The Battle of the Powders: ELF vs. Rimmel

Hey Y'all!!!

Today we are going to be comparing two powders! The elf pressed powder and Rimmel London stay matte pressed powder. Both are matte pressed powders that are supposed to last all day, control oil, and minimize appearance of pores!

ELF Powder

This powder is in the color ivory and it is more yellow based. It is in a flip up container.

Yes, this product does so what it promises. It sticks to the skin and mattifies it. It lasts almost all day with very limited touch ups. My problem with the product is that it makes your makeup look very cakey even with just a thin layer. It also is super yellow based so even the lightest color is better for warm toned people than cool toned. Neutral tones people may be able to get away with it. It costs about $1!

Swatch:

Rimmel London Stay Matte

This product costs about $5 and is much bigger and much more product than the elf powder; making it less convenient to stick in a makeup bag. It matifys the face and it great for all days including days with bb cream because it's color (mine is natural) is just a nice sheen over the skin.

A few touch ups are needed maybe two or three times during the day depending in what you are doing but it does give a very natural look. It's also better for those who are cool tones because it seems that this powder is more pinkish tones. As they get darker, at least in the store, it appears that they get a little more yellow based.

Swatch:

Final Verdict

I do prefer the Rimmel powder over the elf powder. Although the Rimmel does have to be touched up more I like that it is very natural looking and that I don't have to watch my bronzer use because it's more linked toned. I've found a use for my elf powder though: concealer. It does work as a powdered concealer to set the green corrector over small blemishes! So that my opinion!

What do you think? Leave me a comment about these products if you use them or you love them! Which ones do you prefer? 

Until next time!

Cheers! <3 :)

-K

My Drugstore Reviews: Elf Eyebrow Kit

HHey y'all!!!

It's time for another drugstore review! I do these so that girls in a budget can find great products and also know what to stay away from! That way you're prepared next time you have a little spending money and want to head over to your local target, Walgreens, walmart, cvs etc!

Today I want to talk about the elf eyebrow kit and eyebrow/eye lash gel. The brows frame the eyes just like hair frames the face! It's important to get strong brow game for the perfect look. However, not all of us have the money for products like the amazing Anastasia dip brow! So, I've gone through several drugstore eyebrow lots and I have to say that the best one I've ever used is the elf eyebrow kit! As my brows are darker than my hair I use the medium shade kit. I can also use the light kit but I prefer the dramatic effect I can achieve with the medium colors. This product is from the elf studio line and costs $6, a lot more affordable than other eyebrow products!

The packaging is black and pretty durable. It's also in a shape and size that's easy to carry in a makeup bag or purse:

Open it up and you have a small mirror, a dark shade of gel, a lighter shade of powder, and a brush:

The brush is small and dual ended. One end is the classic angeled eyeliner brush that is used to apply the gel. The other is a fluffy brush side used to put the powder on. This very small brush is the same great quality as other elf brushes and it's super easy to use!

As for the gel and powder themselves. The gel goes onto the eyebrows smoothly. The color is rich and it is important to use a lighter hand at first because the color is super pigmented and it is easy to over do it. However, you can build it up for a great dramatic look:

The powder is a much lighter color than the gel and is not as pigmented. However, it does help seal the gel into the lashes and kind if hazes out the look. I skip this powder if I want a very dramatic look. For normal days however, I enjoy it!

So, here's the real application of it! This is my brow before gel:

After I brush it out and apply the gel:

As I have work today I just went for the more natural and light look. And here is after powder:

Not a very big difference but slight enough. And yes I know, I need to get my eyebrows done! I'm waiting for my next check XD then I just deal them with some elf eyebrow and eyelash gel! That just gives it a finished look!

The gel product is great for simply setting everything. I dislike however that the gel gets fairly dirty after being used several times. The makeup sticks to the brush and gets into the tube:

So, now I has one eyebrow done and here's the difference!

 

They look close since I went for a natural look but you can tell that the one on the right is a bit thicker, darker, and more xontrolled than the one on the left! 

This brow kit is easy to use and comes in three shades. It's highly affordable and it lasts all day! I've even had it last while at the beach and pool! I recommend this product for brows for those who might be on a budget!

Cheers <3 :)

-K

*disclainer: all opinions are mine and are completely and 100% honest. I buy all products with my own money or receive them as gifts. I never receive them from brands and I have no prior deals with any company!*

My Favorite Lippies!

