Shakeup Your Makeup

Mail came the other day, and in it was the next round from the QVC New Beauty Test Tube.  This one had Mally's Lip Magnifier in Punch - a combination of lipstick and gloss, this product leaves lips smooth and shiny.  Punch is a warm pink with a slight shimmer.  Nothing over bearing, but definitely an easy to use color for all year round.  

A closeup of Punch is below - feel free to click to enlarge.  You can see the shimmer a bit better. 

Swatched on the lips below, see now natural and shiny the color is?  I really like this, maybe even a bit more than the glosses that I have swatched time after time.  I find that I reach into my purse to pull this out as my go-to gloss at the moment.  

The Mally Lip Magnifier Lip Color retails for $20.00 on Mally's website, where there are several other colors available.  

Have you tried any of these lip colors?  What did you think?

I'm always on the lookout for a good lipgloss or lipstick to have in my bag to fall back on throughout the day - something that goes with everything.  Part of the New Beauty Test Tube this go-around was Mally's High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Mally's Look.  I've received several of these Liquid Lipsticks in the kits I've purchased on QVC from Mally and they do not disappoint.  These little beauties have the coverage of a lipstick with the shine of a lipgloss - a multitasking dream. 

Mally's Look is a nude-pink cream. For me, this is just a pinker version of my lips, so it's one of those "my lips but better" colors.  I really like this, especially in a pinch when I need some color and shine, but don't feel like digging around my purse for lipstick.  I actually keep this in my desk drawer at work.   

I will post a full-face picture later this week, just for a better look at how this is on. 

Do you have any Mally's High Shine Liquid Lipsticks?  What is your favorite color?

I love coming home to presents!  My most recent shipment of the QVC Beauty Test Tube came, and I am definitely looking foward to trying out these beauties!

Inside there was a full-sized Laura Geller Waterproof Eye Spackle...this looks promising!

The kit also came with Ojon, Josie Maran Argan Oil (one of my favorites), a Philosophy Shower Gel, Algenist, Mally's  Liquid Lipstick in Mally's Look, and Bliss. 

I will post some pics ands swatches soon!

Part of the QVC Beauty Test Tube I just received was a Mally Evercolor Eyeshadow Stick in Twilight, which is one of her best selling products.  I had actually just received one of these eyeshadows in the Mally High Performance Essentials collection I received back in February, but that color was Taupe.  I'll swatch these two side by side so you can see the differences in the color.

The Evercolor Eyeshadow Stick is mean to be a 4-in-1 product, allowing you to simplify your makeup application but also sporting all day wear.  This is a creamy, glide on shadow that includes a special silicone system which seals and lasts all day long.  You have about 30 seconds to smudge and mess with the shadow until it is finally set, so this is definitely something to use quickly.  This can be used as an eyeshadow, a primer, or an eyeliner.

Twilight is a warm almost golden taupe, which will be very clear in the swatch pictures, especially when compared to Taupe side by side.

Here is a side by side of the two pencils - I thought they looked extremely similar when I was looking at just the product itself without swatches.  Once the swatches were done, there is a clear difference. 

If you are looking for a cooler, almost silvery/lavender taupe, then Taupe is the one for you.  If you prefer more golden/champagne taupes, then Twilight is it for you.  Both are beautiful in their own right, but depending on your preference for cooler or warmer shades, there is a difference.

(Flash)

(Natural light)

Both wear extremely well - once set I didn't have any creasing or smudging on my hand or eyes.  This would definitely work well as a primer as well if you are quick with your application.  I will say, though, I really like these on their own.

Do you own any of these Evercolor Eyeshadow Sticks?  What are your thoughts?

These retail on QVC as singles for $25 a piece with several shades to choose from.

This particular set came with the following for me: A 0.5oz tube of StriVectin-SD Intesive Concentrate for Stretch Marks and Wrinkles, a 2.5oz tube of St. Tropez Gradual Tanner, tarte LipSurgence Lip Luster in Fever (red), WEN Cleansing Conditioner in Lavender, a 0.5oz trial Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Moisturizing Gel-Cream, a 2 oz bottle of bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, a 2 oz bottle of Philosophy's Amazing Grace Shower Gel and Mally's Evercolor Shadow Stick in Twilight.

I've been anxious to try some Peter Thomas Roth, so I am excited to give this moisturizing gel a whirl.  Of course, I am a Wen girl, and the Lavender is my stand by, so this is the perfect size for travel.  The tarte LipSurgence look very pretty too, so I am excited about that one as well!

