People who try them, tend to love them. That's why Stila's lip glaze set makes my picks for great gifts under $30, they are bound to please the makeup lover on your list. Stila lip glazes are creamy, colorful, pack high-shine, aren't overly sticky, and smell delicious. This set includes eight lip glazes -- six limited edition shades, and two best-sellers. 
3. Bite Beauty Bite-Size Discovery Set ($25) - This lip set has been teasing me for a few months. I've been wanting it, but haven't gotten it. I may just have an excuse to indulge. The set is portable, a great way to test out a new brand, and includes five shades that great for everyone. I'm totally loving the red one. And the packaging looks sleek and sophisticated, like it belongs to a lady who means business.  Keep these in your purse and always have a shade on hand that compliments your looks - from subtle nudes to a bold red. Great for lipstick lovers of any variety. 
4. Sephora Collection IZAK Mini Lipstick Set ($14) - This lipstick set is fun. Just look at the cute packaging! It's sure to please the beauty gal on your list. And it includes colors that are sure to please. I'm a big fan of Sephora's line of makeup, and I think this is a great way to play with some of their lipsticks. 
5. Clinique Taste of Honey Set ($29.50) - Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick is a cult favorite for a reason. The shade flatters everyone. That super dark lipstick only looks scary, because when you put it on it's more of a pretty sheer raspberry than the gothic dark hue it appears to be. Check it out on me here. The rest of the honey line is just as nice. In fact, I chose a hue for each one of my bridesmaids as part of their bridal party gift. 
6. Sephora Collection Gloss Lab ($25) - Noticing a lip product trend? Yes, well, there seem to be some good lip gifts out there in this price range. Can you blame me for choosing them? This set includes 10 glosses: seven color shades and three top coats (clear shine, glitter, and shimmer). 
7. Sephora by OPI Tinsel Town four piece set ($19.50) - I love the mini nail polish bottles. They are so cute and their portability makes them great for carrying around to fix minor chips. And seriously, when was the last time to actually went through an entire full-sized bottle of nail polish (unless you're a nail tech, and not counting base and top coats)? These colors are fantastic. 
8. Sephora Collection Moonshadow Palette - In the Night ($30) - I love a good eyeshadow palette, and the colors in this one are captivating. A collection of shimmery baked shadows that's great for smokey, neutral, and even some bold looks. Use it wet for bolder color intensity or to use the shadows as liner. The navy blue shade looks absolutely stunning and the packaging looks sleek. Plus, you're getting a good quality product.