Almay Smart Shade Concealer Review

Almay Smart Shade Concealer Review

From the Brand:
Finally a concealer that takes the guesswork out of finding your perfect shade, instantly adjusting to the color of your skin. Conceal minor imperfections on face and dark circles under eyes. Antioxidant blend of grape seed, ginseng and ginkgo biloba nurtures your skin for a beautiful, natural finish every time.

Retails for:  $8.99

Where to Buy: Anywhere drugstore makeup is sold, such as Ulta stores and Ulta.com, Walgreens.com, CVS.com, Target, Walmart, and grocery stores

My Thoughts:  In theory, this is a super cool concept.  How many times have you purchased a concealer thinking it was going to work for you only to find once you're home that it's way too light or too dark?  Me, it's happened countless times.  And it's a huge waste of both time and money.  I thought this would be an awesome solution.  However, it was way too light for me in the shade Light.  It goes on white and is supposed to darken to the correct color once the pigment spheres are I guess crushed and blended over the surface of the skin?  Not a science person like that, so I'm not 100% sure how it's supposed to work.  But this really didn't pick up much color at all and stayed an ugly ashy color on my skin. 

The formula was really nice though.  It was creamy and easy to blend, and it didn't settle into the creases under my eyes.  So I've got to give it that.  It's just not very "smart" on the shade end of things, and I'm usually the lightest shade of concealer in a brand.


Final Verdict:  Not sure if I'll try again with a "darker" shade or just call this a total miss.  Either way, I wasn't impressed.

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Jordana Twist and Shine Lipcolor Review

Jordana Twist and Shine Lipcolor Review

From the Brand:

• Moisturizing Balm Infused with a Light-Weight Stain
• Applies with a Glossy Finish then Transforms into the Perfect Flush of Color

• Long-Lasting
• Retractable, No Sharpening Required

• Paraben-Free

• Made in USA

Retails for:  $2.99


Where to Buy:  JordanaCosmetics.com, Walgreens stores and Walgreens.com


My Thoughts:  I love twist up lip crayons lately, as they are so much more convenient than lipsticks and give the lips a softer more lived in look than an opaque lipstick.  When I'm not wearing gloss, I reach for a lip crayon, and most of the time it's the beautiful sheer flesh color Nude Chic.  It's got a bit of shimmer to it, which I'll admit can get a bit drying and a tiny bit rough on the lips, but the color looks so flattering on my lips with my fair skin tone I'll put up with it.  I just make sure to put some chapstick on my lips first or top with a quick swipe of clear hydrating lip gloss to give a touch of "wet" look and glide.

I'm not a fan of either of the other two colors pictured though.  They are a lot more opaque than I was expecting, and the color is exactly as you see it on tube.  With my red or copper hair (depending on where I am in my coloring routine!), the pinks are just too harsh for my fair skin.  I got them on the recommendation of Emily of Beauty Broadcast (check out her channel here), and they look fabulous on her fair skin with dark brown hair.  I don't remember which video she talks about them in, but I made a note on my phone to pick some up at Walgreens, and the two darker colors were part of that list.  So I'll just assume they were the ones she wore.  If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone on the internet will be happy to prove point it out to me, ha!

Overall, they aren't that hydrating, and they go on with a more satin finish.  If you want a glossier look, you'll need to top it with gloss.  They do last a good amount of time though, so the staining properties are definitely there.

Final Verdict:  Overall, these are a good twist up crayon color for a cheap price.  I've only seen the brand sold at Walgreens, so it may be tricky to get your hands on them without buying sight unseen online.  I know I've seen reviews for some of their products that I don't see sold at Walgreens, but if you find these I'd recommend trying out a color or two.

I Want To Know:  Which brand is your favorite twist up crayon?

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Revlon Scented Nail Polish Review

Revlon Scented Nail Polish Review

From the Brand:  Revlon Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel is intoxicating color with an irresistible scent. Vibrant shiny shades go on smoothly for flawless color and then dry to light, irresistible fragrances.

• Fragrance revealed when dry
• Light fragrances last all day
• Available in 24 shades.

