Foundation Round-Up: My Current Faves

Hello Again!

Today I wanted to bring you a post spot-lighting my current favorite foundations. As the seasons change, so does my choice of foundations. As of today, these are the foundations that remain heavy in my wardrobe!

They are in no particular order but listed by the amount of coverage the provide.

Sheer To Medium Coverage

MAC BB Cream

• not really a foundation but provides a nice coverage for those days where less is more. It has a built in primer which I love and it has a subtle tint that feels weightless  

(COLOR: REFINED GOLDEN)

Medium But Buildable

Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation

• This foundation is surprisingly lightweight, non-greasy and ultra weightless but provides superior coverage. A few pumps is enough for medium coverage. A few more can take you to full coverage. It lasts all day and leaves the skin luminous without being too oily or greasy. 

 (COLOR: TAHOE) 

Makeup Forever HD (Original Formula)

• I have yet to try the new formula but the old formula is a personal fave. (Not sure if it's still sold in stores). The silky texture glides onto the skin and leaves it looking radiant and natural. It provides a pretty long wear and photographs phenomenally. 

Nars Sheer Matte Foundation

• This foundation isn't all that sheer but it isn't full coverage. You can build the coverage up but it looks better with minimal product. Its a pretty nice foundation and it keeps my skin matte for majority of the wear. (No longer sold on Narscosmetics.com)

 (COLOR: TAHOE)

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation

• This is a pretty solid product. Provides medium coverage and looks flawless. It's a foundation I wear on most days. It just never fails me. My only con about this foundation is the rose smell. I prefer to not have foundation with a scent. But the way the foundation performs keeps me coming back for more. 

 (COLOR: GOLDEN)

MAC MatchMaster

• This foundation applies and dries to a semi-matte, super natural, skin like texture. I love that it photographs well and it keeps me matte through out the day. It also adjusts itself to my skins undertone. Very impressive. I also love that the bottle is larger than most MAC Foundations. More bang for your buck

(COLOR: 6.0)

Medium To Full Coverage

Black Opal True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation

• This foundation does exactly what it says, it blurs the appearance of large pores (which I have) and makes the skin look radiant and more smooth. The texture is more of a demi-matte but it allows the skin to look like skin. It also comes with a pump for easier distribution. SCORE!The price point is also amazing. At $10.95 you can't beat this. One of my most favorite foundations.

(COLOR: Truly Topaz) 

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

• I was pleasantly surprised by this foundation. The first edition of Maybelline Fit Me Foundation was a disaster. But they redeemed themselves. They added a mattifying agent and an optical blurring agent that makes this foundation superior to most rival prestige brands. The color spectrum needs a little work (they need to add more colors) but the formula is amazing. This foundation literally lasts me atleast 7-8 hours before I need to powder my t-zones. That really is saying something (due to my skin being extremely oily). On top of all of that, the price point is nice. It retails from $5-$10. Definitely a foundation worthy of your coins.

(COLOR: 330 Toffee) 

 

MAC Prolongwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation

 

•  Now I can tell you right out the gate, the only con I find with this foundation is limited colors and the amount of product you get. I hate that the tube is so small. I usually wear NC44 in MAC Foundations but since they haven't made this foundation in 44, I've been using it in NC45. And I highlight the center of my face more than usual. But the coverage and the way this foundation sets is like a dream. Not only is it water proof, it leaves the skin looking satiny and radiant but not oily. And I love that it feels like you're wearing nothing at all but still the coverage is there. This is an amazing foundation. MAC, if you're listening, expand the shade range! Please and thank you. 

(COLOR: NC45)

Loreal Infallible Pro Matte 24 Hour Foundation

•  Amazing doesn't even begin to describe that way this foundation makes the skin look. This is the longest wearing foundation that I own (and that's crazy because it isn't the most expensive). I can't even say anything that would remotely do this foundation justice. It just has you flawless. Here are a few pictures to demonstrate what I mean. (This foundation is everything)

(COLOR: Caramel Beige)



I hope this helps you in your foundation search. Remember, everything is not intended for everyone. You have to find what works for you.

Until Next Post

Live Well. Be Well. Dress Well

Smooches

Ruby Kisses Matte Lipsticks: Buy or Bail???

Matte Lipsticks have been on trend for quite sometime now in the beauty community. Therefore every brand from extremely high end to low end has been cranking them out. I, myself, have always been a fan of matte lipsticks for the simple fact that they last a heck of a long time. They require less maintenance as far as touch-ups are concerned and they usually are highly pigmented. 

So of course, when I saw these bright beautiful matte lipsticks in my local BSS (Beauty Supply Store), I had to try them out.

I started with a few to test out the consistency and to see if I liked them.
Here are the shades that I chose.

MY ASSESSMENT

Packaging|: The packaging is consistent with the brand. It is ok. But they don't spend tons of money on extremely sleek, expensive looking packaging. The features that  I do love though are the clear tops (so you can view the lipstick shade) and the conjoining colored band around the lipsticks. This is super cute. Plus it aides in helping you locate your color of choice more quickly.

Price|: These lipsticks retail for under $3. I purchased mine for $2.50 each. Depending on where you purchase, I've seen these for as low as $1.99.

Smell|: Most matte lipsticks have a vanilla or cake batter smell (in my opinion) and these don't stray far away from that. Surprisingly pleasant.

Feel|: The shades that I chose to purchase have a creamier texture. The only one that seems to feel a bit drying on the lips is the "Purple Affair" color. It's not overly drying though to where it felt uncomfortable. I usually prep my lips with either MAC Prep+Prime Lip or EOS lip balm. So this helps in the way my lipstick goes on anyway. But I did try them on without the primer and they worked just fine. I would, however, make sure my lips are dry or flaky. You want to make sure your lips are smooth and hydrated before applying.


Shade Range and Availability|: There are 24 shades in this line-up. The colors span the unusual colors like Blue, Grey, and Mint. I chose to stick with the more traditional shades to begin. I have seen these sold at a number of beauty supply stores both local and internet based. They aren't hard to find or purchase. They are available in so many places

Staying Power & Pigmentation|: I've worn purple affair and Plum Wine in the past few weeks. Both of these colors have a purple base. They lasted extremely long on my lips. The Plum Wine shade was worn to work and I only touched up mid-day due to lunch. And the Purple Affair shade lasted until I took it off with a makeup wipe. All in all. I believe you can get a good 5 to 6 hour wear with these lipsticks without touching up (sans eating and drinking). 

These are highly pigmented. The red, orange and deep shades are super duper pigmented. The lilac shade, though pigmented, reads a bit chalky. I am going to have to work it out with a liner, I suppose to alter the look of it a bit. But it's still a beautiful shade and it goes on smooth.

Overall Thoughts| I really think these are must-buys. You cannot lose out on getting these. The pigmentation of most of the shades alone rival higher end brands. Though they skimped on the packaging quality, they did not skimp on the pigmentation and staying power. The orange shade "Extreme Coral" is the most awesome shade in my opinion. Reminds me of MAC Cosmetics "Lady Danger" with more pigmentation. And that is really saying something!  I swatched the grey, mint and blue shades in store and the came off a little more chalky so I opted out of buying those but the rest of the colors were amazing. The nudes are really pretty. The price makes them definitely worth it.

If you haven't already, definitely check these out for yourself at your local beauty supply store. I promise you won't be disappointed.

If you've tried these lipsticks, leave a comment below and tell me what you thought.

All comments and feedback are welcome!

Until next post!!

XOXO!