BeautyMP Foundation Pumps Review + Photos

BeautyMP Foundation Pumps

Ever felt the excitement of buying a new foundation but feel annoyed because it doesn't come with a pump? Yeah, I know the feeling! You can buy a pump for your MAC foundations separately at the store but what about those other high end bottles that don't offer pumps? Even yet, what about all the drugstore foundations that rarely have pumps as part of the packaging?! Well, BeautyMP has answered your prayers (cue the angels singing)!

BeautyMP is an online store that offers foundation pumps tailored to fit possibly every foundation bottle without one in the beauty market.

Currently available in (16) pumps: Clinique Super Balanced Makeup Pump, Covergirl Clean Pump, Estee Lauder Double Wear Pump, Loreal True Match Pump, MAC Studio Fix Fluid Pump, Maybelline FitMe Pump, Maybelline Superstay Pump, NARS Sheer Glow Pump, Nars Sheer Matte Pump, Neutrogena Nourishing LongWear Liquid Makeup Pump, Neutrogena Shine Control Liquid Makeup Pump, Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup Pump, Revlon Colorstay Pump, Rimmel Match Perfection Pump, Stila Stay All Day Pump, and Too Faced Amazing Face Pump.

For starters, let's talk about why it's important to have a pump on your foundation bottles. A pump provides simplicity to foundation bottles. I'm sure we all know the frustrations of having messy foundation bottles that crust over at the top because of the lacking pump. Another frustration is the amount of wasted product that gets poured out when trying to get just the right amount needed. And the most important reason why pumps are necessary, is they keep the foundation sanitary. Bacteria will most definitely grow on those messy bottles and the use of a pump prevents air from getting in or out. I can't stress enough about how we need to try to keep our products as sanitary as possible and these pumps are a good start!

Beauty MP suggests replacing the pumps at least every 2 bottles of foundation in order to prevent bacteria from staying inside the pump and then being passed onto a new bottle. (beautymp.com)

I have (3) pumps for review; MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Loreal True Match, and Revlon Colorstay pumps:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Pump

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Pump

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Pump

The pump for MAC Studio Fix Fluid is a traditional black pump and includes a clear cap. It fits the bottle perfectly. Retails for $8.99 & is currently on sale for $7.99. Compare to MAC store at $10.

Loreal True Match Foundation Pump

Loreal True Match Foundation Pump

Loreal True Match Foundation Pump

The pump for Loreal True Match Foundation is also a traditional black pump that includes a clear cap. It fits the foundation bottle perfectly. Retails for $6.99.

Revlon Colorstay Foundation Pump

Revlon Colorstay Foundation Pump

Revlon Colorstay Foundation Pump

The pump for Revlon Colorstay Foundation is a wide red plastic pump that does not include a clear cap but does lock when turned the opposite way to avoid accidents. The pump does not screw all the way down to the shaft of the bottle opening. It is not a big issue for me though. Retails for $6.99.

Left to Right: MAC Studio Fix Fluid - Loreal True Match Foundation - Revlon Colorstay Foundation

Each pumps out just the right amount of foundation for one layer of application, whether the foundation is a thick or thin consistency. If needed, just pump out more for desired amount. Pumps are also sold in bundles of 2 for a discounted price. The plastic pumps are durable and come in cute see through packs with the company logo sticker. Each pump is labeled on top of the packaging with its corresponding foundation bottle.

Packaging - Labels

I highly recommend these pumps to all my fellow makeup enthusiasts. If you are a makeup artist you most definitely need to get your hands on these to keep your kit organized, clean and most importantly sanitized. I love that they make the process of applying makeup mess-free and allow me to save product. Order from their online site at BeautyMP.com They currently ship to the US and Canada. Use coupon code (SHUGAANDSPICE) to receive 15% off your order!

Get your foundation pumps now - whether it be your Estee Lauder Double Wear or Loreal True Match bottle, BeautyMP has the right pump for you!

Availability: BeautyMP.com     
Price: $7 - $9 each
 
Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration by the manufacturer. This does not affect any opinions featured in this post as they are my own honest experiences with the product.   

*NEW* Girlactik Matte Lip Paint in Iconic Review + Swatches + Makeup Look

Girlactik Beauty Matte Lip Paint in Iconic

Girlactik Matte Lip Paint ($23) is an opaque liquid lip paint that dries completely matte in under a minute without leaving a dry or flaky feeling on your lips.

