• maybelline fit me loose finishing powder

    Powders | My Hits & Misses

    March 20, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m sharing my hits and misses for all powders that I’ve tried. This includes setting and finishing powders as well as powder foundations.

    Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

    MAKEUP || Primers | Foundations | Concealers | Brows | Mascara

    SKINCARE || Eye Creams

    BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’Oréal | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

    Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.

    HITS

    Bare Minerals Barepro Performance Wear Powder Foundation – I got a deluxe sample of this from Sephora as a promo. I really enjoyed it AND it was even in the wrong shade, but it was nice on the skin. Would definitely buy a full size.

    Bella Pierre Mineral Foundation – This was the first mineral foundation I tried. This woman at a kiosk sucked me into her chair and put this on me. It was beautiful and I ended up buying this powder, a blush and others.

    Shiseido Sheer Mattifying Compact Powder Foundation (read my review) – This is no longer around, but Shiseido still has some gorgeous powders. You just have to hope they don’t discontinue them.

    Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact – I think this is meant to use as an all-over face powder to illuminate, but I use it as a highlighter. It’s perfect for a subtle glow.

    Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder – I really do love this powder, but the shade isn’t right. I wish they had more shades or a translucent option.

    Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder – This is my fave translucent setting powder I’ve tried.

    Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation – This powder looks beautiful. I just need to get it in the right shade.

    Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder – This made my skin look like it had a filter on it. I don’t know if it was just a combo of a good skin day and a nice primer, but it looked really good every time I used it.

    charlotte tilbury airbrush flawless finish setting powder

    LIKES

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder – It’s a beautiful powder, BUT it pans so quickly and there’s only 3 shades. Fair is too light and Medium is too dark.

    Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder – I don’t find anything special about this one. I had a deluxe sample and the powder would come out in clumps. I didn’t store it where any moisture could get to it, so I don’t know why it was like that.  

    Rimmel Clear Complexion Clarifiying Powder – This was a good powder from what I remember. I want to try the Rimmel Stay Matte one.

    Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder – This was a nice powder, but I didn’t like the scent of it. I don’t think any powder needs to be scented.

    Burt’s Bees Natural Mattifying Powder* – I had the wrong shade of this, so it made me look really pale. It was a nice pressed powder that did mattify. I probably wouldn’t repurchase though (even if it was the right shade).

    Revlon Nearly Naked Powder – This was a nice powder that felt silky smooth. It doesn’t have the best shade range and it’s fairly expensive for a drugstore powder. I’d rather get a bare minerals powder for the price.

    Smashbox Photo Filter Powder Foundation – This felt silky smooth, but the shade I got was way too light, so I can’t say for sure if I really liked it or not. It made my skin look patchy because it was too light.

    Nude by Nature Mattifying Pressed Setting Powder* – It mattified and gave nice coverage. It wasn’t my fave setting powder though.

    hourglass veil translucent setting powder

    MISSES

    Bobbi Brown Nude Finishing Illuminating Setting Powder – If this didn’t have the shimmer in it, it would be a beautiful powder.

    KVD Beauty Lock-It Brightening Powder – I bought this at Winners when I wanted to try baking because it was before I knew that baking powder is its own thing. I also mistakenly bought a shade meant for dark skin tones. I tested it out anyway just to see if I liked the consistency, but it was way too heavy for my dry under eyes.

    Catrice Light Illusion Loose Powder (Yellow Matt) – I didn’t like this because as I’ve said, I have dry under eyes and it just emphasized it. If you have oily skin, it might work for you.

    To Try

    • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
    • Lancôme Long Time No Shine Setting Powder
    • Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder
    • Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation

    What are your favourite powders?

    Love,

    Products marked with (*) were sent for review.

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  • YouTubers Made Me Buy It

    July 27, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Have you ever watched a beauty YouTuber review a product and they rave about it so you have to go buy it too? Or read a beauty blogger and saw swatches of the prettiest highlighter that you had to get? Well, there have been quite a lot of products that I’ve purchased over the past two years because I saw a cool video or I watched/read reviews. I’ll let you know if I liked the product and if I’d repurchase.

    Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patches (read my review) – I love these, but I kind of wish they had different packages for different sizes. Sometimes I have a ton of the smallest size left over until I get a teeny, tiny whitehead.

    Repurchase? Absolutely!!

    Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid – I bought this last year and don’t know if it was working that well. I had to stop because my skin was reacting to something I was using.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser – I quite liked this cleanser and it didn’t dry out my skin too much from the salicylic acid.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    CUCNZN Blackhead Remover Suction Black Peeling Mask – This is kind of messy. If you put too much on, it can drip. It’s very hard to wash off your hands and clothes. The best way is to let it dry and then peel it.

    Repurchase? No, I’d rather try a Biore Pore strip for the face.

    Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base – I haven’t put this through testing yet, but I like the formula and I have noticed that it does intensify eyeshadows.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Essence Volume Stylist 18h Lash Extension Mascara –  This mascara is like $5 and it’s great! It does dry out fairly quickly, but it’s not as painful as buying a $30 tube  and having it dry out on you.

    Repurchase? Probably. I just bought two other Essence mascaras to see how they compare.

    Finishing Touch Flawless Facial Hair Remover (read my review) – It removes hair pretty well and I like the light it has attached when you turn it on.

    Repurchase? I’d get the rechargeable one if I get another one.

    Garnier All-in-One Cleansing Micellar Water – Originally, I was like, “why does everyone love this water? Isn’t it just water?” Oh, how wrong I was to think that. I love this stuff!

    Repurchase? Already have!

    Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask (read my review)- I love the smell of this. It smells so fresh and feel so nice on the skin.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder – This powder is very finely milled and comes with a cute little puff. I’m not a huge fan of the mint smell, but it sets and mattifies my makeup nicely.

    Repurchase? Possibly.

    L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise (read my review) – I compared this to the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and I’m sad to say that I’m not a fan of either one.

    Repurchase? No.

    Makeup Eraser The Original Makeup Eraser (read my review) – I saw this in a BuzzFeed video, I believe and had to see if it really worked. I really like it because it’s so soft.

    Repurchase? I bought a dupe that was a 4-pack, so it’ll take me a while, but I’d repurchase when I need to.

    Maybelline FaceStudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter (read my review) – This is a beautiful highlighter that gives that wet, metallic look.

    Repurchase? Yes, I really want some of the other shades.

    Maybelline Fit Me Foundation – I’ve tried the Matte + Poreless and the Hydrate + Smooth, I preferred the Hydrate + Smooth because it gave a dewy finish.

    Repurchase? No. No more drugstore foundations for me.

    Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara – I read that the Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, uses this (don’t know if she still does) and I had to try it for myself.

    Repurchase? I bought this, but haven’t tried it yet.

    Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Concealer + Corrector – This smells like chemicals to me.

    Repurchase? No, I’d rather get the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer.

    Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Skin-Transforming Foundation – This was the first drugstore foundation I got. I bought the wrong shade and back then, I didn’t know what primer was or that you had to wet the sponge. Knowing what I know now, I could probably get a better match and get a more beautiful application, but no more drugstore foundations for me.

    Repurchase? No. I didn’t love the smell of this.

    Nars Sheer Glow Foundation – If you read my Mid-Year Inventory on Foundations (click here), you’ll know that I’m looking to find high-end foundations with different finishes and coverage. I didn’t love this one and I’d rather get the Lancome Miracle Cushion Foundation as my sheer foundation.

    Repurchase? No.

    NYX Setting Spray (Matte) – I think I’d rather pay a little more for a better quality setting spray. I don’t know if this helped a whole lot, but it made my eyes water.

    Repurchase? No.

    Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter – Why pay $50 when you can pay a fraction of that for a gorgeous, butter highlighter?

    Repurchase? Absolutely!! I need more shades!!!

    Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Butter Bronzer – Blends like a dream and smells so good (which is surprising because I’m not a huge fan of scented things!!)

    Repurchase? Definitely!!

    Pixi Glow Tonic – I got a pack that had a travel-size bottle of this and I will definitely be picking up a bigger size when I’m done my current toner.

    Repurchase? Definitely!! (UPDATE: I think I’m allergic to witch hazel which means I can no longer use this).

    Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist (read my review) – I love Pixi and it smells so good and keeps the face hydrated.

    Repurchase? YES!

    Pixi Peel & Polish (read my review) – I liked this, but it smells like paint to me and I’ve found other brands I like better.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (read my review) – This sponge gets huge when it’s damp and I love that it has a flat side. I bought this at Winners (4 pack for $20) which was cheaper than at the drugstore.

    Repurchase? Absolutely! At Winners though.

    Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler – I didn’t know what I was missing until I bought this eyelash curler. Previously, I’ve used a Tweezerman, Revlon and Sephora lash curler, but this one beats all of those.