Retails for:  $5.99

Where to Buy: Anywhere drugstore makeup is sold, such as Ulta stores and Ulta.com, Walgreens.com, CVS.com, Target, Walmart, and grocery stores

My Thoughts:  I remember the days back when I was a kid when I'd put on scented nail polish and I thought I was Little Miss Hot Stuff.  Well, let's just say this has a touch of nostalgia for my youth while being a totally sophisticated grown up way to paint my nails.

I love the formula of the three colors above that I've tried above.  They are the only shades I've purchased, but I definitely would try more.  They go on richly pigmented and very creamy, and they don't streak.  I'd recommend two coats though to get a perfectly even nail. 

My favorite is the yellow, Sunlit Grass.  It's the perfect shade of yellow for my fair skin that doesn't look too acidic or jaundiced.  It's a beautiful warm yellow that instantly makes me think spring.  And despite the name, it doesn't have any green tones to it at all.

The pink, African Tea Rose, is not as pigmented in one coat as the other two, but it's still a gorgeous shade.  It was the first color I was drawn to and the first that I purchased.  There's a hint of blue to the shade without getting too far into the purple range, so I think it would compliment both cool toned skins as well as warm toned skins.  It's the perfect pink for summer time.

The red, China Flowers, is a beautiful warm red without getting too much into the coral range.  It's a true red without the cherry undertones of darker or brighter reds.

The nail polish scents are light, not overpowering at all, and it's really unique how the smell comes out as the polish dries.  I wish it lasted longer than a day, but of course it's not really plausible.  The finish of the polish is a smooth creamy finish with no shimmer on any of these three colors.  Although, in the stores I've seen shades with some beautiful shimmers.  There's a huge range of colors, too!

Even the packaging is awesome on these.  I love the little glass bottles with the round black tops.  Something about them is just feminine to me and appeals to my inner girl.  I like displaying them in my bathroom rather than hiding them under the counter in a shoebox.  They stand out from the endless sea of uninteresting bottles of nail polish.  Almost like a perfume bottle rather than nail polish.  Or maybe I'm just seeing things?  Am I the only one who gets that vibe from these?  I mean the "Parfumerie" isn't just an allusion to the smell, right?


Final Verdict:  LOVE!  These are the first three, and I can't wait to get some more when Ulta does some kind of Buy One, Get One sort of sale on Revlon products.

Today I want to know: Who else has tried these nail polishes?  Did you like them?  How long do you feel the scent lasts?  Have you reviewed them for your blog or YouTube channel?  Post the link below so we can all check you out!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer Review

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer Review

From the Brand:
Blemisheal Technology contains salicylic acid to heal and conceal blemishes for an even complexion. Mineral complex absorbs oil. Aloe and chamomile soothe skin to help reduce redness.

Retails for:  $6.99


Where to Buy:  Drugstore.com, Walgreens.com, Ulta.com, and wherever you buy drugstore makeup



My Thoughts:  First, have you read my review of the Almay Clear Complexion Foundation?  No?  Be sure to check that out {HERE} after you're done reading this one!  I've got a video so you can see it in action, too.  {By the way, do you like the accompanying video reviews?  Want to see more?  Let me know in the comments below!}

Ok, moving on.... Let's get to the concealer!

This stuff is amazing.  It's truly one of my favorite concealers of all time for breakouts.  It matches my skin perfectly, so I can use it directly on my face.  And it really does work on helping heal my acne.  I wouldn't use it under my eyes at all.  It's too irritating for the delicate undereye area, and it's drying.  I notice a reduction in the size of my breakout within a few hours, and after a few days it's pretty much gone.

