Review: L’oreal Anti-Dull Skin Primer

Studio Secrets™ Professional Color Correcting Primer

What L’oreal Says: “Discover the secret to a flawlessly even skin tone—in an instant. Studio Secrets™ Professional Color Correcting Primers glide on smoothly to immediately correct and improve the look of your complexion. Each of the three professional correctors is formulated to address your unique skin type:

Anti-Redness: neutralizes redness
Anti-Dull Skin (light skin): illuminates and adds warmth to light complexions, and

Anti-Dull Skin (medium/deep skin): gives a radiant, healthy glow to medium/dark skin tones.
Wear alone or under makeup for a naturally gorgeous look.”

Purpose: It’s a skin primer that’s meant to awaken dull skin by evening out skin tone or correcting skin discoloration

Color Range: Light, Med/Dark & Green Corrector
Packaging/Size: Pump, .6 oz (almost 1 full oz.)
Price: $12.99 @ CVS

First Impressions: I thought this would be a great addition to my spring/summer foundation routine. Especially over tanned skin with a light dusting of powder on top.
In the store: The colors seemed darker then what they were under the store lighting. I was temped to get the lighter shade but it had too much pink and I knew I would regret it. It also seemed like a thicker, semi-matte, no shimmer formula.
At home: I saw the glitter! It’s sort of a borderline glitter/shimmer formula, but it’s not super glittery at all. But it might still be a problem if you have large pores because the glitter particles can settle in pores and make them appear larger.

Consistency: Slightly Runny, thin formula. Sets kind of fast so I had to blend it in quickly.
Color: The color was lighter then what it appeared to be in the store, bit still best suited for tan skin tones.
Finish: It’s not a matte or semi-matte formula, sort of moist for being so thin, but not greasy or slick. I hardly noticed the glitter/shimmer after applying a layer of powder on top. It seemed like the shimmer dusted off.

Pros:

• Did slightly even out my tone.
• Looked great under concealer and powder.
• When under foundation, it kept my skin looking fresh- like I had just applied foundation
• The shimmer wasn’t as noticeable with products layered on top.
• The pump bottle is great.

Cons:

• It didn’t do everything the product claims to do- awaken skin on it’s own? – Not too much (*But it did keep my foundation looking fresh so I guess this kept me looking “less dull”)
• The shimmer might be a problem for some.
• You have to blend this in quickly or else it looks a little patchy.
• The pump lets out a lot more product then you need so be careful.

Repurchase?: If it doesn’t break me out and nothing new comes out on the market- then probably. But I still prefer the Magic Perfecting Base a little more just because of the matte factor.

***The L’oreal Studio Secrets line only has 2 products in the U.S. but they offer other products overseas that seem promising. Hopefully they will make it over here soon.

With Love,

Christina

Urban Decay

Finally got my Urban Decay stuff that I ordered during their F&F. I really just wanted a new palette but didn't want to pay shipping to I decided to spend the minimum amount to get free shipping.

Hall of Fame Set:

Primer Potion Duo:

What I really Wanted: Sustainable Shadow Box

Just in time for Earth Day!

Can't wait to play!

With Love,
Christina

Review: Eve Pearl Salmon Corrector Concealer & Treatment Duo (in Medium/Tan)

Here’s what the description is on Eve Pearl's website:

“Revolutionizing the use of the “Salmon” color as an under eye concealer it neutralizes the dark blue undertones from the skin eliminating those green/grey raccoon eyes caused by yellow-based concealers that tend to highlight and only accentuate the problem area. This luxurious silky cream provides full coverage with a non-greasy texture that glides on smooth to the most delicate area of your face. The *CosmeNutrients provide the advantages of powerful anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, proteins and peptides. Customize your look! Our signature salmon concealer is available in a dual mirrored compact. Two shades you can use individually, or blend to create your custom shade and achieve your best face!”

