Nivea Men Post Shave balm as a primer "DOES IT WORK?"

Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm

"As a Primer?"

$5-7

DOES IT WORK?

So have you guys heard of using the nivea men post shave balm as a face primer?  Yes, I said primer.  I recently watched some youtubers and they have heard that "nikkietutorials" on youtube swears by this stuff by using this as a face primer.  But does it really work?

First of all, this post shaving balm is said to be an extra gentle formula that is enriched with vitamin E and natural, soothing chamonmile and witch hazel extracts which soothes the skin from irritation and it improves the skins condition over time.  It is also formulated with no drying alcohol and it is lightly fragranced.  

After saying that, does it really work as a primer?  I would have to say yes.  At first I was skeptical about this product because I was very indecisive if this really worked or not.  But, I think it depends on what or how you look at a product.  When you first apply the balm it has a clear and very liquidy consistency.  As you apply it to your face, it has a sort of manly fragrance.  So if you have a very sensitive nose, I do not think this is a product for you.  But, the smell does go away after a couple of minutes, so if you do not mind then it should be fine.

After applying the balm it has a slight tacky feeling and it somewhat reminds me of glue, but not in a bad way.  After a couple of minutes the product dries and it really hydrates your skin.  Then after applying your foundation and face makeup it gives a semi dewy look.  It makes your makeup go on smooth and makes it feel nice and smooth.

The downside of this product is, if you have large pores, than this will not diminish them.  As the day progresses it does keep your makeup staying on throughout the day.  I have combo skin with an oily T zone and it keeps my makeup lasting through the day longer than if I do not have a primer on.  But, at the end of the day with this primer my T zone does tend to get a little oily. 

Overall, I think that this is a great cheap alternative for a face primer.  Even though it might not compare to the high end primers, you still get 3.3 fl. oz. of product which is about triple the amount of a regular primer.  AND it about $5 for this product!  If you are a person that likes to save on makeup items and are looking for a great alternative, then I suggest that you try this out.  

Rate: 4/5

Pros:                                                                       Cons:

-cheap                                                                -does not minimize the look of pores

-get a lot of product for your money                   -lightly fragranced (would of been nice to be 

-lasts pretty much the entire day                         fragranced free, but it is ok)

-makes your makeup go on smooth

-does not break me out

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow palette

 Urban Decay Gwen Stefani eyeshadow palette

Price: $60

(Sale as of 12/27/15: $39)

      This palette is the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani limited edition eyeshadow palette. It comes with 15 amazing, smooth and buttery shadows.  Recently though this palette has gone on sale for $49!!!  (As of 12/27/15)  That's a great deal!  And for those who are in Hawaii, you can find it on sale at the Sephora in Waikiki.
      I think that this palette is very neutral and you can easily create a day to night look with this.  It also comes with some color so you can glam up you eye look with a hint of a color.  The eyeshadows are also smooth and easy to blend out.  I especially love the pigmentation on these. 

 

 (left to right: blonde, bathwater, skimp, steady, punk)

(left to right: baby, anaheim, stark, zone, serious)

(left to right: pop, harajuku, danger, 1987, blackout)

Overall this is a fun palette to play with.  It has a bunch of neutrals which are great for a day makeup eye look.  Or you can change it up for a night look.  You can also add a fun pop of color to brighten up your look. 

Rate: 5/5

Pros:                                                                                          Cons:
-15 buttery, easy to blend eyeshadows                            -none
-great range of colors
-pigmented & long wearing
-comes with a good sized mirror
-packaging is cute

Urban decay naked 3 palette

Urban decay naked 3 palette.

Price: $52

The naked 3 palette is the newest edition to the urban decay naked pallete line.  It comes with 12 eyeshadows with pretty pinky gold undertone shadows.  

*front view of box of naked 3*

This is the front view of the naked 3 box. The box is a pretty gold color that is very sleek and eye catching.

*back view of box of naked 3*

This is a back view of the naked 3 box.  Along with the naked 3 palette it comes with a duo end eyeshadow brush and a sample version of eyeshadow primer.

*front view of naked 3*

The front view of the naked 3 palette.  The palette matches the box where it is a nice gold color.  It is also very sleek and compact which makes it easy to travel with.  This palette is made out of a tin metal just like the naked 2 palette and it snaps together.