The only downside I think is that it's on a wand applicator.  I don't want to dab that directly onto the breakout, as that would put bacteria into the tube of makeup and contaminate it.  Even if the makeup itself has antibacterial properties, it's still not a sanitary way to apply makeup to a breakout.  I have to put some onto the back of my hand and then dab it on with my fingertip or a qtip.  I don't even really like using a concealer brush to cover breakouts.  I'm just too nit picky about contamination, and even being a makeup artist I know I don't wash my own brushes often enough.  In the morning when I'm in a rush to get ready and out the door, I don't want to wash my brushes every time.  And the same applies at night when I'm lucky if I don't crash without taking my makeup off.  And so it goes that I don't wash my brushes as often as I should.  *tsk tsk me!*

It also lasts a good deal throughout the day.  For when my face isn't in need of an all over blemish fighting foundation, like the Almay Clear Complexion Foundation, this does the trick perfectly.  I only have to touch up the concealer maybe once or twice, and that's more often because it's around my mouth, and I eat and drink a lot during the day.  It's also really good at covering the redness from a breakout.  You know how sometimes you can put on a concealer, but after a while the redness starts to show through?  Not with this one!

I love that this is a concealer that does double duty- it fights breakouts while helping to conceal them!  You should be using a different concealer for breakouts than you do for your undereyes anyway, since the areas need different formulations to give you the best finish and wear.


Final Verdict:  If you can find a shade to match your skin perfectly, I'd highly recommend this!  Even if it's just a tad off, you can put this under your foundation and just lightly sponge a bit of foundation over the top to get a nice even blend to the face.  It puts the blemish fighting ingredients right up against the skin anyway.

I want to know!  What's your favorite concealer to cover breakouts?  Do you have a Holy Grail concealer you think I should try?  Let me know below!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Jesse's Girl Liquid Eyeliner Review

Jesse's Girl Liquid Eyeliner Review

From the Brand:
Our unique Japanese calligraphy-style brush allows for precise, super-fine application that lets you create lines as small as one millimeter thickness! Combined with a formula that dries super-quick (for a waterproof, smudge-proof application), our liquid eyeliner glides on smoothly without tugging or pulling.

.017oz/5ml

BLACK ONLY

Retails for:  $6.99


Where to Buy:  JessesGirlCosmetics.com


My Thoughts:  I got this in an IPSY back forever ago.  I'd never heard of Jesse's Girl products before, and I love trying out new brands.  I'm always a bit skeptical of unknown brands with low price points that show up in these monthly subscription boxes, but half the fun is never knowing what diamonds in the rough you'll discover.  This for me is one of those diamonds.

The liner glides on very smoothly with no tugging, and the tip is the perfect felt pen shape.  Sometimes I think the liner tips are too long, too thick, or too blunt at the end.  This gives me great control over the shape and width of the line to create a variety of looks from very simple to dramatic graphic lines.

The color comes only in black, which is a bummer.  I'd prefer if it came in more options, since I like this so much.  The black is a nice rich color though, and I don't need to layer it for an intense effect like some cheap liners.  I challenge the waterproof claim on this liner though.  It lasts a good 7-8 hours, so it's not slacking in that department, but I'm at the makeup studio for a good 9 hours or more a day, plus two hours total of commute, so I usually reach for waterproof liners to keep my makeup looking fresh from dawn to dusk.  This does come off with water alone, so I wouldn't classify it as waterproof.

The packaging is also very sharp for a drugstore range product.  The sleek silver looks very high end, is good quality, and fits nicely in my makeup bag.

Final Verdict:  A definite must try if you're a fan of liquid eyeliner.

I Want To Know:  What diamonds in the rough have you discovered lately that you think the world needs to know about?  Share your thoughts/blog/reviews below and spread the love!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

The One Stick by Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Review

The One Stick by Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Review

From the Brand:
Formula: An all-in-one multiple stick with a smooth texture.
Bombshell Application: Apply to eyelids, cheeks or lips for the perfect pop of color anywhere!
Bombshell Tip: Apply as you would regular eyeshadow, blush or lip gloss.

Retails for:  $16.00

Where to Buy:  BeABombeshellCosmetics.com, IPSY.com


My Thoughts:  I got this in an IPSY bag a while back, and it's been sitting on my makeup counter in my "to be tested" box staring me in the face every morning as I get ready.  I finally broke this out the other day and tried it on my cheeks and on my lips to get a feel for both the color payout, the formula, and it's overall versatility as a multi-tasking makeup stick.

