COVERGIRL Lip Perfection Lip Color: Review + Swatches + Photos

I've been in love with COVERGIRL's Lip Perfection Lip Colors for a bit now. I was organizing my makeup collection and realized I hardly own lipsticks and instead have so many lipglosses. Slowly, I've been picking up these lipsticks at Rite Aid. I'm waiting until next week to look at more colors since Rite Aid will be having a 40% off sale on COVERGIRL cosmetics.

I only own 6 of the vast array of shades that this collection has to offer and am really liking the color payoff. I would get all the shades if I could... hehe.

COVERGIRL says:

• Bright, gorgeous color that can transform your day and your lips.
• Enriched with a silk moisturizing complex.
• Formula helps sustain moisture levels and helps create soft, smooth, beautiful lips in just 7 days.
• Beautiful rich color.

I say:

• Application does go on smoothly, no dragging and leaves lips moisturized but I don't think that it has made my lips softer throughout the week.
• Color payoff is nice. Highly pigmented colors that go on evenly.
• Color preview on end of tubes is nice and are very close to lipstick color.
• I like the gunmetal finish and square tubing, looks very modern.
• Nice vanilla-like scent.
• Lightweight packaging.
• Love that there is 44 different shades to choose from (all split into categories: Browns, Lilacs/Mauves/Burgundies, Nudes/Corals/Reds, and Pinks/Roses) Everyone should be able to find the right shade.
• Some are a cream finish and others are frosty.

Bottom to Top: Embrace -- Eternal -- Rapture

Tube Color Previews Left to Right: Embrace -- Eternal -- Rapture

Embrace 335 (intense warm purple - cream finish)

Eternal 350 (intense bright pink - cream finish)

Rapture 280 (warm neutral coral - frosty finish)

Bottom to Top: Smitten -- Darling -- Hypnotic

Left to Right: Smitten -- Darling -- Hypnotic

Smitten 310 (warm dark mauve - cream finish)

Darling 395 (warm neutral pink - cream finish)

Hypnotic 220 (warm orange/brown - frost finish)

I swatched the lip colors on my arm so you can see the contrast on skin tone. To achieve skin tones hues you might want to use a lip erase cream that will cancel out the natural hue of your lips. I have seen that Mac carries a lip erase.

Swatches w/ Flash L to R: Embrace - Eternal - Rapture - Smitten - Darling - Hypnotic

Swatches w/o Flash L to R: Embrace - Eternal - Rapture - Smitten - Darling - Hypnotic

Will you pick up any of CG lip colors? Which one is your favorite?

LOFT: Marbled Drops Bib Necklace

The same day that I had my Chico's haul I had about 5 minutes to stop into LOFT.. (they were closing).. there was a sale going on and they were offering an additional 40% off sale items.. I didn't get to check out the clothes on sale =(  but I did check out the jewelry since it was the closest to the register ;) and I found this cute marbled bib necklace.. for what I think is a pretty good price considering it's from LOFT..

LOFT Marbled Drops Bib Necklace
Retail: $39.50 Paid: $8.99

I really like the layering of the stones as well as the color tones. This necklace is such a delicate looking piece that would be perfect in spicing up any plain work outfit. The metal finish is more of a bronze finish (the pic came out as a gold finish). The rope finish is soft to the touch and allows this piece to be versatile for any type of outfit.

Close-up of stones

Chain Extension w/ Lobster Claw Clasp

Measurements:

Chain Length w/ Extender: Approx. 12.5"

Max. Width: Approx. 7.5"

Original Cost ($39.50) ~ Sale Price ($14.99) - 40% off ($6.00)

Total Cost w/ tax = 9.38

Saved = $30.51

What do you think of this piece? Leave a comment below..

Covergirl: New Natureluxe Collection + Review + Photos

I recently signed up to become a BzzAgent and received my first BzzCampaign kit in the mail a few days ago. (Pic below) I was sent free full-size samples of the Natureluxe Liquid Silk Foundation (350 Oak) and the Natureluxe Gloss Balm (215 Hibiscus). The Covergirl Natureluxe Collection is something I have been wanting to try out for a little while now and I'm glad that becoming a BzzAgent allows me to experience it for free..

BzzAgent Covergirl Kit: CG Natureluxe BzzGuide, full-size sample of Foundation & Gloss Balm, & Coupons

Gloss Balm (215 Hibiscus) & Liquid Silk Foundation (350 Oak) 

Foundation Facts:

• 8 out of 10 pro make-up artists agree the liquid silk foundation provides a luxurious skin finish and light luxurious feel.
• Trades in a heavier emollient for a a refreshing cucumber water and a hint of natural jojoba & rosehip extracts to help balance the creaminess on application, delivering a flawless coverage.
• Available in 14 shades (light - dark tones).
• Oil-free, SPF 10 and dermatologically tested.
• Suggested retail: $11.99

Applied Application: Liquid Silk Foundation (350 Oak)

Blended Application: Liquid Silk Foundation (350 Oak)

Gloss Balm Facts:

• 9 out of 10 pro make-up artists would recommend it to clients for a sheer color with a non-sticky, lightweight feel.
• Contains a lightweight blend of mango, shea & other natural butters.
• Available in 16 versatile, beautiful shades.
• SPF 15
• Suggested retail: $6.49

Swatch: Gloss Balm (215 Hibiscus)

Gloss Balm (215 Hibiscus) - w/ Flash

Gloss Balm (215 Hibiscus) - w/o Flash

My Opinion (Foundation):

• Agreed- does provide a silky & smooth application. 
• Feels lightweight, almost as if I had no foundation on my face.
• Nice refreshing scent, does not smell of chemicals.
• Provides light coverage- not enough coverage for me since I have freckles and heavy dark circles. I recommend for light foundation users or first-timers.

