Friday, February 10, 2012

Milani Mineral Blush swatches...and a few other goodies from my CVS clearance haul.


Here are the Milani Mineral Blush swatches that I promised! I paid less than $2 for each blush because of the 75% off Milani clearance sale happening NOW at CVS! Before you read any further, you may want to rush over to your local CVS and purchase these. At such a bargain price, you really can't go wrong, and they certainly won't last long on the shelves.

Well, enough with the chit-chat! Let's get to the pictures!


Top left: Sunset Beach, Top right: Mai Tai
Bottom left: Luminous, Bottom right: Sweet Rose

Sunset Beach (matte terra cotta)

Mai Tai (matte coral with reddish pink tones)

Luminous (pink-toned peach with golden shimmer)

Sweet Rose (matte rosy mauve)









As you can see, each blush comes in a compact with a flip-up pan under which is a mirror and brush.




Left to right: Luminous, Sunset Beach, Sweet Rose, Mai Tai

You can see the slight golden shimmer of Luminous here. Gorgeous!

In addition to the blushes, I picked up a few other clearance items.

Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner in Charcoal, HD Advanced Concealer in Light, nail polish in Tropical Fiesta




(For some reason, the eyeliner swatch isn't showing up true to color. It is a pretty graphite grey color.)

Friday, February 3, 2012

A Budget-Friendly Way to Store Your Makeup Brushes...And an Even MORE Budget-Friendly Way to Store Your Makeup Brushes!



I saw these super cute cardboard baskets in the dollar section of Target the other day, and thought they would be perfect for storing makeup brushes. Target has several patterns available, if the black and white print isn't your thing. Just add rice to the basket and voilĂ ! You have an inexpensive makeup brush holder! Only $1...you can't beat that!



Or can you??? Here's the makeup brush holder I was using prior to purchasing the cardboard baskets at Target.



This one was FREE! Well, I paid a couple of dollars for the Chinese take-away soup that came in it, but after a thorough washing, the container worked GREAT for storing brushes. If you can't afford, or can't find, a suitable decorative container for storing your brushes, there's nothing wrong with a little creative repurposing courtesy of your local Chinese restaurant!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Skincare Quickie: Have you seen this?


Whilst browsing beauty blogs and youtube videos, I've come across a few that, believe it or not, recommend using non-toxic school glue as a substitute for Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. I'm a home school mom (who always has a supply of school glue on hand) and extremely budget-conscious, so dubious as I was, I decided to give it a go!

And you know what? It didn't even work. At all. I spread a relatively thin layer of school glue on my nose, waited until it dried, and then peeled it off. I have to admit that the peeling part was fun...like peeling a sunburn, but other than that, it was a complete waste of time. It did tingle/burn a bit while I was waiting for it to dry, and since no actual pore cleansing seemed to take place (according to the lack of evidence on the "strip" after it was peeled), I'm a bit apprehensive as to what, if any, effects or irritation may show up on my skin later.

School glue on my face? Yes, I went there. And now, you don't have to!




(Ok, I could not resist posting a pic of Miss Lippy. If you haven't seen Billy Madison, then never mind... :-) )

Saturday, January 21, 2012

e.l.f. Studio Mascara Primer and Mineral Infused Mascara


I debated on whether or not to do additional experimentation with this combo before blogging about it, but since I promised I'd have it up this week, I'm going to go ahead and give you my initial impressions of e.l.f.'s Studio Mascara Primer and Mineral Infused Mascara (which is also in the "Studio" line, and not in the "Mineral" line, as the name may imply).

I'll start with the Mascara Primer. According to the e.l.f. website, "Lengthen and volumize eyelashes instantly with this Mascara Primer. Revitalize lashes with Pro-Vitamin B5, Hydrolyzed Wheat and Soy Protein-enriched formula. An excellent conditioning base for mascara. Coat each lash with this nourishing primer for lashes that appear naturally thicker, longer and stronger!" Mascara primer ingredients are listed on the e.l.f. website as well. They are: Water (Aqua), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cera Carnauba (Carnauba) Wax, Synthetic Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, PVP, Triethanolomine, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Pantheno (Vb5), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein.

The packaging is...interesting. The wand handle is really long in comparison to the part that actually contains the primer. It is the opposite of most mascaras, including the Mineral Infused Mascara (as you can see in the picture). I don't think it's that important, but I find worth mentioning that you seem to get a lot less product in the primer than you do in mascara itself.

