Sephora Platinum #55 Airbrush Review!

Sephora Platinum #55 Airbrush

I'm not sure how I got lured into purchasing this brush.. but I did. It is the much talked about airbrush from Sephora. I LOVE Sephora's platinum pro silver handle brushes.. they are all so soft and of really good quality. They are a little more pricey than the regular black handled Sephora brushes.. but if you're looking to invest hundreds in brushes.. these are just as good, if not better than MAC brushes. This brush is said to work hand in hand with Make Up Forever's HD Foundation. It really does work well. This brush is incredibly soft and applies the foundation wonderfully. Through the application the brush stayed soft and the bristles never clumped together. It is also pretty sturdy.. the bristles didn't get pressed down or bend while applying. For Make Up Forever HD, this works better than the duo-fiber stipple brush (for me at least). I find that with thinner consistency foundations this brush works really well. I like using this for Make up Forever Face and Body Foundation as well. For thicker foundations, I still prefer my stipple brush. It definitely made applying foundation a lot quicker.. and I love how its shaped so you can really get close to your eyes and around your brow area well. Overall, I wasn't blown away with this brush, but it's definitely a really nice synthetic foundation brush to have in your collection in opposition to a regular flat brush or the duo-fibre brush. I'm glad I purchased it. 

Have you tried this brush? What are your thoughts?

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation Review!

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 6.5

As I mentioned in post a few weeks ago, I decided to purchase a long time lust of mine. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. At $58.00 for a 1 oz bottle, I was very reluctant to purchase it. But, I finally decided to treat myself to a bottle when the website had a 20% off promotion. I would of done a review sooner, but I had only used it a couple times because I haven't gone out at all since I started my job.. and its too expensive for daily wear. I wore it today though, to really test it out and see how I like it!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: As seen in the press, capture the glow of perfect skin with this award-winning foundation. Luminous Silk foundation is an oil-free fluid with exclusive Micro-fil technology. So weightless, it redefines foundation. Its hydrating fluid glides on seamlessly with a silky texture and all-day, buildable coverage. For all skin types.

• weightless and luminous oil-free fluid
• natural finish
• all-day sheer to moderate coverage

Application techniques:

Apply with the unique blender brush for a radiant, air-brushed finish.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 6.5

Swatches of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, courtesy of Karlasugar.

First of all, I didn't do much research on this product other than knowing it has a really high rating on Makeupalley. While I was waiting for it in the mail, I started to do some research. I had no idea the coverage was sheer to medium. That made me a little nervous because I never purchase sheer foundations. I always purchase buildable medium coverage foundations. They work better for me for an airbrushed look and seem to have a longer lasting power.

The way I applied this was I first prepped my face with moisturizer and then I put one pump of foundation on a clean palette. I used my MAC 187 brush and stippled it all over my face and then buffed my face in light, circular motions. Because its a light foundation, I needed a few pumps to get the desired coverage I wanted.

Thankfully, it didn't seem at all sheer to me. At the moment, my skin is fairly clear, except for a few pimples that are in the process of healing and a little redness in my cheeks. This foundation covered all of that. No redness from my pimple blemishes showed through. My skin was completely flawless. I would say the coverage is a solid medium.

The beautiful thing about this foundation is, it makes it look like I've applied an iluminating tinted moisturizer on completely perfect skin. It doesn't look like a heavy foundation. It just makes my skin appear like I have naturally good, clear skin. And I love that about this! A very natural flawless.

The color is PERFECT for me. It matches my neck to the point. I got the shade 6.5 (Tawny). For reference, I am a MAC NC37-40. A problem that I always have is finding a foundation with the right amount of yellow. If the foundation is the slightest bit pink or peachy, it will not match me. This has the perfect amount of yellow.

Here's a swatch on my hand of shade # 6.5.

Because this makes my skin look fresh and radiant, I like pairing it with a cream bronzer as opposed to a powder. The bronzer I've been pairing this foundation is my Chanel Bronze Universel, and they go together perfectly.

This foundation also claims to be dewy, but on me, it is more of a satin. I don't need much setting powder, just a little on my nose, around my frown lines and under my eyes. The staying power is wonderful, and it doesn't seem to disappear throughout the day. Only after several hours, I'll notice the tip of my nose needs touching up.

I'm definitely adding this to my list of favorite foundations. I think its perfect for days you want to do heavy eye makeup without looking like you have tons of makeup all over your face. Will definitely repurchase!

