Fair-to-Light Foundation Swatch Fest

It's been a while since I've done one of these "look at all of the foundations yaaaay!" posts, probably because I haven't had enough foundation samples and have been distracted by other things. But I managed to get many, many sample packs in the past few days, and I wanted to highlight two products in particular: Buxom Show Some Skin and CoverFX Total Cover Cream.

I swatched these up against two staples in my collection: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly and Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint in Level 1 Fair Light, which are roughly N5 and NW15 respectively. The back of my hand is around N10-15, depending on the time of year; I'd say it's closer to N10 right now.

Please note that the Buxom and CoverFX sample packs came with two darker shades suitable for medium to ebony skintones, but I decided not to include those because I have nothing even remotely comparable to swatch them against.

Direct sunlight on top, flash on the bottom. From left to right: NARS Chantilly, Buxom Tickle the Ivory, CoverFX N20, Paula's Choice Level 1, Buxom Fair Game, CoverFX N40.

10 Products You MUST Try This Winter

I'm a dry-skinned person, so you'd think that I hate winter and love summer. Winter is the harbinger of major snowfall, dry central heat, and cold-cracked hands. What's the love if you're already used to having a tight, flaky, scratchy face?

In my experience, plenty. I've whined about this before and I'll whine about it again: I don't like summer. It's sticky, it breaks my face out in heat and sun rashes, and it makes me sweat a lot. I'm a fussy-fussy-two-by-four and I hate sweating. I'd much rather be cuddled up in a sweater with a cup of hot cocoa in my hands and a layer of mega-rich cream on my face.

Because winter is not easy on the skin, especially if you're normal to dry all year round, I've decided to list my 10 favorite products for getting through the winter flawlessly.

The Skincare

1. Haus of Gloi Pumpkin Butters - There is nothing else like this thick, rich moisturizer when my body feels dry and itchy. Loaded with pumpkin oil and other skin-soothing ingredients, Haus of Gloi's pumpkin butter is one of the only body care products that keeps my skin smooth and soft during the winter. See full review here.

2. MAC Strobe Cream - MAC Strobe Cream is best known as a highlighter, but it's actually created to be, and marketed as, a lightweight moisturizer with light-reflecting properties. Of course, you can use it as a highlighter--I certainly do--but it also works great under makeup to add a glow to your face. Best of all, it's very affordable: a 1oz bottle is just $10! See more info here.

3. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, fragrance free - My love, my baby, my wooblet. There are plenty of other hand creams I've enjoyed (L'occitane's wide selection comes to mind), but if my fingers are cracked and ashy, and I'm trying to get them back to square one? Nothing works as well as this drugstore gem. I also use it on the end of my nose after a sinus infection or cold to heal chapped skin.

4. Paula's Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment - This is PC's most potent AHA exfoliator, with 10% glycolic acid. I've noticed a marked improvement in my skin's texture since I switched from physical to chemical exfoliants, and I'm in love with this thin, lightweight formulation. I use it once a week--usually on Friday nights--and wake up with noticeably softer, smoother, more even skin. More details in the upcoming Sample Rundown #4.

The Base Products

5. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - Now that my skin is behaving itself and the "tan" on my face is starting to fade, I can often get away with a spot of concealer and a dusting of powder. This new NARS concealer has quickly become a staple in my routine, thanks to its blendable medium coverage and creamy formula that sits beautifully on the skin. I love it so much that, when my makeup bag was stolen from me a few months back, I immediately rushed out and bought another tube.

6. Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee - How have I not written about these little wunderkinds before?! They're one of the newest additions to the Josie Maran line, and I'd argue that they're already cult classics. The lightweight gel-texture formula sits beautifully on even the driest cheeks, lasts for at least 6 hours, and is glowy enough to eliminate the need for highlighter.

