Super September Day 5: Revlon Colorstay Review (Normal/Dry)

I first mentioned using this foundation back in July. I was staying at a friend's and I had forgotten to pack foundation. Since I'm not too keen on greeting the world with a bare face, I decided to go to the drugstore to see what I might want to try. Naturally, I had to eliminate most of my options simply because of my fair skin. Eventually it was down to Revlon Colorstay for Normal/Dry Skin versus Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation. Since it is nearly impossible to really see the color you are getting from the Whipped Creme formula, I eventually chose the Normal/Dry version in 110 Ivory. 

I have tried the Combination/Oily formula in the past and I wasn't the biggest fan. I'm not saying I hated it, but it didn't match my skin well. To be honest, neither does the Normal/Dry formula. Before I turn this into a comparison review, here's a short list of the product's claims and features (and what I think of them):

• Wears for up to 24 hours: This claim is crazy. Not only because it won't last for 24 hours, but also because you should not be wearing foundation for 24 hours. I chose Normal/Dry because I was having dry skin issues because of Tretin-X. This holds up for about 8 hours and kind of goes downhill from there. But I also don't have mega dry skin.
• Flawless look: I actually agree with this statement. My skin looks amazing. It doesn't cover my larger bumps, but it covers hyperpigmentation like few other foundations will
• Lightweight feel: I agree with this statement as well. It doesn't feel heavy on my skin. I think the Combination/Oily version felt heavier, but I think there also may have been a reformulation since I used the Combo/Oily version.

Other things to be aware of:

• This foundation is not paraben-free: I know there is a lot of controversy about parabens and how a lot of people argue that they are the safest preservative, but I think I would rather use up my products with parabens and stick to having one item in each "category" that is free of parabens. Of course, I don't condemn others for using products with parabens, and every now and then I will probably pick something up with parabens without checking the ingredients first. The point is, it has them. If you want fewer parabens in your products, this is not the foundation for you.
• The packaging is a pain: In some countries it has a pump, but here in the States we get the bottle that likes to keep on giving. So it leaves a problem: do I waste this extra foundation, or do I contaminate the foundation in the bottle? On those rare days when I pour out the exact amount I need, I am happy.
• I think it used to have SPF, but now it doesn't: I heard this has been reformulated over the years. When I started wearing makeup, it had SPF 15, but I can't find any sign that there is any sort of sun protection at all in the newer formula.
• For a drugstore foundation, it's kind of expensive: I say "kind of" because drugstore makeup is becoming more and more pricy. 

Bottom line: I like this foundation and would probably buy it again if it matched my skin well and if it was free of parabens. It ranges between $10 and $14 and is available at drugstores, Walmart, Target, and so on.

Review: Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation

I know I have posted a mini-review on this product at some point in the past, but I think that it actually warrants a full post because of how much I like it.

I remember that when I started wearing makeup, mineral makeup was still very popular. However, it seems to me that a lot of people have either gone back to their liquid foundations or embraced the BB cream trend.

I've been using the Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation (SPF 20) off and on for the past few months (shade: Classic Ivory) and for a drugstore powder foundation, this is amazing!

I have spent a lot of time and money trying to find a foundation that matches my fair skin, lasts all day, and doesn't break me out. Well, I can say that this product blends into my skin nicely, lasts a few hours (I would say five or six... not as long as I would like, but longer than some), and I never experience any new breakouts from wearing this alone. As you can see from the pictures, I have hit pan on the foundation - I actually hit pan during my Thanksgiving break and I've used this almost every day I have worn makeup since then.

There is one thing, though... I have a problem with the ingredients. Since I will be buying less makeup in 2013, I have already decided that I want to replace the products I finish with paraben-free makeup. This foundation is not paraben free, so therefore I will not repurchase it. I like this product, but I don't like its ingredients. I'd also like to mention that since the use of parabens in skin care and makeup is a personal preference, I won't judge anybody for choosing not to eliminate them.

I do recommend this if you have sensitive skin and are not avoiding parabens because it gives a beautiful (semi-matte) finish. Even though it is a powder foundation, I wouldn't describe it as powdery or cakey. I don't know how this would look on drier skin types, but I do know it doesn't emphasize any dry patches on my face from the winter cold.

I do not recommend this if you have darker skin. There are only eight shades and the darkest one is Tan, which seriously limits who can try this foundation. Come on, cosmetic companies. You know better than this...

Alright, so aside from that little miniature rant, I really liked this foundation and I will be sad to finish it. This costs around $12 at drugstores, but it is worth the money (and it is even better if you can get it on sale).

What is your go-to foundation right now?

Updated Foundation Routine! (November 2012)

So I've finally switched my foundation routine up a bit, so I thought I would share it! So far I am pleased with the combination of products I am using. I've only been doing this routine for a few days, so if my opinion of anything changes, I'll be sure to post an update.

