I’ve always thought of DrugstorePrincess as a sort of beauty community - slash - online magazine, through which we could learn from one another. In an attempt to get back to my blogging roots, I thought, “what better way than to get my amazing readers to give me some of their thoughts?!” So much of DSP is myself giving you MY thoughts, and to be honest, my thoughts bore me sometimes. YOUR thoughts on the other hand, are exciting and brand new and fascinating to me. So thanks to some really amazing, kind, thoughtful readers of mine (who you will be able to meet later in this post), I have created this treat of a post for you. This Hits and Misses post for February 2014 is filled with YOUR thoughts on some of the hottest, newest, and coolest beauty products of the now… good AND bad! Enjoy, and look for MY Hits and Misses to come later!
theBalm Overshadow Pigments - $15
Submitted by Amber, of berbearbeauty.tumblr.com <3
My hit for this month is definitely theBalm’s Overshadow loose pigments. I bought two during their 50% off sale several weeks ago, a total impulse purchase (but how could I pass up those savings?). I didn’t think I would come to love them so much!
The colors I purchased were: ◦You Buy, I’ll Fly - a beautiful copper color ◦If You’re Rich, I’m Single - a very interesting purple/taupe color
They can be a bit messy to work with since they are loose pigments, but over all, the shimmer they give off is definitely worth the little extra work you have to put into applying them. They are so finely milled that they can give off a shine very similar to a glitter shadow, but don’t feel as heavy or chunky. If you use them wet, they come off metallic, which is totally awesome.
I like to apply them over a matte smokey eye so that my eyes will catch the light with out packing on a bunch of shimmer shadow. I’ve found they work best if they have something a little wet to cling to, so I’ll either spray some setting spray onto my lids and brush or add the tiniest amount of eye primer on top of my matte shadows before applying (otherwise they tend to fade off in a couple of hours).
The Overshadow pigments are normally $15 on theBalm’s website. I would definitely buy the other two shades if I didn’t already have so many light shimmer shadows!
DSP’s Notes:
I also just fell in love with these pigments recently! After seeing one of my favorite beauty vloggers (NikkieTutorials) using one over and over in several videos, I caved and bought it for myself. It’s called “No Money, No Honey”, and it’s a gorgeous champagne/gold. It’s so silky and shimmery, it looks amazing as a highlight color anywhere on the face!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade - $18
Submitted by agirlthatlovesmakeup
I have always bought drugstore makeup and I’m good at finding good deals. However, this month I decided to pamper myself! One of the products I purchased was the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade. I was tired of sharpening my eyebrow pencil after every single stroke and I like the idea of a gel-type product for my eyebrows – The E.L.F eyebrow kit is disappointing. The product claims to be “smudge-free” and “waterproof” while it “glides on skin and hair smoothly”. Well… It does! It is so creamy and soft, I actually stabbed it on accident the first time I used it! A little goes a long way and my favorite brush to use it with is the E.L.F Small Angled Brush.
◦Pros: Long-lasting, easy to apply, great pigmentation
◦Cons: Absolutely none :)
DSP’s Notes:
Spot on! The DipBrow pomade is the perfect product for filling in your brows, whether you want a really dramatic, perfected, instagram-worthy eyebrow, or just something that looks natural and is longwearing. This is a gel product (a little goes a long way) and it comes in a lot of great colors that ACTUALLY match real world peoples’ brow hair! I highly recommend it, especially if you’ve tried a lot of other brow products and are currently at a loss!
Bonne Bell Lipcolor - $4
Submitted by benaddicted-and-hiddlestoned
So I was wandering around Kmart the other day and I noticed that near the lip gloss area that there was a product that I had never seen before…. these Bonne Bell Lip Colors! I was really curious about these because I remember LOVING Bonne Bell Lip Smackers back in middle school (shoutout to Cotton Candy, my fav flavor), and just as I have matured, it seems that Bonne Bell has, too!!
The packaging looks a lot like the NYX Matte Lipsticks… Black tube with white writing and a small clear section in the middle where you can see the actual color of the product.
