Maybelline Fit Me Concealer Shade Extension 05 Ivory

Fit Me Concealer.

Those are three words that most beauty junkies know well, and hold their tubes near and dear. Sadly, the shade range has been pitiful and even your QBB has been unable to test it. The Fit Me Foundation (in the Matte and Poreless version) has probably the most inclusive shade range in the drugstore... but the concealer? Lacking.

We first got inkling of a shade extension on the brand's Instagram at the beginning of the year, and I spotted the expanded range at my local Walmart when they redid the overall displays in January.

There are also two new darker shades in this release.

Finally, I got to play with the formula.

Now, I'm not totally new to the Fit Me formula; I played around with Shade 10 (the second lightest) last summer when I was really self-tanned and liked it. So, the idea of a Fit Me concealer that would work for me year-around? I was in.

I love that brands are starting to put their products in these blister packs. I'm able to buy with confidence that nobody has tampered with it.

The basics: Maybelline Fit Me concealer is a cream concealer with doe foot applicator, and retails for $6.58 for 0.23fl oz. I've yet to see the shade extension other than in-store at Walmart (and this is post-Walgreens reset that I'm writing this, but pre-CVS/Rite Aid).

Shade 05 Ivory is much, much lighter than Shade 10:

And, keeping it in the parent company family, here's how the lightest shade of Fit Me compares to the lightest L'Oreal Pro Glow:

What a freaking joke, L'Oreal. In what universe is that Classic Ivory?

I reference the L'Oreal Pro Glow for a specific reason that arose during testing.

I remember liking the Fit Me formula. I need to do some research to see if it's been reformulated because my reaction was completely different. The coverage is beautiful and I loved how it looked under my eyes. However, I developed serious sensitivity and a possible reaction after using it for two days in a row similar to what some users have reported with the L'Oreal Pro Glow. It felt like my sensitive undereye skin had been burned; I ended up dabbing aloe where the concealer had been.

So, the shade range is getting better. But for a reaction to the formula, this is a hard pass (and why I wouldn't put it back on my eyes for photography- it's just not worth it.).

January 2018 Favorites & Empties Recap

It's been a couple of months since I've done a monthly favorites post. While this will be considered January's favorites and fails, this is really more like a "mid-Winter favorites" edition.


First, a quick note about my utter failure of the brand focus for January. You'll see the best of the best reflected here, but the concept is one I'm not loving. It turns out that the brand that I picked for January (Smashbox) doesn't excite me. I found a few new loves, but my new favorite product out of the bunch was a CCO pick which is discontinued.


Primers, Foundations, and Concealers:

1- Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer (a new discovery), 2- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing (rivals Benefit's Porefessional), 3- L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base (does the job that I hope someday soon injectibles will take over), 4- Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer (a lovely drugstore concealer I've been reaching for), 5- Smashbox Studio Skin 24 Hour Waterproof Concealer (a fantastic discovery), 6- Guerlain L'Or Primer (is a HG, especially when paired with) 7- La Mer The Soft Fluid Foundation (I do love this, despite the price), 8- Kiko Skin Tone Concealer (is my favorite color corrector, sorry to see the local store closed), 9- Lancome Teint Idole Foundation (is too much on its own, but I've found an ideal mate in), 10- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil (too much on its own but my new favorite mixing oil), 11- Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer and Setting Spray (perfect for winter), 12- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- Radiance (one of my new favorite discoveries, I just wish I didn't have so many radiance primers at the moment), 13- ColourPop No Filter Concealer (quite nice, just oxidizes a bit)


Powders:

1- Maybelline Fit Me! Loose Finishing Powder 05 Fair (the raves were real), 2- CoverFx Illuminating Setting Powder (is part of my project pan but I do like it under my eyes as it turns out), 3- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light (my HG undereye powder), 4- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (my new HG)


Bronzer, Contour, and Brows:

1- Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow (the bronzer is outstanding on my pale complexion), 2- MAC Studio Sculpt Defning Bronzing Powder in Delicates (a new cool-toned favorite), 3- ELF Brow Kit in Light (multitasker-- I use the pomade on my brows and love the powder as a contour), 4- Benefit Browvo! Conditioning Primer (is something I love when I'm using it but always forget to repurchase), 5- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz in Medium Brown (no words necessary)


Blush:

1- Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow (has a lovely peach blush that leaves a healthy glow), 2- Smashbox Soft Lights in Prism (my absolute new favorite discovery and I'm gutted that the brand was foolish enough to discontinue it), 3- Physicians Formula Butter Blush in Plum Rose (a lovely nude blush only for fair complexions), 4- Clinique Cheek Pop in Nude Pop (one of my all-time favorites), 5- Chantecaille Cheek Shade in Blush (it's back in the philanthropy collection!)


Highlighter:

1- theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer (I'm sadly very late to this party), 2- Laura Geller Baked Highlighter in French Vanilla (a true favorite), 3- NYX Love You So Mochi Arcade Glam (a shockingly wonderful new discovery)

Eye Primers, Liners, and Mascaras:

1- Too Faced Glitter Glue (my go-to for glitters and shimmers), 2- Smashbox 24 hour Shadow Primer & Photo Finish Lid Primer (a wonderful duo of primers- one new, one an old favorite- that I've been enjoying), 3- Inglot AMC Gel Eyeliners in 77 & 78 (love these eyeliners and have been loving a teeny wing lately), 4- NYX Slide On, Glide On Eyeliner in Jewel (love this on the lower lash line with pinky looks), 5- NYX Metallic Eyeliner in Rose Gold (a great new Spring 2018 release), 6- Anastasia Beverly Hills Darkside Eyeliner (how did I ever live without this?), 7- Anastasia Beverly Hills Metallic Luster Liners in Liquid Silver and Liquid Gold (so lovely to use on a daily basis), 8- Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer (my favorite lash primer to date), 9-Chanel Le Volume Mascara in Ultra Black (I'm so sorry to see my final tube done and gone. I love this so much)


Eyeshadow Palettes:

1- NARS Wanted Palette (Admittedly, this was an impulse purchase but the roses and pinks just called my name. Look for a full review from me soon), 2- LORAC California Dreaming Palette (this is new to me- I put it away, unused when I was able to nab it on sale. This seemed to be the perfect month to pull it out, and I'm thrilled), 3- NYX Love You So Mochi Palettes (these are the shocker of the spring for me so far. So, so good!), 4- Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (I've been feeling rosy looks, so this came out to join the mix)

Lips:

1- NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita (I was on a pinky nude kick this month and happy to pull this old favorite out), 2- Clinique Pop Lip Color- Nude Pop (this is in promo packaging but this is a lovely nude for daily wear), 3- Shea Moisture Luscious Lipstick in Tea Rose (one of my all-time cool-toned MLBB favorites), 4- Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Primrose (my best discovery of the month), 5- Butter London Sheer Wisdom Lip Oils (Ballet Blush pictured but several shades are stunning), 6- By Terry Baume de Rose (any version- I used the original potted, original gloss, and tinted glosses), 7- Hourglass GIRL Stylo in Creator (another lovely pink), 8- NYX Butter Lipstick in Root Beer Float (my favorite discovery from the Holiday 2017 kit), 9- bareMinerals GenNude Liquid Lipsticks in Smooch and Slay (my two favorite shades of the line, this shows the types of colors I'm into this time of year), 10- NudeStix Intense Matte Lip & Cheek Pencil in Belle (finally, a great discovery from the Macy's box!), 11- Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Babe Alert (my favorite of the line), 12- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow (this ended up on my lips just about every day. I'm obsessed)




Now, a quick note on my empties. I've been tracking my personal Project Pan on Instagram, but here's some analysis on the regular products I've used up- and the dollar value.

