Should It "Stick" Around?: Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Review

The other day, I ran across the new(ish) Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free foundation stick that everyone's been talking about. I had a coupon that made the price around $6, so I decided to give it a try. After all, it is Fall, and I'm not sure how well bold lipstick goes with BB Cream. It seemed time to amp up the foundation.

Short version: I freaking love this stuff. It's awesome. It's not perfect, but I'm digging it.

Long version: (buckle up, buttercup)

I have tested this product out thoroughly. I've worn it with a silicone primer, with a serum-like primer, with no primer and a setting spray, and all by its little lonesome, and there is no difference in performance. It is what it is, just FYI.

The product comes in a stick form that twists up. It's larger than a concealer stick, but still very compact and travel-friendly. The product, itself, is a cylinder of foundation with a powder core, which is supposed to help keep your makeup looking matte. It's not matte. I'd classify it more as a natural finish, bordering on slightly dewy. It looks like skin, which I happen to love, but I could see where someone purchasing this for a completely matte look would be less than thrilled.

Now it's time for the brave no-makeup "before" shot:


Oh, lovely. I don't remember if I even had on moisturizer here. Hide the kiddies so this doesn't give them nightmares.

And here's the after, with (thank God) finished makeup:


I am really impressed with this. It's medium coverage, so it evens out my skin to the point that I don't have to use a ton of concealer, but doesn't look cakey or overdone. Basically, it's sort of like a step up from the BB Cream I normally use, and perfect for everyday. I just swiped it across my cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead, and blended in with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. Fingers would probably work well, too. I'm just partial to brushes.

As I stated earlier, this really isn't a matte finish. I find that, on its own, it has almost a glowy finish, and does need to be set with a powder to keep from sliding all over the place. Once it has set, the foundation has more of a natural finish. The staying power is pretty good. I do need to top off my powder a couple of times throughout the day, but I haven't noticed any bare spots or patchiness. There also doesn't appear to be any oxidation over the course of wear, and the shade matches my skin tone perfectly. I could only guess at the store, and 120 is dead on the money for my NW15 complexion. Honestly, I don't remember the last time a foundation matched me this well. My Urban Decay Naked Skin in 2.0 is super-duper close, but...I mean, this is spot-on, can't tell there's anything there, exact.

Folks, I'm going to level with you: this is my favorite foundation right now. I haven't even considered reaching my BB Cream, MAC, or UD since I started using this last week. In fact, I almost moved my other foundations from the countertop organizer to my train case, the other day. The case is in my closet, and filled with out-of-season and rarely used items--a dungeon for makeup. I'd give you a pro/con list on this, but I really can't complain about anything. It covers the perfect amount for everyday, wears well, doesn't smell bad (or at all), doesn't break me out, travels easily, matches my skin, applies nicely, and is ridiculously cheap. I guess, if I had to find something wrong, it could stand to have some SPF, but the absence just means that it won't flash back in photos. I would also have to deduct points for not holding up to the claim of staying shine-free, even though I personally adore the finish.

This is a definite winner, and has earned a place of honor in my organizer. If you're in the market for a new foundation and have six bucks to play with, I highly recommend giving this a shot.

Final Verdict: 9.5 out of 10. If you want matte-matte, keep looking. Aside from that, this is fabulous.  

UPDATED! It's Not a Time Turner, But It'll Do: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-In-1 Foundation

My time is not my own.

Between my job, rehearsals, teaching, the other job, the other other job, buying a house (we signed yesterday!! Done!!), filming...well, I think you get the picture. I'm busy. Aren't we all?

Seriously, I don't know a soul who isn't practically killing themselves trying to make a living and maintain some semblance of a personal life. I could get into a rant on that topic (and probably will), but it'll have to wait for another day. Frankly, I don't have time to rant.

I love a good one-step wonder. Anything that can save even a minute or two is tops in my book. Back in the day, I was a huge fan of the Stila One-Step foundation. It claimed to be a primer, concealer, and foundation, all in one, and it actually lived up to the hype. True, it was a little thick, but it covered like a champ, and was, flat-out, my Holy Grail foundation...and they discontinued it. Of course. Not only that, they discontinued it somewhere around the exact minute I discovered that it existed...because the universe has a sick sense of humor.

Imagine my delight when BzzAgent asked if I would be interested in trying CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation! It made all of the same claims as the Stila, but at a drugstore price (plus, they sent me a coupon to pick up a free bottle)--how could I refuse? Could this be as good? My curiosity was definitely piqued.

Now, trying to colormatch a drugstore foundation can be tricky because you can't swatch anything. Some brands have little cards you can hold up, which is helpful, but this isn't one of those brands. The product comes in a glass jar with a pump (yay! It's hygienic!), so you can see the color, at least, but there's a lot of room for error. I wavered between Classic Beige (810) and Buff Beige (825) for a while, and finally settled on Buff Beige. I figured it would be better to be slightly too dark than slightly too light. At least, this way--worst case scenario--I could use it over a fake tan. Luckily, it matched perfectly, so if you're a MAC NW15, go with Buff Beige.

Application was a snap. I used a Real Techniques Expert Face brust to buff the liquid (not the cream I was expecting, given the claims) into my skin. It applied smoothly and evenly, and I was pleasantly surprised by the coverage. Here's a shot, sans concealer or powder:

I feel pretty. Oh, so pretty. I feel pretty and witty and...really brave, actually

A little ruddiness around my cheeks and nose remained, but nowhere near as much as I'm used to seeing. Also, my dark spots were still visible, but just barely. I did need to use a little concealer under my eyes and on a blemish, but only the teeniest amount. I am extremely impressed by the coverage.

The formula is light and comfortable. I can see that I'm wearing makeup, but it doesn't look cakey, and I feel like my skin can still breathe. Given the heat and humidity down here in the ninth cir--Deep South, makeup weight can be a dealbreaker. This is perfectly wearable. The foundation also has what I would describe as a semi-matte finish; it's not completely matte, but not dewy, either. To me, it just looks like skin, which is kind of the point. My only complaint is that it does seem to settle in the lines on my forehead. Normally, I wear bangs, so it's not really a problem, but my hair was "not being its best self", as my mother would put it. I had to pull my bangs back, and my lines are prominently on display. Oh, well. Other than that, I'm super happy with the look.

