Most affordable panstick in India || Olivia Makeup Stick Review & Demo

Hi everyone,

Some of you may know that I also make YouTube videos and it has been 7 months now. So I also post reviews,makeup tutorials etc out there so if you want to see me talk you can visit my channel and subscribe to support me. So I had this Olivia Makeup Stick Pan Stick in my vanity which I had been using since 2 years and when I got to know that everyone was talking about it, I thought why not share my opinion on it. It is very affordable which is the best part. Please watch the video I have linked below and comment there as it will help my channel grow.

If you are unable to watch the video you can click HERE to watch it :)

I hope this video and my review would be helpful to all of you watching.So what do you have to say about this product, have you tried it before ? Do let me know in the comments section.

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Until next time.. Take care xoxo

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer Review & Photos!

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer 

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer ($45) was created to mimic the appearance of healthy, radiant skin. It's a cream foundation and concealer wrapped up in one product. Containing honey and jojoba oil, this foundation is creamy, moisturizing and creates a soft, natural dewy finish.

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer is available in (16) shades: SX01, SX02, SX03, SX04, SX05, SX06, SX07, SX08, SX09, SX10, SX11, SX12, SX13, SX14, SX15 and SX16.

I chose SX08, which is a warm medium shade with strong yellow undertones. It's suitable for the MAC NC35 coloring.

The texture of this cream is a bit different than other cream products I've used. It compares to the creaminess/goopiness of Benefit Erase Paste, but it's more dense and not as tacky. For instance, it's absolutely nothing like MAC Studio Finish Concealer (MAC Full Coverage Foundation) or Cinema Secrets/Graftobian/Ben Nye Foundations which are like the standard cream compact makeup - often dry and dense or with a similar consistency to a concealer stick. It's so much more creamy - luxuriously creamy, but it's also very thick/dense. Because of this, you need a tiny amount (about 1/4 the size of a pea or less) to provide full coverage to the entire face.

Since the formula is so concentrated, it doesn't move around well on dry skin. Whenever wearing this foundation, moisturizing and/or priming the face is an essential step. I usually use a silicone based primer for it to spread better, or apply a generous amount of moisturizer. Then, I like taking a concealer brush and wiping a line of product on each cheek, my chin and forehead. Then, I take a duo-fiber brush and with small circular motions blend it in completely. After it's blended, I like taking a facial mist and spritzing my face and using the duo-fiber brush again buff my face more to make sure everything is perfectly blended.

The result is completely flawless skin that actually looks like skin.

(Wearing Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer SX08)

The consistency is a little tricky, so it might take a few trials and error to get it right. You might benefit from mixing equal parts moisturizer or primer to thin it out a little bit, or using a dampened beauty blender or cosmetic sponge. I've read a review where the person mixed it with a BB cream with amazing, full coverage results. I have yet to try a BB cream, but I'm definitely going to give that a try when I do.

The finish isn't really what I'd call dewy - it's more of a satiny, healthy finish. I feel it's necessary to set with a powder, otherwise I'll get a little shiny on my nose and chin area.

The lasting power is amazing. It gets me through a full day (still looks amazing at bedtime) without touch-ups.

One thing I love the best of all is how comfortable it is on my face and how it doesn't break me out. I love how much coverage cream foundations provide, but you tend to feel them on your skin. After wearing a cream/cake foundation, by night time I'm feeling anxious to wash my face. It's almost like I can feel the pimples forming. As much as I love wearing Cinema Secrets, at the end of the day it starts feeling uncomfortable and I can't wear it more than a few days in a row before getting a blemish. Not this though, I can wear it every day with no problems.

In the photo on the left, I wiped a couple lines of product on my cheek - this will cover half of my face. In the photo on the right, I've started to blend the product with my duo-fiber brush. (The color is a little darker than my face right now, but it matches my neck perfectly.)

In the photo on the left, I've completely blended the product on my face. Everything is covered, but my face looks very one dimensional. To add a little dimension to my face, I added YSL Touche Eclat (highlighter), bronzer and blush. My makeup is finished on the right.

I love this foundation and I think it can work well for almost anyone. Even though it's a heavier coverage foundation, you can really adjust it however you'd like. For those with pigmentation and acne scars, I can see this working miracles. 

I'm planning on purchasing a couple additional shades - maybe a lighter shade I can use for a concealer and highlighting, and an additional shade for when I'm not tan. SX 08 works fine as long as I'm self-tanning, but it's too dark/yellow for when I'm not. 

