Cranberry-Mauve Look using NEW Drugstore Makeup! (+ Mini Reviews!)

New at the Drugstore!

Hi everyone! I'm back with a bunch of new drugstore products and some mini reviews! I tried out all the products you see above and I'm super excited to share my thoughts. In the midst of trying them I came up with this cranberry-mauve look and I really like how it turned out. Without delay lets get into the mini reviews, shall we? :-)

*Maybelline Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation in 30 Warm Nude($16)- I really like this foundation! I completely agree with the "fresh face" claim, it's luminous but not too much. I personally prefer matte foundations but now that Spring is coming along and the weather is warming up it tends to be too heavy for me. This is perfect because it's lightweight but still provides great coverage leaving your skin looking youthful! It does come with a sponge applicator which I didn't end up liking, I felt like it made the foundation sit on my face and didn't blend it in. I use my Beauty Blender instead and it gets the job done beautifully.

*CoverGirl Outlast All Day Soft Touch Concealer in 830 light/medium($12)-  This concealer is great for everyday but not my favorite for a full face of makeup. CoverGirl claims that this concealer instantly erases your dark circles which I disagree with. I end up having to layer this concealer because the coverage is pretty light. I don't mind lighter coverage for work or for running errands but for a full face of makeup I wouldn't reach for this one. I really like the sponge applicator, it's perfect for such a sensitive area so kudos to that!

*CoverGirl Outlast Matte Finishing Powder in 830 light to medium($13)- This is a great powder! I really love it for touch ups because it instantly makes my face matte and we all know I love a matte face haha. The foundation doesn't need to be set but out of habit I did it anyway (just my t-zone) and I loved it. I would highly stay away from using it alone as CoverGirl suggest because it made my skin feel so dry! But over foundation and for touch ups it was awesome.

*ULTA Matte Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette($20)- I purchased this palette on a great deal and it was totally worth it! The shadows are buttery, smooth and beautiful colors. They are powdery but they blend so well so I'm OK with that. After comparing it to another higher end all matte palette I found that they have very similar colors so stay tuned for a possible dupe post very soon! ;-)

*Maybelline Color Sensational Inti-Matte Nudes Lipstick in Brown Blush($8)- Maybelline makes my favorite drugstore lipsticks and this new collection is...so good! The collection is the same formula as their creamy mattes, just warmer nudes that are made for different skintones. The lipstick is super comfy, pigmented and smooth and on top of that it's a mauve-brown... need I say anymore?! Definitely check out this collection if your a fan of Maybelline lipsticks!

Alright, that's all I have for you today! I hope these mini reviews were helpful and stay tuned for some more posts in the near future! :-)

Review: Maybelline Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Foundation + Powder!

New Matte Line!

Lots of drugstore brands are releasing their own rendition of matte products and it's quite exciting! I love a flawless, matte face but I've tried some so called "matte" foundations and they left my skin looking horrible. Maybelline released their Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Foundation and Powder which are said to mattify and refine pores while still looking natural. Big claims, let's see if it held up! ;-) For reference these are both around $7 at the drugstore, pretty affordable.

Let's start with the foundation:

Back in the day I tried the original Fit Me formula but I wasn't a fan. It just never set so the foundation was very visible on my face so I ended up throwing it away. This formula is very different, kinda like opposites! I found my perfect match which is something this line is great at, the color selection is really great. I found that the formula is really quick to dry which means you have to work fast with it. I did half of my face first and then the other side just to make sure everything blended well.

My skin is normal to dry right now so it felt a bit drying when I first tried it. The second time I made sure to moisturize really well and use a primer and it felt amazing! The finish is no doubt matte and very shine controlling! I was very impressed with the lasting power too. I didn't touch up at all which is so not normal for me haha. I was also pretty surprised with how smooth my face looked. My pores weren't as visible as usual so I loved that too!  My only con is that it can look flat when you wear it so I had to bust out my highlighters to bring some life back to my face. 

The Maybelline Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Powder is something I don't consider a must have. If your skin is on the drier side I don't recommend it because it tends to emphasize the dry spots on your face, specially around your nose. I don't find that it provides extra coverage and the foundation dries so quickly that you don't really need to set it. I tend to anyways because of habit haha. I think this powder would work best for someone with oily skin. I can see it being really good for shine control but for someone with dry skin it just leaves your face feeling tight and looking dry. It's a pass for me.

Here's what it looks like on:

Bottom line: I really enjoyed the foundation! At first I was "ehh" about it but after giving it a few tries and making sure my skin was hydrated it looked really nice! It's a very long wearing and makes your face a shine free zone which is awesome. It's also pretty affordable! I would personally skip on the powder, it doesn't do much at all. If you've tried it make sure to leave me a comment down below with your thoughts! :-)

Review: bh Cosmetics Studio Pro Matte Finish Pressed Powder!

My New Daily Powder!

I recently heard some buzz about the new BH Studio Pro Matte Finish Pressed Powder from BH Cosmetics so I knew I needed to give it a try ASAP! This powder retails for $11.95 but per usual they were having a great sale so I managed to get it for $6.95. The price is amazing, even a bit more affordable than some of the drugstore powders. There's a total of 7 shades ranging from the fairest to the darkest. I wasn't truly sure which color would match me best so I decided to order two, #230 and #235. Here are the two colors side by side for a reference:

On the left is #230 which is a light-medium shade and the one I've been using since I haven't been getting much sun haha. Next to it is #235 which is more of a medium shade. I wish they actually had shade names to make the selection easier, but that is my only con because the powder is amazing! These are paraben and oil free with is great for you sensitive skin gals. Also helps with the mattifying qualities the powder has. I use this powder to set my foundation (or BB cream!) and it leaves a flawless finish to my face! I've noticed that I do stay matte for about 6 hours before I start noticing any shine, so that deserves 2 thumbs up! I do get oily quicker around my nose but that's with every powder.

