I'm baaaack!

I'm back and it feels good!  I'm excited to start blogging again!

I apologize for my absence but I promise I had a valid excuse!  My home computer crashed and my only internet connection was my iphone for the past two months!  Finally the computer gods looked favorably on me and blessed my husband with the ability to fix our computer...all without a trip to the computer doctor!  Good news is that I am back.  Bad news is I am going to annoy you with a lot of posts, lol!

Since I've been gone for over two months, I wanted to catch everyone up on some items I have been loving lately.  I plan to do a "Best of 2011" post soon but here are some products that I've enjoyed since I posted last. 

First and foremost, where would have I been without my iPhone?  Without my home computer working, my iPhone was my ONLY connection to the internet and if you know me, I LOVE spending time online.   

I also have to mention my love affair with Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom scent.  It is one of those scents that I don't tire of.  It's soft, sexy and it makes me happy!  Lately I've been addicted to BBW and their 3 wick candles too.  I think I currently have about 10 in my house so my collection was not complete without a Japanese Cherry Blossom one!  I have really enjoyed the Japanese Cherry Blossom candle and fragrance mist.  You can find the candle at BBW for $19.50 and the fragrance mist for $12.00

Another favorite of mine that I recently discovered is Clarisonic thanks to QVC and I think I'm in love.  If you are not familiar with Clarisonic, it is a facial cleansing brush that utilizes a rotating brush head.  I usually use mine in the shower since they are waterproof.  I wet my face, apply my favorite facial cleanser (Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser) and use the Clarisonic all over.  I even use the Clarisonic on my hands, décolleté and elbows.  I notice that the Clarisonic has given me smoother skin in just a few weeks.  I can't wait to see how my skin will look over time.  I plan to do a full review soon.  I found my Clarisonic Mia 2 on QVC however they are currently sold out.  You can purchase a Mia 2 (or another model) at www.sephora.com for $149.00.  To learn more about the Clarisonic or to purchase, go to www.clarisonic.com

Of course a list of my current favorites would not be complete without listing some makeup and hair items.  I am loving my Laura Geller Bronze n Brighten like always.  It gives me a great glow that goes a long way during these dull winter months.  A foundation that I really want to share is Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation.  I chose the shade Soft Beige.  It really covers nicely, lasts a LONG time and goes on flawlessly.  I find that this foundation rivals many department store brands.  The good news is that it costs around $7.50! 

In addition to my bronzer and foundation, I have enjoyed a blush combination that really warms up my face but helps contour my cheekbones.  I have been using NARS' Lovejoy blush in the hollows of my cheeks then topping the apples of my cheeks with NYX's Terra Cotta blush.  Lovejoy is a gorgeous, bronzed rose which flatters many skin tones.  Terra Cotta is a warm, bronzed peachy shade that offers a nice shimmer.  Both colors together create a great look that warms up the face but looks natural.

Lastly I've enjoyed Korres lip butter in Guava, Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Baked and One n Only's Argan Oil.  Urban Decay's Baked liner compliments my brown eyes and helps them to "pop".  I love pairing this liner with MAC's Woodwinked eyeshadow.  Korres lip butter helps my lips stay moisturized and One n Only's Argan oil is a cheaper but wonderful alternative to Morrocan Oil.  I usually apply argan oil in the cooler months to my hair when it is still wet after I shampoo.  Since I have somewhat oily roots, I focus the oil toward the ends of my hair.  I then comb my hair and blow dry.  The argan oil moisturizes my hair, leaves it smooth and helps keep it straight.  You can find Urban Decay's 24/7 liners at Ulta for $18, Korres Lip butters at Ulta for $12 and One n Only's Argan Oil at Sally's for $9.49.

~~~~~~~~~~~Elf Blush~~~~~~~~~~~

Top L-R-Tickled Pink, Pink Passion, Mellow Mauve

Bottom L-R-Gotta Glow, Blushing Rose, Fuchsia Fusion

Right after Thanksgiving I decided that I needed more blush shades to play with.  I have a crap ton of blush already but I wanted to experiment with other colors.  The best way to play with color is to try shades that won't break the bank.  Elf (eyeslipsface) is a great brand to try out if you haven't already.  I really enjoy their blushes, brushes, eye shadows and lip gloss.  Many of their products are only a $1 and for just two more dollars you can try their Studio Line which is a great deal.  I ordered 6 blushes from their studio line and since they only cost $3 a pop, I don't feel very guilty!  So far I have enjoyed Mellow Mauve, Blushing Rose and Pink Passion.  Gotta Glow is a golden highlighter and it seems to work very nicely.  Tickled Pink is a little too light for my skin tone and Fuchsia Fusion is a bit glittery for my taste.  Overall I am very pleased with my choices.  You can purchase Elf lip gloss and eyeshadow at Target and Kmart.  You can purchase the whole product line at www.eyeslipsface.com