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer is rated 4.1 out of 5, with a 71% repurchase rate based on 296 reviews on Makeupalley.

The Round-Up

Pros:

• Covers undereyes and blemishes really well
• Super pigmented/full coverage - you can sheer it out for a lighter or medium coverage
• Long-lasting - doesn't budge all day and night with a setting powder
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Can be a little tricky to work with at first.
• The first ingredient is mineral oil, and although it doesn't bother me at all, I know that it can be bothersome to some.
• Expensive, but a little goes a long way

Repurchase? Yes! I'm planning on purchasing additional shades.

Price: $45, Barney's, Dermstore.

E.L.F. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer Review, Photos and Swatches!

E.L.F. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer

E.L.F. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer ($3) is a buildable coverage concealer that can be used on the face and body. It's oil-free, highly pigmented and long-lasting. Suitable for covering blemishes and scars, and even claims to cover tattoos and birthmarks.

E.L.F. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer is available in (5) shades: Porcelain, Sand, Nude, Beige, Tan and Almond.

I purchased Sand, which is ideal for fair to light skin tones with a neutral balance of yellow and pink undertones, and Nude, which is ideal for light skin tones with yellow undertones.

Nude and Sand swatched on my MAC NC25-27 skin

It comes in a fairly large (large for a concealer) squeeze tube that contains 0.7 fl oz/20 ml of product. Most concealers contain around 0.5 fl oz or less of product, so you get a really good amount for the price.

The consistency is creamy and dense, and when you blend it, it has a emollient mousse texture. It's almost comparable to the creamy texture of MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation or Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup.

It blends effortlessly into the skin with the help of my fingertips. I usually apply it with my fingertips, by a light tap-and-drag motion until it's thoroughly blended. If necessary, I'll build a second layer for additional coverage.

(E.L.F. Maximum Coverage Concealer in Nude before and after)

Even with layers, it doesn't feel or look heavy, and it doesn't settle in my fine lines, which I think is due to the moisturizing texture. It really sinks into the skin making my under-eyes look healthy, radiant and moisturized. It has a dewy finish that never really dries/sets though, so applying a good helping of setting powder is a must. I usually take a powder puff and lightly press-and-roll the powder into my skin, making it completely budge-proof (much more effective than dusting the powder under my eyes with a brush).

As for the coverage, I wouldn't say it's full - I think Hard Candy Glamoflauge has more of an opaque coverage. I'd consider it to be medium coverage and will work great for those with normal under-eye darkness. It covers minor blemishes, but I couldn't really see it covering tattoos completely because I tested it on one of my dark freckles and it didn't cover it.

Often I like layering different concealers, and sometimes I use this in conjunction with MAC Pro Longwear or Moisturecover Concealer and I really like the results.

I overall really enjoy this concealer and will definitely repurchase. If you're looking for a new affordable concealer, I think it's worth a try. I think it's the best concealer in the E.L.F. cosmetic line. 

The Round-Up

Pros:

• Great for dry skin
• Healthy, light reflecting finish
• Doesn't cake or settle in fine lines
• Covers well for those with average dark circles (those with severe darkness may benefit from layering concealers or use in conjunction with a corrector)
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Doesn't really set or dry, so it must be set with a powder.
• Wouldn't consider it full coverage as it claims, but it's buildable to a heavy medium.
• The darkest shade isn't very dark at all, and would be too light for deep-dark skintones. 

Price: $3, E.L.F. Currently 50% off all Studio products with code: ECD2.

MAC Radiant Rose Prep + Prime Highlighter Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Radiant Rose Prep + Prime Highlighter 

MAC Prep + Primer Highlighter  ($24) is a pen-style creamy highlighter that brings a sheer wash of color to the skin wherever it is applied. It can be used under makeup to prime and brighten, or on top of makeup to highlight.

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter is available in (3) shades: Light Boost (soft yellow cream), Radiant Rose (light shell pink) and Bright Forecast (mid tone peachy coral). (You can find swatches of all three shades on Temptalia)

I purchased Radiant Rose, as pink toned highlighters seem to do the best job brightening on my particular skin tone.

Several brand make these pen style highlighters, and I find that most of the time they are pretty expensive for the amount of product you receive. YSL Touche Eclat for instance costs $40 for a 0.10 oz tube. Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener costs $38 for 0.05 oz and Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen costs $37 for 0.05 oz. They might all be mildly effective, but I personally think they are very expensive for how long they last with daily use.

