Showing posts with label makeup hall of fame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label makeup hall of fame. Show all posts

Friday, January 13, 2012

Makeup Hall of Fame: Concealers

Ah, concealers. Makeups little miracles. Under eye circles, blemishes, acne scars...we just don't want to see them on our faces, and our concealers always seem to help us with our little skin insecurities. Here are some of the best (and one of the WORST) I've come across:

Department Store Concealers
Erase Paste
Benefit Cosmetics
Price: $26.00

This concealer is amazing for tired eyes with dark circles. The color is a salmon base, which will counteract the purple or blue under eye circles, basically making them disappear. It comes in three colors, and a little goes a LONG way due to it's very creamy consistency. A little pricey but WORTH it.
Where to purchase: benefitcosmetics.com, sephora.com, select Macy's locations
Studio Sculpt Concealer
M-A-C Cosmetics
Price: $17.00

The amount of product you get in this is staggering considering the fact that you only need a little bit on your concealer brush to get this to cover your blemishes. Set it with powder and you are good to go! It comes in a large range of shades, and it's in a very durable glass pot.
Where to purchase: maccosmetics.com, M-A-C store locations, select Macy's & Nordstrom locations

Best Drugstore Concealer
Studio Concealer
ELF Cosmetics
Price: $3.00

This is a wonderful stick concealer for both under eye circles and blemishes. I will use this concealer if I am in a hurry due to the ease of use (not having to use a brush to apply it, etc) then set it with powder. For the price it gives great coverage!
Where to purchase: eyeslipsface.com, select Target locations

HALL OF SHAME - CONCEALER:
Studio Corrective Concealer
ELF Cosmetics
Price: $3.00

Okay, so the whole point of this concealer is to counteract any uneven skin tone. The green counteracts red, the pink counteracts blue, etc. I understand the concept and I have used similar products that work well, but this one DOES NOT. The coverage is SHEER, and they all look the same when applied. Worst concealer I've ever used!
Where to purchase: If you don't take my word for it, head on over to Target but don't say I didn't warn you!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Makeup Hall of Fame: Foundations & Powders

Today in the Makeup Hall of Fame (and shame): Foundations and Powders. I prefer using a liquid or cream foundation, and set it with a finishing powder. I have tried almost every single foundation that exists, so I've definitely found some that I loooove! Most of these products are from Department stores but there are a couple from the drugstore too!

Here's my list, in no particular order:

Foundations: Department Store
Silk Creme Foundation
Laura Mercier
Price: $42.00

Okay, I know a $42 price tag for a foundation sounds extreme, but a little goes a LONG way with this foundation. My suggestion is to get yourself color matched at Sephora or a Laura Mercier counter. The consistency is very creamy and smooth, and the coverage it gives is amazing. A pea-sized amount is really all you need, and on good days you could definitely forget about the concealer with this.
Where to purchase: sephora.com, lauramercier.com, select Nordstrom & Macy's locations.

Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
M-A-C Cosmetics
Price: $26.50

This is an old standard for me. No matter how many foundations I may have or try, I always end up going back to this one at some point. I do recommend purchasing the pump for it (it's $9.00 but it's only a one-time purchase since you can use it on your refill bottles) so you can control how much you are using. I find putting this on with your fingers and then blending into the skin with a foundation brush works best. The finish leaves you feeling very matte, which is a look I go for sine I have oily skin.
Where to purchase: maccosmetics.com, M-A-C store locations, select Macy's & Nordstrom locations.

Foundations: Drugstore
Magic Smooth Souffle
L'oreal Paris
Price: Varies by location ($12.99-$16.99)

The texture of this foundation is interesting. It is a lot smoother and creamier than Maybelline's cheaper version of the same thing. It blends instantly and you can barely feel it once it's on, but it covers well. Also, chances are you will end up a shade or two darker in the shade selection, so don't be afraid of that. It blends so well into the skin that getting a shade or two darker for yourself is actually a GOOD thing.
Where to purchase: ulta.com, drugstores

Revlon Colorstay
Revlon
Price: Varies by location ($9.99 - $13.99)

I have probably used this foundation a billion times since I first got into makeup when I was 12 years old. It's probably a good idea to wet a sponge and use that for application on this, because it is very heavy and you have to blend quickly since it has "color staying" power. It does last awhile, and there are tons of shades to choose from, AND two formulas: One for Normal/Dry and one for Combination/Oily.
Where to purchase: ulta.com, drugstores

Powders (Department Store Only)
The Amazing Face Powder Foundation
Too Faced Cosmetics
Price: $32.00

I hit pan forever ago on this, and I can't part with it yet. This stuff is amazing. I honestly could only use this on its own or over a tinted moisturizer, because using it over a heavy foundation would just be too much. It gives THAT much coverage, and for a powder, that's saying a lot.
Where to purchase: toofaced.com, sephora.com, ulta.com

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
M-A-C Cosmetics
Price: $27.00

A few months ago I got my makeup done at a MAC counter and loved the way this felt on my skin over the Studio Fix fluid. It isn't too "powdery" and isn't too heavy. It also doesn't "wash you out". It's the perfect consistency to set your foundation and concealer.
Where to purchasemaccosmetics.com, M-A-C store locations, select Macy's & Nordstrom locations.