    Repurchase? When I need to buy a new one, yes!! Although I hear that the Shiseido one is good too and you can buy just the refills for that.

    Wet N Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder – So pretty!! I wish I could get more shades, but Wet N Wild is hard to find in Canada and Rexall only has a selection of Wet N Wild products.

    Repurchase? If I can get my hands on it, yes!!

    A lot of the products on this list, I would repurchase. For most of these, I heard more than a few good reviews, which made me buy them. So, it’s no surprise that I love them too.

    What products have you bought because of a YouTuber’s recommendations?

    Love,

    jen

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  • 2018 Mid-Year Makeup Inventory | Blushes

    July 9, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    Continuing my makeup inventory, today’s post is on blushes! Check out my other mid-year makeup roundup!

    Primers & Foundations | Bronzers | Blushes | Mascaras | Highlighters

    Current blush inventory:

    • 11 powder blushes + 1 Smashbox palette I haven’t touched (includes 2 blushes)
    • 1 cheek & lip stain

    I think it’s safe to say that I won’t be needing blush any time soon. I won’t be purchasing any new blushes until I finish at least 5. I have a combo of matte and shimmery shades. Shimmery shades can be nice for the daytime during the summer, but I feel like they’re more for the night time. I think next time I buy blushes, I will get matte shades because you can use highlighter to add shimmer.

    Bobbi Brown Blush in French Pink & Nectar

    French Pink is the hot pink shade on the left. Both are beautiful shades.- great for summer time!

    Burt’s Bees Blush in 1210 Shy Pink

    I received this from Topbox Circle along with a bunch of other Burt’s Bees products and I’m so glad I did! I love this blush and it’s from the drugstore too!

    Bella Pierre Mineral Blush in MB002 Autumn Glow

    This was the first blush I bought that wasn’t from the drugstore…in fact, it may be time to declutter/dispose of it (I bought it when I was in university :/). It’s really pretty, but since it is more of a brown shade, I use it in the Fall/Winter. I don’t really like that it’s a loose powder, it takes up so much more space and it’s more messy than a regular, pressed blush.

    Miniso Flawless Baked Blusher in 02 Rosy Pink in 02 Rosy Pink

    You can’t get any better than this Miniso blush. It was $2.99 and it’s such a beautiful, shimmery pink.

    Milani Baked Blush in 01 Dolce Pink

    This is so pretty, it’s a gorgeous, shimmery pink.

    Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Blush in 03 Pink Ingenue

    Since this is in a ‘kit/palette,’ I tend to forget about it. It’s a beautiful pink though and I need to use it more often.

    The Estée Edit The Barest Blush in 03 Purr Pink

    This is a very bright pink and I need to use a very light hand with this. I few times I put way too much on and looked like a clown. I’ve had to dab my face with my sponge to add some of the residual foundation to dial it down.

    Smashbox Blush Soft Lights Duo in Passion/Shimmer

    I like that this is a 2-in-1 blush and highlighter. 2-in-1 is great for travelling and this is a very nice mauvy pink.

    Smashbox L.A. Lights Palette in Culver City Coral

    I haven’t touched this palette (I didn’t swatch it below), but I’m excited to use it. Once I finish a few blushes, I will take it out.

    Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Paaarty & Concept

    I love the Tarte blushes. This one that came in the Sephora birthday present is so pretty for a naturally blushed look. I haven’t used the shade Concept yet.

    Bella Pierre Cheek and Lip Stain in Coral

    I haven’t used this much because I don’t know if I love cream blushes that much. Sometimes cream products just make my face feel oily. Maybe I’ll use it as a lip stain and sheer it out with vaseline.

    From L-R: Milani Dolce Pink (shimmery), Miniso Rosy Pink (shimmery), Tarte Paaarty, Tarte Concept, Burt’s Bees Shy Pink, Bella Pierre Autumn Glow (shimmery), Bobbi Brown French Pink, Bobbi Brown Nectar, Smashbox Passion, Estee Lauder Pink Ingenue (shimmery), Estee Edit Purr Pink, Bella Pierre Coral

    I think my favourites are Tarte, Burt’s Bees, Miniso and Milani. Surprisingly, the higher end ones swatched a bit patchy.

    I really want to buy a NARS and a Physician’s Formula blush. If you read my post on Beauty Recommendations from Instagrammers, I was recommended a few different blushes to try.

    What are your fave blushes?

    Love,

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