Tag Archives: review

Mar28

L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara Swatch In Cobalt Blue

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L’Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara Swatch In Cobalt Blue

Hi! My skating coach has been rocking burgundy mascara during my last few skates and I am obsessed. I love the pop of color in an unexpected place and was eager to find some of my own the next time I went makeup shopping. I wasn’t expecting to find any funky colors of mascara at the grocery store I was at but I was pleasantly surprised to see a cobalt blue and burgundy shade by L’Oreal and bought them both.

Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at the cobalt blue hue and be sure to tune in tomorrow to talk about the burgundy! Let’s get to it:

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I was really looking forward to trying the cobalt blue mascara because I thought that it would give me a more obvious color pop than the burgundy. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed with the results. The color was just not saturated enough for a noticeable effect and I could really only tell that the mascara was blue when I was in natural lighting.

Aside from the pigment of this mascara not being shocking enough, I am not too thrilled with the mascara in itself, either. I am so used to my big, bold, fanned out lashes from religious use of Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced so anything less than over exaggerated lashes are going to be a no from me, dawg. And, because the cobalt pigment is so dull you can’t even layer it over top of a base coat because it will literally do nothing… Believe me, I tried.

I can’t say that I would recommend this mascara and I plan on trying something a bit more high end when self-isolation is lifted and I can actually go play in Sephora. Maybe the burgundy hue will be a bit better? Find out tomorrow!

What is the best colored mascara? How do you add funky color to your makeup looks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar27

Covergirl Katy Kat Eyeliner Swatch In Kitty Katdabra

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Covergirl Katy Kat Eyeliner Swatch In Kitty Katdabra

Hi! This past week, I stocked up on some fresh food at the grocery store and couldn’t resist looking at the makeup selection. I haven’t been shopping in store or online in so long and I honestly feel like I’m going through withdrawal. So, I just had to treat myself to some funky colored mascara and a glittery eyeliner from the Covergirl Katy Kat collection in Kitty Katdabra. Check it out:

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I have been running low on my Black Onyx Covergirl liner and, sadly, the store I was at didn’t have the kind I liked. I was a bit disappointed because you can’t go wrong with a solid black liner but I figured that one with a little glitter wouldn’t hurt. And, normally, Lil Red never says no to a little bling!

I was looking forward to giving this new liner a try because it looked really cute. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t apply as harshly as I would like. I was hoping for something deeper with a sprinkling of midnight stars but the base color applied in an almost grey fashion and I don’t love it. I plan on using this color simply because I have it now and I’m not going to return it but I won’t be buying it again in the future.

How do you add some sparkle to your makeup looks? What is your go to brand of eyeliner? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar25

Miracle Skin Care Product: Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10 Edition

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Miracle Skin Care Product: Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10 Edition

Hello! As all of you know, Lil Red takes her skin care seriously. So, I’m sure you can understand how I would be frustrated when I was dealing with a cystic pimple that literally would not go away. No joke, I have been trying to get rid of this thing since September and used every face mask and cleanser you could think of to no avail. Sometimes the swelling would go down but, for the most part, the progress in eliminating it completely was stagnant.

That’s why I am absolutely thrilled with the Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10. After looking up the best treatments for cystic acne, I realized that this product with ten percent benzoyl peroxide was the way to go and the internet definitely wasn’t lying:

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Within two weeks of at least two to three uses per day, the Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10 has made the cystic pimple that I have been struggling with nonexistent. Of course, it has dried out my skin but that is a side effect that I am willing to deal with to finally conquer the problem.

I legitimately have never gotten so much as a pimple before so having one that just wouldn’t go away was a huge blow to my self esteem and I wish that I would have discovered the Persa-gel sooner. I am so thankful to have a blemish free face and plan on using the gel until I can’t feel the bump under my skin anymore. But, for now, the noticeable portion of the problem is gone and I could not be happier.

If you have a tough blemish, then I can’t recommend the Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10 enough and will continue to keep a tube handy at all times for emergencies!

