* REVIEW * Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil

Happy Monday!

I've been out of work for a whole week because of the ice/snow,

so it's hard to go back to work today.

Meh.

Anyway... on to today's post :)

I've never used concealer.

However,

I grabbed one from Ulta a couple days ago,

and I've been giving it the old college try.

The Product

UD's 24/7 Concealer Pencil

I bought DEA (;p heh) as it goes best with my skin tone.

Some of it's Claims:

- dries matte

- long lasting

- easy to apply with "precise application" b/c it's a pencil

- covers blemishes and dark circles easily

- sharpens for long use

The Review

Okay so- as I'm getting a little older,

I've decided to try/start using a concealer.

I've never used one before,

but the bags/darkness under my eyes is more of a regular battle than it used to be.

Sigh.

SO,

since I've had tons of luck with UD's Naked foundation,

it only made sense to try their concealer, too.

Here's my face prior to any foundation or concealer:

:D

The flash helps a little,

but I've got some baggage going on under my eyes...

not to mention some blemishes (thanks facial tanner)

and redness going on.

So, after applying my Naked foundation, 

I applied the concealer under my eyes.

I used to suggested triangle method,

so as not to look like a raccoon :)

Heres the before & after for each eye:

PROS:

- easy to apply

- I love that it dries matte, just like my foundation

- Blends easily (I used a sponge)

- Comes in 8 different shades to choose from

- easily brightens up dark circles/blemishes

CONS:

- a little pricey at $20

- must buy UD's Grindhouse pencil sharpener (another $10) 

in order to sharpen this concealer

Verdict

It's true that I don't have a whole lot to compare this concealer to

since I've not really tried any others yet.

(though I plan to!)

That being said, I did use UD's claims as my basis for comparison and judgment.

You can easily tell in the pictures the noticeable difference between

my eyes before the concealer and after.

I definitely feel like I look more awake/younger,

(can't believe i'm saying that... i'm only 25 after all! humph)

and it also easily covered any blemishes.

I do like how it dries matte and was uber easy to apply, too.

I know UD makes a liquid concealer for $8 more than this pencil,

but I have a feeling it would be a bit harder to apply.

The only thing that really kind of bugs me is that

 I now have to buy the $10 pencil sharpener in order to use it :/

All in all, very pleased. Well worth the $20.

RATING (OUT OF 10): 9

* REIVEW * Urban Decay Naked Illuminated Powder

So it officially feels and looks like the holidays are here.

The mall and shops all over town are putting up their Christmas decorations,

and we have several night below freezing... and days that are barely above it :)

It's my favorite time!

The Product

In spirit of all the magic and sparkle of the holidays,

I wanted to do a review of a recent product that I picked up and tried for the first time a month or so ago:

Urban Decay's Naked Illumated powder

This is an-almost translucent powder packed with sparkle and shimmer.

It comes with this handy brush:

I haven't used powder AT ALL for yearsssss because of how caked on they tend to look.

Will I give in and actually use this powder?

Read on to find out! :)

Some of it's Claims:

- Gives skin a luminous look with shimmer & "light reflecting particles"

- Lightweight

- Won't look metallic, like the cheaper formulas do

- Provides color like a loose powder

- Convient since it's similar to a pressed powder

The Review

I tried a similar product many years ago (Too Faced's Chandelier translucent, shimmering powder), so I had KIND of an idea what to expect.

It was hard to really get pics of the shimmer with my camera,

but on my skin, it looks EXACTLY like it does in it's box on the pic above-

Just as shimmery, and exactly as opaque as the color pictured.

So, now for the important stuff:

PROS

- Lightweight; doesn't look 'caked' on

- You actually get significant sparkle!! It's noticeable, but not like "Hey, I work the pole/corner" kind of noticeable ;P

- Comes in two shades, Luminous (which is what I have) or Aura

- The brush works great; not a useless add-on like with some powders

CONS

- It's a little pricey at $29

- It doesn't last quite as long as I would like, although it doesn't claim to be a long-lasting product

The Verdict

Though I'm not one to ever use powder, I use this bad boy 'erryday. It's perfect.

It's lightweight, easy to apply, and it gives that sexy shimmer that I love so much.

Especially around this cold, magical time of year- I like using a bit more sparkle than normal.

This product definitely lives up to the task and my expectations.

I highly recommend! 

RATING (OUT OF 10): 9.5

Was this review helpful?

Have you had a different or similar experience with this product?

Let me know!

October Favorites!!

It's that time again!

Here are my favorite products from this month :)

1. Urban Decay B6 Vitamin- Infused Complexion Prep Spray

*not my picture

This stuff is the perfect last piece of the puzzle if you want your makeup to last

ALL. DAY.

It's a fairly new pickup of mine,

but I'll have a full review of this bad boy soon.

Suffice it to say- it's awesome.

