Archive for December, 2009
Top 5 Chanel Foundations
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists on December 25th, 2009
…And the foundation countdown continues! After reviewing the feedback on TotalBeauty.com and Makeupalley.com, here are the Top 5 Chanel Foundations. Does your foundation make the list?
1= Teint Innocence Compact Makeup SPF 10 ($56)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating = 9/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4.1/5
Product Description from Chanel.com: “Innovative compact foundation offers luxurious glide-on application, delivering greater colour purity for a natural, even, luminous complexion.”
*TotalBeauty.com reviewers loved how sheer this makeup looked while still providing adequate coverage and a luminous finish. Indeed, “luminous” seemed to be the catch-phrase in many reviews. The two greatest negatives were the limited shade selection and the fact that it didn’t necessarily control oiliness throughout the day.
2= Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Makeup SPF 15 ($54)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating = 9.1/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4/5
Product Description from Chanel.com: “Delivers a young, radiant look. Lines, wrinkles and imperfections seem to be erased. Ultra-gliding fluid provides buildable coverage. SPF 15 UV protection; nut extract guards against free radicals.”
*Those TotalBeauty.com reviewers who are fans of Vitalumiere often commented on how easy it is to apply and that it allows for sheer to medium coverage without leaving a heavy “makeup” look. A few of the older reviewers commented that they felt this foundation really helped their mature skin look “dewy” and youthful. The main negative for TotalBeauty reviewers seemed to be the price.
3= Double Perfection Compact – Natural Matte Powder Makeup SPF 10 ($50)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating = 8.8/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4.1/5
Product Description from Chanel.com: “The flawless matte finish you want … effortlessly. Superlight, long-lasting wet/dry SPF 10 formula. Soft, smooth texture ensures easy application for a naturally radiant, matte complexion. Light-reflecting pigments minimize the appearance of lines.”
*TotalBeauty reviewers loved how well this lasted throughout the day. A number of oily and combination-skinned reviewers commented that this was the perfect foundation for their tricky skin types. The main deterrents seemed to be price and the fact that this foundation might accentuate dryness and fine lines on drier skin types.
4= Teint Innocence Naturally Luminous Fluid Makeup SPF 12 ($47)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating = 8.7/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4/5
Product Description from Chanel.com: “Pure lightness, this new liquid makeup from CHANEL provides dream coverage. A unique formula allows skin’s natural glow to show through while it evens out skin tone and helps to conceal imperfections.”
*As with the Teint Innocence compact, TotalBeauty.com reviewers love how the fluid provides a sheer, natural and luminous finish. A few reviewers commented that they apply the Teint Innocence fluid in the morning, and they use the Teint Innocence compact for touch-ups throughout the day. The only drawbacks seemed to be – again – the price, as well as the bottle packaging (which makes it easy to over-pour).
5= Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Makeup SPF15 ($54)
Average TotaBeauty.com Rating = 8.2/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 3.5/5
Product Description from Chanel.com: “This foundation provides you effortless perfection with professional looking results. This breakthrough oil-free formula imparts an unprecedented semi-matte finish that can be blended for a soft, natural look or built up for greater sophistication.”
*A lot of TotalBeauty.com reviewers loved that this foundation provided great coverage with a satiny finish. It appears that many find this foundation to be the healthy medium between luminous and matte foundations. However, some reviewers commented that this wasn’t the best choice for drier skin types (it might settle into dry patches and fine lines), and others mentioned that this foundation was “heavier” than they would have liked.
Which Chanel foundation have you worn most recently? What do you like the most about it?
Top 5 Bobbi Brown Foundations
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists on December 19th, 2009
How does your favorite Bobbi Brown foundation hold up against this list? Here’s a list of the Top 5 Bobbi Brown Foundations, taking into account the customer reviews on TotalBeauty.com and Makeupalley.com:
1 = BOBBI BROWN SKIN FOUNDATION SPF 15 ($45)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating: 9.6/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating: 4/5
Product Description from bobbibrown.com: “A truly modern foundation that offers invisible, weightless coverage that looks like skin, not makeup. This long-wearing formula evens tone, minimizes the appearance of pores, conceals imperfections, and offers broad spectrum UV protection. Its hydrating technology leaves skin feeling cushioned, comfortable, and clean. Ideal for all skin types.”
*Those Makeupalley.com reviewers who posted positive comments often cited how much they love the range of shades available and how it makes your skin look “dewy” and “natural”. Those who posted negative reviews often stated that they felt the coverage was too sheer and didn’t provide enough coverage.
