Current Favorites Oct'13

So the weather is cooler, leaves are falling and my lips are dry as hell; but here's a few products that I am currently using a lot this fall:

Wet n Wild Fergie Eye Shadow Palette in "Desert Festival"

As anyone who has ever looked at the makeup section of a drugstore knows, Fergie is the current ambassador for Wet n Wild and has come up with her own line of Wet n Wild  cosmetics.  This is one of her eye palette's and in my opinion the quality of the shadows are just a tiny step above Wet n Wild's original line of eye shadows.

I really like the colors in this palette, it practically screams autumn.  It's great for me because I fear color. Yes, I admit it, I'm not comfortable with putting color on my eyes because I feel like I just can't pull it off (... yet).  I'm sure my time will come.  This palette stays neutral yet still gives me the option to go a little vibrant with the upper right orange shade. (It is more like a neutral red-orange so it's totally wearable for me) I like to use the middle shade of brown for my crease and on my lid I would put the champagne color (upper left) or if I want more color I use the coppery bronze (bottom left).  When I feel colorful I'd put a tiny bit of the upper left shade in my crease with the middle brown shade.




Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation

So I ordered this foundation online about a year ago and it was a bit too dark for me.  I told myself I could wear this in the summer when I'm tan. Well, I barely used the foundation in the summer because I stuck to BB Cream.  Now that autumn is here I've been using it everyday and for a little while it was the perfect shade. 
But unfortunately when summer goes, my tan does also. Now its back to being too dark. (sad face). Therefore my days are numbered in using this foundation, until next year of course.

This foundation is great. If lasts a majority of my weekday (I wear from about 8am to 11pm, more than 12 hours!) So I would say it holds true to its claim.  Great for only-normal skin.  I have combination skin (oily forehead, dry chin) and as the day goes my chin gets dry and looks a bit flaky so I REALLY need to moisturize that area. Maybe a primer or setting spray would fix that.
 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Okay so I have the sample size version of this mascara. I bought it on September 4 and to this day I am still using it! This mascara never ends and I love it! It is seriously one of my favorite mascaras I have tried.  It lengthens and adds volume to my eye lashes making them look on point!  Now I am not rolling in money so I am a bit cheap, but I would so invest in a full size just because its awesome and lasts forever. (okay not forever really, but you know what I mean).





 
As every other beauty blogger and youtuber has asked, what is one of the products your using this autumn?
Did this post help or inform you in any way?
Did it bore you? Did it leave you wanting more? 
If you have any criticism you might as well make it constructive, How can I make it better? 
Tell me anything in a comment! 

Links to Products Mentioned:
Wet N Wild Fergie Eye Shadow in "Desert Festival"
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Full Coverage Foundation
Set that Includes Sample Size Better than Sex Mascara
Full Size Better than Sex Mascara

Orly Nail Polish in Coffee Break

Orly Nail Polish in Coffee Break

Recently I went into a local beauty supply store and wanted to buy nail polish for the fall.  I came across the Orly polish section and googled whether the brand was cruelty free.  So I went on my phone and searched in the store, as I do very often, and I discovered it was a cruelty free line.  So I picked up two of their polishes "Ruby" and this lovely color "Coffee Break".  Part of the reason I picked up this color was because of the name.  I am a coffee addict.  I need my cup in the morning to get me through the day as do many New Yorkers.  I love the neutrality of this color and I was very pleased with the formula. 
I was thinking about whether to do a cool design on my ring fingernail but couldn't think of what to do.  I was thinking maybe thick chevron lines using the Ruby color. 

If you have any ideas or suggestions as to what I can do to spruce up the nails I would love to hear them. Hope you enjoy this little rant about the polish, have a wonderful September :)

 P.S.  I painted my nails while watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix.  Awesome show! Can't wait for the next season :)

My Summertime Foundation Products

In the summer its hard to wear a lot of makeup on your face because it all melts off or it gets too itchy and irritates your skin.  But there are days where you need to whip out that foundation, maybe for a date or a special occasion.  Here are the two foundations that I use for the summer.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Full Coverage Foundation $38
This foundation is great for when your going out to a party or on a date and you want more coverage. It has awesome ingredients including Tarte's signature amazonian clay and it gives great buildable coverage.  When I use this I also feel like it leaves my skin with a slight glow which is always good for a nice summer look.


Physicians Formula Super BB Cream $15
I use this BB Cream religiously in the summer! I'm on my second tube because its that great.  This is great for everyday use.  It gives a light to medium coverage and also gives off that dewy glow as the day goes by.  For my t-zone I do need to set it with a little powder but I just love the dewiness is gives my cheeks as the day goes by.  With this you can look as if your not wearing any foundation or face makeup.  Another awesome thing about this BB Cream is the price! I would buy this at a drugstore rather than the site because at the drugstore you have great sales opposed to on the website, just a heads up.

Product Links
Tarte 12-Hour Amazonian Clay
Physicians Formula Super BB Cream

"Mini" Sephora Haul

I have to admit, I am quite the page browser! I look at different products on different sites and that is usually as far as it goes.  But I decided to treat myself with a couple of "mini" things.

