My Favorite Drugstore Beauty Products for Spring 2013 [from Ulta, CVS, Walgreens, Korean brands]

Today I am sharing with you my most recent favorite products from the drugstore, from face products to nail polishes! Drugstore product reviews are very highly requested by my readers and viewers these days, so I figured we could all take a break from the luxury brands' releases to focus on the best in the affordable beauty realm. I test drugstore products regularly, so I have been saving some items to review all at once in this video. I hope you enjoy it!



Makeup Reviewed:
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind The Lifter Makeup in Creamy Natural 200
Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer in 001
Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder in Beige
Lioele Skin Fix Twin Cake [Powder Foundation] SP F27 in 23 Natural Beige
Missha Safe Block Essence SUN SPF 45 Sunscreen
Essie Nail Polishes in Butler Please, Set in Stones, All in One Base
Wet-n-Wild Color Icon Bronzer SPF 15 in Ticket to Brazil
L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Crayon Concealer in W1-2-3
Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer in Aloe Fresh
Maybelline Color Explosion Eyeshadow Palette in 05 Caffeine Rush [wearing NYX Jumbo Shadow Pencil in Yogurt as a base]
NYX Slide On Pencil in Jet Black [which is not jet black]
NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Natural
NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee


Makeup Worn:
Maybelline Age Instant Age Rewind The Lifter Makeup in Creamy Natural 200
Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder in Beige
Lioele Skin Fix Twin Cake [Powder Foundation] SP F27 in 23 Natural Beige
Wet-n-Wild Color Icon Bronzer SPF 15 in Ticket to Brazil
L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Crayon Concealer in W1-2-3
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in Natural Black 204
Maybelline Color Explosion Eyeshadow Palette in 05 Caffeine Rush [wearing NYX Jumbo Shadow Pencil in Yogurt as a base and used the Sigma Tapered Blending Brush and Angled Eyeshadow Brushes to apply the colors]
NYX Slide On Pencil in Jet Black [with Red Cherry Lashes #47]
NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Natural
NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee

Nails:
Essie Nail Polishes in Butler Please
Essie Set in Stones

Shirt:
C&C California [super old]

Luminous Skin and Fresh Color for Spring 2013 Makeup Tutorial Details

I mixed things up a bit with this Spring makeup tutorial. First of all, I used short but dense lashes. That hasn't happened in ages because I am dedicated to BIG false lashes! Then I decided on a dolly blush effect with juicy pink lips and of course, a clean canvas of luminous skin. As much as I love the matte and bronzed skin look, I find that the luminous skin look is more appropriate for Spring weather. The eyes contributed to the fresh element of the makeup up with a warm, but light, range of shades from the latest Chanel Hong Kong Collection. We hope you enjoy the look and the photos!

Makeup Used:

Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Tinted Illuminizer in Shade 2

Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer in Shade 1 Frais/Cool

Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Foundation in Shade 6

La Mer The Powder in Beige

Lancome in Love Dewy Mist

Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess with discontinued Dior Blush brush

Le Metier de Beaute Radiance Powder Rouge in Fresh with Shu Uemura 20h brush

Le Metier de Beaute Radiance Powder Rouge in Whisper with Shu Uemura 17 brush

Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204

by Terry Eye Primer in 002

Chanel Hong Kong Collection Eyeshadow Palette in Pearl River [LE]

Le Metier de Beaute Precision Liquid Liner in Noir/Black

Le Metier de Beaute Dualistic Eye Pencil in Tamarack

Lancome Hypnose Drama WP Mascara with Velour Lashes in Lashaholic

Lancome Baume in Love in 110 Urban Ballet 

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Sweet Creme

Nails:

Le Metier de Beaute Faraday [LE]

Butter London Tart as a Heart

Essie In the Cab-Ana

Hair:

Jonathan Serum http://bit.ly/XHg8Gl

Shirt:

Theory [old]

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Burberry Lip Glow Natural Lip Glosses Review, Photos, Swatches -- Tea Rose, Mallow Pink, Cameo Pink, Cameo, Nude Beige

The Burberry Lip Glow Lip Gloss is one of the best designer lip products on the market. The lightweight yet relatively longer lasting formula hugs my lips, and it reflects light to create the illusion of fuller lips. None of the 5 shades that I own, all purchased from Nordstrom, accentuate or bleed into lip lines. 

Dior Cherie Bow Spring 2013 Makeup Collection Review, Photos, Swatches

As promised in my recently posted Spring '13 Haul video [view now], here is my take on Dior's Cherie Bow for Spring 2013 Makeup Collection. Upon seeing the press photos in December, I had placed the Cherie Bow palette at the top of my wish list. I was, however, a bit disappointed when I took a good look at the display palette at Nordstrom. Find out why & view the swatches after the jump!

Chanel Spring 2013 Printemps Precieux Makeup Collection Review, Photos, Swatches + TUTORIAL

Chanel Spring 2013 Counter Display

Chanel Spring 2013 was released several weeks ago, right before Christmas. I do realize how late I am to the review game, but the holidays were more important and I was out of town while testing the products. That is why I have attempted to make it up to everyone by compiling this comprehensive photo diary with swatches to supplement the product reviews from the tutorial video below. 

