Revlon by Marchesa Nail Appliques

They're hear y'all! They. Are. HERE!  You guessed it - the Revlon by Marchesa nail appliques are here and they are gorgeous!  I've been looking forward to getting my hands on these since Nouveau Cheap reported on the collection (which includes other beauty items) back in June.  Here are the four (there are eight total) that I snagged at Walgreens:

They're almost too pretty to use, right?  The whole collection is gorgeous, but at $9.99 each I really had to limit myself.  Luckily, Walgreens has a BOGO 50% off sale on Revlon through Saturday so if your Walgreens has these, now is the time to buy!

If these are any indication of what the rest of the Marchesa collection is going to be like, we are certainly in for a treat!

Lorac Neutralizer: A Miracle in a Bottle (Only $10)!

Do you suffer from enlarged pores?  Have you tried product after product searching for one that transforms your pores from the Grand Canyon to "Pores?  What pores?"  If so, you'd better sit down and read on.  If not, you are one lucky human being.

Lorac cosmetics was a featured brand on HauteLook a few weeks ago and after hearing several positive reviews, I decided to give them a try.  I've always been too broke and/or cheap to try more expensive brands like Lorac but at 50% or more off, it was the perfect time to buy this surprising miracle worker:

Lorac Oil-Free Neutralizer; $10 at loraccosmetics.com

Unfortunately, HauteLook was sold out of a few things that I wanted to try so I decided to try my luck with Lorac's own site.  I was successful, obviously, and they still have some great products (including the neutralizer) on serious discount here!  (Many times products featured on HauteLook are still sold at the same discount on the company's own website.  If something you want is sold out or you missed the sale, be sure to check the brand's site!)

I was actually expecting this to do more for redness than anything, but I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed my pores were practically gone after just one use.  I use this before applying my foundation, which Lorac doesn't recommend, but it works just fine for me.  You can also just add a pump or two to your foundation and you'll get the same results.

Ipsy Glam Bag: August 2013

It's here!  I'm pumped to show you guys what I got in my Glam Bag this month!  Although I was really hoping to snag an Urban Decay lipstick that others received, I can say that I'm not entirely disappointed.  Read on to see what I received and read my first impressions.

You Had Me at Shine-Free

As an oily-faced gal, I am a sucker for anything that claims to magically erase/prevent/dissolve oil and shine.  My brain says, you know better, Cassie but my heart says, I need that in my life!  That being said, I think only 98% of products that claim to provide oil relief actually do.  Maybe it's me, maybe it's Maybelline but I was not impressed by their Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation.

Review: Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment

I certainly do not have a shortage of oil on my face nor my hair, so when I received a bottle of Macadamia Natural Oil's Healing Oil Treatment in my May Glam Bag from Ipsy, I was less than thrilled.  I figured I didn't need any more help in the oil department and such products should be reserved for those dry, damaged hair types.  I, in my fleeting beauty wisdom, could not have been more wrong.

Photo Credit: Macadamiahair.com

Not a Fan Friday: Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara

I know what you're thinking, "Revlon makes mascara?!"  The answer (obviously) is yes, they do.  However, mascara is definitely not the shining star of the Revlon brand and certainly cannot compare to our beloved Revlon Lip Butters.  In fact, the one and only mascara I've tried from Revlon is horrific - it's the Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara in waterproof.

Quick Tip: CVS Coupons

As a member of the CVS ExtraCare Rewards Program, you can save a TON of cash especially if you're a frequent CVS beauty shopper like me.  Coupons are available online and in-store at the coupon center. Also, as a member of the ExtraCare Beauty Club, you can earn $5 rewards for every $50 spent.

If you're not a member, you NEED to enroll!  It is by far the best drugstore rewards program (I should know, I have them all!).  I've been a member of Walgreens' rewards program for about the same time as CVS, and I'm still waiting to get cash back from Wags.  I've earned at least four $5 beauty rewards and countless ExtraBucks!  Check the CVS website to learn more!


Yesterday as I approached the register at CVS, the cashier noticed I had a handful of coupons printed off from the coupon center.  Although I told her I didn't think I had picked up anything that would qualify for any of the coupons, she said she would scan them anyway, just to make sure.  She ended up saving me an additional $5.24 (even after my $5 reward and a coupon for $6 off $30)!  Thank you, CVS cashier!

So whenever you find yourself with a few coupons that you think you can't use, just have the cashier scan them anyway; you might end up saving even more $$!

Smart Shade Do Whaaaat?!

I, like many makeup enthusiasts, have a hard time believing half of the claims beauty products make these days.  Some claims are as promising as "blurs imperfections" or "miracle skin perfecter," others are as simple as claiming to be "waterproof" or "long-lasting."

I have been aware of a line of beauty products from Almay called Smart Shade for quite a while.  I've seen the commercials where Kate Hudson takes a smidgen of Smart Shade makeup that blends perfectly into her most-likely-professionally-airbrushed-and-video-edited face.  Like others, I have continued to ignore these ads due to their ridiculous claims like the one found on Amazon.com: "Shade sensing micro-beads start out white and instantly adjust to match your skin tone."  Shade sensing?  Really?