These Lip Paints are available in (4) colors: Iconic, Allure, Demure and Starlet. The color selection is limited but they are all beautiful colors that go well with most skin tones. I'm hoping that Girlactik releases more colors soon. I'd like to see more daring colors and a variety of neutrals.

'Iconic' is a classic red lip color with a blue tone. Think of it as the perfect pin-up red lip product. It complements all different skin tones and makes your teeth look as white as possible.

Girlactik 'Iconic' Lip Paint Swatch

These lip paints apply in a light-weight liquid form and dry to a matte finish within a minute's time. They are very long-wearing and depending on your daily activity you don't need to reapply product throughout the day. I love wearing a red lip, especially a matte red lip but finding a product that doesn't transfer throughout the day is a bit difficult, not with these lip paints though. And yes, they are smooch-proof! (Trust me, I tested it on the boyfriend - LOL)

The Girlactik Matte Lip Paint does not flake, crack or smear like some other matte lip products. When dealing with any type of matte lip product you do want to make sure your lips have been exfoliated. This allows for a smooth even application without showing any imperfections on the lips. Keep in mind that matte finishes show every small detail of the skin whether it is on your face or lips.

The formula is already pigmented and opaque enough and for you to be able to get away with one layer but I like my lip colors to be intense so I always wear more than just one layer. The way I use this lip paint after exfoliating is to apply one layer, let it dry for about 10-15 seconds and apply another layer on top. I'm not too fond of the smell (I'm not too sure how to describe the smell) but I haven't come across any lip paints that have a very appealing smell. If you are sensitive to certain smells this might not be the product for you. What I can say is that this is not a fruity smelling lip product. Once it dries I don't notice the smell too much so it's not a big issue for me.

The Lip Paints cost $23 which is a bit much for a lip product but Girlactik is a crulety-free, higher end makeup brand. It can be found online or at select higher end Rite-Aid stores. The formulation and durability of these lip paints are well worth the price.

PACKAGING
The packaging itself is very sleek and appealing. The bronze-brown metallic features stood out the most to me. The lip paint tube feels very lightweight but holds a good amount of product at 0.25 fl oz compared to other lip productS. (MAC lipglasses hold .17 fl oz of product) The applicator is a traditional doe-foot applicator which in my opinion is the best for dealing with liquid lip products like these. It allows for a more precise product application without needing to apply a lip liner.

Doe-foot applicator

Overall Thoughts
I'm really glad I got a chance to try out Girlactik Beauty products. The Matte Lip Paint has become a staple in my collection. I love the pigmentation, application and durability of this product. Other than the smell and price point, I have no complaints about this product. If you are in the search for a great red matte lip product  I highly recommend you try it. I can't wait to get my hands on the other colors!

Stay tuned for upcoming reviews on other Girlactik Beauty products and be sure to follow me on Instagram, Shugaandspice1 for makeup looks featuring products you find in my reviews. Also go follow Girlactik on Instagram for more swatches by fellow bloggers and makeup artists!

Wearing Girlactik 'Iconic' Matte Lip Paint

Girlactik 'Iconic' Matte Lip Paint in lips

Availability: Girlactik / Naimies
Price: $23


Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration by the manufacturer. This does not affect any opinions  featured as they are my own honest experiences with the product. 

The Makeup Eraser Review + Demo

The Makeup Eraser

The Makeup Eraser ($19.97) is described as an all natural method of your removing makeup. No harsh chemicals needed, just wet the cloth with water and all your makeup is removed. Including waterproof eyeliner & mascara, HD makeup and much more. The best part of the Makeup Eraser is it is reusable, throw it in the wash and no stains remain. The Makeup Eraser will last 1000 washes and eliminate your need to buy product to remove your makeup.  The Makeup Eraser is pink with a sateen edge plush  and soft to the touch.

Love wearing makeup but hate the daunting task of removing it at night?! Join the club sister. We all know that removing our makeup is a long process depending on how much of it you applied earlier in the day. But if you're a beauty enthusiast like me then chances are you probably have layers caked on (high five).