The applicator portion of the wand is your typical spoolie-type applicator. It's not terribly dense. I would have preferred a silicone-type brush. The widely-spaced spoolie seemed to separate my lashes into little groups. Without an eyelash comb, I'd have about 10 big eyelashes instead of a several dozen thinner ones, if that makes sense.

Personally, I have relatively long lashes anyway, but mine are completely straight. No matter how long they are, with or without mascara, you cannot see them on my face unless they are curled. I did curl my lashes prior to applying the primer...and they fell completely flat as soon as the primer was applied, which was disappointing. It added length, especially when combined with the mascara, but didn't really add much volume.

I know this seems like a negative review, but I don't completely dislike this product. I think it is just going to take some getting used to, and perhaps, a change in the way I'm applying it. I like the ingredients list, and I want to give it a chance to perhaps work a little long-term magic, like the "lash-conditioning" claims describe. I am definitely not counting the Mascara Primer out and will keep you all updated on my opinion of this product after a few weeks of use.

On to the Mineral Infused Mascara. The e.l.f. website claims, "Mineral Infused Mascara creates fuller, healthier looking lashes. It enhances lashes for a naturally thicker and more volumized look. The long-wear formula and unique silicone brush creates clump free and defined lashes that last all day." The ingredients listed are: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cera Carnauba (Carnauba) Wax, Synthetic Beeswax, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, PVP, Triethanolamine , Triacontanyl PVP, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491 , CI 77492 , CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742).

The packaging is nothing unique, in my opinion, but I like it. The silicone brush is good; the little silicone "fingers" are a bit shorter than my Cover Girl Lash Exact, but they do the job. It really defines each lash. The formula is slightly wetter than I prefer, but overall, it is a nice mascara. I tried it over the previously mentioned primer and also by itself. It doesn't really hold curl as much as I'd like, either, but it leaves my lashes very soft and natural looking. It adds length, but no real volume that I can see. The staying power is good, and while it isn't a waterproof mascara, I didn't have "raccoon eyes" by the end of the day. It was also very easy to remove with just facial cleanser and water. (CG Lash Exact Waterproof...not so much...but that's another blog entirely...)



Here is a picture of the combination of the primer and mascara on my eye. I have makeup on, but NO eyeliner, so you can clearly see the full effect of the combo.

I need to use them for a few more weeks to know for sure, but at this point, I'd say I would probably repurchase the primer, but perhaps not the mascara. Neither one really impressed me initially, but I would continue to use the primer, just to take advantage of its vitamin- and protein-enriched ingredients.

As far as appearance, even with the combination of the two products, I didn't get the "wow" factor for which I was looking. I'm planning on using this as a daytime combo for now. However, if you like lengthened, yet natural-looking, lashes you may really like it.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Latest e.l.f. shipment is here!



Here's my latest e.l.f. haul! I'm most excited about trying the Wrinkle Refiner, I think, for reasons which will remain unwritten! I'm also excited to try the Mineral Infused Mascara and Mascara Primer, as I've heard good things about both. Will the combination live up to my favorite mascara, L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes? (Beauty Tubes? Really? Worst mascara name ever, by the way...) I haven't worn Double Extend for quite some time because it doesn't usually fit into my budget, so I'm hoping to find a good substitute in the e.l.f. combo.

Oh, and e.l.f. is currently running a "Free Shipping" promotion. Use the code DREAM on orders over $13.50 before midnight tonight (1/16/2012), and get free shipping. Head over to eyeslipsface today only to take advantage of this nice little deal!

Expect my first review (with pics) later this week. Hint: It will be of the mascara combo. ;-)

Saturday, January 14, 2012

I'm back...


...with a new look and concept for my blog. Welcome to the new mickeylush! I've decided to focus exclusively on discussions, swatches, and reviews of cosmetics, facial care, and hair products. There may be an occasional tutorial, but I am not a professional makeup artist and don't claim to be one. I do love to play with makeup, though, and sometimes I'll share the outcome of my experimentation with you!

I'll still throw in a fortune cookie fortune of the day every once in a while (if I don't, that means I've been saving these dozens of fortunes for years FOR ABSOLUTELY NO PURPOSE!). I might have some random blogs here and there, but generally, this page will be makeup-related ONLY.

This probably isn't going to be the deepest, most thought-provoking blog of the Internet. However, I hope to make it fun and at least mildly informative!

In the coming weeks, expect swatches and reviews of e.l.f. cosmetics, Mae Minerals luminizer, FaceFront lip gloss, and the Palmer's facial care line.

Be sure to come back and check it all out!

~M