Saturday, November 26, 2011

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin

 
Want makeup that is flawless and weightless for 16 perfect hours? Revlon has the solution - ColorStay™ Makeup with SoftFlex™.

Specially formulated for combination or oily skin, this oil-free formula helps control shine all day and gives you flawless looking skin.

Makeup looks fresh and feels great for up to 16 hours thanks to the lightweight, comfortable feel from the SoftFlex ColorStay™ formula.

Medium to full coverage, with SPF 6 protection*.

*Golden, Caramel, Toast, Rich Ginger, Cappuccino, Mahogany, and Mocha do not contain SPF

Pros:

-Sleek and classy glass packaging
-Thick formula covers redness, blemishes, and mild discoloration
-A little bit of the foundation can go a long way and can be thinned out with moisturizer for those who prefer lighter coverage
-Doesn't settle in the creases of your face throughout the day
-The finish is very natural, not completely matte
-Works fairly well to control oil throughout the day, I still need to blot every two hours but that's much less frequent than other foundations I've tried
-Hasn't caused any breakouts
-Is fairly transfer resistant
-The SPF of 6 isn't high enough to interfere with flash photography
-Doubles really well as a concealer if you dab on your problem areas
-Doesn't oxidize throughout the day

Cons:

-The price of this foundation ranges from about $10-$14, which is quite pricey for the drugstore (but I can deal since they frequently do 40% off Revlon)
-REALLY difficult to clean off your brushes, I usually have to spot clean with my MAC brush cleanser and then take my brush to the sink and wash with baby shampoo a few times to actually see the white on the bristles again!
-Its pretty much a guessing game when you go to pick this foundation out at the drugstore since they don't do testers (not to mention there's only 20 shades so if you're super fair or super dark you might be out of luck); I had to return the first shade I picked out and grab another which I still don't think matches me correctly (lesson: grab from a store with a good return policy)!
-For some reason a lot of the darker shades don't contain SPF (those shades are listed above)
-Dries on your face really quickly, you need to do some speedy blending!
-The smell is pretty strong, you're going to notice it once its on your face (but don't worry it fades in about 10 minutes)
-If you're not one to set your foundation with powder be advised that the Revlon Colorstay will feel very sticky
-A big downfall that usually happens with most drugstore foundations is the lack of a pump, I usually either get too much or not enough, and let me just tell you that when you get halfway through the bottle tipping it over and over again because you didn't get enough is the most annoying process
-Because of the lack of a pump, the screw on lid gets massively messy with dripping foundation
-If you use the back of your hand to put your foundation on before applying and let it dry, its pretty much going to stay there all day unless you use a makeup remover wipe
-The SPF of 6 is better than nothing but not high enough to protect you skin on an everyday basis alone
-The coverage is good, but needs a few layers to cover bad discoloration
-It takes some trial and error to find a brush that will apply this in a way that works for you, I find my Sigma F80 does the best job since its so dense which prevents it from absorbing too much product, but I also like using my fingers (aside from the fact that this foundation is a nightmare to get off once it dries)
- This foundation will stain like no other! I keep a white towel on my vanity for spot cleaning, wiping my hands and such, and it's just covered with foundation spots from the Revlon ColorStay, so make sure you don't get it on anything that's going to upset you if it doesn't come out
-Can look extremely cakey if you use a setting powder that's too heavy (like MAC's Studio Fix Powder), I like to set this with MAC's Pressed Blot Powder
-You need to have a good makeup remover when using the Revlon ColorStay Foundation, when I first starting using this I thought just cleansing my face was enough to get it all off, but nope, it clogged my pores like no other, so invest in some good makeup removing wipes

Overall:

Usually I stay away from liquid foundations because I just know they're going to slide off my oily skin during the day, but I'm very pleased with the Revlon ColorStay foundation for Oily/Combination Skin! I find myself not having to blot as frequently, not having to use as much concealer, and I'm much more comfortable with my skin because this foundation has fantastic coverage. I'm pretty in love with the Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin, so it's going to be a long,long while before I venture out and try another liquid foundation! If your skin is similar to mine (very oily/lots of discoloration/acne) I strongly suggest that you try this out!

Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush in "Blushing Peach"


Description
  • A beautiful mosaic of complementary hues to contour and accentuate cheekbones with soft color and discreet shimmer.
  • It’s the perfect combination of colors that blend together to naturally enhance your cheekbones.
  • The finest Italian talc provides a silky-smooth application that blends easily without streaking or irritating sensitive skin. 

Hypoallergenic. Fragrance-Free. Dermatologist Approved. Oil-Free.