2= BOBBI BROWN SPF 15 TINTED MOISTURIZER ($40)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating: 9/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating: 4.1/5
Product Description from bobbibrown.com: “SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer is the perfect alternative to foundation for a more casual look. Perfect for Normal to Dry skin types. This tint of natural-looking color combined with sun protection blends smoothly over skin, and moisturizes while providing lightweight, comfortable, sheer coverage.”
*Again, Makeupalley.com reviewers often commented positively about the range of shades offered. Many reviewers also noted that they liked that this tinted moisturizer wasn’t “as thick” as others on the market. Those who posted negative reviews often cited the price and the tendency of their face to look “shiny” after a few hours as the main deterrents for not repurchasing.
3= BOBBI BROWN EXTRA SPF 25 MOISTURIZING BALM ($50)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating: 9.2/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating: 3.8/5
Product Description from bobbibrown.com: “A lightweight foundation alternative for dry, dehydrated skin, this formula is ultra-rich, and blends easily, giving skin a dewy look with light coverage. SPF 25 helps protect skin against damaging UVA/B rays. Dermatologist tested.”
*The consensus appears to be that this is a very sheer, very moisturizing product that results in a “healthy glow”. Lots of reviewers commented that they like to use this all over the face and then spot conceal with Bobbi Brown’s Stick Concealer. Needless to say, since this is a moisturizing balm, it is not intended for those with oily skin types.
4= BOBBI BROWN SMOOTH SKIN FOUNDATION ($40)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating: 9.4/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating: 3.4/5
Product Description from bobbibrown.com: “This formula adjusts to skin’s needs by minimizing oil and shine in oilier areas like the T-zone, while hydrating dry areas as needed. Smooth Skin Foundation provides medium to full coverage. Oil-free formula is designed for normal to combination skin.”
*Makeupalley.com reviewers seem to be divided between those who love the amount of coverage this provides and the fact that doesn’t “disappear” into their pores and those who feel that this foundation is too thick and sets too fast for it to be properly blended.
5= BOBBI BROWN MOISTURE RICH FOUNDATION SPF 15 ($42)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating: 8.6/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating: 3.8/5
Product Description from bobbibrown.com: “Bobbi’s popular moisturizing formula provides SPF 15 sun protection while it hydrates skin and delivers a soft, beautiful finish. The formula is buildable, allowing medium to full coverage as desired. For Normal to Dry skin types.”
*As is the case with most of Bobbi Brown’s foundations, Makeupalley.com reviewers love the range of shades. Most of those reviewers with drier skin types liked the amount of coverage it provided and its staying power; however, some didn’t find it moisturizing enough. Those with oily skin types seemed to find that it felt like it was “melting” as the day went on.
Top 5 Laura Mercier Foundations
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists on December 19th, 2009
Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer is a consistent award-winner (InStyle, Allure, etc.). …But what about her other foundations? How do they stack up? Here are the Top 5 Laura Mercier Foundations, taking into consideration reviews from TotalBeauty.com, Sephora.com and Makeupalley.com. You might be surprised!
1= Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 ($35)
Avg. TotalBeauty.com Rating=9/10; Avg. Sephora.com Rating=4.5; Avg. Makeupalley.com Rating= 4/5
Product Description from lauramercier.com: “Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 is a finely milled powder composed completely of natural elements with 15 active amino acids to clear the skin of toxins, promote healthy skin cell growth and fight the aging process. Oil-free and water-resistant. Apply as a buildable foundation or a pigmented powder. Pure Pearl Powders and Mica impart a soft focus effect creating a natural, healthy, youthful glow. Zinc Oxide works as a sunscreen agent to block the sun’s harmful rays. Contains anti-aging properties. Apply Mineral Primer to skin prior to application to enhance SPF 15 protection. Use with the Blending Brush for flawless application. Use with the Face Brush for more coverage.”
*Those who wrote positive reviews on Sephora.com praised this foundation’s buildability and the fact that it didn’t make their skin look “dry” or “flaky”. The small number of negative reviews (only 39/345 reviews were 3 stars or under) commented that they felt it looked “cakey” after a few hours.
2= Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation ($42)
Avg. TotalBeauty.com Rating= 8.9/10; Avg. Sephora.com Rating=4.3/5; Avg. Makeupalley.com Rating=4/5
Product Description from lauramercier.com: “Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation is a rich and luminous foundation offering full coverage while hydrating and protecting the skin. Hydrates and protects while causing fine lines and imperfections to optically disappear through its advanced light-reflecting qualities. Ideal for persons with rosacea or hard-to-cover pigmentation.”