7. Ecotools powder brush - My skin gets more sensitive in the winter, so I need the softest tools out there. The Ecotools powder brush tops that list: it's as soft and fluffy as a kitten's paw. It's also very, very affordable! I've had this particular brush for at least 5 years, and I've had zero problems with ferrule glue loosening or brush hairs falling out.

The Comfortable Colors

8. Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks - I wouldn't call any lipstick truly "moisturizing," but the Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks are about as close as you're going to get. These lipsticks sit comfortably on my lips, even when they're cracked or dry, and have decent staying power. As an added bonus, the color range is phenomenal. See full review here.

9. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade - I used to live in the Great White Frozen North, where strong winds would whip up the mountains of snow and fling them right in to your face. One of my biggest annoyances with this was how it wiped off my eye makeup. That's not a problem with Anastasia' new Dipbrow Pomade. Although the creamy formula has a slight learning curve, it's a dream once you get used to it thanks to the pigmentation and long wear time. This stuff lasts over 12 hours on my face, through wind, rain, and anything else Mother Nature throws at me. Full review coming soon.

10. NYX Butter Gloss - I'm not a gloss person, but if I was? I'd load up on these. At just $5 apiece, these glosses are just as buttery and smooth as the name suggests. They manage to stay on your lips without bleeding all over the place, but they're not especially sticky, which is quite a feat. And the color range? Phenomenal.

REVIEW: MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation

I recently swapped for a few generous foundation samples. At the top of my to-try list: MAC Studio Fix Fluid in the shade NW13. Now, NW13 is a bit darker than I would normally go for, seeing as my neck is N5 with cool yellow undertones. It's also touted as a matte foundation with decent wear time--not exactly at the top of the list for dry-skinned people. Regardless, I'm one of those people who is going to try just about every pale-ish foundation she can get her hands on.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid is advertised as a "modern foundation that combines a natural matte finish and medium, buildable coverage with broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF15 protection." It comes in a whopping 35 shades, ranging from relatively pale to quite dark (NW58!), and costs $27 for 1oz. Essentially, this is supposed to be a gentler, liquid version of the infamous Studio Fix powder foundation, which is full-coverage and uber-matte.

From left to right: MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW13, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, Paula's Choice Sheer Matte Tint in Level 1, Makeup Forever Matte Velvet + in #15.

Straight off the bat, I dislike the undertones in this product. Yes, there are some people who are super-pink or super-yellow, but new shades with more neutral, less extreme undertones would really improve this line. Also, let me repeat that I knew NW13 was going to match my face and not my neck; I still wanted to test out the formula and compare it to some similar shades. For the record, NARS Chantilly is the same shade as my neck.

Here's my face before and after a layer of MAC SFF, applied with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. (Don't be fooled by how pale it appears in the after picture: like many foundations, SFF applies very light, then oxidizes to its "real shade" in about 15-20 minutes.) It certainly does provide medium coverage with a satin-matte finish. So just like what it says on the can!

...kind of. MAC claims that this foundation is easy to apply and blend, but I found it to be quite streaky. I really had to buff the product in to get an even finish. I also found it difficult to build up the coverage, since a second layer made the product look very dry and cakey, even when I tested it out with a damp Beauty Blender. To be fair, one layer managed to look matte without looking fake or powdery, and that's pretty impressive on my dry skin.

My approval faded as the day went on. First of all, the foundation started to feel kind of itchy and heavy on my face, particularly around my temples and chin. That rarely happens, but it always turns me off.

What really killed it for me, though, was how the foundation wore on my combination-dry skin. Compare the picture on the left (freshly applied) to the picture in the middle (after 2 hours) and on the right (after 4 hours). I stayed in the air conditioning all day, and I only get super-oily on my nose--the rest of my face is normal or dry in the summer time. So how the Hell am I so shiny?! I thought this was supposed to be a "long-wearing," "natural matte" product--where the Hell is the grease coming from?!

Hence, Studio Fix Fluid isn't striking me as the best option for oily skin or summer outings. Oh, but it gets better...

...it broke me out.

