Clinique 'Different Lipstick' in 'Tenderheart' Swatch

Clinique describes this lipstick as:

Different because of its smooth, comfortable feel. One of the best, from our wide range of shades. Sheer, glossy, smile-rewarding lipstick.

Coverage: Moderate

Benefits: Wearable Colour

Tenderheart is described as:

A midtone blushing nude brown.

Finish: Soft Shine
Colour: Group: Nudes

Nyx Cosmetics Eyeshadow Trio 'Aloha/Mink Brown/Deep Bronze' Swatches

Nyx Eyeshadow Trio: Aloha/Mink Brown/Deep Bronze

The application of these shadows is great, they are smooth feeling, apply evenly, have good pigmentation and are reasonably priced.  You can get these shadows on the Nyx Cosmetics website, Cherry Culture (watch for sales/specials!) and a multitude of other websites.

Personally, I didn't like these shadows on my skintone but I think that they would work well for other people.

What do you think of Nyx eyeshadows? I have heard mixed reviews and I would love to hear what you think.

Nyx Cosmetics 'Circe' Lipstick Swatch

Nyx Cosmetics/'Circe' Lipstick swatch

Available on the Nyx Cosmetics website or Cherry Culture (watch for sales).

I gave this lipstick away, I felt it didn't work for my skintone, as it made me look deathly ill and sickly (and not in a cool way). 

Benefit BADgal Plum Mascara Review

I wanted to try this mascara after I saw Xsparkage talk about it in one of her videos on how to appear more awake and alert (even if you are not feeling that way).  According to Sephora, this mascara can be described as follows:
         
          What it is:
          A rich, plum mascara that intensifies eye color.

What it does:
Benefit's BADgal Plum highlights your natural eye color while adding length and volume to lashes. Wear it alone to warm up your lashes or add Plum over the original BADgal Black for an extra pop.

I really don't think this mascara is worth $19.  I don't think it makes the whites of my eyes appear any more vibrant than an inky, black mascara would nor does it make my iris appear any different than a normal mascara would.  I think that if you really want to make yours eyes pop, reach for a complimenting eyeshadow or interesting eyeliner rather than this Benefit BADgal Plum Mascara.  I have not tried any other colored mascaras so I don't know any ones that would work better.

Pros - I cannot think of any pros for this mascara, it is not worth spending the money on it in my opinion.

Cons - Expensive, does not do what it claims to, does not whiten or brighten the eyes more than a black/brown or blue mascara would, does not lengthen or add volume, etc.  Kind of just sits on the lashes.

I don't recommend this mascara.  Spend your money on another product, it will be much more worth it.  I am all about trying new mascaras and trying to find the perfect one for your particular lash situation but this one totally does not do it for me. 

I know that colored mascaras are starting to pop up a little more as time passes (I just saw that Avon is doing them now - which I would be interested in trying) and I want to know:  Have you tried any colored mascaras?  What is your opinion on these?  I want to like colored mascaras but I have yet to come across any that I have heard truly do what they are supposed to and look good at the same time.

Satin Pillow Case {Burgundy} Review

I have read a lot about how sleeping on a satin (or silk) pillow case is supposed to make your hair more manageable and less unruly in the morning so I decided to order one off of Amazon.  I decided on this one since it was reasonably priced and I was able to choose from a multitude of colors. 

The pillow case arrived quickly and was packaged well (almost too well, I don't think a pillow case needs to be sent in a huge box with a bunch of large bubble padding, an envelope would do me just as well).  It fits a standard size, foam pillow perfectly (you can get them in king size as well) and zips close so that you don't have to feel the foam, the pillow is all covered by pillow case material.

Overall, I don't know if I really see a difference when I wake up in the morning.  Supposedly, sleeping on a satin or silk pillow case allows the hair to slide across it rather than snag in it like it would with a cotton pillow case.  I have also read that is is less drying to hair than a cotton pillow case.  I have to say, my hair does not look any better in the morning.  It is still frizzy, sticking up funny and poofy.  It definitely does not help me to have better waves in the morning over a regular cotton pillow case.

But, this pillow case does make me feel fancy and I enjoy sleeping on it, which I think everyone needs these little things that they can look foward to.  I think I will enjoy it even more when the weather is really warm here, I think it will feel less damp than cotton can gets since it absorbs humidity.  The fact that you can get them in a lot of different colors is great for different personalities and different decorating sitations.  Check it out if this is something you are interested in!

Bonnie Blue/Turquoise Flower Ring {Morado Shop} Pictures & Review

I have been meaning to do this review for forever, like literally three months or so!  I ordered this flower ring from Morado when I saw it on a few people and I really liked it.  Kandee Johnson talked about it on one of her blogs awhile ago and I really like her style so I thought I would check this Etsy store out.

Purva, the owner of Morado, was quick to answer any questions I had in the process of ordering and communicated well during and after the transaction.  The ring came in the mail quickly and I was impressed when I opened the box, it was packaged securely, came in it's own mesh bag and cute/springy tissue paper.  The flower itself is on an adjustable ring which is nice so that you don't have to play the guessing game with sizing.

The flower is large and has a good weight to it but it is by no means too heavy.  It is handmade so it has some slight imperfections but I think that that adds character and individuality to each ring that she makes.  The dimensions of the flower range from 1 inch to 1.5 inches.  Because the ring is made out of clay, it does feel a bit fragile as opposed to how a plastic ring would feel but I think that this kind of clay ring looks more sophisticated and more thought about than a plastic/inexpensive ring looks.  I think that this ring makes me feel more lady-like and gentle when I wear it and I like that feeling sometimes.

Overall, I think that this is a great accessory for the upcoming Spring season but it can also add a pop of color to an outfit during the Winter or any other time as well.  The rings come in a great variety colors and patterns (and she has a bunch of other items too!), they are affordable ($15-$20), shipping is reasonable and you support a person who seems very passionate about what they do!  I highly recommend Morado, I know I definitely have my eye on a few more things that I would like to pick up from her in the near future!

Caudalie Tinted Moisturizer [Fair Skin] Swatch and Review

I got a sample of Caudalie Tinted Moisturizer [for Fair Skin] back at Sephora a few weeks ago.  I have been hesitant to try it out since I am not really a tanning kind of girl but I definitely wanted to be able to let you guys know what I think about this product.

Caudalie describes this lotion as follows:

This silky fluid enhances, evens and brightens the complexion for an immediate, natural "healthy glow". Highly concentrated in plant ingredients, it moisturizes and protects the youth of the skin.

How to use:
For those with dry skin, apply the Tinted Moisturizer over day cream each morning; for those with normal to combination skin, apply each morning.

I always wear a moisturizer with sunscreen in it so I applied this tinted moisturizer over my sunscreen after it soaked in a bit.

Pros - Applies evenly, looks natural and light (not cakey), soaks in well (make sure to give any other moisturizer time to soak in), gives a sun-kissed look which is perfect for a beachy/glowy look, lightly scented.

Cons - Might be too "tan" for very fair skinned people, might be streaky if layered over a heavy cream base, watch for baby hairs that it might stick to (don't apply near the eyebrows, it becomes very obvious you are wearing it).

Overall, I definitely recommend this product for people that like to tan or look tan.  It's moisturizing, light and felt good when I was wearing it.  I wasn't able to find this exact product on the Sephora website but you could order it from Caudalie, the prices are in Euro's but I am sure they ship to the U.S. or elsewhere.