Fun Drugstore Beauty Finds for the 4th of July

Press Samples (Affiliate Links)

If you have festive plans for the 4th of July, that may also include some include adventurous outdoor excursions, then here are a few fun drugstore finds that you might want to take with you on your adventure. I thought that bright cheery colors and delightful scents would be a fun way to enhance the festive day– whether you are watching the fireworks on the beach with friends, or from your neighbors roof-deck.

1) Mia Flashion Flowers Lighted Flower Headband ($19.99 from Target and Mia Beauty): Perfect for a festival, concert, or any outdoor events. These Flashion Flower™wildflowers will take your outfit to a new level. Simply press the leaf to switch between the four light settings. Each headband has a replaceable battery and a special adjustable strap for a comfortable fit.

These are super fun festival-ready Boho-Chic floral garland headbands that actually light up. Once the sun sets and the fireworks begin– just press the leaf and choose your setting, and your floral tiara will be beautifully illuminated.

2) Streekers Wild Weekend Hair Color ($12.99 from Amazon and Colormetrics): The 4th of July is the perfect occasion to adorn your tresses with fun temporary colors, and STREEKERS Wild Weekend Hair Color is a great choice.

STREEKERS is true temporary hair color with a difference. Instant. Liquid. Washes out when you want it out. Not a mascara, not a crayon, not a paint. But a cool new hair color that uses innovative technology. In 8 vibrant colors: pink, blue, ultra violet, red, green, yellow, orange, purple.

STREEKERS is a stroke of genius at a moment's notice. It's so easy to apply with a sleek, sponge-tip applicator that ensures perfect coverage and control. Streekers can be used over mousse, styling gel or wax and followed by hair spray. Best of all, you can brush your hair after Streekers dries. It won't flake off (unlike other bright temporary hair colors). Your hair will be soft and the color will remain vibrant. STREEKERS shades are vivid on blondes and blonde streaks and show as subtle highlights on darker hair.

3) Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm ($4.49 at ULTA): Baby Lips come in a wide range of shades, and they even have some that contain an SPF. They are buttery smooth and very hydrating, and  are perfect to toss in your bag on the 4th of July.

Clinically proven to make lips 82% visibly less dry, 94% less rough, 77% more supple, and 77% better looking after just four weeks of use! It's clinical care for baby soft lips.

4) SolScents Sunscreens (Reviewed here): These sunscreens come in a wonderful array of scents and sun protection factors, and they moisturize the skin. The company has a deep philanthropic mission, and their seven scented sunscreens correspond to seven different causes to which they donate a percentage of the proceeds from every sale.

SolScents SPF50 Flower Blast Spray (6 oz. for $9.99 from Target) SPF 50 body spray intoxicates your senses with floral notes of Jasmine and Cattleya Orchids as they bloom into a feminine bouquet with an opulent background of creamy musky undertones.

SolScents SPF30 Deep Love Lotion (8 oz. for $9.99 from Target) Swim in an ocean of love when Sugared Plums and Freesia collide to create a passionate aroma with this SPF 30 lotion.

5) Body Fantasies Body Sprays ($5.98 for 8 oz. from Amazon):  I also chose some affordable fragrances since a long day of playing, means you may like a little fragrant pick-me-up (since long days out in the sun at events can feel a bit like camping…). These light and fresh body sprays are super affordable so you won't mind sharing them with your friends– just pop your favorite scent in your bag.

6) Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths ($3.79 for 10 cloths from Amazon): Lightly-fragranced cloths cool skin on contact as they wipe away sweat for long-lasting freshness. Feel energized with a cool silky touch and light citrus scent. Gently wipe the soft, durable cloth on any part of your body - around your neck, chest or under arms - and enjoy cool, instant freshness. 

Not only do these smell great, but they also feel wonderfully cooling against the skin, and they are perfect to toss in your beach bag.

What fun drugstore beauty finds will be making it into your bag on the 4th of July?

Press Samples. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2015 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather 24 hr Eyeshadows in Creamy Beige, Chocolate Suede & Dramatic Black Swatches & Review

Purchased by me (Affiliate Links) 

I am a huge fan of long-wearing cream eye shadows, and I think that Maybelline does an exemplary job with their Color Tattoo range of cream shadows. Therefore, the other day when I happened upon a display featuring their new Color Tattoo Leather at Rite Aid I grabbed three of the colors that I thought that I would use the most. I also picked up another Bad to the Bronze because I seem to have misplaced my old one. Be advised that these displays are starting to appear at local drugstores, but they seem to be selling out quickly. However, Ulta does have them available online, and currently of the colors remain in stock. I suspect that these are Limited Edition, though they are not marked as such on the packaging, but if you see the display you probably should grab what you want before they disappear.

