STUFF I TRIED THIS MONTH: April 2016

by - May 02, 2016


Welcome to the second edition of Stuff I Tried This Month - a new series I'm trying featuring mini-reviews of products that, for whatever reason, didn't end up getting a full review on the blog. I feel like this will be a place where I stick things like deluxe samples, products that are old, or products that just don't feel like they need their own post. Like last month, I'd love to hear feedback in the comments about what you guys think about this format. I have a LOT of deluxe samples I'm planning on trying out in May, so I have a feeling that next month's post will be a big one!

But for now... let's look at what I tried this month!


Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in Devotion & Seduction
Admittedly, it took me a while to pick these up because I hadn't heard the best reviews and I thought they were overpriced for a drugstore product, but I might have been swayed if either of these two shades had ever been in stock. Towards the beginning of April, though, they were both in stock and on sale so I went for it and picked them up. Like all of the reviews that I saw when these were first released, these aren't a matte liquid lipstick in the way that I think we've come to know them. In fact, I really don't get matte from these at all. For me, these are definitely more of a traditional liquid lipstick. They're very opaque and don't have a ton of shine, so I'd say these are more of a liquid lipstick in a créme finish than a matte. All of that being said, though, these are a really nice product. 

I love the packaging, which is unique and really chic. It has a great applicator that lays down just the right amount of product with good precision. They smell AMAZING, but really have no taste that I can really discern. These two shades are really beautiful and wearable. The formula has great pigmentation and clings well to the lips without feeling sticky when I touch my lips together. Overall, I think this is a winner of a product - and I would literally have nothing bad to say if they hadn't claimed they were matte.


Mariposa Matte Long Lasting Lip Gloss Trio
This is another one of those random Dollarama finds from Mariposa that I just had to try because of the $3 for 3 price point. To be completely and totally honest, I thought that these were going to be complete garbage. If you've looked at any of my cheap matte liquid lipstick reviews in the past, you know I've had pretty bad luck with them, and I was expecting much the same from these. NOW, what I will say is that these definitely don't measure up to my higher end options, but they are actually really, really good for the price point. They're a little sheer, but they build nicely without getting weird. They smell fantastic, with only a little bit of the traditional matte liquid lipstick paint smell on the back end,  and set really quickly to a budge proof finish. They're a little bit sticky when you first apply them, but I don't find that it lingers, and I also don't find the finish to feel too powdery. Now, all of that good  being said, these are pretty drying and I find that after a couple of hours my lips are screaming for balm. Honestly, though, for a buck a piece, you really kind of can't go wrong with at least trying them - if that's what you're into.


essence Pure Nude Concealer in 10 Pure Beige
First of all, I wanted to let you guys know that there will be a review coming soon of the essence Pure Nude Foundation, but I wanted to throw this into this post because I wanted to give that product its own. For me, this is a very specific concealer. First off, I don't use this under my eyes because it's very creamy and sinks pretty significantly into lines, so I feel like it would be aging on me, but for someone with younger skin it could certainly work in that way. The texture is actually really nice, though, because it's got a good slip and blends in really seamlessly. I prefer to use this for minor blemishes or places that I need a little bit more coverage, like the redness on my cheeks. I actually really like this concealer for that purpose, because it isn't too heavy and provides a good amount of coverage. Now, I wouldn't recommend this for really serious problem areas and I would warm that this definitely clings to healing breakouts, and I would definitely insist that you set it or it will absolutely slide off your face.  Overall, this isn't my favorite concealer ever, but I'll definitely keep using it.


Pure ICE Shine With Gel Tech Nail Polish in Good Glistener
I actually really, really love some of the polishes from the regular Pure ICE line, so when I saw that they came out with a gel finish formula I absolutely had to try it. It's a dollar more per bottle, which brings it to a whopping $3CAD. I chose this shade, which is a sort of concrete taupe shade with a TON of suspended gold glitter, because it's right up my alley and I love these sorts of polishes. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with this polish overall. On first coat, the base is quite sheer, so I think you could easily use it as a top coat, but three coats gives full opacity and a really pretty, neutral shade. It wore pretty well, though it did start chipping after a few days and chipped fairly bad quickly, so I wouldn't recommend it for someone who really needs a long lasting manicure or works a lot with their hands. Personally, I don't mind. I'm looking forward to trying more shades in this line, because I can't speak to the overall formula, but this one has made me excited to try!

Essence Hidden Stories Trend Edition Nail Polish in Mauve-llous Fairy
As soon as I saw this on the display I HAD TO HAVE IT. I mean, really. Look at that beautiful colour. I have to admit that I was a little bit disappointed at how sheer it was when I swatched it. I really did think it was going to be more opaque, but this is a very sheer base mauve base with a lot of shimmer packed into it. For me, this is definitely going to be a top coat, because I don't have the patience to build it up to opacity, but the effect when you do build it up is really beautiful. I don't think this collection is still available, but if you see it on clearance it sounds like something you might like, I don't think it's a bad purchase! Just wasn't what I was expecting.


The Body Shop Oils Of Life Intensely Revitalizing Sleeping Cream
You guys, I love a lot of products from The Body Shop and I've had some good experiences with their skin care in the past, so I was really excited to try out some of the products from the Oils Of Life line. Unfortunately, this is a BIG no for me. I hate the smell of it, it reminds me of bug repellent, and it broke me out. I only used this twice and both mornings I woke up with little pimples that had just kind of... magically appeared. Honestly, I can't speak much to the effects of this product, because I did only use it the two times, but I figured I would mention it because it really didn't work out well for me at all.


So there you have it. This month was a bit of a mixed bag as far as things I've tried and how much I've enjoyed them. Like I said above, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this new series in the comments, as well as any experiences that you've had with the products I mentioned here!

Thanks for reading and head back tomorrow for my monthly favorites for April - IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE.

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