Sally Hansen Natural Beauty (Inspired by Carmindy) Makeup Review and FOTD!

Every once in a while I like to browse product reviews on makeupalley in each category descending from the largest amount of reviews. Last month I found myself taking extra time to look through the highest rated drugstore foundations. That's how I came across Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Foundation. I never heard of it until that point. I know I've seen the "Natural" section before at my local CVS Pharmacy, but I never looked at any of it. Why? Because "Naturals" honestly didn't sound very appealing to me. It automatically makes me think of products that won't have good coverage or products with little to no pigmentation. Call it Cake Face Beauty and I probably would know all about it. Haha! I'm joking, but what's sad is it's probably true.

When I started reading reviews, I quickly realized this foundation is no tinted moisturizer. Several reviews claimed this foundation has an excellent medium coverage.. and compared it to several high end foundations. It's rated a 4/5 based on 326 reviews with a buy back rate of 70%.

Click the screenshot to be redirected to makeupalley's review page for this product!

There are 12 different shades.

Based on reviews, I had it in my mind to get Sandy Beige or Tawny Beige for my MAC NC35-40 skin-tone. I'm usually NC40 all year round, but lately I haven't been self tanning as often as usual. So I've been wearing NC30-NC35 a lot. I knew if the color runs a little light from a NC40, it's no big deal. Just as long as the undertone is correct.

I even read that some NC40's were wearing True Beige and Golden Beige. Golden Beige is a little on the grayish side, so definitely a neutral shade for those of you that don't have much yellow. True Beige definitely has a pink tone to it.

Anyways, once I arrived to ULTA I couldn't find Sally Hansen products anywhere! I was about to leave and I decided to check the clearance rack real quick for good deals. And what did I see? ALL SALLY HANSEN PRODUCTS WERE CLEARANCE. In a way, I was excited because they were half off & in a way I was like "Come on Seriously? You're going to discontinue something good?"

Rest in Peace my beloved Maybelline Shine Free.. We were best friends in high school.. We had plans!! We were supposed to do everything together!! *tear*

Lmao, last night I was talking funny because it was late, and now it's my lack of sleep.

Soo, I ended up getting both Tawny Beige and Sandy Beige. They were I believe.. $6.99 each.

Once I got home and swatched them on my hand, I right away favored Sandy Beige. It's lighter than Tawny Beige and has more of a golden yellow tone to it. Tawny Beige looks almost identical except it is slightly darker and has a slightly.. reddish tint to it? It still has a yellow tone to it, but not as prominent as Sandy Beige. Sandy Beige is more for the lighter NC40's that can go down (nc37) instead of up (nc42).

This picture is taken in a room with fluorescent lighting - no flash


Same room as before, but an area where there is less light - no flash


Comparisons of MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC30 and NC40 to both Sally Hansen Foundations. (The photo is taken with flash)

Application & Review

I've tried two different methods of applying the foundation. I've tried it with my fingers and I've tried it with a MAC 131 Brush. I highly favor the brush method for a flawless look. I found the coverage to a definite medium plus coverage. I found the coverage is similar to MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation. The texture is very creamy and applies very smooth. It reminded me a bit of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk texture wise (thin, not heavy, runny, yet creamy). The end result is a beautiful airbrushed look with a slightly dewyness. I did not find this foundation to be too oily. After I've applied the foundation, I set it with a blot powder and re-blot once later in the day. My makeup stays put till the time I go to sleep. I wore this foundation practically my whole Vegas trip and I loved it (even in extreme heat). Love this stuff & will repurchase.

Here is what it looks like on my face. This picture was taken in the daylight with no flash.



This is basically my plain every day look..

