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Looking for a blog about makeup, skin care, fashion, reviews & random ramblings? Well my friend, you've come to the right place.
Showing posts with label swatches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swatches. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Essence Cosmetics Review

First post since getting back to reality...ahem...I mean, back from vacation :) I was sent 3 items that are new to Essence Cosmetics to try out about a week before my trip.  I decided to save them and take them with me to use during our vacation! I hadn't heard of this brand before and did some research, I was LOVING their prices and especially loving the fact that they DO NOT test on animals!!!!!!! I just wish my small little town had a place that sold them! You can purchase Essence Cosmetics products from Ulta, HEB & Fred Meyer! 

First item is their new Get Big Lashes Volume Boost Mascara ($3.49)...I was skeptical. I don't usually wear waterproof mascara because it's so difficult to get off AND the formula never seems to be as great.  
 Look at the size of the tube compared to the NYC tube! Wow!
 This brush reminds me soo much of Benefit's Bad Gal Lash, it's a very full THICK brush.  
 I was really surprised with this because I'm so picky with mascaras.  First thing I did was get it on my eyelid (DOH) the brush is massive...I usually place the brush at my lash line and wiggle it up, I can't really do that with this brush because it will get on your lid.  You have to be very careful with it! This makes my lashes look very dark & thick.  I didn't notice much lengthening but that's okay with me since I've got the length, not volume.  I used this all week and not once did I notice any flakes (YAY!) I wear glasses 50% of the time so my lashes are constantly touching the lenses causing mascara to flake off.  Removal was just as simple as any other mascara, I used my Indie Lee The Cleanser and it came right off! Another thing that I wasn't used to is that this formula is considered a "wet" formula.  I usually like "drier" mascara formulas, I feel like it helps give me more volume so I was excited that I was able to try a new formula and actually like it!
Essence Cosmetics also has 2 other new Get Big mascaras: Volume Boost $2.99 (non waterproof) & Volume Curl $2.99 (non waterproof) 
I plan on purchasing the Volume Curl to try out when I need a new mascara! Best of both worlds :)

Second item that was sent is their Colour & Shine Eyeshadow in Trip To Venus. This was right up my alley! I love me some shimmer & shine! This leans more on the silvery, frosty side which was perfect because it made an absolutely gorgeous highlighting color! I used it on cheekbones, brow bone & on the inner corners of my eyes. The formula is super smooth with very little (if any) fall out. These remind me of little mini MAC Mineralize Skin Finishes! The pricing makes this easy to obtain all 8 shades! These are at Ulta for $2.99!!!!
 Look at that gorgeous veining! 
Here's a swatch directly on my finger, you can see it does have pink in it, but it's very frosty...almost silver!
 This is swatched onto my hand. When the light hits it right you can see the bit of pink in it! Gorgeous!

The last item is their new Colour & Go Quick Drying Polish.  I was sent the color A Lovely Secret...perfect for spring! It's a really fun creme lavender with hints of dark purple/pink sparkles! I needed two coats for this to completely cover and it did exactly as the name says; dries fast!  These are only $0.99!!! Crazy right! They have some really great colors to add to your collection.

Such a flattering color!

All in all, I am very impressed with this line, the price points make it that much more enticing to me.  It's not often you can find a line that has such affordable prices with amazing quality! I even placed an order online at Ulta so I can try out some more from this brand! 

Until next time,
Marina - mCubed Makeup
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Monday, February 13, 2012

Video Review - MAC Viva Glam Nicki Review & Swatch




This item has been purchased by me, with my own money. 

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Video Review - SFRBeauty Pt 2 Bella Pierre Get The Look Kit & Nail Varnish



This item was sent for review by the manufacturer or by the PR firm that works on behalf of the manufacturer.  I earned no monetary compensation from said manufacturer nor did it in any way influence my opinion.
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Video Review - SFRBeauty Pt 1 Bella Pierre Eye & Brow Kit - Mica Beauty Shimmer Powder




This item was sent for review by the manufacturer or by the PR firm that works on behalf of the manufacturer.  I earned no monetary compensation from said manufacturer nor did it in any way influence my opinion.
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Monday, January 30, 2012

Swatches & pictures of SauceBox Cosmetics



So it was one crazy week/weekend and I'm finally getting a chance to sit down and catch my breath...whew!

