Rachel's Favorite and Not-So Favorite Concealers!!

Cover Girl Queen Natural Hue Liquid concealer - Light

ELF Tone Correcting concealer - Spice

Mac Select cover-up concealer - NC 45

Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Palette - Warm #2

Sleek Cosmetics Luminaire concealer - L03

*Swatches at the end*

The Favorites:

ELF Tone Correcting concealer - Spice: This is one of my favorite concealers for concealing and highlighting a the same time. It works perfectly under my eyes to highlight in a 'V' and is even amazing under my eyebrows down my nose and any other area I want to add brightness to! ELF has definitely changed the formula from when I bought this a while ago. The formula is much more long wearing and thicker which makes for better coverage. That said, this is still a very light coverage concealer, not something you could fully cover a blemish. This is a good product for a concealer and highlighter look where you still want dimension in your face. It also works well with other liquid face products.

Updated review coming soon. Older review Here!

MAC Select cover-up concealer - NC 45: My favorite concealer during the summer for covering blemishes must be this MAC concealer. The reason I say summer is because this concealer only matches me in the summer. When I travel, this is the concealer of choice because it works well on blemishes but also is not too heavy for under the eyes. Come winter, I'm going to try NC 42 for a match but I have the feeling it might be too light. The only thing I might say about this concealer is that it can lean orange.
Full review Here!

Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Palette - Warm #2: I found this concealer while looking for an alternative for the Makeup Forever concealer palate and I am very glad I decided to buy it! I love that it has multiple shades that i can go between and mix and match to find my perfect shade. I use the third color for under my eyes and to cover blemishes and I use the second color to highlight around my brows. The last 2 darkest shades I use as a cream contour and the lightest shade I use as an eye shadow base. Basically, i have a use for every shade! I will make a full review for this soon because there is really so much to say!

The Not-So Favorites:

Cover Girl Queen Natural Hue Liquid concealer - Light: This concealer has been in my collection for a long time and I haven't thrown it away because I honestly have been trying to like it. When you first put this concealer on it goes on very liquidy and patchy. It actually evens out and turns matte as it dries but it also gets darker as it dries. As you go throughout your day it seems to convert directly into oil and wherever you put the concealer you have a shiny spot. The brings me to the other thing about this concealer, that it has no staying power whatsoever! Thumbs down for me.

Sleek Cosmetics Luminaire concealer - L03: My mom bought me this concealer on a trip to London! Thanks Mom! Too bad it doesn't work for me :(. This concealer is the type of concealer that you would think would be good for under your eyes as it is a highlighting concealer, but that is not the case! This concealer is too thick and unblendable to be anything useful to your eyes. The consistency needs to be thinner. I haven't tried this on blemishes but its too light for the rest of my face and why would I want to highlight a blemish??
UPDATE: I really like the peach undertone this concealer has as it helps a lot with my dark circles however, the thick nature of the products causes me to pull on my eyes and I  still have a problem with that.

Swatches and Shade Description:

1. Sleek Cosmetics Luminaire concealer - L03 - medium yellowy salmon

2. Cover Girl Queen Natural Hue Liquid concealer - Light - neutral tan leaning yellow

3. ELF Tone Correcting concealer - Spice: brightening yellowy salmon

4. MAC Select cover-up concealer - NC 45: tan yellow
5. Graftobian Buttermilk(lightest shade in palate): light yellow tone 
6. Graftobian Desert Sand: medium yellow tone
7. Graftobian Golden Sunset: Almost identical to MAC NC 45
8. Graftobian Deep Xanthe: Rich yellowy brown
9. Graftobian Mid. Marygold: Dark yellow tone

Hope this was helpful and hope this gave you some ideas of concealers that might work for you!

Love,

L.A. Colors Mineral Powder - Sand

^Sand, Soft Honey (recently repurchased)

I've been using this powder since I started makeup and am just getting around to reviewing it! I've tried other powders but I always find myself coming back to this one! Its just so smooth, silky and gives me the results I want.

Since I've more than hit pan on this the pictures may not give you the most accurate picture of the product but I just wanted to at least mention it on my blog before I finished it. I don't know when I'll be able to buy it again since its a product I can only find online now :(

The L.A. Mineral Pressed Powder is a must try powder for those who like a concealer and powder look or who need something to set their foundation. The collection has a range of colors from that I think could match many skin tones. I am an NC 45 in Mac and the shade Sand fits me perfectly. As you can tell, I am in desperate need of another powder!

