This review is all about the scale as in 10 being the best and 1 being the worst and how each trait of these COVERGIRL Melting Pout Mattes ($6.99 @ covergirl.com, target.com) tests out. I’m going to rate each aspect of these liquid lipsticks on that scale.

The formula of these liquid lipsticks is a mousse and when it comes to pigment, these were about a 6, which is sometimes a nice alternative since there seems to be a competition between who can out-pigment who these days!

On the comfort scale, I’d give these a 8 (1 is suffocation and 10 is I’m not wearing anything on my lips).

Like most liquid lipstick, the lighter colors wear better (less streaky) than the darker colors. I did find with a few of the berry shades like All Nighter, that after I apply them, I quickly blot and then it’s even on the lips and looks better.

On the longevity scales, the lighter shades of these didn’t seem to last past about 4 hours, which is not that great, and the darker shades wore about the same.

Overall, I’d give these a 6 out of 10. So they didn’t fare the best but I really did like the All Nighter “stain” out of the bunch as seen in the picture.

Shades L to R: 300 Secret, 305 Ballerina, 310 Coral Chronicles, 315 All Nighter, 320 Back Talk, 325 Never Say Never

Shades L to R: 330 Seismic, 335 Champagne Showers, 340 Current Nude, 345 Paradise Lost, 350 Super Model, 355 Gray Matter

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

I’ve often wondered about mascara, as in, what’s to stop a company from using the same formula from product to product just with different packaging and a new jazzy name? Take The SuperSizer and Plumpify blastPRO both from COVERGIRL that I got around the same time. I like them both a lot and have been alternating from using each one on different days. The brushes are different so they seem to apply the mascara a little bit differently in the end look. But how do I know that this is really a new or different formula from the one hanging on the rack in the store next to it?

So with this in mind, I did a little research into these two specific ones. First, mascara formulas are probably not all that different from each other. I mean, they have to do a specific thing and as you can see from the below, have to contain the same kinds of ingredients. And if you were curious about product testing and the FDA, click here. 

The SuperSizer ingredients:

Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Triethanolamine, Polyethylene, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Synthetic Wax, Oleic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Methylparaben, Glycerin, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Trisodium EDTA, Simethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylcellulose. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide.

Plumpify ingredients:

Water/Eau, Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire De Carnauba, Triethanolamine, Polyethylene, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Synthetic Wax, Oleic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Methylparaben, Glycerin, Ethylparaben, Tocopherol, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Simethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylcellulose. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide.

So just something to think about because I’m not sure us consumers will or could ever know if a company owns one, two or three different mascara formulas that they just alternate with each new one they put out. What do you think?

1. MUA MAKEUP ACADEMY Double Ended Foundation & Concealer Brush ($14 @ cvs.com) – Every once in a while a brush comes along that just becomes a staple in your collection, and that’s this one. Both sides of this brush can be used to apply both creams and liquids and the size of each head, especially the foundation size, is just perfect! This brand is on a roll for me lately.

2. CERAVE Moisturizing Cream with Pump ($17.99/16oz @ walgreens.com) – you ever just want a super basic cream with no strong perfume or scent? Yup, this one is it and it contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid. And how convenient is this pump? Love it.

3. PANTENE Air Spray Alcohol Free Hairspray ($5.49/7oz @ walgreens.com) – this one is starting to rival this one as one of my favorites. I mean, it is for the summer, for sure though. It acts sort of the same in that it gives great hold yet it’s brushable. And this one is alcohol-free.

4. COVERGIRL Lash Blast Plumpify Mascara ($11.99 @ target.com) – I’m tough on mascara and pass on probably 80% of the ones I try. This one, however, gets some high marks from me as it really does plump-ify each lash.

5. MAYBELLINE Super Stay 24 Lip Color in Very Cranberry ($10.49 @ maybelline.com, target.com) – remember in this post how I mentioned how all colors are not created equal, even when they are in the same collection? Yup, that is the case here. I can’t stop wearing this shade of rosy rose. Great for a summer day!

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

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1. VICHY Pureté Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil ($18/4.2oz @ walgreens.com) – I’m a firm believer in the micellar water makeup remover trend.

2. LA ROCHE-POSAY Cicaplast Baume B5 ($14.99/1.35oz @ dermstore.com) – this one has worked wonders on a super dry spot on my ankle.

3. TRESEMME Beauty-Full Volume Reverse System Pre-Wash Conditioner ($6.49/16.5oz @ target.com ulta.com) – Use this one on wet hair before(it) you shampoo and watch your products work better than ever.

4. COVERGIRL The Super Sizer Mascara ($5.99 @ target.com) – It’s all about the comb brush when it comes to this mascara and length and volume it gives. Love!

5. CERAVE Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin ($12.99/8oz @ walgreens.com) – from what I’ve read, the pH in this cleanser is not in the ideal range for the salicylic acid in this but the cleanser to be effective but it’s still a great cleanser.  

