Posts tagged drugstore
A Tale of Two Annabelle Smudgeliners.
Jul 14th
I have read only amazing things about Annabelle Smudgeliners ($8.95), and so I was really excited when these came in the mail.
Smudgeliners are waterproof pencils that come with a smudging sponge on the opposite end. These are not automatic pencils; they are enclosed in a plastic casing that you sharpen with a regular eyeliner sharpener. The ends have caps to protect both the pencil and the smudger from getting damaged.
Oh and how do we like this background? It’s in boyfriend’s apartment’s backyard. 
I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to read first?
Good news? I thought so.
Good News: Ohmygoth! This is Totally Like, a Great Eyeliner.
Ohmygoth! is a basic, creamy black. It is a rich, dark black. You won’t hear any complaints about the colour from me. It is pretty much everything that I was expecting about Smudgeliners. It wore well throughout my day; it didn’t slide or fade on my lash lines.
Because it is waterproof, I was brave enough to wear this on my waterline. And what do you know? Besides smudging off on the outer corners of my eyes — a.k.a. a makeup slip and slide party — it stayed put on the rest of my waterline. Incredible staying power. This glides on pretty easily just like Urban Decay 24/7 liners, so it gets extra brownie points for that. Great black eyeliner, great price. Rating: A.
Bad News: That was the Calm Before the Purple Storm.
Is there such a thing as being less waterproof? Because that’s what Purple Storm feels like to me. First of all, the colour payoff is just not there. The deep burgundy on the pencil does not translate to rich swatches. It’s just meh. The pencil itself is not smooth like buttah; it tugs a bit when I apply to my lash line. Also, I found the formula to be very clumpy. It feels weird to say that about an eyeliner. I find that this one fades a lot, and because it starts out craptacular, I end up with barely anything at the end of the day. Not a fan of this at all. Rating: D.
And Of Course, Some Swatches!
Swatches, and How I feel about these eyeliners.
After running the swatches under a garden hose. I also ran my fingers back and forth after this — no budging.
Disclosure: These products were sent by Groupe Marcelle for consideration only.
Sheer & Pretty: Marcelle Chic Plum.
Jul 10th
It seems that drugstore eyeshadows are now rarely seen in my makeup stash. The only cheap eyeshadows I have now are the 88-colour palette, and maybe a few L’Oreal and Annabelle singles. The Wet & Dry Eyeshadow in Chic Plum ($10.50) is the first eyeshadow I am trying by Marcelle. You may have seen her in action in my Soft Purple FOTD.
Pigmentation Level
When applied dry, Chic Plum leaves just a whisper of colour on the lids. If you’re one who likes a more natural look to your eye makeup, then I would recommend this in a heartbeat.
Using it wet pumps up the colour intensity; the shimmery pink side especially becomes 100% opaque. It is the most stunning frosty pink I have ever seen! The grayed purple side is more stubborn; it is still not opaque after a few layers.
Staying Power
I have oily eyelids and so I never go without my eye primer, so keep that in mind. I didn’t experience any fading or creasing with these eyeshadows. They stayed put from the morning until I take them off in the evening. That’s pretty impressive, especially for that low price tag!
Blendability
The shimmery pink side is easily blendable, and that’s to be expected of all shimmery eyeshadows. The grayed purple — again — is harder to work with. I find that I have to take my time to blend it out in the crease, and I find it even more difficult to blend when foiled (applied wet).
The Low Down
If you are going for natural, sheer makeup, then this well-coordinated duo will give you the most bang for your buck. Those who aren’t colour shy (like me) might be a little disappointed about the intensity of that grayed purple. Make sure to have a good crease blending brush, or at least some time and patience. I like it, but I’m not in love. Rating: B-.
Pictures and Swatches
Swatches: shimmery pink (dry / wet), grayed purple (dry / wet)
Disclosure: This product was sent by Groupe Marcelle for consideration only.
Ergonomics 1O1 with Sonia Kashuk Bent Liner Brush.
Jul 6th
Ever since I bought my first MAC Blacktrack Fluidline, I had always used an angled liner brush for all my lining needs.
Of course I’d heard of pointed liner brushes, but I always shy away from them because they seemed tricky to me. Because no matter how good I get at applying my own makeup, every now and then I still find myself in a mascara-wand-in-the-eye situation. (Tell me I’m not alone.)
I bought the Sonia Kashuk Bent Liner Brush (US$5.39) after reading many positive reviews. And I agree — this brush is an essential tool, especially for makeup novices.