Color Payout-  The shade is a light frosty bubblegum pink, so I wasn't expecting anything too shockingly pigmented or bright, and that's exactly what I got: something not shockingly pigmented and not bright.  On the cheeks, it went ok with my fair skin tone but definitely could use a touch of powder blush to look a little more "alive".  It looks almost more like a pink highlighter than a stand alone blush.  After trying it on my cheeks, I didn't even bother on my eyes.  On my lips, I looked like I had a disease. The shade was not flattering at all.

The Formula-  I didn't find that this product lasted very long at all.  There wasn't much color to the cheeks to begin with, and alone it quickly dissolved into my foundation and left me feeling washed out.  When I tried it a second time with some blush dusted on top to help perk up the color and "set" the creaminess of the stick, it gave me a longer wear.   However, it did start to break down my foundation, which wore away sooner and took all the color on top with it.  On the face, I wasn't impressed with it's performance at all.  On my lips, oh geeze.  It chunked up and clung to any minor imperfections, and within a few minutes had moved around and settled.  Again, it looked like I had lips that were peeling off from a disease.  Still firmly in the not flattering category on this aspect as well.

Multi-Tasking-  It didn't work well on my cheeks, so I wouldn't expect it to work well on my eyelids which are more oily, crease, move, and have more heat transfer from the thin skin.  If it can't sit still on my cheeks, I can't see how it would work as an eye shadow.  And the lips, it was really quite horrendous looking.  I applied it in the bathroom, walked downstairs and straight out to my car, where I promptly was horrified at my reflection in the rear view mirror as I was backing out of the driveway.  I'm so thankful I caught a glimpse of myself before I made it all the way to work like that!  Horrified counts as not flattering, right?


Final Verdict:  Big fail.  Glad I didn't spend my own money on it, as I would have returned it right away.  There was nothing I liked about this product.  I'm really disappointed as I absolutely LOVE my powder blush from Be A Bombshell Cosmetics I got from IPSY last year!

Talk to me!  Have you tried this?  Are you an IPSY girl, too and have gotten this or other Be A Bombshell products in your bags?  What are your thoughts?!  SHARE THEM HERE! {Wondering what the heck IPSY is?  Check it out now and join thousands of other women who are already a member!}

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Maybelline Baby Skin Review

Maybelline Baby Skin Review

From the Brand:
Poreless Smooth Skin Perfection! One second to smooth, poreless skin. Get mistake- proof, poreless smooth skin with Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer.

• Poreless Smooth Skin Perfection!
• One Second To Smooth, Poreless Skin
• Visibly Pore Blurring Smooth Skin

Retails for:  $6.99


Where to Buy:  You know the drill, anywhere drugstore brand makeup is found, but just in case, here's a few of my favorite places to shop:  Walgreens.com, Ulta.com, Drugstore.com


My Thoughts: I purchased this foundation primer to see how it would hold up on clients in the photo studio as a cheaper alternative to higher end silicone primers like the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.  I'd seen some people on YouTube talking about how much they liked it, and for only $6.99 decided to give it a go.  I can't use anything with dimethicone (a form of silicone commonly found in primers) on my skin, since I'm allergic, but I tested it out on several clients under my silicone Face Atelier foundations to see how it did on a variety of different skin types.

I wasn't very impressed with this primer, much as I'm usually not too impressed with silicone primers.  I really like to buff the foundation over the surface of the skin when I'm working with a liquid and brush, and I never seem to get the perfect finish I want when I'm doing this over a silicone primer.  I find that unless you really work it over the surface of the skin and use just the tiniest bit they tend to roll up on the skin and not sit in place when buffing the foundation over.  They work great when I'm airbrushing foundation over the surface, as I'm not touching the primer once it's laid down.  When applying makeup to someone else, it's kind of weird to sit there and rub their face.  But that's just how I am.  I prefer a thin primer with an almost serum-like consistency that sinks down into the skin to hydrate and lightly "plump" the skin rather than something that sits over the surface.

