Flower Lash Knockout Volumizing Mascara

I started the week with mascara and that's how I'm ending it.  This is Flower Lash Knockout Volumizing Mascara. This one is pretty basic, no bells and whistle's like Zoom-In Ultimate.

Let me say that you won't be knocking anything out with this on.  Before I go into what I don't like, I'll start with the good:

• Very lightweight formula, even the tube itself is eerily lightweight...almost feels like there's no product in it or when it's on your lashes.
• No clumping at all.

On to what I don't like:

• You wear mascara to intensify your lashes right?  This isn't doing any of that.  There's little to no volume, and if anything it's more of a lengthening than volumizing mascara.  It makes my lashes slightly longer and darker (which some women my like) - and I purchased mine in Intense Black.
• No staying power and it flakes after only a couple of hours.

My opinion?  Just don't with this one.  Even if you're looking for a very natural lash look, this doesn't last through the day.  Blah.  Flower Lash Knockout Volumizing Mascara is available in four colors and is sold exclusely at Walmart for $6.98.

So that wraps up Flower week.  After all of this, I still have one more product to try out from the line - you'll never guess what it is.  Yeah...Drew decided to do polish too. 

Flower Shine On Lip Gloss

Are you sick of Flower Beauty yet?  Good thing I only have enough to do a week's worth because I'm itching to move on to other brands or polish.  I hope it's been helpful at the least.  I haven't bought multiple products (face, eyes, lips) from a drugstore priced brand in A LONG TIME, so the fact that I have this much from one brand is surprising to even me.

Today we're moving on to lips with Flower Shine On Lip Gloss.

I'll start with the things I like:

• Formula is nice.  Slightly thicker consistency, but not sticky and my lips feel moisturized and softer when I have the gloss on.
• I like the way my lips look with this on too, it provides a good amount of shine.
• Packaging is nice once again, with a doe-foot applicator which I prefer to brushes or pots.
• Appropriate, wearable colors (10 total).

What I don't like:

• FlowerBeauty.com states that these are medium-buildable coverage.  I'm going to go ahead and disagree with that claim. The colors are pretty sheer.  I even took pictures of these on my lips in the sunlight and I couldn't tell a difference between the two colors. Color payoff is a little disappointing.

Baby's Breathe / Hibis-Kiss swatches.
 

As you can see, the colors look different when applied to skin, but I didn't need both of these. There are darker and more vibrant colors offered, so perhaps they result in more noticable color once applied. If you're looking for a basic, cute gloss Shine On will definitely fit your bill and I would encourage you to check out the other colors available if you don't want a highly pigmented product.  Flower Shine On Lip Gloss can be purchased exclusively at Walmart for $6.98 each.

Flower Win Some, Rouge Some Creme Blush

A little over a month ago I was on the hunt for a new blush.  I'd been using Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for over a year, and I finally decided I wasn't getting the long-lasting results I wanted.  My skintone is very even (no complaints there), but because of that and my fairness, I really like to wear blush for a healthy wash of color.  After using cream blush for a while, I knew that's what I wanted to stick with.  I fell in love with a higher end one which I purchased, but still wanted a cheaper one to supplement with.  Enter Flower Win Some, Rouge Some Creme Blush.

I saw a review of the Muse's (here), whose opinion I respect and trust, so I figured I should try them for myself.  I'm so happy I did.  Of all the products I've tried from Flower Beauty, this blush is probably my favorite.  I honestly can't come up with one negative about them.  If there's anything, I'd say that the packing is on the smaller side for a blush, but I haven't had a problem removing product and like the rest of the Flower products, the packing is just so lovely.  This blush is highly pigmented, easy to use and blend, and has the staying power that I would expect from a blush double or triple the price.  I grabbed two colors - Peach Blossom & Pure Petunia - both of which I've used several times.

 

Peach Blossom / Pure Petunia

Unlike other creams or stains, this blush is not gel-like.  It's a true (medium-hard) cream, that makes application a breeze and also ensures that you won't overdo it with the color.  I also see this standing up well against heat and humidity. 

 

Peach Blossom / Pure Petunia swatches.

Peach Blossom / Pure Petunia blended. 

If you're looking for something easy to add to your summer arsenal of effortless makeup - Flower Win Some, Rouge Some Creme Blush is it.  You can find this blush in six different colors exclusely at Walmart for $7.98 each.