*Reviewers on Sephora.com are nearly unanimous in their praise of this foundation’s full coverage and ability to stay put all day long. Those who wrote negative reviews (again, a small number — only 42/240 were 3 stars or under) disliked the “matte” finish and felt it tended to look too “dry” and “chalky.”
3= Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($42)
Avg. TotalBeauty.com Rating=8.2/10; Avg. Sephora.com Rating=4.6/5; Avg. Makeupalley.com Rating=3.9/5
Product Description from lauramercier.com: “Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is a sheer, lightweight moisturizer with SPF 20 & a hint of color that can be used in place of foundation for a natural appearance while adding a healthy glow to your complexion. Features an antioxidant vitamin complex that acts as a free radical scavenger to protect the skin from even the most aggressive effects of the environment. Extremely long-wearing, stays colour true & wears evenly.”
*With 1,015 reviews on Sephora.com, this is by far the most reviewed foundation of the top 5 listed. Reviewers loved how it provides a “very natural, no-makeup look” and doesn’t feel too heavy. Those who wrote negative reviews commented that it made their skin feel greasy after a few hours.
4= Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation ($42)
Avg. TotalBeauty.com Rating=8/10; Avg. Sephora.com Rating=4.3/5; Avg. Makeupalley.com Rating=4/5
Product Description from lauramercier.com: “Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation is a highly pigmented foundation especially formulated for drier or more mature skin and hydrates the skin with added moisture. Allows for truly buildable coverage, from a very sheer, weightless, “no makeup” look to more complete coverage. Hydrates skin, softening and easing fine, dry lines. Stays colour true and wears evenly. Vitamins A, C and E act as antioxidants to protect the skin from harmful effects in the environment. Apply with a damp sponge”
*Those who wrote positive reviews loved that the foundation provided full coverage while still looking “fresh” and “dewy”. Those who wrote negative reviews commented that it tended to “settle into fine lines” and felt a little “heavy” going on.
5= Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation ($42)
Avg. TotalBeauty.com Rating=8.7; Avg. Sephora.com Rating=4.2/5; Avg. Makeupalley.com Rating=3.7
Product Description from lauramercier.com: “Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation is a layerable, highly pigmented formula to be used only where needed and allows the user to determine the amount of coverage. Apply very sheerly or layer for more coverage. Never looks cakey or heavy because of the lightweight formula. Extremely long-wearing, stays colour true, and wears evenly. Vitamins A, C and E act as antioxidants to protect the skin from harmful effects in the environment. Oil-free, yet non-drying. Ideal for all skin types.”
*Positive reviewers on Sephora.com liked the amount of coverage this foundation provided and how they felt it controlled their shine throughout the day. Those who wrote negative reviews felt it was difficult to blend and had a limited range of shades (i.e. the shades offered had too much of a yellow/orange undertone).
What is YOUR favorite Laura Mercier foundation? Do you have any application tips?
Top 5 MAC Foundations
Posted by Wendy in Top 10 Lists on December 18th, 2009
Even as a seasoned visitor to the MAC Pro store, I still get overwhelmed by their vast selection of foundations. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the “latest” launch that I forget some of the tried and true formulas that established MAC as a top tier makeup brand in the first place. So, in an effort to relieve some of that confusion, I’ve crunched the numbers from both Makeupalley.com and TotalBeauty.com and have put together a list of the the Top 5 MAC Foundations. Drumroll please…
#1 = MAC FACE & BODY FOUNDATION ($32)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating =8.6/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 4/5
Product Description from MAC.com: “A water-based, water-resistant foundation that provides long-lasting, natural coverage for face and/or body. Ideal for all skin types. Face and Body Foundation provides sheer, natural looking coverage in an easy to blend, water-resistant formula. The long-lasting formula is available in a wide range of colours and contains several emollients to help moisturize and condition the skin. It delivers professional looking results that meet the exacting standards of beauty photography and is ideal for perfecting the face and body.”
*From the reviews on Makeupalley.com, it appears that many people LOVE that this foundation feels light and sheer, yet provides good, solid coverage. Those that submitted negative reviews often commented that it became shiny/oily-looking as the day went on. These reviewers commonly had combination – to -oily skin types.
#2 = MAC STUDIO FIX POWDER PLUS FOUNDATION ($26)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating = 9.1/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 3.6/5
Product Description from MAC.com: “A one-step application of foundation and powder. Gives skin a smooth, flawless, all-matte, full-coverage finish. Long-wearing: lasts for up to eight hours. A real all-in-one. The choice of pros, and a long time favourite of MAC fans.”
