PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Foundation gives superior coverage and provides 24-hour wear. Superstay 24HR Makeup by Maybelline incorporates a Micro-Flex technology formulated to withstand heat, sweat and humidity - yet stays comfortable and looks flawless. Oil-free makeup will not transfer. Dermatologist tested. Fragrance Free. Suitable for all skin types.
There are twelve (12) shades in total, so finding your perfect match may be a little difficult with the limited shade selection. The shades are as follows: Porcelain Ivory, Sand Beige, Classic Ivory, Natural Beige, Nude, Classic Beige, Pure Beige, Natural Tan, True Beige, Honey Beige, Caramel and Cocoa. I purchased this foundation because I was in need of a foundation to wear when I'm not tan, so I chose the shade "Sand Beige", which seems to be around the MAC NC20 coloring.
Alright, so we all know that "24-hours" is a bit of a stretch in terms of wear for most foundations. You're not going to look like Cinderella for 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, and then poof! your makeup will blotch. Makeup companies tend to "stretch" (insanely exaggerate) the claims, so a product will sound appealing to the consumer. Even though this doesn't last 24 hours, it does have really good lasting power.
Let me start off with the color, like I already mentioned, I chose "Sand" which is the 2nd lightest color. It's a good match for the MAC NC20 coloring. It's more on the beige/neutral side, but it does warm up to my skin a bit. Because of the beige tone, it doesn't match my neck 100%, so with my foundation brush, I'll swirl the residue on my neck. The lightest color seemed a bit pink, and would probably be best for MAC NW15-20. If you're very fair (lighter than NC/NW15, there is no perfect match). For NC25-30, Nude seems like a good choice as there are are a good balance of yellow tones. Classic Beige can also work for NC30-35, as there are a fair amount of yellow tones (but, more beige than Nude).
In the photo on the left, the foundation is swatched on my hand to show the color, and blended on the right. You can clearly see the coverage is good, as it blurs out all imperfections on my hand. It looks a little pink, but don't worry, it doesn't look like that on my face.
The consistency is a little on the thick side, and for those that are use to thinner foundations may feel that this is a little difficult to work with. Because it's a little thicker and dries quickly, I always apply a light coating of a moisturizer to my face to help the foundation blend easier. I find it works well when applied with the fingers, but I like applying it with a flat top foundation brush the best, using light patting motions and then circular motions to blend. The coverage is on the heavier-medium, and is buildable to an almost full coverage. It covers 90% of my blemishes, while completely evening out my skin. The finish is pretty matte, so I never feel the need to set with a powder.
I am really impressed with the wear of this foundation, as it doesn't seem to get oily/shiny throughout the day, and it stays put very well. I do find that by the evening (after 7-8 hours) it will have faded from my nose and a little bit around the mouth. So, I will touch it up with my foundation brush at around that time. When it's time to remove the foundation, a cleanser is necessary.
I've seen several reviews, and many say that it photographs well, but in my experience, it gives me a slight gray cast in photos. Estee Lauder Double Wear does the same for me.
Overall though, I really like this foundation and think it's one of the better drugstore foundations. I'll be wearing it on those days where I need the extra coverage.
Here are a couple photos of me wearing the foundation with no powder or bronzer.
PROS: Excellent coverage, lasts well throughout the day, blends well. CONS: Limited color selection - limited tones for yellow/warm skin, very light and deep skin tones, can sometimes make my skin look dull. PACKAGING: The packaging is pretty standard. As with any foundation, I wish it had a pump for sanitary reasons and for convenience. It's also a little heavy, as it's thick glass - so it weighs down my bag a bit. OVERALL: It's an overall great foundation for those with some hyper-pigmentation, acne scars, or for those who want good coverage for a lower price.Normal, Combination to Oily skin types will benefit the best from this foundation as it has a matte finish and doesn't seem to get oily throughout the day. Dry skin types may find it difficult to apply, and can possibly make the skin appear duller/drier. If you have dry skin, I'd recommend moisturizing prior or adding a drop of moisturizer into the foundation being applied.
I thought it would be fun to post a haul of some accessories I've acquired in the past couple of months. It's all kind of random, but I love when other bloggers have posts like these ;)
I was hoping to link several of the items back to the websites, but every single Forever 21 item I purchased isn't listed on the website. I'm guessing a big majority of accessories became sold out during their recent 30% off sale. So, I apologize in advance for that!
READ MORE FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS...
Jeffrey Campbell Tick Stud Shoes
Betsey Johnson Raven Sunglasses
L.A.M.B. Cosmetic Bag
The Extras Alison in Chains Necklace
Leaf Wrap Two-Finger Ring
Bueno Faux Fur Bag
Madden Girl Sookiee Gold Glitter Slingback Heels
1) Heart Locket Bracelet (Random Wholesale Shop in Chicago)
2) Silver Curb Chain Bangle Set (Forever 21) I love these bangles for every day. I love that they can be paired with a casual or dressed up outfit. I usually wear them with anything black, as they have an "edgy" feel to them.
3) Betsey Johnson Raven BK214 Sunglasses (Marshall's) I've wanted a pair of classic Ray-Ban sunglasses for a while, but the frames look too small on my face. These are a similar style, and they actually fit my face well. They are regular $55, and I got them for $7! Love deals like that.
4) Assorted Rhinestone Earrings (Forever 21)
5) Two Finger Leaf Ring (Forever 21) I thought this ring was kinda cute and different, and it was only $3.80.
6) Bow Necklace (Forever 21) I had a huge thing for bows for the past couple of years, but I've been slowly stemming out of the bow phase.. I couldn't pass this one up though. ;)
8) Bueno Faux Fur Handbag (Marshalls) I've been wearing this bag for a few weeks now and I think it's really cute. It's extra roomy and well made for the $24.99 price tag. They had several other colors in stock as well.
9) Antique Gold Collar Necklace (Forever 21) This necklace caught my eye because it reminded me of the Jewelmint Astoria Necklace. I haven't worn it yet, but I'm excited to!
10) Woven Black & Gold Bracelet (Charolette Russe) I found this little gem in the clearance bin for $1.99. I've worn it several times and I'm really surprised it hasn't tarnished.
11) L.A.M.B Saddle Cosmetic Bag (TJMaxx) What drew me to purchasing this little bag aside from the price (Clearance for $20) is the material of the bag. It's PVC with leather trim - it's soft, very durable and easy to clean. I mainly purchased it to store my coupons and gift cards, as I don't want to ruin it with my makeup.
12) Madden Girl Sookiee Glitter Heels (Carson's) I don't actually own a pair of glitter heels and I thought these were cute for a night out or for the holidays. They were on Clearance for only $20.
13) Jeffrey Campbell Tick Stud Shoes (Karmaloop) I saved my favorite for last. These were a complete impulse buy, and I'm very happy to say that I'm incredibly satisfied with them. I wore them once already and they are shockingly, very comfortable. I'll post a review on them soon.
-Ultra-soft and blendable blushing powder features a fresh and vibrant mix of blushing tones infused with a pop of color to create a healthy glow. -Multi-reflective pearls provide a soft iridescence to highlight contour and add radiance to cheeks. -Infused with our Happy Boost Blend, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress. -The sweet scent of Violet provides a feeling of joy each time you apply.
READ MORE FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, SWATCHES & MY REVIEW!
At the start of 2011, Physician's Formula released the "Happy Booster" line of blushes, bronzers and face powders. It's not really a large line; there are two shades in each category. They seemed to take off really well in the online makeup community, but I held off as I figured I didn't really need them, plus Physician Formula's products tend to be a little pricey.
Well, my blog bestie Cheryl was extra sweet and sent me this blush a couple weeks ago to cheer me up during all what I've been going through lately. How sweet was that? It really does make me smile every time I use it because I think of her - I can't exactly say it's a cause of the "happy boost infused blend" haha!
There are two blush shades to choose from; Rose and Natural. Both are pretty similar, but Rose is a brighter pink, whereas Natural is more of a muted, warm pink. I have Natural, and although I own several blushes, I don't own any that closely compare. There are a handful of different color hearts - a raspberry pink, baby pink, tawny/brown pink, nude pink, etc and when all the shades are swirled together, a luminous warm pink with subtle shimmer is created. I wouldn't say it's overly shimmery or frosty. I'd compare it to a MAC Sheertone Shimmer finish. It's a color that would look great on any skin tone - especially for those of you that have trouble finding a pink blush that isn't too neutral, blue or purple.
Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush in Natural
The blush itself is silky soft and applies sheer with one thin layer, but can be easily built up. I always apply it a little heavy and go back with my setting powder and kabuki brush to soften the edges and tone it down if necessary. The color looks really natural and adds such a healthy color to my face. It's a great color for every day, that doesn't seem to clash with any of my other makeup.
I usually end up disappointed with the staying power of drugstore line blush, but this blush seems to last all day.
Also, like mentioned in the product description, it has a slight (violet) fragrance that I really enjoy. It's no where near as potent as Chanel Joues Contraste Blushes or other scented cosmetics I've used. I can only really smell it when I put my nose up to the pan.
The only bad thing that can really be said is that the packaging stinks. All of Physician's Formula products have bulky, plain packaging with a clear lid that gets scuffed up like crazy when tossed in my cosmetic bag. Also, the brush is too scratchy to be usable. To the PF PR: If you're reading this, I think it's about time to re-vamp your packaging. Just a thought. Love yours truly, Natty.
Here is is swatched heavilyon my hand. So gorgeous!
PROS: Great blendability, soft texture, buildable coverage, natural finish, beautiful color CONS: None for the actual product! Unless you strongly dislike fragrance in your makeup - I know many out there despise it, and it may cause irritations for others. PACKAGING: A little bulky, Not very appealing (but what drugstore product does have nice packaging anyway..) The design is cute though, and I like that the compact is pink and that the pan flips upward, exposing a mirror and compartment for the brush that's included. OVERALL: This blush has quickly become one of my top choices as my go-to blushes for daily wear. It's definitely a new favorite of mine and I highly recommend it!
I typically don't like posting about products that are limited edition from old collections or that are discontinued, but I had to make an exception for Dior's Five Golds Quint. I got a hold of this beauty in a blog sale for a fraction of the price, and I'm loving it!
Five Golds was one of the two, 5-Colour Eyeshadow palettes available last winter from Dior's 2010 Holiday Collection. Five Golds includes a charcoal black with silver sparkles (reminiscent of MAC Black Tied); metallic copper-gold; metallic medium-toned bronzed brown; metallic silver and a pale, shimmery golden ivory.
READ MORE FOR ADDITIONAL INFO, PHOTOS AND SWATCHES!
I was automatically drawn to the palette ever since it launched because I'm a big fan of warm and neutral palettes, as well as palettes that contain all of the shades necessary to create a daytime and nighttime look. Why didn't I purchase it then?? Who knows. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, and I'm still kicking myself for not getting a hold of the Summer 2011 Dior's Aurora Bronzer and literally punching myself for not getting Chanel's Topkapi Palette. Someone please tell me they aren't all that so I won't feel so bad. haha! The colors in this palette can all be used at once (without looking over-the-top), with no additional shadows needed. I rarely come across a Dior palette with 5 shades to my liking, so I'm really happy with this particular palette.
Dior Five Golds
As far as texture goes, all of the shades are very smooth and blend easily. The pigmentation is excellent for all shades, with the exception of the lightest golden ivory shade. It's very sheer and applies almost like a shimmery pigment, that when blended, all that's left behind is a scatter of sparkles. It applies much better when packed over a base, otherwise, it looks nice on the inner corners or all over the lid for a little bit of shimmer.
Although the shadows perform well without a base, using a base will keep the colors from fading or disappearing throughout the day (especially if you have oily skin). I like using MAC Paint Pots. I'd probably use Indianwood or Bare Study.
Dior Five Golds
All shades swatched over freshly moisturized skin.
Is this palette a must-have?
Not entirely - It's definitely a palette worth giving a chance if you happen to spot one on any blog sales or makeup swaps. None of the shades are that unique, and are easily dupe-able with other brands. But, it's the convenience of having all of the shades you need in one very practical, compact palette. Also, the Dior quality is definitely there. Dior palettes are sometimes a hit or miss, but this palette doesn't contain any chalky or powdery shades. I'm very happy with this palette and I'm certain it will be one of my go-to palettes for every day.
What's your favorite quint? I've had Earth Reflection on my "to-buy in the near future" list for ages now. I've spotted it in several blog sales, and every single time I've messaged the seller to purchase it, the sale always fell through. Nuts! Maybe it wasn't meant to be.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: New Revlon Age Defying with DNA Advantage Cream Makeup combines makeup + powerful anti-aging skincare to help protect skin's DNA to fight the signs of aging. 96% of women saw flawless, younger-looking skin in two weeks. Lines and wrinkles are visibly diminished while skin is refreshed, hydrated, revitalized. SPF 20.
Sounds far fetched, doesn't it? Well, I particularly didn't pick this foundation up for it's anti-aging properties, as I don't have very visible signs of aging yet. You can say that I'm a fan of Revlon, and their foundations, so when I found an incredible sale on this new foundation, I had to pick one up. What I really liked about it is that it has a SPF of 20, and any extra SPF in my skincare is always a bonus (as long as I'm not being photographed.. white cast - eek!!) There are eight (8) shades in total, which might make it a little difficult in finding your perfect color match. Lately, I've been sticking around the MAC coloring of NC20 and I picked up Bare Buff (the 2nd lightest color). It's a fair match, but it could use a hint of yellow, as it's more beige/neutral. I found the lightest shade (Fresh Ivory) to be very pink. So, very limited options for those who are very fair and for those with deep skin tones. If I was around my normal NC30-35, I'd probably pick up Medium Beige, as it seems to have a good balance of golden hues. Bear in mind, it may be difficult in finding your match, as the thick plastic bottle leaves a lot to the imagination of what exact color is inside. It's a little easier to see the color when you turn the bottle upside down.
The consistency is very light and creamy - almost like a whipped liquid. It's very easy to work with, as it spreads and blends with little effort. The coverage is a light-medium, and can be easily built to a heavier medium. My favorite way to apply it is with a synthetic, flat top brush, such as the Coastal Scents Bionic Flat Top Buffer Brush, in small circular motions. The finish is in between dewy and satin. It's not overly dewy, but a setting powder is definitely needed to avoid transfer throughout the day. It looks really radiant and fresh on the skin. On my "no make-up, make-up" days I like using a small pump of this foundation and it looks very natural and gives a slight glow to my skin. This foundation does in fact contain shimmer (don't panic, it's nothing like Revlon Photoready or MAC Hyper Real). I don't notice it at all and I've been wearing this foundation all month. The lasting power is okay - 6 hours max before it all starts to fade away. Also, by the end of the day, my face feels oily, even though it's not at all(MAC Studio Fix Fluid does the same thing for me if I wear it for too many hours). Have I noticed better looking skin in two weeks? Nope. But results may vary from person to person. I'd say don't get your hopes up though for it's "promising" claims and leave that to your skincare.
To show off the finish of the foundation, I blended it slightly in the photo on the left and blended it almost completely in the photo on the right. You can definitely tell it's luminosity..
Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of me wearing this foundation, but I will update this post with a photo the next time I'm wearing it.
PROS: Lightweight, Moisturizing/Emollient, SPF 20, Radiant finish. CONS: Color Selection: Not enough shades to benefit all skin undertones, Lasting power could be better, Pricey for a drugstore foundation ($15), Some may find it too "greasy" - especially those with oily skin. PACKAGING: I don't have any complaints with the packaging. It's made of a thick lightweight plastic, so it doesn't weigh down my bag. Also, it has a pump, which is a major plus. The only complaint I have is that it's difficult to tell how much is left in the bottle. OVERALL: Overall, I think this is a good foundation for those with dry to normal skin. Because it contains several moisturizing ingredients, it should be particularly beneficial to those with dry skin. Also, the slight shimmer would be beneficial to dry skin types as it will add radiance to dull or aged skin. Although it has good coverage, for those who need full coverage, I'd recommend trying Colorstay, as it lasts much longer without fading. I think this foundation is more geared toward those with relatively clear (acne-free) skin, so for those of you that would like to hide minor imperfections and even out your skintone, this foundation is worth a try.
Have you tried this foundation? What did you think of it? Check out Makeupalley to see what other reviewers said!
Before I start getting back into my "normal" posts, I'd like to thank you all for your amazing comments on my last post. I didn't expect to receive so many responses, especially such detailed, sincere and heartfelt messages.
You have all made me so incredibly happy. It's so comforting to know that some of you consider me a friend, even if we've never spoken to one another and actually care enough about me to leave such kind words. It just amazes me how many great people there are out there and I feel so fortunate to be able to connect to some of you and share my life with you. You are all amazing - thank you for being there for me and for giving me strength and motivation to do what I love.
I'm really sorry for the lack of updates. It's been a month, and I haven't mentioned why, or what was the reason behind my hiatus. Although I really wanted to share with you all what I've been feeling, I've been putting off this post day after day. Mainly because talking about it tosses me into the reality of it, which I still can't believe it yet. Also, I've been unsure of how deep I should really go when talking about it. It's really hard for me not to go deep, because it's something that is so immersed in my soul.
READ MORE TO CONTINUE READING...
October 2nd, my Dad passed away. **I started writing the detailed story, but I think it's too detailed and maybe too personal to be posted. My hands are shaking as I type, so I'm just going to try making this part brief.** His death was something very unexpected. As far as we all knew, he was in good health and never suffered from any illnesses other than a common cold - even those were very rare because my Dad was a very tough man. Sunday morning/afternoon was a normal day at home. We carried out our normal duties, and my mother and me ran to the store for a little over an hour, and came back and found my Dad laying on the ground with no pulse. I called an ambulance as my brother tried to revive him, nothing happened. The paramedics came, and as hope filled in our hearts that he was going to be okay - they gave us all the worst words possible "I'm sorry.. but he's gone. There is nothing we can do." You can imagine how I felt. I fell to my knees along side my Dad in shock, disbelief, horror, confusion and completely heart-broken. How can this be??? He was fine a couple hours ago. He was laughing, smiling, cooking.. we were about to have a barbecue. My Dad didn't have a second chance and he was all alone when he had his last breath, which is the worse thing to swallow. I sat next to him, holding his hand for what seemed like hours until I was pulled away from him.
I'm not sure why, but my biggest fear in life was losing my parents. I was, and still am, scared of nothing but that. It was a fear that consumed me every day. It was always more-so my Dad than my Mom, because I saw my Dad getting older faster. It was something that became really hard on me, as I'm sure it is to anyone who sees their parents aging. For a normal person, you may think about it once in a while that your parents aren't going to be here some day, but for me, I thought about it several times a day - each day. Every time I looked at my Dad, my heart always weakened. My Dad and I had a very special bond, and although it wasn't always expressed verbally, we had a closeness deep in our hearts that no one could ever replace. My biggest nightmare was to ever lose my Dad before I spent the time I wanted to with him and learn about his life, his struggles, his deepest thoughts and emotions. I suppose no time is really "enough" time, but I wanted to hear about him from his own mouth, not from others.. because only my Dad knew himself best.
My biggest fear and nightmare came true on October 2nd. I never thought that God would take my Dad as soon as he did. My Dad died almost instantly from a massive heart attack, something that could of been prevented with routine check-ups.
