8 Products I Regret Buying

This is another popular tag on Youtube, although it's usually 10 things I regret buying; luckily I could only find 8.  In no particular order:

1.  Up & Up blusher brush--If you didn't know, Up & Up is Target's version of Great Value stuff at Wal-mart; it's Target's "brand".  Usually, I don't have a problem with Up & Up brushes; I have two of their eyeshadow brushes that work great and I have their powder and kabuki brushes which do their jobs perfectly.  The blush brush however, leaves much to be desired.  The bristles fan out flat (not round) so it's impossible to apply blush in a decent shape on your face; it just comes out looking rectangular and uneven.  If the brush was round it would be more effective, but I was disappointed in this brush and went out and bought a Sonia Kashuk one instead. 

2.  Revlon all-over shadow brushes--Generally I'm a huge fan of Revlon products, and I used these brushes for a long time before finally admitting to myself that they sucked.  The packaging tells me they're made with "all-natural hair", but they sure don't feel like it.  The bristles felt scratchy on my eyelid and they didn't pick up hardly any product at all, no matter how hard I scrubbed it into the eyeshadow.  The bristles also fan out pretty wide, so getting precise application was out of the question.  The handles are also pretty long for an eyeshadow brush, which makes them kind of awkward to use.  I tried to keep the faith and made the mistake of buying two of them, both of which are now stashed in my closet. 

3.  L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara (in charcoal black)--This might be the worst mascara ever.  I only bought this because I had a coupon for it, and now I want my money back.  The packaging is very lightweight and just feels cheap; the wand is so flimsy and plasticy and bendable it saddens me.  The bristles are like those in my favorite Covergirl mascara, except they suck.  It clumps like no other, and it crispifies and falls off in chunks (like mascara fall-out) while I'm still applying it!  It flakes a lot during the day too.  And it smells LETHAL.  Like cough syrup or some other toxic, deadly substance; the smell alone can probably kill brain cells.  Don't waste your money on this mascara.  

4.  MAC Lipglass in Viva Glam Gaga II--Lady Gaga, I love you girl, but your Viva Glam II color is whack.  I'll admit, I only bought this lipglass because it's endorsed by Lady Gaga (trust me, I love me some crazy Gaga), but this color looks terrible on me.  I tried on the lipstick version in the MAC store and it looked like concealer on my lips, so I got the lipglass version, thinking it would look better, but it just looks like liquid concealer.  It looks streaky on my lips and is hard to blend; I tried to use it overtop of other lipcolors to tone them down, but it just ended up looking like one big muddy, milky color.  I looked like a hot mess.  I've noticed that the product has also separated in the tube (probably because I never use it....).  I read somewhere that Lady Gaga was trying to create a taupe color that would look good on all skintones, but this one just does not agree with my skincolor.   

5.  Revlon lipstick in Soft Nude--Normally, I love Revlon lipsticks; I have a whole container of them on my makeup table, and I had heard rave reviews of this lipstick on Youtube.  I had the same problem with this lipstick as I did with the Lady Gaga lipglass: the color does nothing for me.  It completely blanks out my natural lip color, which gives kind of a cool, mod, 60's look, it that's what you're going for.  Which I'm not.  I wouldn't wear it to work and I really can't see myself rocking it out in everyday life; it's not a bad lipstick, but because of the color, I really have no use for it.  *Note: it appears more pink in the picture than it really is. 

  6.  NYX Megashine lip gloss in French Kiss--I really should have thought this purchase through more.  Probably the only reason I bought this particular color lipgloss is because it has the word "French" in it (I'm not kidding).  After I bought it, I realized that I had made yet another color-choosing mistake; this shade of pink looks terrible on me.  It's also hyper-shimmery, which leads to it looking frosty on my lips, which leads to me looking like I'm in junior high.  It also smells so sugary-sweet, it's almost sickening.  It reminds me of cherry cough syrup, which is gross.  The applicator is massive, which I found difficult to use for precise application.  Another thing that bothers me about these lipglosses is that at the Ultas near me that sell them, they're not sealed, so when you buy them, you have no idea who's opened them, tried them on, swatched them, anything!  Gross!  Just that thought alone keeps me from buying any more of these. 

