*NEW* Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow - Full Collection + Swatches + Makeup Look

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow Collection

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow ($3.99, 0.05 oz) is a new collection of gel powder eyeshadows that has been added to the permanent makeup line. They are described as rich, vibrant colors that glide on in a single stroke, delivering a stunning multi-dimensional effect.The formula of a gel powder starts off as a gel then is transformed through a special process into a powder eyeshadow that delivers pure color and power wear.

The collection features neutrals as well as bright vibrant pops of color. This formula is meant to be crease-resistant and can be applied wet or dry. The texture of these shadows are soft and powdery, some colors more than others. At first touch they feel more dry than soft but it is as though body heat warms the product up for a buttery smooth feel. They apply effortlessly and blend easily on the lids. Use a brush to apply or for an intense pop of color I prefer to use my finger to apply the shadow directly onto my lid. To achieve a foiled look using the metallic finish shade, add a bit of MAC Fix+ to your brush before dipping it into the eyeshadow.

The formula has a lasting power of about 7 hours. I began to see some fading after that time span especially on my lower lashline. Some colors fade faster than others though. I saw the most fading with Bella Navy. So far my favorites have been Bella Mandarin (for my crease), Bella Gold (I apply it to the center of my lid), Bella Sand (as a lid color) and Bella Ivory (for my browbone).

SWATCHES
These shadows are available in (30) shades and (3) finishes - Satin Matte (SM), Shimmer (S), Metallic (M):

Top (left-right): Bella Ivory, Bella Sand, Bella Cappuccino
Bottom (left-right): Bella Caffé, Bella Taupe, Bella Espresso

01 Bella Ivory (SM) is an off white pearly shade. It is great as a subtle inner corner & browbone highlight.
02 Bella Sand (S) is a beautiful soft gold with fine shimmers. This is great for a soft natural sheen on the lid.
03 Bella Cappuccino (SM) is a soft warm brown with the slightest sheen. The sheen is not that noticeable. It is great for the crease or as a light healthy-looking wash on the lids. I like the definition it gives to my crease.
04 Bella Caffé (SM) is a soft cool brown with a slight sheen not easily noticed on the lid. It is a great crease color.
05 Bella Taupe (SM) is a soft muted grey-brown shade with a slight sheen in it. Use it all over the lid or in the crease.
06 Bella Espresso (SM) is a medium brown with a gold undertone in it. The sheen it has is much more noticeable than the previous shades. When applied wet the color deepens significantly.

Swatches (white background): Bella Ivory, Bella Sand, Bella Cappuccino, Bella Caffé, Bella Taupe, Bella Espresso

Swatches (open background): Bella Ivory, Bella Sand, Bella Cappuccino, Bella Caffé, Bella Taupe, Bella Espresso

Top (left-right): Bella White, Bella Sky, Bella Navy
Bottom (left-right): Bella Gray, Bella Charcoal, Bella Black

07 Bella White (SM) is a translucent stark white with a subtle shimmer. I love to use this on my browbone and inner corner for a bright highlight.
08 Bella Sky (S) is a translucent pale sky blue shade. It has a very shimmery finish.
09 Bella Navy (SM) is a deep blue with a satin finish and slight shimmer. When applied wet it is richer in color. This is a great lid shade.
10 Bella Gray (SM) is a light translucent gray with a satin finish and slight shimmer due to its transparency.
11 Bella Charcoal (S) is a deep steel gray with brown undertones. It is very shimmery and would be a great lid color for a festive eye look.
12 Bella Black (SM) is a dark black with a satin but almost matte finish. Great for smoking out a look on the outer v.

Swatches (white background): Bella White, Bella Sky, Bella Navy, Bella Gray, Bella Charcoal, Bella Black

Swatches (open background): Bella White, Bella Sky, Bella Navy, Bella Gray, Bella Charcoal, Bella Black

Top (left-right): Bella Pink, Bella Violet, Bella Purple
Bottom (left-right): Bella Champagne, Bella Khaki, Bella Emerald

13 Bella Pink (S) is a frosty pale pink with a shimmer finish. The color applies lighter to the skin than what the pan shows. This is a great shade for the lid.
14 Bella Violet (S) is a light violet with a pink undertone and has a shimmer finish.
15 Bella Purple (SM) is a deep purple with a slight sheen. This is a gorgeous lid color.
16 Bella Champagne (S) is a pink champagne shimmery shade. I would put it over an eyeshadow base for a more glossy effect.
17 Bella Khaki (S) is an olive green with a gold undertone. I has a shimmery finish and has great pigmentation.
18 Bella Emerald (S) is a rich deep green with a shimmer finish. It has more of a metallic finish when applied with MAC Fix+.

