Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
I have not used a true liquid foundation since the 6th grade when I bought my first Clinique makeup. The closest thing I've used has been a BB cream. But lately I haven't been happy with the coverage of my powder foundations lately so I went to Sephora to try a new one and it was suggested that I try the Cover Fx Pressed Mineral Foundation which offers more coverage. I was also told that I should consider trying the Cover Fx Natural Finish Oil Free Liquid Foundation which would provide more coverage but its oil free (which is very important to me). I purchased the powder foundation and went home with a sample of the liquid foundation but ended up going back to purchase it a few days later.
Cover Fx Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation
As I mentioned earlier, I have never really used liquid foundation so this is very odd for me but overall I have been very happy the Cover Fx Natural Finish Oil Free Liquid Foundation! It offers a lot of coverage and I would definitely use it for special events! I don't think I could personally get used to wearing a liquid foundation everyday (especially to class where I really don't like to wear much makeup at all) but if I wanted more coverage I would definitely use this. My only complaint is that even though it is oil free, and I use a mattifying primer, my face still seems to be a little bit shiny by the end of the day.
Cover Fx Pressed Mineral Foundation
I love the Cover Fx Pressed Mineral Foundation! It offers a ton of coverage especially for being a powder foundation. Its layer able so you have the option to have a very thin layer if you don't want a lot of coverage or use more if you need more coverage. It lasts pretty well but I sometimes do have to reapply towards the end of the day. The fact that its a pressed powder makes it very easy to throw in your purse to use for touch ups throughout the day! I have used it to touch up my foundation when I've worn the mineral foundation but also when I've used the liquid foundation and it works really well!
Overall I am very happy with both of them and I think they both make great additions to my makeup collection but I would personally choose the pressed mineral foundation over the liquid foundation for every day use!
I was looking for a good winter red lipstick color and I tried on about a million different shades at Nordstrom before I found this one. It was my first Tom Ford purchase and it was quite pricey but I had heard great things about the lipstick and I loved the color so I decided to splurge. I absolutely love it! It is very long lasting so it stays on all day even with eating and drinking! I purchased the color "Velvet Cherry" and its incredible! The color goes on a little brighter than it looks.
Happy Monday! For the past few weeks I've been experimenting with two different setting sprays, using them in different situations so that I could compare and contrast them for you. I've used Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray for over a year now but I don't use it on a daily basis. I just purchased the Ben Nye Final Seal Matte Makeup Sealer about a month ago after hearing good things about it.
1. Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
I've been using the Urban Decay makeup setting spray for a long time and it works really well to keep your makeup in place. It's oil and paraben free so its not going to make you break out. I've always just purchased the 1 oz bottle because it lasts forever and its easier to throw in your makeup bag. My advice when applying it is that, a little bit goes a long way. If you spray too much it will make your face very shiny. The problem I have personally had with it, is that it can make my face appear more shiny after a while, even if I don't put that much of it on. I do not have naturally super oily skin but using the Urban Decay setting spray sometimes it can appear that way.
2. Ben Nye Final Seal Matte Makeup Sealer
Most people are probably unfamiliar with the Ben Nye brand, as it is primarily a stage makeup brand. I've used Ben Nye products since my freshman year of high school doing theatre, and typically their foundation makes my face break out so I was nervous to try this product. I still purchased it because I know that if someone is on stage their makeup needs to last, even though they are sweating under the hot stage lights. This product works wonders! I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for every day use because it contains alcohol and is fairly thick (for lack of a better term). But it will keep your makeup in place and matte for hours (& hours & hours) even through working out and sweating. I've put on makeup and sprayed this then worked out and spent the remainder of the day outside sweating and my makeup will still be on when I go inside for the night. I'm also currently in a musical where I have to do a lot of dancing, I spray this on my face when I do my makeup and it stays put through the whole performance and the after party, keeping my makeup looking matte and as if I had only just applied it.
Overall:
Both products work well but I prefer the Ben Nye over the Urban Decay. If I want my makeup to stay put all day and not become shiny the Ben Nye will do the trick. The Urban Decay works well enough but I would prefer a product that doesn't make my face shiny.
The Urban Decay Naked Smoky is finally here! I preordered it so I got it a few days early but I just now got the chance to swatch all the colors. Let me start by saying I LOVE it! It is definitely possible to do a smoky eye with the other Naked Palettes but this one opens up a whole new world of possibilities! A lot of the colors are pretty dark so personally I won't be using it on an everyday basis but I will use it all the time for going out at night or events where I wear darker eye shadow colors!
