The Makeup Wars! Team decided that each one of us would feature our favorite product from Wet n Wild, and while I have scarce few products from the brand, I do have a definite favorite! As someone with a serious penchant for taupe eyeshadows, I long ago discovered the original Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty, and now have their reformulated ,and brand new, version of the same shadow.
Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty is a beautiful taupe shimmer that is surprisingly creamy and smooth for such an affordable shadow. It glides across the skin effortlessly, deposits color evenly, blends perfectly and it is long-wearing. When it does fade, it does so evenly.
According to Wet n Wild,
Make those striking eyes of yours pop with our improved Color Icon eyeshadow formula. We’ve combined super-saturated pigmentation and pearlescents into our go-to singles. The satiny texture feels as good as it looks–sans fading or creasing–with better blendability and major staying power.
I happened to still have a depotted pan of the original Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty, and therefore thought that I would compare it to the newly reformulated version. The first, and most obvious difference is that the original Icon Shadows had embossed surfaces, and the new versions boast smooth surfaces. I detect no difference in the texture or longevity, but there is a negligible difference in color between the original and reformulated formulas. I would say that the old formula is a touch cooler and slightly deeper in hue, whereas the new version is a tiny bit warmer and lighter.
Many stores are selling through their original formulas and do not appear to have the new Icon Eyeshadow singles yet, but I most definitely recommend making this guilt-free purchase if you love taupe eyeshadows.
Overall Assessment: For less than a dollar, you really can't go wrong! Please click on the Makeup Wars! Team blogger badges below to see their Wet n Wild picks!
Wet n Wild Natural Blend Lip Shimmer is a high shimmer lip balm with great pigmentation that effectively moisturizes and nourishes the lips. It feels great on the lips, has a minty scent that is ultra-refreshing, and it comes in a nice selection of colors. If you love tinted lip balms that are affordable, then you should take a look at these.
According to Wet n Wild,
Your lips will thank you! This amazing lip balm keeps lips chap-free with a brilliant shimmer and a beautiful hint of luminescent color. This natural, healthy-for-you formula is infused with calming ingredients of vitamins and natural oils to keep lips moisturized and nourished. This conditioning and enhancing lip shimmer not only makes you look great, but is great for you!
Features:
Made of all-natural, renewable, non-synthetic ingredients
Natural conditioning formula infused with calming ingredients of vitamins and natural oils
Nourishes lips with a hint of moisturizing color and shimmer
Overall Assessment: Enviable pigmentation and high shine are hallmarks of these moisturizing tinted lip balms, and at this price point you just can't go wrong. However, if you do not like minty lip balms, then these won't likely be a good fit for you– even though the mint flavor does dissipate quickly.
Back to School shopping can be very expensive, and for those going off, or returning, to college these expenses can become rather daunting. Between the continual tuition hikes, the stratospheric cost of books, the mandatory health insurance (at least at my university), the exorbitant rents, and the high cost of food– most students have very little discretionary income left to buy incidentals.
Given that I teach at a big university, I spend a lot of time with undergraduate and graduate students, and many of them tell me about their living conditions in the dorms, sorority houses, and in off-campus housing. Trust me when I tell you, that I am continually shocked by some of the goings on that they have to deal with while trying to get an undergraduate or advanced degree. They often live 6 or more deep in a 3 bedroom apartment sharing a single bathroom in order to be able to afford the high cost of housing. Given that so many have communal bathrooms and tight quarters, there is a natural tendency to end up sharing some beauty products (whether willingly or unwillingly). Therefore, in addition to selecting affordable makeup and body care products, I also sought out a few affordable, and larger sized, grooming products that could be left in the bathroom and shared amongst the roommates.
With Fall Semester less than a month away, and Fall Quarter less than two months away, many college and university students are already beginning to shop for the new academic year. Here are a few drugstore picks to start out the new school year without breaking the budget.
