testing dollar store makeup (tivoli and la colors)

Is it possible to find great beauty products for a whole lot less? Absolutely. As wonderful as it is to treat myself to items from Sephora every now and then, the drugstore, discount stores, and dollar stores are frequented far more often. So, it is nice to put dollar store products to the test sometimes! After all, fun beauty finds should be available for everyone who wants them. On that note...here are some mini reviews and a makeup look featuring dollar store beauty items from Tivoli and L.A. Colors. 

testing out a dollar store nail polish

Every now and then, it is nice to put a dollar store beauty item to the test. After all, everyone has a different budget to work with. At some points, trips to Sephora are in order, at other times, the drugstore is most appropriate, and at certain times, it is dollar store all the way. Whatever your budget...you deserve to find products that work well and make you feel fabulous. Since this ultra sparkly nail polish from the brand Cairuo caught my eye at the dollar store recently (and it only cost $1.25 CDN) it seemed only right to put this polish to the test and find out how it compares to other more expensive offerings. 

testing out a dollar store highlight (la colors glow time)

There is nothing so thrilling as a trip to Sephora. When that black and white striped bag is overloaded with goodies....well, it is an undeniably exciting experience. Despite this, affordable makeup is always my preference. I love drugstore items and even dollar store items every now and again! There is something so wonderful about beauty products that are both affordable and accessible. I believe everyone should be able to find items that suit their preferences and budget. Which is why the L.A. Colors Highlight seemed worth testing and trying for the creation of beauty is art. It cost a mere $1.25 CDN at the dollar store. 

hit or miss? testing out a dollar store highlighter

Every now and then...it is fun to put a dollar store beauty product to the test. Why? You never really know what the experience will be like. And with such a low price point, the risk is worth the reward. The latest item to test and try comes from Kozmic Colours, a brand that seems to be fairly common at dollar stores in my area. The silver highlight cost a mere $1.25. Since I have been able to find some impressive affordable highlights in the past, this seemed like a pretty safe bet. Highlights tend to be a little easier to produce at an affordable price point than eyeshadows or eyeliners! So, it is time to find out whether the Kozmic Colours Highlighter (in the shade 8) is a hit, a miss, or falls somewhere in between.

#FOTD: dollar store eyeshadow look + dollar store makeup swatches

Low cost doesn't necessarily mean low quality. Though it can be exciting to test and makeup from high end brands...or browse the selection of products at Sephora...dollar store makeup can also be thrilling. Believe it or not, the dollar store offers products that are both affordable and effective. Take these eyeshadow sets from Mariposa. The three mini palettes cost $4 CDN at a nearby dollar store. That is a whopping fifteen eyeshadow shades for $4. Not too shabby. Ready to find out how they perform? This post includes a mini review, makeup look, and a live swatch video. 

re-discovered favourite: mariposa eyeshadow

Lately, I have been focusing my attention on two main objectives: de-cluttering and using more of what I own. Which is how I found myself digging through a stack of barely used makeup. I had picked up a bunch of Mariposa eyeshadows from the dollar store a while back (because my addiction to testing makeup does not begin and end at Sephora), swatched them, and put them aside to use properly. Only I never did. Until now!

This particular Mariposa set immediately caught my eye. I loved the rich warm shades and was eager to see how they performed. So, I created a makeup look using the shades. Honestly, I was blown away by the soft texture, the pigmentation (excellent...especially when you consider the price), and end result. I was seriously loving the look this palette created. In fact, I was already dreaming of the many ways I would use these shadows again.

Then disaster struck! My perfect re-discovered palette slipped off of my shelf and shattered everywhere. The next ten minutes were spent scrubbing burgundy shadow off of white tile. Ahh well....at least this little palette brought me a moment of joy. And one seriously stunning makeup look. It was also a reminder that it can be a lot of fun to use things already in my collection instead of searching for whatever is shiny and new.

Thankfully, I took a picture of my completed makeup look. Be sure to let me know what you think of it....

