Friday, January 28, 2011

Testing out L'Oreal MagicSmooth Souffle!


You might have been hearing about L'Oreal MagicSmooth Souffle since the near year. It launched January of 2011 like Maybelline Fit Me, but was spotted in some stores a little earlier. The first time I came across this foundation was when I spotted Maybelline Fit Me and purchased it. It was something I was interested in purchasing, but with the close to $15 price tag, I decided to hold out until some reviews popped up for it. What's pretty cool is that the display for L'Oreal MagicSmooth Souffle has little samples that you can take for free to try it for yourself. Each display doesn't have very many, so I took one each time I went to a different drugstore. I accumulated four.. so I thought it would be a good time to try it out.


What I don't like about the sample is that for some reason, it isn't labeled what shade it is. The color is light/med neutral beige. The sample is the smallest smudge of product, that you wouldn't even be able to cover your chin with one packet. With a free sample, you'd expect at least a full face application.. but I can't complain, right? At least there are samples so you can at least test it and feel the consistency.

Swatched on my hand, the color is a little on the pink/orange side..

I knew that even the 4 packets weren't going to be enough for the type of coverage I'd want, so I decided only to apply it to half of my face and on the other half of my face apply Revlon Colorstay - mostly to compare the coverage and finish.

As you can see, the left side of my face is slightly shinier - or brighter than the right. Revlon Colorstay (for combination skin) gives me a satiny matte finish with a heavy medium coverage. The right side of my face is completely matte, and slightly dull. The dullness may be due to the incorrect color match though. The coverage I received from using 3 packets was a medium coverage (a light-medium). I have a few blemishes (you can't tell from the photo) and the redness from them peeked through.. but my overall skin tone was evened out. I'm sure if I had more product, the coverage would be buildable to a solid medium or a bit of a full coverage.

To apply the foundation I moisturized my face with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and then swirled the foundation into my face with my ELF Studio Duo Fibre Brush. I think the Duo Fibre is the appropriate brush for this type of foundation. I was actually happy with the coverage considering I used such a little amount of product. The only thing I didn't really care for was the very matte finish (I prefer satin or slightly dewy). Also, I wasn't very happy with the dullness my face had wearing this foundation. But, like I said it may be due to the incorrect shade. I wore the foundation for around 5 hours to see how it would hold up and my face didn't get oily at all, despite I didn't set it with a powder. Most of the foundation stayed in tact, but because I took a nap.. a little bit had disappeared. So, I can't really say how the lasting power is.

I actually do plan on purchasing the full size product, but only if it's on sale.

Have you tried this product or are you planning to? 

Thursday, January 27, 2011

My Forever 21 Picks!

I was just browsing on Forever 21's website and thought I'd share the items that I would pick out! I use to do posts like these.. but I haven't in a really long time. I was a little surprised by the selection of clothing.. there barely is any! Maybe because its near the end of winter..

Anyway, here is what I picked!

I'm not sure If I'll place an order for anything yet or not.. I may end up purchasing a few things. We'll see. :)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

NOTD: Essie Sew Psyched Nail Polish!

Essie Sew Psyched Nail Polish

Essie Sew Psyched is a creamy, neutral gray-green (army green) with a soft, luminous sheen. 

Like many reviewers have mentioned, it's the perfect military/khaki green that goes with a lot of the military themed fashion this past fall. I own a few green polishes and don't wear them very often, but this is such a pretty shade that I think will flatter a lot of clothing pieces in my wardrobe. I wear a lot of tan and gray and I think this will go great! 

The formula is very creamy and opaque. With one coat, the color is opaque, but two coats is recommended for better wear.

One coat of Essie Sew Psyched (no top coat)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

My Face Today! Wearing Maybelline Fit Me Foundation & Concealer..

(I took these photos by a window in the late afternoon with no flash. The lighting looks different in some photos because it was a little cloudy out and the sun would come and go.)
Face:
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Bobbi Brown Corrector #Light Peach
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation #220
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer #20
MAC Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush #15 Orchid Rose
Urban Decay Eyeshadow #Sin (used as a highlight on my cheekbones)

Eyes:
MAC Paint #Bare Canvas (as a base all over my lid)
MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (all over my lid - stopping at my crease & smudged under my lower lashline halfway)
MAC Espresso Eyeshadow (applied in my crease and extended up and outward)
MAC Nehru Eyeshadow (deepened my outer "V")
Covergirl LineExact Liquid Liner #Black Brown
Ardell Wispies False Lashes applied with Duo (Black) Adhesive
Covergirl Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara

Brows:
Essence Eyebrow Designer #02 Brown

Lips:
Rimmel 1,000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner #Indian Pink (just the outline)
NYX Round Lipgloss #Doll Pink

and Rocky wouldn't stop biting the curtains and my feet, so I held him for a few pictures.. lol

Update: My thoughts about Maybelline Fit Me still remain the same. I've been wearing it more and more and I love it.. love the consistency and coverage.. but my only compaint is still that it simply fades too quickly and I have to touch up a few times a day..

In other news, lol.. I made a purchase last night on Sephora.com with one of my Christmas gift cards! I'm a little sad I didn't get to order a foundation. I REALLY wanted to try Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation.. but I'm stuck on which color to get.. So Instead I held off and ordered a bronzer, blush, a couple of eye shadows and a lipstick! I can't wait to haul all of the products and show you swatches!

And by the way, did you notice I'm sporting a bold lip again? I think 2011 might entail trying lots of new colors. I love NYX Doll Pink.. I've had it for over a year though and this may be my third time wearing it. I'm going to keep it in my bag and try wearing it more often.. I think the color suits me well.. :)