Smashbox Photo Finish Light Oil-Free Foundation

Ah,don't you just love a long weekend!

This Memorial Day weekend brought a lot of fun and sun for me! Had my best friend's boutique relaunch, attended a cousin's high school graduation party, and a trip to the movies.I saw the Avengers and Chernobyl Diaries. Let me tell you, see the Avengers and skip Chernobyl Diaries, it was utter rubbish! I have never been so bored watching a scary film. Anyways, throughout all my festivities, one thing kept my makeup together in this hella hot weather we have been having is The Smashbox Photo Finish Light Oil-free foundation primer! I bought this travel size primer at Sephora out of curiosity for $17 . A bit pricey for such a little thing! : /

Smashbox Photo Finish Light Oil-Free Foundation Primer .5floz

Smashbox Claims: 'new oil-free, 60% water based primer is ideal for oily, acne-prone or sensitive skin. This silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for visibly softer skin and can be worn alone or under foundation to increase its longevity. The revolutionary formula has oil absorbers for a smooth matte finish all day, light diffusers to minimize the appearance of imperfections, and vitamin C and peptides to help even skin tone and promote collagen production for a flawless future.'

 I have been using this primer for about a month now that and this is what I love:

•  goes on smooth
• very light on the skin
• makeup stays on much longer,even in hot weather
• face looks flawless in pictures
• pores are minimized

What I can do without:

•  I don't really like the way it feels worn alone. My face tended to feel a bit dry without using a foundation on top.

 Verdict: would purchase in the future, but curious about other primers still.


Hope everyone had a great weekend! And let me know if you have tried any of the other Smashbox primers or have a favorite primer from another brand.

NYX Buys!

 Having combination/acne prone skin, it can be hard to find face makeup that won't

• make you breakout 
• cake up on blemishes, making the spot even more obvious or 
• make your your face so matte and dry that it hurts to make facial expressions.

I am in love with my Benefit Oxygen Wow liquid foundation, but in the middle of the day it's inevitable that my tzone will want to be the star of the show on my face. So off to Ulta I went and found this!


 NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation SMP09 Tan

This is from NYX's HD studio photogenic collection. Here are it's claims:

• Mineral enriched
• talc-free
• oil-free
• water resistant
• sweat resistant
• feels like silk on the skin

This foundation is very silky to the touch. The shade matches and blends in well with my skintone. I have yet to use it as full foundation, just as a dusting over my face concentrating on the tzone to set my liquid foundation.

I will say that it is pretty sweat resistant! Yesterday it was 90 degrees out and I had an outdoor birthday party to go to. It was definitely a sweat fest and I worried how my face was looking, but too afraid to face a mirror. You can ask anyone, I am not a fan of heat or staying in the sun for to long. But,I'm quite proud I stuck it out and enjoyed the day. When I got home to look at the damage, I was pleasantly surprised that my makeup was still matte! It was a bit flushed, but no shine!

Verdict: Very impressed!



NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 632 Peacock

I saw a BritPopPrincess Youtube video were she was updating about what's been new with her and all I could focus on was that  pop of blue she added to her waterline. It looked amazing! So, while I was in the NYX section, this eye pencil caught my eye.

These eye pencils have a dual purpose of a liner or an eye shadow. They are made to glide on effortlessly. It's very creamy and when I applied it to my waterline it didn't budge and didn't turn all murky when I blinked. These come in 32 shades. I really would like to buy the Rocky Mountain Green one next!

Verdict: Love the creaminess of it and will be purchasing other colors!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

What are some of your favorite NYX products?

                

Sephora Haul: Spring Makeup

When I die, I really hope there is a Sephora in heaven. I tell you every time I step foot in the place I get chills of excitement being surrounded by such yummy goodness!
 Since spring is here, I felt like I needed a change, especially in the blush department. I ended up getting a new liquid foundation and lipstick as well!

Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup SPF 25 PA "Toasted Beige" Oil Free

• Helps to boost cellular respiration for a "Plumping Up" effect
• Helps to protect against environmental stresses
• Contains vitamin C & E derivatives known to prevent signs of aging

I have been addicted to Bare Minerals foundation for years. I have combination skin and I loved the way Bare Minerals did not make me shiny. I told the makeup artist there that I wanted to try something different. She raved about Benefit's new liquid foundation. She applied this to my skin and I was a bit amazed. It really feels like nothing is on the skin. My skin could breathe and it blended in with my skin tone perfectly! I suffer from hormonal breakouts along my jaw line from time to time and it covered my discolorations in one application!

What I love about this:

• My skin can breathe
• Spreads on smooth
• Buildable coverage
• Added SPF
• Skin looks natural

Buxom True Hue Blush " Euphoria"

• Sheer buildable hue.
• Contains Rhiodiola- an arctic plant root that makes cheeks appear refreshed, allowing them to come alive with color.

I had never bought anything from Buxom before, but as I was browsing, the cheek colors caught my eye. They were so vibrant and pretty! I ended up choosing the color Euphoria, a coral , light ,peachy color. When I tried it on I was sold. It gave me an enhanced flush that I get on a hot summers day. It glides on silky and a little goes a long way.

What I love about this:

• Very silky on the skin
• Color is true
• Cute packaging

Benefit's Silky-Finish Lipstick " Swoonderful"

This color is the first lipstick I've tried and absolutely love! It feels like I'm applying chapstick and gives me such a natural color with out bogging down my lips!  Swoonderful is a purplish, mauve color and perfect for daytime.

What I love about this:

• Easy application
• Long wearing
• Moisturizing
• Hint of shimmer
• Everyday wear

I am really happy with what I picked up, especially with that blush color, Euphoria. I plan on buying more from the Buxom blush range.

Have you tried Buxom products? Do you have any recommendations?

xo

Real Techniques- Starter Set (Eyes)

Confession...I am a YouTube fanatic! I'd rather watch YouTube than regular television and I do. One of my first subscriptions were to the ladies of Pixiwoo! I watch them religiously and when Samantha Chapman introduced that she had a range of brushes coming out I freaked! I needed them now!
I was happy to see that they eventually made it to Ulta, but it seemed every time I tried to pick some up, they were sold out! I had given up and contemplated ordering online until I received my Ulta mailer that had a $3.50 off $10 coupon. If you aren't signed up with the rewards program, you totally should cause it's totally free! Well, after receiving it, I decided to try my luck and see if I could get my hands on those coveted brushes! Sure enough, there it was...one lonely starter set swinging in the wind, ready for me to snatch her up! And so I did.

Can you see my cell phone..hehe

This set comes with 5synthetic brushes:

Base Shadow Brush...Very soft! Feels like a cuddly teddy bear on your eyelid! Perfect for applying shadow and blending. 

Deluxe Crease Brush... I use this brush for blending my crease shadow. Sam uses it to blend in concealer as well. I tried it, not sure if it's for me. I feel like it just removes my concealer instead of spreading it. It may depend on the concealer though. I'll just keep trying :)

Accent Brush... I absolutely LOVE this brush! It's so cute and tiny! It is the perfect size to apply shadow to the bottom lashes or detailing your outer v!

Brow Brush...  Although it's meant for your eyebrows, I quite like it for applying gel eyeliner to my lash line. It's on the bigger side and  covers a larger surface area. When filling in my brows, I like a smaller angled brush for more control on where the product goes.

Pixel-point eyeliner brush... I have yet to use this brush. It seems a bit thick for an eyeliner brush. She has since come out with a fine liner brush that I wish was in this set instead.

Verdict...

 I am very happy with these brushes and want to add more to my collection. This set was definitely a bargain at $17.99! You can check out the Real Techniques brush range here as well as tutorials on how to use each brush. Pretty sweet!