Kleancolor: Multi-Tasking Stick

Like the multi-functioning black jacket, I can't resist multi-use makeup. Kleancolor makeup has a Multi-Use Stick collection and I picked one up...

This one is called 'Poppy'. It is a glittery, brick shade in the tube...

I like the packaging because I get a better sense of the shade color as well as how much is left once I start using it. However, as you read on, you'll see how I was deceived, somewhat, on the color...

 

I have started experimenting using a creme blush before I put on mineral foundation. It just seems more logical to do it in that order rather than the other way around. But, I'm working on laying a foundation of color on my cheeks to see if it adds anything to the look.

Some cremes are better than others. I picked 'Poppy' because I don't have any cremes quite this color. It seems I have a lot of pinks, as they work better with my skin tone. But, I thought 'Poppy" would be a nice difference for a creme shadow and lipstick as well.

This swatch illustrates how 'Poppy' looks with my skin color...

 

Interesting that once is it on me, it looks more peachy in color. Still, it is a pretty color.

What I discovered is that Kleancolor's Multi-Stick works best for me just as a creme blush. As a shadow, it creased and I wasn't surprised. Not only am I having issues with shadows creasing on me, this product is super creamy, and it creased in no time. Even as a lipstick, it was just too creamy for any staying power. It did OK as a lipstick only when I used it with a lip primer. And then, that only gave it a couple more hours of hanging around. I think the reason this product worked on my cheeks is because I have normal to dry skin on the apples of my cheeks.

Kleancolor has a total of 12 shades to the Multi-Stick collection. You can see them all on their website. I got mine at Red Lips Cosmetics store, here in Orlando. At $2.99, it's a rather small investment. 

Do you like multi-tasking makeup products?

Cult Nails: Princess From The Fairy Tale Collection

Every little girl wants to grow up and be a princess. Except for me. I wanted to be a scientist and look through microscopes. However, now, I think it is OK to say I would like to be a princess. A rich princess. With lots of makeup and nail polish. And a huge closet full of Princess clothing.

In the meantime, I can have the nails of a princess with Cult Nails 'Princess' from the new Fairy Tale collection...

 

Princesses are stereo-typed as being spoiled. I did have to spoil this 'Princess' a bit. This polish dries very quickly. She isn't one to fuss around. Applying the polish is your job and you must get right to it.

I have three coats here because I was working on smoothing out the look. I still ended up with making patchy areas. Don't let this turn you away from 'Princess', however. This is a beautiful polish! No top coat needed for this one...

 

 

What looks like an innocent, soft blue, there is a pleasant surprise of magenta shimmer to this one. The blue doesn't seem to have a high gloss itself, however, the magenta shimmer gives it a reflective glimmer.

 

You can not only be a Princess, but you can have 'Princess' nails by ordering your Fairy Tale collection from Cult Nails.This is the last polish from the collection for me to review. If you'd like you can click the names and see my reviews of the rest of the collection: Evil Queen with Happy Ending; Feelin' Froggy; Charming with Happy Ending.

If you are a long-time reader, you will know that Libby is the real Princess at the Vanity. But, her new 'sister' is quite a sweetie as well. Kayla has NO pretentious airs at all. After I took these photos of Kayla, she got her tummy 'nom nom'ed...

 

Product was provided to me for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Laura Mercier: Full Blown Volume Mascara

Last month, Neiman Marcus invited the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida, which I am a founding member, to a breakfast where the various beauty lines shared information about their particular products. One of those lines was Laura Mercier. I am familiar to the name but have never had the opportunity to try one of her products, until now.


I received a trial size mascara. I was very excited to get this to finally experience a Laura Mercier product! This is the Full Blown Volume mascara and it is in black...

 

Mascara has always been a beauty staple for me. However, I never owned more than two at a time. To say I have expanded my horizons is putting it nicely. And though I am not fluent in knowing all that there is to know about mascara, like my friend, Clumps of Mascara, does, I'm having a great time learning!

It is without a doubt I tell you that I really, really like this mascara. It does exactly as it says it does: full blown volume. I've got lots of lashes and they are long. However, they don't have volume. Laura Mercier...to the rescue!

You know that mascara brushes make or break the product. You can have the best durn formula of mascara in the world, but if your brush isn't worth a hoot, it will not matter. Laura Mercier has taken great care, obviously, in making a brush that allows it to be one of the best ones in the industry...

 

 

This brush has a little bit of flexibility to it. And, just enough that it will move through your lashes and not just bend them. That is going to allow each lash to get coated. And this mascara builds nicely. I didn't have any flakes, follow out or smudges during the day. It stayed put until I was ready to remove it.

Now, at $24 a tube, that's pricey for the Vanity's wallet. But, there is no doubt, at all, that this is a quality mascara. And, I can wholeheartedly recommend this mascara. If I wasn't a beauty blogger, where I try a variety of beauty products, I would strongly regard this one as the staple mascara at the Vanity.

Have you tried any Laura Mercier products? Which one do you like?

Cult Nails: Nevermore One-Coat Black Creme Polish

Give me a creme polish and I'll, eventually, look for a way to get glitter on it...

This is a one coat black creme....seriously!!! Maria, owner and creator of, Cult Nails has done what no one else could; make a one-coat black creme. Kari, from Once Bitten Blog, came up with the PERFECT name too: 'Nevermore'. I wore 'Nevermore' for two days before playing with glitter. So, as you may notice, there is hardly any tip wear. 'Nevermore' is so shiny that I didn't even need a top coat either.

Before I removed 'Nevermore', I did four glitter effects on each hand...

 

 On my right hand, I used: NK Nail Enamel in 'Magical' (thumb); Orly in 'It's A Meteor' (index finger); Cult Nails in 'Captivated' (middle finger); Wet 'n Wild in 'Bow In My Presence' (ring finger); and my pinky is bare.


Now on my left hand...

Starting with my thumb: Cult Nails in 'Happy Ending' (thumb); Orly in 'Be Brave' (index finger); China Glaze in 'Luxe and Lush' (middle finger); ring finger is bare; love & beauty in 'Clear/Silver' (pinky). I like how the sunlight bounced off 'Happy Ending'. 

Years ago, when I wore black nail polish, I was so 'goth' about it. It seemed deviant. But today, I don't think anyone thinks twice about seeing it or wearing it. At least for me, I didn't notice anyone pulling their children away from being around me. 

Want to wear a one-coat black creme proudly? You can order yours at Cult Nails. And you can order 'Happy Ending' and 'Captivated', that I used, as well.

Do you take a walk on the wild side...wear black nail polish?

Facial Wipe Wednesday: L'oreal's Revitalift Cleansing Towelettes

When I review a facial wipe, I have been using it for at least 7 days straight. That way I can experiment with different types of makeup and such. That was, until I started using these...

I used L'oreal's Revitalift Radiant Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes. They lasted 4 days, that's all.

Here's why; these are so heavily-perfumed that it gives me a headache. A big one! I'm not often sensitive to smells but I totally am with these. And to have that smell around my face and ON my face was not going to last.

How unassuming these look and feel. In fact, the cloth, itself, is soft. But, it only did a so-so job of removing my makeup. In all honesty, it could have been because I didn't work it long enough on my face. I hurried to get it over with.

 

 

These are the ingredients, and I have no issues, really, with them. My big thumbs down is all based on the overwhelming perfume smell. The packaging says that it has vitamin C in it. I wish they would have made it smell like oranges then. Sigh.

Have you tried L'oreal's Cleansing Towelettes?