Gold Standard

Orofluido Beuty Elixr for Hair

I have tried so many hail oils. On the surface my dry, frizzy, fine, curly hair is the perfect candidate for a good hair oil treatment. After years of budget buys and trial size samples I have finally come accross my holy grail hair oil!

This bridges the gap perfectly for me. It is smoothing without weighing down my strands and there is no oil slick in sight even after 3 straight days of diligint morning application. It's worth noting that the sweet musk smell is lovely and lingering.

A dime sized dollop is all you need to really calm frizz and detangle any stubborn knots. My one and only gripe is the pumpless bottle. The open glass container makes pouring out too much a little too easy. I would love if the 30$ price tag could include a pump. While the glass may not be to most travel friendly option it does look and feel very luxe.

Do you guys have a favorite styling oil? Have you tried the Orofluido?

xoxo

Molly

The Never Ending Story

Revlon Treat and Boost

I have beat it into you on this blog that my nails kind of suck. They peel, split, and break if you just look at them funny. My favorite base coat Orly's Bonder, (link!) does amazing things when it comes to keeping your polish on longer but not a whole lot for their conditon. Like a true polish addict I have taken to layering base coats. I know, I know thats nuts but I swear it works!!

I keep thinking about shelling out for OPI's Nail Envy because everyone seems to love it, but the price tag is just gigantic. When I cam accross this newbie in the new Revlon Bubblegum Days and Urban Nights collection and saw that the directions read very similarly to the directions on good 'ol Nail Envy. I figured what would it hurt to see if it helps.

I have to say I'm quite impressed. I didn't anticipate to really see any difference but this has clearly given my nails a bit of a boost. I've noticed less peeling, less cracking, and minimal breaking in the two weeks I've spent using this. I can't say how it compares to it's more pricey counterparts but for around 5$ it's certainly worth a try. Especially if your nails aren't as hilariously bad as mine I can see this being a nice budget nail treatment. It certainly hasn't solved all of my nail problems but overall I think its the best drugstore treatment I've ever tried.

Have you guys found any good nail care lately?

xoxo

Molly

Instagram Nails #30

The Shyest Time

I feel like whenever I go into MAC to look at lippies I get so distracted by all of the bright colors, bells and whistles, and drag queen employees, that sometimes I miss out on some of the really lovely understated products that they have to offer.

 

Case in point-Shy Girl lipstick.

 

This purchase almost didn't happen. In fact the last time I talked about MAC (link!) I showed you Film Noir (a back to MAC) and Fast Play, which I wasn't loving. I ended up returning Fast Play in favor of Shy Girl and I think it was a very smart move.

 

It's a really lovely peach toned nude color that is just a bit darker than my natural skin tone. I can wear this and still look healthy and alive. I also love the light, glossy, creemsheen formula in a shade like this. I think its a more flattering finish for a natural lip hue.

 

For the first time in a while I feel like I've come out of MAC with something I can easily wear on a regular basis.

 

Do any of you have this experience when you shop for makeup?

 

xoxo

Molly

A Not So True Match

L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Concealor Pencil in Shade W 1-2-3

This is a hard one for me to admit to, becuase I really wanted to love this, but this is one dissapointing concealor. It's such a shame because I really wanted to like this one. Lets start with the pros shall we...

I love the pencil delivery system. It has a twist up mechanism so you never have to worry about product waste and the product is narrow enough to be accurate even after the point has worn down. This, along with a lot of the True Match line, is a great color match for me. (Shade W1-2-3) The texture of this is also brilliant. It is so creamy and feels lovely on the skin. That is where it stops for me though...

While the consistency of this really is beautiful; when you go to blend it into the skin the color seems to blend away all toghether. The color, but not the product. I'm not sure if this makes any sense but it's like you can still see the texture of the product on the skin, even though there is no coverage there. You might be able to get away with this over areas of discolored skin but if you apply it to skin with any type of alternate texture (read: gross blemish-y skin) it seems to not stick at all.

The worst part? This clings to powder like you wouldn't believe. I have tried any number of powders over this and it seems like no matter what I do it gets cakey and flaky and gross. It also seems to oxidize on contact with any sort of powder.

All in all I would say there are better budget concealors out there for you to spend your money on. Has anyone tried that new Covergirl stick concealor yet?

xoxo

Molly

Instagram Nails #29!

