Katy Perry for OPI, Black Shatter

This blog is really supposed to be about bad beauty products, but I'm changing things up just this once, to cover something I'm obsessed with right now.

This stuff is insane. My only complaint about it is that I had a hard time finding it in my local Ulta store, and when I did they only had the black in stock rather than the other shattered colors.

It's pretty easy to use, despite hearing a few warnings from other users about the necessity of "spreading it on thick." Wait until your nail color is completely dry, apply one, ONLY ONE, coat of the shatter polish, and watch the magic happen. The color pulls away from the nail, leaving only a crackled surface over your original color. After a clear top coat, the nails surface is still a little uneven, but not enough to be a nuisance.

I love it, I can't wait to try out other colors.

Maybelline Expert Eyes Moisturing Eye Makeup Remover

"For Waterproof Eye Makeup."
That sentence is the only reason I purchased this. And is why I'm fairly disappointed.
Though no ingredients are listed on the package, I'm pretty sure this is just 2.3 fluid ounces of baby oil in disguise. It works about as well, and smells similar. My mom's been using baby oil to remove her eye makeup for years, I've got no problem with it, I just don't want to pay for it to be repackaged and marketed to me as something "better."

I wear waterproof mascara frequently. Not daily--but going anywhere that I know I'm going to be active, or out late means I'll be picking up the waterproof. (I don't like smudges, I swear, I'm not walking around crying all of the time!) This remover gets most of my eye makeup off. Most, not all. I'm always left with residue the following morning, and let's be honest here, I'm not exactly caking on the color here I usually opt for curling my lashes, throwing on one coat of mascara and that's all. Realistically, this product should be able to take care of that in a pinch, but it just doesn't impress me and leaves behind an oily residue and shine that just further convinces me that it's just baby oil in a smaller bottle.

I'd pick up No-Miss No Tears! Eye makeup remover in the future.

NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil

I am currently using this in dark brown.

When I had a source of income, I used the MAC "Eyebrows" pencil in Spiked. Now that no one posting a professional position wants to hire me, the budget for MAC items has disappeared, and I'm searching for replacements at a drugstore price. I picked this up at Ulta.

I enjoy the color, it's a near perfect match to how I'm coloring my hair these days, and isn't too obvious that I'm filling in my lighter brows.

This pencil is a dual ended device, with one end being a cheap and way too thin excuse of a brow brush. There is no point in including this, it's just taking up space that could be otherwise occupied by more of the pencil itself. And this plastic shell, seriously... how much plastic is required to contain such a tiny amount of stick-pigment? Surely this is overkill. The large exterior is difficult to grip, and I constantly drop this thing.

The pigment portion of the pencil itself is almost eggshaped rather that perfectly cylindrical which wouldn't bother me but because it requires that it be rotated to extend, the sides of the pigment are slowly getting shaved off. The texture is nowhere near as smooth as the MAC pencil, and is much easier to smudge while applying.

I haven't had any trouble with this lifting, or rubbing off throughout the day once set, so there is one redeeming quality. I wouldn't purchase this again, even knowing it was inexpensive, but I'll continue to use it for the time being and push away any thoughts of how dreamy the MAC brow pencil is.

Smashbox Doubletake Lip Color

I used this in Cranberry.

I like the lip pencil consistency, but found the "creamy lip color" side to be way too creamy. This went on easily, but came off just as easily. After reading several other reviews I tried to layer the two by completely filling in my lips with the pencil and using the color over, but this didn't seem to fix the smearing. Bummed that this was as expensive as it was, because it has really proved useless to me.

Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve In A Tube

I heard amazing things about the 'Salve in a Tub' from the same company, and thought I'd give the tube a try because my germaphobic tendencies point me away from things that involve putting my fingers in a dish, and then to my mouth.

I have a huge problem with the name, because really, there is nothing 'salve' like about this at all. It's a glorified lipgloss with a rose scent.

Touted as something to "moisturize and soothe dry lips" and also "calm and heal irritation," this was disappointing. I didn't experience anything healing or beneficial from this, and for $6 my expectations were high. If anything, my lips seem drier after use.

I would consider trying the 'Salve in a Tub' in-store or as a sample just to compare the two, because I have a feeling that they're not at all the same.

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm

Colors I have used:
Twilight- plum-brown, not as dark as Midnight
Gothic- classic vintage red-red, not orange-red like Flame

The color applicator is a marker tip and has yet to dry out which I am pleasantly surprised by. After applying the color, I wait, open mouthed for 1.5-2 minutes to ensure the stain has completely set before applying the balm. I reapply balm throughout the day as needed, and occasionally use the balm without the stain.

I guess I don't necessarily want to "break up" with this lip stain, but it isn't the type of thing I'd marry either. I'm not much of a lip color person.

The good:
Gothic is the first red lip-anything I've tried that I have actually enjoyed the color of. I have fair skin and dark hair and typically find that reds make me look a little too geisha like, but this is a fantastic color. The stain has stayed put through eating many times, as long as I make sure to let it dry thoroughly before applying the balm.

The bad, but not horrible:
I don't have smooth lips, and still don't even after exfoliating them. This can be a tad annoying when applying the stain, as it can go on unevenly, and I have to refill some areas where my lips are more chapped looking than others. This takes even more time to dry, and I get a bit paranoid about it flaking during the day. Now, I said that the stain stays put, and I meant it. That is a great thing when I'm used to lipstick being too creamy and smearing...but it also means that the stain doesn't like to come off. Be cautious about trying new colors because regardless of whether you like the shade it will be on your lips all day. Even after using a makeup remover I have remnants of the color on my lips the following morning, and have to use the remover a second time.

Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask

I got this as a sample with a Sephora order, and thought I was going to gag upon opening the pouch...

The smell:
Not only is the scent way too perfumed for a "natural" product, but it is a very strong chemical odor as opposed to smelling like the fresh, natural ingredients in the product (green tea, and acai berries).

The appearance:
Honestly, this looked like I had an infant's bowel movement slathered on my face. There is no "nice way" to put it. It is a pea soup color, slightly chunky, and has small seed-like additives for exfoliation.

The results:
Okay, once I got past the look and smell and got down to business, this was a very moisturizing treatment. I have fairly dry skin thanks to a lifetime of eczema, and I was pleasantly surprised at how nourished it felt. The happy feelings and glowing moisture didn't last until morning, though; Iwoke up with the same problem areas as always.