MAC Studio Finish Concealer Review

MAC Studio Finish Concealer Review

From the Brand:  A lightweight, creamy, discreetly opaque concealer. Provides a smooth, long-wearing invisible coverage for all skin blemishes. Water-resistant, fragrance-free and non-acnegenic. This emollient-based, lightweight concealer is so concentrated that a tiny amount can provide opaque coverage of the skin's imperfections and discolourations. It effectively covers dark circles, blemishes, moles, tattoos and birthmarks. Enriched with antioxidants (derivatives of Vitamin A and Vitamin E), it also contains silica to help absorb the skin's oils. Concealer has broad spectrum SPF 35 protection and is available in a wide range of colours. It can be applied with a medium to firm fiber brush (try the 242 Shader Brush), a latex sponge, or the fingertips.


Retails for:  $18.00


Where to Buy:  MAC counters at department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Macys as well as MAC boutique stores and MACCosmetics.com


My Thoughts:  Yet another product I was turned onto by the amazing Pixiwoo sisters, and I love this concealer!  If you've been reading my blog for the last year (yikes!  It's been that long already?!) you'll know it's taken me a long time to come around to the whole MAC bandwagon.  I admit freely that I had a very negative view of them at the beginning of my career, influenced by the consumer views that all makeup artists work for MAC or use only MAC products, but I've been slowly branching out into their line to get an educated experience instead of just letting my personal opinion color my professional one.

This is the third concealer that I'm reviewing (you can read my reviews of the MAC Select Moisture Cover Concealer and MAC Pro Longwear Concealer here), but it's the very first concealer I tried by them back in a haul I did last March. 

I actually use this concealer the least, even though I see them use it all the time with Pixiwoo.  It's a great drier finish concealer that's perfect for concealing breakouts, which I rarely have.   I guess that's a really good thing though when you think about it!  I've tried it under my eyes, and I prefer either the Benefit Fake Up! or MAC Select Moisture Cover Concealer instead, as those are both very hydrating formulas that my dry under eyes need.  I like using a buffing style brush to apply this and buff it over areas that need extra coverage on my face, or it also works well to cover veins and redness on my eyelids or sculpt my brows.  Those I use a traditional concealer brush with for a nice thin layer and a crisp edge, but for general redness like around my nose or over a breakout the buffing method works best.




Final Verdict:  Fabulous versatile concealer perfect for redness or breakouts, but I'd avoid it for undereyes.

**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.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes! Mascara Review

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes! Mascara Review

From the Brand:

Take your lashes to the extreme with this ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly!

Product Performance: Take your sultry, flashy lashes to the extreme with this amped up, ultra-black mascara that lengthens, curls and magnifies lashes for an intensified look proven to increase lash volume by 752% instantly! Powered by tarte’s proprietary triple black complex, this longwear, vitamin-infused formula emphasizes length and volume while conditioning lashes for a dramatic look that won’t dry out, flake or budge. The custom-engineered, dual-molded brush boosts even the skinniest lashes for an exaggerated, voluminous look. First, the shorter, denser side of the brush delivers the optimal amount of mascara to volumize and coat each lash perfectly, then the longer, firmer side of the brush lengthens and separates for maximum volume without clumping.
Powered By: Provitamin B5: vitamin B derivative that helps treat and thicken lashes. Beeswax: a protective barrier between the skin and the environment that has been known to naturally stimulate collagen production. Mineral pigments: soothe and soften lashes.

Retails for:  $23.00


Where to Buy:  Tartecosmetics.com, Ulta stores and Ulta.com, Sephora stores and Sephora.com


My Thoughts:  This mascara sure has a lot to "say" about how amazing it is at volumizing.  But since this is my review, this is what I have to say about how it really works.  First, I can't believe it's taken me this long to even do a review on it since I've had it forever.  I got it back in October as part of my Tarte Kit from QVC.  I had to go back and look through my list of reviews to really convince myself that I hadn't done one yet.  So sorry about that!  Hopefully you haven't been patiently waiting all this time!

This mascara has a really unique dual sided brush that claims to volumize on one side and then comb through to separate on the other side.  I find that the volumizing side does a really great job of adding a lot of volume with one coat.  The separation side was ok, but it's kind of hard to tell the difference.  The wand itself has two colors, but once it's coated in mascara, it's impossible to see.  On the separation side the plastic bristles are only marginally longer and spaced too far apart in my opinion to really give great definition.




