Review | Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator

 

The Marc Jacobs Glow stick retails for $42 on Sephora.com. It only comes in one shade, Spotlight, which is claimed to suit all skin tones. The packaging is very travel friendly. It actually reminds me a lot of a deodorant stick, just a lot prettier and expensive looking. So far I haven't had any problems with the packaging being defective or causing the product to fall out.

The consistency is very creamy but not in a thick way. It doesn't skip on my skin, the formula is very smooth. The shade comes off more as a silver. Up close, super fine gold and silver pigments are visible. They can appear to look like glitter glistening in the sunlight but at the same time it looks like a natural, youthful sheen... Kind of like sweat in a way but it doesn't look oily. 

The application is pretty easy. It can move around foundation if too much product is used but I find building it up makes my makeup underneath stay put. In my opinion, the best way to apply it is with my finger tips. It just looks more natural and its easier to control how it blends. Using a brush works too, though. I do wear powder over it, but it doesn't change the strength of my glow. Also, it doesn't make powder look cakey. It can be worn sheer or intense, depending on how much you apply. 

The wear time is pretty good. It can last all day (maybe 10 hours), as long as the foundation I'm wearing stays put. Setting with powder does help extend the wear time.

Honestly, I'm really loving this glow stick but I cant say I would purchase another one. Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful but the price just isn't worth it to me. There are other highlights, cream even, that can accomplish the same look. I do like how it caters to a wide variety of skin tones, though. I have seen photos with women of color wearing it and it looks just as beautiful. However, olive skin tones should think twice before purchasing it. 

I received this Glow Stick as a gift for free from Influenster & Marc Jacobs Beauty, but all opinions are my own!

Photos

 

 

 

(Natural lighting)

Thanks for reading 

 

Being Standard Kills My Vibe

 

The whole time I have been blogging I felt an intense pressure to keep my blog like every other standard blog. 

Every post needs to be as descriptive as it gets. I cant repeat a word over and over again. Is it silly of me to add a little silliness instead of writing like a robot?

 And Goodness, there's no way my reviews could be short and informative. No, they have to be long and cover every aspect of the product. Or can they be short and hasty?

The idea of writing about makeup and beauty topics is so appealing to me but I just can't handle feeling like my writing and layout has to be perfect/ standard. It's just not fun. But.. I dont want to give up blogging.

Can I really just do it the way I want to and still have a steady reading base? Maybe, or not. I think I may give it a go though. If I don't, I know I'll stay on my current routine, which is hardly ever posting. 

If you're a blogger you have to do it the way you love it or else it just won't work. No matter how hard you try.

For example, they say I should post every day or on a regular routine. I just don't work like that. I'm such a "do it at my own pace" kind of gal. I'm not saying I want to post once a month. I just mean if I post something on Monday my next post may not be until Friday. 

That's the glory about having a blog though. I can do whatever I want with it, because it's mine. ❤️

Ps. I changed the name of my blog. Taylorpiebeauty is out and hasty beauty blog is in. The name suits everything I'm feeling. I like everything simple, sweet and straight to the point. 

Quick Review | L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss

So apparently gloss can be matte now. Back in the day, you know, just a few months ago, gloss was known for looking glossy. Now there are already three (or more) new lipgloss formulas that are matte at the drugstore.

I am trying out a couple but today we are here to talk about my favorite so far, The L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss. I purchased mine for $9.99 at my local Ulta. That's a hefty price for drugstore lipgloss, right? Nude Allude is the only shade I purchased to review, however, there are ten shades in the range.

 When L'Oreal slaps Infallible on a product I know they mean business. Their Infallible line is marketed as a line with highly intense colors with all day pro results. Let's see if the Pro-matte Glosses are truly infallible or if L'Oreal just slapped the name on it for more sales. 

 The Application is very pleasant and easy. This applicator has a small divot on the tip, which helps pick up a lot of product.  It's really nice to not have to go back into the tube to grab more product as often. I can get a pretty decent amount to have a complete look the first time around. When I do desire more pigmentation, two pumps will get the job done. I have never experienced any patchiness or skipping with the gloss. The color is opaque but it applies evenly, even better than I thought it would be. 

