Testing Drugstore Concealers

Hey guys! So if you guys read my 2019 favourites post, you might remember that I mentioned wanting to try some new concealers. Well before heading into quarantine, I decided to pick up three drugstore concealers. It’s been two weeks now so I have tested these concealers. I compared all three to my all-time favourite concealer, the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. For reference, I use the shade Light 2 Vanilla.

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So the first one I selected was the Maybelline Superstay Concealer. This concealer is a lightweight, full-coverage under-eye concealer. Now unfortunately I bought that is way too light for me. I purchased 05 Ivory and could probably use 10 Fair. So this concealer is disqualified just because I couldn’t wear it to be able to test it. I will be returning it. I haven’t decided if I want to pick up another shade yet. I will update you guys if I do.

I already own the NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer. I have the shade Beige which is perfect when I have a tan in the summer but is too dark most of the time. I wanted to pick up a lighter shade of this concealer, but I grabbed the NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Concealer. I got the shade Vanilla which is supposed to have a neutral undertone but I find it pulls slightly yellow. But otherwise I like this concealer. It has great coverage but doesn’t look cakey. And it lasted a long time.

The final concealer I purchased was the Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer. I got the shade C2 which is fair with pink undertones. I really, really like this concealer. It’s very lightweight. Now it’s advertised as being full coverage but it’s not compared to say Tarte Shape Tape. But it doesn’t settle into my lines and it lasts well.

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So how do these concealers compare? I think the NYX one has better coverage but settles into my lines more than the Makeup Revolution concealer. I do think that my Nars concealer is both of these, but they are close. My mom complimented my makeup when I was wearing the Makeup Revolution one!

My final thoughts: If you don’t mind paying more, than the Nars concealer is worth it. If you want more coverage go for the NYX, if you want a more natural look go for the Makeup Revolution one.

And that is my thoughts on some drugstore concealers! Let me know if you guys have any other concealer recommendations, or if there are other drugstore products you think I should check out!

xoxo

Lea

Makeup Revolution I Heart Revolution 24K Gold Palette

Hey guys! So today I will be sharing a review on a Makeup Revolution palette! I know Makeup Revolution is a pretty widely available brand in Europe and in the US, but it’s hard to find in Canada. When I was in France and I saw that they had Makeup Revolution, I knew I wanted to try one of their palettes immediately. They had a few options, but I decided to get the I Heart Revolution 24K Gold Palette. I think paid twelve euros for the palette (it’s been a few weeks I can’t remember exactly), but online it is currently selling for $15 USD.

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First I really like the colour story of this palette. There are six mattes and a ton of fun shimmers. Most of the shimmers are shades of gold or bronze, but there are a few fun but still wearable shades like the green and the cranberry. This is a pretty simple palette, perfect for the average makeup wearer.

What I really like is that there are so many options with this palette. I was able to create two completely different looks using the palette. I was able to create a simple gold look, but also a dainty mauve look as well. I find that some palettes you can only do one look, but there are so many different looks you can do with this palette.

I think for the price point the shadows are pretty great! The mattes are very creamy and very pigmented. The black is amazing for being a ‘drugstore’ shadow. I’ve seen high end matte blacks that are worst than that. The shimmers are pretty good. I find that their quality varies slightly, with the darker shimmers being better than the lighter shimmers.

Overall I think this is a pretty good palette! I think this palette is good for the average person, someone who doesn’t own a ton of makeup. This palette has a lot of shades, so this would be a good palette if you only buy have one or two. If your like me and own a ton of palettes, I don’t think you need to necessarily run out and get it. I definitely have similar shades in my existing palettes. But I think this palette would be convenient to travel with since it had study packaging and everything for a basic look.

And that is my review on this Makeup Revolution I Heart Revolution 24K Gold palette. This review was short and sweet, let me know if you guys like these shorter reviews on one product or if you prefer longer posts!

xoxo

Lea

Drugstore Makeup Guide

Hi guys! Today’s post is inspired by my friends. They are always asking me what my favourite drugstore products, so I thought I would compile all my faves into one post. I tried to stick to just one or two favourites in each category. I have linked all the products to Ulta’s website, but for all my fellow Canadian girls I bought most of these products at either Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall. Finally, the one product I do not have any favourites are primers because I do not own any drugstore primers. Let me know in the comments which drugstore primers I should try!

drugstore makeup guide

For foundation I decided to go with my current favourite – the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation. I wear a lot of drugstore foundations, so it was hard for me to pick a favourite. I decided to pick this Wet n Wild one because it’s the cheapest while still being a great foundation. It has a matte finish and lasts a long time on the skin. If you still haven’t tried this foundation, I highly recommend you go get it!