Makeup Used:
Chanel CC Cream in 20 Beige with Becca Mineral Powder Foundation in Nude
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick in 03 Fawn
Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette
By Terry Eye Primer in 002, Lancome Artliner WP in Brown, Lancome Hypnose Drama WP Mascara
Chanel Eyeshadow Quad in Raffinement with MAC 217, 266, Chanel Pencil Brushes
Chanel Stylo Waterproof Pencil in Or Rose, Ardell Demi Wispies False Lashes
Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess with Sigma F25
Chanel Poudre Signee Illuminating Powder with Sigma Small Tapered Highlighting Brush
Chanel Frivole Joues Contraste Blush with Sigma Angled Blush Brush
Chanel Rouge Allure in 90 Pimpante
Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 70 Attirance

Sweater:
J.Crew Linen [old]

The photo above shows my first four purchases from the Spring '13 collection. I only picked up the pieces that immediately caught my attention, but one did turn out to be a superflous purchase. The highlighter is perfection and YES, it can be used all over the face though I do not recommend it (keep in mind I prefer a matte face since I do not like to touch up my complexion unless absolutely necessary). The gloss is shimmery, easily layered, and moisturizing. The blush is satiny, pigmented, and versatile. The peachy beige lipstick, however, was far too similar on my lips to the Armani Sheer Lipstick in 37 Sand Dune Beige from the Summer Heat 2011 collection. SDB might run a bit less peach and a lot more glossy, but the overall effect was the same so I did exchange the lipstick and in turn, purchased several more items.. the two pink nail polishes, the eyeshadow quad, and the rose gold eyeliner pencil.

The photo of the testers shows the three nail polishes available this season: Emprise, Fracas, and Accessoire. I am not fond of deep red browns, so I skipped Accessoire and settled on the two pinks. Chanel pinks are my favorite, anyway. Emprise turned out to be one of the best Chanel nail polishes I own! Two coat perfection with subtle (not invisible) shimmer.. Fracas, on the other hand, is a beautifully bright fuchsia creme with pretty shimmer is one of the few Chanel polishes that tends to chip. I wore both with Essie's blue base coat and Butter's Hardware top coat to ensure the review was sound. Fracas does run thicker, so perhaps that's why it lifts more easily. Either way, I love both. In the video, you will be able to pick up on the difference between Fracas and my dearly beloved Chanel pink, Rose Insolent.

Now for the Raffinement eyeshadow quad. This is one of Chanel's best new eyeshadow releases, for the formula is well pigmented with barely any fall out. It is true to color in the photo above, with obvious lilac and mauve tones. In my video, it appears to look more neutral. I do explain in the video why those with an extensive collection of Burberry single shadows may not require this palette. If you are looking to invest in your first Chanel eyeshadow quad, however, this is one you should consider.

Now for everyone's favorite part.. the full swatches! As you all know, Chanel products do cost a pretty penny so I cannot afford to purchase everything for review. I buy what is is to my taste, since the makeup is going on my face, after all. But I think this Spring collection offers a little bit of 'wearable' for everyone. Raffinement will suit all skin tones and eye colors, for it is an amped up neutral palette. I may go back for the mauve or lilac rosewood colored Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss, Merveille, but there is no rush since it is permanent as well.

Below are some clearer swatches, without the distraction of the display. The left is Nordstrom (department) store lighting and the right is natural lighting, stepping outside to an overcast sky after the swatchfest. Let's start with the three Stylo Waterproof liners in Santal (brown), Beryl (lilac), and Or Rose (rose beige). I purchased Or Rose because I wanted to wear it paired with the Illuminating powder, and I still believe I made the right decision. Hazel eyes may want to try the Beryl! I steer clear of the brown and black Stylo Waterproof pencils because they do smudge on me. Next to the liners are the other 3 Rouge Allures from the collection.. Envoutante, Captivante, and Fantasque. I never wear violets outside of tutorials, so Envoutante was an automatic pass. Captivante would pair well with Attirance, but I feel true peaches suit me best. Fantasque was the cooler, paler, pinker version of Gracile (permanent).

Now for the bottom row of swatches! I rarely buy lip liners, but I did swatch Rubellite and Palissandre because I know I have viewers that do not wear lipstick without lip liner. I have a peach Chanel lip liner that I adore, but I think Lancome lip liners are more affordable and perform just as well. The only problem there is most of the Lancome colors offered are neutrals. And here we have the two Rouge Allure Velvet shades, a coral and a vibrant pink. Both are intensely pigmented.. far too much color for me this Spring. La Favorite would be my pick if I were forced to choose, but both looked garish against my coloring. I was informed by a Sales Associate that L'Eclatante was worn by the model in the ad. And last but not least, the Rose Pearl Rouge Intensite lip color. I have never been a fan of this lipstick formula, but if you like the metallic/frosty finish, this warm rose may be the one for you!

Before we wrap up, I would like to remind you to please watch the video tutorial, for there are many comparisons and details included in the review that were not included in this post. If you are a peach blush lover as I am, then you will not want to miss the JC trio comparison shown in the video!

Bottom Line: The 70 Attirance RA Extrait de Gloss, Poudre Signee Illuminating Powder, and Emprise Nail Varnish are my top three must-have picks for Chanel Spring 2013, while the Frivole Joues Contraste blush and Raffinement eyeshadow quad are nice-to-have items.

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