Top Ten Tuesdays: Top Ten Foundations

I Bought It Press Sample Affiliate Link

It is time for Top Ten Tuesdays! This week we are sharing our Top Ten Foundations. Over the years, I have really grown to love foundation. Nothing perfects your skin better! There are quite a few in my current makeup rotation. From liquid to powder and matte to dewy or sheet to full coverage, I really do like a variety of formulations and finishes. It just depends on my mood and what look and feel I want on that particular day. So, without further ado, here is my list! I have both high end and drugstore loves to share! :) 

Top Ten Tuesdays: Top Ten Foundations:

• Rimmel | Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation with Comfort Serum: This is one of my newest favorites and it is a drugstore formula! Love the smooth feel and great coverage. Not to mention, Light Porcelain is a perfect match for me! What to hear more, check out my full blog review of this beautiful foundation here. :) 

• MAC | Studio Fix Powder Foundation: This is my longest running favorite foundation! Actually, this is the first foundation that I ever wore on a regular basis. For day-to-day/everyday wear, I prefer the ease of dusting a light layer of powder foundation. The coverage of this powder is just amazing. Just an easy and light dusting really perfects my skin and leaves me looking flawless. NC15 is a perfect match for me in this foundation. I am never without this. As soon as I run out, I always buy more. Also, sometimes I layer this over a lighter coverage liquid foundation to increase coverage. Love, love, love this! 

• Laura Mercier | Silk Creme Moisturizing Foundation: This foundation has the most beautiful feel! I adore everything about it and reach for it often. This foundation comes in both moisturizing and oil-free formulations. 

• It Cosmetics | Celebration Foundation: This is a fabulous powder foundation! It is packed with anti-aging ingedients. So, like all IT Cosmetics products, it is good for your skin while giving you a flawless finish! While it is a powder, it has a luxurious creamy feel and fabulous luminous coverage.

• COVERGIRL | Ready, Set, Gorgeous Foundation: The Classic Ivory shade is a pretty good match for me in the Summer when my complexion is slightly darker. While I do wish this was slightly lighter, I still love the look, feel, and coverage of this foundation. Plus, the price is great! 

• Urban Decay | Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup: Like the name states, this foundation feels weightless on your skin. This foundation honestly looks like "real skin"...but better! It is so natural, so light, and so flawless while still giving good coverage. Plus the shade 0.5 Cool/Very Fair is a perfect match for me. 

• Shiseido | UV Protective Stick Foundation: This stick foundation from Shiseido is phenomenal! It is water-resistant and it contains SPF. So, it is a perfect Summer foundation for me. The shade Fair Ivory is a decent match for my skin tone (just slightly too dark...but, it works in the Summer when I am slightly darker and self-tanning). This glides on smoothly and it is a perfect small size for your purse for touch-ups! 

• Lancome | Teint Visionaire Skin Correcting Makeup Duo: I love this 2-in-1 from Lancome! It has a liquid foundation on the bottom that is packed with anti-aging ingredients (contains the active ingredient as Lancome's Visonaire Serum!!!) as well as light-refecting skin enhancers. The top flips up to reveal a creamy concealer. This is a great idea! I use the liquid all over and then use the concealer to give more coverage where I need it on my face. I love how my skin looks with this: flawless with a dewy glow. Beautiful! I wear shade #100 Ivoire. 

• tarte | Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation: As much as I have grown to love liquid formula foundations, I admit that for "easy makeup" days, I always reach for a powder formula. This is so fast and easy to apply. It has all good ingredients in it, too. I like the natural finish (not totally matte). You can build coverage from light-full depending on how you apply. I apply it with tarte's brush and it looks flaweless. Plus, this really lasts all day! I wear the shade fair-light neutral.

• NARS | Sheer Glow Foundation: This hydrating and luminous formula leaves my skin looking so perfected while feeling so light on my skin. The shade match of Siberia is spot on to my skintone in the Winter. So, this is a perfect foundation for right now! Love, love, love it!

