Maybelline The Blushed Nudes: I Bought & Reviewed This Palette So You Don't Have To

 

 

So I was browsing my local Wal-Mart's beauty aisle on June 1st and what did I see? The Blushed Nudes! I was so happy (not to mention surprised, Maybelline said we Canadians wouldn't be getting them until early June, but I didn't know they were going to be right on time!) I bought it and forgot to buy several other things. Now I'm kinda wishing I had saved my money.

It cost about $10CDN. As with the Nudes palette it's divided up into quads, trios and duos on the back to assist those needing some inspiration when creating a look.

The palette looks visually gorgeous. It's got a lovely rose gold colour and closes with a secure snap. It comes with two sponge applicators that I leave unused. I think my Nudes palette came with one!

When I swatched these shades, things started to go downhill. I swatched the first row of six on one hand and then the second row of six on the other. They're all numbered for ease of reference.

The first row was a nightmare on Elm Street. It was one disappointment right after the other.

Almost every single shade aside from 1.4 and 1.6 were dry. They were just grey shimmers. I was really shocked at how sheer 1.1 is compared to it's white counterpart in the Nudes palette which has pigment and shimmers. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.5 are grey, chalky and dry with no pigmentation. 1.5 is a matte but there's no pigmentation to it. 1.4 has a bit more colour but it's still incredibly dry and sheer. I can't be too mad at 1.3, it's supposed to be grey but it's sheer, dry and chalky just like the rest of the first row. 1.6 is softer with a creamier texture and has better payoff and actually has a nice pink shift to it. It's rather sheer but it's not a total lost cause.

I knew Row 2 would be better because those shades are darker. 2.1 is a nicely pigmented and smooth rose gold but still applies sheer. 2.2 swatched awfully. It's a matte cocoa brown with rose sparkles but it is so dry and creates incredible fallout with very little payoff. 2.5 was the best shade in the palette, creamy, soft and pigmented with little fallout. 2.6 is another trouble shade. It kicks up plenty of fall out but it's decently pigmented. I stick to Row 2 and 1.6 when using this palette, those are really the only shades worth looking at.

These shades do apply better then they swatch, but the fallout issues and the sheerness prevail. I'm sure these would do better over a primer, but I expected better from Maybelline especially considering how nicer in quality The Nudes is compared to the Blushed Nudes.

I'm on the fence with this palette. The more I play with the bottom shades the more I like them. I just wish the palette had better quality overall as I never had to limit myself to one part of the palette using the Nudes. I really don't like the fact that 5 out of 12 shades are total duds, but the remaining six are nice in a pinch.

Likes:
1. Pretty rose gold colour scheme
2. Row 2 and 1.6

Dislikes:

1. Poor quality shadows in 5 out of 12 of the shades
2. Lack of pigmentation
3. Lots of fallout

C+

Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette To Be Released in Canada

All of us Canadian girls are rubbing our hands together feverishly in wait for Maybelline to released the Blushed Nudes palette in our fair country. I was patrolling the official Maybelline Canada Facebook page when I saw this message.

 

 

When I saw this message I was really heartbroken. This isn't the first time Maybelline - or any other brand for that matter - has favoured the United States over Canada. There are so many more product shades and limited edition collections that never break the shores of Canada.

 

I checked the facebook page again at a later date and to my surprise what did my eyes see?

 

They changed their minds! And check out what I saw on the official Maybelline Canada Instagram page:

A finite date! Not only will we Canadians be getting The Blushed Nudes palette in early June but it will be a permanent product! How fantastic is that?

I just wanted to share the news with all of you like minded Canadian beauties out there and make sure everyone's as excited as I am!

Freeman Feeling Beautiful Banana-Oat Instant Smoothing Mask Review

I have undying faith in Freeman and I couldn't resist this latest offering. With the promise of exfoliating AHAs and moisturizing banana and oats I had to get it. And I was curious as to what sort of texture this mask would have as well!

Claims from the Freeman website:
Whip up a little skin nourishment with our sensational facial smoothie! Deliciously-fragrant Banana-Oat blend smacks of softening ingredients for gorgeous skin. Highly active Alpha Hydroxy Acids rapidly exfoliate dull skin cells and reveal a softer, smoother, more radiant complexion. Antioxidant-rich Bananas nourish freshly exfoliated skin with minerals and antioxidants to keep bumpy skin issues away. Soothing Oat works double-time to nourish and keep skin calm, cool and collected. Perfect for all skin types.
Directions: Apply to cleansed face. Avoid getting product in the eyes, mouth, and nostrils. Leave on for up to 7 minutes, or rinse thoroughly as soon as skin feels sensitivity. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. Follow immediately with a moisturizer.

