Muh Favs: April 2011 + Swatches

     Yay, my first favorites post evarrrrr. I was spazzing last month because i wanted to do it for March, but didn't. I've pulled out the products that I have been using quite a bit this month, and I took some pictures and quick swatches. I realized that with the swatches, this would be soooo frikin' long of a post, so I did some photoshopping. haha. Yeah... So here we go...

     First, I have been loving the Sonia Kashuk Blush and Smudger Brushes. The blush brush is the perfect shape, density, and size; it's really soft and applies my blushes evenly so that I barely have to blend. The smudger brush is a really nice size for my eye size; i will tell you later how I use it with the LORAC Take a Brow Kit. I've been loving these two for a couple months now and I will continue till I find something better.

     

     Second, I've been liking the Maybelline Dream Matte Powder, which I have in the shade Light Cream 4-5. This is a bit light for me, but it doesn't matter 'cause this is just a setting powder so it's sheer. The reason I said "liking" is because it isn't like the most amazing thing I've ever tried. It does look cakey if I pack on too much, it does accentuate my dry patches... I like it because it is convenient and it does what I need it to do, which is to set my foundation or concealer.

    The third thing I've been loving is the Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer in Medium. This is full coverage liquid but creamy concealer. It covers my blemishes and under eye circles nicely without looking un-natural. On most days, especially when I have school, I only use this-- no foundation, and I get a nice clean face.

     Next is my Benefit Sugarbomb Box Powder Blush. I love this blush sooooo much it is crazy. I haven't tried Coralista, but this blush is going to make me. The blush as a sweet smell, that goes away once on your face. It's a pretty peachy golden pink when mixed, and it has a gorgeous sheen. It's not crazy shimmery, but it leaves a super nice glow to your face. It's very natural, and you can definitely build it up, but I think it's hard to over do. This is basically my everyday blush. I really can't say anything bad about it, because personally, I'm fine with the packaging. You can definitely use the four different colors alone, but I don't. I have yet to find something I like better than this.

     This next product is a really "changable" product. It's the Rock&Republic Eyeshadow in Sabotage. When I'm going for a really light look, I wear a lighter champagne on the lid and Sabotage in the outer corner + crease. When I want a medium dark look, I use Sabotage on the lid and a darker color on the outer corner. The shadow is smooth, and the pigmentation is just right for an everyday color, not so pigmented that I have to blend forever, but also not sheer. It's a mid-tone cool-toned taupey brown. And hey, I totally would give in for the packaging.

     MAC Eyeshadow in Sable has been in my hand quite a couple times this month now. I've been using this frequently with a lighter color on the lid and this on the outer corner and crease. The formulation is a Veluxe Pearl, I think, and it has the texture and pigmentation for this formula. Sable is a warm shimmery milk chocolate brown. Gorgeous!!

     This next thing has been a favorite for quite a long time now. The Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara is my favorite drugstore mascara. It's very good for everyday use because it holds my curl, defines my lashes well, and does a little bit of volumizing and lengthening; I experience no clumping with this. It has a medium to large brush. The mascara smells very cosmetic, if that makes sense. This tube I have is getting really nasty because I have found fibers in it that should not be, I'll be throwing it away and buying a new one. One bad thing about this mascara is that it's drying and my lashes do fall out with the mascara; also it is very hard to remove.

     So next is my LORAC Take A Brow Kit in Dark Brown. This is a brow powder that comes with two powder shadows, and a wax, but I actually use this for lining my eyes (tightlining, waterline, regular lining) because it is wayyyy too dark for my brows; I have used these as regular eyeshadows since they are such basically colors. I use the smudger brush I showed before to press in or blend the powders where ever I want it. I tend to mix the brown and the black for a natural look, because black is too dramatic, but brown is too light. The shadows are very pigmented and very smooth. I have my basic everyday eye in this palette.

     Next is the Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Coral Crush which was featured in one of my bright lipstick posts (http://valeriestlbm.blogspot.com/2011/04/bright-lipstick-maybelline-color.html). It's just a really nice coral color that looks really fresh and clean for the Spring time. It applies well, stays on my lips pretty well, and over all it's a good lipstick for the drugstore.

     Last thing for this month is the Zoya Nail Polish in Felicity. I've also had this in a previous NOTW (http://valeriestlbm.blogspot.com/2011/02/notw-zoya-felicity-swatch.html). For now it is my favorite pink because it compliments my skintone so well. I also really like Zoya formulation. I get a good 5-7 days out of this nail polish.

     That's all I have for this month, 10 products? I'm going to go do my dang homework now... If you want to know more about any of these products, please leave a comment, and I'll figure out a way to reply to you. (Either in the comments or on of your blog posts...awk)

Thanks for reading! Byebye. >o <''