Mally Evercolor Shadow Sticks

Hi Friends.  Today I bring you an amazing cream shadow stick.  I love cream shadows because they are easy to work with and on busy mornings, I can create a lovely smoky eye in no time.  There are many cream shadow products on the market; both in stick or pot forms. The Mally Evercolor Shadow Sticks are my favorites. 

My favorite Concealers

Beauty truth time.  I have a slight obsession with concealers.  I won’t show you the drawer that holds them, but I will say, it’s more than any one person needs.  Now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s dig in. 

I truly believe concealer is a girls best friend.  It’s a miracle worker and a forgiver of skin sins.  I am always on the hunt for the perfect concealer.  I’ve narrowed my favorites down to four; yeah still a lot but they all serve different purposes. 

First up, a product I use EVERY DAY regardless if I use foundation or not is Bobbi Brown’s corrector in the shade dark peach. 


Now technically this is not labeled a “concealer” but a corrector.  The purpose of this product is to neutralize any darkness under the eye.  It also helps to brighten the area under the eye.  Now when I use this product its like someone has flashed a soft light under my eye and evened out the skin tone and texture.  It doesn’t crease and you only need to pat a little to cover the area.  It comes in a  pink or peach undertone, so you're bound to find a shade to fit you.

Winter Skincare Staple–Josie Maran Argan Oil

It’s cold outside.  And this Florida girl is not pleased.  Well, to be honest, I do appreciate the changing seasons.  For instance, watching the leaves change is still something I get excited about!  You don’t see these types of colors in Florida. 

I’ve been in VA for over six years and I’ve slowly learned that products that worked for me in FL, don’t necessarily cut the mustard now; (bonus points to anyone who understood that saying).



When it comes to the drier season, skin hydration is very important.  Now I always make the disclaimer, skincare is a very personal thing.  Most of it is trial and error.  Sometimes it takes a while to figure out the balance.  But if you feel you have skin similar to mine, here's what works for me.  

I have oily skin.  In a very short time, my t-zone is a veritable oil slick.  I’m always on the hunt for products that mattify my skin (more on that later).  What I’ve discovered in my search was surprising.  Although my skin is oily, I still need a fair amount of products that hydrate the skin.  I would typically look for oil free products; but I’ve found that my skin would only produce more oil.  I must keep my skin properly hydrated to decrease it’s natural oil production.  Here is a product I’ve found that works very well for me an my oily skin.

Josie Maran Argan Oil

My Favorite Lip Balms

Hi friends!  Tis the season for dry lips.  Alas the colder months are among us and with that brings dry skin.  My moisture routine changes in the winter; everything from my hair care to body lotion.  I'm always on the hunt for a great moisturizing lip balm.  I've heard recommendations for many that are far to pricey for me to even contemplate.

My search led me to Sally beauty.  I was doing my regular perusing of the shelves and near the front counter there were lip balms... on sale even.  I thought, why not?  I'll give them a try.  AND I LOVE THEM!!!!!

They are the Palladio herbal lip balms.

These lip balms are amazing.  They are truly moisturizing AND they have a great deal of pigment for most of the shades.  I swatched them below.

(l to r: rosey, brownie, cotton candy)

(l to r: rosey, brownie, cotton candy)

I like that I can get great moisture and a bit of color too.  I keep one in my purse and car so I can have the color and moisture on the go.  The best part??? They retail for under $5; but truth be told they are ALWAYS on sale.  Keep your eye out for these and grab a deal on them.  You can find these in Sally Beauty or online if one isn't near you.  I highly recommend these.  

xoxoxo 

Ja'Nelle 

Golden Girl - FOTD

Hi Friends!  Today's look was centered around one product.  I'm absolutely in love with the Maybelline color Tattoos.  They are really impressive and you cannot beat the price point.  I don't compare them to MAC paint pots.  While they have a similar idea behind them - a long wear shadow base - they have different consistencies.  I do find they perform pretty much the same on my lids; so I love them both.  For today's look I wanted to use the Gold Rush color tattoo.

The color is truly gold and has a glittery shimmer.  It's pretty intense - and I LOVE it!!  Let me know what you think!

(left with flash; right no flash)

Here are the details of what I used for this look:

On Lid:

• Too Faced Shadow Insurance
• Gold Rush Color tattoo (limited edition, but something similar here) 
• Lorac Pro Pallet - light bronze inner corner, gold on center/outer and garnet in outer V
• Lorac Au natural on brow bone (no longer available)

Mascara : Tarte lash primer and Lights Camera Flashes 

Eyeliner: Essence gel eye liner black 

Tried and Tested: Rimmel Show off Lip Lacquer

Hi friends.  This is the first installment of my "Tried and Tested" series.  I plan to review various products and the company's claim and let you know if I think it lives up to the claim and if you need to try it.  The first product I'll be reviewing is the Rimmel show off lip lip lacquers.

Rimmel describes these as "intense rich lip color, enhanced by a satin shine."  The claim is that it gives you the best of a lipstick with the shine of a gloss.  I am quite picky about my lip colors.  I like them to feel moisturizing but still be opaque.  I do like some shine, unless I'm going for a complete mat look.  That's why I was so curious about these when I heard about them.

I swatched the three shades above so you can see the pigmentation of them.

(l to r: celestial, apocalyptic, nova)

As you can see from the swatches above, they are extremely opaque.  The pigmentation is seriously strong.  They have a doe foot applicator which makes applying the color very easy.  When you pull the applicator out of the tube, there is PLENTY of product to easily cover both your top and bottom lip.  You won't need to dip the wand more than once.  I do find that these have a slightly smell to them; but it fades and doesn't linger on your lips. Although the product doesn't claim to be plumping, I find these have a slight tingle on my  lips; nothing uncomfortable, but just wanted to let you know that.

I find the glossy layer does fade if you're drinking or just regular conversation.  And while they don't bleed outside the lips, they are not kiss proof ladies (ask my husband).  After the color starts to fade - which is about 3-4 hours - I find a nice stain on the lips.  This is particularly true in the red/pink shades; which I like.

The one con I have is wearing these out in the harsh winter wind, I noticed that they dried in that weird way when a lip product creates that funky line of color.  That was no cool.  But when I wear a good lip balm underneath I find that is not an issue; just something to be aware of.

My final thoughts?  This is definitely a try it product!  The opacity of the color rivals many high end lip products.  They wear nicely on the lips and lives up the claim of the richness of a lipstick with a nice shine! They retail for around $6 and you can find these at most drugstores.  Be on the lookout for a BOGO 1/2 off sale; CVS and Walgreens frequently run these. Tried and Tested Approved!

Let me know if you've tried these products and what you think.

xoxoxo
Ja'Nelle

Neutral Glam - FOTD

Hi friends.  I absolutely LOVED this look I put together.  It's a basic neutral look, but I added a twist with a plum highlighter instead of a black.

Here are the product details:

On Lids:

• Tarte eye candy waterproof amazonian clay shadow wand in Bronze (no longer available, but something similar here)  outer V of lid
• Mally evercolor shadow stick in Firework  inner corner lid
• Urban Decay Buck in crease

Eyeliner:  Mally evercolor waterproof eye liner in Dusky Plum (no longer available, but something similar here) 

Mascara:  Revlon grow luscious 

On Lips

• Buxom Full Bodied lipstick in Menace 

Let me know what you think or if you attempt to recreate it.