A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to try several items from the Mary Kay cosmetic line, a brand I don’t believe I have ever featured on my blog before. I do have some Mary Kay products I have purchased over the years, but for some reason I have largely overlooked the brand — until now that is.
Having tried many products, I can confidently say I was definitely missing out on some gems.
I can’t decide what my favorite has been. The NouriShine Plus™ Lip Gloss is one of the best formulas around – very reminiscent of my favorite high-end brand. I love that it’s not sticky.
The Lash Love™ Waterproof mascara has been a staple of mine since getting it. Up until recently it has been incredibly hot and humid every single day. This mascara held up against late meetings, high humidity and even my morning run! It gives my lashes length and volume and actually isn’t that painful to remove considering it is waterproof. The shadows also impressed me. The formula was smooth and the shades were pigmented, they also held up very well.
Mary Kay® Compact Mini
One of the more unique items to the Mary Kay line up is this fillable compact that you can customize with a variation of shadows or blushes. Mine contained 3 shadows (Golden Vanilla, Lavender Fog and Truffle) and 1 blush (Shy). Underneath the products are two eye brushes and a blush brush…that you can actually use! I used them in the look I created below. I love having something like this to throw in my bag for touch ups or just as a travel-friendly piece. Each item is magnetized and can easily be popped out and exchanged with other shades.
Swatches L-R: Shy blush, Golden Vanilla, Lavender Fog, Truffle
I would be lying if I didn’t say that Truffle was my favorite of the group. All three work nicely together to create a day time look that is office-appropriate and can be glammed up for the evening with a little more of Truffle added to the crease, outer V of your eye.
Wearing all three shadows and Ultimate Mascara.
Wearing the compact and NouriShine Plus™ gloss in Café Au Lait. It pairs well with a neutral lip, or if you’re feeling a bit more punchy…
It can also handle a bright lip – wearing NouriShine Plus™ Lip Gloss in Rock ‘n’ Red.
My overall experience was surprising in the best possible way. I was blown away by the mascaras and the lip glosses. Both performed well and have superb textures and formulas. I can definitely say I’d be happy to own more Mary Kay in my collection based on what I’ve tried here. If you are looking for a place to start, I’d go with mascara and the gloss. The eyeshadows were nice to be sure, but two of the shades could have been more pigmented. It’s definitely worth your while to check out the brand and their fabulous line of products; you’ll be happy you did.
Tell me the greatest beauty tip you’ve learned for an opportunity to win a fabulous Mary Kay gift basket!
Each comment counts as an entry in the sweepstakes.
Rules:
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You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
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d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 19 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 11/19/12-12/31/12.
Be sure to visit the Mary Kay page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
I was provided with Mary Kay products to use and review, and was compensated for this post, however all opinions are my own.
SkinCareRx has 
oh such a nice review!!! ive always wanted to try Mary Kay lash love but never found a seller but i know i can buy it online. The glosses sound superb and i like the mix and match compact ideas!
Hey Lillady life!
I keep a full inventory and can get some Lash Love to you right away. I’m so glad you are considering trying it!
http://www.marykay.com/shanellruter
Honestly, Truffle looks GORGEOUS! Love your earrings too
You look gorgeous… I really love all the colors in that compact <3
The shadow colors look so pretty. The greatest beauty tip I learned was how to apply eyeshadow. I can make my eyes look pretty good now but I’m always looking for new tips and tricks!
I love the Mary Kay TimeWise products!! My beauty tip is this: even if you have oily skin (like me!), you should still use moisturizer every day, even in the summer. If you deprive your skin of moisturizer, your skin will produce MORE oil to compensate. That is the opposite of what I want!!!
Thanks for the give-a-way!
Jen
The only beauty tip I have is get plenty of rest!
marybug2@yahoo.com
I tweeted here too
https://twitter.com/marybug2/status/274870379892338688
My greatest beauty tip is….. if nothing else is possible, running late to work, school, not time for primping….Always keep a multi-use product (bb cream or powder/foundation combo compact) , a good tube of Masacra and a 2in1eyebrow/eyeliner pencil handy as well as a neutral tinted gloss…. 4 products make you look alive anytime anyplace on the run
Greatest beauty tip: don’t stress. Stress is so hard on skin and can prematurely age you.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/275755510811213824
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
always use moisturizer and sunscreen
Truffle looks beautiful! Drinking water always helps my skin when it gets parched!
wash your face everyday
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/276055712285741056
My best beauty tip is to take care of your skin by cleansing and moisturizing.
wear sunscreen and start early
To use mascara and lip gloss
The tip to never forget less is better!
one tip to remember less is always better than to much
My favorite beauty tip is to exfoliate your lips by lightly brushing them with a toothbrush!
The best beauty tip: drink a lot of water. I have such dry skin, and it gets worse when I’m dehydrated. When I drink enough water: it’s so lovely!
Mary Kay is my first make up memory–they had a stand at my high school cafeteria. I remember being so intrigued and half in love with all the pretty colors. I wanted some, but didn’t think I should spend the little money I had. Fast-forward all these years….!!!
My two beauty tips to live by are: 1) Great make up is about great skin care; and 2) Less is more. And sometimes, just sometimes, more is more.
My neighbor sells Mary Kay… but a bit pricy for me
You look perfect 
Best beauty tip – apply eye cream using your ring finger. Great blot!
Oops blog!
I learned about the clarisonic facial cleaner and I love it!
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/279790112924123136
Use an eyelash curler and heat it up a little bit with a blow dryer to get the curl to stay!
My favorite beauty tip is to put a little white eyeliner along the inner corner of the eyes to make them appear bigger.
Thanks for the cool giveaway!
wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/280748771292348417
wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com
Remove all makeup before going to bed.
My best beauty tip (that I learned the hard way) is: to look younger, don’t overpluck your eyebrows!
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/282281923269775360
The greatest beauty top I’ve learned is put on a moisturizing mask before putter on makeup. You skin will absorb the foundation much better. Of course, if you have a good night sleep the night before helps too. But that doesn’t always happen to me.
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/284212421298622464
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
My mom always said that brunettes always need blush and blondes always need eye makeup!
Over the years, the best advice that has helped me long term to to use the best moisturizer you can possibly afford – now that I’m older, I go for the best serum I can afford!
My best beauty tip is to use an under eye concealer because it really helps make your face look younger.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/285600503319113728
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
The best tip I have is to emphasize your eyes OR your lips – not both. This keeps you from looking over made up.
https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/285849106524540928
a beauty tip that i received was to put vaseline on your hands and cover with cotton socks overnight forsoft hands! Thanks for a super giveaway!
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/anashct3/status/285892742549213184
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
always take your makeup off at night before going to bed
i tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/285959310343827456