The process of removing my makeup consists of using products found at the drugstore. First, I remove my waterproof eye makeup with an oil-free makeup remover and a cotton pad. After, using my favorite makeup remover wipes from Neutrogena (the blue bag) I clean the rest of my face before going to wash it with face wash. The reason I use eye makeup remover on my eyes is because I don't feel that the wipes remove every bit of my waterproof mascara (I layer my mascaras on). On most days I will use an alcohol-free toner after washing my face and even then I still have small traces of makeup left behind. 

Left: Makeup Eraser Right: Previous Makeup Removal Routine

Of course if I could find a way to minimize this process and save some money, it's worth a try! The Makeup Eraser has been buzzing all throughout Instagram recently. And with the claim of a natural, chemical-free towel removing even the most waterproof makeup many have raised their doubts. Therefore, I knew I had to try it for myself!

The Makeup Eraser is a reusable soft pink plush towel that contains no chemicals and works with just warm water to remove the most smear-proof, waterproof makeup. How it that possible, you ask? I have no idea, but if we all knew how it was done then it wouldn't be such a unique product and everyone would be making one right?!

The towel contains two different sides that serve different purposes. One side has shorter fibers used to remove your makeup and the other contains longer fibers which is used to exfoliate your face. The first time I tested the Makeup Eraser I had on a full face of makeup with about 3 layers of waterproof mascara, eyeliner plus a red lip and it managed to remove it all. It does take a bit of work to get every last bit of mascara off your lashes but it is fine considering the towel is not harsh on the skin at all. Remember it is a very soft plush towel, think of it more as a microfiber towel. The material is made up of 100% polyester and can be easily cleaned in the washer using cool water and tumble drying it on low. It claims to last 1000+ uses and washes.

Longer fiber side used for exfoliating

Once you wash it, no stains remain on the towel and you don't necessarily need detergent to get out the makeup. I have washed it by hand without soap or detergent before throwing it in the washing machine and all the makeup stains came right out. After several washes, the Makeup Eraser still maintains its power. I'm curious to see how well it holds up after hundreds even thousands of washes!

Makeup Eraser after removing a full face of makeup

Watch this demo by Camera Ready Cosmetics to see how well it works:


It retails for $19.97 and will save you money in the long run by replacing eye makeup remover and makeup remover wipes. Both cost me around $15 and last me almost a month. For just a few bucks more The Makeup Eraser cuts down the removal process and its longevity will save me some cash. It is definitely a must try!

 You can get your own Makeup Eraser from the lovely Monika through her links down below!

Availability: www.getmue.com / www.muperaser.com
Price: $19.97


Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for consideration by the manufacturer. This does not affect any opinions as they are my own honest experiences with the product.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Review

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade ($18) is described as a waterproof brow color ideal for sculpting, defining, and carving perfectly precise brows that won't fade. Their smudge-free, creamy formula glides on skin and adheres to hair. It's a must have for oily skin and humid climates.

Dipbrow Pomade is available in (5) shades: blonde, auburn, chocolate, dark brown and ebony. New shades are to be released in the Fall of 2014. I own this pomade in blonde, auburn and chocolate.

The gel-like formula of this pomade allows for a smooth easy application that glides on without much effort. With its opaque pigmentation it is perfect for creating both bold and soft looking brows. The opacity will not only stay on your skin but your hairs as well, even if they are darker than the shade you're applying. Whatever look you're going for depends on the amount you apply and the technique you use.

For a softer natural brow look, use light hair-like strokes throughout your brow and make sure to blend out with a spoolie. It does set fairly quickly so I recommend working on one brow at a time. You will need to run a spoolie through your brow before the product dries.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomades (blonde, auburn, chocolate)

This brings me to its lasting power. Once the pomade has settled, it is STAYING PUT. The longest I've had it on has been for 14 hours without any smudging even after sleeping. (Yes, I know I shouldn't sleep with makeup on.. I usually don't, I just didn't have makeup remover readily available to me)

Water alone will not remove the pomade which is great for the summertime as it's sweat-proof! You will need to use an oil-based eye makeup remover or Neutrogena makeup remover cleansing towelettes work great. I try not to use eye makeup remover on my brows because I tend to get dry there and feel that the oil-based remover makes my skin even drier.