According to Maybelline (from Ulta),

Maybelline's color-boost pigments create powerful color intensity. Their no-mess sifter guarantees easy application. Eye Studio Color Tattoo Leather stays put up to 24 hours. Dare to wear explosive color.

Why You'll Love It: Dare to wear intense eyeshadow color! Double- dipped pigments create double color intensity for your most explosive eyes.

Superior long lasting eyeshadow staying power. Intense pure pigments in our crease-proof, longwearing formula create explosive color for wear up to 24HR.

For Best Results: Apply with Maybelline Expert Eyes Eye Shadow Brush or fingertips, blend to desire.

Top to Bottom and Left to Right: Creamy Beige (80), Dramatic Black (100), Bad to the Bronze (25) and Chocolate Suede (95).

I noticed that the new Color Tattoo Leather Eyeshadows seem creamier then the regular line of Color Tattoo shadows. They spread like a dream, and once they set they really stay put.

Top to Bottom and Left to Right: Creamy Beige (80), Dramatic Black (100), Bad to the Bronze (25) and Chocolate Suede (95), and Tough as Taupe (35) at the far right.

Creamy Beige (Leather)is a beige kissed brown neutral.
Tough as Taupe is a matte grey taupe.
Bad to the Bronze is a gorgeous warm shimmering bronze brown.
Chocolate Suede (Leather) is a gorgeous rich shimmering chocolate brown subtly infused with a golden sheen.
Dramatic Black (Leather) is a sooty charcoal black.

The quality of all of these Color Tattoos is fantastic. However, I have to say that I tried to wear Dramatic Black as an eyeliner, and was less than thrilled with the results. As an eyeliner it applied unevenly and in a patchy manner-- therefore I won't use it as an eyeliner again.

 Chocolate Suede compared to MAC Constructivist:

Overall assessment: Grab them when you see them. If you don't want to drive around trying to find them-- then order them from Ulta. The quality is excellent, and the colors are very nice. Dramatic Black was a miss for me, but Creamy Beige and Chocolate Suede are fabulous. My favorite is definitely Chocolate Suede because it is a stunning shimmering chocolate brown that is easy to wear and truly gorgeous!

$6.99 for 0.14 oz. Available at Ulta, Rite-Aid, & CVS (Affiliate Link).
Purchased by me. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2014 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor: Barely Bronze, Raw Reveal, Nude Embrace and Ravishing Rose (Limited Edition): Review & Swatches

 Purchased by me

As I was walking through the aisles of my local Rite-Aid, I happened upon a Maybelline Limited Edition display that featured these four new nude Color Sensational Lipsticks, and I grabbed all four because they were having a Buy One Get One Half Off sale ($8.89 and $4.39).

According to Maybelline, their Color Sensational Lipcolor provide:

CRISPER COLOR from pure pigments
CREAMIER FEEL from nourishing honey nectar

Fall in love with color, all over again:
 • Crisper color from pure pigments
 • Creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar
 • Lipcolor so rich, so stunning…it’s sensational

 Left to Right: Barely Bronze (960), Raw Reveal (965), Nude Embrace (970) and Ravishing Rose (975).

Barely Bronze (960) is a rosy bronze with a frosty shimmer

Raw Reveal (965) is a nude tan with some shimmer

Nude Embrace (970) is a mauve pink nude with more of a shiny sheen

Ravishing Rose (975) is a light blue-based pink with more of a shiny sheen

These do contain a rather fruity fragrance that does seem to fade after a while, but if you dislike fragrances in your lip products you may want to pass on these. I really like the sheen they provide, and I get a few hours of comfortable wear-time. I find them neither particularly moisturizing, nor in the least bit drying-- therefore they have caused my lips no trouble.

Overall assessment: A lucky find, and on sale no less! You will probably have to hunt around a bit to find these shades, but I think that you will probably like them when you do.

Copyright © 2014 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes in Fresh Pink 05 & Pink Plum 40: Review & Swatches

Purchased by me. Affiliate links.

