Review: Wet N Wild Creme Eyeliner

Hey everyone!

Just a couple quick updates to begin- I'm sorry for the lack of posts in the past couple of weeks. I'm back in school (last semester before I graduate!) so I've been a little busy with that. I will definitely try this time to put up posts regularly and not let this blog drift off into oblivion. Next, thanks to everyone who entered my Sigma giveaway! I'm really happy with the great response. If you haven't entered, I will be accepting entries until tomorrow at midnight (Look at the post below). I will also be announcing the winner later that week.

Now, on to my review...I recently finished up my MAC fluidline, which is probably my all time favorite eyeliner. I have never found an eyeliner that stay on my eyes and didn't smudge until I found MAC. I decided to go out and try another brand since I'm not exactly thrilled to shell out $15 for a MAC pot. I generally prefer to use creme/gel eyeliners over pencil or liquid ones. I had heard great reviews for the Wet N Wild Creme Eyeliner so I decided to go out and get it- after all, its only 4 bucks. My first impression was that the packaging leaves something to be desired. The plastic cap can be a bit difficult to twist on and off sometimes- which might make the product easier to dry up. I also really wasn't impressed with the mini-angled brush that comes along with it (Sorry I don't have a picture- threw it somewhere and now I can't find it).But as for the product itself, I was actually really impressed. I got the eyeliner in Black (it also comes in Eggplant) and it it truly as black as black can be. It also has tremendous staying power- which is a plus and a negative. In my opinion, it lasts longer than any other creme eyeliner I've tried (including MAC). Even after a 3 hour nap with my makeup on, it didn't smudge at all. However, it's also really difficult to take off. I haven't really found a makeup remover that get rid of it completely, which kind of annoys me. You'll need to get some heavy duty stuff. Overall, I think this is a great product for the price but I think I'll always love my MAC Fluidline.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Review: Sigma Travel Kit + Giveaway

Hey all, I recently purchased a Sigma Travel Kit in Naughty in Black and wanted to do a quick review on it. I had first heard about these brushes from YouTube Gurus and honestly, I was a bit skeptical about whether or not they were worth all the hype. I decided to go ahead and purchase the travel kit since I didn't own any travel sized brushes and do travel every now and then. The kit came with 7 brushes (click the link for more detailed info) and also a complimentary SS187. To my surprise, I also received a full size Indian Girl eyeshadow (a shimmery brown) for free. The brushes come with a leather-like pouch for storage and comes shipped in a purple baggie as well as instructions on how to care for them. So far, I'm really happy with the quality of the brushes. I own a few MAC brushes and the quality between the two brands is very comparable. They are very soft and durable. I've washed them a couple times and I haven't experienced any excessive shedding- just a couple hairs here and there.

My two favorite brushes from the kit are the SS187 and SS150. The SS187 is a Duo Fibre brush, like the MAC 187 (Sigma brushes are number in relation to their MAC counterpart). I actually own the MAC version (which I love). When comparing the two, there are very similar and actually produce the same results for me when applying my liquid foundation. I also love the SS150, in terms of quality and density. It's a great full brush that is really soft and great for applying powder.

The best part about the kit is that it only cost $49 + $4 shipping. If you do the math, that is a under $7 per brush, plus you get a carrying pouch as well as a full size eyeshadow. It is also very handy and easy to pack if you're on the go. If you want an even better deal for everyday use, purchase the full size complete kit....I just might :)

Now, for the fun part...Sigma Makeup were gracious enough to offer a free giveaway to my readers. This is great for those of you who want to test out their products.

One winner will receive a SS217 Blending Brush as well as an Eyeshadow in Indian Girl. Here's how to enter:

1. Follow my blog (link located in the right sidebar)
2. Leave a comment with your name and email address (please make sure to use the same email as the one you used to follow this blog). And voila, you're entered!
   
3. For one additional entry, you can post this on your blog or twitter (Include the link to the post with your name and email in a separate comment)

I will accept entries until January 31st, 11:59PM/ EST. One winner will be chosen through Random.org. The prize will be sent directly from Sigma Makeup. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at littlemisssavvy@gmail.com. Thanks for entering and good luck!

Note: Products reviewed above were personally purchased by myself. However, the giveaway is sponsored by Sigma Makeup

Forever 21: Designer Knockoffs?

I've always had a love/ hate relationship with Forever 21. I do love to shop there since it is so inexpensive and they have a huge (albeit messy) selection. Being a typical money-challenged college student, I don't have a lot to splurge on all the designer goodies I want. Forever 21 has helped me look fashionable at an affordable price. However, it's hard to ignore the very apparent knockoffs that Forever 21 has produced in recent years. Earlier in 2009, F21 was sued by Trovato for ripping off their designs. It wasn't the first lawsuit brought against the company- Anna Sui, Diane Von Furstenberg, and others have all brought up cases against the savvy-chic retailer. For instance, there has recently been some controversy over a sweatshirt design that looks very similar to that of British graffiti artist Banksy [image courtesy of CocoPerez.com]...