This didn't include any decluttered items, so it's shocking to see my monthly total over $900. I've decided to track these stats this year with the hopes of making my future spending conform with it. I know the bath/body will diminish once it gets warmer.

What have you loved or used up?

Target 12 Days of Beauty

Happy Boxing Day to those who celebrate- or, Day After Christmas to some of you, or December 26th to others. I'm going to continue with the rest of my Advent Calendars.  Next up, Target's 12 Days of Beauty- which retailed for $15.

I'll admit that this was a bit flimsy- see how the doors all wanted to rip off? This was an assortment of makeup, skincare and haircare.

Here's a closer look at the doors:

They each come with some info on the product, and some tips from Target's Beauty Advisers. I thought this was a nice touch.

Just as a warning, they made it quite clear what's inside on the back:

To make it easier on you...

Day One: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Day Two: elf Lip Exfoliator in Mint
Day Three: Hask Argan Oil Cream
Day Five: Pixi Glow Tonic
Day Six: Vichy Mineral 89 Face Moisturizer
Day Seven: NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Strip in Lavender Lust
Day Eight: Nexxus New York Humectress Intensely Hydrating Masque
Day Nine: Honest Beauty Everything Organic Facial Oil
Day Ten: Real Techniques Beauty Sponge
Day Eleven: Eyelure No. 31 Eyelashes
Day Twelve: Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash

I thought the products were really nicely sized

This is the only calendar that gave me a full-sized sponge and lashes, so that made it different from the rest- and somehow quite the value.

I like this calendar, and I may repurchase next year. I've always wanted to try the Pixi without investing, and between the Eyelure lashes and RT sponge you've almost got the value back. It's nice to see a range of Target brands.

These are also very generous samples- well, done Target!

Maybelline The City Mini Palette x Shayla

It took a bit of an effort, but my Maybelline City Mini Palette collection is finally complete. For now.

Today we're going to be talking about the most elusive of the bunch- 460 City Mini Palette x Shayla.

A quick side note for those who may be asking "Who is Shayla?" Shayla is known online as Makeup Shayla, and is a well-known beauty vlogger/Instagram user. She was previously in a campaign this spring for Maybelline's Big Shot Mascara (with MannyMUA), and now she has a four-piece collab with Maybelline. I passed on the mascaras but worked hard to get my hands on the palette.

For those wanting my review on the permanent plus Ulta exclusive, or the Walgreens-exclusive palette, there are the links.

Like the other palettes, this is a six-pan palette for $9.99 and it contains 4g of total product. This is a warm, rich palette and is unique within the line.

Like most of the rest of these, there's a mix of formulas. I see some satins (possibly mattes, I'm writing before swatching), some shimmers, and some glitters.

The first shade is an old gold. Completely dry, this metallic shade is so buttery and pigmented. It's a better formula than prior palettes.

The second shade is a matte cream that's really nice. It's not powdery, and the shade applied flawlessly. This is more like the mattes I saw in the all-matte palette.

The third shade is a red-brown satin (nearly a matte). This one needed a little more love, but you're seeing two passes (vs 1 of the first two). It's beautiful and easy to work with.

The fourth shade is a buttery, gorgeous yellow gold with cool undertones. I'm in lust with this shade.

The fifth shade is a matte black in the pan but a disappointing dark charcoal on the eye. It'd work well for its indended purpose- to deepen a look- but it's not great.You're seeing three careful passes here.

The sixth shade is a glorious warm plum metallic shade. It's quite soft (see the below photo) but it's very nice to work with.

Now, here's the swatches:

I really think that Maybelline improved the formula significantly from the first seven palettes to both the matte palette and this Shayla collab. If you'll recall, I had to dampen my brush to intensify shades, but those swatches were all done dry, with a squared Sephora Collection synthetic brush. I used a Color Switch between passes to clean the brush but keep it dry.