This mask also comes with a lot of warnings! I get the feeling I'm dealing with something very powerful and also a little dangerous! On the packaging and on the website Freeman says "[w]arnings: Prior to first application, perform a patch test on the inside of your arm, 24 hours prior to applying to your face, to check for potential irritation. Do not use on skin that is sunburned, irritated, sensitive or within 24 hours of waxing. Not recommended for users of any topical or orally-prescribed acne, Vitamin A derived, skin exfoliation medications. Slight tingling, mild itching or some temporary skin redness are normal reactions to a highly-active exfoliant. Rinse off immediately if product causes discomfort, discontinue use and consult a physician. This product contains alpha hydroxy acids that may increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun and the possibility of sunburn. Use sunscreen and limit sun exposure for one week after use."

This mask retails for about $4.99 at Wal-Mart.

The texture of the mask is that of a gel with a yellowish translucent colour. It smells really nice. It smells like juicy tropical fruit with a strong banana note but it's a little too tangy to be straight up banana. It's pleasant but not overwhelming.

The first time I used this mask I applied it all over and it burned my face quite a bit! So I rinsed it off and my cheeks were visibly red.

I tried the mask again later on, only applying it to areas where I needed exfoliation like my cheeks, my forehead and the top of my nose. Thankfully there was no burning but there was a slight tingling sensation all over. I only planned on leaving it for seven minutes but after three or four my face felt like it was on fire.

So I rinsed it off and applied a moisturizer and sure enough my cheeks and forehead were bright red. My skin did feel very soft though! When I woke up the next morning all of the redness was gone and my face did look very smooth so the mask did live up to it's claims of smoothing skin. Freeman did say that some redness is normal when using highly active exfoliants so I'm not too worried.

I will say that I don't like how it feels and looks like the mask is irritating my skin but I do like how smooth it makes my skin feel. I wouldn't use this in the day, only in the night because I wouldn't want to walk around with red skin. I wouldn't repurchase this mask because there are easier and more gentle ways to get smooth skin without all the drawbacks.

Likes:

1. The smell
2. How smooth it makes my skin feel
3. It doesn't dry out my skin
4. It's affordable

Dislikes:

1. How it makes my skin red
2. How it feels like its burning my face
3. The increased sensitivity it may cause in my skin

B-

Sephora Collection Pearl Sheet Mask Review

So I decided to try some sheet masks and I picked up this one from Sephora. My main skincare concern right now is fading all of the dark spots on my cheeks left over from years of acne which is why I picked up the Pearl mask.

Claims from the Packaging: Mask enriched with natural origin white pearl; evens out skintone and helps minimize irregularities, stimulates skin for high luminosity, for skin that is even, fresh and brighter.

This mask retails for $8 at Sephora. It's steep for a one time use mask and I decided if I didn't see some serious results I wouldn't return to them. I mean The Face Shop sells actual Korean sheet masks for much less than this!

There are a whole bunch of other extracts in this mask like rice extract, mushroom extract, Madonna lily extract, broccoli extract, and lastly comes conchiolin powder which is the aforementioned pearl powder.

This mask has an odd, slightly raw smell that wasn't too bothersome as it went away after a while.

Here's the mask after I used it. It's really large! The sides extend to my ears and the part under the mouth goes right underneath my chin. But aside from that my face fit in fine. The mask is really soaked in serum when you take it out of the package.

When I put it on my face I felt a slight stinging sensation but as I continued to wear it, it was replaced with a very cool sensation. The package says I should leave it on for 15 minutes but I leave it on as long as I can. I left this mask on for an hour before bed and when I removed it my face looked more even! My dark marks looked slightly faded! After throwing out the mask, I poured out the remaining serum in the packet and smoothed it over my face and massaged the liquid into my face. The package says you don't have to rinse, so I didn't, I just waited until my face had dried enough for me to go to bed without soaking the pillow. While in bed I noticed my face was a little sticky so I splashed my face with some cold water, patted dry and went back to bed.

The left over serum is so hydrating I didn't feel the need to apply a night time moisturizer. When I woke up the next morning my skin looked great! Hydrated, even, and slightly more luminous then usual! This mask does work, it doesn't offer dramatic results but there is a difference I've noticed in my skin.

I wish I had known about sheet masks earlier because they're remarkably easy to use and give my skin such a nice boost. I love how hydrating his mask is on my skin!

Likes:

1. How much more even my skin became
2. How easy it is to use
3. How hydrating it is
4. Doubles as a night time moisturizer

Dislikes:

1. It stung my face so I'm worried about negative reactions
2. It's really expensive for a one time use mask
3. It smells raw

A-

Clean and Clear Hydrating Gel Moisturizer Review

 

 

I am so glad Clean and Clear decided to put out such an innovative product. I trust my skin to Clean and Clear, so I had high expectations for this product! Needless to say as I am on my second tube, it has impressed me that much!


Claims from the Clean and Clear Canada website: From the refreshing MORNING BURST^® collection comes CLEAN & CLEAR^® MORNING BURST^® Hydrating Gel Moisturizer. This ultra-lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer helps wake you up with an invigorating fragrance and leaves skin feeling immediately replenished. It’s formulated with water, not oil, and contains a unique blend of cucumber and green mango extracts. For clean-feeling and refreshed skin, use this facial moisturizer daily.