Let's be clear: I am not one of those people who derisively refers to the brand as "MACne." I do not believe that all MAC foundations are the devil for acne-prone people, and I strongly dislike the internet rumors that every MAC foundation is going to eat your face alive. My personal opinion is that MAC is a "gateway" brand for many people, including people who are sensitive to a large number of ingredients and/or do not yet know how to properly remove their makeup at the end of the day. If more people are trying your stuff, you're bound to run in to more people with bad experiences. I've tried a number of MAC foundations over the past decade without a hitch, including Face & Body, which has been my Holy Grail for going on 3 years now.

That's why Studio Fix Fluid's negative impact on my skin is so weird. My breakouts usually consist of a few very deep, painful cysts, and they're primarily caused by internal factors (stress, diet, hormones, etc). This is one of the only external factors that has ever prompted a breakout, and the pimples are tiny pustules and white heads. They're also in weird places, like my nose (pictured above) and my temples. I was so surprised by the breakout that I actually tried to figure out what, besides SFF, could've caused it...but SFF was the only thing I changed in my regular routine.

In the end, my breakout has nothing to do with my overall rating of MAC Studio Fix Fluid. We all break out from different things, and there's just something in the formula that doesn't agree with me, simple as that. Rather, I have a hard time recommending a product that's supposed to be demi-matte and long-wearing, then doesn't last for even 2 hours on dry skin. It's also a bit uncomfortable to apply and wear. I'll give them some props, though, for having some darker shades, even if the undertones are extreme.

RATING: 2 out of 5.

BOGL's Current No/Low Makeup Routine

 

"No Makeup Makeup" is a popular breed: makeup so sheer, so seamlessly blended, and so perfectly close to your skintone, nobody realizes you're even wearing makeup. They just think you're practically perfect in every way. After years of testing and trying, I've finally figured out how to achieve this look on my face.

However, I don't really care to look like I'm not wearing ANYTHING if I've taken the time to paint my face. And anybody with decent eye sight and some knowledge of cosmetics is going to look at the above picture and say, "Yeah, she penciled her eyebrows, and there's something on her mouth." That's fine by me...as long as my skin looks completely bare to the naked eye. ;)

I prefer to call this routine "Low Makeup Makeup." Again, I like to pencil my brows, and I like to put something (either a very rich balm or a bright lipstick) on my lips with this routine, and people are going to notice that. But the average person has a hard time spotting any other products on my face, and I kinda dig that. Here's my current routine:

1. Dot NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly where needed, and in very small amounts. Today, that meant a few dots under my eyes, on some forehead and chin blemishes, over my lip scar, and on the tip of my nose. Pat in with fingers.

2. Gently blend a dime-sized amount of Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint in Shade 1 all over face, ears, and neck, skipping only my eyebrows and lips. Doing foundation after concealer is usually a no-no because you may overdo it and apply too much product, and you can rub off your concealer; I find that the NARS concealer stays pretty well put, however, and applying this tinted moisturizer second seems to blend it all together.

3. Pat some MAC Strobe Cream on to the high points of the face. For me, that means under my brows and on the tops of my cheekbones.

4. Apply a very small amount of Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon to the apples of the cheeks. Add more as is necessary; for example, I usually like to blend tiny amounts backwards from my cheekbone towards my temples.

6. Apply a coat of mascara to the top lashes. I usually go for CoverGirl Clump Crusher, and I just use the lightest pressure possible to avoid "overdoing" it.

7. Pencil in brows with Shu Uemura Hard Formula Brow Pencil in Seal Brown. Soften and smooth the pencil with a brow spoolie or fingers. If my brows are being uber-wonky and won't stay in place, I'll glue them down with Anastasia Clear Brow Gel.

8. Dust a small amount of Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte powder foundation through the t-zone. I skip this step when my skin is at its driest.

9. For a super-lazy look, I apply a glossy balm like Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream or pure lanolin. If I want to look like I put in a bit more effort--or if I'm just in the mood for a bolder look--I slap on a bright, matte lipstick.

