love it/hate it: butter london patent shine 10x

as a gal with a nail polish collection that rivals some salons, I have plenty of opinions when it comes to different brands and formulas. for me, the perfect one is something almost opaque in one coat, but not so thick that it gets goopy (I'm looking at you fiji), with a creamy consistency (shimmer or metallic- no thank you), that dries quickly without losing it's shine. butter london is a brand that I became very familiar with buying for the pharmacies. they were the brand that we carried at all of our locations, so I received my fair share of freebies whenever a new collection was released (one of the greatest perks of that job!). when they launched their new line, patent shine 10x, I wasn't too excited since I'm a firm believer that your topcoat is the ultimate factor in a polish's shininess (I've written about my all-time favorite topcoat here and here), but I gave it a shot. the patent shine line, which has silver metallic tops to differentiate from the rest of the standard line (and a slightly higher price point at $20 per bottle), has quite the list of claims besides just being shinier:

up to 10 days wear time: I don't think I've ever kept a manicure for 10 days, since I'm a perfectionist  and as soon as I see a single chip, it's all over. if you're someone who can deal with chips/edge wear then maybe this will last you up to 10 days, but I had my first chip after only a day (womp womp). the website even makes a claim as bold as "shock absorbing, chip resistance"- I'm sorry, but how in the world is nail polish shock absorbing... no, just no.

salon color coverage: these polishes go on amazing, which is the quality I've come to expect with all butter polishes, but in all honesty these are even better. super creamy consistency, opaque in one coat (but everything always looks better with two, IMO), and smooth when built up.

gel-like cushion: after two coats, they definitely have the look of a gel manicure, smooth and thicker looking then normal polish (in a good way). if you're someone with paper thin nails, this is a major selling point. it will give your nails some thickness so they're not constantly bending/breaking.

superior shine: right when you first paint them, the polish is super shiny even without a topcoat. but, like I said, I always always apply one. if you're someone who goes without a topcoat more often than not, this line would be great to get that super shiny look, without another step. save $$$, save time- win, win! however I will say, that after a few days, the polish has the usual look of a few day old manicure- still shiny, but noticeably less.

fade-resistant color: sorry butter, but no way. not only did my polish chip after a day, but the edge wear at the tip was also noticeable after a day. and that can't be blamed on my top coat, since I normally get through at least 2-3 days without seeing any edge wear. it's also important to note that I don't have a hands on job, so besides normal hand/dish washing, my nails aren't being beat up on the daily. if you are someone who is really tough on your nails/polish, you'd see it even sooner.

butter also claims that these smooth, strengthen, prevents breakage and peeling, and makes nails visibility brighter & more radiant. I'm lucky that I have strong nails that don't usually peel or break, so I didn't see any difference with using this line. and when removing the polish, my nails didn't seem to be any brighter or more radiant. claims like these are something that bother me about cosmetic products- it doesn't seem to be enough that the formula is good, and the colors are beautiful. companies feel the need to add on all of these crazy (and sometimes ridiculous) claims that just make me want to roll my eyes. they could be true, but I didn't notice anything special.

bottom line: a nail polish has to be pretty crummy for me to hate it, and this polish definitely isn't. I love the color choices, and certain aspects of the formula, but all of the ridiculous claims make it hard for me to justify the higher price point and fully love it. if you have weak/brittle nails that peel often, if you're someone who hates topcoats, or if you're trying to ween yourself off of gel-manicures this line may be perfect for you!

have you tried the patent shine 10x line from butter london? what are your thoughts?

xx, marissa

makeup madness- sephora VIB sale

as an official card carrying member of sephora's VIB program I finally get to take part in the fun that is their annual shopping event (i.e. 20% off of items that are never on sale!) I've been poking around the interweb, and the super snazzy holiday catalogue that arrived in my mailbox, for the past few days and have narrowed my must haves down from just about everything to a select few. now for those of us that are more forward thinking/less selfish, this would be a great time to start your holiday shopping (starting early and getting things on sale = win, win) and pick up some pretty things for your makeup obsessed bestie, you newbie little sister, or your 'never indulges herself' mom.