The finish is more on the glossy side, than it is matte. Though, I can see why they called it a matte gloss. Both of those words contradict each other but it really does look like a matte gloss. Not so much at first but within a 15-30 minutes It has more of a matte appearance but, at the same time it still has the finish of a gloss. Confusing, I know, but it really is a great product. 

The texture is very unique, By unique I mean it's different for a matte lipstick. It's basically the same thing as a comfortable gloss. It's creamy, lightweight, opaque, and super smooth. 

The wear time is great for a gloss but nothing compared to a liquid lipstick. It stays true to color for 3-4 hours then starts to fade to a light stain. It doesn't feel drying at the slightest. It's really nice to have an option of a matte lip color that's not drying at all! It also doesn't bleed outside of my lip line or cling to dry patches at any point of the day. It does transfer onto anything that touches my lips.  Reapplication is easy and flawless. 

So there's two things YOU NEED TO KNOW. First, the gloss does have a scent. It's sweet but, chemically, it's not bad though. It doesn't bother me to the slightest but, it does linger around for a while. The more important thing you need to know is the feeling it gives. It's really weird, almost immediately after application my lips feel numb. It's not too bad but I thought I should definitely mention it so no one freaks out, haha. 

The packaging is super nice. Like I said before, the wand is really handy for application. I absolutely love the applicator because it holds a nice amount of product and provides excellent precision. Another plus is the safety barrier. When the lid is unscrewed it shows an empty chamber but it fills with the product when it has been opened. 

Final thoughts, I really love this gloss. It actually launched last year as limited edition but L'Oreal brought it back in all new colors. I didn't get the chance to buy any last time and I'm glad I had the opportunity to this year when they made them permanent. I wear glosses a lot because they're super comfortable and I don't have to worry about them fading away unevenly. It's nice to have a lip product that looks like a lipstick but has the simplicity of a gloss.

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So have you tried any of the matte glosses from L'Oreal? If so let me know your experience in the comments below! 

One Minute Review | Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color

Another Matte Lipstick?!

I purchased my Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color for $7.99 at my Local Ulta. There are a total of 10 shades available, I have Nude Flush.

Application

The application is easy. The doe-foot applicator is a little stiff but it’s manageable. The color is very pigmented. It doesn’t apply streaky or patchy. I don’t notice any tugging either. There is a fragrance present. It doesn’t bother me but I have heard some people complain. 

Finish

It's a light pink lipstick with a satin, almost glossy, finish. The claim of a matte finish is bizarre, at best it’s a satin matte...if I blot it. I kind of feel like Maybelline put liquid matte on it just for extra sales. We all know liquid matte lipstick is trending, and that’s how they make more money. It really bothers me when companies are shady like that!

Texture

The texture is very mousy and creamy. When I press my lips together I can feel the lightweight texture smoosh between my lips. It’s actually quit entertaining. 

Wear / Time

The wear time is very short, usually about 3-4 hours, less if I eat. Towards the end, it does have more of a matte appearance and it looks like a soft stain. When I wear it I don’t notice too much drying but I can tell there is some dryness happening. 

Overall, it’s ok for what it is. I do recommend something else if you’re after a true liquid lipstick, like Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid lipsticks.

Photos 

Nude Flush

Check to see if it has been opened! 

Single swipe on the left.  It looks lighter on my lips! 

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Chit Chat Wednesday | New Review Series You Need To Know About!

Hey, guys! Sorry I have been absent for so long, my father-in-law came to visit a while. I really wanted to blog, but he seriously took up all of my time. No worries though, I'm back and with a new review series at that! 

From this point forward you may notice some of my reviews say "one minute review". That means the review will have 250 words or less, which basically means everyone can read it in a minute or so. 

Most of the reviews will be products that I don't have much to say about. Maybe, a lipgloss or eyeliner, whatever. I may even do this for items that are new, because I feel like anyone who reads a new review will be reading it because they're fixing to make a purchase. 

