Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam V. Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara

So as you can tell from the title and the pictures we have a Mascara Show Down! This time they both happen to be from the same company and same line just different formulas. So which do you buy when 2 products are similar? Well, I bought both and I've been testing them out for you guys to help you make a better decision. So lets get right into by starting with what the company says about each product and the pricing.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara- About $6 at most drugstores
"It’s Retro Mania! Bold, Wide-eyed false lash look!

Bold, wide-eyed false lash look. Hour-glass brush shaped to the lash line to plump lashes, fanning them up and out for bold, wide-eyed volume. Coats lashes individually for a big, false lash look in one simple stroke. No clumps!"

- I do have to say I love this brush! I'm not a fan of the rubber short bristle brushes like on the Covergirl Lash Blast mascaras because I feel like they don't comb through my lashes all the way, more so just pushes them around. The Retro Glam Brush is definitely in my top 5 favorite mascara brushes! The hour glass shape helps me get those pesky short lashes in the inner corner and then because the brush gets big again at the end helps me separate and get those lashes at the very end that always clump together. The formula was good it didn't get clumpy nor was it "wet" like some mascaras can be when you first open them. Overall I do have to say I do like this mascara, I don't know about the "false lash look in one swipe" claim but I did like the way it made my lashes look after 2 coats.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara- Also about $6 at drugstores

"A big volume mascara that won't leave your lashes stiff or brittle, so you can build drama from day to night!

Lycra Technology formula makes lashes look full and voluptuous while remaining soft. MaxDensity brush covers whole lash line with one effortless coat to reveal and plump every lash."

- This brush is easily one of the Biggest natural fiber brush I've seen on a mascara! I love a big brush! the bigger the better but I can see how some people might have trouble getting used to this brush if they are used to the smaller rubber bristle wand. This is a Lycra Flex formula so with that said I did experience clumping so I would actually follow my 2 coats with a run through of the Maybelline Great Lash Big to help separate my lashes. It did give me those big lashes that I love though so that second step is worth it!  I used to use their old Lycra mascara in high school and I loved that which is why I picked this one up. The formula of this mascara lengthens and provides volume with just 2 coats, but like I said it will clump!



Final Thoughts...
    I do like both of these mascaras and I like to keep more then one kind on rotation. With that being said I like the brush on the Retro Glam mascara better just because of that hourglass shape I can get to every little lash without a problem! I knew from the first time I used it that I love the brush, the bristles are long enough to comb through my lashes but because the end is more so rounded instead of pointed like most brushes it helps with the separation of the lashes at the end of the application. The formula of the Retro Glam I wasn't blown away with at first like I was with the Lycra Flex formula. After a few uses the Retro Glam grew on me it just wasn't that Bam lashes in your face! look that you get from the Lycra Flex. I do like them both and I could see myself buying them both again. The Retro Glam for work/daytime and the Lycra for more of  night/going out look. If I could though I would take the brush from Retro Glam and the formula of the Lycra Flex minus the clumps and have my dream mascara! 

           on my right eye < Retro Glam... on my left eye > Lycra Flex

NYX The "It" List The Naturals

I picked up this lovely set at Ulta in the clearance section. It normally retails for $19.99 but I picked it up for $9.99. I believe this set comes in "The Naturals" and in a set called "The Pinks". I would love to try "The Pinks" and I hope that one day they do this set but in Red, because you guys know I Love a good Red Lip! I had seen this set online a few times and always wanted to try it, I think its a great way to try out 5 of NYX's amazing lip products! Three of these glosses I have tried before but in different colors but two of them are new to me and one I enjoyed and the other was kind of a miss for me. So let's jump right in and check out the goods!

• NYX Butter Gloss in #05 Creme Brulee - I have 7 Butter Glosses now so obviously I Love the formula of these! Plus they are only around $5 and comes in 22 shades right now. They are so creamy and smooth without feeling heavy or sticky, you can use these on their own or on top of a lipstick to give it the buttery shine and a different color hue. Ive heard Creme Brulee talked and blogged about in the beauty world, it is obviously a top seller which is understandable because the color is so universal, the color is a great nude without being too opaque and looking like concealer. It's not as brown as Tiramisu but not pink like Vanilla Cream Pie. I definitely recommend the Butter Glosses, I've even sent them to friends for Christmas! 

• NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in #155 Perfect - This is another product that I have multiples of and really enjoy! This gloss comes in around 39 different colors(some with sparkle and some without) and I'm sure they are pumping more out soon! Everyone who's tried this gloss loves it and because it comes in so many colors there is always something for everybody. These cost around $5 if you buy them individually and its .33oz so it's a pretty good price point. I know I will be picking up more! This is another product that I love to wear on its own or on top of a lipstick to give it a beautiful shine and sometimes alter the color a bit. This color is a basic sheer natural pink with a bunch of tiny pinkish sparkle, I think it's going to be great on top of any lipstick but on its own it doesn't do much for me but its great if you love that natural look!

                   

• NYX Pump It Up Lip Plumper in #06 Kim - This is one of the products that I am trying for the first time. You can get this product in 9 different colors online and they are about $5.50. I have to say the product was kind of a miss for me. I didn't notice my lips looking any plumper even though they had that menthol tingle about them. The color is your basic nude and I'm sure it can be built up to be opaque, it has a pretty shine to it and no scent which is strange because the Megashine glosses smell like cherry candy. I figured it would at least have a minty scent to it because menthol is what usually gives you that plumping effect. I'm sure this color will look great on top of a lipstick and it looks good on its own but if you say you're going to plump my lips I would like you to deliver on that, sadly I don't think I will be picking up this product in any other colors but I'm glad I tried it!

                 

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in #05 Antwerp - This is the one that in the packaging I was like there is no way I'm going to like this! But I have to say I think this might be my favorite out of all 5 of the products surprisingly. This comes in 11 different shades and is around $6. I have this product in 2 other colors a hot pink and a soft pink but this color for some reason just captivates me! I feel like its soft enough that you can wear it in the spring and summer but the color is bold enough that it can stand on its own in the colder months. This product doesn't go flat matte like some other matte lip products I've tried in the past but I don't mind that, it goes matte enough that it can keep its claim but its never drying or tight. The color is this strong dusty pink that for some reason I can't keep my eyes off of!

• NYX Xtreme Shine Lip Cream in #10 Natural - This is the other product that I've never tried before and I've actually been wanting to test it out! So first I'm going to tell you what the tube of the product has on it; "It's not a lipstick, nor is it gloss. It's like nothing you've experienced before. Its liquid lipstick that goes on with full Xtreme color and intense shine." I have to say that claim is true! This color probably isn't the best pick for me because if I'm not careful the color goes on so opaque that I instantly have concealer lips and with my skin tone that's not a good look! However I do love this product and the formula is amazing! Its like if butter glosses had a bigger stronger cousin! I am definitely going to be buying more of these in more suitable colors for my skin tone! Online they have the Xtreme Lip Creams in 11 colors for $6 but this one is a Xtreme Shine Lip Cream so I'm not sure if its different packaging or a completely different product.                                                                                                                              

Overall I have to say that I really enjoy this little "It List" pack, its a great way to try out a variety of products from NYX without having to get them individually. The fact that I got this set at half price made it ever better! Like I said earlier I would like to try the Pink It List and I hope they make a red one soon!

Five Favorites (Plus 3 More!) Red Lips!

Hey guys this is the second post of my Five Favorites series and as you can see by the title its more then 5! I just couldn't help myself I Love Lipstick and a Red Lip never goes out of style! These are 8 that I've tried, some high end some drugstore but I love them all the same! So in no particular order let's get started!

1. Maybelline ColorSensational The Elixir Lip Color in #020 Signature Scarlet
     You can find this at pretty much any place that sells Maybelline products or online at Ulta.com. It will cost you around $8-$9 depend where you purchase it. I actually have 5 of these and plan on doing a blog post on them so look out for that! The formula of these lip colors is just so creamy and amazing and the color pay off of this red is Outstanding! Its glossy, its bold, its bright! Whats not to love! Just look at it! I've seen this color on fair skin and dark skin and it always looks stellar!

2. Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple
     I received mine in my monthly Ipsy bag a few months ago but it is available for purchase on the Cailyn Cosmetics website for $19. Though the label says that this is a tinted lip balm the color pay off is like a lipstick and the staying power is Amazing! It also has this handy built in brush in the handle which is why the packaging looks kind of funny, some people would probably say this makes the product too bulky but I like always having the lip brush attached especially because the actual product is in a little pot and I don't like sticking my fingers in my products. This is a Matte Product so it can be a little drying on some people but with the proper preparation its nothing uncomfortable. Ive worn this product to football games and out with friends and haven't had any problem with the staying power. This is actually my go to for times when i don't want to mess with touch ups.

3. NYX Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie
      I picked mine up at Ulta for $4.99 but I've seen them at my local Target for the same price.
I did a blog post in the past about how much I Love NYX Butter Glosses and I picked up this one after that post knowing i'd already love it! I could go on for days about how much I love the Butter Glosses and how excited I am for the Butter Lipsticks! This product and the Maybelline Color Elixirs remind me a lot of each other. Shiny, creamy, Red! I love them both, though I do have to say the Butter Glosses are a little lighter on the lip so if your just getting into Red Lips then give this one a shot!

4. Lime Cime's Velvetine in Red Velvet
      I purchased mine at LimeCrime.com for $20. This is a liquid lipstick that drys into a matte formula thats pretty awesome at staying put! I tested it and it does what it says! I picked this one up with a few other products one of which i will be talk about in this post! You paint this lovely product on your lips with a doe foot applicator but be careful where you put it because once it dries it plans on sticking around for awhile! (which is why i bought it and the other 2 colors hehe!) When first applied this product looks shiny but after a few seconds it starts to dry into this lovely matte rich red color that doesn't feel dry or tight on the lips like some super stay products can!

5. Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick in the color 69
 I actually have 2 deluxe samples of this lipstick, one I got from Urban Decay when I ordered my Vice 2 Pallette and the other from an Ipsy Glam Bag. You can find it at Urban Decay.com or anywhere else Urban Decay products are sold for $22. Although I am totally in love with this color, formula and brand I can't say if I would buy a full size for $22, that's a little out of my spending bracket for 1 lipstick. Which is why I'm so happy that I ended up with 2 deluxe samples of the same color! Everytime I wear it I get compliments and I love how rich and creamy the color and formula is! I wish I could have all of them! Another winner from Urban Decay but did you expect anything different!

6. Victoria's Secret Glossy Tint Lip Sheen in Knock Out Red
       I bought this during one of their semi annual sales but you can find it at their store or online at Victoria's Secret.com for $9. I love this glossy lip tint jumbo crayon for when I want to wear a Red Lip during the day or in a more casual look. It has just enough color pay off to keep me happy but not so much that its over powering. The staying power isn't amazing when your eating or drinking but its a glossy tint lip sheen so what do you expect. This is another good one if your just getting into Red Lips and don't want anything too bold.

7. MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
     This classic favorite was bought from my local MAC store but you can also find it online at MAC.com for $15. Many people/bloggers/vloggers have raved about this lipstick for as long as its been around! To me this is a must have in every collection if you love Red Lips! It is a matte formula and will show dry cracked lips so make sure to take care of your lips and exfoliate before you wear this lipstick! also if your wearing it out to eat make sure to put a red liner underneath. This color looks great on most skin tones because it is a good classic true red! Its said to have a slight blue undertone which helps to make your teeth look whiter but ill leave that decision up to you.

8. Lime Crime's Opaque Lipstick in Retrofuturist
      Like before I bought this lipstick from LimeCrime.com for $18. I would dare to say this is the Brightest Red of all of them, I had to check to make sure I could call this a true Red Lip. The formula of Lime Crimes lipsticks is amazing! which is why everyone loves them! I own 2 of them right now. Now I know what your saying this is only $4 cheaper then the Urban Decay lipstick so why would you buy this one and not that one?! I actually purchased these during Black Friday 2013 so I did get some off the regular price and it was a Christmas present to myself! These lipsticks go on so smooth and the color looks exactly as it does in the tube with little effort! Love them! Plus they have 18 colors and some of them are out of this world!