So, that is it! My Top 10 Foundations. If I was forced to choose a Top 3 out of this list, they would be NARS Sheer Glow, MAC Studio Fix, and Urban Decay Naked Skin because those three are the best matches for my ultra light skin tone. However, all ten of these really are fabulous! So, be sure to check them out. Also, be sure to scroll through the thumbnails below to see what my fellow Top Ten Tuesdays Bloggers picked for their foundation favorites! :) xoxo

Affiliate Link

Perfect Pink Blushes for Valentines Day from NARS: Lisa from Beauty Info Zone Shares her Faves!!!

 Affiliate Link Press Sample/Purchased by Blogger

The lovely Lisa from Beauty Info Zone shares some of her favorite pink blushes from NARS! If you haven't already, please check out the Beauty Info Zone blog written by Lisa and Marcia. These ladies know their makeup! Thanks again Lisa for the Guest Post below. :)

Nothing completes a perfect Valentine's Day look better than an awesome pink blush.  NARS makes the best powder blushes ever, and they have four pink shades that are just different enough to justify having each one in your collection. The $29 you spend is worth every penny because these blushes last almost forever.

Nars Angelika Blush is a 'cotton candy pink with gold and silver sparkle'.  That silver pan at the bottom of the blush solves the mystery of which shade is my favorite.   I have 20 Nars blushes and this is the only one I have hit pan on - mostly because they are so pigmented I only need one light swipe to get great color that lasts all day. The sparkles in Angelika aren't obvious, somehow they morph into 'glow' and really wake up your complexion. However, if you aren't looking for sparkle, check out Desire - it's the same shade only matte.

Nars Desire Blush is a 'matte cotton candy pink'.  This is Angelika without the shimmer.  I find that Desire is even more pigmented than the other blushes...a light hand is essential to avoid a clownish appearance. But used correctly this is amazing.

NARS Gaiety Blush is a 'bright candy pink'.  It is a natural, fresh, and glowy lighter shade of pink.  Gaiety is a newer addition to my collection, I love the cool blue toned pink because it is light with buildable color.

NARS Mata Hari is a 'pink with a trace of crimson' . This matte pf Nar's pinkshades leans a little plum.  It's a natural shade but use a light hand because it is super pigmented.

Any one of these gorgeous pink blushes will make a perfect Valentine's Day.  Lisa from Beauty Info Zone

Makeup Wars: Favorite Foundations

I Bought It Affiliate Link Press Sample

It is time for another Makeup War! This time the Makeup Wars bloggers are sharing their favorite foundations! 

My Skin:

Just for reference, lets talk about my skin! I always like to know a product reviewer's skintone and skin type. I am extremely fair and have sensitive skin. Many makeup lines (especially drugstore) do not have shades light enough for me. Often, in the lines that do go light enough, I am the very lightest shade. My tone is neutral-cool, sometimes a cool tone is the best match and sometimes neutral works better. It just depends. I admit, it is hard to match skintone! Often I think something matches, and then I take it home, and realize it doesn't. There is so much trial and error here. I find that the true test is looking at your foundation in natural light and checking it against your neck and jawline. My go-to blogger for foundation recommendations? The fabuous Phyrra! I find that I often wear the same shade as her or close to the same shade.

Foundation is an essential part of my Makeup Routine. I will fully admit that for everyday, I often opt for just a light dusting of my favorite powder foundation: MAC's Studio Fix in NC 15. However, when I have more time, or just really want to perfect my skin, I use a liquid foundation or a heavier-coverage BB Cream. My go-to BB Cream these days? Clinique's Age Defense BB Cream in Shade #01. My current favorite liquid foundation? Urban Decay's Naked Skin in Shade # 0.5. It looks so natural, the color match is fabulous, and it just makes my skin look great! In addition to these listed above, there are many other foundations that I love! Here are all of the ones that I am currently loving and always reaching for! What I pick to wear on a particular day just depends on the type of finish and coverage I am looking for. :) 

Makeup Wars: Favorite Foundations with Neutrogena, Laura Mercier, Urban Decay

So, here are my current favorite go-to and most-reached-for foundations (in no particular order):

• Clinique's Age Defense BB Cream in Shade #01
• MAC Studio Fix in NC15
• Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in Shade 0.5
• NARS Sheer Glow in Light 1 "Siberia"
• Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation in Soft Ivory
• Paula's Choice Resist Instant Smoothing Anti-Aging Foundation in Level 0 Porcelain
• Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Finish Foundation in #1
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup in Classic Ivory

Do you have super-duper fair skin like me? What foundations do you like? I would love more recommendations! What foundations are "missing" from my collection? 