 
7.  Physician's Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker (in Ultra Black)--I found the worst eyeliner ever to go with the worst mascara ever.  I know in the picture it looks like it works decently, but it does NOT go on like that on your eye.  It doesn't even show up!  The color peeters out before you're even done lining your entire eye.  The formula is so watery it doesn't even show up over eyeshadow, so it's completely useless.  I need to stop buying things just because I have a coupon for them. 

8.  Maybelline single eyeshadow in Urban Brown--I love Maybelline eyeshadows; I have almost every color.  This particular one, however, is not the greatest.  The color is very pretty, but the quality is not as good as other Maybelline eyeshadows.  The biggest beef I have with this one is that when you apply it, there's fall-out like crazytown!  The second (and last) time I used this eyeshadow, I had brown dust all over my cheeks, and even during the day it kept falling out onto my face!  And when I tried to sweep it away, it just smeared onto my skin, so I just ended up looking dirty.  It was awful, unless you like looking dirty. 

Hopefully I'll learn to make better color choices in the future and won't come up with anything more to add to this list!

--Shine bright 



October Favorites

The "monthly favorites" videos are a staple on Youtube, so although it isn't quite the end of October yet, I thought I'd share my favorite products I've purchased or used in the month of October, in blog form.

1.  Revlon Photoready concealer- I had heard great reviews of this concealer all over Youtube and I finally got it for myself when I saw it on sale at Walgreens.  I got the shade "Light Medium", and the reviews were right; this is a great concealer.  It's a cream formula that comes in stick form, like a lipstick, but when you put it on your skin, (I use my finger to dab it on), it has the weirdest, cream to powder-like finish, like nothing I've ever felt before.  It blends really well and feels like a dream on your skin; it's great for dark under-eye areas.  I would say it's medium coverage, depending on how much you layer on.  It's usually about $8-10.00 at drugstores, but check your local Walgreens for any sales they might be having; I got mine for 40% off!

2.  Covergirl Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush-  I've just started using blush recently, and I chose these blushes to start with because they include three different shades of the same color: a light, medium, and dark shade.  I like to use the middle shade (the medium one) because the dark one scares me and the light one is more of a highlight color (for cheeks or on browbones).  I like to use "Sophisticated Sable" to start with then add a little bit of "Peach Perfection" for a little bit of color.  You can find these at drugstores for under $5.00. 

3.  Sonia Kashuk Brush Couture Brush Set- I picked this up at Target because I was looking for a round blush brush and the one in this set is perfect.  The set comes with five brushes: 1 powder/blush brush, 1 crease brush, 1 eyeshadow brush, 1 smudge brush, and 1 concealer/foundation brush.  The blush brush is SO soft and the perfect size for applying just the right amount of blush, and all of the brushes come in handy for something.  Plus, the handles have a very chic design on them!  I got this at Target for $14.99. 

4.  Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss- I'm a sucker for anything Chanel, so maybe it's a good thing I can't afford most of their stuff.  This lipgloss was a HUGE splurge for me, but I'm glad I got it.  I have #58 "Émoi" and it's a pretty magenta color.  When you first apply it, the color is a little "woah", but once you spread it out, it's very wearable; I wear it to work all the time.  It's very glossy/shiny and the perfect just-enough-pink color.  I also love the packaging; the lipgloss is actually kind of heavy, sophisticated, chic black and gold, it's beautiful.  I bought this at the duty-free store at LAX; it retailed for $29.00, but with my crew discount I got it for $28.38 (woo hoo!). 

5.  True Blue Spa Blackberry Purifying Peel-off Face Mask- I've never tried a peel-off face mask before I got this one, but it was worth my "Free Item of Your Choice" coupon at Bath & Body Works.  You finger paint the mask all over your face, avoiding the eye area, eyebrows, hairline, and lips, let it dry for 15-20 minutes, (try not to scare anybody-the mask goes on black, so you look like a burglar!), then peel it off starting at the outer edges.  It says it's formulated with blackberry and Tea Tree Oil and it "instantly peels away pore-clogging dirt, oil, and debris".  I was a little turned off by the smell of this mask at first (it's a little strong), but now I don't mind it, and my skin felt so smooth and soft afterwards.  Plus, masks are just fun to do every now and then.  You can find this at Bath & Body Works for $12.00. 

