A Review.

Inspiration Station. I've been trying to organize my thoughts and channel my inner beauty blogger. Lately I've come across some products that have switched up my game and made me interested in the beauty community again. If it wasn't for the already existing beauty community on forums, chat boards, blogs, v-logs and YouTube, I would be left in the dark ages. There are so many new and old products that are out there on shelves that I think people like myself could benefit from. I figured this post could be a small review on two of those gems that I've found recently and have fallen in love...or lust with. Whatevs.

 Like I said in my previous post, I have had to change up my makeup routine. That was due to the fact that every time I had to spend any amount of time outside (other than the walk to and from my air conditioned car to an air conditioned building.) my face would melt off.








And by melt off, I mean my primer and foundation along with any powders would all separate and start to form oily nasty blotches. Now first things first, yes, I have oily to combination skin. I have a REALLY oily "t-zone". In the summer in the hot hot heat I get that an oily face is going to happen, it's hard to control. I get that. HOWEVER, I do not want to walk around like I have some sort of skin disease because my makeup is doing something like this...might as well just name me Patch.






So, after some research online within the beauty community I decided to take a little trip to my local drug store and pick out a new foundation. All the buzz was surrounding Revlon and their Colorstay Whipped Foundation. On the shelves the product looks great, nicely packaged in a glass container. By the looks of the displays there are quite a few colors to choose from...unless the display has been picked over, which the one at my drugstore had been. I grabbed the color 370 in Natural Tan and headed to the cash register. The product rang up for close to $15. Yes I know, I thought the same thing, "Shit Kellie, that's a bit much for a drugstore foundation." You would be right, however I had full intentions on returning this product if it didn't do what I wanted it to...I was on a mission. Aside from it being a bit pricey for a "low end" foundation, I had high hopes.
Upon opening the product I was surprised by the consistency and the color. For one, the color looked considerably darker inside than it did from the outside of the packaging. Luckily it was a great match for my newly spray tanned face. The consistency was something that I was not ready for. The name of the product is Whipped, but the texture of it is far from feeling whipped. It's not at all light or fluffy. After curiously looking and it and poking around, I found that the texture is more that of a heavy gel. It does look like a medium to full coverage foundation. However it does come across a bit heavier than it's name makes it sound. As far as application goes I use what God gave me, my fingers. I've used brushes, wet sponges, dry sponges, beauty blenders...all sorts of tools to apply my foundation. With this product I believe my fingers work best to distribute and blend it into my skin. I do go over the foundation with a MAC 187, dou fiber brush to make sure I've blended properly. As far as the finish, without setting the foundation it does leave a natural matte-ish finish to ones face. It doesn't look greasy, or cakey. The product does make you look like you are alive tho, not dull or lifeless. I set mine with a translucent setting powder and go on with the rest of my face routine.
Now the product does say something about being good for 24 hours...I don't know what Revlon is doing with that marketing ploy. Who in their right mind is wearing any foundation for 24 hours? I just want it to last through the word day and not melt away. Which this product does flawlessly. It stays in place and keeps my face from getting oily or slippery. Out of 5 stars I give this foundation 4.5, I only deduct a half a point because, even though the packaging looks nice, it's a bit excessive. I like to be able to shove my makeup into my travel makeup bag and go. This packaging is a bit bulky and heavy for my day to day make up bag. However the glass bottle looks almost elegant on my makeup station. I on the other hand wouldn't mind paying a little less for this product if it was packaged in something cheaper...like...oh say...plastic??