I have been wanting to try the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes for quite a while, and finally bought two to test out. The real question for me was whether or not I was going to like them once I got beyond the novelty of the springy texture, and I really do like them.

Left to Right: Fresh Pink 05 & Pink Plum 40

According to the company,

Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blush's have a unique bouncy texture that gives you the freshest flush ever! The revolutionary powder-gel formula is lightweight like a powder, yet it melts seamlessly into skin like a cream, for a sheer wash of bouncy-fresh color that lasts!

Freshest flush ever:

• Revolutionary gel formula provides a new bouncy texture.

• Lightweight like a powder, yet melts seamlessly into skin like a cream 

• Natural sheer wash of color that is buildable for greater color intensity

• Dermatologist tested, Allergy tested

• Non comedogenic

As you can see when you press the blush it retains the imprint of your finger.

Directions: With your fingertips, blend a small amount of blush onto the apples of your cheeks, applying from your cheekbones to your temples. To build color intensity, apply more blush. For the most natural look, use fingertips to apply one layer of blush to apples of cheeks in a circular motion. For more intense color, continue to apply additional layers.

My experience: I like the springy texture for its novelty, and it is fun to play with in the same way that it is fun to play with Silly Putty, or in the way that you can smush Wonder Bread (do they even make it anymore?). You can use your fingers as suggested, but I have also found that this formula applies beautifully with a foundation brush. You can definitely build the color, and it applies very smoothly without skipping or settling into pores in my experience. While my skin is combination, my cheeks aren't at all oily-- so I get pretty close to all day wear without fading, but your wear-time may vary. It offers a nice flush of color, and a lovely natural glow. It also doesn't hurt that they are affordable!

 Fresh Pink & Pink Plum

Fresh pink is a lighter blue-based pink, whereas Pink Plum is a slightly darker variant.

Ingredients: Talc, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated C6-14 Olefin Polymers, Diisostearyl Malate, Paraffinum Liquidum / Mineral Oil / Huile Minerale, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hexyl Laurate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol,Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Mica, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides, CI 77007 / Ultramarines, CI 15850 / Red 7, CI 19140 / Yellow 5 Lake, CI 15850 / Red 6, CI 45410 / Red 28 Lake, CI 77120 / Barium Sulfate, CI 73360 / Red 30, CI 15850 / Red 7 Lake, CI 15985 / Yellow 6 Lake].

Overall assessment: I want a few more colors! These are fun and pretty!

$7.99 each at Ulta Buy 1, get 1 at 50% off! (Affiliate link)
Copyright © www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

What's Inside Lola's Secret Beauty Bag? May 2013 Edition

I love seeing what people carry in their makeup bags, and nothing really satisfies the curiosity of voyeuristic makeup magpies (a club to which I clearly belong) than seeing what people love enough to actually carry with them. For me, anything that makes it into my makeup bag is a real keeper, and here is a glimpse at my latest round of keepers!

While I tend to carry far more lip products than any sensible person would need, I did pack more than usual since I was heading out of town for work. These are a few of the things about which I am currently obsessed, but this is hardly a comprehensive list. There are numerous lip products that I have yet to photograph and review that would have been added were it not for the fact that I cannot yet use them.

Here's the breakdown of the things that I am currently carrying in my purse:

1) First I want to give you a sneak preview of my new makeup bag that I am completely in love with. It is the PurseN Classic Make-Up Case in the Versie Pattern. It comes in numerous different patterns, is very affordable at $18.00, and it measures 7-1/2"L x 4"H x 1"W. I will review it soon so that you can see it close up, but it is a joy to use. The large clear window is very convenient in helping you spot what you are looking for- especially when you pack it to the brim as I did!

2) Maybelline Colorsensational Lipcolor in Born With It No. 015: This is such a delightful Pinky Nude lipstick, and with a drugstore price tag! What's not to love?!

3) Susan Thompson Cosmetics Pout Poppers in Peace (review forthcoming): This is a gorgeous golden nude that is about as stunning as it gets. Nobody knows how to make lip plumpers as well as Susan Thompson Cosmetics- they are definitely the best on the market!

4) Susan Thompson Cosmetics Pout Poppers in Mother Nature: I'm so in love with this gorgeous  "angelic pink with gold flecks" that I have been using it everyday! 

