Category Archives: At The Drugstore

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge vs. the BeautyBlender

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beauty blender vs real techniques sponge

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge // beautyblender (both dry). They’re both clean, but stained.

I have been a big fan of the beautyblender for a couple years now.  I don’t use it every day – fingers are just faster and easier – but I always pull it out when I want the best finish possible, especially with thicker foundations. The one big downside of the Beauty Blender is the price – $20 for just one sponge! You can also buy two for $29, that’s still quite pricey for sponge. So, I was intrigued to hear that the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge is as good as the beautyblender – it’s $6, and frequently on sale. In fact, just for today (Thursday), all Real Technique brushes & tools are 25% off at Ulta.com – which makes the Real Techniques sponge a real bargain at $4.50.

So, how do they compare?

Obviously, they’re shaped differently – both are egg-like with a pointed end and a rounded egg, but the RT sponge has a flat section as well. I don’t find that this makes any practical difference – I don’t generally use the flat section, but it doesn’t detract from the sponge either.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge // Beautyblender (both damp)

Both are smallish and relatively dense when dry, and just about double in size when damp. The texture is a bit different when they’re damp – the Real Techniques sponge is denser than the beautyblender. You can see the texture difference in the macro shots below.

Real Techniques sponge vs Beautyblender - macro

Texture differences – RT on the left, BB on the right.

However, practically speaking, I don’t notice any difference when I use the sponges. Both are much softer and “bouncier” than your standard latex wedge sponge. Both soak up a little foundation, but not too much, and both give a flawless, streak-free finish. Given the price difference, I know which one I’ll be repurchasing!

Have you tried either or both of these sponges, or any of the other supposed beautyblender dupes? I’d love to hear what you think of the various sponges available!

*I purchased the product(s) featured in this post. This post contains one or more affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

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Wet n Wild Valet Tag & Silver Lining Spring 2014 Nail Polish Quick Swatches

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As you may know, Wet n Wild recently released two 8-pan palettes and six Megalast nail polishes, all limited edition.  Here’s a shot of the collection from my Instagram.

I haven’t decided yet whether to buy the eyeshadow palettes, but picked up two of the polishes – the others (seen here on Nouveau Cheap – note that her bottles and my bottles have switched shade names) are too frosty for my tastes.

Valet Tag // Silver Lining

Valet Tag is a taupe with silver shimmer, opaque in two coats. I had hoped the shimmer would be more visible, but I can barely see it on the nail.

Silver Lining is a VERY sheer grey with blue and pink shimmer. It’s lovely, but this is about five coats, and I suspect six would be needed on the nail if you wanted it to be opaque.  It’s better for layering.

I accidentally made the above photo too small – sorry – but you see Silver Lining alone, over black, over purple, and over a steely grey.  I like it best over the grey.

Have you found this new collection, or are you still looking for it?

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Milani Spring 2014 Coming Up Roses Blush Swatches & First Impressions

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Last summer, Milani released four rose-embossed blushes and I bought & reviewed two of them – I was not impressed. So when I found this year’s set of four blushes, I thought I’d skip them. Luckily I posted a on Instagram and several people commented that this year’s were worth it. I ended up deciding to buy all four. I haven’t had a chance to really play with them yet, so today I have swatches and my first impressions.

First, here are too many photos of the blushes in the pan. They’re just so pretty.
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Maybelline Dare to be Nude Color Elixir Review, Swatches, Comparison

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Maybelline Dare to be Nude Color Elixir - Charming Cocoa - Almond Aura

Charming Cocoa // Almond Aura

As promised, I have a review of two Color Elixir from Maybelline’s new limited edition Dare to be Nude collection. The collection includes six of the glosses – all limited edition – and I picked up Charming Cocoa, a red-brown, and Almond Aura, a creamy mid-tone nude. When I swatched Charming Cocoa, I realized that it was quite similar to Intoxicating Spice – which I love – so I have all three swatched side by side below, as well as lip swatches of all three.

