Drugstore.com Coupon Code 2012: 40% OFF All Makeup

Drugstore.com is offering 40% OFF EVERYTHING* in their makeup department. Enter coupon code MAKEUP40 at checkout. Offer expires October 20, 2012.

*affiliate link

Tarte Cosmetics Coupon Code 2012: 20% OFF Entire Order + Free Shipping

Tarte Cosmetics is offering 20% off entire order (no minimum)* + free shipping on any purchase of $40 or more. Enter coupon code TREAT at checkout. Offer expires October 21, 2012. 

*Fine print: The following sets are excluded from any promo codes and/or discounts: pure maracuja oil, eye catchers 6-piece smolderEYES™ and skinny smolderEYES™ collector's set, mistletoe must haves 24/7 lip sheer trio, the perfect pink holiday exclusive cheek stain, the stand outs limited-edition best-sellers kit, fantastic foursome Amazonian clay 12-hour blush enthusiast set, limited-edition picture perfect™ curler & deluxe lights, camera, lashes!™ mascara, statement lips 5-piece LipSurgence™ collector's set, any items in the #SampleSale section and any items marked excluded from discounts and promo codes on their product pages. 

What will you be stocking up on?

*This post contains affiliate links.

Swatches: GlossyBox USA August September 2012 + Giveaway

I've never purchased any beauty box subscriptions because they usually send out only samples and mostly skincare products. I do like trying a sample of a product before buying the full size, but It's difficult to assess a skincare product when you only get one or two uses out of it. Moreover, I can get samples at Sephora or a department store for free.

GlossyBox costs $21 each month (with free shipping) and it's more expensive compared to other beauty box subscriptions, but they provide 5 travel-size products from well-known beauty brands, including Burberry, Illamasqua, Ole Henriksen, Zoya, Missha, and many more. You are actually getting more bang for your buck. I've calculated the value of the August and September box and each of them was worth more than $21.

GlossyBox USA August 2012 

GlossyBox USA August 2012 ($92.90 Total Value):

1. Touch In Sol Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base 1.06oz ($18.76) - The full size costs $20/1.13oz. It's a primer that preps the skin before the application of foundation. It has a gel texture that feels super lightweight and thins out to a watery texture once I start blending it. Also, it quickly absorbs into my skin. It doesn't leave a sticky finish at all, even though it looks thick and sticky in the tube. 
2. Ellis Faas Milky Lips in Burnt Orange L204 0.095oz ($35.00) - I received the full size! It has a creamy texture and excellent pigmentation without any scent or flavor to it.
3. Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Taint 0.5oz ($14.00) - I received the full size! It's a dark greyish brown with a matte finish and it has an opaque finish with 2 coats. This is definitely one of my go-to colors for the fall.
4. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum 0.5oz ($24.00) - The full size costs $48/1oz. There's actually enough product in the travel size for me to decide if I like it enough to buy the full size. It has a citrus scent to it and quickly absorbs into my skin without feeling sticky. I have been using this as a serum right before applying my moisturizer. I've noticed that I have gotten less dry patches on my skin when I wake up the next morning.
5. Biolage Exquisite Oil Replenishing Treatment 0.16oz ($1.14) -  The full size costs $22/3.1oz. I have been using this on the ends of my hair because they're a little bit dry. The serum makes my ends look more healthy.

GlossyBox USA September 2012 

GlossyBox USA September 2012 (at least a $56.99 value):

1. Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water 3.38oz ($13.00) - I received the full size! I use this to clean the fallouts underneath my eye. It makes my skin feel refreshed and it doesn't leave an oily residue.
2. GKHair Balancing Conditioner - The GlossyBox card says that the GKHair Moisturizing Conditioner is $20/10.1oz. I received the Balancing Conditioner and couldn't find the retail price on GK's website. On Drugstore.com, it says that the product is $18/10.1oz. I also don't know the value of the travel size because it doesn't say how much product it contains. The conditioner leaves my hair non-greasy and manageable. Keep in mind, I only use conditioner on the middle part and the end of my hair. Also, I haven't chemically processed my hair for about 2 years, so it's pretty healthy. However, my scalp gets greasy if I don't wash it every other day and my ends are a little bit dry. Moisturizing conditioners usually leave my hair greasy, while the deep cleansing ones leave my hair unmanageable. The GK one leaves my hair "balanced." 
3. Kryolan for Glossybox Moisture Rich Lipstick in Glossy Pink 0.14oz ($14.00) - I received the full size! This is a midtone rosy pink shade that's neither too bright nor too dark.
4. GKHair Balancing Shampoo - The GlossyBox card says that the GKHair Moisturizing Shampoo is $20/10.1oz. I received the Balancing Shampoo and couldn't find the retail price on GK's website. On Drugstore.com, it says that the product is $18/10.1oz. I also don't know the value of the travel size because it doesn't say how much product it contains. The shampoo is too moisturizing for my hair, but this would be more ideal for those with damaged, fried and overly processed hair.
5. Missha M Perfect BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++ in No.31 Golden Beige 1.69oz ($29.99) -  I received the full size! I'm about an NC35/37, MUFE HD 128 and Dior Forever 31 right now and unfortunately, Golden Beige is too dark for me. I'm going to have to mix this with a lighter foundation.