I swatches all the colors here:
As you can see, the colors towards the left, "High," "Dirtysweet," "Radar," and "Armor" are more metallic and have quite a bit of sparkle in them. The colors in the middle, "Slanted," "Daggar," "Black Market," "Smolder," "Password," and "Whiskey" are your more darker, more matte colors. "Combust" and "Thirteen" are the lightest colors that don't have any sparkle.
The smoky includes some different colors, including some shades of purple, without being super far out there, sticking with the "Naked" theme. My favorite colors are probably "Smolder", "Daggar", "Slanted", "Password" and "Whiskey." They're different than what you would typically find in a Naked Palette.
The colors are just so pretty!!
Here is a picture of the swatches next to the actual palette so that you can see how much they vary from the palette to the skin:
I've always heard amazing things about LUSH products but I've never bought much from there. We don't have a location near us but when I was in Chicago last week I picked up a few things and I am loving them!
I've heard excellent things about the Shampoo bars, as they are supposed to be amazing for traveling and I've been told they last forever. I am VERY picky about my shampoo and other hair products and the idea of shampoo that was basically a bar of soap didn't appeal to me. I really did not think I would like it but I was curious so I decided to give it a try. All I can say is that I LOVE it. It works just like a normal shampoo and left my hair feeling great!
I picked the "Brazilliant" shampoo because I liked the citrus smell and it was recommended by a sales associate for my hair which isn't naturally curly or straight and is somewhat dry but not super dry. I wanted something that would give my hair a little bit of shine but not make it greasy. I've used it a few times already with good results, leaving my hair shiny!
I was so impressed with my first shampoo bar that I went back when I was in Chicago this week and got another one to try. Honestly I would say I like the "Montalbano" one even more than the other! It has a lemony scent and it is supposed to be deep cleansing. It left my hair smooth and shiny and smells amazing!
I have really sensitive skin so I am wary of trying new skin care products. I had never really tried a face mask because my face tends to be very dry and I was worried about them being drying. After hearing good things about the fresh face masks from LUSH I finally decided to purchase one. All of their products are natural and they have a variety of different masks so it was not hard finding one that wouldn't irritate my skin. This product has to be refrigerated and has an expiration date but it is definitely worth it!
"Catastrophe Cosmetic" is made for sensitive skin and isn't supposed to be drying at all. I tried it the first day I got it and loved it. The sales associate told me that many people wear them every 3 days or so, which is what I've been doing because I love the way it makes my skin feel and it smells amazing. I moisturized my face right after (which I do every night anyway) so it didn't dry it out at all. After using it, my skin felt really soft!
I've been so impressed with my new LUSH products, I can't way to try some more! Have any favorites? I'd love some suggestions! Let me know in the comments!
Happy Monday! And happy summer!! Today I want to share some of my favorite makeup for summer. I don't wear a ton of makeup in the summer but when I do, these are the things that I cannot do without!
The original Naked Palette is my favorite for summer because I love the more gold/bronze tones with a tan! There are colors that can make it look like you are wearing almost no makeup, and there are colors that can be used for a much more dramatic look.
This a color that seriously looks good on everybody. It has a slight golden shimmer and also looks great with a tan. It is easy to make it very subtle for daytime or make it a little brighter if thats the look you're going for.
This is the best primer I have tried, and its perfect for mineral foundation. It does not make your face shiny (very important in the summer when its hot!) It also has SPF 15 so even if your foundation doesn't have SPF you don't have to mess around with a layer of greasy sunscreen under your makeup!
I think mineral foundations are amazing for summer because they are light and usually not as harsh on your skin (the sun and the heat are bad enough!) Its also super easy to reapply if you sweat. This foundation in particular is supposed to be waterproof and last all day. While I wouldn't say it is 100% waterproof, it does last really well.
Not quite the caliber of my beloved MAC pro-longwear concealer but this is another really good concealer. It goes on really easily (you really don't even need a brush) which makes it super easy to throw in your bag during the summer for touch ups. It is also waterproof so its perfect for days by the pool or the lake, or even if you're just going to be sweating.
