January *2012* Favorites

Foundations:
*Revlon Photoready Airbrush *Rich Ginger*- My "go-to" Foundation.  Now that I've gotten the correct shade, I no longer dislike this foundation.  I've been wearing this almost everyday day for work.  It's just enough coverage for the "natural" look that I like, while still covering imperfections & evening out skintone.  This covers well, and it's buildable.  (Light-Medium, depending on how much you use).  This doesn't cling to dry patches or look cakey.  This applies like a foam mousse, but it blends out into a liquid texture.  This blends really well (no foundation lines) & looks natural. *LOVE*
*Covergirl & Olay Tone Rehab*Classic Tan*- Still a favorite of mine.  Has great coverage (light-medium, once again depending on how much you use. Buildable). This looks so natural, and it glides on/blends like an absolute dream! The shade that I chose is darker than the my face, but it matches my neck to a t.  So, the overall picture, it looks super natural when applied.  Demi/matte finish.  It's not overly "dewy" like some foundations, but it's not completely "matte" either.  This doesn't cling to dry patches, which is awesome.  I'd highly recommend this for normal/dry skin & mature skintypes.  If you want decent coverage, without the cakiness or patchiness, try this.  You'll love it.  Covergirl really stepped their A game up with this one. 


Other favorites that I've been loving throughout Dec '11 & Jan '12:


*Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder *Bronze* (discontinued shade)
*MAC My Highland Honey Blush (*limited edition-now discontinued MAC Holiday '10*) (perfect everyday shade for a neutral look. also great for a neutral, peachy cheek, with a bold cat eye or bold lip)
*Covergirl LashBlast 24HR Mascara *Very Black- super dramatic & stays put. awesome- enough said
Maybelline Eye Studio MasterDrama Cream Liner *Midnight*
Sephora Glitter Liner *Gold* (looks awesome over top the the Maybelline Cream Liner! just enough sparkle to be daytime or nighttime appropriate!)
Revlon Lip Butters *Strawberry Shortcake & Cotton Candy*
Ed Hardy for Women Original Perfume 
NARS Illuminator *Super Orgasm*


Favorite 2012 on Youtube!

MAC Studio Moisture Tint Review

I want to start off my saying that this isn't my first time trying this.  I also want to say that this was my first "real" foundation/face product.  I was looking for a foundation at the MAC counter about 3 yrs ago in MACYS, and I was originally recommended & sold one of there fuller coverage foundations.  However, after showing my gram how it looked and asking her advice, I went back & immediately exchanged it.  I told the girl that I wanted something with lighter coverage & she recommended this in the shade Dark.  At that time, I believe this only came in 3 shades (light, medium, & dark) & Dark was the darkest avail.  Now, MAC has expanded their shade range.  This is now avail in 6 shades, ranging from light to dark plus, which is great. This is sheer enough that if you're a little off by a shade, you will be fine. I've worn this in medium as well, and it worked too.  (I'm NC40 for reference in Studio Fix Fluid & NC42 in Mineralize Satinfinish.)  

This is a great starter "foundation" product for younger ladies/gents or those of us who don't want/need a ton of coverage.  I think tinted moisturizers are great for beginners and for every day use.  Tinted moisturizers are usually great for the Summer, when it's extremely hot, and heavy foundations will just melt off.  However, this one in particular isn't 100% "humidity-proof".  With my experiences, this isn't sweat or waterproof at all.  (I'd recommend the MUFE Face & Body for a good Summer foundation, because it's super light & truly is waterproof just like it is marketed as.  That one is great for working out in too, if you still want to look polished at the gym. Tarte's Smooth Operator SPF 20 is a good TM too that doesn't budge easily.)  I wore this in the pool & just barely got my face splashed, and this ran right off.  Also, I was caught in the rain yesterday, and a little bit of this ran off of my forehead.  This isn't something that I'd recommend wearing while working out or being in the hot sun, where you're going to sweat.  This isn't something that doesn't budge.  However, I would recommend this as something to wear for light coverage, to give a nice polished look in the Fall/Winter.  My skin is dry right now, and this stuff doesn't cling to dry patches.  It is moisturizing, but not overly moisturizing or greasy like some tinted moisturizers.  This does a good job of evening skin tone & gives light coverage.  It's not as sheer as Benefit's You Rebel, but it doesn't have as much coverage as Tarte's Smooth Operator, which covers quite well for a TM.  