Follow up (a year later): I am still loving this foundation. A while after this review, I started using my fingers instead of a brush to apply.. and I really like the outcome. I never used my fingers to apply any foundation since I was in high school.. but one day while I was in a hurry, I put a couple of pumps in my hand and applied it quickly to my face as if I was applying moisturizer. I was surprised to see, my face looked as flawless as when I use my brush. By the end of the night, my forehead and nose get shiny.. so i do find it necessary to use a setting powder. This foundation remains a favorite.

My Sept/Oct. Monthly Beauty Favorites!

1) Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes - I have raved about these before.. and I included these in my favorites because I didn't have them for a week and I was LOST. Nothing was removing my makeup as good as these. These are definitely something I always need to have on hand. Nothing compares!
2) Wet n Wild Creme Liner - At $3.99, this stuff is amazing! I've been using it for a liner every day for around 2 weeks. I haven't noticed any fading or crumbling. I think the consistency is a little smoother than MAC Fluidline. I think this is an awesome dupe and worth a try. The brush that comes with it is useless though. I used it and It was like putting straw to your eye lid. It was so coarse it made my eyes water.

3) ELF Studio Blush Brush - Ever since I purchased this, I haven't used anything else. I always liked large fluffy blush brushes.. so I was skeptical if I was going to like it, but this is the size a proper blush brush should be.. so you're applying it to the apples of your cheeks, not your whole cheek. I use it for powdering under my eyes as well since it comes to a point, you can get close to little areas.
4) ELF Studio Powder Brush - Love this brush for everything! I usually use it for my bronzer though. It works awesome for bronzer, blush, powder and foundation.
5) Bed Head After Party - I just purchased this maybe a week ago. Its a product I always wanted to buy, but reluctant because of the price. At ULTA, I think I paid $18.50. Its around the same price at Target and Walgreen's. It makes my hair feel so light and it definitely makes it more shiny and tames my frizzies I get from the flat iron. Love it!
6) GVP Concentrated Leave in Treatment - I use this every time I wash my hair. I love the smell of it. It's hard to tell if a leave in conditioner has helped your hair, but my hair definitely looks healthier than it use to. I don't know if this has been working.. but I always use it and will repurchase.
7) MAC Blot Powder - I already have a dip in this.. its one of my favorite products and I've been using it every day of October. :)
8) Revlon Nude Attitude Lipstick - I've been wearing this every day.. the perfect nude.
9) NYX Smokey Look Megashine Lip Gloss - I've been wearing this every day as well, paired with Revlon Nude Attitude. It's such a pretty color combo. I already purchased a back up tube of this.
10) MAKE UP FOREVER HD Primer - I got two samples from Sephora and I LOVE this primer. I'm not a primer person.. I think a moisturizer works just the same.. but for some reason, I'm really buying into this primer. The consistency is almost like liquid hand soap, and it makes my face the perfect canvas for my foundation. I just may purchase the full size.
11) MAC Sunbasque Blush - This blush hasn't been getting any love lately because I've been so into my pink blushes.. but I pulled this out of the drawer, and was reminded how much I love it! It is the perfect color for the fall and goes so well with my skin tone.

12) Urban Decay Sin Eyeshadow - It's such a pretty frosty tan with a hint of white and pink. I've been using it in the corner of my eyes to brighten my eyes.
13) Biotin - I just started taking these for the health of my hair and nails. My nails are growing quick and they are so hard. They don't bend of break. I'm looking forward to seeing how this stuff works on my hair after daily use.
14) MAC Light over Dark Blush - I've been alternating this with Sunbasque. This is def. a favorite of mine.. as seen in previous posts.
15) MAKE UP FOREVER Lift Concealer - This stuff works wonders ;)

NOTD: OPI Manicurist of Seville!

I went in ULTA the other day to use my coupon and didn't see anything I wanted, so I decided to pick up a new nail polish for the fall. I was torn between tons of deep purples, blacks and blues. But those colors really don't compliment my skin. Or maybe I'm just thinking it doesn't because painting my nails that dark would go out of the norm or what I would usually wear. I'll try some daring colors soon.. But, I did pick up a gorgeous berry. I love wearing reds and burgundies in the fall and winter. This color, OPI's "Manicurist of Seville" is a very pretty deep burgundy with a hint of purple. It is the exact color of a ripened cherry or roses that ave started to wilt.

This is with one coat and clear top coat. With one coat the color will be lighter and more burgundy. With two coats, the purple will really show through and the color will be deep.

Love this! I'll be using it for a while :)