My second, and last product for this review is De Slick by Urban Decay and Skindinavia. It is an oil controlling setting spray. When I picked this up I figured I'd give it a try and use it to lock in my new love, the Whipped Revlon Foundation. With this product added to my foundation routeen, my face would be unstoppable. haha. I really wanted to try it out not so much for the staying power for my foundation, but also for my blush. Ever since I've started wearing blush I have the hardest time keeping the color throughout the day. It seems to just disappear. This product can be found most places that sell Urban Decay like Sephora and Ulta, or online some places. It retails for just about $29. I use about 4 sprays
 on my bare face before I start to put my face makeup on. After I have finished my entire face...yup mascara, eyebrows and all. I spray another 4 squirts around my face. It takes a second to dry and feels a bit tacking but after that you're ready to rock and roll. It has a slight fragrance but it is so subtle and it wears of instantly after it drys. It keeps my foundation and blush in their original position through a grueling 10 hour shift at work. If you ask me I think it's worth every single penny. Out of 5 stars I give this product a 4. I deducted a little because of the stickiness that the product leaves behind until it is fully dry. I also deducted a small percent because of an event that occurred while camping. lol
Now I know that what happened was an extenuating circumstance. I wouldn't normally be doing what I was doing with a full face of makeup on. However I would like to explain what happened. Upon starting out on a camping trip with my husband and some friends to Lake George this past weekend I left the house with a full face of makeup. It was about 93 degrees outside and humid as hell. Once we got to the camp grounds I set off to set up our tent and sleeping quarters. After a bit of struggling the tent was up and I was unroll sleeping bags and setting up our bed. Well, as you might know, being inside a smallish tent setting up a bed in the blistering heat is like working in an oven set on BROIL! I emerged gasping for air and sweating a bit. Well at least I thought my face was trying to sweat. I touched my face where I thought it was sweating and it felt like I had sprayed it with half a bottle of Aqua Net. My face was sticky but it wasn't sweaty, and it might have even been a bit itchy. Later on I got a chance to check myself in a mirror and my makeup looked just as it had that morning when I left the house....so this product does what it's supposed to. But they should call it sweat blocker spray not oil control spray. SURVEY SAYS...don't try and sweat your perm out with it on your face...it kind of itches.







Until next time, Peace, Love, & Waterproof Mascara. <3

Feeling HOT HOT HOT.

Well well, where has the time gone?! Long time no blogging! It's been a busy summer...between weddings, weekend getaways, work and blistering heat, I haven't been much of a beauty blogger. Much apologies. However, what better way to get my ass back in the saddle than a blog on my Summer Favorites! Most are beauty products, but I do love to throw in a couple other random things that I've been loving these past few weeks. 

I do not know if it's been as hot as the gates of hell everywhere this summer. But in Central New York I guess weather men/women have been calling it a "scorcher". I don't so much enjoy that word, but it has been uncomfortably hot and humid for the past couple months. That said, it has drastically changed my makeup routine and all around beauty regimen. I've picked up a few things to help me cope with this hot sticky mess (when air conditioning just isn't cutting it).

There it is, in all it's glory....my summer favorites. I guess I'll explain from leftish to rightish.

So, letsbehonest, I watch a TON of Youtube videos on new products and product reviews. All the buzz this spring/summer was Revlon and their new Colorstay Whipped foundation. Now after watching videos on application as well as reviews on this product, I decided to drop the $15 on this new drugstore foundation and give it a whirl. My current foundation wasn't cutting it in the hot humid temperatures. I would have tried smearing dirt on my face if it was the same shade as my skin. Luckily, this foundation has been working out for me so far. I'll spare you all the boring deets just for now, I'm going to be doing a review shortly on the
 blog. But my color is 370 natural tan. It's a bit dark, but I'll get to that in a second. :)

The next product is a fairly new product from bareMinerals. It's a "Ready Bronzer" in the color The Deep End. This bronzer is marketed a little different from the rest of the bareMinerals line because it's in compact/pressed powder form. As most of you reading this probably know, bareMinerals is typically known for their loose powders and eye shadows. They don't dabble a whole lot in pressed pigments or powders. I have been thoroughly enjoying this product. It again is a bit darker than what I usually wear because I've gotten a bit of color as of recent.

Next is a hair product. It's by the brand got2b. It's a volumizing powder for your roots. Being summer and all, my locks are a bit dry and brittle. Sun damage, frizzy from the humidity....lookin' pretty much like a lions mane. This stuff really jacks up your hair without the teasing comb and hair spray. Just shake it in and rub with your fingertips....but be careful not to use too much. It has a way of clumping up and getting a little sticky if you use more than a few shakes. I haven't had to tease my roots or blast them with the dryer and defuser to get the volume I want...and in turn saving it from being even more dried out.

