Glam Beauty Board Box Fall 2012!

I'm super excited to be a part of the Glam Beauty Board this fall, and have a wonderful opportunity to try some really amazing products that I can't wait to share with all of you. Some of which I was already familiar with, and some of which are completely new to me. I've been loyally testing out these products all month, and amidst all of the great products, I happily discovered some favorites!

I will be going more in depth about these products in future reviews, but in this post I've included brief summaries of each product (swatches at the end).

Lately I've been enjoying this bright pink gem in a little holographic box called Benefit Bella Bamba ($28). It's a vivid warm, watermelon pink with with fine golden shimmer. It looks a lot like the cult-favorite Nars Orgasm Blush, but it's pinker (less peach) in tone. It's a lovely shade that I can see both cool and skin tones enjoying all year round. The consistency is silky smooth and it's very pigmented. Included with the blush is a soft, flat brush that actually works really well. It's a bit fluffier than my brush from Benefit Hoola and applies the product evenly.

Don't you love 2-in-1 products? The Lorac Tantalizer Highlighter & Matte Bronzer Duo ($32) is a warm matte bronzer and champagne-pink highligher all in one convenient compact. I've been on the lookout for my perfect matte bronzer that isn't too cool toned (they have a tendency to look dirty/ashy on my skin) or too orange (have enough of those). The bronzer in here is a perfect golden bronze and is easily my current top pick for a matte bronzer. It works great as a contour, as well as all over the face for added warmth. The illuminator is sheer (no shimmer-bombs here) and incredibly soft. I like applying it across the highest points of my cheeks for added dimension and glow. It reminds me a bit of MAC Hush Cream Colour Base in powder form.

For a quick statement lip, try Mark Make it Rich Lip Color Crayon in the shade Peony ($11). It's a vivid, shimmery fuchsia - and because precision is a cinch with this crayon, lip liner isn't necessary! It's long-lasting on my lips, and even after most of it is gone, it leaves a pretty pink stain behind.

Transform your tired eyes with Almay Wake Up Eyeshadow + Primer ($8) in the shade Revive. This little pocket-palette contains a super creamy peach primer, glistening pastel green, shimmery gold and a soft, warm brown that is a perfect combination for the daytime.

Add a bit more to the look by adding Almay Wake Up Eyeliner + Highlighter ($8) to the eyes. Simply line the top and bottom lashline and use the highlighter to highlight the corners of the eyes and brow bone. I'm in love with the highlight. It's such a gorgeous shimmery pale gold - I don't own anything like it!

Almay Wake Up Liquid Makeup ($12) is Almay's newest foundation. It's a creamy and lightweight foundation with a natural luminous finish. It's fairly sheer, but buildable for those whose main focus is evening out the skintone.

Toss all of your goodies in your Modella Makeup Bag ($3) and you're good to go! I love the Modella makeup bags. They are cheap (so they can be replaced frequently) and often come in cute patterns!

LaFace is a brand I'm not familiar with, but I was super excited to try the LaFace Laboratories PUR Purifying Facial Wash ($48). It's a gentle, foaming cleanser that thoroughly cleanses the skin, leaving the face feeling moisturized and refreshed. I can't argue with that - I've been using it in the shower daily to remove my makeup, and it works great! It even takes off my hard to remove mascara without burning my eyes.

I've given Ojon Super Sleek Restorative Blowout Perfector ($25) a try and apply a small amount in my palms and work it though my hair before blow-drying for a smoother, less frizzy do. It's actually heat-activated, making the hair feel softer and more manageable.

Fall is in the air with Orly Smolder Nail Lacquer ($5) in the shade Smolder. Smolder is one of the (6) shades launched in Orly's Fired Up Fall 2012 Collection. It's a beautiful deep cranberry-wine shimmer, that screams Autumn is almost here! Are you fired up yet?

I may not have wrinkles but I sure love a good moisturizer. Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase Wrinkle Repair Day & Night Cream ($24.97) is a more budget-friendly line of Kinerase products available at your local Walmart. Fabulous for dry skin, this super light and emollient cream blends like butter into my skin and leaves my skin feeling supple and baby soft. It also works great as a primer as it's light and doesn't leave a greasy residue behind.

I can't help but think of some seriously decadent chocolate cake when I'm applying Juara Invigorating Coffee Scrub ($37) to my body. Aside from it's delectable smell, it's uber fun to apply. It's very grainy, so expect to have some seriously soft skin afterward. I like applying this all over my body, rubbing in circular motions. It's fantastic to pop those stubborn ingrown hairs, remove an old faux tan, and to rid your body of lifeless dull skin. I even like using it on my face (not rubbing hard) and I can't help but touch my face for the rest of the night. Hands down my favorite scrub ever. It's currently for sale on Hautelook.

My Mom and I both are already big fans of Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion ($11) for the past several months and I use it daily on my arms to keep them silky smooth. I'm just about through with my bottle, so I'm thrilled to have another! Really good stuff. (Click here for $1 off coupon)

Lastly, I've been using Dove Nutritive Therapy Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner ($5 each) contain natural almond and coconut oils to replenish the essential nutrients in your hair. I'm especially loving the conditioner, as it makes my hair so much softer. I like to work it through my hair with a wide-tooth comb, let it sit for a few minutes and rinse with cool water. I'm left with soft, shiny hair.

