What's In My January Birchbox

Hi everyone! I've just finished moving out of cube-land at work and am now in a shared office (with a window!), so I'm finally getting back to blogging.  My department now turned into legal, so I moved floors and have a swanky new space.  I'm super excited and hoping this will bring new opportunities at work.

Now, on to makeup!

1. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
2. Chuao Chocolatier (extra gift) -- chocolate with some heat (not a fan)
3. Mineralogie Ultimate Cream Concealer (will do a full review but so far not digging it for under the eyes)
4. Eye Rock Designer Liner
5. Beauty Blender!

I'm most excited for the beauty blender this month.  I've thought about purchasing it in the past, but could never convince myself to shell out the $20.  So, I was stoked to see this in my $10 box! I had also just bought the dupe at Ulta, so I'll do a comparison.

I'll also do a review of the eyeliner...I'm interested to see if this works!  Like a lot of girls, I sometimes have trouble getting eyeliner just right.  While some are a bit too edgey for my everyday look, I'm excited to try it out.

I'm also not sure why my concealer came with a blemish on it...The full size retails for $16.

CVS Milani 75% Off Sale Haul

Hi Ladies!  I wanted to post this right away in case your cvs has the 75% off Milani select products.  My CVS didn't have them marked, but I scanned them at the machine before check out.

I picked up 2 lipsticks and 3 blushes (one is a back-up of Luminous which I already own).  The lipsticks are completely passable.  They were a bit on the drying side, they are shaped odd and they are frosty.  On top of that Sugar Rim has actual glitter chunks in it.  So not the nude shade I was hoping for.

(Sugar Rim and Mystique Mauve)

I couldn't get the glitte3r chunks to show in the picture...but they aren't so flattering.  I will most likely use these as bases for other lipsticks or glosses.  I'm not a fan of the finish as they are.  Too frosty of a look for me.

The blushes on the other hand, I LOVE.  Top is the Luminous one I already own.  I picked up an extra to have a back up.  It's a great shimmery pink-peach that some say is a dupe for orgasm.  I'd say it's a mix between orgasm and deepthroat. The bottom left is Soft Rose.  If you pick one blush, I'd get this one.  Great color especially while it's still winter.  It's matte, which I love.  And last at the bottom right is Mai-Tai a matte true coral.  Can't wait to rock this for spring!

Overall, I'd say the best bets are the blushes and the select nail polishes on sale (I couldn't find any at my CVS that were marked down, but I've tried their polishes before).

Happy hauling!

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 HR Cream Gel Shadow

Tired of hearing about these yet?  For the past few weeks, I have been trying out these little pots of cream eyeshadow.  The second I heard "paint pot dupe", I was all in.

While the packaging is quite similar and definitely a step up, I wouldn't go as far as to say "dupe". For me, paint pots don't crease (I know that for some they do).  The Maybelline shadows are a cream eyeshadow (the name irks me...are you a cream or a gel?). They aren't necessarily meant to "prime" the eye persay.  I found these shadows worked best for me with a primer underneath.

I picked up Tough As Taupe (matte), Painted Purple, and Audacious Asphalt.  If you pick up any, I'd recommend tough as taupe.  The purple is horrible.  I wish I had listened to reviews, but it looked so pretty in the pot!

Sadly, the puple is after me applying 4 layers at which point on your eyelid, it will start looking cakey and some still streaky.  Avoid the purple! Audacious Asphalt I wanted for everyday wear, but for my office, the glitter is too big.  Shimmer is office appropriate, this was not.  I will most likely use this for the evenings.

Here are two of my attempts above.  The top pic, I had creasing, the bottom I had major wear in the crease.  The colors will definitely fade throughout the day.  It's not going to last you 24 hours.  Mine photos were taken after about 7 hours.  I can't imagine these being good for the summer months at all.

Final verdict: I think Maybelline is going in the right direction, but isn't quite there yet.  They stepped up their game, but that purple shadow dragged them back down.  A lot of people seem to love tough as taupe and I think it would be a good call by Maybelline to come out with some more neutral colors in the range.

Overall, like a paint pot, you need to try it for yourself.  Depending on your eyelid skin, it may work great!  My eyelids are generally in the normal range.  Sometimes dry for winter.  But for me, this wasn't a replacement of my paint pot.  I will use what I purchased, but I wouldn't run out to buy more.

Final Scores:
Rating (1-5): 3 (I still think it needs work)
Best For: Those with less oily eyelids or those that don't have many issues with fading or creasing
Where to buy: Drugstores or Super Stores (CVS and Riteaid usually have deals running, so if you are going to buy, I'd wait for a deal)
Best option: Tough as Taupe
Leave it on the Shelf: Painted Purple