I’ve been on a beauty kick recently and the majority of the products I’ve been testing out are new to me and not my usual “holy grail” products and since I’m really loving the products I thought I’d share the ones that have worked and a couple that are not so good!
The Good//
The Good//
St. Ives Even & Bright Scrub
I’ve literally used the Blemish Control scrub by St. Ives for over 10 years, but since I don’t really suffer from blemishes I decided to switch it up and try the even & bright scrub!! It’s like a spa in a bottle!! I’m obsessed with the smell – yes it smells like lemon and oranges and the scrub is so gentle on the face unlike the harsher exfoliaters out there!! I’m obsessed and have found my new scrub!
This bad boy is my new favorite beauty addition!! I have never been a fan of cleaning my brushes, but with this cleanser they are clean and almost instantly dry! No more waiting for the brushes to dry over night, it’s ready to use within minutes. Granted the bigger brushes take a bit longer.
I was hesitant to show this picture (please don’t be grossed out), but just look at the amount of product that easily came off with the cleanser. For $15 you get 7.9 fluid oz. and it will last a good while depending on how often you clean your brushes, which hopefully for me will increase to every other week!
I am really liking this concealer for two reasons, the staying power and it’s coverage! I have mixed it a few times with my NARS Creamy Concealer and it’s honestly a toss up between which one I love more! For me personally the NARS acts more as a highlighter in some cases more so than a concealer which I love because I get dark circles under my eyes, but this MAC acts as both a concealer and highlighter.
Rimmel ScandelEyes Waterproof liner
I got this liner in Black as part of the Influenster Frosty Box and I was really excited to try it! When they say it’s waterproof, it’s seriously not going anywhere which is good if you like to line your waterline with liner because it wont smudge nearly as quick as others. I don’t normally line my water line unless it’s a more dramatic look. It’s very dark and could honestly double as a liquid liner because of how it looks once applied. I love the staying power of the liner and have already picked up it up in purple and really love the silver too!
The Not So Good//
I had really high hopes for this BB cream because I pretty much love all Urban Decay products, but the coverage on this cream left a lot to be desired because well I didn’t feel like there was any! On the flip side I’m really loving their weightless foundation and it’s light enough to wear everyday without it feeling heavy.
Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover
Sadly this eye makeup remover is so gentle that it takes about three full cotton swabs to remove all the product from your eyes and this includes Rimmel’s own waterproof eyeliner mentioned above. I received this as part of the Influenster Frosty box and it’s own endearing quality is that it’s not oily, aside from that I wont be purchasing a full bottle myself.
The Best//
My brows are incredibly important to me mostly because they frame my entire face. Change the brows and I seriously believe you change the look of your face! I have written at length about my favorite way to maintain my brows and the shape of my brows always stays the same, but recently I’ve noticed that filling them in a bit gives them some much needed definition! Enter in Billion Dollar Brows. You can see pictures of my brows touched up here.
Through BrandBacker I was able to test out the best seller’s kit which includes the following:
Universal Brow Pencil: Formulated to work with all skin tones & hair colors.
Brow Duo Pencil: Brow Duo Pencil allows you to highlight your brow bone to add gorgeous definition and warmth. Works with any skin tone and on the other end the universal concealer.
Brow Gel: Brow Gel will lock in your look, giving your eyebrows a long-lasting, radiant glow while keeping them perfectly in place all day. It’s the perfect finishing touch.
Smudge Brush: This flat, synthetic brush is the ideal mate for applying creamy cosmetics like our Brow Duo Pencil.
Sharpener: Custom designed for our Brow Duo Pencil
Camille Belle & Olivia Culpo both have my ideal brow look.
I use it the pencil and brow gel every day for work and when I want to enhance the look for a night out I add in the duo pencil and add the highlight on my brow bone. I was really skeptical that the brow pencil would match my eyebrow color, but it matched it perfectly and didn’t look overdone or drawn on how some people’s brows can look. It’s just very natural and I’m so happy with how my brows look every day now because that brow gel really keeps them in place!!
The best part – you can enter for a chance to win your very own best seller’s kit and 30 winners will be chosen!!
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So there you have it – a few of my latest beauty obsessions!! Have you been using anything new lately? Have you tried any of the above mentioned products out?
