Product Reviews I: Make-up

All of my couponing in the last few months has given me the opportunity to try out quite a few new products. I've mostly been impressed with the new things I've tried, but there are a few things that I'm sorry to report are less than stellar. When I started this post, I thought I would just write on a few things. But as I've worked on it, I've found that there are a lot of things I could write on. So, I'm going to divide this into a three part series. I'll start with something fun - cosmetics!!!

Foundation

Maybelline FIT Me!

I received a huge fold out cardboard display in the mail about 2 months ago, giving tiny samples of all the various shades of this foundation. I was really excited because, though it wasn't enough to cover the face by any means, it was just enough to put a sample on the jaw bone and see if it matched your skin. When I found a sale at Target a few weeks later, I was able to go in with my coupon that they sent me and get the shade I found that matched the best. Well, unfortunately - it didn't match well at all. It's much too dark for my skin shade. I can only gather that this is my fault. I will likely save this foundation and use it in the summer when I'm typically a little darker skinned. It is a little more runny than I generally like, and the coverage is very light. I felt it very necessary to use my concealer for the "trouble spots" as well - which presented an interesting look considering my concealer is the right shade for my face. After the coupon - paired with the sale, I think I only paid about $5.00.

L'Oreal True Match 

I had no big color wheel to help me out on this one, but there was a nifty little thing at CVS that allowed you to hold up a sample to the inside of your wrist and see what matched best. I debated and debated, and finally picked one that turned out to be a little too light. Maybe I should mix it with the Maybelline for just the right shade?!?!?! :) I was really disappointed in this one. I generally like L'Oreal make-up, but this has kind of a funny smell and is very runny. The coverage seems to be decent considering how runny it is, but I felt kind of pasty after putting it on. I did buy this on sale at CVS, with a coupon, and using ECB's - so my out of pocket was quite minimal (maybe $1-2). 

Covergirl NatureLuxe Silk

I received a sample in the mail (it is one I signed up for) with two different shades. There was enough in each sample for me to get several applications out of them - which was really nice. I was really impressed with how smooth and silky it was. It was a nice, thicker consistency and spread easily and evenly across my skin. I was also impressed at how well the samples matched my skin color. I had to choose from images online, and with my track record of not picking the right shade, I was a little skeptical. But these were perfect for now and for later in the summer. After using these two samples for a few days, I was convinced this was what I wanted to try. CVS had a sale last week on Covergirl, so I was able to pair it with a coupon and get the foundation (normally priced at a whopping $12.99 for 1 oz) for about $6. I've been using it this week and have been very pleased with it. 

On the flip side, I've been a loyal Mary Kay make-up user for the past 10 years. I've loved everything that I have ever used of theirs and I have a fantastic rep who is so helpful, quick in replying to emails with questions, and always has my order shipped to me (for free) within 2 days! Oh, and did I mention that she has 11 children that she homeschools? And she's pregnant with her 12th?!?!?! She's AMAZING! So, if you're in the market for Mary Kay, click here and she'll take great care of you! Anyway - I've been using MK Medium-Coverage foundation for 8 years and LOVE it - and it's only $15. The only reason I've deviated over the past 4-6 months is because I was trying to pinch pennies and had all these coupons for make-up. Since I've been using the MK for so long, I also wanted to try out some of the newer things on the market now that weren't there before, and see if I could find a better/cheaper option. Well - the Covergirl NatureLuxe is the only thing that I've found that even comes close to competing. And, if I had to pay full price for the Covergirl ($12.99 at CVS), then I would definitely just go ahead and get the Mary Kay!

Mascara

Rimmel - Extra Super Lash

I got this mascara only because I had coupon stacks at Target that provided me with overage. I did need mascara, and I thought that if I actually liked this product, it would be a bonus. Well, it's ok. Like I said before, I've been using MK make-up for years and I love their mascara - but it is about $10 and I reasoned that at the cost of nothing, I might as well try the Rimmel. Well, I gave it a good try - about 2 months worth and people, I'm here to tell you - it's not even close to the same. I was ok with it until I got a sample of Clinique's High Impact Mascara in the mail about 3 days ago. I think I was trying to convince myself that the Rimmel was fine and that there wasn't that much of a difference. Well, I used the Clinique on Sunday and it was so wonderful! The brush has so many more bristles, the consistency of the mascara itself is just so much smoother. My eyelashes don't clump together and I don't have to rub the side of the wand against the side of the tube to take off excess mascara. There really is no comparison. I just checked the Clinique website, and the mascara really isn't as pricey as I thought it would be - only $14.50. Now that's a far cry from free + overage, but if you're anything like me, I will spend a little more money on things that I am actually putting on/in my body (facial products, lotions, foods, etc.), if I'm getting higher quality. I think this is a good example of having given something a try, but finding it not such a great "deal". Sometimes there are reasons why things are so cheap... :)

Tune in to the next installment for a review of facial/body lotions, and soaps/body washes! Plus, if you've tried some new things recently and have thoughts you'd like to share, leave a comment with your review!