Okay, so it looks fantastic when you first put it on, but how does it hold up? Pretty darn well, actually. Today is a hot, humid, rainy, miserable day (in other words, Wednesday), and I had a million errands to run. Here's a shot of me at the three-hour mark:

All other makeup used for this look (ha! Thrown on to run errands and go to work...) is drugstore, with the exception of my mascara, eyeliner, and brow pencil. And my brows still suck. Oh, well.

Not bad! None of the foundation has worn off, and there are no oil slicks in sight. I checked again at the four- and five-hour marks, and while I could top off my powder if I wanted to, it wasn't really necessary. I'll keep checking throughout the day, and update here if there's anything to report. My first impression of this is that it's a keeper. Honestly, I think I prefer it to the Stila, and that's really saying something.

The Good
Scent is very light to non-existent
Even application
Medium to full coverage
Light feel
Natural-looking finish
Eliminates need for primer
Hygienic pump
Wide selection of shades
Good staying power
Easily available

The Bad
On the expensive side for drugstore ($12.99 at Ulta)
Concealer is still needed (though minimally)
Colormatching is a bit tricky
Can settle into fine lines

Final Verdict: 7.1 out of 10. This isn't just a good drugstore foundation. It's a good foundation. Period.

UPDATE!! After twelve hours of continuous wear, the foundation still looked pretty much like it did when I put it on. I didn't see any fading or caking. I did top off the powder around the six hour mark, but that was it. Darn good stuff.

*Disclaimer: BzzAgent sent me a coupon for this item so that I could try it out for free. They are a word-of-mouth advertising company, but I am not required to review it here, and all opinions are my own. Y'all know me; if I don't like something, I'll tell you. For more information on BzzAgent, please click here.

Bohemian Rhapsody: Flower Beauty Haul and Review UPDATED!

For a week or so, now, I've been hearing about Drew Barrymore's new line of Walmart-exclusive, cruelty-free cosmetics, Flower Beauty. The website claims that it's supposed to be as good as high-end, but at a drugstore price. I thought that seemed a little too good to be true, but decided to give it a shot. I needed a travel-friendly foundation, and saw a stick formula that looked promising, so Thomas and I made the trek to the nearest Walmart that carried the line...and were sorely disappointed. Not only did they not have the full line (just a measly endcap), but what was carried was almost entirely out of stock, save for a few opened products that had been tossed back on the shelves. At this point, Thomas proved just how much he loved me, and suggested we go all the way out to the other Walmart--out in the boonies, technically in the next town--to see if we fared better. Luckily, that Walmart had the entire line (in a beautiful display that I wish I'd taken a picture of), and I was able to get not only my foundation, but a few other items that caught my eye. The prices are incredible, and I figured that I needed to grab more than one thing to justify the trip. Yeah...that's it...justify the trip...

I picked up the Skincognito Stick Foundation in SF3, which is a dead-on match to my MAC NW15 skin. This is a freaking miracle, because there is absolutely no way to colormatch from the packaging or the little swatch photo on the display.

I'm a fan of the concept, and I love the dewy, but not greasy, finish that it leaves on my skin. The foundation doesn't feel heavy, and it doesn't fall into my pores. I've tried this with and without a primer, and have been happy with both results. However...

...it doesn't cover a darn thing. This is definitely a light coverage foundation. It also has a tendency to go on a little patchy. It also has a penchant for wearing off in patches, as well, but only after several hours. I don't recommend this for oily skin. That said, if you are looking for light coverage (like I was, thankfully), and have dry to normal skin, this might be an option for you. There's also no SPF, so it's fine for photography. 

Here's a shot once I'd added some concealer (Maybelline Age Rewind) and powdered down (Rimmel Stay Matte). I also threw on some eye shadow, but that's irrelevant. Again, I really like the texture and slightly luminous quality this gives. The packaging makes it perfect for travel, as well. All in all, I'm giving it a 5 out of 10. I'm happy with it because it looks nice on and I needed something light for an upcoming trip. This fit the bill. There are better choices for daily foundations, though.

***UPDATE! Application is the key to this working well. I originally used a brush, and that was a mistake. It led to patchiness and uneven coverage. This foundation really needs to be applied with clean and sanitized hands. That way, your body heat helps melt the product into your skin, and also allows for a much more even application. Since switching to this method, the foundation has given me none of the above problems, and has become an everyday favorite of mine. I do suggest using it over a primer, though.

I don't know why I even bother buying blush anymore. I always gravitate to the same darn color! I now have NARS Orgasm, NARS Super Orgasm, a NYX peachy-pink with no name, Benefit Coralista (more peach, but still), Wet 'N' Wild Pearlescent Pink, and now, the Ready, Set, Glow Blush/Bronze Duo from Flower Beauty in Beachy Keen. (I don't have a big blush collection, either. What I listed is about 90% of it. I need a peachy-pink blush intervention!) I really love this blush, though. It gives a soft, ethereal glow, and looks totally natural.

The bronzer is a winner, too. It's very pigmented, so you need a light hand, but it's not too orange and not too dark. It is shimmery, but the shimmer doesn't really show on the skin, so you can use it as contour or as an all-over bronzer. Here, I'm only using it for contour, and the blush is applied to the apples and swept toward the hairline.

The packaging is precious, and I love the rose gold accent. I honestly have no major complaints with this product, and am giving it a 9 out of 10.

This Shine On Lip Gloss is the shining star of the products I've tried. I chose Pretty In Petunia, which is showing up red in this picture, but is really a gorgeous peachy-coral cream with micro-shimmer. Oh, Pretty In Petunia, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1. The packaging. Oh, the packaging! It looks high-end. I adore carrying this around in my purse. It's just so pretty!
2. The color. Oh, I wish these pictures did this color justice! It's juicy and shiny and opaque and pigmented and just plain delicious-looking! It brightens up my face for Spring, but doesn't look clownishly, crazy bright. It's very natural and totally gorgeous.
3. The scent. The Scent. That's probably my favorite thing about this gloss. It's not sickly sweet or candy-like. It's actually floral, but not in a grandma way. It smells exactly like fresh cut flowers. You put this on, and are transported to a lovely English garden on a breezy Summer day. It's glorious, and just adds to the high-end traits of this product.

