NOTD Maybelline Color Show in Coral Craze (342)

I'm not making the best impression am I.  Being all excited on the first birthday of the blog and than immediately start slacking on the posting.  I wish I had a good excuse but the truth is that I've just been so tired this week I haven't gotten around to it.  Good times are coming though because starting this weekend I have a two week vacation.  I'm going to do some traveling (don't ask me where to because we haven't booked yet), do some work around the house and just relax.  And I promise to squeeze in blogging too ;-)

For now you'll just have to do with this swatch of the Maybelline Color Show nail polish in Coral Craze.  Maybelline is starting with an update of the Color Show nail polish packaging and Di had a promotion going on because of it.  Normally you would pay €4,19 for one, right now you pay €5 for two!  So of course I had to grab 4 :-) but this one immediately caught my eye.  It's the perfect color for summer.

The Color Show polishes are great quality, have a nice brush that makes application easy and you get full coverage in two coats.

Where to buy:

You can buy the Maybelline Color Show nail polishes at your local drugstore.  Like I said Di in Belgium is have a great deal on these right now so grab some asap!

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipsticks

It took me a while to get on the liquid lipstick train but since they are everywhere I really didn't have a choice but to give in.  The problem with liquid lipsticks is that if the formula isn't good, it's just a waste of money.  I'd already read a few mixed reviews on the Vivid Matte Liquid Lipsticks from Maybelline but when I was in the drugstore and I saw Coral Courage I just couldn't resist.  I was just so drawn to that color.  Of course I couldn't just leave with one so Fuchsia Ecstasy also ended up in my shopping basket.

To be honest, I can totally understand the mixed reviews.  I put Coral Courage on after I had lunch (so around 14h) and the formula took ages to dry.  It actually felt like it never really totally dried up.  So I was a bit suspicious from that point on.  After a cup of coffee and a glass of water I could already see it getting patchy.  You could see my lips coming through in the center of my mouth.   After dinner it looked as if I had a thick line of lipliner on the edges of my lips and forgot to fill in the rest (not the most flattering look).  But when I removed it in the evening there was still some color coming off, it did leave a stain on my lips.

This picture is a bit darker but if I manipulate the lighting you won't see any difference between the colors.

In all fairness, after buying the Dose Of Colors liquid lipsticks my standards have risen.  So I was a bit disappointed in these.  I did test them without a lipliner underneath and without reapplying them (that's how I test all my lip products).  They probably have longer sustainability when you fill in your lips with a lip pencil first.  These aren't really matt either and the fact that they feel like they don't really dry up makes the product shift around somewhat when rubbing your lips together.  

I'm not the biggest fan of these and after testing them I'm a bit afraid to wear them in public because of the patchiness.  I think Maybelline could've done a much better job with the formula.

Where to buy:

I bought mine at DI but you can buy them at the drugstore.  They cost €6,99 each.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

I'm a big fan of primers that promise to erase pores.  I love Benefit Porefessional and Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector, they just make my skin feel so smooth, blur out pores and provide a great base for applying makeup.  So when I saw Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser in the drugstore my curiosity was triggered.  To be honest, this one has been in my possession for over a year noyw, I bought it when in the USA (on one of my Walmart sprees) but hadn't gotten around to using it.  When I saw that it finally launched in Belgium I immediately opened it to try it out.

The packaging is basic but practical and the color of the tube fits perfect in the whole Babyskin/Babylips range that Maybelline has.  It's just cute.

The consistency immediately reminded me of Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.  It's a see through gel type formula that feels very sillicony.  It felt very different to the Benefit and Kiehl's formulas but hey, different doesn't have to mean bad right?

First thing I noticed when I tried it out on my hand was that it 'rolled-up', you know it didn't really take to the skin but the more I tried to rub it in, the more it dissolved in little pieces of product that sat on my hand.  Maybe I just used too much while testing it out, with primers a little goes a long way usually.

So I tried it on my face, under my make up for a week.  I used a tiny bit on the area where needed and followed with my foundation as usual.  What surprised me was that it left a 'greasy' feeling whereas the other pore diffusing product usually dry up more matte.  I had to be very careful applying my foundation to avoid the product rolling up.  I'm usually very much into buffing foundation into my skin but this time I had to be really light handed while applying it.

