Author Archives: Fiona

e.l.f. Essentials Burgundy Nail Polish Review & Swatches

** 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. **

Dear elf Cosmetics,

Thank you for creating quality nail polishes that are affordable and easy to wear, such as the e.l.f. Essentials Burgundy Nail Polish. Please do not be offended by this: I think the color-name giver of your company may need his or her eyes checked. (Or perhaps the burgundy taken away.)

This color is not burgundy. It does not have enough of a bruised-red or purplish undertone for it to be burgundy. It is a reddish brown with a dose of orange that reminds me of Thanksgiving. Albeit a nice color in its own right, it does not give me the intoxicating feel that burgundy does. I am sober and disappointed.

Yours truly,

Not Drunk on Burgundy Continue reading →

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Review, Pictures & Dream Matte Mousse Comparison

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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. **

All the dry-skin ladies. All the dry-skin ladies. Now put your hands up! And cheer for Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse! So I’ve been using Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse as my go-to foundation for quite a while now, and I quite like it – it goes on easily and blends well, too.

And then I saw Dream Smooth Mousse and had to try it because it’s recommended for normal to dry skin. Hello! That’s me! My skin’s dry and flakey, so I was itching to get it. And I did. And I’m glad. And I’ll tell you why. Continue reading →

NYX Eyeshadow Base Pearl 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. **

Shimmery shadows, you are the twinkle in my eye. I love all shadows, but in a heated makeup duel between shimmers and mattes for my admiration, it’d be no contest. T.K.O. by shimmers. So when I found out NYX made a base that enhances the sheen, you bet I grabbed it!

NYX Eyeshadow Base Pearl is…well, a base. It will not do what a primer does. Just make sure you go in with the right expectations so you won’t be disappointed. And make sure you have a good primer on hand because you’ll need it for this. Continue reading →

Slatkin & Co. Pineapple Mango Concentrated Room Spray 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 frequent Bath & Body Works a lot. And a lot… And a lot. OK, fine. The staff greets me by name. They always have sales and new scents out, so how is one to resist? However, I have yet to find a room spray from them that smells better than Slatkin & Co. Pineapple Mango Concentrated Room Spray. It’s an oldie but goodie!

My bottle is actually an old bottle (the design has now changed). I got it a few years back, but I don’t use it much unless something disagrees with my nose. I should use it more often because I LOVE THIS SCENT. It’s so yummy and delicious that it makes me want to lick the air! Continue reading →

L.A. Girl Metal Millennium 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. **

I feel a little inadequate following a review on a $52+ polish with one on a $2.24 color. Wow. Just writing that makes me feel like a big cheapo! But you know what? L.A. Girl Metal Millennium definitely proves you shouldn’t judge a polish by its price tag.

The grape-juice purple looks pretty in the bottle. I didn’t expect that color to transfer onto my nails though. It totally proved me wrong! It’s not Unicorn Pee by any means, but I guess it can be Barney’s Blood? (Sounds a bit morbid!)

I’m not head-over-heels in love with the color though. However, I find the formula to be super impressive. So if you really like this color, don’t hesitate to get it! Continue reading →

Neutrogena Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion Hydrating 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. **

What goes up must come down. What goes on must come off. At the end of the day, one must find a way to remove the war paint – er, I mean makeup – that we spend so much time putting on in the morning. What’s your favorite method?

I’ve tried makeup wipes and makeup remover solutions by various brands; both types left me looking for better methods. The wipes tend to dry out faster than I’m able to get through them, while solutions leave a slippery film on my skin… even if they are oil-free.

So when I came across Neutrogena Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion Hydrating, I had to give it a try. BTW, I think it was very inconsiderate of Neutrogena to make the bottle so shiny and metallicky. It’s pretty, but don’t they know that’s so very hard to photograph?! Haha. I digress… Continue reading →

Milani One Coat Glitter Silver Dazzle 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. **

Alright. Let’s see if I can take my eyes off my nails long enough to write this review on Milani One Coat Glitter Silver Dazzle. This charcoal gray decked with silver glitter has my eyes glued to my nails ever since I put it on. (I’ve literally stopped mid-convo to look at my nails.)

At first I couldn’t decide if I like it or not though. Sometimes I think it’s awesome cool that my nails are encrusted with glitter. It totally reminds me of a black sequin dress Tina Turn would wear. Other times I wonder why I’ve painted my nails with black sludge because there’s sooo much glitter that the finish is gritty and uneven… Continue reading →