6.  The Body Shop single eyeshadows- I discovered these eyeshadows at The Body Shop in the airport mall, and I can honestly compare them to MAC eyeshadows.  They aren't available in as many shades as MAC eyeshadows, but they do have multiple finishes and great pigmentation.  The colors are vivid and go on very smoothly, but a word of caution: all of the ones I have are a frost/satin finish and they're awesome, however, some of the other finishes (matte, sparkley, etc.) I swatched in the store were not so great and didn't have very good pigmentation, so just make sure you swatch it before you buy it.  For those who are curious, I have, clockwise from left, #45 (they don't have color names), a bold, super rich metallic silver, #40 (a sweet pink), #32 (a beautiful dark walnut brown), #07 (a soft hazelnut brown), and #37 ( a darker, berry pink).  These are available at The Body Shop stores; mine were $9.00 each. 

7. It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product- I got this as a free sample from Ulta, and after mine runs out I might have to go purchase a full-size one.  I already use a leave-in conditioner daily, but I decided to try this one once I got it, and my hair was unbelievably soft.  I couldn't think of why until I remembered that I had used this product that day instead of my usual leave-in conditioner, which never left my hair this soft.  I'm not a huge fan of the scent (it smells like a hair salon, kind of chemical-y), but it leaves your hair SO soft and smooth.  The product looks thick in the bottle, almost like a lotion, but it sprays on just like any other hairspray.  The spray comes out very wide, so just be careful where you aim it!  I know you can get this at Ulta stores, but I'm not sure how much it costs. 

And those are the things I loved during the month of October!  I can't wait to see what I can find for November....

--Shine Bright. 

Favorite Nailpolishes

During my first two and a half years of college, I had a job in the school cafeteria that did not allow employees to paint their nails.  So for two and a half years I was restricted to toenail polish-painting only, which killed me.  When I transferred schools I got a job that was a little more flexible with nail-painting, and I went OFF.  I bought a boat-load of new nailpolishes within days of being free from nailpolish restrictions and painted my nails at least twice a week.  Now with my job as a flight attendant I'm limited to "shades of red and pink" (which I interpreted as "subdued colors"), but at least I'm still allowed to paint my nails.  Here are some of my favorite brands of nailpolish I've discovered as well as a few of my favorite shades:

1.  Revlon--These were the first nailpolishes I started buying during my nailpolish extravaganza; they have tons of different shades and now they come in different finishes as well.  I have more Revlon nailpolishes than any other brand and although they are no longer my nailpolish of choice, they are still a good drugstore buy.
Pros: Revlon is a drugstore brand, so these nailpolishes are under $5.00 each and as I said, come in a variety of finishes and colors, from sheer to matte, solid and shimmery colors, and even glittery topcoats.
Cons: The polish tends to bubble with the second coat, and they need ample time to dry; definitely not the fastest drying nailpolish.
Some of my favorite shades: Cherries In The Snow: a classic, bright magenta shade that looks good on fingers and toes.  Another good one is Frankly Scarlet, a great hot red with a golden shimmer; it's the perfect sexy red shade. 

2.  Maybelline Express Finish--These are some of my favorite nailpolishes.  The bottle doesn't lie when it says "50 Second Nail Color"; these are some of the smoothest, fastest-drying nailpolishes I've found. 
Pros: Another drugstore brand, so they are around $3-$4.00 a bottle, and they don't bubble as much as other brands.  Did I mention they dry super fast?
Cons: Maybelline doesn't have a huge selection of colors, but they do come out with "Limited Edition" shades every now and then, which are more fun than their standard range of colors.
Some of my favorite shades: *Note: All of the following shades are Limited Edition, so I'm not sure if they're available any more.  Sorry!*  Pretty in Purple is a gorgeous, dark dark shimmering purple, Minty is the perfect minty-green color, and Gray-T Glamour is an awesome, slightly shimmery purple-gray.