I was thrilled when MAC came out with a highlighter pen, as MAC tends to be a bit lower priced than most high-end cosmetics. At $24 for 0.12 oz, it's very easily the best value overall, therefore I'm the most willing to purchase from MAC.

MAC Prep & Prime Radiant Rose Highlighter (left) and YSL Touche Eclat #1 Radiant Touch (right). Both are swatched on warm, medium skin (MAC NC30).

In comparison to the YSL Touche Eclat in #1, the color is slightly lighter and is solely pink toned, whereas the YSL is peachy-pink toned. They both have just about the same opacity, but because the MAC pen is a bit lighter, it's a little more apparent on the skin. 

I've actually been preferring it to my much loved YSL Touche Eclat, as it seems to do a better job brightening overall.

The product is thin and creamy, and although it's sheer, it does have a bit of pigment to provide a bit of coverage. It is buildable, so if you have very mild under-eye darkness, you might not need an additional concealer. If you do have severe darkness, this will work well when combined with your favorite concealer. It blends very easily and because of it's thin texture, it blends in with the skin so well, making the product undetectable.

Can you see the faint highlight under my eye?

I like applying it straight from the brush and using my fingertips with patting motions to blend. I also sometimes like using a tapered blending brush to blend any harsh edges without disturbing the coverage. 

I like applying this under my foundation on my dark circles to brighten the area, as well as over my foundation near my tear ducts. I also apply it to my cupid's bow and along the bridge of my nose. I also sometimes like to apply a thin line under the contours of my cheeks to further define my face.

I love this pen, and I will no doubt repurchase it when mine is finished. Because it's more affordable than the YSL pen, I won't feel too guilty about using it daily. I'd typically reserve my YSL pen for nights out and special occasions so I won't go through it as fast.

The reviews on Makeupalley seem to be the most favorable for 'Radiant Rose'. Although there are only 13 reviews, the rating is a 4.8/5 with a 92% re-purchase rate. (view here)

Have you tried this highlighter or similar? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

The Round-Up
Pros:

• Works very well at highlighting/brightening areas where it has been applied
• The thin, creamy consistency blends into the skin without being detectable (natural)
• Doesn't look stark or ashy on my medium skin tone
• Great, cheaper alternative to the YSL Touche Eclat

Cons:

• May be too pale for deep-dark skin tones

Price: $24, MAC.

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter Review, Photos and Swatches!

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Concealer/Corrector ($12.95) is a liquid concealer/highlighter in a clickable pen - similar to to the concept of the YSL Touche Eclat. This pen is meant to highlight/brighten areas of the face more than it is to conceal blemishes, so if you're looking for a heavy duty cover-up, this won't be the correct product for you.

The L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter is available in (4) shades: Fair, Light and Medium and Deep.

*You may notice that the packaging of my tube reads "concealer/corrector", so I phoned L'Oreal to double check if the concealer and highlighter are the same product. It is indeed the same exact product, but they have changed the name to "highlighter" rather "concealer". I'm guessing they didn't want it to sound misleading as a concealer, being it doesn't cover much.

I like applying the highlighter to the inner corners of my eyes and along the bridge of my nose. It can also be used on the cheekbones, brow bone and cupids-bow. What's really great about this highlighter, is that it's not shimmery and stark against the skin. It's sheer and subtle, and will do it's job of bringing light to the areas of where it's applied.

The reason it's different fro a standard concealer is because of it's light, blendable texture and sheer pigment. You might be able to acheive a similar look with a lighter concealer, but you'd want to make sure to use a light coverage liquid/cream concealer that is pink-based (pink brightens) or peach-based for medium-tan skin. You can mix it with a drop of liquid/cream illuminator or pigment for a illuminating effect.

Here's a comparison to YSL Touche Eclat #1. L'Oreal is on the left, YSL is on the right.

Now unless companies start making these concealer pens the size of a mascara tube, they will never be a very good value for the money you pay, and the amount of product you get. The L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter contains 0.05 oz, so at $12.95, that is $259 per ounce. The YSL Touche Eclat contains double the amount (0.10 oz) for $40, which is $400 per ounce. BUT, you can get Touche Eclat on Amazon for around $22. As with many products, you have to use caution when purchasing online, because sadly, any popular high-end cosmetic item, there are counterfeits. (here is an article)

Furthermore, the L'Oreal version is cheaper overall, so it's a nice alternative for those on a budget, but I personally favor the YSL Touche Eclat, so I don't think I'll be re-purchasing this product.

