Author Archives: Fiona

Crown Syntho SS004 Deluxe Oval Concealer Brush Review & Pictures

** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

I’ve had a blast sharing my favorite colors for my eyes, face and nails. Today though, I want to review a brush. Sure, it’s not as exciting. But we all know that a good brush does wonders when it comes to applying makeup. It helps makeup go on smoother, easier and more naturally. To me, that’s as exciting as jumping off a bridge with nothing but a bungee rope tied around my ankles… and wayyyy less risky.

On the brush stage is Crown Syntho SS004 Deluxe Oval Concealer. A while back I made a huge purchase of Crown brushes, and this one is my absolute favorite of the bunch. I paid only $5 and some change for this, and never did I expect that the quality be this good. Who says value doesn’t come cheap? Continue reading →

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Blue It Review & Swatches

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Sammi and Ronnie? Definitely blew it. Tiger Woods? Blew it, no doubt. McDonald’s not offering their Sausage and Egg McMuffin after breakfast hour? Bleeeeeeeeeeew it! Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Blue It? No way – the color is a homerun. Holy smokes! I think Sally Hansen hit this one outta the park for sure.

This color’s no newbie on the block, but I’d still like to shine a little excitement onto it. It’s just a gorgeous blue that takes my breath away! At first I thought it’d be too blue to my liking. Was I wrong!

This is now my favorite blue nail polish. The color is wearable, yet it’s very attention grabbing. That’s what I call the best of both worlds! Continue reading →

Tips & Tricks: How to Brighten Your Eyes in 2 Steps

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Let me tell you the best and easiest secret to brightening your eyes: beauty sleep! There. Now you know. Post done. Have a good day, all.

If only it were that easy. 😛 (April Fools!) I know it’s hard to get in the much needed hours of sleep at night, what with life getting in the way and all. Who has time to sleep?! I don’t. And sometimes I just don’t want to sleep. So I’m here to share with you a couple of tips to brightening your eyes – in literally less than a minute.

Ta da da da (pretend it’s a trumpet in a royal court) – white eyeliner! Or if you think white is too stark, go for a cream-colored shimmery liner that blends easier with your skin tone. The key here is to play with highlights. Continue reading →

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer Review & Pictures

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

I was browsing my neighborhood drugstore looking for new makeup products to try… when a red sale sign underneath Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer caught my eye. Yup. I was already sold. I’m so freakin’ weak!

I didn’t buy this product out of nowhere though. I’ve been searching and hunting for a good primer to help my foundation stay on longer. This sale was like opportunity knockin’ on my door. How could I possibly have the will power to resist?

I’m not ecstatic about this impulse buy, but I’m not kicking myself in the behind over it, either. In love, I am not. It does make applying my makeup easier though, so I will say I’m ‘in like.’ Continue reading →

e.l.f. Essentials Mint Cream Nail Polish Review & Swatches

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

One of my favorite ice-cream flavors is mint chocolate chip. Something about the crisp mintiness with the crunchy chocolate chips mixed with the cold and soft ice cream… OMG, I just made myself crave some right now.

That green coloring is exactly what e.l.f. Essentials Mint Cream Nail Polish reminds me of! But while I like mint-flavored ice cream, this mint-colored polish doesn’t make me drool. I’m usually more into saturated shades, so Mint Cream leaves me a little out in the cold. It’s not that the shade isn’t unique – it’s not a color you see every day – but it’s just not my cup of tea. Continue reading →

Milani Runway Eyes Blue Lagoon Shadow Review & Swatches

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Hi precious readers! Today, I share with you one of my favorite blue eyeshadows. It’s not by an expensive brand. In fact this little gem cost me under $6 USD! Milani Runway Eyes Blue Lagoon is one of those affordable gems that I love!

Of course, the price is nothing if the product ain’t no good. I wouldn’t pin the Best Eyeshadow blue ribbon on this for staying power, but the color is stunning.

I’ve been on a major green-shadow kick, but now I’m back to blue. It’s a color that can look ice cold or softly angelic…when done correctly. Wear it wrong, and it could totally give off a retro vibe (and not the good kind). But not with this baby – you won’t have to worry about that! Continue reading →

Everyday Minerals Volcano Blossom Eyeshadow Review & Swatches

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** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Retail therapy is my chosen form of relaxation. When I’m bored or sad, my plastic always suffers. It was one of those BLAH days, and I somehow – without any clue how I got there – ended up on the Everyday Minerals website and started bagging shadows that I’ve wanted for a while now…

It’s a good thing that the shadows are only $7 ($4.50 for the travel sizes). I got quite a few of those (among other things), without totally pulling the plug on my wallet. Everyday Minerals Volcano Blossom Eyeshadow was the first shadow I tried from my order. It’s basically a black shadow… but before you open your mouth to yawn, it also has a gorgeous shimmer that looks really pretty! Continue reading →