Product Review: NYC Skin Matching Foundation

As I have mentioned a few times in the past, I am really tight with my money. I don't typically like to spend a whole lot on one product. Typically I can't see myself buying a product that costs more then $5.00, if it's for only one color or product. However, with a few past purchases I have found that spending more even just a little more money to get a good drugstore brand is worth it. I found this with my two current favorite Maybelline mascaras, where the quality was significantly better than off brand, cheaper, products. I have also found that trying to penny pinch on make-up and buying the cheapest thing you could find could be more of a waste of money than saving money, when those couple dollars could have went towards a higher quality product. Sadly, with my NYC Skin Matching Foundation, this was one of those cases. 

Before I start to tell you why I don't like this product, I have to let you know that I am not trying to bash  New York Colors in any way. They do have some decent products that are perfect for someone on a budget, or that can't afford more expensive make-up. This foundation just did not work well for me, but it may work for others. 

I bought this product primarily because I was running low on the liquid foundation that I had, and I needed to get a new one. Me not particularly wanting to spend a whole lot of money on foundation, I went for the one of the cheapest things that was available in the make-up section, and picked up NYC's Skin Matching Foundation for about $3.00. Not that bad of a price really, but I found that when I went to use it, it did not work at all for me. As I tried applying this product with my fingers it felt really gritty, as if I was rubbing mud on my face kind of. It felt like as I was trying to blend it into my skin, it was coming off in little beads. It did not blend well at all, and the product itself just felt really cheap. I also had a few issues with the packaging itself and getting the product out of the tube, but that maybe have just been me. Sometimes I would squeeze it a little and nothing would come out, than I would squeeze just a little more and product would get everywhere and make a mess. 

Another thing I found with this product that goes along with the gritty feeling and beading off, is that when I would go to apply other products once I got somewhat blended, sometimes it would get gritty and feel like its coming off when I went over it with powder or blush, just from the brush I was using. I did try applying this foundation with a brush a few times, but that didn't work much better for me. I also felt I had to be really careful with blush, as it seemed to make the blush a little to dark. I was able to get some satisfactory looks out of this product sometimes, but never what I was really going for. It also appeared to go on much darker on some days than others and just not look right. I can't say it's the worst product I ever tried. It didn't burn and cause instant (literal instant) breakouts. And yes, I did have that experience with a product once, not fun. :S

All in all, I just didn't like this product much. But I only paid $3.00 for it so I can't complain to much. Perhaps next time I'll look for something a little more expensive and it may work much better. I would not recommend this foundation, but that doesn't mean you can't get it if you want to try it. This is only my experience with this product. If you have used this product, love it or hate it, let me know what you think of it. If you enjoy it, is there a better way to apply it? NYC is still a good brand, and I enjoy some of their products, especially their low priced nail polish, it's just this product I ran into issues with. 

*FTC Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money, I did not get this product for free. I am not being paid for this review. All opinions are 100% honest,and are my own. This is not meant as a bashing review, I am simply sharing my opinion on this product. 

Product Review: Claire's Cosmetics Electric Neon Nail Polishes

I've never been afraid to use bright fun colors in my eye make-up. Honestly, I'm not at all afraid to go for the pinks, greens, blues, purples, and even oranges. I love to play with color in my make-up, but it wasn't until recently that I decided to use fun colors on my nails. Up until then my nail polishes were mostly just pinks and reds, with a few other colors and some glitter polishes thrown into the mix. When I'm shopping for nail polish, I typically look at the pretty pink colors, rather than looking at the other fun colors. I also have an issue with the fact that I want to try to do nail art so badly but I lack many of the tools to do it. I tend to buy more and more eye shadow, rather than buying nail products or even other make-up products. So on a recent trip to Claire's I decided to pick up one of their nail polish sets, Electric Neon, for $10.00. This set, as well as many other Claire's nail polish sets, comes with 5 colors; green, yellow, blue, pink, and purple, all in electric neon shades (I have seen some sets come with orange rather than yellow).

My only real complaint about this product is that you have to put it on kinda of thick for it to become opaque. Though I typically experience this a lot with nail polish, as I don't typically get the higher end polishes. However, for the price I paid for it, I do like the results I got out of it. The colors are really bright and fun, and i have some ideas of different looks I can make from them. I also like that the colors dry matte rather than shiny like most nail polishes I have. They also dry rather quickly on their own, even when applied kind of thick, which is nice for me seeings how I'm really impatient with waiting for my nails to dry. 

These are certainly some really fun colors, and I could see myself using them in several different nail art looks. These are also really fun colors for summer. I also like how you can simply create a look making each nail a different color with each of the five colors! If I had to choose one color as my favorite from this set, I would pick the purple. I absolutely love the shade! My least favorite would probably be the blue as it's harder to apply evenly, but it's still a pretty color. I can't wait to use these fun colors throughout the summer!

For this being a $10.00 set of five polishes, they are certainly nice. Of course they aren't going to be the quality of an OPI or Essie polish, but they are great for the price. I love the fact that Claire's has some decent quality cosmetics for a really decent price. If you are just beginning to get into make-up or nail art, and want to get some nice products, I would recommend picking up something from Claire's, as you can get a lot of colors for a small price. This is also great if you are like me, and you're iffy about spending $7.00 or more on one nail color. It's not top quality, but it certainly works.

