Monday, March 12, 2007

Rewarding My Bad Behavior


Well, I was a bad girl tonight. Not only have I been procrastinating on my school work, but I also decided to do some online beauty shopping! I didn't do too much damage since I had a $25 Sephora store credit from a previous return, but I don't really have an extra $27 to be spending on beauty products, either. But...nothing feels better than getting that little yellow slip in my mailbox letting me know my package has arrived!

- My shopping list -


Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in Porcelain 2 - I have finally broken myself of wearing foundation every single day. For a very long time, I viewed face makeup (like foundation, powder, and concealer) as my "security blanket" from the public due to the skin troubles of my adolescence. Now I realize I don't need to cover my entire face, so I've paired it down to just using concealer under my eyes, around my nose and mouth, and on a few little discolored patches left over from some old breakouts. I needed a good concealer that stayed put all day, so this seemed like a good option. I really, really, really hope the color work, too.

TheBalm's Plump Your Pucker Plumping Lip Gloss in Strawberry My Shortcake - I've been lusting after this one for a long time. I looooove a slighty shimmery, baby pink lip, and this one fits the description w/out looking too 1980's.


One of the biggest perks of shopping at the Sephora website is the selection of free samples. My picks:

LOLA Refine Shine Anti-Shine Gel
- I always like to try mattifiers whenever they're offered in sample sizes because I have yet to find one that truly lasts through the day. I'm interested to see how well this product performs.

Tarte Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion - I don't tan. Not because I don't want to (though I know I shouldn't), but because my skin absolutely does.not.tan. Seriously, it takes me a full week of being out in the sun from the time I get up in the morning until the sun finally sets in order for me to have what most people consider a "base tan." Hopefully this tinted moisturizer will give me a nice, sunkissed glow without being streaky or Lindsay Lohan orange. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.


Escada Sunset Heat for Her
- Ok...unlike many of my fellow beauty bloggers, I am not a fragrance connoisseur. I rarely wear fragrances, but if I do, it's just a simple perfume oil or a lightly scented body lotion. Lots of women complain that the Escada perfumes all smell the same - typical "tweeny" fruity florals that lack sophistication. I can't say I disagree, but there weren't any other samples that interested me, and I can always donate it to my younger sister.

Lorac Mocktail Lipgloss in Lava Flow - I scored a deluxe sample of this gloss via the latest Sephora catalog promotion code (FUTURE1 for all you shoppers!) The shade looks like a pretty, sheer, vibrant berry red. It's supposed to taste good, too. Sounds sweet to me!

I'll be back with reviews as soon as I receive my goodies! Readers, have you tried any of these products? If so, what did you think?

Something To Hide...


I think I’ve been searching for my Holy Grail concealer since the age of twelve. I’ve tried one after the other, and I shudder to think how much money I’ve spent on my quest for the ultimate cover-up. I want a perfect color match, excellent staying power and coverage, and no creasing. Is that too much to ask? Nope…I didn’t think so either, because judging from the message boards at Makeup Alley; I’m not alone in this quest. So, I figured I would tell you all about my journey thus far –

While working at the Cosmetics Company Store a couple years ago, I discovered Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Concealer. It has the most impressive staying power out of any concealer I’ve ever tried, and that’s a great feat because since I have oily skin, most makeup has a tendency to “disappear” on me by mid-day. Sadly, there are (or were) only four color choices, none of which were a great match for me. I’ve heard that EL has reformulated the product and broadened the color selection, but I have yet to try it. Readers – what are your thoughts? Have you tried the new version of the Double Wear concealer?

Revlon’s ColorStay concealer ran a close second in staying power, but again, the color wasn’t the greatest fit though it was a little better than the EL Double Wear. I re-purchased the ColorStay on a whim about a month ago but found that Revlon has also reformulated their product; however, the changes made have caused the product to loose some of its staying power and coverage. Ugh!

I’ve also tried Amazing Concealer, and I have never been more disappointed by such a widely loved cosmetic product. Both the color-selection and coverage were mediocre at best, and the texture seemed greasy to me. I had the same problems with Allison Rafaelle’s True Concealer, but I can’t say I’m too surprised because both concealers include mineral oil in their list of ingredients. Not the greatest choice for girls with already oily skin.

Laura Mecier’s Secret Camouflage
is decent, and I still use it from time to time. I like that you can blend the two different shades to make a “custom color” that can change with the season or even the different areas of the face. The color match is good but not perfect, and I was surprised by the staying power, and I like that the texture is drier than most other concealers. But I DO NOT like Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer – much too soft and goopy and orange for me.

Since I can’t even walk into a drug store without purchasing some little inexpensive beauty product, I grabbed a small tube of L’Oreal True Match concealer about a year ago in Cool 0-1. THE COLOR IS PERFECT. It really is a true match. Sadly, the texture is too thin and the coverage is too sheer. This is so depressing and frustrating!

Despite all these trials and travails, I have found a temporary solution. The concealer by Delux Beauty is very good, as it provides substantial coverage, decent staying power, and a surprisingly good color match. I use the lightest shade called “Snowy,” and initially I thought it would be too light/too yellow based, but it blends nicely into the skin, especially under the eyes. It’s strange because I don’t even have many “problem areas” that need to be concealed, but concealer is almost like a “security blanket” for me. I think it’s a mental scar left over from when I used to be teased about having blemished skin at an early age. But – I will continue my quest for the concealer to end all concealers! What are some of the brands that have worked (or not worked) for you? Leave your comments!


(Author Edit: So - I wrote this post during some free time back in January, but I just hadn't had time to find the links, pics, etc. in order to make it a successful post. While trying to find links for the Delux Beauty and Allison Raffaelle concealers, I discovered that both of the cosmetic lines are on major liquidation sale on Sephora.com! Are these companies going out of business? Being discontinued? Hmmm...this is strange to me, especially since each of the companies claimed to have a long list of celebrity clientel!)

Ughhhhhh! Sorry!

Hi Everyone (if I have any readers left) -
I cannot believe it has been a MONTH since I've last posted. Shame on me! Unfortunately, sometimes the responsibilities of life get in the way of the fun and creative stuff. I've been swamped with school work (why am I an English major again?), I just started substitute teaching last week, and my "free" days have been consumed with observing high school composition and literature classes as research for my education course. Ah! However, I promise to do at least TWO posts this week - one on concealers and another on drugstore beauty (as I mentioned in my last post). If you're checking back, please stay tuned! I have lots of beauty to discuss!