*open view of naked 3*

The naked 3 palette comes with a mirror and a duo ended eyeshadow brush.  

*12 eyeshadows*

(strange, dust, burnout, limit, buzz, trick, nooner, liar, factory, mugshot, darkside, blackheart)

*first 6 swatches of eyeshadows*

(strange, dust, burnout, limit, buzz, trick)

*last 6 swatches of eyeshadows*

(nooner, liar, factory, mugshot, darkside, blackheart)

*Sample primer*

Just like all the other naked palette, they come with a sample sized item of something.  This naked 3 came with a sample size eyeshadow primer.  

*open view of primer*

(original, eden, sin, anti-aging)

In this sample eyeshadow primer it comes with 4 little packages.  The first one is the original primer which is just a natural lid color.  Eden is just like the original primer but it is said to have a matte finish.  Sin has shimmer in it.  And the anti aging primer is said to prevent pre mature sagging of the eyes.

*back view of primer*

Overall I really like this palette, and I think this is my favorite palette of the naked palettes (even though I dont have naked 2).  I still like these colors the best versus the naked 1.  I really like the idea of the pinky gold colors and if you hear that these colors would match lighter skin tones, then dont listen!  I think these colors would match any skin tone and many looks can be made with these shadows(:  If you get a chance I highly recommend getting this palette.

Rate: 5/5

elf beautybook eyeshadow palettes

Elf beautbook eyesadow palette in everyday eye and neutral eye edition.

Price: $5

I have 2 of the elf's eyeshadow book palettes.  The everyday palette is a linited edition holiday palette.  These palettes are very affordable and has good quality. The shadows are pigmented and glides on smoothly.  However, some of the shadows are hard to swatch from the pan.  

*elf neutral eye palette*

*inside everyday eye palette*

*first row*

*2nd row*

*3rd row*

The last shade is one of the shadows that are hard to swatch out of the pan.  

*elf everyday eye palette*

*inside the everyday eye palette*

*1st row*

*2nd row*

The 2nd and 3rd shade of thise row are a little hard to swatch out of the pan.

*3rd row*

Overall, these palettes are really nice and they are very convienant since the shades are wearable for everyday use.  For the price, these shadows are worth it and it beats paying a whole lot of money on something small.  I would recommend this to anyone, both first and old timers to makeup and it is a must have in the nakeup collection.

Rate: 4/5

Revlon colorburst matte balms

Revlon colorburst matte balm

Price: $7-8

These revlon colorburst matte balms are the very popular balm stains that are sold out almost everywhere!  I picked up 3 of the shades.  I found them at walmart, but these were in the clearance section since I guess they were opened.  But they looked fine to me.  So these are the only colors I could find.  

my review:

Do I think these are worth the hype everyone has been raving about?  I am neutral, because these matte balms are similar to regular lipsticks.  But, they are pretty hydrating for matte balms and they are also staining to the lips.  So my thoughts about these are 50/50.  These are very pigmented and pretty hydrating but I would still use a lipbalm under these.  I think these are just like matte lipsticks and the jordana lip sticks are just as good as these for half the price!

*3 revlon colorburst matte balm*

(left to right) 240 striking spectaculaire, 210 unapologetic, 220 showy flamboyante

*no flash*

210 unapologetic

*flash*

210 unapologetic

*swatch*

*full view*

*name tag*

*no flash*

220 showy flamboyante*

*flash*

220 showy flamboyante

*swatch*

*full view*

*name tag*

*flash*

240 striking spectaculaire

*no flash*

240 striking spectaculaire

*swatch*

*full view*

*name tag*

*measurement*

These are around 4 1/2in.  

Overall I think these are alright.  I am still 50/50 about these matte balms because there are both cons and pros about these.  But I think that people over rate these a little too much.

Pros:

-hydrating

-pigmented

-long lasting

Cons:

-A little pricey

-kind of sinks into fine lines of lips

-overrated

-similar to jordana balms/matte lipsticks

Rate: 4.5/5

Drugstore Makeup favorites!!

All of my favorite makeup in each category!  

I used ONLY drugstore products in this favorites review.  This is my own opinion on my favorites(:  Enjoy!

1.  face powder:

-Cover girl clean oil control pressed powder/Rimmel stay matte pressed powder.