3.  O.P.I--  I've just recently started using O.P.I nail lacquer and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed.  They were originally only available in salons but I'm glad they're now available in Target and Ulta stores.
Pros: They dry relatively quickly and they dry smooth and hard, not feeling like you have a ton or a thick coat of polish gooped on your nails.  Plus there are boat-loads of colors to choose from and new collections come out often. 
Cons: $8.50 is a little pricey for a nailpolish, even if it is salon quality, and they only drugstore they're available in (as far as I know) is Target; otherwise, check Ulta or Sally Beauty Supply.  
Some of my favorite shades:  Cozu-Melted In The Sun is a beautiful peachy/coraly shimmery color, Meet Me on the Starferry is a mauvey-purple with gold shimmer, and Play The Peonies is a sweet, pale pale pink (almost white) shimmer.  Check out their shatter polishes too!   

4.  Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color--  These are some of the best and some of my favorite drugstore nailpolishes.  If you ask me, they're comparable to more expensive, higher-end nailpolishes, but available in drugstores for 1/3 of the price.
Pros:  They dry super fast and come in a multitude of colors, available at drugstores for around $3.00.  They're also pretty long-lasting; mine didn't chip for days. 
Cons:  They might bubble with the second or third coat. 
Some of my favorite shades:  Caribbean Coral is a bright, fun coral color with a hint of silver shimmer, and Gunmetal is a beautiful blueish gunmetal color with a pearly finish. 

In my opinion, nailpolish is one of the most fun ways to express yourself, and I don't think you can ever have too many polishes (even if they do have to be in shades of red and pink!). 

Shine bright. 
 

An Introduction

     Hi!  My name is Jessica, and I'm a 23 year old beauty enthusiast.  Everything I've learned about beauty and make-up I've learned from personal experience, experimentation, and Youtube.  I haven't always been as into make-up as I am now, but it all started about two years ago.
     Before college, the only make-up I usually wore was mascara and eyeliner, but never together (I thought it looked like "too much" when I wore them both at the same time).  I was terrified of make-up and was always afraid that I was doing it wrong, or it didn't look right, or too much would make me look like a drag queen, I just wasn't sure what to use and how to use it.  At about my sophmore year in college I started experimenting with colored eyeliner (by itself, or course).  I slowly started wearing mascara and eyeliner together, even colored eyeliner (gasp!), and eventually even bought some mineral foundation, which also took me awhile to get used to.  When I did branch out into eyeshadow, I would only buy the palest, most neutral colors because I had no idea how to apply it and was always afraid that it looked crazy on me.  
     The second half of my junior and my entire senior year in college, I just completely stopped caring about what looked good and what didn't, and I just did my make-up how I wanted to do it, regardless of whether or not I was doing it "right".  I was fearless when it came to eyeshadow colors and application; I wore purple, green, teal, dark blue, dark blue with gold flecks, cranberry, pink, white, whatever I felt like slapping on my face that day, that's what I wore.  I didn't care what other people thought, and I'll admit, sometimes it didn't even look good, but I wore it because I liked it.  This was also when I started trying different lipsticks; dark, light, sheer, pink, red, mauve, didn't matter, I would wear it because I wanted to.  I look back now and miss my audacious attitude towards make-up.  
     After viewing countless Youtube make-up tutorials and flipping through beauty books and magazines, I have more of an idea of what looks good on me and I feel like I've tamed my look a lot, for the better.  My job as a flight attendant is restrictive in terms of acceptable colors (mostly neutrals), but in my downtime I still like to go off and wear colorful eyeshadows and bold eyeliner, now applied in a more tasteful manner.  I think of my make-up as a form of self-expression, and trying new products and new techniques and sharing them with others is something I really enjoy.  Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I do. 
     I named my blog Shine Bright because make-up is a great beauty enhancer, but it's useless if you don't shine by yourself.  
     "As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others."--Marianne Williamson.  

Shine bright.