the holiday sets are always my go-tos this time of the year. they offer you opportunities to try a bunch of different products a single line (like this option) or a variety of products from a mix of different brands (like this one). last year I opted to try the Tarte holiday gift set and was turned on to an amazing eyeshadow formulation (with an entire pallet of everyday to smoky colors to choose from), and test out a few of their other best selling products that had been on my list. this year the Too Faced Le Grand Palais definitely caught my attention (with its mix of products for eyes/cheek/face and minis of its most popular mascara, primer, and lipgloss) and the Le Grand Chateu would make a great gift for a few girlfriends since the mini pallets can be split up and shared! the packaging is seriously the cutest- tie on a pretty bow and you're good to go (I'm picking this up for my younger cousins and splitting the three pallets out amongst them!) if you're more in the market for a set that will let you sample a little bit of this and a little bit of that from a bunch of sephora heavy hitters, the Sephora Favorites Superstars is the MVP. every year they compile the best selling products throughout the store to offer a mix of full size and deluxe sample sizes to try out. it hits every note- from mascara to primer, and contour to highlight, from many of your favorite brands (like nars, tarte, smashbox, benefit, and laura mercier), in shades that you actually want to try. we see you monthly subscription companies and "gift sets" that are dumping grounds for all the colors that were flops- no one wants a bunch of those, kthanks. sephora offers a gift set for every type of beauty junkie; slave to skincare, eyeliner officianado, mascara fiend, lip product lover, or hair goddess. do you self a favor and take a peek at the sets from sephora- check, check, check on that shopping list.

there are also those products that you find yourself always repurchasing- the perfect liquid eyeliner (I'll be picking up a backup of my holy grail since I know I'll be needing a new one eventually), your go-to foundation (either in the color you're currently wearing or shade/two down to prepare for the coming months and impending paleness), a rollerball of your signature scent (I try and keep this one from Elizabeth and James always in my purse), or the first step for any look (primers for face, lips or eyes- I'll be picking up this one from Too Faced to try). these are the products that you know you'll be buying in the new future, pick them up now for 20% off and it will be like shopping your stash when you finally need them.

the VIB sale is also a great time to invest in the more expensive beauty products you use/have been meaning to try- quality skin care (I'll be picking up the moisturizer from my like it, love it, gotta have it post about sensitive skin moisturizers), fragrance (you know you'll be going through a perfume within the year. use this as the time to stock up on your signature scent, or explore and try something new. layering scents is always fun, or picking a special occasion/nighttime scent), or beauty tools (beauty blenders, clarisonic/brush heads, or new brushes) and save some pretty pennies.

have you ever shopped the VIB sale? what's on your list for beauty goodies this year?

xx, marissa

love it/hate it: bioderma

there are few products that I will give "holy grail" status to, and bioderma is definitely at the top of that list. back when I was studying abroad in Spain, I loved poking around the department stores and pharmacies to see what products these beautiful women used and loved. I picked up a small bottle of bioderma and was immediately obsessed with its ability to cut through my waterproof makeup (specifically my holy grail eyeliner) and was instantly a convert. it wasn't until I was back in the states, and realized just how difficult it would be to get my hands on this amazing product, that I cursed falling in love in the first place. there was always amazon, which charged ridiculous prices/shipping fees, but I just couldn't bite the bullet. fast forward to two years ago when one of my bosses took a trip to Slavonia and popped over to Italy to snag me a bottle of this miracle worker. I was instantly hooked again and savored every last drop of that bottle (which side note lasted quite a bit since I only use it to take off my eyemakeup and a little goes a long way). thankfully, the makeup gods have spoken and bioderma is easily available from the website beautylish (#hallelujah). as soon as I heard that they were the first US distributor, I hoped on the website and ordered a bottle (with a cute travel size too) and it is still just as amazing as before (sometimes when European products jump the pond the formula is different and it's not the same product that you know and love- this was not the case). there are plenty of micellar water products out on the market now (I'm looking at you simple), but none compare to the original. the best, and only product, that cuts through my waterproof eyeliner like it's nothing, doesn't leave my skin tight after using, and unless I get it directly in my eyes- doesn't sting them. the only thing that would make bioderma better, is if it were a bit more easily accessible (I love being able to pop into sephora, target or cvs to pick up my favorite beauty products), but online vs. over seas? I'll take it.

have you ever tried bioderma? are you a fan of micellar waters?

xx, marissa

drugstore faves

now I love a splurge worthy beauty item as much as the next gal, but there are some products that take the cake and have a budget friendly price tag. and while I'm never one to say no to a trip to sephora or a beauty counter, the convenience of popping into a CVS can't be beat. I've rounded up a few of my favorite beauty products (hair & skin care, makeup, brushes, and nail products) that stand up to, and in some cases, blow their high priced counter parts out of the water.