SOHO Disney Makeup Bags ($7.99-$11.99 at Walgreens): LONDON SOHO NEW YORK makes all sorts of super cute and affordable makeup bags, makeup brushes and makeup sponges that are embellished with Disney favorites. These are great for storing your makeup and other things that you don't want to leave in the bathroom, or share for sanitary reasons. They can easily be stowed in your room and will keep all of your daily go-to items at your fingertips.
This summer, LONDON SOHO NEW YORK® teamed up with Walgreens to offer another dreamy Disney collection of cosmetic bags – this time featuring Ariel, Mulan and Pocahontas. Available exclusively at Walgreens, the Dare to Dream collection contains six new cosmetic bags that will keep you styled like a Disney Princess on your next adventure!
This imaginative line including a weekender, organizer, clutch and round top purse kit is inspired by the ambitious spirits of these inspiring leading ladies. Known for durable, long-lasting and on-trend cosmetic bags, this latest collection blends these courageous characters and functional design to dare you to dream like a Disney Princess.
SOHO Disney Belle Enchanted Eyes 3 Piece Brush Set ($12.99 at Walgreens): This three piece brush set is all you really need to apply your daily eye makeup. The brushes are good quality, easy to use, highly effective, and they don't shed.
Belle Enchanted Eyes Brush Set includes:
Medium Fluff Brush – Short round shape creates depth and detail.
Large Fluff Brush – Soft, fluffy bristles allow shadow to glide across eyelids with ease.
Flat Angled Liner Brush – Angled shape creates flawless lines and can be used with powder, gel or cream liner.
Material: Nylon bristles
SOHO Spellbound Beauty Sponge ($9.99 at Walgreens): Its unique shape works well with both liquid and cream foundations. The pointed end is perfectly suited for small spaces like the inner corner of eyes and nose, and the wide base is intended for all-over blending.
Material: Non-latex sponge
NYC New York Color HD Waterproof Automatic Eyeliner (Reviewed here. $2.00 each from Target, Walmart and CVS): These beautifully pigmented eyeliners are creamy and tug free, but once they set they are long-lasting and budge-proof. They are gorgeous and affordable, and well worth having.
HD Automatic Eyeliner makes your dream eye look easy and speedy. This skinny pencil just twists up to reveal a perfect point that makes applying color a breeze. At the other end is a brilliant pro-style blending tool for customising your look.
Top to Bottom: Turquoise, Navy Blue, Black and Dark Brown
Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty ($0.99 from Drugstore.com and Walgreens): This is such a pretty golden taupe, and it has a lovely creamy texture that effortlessly glides across the lids and it deposits color evenly. For this price you can buy one for your roommate so that she doesn't use yours!
High-pigmentation and pearl-density create a unique, satiny texture that lasts and lasts. A versatile collection of classic and trend shades can be easily worn alone or playfully combined for a variety of looks.
Ingredients: Dimethicone, Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Magnesium Stearate, Nylon-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Boron Nitride, Polyethylene, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
COVERGIRL Intensify Me! Liquid Liner (Reviewed here. $8.99 from ULTA and Drugstore.com): This is one of my favorite liquid liners these days because the uniquely shaped paddle allows for the finest lines when turned on end, and because the flat side effortlessly achieves a bold and thick cat eye.
Get the control of a pencil with the intensity of a liquid eyeliner for beautifully defined eyes every time with CoverGirl's Intensify Me! Liquid Liner. Their paddle-shaped tip gives you two looks in one - thick and dramatic or thin and elegant. The intense black formula glides on smoothly and dries quickly for instant drama.
Note the difference in thickness between the flat side and the thin edge.
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Foundation with Comfort Serum ($6.99-$7.99 for 1 oz. from Target, ULTA, Walgreens and Drugstore.com): This is my new favorite drugstore foundation because it offers light to medium coverage with a very natural finish. My skin looks and feels hydrated, smooth and glowing. Rimmel claims that it is "party-proof, transfer-proof and leaves you with flawless looking skin around the clock" and lasts 24 hours, and I agree with all of these claims, except that I can't verify the 24 hour wear-time because of my unwillingness to sleep in my makeup.
