Sunday, July 22, 2012

REVIEW: Maybelline Color Tattoos

Maybelline came out with "Color Tattoos" a few months ago. I have seen the color tattoos featured in a number of hauls but only now just picked up my very first one. I opted for the "Bad to the Bronze" color because it is a safe color and I know I am more likely to use it rather than the purple or green one. They come in an array of 10 different colors though.

Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
So I basically just picked it up without knowing much about the product.  In looking up more information about the color tattoos I found out that it a cream gel eyeshadow that is long lasting.  Maybelline advertises that it has 24 hour intensity with vibrant color that doesn't fade.  We shall see!


My first impression is that these are very much like the MAC Paint Pots.  I own a few of the paint pots which is why I wasn't in a big rush to buy the color tattoos.  They both essentially do the same thing.  They start off as cream eyeshadows that dry into a nice powder form.  I'm not a big fan of cream eyeshadows by themselves but I do use them as a base color from time to time.  The consistency of the color tattoos and paint pots are pretty similar.  I didn't notice a big difference in how they felt.     

Bad to the Bronze color swatch! Very shimmery!

The one big thing I am interested in testing out with this product is their 24 hour intensity claim.  Now as I mentioned before if I use a cream eyeshadow I usually use it as a base for another similar color.  I find that it helps make the powder eyeshadow stick better (especially when using loose pigments).  It also helps to build up the color to look more vibrant.  For the color tattoos I wanted to do a 24 hour color challenge to see just how intense the color looks after I have worn it 24 hours.  Unfortunately, the pictures I took of my eye throughout the day did not come out very well :( But I did keep on my eye-makeup for 24 hours (slept with it on and everything!).  Using an eye primer, the color tattoo stayed in place for 12 hours without it looking faded or creasing!  I also rubbed my eye and there was no residue on my finger.  After a full night's sleep (24 hours later) the tattoo was looking a little faded but it was still on with no creases.

To sum it up:   

Pros: Easy to find in drugstores, affordable, lasts long without creasing as advertised.
Cons: Limited colors compared to MAC paint pots, tend to look a little dry
Would I repurchase? Probably not unless I really needed one of the bright colors for a base.  However, it is a decent cheaper alternative to the MAC paint pots.

Friday, July 6, 2012

REVIEW: Salmon Concealer & Treatment by Eve Pearl

  

 <3
For the past 2 weeks I have been using a brand new concealer made by Eve Pearl.  It is called the Salmon Concealer & Treatment.  According to the Eve Pearl website, the concealer uses the pinky/peach or "salmon" color to neutralize the dark blue undertones that are found under your eye.  The concealer is also safe for sensitive skin because it has no harsh fragrance, parabens, or oil.  It is also cruelty free :)
Salmon Concealer with mirror compact in Medium
I have been looking for a good concealer for over a year ever since they discontinued my favorite drugstore concealer.  I have tried so many concealers this year like Maybelline, CoverGirl, Almay and L'Oreal.  No matter what I never had enough coverage and I could still see dark circles under my eyes.  I decided I needed to look into investing money for a better quality concealer.  I had tried the Salmon Concealer at an Eve Pearl booth during IMATS and loved it so much.  It had been sold out that day though.  I decided that if I was going to invest in a good concealer I would try this one first since I already knew how good it was. 
My dark under eye circles in various light



My under eye circles after using the Salmon concealer and a translucent powder
I am so happy with this concealer!  It leaves no trace of under eye darkness when applied correctly.  It is suggested you tap it on under your eye with the tip of your ring finger rather than rubbing it in.  This tapping method also allows you to build the coverage you need while blending the concealer into your skin for a seamless look.  The texture of the concealer is very creamy and almost feels like a moisturizer for your eyes.  After you put on the concealer you should make sure to set it with a translucent powder as shown in the picture above.


To sum it up:

Pros: Great coverage, safe for skin, 
Cons: Not readily available in stores, expensive
Would I repurchase? YES!!!

Check out the Eve Pearl website for more info on the concealer and also check out the rest of the makeup line!
http://www.evepearl.com/products/concealers-salmon/