Flower Color Play Creme Eyeshadow

Sorry...this was supposed to go up yesterday, but Blogger and I weren't getting along, so by dinner time I had given up the fight.  As a result, to keep up, I'll be posting 2 Flower products today:

 

Yesterday was powder..so today I'll show you the cream shadow that Flower has to offer. 

Right off, I'll say that I like these shadows better than the quad I showed yesterday.  That doesn't mean I don't have my reservations about them though.  I'll start with what I like about Color Play:

• Great color selection (12 total) in very user-friendly colors;
• Nice, lightweight, and whipped-like texture which makes them easy to apply and work with;
• Product can be worked with even after applied and adding additional layers of color will not re-distribute other color applied underneath;
• Packaging is so pretty and sturdy (with one issue which I'll mention in my don't likes below); 
• Amount of product (.12 oz.) is comparable to higher end brands (IE: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow).

What I don't like about them:

• They crease...and I mean on contact.  They absolutely cannot be worn without a primer.  I'm not sure if this is because they are water-infused or have vitamin E, but don't even bother wearing these sans primer.  Even after several hours of wear over a primer, I did notice product had gathered in the creases when I closed my eye (it's not terribly noticeable - just annoying); 
• As mentioned above, I love the packaging with one exception - THE STOPPER (photo below).  When you unscrew the white top, this shows up - a hard plastic disc which when removed comes with quite a bit of product attached to it due to the shadow's lightweight, whipped texture.  I just don't see what the point of this piece is...it certainly isn't used for application and the shadow is thick enough to stay in the container without it.  In addition, it's a pain to scrape the product back into the container after you remove it.  If you pick one of these up, remove it once and throw it away, if you keep putting it back in it will continue to remove a lot of product with it.

Onto showing you the actual product....these are the three colors I grabbed: 

Orchid-ing Around - deep shimmering plum.

Time Willow Tell - gold-flecked metallic olive green.

Vine Of The Times - a soft, glowing pistachio green.

Note: Vine Of The Times looks messy from that stopper situation.

Vine Of The Times / Time Willow Tell / Orchid-ing Around
over top of Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden.

Since purchasing these, I picked up another Color Play Creme Shadow in Awesome Blossom which is a metallic brownish mauve - very pretty.  So based on the fact that I started out with these three and added another - obviously I would buy these again, especially for the price.  They won't give you the same results as a long-wear, crease-proof cream shadow, but with a primer and their great texture, buildability, and color selection I would recommend trying them out.  Flower Color Play Creme Eyeshadow can be found exclusively at Walmart for $7.98 each.

Flower Shadow Play Smoke & Mirrors Quad

Other than Wet n Wild's Color Icon Shadow and Maybelline Color Tattoo Shadow, I stear clear of drugstore shadows.  I know people have had lots of luck with certain brands, but I just don't find that the quality is the same and I need to be concious of ingredients due to allergies. Regardless, I grabbed one of Flower's shadow quads and thought what the hey - I'll try it.  The packaging is darling, and the colors are neutral and looked perfect for every day wear.

Before I go into anything else, I need to state that these really should be worn with a primer.  The color payoff just isn't there on a bare lid and these shadows are soooo powdery that application can get messy if you aren't applying them to a prepared surface.

Without primer

Over top of Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden.

The lightest color in the pallette (as you can see) doesn't translate in the photos with or without primer.  I'd recommend only using it as a highlighter or a base.  Throughout the day when worn (even with a primer) these have a tendency to fade a bit and I've found that you'd need to apply more than one layer to get good pigment going. 

Overall, I do like the colors and the amount of product in this cute little palette, but because of the quality I won't be running out to grab the rest of them any time soon. There are 3 other Shadow Play Quads, you can get them at Walmart for $9.98.

Flower Zoom-In Ultimate Mascara

This post is probably going to blow your mind so get ready. Drew Barrymore. Yes, she has her own line of cosmetics. A lot of celebrities have their own line of products (Josie Maran, Selma Hyack, and Iman just to name a few), so not big deal right? Wrooooong. First off, I kind of love how Flower is just called Flower - not Flower by Drew Barrymore or Drew Barrymore's Flower or Barrymore or Flowermore or DeFlowered. Ok..that's enough, I could dedicate an entire post to renaming her line. My point is that I LIKE the name and it makes sense because her production company is dubbed "Flower Films." I love her philosophy behind creating her own line too. It's far too lengthy to share, so you can read it here. The site also offers friendly tutorial videos and a store location finder. Let me tell you what I DON'T LIKE - Flower is located exclusively inside of WALMART. Yuck and why? Maybe because the line isn't advertised but has a high exposure level being offered at such a mega-mart. Feelings about Walmart aside, I can't hate or boycott Flower all together and neither should you. I'll prove it by introducing you to this awesome mascara which I call the 3-in-1.

