Chit Chat Wednesday | When Brands Mislabel Their Products

You know what really grinds my gears? When cosmetic companies mislabel their products. 

The other day I was shopping at the drugstore and I picked up a matte liquid lippie from a brand I trust (I won't point fingers). You'll know who it is in a future review because I'm sure as heck going to mention it regardless of how I feel about the brand. I actually love the brand I'm talking about but it just ticks me off that brands mislead us. 

If a lipstick says liquid matte then it should perform like a liquid matte lipstick. I won't go into to details of the product, as I'm sure you're confused about what I'm talking about. However, I know you know what I mean. Why do companies do this? There are going to be reviews of the product, so why lie? Your customers are what makes your company thrive, why would you lie to them? 

I just wish companies would be honest about what a product is and how it performs. Did you know companies can say a product lasts for 24 hours just because a trace of that product is still visible? How misleading! We don't want a trace of that so called product, we want it to look the same as it did when we first applied it if it does claim a 24 hour wear. Hello, that's why we purchased it. 

Tell me, what products have you purchased that mislead you. It can be the name or claims. Right now I have two new spring releases that have fooled me. Leave a comment below! 

Check my snapchat for a sneak peek to see what those products are! 

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L'Oreal Lumi Cushion Foundation | Review For Acne Prone Skin

How exciting is it that America is finally jumping on the cushion band wagon?! Cushion foundations have been a popular item in Korea for a while now. They are known for their flawless finish and buildable coverage.

There are a whopping amount of 12 shades available, starting at Light Ivory and ending at Cocoa.  The shade I have is N2. The price is $16.99. Wait. What? Yes, freaking $17 for a drugstore foundation! What the heck Loreal?! And the amount of product is even cut in half (52 oz)! This item is permanent at the drugstore.

The shades are pretty accurate to the sticker on the compact. When you first open the foundation the cushion looks a little darker than the actual foundation. So don't be alarmed about a wrong color match.  

The packaging is very cute. The foundation comes in a bulky compact with a rose gold lid. The top lid lifts up and reveals a large mirror and sponge.There is another protective lid that clicks and seals in the cushion foundation. Although I do love the packaging, it can be hard to tell if the sealing lid shuts completely. ( It does by the way, it's just hard to tell since it doesn't click convincingly)

 I'm pretty confident that the packaging will keep the cushion saturated in product. One of my first thoughts was, "Oh no, it's going to dry out like a sharpie marker". Nope, were fine in that department. Now my main concern is bacteria. Granted, the sponge does have an anti- microbial layer but will that really keep bacteria at bay? Who knows!

Swatch: Looks yellow in the picture but in person it's more neutral. 

Oh, coverage,  I'm sure that's what every one is concerned about. I do find the Lumi Cushion foundation to be buildable as in the sense it builds well without looking cakey. However, I don't agree about the coverage being buildable. Even with three layers on, it almost looks the same as it does with one layer- sheer coverage. It does cover redness but not problem areas. The only thing I'll personally use it for is a base foundation for fuller coverage or for any everyday wear to take my dog outside... Acne sufferers will understand what I mean by that. 

Left to right: No foundation, One Layer, Two Layers, Three Layers 

The finish is very flawless and lightweight. It really does live up to the cushion foundation hype. I find no matter how much I apply it always blends into a flawless base. Speaking of blending, darn this stuff is easy to apply. It's as simple as patting and moving on to powder. It's such an easy product to use.

It doesn't emphasize pores or dry patches! Unfortunately, it can accentuate peach fuzz, so be sure to wax beforehand. 

The lasting power is average. It stayed on my combo skin for 5 hours before my oil started to break through. After that point it turned my face started to look like a frying pan.  I do set it with Rimmel Stay Matte powder and I have been using Nivea's After Shave Balm as a primer. Since it has a dewy finish that doesn't set completely, I feel the need to set wherever I applied it. For now on, I may use an oil control primer to prevent oil seeping through! 

 I feel like those who have super oily skin will despise this foundation. Normal skin gals out there will probably love it, as well as dry.

Overall, I do like this foundation even though the coverage sucks. L'Oreal didn't claim it to be a full coverage foundation, so I'm not going to penalize it for that reason alone. I like the finish, shade range, blend-ability, the way it applies, packaging, weight and how it doesn't have a smell. The only things I don't like is the price for the amount you get and the potential for bacteria growth. I don't see it replacing my foundation but it may be my new base product. I love how it smooths over my dry patches and provides a thin layer of extra coverage. I'll finish it up but I won't repurchase it just because I do require more coverage for my acne. 

Pro's

•  doesn't break me out!
• buildable
• flawless finish
• easy to apply
• lightweight
• great base foundation
• blends easily
• shade selection
• no smell
• very saturated 
• nice packaging
• Natural looking 
• Covers redness 

Con's

• sheer coverage
• pricey for drugstore
• little amount of product
• may not be sanitary 
• Can Accentuate peach fuzz 

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2015 Beauty Favorites Roundup | Top 6, Best Brushes & Skincare

 I love makeup unconditionally but my favorite thing this year was my blog. To me, my blog is my personal creative outlet and the place where I can share my love for beauty. In my life, no one around me shares love for makeup like everyone does on the online beauty community.

