Beauty – Page 5 – Hoots of a Night Al

e.l.f. Illuminating Palette

July 8, 2016 10 Comments

Hey friends! Are you a fan of highlighters? I AM. I’m also a fan of not spending tons of money on them. That is where the $6 e.l.f. Illuminating Palette comes in.

In the picture above, I have my full face of makeup on, except for a highlighter. I think it’s still a great look, but highlighter definitely adds that extra pop. Below, I applied highlighter on one half of my face…can you tell which side?

Here…I’ll give you some help!

It’s not a huge difference, but I think on the right my under-eye area definitely looks brighter, and my cheeks have a nice pop of sheen.

This e.l.f. Illuminating Palette is a pretty good bang for your buck…er…six bucks. I often see highlighters referred to as “bright enough to be seen from space.” I don’t know if this highlighter is quite that impressive. If we’re keeping with the atmosphere theme, I bet it could be seen from the stratosphere, though? Not bad for the price!

I typically apply the highlighter on my cheekbones, center of my nose, cupid’s bow, upper chin, and center forehead. I also use the lightest shade to brighten my under-eye area.

This palette definitely adds a subtle, but pretty sheen where applied. It lasts throughout the day very well on me, also.

According to e.l.f., “This beautiful illuminating palette holds 4 gorgeous complementary shades to mix and match for a custom blended radiance that captures, diffuses, and softens the way light reflects on the skin. The soft-focus powders are great for highlighting around the eyes and on cheekbones to enhance the skin with a luminous effect.”

You can see the four shades included below. I typically use a combination of the top two.

e.l.f also says these colors can be used as shadows, which I think could create a beautiful, natural makeup look. I mean, as natural as shimmering eyelids can look, you know.

Like I said, I don’t think these highlighters will be blinding any astronauts, but they’re a great purchase. If you’re wanting to test out highlighting without spending tons of money, give this palette a try!

Have you had luck with any other drugstore highlighters I should check out?

Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me

Bronzer: NYX Matte Bronzer

Blush: Wet n Wild Color Icon Blusher Pearlescent Pink

Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

Eyeliner: Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner

Mascara: Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions LashBlast Mascara

Lipstick: Le Marc Lipstick by Marc Jacobs in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

Beauty

Wet n Wild Color Icon Metallic Liquid Lipstick

June 28, 2016 4 Comments

Wet n Wild’s Limited Edition Summer Line has been flying off the shelves lately, so I figured I would grab some of the products to try myself. The first product I sampled is the Wet n Wild Color Icon Metallic Liquid Lipstick in Chrysanthemum’s the Word.

image source Wet n Wild

It is one of 6 colors in their new Metallic Liquid Lipstick collection and is a true pink hue. The applicator is a classic doe foot style, and it picks up a great amount of product. I was able to cover most of my lips with one pass.

I was happily surprised with the pigmentation of this lipstick! With lighter colors I always worry about them looking streaky, but this was so smooth of covered my lips very well.

They definitely aren’t kidding about the metallic finish either! It catches the light so well, and it stayed super shiny the entire time I had it on.

For some reason, I expected these to dry down matte, but they aren’t advertised that way. They definitely stay wet the entire wear time, which means they will transfer.

I didn’t eat or drink while wearing this liquid lipstick, so I can’t say how well they would stay on through that. However, it did stay perfect the entire time I had it on, with no bleeding, which was a big plus.

The formula claims to be non-drying, and I think that’s a fair statement. It’s not moisturizing by any means, but at no point while wearing it my lips feel dry.

I’m usually not a glossy, shiny lip person, so this was definitely step outside the box for me, but I think I’m a fan! It’s a fun look for summertime, when I feel like everyone is drying to achieve that “summer glow.”

Plus, at $2.99, it’s totally worth the risk, if you don’t like it! Have you tried any of Wet n Wild’s summer collection? I’m trying to get my hands on the highlighting powder next! All about that summer glow, right!?! (And by that I mean the kind of glow I can achieve by applying it with a makeup brush and never seeing the sun…)

Beauty

Le Marc Lip Crème Lipstick by Marc Jacobs in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

June 20, 2016 5 Comments

Love this lipcolor? Me too! I love the shade, the formula, the name…everything! Well…everything except the price. Let me back up a bit, though! This is the Le Marc Lipstick by Marc Jacobs in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is referred to as “dusty rose” or “baked rose.” I think that’s the perfect description! It’s a warm rose tone, that is perfect for everyday wear.

I have been wearing it in a few recent posts and out in public, and I get complimented on it more than any other lipstick I own! I think that’s a testament to what a pretty color it is.

It is also super pigmented, so I think the beautiful color will translate regardless of your natural lip color.

The formula is very moisturizing and extremely long-wearing. I wore this to a blogging event last week, and long after eating lunch and drinking water, it was still going strong.