What is one of your favorite miracle beauty products? How do you keep a clear complexion? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar19

Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask Edition

Hello! Every once in a while I like to treat myself to a new face mask to indulge in during my weekly night of pampering. I never spend too much money on them and, whether I liked the mask or not, I still tried something new and I love testing out different skin care products. At Five Below, they have a wonderful selection of Freeman face masks and I believe I paid four dollars for one of them. You definitely can’t beat that and I ended up purchasing a Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask. Read on to find out more:

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I have never been too keen on gel face masks unless they are to be applied before going to bed. But, the Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask just seemed way too refreshing to pass up. Not only will something like that feel good after a hot summer day but it will also help soothe my dry skin, compliments of surviving another Ohio winter. So, into the cart it went and I was looking forward to giving it a try.

First of all, this mask smelled amazing. It smelled exactly like the Watermelon Lip Smackers and it instantly perked me up when I took a whiff before my morning shower. The mask also felt cool to the touch immediately once it was squeezed on my hand and, as I applied it on my face and neck I was invigorated by the tingling, cooling sensation that I felt on my skin.

After washing it off in the shower, my skin definitely felt smoother and not as tight in the patches that are experiencing dryness. I was surprised at how well this face mask worked and I daresay that I like it better than the Freeman clay masks that I have tried. This mask didn’t promise miracles on its packaging but everything that it did have was 150% accurate and I can’t wait to use it again!

What is your favorite face mask? How about your favorite Freeman face mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar16

Mary Kay Nourishine Plus Lip Gloss Swatch In Fancy Nancy

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Mary Kay Nourishine Plus Lip Gloss Swatch In Fancy Nancy

Hello! My best friend, Lea, will be tying the knot in October and I am so honored to be a part of her special day as one of her bridesmaids. From a DIY wine and paint night and bridesmaid dress shopping to attending a bridal expo with Lea and her family, it feels good to bond even closer to my bestie and become friends with the rest of her wedding party.

I didn’t write about the bridal expo we attended but, I’ve gotta tell you, it was really something. Lol and by something I mean it was totally overwhelming. The IX Center in Cleveland was completely packed by vendors and brides to be and it was major sensory overload for me. But, the bagful of free goodies I ended up with from visiting the different vendors made being packed in like sardines somewhat worth it!

I walked away with a reusable tote bag full of candies, chapsticks, BBQ sauce of all things, and some makeup samples including the following by Mary Kay:

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My first and only experience with Mary Kay makeup left much to be desired so I wasn’t particularly excited to try out the Nourishine Plus Lip Gloss in Fancy Nancy. However, the rose gold hue shining through the package looked pretty and I was interested in seeing it more closely.

I am not a big lip gloss girl and much prefer smooth matte lipstick over a sticky gloss any day. The Nourishine formula wasn’t “I spilled juice and forgot to clean it up” level sticky but halfway between that and a chapstick. In my opinion, it was still too much for me but it definitely applied smoother than the other glosses I’ve tried.

Despite not loving the texture, I absolutely adore the color and would be willing to try it in a lipstick, for sure. The over the top glitter gives a fresh, summery tangerine shine in the light and I think that it would look so charming for rooftop drinks with the girls come the hot weather. Would I go out of my way to order the Mary Kay brand? No. But I will definitely be keeping my eye out for something similar!

How do you feel about Mary Kay? Have you ever been part of a wedding party? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar5

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Stranger Diaries Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Stranger Diaries Edition

Hi! I have been on a huge graphic novel kick lately so it has been a while since my last Lil Red’s Book Club meeting. But, since I finished the Lucifer series of comics, I am back on my mystery/thriller novel obsession and devoured The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths within a week. Unfortunately, the grand reveal of this book just didn’t do it for me, which is too bad because everything that led up to it was filled with nail biting suspense. So, without giving any spoilers away, let’s discuss:

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Talgarth High was the former home to Gothic writer, R.M. Holland, who specialized in the dark and obscure. He is also the favorite of Clare Cassidy, an English teacher who reads his short story, The Stranger, every year to her classes. Clare is a posh, divorced, middle aged woman whose daughter, Georgia, attends Talgarth High, as well. And, as most thrillers go, everything is seemingly perfect until a murder takes place.