I stumbled upon SauceBox about 2 weeks ago and LOVED their colors and a big plus was that their prices were very affordable.  I e-mailed Alla about ordering some items, I ordered the Bold Effect Eyeshadow in Lagoon, Blush in Hyper & Oil Free Pressed Powder in Dream.  Alla told me she would be more than happy to send a few extra items for me to review on my blog.  She was so helpful and super sweet...plus she was very prompt in responding.

I was so excited to find my box of goodies from SauceBox Cosmetics, I opened the box and squealed with joy when I saw the awesome packaging...seriously cool stuff! She also added a Bold Effect Eyeshadow in Queen Bee, Blush in Cocktail, mascara, LumiShine Lip Gloss in Lighten up & Whimsy. I seriously couldn't wait to open everything!  It had to sit a few days because of my busy schedule (boo!) but I finally got a chance to take some pictures and swatches!
All the items in their awesome packaging! It rocks!

All of the items out of their packaging


Bold Effect Shadow in Lagoon & Queen Bee (L-R)
Bold Effect Shadow swatch on dry skin (L-R) Lagoon & Queen Bee
Blush in (L-R) Sea Shell & Hyper
Blush in (L-R) Seashell & Hyper
LumiShine Lip Gloss in (L-R) Whimsy &  Lighten Up
LumiShine Lip Gloss in (L-R) Whimsy & Lighten Up

LumiShine Lip Gloss in (L-R) Whimsy & Lighten Up
Oil-Free Pressed Powder in Dream

I will be using all of the products and posting a review ASAP...but I can already tell I am now a SauceBox fan! 

Until next time,
Marina - mCubed Makeup
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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Swatches & Review of Inaz Cosmetics

Morning world! Halfway through the week, although it does feel like a Monday! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day so far.

A few weeks ago on Facebook I discovered a brand called Inaz Cosmetics.  I was reading all of this feedback on their Facebook wall and I knew I had to try them out.  Their ordering system is not like a traditional online store...with Inaz, you look through the Facebook albums and then e-mail your order.  It was pretty neat because it was a whole different kind of customer service, I was able to ask any questions I had!  Amber, one of the creators of Inaz Cosmetics was super sweet, prompt and very helpful.  I ordered 6 sample colors: Lila, Omena, Reptar, Silver Mist, Zen & Merlin.  When my order came I noticed there were 3 extra colors, Pixie Dust, Twilight & Chlora.  It definitely made my day! The best part of it was that I had been debating over Chlora and Reptar but this way I was able to try both!

As far as loose pigments go, I usually don't wear them everyday because when I do use them, I only use them wet and sometimes that just doesn't go with the look I want that day.  I use these more on my clients and the times on myself when I want that extra POP & SPARKLE!

These went on very smooth and blended super easy, when put on wet it is just insane how pigmented and gorgeous these are! These stayed on VERY well! The color is very intense! I used my MAC 239 to apply these.
Top to bottom: Silver Mist, Omena & Lila applied dry
Top to bottom: Silver Mist, Omena & Lila applied wet
So as you can see, they look so much more vibrant when applied wet.
Top to bottom: Pixie Dust, Chlora & Reptar applied dry
Top to bottom: Pixie Dust, Chlora & Reptar applied wet
I wasn't able to get Zen, Twilight & Merlin to swatch dry, they were just not having it! But you can see how fabulous they look wet.
Top to bottom: Merlin, Twilight & Zen applied wet
I use a mixing medium from The Body Needs which you can purchse here. You can use Visine or water, but I've just always used their mixing medium.  I have heard Visine works really well!

I really hope you try Inaz Cosmetics out, they have so many amazing colors to choose from and you won't be disappointed.

Until next time,
Marina - mCubedMakeup

Links: 
Inaz Cosmetics - https://www.facebook.com/Inazcosmeticsfan
The Body Needs - http://www.thebodyneeds2.com/TheBodyNeeds_Mixing_Medium_p/tbn-mixing%20medium%2015.htm
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