• Moisturizer: Right now I am using the travel sized version of the Willa Clear Face Moisturizer. I was curious about this because it is a liquid moisturizer, so I bought the overnight kit (with a bag, cleanser, and the moisturizer). I like this moisturizer, but I think I will need something more hydrating in the winter, so at the moment I'm working on finishing it up. I also occasionally spray the Mario Badescu facial spray after applying moisturizer (really I use it sporadically... either way it's a nice product).
• Treatment: Clindamycin 1%/Benzoyl peroxide 5% gel. This is just the generic form of Benzaclin. I was prescribed this two weeks ago and you can't buy this over the counter. I don't like the fact that it contains benzoyl peroxide, but my dermatologist said to use it and I decided to listen (for the time being, that is). I'm putting up my skin care routine post within the next few weeks, so if I end up liking this I'll be sure to include it.
• "Foundation": L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream. This is said to prime, perfect, hydrate, and correct. It's a nice product, but there isn't much in the tube, so I'm not sure if it is worth the money at full price (if you can get this on sale, I recommend at least trying it). It gives light to medium coverage and doesn't leave my face in a greasy mess. Dare I say this, but I think I am beginning to like this better than my Smashbox BB cream. I've noticed my skin is less oily, but I also realize this could be a number of factors (the change in my skin care, the changing weather, and the change of my foundation routine)
• Concealer: I've been using the Revlon PhotoReady concealer for a while and I intend to use it until I finish it. If I repurchase it, it'll be a while.
• Powder: Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder foundation. This has light to medium coverage and it has an SPF of 20.

I don't have a blush I use every day right now - I just use whatever I feel like using for the day. What products are you currently using for your foundation routine?

July Favorites! (2012)

I feel as if my posts for monthly favorites are slowly becoming less and less interesting because I'm so focused on finishing my makeup that I tend to grab things I know I don't love so I can use them up sooner (but if I find that I have a strong dislike for a product, I do not tend to keep it because I hate clutter). Occasionally I do find something I can truly call a favorite, and I am always happy when I can say that something I have spent my money on truly delivers.

Although the E.L.F. eyelash curler is not the best eyelash curler in the world for my eye shape, it IS the best eyelash curler for $1. It has never ripped out any of my eyelashes or pinched my eyelid. I've noticed that I do experience some difficulty when it comes to curling some of my outer eyelashes because of the shape of the curler, but I have that issue with other eyelash curlers.

A more childish favorite is Lip Smackers! The particular flavors I have loved this month are Cotton Candy and Coca Cola. These aren't the most moisturizing lip products on the market, but they do moisturize my lips enough for summer. They also smell great and taste great, so they're overall just fun. For some reason I don't own Dr. Pepper, a cult favorite.

Although I have heard so many praises on the Wet 'N Wild Color Icon eye shadows, it took me ages to actually go out and buy one. When I finally did, I bought Sweet As Candy, but I ignored it for a while and didn't actually try it until this month. I was spending the night at someone's house and I figured this would go nicely with my outfit for the next day. Before I packed it, I tried the trio and I must say I am amazed with the quality of these eye shadows. They are smooth, pigmented, and they show up on my eyelids without primer (this only happened once because it is now a habit for me to use primer - it makes all the difference). The look really was something I would call "sweet" and feminine. Normally I don't wear shimmery pink eye shadows because I have a fear of looking like I have swollen and infected eyes, but this pink looks nice on my lids and all of the colors complement each other very well. I definitely have my eye on the "Walking on Eggshells" trio and I hope Wet 'N Wild will release more colors soon.

I reviewed the Almay Clear Complexion Makeup on here last month and featured it as a favorite last month as well. Although I don't use this every day, I am officially at the halfway mark. I can only name two other foundations I have finished before: Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse (not the best foundation and definitely not the best shade range) and L'Oreal Bare Naturale foundation (I think it is now True Match Minerals, but to make a long story short, I noticed that I had more breakouts when I used this foundation and I also thought it was very cakey)

When I bought my Too Faced Glamour to Go Palette, I was given a deluxe sample of their Shadow Insurance in "Candlelight" - I only need a small amount for my entire eyelid and I used this nearly every day I wore eye makeup this month (and I think I've had this tube for a long time and I used it several times before this month). The tube isn't even empty - I would say I have at least a week's supply left. I will definitely purchase the full size.

I know lash growth serums are pretty controversial because of the cost (most are very expensive) and some simply do not deliver on any of the promises that are made. I personally think that the Rimmel Lash Accelerator serum is quite a neat product. I had some shorter eyelashes on my right eye (I assume they just came off when I was removing makeup or something... not pleasant). I think this product definitely sped up the growth process of those particular lashes. I won't say my lashes have a significant amount of extra volume or length from this serum, but they do look nicer without mascara. I try to apply this day (on my lashline) and night (as a "clear mascara" of sorts). I don't recommend wearing this under mascara - if you tried, you would probably dislike it. There were also a few nights I forgot to apply it, so that might be why I have not seen dramatic results. I will try to post an update when I finish the tube.

Now, for something that may shock some... I like the Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes mascara. I bought this after discovering what a fail of a product the E.L.F. 3-in-1 mascara was and I am very pleased with how it makes my lashes look. I don't get a dramatic look from this mascara, but I would say it is miles better than the original Great Lash. I like it so much that I may try Great Lash Big and Great Lash with the curved brush. I personally enjoy wetter mascara formulas and this is without a doubt a wet formula. The brush is like a Christmas tree and it really separates my lashes. I only use one or two coats of mascara at any given time, so I am not sure how this would work for people who like to use more than two coats of mascara (which I have always found to be too much anyway).

As for random favorites: I saw the Amazing Spider-man with my boyfriend on his birthday and I thought it was a fantastic film... although the fact that Andrew Garfield is 9 years older than me and playing a high school student just seemed strange. Anyone else notice that Dr. Connors also played Luna Lovegood's father in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1? Another favorite of mine is a bit strange for this time of year, but I have gone through a box of chai tea. My parents love to keep our house slightly... well, freezing, so I tend to drink hot drinks all year round.

That is it for my July favorites. The next time I make a favorites post I will be back at college! It's strange to think that most of my summer is already over. What were your favorites this month?