My favorite part about this powder is that it has some type of illuminating property that is not shimmer. Most powders I use give me a "powdery" look that this one does not give me at all! 

Update: Now in my winter shade, Soft Honey is a perfect match and I still love love love this powder. 

Pros:

Inexpensive

SoftTexture

Large color selection

Illuminating Finnish

Cons:

Availability

Plastic Packaging

Where can you buy this? Its available at Cherry Culture but I've also seen it in some beauty supply stores here in the US.

Would I repurchase? Yes, if I can find it in a store :)

WHAT POWDER SHOULD I TRY NEXT??

Hitting Pan - Products i love !!

When you've used a product to the point where you've hit pan, you must really enjoy it. Or it could be that you don't know what else to use, but in my case these are products that I've really enjoyed using and that I would repurchase over and over and over :)

Cover Girl Powder in Tawny - I don't use this so much as a powder because its about 2 shades darker than my skin but its perfect as a matte bronzer for contouring. In small amounts it looks very natural and doesn't look dirty.  The undertones are neutral which can make it have a very 'brown' look but its perfect for creating that shadow. Perfect color for contouring my nose. This was my first matte bronzer and I haven't been able to break away from it!

E.L.F. Contouring and Blush Duo (the original one) - I hate the blush. Too glittery and doesn't show up otherwise on my skin. The bronzer however... :D I love it. Its dark enough to contour with and I can use a big powder brush and put this all over my face. I use this every season of the year. It not matte but its not shimmery. There are sparse sparkles in it which I quite like.

L.A. Colors Mineral Powder in Sand - Smooth, silky powder that i loveeee! Too bad I can only find where to buy it online :( I love how this makes my skin look. Some powders make my skin look so dryy, but THIS makes my skin glow without needing bronzer! I used this most of the summer over a primer and it was perfect. Coverage is light to medium and perfectly build-able without looking cakey. It has some kind of illuminating property but its not shimmer or glitter, it just... glows! Full review coming soon :)

Hope this was helpful,

My Inexpensive, Efficient Brush Cleaner

How do I keep my brushes fresh, clean and soft without shelling out any more than 99 cents? Girl, lemme tell you... 

:D

Pros:

*Soap free

*Dye Free

*Hypoallergenic

*Cheap

*Does the Job

Cons:

*Fragrance some may not like

If you gave this a try or you already use baby wash as a brush cleaner let me know!

UPDATE: I now use and unscented version by Johnson's!

Urban Decay Primer Potions - Original and Sin (PIC Heavy!)

My UDPP original has been my go to eyeshadow base since I started makeup so I thought I'd try one of the others!

Urban Decay Primer Potions in Sin and Original

The Specs:

* .34 US oz

* Bought at Sephora and Nordstrom Rack

* There is new packaging!

* Potions are only $9 at the Rack or $18 at Sephora

* Comes in 4 shades: Original, Sin, Eden and Greed

* Comes in a super cute Jeanie Bottle tube

*This much product will last you a very long time! I've had my original for over a year now... not even close to done!

UDPP Original:

*Flesh toned in the tube but blends perfectly clear on the lid!

*My favorite of the two - holds shadow better and bending is super easy!

UDPP SIN:

*Champagne color with silver shimmer

*Love this for a simple eye look of just mascara and this 

Swatches:

Love these! Easy to use and make my eyeshadow last as long as I need!

Good value if you can find them for $9!

Even though eventually I will have to depot these I'm not worried because makeup projects are always fun :)

Comparison to the ELF $1 primer coming soon!

E.L.F. Studio Tinted Moisturizer

What do I think about this Tinted Moisturizer?

Can you tell its really been around? :D This is my 2nd tube! I even used this product during my year stay in Thailand because it beat the heat! 

What E.L.F Says: 

This lightweight and hydrating formula is breathable and provides anti-aging sun protection with UVA/UVB SPF 20. Achieve even skin tone and naturally radiant skin with this moisturizing sheer tint of color. The smooth formula enhances your complexion with the nourishing key ingredients Aloe, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E.

If your not ready or just don't want to shell out big bucks for a tinted moisturizer I highly recommend you check this out. It used to be that if I wanted to find a tinted moisturizer for my skin color, it meant big bucks. These days, however, a lot of drugstore brands have been coming out with all these BB cream/Tinted Moisturizer type products in more colors than just one or two! Can't complain about that!

Also if you like to drop the foundation for the summertime or just are a no-foundation kinda girl like me, you might find a lot you like in a product like this. 

