Review-New Milani Bella Eyes Gel-Powder Eyeshadows

These new Milani eyeshadows have been getting a lot of hype on Youtube and blogs lately so I decided to try them out for myself. I wouldn't normally go out and buy 6 new eyeshadows I'd never tried before, but I'd heard such great things I went for it. I purchased these at CVS for $4.69 a piece but they are listed on the Milani website for $3.99. 

I love that Milani shrink wraps all their products in compacts because my biggest pet peeve is seeing touched makeup at the drugstore. They also tell you the finish of the shadow as well which is very helpful.

The shades I got are (From left to right, top to bottom) Bella Black, Bella White, Bella Purple, Bella Mandarin, Bella Rouge, and Bella Navy

I was really impressed by the color selection on the Milani website which includes 30 shades, but CVS only seemed to have around 15-20 I'm not positive because when I picked these up they weren't even in a display yet they were in a bin.

(Swatches with no primer) Bella Black (Satin Matte), Bella White(Satin Matte), Bella Purple(Satin Matte) 

Bella Mandarin (Satin Matte), Bella Rouge(Metallic), Bella Navy(Satin Matte)

First let me point out that these are powder shadows. I am really impressed with the pigmentation, I don't know if that is the "gel" or what. The finish descriptions are quite accurate because the satin mattes have a matte base with a sheen, and the metallic is actually metallic (WOW! Captain Obvious). After testing these out and swatching them I was surprised at how sheer they applied to the eyes. I first tried with no primer and a normal shader brush, which gave a sheer patchy application. Then I switched brushes to a shorter-bristled denser brush which applied more color that wasn't as patchy, but still not as intense as the swatch. Then I tried them over the NYX HD eyeshadow base which I think is a necessity with these shadows (because it stays tacky which allows the shadows to stick better). But I have found the best application method is with your fingers (if possible, I know you can't be very precise, but for areas like your lid and inner corner it helps a lot with pigmentation). The wear is not different from any normal eyeshadow with a primer, they last around 6 hours before I notice some creasing. They are in no way long wearing, but they aren't marketed as such so I wasn't expecting them to be.

Overall these didn't live up to the hype like I thought, they swatch beautifully but apply sub par unless you work with them a lot. So would I go out and purchase more, no.

5 Favorite "My Lips But Better" Products

If you guys haven't seen the video that corresponds with this post or vice-versa I just wanted to go a bit more in-depth on the specific colors I mentioned.

  

From Right to Left Elf Matte Lip Color in Natural, Kate Moss #17 by Rimmel, Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey, and the Buxom Full On Lip Polish in Dolly

• The Elf Matte Lip Color is the least expensive of the bunch at $3, and it is also the most brown toned. I love the formula of these matte lip colors because they don't dry my lips out and feel semi-moisturizing if that is even possible. 
• The Kate Moss Lipstick is the most opaque of all and is also the most pink. I love this lipstick because it is your basic everyday pink with just enough nude to be considered a "My Lips But Better" type shade.
• The Revlon Lip Butter is the most moisturizing option out of the 5 and is subsequently the most sheer. But since the color is sheer it gives the appearance of slightly berry toned lips without being too opaque and vampy.
• The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is also a balmy formula but it isn't as moisturizing as a lip butter. I chose this product because of its staining abilities, I can put this on on the morning before school and still see color when I return home. The color is a pink toned mauve and makes my lips look just slightly deeper and glossy. And that will wear off and leave your lips looking naturally mauvey.
• The most expensive product here is the Buxom Full on Lip Polish which I wasn't sure the price of in my video but I checked and a full-size retails for $19 (more expensive than I said in the video). But I love this formula of lip gloss/lip plumper because it is sticky enough to make it very long-wearing but not annoying sticky. This color is almost identical to the Revlon balm stain but just in gloss form.

Dorco Shai Soft Touch 6 Blade System Review

Dorco was kind enough to send me this razor for review and along with it they sent me a very nice note. The most unique thing about these razors is the price,compared to razors you can find at the drugstore. This kit which include the razor and an extra blade costs $5.75 compared to one you would find at the drugstore that would cost you anywhere from $10-$15. You can order the Shai system mentioned here and a variety of other systems for both men and women at www.dorcousa.com . I have a 15% off discount code for all my readers which is IEGW7SIVZB unfortunately this code expires 2/28/2014 so if you want to order I would do so as soon as possible. But back to the actual review, these razors preform just as well as any mainstream brand razor I've ever tried. I've used the original blade for about 10 full uses and I feel I could still get at least 5 more before changing the blade. I haven't experienced any nicks,cuts or irritation while using this razor and overall think that it is almost identical to any other razor out there and you'll save some money too.