SGY Query

SGY writes:

"As I continue to purge my talc-infested products, thanks to your sage advice, I feel hesitant to dump my fave Revlon 12 hr eyeshadow. So tell me something to help me hate it: can talc contribute to my sometimes dry-scratchy-burny eyes , or shall I continue to blame my kids for this?
My children's future depends on your answer.
PS The rest of my talc-free face sincerely thanks you"

It's true. Revlon eyeshadow is awesome--unless you have a talc sensitivity. Finding an eyeshadow without talc is a pretty difficult task. Talc is everywhere, and is usually one of the top 2 ingredients in powders and shadows. I of course hussled us over to CVS (aka God's Country) to find a solution.

We found a few options:

Covergirl Smoky Shadow Blast (Review to follow later).
L'Oreal HiP Studio Secrets Rich Color Cream Crayon
Almay Intense I-Color Powder Shadow (Only the new line. The originals still contain talc, so read your labels).
Almay Pure Blends Eye Shadow
Physician's Formula Organic Wear Eyeshadow Duo (Mineral Wear Shadow is also talc-free, but isn't always widely available. It wasn't at our CVS).

Revlon also makes a talc-free shadow, but the product isn't on their website so it might be limited-time only. Just read the labels ladies. Also, if a product doesn't list the ingredients, stay away from it.You have the right to know what is going on YOUR EYES. They aren't only a window to your soul, but a membrane that allows pathogens and other debris access to that hot body of yours. 

Mica can also be an irritant to some, so if you are having issues do some "tests" to determine what the irritant really is. Another possible irritant is the age of your eyeshadow. It could be laden with bacteria and other irritants after months and months of use. I recommend 12-18 months as the throwing out point for shadows and eyeliners.

Alternatively, you can just blame your children, which I think is also a valid reason for itching, burning, and rage.

Amanda

My Make-Up Routine

It might seem like I spend a really long time on my everyday make-up. Not so. My work make-up takes 7-10 minutes each day. I don't mess around. Here's what my everyday routine looks like:

1.  Shower
2. Throw on SPF moisturizer and primer
3. Blow-Dry
4. Conceal
1. I conceal under my eyes, on my red-ass chin, and around my nose if I need it.
   
5. Smear on foundation if I need it
1. I start on and around my nose and move outward. I don't need it all over, and you probably don't either. Radiate it from problem areas and blend thoroughly. I like my finger or a foundation brush. Sponges soak up your product, so you use more while applying.
   
6. Blush it up
1. I swirl cream blush in the apples of my cheeks. 
   
7. Sweep on eyeshadow and liner
1. I use an E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow in Natural (light, coppery tone) applied with a brush. Then I use the Almay brighteyes white liner on the inside corners of my eyes and the lower waterline. Instant awake look. If my eyelashes are looking sparse, I rub in some brown eyeliner into the top lash line between the lashes, not above. 
   
8. Highlight if I need it/Powder the t-zone
1. Highlighter is what makes celebrities pop and people in the know look better than they should. I sweep a bit of a golden cream formula (E.L.F. Shimmer Palette) on my cheekbones. Again this fakes a good night's sleep, and gives you a healthy, not glittery, glow.
2. I only apply a dusting of powder on my nose, and forehead. Sometimes I hit my chin too if I sense an oil-slick coming on.Too much powder gives you dead, lifeless skin IMO.
   
9. Curl Eyelashes/Mascara
1. Curling my eyelashes changed my life. I have straight eyelashes that angle down. Popping those babies up made my eyes look 8 times bigger. Do it. If I, a rugby-playing former tomboy can embrace this practice, you can too.
   
10. Lips
1. I use a sheer lipstick, balm, or gloss. 
   

Having good staples makes your routine easier (and makes your look last longer). I also have everything organized, so I don't have to rummage for anything. It's always in the same predictable place. Also having a daily go-to routine makes you better and faster at applying your make-up.

Amanda

REVIEW: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty

I love that this shit is inspired by Carmindy. Whatever Sally Hansen Natural Beauty. Carmindy is hot though,and this line is paraben free, like department store brands so I had to try it. I've also really come into my own with my winter pallor, and my beloved Physician's formula is too dark for me now--they don't carry a color called "Caucasian Corpse" so I'm outta luck there.