Face:

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty your Skin Makeup in Sandy Beige

MAC Select Cover up Concealer NW25 & a smudge of Lancome Effacernes Concealer

MAC "Pleasureful" Blushcreme

MAC Blot Powder Med. Dark (a light dusting all over my face)

Brows:

MAC "Cork" Eyeshadow

MAC "Girl Boy" Brow Set

Eyes:

MAC "Cork" Eyeshadow (smudged into upper and lower lash line)

MAC "Coco Bar" Liquidlast Liner

Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara Black

Lips:

MAC "Pleasureful" Blushcreme

LA Splash "Sparkling Coral" lip gloss

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty products can be purchased online at CVS.com, Rite-Aid.com and Drugstore.com.

How to avoid your self tanner from settling in your pores & Tips for a perfect tan!

Q: Why is it that when I self tan, the tan settles into my pores and makes them look more noticeable!?

(If you haven't had this happen to you and you don't know what I'm talking about, it's when you apply self tanner and your pores appear darker and more noticeable)

First of all, you're not really going to know if this will happen to you unless you are familiar with the product you are using. Considering everyone's skin reacts differently, you can follow all of the right steps. Shower, exfoliate, shave & moisturize. Then, before you hit the sack you apply the self tanner with pristine skill, wait for it to fully dry and go to sleep. Then you wake up to legs full of dark dots. While your BFF did everything you did, and woke up with legs good enough to be in a Skintimate commercial.

Typically, you are more prone to these spots when you use a self tanner that provides a deep, dark tan with a very dark color guide (color guide: a dark colored lotion, essentially a bronzer that "guides" you from missing spots that a clear lotion can miss).

So, dark self tanners such as: St. Tropez Self Tanning products, SUN Labs Tanning products, St. Moriz, Bare Essentials Faux Tan, Neutrogena Instant Bronze.. shall I go on?

Tips for an Even Tan, Spot Free!

1) Avoid salt & sugar exfoliate. They might sound great because they make your skin feel super soft and give an overall polished look. You think your skin is the perfect canvas. But no, your exfoliate has fooled you. It has just left an oily film on your skin that actually, creates a barrier between your skin and your self tanner. So when you apply your self tanner, your skin isn't absorbing it efficiently. Thus, giving the opportunity of an un-even tan. Also if you're planning on shaving.. a salt exfoliate can irritate your skin. Think. You just revealed new, sensitive, fresh skin cells with the help of large grains of salt and now you're going to shave. I don't know about you, but it makes me cringe. I automatically think about salt on open wounds.. which also makes me think of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. LOL!!! (Don't mind me, it's late) An exfoliation glove works great with a shower gel. Plus, they are inexpensive. You can pick one up at Dollar Tree, for yes.. a dollar. Just buff your skin in gentle, circular motions.

2) Invest in a good razor. Generally, more expensive razors = better quality razors. They tend to protect your skin better (many have an aloe or lotion strip) & will give you the closest shave. You definitely want the closest shave you can get so you won't have to end up shaving over your self tan. Using a cheap razor (please don't get your razors from Dollar Tree while you're there) can irritate your skin once you apply your self tan. I've had it happen before and it stung, a lot!! Really, what's an extra few dollars to spend to have silky smooth, non irritated legs? It's one thing I don't like to go cheap with. That and my Secret Clinical Deodorant (dang you, Secret for charging so much!). I use a Schick Quattro for men and I love it. I change the blades constantly when they dull. If you know your skin in sensitive, try to avoid shaving right before you apply your self tanner. If possible, shave the day before or in the morning if you're planning on tanning at night. Give your skin a little time. Avoid oil based shaving creams or hair conditioner. A shave gel is preferred.

3) The right moisturizer. Moisturizing is a preference. It's not necessary. Some people swear by moisturizing prior to applying their self tanner. Some never use a moisturizer with equally great results. It's whatever you like. Moisturizing your skin may help the self tanner smooth evenly on your skin. Just make sure it's not... (you should know this by now) oil based. Use a water based moisturizer that will absorb into your skin. Not a moisturizer that will sit on top of your skin. You can tell if your lotion is water based by looking at the first ingredient on the back. It should say "Water". Too many excess oils can cause your skin to break out. I've experienced using an oily exfoliate, an oily shave cream and applying body cream before tanning. I woke up with pimples on my neck. I thought, what in the world!? I've never had a pimple on my neck. But it makes sense. Exfoliating your skin and then applying so many excess oils to go straight into your pores.

