Review & Comparison: Jordana 12 HR Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil (Continuous Almond)

The Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond is a new purchase and I wanted to share with you the uses of this product as well as my opinions on the quality compared to similar products on the market. You get a nice amount of product, and this only cost me $3.99 at my local Duane Reade.

You can see in the swatch that the color is just slightly lighter than my natural skin tone and it has a nice amount of coverage even on the first pass (bottom swatch), but can be built nicely and does not ball up or become separated. The pencil does need to be sharpened, this isn't a twist-up mechanical pencil.

From left to right: L'Oreal Silkissme (Highlighter), Jordana E/S Pencil (Pink Evermore), Milani Shadow Eyez (Sand Dunes), Jordana E/S Pencil (Eternal White), Jordana E/S Pencil (Continuous Almond), Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter, Rimmel Scandaleyes (Nude)

I went through my collection of eyeliners and found the ones that are most comparable to the Jordana 12 HR Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond. The closest dupe I found was the Rimmel Scandaleyes in Nude, but this is a thinner pencil and would be more difficult to apply all over the lid, I also think it has more sheer coverage.

I also wanted to compare Continuous Almond to others in the Jordana 12 HR Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil range, namely Pink Evermore and Eternal White.

Swatch comparisons for the Jordana Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond

You can see from the swatches that Jordana E/S Pencil in Continuous Almond and the Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter are the smoothest, most full coverage of the pencils (Chella's pencil has a more brightening effect, however and seems to have line-filling properties).

The Jordana E/S Pencil in Eternal White is patchy and cannot be layered as nicely as the Continuous Almond shade, I often use this as a base but struggle to get an even application. The Jordana E/S Pencil in Pink Evermore is the same formula but it has shimmer so it gives off a different finish. You can see that the Milani Shadow Eyez in Sand Dunes is a golden glittery version of Continuous Almond.

L'Oreal Silkissime in Highlighter is by far the hardest textured pencil of the bunch, it applies the least creamy but has a long staying power, it literally has to be rubbed off or else residue remains (I experienced this with my swatch).

Overall, I highly recommend the Jordana 12 HR Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in Continuous Almond, it has better staying power than the Milani Shadow Eyez, better coverage than the Rimmel Scandaleyes pencil and is a smoother application than all of the other comparisons. This pencil could work well as an all-over nude shade or as a base for eyeshadows (this will probably be my primary use for this shade).

Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Terra Crave

Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Terra Crave

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, then you'll know that I love the formula of the Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stains. For my money, these are the least expensive and best quality chubby stick balm stains on the market. I think the quality far surpasses that of the NYC or Wet 'N Wild equivalent. These chubby sticks are long-wearing, deeply moisturizing and provide a nice amount of pigmentation without being too overwhelming. These are the perfect combination of color and moisture.

Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Terra Crave

Terra Crave is a beautiful terracotta medium red shade with a slight tings of orange. In the entire shade range, this stands out to me as a very autumnal shade which is akin to the color of turning leaves. This is a very multi-purpose terracotta color which can be worn day or night for a "your lips but better" look while adding a little bit of a tint to your natural lip shade.

Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Terra Crave  - Lip Swatch

You can tell from the application on my lips that the formula is somewhat glossy, but not sparkly, and this is probably due to the fact that it is an intensely moisturizing formula. The color is build-able so you can intensify it if you feel the need or wear it more muted.

Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stains

I wanted to compare Terra Crave to the other shades of Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stains that I own so you can see the difference.

Swatches of Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stains

Tropical Frenzy is a medium bright pink, Candied Coral is an intense neon coral, Cranberry Crush is a berry purple rose shade, and Terra Crave is a terracotta reddish brown. The moisturizing shiny finish is consistent throughout the range and all of these apply equally smoothly.

Terracotta Lip Crayon/Balm Stain Comparison

I also wanted to show you how the Terra Crave shade compares to other similarly colored products on the market. The L'Oreal Glossy Balm and the Urban Decay Super-Saturated Lip Color have a similar finish to the Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stains.

Terracotta Lip Crayon/Balm Stain Comparison Swatches

The swatches reveal that the Annabelle Twist Up Lipstick Crayon in Romance is by far the most pink-toned of these shades, while the Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Brooklyn is the darkest spice brown shade. 

The Urban Decay Super-Saturated Lip Color in Glinda is the most sheer, being closely duped by the L'Oreal Glossy Balm in Lovely Mocha. 

The Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stain in Terra Crave is halfway between the shades of the L'Oreal Glossy Balm and the Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Creme in Thoughtful.