Here it is:

Lengthen

Ok, normal looking mascara right? The only exception would be the length of the brush, it's a little longer than others I use regularly. But wait...prepare yourself for phase two of the mind blowing (phase one was the Drew Barrymore part if you missed it).

You can change the shape of the brush to achieve a different benefit! You simply twist the (black) top part of the wand and BAM.  One twist for a curling wand...

Curl

Two twists for a volumizing wand...

Volumize

This is real life.  That just happened.  This isn't just a unique concept that fails to deliver - the mascara functions wonderfully and I found that each "setting" or wand actually did what it was supposed to do.  Sometimes I'll apply using all three wands, but other times I'll go straight for volumize.  The formula is nice, doesn't clump when wet or flake when dry.  So overall, it's a great mascara, with beautiful packaging and it actually lives up to its crazy claims.  Zoom-In Ultimate Mascara is available in 4 colors: intense black, black, black/brown, and brown.  Each are available exclusively at Walmart for $7.98.  Stay tuned for more Flower Beauty tomorrow!

A Week's Worth of Flower(s)....

I'll be introducing and reviewing 6-days worth of products this week from a pretty new line.

Stay tuned...

OPI Can't Find My Czechbook

From the Euro Centrale Spring 2013 Collection - one of five that I grabbed when the collection first debuted earlier this year.  I love these types of blues and I'm always getting compliments when I wear them.  So pretty and so wearable on any skintone.  This polish performed beautifully.  The formula on this was flawless and provided complete opacity in just two easy coats.  I'm wearing one coat of Seche Vite on top.  Love.  Maybe my Czechbook should get lost more often ;) Bad joke.



 

I thought that this color might be similar to a couple others that I have, so for comparison purposes here it is with two other blues...including my favorite of 2012 - Deborah Lippmann's On The Beach.

 

China Glaze Bahamian Escape / OPI Can't Find My Czechbook /
Deborah Lippmann On The Beach

Can't Find My Czechbook is pretty much right in between these two...literally.  If Bahamian Escape and On The Beach had a baby I think it'd look like Can't Find My Czechbook.  Bahamian Escape is lighter and On The Beach is brighter.  I found the Euro Centrale Collection @ JCPenney for $8/bottle.  

Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner

These are BY FAR the best kohl pencils I have used from a drugstore brand in a very long time.  Seriously.  For the past few years, every pencil I bought from a drugstore brand left me pretty disappointed, but Rimmel just changed the game with their recently released addition to their ScandalEyes collection.

After using each of the colors I have to the point of having to sharpen, I can honestly say that I don't have any complaints about these pencils.  The formula is fantastic - they glide on easily, set quickly, and provide great pigment in just one swipe.  This stuff doesn't budge once ít sets and will last until you take it off, removing easily with your face cleaner/makeup remover.  You can grab 5 or 6 of these for the price of just ONE Urban Decay liner.  Granted, the colors offered are pretty basic so if you're looking for something a little more daring or vibrant these might not be for you, but for basic liners you really can't go wrong.  I purchased these in Sparkling Black, Brown, Taupe, Nude, and Purple - see photos/swatches below.

 

So far, I've actually gotten the most use out of Nude.  This color is perfect for waterline use when you need an extra boost of eye brightness.  It lasts for hours and it non-irritating.  I love that these came individually packaged also, which guarantees against in-store "testing" by others.

Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner is available wherever Rimmel is sold.  I purchased each of these for $3.97 at Walmart.  You can find these colors and others available at Ulta.com for $4.49.

Salon Sciences Instant Artificials - Nail Care Must-Have

I am constantly searching for holy grail (HG) products and I buy more nail products than any other kind.  I have spent the better half of the last decade trying to find the best base coat that can double as a nail strengthener also.  I realize that not every one's nail needs are the same, so I can only suggest what's worked for me based on mine.  Regardless, I think that Salon Sciences Instant Artificials can find a purpose in any one's nail care routine and this is MOST DEFINITELY a HG for me.

