My Current Favorite Drugstore Beauty Items

Hey Dolls!
The drugstore makeup/ skincare section gives me life. Naturally, when I go to the drugstore I spend forever looking through all the sales and new collections. So, as a result, I have cumulated quite a bit of drugstore brand makeup/ skin care items. Today's blog post is going to be on my favorite items. Hopefully this post will help you Dolls find new goodies to try out at the drugstore. Let's get start!

I will start of with skin care and hygiene.

1. Biore Pore Cleansing strips- My GOSH!!!!! These are my holy grail cleansing strips. These strips remove all the blackheads, whiteheads, and all other impurities from my nose. I have noticed that when I use these my nose doesn't get nearly as oily as it does when I haven't used them. I use them about twice a week.
2. Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser- This cleanser is extremely deep cleansing. Has a wonderful minty feel and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean. I have noticed a reduction in pore size. I highly recommend this for people with large pores and people with pores that seem to always be clogged.
3. Health & Beauty Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay- This clay mask is perfect for deep cleaning of pores. It shrinks pores, tightens skin, and helps keep oils at bay. I have also noticed a reduction in my acne. I use this mask twice a week in conjunction with my Biore Pore Cleansing Strips.

Now to the fun stuff...MAKEUP...

1. Covergirl Queen Collection All day Flawless 3 in 1 in Q835 Mocha- This foundation is the same as the regular 3 in 1 foundation except this line is for people with deeper skin tones. It has amazing color range, great coverage, and it has decent lasting power. It is a great drugstore foundation for people with oily skin. It does not cake up and blends perfectly onto the skin.
2. Maybelline Fit Me Powder in 360 Mocha- Though this is meant to be a face powder I use it as a bronzer/ contour powder. I love how smooth and matte this powder is. I also enjoy the color; it has a true warm tone and is brown not red like a lot of bronzing powders can be. It's a great drugstore bronzer for people with deep skin tones.
3. Carmex- I love Carmex more than any other lip balm. It is super inexpensive, has SPF, helps with cold sores and cracked lips, its moisturizing, and it is long lasting.
4. ELF eye refresh- This product helps wake up my tired under eye area in the mornings. I generally place it in my fridge to add a cooling effect. Its a great drugstore under eye refresher. I totally recommend it to people with under eye circles or dry under eyes.  
5. L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD concealer in Fawn- This concealer is an amazing drugstore alternative to the Clinique All About Eyes Concealer. It's pigmented, inexpensive, and has amazing lasting power. It comes in a huge array of colors and its only $2 at my local beauty supply. I recommend it for people who like full coverage concealers.
6. Wet n Wild Coloricon blusher in Mellow Wine - This blush is only $2 but, it only preforms like a high end blush. This color is perfect for everyday because it is a matte, pink, highly pigmented, and long lasting. It works well on fair,medium, and deep skin tones.
7. Real Techniques makeup sponge-  This sponge is an amazing dupe for the beauty blender. In my opinion it is much better than the original beauty blender. The shape of the sponge helps get under the eyes and into hard to reach areas such as corners of the mouth or contouring around the nose or something of that nature.

So that was my favorite drugstore beauty items. Or course as time goes on will do another updated version of this post. But, for now these are the drugstore products I recommend and enjoy. Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. I hope you return. I also hope you all enjoyed this post! Please remember to share. And I believe that is all. So have a great week!
-The Makeup Junkie

Review: Model in a Bottle

Hell Dolls!

Summer is here! So that means it's time for tanned legs, beach parties, shorts, and sweaty makeup! YAY for melting makeup!... NOT!

I know that summer turns most people's skin into oily, greasy, messes. So, naturally we go on the hunt for waterproof, oil control, etc. etc. products. And me being a makeup enthusiast I took this hunt seriously. After all the searching I do believe I have found an amazing foundation, powder, and setting spray. In my post titled Foundation Review and Current Foundation Routine I will tell you about the foundation. But, I didn't really speak on the setting spray. So, without further a do I will review my new holy grail setting spray!

