Blogtember Day Two: Favorite Drugstore Foundation!

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin

Hello Friends!

I already failed at keeping to my schedule! *SIGH*

Since I did my favorite high-end foundation Monday, I thought I would do my drugstore foundation today! It seems like this stuff is everywhere right now, and for good reason!

This foundation was recommended to me by several people, and I was looking for something a bit lighter than the Cover Fx cream, since it's been awfully hot and humid here lately, so I thought I'd give it a try when I saw it at the drugstore.

To my surprise, I found the right shade my first try! I wear shade 180, Sand Beige, and I went for the Combination/Oily version of the foundation (they also make a version for Normal/Dry skin, which I hear is also amazing).

On first inspection, I wasn't thrilled with the packaging- I don't like foundations that have an open top (as opposed to a pump), but the foundation is relatively thick for a liquid foundation, so it's not going to pour out really fast. 

I find that the coverage is medium to full, and I was really impressed by how much redness it covers up (I rarely wear concealer with it). I apply it with a rounded, fairly dense brush (my favorites is the Real Techniques buffing brush), and it goes on very smoothly.

The foundation sells for $11.99 full price, but Revlon products are often on sale at drugstores (I got mine for 50% percent off!). I also recommend buying at store that has a good makeup return policy. I found out that Rite-Aid and its affiliates will return or exchange any beauty products for any reason, so that takes the stress out of choosing a shade! (I am not sponsored by Rite-Aid, but that got me excited, and I thought I'd pass that along!)

I love this foundation, and I am definitely planning on re-purchasing!

Always,

Nani xx

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Blogtember Day One: Cover FX review

Cover Fx Total Cover Cream Foundation 

Hello Friends!

The quest is over!!  I've finally found my holy grail foundation! (Well, two of them, but that's another post)

As many of you guys know, I've been searching and searching for the right foundation for the last year. Every time I found one, I was disappointed in it within a few months. This time I thought I'd wait to let you know about it for a while to make sure I loved it- erand I do!

I had tried the Cover Fx foundation before (in shade N20- a neutral), but had gone for a cheaper option at the time. After returning that one, I got rematched in the Cover Fx to shade G20 (for "light skin with golden undertones). I had always been matched to neutral colors in the past, so I was a bit skeptical, but after trying this stuff for a few days, I was convinced. (I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with Native American and Filipina heritage on my mother's side.)

The cream formulation works surprisingly well with my oily skin, although I do use setting spray and sheer powder with it. I find it very buildable, and great for medium to full coverage. It's not too heavy on the skin, but it's not my favorite for hot days.

I think one of my favorite things about this foundation is how great it's been for my skin. The MAC foundation I was using was very hard on my skin, and I've been having pretty bad breakouts since then. This foundation is free of a ton of acnegenic and irritating ingredients, and it almost seems to be be aiding in clearing up the acne. It also works very well to cover any redness I have.

The foundation is available in a wide range of shades in Neutral, Gold, and Pink undertones (a total of 26, I believe), with mineral powder foundation and cream concealers to match. It sells for $42 at Sephora, and it has lasted me about two and a half months so far. I have hit pan, but their is a lot of product left around the edges, so I think it will definitely last the month, and possibly into October.

All in all, this is a great product, and I recommend it for anyone looking for a light wearing cream foundation!

Always,

Nani xx

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My First M.A.C. Haul + Review!

Hello Friends!

I don't know what's taken me so long, but I've never tried anything from MAC before. I received a gift card for my recent graduation, and I thought it was high time to try some out!

I have to preface this review with a side note. I was not terribly impressed with employees that "helped" me out. The MAC counter that I went to was in an upscale department store in my area, and them employees certainly made that clear. Until I made it clear that I intended to purchase enough product to make it worth their while, I was treated like I wasn't quite good enough- posh enough- to be there. Looking back, I probably should have said something to the management or customer service desk, but I just didn't think of it at the time.