If you're interested in drying spice or terracotta shades for the fall season, I highly recommend the Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stain in Terra Crave... the price commitment is so low (at only $2.99 each) and I'm sure you will be impressed by the overall formula of this product line by Jordana. I have tons of Chubby Balm Stains and I reach for these above all of my others on a regular basis! They even have a sweet, candy scent to them which I find extremely pleasant.

Different Ways to Use Conditioner

Many of us use conditioner and take it for granted... it can commonly be viewed as the step after Shampooing where you slather it all over your hair and then wash it out. Keep reading to find out various ways to use conditioner in your daily routine. All of these tips and tricks are suitable for men or women!

Washing Your Hair

Do you notice that your hair gets greasy frequently? This could be because Conditioner is not meant to be applied all over your hair, it is a smoothing treatment which is meant to be applied to your hair from your ears down. If you try to skip applying the Conditioner above where your ears are, you will see that your hair will be less limp, have more volume and stay non-greasy for a longer period of time.

Shaving With Conditioner, Skip The Shave Gel

Do you run out of shave gel often and forget to re-purchase? Are you sick of spending extra money on yet another beauty product you wish you could double-down on? A great tip is using Conditioner as shave gel. Conditioner will foam less but create a nice slippery barrier between your razor blade and skin, letting you get in for a closer shave. The added benefit is that the hydrating properties of your Conditioner will leave your skin feeling softer, smoother and more moisturized than ever. This can be used on your face, legs, arm-pits or anywhere else you may want to shave! I live by this trick and I love the results!

Reversing Shampoo and Conditioner

If you find that you have dry, brittle hair with no shine and that may be difficult to comb out, you can try this neat trick I picked up. If you reverse the order in which you apply shampoo and conditioner, you will be left with soft, supple and more moisturized hair. The proper way to go about changing your routine is to apply your conditioner when you would have shampooed and rub it specifically on the ends of your hair. Then leave the conditioner in your hair for a few minutes before gently rinsing some of it out. I would advise you to leave some of it still in your hair as you apply shampoo so that the shampoo doesn't completely strip your hair of moisture. I typically shampoo my hair very quickly because I don't want the reaction to take away all of the conditioning goodness. Then, you can rinse your hair out and you will find that your hair is more detangled, softer and generally healthier looking.

This method works for my hair but I have slightly wavy, fine hair. However, this may not work for overly curly or kinky hair as the shampooing final step may leave you with more frizz than before. If this is your situation, you might want to pre-shampoo with coconut or argan oil, or even apply a hair mask before your regular washing.

Non-conventional Uses for Conditioner
I have put together a list of unconventional and unique different ways to use conditioner:

1. Massage your cuticles with conditioner in place of cuticle oil (lip balm works for this as well)
2. Use gentle conditioner as a makeup remover in a pinch (I don't recommend this one if you have sensitive eyes)
3. Deep-clean and condition your makeup brushes with conditioner to leave them soft
4. You can use a small amount as fabric softener when you're doing laundry, also can be used to wash silk "Dry Clean Only" clothes
5.  Conditioner can be used to shine stainless steel, prevent tools from rusting, and even unclogging drains
6. Remove rings that are stuck on your finger by applying conditioner on the skin

I hope you found this article helpful and that it may have given you some new ideas about how to use a product we all have laying around the bathroom!

Beautyblender Dupe Sponges Round-Up

Beautyblender dupe sponges: SOHO Beauty Sponge (Coral), SOHO Petal Pop Beauty Sponges (Turquoise), Miss Adoro Beauty Sponge (Light Purple), Models Own Makeup Blending Sponge (Pink) - all sponges shown dry

I have rounded up various beauty sponges from different companies which try to duplicate or improve-upon the traditional Beautyblender. Since the Beautyblender can be quite expensive, around $17 for one, I chose more affordable options to show you.  The above photo shows the sponges in their natural state, they are not damp.

You can find the SOHO Beauty Sponges (in Coral and Turquoise) at Walgreens or online, the Miss Adoro Beauty Sponge is something I picked up from TJ Maxx (but have also seen them at Marshall's), and Urban Outfitters carries the Models Own Makeup Blending Sponge (it comes in a duo).

Beautyblender dupe sponges: SOHO Beauty Sponge (Coral), SOHO Petal Pop Beauty Sponges (Turquoise), Miss Adoro Beauty Sponge (Light Purple), Models Own Makeup Blending Sponge (Pink) - all sponges shown wet

After running the sponges through warm running water for a few seconds and wringing the excess out, you can see that the SOHO Beauty Sponges (Coral & Turquoise) have increased in size as well as the Miss Adoro Beauty Sponge. However, I see no change in the Models Own sponge's size.