The Gloss-Over

Gimmick Alert! Alright so I am always on the hunt for a good affordable, long-wearling, liquid liner. The formula of this reminds me so much of the Urban Decay, Stila, MAC, etc liquid liner formulas. More than anything the effect I was after was a super glossy liquid liner.

Gimmick aside I think this is a really fantastic product. The little foam oblong disk on the end of the wand is designed to give you the option of using it lengthwise for a slim line or sideways for a thick line. I do not think this feature adds anything to the product.  I wish they would have just released this as a glossy liner with a plain foam nib.  I am seriously toying with the idea of cutting the little ball off. I think if you are after a wing this the little ball makes getting a good clean point MORE challenging.

If you are savvy with your liner skills, buy this. It wears for days and only comes off with serious oil based makeup remover. The gloss effect is more like a vinyl effect which I think looks so badass and if you are into wearing just a cat eye than this could be a neat way for you to update the look.

If you are new to liquid liner I would encourage you to try this but be prepaerd to practice with it a bit.

Another thing worth noting is that this requires a good, long, vigorous, shake or it seperates and comes off at the slightest whisper of moisture. If you remember to shake it though it will never come off.

Any other liquid liner junkies out there?

xoxo

Molly

Crushed

I don't really talk about mascara preferences much here. I find that I'm pretty open minded about mascaras. I have a feeling it's because I'm pretty lucky to have a nice natural set. As long as I have them a bit darker and fuller I'm happy.

As a general rule I like the Covergirl Lash Blast formulas, but this one might be my favorite. Not only is the small, slightlty curved brush a vast improvement over the gargantuan original but the formula is insanely buildable. It's a bit drier than some of its siblings and for that reason I think you could layer this baby on until the cows come home and it literally would never bunch together. As far as a product living up to its claims I don't think I've seen better than this in a while.

I don't normally love love love curved brushes so this is another first for me. In this case though its less like a curve and more like a straight side and a slightly protruding side. I also think that all of these plastic bristled wands are a brilliant addition to the makeup party. I know they're not new but each time I try a new one I realize how much I love it  all over again. They just seem to grab hold of every lash and really give you a nice full, seperated coat.  

My only concern is how long this will last. The formula that is already so so dry could be a sign that the workability of this formula will only last for so long.

Have any of you ventured into Clump Crusher territory yet?

xoxo

Molly

Instagram Nails #28

Vivid Whisper

Maybelline Color Whisper and Color Sensational Vivid

Color Whisper in Lust for Blush

Maybelline's new lip products are some of the best releases of the new year. I think they do lips really well as a general rule but so far these are some of my favorites.

The Color Whisper formula is the Maybelline response to the Revlon Lip Butter and the L'Oreal Shine Caresse formula. Personally, this is my favorite of the three. I know I know I've given all three forumlas pretty glowing reviews, but I swear I like this one the best. It seems to have taken the balm feel of the L'Oreal and the pigment of the Lip Butter and rolled them into one. What can I say? I love a happy medium. I still prefer formulas like this for nudes and pinks because darker colors in these emollient textures tend to bleed like a bitch on me.

The Color Sensational Vivid is all about the color selection for me. The formula on these are beautiful as always. They are soft and creamy and wear like a dream. The Vivids are just beautiful, pigmented, neon lip colors for the spring. This picture really does not capture the full brightness of the shade. If you are a fan of bright lips and find that your selection at the drugstore is limited, you won't have to worry for long. I fully intend to collect 'em all.

Are any of you looking forward to the new Maybelline lippies?

xoxo

Molly

Nearly Caked

I almost never use drugstore face products. It's not brand snobbery, its practicality. Don't get me wrong, I try really hard to seek out more wallet friendly solutions but the products are always either too pink, too dark, or too heavy. It says a lot about the Revlon Nearly Naked range that I even managed to talk myself into the purchase.

 

I saw this in Rite Aid about two weeks ago and the name "Nearly Naked" drew me in immediately. If I look for anything in my base products it's a barely there appearance. I hate looking made up more than anything and any product that claims to make me look perfect without making me look like I'm wearing slap is instantly on my radar. I still passed on this at first because I had been burned so many times in the Rite Aid aisles that I wasn't ready to take the plunge again.

