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).