Makeup Geek MUG Folied Eyeshadows in High Wire and Charmed - Review and Swatched

I'm back with some Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadow reviews. Today, we are going to talk about High Wire, pictured on the left, and Charmed which is on the right above. Normally, these are $10 U.S., but I believe I got Charmed on sale for a few bucks less. Each foiled shadow is 1.8g or 0.064 oz. Where to start? Well the formula of these foiled shadows is very creamy and soft so expect a bit of fallout. Doesn't bother me personally.

High Wire is described as a medium silver with a subtle blue undertone. I actually detect a purple undertone myself. While this may be labelled as more of a cool silver than a warm one, I find that it is a bit on the neutral side and would likely look good on most people. While I find this colour to be fabulous and versatile, the longevity on this shadow is not the greatest. I find within 2 hours it is fading on my lid and within 4 hours it is a whisper of its former self. That is with eyeshadow primer and a cream eyeshadow base underneath it by the way. I do wonder if it would have better staying power over a glitter glue or if I used MAC's Fix + on it. I'll try both and get back to you.

Charmed is described as a muted silvery light olive with taupe undertones and a foiled finish. I have to say that Charmed looks gorgeous in the pan and in the pictures on Makeup Geek's website. I was expecting exactly what they describe it as - silvery olive with taupe undertones. The taupe undertones are barely detectable when it's on your eyelid. I was expecting the taupe undertones to give this shadow a more sophisticated, muted effect. On my eyelids, Charmed looks straight up mint! Nothing like the swatch below nor what it looks like in the pan. I was very disappointed with the actual colour and it looks so gorgeous in the pan too! What a shame. I found Charmed wore longer than High Wire, it was a few hours before it started to fade but like High Wire, I don't find it lasted long enough for my taste. I will have to try to glitter glue and/or Fix +. Please let me know if any of you have tried these other methods and how it turned out.

I have to say that the price of these are awesome and no one else is offering a product like this for this price on the market to my knowledge. If you can just get them to stay on your lid and not melt off, you are golden. Maybe those with drier lids might have more luck than I.

Swatches are below with High Wire on the left and Charmed on the right.

Packaging: 10/10   

Pigmentation: 10/10
Easy to Work With: 9/10
Longevity: 5/10
Colour Stays True: 10/10 once on yes but Charmed is a different colour on than in the pan
Texture: 10/10
Price: 10/10  can't beat it
Ingredients: 10/10
Travel Worthy: 10/10
Attractiveness of Product: 10/10 High Wire and 6/10 Charmed when fresh on lid - 4/10 upon fading
Would I buy this again? YES High Wire if I can find a better way to keep it on and NO Charmed
Overall Rating: 8/10

Colleen Rothschild Balancing Gel Cleanser - Review

I purchased the Colleen Rothschild Balancing Gel Cleanser back in December 2015. As you can see, I haven't quite used half of it yet and I have used it fairly regularly since then. A little goes a long way. I have a lot of thoughts on this product which is why it took me this long to do a review on it. I bought this for $38 U.S. direct from the Colleen Rothschild website. While $38 U.S. isn't cheap, especially given the current exchange rate, I did have a discount code at the time so I saved a few bucks off of the $38.

The bottle has a pump and the pump works well. No waste, no spillage that I have noticed. The bottle itself is 200ml or 6.8 oz. so it's a reasonable size. I like the packaging - simple, clean looking and efficient which is all a cleanser's packaging needs to be. The first thing I noticed about this cleanser when I used it is the smell. It smells very manly to me, like men's cologne. Some people will love the smell for that reason and some will hate it. I am not crazy about the smell, but I have gotten used to it and I hardly notice it anymore. I like a clear, foamy cleanser and this product delivers on that.

I noticed after using this for the first time that my skin was squeaky clean and it just felt like it was breathing more. Hard to explain. Even when I put on makeup, I could feel like my skin was breathing better. I have noticed this phenomenon other times when I have used it, but not each and every time. 