One of my biggest nail issues is weakness or breakage.  This only tends to be a problem for me when I'm sans polish, so in-between color changes I need to be sure that I'm able to function without breaking my nails.  Enter Salon Sciences Instant Artificials.  Among the product claims are:

• Instantly mimics the hardness of acrylic nails with one application (with 2 coats);
• Ideal for weak nails compromised by salon systems;
• Use as a basecoat to extend the wear of polish (with 1 coat);
• Easily removed with regular nail polish remover; and
• Free of harsh chemicals & odors associated with acrylics.

I can't exactly speak to the first claim because I've never actually worn acrylic nails, but I'm familiar with their "hardness"and also the havoc they wreak on natural nails.  With just one coat, I can tell that my nails are harder, so with 2 I can only imagine you can achieve acrylic-like hardness.  I'd say that this product is ideal for weak nails, period.  I don't use salon systems (gels, acrylics, etc.), but I'm sure if you do and are looking for a product to aid in recovery, this will do the trick.  It does remove effortlessly with acetone or regular polish remover and is free of toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate.

Here's the science behind it: "The multi-polymer, liquid acrylic formula dries to a durable hard film that adds a second layer to the nail." Ok, so that's how it works.

One fact that Salon Sciences fails to include - this is also fast-drying which is why it works so well as a base coat.  One coat dries completely within 2 minutes. 

I use this as a strengthener on it's own or as a base coat when applying color.  You can find Instant Artificials at Sally Beauty Supply for $8.49/$7.69 (beauty club price).

Sephora X

As if Sephora didn't offer an overwhelming amount of product already....recently they introduced a new brand to the family: Sephora X.  I spotted this new display of polish back in December, but believe it or not, I glanced at it and never looked back.  It wasn't until a more recent trip that it further intrigued me.  A black and white graffiti/confetti polish caught my attention which I've been seeing a lot of versions of online and was wanting one.  This was the first of it's kind I had the opportunity to buy in person, so I snatched it.  After speaking with a sales associate (who happened to be wearing the same polish) I grabbed a creme color, base and top coat.  I tried all of them when applying my most recent paint job.  To say that I am impressed with the brand would be an understatement.  I'll discuss why, but first let's take a look.

Sephora X Rugged (2 coats), Sephora X Chaotic (1 coat).
NOTE: this photo was taken before I applied top coat.

w/ 1 coat of Sephora X Shine Top Coat.
NOTE: this photo was taken the following day in different lighting.

Sephora X Prime Base Coat was also nice. The formula was great and it dried to a matte finish within a minute or two, perfectly prepping my nails for the rest of my Sephora X. Sephora X Prime Base Coat retails for $9.50/bottle.

Rugged is described as a "neutral subdued sage."  Alright, I'll go with that.  It has just enough green to pull it out of the gray-zone.  Green and gray are favorites of mine - so I absolutely LOVED the color.  There were no surprises from the bottle to the nail, the color translated perfectly.  The brush was easy to control and the formula was absolutely outstanding.  No streaks, just even, shiny color with full opacity in 2 coats.  Rugged retails for $9.50/bottle.

Chaotic is a clear based polish with black and white confetti scattered throughout.  I was nervous about this one.  My experiences with confetti polishes haven't always been great.  The brush may not pick up enough and then when you start painting, it moves around and can bunch up on the nail.  With Chaotic I had the opposite experience.  I was able to cover evenly and never had to redip the brush to apply more confetti for each nail.  It also didn't move around on the nail if I re-stroked in the same area.  Chaotic retails for $11.50/bottle.

Sephora X Shine Top Coat is the SHINIEST top coat I've used to date.  This stuff is awesome.  It's not too thick and not too thin, flows onto the nail effortlessly and dries within minutes of applying.  It's so shiny when it dries that it still appears wet (I apologize that this didn't translate well in the photos).  I also want to point out that this smoothed out any rough patches associated with Chaotic.  Sephora X Shine Top Coat retails for $9.50/bottle.

Overall, I am SO pleased with my Sephora X purchases.  This polish line lives up to its claims - to "deliver unprecedented color, spectacular shine and incredible long-wear."  I'm on my third day with this manicure and there are no chips or scratches.  The top coat alone is worth getting if you don't want to spring for any of the colors.  I have only one complaint about this brand: the bottle size.  MOST polish bottles are .50 oz. but Sephora X bottles are .33 oz.  So you're paying a little more than average for less product.  I wish the bottles were bigger - but I can't hate on anything else.  I would get this brand over the OPI for Sephora any time.  Seriously.  That goes for the Sephora+Pantone Universe polish as well. 