Swatches (white background): Bella Pink, Bella Violet, Bella Purple, Bella Champagne, Bella Khaki, Bella Emerald

Swatches (open background): Bella Pink, Bella Violet, Bella Purple, Bella Champagne, Bella Khaki, Bella Emerald

Top (left-right): Bella Rouge, Bella Silver, Bella Teal
Bottom (left-right): Bella Gold, Bella Copper, Bella Bronze

19 Bella Rouge (M) is a red metallic shade with pink undertones. Apply wet for a foiled look.
20 Bella Silver (M) is a light silver metallic shade with fine shimmer in it. It has great pigmentation.
21 Bella Teal (M) is a blue-green metallic shade. It swatches more blue than green compared to how it looks in the pan and applies more as a shimmer until built up with more product.
22 Bella Gold (M) is a deep yellow gold with a metallic finish. It is very pigmented. It can be used in the center of the lid or inner corner for a pop of color.
23 Bella Copper (M) is a pigmented rich copper with gold undertones. Use it wet for a foiled finish.
24 Bella Bronze (M) is a rich warm brown bronze with a metallic finish. It is greatly pigmented when applied dry but loses its pigmentation when applied wet.

Swatches (white background): Bella Rouge, Bella Silver, Bella Teal, Bella Gold, Bella Copper, Bella Bronze

Swatches (open background): Bella Rouge, Bella Silver, Bella Teal, Bella Gold, Bella Copper, Bella Bronze

Top (left-right): Bella Cobalt, Bella Fuchsia, Bella Mandarin
Bottom (left-right): Bella Chiffon, Bella Rose, Bella Diamond

25 Bella Cobalt (SM) is a bright opaque cobalt blue containing fine silver shimmers. It has great pigmentation.
26 Bella Fuchsia (SM) is a sheer light fuchsia with a slight shimmery finish. Layer it on to build pigmentation.
27 Bella Mandarin (SM) i s a satin cool orange. It has a slight sheen when swatched but when applied on the crease it isn't noticeable. I love applying this color to my crease for the majority of my looks.
28 Bella Chiffon (Highlight/S) is a frosty yellow-toned white with a shimmer finish.
29 Bella Rose (Highlight/S) is a frosty pale pink with silver shimmers.
30 Bella Diamond (Highlight/S) is a very frosty white shimmer.

Swatches (white background): Bella Cobalt, Bella Fuchsia, Bella Mandarin, Bella Chiffon, Bella Rose, Bella Diamond

Swatches (open background): Bella Cobalt, Bella Fuchsia, Bella Mandarin, Bella Chiffon, Bella Rose, Bella Diamond

PACKAGING
Each shadow comes in a round gold compact with reflective snap shut caps. The packaging is like the Milani blush compacts. Although they are very pretty they are a bit bulky for eye shadow compacts. They will take up a good amount of storage space. You can depot them if you are looking to store them in a palette but please RESEARCH how to before trying to pop them out of the packaging. The shadows themselves seem to be baked onto a terracotta pan instead of a metal pan and there is a process to depotting them.

 
OVERALL THOUGHTS
The Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows are a breath of fresh air to the drugstore makeup brand. I have not come across any other brand selling single shadows that are as pigmented, versatile and easy to blend as these at that price point. Their lasting power is about the same as other drugstore brands, as an artist I'd like my shadows to last all day but it's fine as most women keep their makeup on for about 9-10 hours a day. I'm glad that they are not limited edition and are a part of the permanent Milani line. Although the packaging is pretty to look at they do take up a lot of storage space (I currently have to keep them in a bag until I find out what to do with them) and I am considering in depotting them to make room. With a vast array of colors you are sure to find what is right for you. In that sense I like the fact that they are single shadows and you don't have to buy a whole palette to restock on just one color (this happens often to me with drugstore palettes). I definitely recommend my beauty junkies to check these babies out!

Wearing Bella Navy & Bella Copper on lid / Bella Mandarin on crease / Bella White on inner corner & browbone

Wearing Bella Navy & Bella Copper on lid / Bella Mandarin on crease / Bella White on inner corner & browbone

Follow me on Instagram for makeup looks inspired by the Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows!

Availability: Drugstores / Milani
Price: $3.99 ea.


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.

L.A. Girl PRO Conceal HD Concealer Review + Swatches

L.A. Girl PRO Conceal HD Concealer

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer ($5) is described as crease-resistant, opaque coverage in a creamy yet lightweight texture. The long-wearing formula camouflages darkness under the eyes, redness and skin imperfections. Provides complete, natural-looking coverage, evens skin tone, covers dark circles and minimizes fine lines around the eyes.