This cleanser is good at removing makeup. It really seems to clean my skin well. My skin is comfortable for awhile after using this and feels soft. However, not sure if its because I'm getting older or if it was because it was winter while I have been using this, but I do notice my skin getting dry and uncomfortable 15-20 minutes after use if I don't rush to apply moisturizer afterwards. So if you have very dry or mature skin, I wouldn't recommend this. I have combination skin by the way.

I noticed after using this for a couple of weeks that my cheeks started to break out. I don't think it was as a result of this product, but I quickly realized that this product was doing nothing to get rid of the problem. I used my Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser and that cleared things up. If I use the two cleansers in rotation, or one in the morning and one at night, the blemishes stay at bay. My point is, while the Colleen Rothschild cleanser isn't hurting my skin, I don't think it has any blemish fighting properties. If you have overall good skin and just want a good, balancing cleanser, this one may the one for you. I don't think it is for me because I don't tend to have good skin and this doesn't help in that regard.   

Packaging: 10/10

Texture: 10/10

Price: 6/10

Ingredients: 7.5/10

Easy to Work With: 10/10  

Travel Worthy: 7/10 (don't think it would leak but it's big)

Deep Cleans: 10/10

Moisturizing: 6/10

Comfortable/Softening: 8/10 at first 4/10 after 20 mins.

Blemish Fighting: 0/10

Smell: 4/10

Would I buy this again? No  

Overall Rating: 7/10 

CoverGirl The Super Sizer Mascara in Black - Review

There's been a lot of buzz about CoverGirl's The Super Sizer Mascara lately. I saw it on sale and thought I'd try it to see if it lived up to its reputation. Where to start. The tube itself is massive and totally unnecessary. I suppose most CoverGirl and Maybelline mascaras are like that. I have "Black" and while it is black of course, I don't find the colour to be a very intense black. It's a bit kettle black. There is a Very Black colour. I wish I would have bought that one but I didn't realize there was a Very Black.

The wand, please see picture below, is a bendy plastic comb type with no bristles. Sometimes I find this type of wand works for me. In the case of this mascara, I wouldn't say so. I really can't seem to get much length from this mascara and very little, if any volume. The only good thing I can say it seems to do is curl the lashes a bit and the curl stays for the most part which is more than most mascaras do.

The ingredient list is not good. I don't understand how drug store mascara companies refuses to get with the times. I guess their cheap chemical cocktails keep costs down. I have noticed that whenever I wear this mascara, I usually find myself rubbing at my eyes. For me, this mascara is somewhat irritating. If you have sensitive eyes, I would stay clear of this one. The formula is a bit wet and it smudges. It doesn't flake though! The Super Sizer is not for me. If this mascara works for you, please leave me a comment below. A lot of people seem to like it, but I can't see why. I have thin, short lashes so maybe if you have medium to long or thick lashes, this works? Don't know.   

Packaging: 3/10

Pigmentation: 5/10

Easy to Work With: 6/10

Longevity: 3/10 it keeps a curl but it smudges and itches

Texture: 2/10 (wet, smells bad and itches)

Price: 8/10 if it was good (but 2/10 for what you get)

Ingredients: 2/10   

Comfort: 1/10 (stings)

Travel Worthy: 6/10 (big)

Smudge Proof: 3/10

Flake and Clump Proof: 6/10

Attractiveness of Product: 3/10

Would I buy this again? HELL NO 

Overall Rating: 3/10

Morphe G2 Pointed Buffer Brush - Review

I put in an order mid-February with Morphe Brushes. This was my first Morphe purchase. I ordered 6 brushes. So far I can tell you I am very happy with their products. I am finding that the quality of their brushes is superior to Sigma Beauty but time will tell. While I have used most of the 6 brushes that I bought, by far I have been using the G2 Pointed Buffer daily and non-stop. This brush is the bomb for applying under eye concealer. For years, I used the Sigma F86 Tapered Kabuki for the under eye area. While that brush was ok and worked fast, this one might be faster to use and it definitely keeps more product in place and provides better coverage. This brush is awesome and if you only buy one Morphe brush, this is the one to pick up.

