Category Archives: Foundation

Review: L’Oreal Magic Souffle Makeup

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It’s not often that I rave about drugstore foundations, but I think L’Oreal’s Magic Smooth Souffle foundation ($15) is worth a shout out. I do like it with a few small caveats. I think it’s best geared toward normal to oily skin that’s on the younger side due to the way the primer carries the pigment (ultimately a good thing,) but it might settle into dry or mature skin. It’s a pigment heavy makeup with primer built right into it, hence its unique whipped feel. You’ll save yourself the priming step, just use a sponge to work it into the skin for a more even application. It’s a long wearing formula though that resists heat and humidity so once it’s on – it’s on.

glo minerals Pressed Base, the Cure For Your M.A.C Studio Fix Addiction

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I think I finally found the perfect detox to quit a serious M.A.C Studio Fix Powder addiction – that foundation we’ve all tired for its coverage but quit wearing it because of what it does to your skin (many experience small bumps that are difficult to chase away), and also because of how dull and chalky it can leave skin looking. Pressed Base from glo minerals is a complete coverage foundation with mineral benefits and a pretty finish that isn’t harsh or heavy. I feel like it was so thoughtfully created to be a good makeup first and foremost – it’s essentially a full-coverage foundation that just happens to be mineral-based.

If you lean more toward a liquid to get your coverage, you have to check out their Protective Liquid Foundation available in either a satin or matte finish. It’s the best liquid mineral foundation I’ve ever tried, hands down. The coverage is outstanding, it glides right into the skin, gives a natural looking finish, and it lasts all day.

Also well worth checking out is this Corrective Camouflage Kit, the first of its kind where I’ve actually used all colors involved especially the lavender. Just a little of this light purplish cream over cheekbones or anywhere you’d want to highlight the face adds a brightness and vibrancy that’s hard to beat.

glo minerals

Vapour Organic Beauty

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Over the past year or so, I keep hearing the quiet roar of those who love Vapour Organic Beauty. Their Atmosphere Luminous Foundation is what put the line on the map, it’s an award winning favorite of picky Beauty Editors as a chemical-free foundation that gives naturally glowing skin. It’s one of three best sellers offered in their Essential Mini Collection (below) along with a Stratus Instant Skin Perfecter, and Aura Multi Use Blush. It’s a cheap ($29) way to check out the line and see what it’s all about.

I just ordered a sample collection ($15) and chose Atmosphere Foundation (in two shades), Illusionist Concealer, Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfecter, and a Trick Stick.

Are they my new go-to skin perfecters or a breakout nightmare? Stay tuned for the review.

Vapour Beauty

Review: DiorSkin Forever Foundation

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I’ve been using a small sample cup filled with DiorSkin Forever foundation I got from Sephora weeks ago, and I’m thinking that I might actaully have to buy it. I’m sent so much free stuff to review that I manage to stay stocked up on basics. That said, this foundation is really special.

We aren’t talking tinted moisturizer coverage here, this is a medium to full coverage foundation that acts like a thin coat of paint disguising imperfections and turning your skin into an even canvas that’s ready for color. It isn’t heavy or goopy or thick, but its ability to cover and cling to the skin for hours is impressive given the light weight.

As with most foundations, blending is key. Press it into the skin using a wet Beauty Blender (or makeup sponge) because using a foundation brush alone won’t cut it.

DiorSkin Forever

How to Get Your Makeup to Stay On Longer; Skindinavia’s Bridal Makeup Finish

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I’m a sucker for a good setting spray, yet until recently I’d never tried Skindinavia’s Bridal Makeup Finish, a cult favorite for keeping makeup on for 16 hours. After having really good luck trying it on myself first, I upgraded it for use in my kit for my bridal clients whose makeup needs to stay on as long as the cameras keep snapping.

I like pretty much everything about the spray – the scent, its weight, and how well it creates an invisible, waterproof shield over the makeup so brides can enjoy a look that lasts without fading. It keeps the finish of the foundation natural and doesn’t allow shine to show through so fewer powdery touch-ups are needed.

Of course the spray isn’t bride-specific, it’s for gals who want to put their makeup on once and be done with it and especially if you find that your makeup doesn’t stay no matter what you’ve tried.

Bridal Makeup Finish

Best Tinted Moisturizers w SPF, Spring 2011 Edition

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It’s that time of year again when I’m bombarded with tinted moisturizers to review. Over the past few weeks I’ve been in Tinted Moisturizer heaven, sporting a new one every few days. I’ve narrowed this batch down to 5 that I really like which also contain an SPF so you can catch some spring sun safely.

Coola Suncare Mineral Face Tint SPF 20

Coola Suncare makes SPF chic. I wore their Mineral Face Tint SPF 20 all last week. I enjoyed the light-yet-there coverage and faint rose scent. Their formulations are without parabens, phthalates, pertrochemicals, propylene glycol, and gluten. It’s a non-whitening mineral-based formula that uses Zinc and Titanium Dioxide to keep your skin safe. It’s available in just one lighter shade, so if your skin is medium or deep, you’d want to mix it with your current foundation to get the SPF benefit and a shade that matches.

Kate Sommerville SPF 55 Serum Tinted Sunscreen

Kate Sommerville is one of the best-known skin gurus around who sees first hand what happens to skin that has seen too much sun, so her Tinted Sunscreen boasts a huge SPF 55. It’s a surprisingly light formula with a tinge of color suitable for most skin tones, save for the extremes. Complete sun protection like this keeps the skin looking younger longer than if you use no protection at all.

Erno Laszlo Tinted Treatment SPF 15

Tinted Treatment SPF 15 from Erno Laszlo has a coverage and weight similar to Laura Mercier’s iconic formula, which is saying a lot. It settles beautifully into the skin and has 6 shade offerings from Light to Dark.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer

To me, All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer is a really pretty foundation that just happens to have SPF 15 protection. Its coverage is surprisingly complete with a finish somewhere in between luminous and flat. 6 shades offered.

Skin 2 Skin Care Tint Anti-Photoaging SPF 30

Tint Anti-Photoaging SPF 30 can be worn as a foundation, but I like using the Tan shade as a moisturizer mix-in to get a pretty bronzy look and some SPF at the same time.  More pigment dense than you’d expect, this formula is also a natural one that uses minerals to block out the sun.

Having SPF in your foundation is an easy way to protect your skin without adding another step. Find a formula you love and stick with it year round, your skin will look younger.