Dupes for NARS Orgasm Blush

     As I was doing my makeup one morning I realized how similar some of my blushes were! Now, being the bargainista that I am, I had to tell the world. I am always interested in duplicate products or "dupes" as they are called here in the beauty world. If I can save a few bucks on a cheaper product that gives me the same look as an expensive, high-end one I am ALL over that! Here are three very similar, comparable blushes that I love!

NARS Blush:

Price: $28.00

Size: 0.16 OZ

Shade I Purchased: Orgasm

Shade Selection: 27

Packaging: A silicone feeling, sturdy packing that gets dirty quickly. Also contains a great mirror!

Personal Pros/Cons: Up until about six months ago I had worn this blush every single day for about three years. Believe it or not I had purchased it when it was fairly new in stores. I used this blush for everything from formal dances to going to class. It was (and still is) an absolute favorite. 

Mary Kay Blush:

Price: $10.00

Size: 0.18 OZ

Shade I Purchased: Shy Blush

Shade Selection: 10

Packaging: A very simple plastic case. I will be the first to tell you that I HATE this packaging! I mean really Mary Kay?! The blush isn't even attached to the packing and it falls out on a regular basis.

Personal Pros/Cons: I have actually seen this blush described as an exact dupe for NARS Orgasm. The product is great and even more pigmented than the NARS blushes, which is an A+ in my book! However, I can't get over the disastrous packaging. 

The Balm Blush:

Price: The full size is $20.00 however I got this sample size in my Birchbox.

Size: Full size is 0.25 OZ- my smaller sample is 0.035 OZ

Shade I Own: Hot Mama!

Shade Selection: 3

Packaging: A moderately sturdy, cardboard package that opens like a book and has a magnetic closure. It is very cute and clever, as with all theBalm products!

Personal Pros/Cons: For the couple months that I've owned this blush I can only say good things! Very nice product with nice pigmentation and application.

Photos:

-NARS Orgasm

-Mary Kay Shy Blush

- theBalm Hot Mama, obviously ;)

   

-As you can see, all are peachy shades with a gold shimmer.

-Each shade is SLIGHTLY different to the naked eye.

-Orgasm is less opaque than the other swatches.

-Shy Blush contains more pink than peach.

-Hot Mama comes off more golden than the other two.

                                      -Without flash-                                         -With flash-

     With that being said, all three blushes come off identically when applied to the cheeks. They all are great products but in my opinion you essentially pay for the packaging and brand of the product itself.

Bottom line: If you own any one of these three blushes you are golden (see what I did there?!). However, if you are intrigued and are on your way to purchase one, it all comes down to the amount of money you are willing to spend. If packaging, brand names, and creativity are essential in your decision making process than go for either NARS or theBalm. If packaging isn't an issue for you and you are able to order Mary Kay from someone you know then save yourself the extra $10-18.

Love, Lacey

CoverGirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm vs. Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick

     After hearing so much about the new CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balms I had to try them! As I was searching the aisles of my local drugstore I noticed a very similar product. Neutrogena has come out with a comparable lip item and I just had to do a comparison.

CoverGirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm:
Price: $8.99
Size: 0.13 OZ
Shades Purchased: Blush Twist, Watermelon Twist, and Berry Twist
Shade Selection: 16 (even through there are double the colors of the Neutrogena brand, some tend to be very similar when applied).
Marketed As: "Twist up the color and glide on the shine. Treat your lips to a balm fortified with shea and mango butters for a smooth look with just a hint of color" (Covergirl.com).
Packaging: Twist up bottom that doesn't require a sharpener. Very similar to the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick:
Price: $8.99
Size: 0.11 OZ
Shades Purchased: Fresh Papaya and Bright Berry
Shade Selection: 8 (yes, there is a narrower selection but the colors are all unique and there aren't any similar colors in the collection).
Marketed As: They instantly moisturize lips, while continuously conditioning them so they are softer and smoother in just 3 days. Made with fruit extracts along with mango and shea butter, the balm-like formula glides on easily, providing a sheer wash of moisturizing color that lasts for hours. Dermatologist tested" (Neutrogena.com). 
Packaging: Twist up bottom that doesn't require a sharpener.