This brush is normally $27.99 U.S. but I paid $13.99 U.S. for it as it was on sale at the time. I just looked on their website and it is on sale for $13.99 again as I type. I would pay $27.99 for this brush though in a heartbeat. This brush washes up so quickly and dries fast too. It's a dream. The hairs help keep the product on them and not absorbing into them unlike some others in my collection. I also happen to like the gunmetal colour. I have not noticed any tarnishing or chipping or wear on this brush as yet. Fantastic brush!

 

 

Packaging: 10/10

Easy to Work With: 10/10
Longevity: 10/10 (so far)
Easy to Clean: 10/10
Usefulness: 10/10 
Texture/Softness: 10/10
Price: 10/10
Travel Worthy: 10/10 
Overall Rating: 10/10
Would I buy this again? YES! I may even buy another for a back-up.



March 2016 Empties!

This has got to be the saddest empties post I have ever done. Three things, that is all I have for you this month. April has got to be better. May as well get into it.

Beautyblender Blendercleanser Solid Another one of these bit the dust. It was awesome as always. I decided to get a bit frisky and try the liquid version. I am still trying it out so I will have a review on that for you soon enough. Will definitely repurchase.

Tarte Lipgloss This was in a Holiday set a year or so ago. It's become a mission of mine to finish all of them. There were I think 8 of them?! They aren't bad, but they aren't the best lipglosses ever. They don't have names and therefore I could not repurchase or figure out that I could repurchase them if I wanted to. Therefore, I must finish them as they are easy to pop in the purse and they are taking up room in my stash.   

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask Hands down my favourite nonlipstick lip product ever....I am not sure if this was maybe my fourth tube? Bite Beauty finally listened and improved the packaging so it doesn't flake and shred all over the place anymore. Hooray! Already repurchased.

So that's it! Not too exciting this past month. I should have a brush review and a palette review up next. Definitely one should be up by Tuesday.



Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher 21 Plum Gorgeous - Review and Swatch

When I was in University I was into makeup, but nothing like I am into it today. The fact was that I was a lowly student and I didn't have the means to buy high end makeup let alone a ton of drug store stuff. I existed with a couple of Covergirl and Maybelline eyeshadow palettes along with some of L'Oréal's finest mascaras and eyeliners. My lipstick was a collection of Clinique cast-offs that my mother didn't want from her gift with purchase (gwp) bags and a few Revlon ones I had bought here and there. I believe I owed one Covergirl blush at the time and I had bought one Clinique blush in Mocha Pink. I had used up a sample Mocha Pink one my Mom had as a gwp previously and I splurged an bought a full sized one.

Enough yabbing about this. My point is TiffanyD (the woman who gives me far too many makeup purchase ideas) bought this Clinique blush in Plum Gorgeous a few months ago and she said she wore it all through University and it brought back memories. She forgot how good it was. Her saying that brought me back to the memory of Mocha Pink. I even found that very blush in a box I had in my basement recently! I must have been saving it for the sake of nostalgia as it is plenty old now!

So fast forward, I picked up Plum Gorgeous a couple of months back. I forgot how nice Clinique blushes are in terms of how they look on the skin. I really don't think the formula of these has changed in 20-30 years, The formula is still stiff and dry. Not nice to the touch. I remember them feeling this way when I used to poke into my mom's makeup as a child. The packaging has not changed. My old Mocha Pink looks identical to this packaging and I dare not say how old that blush is. All of this being said, Plum Gorgeous sure is a nice colour. It's on the sheer side of things, but it gives a nice touch of colour to the cheeks and it is buildable. It goes with almost all makeup looks and I think most skin tones could wear it. It's a plum nude. Best way I can describe it. This blush may be best suited for those with cool tones in their skin.

I have been wearing this one quite a bit lately. I find it applies a little streakier than many other comparable blushes, but its easy to fix and doesn't bother me a ton. It is noticeable though. Just keeping it honest. I would buy another Clinique blush for sure, maybe give Mocha Pink another go. As far as colour goes, I think Clinique does an awesome job at blushes. As far as application, packaging and texture go, there are far better options on the market. This blush is $28 Canadian and $22 U.S. for 0.27 oz. or 7.6g which is generous. Considering what some blushes cost these days, the price is not all that crazy. My Mocha Pink never hit pan and I used that one compact on and off for years! It does have a big dent it though.

