Recent Find: Becca Foundation

From my recent mini sephora purchase I had received a mini sample of Becca's Radiant Skin Satin Finish foundation in the shade Medium.  The sample came with 6 shades of medium foundation and you basically choose which one you feel would match you.  The sample is quite small, a round blob of foundation for each of the 6 shades, however at least you get to choose which one would suit your skin tone best.  I also liked how the foundation line that Becca has includes an array of shades for darker skin tones and an array of foundation types (satin finish, matte finish) and also powder versions as well.  I have not heard of this brand however I am glad that I got to sample it for myself.

While trying the foundation for the first time I realized the shade I had chosen was a bit dark for me, however I loved the overall look the foundation had on my skin.  The foundation is definitely `build able medium to full coverage.  Before applying the foundation I applied my holy grail primer by Benefit called "Porefessional" and applied the foundation using a dense round stippling brush.  I love how the foundation glided onto my face and really covered up my blemishes.  The foundation also lasted me through many of the wedding functions I had to attend.  I would definitely recommend trying out this foundation and seeing the results for yourself!

http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1462449&country_switch=ca

Dry like the Sahara?

Cure for dry skin?

I have recently been experiencing unusual dry skin particularly on my face and have been searching for a remedy.  Yes, I have all the lotions and face washes to moisturize my skin however it just was not curing the problem.

One remedy which has helped me so far is using Olive Oil on my skin as a moisturizer or night time treatment.  Crazy right?! Well although combating oily/combo skin with oil sounds ridiculous it is actually an amazing remedy.  I realized that after using so many products which are oil free they have parched my skin of the essential oils it needs.  All you need is a basic type of Olive oil about a teaspoon or less and massage it onto your face.  I usually do this at night before bed and then I apply a tiny bit of moisturizer on top and I wake up with soft and smooth skin.  I have not noticed any breakouts from this remedy however you can also apply olive oil on your face before you shower and then rince it off accordingly.

Due to my location I cannot try any of those fancy face oils you get from Sephora but nonetheless this remedy has proven to work and probably much cheaper.  One of my friends also suggested grapeseed oil which would probably work as well.

Any remedies you have for your dry skin?  Let me know :)

Lost and Found: MAC Trip 5 Neutral Eye Palette

My new "Lost and Found" blog posts will be about old products which I have recently started to reach for and have found a new place in my makeup routine.  

I have been recently loving my MAC Trip 5 Neutral Eyes palette and I just can't get enough of it.  I am a total neutrals girl and on occasion I reach for colour shadows.  However, recently I have reaching for this particular MAC palette and I thought to share my views on it.

I do not think MAC carries this particular palette anymore however I am sure eBay might have some sellers who you can purchase it from.  MAC also has all these shades that can be bought separately in their stores or online.  This palette retailed for $38 and I bought mine at an airport stall.

The quad comes in a rectangular shape container and comes with five neutral shades, four of which have some shimmer to them. The palette also comes with a 213SE MAC brush for application and a huge built in mirror.  This palette comes with the eye shadows Bisque (Matte), Say Yeah (Veluxe Pearl), Sable (Frost), Mineralism (Lustre) and Bateau (Satin).
This palette is small enough to fit into your pocket and any makeup bag for travelling.

The eyeshadows have a good staying power and are pigmented.  

The shadows are versatile and can be used to create numerous eye combinations from day to night look.  

Swatches:

(Left to Right)

 Bisque (Matte), Say Yeah (Veluxe Pearl), Sable (Frost), Mineralism (Lustre) 

and Bateau (Satin)

First Impressions: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask

Hello Lovelies!

Today I will be doing a first impressions post on First Aid Beauty's (FAB) Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask.  This product comes in a tube container with 56.7g of product.  This product retails for $30 and I purchased mine at Sephora.

This mask is intended to nourish your distressed skin and rejuvenate it.

How to use: 

Apply a layer of the mask onto your face and wait ten minutes, then rinse off.  Use mask 2-3 times a week.

Impressions: 

I really enjoyed putting this mask on, the consistency is very creamy and the mask contains bits of oatmeal in it.  The mask smells pretty good, doesn't really linger onto to the face after you wash it off.
The mask really moisturized my skin as I just came back from a mini vacation filled with tons of sun exposure and late nights.  I felt like it rescued my skin and brought some of the moisture back into it.  It also left my skin feeling very soft.  One major plus point about this mask was the fact that it did not tingle or burn my skin, putting the mask on felt as if I was applying a moisturizer.  Also, this mask is perfect for sensitive skin!

This is a the first product that I have tried from the FAB line and I am really impressed.  I also heard great things about their Ultra Repair Moisturizer which is on my list of products to try.

Take care!

Foundation Series #8: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15

Foundation Series #8: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15

I will be adding another foundation review to my Foundation Series posts, this time I will discuss Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation SPF 15 in Natural 4. This foundation retails for $60 CAD (Canadian dollars) and comes in a 1oz container.  It comes in a glass bottle with a pump, which is very convenient.  The foundation comes in a variety of shades to match your skin color. 

