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Outfit of the Day and My Current Fall Style

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I love fashion just as much as I love beauty products, and the change of seasons always brings clothing to the front of my mind, so once in a while, I like to share what I've been wearing. So far, we've been very lucky here in New England...it's been really mild for this time of year and I've only needed to wear a jacket a handful of times. Most of the time, I'm just in a cozy sweater, skinny jeans and flats or boots. 
These days, my style is what I would describe as "classic casual". Some people might consider it "boring" or "safe", but as a stay-at-home mom of a toddler, I value function and comfort over taking fashion risks. But I still like to look pulled together, so I try to select casual pieces that have a nice drape and fit. 
I almost always spend my money and splurge on items like bags, coats and shoes because I wear them every single day and they get a lot of use, so I need them to last and also be comfortable. I always look for classic styles that will last for years...that way, it's not too much of a splurge when you break the cost down per wear. 

But when it comes to clothing, I try to stay within a much smaller budget. My weight is always fluctuating +5 or -5 (or +10 this time of year, haha!) so I'm constantly running into issues with fit, especially when it comes to pants. I don't want to buy expensive, designer clothes only to be rotating them out when they get too snug or too loose. So I try to find items that will look classic, but cost very little. Plus, if I do want to indulge in a trend, I won't feel bad when I give it to Goodwill the following year! 
Forever 21 Fuzzy Turtleneck Sweater C/O ($24.90), Forever 21 Classic Skinny Jeans ($7.90), Kate Spade Emerson Place Carson Quilted Crossbody Bag ($298), Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats $225 (similar), Daniel Wellington Watch ($199), Chloe Sunglasses (style no longer made, similar ones here)
Forever 21 is one of my go-to stores because they have such a huge range of styles and fits, I can always find something there (and you don't have to be a teenager...I'm 38!). I especially like their Contemporary line because the cuts are a little more generous and the dresses and skirts aren't as short as they are in the regular line. It can be a little overwhelming to shop on their site because there's so much to choose from, but I usually just use the search box to find what I'm looking for, for example, I'll type in "turtleneck sweater" or "shift dress" so I don't have to look through 100 pages of things I'm not interested in. 
Here's an outfit I put together using pieces from Forever 21 and some of my splurge pieces, and it's similar to what I would wear on an every day basis. Let's take a closer look...
I'm obsessed with this Fuzzy Turtleneck sweater($24.90). It has a longer length that's perfect over skinny jeans (or even leggings) and it has the look of wool without being itchy. In fact, it's super soft and sooo cozy...I want to live in it! It feels really well made and has a bit of stretch too. Unfortunately, this sold out just after I ordered it, so at the time of this post, it's out of stock. But you can sign up on the website to be notified when it's back in stock again. In the meantime, these are similar...here and here.
TheseClassic Skinny Jeansare also from Forever 21 and are only $7.90! And yes, that isn't a misprint! I own several pairs of these in different sizes because hey, why not? When my weight fluctuates, I always have jeans that'll fit. They're the perfect ankle length (I'm 5'6 and jeans are always too long on me) and are perfect for wearing with flats and also for tucking into boots because there isn't a lot of extra fabric. They're also a very thin denim with stretch so they're really comfy...it feels like you're wearing almost nothing. Over time, they do stretch out a little bit, so I just replace them every year...I mean, they're $7.90!

Daniel Wellington Sheffield Womens Watch ($199)

I paired this with my Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats$225 (I have the older style with the scrunchy back that they don't make anymore...new style is here) and my Kate Spade Emerson Place Carson Quilted Crossbody Bag ($298), which I got on sale at Lord & Taylor back when they had a friends and family sale.  Actually, Kate Spade handbags are on Gilt.com right now, and they have mini Carson crossbody bags for $99!

I also never leave home without my Daniel Wellington Sheffield Watch ($199)...it's such a classic style and I love the oversized face and rose gold accents. Also the band can be changed out, so I also have a whiskey-colored leather band that I use with different outfits.

Finally, these Chloe sunglasses that I got for 70% off on Gilt.com a while back block out all the light and are perfect for driving.


So that's an example of a typical daily outfit for me! What about you? What's your style/favorite place to shop? What do you like to splurge on? 

New Physicians Formula Eye Boosters Spotted at Bed Bath & Beyond

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Earlier in the week, I spotted some new Physicians Formula Eye Boosters at Bed, Bath & Beyond. I took a few photos but I was in a bit of a hurry so I didn't take as many as I wanted to. Thankfully, reader @taraaroth on Instagram tagged me in a bunch of photos she took and agreed to let me share them with you guys! Let's take a look...

In this display, there's a new two-step fiber mascara called the Instant Doll Lash Extension Kit. At first, I thought it was a re-promote of the fiber formula they launched earlier this year, but then I remembered that the previous version was called Eye Boost Instant Lash Extensions, while this one has "Doll Lash" added to it, so it's definitely a different version.
It claims to give your lashes an "extra long, extra lifted, extra defined" look. I wasn't crazy about the last one, because it ended up being really messy and I got fibers in my eyes and all over my face. I usually prefer mascaras that have fibers already mixed into the formula, but I'm still willing to give this one a try because those results look pretty incredible.

Next is the 4-in-1 Brow Boosting Kit, which contains two products...a brow gel with a comb attachment, and a double-ended brow pencil/highlighting crayon. Basically everything you need to fill in and sculpt your brows!

Finally, there are two new eyeliners (in the photo below someone put the mascara in the felt-tipped eyeliner spot in the display). The first one is a 2-in-1 Ergonomic Felt-Tip Eyeliner + Serum, and the other is a 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Cushion Eyeliner Serum. I'm excited about the cushion eyeliner! I wonder if it's a dupe for the Stila ones that came out over the summer?