Ultimately, I ended up swapping out my original tube of this, as well as the medium shade that I tried too.  Not because I didn't like it, but I wanted something that wouldn't budge in hot weather.  I just got my hands on this again in dark, which seems to be working well for me (& lately, I've been liking my foundations to match my neck, more so than my face, which is lighter).  I just tried this again yesterday, and it did a good job of evening out skintone.  It worked well for just going out & running errands, which is exactly what I did, and relaxing around the house.  I've been so used to wearing "light/medium" coverage foundations lately, that it was kind of wearing when I first applied this. I was like "This doesn't really cover anything!".  My "go-to" foundations for work at my Revlon Photoready Airbrush & Covergirl & Olay Tone Rehab, which have decent, but not completely "Full" coverage.  They both cover well, but still look natural (medium coverage i'd say).  When I want full coverage, MAC's Matchmaster does the trick for me. The sheerness of the Studio Moisturize tint took a little getting used to, but overall I'm happy with it.  I just wouldn't wear it when I know my face is going to get wet or if I know I'll be sweating.  I'm sure this may stay put a little better if set with a powder, such as the Studio Careblend.  It would probably give more coverage too.  I just didn't set it with anything. 

Overall: B

Recommendations:

Younger Girls & Beginners who are just starting to wear makeup

 Those who want light coverage, just enough to even out skintone or a polished look. 

This is also great for guys, who want to even out skintone and want a polished look, without looking like they are wearing any makeup. 

FOTD & Red Hot Fashion: 2/1/12

Face: Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Foundation *Rich Ginger*

Cheeks: NARS Super Orgasm Illuminator

Eyes: Mark iMark Metallics Moonshine Eyeshadow (lid), Maybelline MasterDrama Cream Liner Midnight (top & bottom), Sephora Glitter Liner Gold (top & added it to the bottom)

Lips: Revlon Lip Butter Strawberry Shortcake

Headband: Forever 21

Dress: Express

FOTN: 

Added Avon Be Blushed (cream blush stick) in Powder Pink & Avon True Color Blush Soft Plum (powder blush), Avon Shine Attract Lipstick Nude (new Campaign 3 Demo Haul)

Affordable FOTD: 1/29/12

revlon photoready airbrush foundation rich ginger

mark good glowing mosaic blush chica

maybelline eye studio master drama cream liner black (top & bottom), sephora glitter liner gold (top), covergirl lashblast 24hr mascara very black

revlon lip butter cotton candy

FOTN & FASHION: 1/28/12 Dinner Date Night

(face) revlon photoready airbrush foundation rich ginger

(cheeks) stila illuminating powder bronze & mac my highland honey blush

(eyes) maybelline eye studio cream liner black & sephora glitter liner gold , l'oreal voluminous false lashes mascara 

(lips) revlon lip butter strawberry shortcake

Shirt & Jeans- American Eagle Outfitters

Boots- Macys

1st Impressions: Revlon Photoready Airbrush Foundation

(I like my foundations a bit darker than my face for a sunkissed, radiant look.  I wish I would have picked up a darker shade)

These are my 1st Impressions.  I will have to try this out more to do a more in detail review. 


I picked this up in Walmart today on a whim because I've been loving the Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam mousse makeup & I was curious to see how this one would compare.  I just put this one about 2 hrs ago, and I have already made up my mind that I like the Maybelline mousse better. This was $10.48 at Walmart (the Maybelline was $8.44).  At the other Walmart that I had gone to last weekend, when I picked up the Maybelline foundation, the darkest shade that they had in this was 060 Golden Beige.  At the Walmart that I was at today, there were 2 additional shades Rich Ginger & Caramel.  Since I am 330 Natural Tan in the Revlon Colorstay, I figured that 060 Golden Beige would work for me.  (I'm NC40 in MAC/Barcelona in NARS, in Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam I wear Honey Beige & Classic Tan in Covergirl & Olay Tone Rehab).  I chose shade 060 based on the color of the bottle, but when I pumped it out it was extremely light.  Also, this is GLITTER Central.  I should have listened to the reviews.  (I've heard that the original Photoready is super glittery as well.)  
I really like the finish of the Maybelline mousse.  It's natural, demi/matte & there is no shimmer/glitter whatsoever.  Also, I only need 1 large pump of the Maybelline to get good coverage.  I feel it's buildable.  The Maybelline is a more watery texture & a true mousse (reminds me of hair mousse).  This stuff has the texture of a traditional liquid foundation, in my opinion.  When I first pumped it out, it spread out with a quite thick texture.  I figured it would atleast coverage well, but I was wrong.  The coverage is pretty much non-existant & this is coming from someone who usually loves light coverage foundations.  (One of my favorite foundations is the MUFE Face & Body!).  I used 2 layers of this, and it still barely covered anything.  I had to use concealer, which I rarely use.  I don't need to with my other foundations.  I feel like Revlon could have done without all of the glitter.  Don't get me wrong, I like shimmer in a highlight on my cheek bones or under the eyes, but I don't like it as an all over base.  It's not practical for work or everyday use, because it is quite visible. Also, with the Maybelline you need to shake it up.  This one don't shake.  It just pumps out. 