I picked up two colors, just to try them out. I got Calypso Coral (on the left) and Getaway Berry (on the right). Both are glossy and shimmery, which reminds me a bit of the Revlon Lip Butters and the Maybelline Color Whispers. From what I remember, there were several different color options… Maybe 10 or 12, if I remember correctly.
Pros: ◦Price ($3-4, which is cheaper than their Lip Butter/Color Whisper counterparts) ◦Super moisturizing! Doesn’t leave lips chapped or dry. ◦Good color range ◦They’re a really nice pop of color!
Cons: ◦Not super long-wearing… Reapplication would most likely be necessary after eating or drinking. ◦There are already products on the market that are like this.
Overall, these are a really nice new lip products! If you’re obsessed with lippies like me, then I think you’ll like them! Plus, these will be really nice for spring and summer. Check em out!!
DSP’s Notes:
I haven’t seen these around yet, has anyone else? But I have tried and loved the new Bonne Bell LipLites! They’re a really silky, lightweight gloss, in tons of great colors! I miss Lip Smackers every once in a while… Vanilla Frosting was my favorite flavor (mmm!)
Urban Decay Anarchy Face Case - Limited Edition, prices currently vary
Submitted by runawayflute
Can I just… the Urban Decay Anarchy Face Case. It. It is my everything this month. I swooped in on it when it went on sale for $29 like a barn owl on some poor country kid’s favorite kitten. I adore travel-sized palletes that contain a full face of products, and the Anarchy Face Case does not disappoint: you’ve got a super saturated lip color, five eyeshadows, a black 24/7 glide on eyeliner, blushes and a highlighter. Just toss a mascara and foundation in your bag and you are good to go. The best thing about this pallete has to be the packaging itself. Each level has its own mirror, so no flipping back and forth when you use the products on the lower level, and the lip product is a separate chubby pencil. No worries about powders muddying up a cream pan of lip goo! The range of looks is also nothing to sneeze at. The peach and pinks make for a perfect day look, while the purples and grays can smoke it out for the night, and there is a mix of finishes to boot. Both the blushes are intensely pigmented (no doubt to compensate for the small pan size) and the wearable (but certainly not nude) pink lip color reads pouty club rocker or girl-next-door depending on whether you pair it with a night or day eye look. Ugh. <3
DSP’s Notes:
Agreed! This was the perfect all-in-one, travel-friendly set from this past holiday season. I’m just jealous you got it at such an awesome price!
Max Factor CC Cream - $10-$20
Submitted by indigopolie
This month I have been loving Max Factor’s CC Cream in the shade light. I love to give my skin a break from heavy foundations and I find I can confidently wear this product out with a bit of concealer if I need it or translucent powder to set and it creates a beautiful, soft complexion even with my uneven skintone. It’s $20 AUD which may seem pricey but I definitely recommend it as it is my summer staple.
DSP’s Notes:
Whyyyy did they get rid of Max Factor in the USA?! It’s no fair. Thanks for this review - I LOVE hearing about the cosmetics in other countries, even if it is slightly torture!
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation - $10-$30
Submitted by confessionsofamake-upaddict.blogspot.com
A huge hit for me this month was the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation! I am someone who is usually loyal to about five different foundations at once, but I have literally used this since I purchases it. This a gel foundation, and it has light-medium buildable coverage and really just looks and feels like skin on your face. This is supposedly a dupe for the Chanel Vita Lumiere Foundation, but I have never used that so I cannot compare unfortunately :(
Pros: ◦Packaging - Has a pump, dispenses a good amount at any one time ◦Smell - It seriously smells so delicious and fruity ◦Coverage - I would describe this as a light, or light medium at best, foundation. But it is easily buildable, and it doesn’t cake anywhere on my face ◦Longevity - Lasts all freaking day. However, if you are oily, you may want to set it with a powder ◦Looks like my skin but better, and is perfect for everyday
Cons: ◦Price - It costs $32AU ($30USD, give or take) ◦Availability - This is available in select stores in Australia (where I’m from), but I am not sure about the US. However, it is really easy to find your shade, and there is plenty available on eBay!
