Review: N.Y.C. City Duet in "Upper Zest Side"

You have NO Idea how Excited I was when I finally found Upper Zest Side at my Local Sears' new cosmetic section. I've wanted this for ages, so I could FINALLY complete my rainbow look that I've wanted to do for years, but I could never find this in my local drugstores. They seemed to have every city duet Available, but this. Probably because this  wouldn't sell much since it's too "Out there" for most people.

Retail Price: $3-4

Amount: 1.9 g/ 0.07 oz

Available Colors: Upper Zest side, Island Sunset, Bowling Green, Yankee Blues, NYC Times

What is it? Eyeshadow Duo

Texture: They have two different textures. The Yellow for instance is soft, but NOT so soft that there will be fallout. The orange feels hard and slightly gritty in the pan, BUT It doesn't feel that way applying it at all.  The application of these were also very nice, no fallout or chalkyness.

Applicator: It comes with a very small double sided sponge-tip applicator. I would typically trash them (as do most people), but I think these would make a pretty good smudger, since it's smaller and more rubbery compared to other sponge tips. So I'm going to let it stick around.

Packaging: It's made out of lightweight plastic. Not too flimsy, but not exactly sturdy. It also wouldn't be hard to store because its flat and rectangular.

Swatched once

Pigmentation: As you can see these don't have the greatest pigmentation, but they are build-able and you can easily make them pigmented by using a primer or base. Although it isn't that pigmented, I still love it considering from my experience drugstore yellow and orange eyeshadow are NEVER pigmented.

Color One by One:

Yellow(Lid): Matte Standard Yellow. Soooo hard to find a yellow eyeshadow that doesn't veer off to gold.

Orange(Crease): Matte Standard Orange.

Side note: Does anyone else think that the Standard Colors are hard to find? Ironic huh?

Overall: 

4 of 5

Minus one for pigmentation, but I would definitely buy more City Duets when I get the chance. I'm just sooo happy I got to complete my rainbow look right in time for Day of Silence.

  

At first I thought that I'd never even think about wearing Upper Zest Side like this in public because the color combination doesn't seem appealing, but the more I look at it the more I'm liking it, so I may.  Plus I mean if I've wore rainbow eyeshadow out I should have no problem wearing this, right?

Free~ Mario Badescu Samples

I was sooo excited when I found this yet again sprawled on my coffee table ( >___> Thanks again Mom) after a month of waiting.
 
I'm no way affiliated with this company in any way, shape or form. I Just want to get the word out that if you've want to try Mario Badescu and unaware you can receive a couple of free samples just by signing up to their website and taking a quiz about your type of skin. They will then in a week or so send you a list of product that suite your skin type.

These are the product they sent me(which weren't all the same products they recommended) and their claims:

~Special Cucumber Lotion
Refreshing, disinfecting and deep cleaning astringent that is effective in drying up existing acne blemishes while preventing new eruptions. Sulfur and soothing Cucumber based, acne fighting formula that is non-drying and non-irritating. 

~ Drying Cream
Acne cream that conceals! Drying Cream is an effective treatment to dry up small under the surface bumps and pimples. Just a few dabs smoothed on the erupted areas prevent pimples from getting larger and spreading out of control. Aloe rich cream conceals and heals erupted pimples.

~Hyaluronic Eye Cream
Hyaluronic Acid formula helps lock in the skin’s own natural moisture without the use of heavy, greasy oils. Absorbent, medium weight cream for use day or night. Aloe based formula makes this cream suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.

~Collagen Moisturizer (SPF-15)
Maintain Healthy Skin. Ultra-lightweight, daily moisture and moderate sun protection all-in-one. Collagen-rich formula protects skin from moisture loss and keeps skin smooth, plump and healthy without the use of heavy oils.

~Healing & Soothing Mask:
Control irritation and redness caused by acne. A great companion product to our Drying Mask that balances out redness and acne irritated skin. Non-hardening and effective for very sensitive or dry skin types with acne. Contains soothing Balsam Peru, a natural, anti-inflammatory ingredient. 