Here are some close-ups from reader @tararoth on Instagram...notice the $6 rebate stickers on the packages! Unfortunately, they're the mail-in kind which Physicians Formula seems to have gravitated towards these days. I miss the instant rebate that you just peeled off and used right at the register. I can never be bothered to do mail-in rebates...they usually take months to get back to you.
Pic: @tararoth on Instagram
Looking at the back of the mascara box, I have to say the results look really impressive!
Pic: @tararoth on Instagram
The interesting thing about the new eyeliners is that they claim to contain a Lash Boosting serum that helps your lashes to appear "defined, glamourous and dramatic".
Pic: @tararoth on Instagram

Pic: @tararoth on Instagram


Pic: @tararoth on Instagram
Here are the "lash boosting results" on the back of the eyeliner box...pretty interesting (if it works!).
Pic: @tararoth on Instagram
Have you seen these new Physicians Formula products in stores yet? Which ones are peaking your interest? 

L'Oreal Spring 2016 is Here!

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This time of year, I try to check Bed, Bath & Beyond as often as I can, because new products start popping up almost every day. This morning I was so excited to see new L'Oreal products, including the True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation, Les Monos Eyeshadows and Contour kits I posted about back in October!  I took a bunch of pictures for you guys, so let's take closer look...


I'm so excited to see a cushion foundation make its way to the drugstore! I've been using the Laneige Cushion Compact for almost 2 years now, but it's expensive, even though you can get it at Target now. I have also tried several cushion compacts from Etude House which are more affordable but not always easy to get from Korea. I love cushion foundations simply because they're so easy to use...just pat and go. I'm excited to see how these stack up to the Korean versions I've tried. I'm also intrigued because it's under the name "True Match Lumi" so I'm wondering if it has shimmer in the formula like the other "lumi" products from L'Oreal.


It comes in 12 shades, and you can choose from Cool, Neutral, or Warm tones.

A nice feature of this display are these shade selection cards. They have three strips on them that you can peel off and stick to your skin...well, ideally to your face but I didn't have a mirror so I stuck them on my hand. I have cool toned skin but going by these stickers, the cool shades looked a little pink next to my skin color. I don't want to look even pinker than I already am, so I decided to try a neutral shade, since they can be worn by people who are either cool or warm toned.

Next up are the Infallible Pro-Contour kits ($11.49). They come in three shades and each compact contains a highlight, a contour and a small brush.

Here are some close-ups of each shade:

L'oreal Infallible Pro-Contour Light

L'oreal Infallible Pro-Contour Medium

L'oreal Infallible Pro-Contour Deep
Finally, I'm so excited to see the Les Monos by Colour Riche eyeshadows ($4.89 each). These have been out in Europe for a while now and the swatches I've seen were just gorgeous. I ended up getting six of the 14 shades and I posted swatches to my Instagram page here. I'll be posting a full review on these soon, but I want to wear them for a little while first and see how long lasting they are, if they crease, etc.

Here are some close-ups of the shades...




So, are you excited about the new L'Oreal Spring 2016 line? What are you most interested in trying?

Covergirl TruNaked Palette Review Goldens

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Last week, I posted a review of the new Covergirl TruNaked Palette ($9.49) in the Roses shade and I was so impressed with the formula and quality, I went back and grabbed the other two shades, Goldens and Nudes. They first grabbed my attention because they claim to shade "like a leading $50 eyeshadow palette," which right away, made me think of Urban Decay's Naked Palettes. Once I tried this soft, buttery formula, I was hooked...it's truly a high-end quality formula, Covergirl wasn't kidding. It's not exactly like the Urban Decay formula, as these feel a bit different, but they pack just as much pigment in one swipe!
So today, I wanted to talk about the Goldens palette, which is similar to the original UD Naked Palette and I'll cover the Nudes one (similar to Naked 2) in a separate post. Let's take a look...
covergirl trunaked goldens palette

I'm not going to do a full review here, at the risk of being repetitive but for those of you that didn't see my original review, I'll just sum it up by saying that this formula rivals the higher-end palettes. It's highly pigmented, soft, and glides on so smoothly. It does create a little bit of fallout due to how soft the powder is, so I found that I don't need to dig into it that hard...sometimes I tend to dig my brush in, or go back and forth with my finger a bunch of times, trying to pick up a lot of product, but it's not necessary with this palette. Just a light swipe picks up plenty of pigment and will help keep the pans intact.

The Goldens shade contains warmer shades of beige, tans, olives and browns. It reminds me a lot of the Urban Decay Naked palette and I'll compare some of the shades below.
covergirl trunaked palette goldens

Here's the Covergirl TruNaked Goldens palette swatched. There are three matte shades, Creme, Cookie, and Sierra, and the rest are shimmer.  There's no difference in formula between the different finishes...they all feel the same! That's a rare thing...usually shimmers feel soft and mattes can feel dry and powdery, but not these...even the matte shades feel soft and velvety.
They apply to the eyes as beautifully as they swatch and the formula is long-lasting. I just can't get over how beautiful these are!
covergirl trunaked goldens swatches

When compared to the Urban Decay Naked palette ($54), I can definitely see some similar shades between the two. The TruNaked palette is missing those dark grays that the Naked palette has, as well as those pink-toned shades like Sin and Toasted. But the rest are pretty darn close!
covergirl trunaked urban decay naked palette

While I didn't find any dupes between the Cover Girl Roses Palette and the Naked 3, there were some close dupes between these two. Actually, Cover Girl Sunkissed is a spot-on dupe for UD Half Baked! CG Ginger looked really close to UD Smog in the pan, but when swatched, Ginger is a little warmer. UD Darkhorse and CG Ecru are those beautiful olive green-browns and are really close, almost identical dupes (on a side note...isn't Ecru usually a shade of white?). Finally, UD Hustle and CG Sierra are both maroon-purple browns that are close dupes, but not exact.
covergirl trunaked urban decay naked swatches

So...what do you think of TruNaked Goldens? I can see myself using this one a lot...it has so many wearable nudes and is just so gorgeous. I can hardly believe it's under $10! 
You can find these now at Bed, Bath & Beyond (if yours has a beauty department) and Harmons (and possibly the Christmas Tree Shops since they're the same company). They'll likely be popping up in drugstores any day now, so keep an eye out for these. If you want to try them, don't hesitate, because my Bed, Bath & Beyond is already sold out of these, after only a week, so I think the word is spreading fast! 