My new holy grail setting spray is (drum roll please!!!).... The Model in a Bottle Original formula Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray. I am sure people who have been in the beauty community for a while are familiar with this product. I too have heard a lot about this product over the years but, did not try it until recently. And I can say I was definitely missing out!

Model in a Bottle

This spray retails for about $18.00. I have seen it on Amazon for cheaper. I personally purchased mine from Amazon for $12.15 no shipping or tax included. It is not sold in stores. The bottle holds about 1 fluid ounce of product. The bottle is sleek and not bulky. The product itself is clear and has a light fragrance to it. (It imply smells fresh and light. Nothing overbearing.) The nozzle sprays out in a fine mist. Directions say to hold 10-12 inches away from the skin. I only went away like 9 inches or so. I will lock your makeup in all day. The setting spray is smudge resistant. In conjunction with my new favorite foundation I do not get oily once so ever. My makeup last 10 or so hours with this product. It is not sticky nor does it feel heavy on the skin. It is super refreshing when it is applied to my skin in the morning. I do not need to use this to refresh the skin later. This product keeps my makeup looking like it was just applied all day long. My bronzer, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, highlight, powder, and under eye concealer doesn't fade throughtout the day.

I totally recommend this product for people who have oily skin, or have issues with their makeup fading, or have a long day ahead of them and do not want to have to touch up their makeup. This formula would be too matte for people with dry skin. If you have dry skin and you use this formula I would only use it to set dewy products. This way it won't make your skin appear dry.

I hope this review helped you all that are in need of a new setting spray. It has literally saved my life. NO MORE OIL SLICK DAYS FOR ME!!!!! If you have any other questions on the product please comment below. I hope this was helpful for you. If you are new to my blog I want to thank you for stopping by. Go ahead and read any other posts that seem interesting you. Please remember to 1+ the post as well as share it with friends and family. I hope you Dolls have an amazing week!
-The Makeup Junkie

DISCLAIMER: I purchased this product with my own money. I have not been asked to review this product. Also,all thoughts given during this post are my own.

Foundation Review and Current Foundation Routine

Hey Dolls!

As you all know I am an oily girl who is OBESSED with makeup. So naturally I am always experimenting with different products to keep my oils at bay. For years I have searched for products that can keep my skin matte or at least not as oily as a bottle of canola oil. And after all the searching I think I can now say that this is the best routine I have had thus far.

The star of the show (the foundation) is the Kat Von D Lock- it tattoo foundation. It has a great color range. There are about 14 colors in the collection. (my shade is Deep 74) It is available at Sephora and is $34.00.

The Lock-it foundation is made of 21% pigment. This makes it full coverage. The foundation in this routine works wonders to hide my scarring, hyperpigmentation, laugh lines, and etc. This foundation would work for people with serious scarring, lots of red, cystic acne, and large areas of hyperpigmentation. I would not recommend this product to people who do not have scarring, acne, or hyperpigmentation. It could make the skin look cakey and overdone.

The foundation sets extremely matte which, makes it perfect for people like me who have grease slicks for faces. It claims to last 24 hours. I cannot say it lasts that long because I would NEVER wear foundation for 24 hours. But, I can say that it lasts 10 hours. (which is my usual wear time.)
Also, this product allows for minimal touch-ups. Which makes it great for days when you are busy at work or school and cannot check your face every hour.

So, in short it has been the greatest foundation I have found. It is definitely worth all $34.00. I highly recommend for people with super oily, acne prone skin.

The Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation Bottle

Now I want to tell you Dolls about my foundation routine. This routine is full coverage, long lasting, and mattifying. So, without further a do lets get into it!

Lets begin with skin preparation...

• After I allow my skin care to sink in for about 15 minutes I will apply Benefit Porefessional primer all over my skin.
• I will then apply my ELF eye primer all over my eye area (my lid, crease, brow bone, brow, and under eye.)
• To keep my lips soft and to prepare then for future lip color I apply Carmex to my lips.
• I give my primer a good 5 minutes to settle on my skin before applying my foundation. So I will usually start with my eyebrows and eye makeup.

Now to foundation and other cream/liquid products...