I've mentioned this before but this is my most used Mascara. Its good for daily use because it is really easy to take off. It puts "tubes" on your lashes so if you sweat or get wet its not going to smudge and it will definitely still look good after a long day. It actually doesn't even really come off when you're swimming (unless you rub your eyes). Even if you rub your eyes the most it will do is flake a little bit so its much easier to fix than raccoon eyes!
This is a new product for me, but I have the non-tinted Sugar lip-balms and I love them. Its super hydrating and it has SPF 15. I love this one because it has just a very slight berry tint to it, which adds to any super natural day time look.
This is also a really new product for me, but so far I love it! I wanted a setting powder that would keep my makeup in place all day and this has definitely done the trick.
Once again, I'm all about makeup that really stays put in the summer. Through sweat, water, you name it I want to be able to be active and not have to worry about all my makeup coming off. This setting spray definitely does the trick. Be careful how much you put on though because it can make your face shiny if you spray too much!
For me, concealer is one of the most important steps when doing my makeup, and I'm always trying different kinds. I use concealer under my eyes and to cover up blemishes and imperfections. MAC concealers have been my favorite so far. I've tried 3 different MAC concealers and I wanted to compare and contrast them.
The concealer on the left is the MAC Matchmaster Concealer. It is a stick, and it has a creamy texture.
Pros: It changes to match your skin and it goes on really easily. It is really convenient and easy to get the right amount on your skin. It would be good for highlighting and contouring.
Cons: It only has medium coverage. I found that it didn't really last, or provide as much coverage I might want. When I would put it on under my eye, it would crease.
Overall it didn't do exactly what I wanted but it wasn't a bad concealer either.
The middle concealer is the MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duo. This one is the newest one to me (I bought it a few weeks ago) and I'm still getting used to it.
Pros: It comes with two colors, one is typically better for under eyes, and the other for blemishes or imperfections. You get to decide how much coverage you want, and it does a decent job staying put.
Cons: I have yet to find a good brush for applying it evenly, so it's not very easy to apply. While it lasts pretty well and does't cake or crease, it doesn't last as long or cover as well as I would like it to.
The final concealer is the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. This one is probably my favorite. It is liquid and comes in a pump.
Pros: It stays put. You can put it on first thing in the morning and it will easily stay all day. It's perfect for both under eyes and blemishes/imperfections, as it is very opaque and covers really well.
Cons: With this concealer a little bit goes a LONG way, and you really don't need much at all, but with the pump it comes in it is impossible to get just a little bit out so I end up wasting a ton of it.
Out of the three I have tried, this one lasts the longest and has the most coverage.
I swatched each of them on my hand, to show the coverage and texture:
(The colors are different because I have purchased them at different times of the year.)
My makeup brushes have been LONG overdo for a cleaning. Finally yesterday, after researching for ages and trying to find the motivation to take the time to clean my brushes (& let them dry), I cleaned ALL of my makeup brushes. I have quite a few Sigma Brushes and I know a lot of people use the sigma brush Dry'n Shape to help the brushes keep their shape but I didn't want to invest in one just yet so I made my own brush shapers.
After researching the best at-home makeup brush cleaners, I got Dr. Bronners Magic Soap (which apparently has like a ton of uses, but it is available in smaller sizes if you were only going to use it for cleaning makeup brushes). Some people dilute the soap, but you don't have to. We didn't dilute it at all, you just pour a little bit of soap into your hands and swirl the brush around and rinse it.
Brush Shapers:
I bought thick elastic (I chose pink) and hot glued it together. I measured it around each brush to make sure it was the right size to actually hold the brush in the right shape and it worked like a charm! It was seriously so simple.
Before:
After:
I definitely have a lip balm problem. As far as lip balm goes, I'm always putting it in my pockets and purses and forgetting about it. I wanted to share a few of my favorite types of lip balm. The first one is the Maybelline Baby Lips which can be bought at pretty much any drug store, its better than most standard lip balms that I have tried and it was especially good when it was super dry in the winter. My favorite chapstick for the summer is definitely the Chapstick Lip Shield 365 because it has SPF 50. My absolute favorite lip balm is the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment because it is the most hydrating and it feels fantastic. The EOS Lip Balm Sphere is wonderful and it comes in tons of amazing flavors. I also really love the LUSH Lip Scrub which works wonders, just make sure to put on some lip balm after!
Do you have any favorites? Have you tried any of these? I'd love to hear from you!
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