Covergirl Oh Sugar! Lip Balm Review

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Covergirl Oh Sugar! Lip Balm ($7.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond) is a brand new formula that's part of Covergirl's Spring 2016 collection (see my post about the entire collection here). The store display seemed to compare these to the Fresh Sugar Lip Balms...not directly, but in a vague sort of way, saying things like, " Try vs a $20 lip balm" and "A fresher idea: vitamin-infused balm at a much sweeter price". I've been using Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment for about 10 years now, so I was really excited at the possibility of this being a dupe. Let's take a closer look...
covergirl oh sugar lip balm review

I really like the packaging of the Oh Sugar! lip balms...it's simple and clean. Granted, it's not as luxe as the Fresh Sugar lip treatments, which come in a metal tube, but these look a bit more upscale and grown-up than other drugstore balms like Baby Lips. 
I found out pretty quickly once I opened these up for the first time that you can't really go by the color on the outside of the tube...it's not a close match to the color of the actual product. 

Oh Sugar! lip balms contain avocado butter and grapeseed oil so my first thought was that they'd be super moisturizing. They do have that similar soft, melty texture like the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments do...they seem to sink into your lips vs. sitting on top and they don't feel waxy at all. That's great, but at the end of the day, they just don't provide the level of moisture that the Fresh balms do. I have really dry lips, so I tend to need a lot of hydration and these just weren't enough for me. They didn't dry out my lips, but they just sank in and seemed to quickly disappear. In that regard, they sort of remind me of Baby Lips...they're very lightweight and don't stick around for too long.

covergirl oh sugar lip balm review

Scent-wise, these smell like lemon-sugar which I was relieved about at first because the Covergirl balms  I've tried in the past, such as the Lipslicks, had a terrible, perfume-type scent to them.  At first swipe, these made me think of the Fresh lip balms because that lemon-sugar scent hit me, but after a minute or two, these sort of morph into more of a waxy scent...it's hard to describe. But basically, the initial lemon-sugar scent doesn't stick around for long like it does with the Fresh balms. Still, the scent is a big improvement over their past lip products, and it's not offensive to me at all. 


In terms of color, these have a good amount of pigment for a balm, and the color is buildable. I was able to darken the color on my lips quite a bit just by going back and forth several times. Here, I've swatched 7 of the 10 available shades. I didn't buy the lightest shade #1, which looked almost clear,  the darkest shade #10, or one that was in-between Soda and Jelly, which was #8.


covergirl oh sugar lip balm swatches

Overall, these were a little bit of a letdown for me because the marketing on the display made me think they would be a dupe for the Fresh Sugar Lip Balms...but for me, they just weren't as moisturizing. That being said, they do feel lighter on the lips, which some people might prefer, especially if dry lips aren't an issue. They also come in really pretty shades and add a nice shine to your lips. I do like them better than Baby Lips, because they add more color but still have that lighter, non-waxy feel to them. I also like that they're lipstick-shaped instead of flat, because it makes them easier to apply. 
Have you tried these yet? What did you think? 

The Tarte Blush Book is Here!

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Tarte has just released their Big Blush Book, featuring 8 full sized shades of their amazingly long-lasting Amazonian Clay Blush! 

It's $50 but right now, during their Friends and Family event,you can get this for $35 using code FRIENDS30! That's amazing, considering one of these blushes costs $28 on its own.

I just got one so they're still available as I'm typing this, but don't wait because I'm positive these will sell out today! 
Grab yours at Tarte.com

Maybelline Spring 2016 Arrives at CVS

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Yesterday, I was so excited to walk into CVS and find the new Maybelline Spring 2016 line! I was really surprised because usually I find new products at Bed, Bath & Beyond first, while the drugstores are usually a few weeks behind.
I posted sneak peeks of the entire Maybelline Spring line a while back, which included all of the products you'll see here today (see that post here) but I still haven't seen the Color Tattoo Crayons or the Rock Nudes Eyeshadow palette. 
Let's take a look! 
maybelline vivid matte liquid lipstick

The first thing I saw was the new Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick ($8.49). It comes in 10 shades, most of which are bright, bold colors. I ended up grabbing the first shade all the way to the left, which is a pinky nude, and seemed like the most everyday wearable color of the bunch.
maybelline vivid matte
Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick

Next, I saw the new Master Contour Palettes ($13.79), which come in two shades, Light to Medium and Medium to Deep. They contain a highlight color, blush, and contour shade, as well as a small angled brush. Also in this display is the new Master Fix Setting Powder ($9.99) which claims to mattify and blur, and the Master Fix Setting Spray ($12.99).
maybelline master contour
Maybelline Master Contour and Master Fix

maybelline master contour
Maybelline Master Contour

maybelline master fix
Maybelline Master Fix Powder and Setting Spray
The Brow Drama Pomade Crayon is a chubby crayon that fills in brows and adds soft hold in one step. It comes in four shades: Blonde, Soft Brown, Deep Brown and Auburn.
maybelline brow drama pomade crayon
Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon

Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon
Soft Brown & Deep Brown

Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon
Auburn & Blonde
Finally, the new Lash Sensational Luscious Full-Fan Effect promises to "reveal layers of denser, softer lashes" with a "fanning reservoir brush" and a formula with precious oils to leave your lashes feeling soft, not brittle.
maybelline lash sensational luscious full fan effect mascara



What are you excited to try from the new Maybelline Spring 2016 collection? I purchased one of everything to try and review, so stay tuned! :) 

Choix Brings the Makeup Counter To You

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When you're shopping for makeup online, have you ever wished that you could order samples of whatever you wanted, so that you could try the products first? I think it's a brilliant idea, so when a company called Choix approached me and asked if I would want to try and review their service, I jumped at the chance.  
Choix (pronounced "shwaa") means "choice" in French, and they're an online beauty boutique that lets you try makeup before you buy, essentially bringing the makeup counter to you. It's perfect for those who don't live close to stores that sell certain brands, don't have the time, or just don't like shopping in-store for makeup. You can purchase as many samples as you'd like and they even have a subscription box option, so you can try products on a monthly basis. Let's take a closer look...
choix review

There are two ways to use Choix:

1. Choix Elite is a subscription box which offers you 5 samples of your choice for $20 a month. 
With every box, you get 250 points ($5 store credit) that you can use toward full-sized products in the store. They don't expire and can be stacked up to $20!

