covergirl – The Beauty Swatcher

You know when you are a makeup lover when you go to Walgreens with a 101 degree fever to buy some Nyquil and stop by the beauty aisle just to see if there is anything new worth buying.

Well, if you happen to have been at the Walgreens in Hialeah, FL about 2 weeks ago and saw some crazy looking woman in leggings, a Wonder Woman t-shirt 2 sizes too big and some orange flip flops carrying Halls Cough Drops, Nyquil, Gatorade and some Covergirl products then you met Yours Truly at her finest.

I like to make an impression everywhere I go.

If I am going to be honest, I didn’t go very deep into the beauty department. I just kind of wandered a bit through the front displays and got distracted by Covergirl’s latest updates to their Vitalist line. As a HUGE fan of their Vitalist Healthy Elixir foundation (it’s really the only one I use), I was so excited to see that they brought out pressed powder, concealer, lip oils, highlighters (but they look more like paint pots) and even repackaged their foundation to make it all look cohesive.

I immediately grabbed the powder and concealer, but opted to leave the other products behind as they only had a clear gloss and the only highlighter/paint pot shade available in my store was in a coppery color, which are about a dime a dozen in my collection. Besides, in the state I was in, I was probably eyeballing products that will cover up my zombie like facade and not really looking to add shine to my cheekbones or anything.

Just saying.

It wasn’t until a few days later that I did end up using the products and let’s start with the winner of the two: The Powder. It’s really light and creamy to the touch and even though it comes with a sponge applicator, I find that using a fluffy powder brush works so much better. I lightly use it to set my under eye concealer (more on that later) as well as my foundation around my T-zone and it literally made everything look so velvety and smooth. I could honestly say that after wearing my makeup for a full 8+ hours, there was minimal shine on my forehead and chin and my undereyes looked FREAKING awesome. I did have to touch up my nose area at one point during the day, but I am not going to deduct major points for that because that is my problem area.

Powder: A (solid)

OK, so The Concealer. The minute I pulled the top off and saw that it was one of those brush applicators where you have to twist the product and then it spills out, I knew this was immediately going to get at most a B grade. I HATE those applicators. I hate how much time I waste twisting the end cap to get the product out and then it just all gloops out and you have to keep on twisting to get more product out and it just never seems to be enough. There should be a law that states that concealers should always come in packaging with a wand applicator that you just dip in and out. It just makes life so much easier.

With that being said, I didn’t think the formula was any better or redeemable. It was thin and because the applicator sucks, it just applied streaky and patchy regardless of whether you used a sponge, brush or your finger to blend. Overall, it just requires too damn much product to cover any dark circles. Did I mention that this product cost $8.99 and you only get .01 ounces? I don’t know about you, but I’ve gotten free samples with more product than that and required WAY less effort to achieve the desired effect.

Concealer: C- (and I feel like I am being nice)

For the record, I’ve been using my Tarte Shape Tape with the Pressed Powder and it’s such a good combination.

Have any of you tried the other products from the Vitalist line. Any thoughts? Let’s get the party started and have a conversation in the comments section. I love hearing from you all.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

***Links in this post are affiliated and I do receive a small commission if you decide to purchase products directly from Amazon.***

You ever find a beauty product that you are supremely loyal to? I’m not really talking about loving a brand and buying all or some of their products, but rather a specific item from a specific brand that you always buy? Well, that’s me with mascara.

Last year, I got a sample of Marcelle’s Xtension Plus Curl mascara in a Birchbox and ever since then, I have never found another mascara that compares. It lengthens and curls my lashes to perfection without leaving them clumpy. I have gone through like 4 tubes and even though I have tried various other mascara’s since then, they are always a big fat “Nope”. I don’t even own any other make up from Marcelle except for this mascara and the reason I keep on trying to find a good substitute is because Marcelle isn’t currently sold in any stores and I have to buy my beloved mascara from Birchbox or from directly from their website. Loving something so exclusively means that unless you have back ups, if you happen to lose, misplace or, God forbid it gets discontinued, you are basically up shit’s creek.

I’ll be like Elaine from Seinfeld when her favorite contraceptive sponge got discontinued and she had to ask all the men she was dating if they were “sponge worthy” before agreeing to have sex, except every time I put on make up, I’ll have to decide if today’s event is mascara worthy.

Me: Is the movie we are going to see “mascara worthy”?

Hubs: It’s Justice League

Me: Oh HELL NO! I’ll just wear sunglasses so nobody can see my shame.

So, my search continues for a good replacement and when I was in Target a few weeks back, I came across Covergirl’s Peacock Flare mascara. Immediately, I was drawn in by the packaging. I am a serious sucker for art deco and the feathery blue and black triangle design on the tube, gave me Great Gatsby vibes, so I threw it in the cart without a second thought.

Unfortunately, that is where the love ends. The minute I pulled the brush from the tube, I groaned. It had these short, rubber spikes that are so popular nowadays on mascara, but that I hate with a passion. I often wonder whatever happened to the traditional curved bristle mascara brush. They are definitely going the way of the dinosaur and as a girl with thin, wispy lashes, the rubber spiked wands just turn my lashes all clumpy and creepy Annabelle doll looking, when what I want are feathery curled lashes.

However, I soldier on and begin to apply the mascara. In preparation for the clump, I wiped down the bristles a bit and applied, beginning at the root and doing that little jiggle all the way to the tips. The first swipe, left most of the product at the root, but didn’t give my lashes much volume. So I wait a bit and apply a second layer, but the product is just kind of hanging around at the root and not really going anywhere else. I can’t seem to get it to lengthen.

This is where I find that a bristle brush excels. The fibers of the brush carry the product from room to tip and help make your lashes long, which still providing that volume that you need. The rubber bristles in this mascara are a little too far apart to do the job for me and thus the dreaded clump.

Not judging here though. If you are digging the clumpy lash look, then by all means, go and grab a tube of Peacock Flare. However, if you want more feathery lashes, then don’t be deceived by the bird reference and continue the hunt for your favorite mascara replacement.

Also, if you happen to come across any bristle, curved mascara’s and want to give it a shout out, leave it in the comments below. I will be happy to give it a try to see if it is a good replacement for my beloved Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl.

Till next time, friends.

Maritza