• I pump about 1.5 to 2 pumps of Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation in Deep 74 onto to a clean surface. (I usually use a little paper plate) I then dot the foundation onto my face.
• Using my damp Real Techniques beauty sponge I blend the foundation into my skin.
• Once my foundation is evenly applied and blended I will then use my Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in 08 Deep Honey to brighten under my eye, down the bridge of my nose, my forehead, my chin, my cupid's bow, and under the hallow of my cheek (this helps emphasize my contour .).
• I blend out the concealer under my eyes with my ELF Pointed Foundation Brush and I blend out the rest with the beauty sponge.
• If I am in the mood for a bold contour I will apply Ruby Kisses 3D face creator in level 16 with a basic flat foundation brush to my nose, hallows of cheeks, around my chin, on my forehead, and under my lip. (This step is optional. It is not something I do on an everyday basis. I usually leave this for nights out, special occasions, or flawless face routines.)  
• I allow that to set for a good 5- 10 minutes. In this time I usually put on my clothes or do my hair.

Now it's time to place on powders, highlighters, and setting sprays...

• After my creams have set I put Clinique blended face powder in 05 transparency 5 on a large powder brush. I use this to set my oily areas and then blend the rest of the product on the brush onto the non-highlighted portions of my face.
• I then use my ELF mineral eye brightener in Buff to set my lighter concealer. I generally pat this on with my ELF Flawless concealer brush. 
• My bronzer/ contour powder of choice varies between the Maybelline Fit Me powder in 360 mocha and the Elf Contouring Blush and Bronzer powder in Turks and Caicos. I apply those to areas that I like to contour with my small tapered brush from ELF.
• My blush changes daily and on most summer days I go without it. However, if I do apply blush it is usually applied with my ELF small stipple brush.
• To highlight I use ELF's radiance enhancer pen in sunrise. I blend that out with my beauty sponge. Then I apply a powder highlight to further highlight and set the highlighter from before. The powder highlighter that I use generally changes day to day. Also, I try to stay away from highlighting in the summer. It would just make me look like a can of Crisco. And isn't nobody got time fo' that!
• To set all of my makeup I will use the Model in a Bottle Makeup Setting Spray in Original Matte Finish 

And that's it!
Thank you for reading this extremely long post. I hope it helped. As always I hope you  Dolls enjoy this post. All links to products mentioned will be below the disclaimer. Please remember to share my blog with your friends and family. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
-The Makeup Junkie

DISCLAIMER:

1. I usually don't apply makeup every single day nor to I use a super full coverage look every time that I do apply makeup.
2. All products used were purchased by me.
3. All thoughts/opinions are my own.
4. I am not affiliated with any of the people or companies mentioned.

LINKS:

• Model in a Bottle- http://modelinabottle.com/shop/original-setting-spray/
• Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation- http://www.sephora.com/lock-it-tattoo-foundation-P311138?skuId=1398858
• Benefit Porefessional Primer- http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/the-Porefessional
• Clinique All About Eyes Concealer- http://www.clinique.com/product/1596/5161/Makeup/Concealers/All-About-Eyes-Concealer
• Clinique Blended face powder- http://www.clinique.com/product/1594/6271/Makeup/Bronzers/Blended-Face-Powder-and-Brush
• ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder- http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/bronzers/contouring_blush_and_bronzing_powder
• ELF Radiance Enhancer-  http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/shimmer/radiance_enhancer
• ELF mineral eye brightener- http://www.eyeslipsface.com/minerals/eyes/eyeshadow/eye_brightener
• ELF eye lid primer- http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/eyes/concealers_and_primers/eyelid_primer
• Ruby Kisses 3D face creator- http://www.rubykissescosmetics.com/
• Maybelline Fit Me Powder- http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Face-Makeup/Powder/fit-me-pressed-powder.aspx

Cream Eyeliner: Inexpensive dupes for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow

Hey Dolls! Welcome back to the blog!