PACKAGING

Who isn't a sucker for beautiful packaging?! I know I am. These pomades come packaged in a clear glass pot and have black with rose gold accent plastic twist-off caps; reminiscent of the MAC paint pots. I like the easy accessibility to the product that these pots offer but feel that the packaging is a bit heavy and bulky for traveling. They aren't very hygienic (if you plan on using it in your pro kit) compared to the squeeze tube of MUFE Aqua Brow is and if not securely tightened, they can dry out.

Although much product is not needed to achieve a look, the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade only comes with 0.14oz of actual product. Whereas the MUFE Aqua Brow comes with more product at 0.23oz. It is comparable to the consistency of the Aqua Brow but I think the Dipbrow Pomade isa bit more pigmented.


SWATCHES

Swatches left to right: blonde, auburn, chocolate.

Blonde is an ash taupe made for blondes. I do wish it was a bit warmer though. I believe that a warmer shade for blondes will be released in the Fall. Blonde can also be used on darker hair to make your brows appear a bit lighter.

Auburn is a reddish warm brown. I am currently using this shade since it goes well with my hair color. Even if I haven't ligthened my brows (my natural hair color is black) it covers the hair very well.

Chocolate is a cool dark brown. I picked up this shade to add to my kit instead of ebony because it comes off pretty dark and figured I can always darken it on black hair with a shadow.

 

(Here I'm using Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Auburn on my brows)

Although there aren't many shades available you can mix them to create a desired color.

The Rundown
I'm really enjoying the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade and haven't been using anything else since. I love the formula and application of these as well as the lasting power. Not having to use more than one product on my brows is a major plus because it knocks down the time I have to spend on them. I wish the other shades would have come out in the initial launch of this product though; I would have picked up the upcoming shades instead of these.

Availability: Nordstrom / Ulta / Sephora / Anastasia Beverly Hills
Price: $18 (.14oz)

Bronze-Copper Glitter Nails

On occasion I love wearing glitter on my nails. I don't often use glitter polishes because we all know what a hassle it is to get off. But since it had been such a long time, I was feeling a little creative the week of Thanksgiving.

This drugstore combo came out perfect for the holiday. I applied one base coat, using Sally Hansen (Forbidden Fudge). Then applied 2 coats of Spoiled by Wet n' Wild (Cougar Attack).

Sally Hansen (Forbidden Fudge) + Spoiled (Cougar Attack) - taken in indoor white lighting.

Sally Hansen Forbidden Fudge is a bronzed chocolate brown. To wear on its own you will need 2 coats for an even application. The brush is a round thick brush that collects a good amount of polish. I suggest wiping some of the polish off into the bottle before applying.

Spoiled Cougar Attack is a brown jelly polish with fine bronze & copper glitters. It is exceptionally pretty when layered on top of a base color. I'm not too fond of wearing glitter polishes on their own. I suggest using pure acetone when trying to remove the glitter polish. I had such a hard time getting all the glitter off.

 

Sally Hansen (Forbidden Fudge) + Spoiled (Cougar Attack) - taken in indoor yellow lighting.

To seal the manicure I used my favorite topcoat - Out the Door. It recently replaced the Seche Vite topcoat. I was looking for a better topcoat since I began to dislike Seche Vite. I was having issues with Seche Vite skrinking in on the edges of my nailbeds. Out the Door Topcoat doesn't give me any issues. It actually performs just like Seche Vite but doesn't have such a strong odor plus it dries quicker; in just 45 seconds. It's less expensive as well ($5). I got mine at Sally's Beauty Supply. Hope you enjoyed this combo! Comment down below with any glitter polishes you suggest trying out :)

Summer Skin Essentials + Tarte Clean Slate Primer Trio & Maracuja Oil

Summer is here and if you are an all-year-long makeup addict like myself, then you know it's the hardest season to apply makeup in. Let's face it, it's beginning to get hot as hell out and by midday your makeup will be melting off your face. This doesn't mean you have to revert to not wearing anything throughout the summer though. There are products that can help you achieve a long-lasting face during these hot months.

A while back I had been wanting to try out the Clean Slate line and Maracuja Oil by Tarte but wasn't so sure about investing so much in each product. I picked up this trial-sized primer trio and mini-sized oil at my local Ulta. Included in the trio set is the Poreless Perfecting Primer, Flawless Brightening Primer and 360° Creaseless Smoothing Eye Primer. 

THE BREAK DOWN..

Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer / Tarte Clean Slate Flawless Brightening Primer / Tarte Clean Slate 360° Creaseless Eye Primer

Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Perfecting Primer (.25 oz trial size) is a waterproof matte base that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines while helping keep your makeup in place for up to 12 hours. It contains natural-fruit and plant-derived extracts that deliver anti-aging properties and skin-restorative benefits. It also contains avocado oil which is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E and protein. (Full size: 1.0 oz $30)

I like to apply the poreless primer before my foundation routine. The main ingredient is cyclopentasiloxane meaning it is a thick silicon-based primer, so it fills in any pores and lines that I have and leaves my skin feeling smooth all while giving my foundation a flawless finish. It also doesn't leave you feeling greasy at all. I switch back and forth between this primer and the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. I'll apply the Smashbox primer on an everyday basis and use the Tarte primer for days where I really want a flawless long-lasting look. 

Tarte Clean Slate Flawless Brightening Primer (.25 oz trial size) is a waterproof hydrating base that not only keeps your makeup in place for up to 12 hours but also acts as a quick fix for tired, dull-looking skin. Contains Vitamins A and E which are natural preservatives that act as anti-inflammatory emollients that fight damaged skin and prevent premature aging. (Full size: 1.0 oz $30)

I haven't used up this sample yet mainly because I've been really enjoying the poreless primer. The consistency of this primer is much different in that the main ingredient is water. It feels more like a lotion when you apply it to the face. I prefer a silicon-based primer over a water-based one, that's just my preference. I haven't used it long enough to support the claim that it is a fix for tired looking skin but it does make my makeup last all day. 

Tarte Clean Slate 360 Creaseless Smoothing Eye Primer (.09 oz trial size) is a waterproof eye primer that allows for 12-hour creaseless wear as well as true color payoff for your shadows. You can use it to prime under the eye also, hence the 360° claim. Enriched with Vitamin E, it acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient that rejuvenates the skin around the eyes while natural mineral pigments soothe the skin to banish dark circles. (Full size: .39 oz $19)

This isn't an eye primer I reach for often because it has a very watery consistency. Whenever I do go to use it, I have to squeeze out the watery liquid first before getting the actual product out. Because of the texture you do have to allow it to dry on the eyelid before applying shadows. I don't think it makes my shadows last as long as the Urban Decay Primer Potion does and I do prefer the consistency of the UD primer more. It has been my holy grail primer for a while now.

Best of all, Tarte products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic fragrances and triclosan. (All ingredients known to be carcinogenics or harmful for your skin and organs)

All primers come in a convenient squeeze tub package with a twist off cap which is nice since it's more sanitary than some primers that have wands. If I had to pick just one full sized item of the trio it would be the poreless primer. After finishing up the sample size I went out and bought the full size. A face primer is an essential when wearing makeup in the summer. No one wants to spend all that time applying products to just have it wear off with the summer heat. 

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil (.23 oz trial size) is a hydrating treatment oil known for its anti-aging and healing properties for firmer, brighter, and smoother looking skin, that won't cause breakouts. Containing Vitamin C and fatty acids, it repairs and rebuilds skin by reducing redness, irritation and inflammation. (Full size: 1.7 oz $46)

This maracuja oil is pretty pricey at $46 for 1.7 oz but a little goes a long way. The bottle includes a dropper; with one pump it will pick up the right amount of oil you need; 2-3 drops is suffice for an application. The maracuja oil works well for all skin types. For those with drier skin, like myself, it helps hydrate the skin by restoring natural oils back into it. If you have oily skin you might be saying, why would I add more oil to my face? Truth is, the maracuja oil will help balance the natural oils in your skin.

I like to use the maracuja oil as part of my night-time skin care routine when my skin is at its worse. This oil comes in handy in the winter and summer months for me where my skin tends to feel a bit on the drier side. It helps repair my skin by keeping it hydrated as well as reduce the redness I get from my rosacea which tends to flare up the most during those months.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil - dropper

Before investing in full size products try looking for sample value sets like this. You should still be able to find this set at your local Ulta or Sephora and it is very affordable at only $9. Overall, I'm very impressed with the Clean Slate Poreless Perfecting Primer and the Pure Maracuja Oil. They are both products that I would buy in full size and continue to repurchase over time.

WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER BEAUTY ESSENTIALS?