Packaging: Sleek black, mimicking the other studio products. I think squeezy tubes for Tinted moisturizers are great. I do occasionally clean the part where the product comes out because it can get gunky. The see through window at the front is not a sticker, you are actually seeing inside the bottle!
Smaller than your average 1oz foundation (your getting .88oz).

Color: As I'll show you in the swatches, Almond, the shade I use, is more on the yellow side. If you are an NC 44/NC 45 in MAC, you could nicely get away with this color. I am a NC45 in MAC and this matches me almost perfectly. In the winter, I find myself switching to the shade Sand.

Product: The finish on this is matte. In no way oily. It smooths into my skin so nicely and leaves a very natural finish. The feel once blended into my skin is smooth and dry. I almost never set this with powder because the matte nature of it gives me the option to and I love the natural finish. Sheer coverage.

Pros:
*7 colors to choose from, Almond is the 3rd darkest shade so if your darker you still have 2 shades to choose from!
*Dries a natural matte
*Wears all day
*Tube Packaging
*Skin benefiting ingredients (Aloe, Cucumber, A, E,)
*SPF 20
*Sheer coverage
*Smooth finish
*$3 (what a deal!)
*Travels well: Has been all around the world with me!

Can be purchased online or at Target

Cons:
* Smells like sunscreen
*You don't get a full 1 fl oz

 Swatches:

How I wear this tinted moisturizer:

To wear this I skip primer so that It can blend into my skin easy. I put the product on the back of my hand and warm it up with my fingers. I use my fingers to apply, then pat my face to press it into my skin. I usually use a matte bronzer around the edges of my face and lightly contour so that it fades the color into my hairline and neck.

If I need this to last through more than school, or I need it to last through a special event, I spray it with the elf Mist and Set and once that dries I apply the NYC translucent powder.

Would I repurchase? OVER AND OVER!

Dear E.L.F people:  I am really proud of your color selection, thanks for taking notice of the darker skinned women in this world and not leaving us out and having affordable products for everyone to be able to try :)

<3 Rachel

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

I don't know about you but foaming cleansers have always been my favorite and when I saw this I was instantly sucked in by its foaming powers :P 

Unfortunately, it didn't really do what it was supposed to do...clean my face!

^ One Pump of the Foaming Cleanser

The Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser is supposed to be an oil free, soap free, bla bla bla, foaming cleanser. I was hoping that it would remove makeup too but I was wrong for even expecting it to clean my face.

After a few days of using this I noticed the overall quality of my skin going down :(  I would clean my face with this and dry my face with a hand towel and there would be makeup on the towel (and just so you know I remove most of my makeup with a makeup removing cloth before even going to the sink). My skin felt dry, not clean, dry.
        
Oh, and did I mention that this is the most drying cleanser I have ever tried in my life?

Pros:
Price ~$7
Contains Salicylic Acid for blemish treatment
Oil Free
Soap Free
FOAMS! (i love foam)

Cons:
Didn't clean my face
Sucked all the moisture out of my face
Strong Fragrance (surprised me when i opened the bottle and my skin is sensitive to fragrance)
My skin didn't feel smooth after cleansing, it literally just felt dry

Purchased at: Target
Would I repurchase? Umm, hell no.

Have you tried this cleanser? Does it work for you? Let me know! What is your favorite cleanser?

<3 Rachel

Review: Ruby Kisses Jellicious Mouth Watering Gloss!

Ruby Kisses is a new brand that I've been seeing a lot of at my beauty supply stores! I haven't seen many reviews on their products, so I've been trying them out on my own :)

Ruby Kisses Jellicious Mouth Watering Gloss - Cotton Candy

 I do like this gloss as a basic gloss to keep in my car or my backpack, but its not going to do much for the color of your lips which is what I generally like lip glosses to do. Also, I tend to like a stickier consistency because it lasts so much longer. What attracted me to this was the packaging...it was just so appealing!

If they meant candy when they said Mouth Watering... they go it. This stuff is SO sweet.. sweeter than the Liplicous ones even! And it really didn't taste like cotton candy...it was just sweet, but it was very moisturizing for my lips.

Pros:

Nice scent

Super cute packaging

Mango butter and Acai Berry Infused (don't ask me what that means)

Moisturizing

Cons:

Very sweet flavor

Not long lasting

Sheerer than I expected

Swatches:

I do like this gloss but I'm not sure its one that I would repurchase. I like a gloss with some color. In the tube it looked like it would have some but it did not. This is my least favorite of the Ruby Kisses products that I have tried.

