Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation 010 Light Porcelain

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Rachel

Soooooo, before I even get started, let me just say, this shade of this foundation is only sold in the UK, as best as I can tell. The lightest shade of this foundation in the United States is Light Ivory, which you can see on me here:

HOLY CRAP, NO!! I totally returned that the next day. How about that fabulous lipstick though? (Maybelline Creamy Matte Siren In Scarlet)

I knew that 010 Light Porcelain existed in the Rimmel Stay Matte (entirely too dry and not long lasting on me at all), so I did a quick search for this color in other Rimmel foundations. Apparently 010 Light Porcelain is sold in Lasting Finish and Match Perfection, just not in the United States. Our shades start one shade darker, because the company hates me. (LOL)

I did what any reasonable person would do, and bought a bottle on eBay. I paid $10.00 USD and got free shipping, so only $3.00 more than what the U.S. version costs, and the UK version HAS A PUMP! And it’s a good pump! BEHOLD, look how the other half lives:

Seriously, Rimmel? Why do you cheap out on us in the U.S.? WE KNOW YOU CAN GET THE PUMPS.

And look…oh my god. If you’re a gal with Scots-Irish in ya, I guess you need to buy your makeup from across the pond:

AND THE ANGELS SANG!

As long as this doesn’t break me out, this could become my less expensive replacement for MAC Studio Fix Fluid. I’ve been looking for something that doesn’t dry my skin out as bad as Studio Fix Fluid (which I cannot even wear in the winter) and has a slightly more satin finish. This has that beautiful satiny look once it sets. It supposedly has a “comfort serum,” and I can attest that it’s not drying and doesn’t make my face feel tight. This foundation is a similar shade to NW10 and has more coverage. It’s definitely buildable and blends easily, which is nice. I was able to blend a cream blush flawlessly over this with ease! Most long wear foundations are hard to do that with, as they dry to a very powdery finish. I set this with a loose powder (a super light dusting of MAC Set Powder) and it just looks beautiful. I am wearing it quite full here, but it could be sheered out, too. This does have a light fruity fragrance, but compared to most long wear foundations that smell like paint, I think it’s quite nice. Between the bottle, the feel, and the look of the product, it seems like a higher end product.

Ok, fingers crossed for no reactions or breakouts or dehydration, etc. I will certainly keep you guys posted! American folks, if you don’t want to get this on eBay or Amazon, I have heard this is also carried on Asos!

What’s your go-to foundation?

Frozen in Time – Fun Vintage Makeup Clip

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Rachel

I’ve always been obsessed with vintage makeup, fashion, etc. I was unable to sleep tonight and stumbled across this gem! Can’t you just see them doing this with modern day contour/highlight sticks? Our makeup roots are strong…this video is from the 30s!

Women…over-drawing our lips for 80 years! 😉

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick — Siren In Scarlet

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Rachel

So, being a PPP (this is Makeupalley speak for “pale porcelain princess), I tend to really love the way a red lipstick stands out on my light skin. Actually, I tend to think red lipstick looks amazing on any skin tone, as long as you manage to find a suitable tone, but I digress…today, my awesome boyfriend brought home this lipstick for me (he’s a keeper, y’all) and I have to say, I’m absolutely in love!

I’ve yet to try the other shades in the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes line, but I watched a few reviews on YouTube and the consensus is that they are pretty great: Not too drying, very pigmented, not patchy, long wearing. I definitely find that to be true with Siren In Scarlet. This shade is a bright, true red with a blue base, suitable for most skin tones and great for making teeth look whiter (bonus!).

The case is like the other Color Sensational lipsticks, except with a grey top that has a slightly textured, matte look and feel. I really love the case.

When I opened it to get a look, I got super excited…oh my gosh!

That’s frickin’ red, guys!

So, how does it look?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmazing! Siren in Scarlet is a true vintage looking blue-based matte red. If you are looking for that retro “pin-up” red on a budget, this is your lipstick! I’m just so impressed! It truly has a look and feel of a higher end matte lipstick for a budget price.

(PS – please pardon my too dark and too pink foundation – I am trying the Rimmel Lasting Finish which feels amazing, but the US shades only go down to Light Ivory, and I need the Porcelain which is only available in the UK, so I just ordered it from eBay…and now I wait! Sigh…another post for another time…)

In summary: I usually have problems with matte formula lipsticks, but I have had this on for hours with no peeling and uncomfortable feel. I find that it is matte but not with that unattractive “flat” look. This shade is a beautiful vintage red that I think most skin tones could pull off. For about $5.50 USD, why not give it a shot? I do believe I shall have to try another color or two from this line.