Net Wt. 0.17 Oz/5g
Price :  $10.95

Directions
  • Using a soft powder brush, sweep over entire palette to evenly blend colors.
  • Tap excess powder from brush before applying.
  • Brush over cheekbones to define and contour or apply right below cheekbones for a more defined and dramatic look.

    Ingredients 

    TALC, ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, ZINC STEARATE, DIMETHICONE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, BHT, TETRASODIUM EDTA, SORBIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN. MAY CONTAIN: MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, IRON OXIDES, CARMINE, ULTRAMARINES, MANGANESE VIOLET, FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN, YELLOW 5 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, RED 6, RED 7 LAKE, RED 30 LAKE, BLUE 1.  

    Pros:

    -There's minimal shimmer in this blush, it translates to more of a glow on your cheeks so you look very fresh
    -This blush is very travel friendly since it has a large mirror and a little brush
    -I absolutely love the shade of peach this blush turns out to be, I usually find some peach blushes to lean too brown, but this one is a very true peach that will flatter many skin tones!
    -The texture of "Blushing Peach" is super smooth, not at all chalky
    -Because its so smooth, this blush blends like a dream
    -Though the chunky plastic packaging isn't the prettiest thing to look at, it definitely protects the product really well (mine has hit the floor a few time and hasn't shattered or even chipped once)!

    Cons:

    -This blush usually retails for $10.95 (I got mine during a sale) which in my opinion is just WAY too much for something from the drugstore
    -I think the silver and plastic packaging is pretty darn ugly, it just doesn't look cute when sitting on your vanity
    -I don't like that you have to push the little button to get the blush to open, sometimes it gets stuck and its just a hassle
    -The blush itself has a very old school "cosmetic-y" smell to it (can't smell anything when its actually on your cheeks)
    -The way Physicians Formula packages their products in stores is really flawed, there's a little window cut out on the box that has no barrier between it and the actual blush, so the likelihood that you're going to be able to find one that's not already all banged up is very slim
    -The packaging is pretty deceiving, it looks like you're getting a ton of product, but all that extra room is actually just the little compartment for the brush
    -The "Blushing Peach" shade is fairly sheer, you really need to swirl your brush around to grab enough color and even then it still requires some building on the cheeks
    -The lasting power isn't that great, you'll get a solid 4-5 hours of wear before things start to fade
    -I personally don't care for the packaging, silver products always look cheap/show wear and tear a lot faster (go for something classic like black Physicians Formula!)
    -The little brush that comes in the compartment is quite scratchy, but I guess it could work if you were in a pinch
    -There's little holes in the bottom of the compartment, if you use the brush that comes with the blush and put it back in the compartment some product will go through the holes (not the best if you keep this in your purse or makeup bag)

    Overall:

    The Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush in "Blushing Peach" has become a daily staple for me, it goes with pretty much every look and gives my face a nice glow! I would say pick this blush up only if you can grab it during a sale (I'm talking like 40% off Physicians Formula) otherwise I think you're getting ripped off by a drugstore product. I only paid $1.00 for this blush back when there was a big Physicians Formula sale going on at CVS and I had a bunch of coupons, but if you're even thinking about shelling out at least $10.95 on a drugstore product, you mine as well spend another $10.00 and just grab something high end like a MAC blush since they're much more pigmented and long lasting!

    Friday, November 25, 2011

    Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eyeshadow Primer


    What It Is: 
    Your full coverage insurance policy against all fading, creasing and smudging. Our skin-soothing formula evens out skin tone and smoothes fine lines to create a perfect canvas for shadows. Color is intensified and locked down until you take it off. 

    More To Love: 
    • Unique Binders: Volatiles lock down eye shadow pigments for amazingly long wear. 
    • Versatility: Use with powder or cream eye shadow products. 
    • Fights Fading: Anti-creasing formula holds eye products in place by securing a barrier between the oils of your skin and your makeup. 
    • Concentrated: The size of a rain drop covers the entire lid.
    Net Weight:
    0.35 Oz. (Metric: 11g)


    Ingredients:
    Isododecane, Talc, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyethylene, Trihydroxystearin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Isopropyl Lanolate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Mica. (+/-): Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

    Pros:

    -I love the design of the tube (I'm such a sucker for anything vintage!), its very classy and simple
    -The squeeze-y tube design is very functional (unlike the old Urban Decay Primer Potions) and allows you to get all the product possible out of the tube/control the exact amount you want
    -I don't really mind paying $18 for the Too Faced Shadow Insurance, I think you really get your moneys worth with the amount of product you get (I've had this eyeshadow primer since April/I pretty much use it 5 days a week and I still have 3/4 left)!