Be sure to click on the thumbnail links below to see what foundations my fellow Makeup Wars bloggers are using and loving! :)

Shop the Post:
Here are my Faves:

XOXO!!!

I Bought It Affiliate Link Press Sample
Some items were press samples and some I bought on my own. 
I have purchased many of these over and over! :)  

Makeup Wars! Most Expensive Face Challenge!!!

Us Makeup Wars bloggers are at it again! This time we are battling it out over who can create the most expensive face. I know, we are nutty!!! lol But, I love that about us!

You may remember our $20.00 Makeup Challenge? Well, this Most Expensive Face challenge is the antithesis of that. We are trying to create the most expensive face that we can with items that we already have on hand. I am talking the whole face here my dear readers: skincare, beauty tools, and makeup. Yikes!

I think that participating in this challenge will be eye opening. As much as I like my expensive skincare, makeup, and tools, the vast majority of my beauty collection is inexpensive. Actually, I pride myself on discovering inexpensive beauty gems that work just as great as high end products. But, when I need to, I can whip out some pricey items from my collection. While I don't buy expensive items as often, I find that when I do, I use the crap out of them! For me, expensive items are typically VERY well researched purchases. I will often test samples of expensive items extensively before even considering purchasing. So, my point is that my collection really is a mix of high end and inexpensive items. If an item works for me, I like it reguardless of price.

Disclaimer:
I feel that this Most Expensive Face post really does need a big disclaimer. I truely and honestly believe that you do not need to spend a lot of money to look like a million bucks! You can easily find high quality skincare, makeup, and beauty tools at drugstore prices. So, please don't read this post with a mind-set that you *should* create the most expensive face that you can. In real life, I never set out to use the most expensive items that I can. Nor do my total face looks usually contain all expensive items. Typically, my face is done with a total mix of high and low end products. This post is just for fun ya'll! Also, keep in mind that I am a beauty blogger and I collect beauty products and makeup. These products have been collected over time. I certainly could not afford to go out and get all these items at once. Whew!!! As a blogger, I get professional samples of products and have a wide variety of expensive and inexpensive items at my fingertips (without having to break the bank). Many of the items in this post I purchased myself; but, also many others were professional samples.

I know that even though I am not "that high end" that my total will be WAY too expensive. Especially since Skincare is included. So, lets find out what it takes for me to create my Most Expensive Face!

Review Time!!! NARS The Multiple

Sorry for the fingerprints on these! As you can see, the packaging kinda attracts fingerprints!

You can see these are "well loved" LOL! 

Here I am with another rave review: NARS Multiples!!! Love these!

Generally speaking, I love the idea of mulit-purpose products. NARS really delivers with these Multiples. These are blush/highlighter/lip/eye colors in one big fat stick.

The formula is somewhat creamy-but not moisturizing; and, I find that its best use is as a blush or highlighter. The product is just slightly too dry to be used on the lips on its own as a lipstick (but you can "make it work" with some gloss on top). As an eyeshadow, it wears "okay", but tends to crease on the lid. As a blush, or cheekbone/brow bone highlight...absolutely perfect!!! Totally love it as a blush/highlight.

The low-down:

• Now these are pricey, but they are HUGE. So, the product will last forever. 
• I love the "portability" of stick blushes! Just toss into your purse for easy touch-ups.
• Great for travel too as you don't need any makeup brushes to apply. 
• Easy to apply: Just swipe on or apply with fingers, blend, and that's it! 
• Features sleek NARS packaging (I love the simplicity of the NARS black packaging with the cool texture and white letters. Sleek and simple).
• Downside: While the packaging is sleek and cool, it has that "texture" that can attract makeup dust/fingerprints over time. 

