Product Review- Smashbox BB Cream

Smashbox BB Cream Review


From the Brand: Your go-to for flawless skin. Just let it BB.

So what does BB do?

PRIMES: Wear alone, or under your favorite foundation to create a smooth canvas.
PERFECTS: Tinted formula in 5 shades evens out skin for a flawless finish.
HYDRATES: Improves skin moisture in 4 weeks. Guaranteed.
PROTECTS: SPF 35 guards against UVA/UVB rays.
CONTROLS OIL: Minimizes shine with no chalky finish.


Retails for: $39.00


Where to Buy:  Smashbox.com, Ulta.com, and Sephora.com as well as Ulta and Sephora stores


My Thoughts:  This was the very first BB cream that I ever tried, and I think it set a bit of a precedent for those that came after it in my mind.  I still find myself comparing them to this BB cream.  The coverage of this is more that of a light to medium coverage foundation.  It really contains a ton of pigment and evens out skin beautifully.  It looks very natural on the skin and has a nice satin finish.

However, the downside is that I still definitely need to layer a moisturizer underneath it for my dry skin.  I think it's much better suited to those with combination to oily skin.  I've heard this feedback from several other makeup artists, too. 

After wearing it all day, I felt that the pigmentation didn't last very well in my t zone ironically.  For someone with dry skin, I wouldn't expect the coverage in my t zone to wear away, but it does.  If I wear this BB cream, I'll put a little bit of concealer around the sides of my nose and then set everything with a powder for better all day wear.


Final Verdict:  I don't notice any special difference in my skin with using this brand vs drugstore brands of BB creams, so personally I find this a bit pricey.  They do have a really great kit that offers a small size of the BB cream, their Photo Finish Primer, and the Halo Powder (which I ADORE) for only $29.00, so I'd recommend trying that first before purchasing the full size to see if it's right for you.

**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.

Product Review- Tarte Maracuja Oil

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil Review



From the Brand: 
This nutrient-rich oil contains vitamin C and essential fatty acids to hydrate sensitive, dry, and acne prone skin, leaving skin even toned and smooth without a greasy feel. Pure maracuja oil is a hydrating treatment oil known for its anti-aging and healing properties for firmer, brighter, and smoother looking skin, and will not cause breakouts.

Product Performance: Essential fatty acids repair and rebuild skin, and promote skin recovery by reducing redness, irritation, and inflammation. The nutrient-rich oil instantly hydrates sensitive, dry, and acne prone skin, leaving skin even toned and smooth without a greasy feel. Vitamin C brightens dull skin for a radiant, dewy, and luminous complexion.

Powered By: Maracuja oil: pure maracuja oil has been known to replenish, rebuild and brighten skin. The nutrient-rich essential fatty acids repair & rejuvenate skin for a firmer complexion. The moisture-rich formula replenishes & hydrates skin.

Known as “puro milagro” or “the pure miracle”, only one crop of this rare Amazonian fruit is harvested each year by Amazonian women affiliated with tarte’s cooperative in the Amazon. Piece by piece, they sustainably pick and extract this nutrient-rich seeded pulp from each individual maracuja fruit by hand. This naturally harvested treasure, referred to as the “alma” or “soul” of the maracuja fruit is then hand pressed without the use of heat to guarantee the maximum amount of nutritious essential fatty acids and vitamins.

Retails for:  $46.00 for 1.7 fl oz


Where to Buy:  www.tartecosmetics.com, online at Sephora.com and Ulta.com, in Sephora and Ulta stores


My Thoughts:  I really like the way that this sinks into my skin, and it doesn't break me out.  I'm not sure what about it didn't agree with my skin personally though.  I was suffering from dry flaky patches on the sides of my nose, and instead of fixing and preventing that, it seemed to exacerbate it.  It has a slightly nutty scent to it, nothing overpowering but not unpleasant. I love the bottle.  It's very pretty with it's jewel tone purple and easy to use dropper.  This comes in a lot of of sets from Tarte it seems, and I've got lots of samples of it.  Maybe it will be better to supplement my new skincare routine now that the dry patches have been resolved, so I plan on trying it again to see if the dry patches come back or not.