2. If you don't want to join Choix Elite, you can just browse the store and choose individual samples for $5 each. The $5 you spend goes toward the purchase of the full-size product (but it has to be the same product in the color you sampled, except for foundations and concealers where you can go up or down one shade). You also can't stack your $5 credits if you're not a Choix Elite member.

I tried the Choix Elite box, which saves you $1 per sample (they work out to $4 each this way). I had so much fun shopping for my samples because Choix has a lot of high-end brands I've always wanted to try but didn't want to splurge on without trying them first. They have brands like Hourglass, Dior, Laura Mercier, Benefit, Clinique, Kevyn Aucoin, YSL, Guerlain, Chanel and more!

So here's what I decided to try:

1. Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Makeup (I've never tried a Chanel foundation before!)
2. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush (I've always wanted to try these blushes)
3. YSL Volupte Tint-in-Oil in Peach Me (I love this lip oil and wanted to try another color)
4. Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer (I've heard the hype about this but was afraid to spend the $$$ on it)
5. Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara (I've heard great things about this line!)

choix review

My samples came in a cute little box and I was really surprised by the amount of product I received! These aren't one-time-use samples...I can actually get several days worth out of these. They also sent me a magnetic compact to put the Hourglass blush pan in for ease of use, and a packet of beauty tools to assist me in getting the products out of the sample jars, such as a mascara wand, Q-tip and spatula.

choix review


Since I'm a bit of a germaphobe, one concern I had was that these are not factory-sealed samples, but Choix's strict hygiene procedures put my fears to rest. Their cosmetics consultants do not need to actually touch the product to get it into the sample containers. Containers are brand new, never used and so are the tools they give you. The whole process is much more sanitary than trying testers in a store, which have been touched by countless people. The full-sized products that Choix is using for samples have only been used to make samples, so they haven't been contaminated in any way. 

choix review
Overall, I'm really impressed with Choix! I absolutely love the Hourglass blush AND the Kevyn Aucoin mascara...and the Peach Me shade in the YSL Tint-in-Oil is beautiful. I'm still undecided on the Chanel foundation...the color is perfect but the matte finish might not work with my dry skin in the winter. I'd love to try another formula to see if it works better. Plus, I'm glad I finally got to try the Cle de Peau concealer after hearing all the hype! At $70 for the full size, I was expecting miracles but I think I'll just stick with my IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye, which is less than half the price and works just as well for me. 
That's the beauty of Choix! You don't have to spend a fortune to try the brands and products you want, and you have full control over the samples you get. If something doesn't work for you, you're only out a few dollars, vs. the full price of the product. 
You can visit Choix here to start browsing the store and choosing your samples...or sign up for Choix Elite to get 5 samples a month for $20! 

QVC Advent Calendar + New Beauty Discoveries

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If you happened to see my QVC Gift Ideas post a few weeks ago, you might remember that the #1 gift on my list was the QVC Advent Calendar.  Well, my friends at QVC who are so thoughtful and generous decided to send me one! I'm sad to say that it's now sold out for 2015, but the good news is, I discovered some amazing new products inside that I will definitely be purchasing in the full sizes. Not only that, today all beauty products are on Easy Pay! So if you see something here that you like, you'll definitely want to take advantage of purchasing it on Easy Pay (which charges your credit card in monthly installments rather than all at once). 

The calendar comes in a huge box and features 24 travel sized items...22 are products from various brands that are available on QVC and you also get one travel mirror and a beauty sponge. I was happy to see a bunch of my current favorites because now I have them in travel sizes, but I was even more excited to see lots of products I've seen on QVC over the past year or so and always wanted to try. Let's take a closer look inside...



On the left side of the calendar, I was excited to see a few products I already use, such as Josie Maran's Argan Oil, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye, Mally Beauty Lip Gloss, Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil, and bareMinerals Lash Domination Mascara. But I'm super excited about three new (to me) products here that I can't wait to get the full sizes of...

1. Nest Fragrances Midnight Fleur- I smelled this as soon as I opened the calendar because a little bit had leaked into the box (the cap seemed like it wasn't screwed on all the way), and I was opening all of the doors on the calendar trying to figure out what that delicious scent was! I'm into warmer fragrances that aren't too sweet and this fits the bill perfectly for me. It's hard to recommend fragrances to other people because everyone has different tastes and perfumes smell differently on different people. But I like this one because it's different than all of the fruity florals that are flooding the market right now. It has night-blooming jasmine, woods, amber, and vanilla orchid...just stunning! I have my eye on this little set with a rollerball and body products.
2. Clarks Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream- I was pleasantly surprised by this moisturizer, because it contains exfoliating ingredients in it to get rid of those pesky flakes and reveal super soft, smooth skin. It's a bit pricey ($115!), but I'm willing to splurge on the full size because it's just that good. 
3.Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel- I've always wanted to try this and now that I have, I'm obsessed. You apply it to a dry face and start massaging it in, and it starts to peel off and take that top layer of dead skin with it. There's something so satisfying about actually seeing the dry skin and flakes coming off...at least for me. But I'm sure some of you guys are probably like, "gross!" right now, haha.

The second half of the calendar also had a bunch of current favorites, including Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate(such an amazing scrub), Philosophy's Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath and Shower Gel, IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes and Mally's Evercolor Starlight Eyeliner. I also have the Wen Treatment Oil in both Sweet Almond Mint and613, but I'm excited to try the Pomegranate Rosemary one.

