Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure First Impression/Review

I had a chance to try out the imPRESS nails recently so I jumped at the chance. Before I tried them, I honestly thought they would not stick on well because it has an adhesive sticker on the back of each nail instead of separate glue for you to use. I was very pleasantly surprised after I put them on, they lasted for an entire week without lifting!


I was also concerned about how they would feel because I have never worn any sort of false nails in my life. I thought they might feel unnatural and uncomfortable but the really feel like your own nail. I didn't notice much of a difference. One tip I have for you is to put a top coat over the nail especially near the edge of the nail near your cuticle. This will help prevent things like your hair getting caught at the edge of the nail underneath.

In the future I will repurchase these nails again to wear. They are pretty pricy for a one time use so I wouldn't use them very regularly, but they are perfect for special occasions or when you need a break from nail polish. These do not damage your nails but they can take a while to rip off. If you ever have trouble you can always soak your nails in polish remover, but I always removed mine just by pulling them off and I had no problems.

 

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for free for reviewing purposes through Influenster. All opinions are my own. I am not being compensated for this blog review.

MASSIVE MASCARA REVIEW! High end & Drugstore!

List of Mascaras

Drugstore:

1. Maybelline Falsies
2. Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express
3. L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black
4. Revlon Grow Luscious
5. Covergirl Lashblast Volume
6. Rimmel Sexy Curves

High End:

1. Fresh Supernova & Firebird
2. Diorshow Extase
3. Anna Sui Super Mascara Volume Up
4. Clinique High Impact
5. Elizabeth Arden Lash Extending Treatment 
6. Benefits They're Real
7. Shiseido Mascara Base
8. Clinique High Impact Curling
9. MAC Plushlash
10. Makeup Forever Smoky Lash

Covergirl lashblast volume

Covergirl lash blast volume

Covergirl lash blast volume



• Lashblast is pretty good at not melting off when I use my heated lash curler. It gives a good separated look and some length, but not much volume ironically.



Diorshow extase

Diorshow extase



Dior extase

• Dior extase gave nice length, but not much volume. I don't think its worth the price.




Fresh Firebird & Supernova



Fresh Firebird & Supernova



Fresh Firebird & Supernova

Fresh Firebird & Supernova



Fresh Firebird & Supernova

Fresh Firebird & Supernova

•  This mascara looks nice but I had to keep re-curling my lashes as I applied layers because it doesn't hold curl well on my lashes.

MUFE Smoky Lash

•  This Mascara was okay, nothing that special.

Revlon GrowLuscious 'blackest black'

•  Doesn't show that well but this was the blackest mascara I've ever used.

Watch my full video review here:

Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Treatment Mask

Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Treatment Mask

Claims:

·         Deeply hydrates

·         Boosts radiance

·         Smoothes & revitalizes



I signed up for a free sample of Garnier’s new sheet face mask. I have used Asian sheet masks before and I do really enjoy them. I wanted to see how a western version would compare, so as soon as I got it I tried it out.

As soon as a pulled it out of the packaging it was completely saturated in the serum. There was also a good amount of serum left over in the packet that you could use anywhere else on your body; why waste it right? It was a little tricky unfolding the mask but eventually I got it and started to apply it to my face. It did not fit my face perfectly, however it still worked fine. I would say the Asian sheet masks I have used in the past fit my face a little bit better. They say to leave it on for 10 minutes but I left it on for about 15 minutes.



My face immediately after using the mask



The mask has a moderate floral perfume smell to it. I could smell it the entire time I had the mask on, but I found it to be pleasant. If you are very sensitive to scents then I wouldn’t recommend this mask. After removing the mask I rubbed in the remaining serum on my face and then finished up the rest of my skincare routine which for me is serum & then moisturizer and eye cream. I didn’t notice any significant difference. There was the slightest overall brightness to my face and that was it. They claim that you must use it 2-3 times a week for 2 weeks to see the most brightness and they also say to use it with their other dark spot products in order to see the optimal results in lightening dark spots.

I don’t have dark spots myself, plus I have only used this product 1 time so I can’t testify as to how well it works on dark spots. In comparison to the Asian sheet masks I have used, I prefer the Asian sheet masks. The smell is milder than the Garnier masks and it makes my skin feel so nice after every use.

PROS:

·         Brightens a little after 1 use

·         Lots of serum in the mask

·         Perfume smell

      CONS:

·         Scent might be too strong for sensitive people

·         Must use many times to see significant results

·         Not many come in one box

Right when I put on the mask

Right before removing the mask

 

Back to School Makeup Routine

PRODUCTS USED:

1. Stila Stay all day liquid eyeliner - intense black
2. Clinique Brush-on Cream Liner - true black
3. Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara - black
4. MAC Pro longwear Concealer - NC20
5. Clinique Superpowder Double Face Makeup - matte neutral
6. MAC Blush - well dressed
7. Buxom Full On Lip Polish - bunny

The reason I used some of these products was specifically for how quickly & easily they apply as well as how long they last. When I am in a hurry to get to class and I will be there all day, I want something that is quick and lasts long.


The stila liner is in a pen form, which means it automatically dispenses product. This makes it a lot quicker to apply my liner because I don't need to keep dipping the brush back into the eyeliner. Its also waterproof, so it lasts all day long.

The MAC concealer is obviously long wearing, hence the name. The mascara holds curl well and doesn't melt when I use a heated lash curler on my hard to curl lashes so that really helps. Especially since I like to pile on the mascara. Lastly, the powder foundation is very quick and easy to apply. Liquid foundation takes a lot of effort to blend out well and afterwards you need to set it too. Powder foundation lasts all day and its fast to apply.


