Category Archives: Makeup Reviews

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer Review & Pictures

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer I’ve been going a little bonkers over primers lately because I’m discovering more primers that don’t contain Bismuth Oxychloride, which is an ingredient that I’m allergic to. And anything that I can use to improve the way my makeup looks and how long it lasts is fair game.

This time I bring you a Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer review! I’ve been testing it out for a couple of weeks straight, so I’ve got a good idea of how it performs.

Let me just say that this primer blew me away completely! Now I understand what all the hype surrounding this product is about.

The one major drawback, however, is that it seems to only be sold at Walmart. That’s a store I hardly shop at because there isn’t one near me and also because I watched the documentary The High Cost of Low Price.

But for the Sheer Envy Hard Candy primer, I made the out-of-the-way trip to Walmart!

Continue reading →

Benefit Tidal Rave Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner 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. **

Know what? Cream shadows and I haven’t always been BFFs. They usually crease like mad crazy on my lids. So when I saw the words “Creaseless Cream Shadow” as the name of this product, I raised an eyebrow in somewhat disbelief.

Benefit Tidal Rave Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner has better staying power than expected, although I don’t think it fully lives up to all the hype. Come see what I dislike about this product, and why it did end up winning me over. Continue reading →

MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick Swatches & Review

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MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick has an Amplified Creme formula that goes on creamy. This is the shade to reach for when you sport dramatic smoky eyes and want all the attention on the windows to your soul.

I’m always buying nude lipsticks, but they usually seem hard for me to pull off – too concealer-like, too corpse-ish, too dry, etc.

Despite having bad luck with finding my perfect wear-anytime nude lipstick, I still decided to give the MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Amplified Creme Lipstick a try. It has slight peach leanings, which I feel makes it more wearable than ones that are too beige or yellow.

Plus, you’ve gotta give kudos to the MAC Viva Glam campaign because the proceeds go to the MAC AIDS Fund, which helps people who are living with AIDS and HIV. It feels good donating to a worthy cause and getting a collectible beauty product to boot.

So was this lipstick a hit or miss for me? Will I be cracking it out often, or will it be hidden away in a makeup drawer? Continue reading →

Milani Luminous Blush Review & Swatches

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Milani Luminous Blush ** 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’m about to disclose something that might have you conclude that I’m ultra weird. *Deep breath*

Every time I use the Milani Luminous Blush, I feel like Sailor Moon. Hear me out! The little compact has a golden rim with a pink center…like the one Sailor Moon had. And there’s a button at the bottom edge that you press to flip the lid open – you can totally do it with one hand like Sailor Moon did.

Wow. I’ve just entered into the TMI territory. Back to the product review. I’m the type who prefers not-over-pigmented blushes because I like a subtle flush instead of bam-wow color on my cheeks. That’s why I like the Milani Luminous Blush. Although it’s not the best that I own…despite it making me feel like a cartoon superhero. Come see exactly what I think of it. Continue reading →

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick Airy Fairy Swatches & Review

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Rimmel Airy Fairy Lipstick Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick Airy Fairy is the perfect pink for those who want a natural look. This gives your pout that my-lips-but-better effect.

It’s suitable for daily wear because it goes with pretty much everything. And coming from a woman who doesn’t wear lipstick on a daily basis (and who prefers lip gloss), I can tell you that this shade is very easy to pull off.

In addition to the color, I love it because it’s inexpensive and the drugstores near me usually have it in stock. But there are a couple of things that really bother me about it. Want to know? Find out! Continue reading →

L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base 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. **

When I first saw the L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base, I laughed. “Secrets?” “Magic?” C’mon! With words like that in the name, this product is setting itself up for failure… Right?

Or so I thought. I saw it on sale for almost 50% off at the drugstore, and I couldn’t resist picking it up. It’s no miracle product by any means, but I am now a believer in this magical secret. It’s a quick and easy step in my makeup routine that makes me feel better about my skin. Come see exactly why. Continue reading →

Milani Runway Eyes Shadow Shamrock Review & Swatches