Drug Store Bargain Buy Week - Day 1 part 2

I think it's time for another eye makeup product, sadly, I don't seem to like ANY of the eyeliner's I've tested and none of the shadows are pigmented enough for me

So we're back to mascara!  This new hot product from Maybelline (again!) called "Big Eyes" Mascara ($9)


And here are the deets:

- You have 2 ends, one meant for bottom lashes and one for top
- The waterproof version is awesome, not drying and doesn't smudge
- There are several shades of black, meaning inky to charcoal-y
- It really separated and added length to my lashes

I've been applying it with the smaller brush all over first to really separate and it really made a difference!

I had a guest-tester!

My gorgeous niece Samantha tried the product with me, and she really liked it too!


I will go ahead and say that I think its the best drug store mascara I've used, and beats out:

Revlon Lash Potion


Cover Girl Lash Blast


and L'Oreal Double Extension

Drug Store Bargain Buy - Day 3

Are you loving this week's theme?  I know I loved testing and trying out products!!!

Today's bargain buy is a lip product, which has long been the product that women want to buy when they are in the mood for making a cosmetic purchase!  So buy on!

Today's Lip Pick is Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain crayon, $8


I'm sorry, but for $8 you can't find a better stain crayon!  I've tried Stila, POP Beauty, Tarte, and Bare Essentials and I prefer this one EVERY time, I actually have EVERY color!

Why it's great:
- Nice range of colors
- The color LASTS - it really does, and I mean hours
- Its the perfect texture, a blend of gloss and stain
- Its self sharpening
- Its easy to apply





The most universal shade is "Honey" it literally looks good on anyone!  I am never without 'Darling' because its the perfect punch of color to amp up my look on the go!


Its really worth checking out this great lip bargain buy!

Drug Store Lipstick Showdown

It's a bonus post for Drug Store Bargain Buy Week - and its a SHOWDOWN!!!



In one corner, we have Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick ($7)

Regular Shades

"Vivid" Shades

And in the other corner we have Revlon's ColorBurst Lipstick ($8)

Premiering with 10 Shades

Maybelline's Punches:
- Outstanding Color Selection
- Higher pigment (read: more color less filler)

Revlon's Punches:
- Smoother application
- Semi-hydrating

The winner is:

REVLON!

Maybelline had the lead, until after the re-application (after several hours - it did have staying power!) when it starting caking up and peeling.  I also thought it dried my lips out.

There you have it!  Revlon Lipstick for the WIN!

Drug Store Bargain Buy Week - Day 2

Today's Drug Store Bargain Buy is Almay's CC Cream, $10


Why it's great:
-Great range of shades, rather the typical light, medium & dark - with this you actually get six shades to choose from
- It blends really well
- Its not greasy at all
- It has a pleasant, if subtle, scent
- It's about 40% cheaper than some comparable CC Creams
- Moderate coverage


CC stands for 'color correcting' so this is great for uneven skin, sun spots or acne spots that you want to fade.  I also love that you get Broad Spectrum sun protection (as you will with most CC Creams, but they didn't skimp here, you get SPF 35!)

In my test, it beat out L'Oreal's Lift CC Cream as far as color and consistency


It's worth $10 to have it use when you aren't wearing foundation (these creams are not intended to give you coverage like a foundation - but for most its all the coverage you need when combined with concealer) or for every day!

Give it a try!

Rosa M Beauty Thursday Topic Preview!

By popular request - I will be covering. literally, under eye circles!



On the show Thursday (Channel 9 at 10am) I will be discussing under eye circles and how to treat and cover them!  Which is a topic you've been asking for!

Stay tuned for a preview of Thursday's radio show topic!

Drug Store Bargain Buy Week!

Today is the first day of "Drug Store Bargain Buy Week"

I've been testing and trying a TON of drug store brand products, some were amazing and made the top 7 on this list and some were not so great!

Make sure to check the blog every day this week (starting at 9am each day) to find out that day's top drug store brand pick!!

Sunday's Pick is a limited edition product, so get to a Walgreens, Rite Aid or Grocery Beauty Dept (large retailers only for this one) ASAP to pick this up, you'll want one of each!!

It's Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara in limited edition colors for summer!


Retailing at $6 each, these are a STEAL and that's a good thing, because you need all four colors, trust me!

The two most popular ones are the purple and blue


but don't overlook the teal!


Colored Mascara is ALL the rage this summer!

For drama:


For full color and drama:


And a new way to wear it in 2013: Mixing colored mascaras:


When applying colored mascara, 'wiggle' the wand at the base of the lashes and 'shimmy' it up to really coat lashes to make the color stand out


What's more: I've tried

MAC ($16)


Estee Lauder ($26)


Make Up For Ever ($23)


AND Chanel ($32)


And all you're missing out on with the Maybelline is some of the color options (no yellow, etc) but you're NOT sacrificing on quality or color pigment!  AND....you can get all 4 for the price of one Chanel - so I say go for it! 

Bonus tip:  if you DO want to go for a bold and lighter color, like the Chanel yellow, on the very tip of lashes, use the tip of the wand to apply!