F21 has had far more similar knockoffs in the past, but this leads me to wonder how often they 'borrow' from other designers. On one hand, I love Forever 21 because it has provided millions of girls and young women fun fashion that doesn't break the bank. But on the other hand, is it really fair to the designers that they are knocking-off? On a smaller scale, I would hate for my designs, ideas, and hard work to be copied for someone else's gain. The legal line for patents and copyright is very blurry in the fashion industry, which makes it that much harder for designers to protect their work. So what do you think, is it fair for Forever 21 to take ideas right off the runway?

Here are more examples....

Anna Sui VS. F21

F21 VS. Marc Jacobs

Diane Von Furstenberg VS. F21

Best Dressed at the Golden Globes Goes To...

....Sandra Bullock!

For some reason, I was totally surprised by this choice of dress and color for her. Hate to say it but she usually looks a little drab and boring on the red carpet. I think she looked amazing last night in this Bottega Veneta dress. Purple is my favorite color and I love it on her. I also love that the bottom half of her dress is a bit sheer so it adds just the right amount of sexiness to her look. She totally stands out from the crowd. Sandra's had such an awesome year, including The Proposal and The Blind Side. Yay for her taking home the Golden Globe. Love!

Honorable mentions go to Drew Barrymore (love the old Hollywood glamour) and Kate Hudson (Hard dress to wear, but she did it).

So did you guys watch the Golden Globes last night? Who were your best dressed?

Help Haiti

We have all probably heard by now about the terrible earthquake that has hit Haiti this past week. It is such a tragedy, especially thinking about the lives that were lost and the long and difficult road ahead for those who have survived. In the wake of this, the generous people over at one of my favorite blogs, The Budget Babe, has vowed to donate $1 for every comment received on their post, Fashion Helps Haiti (up to $100). Please click the link and make a quick comment (Right now, there are 54 comments, let's get it to 100!). I think it is such a great thing they are doing in this time of need and I definitely want to commend and applaud them on their efforts to make a difference. For the rest of us, we can text HAITI to 90999 and a donation of $10 will be given to the Red Cross (you will be charged on your phone bill). If you are interested in finding out other ways of helping, you can look into other organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, United Nations World Food Program, Salvation Army, Action Against Hunger, etc.. Please do what you can to support the emergency relief efforts in Haiti- every little bit helps.

How To: Clean Your Makeup Brushes

I found that a cheap, effective way to clean your makeup brushes is by using baby shampoo. Before this, I tried brush cleanser which was a bit too expensive for me to repurchase. I also tried regular ol' shampoo, which worked fine as well but took a bit of time and effort to completely wash off. I had a bottle of Baby Magic Hair and Body Wash lying around (awhile back, I had tried it for my damaged hair because I needed something more gentle...long story). I heard about people using baby shampoo for their brushes so I decided to give it a try. I really liked the results. It deep cleaned my brushes really well and didn't give my them any weird smell since it is scent free. The formula is super gentle so you don't have to worry about it damaging your brushes. It's also dirt cheap. I purchased a 15 oz. bottle for around $3. I clean my brushes with it about every 1-2 weeks (depending on how lazy I am) and lay them flat for about a day to dry. On other days, I will just spray water on my brushes and wipe away any leftover makeup residue on a paper towel. If you don't mind spending the money on brush cleanser, that is probably the way to go, especially if you use expensive brushes that require extra care. Otherwise, this is a great, cheap alternative. ELF has also come out with a brush cleanser and shampoo in their studio line, which I'm hoping to try out soon (if you have, let me know how it is!).

Hope this was helpful, have a great weekend everyone!

Target Launches "The Great Save"

I recently read an article in Women's Wear Daily about a new wearhouse club event at Target called "The Great Save". Essentially, Target is offering prices and products found at many warehouse clubs such as Costco in their very own stores. You will be able to purchases toilet paper, cereal, and other goods in bulk without having to pay for the club membership fee. What makes this event so great is that Target will be introducing brands not normally sold at their stores. According to WWD, there will be Ralph Lauren polos for $25 and Ed Hardy gear starting at $35. Target is planning to use their seasonal merchandise section in stores for this event. I've read conflicting things about which Target stores will be participating- anywhere from 1,000 to all stores. It would probably be best to call in ahead of time before making a trip there. The event will last until February 21st. I'm personally really excited to check this out and see what they have to offer. I've heard crazy things about what some people find at these warehouse clubs (Chanel bag at Costco?). I've always been kind of intrigued by these retailers but never really needed anything in bulk. It might be interesting to get a taste of it without have to pay for the membership fees. I'm also interested to see what Target has to offer- they've had some great designer collaborations of late (Rodarte!). Who knows, maybe we'll find some nice designer items for less!