Disclosure: The Rimmel products & Billion Dollar brow set were sent to me complimentary by Influenster & BrandBacker respectively for testing purposes, but all opinions are 100% my own.
xo,
You're the second person this week who has raved about BDB….I might have to get on board then if so many people are loving it!
Thanks for the reviews (and the warnings!!) 🙂
You already had me on the hook for that brush cleaner with your other post, but I think I'm now scared straight thanks to that pic haha (because mine would look exactly the same) – ordering today!!
xoxo B | visit The Sequin Notebook for a Cirque Colors polish giveaway!
I am going to purchase that brush cleaner immediately! Thanks for the reviews!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I'm going to have to try the St. Ives scrub! I love their stuff! And I'm obsessed with the MAC concealer and brush cleaner too! I was sad to hear about the UD Beauty Balm. I love all of their products too but I've heard lots of negative things about the Beauty Balm! Great reviews!
<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
Seriously whenever I clean my brushes I never can believe how much product comes out of those brushes! Whenever my sister uses my makeup she just uses the brush with no makeup "because there is so much left". I have the BareMinerals cleaner but that MAC one looks legit! Love these posts!
I always love St Ives products. I really want to try that rimmel eyeliner! It looks like there is a khaki/greenish color which is my best shade so I'm going to try to find it. I love my makeup forever liner ,but it would be nice to save a little money seeing as it is about to run out! You have the best brows! That kit looks really good! xo
i got that eye makeup remover too…im pretty sure it'll just be a backup for when my other stuff runs out! that brush cleaner looks awesome tho! i need to get it and clean up my eyeshadow brushes. xo jillian – cornflake dreams
I'm so sad to hear about the Naked Skin BB cream, but so glad you posted this as I was about to try it! As for the brush cleaner, I've been using Sephora's, but that MAC cleaner looks even better 🙂
I am thinking about getting a brush cleaner because of my beauty blender. Usually I just use baby shampoo because it is gentle on my brushes but gosh darn that beauty blender is hard to clean!!!!
I want to try the St. Ives scrub. Thank you for reminding me I need to clean my brushes!!
you are right about the makeup remover…gentle is right!!
that brush cleaner is no joke. now only if i could get used to using it. i'm good about most brushes except my eyeliner brush – which once its clean is more difficult to apply eyeliner. i'm just going to go with that excuse haha. that brow kit looks awesome! i'm coloring in my eyebrows every day bc they are see-through so i hope i win this kit! xo
cheshirekatblog.com
Oh my gosh… that brush cleaner! I need some asap! Thanks for sharing that one!!
Great items! Love the St.Ives even and bright scrub 🙂
floralsandsmiles.blogspot.ca/
Don't be embarrassed, my brushes look just like that too! It's all the bronzer! I've used St. Ives since I was in high school — that apricot scrub is a classic! Who knew they had other scrubs? Gotta try it!
Audrey
lululinden.com
I've always wanted to get my eye brows done, but I don't skinny ones, this sounds like a good product.
Bummer about the eye remover, I hate when you go through multiple cotton balls, boo!
Have you ever used baby shampoo to clean your brushes? That's what I use.
The Mac brush cleaner looks amazing.
pinkandnavystripes.com
I need all of your brow expertise. Mine are way too thin and I look so silly when I try to do them myself. Love honest reviews, including dislikes! I always keep them in mind when I am hanging out at Sephora (way too much!)
My SIL swears by the MAC concealer, I need to order some because I can use all of the coverage I can get. Also I need to learn how to do my brows better – going to read your brow post!
I really hate cleaning my brushes for that very reason, waiting for them to dry is just a pain. This sounds almost too good to be true. I am definitely going to have to check this out!
prosecco in the park
Great product reviews today, lady! I love St. Ives scrubs, so I definitely will be checking that one out when I head to Target tomorrow. Aren't the Rimmel eyeliners the best?! They seriously stay put in the waterline until you wipe it off at night. I'm asking Santa to put the MAC brush cleaner in my stocking!
Omg… love these. Been looking for a new less expensive eyeliner alternative to my stand by UD. And I hardly ever clean my brushes but this graphic lol… I am going to try this one:) Thanks girl!
I need to get a brush cleanser…so I may be purchasing that one! I do really hate cleaning my brushes but with this it seems much more simple!
xo Southern Style
I know you only listed it as a "good" but that MAC brush cleaner looks genius! The reason I don't clean my brushes more regularly is just what you said – the drying time! And for $15, that's a steal. My brushes are pretty gross, so I should get some stat!