NOTE: I did not want to compare these products to the Revlon Balm Stains because these two particular lip products are not marketed as a "stain". They are intended to be a balm.

Photos:

-CoverGirl shades (from top-bottom): Berry Twist, Watermelon Twist, and Blush Twist.

-Neutrogena Shades (from top-bottom): Bright Berry and Fresh Papaya.

*UPDATE*

     After loving this formula and the two shades I originally picked up I had to try more! I purchased the three darkest shades from the Neutrogena line (especially Rich Raisin from Beauty Broadcasts recommendation). Of course I had to share the swatches!

-From left to right: Soft Raspberry, Plum Perfect and Rich Raisin.

- I wore Rich Raisin today and it is the perfect deep berry shade for this time of year! 

 While browsing the displays (which were out of a few colors) I found two sets of comparable shades- one from each brand.

Set #1:

-Here Neutrogena Fresh Papaya and CoverGirl Blush Twist are pictured.

- In person, they come off as a nude lip color. You can see that Fresh Papaya is more peachy where as Blush Twist has more of a pink undertone.

Set #2:

Here Neutrogena Bright Berry and CoverGirl Berry Twist are pictured.

-In person, they come off as a bright pinky-berry shade.

- You can see that both are generally the same berry shade. Bright Berry has more of a pinkness to it as well as being more pigmented and brighter.

     Immediately I realized that these berry shades were VERY similar to a completely different product that I already owned and love! 

     The Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose is almost an identical dupe for both shades in my opinion. They come off exactly the same on the lips. They are all swatched (from top-bottom): Neutrogena Bright Berry, Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter, and CoverGirl Berry Twist.

     After trying these for a few days a winner finally emerged... Drum roll please!!!

Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm:
Overall Texture/ Application: These were creamy and glided on quite easily. They weren't too slick and didn't stray outside the lip line once on. I will also add that I prefer this products packaging- to me it just looks classier.
Overall Feel: They weren't the most moisturizing thing I've ever worn on my lips. However, they weren't drying either. They were smooth and provided sheer color when on the lips, as they were said to do.
Overall Scent: There is a very slight odor to the product that is present in all of CoverGirl's lip products. The only way I can describe it is a light, powdery/chemically scent that is bearable but isn't pleasant.
Overall Wear: These lasted only a few hours on my lips even without eating or drinking. They would need to be re-applied after meals as any typical lip product would. I found that for me, the glossiness wore off with the product not before.

 Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick:
Overall Texture/ Application: This category was mostly the same as the one above. I did however find these more creamy and they glided on even easier with more color payoff.  I also felt that the shade selections in this brand were more versatile and different.
Overall Feel: They weren't drying but weren't incredibly moisturizing. They for sure didn't leave my lips "conditionally conditioned" as they are marketed to do.
Overall Scent: I had to add this category because these smell SO good! It is a fairly strong, fruity smell that is very appealing to me. I want to smell it every time I put it on! Once on the lips the scent is detectable for around 5-10 minutes then fades away.
Overall Wear: They lasted about 3 hours as the other brand did, but remember they aren't supposed to be a long lasting product! I sort of expect to re-apply my lip products on a regular basis so this is not something that bothers me. The gloss also wore with the product and not before.

Bottom Line: I am a huge fan of the Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks and will be searching for more colors to add to my collection! I will be returning the Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balms that I purchased for 3 reasons...
1. Shades (each one is different from others in the line).
2. SMELL!
3. Color payoff

P.S These new Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks are already getting some attention in the YouTube community. Check out one of my favorite gurus Emily Noel and her channel Beauty Broadcast as well as her blog to hear her opinion!

Love, Lacey

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer vs. Make Up For Ever HD Concealer

     Well hello everyone! Being an avid watcher of beauty videos on YouTube for the past 2 years has inspired me to create my very own beauty blog. I couldn't get up enough courage to begin my own channel but wanted to share my love for beauty products as well as my opinion of them with you. I hope you find my first review/ comparison helpful.