Lasting Finish 25 Hour Full Coverage, our first long wear foundation with comfort serum for feel good, flawless skin that stays put morning to night. Stay-true makeup applies smoothly and evenly, concealing dark circles and imperfections. Leaves skin looking flawless all day long. Transfer resistant for up to 25 hours. New skin-friendly comfort serum for instant hydration, lightweight and extra comfortable wear all day. Vitamin E helps provide additional skin barrier from free radicals.
Rimmel Keep Calm Lip Balms (Reviewed here. $2.50 for 0.13 oz. from Amazon and Walmart): These are fun, whimsical and very moisturizing lip balms that leave lips soft and supple. Of the three shades that I have, only Keep Calm and Party offers any real color payoff. They offer sheer washes of color, and therefore no mirror is needed for application.
According to Rimmel London, their Keep Balm Lip Balms are moisturizing with a "touch of fun and flirty colors."
Claims:
• Enriched formula with moisturizing oils that calm, soften and protect lips for hours
• Instantly increases lip moisture by 22%*
(*Clinical study: Percent change from untreated bare lips)
Keep Calm and Shop is a peachy nude shade in the tube, but it actually appears quite clear when it is applied to the lips.
Keep Calm and Play (Rose Blush) appears to be an orate coral shade in the tube, and it is a very sheer pinky coral on me
Keep Calm and Party (Violet Blush) is a purple-kissed berry with more pigmentation and color pay off than the other two shades.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color ($4.99 each from ULTA, Amazon, Walgreens and Target) Left to Right: Leapin' Lilac (380), Plummet (422) and Cherry Fast (421). I am completely obsessed with these gorgeous polishes. One coat for full opaque coverage in gorgeous colors, and for less than $5.00 each! I have worn them for over a week on my fingers and toes without any chipping, so it is safe to say that they are definitely well worth having.
Leapin' Lilac is a gorgeous lavender
Plummet is a deep and rich royal purple
Cherry Fast is bright mid-tone blue-based pink
Nail color covers in just one coat, brilliantly. The Perfectionist Brush contours to any nail, so color always glides on precisely, quickly, flawlessly. And, the exclusive Flexiglass Complex combines beautiful, brilliant shine and super-strong wear. So simple, so Sally.
Ingredients: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Triphenyl Phosphate, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Benzophenone-1, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Ethyl Tosylamide, Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), FD&C Yellow No. 5 Aluminum Lake (CI 19140), FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake (CI 42090), D&C Red No. 6 Barium Lake (CI 15850), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), D&C Red No. 7 Calcium Lake (CI 15850), D&C Red No. 34 Calcium Lake (CI 15880), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), D&C Yellow No. 11 (CI 47000), D&C Black No. 2 (CI 77266).
BIC Simply Soleil Click Razor ($7.00 from ULTA and Amazon): The BIC Simply Soleil Click Razor offers a very close shave, and the soothing cocoa butter moisture strip leaves legs silky smooth and hydrated! This is a wonderful razor at a very affordable price.
BIC is announcing the launch of the newest addition to its Soleil® line of women’s razors, BIC® Simply Soleil Click™. The product is BIC’s newest razor for women, offering a disposable handle and six 3-blade cartridges.
The functionality of Simply Soleil Click gives women a simplified shaving experience, offering the convenience of replaceable cartridges at the value of a disposable razor.
Each Simply Soleil Click cartridge features a soothing moisture strip that is 2.5 times larger than the average BIC razor moisture strip, which pampers skin and leaves legs silky after each shave.
BIC Simply Soleil Click offers:
One (1) new, brightly-colored disposable handle and six disposable cartridges in each package (refills not sold separately)
Three (3) blades for a flawlessly smooth shave
A soothing moisture strip with cocoa butter
OGX Healing + Vitamin E Collection: If you have dry, color treated, or curly hair, then this is a great collection to try. The shampoo is non-stripping and gentle on even the driest hair. The conditioner is deeply nourishing and hydrating, and it leaves hair soft, silky and shiny. The penetrating oil combats frizz swiftly and efficiently, and it smells delicious!
