Review| Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation

With most foundation for me, the only flaw is usually color match. My skin is decent enough that most foundations blend in well, stay on for long, and usually makes my skin look better, if not just "made up." With so many new foundations coming out in the market constantly promising flawless skin, it's easy to get caught up.

My review today is for the Marc Jacobs foundation (1 fl. oz. of product) which retails for $48 in Sephora. At first, the foundation didn't catch my eye...until I saw that they had Golden Light as an option. And damn, it is yellow! Perfect. Most foundations only lean yellow but never go all the way to jaundice level. The foundation apparently contains coconut water and a bevy of magic juice along with SPF 15. I hear that it photographs very well.  The packaging is very cute and sturdy, being a lacquered black plastic top with a glass bottle body.

I watched a few reviews and saw that it was a mixed bag. Some people said it was amazing and beautiful, and some said that it was flaky,patchy, and cakey. Since my skin is normal and clear, I decided that its natural/buildable coverage was worth testing out.

I have to say after only 5 hours of wear that I will be returning this, STAT! Boo for Marc Jacobs, his other products are quite lovely.

The first impression is that it's very jelly without being thick or heavy. A lot of people commented on a heavy chemical/floral fragrance, but it just smells very faintly like 4 day old Valentine Day's bouquets. I used two full pumps for my entire face and neck area, but it was a little too much. I did not try to build since I have no breakouts at the moment.

First of all, I applied with my usual skincare routine sans primer. (Since I usually am too lazy to prime.) This meant Aveeno Moisturizer with SPF 30 before and Rimmel Stay Matte powder after to set. The color went on very light for my NC30 at the moment. Okay, all well and good. I gave it some time to set. The color match seemed perfect. However, the first bad omen came when my Tarte blush applied very streakily... Thirty minutes later in the car, my face oxidized 3 shades darker! This never happens to any foundation of mine since my skin is not oily or acidic. I don't mind that it matched my shoulders, but it wasn't the color I needed for the upcoming winter. At this point, the foundation had set and the finish seemed natural and my skin was very pretty despite the oxidation.

Three hours later, the area around my nose was a hot mess! My nose area is my trouble area, so anything that looks bad on it is a dealbreaker even if my cheeks are absolutely Cherubian otherwise. The foundation caked around the bottom of my nose. It slid around on the sides of my nose even though I had set with powder. Every flake or dry spot was accentuated. And yet, it still looked oily!  On the rest of my face, the foundation was starting to slide and fade in patches. My face looked like Crisco on a Sunday dinner hamhock. Even though I have small pores on the sides of my nose under my eyes, this foundation put all of them front and center stage. I usually admire a satin finish, sometimes dewy, but this was just over the top.  You can look at these pictures for reference. Don't throw up.

*Excuse my nasty lips, I was trying out Shiseido Bordeaux and it was a little too dark for daytime wear, so I scrubbed it off*

One look at my nose and you should already think to pass on this one. I don't think this would work on anyone with even a hint of pores, lines, or godforbid nose flakes. Also notice how my face/neck is about 100 tanning bed measurements from my chest and decolletage.  It actually doesn't look half bad if you consider my face a Monet (from afar it's alright but up close it's a mess!) It definitely photographs much better than it looks in real life, but who buys foundation just to camwhore? (Oh wait, my mom....)

EDIT: I tried this alone by itself (no moisturizer/sunscreen, primer, or powder.) The results were much better (no oxidation, no patchiness, no caking) but still not impressive for the price point. It performed similar to my MAC and MUFE Face and Body but with even less coverage. I'd rather use my NARS tinted moisturizer if slight evening out was my goal since it also includes SPF 30.)

I guess the only pros I could list are:

• It may work better for oily skin types. Judy on YT as well as several oily skinned friends liked/loved it.


• It's very light feeling on the face despite being advertised as a "gel" foundation.


• The packaging and brand name is reason enough for some people to purchase.


• It photographs well. HD video captures it beautifully (check out Saaammage's recent YT videos to see it in action.)

Moral of the story, foundations can make your skin look even worse than it really is. *SHUDDER* I'm taking this back to Sephora immediately and stocking up on my trusty MUFE HD or NARS Sheer Glow in a winter shade instead.

Be

 

Review| NARS Radiant Creamy Compact Foundation in Stromboli

My lemming has been fed, nothing to see here people. Just another wonderful product that deserves all of the surrounding hype: the NARS Radiant Creamy Compact Foundation ($38 retail for the powder and puff, $10 for the compact itself).

Francois you so fancy but can't afford to give us the compact for free? The baby cream foundation case snaps its tiny little body into a momma case which includes a big mirror and perforated (aerated?) side for the puff to breathe. The outer shell is made of the same rubberized material as all other NARS compacts. Because cream foundations are more sensitive to air, the cream pan has a lid within itself. Pan-ception.

The little amount of product for the price is sort of a boon, but if you are like me and never go through foundations quick enough, you may find that it's the perfect size for a month or two's worth of use. By that time you will have gone up a shade lighter and ready to repurchase a baby pan.

The foundation claims to be very lightweight on the skin but provide excellent (read: medium to full coverage) depending on method of application. The sponge gives very thick coverage, but an application with fingers is the best way to apply this cream. Not very sanitary, but it does help melt the cream into your skin better than any synthetic brush. I found the coverage to be true to its claims all the while feeling as light as a powder foundation. Amazing! No cake batter to lick from the spoon here.

You don't get very much product in the pan, but there is a huge selection of colors (22!) to choose from that is very similar to the coloring system of their Sheer Glow line. I am also a perfect match in Stromboli for this foundation. It is the most olive toned medium shade out of Punjab, Santa Fe, and other medium tones that have too much orange or neutral undertone. I also picked up Ceylan (around a MAC NC25 equivalent) for the upcoming fall and winter season. I think that even very light or very dark skinned girls will have no problem finding a close or exact match. The cream formulation gives my skin a satin finish with subtle luminosity. In fact, it looks very healthy and skin-like. I set with a powder on my T-zone and it lasts throughout the day.

I would have to say that its portability, ultra lightweight texture, performance par liquid foundation, and easy pairing with moisturizer or sunscreen makes this a new found favorite of mine. I love how I can easily touch up through out the day on trouble spots if needed.  It is easy to pick a level of coverage with this product, and I think dry to normal skinned gals will greatly appreciate this foundation.

Below are some photos and a swatch of my shade Stromboli (Medium 3):

The shades all look very deceptively dark in the pan but translate to much lighter once on the finger, so make sure you take your time to look at swatches online or in stores. Also, see how disgusting the sponge quickly gets if you use it? I would opt for your own BeautyBlender or tossing the sponge completely before you grow the next batch of biochemical weaponry.

Anyway, I hope you will give this expensive little sucker a try, it really is a game changer for foundation.

Be

Review: Makeup Forever's HD Foundation (Part 1)

Yes, my friends, it is time to bring out the big guns of blogging and share with you all of my best secrets, tips, and observations about the iconic, often ridiculed, sweetly surprising beauty that is Makeup Forever's HD foundation. (Now say that entire sentence five times fast!)

 

First of all, this foundation is not for the very oily or very dry skinned girl. It will combine with your natural greaseball of a face much too quickly if you are anything past combination, dissolving into a goopy mess. On the other end of the spectrum, it will emphasize dry flakes and make you look like a shedding snake if you are too dry skinned. Furthermore, If you are acne-ridden, have severe acne marks or potholes, please stay away. HD Foundation does not mean miracle to those who seek it. So, what the hell? Who is this foundation for, if not girls who want perfect skin?

 

Let me answer this question in the simplest way possible: It is for normal skinned girls with light to moderate dark spots and blemishes. 

 

Now, before you all throw hissy fits, you must simply accept this fact. There are plenty of other foundations that do much better in the oil control department. There are concealers that cover acne scarring like a patriotic duty. When you fit into the right skin category for this foundation, however, it will simply be worth the 42 dollars. Why?

• WIth no SPF, you will look radiant in HD photographs and videos as promised by its name.
• It is supremely lightweight while offering medium coverage.
• It will last for your entire workday. After a few hours, it combines with my natural oils to come to a beautiful finish that looks like second skin. In the summer, my oilier T-zone requires blotting which is a given. Look elsewhere if you are going to spend your days outside and sweating. In fact, wear something with a sunscreen.
• It plays nice with a Beauty Blender, your fingers, and a Real Technique's buffing brush. With any kind of tool I've used, this foundation blends beautifully.
• The color range is phenomenal and you will most likely find your exact match. Ironically enough, HD foundation is also very forgiving. I wore N120 when I was NC20 to NC25 and I use N123 for NC30 to NC35.
• Two pumps covers my face and neck. 