5 Underrated Must-Try Products

MAC Face & Body foundation, Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow pencil, Skindinavia, CoverGirl Clump Crusher...these are all products I love and blog about regularly. But I'm not the only one: those are true cult favorites, the kind of stuff most beauty bloggers have at least tried, if not recommended. Raving on about them would be pretty pointless, not because they aren't worth it, but because you've probably already heard of them.

I'd like to take a different route today. Here are 5 products I absolutely adore and recommend on a weekly basis, but you never see them mentioned on YouTube or the blogosphere.

Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint -- The best tinted moisturizer I've ever tried.  It definitely is sheer and matte, but that doesn't mean it's non-existent or chalky. This will even out your skintone and provide some coverage, and while it certainly isn't a dewy product, it also isn't flat or drying. It lasts decently on my oily nose and looks like bare, healthy skin on the rest of my face. I also love that it has SPF 30, which is more than the standard SPF15 in most tinted moisturizers. If I'm in a hurry, I'll slap this on as my sunscreen, foundation, and concealer.

Elizabeth Arden Crystal Clear Gloss -- I've been very vocal about my dislike of gloss, with its goopy texture and poor staying power, so putting a gloss on a Top 5 list might seem suspect. But I can't deny it: this stuff is the best. It's completely clear, so I can use it over any lipstick or lip pencil, and it's thick enough to stay on my lips without feathering, but not so sticky that it's uncomfortable. A matte lip will almost always be the longest-lasting lip, but I will say that this stuff doesn't eat through my lip color the way most thinner, more slippery glosses do. And it looks nice on bare lips and eyelids, too!

Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glows -- These pigmented cream blushes don't come in a wide range of colors, but the colors they DO come in are all gorgeous. I currently own Isadore (pictured) and Tansoleil, and they're both staples in my collection. The texture is slightly tacky under your fingers, but the product is weightless on my face and blends out like a dream. One of the cool things about these is that they show up true-to-life on camera. If you're like me and you use HD on the regular, you know that's a big deal, since you usually have to pile blush on and look like a clown in real life to get it to show on film.

Elizabeth Arden Lip Fix Cream -- Sometimes described as a "balm" or "moisturizing," this product is truly neither. It's not DRYING, but it's not going to make your lips plump and luscious, either. What it will do is smooth over the surface of your lips, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and prevent feathering when you apply your lipstick. And if you wear as many bold lip colors as I do? It's an absolutely invaluable tool.

E.L.F Makeup Remover Pen -- A $3 miracle worker. I'm a complete slob when it comes to applying my mascara, and I still make the occasional mistake when I wing out my eyeliner. This guy cleans up even the most waterproof makeup in a second, and it's perfect for removing the littlest boo-boo without messing up the rest of your face. The tip is 2-sided, so if one end gets filthy (and the one pictured here is, oops), you can just flip it around. Store it straight up with the tip pointed down for the best results.

And here's a picture of me wearing all five products. (Purposely taken straight on instead of at my usual 3/4 profile, because the Blogger Head Tilt was mentioned on Makeup Alley recently and I decided to break the habit at least once. Shots like this actually make it clear why I tilt my head, but whatever, here it is, nobody's perfect, move along, nothing to see here.)

Last Minute Gift Guide

The Bad Outfit, Great Lipstick Last Minute Gift Guide

I'm not usually the kind of person who gets in to "gift guides" or "stocking stuffer ideas" posts and videos. I think gifts should be personal, sentimental, and based completely on the receiver's personal interests. But a few friends have requested a list of recommendations for different "groups" of people, ideas for gifts that will please a sizable chunk of the population and fit a range of budgets. And as I'm never opposed to recommending new products or taking pictures of pretty makeup...

So here you have it: a quick and dirty list of readily available, $30-or-less stocking stuffers and Secret Santa hopefuls!