This Mariposa palette definitely exceeded my expectations. The quality was fabulous - and the price was even better. For just two dollars, I was able to create a beautiful makeup look. What could be better than that? It just goes to show....you don't need to spend a ton of money to get your glam on.

Have you tried dollar store makeup before? What are your re-discovered favourites?

xo Shannon

life is short. buy more blush.

It feels good to get more for less. Especially when it comes to makeup. There are high-end products that I absolutely adore....but there are cheaper items that make me just as happy. Like the Mariposa blush palettes pictured above. They actually came from the dollar store. I happened upon them ages ago and decided to give them a shot. Now? They are one of my most reached for products. The pigmentation is wonderful, there is a lovely range of colours, and they are quick and easy to use.

These came with me on my trip to Florida. And they often get tossed into my purse. The reason? There is a ton of shade variety, they are nice and compact, and each shade is super pigmented. My favourite of the two blush palettes has to be the one on the right. It features a nude shade, a bronzey colour, a soft pink, and a deep mauve. Love the variety here. (The other palette is fantastic as well but it focuses more on pink and coral shades.) I guess you could say these are on my short list of blush favourites. Which is why I used them to complete a recent makeup look. Take a look.....

Blush is one of my favourite things. When it comes to my own personal makeup habits....I buy more eyeshadow and blush than anything else. I just love playing with colour. I love the way something like blush can complete a makeup look. The way it can elevate a simple creation to something chic and unforgettable. No wonder my makeup collection is pretty well stocked with blush. That is exactly what inspired my latest YouTube video. Want to take a peek at these Mariposa palettes? To see my blush collection in its entirety? Then head to the creation of beauty it art. YouTube channel.



Do you love blush? Which blush shade is your all-time favourite?

xo Shannon

makeup is my art.

There is this big misconception. That the more you spend on makeup...the better it will be. This is something I used to believe. I thought just because a product was sold at Sephora it was superior to the items in the drugstore. Sometimes? This happens to be true. Other times? Not at all. There have been a lot of drugstore buys that have taken my breath away. There have been high-end shopping trips that have knocked my socks off. And vice versa. Certain high-end items have only been so so for me. Even though they cost double or triple the price of the drugstore alternative. Nothing is more frustrating. That is why I am a huge advocate of affordable makeup. As much as I adore pricier brands (like Too Faced, Urban Decay, and NARS) ....there are some fantastic alternatives.

One of them? Mariposa. Believe it or not, I have picked up a few of their products from the dollar store. Massive blush palettes that are crazy pigmented. Lipsticks that are vibrant and easy to wear. And now an eyeshadow set that is pigmented and oh-so-pretty. The eyeshadow set (pictured above) cost a mere two dollars. And it is amazing. It has a gorgeous blend of neutrals and metallic shades. Perfect to create a smokey eye look or something dramatic for evening. This has definitely been getting a lot of use lately! I love the combination of shades. There are lighter ones for blending, mid-tones, and deeper shades. That makes it super versatile. Which is something I tend to look for. 

Typically I ask myself a few key questions. At least when it comes to an eyeshadow set or shadow palette. They are: Can it travel well? Will I need supplementary shades? How many looks can I create with the set? When it comes to the Mariposa set....it is compact. That makes it great for travel or to throw into your purse. As for supplementary shades....I do not feel the need to bring in outside shadows or palettes to come up with a complete look. Always a good thing. And then there is the number of looks you can create with it. I have personally tried about three. However there are certainly more that you can make. That is the benefit of having those lighter shades thrown in there as well. More looks. More versatility. Thank goodness for that.

This little eyeshadow set has been a must have in my life lately. It is quick and easy to use, the colours are super pigmented, and the formula is soft and smooth. Love! Here is a peek at a makeup look I created using a few of the shades. They were mainly the green, the two browns, and the white. Take a look and let me know what you think....

Great makeup doesn't have to be expensive. It can come from a high-end shop, the drugstore, or even the dollar store. With quality products and a little creativity....creating the perfect look? Simple. Fun. Exciting. The Mariposa line has impressed me over and over again. It is a serious makeup steal.

What do you think of this look? Have you tried this brand before?

xo Shannon