DSP’s Notes:
This foundation has been on my Lust List for ages!! In videos it always makes the skin look so flawless and healthy. This review makes me want it even more!
ELF Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen - $2
Submitted by wildwhitenorth
So I am a HUGE e.l.f. product lover. They’re vegan, cruelty-free, and you simply can’t beat the prices.
Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen. I was so surprised by this liquid liner! The formula is really pigmented, and that $2 price tag is unbelievable. And talk about staying power—if you prime first and don’t touch your face a lot, this is definitely a 24 hour product. It has a felt-tip marker style tip, and it’s just thick enough so that you can get away with one swipe for a finished look, but not thick enough so that you couldn’t get a subtle look from it.
DSP’s Notes:
This is a great liquid liner for beginners! You can create a number of different looks with this inexpensive pen, and you’ll look like a pro!
ELF Essential Eyelid Primer - $1
Submitted by wildwhitenorth
Essential Eyelid Primer: It has a really thin, whipped texture that’s super easy to work with, it has drastically improved the staying power of my eyeshadow, and it is ONE DOLLAR. If you don’t have very oily eyelids, this is definitely worth a try!
DSP’s Notes:
This has been my daily staple for years now, and it never fails me. The texture is very similar to a lot of high end primers, and it certainly does a proper job!
————————————————————————————————————————————————-
ELF Makeup Mist & Set - $6
Submitted by urbanradfitters
The E.L.F make up mist is a huge MISS. I’ve been very impressed by some of their products and I was hoping the same for this. It was only $3 and I liked that it was natural. However, it does not help your makeup stay in place. When I got it home and opened it up, the bottle was covered in some sort of greasy residue which was unpleasant. It is nice to use as a pre-makeup moisturizer since it sinks into the skin and doesn’t leave and slippery-ness behind like a lot of creams. But, if you’re looking for a makeup setting spray, don’t waste your money on this.
DSP’s Notes:
This is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it product, with not too much in between! A lot of people use it in hopes that it will perform as well as Urban Decay’s All-Nighter, but in reality it is not meant to be a waterproofing spray like that. Instead it’s meant to help the makeup settle into the skin and look more natural, hence the aloe, vitamins, etc. So yes, it’s a miss if you’re looking for a longwear spray!
L’Oreal Miracle Blur Instant Skin Perfecter - $30
Submitted by confessionsofamake-upaddict.blogspot.com
A miss for me this month, was the L’Oreal Magic Blur Finishing Cream. Not to say its a bad product, but it costs a lot of money for something that really isn’t all that. Honestly, I own the Garnier Perfect Blur (which is about $20AU cheaper), and I find that they are the exact same product.
Pros: ◦Does diminish the look of pores ◦Makes your makeup go on somewhat smoother ◦Comes in a squeezy tube, and it is really easy to get product out
Cons: ◦Price - It retails for between $25-30AU ◦It isn’t a cream, but more a mousse-like texture ◦Is apparently different to the US version, which makes me very grumpy! I was looking forward to this product being released after reading so many favourable reviews from people in the US ◦Is so similar to the Garnier Perfect Blur, I think that they are the same product. Here, the Garnier Perfect Blur retails for $16.99, and I think it goes on smoother than the L’Oreal one.
DSP’s Notes:
Ut oh, now I need to hunt down this Garnier alternative!
ELF Matte Eyeshadow - $3
Submitted by wildwhitenorth
I tend to buy e.l.f. palettes rather than individual shadows since I find great deals on palettes a lot when I’m at TJ Maxx or Sears. One thing I’ve noticed all of the palettes I’ve gotten having in common is that the shimmery/metallic finish shadows have a ton of pigment and go on really smoothly, but the matte shadows are always really dry and have almost no pigment at all.
Hope this helps some of you makeup lovers! xx