It has been really hard on my family, as my Dad was the "rock" and the foundation of our family. He went above and beyond his whole life to provide for us and make sure we were always happy. I'm not saying this because it's my Dad, but I've never seen another Dad in my whole life do as much for their family as my Dad did - even on his last day of life.
My brother and me before the wake. It hurt him too much to be inside the house, and I tried to comfort him. We had a really deep conversation, and to me, these pictures are worth a million words. I see a lot of pain when I look at these photos.. like two children - lost souls in a big world without their Dad.
I've been able to get through my biggest fear by surrounding myself with the people that love me - staying very close to my Mom and brother, keeping myself busy, and having lots of faith. I know it may sound cliche, but when you want to comfort someone who lost a loved one, you'd usually say something like "they'll always be with you, they'll always be by your side." I wonder if those people really know the truth in that. I didn't know the truth in that until I lost my Dad. I know my Dad is still here. If he wasn't here, I wouldn't be able to be as strong as I am. But he is here comforting my family and me, and letting us know that he's okay and he loves us. I believe in signs from the spirits and I believe I've noticed several that were all from him. I ask him to visit me in my dreams, and sometimes he does...
My Dad and Me last October on vacation
I can easily curl up in a ball and lock myself in my room for weeks at a time, but for my family, myself and my Dad, I'm trying to be as strong as I can. I'm going to stay motivated and continue on with my life and doing the things I love - which of course, include blogging. I'm going to try stressing less and loving more.
From this whole experience, I've realized many things. 1) Life is short. You don't really understand how short it is until you lose someone you love. 2) You can't be prepared for death. You will never be prepared. The only thing you can do to prepare yourself is love the ones around you and don't "put-off" spending time with your loved ones for a rainy day. Love your loved ones every day. 3) Don't be selfish. Being selfish isn't good for your inner spirit. In order for your spirit to grow and to be happy from within, you can't be selfish. 4) Don't talk bad about others. If the people around you are talking negative about another person, be the one to change their thinking (to each their own?) or don't comment on the matter. 5) Don't hold grudges. What's the point? 6) Surround yourself with positive energy. Positive energy will motivate you. Negative energy will only bring you down. 7) Love everybody. Yep, everybody. This ties into #4 Don't talk bad about others. It's not right to judge another person for their beliefs, the way they were raised, their personality, the things they like, etc. Everyone is different and you have to be accepting of others. Once you accept others as they are, you'll feel such happiness from within. You are no better than anyone else. Having more money doesn't make you "better". 8) Always appreciate what others do for you. Don't expect anything from anyone ever and you won't be disappointed. When you're not expecting anything, that's when you're really thankful. 9) You were born as dust and you will leave as dust. You won't leave with your money or your expensive things. You can have expensive things, but you have to remain humble. Money isn't everything and vanity isn't everything. 10) Always be optimistic. Never give up, or lose hope. There are open doors for all of us in life. 11) Always attend a funeral/wake if you're able to. It means a lot to the family. I know it may not be an environment you like, because death is something that scares all of us, but I know how comforting it really is to have lots of people around you. 12) When someone you love dies, they are only gone physically. You can talk to them out loud any time you want, and they will listen to you. 13) You will have some days that are good and some that are bad. You can't be strong all of the time, and that is fine. 14) Be happy for what you have, and don't be bitter for what you don't have. 15) Don't be afraid of going to the doctor for a routine check-up.
There are so many things I can list, but those are just some of things that came into my head as I was typing.
I want to thank you all who left me beautiful messages on makeupalley, twitter and the mail. All of your prayers, wishes and kind words were are are so much appreciated. Thank you so, so much.
For those of you who lost a loved one, I feel for you deeply, and I hope you will keep your head up and remain positive through it all. Just know, when you're happy, your loved one is too.
Four roses from my Dad's funeral arrangement that stands for the four members of our family placed on the spot he died. One is white, because he is an angel now.
Luther Vandross - Dance with my Father
This song is beautiful. If you have a minute, listen to it...
