Beauty Bite: e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow in Bark

Purchased by Me 

The e.l.f. Baked Eyeshadows debuted on the e.l.f. website back in the summer of 2012, but they only started to appear at Target stores in 2013 (I believe they were first spotted at Target in the spring of 2013, but don't quote me on that).

I actually had a negative experience with Enchanted, which was the first shade I purchased in this range (there are ten shades total). I found it to have a very hard consistency with zero color payoff unless I foiled the heck out of it (applied it with a damp brush) . I didn't even want to continue testing it for review after trying to use it a few times.

But after talking to some of you about these eyeshadows, apparently I picked the only shade in the range that's difficult to work with (just my luck) so I put my trust in you and picked up an additional shade, Bark, at my local Target about a month ago. So here's my quick take on this one!

e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow in Bark

(retail: $3 at Target stores and on the e.l.f. website, 0.12 oz)

Review: Revlon Nail Art Style Strips in Lips & Tips

Purchased by Me 

I think this is the only time in the history of this blog that I've ever reviewed a limited edition product that is a year old. But hear me out! There's a method to my madness...

In September of 2012, the Revlon Nail Art Style Strips Collection first hit the drugstores. At the time, I thought these were new additions to Revlon's permanent line, but since they never did get added to the permanent line, I think it's safe to say these were limited edition at the time of their release. HOWEVER, in the past month or so, the Style Strips have popped up everywhere from Big Lots to Ross and I even found the entire collection at my local Grocery Outlet a few weeks ago. They're running at about $2 a pack at most discounters right now (they originally retailed for about $10.49 each), and you can also find them on places like Amazon and Ebay. So...if you want these, they're still quite easy to get.

I'm reviewing them here today for two reasons. When this collection first hit stores, I fell in love with the lipstick print design, so I really want to show this design to you. Also, in case you find these at one of your local discount stores, I thought you might like to know how they worked for me.

So without further ado, here we go:

 Revlon Nail Art Style Strips in Lips & Tips

(Retail: around $10.49. Grocery Outlet price: $1.50.)

Review: Prestige Primed & Ready Eye Primer

The product featured in this post was purchased with personal funds.

A while back, I was able to pick this product up at one of those crazy Rite Aid clearance sales for 75% off. Sometimes drugstores put brand new products on clearance when they need to get rid of the counter display, but they don't yet have a spot for the product in the permanent wall display. I call this the "sweet spot" when it comes to hunting for discounted cosmetics, so I naturally purchased this ASAP when I spotted it on clearance. Who can resist a new eyeshadow primer for $2.50, which it regularly retails for $9.99? I sure can't!

 Prestige Primed & Ready Eye Primer

(retail: around $9.99, 0.5 oz)

In addition to Rite Aid, you can also purchase this primer at Ulta (it retails there for $9.49). I think $9.49 is a bit steep for drugstore primer, however Ulta always offers $3.50 off a $10 purchase coupons on their website (which you can use in-store or online), so that could help bring the cost down a bit if you find yourself wanting to try this one.

Keep reading for my full review...

Palmer's Eventone BB Cream: now at Target

Ever since my original post last July about the new BB creams from Palmer's, I've been looking for them (I've heard from some of you who have able to find this line at Walmart). I don't often shop at Walmart, so I've been scouring Target and all the drugstores for this new line but to no avail. So I'm delighted to tell you that reader Melissa spotted the Palmer's Eventone BB creams at her local Target! Take a peek:

image credit: Melissa for Nouveau Cheap

Palmer's Eventone BB Cream in Fair/Light

(retail: $8.99 at Target, 1.0 oz)

Keep reading for more info...

Review: Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Day and Night Moisturizers

I don't review a lot of skincare products on my blog because, quite frankly, they take a lot of time to test (how can you know if a skincare product is working if you only use it for a week or two?). But when Neutrogena contacted me about trying their new Rapid Tone Repair moisturizers, I jumped at the chance because I absolutely loved their Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF30 (click here for my review). Since I just turned 42 last week, I need all the help I can get with my skin and having a clearer, smoother tone is a prospect I find very, very attractive. 

I started testing both of these products on October 1st of this year, and concluded my testing on December 1st (I'll be showing you before and after photos at the end of this review). So let's get started:

Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Moisturizer SPF30 (daytime)

Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Moisturizer (night)

(retail: around $19.99 each, 1.0 oz)

Apologies for the state of the boxes--they got a little bit dinged up in shipping.

Keep reading for my full review...

Review: New Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Liquid Metal Eyeliner Trio for Nude Eyes

Of all the products in the new Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Nude & Smoky Collection, the one I wanted the most was this Liquid Metal Eyeliner Trio for Nude Eyes. The idea of a metallic taupe liner is so appealing to me, so as soon as I saw it at my local CVS, I snapped it up.

I've been playing around with this trio for a few weeks now, wearing the liners in a variety of ways, so keep reading if you'd like my full review:

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Liquid Metal Eyeliner Trio in Nude Eyes

(retail: $9.99, 0.25 oz total)

Keep reading for my full review...