These cruelty-free concealers by L.A. Girl Cosmetics have been raved about all over social media and for good reason at that. We all know that finding a great long lasting concealer with little to no creasing and at an affordable price is hard to come about in the beauty market. Look no further my beauty enthusiasts, these gems are here to stay! 

The Pro HD Concealers come in (18) different colors: Classic Ivory, Natural, Creamy Beige, Nude, Medium Bisque, Pure Beige, Warm Sand, Medium Beige, Almond, Cool Tan, Toast, Warm Honey, Fawn, Toffee, Espresso, Chestnut, Beautiful Bronze, and Dark Cocoa.

With a vast array of color options to choose from, rest assure there is a color to fulfill your needs. Whether you are looking for a highlighting, concealing or contouring color,  LA Girl pro concealers have got you covered. From the lightest ivory to the deepest cocoa shade the variety in colors make these concealers a hot item for any makeup artist's kit; allowing them to have options for their clients' needs at a reasonable price.

Reviewed here are two of the shades in the collection. I use Creamy Beige to highlight and Toast to contour. When choosing your shade, it is a bit difficult to easily find what you are looking for through the website as they are not actual swatches. I recommend you try looking up real swatches on blog reviews such as this. I got lucky and chose the two that ideally met my needs. Creamy Beige is a bit light to match my foundation but it works perfectly for highlighting my face (mid forehead, bridge of nose, under eyes, cupids bow and chin) which is what I wanted it for. Toast is the perfect color to contour my face (temples, cheekbones and nose) with. I always go for a contour color about 4-5 shades darker than my skin tone and just blend blend blend into my foundation and highlight for a flawless contoured look!

Creamy Beige used as highlight / Toast used as contour

PERFORMANCE

Naturally I have dark circles that have always been an issue for me when trying to find a product to cover them up. I also have fine lines under my eyes that always tend to cause creasing when I apply concealer. The problem indiscovering the perfect concealer is finding one that would not only cover my dark circles but prevent creasing and is long wearing all at the same time. It wasn't until I started using MAC Pro Longwear Concealer ($19) that I had found a solution to my dark circle trouble. I vowed to never try another concealer again but when I came across the Pro Conceal HD Concealers and the raves about them I knew I had to give them a try.

Left to right: Creamy Beige - Toast

Just like the infamous Pro Longwear, they are very creamy and opaque, concealing my problem areas without having to use much product. Although they are creamy and blend easily, you will have to work a bit quicker with these concealers because they do dry a bit faster. I use a beauty blender or stippling brush to help blend out the product effortlessly. Thus far the concealer has stayed put for 10 hours without any creasing. 
 

PACKAGING

These squeeze tube concealers are reminiscent of some lip gloss tubes which some may not like but I love. I prefer this packaging over any jar or hard plastic tubes that come with a wand or brush... meaning less mess and more hygiene care. This also means no product gets left behind in the tube. We all know what a pain that is when you still have enough product leftover for a few more applications but there is no way of getting it out of the packaging. I do favor the pump that the MAC Pro Longwear comes with but the problem with pumps is that they make it difficult to control how much product you are dispensing; once you do there is no putting any leftover back in the container.

Holding .25 oz of pigmented product means they will last you quite a while. MAC packaging holds .30fl oz and lasts a long time. A little goes a long way with both concealers so not much is needed for one application.

There is one minor downfall to the packaging of these concealers, that being the tip has a brush applicator. Bacteria can grow in the brush from the leftover product after using it directly on your face. Even if you are using them for personal use, it's not too sanitary. I suggest squeezing out some product and transferring it onto the back of your clean hand or a mixing plate. The brush does make it a bit messy though..

Brush Tip Applicator

PRODUCT TIP - HYGIENE CARE

Here's a tip! When I received my concealers I took a pair of pliers and pulled out the brush applicators. This way I can just squeeze out the amount I need without the mess all while using the most sanitary care possible with this product. I also always wipe down the opening with alcohol to prevent any bacteria from entering the tube.

Top: toast / Bottom: Creamy Beige

OVERALL THOUGHTS

I'm happy I got my hands on the L.A. Girl Pro HD Concealers, they certainly do live up to the hype! The non-creasing long-lasting formula makes for a perfect concealer to fix problem areas as well as for highlighting and contouring the face.

At about a quarter of the price of MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, the Pro Conceal might just replace my previous favorite. A slight downfall to these concealers is the availability of them. I've heard some say they can be found at your local beauty supply store but I have yet to see them. They can be found online on the L.A. Girl website at $5 a piece or about $3 at iKatehouse.com. I need to get my hands on all the shades to add to my kit. These concealers are recommended by yours truly to everyone, especially makeup artists wanting to stock their kit with high quality products at an affordable price.

Availability: L.A. Girl / iKatehouse / Drugstore.com

Price: $2.29 - $5.00 
  

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.