My mom is the type of person who uses MAC's Studio Fix Fluid or Pro Longwear on a daily basis and keeps this bad boy in her arsenal for camwhoring. She seriously keeps it on a shrine. With her oily and acne-scarred skin, she simply dusts on a loose setting powder and keeps her photoshoots short and sweet. She doesn't wear this out all day and expect it to perform like her MAC foundations. Her skin in photos looks perfect when it is far from it.

For me, I use this on a daily basis. If you haven't already gleamed from the list of merits above, let me tell you a short story. I often troll MAC counters and Sephora stores every other day, and the reps and makeup artists always wonder if I'm wearing a powder, since my skin looks so nice but not made up. Yes, I am. Yes, my skin is also a blessing, but it does have a few dark spots, fine lines, and dry patches. Nobody can tell I'm wearing makeup when I have this on. When I wear Revlon Colorstay, the girls tend to say, "I like how your foundation looks."  Aw hell no! 

This foundation has been hyped for quite a while now, and I can understand why. However, it also has haters. People who say that this foundation did nothing for them, or that they couldn't justify the price tag, or that it simply was too heavy, or that it broke them out. Their statements may be true, as foundation is never one bottle for all. In my experience, however, it is just the best foundation because it evens out my skintone very well and makes me look flawless after spot concealing.

If you are not convinced, maybe you shouldn't be. There seems to be a very narrow group of people who can enjoy this foundation, and I'm glad I'm in it. Otherwise, look elsewhere for a HG foundation and save us the bemoaning!

That's all for today folks! Pray tell if you've use this foundation before or tried it when it was first hyped. What is your experience with HD?

Next, I will show you my application of the product and how it looks swatched with other comparable shades for your reference. Stay tuned!

Summer Routine is up!

Hope your Memorial Day weekend is great, eat lots of hamburgers and let me live vicariously through you!

This is the video edition of my previous FOTD post, be sure to scroll down for the full list of products used! Be

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT3F0r_sTK0&w=560&h=315]

Collection: Powder Foundations

Hey all!
For the past two months my powder collection has been steadily growing while my liquid foundation pile remains stagnant. Why? Blame it on the heat and general summer attitude. I have plenty of time in the world during the summer to apply makeup, but I don't want anything sliding or melting off my face two hours into the sun.

While I do have some setting powders (all are drugstore), I have been hauling in new MAC powders as well as some from Sephora. I'll give you a brief rundown of the mid-range powder foundations I have in my collection right now.

Warning! This post is picture heavy! Continue below to see just how much of a hoarder I've become...

Above is Benefit's Hello Flawless powder in "Petal."
Shade NC20-25

Pros:
- Very easy application with brush. Looks absolutely beautiful with a good moisturizer.
- Natural coverage or spot application. Very natural coverage.
- Yellow toned.

Cons:
- Price $35 for a very small amount in pan. Absolutely useless brush included for your convenience.
- Will kick up like any other powder. Be gentle!

Above is Makeup Forever's Pro Finish in 127 "Golden Sand."
Shade NC30-NC35

Pros:
- Can be used wet or dry, wonderful color match for my Asian skin tone.
- Nice finish, okay oil control for my t-zone
- Finely milled.
- Includes compact and sponge in separate compartment.

Cons:
- May be expensive for some at $36 dollars.
- Case is not sturdy for jostling handbags and won't protect against errant hooligan knick-knacks in your bag. Powder can come loose.

MAC's Studio Fix in C5.
Shade: NC40 equivalent, more yellow

Pros:
- Very long lasting and excellent oil control properties, enough to quell any evil thoughts from grease monkeys.
- Compact is iconic. Cult favorite product for many MAC users.
- Shade is very yellow toned in comparison to the orange-y NC shades (meaning if you are a special color, you can find your color match with studio fix.)

Cons:
- Cake face extraordinaire! Make sure you use a brush and spot conceal and not just apply this on wet unless you're trying out for King Lear.
- Powdery look, but can be solved with Fix+ and light application.
- Color still not right for me right now, but will be during the middle of summer.
- Some people have complained of breakouts. Wash your face correctly or check the ingredients for allergens.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Plus, Medium, Medium Plus
Light Plus: NC20-NC25
Medium: NC/NW 25-30
Medium Plus: NC 30-NC 40
Here is my ultimate favorite HG powder. You know I like something when I hoard it in three shades "just in case" to encompass every seasonal change to my skin tone. Sad.