While I like drugstore foundation, I usually prefer high-end concealers. A good one from the drugstore is the Maybelline Fit Me concealer. I really like this concealer in the summer when I looking for something that is a little more natural but still brightens my under eyes. If you don’t like heavy concealer I recommend you check this one out, but keep in mind it does need to be set to stay in place.

My favourite powder is a pressed one – the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder. This powder is for all my fellow oily girls out there. I love using this powder when I’m looking oily and need a touch up. It’s lightweight and does a great job of controlling shine. I have hit pan on this product,  I really need to buy a new one.

If you follow my blog or Instagram, you probably won’t be surprised that my favourite drugstore bronzer is the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer. It’s the perfect bronzer shade – not too orange and no glitter. It gives a beautiful glow to the skin, and it’s so easy to apply. It also smells amazing, which is a great bonus! Everyone needs this bronzer in their life.

A great blush from the drugstore is the Milani Powder Blush. I don’t like a very pigmented blush because I have a heavy hand and can really easily apply to much. This blush is perfect for me because it’s a buildable formula, so I look perfectly flushed instead of a clown. I also think the rose pattern is beautiful.

It was really hard for me to pick my favourite drugstore highlighter because I have and love so many. I decided to pick two that are complete opposites. The first is the Maybelline Master Chrome Highligher. This highlighter is smooth but blinding. It’s very comparable to Ofra’s highlighters but at a much cheaper cost. My other favourite is the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter. This highlight is great for when I want a subtle look. The Essence highlighter is great for no-makeup makeup when I want a natural glow. The shade is also very flattering on my skin tone. Both of these highlighters are great for different reasons.

For setting spray, I recommend the Milani Make It Last Setting Spray. This stuff is great for really locking in my makeup look. If I want to make my makeup last all day, I use this spray. The only thing I don’t like is that I can make my face feel a little tight, probably because of all the alcohol in it. BUT I have almost used a full bottle of this because it just does such a good job.

Okay, I’m not sure if this product is being discounted or something, because it’s not on the Ulta website but I was able to find it on Amazon! The L’Oreal Infalliable 24 HR Eye Shadow in Amber Rush is just amazing. It’s an intense eyeshadow that can be easily applied with a finger. I just blend a matte shade in the crease and then pop this on the lid and it’s a beautiful look. The shade Amber Rush specifically is a beautiful rose gold that I 10/10 recommend.

The best drugstore matte eyeshadows are the ones in the Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadows. I own Rose in the Air, and the mattes in this palette are great. They’re not as pigmented as some of my high-end palettes, but they are builable and blendable which is great. If you’re interested, check out this post for a more in-depth review of the palette.

If you like a brush liquid liner, you have to try the NYX Matte Liquid Liner. This liner applicator is probably one of the easiest to use out on the market. It has a fine tip to create a precise line, and it’s really use to create a wing look. If you have hooded eyes, like I do, then you would enjoy this liner. This is the only liquid liner I use because it’s just the best I’ve ever tried.

I have two mascara recommendations. The first is the classic L’Oreal Lash Paradise. It’s not pictured in the photo because I just threw mine out because it was expired and haven’t picked up another one yet. The L’Oreal mascara is great for making your lashes thick and voluminous. The Essence Volume Stylist Lash Extension Mascara is great for making your lashes nice a long. This adds length and a little volume, great for everyday use.

I don’t wear lip liner very often, but when I do I always wear the Maybelline lip liners. Mine is in old packaging, so I’m not sure if the formula is the same. These lip liners are creamy and very easy to apply. I also find that they last pretty well throughout the day. As well, they have a really nice colour selection, so check them out!

Finally, my favourite lipsticks at the drugstore are hands down Maybelline Colour Sensational lipsticks. They are a creamy matte, so they apply easily but still look matte on the lips. They are so comfortable on the lips and last really well through the day. The colour selection is amazing, but I think the nudes are the best. My favourite shade is Daringly Nude. If you don’t own one of their lipsticks, I highly recommend you go buy one right now.

And these are all my favourite drugstore makeup products! I hope you I gave you guys some suggestions for new products to check out! Let me know down below your favourite drugstore makeup products 🙂

xoxo

Lea

DRUGSTORE Makeup Haul

Hey guys! Sorry for being MIA lately – work and my volunteer position have both been crazy. I might be doing a Q+A/Life Update post sometime soon to explain what I’ve been up to this summer. Let me know down below if there are any questions you guys have for me!