-Both of these are my favorite when it comes to face powder.  I feel that both of these keep my face matte throughout the  day.  It also helps keep my oil controlled. They both feel really light on the face without it being heavy and cakey.

2.  foundation:

-Maybelline fit me shine free foundation stick.

-This has to be my all time favorite foundation!  I never liked maybelline's fit me foundation but this stick foundation works wonders for me.  I just wish the lasting power was longer but overall this does not break me out.  It stays matte throughout the day since it has mattifying powers.  The feel of this is very light and dries to a powder finish.  It also covers pretty well to my liking.  But if you have alot of acne or scars I suggest using a concealer.

3.  bronzer:

-NYC smooth skin bronzing face powder.

-This bronzer matches my skin great and it is matte.  It contoures my face well without it being orangey for my skin tone.  It is also very blendable and easy to work with.

4.  blush:

-Elf contouring blush&bronzer.

-This elf conpact has both a blush and a bronzer but I really like the blush because it is very natural and not a too heavy blush to work with.  It doesnt have too much glitter particles which makes the finish nice.

5.  eyeshadow:

-Wet n wild coloricon eyeshadows.

-I am in love with wet n wilds eyeshadows.  Their eyeshadows are very pigmented and they last long with an eye primer.  It doesnt matter which of the palettes from wet n wild, but I like all of them!  The colors are vibrant and I think they match up to high end shadows pretty well.

6.  lipgloss:

-Maybelline elixir lipgloss.

-This is the new lipgloss' from maybelline.  Everyone has been raving about them and I am not a lipgloss person.  But, this really caught my attention since the packaging is cute and sleek.  When I tried it the formula is really thick.  But when it sets the texture isnt to heavy and it is not sticky.  The pigmentation is great and it is also waterproof.

7.  lipbalm:

-Walgreens watermelon lipbalm.

-Walgreens made there own dupe of the EOS lipbalms.  I really liked the EOS lipbalms.  However when I came across this lipbalm I really liked it.  I love watermelon and when I tried it, it smelled great and it is really cute!  Just like the EOS lipbalms, the packaging is shaped like a ball and the lipbalm is kind of shaped into a ball too.  

8.  lipstick:

-Maybelline color whisper lipstick.

-The maybelline color whispers lipstick has a sleek container.  The pigmentation is great and it is very hydrating.  It can be worn with a light coverage or a heavy coverage.  

9.  mascara:

-Maybelline the falsies volumizing express waterproof mascara.

-This mascara was one of my very forst mascaras and I still really like this.  It holds and seperates my lashes well.  It is also waterproof so it last quite a while and hard to take off.  There is no fallout for me either.

10.  eyeshadow primer:

-Wet n wild fergie eyeshadow primer.

-I have very oily lids and this primer is awesome!  I usually use too faced insurance and this compares to just as good or even better than that!  I wish i got the neutral primer, but I got the shimmery one.  I dont mind for shimmery things but I still like it since it makes a good highlighting color for your eyelids.  It really brightens up your eye.

11.  face primer:

-Maybelline instant age rewind skin transformer primer.

-I hardly use face primer.  But when I do, I use this primer and it keeps my makeup staying on longer than when I dont use it.  It is easy to blend and it creates a smooth canvas on your face.  It makes your face feeling smooth and soft.  

12.  eyeliner:

-Maybelline eyestudio cream eyeliner/revlon colorstay liquid liner.

-I have 2 favorite eyeliners because sometimes I like to use gel or liquid.  For more eventful or special outings I like to use gel since it has a more bold look.  I use liquid on a day to day basis.  The maybelline gel eyeliner is easy to apply and it doesnt crease on me.  It is very pigmented and the packaging doesnt dry  out the product.  The revlon liquid liner has a felt tip and at first I wasnt use to using this.  But after some practice it got easier.  It last throughout the day and it isnt too bold for an everyday look.

Check out my instagram @krzy4beauty

And follow me on blogger(:

Too faced 'a few of my favorite things' palette

Too faced a few of my favorite things palette. (Limited edition)

20 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, 2 bronzers

Price: $56 

This is the limited edition Too Faced palette "a few of my favorite things".  This palette comes with a cute box that it pretty big with pink and gold designs on it.  It comes with 20 eyeshadows, 2 blush's, 2 bronzers, a mascara and a lip plumping balm all in a compact little bag. This palette can be found at sephora for $56.  