~~~~~~~~~~~Boscia Eye Treatment~~~~~~~~~~~

The last product I want to mention is one I just purchased.  A while back I received a bag of samples from Ulta and there was a sample of Boscia's Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment to try.  I really enjoyed the sample so I decided to purchase a full size.  The box states that the silky gel-cream will help moisturize the eye area and reduce puffiness and dark circles.  I hope this eye treatment works and I'll keep you posted with any results I may have.  You can find Boscia's eye treatment at Ulta for $38.00 for 0.5 fl. oz.

 

Stereo Rose and Rose D'Oro Comparison

If you enjoy makeup you might have heard a little about a very coveted and hard to find MAC product called Stereo Rose.  Stereo Rose is a Mineralize Skin Finish or better known as an "MSF".  It's as if a blush and a highlighter got together and had a baby!    Some MSF's are glittery and others have slight shimmer or frost.  MSF's are baked on top of a clay base which stays at the bottom of the compact.  The good thing about MSF's are that they are versatile and easy to apply.  They not only can act like a blush and a highlighter but they can be bronzers or eyeshadows.

I may be late with this review considering that MAC's Stereo Rose came out last summer but since I recently picked up Milani's Rose D'Oro which was rumored to be a dupe, I thought I would go ahead and compare the two.

I was able to purchase my Stereo Rose MSF new last summer.  I wanted one so bad that I made my husband pick one up for me right when the MAC counter opened the day that the In the Groove collection was released.  Stereo Rose had been originally released back in 2005 in the Goldplay collection.  What makes Stereo Rose stand out is its ability to look good on all skin tones. When I recently heard that Milani (a drugstore brand) came out with a baked blush that rivaled Stereo Rose, I knew I had to try it. 

I enjoy MSF's however I also love Milani blushes and I was excited to try the baked blushes too.  Rose D'Oro is a gorgeous color but it is not an exact dupe for Stereo Rose.  Rose D'Oro is more of a coral shade when applied despite it appearing very close to Stereo Rose when in the packaging.  Also Milani's blush has fine gold glitter flecks throughout whereas MAC's MSF has no gold at all.  Rose D'Oro has more shimmer and Stereo Rose has more frost.  I also noticed that the MSF is much more pigmented and smoother when applied to the skin.  Milani's Rose D'Oro is also smooth but it doesn't apply quite as smooth as Stereo Rose does. 

If you are looking for a Stereo Rose dupe, keep in mind that Rose D'Oro isn't an exact one but does offer a beautiful blush that gives a lot of bang for very little bucks. I find that both products can find a place in anyone's collection and both make excellent blush choices.  You can find Milani's baked blushes at Kmart, Target and CVS for around $7.00.  MAC' s Mineralize Skin Finishes can be found at www.maccosmetics.com or at your local MAC counter for $28.00.

MAC's Stereo Rose Mineralize Skin Finish

Milani's Rose D'Oro-notice the difference in the veining.  Rose D'Oro has gold veining whereas Stereo Rose has deeper, copper veining. 

Milani's Rose D'Oro on the left and MAC's Stereo Rose on the right.  Rose D'Oro is much more coral and Stereo Rose is much more pink.

Notice the difference in the sheen of both products.  Rose D'Oro (left) has more of a glitter effect whereas Stereo Rose has an all over sheen.

Close up of the swatches.



Foundation update and a few drugstore goodies.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I had bought Neutrogena's Healthy Skin foundation (click here to see my post on this foundation).  I tried the foundation for a few weeks and I must admit I'm very mixed on how I feel about it.  It's lightweight, safe for sensitive skin and blends fairly easily.  The drawbacks I found were that it was almost too lightweight, had minimal coverage and poor staying power.  I really liked the application but at the end of the day I noticed most had been rubbed away.