5) Le Métier de Beauté Color Core Moisture Stain Lipstick in Palm Springs: This is a gorgeous complex light blue-based pink with the faintest tinge of a mauvey-purple kissed by subtle golden pearl. It's a unique shade, and infinitely wearable. It's just stunning!

6) Susan Thompson Cosmetics Lola's Secret Creamy Lipstick: BEST. PINK. LIPSTICK. EVER! I love Lola's Secret- it is without question the pink lipstick that I have searched for my whole life! The fact that my close friend created it just for me makes it all the more special. Lola's Secret creates the perfect pink pout, and it can be sheered out or built up to maximum vibrancy and opacity. It's amazingly gorgeous.

7) Rouge D'Armani Lipstick No. 501: A succulent beautiful rich pink that continues to charm me. Armani makes amazing lipsticks, and they are undoubtedly among the very best on the market. The Rouge D'Armani formula is simply extraordinary.

8) Tom Ford Lip Lacquer in Pink Lust (LE): I love this formula- it is so moisturizing and comfortable on the lips. That is to say nothing of the fact that this is a gorgeous pearl-rich twinkling pink!

9) Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector No. 04 Petal Shimmer: I am so taken by this lip product that I may just have to add a few more colors to my stash!

10) Burberry Lip Cover in Nude Beige No. 01: The Lip Cover formula is simply amazing, and Nude Beige is an infinitely wearable nude that never makes you look like a corpse! This is definitely one of the prettiest nudes in my collection.

11) Osmia Organics Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair: Lip balm aficionados listen up: you need this lip balm because it is nothing short of amazing! It is the best friend to lips, and the mortal enemy of chapped lips.

12) Susan Thompson Cosmetics Crest Compact: I never leave home without it!

13) Rouge Bunny Rouge Forever Yours...Long-Lasting Lip Pencil in Roald: This has been my favorite lip pencil for quite some time. RBR has an amazingly creamy formula that stays put and never migrates.  Roald is a gorgeous mauve/pink and I reach for it more than any other shade in my stash!

14) Lollia In Love Petite Treat Handcreme: My friend Nicolle gave me this lovely hand cream as a part of my birthday gift this year, and I love it so much that I will most definitely buy a replacement when I finish it. It smells and feels heavenly!

What's in your makeup bag these days?

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipcolor in Born With It No. 015: My New Favorite Pinky Nude Drugstore Lipstick Review & Swatches

Purchased by me

Meet my new favorite pinky nude drugstore lipstick: Maybelline Colorsensational Lipcolor in Born With It!

According to Maybelline, their Colorsensational Lipcolors have "crisper color from pure pigments" and a "creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar". I have yet to find the list of ingredients- it was neither under the label on the package, nor was I able to locate it on the Maybelline website. However, I suspect that it contains other moisturizing agents since my lips feel comfortably hydrated when I wear it. 

 • Crisper color from pure pigments

 • Creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar

 • Lipcolor so rich, so stunning…it’s sensational

Born With It No. 015 is a lovely pinky nude with a creamy shimmer-laden finish. It has a lovely sheen that plays beautifully with the light, but I would not classify the finish as glossy. The coverage is buildable, and looks beautiful whether sheered out or built up to near full opacity. It is comfortable wearing with a nice amount of cushion, and I get several hours of wear out of a single application. There is a fragrance/taste that is somewhat fruity, and that may be a put-off for people who don't like or can't tolerate fragrance in their lip products.

The color is itself divine. It is the perfect pinky nude that is definitely a more cool blue-based color that works very well with my complexion.

Overall assessment: I am really loving Born With It! It is well worth your consideration if you love nude pinks! 

I purchased mine from CVS during a sale, and spent around $4.00. However, the regular price is between $6.50-$8.50 depending on where you shop. Stock image from Maybelline. (unaffiliated links provided for your convenience).

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational: Petal Rebel and Pink Possibilities Review & Swatches

Purchased by me.

After having initially purchased 4 of the Maybelline Color Whispers (reviewed here), I liked them enough to buy 2 more. This time I decided to pick up to different shades of pink with a touch more pigmentation than the other colors that I bought.

According to Maybelline,

• Pure color pigments suspended in a weightless gel.
• No heavy waxes or oils. 
• Soft, sexy gel-color.

