Benefit PowderFlage

Benefit PowderFlage

$28

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P222453&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=5333

As I'm in the posting mood, I wanted to talk about Benefit Powderflage. I had been hearing alot about this product recently so I wanted to try it. It is a little on the pricey side at $28, but I thought that if it worked well then it would be worth it. For those that have not heard about this product, it is a powder under eye concealer that works to conceal lines/wrinkles in the under eye area. It can be used as a stand alone concealer or used to set your concealer. It comes in this cute packaging with a little brush to aid in applying the product. However, I just like to use my finger because I find that it works better.

I like to use this product to set my normal concealer in the under eye area. I use MAC's Studio Finish Concealer (see last post!)...and then layer the PowderFlage right on top. It does a good job in setting the Studio Finish and also brightening up the under eye area. I find it to work pretty well, but it's not an amazing concealer. It isn't heavy coverage at all, more like light to medium coverage for a concealer. It really is more like a powder that has brightening properties.

So over all, I think this works well to set my concealer so it will stay throughout the day. In addition, it does a good job at brightening up any dark circles you might have. I do like this product but probably wouldn't repurchase once I finish it. Only because I'm not sure that it gives that good of coverage when I already use a concealer. However, this product will last a really long time because you only need a small amount. I've had it for a while now and use it everyday, and the little container it comes in is almost full...so you will definately have it for a long time!~If it were cheaper than $28, I would consider buying it again.

So if you would like a product to set your concealer in and have good staying power throughout the day, then you may really like this product.

For anyone that has purchased this product, what are your thoughts?

More posts to come soon! I think I'm on a roll!

Concealers Mac Studio Sculpt vs. Studio Finish

Another post that I have been meaning to do for a while now! I had been trying to find a concealer that I like and think works well...I mean, who doesn't! I wanted a concealer for the under eye area to conceal the area and give better coverage. I don't have dark under eye circles, but for me if that area is not concealed I will look very tired! So alas my search for a good concealer. I had used some drug store concealers like Cover Girl (I don't even remember the name of the exact product) and they worked fine. But I decided to try a Mac concealer because I'd heard many good things about them. So here's my review on Mac's Studio Sculpt:

$16.50

Studio Sculpt Concealer:

I found the consistency of this product to be very thick. When I would put it on I would only need a tiny bit, which is good. However, it was very difficult to blend out because it was so thick. It would provide good coverage if you need a more heavy coverage under your eyes. It also does a good job of concealing blemishes as well. I also didn't get the correct shade which could have been part of the problem, but I just couldn't get passed the consistency and thickness of it.

Overall: A good product if you need heavier coverage for your under eye area.

Shade Matching: Ask the MAC Makeup Artist for help if you're unsure about your shade. For concealer I like to wear a shade lighter than my foundation so it blends in. That was my mistake with the Studio Sculpt!~Also, I found the NW shades to be very yellow toned which on my skin tone did not work....maybe it's the product or could be just did not match me at all!

$16.50

Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer

I recently purchased this product after finishing the Studio Sculpt. I really love this concealer! It is not thick at all but provides really good coverage that I find is easy to blend. It is also very smooth and easy to apply. I found a shade that matches very well with my skin tone. On the plus side, it also has SPF 35 which I didn't know till I looked on the MAC website. So all in all, I think this concealer is great for those that would like medium coverage for the under eye area and don't want something so thick. I really am loving this concealer!

I would say that Studio Finish Concealer wins for this comparison.
If you have tried these two products, which one do you like the best?

Also coming up...Review of Benefit PowderFlouge/how I apply my concealer using this product.

Concealers Mentioned can be found on MAC's website:

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT157&PRODUCT_ID=4388

MAC's Greasepaint Sticks

So I have been meaning to post because I have a lot of new things to talk about! I will start out with something new that I am excited about. MAC's Greasepaint Sticks!~I have heard many people on YouTube talk about MAC's Greasepaint Sticks and how great they are. If you aren't familar with them, MAC's website defines them as bascially, an eye crayon. They can be used as an eyeliner or all over the lid for a smoky effect. I always passed by the Greasepaint Sticks whenever I was at MAC. However, I recently decided to try them when they came out with the Art Supplies Collection.

