Product Review: elf Pout Perfecter

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!!! As I wax poetic on the wonders of elf’s Pout Perfecter, I ponder where this lip gloss was when I was in sixth grade and just learning about the joys of makeup, specifically lip gloss! Back then my gloss of choice was Bonne Belle’s Lip Smackers in raspberry and root beer. Another favorite was a sticky, Juicy Fruit gum smelling and tasting gloss in a roller ball applicator. Ahhhh…those were great times!!!





As a twelve year old, it was all about the shine and the more shine the better! That meant lip gloss all over the lips (and, unfortunately, sometimes above them). Today, as a a mature woman (cough), I recognize the need for restraint and good taste, thus my personal rule that most glosses should function as an enhancement to a more subdued texture and placed in the middle of one's lips. At our age, I think it behooves us to go a bit lighter on the gloss so our lips (and the inevitable lines around them) don’t act as a beacon. My own preference is to put a gloss on over the top of an opaque lip color, first dabbing it on the middle of the bottom lip and then lightly rubbing my lips together to transfer the gloss to the middle of my top lip.





elf’s Pout Perfector is one gloss that benefits greatly from that technique. This stuff really packs a glittery punch with large particles of glitter easily seen in the formula. Normally, that wouldn’t be ideal for me but it really works in this product. As I mentioned in my post Rose Gold and a Tan, this is a great formula for setting off warmer skin tones!





The gloss itself is thick and slightly sticky, but that helps with its staying power, which was about three hours for me, even drinking water during the work day. The packaging is nice and functional although the brush is pretty cheap. But what can you expect for a lip gloss that costs $3.00! I purchased mine at my local Target but you can also get it at elf Cosmetics online. 

elf Pout Perfecter over Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien

Pout Perfecter is a definite win for me and a great value!! Have you used this gloss? What do you think?

Ages of Beauty rating: ****

Rose Gold and a Tan

Not too long ago, I came across a video by one of my favorite YouTube makeup gurus, Emily Noel. In this video, Emily showed some rose gold colored cosmetics (you can see the video here) that I just had to try!


I’m doing something this summer that I have never really successfully done---self tanner! The St. Tropez self tanning mousse that I reviewed a few weeks ago (here) is working so well and, let me tell you, rose gold colored makeup looks GREAT with a tan!




For this look, I’m using several products that Emily mentions in her video. They are as follows:

• The Balm’s Hot Mama Blush ($20.00 at The Balm)
• Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien ($25.00 at Sephora)
• elf Pout Perfecter ($3.00 at elf)
• Sonia Kashuk Monochrome eye Quad in Textured Rose ($13.69 at Target)
• L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush ($6.99 at Target)

I’ll be reviewing these products over the next couple of days so check back. Here are a few more pictures to give you an idea of what you can do with this color.

L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush on inner lid and tear duct area

Sonia Kashuk Monochrome Color Quad in Textured Rose. I used the lower left hand corner shadow on the outer lids and in the crease

Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien all over lip; elf Pout Perfecter on middle of bottom and top lips

I have a couple of other rose gold products that I’ll review as well. Have you been wearing this color? What are you using?

Budget Face of the Day

I started this blog as an outlet for myself and a resource for women roughly my age and older who are dealing with issues concerning body image, aging, elderly parents, children , finances, health and beauty. I’m no writer but it’s been a great experience and being the beauty junkie that I am, I absolutely LOVE when I can find an inexpensive product that works. In the beauty industry today, we’re bombarded with messages like “you’re not thin enough, pretty enough, or young enough but if you want to be those things you need to spend $$$$$ on THIS product in order to be worthwhile.” OK, not really those exact words, but with all of the Photo Shopped images in magazines and insanely expensive beauty products out there, things have gotten a little ridiculous.

The other day, I posted a “face of the day” that used all high end products. I love all of those products but the price tag on that entire look was pretty high (I didn’t even add it up---I just know it was “a little much.”). So in the interest of being balanced, today’s post uses all drugstore products and many of them are very inexpensive!




I start out with mascara, because I almost always make a mess that has to be cleaned up. For this look, I used Neutrogena’s Healthy Volume Mascara in Black/Brown. At $7.49, this is an excellent budget pick and makes my lashes longer and thicker (and it doesn’t smudge!!!).

Almay CC Cream in Light

My next step for this look was the application of Almay’s new CC Cream in light. This is a new product and so far I like it as a tinted moisturizer. It costs about $9.99 (give or take) at your nearest drugstore. Wherever I needed “correcting,” I applied Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Concealer + Treatment ($9.99). Then I set my face with Revlon’s Nearly

 Pressed Powder ($9.99).





OK. Now back to the eyes where I found some GREAT budget picks! From the lash line to the eyebrow, I applied Wet N Wild’s Color Icon Shadow Single eye shadow in Brulee ($1.99!!!). This eye shadow is SOOOO great and it’s my go-to base shadow for many, many looks. If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was a high end shadow! On the lid I applied NYX’s single shadow in Taupe ($4.99) and Dark Brown ($4.99) in the crease. Surprisingly enough, all three shadows lasted all day without creasing and I didn’t even apply any eyelid primer, which I usually have to wear. Next I lined my upper lids with L’Oreal’s Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Black ($8.99). I’m still testing this one out so I’ll let you know if it’s a great product after more testing. On the lower water line, I used Rimmel’s Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in

 ($4.49). This step is a way to brighten your eyes. Most eyeliners don’t last on my waterline but this one did a reasonably good job, although it does require a touch up after a few hours. Last but not least, I applied some of the mascara to my eyebrows to cover up the white hair!





On my face, I used Revlon’s PhotoReady Bronzer (about $10.50), which is an excellent, matte bronzer that includes four shades. With this product, I contoured my jaw line and cheeks as well as used it on my forehead at the hairline. The last products I used were a real value from Elf. Their powder blush in Tickled Pink ($3.00), paired with the All Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade ($1.00), provided a nice flush that lasted most of the day with just a little bit of fading. I also used the All Over Color Stick on my lips.











At just over $68, these products were good budget picks. Most (not the mascara or the all over color stick) will last for 6-12 months, depending on how often they are used so I think that they could be excellent choices for a woman on a budget. But while I’m thinking of it, I’m wondering if it’s possible to do a full face for under $25? Hmmmm….maybe that will be a future subject for a face of the day post!!!

Do you use any of these products? If so, what do you think of them?