Did you get this recent round of the Beauty Test Tube?  What have you thought so far?

Up first from the New Beauty Test Tube, tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner.  I received the color  Plum.  These are currently available on Sephora's website for $18 a piece and come in several colors, pictured below.  From the website, here is what Sephora says about the eyeliner:

EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner
What it is:
A revolutionary long-wearing eye liner that contains intensely rich mineral pigments in a 50% water concentration.

What it does:
This revolutionary EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner captures the high-pigment concentration and staying power of a gel pot in an effortless pencil, no brush required! Even more unique is the proprietary formula which suspends rich mineral pigments in a 50% water concentration. By a process of hydrous pigmentation, cooling and refreshing pure water absorbs into the skin to hydrate and replenish the delicate eye area, leaving behind an intense, long-wearing, and pigment-rich color. Fortified with vitamin E, cucumber, and aloe this soothing Aqua-Gel Eyeliner maintains moisture balance in the skin while treating with healing free-radical fighters.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients like pure water that suspends mineral pigments while delivering and retaining moisture to replenish and hydrate skin, aloe leaf extract known for its soothing, healing, and antiseptic properties, which maintain moisture balance in the skin, vitamin E, which acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and fights free radical damage, cucumber extract, which is rich in vitamins A &C and helps soothe skin, and mineral pigments, which have been known to soothe and soften the skin.

Due to the unique nature of this formula, do not over advance the tip. A little is all you need to achieve rich color intensity! Make sure to always securely replace the cap to prevent product from drying out.

These are a very thin and sleek pencil.  The pencil itself is the color of the product inside, so if you're like me and have a ton of pencils in your stash, this makes them easier to identify in the box/cup.  The pencil is also retractable, but not self sharpening, so keep that in mind when twisting it up.  Pictured below is a closeup of the tip of the pencil. 

Swatched on the skin - this is one pass, several times to make a thicker line.  The consistency of this is different than anything I've used before.  It's almost wet, which makes sense considering the name is "Aqua Gel".  Because of the wetness, I got a slight cooling effect just because of the consistency and water that makes up the eyeliner.  It was actually really refreshing, especially in the morning when I'm trying to wake up!

Once the product dried, it stayed put.  This definitely had the ability to be smudged when wet, but didn't budge for me once set.  This is kind of unique - I find a lot of these wetter eyeliners either dry so quickly you can't do anything with them, or never dry at all. 

Plum itself is a very pretty, intense purple.  In the pencil itself, I didn't think I'd get much color out of it, but once applied it is really quite bright and beautiful.  There is the slightest shimmer to it, but nothing over the top. 

I have not tried this on my waterline yet, but just along the lashline.  I did not have any irritation or smudging. 

Have you tried the new tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel eyeliners?  What do you think?  What color did you try? 

For a several presentations, I've watched QVC's Beauty Test Tube and had the urge to purchase but never did.  Well, I finally decided to give it a go on auto-delivery this last presentation, so I thought I'd give you all a sneak peak.  Once I get through testing the products, I will certainly put up a review. 

This particular tube came with the following:

So far I've tried the tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner and of course, Mally's Volumizing Mascara (a must have in my makeup bag).  I will post swatches of the tarte eyeliner this week. 

I am so excited to see what comes next.  I really enjoy the magazine as well - it's full of information on products I've never even heard of!  Have you signed up for this yet?  I would say, if you like trying new things, this would be a great way to get your beauty fix of various products.  Right now the product is not available on QVC, but it should be popping up in the near future. 

I don't know about you, but I love to try out now products.  Skin care, hair care, and of course cosmetics.  Right now I'm in beauty-heaven because of all the new items that have come onto the market with the new year.  Well, QVC also has an opportunity for you to try out several new or up and coming items before any one else - the New Beauty Test Tube.  I have talked to several people who are currently receiving this on auto delivery, and absolutely love it, so I decided to take the plunge.  I figure for $30, this is my new year's treat to myself.  I also chose to make this a year-long treat by signing up for the auto delivery plan, so I will receive a new beauty tube in April, August and October.   There is also a one-time plan available as well.

Now if I ordered the Mally Volumizing mascara ($28 for two on QVC.com) and tarte emphasEYES eyeliner alone ($18 on Sephora.com), I'm looking at $32 already, so I figure this is a good deal!

I am very excited!  What about you?  Will you or have you purchased this?