Hey y'all!

Today's post is about one of my favorite products: lippies! I love lipstick, stain, pencils, and some glosses! I feel that I can rock both subdued and more dramatic colors! I also think that my lips are the way that I express myself in makeup as I hate to do very dramatic looks with my eyes. So, today I'm sharing with you some of my favorites from my collection! I have 11 to share with you all from different price points. Keep in mind, like all other favorite posts, this is only a sampling of my actual collection!

Em by Michelle Phan

Color: Nude

I typically never spend much on makeup because I have a very tight budget but I couldn't help myself when Michelle Phan released her makeup line. I chose this lipstick because I've been in search of a good nude for years. All others I tried have either been extremely sheer, to dark for my very pale skin, or have a lot of glitter. This is a very creamy matte color that lasts all day! Works with or without liner. The packaging is cute and heavy duty so it's easy to carry around!

Swatch:

Maybelliene Babylips

Color: Pink Punch

I own about 6 of these products but pink punch is my absolute favorite! It smells great, applies easily, and gives me just a very light sheen of pink on my lips. It is very moisturizing and I carry one of these around in my makeup bag at all times!

Swatch:

NYX Buttergloss

Colors: Éclair and Apple Strudel

I'm not a huge fan of gloss because I feel that it's messy and sticks to everything. However, I discovered these butter glosses through my ipsy bag and I fell in love! I have apple strudel which is a bright pink and éclair which is ax more muted purple. Both smell good, are super opaque, and they aren't super sticky! These are basically the only glosses I use!

Éclair swatch:

Apple Strudel Swatch:

Stark looks Longwrar Lip Pencil

Color: Naked

Although this is a lip liner I use the product on it's own because it's beautiful. It is a light pink color that is a matte finish. I have no other colors like this and all my pinks are either a glossy or shimmery finish not matte. I also love the star looks brand! This product does dry out the lips so I recommend lying down a coat of lip balm first.

Swatch:

NYX Lip Smacking Fun Colors

Color: Iced Honey

This is an absolutely gorgeous nude/go lush color. It's more everdescant than shimmery on the lips and with a pink undertone it goes well with my skin and baby blue eyes. It goes on super creamy but the lasting power isn't phenomenal.

Swatch:

Pixie Brilliance Balm

Color: Unique Pink

I cannot get enough of this product! It customizes itself in several different shades of pink depending on the skintone that your lips are. For me, it is a nice fushia color! I did a more in depth review and swatch on my July ipsy bag post. If you want to see more on this product please check out that post!

Bare Mineraks Marvelous Moxie

Color: Get Ready

A small travel sized tube in a color exclusively for ipsy; this product is creamy with lasting power and comes in a beautiful deep pink! I use this for special ocassions where my look has to be more mature or muted. My mum loved it so much she used my ipsy code to but herself a full size of this exclusive color!

L.A Colors 

Color: Paradise and Wild Fire

Although very drying on the lips; I've found that these extremely affordable lip products are very pigmented and swipe onto the lips easily. Paradise is in a warm pinkish shade with a slight burnt orange undertone, wild fire is my deep cherry red; which is my go to shade! I tend to gravitate toward more affordable brands for my reds because I go through them so fast. The average red will last me about 4 months. I use it almost every single day and I apply 2-3 times to keep it fresh. I will be doing a girls guide for red lips soon so keep looking for that!

Paradise swatch:

Wild fire swatch:

Ofra Lip Gloss

Color: Sultry

Although technically a gloss, this product feels more like a lipstick. It is thick and creamy not sticky in the slightest. It is a deep berry color and a great substitute for hose days I don't want to bother with prep for red lips! It lasts about 12 hours and it does act more like a stain. I got it in my September 2013 ipsy bag and I still haven't used a quarter of the tube!

Swatch:

So, as you can see I'm very expires mental when it comes to lips! I love many different products and some pretty intense colors. I also own a blue and black lipstick that I did not show in this post. I will have more lipstick posts soon as I meantion end earlier I already have one for red lips in mind! Keep looking for those updates as I try to update this blog every day! Hope this have some of you ideas and product suggestions!

Cheers! <3 :)

-K

*disclaimer: as always all products talked about I have bought with my personal money. I have not been given these products to review and I am in no way affiliated with any company. You can always ensure that my opinions on this particular forum are not affiliated with any companies and that opinions are 100% mine!*