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 Review: L'Oreal Magic De-Crease Eyelid Primer

L'Oreal recently introduced their new eyelid primer, which is available in most drugstores and retails for $8.99 (I got mine at CVS). As someone who has dry facial skin but somewhat oily eyelids, I wear an eyelid primer whenever I'm using a powder shadow but also sometimes when I use cream shadows.

Has L'Oreal been able to replace my favorite Urban Decay Primer Potion with their new Magic De-Crease? Jump ahead to find out!

Product Review: Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Skin Perfector

Revlon has jumped on the BB Cream bandwagon and launched one of their own---or did they?  A big pet peeve of mine is cosmetics companies that try to get in on a good thing (like the BB Cream craze) but then do it in a less than optimal way. Many of the non-Asian brands call themselves BB Creams but they are really tinted moisturizers.

So let's look at what a BB Cream is "supposed" to be about: 

• light to medium coverage
• moisturizing (and sometimes oil controlling)
• Built in primer
• decent level of sun protection
• skin benefiting/anti aging ingredients
• either automatically adapts to skin tone or comes in several skin tones to match different depths of pigmentation
• Evens out skin tone
• Lightens skin/reduces discoloration (Asian brands only)

Product Review: Hourglass No. 28 Primer and Serum

A few months ago, I was in Sephora looking for a new primer. While there, I met one of their traveling makeup artists who just happened to be an Hourglass expert. He asked me what I was looking for, what my skin was like, etc. Because I answered that my skin was dry usually but now even more dry due to the winter weather, he suggested I try Hourglass Cosmetics' No. 28 Primer Serum. That day, I went home with a very generous sample.

Hourglass describes its No. 28 Primer Serum as "an ultra hydrating, nutrient rich primer and serum infused with 28 beneficial ingredients to nurture your skin as it prepares it for flawless makeup. This silky, lightweight oil blend glides on and is quickly absorbed to hydrate the skin and refine the appearance of visible pores. Skin is instantly transformed, appears younger and more luminous."

How to: "No Makeup" Makeup

Photo Credit: Prevention.com

I don't wear makeup every day but when I do, I often reach for a more natural look. As I've gotten older, my skin has "dulled" a bit, pigmentation isn't as even as it was when I was in my 20s or even my 30s, and my eyes look a little less vibrant. That's not to say that I don't leave my home without makeup (I do) but sometimes I like a little pick me up that doesn't involve a lot of time or products. 

For this reason, I've figured out which handful of products provide that extra lift that still looks natural. And best of all, it only takes 5 minutes!

Product Review: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream

Beautiful Finish for Slightly Dry to Oily Skin

I originally became acquainted with Smashbox's Camera Ready BB Cream through a Sephora sample. Having tried several Asian and Western BB creams, I was a little bit skeptical of yet another tinted moisturizer masquerading as a BB cream. Fortunately, I continued on with this product as I am happy I did!

Smashbox describes its BB cream as  "a five in one formula for achieving flawless skin on camera and beyond."  The five functions are as to prime for a layer of foundation; to perfect or even out skin tone using one of the five available shades; to hydrate and improve skin moisture in four weeks; to protect with a sun protection rating of 35; and controlling oil.