Sample: Maybelline FitMe Stick Foundation

The two samples of this that I had were sent to me in the mail because I ended up on a mailing list or clicked on something, not really sure.

Each sample contained three shades, 120, 220, and 355. The first time I tried the samples I used the 120 in the center of my face, the 220 around the edges, and the 355 as a contour. I also did not use a primer or setting powder on the first day as it has a powder core so I thought it shouldn't need one, turns out it did because the blush I applied over it appeared to be running down to my jawline after a few hours. The second time I used it I applied a primer first, the 120 through the center of the face and the 220 around the edges but did not contour. I topped it with my normal Physicians Formula setting powder but did not apply blush to be sure what I was seeing. It did show a little of the redness through from my cheeks, but the coverage stayed good enough for 10 hours that it just looked like I was wearing a light pink blush.

This foundation can be easily blended away, but when applied thoughtfully does seem to give enough coverage to even out skin tone and hide redness. It did not cover blemishes, concealer would be required for that.

This is one I would consider buying if I ran out of the foundations I already have.

Sample: Garnier BB Cream

This sample was pulled from a magazine a while ago and I finally decided to use it up.

This was a sample set that included both BB Cream samples for Normal to Dry skin and Combination to Oily skin as well as three shades in each. Fair/Light was probably the best match for me, but the Combination to Oily seemed to give the best coverage of the two options.  

I used the Normal to Dry samples on the right sides of the face and the Combination to Oily samples on the left side of the face. I used the first shades in each set on the center of the face to the edge of the eyebrows and the second shade in each set around the perimeter of the face. The third shade in each set was used as a contour under the cheeks and under the chin. Because these were not matching shades for each set the left side did need to be blended out more than the right side did to bring it in line with the right in terms of appearance. The samples were set with the Physicians Formula translucent setting powder I have been using for some time now.

Neither side gave a great deal of coverage, and the redness of my cheeks was still visible on both sides, but I did feel the Combination to Oily side looked the best overall in terms of coverage and looking slightly less red to the cheeks. I don't actually intend to buy this BB Cream, but if my husband ever finds it on clearance and asks which one I want I would ask him to get the lightest of the Combination to Oily BB Cream because it worked better and I could set it with a foundation powder to improve the appearance even more.

Keep in Mind: January 2015

ColorMates Eye Shadows and Blushes

While I have not tried every ColorMates Eye Shadow or Blush that I own yet, the ones that I have tried so far seem really nice. The color in the pan usually translates well onto the lid and the wear time, while not actually timed yet, seems decent. I have not yet actually tested the products the way I would for a review, due to the dying of the laptop and having to refigure out how I am going to do them, but so far during general wearing of them I have been happy.

Reminder Not To Buy Again

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Wipes

I love the Aveeno moisturizers that I use, I do not love these, and for one reason and only one reason. These makeup remover wipes, while they do remove makeup well and did seem very soft, are also very highly fragranced. The scent also lingers for a couple of days from the trashcan when I threw one away in my makeup room. I am mildly sensitive to perfumes, several of them give me headaches and when more than one spritz is used, they all give me headaches, this was more fragrant than most of the perfumes I have tried. I can't even use what is left to remove swatches from my hands. Just sitting near the package to type this is giving me a headache. I am surprised that a product line that is all about being natural and gentle would be so perfumed.

Empties: February 3, 2015

e.l.f. $1 eye lid primer

I have another one already ready to go. I am now going to just be using this for reviewing as I am trying to make sure that I also use my other eye lid primers and I never would if I didn't use them for general makeup wear. I like use this primer for testing because it works really well for me and is only $1 so I feel like most people could afford that if they are getting into makeup and want to use an eye lid primer. It generally extends the wear time of most eye shadows by a few hours and can, though not greatly, make the color of the eye shadow slightly more intense, remembering that this is a very minimal improvement in appearance.

Donna Michelle light 1 Make Up Foundation

I am so glad this is finally done. I have used my fingers, three different types of brushes and two different types of sponges, and I have never managed to make this work well. If I have no redness to my cheeks it looks okay, but on most days I have some level of redness and this never managed to cover it or even out my skin tone at all. My husband already knows to never buy this again as he has heard me complain about it many times. Probably why I have so many foundations, because he was trying to find something to replace it. But I am someone who has to use things up even if I don't really like them because sometimes you do eventually find a way to make it work, this just wasn't one of those products.

Upcoming Review: ColorMates

While checking what posts were getting the most views I saw that the ones related to the ColorMates brushes and nail polishes seemed very popular, so I have decided to make ColorMates my next series of reviews focused around a single brand. Some of the products have already been opened and used a few times while others are still sealed in their packaging.

Due to the length of time it tends to take me to review things I am not going to attempt to review everything as the bulk of what I have is eye shadow and those take the longest to review for me, but I will try to review at least one of things from the three different types of eye shadow palettes that I have in order to give an impression of what that eye shadow is like in each format. The two lip sticks will also be reviewed.

Wrap-up Review: Madame Milly

Since there were so many pieces to this brand being reviewed over several months of time I thought a wrap-up was in order. Madame Milly does not appear to be available at Kohl's anymore, but does appear to be available on Amazon.com.

Review: Madame Milly Eye Shadow Quad #3

Review: Madame Milly Eye Shadow Quad #2

Format of reviews going forward

Due to my laptop doing its best to try and stop working I am having to modify how I approach posting reviews since I will be posting from a tablet going forward instead of from the laptop. I will endeavor to keep the same level of information in the posts for the makeup reviews, they just won’t be in the same format.

The last two reviews for the Madame Milly eye shadows will be posted from the laptop, but not in the original format as right now I am not sure I can organize it that way from my notes, which is why they haven’t been posted yet, because I’m having a hard time setting up my own layout as I originally planned it. In the end this forced change may be a good thing for me as it will encourage me to find a better working layout for reviews to be posted and how to keep track of the information.

The Daily Makeup and Makeup As Medicine posts on my two tumblrs will stay the same as they are being posted from my phone and will continue to do so.

Keep in Mind: December 2014

This month I had planned to use makeup everyday and then I ended up with a cold that lasted two weeks and that derailed my planned, but I have managed to get some makeup on, even if it was just a lip product, almost every other day that I wasn’t sick.