The Fair Foundation Files: L'Oreal Visible Lift Blur Foundation

Another installation of the Fair Foundation Files! This time I have a drugstore foundation to show you, albeit it is on the higher end of the scale where price is concerned. 

The Lowdown

• $14.99 for 1.3oz
• Blurs lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture
• Anti-Aging benefits of 'Visible Lift' complex
• Nice range of shades, but not many for darker skin tones (12 shades total)
• Lightweight
• Light/medium buildable coverage

 

Light Ivory

The texture of this is very thin and it does blend easily, but that is mostly because it is full of silicones. You really only need this much (dime size) to cover your face. It is light to medium coverage but can be layered easily.

 

Here is a swatch of the foundation half blended to show you the texture. It blends nicely but does slip around a bit. Make sure to set with some type of powder for the best results!

Here is the fully blended foundation. It does not oxidize on me and lasts longer than most of my foundations, about 12 hours with only getting slightly oily at around 2pm. A quick blot fixes that up, but I have to blot with any foundation. 

 Here is my face with only the L'Oreal Visible Lift Foundation in Light Ivory on and the L'Oreal Blur Blush on the cheek closest to the camera (review coming soon). 

This works very well with a sponge, which I highly recommend using it to apply!

Verdict:

Likes:

• Lasts 12 hours without primer
• Buildable coverage
• Makes my skin look very airbrushed
• Sunscreen
• Doesn't oxidize
• Didn't break me out

Dislikes:

• Doesn't give me enough coverage to cover my acne scars, even with layering
• Smells like fake tanner when you apply
• Loaded with silicones

Overall: The only real turn off for me with this foundation is the smell. It has that almond-y fake tan smell but that only lasts during application. I was surprised that even with two weeks of use and no primer that it did not break me out even though it has a slick/silicone/primer feel. The shade didn't oxidize and it is definitely now in my foundation rotation!

Are you liking the new L'Oreal Blur line of products?

The Fair Foundation Files: Lorac Natural Performance Foundation in NP 1 Porcelain

Welcome to another installment of the 'Fair Foundation Files'.
I have been testing Lorac's Natural Performance Foundation in the lightest shade, NP 1 Porcelain. 

So, what does this contender have going for it?

• $36 for 6ml
• Fragrance Free/Oil Free/Paraben Free
• Premiere Olive Leaf Extract, Vitamin A, and Xyleine (An ingredient that includes active papaya and lemon extracts).
• Skin-like finish
• Great for sensitive skin
• Travel friendly pump, more on this later
• Medium-full buildable coverage

I was first drawn to this foundation because it had a neutral porcelain shade, which I needed. I also liked that it was fragrance free (and really is).

Let's talk about this pump. I normally am a little wary of pumps because they can break, dispense too much product, or just generally be annoying. This pump? Perfection. One pump dispenses what you see on my hand. I use about two and a half of these for almost full coverage, but really, it is a small amount. I like how it pumps out less and you can build instead of the opposite where you waste.

The other awesome this is that one twist to the right pops up the pump. One twist left sinks the pump back down into the cap creating a leak-free, travel friendly foundation. Awesome!

This is that pump above spread out lightly so you can get a feel for the consistency. It is light but creamy and very, very pale.

And here is that same amount blended in. My skin but better and slightly luminous. I would actually call this a demi-matte, as that is how it appears on my face.

Ready for the full-face swatch?

No other makeup besides the Lorac Natural Performance Foundation. Oh, and the debut of my new hair (although I didn't blow-dry it or anything today...those pictures will come later!)

I love how fresh and like skin this looks, and it matches my coloring perfectly!

How I apply:

• Fingers! These are your best bet. I just find that the texture, which is almost tinted moisturizer like, but obviously heavier coverage, just works well and smooths onto my skin easily with the heat of my fingers.
• Sponge (BB/Real Technique blender etc): Does an okay job, but sheers it out too much for my liking.
• Foundation brush (flat or round): Don't waste your time with this method. Pretty ineffective.

So, what's the verdict then?

Likes:

• Feels great/weightless on my skin.
• Does not oxidize on me, and keeps my oil relatively at bay.
• Looks like the texture of my skin.
• Wear time is all day (15+) hours with a primer...but still good wear (6/7 hours looking great) without.
• Great color match.
• Travels well!

Dislikes:

• Not the easiest to apply, mostly because I hate using my fingers.

Overall: This gives me stunning skin as long as I put in the effort. My sensitive skin does not flare up and I don't have to worry about itching or it feeling heavy. This has been a staple in my routine and will continue to be!

Will you be checking out Lorac Natural Performance Foundation?