I'm sure we've all heard of Anastasia Beverly Hills' newest product for brows right? If you haven't, it's called Dipbrow and it is a gel, waterproof, smudge proof potted brow product. Basically, it's in gel eyeliner form. It comes in various shades ranging from blonde to black-ish. Of course the redheads have a color as well. This product retails for $18.00 and it can be purchased online or in Sephora and Ulta.


A container of Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

The Dipbrow is a very popular product; so popular in fact, that my color has been sold out for months! I never seem to be able to get my hands on the shade chocolate. So, I search for other brow products simliar and I discovered something much better, ELF's cream eyeliner in coffee.

Swatch of ELF's cream eyeliner in "Coffee"

The ELF cream eyeliner comes in various colors most are sparkly and not suitable for the eyebrows but, the color coffee is a subtle medium brown perfect for people with brunette, reddish brown hair, or dirty blonde hair. I don't recommend redheads with majority red toned hair use it nor should blondes. The cream liner is waterproof and easy to work with. It retails for $3.00 and is sold online or in store. Walmart, Target, Walgreens, and various Dollar Stores sell ELF.

A difference between the two is, the smudging power. The ELF liner does smudge (if roughly wiped) but, like the Dipbrow it is completely waterproof and sweat proof.

The quantity provided for both is great. The Dipbrow and ELF will last quite a while. With both the Dipbrow and the cream liner less is more. Both products do have amazing lasting power but, for the most part the ELF and the dipbrow are similar.


Update: I finally got my hands on Dipbrow; I will say it is an amazing product but, with all things considered the ELF works perfectly. In fact, aside from the Dipbrow the ELF cream eyeliner is my favorite brow product by far. I do enjoy both products but, due to price I would choose the ELF over the Dipbrow any day.

Another Updated: I have been using the Wet n Wild Fergie Creme Liner in Cocoa Riche for the past few weeks and it is even better than the ELF cream liner. The pigmentation is the same but, the Wet n Wild product is a bit creamier. It also is a slight bit warmer of a brown than the ELF verison. However, I like both but, I would choose the Wet n Wild dupe or the ELF at this point due to the warmer color. It seems to suit my skin and hair tone better. The Wet n Wild retails for $ 4.99 at Walgreens.

And Another Updated: As of May 2015 I am in LOVE with the NYX Tame and Frame Brow Pomade. I use the color espresso. It is pigmented and works amazingly. The lasting power is simliar to the Wet n Wild and the ELF. The thing I like most about this is the variety of colors this has. The range is great almost every hair color and skin tone will find a shade for them. This retails for $ 5.99 at Ulta.

P.S the NYX Micro Eyebrow pencil is a phenomenal dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil. Try it! I promise you will love it! This retails for $ 9.99 at Ulta.

Now that the review is complete, I want to share my tip for getting the best results when using a gel eyebrow product. For best results:

• apply with a clean angled brush

• outline the eyebrow first

• start to fill in the brow at the tail

• use less product the closer to the beginning of the brow you get

• use a spoolie to soften harsh lines

• for a very clean, sharp looking brow use a concealer a 1/2 to 1 whole shade lighter than your skin complextion. Use a brush or your finger to blend out the concealer around the brow. 

I hope you all enjoyed that post! If you have any questions, comments, or requests please refer to the 'follow me tab'. There yoi will find all of the soical media platforms I am on. That tab also includes my email. If you enjoyed this post and the blog please share it on your social media. Also, 1+ this post and the blog. When you 1+ the post and the blog it makes it easier for people to find it. Thank you for stopping by the makeup junkie. Your support means everything. I hope you all have a terrific week!
-The Make-up Junkie

DISCLAIMER: I am not an affiliate of either company. I bought all products mentioned on my own. This post is purely my opinion. I was not paid to make this blog post.



This is a photo of me. In this picture I have filled in my eyebrows with the ELF cream eyeliner in "Coffee".

LINKS:

ELF: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/eyes/eyeliner/cream_eyeliner

DIPBROW: http://www.anastasia.net/ABH-Dipbrow-Pomade.html

Milk of Magnesia: An Oily Girl's BFF

Hey, Dolls!