Additional Makeup: Urban Decay Half-Baked, Smog, and W.O.S. eye shadows, Urban Decay Rehab 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil, Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Glide-On Pencil, Buxom Lash Mascara, Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter, Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette

4. The feel. It's like buttah. This is super-moisturizing (I swear, it's so super, it needs a cape), comfortable, and non-sticky.
5. The wear time. For a non-sticky lippie, it sure doesn't go anywhere! Hours of talking, singing, eating, drinking, and it's still there!

I'm probably going to shock a lot of folks by saying this, but this gloss looks wears, and just all out performs like a MAC Lipglass. It's just got the added bonus of being non-sticky and a fraction of the price. 10 out of 10. Heck, I'll give it an 11. I can't stop wearing it, and I want to buy more shades.

The last item I picked up was this Nail'd It cream nail polish in What's The Dafodilly-O. Again, this product did remind me of a high-end counterpart. In fact, I would wager to say that this formula is spot-on the same formula as Illamasqua (at least, the one Illamasqua polish I own, Purity). The application is identical, and the finish is the same shiny, slightly rubberized finish. The problem is: I really hate the application of the Illamasqua, and my hatred of Flower's is also identical. It's streaky and patchy, and takes three and a half (yes, a half) coats to cover the nail. That said, once it's on and even, the color is incredible, and it wears really well. I've had minimal, easily covered chipping after two days, which is better than normal for me.

So, yeah, it's identical to Illamasqua. The difference is: I'm not buying another Illamasqua. For fourteen dollars I expect better application. I will buy another Flower, though, because the finished product is amazing, and the less-than-five-dollar pricetag is a lot more wallet-friendly. 6 out of 10.

To sum up: If you're in the market for some makeup, and want high-quality on a budget, this is definitely a brand to try. I'm really excited to see what Drew comes up with next!

Magic Bag O' Samples: Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

Okay, so I finally caved and picked up the Urban Decay Glinda palette. I know, I know, I said that it didn't look that exciting, and I wasn't interested...but my love of all things Oz kicked in, and then Urban Decay sent a coupon, and one thing led to another, and...

*ahem*

Anyhoo, when my order arrived, it came with a deluxe sample of the new beauty balm, which I have been dying to try out. I adore the foundation, but generally use my Too Faced Beauty Balm for everyday makeup. It's pretty darn fantastic, but if this Urban Decay BB was anywhere near as awesome as the foundation, it might blow the Too Faced out of the water. So, Saturday morning, I decided to give it a shot.

It's not great.

Let's just break this down, shall we?

The Good
This leaves a really pretty finish. Your skin isn't shiny, but not quite matte, either. It's very similar to the finish you get from the foundation, which is a demi-matte. It's very natural, but just slightly more polished, and doesn't require powder to set. It comes in one "universal" shade that actually worked on my NW15, Casper-the-Friendly-Ghost-like skin. The product contains SPF 20, has a very light consistency, and feels weightless on the skin. You'll truly feel like you're wearing nothing.

The Bad
You'll also look like you're wearing nothing, and not in a good way. This provides absolutely zero coverage. I'll be honest; I'm genetically blessed in the skin department. Thanks to Mom and Dad, I have decent skin that doesn't require a whole lot of coverage. I do have a couple of dark spots that I'm lightening up, though, and a tiny bit of redness around my nose. This did zilch as far as evening skin tone. Not even that little bit of redness was covered. I ended up going to town with concealer to try to even everything out and fake a foundation so I could apply the rest of my makeup.

The Lowdown
This is not a beauty balm; certainly not according to Asian standards, and not even by the, admittedly more lenient, Western definition. This is, at best, a very, very, very lightly tinted moisturizer. Now, as far as skincare benefits go, I didn't notice any of the supposedly "immediate" effects, and I didn't use it long enough to find out if any of the long-term claims came to pass. It retails for $34, and is available at Sephora, Ulta, and the Urban Decay website.

Now, who would use this? I would say that if you have perfectly even skin, and just want something with a little SPF in it to toss on, this would do it...but so would sunscreen. You could use this under a foundation as a primer, I guess, but there are better out there that cost less. If you're looking for skincare benefits, a decent anti-aging moisturizer would do the same things, and you can find them at the drugstore.

I wanted to like this. Honestly, I wanted to love this. I just don't.

Final Verdict: 3 out of 10. If you can use this, you probably don't need it.

October Favorites!

It's the end of October, and that means it's time for FAVORITES!!! *insert Kermit flail here*

We all have lives, so let's skip the small talk and get straight to it!

Skin
Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer
While Thomas and I were in Orlando, we realized that the car trip had left both of us with really dry skin that was beginning to break out. We had to run in a Walgreen's anyway, so I had the chance to pick up something, anything, that could help. This was cheap, and we were desperate. Now, I'm happy to say that I have a new favorite basic moisturizer. It doesn't have any anti-aging benefits, but my skin feels great, and breakouts have been at a minimum. Added bonus: it leaves a cooling sensation as it sinks in.

Face
Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation
Ulta sent me a 20% off anything in the store coupon, so I bit the bullet and bought this. My only complaint about this foundation was that it didn't hold up to heat and humidity, but now that it's cooler and drier, that's not really an issue. Ever since I tested this, I've found myself comparing other foundations to it. Now, I could spend the next however long and however much money trying to dupe this foundation, or I could just buy it and be happy. I just bought it, and I've been happy as a clam with it ever since. It's gorgeous, and I highly recommend it.

Eyes
E.L.F. Disney Villains Palette, Maleficent, Night Villain Shadows
As weird as this may sound, and as difficult as it may be to believe, I've been reaching for this more than any other palette, recently. I don't even keep it in a drawer; it's right there next to my brushes. Misfortune, Diablo, and Forest of Thorns are three absolutely beautiful, pigmented, buttery shadows, and they work perfectly for Fall. The rest of the shadows...eh, I could take or leave. These three, I'm really hoping E.L.F. decides to sell as singles. They're amazing.