I got the following items:


Luminizing Face Primer
Your Skin Makeup Foundation in Ecru Beige

Sheerest Cream Blush in Beaming
Truly Translucent Powder in Neutralizer
Luminous Matte Pressed Powder in Light

Let's describe my skin issues first, so you know where I'm coming from. I'm pale with combination skin and redness around my nose. My t-zone oil could be used as a form of alternative fuel, while my cheek and chin can be flaky. In other words, I'm a hot mess. On to the reviews.

Luminizing Face Primer
This is great on the dry areas of my face. It helps calm and smooth the bumpy, flaky bits, and imparts a gentle shimmer. Not so great on the greasy bits, but I forgive it for the way it preps the other areas. A great first experience for primer virgins.

The bottle is crap though. It squirts product out all over if you don't watch it. Nas-tay.


Your Skin Makeup Foundation
I LOVE THIS. I'm more of a tinted moisturizer gal, but sometimes you need to step it up. This is pale without being pink, and has a lovely neutralizing yellow tone. It also comes in a color lighter than the one I purchased, so get on with yo fair self. Not much here for the dark-skinned diva though. The color range currently stops at a mid-deep tone. So boo on them for that.


The product comes in a pump (a working one unlike the primer) and you only need half a pump for a thorough yet natural-looking application. Without prepping (aka exfoliating, moisturizing, priming) this will settle into flakes and faults. However, you should be doing those things anyway. Make-up isn't magic ladies. You need to help your products out.

This is my new go to, and I would purchase it again.

Sheerest Cream Blush 
Another new go to. Sheer application with a natural flush of color. Totally beautiful. I like a cream blush in the winter so my cheeks don't look parched and dried out by Chicago winters (aka totally brutal, bastard, in-your-face, sub-zero weather). Rosy without being clown-like, which often happens to white bitches like me.  Go buy some now. You will be amazed at how fresh your look is with just this one product change.


NOTE: Do not use a cream blush over a powder or mineral foundation. Tragedy will ensue.


Truly Translucent Powder
When battling extra redness, I dust this across my nose and forehead, ever so lightly. Too much and I look yellow like the powder. Just a touch nixes shine and the reds in my tumultuous t-zone.


Medium-skinned ladies take the best to color-corrective products, so if you fall into that category and need some redness fighting assistance, get this.


NOTE: Rip out the nasty, useless sponge applicator in the lid and use a powder or kabuki brush instead.


Luminous Matte Pressed Powder
I grabbed this as a purse touch-up. So glad I did. Great compact with mirror and a great oil-absorbing, sheer product.


In Conclusion
This is over-all a great product line. It's comparable to more expensive brands and you look just as good. It's also available at the drugstore, so you can grab it when you run in for tampons and the latest In-Style mag.

UPDATE: Beautiful Lengths

While in the midst of my Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths trial, I cut my hair. I'm an asshole, I know.

I have fine, thin, color-treated hair. When my hair was longer, Beautiful Lengths worked well. It helped coat the damaged areas, and I could concentrate the conditioner on the ends. Now that I have a bob, the silicone in it makes it flat and greasy-looking after a while.

In conclusion, if you have long, lovely locks, go for it. Stuff works great. Just use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove any silicone build-up.

If you are short and sassy like me, pick another formula.

Review: ALMAY Pure Blends Foundation and Loose Powder

I like ALMAY and I really, really wanted to fall in love with this product line and run away together to some tropical island, but it wasn't meant to be. My skin is super sensitive, so I thought the 97.4% natural ingredients would be a totally refreshing change.

Not so much.

The only change I noticed from the foundation is that I was a greasy mess. It provides little to no coverage. I don't mind light coverage. I like make-up that lets your skin breath and show through. Make-up is an enhancement, not a disguise. This formula just did not work for me. It was also extremely pink. I looked like a mortuary cosmetic school fail.

I held out hope, however, for the radiant loose finishing powder. I've expressed my dislike of being completely matte before, so I of course purchased the formula with what I though was going to be a a little pearly.

This shit had Edward Cullen sparkles in it. Large flakes of mica. It was kind of tragic. Much like Twilight.