     I have recently purchased 2 similar concealers with very different price points. All of the product info is listed below:

Drugstore product: The Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer
Price: $7.99 @ Walgreens
Size: 0.05 FL. OZ.
Shade I purchased: 310 Radiant
Shade Selection: 6
Packaging Claims: A highlighting concealer which illuminates and hides imperfections. This gel-based concealer illuminates shadows as it conceals making the skin instantly brighter.
Packaging Directions: Apply this concealer to the under-eye area and on imperfections. Blend in an outward motion.
Applicator: Brush*
Packaging Application Tips: For a well rested look, apply around the inner corner of the eyes. For a brighter complexion, apply to darker areas like the sides of the nose and corners of mouth.
Finish: Dewey
*After applying with the applicator, I blended with my ring finger.

High-End Product: The Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Concealer
Price: $29.00 @ Sephora
Size: 0.05 FL. OZ.
Shade I purchased: 325 Natural Beige
Shade Selection: 14
Packaging Claims: An oil-free, medium coverage concealer that covers imperfections while remaining invisible to HD televisions and the naked eye. It creates a soft-focus effect, brightening the eye area while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a natural, radiant look. Can be applied under or over foundation (Sephora.com).
Applicator: Silicone*
Packaging Application tips: Using the applicator, apply a small amount under the eye area (Sephora.com).
Finish: Powdery and fairly matte
*After applying with the applicator, I blended with my ring finger.

Photos:

- Sorry for the order, Dream Lumi should be on the bottom!

-As you can see the packaging is very similar despite color.

-Both involve twisting the bottom to dispense product out of the applicator.

     The HD Concealer has a very unique applicator. Believe it or not MUFE had high hopes that this would replace your finger! It is a very soft silicone applicator that is easy to use when placing the product. However, I did not like how the product dried at the opening making the next application more difficult. As you can see, the Dream Lumi applicator is your standard brush applicator that is easy to use.

(Top-MUFE in Natural Beige, Bottom- Dream Lumi in Radiant)

     Each is said to be a salmon concealer (which is typically what you want in an under-eye product). However, you can see that the Dream Lumi concealer has much more of a pinky undertone. After purchasing the MUFE concealer, it was the pinkest concealer in my collection believe it or not! It wasn't until trying the Dream Lumi product that I realized the difference in tones.

-After blending you can still see the difference in color. 

     After using these two products for about 2 weeks I had made my decision. I had worn both over foundation as well as on their own. Both concealers held their own... but one came out on top.

Drugstore product: The Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer

Overall Texture/Application: This was a very nice creamy, light, blendable product. It added brightness under the eyes without glitter or even shimmer. Even though this is marketed as a "brightening" concealer it DID NOT highlight or bring more attention to areas when placed over hyper-pigmentation or blemishes.

Overall Coverage: I would say the coverage was fairly medium. A little less than the HD Concealer but still addequate coverage for my moderate under-eye circles as well as moderate acne scarring. As far as staying power, when worn over foundation it lasted all day. However, at the end of an 8 hour day it needed touching up.

Overall Feel: Very typical for a light drugstore concealer that wasn't drying or cakey. Applied with ease and was even flawless on its own.

High-End Product: The Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Concealer

Overall Texture/Application: This concealer was not as thin as the Dream lumi product therefor it took a little more effort to blend in. On days when I wore this alone I had to be sure to blend, blend, blend or I could see where the product was placed on my face. The silicone applicator was something I had never tried before. I can't say that I prefer this applicator, however it was neat to try. The idea that this would replace your actual finger in the blending process is hilarious but props to MUFE for trying something new!

Overall Coverage: The coverage was okay in my opinion. It covered what I needed it to cover- its as simple as that. As far as staying power when worn over foundation it lasted all day. However, when worn alone by the end of an 8 hour day it needed touching up. I could see this product looking a little cakey though if applied too heavily.

Overall Feel: This product had the most unique feel when being applied! It was a very cooling concealer and felt as cool as if you were spreading water onto your face- it sounds crazy I know! It felt moisturizing going on but I didn't notice extra moisturizing benefits throughout the day.

NOTE: Both products slightly creased under my eyes even with a setting powder. However, this typically happens to me and is nothing new.

Bottom line: I was happy with both purchases but will be returning the Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Concealer in favor of the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer for 3 reasons...

1. Price

2. Applicator

3. Blendability (is that even a word?!)

Hope you enjoyed my first post and here's to many more!

Love, Lacey