Lips
Urban Decay Lipsticks in Sellout and Midnight Cowboy
I am ill that these have been discontinued, and I'm really angry at myself for snapping up three colors while they were three bucks apiece on the Urban Decay site. I had no idea I'd like them so much!! The packaging is so vile that I barely have words to describe my hatred, but the lipsticks are glorious. They're moisturizing, wear well, and the colors are simply beautiful. Of the three I purchased, Sellout and Midnight Cowboy have made it into the daily rotation. Sellout is a warm neutral rose, and you can still find it online (see the link). Midnight Cowboy is a glittering nude that also makes a lovely topcoat over other colors. I like it over Dervish lipliner from MAC, but normally wear it on its own. I can't find it anywhere, but if you know of a good dupe for it, please share with the rest of the class.

Nails
Sephora by O.P.I. in Leotard Optional
Sephora by O.P.I. in Blasted Gold Glitter
I've been wearing these together, and love the birch bark effect it leaves on my nails. Leotard Optional is a plummy nude, and the Blasted Gold Glitter is...well, blasted gold glitter.

Other
International Delight Creamer in S'mores
It looks like chocolate milk and tastes like graham cracker. I can't stop drinking it!!!!

I hope you enjoyed this, and have a safe and happy Halloween! If you're in the Northeastern region, and are duking it out with Bad Sandy, please know that you're in our thoughts. Good luck, and be careful.

UPDATED! Five Dollar Find: Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation Review

It's still hotter than hades around here, and the humidity is so thick in the air, you practically need to breathe through a straw. The thing is, in another month, we'll be in sweaters. They'll be lightweight sweaters over tank tops, sure, but by Halloween, we'll need jackets. My point is, it's almost that lovely time of year when tinted moisturizers and beauty balms make way for heavier foundations. I guess I need to get one...

So, I'm on the hunt. I already tested out the Urban Decay Naked Skin, which was unbelievably gorgeous, but caked a bit and didn't last in the humidity. Still, it's in the running, since it won't be a gazillion degrees and muggy when I actually go to wear it. It is pricey, though, so I thought I'd check out the other end of the spectrum, and try the super-inexpensive Rimmel London Clean Finish. $4.99, Ulta. I love Rimmel's powder, so maybe this would work for me, too.

According to the bottle, Clean Finish is supposed to leave you 100% poreless. To put it to the test, I applied my True Ivory shade without a primer. Before applying, though, I noticed that there's a little spatula attached to the inside of the lid, to allow you to scoop out however much product you need. I like that. There's no way that spatula will ever reach the bottom or sides well enough to scrape out the dregs, but for now, it's a lot neater than having to try to pour out the foundation, and more hygenic than trying to use a sponge.

Foundation Only. *shudder* You can still see some pores, and a little discoloration around the eyes.

I used a Real Techniques expert face brush to buff the product into my skin. The shade match was spot-on, which is always a nice surprise when you don't get to test out a product in the store. The texture is not heavy, and leaves a not-matte, but not-dewy finish. It's actually a very similar finish to the Naked Skin, but the coverage is nowhere near the same. I didn't see where there was much more coverage--maybe a touch--than my Too Faced Beauty Balm. That almost defeats the purpose of switching to a foundation, but the Clean Finish does photograph better.


Pay no attention to the puffy eyes. It's allergy season. This is just a pretty, inexpensive, decent, everyday foundation. It does photograph much better than a beauty balm, even if the actual coverage is only slightly heavier. That's a good thing.

After several hours of wear, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was very little settling or caking (and even that was easily smoothed back out), and the shine was minimal and blotted away in a jiff. I was not, however, 100% poreless. If anything, the pores on my nose seemed more prominent.

This is not bad--not bad, at all. It's not the best foundation I've ever used, but it's definitely not the worst. It does the job, and it does it for only $4.99. Is it my Holy Grail foundation? No. But for now, it'll do.

Shade Range: There are what appear to be eight shades of pale. I'm day-glo, and somehow managed to match to the second lightest shade, and not the first. 3 out of 10.

Application: It went on like moisturizer, and wasn't buildable. It did sink into my skin easily. 6 out of 10.

Packaging: I love the spatula, and the glass container is very nice, indeed. 9 out of 10.

Appearance: Natural, not too matte, not too dewy. Light coverage. Not 100% poreless. Photographs well. 8 out of 10.

Wear: Fairly long-wearing. Not oil-controlling. Minimal caking and settling. 8 out of 10.

Price: $4.99. That's a steal. 10 out of 10.

Final Verdict: 7.3 out of 10. It's a decent, light-weight foundation for a dream of a price. Just hope they have your shade.

UPDATE: I've worn this with a primer for a couple of days, and it feels so heavy on my skin, I just want to run in the bathroom and wash my face. This is my usual primer, and I've never had this experience with it before, so I have to attribute it to the foundation. Still and all, I do recommend this as a good drugstore foundation, but I thought, in the interest of full-disclosure, that you guys needed to know this.

You Oughta Be In Pictures!: Urban Decay Naked Skin Review

Photo Credit: Sephora

Hey guys! It's time to dust off the ol' magic bag o' samples! Today's pick: Urban Decay Naked Skin liquid foundation.

If you're new to Adorable Napalm, let me get you up to speed on the magic bag o' samples. Back when Thomas and I first got married, I developed a bit of a sampling...problem. Rather than continuing to turn our home into Hoarders-meets-The Borrowers, with teeny-tiny piles all over the place, I culled the collection down to the million, or so, packets I might actually use, tossed the rest, and started making myself go through at least one foil pack a day until I ran out. It took ages, but I managed to get through...well, most of them. There are a few that I haven't braved, yet. Plus, the occasional new sample still squeaks through. Case in point: Naked Skin. It showed up in a recent Sephora order.