To the touch, the softest sponges are the SOHO Beauty sponges, with the Miss Adoro sponge as a close second, and the Models Own sponge is very dense and hard comparatively.

Models Own Makeup Blending Sponge

Firstly, I have to say that I do not recommend the Models Own Makeup Blending Sponge, it is very dense, doesn't really hold on to moisture (this is reflected in the fact that when it is damp it does not increase in size) and is very difficult to blend anything with. Trying to use this sponge is akin to punching yourself in the face with a stuffed animal... it wasn't a pleasant experience and I have sponges I use to wash dishes which are much softer than this! This sponge sells in a duo pack which retails for $8.00 at Urban Outfitters.

Miss Adoro Sponge

I picked this sponge up at TJ Maxx for the very affordable price of $3.99 and I have been very pleasantly surprised by how useful the shape of it is. The top corner of it is useful for reaching under the eye to pack on concealer and the flatter edge is well-suited for buffing foundation into the skin. The contoured side edges are great for reaching around the nostrils to get foundation or concealer well-concentrated in that area. The sponge is soft, not quite as soft as a Beautyblender, but I found it very pleasant to use and it didn't seem to soak up too much product. This sponge expands when wet to about 33% larger than its original size, making it easier to cover a larger surface.

SOHO Beauty Sponge

The coral-colored SOHO Beauty Sponge (found at Walgreens) is my personal favorite (cost $7.99). The shape is ideal for reaching the inner corner under my eyes, the sides of my nose, and around my eyebrows for precise coverage with concealer and foundation. The sponge grows substantially in size when wet, doesn't seem to waste product (it seems to soak up even less than the Miss Adoro sponge) and is the softest. It has an elongated shape so that you can cover a larger surface area when patting it on the side to buff in foundation, and I found that this saves me time in the morning.

SOHO Petal Pop Beauty Sponges - Leftmost petal is pictured damp

The Turquoise SOHO Petal Pop Beauty Sponges come in a six-pack and retail for $9.99 at Walgreens (that's a pretty great deal for 6 quality sponges!). When wet, you can see that the sponge becomes about 33% larger and they are equally as soft as the Coral SOHO Beauty Sponge. These are my second-favorite of the sponges, since they have a nicely rounded edge for buffing foundation and two different corners. One of the corners has a sharper edge for more precise concealer buffing, I find this specifically useful for when I'm cleaning up the outer corners of my eyeshadow. The outer corner is more rounded, which works very well for blending out concealer in the inner corner under my eye. I really recommend these sponges if you're on a budget and you're looking for an airbrushed look to your foundation/concealer.

Product Review: L'Oreal Silkissime Eyeliner (in Highlighter)

L'Oreal Silkissime Waterproof Eyeliner (Shade: Highlighter)

Recently, I picked up a L'Oreal Paris Silkissime Waterproof Eyeliner in Highlighter from my local Walgreens since I have seen so many rave reviews for this product. I am happy to get to put this to the test myself, and after using it for a couple of days I have formulated my final thoughts on this. Now, this review cannot be for all of the different shades, as I have not tried them, but it will be for the shade Highlighter. I think the name is fitting because as I was purchasing this, I specifically wanted to use it to give my eyes a more "awaken" and refreshed look.

The shade is a neutral pink when swatched, you can see the opacity of the shade with just one swipe and above that, what it looks like when it is layered. These are not the type of liners to use for smudging because they set quickly. The formula of these eyeliners doesn't claim to be creamy, and I find that they are fairly middle-of-the-road in terms of how easily they apply. There doesn't seem to be much tugging when laying the color down, but it doesn't feel overly smooth or soft, either (this might be because the formula is waterproof).

This eyeliner is not a twist-up pencil, it is a traditional pencil and will require conventional sharpening (a sharpener is not included).

When applied, I had to layer the shade on about 5-6x in order to get a good amount of pigmentation on my lower lash line, and even though the formula is waterproof, it is not completely smudge-proof. If your eyes water, the liner may not have a chance to set in your waterline after application if it does not "cure" while your eyes are dry - this is what happened to me. I did apply the liner in the waterline AND lashline, and you can see here after about 30 minutes of wear, it had entirely disappeared from my waterline, but was holding up well on my lower lashline.

Overall, I don't think that this eyeliner is far superior to the Rimmel Scandaleyes in Nude, specifically in the shade Highlighter, but I do recommend it if you like the color. I have tried gel-formula eyeliners by Makeon which are much more long-wearing in a similar rose color (shade name is Falling in Love), if you want a gentle, softer-applying formula. I would wait to pick up the L'Oreal Silkissime eyeliners on sale, as I do think that the retail price can be a little steep for the quality (regularly $8.99).

