Almay Smart Shade CC Concealer + Brightener

Sticky...?

Of all my years of beauty product testing, I've never come across a STICKY concealer. The best way to describe the texture of this stuff is...well...Almost like sticky tack. It's a sticky, thick concealer, which you would think might do wonders for the staying power, but it isn't at all blendable. Once you finally try to blend it, it disappears into your skin...and is nowhere to be found. The concealer looked promising, and Almay usually isn't the type of brand to fail like this, but I will never purchase this concealer again.

June 24, 2014

Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Blush

Lacks the lasting power, but fun

The texture of this blush is like a pressed mousse, or a light, less dense play dough. It provides a light flush of color (you would have to put effort into going overboard with this blush) and it'll last you a while before you hit pan. The color selection, while not incredible, is diverse enough. The darker shades are the most pigmented and last the longest compared to the lighter ones, which provide a lovely and light wash of color but might fade away an hour or two later. Everyone should try this blush at least once to see if it works for them. If not, well, it's still a fun product.

June 23, 2014

Real Techniques Powder Brush

Fluffy, dense, soft-- and CHEAP.

I've had this brush for a while, and it's the most dense, fluffy brush I've ever used. It's great for powders that need to be less concentrated, like finishing veils or setting powders or even a nice, quick, easy sweep of bronzer. It's huge, fluffy, and fabulous, and it does its job better than any other powder brush, especially at the price. Because what can beat a great brush at ten bucks? My only con is that it's a pain in the butt to wash because of how thick it is; it takes, like, two days to dry. Personally, I'd rather apply my face powder foundation with a sponge because for me, pressing it into my skin works better than brushing it on and sweeping it everywhere. But outside of personal preference, if you're looking for a powder brush, THIS IS IT.

June 23, 2014

CoverGirl & Olay Concealer Balm

Very impressed!

I purchased this concealer on a whim at CVS, after realizing I wanted a stick-style concealer after sampling a friend's earlier that day. The 50% off sticker just convinced me to try it even more, and I was very impressed with the results. The concealer brightens up my face and makes my skin look even and flawless, dewy, and just radiating awesome. (but not shimmer!) I use it under my eyes and it conceals my dark circles perfectly, and a few swipes on and around my nose erase my pores and darkness around that area. Lasting power is pretty standard-- five, six hours before needing to touch up-- but it isn't a pain to haul around because of the small size and portability. It doesn't feel too heavy, even though it provides full coverage, and is an ideal concealer for a light, fresh look. I plan on pairing it with a sheer red-tinted balm and long, fluttery lashes for a light, but glamorous summer look.

June 23, 2014