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How many people have tried and used bareMinerals Original foundation before? I was using and loving it up until about 8 years or so ago. I loved the powder formulation that was light on the skin and yet provided good coverage. I really felt like my skin could breathe and I liked the fact that it didn't feel like I had makeup on. The only real problem that I had with it was finding the right color for me. I ended up having to mix two different colors, which is pretty normal for me anyway. Then the inevitable happened, age and along with it, slightly drier skin which brought out some fine lines. I found that applying powder would make my skin appear drier than it was and being that the original foundation is a mineral powder, I couldn't make it work for me any more.
Fast forward to 2014...bareMinerals has come out with a new foundation! A liquid foundation which is said to be a tone-correcting mineral foundation AND a brightening serum all packaged into one formulation. I knew that it was something that I needed to try.
At first I was going to just get a sample to try at home because I had read mixed reviews on it but I ended up just purchasing it instead. When I got color matched by the SA in Sephora, I was a bit apprehensive at first because I initially thought that the fomulation felt very oily but then I realized that it wasn't oily but had a soft, silky feel to it. After application, it doesn't dry to a powdery finish and I felt that it's actually quite hydrating. I was also very impressed by the fact that the color match is just about perfect!
bareMinerals has a foundation brush that is to be used with this foundation but the SA at Sephora didn't use it to apply the foundation and he told me that any brush that will buff well will work. I have the Urban Decay foundation brush and he said that it would work very well.
Here I am bare faced. Not even my skin care has been applied yet.
Foundation applied to half of my face.
Finished FOTD. Thanks to the flash and SPF, I look quite a bit white.
For me, when I first finish my makeup, my face always looks a little whiter until after an hour or so. When it does settle in, the color match is just about perfect. I have found that this foundation doesn't provide good full coverage so I need to conceal all of my larger dark spots as well as provide a little better coverage under my eyes. For this FOTD, I used Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer.
I will also use a foundation under my eyes instead of concealer and two that I've found work very well in providing good coverage are Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #5 (thanks to a blogger who gave it to me) and DHC Q10 Base Makeup in Natural Ocher 02.
I always apply a shade slightly lighter than my foundation because I want under my eyes to be brighter.
I took this picture the day before these pictures here but this is after 8 hours of wear.
I had read some reviews say that it wasn't long lasting but it wears very well for me. I am totally loving this foundations. It's light enough to wear during the summer, and this summer has been rather hot and humid compared to the last couple of years. It covers well enough although I still do conceal, but then again, I always have to conceal the darker spots. I haven't had a foundation that I have liked this much in a long time. It's especially appealing because the color match is so good.
The Sephora SA that helped me was really good. I have usually come across SA/MUAs that automatically reach for the yellow undertones because I am Asian. I used to be more pink toned but have recently discovered that my undertones have changed to be neutral. This SA totally understood that and I was matched with the color that I thought would match me. It's 08 Bare Beige, which is under the neutral tone category.
Has anyone else tried this foundation and what are your thoughts on it?
*Kat*
I was using an inexpensive brush just to apply eyelid primer. I loved it so much that it became like this:
Since it was originally long haired, I got the brilliant idea of cutting it down to even out the hair. Using my ultra sharp craft scissors, I cut it.
I also shaped it the best I could to have slightly rounded ends. Tada!
I was really happy with the end result. However...
I didn't like the way it applied the eye shadow primer. I discovered that I like how the long-hair brushes are more flexible which makes it easier for me to apply the primer lightly. I then thought that I would use it to apply eye shadows as it is around the same size and shape of my beloved MAC eye shadow brush. It was then that I noticed the the ends of the brush are pokey. I guess in the process of making brushes, the ends are somehow cut so that it doesn't poke.
I ended up purchasing a new, inexpensive brush to apply eye shadow primer.
This was an interesting lesson learned--something that I wouldn't have done unless I was planning on dumping the brush anyway.
*Kat*
Slowly by slowly, my life's schedule is getting back to normal. Probably one of the good things about having worked so much, I was too tired to go out and about. Thus, my wallet was very happy as I didn't think about buying things much. Now, I'm starting to look at things and have been making purchases.
From my recent Sephora haul, I picked up Tarte Best in Faux Lash Extending Fibers.
It just sounded so intriguing to me. I thought that it might be similar to something that I used years and years ago from a brand called Stagelight Cosmetics. I just checked online and apparently they are still around but no where near the huge line of products that I remember seeing. I will check into it more.