Two murders, actually. Two murders that are obviously inspired by The Stranger in the ways that they are committed and in the fact that the killer leaves a quote from the novella behind at each crime scene. “Hell is empty”. The Stranger Diaries is an intertwining whodoneit between Clare, Georgia, and Detective Sargent Harbinder Kaur – all of whom could be in danger if the killer strikes again.

From witchcraft and long dead writers to notes from the killer appearing in Clare’s diaries, red herrings are everywhere in The Stranger Diaries. Will you be able to figure out whodoneit in time? Read the book and find out!

My mom and I normally read the same books as each other and we both came to the conclusion that this was an excellent book with a really shitty ending. The Stranger Diaries was unputdownable for me and I took every opportunity of free time I had to continue turning the pages.

I loved reading snippets from The Stranger, I adored how the book went back and forth between characters, and a lot of the book was downright creepy. How would you feel if someone was writing to you in your private diaries?! But, the big BUT, is that the grand reveal of the killer was the most random, lackluster unveiling I’ve read in a long time and that was so disappointing to me.

Obviously, I’m not saying NOTHIN about whodoneit. But I will say that if you read the book, try not to look too far into the subplots because they are definitely going to cloud your judgement. Take things for what they are and you might just be able to solve the case on your own!

I am going to give The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths a star rating of: five out of ten. Had the ending been better, it might have received the prestigious ten out of ten stars from me but, unfortunately, I am having trouble looking past a huge build up for a let down of a grand reveal. Whomp whomp.

What are you reading right now? Which book should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb26

February 2020 Finishes

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February 2020 Finishes

Hi! After what seemed like five months of January, we are already at the end of our second month of the new year. I blinked and February was over but so much fun stuff happened this month! I had a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend with my boyfriend, I was in a music video (More to come later!), and enjoyed some great practices at the skating rink. I’m already looking forward to what March has in store but, first, let’s check out my February finishes:

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Would I Use Again:

Why/Why Not?

TBS Treatment: I absolutely LOVE the Tea Tree Pore Minimiser by The Body Shop. This wonder product not only helps shrinks pores but leaves my skin with the most perfect matte finish, which gives me flawless skin with no makeup. The Pore Minimiser has always been one of my favorites by TBS and I was so stoked when I found it at TJMaxx. One tube lasted me about one and a half months and I am hoping that there are more available to purchase next time I go to TJs!

SkinLab Serum: The more I use this serum, the less crazy I am about it. This probably stems from the fact that I only get about three weeks of usage from one bottle. As someone who balls on a budget, I hope for a little more longevity out of a product, especially one that’s seven bucks a pop! I don’t think that I would buy this serum again unless I had no other options and am excited to try out something new once I finish up my last bottle of Lift & Firm.

SkinLab Moisturizer: Despite not being crazy about the serum, I love the Lift & Firm moisturizer by SkinLab. It takes me at least one month to finish the jar and I am really enjoying this cream while it’s still cold out because it’s a bit heavier. Although the consistency is thicker than what I normally use, this moisturizer absorbs quickly, sits well under makeup, and I highly recommend it.

Not too many empties this month, but I just have a feeling that there will be a ton in March so get ready for it!

Which products did you use up this month? What is your favorite serum? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb10

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Vampira

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Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Vampira

Hello everyone! Today we’re going to check out the last swatch in my makeup hand me down haul from my sister. Recently, we swatched all kinds of good stuff from L’Oreal and Revlon to Kat Von D and we will be checking out the final shade in her sample pack called Vampira in this post. Similar to the other Kat Von D colors that we looked at, I would not wear the shade Vampira. But, it actually is my favorite one of the three so take a look and let’s discuss:

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Upon first inspection of the marketing and sample pod, I thought that Vampira was going to be a really dark purple. But, once swatched, I realized it was more of a mulberry with some deep red garnet thrown in for good measure. I absolutely loved the shade once I knew what it actually was and the color reminded me of the stain you get on your lips when you drink way too much red wine!

Despite appreciating the color, I would never wear Vampira. I have only tried lipstick in the purple family one time and ended up looking like a living dead girl and I am definitely not going through that again!