GlossyBox Giveaway

Prize:

• 1 Month Subscription of Glossybox

Deadline:

• This giveaway will end at 11:59pm EST on October 21, 2012.

Good Luck, everyone! ^_^

*This post contains affiliate links and the products mentioned were provided by GlossyBox for consideration. This does not affect my opinion about the products. I don't do paid or guaranteed reviews. My reviews are based on my own honest opinion. Also, the giveaway is sponsored by GlossyBox.

Review: MAC 215 Medium Shader Brush

From Left to Right: Royal & Langnickel BC410 ~ MAC 215 ~ MAC 239 ~ Royal & Langnickel BC411

MAC recently launched the Face and Body Fall 2012 Collection, which includes the limited edition 215 Medium Shader brush. The 215 is bigger than the 214 (review) and smaller than the 227. The head of the brush is short, dense and made from natural bristles. The bristles feel soft (not scratchy at all) and they're not extremely stiff like the MAC 214, which irritates my lower lash line.

Generally, brushes that are made from natural hair should not be used with cream products because they absorb alot of product and don't apply as smoothly as a synthetic brush does. Both the Royal & Langnickel BC410 and MAC 239 are made from natural hair and are ideal for packing on powder products. The Royal & Langnickel BC411 is made of synthetic material and is more suitable for applying cream products. The MAC 215 is more versatile and works well with both cream and powder products. It packs on color nicely and applies evenly without any patchiness or shedding, regardless of the type of product being used.

From Left to Right: Royal & Langnickel BC410 ~ MAC 215 ~ MAC 239 ~ Royal & Langnickel BC411

The size of the brush can be an issue, depending on how small your eyes are and how you hold the brush. When I hold the brush horizontally, I find that it covers a huge portion of my eye. However, when I hold the brush vertically and at a slight angle, it covers my lids perfectly.

When using powder products, I prefer to use a fluffier and rounder brush to blend because the 215 is too dense for that purpose. It ends up blending away the product. However, it's great for softening the edges when using cream products. 

Bottom Line: I love the uniqueness and the versatility of the MAC 215. It's not like any other natural hair shader brush that I have tried because it can be used with both cream & powder products. I love to use it for applying & blending cream bases, packing on powder eyeshadows and highlighting my browbone. This brush has become a staple in my collection.

Note: The MAC 215 Medium Shader brush measures 6.60 inches, while the 239 measures 6.5 inches. Both retails for $25 on Nordstrom. The Royal & Langnickel BC410 measures 6.25 inches and retails for $15.99, while the BC411 measures 6.5 inches and retails for $10.99 on their online store.

What brush do you use for applying cream & powder eyeshadows?

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Review + Swatches: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Eyeshadows (Limited Edition)

Top Row From Left to Right: 200 Mossy Green ~ 300 Gold Shimmer ~ 400 Rich Mahagony

Bottom Row From Left to Right: 200 Ready Set Green ~ 300 Fuchsia Fever

Hey Beauties! I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all so, so much! Sorry for the lack of posts, but I recently gone back to school to pursue my MBA and things have been pretty hectic around here. Even if I don't have time to post full, detailed reviews, I promise to get swatches posted as quickly as I can. =)

Anyways, let's get onto the review and swatches of the 

Maybelline Limited Edition Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadows.

Application: I find that these new limited edition shades are creamier and apply smoother than the permanent shades (review & swatches). I prefer to use a synthetic brush because it's more sanitary, it gives me better control and I get better color payoff. (I don't recommend using a brush with natural bristles to apply the cream eyeshadows because they will apply very patchy. Also, do not over apply them or they will "cake and crack.")

