CoverGirl FOTDs!

So, in the last post, I mentioned I got my CoverGirl NatureLuxe Liquid Silk Foundation sample from Walmart a few months back. It consists of 2 packets of foundation, one in 320 Aspen and the other in 340 Maple.





This kinda sucks because I feel like CG just sends out two shades they think would be popular but it's not gonna fit everyone's skin tone. I think Maple fit me way better and Aspen is a lot lighter.

Here are some pictures of before/after application of Aspen.

before

after


before

after

Please ignore the fact that the foundation is a bit too light for me - esp. on my forehead. Still, it worked out a bit - don't you think?

So what amazes me is the coverage! Yes, look at all my "flaws" in the before pics and then look how the foundation pretty much just blends everything together and make my face seem more "flawless"! That is what I love most about it. All the redness and other discoloration isn't as noticeable as before!

Blending and application is so easy and the foundation is really nice and light across my skin.

The only things I don't like is that it does make my dry spots a lot worse. So make sure if you have dry spots, you moisturizing them well!

Also, it makes me look like I'm wearing a mask even though I did blend it a lot! So... I don't know. I like the coverage but I hate what my face looks like with just foundation on. To fix this problem, I did my entire face of make up, which leads to the FOTDs full of only CG products:









LIDS: CG's quad in Tropical Fusion's orange color
CREASE: CG's single in Swiss Chocolate
UPPER LINER: CG's single in Brown Smolder
LOWER LINER: CG's quad in Tropical Fusion's green color

CHEEKS: CG's blush in Pretty Peach

And I just want to show you guys my other FOTD w/ the other foundation color in Maple. I think Maple fits my skin tone better but it still a little bit light on my face. Even with this one, I still felt like I was wearing a mask. Plus, it was at night time and my camera had flash so it made this foundation look way lighter due to the SPF that is in this product.







LID: CG's single in Tapestry Taupe
CREASE: CG's single in Swiss Chocolate
OUTER V: CG's single in Brown Smolder
LINER: CG's Perfect Point Plus in Grey Khaki and single in Brown Smolder on top

CHEEKS: CG's cheeker's blush in Pretty Peach

LIPS: CG's Amazemint in Slap Happy

That's pretty much it. I really like the way the foundation make my skin look pretty flawless w/ very little hassle. Still, I wish it didn't make my face look so mask like - even though it could be fixed with more make up (like bronzer and blush). I also don't find it to be the most comfortable foundation to wear since I could feel it sitting on my face. I think this would work best with all skin type - but dry skin should moisturize!

What do you guys think?

SORRY I've been so busy lately! Life is just gotten a hold of me... but I'm on Spring Break ;) Yay... I'll have more time to write and such.

PS. I just hauled something yesterday - the Maybelline Falsies Mascara! Can't wait to try it out... so far... it's okay. Clumps a bit... not enough volume. We'll see how I enjoy it.

100 Things: 21-25 + Ramblings

I haven't done one of these in awhile... so I figure I need to keep up!! Here goes!

21) MAGIC


22) Music


23) Perfume


24) Conversation


25) Hawaii


♥ ♥ ♥



In other news, I got my CoverGirl Natureluxe Silk Foundation sample I ordered from Walmart a week ago and it came in two different sample packages. Each package contains enough (and a bit more for me) to do the entire face. Unfortunately, I didn't get to choose the shade but it worked out okay for me... I think. Here's a pic of what it looked like on. My skin look pretty good on camera - gotta say. I think I'm gonna try out the 2nd one soon and then decide if I want to buy the real thing or not.


Wearing 340 Maple w/ flash

The only thing I noticed is that it isn't as light weight as I thought it would be. I still felt it sitting on my skin. It blends easily and it looks pretty flawless. It did exaggerate my dry patches though (mostly around my nose). The cool thing is that I think this is definitely a light-medium coverage and more medium for me, even though other reviews had said light coverage for them. Overall, quite interesting... I'm gonna have to give this one more try.

If I was to buy a brand new (as in new 2011) foundation right now, it'll have to be the Maybelline Fit Me or this CoverGirl one.

I'm still waiting for my free sample of the Maybelline Fit Me...!

♥ ♥ ♥

One more thing that is beauty related is that I'm on a search for a new skin routine. My cleanser, day and night moisturizers are all running low! I need to repurchase all three!!

Also, I need a new mascara and lip balms as well...

So if you guys have any suggestion for a good drugstore cleanser/moisturizers, please let me know!

I have normal-dry skin! Not acne prone and could be sensitive.

First Impressions - Aren't So Important

When you meet someone new - the only thing you've got is first impression. Depending on how forgiving that friend is, you really gotta try to look good or you'll just have to try to avoid them for the rest of your life... at least that's how I roll!