Revlon's Colorstay Foundation (Normal/Dry) in Natural Beige

After dealing with Neutrogena's disappearing coverage, I decided to find a foundation that was short on price but long on wear.  Colorstay by Revlon has been noted in the past to be a good choice for those who are looking for all day wear.

First I would like to mention that Revlon's color selection is much better than Neutrogena's.  I was able to find a shade that matched me and Revlon offers their Colorstay foundations for Normal/Dry and Oily skin types.  I know it's not completely fair to compare Neutrogena's Healthy Skin to Colorstay since Neutrogena doesn't claim to be a long wearing option but I must say that Revlon's Colorstay performed well.  I noticed my makeup didn't fade or rub off.  I also noticed my skin was less "greasy" and the coverage was much better.  The one drawback to Colorstay is that it seems to be absorbed very quickly into my skin so I use more foundation than I would normally.  I also feel that Revlon's Colorstay is harder to blend than Neutrogena.  You can find Colorstay at your local drugstore for around $8.00

Of course when I picked up the foundation I just HAD to pick up a few more goodies.  I had been eyeing Milani's baked blushes for quite some time.  I love Milani's regular blush line so I knew the baked blush collection would be a good fit.  Currently at my local CVS Milani only offers 3 different shades.  I decided to pick up Rose D'Oro which is a beautiful berry/coral color with gold veining throughout.  When swatched the blush appears more pink/coral with gold shimmer.  Many people compare Rose D'Oro with the rare and much lusted after Stereo Rose by MAC.  I plan to do a comparisson between the two for my next blog entry.

Close-up of Rose D'Oro

Rose D'Oro swatched with a flash.

Picture taken without a flash.

I find that all the Milani blushes I own are smooth, pigmented and affordable.  You can find Milani at CVS, Kmart and Target.  Rose D'Oro was purchased for around $6.50. 

Aside from enjoying Milani's blushes, I also LOVE their 3D Glamour Glitzy gloss line.  I now own almost all of the shades and I love each one.  The most recent color I purchased was In Vogue which is a gorgeous, bright magenta with pink sparkle.  The glitter is not gritty on the lips when worn.  3D Glitzy Glamour gloss has been compared to MAC's Dazzleglass but personally I think Milani is better (and cheaper!).  MAC's Dazzleglass is notoriously sticky.  I'm not going to say that Milani's Glitzy gloss is 100% better but it is less sticky.  The one drawback for Milani is staying power.  MAC Dazzleglass does last longer when worn.

Close-up of In Vogue-notice the glitter.

Swatch with no flash to show true color and pigmentation.

Milani's In Vogue worn on my lips alone.

  If you want a gloss that is packed with sparkle and doesn't break the bank, consider Milani's 3D Glitzy gloss which can be found for around $7.00 versus MAC's Dazzleglass which is priced at $18.50.

I've been on a nail polish kick for a while now and two more bottles surely don't help my addiction any!  Revlon makes great nail polish for cheap and I took advantage of the buy one get one 1/2 off deal recently.  I picked up Coconut Crush and Gold Coin.  Coconut Crush is a pearly white shade with super-fine shimmer.  When dried it resembles mother of pearl and is scented.  Currently it's on my toes and I really like the way it compliments almost any outfit.  Gold Coin is a gold polish with fine shimmer.  I was hoping this polish would be a winner but with it's slow drying time compared to other Revlon polishes I own, I find this one to be a dud. 

Lastly I want to highlight a recent mascara purchase that I am pretty excited about.  I really enjoy Lancome's Hypnose Drama mascara.  It's volumizing, doesn't smudge, has a great wand and makes my itty bitty lashes look great.  What I don't like is the huge price tag.  I think I've solved my problem (somewhat).

Prestige makes a mascara called My Blackest Lashes.  I found my tube at Ulta for around $6.00.  In my opinion My Blackest Lashes is a close dupe to Lancome's Hypnose Drama.  It's super black, volumizing, has a great wand and makes my lashes look amazing.  There is almost a $20 price difference and I was happy to discover this mascara.  The only drawback was that at the end of the day I noticed some slight smudging under my eyes.  I've used this mascara for almost two weeks and the smudging does not occur every day.  I'm even beginning to wonder if the smudging is heat related considering the 100 plus degree weather lately!  I cannot say that My Blackest Lashes is completely smudge proof like Lancome or Covergirl's Lash Blast but it's benefits outweigh any negatives at this point.  If you want your lashes to appear longer and thicker, consider Prestige's My Blackest Lashes.