~Enzyme Cleansing Gel:
Our Best Selling Daily Cleanser. This non-foaming, gel cleanser thoroughly removes the day’s make-up, dirt and oil without drying the skin. Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts are exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids that help prevent dulling build-up that can cause blackheads and pimples.

Review: Maybelline Waterproof Ultra Liner

This Product sure brings back memories. This was the second Makeup item I've EVER bought in my life. Impressive thing is that I still use it to this day, about 5 years later(Not the same one of coarse XD). This is my second purchase of Maybelline's Ultra Liner.

  

Claims~: 

"Why You'll Love It

• Waterproof liquid liner delivers all-day wear
• No skipping, no smearing
• Precision brush for perfect application
• Safe for sensitive and ophthalmologist-tested

• Contact lens safe"

Retail Price: $4-7

Amount: 0.25 fl. oz/ 7.3 mL

Available Colors: Black & Dark Brown

What is it? Liquid Eyeliner

Close up of the applicator.

The Type of Applicator: It comes with is a thin brush that really isn't Ideal for beginners, but with practice it'll get easier. Despite many people hating this applicator, for some reason I prefer this over felt tips and was pretty good at applying it to my eye when I was a makeup Newbie. 

Intense Rubbing Test: As you can see from the before and after, virtually nothing happened. No fading or smudging. No matter how hard I tried to, this sucker wouldn't come off. 

Color: As Black as you could possibly have. Be warned all you matte lovers, this does dry into a glossy or satiny finish.

Staying power: Absolutely AMAZING and when they say Water-proof, they MEAN Water-proof. I've went to beaches, pools and even water parks and this stuff did not Budge. This would be great to have if your on a swim team, in sports or have a gym class in general. The only bad thing about the this is that it won't stay on the waterline. I solve this problem by applying a pencil liner on the water line before applying this and it usually stays on all day, even if the pencil liner is crappy because the the ultra liner will act as a barrier from smudging and bleeding of the pencil liner.

Consistency: Obviously liquidly, as should all liquid liners be. It drys pretty fast and into a plastic-y like state, which is why it probably water-proof. Although because its plastic-y it will start flaking after 8 hours, but not exactly flaking off, unless you rub your eyes.

~Tip: Since its plasticy it maybe a bit difficult to take off, so I suggest soaking a cotton pad or something in makeup remover or just plain water and holding it onto your eye for a minute to soften it up

Product Amount: My first one lasted me for a little over a year and a half with consistent every day use! So I think it a fantastic price for the amount you pay for.

And here it is, all by its lonesome.

Overall: 

3 out of 5

Minus two because of the flaky-ness and the tough application, but this will forever hold a spot in my Makeup collection.

Review: Wet n' Wild Coloricon Singles

I'm seriously in love with these Wet n' Wild singles. I've had them for a Pretty long time now(at least Brulee and Nutty), for approximately a year. I've pretty much  used the heck out of these, so I do think these deserve a long awaited review.

 As you can see, you can hardly see the swirly design in Brulee anymore. Plus *gasp* did I hit pan or no?

The Swatches:

Retail Price: $2

Amount: 0.06 oz/ 1.7 g

Available Colors: Brulee, Nutty, Envy, Lagoon, Kitten, Penny, Sugar

What is it? Pressed Eyeshadow

*PROS*

~Pigmented and soft, the swatches above was just ONE swipe of each.

~Price: Come on... $2 for that quality <3

~Amount: Good size considering Mac and UD singles are 0.05 oz. whereas these are 0.06 oz.

~Not Chalky

~Smooth, they really do go on like Butter.

~Packaging: Practical. I love how they aren't chunky/ bulky with useless packaging/applicators. Plus they're easy peasy to store.

*CONS*

~Packaging: Not the Cutest. Not the sturdiest. Plus it's inconsistent, some close easier or harder to close/open then others. (Brulee sorta broke a little because of this, but I fixed it after)

~Available colors: There only 7. Well this isn't a con exactly, but I just wish they made more colors. D:

Color One By One:

Brulee: It's a Matte Beige/nude(the only matte of the singles) that is pretty powdery, goes on pigmented, but blends out to become a little sheerer. I use this basically everyday as a highlight color, transition from crease to brow bone, or a wash over the lid to brighten my eyes a bit.