I really had to force myself to use this a whole week, it just didn't work for me.  I already wanted to toss it after two days.  I even felt a bit of relieve when the week was over.  

I personally won't be using this again but my bestie asked if she could try it so it's getting a second chance with her.  

Where to buy:

You can buy Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser at you local drugstore.  In Belgium a tube costs €7,99 at Kruidvat.

This week on the blog

Coming up on the blog this week:

- Maybelline Baby Skin instant pore eraser

- Catrice LE Zensibility nailpolishes

- The Body Shop Piñita Colada body products

- H&M Beauty Peach Creamsicle nailpolish

- Maybelline Vivid Matte liquid lipstick

- LORAC Pro Palette

Lots of things to look forward to so stay tuned!

NOTD: Maybelline Color Show The Blushed Nudes in 449 Crimson Flush

I had to be patient for the second nail polish that Maybelline launched together with their Blushed Nudes eyeshadow palette.  It took me two weeks before I could get my hands on it but here it is.  To me the color is a combination between a dark old rose and mauve.  It's a nice color, not too soft but not harsh in anyway.  Nothing too exciting but not boring either.  Just a nice darker pinkish color.  Perfect for fall.

If you want to read about the other Color Show The Blushed Nudes nail polish, you can read my post about it here.

Where to buy:

You can buy the Maybelline Color Show nail polishes at your local drugstore.  I bought mine at Di in Belgium and paid €3,99 for it.

NOTD: Maybelline Color Show The blushed Nudes in 446 Make me blush

So last week I was in the drugstore and I noticed The blushed Nudes palette in the Maybelline isle.  Once again, I don't understand why there is a difference of 6 months between the launch in the USA and Europe.  I bought mine exactly 6 months ago in the USA (really, has it been that long already?) and only now has it been brought to the European market.  Can anybody tell me why?  What's the marketing strategy behind this?  I'd really like to know.

What I hadn't noticed in the USA was that along with the palette (you can read all about that here) there are two nail polishes in The blushed Nudes range.  So far I only got my hands on one of them,  Make me blush (446), but the saleslady promised me that the other one should be available somewhere next week.  The color is very in range with the blushed palette theme, a light pink color that is great for everyday use.  Nothing to flashy, nothing too obvious, just a nice soft pink.

I've never had a complaint about the Maybelline Color Show nail polish formula and this one hasn't changed that.  It applies easy, it did take me three thin layers to get full coverage but that's ok.  There aren't that many polishes that get full coverage with two thin layers.  Overall, a great pink color polish.

Where to buy:

You can buy the Maybelline Color Show nail polishes at your local drugstore.  I bought this one at DI in Belgium and paid 3,99€ for it.

NOTD: Maybelline Color Show in Pink Boom (262)

Sometimes a girl just needs a pink nail polish.  It doesn't matter how old you are, pink is always the answer!  Now that fall is coming along,  I know it's time to bring out the darker shades but I admit to wearing a lot of bright pinks on my toenails during fall/winter.  Just because it just brings a little bit of a summer feeling to me whenever I look at my feet.

So meet Pink Boom, one that most definitely will be used a lot this upcoming winter.  A perfect bright pink, there's just no other way to describe it! 

Like I mentioned yesterday, the Maybelline Color Show polishes have a great brush.  The polishes are of a great quality and they apply really easy.  

I have to say that I've really (re)discovered the Maybelline Color Show polishes and now I'm waiting on a good promotion to expend my collection.  To me they are right up there with the Catrice polishes  except for the price difference,  Maybelline Color Show polishes are €3,99 for 7ml, Catrice polishes are €2,99 for 10ml.  But like I said, a good promotion can make all the difference.

Where to buy:

You can buy the Maybelline Color Show polishes at your local drugstore, in Belgium they cost €3,99.