 It's a wonderful thing to see so many girls (and boys) slay the makeup game and support one another. I have never felt more connected with anyone than I do to those in our amazing beauty community.

 Sure, the makeup and brands are the reason we are all here but we the beauty junkies are what makes this community great. I just hope I can add to that inspiring community with my blog.

Always know I appreciate your time that you spend reading my blog. It sincerely completes my year when I know someone is bonding with me over makeup through my blog. I love you all!

To round up my 2015 favorites I thought it would be a fun idea to pick my ultimate favorites from each category. Down below you'll find 6 products, two from each individual post. So keep reading to see whats the best of the best. You never know, you might find that next amazing product you cant live without!

 The Base Is What's Important! Favorite Face Products of 2015

• Stila One Step Step Correct Trip Swirl Helix Primer

•  Dermablend Intense Powder Camo 

The Eyes Are The Window To The Soul Favorite Eyes Products of 2015

• Morphe 35N palette

• Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Solstice 

It's all about the lips!  Favorite Lip Products of 2015
 

• Maybelline Color Sensatinal Creamy Matte Lipstick

• Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick  

Now let's talk about those extra products that are not the center of attention. I know skincare is the most important but I really dont have many favorites for skincare. I still havent found my holy grail products for every skincare need. Brushes on the other hand I have a pretty decent bunch I love and use daily. Let's see what they are. 

Favorite brush brands 

Highend: Sigma 

Sigma is my favorite high end brand for brushes. They last and feel like they are made with the highest quality on the market but the prices are not bad at all. I mean it's not like Elf but its more like the Olive Garden of makeup- It's not too expensive but you would never know if it wasn't for the label. 

My favorite brush that I can not live without is the Sigma E25. I know so many people talk about it and I'm sure you're ready to throw up. But hear me out...mMy shadow game has changed since I started using this brush. My crease has never looked as defined as it is now. And The E25 just swoops right in there and smokes out my outer corner like no other. And, my god, it's so incredibly soft. If I could only keep one brush in my whole collection, this would be the one.  

Drugstore: Real Techniques, Sonia Kashuk (black handle line), or e.l.f  (studio)

 I know, I know, not everyone wants to spend a lot of  $$$ on brushes. Luckly, there are so many great drugstore brands out there. Sonia Kashuk, in particulary, is my favorite. The black handle line looks far more superior than any other brush line you'll find in the glorious isles of Target. The handles are sleek, fancy, durable and the bristles are tremendously soft. The prices are a little up there for drugstore but they are still cheaper than our beloved high end brands. 

My favorite Sonia Kashuk brush is the Flat Top Multipurpose brush  I love this brush partly for the reasons I listed above. It's perfect for blending out foundation. It doesn't leave streaks but instead leaves a flawless finish. I don't always use foundation brushes but when I do I use the Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Multipurpose brush.  

Other brush brands I love from the drugstore are Real Techniques and elf. Both brands make fantastic brushes. Elf brushes are made a little cheaper. It can be hit or miss. However, the majority of the Studio brushes are pretty good. If you're interested I can do a separate post exclusive to their brushes, just ask.  

Skincare of 2015

I only have three products to share with you. I honestly haven't found much of anything in skincare that has blown my mind. I guess I'm pretty picky because of my acne. Not just any product will please me. 

The first item I thought of is the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refresh Gel Cream. It's lightweight but really moisturizing. I love it for under my makeup. It really sinks in fast and flattens any dry patches I may have. My makeup has changed a lot since I started using it in December. My skin looks a lot smoother and moisturized. My foundation stays on longer and doesn't suck up all the moisture and leave behind a cakey mess like it tends to do. When I run out I will definitely purchase more!  

I'm sure you can guess the next product, Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask . My god, I love this mask. It helps my acne tremendously! My only problem with it is the price ($70). I just can't bring myself to purchase a mask that much. It helps a lot but it's only temporary and I go through it pretty fast. I say try it if you have the money for it. Please, don't purchase it though if you only want to buy it once... You'll be heart broken when you run out. It's like a vacuum for dirt, oil and black heads. It's amazing stuff. 

My last favorite is the St. Ives Clearing Green Tea Scrub . My skin loves this stuff. It doesn't completely get rid of my acne but it does a lot better with it than other scubs I have tried. My breakouts chill out for a while and go on vacation. Even when I do have a breakout the redness eases away after I wash my face with this stuff. It's alsogentle enough to use daily on my sensitive skin. I can't guarantee it will work for everyone. We all have different skin but I can say my experience has been pleasant. I do recommend trying it atleast once, it won't break the bank. 

Well that was fun! I hope you enjoyed this post and found something useful. Let me know what your favorites of 2015 are in the comments below! 

I have purchased a lot of new makeup to review that just launched! So be sure to come back and see what spring launches are worth checking out! And as always, if you have any request just let me know. I love picking up products to review for you! 

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