Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch

Back to work at the office. I'm a PA for a network show so I had the summer off, but now we've started up again! I usually work about 7am to 6pm so I started looking for something to brighten up my face mid-afternoon. I knew I wanted some sort of liquid highlighter, preferably a pen style for easy travel. After looking at a lot of different options - I also wanted it cheap - I settled on the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant.

The color Radiant is a little bit pinker than the others, which is why I like it so much. 

As a concealer itself, the coverage is lighter than I would like. I have some pretty dark circles so I've been buying more expensive concealers. But as an afternoon pick-me-up, this is perfect.

I've also used it in the mornings if I feel my concealer isn't hiding as much as I want it to. I've been drawing an inverted triangle (pointy side down) across the darkest parts of my dark circles (not all the way up to my lids) then down to blend out and it seems to smooth everything out. I also start to get a little redness showing through on my cheeks midday, and this completely erases it. I can't believe how much more awake this makes me!

I do have a couple suggestions: I had a problem trying to get the product to come out the second or third time I used it. I had to click about half as many times as I did the first time just to get the product to the tip. Since then, I've been storing it lid side down and haven't had another problem. It doesn't leak out into the cap either. I also usually click a couple times, then brush it onto the back of my hand to get rid of any excess and dab it on from there. I used a sponge to blend it out the first few times, but I've started to notice that my fingers work a lot better. I think it needs to be warmed up a little bit.

There isn't much in the tube, and I think it was $7.99, but you don't need very much each time. I actually like this so much, I'm probably going to buy another one so I can keep one at work and one with my makeup at home.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles

Ok, I've been wanting to try this concealer for a while, so I finally read some more reviews and decided to buy it.

The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles comes in a small tube with a spongy applicator tip. Lots of people are concerned with the cleanliness of the sponge tip - I'm not one of them. Maybelline claims that it's coated with some sort of antimicrobial something to keep it clean. I never thought about stuff like that until I started reading reviews. Maybe that's the Midwest farm girl in me? Not afraid to get dirty walking in the corn field, or the scenic painter who doesn't care how much soy or latex paint is on my skin. *shrug* Maybe I should be more concerned, but I'm just not.

The first time, you have to twist about 10 times to get any product to show... and I mean twist 10 full turns, not just 10 clicks. When you barely start to see something come up, you can slow down to just a couple clicks. For me, I have to do about half a turn each time I use it. (I like to use a good amount.) I decided to get the color "Light". They do have 2 corrector colors too - one more pink and one more yellow. I probably could've benefitted from either of those, but all I really wanted was a simple concealer.

I usually dot the product on and swipe it around a bit, but I still use my beauty blender to really blend the edges. Overall, I really like this product. It doesn't cover as well as some of my higher end concealers, but it is quick and travels really well. I like to use it on the weekends where I might just be going out shopping or to a movie, when I don't need a full face of makeup. If you're not plagued with super dark circles like me, this would probably be perfect for you!

Hard Candy Haul

While I was home in North Dakota, I decided to stop by the new Wal Mart in Grand Forks and get some Hard Candy items I was hearing about. (There is a Wal Mart sort of close to me in LA, but I've heard horrible and scary things about it and have been warned not to go... so I don't.)

First I decided to try the Glamoflauge Lite in Light Medium because I don't have a very good basic all-over concealer. I am really impressed with this. It comes with a more yellow tone on one side to correct and a more pink tone to cover. It is very creamy and easily blendable. It's not the greatest for under eyes, as it does pull a little bit, but I have used it in a pinch. Cost: $6

Left: the yellow end / Center: the pinker end / Right: blended together

Then I decided to try the Cheeks and Balances Contouring Stick in Cheeky Pink. I have started to really love cream highlighters. I really like that this comes with a highlighter. It's very light, but is nice for days when I don't want to wear a lot of makeup, and can definitely be layered. Cost: $7

It's hard to see the highlight, but I think that's kind of the point. It's just a nice shimmer. This was only one swipe.

Of course I had to pick up one of the All Glossed Up Hydrating Lip Stains. I chose the color Pout. This is my new favorite makeup trend: the tinted lip stain/balm sticks. I don't have a lot of them yet, but I do have a few, all different brands. This one is amazing. I may brave a trip to the Wal Mart here in LA to get another color (or 5), that's how much I like it. (Though, I think I'll just order them online.) It is very smooth and hydrating. The stain lasts a long time too. I can't say much as far as morning to lunch, etc. but I can say that I am very happy with it. I will be wearing it a lot. Cost: $5 

Pout is very pink, and is not this sheer on the lips. Again, this is only one swipe. You can see that it is very glossy though. 

Last, I decided I wanted a bronzer, but I don't really know how to use it and what color would be the best so I thought the So Baked Contour Trio in 3rd Wheel would be a good option. It is a baked powder that comes with a highlighter, blush and bronzer in one. I love the finish of this powder! It has a nice sheen to it without being glittery and the bronzer isn't too dark for a novice like me. I find myself layering this on top of a cream blush at times. Cost: $9

I wish this brand wasn't exclusive to Wal Mart because I really like it, but now that I've moved to LA, it's so much harder to get. I've bought other items from Hard Candy in the past: tinted mascara, glitter eyeshadow, and nail polish. My favorite is the Black Tie Affair nail polish. 

MAC Paint Pots

I read some amazing things about MAC's Paint Pots. Initially, what caught my attention was that the colors Soft Ochre and Painterly could be used as an undereye concealer. The person who posted it said it was great because they didn't crease. So, I ran out and got both colors.

After some research, Paint Pots are just a creaseless cream eyeshadow, and the two colors I bought are used more as eye primers. The sales associate told me the Soft Ochre works best under warmer colors, such as golds or greens because of it's yellow undertone. Painterly works best under cooler colors such as purples and blues because of it's pinker undertone. Both colors look very natural on my skin.