2. MakeupGeek 'Burlesque'

*pic from makeupgeek.com

Just like last Fall, I'm still obsessed with the wine-red, plum color.

This is perfectly expressed in MUG's shadow, 'Burlesque'.

Tons of pigmentation & a hint of sparkle!

See it used most recently by me here.

3. Foils & Metallics like Zoya 'Channing' & CG's 'Strike up a Cosmo'

I'm a sucker for sparkle anyway,

and these shimmering fall shakes packed with glitz make me swoon!

4. L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly mascara

*not my picture

This is one of my most recent purchases, so I don't have a review on it yet.

Needless to say, though, first impression are that this bad boy ROCKS.

Cannot wait to share with you all.

What do you think of these products?

What were your favorites from October?

*REVIEW* Sibu Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser

* please see the disclaimer tab on my blog for how I handle free samples*

I was thrilled, excited, & honored to be contacted several weeks ago by a rep from Sibu Beauty asking if I would be willing to do a review of their products.

They sent me the Balancing Facial Cleanser,

and here's my experience & review!

Read on for all the dirty details... ;P

*pic taken from Sibu's website^

Some of it's Claims: 

- leaves skin radiant and refreshed

- removes extra oil/impurities

- created from sea buckthorn berry, which contains over 190 bioactive compounds, such as omega 7 (see more info on that here) fatty acids that renew, revitalize, & repair

- all natural

- for all skin types

- contains micro particles for gentle exfoliation

- can be used to remove makeup

-non-foaming gel

Review

The product comes in a clean, fresh looking, and professional packaging.

I really loved it's look :)

The box that the cleanser comes in (seen in first pic)

contains tons of info about the cleanser and sea buckthorn in general,

which is fantastic for brand new consumers, such as myself.

As the directions state, I used a quarter-ish sized amount twice a day,

morning and night. I wasn't sure what to expect from this product since I had never tried it or anything else from the company before.

As it says, the cleanser is a non-foam gel:

Here you can juuuust see the micro-particles that give that great exfoliation as you work it onto your face. Work this into a lather & massage onto face/neck, then rinse off with lukewarm water. 

PROS

- Sea buckthorn berry! It's a gem that's been fairly undiscovered in the beauty world, and has so much to offer. Definitely distinguishes this product/line from the others

- great for all skin types 

- great for removing my makeup

- micro-beads; even though a lot of facial cleansers have this, not all do- and it's something that I personally WANT to have in my cleanser. Just leaves you feeling so much more clean!

- Definitely left my skin feeling refreshed and clean

- cruelty free!

- $17.95 on their website!

CONS

 - I personally would have liked it to have more of a scent. There was a hint of one (and it was good!), but not much.

- Depending on your budget, the price tag could be a tad too expensive. I always say, though, you get what you pay for!

Verdict:

This company is legit and has a plethora of amazing products to choose from, if they're anything like this cleanser. The facial cleanser left my face clean and refreshed, not to mention all the added benefits of the sea buckthorn berry & omega 7 fatty acids.

I'm super excited and anxious to try more of their products, and I certainly recommend giving this company and product a go, especially if you're looking for something different than what you can find on the Walmart shelves :)

RATING (OUT OF 10): 9.5

July favorites!

Hellooooo!

So obviously July ended several days ago,

but i've just now had time to do my favorites :x

SO I'M DOING THEM NOW.

1. China Glaze 'Sun Worshiper'

*not my picture

So I featured this polish awhile back in my 'Live Loud!' week. It's a fantastic, orange juice- colored neon from the Poolside collection released a couple years ago. It's really just such a bright, fun, summery color that is perfect for right now, and i've just really been feeling it. Even my pompous Lit. professor commented on how he liked it! :p

I DEFINITELY suggest this!

2. Clean and Clear Morning Burst Scrub

Yet another thing orange! :)

So i'm not a big struggler with acne,

but I like to use at least a little something to wash my face.

I hate to admit it, but though i'm always good about taking my eye makeup off,

i'm NOT good about washing the rest of my face :( so bad (and gross), i know.

ANYWAY, I was looking for something simple to start using,

and I really love this stuff.

It has Vitamin C and Gensing in it, as well as these little beads that burst and exfoliate your skin. It's really like getting a mini facial before you get ready for the day :)

love it!

3. Urban Decay's 'Blackout'

So many of you probably know this shadow.

IT'S ONLY ONE OF THE BEST BLACKS OUT THERE.

I've had this shade for over a year now,

and I never cease to fall in love with it again.

I've had more nights this month than usual where I've gone out,

and i LOVE to use this shadow for a nighttime look. It's a lovely, matte, seductive, solid black

that can obviously go with anything.

ACTUALLY, i'll probably be using this in the newt week or two during the Penguin Makeup Challenge !

I know that's not much,

but that's really it for July this month!

What do you guys think of these products?

Ever tried any of them?