MAC Face and Body Foundation: A Review

I always wanted a foundation that made my skin look completely natural, as if I had no foundation on at all. I heard of MAC's Face and Body through YouTube reviews, and I was really excited to try it. However, I had never owned a MAC product before, so I was a bit scared to pay such a high price. About a month later, after extensive research, I learned that I could get a sample before buying the full-size, so I did, in the color C3. 

MAC Face and Body Foundation in C3

As soon as I tried this foundation, I fell in love with how it made my skin look. I have very cool/pink undertones on my face, and this foundation managed to cancel those out, so my face looked completely neutral. However, it still looked like my skin, just better. It gives this particular sheen that makes your skin look almost wet, but not shiny. This foundation is water-resistant, and as a result it dries extremely fast, so its best to work in small sections. I find that it's best to apply it with my fingers or a synthetic brush.

The makeup artist at the counter who assisted me also gave me a few pointers regarding this product. He said if you apply it to your legs, it will make you look like you have stockings on. He also said that if you want to extend the shelf life, you should store the bottle in the fridge, this way it can last up to two years. 

This foundation has a very light coverage, so its best for people with fairly clear skin. You can build it up to your desired coverage as you please, but if you have any bumps, they will show through. This foundation is available at the MAC freestanding stores, or at maccosmetics.com. Also, this comes in a 4oz bottle - about 4x the size of a regular foundation, so it can last you a very long time. For $32, that's not bad at all!

e.l.f. Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths: A Review

I am always on the market for new makeup-removing wipes, so I was really excited when I heard good things about these e.l.f. ones. One of the most attractive aspects of this product is the price, since they're only $3 for 20 wipes, and they're easily found at Target stores. 

These e.l.f. wipes are good, but not the best I've tried. The packaging is great, because it has the standard re-sealable flap, but it also has the added plastic lid to keep the cloths from drying out. They do a great job at removing face makeup, but lack power when it comes to eye makeup. My eyeshadow comes off easily, but sometimes there's a bit of liner and mascara residue. These wipes also require you to rinse your face afterward, but I find that this extra step also helps remove the last traces of eye makeup. My waterproof mascara, however, doesn't even budge. 

Overall, if you are looking for some cheap wipes to travel with, or when you need to quickly remove makeup, I would recommend these, but if you use waterproof makeup it's best to try something else.

Thank you for reading!

Quick Tip: Body Acne

If you get acne on your face, you probably use some sort of toner or astringent. To prevent the occasional flare-up on your chest or back, after you're done applying the astringent all over with the cotton pad (or whatever you use), apply what's left on your chest and back. This will remove excess residue from soaps, conditioner and lotions and keep the areas clear.

Quick Tip: Touch-Ups

If you have oily skin, your face probably starts looking really shiny within an hour or so after applying makeup. Before covering up all the shine with powder, make sure to blot your face first. Blotting will remove the excess grease, allowing you to use less powder and minimize the chance of clogged pores. Your face will also stay matte longer, and you don't risk your powder turning darker once it gets in contact with the oil.

September Hits and Misses

October is here! OMG! Before we know it, 2012 will be knocking on our doors. Many of my favorite products for August were the same for September. Here's a list of items I fell in love with, or hated, whether I purchased them recently or already had them in my collection.

Hits:
Mac Face and Body Foundation in C3
This foundation is very sheer, but you can build it up to provide the amount of coverage you need. Also, it's water-resistant, and I find that it's still on after a full day of wear.

Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara in Very Black
One of the current makeup trends for fall are spider lashes, and this mascara definitely helps me achieve that effect. I'm not saying that it clumps easily on its own, but with enough coats my lashes were almost touching the tops of my brows. The only drawback with this mascara is that I got the waterproof version, so its pretty much impossible to remove.

mark. Matte-Nificent Oil Absorbing Powder in Natural Buff
I've had this powder for a while, but lately I've been getting way more use from it. My skin has always been normal/oily, but since using the Clarisonic it has turned oily all over. This powder mattifies my skin perfectly, but doesn't look like I have powder at all.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Dollface
This blush is the longest-lasting blush I've ever encountered. 'Nuff said.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Eau De Parfum
This perfume smells amazing! Its very sweet and feminine, and I just love it! I have both the big size and the rollerball. Definitely try it if you get a chance!


Misses:

Givenchy Gelée D'Interdit Smoothing Gloss Balm in 10 Icy Peach
I got a deluxe sample for free with one of my Sephora purchases. Although I give it a 10/10 for packaging, there's really nothing special about this gloss.  On the tube it looks like this gorgeous peach color, and it smells pretty good, but it goes on clear and all you see is a bunch of glitter. I can also feel the glitter as tiny particles on my lips, which is kind of annoying. The full size retails for about $26, and I honestly don't know why anyone would pay such a high price for glitter in a bottle.

Skintimate Extra Gentle Moisturizing Cream Shave
I've been a fan of Skintimate for years, but this product SUCKS! Not only does it smell repulsive (to me, anyway), it is very creamy to the point where it clogs and dulls my razor after just one use. I also find that it clogs the pores on my legs. Never again!

Thank you for reading!