This is one sample I didn't hoard! I'm already a huge fan of Urban Decay, and have been very eager to try this out. The sample packet came with four shade options and an incredibly handy tool for choosing your shade. It was a clear sheet of plastic with all 18 shades sheerly printed. Hold the plastic up to your jawline, and the darkest shade that disappears on to your skin is your match. It was a very simple but effective test, and I found that I'm a 2.0 (For reference, I'm also a MAC NW15--yes, we do exist, and we glow in the dark). 2.0 was one of the shades included, so I grabbed it and set to work.

The first thing I noticed was that this was, duh, a liquid. I went to dab a bit on the back of my hand, and ended up with all of the packet's contents gushing out! This foundation has a very thin consistency, and I found that my Real Techniques stippling brush made for the easiest brush application. A sponge would probably work even better, but I had a small product flood to contend with, and the brush was handier.

As I buffed the product into my skin, I was amazed by how well it covered. I really expected this to be light-to-medium coverage, but it's really much more like almost full-to-full. I only needed the tiniest bit of concealer under my eyes and to finish covering one blemish. Even more amazing was how lightweight the foundation felt for that much coverage. It really did feel weightless! I did not use a primer with this, because I wanted to test its longevity on its own. Here's a picture of my skin, minus primer, minus concealer, pre-powder (because I'm brave...):



My pores? Where did they go? They took the dark circles with them, too!

 I went about the rest of my makeup routine as usual, then snapped this photo.



I am totally changing my Facebook picture to this. And wearing this makeup look all the time. Heck, I may just blow up the picture, cut it out, and carry it around on a popsicle stick like a little mask. TAKEN WITH A CELL PHONE, Y'ALL!!!

 I adore the way this photographs. It looks airbrushed! This, by the way, was the only attempt at a photo of this foundation, and it has not been edited in any way. Looooove. Now, I didn't use flash for this picture, but it should be noted that this foundation would be wonderful for flash photography. It doesn't contain SPF, and sunscreen can flash back in photos. That said, because it doesn't contain SPF, you would want to wear a sunscreen with this product any time you aren't having your picture taken.

Of course, I still had to put it to the two most difficult tests: time and humidity.

I went on to my voice-over job, which is pretty darn laid-back. It's indoors, in air-conditioning, and I don't move around too much. By the time I arrived--only about three hours after application--the areas around my nose, mouth, and eyes had already caked a bit. Throughout the day, I noticed myself getting a little shiny around the T-zone, too, but was able to blot most of the oil off.

After work, Thomas and I went walking with my friend, Genna. We don't so much power walk as we stroll around the neighborhood and talk, but I decided to leave the makeup on and see how it stood up to the heat and sweat. I doubt any of you will be slathering on foundation before hitting the gym, but some folks may have outdoor Summer weddings to attend. You can work up quite a "glow" rocking out to the chicken dance, let me tell you. Well, before too long, I was glowing up a storm, and my foundation was glowing all over my hands, as I wiped around my eyes and forehead. Heck, I managed to glow so brightly, I had foundation fingerprints on my shorts and t-shirt, by the time I got back to the car. I didn't take a picture because A) there wasn't much of anything left on my face, at that point, and B) nobody wants to see that. Ew.

So, how does it rate? Let's take a look!

Shade Range: Fabulous. There are 18 shades from porcelain to deep, with a variety of undertones. I found my match right off the bat, and that almost never happens. 10 out of 10.

Application: Easy to apply and blend, buildable for almost full coverage. 10 out of 10.

Appearance: Gorgeous! The finish is demi-matte, so you don't look too shimmery or too "made up". It's just a very natural finish. Photographs beautifully. 10 out of 10.

Wear: Feels like you're not wearing makeup, but does have a tendency to cake. There was some oiliness, and it did not hold up to sweat at all. 4 out of 10.

Price: At $38, it's much more expensive than drugstore brands, but it's right smack dab in the middle of higher-end price points. 7 out of 10.

Before I give the final verdict, I'd like to reiterate how gorgeous this is in photographs. If you are having bridal portraits--or any portraits--done, this would be my go-to product. I would experiment with primers, powders, and setting sprays before wearing this for the actual wedding day (especially if it's an outdoor wedding), but I highly recommend this for pictures. I also think this will be brilliant for holiday parties this Winter, when it's colder, drier, the parties only last a few hours, and you're going to photographed into oblivion.

Final Verdict: 8.2 out of 10. For short periods of wear and photographs, I highly recommend.

***UPDATE! Urban Decay will be on Hautelook (www.hautelook.com) on Friday, starting at 10AM Central!

Cheap Tricks: E.L.F. Haul, Review, and Spring Tutorial

Spring has sprung on its merry little way, leaving us in the throws of Summer down here in the Deep South. Sure, we've only just bid farewell to the leprechauns, and the Easter Bunny won't hop into town for another week, but already flip-flops and shorts are costume de rigueur. Just don't dare pull out your white sandals till after a week from Sunday. We have standards.

Ah, heck, it's too hot to have standards. These days, I dress like a cross between Dr. Livingston and a GAP ad: khaki cargo capris and whatever white shirt is clean. It's really just too hot to wear anything more than that. Today, I have on a black sundress, and I feel like I'm about to die. God help us when we hit August.

Anyhoo, because it's too darn hot to wear real makeup, I pulled out my Bare Escentuals mineral foundation a few weeks ago. There's no danger of it melting off, and it won't clog my steamed-open-by-the-humidity pores. Unfortunately, there wasn't much left in the container, so I needed to re-order, but I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to. I like the foundation, and it's the perfect shade (Fairly Light), but it's a little shimmery, and it feels weird to powder over powder. I wasn't super keen on spending $26 on something I didn't absolutely love. There had to be another option.

Well, there was. I remembered that a few years back I'd tried E.L.F.'s mineral foundation, and that it had been pretty good, but not my shade. I decided, what the heck, it's only $5, let's give it a shot. First, though, I emailed customer service for a little shade advice. Amazingly, they replied almost immediately with their recommendation for a BE Fairly Light dupe: Warm. Um...really? Well, why not? They should know, right? I added Warm to my cart, and tossed in a couple of other items to complete my haul.

I ordered:
Mineral Foundation in Warm ($5)
Eyebrow Treat & Tame in Deep ($3)
Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint SPF 8 in Blush ($3)
Essentials Glitter Eyeshadow in Flirt ($2)

All in all, a decent amount of stuff for a very small amount of money. Plus, I had free shipping.

Yeah, that's me. On a cellphone.
In the dark. With the crazy eyes.

So, this morning, I decided to try everything out and do a Springy look to hopefully trick my brain into thinking it's cooler outside than it actually is. I applied the Warm foundation with a Real Techniques buffing brush, then added concealer (Benefit Bo-ing) with a RT deluxe crease brush. Using a RT blush brush, I swept bronzer (Benefit Hoola) onto cheek bones, bridge of nose, forehead, temples, and chin, then down throat and decolletage. I filled in the eyebrows with E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium, then tamed the brows with the Tame part of the Treat & Tame. Urban Decay Primer Potion went on each eyelid, up to the brows. On the lid, I applied E.L.F. Glitter Eyeshadow in Flirt up to the crease, then used UD Verve (from the Rollergirl palette) from crease to brow. UD 24/7 Eyeliner in Whiskey went on the top lash line, and UD shadow in Darkhorse (from the Rollergirl palette) was applied to the bottom lash line with a RT accent brush. Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes mascara went on top and bottom, and Stila blush (from the Urban Outfitters Pocket Palette, that apparently is no longer available. So...bubblegum pink along the cheekbone, with rose pink on the apples. Sorry about that) applied with a RT blush brush. I finished the look by swiping the E.L.F. Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint in Blush across my lips.

Now, the big question: how did everything work?

I'm going to start by saying that I was pleasantly surprised with how well the overall look turned out, and also with how well all of the inexpensive E.L.F. products worked by themselves, and in conjunction with the higher end brands. Individually:

Mineral Foundation: I'm really happy with this product, so far. It's a good bit thicker than the Bare Minerals, but the coverage is still sheer and light. Amazingly, Warm was the perfect shade for my skin tone, so when in doubt, ask the experts. I never would have picked that for myself, going off the online swatches. The finish is not matte, but it's nowhere near as shiny as the Bare Minerals, and I haven't had to blot at all in the several hours I've been wearing it. My only issue is the size of the container. It's much smaller than it used to be, and I could barely get my brush into it. Still, for $5, it's a steal. I may just transfer it to a larger container. 8 out of 10.

Eyebrow Treat & Tame: This scared me. I'd been warned that dark wouldn't be dark enough on my brows, so I went with the deep, but it's almost black! This is not for filling in sparse areas, so I still needed to use my brow kit for that, and paired with the Tame, I ended up with extremely dark brows. The thing is, it's not unattractive. This just does its job and does it well. The brush is firm and easy to use, and the formula did a great job of making my brows look groomed without making them too stiff. I'm not sold, but it's growing on me. 7 out of 10.

Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint: It's okay. That's pretty much all I can say. It's a nice color, but there's no moisturizing going on. The packaging is gorgeous, but aside from that, you'd be better off with Burt's Bees, MAC lip conditioner, or my favorite, Buxom Big & Healthy lip balm. 3 out of 10.

Flirt is on the lid, and UD is above.
Told you I'd get my brows done!

Essentials Glitter Eyeshadow: First of all, I'm not a fan of the Essentials line, usually. There are a couple of items I dig, but I'm more of a Studio girl. However, the word glitter was used, so I had to give it a go. This seems to be striving to copy Urban Decay's Stardust collection, and it's not bad. I mean, it's surprisingly not bad. The pigmentation is very good, and the glitter content--while not up to Stardust standards--is fairly high. The major selling point, though? Very little fallout. Just a little sparkle right under my eyes, and that's not necessarily unwelcome. The packaging is pretty awful, but what's in it is a find. 8 out of 10.

So, that's my haul, look, tutorial, and review. If you have any ideas for reviews, tutorials, or whathaveyou, let me know in the comments below. Just bear in mind that I'm not a makeup artist, just an enthusiast. I have very definite limitations, but I do love a challenge.

Dear Easter Bunny, I'd Like Psychic Abilities and a Tan



Photo Credit: Superdrug

 So...a couple of weeks back, if you remember, I posted about Too Faced's Beauty Balm. I said that it was awesome and I loved it, and that its price was really reasonable, especially when you took into consideration the fact that there wasn't a drugstore beauty balm on the market.

The next day, Garnier announced their new beauty balm. I kid thee not. Like to have spewed my coffee all over the television screen.

The nice people over at word-of-mouth marketing agency, BzzAgent, must have somehow psychically sensed my predicament, because my email immediately dinged with a campaign invitation. They sent me a full-size bottle to test, saving me the $12.99 I would have, otherwise, felt compelled to spend after telling all you lovely folks that such a thing didn't exist. I swear, I have got to invest in a crystal ball.

So, how does the drugstore brand fare? Well, let's break it down:

Packaging: The tube is nothing special. It's simple in style, but neat and clean, and a lovely pale bronze. I especially like the inverted, hygeinic design, and that it holds a generous 2.5 oz. 9 out of 10.

Application: I squeezed a little onto the back of my hand, and noticed right away that the balm had a very thick texture--almost as rich as my heavy-duty foundation-plus-primer formula. However, the product applied very smoothly with a foundation brush, sinking into the skin quickly. 10 out of 10.

Appearance: Now, this is where things get a little dicey. Shade aside, the balm's finish was sheer and slightly dewy, and very, very pretty. My skin looked clear and even, but not made up, which is perfect for Spring and Summer. There's even a hint of caffeine in the balm, which wakes up the skin for a subtle glow. The problem comes in when you take the shade into account: it didn't match. The shade I was given was "Light/Medium", and was about a shade too dark, and just a tinge too yellow for my fair skin. Unfortunately, my only other shade option in the Garnier line is "Medium/Deep", which would be entirely too dark for me. That's it. Two shades. If you fall somewhere in that limited spectrum, you could buy both and mix them together for a custom color, but if you fall on either outer end of the range, you're pretty much S.O.L. I'm hoping that over the course of the Summer, as I gain more color, I might eventually be able to wear this. We'll see. 6 out of 10.

