Physician's Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls Blush- Natural Pearl

$11.99

Available at Ulta

 

 

Natural Pearl is a shimmery pink/rose blush. The lid has a pearl glued on the top, which is sort of cute. The product in the pan is gorgeous, and the texture is not going anywhere quickly. I have had this blush for a while, and have used it about 25 times.

 

 

As with most Physician Formula products, this one comes with the hidden mirror and brush. I never use these brushes, and I think the flip-able pan of blush makes the packaging flimsy. I wish they would skip the hidden compartment and just give a more sturdy compact(others like this have broken in my make up bags). Even if it kept the product at the same price. Speaking of price, Physician's Formula is on the higher end of drug store make up brands. I usually only purchase products from this brand when they are on sale or clearance. They have discontinued the best product this brand ever made (gel liner stackable cubes), so not counting that, as a whole I do not think that their products warrant their high price tags. Not because of quality, but more because of originality. I don't feel like Natural Pearl blush is at all unique. Nor do I find any other products I have purchased from this line in the past to be unique.You could find a cheaper version of this shade from NYX, Wet N Wild or Maybelline. However, when they can be found on clearance, it is a good beauty find.

 

 

As you can see from the swatch, the blush is well pigmented and blends easily. It has great lasting power and the shade is complimentary. I find the name "natural pearl" to be misleading. The shimmer and vibrancy of this blush are anything but natural. So be careful not to over do it. This blush would look good on any skin tone, and it  stands well against oily or dry skin.

 

 

 Overall:

I like this blush. But I wouldn't pay full price for it.

The Balm Down Boy Blush Review

This blush normally retails for $21 here, but I got mine a while ago during an even on Hautelook. The Balm is featured on that site every few months, so keep an out for it if you are interested in their products.

 

 

Down boy is a traditional powder blush. It is a light baby doll pink. It looks so fair in the pan and in swatch, that you would think it was only meant for super fair complexions. So when I first received it in the mail, I didn't even try it on. I had it for about a month before I actually wore it. And it creates just a subtle flush on your cheeks. I am wearing it in the photo below, and it looks quite natural.

 

 

 

 

I have worn Down Boy in the summer when I have been quite tan. I have been wearing it more lately as I'm getting more and more pale in the Washington winter.

 

 

 

As with all The Balm blushes, Down Boy comes with a small mirror. The packaging is super cute, with a magnetic closure.

 

 

 

The swatch above is one quick swipe. It is very pigmented, but blends out easily to a natural finish.

 

 

The details to their packaging is always fun!

 

 

 The swatch above it two swipes, below I blended it out a bit with my finger. Because this blush is so pigmented, I really advise you use a big fluffy blush to apply and be sure to blend.

 

 

 

 All the balm products come with a cardboard sleeve that matches the compact. I usually end up tossing it, because its just an extra hassle when reaching for the product. But it will help keep your products clean.  

 

 

 

I really do love this blush. I have never tried a product form The Balm that I didn't love. I wish the brand was more accessible(available in store for swatching).

*As I mentioned above, I bought this at discount on Hautelook. However, I think it is absolutely worth the full price tag. But why spend more money when you could save a little?

 

If you haven't tried The Balm yet, do it!

Rimmel ScandalEYES Show Off Mascara Review

 

It's been years since I have used a Rimmel mascara, and I've been meaning to try them out again. this particular mascara caught my eye about a month and a half ago because of the fresh display. So I picked it up for $8.99.

 

FYI - I have blonde lashes, so I need a mascara that works overtime for me.

 

 

How do I say this nicely? I hate this mascara. This mascara was a total waste of money. I am so mad at myself for losing the receipt. I am never buying another Rimmel mascara again. Ok so done ranting, here is why I feel this way. This mascara adds zero volume to my lashes, zero curling, zero drama. Its almost like I'm applying nothing, except for the little bit of black on my sparse blonde lashes. I think the brush is mainly the problem, because the formula of the mascara is goopy, so you'd think it would it least make clumps in my lashes. But it doesn't even do that. It's just a total FLOP for me.

 

 

 

 The shade is in 003 Extreme Black. I always go for the darkest black shade a mascara is offered in and this was it for Rimmel.

 

I love the packaging on this mascara, bright pink with a curved handle and an imprinted crown logo. Adorable!

 

 

 The brush is very strange, it is an asymmetrical hourglass shape. I think the ball tip is supposed to be useful to apply mascara to the inner eye lashes. And it does help with that when I am applying this over false lashes. I can almost always make a mascara work for me if I don't like it on my upper lashes I can use it on my lower, or over false lashes. This is bearable over false lashes, but I wouldn't ever suggest for someone to buy this for any of those purposes. But since I'm stuck with it, I am trying to use it up over false lashes.

