Need Something Extra Bright on Your Lips? Try Annabelle Twist Up in Bazooka Pink!

Hi everyone! Today I'm bringing you a quick review of the Annabelle Twist Up in Bazooka Pink. I'm sure you've been overloaded with swatches through the 24 Days of Annabelle promo going on on social media this past month, but I got curious about the product and decided to give it a go myself. Even though there were plenty of neutral colors up my alley to choose from, I decided to give something out of my comfort zone a go!

First off, the packaging has pros and cons. I love that the actual product can be "twisted-up" as the name suggests. However, a freshly opened tube does not "twist down" which makes putting the cap back on a bit of a pain.

I do really like that shape of the lipstick gives a clean and precise application. Bonus points for that.

Bazooka Pink applied on my hand, photo taken in shaded daylight. The formula is VERY opaque, only needing a few swipes for full coverage.

And on my face.

Truthfully, I don't find this color terribly flattering on me. I've never been a fan of bright (barbie) lipsticks. However, I'm quite content to having it in my collection to use when my mood does want something bright and cheerful. Heck, I've worn it a few days so far and it has grown on me. Maybe I can do brights after all?

Which Annabelle Twist-Up is your favorite? I'd love some suggestions for other shades!

Annabelle Quad in Chai Chai Chai! A Review and Look of the Day!

After reading Tracy's post on the Annabelle Quad in Chai Chai Chai a while back, I was intrigued. The colors were 100% up my alley, and I really wanted to give it a try even though I probably had all the colors in my collection. What can I say, I'm a curious person!

I'm not too familiar with Annabelle products (other than with their amazing Le Big Show mascara which I love)  so Tracy's stamp of approval really pushed me to give it a try!

The palette is compact and sturdy. I love that you can see the shades through the top!

Swatched on my hand.

The Quad features 4 complimentary shimmery shades (no mattes, sorry matte lovers!). The shades are all wonderfully pigmented, smooth and easy to work with. The patchiest of them is probably the darkest shade, but it's still not patchy enough to be a problem upon application. My favorite shade is hands down the third on in my swatch. It's very similar to the brown shade in my Dior Aurora palette and is the perfect brown to use all over the lid for a quick look. I absolutely love using the Dior shadow that way and I know I'll be using this Annabelle shade the same way! I had absolutely no problem with wear time (I always wear a primer because I have oily lids) and had no drop-down problems upon application, nor during the day.

I thought I'd do a quick makeup look to show you how I've used the palette.

I used the first shade, the lightest one, in the inner corner of my eye, the second all over my lids, the third shade to depend the crease (with a MAC 217 brush) and used a smaller brush (the NARS Small Dome Eye Brush which is amazing) with the darkest shade to add more definition to the crease, the outer corner of my eye and the lashline. I then added a bit of the darker shade under my eye with a MAC 219 brush and voila! To finish off the look I created a cat eyeliner with my L'Oreal Infaillible Lacquer Liner, used my Clarins Be Long Mascara on my lashes, added the NARS Laguna Bronzer to my cheekbones, and topped them with the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed. On my lips I have the Maybelline Color Whisper in Mocha Muse.

Hope this was a helpful review for you! If you've been hesitating on getting this palette, rest assured that it's an excellent palette and you definitely won't be wasting your money! How can you go wrong at $10.95 a pop!

March Favorites!

I'm a couple days late but I figured I'd post this anyway because there's a few things I loved this month and I want to rave about them!

First off, my Each Peach Massage bar. Girls, this is a great product. The smell of this makes me happy. It's lemony and creamy and just plain fresh. I've been using it on dry spots and especially freshly waxed or shaven legs. It does take a bit of time to sink in but it makes your skin feel very soft after it does. I definitely recommend this for dry skinned gals - I'm pretty sure this will be too heavy for my skin come summer.
 
Second, I have been loving my Goody Spin pins. They have been a lifesaver when my hair is all out of sorts (AKA, curly and frizzy) and I want a quick fix for them. I just twist my hair into a bun, then twist these little suckers in there. Tada - my hair is up for the rest of the day. I had to work for 14 hours straight at work the other day and this stayed on all day. No fussing! Since this is a bit hard to explain, here's a tutorial on how these work.