I went ahead and had a full makeover. The look was a little... much... for me, but that's what you expect from the over-made-up girls you see at MAC counters. I didn't purchase all of the products they used, since some of them were duplicates of similar products I already had, but I did purchase some of them. Here's my reviews, after a month of trial.

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Smoother - $30

This stuff is interesting. It's pretty thick and gloopy, almost like shortening (okay... not the most flattering description... sorry), but when it goes on, it settles into a smooth, almost silicone like texture. It works well to smooth over rough or dry areas on the face. I find it to work pretty well, but I wouldn't use it as an all-over primer, since it is fairly heavy. It works well in conjunction with a lighter primer for the rest of the face.

MAC Matchmaster Foundation in Shade 1 - $33

Okay, you guys know I'm always on the prowl for a the foundation. I was actually really impressed with this one. Having been skeptical about the "color adjusting" technology for quite a while, I asked the makeup artist how exactly it works. She mumbled something about having pink, yellow, brown, and reflective pigments... I'm not sure either of us understand what she said, but I can say that this foundation works pretty well for me. I have fair skin with slightly yellow undertones, and this comes closer to matching my skin than most foundations.

It works adequately on my oily skin (when used with primers, powders, and other oil control methods), but I don't think it's anything to write home about on that accord. It's definitely a medium coverage, and I find I like it better with a light dusting of a powder foundation over it.

My main issue with this foundation is my fault- the weather got nice, and I ended up getting a tan a few weeks later, so it's now too light... sigh.

OH! Also, I asked the girl at the counter about the many people who say that MAC foundations make them break out. She said that they are "non-acnegenic," so it must be that those people just "didn't wash their faces." Well... I wash my face, and I broke out. So.

MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Brownluxe - $40

Okay... So I definitely did NOT realize this was $40! I don't know if it was on sale or if I just didn't ask... but FORTY! For eye shadow! Grrrr....

I really like this palette. It had one matte, the "eggshell" at the top, a "frosty orange gold," a shiny "light yellow chocolate," and two pearl shades "deep bronze" and "blackened plum."  They work well on their own, but look really lovely together. I find that I like them best when used wet- the makeup artist used setting spray on the brush after she loaded it with shadow. It gives a really lovely rich tone.

This one needs a preface. While waiting for my appointment, I perused their counter. I saw these lip products, and told my friend that I wouldn't be caught dead in them... So that's what I ended up wearing... and loving them. They are quite gaudy, so bare with me, as these are my favorites from the trip.

Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick - $15 and Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipglass -$15

I really love these two paired together. The purple of the lipglass counters the yellowy-ness of the lipstick, and calms it down. I haven't had the guts to wear them separately yet. I do recommend applying the lipstick with a brush, it's not very forgiving. 

A side note about these products- I don't know if you guys already know this, but all proceeds of the Viva Glam lines go towards helping people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

All in all, I had an interesting time with MAC. I love some of the products, but not enough to make me a regular customer, when there's a Sephora in the same complex!

What are some of your favorite MAC products? Let me know in the comment section.

Always,

Nani xx

Big NARS Haul + Review!

Hello Friends!

A few weeks ago Sephora had their big Very Important Beauty Insider (the upper level rewards program) event, and they sent me a coupon, so I went in in search of one thing- concealer... But that day they had a consultant from NARS there, and she gave me a makeover.. I came out with five. But they were on sale, and one was free... so that helps... I guess. -_- I have the self control of a two year old!

I have been having a HECK of a time with my skin lately. I think it's the cause of the "foundation quest" I've been on. It's super oily, and I've been having a problem with my makeup sliding, so the NARS consultant, Kellie, suggested I try out their primer.  This is the NARS Oil-Free Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer ($34 - NOTE: I can't find my receipt, but I can tell you I did not pay full price for these products! I think I had about 20% off... I wish I could remember!)

