Reviews/ First Impressions

Review: Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation

The first thing I have to say about this foundation is WOW. Really, this is the only foundation that has really impressed me in a long while. It actually dries down to a powdery yet natural finish. It is one of the only foundations that can control my oil ALL day. Because it is so matte, you have to work in sections at a time to make sure you don't end up looking blotchy. AMAZING foundation for oily skin. If your a grease-ball like me this is a MUST TRY. Dry skin girls beware, this will make any slight dry spot appear 10 times worse. For me though this product is my Holy Grail Foundation.

Review: Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation

Starting off, this is going to be a somewhat negative review. I have a very love/hate relationship with Mac Studio Fix Powder, so if you don't like that then definitely don't feel the need to keep on reading... Now for those of us who do like hearing negatives as well as the positives here's my thoughts on this product. 

I really used to love this powder foundation as you can tell from the picture above. I probably went through at least four or five of these in high school, it was my everyday foundation. But I also had some pretty bad acne throughout high school and I finally put to and to together when I used it again about a week ago because I felt I should use it up and not waste it.Well it didn't take more than a couple days of continuous use to get my whole right cheek full with ugly red bumps. BUT that being said, honestly if you don't have sensitive skin would COMPLETELY recommend this powder. It is about as high coverage as powder foundations get. It stays on for a good 8 hours and is pretty affordable compared to most other high end brands. Also, being a MAC product they have an amazing color range. This was also one of the reasons I always stuck to this powder in the past. Most other very light foundations tend to have a very red/pink undertone while I have a pretty yellow undertone. Macs NC15 is pretty dead on with my color match.


Now for the breakdown...

Price: $27

Coverage: 10/10 Most coverage I've found in a powder foundation to date, besides one...

Texture: 9/10 Very smooth, not chalky.

Longevity: 8/10 Good for 7-8 hrs.

Finish: Super matte, no shimmer at all like some other powder foundations.

Similar Products: Cover fx pressed mineral foundation.

Overall Rating: 10/10 (For my ladies with tough, non-sensitive skin)

XOXO, Steph

Review: Mac Pro Longwear Foundation

The best foundation for us girls with oily/combo skin. This stuff is seriously FLAWLESS! It looks amazing even after having it on for 10+ hours. The foundation is super buildable, so you can put a thin layer on for an everyday natural look or you can layer it up for those special days you want to get all glamed up for. Also, it photographs sooo beautifully even with spf 10. If you're looking for a foundation or concealer that last ALL day I definitely recommend Mac pro longwear foundation!

The Breakdown 

Price: $31

Coverage: I would say it is medium to full coverage. The key to get this to full coverage, Ive found, is to let it dry between layers. I use two layers to coverall all of my acne scaring and discoloration, other with better skin could probably do with one layer.

Texture: Kind of a different feeling to get used to. It is kind of sticky or tacky but it is probably due to the fact that it is a very long wearing foundation. Because of this, you do have to work quick but if done correctly you will achieve a beautiful airbrushed finish all day long.

Longevity: Mac Pro Longwear Foundation is definitely the most long lasting foundation I have ever tried.

Application: You can apply this many different ways and with many different tools. My favorite form of application would be with a damp beauty blender because the bit of water from the beauty blender allows you to get more blending time, I also find it looks the most natural this way. I also liked applying it with my hands. I did not though, like this with a traditional foundation brush. I found it to be very streaky and kind of made it look cakey and plastered on to my face.

Finish: Semi-matte/Satin. It is a nice natural finish that does not look overly matte or overly dewy.

Similar Products: Revlon Colorstay Foundation. While I do also love Revlon Colorstay, I find it more thick and fake looking if you try to build upon the first layer. Also while it does give a good 8 hours of wear, I find that the Mac foundation stays looking exactly as when you applied, while the Revlon starts to separate, look patchy around my oily areas after those 8 hours. If you don't have super long days, or don't mind touching up a bit Revlon color stay is a nice cheaper alternative.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

XOXO, Steph

Review Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

Not own photo.

Color: Trooper (Black)

Price: $18

First of all can we all just stop and admire the packaging on this stuff. Cute yet simple with its black and silver packaging. The actual brush on it is so thin that it is super easy to create a straight line or add a little wing. Also, like most other Kat Von D products, this liner is super pigmented and black. It also comes in “Lap dance” (a deep purple), “Maya” (dark brown), “Skater” (royal blue), and also “Biker” (a dark charcoal). Also it is pretty reasonably priced for an eyeliner sold at Sephora at only $18. Definitely  one of my favs!

XOXO, Steph

First Impression: Ole Henrikson "The Naked Truth" set

Ok so first of all lets start out with my skin type. I have pretty sensitive, acne-prone skin that is also oily.  As of right now, my skin doesn't have much actual inflamed acne, besides the occasional pimple during "that time of the month". But unfortunately, I do break out fairly easily and do have many acne scars left from previous breakouts. Which lead me to try out this product, the Ole Henriksen "The Naked Truth" set (I purchased mine from Sephora.com). Ole Henrikson claims this little duo, (emphasis on the little, looks so much bigger online than in real life haha), "...works together to brighten and even skin tone, firm by supporting healthy collagen and hydrate to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Bare your skin with confidence!". I thought it was perfect because evening out my skin tone is really something I've been trying to improve upon as of late. And even though I'm only 19 years old, its never too early for anti-aging right?! Well, now onto the actual first impression:

What the set contains: A 0.5 fl oz / 15 ml "Truth serum collagen booster" and a 0.25 fl oz / 7 ml "Truth creme advanced hydration"

Truth Serum Collagen Booster:

The first time I applied this it felt quite nice on my oily skin, not heavy like the Josie Maran Argan oil had (which by the way is way better for dry skin), but it felt comfortable enough to where I felt I didn't need an additional moisturizer. So far I have not broken out and I'm excited to see if It really helps even out my skin over time!

*Consistency: Very thin and quick to absorb. Doesn't leave an oily or heavy residue on the skin.

*Scent: Very faint scent or oranges...slightly artificial but overall pleasant.

*Packaging: Comes with a nice pump even in the small 0.5 oz size. Glass bottle makes it feel very high-end. Simple orange and white packaging keeps it clean and crisp looking.

Size in comparison to my Maybelline age rewind brightener

Truth creme advanced hydration:

Oh my god does this stuff smell bad! Honestly nothing at all like the serum. I didn't even manage to ever put this on my face because it really smelled as if it had gone bad and I was too scared to risk getting some type of acne or something from it. Later I found that as far as the bottom of the packaging states it does not expire until February of the year 2015 and from research and seeing other peoples reviews, they experienced the same strange, rank smell. I definitely will not continue to use/ test out this product because of that extremely bad scent that lingers on your face like no other!

*Consistency: Pretty thick, not runny at all.

*Scent: In case I hadn't emphasized this enough before, it smells bad. To me it smells like when you leave wet towels bunched up overnight or for a few hours... If that makes any sense to anyone at all hahaha.

*Packaging: Comes in a pot with a twist off cap , not very sanitary but because of the thickness of the creme it is understandable.

Size in comparison to my Maybelline age rewind brightener

(Will do update once I've been using it for a few months)

XOXO, Steph