I can't say much about the priming power though. I still feel like it creases and doesn't seem to make my shadow colors any bolder. I have noticed that setting the Paint Pots with a powder first, then applying eyeshadow seems to work better as far as creasing goes.

It also did not work as an undereye concealer. They are WAY too thick to use under eyes. Lots of pulling and hard to blend on thin skin. When I finally got it blended out, it creased right away because of the thickness.

The nice thing is that they will last FOREVER. Especially because I don't use them very much. They are $20 a piece, but you get a lot and doesn't take very much for each use. Right now I'm trying to decide what color I want to buy next, and use as an actual eyeshadow.

Lancome Concealer/Eye Cream/Brow Gel

I went into Ulta today thinking I was going to buy the CKOne concealer that was recommended to me last week when I picked up the Smashbox Primer Try It Kit. Then a wonderful Lancome representative helped me. She did try other products on me, but turns out the Lancome products seem to work better in comparison. I spent way too much money, but I'm really happy with my products. I also thought I might buy Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel because I like the clear gel I got in my Birchbox, but I hate trying to use a pencil. Again, I liked the Lancome product better.

Here's what I got:

Effacernes Concealer in Light Bisque

It is a Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer. The website says: "This natural coverage concealer lets you instantly eliminate tell-tale signs of stress and fatigue. Provides complete, natural-looking coverage, evens skin tone, covers dark circles and minimizes fine lines around the eyes for a soft, matte finish."

We tried the CKOne Concealer, It Cosmetics, and Tarte's Concealer and they either didn't cover enough for my dark circles, or they started creasing right away. The Lancome concealer had good coverage and less creasing. It is a little more expensive, but the tube is a really good size and you only need a tiny bit, and it is very good for layering. It brightens as it covers, which is always a plus. The tube has a fine tip for dispensing the product, so it stays very sanitary. I found that I still need a primer under this, so my Smashbox kit will not go to waste :) When I tried it the next day with just my eye cream, the concealer seemed to smear and not cover very well. It also works better (for me) if I squeeze some out on the back of my hand, then dab with my finger and dab off some extra, pat under my eye, then use my beautyblender. Just using my fingers didn't give as nice of a finish. You could also use a brush if you don't want to use your fingers.

Before^

After^

Yes, the lighting seems a little different, but it was mostly the angle of my head. But you can definitely see that the purple under my eye was covered up. I still have some intense shadows but I'm trying to get over that. That's how my face is built, not something makeup can really cover.

Modele Sourcils Brow Gel in Brunet

The website says: "Keep brows perfectly in place with this lightweight gel that brushes on easily for natural-looking definition. The unique formula is made to work alone or over a brow pencil for a flawless, well-groomed look. Perfectly portable for on-the-go touch-ups anytime."

Currently, I'm using Benefit's Gimme Brow. I really like the fiber gel formula and the tiny brush, but it seems to dry out so quickly. I didn't get it that long ago and it's already a little clumpy and is giving me less product. I wanted to find something that would last longer since I really like the effect on my brows, and I hate using a brow pencil. I actually don't really know how to use it, and when I try my brows always end up too dark. Tinted gels are my perfect product, and so much faster.

Without^

With^

The change isn't too drastic, which is what I like about it. I don't wear liquid foundation but always have a powder on. As I put the powder on, it gets into my eyebrows and makes them dull. I never paid attention to that before, but now I notice a huge difference when I wear a tinted brow gel. And it's so quick and easy!

Genifique Yeux Eye Cream

The website says: "Formulated in an elegant gel texture enriched with Genifique technology, Genifique Yeux helps reactivate key signs of youth and fight against visible signs of fatigue. Use daily for a rested, youthful-looking eye contour, as after a good night’s sleep. Results: See visibly younger, brighter eyes in just 7 days. Dark circles, fine lines, eye bags and under-eye circles seem to diminish, and the eye area looks fresh and luminous."

The associate used this on my eyes after wiping off each product. I really liked how the gel texture felt and I don't have a dedicated eye cream. It was way too much money, but you only need a tiny amount every time. Not that I'm against sticking my finger in the pot (like a lot of people, but nothing against them. I just never thought about it that much), but I've started using the little spatula that came with my Erase Paste to scoop some product out. I never used it on my Erase Paste because I just use a brush. I've been using this cream every day and night. I'm excited to see if it really does make a difference in a week.

We also chatted a lot and she gave me some samples:

La Base Pro Primer

I liked how this primer felt when she was using it also, but I didn't see much difference between this and the Smashbox primer. It's great to have the samples (love me some samples!) but one little packet is going to be multiple days of use and I'll have to find somewhere to keep it without getting squished.

Dual Finish Powder Foundation (She used Ecru II 230 on me but only had a sample of Buff II 220)

This will be fun to try, but it is very expensive and I really like my Benefit Hello Flawless foundation right now.

La vie est belle Perfume

This is Lancome's newest fragrance. I've been seeing the commercials a lot now. It smells pretty good, but reminds me more of something my mom would wear, not for someone still in their 20s. I've been trying it off and on but I just bought a full size perfume from Birchbox a few months ago. It was my first "real" perfume purchase in probably 8 years. I've been wearing Bath and Body Works Body Spray, since I never seem to notice the scent after an hour anyway.

The thing I love about buying my products from Ulta is their return policy. If I find after a week, or even a month of using, that the product is just not worth the money I spent, I can return it. They have a 60-day return policy - just save your receipt. I'm also a member of their rewards program and had racked up 100 points so I got $3 off this purchase. I also got double points from these items also, so I have a discount for next time!