Haul: L'Oreal

Hi! It's been a while :) Haven't gotten the chance to use many Birch Box items from December, but the near year is coming in and maybe I'll have more of a use for it. But this is my small, but exciting (at least for me haha) L'Oreal haul!

The pictures on the left shows the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush, and "The Balm" lipsticks
(or lipbalms) in 819 Caramel Comfort

and 518 Tender Mauve (from left to right). I got all of this at Target for less than 7 dollars each, if I remember correctly. Anyway, the eyeshadow is supposed to be comparable to the Armani's Eyes to Kill, and I don't have anything from that line so I can't really speak on behalf of that, but this eyeshadow is gorgeous based on the swatch below. I kinda wish I got more. I mean, that's from one solid swipe, no primer.

As for the lippies, I imagine that they are L'Oreal's response to Maybelline's Baby Lips and Revlon's Lip Butters (which, by the way, I ended up liking for the darker shades like Brown Sugar... still am not impressed with the lighter shades like Sugar Frosting though).

Unlike other L'Oreal lipsticks, these have a pleasant smell... NOT like cardboard! But don't worry, the scent is so subtle that you really can't tell unless you put your nose right up to it. It applied smoothly onto my arm and came out as pigmented as you'd expect a moisturizing lipstick to come out. In fact, this is extremely similar to the Revlon Lip Butters in terms of pigmentation. I can't say if this is moisturizing because I haven't had the chance to wear them yet, but please do let me know if you're interested in a full review!

The packaging of the eyeshadow is thin and feels like acrylic, not threatening to break. With the exception of the cheap and plastic cap, it looks really nice and is easily portable. The lipsticks have absolutely gorgeous packaging! It has very nice weight and looks so sleek--I just can't wait to use! I really wish I grabbed more shades of each of these items!

Birch Box: December 2011, Benefit POREfessional

$29 by itself, but Sephora sells it in value sets that you may want to look at.

So if you're not aware, I got this in my December Birch Box. If you watched my open box video, you'll know that I'm not typically a face primer person because I have dry skin anyway, so my makeup doesn't usually have a problem staying on my face. I've tried this primer since then, and I can tell you a little bit about it from a dry-skinned person's point of view.

It is definitely smoothing, as most primers are. It's a bit thicker than some other primers I've tried before (like the Smashbox Photo Finish) and I have to say, it has a weird smell. I almost want to say it's grape scented, but my nose could be all out of whack; still, it has a smell to it that. Its thickness made it slightly more difficult than the Smashbox primer to apply but that's not saying much because it still applied well (Smashbox's primer is just really light and easy, and has even been awarded so it's almost unfair to compare). I wouldn't purchase the full size because a) I really have no need and b) the smell bothers me a little. And like I've been saying, the Smashbox Photo Finish is just nicer. I've also been meaning to try the Veil Hourglass primer, mainly for the SPF. 

Also I almost forgot to add... this is intended for people with more obvious pores, I guess, and I have pretty small pores so I can't say how that works out. Birch Box definitely missed the mark for this month. 

Have you gotten the chance to try this? 

Drug Store Haul: Revlon Lip Butters, Maybelline Popsticks, and Essie winter collection!

First haul!

• Essie winter polishes
• Maybelline Popsticks
• Revlon Lip Butters

Birch Box: December 2011 (Frolic and Fancy)

Items mentioned:

• Benefit Cosmetics: The POREfessional
• Jouer - Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink
• kate spade new york - Twirl
• Nuxe - Huile Prodigieuse / Multi-Usage Dry Oil Shimmer
• Prep - ShowStoppers
• Recharge - EBOOST

Hope you enjoy!

Received: Naked 2 Palette!

Any questions? :)

Did you miss the Naked Palette 2?

Don't fret. They should have more shipments next week. Be sure to sign up for the UD newsletters to one among the first to hear about it! If you don't want to order online though, I just got a confirmation from Sephora for when they will be selling the Naked Palette 2:

I've ordered mine, so stay tuned for swatches and a review. I'm so excited!