First Look| Laura Mercier Candleglow Foundation and NARS Matte Skin Tint

Although foundations are dropping left and right for 2016, I've decided to be a little more conscientious of my foundation obsession. After all, I've found several "HGs" to carry me through this winter without having to buy more foundation in the NC20-25 range. 

The first sample I took home is the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint ($44) in Alaska, which matches NC20-23. It's very easy to spread in a creamy formula but don't be fooled as it dries demi-matte and tends to highlight flakes immensely. I didn't even know I had flakey skin between my brows and on my chin... but this tint brought it all out to play! This probably has to do with the fact that alcohol is the second ingredient...and my dehydrated skin HATES alcohol!

It has medium buildable to full coverage and decent oil control. I would say it reminds me of the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation with a thicker consistency yet highlights dry skin. Not my favorite. I will not be purchasing a full size. 

Here's a photo. You may not see any textural issues but trust me, my face is an oil slick AND crusty after 5-6 hours of wear time, and I can't afford to further dry out my skin with a setting powder. 

The second sample I've taken home is the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation ($48) in Dusk. Dust is a VERY olive green match for NC25 (amazing!) but again, the formula leaves something to be desired. The finish is gorgeous: soft and luminous but not too dewy with sheer-light coverage. 

This first photo is sans setting powder with concealer under the eyes. 

Its runny consistency blends like a dream with your fingers and doesn't settle into fine lines and pores. It also doesn't pool into the sides of my nose or cake up with several layers. 

This is set with powder. With a great mattifying powder I can wear this for 7-8 hours with minimal wear. I don't think this foundation does well without a primer or powder even with my combination skin. 

The reason I haven't purchased a full size is because of its sheer coverage and poor lasting performance on its own. When I wear it on its own, it looks gorgeous for...3 hours. When I put effort into priming and setting this foundation, it takes away the dew and gives me a satin finish that doesn't last past the 9-10 hour mark that I demand of my base products. Overall, you need very dry and very good skin to pull off this foundation. For the price tag this foundation left me a little wanting...

I'm glad I had enough cajones to ask for samples rather than purchasing full sizes with ragrets abound. The samples from Sephora were generous enough that I could test out each foundation 4-5 times before I could get a good feel for their performance. 

xo Be

Edit| SUQQU Spring 2016 Eyeshadows in 22 Kikyoutsubomi and EX-06 Hanamizuki

Today's soup du jour: SUQQU Spring 2016 Eyeshadows in 22 Kikyoutsubomi and EX-06 Hanamizuki. Both of these cost me an arm and leg ($113 USD total for product and shipping from Asia). My fellow makeup lover friend Emily Loke shipped it to me, and she has a featured FOTD of Hanamizuki here. I hope she doesn't mind my shameless plug hehe. 

SUQQU released two quads and two trios for their spring line up, and while EX-28 is limited edition and gorgeous, its pastelity (it's a word?) and silver pan would never work on my skin unless I'm fairer than NC20. I'm still a sucker for warm toned pastels, so 22 swam across the ocean to be with me. 

I won't ramble on forever but if you frequently read my blog, you'll know that I'm a SUQQU convert. What they lack in traditional intense pigmentation they make up for complexity and idiot-proof blendability. 

Here is 22 Kikyoutsubomi in natural light glory. I was immediately drawn to the color scheme. 

For reference, this quad seems to *need* a bold or graphic wing liner to really accentuate your eye shape. Otherwise, you're left with a glowy, but very understated, look. My favorite is the split pan and copper-gold, as the pink and white are both too sheer to work as true lid colors on my skin. 

And here is EX-06 Hanamizuki (LE). I wanted a more muted light source to bring out the green tinge of the bottom brown shade. I am enamored by the gold and split pan. 

 The trio colors are definitely much more muted, sheer, and generally murkier. I love that the brush is sponge tipped and has a tiny brush for the ultimate travel friendliness. This is my first SUQQU trio. The pink is mid-toned (not pastel) and you can layer the white frost on top for your own customized pink :) The green-brown works as a liner, but also blends well into the outer v and crease.

I've taken the liberty of swatching the trio with two passes and single passes for the quad.

This is outdoors in full sunlight. 

And of course, flash. 

I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of the quad/quint and the trio is so chibi that I can throw it into my bag and lug it around if I forgot eyeshadow fleeing out of the house. 

And of course, some full face looks for your inspection: 

First Look| Giorgio Armani Maestro Glow Foundation

I was fortunate (unfortunate?) enough to find tester of the Giorgio Armani Maestro Glow Foundation ($64) and brought home Shade 4. The sales assistant's skin looked absolutely flawless and radiantly dewy, but I couldn't tell that he was wearing base product until unscrupulous inspection. I've heard of their original Maestro foundation being a flawless demi-matte finish but didn't want to bother with working it around flakes and dry spots.

There are nine total shades with a 0 mixer that's white and can be used as a primer/mixer. 4 is a cool yellow NC20-25, which is surprising since 4 in their Luminous Silk Foundation is NC20. Keep in mind that the color in the bottle is misleading (too dark and warm) in comparison to how the product looks when blended out. 

Here is the product and shade description, courtesy of Nordstrom.com: 

Maestro Glow is the first bi-phase foundation elixir that gives you the richest glow in the thinnest texture. The light, silky formula gives you an instant and lasting glow thanks to true skincare oils infused with pure pigments. These oils make the texture comfortable, easy to apply and nourishing for women with drier skin. Each drop perfects the complexion.

- Shade 0: pure white for brightening and highlighting.

- Shade 2: fair skin with warm undertones.

- Shade 4: light skin with neutral undertones.

- Shade 5: light skin with rosy undertones.

- Shade 5.5: medium skin with neutral undertones.

- Shade 6.25: medium skin with warm undertones.

- Shade 7: tan skin with neutral undertones.

- Shade 8: tan skin with warm undertones.

- Shade 11.75: deep skin with red undertones.

How to use: Shake the bottle before using to blend the oils and pigments. Mix it on the back of your hand to prepare for application. Apply with your fingertips over the face, from the center outward.

To be completely honest, I was not enamored with this foundation upon first use. Its sheer to light coverage and extreme luminosity (no glitter, mind you, just WOW DEWY) cannot take an entire day's wear without fading and sheering out completely on the skin. 

The delicate glass bottle and rubber nipple pipette (hehe) makes it a strange experience to use this foundation but I found no trouble with dispensing product. Also worthy of note: use less than you think and blend the product in with a flat brush for more coverage. 

Observe below, where I had been wearing the Maestro Glow for 3-4 hours without a primer or setting powder on top. I look like I blotted my nose with a pizza. However, the overall effect on the drier parts of my skin is softly radiant. Not bad. 

When you set it down with a powder you lose a lot of the luminosity but in turn get a satin to matte finish that doesn't look flat on the skin. Therefore, I think those with combination skin (like me!) can make this foundation work. 

If you REALLY want to make this budge proof, you can use a setting powder with even more oil control such as the Urban Decay Loose Powder (I use Medium Light) to set the entire face. The foundation eventually breaks through the oil after 6 hours of wear for me and I get a very natural skin finish with this method without looking insanely greasy or dry as a bone. 

It's incredibly lightweight and doesn't sink into lines, pores, textural issues, anything! In fact, my skin looks plump as a pork bun. 

I think that my IT Cosmetics OMG Foundation brush applies this perfectly. It's flat with some surface area to blend around the nose and prevents streaks as well. I find that this foundation performs best on freshly moisturized skin WITHOUT skin primer and you should use less than you think. It will cover redness but not dark spots. 

There's SPF 30 inside the foundation! Not that it hurts or helps, but you may want to consider flash back issues for photography. This works better as an "every day" foundation, although $64 is STEEP AF and you can dilute it for further use with YOUR TEARS. 

In the end, I started to realize the Maestro's flexibility of finish. It takes a little bit of experimentation to coax out its true potential, but this is a great foundation for those with dry to combination skin wanting a dewy finish with an air light (not greasy, not thick, not "moisturizing" feel.) 

There are similar base products on the market this spring: Laura Mercier Candleglow Foundation is very similar but with less lasting power and Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting, which has more coverage but less glow (more shimmer). 

With that being said, I will not be picking up a darker shade for summer. However, I'm curious to see what toxic nuclear waste meltdown and/or miracle happens on my face if I wear this mixed in with their Luminous Silk. 

xo Be

Review| Dolce and Gabbana Perfect Reveal Lifting Foundation

I really wanted to take my time with this foundation review. As I age and become more and more jaded to new beauty products, base products really need several months of trial and error before they can be discussed at length. 

Especially if the foundation in question is the Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Reveal Lift Foundation which will empty $73 whole quids out of ya hard earned monies. At this price point, I really expected miracles and perfect skin and devout male worshipers throwing themselves at my feet.  

It's a hefty and luxurious bottle complete with a pump. I purchased shade #110 Caramel because the few swatches online suggested that it was the most olive of the bunch. Now that I'm looking through the Sephora shade guides, #120 Natural Beige may have been a better match (possibly more olive at the same depth). With that fault aside, it's still a good match for me at NC23-25 and doesn't look too peachy. Also, what was I doing, expecting an olive color from Caramel? D'oh!

Here are swatches in different sources of lighting: Hourglass Illusion Skin Tint, Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in Light-Medium Sand, BareMinerals Gel Rescue Cream in Buttercream, D&G Lift Foundation in Caramel, IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Light. 

All ranting aside, this is a good foundation for the VERY dry skinned who want coverage and lasting power on top of moisturizing properties. It feels luxurious on the skin: a thick, creamy serum of medium coverage and intense hydration. I definitely cannot use a moisturizing sunscreen underneath (it comes with SPF 25) and apply this on clean or thinly primed skin. I've found that the best method of application is with your fingers or a buffing brush to really push the product into your skin. 

Let me repeat myself: this is for the very dry skinned and mature folks. I consider my skin to be on the drier side of normal for most foundations, but this foundation will look dewy upon application and GREASY by mid-day. Blot. Powder. Do whatever's in your power to delay the process. The foundation WILL slip on the skin as it wears, but won't transfer off and the coverage lasts throughout the day. 

Another thing I want to mention is how it can lift up peach fuzz if you're not careful. I think it's nice to drier skin patches and flaking skin, but it can still look like makeup if you use too much. You really need to blend this one in. For example, I prefer my Hourglass Illusion Skin Tint as it boasts the same ethereal skin/glowing light bulb effect but melds better with my skin. 

I can't say it's life changing for me due to the fact that my skin is much more normalized. However, I do think that there are very few foundations on the market for very dry skin that offers medium to full coverage and a solid 10 hours of lasting power. I think you'll want a sample first to see how this one compares to other base products. 

xo Be

Haul| Ulta ft. BECCA, IT Cosmetics, Urban Decay, NYX, etc...

Although I sample and test base products like crazy for this blog, I rely on a very small capsule sample of products to get me through the day to day. I finally had a chance to redeem some Ulta reward points and went HAM with these selections.



I wasn't swayed by the Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation ($44) at first with its paltry shade range and the huge promotion that went along with its launch. People were complaining of GLITTER?! No thanks. However, many companies have really stepped up their game for new serum foundations and...I had to try. I picked up shade Light which seems ORANGE in bottle but blends out to be a nice and yellow NC25.

I actually trial-ed it with a sample first and when it held up a dewy finish for hours with a flawless natural finish...I was sold. I'll be testing it out for a while before posting an in depth review. So far? Magic. It reminds me of the MAC Waterweight foundation with a glowier finish, so you won't *need* both. There's no GLITTER, but you'll look shimmery in full daylight if you don't set it down with a matte powder.

I also repurchased the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder ($34) in Medium Light which matches their foundation range from 2.0 to 4.0. This stuff is THE most finely milled powder I've tried that sets everything to matte perfection without caking up or looking like powder on the skin. It's a little drying for truly dry skin types, but with my skin hovering at normal/combination...it's perfection.

Finally, for base envy, I had to try the ever-raved It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer ($24) in Neutral Medium. I was afraid of its thick consistency before, but it's so kind to fine lines and dry skin and seems to form a film just on top of your undereyes and provides MEGA MAX coverage. Neutral medium seems to be NW20-25. You need less than a dot of product under each eye and I find that blending with fingers gives the best coverage.

Since Ulta had a BOGOhalf off deal for NYX Cosmetics...I needed to pick up their Vivid Brights Eye Liner ($7.99) in Vivid Fire (red) and Vivid halo (yellow). These are incredibly pigmented for their price and last well on the eyes if you work in thin layers. Don't layer as they will flake!

And a cheap thrill? TonyMoly Banana Milk Hand Cream ($9.99). Kitschy? Sure. It smells like banana runts and actually moisturizes my hands.

I'm content and complete for now. My newly returned combination skins loves the set up and I couldn't be happier with my current base routine.

xo Be

First Look| Natasha Denona Face Glow Foundation

The Natasha Denona Face Glow Foundation ($42) is ultimately a disappointment. 

Keep in mind that I was not expecting miracles due to its sheer coverage and glowing (nyuck, get it) claims. A girl can live with a separate concealer for blemishes and blot if need be, but I cannot tolerate the poor lasting power AND sheer coverage when there are better foundations in the market for dry skin. 

I was an idiot and forgot to take a picture of the packaging. Its a sanitary pump tube, but the pump has trouble delivering product if you don't hold it upside down and often twists off along with the cap. For $42 I would have appreciated a glass bottle with a pump OR a squeeze tube. 

I purchased #20, which seems to be a match for NC20/NW15 rather than NC25-30 as I expected. Reviews also told me that 30 would be too pink and 40 is too tan (NC30-35). #2 is a cool yellow. From left to right: Bourjois Healthy Mix in #52, IT CC Cream in Light, D&G Perfect Reveal Lift in Caramel, and Natasha Denona in #20.

Pros? It's very kind to dry skin. The product is thick and creamy in consistency and evens out skin texture. You need to blend it in with fingers. 

Cons? 

• Sheer to light coverage. This could be a pro or con depending on your skin. 
• Lasts for only 4-5 hours before requiring a good blot even with a setting powder. 
• Poor shade range. I know the coverage is sheer, but I still have an aversion to spreading something pink toned all over my face even if it's the correct depth of color. 

Technically, those with very good skin or those who like using a powder foundation may benefit from this foundation. It gives off a gorgeous finish to the skin, even if I lay it underneath a powder. It really is a gorgeous foundation, to be fair, but I have very similar foundations that perform better in terms of lasting power on the skin while providing the same glowy effect. I would consider a re-purchase If she had a shade for NC25 that did not lean pink. 

I've included close shots in direct natural sunlight for your reference. As you can see, it makes me look ghostly pale (but flawless!) My skin texture looks very...smooth. This is the product by itself. 

The glow is not outrageous and doesn't contain any fine shimmer or glitter. It just looks like very healthy and dewy skin with loads of moisture. 

If you are neutral toned and very dry skinned, you may be in luck! 

Xo Be

First Look| Natasha Denona 5 Eyeshadow Palette in #8

Beautylish dropped a secret 36 hour sale and with shipping rates at 1 1/2 days flat, I had to haul a Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette ($48) for my own. I had seen the brand mentioned (with great urgency toward purchase and praise) on YT, blogs, reviews, etc. 

But um.....those 5 eyeshadows better be the BEST goddamn eyeshadows ever at this price! I had reservations due to the new name on the beauty brand-wagon "hype" that usually surrounds most releases and the minimal packaging. You can indeed fit your own brush in the pan; I stuffed my Chiku flat shader inside. 

I think they could be a bit cushier since the formula is soft.

The dimly lit cavern I call an office had the worst lighting in the world. These shadows are vibrant but wearable colors in real life. 

OBSERVE! Their beauty glistening in the sun. I need a moment to that middle shade by myself. 

Deeply...inhale...gold....glitter.....

From left to right, one swipe, no primer: 12M Glaze, 43P Smoky Quartz, 60M Golden Rose, 47P Dark Sepia, 52M Golden Beige.

Right off the bat I can give you a lot of pros: 

• PIGMENTATION.
• After an initial hard crust on the top, you get to dig into very firmly packed soft pigment. The texture is divine. 
• These 5 pans are great grab and go color combinations that come in loads of choices. I got #8 and plan on picking up many (okay, all) of their warmer combos.
• Incredible weartime on the lids and stays vibrant after 10 solid hours.

But also some cons: 

• Blendability. These are kinda funky to blend and not similar to traditional most methods I've ever used. You sorta have to pack on color because it's a soft formula that leaves (a little) fallout if fluffed about irresponsibly. 
• Thus, too much circular blending leaves your look too blended/melted/one glittery mess.
• No mattes hm? I could do a complete look because I'm a glitterhoor, but most people would benefit from at least ONE matte neutral. I believe other quints have a matte option, but many have said buy the shimmer or pass. 

Under flash. You can purchase these in singles on her website (with exorbitant markup, tbh) or buy the GIANT WHITE $$$$ PALETTES! Delicious, but not customize-friendly. I think palettes built by taste at discount would boost her sales, but the quints will do for now. 

This is natural light. I think this is neutral enough for both warm and cool skin tones! I absolutely adore the entire palette as an entire entity, but I can always use this palette with a silkier matte formula such as KVD Shade and Light Eye Palette. 

One last look. 

Here's a look with my Desio Desert Dream contacts. As you can see, I had some trouble blending the edges of color where my eyes slant upwards. Perhaps these are better layered light to dark horizontally? 

Thanks for reading!

xo Be

First Look| NYX Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick

NYX has just recently launched a huge line of nude liquid lipsticks (12 shades!) to compete with the higher end brands. The Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipsticks retail for $7 and can be found at Ulta as well. I picked up 3 shades out of their new flagship brick and mortar at Valley Fair Mall in San Jose. (It was with great difficulty as I had to strategically elbow and shove people out of the way to even get to the display!)

The selection was scant that day, so I picked up Teddy (a deep brown), Push Up (a cool pink nude), and Embellishment (a taupe purple). Embellishment is the most unique color out of the line and reminds me of Bite Cava lipstick. 

Here are swatches in various sources of natural lighting. 

You can find swatches of the entire line on both arms and lips on Instagram and the Internetz with ease. Therefore, I'll let you know my thoughts and experience with the product: 

Pros: 

• A matte liquid lipstick that doesn't transfer easily and wears like iron. I got 5 hours of wear untouched and it wears off evenly with oily food, so you can reapply. 
• Great range of cool, neutral, and warm nudes for all people from fair to deep skin tones. 
• Ultra pigmented. 
• Cheap! You can easily find a dupe for any "trendy" nudes and browns in the market. 
• Pointed and flat doe foot applicator gives you a precise application. 
• Not as drying as many other brands such as Jeffree Starr, KVD, Stila, etc. My lips can wear these every day. 

Cons: 

• The formula stays tacky on the lips IF you apply too much. If you frequently press your lips together you will HATE these. 
• You cannot layer the product like many liquid lipsticks. 
• Smells faintly like glue. It can feel like glue too if you use too much.
• Emphasizes lip lines. 

In short, these are awesome cheapies if you are familiar with how liquid lipsticks perform. If you're expecting a ground breaking formula that will glide over dry or cracked lips, you'll be better off getting a matte suede formula that have a higher chance of bleeding or transferring as the day goes on.

xo Be