The Special Edition Sampler: Best Bite Set, $25 at Sephora

This adorable set of 4 Bite Beauty lip pencils comes in a super-cute, Christmasy-but-not-over-the-top tin that needs no extra wrapping. It includes 4 very different shades--a nude, a red, a plum, and a limited edition cranberry color--and is a great way to try a new brand. You can give one special person the entire set, or you can give 4 friends/children/aunts/whatever one pencil apiece based on their personal style.

Skincare Stocking Stuffer: Paula's Choice Lip Perfecting Gentle Scrub, $10 at PaulasChoice.com

Lip exfoliants would be way more popular if they were all as gentle and easy-to-use as this guy. The formulation is a soft, white cream with microbeads that you rub in to your lips to gentle slough off dead skin, leaving your lips supple and smooth. It's almost impossible to overdo it with this product, and you could definitely use it every day without trouble. For a little extra, you can purchase this cute set, which comes with the lip scrub and an all-over balm.

Cheap Find: Wet n' Wild Eyeshadow Palette in Comfort Zone, $5 at Walgreens.com

You don't have to empty your wallet to get a great beauty gift. The Wet n' Wild eyeshadow palettes are a fantastic budget buy, especially this collection of neutrals and greens called Comfort Zone. The shades are buttery, super-pigmented, and long-lasting. If the person you're buying for isn't into neutrals, no fears: there are several other palettes and sets, some super-bright, some soft and pastel. Be forewarned, though, that these shadows are a little delicate: don't shove them in a stocking if they'll be crushed or smacked around, because you'll end up with a powdery mess.

Great for Teens: Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint, $17 at PaulasChoice.com

The whole "this is great for teenagers!" line usually grates on me, because I think those tender years are best left to experimentation and personal taste. But I have to admit that most young people aren't quite used to carefully cleaning their faces--which can lead to acne and skin problems--and have a tendency to overdo it with heavy foundations and thick eyeliner. (Not that I have any experience with that...) So if you have a youngin' who is just starting to like makeup, consider a sheer, comfortable product like this tinted moisturizer. It's easy to use and to remove, and it has the added benefit of SPF30 protection.

"They'd never buy it for themselves, BUT...": Makeup Forever Uplight Gel Luminizer, $29 at Sephora

Okay, okay, so I brag on this product a LOT, and you're all sick of it. But I really do think this is one of the most underrated highlighter formulations out there. Not only do you get three different finishes--dewy, shimmery, and glittery--but you also get a lightweight, layerable formula that's easy enough for newbies to manage and sophisticated enough for highlighter addicts to appreciate. My personal favorite shades are #11, this dewy pink that flatters fair faces, and #23, a dramatic, shimmery gold that looks beautiful on deeper skintones.

For the Easy-Going Beauty Fiend: Becca Beach Tints, $25 at BeccaCosmetics.com

Not everybody is as makeup obsessed or anal retentive as I am. Some people want a product that's easy to use in a variety of situations. Becca Beach Tints definitely fit that bill. Semi-sheer and packed in to travel-friendly tubes, these little beauties are great on your bare face or over foundation. They're particularly popular with--surprise surprise--beach goers! I personally don't care for the formulation on my lips, but they are a multi-use product that can be used all over your face, which will make them even more appealing to low-maintenance friends.

REVIEW: Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF30

Fair warning: I look like a deer in the headlights for most of these pictures. I'm not sure why, but that's how it is. So just...ignore my stupid face and look at the product.

ANYWAY. The product at hand is the Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF30 in the lightest shade (Level 1, Fair/Light). It was sent to me and highly recommended by Kristina, the blogosphere purveyor of all things Paula's Choice. Kristina assured me that this product would be light enough for my skintone (N5 at its lightest, but most often around N10) and comfortable for my combination-dry skintype (since one of my biggest problems is finding foundations that are suitable for dryer skin). I refused to believe her. I should've had more faith.