swatch on hand. look at the shimmers! they are much more visible in person

Package: 3.5/5- the pump is a nice idea & sure a heck of a lot better than the packaging of the Colorstay, but I've used better pumps.  The Maybelline Airfoam & The Covergirl & Olay Tone Rehab have a better pump (As well as the MAC Foundations with Pumps), in my opinion.  This is kind of hard to pump out. Nice idea though.  
Shade Range: 2/5- the lack of shades does not make me happy.  A lot of stores that carry this only have up to the Golden Beige, which is a bit light for my liking, but it works.  If you are darker than me, you're only options are the 2 additional shades up.  Very dark skintones won't be able to find a decent match, which is a fail in my opinion.
Finish: Extremely glittery & dewy (I have the MAC Mineralize Satinfinish, which I like, and that foundation has gotten grief for it's shimmers.  I don't even find the shimmers visible in that MAC foundation, but they are very noticeable in this one.)
Recommendations: For special occasions.  I don't see this being practical for everyday use or for work due to the glitter/shimmers in it. Normal/Dry
Overall: C


I'm a tad disappointed with this.  I had high expectations because I am normally a fan of Revlon products, but this one was kind of a fail for me.  I wish I would have purchased this at a drugstore instead of Walmart, so I could return it. 

1st Impressions: Maybelline Dream Nude Airform

Price: $8.44 (Walmart) (The price will vary depending on where you get this.  Drugstores usually cost a bit more, but they have bogo sales.)

1.6fl oz

Wide variety of shades, which is awesome!

Coverage: Light-Medium.

I read a lot of complaints where people say this doesn't coverage anything.  I was actually surprised on how well this covers.  I don't like a lot of coverage for everyday use. The first time I applied, I may have applied more than I intended too, but I found it gave about medium coverage.  This is can be applied lightly for lighter coverage or built up without being looking cakey or feeling heavy. 

Has a really lightweight feel, which I like.  When you first apply it, it make look too dark (atleast when I first put it on), but once it sets on the skin, the colors looks naturally. 

Pros: Very Lightweight (can't feel that you have anything on), Unique & Pretty cool mousse formula (like hair mousse), Sanitary Packaging w/Pump, Affordable, Buildable Coverage, Has good wear (wore this for 10 hours yesterday and it looks good as new at the end of the day).

Cons: You need to blend kind of fast & this doesn't blend as easily as the Covergirl & Olay Tone Rehab (which I'm in love with & blends like a DREAM!) on my dry skin.  However, after wearing it yesterday & today, I don't find this drying & it doesn't dry my face out more than it already it.  This isn't hydrating by any means, but if you moisturizer or prime your face, you should be good to go. 

Recommend: Normal & I think Oily/Combo skin will really like this.  Dry Skin I Recommend Moisturizing before hand.

I'm going to be perfectly honest, usually I go for "higher-end/dept store" brands for foundations, just because it's really hard to find a good match in the drugstore.  Also, in the past, I haven't found drugstore foundations that I really like.  The drugstore brands have been impressing me lately with their new products.  I'm loving the new stuff from Covergirl as well.  The Tone Rehab foundation by Covergirl & Olay has been my "Go To" lately. There are a lot of new eye products and blushes I've been seeing in the drugstores as well.  Revlon has a similar product to this, called the Photoready Airbrush makeup.  It's the same concept- a mousse foam in a can.  However, you got 1.4 oz & it was about $2 or so more expensive at Walmart.  (It's $13.99 in some drugstores.)  I was debating between the 2 for the longest at Walmart, but I chose the Maybelline based on the shade range.  I liked the Colorstay, and for the most part, I love Revlon products.  They quality is good.  My particular Walmart didn't have many shade in the Revlon & the darkest they had was Golden Beige 060.  The Golden Beige looked too yellow toned for my skin.  (There are additional colors; my store just didn't have them.)  I'm usually not a big Maybelline fan (I did LOVE their Dream Mousse Concealer, which is discontinued though), but I decided to try this out because the shade Honey Beige looked perfect for me.  I'm glad I did. So far, I like this.  I'll have to try it out more to do a more in depth review.  The shade is great for me.  I'm NC40 in MAC right now.  (In the Summer, I'm around NC42.)  When I first applied, it looked too dark.  However, once it set into my skin, the color looks perfect.  (My face is lighter than my neck, but this matches my neck perfectly.)

Honey Beige 

Price: 5/5

Packaging: 5/5

Wear: 5/5

So far, I like this.  It gets an A from me.  I'll reach for this on days when I want light, natural coverage.  When I want a little more coverage, I'll be using my trusty Covergirl & Olay & when I want full coverage, I'll definitely be using my MAC Matchmaster, which covers like a dream. 

Wearing This Yesterday (in natural outside light)

Wearing Today w/Stila Illuminating Powder in Bronze & NARS Angelika Blush