Tag: face

Hourglass Foundations and Concealer

I’ve had the pleasure of covering quite a bit of Hourglass makeup on Belle Belle. Some favorites include Ambient Lighting Powder and Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick, among many many others. The luxury brand has a true pulse on classic beauty with serious formulas that flatter so many skin types. But I was remiss in covering one (favorite) product area – foundation and concealer. When I dove in, I was thrilled to find two different foundation formulas. I fell hard for them both – but they are quite different. So, hopefully this will help you decide which is perfect for your skin.

First up, Veil Fluid Makeup. If you have aging or drier skin, this is the formula for you. The formula is packed with anti-aging ingredients like wrinkle-filling peptide Matrixyl Synthe’6, wheat and marine-based Skin Tightener ST PH and Vitamin E. The texture has a moderate weight, but the silicon-based formula is buildable in coverage. The finish is that dewy and glow-y look that I am always drawn to. I like applying with my fingers very sparingly for a sheer, radiant look. Vegan-friendly. Eleven available shades across a wide spectrum.

Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation could be a true godsend for those with oily and acne-prone skin. The formula is liquid powder with a matte finish, allowing a full day wear without powder or touch-ups. The oil-free formula is also water-resistant – can we say perfect beach vacation foundation!? But the exciting part is, after many customer testimonials, Hourglass realized that Immaculate was helping with acne and scarring! They are now conducting clinical testing and the preliminary results are pretty dramatic. This stuff controls oil, improves scars, lessens severity and frequency of breakouts and improves texture and clarity. This development makes me extremely enthusiastic for this foundation for readers who suffer from acne. Also, this foundation is also gluten-free. There are eight new shades for a total of sixteen options.

I’d be remiss not to mention Hidden Corrective Concealer. I’m not terribly surprised Hourglass developed such a luxe, balanced concealer. The stick is creamy but with robust coverage. This allows for both under eye and blemish concealing. I’d liken it to a slightly more creamy version of this. The finish, as it dries down, is slightly matte, but the Vitamin E charged formula keeps it from caking. And there are six shade options.

Available at Sephora and Barneys.

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

Did you hear yet? It is all about matte skin these days. After what seems like so many seasons of dewy, glow-y skin, the runways are now flooded with matte, pristine skin. Instead of trading in all those luminous foundations, I am opting for a mattifying primer. I recently covered this mattifier (if you prefer a compact), but I am loving this tube since I am already hooked on a wearing a primer under foundation.

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is designed for those with oily skin, but I find it works just fine on my drier complexion. It has a bit of a tightening effect, so if you do have drier skin, layer it over a moisturizer. I love the look I’ve been getting wearing it under this foundation. It also minimizes pores and has a great effect on its own. For those battling shininess throughout the day, you can layer this over makeup.

The true beauty of the lightweight formula is that it is silicone-free – sometimes with silicone formulas, product can ball up and texture is compromised. The primer includes EverMat™ to reduce oil productions. The consistency is in between a liquid and cream and goes on sheer. I’ve found my makeup last for hours when I use this as a primer. (Also free of Oil, Alcohol, Fragrance and Parabens).

Bonus: also can be used to mattify lip gloss or as a eye shadow primer – particularly helpful if you have oily eyelids!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

MAC ‘Mineralize’ Moisture Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

I’ve always found that, generally, MAC foundations didn’t play quite as well with my drier skin (exception being this one). When I started reading up on MAC’s newest foundation, I knew everything could change. The MAC twitter team assured me this formula would be a great match for my drier skin.

So, I headed off to my closest (and beloved counter) to see Jennifer. Tulsa folks, Jennifer at Saks is a treasure – you guys need to visit her stat if you haven’t already. I was matched with NW20 – sometimes I prefer the warmer tones to counteract the redness in my skin. Admittedly, I would also probably be fine with NC20.

Off the bat, I was impressed with the lightweight liquid texture. The coverage is buildable, but you can go fairly sheer because the combination of powders creates an optical blurring effect. Officially, the finish is satin, but I get a pretty glow-y look. I love the healthy, luminous finish. What probably sets it apart is the 77-Mineral Complex, Shea butter and vitamin E, making it comfortable on my drier skin. Bonus: I get a long day of wear out of this foundation.

Available online MACCosmetics.com, Nordstrom and Dillard’s.