Photo Credit: BzzAgent

Wear: I popped a little powder over the top, just to tone down the shine a bit. One mid-afternoon blotting and an early evening powder touch-up, and this looked beautiful all day. In other words, it performed as well as my much pricier luxury brand balm. That kind of hurts my soul... 9 out of 10.

Price: Okay, this depends on how you look at it. Yes, you do get 2.5 oz (one full ounce extra than my almost any other brand), but if you are not an exact match to one of the two shades available, you have to buy both shades to custom blend your own. And yes, each shade is considerably less expensive than any other brand on the market, but if you have to buy two...well, that eats into the savings, now doesn't it? 5 out of 10.

Final Verdict: 7.8 out of 10. The range of shades is beyond disappointing, but if you can wear it, there's not a better deal out there.

Frugal Friday, Plus This Too Faced Stuff Is Da "Balm"!

*Editor's Note: The author apologizes for the horrible title. She couldn't help herself. Trust that she is truly humiliated. Thank you.

Today's Frugal Friday Deals!

Smashbox: Free FULL-SIZED Photo Finish Lid Primer with any order of $65 or more. Offer expires at 2pm PT today! Use code EYEPRIME at checkout.

Old Navy: Use code ONEXTRA15 to take 15% off your entire purchase. Ends at midnight tonight. (Everyday Steals and Jeans not included)

Bath and Body Works: Take an extra 20% off your purchase with code ENJOY20. A printable coupon is also available for in-store savings. Expires 2/26/12.

Photo Credit: Too Faced

This is February, right? I didn't skip forward to May, or anything like that, did I? I ask, because the temperature was in the seventies this morning. Yesterday, I wore flip-flops, and the humidity was so high I didn't even bother fully drying my hair. There was no point, since it was just going to look damp and frizzy no matter what I did to it.

Makeup, schmakeup. When the weather's like this, all you can do is slap on some waterproof mascara and lip balm, then say a prayer and hope for the best.

The thing is, I would like to make it through the day without traumatizing small children. I don't want them to point, then run screaming to their mothers. I needed something just to even out my skin and give my eyeshadow and blush a base to stick to. My tinted moisturizer decided to turn orange on me, so that was no good, and foundation is flat-out too heavy for this humidity. It would melt right off my face, but only after clogging all my pores. No, thank you. This left me standing in my JCPenney's teeny-tiny Sephora with very few choices and absolutely no clue. Thankfully, between the online reviews I found with my smartphone (greatest invention ever) and the incredibly helpful salesperson, I realized what I needed was a beauty balm, and that Too Faced's version might be my best bet. The salesperson even color-matched me, which was beyond appreciated. I'm terrible at colormatching myself. I can help other people, but for some reason, I fancy myself about two shades darker than I actually am. Call it wishful thinking...anyhoo, moving on.

Here's what Ulta has to say about it (I know, I got it at Sephora, but I'm all for giving folks options):

Instantly impart a healthy glow and improve skin's appearance with sheer luminosity and a concealing, buildable tint. Soothing, oil-free moisture, antioxidants and SPF protection help to improve skin's condition and prevent future damage. This super-advanced, multi-benefit time saver from Too Faced streamlines your routine, giving you 'better than real' skin in just one step!
Enhance: Ideal balance of exceptional, buildable color, sheer texture, and light diffusion for a flawless-looking complexion.
Perfect: Minimize fine lines and wrinkles to create a smooth canvas for a more youthful appearance.
Nourish: Oil-free moisturizers condition and hydrate while chamomile extract soothes.
Protect: Antioxidant vitamins A & E, Ginseng Root and Ginko Biloba fight free radical damage and protect skin's integrity.
Prevent: Contains a non-chemical SPF 20 UVA/UVB multi-mineral sunscreen to prevent premature aging.

This sounded like exactly what I needed. I got the moisturizer I originally wanted, but with a slightly heavier consistency for better coverage (which, let's face it, I need. I am *shudder* over thirty...). I don't really have any fine lines, and my only wrinkles are on my forehead, but I'll take any and all help in keeping those at bay. SPF is a must, and I'm loving that the product is full of vitamins and antioxidants. Anything that could keep me from turning into a prune is more than welcome on my face. I've now had a few days to live with the product, so let's break it down, shall we?

Packaging: The product comes in an iridescent blush, beautifully decorated, hygienic squeeze tube. The cap screws onto the bottom of the tube, allowing the product to stay near the applicator for easiest access and least amount of waste. It also looks precious on my counter. 10 out of 10.

Application: I apply this by squeezing a small amount onto the back of my hand, then using a Real Techniques (review to come) foundation brush to work the product into my skin. You could also use your hands, though, if you were in a hurry or didn't have an available brush. Either way, the product applies quickly and effortlessly. 10 out of 10.

Appearance: The nice lady who colormatched me sent me home with Vanilla Glow. This is the lightest of the only four colors available: Cream Glow, Nude Glow, and Beach Glow. Vanilla matches my skin tone perfectly, but I'm not sure if that's because these colors are so sheer that they'll blend with a wide range of tones, or if I just got lucky. I recommend you try this on first, just to be sure. I found that the product was sheer enough for skin to show through, but still provided a reasonable amount of coverage. Honestly, I looked as polished as I normally would with a foundation, but didn't really look like I was wearing foundation. I just looked like I had really good skin. Concealer was necessary for under the eyes and to cover a little redness around my nose and chin, but that's the norm for me, even with heavy foundation. These are named "Glow" for a reason, though. While I didn't find this to be as shimmery as a few user reviews pointed out, there are light-reflecting pigments, which keep this from having a matte finish. I would call it "dewy", which is nice. I dusted a little powder over the top and was good to go. 9 out of 10.

Wear: I was shocked. Even in this crazy humidity, with the product already being "dewy", I've only had to do minor powder touch-ups around the 8 or 9 hour mark, with a quick blotting around hour 6 or 7. That's pretty darn impressive. 9 out of 10.

Price: This seems to be universally priced at $32. Believe it or not, that's on the lowest end of the specialty brand beauty balm spectrum (and I haven't found any drugstore brands), and it's toward the lower middle of the specialty store tinted moisturizer scale. You get 1.5 oz., which is pretty standard. Yes, there are cheaper drugstore brands for tinted moisturizer, but if you're looking for a beauty balm, this is not a bad deal at all. 9 out of 10.