That all being said, if you do use just a tiny bit of this and really work it over the surface of the skin, it's a good primer to fill in the pores and create a more even surface for foundation.  Just don't try to buff the skin with a flat kabuki style foundation brush.  I can make it work with my Face Atelier by using a small dual fiber brush to stipple and then smooth out the foundation lightly without disturbing the primer underneath or even better with a blender sponge.  The best option is just to airbrush, but I don't bring that to the photo studio.

I'm not able to comment on how well it works at adding longevity to the makeup, since most of our clients take their makeup off before they leave the studio.  (It's boudoir, so 1. It's a heavier look to wear just around town, and 2. It's usually a surprise.)  It seems to dull shine just a bit, even under the lights or on warm days.  On really oily skins though it's not heavy duty enough to mattify the skin, and I need to powder and use a mattifying spray on top of the makeup.



Final Verdict:  It's a decent silicone style primer to have on hand if you can't afford the more expensive prestige brands, but it doesn't live up to my favorites like the Too Faced Primed and Poreless or Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara Review

Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara Review

From the Brand:
Get glamorous, big volume lashes from every angle
Lashes look 100% more magnified, multiplied, amplified*. Award winning.
*with two coats 
Lash finding brush with rounded tip easily reaches every single lash for maximum dimension.

Available in 3 non-waterproof shades: Blackest Black, Black, and Blackened Brown 

Retails for:  $6.99 and up depending on where you buy


Where to Buy:  Wherever drugstore makeup is sold, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Target, and Drugstore.com

My Thoughts:  First off, I love the wand on this mascara.  It defines and separates my lashes so perfectly.  It's a little pokey, so make sure you don't accidentally jab yourself in the eye with this the first time like I did.  It's nice and long without being too thick and bulky, so it fits in nicely in the inner and outer corners of my eyes to get the lashes perfectly.  It also has a little half ball shape on the tip to comb through the tiny lashes at the inner and outer corners of the eyes.  Overall, it's perfect for the inner and outer corners!

My lashes are very straight, and 90% of mascaras weigh them down and make them lose their curl no matter what I do.  I'm a professional makeup artist, and I've tried every trick in the book to get them to keep their curl.  Nothing works with some mascaras.  I think it's just their weight that makes the lashes lose the curl.  A nice thing mascara that dries quickly and a little on the stiff side locks in the curl before it can fall.  This mascara is perfect for that.  The formula is thin and dries quickly, but it can be layered really well to build up the volume.  Combined with the nice brush, it combs them out and gives them very fluffy flirty volume rather than thick clumpy volume.  With one coat, I get definition and locked in curl with a nice rich black color.  Looks very natural but amplified.  Two coats is when I get the perfect volume, which I love because I can get multiple looks with the same mascara.


Final Verdict:  In addition to the Covergirl Bombshell Volume Mascara, this is my new second favorite drugstore mascara.  It's one of those "on a whim" purchases I'm so thankful for!



Final Verdict:

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Covergirl Bombshell Volume Mascara Review

Covergirl Bombshell Volume Mascara Review

From the Brand:
Mega volume and dark intensity in one mascara for an over the top bombshell look from Cover Girl. Step 1 volumize - load on for unbelievably big volume - Step 2 - intensify - seal in with one coat for an intense, dark all day finish. Beautifully separated lashes.

Retails for:  $11.99


Where to Buy:  Ulta stores and Ulta.com, CVS.com and CVS stores, Drugstore.com, and anywhere else you can purchase Covergirl brand products

My Thoughts:  This mascara lasts forever.  Like seriously, for-ev-er.  It's not even waterproof.  I can put it on in the morning, and even if my eyes water or it's super humid out (as it's prone to be here in northern Virginia) this won't budge, smudge, or flake.  You can check out my video review below for what a difference it makes on my lashes, too!

Side 1 is the volumizing side, and it's definitely a "lash blast" mascara with the shape of the wand and the consistency of the mascara itself.  It's very similar to my LashBlast Fusion Mascara I reviewed back in September.  {Check out that review here.}  The major difference though is this mascara has a second side that adds another layer of intense color, and I'm convinced is what makes it last so long.