I have 3 lovely shades:



Copacabana (the highlighter): I will start with my favorite Multiple! This is hands-down, my favorate cream highlighter. It is just the perfect champagne/pearl shade (with very a "glowy" shimmer) for my uber-pale skin. Gives great glow!!! Some highlighters just make you look glittery...not this one. We are talking the kind of glow that gets you those "you have good skin" compliments! I use when I am totally finished with my makeup...I just dab a bit on the tops of my cheekbones and sometimes my brown bone for a very glowy/beautiful look! I occasionally used it as a "wash" of color on my eyelids, but have experienced some creasing when I wear it on my lids. So, if you apply to your lids, do so with a light hand. I will totally purchase this again when I run out (if I ever do!) I have been using this forever and still have a TON of product left. So, you really get your moneys worth here!

Antibes:
A pretty plummy/purplish (mauve) pink. So pretty as a blush!!! I think this pinky shade is ideal for cool toned fair-skinned girls like myself. It applies very subtle. Swipe and blend and go! Beautiful! I also like this on the lips with a dab of gloss on top. Pretty! This one does have a bit of a "drier" texture than my other two multiples...but, I must mention that I have had this product forever so, it might have dried out a bit. I noticed this shade is no longer on the NARS website?

Malibu:
As the name implies, this pinky/brown stick gives a nice natural "beachy" warm glow as it has a bit of bronze in it. Very creamy stick. It applies and blends very well onto the cheeks. It looks so natural and pretty, and, well, just wearable! :) There is a very slight bronzy shimmer to this. I apply this with a light hand to my super pale skin.

Swatches: Okay, obviously you would blend these out on your cheeks. But, I wanted to 

show you the color vividly. Left to right: Malibu, Copacabana, Antibes

Hope you enjoyed reading! These Multiples are great! If you find a shade that you truly love, they are worth the investment as they will last you forever!!! I really would like to try some more shades (especially the iridescent pink "Luxor"-has anyone out there tried that one?)

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!
XOXO!
Pammy

Covering Dark Under-Eye Circles: My Top 5 Concealers:

I am on the constant quest to find the *perfect* under eye concealer. I have terrible dark circles due to my fair skin tone (thin skin?), allergies, heredity, and general lack of sleep (I have to get up *so* early for work). I mean; seriously, without makeup, I look like I have black eyes! I really never leave the house without at least some under eye concealer. Since there is no "miracle cure" for dark circles (although, I sure do try a LOT of eye creams and treatments with hope that something will help), I focus my efforts on finding the best concealer possible.  Most concealers on the mass market just don't provide enough coverage for my dark circles; and, generally drugstore concealers are too dark for my ultra-pale skin. I need to whip out the "big guns" for my uber-dark circles!

Here is what I am looking for in a concealor:

• Opaque coverage (buildable)
• non-cakey
• texture: creamy (but not "too" moist)
• long lasting (needs to not "melt" in the GA heat)

I find that I rotate concealers depending on how much coverage I need on certain days (and how much time I have to get ready in the morning). Sometimes my dark circles are less apparent (when I am getting more sleep and allergies are not being bothered).

So far, here are my front runners (and I do apologize that some are discontinued! So, please help me in my search for more alternatives): Also, note: I listed the colors I use, for very fair skin (for reference, I am a NC 15 in MAC).

• Sheseido Optimal Cover Concealer in C2 Beige Yellow: This one is the best! But, unfortunately discontinued. It is amazing. This product comes in a little jar and is HIGHLY pigmented. A very very TINY amount provides FULL coverage, blends well, and lasts all day without any caking. Also, the color is ideal for dark circles...it is a peach/yellow color that completely neutralizes under-eye darkness. I do not apply this to the whole under eye area...just the areas that are the darkest. So, I layer this over other more sheer concealers (like MAX factor Erase stick in Fair). So, I consider this a 2-step concealer. I believe the testure of this would be too heavy over the whole eye area. But, for those super dark areas...perfect! It took awhile to get the hang of application. If you put too much, it is way too cakey. The key is to apply a SMALL amount. A little goes a LONG way. This was my HG ("Holy Grail") until I found that it was discontinued. I have had my little pot of this product for a long time, and it will likely last for years (I know...I am sure it will eventually go bad, but the product is still working just fine and has shown no signs of "going bad"...I always check it for signs that I need to toss it). If anyone from Shesideo reads this...please bring back this concealer!!!

