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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation - Review

Make Up For Ever
HD Foundation
Shade 177


I have been using this foundation for several months. I like it very much.
I purchased this in shade 177 Cognac for dark skin with yellow undertones.

















Convenient Pump






















PROS 
  • Flawless finish!
  • No SPF. This is beautiful for photographs.
  • Not at all cakey. Very light formulation. It feels as if I am not even wearing foundation.
  • Comes with a pump and a lid. This is convenient for travel.
  • Affordable mid to high end price at $40 for 1.01 fluid ounces.

CONS
  • My combination skin is oily in the t-zone. It will break through in one to three hours without a silicone based primer.
  • Transfer is terrible. I MUST set it with a powder and also a finishing spray. Even then, I still experience transfer on my clothes as well as telephones.
  • I MUST wear a primer with this foundation. Otherwise I do break out in fine bumps.
  • No SPF. If you want to wear this shade during the day, be sure that your primer has SPF.

I am wearing this foundation in the photo on the left.



















I would recommend this for a night at dinner or an evening out. Have you tried this foundation?

Friday, March 30, 2012

MAC Matchmaster Foundation - Review

I love this foundation.
I have been wearing this foundation for about two months.
I wear shade NC50 in MAC Select SPF.
I was matched at a MAC counter and first purchased the shade 7.5. I found it to be too dark for the interior portions of my face. I went back and purchased 7.0. During the winter months, I do not have a tan. I figured I would be able to use both shades.












Application:
Initially I was applying this with my fingers. I suppose it was just a habit because I have been applying my NARS Sheer Glow this way for months. I found I did not like the results. The MAC Artist suggested I use a stippling brush. I used my fingers to dab it on and then stippled with the e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush. This yielded a nearly flawless finish. I set the foundation with MAC Transparent Loose Powder applied with a fan brush and then pressed in with a puff.

I got a lot of compliments when wearing this foundation. Comments like, "You look young and fresh!" and
"Beautiful!"







I am wearing this foundation in the photo on the left.
I think the color is great. You can see the slight gray caste from the SPF.



















PROS
  • It comes with a pump. This is less messy than having to pour it out.
  • I found it to be buildable with medium to full coverage.
  • Wears for a long time. I have combination skin. I am oily in my t-zone. With a silicone based primer, I am able to get 6-8 hours wear out of this before oil really breaks through. Without the primer, I experience oil break through within 3 hours of wear.
  • SPF 15. We should all be incorporating some type of SPF in our face routine.
  • Affordable Mid to High End at $33.00 for 2 fluid ounces.

CONS
  • I have to make sure that the dry parts of my face are well moisturized before applying primer and foundation. Otherwise this can look flaky and cakey.
  • It dries rather quickly, so you must work quickly to blend it.
  • SPF 15 This is also a con because when taking photographs, you may see a grey-ish sheen.

Have you tried this foundation?

Thursday, March 29, 2012

NOTD - China Glaze - DIVA BRIDE

Back Lit, No Flash, Natural Sunlight
Creamy Nude. This is perfect for work.
Base Coat: China Glaze Strong Adhesion
This is a three coat application.
Top Coat: Seche Vite


Indoors with flash

If you were getting married, would you consider wearing this on your special day?

















Indoors, No Flash, Tungsten Lighting

















Do you like colors like this?

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

NOTD - China Glaze - FIRST MATE



I love this cream Navy Blue Polish.
This is 3 coats over China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat. Top Coat is Seche Vite.

Indoor with Flash












Back Lit, Natural Sunlight, No Flash.


























Do you wear blue nail polish? Do you own this color?

Monday, March 26, 2012

NOTD - China Glaze NAKED

Backlit...Indoors, No Flash




Pearly Coral Pink


Base - China Glaze Strong Adhesion
3 coats. This is not as opaque as I would have liked. I can still see the Visible Nail Line.
Top - Seche Vite









Indoors, with Flash




















What do you think of this color?

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Celebrating with L'Oreal Infallible Lip Color in Beyonce Red (Review)

Hubby and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary recently. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to test L'Oreal Infallible Beyonce Red.
I would definitely say this was a showstopping red. I did get a lot of looks.

Directions for use.
Step 1: Apply a thin layer of lip colour to clean lips. For best results allow to dry for 2 minutes.
Step 2: Apply the conditioning balm to seal colour and provide a natural shine. Remove with an oil based makeup remover.

The color lasted more than three hours.
It did stand the straw and kiss tests.
No transfer.
The butter from my roll took it off a bit.
I kind of expected that because of the oily nature of the butter.
I would give this 4 out of 5 stars.
I would buy it again. I would definitely recommend it to others.
It is available at drugstore or big box retailers. I purchased mine for less than $12.










The packaging is sleek. It has 2 ends. One contains the doe foot applicator with color.
The other contains a twistup sealing moisturizer.





We had a quiet intimate afternoon lunch at a local soul food cafe. I had the confused platter.
Fried, fried, fried. I know it's bad. But it was delicious!







Have you ever tried L'Oreal Infallible Lip Color? If so, what did you think?

A few MAC Goodies!

Hubby surprised me with some MAC goodies! He keeps a copy of my wish list in his phone.
I was very excited! Generally I stick with the Amplified formula lipsticks. One of my collegues suggested I try Fresh Brew (Lustre). She said it was more wearable than Viva Glam Gaga 2.




I was surprised to see that Tan Pigment has a dupe in my collection. L'Oreal HiP Loose Eyeshadow in TENACIOUS.














Left to right single eyeshadows
Rice Paper
Saddle
Goldmine
Juxt





I cannot wait to play with these colors. Do you own any of these goodies? Are any of them on your wish list?

Nail Polish Haul

Are you excited about warmer weather? I am!
I love wearing opentoed shoes and showing off my pedicure. I have been trying not to buy makeup.
Nail polish doesn't count right?
Swatches coming soon!

These beauties are from China Glaze Spring 2011 Collection.
There are 12 in total. I only selected ones I thought would compliment my skintone. I prefer opaque shades.




The next group are some from my wish list.

Diva Bride (Pale Pink cream),
Naked (Coral w/ shimmer),
Rich and Famous (Blue based Pink Cream),
Fifth Avenue (Light Mauve Cream),
Pool Party (Neon Pink),
Ruby Pumps (Apple Red Glitter),
Four Leaf Clover (Kelly Green Cream),
Recycle (Steel Gray Cream)


I bought these Sinful Colors from a limited edition display at Walgreens. It was a complete impulse buy. There were a few more colors, but I liked these best. I believe the theme is inspired by Greece.
The light green with shimmer is called OLYMPIA.
The beautiful blue color is called GRECIAN SUN.

















Have you purchased any nail polish lately?

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Disclosure

To date, I am NOT compensated for my use/review of products. I buy 99% of the products that I use. If I ever receive anything as a gift, I will state it in that specific post. I am NOT affilated with any fashion, cosmetics or hair company. I offer my sincere, unbiased opinion on how the products work for me. No warranties, expressed or implied are intended. Please use discretion in selecting products and suggestions at your own risk. I am not a professional. Unfavorable reviews are not malcious, nor are they intended to harm any company. Reviews are my own opinon. Information posted on this blog is for educational purposes.