Final Verdict: 9.4 out of 10. Nice coverage, decent wear. I have absolutely no complaints, and for what it is, you can't beat the price. Seriously. I tried.

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

A week, or so, ago, the folks at BzzAgent asked me if I would like to try CoverGirl's new NatureLuxe line. Well, sure! Sign me up! I'd been considering tinted moisturizers for Summer, and while this was technically a foundation, it was supposed to be as light and silky as a moisturizer. Really, the texture was the main point of switching, anyway, so bring it on! As a bonus, I got to try a Gloss Balm, too. Sweet!

The package arrived yesterday, and contained the foundation in the shade of my choice, Aspen. The gloss balm was a random pick on their end, and I wound up with Muscat, an orange-tinted red that, luckily, is very flattering with my coloring and newly-coppery hair. There were also some lovely coupons enclosed, in case any of you in my immediate area would like one. I think they take $2 off the cost. I know I've blogged about BzzAgent a few times before, but for those just joining us, it's a word of mouth advertising company. They send me stuff. I try it. If I like it, great. If not, that's fine, too. Then, I share my opinions (good, bad, and ugly) with whomever I so choose. In this case, you guys. Aren't you lucky. I receive no compensation for my reviews, other than the products themselves. /End of disclosure.

Anyway, I decided to give them a whirl this morning, completing my usual makeup routine with the role of Erin's foundation played by CoverGirl NatureLuxe Silk Foundation, and the role of lip gloss played by CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm.  

Photo Credit (this and all): CoverGirl

The foundation is really nice. I mean, it's world's better than I expected. My experience with drugstore foundations has been spotty, at best, so I really didn't hope for much out of this. To start, I prepped my skin with moisturizer and my favorite primer, Benefit That Gal. Then, I smoothed on the foundation. At first, I was afraid it would be too dark, but by the time I finished applying, the product had absorbed into my skin, and I had a perfect match. Honestly, the only way I could tell I had anything on, at all, was the eveness of my skin tone. This product covers well, but is sheer enough to let your skin show through with zero cakiness. That earns major points in my book. As an added bonus, the foundation is SPF 10, which eliminates the need to apply sunscreen and saves me a step in the mornings. I also really like the light cucumber scent. Packaging is similar to a tinted moisturizer, in a pretty sage-green inverted squeeze tube. 14 shades, $9.74, Walmart. Final Verdict: 10 out of 10. I really can't think of a reason to deduct any points. This is a real winner.

The gloss balm reminds me a lot of my Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Balm in Bora Bora. I mean, it's almost a dead ringer for it. The long-lasting color is nearly identical, and my lips feel super hydrated. The Buxom plumps, while the CoverGirl does not. However, the CoverGirl comes in a tube for more precise application, where the Buxom requires you to either use your finger or carry a separate brush. You just have to pick which characteristics are more important to you. The resulting color and overall feel on your lips will be pretty much the same, either way. For those of you not familiar with the Buxom: this is a full color balm. The color is still sheer, but much more pigmented than a tinted balm (like Burt's Bees). Because it's a balm, it moisturizes and leaves your lips feeling soft and healthy. The color is glossy and, unlike most balms, visible. SPF 15 (not found in the Buxom, by the way) keeps your lips protected from the Summer sun. Crisp, clean packaging in clear plastic and sage green. My only real gripe is that it's so small it gets lost even in the compartments of my purse. 16 shades, $6.48, Walmart. Final Verdict: 9 out of 10. It's making me second-guess my Buxom love, but the small size is a major turn-off. 

Little Darlings

Photo by Sephora

In an attempt to justify my latest Sephora binge, I thought I'd highlight a couple of my new favorite things. These have the requisite adorable packaging, but are also just really darn good products, and, best of all, have sweet prices to boot.

Here we have Benefit's Some Kind of Gorgeous, and it's

easily the best foundation (although it's actually called a "foundation faker") I've ever used. It goes on like a cream, blends beautifully, and dries to a powder finish. I don't know about you, but living in the extreme humidity, the last thing I want is a heavy foundation that's going to melt off as soon as I walk through the door. I've tried tinted moisturizers, and only ended up shiny and greasy. Gorgeous is just enough foundation to, as I'm wont to say, keep you from scaring small children. I have used it by itself, over a light primer (Benefit's That Gal), and with just a dusting of powder to set it. In all three cases, I haven't had to so much as touch it up during the day. Plus, I think the record player

case is about as precious as you can get. A full size at Sephora, with mirror and application sponge nestled inside, will run you about $28. A trial size (pictured) is $9, or you can pony up an extra buck and get the Benefit To Go Bestsellers--a combination set with trial sizes of Gorgeous, That Gal, High Beam (a highlighter cream) and Posietint (a liquid blush/lipstain).

Next up is Buxom's Big & Healthy Lip Balm. It looks like a beach ball, but a really sophisticated beach ball--all silvery with an inlaid floral motif. Personally, I love the round shape, because it makes it easier for me to find floating around in my purse, and really, anything that can be

Photo by Sephora

found easily in that dark and terrifying void automatically gets put on my happy list. Anyway, back on topic, the lid twists off, and inside the lid is a surprisingly high quality mirror--a major plus for convenience--and the brightest, scariest color balm you will ever see. Seriously, it's a little off-putting at first, but don't let it run you off. Just hold my hand, take a deep breath, and we'll get through this together. The color goes on totally sheer. My favorite, Bora Bora, is a bright cherry red in the pot, but goes on just red enough to really accentuate my natural lip color. I think it's perfect for that natural look that's all the rage in the Summer. As with all Buxom lip products, it is supposed to plump up the lips. I can't really say that it does that all that well, but the tingling feels really nice, and it has a strong, but pleasant mint flavor. At $15, it's not the cheapest on the market, but for the amount you get (and a little goes a long way), it's not terrible, either.

So, those are my poolside picks for Fourth of July. No, they're not waterproof, but I have no intention of actually getting in the pool. Then again, my husband and brother are fond of water guns...any suggestions for a good waterproof mascara?