US Drugstore Haul & First Impressions

The gap is closing between UK and US releases thanks the the world wide web but often it can mean paying more and I much prefer to look at products in person than ordering online. Staying at The Venetian in Las Vegas meant I was on top of a vast and rather swanky branch of Walgreens that I was able to pop my head into regularly and pick up a few bits and pieces to try.

Whilst I haven't managed to test out everything, and certainly not for a substantial length of time I wanted to share with you what I sought out on holiday and my initial thoughts. Starting with foundations and top of my list was Milani Conceal and Perfect 2 in 1 Foundation. This foundation is spoke of very highly in blog circles and of course I wanted to jump on the bandwagon. I have tried this out once or twice and it's as impressive as the claims. I do find that one criticism is that it can oxidise slightly and I do experience that somewhat although its more of an issue that I think picked a shade a little darker than I should have.

I was finally able to pick up L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation, again after seeing it covered on everyones blog and YouTube channels. With mixed results I wanted to see what I made of it, especially as I am a big fan of L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. At the moment I'm undecided. I've only used it a couple of times and not particularly under or overwhelmed. I'm not picking up any 'amazing' glow like I see from Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluid which I enjoy nor am I an oily mess at the end of use. I'll report back if I have any further thoughts.

After the success of the L'Oreal Cushion Foundation, which I'm keen to repurchase, I thought I'd first try one from another brand and picked Physicians Formula All in 1 ABC Cushion Foundation. I've yet to test this out as you can see I've got quite a few foundations on my hands at the moment and I'm conscious once I open this it's something that needs to be in regular use to avoid drying out. As soon as I do dive in you'll be the first to know.

A surprise product was Wet n Wild Illumi-Naughty Highlighting and Concealing Pen which I picked up on impulse when I spotted in the 'new in' section. Where or why 'naughty' is needed in the product name I'm unsure but it's definitely a cheaper interpretation of the YSL Touche Eclat with it's brush tip. This concealer is a light formula that works wonders to brighten under my eyes and more importantly doesn't crease throughout the day thanks to it's moisturising Vitamin E and Chamomile. I've been reaching for this daily and it's already pushed aside other favourites.

Moving onto brows, it's well documented I'm a fan of the lazy approach and love a sweep from a tinted brow mascara or gel. Previously a fan of Maybelline BrowDrama I decided to give the newest brow release from Maybelline a try. Unlike BrowDrama the Brow Precise Fiber Volumizing Mascara has not been a big hit thus far. The eclipse shaped brush feels strange, which is ironic when I favour the odd ball shape from BrowDrama and I just find the fibres too messy and overpowering. With thick dark brows already this isn't flattering and the fibres seem to shed throughout the day. Even worse is trying to remove it, more product ends up across my face. I might give it another couple of goes before it ends up in the bad pile.

Faring better is Wet n Wilds new brow release, Ultimate Brow Mascara.  This is very similar to Rimmel Brow This Way in brush shape although application isn't so heavy which I prefer. I need to use a few more times to cast a full opinion but so far I'm neither in love or hate with it.

Two products from Milani are up next, one hit and one miss. Starting with the miss, Milani Length in Seconds Lash Extension Fibers which is a nightmare for those of us with contact lenses. I felt like I had fluff stuck to my eyelashes! The premise is you apply your mascara, apply the fibres and then seal with a second coat of your chosen mascara. As I use Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara which I find is perfect for volumising and lengthening my lashes I couldn't see any difference nor benefit from using the Milani product.

A product I will repurchase is Milani Eyeshadow Primer - at long last I have found a drugstore eye primer that works! Thank the lord that Milani now have a UK website for me to purchase as my current favourites were either the Lorac Eye Primer or the more costly Urban Decay version.

I'm in love with the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows and it saddens me that they are, or indeed appear to be disappearing from the UK high street. I picked up the shades Glistening Garnet, Golden Emerald and Ice Latte. The latter has been a favourite this month and worn often. I hear it's a dupe for Stila Kitten although I don't have that for my own comparisons. It's a wonderful frosty Winter white shade and the pigmentation of these eyeshadows is second to none. I have a friend heading to the US this month and plan to add another couple to my wishlist.

Wet n Wild have recently reformulated their Color Icon Blushes with a couple of new shades, one of which was Rose Champagne. I have only use this once so far and as a highlighter which worked well for me. It's a nice everyday blush for a little glow or a subtle highlight for evening. I'll experiment some more and see whether it can compete with my other highlighting options.

Teamed with blush before a night out was Maybelline Gel Eyeliner in Striking Copper which I thought would be nice for the festive season. Again after one use I have little to say but there was a nice pigment and it wore well and I'll be reaching for it again.

I was restrained with my lip purchases due to my overflowing stash but did pick up another couple of the Maybelline Color Jolts/Dramas in shades Never Bare and Stripped Down, both apparently dupes for Too Faced products. Never Bare is almost Barbie Pink in shade but admittedly more subtle and not a natural colour I'd wear but on the lip I've been enjoying it. Stripped Down is a brown nude shade and one I'm getting a lot of wear out of day to day. There's something about these tubes and the applicator tip I really enjoy. I'm interested to see how long they last compared to my other lip products.

Finally is a purchase inspired by by Glamour's Alex Steinherr Snapchat. Preparing for an event she put a slick of Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Peony and I made a note to pick it up. Not finding it in the UK drugstores when I spotted it in the US I added it to my bag. I had an opportunity to wear last weekend and paired with Mac's Whirl Lip Liner and was pleased with the nude lip look. This lip shimmer is about as close as I think I'll get to the metallic lip trend it's a sheer colour with a shimmer that sits nicer and is creamier than a gloss. The only thing I'm not sure about is the pepperminty taste.

What is on your US drugstore wishlist?

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