Bursting with healing, nutrient-rich ingredients, OGX introduces its new Healing + Vitamin E collection, developed to repair damaged hair and restore vitality. Known for its healing and reparative properties, Vitamin E smoothes the surface of the hair, combating frizz and mending split-ends, while reducing the risk of future breakage. Penetrating deep into each strand, it hydrates the hair, increasing its strength and elasticity. Highly nourishing, it also helps to reverse damage caused by heat tools and daily styling.
Give your hair its daily dose of vitamins with this nutrient-packed shampoo. Its moisturizing formula blend penetrates strands to help increase strength and elasticity, while healing Vitamin E smooths from root to tip.
OGX Healing + Vitamin E Conditioner leaves my hair hydrated, manageable, detangled and frizz-free. I can even get a comb through my curly hair after using this conditioner!
Lower your risk for breakage and dullness with this conditioner that will leave your locks looking smooth and healthy.
This concentrated infusion of Vitamin E helps heal brittle, damaged hair with just a few drops. Evenly distribute one drop to give hair nourishment and to prevent breakage
Bodycology Moroccan Sunset Moisturizing Body Wash ($3.99 for 16 oz. from Target): This is a non-stripping moisturizing cleanser that leaves the skin soft and thoroughly cleansed. It has a warm fruity floral scent that makes the whole bathroom smell great.
The sensual fragrance of sweet passionfruit and blooming hibiscus flowers leave you feeling exotic and inspired. Our ultra moisturizing body wash is formulated with Shea Butter & Vitamin E to keep skin feeling hydrated and irresistably smooth.
Piper's Perfumery Fragrance Mists ($4.48 for 8.3 oz. from Walmart): Available in a wide variety of fruity and floral scents, these light body fragrances are affordable and large enough to share with your housemates.
Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturizer in Aloe Soothe ($5.84-$8.40 for 6.5 oz. from Drugstore.com, Amazon, Walgreens and Target): I have to confess that I am rather obsessed with this moisturizer, in part because it has a delectable fresh green scent that is very refreshing. It is a fast absorbing and ultra moisturizing lotion that sprays out as a foam, and it leaves skin soft, supple, hydrated and luminous. It is actually quite concentrated– so be mindful that a little goes a long way.
Features:
Moisturizes and absorbs in seconds to help heal dry skin
LA LOOKS Mega Mega Hold ($2.69-$2.99 from Walgreens, Drugstore.com and Amazon): If you are looking for a strong holding gel that won't flake or leave your hair feeling hard and unnatural, then this is a good bet at a great price. It feels lightweight and non-sticky, but keeps hair right where you want it.
Get a grip!... on ultimate hold and control with L.A. Looks mega mega hold gel. It lets you shape, spike, mold or slick your hard-to-hold hair into the style that will get you noticed. Made with TriActive Hold ingredients for absolute fixation, absolute resistance and absolute durability that will last all day long. This is one gel that won't flake-out on you, and it is alcohol free, lightweight and non-sticky for a smooth finish. Safe for color treated hair.
LA LOOKS Volumizing Mousse(Walgreens, Amazon): This mousse offers flexible hold without leaving hair greasy or weighed down. Hair remains soft and touchable without looking or feeling as though it is loaded with styling products.
Want to turn up the volume on your locks, but don’t want that crunchy feeling? LA Looks volumizing Mousse bodifies hair with lightweight hold and shine that doesn’t weight your hair down. Amp up your locks with soft and touchable finish that lasts all day.
LA LOOKS Define & Shine ($2.69- from Walgreens and Drugstore.com): This styling gel boasts a humidity-resistant formula the offers frizz control while it smooths the tresses and leaves behind a lovely shine. This is a great gel for curly hair and hair prone to frizz.