I consider myself an extremely edgy girl but I thought that, for the most part, each Kat Von D shade that I swatched was too bold for my liking. And I literally never say that. I felt like all of the colors were way over the top for my fairly simple makeup routine and I wouldn’t feel like myself if I was wearing one of the lippies.

I think the Kat Von D Studded Kiss collection is great for the makeup risk takers and I commend them for using such shocking shades. But, for gals like me with only a few signature lippie colors, I don’t think I would recommend the collection. The “wow” factor of each hue is just too much to feel comfortable in, no matter how fierce they are!

What is your favorite bold makeup to wear? What is the craziest color of lipstick you own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb9

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Lolita

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Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Lolita

Hello! Today we are going to look at another one of Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss Creme Lipsticks in the shade “Lolita”. As I scrolled through the comments about this lippie on Sephora’s website, it seemed to be the most popular hue amungst the crowd. But, I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’m already not partial to the lipstick brand already after an unsuccessful swatch, but I didn’t think Lolita was that great. Lol, but I’ll let ya’ll be the judge of that! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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Now, I get why to some this bold take on a nude lip in a dazzling rosewood hue would be a “universally flattering” color. I SAY FALSE! Lolita applied EXTREMELY brown on my lips. I’m talking chocolate milk with the tiniest splash of strawberry mixed in for good measure brown. I thought I was going to get a sultry dusky pink and ended up looking like I stole every single cookie in the cookie jar.

The funny thing is, is that I think a dusky pink is an amazing universal color and I wish they would have stuck with that idea. Lolita was quite possibly the most misleading packaging and swatch I’ve had in my life. Normally, all I need do when I’m lipstick shopping is run a line on my hand to quickly judge the actual color. However, this swatch proved to be much different.

As I applied a lipstick heart to my hand, I was shocked at the results and just how dark it really did apply. So incredulous that I actually took the time to apply this lipstick with my makeup to see the full effect. I thought that maybe the chocolatey shades would soften against the natural pink of my lips but I thought wrong. And, even my boyfriend confirmed!

I was looking forward to trying Lolita out because many a blogger has posted about it before. But, unfortunately, it ended in one big fat “whomp whomp” lol, it was a hand me down free sample, though. So, no harm no foul!

What color do you think is universally flattering? What is a color that looks good or bad on you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb4

L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick In British Red Swatch

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L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick In British Red Swatch

Howdy! My big sister always hooks me up with the best makeup hand me downs. But, sometimes, my hand me ups to her end up back in my possession. For example, the shade we’re going to discuss today called British Red by L’Oreal used to be my signature. I used to apply it almost every day when I worked at PacSun and would blow dry my lips for the ultimate matte finish.

Boy, am I glad I glowed up since then!

Haha, since I have discovered my favorite matte lippie compliments of NYX, I scoff at the fact that I used to literally blow dry my mouth. But, hey, desperate times! Despite this silly memory, British Red will always hold a special place in my heart so take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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Back in the day when I was sporting British Red, my hair was a lot less vibrant than it is now. Don’t get me wrong, I was still Lil Red, but it just didn’t pop as much as my current shade of Vidal Sassoon’s Runway Red. So, it probably makes more sense why I was into a shade that is actually quite orangey now that I’m looking at it again with the seasoned eyes of a woman who is very picky about her red lipstick!

After revisiting this lipstick, I can confidently say that I would not use it again because it definitely would not be flattering on me now. The vibrant orange undertones in my hair mixed with the red/orange of the lippie would be enough to get me shipped off to Clown School. BUT, that doesn’t mean that the color doesn’t slap because it is actually really pretty.

The ultra rich pigments in this lipstick make for a perfect pout and I have fond memories of feeling my damn self when wearing it. I am just not a fan of glossy lipstick and around seven or eight years ago, the matte revolution of lipstick hadn’t happened. Hence, why I blow dried it!

Although you won’t spot me rocking British Red any time soon, L’Oreal makes a good lipstick. I never had problems with it smearing or smudging during an eight hour day of talking nonstop and shotgunning Starbucks when working in the mall. This is definitely a brand that you could wear confidently during a long day of work without the fear of it ending up all over your pearly whites!

How has your lipstick style evolved over time? What are some of your hacks for a smudge free pout? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah