Fresh Faced Spring Makeup: L’Oreal Lumi Cushion Foundation Review

March 6, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

Spring weather seems like it’s finally going to make an appearance in New Jersey this week and I’m itching to wear some of spring’s newest trends (blog post to come on spring trends!) and try out some new looks. I purchased the L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation, also is it just me or are foundation names getting longer than texts from your Mom? Anyway, I wanted to review this probably 3 weeks ago but I still couldn’t determine how I felt about it. So after week of trying this out I have a verdict! Read on below for the review and as always this drugstore makeup look.

Review

loreal lumi review

loreal cushion

So cushion foundations are all the rage right now, this spring is definitely stepping out of the matte looks we’ve been seeing for the past two years. This cushion foundation is light to medium coverage, as are most cushion foundations. It features a puff applicator that may be useful for touch-ups throughout the day, but I didn’t like the way it applied my foundation. This foundation is on the pricier side for a drugstore foundation at $16.99 and you only get 0.52 oz of product, whereas you normally get 1 oz for most foundations. There’s also 12 shades, but if you are extremely fair you may have a hard time as I did. There isn’t a standard N1 or W1 like the original True Matches which I find to be frustrating. But, N2 works okay for me when I blend it out.

I’ve found that the best way to apply this foundation is with a Real Techniques sponge, rather than a brush or the puff applicator. I can build it easiest this way; this foundation will only build to a medium coverage so keep that in mind. For being a “lumi” foundation this formula dries my skin out like crazy, even with a moisturizer or primer underneath. This is why it took so long for me to test because I wanted to make sure another product wasn’t drying out my skin! I also typically don’t have sensitive skin, but this gave my skin tiny textured bumps (they go away after a day or so, but still not thrilled). I’m not saying this won’t work for your skin type, but I really, really wanted to like this and I just can’t with the way my skin is reacting.

I think I can use it up, but I will not repurchase. I personally think Maybelline’s Dream Matte Hydrating Foundation is better value and more hydrating, with better coverage. Or if you love L’Oreal’s foundations go with the original True Match Lumi, which is an old favorite of mine. An overall score for me is 5/10. Let me know your favorite cushion foundations because I think they’re great for spring and summer!

Makeup Look

Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF15 (found mine at Walgreens in-store; can’t find on their website).

Foundation: L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation in N2 Classic Ivory

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Fair

Powder: Maybelline Master Fix Setting Powder

Brows: Maybelline Brow Define and Fill Duo in Deep Brown (just used pencil side) and Maybeline Master Brow Drama Palette in Deep Brown to fill in. Set with NYX Brow Mascara in Espresso

Eyeshadows:

Crease: NYX Matte Shadow Dance the Tides and Milani Earthy Elements Palette 3rd shade (orange color) in the outer crease.
Lid: Dance the Tides in the outer lid, wit Earthy Elements Palette 2nd shade (camel brown) on the center and inner lid.
Browbone: 1st shade (frosty beige) Milani palette.
Lower lashline: Orange and camel shades mixed.

Eyeliner: Top: Jordana Cat Eyeliner in Black Brown. Bottom: Maybelline Gel Pencil Liner in Glazed Toffee.

Mascara: L’Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black with Maybelline the Rocket on top (an oldie but a goodie)

Blush: Colourpop Supershock Cheek in Bonus (discontinued) similar Holiday.

Highlighter: Colourpop Highlighter in Wisp (on tops of cheeks, bridge of nose and cupid’s bow).

Lips: Lipliner: Jordana Easy Liner in Sedona Red. Lipstick: Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Cozy (review of these coming soon!).

Top: Marshall’s.

Fun Fact: Look created while throwing it back to Fall Out Boy’s Under the Cork Tree

Bold Brows: Anastasia Brow Wiz vs NYX Micro Brow

June 7, 2015.Reading time 6 minutes.

Bold brows have taken over for good, which for some blessed specimens (Care Delevingne I’m looking at you!) they are fortunate to have hairs that need no fillers; for the rest of us we need products to get that beautiful and bold brow look. Over the past few years I’ve used everything from the Maybelline Quad Natural Smokes darkest shadow, not one of my best makeup moments, to Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyebrow Mousse, which I still love. But like most brow lovers, I’ve relied heavily on brow pencils. At first, we had the infamous and lovely Anastasia Brow Wiz, but at $21 it’s not always the most affordable tool. But once you go all bold brow gal there isn’t any going back. So like many others every three months I’d suck it up and buy my Brow Wiz for $21. But recently more affordable brands have stepped-up their brow game. The drugstore brand that intrigued me most was NYX. I love their products and think their quality is great, so I was super happy to find their Micro Brow Pencils featured similar shades to Anastasia’s Brow Wiz’s. But did NYX’s pencil give me those bold, shapely brows I was used to? Read below for my Brow Showdown.

Showdown

A little comparison: NYX and Anastasia Beverly Hills Pencils feature the same amount of product, each has 0.003 oz. Both are cruelty free, side note: if you want to save the fur babies use the app Cruelty Cutter, you can scan products and see if they test on animals. Another similarity, both feature spoolies, or those little brushes to put those brows in place. So really the only major difference is price and performance. As I mentioned above, Anastasia’s Brow Wiz is $21, whereas NYX’s Micro Brow is $9.99. Also Anastasia offers 9 shades, where NYX offers 8. But I believe that all the core shades are in both collections. An in-depth review is below.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz: The shade I wear is Medium Brown, and I’ve also used Brunette which is now called Dark Brown. I love this pencil to really shape the brows and carve them out, but I don’t love this to fill in my brows. The product is a bit hard, which is great for shaping, not so much filling in. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve filled in my brows with this, but usually just to get a defined tail. Also, the last Brow Wiz I received the product would not twist up right and would fall out. I’ve had about three Brow Wiz’s so I think my last one was just a bad egg. Overall this is a great brow product with many colors and is definitely a staple.

NYX Micro Brow Pencil: Similarly to Anastasia’s shade, I wear Ash Brown in the NYX pencil. For NYX this product is a little pricey at almost $10, but considering the alternatives all hit the $20 mark range, this is a steal. Micro Brow is much creamier than the Brow Wiz. That’s not to say it’s so creamy you’ve got product everywhere, it’s just easier to use. I love this pencil for both carving out my brows and filling in. The spoolie is a bit rougher than the Brow Wiz, but it’s not a huge deal to me.

Verdict

You can’t go wrong with either the Brow Wiz or the Micro Brow pencil. But personally I like the NYX Micro Brow a bit better. Even if the price was the same, I’d go with Micro Brow. I find it to be easier to use and I can use it to fill in my brows, and I’m also able to blend without tugging like with the Brow Wiz. Whichever weapon you choose though bold brows never lose.

Extras:

Makeup:

Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy and Smooth Foundation in Porcelain

Concealer: NYX HD Photoready Concealer in Porcelain

Powder: Makeup Forever Transluscent Powder

Brows: NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown, Brow Bar to Go to fill in, NYX Brow Mascara in Brunette. Carved out with lightest shade in NYX Correct and Conceal palette.

Eyeshadows: NYX Nude Matte Eyeshadow in Maybe Later and Espresso for the LORAC 1 palette in the crease, LORAC 1 Palette White and Cream on the lid. White on the brow bone. Espresso on the lower lashine. Nude on the inner corner.

Eyeliner: Top liquid liner is Jordana Cat Eye liner in Black Leather. Bottom liner is L’Oreal Silkissime in Charcoal.

Lashes: Ardell Glamour Demi’s.

Contour: Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette, mixed Sombre and Shadowplay

Blush: Milani Powder Blush in Romantic Rose

Highlight: Colourpop Cosmetics Butterfly Beach

Lips: Colourpop Lippie Stix in Fighter with Fighter lipliner

Top: Missguided Jersey Wrap Over Bralette in Black (from first photo) Missguided Halle Crepe Dress (second photo)

Maybelline The Smokes Review and Makeup Look

May 24, 2015.Reading time 3 minutes.

I’ve been on a drugstore hunt for Maybelline’s Blushing Nudes Palette, but sadly my Walgreens was sold out. But instead I found Maybelline’s The Smokes. I don’t do a smokey eye often, and I know it’s difficult to get smokey shadows from the drugstore that blend well and have great pigment, so I picked up this 12 shadow palette. Below is a product info, review, swatches and a makeup look. Also I’ll have a surprise for you guys in the next week or so!

