MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder Review!

MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder

Formulated to provide a smooth, virtually invisible, fresh-looking finish, this soft, cream-like powder is carefully blended to provide the skin with extra care, nourishment and comfort. (MAC COSMETICS)

"Studio Careblend Pressed Powder provides sheer to medium coverage with perfect skin adhesion that helps to create a more flawless, refined look to skin. Studio Careblend Pressed Powder’s versatility allows users to apply it alone, over moisturized skin, atop foundation to set, or simply to touch up and perfect skin throughout the day." - Nick Gavrelis, Vice President, Global Product Development (read more here)

MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder is available in eight (8) shades: Light (soft pale beige), Light Plus (pale golden beige), Medium (soft creamy beige), Medium Dark (caramel beige), Medium Plus (tan beige), Dark (deep caramel), Medium Deep (rich golden tan) and Dark Deep (rich golden bronze).

What really lured me into wanting Careblend is the claim that it doesn't look powdery and it isn't drying. Not to mention the amazing rating on Makeupalley (4.4/5 with an 86% re-purchase rate based on 79 reviews). I had a little bit of a tough time trying to pick a shade for my current NC30 skintone - I was debating with Light Plus (mainly because it has some good golden tones), Medium or Medium Dark. I figured that since they are sheer, there will be a little room for error, but my favorite MAC Sales Assoc. informed me that they do indeed pack pretty good pigment, so I played it safe and purchased Medium. I purchased this powder to solely use it as a setting powder. Other powders I'm currently using for a quick dusting across my face are Chanel Double Perfection Compact, MAC Studio Fix Powder or Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (I also love MAC Blot Powder, but I'm currently out of it).

MAC Studio Careblend Powder in Medium

Medium is a good match for my skin. It lacks yellow though if you're medium skinned and particular about having the right amount of golden in your foundation or powder. I compared it to my MAC Studio Fix Powder in C3 for reference. Of course, C3 has a stronger yellow tone as all "C" powders do in the SF Powder range.

The consistency of this powder to the touch, feels like your average powder. Studio Fix Powder actually feels softer to the touch. But, once smoothed on the skin, Careblend feels much smoother, whereas Studio Fix feels a bit dryer and powdery (ironic, huh?) The powder isn't completely sheer - it does have some pigment, so if you have relatively clear skin and need little coverage and oil control, this can be worn alone. I like using a large fluffy powder brush such as my Sigma F30 (FAV) and swirling the product all over my face to set my foundation. If I want a little extra coverage, I'll use a more dense brush such as my Sephora Pro Platinum Bronzer Brush or a standard Kabuki. The finish with this powder indeed is not powdery at all. It gives a velvety satin finish that even reminds me a bit of my beloved Chanel Double Perfection Powder.

Here's a little comparison. You can see a big difference in the finish of Studio Fix and Studio Careblend. Studio Fix is much more dull and powdery, whereas Studio Careblend has a bit of luminosity.

Left to Right: MAC Studio Fix Powder in C3, MAC Studio Careblend Powder in Medium and MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium/Natural & Shimmer (the medium/natural side) Limited Edition

I don't need all that much oil control, just a little bit in my t-zone, and this keeps my skin from getting shiny throughout the day very well. Based on some reviews I've read, some don't recommend this powder for those with oily skin as it may not control oil well enough, but I've also read that some oily skin found it works great. The reviews are pretty mixed. I think it would work particularly well for those with dry skin as contains moisturizing oils (Safflower, Meadowfoam & Olive) as well as Shea Butter and it doesn't seem to accentuate dryness. I really love this powder and will continue using it for an all over setting powder. I still plan on purchasing MAC Blot Powder as well because I like to have a powder on hand that won't deposit any color (mainly to powder my under-eyes).

MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder is $23 for .35 oz, $4 cheaper than MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish (plus Careblend has a mirrored compact & powder puff, the MSF has neither). It's slightly more expensive than MAC Blot which is $23 for .42 oz (.07 oz more product).

.35 oz really isn't a lot of product, and with the silkiness of this powder, you can probably easily go overboard with it without realizing. When I used my MAC Blot Powder daily, I would hit pan very quickly with it, so I'm going to make sure to use my Careblend sparingly.

What's your favorite setting powder?

My Favorite Nars Eyeshadows!

My Favorite Nars Eyeshadows

I wanted to do a post today about the Nars eyeshadows I own. Although my collection is pretty sad (these are the only ones I own!), it's because they are pretty expensive ($23 a pop) and I only treat myself to a shade every once in a while. 

I own five (5) shades in total: Galapagos, Bali, Coconut Grove, Night Clubbing and Mekong.

Galapagos is a warm, bronzed-brown with gold shimmer.

Bali is a neutral taupe brown with a matte finish.

Coconut Grove is an intense neutral deep brown.

Mekong is a brown black with reddened-brown shimmer. When applied dry, it almost looks black. I recommend using this shade wet to see the true color, or over a brown/copper base.

Night Clubbing is a black infused with gold shimmer. The mixture of the gold and black give off an almost olive appearance. I also recommend using this one wet, or on top of a golden cream shadow/base.

It's hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to pick one, I'd probably pick Coconut Grove. It's the most pigmented and deepest brown I own. I barely have to touch the shadow and I'll get amazing color payoff. But, that's the case with almost all of Nars shadows.

NARS Galapagos, Bali, Coconut Grove, Night Clubbing and Mekong Eyeshadows

I use all of the shades quite often, with the most often used shades being Coconut Grove and Galapagos. They work so perfectly alone or with an additional highlight shade. 

I really enjoy using all of these shadows and I have so many more on my wishlist! 

Here's what they look like swatched:

Swatches from left to right: Bali, Coconut Grove, Galapagos, Mekong, Night Clubbing.

(swatches in same order as above)

I cropped out my eyes from an older FOTD where I was wearing Night Clubbing all over my lid. It's super dark, but also works great as a liner.

Do you own any Nars shadows? Are there any you'd recommend? 

MAC Cajun Magically Cool Liquid Powder Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Cajun Magically Cool Liquid Powder

Product Description: A silky, feather-light powder, formulated with 70% water, dusts on to the skin as a cooling mist to set and enhance the look of any foundation. Beyond sheer: light-reflecting and translucent. A virtually invisible way to add luminosity and a soft radiant glow to the skin.

Magically Cool Liquid Powders are available in three (3) shades: Truth & Light (Sheer shimmer that reflects silver and pink), Honey Rose (Sheer rosy beige with multi-dimensional shimmer) and Cajun (Sheer bronze shimmer that reflects gold).

I already own Honey Rose, which I purchased in early June, and it became one of my favorite/must-have products for the cheeks. So when recently I had the opportunity to get a hold of Cajun in a swap, I went for it.

Like mentioned, Cajun is a sheer, bronze shimmer that reflects gold. The description is very accurate, It looks a little dark and ruddy in the jar, but once swatched the golden hues really come out. It's a bit of an orangy bronze, somewhat similar to the color of Chanel Bronze Universel. There is a slight golden sheen, but it can only be really seen when the product is applied heavily.

READ MORE FOR A REVIEW, SWATCH AND TIPS ON APPLICATION..

Review: Reviva Labs Makeup Primer!

Reviva Labs Makeup Primer

 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Apply over moisturizer or instead of moisturizer. Lines fill in, pores are concealed, excess oil is controlled. Skin so touchable, so silky smooth, you will find it hard to believe.

INGREDIENTS: 

I love products with such short ingredient lists! Nothing unneccesary. It's non-comedogenic and fragrance-free - so, there are less irritants for your skin.

READ MORE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND MY REVIEW!