Here's a closer look at my eyeshadow. I was wearing one of my favorite eyeshadow palettes; the Dior 5 Golds Quint, and some gold glitter on my top lash-line.

The Round-Up

Pros:

• Provides a very subtle highlight that can be used all over the face without being noticeably detected.
• Easy to use; convenient packaging.

Cons:

• Expensive for the amount provided.
• For those looking for a noticeable/shimmery highlight, this may fall below your expectations 
• Doesn't provide coverage for concealing

Price: $10.99 - $12.99 at your local drugstore. Prices will vary based on location.

A few of my old never-fail products - and yep, they're all MAC.

I'm sure most of us makeup fanatics have a few products in our makeup stash that you can consider your "never fail" products. They are the often neglected, but never forgotten products that you know you can use, and they'll never let you down. You may not use them every day, but once you run out, you know you have to purchase another to replace it. Maybe it's a certain eyeliner or a particular blush. Maybe it's one item in each category. I'm sure I have a few more than I'm mentioning - but I wanted to dedicate a post to these few that stood out to me and always have a warm place in my heart: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, MAC Studio Finish Concealer and MAC Select Cover-Up.

It's a complete coincidence that they're all MAC products - and it's even a bigger coincidence that they are some of the first MAC products I ever tried.

I remember my first trip to MAC like it was yesterday. I was a senior in highschool and it was my first time ever buying non-drugstore makeup. I purchased (George purchased it, actually. We just started dating at the time!) Studio Fix Fluid in NC40, Blot Powder in Med-Dark, Select Cover-up in Peach, Paint in Bare Canvas and Eyeshadows in Gorgeous Gold, Moons Reflection and Aquadisiac. Aside from the shadows, I continue using all of those products till this day.

READ MORE!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid 

Studio Fix Fluid is basically everything I look for in a foundation. It has a very nice, creamy consistency that blends easily, medium to heavy-medium coverage, has a satiny finish and is long-lasting. The colors are spot on for my golden-yellow complexion and no matter what kind of skin day I'm having, I can always rely on Studio Fix Fluid to make my skin look airbrushed. I always make sure to have a bottle on hand, and it's probably my most re-purchased makeup item ever. *Side note: I always make sure to set with a powder when wearing this foundation as my skin can get shiny after a few hours.

Blemishes - They will be camouflages for the most part, but if you have dark or very red blemishes, you may find that using an additional concealer may be necessary for full coverage. Minor blemishes should be covered.

Application - My favorite application method for this foundation is using a duo-fiber brush for the most natural finish. I also like using a flat top brush, but in order for it not to look too heavy on my skin, I'll usually moisturize skin beforehand or spirtz my face with water. With this particular foundation I don't like using my fingers because it can look too heavy/porcelain. I think the way this foundation looks really depends on your application method. 

Often complaints are - It causes breakouts, it has a chemical smell, it's too heavy/cakey, the shades are either too yellow or too cool - there isn't a good in-between. 

In the past, I did get a pimple here and there when wearing Studio Fix Fluid on a daily basis, but with a proper skincare (cleansing and exfoliating) routine, I don't have anymore breakouts when wearing it. But it might also be because I usually don't wear it for more than a few days in a row (I have way too many foundations to stay loyal to one). Everyone has a different sensitivity to certain products, so this may or may not irritate your skin. I highly recommend washing your face well at night to avoid break-outs. 

Studio Finish Concealer

Studio Finish Concealer is one of my - if not my favorite cream concealer. I often search for new concealers because I get bored easily with using the same products all of the time, but this concealer never fails me. It's not too dry, and it's not too creamy. It's a good in-between so it spreads easy, yet it doesn't move around. Often cream concealers can be too emollient, causing the concealer to crease, cake up, transfer and look shiny throughout the day, and some drier consistencies can look dry and flaky throughout the day. I think MAC has the formula down pact on this one. It works well for the under-eyes and it also works well at covering blemishes. I usually have it in a few different shades - one that matches my face (NC) and one with peachy-pink tones that will counteract my dark under-eyes (NW). I'm never without this stuff in my stash.

Select Cover-Up

Not too many people talk about MAC Select Cover-up, but it's definitely one of my favorite liquid concealers. It's creamy (not watery) - not too thick and definitely not heavy. It provides a good light-medium coverage, so in conjunction with a medium coverage foundation, this concealer is really all you need. It's not going to provide opaque coverage for those with severe darkness, but for those with minor to average dark under-eyes, this should do the trick. It has more coverage than Moisturecover (that stuff just does nothing for me) and just does a fabulous overall job of brightening my under-eyes. 

Here's a few photos to show my under-eyes without concealer, and with Select Cover-up and Studio Finish. You can see that with the Select Cover-up, almost everything is concealed, but a little darkness still peaks through. In the photo wearing Studio Finish, little to no darkness is peaking though. 

What are some products you always keep in your stash? Let me know in the comments!

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealing Stick Review!

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealing Stick

What do you guys think of Sonia Kashuk makeup? To be honest, I've never really tried any of their color cosmetics. When I shop at the drugstore for makeup, I'm usually looking for a really good sale, one where I can typically attach a manufacturer coupon with, to knock off a couple of extra dollars. Then, if it's something that didn't really work out for me, it wasn't a huge blow to my wallet.

Needless to say, Sonia Kashuk cosmetics are a little expensive and they rarely ever go on sale (maybe 10% off once in a while?) So, I figure for a few more dollars I can invest in some MAC. 

Well, Sonia Kashuk's Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette has caused quite the stir in the beauty blogging world. It's a little palette containing two concealers, a neutralizer and setting powder. The concealers look a little dark for my current "light" skintone, so I usually pass it up on my grocery trips to Target. But recently, I got a hold of Sonia's stick concealer in a makeup swap and it's a great match. 

"Buildable medium to high coverage concealer that perfectly hides skin imperfections with an absolute natural, non-powdery finish." - http://soniakashuk.com

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealing Stick is available in three shades: Daylight, Dawn and Dusk. I have the shade Dawn, which is a lovely light, golden beige. It matches my NC15-20 skintone very well.

(From left to right: Daylight, Dawn and Dusk.)

READ MORE! (before & after photos included)

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealing Stick in the shade Dusk

The consistency is fairly dry, (which is fine) so it won't settle in the fine lines and crease throughout the day, and it won't move around if you happen to apply foundation over it, or apply powder under the eyes. 

I have used stick concealers that disappear once I apply my foundation, and I've had stick concealers that move around once I powder my undereyes, and thankfully, this concealer doesn't move around.

It has a good medium coverage (not full - I don't like to toss the word "full" around unless it's really opaque). My darkness is mostly gone, but I can still see a little bit peeking through. This goes for blemishes as well.

Dare I show you the before photo!? Haha, who cares, we're all human here. As you can see, I have lots of redness and a little purple. It's much less noticeable when I'm tan, but when I'm fair, all of the imperfections show. On the days where I'm makeup-free, I must wear concealer. The few occasions where I skip it, I'm automatically bombarded with "what happened to you?" and, "have you been crying?"

You can see from the middle photo, I'm not afraid to pile on the concealer, as long is it's not a very emollient formula (it can feel thick and cakey). I always apply a good helping of moisturizer to my face and under-eyes so my stick concealer glides on and blends with ease.

I know some people may be against it, but I apply the stick straight from the tube to my under-eyes. Of course, I apply as little pressure as possible to avoid any irritation and I usually blend it out with a synthetic tapered brush or concealer brush. When I'm in a hurry, I blend it with my fingers.

For those with dry under-eyes, this may not be the best choice for you, as I'm positive it will accentuate dryness. I notice that as the day wears on, upon very close inspection my concealer appears a little dry. but after buffing in a little setting powder, it looks great again.

I still prefer my MAC Studio Finish Concealer, but this this concealer isn't too bad for when I'm in a hurry and need a quick swipe of concealer.

PROS: Adequate medium coverage, doesn't move around, doesn't feel heavy under my eyes, doesn't settle in my fine lines, dry-consistency is beneficial for combination oily skin types.
CONS: Tiny color selection (3 shades, which are fairly light), doesn't fully cover red blemishes and will not fully cover severe darkness, dry consistency may not be beneficial for dry skin types and mature skin.
PACKAGING: I have no problems with the packaging. It's pretty standard packaging for a concealer stick.
OVERALL: I really like this concealer but I wish it was the teeniest bit more creamy. It works fine for my normal skin type, but would work best for combination oily skin types. It provides enough coverage to keep me content for every day, but I'll need something heavier for when I want a more opaque look.

Price: $7.99, Target.

Becca Compact Concealer Review (With before & after photos)!

Becca Compact Concealer

I'm the prowl for a new concealer! As of lately I've been stuck mostly on my MAC Prolongwear Concealer, MAC Studio Finish Concealer and Coastal Scents Camo Quad. But, you all know me by now, and I get bored quickly with the same ol' products every day, and love switching it up and discovering new products.

I've been wearing MUFE Full Cover Concealer every once in a while, but the more I use it, the more I kinda realize I'm not a huge fan. Any lovers of Make Up Forever Full Cover out there? After a few hours I notice it settles kinda funny and it causes my eye makeup to transfer.

Anyways, Since my complexion has been resembling Snow White lately, I needed to find a concealer light enough to match my skintone that offers heavy coverage and is also long lasting.

So, I was recommended to try out Becca's concealer. I've never tried anything from Becca before, so I excited to give it a go. It turns out Becca Compact Concealer is everything I was looking for. 

Becca Compact Concealer consists of two concealers - one is called the "extra cover" and one is called the "medium cover". The idea is to create the amount of coverage you'd like - by layering or using each of them on different areas of the face.

The "medium cover" works great for the under-eyes and the "extra-cover" works great for spots on the face, as they often need more coverage. The consistency of the "extra-cover" concealer is slightly drier, so it's very ideal for spots, as it's not going to budge/fade.

Becca Compact Concealer comes in a huge variety of shades (34 to be exact) to match all skintones - from very fair to deep dark. I've never seen so many shades - especially for a concealer, so there shouldn't be too many problems finding your perfect shade.

I have the shade Sherbet, which is a duo of two fair shades. They're almost identical, except one of them is slightly peachier. It's a pretty nice match if you're around the MAC NC15 coloring.

 Becca Compact Concealer in Sherbet

Here are both shades swatched on my hand. My hands are a little darker than my face, but on my face, it's a spot on match.

READ MORE!

This is definitely a drier consistency concealer, so to avoid any accentuation of dryness, it's a good idea to moisturize your skin prior or after it's applied, lightly go over the area with a slightly damp cosmetic sponge in light "press and roll" motions.

The coverage is great. I usually always apply a thin layer of the medium coverage side and then go over any extra darkness with the extra-cover side.

It has a fairly matte finish, and although it's matte, I always make sure to set my under-eyes with a powder to avoid creasing. I have worn this without setting it with powder and experienced product settling in my fine lines (it will happen with any cream concealer). When I set with a powder, I have no problems at all. *For reference, most of the time I use Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder. I've been using it for years and it's still my favorite.

For spots: I like using a small pointed liner brush for precise application (and to lessen waste of any product). I'll lightly apply the concealer to the blemish completely covering it, and then with a fluffier eyeshadow brush (such as a blending brush) I'll lightly (with no pressure) blend out the edges so the concealer blends in with my skin.
For under-eyes: I sometimes use a brush, and sometimes use my finger. To lessen waste of product, I'll more often use a small brush, then apply it to my under-eyes and blend with my finger with light tapping motions (no rubbing). Using my finger works well as the heat from my finger also helps soften the product so it spreads easier on my skin. Sometimes I'll go over the area with a blending brush to pick up any excess product that may be "chillaxin" in my fine lines.

Here are some photos applying the medium-cover concealer to my under-eyes.

As you can see, the coverage is quite good. It covers my darkness and sun spots and and brightens up the area very well.

I don't have too many blemishes at the moment (thank goodness all of my L'oreal Infallible Foundation caused blemishes all went away), but I wanted to show the coverage for spot concealing. 

It completely covered my freckle and few red spots. 

I find that the lasting power is very good. By the end of the day it's all still in tact.

Now, the only downside about this stuff is the price-tag and the availability. There's really nowhere near me that I can find this product other than a couple of spas/salons which I will not be going to in order to purchase Becca products. Depending on your location, you may be lucky enough to find a counter near you. Otherwise, you can purchase products directly off their website, Apothica.com (there are often coupon codes available, so check Google first!) and Dermstore.com.

As for the price, I'll go into more details about it below.

PROS: I really like the idea of having two different coverage concealers in one compact. It's very handy that you can have your product for under-eyes and spots all-in-one. A full coverage is hard to find, and this product provides a full coverage that doesn't feel or look heavy and lasts all day.
CONS: The only real con is the price. It's (are you ready?) $38 for 0.1 oz! That is 3 dinky grams of product for a mere $40. That adds up to almost $360 an ounce. For comparison, MAC Studio Finish Concealer costs $17 for 0.24 oz/7grams of product and around $69 an ounce. Mac Studio Finish is a really good less-expensive option that works almost as good.
PACKAGING: The packaging is nothing spectacular. It's made of that same rubberized material that Nars packaging comes in - so it gets dirty very easily (but cleans just as easily with a makeup remover wipe). The plus side with it is it's small and very compact, so it's ideal for travel, and it has a mirror for application and/or touch-ups.
OVERALL: I can't say that this product is a good value for the amount of money you pay, but it really is a fantastic product. We all kind of have our "set price" we're willing to pay for certain cosmetics, so it really depends on you and your budget!

If you've tried this product, let me know how you liked it in the comments!

In other news, I've been a little absent these past couple of days because my aunt is in town - permanently! She's lived in another state all my life, and finally decided to pack her bags and move close to us in Chicago. I don't really have a big family and I'm only close with two of my aunts, so it's really nice to be even closer now, especially since it's been really hard on my family since my Dad's passing (it still feels weird to say this as I'm still in denial of it all). Family really is everything and I'm so grateful to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

 (At the airport last winter!)

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer Review, Photos and Swatches!

Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer

After blogging for a while, you start recognizing the products that get the most praise and recognition. Because of the popularity and rave reviews, you'll ultimately get sucked into purchasing a "blogger pick/favorite" sooner or later, some being great, and others - not so much.

Concealer is one of my favorite items of makeup. I'll never get tired of my endless endeavor, searching my local stores high and low for the best medium-full coverage, lightweight, brightening, non-caking, non-creasing, long-lasting concealer. Maybe my standards are too high? There are some concealers I favor - Hard Candy Glamoflauge (perfecto, but a little too dewy & not long lasting), MAC concealers (Pro Longwear, Studio Finish, Select Cover-up), but I've grown completely bored with them and am on the lookout for a new-found love!

Could it be Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer? I surely hoped so, but it does fall short of my standards.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Blends easily for complete yet natural coverage
• Conceals imperfections and undereye darkness all day
• Pure color, natural luminous finish
• Ophthalmologist tested
• Talc, oil and fragrance free, non-pore-clogging

There are six (6) shades in total: Fair 10, Ivory 20, Cream 30, Sand 40, Beige 50 and Latte 60. 

Depending on the store you're purchasing from/location you may have a limited shade selection. The few CVS stores in my area only stocked the lightest 2-3 shades. I ended up getting "Cream" due to the limited shade selection.

Cream is a pretty good match. It's a light-medium, (warm) peachy beige and would work well on skintones in the light-medium range (around MAC NC20-30).

Cream swatched on my wrist.

I need a pretty good concealer to camouflage my undereye darkness, which is mostly red & blue. My undereye darkness is better on some days than others, but most of the time, it looks like I haven't slept in days - so, concealer is a must for me!

I don't mind if a concealer isn't full coverage as long as it has a good consistency and finish. 

Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer has a thin consistency, creamy, yet watery - similar to MAC Moisturecover Concealer or Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. It has a doe-foot (slanted sponge) applicator and once dotted under the eyes, the product blends very nicely with the fingertips.

The coverage is a light-medium, and my darkness is still noticeable, even when layered. Applied over a medium coverage foundation, the results are better, or in conjunction with a corrector. The reviews for this concealer are very mixed. Some say there's not enough coverage, and others say it has a medium-full coverage. No matter how much I layered this concealer, it wasn't full coverage for me. 

I find that it works well on blemishes and spots, so I often reach for it for touch ups and any added concealing my face may need after I've applied my foundation - prior to my setting powder. 

By the end of the day, it will have faded a little bit, so a good helping of setting powder under the eyes is necessary to help keep it in place.

Overall, I'm not disappointed with this concealer - It's not bad, in fact, its one of the better drugstore concealers I've tried. But, it's just not enough coverage for me. I'll continue using this tube, and will not be re-purchasing.

PROS: I was able to find a good shade (Cream) for my skintone, the consistency is light, yet creamy, and it doesn't settle in my fine lines, it covers my blemishes and/or redness very well, isn't drying.
CONS: It does a mediocre job at covering my undereye darkness, isn't long lasting - fades throughout the day, there isn't a very large shade selection, so it may be difficult to some to find a shade match (particularly those with deep to dark skintones).
PACKAGING: I have no complaints with the packaging. It's compact and the applicator works well.
OVERALL: If you don't have severe dark circles and need minor concealing/brightening, this is a fantastic concealer to look into. For those that need a solid medium to full coverage, you may want to look elsewhere. This is a nice little concealer to pop in your bag and use for touch-ups.

Have you used this concealer? What'd you think of it? What's your favorite concealer - drugstore and high-end?

CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Corrector Review + BEFORE & AFTER Pics!

CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Corrector 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Covergirl's Simply Ageless Concealer formula covers imperfections, conceals under-eye circles and visibly brightens skin. Like all Simply Ageless makeup, it's made with advanced Olay Regenerist Serum, and it stays suspended over fine lines and wrinkles, for younger, firmer-looking skin.

• Transforms from solid to liquid on contact with skin, for smooth application
• Easy to apply with finger to target problem areas
• Brightens skin under eyes for a more wide-awake look

For someone with dark (hereditary) under eye darkness, finding a product that is targeted as a "corrector" at the drugstore sounded very inviting, especially since I'm about three uses close to finishing my Bobbi Brown Corrector. Now, although I do love my Bobbi Brown, it is incredibly expensive with daily use. At $22 per 1.4g of product, the 9g jar of Olay is much more affordable and half the price; $11. Plus, there are always P&G coupons in the paper for Covergirl for extra savings.

The difference between a corrector and concealer? 
The difference is quite simple. A concealer is used to cover up or conceal any blemishes/imperfections, as well as under eye circles, redness, etc. It will usually pack more coverage than your typical foundation, so by the time you apply your foundation, all of your imperfections will be hidden. Of you can use a concealer without using foundation if you can find a good match for your skintone.

A corrector typically won't match your skintone. It is used to correct a color problem. It will contain a higher amount of color pigments to neutralize the color you're trying to conceal. Look at the color wheel for reference. The color directly across from the color you want to conceal is going to be the neutralizer.

yellow neutralizes purple
green neutralizes red
orange neutralizes blue
Pink brightens, as well as neutralizing yellow-green (olive) and gray.

So, if your under eye darkness is more on the blue side, a peach or salmon colored concealer will work well for you. For darkness that is more on the purple side, a yellow toned concealer will work well for you. I always like using concealer with a tinge of pink, as it always makes my under-eyes look brighter.

For those with very dark circles, a corrector applied before your concealer may be what you need for the fullest coverage. A corrector can be used alone, but depending on your specific needs, an additional concealer may be necessary, as it will provide coverage.

WHEW! I hope that all made sense.

The CG Olay corrector is only available in one shade, which makes me a little bummed out. It's a pale yellow, which works well for the under-eyes, but it may not suit everyone. For those with very fair skin, you may find this too dark. For medium-dark to dark skin, you may find this too light. I wish they'd add two more colors to the line, one being pink toned and another being peach. I think it would make the product a hit.

For comparison, here it is swatched next to Bobbi Brown Corrector in the shade Light Peach.

The consistency is fab, everything you'd want a corrector to be. It's very smooth and creamy (not sticky like BB - almost slippery?), applies to the skin in a thin (without being cakey) layer so you can apply a concealer over top (if necessary) with ease. I find that this product works the best when applied with the finger tips in a thin layer.

I find that it covers quite good. Many days I don't find the need for an additional concealer, but on days where I want pure opaqueness, I'll add a touch of concealer on top. I do recommend using a concealer with this product because it will fade a little by the end of the day when used solo.

In the following photos, only my left eye is concealed in order to show the difference.

In the following photos, both of my eyes are done.

I achieved this by applying a thin layer of Covergirl & Olay Corrector, then applying a layer of Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Light. With whatever foundation residue was left on my brush from my face, I patted it lightly under my eyes to blend the concealer with my foundation. I finished off with a dusting of Guerlain Meteorites (setting powder).

PROS: Dreamy consistency, blends easily, isn't sticky, thick/heavy or cakey, applies in thin layers, conceals well, brightens.
CONS: One color!? Come on. Too dark for fair skin, and too light for medium-dark to dark skin. Also lasting power could be better.
PACKAGING: A little large and bulky, but I'm not complaining because it's a lot of product! It's lightweight and travel friendly.
OVERALL: I really like this product and if you are in the light, light-medium and medium skin range, you may find this product very beneficial. I don't want to scare those of you with fair skin away though, because it's a corrector, even if it's darker than your skin, it can still work for you. Most of it boils down to preference. I personally prefer a corrector to be lighter than my skin. It does seem rather expensive for a drugstore product, but I can see one jar lasting a very long time.