Anyone know if these are limited edition? If so, I may need another tube of this red…. *wink*

Have you tried the Creamy Mattes by Maybelline?

Makeup of the Day – with Guerlain Meteorites

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Rachel

You guys. I really need to get out the Guerlain Meteorites more often, right? I look like I used a beauty filter on my camera or something…except I didn’t!

What I used:

Kat Von D Lock-It Featherweight Primer (this sadly was too rich for my combination skin), MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW10, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, NYX HD Concealer in Porcelain around the nose and to spot conceal, MAC Invisible Set Powder to set concealer, NYX HD blush in Taupe to Contour, Smashbox Baby Pink blush (Wondervision Mega Palette), Guerlain Meteorites in Clair all over to brighten, MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Lightscapade on cheekbones

EYES: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duo in Ebony (light side) with angled brush set with ELF Clear Brow Gel, Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow in Bone, Smashbox shadows in Beige, Fawn, and Blue (Wondervision Mega Palette), L’Oreal Infallible Gel Liner in Black with MAC 210 Precise Liner Brush, Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

LIPS: NARS Rikugien satin lip pencil (Sephora 2015 birthday gift)

What are you wearing today?

Kat Von D Lock-It Featherweight Primer — First Impression

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Rachel

I got a sample of this foundation primer with my last Sephora order and kept forgetting to try it! I finally got around to using it today. Here’s what Sephora has to say about the product:

What it is:
A lightweight, water-based face primer that hydrates, smoothes, and protects skin while it reduces the appearance of pores—creating the perfect canvas for long-wear foundation application.

What it does:
Get locked-in hydration, locked-up comfort with this fast-absorbing, water-based primer. It’s the ultimate prep step that hydrates, protects skin, and smooths the appearance of pores for flawless makeup application. This innovative, lightweight formula is formulated with advanced polymers that help even out the skin’s surface while it provides a flexible, protective barrier to prevent foundation from settling into fine lines and pores. Scentless, colorless, and weightless, it delivers essential hydration and its infused with vitamin B5, aloe vera, jojoba, and shea to bring nourishment to the skin’s surface, leaving it feeling refreshed and comfortable all day—even underneath long-wear, full-coverage foundation.

My take:

I sort of had a feeling this product was not going to be for me, but I wanted to give it a shot. I felt like maybe this was going to be more suited to normal to dry skin types and I am more normal to combination. This is a water based primer, but I was not prepared for it to feel like…well, it just feels like lotion. Just plain old straight up…lotion. Like lightweight plain old buy-it-at-the-drugstore lotion. I guess I’m not used to primers that don’t feel…primer-y. Like, oil controlling, or siliconey with some slip, or something. I was putting this product on and kind of not seeing the point? It didn’t really blur pores or minimize fine lines or anything like that. It definitely felt hydrating, which is nice, but I get properties like that from my skincare, which I always use before I use a primer. I suppose if you are extra dry and need that little boost of moisture, this could be great. But, this is an extra step for $32.00, and as far as actual foundation priming, I didn’t see it doing much. It did give a dewy look to the skin, which can be nice. In my case, in the summer, I need something that will control oil and fill pores, so this product isn’t right for me in the first place. If you’re very dry and like a dewy look to the skin, you may love this. I would definitely get a sample first! I for sure was shiny in the t-zone in no time and I had to powder my face more often throughout the day than I do with my Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. Like I said, I’m not really the target audience for the Kat Von D Lock-It Featherweight Primer, so give it a shot if you’re looking for a water based primer for dry skin. (Note, this is water based but it does contain dimethicone halfway down the list, so it is not totally free of silicone based ingredients.)

What’s your favorite primer? Do you even use one? Sometimes I skip it altogether, but lately I’ve been switching between the Smashbox one (thanks, Ipsy) and NYX Photo Loving Primer (the two are very similar).

Purging the makeup stash — LET IT GO!

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Rachel

Today, I watched some inspiration videos on YouTube before cleaning out my makeup kit. I do this from time to time, but today I decided to get ruthless. Woohoo! I made a set of rules for myself and went to town.

1. Look for anything that has gone bad or expired. Do you really want an eye infection or breakouts? Let it go!

2. Look for anything that just plain looks bad on you and you haven’t been able to make work. That nude lipstick that didn’t work before ain’t gonna work now. Let it go!

3. Look for anything you have dupes for. It’s fine to have different types of red lipsticks (deep red, orange red, cool red), but do you need 3 that are exactly the same? Make some room. Let it go!

Going in the bin:

You guys, those MAC eyeliners are from 2009. And no, I wasn’t using them. A couple of those lip products haven’t gone bad, but I can’t stand how they feel or smell (better luck next time, Ipsy). I can’t tell you how bad those Benefit products smelled. Cream and liquid products go bad faster than dry products.