And the two Maybelline Baby Lips Limited Edition "mystery shades" are...

Remember back in the beginning of November when I posted about there being FIVE Limited Edition Baby Lips shades? If you missed that post, here's a recap:

Many of us have seen this display over the past couple of months, which contains three Limited Edition Baby Lips shades (I actually reviewed Coral Crush and Twinkle here). But there are also two additional "mystery" shades that none of us seem to know anything about, other than the image in that magazine ad.

Well recently reader Megan left a comment indicating that she contacted Maybelline and they told her the two mystery shades are Yummy Plummy and Melon Mania. And the other day, I saw a TV commercial for Baby Lips and at the very end of the commercial I saw this:

image source: Maybelline Baby Lips television commercial, November 2012

So now we can confirm that the five limited edition Baby Lips shades are (from left to right):

Yummy Plummy, Pink Wink, Twinkle, Coral Crush, Melon Mania

The two additional "mystery" shades are Yummy Plummy and Melon Mania. Now...to find them!

Have any of you spotted Yummy Plummy or Melon Mania in stores yet? Please leave a comment if you have! And thanks so much, Megan, for the great info!

Review: Fing'rs Flirt Nail Art Stamping Kit 32370

When it comes to inexpensive nail stamping kits that you can find relatively easily in stores (vs. ordering online), I've tried and reviewed a few already (Salon Express and Essence). But now there's a new one on the market, and it's made by Fing'rs and can be found at Rite Aid and Walmart (I'm thinking CVS and Walgreens probably have it too, since they both carry lots of products by Fing'rs and their parent company Nailene, but I haven't looked for it at those two retailers).

I purchased this kit at Rite Aid and I've been playing around with it for a few weeks now, so let's take a look:

Fing'rs Flirt Nail Art Stamping Kit 32370

(retail: around $6)

Keep reading for my full review...

Review and swatches: New Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Color in Black and Blue

My very first (newly-reformulated) Complete Salon Manicure polish! All of the local CVS stores in my area now have the new Nail HQs, but no sign of Mermaid's Tail yet (that one seems to be surfacing only at select Walgreens locations at the moment). So instead, I picked up Black and Blue, which is a teal-based duochrome. Let's take a peek:

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Color in Black and Blue

(retail: around $7.99, 0.5 oz)

 Keep reading for swatches...

Review: New Carmex Pomegranate Ultra Smooth Lip Balm and Orange Lip Conditioner

So you might recall my current obsession with all of the new lip balms currently hitting drugstore shelves, and how I was super excited to find two new Carmex products at Walgreens a while back. Well I picked up both, and I'd love to share my thoughts about each one with you today. I'm a big Carmex fan and have reviewed several of their products on the blog over the years, so let's see how these two new additions measure up, shall we?

Let's start with this one:

Carmex Pomegranate Everyday Ultra Smooth Lip Balm

 (retail: around $1.50, 0.15 oz)

Keep reading for my full review of each new Carmex product...

The name of the Sally Hansen Across the Universe dupe is...

I have received lots of comments/emails/tweets asking about the name of new Sally Hansen dupe of Deborah Lippmann Across the Universe (click here for pics). Thanks to Emi at Project Swatch (who originally supplied us with those great pics), I can now confirm that the name is...

 

image credit: Project Swatch for Nouveau Cheap

560 Mermaid's Tale

Thanks so much, Emi, for letting us know! Also, I've been to several CVS and Walgreens locations and so far I haven't spotted Mermaid's Tale in any of the Complete Salon Manicure displays (although I did pick up that lovely blue duochrome, which I'll be swatching for you shortly). I'm wondering, for those of us who don't have the fancy nail bars at our Walgreens stores, if we'll have to wait until this collection moves to the permanent wall display before we have access to this color?

Have you spotted Mermaid's Tale in person yet?

Spotted at Walgreens: the full collection of new Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes

Reader Emi of Project Swatch recently visited a Walgreens that had one of those fancy new nail bars (like the CVS Nail HQs). I'm not sure how many Walgreens locations have these fancy new nail bars but lucky for us, Emi shared some pics of the entire newly-reformulated Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes, and another little surprise. (By the way, this partial display is currently surfacing at Walgreens locations that don't have nail bars.)

First of all, did you know that there's at least one Deborah Lippmann dupe in the newly-reformulated CSM line? Yup. Any guesses which polish below is the dupe?

image credit: Project Swatch for Nouveau Cheap

 The full collection of newly-reformulated Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes

Keep reading to see the dupe, and lots more...

Spotted: New Essie Repstyle Collection

Well we all knew it was bound to happen. Essie has thrown their hat into the magnetic polish ring with the new Repstyle collection. After you see these photos, the name of this collection will make more sense (it's a play on the word "reptile" since all of the polishes in this collection come with a snakeskin design magnet).