Here are the following steps that I take when I use them as a base for powder eyeshadows and to ensure a perfect application:

1. apply product on left eye for a sheer wash of color (using a synthetic brush)
2. apply product on right eye for a sheer wash of color (using a synthetic brush)
3. apply 2nd layer on left eye for an opaque finish
4. apply 2nd layer on right eye for an opaque finish
5. blend left eye
6. blend right eye

It's not rocket science, but I find that when I blend immediately after applying, the product fades away and if I wait too long, it becomes really difficult to blend. So, just follow those 6 simple steps that I mentioned above and blending will be a breeze. Also, I did not experience any fallouts, which was an issue for me with the permanent shades (Too Cool, Bold Gold, Pomegranate Punk & Audacious Asphalt).

As for lasting power, I don't dare to test these eyeshadows for 24 hours because (1) makeup should not be worn for that long and (2) I don't want to get an eye infection or irritated skin. However, I did test them on my oily lids for 16 hours and they didn't fade or crease when used with a primer, without a primer or with powder eyeshadows over them.

From Left to Right: 300 Gold Shimmer ~ 400 Rich Mahagony ~ 200 Mossy Green

300 Gold Shimmer is a shimmery bronzey gold shade. I find it too dirty looking and too "cool" for my NC35/37 skin tone when worn alone. However, I like setting it with a green or gold powder eyeshadow. Also, if you found MAC Woodwinked or Urban Decay Half Baked to be too orange on your skin tone, then I recommend using Gold Shimmer as a base because it makes both eyeshadows appear less warm. 

400 Rich Mahagony is a shimmery deep brown shade with burgundy shimmers. This can be be used to intensify the color of brown eyeshadows or to change a matte eyeshadow, such as MAC Soft Brown, into a shimmery finish.

200 Mossy Green is a shimmery olive green with gold shimmers. When worn as a base for green (MAC Humid) and gold eyeshadows (Urban Decay Half Baked), the gold and olive undertones really show through, respectively. This is a great shade for the fall season!

From Left to Right: 200 Ready Set Green ~ 300 Fuchsia Fever

200 Ready Set Green is a shimmery jade green shade. It works well as a base for gold and greens eyeshadows. However, I personally prefer Mossy Green because it compliments my warm skin tone better and I love that it has a gold undertone to it. Those with a cooler complexion may favor Ready Set Green more. 

300 Fuchsia Fever is a shimmery pinkish purple shade. I absolutely love using it as a base for purple (Stars Makeup Haven Plum Crazy) and burgundy (Stars Makeup Haven Taz or MAC Cranberry) eyeshadows. Fuchsia Fever is definitely one of my favorites of the bunch.

From Left to Right: 100 Barely Beige ~ 05 Too Cool

100 Barely Beige is a shimmery pinky beige shade. I always had a hard time getting light neutral eyeshadows (MAC Jest) to stay put on my oily lids. I've tried many different primers, but light colored eyeshadows always fade away in the inner corner of my eye within 8 hours. I'm so glad I found Barely Beige because it's not as stark white as Too Cool and it prevents creasing and fading, even in the corner of my eye! This has become one of my holy grails and I highly, highly recommend it because it's a staple for creating everyday neutral eye looks. (It is a little bit tricky to work with because if I apply a sheer layer and then set it with a powder eyeshadow, I experience a little bit of fading throughout the day. If I over apply it, it looks dry, scaly and cakey. I found that applying 2 layers of it and then setting it with a powder eyeshadow is the best way to use it.)

By the way, Barely beige was a b!tch to find. Please excuse my language, but I had to go to at least 10 different stores to track this sucker down. I finally found it at a drugstore called Duane Reade. There were only 2 left. So, I bought one for me and I'm saving the other one for my next giveaway because I know alot of you beauties out there couldn't find it. =( Why is this limited edition?!

Bottom Line:  I highly recommend stocking up while you still can because the Maybelline Color Tattoos are super versatile and the quality is amazing, especially for the price. They are excellent as a base for intensifying the color of powder eyeshadows and they also prevent creasing & fading. Also, they can be worn alone as well. I just wish they weren't limited edition.

Note: The Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel eyeshadows in Mossy Green, Gold Shimmer, Rich Mahagony, Ready Set Green, Fuchsia Fever and Barely Beige are all limited edition. Each contains 4g of product and is available at Ulta, Target and drugstore.com for around $7. As with any drugstore product, I would definitely wait for a sale because there is always a "buy one, get one half off" or even a "buy one, get one for free" sale.

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Were you able to find any of the limited edition shades?