.:: CybeleSays ::.

As you have noticed, I don’t take a lot of pictures of the products I write about. I feel more comfortable using stock photos but when I was looking online for a shot of MAYBELLINE NEW YORK’s Eye Studio Color Plus Eye Shadow Quad in Sapphire Siren, the photos I came across wouldn’t make anyone run out and buy this. The colors are just so flat looking and eh. See what I mean below? It’s a total case of it looks better in person.

All the colors are pretty shimmery but what I like is that the pigment seems to vary from color to color.  In the case of the Sapphire Siren palette shown here, from left you right, a shimmery white for under the brow and accenting around the eye area, teal and sapphire blue for the lid and black to line and contour. You can do a few different eye looks with just this quad as the colors are work nicely together. Choose from twelve different combos for $9.99 @ drugstores nationwide.

Disclosure: A sample of the item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

When it comes to mascara, I don’t think I am the best tester as all of them pale in comparison to this one. I tried the last COVERGIRL mascara and I just couldn’t get with the handle. The formula? It was ok but flaked off pretty quickly. I don’t know what they put in this new Lashblast Fusion Mascara ($8.99 @ drugstore.com) but it scored pretty well! It’s built for volume and volume is what it gave with the help of small fibers. I again worry about the handle because it is taking me a few to the thicker than usual style they are hot on. The actual brush part that coats the lashes is also wider than most but we women can adapt! The bottom line is, if you need a budget-friendly mascara, this one will probably make you pretty happy. 

Disclosure: A sample of the item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

Being conscious of the beauty products you choose to have in your life doesn’t have to cost you a lot. The  ONE BATH AND BODY is a new line that was created by the same person that brought this brand to us. It uses cardboard and aluminum packaging instead of plastic and the formulas are 96% to 99% natural. I actually had a run in (well, not physically but…) with a scrub that had the word natural in it and made a lot of claims of the purity until you look at the ingredients and there were two way up top that were anything but natural! So of course I am reading the list on the two sent to me. And they look like they put their product where their mouth is!

To see if there was a mainstream need for eco-minded products, the Target company took a chance and put products in about 50 of their stores nationwide and did people respond! They make Lotion Massage Bar to Bubble Bars to Body Scrubs and Shampoos and I’m really into the below two right now:

Extra Virgin Pure Olive Oil Soap comes in a cardboard container and it has an opening on either side of the label so you can smell before buying. $5.99/5oz.

Natural Shea Butter Lip Balm in Cherry Pie Like Mom Used to Make and Coco Coconut – these smell and taste like the real thing! $2.99/10g.

By the time you read this, the products should be fully stocked in a Target near you or you can just check them out online @ onebathandbody.com. Their store is under construction right now but hopefully will be back up shortly.

Do you really have some $22 to shell out on a gel liner in a pot? Love them but a good one can be a little pricey. And what if you want a color like purple and of course need the standard black too? That’s $44, which is almost $50 for just two items! Anyway, how about one that won’t break the bank. MAYBELLINE NEW YORK is getting into the act with their Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner and I’m really loving this Charcoal color on my lids! It’s nicely pigmented and last all night. And for only $9.99 @ ulta.com, you can get two colors and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and feel good about all three purchase!

Disclosure: The following item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

I’m not really big into bronzers at least compared to two friends I have. They live by it! But since I’m not doing any kind of self-tanning these days, I have felt the need to give my face some definition, so I’ve been playing with a few bronzers. MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Mineral Power Bronzer in Sunrise Bronze ($10.99/4.5g @ drugstore.com) is the perfect balance of not-too-matte-not-too-shimmery type of bronzer. And this one comes with its own 2” tall kabuki brush, which is perfect for applying the number 3 on each side of the face. What’s the 3? Start above the temple and sweep the brush into a number 3 coming down to your cheek and then end the number by sweeping down the jaw line. Repeat on both sides of the face for definition and be sure to keep a light hand as you can always build.

Disclosure: The following item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes.

They also have lashes that are self-adhesive aka require no glue, but I find the glue ones are easier to handle, but that’s the beauty of beauty, what works for one might not work for another but it’s nice to have options. $5.49 @ drugstores nationwide.

I never thought it would happen and I must say I am kind of into it now that I have played with them a few times. What am I referring to? Colored mascara! Like putting colored eye liner on the waterline of the eye, colored mascaras are big for fall. A budget-friendly way to try the trend is FLIRT!’s Big Flirt Thickening Mascara in Real Teal ($12 @ kohls.com) from their Butterfly Dreams Fall Color Collection. Whether you like to wear one color on your eyes or a few, color on your lashes is just so unexpected and quite delightful to behold.

Not into a rich color like this teal? Try one that’s a little more subtle like a navy or dark purple.

And here’s a great tip from makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown-Jovel – dust lashes with loose setting powder before applying mascara.

And here’s a Cybelesays tip – instead of brushing the color onto the whole last from root to tip, try working the bristles into the lashes at the root and move it from side to side ever so slightly to wrap the color around each lash. Top with black on the tips of the lashes and this will give you a very subtle hint of color.

I’ve been contemplating an on-going feature for the past few weeks called, “Scents that Rock,” and I don’t mean perfumes. These Hand Soaps from BATH & BODY WORKS’ new American Grown Collection would for sure be the first feature. They smell so amazing! I think I wash my hands just so I can get a whiff. And they are in a huge squoval 16oz container and a little squirt gives a lot of later so just one will last you a while.  Scent picks: Napa Grape (ripe grapes), Montana Sky (fresh air) and Washington Apple (red delicious). Also comes in Siesta Key Lemon and Savannah Mint.

And though we don’t post sales here, I just have to tell you that on their site right now, they have a buy-one-get-one-free sale going on so get over to bathandbodyworks.com to get yours. And each scent also comes in a huge 24oz Shower Gel for $12.50. To me, this is a bargain so I’m also filing this under Budget Beauty.

So what do you think of an on-going feature that focuses on great smelling bath and body products? I figured the title Scents that Rock would be fitting. Let me know in the comments if you are as into great smelling body products as I am and what your favorites are.

I’m really into eyeliners these days and I just read somewhere that they are going to be big for fall so time to stock up on some new ones. MALLY BEAUTY just came out with Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner Trio contain everything if you need to update your basics – rich smooth color, good pigment and in this case (yes!) waterproof.

>  Midnight – rich black
>  Lucky Penny – bronze
>  Caribbean Sea – teal blue

A few tips from Mally herself – Pair Midnight on top of Lucky Penny on the bottom lash line; Use Caribbean Sea to accent the inner corners of the eye or layer it on top of Midnight on the top lid.

And they are only available @ qvc.com and are on special right now for  $22.84 – that’s $7.61 each! Now how's that for budget-friendly?