 

Skip this mascara and save $9!

 

 

The Balm Meet Matt(e) Nude Palette

I have had this palette for quite a while and I have been reaching for it more and more lately. I purchased mine through Hautelook, but you can also get it here. As you can tell from the name, it is a palette consisting of 9 matte eye shadows. The palette is quite large, measuring 4x5 inches. But it comes with a giant mirror. I have taken this with me on vacation, and propped it up and used the mirror as a mini vanity.

 

 

 These shadows apply GREAT. They are very easy to blend, and last forever. For the darker shades, a little bit goes a long way. But the lighter shades need a few extra layers. The palette has a magnetic closure. I have never had any issues with it opening up in a make up bag during travel.

 

 

  

Matt Johnson is a deep navy. Almost so dark it looks like a soft black on the eye.

Matt Garcia is a reddish brown. Like a dirty brick. It is gorgeous, and a really unique color.

Matt Malloy is a dull white. I used to hate it, but it has grown on me as a lid shade.

Matt Rosen is a perfect nutmeg brown. wear it in the crease any day.

Matt Wood is a chocolate brown. Darker and more pigmented than MAC Brun.

Matt Singh is a pastel pink. I have zero use for this shade on my eye, but I have worn it as a blush.

Matt Abdul a great grey that can cool down any neutral eye look.

Matt Lombardi is a butter yellow. EW, dud of the group.

Matt Hung is a greyish purple.

 

 

 

 My favorite shades are:

Matt Garcia

Matt Malloy

Matt Wood

Matt Hung

 

 

 This is not the most diverse palette ever, but all the shades minus Matt Lombardi are completely wearable. I think that almost anyone would be able to get a lot of mileage out of this palette.

 

Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

This year my family is doing a sort of Secret Santa to help reduce the cost of Christmas since we all spent so much money on going to my brother's wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last month. So since I have far fewer gifts to give this year, I decided to take the time to really jazz up the wrapping. Here are the first two gifts that I have wrapped.

 

 

Let's start with the wrapping paper! I got it at Michael's a few days ago. It was 50% off. The beige one is so universal, it will go with any color ribbon. I just couldn't resist the animal wrapping paper (foxes and raccoon, how sweet!)

 

 

 

 Next is the ribbon. I got these for Buy one Get on free at Michaels. They were $2.99 originally. They are from the brand "Celebrate It".

  

 

 

 

I then bought some fun gliterry fake florals from the wreath section of Michaels. All of these were 50% off as well.

 

 

I used the gold leaves and dark purple berries for these gifts today.

 

 

After wrapping the gifts and tying the bow, I cut off some stems of the gold leaves and used a hot glue gun to adhere them to the bow. Then I tucked in the purple berry and glued that to the ribbon as well.

 

 

 

 

 For this gift, I also glued the stems to the ribbon. I included the green leaves on this one, so cute!

 

 

These took me about 15 minutes from start to finish. But honestly, most of that time was me arranging and re arranging the florals until I liked the way they look. I think my next batch will be much quicker.

 

 

What is your go-to wrapping style for Christmas?

Quick & simple with gift bags? Or do you brave the double sided tape and wrapping paper? 

 

 

 

New Winter Hat!

I used to be really into hats, but for the longest time I haven't worn one. But recently I have been seeking them out. Here is the most recent purchase. It is from JcPenny. the tag says $18.00, but I got while on sale for $9.99. It's super cute. FYI, that is Maybelline Color Tattoo in Painted Purple with Mac Parfait Amour on top to set it.

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite winter hat?

Thanksgiving Makeup

 

I just wanted to post a few pics of my Thanksgiving make up look. I have been in love with the color orange lately. So I knew I just had to go for the obvious, an orange and brown eye look for Turkey Day.

 

 

I used NYX Jumbo Eye Crayon in Milk as a base. I used a mixture of light oranges form my BH Cosmetics 120 1st edition palette. Then took MAC's Brun to the crease and blended it all out with Mac's Taupe. I spent the holiday at my sister's house, so I wanted to keep my eyeshadow on the minimal side. As you can see in the picture, the orange only shows when I am blinking or looking down. A more conservative way to wear a pop of color. Then, black liquid liner and false lashes. I used Too Faces bronzer in Chocolate Soleil and The Balm mary-louminizer. My lipgloss is by Mally.