I first purchased the color Below Ground (seen below). It really does look like this color which is from MAC's website. This link will take you right to the Greasepaint Sticks.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT2205&PRODUCT_ID=6478

This actual color is true to the photo and is a light to dark brown with golden undertones. It is perfect for using as a base for your eyeshadow by putting all over the lid and into the crease. Then applying your lid color and darker eyeshadow color into the crease. Just make sure when applying this product, to apply with a light hand and blend out quickly as it will dry in and not move! I also like to apply a base before applying Below Ground to help with staying power and creasing. I like to use MAC's Paintpot in Soft Ochre. However, there are many other eyeshadow bases that you can use. I should do a blog post on that exact topic! I think I will!

I would say that Below Ground works great to enhance and make brighter any light neutral eyeshadow color. Below Ground will help to make them stand out a lot more.

What eyeshadows would I use to go over Below Ground? Sticking with my last post, I would still use MAC's All That Glitters. This is a light pink with golden undertones and to me is very sheer. Using Below Ground as a base really makes it more vibrant! You could also use MAC's Honey Lust which is a very pretty shimmery color. One of my favorite eyeshadows to put over Below Ground is another MAC eyeshadow in Grand Entrance. Now, I know this is no longer available...but a good dupe for this is MAC's Jest or Naked Lunch. Both are on the same order of q slightly sheer frosty pink/with gold undertones. You can also use any lighter more sheer eyeshadow of any brand!

In addition, you can use Below Ground to line your top and bottom lash lines. Just use it to line your eyes as you would with any pencil liner. It will create a great smoky look! Afterwards, I also use an angled brush and take a brown eyeshadow and smudge it a little bit. I like to use MAC's Tempting which has a lot of shimmer in it! I find this to make a neutral everyday look have some more excitement!

So thanks for reading! I have many more products to talk about and plan on posting more frequently.

Upcoming Posts:

MAC's Greasepaint Stick in Dirty

Eyeshadow Bases: Many Different Brands!

Eye Liner: Pencil vs. Gel Liner

Concealer: Benefit PowderFlage

Hair Products I'm loving

Vibrant Eyeshadow Look: Mac Paintpots

Mac's All That Glitters

Eyeshadow

$14

$11 Pan Form

I thought I would update since I have a new little tip for a more vibrant eye look. I was about to do my eye makeup today and wanted to use Mac's All That Glitters. For those of you that aren't familiar with this eyeshadow, it's a Veluxe Pearl finish and according to the Mac website, "Beige with gold pearl". When I look at this eyeshadow it appears to be a peach with pink tones and a hint of gold undertones. It is a really pretty color that goes great with neutrals/browns. Since it fits more into the neutral category, you really need to use a pigmented base/primer before applying. I always run into difficulty when using this color because it can be light and sheer when applied.

I started by using Mac's Soft Ochre Paint Pot and putting this on my entire eyelid up to the brow bone. Soft Ochre matches my skin tone so it blends right in. Next I used Mac's Paint Pot in Indianwood. This is a golden brown color that has a nice sheen to it. I applied this just on the lid of my eye and blended it out so it doesn't have harsh or dark edges. Next put Mac's All That Glitters over top of this. You will notice that the Indianwood Paint Pot has made All That Glitters stand out and look very vibrant. You can also use a NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in French Fry, which is similar to Indianwood.

You can just leave the lid and put on eyeliner and mascara at this point if you'd like. However, you can use a crease brush, (Mac/Sigma 226, 217 or 224). to put a darker brown color into the crease. I used Mac's tempting and Espresso to deepen the look.

Just a little tip that can be used with most lighter eyeshadow colors.!

Best Mascara Combination!

Bare Escentual's

Buxom Lash

$18

Sephora.com

So I have been using this mascara combination for a while now and am loving it!

I've found that if you use a mascara primer before applying mascara, it will make your lashes much thicker and longer. You can get a mascara primer at the drugstore, department store makeup counters, and also at Sephora (Sephora.com).

