First Impression Review of New Drugstore Beauty Products | EcoTools | Physician's Formula | Jesse's Girl Cosmetics | Maybelline

This post contains PR samples and affiliate links

Doesn't it seem like there are new beauty products popping up every week? While it's totally exciting to oooohhh and aaaaahhhh over a shiny new product, figuring out which ones are worth the purchase isn't quite as pleasant.

Having to pick and choose totally puts a damper on those makeup baller dreams.

Alas, most of us need to be reasonable and avoid the FOMO purchase trap. Not nearly as fun. But probably much more satisfying in the long run. After all, you'll be happier with a few products you love than a room full of stuff you don't even use. Right?

Just think about how sad it would be to toss out a barely used product once it's reached its expiration date. Ouch! So many missed possibilities. 

So let me help you out.

Today I'll be applying a full face of makeup using new drugstore beauty products and letting you know whether each of these items is worth purchasing.

Jesse's Girl Backstage Collection Eyeshadow Palette | Jesse's Girl Eyeshadow Primer | Jesse's Girl Liquid Eyeliner | Jesse's Girl Matte Liquid Lip Color | Physician's Formula Cushion Corrector and Primer | Physician's Formula Butter Blush | EcoTools Perfecting Blending Duo | EcoTools Define & Highlight Brush Duo | Maybelline Cushion Foundation | Maybelline Dream Brightening Concealer | NYX Micro Brow Pencil

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more!

Join the ULTA Rewards program (free), get a $10 coupon! 

Use ebates for added savings and cash back when you shop! (Get a $10 gift card when you sign up)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Additionally, some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Makeup Show Orlando 2017

Get ready friends! The Makeup Show is descending on Orlando next month. I cannot wait to be surrounded by makeup greatness and you should be excited too.

For my OG readers, you know I gleefully attend this event every year and you probably know what the show's all about. But for those of you who are new, here are my TMS posts from years past.

Event details: 

Date: March 18-19, 2017

Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on both days

Location: Hyatt Regency, 9801 International Drive

Tickets: $45 for one-day pass or $60 for both days. Purchase here. 

Event summary: 

The Makeup Show is an education-centered trade show for beauty and fashion insiders at all levels (students included!). The two-day event brings artists together with brands and industry leaders to to inspire, educate and arm them with the resources they need to build their career. And yes, that includes trade show pricing to build your kit! All brands (more than 75 in total!) will be offering pro-discount rates of up to 60 percent. Attendees will get to network and learn from industry heavy hitters, offering an unparalleled line up of education and appearances from top beauty professionals for an experience unlike any other. 

What's new: 

• New brands: New brands attending The Makeup show this year include Limelight by Alcone, Blinc Inc., VAMP FX, Earthborn Solutions, Bioderma, and MOO. That's on top of the more than 50 brands returning to the event (See complete exhibitor list).  
• The Makeup Show Town Hall: Furthering its commitment to education, this new keynote brings together attendees, artists and experts for the purpose of engaging in conversation about the latest industry developments and hot topics. 
• Play area: An area where pros can test and compare products to make an informed decision before purchasing and adding new items to their kit. 

Featured keynote speakers: 

March 18:

• Reggie Wells -- "Mastering Makeup" -- Emmy-award-winning makeup artist and writer shares lessons learned from his 30-year career including steps to create the perfect face and how to craft the perfect look for any occasion. 
• Eugenia Weston --"Master Class: Eyebrow Breakdown" -- The original brow guru shares her secrets (garnered over 40 years of brow mastery) for becoming a brow wizard, from basic brow color and design to advanced techniques. 
• Jordan Liberty -- "Art and Influence" -- Learn about the background and passion that led Jordan to become a top name in makeup including favorite products and the importance of social media. Sponsored by NYX Professional Makeup. 

March 19

• James Vincent --"Here's Where I am: Setting Your Own Success" -- Setting up a career in makeup is hard work. James joins a panel of successful artists to discuss how they got their careers off the ground. 
• Roshar's -- "Artistry and Innovation" -- Roshar shares his story, spills his secrets and shows off the work that made him famous. 

The event promises a beauty packed weekend. I can't wait to see everyone there! The Makeup Show is a pro-only event.

Review: Jesse's Girl Highlight and Contour Palette

This post contains PR samples*

Who needs to eat healthy, when you can use makeup to chisel out cheekbones, camouflage a double chin, and strategically brighten and add luminosity to your skin? 

Just kidding! 

You totally still need to eat healthy because it's good for you. But as it relates to makeup, eating healthy is going to reflect in your skin, and the better condition your skin is in, the better your makeup will look.

But hey, we're not all perfect. Sometimes, we going to want to enhance or camouflage our features. If that's the case, you're probably going to need some highlighting and contouring products. 