Final Verdict:  I think this would be a great facial oil for those with combination or oily skin, since it sinks in quickly and doesn't leave a residue on the skin.  Drier skins should use in conjunction with a rich moisturizer to lock in the benefits of the oil.

**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.

Product Review- NARS Radiant Cream Foundation

NARS Radiant Cream Foundation Review


From the Brand:  NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation brilliantly evens skin with a lightweight, luminous finish. Combining the supple feel of a cream foundation with the sleek ease of a portable compact, the Advanced Emulsion Technology formula may be applied wet or dry for artistic versatility. Blending seamlessly with weightless medium buildable coverage, skin feels soft and comfortable with moisture levels boosted by 80% after 12 hours, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and enhancing skin's radiance.


Retails for:  $38.00 for the foundation refills, $10 for the compact


Where to Buy:  Sephora stores and Sephora.com, NARS counters at select department stores, http://www.narscosmetics.com


My Thoughts:  I was not a fan of this foundation at all.  Instead of hydrating, I found it greasy on my skin and difficult to set without looking cakey.  It emphasized my dry patches and didn't offer a level of coverage I wanted.  I tried it with a damp blending sponge, the dry sponge that was included in the compact, and a Real Techniques Expert Face brush.  All three applications I had the same problems.

I've heard such amazing things about this foundation that I was really disappointed in how it worked for me.  I got the best finish with the Real Techniques brush, but by the end of the day the foundation had absorbed into my skin and left my complexion looking blotchy.  My skin was really dry at the time, so I'll try it again later in the year when the weather is warmer and my face isn't so flakey.  Hopefully it will change my opinion of it.  At the present time, I'm not a fan at all.

I love the fact that this comes in a refillable compact. It's lightweight and portable, and you don't have to worry about it spilling in your handbag.  The compact itself is a little big for my taste, with the sponge sitting next to the foundation rather than in a compartment above or below the makeup itself. 


Final Verdict:  If the formula works for you and you can afford the hefty price tag, go for it.  If you're looking for something more affordable, keep looking.  This isn't it.

**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.

Product Review- e.l.f. Baked Eyeshadow

e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow Review


From the Brand:  The silky and blendable formula of our Baked Eyeshadow provides smooth and even application with each sweep of color. Baked in an oven, these eyeshadows offer rich pigmentation for a beautiful effect. Infused with active key ingredients Jojoba, Rose, Sunflower, Apricot and Grape to nourish and hydrate the skin. The long-lasting and shimmering color can be worn wet for a vibrant effect or dry for sheer pigmentation, offering a variety of gorgeous eye looks!

Retails for:  $3.00 each for single shadows, $10.00 for 10 pan palette


Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com, Select Target stores (singles only, limited shades)


My Thoughts:  I absolutely adore these eyeshadows!  I can't believe the quality you get for only $3.  This is definitely one of the best e.l.f. products they make.  Sometimes it can be hit or miss, and typically I'm not a fan of their pressed eyeshadows.  These, however, are a different story. These are much more pigmented, and the color payoff is both brighter and longer lasting.  I also find little to no fallout at all from these.

I have three different colors, although I only showed two in this photograph.  I first heard about these from a video by Emily from Beauty Broadcast on YouTube.  (I caution you if you watch her videos, you're going to be making a list for the drugstore so you can go shopping!  This woman is the queen of finding the best low-budget products, and she's probably the reason I have so many drugstore brands in my bathroom now.  Which if you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have told you I hate drugstore brands!)  She recommended the three colors I picked up, but after trying them out I think I'm going to go back and get the palette next. 

The colors shown in the photo are Toasted and Burnt Plum.  The other color I have at home is Bark.

I've only tried them dry, but since it's a baked eyeshadow (which is almost the same thing as a pressed pigment in my opinion, since they're a much more concentrated color than a traditional pressed eyeshadow) they can be used with a damp brush for even more concentrated color.

Final Verdict:  They're really missing out on huge profits only charging $3 for these!  In a blind test, I'd guess they were a much more prestige brand based on the quality of the shadows.

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.