This moisturizer retails for $7.77 at Wal-Mart. This cleanser does have a light gel texture. It's a pale, translucent, turquoise gel. It smells lovely; like cucumber melon candy.


It feels so moisturizing on skin and absorbs right away without feeling heavy or the need to rub the product into the skin for ages. It feels very light and makes my skin feel hydrated and fresh. I do add a heavier moisturizer around drier areas on my face (it's winter the area around my mouth and beneath my nose get very dry) so I would say this moisturizer isn't for super heavy moisturizing but would be perfect for spring and summer. I love this moisturizer and I would use it forever.

Likes:

1. How soft it makes my skin feel!
2. How light it is!
3. Doesn't grease up my already oily t-zone

Dislikes:

1. Not deeply moisturizing
2. No SPF

A

Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm Review

One of my friends was extolling the virtues of Burt's Bees lip balm so I couldn't resist it anymore. I'm a major lip balm fiend, I've got to try everything so I snagged this lip balm during Target's liquidation sale and here are my thoughts.

 

I bought this lip balm for about $4 at Target but it regularly retails for $4.98. Not worth the price with the experience I've received.

Claims from the Burt's Bees Canada Website: Reward yourself with a sweet treat. Made with sweet, soothing honey, this natural lip balm moisturises and nourishes lips. Plus, it’s packed with beeswax, shea butter, almond oil, cocoa butter and lanolin to keep your lips soft and healthy-looking. Your lips will look as sweet as they taste.

Oh. My. God. There couldn't be anymore fallacies!!! This lip balm wrecked my lips. Maybe I got a bad tube or something but this lip balm was horrendous. It smelt so rank, I couldn't use it. It smelt like camphor and vinegar. There was no sweet taste to speak of. This lip balm tasted as nightmarishly as it smelt.

What I did like was how the lip balm felt. When my lips heated it up it was thick and creamy on my lips. But for the most part it was as tough as nails. I felt like I was rubbing a stick of pure beeswax onto my lips.


In addition to that, my lips broke out in a rash thanks to my test-driving this lip balm. It lasted for three days. I wouldn't touch this lip balm with a ten foot pole. I know I'm being melodramatic but I think I have a right to because of the allergic reaction I suffered at the hands of this lip balm.


I would not repurchase this lip balm ever. I do believe Burt's Bees must have some good lip balms in their arsenal if people keep talking about how good their lip balms are. So I will keep checking out the Burt's bees line.


Likes:


1. Occasional thick and creamy feel
2. All natural ingredients


Dislikes:


1. Horrific smell
2. Horrendous taste
3. Tough texture
4. Major allergic reaction

F-

 

Nivea Lip Butter Blueberry Blush Review

 

 

 I've purchased this lip balm twice now. First the Vanilla Macadamia nut flavour where I was impressed with one thing but not the other so I tossed it. I like Blueberry Blush a lot more.

Claims from the packaging: The moisturizing formula of NIVEA Lip Butter contains chea butter and almond oil and provides moisture and long-lasting care. This indulging formula with blueberry aroma restores for sensationally soft lips and leaves a soft shine of colour.

This lip balm retails for $2.82. It comes in several varieties in Canada: Original, Vanilla Macadamia, Raspberry Rose and Blueberry Blush. The lip butter comes in a pot format and comes with 16.7g in the tin so there is a lot of product.

This lip butter is wonderfully soft and creamy. Once I bought a lip balm in a tin and it was ROCK SOLID. I was thoroughly confused. I always assumed pot lip balms were always softer because they weren't waxy enough to stand in a tube, but that's not always the case. This lip butter certainly couldn't stand in a tube. It's very melty.

The lip butter is a pretty pinkish plum but ends up translating to white on my lips if I put on too much. It doesn't leave any pigment on my lips but I suppose that's because my lips are pigmented.

The scent is heavenly. It smells like a yummy blueberry smoothie. A lot like EOS blueberry smooth spheres in scent. The scent only lasts for a while on my lips before fading and I wouldn't mind if it stayed.

The moisture on this lip butter is incredible. Even after you wipe it off your lips still retain moisture. It just feels really nice and creamy on lips and I love the way that feels. Like my lips are wrapped in a hydrating blanket. And when I wipe it off my lips look very smooth, soft and plump for a hours after the lip balm is off so the claim of the moisture being long lasting is definitely accurate.

One thing I'm not big on is the fact that it's in a pot. It's not hygienic as you have to dip your finger into the product and onto your lips to apply. So generally I keep this lip balm at home or I wash my hands thoroughly before applying.

Despite that, this lip butter is a giant win in my book. I don't own a lip balm which is as thick and hydrating as this in my stash. I love it and use it daily.

Likes:

1. It's very hydrating!
2. The creamy texture is lovely
3. The blueberry scent is delectable
4. Affordable
5. It's not as white as the Vanilla Macadamia flavour

Dislikes

1. Pot format
2. Gives off a white cast