       $12 Prime, Shine, & Define Tarte-To-Go Kit

         0.25 oz Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hour Perfecting Primer
         0.3 oz Amazonian Clay BB Illuminating Moisturizer
         0.17 oz Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara

$22.50 OCC Lip Tar & Nail Lacquer Set

  0.33 oz Lip Tar in Grandma
  0.5 oz Nail Lacquer in Classic Coral
  Mini Lip Brush
  Vinyl Pouch






 

Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel deluxe sample

Code: FAVEMINI
Free Deluxe Sample with $25+ order. (Choose 1 of 3 Deluxe Samples.) (Exp. 05/29/2013)



 


I have yet to try any of these products, but when I do I will chose my single favorite product and write a little review! My high hopes are on the OCC set products. This little set is not even available on the their website so when I saw it on Sephora's site I had to have it! They did offer other colors as well.  

Not only did I get the Murad Peel for free, but May is my birthday month.  So I got the Fresh Sugar Lip Duo, which I got just in time because they are now sold out!

My Total: $44

Although I am limited to which companies I can get products from at Sephora, their online site offers many things for free which I love.  I am happy with my purchase so far, now I just have to play with my goodies! (that sounds weird lol)

Which do you guys think I will enjoy most, or which of the above do you love? Let me know in a comment! ;) 

Milani Multitasker Face Powder Review

Claims: (from milanicosmetics.com)

"A luxurious, velvet-soft face powder, specially formulated to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Provides perfect light to medium coverage."

 

Ahh the relief I felt when I found out Milani was a cruelty free company.  The first product I bought when I started having an interest in makeup (a little over a year ago) was the Milani Multitasker Face Powder, and it is a product I still buy to this day.  This is one of my favorite products I own.  This product holds 100% true to its claims.  After application, my skin is left with a velvet finish (no cakeyness), is matte, and I can use this product alone without a bronzer.  Of course, I love bronzer so with bronzer I am just in love with my face! And I feel I can use any bronzer with this powder and it will always come out flawless.  And yes, the coverage is light to medium.

I have combination skin where my T-zone is oily and around my chin area is dry.  This powder is perfect for both parts of my face.  So, it works on a range of skin types.  (Maybe not very oily skin or very dry skin)

The powder is available in 10 different shades and costs $7 - $10 depending on where you go (at CVS $10, Walgreens $7).  I love the packaging as well.  The gold packaging looks very elegant and to add to this elegance is the print on the powder itself, which is so unique for drugstore products. Under the product pan is a mirror and flat sponge-like applicator.  I actually really enjoy the applicator and I find it works best to pat the product on.

It is easy to say that this product is a HIT! I have never used a better powder and I don't know if I ever will.


Do you think you have any contenders for a better face powder? Let me know!

Also, I am in need of a new face primer.  If you have seen my Instagram (@minicanvasbeauty), I posted a picture of the ELF Mineral Fusion face primer, and afterwards I realized that it contained parabens. Ugh, I was so sad because it was actually a pretty decent product with a more than decent price.  Lesson learned: READ INGREDIENTS! So if you have any suggestions for a face primer I would really appreciate it; cruelty free please :)

Wet n Wild MegaImpact Mascara Review

Claims: (from wnwbeauty.com)

 "Make an IMPACT! This revolutionary mascara formula provides EXTREME volume and length with a silicon complex that provides elasticity and flexibility. Proven to enhance the natural lash up to 8X, this all-in-one formula is enriched with Kernel Oil to permeate and condition each lashvto promote healthy, strong hairs while adding color and shine.”

This mascara definitely impressed me.  I bought it on a whim from Duane Read and somehow paid $1.99.  There may have been a sale because everywhere I look now it is $3.99, but regardless that is still a cheap price.  This mascara provides a bit of volume and length, unlike its claims for EXTREME volume and length, but for my medium lashes its perfect for everyday wear.  Another upside is the fact that the mascara does not flake, and although it does not say it is waterproof, it does feel water resistant, AND it lasts all day! I wear it for at least 12 hours and it is as if I just put it on.  

Wet n Wild MegaImpact Mascara Before & After

On a side not that may not be important, I find the cap so cool. Sorry I just had to add that :)

I will definitely continue buying this mascara, and maybe even try out the other Wet n Wild mascaras.  You can find Wet n Wild products at many drugstores such as Walgreens, Duane Reade, etc.

Have you used any of the other Wet n Wild mascaras? Let me know in a comment which mascara and what you liked/disliked about it.

Bye Guys!

Cruelty Free Collection Slowly Growing

Long time since I have posted, but I wanted to give an update on what I have been doing beauty and skincare-wise.  As I have written in a previous blog post, completely changing your collection in a day is unrealistic and costly.  So I just want to provide a list of products I have purchased that are cruelty free.
I hope this helps you become familiar with cruelty free companies.  Many of these products can be found in the drugstore, so do not get discouraged! Remember look for the bunny on the products, they're the ones who are free from animal testing!

Hair
Oranix Acai Berry Avocado Shampoo and Conditioner
Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Contioner
Burts Bees Very Volumizing Pomegranate Shampoo and Conditioner

Skin
Alba Botanica Sea Moss Moisturizer with SPF 15
Yes To Carrots Exfoliating Cleanser
Burts Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract
Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Hypo-Allergenic Facial Towelettes
Blum Naturals Dry & Sensitive Skin Daily Cleansing and Makeup Remover Towelettes

Beauty
tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation
tarte Buffer Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Chocolate
benefits The POREfessional