 

The other day my self control gave out and my curiosity and I walked out with foundation and powder in tow. (Along with Essie's Butler Please which is going back because it is the same as Sally Hansen Pacific Blue. I knew it!)

 

I am pleased to report that I am really genuinely enjoying using this. It reminds me a whole lot of the formula of Chanel's Vita Lumiere Aqua foundation. I sampled the Chanel maybe a year ago and really loved it but ended up with something similar from Shiseido that had a higher SPF because Summer was fast approaching.

 

Ther shade range in this (as with most Revlon formulas) is quite large and I found it quite easy to come up with a good match in 120 Vanilla. I think I might have been able to go a shade or so darker given that the formula is so forgiving, but this definitley works. It helps that the corresponding powder in Light is a bit too dark, but the lighter shade, Fair, was way too pink.

 

The few reviews I saw before I bought this really praised the powder as being soft and creamy and lovely, which it is. I do find though that I prefer the foundation on its own. On my normal to combination-oily skin this lasts about 7 hours until it begins to break down around my nose and chin and lingers on my cheeks and forehead until I choose to remove it. If I use the powder on top I find it looks a bit heavy and then I end up spritzing with a bit of toner and the product breaks down faster than it would have on its own.

 

All in all I think they are both really nice, inexpensive, base products that are worth a second look. I can't say that I will repurchase the powder but I think the foundation stands a good chance of being something I can rely on in the long haul.

 

Have you guys tried this formula yet?

xoxo

Molly

Second Thoughts

I love a good Back 2 MAC. It takes me a while to rack up some empty containers but when I do the excitement of new lipstick takes over and I always wind up treating myself to more.

Film Noir is a color I'd been eyeing up for quite some time. It is basically a deep, reddened brown. More than anything I'm sure I wanted it just for the name. That aside it has turned out to be the color I like best of the two. It wears a lot like the other vampy shades I gravitate towards but the brown base is so much more flattering on my pale yellow toned skin.

Fast Play, on the other hand, is a lovely color but I'm not sure I love this color in the Amplified finish. In general Amplifieds tend to be my favorite MAC finish but I also very rarely buy nude colors from MAC. I imagine I would prefer this color in something like a Lustre or Creamsheen. I might even exchange it for something else. The more I think about it the less I think I will use it.

What do you guys think?

xoxo

Molly

Instagram Nails #27

Living In Sin

NARS is just a beautiful brand. I am a firm believer that no brand does everything perfectly, and NARS is no exception to that rule. I do find though, that no matter how average the product inside the little black rubberized compact may be, owning the compact sometimes feels so good I can justify spending too much on something I will use infrequently.

 

Their powder blush in Sin, however, is anything but average. A longtime favorite color from the brand ( I hesitate to call it a cult product when the brand is so famous for another color) it is the perfet nude/brown/mauve/purple/pink shade shot through with a warm off-white sheen.

 

With tremendous blendability and an eight hour minimum wear time Sin is a fantastic basic shade to have in your arsenal. The thing I think really makes this blush is while it is a very welcoming familiar shade, the slight sheen makes it a modern take on the type of color your mom wore.  

 

Maybe its a good suggestion for updating Mom's bag...

 

What are your thoughts on this classic NARS offering?

 

xoxo

Molly

The Stellar Treatment

 

 

 

 

This little gift set was a last minute addition to my Christmas wishlist. When I saw this line up of colors I knew that this would be the perfect kit for me, especially for my overnights at work. (I commute pretty far to my job and sometimes need to stay over.) I would love it more if a few of those mid toned shades were less shimmery but as a rule I am in love with the color selection.

 

The standout color for me is Connoisseur. It is this strange yellow olive color that looks brilliant as the star of the show. It doesn't need a whole lot of definition just a bit of black liner and lots of mascara. I even love it in place of my go to Urban Decay Smog with a deep red lip.

 

The real star of the show for me though is the primer.

 

 

It's the baby one so it's handy for travel and it out preforms all of the other primers I've tried to date. I have and will finish the Makeup Forever Eye Prime that I reviewed a few weeks ago,(link),but once that is gone you can bet I will repurchase this one.

 

Better yet...it's on sale now so you can snap it up AND save a few bucks. (link) 

 

xoxo

Molly