Nyx Gotcha Covered Concealer versus It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

Hi there!

Today's post is all about the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye concealer and the Nyx Gotcha Covered concealer. 

First off, Bye Bye Under Eye is meant for the under eye area (but of course you could apply this anywhere on the face) while Gotcha Covered does not specify where one should apply the product. But based on its thick consistency and finish, I have been using Gotcha Covered solely on my under eye areas. 

Here's a swatch of Nyx Gotcha Covered in Light and It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye in Neutral Medium

To preface, Bye Bye Under Eye has been my go-to under eye concealer since about December. It's got great coverage, it's moisturizing, it's easy to apply, and a little goes a long way. But after getting close to running out of the product, I started looking for a new under eye concealer because it doesn't fully cover my dark circles (and I do color correct) and it's a bit pricey for my liking (it's $24.00 at Ulta). I quickly found out about Gotcha Covered and ordered it from Ulta.com. Here are my thoughts:

Pros

It's affordable

It's highly pigmented (but still doesn't fully cover my dark circles)

It comes in 10 shades (Bye Bye Under Eye has 4 shades)

It's not drying

It doesn't crease as much as Bye Bye Under Eye

It has compact & simple packaging

Cons

It has a slippery, greasy finish if not set with powder

It doesn't last as long as Bye Bye Under Eye

Bottom Line

If you're on a budget and want a wider shade range, try out Gotcha Covered. I think that the two products are pretty similar in that their textures are the same (thick, smooth, & glossy), they offer about the same coverage, they're both packaged in convenient squeeze tubes, and they're non-drying on the under eye area. Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with either one of them.

Hope this was helpful,

Allison

Milani Lash Trifecta Mascara Review

Welcome Back!

Today's post is all about Milani's new mascara: Lash Trifecta. 

To preface, my lashes will only hold a curl if I'm using a waterproof mascara. Sadly, this product isn't waterproof. If you've got similar lashes to mine, read on to see if this mascara will suit you! 

Called the Lash Trifecta, Milani claims that it can lengthen, curl, and separate lashes. I can't attest to whether this product can curl lashes (because I've got incredibly straight lashes), but I do think that this mascara can lengthen and separate lashes. 

My belief is that flat mascara wands are able to lengthen and amp up lashes the best- and this mascara does just that! Without bristles to adjust the position of lashes and get between them (and clump them up), the straight sides of this wand are able to coat lashes evenly. 

The wand is curved with three sides (which makes a triangular prism). On each edge are its bristles. And at the very tip is a head of bristles. This wand is great because the flat sides are able to lengthen lashes, the bristles are able to help maneuver lashes, and the tip is able to apply mascara to hard-to-reach places. 

Overall, I recommend this product to anyone looking for a mascara that can lengthen and separate lashes. But if you've got really straight lashes, you may want to look elsewhere because it can weigh down on them.

Hope this was helpful!

Allison

A Review: L'Oreal EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System™ Nourishing Leave-In Spray

Hello!

You can buy it here:
L'Oreal EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System™ Nourishing Leave-In Spray

I've recently had to deal with frizzy, brittle, and damaged hair due to dying my hair in June (you can read about it here). I've colored my hair multiple times in the past, but this time around my hair has just not been cooperating. In attempt to "return" my hair back to its natural texture, which is smooth and tangle-free, I have been trying out  L'Oreal's EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System™ Nourishing Leave-In Spray.

 And I have come to conclusion that I love it! 

It mainly interested me because it is a vegan product and doesn't have heavy waxes. In addition to the fact that I have not used a L'Oreal product since I was a child (I loved their fish-shaped packaging). The L'Oreal website states that:

"...Infused with Omega-3 and 6, this lightweight conditioning treatment nourishes hair and restores hydration. Hair is instantly detangled, smoothed and healthy-looking—without any weighdown."

I can attest that this leave-in-conditioner does leave hair "detangled, smooth, and healthy-looking", but most importantly it makes my hair feel healthy. It is recommended that the spray is used with the EverCrème Shampoo and Conditioner, but I believe that the product does a fantastic job on its own. I finger-comb the conditioner when my hair's damp to wet, starting at ear-level and ending at my roots, and allow my hair to air dry overnight. I then wake up to smooth, light-weight, frizz-free hair in the morning! One downfall is that this product isn't great to use on dry hair because it can have the opposite effect it has on wet hair: dry and a little heavy. 

All in all, I definitely recommend this leave-in-conditioner to anyone looking for something to tame damaged hair. 

:) AL 

* Disclaimer: Photo does not belong to me.
   Photo Credit: 2013 L'Oreal Paris

Review: NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder (Sunny Bronzer)

I have to confess that I’m a bronzer addict. And it all started with Cargo Water resistant Bronzer. Followed by Too Faced Park Avenue Princess and Benefit Hoola. Seeing as the aforementioned products aren’t the most wallet friendly, I’m going to review a bronzer that’s just as good and way more affordable. 

NYC Sunny is a matte brown bronzer powder that is awesome for bronzing and contouring. It can be found at many drugstores or supermarkets and comes with a generous amount (0.33oz. / 9.4g). Some people are wary that it’s not a good product because of its affordable price, but I can guarantee you it’s just as good as what you can find at Sephora or a counter.

The cute sun embossed bronzer comes in an orange plastic compact; with a mirror attached on the inside (which always earns a gold star in my book). The plastic piece which joins the flip top and pan isn’t the strongest, but it does the job.

I must point out that those with fairer skin should be careful with application. This is because the bronzer leans a little more orange-tinged than some.

My point is that if you want a trusty and affordable matte bronzer then NYC Sunny should be next on your Wish List.

  

*Under natural light

* Under natural light

xo AL