Test Driven ::: Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee

All photos by {accordingtoame}

These colorful little jars of awesome have been getting the full workout now for a couple of months, and I am pretty much in L-O-V-E.  

I am not typically a gel or cream blush kinda girl, but I was looking for perhaps a lighter feeling option besides my beloved powdered cheek stains for Summer. Perhaps, something that would stain my cheeks and tolerate sweating, but still feel super light on my skin, and help me scale down the layers I trowel on every morning for the heat and humidity we're already experiencing. Ok were experiencing. It's barely 50 degrees today...

Loving Right Now :::

Images: JosieMaran.com, QVC.com, T3Micro.com, 

Poppin.com, MyItWorks.com, Honest.com. Collage by me

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Powder Foundation

I saw this product pop up on QVC a while back, and saw a few reviews around the web, I think Musings of a Muse did one most recently. It looked very interesting, and I am a sucker for a powder foundation since I don't really want to pile liquid on all over my face.

Because I am a glutton for punishment...another attempt at IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye.

For some reason, probably stupidity, or general awake-ness, I decided that I would give this stuff another go. And I got two colors this time, as if last time wasn't enough with one.  This time around it was only slightly better but still not anywhere near decent enough to keep. This stuff doesn't even cover me on a good day. Or a great day. Or on a DAYUM GIRL YOU LOOK FINE! day.

Coverage was still crappy at best--nonexistent really--and the texture was still gross and sticky, though it did seem to dry down a little more, still not enough to not require mixing again.  The biggest changes--color and packaging differences. The tubes actually felt full this time. That was good. You don't have to squeeze as hard and don't feel like you're just expelling air.

PRODUCT REVIEW/COMPARISON: Smashbox Waterproof Shadowliner Pencils

As you probably read in my original reviews, way back when, I am a lover of the Smashbox Waterproof Shadowliner. Well, I love the real stuff, not these new imposters in pencil form.

In this image below, See: IMPOSTER!

IMPOSTER!

PRODUCT REVIEW: It Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Stain in Pretty in Peony

After reading a few reviews on this around the internet, and seeing a few QVC presentations on it, I finally bit the bullet and picked it up in "Pretty in Peony" because it looked close to my Nars TORRID blush, slightly brighter maybe. And my assessment was really close.

FOLLOWUP ON It! Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye....Its falling into the PASS category.

Photo: QVC.com

I have given this a couple go-arounds now, and even several months before coming back around at it, and I am NOT impressed, not at all. I am wondering what product(s) were actually used on the models on the QVC presentation because the consistency and the total lack of opacity does not jive with the results they showed on the presentation--at all.

UPDATE #1 on It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye--

I FINALLY received this stuff today, it's a long skinny tube that seems like there might be nothing going on but just as a quick test on my hand, it doesn't require much. I see this being like the Mary Kay tubes that last a decade.

Color is good, they were right, this color would suit many complexions. It also came with a double-ended brush, I might give it a whack when I try this stuff out tomorrow morning.

COMING SOON Take 2: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer.

I read about this a few months ago in a magazine, I am thinking it might have been Lucky, sometime in the last say 4 months.  I have also seen it pop up on MakeupAlley a few times, and read a few reviews in the Productville area, then the plethora of youtube reviews, though from what I understand, and what some of them say, the company sent those reviewers the products for free to try.  In order to remain unbiased, I made sure I purchased this myself.  Since I knew it's been on HSN before, and I, of course, missed that presentation, I made sure I hurriedly bought it tonight from QVC since it was a one-time only thing, and I am pretty sure that the price I paid, $23 maybe, includes a nice looking brush.  I BARELY got in on time to get the color I wanted, which QVC called medium, but the company  calls Neutral Medium. For once it appears I am NOT the lightest shade in something.  Thankfully my Pre allowed me to buy it online in a hurry. I should have this within a week or so.

I cannot wait to try this out. It looks fantastic, and just watching the presentation on QVC I was pretty impressed. We shall see.  So stay tuned for an initial reaction and I am sure Ill make a followup.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Smashbox Pro Waterproof Second Skin Concealer

Photo: QVC.com

After viewing a particularly compelling presentation of this on QVC last week I finally decided to try it. I know, I know, you're thinking "the models on there have barely any facial failings so of course a concealer will work wonders!" and you're right, and I still bought it, hook, line and sinker. 

CLINTON KELLY for QVC

Last Friday brought the premier of Kelly by Clinton Kelly  for QVC, a line of clothing designed by Clinton from What Not To Wear.  I immediately snatched up the Deep Purple version of this "faux wrap" dress, in sizes Medium, Large and XL just to be safe. I have so far received the Medium and the XL and may be keeping the Medium, unless when the Large arrives it fits well. It's immensely flattering, as I kind of expected it to be. And I love the color. I, like everyone else, am really into the deep purple this fall. Which is a nice change from my blue, teal and green closet.   It actually makes that gigantic fail of a "mothers apron" on the front of me look less grotesque, and for that I am pleased.  I figure it might be a good wedding guest dress.  Here is the multi-color  version from the QVC site.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Cover Girl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Brown

Photo: Covergirl.com

I think the color actually has a real name but BROWN is really what it is. A really deep dark chocolate brown.

Usually I line my eyes with just the Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner that I got from QVC, but lately I have been trying to oomph it a little, possibly in part due to my Kim Kardashian makeup love. So I started lining my eyes with a dark brown pencil along the lashes before adding the Smashbox. Though some days I go a little beyond and look like a hooker. But that's not exactly a terrible thing.