Anyways, today’s post is a drugstore makeup haul! I decided to treat myself after I received my first big paycheck of the summer haha! Some of these items are new, and others are just ones that I have been meaning to buy for awhile now.

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There were a bunch of foundations that I wanted to try, but decided to the Physicians Formula The Healthy Foundation. In the summer I usually go lighter with my makeup, so the fact that this foundation claims to have a light-weight, medium coverage and satin finish sold me. The shade range isn’t the worst, but it could be better. They have 16 shades, which a range of warm, cool and neutral tones. I was able to find a great shade for me, but I think they could expand their range, especially on the deeper end. I know lots of people didn’t like that it has a doe-foot applicator, but I actually find it very easy to quickly swipe some foundation on my face and blend it out. The foundation lasts pretty well, but I do look a little oily later in the day. The only thing I dislike is the smell. I honestly smells like paint, and it lingers a little but not forever. If Physicians Formula could fix the smell that would be great.

The first of two Wet n Wild is their new 10 pan eyeshadow palette. I bought the one called Rose in the Air. I decided to buy this one because it reminded me of the ABH Modern Renaissance. For a drugstore eyeshadow palette, this is pretty good! The mattes are creamy and very easy to blend. They are not the most pigmented shadow I’ve ever used, but if you build them up they are pretty good. I used the mauve and pink shade for an eye look and they were great! The shimmer was was mediocre, but using a wet brush does the treat. If you are looking for a drugstore eyeshadow palette, this one by Wet n Wild is great!

The second Wet n Wild product that I bought was their Photo Focus Pressed Powder. After hearing Kathleen Lights speak highly of this powder, I decided to give it a try. I prefer to use this powder more for touch ups than for setting my face. My face was lo

oking pretty oily compared to when I use a loose setting powder to set my face. This powder is nice for touch ups because it adds a nice satin finish instead of making me look cakey. Overall not a bad drugstore powder, but I’m definitely someone who prefers loose over pressed powder.

Next I bought two highlights, because let’s be real – you can never have too much highlight. The first was the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter. I decided to buy the shade Molten Rose Gold because I already own a bunch of golden ones, but because this highlight is so good I might buy the other shades. This highlight is creamy and metallic and just looks so good on the skin. It doesn’t look glittery or chunky like some highlights. Instead this one just looks smooth while also giving a blinding shine to the skin. It also lasts a really long time. If you like a bright highlight, this one is for you.

On the flip side, if you prefer a more natural highlight, the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter is perfect. This highlight is very smooth and gives a beautiful lit-from-within to the skin. On days where I want to wear less makeup, this highlight still gives me a radiant glow. I really don’t have any negative to say, except it would be great if there were other shades.

The next Essence product I bought was their Volume Stylist 18h Last Extension Mascara. After hearing good views from a bunch of Youtubers, mainly Tati, I decided to give it a try. This is a great mascara if you are looking mainly for length. It makes my lashes look nice and long, but somehow still natural. This mascara is great for no makeup-makeup days where I want some mascara to make my eyes pop, but for it to not look too heavy. I wouldn’t really use this when I need to add some volume and length, because it didn’t add much volume. It was also pretty easy to remove, which is super important for me.

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The final item I bought was a Maybelline lipstick, because there was a sale at my local drugstore at the time. Maybelline lipsticks are some of my favourite because they are creamy and comfortable on the lips. I bought the shade Nude Nuance, which I would describe as a deep rose. It looks very dark in the swatch, but looks lighter on the lips. It’s nice to sometimes wear something a little darker than a nude, but still neutral. I have already worn it a bunch

And that is it for my drugstore haul! Let me know what drugstore products I should try out next! Also I hope all my fellow Canadian followers have an awesome Canada Day weekend!

xoxo

Lea

Drugstore Makeup Haul + Review

When you buy a bunch of makeup to do a haul and then totally forget to post about it (haha oops)! So back in October I bought a bunch of new drugstore makeup. Now most of it is not new anymore, but I can give a pretty good review on these products!

drugstore makeup haul

First I decided to repurchase the Neutrogena Hypdo Boost Gel Cream with SPF 15. I have enjoyed this moisturizer in the past so I decided to buy it again. I have oily skin so the gel formula is much better for my skin type.

Next I got the Milani Make It Last Setting Spray. I have been trying to get this setting spray for so long, it was always sold out at my local drugstore. I was finally able to get my hands on it and I’m really happy with it! It does a great job at setting my makeup and making it looking very matte. A nice drugstore alternative to the Urban Decay All Nighter.

