Maybelline Color Elixir Liquid Balm

I have fallen in love with my local Harmon Face Value Store.  I had no idea that this store even existed until I started my mission to find the Maybelline Color Tattoo matte colors.  Harmon's is little a little hidden gem.  I have been able to find every limited edition drugstore makeup display here.  Not only do they have the displays but they are well stocked.

During my most recent trip I discovered a display of new Maybelline Color Elixir Liquid Balms.  The display states: Saturated Lip Color, Sensuous Balm Care and Polished Lip Shine.  What really intrigued me about this product is the claim to be a liquid balm.  I am always on the hunt for a moisturizing lip balm.  My lips tend to get pretty dry especially as we head into the colder months so I had to see what these were all about.

There are 20 shades in this line that range from deep berry to bright purple to nude pinks.  I find that I am typically drawn to light pinky nudes when choosing lip colors.  While I loved the gorgeous vibrant shades that these come in I decided to stay in my comfort zone with nude colors.  I picked up (060) Nude Illusion and (100) Petal Plush.  Nude Illusion is a flesh toned nude and Petal Plush is a light baby pink. Each one was $6.49 at Harmon's. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how true the color was on my lips.  I have a ton of lip glosses that are in this color family and all too often the color is very sheer and almost nonexistent. They really hold true to the 'saturated color' claim. The doe foot applicator applies the product smoothly and precisely.  There is a noticeable sweet vanilla scent.  I don't mind this but those who don't care for that type of scent may find it bothersome. These lip balms are thicker than a normal lip gloss but they aren't tacky or sticky in the least. They are quite comfortable on the lips and feel very hydrating.  It feels like a lipstick and lip balm were married and this is their baby.  They are not very long wearing but in all fairness most lip balms aren't. While this product lacks in the long-wearing department it more than makes up for with the color payoff and texture.

I am enjoying these very much and plan on purchasing a few more colors.  The display did not indicate that these were limited edition.  I am very much hoping that Maybelline decides to make these part of their permanent line. 

Limited Edition Maybelline Color Tattoo - Matte Shades

I was browsing Instagram the other day and saw someone had posted pictures of the new Maybelline Color Tattoos in matte colors. This was the first time I had heard mention of them. I immediately went out and googled them and found that they are part of the new limited edition Gilded in Gold holiday collection. From everything I read it looked like they were only available at Bed Bath & Beyond locations.  I have a few BB&B locations near me so I got in my car and went on a field trip.  Well, three BB&B trips later I was still empty handed. Every store had the small display out but the actual Color Tattoos were sold out.  I guess that's not surprising considering each display only had two of each color - probably not Maybelline's best idea ever.  Then the heavens opened up to me and I stumbled across a hidden gem. There is a store close to me called Harmon Face Value.  Harmon's is a pretty big health and beauty store and until the other day I had no idea they even existed.  Anyway, to make a long story short I went in and they had the FULL display.  Needless to say I bought all three of the Color Tattoos as well as some other limited edition items which I will be blogging about shortly.  If you want to get your hands on the Gilded in Gold run, don't walk, to your nearest drugstore as these beauties are bound to sell out quickly.

The Color Tattoos come in three matte colors: Matte Brown, Nude Pink and Just Beige.  Nude Pink has been called a dupe for MAC's Painterly Paint Pot.  Just Beige has also been compared to MAC's Soft Ochre Paint Pot.  The Maybelline Color Tattoos are $4.99 for 4 grams of product and the MAC Paint Pots are $20 for 5 grams of product.  Both products can be worn alone in lieu of eyeshadow but are more commonly used as an eyeshadow base.  I am particularly fond of Painterly by MAC and wear it under almost every eyeshadow look.

Just Beige is a light, opaque beige color. When blended out it becomes more of a yellow toned flesh color.  When compared to MAC's Soft Ochre Paint Pot it is almost an exact dupe.  Soft Ochre is the slightest bit more yellow than Just Beige but not much.  I also find the MAC Paint Pots to be creamier in texture than than the Paint Pot but for the price difference Just Beige is an excellent alternative to Soft Ochre.  