For the last month or so I have been experimenting with Milk of Magnesia. Why you ask. Well, as we all know I have a grease slick for a face so using Milk of Magnesia as a primer really appealed to me. Some of you maybe familiar with the use of it as a primer. I'm sure there are a few of you who don't know what Milk of Magnesia is or you can't understand why I would use it as a primer.
In this blog post I am going to talk about what Milk of Magnesia is and why it's a great primer. I hope you enjoy!

WHAT IS MILK OF MAGNESIA?

• Milk of Magnesia is a saline laxative. Its intended use is to relieve constipation.  

WHY USE MILK OF MAGNESIA AS A MAKEUP PRIMER?

• Milk of Magnesia pulls the extra moisture and oil from the skin keeping the face matte throughout the day.

ARE THERE ANY KNOW SIDE EFFECTS TO USING MoM AS A PRIMER?

• Yes, some say it cause their skin to breakout in acne. Of course like anything it may work for one person while it might not for another. This can only be determined after it is tried.

HOW DO YOU APPLY MoM TO THE FACE?

• First, clean and moisturize skin like normal.
• Then, thoroughly shake MoM before opening the container.
• Using a cotton ball and the measuring cup MoM comes with pour Mom into the cup and apply to skin (T-zone) with the cotton ball.
• Allow time for the MoM to dry. (It will feel tighten and the color with be white.)
• Apply makeup as usual.

TIPS TO PURCHASING MoM

• Buy generic if you can. (They are all the same so no need to spend more)
• Buy only the original flavor. (its sugar and fragrance free)

Milk of Magnesia is a great, inexpensive way for an oily girl to reduce the oil production on her face. Though it did not completely take away my need for blotting sheets it did drastically reduce the amount of times I needed to blot. I highly recommend oily girls try this trick and hopefully you all have positive experiences with MoM. (I strongly recommend dry girls stay away from this product.)

Thank you for coming to Make-up Addict and I hope you enjoyed this post.
-Make-up Addict

March Beauty Favorites

Hey Dolls! Welcome to Make-Up Addict. As we all know 2014 is just going by in a flash. It's crazy to believe that it is already April! With that said its time for monthly favorites. Which naturally would mean that blog post is going to be my March beauty favorites. So, lets get started!

My first favorite is Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultra 24H Makeup in the shade 510 suede. It is a 24 hour foundation that retails for $45.50. I love it because its a medium coverage foundation (it's buildable), long wearing, lightweight, amazing oil control, comes in tons of colors and tones, and natural looking.

My next favorite is the ELF conditioning lip balm in peaceful pink. It retails for $3.00. I adore it because it has spf 15, it's lightweight, smells like a tropical island, super moisturizing, and it gives lips a beautiful pink tint.

The Real Techniques expert face brush is my next favorite. I love it because it is small, circular, and dense. It makes my foundation look flawless and well blended. Plus its super inexpensive. (It retails for $9.99)

My next favorite is the Ruby Kisses 3D face creator in level 16. It is a contour duo. I love it because super natural coverage, semi-matte, super blendable, and long lasting. Plus its only $4.99!!

L.A girl Pro Conceal concealer in Fawn is next up on the favorites docket. I am insanely in love with this concealer because it's high coverage, brightening, with a color correcting orange tint to it, blendable, and inexpensive. (It retails for $2.99)

The next favorite is another foundation! Its the Covergirl Queen Collection all day flawless 3 in 1 foundation in Q835 Mocha. This foundation is medium coverage (its definitely blendable), long lasting, and this collection has tons of shades. It retails for $9.75.

The Lancôme Cils Booster XL mascara base it AMAZING!!! It is a mascara primer. I love this primer because it triples the lengthen of my lashes before my mascara even touches my lashes, it dries clear instead of a chalky white color. Its quite expensive but definitely worth the price.

My last favorite is the Lancôme Hypnose Drama volume mascara. Again this is to die for! It is super black, amazing full brush with a slight curve, and creates amazing volume. It creates amazing drama in one coat. Like the mascara primer the price is steep but it is super worth the price.

I hope you enjoyed this my March favorites blog post. I hope you all got lots of inspiration. As always thanks for stopping by.
-Makeup Addict