First Impressions:

Texture: This is perhaps the biggest component to any under eye concealer. It needs to be creamy enough to not become cakey or make the under eye area dry, but it has to last and not smear all over the place or crease into any fine lines. I found this concealer to be extremely creamy but very light weight. I thought creaminess always equaled heavy and thick, but in this case it was the opposite. It was totally non-drying and almost had a whipped-like texture, but more on the creamy side.

Application: Based on the texture I knew using my finger for application would be the easiest and best method. I tried it with a concealer brush but I felt like the brush picked up too much product and with this concealer a little goes a long way. I gently swiped my finger across the top, dabbed it along the under eye area and then blended it down and out. The combination of the warmth of my finger and the texture of the concealer made the product melt into my skin, but not settle into any lines.

Longevity: I’ve tried some great concealers, only to be disappointed once I looked in the mirror to see my dark circles already starting to peek through. Or to see the concealer crease, making fine lines look like deep wrinkles! This concealer was so different. After about 3hrs, the concealer still looked fresh and natural. After about 5 hrs I saw a little creasing but I just tapped my finger under my eyes and didn’t see any creasing until the end of the day.

I used 2 different combinations, setting each with powder:

Each color on it's own: I didn’t know which shade would be my perfect shade, but from my experiences with other correctors, you have to try them to really find the right color. The Medium shade was in the 1-3 shades lighter range that I usually get when picking an under eye concealer. This shade melted into my skin right away, but didn't offer as much neutralization as I wanted. The Tan shade seemed too orange at first but after blending it in, my dark circles were neutralized. The orange tinge disappeared after setting it with powder.

An equal mix of both shades: This is the way that I find myself using the most. I swipe my finger in the Tan shade first and then in Medium shade. This seems to be my perfect color and it offers the most coverage and neutralization.

(Life Update: I've been so busy with round #2 of Midterms and with going to a couple of spring weddings- my cousin's in Vegas and my bf's cousin's here in SD. They were both very different styles but equally lovely! And Padres season started so it's been all about going to games! Needless to say- this concealer was much needed this month! )

Hopes this helps anyone looking into picking this up!

With Love,
Christina

Random

Stuck @ school until 6:45pm! Sucks, I know- but after this semester I'll only have a year left and I'm sure it will fly by (@ least that's what people tell me). There are a few posts that I want to put up this weekend including an Eve Pearl Cosmetics Review. I found her products to work really well and I hardly hear about her so I thought I would throw it out there. I already have it written I just need to add pictures and perhaps a before and after shot of the concealer (my fave from her) on my dark circles :). I have tomorrow completely free and my bf will be out of the house so I'll have no distractions. Until then here is a pic I took a while back ago. I take random pics when I'm bored or in a creative mood.

I love to stuff my Louis to the max!

**I'm so tempted to buy a laptop mini! I keep seeing people in class w/them and they are sooo cute!

With Love,

Christina

Studying & Shopping

I should have been studying but a break was much needed so I went through some things I got during a recent outlet mall/Macy's shopping trip. The outlet mall I go to is about 15 minutes away but I try not to go too often because this happens...


I was all over the place looking for a a great bag for school which I found at the Guess store. I also found a cute Dooney & Bourke bag at Macy's but I will probably wait until it gets closer to the summer to use it.

MSF duo Natural & Shimmer side and Girl Friendly paint pot

I picked up some new Coach sneakers. I have 2 pairs already but a pair got a little messed up during some unexpected San Diego rain storms! They were a great deal and I received an extra 20% off that day. Now off to studying for my Criminal Justice midterm.

With Love,
Christina

Urban Decay F&F Sale 30% off!

Use Code 1SFNF

Here I go...

So here I go, jumping into this thing called Blogging! I have a beautiful crazy life and thought I would use this as an outlet. I love life and have a passion for makeup and fashion. Here is where the two will meet. Off I go...

A random pic I took during a trip to Vegas last month

With Love,
Christina