cetaphil daily facial cleanser: this gentle cleanser has been my go-to for years. as someone with super sensitive skin, I seem to have the best luck when I use basic products and don't fuss with it too much. this cleanser is perfect at cleaning my skin, without removing too much oil and leaving it tight and dry. it works great with my clarisonic, getting nice and foamy for a deep clean. good enough for pharrell and naomi campbell, good enough for me.

wet n wild color icon eyedshadow: regardless of if they're in the 99 cent singles, the trios, six pan shadows, or limited edition pallets, these shadows are amazing. the colors are gorgeous, the formula is super pigmented and creamy, and the shades blend like a dream. in their line you can basically fine a dupe for any and every expensive eyeshadow on the market, and not only in tone, but in quality as well. while I tend to steer clear of the super sparkly versions, it's hard to find a color that isn't amazing. a few of my personal favorites would be brûlée (the perfect blending and transition color), nutty (the best color for an easy one shadow look), and the comfort zone pallet.

elf eyebrow kit: I've blogged about my love of this product before (check it out here), but it is definitely worth mentioning again. spot on dupe for the benefit brow zings (besides the mini tweezers) and for a fraction of the cost. helps keep my brows looking more audrey and less frida.

l'oréal oleo therapy perfecting oil: ridiculous name, amazing product. this hair oil is perfect for keeping my thick and curly/wavy hair from looking like a frizzy mess. while it didn't totally beat out the high end version (check out that post here), it was pretty close. and if we're being honest, this is the product that I continue to repurchase, not the expensive paul mitchell version.

maybelline dream bouncy blush: I love a cream product for the summer, blends more naturally into the skin, and this line of blushes is great. I remember when the dream bouncy formula was first introduced it was super blogged about in the beauty community. for a product where you're looking for full coverage (like foundation) I don't think it's the best, but for blushes it's perfect. my favorite is coffee cake, I love the brown with a touch of coral against sunkissed skin, but the bright pinks and hot corals are also great. applied to the apples of the cheeks and blended up towards the temple with a dual fibered stipple brush (I love this one) gives a perfectly natural look. for a bit more pigmented look, and to up the staying power, top with a powder blush in a similar tone and you're good to go.

out the door super fast dry top coat: when you paint your nails as much as I do, you come up with a system of what works best for you (products, technique, tools, etc). I've blogged about my love for this product before (check it out here), and it still is a necessity when it comes to doing my nails. not only does it not have as many scary chemicals as other fast dry top coats out there (I'm looking at you seché vite), it doesn't give you shrinkage around the edges, doesn't leave pillow lines in your nails if you just so happen to paint them right before bed, and doesn't get gooey halfway through the bottle causing you to throw it away and waste what should be perfectly good product. for nails that are super shiny & look like a gel manicure, try this top coat. even over cheapie drugstore polishes, the results are amazing.

wet n wild megalast lipsticks: hands down, the best drugstore lipsticks; and the greatest part? you could try the entire line for less than the cost of one YSL lipstick. super opaque, amazing staying power, and you can find dupes for just about any lip color you're searching for. whether you're looking for a perfect nude (bare it all), a bright coral red (purty persimmon), a deep wine (sugar plum fairy), or a bright peach (just peachy), they are all amazing.

e.l.f. studio makeup brushes: while there are absolutely pros to investing some serious money in expensive makeup brushes, I have no problem achieving great results with these inexpensive alternative mixed in with my expensive brushes. they've gone through countless washes and still manage to look great. with any line there are of course the duds (steer clear of the foundation,  concealer, and angeled eyeliner brushes), there are MVP brushes that I use on the daily (countouring, eyebrow duo, flat topped powder, stipple, and crease brushes). don't be fooled by the cheaper grey/silver essential line of brushes, the matte black studio line is where it's at.

it's easy to walk into sephora and spend a small fortune outfitting yourself with an amazing makeup collection, but these products work great, have a budget friendly price tag, and are available at just about any drugstores- win, win! what are some of your favorite drugstore beauty products? any cult favorites that you can't bear to live without?