In closing gentle readers, I suggest staying the hell away from ALMAY Pure Blends. Try Physician's Formula Organic Wear instead. It doesn't make you a twinkling vampiric shell of your former self. 
Amanda

review: ALMAY bright eyes liner/highlighter duo

ALMAY is usually a safe-bet for affordable goodness (with the exception of Pure Blends which I will review later). I have been lusting after the bright eyes liner/highlighter combo since it hit the shelves. Since I I had some cash in my pocket, and I may have been a little drunk, I finally picked one up.

The Good:

• Nice size. Larger than average pencil makes it easy to hold and gives you lots o' product for your dollar.
• Nice texture. Creamy and rich feeling, glides on for easy application.
  
• The highlighter end is amazing. I'm rocking it on my lower waterline, inside corners of my eyes and under my eyebrow arch as I type. I look AWAKE and that is a total lie. I woke up looking like a backwoods zombie. 

The Bad:

• The eyeliner end goes on well initially, but isn't super long lasting.

The Ugly:

• I'd recommend this product for a cheap alternative to BeneFit's "Bright Eyes" liner. It serves the same purpose for less than half the price. I'm not as in love with the traditional eyeliner. It's meh.

Amanda

Review: Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner

Wow. All I can say about this product.

I purchased a black and a brown Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner on SGY's suggestion. I'm so glad I did. This shiz is the bomb. True, lasting color; creamy texture, and it's retractable! WIN. It holds true even on the waterline. I'm getting a little bit of transfer onto my upper eyelid from my Betty Draper liner job but that might be due to:

A. The massive amount of liner I used.
B. My greasy eyelids. McDonald's can't even hold a candle to grease my eyelids produce.

I NEED to own the one in Teal. It's calling to me from CVS. I'm not even kidding. Shut up Teal. I don't get paid until Friday. I can't hang out with you until then.

Amanda

The Poor Bitch's Moroccan Oil

I'm too poor and sassy to buy the expensive ass real Moroccan Hair Oil, but I really want to try it out. Sally Beauty Supply saved my day yet again with their knock-off One 'n Only Argan Oil Treatment, which is supposedly made out of the same good stuff and is less than half the cost. 

The jury is still out. I've only used it once, and I think I used too much. I will say that this stuff smells amazing, like warm amber with soft fruity notes. Wow. That sounded totally QVC but it's an accurate description.

I really want to like it. I'll let you know, dear and gentle readers, how this hair experiment turns out.

Amanda

No Poo Update

No poo was an epic failure. My fine, color-treated hair rebelled like a 50's greaser kid hell bent on self-destruction. I caved after 2 days and washed the greasy mess that had become my hair. I looked like Jaime Lee Curtis from True Lies in the sexy, private dancer scene.

I was neither sexy, nor dancing for anyone privately.

So I caved and bought new shampoo, Pantene Pro-V's Beautiful Lengths Shampoo. I've heard good things about it, and it also supports women suffering from breast cancer by providing them with real human hair wigs. I totally got sucked in. I'll have a review up in a couple of weeks. I want to give it a good run before I make a decision on whether or not I lurve or hate it.

Special Review for Anna

Anna writes:

"I have never found an eye liner that I like or works for me. I have to put eye drops in when I wear contacts so my eye liner always looks uneven or washes away. Any suggestions?


Also, when I am on my period I break out like I am a 14 year old girl - any cover up products you like?"

Well, I have never had the contact issue, but I do have allergies, so I sometimes look like I'm crying like a little bitch. It's not because I just got done watching Wall-E, I swear. Anyway, I have found that I like cheap waterproof liner. Wet N Wild to be exact. Yes. I said it. WET N FREAKIN' WILD. The H20 Blending Eye Pencil stays put. It's a little "harder" for lack of a better word, but it has true, long-lasting color, and I like the little smudger.

 I'm cheap, so I have never ventured into the department store brands, but Laura Mercier's eyeliners have great reviews for staying power.

As for breaking out when Aunt Flo comes for a visit, I've got a few options. When I'm not rocking mineral  make-up, I LOVE Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector. It has a creamy, blendable concealer on one end, a a sheer, perfecting highlighter on the other. It's not going to cure an outbreak, but it will cover that hot mess that is your face up.