Razor envy and a few more goodies!

After years of searching for the perfect razor, I thought I found my soul mate when I purchased Gillette's Venus razor for women.  It was cute, affordable and actually did an okay job.  Over the years though I found myself going through cartridges way too fast.  Was it me?  Was my leg hair THAT out of control?  Just when I thought I needed laser hair removal, I noticed my husband didn't seem to suffer from the same problems.  After talking to him I decided to purchase Gillette's Proglide razor for men.  Yes, it's for men.  I don't need pretty colors or a contoured handle to do the job well...I just want a razor that works!  I find that since women shave a larger area than men, getting the closest shave possible is a must in order to avoid irritation and shaving everyday.  The good thing about the Proglide is that it's affordable and it weighs heavier than my Venus.  Since it's heavier it actually shaves closer to the skin and leaves a better result than my Venus ever did.  I think I've converted and you might too if you give it a try.  Gillette's Proglide can be found at any drugstore for around $8.

Now...on to the goodies!

Aside from my new razor purchase, I also picked up a few goodies over the weekend that I wanted to share.  

L-R- Shiseido's eyelash curler and NARS' Lovejoy blush

No trip to a mall is complete without a small beauty splurge.  I had been wanting to give Shiseido's eyelash curler a chance for over the past year and I finally broke down and got one.  I tried it for the first time this morning and it performed well.  My small, almost non-existent eyelashes were actually visible which is a miracle in itself.  You can find Shiseido's curler for $19 at Sephora. 

Shiseido's eyelash curler from above.

I also thought it was time for another NARS piece.  I decided to go with NARS' Lovejoy blush.  It's a gorgeous, everyday color which reminds me of a shimmery, bronzed rose shade.  It looks great with just about anything.  I wore it today and it still looks fresh.  You can find Lovejoy at Sephora for $27.

Upclose view of NARS' Lovejoy blush.

After indulging somewhat at Sephora, I decided a trip to Charming Charlie was in my future.  If you don't have a Charming Charlie near you, then you are missing out.  Charming Charlie is a HUGE accessories store...it's like a Claire's store on steroids!  Jewelry, shoes and clothing are arranged by color in the store.  All of the choices can seriously overwhelm you unless you know what you want in advance.  If you have an outfit that has been hard to accessorize in the past, Charming Charlie is the answer to your prayers.  Not only is the jewelry affordable but it's unique.

I needed a new silver necklace to wear to work and I found this one for what I thought was $14.  I was too happy to hear that it rang up for only $1!!

These amazing silver/crystal earrings caught my eye.  They are perfect for a date or just to stand out in the crowd.  I got mine for only $7.97!

One of the hardest to find pieces that I have been wanting has been matte, gold earrings.  All gold earrings tend to be shiny but I found these hoops for only $5.95!  They are too cute!

 

Makeup & Nail Polish Storage

Storing makeup can be tedious.  I'm sure some of you have a "makeup drawer" or a bag filled with your favorite items.  Of course when you put on your makeup each morning, you might have to dig a little to find what you need.  All I have to say is NO MORE digging and fumbling!!  I have a few suggestions that I have learned from other makeup lovers that may help you too.

One thing about makeup storage is that you may find what you need at your local Staples or Office Depot store.  Traditional makeup storage items (Caboodles, train cases, etc) don't take into consideration how crucial it is to be able to see what you are looking for.  When everything is dumped into a large case, you can't see what color or product you need and then you are forced to grab the first thing you can due to frustration. 

I have found simple containers from office supply stores to be the most effective when organizing my collection. If you can use a pencil cup to hold pencils, why not hold eyeliners or lip pencils?  If you can use an envelope sorter to organize envelopes, why not organize your palettes too?

Pictured above is what I store my makeup in.  I found the 10-drawer rolling cart at Office Depot for $59.00.  It's easy to assemble and is perfect for storing makeup, skincare products and other items.  The drawers are long & shallow.  Remember what I show you can be used not only for makeup but for bath gels, lotions, skincare products and much more. 