Swathes from left to right: Benefit Bella Bamba, Lorac Tantalizer Highlighter and Matte Bronzer Duo, Almay Wake Up Eyeliner and Highlighter, Almay #010 Revive Wake Up Eyeshadow + Primer in and Mark Peony Make it Rich Lip Color Crayon.

Have you tried any of these products? 

Would you like separate reviews for any of these products?

Let me know in the comments! :)

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup Foundation Review!

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

-This soothing Makeup works with salicylic acid, a proven blemish clearing ingredient to prevent future breakouts.
-Infused with meadowsweet to help purify skin as well as aloe and chamomile to protect against dryness and reduce the appearance of redness.
-Helps eliminates oil all day to banish unwanted shine so you get flawless, natural coverage that is perfect for everyday.

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup is available in a very small variety of shades. There are seven shades in total: Ivory, Buff, Naked, Neutral, Beige, Sand and Warm.

I chose the shade Buff, which is a light, warm peachy-beige. It's a good match for my skin when I have no tan - around MAC NC15-20 coloring.

I picked this foundation up about a month ago at my local drugstore on the clearance rack for a couple of dollars. Apparently, Almay revamped the packaging for the product, and the new and improved packaging includes a pump - yay! I'm unaware at this time if the formula has been changed in any way. I emailed Almay, and am currently awaiting a response. I'll update this post once I know for sure. (Update 2/6: I received a response from Almay and they said, "To address your inquiry, some ingredients in the Clear Complexion Liquid Makeup have been changed and added." Kind of bummed to hear that, but I'll pick up a bottle in the near future and see how it compares.)

This foundation is targeted for oily or acne-prone/problematic skin as it contains salicylic acid, which is an ingredient found in most acne medications to help clear and prevent acne blemishes. For oily skin, it may help control oil, but for dry to normal skin types, it can be drying.

My skin is normal (not dry or oily), but sensitive and prone to breakouts, and I find that it can dry out my skin if worn too often. I try to alternate this foundation with another during the week, wearing it only a few days.

The consistency is creamy, somewhat similar to Revlon Colorstay or Maybelline Superstay, but not as thick. I don't have any problems with the foundation drying too quickly or caking during application, and the application is smooth. I like using a stippling brush to apply the foundation, and then going over it with a large buffer brush to blend it all in. The finish is satiny, but soon after (about 10 mins later) dries to a semi-matte/matte. I barely have to set with a powder, just mainly under my eyes. After 6 hours, my face is still matte when wearing this!

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in "Buff"

The coverage is a good medium that is buildable, but not quite a full. It covers my imperfections well - but an additional concealer may be necessary for full coverage of red blemishes.

For the perfect full coverage that doesn't look heavy, here is what I'll do:
-Apply Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer to my under-eyes and Coastal Scents Camo Quad to any spots/blemishes using a standard foundation brush with "tapping" motions (not brushing).
-Pour a little foundation on a clean surface and dip the tip of a duo-fiber stippling brush in the product. Then, in light motions, stipple the product all over my face (making sure not to disturb the areas I applied concealer).
-Use a large fluffy synthetic brush to lightly buff and blend the foundation further.
-For additional coverage (which isn't very necessary at this point, but to look completely flawless..) I'll take a kabuki brush and swirl it in a powder foundation, such as MAC Studio Fix Powder, and buff it into my face.
Perfect and long lasting!

The lasting power is quite good. On me it lasts a good 8-10 hours.

(After 8 hours of wear)

There aren't many choices for a good long-lasting foundation at the drugstore, and I would consider this foundation one of the better ones. I will continue using this foundation, and I'll make sure to let you know if my opinion about it changes in the future!

Ingredient List: Active Ingredient: Salicylic Acid (0.6%). Other Ingredients: Aqua ((Water) Eau), Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxsilicate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Talc, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Alumina, Methoxypropylgluconamide, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Fomes Officinalis (Mushroom) Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Trisiloxane, Phytantriol, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Silica, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Methicone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947).

PROS: Controls oil very well, good medium coverage, blends well, good lasting power.
CONS: Limited shade selection, can cause dryness if used every day, can accentuate dryness if skin isn't moisturized/primed.
PACKAGING: The old bottle was bulky and difficult to pour the foundation out, but the packaging now includes a pump (more sanitary, more convenient, less mess) and is less bulky!
OVERALL: This is actually a good foundation, and I'd recommend it for oily and/or acne-prone skin types, with light to medium skin, who would like to even out their skin & camouflage minor skin imperfections. Even though it is targeted for oily skin, I've read reviews where it has worked well for dry skin types. For those with dry skin, I'd recommend applying a light water-based moisturizer beforehand, or, moisturizing your skin once you wash your face in the evening to keep your skin hydrated. For those that find this foundation too heavy, mixing in a couple drops of moisturizer or applying with a damp sponge will sheer it out quite nice.

Have you tried this foundation? Do you own any favorite products from Almay?