Pros:
- Can be used as powder foundation or setting powder depending on application.
- Beautiful luminous glow to the skin after a few hours of wear.
- Very long lasting for a powder. Doesn't transfer.
- Forgiving shade range due to sheer coverage.

Cons:
- Low to no oil control. Great for dry skinned gals in this respect.
- Awful shade range if you're very very yellow. (Light plus or Medium Dark are your only options and they can be too light or too dark for you.)
- Flashback. I generally avoid getting pictures taken, so this is not a problem for me.
- No mirror for touch-ups. Again, I do not touch up with this powder and use it mainly as a very natural powder foundation.


So, that is all of the powder foundations that I currently have and covet. I've done a lot of research on these powders and they all look very fantastic, require little time and effort, and last throughout the day. I actually manage to look like a "natural" beauty with these powders as they are not noticeably "make-up", powdery, or cakey on the face.

Let me know your experiences with powder foundations and whether you like powder or liquid!
-Be

Current Favorites: May

Hello again,
I'm here to talk about my current favorites! To see more, check out my YouTube video coming up within the week.1. MAC Impassioned: Amplified

You know that one lipstick that just catches your eye every time you visit the counter, but you never muster enough courage to swatch in fear of obligation to buy? I've been eyeing Impassioned every time I hit up the MAC counter, but only swatched other lipsticks nonchalantly while the assistant goes to the back and brings me back my powder. I'm glad I took the plunge and got it.

This pink is the best on trend bright color for the summer season right now. Why go with Impassioned when you can impress with Candy Yum Yum? This pink is bright without being tacky, a sort of grown up pink where you can keep on trend without scaring your coworkers. It reminds me of Maybelline Vivid's "Vivid Rose" without being too muted to come off as a grandma hue. I would say the colors are actually comparable but the drugstore version tends to bleed as it is too creamy. Impassioned is an Amplified creme that doesn't flake or bleed and well worth the extra money.
Below is a quick picture of the lipstick in its bullet.

2. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus in C5

My skin color changes and adapts to the sunlight so quickly, it's almost as racial as affirmative action. In the winter, I can wear NC20 and comparable shades. After two days in the sun, I change to NC30. After two weeks of sunshine, I am now an NC42/C5. (I never skimp on sunscreen and wear Spf 30 and reapply sunscreen liberally as I hate sun damage.)

...My skin is telling me to buy more makeup. It's all justified people!

My skin is also getting oily in the T-zone and a powder will not highlight any flakes or dry skin as it's all been replaced by oily, greasy, melty skin...lucky me. So, I went to get matched with a new summer foundation. In the past I wore BareMinerals in Medium Beige but never liked how it caked around the nose. Now with liquid foundation being out of the question I've been on a new quest for powder foundation.

Studio Fix Powder is a medium to full (leaning full) coverage foundation depending on method of application. I use a fluffy powder brush and it gives a great natural finish to the skin sans tinted moisturizer. I wanted a more matte powder but didn't want a "made up" look. It will act as both a spot cover up and full face powder depending on whether you use a sponge or brush. However, I would suggest not to pack this on with a sponge unless your skin is very oily and blemished and you need full coverage.

I also love the shape and weight of the compact. I don't have to touch up when using this powder, so I leave this one on the vanity. Plus, who applies powder in public? (That's archaic and sexist, screams the granola feminist). It definitely is a pretty compact to show off if you do.

A lot of people may be sensitive to the ingredients, but my skin is resistant and accepts anything I put on it. People also claim clogged pores and cystic acne from this powder, but I suspect they don't wash their face correctly at night to remove the product. Any product going to bed with you is a naughty one.

Overall, the makeup artist matched me with C6 rather than NC42 (in fear of the carrot face look, which is never pretty). However, C6 was out of stock. I chose C5 to still match my tanned chest and also keep the possibility of bronzer open. So far I have not seen any signs of oxidation.

I have a list of current favorites that will be going on YouTube soon with some other products. I will also swatch Impassioned and my Studio Fix on the video. Stay tuned!