Nude Pink is an opaque, rosy pink color. I find Nude Pink to be a bit darker than the Painterly Paint Pot (my fav) and I don't think I would like it very much as an eyeshadow base.  If you have a darker skin tone this may work well as a base but on my lids it looked more like a wash of pink which would not work well under my favorite nude eyeshadow combo.

Claims: "Longest-lasting shadow"
Finish/Texture:  The Maybelline Color Tattoos have a creamy texture.  These particular products are creamy and have a matte finish. 
Scent:  None
Long Wearing:  Extremely long wearing, they also help to prolong the length of eyeshadow when used as a base
Packaging:  Like their more expensive counterparts the Color Tattoos come in small glass jars with a plastic lid.  The lid screws on to help prevent the product from drying out.
Price:  $4.99
Availability:  Extremely limited; found at my local Harmon Face Value and also seen at BB&B
Limited Edition:  Yes

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Creamy texture
• Long lasting

Cons:

• Difficult to find

Overall: While the Maybelline Color Tattoos are not exact dupes for the MAC Paint Pots they surely come close.  They are great products that I hope Maybelline will consider making part of their permanent collection.  I highly recommend these if you are looking for a less expensive alternative to the much loved MAC products. 

What's in my Makeup Bag?

Hey Dolls!  So I thought I'd give you a quick glance into my makeup bag.  This does change from time to time but these are the staple I have had in my bag lately:

- Makeup bag is a Sonia Kashuk bag from Target
- Maybelline Dream Lumi Highlighting Concealer in Radiant
- NARS Lip Gloss in Belize
- MAC Lipstick in Blankety
- E.L.F. Contouring Blush & Bronzer
- MAC Eyeshadow in Phloof
- Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets
- Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss
- NARS Blush in Orgasm
- MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium Plus
- Benefit They're Real Mascara (trial size)
- Travalo Perfume Atomizer (filled with Miss Dior)
- Maybelline Infalliable Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe
- Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Sweet as Candy
- NARS Lip Gloss in Chelsea Girls
- Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
- Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Medium
- MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC-25
- MAC Pro Longwear Eyeliner in Black Ice
- Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeliner in Nude
- MAC Lip Liner in Boldly Bare
- MAC Painterly Paint Pot
- Sephora Retractable Lip Brush

I know it doesn't look l like all of this will fit in that makeup bag but trust me it does ;-)

MAC Painterly Paint Pot vs. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded

On days that I am going for a more natural look I like to use a natural wash of color on my lids just to give them a little bit of color. My two favorite colors for this look are MAC's Painterly Paint Pot and Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Barely Branded. They are both pale flesh toned colors.
Painterly is a matte flesh toned color that has the tiniest pink hue to it really evens out the color of your eyelids and gives the impression of a nude eye.

Barely Branded is more of a champagne color with shimmer. I tend to use this one when I'm looking or a bright eyed natural look. I use it all over the lid and then a tiny bit in the inner corners of my eyes. It really opens them up - with this color I don't line my lower waterline with a dark liner but line it with Rimmel's Scandal Eyes in Nude. The liner mutes out any redness and gives a big open eye look.

They are both great nude colors but I think my preference would have to be Painterly. I really like that I can swipe this on with my finger and not fuss with it too much.

Liquid Eyeliner Woes

 Am I the only person in the world that has issues with liquid eyeliner? No matter what the brand they all seem to fail me. Let me first start by saying I have small eyelids so lining my lids is a challenge to begin with. I can never seem to get the perfect line that I hope to. Perhaps my hand is too unsteady? I currently have in my collection:

- Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Liner
- L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liner
- Maybelline Master Duo Liner
- Urban Deacy 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

I can't say I am in love with any of them. I try to love liquid liner but it always falls short no matter what the brand. I also tend to think that black liquid liner is intense of a look for everyday wear (on me - on others it looks great).


Any suggestions for a good liquid liner? Technique? Colors?