You can purchase Sephora X polish at Sephora.com or in select stores (use the "find in store" feature for specific product).   

Rescue Beauty Lounge Bruised

Rescue Beauty Lounge is a brand that few have heard of - unless you're a polish fanatic like myself.   Ji Baek, the brainchild behind the RBL brand, was relentless in formulating her perfect nail polish which was finally achieved with the help of several lab technicians over the course of 2 long years. The brand does offer one of the best forumlas I've ever worked with and also has a unique color selection.  BUT RBL polishes come with a a hefty price tag at $20/bottle.  Yeah.

Bruised may look like a color you can pretty much get wherever and whenever....but trust me - it's not.  I have yet to come across a polish that could be used as a duplicate, which is the case with all of my RBL polishes.  The colors are unique and the formula is outstanding.  This is 2 coats of Bruised with a coat of Seche Vite:

Rescue Beauty Lounge Bruised

Bruised is currently listed in the "RIP" section of RBL's site.  There are just as many sold out or discontinued polishes as their are available ones.  If $20/bottle doesn't bother you - it's always advisable to jump on these polishes while they're available, because they usually don't last long.  However, on occassion, Ji will bring back a handful of popular colors based on fan requests.  For the most part I wait for an awesome deal from Ji, which she'll send an email about if you've created an account on the website.  If you're considering something, take a look at my polish list and request a swatch.  You can check Rescue Beauty Lounge polish out at RescueBeauty.com.

Let's Hear It For The Boys!

Why not dedicate a post to them....and guess what?  We have another "holiday"quickly approaching. Blah. Good ol' Valentine's Day is right around the 7-day corner and chances are more than one of you will fall prey to the consumerism monster that lurks behind every store-front and kiosk in sight.  For some of you with a significant other, gift giving (or FINDING) may be a frustrating process, especially considering that we just went through that a couple of months ago.  So, for the folks out there with a man in your life that are looking for a thoughtful, tasteful, and useful gift...I am here with an answer.  Get thee to a Jack Black retailer pronto (that's 'foreign' for fast).

First off, I'll thank my significant other for being my Jack Black guinea pig (without really knowing it).  I want the people in my life to take good care of their skin...especially if I'll be forced to look at it for the rest of mine.  And let's be honest, some men leave just a little bit to be desired when it comes to their skincare regimen.  Consider those men that are forced to shave daily, their skin goes through an awful lot right?  So why not make the experience as pleasant as possible for them while adding some skincare benefits at the same time.  ENTER Jack Black Beard Lube:

This stuff is awesome.  If you don't trust me - then trust the 300+ reviews at Sephora.com that gives this an overall rating of 4.8/5.  Whoa.  Plus, my guinea pig definitely approves.  This is a shave staple worthy of gifting at a decent price point.

And for the men with a much more devoted or intense skincare regimen Jack Black offers a variety of products.  In addition to the Beard Lube, I also purchased the Face Buff Energizing Scrub.  It's a great compliment to the Lube and preps skin for a seriously close and smooth shave. 

Jack Black is available at Sephora.  Beard Lube is available in 3oz. ($11), 6 oz. ($17), and 16 oz. ($33).  Face Buff is available in 3 oz. ($18) and 6 oz. ($30).  My man ended up with the 16 oz. Lube and the 3 oz. Buff. 

Oh - and ladies, while you're there pick up some Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm for yourself.  The flavors are great!!

Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick

WHAT?  Does that say lipstick up there?  Why, yes - yes it does.  This new Maybelline Color Whisper is a cross between a balm and a lipstick.  These are similar to those tinted balms I love so much.  I tried my best to love the previously released Revlon Lip Butters, but they just didn't do it for me.  So I saw this new display from Maybelline and wanted to try one.  I'm going to make this short and sweet.  Of all the colored balms I've tried with the drugstore range of products, I like this one the best - by far (so far).  It provides a great deal of moisture, just enough color (which is buildable), and the packaging and product stay completely intact.  Among the 20 shades available, I chose "Rose of Attraction," see the swatch below.

 

I've only managed to find these in store at Walmart for now, where I picked mine up for about $6.00.
They were a January release, so you can expect to see them popping up at your local drugstores also.  I do plan on getting a few more colors.  Oh...and this one replaced the Hard Candy tinted lip balm I had on my desk at work.  Thanks Maybelline ;).

PS > I'll be back much sooner this time...I couldn't upload photos for a while, but now it seems to work fine.  See you soon!