There are two things that make the bent liner brush fool-proof. First, the brush bristles. Unlike the flimsy brush that comes in most liquid liners, this brush is firm. It’s not a poke-your-eye-out firm, but firm enough to create different line weights. So whether you like your lines thin or thick, this will let you do that easily.
Second, what seems like an awkward bend is there for a purpose: it let’s you hold the handle farther down without sacrificing control. I was really surprised when I first used this. Being able to hold the handle farther lets me see what the heck I am lining, instead of crowding my mirror.
Lining with angled liner
Lining with Sonia Kashuk bent liner
I really adore this brush. If you are in Canada and can’t get to Target easily, the Quo from Shoppers Drug Mart does just as fine. Rating: A+.
So Hot in Herre!
See that shine on my face? That’s my heat wave skin! Toronto has been scorching hot and humid these past couple of days and well, my oily skin just got oilier. So pardon the oilies! How’s the weather in your neck of the woods?
My Adventures at Target.
May 9th
Hey everyone! Yesterday I crossed the border to Buffalo, NY to do some budget beauty shopping. My one stop shop? Target. Here are the goodies from my beauty spree. They are mostly stuff that I can’t get in Toronto, and other things that I already use but at a much better price. I gotta say I am definitely hooked on Target. We need one in Toronto, stat!
Yes To Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint in “Coral Sunshine,” $4.49
(not available in Canada)
Soap & Glory Off Your Face Cleansing Cloths, $6.99
(not available in Canada)
Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Refill Pack, $5.29
Canadian price: $7.99
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, $5.84
Canadian price: $10.69
Dove Ultimate Clear Go Fresh Deodorant 74g Twin Pack, $6.59
Canadian price: $13.98
Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro in “Steel Grey,” $3.79
Canadian price: $4.99
Maybelline Full ‘n Soft Mascara in “Very Black,” $5.94
(not available in Canada) Canadian price: $9.99
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector in “Medium,” $11.99
(not available in Canada)
Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge, $8.99
(not available in Canada)
Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush, $5.39
(not available in Canada)
Of course, I plan to review these! What should I try first? Unfortunately the mascara review won’t be for a while because I have several in rotation now. Like 5. Yeah, I know. 
Aveeno Hand Cream is a Drugstore Superhero.
Feb 15th
A couple of weeks ago, my hands were literally in a rough shape. My ring was was rubbing my skin in all the wrong places and giving me the itchies. On top of that, the cold winter was making my skin crack. It hurt so much!
Notice that was all in past tense. When The Asian Pear recommended the Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream to me I immediately snatched one up to test out. (Have you seen her lotions and creams stash? Massive.) I have always been impressed with Aveeno products and I am happy to report that this is no exception.
Aveeno claims that this fragrance-free formula will moisturize skin for 24 hours and last through hand washing. They also say that this is gentle enough for those who have sensitive skin. Sounds to good to be true right?
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dimethicone, Avena sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride
What Makes It a Drugstore Superhero
- Really lasts through hand washing. They don’t lie. This really does last through 2 or 3 hand washes, and I can’t say that about any other hand cream I’ve tried. It absorbs enough into your skin that you don’t need to moisturize after every hand wash. So you’ll save some money in the long run. We like that.
- Fast absorbing and non-greasy. When I was asking for recommendations over Twitter, I didn’t even care if the hand cream I buy was greasy or not; I needed something that worked, period. But this was a very welcome bonus. It means that I can keep typing on my keyboard without turning it into a greasy mess.
- Instant results. When I try a new cream, first impressions are very important. I liked that this fragrance-free hand cream is, in fact, free of any fragrances. It left my hands with a silky barrier of moisture. I gotta be honest, at first it didn’t feel intense enough to cure my cracked hands, but I was totally wrong; it did its job!
- Amazing long term hydration. I don’t usually pay attention to how my hands look. I know I probably should take better care of my hands from now on. I haven’t been using anything else besides this hand cream, and my god!, my hands look younger?! Is that even possible? It is more even toned, super smooth, and soft. I am quite amazed at the difference in my skin’s appearance.
- All over lotion in a pinch. Hello scaly winter legs (so sexy, right?), you can go away now.
I can’t say anything bad about this hand cream. What can I say? I’m totally smitten. And at around $10, what a steal! If your skin is struggling to keep hydrated, I beg you to get yourself to the drugstore right now and pick one up. You won’t be disappointed. Holy grail, meet your newest member. Rating: A+++++.