Nutty: Its a Shimmery Taupe (MAC Satin Taupe Dupe), although from a couple of swatches comparisons it looks a tiny bit redder then a "true" taupe, but its hardly noticeable, if at all noticeable. This is my go to color to slap on if I'm in a rush.

Envy: It's a Shimmery Forest Green (MAC Humid dupe). I like using this as a pop of color into my crease with a brown color in the outer V.

Overall:
5 out of 5
Come on for the price, pigmentation, amount and texture, what do you have to lose? You NEED these shadows(brulee especially). I Love everything about these, just wish they made more colors.

Review: ELF Beauty Book "Eye Brights Edition"

I had Never seen these Beauty Books in my drugstore so when I was at my local Ross, and started jumping for Joy, not literally of course, from finding this all by itself in the clearance aisle. To my Surprise, it was still in mint condition and not defiled or broken into bits so I immediaty took it to the cash register and claimed it to be mine.

Here are the main reasons I was SOOOO Pumped for this pallet. It seemed like all the swatches and reviews I've seen on this are nothing but gorgeously pigmented and good. Not to Mention I remember a couple of people saying that most of these colors are Dupes for one of Urban Decay's Book of Shadows. Obviously I am aware that the Quality will most likely not rival the Urban Decay shadows at all, BUT considering that I am way too broke to afford one of those, this was the closest I'd ever get to owning one.

That being said here's my Opinion on this:

 Although I myself never use these little guide things because I rather experiment myself, I do thing this would be rather useful for beginners.

I'll explain the dig marks in a second.

Now for the Swatches:

Retail Price: $5, but I got it for $4.50 at Ross.
Amount: 0.85 oz.
Available colors: Eye Brights Edition, Neutral Eye Edition, Smokey Eye Edition
What is it?: 12 Eyeshadows, 1 Eyeliner pencil, 1 sponge tip applicator

So when I got Home, the first thing I did was wash my hands(Germaphobe) so I could start swatching this baby as soon as I can and BOY was I SOOOOOO disappointed. >______<'

Four these are Utter duds and the colors that I thought were going to amazing were horribly sheer. As you can see The first 3 of the TOP row going left to right and the first shadow of the second are basically just shimmer, and if you think you see any color its because I repetitively swatched it to try and get a decent swatch. The Medium green, purple, and the Blue with a hint of green and yellow were the colors I was most excited about but they are SO sheer; the green a bit more sheer then the blue and purple though. D;

Don't even get me started on the Sparkly Black. Yes, according to the swatch above your were probably thinking "Holy Cow! That Black looks so pigmented!" or "But this pallet can't be that Bad.. The Black looks Awesome. D:" am I right? But Nope. At first swatch it is a chalky Balled up mess. It wasn't until I rubbing my finger back and forth a few times, for the black you actually see of there.

 Thanks goodness that NOT ALL of the colors are useless. The Brown, Taupe(very top right) and the Red are delightful, not the most pigmented but workable none the less. In the Okay-ish range is the silver in the bottom left corner. The Silver is the most interesting or unique of the colors in my opinion because although its chalky and all, on close inspection it has multicolor glitters.

NOW, onto describing the textures of these shadows. The majority of them just feel like your  running your fingers across them and flattening them out and still not getting any product off. Because the texture was odd I decided to use a brush to see if that would help any and yes, it got some product out, but you were also digging the product out too(Explanation to the nicks and marks). The only the ones I mention in the paragraph before this didn't have that texture and you could get the shadows onto you finger/brush easily.

The Black Pencil Eyeliner: I guess it'd be Okay if your a beginner, BUT I wouldn't suggest you use it considering its feels like it would easily smudge.

Overall:
1 out of 5
Maybe I just got a bad one, but I'm definitely not going to chance it again. Although there were 3 or 12 eye shadows that were decent, they weren't even THAT good. :T A total waste of my 5 bucks, of which I could've spent on the Wet n' Wild palettes that I know are good quality. To also point something out, even though is was a Dud in my book for ELF Cosmetics, It doesn't mean I don't like the company. There are many of their products that  I do like and stuff I want to try.

Despite the fact that I don't like this palette much at all, I still created a look using it.