Rachel

My Current Skin Care

      I try to keep my skin care as natural as possible as to not get my skin used to harsh products. My skin is sensitive to fragrance. I'll get small bumps around my nose and if I have a reaction to a product then I get red bumps around my mouth and forehead area between my brows. My skin is neither excessively dry or oily and its rare that I get a pimple. 

 I am always getting compliments on the clarity of my skin! I am very thankful for it.

Heres a peek at what I like and what I feel works for my skin!! 

Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash: Recently began using this after a fail with the Aveeno Clear Complexion Foam Cleanser (didn't clean my face, caused breakouts, VERY fragranced) and after using the Boots 7 Which Hazel and Tea Tree Foam cleanser. I loved that Boots cleanser but I can only find it in Thailand :(
This wash cleans my skin without drying it out. I love that its so gentle! The packaging is my only complaint. The product seems to be spilling even when closed? We'll see.

Arabic Store Rose Water: My mom came across this rose water at some Arabic store somewhere and picked it up for me as she knows I use this as a toner! I love it. Its just like any other rose water I've used except the bottle is glass and I kinda like that! Rosewater is very gentle and works great as a toner for my skin, not to mention it smells awesomee :D

Simple Hydrating Moisturizer: I am really liking this moisturizer that I have began using after using Biore's SPF 30 Moisturizer all summer. This one doesn't have SPF but I feel like as winter is coming along I don't need all that SPF. Its a very light moisturizer. Almost gel-like, seems tacky as its drying, but leaves my face super smooth~!!

Original Noxema: When I feel like my skin is struggling after using a product that reacted harshly with my skin, I reach for this. Big, inexpensive, and lasts forever. It cleanses and leaves my skin moisturized, like an oil cleanser :)

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Invigorating Scrub: My favorite for expholating my skin. I like to mix it with the Noxema to reduce the harshness of the scrub and after my skin looks radiant and smooth :)

Epielle Green Tea Cleaning Tissues: Thank the Lord for Big Lots! This is where I buy my makeup removing cloths. They have Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea in a small (30 count) size and a large (60 count) size. The Green Tea ones are my favorite and yes, I have tried them all :) They remove my makeup well and don't irritate my skin!

Grape Seed Oil: For night time moisture and eye makeup removal this is a favorite! Removes mascara and eyeliner and all that waterproof stuff in an instant!
 I'll put this over the area that I need it, massage it in and use my makeup wipes to remove the oil. Then I'll go wash my face and I'm done!


I make sure to make sure that all my makeup is removed. That might be my biggest skin care secret. Take the time to remove all your makeup - your skin will love you!

Rachel

A preview of my Senior Pictures!!! No foundation ... just clear skin :)

MAC Select Coverup Concealer - NC 45

MAC Select Cover-up Concealer: NC 45

My favorite concealer up to date is definitely this concealer. I was matched at the Mac store for NC 45. When the the guy tried it on me it was perfect! I loved the shade, i loved the coverage and I loved the feel. I may have been a little over excited with this being my first MAC concealer purchase, but hey ;) 

I must say though, I am never going to the MAC counter again. The store is fine its just the counter. I feel like they treated me badly because of my age (i'm 16 and I will be 17 in one month!) So, skip them. I'm going to the store from now on.

I have been able to use this product in multiple ways:

 - As a concealer under my eyes applied with a pointed blending brush,

 - mixed with my moisturizer as a tinted moisturizer

 -  mixed with my primer as a tinted primer 

 - and on blemishes. 

Favorite use? Undereyes!

~$18 for .33 FL OZ

This has become an everyday product for me for under my eyes. It also covers blemishes well but thank God i haven't had any in a while! I use the Sonia Kashuk pointed blending brush to blend it over the under eye area and it has been nothing but perfect. It also applies just fine with my fingers. It dries to a more matte finish and stays put! Ive been using this for a good 2 weeks now and even without being set with powder it doesn't crease and it stays put!

 One small drop goes a longgg way!

 *blended out slightly

 *blended out completely! Looks just like skin!

**UPDATE: One thing I might say is that this concealer might be drying for those who have dry skin around their eyes and if you are trying to cover a flaky blemish or the area of skin covered is dry, it will not hesitate to accentuate the dryness. Make sure you moisturize first!

I love, love, love this concealer, I plan to try other Mac concealers in the future, but I think my next mac purchase will be a lipstick!

Thanks for stopping by!

Comment and followw!

<3 Rachel

NYC Matte Me crazy Polish!

Looking for a great, inexpensive matte polish? Check this out!

Rachel