Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer is the BOMB

Seriously, title says it all. I was really skeptical to try a drugstore concealer. I haven't used one since high school (the seriously crappy turn-up tube one that CoverGirl makes). However, I heard some ravings, and decided to give it a go.

 The Instant Age Rewind concealer retails for about $8-9 dollars, depending on where you go. I bought the color light-medium. It has a dual ended spong-tip pen, one side to correct, and the other to highlight. This stuff is freaking awesome. The corrector really is a great concealer, and has reached HG status. I've been using this everyday. I usually use my Amazing Cosmetics concealer, which is great, but the consistency can be a bit thick. This offers great coverage (although not as heavy), but with a creamier consistency that feels more natural. You really don't need much because the coverage is that good. I use this under my eyes and around my nose. It does wonders for my under eye circles. Then, I set it with my Amazing Cosmetics powder set. I don't really use the highlighter side however, I did try it on my cheekbones, and it's ok. I like that it's not the usual glittery highlighter and looks a lot more natural.

Concealer on the left, Highlighter on the right. 

I'm definitely buying more once I run out =)!

Benefit Tells You To Stay Put

Awhile ago, I blogged about the newest  mini kit from Benefit, The Stay Put set ($10). They say it's a retail value of $35, but I have no idea where they got that number. I think $10 is the right price. My kit has been sitting around for awhile since I got it in the mail, but I finally took the time to try the pieces out. The set comes with deluxe sample sizes of the Stray Don't Stray eye primer, Erase Paste concealer in medium, and a creaseless cream shadow in RSVP.

The packaging is much like the old mini Benefit set, with the products neatly tucked away in a cardboard box.

Stay Don't Stray eye primer

Erase Paste concealer in Medium

Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP

Swatches L-R: Stay Don't Stray, Erase Paste, RSVP

Stay Don't Stray: This is yet another primer much like UDPP. It's basically the same color and texture. However, I was not very impressed with this because I did see some creasing and fading throughout the day.

Erase Paste in Medium: BLEH. I was really looking foward to this one after seeing some good reviews. Usually I'm a fan of thicker consistency concealers because usually it means better coverage, however, the texture of this one was just plain sticky and hard to blend. Also, the color is way too pink. I thought the pink/salmon tone might lend as a better color corrector, but the hue looked much too pink and didn't match my skin tone. YUCK.

Creaseless cream shadow in RSVP: This isn't anything special. It's a shimmery champagne-skin tone shade. Like other Benefit cream shadows I own, they don't work great as a shadow, but better as a base.

This is a good little kit to try out before committing to full sizes, because I definitly will NOT be getting these in big mama size. Overall, I was disappointed and will shove these little pieces in the back of the drawer to play around with when I'm bored out of my mind.

P.S. Benefit also released a new value set on Sephora: 

It's called the Beauty in the Box kit ($48) and includes:

- 0.34 oz Full-Sized Some Kind-A Gorgeous The Foundation Faker
- 0.37 oz Full-Sized "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer
- 0.09 oz Deluxe Mini Stay Don't Stray Stay-Put Primer For Concealers & Eyeshadows
- 0.25 oz Deluxe Mini Erase Paste 02 Medium Brightening Camouflage For Eyes & Face

 I already know the minis are a fail for me. I've also tried "That Gal" and hated it. I own Some-Kind-a Gorgeous, and I don't like it either. This kit isn't for me but some might like =)

Products I Regret Buying

I'm sure this has happened to everyone. You go to the store, see something you have to have, just to go home, try it, and be mega disappointed. Here are 10 items I shouldn't have bought. (Not to say them won't work for you. they just didn't for me.)

1) Mac's Hello Kitty Blush in Fun and Games

 

I tried so hard to like it, and managed to even persuade myself it was perfect. However, I've come to the realization that the pigmentation is so sucky, I'm not really getting much color out of it.

2) Loreal HIP Duo in Wicked

Seventeen magazine sucked me into buying this along time ago. It won best eyeshadow of the year. HAH. Yeah, right. Those 12 year olds obviously don't know good pigmentation. The bronzey side is ok, but the purple side is awful. I've tried to use this about 2 times now and the color isn't smooth and it gets muddy. YUCK.

3) NARS Concealer duo in Custard/Ginger

I was really excited for this one. I mean, c'mon it's NARS. Sadly, it doesn't conceal much. I use it on my eyelids now. AND, I still believe Nars has THE crappiest packaging. Fingerprint alert.

4) Urban Decay Blush in Exhale

It's super sparkly. Meaning, theres huge glitter chunks in this. I expect this out of their eyeshadows. But blush too? The color is nice but doesnt show up great, plus, did I mention the huge craft glitter?

5) Victoria's Secret Femme Lipstick

Yeah, it's a nice nude color and all in the picture. But it has crappy quality up the wazoo. It's drying on my lips and the color is strange on me. Again, DRYING.

6) Rimmel Lipstick in Airy Fairy

I had heard a lot about this one so I decided to try it. I HATE, ABHOR, DESPISE the color (on me anyways). And I really don't know why. I think I'm disappointed from the hype.

7) Sephora Lipliner in Chair Lift

First of all, the brush end is plain retarded. Second, who the hell invented the wood on the pencil. It's so harsh! The color would be nice if it didn't go on unevenly and chunky. Yeah. (note: try out Sephora's native nude lipliner, that stuff is geat).

8) Stila Major Lash Mascara

Doesn't do anything for my lashes. No volume, no length. Major lash? More like major a**. End of story.

9) OPI for Sephora Nail polish in A True Romantic

Tried this out once. Not doing it again. It's one of THOSE colors. The one's that come on two sheer, the ones for french manicures. I was not aware of this when I bought it. I was expecting a pink pastel.

10) Maybelline Superstay Foundation

I knew I shouldn't have gone behind colorstay's back. I'm a big fan of anything that says it'll "Stay". This is supposed to be transfer-proof. It's not. It transfered on EVERYTHING that touched it. A napkin, my shirt, my boyfriend's pillow. Freakin Fantastic huh?

I actually have a very important number 11 to add : Loreal HIP Cream eyeliner in Eggplant. IT SUCKS. pigmentation is poor. It's very sheer. I like the black one they make, but the purple is ridiculous.

What are the products you guys regret buying? I'm tagging everyone! (Because I love looking at products I SHOULDN'T buy)