But then there are some friends who leaves you with the strangest first impressions but you bonded over some random thing and now you are inseparable.

Ha ha These are the few products that weren't so great at first... but turns out, they just needed a little time to adjust their awkwardness. Because now, I definitely reach out to them all the time for support, comfort, and lots and lots of fun!

1) Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner


So I first used Herbal Essences A LONG time ago!! Like when I was in high school and I didn't like it all. It was dry and it just didn't really do anything to my hair. So years went by and I never went back to this shampoo. However, I was bored with what I was using (Treseme) but didn't want to get like Pantene so I thought - Herbal Essences! It was cheap and smelled so heavenly... so WHY NOT? Not that big of a deal. I bought this in Hello Hydration (I've used different types since - not my first bottle BTW - this is like 4th or 5th!) and realized that they've improved greatly on their products. This stuff smells amazing and very hydrating. My hair just feels so nice and soft! So great I LOVE IT!

So, if you need something extra in the shower... because you're routine gets boring after a while - TRY THIS! They come in so many scents and I feel like just stick to stuff w/ words "hydrating" and "moisturizing" and you'll be perfectly fine!



2) Maybelline's Mineral Power Concealer in Sand
I've done a review on this where I show before and after pics. Gotta say I really like this stuff. It covers my circles really well and doesn't leave it gross and cakey. I LOVE IT!! The only thing is that it is a little light for me right now. I always have to go over the concealer with bronzer now to warm it up a bit. But when I was paler, this shade was really great! Worked really well w/ my complexion. I really enjoy it.

3) Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Soft Rose
I wrote about this a while back saying that it isn't hydrating and the color is odd - I just didn't know how to use the color. Well, I find that this is just really nice for spring. Makes my face looks polished and just ready to face the day. It also has a nice staying power. It goes on your lips creamy but it doesn't feel slick. When I rub my lips together, I don't feel it moving around. I feel lit pretty much sinks into my lips like a stain... almost.

4) Palladio Herbal Tinted Lip Balm
I am OBSESSED w/ lip balms and when it comes to being tinted - that's awesome. I've always heard raved reviews on Emilynoel83's youtube channel and I thought it would be nice to have around for Spring and Summer. First thing I noticed was the smell. It had such a strong plastic/make up smell... URGH!!!! Second thing, it wasn't as moisturizing as I would have hoped. But as I keep using this product, I love the way it goes on and how it looks on me. I started noticing that the smell is decreased dramatically and the moisture has finally caught up to my expectations. So overall, I like this but it was not love at first sight.

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HOWEVER, I would also like to mention products that I've ENJOYED greatly when we first met but now we've grown apart...



1) NYX Jumbo Pencils - I'm sorry guys - I just don't have time to use you. I already applied my primer... I don't really want to have to apply you too... I mean, too much layers!!!

2) Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation - you rocked my world for a little while but I've realized that you are too dark for me... alas - we must go our own separate ways. Well, maybe I'll buy a lighter foundation and then you to can mix to form my perfect shade. Until then, Adieu!

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YUP - that is pretty much it. Nothing new w/ me as far as make up goes. Well, actually my urge to buy any has decreased substantially. WHY? Because I'm broke now due to my Spring Break Hawaii trip! Ha ha. But that is good because I need to stop buying stuff and use what I have.

With that said, I am looking for a good foundation. One that hydrates but evens out my skin tone - I just want my skin to have one color! Not red here and there....

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Oh, I am planning to write a new PRODUCT BATTLE:

PREVIEW:

VS.

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It's been a few posts since I've shown my face: nothing really new - just hair is growing a bit longer.



Thanks for reading!!! Have a great weekend.

Beautiful skin...

So, in the last FOTD, a lot of people mentioned how nice my skin is... let me tell you... it is FAR from perfect!

Actually, my left cheek has no acne scars or pimples really but my right cheek... AHH!! Crazy redness and acne scars all over the place.

The most annoying thing about redness and acne scar is that it makes blush looks kinda weird and not as pretty as it could be. And you all know, I LOVE BLUSH! So I really try to reduce my flaws as much as possible.

Lately, I sorta returned to my Everyday Minerals. I've never ordered full size from them but I've gotten the free kit (from back in the day... the system now is very odd and I don't like it as much). I tried Everyday Minerals because I've heard so many people talk about the awesome coverage. I saw NO COVERAGE or light coverage when I first started... but that was because I was using the WRONG tool!! Turns out, you need a nice dense brush to have a decent cover. DUH! You say. Well, I was new at make up and plus a nice, soft, dense brush is hard to find when you are on a budget.