Glad you are liking your MAC concealer! I have to switch mine out in the winter because it's a little too drying for under my eyes, but I love it otherwise! I'm definitely trying that eyeliner as well! Love reading your reviews girl!
Oh I will for sure be trying that MAC cleanser! I HATE cleaning my brushes because it always takes so long for them to dry!
i let my brows grow out for the longest time so i could get them properly threaded. it is true, they really fix (errr frame) your face, haha!
I love anything St Ives! I use to use that brush cleaner and it's sooooo amazing! But then I got cheap… I really need to get it again!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
I've got try that eyeliner. I'm so tired of coming from work and realizing I had eyeliner smudged under my eyes!
I need to try that MAC cleanser. I swear I would wash my brushes more if it were easier!
Great post! That eyeliner sounds really interesting — I've been looking for a reasonably priced brand with some fun colors to experiment with!
Great post lady! You are always so good at posting honest reviews, so I trust your judgement! 🙂 That cleanser sounds nice. I started using an Aveeno one after I went off of Proactiv and I like it, but I'm always open to trying something new. I'm definitely going to try one of those concealers too when I'm done with my Bobbi Brown one. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and I hope that you are having a great day so far!!! 🙂
I am pretty obsessed with all stives produts!!
Love reviews! That brush cleaner is awesome!
~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
Omg, I need the brush cleaner! I honestly throw out my brushes because when I clean them, they always get ruined…whoops. Thanks for the review, chickie!
Ok so I'm glad I'm not the only one not regularly cleaning my brushes….but it looks like I need to and need to check out that MAC cleanser. Wow! I'm also thinking I need to try that St Ive's…thanks for the recommendation pretty lady!
ummmm BEST giveaway ever!! I've been eyeballing their brow products for a while but just haven't pulled the purchase trigger! You know these are my fav posts so thanks girl! I was JUST talking about how bad my brushes needed to be cleaned too!
That St. Ives scrub sounds like it smells amazing & I am always up for trying new eyeliner (though Urban Decay is my favorite!). That brush cleaner though…I need to pick some up ASAP.
So happy to know about the MAC brush cleaner. I'm the worst about cleaning my brushes…because I always think to do it at the most inopportune times and then it takes FOR-EV-ER for them to dry! Problem solved!
I haven't used a st. ives cleanser in so long but have always wanted to pick one back up for some exfoliation every now and again! I might give this one a go! And the scandal eyes liners really don't budge? I'll have to pick a few up next time I'm out!!
I'd be scared to see what would come off my brush. I've never cleaned them… yikes!
I love a good scrub. I'll have to check that out on my next trip to Target
oh that Mac brush cleaner looks amazing! I use an Ulta brand one which works really well too. Good to know about the UD Beauty Balm..BB creams have never really worked for me. I need to step my game up with filling in my eyebrows and making them look good!
I'm definitely interested in that billion dollar brows, both you and Pamela reviewed and I was recently toying with the idea of getting some brow shaping products. I have thick brows but a little extra doesn't hurt right?
Thanks for sharing that makeup remover!! I hate waiting for them to dry overnight too so I'll definitely have to check it out. And I got a mini size of the naked BB cream because I forgot mine one time, and it definitely doesn't compare to my Stila- it's the best!! Xo
I switched to the St. Ives Green Tea scrub earlier this year and I LOVE IT! I might have to give yours a try, they're so cheap, why not.
That St. Ives scrub sounds amazing, and I need a new scrub! I think I am supposed to be getting that same Influenster box so I am excited try that liner! Bummer about the eye makeup remover, I hate when I have to scrub at my eyes to get the makeup off!
That brush cleaner! I need it! I literally stood and scrubbed one of my brushes for 15 minutes, then waited for it to dry fooooorever.
i seriously need to get that MAC makeup brush cleanser- great idea!
xo, liz
sneakersandsilk.com
Dang it! We were just at the mall on Saturday and I meant to grab that brush cleaner! I may just order it from Nordstrom and have it delivered. I haven't used St. Ives products for probably 15 years, but it's good to see they have upped their game. I used to not like them at all.
I should really try that eye liner as well. Mine always smudges and smears.
I might need to purchase that eye makeup remover, I am in the market for a new one!
