• shape tape vs age rewind

    56/44 | Maybelline Age Rewind vs. Tarte Shape Tape

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, we have a 56% vs. 44% split on two cult favourite concealers: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer vs. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer! I will be talking about my personal opinions on the topics and sharing some of the replies I received from the Instagram poll I took.

    These results only include the opinions of those who saw my poll on Instagram. The majority of my followers are from Canada, United States and Australia.

    Age Rewind Concealer

    Available at drugstores, Ulta

    $12.99 CAD for 0.2 oz

    Cost per oz: $64.95

    10 shades + 6 new ones added

    No added fragrance

    Twist to dispense, sponge tip

    Shape Tape Concealer

    Available at Tarte.com, Ulta

    $35 CAD for 0.33 oz

    Cost per oz: $106.06

    30 shades with different undertones

    Fragrance added

    Large doefoot applicator

    Age Rewind Concealer

    I used the shade Light

    Pros: I enjoyed using the Age Rewind. It wasn’t too thick and it was easy to blend. You twist the tube to dispense the product. As you twist it up, the product is scraped clean on the sides of the tube.

    Cons: Doesn’t have a wide variety of shades compared to other concealers. I feel like I used it really quickly because it’s a smaller tube of concealer. I didn’t like the sponge tip on top. While it was very nice to apply the concealer, I didn’t like that you couldn’t completely clean it and it would never be dry. It’s easy to pull off the sponge with a pair of tweezers though. I feel like I wasted more of it by twisting it. I would twist multiple times before any product came out.

    I would buy Age Rewind again.

    Shape Tape Concealer

    Buying online is really tricky. I bought a shade that was way too light for me and it made my under eyes look gray. I bought the shade Fair-Light.

    Pros: The big doefoot applicator was cool and I liked how it comes in a large tube. Wider variety of shades and undertones.

    Cons: I was so excited to try it after hearing everyone rave about it, but it just didn’t work for me. I prefer a more natural looking concealer because I have dry under eyes. Shape Tape is way too full coverage for me. I was also surprised by how scented the concealer is because NO ONE has ever mentioned that it has a scent! Not only does it have a scent, it lingers. I swatched it on my hand one time and I washed my hands with soap and everything and I could still smell it. As you may know, I’m sensitive to fragrances in my skincare and makeup. I’d rather have no scent or one that won’t linger hours after I’ve applied it. Also, I think my eyes had a reaction to it. I tried using it as an eyeshadow base, but my eyelids got some red spots on them.

    I would not buy Shape Tape again.

    So, the 56/44 results were from a recent poll. A year ago, I took the poll because I needed help deciding which one to buy. I prefer a more natural looking concealer and I knew that Tarte Shape Tape was full coverage.

    The results from my 1st poll were 50/50. I ended up buying the Age Rewind first because it’s more accessible to me. I eventually ordered Shape Tape on the Tarte website. I don’t know if it’s available in stores elsewhere, but there’s no way to test out shades at a store in Canada. As you can see from the swatches, I ended up choosing a shade that was much lighter than the maybelline concealer.

    Here were a few replies to my question: Why do you prefer the Age Rewind or Shape Tape concealer?

    • creamier formula (shape tape)
    • excellent coverage, price is reasonable and quality is high (shape tape)
    • can’t find a shade match for age rewind (shape tape)
    • shape tape is more full coverage than I want and it’s too drying for under my eyes (age rewind)

    That’s all I have for today! If you have any ideas on what poll I should do next, comment below!

    Which concealer is your fave? Do you like either of these?

    Love,

  • My First Haul from Tarte | September 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I made an order from Tarte because I wanted to finally try the Amazonian Clay Foundation (the powder one). I’ve been eyeing it for a long time now and I finished up enough of my foundations that I allowed myself to buy a new one (read my makeup goals post). I wanted to get a powder foundation for lighter days where my skin is good and I don’t want to put on liquid or stick foundation. I had it narrowed down to a few different powders, but I decided to go with this one because I love Tarte.

    I got two other products I’ve never tried before and a fave of mine: Shape Tape (a cult fave), the Timeless Smoothing Primer (a fave of Tati, Beauty YouTuber) and the Frxxxtion Stick.

    After making the order, I now have 9 products from Tarte which makes it the brand I own the most products from; at most, I think I only own 1-4 things from a single brand.

    Rainforest of the Sea Frxxxtion Stick 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser (read my review) – My friend told me about this and I got a deluxe sample of it. I loved it. Originally, I thought it was too expensive, but the deluxe sample lasted a while, so I was able to justify the price.

