Drugstore Diva Day (MOSTLY)

What is on my mug today?

MARY KAY TRIPLE ACTION EYE ENHANCER

Mary Kay came out with this stuff back in the makeup Stone Age, and at the time they were pioneers in the eyeshadow base territory. It works well to firm up the eye area more than anything else- that seems to be one of the main components of it's shadow extension abilities. It does make shadows go on more smoothly however it doesn't have the crease cease of Too Faced Shadow Insurance or Urban Decay Primer Potion. I do like that it makes my eye area feel soft and moist without being greasy. It  works really well with cream shadows and definitely sets their color. It has been discontinued, much to the chagrin of a number of Makeup Alley users, but you can find it online really easily (particularly on Ebay).

MARY KAY TRIPLE ACTION LIP ENHANCER

Party Line:
Triple-Action Lip Enhancer is a high performance, lip treatment formulated with an alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates dead surface cells to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. It also seals in moisture, leaving lips smoother. As a LIPSTICK PRIMER, it increases wear and helps lipstick resist bleeding, feathering fading. As a LIGHT DIFFUSER, it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth. Non-comedogenic. 100%Fragrance-free Clinically tested for skin irritancy.

My Line:
Well, pretty much what they said. Like with their eye enhancer, these guys pioneered primers and the lip enhancer is just as effective as any brand I've used if not more so because of it's exfoliating properties. A tube will last for nine gazillion years too, so it's quite cost effective. I ate a bear claw and drank a bottle of water and my lip color is only barely noticably lighter.  

VERDICT:
Passes the doughnut test.

MAYBELLINE COVERSTICK CONCEALER IN IVORY

Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's Maybelline......

What can I say? It's easy, bree uh , wait, wrong company ;-)
Seriously though, it's a basic drugstore staple. Not the greatest thing in the world but it does it's job. Maybelline is one of the few companies to really make an ivory that is actually ivory as opposed to the pale beige most companies try to pass off as ivory. Cheap and good in an emergency. Not as good as, say the Jenuine Beauty mineral coverup that I recently tried but again, it is a dependable fallback staple. When a girlfriend of mine got married a few months ago, the stress of the travel and the change in climate etc made my skin flush up with reactive redness that my foundation wasn't toning down. I was trying to get ready for the wedding so I sent my husband to the CVS on the corner by our hotel to get me a concealer. He called me not having ANY clue what to buy so I had him get me some of this stuff. I KNEW they would have it, I KNEW he could find it, and I KNEW it would do the job. Nothing luxe, nothing spectacular, but an old warhorse for a reason.

ELIZABETH ARDEN FLAWLESS FINISH IN VANILLA SHELL

I love the light natural coverage and the lack of makeup neck. It blends seamlessly and has a fairly matte finish, I didn't need to do any powder until a few hours after application. It doesn't settle into fine lines, but I wish it de-emphasized my pores a bit more. I'm glad it has SPF since the sun is my enemy, though 8 is just enough to take care of me walking from my car to the house or what have you, but I definitely need extra protection for more than just a few minutes of sun exposure. It lasts forever- both the amount in the bottle and it's actual staying power- and goes on smoothly with or without a foundation brush. I prefer the appearance of it without a brush for day use and with a brush for evenings. I really like this one in the summer since I live in Texas and lots of makeup can look pretty skanky pretty quick come the dog days.

MAYBELLINE MOISTURE EXTREME LIP LINER IN RED #80

Another case of a dependable classic. Goes on smooth, sharpens well, gives a precise line and is creamy enough to fill in the whole lip. Stays put through 4 cheese risotto. I take this with me when I go camping, cause it's cheap enough to not freak out if I lose it, but sturdy enough to keep me glam in the woods. Yes. I do wear lip liner while camping. Downfall of being married to a photographer- he takes pictures always, no matter how awful I look. I can't let him sneak up on me unprepared!

LOREAL H.I.P. LIPGLOSS in ENTICING

I heard it's been discontinued! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! This is one of the few lipglosses that has, well, High Impact Pigment. This stuff goes on RED and porn star glossy and with the aforementioned lip liner makes me meow sexy. Now I'll have to spend twice the money for the same effect and buy Carol's Daughter gloss- which I'm not knocking by the way, I lurv it- but I love that I can buy this in a last minute pinch at the drugstore. It's not gummy or sticky, it doesn't have to be reapplied every 15 minutes and the shine, oh the shine..... You can still get it on Amazon through the link above and I guess I'm gonna have to stock up like a 50's housewife supplying her bomb shelter. 

MAYBELLINE DEFINE A LASH IN VERY BLACK

 Wow, I never realized how much Maybelline I have. This really DOES define your lashes. Great for those with naturally thick lashes that need more definition and shape. Some hate the weird rubber bristled brush but personally I love it. It keeps the mascara from clumping and lets me do my lower lashes without getting mascara under my eyes. This is a day to day 'keep in the bottom of the purse for emergencies' mascara. It lengthens wonderfully, but if you have spidery lashes you should look elsewhere, this will not thicken them, only seperate and lengthen. I have discovered that this works best WITHOUT my beloved Lancome Cils Lash Booster- it's a thin enough formula that it has a hard time hiding the white of the lash primer. I use this one if I'm in a hurry and just need basic non-glam gal lashes. A good work/ grocery store/ visiting the farmer's market look. It boosts your look just enough without that trying too hard look. 

Cover Girl Loose Powder Translucent Fair

Okay, NOW we're easy breezy and beautiful. Another one of those dependable standbys, though I give this more points than most.
Cover Girl knows I'm an albino and does not try to force me fake tan with their products.
It's matte enough to combat shine but still lets me glow.
You can use as little or as much as you want to adjust coverage.
The enclosed puff doesn't get nasty before you're done with the powder. 
It lasts forever and day. (product amount wise.)
It smells like high school.

KIEHL'S DELUXE HAND & BODY LOTION - CORIANDER

 With aloe vera and oatmeal, this stuff goes on smooth, not greasy and is lightweight enough to be absorbed quickly enough to still be able to turn doorknobs after use, which is why I carry this one in my purse. I first used this when Kiehl's products were supplied in the honeymoon suite on my wedding night and I snagged every bottle in the room to take on our ensuing road trip. It was all purpose enough for hands, body, massage and after sun moisturizing. The light coriander scent is herby and refreshing without being cloying or overpowering of perfumes, and gender neutral so that me and the mister were both able to use it. Not thick enough for hardcore winter skin moisturizing, but do you really want to use the super crazy stuff when you're washing your hands every 15 minutes anyway?