The Fair Foundation Files: bareMinerals Original in Fair

Hey Pandas!
"The Fair Foundation Files" will be a mini-series going on in the next few weeks because I have recently picked up a handful of foundations specifically for my fair skin and skin needs. I know this won't be the most helpful for all my readers because not everyone has this skin tone and I am aware of that, but I also know for many it can be a problem to find a very light foundation shade. At the very least, I hope my comments on the formula of the foundations are helpful, and you can choose your own shade.
Let me preface this series by describing my skin and my needs.
My Skin: 

• Used to be very oily, but now is only oily mid-day on my t-zone. Cheeks, chin, forehead are very dry. 
• I have fairly sensitive skin (sensitive to lots of fragrance) and my pores clog easily.
• I suffer from monthly breakouts but am currently dealing with some minor acne scarring on my cheeks.
• My skin is very very fair. It used to be darker, with yellower undertones, but I have found lately that my undertones are more neutral.

My Needs/Wants:

• I want medium to full coverage foundation.
• I want a foundation that won't break me out.
• It needs to last through my hectic days.
• It should have SPF.
• It needs to not oxidize.
• It needs to be a very close match to my coloring.

Now that we have that out of the way, I want to introduce you to the first contender: bareMinerals Original SPF 15 in Fair.
I used to wear Fairly Light not long ago, but recently found it a bit too yellow for my skin. I have used all versions of bareMinerals (original, matte, and pressed). I decided to try the original formula again because the matte broke me out and the pressed did the same thing but was $2 more.
This foundation is $27 and comes with .28oz of product (I apply A LOT for full coverage, so it lasts me about 2 1/2 months). It also has an SPF 15 which is an added benefit and is good for the skin.
Active Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 12.6%, Zinc Oxide 21%. Inactive Ingredients: Bismuth Oxychloride, Mica, Iron Oxides, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide.

Fair is the lightest shade offered and is very, very light with slight pinkish undertones. This is touted to last 8 hours.

I like the newer sliding lid so you can twist it to cover the sifting holes and save from spills. If you are familiar with bareMinerals at all, the typical way to apply is to dip a face brush in the minerals, swirl in the cap, tap the excess off, and buff onto face.

But since I want full coverage, I dip a kabuki brush directly into the minerals and then buff on my face. This gives fully coverage and in my opinion, is less wasteful of product if you were to tap off the excess.

This is a swatch on my hand, and as you can see, it is a few shades lighter than my skin tone here. It has a luminous finish and is incredibly forgiving and buildable.

Please forgive this picture--- but I am ONLY wearing bareMinerals foundation in Fair. No eyebrows, no mascara, no lippies, no concealer except for bringing the powder up under my eyes. Hopefully you can get a feel for how this covers and my skin tone.

I feel this is a nice match for my skin tone, even though it is the lightest foundation I own. Definitely looks better on my than Fairly Light, but is a smidge too pinky.

Likes:

• Is breathable and I know it won't irritate my skin.
• Fragrance free.
• Easy and quick to apply- very forgiving.
• Gives skin a dewy glow.

Dislikes:

• A bit too fair/pinky
• Lasts only about 6 hours, not 8, before it starts to fade.
• Powder is hard to mix with cream blushes, etc.
• Does not cover my acne scars fully.

I'm torn on this, but overall, I would suggest it for someone with very good skin already and who wants to keep it that way. This foundation is my old standby and I know it won't disappoint. Be prepared to blot midday, even if you have drier skin like mine. I have definitely found my weekend foundation for when i want a low-maintenance look--but it didn't quite hit all my criteria.

Join me next time for more on my foundation search!

bareMinerals READY Foundation and Mineral Touch Up Veil

I was a bareMinerals girl for a long long time. I bought countless tubs of their loose powder foundation but as all beauty bloggers do, we move on to other formulas and can't resist the lure of new products. But I came back, and I have to say I love being a bareMinerals girl again, but this time the game is different. BareMinerals READY foundation is not that new to the world of makeup, but it is something I haven't tried yet and finally caved to.  

 On the left is READY SPF 20 foundation in Fairly Light ($29) the same shade I wore in their loose foundation and is a perfect match and READY SPF 15 Touch Up Veil (Mineral Veil) in Tinted.   According to the bareMinerals website, the new READY foundation is medium-full coverage, is supposed to increase moisture in your skin by 108% and last 12 hours. I find this is all pretty accurate, although my skin needs a primer for anything to last 12 hours. My skin always feels better after wear and the added SPF is a bonus.  The Touch Up Veil ($22) acts in the same way as their old Mineral Veil, and diffuses the look of imperfections and helps set your makeup and prevent/get rid of shine. The tinted version has just a hint of color, perfect for summer.  

