Weekly tip, beauty news and manicure of the week

Usually, I'll post my weekly tip on Friday but sometimes there's this thing called life that gets in my way. I had thought about not posting a tip for last week since I was busy but the beauty news included would be outdated and I wanted to share the news with everyone. Plus, I thoroughly enjoy the weekly post. It's fun to write and I get to talk about fun stuff. So why skip it? Keep reading to find out this weeks tip and beauty news. 

Big, bold, thick, long, and dark lashes are always in but sometimes mascara just doesn't cut it...until now. Well this tip can't do everything but it really does help. We use primers for everything. Our face, eyes, lips and even our lashes but I personally don't own a lash primer. However, I do have a whole stash of eye primers. Becuase of the a beauty blogger within me, I decided to mess around with using eye primers on my lashes and the outcome is groundbreaking (dramatic, I know). I noticed a difference in the length, thickness and wear time of my mascara. Not only that but it also helped seperate my lashes during applicication. If you already have eye primer break it out and test it for yourself. Let me know what you think! 

Urbandecay.com

Glamour with an edge. Who doesn't love Urban Decay? No one. Who loves coupons? Everyone. Starting today (March 2) and ending on March 7th, Urban Decay is having a friends and fanatics event. Using the code               "TAKEITOFF20" anyone can get 20% off their entire order on Urban Decays website. Now would be the time to buy one of the Naked palettes you have been dying to get! Don't know what to buy? Ask me in the comments below what you should get. 

It is valid on Urban Decays website only. The code must be typed in at the check out using all capital letters. The code lasts for six days only. Starting on March 2nd and ending on the 7th. The link above is not an affiliate link. 

It has been such a long time since I decided to wear nail polish. I have been on a Jamberry kick lately and gave up the nail polish lifestyle. But... Rimmels 60 seconds nail polish is my ride or die formula from the drugstore and the colors are ahhhmazing. Their opaque, non-streaky, and unique. Surprisingly, the thing that attracts me the most is the drying time. I have a toddler, cat and a dog, when I paint my nails they have to dry fast or they'll be ruined within a few minutes. 

If you're looking for a chip resistant formula, then chances are you won't like this formula much. It starts to chip on my after a couple days but I don't mind redoing my manicure since it dries so fast. Plus, I have the opportunity to changed up my design. The colors in the photo above are "Breakfast In Bed" and "Caramel Cupcake". 

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Are you going to experiment with this weeks tip?

Have any products on your Urban Decay wishlist?

What's your ride or die nail polish from the drugstore? 

Deal or Dud: City Color Cosmetics Intense Blush Quad

It's time for Deal or Dud! No one likes wasting money on products that are not worth your time or money. That's why I created this new series called Deal or Dud. If it's a Deal, then you and your wallet will be happy. If it's a Dud, well, now you can avoid another disappointment . Will the City Color Blush Quad be worth your money or should you skip it? Find out now! 

Blush palettes are life. Their cute, colorful, useful and fun. Its not a rare thing to see a high end blush palette but when the drugstore comes out with a promising blush palette its like topping on a cake. In this case the pretty cupcake is City Color Cosmetics Intense Blush quad in "Collection 2".

I found this 4 pan City Color blush quad at my local 5 Below for $4. If a 5 Below isn't in your area, then you will have to make an order online (buy here). Unfortunately, City Color is not available in stores and its also more expensive online ($7.99). There are 3 different quads available and each one has a different color theme. The quad I found has a warm bronzy theme with a bright coral pink and burnt red. 

I wasn't crazy about the picture above but I had a hard time getting my camera to capture the color of the blushes. However, I wanted to upload atleast one picture, bad or good, that shows the true color of each blush. So yeah, here it is. 

This blush does have Talc in it. Some blushes with Talc break me out, others don't. If your skin is sensitive to Talc, skip this blush and explore other brands like Makeup Geek or Physicians Formula. Also keep in mind that this palette does have parabens as well. 

I actually really like the packaging of this palette. Some people have trouble opening it up. I don't but I do have longer nails. Each blush is in a pot (great for depotting), which keeps them from shattering so easily if you drop it. Right now I am secretly clapping my hands because I only dropped it twice.

This quad also comes with two small brushes for application. Just throw them out. They're cheap and too small to accomplish anything with. I wouldn't even dare to use them on my eyes. We'll just call them a dud.

I wouldn't call the texture creamy but its not dry either. They have that classic blush texture that is soft and smooth. When I first swatched it the indentation made the product feel stiff but after the first layer the blush softened. It doesn't have a gritty texture or a chalky consistency, which can be a problem with cheaper blushes. But I'm quite surprised by how much I like the texture of this blush formula. It's similar to some high end blushes I own. 