It comes with a washable sponge that is stored under the powder. I use it on days when I just wear concealer and powder for more coverage. On days when I wear liquid foundation or bb cream I lightly dust it with my kabuki brush and I love it!

The powder is silky smooth! It works amazing for setting your concealer too.

Bottom line: I highly recommend this powder for all skin types because of what its formulated without. I'm obsessed with the matte packaging, looks so beautiful and high-end. The price is unbeatable and since the day I received it in the mail I can't put it down! Make sure to try it out if you're in the market for a great powder! :-)

Spot it & Buy it: Physicians Formula Haul! (New Products!)

Great Deals!

Recently I was at Rite Aid and I came across the Physicians Formula display! Most of the products had a $5 off instant coupon so I thought it was the perfect time to try out their products. Physicians Formula is on the most expensive side of the drugstore so I've stayed away from it until now. I purchased three fairly new products to the line, mainly because the packaging was adorable haha. I'm so excited about these products and wanted to also tell you guys about a great sale: Physicians Formula is BOGO Free at Target until the 24th, so if you want to give any of their products a try this is the perfect time to do so!

So I was really excited to try out the Nude Wear Glowing Nude Blush... you know me and blush haha. Here's what the packaging looks like:

I purchased the color Natural and its a really gorgeous color. What's cool about the blush is that it's made up of four colors that you can use individually or blend together. Now lets talk about the packaging: bows and rose gold, enough said! haha it's really cute and the first thing that drew my attention. This blush retails for $12.95 which is a little high but I got $5 off instantly so that was a great deal. It's a beautiful color when blended and its ideal for everyday wear. Its a really smooth powder and not the most pigmented but it leaves a pretty pink glow on the cheeks that I love! Here are the swatches:

The first swatch is the color when blended and then the individual colors. Initially there's a highlight over spray on the blush but it goes away after using it. I love the natural, glowing finish it leaves behind!

In the same line as the blush I purchased the Nude Wear Glowing Nude Powder in medium. I first thought this was a highlight but really its targeted to be more of a finishing powder/veil. I haven't worn it as an all over face powder but it does make a great subtle highlight! The packaging is just like the blush just a bit bigger.

It has a nice combination colors for those times when you're in between shades. It retails for $14.95 and for what it is I think it's a product you can skip. I love my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder for only $4 so this product isn't a must have. I'll continue to use it up but just wouldn't recommend it. Here are the swatches:

I did save the best for last in this little haul. The Shimmer Strips All-in-1 Custom Nude Palette for face and eyes is a multifaceted product and I love it! I've used it almost everyday since I purchased it and its the one product that I highly recommend! Here's what it looks like:

I purchased mine in Natural Nude and it impressed me! I love how versatile it is: it's a perfect cheek highlight and a great inner corner highlight to brighten up any eye look! This product retails for $13.95 and honestly this would be the one product of the three that I would repurchase at full price because its that amazing! All the colors are nicely pigmented and look great all over the lid. Here are the swatches individually and by row:

This palette will suite many skin tones. It's perfect for travel too. I'm pretty happy with this one and can't wait to try other colors!

 

Bottom line: I would highly recommend the shimmer strips! The blush is also really pretty but you can get the same effect with a more affordable blush like the Mineral Blushes from ELF. The powder was my least favorite, it just didn't do anything special for me. Make sure to take advantage of the Target sale going on right now so you can get a great deal. What's your favorite Physicians Formula product? Leave me a comment down below! :-)









Must Haves: Covergirl Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation + Rimmel Stay Matte Powder!

Best Combo For A Flawless Face!

It took a lot of testing but I finally found the best combo for a flawless face! The best part is that both products are under $10!

 

Covergirl Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation- This foundation is amazing! It's really light weight and looks natural while still providing coverage. It's a buildable foundation; medium to full coverage if you need it to be. The Covergirl site claims that the formula fuses a primer, concealer and foundation in one. Personally, I still use a primer and concealer but you can definitely get away with just using the foundation if needed to! My shade is in 832 Nude Beige and its a perfect match. They have a nice range of colors plus there's the Queen Collection for deeper skin tones. I use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge to apply the foundation; the sponge is also a favorite! ;-) This foundation lasts all day and leaves a demi-matte finish on the skin. Some matte foundations leave you looking flat or zombie like but this one leaves your skin looking beautiful and smooth! Another pro is that it has a pump; makes everything so much easier. This foundation is about $10 at your local Walmart!

 

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder- Every good foundation needs a great powder. The Rimmel Stay Matte Powder is definitely a drugstore gem! This powder is available in 7 shades and is about $4-$6 at your local drugstore. I purchased mine at Rite Aid. The Rimmel site claims that it provides up to 5 hours of shine control while also minimizing your pores. I must agree, this powder does a great job at controlling shine! It's a really smooth powder that doesn't need touch ups. It continues to control shine throughout the day without a problem. It doesn't move or cake up the foundation which is also a plus! I've repurchased it multiple times and even though I've tried other good powders nothing compares to this one. I have the shade Sand and it pairs perfectly with the foundation! :-)

 

 

Do you have a foundation & powder combo that works for you? Leave a comment down below if you do! :-)