For the past few months, I have been using Mac's Prep & Prime Lash and I love it! It works so well to create thicker and longer lashes. I put Prep & Prime on my top lashes and give it a few seconds to dry in a little bit. I then use one coat of Mac's Zoom Lash on my top lashes. After that, I use Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash as a second coat on my top lashes. I also put a single coat of this mascara on my bottom lashes. I find that this mascara is great for separating lashes and also lengthening. I just find that together these products work quite well for me!

Mac Prep & Prime Lash: maccosmetics.com

Retails for $14.00

Mac Zoom Lash: maccosmetics.com

Retails for $13.00

What is your favorite Mascara combination?

I'm Back!

So I'm finally back. I've been on a long hiatus. But I will be back posting new products that I am loving and recent makeup tips that I have found. Also, some new fashion finds as well!

September Favorites

I thought I would post a few of my September favorites. I can't put pictures up rite now because my camera's battery charger is hiding. So once I find it I can post pictures...but not till then! Hopefully I will find it soon!



September Favorites:
Some products that I've been using in September and loving! Some are no surprise because I blog about them all the time! But I have been using some new products as well!




1) Opi Nail by Sephora Polish in Domestic Goddess. It's a really pretty purple color and it's my favorite nail polish right now!



http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P241319&categoryId=C19281



2) Seche Vite Fast Drying Top Coat: This top coat makes my nails dry in like 3-5 minutes, which is so much quicker than just letting nails dry on their own. You can get this at a beauty supply store or look at Sephora!



3) Mac Quads: $ 3.50

I've been loving Mac Quad. I just recently bought an empty palette/quad to put my pan eyeshadows in. This way, I can choose 4 colors that go together and bring them when I travel. The quad is so small that it fits right into my travel makeup bag and goes right into my purse!



4) Mac Eyeshadows:

Amber Lights. Love this color! It's such a pretty bright bronzy color that is great for the crease. It looks great with nylon, pinks, or any brown color.


Sable: This color is a really pretty brown frost color that looks great in the outer corner or in the crease. This is a more neutral color that goes great with Amber Lights, pinks or darker colors.


All That Glitters: I bought this eyeshadow a while ago and haven't really been wearing it that much. I recently have been wearing it everyday all over the lid with Sable in the outer corner and Amber Lights in the crease. It looks so pretty as an all over lid color. You do need some kind of base with this though. I normally use a Mac Paint Pot in Soft Ochre, or an NYX pencil will work fine as well. (Rubinesque Paint Pot by Mac is on my wish list!)



5) NYX Eyeshadow Pencils:
You can get these at Ulta Stores, beauty supply stores or online. These pencils are great as a base for your eyeshadow because they bring out the color of your eyeshadows. They have all different colors that you can choose from. Also, they're only about $3.00!



6) Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural:
I love this powder so much! I have been using it everyday since I've gotten it this summer. I know I've blogged about it alot, but it really is such a great product. It leaves the skin looking so nice after being applied!



7) Copolla's Vanilla Deep Conditioning Treatment

This conditioner I've been using for about two weeks now and I'm liking it alot. It's a deep conditioning treatment that I leave on my hair after shampooing, for about 5 minutes. It leaves my hair really soft and it smells just like Vanilla! Love it!



8) Yankee Candle in Vanilla Frosting

I love candles! This candle smells sooo good and you can smell the scent like immediately after you light it.



9) Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner in black.
I've been using many different eyeliners for the past few months. However, I think this eyeliner is a great main stay as far as an everyday liner. I use it mostly for my waterline since it claims to be long lasting. I find that it does stay for long amounts of time and I don't have to reapply it to my water line.

They also have a liquid liner pen that works great as well!



10) And lastly...Express Jeans: Zelda Skinny Jeans Cuffed Leg
I'm loving these Jeans so much! They're really cute and also very comfortable!

http://www.express.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=20111&parentCategoryId=2&categoryId=24&subCategoryId=221



So that's about it for my September Favorites.
What are some of your favorite products of September?