 I haven't tried the LashFood Conditioning Lash Primer with Fibers yet, but it sounds amazing! And the Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Creammakes my hair amazingly soft and smooth...I love that you can use it on dry hair. I'll be picking up a full-sized tube for sure!

One of the many reasons I love QVC is the range of amazing brands they have, and to top it all off, they have the best prices anywhere! Then when you throw in super easy returns (even if the product has been used) and Easy Pay, there's no reason I would buy these products anywhere else. :)

The Coastal Scents Revealed Smoky is Here!

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Coastal Scents has just released their brand new eyeshadow palette, Revealed Smoky ($19.95) today. I was wondering if they were going to do a Smoky version, since Urban Decay released the Naked Smoky several months ago. In all honesty, I like the Coastal Scents version a little bit better...at least going by the shades. First of all, it has more of them (20 vs 12) but I don't wear those deep, dark, smoky shades on a regular basis (which is why I didn't get the Naked Smoky), but this one has a lot of everyday wearable shades in addition to the darker ones. It seems very versatile, and you can create smoky looks with shades other than gray and black...there are some gorgeous browns and purples in here too! What do you guys think? Do you like the look of the Revealed Smoky?

Grab yours now at Coastalscents.com.


ShopMissA.com Haul and Review

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A few months ago, I had a dream that I walked into the dollar store and it was all makeup from floor to ceiling...I guess that means I spend waaay too much time thinking about beauty products, huh? They're invading my dreams now! 
The good news is, this magical dollar store actually exists in real life, in the form of a website called Shop Miss A. Based out of Dallas, TX, ShopMissA.com is filled with super-affordable makeup and accessories that are all $1...can you believe it? So when they recently asked me if I wanted to haul some of their products, I couldn't wait to dive right into the site and see what I could find. 
They offer a large selection of brands...some I've heard of like E.l.f. and L.A. Colors, and others I haven't like Santee and Starry. Even though everything is only $1, Shop Miss A offers fantastic customer service and a steady stream of new products coming in every day, so there's always something new to discover. Let's take a look at what I got...

When my package first arrived, I was impressed by how well packaged everything was! It took me a little while to get through all the bubble wrap, but I really appreciated the time they took to package everything so well. I ordered a lot of powdered items and not one thing arrived broken or damaged! They put as much care into packing my order as a high-end brand would, so I was pleasantly surprised.

The first items I wanted to try were this Liquid Foundation and CC Magic Skin Beautifier from Santee. The foundation felt really nice on my dry skin and didn't cake or settle into fine lines. It gave medium coverage that was buildable as well. It does have a perfume-type scent, in case you're sensitive to fragrance. The CC Cream also had a nice texture, but I didn't end up using it because it was too dark for my skin tone...but hey, that's ok because it was only $1!

Top: Santee Liquid Foundation #2
Bottom: Santee CC Magic Skin Beautifier #8
The next product I wanted to try were these Rose Cheek Pop Blushes by Malibu Glitz...aren't they so pretty? I chose the shades Amber which is a light peachy pink and Orchid, a darker rosy shade. Both are matte finish and they surprised me by being very soft to the touch and highly pigmented!
Left: Amber
Right: Orchid

Top: Amber
Bottom: Orchid
Next up...more blushes (you guys know how I love my blushes and highlighters!). These are by Santee and they're called Sun Kissed Mineral Blush. These are a mineral formula with SPF 20 and have a little bit of shimmer to them. Unfortunately, I dropped one right before I took these photos (it was my favorite shade too), so that's why it's cracked. These are also very soft to the touch and nicely pigmented.
Santee Sun Kissed Mineral Blush in #5, #7, and #6.

Top: Sun Kissed Mineral Blush #5
Middle: Sun Kissed Mineral Blush #7
Bottom: Sun Kissed Mineral Blush #6
More blushes! These are by KleanColor and they're called American Chick Baked Blush/Bronzer SPF 15.  These feel drier than the other blushes, due to the baked formula but they're still nicely pigmented and easy to blend. I also love the marbled texture with different shades throughout and they go on with just a hint of shimmer.
Top Row: Lush Petal, Spring Blossom
Bottom Row: Royal Touch, Fruit Sorbet

Top to Bottom: Spring Blossom, Fruit Sorbet, Lush Petal, Royal Touch
Last but not least, I picked up a few of the KleanColor Keepsake Kiss Lip Tints. These go on almost like a liquid lipstick, with way more coverage than a gloss, yet they feel moisturizing and give your lips a nice dose of shine like a gloss would. They smell sort of fruity, but not in a bad way...I actually liked the scent and it disappears shortly after application anyway. What surprised me most about these is that they stain your lips and are super long-lasting! Plus, they felt comfortable the whole time I was wearing them and didn't dry my lips out at all.
Left to Right: Pink Charm, Ballerina, Fuchsia Heart, Poppy Joy

Top to Bottom: Pink Charm, Ballerina, Fuchsia Heart, Poppy Joy. 
Overall, I'm so excited to have found ShopMissA! Sometimes you just want to have fun and discover new beauty products, and Shop Miss A allows you to do just that without risking more than $1. You can go ahead and try out that lip color or eyeshadow that's a bit more bold than you normally would, just because! Not to mention, their stellar customer service and careful packaging means you're getting even more for your money. Two thumbs up! 
#ShopMissA #Justhavefun

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Review

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Early in 2015, L'Oreal released a line of limited edition Infallible Pro-Matte Glosses, and I posted a review back in January (see that here). You guys may or may not know that I'm not really a fan of traditional matte liquid lipsticks...I find them to be really drying and they tend to accentuate every line in my lips- not cute. But when I tried the L'Oreal Pro Matte Glosses, I jumped for joy because it's a formula I can actually wear (*hears angels sing*). 
So you can imagine how happy I was to see that L'Oreal has now made these babies permanent and has added five new shades to the lineup, including some nudes...yesss! 
The people over at L'Oreal were kind enough to send me 8 of the 10 shades in the range (I purchased the other 2) so I have all of them to swatch for you today! Let's take a look...
loreal infallible pro matte gloss

