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. 

Maybelline FITME Shine Free Foundation Stick

 Maybelline's new stick foundation is just what I've been looking for! Because it is in a stick for instead of a liquid its much easier to take with you on the go and apply touch ups though they might not be needed. The lightweight gel formula of the foundation makes it incredibly easy to blend and it also has this nifty little "anti-shine" powder core that "instantly dissolves excess oil" and "blends to a natural matte finish". Its everything i dreamed of! I have combo skin that tends to get oily in the T-zone and dry on my cheeks.

Ok so i know this might be rambling but it stated out with a trip to Ulta and I remembered that I've been looking for a good drugstore powder to put in my purse in case I was out and needed to touch up. I picked up the Maybelline FITME presses powder in 315 soft honey, little did i know that for about 6 months this would become my main setting powder(It was only replaced because i bought my first MAC product ever).Push forward 2 months and that have come out with a FITME foundation stick! I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

I bought both of mine from Target for $6.99 each. I use color 310Sun Beige for the outsides of my face kind of like a contour and color 240 Pure Beige in the middle of my face and blend the 2 together. I love the creamy texture of the stick its so easy to just put a few stripes on your face and blend them out with your finger or a brush. I've even used this product without a primer underneath and been pleased with the outcome, the key is to blend. You don't want to use this product as some sort of foundation marker, add a few swipes and blend, if you need more just repeat its incredibly blend able. I do set mine with a powder and i have to say i don't feel greasy or look shiny after a few hours outside and i live in the south so that's saying a lot! I've found myself reaching for this over my Covergirl 3 in 1 Stay Fabulous Foundation.

Incoco Nail Polish Applique

I received these a few months ago in my monthly BirchBox and I knew I wanted to save them for my birthday. They have a ton of different designs and color to choose from on the Incoco website. The design that was sent to me from Birchbox is called Spring Vines, they describe it by saying "the intricate swirls of this design are entrancing in aqua!" which I would agree with hehe. You can only find these online either on the Incoco website for $8.99 or on Amazon. The Incoco website is incredibly user friendly, you can shop by collection, shade, french manicure, or design. They also sell pedicure products, gel manicure sets, and nail accessories. You can also get free shipping if your order more then $50 and everyone loves free shipping!

Though it looks like line of strips it is actually 2, and I noticed as soon as I opened the inner package that it smelt like I had opened a new bottle of finger nail polish. This make sense because it says that its made out of real nail polish! The directions say to lightly buff your nails and clean them before applying. I simply cleaned mine with rubbing alcohol. Each individual strip has 2 different sides which are slightly different widths so that you can pick the end that fits the shape of your nail the best. It also says to remove the excess with a nail file but I feel like that might peel off the strip so I used small nail clippers but I bet cuticle scissors would work great.

Tips...

When stretching the strips make sure not to pull too hard because the strip will tear and ruin the strip possibly. I found this out the hard way on the first strip I tried to put on hehe. Also the heat from your hand will help the strips adhere to your nails. Press the fresh placed nail strip with the palm of your hand to warm them up and make sure they are truly secure.

Final Thoughts...

Practice makes Perfect. If your nails/nail beds are small enough you might be able to squeeze 2 manicures from one pack which would make them only around $4.50! I used a small sample bag from Sephora to keep my left over strips from drying out. I might be able to squeeze out another manicure or at least fix this one if it messes up! Plus the biggest size if perfect for my big toe so I might get a semi-matching pedicure out of this pack also! If these last 2 weeks like they claim they do, even if I have to add a top coat like I'm thinking about doing, I would definitely order some more of these. There are so many fun designs and its far cheaper then going to a nail salon, perfect for a special occasion or everyday!