Eleventh & Sixteenth
I definitely need to give the brightening scrub a try! And I have been meaning to clean brushes for weeks now! Great suggestions! XO
Anna
alilyloveaffair.com
I'm gonna try out that scrub – I use the other one as well sometimes, but rarely get blemishes so it's kinda pointless. Keep hearing about that brow stuff, and I agree about how your brows frame your face – if only I could actually do them well! I need to go to a class or something. I've watched a bazillion (literally) youtube videos and i still can't do mine well.
oooh love this!! I recently started filling in my eyebrows and can't believe the difference it makes!
I love St. Ives scrubs! I think I have the regular fresh skin one but will have to check out this one! Brows are so, so important! I'm gonna have to check out the Billion Dollar Brows because this isn't the first great review I've seen on it!
I'm awful at remembering to clean my brushes and am always horrified when I see the results when I finally do clean them! I'm also intrigued to try out that scrub – I used to love St.Ives, but haven't checked them out in forever – looks like a great drugstore find!
xoxo, M – Visit The Sequin Notebook for a Cirque Colors polish giveaway!
I will definitely be trying that St Ives scrub! I swear the MAC concealer is like no other, I'm on my 3rd one. I tried the Nars one and I liked it but more for a highlight like you said. After being used the coverage of the MAC one I just didn't love it for that reason alone 🙁 Yeah!! That BDB set rocks, I'm in love! I was so curious how the pencil would work on you, I swear it's magic haha
Oh man! I got that Voxbox, too and I was hoping the makeup remover would be good. Shucks.
shame about the bb cream but i do love the weightless foundation 🙂
xx fameliquorlove // bloglovin // instagram // youtube
I love the MAC brush cleaner and pro long wear concealer too, both great!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Do they really dry quicker than when i use baby shampoo on brushed? tell me the truth LOL how long
I couldn't agree more about the scrum and eyeliner! Love those products!
Heidi D.
wishesandreality.com
I always love to know new great beauty products. I haven't tried before any of these, but when I will see in store, will pick up.
xoxo
Ramona
ramona-strikeapose.blogspot.ie
O.M.G. that brush cleaner is working like Tyra on a runway. That's great stuff! And I love that line of St. Ives, I used the body wash and it smells so good!
That solution for cleaning brushes looks good. Yep, the picture looks a bit gross, but let's not pretend that everything is always perfect.. as long as it gives perfect result.. 🙂
minsbeautyequipment.com
I have a very similar post coming up tomorrow! I love finding new beauty recs and need to pick up that eyeliner!
Instantly dry brushes?! I need this in my life! I seriously only clean them a few times a year because I hate waiting for them to dry, it's so bad! Adding the MAC concealer to my "to try" list – I just got the NARS one and I'm loving it!
I used to swear by St. Ives!!! Love their scrubs! Seriously need to try that brush cleaner!
I used to use St. Ives alllll the time! Freeman has this really good charcoal and black sugar scrub that is the shit. The sugar melts as you rub it so it doesn't hurt at all… like you said – some scrubs are WAY too rough!
I used St. Ives scrub years ago but then moved away from it. I may have to pick it up again. Thanks for the reminder, Lovely!
-Claire
fashionandfeathers.com
That brush cleaner looks amazing! I'm going to see if I can find any of these products in Jakarta 🙂
Melanie @ meandmr.com
I am going to try that scrub! I love St. Ives and their Apricot scrub has always been a fave. But like you, I don't get a lot of blemishes. I typically have always used baby shampoo to clean my brushes and it gets them squeaky clean while being gentle as well. I have never tried a spray, but WOW! It is always gross knowing how much product is actually in those things! LOL
-Morgan
California To Carolina
The Gym Bunny
I've always wanted to try that st ives scrub but I've just always used the blemish one so I never want to try something new but now you have me convinced that I should! 🙂
what a great giveaway! and you're 100% correct; brows are so important and can make or break a look. i'm happy that i have my dad's brows but damn, they require constant grooming or i'll turn into chewbacca.
YES! Isn't the brush cleaner the best?! I was really surprised with how much product you get for the cost too! Definitely worth it! I need to find those Rimmel eye pencils, I've heard such good things about them! How do the Influenster boxes work? Also, that eyebrow kit looks amazing! So nice to get all the different products in one place!