Review

This palette retails between $9.99 and $12, the cheapest place to find is Ulta. The palette features 12-smokey eyeshadows, they’re all shimmering, but the shimmer comes off the brown and navy for a more matte look. It also comes with a sponge applicator but I’d use a brush. Verdict? Honestly, I’d skip this palette, yes the price is good, but the quality is pretty bad. You’ll be able to see in th swatches below, but these eyeshadows lacked pigment and were difficult to blend. I was able to get a nice look with a primer base, but I really had to build up on the lid. I’d give this palette a 4/10. If you want a smokey look for an affordable price, I’d look into L’Oreal’s La Nude Palettes. I have a review here.

Swatches

Makeup Look

Products:

Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy and Smooth Foundation Porcelain

Concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair/Neutral

Brows: NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown, filled in with original Brow Bar to Go (can use any brown brow powder), set with Milani Clear Brow Gel

Eyeshadows: All Shadows Maybelline The Smokes Palette

Base: NYX Eye Base in Skintone
Crease: Maybelline The Smokes, Brown (1st shadow on bottom row)
Lid: Lighter Teal (1st shadow on top row)
Outer V and Lower lashline: Navy (5th shadow on bottom row)
Inner lid and tearduct: Granite (3rd shadow on bottom row)
Browbone: Light Bronze (4th shadow top row)

Mascara: L’Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic and Miss Manga mixed.

Eyeliner: L’Oreal Silkissime in Black on outer waterline and Gold on inner.

Face Highlight: Colourpop Cosmetics Butterfly Beach

Blush: Milani Rose D’Oro

Bronzer: Physicians Formula Argan Wear Bronzer in Light

Powder: Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder (this stuff has been a lifesaver for sweat and oil)

Lips: Jordana Tawny Lipliner with Maybelline Creamy Matte Daringly Nude Lipstick and NYX Butter Gloss in Fortune Cookie.

NYX New Products Haul and Review

March 29, 2015.Reading time 9 minutes.

Hello darlings, I recently purchased a bunch of NYX’s new releases from www.nyxcosmetics.com. I originally wanted the Conceal and Contour palette, but Ulta never had the “Light” shade in stock, so I resorted to my favorite pastime: online shopping. Of course I couldn’t just get one thing, so here they all are! Below I’ll have my personal thoughts on each product, except the Conceal and Correct palette, which I haven’t used yet, but if you guys want a review let me know. (Casey Holmes raves about it, so I’m sure it’s amazeballs). Anywho look below for the in-depth reviews, swatches and of course a makeup look.

Lips

YOU NEED THESE. These lipsticks are amazing. Pigmented, buttery (as buttery as the NYX butter glosses) and long-wearing. Out of everything I purchased I’d say get these. They’re only $6 and seriously the most amazing lipsticks I’ve ever used. I need them all and I think you do too.

Side note, sorry for the janky looking lipstick. I particularly mean the Wine & Dine shade, but this is what happens in my purse, or small luggage bag as my Mom like to call it. (Products reviewed from left to right).

Rock Star: Rock Star is described as a red/pink and I think it’s the perfect retro coral color for spring and summer. I die for these shades in the summertime with a great black and white outfit. This shade is buttery, full of life vibrant. You name it, it’s got it. Grade:10/10

Wine & Dine: Wine & Dine is described as a semi-deep plum with pink undertone. This reminds me off my favorite MAC lipstick Rebel, but creamier. Can’t beat that. Grade 9/10

Flutter Kiss: Flutter Kiss is described as a soft mauve pink and it is PERFECTION. I’ve worn this lipstick pretty much everyday since I got it. It’s not too brown or pink. It’s natural with that oompf. Get it, you’ll thank me, I promise. Grade 10/10

Sweet 16: Sweet 16 is described as a soft pink color. This lipstick is a perfect everyday lipstick if you love pinks. I’m just getting into pink lipstick little by little, but this is very fresh and romantic for spring. I love this for work, it’s easy to wear and lovely. It’s very similar to Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Lovely, but I prefer this and it’s a fraction of the price. Grade 10/10

Playdate: Playdate is described as a bright lavender, and honestly the color pulls a bit greyish on me. I don’t really mind but I was thinking this would be Easter egg dye lavender. Don’t get me wrong it is purple, but not the lavendar color I expected. The consistency is still the bomb. Grade 9/10

Swatches

All swatched with one swipe.