Final Verdict:  Gives great volume, and I really like it but not as much as their Gifted mascara or their Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara.

**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.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream Review

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex Review

From the Brand:

What it is:
A daily age-defying moisturizer formulated with Fresh’s proprietary Super 7 Complex, proven to prevent the signs of aging, provide 24 hours of significant moisture, and boost radiance.

What it is formulated to do:
Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream is a lightweight, daily age-defying moisturizer for all skin types proven to minimize and prevent signs of aging, deliver intense hydration, and improve elasticity. It is formulated with Fresh’s proprietary Super 7 Complex—an age-defying, hydrating, and radiance-boosting blend of seven super-charged ingredients to defend against wrinkles, preserve collagen, promote the production of hyaluronic acid, seal in moisture, and soften the skin.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
“The lotus has been cultivated in eastern Asia for over 3,000 years. The plant is considered sacred in many cultures, but I especially love the way the Buddhists regard it. They believe that it is the ultimate symbol of complete purification, as it journeys through muddy waters to rise above the surface and blossom into a stunning flower. Various parts of the lotus have been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries to treat a number of skin diseases, most often inflammation. After doing clinical tests, we were stunned at this ingredient’s high levels of polyphenols, the most powerful antioxidants known to defend against wrinkle-causing free radicals.”—Lev Glazman, Fresh Co-founder

Research results:
Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream is clinically proven to*:
- Moisturize skin for 24 hours after use
- Immediately improve skin radiance
- Enhance skin brightness and clarity
- Improve elasticity

After an independent consumer testing panel used Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream*:
- 97% felt their skin was immediately hydrated
- 91% felt their skin was revitalized
- 91% felt this cream gave them healthier-looking skin
- 81% felt their complexion was luminous
- 84% felt their skin’s elasticity was improved

*In vivo

Retails for:  $42.00


Where to Buy:  Sephora stores and Sephora.com, Fresh.com, Amazon.com, Nordstrom.com


My Thoughts:  I got this in a Glossybox, IPSY, or some other monthly subscription box a while ago but hadn't taken it out of the box to use. My skin had been exceptionally dry for most of December, with the dry heat from this craptacular winter doing a number on my hydration.  My skin just seems to shrivel up and die for a few months every winter anyway, due to the heaters being cranked up full blast.  In January I had to do something about it, but I was also in Florida where their is at least more humidity naturally.  This was the perfect amount of hydration without it being pore clogging or feeling heavy on my skin.  It sinks in quickly, and I just love the fresh cucumber smell!

I didn't notice much else with my skin other than hydration, and it was a sample size, so there wasn't enough for me to test it more than the month.  I'll agree with the claims about hydration, revitalized, and healthier looking.  My skin definitely looked much better after switching to this moisturizer for a month.  I just wish it wasn't a jar product, as I really hate dipping my fingers into anything.  No matter how clean your hands are, I just don't like using my fingers.  You can use a q-tip, but that's wasteful.


Final Verdict:  I like this product a lot and would never turn it down.  I think it's a great moisturizer for lightweight hydration and would definitely consider purchasing the full size jar.

**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.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer Review

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer Review

From the Brand:  A lightweight fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a comfortable, natural matte finish. Colour-true formula lasts up to 15 hours.


Retails for:  $19.00


Where to Buy:  MAC counters at department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Macys as well as MAC boutique stores and MACCosmetics.com


My Thoughts:  If you've seen any videos by a major makeup guru on Youtube who does highlighting and contouring, you've probably seen this concealer in action.  I see it used all the time in a few shades lighter than the skintone to highlight and conceal in a large inverted triangle below the eyes and onto the cheekbones.

It's one of the most creamy pigmented concealers that I've ever used, and it does last all day long.  You only need just the tiniest bit to really cover and spread over a large area.  I've even seen people use it like a foundation!  (Seriously, you've got to watch this video.  It looks like she's using huge amounts of the MAC Pro Longwear concealer, but this spreads so nicely she's actually just using small amounts blended over a large surface.)

I love that it has a very convenient pump to dispense a tiny amount without wasting any.  Tubes I always seem to squeeze too much out, like toothpaste.  And pots, I feel like aren't the most sanitary, even if I'm just using it on myself.  I hate to double dip.

Final Verdict:  I love me some MAC concealers, and this one doesn't disappoint. A little bit goes a long way, so there's a ton of value built into this product.

*** Have you read my review of the MAC Select Moisture Cover Concealer?

**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.