This tinted moisturizer does exactly what it says it'll do: it gives you a very sheer, light coverage that's matte, but more along the lines of "natural skin" matte, not soul-suckingly-dry-flake-exaggerating matte. It's not as invisible as some tinted moisturizers--I'd say that the coverage is just below a single layer of MAC Face & Body. So while you'll still need concealer for zits and undereye circles, you'll notice that your skin looks more even and smooth with very little product or effort.

The Sheer Matte Tint has a surprisingly thick texture, given how sheer the coverage is, but it smooths in to the skin beautifully and doesn't feel heavy. It applies best with fingers. And while I don't rely on my makeup for my sunscreen on most days, the SPF30 is a bonus for days when I really do have to rush out the door.

I was also quite impressed with the staying power of this tinted moisturizer. I always add undereye concealer and a bit of powder through my t-zone, but even then, I tend to get a bit of fading throughout the day. The Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint looked pretty darn good for an entire 12 hour day, probably because it is matte, so it's less likely to slide around.

TOP: Paula's Choice; BOTTOM: Tarte

It's rare to find tinted moisturizers that are workable for dry, super-pale skin, so I wanted to compare the Paula's Choice TM in Fair/Light to the Tarte Tinted BB Treatment in Fair. Both cost about $25 for 1oz, are sheer and blendable, and contain SPF30. The Paula's Choice provides a little more coverage, however, and has a more matte finish. It's also a shade darker: I'd guesstimate that the Sheer Matte Tint would work for N10-15 skin, whereas the BB Treatment is lighter and still works for me when I'm N5. Lastly, the texture is quite different: the Tarte TM has a very silicone-y feel. Between the two, I'm more likely to repurchase the Paula's Choice; while they're both great, the Sheer Matte Tint's higher coverage makes it better suited for my emergency makeup bag.

A finished face, including a small amount of blotting powder in the t-zone and undereye concealer.

Overall, I'm super-impressed with this product and will gladly repurchase it.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

You can purchase this product at PaulasChoice.com.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask Mini-Review and a FOTD

I recently received a few Paula's Choice goodies in a swap with a friend, including the Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask. My skin is generally quite dry, though I do get oily on my eyelids and nose, and I've been experiencing a certain "lack of glow" from the super-high amount of sunscreen I wear on a regular basis. I figured this mask would be a great way to treat myself and restore some moisture and plumpness to my battered face.

The product is generally scentless and incredibly gentle on the skin; it feels like I'm rubbing on a light lotion or gel. I didn't experience any tingling or pain...in fact, it felt like I just had something wet on my face. This mask doesn't dry or get sticky, but rather stays quite wet, which meant I had to stumble around my house glasses-less for 20 minutes. Rinsing this mask off was the best part of the whole experience: when it comes in contact with water, it softens up even  more and feels almost like a cleansing milk.

Unfortunately, this didn't do anything for my skin. While it didn't cause me any problems, it didn't add any moisture, either. It was also a little difficult to rub on my nightly moisturizer, as my skin had a vaguely rubbery texture for several hours after I'd removed the mask. I'm assuming this mask would work better for skin that's far less dry than most of mine, but it did nothing for me. Such a shame. :( RATING: 2 out of 5.

On a brighter note, here's my FOTD! I'm testing out a very matte foundation (Kat Von D Lock It), so I decided to go full-on 90s and keep the rest of my face neutral-and-matte. It's not a look I'd wear regularly, but eh, it was fun to do.

I'm also hoping to do another $20 face; I just need to find a base product that fits the bill!

BASE: Kat Von D Lock It foundation in #42, Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx02

EYES: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Shu Uemura Hard Formula brow pencil in Seal Brown, Benefit They're Real! mascara, Wet n' Wild eyeshadow in Brulee, MAC Matte eyeshadow in Wedge, Bobbi Brown gel liner in Espresso Ink

CHEEKS: MAC Satin blush in Fleur Power

LIPS: Bobbi Brown Creamy lip liner in Melon, unknown MAC lipstick