    With a clarifying cleansing gel powered by the Rainforest of the Sea™ complex & suspended diatomaceous earth microexfoliants, the vegan friendly formula draws out surface oil & reduces shine, while purifying pores for the deepest clean possible.

    The hypoallergenic gel stick gently sloughs away dead surface cells & polishes skin as it cleanses to fight dullness & pump up the radiance. Great for all skin types, it can be used on a regular basis without stripping skin’s moisture or left on as a treatment mask to absorb toxins & reveal smooth, sexy, glowing skin.

    Shape Tape Contour Concealer in 12N Fair-Neutral – I chose the shade Fair-Neutral because it’s the next neutral shade down from the foundation I chose (Light Neutral). I swatched it on my hand and I think it will be good for the under eyes. I’ve seen/read so many reviews on it, but no one ever mentioned that it has a scent to it. I thought it would smell like other concealers, but it has a slight perfume-y/cologne-y scent. I also didn’t realize how much fatter it was from other concealers. I knew the doefoot applicator was bigger, but I guess I never looked that closely when other ladies have posted pics of their concealers. The tube is almost as big as my Bobbi Brown stick foundation.

    • Full coverage with flawless matte finish
    • Conceals all imperfections & doubles as a contour/highlight product
    • Creamy, easy-to-blend formula won’t flake or crease
    • Nourishes with mango seed & shea butters
    • Helps illuminate skin for a lifted effect

    Timeless Smoothing Primer – I picked up the limited edition one because it was $8-9 cheaper than the regular one. I assume it’s the same product with a different coloured lid to match one of their themes. I used it yesterday and it really smoothed out my pores. I will do a proper wear test and post a review later this month. Be careful with this product, I was tilting it to smell it and it must’ve melted off of the jar because the product fell out in one clump. Luckily, I was able to pick it up from my chair and press it back into the jar.

    • Formulated to fade out your biggest beauty boundaries such as large pores, fine lines and wrinkles
    • Antioxidant-rich formula gently melts into the skin delivering a surge of moisture, peptides and other naturally-derived elixirs for a firmer, smoother appearance
    • Has a lightweight texture and fresh powder scent as it provides the perfect blank canvas to enhance the look and wear time of makeup

    Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation in Light Neutral – I’ve swatched this at Sephora, but I haven’t used it yet. I think this is the closest match based on the description.

    Powered by Amazonian clay & light-reflecting gemstones, this hypoallergenic foundation gives you natural radiance & matte coverage in a weightless, flake-free powder. The full coverage formula is all you need to cover redness, unevenness & pores, with Amazonian clay to help control oil & make your makeup last. Precious gemstone tourmaline works to energize skin & diffuse light for natural dimension, & the custom mesh applicator offers buildable & breathable coverage without settling into fine lines.

    Other products from Tarte that I’ve used are the Amazonian Blushes (love these), the Maracuja Oil (I’m still testing it, but really like it so far), Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint and the Tarteist Sculpt & Slim Contour Brush.

    What are your faves from Tarte?

    Love,

    jen

  • 10 Products I Want to Try/Buy

    Hi Everyone!

    I haven’t been posting as regularly as I’d like because I’m trying out new products. I’m going to try my best to do more posts each week. I think I will try to post more frequently and write shorter posts rather than the long posts I’ve been doing.

    Ever since I went to the MAC/Estée Lauder Warehouse Sale, I’ve put myself on a self-imposed makeup ban until the end of the year (maybe longer). I know, a girl can never have too much makeup, but I have more makeup and skincare products than I can store. Plus, I don’t want things to go bad because I’ve neglected them. The only products I’m allowed to buy are products I have finished and need to replace.

    Since I’m still trying out some products, I thought I’d do a post about what products I hope to try and eventually buy in the future. These are a handful of products that I know are really popular and everyone loves. I know I’m behind on the times for some of these. They have been cult favourites for years.

    1. MAC Prep and Prime Fix +
    2. L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
    3. Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette
    4. Pixi Beauty Hydrating Milky Mist
    5. Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter (Lightning Dust/Fire Crystal)
    6. Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
    7. Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Color Changing Lipstick
    8. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer
    9. Erborian CC Crème High Definition Radiance Face Cream Skin Perfector
    10. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

    UPDATE: I’ve purchased and reviewed the L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara, Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask and the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist.

    Dupe It Out | L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara vs. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

    First Impressions with Glow Recipe

    Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist Review

    What are some products that you want to try? Are any of the ones I listed above your holy grail products?