When I tried it in-store, I was pretty pleased with it, but I'm not sold on it anymore. I think that it would work better for someone with a fairly normal skin type. It's a great primer- it smooths over pores and some fine lines, and evens out the skin, but I find that it doesn't hold very long. It really helps with application, but I'm not sure that it does anything (for my skin type) in the long run. 

Verdict: I'll finish it, but I don't think I'll buy it again.

This next product will probably come as no surprise to those of you who read my blog regularly... I got a new foundation, guys!

This is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation ($44 full price) in Light 02 "Mont Blanc," a color they describe as "fair with slight pink undertones." Now there's three words in there that would normal make me steer far, far, away from this product- sheer, glow, and pink. With my acne-prone oily skin, I tend towards things that say "matte" and "full-coverage," and my skin is generally considered neutral... But Kellie convinced me otherwise, and as far as I can tell, she was right.

This color isn't too pink at all- I would have called it a neutral. (For those of you who watch Zoella, this is her go-to foundation shade that she wears in most of her videos.) Also, I wouldn't call it a sheer or light-coverage... I'd call it a build-able medium. Unless I have a very red blemish, I don't wear any spot concealer with it. Kellie suggested applying it with fingers so that it would emulsify well, and that definitely works well, but it also works well with a buffing-type brush, for those of you that, like me, don't like to use your fingers.  It's not a long wear foundation, but it does last well. The only time that I have had any problems with it is when I don't seal it.

My favorite thing about this foundation is actually the thing that scared me the most: "Glow." As most oily-skinned people do, I shy away from anything labeled "glow," but this really doesn't make me look shiny- it just makes your skin look like SKIN. Matte foundations often make the skin almost look dull or ashy, and this makes it looks so healthy without adding any shine.

I only have one complaint about this product, and it's not a fatal flaw. In the store, they all have little pumps on them, and with that giant cap, one would expect them to to come with one, but they don't. they come like this:

Unfortunately, Sephora doesn't carry the pump tops, and it's $6 (plus $5 shipping) to buy one from NARS. It's not a huge deal, but it's a little strange.

Verdict: I would definitely recommend this, and I am almost certain I will be buying this foundation again. (And that's a big deal, coming from me!)

Since I've been making forays into the world of contouring, we picked out this Radiant Creamy Concealer ($28 full price) in 01 Chantilly as a highlighting concealer. This is a "true ivory" color, and, I kid you not, it looks like corpse flesh in the tube. I was so skeptical about it! It works well as an under-eye concealer/brightener, though, and I really like it. HOWEVER. Beware- if you use too much under your eyes, you will spend the whole day having people comment on your "sunglasses tan." (Yeah... That happened. It's a learning curve.) A little goes a long way!

Verdict: Yes, I will purchase it again, but with the speed I'm using it, It's more likely to be because it has expired than run out!

The last item I bought was their Light Reflecting Setting Powder ($34 full price). It's a microfinish powder in a compact- something I've been looking for. It looks very shimmery in the palette (it doesn't show in the picture), but it doesn't wear like a shimmer powder, it just adds a dimension to the foundation. It came with a cute little padded pouch with pockets for the the palette and the velvet "puff" (the little rectangle over the mirror), but it makes it very bulky, and I prefer to apply powder with a brush, so the little bag just hangs out in my makeup drawer.

Verdict: I like this stuff- it's not a holy grail product, but I'll probably buy it again.

Since I purchased NARS products during their special promotion, Kellie gave me a free Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil ($25) in New Lover. It's a "gold infused strawberry" color, so it's basically the lip equivalent of their Orgasm blush, and it's great!

Verdict: I love their lip pencils (I'm wearing Cruella in my profile pic), so this is definitely a yes.

Bonus product:

I bought the Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna ($41) a while back, and I never reviewed it. I use this palette ever day. This picture really doesn't do it justice, but those two colors are the best blush and bronzer I've ever worn. Laguna is a matte, so it's great for contouring, and the gold in the blush... I love this stuff.

Verdict: Do I even have to say?