Bottom Line: I think this might be my favorite of all of the Maybelline City palettes. I can't wait to play with this all fall.

Maybelline The City Mini Palette- 480 Matte About Town

First, I need to give credit where credit's due.

YouTuber Andrea Leigh first tipped me off in one of her videos to the existence of this palette. Remember when I initially speculated that there were other exclusives? Your girl was 50% right.

I have to share with you today Maybelline The City Mini Palettte #480 Matte About Town, a Walgreens exclusive.

Let's do a quick breakdown of Maybelline City Mini Palettes and what we know about them (I have all but one):


400 Rooftop Bronzes: Widely available at all retailers
410 Chill Brunch Neutrals: Widely available at all retailers
420 Urban Jungle: Widely available at all retailers
430 Downtown Sunrise: Widely available at all retailers
440 Concrete Runway: Widely available at all retailers
450 Graffiti Pop:Widely available at all retailers
460 Maybelline x Shayla Collab: Trying desperately to get my hands on it!
470 Girls Night Glimmer: Ulta exclusive- starting to pop up in some physical stores
480 Matte About Town: Walgreens Exclusive

If anyone knows of any other palettes, please let me know!

I'll be honest, I wasn't enthusiastic when I finally spotted this at one of my local Walgreens because I complained about the performance of the mattes in my initial review. Make it a set of neutral mattes and this was truly one of those "for the blog" purchases.

I don't know where this formula came from, but it's not the same patchy mattes that I struggled with.

Looking at these closer, yes, it's very subtle but it's a pretty palette.

The studio lighting is picking up on some non-existent shimmer. These really are mattes. Let's take a look at the swatches on my NW15 skin:

These are some of the better drugstore mattes I've tried, and I've been trying a lot as of late! If this formula had been on the other palettes I wouldn't have been muttering about the mattes so much! This is one of my favorite palettes in the whole collection- which I've tried aside from the Shayla collab. This palette is understated and perfect for my "no makeup" looks.

If you've got a local Walgreens, pick this up. Those swatches were with a single pass.

Bottom Line: Much improved formula and performance. Yes, they're quiet and light but they're just nice. I can't wait to see future releases with this formula.

Maybelline's Bringing the Metallic Back: Master Precise Ink Metallic for Summer 2017

Along with their multitude of metallic releases, Maybelline quietly launched a new liner formula- Master Precise Ink Metallic.

I started out with 540 Violet to test the formula and applicator. Normally I'd purchase at least two shades in a line to test but given my worries about the applicator... I wanted to wait.

Because the writing on it is metallic, it was hard to photograph!

Here's the good/bad news (depending on your perspective): It's a brush applicator.

For me, it's a deal breaker. I'm glad I didn't purchase more than one.

Here's a swatch:

I love the shade, and think it would be awesome for someone that could actually work with a brush tip applicator.

I tried a graphic look with it. I don't think I like this look, but hey... I'm trying.

FYI, I used Sephora tape on my eye to form the shape. See what I mean about the shade? It's lovely.

I tested this for about eight hours and it remained the same level of metallic and beautiful the whole time. A+ on the formula. If you can handle the applicator, you'll probably adore this new liner.

Bottom Line: I really need to get with it when it comes to brush applicators, because this really made my eyes pop. it's a really cool new offering and I'll keep playing with it. I highly recommend picking one of these up (I found mine cheapest at Walmart) at your local retailer.

Maybelline Master Fairy Highlight by Face Studio Illuminating Powder- The Rainbow Version

Let's travel back in time. The date: June 25, 2017. A mere two weeks ago. The place? This blog. Specifically, this post.

The words? In the description,

"Other colors in the line? Yes, a rainbow highlight (I have two, so I didn't pick it up)" 

#FAIL.

If this was an interactive blog, imagine a buzzer.