This is according to Sephora's website:
What it is:An easy-to-apply, faux lash system with sculpting fibers that enhance lash length and volume to create the appearance of false eyelashes. What it does:Get the wide-eyed look of false eyelashes at home without the traditional faux lashes. The lightweight, black sculpting fibers seamlessly build onto your own lashes to achieve a naturally voluminous eye look in three simple steps: First, prep lashes with the included Lights, Camera, Lashes™ 4-in-1 Mascara. Next, extend lashes with fibers, using a gentle patting motion, and apply fibers onto top of lashes, starting at the middle and working outwards toward the tip. Finally, set them in place with mascara, applying a final coat to lock in the fibers—leaving lashes with dramatic volume.
Using it the first time, I decided to go ahead and try using this with my current favorite mascara instead of the mascara that came in the set. My eyelashes are typical asian eyelashes which are straight, difficult to curl and will uncurl very easily. During this first time application, I made several mistakes, which I will explain along the way
My eyelashes are they normally are, without any mascara.
I then curled my eyelashes a bit, added mascara, added the fibers and mascara again, like the instructions. Then I added another coat of fibers and mascara. This was not a good idea as it got pretty clumped up, despite the fact that I was using Clump Crusher mascara.
I used a clean spoolie brush and a comb to unclump them the best that I could . The above picture looks good compared to what it initially looked like.
I did use it again another day and used the included mascara and did the process only once. As I thought, my eyelashes uncurled a bit not completely.
My thoughts on this:
The concept is good and isn't new. As I mentioned earlier, I used a product that Stagelight Cosmetics used to have. What actually surprised me was that unlike Stagelight Cosmetics, Tarte's fibers are black.
Stagelight Cosmetics was an almost clear white color. As you can see in the picture above, the fibers are very hairy looking and it's dry or perhaps almost dry, which is why you need to use mascara first. With Stagelight, I applied the fibers first as it was in something like a very light gel.
Because this is very hairy, even applying it from mid lash to tip, you may still feel the fibers. There are some people who can't use any mascara with fibers in it. If so, I would definitely stay away from this. These fibers were a bit irritating to my eyes.
One other thing that I didn't like was that the fibers didn't stay put. You know how we all get eyeshadow fallout while apply it? Well, it also happened with this product. It was really obvious until I took some closeup pictures for blogging. I even noticed it in the sink! (I apply makeup over the sink in the bathroom.)
Overall, this was a disappointment for me. I will definitely not be repurchasing or even using it again. A bit of a waste of money but it can't be helped. It happens sometimes.
*Kat*
I used up a few items last month. I'm also proud to say that I haven't really purchased anything except some essential skin care items so I feel like I'm doing pretty good using my stash up.
First up is Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW foundation. This was a nice foundation and though it didn't really "WOW" me, it was good enough that I was reaching for it to use just about every day.
NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment. Definitely will not be purchasing this again. My review is here.
Unknown brand eye mask. This was nice to use after a long day of work. I actually had it on almost all night long as I fell asleep with it.
Dermactin-TSD Age Spot Gel Patches. This was a spur-of-the-moment purchase that I made at Sally's Beauty Supply a while ago. According to the box, it's made in Korea. I was right to be very skeptical because this did absolutely nothing.
Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer 002. For a drugstore brand primer, this is very good and I will definitely repurchase it again. This is actually the 2nd tube that I have used up.
Covergirl Lashblast Clump Crusher mascara. This is my favorite mascara. I think that this is also the 2nd tube that I've used. It's great for a drugstore brand and helps to curl my lashes without using a lash curler and actually holds the curl in place. I already have back ups of it.
*Kat*
Shiseido Pureness Refreshing Cleansing Sheets are oil free and alcohol free.
I was given these wipes as a Christmas gift and have finally gotten around to trying them out. I use it after using some cleansing oil to help lift my makeup, especially the heavier eye makeup. First let's see the ingredients.
As the description says, the cleansing sheets are oil free. It removes my makeup well and leaves my face feeling almost squeaky clean. I also normally wash my face after using makeup remover sheets although with these, like with Neutrogena, you can even skip rinsing off.
While I like these sheets, I still prefer Neutrogena. The Shiseido sheets remind me of the "Yes To" line of cleansing sheets as far as the feel of the sheets. Neutrogena works really well for me and are quite reasonably priced. I also like the feel of the sheets over Shiseido and Yes To.
What makeup remover sheet do you like to use?
*Kat*
