cheap makeup – Page 2 – Hoots of a Night Al

Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm AS A PRIMER!

August 9, 2016 4 Comments

If you bounce around in the makeup world at all, you’ve probably heard of this amazing “makeup hack.” If you haven’t, listen up! Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm makes an AMAZING primer. Yes, I know that isn’t its purpose, but isn’t that the whole idea behind a hack??

The first person credited with this fabulous discovery is NikkieTutorials in this video. Apparently, glycerin is the second most used ingredient in Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm, which helps your foundation cling onto your skin. It’s works wonders if you’re trying to achieve a flawless look all day long. It is also alcohol free, so it won’t dry your skin out.

All you have to do is shake it up, and rub it all over your face and neck before applying your foundation. It’s very thin, so it dries quickly. I should also warn you that it definitely has a very masculine scent. However, don’t be dismayed! The smell definitely diminishes once it dries, and it’s worth it for the fabulous results!

I have been using this as a primer for around a year now, and it stays on through everything! Hot, cold, rainy, sweaty, humid, you name it, my foundation stays put! I always use liquid foundations, and every foundation I have tried works fabulously with this post shave balm as a primer. It’s a miracle worker! Even better, it only costs about $7! That’s only $2.12 an ounce! By comparison, Smashbox Primer is $36 an ounce!

You really can’t beat the price and quality if you’re looking for a primer. Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm is easily found at many drugstores and big box retailers, so if you’re in the market for a new primer grab this to try! You can maintain a beautiful matte finish for pennies a day! That sounds pretty wonderful to me.

Do you know of any other makeup hacks I should try? Let me know!

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

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

Beauty

Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara

March 31, 2016 2 Comments

What’s that? Another Maybelline mascara review? Well, if you insist! The Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious mascara is a variation of the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara that I reviewed recently. However, they don’t have many similarities apart from their names.

As usual, I chose the darkest option, Blackest Black. It is definitely a deep, rich black, which I love.

I also love the matte black packaging. I know it will get dirty so quickly in my makeup bag, but I love how chic matte products look!

This mascara claims to provide a “full fan effect,” by coating your lashes with its “precious oil-infused formula.” Well, I’ll give them one thing. It does COAT your lashes. Warning: if you’re a 2 or 3 coat mascara kind of girl like me, DON’T try that with this mascara!

As you can see, this wand comes out with a LOT of product on it, and, regardless of how I apply it, a second coat always results in clumpy, wet lashes that I can’t separate. In these pictures I did 2 “coats,” but I never inserted the wand back into the tube between coats to grab more product. There is plenty (probably too much) from the first time you pull out the wand. It’s also super wet and takes forever to dry. I have be careful not to get any of this on my eyelids after I apply it, which is something I never usually have to worry about.

Thankfully, it never flakes throughout the day, which is great.

In the picture below, I switched the side of my face I’m holing the mascara on to REALLY liven it up for y’all. Yikes…think I need some new selfie makeup poses?

Do I love this mascara? No. Do I like it? Meh. I’ll probably keep using it, since I already have it, but it’s definitely not my first choice. If you’re wanting to try a new mascara, there are much better options out there like the original Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara or Maybelline Falsies mascara. They’re both more buildable without the issue of clumps.

Maybelline rarely lets me down, so I’m hoping if I keep working with this mascara, I’ll get better at applying it. Have you tried it? Any tips for helping it not clump?

I hope this review was helpful for you, and that you’re having a great week!

Beauty

Beauty Blurbs: Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin

June 3, 2015 5 Comments

Hey y’all! First things first, I always have the desire to refer to my readers as “Hooters,” which is totally not okay. Unfortunately, it popped into my head one day, and now every time I start a blog post, I want to say, “Hi Hooters!” Don’t worry, I’ll continue resisting the urge, I just wanted to fill you all in on my creative process. 😉

Today’s post could alternatively be titled “Selfie Overload!” So…I’m sorry in advance for that! I am reviewing Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin and wearing the color “Buff,” which is the next to lightest shade. I have repurchased this foundation multiple times and continue to love it!