Let's travel forward in time. The date: July 2, 2017. The place: Walmart. Your QBB is browsing the makeup aisles (the recently renovated makeup aisles, I should mention). Your QBB spots this:

So much for not purchasing my third rainbow highlighter. It's probably because I really liked the formula of the Ulta-exclusive purple version.

Now that we've started the day by proving I'm a giant liar, let's dig into this rainbow version.

The first thing that you'll notice is just how pigmented this appears to be. Many of my other rainbow highlighters aren't actually pigmented. I wonder...

That red in particular appears to be really pigmented- something that worries me. When I first swatched this product, that worry appeared to be founded in reality.

That's pigmented.

So, what that told me was that this could be used as individual stripes. I've actually played with the yellow and purple as such- and they work as a shimmer. Likewise, I experimented with three of the colors in my inner corner.

OK, let's see what the blended swatch looks like:

It's quite blue-tinged. It's the blue and yellow that translate most onto the cheek. That said, I think it's pretty- and goes well with the unicorn trend.

Bottom Line: You know what it is when you see it. As far as formulas, it's great.

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink & Superstay Eraser for Summer 2017

And now, for the total opposite end of the spectrum from the hydrating, thick, gloopy glosses Maybelline decided to launch another formula of matte liquid lips this summer: Super Stay Matte Ink. This joins the ColorSenational Vivid Matte Liquid Lips and the Color Jolt Intense Lip Paints in Maybelline's lip lineup.  (Side note: Maybelline also launched metallic lipsticks but I'll be passing on those.)

I nabbed one of mine off of Ulta.com for $9.49, but I got the other two at a local CVS when I spotted them in-store. There are 10 total colors, and I'm more than good with the three that have found their way into my collection.  These are allegedly a saturated liquid matte with 16-hour wear.

Well, let's take a look:

The first shade that I picked up is 10 Dreamer. Yeah, I know another mauvey pink- but at least this one's warm-toned. Ooh, variations (I'm mocking myself). Or, so I thought, based on the tube which appeared to match the color.

This is the lightest pink of the bunch, and I always like to try these shades. They're not that hard to perfect, but with pigmented lips they are a true test of the formula.

The applicator on these is interesting- it's a totally flat doe foot with a reservoir

By the way, not sure what type of smirk I've got going on in the swatches. Sorry!

Surprise! Not warm toned at all!  Thanks for changing it up, Maybelline.

I like it a lot. It does dry down, and these do require some effort to remove. I tested this on a weekend day, and it held up ok to eating and drinking. It is a drying formula, which is to be anticipated.

Next up, 15 Lover.

This is one of those mauvey dark nude/MLBB shades that pull really dark on my pigmented lips. I feel like this is a fall color on me (well, really... this whole formula mostly screams fall to me because I'm feeling glossy lips right now.).

I really enjoy this applicator:

And here's a lip photo. It covered my lips completely, even if I was too impatient to let it dry down fully. 

Again- a fall shade for me, so I'm putting it away for a couple of months. But I'm actually more into this deeper shade than the lighter one for some reason. That's new for me.

Lastly, I have a pop of color- 25 Heroine.

Part of me wants to ask "now, what were you thinking?" This bold coral-orange is 100% out of my comfort zone. Then I look over to a pile of 8 other new drugstore releases from Maybelline and L'Oreal and see only neutrals and I remember. This was me trying something different. It's bold, alright.

The question is... can I wear it?

What do you think?  I know I missed a bit when I cleaned up, but this was the most accurate photo I've taken to date of this shade. I think I like it.

I feel like I'm missing something... Oh! Swatches!

They're nice. I had to photograph prior to dry down because otherwise they wouldn't have moved.

Maybelline also introduced the Superstay Eraser Lip Color Remover with this collection.

This is 100% a great addition and super portable.

It does the job- but then again, your cleansing oil at home will do the same.

Bottom Line: I plan to play with all but Heroine once it gets cooler, as I'm not into matte lips right now. I think the formula is nice- it seriously won't quit. I recommend trying one out to see if you like the line.