Rimmel London BB Cream

Rimmel BB Cream

Rimmel’s new BB Cream Skin Perfecting Super Makeup has launched in the US. (Yippee!) I've most recently seen displays for this new Spring 2013 launch in Ulta. Thanks to Rimmel, I got to check this little baby out a few weeks early.

So far I’ve seen it in three total shades however, I understand that the launch in the UK included only two. Colors include Light, Medium, and Medium/Dark. I was sent the shade Medium and it is a perfect match!

The container is a 1 oz size with a very budget friendly price of around $5-$6. I've noticed that Rimmel products tend to be slightly pricier at Ulta when compared to Target.

As with most BB Creams released here in the US it is a tad disappointing if comparing it to a true Asian BB. With that said, if viewing it as a tinted moisturizer/multi-purpose lightweight foundation, I'm in love. Rimmel markets it as a 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Make Up BB Cream. It claims benefits including lightweight coverage designed to prime, mattify and moisturize, minimize the appearance of pores, conceal blemishes and protect the skin with SPF 25.


Check out my initial product reaction in the video below:

If you can get past the “BB Cream” name, the formula is absolutely lovely. If you are going into this purchase never having tried an Asian BB Cream, you will likely love how weightless and smooth a texture this has. It has a nice light-medium coverage that can easily be built up in troublesome areas. The formula claims to conceal and although I'm not sure I would go as far as covering a large blemish, it did a nice job camouflaging my fading acne scars.

This is a light, creamy almost mouse-like texture that reminds me a little of a lighter coverage Revlon Colorstay Whipped Mouse (one of my favorite foundations). with a delicate satiny dry down on skin. It evens out skin tone, blends very easily, and offers a bit of moisture during first application, however with my substantially dry cheeks, I did feel the need to apply moisturizer ahead of time. Coverage is sheer, but buildable, so it can perfect skin coloration and help ease some minor redness. It won't, however hide or conceal major issues such as dark spots, heavy redness on cheeks or face (such as rosacea) and acne.

The makeup settled nicely on my skin and didn't accentuate flaky areas (I have dry/combination skin). It has a smooth, slightly satiny appearance once dry and looks like I’m not wearing makeup at all. The lasting power was not quite as powerful as it claimed, though I was able to wear it for several hours before even thinking about blotting my slightly oily areas or applying powder. I have since adapted my routine when wearing this to setting it with powder (I love Rimmel's Stay Matte translucent powder) from the very beginning. Using a powder has extended it's lasting power immensely. If worn on oily skin, I can't foresee any specific issues, but be warned that the matifying properties aren't spectacular.

After a few weeks of wear, I'm in love ❤

Overall, Rimmel's Beauty Balm is an awesome tinted moisturizer with a sheer, but buildable coverage. The fairly substantial sun protection factor (SPF 25) is appreciated especially when compared to several other drugstore competitors. The active sunscreens include Octisalate (4%), Octionaxate (4%), Octocrylene (2%) and Avobenzone (3%). If you’re in the market for a weightless coverage that will perfect already decent skin, this is an excellent way to get a natural makeup look. However, those seeking the anti-aging, skin enhancing and highly pigmented coverage of a traditional Asian-style BB might feel this missed the mark. As far as the tidal wave of recent Western beauty balms, this one is so far my favorite.

Find this BB at your local Ulta or Ulta.com for $6.99.

Have you checked out Rimmel's newest addition? What did you think? What is your favorite BB?

Love always,

DIY Chevron Nails

The chevron pattern has taken over the beauty and fashion world. It is a craze that I am more than happy to join. It's such a classic print that can be added to anything for a fun, girly, artsy vibe.





Chevron nails are one of my favorite ways to add this trend into my daily look. It's simple, chic, and über cute. Here's what you'll need:
• Base coat (Ulta basecoat)
• Top coat (Seche Vite)
• Bright main color (Wet n Wild Megalast heatwave)
• Metalic color ( I used two: Sally Hansen Gilty Pleasure and Wet n Wild Glamorous)
• White polish ( OPI Alpine Snow)
• Black polish ( Sinful Colors Black on Black)
• Tape
• Zigzag craft scissors or pinking shears

Watch the video below for a step-by-step tutorial:

Chevron nails. Book is: Strange Fruit by Rey Otis

What do you think of the chevron trend? How do you like to wear it?

Love always,

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Show Off Mascara

Rimmel Scandaleyes Show Off Mascara

The Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara is my very first mascara from Rimmel London. I love many of Rimmel's products, and was delighted when they sent me this product to sample and review. Although I'm still searching for my HG mascara, this is one I'm definitely happy to have added to my makeup arsenal.

Mascara Wand

The packaging of this mascara is particularly adorable. It comes in a raspberry purple tube with the Rimmel crown logo on the top of the cap. The logo gives it a more girly and fun feel. I always appreciate it web a brand puts a little effort into their packaging. It makes me want to put things on full display.

According to Rimmel, this is the first mascara that combines both lash plumping and defining bristles with a unique play-ball brush. The flat, more traditional side plumps lashes, while the ball shaped tip is meant to lift and curl the lashes.
The bristles are made of the ever popular rubber, almost comb-like material. Personally, I much prefer a more traditional style brush, however, the amazing little ball tip is absolutely PERFECT for grabbing the lashes in your outer corner and fanning them out like no ones' business.