Please excuse my sad, used, half a pack of individual lashes. I can't find the packaging, but they are by the brand Ardell and they are in Black Medium Flare. I find these a lot easier to put on than a full strip of lashes. I just place three or four clumps on my outer lashes and it gives me a whispy look. I don't know if I'm imagining it but they feel a lot more comfortable than the full strip lashes. I use the product under, Revlon's Precision Lash Adhesive to attach them, and have been liking that product a lot more than the Duo Adhesive I have been using for years. It dries clear, and seems to dry a WHOLE lot quicker than the Duo brand lash glue. 

Smashbox with flash

Smashbox without flash

Wet-n-wild with flash

 The two eyeshadow palettes I've been reaching for are Blue Eyes by Smashbox and Comfort Zone by Wet-n-Wild. Both pallets are extremely neutral and bronze in color. Both have similar color pay off and quality. Which is a little surprising given that the Smashbox palette retails for about $45 and the Wet-n-Wild palette retails for a shocking $4.99 a pop. I don't necessarily use them with the corresponding colors and in the way the palette directs them to be used. I just mix and match until I get the desired look. :) 

Next product is the one I have been the most excited about. I've gone back and forth between different setting sprays. I've used the MAC Fix+, Model in a Bottle, and another setting spray by Skindinavia that I can't remember the name. These have all had pros and cons of their own but this product by Urban Decay takes the cake. It's called De Slick, and it is also by the brand Skindinavia. It's designed to control oil, but at the same time keep your makeup from disappearing throughout the day. I've been using it before I apply and after I finish my full face. I do have to say I am IN LOVE with this product. Along with another product I will be posting a more in-depth review on it in the future.

As far as nail polish goes for these summer months I've been a bit of a slacker. Where in the Fall and Winter months I would change my nail polish as soon as my manicure chipped. These passed months I've been changing my polish color about once a week. But the two colors I've been loving are Royal by Revlon and Pink Forever by Sinful Colors. Out of all the higher end nail polishes in my collection, I have really stuck to these two drugstore colors for the entirety of the summer months. 

I received a few frequent buyer points at Sephora and got an assortment of samples. The HD Makeup Forever setting powder was one of them. So far I'm really liking the finish of this powder, and it's been working great with my Whipped foundation from Revlon.

My last beauty favorite, and why I've had to buy a darker foundation and bronzer is SPRAY TANNING!! I've been a bit of a spray tan junky lately. I like the instant color it gives me. The technology of spray tanning has come a long way in the past few years. They now have booths that spray your naked ass down. No more awkward person using an actual spray gun on you. You get, for the most part even color and instant gratification. Yes if you aren't careful or if you go to a shoddy establishment, your color and consistency may vary. I've found that as long as I exfoliate before I spray tan, and then moisturize afterwards I have had nothing but good luck. My skin fades rather evenly, I've been going to the tanning salon for a spray tan just about once a week. I have found that my face fades a bit faster because of my extra washing and probably the alcohol in my makeup wipes. That's where my darker foundation comes into play. It matches perfectly to my neck and chest....that way I am one solid color. :) 

Lastly is a more random favorite. I wish I had stumbled upon this scent earlier in the summer. But because I wait for EVERYTHING I buy at Bath and Body Works to go on sale, I waited a bit too long for this. It's from their spring/summer beach collection. I finally cracked and bought it when the three wick candles went on sale for 2 for $20 down from $19.95 for one. I went looking for a totally different scent....Sun Tan. Which smelled just like suntan lotion, and I LOVED it. But they were completely sold out of that scent. I'm glad that I got the White Sands scent, it has a great scent throw and will more than get me through until I can start burning my autumn scents. mmmmmhmmmm. :) I also got a few of the "candle sleeves" that are also in the picture. I think they dress up any candle and are very affordable (Just about $5 each) at Bath and Body Works. 

That's all for now...but look for a new post in the near near future. :) <3 Peace Love & Waterproof Mascara.