Side 2 is a generic mascara wand, and I don't think it's very useful in separating my lashes or adding any length.  The first side adds all the volume, and it would be nice if this one had a comb or at the very least long spikey spokes to help separate the lashes.  I have to stop in between the steps and get a metal lash comb to keep my lashes from clumping.

It's a little higher priced for a drugstore mascara being $11.99, since most I purchase are around $8.99 or so, but it's worth the few extra dollars.  I've found myself using drugstore mascara all the time now rather than my higher end brands.  I can two or three tubes for what I'd pay for a prestige brand, and even if I have to layer them I'm still getting more for my buck.


Final Verdict:  A new Holy Grail Mascara?  I'd say so!  I hope and pray Covergirl keeps this one around!


Want to see this in action?  Check out my video review!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Review

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Review

From the Brand:
Get the ultimate un-makeup look with Magic Nude Liquid Powder Bare Skin Perfecting Makeup with SPF 18. Revolutionary liquid transforms on contact, leaving a soft powder like finish. This foundation is so amazingly lightweight it's like wearing no makeup at all! Just shake and apply - it's magic!

Retails for:  $12.99


Where to Buy:  Anywhere drugstore makeup is sold, such as Ulta stores and Ulta.com, Walgreens.com, CVS.com, Target, Walmart, and grocery stores


My Thoughts:  This stuff is really quite an interesting makeup.  The term liquid powder sounds weird, but it does dry to a nice powdery finish.  Not an overly dry looking super matte finish, but like it's been softly powdered very naturally.  I love it.  The color matched my difficult skin pretty easily, although I think I got lucky in that respect.  The bottle is a little difficult to gauge color, but it's not that off from how it dries.  It can oxidize just a tad, and I could see that being a problem on more oily skintones.  So make sure you purchase it from a retailer that will let you exchange for another color if it doesn't work out for you.

It does feel quite weightless, too.  I didn't even feel I had anything on.  It's definitely wet when you first apply, so there's that sensation, but it in no way feels cakey or thick once it's set.  If you've got the right color to go with your skin tone, it's pretty natural looking on the skin as well.  It was able to even my skin tone out without covering my freckles to the point where it was obvious I was wearing foundation. My skin is really hard to find a match for, since the freckles make my face appear much darker than my neck which is pale from no contact with the sun and devoid of freckles.  I have to put a lot of bronzer on my neck or wear shirts that minimize the appearance of a pasty neck. 

My only concern is with how long this foundation lasts.  I would give it a solid 5-6 hours before it does start to break down.  And that's with my dry skin.  Again, I'd be a little hesitant with oilier skin tones.  I think it applies best to the skin with a buffing style brush, like the one I use in the video from Real Techniques.  It was too thin to apply with my Qosmedix makeup sponge or Beauty Blender.  It seeped into the sponge too much.  Also, since the sponge was damp, it interfered with the formulation.  The foundation went on a bit splotchy and didn't set.


Final Verdict:  This is one of my foundations I keep in my collection for days when I just need to throw on something to look nice for a little while, such as for a meeting or one of my kids' school functions.  It's pretty inexpensive when compared with high end products, so I don't mind having it on hand for just a whenever kind of look.  It's a total holy grail product for me as far as drugstore products go.  



Want to see it in action?  Check out this review video!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Revlon Photoready Airbrush Mousse Foundation Review

Revlon Photoready Airbrush Mousse Foundation Review

From the Brand:
Get that airbrushed, camera ready look with Photo Ready Airbrush Mousse Makeup by Revlon. Air-infused mousse creates a flawless, poreless finish.

Retails for:  $12.99

Where to Buy: Anywhere drugstore makeup is sold, such as Ulta stores and Ulta.com, Walgreens.com, CVS.com, Target, Walmart, and grocery stores

My Thoughts:   I think this has to be the absolute worst foundation I have ever tried.  You know how middle of the road I try to be about things I'm not a fan of.  Really.  I try.  If I'm not a fan I'll usually be all "this didn't work for me, because of xyz, but it might work for abc.... blah blah blah."  I can't see this being a good foundation for anyone really.  Unless you already have perfect skin that doesn't even need foundation.