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

Unless I get the most perfectly applied prep, an at-home manicure never lasts past 3 days without chipping or peeling off. It’s frustrating! That’s why I’ve thrown out all my regular polish and become a full-time gel-polish convert. When they first came out a few years ago, they were only available in salons (the CND brand). Then, brands started making at-home versions that included a lamp to cure the polish. Ok, getting better, but now we have a handful of brands that have gel polishes that don’t require a UV lamp to cure. Some need a topcoat, some do not , so I put an asterisk next to the ones below that require you to use more than one product, like a base coat/primer and/or top coat, with it.

Are you going to join the “throw-your-regular-polishes-out” movement?

1. SALLY HANSEN Miracle Gel Nail Color shown here in Throwing Shade - $9.99 @ ulta.com.

2. *L’OREAL Extraordinaire Gel-Lacque 1-2-3 Nail Color shown here in Decadent Indulgence - $7.99 @ lorealparis.com. 

3. COVERGIRL XL Nail Gel shown here in Rotund Raspberry - $7.49 @ covergirl.com and walgreens.com. 

4. *CND Vinylux Weekly Polish shown here in Pretty Poison - $9.95 @ ulta.com.

5. NAILS INC. LONDON Gel Effect Polish shown here in Kensington High Street - $14 @ nailsinc.com.

6. *REVLON Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamel shown here in Wild Card - $7.99 @ ulta.com. 

The secret to getting your makeup look done and out the door in 5 minutes is to use multi-taskers like ones that are tinted. Since you don’t have to be as precise with tinted versions, time is on your side. Here are some in each category you should cover in order to at least look polished.  

First up is a Tinted Moisturizer or tinted BB Cream. They can be applied with your fingers or a sponge and not only are they usually available in quite a few shades but they give just a hint of tint so you don’t have to worry about overdoing it. And some even come with a built-in SPF, so you’re saving a few extra seconds on your routine right there! Here are some I recommend:  

1. PIXI BEAUTY H2O Skintint $24/1.18oz @ target.com

2. BEAUTY ADDICTS Mineral SheerTINT $32/1.25oz @ beautyaddicts.com

3. MAYBELLINE Dream Pure BB 8-IN-1 Beauty Balm Skin Clearing Perfector $8.99/1oz @ maybelline.com and walgreens.com <--- this is a good one too if you are prone to acne.

4. TOO FACED Tinted Beauty Balm SPF 20 $34/1.5oz @ toofaced.com

Just remember that if you do choose one that doesn’t contain sunscreen, make sure you apply some before one of these. 

Click here to read more

I think pink makeup has to be my favorite this summer and here are some that are at the top of my list and in my purse!

From L to R clockwise:

COVER GIRL Colorlicious Lip Gloss in Whipped Berry from Katy Perry’s #Instaglam Collection $7.99 @ walgreens.com.

TARINA TARANTINO Dollskin Cream Blush in Mr. Pink $29 @ dermstore.com.

CIATÉ LashLights Luminous Lash-Tip Colour in Famous $17 only @ ciatelondon.com.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip in 21C $19 @ sephora.com.

MILANI Rose Powder Blush in Bella Rosa $7.99 @ milanicosmetics.com and walgreens.com.

NYX COSMETICS Butter Lipstick in BLS01 Razzle Fiesta $5.99 @ nyxcosmetics.com and ulta.com.

MAYBELLINE Master Glaze by Face Studio Blush Stick in Pink Fever $8.99 @ walgreen.com. 

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.

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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 @ ulta.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.

Stain on teeth = bad. Stain on lips = good. And COVERGIRL Outlast Lipstain = really good! There’s a certain stain out there that comes in a nail polish type bottle and the brush that applies the stain is thin and in my opinion, useless. While the brush is the right size for nails, it’s hard to have control over it to apply to lips and cheeks. I totally cannot understand why this has such a cult following. While I’ve always been a fan of stains, most of them just, well, suck. And marker ones like these seem to give you the best control but the ones I have tried in the past all always seemed dried out. Not these. The tips are simply wet with color! I am a fan of the bare lip feel so these are right up my alley. Out of the 10 shades, the darker ones seem to be more to my liking. Plum Pout, Coy Coral and Wild Berry Wink have been adorning my lips all week.

Even though these won’t hit stores until January, you can get one today, December 12 through 14 at select Bebe stores nationwide. Just spend $100 and you’ll get one of these coolio stains for free. See bebe.com for participating stores. $7.29 @ target.com.

OK, I’ve decided to stop being such a mascara snob. Kiss Me Mascara is one of the first products that started me on my beauty-writing journey back in 2001. And COVERGIRL new LashBlast Waterproof Mascara ($7.65 @ target.com) is helping me overcome this problem. I’m usually not a fan of waterproof mascaras because most are so hard to remove at the end of the day. Not this one. Let’s talk about the lengthening this does and with just few coats! Usually I have to build and build the formula on my lashes to get something to happen with the girth or the length. Maybe it’s the cool orange bristles on the fat brush or the combination of the formula and the brush is what did it. Like the Spornette brush, it seems to space the bristles out a little more than usual. Whatever it is to make this mascara great, I am loving it. And if I have a weak moment, I can always apply the Kiss Me on top of this mascara.