So whether or not its a matte, a gloss, or a tint I Love Red Lips! Obviously that is why there are 8 instead of 5 in my Five Favorites! Are there any Red Lip products you love and think I should try?! Let me know!! And please check me out and keep in contact with me on Instagram- LovingLifeMakeup and Twitter- LovingLifeMUA
Thanks guys!

Five Favorites- Hair Products.

I would like to start a new series where I list my 5 favorites and give a mini review. Hopefully I can do it regularly and you guys enjoy it! As always I purchased these products myself and these are my own opinions. 

      

1.Redkin Extreme Anti-Snap Fortifier

$17.50 for 8.5 fl oz or $4.00 for a 1.7 fl oz at Ulta if you want to try it out. 

I bought this product when I over bleached my hair and ruined it! My girlfriend told me her mom has used it and loved it for years and I see why. I've used this on wet and dry hair and I have to say this product saved my straw like yellow hair. It made it softer and it looked 5x healthier just after a few uses. The terrible blonde hair is gone but this product is sticking around. I apply it to my damp hair on my ends and my bangs because those are the most damaged parts of my hair. It's a light weight serum with a light scent nothing to noticeable. 

      

2.NexxusPro-Mend Split End Binding Smoothing Shine Serum 

$12.99 for 1.7fl oz pump bottle at Ulta. This is another product I picked up when for some crazy reason I bleached my hair! Ulta.com says 

"NexxusPro-Mend Split End Binding Smoothing Shine Serum provides daily repair for split end problem areas while giving your hair that extra shine." I've been trimming my hair regularly so I can't say if it's magically binding my split ends back together but it helped return life and moisture to my dry damaged hair. This product is a thick siliconeish feeling product when you first pump it out but it slides through your hair and doesn't leave it heavy or nasty, I've used it on my hair wet and dry. This is definitely a product I will be repurchasing because I'm always changing my hair color so damage is inevitable. 

         

3.amika’s Bombshell Blowout spray

This is a product I got a deluxe sample of in one if my BirchBoxes and I love it! You can find it on BirchBox.com and get the full size 8oz spray bottle for $24.00. I like to spray this on my damp hair before I blow dry it. It's a heat protector and helps give my fine hair some lift and texture. It says that you can also use it on dry hair to refresh your style but I've never tried it. It's a light mist that has a slight floral scent nothing over powering. It doesn't dry sticky or heavy. I plan on buying the full size when my sample runs out. Though it is $24 I know that an 8oz bottle will last me at least 6 months because you don't need much of it and I only use it when I blow dry my hair. 

     

4.Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil

4.2 fl oz for 39.95 or you can get a travel size like mine for between $6.50-$13.50. Mine came in one of my very first BirchBox's and has lasted for months. This product can also be found at Ulta and also comes in a lighter spray version that I'm dying to try! I've used this on my hair wet and dry to help control frizz and make sure my flat iron runs smoothly over my hair. I love the way it smells and never feels heavy like some products can. It also gives the hair a nice natural shine without looking greasy or dirty. I love this product and I will be getting it again, like I said at the top in dying to try the spray version!

        

5.Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray 5oz spray bottle for around $3 

I have dry color treated hair that has some what of a natural curl to it so I shampoo my hair as little as possible. Thankfully I don't have overly oily hair. This helps me push my hair to 4 even 5 day hair if I really want to. I know this sounds crazy to some people but it has really helped the condition of my hair. I like to use this products on my roots in the front and my crown in short sweeping sprays. Than I skimpily use my hands or a brush to distribute the product and make sure there aren't any white patches. I have repurchased this product a few times. For $3 it does exactly what it says it will and give some texture and body to my slightly dirty  hair, plus I love the smell!

Like I said this this a new series I'd like to keep doing spotlighting my favorite five products in certain category's. What are your Favorite Five hair products? Which Favorite Five would you like to see next? Let me know! Thank You everyone for checking out my blog!

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Revlon PhotoReady Concealer

I purchased this product with my own money from my local CVS, these opinions are completely my own. Like always haha

$8.99 for .11oz in a roll up stick

First Thoughts...