Maybelline Color Show Suit Style nail polishes

Well, remember when I was complaining that brands were bringing out new lines of nude nail polish instead of fall collections with glam and glitter?  Turns out I was wrong (I am a big enough person to admit to being wrong now and then).  Maybelline came out with this Suit Style collection and these polishes are definitely made for the holidays.  There are 4 colors in this collection: Business Blouse (442), Suit and Sensibility (443), Red Reaction (444) and Style Network (445).

Suit and Sensibility (443) and Red Reaction (444) immediately sparked my interest.  I mean, look at them.  

Business Blouse (442)

Business Blouse (442) is a white polish and when I say white, I mean white!  It took me 3 coats to get  total coverage but the formula applied like a charm, not streaky at all.

Suit and Sensibility (443)

close up of Suit and Sensibility (443)

Suit and Sensibility (443) is definitely my favorite.  It's a textured formula which means it dries really fast.  I love this polish, the grey metallic texture just makes it look so rock 'n roll.  You need at least two coats to get enough texture in there.

Red Reaction (444)

close up of Red Reaction (444)

Red Reaction (444) is a sparkly red color, perfect for the holidays.  At first I thought this one would be textured as well but I'm glad it's not.  It did take 3 coats to get full coverage but it applied really easy.

Style Network (445)

Style Network (445) is a black nail polish.  Nothing special to this one, it's just a plain black polish.  I'm wearing two coats in the picture.

The Maybelline Color Show nail polishes are good quality polishes and have a great brush, not too small and not too wide.  While applying this one, I was wondering why I don't have more polishes from this range.  I'm pretty sure I will be buying more of them when there's a promotion of some sort going on.

The color range of this collection has left me with mixed feelings.  I love the 2 sparkling polishes but the white and black?  They are just white and black, nothing special to them really.  I suppose if you're in to nail art you can make a tuxedo/suit style nail with this but other than that they are just basics that everyone needs (or probably already has) in their collection.

Where to buy:

You can buy Mabelline at your local drugstore.  In Belgium they retail at €3,99.

NOTD: Maybelline Color Show in Urban Coral (110)

Feeling fierce ?  Than this is the color for you, a beautiful red orangy coral.  Applies easily and an overall good quality polish.

Where to buy:

You can buy Maybelline Color Show polishes at almost any drugstore.  Retails at €3,99.

Maybelline New York the palettes part 3: The Blushes Nudes

Well, this one was quite a surprise.  I remember making my Walmart wish list for our trip to the States and all of a sudden I saw it.  So, of course, I put it on my list.  I didn’t have to look hard for it, the first day and our first Walmart and I already had it.  Which was quite a difference compared to the other palettes.

I haven’t seen it around Europe yet, not even on the Boots website so I don’t know if or when it will be available.

The packaging is the same as the other 2 palettes, only this time it’s in an old rosy color.  Quite a nice color that matches the idea of this palette.  And when you open it up there’s a big surprise in there, not one but TWO THINGIES!!! That’s right, two!!! I’m sure I would be thrilled if I used them.  By now I know the right term is ‚sponge applicator’ but I still prefer thingy … 

The back is also the same with a breakdown of 13 different looks on there.

I didn’t really know what to expect from this palette color-quality wise.  The colors aren’t really light which I felt were the most 'problematic’ colors in the previous palettes.  

The 3 left top colors are really light and the same goes for the left one on the bottom.  But the other colors are quite nice actually.  The color-pay off is really good (remember, all swatches are made with one swipe of color with my finger).

Out of the three palettes this one is definitely my favorite.  It’s the most versatile, you can make both neutral and smokey looks with this one.  So if you’re looking to buy only one of the three I would go for this one.  Unfortunately I have absolutely no idea when it will be available in Europe.

Where to buy:

I don't think it's available in Europe but in the USA you can get at the local pharmacy/drugstore for $9,99.

Maybelline New York the palettes part 2: The Smokes

A few months ago I was strolling through boots.com , I was all out of Indeed Labs Hydraluron sheet masks and since there was a promotion going on I decided to order some.  Of course, there is no such thing as just ordering what you need and while I was looking around I came across a 3 for 2 promo on eyeshadow palettes.  So I ordered 2 (and a third one for my bestie, you always have to share the good promo’s with your bestie) and one of them was the The Smokes palette by Maybelline.  I don’t remember reading about it before I saw it on Boots but decided to get it (ok so maybe there was this voice going „Maybelline is bringing out a whole collection, get them all!”).