(I had a bigger pile of stuff to go to my sister – she loves that!)

So, I’m not going to give you a hard and fast list of rules on how long to keep things before tossing them – not everyone agrees on the rules anyway, but a quick Google search will tell you some guidelines. In general, don’t keep your mascara and eyeliners longer than 6 months at the most, and everything else lasts a while longer. In general, if something feels or looks really off and has stopped performing as it normally does, you should probably toss it. You can give things the old sniff test if you’re uncertain. If it has the funk, toss it! I believe as long as you don’t get a powder product wet, it should last you a good long time. Of course, if you get some horrible infection or have eye surgery, toss it all and use it as an excuse to shop for new stuff! (Like I did years ago when I had LASIK eye surgery).

So go forth my friends and liberate the old crap sitting in your drawers and makeup bags! BE FREE! 😀 When was the last time you purged your old and unused makeup?

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Rainbow Nails — Happy Pride!

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Rachel

OK, it’s a bit sloppy but I’m getting sleepy! The thumb on my other hand is blue, since you know, not enough fingers for the rainbow. 😉

(Colors are in the previous post.)

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Pride Nail Polishes – Celebrate!

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Rachel

I’m stoked about the SCOTUS ruling yesterday making same sex marriage legal throughout all 50 states! I’m going to be doing some rainbow makeup tomorrow, but tonight, I thought I’d do a rainbow manicure as well, to show some support and because it’s Pride weekend and I’m feeling festive!

OPI – Big Apple Red

Wet n Wild – Nuclear War

Sally Hansen – Mellow Yellow

Revlon – Posh

Sinful Colors – Endless Blue

Sinful Colors – Let’s Talk

Ok, now that I have my colors, off to do my nails! If they turn out nice, I’ll update with a mani pic. 🙂

Makeup of the Day

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Rachel

Going to keep this short since we’re about to make dinner! Today, I paired Urban Decay Naked2 Basics eye shadows with La Femme blush in Flamingo Pink and Wet N Wild Fergie Creme Lipstick in Penthouse Sweet.

What are you wearing this weekend?

Beauty Tag – 20 More Questions!

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Kristin

It feels like I’m cheating for stealing this from Rachel. But I can’t resist!

Do you remember your first makeup item?

Yeah, that’s not creepy at all.

I actually remember my first perfume-related item. As a child of the 80s, at some point I ended up with a bottle of Love’s Baby Soft perfume when I was maybe six, a gift (read: hand me down) from a much more glamorous than me older cousin. I don’t remember this horrifyingly creepy ad copy though.

Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?

I’m completely sold on BeneFit’s “They’re Real!” mascara. It’s perfect in every way.

What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?

Like Rachel, I prefer a medium coverage satin-matte. My skin is pretty good on its own, but I like to even it out and kill some shine.

Favorite high-end brand?

If MAC is considered high end, then MAC. If it’s midrange, I’ll have to go with NARS or Smashbox for actual makeup, or Tom Ford for fragrance.

What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t?

Kat Von D has some products I am dying to try! I’d also love to get my hands on some indie brands like Melt.

Favorite drugstore brand?

NYX or Wet n Wild. Drugstore makeup is bangin these days!

Do you wear fake eyelashes?

Nope. I’m all thumbs when it comes to applying them, and I wear glasses so there’s no point most of the time!

Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?

Eyebrows. I won’t leave the house unless I’ve done my eyebrows.

What is your most cherished beauty product?

I don’t think I have anything that I’d say I cherish, but I can’t live without MAC’s “Vex” eyeshadow.

How often do you shop for makeup?

I browse for it all the time and shop for it very rarely.

Do you have a “beauty budget” or you spend freely?

I don’t even have a “beauty budget.” I’m on an everything budget.

What type of product do you buy the most of?

Eyeshadow and eyeliner.

Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates?

I avoid parabens in my skincare because products that have them often make me feel itchy, but other than that not really.

Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?

When I’m browsing around the drugstore. Or online!

Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?

I definitely try new stuff all the time. I still haven’t found my perfect skincare regimen.

Favorite bath and body brand?

Uh… I don’t really have a favorite.

Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?

I always end up using them for like one thing and never get any multi-function out of them. So no, I guess.

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

Shockingly, no. Especially considering that unless I am wearing contact lenses I’m doing it mostly blind! My eyesight is terrible!

Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?

Been there done that – I used to do theatrical makeup and I’ve worked as an independent MUA in the past.

What do you love about makeup?

What don’t I love about makeup?! 😜

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