HALL OF SHAME - FOUNDATION

Some Kind-a Gorgeous
Benefit Cosmetics
Price: $29.00

If you want to feel like you have a huge oil slick on your face, and want to break out within 24 hours, I suggest putting this on. If you DON'T want to feel that way, then I suggest staying away from it.
Where to purchase: Google it, but don't say I didn't warn you.

HALL OF SHAME - POWDER
Clean Pressed Powder, Normal Skin
Covergirl Cosmetics
Price: Varies by location ($5.99-$8.99)

This stuff does absolutely nothing. It gives zero coverage, washes you out, and smells like perfume. If that isn't enough to convince you not to purchase it, then I don't know what else to say.
Where to purchase: Obviously the drugstore, but ew.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Makeup Hall of Fame: Face Primers!

As everyone knows, I'm a huge makeup fan. Love everything about it, have tons of it and have used tons of different products (both Department store AND Drugstore brands). So I'm going to start giving you guys the best of the best, and the worst of the worst, in my makeup hall of fame (and shame!) listings.

Today the products I'll be talking about are...FACE PRIMERS. Ah yes, primers. When they first started to become popular we all laughed and thought that it sounded more like painting walls than preparing ourselves for the all important foundation application. I've been using primers for years now, and since I have oily skin, I am not a fan of silicone based primers since they tend to make my skin look oilier. So, these are "creamy" primers and they are all wonderful. Depending on your budget, I've compiled a list:

Department Store Primers:
That Gal Brightening Face Primer
Benefit Cosmetics
Price: $29.00

This primer is a creamy, salmon colored primer. It goes on smooth and brightens up your complexion instantly. The twist up tube makes for easy application of the right amount of product. As we all know with primers, less is more and this helps with that fact. It dries on the face very quickly but doesn't dry your face out. It leaves a smooth finish and definitely helps to keep my foundation last longer throughout the day.
Where to purchase: sephora.com, benefitcosmetics.com, ulta.com, select Nordstrom & Macy's locations.
Oil Free Foundation Primer
Laura Mercier
Price: $30.00

This primer has a very "liquid-like" consistency. It goes on wetter than most primers I've tried but it dries up almost instantly. It almost feels like a silicone based primer once it's on your face, but it's definitely mattifying and gives an even look to your skin. The best part about this primer is that there is A LOT of product in it, more than you usually get in a primer - 1.7 oz. It's a little pricy but I never had any problems with it.
Where to purchase: sephora.com, lauramercier.com, select Nordstrom & Macy's locations.

Drugstore Primers:

Sheer Envy Face Primer
Hard Candy
Price: Varies by Location ($6.99-$8.99)

This primer is wonderful and will last you forever. It's got a thick, white creamy consistency and a little goes a LONG way. There is 1.6 oz of product in here and because it is thicker, it will last a long time. I like the way it makes my face feel prior to putting on my foundation, and Hard Candy, unlike lots of other drugstore brands, never tests on animals! 
Where to purchase: hardcandy.com, makeupalley.com, Walmart stores.

Studio Secrets Professional: Magic Perfecting Base
L'Oreal Paris
Price: Varies by location ($9.99 - $14.99)

Ah yes, probably my favorite primer of ALL time. This primer is amazing. It has a pretty pink color to it which instantly brightens you up, and the primer feels like SILK on your face. My ONLY complaint is that it comes in a jar, because I hate having to get the stuff under my nails, and it IS a bit more pricey than most drugstore makeup wearers are used to, but it's worth it - believe me. If you haven't tried this yet, leave this blog and head on over to your local drugstore NOW.
Where to purchase: ulta.com, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid locations.

HALL OF SHAME - FACE PRIMER:


"Tricks of the Trade" Anti-Shine Primer
Sephora Brand
Price: $18.00

As a makeup guru, I love Sephora. WE ALL LOVE SEPHORA however, sometimes their own line of products are a hit or miss and this my friends, is a definite MISS. I purchased it because it wasn't too pricey and was "anti-shine" - PERFECT right? WRONG. I tried to give this a chance, but I almost felt like I was putting a gritty exfoliator on my skin instead of a nice, smooth face primer. It was watery and gooey at the same time (does that even make sense?) and I was just extremely disappointed with it. Ugh....
Where to purchase: You obviously know where to purchase it, but please take my advice and DON'T.