Well, turns out, I ordered the small kabuki brush w/ my order but never used it because it was so small. Thing is, I don't need to use it all over my face, just my cheek area! So, I decided to try this. Check it out: Beware of NAKED CHEEK



After application of EDM:



Now before you guys rejoice at this and decide to order your own mineral make up, there are a few things I want to say - and I shall do it best w/ my PRO/CON list :D



PRO:
- Nice coverage! Great at reducing redness and even out skin tone.
- Easy to apply, blends so nicely!
- The brush is amazingly soft
- Kinda a quick thing to do in the morning (for me anyways; some say liquid is faster but this might be b/c I don't have my exact foundation match for liquid yet)
- The colors above (Golden Medium, left, and Winged Butter, right) are great matches! Perfect matches actually
- No shine but not completely matte either - unless you get the matte finish formula

CON:
- Not long lasting (I have not tried this w/ a primer though...) but it lasts 3-4 hours... maybe 5.
- Can be cakey as most powder foundation are
- Can be drying (like above... but I don't think it emphasizes dry spots which is nice)
- You do need to build this up - unfortunately, it is not just put on your face and go! I def. have to build this up!
- Brush is too small - only good for spot treatment.

So, please consider these pro/cons. This has not break me out... but some people do break out from that.

Another annoying thing is that EDM is not as inexpensive as it used to be. Sad huh!! It used to be sooo affordable. But it is def. more affordable than Bare Minerals (or whatever).

** It is hard to find a good foundation. Some people will go through life never finding their HG!! I know, tragic!!! Just kidding :) But a good way to have a look of good skin is to have actual good skin!! So, drink more water, wash face before bed (salicylic acid or benzoic acid), moisturize, SUN SCREEN people!!!!, and let your skin breathe. Sometimes the make up you are wearing is what causes the blemishes!! Just a few tips.

Okay, so it is late... and so I'm gonna go to sleep now.

BTW - anyone is reading/has read "Love in Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Marquez Garcia??? I've only read the first 1/3 of it... but it is a great book!!! I like it thus far... but I can tell great tragedies and sadness will happen.

Let the confetti fall!

It's the 4th of July tomorrow! I don't really celebrate it big or anything but it is a holiday :D!

Another quick tip for the summer. For summer, foundation can look very cakey and heavy for the face. For the summer, we want nice flawless looks right. Let our true skin glow or whatever.

Here's what I do, I combine my foundation and moisturizer in one to make my own tinted foundation. It is not heavy, it blends easily and it even gives you a dewy finish.



NOTE:: It gives me a light coverage so use concealer! If you're concealer is lighter than your skin tone for your black circles - mix your concealer and your foundation a little bit for redness and blemishes on your face. Work w/ the colors that already you have.

Hope this helps~

a quickie before bed

Why does my title sound dirty?? Bet you didn't think of it that way until now that I've mentioned it... ha ha ha... I'm evil.

ANYWAYS - it's late and I guess I'm just ready to sleep now - and dream of sweet make up!

But, this post is about my foundation routine. So during the winter time, I didn't really notice any problems w/ my skin (besides a pimple here and there). But now it is summer time (and it gets HOT here!) and I notice some problems....

AHHH MY PORES ARE GINORMOUS!! During the winter time, I have dry skin but now during the summer time, I have dry-combination skin. DISGUSTING!!! So, now my biggest thing is to cover up my pores and make my skin look more smooth and nice.

Big pores just makes your skin oozy w/ oil and also blushes really exemplify them - and let me tell you, I LOVE BLUSHES! I'd put blushes on before I put on eye shadows or liners (I would put on mascara before it).

So, the points of this post is what I've been doing to cover up my pores and "mattify" my t-zone.


First, moisturize!!
Second, I put on the Rimmel primer (I'll talk more about this later... it's too late!)
Third, I conceal my under eye circles w/ the Maybelline concealer. I actually really like this concealer.
Fourth - THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS! I use the Revlon Mousse Foundation and YES! It minimizes my pores (instead of making them look bigger!) and really pretty matte finish! WHEE!! I adore this foundation but BEWARE - this is not a foundation for dry skin people. I can only use this during the summer now but I wouldn't dare put this on in the winter time. I actually did that for a little bit and it really magnifies dry spots. So be careful w/ this. But I've been really satisfied w/ this little baby! It doesn't feel cakey at all but it gives beautiful coverage.
Fifth, I just put some sort of powder on it. I think I mostly used my Wet n Wild pressed powder really lightly to set.

NOTE: I only put these things on my t-zone where I need it the most. I don't do my whole face.

Here are some pics... I don't know if this helps but I didn't edit anything at all on these pics. Trust me though, it really helps w/ the pore problems.


- Flash makes me so much tanner than I am... but I am pretty tan right now - one reason why I don't use Bronzers during the summer.


Hope this helps some of you!