Lipliner

Earth Tone: So I’m pretty sure NYX sent this to me by accident, and I also believe it’s a discontinued shade. I found it on Amazon though. This lipliner is a great natural brown color, and goes well with the 90s lip trend going on right now. I don’t love this formula, it’s a bit stiff for my taste, but the Slim Lip Liner range does offer a large variety of colors and are the right price. Grade: 7/10

Swatched next to Flutter Kiss.

Eye Shadows

After seeing a makeup look using the color Mermaid (the teal blue on the right), I needed that color. I picked these shades thinking that’d be similar to the highly raved about Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadows, which I haven’t tried yet, so I’m not sure how they are in comparison. But I will say these Prismatic Shadows were a bit of a let down. The colors on NYX’s site definitely mislead me. I’ll put the link here for you to see http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/p-290-prismatic-shadows.aspx. With that said be wary if you order these, I think there are better drugstore options with this effect.

Punk Heart: This is described as a deep plum with purple shimmer, although NYX’s photo shows more of a purpley-pink with shimmer. So naturally when I received this dark, dark purple I was disappointed. I wanted a fun spring shade and this is better for a dark smokey eye. There’s also a lot of fallout with this, but it goes on opaque in one swipe. Grade 6/10

Fireball: Described as rusty orange with red opalescence. I really, really was hoping this was like Makeup Geeks Foiled Eyeshadow in Flamethrower, and while they look similar, I believe Flamethrower is the way to go. Fireball has little if any red undertones and is a rusty orange. Grade 6/10

Bedroom Eyes: Described as a deep metallic brown. I thought this color would be more of an icy Cola color, but it’s just boring brown. I have better browns that this and would not recommend over Maybelline or L’Oreal’s various shimmering browns. Grade 5/10

Mermaid: Described as opalescent mint with gold shimmer. I love colors like this and this one is pretty, but there’s a lot of fallout and you have to build it up. It’s a good option for the price, as it’s a more unique drugstore color, but it’s not the greatest teal/ocean blue I’ve tried. Grade 6/10

Swatches

Makeup Looks

Details:

Foundation: L’Oreal Infalliable Pro-Matte 24HR in Classic Ivory

Concealer: MAC Prolong Wear in NW15

Contour: Whitening Lightning Brow Bar To Go in Blonde to Brunette (used darkest shade to contour my nose) and Tarte’s Park Ave. Princess to bronze face.

Powder: NYX High Definition Finishing Powder in Banana. This powder is finely milled and a really nice size. This is the first “banana” powder I’ve owned and I like it but I don’t see a huge difference from regular setting powders.

Blush: Colourpop Cosmetics Super Shock blush in Holiday, applied with a Sigma F55.

Highlighter: BECCA Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal (received a sample size at Ulta), topped with Mary Lou-Manizer.

Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown, Whitening Lightning Brow Bar To Go (original), NYX Brow Mascara in Brunette to set.

Eyeshadow: Crease: Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette Naked and Buck. Lid: Naked 1 Half Baked. Lower lashline: NYX Pristine Eyeshadow in Mermaid. Browbone and inner corner: Naked 1 Virgin

Eyeliner: Top Liquid Liner: Jordana Cat Eye Eyeliner in Black Leather (purchased at Walgreens). Bottom Eyeliner: Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Nude.

Lashes: L’Oreal Telescopic and Velour Lashes Carli Lash.

Lips: Top picture: NYX High Voltage Lipstick in Playdate. Bottom picture: Sweet 16.

Extras

Shirt:

I Woke Up Like This: Nylon Shop (discontinued), similar: Revolve Clothing

The Beauty Capsule

Tag: review

Fresh Faced Spring Makeup: L’Oreal Lumi Cushion Foundation Review

Review

Makeup Look

Bold Brows: Anastasia Brow Wiz vs NYX Micro Brow

Maybelline The Smokes Review and Makeup Look

NYX New Products Haul and Review