I will have two up this week for two new lip products from the drugstore. Let me know if you like both posts!

This should be handy for you busy gals out there or for when you need a quick reference while you're standing in the middle of the makeup isle. Who has times to read a terribly long review while shopping?! 

However, You'll still get everything you need to know from each review.  

So how long did it take you to read this post? Probably about a minute right? Well, that's what I was aiming for. If you see reviews with "one minute review" in the title, it will be approximately the size of this post. 

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Chit Chat Wednesday | The Best And Worst Thing About Your Makeup Routine

Chit Chat Topic: The Best And Worst Thing About Your Makeup Routine

I know we all love makeup, but is there a part of your beauty routine you dread doing? Maybe it's Eye liner, mascara, eyeshadow, lipstick or even brows? 

First we'll start of on a positive note, is there anything you love doing? My favorite thing to do is foundation. There's really nothing fun about it but I love seeing the before and after comparison of my coverage. One minute I have acne plastered all over my face and the next, I have an even appearance. It's enjoyable to see the difference foundation can make. Sometimes I sit in the mirror and think to myself, this is what I would look like without acne... Not bad, not bad at all. Haha, just kidding, I'm not that full of myself. But seriously, it would be nice to not have acne. I would definitely feel more confident if it was clear. 

The worst thing for me is contouring. I know a lot of people love contouring, and I do too, to some degree. It's just hard to achieve a nice contour when I have to worry about blending away coverage from my foundation. When I chisel my cheek bones I just move around my full coverage foundation and everything ends up looking muddy and uneven. So if I do contour, I really have to pack on my powder to prevent my foundation from moving. It's really no big deal, it's more of a nuisance. Most of the time I end of using bronzer, unless I'm testing out a new contour powder. 

So what is your best and worst step of your makeup routine? Let us know in the comments below! 

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Chit Chat Wednesday | Using Tape For Contouring?

Not too long ago a famous Instagram user, HudaBeauty, uploaded a video of her using tape to cream contour. Supposedly, the tape is used to help place your contour to make it more symmetrical. 

Ok, now that my head is finally out of the palm of my hands and my eyes are tired of rolling, let's chit chat about this. 

I get that contouring can be tricky and I know it can be hard to get your contour even but I just don't see why this would be a good idea. I love HudaBeauty, don't get me wrong, she's great with makeup. ..However, I think this is a little gimmicky. 

I'm sure the tape pulls off foundation and messes up your base. It sure would suck to lift up a $45 foundation and lose coverage. It just seems like too much work for the same look without tape. I do, however, think this may be handy for nose contouring. Sometimes it can be hard to get those lines symmetrical and I'm sure most people don't need much coverage on their nose. 

Personally I'm not going to try this. It would be a nightmare to lift the tape just to reveal irritated acne. 😖 I feel like it would take forever to get the tape just right. And I'm sure the bill for tape would dramatically increase, haha. Surely it's just a silly trend that will pass soon but still, I'm sure the beauty community can come up with a better hack... Like, I don't know, baking! 

If you do try this let me know how it works out! Maybe it does work, who knows. I'm sure those of you with decent skin might enjoy testing it out. 

Reminder: this is a bad idea if you have allergies to any kind of adhesives, etc. 

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My Dream Foundation

It just so happens that the most important thing in our makeup rountine can also be the most difficult thing to master... Foundation.

 It's not because we utterly suck at applying our base, instead it's because we haven't found our dream foundation.

The foundation that matches our skintone and undertone. The foundation that sinks into our skin without accentuating our big potholes called pores. The foundation that wows us by not making us look dry or oily.

What would your dream foundation be?