If you are interested in healing as well as concealing, I suggest using a concealer with blemish blasting salicylic acid in the formula. Neutragena, Almay, and my perennial fav Physician's Formula all have acne-treatment concealers. Be warned, salicylic acid can be drying. If you have sensitive skin or are already using a topical acne treatment, these formulas may not be for you. You could burn your face off and end up looking worse. Carrot Top worse.

Amanda

Review: L'Oreal Color Gems

L'Oreal hair colors rank among my favorites. This  product is another winner. Here's what L'Oreal has to say about Color Gems:

Ammonia-Free Creme Demi-Permanent Haircolor

• Deposit only, true-to-tone color with uniform, natural-looking color results and no visible root line!
• Smoothing polymers and shine enhancing ingredients deliver flawless shine and superior conditioning
• Multi-use haircolor can be used for: enhancing or enriching haircolor, blending gray, toning highlighted or pre-lightened hair, deepening dull permanent color or lowlighting
• Clear Diamond Gloss shade adds extra shine without color deposit
• 10-20 minute color processing
• Available in 30 sparkling gem shades

In other words, it's gentle on your hair, can darken or tone your color, but not lighten, and adds a ton of shine.

This shit is amazing. Your hair becomes silky and shiny, and there is no lingering chemical smell. It's also blessedly cheap. The color and a bottle of developer (which has 2-4 applications in it) costs under $10.00. This does require a trip to Sally's. I'm an at home hair guru, so I have mixing bottles, brushes, and a box of gloves at home. These are necessary to measure the developer and mix the color. A brush also helps with clean and easy application, particularly around the hairline.

This product is demi-permanent, so you will get some wash out. Deal with it. You can dye it in a few weeks to maintain the rich, healthy color. I'm naturally dark blond, and I dye my hair a deep, golden brown with Color Gems.

If you have been going steady with Natural Instincts, Color Gems is the older more experienced brother that's always hangingaround that you'd like to try out. Go for it.

Amanda

Review: E.L.F. Studio Line Brushes

I have three E.L.F. Studio Line Brushes:

The Complexion Brush

 Powder Brush

and Concealer Brush

I hands down recommend the powder and complexion brush. You can't beat the quality and performance for a brush that runs $3.00 a pop. I got mine for half-off. I feel like I ripped them off, so it feels me with glee when I use them. I use the powder brush for a thicker application of mineral make-up, and the complexion brush for light application. I also use it for blush and bronzer. If you had to pick on all-around winner, I would pick the complexion brush. I would wither without it. Or at the very least have splotchy skin.

The concealer brush is a fail. I've tried it with both cream and powder concealers, and it just doesn't cut it. It's so stiff it hurts your damn face and it doesn't blend well. I've started using it for eyeshadow instead if I need to really lay something in the crease.

Amanda

Review: L'Oreal Superior Preference Hair Dye

L'Oreal Superior Preference Hair Dye

Color: 2B

I love this product. And gosh darn it, I'm worth it!  I'm worth being 28 and wanting to cover ashy colored brownish hair that is sprinkled with excessive amounts of what I think is pre-mature (although maybe well-deserved....to some extent) gray hair.  And I'm worth having the perfect color to do it with! 

L'Oreal Superior preference leaves your hair shiny and smooth, and the color lasts for a solid 5-6 weeks (I don't care what they tell you, 5-6 weeks is all you are gonna get out of any box color).  L'Oreal cannot help the fact that my hair grows like a weed, so the roots keep me coloring it at a solid 4-5 weeks, otherwise I develop the skunk stripe that only those of us that dye light hair darker can truly appreciate.  The color 2B is the perfect blend of being not 100% black (white people's hair is never that black) and yet not that brownish/redish that lighter colors tend to become all too quick if they are not 100% black.

So, if you are looking for a balanced color that really gives you that espresso dark hair, I've been using this product for about 1-year,....I will literally go into frantic panic-attack mode if my local pharmacy/grocery store is sold out.  I refuse to substitute.... because I'm worth it!!!

Olivia

PS: This is Amanda. The conditioner in these babies is pretty good too. I wish they sold big bottles of it.