xx, marissa

love it/hate it: birchbox

it seems like there are about a million and one different subscription services these days; everything from cosmetics (BirchBox, GlossyBox, and Ipsy), to clothing (StitchFix), to pet products (BarkBox), and crafting supplies (For The Maker). I love getting mail (that isn't bills) as much as the next girl, but with so many different options available, styles and tastes, it's hard to know just what is worth the price of the subscription (and what isn't). I received a 6 month subscription to BirchBox for my birthday from my bosses, who know I love anything makeup/cosmetic related, and was super psyched to try out the service I had heard so much about. for someone who is a newbie to cosmetics, this may be a great gift for them, but I found myself disappointed with each passing month. with every box there was at least one food related item (tea, mints, a single chocolate) that seemed totally out of place with the cosmetics. the sizes of the samples were hardly ever deluxe sizes, and more often than not featured things that weren't interesting to me. when looking at images of the boxes online, they always feature multiple deluxe sizes and great products from companies that I know and love. unfortunately, my boxes never contained any of these items. even the picture above features a huge sample of Caudalie Cleansing Water, a full size Benefit lipgloss, and four other good sized cosmetic samples! all brands that never made an appearance in any of my six boxes. my bosses were so disappointed that they went ahead and emailed the company to let them know/hopefully hear some feedback from them (long story short- BirchBox couldn't have cared less that a customer was disappointed- which is a major bummer since we work in an industry that is so customer oriented). most of the samples that I received are sitting in my makeup collection, barely touched. and again, as someone who loves cosmetics this was such a disappointment. the idea is brilliant, and the e-commerce tie-in makes it seems like a no brainer (you receive a discount every month to purchase the full size version of the products in your box when purchased through their sight/earn points for every purchase made), but they miss the mark on the execution. would I ever subscribe to BirchBox again? no way. but I have heard good things about GlossyBox, so maybe that one is worth a shot.

have you ever tried any monthly subscription services? which ones have you had good luck with?

xx, marissa

"no makeup" makeup

as a makeup junkie, I love learning about new and unique brands and products. recently my boss was turned on to a brand that I had never heard of, Perricone MD, that specializes in what it calls, "no makeup" makeup. The concept sounded interesting enough, face makeup that perfects your skin without showing up on your skin. "Cake face" is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to makeup; if you can see visible product on your skin, then you're doing something wrong. But it was seeing the products in action that made me really take notice. She was wearing the No Foundation Foundation and the No Blush Blush, and there was not a trace of product on her face. Her skin looked flawless, healthy and with the perfect bit of dewiness. While I personally am not a face makeup person (a bit of matte bronzes to contour my cheekbones, and a touch of cream blush for some color is all I do for face), if I was this would totally be a brand that I would invest in. I did notice however, that all the products (foundation, blush, bronzed, mascara, and lipstick) only come in one or two tones- not sure if it's the type of product that adjusts to your specific tone, but if you're lighter or darker than a mid toned tan, this may not be the brand for you. hopefully they'll expand their shade line to be more inclusive of ALL skin tones and shades.

what are some of your favorite product for getting a flawless face? have you ever heard of Perricone MD?

xx, marissa

currently craving: bold lips & chubby pencils

 

makeup wise, nothing says summer more than a bright bold lip. the contrast against tan skin is the perfect way kick up your beauty routine. since summer also means hot, sticky and humid weather in new england, a colorful lip is the perfect way to look done, without being over done. who wants makeup melting down your face? not this girl! it seems like every makeup brand has come out with their own version of the chubby lipstick- my personal favorite for wearing a bright color (so much easier than a full fledged lipstick to apply). i've rounded up a few of my favorite colors from a variety of different brands (drugstore and high end) to help you perfect your summer pout, whatever your budget it.

Clinique Chubby Stick in "Curviest Caramel" (great nude/your lips but better than looks great on darker skin tones)

Nars Satin Lip Pencil in "Timanfaya" (a bold mandarin orange that all the J. Crew models are wearing)

Tarte LipSurgence in "Hope" (gives your lips the perfect 'just ate a popsicle' look that screams summer)

BITE High Pigment Pencil in "Corvina" (perfect HOT pink that looks better the tanner you get)

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in "Unapologetic" (my favorite! the best watermelon/touch of coral)

NYX Chunky Dunk Hydrating Lippie in "Berry Mojito" (a sultry tone that would be great for a pop on date night)

what products do you add to your beauty routine that scream summer?

xx, marissa