Above is how I store my makeup brushes.  All you do is fill any container with Color Fill (can be found in the floral section of any Michael's or craft store).  You can also use rice or bean bag filler.  I chose a clear container to make it more interesting but you can use anything you like.  The Color Fill is usually used in floral displays but holds makeup brushes upright which prolongs the life of the brush.

In the picture on top is what I store my pencils in.  I have eyeliners, lip liners and mascara all neatly tucked into a candle crock from Longaberger!  Get creative and find vases, bowls and other items to store your makeup in.  The picture at the bottom shows how I store my larger eyeshadow palettes.  I use an envelope sorter to hold them upright which makes them easy for me to reach and it helps reduce any cracking in the eyeshadow pans.

 The picture above is what I store in the top drawer.  In this drawer I have sorted my lip glosses based on color.  The basket to the left stores my brighter colors and the right basket stores my neutrals along with different kinds of chap stick.  You will notice in this picture and in the ones below that I section each drawer using small baskets.  You can find these baskets at your local dollar store for 3/$1!!  They come in different sizes and colors. 

In the second drawer I store lipstick.  I have each basket holding a different color range.  The top 3 baskets store my browns/earth tones, nudes and neutral shades.  The bottom basket holds my brighter shades like pinks, purples and berries.

In the 3rd drawer I store an assortment of items.  The top 3 baskets hold my eyelash curler, false eyelashes, extra brushes, extra mascara tubes and creme eyeliners.  The bottom basket holds coral colored lipsticks, tweezers and concealer.

The fourth drawer gets the most use because I store all of my loose eye shadows there and my smaller eyeshadow palettes and quads.  The large basket holds the smallest eye shadows and the basket on the right holds a lot of my Wet n Wild trios along with a few Ulta single eye shadows.  In the front of the drawer I stash a few Clinique and Lancome palettes and my 8-pan Wet n Wild palettes.

The next drawer is my favorite.  I store all of my blush and bronzers there.  I have MAC mineralize skin finishers, MAC blushes, Cover Girl cheekers, NARS blushes, Cargo blush, Milani blushes, Laura Geller blush/bronzers and a lot more.  I LOVE trying new blush colors and I think this drawer proves it!

The 6th drawer holds foundation, setting powders and some concealers.  I also store extra eye makeup remover there. 

The next drawer is my "whatever" drawer.  Right now it holds magazine clippings of makeup looks that I like, extra makeup remover wipes and extra nail polish.  I'm sure I'll fill it soon enough!

The next drawer holds hair ties, clips and hairbands.  It even holds a scrunchie.  Yes I admit it...I still own a scrunchie.  I love them-they are perfect for holding back long hair while doing housework.  I wont wear one outside the house of course but I secretly wish they would come back in style, lol!

The 9th drawer holds extra lotion bottles and my mirror.  I have way too much lotion but I use it often and love trying new scents.  Usually I will switch it up and what I am not currently using goes into this drawer.

The last drawer holds my curling irons, waver and my (can't live without it) Chi hair iron.

The key to makeup storage is to think outside the box.  My old college roomie and I used to use mixing bowls to store our makeup, cotton balls, Q-tips, etc.  We had different colored bowls and it looked adorable on the counter.  You can also find baskets, vases, flower pots and even mini-plastic drawers that can hold items for you.  Don't let the label on the item fool you; if your makeup will fit in it, then use it.

Currently I am not too creative when it comes to storing my nail polish.  They sell polish racks on eBay (like the ones at your local nail salon) but my collection is not large enough for that yet, lol!  I simply use a clear shoebox with a lid and store them under my bathroom sink.  Glamorous?  No.  Functional?  Yes!

The last storage idea I want to share is a cool product found at most stores.  I found mine at Target.  It's called Snapware.  All you do is fill each tray with items of your choice, stack them together, snap the sides securely and snap on the lid.  I have found that this product works wonders for holding my manicure items.  I love to do my nails while watching TV, so all I do is fill it with what I need and carry it to the den.  When I am ready to start, I take it apart and get what I need.  It's fairly inexpensive and you could even use Snapware to hold your makeup collection because they come in many sizes.  I use the smallest size.

Pictured above is my Snapware set taken apart to show what I store in each tray.  I keep my cuticle oil, nail files, q-tips, lotion, cotton pads, tops coats and base coat inside.

Here is my Snapware set put together.  You can see the lid has a handle which makes it perfect for toting around!