Next from Maybelline I got the Fit Me Loose Setting Powder. This is a nice, smooth setting powder. The only issue I have is that there is no transculent shade. For some reason I decided to get Light Medium, which matches my face but is too yellow to go under my eyes. Overall it’s a good powder, I just wish I had got a different shade.

I got two different lippies in a similar formula. First I got the Covergirl Melting Pout Liquid Lipstick in Gel-ful. The second I purchased was the Maybelline Color Jolt in Stripped Down. Of the two I prefer the Maybelline one. It is much more pigmented, lasts longer and is much more comfortable to wear. I found that the Covergirl one was much more likely to smudge all over the place. As well, the Maybelline is much more a nude while the Covergirl one is more pink.

Next I got the NYX HD Concealer in Beige. I really like the formula of this concealer. It is creamy and blends out easily. I would say that it is medium coverage – it does a good job of covering up my acne but it does not completely cover my dark circles under my eyes. I have the shade Beige which would nicely under my eyes when I was tan but is now too yellow since I am back to being pale! But it still works on the rest of my face.

My drugstore has always had a really small selection of Wet n Wild products, but has recently expanded! I was able to find the Wet n Wild PhotoFinish Foundation and their Megaglo Highlighting Powder. I got the shade Soft Beige in the foundation and Precious Petals in the highlight. I really like the foundation! I have been wearing it almost very day since I got it. I has a nice medium-to-full coverage and blends out easily. It looks nice with a brush or a sponge. Now that my tan has faded I could probably use a lighter shade, but I just mix it with a paler foundation and it still works nicely. I really like how it has a paddle applicator because it makes it easy to apply. I am also very happy with the highlighter! The shade Precious Petals isn’t like anything else I own – it’s a peachy-champagne colour which I really like on my skin. It’s not as pigmented as my Becca highlighters, but for a drugstore highlight it is really easy to build up to a nice glow. I would definitely recommend both of these products! And for my Canadian friends, I found them at Rexall Pharma Plus.

And that is it for my drugstore makeup haul! I really like do drugstore makeup hauls because they are much cheaper than Sephora haha! Let me know your thoughts on these products and any recommendations you guys have 🙂

xoxoxo

Lea

Drugstore Makeup Haul Review

Hey guys! So about three weeks ago I got a bunch of drugstore makeup products and I decided to write a review of these products!

I got two different products from Elf. The first was Powder Brush, the first Elf brush I’ve ever bought. For the price this brush is excellent. While this brush does a good good of applying powder there is nothing wow-ing about it. I mean it is just a powder brush! I am definitely willing to try other Elf brushes.

The other product I bought from Elf was their primer in Tone Adjusting Green. I get a lot of redness and acne on my checks so I thought this would be an interesting product to try. The key with this primer is to give it a minute to adjust before applying foundation over time. While it initially does a good job of covering up my redness, it does not last that long. It is a good primer but not a great colour corrector.

Next I got two products from Milani. First was their Rose Powder Blush. I thought it had picked the shade Coral Cove but I accidentally bought Tea Rose. While it was not the blush I wanted it still is beautiful! I heard great things about the Milani blushes and I agree with what everyone says! It is the perfect level of pigmentation where I do not have to be super careful when applying my blush. It builds and wears nicely. I’m definitely going to pick up the other shade I wanted!

The second Milani product is their Amore Matte Lip Cream in the shade Pretty. First thing to note is that the colours wear differently on the lips compared to in the tube. I found this shade looks neutral but wears cool tone on the lips. This is an okay liquid lipstick but not my favourite. It lasts a long time and feels comfortable but it makes my lips look very dry. It has a really nice scent though, like vanilla cupcakes! I will probably wear the liquid lipstick again but probably wouldn’t buy another one from their line.

Finally is my favourite product from this haul! The Fit Me Concealer by Maybelline. Since I bought this concealer it is the only one I have worn. It is creamy and very easy to blend out. I do need to set this concealer, but once I have it looks beautiful and lasts really well. I have dry under-eyes and this is one of the few concealers that I have tried that does not cling to my dry patches. My only issue is that the shade I pick matches my skin tone perfectly; so it looks nice for every day use but does not do much brightening under my eyes. I think I might pick up another shade!

And these are my thoughts on some drugstore products! If you guys have any drugstore recommendations let me know! Always willing to try new makeup!

xoxo

Lea