 Top: Petal Rebel No. 60, Bottom: Pink Possibilities No. 65

  Left: Petal Rebel No. 60, Right: Pink Possibilities No. 65

Top: Pink Possibilities No. 65, Bottom: Petal Rebel No. 60

Pink Possibilities No. 65 (top) is a lovely mid-tone pink. The color and saturation is buildable.
Petal Rebel No. 60 (bottom) is a lighter blue-based petal pink. This is a soft and feminine pink.

As previously noted in my initial review, "I find that the Colors Whispers are incredibly comfortable on the lips, but the formula isn't terribly moisturizing. However, the four shades that I purchased didn't dry out my lips either. It is a very light gel formula that remains weightless on the lips, and imparts a lovely shine with light pigmentation. This isn't a long-wearing formula, and frequent reapplication is necessary in order to maintain the pretty lightly pigmented shine. Since I didn't choose any of the more pigmented shades, I cannot comment on their pigmentation or longevity. There is a faint floral fruity scent that quickly fades upon application."

When compared to Revlon Lip Butters, the Maybelline Color Whispers feel lighter on the lips, are less moisturizing, are generally less pigmented, and aren't as long-wearing. You may think that this means that I much prefer the Revlon Lip Butters to the Maybelline Color Whispers, but I really like both and find them significantly different from one another.

Overall assessment: I really like the Color Whisper formula because it feels so wonderfully light on the lips while maintaining a nice shine and light sheer color. It isn't a long-wearing formula, but reapplication doesn't bother me. I do wish that they were formulated to be moisturizing, but perhaps more importantly they are not drying on my lips. Pink Possibilities No. 65 and Petal Rebel No. 60 are both lovely pinks that I will be reaching for often!

I purchased mine at Rite-Aid where they were on sale (buy one, get one half off). Regular price $7.19 each.

Nothing to disclose. Not an affiliate link, but simply included for your convenience.

Maybelline Color Whisper by Color Sensational: Bare to Be Bold, Some Like It Taupe, Lust for Blush and One Size Fits Pearl Review & Swatches

Purchased by me.

Since the launch of the new Maybelline Color Whispers, I have been waiting to find some that had not been opened and used by customers (why oh why don't drugstores just have testers in order to avert this problem?!). I finally came upon a display that had not been ransacked, and that actually had a few unsullied products left. Of the 20 shades available, I opted to buy 4 of them.

Left to Right: Bare to Be Bold (10), Some Like It Taupe (15), Lust for Blush (25) & One Size Fits Pearl (55).

According to Maybelline,

• Pure color pigments suspended in a weightless gel.
• No heavy waxes or oils. 
• Soft, sexy gel-color.

 The four colors that I chose are quite sheer, even after several passes.

Left to Right: Bare to Be Bold (10), Some Like It Taupe (15), Lust for Blush (25) & One Size Fits Pearl (55).

Bare to Be Bold is a very sheer beige nude.

Some Like it Taupe is a slightly more pigmented caramel kissed taupe nude

Lust for Blush is a soft pretty mid-tone rosy pink

One Size Fits Pearl is a sheer baby pink

I find that the Colors Whispers are incredibly comfortable on the lips, but the formula isn't terribly moisturizing. However, the four shades that I purchased didn't dry out my lips either. It is a very light gel formula that remains weightless on the lips, and imparts a lovely shine with light pigmentation. This isn't a long-wearing formula, and frequent reapplication is necessary in order to maintain the pretty lightly pigmented shine. Since I didn't choose any of the more pigmented shades, I cannot comment on their pigmentation or longevity. There is a faint floral fruity scent that quickly fades upon application. Overall, I am quite pleased with the formula- and I suspect that I will probably pick up a couple more of them.

When compared to Revlon Lip Butters, the Maybelline Color Whispers feel lighter on the lips, are less moisturizing, are generally less pigmented, and aren't as long-wearing. You may think that this means that I much prefer the Revlon Lip Butters to the Maybelline Color Whispers, but I really like both and find them significantly different from one another.

Overall assessment: I really like the Color Whisper formula because it feels so wonderfully light on the lips while maintaining a nice shine and light sheer color. It isn't a long-wearing formula, but reapplication doesn't bother me. I do wish that they were formulated to be moisturizing, but perhaps more importantly they are not drying on my lips.

I purchased mine at Rite-Aid where they were on sale (buy one, get one half off). Regular price $7.19 each.

Nothing to disclose. Not an affiliate link, but simply included for your convenience.