While it may shock some people however, despite having oily skin I found myself being very attracted to this foundation. It might have been the envious luminous glow that girls all over the online beauty world was raving about or it could simply be that I had lost my mind to want to try a moisturizing foundation. Either ways, I tried it and here is what I think about it.
First off, the packaging is so luxurious. Very similar to the Mac ProLongwear with the twist cap lock mechanism, but the bottle is frosted and has an hourglass shape (and who isn't attracted to that?). It just looks so superior to the other foundations on my vanity table. Moving on to the actual product, the ingredients like shea butter definitely provide hydration and I can understand how it can be a god sent for those with normal to dry skin types. It doesn't cling onto the skin and just looks lovely. Furthermore, it looks like a beautiful glow from within. The staying power is also not bad at all if paired with a good primer and setting powder. I'm definitely going to be saving this foundation for my fall and winter dry-skin days.
For a more in-depth review of this product, please visit my video review:
Last week, in my morning grogginess as I checked my email, I pondered upon an email from MAC Cosmetics which almost made me jump up out of my bed in happiness (a little too dramatic? I think not!). The content of the email was intended to publicize the new Pro Longwear collection. But the real exciting news was the release of a new foundation - the Pro Longwear Compact Foundation. Being that the Pro Longwear Liquid foundation is my favorite foundation in the world (currently), it was only natural that the compact version sparked my curiosity.
Anyways, I ordered the foundation a couple of days later, in the shade NC-40 because I heard that the foundation runs lighter than its counterpart and that we should go up a shade. Usually I am an NC-35 but since there was no NC37 in this product, the next one up was the NC-40 (swatched below next to NC35).
My Youtube channel has the first impressions and demo of this product. I will review at a later date when I have more experience with this. But so far so good. The video can be found at:
I feel as if I am at a point where I am really comfortable talking about this controversial topic. I just don't understand why wanting to reduce tanning is looked at so negatively. People with fairer skin are always looking at ways to get tan, then why can't people with tan skin look for ways to reduce their tan? I am not saying that become a color that we weren't even born with, but just to reduce the tan and hyperpigmentation that has been caused by damage from the sun.
The skincare products that I mention in the video below are the ones I feel that I have proven to be most effective on my skin thus far. I am not saying that these are the products I will continue to use until my last breath, but rather, these types of products will be what my skincare routine will consist of until I get he results I am looking for.
Let me know what you guys think or what you all are using for these issues!
After the revolutionary Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Eyeshadows created a buzz in the beauty community, Loreal also came out with their own version, the Loreal Infalliable Eyeshadows. Now, Lancome has also joined the bandwagon with what seems to be a dupe of these silky cream to powder eyeshadows. I do giggle a little knowing that Giorgio Armani and Lancome are both owned by Loreal. So, it does seem like now, these eyeshadows are available at all price points to satisfy all types of consumers on the economic front.
The packaging is similar to both the GA Eyes to Kill and the Loreal Infalliable Eyeshadows. Not exactly the same, just similar.
There are 15 shades that were released.
The formula is an innovative (well at least it was) cross between a cream and a powder. Add silkiness and long lasting into the mix and it makes sense as to why these eyeshadows are so popular.
Depending on the shade, the finish varies between matte, satin, shimmer, and metallic.
In terms of performance, I would have to say that the colors are either a hit or a miss. Primers will definitely help the vibrancy and evenness of some of the chalky ones. Without a primer, they are long lasting, however they start to fade after 3-4 hours. With a primer, that increases to the 7-8th hour mark.
Initial Swatch at the counter. From Left to Right:
104(Extreme Espresso)
602 (Forever Noir)
102 (Timeless Taupe)
500 (Enduring Vert)
502 (Absolute Jade)
303 (Endless Purple)
302 (Vibrant Violet)
Out of the 15 shadows that were released, only these 7 were the ones that actually struck out to me. And of these seven, only three were hits (102, 502, 302). The other four were all chalky except for 104 and I didn't like that one because it is an extremely common color (a matte dark brown). 102 is a beautiful shimmering taupe color which leans slightly purple. I love 502 because it is a beautiful bright khaki color which goes really well with the warm undertones of my skin. And the 302 is not a color I would usually go for (I am not much of a purple person) but I love the vibrancy of the color and it is perfectly in tune with the purple makeup trends for the fall.
Outdoor Lighting
In all, I do like a few of the shades, but the whole collection is not a must have for me since the shades are very dupable and the formulas are not consistent among the shadows. I still do feel that of the three, GA Eyes to Kill by far still has the most unique shades.
After hearing the buzz about the Burberry Velvet Foundation, I knew I had to get my hands on it. The only problem I was facing was that because of the limited counters in the United States, it was very difficult to find an accessible Nordstrom location with a Burberry counter. There was the option of purchasing online, but recently, it has been very difficult to get foundation matches for me, so I wanted to make sure that I was able to swatch the product first and then buy it.
The Packaging was a very high quality plastic. Not flimsy in anyway, very durable. Ideal for travel since the pump has a lock position and also because it is not in a heavy glass bottle.
The texture is thick; even more so than the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour Foundation. I usually apply on one area of my face at a time since it sets quickly.
The coverage is medium buildable. It isn't cakey or powdery.
Finish is satin but leans matte (similar to the Teint Idole Ultra). Those with normal to dry skin do not really need to use setting powder. I have really oily skin and on some days, I can get away with not powdering. I like to not powder over this foundation because I really like the finish. It looks like my face is hydrated however it is not at all greasy or shiny.
I am glad though that I went to the counter to purchase this because the shade selection is very poor. I picked up shade Trench 207 after much hesitation. However, it does work well with my color. This shade has a very yellow undertone (even more than what is natural for me, but once it sets, it looks great with my skin color).
It is flash friendly in case you plan on taking pictures on nights out. Does not contain SPF.
This foundation lasts 8-10 hours on my skin while only having to use blotting paper once.
I have tried this foundation with fingers, beauty blender, standard paddle foundation brush and my Sigma F80 flat top kabuki brush and this foundation looks great with any of the above methods for me.
A primer did not make any difference in the longevity of the foundation for me.
It does accentuate dry patches so for people with more drier skin, I suggest you sample it before buying.
If you would like to see application than here is a link below:
Finally, I decided to splurge on the foundation I had been wanting to try since last year. The Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation. I have very oily skin so when I had heard about the product raves this foundation seemed to achieve, I had been trying to convince myself the fork the $59 + Tax. I finally caved and here is a video review on the product. Also, some pictures of this foundation:
