Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation

 

Maybelline fit Me Shine-Free Foundation is one of the most interesting looking drugstore foundations to come out in quite awhile. It’s touted as shine free and perfect for oily skin while blending to a flawless, powder-like finish. I recently purchased three shades to try out this summer and I’m glad I did!

During the summer, my skin is basically “normal” as long as I am vigilant about my skincare routine. Otherwise, I can easily get dry patches, mostly along my chin and cheeks. My summer colors in this product are 235 and 240 (Pure Beige and Golden Beige) and match my skin well when I’m using the St. Tropez Sunless Bronzing Mousse (When I first apply the self tanner, I use 240. Then I will either mix the two darker shades or just use 235, depending on how the color is fading). While I was at it, I also purchase color 120 (Classic Ivory), which matches my natural color.

Classic Ivory 120

Pure Beige 235

Golden Beige 240

120, 235, 240

The foundation stick itself contains a fair amount of product. In the center of each stick, there is an “anti-shine core” that is supposed to control shine during the day. Upon application, the foundation glided nicely onto my skin and was extremely blendable, quickly drying to a powder-like finish. One thing that I really liked is that Fit Me Shine-Free provided a very light coverage but it was only minimally buildable (to maybe a light/medium coverage). It also did not settle into my pores, which is especially nice. Now, my skin is not oily, even in the summer, but I thought a good test would be to wear it without any finishing powder as I went about my day, running errands, etc.

The picture above shows what my foundation looks like after wearing shade 235 for five hours. I did not apply powder originally, nor did I touch it up in any way. You can see it provides light coverage but it evens out my skin tone nicely. There’s very little shine but my skin does look “glowy” after five hours (which I consider a good thing). For oily to very oily skins, you’ll probably have to touch it up with powder but I think it could work very well if you’re looking for light coverage (you can always cover your flaws with a bit of concealer). Fit Me Shine-Free is pretty much fool proof, as long as you get the right color. I purchased mine for $8.99 at CVS. 

Definitely recommended!

Ages of Beauty rating: ****

Budget Face of the Day

I started this blog as an outlet for myself and a resource for women roughly my age and older who are dealing with issues concerning body image, aging, elderly parents, children , finances, health and beauty. I’m no writer but it’s been a great experience and being the beauty junkie that I am, I absolutely LOVE when I can find an inexpensive product that works. In the beauty industry today, we’re bombarded with messages like “you’re not thin enough, pretty enough, or young enough but if you want to be those things you need to spend $$$$$ on THIS product in order to be worthwhile.” OK, not really those exact words, but with all of the Photo Shopped images in magazines and insanely expensive beauty products out there, things have gotten a little ridiculous.

The other day, I posted a “face of the day” that used all high end products. I love all of those products but the price tag on that entire look was pretty high (I didn’t even add it up---I just know it was “a little much.”). So in the interest of being balanced, today’s post uses all drugstore products and many of them are very inexpensive!




I start out with mascara, because I almost always make a mess that has to be cleaned up. For this look, I used Neutrogena’s Healthy Volume Mascara in Black/Brown. At $7.49, this is an excellent budget pick and makes my lashes longer and thicker (and it doesn’t smudge!!!).

Almay CC Cream in Light

My next step for this look was the application of Almay’s new CC Cream in light. This is a new product and so far I like it as a tinted moisturizer. It costs about $9.99 (give or take) at your nearest drugstore. Wherever I needed “correcting,” I applied Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Concealer + Treatment ($9.99). Then I set my face with Revlon’s Nearly

 Pressed Powder ($9.99).





OK. Now back to the eyes where I found some GREAT budget picks! From the lash line to the eyebrow, I applied Wet N Wild’s Color Icon Shadow Single eye shadow in Brulee ($1.99!!!). This eye shadow is SOOOO great and it’s my go-to base shadow for many, many looks. If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was a high end shadow! On the lid I applied NYX’s single shadow in Taupe ($4.99) and Dark Brown ($4.99) in the crease. Surprisingly enough, all three shadows lasted all day without creasing and I didn’t even apply any eyelid primer, which I usually have to wear. Next I lined my upper lids with L’Oreal’s Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Black ($8.99). I’m still testing this one out so I’ll let you know if it’s a great product after more testing. On the lower water line, I used Rimmel’s Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in

 ($4.49). This step is a way to brighten your eyes. Most eyeliners don’t last on my waterline but this one did a reasonably good job, although it does require a touch up after a few hours. Last but not least, I applied some of the mascara to my eyebrows to cover up the white hair!





On my face, I used Revlon’s PhotoReady Bronzer (about $10.50), which is an excellent, matte bronzer that includes four shades. With this product, I contoured my jaw line and cheeks as well as used it on my forehead at the hairline. The last products I used were a real value from Elf. Their powder blush in Tickled Pink ($3.00), paired with the All Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade ($1.00), provided a nice flush that lasted most of the day with just a little bit of fading. I also used the All Over Color Stick on my lips.











At just over $68, these products were good budget picks. Most (not the mascara or the all over color stick) will last for 6-12 months, depending on how often they are used so I think that they could be excellent choices for a woman on a budget. But while I’m thinking of it, I’m wondering if it’s possible to do a full face for under $25? Hmmmm….maybe that will be a future subject for a face of the day post!!!

Do you use any of these products? If so, what do you think of them?

Face of the Day: Spring is Here!!!

Spring is here and I've been testing out all kinds of products! After spending two weeks in Florida, I thought it was time to break out my Spring clothing, even though the weather here in Virginia hasn't been exactly Spring-like. As part of that, it seemed like a good time to try on a lighter, brighter makeup.

Some of these products have been reviewed but most haven't and I'll be posting reviews of them over the next few days. Here's a list of what I'm wearing:

• Almay Smart Shade Mousse Makeup in Light
• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye in Light
• CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume (the orange tube) Mascara
• Wet & Wild Eyeshadow in Petal Pusher
• Cailyn Line-Fixx Gel Eyeliner in Black
• Manna Kador Blush in High Five
• Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder
• Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Pink Freeze (805)

What makeup looks are you wearing this Spring?

Product Review: Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows

I may be late to the game but I just had to write about my love for the Maybelline  Eyestudio Color Tattoo 24 HR Cream Gel Shadow. While I don't recommend wearing any eye shadow for 24 hours, there is so much to love about this product that you just have to try it!

You NEED this product and I'm going to tell you why! 

Face of the Day: Drugstore Brands

I've been working for the last few days to get back on track after being away for over a week. Today was the first day that I actually took the time to put on makeup so I thought it would be a good time to do a Face of the Day (FOTD) post. 

Every item I used today is from the drugstore. Just about every item I used has not been reviewed yet so you can look forward for more reviews of some quality drugstore products. Click below to see what makes up this look!

Product Showdown: Revlon Colorstay Gel Liner vs. Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner

I seem to be fascinated by the differences between drugstore products and high end products. In many cases, I've found makeup in the drugstore that is just as good, or even better than its high end counterparts. Sometimes most of the difference is in the packaging (I'm not big on packaging) and at other times, it's the texture, the staying power or even the depth of the color. Since I love finding a good deal, I'm thrilled when I find similar drugstore products that do a good job.

For this Product Showdown, I'm reviewing two brands of purple gel eyeliner that can be purchased in most drugstores.