    Love,

    jen

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  • Review | Marcelle CC Concealer + Corrector

    Hi Everyone!

    20170808_151925.jpgI recently bought Marcelle’s CC Concealer + Corrector from Shoppers Drug Mart. I got the shade Light/Medium and it costs $12.95 CAD. I wanted to give a stick concealer a try, and I needed to spend $50 for free shipping, so I added it to my cart. It comes in a nice and sleek, white tube with a clear top. It was the winner of the 2015 Beauty Grand Prix by Elle for BEST CONCEALER UNDER $20. There are three reviews on the website giving it 5 stars saying that it’s hydrating and doesn’t crease. So I put the concealer to the test!

    Conceals dark circles and corrects dark spots, all in one step!

    Are the claims true?

    As a concealer, it conceals dark circles, undereye puffiness, age spots and redness. It did conceal dark circles, but I feel like there are other concealers that do a better job.

    As a corrector, it corrects and prevents the appearance of dark spots. I didn’t really try this to colour correct, but it did sort of conceal dark circles under my eyes. I only used it once, so I can’t say anything about preventing the appearance of dark spots. Unfortunately, it caused creasing under my eyes because it’s a dry formula.

    I’m very sensitive to smell when it comes to beauty products. I can’t use scented lotions or hand sanitizers unless they have a fresh, fruity smell (and even then, there are times I have to draw the line). I tend to just avoid scented creams if I can. I also don’t like if a foundation or any makeup has a chemical smell. All makeup will have some sort of chemical smell, but sometimes there’s makeup that I can’t even use because I don’t like the smell. Whenever I’m at Sephora looking for a new foundation or concealer, I always give it a sniff to see if I can stand it. I was immediately turned off by the smell of the CC Concealer + Corrector. It smells like plastic, but that’s what happens when you order something online without seeing it in person first. Even then, Shoppers and Rexall don’t always have testers for the products.

    In addition to the smell, the product looked kind of dry too, but appearances can be deceiving so I swatched it on my hand. Unfortunately, I was right, it didn’t run very smoothly against my skin (see below for pictures). I have Cover FX’s Correct Click Color Corrector, and it feels like a lipstick. It’s very smooth and blends nicely. The Marcelle concealer, on the other hand, feels gritty against your skin, I don’t know if I accidentally got some dirt in it, but I’ve wiped it a few times and it almost makes it look worse. I even swatched it on my parents to see if they felt it too and I wasn’t just imagining things. They agreed that it felt gritty. It almost feels like Tarte’s FRXXXTION Stick Exfoliating Cleanser (which I absolutely love, thanks to one of my best friend’s for introducing it to me). This is bad because this product is for the under eye area and that’s one of the most sensitive areas on your face. Regardless of the grittiness, I tried it out yesterday and noticed that it was creating creases under my eyes where I don’t have any.

    marcelle.PNG

    RATING: 0/5

    I give it a 0/5 because I didn’t like the smell or the fact that it was dry, but on top of that, I woke up this morning with a bit of a breakout. I basically exfoliated under my eyes yesterday and now my face is reacting to it. My mom said my eyes looked a bit puffy too, but that could be due to lack of sleep.

    Thoughts:  I’m an optimist, so I’d like to think that maybe there’s a chance I got an old one that dried out or it was faulty somehow, but this was a fail for me. I wouldn’t recommend this product especially with the fact that it’s for under your eyes and it feels so gritty. I don’t understand how this was rated the Best Concealer under $20 in 2015. Someone with oilier skin might like this product, but mine tends to be on the drier side. You could maybe mix this with an oil product to create a creamier consistency, but I am steering clear of stick foundations for the under eyes. I might give them a try for colour correcting though.

    Marcelle is a Canadian company, so I want to support it as a fellow Canadian. This product is a pass for me, but I like their Velvet Gel Waterproof Lip Liner in Rosy Nude and the Rouge Xpression Lipstick in 901 Amour (it won the 2016 Beauty Grand Prix for BEST LIPSTICK UNDER $12).

    I’ve heard good things about the Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof 12-Hour Concealer and I have a colour-correcting concealer from Cover FX that runs smoothly, so I would assume that the Cover Click Concealer + Foundation is the same formula. Both the Tarte and Cover FX Concealers are a little more expensive.

    My skin is more dry than oily (especially around my nose), so stick concealers aren’t the best for me, but the CC part of the Marcelle Concealer + Corrector interested me so I thought I would give it a try. I’ve heard rave reviews about the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer and Tarte Shape Tape, so I might give those a try.

    What are your fave concealers?

    Love,

    jen