    Cons:

    -If you leave this unused for a few days the product actually separates inside the tube and you'll end up with a watery mess if you don't roll the tube between your hands
    -I find the smell of this primer to be dreadful, its very plastic-y and so strong that I can smell it when applying (it does fade in a minute or two)
    -Some people claim that you only need a little dab of the Too Faced Shadow Insurance to keep your eyeshadow from creasing all day, but if I only use a small amount it creases within 3 hours which means I have to use more than a small dab in the morning (I'd rather have a product that doesn't require more than usual in order to work like it should)
    -Even with extra primer, I still begin to fade after 3 hours and crease after 4
    -I have pretty dry skin around my eyes and if I get even the tiniest amount of this primer near the dry patches it looks horrid, it turns white and chalky, looks like my skin is going to flake off!
    -You have to make sure to really blend this on your eyelid, if you don't you can tell where the primer is because it gets this white-ish color when dry
    -This primer only comes in one light skin tone shade, and since it dries to a white-ish finish it could look really ashy if you have a darker skin tone
    -I don't notice that the Too Faced Shadow Insurance makes my eyeshadows look anymore vibrant than they do on their own

    Overall:

    I had such high hopes for the Too Faced Shadow Insurance because of all the hype it receives about being a holy grail item for so many people. But I have to say this just ends up in my over-hyped disappointments pile! I have to use more product than the average person just to get it to last a couple of hours due to my oily lids, and even then it still fades/creases. The only reason I ended up grabbing this back in April instead of the Urban Decay Primer Potion is because there were serious flaws with the Primer Potion packaging. Now that Urban Decay has fixed all that and put it in a squeeze-y tube like the Too Faced Shadow Insurance, its on my list (I actually exchanged the Shadow Insurance today for the Primer Potion, love the Sephora return policy)! Maybe the Shadow Insurance works for some people, but it just failed miserably on my oily lids! So if you have the same problems as me, I'd skip this and go give the Primer Potion a try because you most likely need something thicker!

    *I'm trying out a new style of reviews, this way is a lot faster for me to do so I can get a lot more done and I think its a little more to the point! So let me know if you like this style or prefer the old one!*

    Friday, November 4, 2011

    MAC Paint Pot Haul!


    So we all know MAC has previously been lacking in the "wow department" with their collections over the past year, but Posh Paradise (and even the new Glitter & Ice) are working towards redemption!

    Paint Pots are my thing; I love them!
    (Well, I pretty much love anything that I can swipe on my eye with my finger and go)

    I went to a MAC counter at my local Macy's where I'm pretty well known by the makeup artists (who are total sweethearts, love them!) since I'm always in there swatching away!

    I went in thinking I was going to grab Nubile, Genuine Treasure, and Treasure Hunt.
    But my plans changed quite a bit...

    When I swatched Nubile I just couldn't help but think it was going to just be too pink on my lids, and the slight shimmer you see in the pot doesn't translate.
    I still kind of want it being a neutral girl and all ;)

    I REALLY wanted Genuine Treasure since I previously swatched it, but I was told some inconsiderate twerp actually stole the tester for that one and it was all sold out/they weren't getting anymore. Such a bummer, Genuine Treasure is continuously sold out online and since it is Limited Edition I just don't know if I'm ever going to get a chance to buy it :(

    While bumming around after they told me Genuine Treasure was sold out, I went and looked through the permanent paint pots. I already own Indianwood which is a bit too bronze-y for everyday use, so I was looking for a brown shade that was more neutral. I wouldn't normally have gravitated towards Groundwork Paint Pot just because it looks like nothing special at first glance, but when I swatched it, it turned out to be the most gorgeous taupe color with a little bit of shimmer!

    I already knew I was going to love Hidden Treasure, yellow golds are right up my alley since I think they look great with my brown hair/eyes! I'm a little on the fence with this Paint Pot though, it applies really streaky, but I think I just need to play around with it a bit more.

    And the last Paint Pot I grabbed was totally out of my comfort zone. Again, someone stole the tester for the Idyllic Paint Pot, but the makeup artist said that I would really love it and pulled out the last remaining one to swatch. Surprisingly, I really have fallen in love with this burgundy copper shade!

    Sigma F45 Buffer Brush Giveaway Winner!

    You guys were all so great during my Sigma Giveaway (you always are)!

    I wrote all your entries down with your number of entries and used Random.org to pick the winner.

    The lovely Beauty on a College Budget is the winner of the Sigma F45!

    I hope she does a review of the brush as well,
    I'd love to hear another opinion!

    Hope you guys are having a great November so far (can you believe it?!)
    and I look forward to doing another giveaway soon :)!
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