Listen, the contour craze is nothing new. It's been around for centuries. But when social media let the genie out of the bottle, the makeup technique went totally main stream. And now, none of us want to give up our chiseled cheekbones. 

We've seen many contour kits hit the market. First they were all high end. But now you can find a variety of affordable contouring and highlight options at the drugstore. Among them is the Jesse's Girl Cosmetics Highlight and Contour palette, which retails for $12.99, is cruelty free and comes with eight pans of powder highlight and contouring shades.  You can buy Jesse's Girl Cosmetics products at your local Rite Aid or online from Amazon or directly from the Jesse's Girl website (all orders over $20 ship free -- and I highly recommend the Jesse's Girl waterproof liquid liner if you need items to add to your cart). 

As you can see from the swatches above, these powders offer good color pay off, especially for the price! But are they easy to work with? Do they have nice texture? Will you even use all these colors? I answer all those questions in my video review below. 

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Additionally, some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation + Brightening Creamy Concealer | First Impression Review with Check Ins

This post contains affiliate and referral links*

Hi guys! I'm still knee deep in new product testing -- and loving every second of it, especially since I keep finding great items to tell you about. 

Well, today is no exception. 

I picked up the new Maybelline Dream Cushion foundation ($15.99, 0.51 oz)  and Dream Brightening Creamy concealer ($7.99, 0.11 oz) and took them out for a wear test. And today I'm going to show you how that went. 

Maybelline Dream Brightening Creamy Concealer (Classic Ivory 20) and Dream Cushion Foundation (Classic Ivory 20)

But before we jump in to the review, let's discuss what each of these products claim.

Maybelline's Dream Cushion foundation is:

•  Meant to deliver "increased color pigments [for] luminous coverage [and] fresh-faced perfection" [Source: ULTA site product description] 
• Available in eight shades 
• Good for all skin types (as long as you like luminous finish)

Maybelline's Dream Brightening Creamy concealer is: 

• "A cream-glide formula with light reflecting pearls that achieves brilliant bright eyed perfection" [Source: ULTA site product description]
• Available in five shades
• Meant to instantly illuminate under eye area

So we all know (or should know by now, unless you're new) that a luminous finish foundation is going to favor dry skin. But that doesn't mean it won't work if you battle oiliness. If you're oily, just make sure that a luminous finish product is water based (instead of oil based) to keep the shine a bit more controlled and avoid break outs.

I have combination skin and lately, because it's been cooler down here, it's leaning more towards combination dry than combination oily (which is what happens more in the warmer, humid months). I've had good results with cushion foundations before (see L'Oreal Lumi Cushion and It Cosmetics CC Veil) and can make them work throughout the year. I love that they offer color pay off and a really light weight feel. But I tend to prefer how they look and feel on me in winter and early spring -- before the oppressive heat and humidity really kicks in. Once it gets really hot and humid,  I switch to a matte formula.

Anyway, since it's that time of year when I can rock a luminous foundation with ease, it was time to dive in to Maybelline's latest product offering. Check out my video below to see my first impression application and subsequent check ins to see how this foundation and concealer held up.

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more!

Join the ULTA Rewards program (free), get a $10 coupon! 

Use ebates for added savings and cash back when you shop! (Get a $10 gift card when you sign up)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer | Dupe Alert | New at the Drugstore

This post contains affiliate and referral links.

I wasn't kidding when I said that good things are coming to a beauty department near you. That seems to be especially true for the drugstore lately. Turns out, Neutrogena wasn't about to be left out of the new product release action. 

While perusing the aisles at ULTA, I stumbled on their new Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer ($12.99, 0.12 oz). I was immediately struck by how similar it was to a certain high end concealer stick. See if you  can guess which one just from looking at the picture below. 

If you didn't scroll down to see the next picture and guessed Benefit Fake Up concealer ($24. 0.12 oz), then we're on the same wavelength. So you know I had to take it home with me and put it to the test. 

But before we check out how the two compare. Let's read a little bit about what Neutrogena's Hydro Boost concealer claims (from Neutrogena's site): 

Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer applies flawlessly to help mask imperfections. The non-greasy, lightweight formula glides onto skin providing silky-smooth, natural-looking coverage. The unique hydrating core is designed to instantly quench skin.

• With purified hyaluronic acid

• Blends effortlessly to hide dark circles for a fresh look all day

• Oil-free, non-comedogenic

• Ophthalmologist tested: safe for sensitive eyes & contact lens wearers

• Available in 5 blendable shades

Now that we know what we're supposed to expect, let's pit these two products against each other and see what we find. Is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost a dupe for Benefit's Fake Up? Let's find out!

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more!

Join the ULTA Rewards program (free), get a $10 coupon! 

Use ebates for added savings and cash back when you shop! (Get a $10 gift card when you sign up)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”