My dream foundation would have to be remarkable. Something that goes above and beyond most people expectations. I need a natural foundation that covers everything- pimples, redness, dry patches, scars, and pores. I don't want to lean in close to the mirror and see pore city or crusty scabs. Now Im thinking of crusty crabs, haha. MMM.. burgers. Anyway, even though the dont-stick-to-dry-patches aspect contradicts my other need, I do need something that doesn't let oil seep through. The only thing on my face that should be popping with light, is my highlight, not my oily crater face. If a foundation doesn't last all day, it's out the door. I don't have time for that! But the most important thing to me is coverage. I have a crap ton to cover. Concealers just are not practical when I have a face full of acne. Are you kidding me? My face looks more like a cake than my actual birthday cake if I apply concealer to every problem spot. So I need a foundation with a high amount of pigment to get the job done. It's now 2016, this foundation I dream of should be here already.

If my dream foundation is created, I hope and pray the shade selection is decent. Wouldn't it be a bummer if I couldn't find a color match?! Take note companies!

What is your dream foundation? Is it similair to mine or the complete opposite? Let me in on your dream in the comments below!

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Quick Review | Maybelline Master Prime Long-Lasting Eyeshadow Base

Eye primer is one of those things I hate spending money on. I know its important but my goodness, it's a hard product to get excited about.

The only way I'll truly look forward to buying it is if the primer is from the drugstore. I love a good deal on anything but especially boring cosmetics like primer.

I bought mine for $7.99 in the Prime & Matte formula. The other two finishes are: Prime & smooth, and Prime & Illuminate. 

If you're familiar to my blog, you already know I love Milani's primer and it's affordable just like Maybellines. Now let's see how the Maybelline version performs!

My first test for the primer is color enhancement and payoff. The first day I received it I swatched it on my arm and applied sheer shadow over the swatch. As you can see in the picture above, the primer does provide a nice tacky base for eye shadow. I honestly don't feel the tackiness to the touch much but I can tell its there by how the shadow clings to the primer. It really helps with making shadows a lot more prominent in color. Just keep in mind the base will need to be set if you're going to do any blending. This primer, just like other primers, can make the crease area look patchy if product is applied directly on top of the primer for blending.

Now does it help eye makeup last longer? Mostly, but it is average at tackling longevity. It's not necessarily bad but it's certainly not the best I have tried. It's truly just average. If you're on the hunt for a better oil control eye primer, try Milani's. For my semi-oily eyes, Maybelline's Master Primer provides a crease-less wear for 6-8 hours. 

Does it neutralize darkness on my eye lids? Not really. I actually thought my eye lids looked darker on my pale skintone. The tone to this primer is warm and semi-pigmented. It has just enough pigment to add color but not eough to conceal color. Its sheerness actually makes my skin look more uneven. However, that personally doesn't bother me too much because I'm going to cover it with eye shadow anyways.  One thing I do like about the primer is for adding extra warmth in my crease. It adds a little extra something in the crease to help fade out my eye shadow. But because of this, keep in mind it may look terrible with cool-toned looks, unless you completely cover the warmth.

The packaging for the Maybelline Master Primer is super nice. It reminds me a lot of the new Vivid Matte Lips they just released. It comes in a square, clear plastic tube with a doe-foot applicator. The wand is really flexible and comfortable to use. Maybelline nailed the packaging. 

Overall, I guess this primer is pretty good but I still feel like it's just average. I cant say if the other two formulas perform like the matte but I'm sure they work about the same. It does provide a decent wear time, and help enhance color payoff. However, my favorite is still the Milani primer. I will continue using this one, and who knows, maybe I'll try the other formulas if I come across a promising sale. For the price I say try it if you're curious but don't purchase it if your solely searching for a holy-grail. 

Have you tired the other two formulas? What is your opinion on this primer? Let everyone know in the comments below!

Pros

• Smooth
• Creamy
• Packaging 
• Price
• Blends easily
• Enhanced color payoff
• Smooth finish
• Different finishes
• Adds some extra longevity 

Cons

• Just average
• A little too warm
• Can be uneven 

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Review | Maybelline Master Contour Face Contouring Kit

 Use to I would tell everyone to buy a foundation powder a couple shades darker than their skin if they wanted a contour powder for a reasonable price. We can all still do that but now we finally have the option to buy an affordable contour kit from the drugstore. Thank goodness!