The price is a little steep for my drugstore taste at around $30 a tube. However, I will say this lipstick lives up to the price. If you want a similar look for less, I would recommend Revlon’s Matte Balm in Sultry. It’s another favorite of mine, and it is also a dusty rose color (albeit slightly darker).

What are your favorite lipsticks for everyday?

Beauty

Covergirl The Super Sizer by LashBlast Mascara

June 3, 2016 No Comments

I’m breaking out of my Maybelline bubble, to blog about Covergirl’s New The Super Sizer by LashBlast Mascara in Very Black. I have been seeing this promoted everywhere lately, so I picked up a tube to try myself.

As you can see the wand is pretty unique. It is slender and the bristles are relatively short. The are attached in a sort of swirl, so you’re supposed to twirl the brush as you apply the mascara. I found the wand pretty easy to work with. It does take a little getting used to though.

It comes in 3 colors: Black Brown, Black, and Very Black. I always reach for the blackest mascara possible because I think it provides the most impact.

According to Covergirl, this mascara is supposed to provide “400% more corner-to-corner volume for full, fanned out lashes.” I think it mostly delivers.

My lashes definitely have more volume and length when I’m wearing this, BUT AT WHAT COST!? Hah, kidding. Drama aside, my lashes definitely clump when I’m applying The Super Sizer mascara, and the short-bristled, swirled brush isn’t the best tool for separating my lashes. Of course, if I work with it long enough, I can get it to work. However, other mascaras make clump-free lashes much more attainable.

Maybe to some people clumps equal volume? I much prefer separated lashes that are somehow volumized while remaining clump-free, but who am I to know what everyone wants?

The Super Sizer mascara is mostly flake-free, which is a plus. It doesn’t smear at all even in the heat, which is nice as well.

I have noticed a little bit of eye irritation when wearing this mascara, even though it is ophthalmologist tested. However, that could be due to allergies or another factor, I just wanted to mention it in case anyone reading has super sensitive eyes. You may want to avoid this one.

Another pro of this mascara is the price. From what I’ve seen it runs around $2 cheaper than many other drugstore mascaras…usually around $5-$6 depending on the store.

Overall, I’d give this mascara about a 7/10. Is it fabulous enough to make me abandon being a Maybelline Babebelline and try to be a Covergirl? Nope, probably not. (Also Maybelline Babelline was gross, I’m sorry.)

If you’re in the market for a new drugstore mascara though, I’d feel comfortable recommending it!

Covergirl’s The Super Sizer Mascara is available online, at drugstores, and at many big box retailers. If you decide to try it, let me know what you think!

As always, thanks so much for reading!

*FACE MAKEUP: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation & Concealer

*LIPSTICK: Maybelline Lipstick in Vivid Rose

*EYELINER: Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner

*BRONZER: NYX Matte Bronzer

*This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you click on them or make a purchase using them, I may receive a small percentage. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

Beauty

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser and Nourishing Night Cream

May 11, 2016 2 Comments

I have always had issues with redness on my face, but a few weeks ago, it looked even worse than usual. I set out to find some new skincare products to try and help. I get so overwhelmed when it comes to picking out a new face wash, so I tried to narrow it down and specifically look for one that helped with redness.

Right away the Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser jumped out at me. In its description it specifically says it helps reduce the appearance of redness through their trademarked ingredient “calming feverfew.”

I started using the cleanser that day, and I’ve been washing my face with it everyday for about two weeks. I must say, I’m super impressed! It helped reduce the redness on my cheeks within just a few days, and it’s gentle enough to use every night when I wash my face.

It’s good, not great, at removing my makeup. It gets off all of my face makeup easily, but I have to use a makeup remove to help get off my eye makeup most of the time. However, since I purchased it more for the redness calming property, I’m not complaining!

In conjunction with the cleanser, I purchased the Aveeno Ultra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream to use as my nightly moisturizer. I have used this every night as well, and I love it! It is smooth and creamy and soaks into my skin without leaving a greasy residue.

It hasn’t clogged my pores at all, and I think it has definitely aided the cleanser in reducing the redness on my cheeks and nose. Speaking of my nose, if you’re sensitive to smells, you may want to avoid this moisturizer. It claims to be fragrance free, but the Active Naturals Oat ingredient definitely gives it a yeast-like smell. It kind of makes me feel like a Sandwich Artist at Subway. (I ignorantly assume they all smell like bread all the time.) It’s pretty strong at first, but I think it does fade relatively quickly.

The ultra-calming line also has make-up removing wipes and a daily moisturizer. I have used the makeup-up wipes before, and they’re also great!

If you struggle with facial redness, you should consider purchasing some products from the Aveeno Ultra-Calming line. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

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