I hope this tutorial was helpful, reviews on some of these products will be up soon on my blog. Check out the video tutorial below:

REVIEW: Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

1oz / 30mL of product

$41-$44CAD

4 shades: fair, light, medium, tan

When I first got this product in the little sample packs from the 100 point perk for beauty insiders I thought this BB cream would be more of a primer and not have much coverage. However when I applied it I used the same amount as I would when applying foundation and I was surprised to discover that it had quite strong coverage. It was about a medium coverage with one layer and probably could be built to a full coverage with two layers.

Shade 'Tan'

That being said, because the coverage is quite strong that means the shades are less forgiving. There are only four different shades and each shade is quite far from the next so if these shades don’t fit you well it will be difficult for you to use this BB cream. Luckily light fits well with my skin.

The texture does feel like a face primer rather than a liquid foundation. Once you work it into your skin it feels pretty much weightless and there is no stickiness or moisture left on your skin and it has a very matte finish. I love this type of finish for my skin but if you are the type of person that loves dewy, glowy skin, then this product is not for you. The matte finish lasts all day on my combination oily skin with no touch ups. I do use it with the Tarte Smooth Operator powder as well though so keep that in mind.

Shade 'Light' on the left, 'Medium' on the right

Overall I think this product is great, it lasts all day with no touch ups and keeps my t zone shine free and oil free. I like the matte finish because I only like to put a glow on my cheekbones with a highlighter. It has a good amount of SPF in it and the coverage is excellent.

As for the cons, I have found that it does reflect light in flash photography, giving the “white mask” appearance. This is probably because of the SPF in it. Of course it also has limited shade selection and is on the pricier side. If you have the money to spare and the shades match you then I think this is a great product to use on an everyday basis. It’s not good for when you will be taking pictures though.

PROS:

1. Great coverage
2. Weightless feeling
3.  Matte finish
4. Lasts all day
5.  SPF 30

CONS:

1. On the expensive side
2. Reflects in flash photography
3. Small range of shades to choose from

Natural light no flash

Natural light plus flash

Indoor light plus flash

Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation

This new MUFE Foundation will be available at Sephora on February 1^st, 2013 but it’s already available online at sephora.com. It retails for $42CAD and you get 0.35oz or 10g of product.

This is what my sample looks like, the full size is much larger

The first thing I need to bring to everyone’s attention is the fact that these shades do not match the MUFE HD Foundation at all even though they use the same number system. I have found it to be SEVERAL shades darker even though I have #118 Neutral Beige in the Pro Finish and I normally use #120 in the MUFE HD Foundation. I would highly recommend getting matched of course, but also you will most likely need to purchase a shade that is several shades lighter than what you use in the HD foundation, that is if you use that foundation.

MUFE HD Foundation #120 on the left, MUFE Pro Finish #118 on the right. Notice what a huge difference in color it is, Pro Finish is much, much darker.

Other than the shade being noticeably too dark for my skin I would say I do like this powder foundation. The best thing about this foundation is that it does not cake up or look cakey on your face whatsoever even when you use a heavy hand with it. I wouldn’t say this is heavy or full coverage at all, it’s more like just a plain medium coverage. If you have spots, broken capillaries, blemishes, etc you will need to put a concealer on beforehand. I say before just because most concealers are liquid or cream and this is a powder foundation so that is the order I would put it. Normally with a liquid foundation I would use concealer last.

Now onto the negatives, like I said this foundation is way too dark for me even though it is 118 which seems like it should be lighter than my MUFE HD. That was the biggest con but obviously if I were to purchase the full size I would go up several shades so that isn’t actually a big deal. I wouldn’t say it is absolutely the best at holding back oiliness on my face but it isn’t horrific either so if you are moderately oily in your t zone it should be okay. If you are excessively oily I think that there are many other foundations out there that will hold your oil better.

Another thing I’d like to add is about using it wet or dry. The product claims that you can use it wet or dry. If you use it dry it should be full coverage (which I don’t feel it is) and if you use it wet its supposed to be sheer coverage. I have not applied it wet to my face but I did test out the wet application method on the back of my hand. I do NOT recommend this method because it will form this weird hard layer/film on the top of the product which you will probably need to scrape off if you want to use it dry again. It doesn’t ruin the product but I just don’t see a point in applying a powder foundation wet anyways. I guess if you wanted to though it wouldn’t matter about it forming a slight film on the top layer because you would just use a wet sponge again to pick up the product so it would still work. If you plan to use it dry and wet interchangably I would not recommend that because you might end up having to waste a bunch of product scraping off the top layer.

Overall I would say it’s a decent powder foundation but it isn’t anything spectacular. I have never tried the MUFE Duo Mat so I cannot compare the two together unfortunately. For me though out of the two MUFE foundations I have I still prefer the HD over the Pro Finish.

This is what happens after you use it wet. Notice the weird film that forms over the powder.

Pros:

1.     Matte look

2.     Doesn’t get caked up

3.     Easy & quick to use because its powder

Cons:

1.     Doesn’t cover everything without concealer

2.     Shades are quite dark

3.     Expensive

Favourite Drugstore Products of 2012!

Products Mentioned:

1. Aveeno Make-Up Removing Cleanser
2. Johnson's baby shampoo
3. Garnier Fresh Toner
4. Nivea Happy Time Body Lotion
5. Nivea Pure & Natural Hand Cream
6. Clean and Clear Persa-Gel 5
7. EOS Lip Balm (Summerfruit & Strawberry Sorbet)
8. Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat
9. Ardell Demi Wispies
10. Maybelline Mascaras