HOT DEAL! 50% OFF Urban Decay Pulp Fiction Palette & 66% OFF Nail Polish

Great news! The limited edition Pulp Fiction Palette by Urban Decay, which was released during the summer of 2014, is now 50% off at both Ulta and Urban Decay's website (I originally ordered this palette and you can check out my full review of it here). The original price of the palette was $34 and it's now on sale for $16 (that's even more than half!)

I am able to create stunning everyday and dramatic looks, for an example, I created this Mrs. Mia Wallace Eyes of the Day post using just the Pulp Fiction Palette.

I'm not sure why this palette wasn't more popular, since I find that it has become my go to over any of the Naked palettes and even the Naked Basics palette. The shades have a good matte variety so it's easy to pair them with any other more colorful shadows you may have.

The even better deal is the Pulp Fiction Nail Color that was released in this collection, which is now 66% off on the Urban Decay website! The color is a vibrant oxblood, deep red with a slight shimmer. It originally retailed for $15, but was marked down to $5!!

Product Review & Swatches: Cargo Shanghai Nights (Ulta Online Exclusive)

I'm so excited! I received my Cargo Shanghai Nights Palette from Ulta and I got a chance to take photos, do some swatches & create a look to show you! I was super drawn to this palette from when I first saw the promo photos of it because it has nice shades of gold, bronze, taupe, bright blue and purple! I think there's a great variety of colors to create a multitude of looks.

Now, I have to tell you the truth, I had never touched a Cargo eyeshadow before this, but I had a hunch they may be decent because they came highly regarded by Marlena from MakeupGeek during one of her videos. And let me tell you, I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the quality, they are similar to the Lorac eyeshadows, but they feel even more smooth, buttery and richly pigmented to me, I noticed very little powdering from the mattes (this is to be expected of all mattes, though).

The packaging of the Shanghai Nights palette is to die for! It has a nice weight to it, although it's made of reinforced cardboard and its covered by a plastic overlay, it feels sturdier than some plastic palettes I own. I would feel very confident traveling with it and knowing it won't break. You are receiving a nice amount of product for $39, it contains 12 eyeshadows, each at 0.03oz (or 0.8g) - for comparison, MAC eyeshadow singles are 0.05oz full size (or 1.5g). The price here is amazing, this palette retails for $39 regularly, but I picked it up during Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty Sale for $20!

The eyeshadows consist of a wide variety of brow-bone shades (Neon, Hu), crease/transition shades (Wai Tai, Bund, Jin Mao), pops of color (Lychee, Jade, Bar Rouge, Skyline) and shades with depth to them (Street Style, Night life). 

I noticed right away that there were 4 mattes (Wai Tai, Skyline, Bund and Hu), 5 metallic shades (Lychee, Jin Mao, Street Style, Ginger, Jade), 2 satin shades (Neon, Bar Rouge) and 1 glitter shade (Night Life).

So not only is there a great variety of shades that can be used for different purposes, but there are also many finishes in this versatile palette. All of the shades in this palette are limited edition.

Bonus! It even comes with a dual-ended eyeshadow/liner brush, which I used to complete my look today. This brush is versatile because one end can be used to pack on eyeshadow and the other end can be used for more precise application under your lower lash line and above your lash line as well. The bristles are flexible and soft.

These shadows were not applied over primer, they are very richly pigmented, the only one that wasn't as vibrant as I was expecting was Skyline which appears as a gem-tone blue in the pan but swatches more like a navy. I was extremely impressed with Wai Tai and Bund, they are very rich and smooth shades, especially for mattes, and they were very easy to blend out. Jin Mao and Lychee performed very well and true to the shades in the pan and Neon was a tad sheer, but very pleasant.

Night Life was much more pigmented than the black from the Everything Nice palette I reviewed last week, and I found during application that much of the glitter doesn't really stick to the eyeshadow itself and therefore won't show up much, if at all (I'm perfectly fine with this!). Bar Rouge is a stunner, I love this fuchsia reddish purple shade. Jade was also less its namesake and more of an army green with shimmer. Hu, Street Style and Ginger looked exactly the same when applied or swatched as they did in the pan.

Here's the look that I create today with the Cargo Shanghai Nights palette:

I used a whopping 8 shades in my look and I feel that it didn't turn out muddy at all and you can see precisely where I placed each shade, even though I did some major blending! The performance of this palette was spectacular and I highly recommend it. It has treated me better than many of my higher end palettes and I am very excited to start collecting Cargo's Limited Edition palettes.

Here's a guide to show you where I placed each shadow if you own the palette and want to try out this look!