I won't go too into detail here, since I already reviewed these in my original post. But for those of you who didn't read it, I want to do a quick summary before we get into the swatches.
These are a matte liquid lipstick with a gloss texture. I was a bit confused when I first saw the name "matte gloss" because the two words totally contradict each other! But these are really unique...they don't have that dry, runny texture that traditional matte liquid lipsticks have, such as the ones from Anastasia Beverly Hills or Kat Von D. These have a plush, cushiony texture and when you first apply them, they do have a bit of shine, similar to a gloss. However, they dry down to a matte finish in about 20-30 minutes (you can blot your lips with a tissue to speed up the process).
The best part is, they keep that cushiony velvet texture, so your lips stay soft. They do transfer a bit at first, just like a gloss would but they leave behind a stain that lasts for at least 6 hours on me.
loreal infallible pro matte gloss

I really love the applicator of these...it's super soft and has a triangular shape like the Infallible Lip Glosses and Color Caresse Wet Shine Stains. I love wide applicators like these because you can cover your lips faster with fewer swipes...plus the pointed tip helps you to get along the edges of your lips and into the corners with a lot more precision.
loreal infallible pro matte gloss

The ten permanent shades are:
300 Blushing Ambition (from the ltd range), 302 Fuchsia Amnesia (from the ltd range), 304 Rebel Rose (new shade), 306 Aphrodite Kiss (from the ltd range),308 Shanghai Scarlet (new shade), 310 Forbidden Kiss (new shade) 312 Rouge Envy (from the ltd range), 314 Nude Allude (from the ltd range), 316 Statement Nude (new shade) and 318 Bare Attraction (new shade).
loreal infallible pro matte gloss swatches

I was so happy to see two nude shades, Statement Nude and Bare Attraction, because the nude-y color from the limited range, Nude Allude, was actually reddish brown and a bit darker than I would usually wear. 
I was hoping to do lip swatches as well, but this is such a crazy-busy time of year I don't have enough hours in the day. I'll definitely try to get those up soon! :) 

Have you seen the new L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Glosses in stores yet? Have you tried any of the new shades? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

*Disclosure- I received the products mentioned in this review from L'oreal Paris USA, but all opinions are my own. I was not paid to write this review.*

Rakuten Bonus Box Unboxing

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Recently, I was selected as one of 50 bloggers that were chosen receive the Rakuten Bonus Box. I've belonged to Rakuten's affiliate network for several years and the bonus box is a great way to introduce us to some amazing products from the brands that belong to the network. The third quarter box was amazing (see my post here) so I was super psyched when I found out that I would be getting a fourth quarter box as well! 
I didn't think it would be possible, but this box was even better...let's take a look. 


Inside, there was a mix of beauty and fashion products...right up my alley!


The first product I noticed when I opened the box was the Foreo Luna Mini ($139). I have the full-sized Luna and I looove it- see my review here. It's gentler than my Clarisonic but just as effective. So I'm really excited to have the mini version for travel! 


Next up is the e.l.f. Party Ready Palette. This palette has a little bit of everything...a couple of bronzy neutrals, some bold brights, and a few smoky shades. I can't wait to try it out! 




This Fiji Friendship Bracelet by Monica Vinader ($185) is gorgeous and I've been wearing it ever since I got it. It goes perfectly with my casual style, yet still looks chic and polished. They come in a bunch of different styles and colors and would make a great gift for your bff!


I'm beyond excited to try a pair of DL 1961 jeans (up to $200 value)! They come in a dizzying array of styles and washes and the best part is, you can shop by body type to get your perfect fit. I have the hardest time finding jeans that flatter my pear shaped figure, so I'm excited to see what they recommend! 

This Gradient Seaside Shawl Scarf by TBDress is so lightweight and silky. I'm not a big silk scarf kinda girl, but I know quite a few people that I can gift this to. I love the beautiful pale pink to purple gradient...so pretty and perfect for Spring. 

Finally, Timetospa.com sent some Elemis skincare products to try. I've never tried this brand but I'm really excited to! I got a 30 ml Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser ($10) which withdraws impurities from the skin while infusing it with anti-aging properties. They also sent sample packets of the Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturizer, Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, and Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Ultra-Rich.

Overall, this was an amazing box and I'm so happy to have been chosen for the second time! 

Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour Stick Review

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I'll be the first to admit that I'm a total contouring klutz...I've never really gotten the hang of it and whenever I try, I end up with a streaky, muddy mess. I actually love to highlight, so that's no problem. It's the contouring side of it that I have trouble with, especially powders. I feel like they're not as easy to control as a cream formula, and I end up getting it in places I didn't intend to contour. So when Pur Cosmetics sent me* their new Cameo Contour Stick ($39.50), I was really excited to try my hand at contouring again, especially since they include some tools to make the process easier. I also have a coupon code for $15% off at the end of this post. 
Let's take a look! 
*Press Sample
pur cosmetics cameo contour stick
Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour Stick

This is my first Pur Cosmetics review and I'm really excited because I've always wanted to try this brand after seeing it in Kohls and Ulta. They were extremely generous and sent me all five shades to swatch for you today...how great is that?!
Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour Stick

The Cameo Contour Sticks come in Light, Medium, Tan, Dark, & Deep and have a highlight shade on one end and a contour shade on the other. They also come with a blending sponge that looks very similar to a Beauty Blender, but it has one flat edge which makes it really easy to blend the product underneath your eyes and around your nose.
The sticks are very chubby and flat on top which is great when I'm using it on larger areas of my face...I can just swipe it once rather than drawing multiple lines. But it does make it a little tricky to get the product into smaller areas, for example, down the sides of my nose. I have to twist the product up a little bit more and then use the side of the stick to draw a thinner line.
Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour Stick

The formula is super creamy and highly pigmented, so one swipe will lay down all the product you need in a certain area. These have a cream to powder finish, but they also contain light-reflecting microspheres to blur imperfections in your skin. I thought that might translate to shimmer, but thankfully I didn't see any...they appear to have a matte powder finish on my skin. 
They are oil-free, petrolatum free and contain good-for-the-skin ingredients like shea butter and even retinol to help even out your skin tone over time and fight fine lines! They have no discernable scent. 