4) The right temperature. Believe it or not, this plays a roll. If you're planning on self tanning once you've just gotten out of your steamy shower, give a little time to cool off instead. Let the bathroom air out. Applying in warm or hot conditions is not ideal for your self tan. When you're showing in hot or warm water, all of your pores open up. Applying self tanner when all of your pores are open is a no-no. This can be one of the main culprits of having your self tan settle in your pores. I know, who wants to stand around naked and cold to apply their self tanner? Apply it at room temperature or with a fan nearby. If you're prone to having very visible pores after tanning, likely on your legs, face or arms.. splash or run cold water on your skin and pat your self dry with a towel. Then apply the tanner right away. When your skin is cold, your pores tighten. Cold water might be unpleasant, but it works.

5) Tighten your pores even more. Use a toner. Witch Hazel works great for me. Apply some on a cotton pad and smooth it over your skin. There are other products like Tendskin, that work great as well. Again, when your pores are tightened and your skin is free of oily residue, your skin will absorb the tan like nobodies business. And that's exactly what you want. You'll notice less color will wash off in the shower.

6) Application method. Make sure to wear tight fitting gloves. I prefer latex gloves over plastic gloves because they are better fitting and have a softer texture. If you're wearing loose fitting plastic gloves, like the ones you'd get in a box of hair dye.. you have more chances of getting a streaky tan. I personally like gloves mostly for lotions. For mousses and sprays, I prefer a self tanning mitt as it covers more area in one swipe.. not to mention it applies liquids very evenly.

7) Drying Time. Allow your skin adequate drying time. This is one reason I like sprays. Most contain alcohol, making the drying time very fast. If you've just applied a lotion, allow a little extra time for your tan to dry. Wear loose fitting clothes and don't come in contact with water.

8) Longer is always better. Ehem. The longer time you wait for your tan to develop, the better. If you're using a super dark self tanner, the DHA (what's essentially making you bronze) needs time to develop. With most self tanners, you need a minimum of 8 hours. I like to have my self tanner on for at least 10 hours before I bathe. My tan ALWAYS looks the darkest, and best when I've kept it on the longest. If you're going to be home all night, don't always wait for the moment you're going to go to bed. Try tanning as early as you can so there is more development time.

9) Rinse. Yes, shower. If you followed the steps, you shouldn't be scared of losing your tan by scrubbing your body like usual. Like I mentioned, the more your skin absorbs the tanner, the less color will wash off each time. If your tan developed with a barrier between your skin, your tan won't be as intense. Thus, more will rinse off in the shower because SO much less product was actually absorbed in your skin. **When it's time to shave next, this is where having a good razor will come in again. Using a good razor generally won't take your tan away. Bad razors can cause streaks in your self tan or remove it.

10) Moisturize. Make sure to keep your skin moisturized to maintain your tan! :)

I hope some of these tips helped you!! Do you have any tips of your own?

Neostrata Self Tanning.

I purchased this online from Canada a couple of weeks ago, because the reviews I read were all very positive & it has a high rating on makeupalley. I was really hard to hunt down.. and I haven't done much research, but is this stuff discontinued?? Anyway, I finally received it in the mail today & I'm so excited to try it out tonight!

I purchased the Sunsation Insta-Tan for the Face Mousse (Dark) because I am always on the lookout for a good facial self tanner. Sun Labs spray is the only self tanner I've used on my face that gives me a deep, even color and doesn't break me out. I'm crossing my fingers it won't break me out.



Has anyone tried this or other Neostrata self tanning products? What do you think of them?

I'll have a full review and additional info about the brand later in the week.

June/July Favorite Beauty Purchases!

Since July is coming to a close end, I thought I'd go ahead and do a favorite beauty purchases post for the month. I also tossed in some products I discovered in June that I'm still favoring now.