*The consensus on Makeupalley.com seems to be that it is best to apply the Studio Fix Powder Foundation with a brush as opposed to the included sponge. Many reviewers like the “airbrush finish” this foundation gives and the amount of coverage it provides. Those that submitted negative reviews commented that they didn’t think it had a lot of staying power.
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating = 7.9/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 3.5/5
Product Description from MAC.com: “Totally tech. A tri-system blend of water, emollients and powder. Looks solid, glides on as a soft, creamy emulsion. Provides a natural matte, powder-perfect finish. Smooth to blend, easy to work with: provides a full range of coverage. Water-cooled – refreshes and hydrates skin. Light diffusing: softens lines, creates a fresh, flawless finish. Good on all skin types. Studio Tech is dermatologist tested, ophthalmologist tested, non-acnegenic and safe for contact lens wearers.”
*As with the Studio Fix Powder Foundation, most reviewers on Makeupalley.com advise using Studio Tech with a brush as opposed to the included sponge. It seems that reviewers are pretty divided between those that love the amount of coverage it provides (flawless!!) and those that think it might provide too much coverage, causing an almost “mask-like” effect. (If you find this foundation is looking “mask-like”, I would suggest putting a few dots of the foundation on with a brush, and then blending it out with a damp sponge.)
#4 = MAC STUDIO SCULPT SPF 15 ($29.50)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating = 7.7/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 3.6/5
Product Description from MAC.com: “A creamy, luxurious, gel-based foundation that provides medium buildable to high coverage with a natural satin finish. Hydrating, instantly revitalizes the skin while keeping it looking smooth, soft and plush. Long-wearing, water-resistant.”
*Makeupalley.com reviewers LOVE how the gel-texture provides great coverage and is also very buildable (without looking cakey). Many reviewers emphasized how the finished product still looks like “real skin,” not overly made-up. Those that submitted negative reviews mentioned said that it looked “greasy” on their combination/oily akin after a few hours and tended to settle into their pores.
#5 = MAC STUDIO STICK SPF 15 ($29.50)
Average TotalBeauty.com Rating = 7.1/10; Average Makeupalley.com Rating = 3.9/5
Product Description from MAC.com: “A creamy smooth stick foundation with medium+ coverage for a natural flaw-free finish. Stick system provides smooth twist-up action: precise application and fast, even touch-ups. Available in 15 shades. Stick with it!”
*Makeupalley.com reviewers love the variability and blendability of the Studio Stick. Some reviewers use it as their concealer, others use it as their foundation. Some reviewers swear by blending it on with your warm fingertips, others say it’s best to use a damp sponge or brush. Then there are those who love to blend a little with their favorite moisturizer to create their own tinted moisturizer. Those that wrote negative reviews often cited that they didn’t feel like they got very much product for the price. Other negative reviewers mentioned that they felt it made them look “greasy” as the day went on.
What about you? What is YOUR favorite MAC foundation?
New Dior Mascara! Introducing DiorShow Extase Mascara
Posted by Wendy in Makeup Collections/Launches on December 18th, 2009
If you’re like me and fall in love with every mascara that Dior comes out with, you’ll be thrilled to hear of their latest launch — DiorShow Extase Mascara ($28). Right now, it is listed as Beauty Insider Exclusive at Sephora, but I’m guessing it will probably be widely available in department stores in Spring.
Here’s the description on Sephora.com: “DiorShow Extase provides built-in treatment benefits and high-impact lashes in a single stroke! The spherical-shaped Black Pearl Pigments create a 3D volume effect and the exclusive Metamorphosis Powders expand in size by up to 50% after application. Also, SR38 Patented Ceramid brings additional care, reconstructing damaged lashes and promoting stronger and fuller lashes. The Extase mascara features a “Tiered Brush” that is inspired by the “tiered” couture dresses created by the House of Dior. The brush is designed for performance and contains an Exclusive Duo of Fibers: The Black Elastomer Fibers brush out and define the lashes for panoramic fringe and the Gold Nylon Fibers hold and deposit formula, generously coating each lash for outstanding volume.”
It currently has 11 reviews on Sephora.com, with the average rating being 4.6/5. The consensus seems to be that it does a fantastic job of thickening and defining; however, a few reviewers have commented that they had problems with “clumping” and “tarantula lashes.”
I can’t wait to give it a try! What about you? Have to tried Diorshow Extase yet? What did you think?
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