• NARS stick concealer in Vanilla: This is one that I have repurchased about 5 times. I wish the color was just slightly more peach and the texture just sightly more creamy. But, it does work very well. It is quick and easy to apply this product. And, gives coverage in just one step. Very buildable. Good color for my fair skin. Will likely repurchase yet again. I have also noticed that this concealer wears VERY well in the heat...no melting. Totally covers my circles. 

• MAX Factor Erase stick in Fair: I love this one as it is VERY inexpensive and gives nice (but more sheer that the ones listed above) coverage. The color is slightly peach-ish which works well to counteract the dark circles. I use this when I need lighter coverage...OR when I have time to do my 2-step coverage with this all around the eye and the Shesido just in the super-dark areas. *While adding links to this blog post...I am very happy to discover that Amazon.com sells this concealer!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!! Edit: One of my readers told me this one is no longer sold in US, Europe only; BUT, it is available online (and inexpensive) at Amazon.com and drugstore.com. 

• Benefit Erase Paste: Fair: This is one of my fav "new" concealers that I am trying. So, far...I love it!!! It is a great one-step concealer. I use it in the fair color. As always with BeneFit, it comes very cutely packaged in a little purple jar. This concealer is specifically formulated for the under eye area. It is extremely moist and blendable. Very easy to apply and spread/blend with a concealer brush. It really just melts into your skin. No need to worry about this one settling into any fine lines...the product is so moist. But, you definitely need a setting powder with this otherwise it will not last all day. Coverage is buildable so you can really apply more to those super dark areas. Overall a winner! You get a ton of product so this will last me a LONG time. 

• Amazing cosmetics Amazing concealer in Fair: This one I just recently purchased and have been trying out. It comes in a squeeze tube and is HIGHLY pigmented (the high pigmentation reminds me somewhat of the Sheseido). You only need a very tiny amount for full coverage. Takes some practice to get the application just right (too much would be cakey). With the full coverage, you do sacrifice some spreadability. Therefore, I really recommend using a silicone based primer or silicone based eye cream before applying this product. The silicons will help this blend/melt into your skin. So, that really makes this a 2-step concealer. Very promising as a future HG for me...especially on those days that I really need the heavy coverage. This is for sure the concealer (non-discontinued) that I am the most excited about!

Tips for good concealer application:

• Moisturize eye area first (any eye cream that you like)
• let moisturizer "set in" a few minutes
• Optional: apply a serum to eye area if your skin is extra dry or if you have fine lines (especially if you are applying a very "heavy-duty" concealer like Dermablend or Amazing Cosmetics. I like MAC's mattifying serum
• apply concealer with concealer brush (I use ecotools concealer brush)
• blend out with fingers or cosmetic "wedge" sponge. You dont want your concealer to look cakey and obvious. Blend so it becomes "one" with your skin.
• set with a loose powder (I like Sonia Kashuk transparent loose powder or Benefit Powderflage: FYI review for Powderflage coming soon!)
• pat cosmetic sponge over the concealer +setting powder to keep powder from settling into any fine lines

Concealers I use for other areas of the face:  (just a little bit around my nose area where it can get slightly red): Maybelline Mineral Power concealer in Fair or Bobbi Brown Stick foundation in Porcelain: and FYI: when I am in a hurry I use the Bobbi Brown stick under my eyes too...but, it wont completely cover the circles, but will do in a pinch). I keep the Bobbi Brown Stick in my purse for any touch ups that I might need during the day.

What concealors do you all like? Would love to hear what is working for everyone. Especially those with dark circles. I know that my best friend swears by Dermablend Smooth Indulgence (which I imagine is similar to the Amazing Cosmetics as they are both highly pigmented and in a squeeze tube).

Coming soon:
-BeneFit "review-a-thon"...have quite a few products from this line that I will be reviewing...starting with the Powderflage that I mentioned in this post.

Hope this helps my fellow dark-circle challenged gals out there! Be sure to share your tips in the comments below! :)