Alright guys, sorry for the delay in getting this post up! I'd love to hear what your favorite NARS products are, or if you have used any of these before, and if they worked for you!

Always,

Nani xx

Ulta Haul, Part One- The Products!

Hello Friends!

I totally failed guys! It was final exam week, and I had to choose whether to blog or pass my exams... I'm on break now, so I should be able to make up for it with a couple posts next week!

Anyway, last week I promised you guys a review from my trip to Ulta. I think I'm going to split it into two parts- products and brushes- and upload them separately, because it's just too much for one post!

If you've been following along with my blog, this first purchase shouldn't be much of a surprise to you: I bought more foundation. It turns out that the Rimmel foundation that I thought was perfect ALSO turned pink on my skin. After doing a little research, the best explanation I can find is that it has something to do with the the foundation reacting to the mix of oxygen and the pH of my skin. Whatever the reason, I've been using this new foundation for a week, and I haven't had any problems with it (fingers crossed!), and I've given the rest of the Rimmel to my sister. :)

 

This time, after explaining the pink/oxidation and my oily skin to the lady at Ulta, she recommended the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour Full Coverage Foundation ($38) in Light, their third shade out of eight. I have used this foundation before- I bought it for my trip to Costa Rica last summer, in shade four, Medium, but in the winter that's far to dark for me. I really the color palette this line has. Most of the shades are neutral tones, so they work wonderfully for me.

The clay in the foundation works wonders for oil control, which is perfect for me. The coverage is definitely full, but it doesn't wear heavily on the skin. It feels really nice going on, and I really don't need much of it, especially when I use my new brushes (review to come). I've definitely found that it wears for almost exactly 12 hours, just like the label says! We'll see if things change, but as of right now, about a week and a half into the use of it, I'm pretty happy with it.

I had intended to buy a Lancome mascara that Fleurdeforce recommends (Hypnose Star, $28), but Ulta doesn't carry Lancome. When I asked about it, however, one of the employees had just quit Lancome, and so she was able to recommend a similar product, Lorac Pro mascara ($23), which happened to be on sale for $10. (The sale is still available on their website... very tempting!)

Lorac Pro is a nice deep black formula that doesn't flake, but what sets it apart is the wand.

The wand is almost conical, and I think the secret to it is that the bristle length is designed to match to the length of the lashes in that area of the eye (short on the inner corner, etc), at least for me. I find that if I curl my lashes I can get away with two strokes of this stuff, as opposed to the 3-4 strokes of Benefits' They're Real mascara (which I also liked). It also separates the lashes well. I've used the plastic wands for so long that it took me a bit to get used to the spoolie brush, but I really like it. My only complaint about the mascara is that it is NOT waterproof in the least. I have to put it on after I use my setting spray, or I look like the prom queen runner-up... lots and lots of mascara all down my face.



I had heard a lot about Nyx, but I hadn't ever tried it (it's not widely available in my area), so I got pretty excited to see it at Ulta- and it was on SALE!

I picked out this eye shadow, Nyx Nude Matte Shadow in "I Have a Headache" ($4.49), to use as a base for other eye shadows, since I've found that if your put a color similar to your skin tone all over your lid, the other colors you put on blend better and wear more evenly. I've been using "Desire" from Stila's In the Moment palette, but I'm running it out, and it's not available on its own (and the palette is way too big to carry!). This is almost an exact dupe, and way better quality than I was expecting. The only downfall- the packaging. It looks a lot like the Urban Decay individual eye shadow pots, but the inner liner that holds makeup is loose- just loose enough to be annoying, and the plastic feels really cheap. For the price, though, it's understandable.

I also picked up this Nyx Concealer in Green ($4.99). With all the stress I'm under from school right now, my skin is a MESS. I've never used a red-cancelling green concealer before, but I think I like it. It's definitely working. I think I'll go with a liquid next time, but that's just because I'm not a fan of stick concealer. No complaints!