How do I dislike this foundation?  Oh, let me count the ways.

1.  It smells.  Very chemical, and it's pungent.  Like an old plastic bottle that's been left in the sun.
2.  It has no coverage.  It spits out in a weird foam that fizzles a bit on your skin or palette or whatever, and when you try to blend it onto the skin it streaks and then fades away, clinging only to your imperfections.
3.  It clings to your imperfections.  Got pores?  Now everyone knows it.  Got dry patches, flakiness, or uneven texture?  Highlighted!
4.  It's hard to gauge the color to match your skin.  There's no universal color system, so even though I know what shade I am in the Revlon Colorstay, it means jack when trying to pick the right shade in this formula.  And the label on the bottle?  Not much help. I like to see the actual product to compare.  This was ashy and pale on me, and way too pink.


Final Verdict:  I was super annoyed when I tried this.  No application methods yielded positive results, and I was so happy when Ulta said they'd return it for me.  I exchanged it out for the Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation instead and was so much happier.  Major dud!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation Review

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation Review

From the Brand:
The mousse-like texture feels like silk on your skin. And, the time release formula balances skin for a flawless look. All day flexible wear without flaking, caking or feeling heavy.

Buildable to full coverage for flawless skin

Soft, matte finish all day long

Withstands heat and humidity - great for summer

Retails for:  $13.99

Where to Buy: Anywhere drugstore makeup is sold, such as Ulta stores and Ulta.com, Walgreens.com, CVS.com, Target, Walmart, and grocery stores

My Thoughts:  Let's examine the claims on this:  1.  Buildable to full coverage for flawless skin-  Yeah, it's pretty buildable, but you have to be carefully with how you apply this.  I found that if I tried to use a brush to buff it onto the skin, it wiped away previous layers instead of building.  You need to use a stippling motion with a multileveled brush or even better a makeup sponge like the Qosmedix sponge or Beauty Blender.  Patting and pressing built even layers, but only so much.  I still needed a bit of concealer in areas, and more than two layers of foundation started to cake up and look heavy. 
2. Soft,   matte finish all day long-  Yes, this was a matte finish by most definitions.  Not a super porcelain dry matte, but a believable natural looking matte finish that looked like it was lightly powdered.  3.  Withstands heat and humidity, great for summer-  I can't really comment on this one since I've got dry skin and wore it during the winter.  However, by comparison to the Revlon Colorstay Foundation in the traditional liquid formula, this one didn't last as long.  It was good for my dry skin in the winter time, and the texture is really unique.  But I found that it did fade sooner than the liquid, which is what I wear often in the summer time.

There are a few cons to this foundation formula.  It doesn't last quite as long as the traditional formula, and the bottle is a heavy glass jar- not very portable or travel friendly.  The glass jar makes it a little difficult to see the color of the actual product, and the sticker on the lid isn't quite a match.  I had to get two jars, since the lighter shade looked very light and almost greyish in the jar, but it ended up being a perfect match.  I'll test out the darker color maybe this summer to see how it does hold up to the heat and humidity.  Perhaps my skin was so thirsty that it just ate the foundation like dry skins tend to do sometimes.  Also, I'd recommend a primer to fill in pores before using this foundation.  It can build up a bit in those areas with the patting motion.  Sort of fills them in with extra foundation and can cause skin colored dots of pigment under the lighter layers on top.

There are a lot of pros though.  The whipped texture of the foundation is very unique, and I enjoyed blending this into my skin.  It felt very hydrating and soothing on my skin.  The finish is very nice as well, and I didn't need a powder over the top.  It set quickly on it's own, but I still had enough time to work with it and build it up.  If I could ever remember to do a favorites post or video again, this would have been in my favorites for the month of February.  I think I wore it every day I wore makeup to work.  It didn't ever feel heavy, even when it did start to build up in areas that I over did it looking for coverage, like around my nose.


Final Verdict:  Great foundation, but not the best for people who really need a full coverage as it's tricky to build.

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.