Have you ever tried any of the nail polish sets from Claire's cosmetics? What do you think of them?

*FTC Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money, I did not get this product for free. I am not being paid for this review. All opinions are 100% honest,and are my own.

Product Review: Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Glitter Mascara

Ever since I got into make-up back in middle school, I've always wished that my mascara had a little bit of glitter in it. I've always thought it would be so pretty to have some sparkle to my lashes, but I never thought I'd find a mascara that had sparkle to it. But one day when I was walking through the make-up section of Walmart, I saw the Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Glitter Mascaras, and I knew I had to try them! There were so many colors; pink, blue, silver, black, and so many more pretty colors. I currently only have silver and black, as these are the most universal colors, but I plan to get more colors soon. 

I'm going to be honest, the first couple times I applied this glitter mascara, I didn't like it very much. It felt really sticky, and the silver one seemed to clump up on my lashes. I didn't completely hate the way it looked, I loved the fact that i had on glitter mascara, and it didn't look too terrible. It was mostly the way it felt on my lashes, especially right after putting it on. My lashes felt like they were sticking every time I blinked. But then it occurred to me, perhaps it was the way I was putting it on, and it was. I was putting it on over my regular mascara, the same way I put on regular mascara. Working from the base of my eyelashes and working to the ends. I was applying too much of it, this product isn't meant to be brought from the base of the lash to the ends. I found that when i started closer to the middles or ends of my lashes and only applied one light swipe to the ends of my lashes, it didn't feel sticky and looked much nicer. I absolutely loved the little bit of sparkle it gives my lashes when applied correctly. 

I've always thought glitter was so much fun to use in make-up, and it's amazing to have glitter product to use on my lashes. I can't wait to get some more fun colors and make my colorful looks even more colorful! If you aren't very into using colorful or bold looks, or think that having silver or pink glitter on your eyelashes would be to much, I recommend getting the black glitter, since it will blend with your lashes and won't pop out as much. The black just adds a subtle amount of sparkle to give your lashes an extra pop, so if you only plan on picking up one color, I would highly recommend black (aka Spellbound). 

These mascaras cost about $6.00 each, which might sound like much to some, but when you think of the price of other drugstore mascaras being over $7.00 sometimes, I feel that it's worth it. I use my glitter mascaras often because they match my personality and personal style very well. I know many people wouldn't typically use a glitter mascara in their everyday make-up, but it would be great for prom, homecoming, and other special events. If you are into this kind of thing like I am, it would be worth it to pick up a few different colors. If not, I would still recommend just getting the black to start with for when you want to add a little pop to your look. :)

Have you tried the Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Glitter Mascaras? What do you think of them?

*FTC Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money, I did not this this product for free. I am not being paid for this review. All opinions are 100% honest,and are my own.

Product Review: Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo Cream Eye Shadow

Ever since my favorite YouTuber, MacBarbie07, showed the Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eye Shadows in one of her videos, I just had to try it! I loved the idea of an eye shadow that you don't need to use a base with, and one that can be applied easily with your finger. It took me a while to purchase them, because as I have mentioned in other blog posts, I'm very cheap when it comes to spending my money, and these eye shadows were about $5.00 each. But last summer, I decided to just spend the extra money and pick up the color Bad To The Bronze, which was the color MacBarbie07 had shown in her video. I am so glad that I did! After I've been using it for a while, I loved it so much that I bought 5 more colors. 

The color payoff of these eye shadows alone is amazing. They give off an amazing vibrant color without the use of an eye primer, and they can actually be used as a base for other eye shadows. I love layering other colors with these eye shadows to create unique looks quickly, but I also love wearing them all on their own. These have been a real time saver in the morning, and have been a life saver with recent severe case of senioritis, LOL! I can apply them in less then 3 minutes and have my make-up done in no time, and still have a nice look that lasts all day.  I never see any signs of fading with this product, so there is no need to reapply! Easy application makes things go by so much faster! Although I personally prefer to use a brush because it's easier to control, these eye shadows can be applied with your finger. However, I would only apply more natural colors such as Bad To The Bronze with my finger, and apply darker colors and brighter colors with a brush just to get a cleaner look.

If you are like me and $5.00 for one eye shadow sounds like a lot to you, I would recommend starting off by just getting one color to see if you like it. Trust me, these eye shadows are worth it. A little bit goes a long way with this product, so it will last you a long time. I haven't even used half of my Bad To The Bronze yet! Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eye Shadows are an essential part of my make-up collection. They are perfect for lazy days when you still want to have a nice make-up look, and they make a great base color. There are so many great colors available, so your sure to find one that you like, they even have metallic colors. These eye shadows are definitely worth the $5.00 in my opinion. :)

Have you tried the Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo Cream Eye Shadows?  What do you think of them?

*FTC Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money, I did not this this product for free. I am not being paid for this review. All opinions are 100% honest,and are my own.

