Nordstrom Clinique Bonus Gift with Purchase

Nordstrom currently has an offer online and in stores for a free bonus gift set with any Clinique purchase of $29 or more with the codes REPAIR or EVEN. You get an 8 piece gift set with an $85 value.

Ulta 5 for $5 Stocking Stuffers and Accessories

Ulta is currently having a 5 for $5 sale on small stocking stuffers. They have a bunch of  Ulta makeup as well as a bunch of face masks available on the website. The offer is valid until November 24th.

The Ad.

I picked up two of the matte lip crayons, a brow pencil, a brow duo, and a compact mirror. The brow pencil and brow duo are both usually $8, so it's a great deal if you want to pick up any of those, or anything else, really.

e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Cream Review

This cream blush and bronzer duo from elf comes in one color, St. Lucia, and is $3. On their website, it is described as:

"Ideal for all skin types, this dual cream bronzer and blush creates a sheer, natural wash of color on the skin. The lightweight cream-to-powder formula provides extended wear and allows you to layer for desired intensity. Sculpt eyes, cheeks, lips, body and anywhere you wish to highlight and contour with the rich cream formula."

When I applied these with my fingers, they were very smooth and easy to blend out. They are really nice and pigmented as well. I like this for days when I'm wearing minimal makeup. Since my skin is pretty dry, this stays on my skin much better than powder blush and bronzer would without anything underneath. I was impressed by how natural it looked on. If you have dry skin, this is a great drugstore cream blush and bronzer duo.

Benefit Fake Up Undereye Concealer Review

Benefit's Fake Up Concealer is an undereye concealer and is $24 for a full size. On their website, it says:

"Cover-up goes incognito! This hydrating crease-control concealer - with vitamin E & apple seed extract - hides dark circles & diffuses fine lines for a silky smooth, ultra-natural look. Available in three shades, it's proven to keep skin hydrated for 6 hours!"

At first glance, it looks similar to the Dior Fix It Concealer, which is $36. I got this concealer in a small sample size in medium.

It glides on and is has a somewhat oily and thinner consistency than most concealers. It felt hydrating under my eyes, but I did notice that it creased a lot, which is especially disappointing considering it's supposed to be a crease-control concealer. I'd skip this concealer. The Urban Decay Naked Skin concealer I always use doesn't crease and is only $4 more than this. There are a lot of better concealers out there.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Brulee Review

The Wet n Wild Brulee eyeshadow is actually one I've had for a long time now and for so far use almost every time I do my makeup. Brulee is matte and only 99 cents, which is super cheap for nice single eyeshadows. They also come in 6 other colors, including a matte brown and a matte black.

It's actually a shade lighter than it looks in the picture above and, for light skin tones, a nice transition shade. This eyeshadow is very pigmented and smooth, as well as being very easy to blend out. As you can see in the swatches above, it's a pretty light shade. I've heard about this being a dupe for Mac's Brule, but I don't have that shadow to compare it to, but looking at swatches online they look very similar. I'd say give these and the other Color Icon eyeshadows a go.

theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer Review

I have a small sample of theBalm's Cindy-Lou Manizer that comes in a little mini book. The full size is $24. On the site, it's described as:

"An all-in-one essential, this smart shadow, beautiful blush and subtle highlighter is tucked inside a go-anywhere compact. The light-reflecting peachy pink hue adds a splash of color to your cheeks and a hint of shimmer to your lids, while illuminating your finest features."

It's pink and very shimmery. The texture is smooth and buttery. I prefer to use this as a highlighter, even though it looks like it might be too dark when swatched, it works fine since it's so shimmery and reflective. This would also make a nice highlighter for medium or darker skin tones.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder in Sunny Review

This bronzer is $2.99. It comes in a small compact that takes a bit of effort to close, but doesn't feel too cheap. The only part I don't really like about the packaging is the hinge, which is just a thin part of the plastic folded, which does feel slightly flimsy, but should hold up just fine.

Packaging aside, though, the product is really nice, especially for the price. It's a more reddish bronzer, so it's not the best for contouring, but it's great for warming up and adding color back into your face. The powder is buttery, blends out easily, and is very pigmented. For $2.99, I'd definitely recommend trying this out.