This post is dedicated to
Crystal, who says I've been slacking. She's right. So, here we go.
First, a review of a few new products I've gotten and tried over the past month or so.
First one up at bat is Benefit's Erase Paste $26
What it promises: "....instantly brightens and camouflages all in one....makes sure signs of stress and fatigue are a thing of the past....."
Ok, so, well. Yes, it does deliver on that promise. It's definately
creamy. It's very thick, hence the paste part of the name. It covers and conceals everything and anything. However, I find it
to be too heavy. It does blend well but there is no getting around the sheer weight of this concealer. It feels goopy and mask-like when on the skin. And though it does work, it doesn't wear well.
I tried this concealer under my eyes since God knows I've been massively sleep deprived over these past two weeks. I've had bags under my eyes big enough to use as weekend luggage. It's not pretty. I used it alone, on bare skin. Immediate results and almost immediate fading and falling into fine creases. Not good. So, then I used it with Smashbox's Photo Finish primer. Better results, lasted a few hours. Still felt 'thick'. Lastly, I tried it over a smear of Laura Geller's Spackle over which I dusted Make Up Forever's HD Microfinish Powder. This was (oddly) the best result. Despite the Spackle and MUFE Powder underneath, it didn't feel too heavy or built up. The Erase Paste blended well, covered well, felt a little lighter and lasted many hours even in the humidity. This was a winning combo.
I don't know that I'd buy Erase Paste again. I guess I'll have to see how it holds up long term and how it performs in other ways. There are a hundred ways to use a concealer so I'll be fussing with it for a while. One thing to mention is that a little goes a really, really long way! This one tiny .15oz pot looks like it will last me the better part of a year.
Something else I've finally broken down and tried is Too Faced Wrinkle Injection. Now, let me start by admitting I have very few, if any fine lines around my eyes. I don't have much in the way of crow's feet. So, my results with this MIRACLE PRODUCT are based on just that- I have very small, very few and very, very fine lines around the eyes. That said, I could kick myself for looking at Wrinkle Injection all the time and never deciding to give it a whirl.
It started with a smear on the back of my hand, just for kicks. Instantly, the tiny lines on my hand seemed to plump up. They almost disappeared. I did a double take and looked more closely. The spot I rubbed the gel on was almost line-free. I had to buy it!
When I got home I put it on my unwilling husband. He's never thrilled to be my product test dummy but he takes one for the team now and then. I think he knows it'll keep me happy and therefore I *MAY* spend less on cosmetics.. lol Poor guy. Anyway, my point is that he does indeed have crow's feet and some moderate lines under and around the eye. (He's an over 40
distinguished gentleman so the lines are a sign of wisdom, honey!) so this was a good way for me to test Wrinkle Injection's true ability. His lines instantly were reduced by more than 50%. I'd venture to say 70% improvement. Total success. Which he promtply washed off...but I digress..
So, I've not really used Wrinkle Injection all that much on myself. Truth is I've been slacking in the eye makeup area because almost all my time is being spent outdoors and I'm covered in big Jackie-O sized sunglasses. I've been sticking to mascara and that's about it. But, I do plan on utilizing Wrinkle Injection after what I've seen of it.
Bottom line: It works.
$26.50 at Sephora. My only argument is this: $26 a month adds up to over $300 per year,
IF you don't use more than one tube per month. Botox delivers superior results and costs about the same. If you're one of those ladies who is considering Botox, I'd have to chime in here and say that it's a better option. If you're against Botox, which many are, then I say Wrinkle Injection is something to try out. I give it two thumbs up.
Another item I started using (again) DiorShow Blackout. ::::::Cue singing Seraphim:::: DiorShow....ahhhhhh... The best and blackest mascara out there. I can't get away from DiorShow. So, while I was at my local Dior counter I chatted a bit with the sales lady. She gave me a great tip to pass on to my friends. Try this combo for the most incredible lashes:
thin coats of Diorshow Iconic to lengthen and thicken the lashes
top with one coat Diorshow Blackout
She wiped off all her makeup on one eye and showed me. She, like a certain lady who reads this blog, has rather short, sparse lashes. She used the Iconic to add length. She topped with Blackout to add drama and depth. It looked like she put on the world's best falsies. The woman transformed her eye and made it look 10x bigger than it is. I admit, it had never occurred to me to blend various mascaras before. Blending lip colors? Yeah! Layering eye colors? Of course! But mascara? Brilliant. I myself won't be doing this as I have lashes that pretty much reach my eyebrow already (albeit blonde lashes). I definately think it's an idea to pass on though. If you girls try it, let me know how it works for you.
Let's talk about primers for a bit. Face primers, not eye. I have already said time and time again that Urban Decay's Primer Potion and Too Faced Shadow Insurance are the best eye primers I have found with UD taking a slight lead in the race. But let's get a discussion going about facial primers. I'm getting a little frazzled trying everything and anything in search of the ideal product.
I've tried most of the Smashbox primers, such as the ones shown above, and quite honestly, I don't see why they're $30someodd dollars. Yes, they definately make my makeup go on smoother and the Photo Finish Light product seems to mattify my skin for hours. I like that. I don't like it for nearly forty bucks. The Green one, called Color Adjust, promises to reduce redness. I find it doesn't really deliver. The Peach Color Blend option is supposed to help conceal and even out skin. It doesn't hold up, though. I've tried all of these products and it's always the same, I adore how it smooths out my skin and makes my makeup look flawless. Then 2 hours later I'm wondering where it all went.
So, I've moved away from Smashbox and gotten a few samples of some other primers.
I'm currently testing out Laura Gellar's Spackle. I have no verdict yet as I have only used it under my eyes and I've only had it a couple of days. I'll report back later after a week of use with my two cents.
Monistat Chaffing Gel is still raved about all over the internet. I have begun seeing negative reports from people claiming prolonged use has wreaked havoc on their skin. I'm still unsure about it. I can't get past the idea of putting chaffing gel (!?!) on my face.
I'm also giving Sephora's Smoothing Primer a go. At under $20.00 for a full size bottle it's the cheapest of all the face primers so I am kind of hoping this one will be a winner. I have a list of other primers I want to try out. I am going to give Bare Minerals a chance as well as Laura Mercier. I really don't have any idea what the end results will be but I'm willing to test run them all through the summer's hot and humid months to see who holds up and who flops.
Speaking of flopping.... Fekkai, Fekkai. Oh, Why?
Fekkai Glossing Sheer Shine Mist $22.50: BOMBED! Big Sexy Hair makes a way better glossing mist for $5, available at any drug store.
Fekkai Value Set for Color treated hair: $46.00: Don't bother! The shampoo, conditioner, glossing glaze and hair mask are all TINY, not even one week's worth of product. And quite frankly, I've had better products from my local WalGreen's.
Overall, I'm just going to come out and say that I would not bother spending another cent on anything Fekkai. I'm not impressed at all.
And now, before I run and get to Father's Day festivities, I have to put out a cry for help. My hair is looking lackluster. The cut is in between grown out and freshly chopped, I can't hold a style, I haven't colored or highlighted in a while so my gift from Mother Nature of dull, dirty blonde hair is just that- DULL! I'm in desperate need of a new stylist. So if you know of anyone fantastic- at any price- in the Williamsburg area, Richmond area or even as far as Norfolk, please do let me know. I need hair help!