This spring we have the luxury of picking from many new contour kits dropping into drugstores like rain but for now the only one I have spotted is the Maybelline FaceStudio Master Contour Kit. 

I found mine at Ulta for $12.99. There are two color options- Light to Medium or Medium to Deep. I chose the light option since I have fair skin. Both palettes contain one contour powder, one blush and one highlight. I do think the medium to deep palette has a cooler contour powder (I think). It will probably be their best seller of the two. I kind of wish I also picked it up too, even though I love this one.

Natural lighting

Contour 1

We'll start with the highlight of the palette, the contour shade. The contour shade is the softest powder in the kit. It blends easily with a fluffy brush. It's smooth, pigmented and doesn't kick up much powder. I don't find it to be chalky or patchy. It does last on all day (about 8 hours).

  Although it is a contour powder, I think of it more as a bronzer. It can still be used as a contour shade if you're light handed. The tone is warmer, girls with cool undertones probably won't like this powder for contouring. If you have neutral or warm undertones it may work for you. My undertone is neutral and I can get it to work if I lightly contour. I wouldn't recommend using it for sharp contouring. 

Natural lighting 

Blush 2

I like the formula of this blush. It's smooth, pigmented and bendable. However, I don't find the color to be particularly unique. The shade may already exist in your collection but if not, It's a great addition. It doesn't fade away in patches or accentuate my acne. I like it enough that I would purchase it in a single. The wear time is the same as the bronzer (about 8 hours).

Natural lighting 

Highlight 3

The drugstore is not loaded with great highlighters. So when I do find one I like, I usually praise it. To me, this whole kit is worth the money just for the highlighter. I'm not saying it's the only good thing this kit has to offer but it is what stands out the most. It's really creamy and non-chalky. When applied it doesn't look like powder sitting on top of the skin or frosty. It gives off a subtle but glowy vanilla highlight. The wear time clocks in around 6 hours or longer if a setting spray is used. 

This kit did come with little brush...I hate to break it to ya, but it's pretty useless. The size of it is too small for contouring or applying blush. You could use it for highlighting but it's a little scratchy. Mine has a new home in the trash can.

The packaging is slim and black. It does not come with a mirror, boo! I haven't had any problems with the powders popping out but some people have. If that does happen, super glue will work just fine to pop them back into place. 

Overall, I really like this palette. I promise everyone can use the contour shade like we want to but it makes a great bronzer. Or like I said, it depends on the person, it can be used as a contour shade if you're careful or have the correct skintone. Just don't build it up so much that it looks too warm.
 I find that all three formulas are really good. I didn't experience patchiness, odd fading, or trouble blending. I'll definitely continue using it, especially when I travel! It makes a great travel palette if you're makeup bag is small. 

Artificial lighting 

Let me know in the comments below if you plan to purchase this kit! And if you already have, what do you think about? Does the contour shade work for you? 

Pros

• smooth 
• pigmented 
• blendable 
• long wearing
• non patchy
• fades evenly
• great for travel
• packaging 
• good formula
• price

cons

• no mirror
• lacks a broad color selection
• unusable brush
• contour is a little warm

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Chit Chat Wednesday | When Brands Mislabel Their Products

You know what really grinds my gears? When cosmetic companies mislabel their products. 

The other day I was shopping at the drugstore and I picked up a matte liquid lippie from a brand I trust (I won't point fingers). You'll know who it is in a future review because I'm sure as heck going to mention it regardless of how I feel about the brand. I actually love the brand I'm talking about but it just ticks me off that brands mislead us. 

If a lipstick says liquid matte then it should perform like a liquid matte lipstick. I won't go into to details of the product, as I'm sure you're confused about what I'm talking about. However, I know you know what I mean. Why do companies do this? There are going to be reviews of the product, so why lie? Your customers are what makes your company thrive, why would you lie to them? 

I just wish companies would be honest about what a product is and how it performs. Did you know companies can say a product lasts for 24 hours just because a trace of that product is still visible? How misleading! We don't want a trace of that so called product, we want it to look the same as it did when we first applied it if it does claim a 24 hour wear. Hello, that's why we purchased it. 