Love the shine of a serum but need the hold of a gel? This advanced formula coats and seals the hair cuticle to tame frizz while offering humidity-resistant resins that help smooth hair and Micro-Crystalline shine enhancers to deliver a luminous shine.
Overall Assessment: Great products at affordable prices are imperative for most college students, and these are but a few that will let you do some pampering without breaking your budget.
What are your favorite drugstore budget-friendly finds?
A wonderful longtime reader sent me an email asking whether I had any suggestions for great quality drugstore taupe eyeshadows. Therefore, on my trip to Rite Aid I scoured the makeup aisle to see what I turned up. I came home with two L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow Crayons and one Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single. I love crayon eyeshadow sticks and figured that I would try two since Rite-Aid was having a Buy One Get One Half-Off Sale, and the already affordable Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Singles were on sale for an additional 40% Off making them about .60 each!
L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow Crayons in Impressive Brown No. 702 and Forever Taupe No. 700 and Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty.
L'Oreal describes their Infallible Eye Shadow Crayon, as an "ultra-intense smudge-proof eye crayon lasts from dawn until dusk and beyond, up to a full 24 hours. The smooth, creamy, long-wearing formula delivers easy-to-wear colour for any occasion. It’s now easy to create endless runway-inspired, colorful eye looks with just one product. Blend multiple colors together or use them individually for a monochromatic look."
They are creamy, ultra pigmented crayons that apply smoothly and evenly without skipping or pulling. This formula is long-wearing, gives you adequate time to blend out before setting, and can be used as a shadow or liner.
Impressive Brown is a rich and beautiful brown, but I selected it because it appeared to be a taupe brown in the closed tube. It wasn't until I got it home and swatches it that I saw that it wasn't so much a taupe brown, but more of a rich and beautiful brown. It has lovely multicolored shimmer that adds depth to the shadow.
Forever Taupe, on the other hand, is indeed a taupe. Any warmth in the underlying base shade is radically cooled down by the cool silvered shimmer. It is a definite stunner.
Nutty is a beautiful warm taupe with shimmer. It is surprisingly creamy, it glides across the skin effortlessly, and is long-wearing. When it does fade, it does so evenly.
According to Wet n Wild their Color Icon Eyeshadow Singles offer, "high-pigmentation and pearl-density" to create a "unique, satiny texture that lasts and lasts." They further assert that this range of eyeshadows is "a versatile collection of classic and trend shades can be easily worn alone or playfully combined for a variety of looks."
Interestingly, when I first swatches Impressive Brown and Forever Taupe they appeared to be remarkably similar, but when I moved my arm about in the natural light each revealed their true character.
Top to Bottom: L'Oreal Impressive Brown, Forever Taupe and Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty.
The shimmer in all three shadows is subtle enough to be daytime appropriate.
Left to Right: L'Oreal Impressive Brown (thin swatch and thick swatch) and Forever Taupe (thin swatch and thick swatch).
Varied lighting and soft-focus demonstrates the extent to which the Infallible Eye Shadow Crayons twinkle.
Below is the L'Oreal display in case you go looking for it!
L'Oreal Infallable Eye Shadow Crayon Ingredients: Isododecane Cyclopentasiloxane Peg/Ppg-19/19 Dimethicone Synthetic Wax Hydrogenated Polydicyclopentadiene Nylon-12 C20-40 Alcohols Perfluorononyl Dimethicone Polyethylene Terephthalate Silica Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate Calcium Sodium Borosilicate Polyethylene Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Polyurethane-11 Tin Oxide [+/- May Contain / Peut Contenir Mica Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides Ci 77007 / Ultramarines Ci 77510 / Ferric Ferrocyanide Ci 42090 / Blue 1 Lake Ci 77288 / Chromium Oxide Greens Ci 75470 / Carmine Ci 77000 / Aluminum Powder].
Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty Ingredients:
Overall Assessment: Pretty, high quality and affordable x3! Nice job.