To Shampoo or not to Shampoo

I'v been reading about the new beauty movement of "No-poo." It sounds dirty and nasty but I promise it's not. No-pooing is not shampooing, but using alternative methods to clean the tresses. There are some great articles on No-Poo here and here

I have super-fine hair, so I choose the no-poo with cheap conditioner method.

I'll be honest, my hair feels nas-tay. I might wash tomorrow and experiment with the baking soda and vinegar method.

Part of my problem might be that I freaking love shampoo. I love the way it smells. I love the way it makes my hair feel. I love owning bottles and bottles of it so I have a variety of it to choose from. Oh gosh. I am so excited just thinking about all that shampoo. It makes me quiver.

Anyway, I don't know if no-poo is for me. Any thoughts?

Amanda

Review: E.L.F. Complexion Perfection

E.L.F.'s Complexion Perfection promises to even out skin tone and absorb excess oil. It is a four color corrective powder palette, using pink, yellow, orange, and blue to diffuse and color correct.

At least that it what it's supposed to do. Sigh.

The Good: It looks soooo cool.

• Does absorb access oil.
• Great packaging and large mirror.
• Evens out skin tone somewhat.

The Bad:

• Chalky.
• Even with light application it can look "dusty " on your face.
• Not a real noticeable improvement in skin tone.

The Ugly: Over it. A regular skin-toned powder would provide better, more natural coverage. Don't be sucked in by the cool packaging.

Amanda

The Epic Journey of SGY

A good friend and blog commenter, SGY, is doing a make-up overhaul. I promised to chronicle her journey via the blog.

Susan is a mother of 3 boys under the age of 10, so she needs a quick, effective beauty regimen that she can actually maintain. She also suffers from rosecea, so the products need to be non-irritating.

I'm dragging her ass to CVS tomorrow to hit up Physician's Formula.

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara

I have blond eyelashes. Like Powder. So I like a volumizing mascara to  make me less terrifying to the general public. Oliva and Sarah swear by L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara. Sarah (SRS) has used it since the 8th grade. Her eyelashes look like an effing commercial, so I defer to her expertise. Olivia also has some pretty peepers too. Tramps.

The Good:

• Unlike most volumizing mascaras that leave a mess all up on your face, this has a great clean application. 
• Doesn't clump.
• Can be used on bottom lashes without looking freakish.

The Bad:

• SRS warns against the use of the color "Carbon Black." The formula is thinner and isn't as effective. 
• When the tube is "done" it turns against you. This is good and bad. At least you know when to buy new mascara (some of us have the tendency to keep using bacterial laden tubes of old favorites). 

The Ugly: Love it. I'm a convert. I haven't had a good mascara experience in a long while.

Amanda

Review: Physician's Formula Mineral Wear

I have to start this post by saying I am truly, madly, deeply in lurve with the products I have tried in this line. The review is going to be biased because as I sit here at 9:30pm, my skin is glowing with mineral perfection. For reals.

I'm allergic to the world, so mineral lines appeal to me and my delicate (ahem) nature. I have tried Bare Minerals, the Neutragena Line, and of course, E.L.F.'s attempt at cashing in on the mineral cow. Bare Minerals was ok, but a little too pink for me. Neutragena's Mineral Sheers are very light and great, but too dark for me as I begin to develop my winter pallor.

I tried the following Physician's Formula Mineral Wear products:

• Tinted Moisturizer
• Loose Powder
• Illuminating Veil
• Perfecting Concentrate

Tinted Moisturizer
The tinted moisturizer is awesome. Not too thick, not too thin, and easily blendable. It also has SPF 15. Yay. I recommend this hands down.

Perfecting Concentrate
I paired the tinted moisturizer with the Perfecting Concentrate. It's like a Swiss Army knife. It can be used as a spot concealer, overall foundation, or sheer powder. I use it as an under eye concealer and to cover up my the ridiculous amount of red that is my nose. I look like Rudolph after he goes on a 3-day bender. The pen-like applicator is also super portable. You can stick it in your pocket or your purse, and the tiny kabuki brush works amazingly well for the range of applications. Epic win. Rocky vs. Drago win.

Loose Powder
This is another super sweet find. It can be worn as a light powder, or applied as a foundation. Again, the application range is amazing, the color blendable, and the pigments very fine. Minus 5 million points for the crappiest packaging in history. The container is cute, but useless, and unless your face is that of a small child, the kabuki brush follows the same line. I used my own big people brushes and loved the results of the actual product itself.