The only problem with the blush formula is how easily the powder kicks up. When I dip my brush into the product a lot of excess powder gets all over the pan. Which I guess that's not a huge problem. I'm not usually discouraged by a product when it has that simple flaw. In the end it all depends on how it applies and wears. I personally don't mind if I have to blow the excess powder off when I'm done. 

The pigmentation is just incredible. Really the blushes might be too pigmented for some people. It would be easy to go into clown mode in an instant without meaning to. When I first used this palette I went ham with the bronze shade(first swatch on left) and ended up looking like an oompa loompa. So I definitely recommend tapping your brush a few times before applying blush to your face.

Despite being highly pigmented, they do blend out beautifully. As you can see in the picture above they sheer out to wearable colors that appear semi matte on the skin. I particularly like the bronzey shades for warming up my face or their great for days when I cant wear obvious pink blush because of breakouts. The other two shades are definitely more bright but from experience they can be sheered out for a wearable and desirable look. By the way, If you have darker skin this palette would suite you very well.

The wear time is a lot longer than I expected. I figured with a cheap palette like this I wold only get maybe around 4 hours. To my surprise, every blush lasted for around 7-8 hours, which is the average wear time of my makeup before I wash it off. Even better, I think a couple of the darker blushes might have slightly stained my cheek, but I guess with any shade that bright it's not that surprising. 

Deal or Dud? 

Overall, I really like this quad.. It's affordable, and the blushes are pigmented, blendable, & soft. This would be a great buy for beginners who are building a collection or even makeup hoarders like myself. The packaging might seem bulky to some people but I love it. I would feel confident packing it into my suitcase without worrying if it's going to break.

 This drugstore find is definitely a deal!

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Are you going to purchase this palette?

Do you own any of the other palettes?

Let me know in the comments below! 

Quick Review: Eco Tools Complexion Collection Eye Perfecting Brush

Hello! I'm sure as you already know this post is a quick review of Eco Tools Complexion Collection Eye Perfecting brush. It's a drugstore brush that can be found at Walmart, Target, Ulta, etc. Your bank account only has to donate $4.99 for this under eye concealer brush. It can be used for creams, moisturizers, or my favorite, concealers. 

 There's a lot of great makeup brushes from the drugstore...Sonia Kashuk, Real Techniques, E.l.f studio and Eco Tools are by far my favorite brushes. In fact, I don't even bother paying high end prices for brushes. It's just not necessary anymore. Sure, I like a few high end brushes more than drugstore. Some of the eye brushes from Sigma are a favorite of mine but honestly their not a "must have". The drugstore offers every kind of brush you need to achieve glamorous makeup looks.  

Like I mentioned earlier, this brush can be used for many different things. Three of the things they mention are creams, moisturizers and concealers.

 I tried it with all three products and I personally prefer using it for concealers. It blends out my concealers quickly and leaves behind a flawless finish. It can be pokey if you point it directly to your eye and dap. I found that it best if swift wiping motions are used or dapping motions at a 45 degree angle. The bristles are much softer that way. 

I used it for my undereye moisturizer/ cream once and decided it was pointless. It doesn't do anything special for moisturizer. If anything it's a bad idea. Why worry about a possibly dirty brush contaminating your clean skin? 

One thing that Eco Tools didn't mention using it for is cream eyeshadow and primer. The brush works really good at getting my Urban Decay primer in the inner corner of my eye and right under my eyebrow. And you know, sometimes I just don't feel like getting tacky primer all over my clean fingers and the same goes for cream eyeshadow. The firmness of the brush is just right for buffing out cream eyeshadows as a base or a simple look. 

This brush is a little different than I expected. I thought it would be less dense and "beautifully soft" and it is soft in a unique way. The bristles are tightly packaged and firm but they have a softness to them. I think that's a good thing for those of us who enjoy firm brushes that will quickly blend out concealer under our eyes. However, if your skin is sensitive under your eyes then opt for something else that is more forgiving like a Beauty Blender. 

So far I haven't noticed any shedding or discoloration of the bristles. Eco Tools brushes usually have a stong glue in the ferrule that will hold the bristles in place for years even after washing. I have not been disappointed with a brush from them yet and I'm sure I won't be. Their high quality brushes for an affordable price. Plus, look at the design on the ferrule. Isn't it gorgeous?

Do I find this brush necessary? Not really. I honestly think your finger can do the same thing and you don't have to worry about a dirty brush. But I do like having the option of having a brush for my concealer. It's nice to know its there if I need or want it. It also makes a cute collectors brush if you have an obsession with makeup brushes. And besides, why not? It's only a few dollars. 

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Have you tried this brush? 

Are you thinking about purchasing it?

What brand makes your favorite brushes from at the drugstore? 

Let me know in the comments below!