I hope I was able to share a few ideas about organization that may help you organize your own collection.  Even if you don't own a lot of makeup, these ideas are perfect for accessories (jewelry, scarves), skincare products, first aid items and kids crafts.  The 10 drawer system would be an awesome way to store computer/craft paper, markers and crayons too!  Do you scrapbook?  These ideas would work for you too.  I scrapbook and Snapware is perfect for holding stickers and cutouts.  The 10 drawer cart is awesome for holding card stock and loose photos too!

Fresh picks for cheeks and lips!

L-R- Hard Candy Fox in a Box blush duo, Cargo Beach Blush, Essence XXXL Shine lipgloss, NYX Blush, Revlon Colorburst lipgloss and CoverGirl Lip Perfection lipstick.

I don't know what it is about blush and lip gloss lately!  I'm always finding myself picking up a new blush and gloss when I don't need one.  I LOVE blush...I'm always looking for that perfect shade that highlights my cheekbones and gives my face good color.  Gloss is the same way.  I want a gloss that makes my thin lips fuller and comes in a shade that goes with everything!  That's not too tall of an order, right?!

Covergirl Lip Perfection lipstick in Feline (see swatch below)

This past weekend I picked up a few blushes, some tubes of gloss and a new lipstick.  I was standing in Target and met a nice woman who was in search of a new foundation brush.  I recommended a great Sonia Kashuk one (flat blusher brush) and she recommended to me a new CoverGirl lipstick which I had to pick up of course!  Makeup lovers unite!  Because of her suggestion, I picked up CoverGirl's Lip Perfection lipstick in Feline for around $6.  It states it helps smooth and improve the overall appearance of lips.  Anything for better lips I say!  I really like this lipstick.  It does go on smooth and the color payoff is great.  It seems to last longer than my other drugstore lipsticks too.  I received many compliments over the weekend while wearing this shade and I will probably pick up a few more.

Cargo's Beach Blush in Miami

I also stopped by Ulta and got a few items.  I've heard a lot about Cargo blushes and I almost picked up a set from Cargo that included an AWESOME blush but I backed down at the last minute.  I picked up Cargo's Beach Blush in Miami instead.  It is like a blush and bronzer in one.  It goes on incredibly smooth, is not too bright but it gives my cheeks a soft glow.  It does have some shimmer, however it is not too chunky nor glittery.  I really am excited about this product and I hope to pick up some more Cargo bronzers and blushes in the future.  You can find it at Ulta for $28. 

NYX blush in Terra Cotta

I also couldn't resist picking up another blush by NYX.  I chose Terra Cotta which is a warm, bronze-toned blush which will make a great contour shade that will be perfect for summer.  This shade is more shimmery than the Cargo blush and is more bronze.  I find that NYX blushes give a lot of bang for your buck and go on smooth.  You can find this blush at Ulta for $6.

Hard Candy's Fox in a Box Bronzing Duo in Skinny Dipping

Hard Candy is always a great brand to get a lot of color payoff for very little money.  You can find Hard Candy at your local Walmart.  In the past I've recommended their Sheer Envy primer (see review here) and now I want to recommend their Fox in a Box bronzing duo in Skinny Dipping.  This duo contains a bronzer and cheek color.  You can use each color individually or you can combine them.  I prefer to swirl my brush in both colors to get a gorgeous, warm coral that will be perfect for this summer.  There are more expensive brands that carry wonderful coral cheek colors but if you are looking for good color at a small price, then pick up this choice for $6.  I love the texture and the cute packaging (Benefit anyone?!).

L-R Blush Swatches- Skinny Dipping, Terra Cotta, Miami

Top-Bottom Lipgloss/Lipstick Swatches- Revlon's Rosegold, Essence's Glamour To Go and Covergirl's Feline

I would not have normally picked up another one of Revlon's Colorburst lip glosses since the one I purchased in the past failed to impress me (see review here) however I had a certificate for a free one, so I went ahead and picked up another.  Revlon's Colorburst gloss just isn't for me.  I really don't think it's opaque enough and the color is too streaky.  It's really a shame since they have a nice color selection and good packaging.  I do like Essence's XXXL Shine gloss though.  I find that it is not only super shiny but it goes on smoothly and is super cheap.  You can find it at Ulta for only $1.99!  At that price you cannot find another gloss this great.