My Review:

When I first saw this, it caught my eye and just had to buy it!  When you look at the palette itself it is intimidating with all the shadows and extras that it comes with.  And for the price, it comes with alot  of products!  It looks super pretty and a huge palette to work with.  

So, when I got this palette the first thing was to try this palette out as I got home.  I was thinking "hey where's the little bag that it comes with?"  I thought I got jipped><  Anyways I opened the box and I was surprised to see the little bag inside that box!  The bag is very sleek and it would be great for traveling since the palette, mascara and lip plumper fits all in that little bag.  

I honestly love this palette and the shadows are very fun and also very neutral for everyday looks.  I also love the shadow names since they are so festive! This palette is pigmented and fun to wear(:

*front view of box*

The box is a little big and I thought the palette was going to be huge!  But it is a sleek palette.  Very thin and compact.

*back view of box*

The back of the box shows the eyeshadows, blushs and bronzers along with the 2 products.

*The bag that the palette came in*

I was amazed that everything fit into this small bag(:  Cute bag; matches the box and packaging.

*The palette*

All the packaging has the same print.  This is the palette.  It has a magnetic closer which I really like.  The palette is sleek and fits in the little bag.  

*20 eyeshadows*

Here are the 20 eyeshadows that it came with!

*swatch row 1*

(left to right) snowflakes, whiskers on kittens, chocolate milk, moon on their wings, dark chocolate

Moon on their wings has a lot of sparkle and large glitters that makes it hard to apply since you can feel all the glitter particles.  But it is a nice color.

*swatch 2nd row*

(left to right)  cream colored ponies, honey honey, buche de noel, evergreen, blue satin sashes

*swatch 3rd row*

(left to right)  coquet, taffy, crisp apple strudel, woolen mittens, soiree

*swatch 4th row*

(left to right)  tinsel, bluff, ooh la orchid, party time, pure glam

I really like how the shadows have a irridescent look to them with gold specks which shine in the light very nicely.  For example 'party time' would have to be my ultimate favorite in this palette because it gives off this sheer yet powerful bright purple that reflects in the light.

*2 blush, 2 bronzer)

The 2 blush's are both pinks.  The first blush has some gold specks in it while the 2nd blush is more matte and a coral pink.

The 2 bronzers are like any brown bronzer.  The 1st one is matte and a chocolatey brown while the 2nd bronzer has a mix of 2 shades.  It is shimmery  and has this gold look to it.

*swatch 2 blush, 2 bronzer*

(left to right)  raindrops on roses blush, chocolate soleil bronzer, melt into spring blush, sun bunny bronzer

*measurement*

This palette is around 8 1/2in. It could totally fit into your carry on or suitcase for traveling since it is very sleek(:

*2 products the palette came with*

Along with the palette, it also came with 2 extra products.  The lip injection color bomb! in bee sting.  And better than sex mascara.

*Mascara*

This is the 'better than sex' mascara.  It comes with 4.8g/0.16oz. or product.  It is in black and I am not sure if this is water proof.  Im pretty sure it isnt since it doesnt say.  But I like this mascara because it doesnt clump nor does it tend to have fallout throughout the day.  It holds up my curl pretty good, but not through the entire day.

*close up* 

This mascara wand looks like any mascara wand and is not special in any way.

*measurement*

It is around 3 1/2in. Fairly small; like a sample sized product.

*lip injection*

This is the lip injection color bomb!  in bee sting.  It has 3.0g/0.10oz. of product which is pretty big.  It is a lip balm stain which has a lip plumping product inside.  I don't like lip plumpers since I hate the tingly feeling on my lips.  So, I tried it a few times in hopes of liking it but I don't like that feeling...  I guess I wont be using this.  

*close up*

The product looks nice and cute.  It matches the whole pink and gold theme too.

*measurement*

Around 4 1/2in.  A pretty good sized product.

Overall, I love the palette since the colors are very neutral and wearable.  The names of each shadow is perfect for the holidays and packaging is cute.  For the mascara, I also like alot.  It doesn't smear and have any fallout.  But, it could hold a curl longer.  The lip injection balm, I have to say I don't like at all.  I wish it was just a lip balm stain instead of a plumper.

Rate palette: 5/5

Rate mascara: 4/5

Rate lip injection: 1.5/5