I have been looking for a stick or crayon concealer that would give my under eye that glowing or highlighted effect that was also super easy to blend and would last. I think that I have found that product in Revlon PhotoReady's concealer. I chose mine in the color light medium because it would give me that inner glow without looking too fake or plastic. 

Final Thoughts...

I have to say this is another product that I really enjoy, it glides on the thin skin of my under eye without tugging or pulling and then I can easily blend it with my fingers or my BeautyBlender. I do set mine with e.l.f.'s HD powder just to make sure there is no creasing in my fine lines. I use the triangle method to apply this wonderful product. It's blends seamlessly into my foundation or my bare skin if I'm going for a natural look. It covers my dark circles and redness with no problem and doesn't get cakey with powder on top! There were only 3 shade options in my CVS so I was hoping for more of a color selection but other then that a wonderful product. 

*dont mind the crazy eyebrows!

Would I Repurchase?...

I would repurchase this, I've even thought about buying a back up just in case and if I could find it in a dark enough color to use as a contour. 

Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation

I purchased these products at my local CVS by myself and these are my own opinions. 

$13.99 for .8oz in a sturdy glass jar

First Thought...

I have never tried a whipped foundation or any whipped makeup product in the past so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was looking for a full coverage foundation that wouldn't feel too heavy on the skin so I did some research and I decided to try the Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation. When I saw that it was $13.99 I was a little surprised because I'm not used to spending more than $10 for my foundation, plus every few months I'm trying a new one, but I decided to give it at shot. My color is #400 Early Tan and I know some people have had a hard time choosing the right color so again I looked online before I went to the store so that I would have a pretty good idea of what I was looking for. I'm an NC 35 in MAC's pressed powder and Soft Honey in Covergirl products. When I first applied this foundation I have to say I was a little scared at first it looked super dark and felt very thick and heavy but as I started to blend the color began to match and as it dried it felt lighter on my skin until I didn't feel it at all. 

Final Thoughts...

I always use a moisturizer and a primer under my foundation so I can't say much on the lasting power without but I'm very pleased with it overall. I don't have a problem with it drying out the skin on my cheeks or around my eyes nor does it cause my t zone to become super oily. I've had this for a couple of months and I still have plenty of product left, I think the whipped part of it helps it blend easily therefore the product lasts longer.  

Would I repurchase?...I would definitely repurchase this product, it has worked perfectly with my changing winter skin. I have never tried to wear this foundation or any foundation for 24 hours, but I know with a primer underneath it has lasted 12+ hours for me.

Botanics Conditioning clay mask

Botanics conditioning clay mask for all skin types. It says "burdock purifies and clarifies while clay draws out impurities with active plant extracts at levels that really work. This rich clay mask exhibits a negative electrical charge to attract deep-rooted impurities from the skin without drying."

First thoughts... 

It says to shake well before using which is fine I shake most things before I use them whether it says to or not. When I squeezed it out of the tube I noticed that it was thinner then clay masks I remember from the past. Not watery just the way it's formulated, which I don't mind because it doesn't slip off the face or through my fingers while I'm applying it. It says to leave on 10-20 minutes like most do and then rinse with warm water. 

About my skin... 

I have normal to oily skin that tends to get really dry during the winter so it being November I wanted to be careful what I put on my face as to not cause further dryness. 

Final thoughts... 

All in all I would have to say that I like this product, the mask dries on your face like any clay mask does but unlike a normal clay mask it was very easy to rinse off I credit this to the thinner formula. I didn't feel like I had to scrub and wipe at my skin to get it off. Once my face was dry it didn't feel dried out and tight or extra greasy which can happen with conditioning or moisturizing products. My pores do look smaller without my face feeling tight and it feels clean but not dry so I like that. I picked this up because I'm already dealing with dry skin problems and I've been looking for a tube clay mask for months. The fact that this said it was a conditioning clay mask had me sold, I had to try it!

Would I repurchase...

This was $9.39 at target for a 4.2 ounce squeeze tube. All in all I would have to say that I like this product and I could see myself buying it again.