1) MAC 131 Duo Fibre Blush Brush - I purchased this at a CCO for around $25. Reg. $40 at MAC. I completely stopped using my 187 and I've only been using this brush for my liquid foundation. I highly prefer it over my 187. The shape and size is perfect to get around smaller areas that the 187 couldn't. If I end up going back to the CCO and they still have it, i'd probably get a back up.

2) Walmart Powder Brush (High Definition) - This costs around $7 and you can only get it at Walmart. The synthetic bristles are soo soft & it's just an overall great quality brush. I use it for my setting powder and my bronzer.

3) Walmart Angled Blush Brush (High Definition) - I love this brush for applying my blush. It's denser than the powder brush and it's made of the same, soft synthetic fibers.

4) MAC Pleasureful Blushcreme - This isn't something new of mine.. I got it at the CCO months ago & never really wore it. Lately, I started to really love it for a dewy pop of pink on my cheeks. I also love using it on my lips. It reminds me a lot of NARS Honolulu Honey lipstick.. one of my old HG's I haven't purchased in a while.

5) The Body Shop Body Butter - I haven't tried anything from The Body Shop.. but when I spotted this at TJMaxx for $6 after hearing juicystar07 on youtube say their body butters are awesome, I thought i'd give it a try. Run on sentence, much? The scent I got mine in is "Black Velvet Apricot". I'm not sure if it's a discontinued scent, but I love the smell. Its a very feminine, sweet apricot. Oh, and it feels amazing on the skin.. ;)

6) MAC Cork Eye Shadow - I've been into browns a lot lately. I own lots of dark browns, but I don't really have any light browns that are similar to cork. I've been using it on my brows almost every day.. and I love smudging it into my lash line for a natural look.

7) MAC Sorcery Eye Shadow - I love shades like this. It does wonders for my hazel eyes. It's a raisin color (a mixture of burgundy/brown/purple piled into one color) similar to MAC Folie. I love smudging this under my lower lash line. It looks great paired with browns and other neutrals.

8) NARS Galapagos Eye Shadow - A chocolate color with gold shimmer. I love NARS eye shadows. I only have one other.. and they are so amazing. Amazing pigmentation and blends like a dream.

9) Alima Pure Mineral Foundation - Absolutely love this. Great coverage.. will be purchasing a full size to use as a setting powder for under my eyes & face. I'll be getting a lighter shade (Warm 3, equivalent to MAC NC30.)

10) Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly™ Shimmering Hair & Body Spray - I have become addicted to being shimmery this summer. I purchased this on my b-day (June 2nd) and have used it just about every day on my body. It gives a perfect subtle golden shimmer. I JUST ran out, so I'll be getting another one next time I visit Victoria's Secret. It's $10 at the checkout.

11) Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Foundation (Inspired by Carmindy) - Amazing medium + coverage drugstore foundation. I'll be posting a review soon!

12) Orly Mirror Mirror Nail Polish - It's rare for me to find a nail polish I like so much that when it's time to take the polish off my nails, I use the same color.. over and over. I've been doing that with this color. I wear lots of grays.. so it pretty much matches what I'm wearing all of the time. It's a bluish, dove gray.. different from many other gray nail polishes. Lasting power is also good, it gets me through a week.

13) Covergirl Bronze Fire ShadowBlast - Perfect for every day. Check out my full review here.

14) LA Splash Sparkling Coral Lip Gloss - I purchased this at ULTA on a whim, and I'm so happy I ended up loving it. It's my every day lip gloss. It's a light, warm pink with golden shimmer that makes it appear slightly coral. I love the sponge applicator too. It's longer & flatter than a traditional sponge applicator and slightly slanted.

Here's a swatch on my hand.

And on my bare lips.

15) NYX "Pumpkin Pie" Round Lip Stick - I mentioned this lipstick in June. I've been wearing it almost every day since I purchased it. If I'm not wearing Pumpkin Pie, I'm wearing MAC Shygirl.. :) You can view swatches from my past post here.

What are some of your favorites this month??