My Opinion (Gloss Balm):

• Agreed- provides a sheer color with just a bit of perfect shine.
• Balm is non-sticky and very lightweight.
• Color is beautiful. I thought the color would be a bit more like a lipstick color but I was surprised to find how sheer and light it was and felt.
• Great light sweet scent, no smell of chemicals.
• I recommend this balm to anyone. 
• Another one of my favorite products.

Face:

Victoria's Secret Eye Flash Liquid Brightening Pen (Spotlight), on eyelids and under eyes to help w/ my dark circles

Maybeliine NY 24 Hour Super Stay Concealer (Light), over VS Eye Flash on eyelids and dark circles

CoverGirl Natureluxe Silk Foundation (Oak), all over face

e.lf. Shimmering Facial Whip (Toasted), applied to hollows of cheeks and up the cheekbone with finger

Maybelline NY Expert Wear Blush (Gentle Rose), applied with blush brush on apples of cheeks

CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder (Soft Honey), applied over entire face and neck

Brows:

MAKE UP FOREVER PRO Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector  (#0), applied with small e.l.f. angled brush

Eyes:

Maybelline NY Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad (Sunlit Bronze)

 - Light Gold on browbone and inner corner of eye until half of eyelid

- Gold on remaining half of eyelid and small amount of crease
- Bronze on outer V of eye and on crease
- Warm Brown on outer V of eye and on crease

mark. Get In Line Hookup Waterproof Eyeliner (Painted Black), on top lash line

mark. No Place To Run Longwear Eyeliner (Jetset), on lower lash line and water line

CoverGirl Water Resistant Lash Blast Fusion (Black), on top and bottom lashes

Lips:
CoverGirl Natureluxe Gloss Balm (Hibiscus)

Chico's Haul + Photos

iPod Rotation: Jonelle Monae- Smile

I accompanied my mother to Chico's a few days ago. She wanted to pick up some new clothes and I ended up leaving with more than she did... But I got cute things for cheap!! LOL

Let me start off by saying that Chico's has some really nice accessory pieces but retail price is a bit high =(  Lucky me, they were having a sale and offered an additional 30% off on sale items. Soooo as my mami was in the fitting room I browsed the accessories sale section (hehe) and I must say I came out with some fabulous finds at a tremendous bargain! To top off this great sale, I got another 5% off for being a Chico's passport member and had a coupon.. So without further ado, my latest additions to the wardrobe:

Ikat Small Clutch- Brown/Blue
Retail: $69  Paid: $11.94

Measurements: 

Length 11.25" x Width 2.5" closed x Height 6.5"

Open width 5.5"

This clutch is so versatile with brown/blue/black/light beige/grey tones. The shell and lining are 100% silk and the size is perfect for me. This is the size I want when looking for a clutch. I can fit my lipgloss, blackberry, camera, money, ID, liner (basically, my going out essentials). It's anything but "small." I saw the clutch a while back in another Chico's in Edgewater, NJ and fell in love, but then saw the price tag and my heart broke. LOL So you can imagine my excitement when I saw it on sale.

Cyzarine Neckalce - Blue/Aqua
Retail: $48  Paid: $9.56

        Stone Detailed Close-up                   Lobster Claw Clasp

Measurements:

Chain Length w/ extender: 13''

Width: 7"

Love the blue tones of this piece. So simple but yet so regal. (If that makes any sense, lol) With a bronze metallic finish, this piece doesn't overpower the blue stones, making it a versatile piece that can be done up with a fancy dress or worn with nice blue skinny jeans, a white tank and a variety of different color shoes.

Lottie Earrings - Blue/Aqua
Retail: $20  Paid: $4.78

Close-ups

Measurements:

Approx. 3.25" in length

These earrings match the necklace beautifully. But I do think that wearing them both together is a bit much (for me). I love the detailed cracking in the aqua stone.

Angia Hoop Earrings - Blue/Red Orange/Brown
Retail: $22  Paid: $4.78

Front/Side Views

Measurements:

Approx. 2" in length

1.5" in diameter

These are just too cute! Bronze metallic finished hoops covered by blue and red-orange beads and a underlay of brown intricate braiding are what caught my eye! And they go with my new clutch! ;)

Thanks Chico's! Time to tally up this haul!

Ikat Clutch original ($69) ~ Paid ($11.94)

Cyzarine Stone Necklace original ($48) ~ Paid ($9.56)

Lottie Blue Earrings original ($20) ~ Paid ($4.78)

Angia Hoop Earrings original ($22) ~ Paid ($4.78)

Total Paid= $31.06      

Saved= $127.94  (80% saved)

Did you get any goodies at Chico's?