This foundation claims to provide “longwearing coverage with a lightweight formula that won’t cake, fade, or rub off.” I must agree! Don’t let the term ‘lightweight’ make you think it doesn’t offer great coverage! With a light layer, I am able to even out my skin tone and cover minor blemishes easily.

I have worn this foundation with and without a primer, and it stays on for HOURS each time. On the bottle, it says it can be worn for up to 24 hours, but the maximum amount of time I’ve worn it is around 14 hours. The normal/dry skin formula controls the shine even on my oily areas really well. If I ever have any issues I do a quick swipe with an oil-absorbing sheet, and I’m good to go!

This foundation works for me from day-to-night and light-to-heavy makeup applications. There is a Combination/Oily skin formula I have tried when my skin gets more oily, and it works great as well! With 20 shades, this foundation covers a pretty wide range of skin tones.

Another positive aspect of Revlon Colorstay Makeup is that I’ve been able to achieve both dewy and matte looks with it! On the left in the photo above, I used a blush with more shimmer (MAC Peachykeen) and a lighter application. On the right, I used a finishing powder (e.l.f. High Definition Powder), matte blush (MAC Pink Swoon), and heavier application. With simple variations, this foundation can provide quite a range of looks and satisfy several styles.

If it’s not obvious yet, I’m a huge fan of this foundation, and that has almost nothing to do with the fact that it’s only about $10! If you’re looking for a great, new foundation (that just happens to be inexpensive!), definitely try out Revlon Colorstay Makeup!

Beauty

Beauty Blurbs: Wet ‘n Wild Fergie Eyeshadow

November 4, 2013 2 Comments

Hi everyone! Sorry for the huge gap in posts, but I’ve been so busy lately! Okay, not that busy…I just haven’t felt like blogging. Whoops. Anyway, I’m back with a Beauty Blurb about some of my new favorite eyeshadow. It’s a Wet ‘n Wild product, which means it’s well priced and easy to find! This eyeshadow palette is from the Fergie line and is called Desert Festival. I found mine at Walgreen’s, and it was only $4.99! Plus, I had a coupon, so I snagged it for just over $3. Not bad at all.

I read recently that wearing eyeshadow colors that contrast with your eye color, makes your eyes look brighter and more vibrant. I have blue eyes, so according to a color wheel, oranges contrast most with blues.

Now, I’m not saying if you have green eyes, you should go out and buy some bright red eyeshadow (or do…live your life). However, shadows with hints of red or plum would probably complement your eye color. That being said, I was excited to find some positively reviewed, inexpensive, orange shadow! Also…ummm, sorry brown-eyed girls…guess you got the shaft on the color wheel…

The Desert Festival palette contains five colors and a sponge applicator. I’ve never been to a desert festival (I doubt Fergie has either), so I can’t vouch for the authenticity of the colors. As a non-desert festival attendee though, I can safely say they are heavily pigmented and have great application.

1. This shadow is a light tan with a hint of shimmer. It’s great to use as an all over base color.

2. This is my favorite color in the palette! It’s a bold red-orange color that goes on so bright and colorful. It’s unlike any other shadows I have in my collection for sure.

3. This shimmery brownish orange would be a great color for someone who doesn’t want to cover their eyelids in bright orange like a crazy person (AKA me).

4. This is a dark shimmery brown that is great for a crease color or an all over lid color.

5. This dark matte brown is my second favorite color in this palette. It can be used in several different looks. I’ve used it as both a crease color and to pat over eyeliner to make it look softer.

In this look, I used color #1 all over my lid and up to my brow bone, color #2 on the outer 3/4 of my lid, and color #5 in my crease and on my outer corner. I also added a light cream matte shadow to highlight my brow bone.

Did it make my eyes extra blue and vibrant? Um, I doubt it. I do love the fun mix of the orange though instead of the simple browns I usually wear. I think with a simple lip color, this shadow palette is perfect for fall. And at under $5, it’s not like you’ll go into debt trying to recreate this look. If you have blue eyes and want to try out some orange shades, you could also try out a bronze brown as it will have some orange tones without looking like you colored your lids orange with a crayon. If you’re loving the Desert Festival look as much as me, grab your own here!

As always, it’s best to wear a look that makes you feel your best! Happy November, and I’ll do my best to start blogging more often…I have several posts waiting to be written!

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