Reader Grey Fleur spotted these at Rite Aid and was nice enough to share some pics. She said that the cashier told her the polishes in this collection retail for $11.29 each. As with most magnetic polishes, they retail for a slightly higher price than regular polishes (regular Essie polishes retail for about $8 at most drugstores).

image credit: Grey Fleur for Nouveau Cheap 

Essie Repstyle Collection

(retail: $11.29 each at Rite Aid)

Keep reading for lots of bottle shots and more info...

Spotted: the newly-reformulated Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes and new Salon Manicure Dry & Go Drops

Reader @tn_twistgirl83 spotted the newly-reformulated Complete Salon Manicure polishes at her local Walgreens recently and was kind enough to share:

(click to enlarge)

image credit: @tn_twistgirl83 for Nouveau Cheap

The newly-reformulated Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polishes

Keep reading for more info...

China Glaze and Ardell Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away Collections (press release & photos)

I just received the press release  for the much-anticipated China Glaze Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away Collection, which also includes information and photos of the Ardell lashes collection as well. If you're a milky-glitter fan, there's one polish in particular you're probably going to want in this new collection! Take a peek:

China Glaze® and Ardell® Introduce Exclusive Collections Inspired by Paramount Pictures’ new 3D Film, “Cirque du Soleil™:  Worlds Away”

 

LOS ANGELES (November 15, 2012) – China Glaze® and Ardell® announced today their partnership with Paramount Pictures to offer exclusive collections of nail polishes and eyelashes inspired by the upcoming 3D film, “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away” in theaters December 21st.

From the big top to the big screen, visionary filmmaker James Cameron and writer/director Andrew Adamson invite you on an all new 3D adventure: “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away.”  A young couple who is separated must journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil® to find each other as audiences experience the immersive 3D technology that will allow them to leap, soar, swim and dance with the performers.

The new China Glaze® and Ardell® “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away” inspired nail polish and eyelash collections will bring to life the wonderfully exotic artistry that is presented throughout the film. The China Glaze® nail polish collection combines rich crèmes, soft shimmers and bold glitters to create 12 limited edition shades including:

Keep reading for bottle shots and more...

Spotted: Physicians Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara

A huge thanks to longtime reader Tammie for this one! Tammie spotted the new Physicians Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara at CVS and was nice enough to share:

image credit: Tammie for Nouveau Cheap
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara

(notice the instant $2 off coupon info on the display!)

Keep reading for more info...

Official Pure Ice Runway Nail Trends Collection press release (with complete shade name list)

I just received this press release from Pure Ice regarding the limited edition Runway Nail Trends Collection (click here for pics of all 55 shades and click here and here for some bottle shots and swatches).

Some of you have asked if there was a complete list of all of the shades in this limited edition collection, so I hope this helps those of you looking for a definitive list (including which shades are in which sub-categories).

Runway-Ready Nails, Right at Your Fingertips!
Pure Ice Launches Runway Nail Trends Collection Exclusively at Walmart

Keep reading for the full press release...

Initial thoughts: Profusion Midnight Fever and Sultry & Neutrals 10 Eyeshadow Palettes

Three weeks ago, reader palette_obsession shared with us some pics and swatches of the Holiday 2012 palettes from Profusion. These palettes have caused some buzz since there's no denying that they look like the Urban Decay Naked palettes. 

I finally found both palettes at Big Lots last week (thanks to those of you who shared the tip that these are surfacing at both Walgreens AND Big Lots!) and although I haven't had much time to play around with them, I have used both of them a few times so I'd like to give you my initial impressions of both palettes. Hopefully this can help you determine whether or not these may be worth the hunt.

So let's start with the cooler of the two palettes:

Profusion Midnight Fever 10 Eyeshadow Palette

(retail: $4.99, weight not given on packaging)

Keep reading for my full review of both palettes, with swatches...

Review: e.l.f. Holiday 2012 Natural Eye Palette

If you're an earthtone eyeshadow lover and you can only buy one holiday palette this season, I would strongly consider the e.l.f. Natural Eye palette, which is now available at both Big Lots and Target (as you can see by the price tag below, I bought mine at Big Lots). It's also available online via the Target website.

Not to be confused with the Neutral Eye palette (which is the Urban Decay Naked Palette dupe and is no longer available), the Natural Eye Palette boasts some fantastic shades as well, and I dare say that this is the most impressed I've been with an e.l.f. eyeshadow palette in quite some time. 

e.l.f. Holiday 2012 Natural Eye Palette

(retail: $5 at Target and Big Lots)

Keep reading for my full review, including swatches and a few eye looks...

Spotted: New Physicians Formula Nude & Smoky Shimmer Strips Collection

Longtime reader and photo contributor Jess just spotted the new Physicians Formula Nude & Smoky Shimmer Strips Collection at CVS and was nice enough to share (lots of) pictures!  

The display does not indicate that these products are limited edition--they seem to be an extension of the popular Nude palette that PF release back in December of 2011.

As you'll see, each of the products in this collection has a "nude" and "smoky" version:

Physicians Formula Nude & Smoky Shimmer Strips Collection

Keep reading for close-up pics of each product in this display...