Maybelline

The New Maybelline Color Show Nail Polish Polka Dots and Holographics Nail Polishes

July 23rd, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish

From the left: Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polishes in Blue Marks the Spot, Drops of Jade and Dotty; on the far right, Maybelline Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose ($3.99 each)

Super cuteness launched this month at Maybelline. These $3.99 Color Show Nail Polishes are new for summer.

The three on the left are Color Show Polka Dots — available in five shades, each with black and white glitter in hexagonal shapes of different sizes that sort of look like dotted nails, and all have a sheer base that dries to a matte finish.

The one of the far right is the one doing its own thing… That’s Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose, one of four new holo shades designed to change colors in the light.

They’re all available now online and at drugstores and Ulta.

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Dotty — Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Dotty

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Blue Marks the Spot — Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Blue Marks the Spot

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Drops of Jade — Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Drops of Jade

Maybelline Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose — Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose

Swatches from the left: Maybelline Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose; Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Dotty, Drops of Jade and Blue Marks the Spot — Swatches from the left: Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose; Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Dotty, Drops of Jade and Blue Marks the Spot

Pair It Up: Kick Your Summer Makeup Repertoire Into High Gear With Matching Lips and Tips

June 13th, 2013 by Karen 27 Comments

Five of summer’s must-have lip and tip combos

This summer inspiration is brought to you by Target. Find more fun and surprises all season long on Target’s #SummerUp Pinterest board.

Lounging languidly beside any pools this summer? Planning any barbecues at the beach? Don’t forget those all-important warm-weather essentials like your swimsuit, big floppy hat, sunscreen, cooler filled with drinks and snacks, and of course, your matching lips and tips. 🙂

Some among us may argue that those last two items aren’t summer fun essentials. Either way, I sure do love bright nails and lips this time of year, especially when they match!

Gotta get that quick burst of color from your fingers as you write your name in the sand, or blow kisses into your camera phone as you snap a quick selfie to send to your sweetie (“Wish you were here, boo!”).

I searched high and low for a few fun, affordable combinations to wear this summer and combed through countless contenders (a tough job, but someone had to do it) to come up with the following five trendsetting color combos.

You don’t have to pay Dolce & Gabbana prices to look fashionable and fab. These five lip and tip pairings are available now at Target stores and online at target.com.

Look 1: Fruit salad

L’OREAL Colour Riche Le Gloss in Peach Fuzz ($5.99) and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Lickety-Split Lime ($3.80); Xhilaration Neon Floppy Hat ($14.99)

This juicy combo with lime green nails and lush peach lips begs to be worn with umbrella drinks and on lazy days by the pool.

Look 2: Playful purple

Revlon Super Lustrous Gloss in Sugar Violet ($5.99) and COVERGIRL Outlast Saty Brilliant Glosstini in Purple Freeze ($2.99); Mossimo Purple Fedora ($14.99)

Nothing says “fun in the sun” quite like shiny purple tips and shimmery violet lips.

Look 3: Think hot pink

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in No. 1 Unique Pink ($16) and Pixi Nail Colour in Summer Pink ($8); Merona White Floppy Hat ($14.99)

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Maybelline’s Sapphire Siren Eye Studio Palette

May 26th, 2013 by Karen 5 Comments

Maybelline Sapphire Siren Eye Studio Palette

Maybe it really is Maybelline!

Eye Studio Palette in Sapphire Siren ($8), available now at drugstores and online. See it in action here.

Unsung Heroes: Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara

November 23rd, 2012 by Karen 33 Comments

I have a theory that if by some magical force we were all turned back into babies and allowed to go buck wild in a drugstore, I doubt that very many of us would go goo-goo, gaa-gaa over Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara based solely on its simple, unassuming tube.

I mean, just look at it. That’s some pretty basic packaging right there. No neon to speak of, vibrating brushes, fancy fonts or flashing lights.

But man! — I gotta say, this $7 workhorse is quite a wonderful drugstore gem.

My reasons for having kept a tube of it in my makeup bag for the past few years (I literally never leave home without it) reads like an awesome laundry list (or an awesome list of awesomeness from Trader Joe’s).

First and foremost, it’s only seven bucks! And it’s carried in probably 5,000 drugstores nationwide.

I think those are two pretty great reasons, but Full ‘N Soft Waterproof also does all of the things I want a mascara to do — adding length and separation to my lashes while holding a curl, so that I look wide awake (even when I’m not).

What about raccoon eyes? you might ask.

Great question, but nope. None of that. Full ‘N Soft doesn’t flake, smudge or run, and one of the things I really like about it is how well it layers.

No bumps or clumps, just smooth, evenly coated lashes, which means I get control over how my lashes look.

When I want them to look natural, like for the beach, I just apply one or two layers for that feathery, separated look. Or when I’m craving something more dramatic, I’ll do three or four.

Either way, I think my results with this mascara are consistently great.
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A Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream for $7? Almost, Thanks to Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Eyeshadow

January 16th, 2012 by Karen 43 Comments

Hop on a unicycle, hitch a ride with a team of sled dogs, or lace up those rollerblades — use any means necessary to get thee to a drugstore to see these new Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Eyeshadows ($7 each) up close.

The potent pigments span an eclectic range of 10 colors from neutrals to brights, and either worn by themselves or as bases for powder shadows, these budget beauties can swagger all night long.

Maybe not the 24 hours advertised, but 10-12, nevertheless.

Of course, there is a catch (isn’t there always?)…

maybelline color tattoo eyeshadow (7)

To coax out that kind of wear time, I have to wear them with something else — something like a primer applied beneath them or a powder shadow on top — and really pack them on my lids with a finger or a firm synthetic brush (like the MAC 249).

Even when I don’t, though, these shadows still hang tough for 5-6 hours before succumbing to creases and fading.

Not bad for seven bucks.

Their fluffy, smooth texture reminds me of the pricier Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams, but I think the Aqua Creams do have them beat in terms of drying time, which could be good or bad, depending on your point of view (or in my case, how far I’m running behind, haha), and longevity. MUFE’s versions last me 14-16 hours, versus 10-12 for these.

If you like neutrals, don’t miss Bad to the Bronze (my fave!). I’ve been wearing it with bronzy colors like NARS Star Sailor Duo, and with neutrals like the ones in Urban Decay Naked and Naked2.

If you prefer brights, check out Tenacious Teal and Edgy Emerald. Both should look great by themselves or as bases for teal/green eye looks.

Wearing Bad to the Bronze
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