Tell me, what products have you purchased that mislead you. It can be the name or claims. Right now I have two new spring releases that have fooled me. Leave a comment below! 

Check my snapchat for a sneak peek to see what those products are! 

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L'Oreal Lumi Cushion Foundation | Review For Acne Prone Skin

How exciting is it that America is finally jumping on the cushion band wagon?! Cushion foundations have been a popular item in Korea for a while now. They are known for their flawless finish and buildable coverage.

There are a whopping amount of 12 shades available, starting at Light Ivory and ending at Cocoa.  The shade I have is N2. The price is $16.99. Wait. What? Yes, freaking $17 for a drugstore foundation! What the heck Loreal?! And the amount of product is even cut in half (52 oz)! This item is permanent at the drugstore.

The shades are pretty accurate to the sticker on the compact. When you first open the foundation the cushion looks a little darker than the actual foundation. So don't be alarmed about a wrong color match.  

The packaging is very cute. The foundation comes in a bulky compact with a rose gold lid. The top lid lifts up and reveals a large mirror and sponge.There is another protective lid that clicks and seals in the cushion foundation. Although I do love the packaging, it can be hard to tell if the sealing lid shuts completely. ( It does by the way, it's just hard to tell since it doesn't click convincingly)

 I'm pretty confident that the packaging will keep the cushion saturated in product. One of my first thoughts was, "Oh no, it's going to dry out like a sharpie marker". Nope, were fine in that department. Now my main concern is bacteria. Granted, the sponge does have an anti- microbial layer but will that really keep bacteria at bay? Who knows!

Swatch: Looks yellow in the picture but in person it's more neutral. 

Oh, coverage,  I'm sure that's what every one is concerned about. I do find the Lumi Cushion foundation to be buildable as in the sense it builds well without looking cakey. However, I don't agree about the coverage being buildable. Even with three layers on, it almost looks the same as it does with one layer- sheer coverage. It does cover redness but not problem areas. The only thing I'll personally use it for is a base foundation for fuller coverage or for any everyday wear to take my dog outside... Acne sufferers will understand what I mean by that. 

Left to right: No foundation, One Layer, Two Layers, Three Layers 

The finish is very flawless and lightweight. It really does live up to the cushion foundation hype. I find no matter how much I apply it always blends into a flawless base. Speaking of blending, darn this stuff is easy to apply. It's as simple as patting and moving on to powder. It's such an easy product to use.

It doesn't emphasize pores or dry patches! Unfortunately, it can accentuate peach fuzz, so be sure to wax beforehand. 

The lasting power is average. It stayed on my combo skin for 5 hours before my oil started to break through. After that point it turned my face started to look like a frying pan.  I do set it with Rimmel Stay Matte powder and I have been using Nivea's After Shave Balm as a primer. Since it has a dewy finish that doesn't set completely, I feel the need to set wherever I applied it. For now on, I may use an oil control primer to prevent oil seeping through! 

 I feel like those who have super oily skin will despise this foundation. Normal skin gals out there will probably love it, as well as dry.

Overall, I do like this foundation even though the coverage sucks. L'Oreal didn't claim it to be a full coverage foundation, so I'm not going to penalize it for that reason alone. I like the finish, shade range, blend-ability, the way it applies, packaging, weight and how it doesn't have a smell. The only things I don't like is the price for the amount you get and the potential for bacteria growth. I don't see it replacing my foundation but it may be my new base product. I love how it smooths over my dry patches and provides a thin layer of extra coverage. I'll finish it up but I won't repurchase it just because I do require more coverage for my acne. 

Pro's

•  doesn't break me out!
• buildable
• flawless finish
• easy to apply
• lightweight
• great base foundation
• blends easily
• shade selection
• no smell
• very saturated 
• nice packaging
• Natural looking 
• Covers redness 

Con's

• sheer coverage
• pricey for drugstore
• little amount of product
• may not be sanitary 
• Can Accentuate peach fuzz 

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