So how to use this foundation? 

This foundation can be applied with a brush or by hand.  The foundation is a bit runny so I would be careful when applying it. I apply this foundation with a dense flat top foundation brush, which helps me blend the foundation evenly on my skin. In addition I also set the foundation with a powder or translucent setting powder. 

Results?

Firstly, what I like about this foundation is that it is very lightweight and has a creamy consistency.  Often I have mixed this foundation with my sunscreen and have gotten a really nice tinted moisturizer combining the two.  The foundation applies evenly on skin and it does not feel cakey or suffocating.  I like how my pores were somewhat diminished while using the foundation which is something that I am always insecure about.  

The coverage of the foundation is light to medium coverage but it is very buildable and you can set the foundation easily with a powder.  The foundation looks natural on the skin and as it states it actually feels like it has blended in with your skin so that your skin can breath under the makeup. 

Also, a bonus the foundation has an SPF, which is always good because protecting your skin from sun damage is very important.  I have not gotten any break outs while using the foundation and my skin has not reacted to any of the ingredients.  

Keep in mind that you may need to touch up if you have oily skin so keep a powder always handy. 




Cons?

If a primer or moisturizer is not applied before putting on the foundation the foundation does not last very long which is something to keep in mind.  I have noticed that I get really oily around the nose area and I need to touch up during the day.  

Also, you have to be very mindful of the glass bottle because if you knock it over from your makeup vanity it will shatter leaving you with a mess to clean up.   

The price is a bit steep for those on a budget however the way the foundation makes your skin feel amazing so it's worth a try.  

Tips:

As always before makeup application always remember to apply a good primer or moisturizer before putting on the foundation! 

You can also go to your nearest Sephora store and if they carry Bobbi Brown products and ask for a sample of the foundation to try before you make the big purchase.  They can also match you with your shade and advise you if the foundation is best for your skin type. 

Hope this helps and happy foundation searching =) 

Product Review: Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil

Today’s review will be on Bobbi Brown’s Cleansing Oil.  I got this first as a sample size from a Bobbi Brown counter when I was purchasing some products.  This product retails for $32.00 for a 200ml bottle and it comes with a pump.  The Cleansing oil contains olive, jojoba oils and ginger root extract. 

The cleansing oil is supposed to rid of the dirt and makeup from your face after a long day.  I normally just used this for taking off my eye makeup and it does the trick.  I soak some product onto a cotton ball or cotton pad and I soak it onto my eyelid for a about 30 seconds and then I would wipe off my eye makeup.  I found this way to be very effective in terms of taking off my eye makeup efficiently and without irritating my eyes.  I have used this product to take off my makeup however because of my sensitive skin I just find that this product is not something for applying over my entire face.   I have tried MACs cleansing oil as well and that product completely broke out my skin and I did not repurchase it again. 

Overall Comments:

Thank god I got this as a sample as I would not purchase this product full size.  I think that there are better and cheaper brands out there that can remove eye and face makeup without spending so much money and doing just as good as this one. I have been recommended by my facial lady to try using face oils as a moisturizer and that is something that I do intend to try the next time I am in Toronto.  

Have you tried Bobbi Brown’s Cleansing Oil?  What are your thoughts on it?

Product Review: Origins Active Charcoal Mask

Today’s review will be on Origin’s Clear Improvement Active Charcoal mask.  This mask is to clear pores.  I got mine as a 100 point beauty gift from Sephora and it came in a 30ml tube.  I have not tried Origins products before and I was very excited when I saw this as a perk when I was purchasing items on their website.  
This product does come in a 50ml tube and retails for $16 (origins.com)

How to Use:

Use once a week or as often as needed.  Open pores with warm moist towel and layer on.  Allow to dry, rinse well.(Instructions printed on product)

I do like applying this mask with a brush as I can get the product all over my face and into the crevasses without having to use my fingers.  

Results:

Too be honest I am very reluctant to try masks on my face as I find that my sensitive skin does react to some ingredients, however I have been using this mask for a couple of weeks and I would say so far so good.  The mask has a smooth consistency and is gray in color.  As applying the mask your skin tingles and absorbs the product.  It took about 7-10mins for the mask to be completely dry which is when I rinsed my face off.  The mask rinsed off well without me having to scrub my face of the residue and I patted my skin with a clean towel. 

This mask is intended to unclog your pores and get rid of the dirt that tends to built up as we put on makeup and because of all the toxins in the air.  After observing my skin I did feel like my skin felt more breathable and brighter.  I did find my skin to be a bit dry after rinsing off the mask so I applied Korres Wild Rose moisturizer to balance everything out.    I also had a blemish on my cheek and I realized the next day after using the mask the redness from the blemish had reduced and the blemish had also reduced in size. Overall I can say that the mask has left my skin smooth and radiant and feeling and looking very clean. 

I would definitely repurchase this mask once my sample is finished.  I apply this mask on the weekends and it really pampers my skin from all it has endured through the week.  

Want more review on the different masks I have tried? Let me know!