Beauty Product Review: Sephora, Maybelline, Benefit, Buxom, Vaseline, & Urban Decay!

It is no secret that I am beauty product obsessed!  Luckily, with my Birchbox subscription and my Ulta and Sephora obsession, I am never too far away from discovering my next and newest favorite beauty product.  This post originally had double the products in it (I have been a busy, primping lady) but I cut it in half for maximum exposure.  In no specific order, here we go: one: Sephora Instant Moisturizer  First of all, I was sure that this moisturizer would be TOO heavy for my combination skin.  It is advertised as "intense," and I feel that is does just that without being greasy.  I LOVE the smell, and it feels great on my face. two:  Maybelline BB Cream  If I have tried one drugstore BB cream, I have tried them all.  I like the consitentsy of this one... it's a little bit thicker and not runny.  Save your money for the $40 BB creams from Bobbi Brown or Jouer.  It is worth it to see the results. three:  Benefit They're Real Mascara  I had heard raves and raves about this mascara that boasts to lengthen lashes that "you never knew you had."  I definitely agree. It coats really well and the bristles are staggered, even on the end.  Reading the directions leads to optimum lash lengthening. (After applying mascara while holding the brush horizontally it is recommended to coat the lashes while holding it vertically to lengthen! IT WORKS!) four: Buxom Insider Eyeliner  I loved the color I received as a free points reward gift from Sephora beauty insiders, and it stays on really well!  I love stick eyeliners that you do not have to sharpen!  It won't replace my one true love, Stila. five: Vaseline Spray & Go Lotion  I saw an ad for this in a magazine and instantly ran to Walgreens to find it.  Well, I finally found it at Target.  I really love the idea of this and it is perfect for lazy gals.  You still have to rub in it, but you are guaranteed total coverage.  Perfect for the summer time! (It comes in the cocoa butter & aloe lotions, too) six: Urban Decay Naked2 Palette  I will always love my NAKED palette, but I was read to mix things up and finally invest in the Naked2. I love the shades, all great UD quality, with a two sided brush. (My favorite colors? Pistol, verve, & YDK.)

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! And The Winner Is...

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner. The Contenders: 1. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (in Black)

2. Smashbox Jet Set Water Proof Eyeliner (in Deep Black)

3. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil (in Peversion)

4. bareMinerals Round The Clock Water Proof Eyeliner (in Midnight)

5. Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner (in Plum)

AND THE WINNER IS....

STILA! I loved the super easy applicator of the liquid liner.  The best I have ever used.  It is impossible to mess this up! Fool proof beauty routines are a merrymaker's best friend!  I use it every day now and I am so obsessed with its perfection.  I think second place would be the bareMinerals liner. THANKS SO MUCH FOR FOLLOWING ALONG ON THIS BEAUTY JOURNEY! Have a beauty item that you would like reviewed on Matters of Merrymaking? Email me!
UPDATE: After a brief break-up, I have gone back to being friends with Bloglovin, so make sure you are following over there!

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! Round Five

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner.
The Contenders: {Round Five} 5. TARTE SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeliner (in Plum)

The Tarte liner is a thicker, crayon liner that comes with a smudging stick on the other end.  I love the purple color, and I don't normally go for the colored liners!  I think it makes my eyes greener, and the thickness of the crayon is easy for application.  All in all, it smudges like a champ and stayed in place all day!  Plus side: Vitamin E and mineral pigments give this liner a boost! THE PREVIOUS CONTENDERS:  Stila | SmashBox | Urban Decay | bareMinerals STAY TUNED FOR THE WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT POST! Disclaimer: I am not a beauty guru, makeup expert, circus clown in training, or anything of the like.  I am not reviewing these products for any reason other than sharing my experience with my faithful readers.  Hope you enjoy! Feedback welcome.

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! Round Four

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner. The Contenders: {Round Four} 
 4. bareMinerals Round The Clock Waterproof Eyeliner

I had never used bareMinerals products before, so I had no clue how I would feel about this eyeliner.  I know they are proud of their minimal coverage foundation and the shake shake tap of the brush or whatever.  On to the eyeliner... it was a creamy, smooth application that really impressed me!  It gave really good coverage and lasted ALL DAY.  They name this eyeliner very accurately.  Like a few of the past products I have tried during this feature, this eyeliner has no parabens or sulfates or any of that bad junk!  Now I won't think twice about trying more bareMinerals products.

PREVIOUS ROUNDS: Stila | SmashBox | Urban Decay
Disclaimer: I am not a beauty guru, makeup expert, circus clown in training, or anything of the like.  I am not reviewing these products for any reason other than sharing my experience with my faithful readers.  Hope you enjoy! Feedback welcome.

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! Round Three

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner. The Contenders: {Round Three}

3.  Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Perversion

I am obsessed with black eyeliners, and this was reviewed as being the blackest black you can get.  Also, the fact that it was matte was alluring.  I definitely love the color and pigment of the eye shadow, but it smudged a tiny bit more than the previous two eyeliners.  It stays soft for blending for about 30 seconds before drying and staying all day, so if you are a fan of the smoky eye- this is an ideal eyeliner for you!  My only complaint is that it is a REALLY soft pencil so you have to sharpen it frequently, and it did not sharpen evenly for me.  Just a little pet peeve!  Any thoughts on Urban Decay?
Coming Soon
 Round Four: bareMinerals
Previous Posts:  Stila & Smashbox
Disclaimer: I am not a beauty guru, makeup expert, circus clown in training, or anything of the like.  I am not reviewing these products for any reason other than sharing my experience with my faithful readers.  Hope you enjoy! Feedback welcome.

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! Round Two

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner. The Contenders: {Round Two}

2. Smashbox Jet Set Water Proof Eyeliner (in Deep Black) The only gel eyeliner in the group, I wanted to give a highly reviewed gel a fair chance.  It's very smooth to apply, almost like a cream.  Honestly, it seems like a tad more work to apply this evenly because its not as dark as some eyeliners.  Although, when working with a brush it is easier to get close to the brow line.  It lasted all day and did not smudge or end up under my eyes which is something I have experienced with previous gel eyeliners. | Did you miss it? |  Round One: Stila Coming Soon  Round Three: Urban Decay
Disclaimer: I am not a beauty guru, makeup expert, circus clown in training, or anything of the like.  I am not reviewing these products for any reason other than sharing my experience with my faithful readers.  Hope you enjoy! Feedback welcome.

Beauty Feature: On Your Mark! Round One

ON YOUR MARK! A five part beauty feature taking us on the journey of finding the ULTIMATE eyeliner. The Contenders: {Round One} 1. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (in Black)

Stila was the first one that I tried, and I immediately liked it.  It is the only liquid contender in the group and from the beginning it is LEAGUES above other liquids I have used in the past.  And trust me, I have tried them all.  It is SUPER user friendly and makes a great cat eye for the weekend merrymaking events.  I have to be honest, I was really impressed with this eyeliner because it lasted through a two hour migraine headache nap without smudging a smidge.  If I love all of the eyeliners this much, then I will definitely have a problem picking a winner. Coming Soon  Round Two: Smashbox

Disclaimer: I am not a beauty guru, makeup expert, circus clown in training, or anything of the like.  I am not reviewing these products for any reason other than sharing my experience with my faithful readers.  Hope you enjoy! Feedback welcome.