I do think Clinique needs to join us in the 21st century as far as their packaging goes, especially if they are charging $28. I suppose their newish Cheek Pops are that very attempt and they are good stuff! While the packaging of the Plum Gorgeous blusher is dated beyond belief, I find it nostalgic. Also, I think it's Clinique's way of thumbing their nose at the competition and that amuses me for some strange reason. In way I think, "good for them" kicking it old school and still turning a profit!

 

I have to say that although I am enjoying this blush, I recently mentioned that I have been loving The One blush by bareMinerals. The One is a far superior blush to Plum Gorgeous and every other blush in every way. If you only choose one, get The One, no pun intended. Plum Gorgeous is a unique colour in today's market though and I am not going to part with it anytime soon. Here is the swatch.

Packaging: 6/10  (points for nostalgia)

Pigmentation: 8/10

Easy to Work With: 6.5/10
Longevity: 7/10
Colour Stays True: 10/10
Texture: 4/10
Price: 7/10 
Ingredients: 7/10
Travel Worthy: 7/10 (I know damn well from experience that the latch will break sooner or later)
Attractiveness of Product: 9/10
Would I buy this again?  YES
Overall Rating: 7/10 but the colour is fabulous

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser - Review

I meant to do a blush review today but I will have that one up tomorrow instead. Wasn't in a swatching mood. It happens.

TiffanyD has been recommending this as her favourite cleanser for ages. Since I am in the eternal search for my holy grail cleanser, I decided to give it a shot. Problem? It wasn't until a month ago that I could easily get this in Canada. Murad's Canadian website does not even list this as one of their products. Nordstrom sells it in the U.S. so at Christmas I had them ship me a Murad sample set that included a travel mini of the Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser so I could try it. I was so happy with it, I was going to buy the regular size (pay an absurd price markup plus exchange rate plus shipping) and then finally, like manna from the heavens, Sephora started stocking it for Canadian shoppers for the first time ever. It was sold out of course once I discovered it (I had been stalking Sephora a couple of times a week for months for this) but then it restocked within a week so I bought it from there for $38 Canadian. It sells for $32 in Sephora in the U.S. and you get 200ml or 6.75 fl. oz. I think this size is quite generous and for what it is, the price is fair, albeit a tad steep.

Here a picture of my travel mini (1.5 fl. oz./45 ml) next to the full size. I plan on using the mini for travel, not that I have a ton left in there...

This cleanser has salicylic acid 0.5% w/w in it. I am not sure if that is a lot, I am thinking it is not. I haven't had an adverse reaction to it and my skin is sensitive so I would say its tame. My skin was breaking out like crazy for no reason just before I started using this. I noticed even after the first use the next morning that my skin calmed down, stopped being so red and the blemishes were shrinking. I have been using this for 2-3 months now and my skin is hardly ever red anymore and I am getting very few blemishes. When I do get them they don't last long and they are small. This stuff works!

I really like the smell of it - it's minty. It feels so nice on your face. It's like a creamy gel and it's so calming on your skin and soothing. You can feel the mint tingly just a touch. I would say this would be ideal for sensitive skin because it is unbelievably gentle. I don't necessarily feel like this product is getting deep into my pores, but it must be based on the great job it is doing. It does help remove makeup too on your face. This cleanser works well with a Clarisonic. My pores look smaller and in general my skin is looking more even. It moisturizes too!

I really do think that the time release component of the product works well. Sometimes I just use this product once a day and I seem to have a similar result as when I use it twice a day. The product sticks to your face a bit so you can leave it on for a little while if you like. I sometimes do in the shower. I would definitely repurchase and this may very well be what I have been looking for all these years.

Packaging: 9/10

Texture: 10/10

Price: 8/10 (could be cheaper but the price is worth it)

Ingredients: 8/10

Easy to Work With: 10/10  

Travel Worthy: The mini is, the regular size is not.  

Deep Cleans: 10/10

Moisturizing: 9/10

Comfortable/Softening: 10/10

Smell: 10/10

Would I buy this again? YES

Overall Rating: 9.75/10