Review: Pure Ice Nail Polish + Mini Giveaway (CLOSED)

A while back, while browsing through the aisles of Walmart, I spotted a nail polish brand called Pure Ice that caught my eye. I was particularly looking for a shade of purple like the much talked about Metro Chic by Sephora by O.P.I. At the time, I wasn't ready to splurge the $9 on it. I found this color in the Pure Ice collection- I'm not sure if it has a name but the number is '966CP'. From memory, I thought it looked somewhat close and decided to give it a try. About a month later, I received a $15 gift card from Sephora for being a Beauty Insider and decided to spend it on the real Metro Chic. Here's how the color's paired up:

Ok, so I guess I don't have the best judgment of color since the two don't really match up. I must say I am a fan of Metro Chic- I love the grey undertones. But I also love this color by Pure Ice. It's really pretty and great for everyday (I think I love anything purple in general). The color is hard to describe- maybe a deep lavender/ plum. I was also surprised with the quality. I don't really expect much from an inexpensive nail polish but with a couple applications and a top coat, it held up pretty well. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the colors next time I'm looking for a new polish.

Since I liked this product so much, I wanted to share! I purchased another bottle to giveaway as a small thank you to all my readers. Here's how to enter:

1. Follow my blog (link located in the right sidebar)
2. Leave a comment with your first name and email address. And voila, you're entered!
   
3. For one additional entry, you can post this on your blog or twitter (Include the link to the post with your name and email in a separate comment)

I will accept entries until January 20th. If you have any questions, email me. Good luck!

Note: All products mentioned above were purchased and reviews reflect my personal opinion

UPDATE: Using Random.Org, we have a winner....Congrats Tiffany! I have emailed you with more information. Thanks to everyone who entered...look out for more giveaways in the future!

Small Haul + Review + Ramble

Hey girls,

So I'm not sure if I publicly declared this or not, but one of my New Year's Resolutions was to stop buying makeup and use up the stuff I have. I always have the best intentions going into these things but I never really expect myself to last very long (which is why we shouldn't make resolutions to begin with). Anyhow, I lasted a total of 9 days. Congrats to me...here's what broke my ban:
I stopped by my local CVS yesterday and found a bunch of makeup on sale for 75%. I never really need any of this stuff, but find myself wanting to buy it just because it's on sale. Does anyone else have this problem? I think I might find myself on the verge of a slight shopping problem (LOL!). I got a Milani Palette in Touch of Brown for $1.75 and another for a friend. I also picked up a Rimmel Blush in Santa Rose. I really love the Milani Palette- the colors are gorgeous and great quality, maybe even some of the best eyeshadows I've tried from drugstores. I also really like the blush- it's a nice coral peach. The lasting power isn't that great but hey it was $.87

A few days ago, I ordered these pumps from Aldo. I had been eying them for awhile and finally caved. They are called "Guritz" and available in two colors:

I love suede pumps! They were $40 but I was able to get another 10% off. For those of you new to Aldo, you can sign up for their mailing list on their homepage and they will send you a coupon instantly.


And lastly, look what I found in New York: a giant Hello Kitty sculpture by artist Tom Sachs. So cute and ginormous! If you're in the area, it's located on 53rd and Park.

- Little Miss Savvy

Project Runway!

I am still on break from school (Yay for long breaks!) so I have plenty of time to catch up on my favorite shows. One show that I love is Project Runway. Luckily for me, Season 7 will be premiering on Lifetime at 10 PM/ET on January 14th. I love all the fashions, drama, and Tim Gunn. As you can probably tell, I'm really excited for the new season. Season 6 was a total letdown for me- the designers weren't as talented as past seasons and the Los Angeles location didn't work. There just wasn't any glitz, glamour, or excitement. New York is one of the main fashion capitals of the world and you just can't replicate that in Hollywood. From what we know so far about this season, the designers look talented as well as hilarious and the challenges seem bigger than ever. Here's a quick preview of what to expect...

Can't wait!

Review: Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara

First off, as the season is coming to an end, I hope everyone had a wonderful time during the holidays! I had a great past few weeks, thanks to all my friends and family. I'm thinking about making a post to reflect back on 2009 (boy, what a year its been). We'll see if that comes to fruition, but for now, welcome 2010!
Now, moving on...I've been thinking about writing this post on Maybelline's Full 'N Soft Mascara for awhile. It is as much a rant/rave for this product as it is a review. From the time I started using makeup to until recently, I had been on a constant search for the perfect mascara. I always ran into some kind of problem with my new mascara of the week: too clumpy, wouldn't hold my curl, too flaky, not enough volume, etc. (whether it be high end or drugstore). From the moment this product touched my lashes (as dramatic as that sounds), I knew my search was over.

To me, Maybelline's Full 'N Soft Mascara is the perfect 'daytime' mascara. It held my curl and just provided that extra bit of lengthening and volume that I needed. The formula is also very light so it doesn't feel too heavy on your lashes and doesn't flake at all. Now for those who want va-va-voom volume more suitable for a nighttime look, this mascara probably isn't for you. However, for everyday wear, I would say this is as close to perfect as it can get (for me at least!).

Here are some before and after pictures (I am sorry that my eyes look possessed...only had a little bit of time to spare for picture taking):

The difference is subtle, but just right for me!

If you guys recommend any other everyday mascaras, let me know! Also, on a side note, I am planning on having another giveaway later this month, so look out for that!