Mascara tube

The formula is infused with collagen and keratin to help pump up the volume. It has also been ophthalmologist tested showing it to be suitable for sensitive eyes. Rimmel claims this particular mascara to be both flake and smudge proof. The volume-boosting effects are definitely apparent, however I didn't find my lashes to appear significantly longer. They took on a very nice girl-next-door look. My lashes stayed soft, ad had no unwanted crunching or flaking. I wore this for an extremely long girls' night out and can attest to these claims. Not a raccoon eye in sight, which makes me a happy girl.

Top: Before
Bottom: After

Left: Before
Right: After

Overall, if you are looking for a mascara that is going to give your lashes a natural, but significantly enhanced look, this is a wonderful mascara. If you are looking for a mascara that is going to give your lashes a ton of length along with thickness, you might not enjoy this mascara as much.

You can find Rimmel London
Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara for
$6.99 at Ulta or your local drugstore.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Show Off Mascara

Have you tried this mascara? What did you think?

Love always,










Disclaimer: All products mentioned on this site were purchased by myself unless otherwise stated. I am not affiliated with any brand or company, nor do I receive any payment for my posts unless stated. Any, and all, opinions voiced on this blog are my own. I attempt to deliver honest and thoughtful opinions on all subjects.

 

Lorac Pro Palette Review and Swatches

LORAC PRO Palette

Happy New Years! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season. Today we'll be going over one of my favorite goodies that Santa delivered: 

the LORAC PRO Palette.

Let's just get this out of the way: I'm a bit of a sucker for a good neutral eyeshadow palette. And since this fit the bill, it was right at the top of my Christmas wish list.

❤  It was love at first sight. ❤

 But I'm jumping ahead of myself...

Left side: matte Right side: frost

This little gem comes in a slightly textured,satiny, black case that closes magnetically. I really love the sleekness of it. Just be aware that it attracts dirt/dust/fallout much like NARS packaging. It's around 1/4" smaller than the Urban Decay Naked palette length and width wise. Happily, the Pro is almost half as thick as the Naked palette, making it much more travel worthy. It has a long rectangular mirror under the lid that is plenty large enough to do your makeup on-the-go or while traveling. There's also a clear plastic sheet included as a barrier between the mirror and shadows. I've elected to keep mine, as it helps minimize the dirty look.

The layout of the shadows may be my favorite part of this palette. Two rows of eight shadows are arranged from light to dark, with matte colors on the top, and shimmer/frost below. This makes navigating and finding the exact color you want much simpler. The standout feature of this palate, in my opinion, is the equal number of frost and matte colors. One of my biggest qualms with the UD Naked palettes (both the original and #2) is the high proportion of shimmer shades. I have nothing against shimmer, but having and equal amount of each, in a large range of colors, makes the Pro a much more versatile palette.

Right side of palette.

Left side of palette.

The majority of the colors are neutrals, however there are a few fun shades to play with. Namely garnet (a fun shimmer red,) and deep purple (a dark aubergine shimmer).

The formulation of the matte colors was quite nice. They aren't the silkiest shadows I've ever come across, but they are smooth enough, and extremely pigmented. The shimmer shades are exceptionally creamy. They glide on like a dream and have the same high quality pigmentation as the matte colors. There is a fair amount of fallout, but a quick tap of the brush fixes this little issue.

Top Row: White, Cream, Taupe, Light Pink,
Mauve, Sable, Espresso, Black

Bottom Row: Nude, Champagne, Gold, Light Bronze,
Pewter, Garnet, Deep Purple, Slate

At a quick first glance, many of the colors could be seen as dupes for the original UD Naked palette. I couldn't find many true individual dupes. As a whole, this palette won't replace UD's Naked. There are, however, many colors that can easily be substituted for one another.
The list below is not dupes, but rather viable substitutions.

❤ Lorac Taupe: UD Buck
❤ Lorac Pewter: UD Toasted
❤ Lorac Mauve: UD Tease

❤ Lorac Nude: UD Sin

❤ Lorac Slate: UD Gunmetal
❤ Lorac Gold ( slightly peachy): UD Half Baked (more of a true yellow toned gold)

❤ Lorac Black: UD Blackout

The last part is a lovely little tube of primer that comes with the palette. The consistency is extremely similar to Tarte's Clean Slate 360° Creaseless eye primer, in that it is a creamy formulation. It helps to prevent creasing and colors to stay on, but doesn't seem to affect the pigmentation of the shadows. In the end, I still seem to gravitate towards my MAC Paint Pot.

Lorac Behind The Scenes
Eye Primer

Overall, I am extremely pleased with this palette. The consistency of the shadows are on par with what you'd expect from a high end company, and the neutral colors allow for daily use. Because of its large percentage of matte colors (when compared with UD's Naked palette) I would recommend the Lorac Pro. I have already gotten a ton of use out of this little baby in the few weeks since receiving it. The Lorac Pro palette is quickly becoming my new favorite (as far as neutral palettes go).

The Lorac Pro Palette retails for $42 anywhere Lorac is sold.

Let me know how you feel about this palette and why your favorite neutral palette is!



Love always,








Disclaimer: All products mentioned on this site were purchased by myself unless otherwise stated. I am not affiliated with any brand or company, nor do I receive any payment for my posts unless stated. Any, and all, opinions voiced on this blog are my own. I attempt to deliver honest and thoughtful opinions on all subjects.