Illuminating Veil
I'm not a huge fan of matte, so I went with the illuminating veil. This has a nice, pearly finish. Not too sparkly. You won't look like an extra from Xanadu, I promise. They also have a mattifying version available. It gives the tinted moisturizer a refined, finished look without being heavy, or if you are going all powder minerals, it really softens and diffuses. You look hot.

I think I have found my new standards. This shit is the bomb. Get thee to the drugstore. The prices are also amazingly reasonable for the amount and quality you get: $8.00-14.00. And PF has some great bogo and half-off sales.

The PF website also has some informative (and mildly amusing) videos on using their products here.

Heart,

Amanda

Review: Olay Definity Color Recapture

I noticed that the hands of time aren't being kind to my skin. There are changes in texture and some fine lines. I decided to be proactive and throw some damn product at it before it was too late.

There are so many products to choose from it's ridiculous. I chose the Definity Color Recapture for several reasons:

• Oil of Olay is a "trusted" brand.
• The promises sounded pretty good:
• Anti-Aging UV moisturizer that penetrates deep and hydrates to diminish the appearance of discoloration and wrinkles over time
• SPF 15 for broad spectrum protection against damaging UVA/UVB rays
• Sheer illuminating coverage to instantly even skin

•  The swirl in the bottle looked super fancy.
• I had a CVS coupon.

The Good:

• I have noticed a positive change in my skin texture, tone, and a reduction in fine lines over time.
• I have very sensitive skin and there was no irritation. 
• The swirl is still there and remains fancy.
• Lightly moisturizing.
• Pale enough for me!
  

The Bad:

• If you wear this alone you will look like a shiny demon. It literally looks like your face has been dipped in a plasticized preservative. You might be confused with Nicole Kidman leaving her botox factory.
• It can "peel" when rub your face or out other make-up over it.

The Ugly: Despite it's flaws, it's a great product. You will see an improvement in your skin. You can cover up the creepy sheen and go about your day knowing your skin is lookin' better.

Heart,

Amanda

Review: E.L.F. Mineral Make-Up

I love E.L.F.  They have some fantastic beauty buys, many of which we will be delving into.

I was intrigued by their mineral make-up line. I read many of the reviews. My interest was piqued. So I purchased the following products when they had a sale:

Mineral Foundation
Mineral Concealer
Mineral Booster
Mineral Eyeshadow
Mineral Lipgloss

The Good:

• The mineral eyeshadows and lipglosses are outstanding. The colors are a bit deceiving online, but the silky texture and sheer application are winners.  
• In short, I love them. I have three of them and dream about owning each and everyone. I might even buy them their own bag. They are that awesome. Buy some.

When it comes to the foundation and friends, however, not so much.


I do have to admit something. I reflect light I am so pale. Right now, I still have a mild tan due to the fact that SPF 100,000 can't even protect me from earth's yellow sun. That makes me the color of your Great-Grandma Maggie who hasn't ventured outdoors since the Reagan administration. So, I am a challenging customer.

The Bad:

• E.L.F. is one of the companies that equates being pale with being orange. When I applied the mineral foundation I looked like I had escaped from the Wonka Chocolate Factory.  I resembled Paris Hilton after a run-in with a bottle of Grey Goose and a can of spray tan. Oompa freakin' Loompa.

The Ugly: I think if you have medium to deep skin tones it might be a different story. When you are the color of paste, it fails. So, foundation fail. Eyeshadow and lip gloss win.

Heart,

Amanda

Welcome to Broke Ass Beauty

My name is Amanda and I am here to help the chicas of the world avoid all the money-wasting mistakes I made while purchasing cosmetics and beauty products. I'll be honest--I've blown quite a bit of green on some pretty worthless crap.

Looking good makes you feel good. It can also be an important part of your professional image. It shouldn't be a chore or a huge financial investment. My ass is broke. Money should be going to pay off those student loans, not evening out my unfortunate skin tone.

We are going to try and keep it real here. Most of the stuff I'll be reviewing can be found at your local drugstore, or easily obtained online. I'm also hoping to enlist my friend so we can get this party started in a big way.