My Estee Lauder BB Cream has been used pretty much every day this month. This is a product I will absolutely keep repurchasing. To read the full review on this product, click here. My feelings are pretty clear on this one: it's LOVE.

My blush of choice in March has been Tarte's Amazonian Clay blush in Blissful. The warm weather we briefly had in March made me whip this thinking spring was coming (sadly, it wasn't). It's the perfect amount of coral without being too bright and gives you a nice healthy flush.

I purchased Clinique's Loose Powder in Invisible this month on a whim to see if I would find something (anything) better than what I was using (Rimmel's Stay Matte). I was pleasantly surprised. It's actually invisible, does not smell of anything, and does not leave you with a cakey look - just enough to set your foundation. I'm very pleased with this product. The only downfall? It's a loose powder if you're not careful when opening it, it gets everywhere.

I have professed my love for Annabelle Le Big Show mascara in the past. And I'm hanging on to this tube as long as possible. As soon as there is a sale on this mascara, I'm stocking up. This is an amazing mascara that is VERY thickening but also keeps your lashes separated. I don't know how you do it Annabelle but this has become my favorite mascara of all time!

Lastly, I have used my Clarisonic Mia every day this month. I don't want to say too much because there will be a review coming up on this. So far so good though! My skin feel much smoother this month!

These are my March favorites! What has stood out to you this month? Has spring influenced any of your choices?

5 Favorites of the Moment

Here are 5 products I've been using religiously for the past three or four weeks.

1. Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara in Black

I heard about this mascara from Glitter Geek. Arianne raved about the thickening one coat formula. I saw the mascara on sale over the holidays and decided to give it a go. Guys, this is the. best. mascara. ever. Well, after Make Up For Ever's Smokey Lash. But for a drugstore mascara, a quarter of the price of Smokey Lash, it is definitely worth its while. If you like really big and thick lashes when you're applying mascara, this is for you. The bonus of this mascara is that while it applies thickly and generously, it is not a huge pain to take it off. I've complained about the L'Oreal Voluminous formula - when you try to wipe it off with eye makeup remover, it just spreads instead of cleaning off like it should. I hated it for this reason. Le Big Show has given me no issues with removal. No waste of cotton pads with this one!

2. MAC Eyeshadow in Brun

 This is my go to color for eyebrows. I must admit, I am quite lazy when it comes to brows. I don't usually fill them in. They are quite thick so there are no patchy spots really -  I use Brun to make them look more "groomed". Lately though, I've been enjoying a clean, sharp brown, a warm coral blush and rosy lips.

3. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy

This has been on regular rotation since I got it. It's the perfect - holy moly I'm late - lipstick. It's not sticky like a balm so there are no problems with hair getting in it and it's light and sheer enough that you can put it on without a mirror. I wish I could keep one in my handbag at all times but I'm too scared of damaging it!

4. MAC Cream Color Base in Virgin Isle

I've loved wearing this with almost no makeup. A big swatch of mascara, a balm and bright coral cheeks. A look I have called, What You Look Like When Walking Outside in Oh So Wintry Canada.This product is extremely pigmented. I usually use it with my Sonia Kashuk flat top foundation brush and blend it into my hand before applying to my skin.

5. Eucerin Aquaphor Skin Protectant Ointment

This has been my nighttime lip treatment savior. For some reason, lip products by Blistex don't work on me. They usually leave my lips more chapped than when I applied the products. My lips have been so dry that they have been cracking in the middle and at the corners. Enter Aquaphor. When my lips are feeling particularity dry, I dab and rub in some of this ointment. It makes my lips feel plump and nourished again. I've used it every night for a about three weeks and the condition of my lips is much better. I do however suggest that you really rub the product into your lips - I don't find it does much if I just apply it quickly. I also got a cold this week and this has saved my nose from being red and chapped. Miracle product, I swear!