My Hair Extensions: Euronext Remy 18 Inch Clip-In Human Hair Extensions

I've wanted long voluminous hair for as long as I could remember. Unfortunately, my thin hair won't grow very far beyond shoulder length. I've been trying to grow it our for years and it just won't grow. I would always get so bummed that I didn't have the long beautiful hair that I wanted, and that my hair was to short and to thin for many hair styles. Having the long hair I wanted seemed like a dream that I could never achieve. But then... I found hair extensions! Or more specifically, clip in human hair extensions that give me the length and volume that I've always wanted. Now I absolutely I love the length of my hair, and I have the option of having my hair shorter if I want. 

My Hair Without Extensions

When I was shopping around for hair extensions, I originally wanted to go for what's the cheapest... But after reading the reviews on the cheaper products, I decided against that. I wanted quality, something that would look natural, and stay nice for a long time. I actually wound up getting the Euronext Remy extensions, the most expensive hair extensions that Sally's Beauty Supply carried, and I actually don't regret paying the extra money for them. I certainly feel they were worth the $140.00. 

I've been wearing them since the beginning of the school year,and they still look amazing! And since they are made of real human hair, they can be curled, straightened, and style in many ways using overnight methods, or using hot tools. I personally choose to use overnight methods so that I can keep heat damage on the down low, and it also saves some time in the morning. They can also be incorporated into up-dos to give your hair that extra length and volume you need to achieve the look. And since they are clip ins, you can take them out at night and not need to worry about damaging them while you sleep. You also don't need to worry about glue or other bonding methods ruining your natural hair. 

My Hair With Extensions

My hair extensions are 18 inches (About 46 centimeters) long and in the color Chestnut Brown. Sally's also has 14 inch extension available if you want a little bit of a shorter length. You'll of course want to choose a color that fits your own hair the best, The best way to do this is to ask for someone to help you, and hold the hair to your ends to see which color is your best match. Mine are very slightly off, but you honestly can't even tell. If you choose to dye your hair, you can also dye these extensions, and you can test out the color on one of the test pieces (The small pieces without a clip) before you dye all of them. If you pick the right color, and you put them in right, many people won't even be able to tell you're wearing extensions. People are actually surprised when I tell them that I wear hair extensions. 

Just remember to take good care of them to keep them looking nice longer. Try to use more overnight methods of styling rather than using hot tools when possible. I actually found a way to straighten them overnight, and I'll do a post about it in the future. Take them out before showering or sleeping, or as a general rule of thumb doing anything that would cause your hair to get messy such as swimming or going to an amusement park. Hand wash them in the sink with warm water and the same salon quality products you use to wash your natural hair, and set them our flat to air dry, I'll also do a post on how to wash them properly. Don't use to many hair products to avoid product build-up, I have found that I don't need to use a lot of product in them anyways. Always be gentle when brushing through them, the hair won't grow back if it gets ripped out, LOL.

The only downfall to this product is the price. $140.00 is a big investment, and if you are thinking of getting these, you should most certainly read other reviews. In my personal opinion they are worth the price. Remember, sometimes it is best to pay more for a product if it means better quality. Personally, I feel that paying $140 on something you love is much better then wasting $20 on a low quality product you don't like. Hair extensions are not something to mess around with, or to skimp with quality on. 

I realize that this is a really expensive product, but I would not be recommending it to you if I didn't fully feel that the price is worth it. I am very happy with the way they look, and what I can do with them. I paid for these extensions with my own money. The opinion expressed in this review is 100% honest, and I am not at all being paid for this post. Feel free to ask me questions in the comments, or on my twitter. 

More information on these extensions, as well as reviews can be found at this link. 

Product Review: "Illegal Length" Mascara by Maybelline

In the past, I didn't see the big deal in getting a good mascara. I had been using cheaper mascaras from those bulk make-up sets you can buy at Walmart around Christmas time, just to darken my eyelashes a bit. It worked for what I was using it for, but it really didn't do a whole lot for my lashes. This, or more like last year, I decided to spend a little bit of my Christmas money on a new mascara, to see if I could see a difference in quality. While looking through the make-up section at Walmart, I found a make-up set by Maybelline that came with eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara on sale for $5.00! Who could pass up a deal like that?! I tried it out immediately when I got home, and wow, I never thought that I could fall in love with a mascara, or any other make-up product!

When I first applied Maybelline's "Illegal Length" mascara, I immediately saw the difference between that, and the lower end products I've been using. It went on much more cleanly than products I've used before, and didn't clump up my lashes. And, it actually gave my lashes more length! I also picked up Maybelline's "The Falsies" while I was shopping, and I love pairing these two mascaras together for long, full lashes. 

I've been using this mascara almost everyday since I picked it up. It is definitely a huge step up from what I had been using. I would certainly pay the full $8.99 to repurchase it. $8.99 for mascara used to sound crazy to me, I'm kind of a penny pincher, but I feel that this product is certainly worth it. Sometimes you have to splurge a little bit to find a product you really like! 

Have you tried the "Illegal Length" mascara by Maybelline? What did you think of it? Is it worth the full price of $8.99 in your opinion?

*FTC Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money, I did not this this product for free. I am not being paid for this review. All opinions are 100% honest,and are my own.