Maybelline Color Elixir Comparison Swatches - Intoxicating Spice - Charming Cocoa - Almond Aura

Intoxicating Spice // Charming Cocoa // Almond Aura

Maybelline Intoxicating Spice Swatch

Intoxicating Spice

Charming Cocoa

Almond Aura

I’ve now written about the Color Elixir glosses twice (initial review // reviews revisited) but to recap, they have a comfortable non-sticky cushiony-gel texture; they leave my lips soft and moisturized and they’re very flattering – lip lines are minimized and lips look fuller. Pigmentation level varies significantly between shades, from semi-opaque to quite sheer. They don’t last very long on me, but I don’t mind reapplying.

Here are the six shades of Color Elixir I currently own:

Maybelline Color Elixir Swatches

Signature Scarlet // Intoxicating Spice // Charming Cocoa // Almond Aura // Caramel Infused // Amethyst Potion

Have you purchased anything from Maybelline’s new Dare to Be Nude collection?

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Revlon Fifth Avenue Red Vintage Lipstick Review & Swatches

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Revlon recently rereleased five “vintage” discontinued shades from the Super Lustrous lipstick line. The rereleased shades are (sadly!) limited edition this time around. I really like the Super Lustrous lipsticks – they are creamy, comfortable to wear, and have no scent. Note that the creme finish Super Lustrous lipsticks are different from the previously reviewed Super Lustrous Shine lipsticks (there are also shimmer/frost finish & matte finish Super Lustrous lipsticks – I don’t own any of the shimmers, but the mattes are great).

The five rereleased shades are, as you see above, Icy Violet, Snow Peach, Sandstorm, Fifth Ave Red, and Jungle Peach. I found a full display, but only one of the shades called to me – Fifth Ave Red. And it is a fantastic red! The color is gorgeous, a deep true red – and the formula is as good as I expect the Super Lustrous lipsticks to be.

Revlon Fifth Ave Red – it has no sparkle, it’s just the way the light reflecting back.

Revlon Fifth Ave Red – this is the most color-accurate swatch.

The lip swatch above is more color-accurate than the partial face picture below.

This swatch is slightly less color-accurate – it’s a bit washed out, but I wanted to show how it reads on the face.

Did you pick up any of the rereleased / vintage shades?

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Milani Ravish Raspberry Brilliant Shine Gloss Review & Swatches

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Milani Ravish Raspberry Brilliant Shine Gloss

Milani Brilliant Shine Gloss – Ravish Raspberry

Milani has released several new & permanent items for 2014, including 14 shades of a new lip gloss called the Brilliant Shine Gloss. I purchased one shade, Ravish Raspberry, and have been wearing / testing it for the past few weeks.

First, I really like the packaging – I find the square shape very appealing, and I’m always a fan of clear tubes for gloss. I don’t love the gold top, but I don’t mind it either.  The applicator is a flattened doe-foot shape and it works well to apply the gloss.

Milani Brilliant Shine Gloss – applicator

The gloss itself is thicker and sticker than I prefer, but not SO sticky that I find it unwearable.  It’s (moderately) moisturizing while worn, but doesn’t leave any lasting moisture. It smells very sweet, like vanilla sugar cookies.

Ravish Raspberry is bright pink with no shimmer or sparkle (about half the shades are shimmery).  It applies very evenly and doesn’t settle into lip lines.

Ravish Raspberry

I unfortunately do not have a lip swatch for this – but you can see all 14 shades swatches on Vampy Varnish here (skin swatches plus close-up lip swatches) and on Makeup and Beauty Blog here (skin swatches plus & full-face photos).

Overall, this is a really nice gloss and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind a sweet scent and a slightly sticky texture.  Neither of those are my preference, but they aren’t a dealbreaker, so I’m planning to pick up Red My Lips (bright red) & Black Cherry (deep red-berry) the next time I see them on sale.