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Smart Gel BB

I was already smitten with this BB Cream from Dr. Jart. But since I had fallen hard for everything from his Water Fuse line, including this and this, I knew I had to give Dr. Jart Water Fuse Smart Gel BB a whirl. My dry skin responds so well to these hydration packed formulas, leaving my face feeling radiant and plump.

Right off the bat, you will notice the jelly texture of the formula, inspired by memory foam mattresses. I can just visualize all that moisturizing goodness ready to impart bouncy hydration. After scooping out product, a little deformed space will slowly return to an even layer in the jar. It also does this on your face, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores.

Unlike so many BB Creams, you get fairly good coverage with some building. The two available shades have a radiant finish, glow-y but totally even. In this way, it reminds me of this tinted moisturizer. The SPF 30, antiaging and anti-inflammatory ingredients all work to improve the appearance of your skin long-term while you wear it. I can totally see myself throwing this on for a little coverage during the day during the warm summer months (and likely most days before then too!).

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Where have you been all my life, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer??? Whoa, talk about a concealer that can do it all. While it has been mostly touted as great covering under eye darkness, I have found it is a fantastic spot/blemish concealer as well. The balanced, buildable formula is a true go-to for me these days.

The formula is creamy and hydrating, hence the radiant properties. While it has a thin texture, I’d say the coverage is moderate to full. A little bit goes a long way. Plus, it is buildable, so you can always add more if you feel you need a bit more coverage.

The formula also contains hydrating skin care. Light diffusing technology helps blur imperfections. And the pigment blends seamlessly into my natural coloring.

I can get a full day of wear out of this. While it is crease-less, I’ve found it does best on freshly moisturized skin – any dryness can interfere with its blendability.

SHADES INCLUDE (from lightest to darkest):

CHANTILLY: true ivory shade for fairest complexions
VANILLA: tiny cast of pink for the fair complexion
HONEY: warm peach tone for light to medium complexion
CUSTARD: yellow tone for light to medium complexion
GINGER: golden undertone for medium complexion
BISCUIT: medium dark natural balance of pink and yellow undertones
CARAMEL: medium dark yellow and golden undertones
AMDANDE: medium dark with golden olive undertones
CAFÉ: dark shade with warm red undertones
CACAO: dark shade with deep gold to brown undertones

note: Ginger is my preferred shade. I wear Santa Fe in the Sheer Glow Foundation and St. Morti in Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (although this winter I should lighten up with the new Terre Neuve). I was surprised I was this dark on the spectrum, but I prefer a concealer that matches my skin tone instead of one shade lighter.

Check out this brief tutorial from NARS on how to use Radiant Creamy Concealer to perfect complexion:

MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation

Nothing like diving into a new brand with their latest and greatest (this is the brand’s first product review on the blog!). I’ve always been super impressed with MAKE UP FOR EVER’s High Definition Foundation – I’ve used it at a couple special events and found it stays put and photographs beautifully. The new Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation has that same beautiful finish with the flexibility of a wet or dry application and a compact that makes on-the-go application a breeze.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Creator and Artistic Director Dany Sanz tested 70 formulations before finding the perfect performance. No wonder that she managed to come up with something that has flexible coverage and finish. Not to mention the ability to last throughout the day.

A Vegetal Lecithin coats the pigment, allowing it to stay on skin effectively. Silica and Sericite powders give that radiant finish with soft focus effect. And Ximenia Oil and Aloe Vera nourish the skin. Because there is less talc, you don’t get that chalky, cakey finish I find in so many powder foundations.

For a black tie event on Saturday, I applied the foundation dry for a matte finish and full coverage. I used the Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush. The result was a natural looking, complete coverage with matte (but not too matte) finish. While it didn’t have the glow of my other favorite liquid foundations, I liked the effect paired with a simple eye and red lip. I also appreciated the flexibility with coverage so I could build on my nose to cover the redness but still remain fairly sheer on my cheeks and forehead.

This morning, I wanted more of a sheer and satin finish. I used the included sponge – got it wet and rung out the excess water. Picking up a bit of the powder, I swiped and blended from the center of my face outward. The effect is not unlike a tinted moisturizer with maybe just a kick more coverage. Again, you can build coverage where you need it. I don’t get quite as much staying power with this kind of application, but it is such a breeze to throw this compact in your purse for needed touch ups.

The foundation comes in an impressive 25 shades covering the spectrum. Overall, I admit to being a bit of a convert. While I would have said before I always prefer a liquid foundation, MAKE UP FOR EVER has come up with a powder version that offers tons of flexibility with a silky, ready-for-photos effect that I can’t resist.