You might remember that back in May I reviewed the NYX Wonder Stick, which is also a double-ended contour stick. A lot of you told me that you couldn't use it because it contains mineral oil and made you break out. I also heard a lot of feedback about it being greasy and sliding off after a few hours (I have really dry skin so I didn't have those issues with it). You won't have any of those problems with the Pur Cameo Contour stick....it stays put all day once it sets and doesn't contain any pore-clogging ingredients. 

Here's the full ingredient list: 

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Silica, Polyethylene, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Isopropyl Isostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, C10-18 Triglycerides, Squalane, Copernica Cerafera (Carnauba) Wax, Ceramide Ap, Retinol, Lactic Acid (L), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI77492, CI77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

In addition to including a sponge, the Cameo Contour Stick also comes with this nifty and helpful guide that shows you exactly where to place your highlights and contours. Now everyone's facial features are different so you may not want (or need) to apply it to some of these areas, but if you're a beginner with contouring, it's a great place to start. 
Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour Stick

Here are swatches of all the shades. I feel like the contour shades run kind of warm and I personally prefer a cooler tone when it comes to contouring. Still, once blended, it didn't appear orange or too warm on me (I used Light).
Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour Stick swatches

Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour Stick swatches

Overall, I can honestly say that the Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour stick has changed my mind when it comes to contouring...it's totally klutz-proof! I just follow the guide and then blend everything out with the included sponge (damped slightly). I think that using a sponge with these is genius because it gives such a soft, natural finish without any harsh lines (which is what used to happen when I used a brush). These are also incredibly long-lasting and I didn't need to touch up at all during the day. 

You can find the Cameo Contour Stick at Kohls, Ulta Beauty, or at PurCosmetics.com. Right now, use code Deal4U to get 15% off at PurCosmetics.com, which brings the price of the Cameo Contour down from $39.50 to $33.58. 
PLUS I also want to mention that as of this posting date, Ebates is offering 20% cash back at PurCosmetics.com, so if you're an Ebates member, you'll get 20% cash back to your Paypal account (or by check) when you click through to the Pur Cosmetics site from the Ebates site! So by using both the coupon code and the rebate from Ebates, the price goes down by a little more than $10!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Review /First Impression

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I spotted the new Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara ($8.99) at CVS last week and I've gotten a lot of requests for a review on this! I guess a lot of people are really curious since the original Lash Sensational is so popular, so I decided to do sort of a first impression post rather than an actual review since I've only worn this 3 or 4 times. Let's take a look...
Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Review

Lash Sensational Luscious has a "fanning reservoir brush" that's supposed to create a "dense, supple fan effect". The formula includes precious oils to make your lashes feel soft, not brittle.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Review

The color scheme of the packaging is the exact opposite of the original Lash Sensational...the tube is matte black with pink accents. The shape of the tube is identical.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Review

The brush with the Luscious formula is totally different than the original Lash Sensational. The original has a curved brush that has short bristles on one side and longer ones on the other. This brush is the straight and the bristles are the same all the way around. They're short and spiky with a gap in between each row that is hollowed out near the bottom. I'm guessing that's what they mean by "reservoir brush". I'm guessing that allows the brush to hold more product and therefore get more mascara on your lashes in one swipe.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Review

The formula is very wet, much like the original and the first time I tried this mascara, I wasn't a fan. It deposited way too much mascara on my lashes and made them feel very heavy. But by the second time, it seemed just the tiniest bit drier and I really liked the results it gave me. It added a lot of volume and length and definitely have that "fanned out" look.

It's not a completely combed out, separated result, and my lashes did clump together slightly, but it's clumping I can definitely deal with. Sometimes you need a little bit of clumping to give a more dramatic look...if your lashes are too separated and fluttery it looks more natural and subtle.
Before using Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious

After using Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious

After using Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious
Overall, my first impression of the new Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious is that it's a keeper! I really like the drama it gives with only one coat. You can probably build up to two but any more than that, and it will definitely start to get clumpy and heavy. My lashes stay soft all day and I didn't end up with raccoon eyes at bedtime. I did see a few flakes underneath my eyes, but I prefer those to smudges any day. 
Bottom line...if you liked the original Lash Sensational, you'll probably really like this one too. It has a similar wet formula and creates nice drama with minimal effort. 

Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation Spotted at Bed, Bath & Beyond

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The new Maybelline Dream Velvet Gel-Whipped Foundation ($8.99) is finally here and I couldn't be more excited! I have really dry skin and I feel like Maybelline foundations are typically made for younger skin that's on the normal to oily side. I've tried almost all of them but haven't really found one that suited me well (the original Fit Me came the closest). But this one claims to be their "first hydrating matte for velvet-smooth perfection" so it sounds right up my alley! Not to mention it would be nice to have a matte option for drier skin types. Let's take a closer look...
Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation

The first thing I noticed when I saw the display was the number of light shades. Going by the color of the tubes and the swatch photos underneath, it appears that the first five shades are in the fair-to-light category. The next two shades look like they could be medium and the last shade, Coconut is a tan color. There are no darker shades in here at all, which is disappointing! I noticed that there are 12 shades on Drugstore.com, but the darkest shade is still Coconut.
Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation

Maybelline is also selling a Dream Blender foundation sponge that's meant to even coverage and smooth the finish.
Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation

Here's a close-up...I think it's pretty cool that it has a little handle! I'm wondering if it'll be easier to use than holding on to the sponge (like you would with a Beauty Blender), because I'm used to holding the sponge itself. We'll see! The display didn't have a price on it so I'm not sure how much these are just yet.
Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation

Here's the back of the Dream Blender box...it has instructions on how to use it
Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation

Here's the back of the foundation tube with the ingredient list. There's a lot of silicone at the top, as well as glycerin for hydration.
Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation

They had a tester of the second-to-darkest shade (Natural Beige) so I swatched it on my hand...are you thinking what I'm thinking??! That is ridiculously light! I'm pretty much casper-pale and this is about a shade or two darker than my own skin tone. Yikes.
My first impression from blending it into my hand is that it's definitely very hydrating, especially for a matte foundation. My hand is dry and scaly right now and it smoothed out my skin without clinging to dry patches at all. The only thing I noticed was that my pores seemed a little more pronounced, so I'll have to look at that aspect carefully when I'm trying this on my face. Hopefully a good primer or pore-minimizer will solve that problem!
Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation
So what do you think? Are you interested in trying the new Maybelline Dream Velvet? 
If you haven't seen it near you and want to try it out, it's available now on Drugstore.com for $10.99.

Sneak Peek of the NYX Strobe of Genius Palette + Cream Contour

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I just wanted to share this photo with you guys in case you missed it in my Instagram feed earlier this morning...one of my favorite beauty accounts, @Trendmood1 posted this photo of some new NYX goodies that'll be coming our way in January! 

There's a Cream Highlight & Contour Palette, Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette, a Brow Contour Pencil, and a Sculpt & Highlight Face Duo. 

I couldn't wait to share these with you guys...what do you think? Are you excited about any of them?

IT Cosmetics Skincare is Here!

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IT Cosmetics is one of my all-time favorite makeup brands and today I'm jumping up and down with excitement because they've just launched a moisturizer called Confidence in a Cream on QVC (Reg. $48, currently $39.68 on 5 Easy Pays of $7.93). Let's take a look...
According to the description on QVC, this anti-aging armour concentrate "hydrates your skin, minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles while giving your skin a smoother, more radiant appearance". It contains niacin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, colloidial oatmeal, shea butter, coconut oil and peptides, to name a few. 


I'm not surprised by the long ingredient list full of anti-aging ingredients, because most of IT's makeup products contain them as well (one of the many reasons I love them!). I cannot wait to try this! I'm buying it tonight to take advantage of that Easy Pay option before it disappears!
Are you excited about Confidence in a Cream?
Available now at QVC.

Rimmel 24HR Supercurler Mascara and Magnif-eye Pencils Spotted at CVS

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If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my post last week when I spotted the new Rimmel London 24HR Supercurler Mascara and Magnif-Eyes pencils at CVS. Today, I wanted to share some more photos I took of the packaging and shades. Let's take a look...

The Supercurler Mascara is $6.99 and promises to give your lashes volume and 24 hour curl in one.

It has a curved brush that looks like it's a traditional style mascara brush, vs. a plastic one. The packaging also says it can be used alone or as a topcoat to add curl to other mascaras!

Also in this display are the Magnif-Eyes Eyeshadow and Kohl Liners in one ($7.99). There were only three shades in this display, so I'm not sure if they hadn't put out all the colors yet, or if this is it. But in the photo below the first and third shades are doubled up so it looks like there are five shades. It seems unlikely to me that they would put five spaces in the display for only three shades, so that's why I'm thinking there may be more.

On one end, there's a kohl liner...

...and on the other end, there's an eyeshadow crayon.

So what do you think of the newest offerings from Rimmel London? Anything you want to try? 

NEW Physicians Formula Argan Wear Collection at CVS

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I have some exciting new products to share with you guys from Physicians Formula...the new Argan Wear collection has arrived at CVS!  I loved the previous Argan Wear line and this one looks even more interesting...I absolutely can't wait to try everything. Let's take a look!
Physicians Formula Argan Wear 2016

The first product that caught my attention was the 2-in-1 Argan Oil and Coconut Water Primer($16.99). It's a dual phase multitasking product that can be used under makeup as a primer, over makeup as a setting spray, and as a moisturizing mist throughout the day. It can also be used on your body, hair and nails!
I opened this up right away to try it on my hand and it has a water-like texture and a really nice scent (it's not too strong). It made my skin super soft and felt very lightweight. I can't wait to play with it!
Physicians Formula Argan Wear primer

Physicians Formula Argan Wear primer

Next up is the Ultra Nourishing Argan Oil BB Concealer ($14.79). This is an ultra-lightweight concealer, highlighter and touch-up tool that has a flow-through sponge tip blender for precise application. It claims to brighten, hide imperfections and smooth the appearance of fine lines.
Physicians Formula Argan Wear concealer

Physicians Formula Argan Wear concealer

The Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Powder ($16.99) comes in two shades, Translucent and Beige and gives your skin a soft glow with light-reflecting pigments. It claims to be lightweight and creamy for a smooth finish.
Physicians Formula Argan Wear powder

Physicians Formula Argan Wear powder

The Ultra Nourishing Argan Oil Mascara($11.49) boasts 24 hour wear and is infused with 100% argan oil for thicker, fuller, healthier lashes.
Physicians Formula Argan Wear mascara

Physicians Formula Argan Wear mascara

These products are all listed on the Physicians Formula website now, if you want to read more about them...(click on each product name above for the individual product links). 

Also, there are two products listed on the website that I didn't see at CVS yet...

The Ultra Nourishing Argan Lip Oil Duo ($12.95) and claims to add color and shine with deep hydration with a coconut water flavored formula...yum! 

Physicians Formula Argan Wear lip oil duo

Also on the PF website, is the Argan Oil Kohl Kajal Eyeliner ($9.95). This was part of the CVS display but it wasn't there...they had the mascara in that spot. This claims to be an ultra creamy eyeliner that gives maximum intensity to your eyes with a 100% waterproof formula! 
Physicians Formula Argan Wear kohl kajal
So...what do you guys think of this new Argan Wear collection from Physicians Formula? Is anything jumping out at you? 
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