The last thing was this little set of EOS lipbalms in Strawberry and Passion fruit. These lip balms are everywhere right now! I saw the cute spring packaging, and the pastel-ness lured me in. I like them a lot, particularly the purple passion fruit one!



Ok guys, this is the end of part one! Stay tuned for part two, the brushes!

Always,

Nani


(P.S. This post was written during WWF's Earth Hour. Did you #DoItInTheDark?)

I (re)Discover Drugstore Makeup!

Hello Friends!

Okay... Confession time:

I am a makeup snob. I never use drugstore makeup.

I don't mean sometimes, occasionally, every once in a while... I mean never.

When I was first allowed to wear makeup, my mom insisted that I only use Clinique, since sensitive skin runs in our family. This did two things. Firstly, it allowed her a high level of control over what makeup I owned, since, at twelve, there was no way I could afford to buy it (good thinking, Mom!). Secondly, it instilled the "you get what you pay for" value very deeply into my soul.

Once we determined that I wasn't allergic to most makeup, I was allowed to buy drugstore brands (still with Mom's supervision, thank goodness... although, there was that hideous electric blue mascara... but I digress). Since at that point, most of my money was from babysitting jobs (and I was a young teen), I gravitated to the cheaper, teen-oriented brands, like NYC and Jane. (the culprits behind the shocking mascara)

I liked the drugstore makeup, but I could feel the difference. The Clinique was smoother, had more pigment, and lasted longer... but the NYC was so much cheaper.

This carried on until I was 15, when we got a mini-Sephora in a larger department store in our mall. There were (in my mind) so many brands, and so many colors.. and they encouraged -or helped (!!)- you to try it out! I was in heaven. Then, a few months later, the mothership landed. We got our very own GIANT Sephora store.

Since then, I have rarely bought makeup anywhere else. It's an addiction. You've had the best, and it cost $39, so how could a $7 product compete?

Well... Here's where it gets real:

I have never found a foundation that I liked for more that a few months. I always find something wrong with it- wrong color, wrong texture, didn't last long enough (I'll never forget coming out of class with a perfect hand print of makeup missing my freshman year... yikes!)- there will be something. When you're paying $20-40 for foundation, switching every few months really adds up!

So when my latest foundation purchase, the new Make Up Forever Pro Finish powder (see my initial review of it here), ended up disappointing me after only a few weeks, I snapped.

I bought drugstore foundation.

And yeah- I only only spent $7 on it. And I LOVE it.

No, it's not the perfect foundation. No, it's not an exact match. But it's pretty darn close. SO. without further ado, I give you my new foundation:

Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation, in 120 Ivory (about $7 at Target).

After doing some research (read: watching Youtube reviews), I had decided on the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, but I'm pretty sure we don't have that here in the US, so I settled on this one. 

Application:
The first thing I noticed about the foundation was it's smell- it's fruity, and really pleasant. It's a thin, liquid foundation, which goes on really smoothly with a "precision"/beautyblender type sponge. I haven't tried it with a stipple brush yet, but I'm intrigued to see how that goes.
Like I said, it goes on smoothly, and, maybe because it's so thin, it layers really well. 

Wear:
When it first goes on (at least on oily skin like mine), it's almost... sticky. Not like honey... more... tacky. I really dislike that, but with a light dusting of setting powder, that goes away, and doesn't come back.
It doesn't last very long on it's own, maybe 6 hours, but with powder, and especially with a setting spray, it can last close to 12 hours. 

Removal:
This is my only concern with this foundation. Not that it's hard to take off, but the opposite. If you leave it on for a long time, like I do, then it can kind of disappear into your face, and lull you into complacency with your removal process (it's gotten me twice!). Always, ALWAYS remove your makeup before bed or a shower!


Anyway, I love the foundation, and now that I've broken down my prejudice, I went back for more. Today I went back to Target and picked up three lipsticks for spring! (Review to come!)

All this to say... Don't rule out anything completely.

Always,

Nani <3