It is available in Belgium, I’ve seen it at DI and I think it will be available in more stores since there’s a blank space next to the The Nudes palette in the Maybelline Display.  It retails for €15,99.

The packaging is the same as the The Nudes palette.  A clean black case with a see through portion.  And when you open it, guess who’s in there: it’s the THINGY again!  Maybe I should write a whole piece about the thingy, it is after all a classic.  

The back is also the same as the first palette, there’s a breakdown of 13 different looks.  

As I expected, the color pay off is much better.  Since most of the colors are darker that wasn’t a surprise to me. There are only 3 nudish colors in there and though they aren’t very pigmented they are good for some highlighting or to wear as a base before you put other colors on your lid.  

For the pricing you can’t go wrong with this palette if you are in need of some darker colors.  You can even make a more nude eye with this one so for me this palette is a better deal than the The Nudes one.  But that’s just my opinion.

Where to buy:

- I’ve seen it in the DI store for €15,99.

Maybelline New York the palettes part 1: The Nudes

Honestly?  I really don’t understand what took the mainstream drugstore brands so long.  After the ginormous succes of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes you’d think it would be clear that there was a market for palettes with neutral colors but apparently not.  I think NYX was one of the exceptions here but since NYX isn’t that easy to get in Europe we were left with … well, almost nothing to be honest.  But over the last month or 2 all that has changed with Maybelline and L’Oreal both launching there palettes.  

The first one to launch: Maybelline The Nudes palette.  It launched in the US in july 2014 I think so it took almost a year to cross the ocean.  I put this palette on my ‚to buy’ list (because there always is a ‚wishlist’ and a ‚to buy’ list - I never ever second doubt the ‚to buy’ list) when I went to New York in October 2014 and let me say this, it wasn’t easy to find.  Luckily my friends know what I’m about by now so she knew what to expect when I said I had to have this.  Aside from the normal drugstore shopping we entered almost every Duane Reade, Walgreens and CVS we passed just to make a quick run to the Maybelline section and look for it.  It took forever but we found it and even my ever so cool absolutely not interested in makeup friend couldn’t hide her excitement.  

And now it has launched in Europe, in Belgium it retails for €15,99.  

I like the packaging.  It’s a simple clean black case with a see through portion.  You get 12 neutral colors with different finishes and a nice color range AND you get the inevitable thingy, that’s right THE THINGY!  I don’t know what it’s proper name is but I wonder who still uses it.  They should put a ban on it and include it in the Kyoto policy. It doesn’t work and it has to be bad for the environment, just ban it already!

On the back you get a break down of how to create 13 different looks.  I like it when brands do this, it makes things a lot easier if you’re not in a creative mood.

Bear with me for the swatches, it’s my first time so please be nice.  They were all made with my finer and one swipe of color.

The color payoff is of the lighter colors is quite disappointing to me and the matte ones are quite dry and chunky.  You can give the shadows a bit of help by putting on NYX jumbo eye pencil in milk on the eyelid as a base and I would definitely recommend putting on an eyeshadow primer.

The top row is the worst, I was only impressed with one color (the 4th one from the right).  The bottom row was a lot better except from the lightest color.  I’ve read people complaining about the colors not blending that well, I can’t really deny that but I always put some neutral face powder on my eyelids (over my primer) before I put on my shadows as I find this makes blending a lot easier.

If you are looking for a neutral palette than this is a nice one to start with but keep in mind that it does need a bit of help here and there. I don’t think I’ll be using this on a daily base simply because it needs that much help and I just don’t have the time for that in my daily routine.  But I do think I would take it with me for traveling.

Where to buy:

In Belgium you can find it at Kruidvat, Di and Lookis for €15,99.  I’ve been around them a lot the past week and there’s always a few available so you can consider waiting until they have a nice Maybelline promotion going on.