E.L.F. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer Review, Photos and Swatches!

E.L.F. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer

E.L.F. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer ($3) is a buildable coverage concealer that can be used on the face and body. It's oil-free, highly pigmented and long-lasting. Suitable for covering blemishes and scars, and even claims to cover tattoos and birthmarks.

E.L.F. Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer is available in (5) shades: Porcelain, Sand, Nude, Beige, Tan and Almond.

I purchased Sand, which is ideal for fair to light skin tones with a neutral balance of yellow and pink undertones, and Nude, which is ideal for light skin tones with yellow undertones.

Nude and Sand swatched on my MAC NC25-27 skin

It comes in a fairly large (large for a concealer) squeeze tube that contains 0.7 fl oz/20 ml of product. Most concealers contain around 0.5 fl oz or less of product, so you get a really good amount for the price.

The consistency is creamy and dense, and when you blend it, it has a emollient mousse texture. It's almost comparable to the creamy texture of MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation or Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup.

It blends effortlessly into the skin with the help of my fingertips. I usually apply it with my fingertips, by a light tap-and-drag motion until it's thoroughly blended. If necessary, I'll build a second layer for additional coverage.

(E.L.F. Maximum Coverage Concealer in Nude before and after)

Even with layers, it doesn't feel or look heavy, and it doesn't settle in my fine lines, which I think is due to the moisturizing texture. It really sinks into the skin making my under-eyes look healthy, radiant and moisturized. It has a dewy finish that never really dries/sets though, so applying a good helping of setting powder is a must. I usually take a powder puff and lightly press-and-roll the powder into my skin, making it completely budge-proof (much more effective than dusting the powder under my eyes with a brush).

Tarina Tarantino Leaving Sephora.

If you didn't know already, Tarina Tarantino Cosmetics is leaving Sephora, and all of the Tarina Tarantino line will be discounted until the end of December.

If you have any favorites, now is the time to scoop them up, as all products are up to 40% off!

Don't worry though, the Tarina Tarantino Collection will be still available soon on the Tarina Tarantino website at www.tarinatarantino.com.

Click Here to Shop.

Will you be getting anything? The Dreamy Palette is looking tempting to me right now - check out Temptalia's review and swatches here.

New! Sephora Spin to Win.

Sephora Spin to Win

Sephora launched a beauty roulette online where you spin the wheel to reveal a code for a deluxe beauty sample, 10% off your purchase or free shipping. The prizes will change weekly until 10/25, so I'm really interested in seeing the next offers over the next couple of weeks. It's kind of a fun idea, but since the codes aren't unique (I've seen many people get duplicate codes even though they claim to be unique), it's not really as exclusive as it seems. Oh well. I'm more than happy with the free shipping and 10% off code!

Here's what's on the wheel this week-

• Lancome Defincils Mascara Mini (code: ML4D02) 
• Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum Mini (code: MT34S7) 
• Shiseido Urban Environment Oil SPF 42 Sunscreen Mini (code: MS2U3E) 
• Free Shipping over $25 (code: F1AS12) 
• 10% Off Purchase (code: BRG3P8Y)

All codes are available through 10/31.

To spin the wheel visit: http://sephoralove.com/spintowin/.

(read the terms & conditions after the jump)

E.L.F. Studio HD Blushes Review, Photos and Swatches!

E.L.F. Studio HD Blushes

E.L.F. Studio HD Blushes ($3) are velvety soft cream blushes encased in a pump dispenser. The cream is lightweight, highly pigmented and long wearing.

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush is available in (5) shades: Headliner (natural pink), Superstar (coral), Diva (bright pink), Encore (vibrant rose) and Showstopper (plum raisin).

They look reminiscent of the Make Up Forever HD Blushes ($26), because they essentially have the same packaging and are both named "HD" blushes. They do share some other similarities in that they apply the same way, are both pigmented and long wearing, but the textures are slightly different. The E.L.F. Blush is almost like a creamy cheek stain. I actually find the E.L.F. Blushes easier to work with as the product itself isn't as concentrated as the MUFE Blushes, so it's a bit easier to blend out. They also don't set as quick as the MUFE blushes, so you have a little bit of time to work with them. They have a good amount of silicone in them (although it's not the first ingredient) so if you do well with silicone-based blushes, these blushes should be no exception.

Be warned that they are extremely pigmented. It took me a few tries at first because every time I tried, I applied too much product (which didn't seem like a lot at all). You literally only need a tiny dot for both cheeks. It's a little tricky - you have to be careful not to dispense too much product. I like applying a tiny dot of product on a clean surface, or the back of my hand (sometimes I sanitize the lid of one of my compacts and pump the product directly on the lid) and smooth it out with my fingers and then take a stippling brush and lightly tap the ends of the bristles into the product and then go cheek to cheek applying the blush in circular, buffing motions until blended. Some cream blushes are touchy and can only be stippled on, but these blushes don't deem to disrupt my foundation or make my cheeks look blotchy. I've also applied a dot on each cheek and used a stippling brush to blend with equally good results.

The finish on the skin is very natural, soft and matte.

Swatches from left to right: Headliner, Superstar, Diva, Encore and Showstopper. (please excuse my goosebumps... it was freezing today!)