I am really happy that I tried the new READY formula, as it is super easy to use, can be carried with me without any mess, and looks flawless. The only thing I am really disliking about these products is the packaging. Although the black cases are sturdy, they are that rubbery texture (think NARS) that gathers residue like nothing else and is rather icky. I'm not loving it, but I can overlook it. 

 This is a bit scary to show all of you, but here is my nearly naked face. I am ONLY wearing READY foundation in Fairly Light and Touch Up Veil in Tinted. Nothing else! The coverage is great and I just buff it on with a kabuki brush. These products give my face a canvas I feel good about and I know won't break me out. Unless you are sensitive to sunscreens in your makeup or absolutely despise powder foundations, I would give these a try, as the application is easier than you think, especially if you were once a bareMinerals loose powder girl like I was. I am totally into getting READY every morning now. Panda Approved 

bareMinerals READY Foundation and Mineral Touch Up Veil

I was a bareMinerals girl for a long long time. I bought countless tubs of their loose powder foundation but as all beauty bloggers do, we move on to other formulas and can't resist the lure of new products.   But I came back, and I have to say I love being a bareMinerals girl again, but this time the game is different.   BareMinerals READY foundation is not that new to the world of makeup, but it is something I haven't tried yet and finally caved to.  

  On the left is READY SPF 20 foundation in Fairly Light ($29) the same shade I wore in their loose foundation and is a perfect match and READY SPF 15 Touch Up Veil (Mineral Veil) in Tinted.     According to the bareMinerals website, the new READY foundation is medium-full coverage, is supposed to increase moisture in your skin by 108% and last 12 hours. I find this is all pretty accurate, although my skin needs a primer for anything to last 12 hours. My skin always feels better after wear and the added SPF is a bonus.   The Touch Up Veil ($22) acts in the same way as their old Mineral Veil, and diffuses the look of imperfections and helps set your makeup and prevent/get rid of shine. The tinted version has just a hint of color, perfect for summer.  

I am really happy that I tried the new READY formula, as it is super easy to use, can be carried with me without any mess, and looks flawless. The only thing I am really disliking about these products is the packaging. Although the black cases are sturdy, they are that rubbery texture (think NARS) that gathers residue like nothing else and is rather icky. I'm not loving it, but I can overlook it.  

  This is a bit scary to show all of you, but here is my nearly naked face. I am ONLY wearing READY foundation in Fairly Light and Touch Up Veil in Tinted. Nothing else! The coverage is great and I just buff it on with a kabuki brush. These products give my face a canvas I feel good about and I know won't break me out.   Unless you are sensitive to sunscreens in your makeup or absolutely despise powder foundations, I would give these a try, as the application is easier than you think, especially if you were once a bareMinerals loose powder girl like I was. I am totally into getting READY every morning now.   Panda Approved  

My Foundation Routine

Hey Pandas! Today is about my two life-saving products that give me a flawless base everyday.

On the left is NYX Photo-Loving Primer ($10) and on the right is Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup in Shade 01 (N) ($26).

 

I have already mentioned the Clinique foundation in a lot of my FOTD posts, but a quick recap: It is makeup for those of you who want a medium coverage, skin-looking makeup. My face is thankfully blemish free on most days (thanks to my skincare routine) but I do suffer from blackheads, acne scars, and general lack of luster. This foundation fixes those things, is so lightweight, and blendable but on the drier side as I have oily skin. I recommend it if you are oily or t-zone oily, don't like a heavy look, and want something that will not make you break out.

 

This NYX primer is new to my arsenal. This is supposed to not give you strange aura if photographed and it works with that. It is clear and gel like and smooths easily onto the skin. It is cruelty-free but full of silicones. I was wary of that at first because EVERY primer I have tried with silicone breaks me out like nothing else. I have been using this for a while now and no breakouts. But if you have the same irritation, be cautious and do a patch test for a few days.

 

Other than that, this primer is great. It extends my Clinique foundation wear by 3-4 hours and kept my skin matte and flawless through a particularly stressful and trying first date...and to me, that is a good indicator of a product under pressure and performing well!

 

 

Here are some swatches so you can see the consistency of the primer (clear) the foundation unblended and then lightly spread out. It looks slightly yellow here, but is a true neutral base.

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. If you want to see a run-down of my skin care routine, just let me know!

 

 

 

My Foundation Routine

Hey Pandas! Today is about my two life-saving products that give me a flawless base everyday.

On the left is NYX Photo-Loving Primer ($10) and on the right is Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup in Shade 01 (N) ($26).

 

I have already mentioned the Clinique foundation in a lot of my FOTD posts, but a quick recap: It is makeup for those of you who want a medium coverage, skin-looking makeup. My face is thankfully blemish free on most days (thanks to my skincare routine) but I do suffer from blackheads, acne scars, and general lack of luster. This foundation fixes those things, is so lightweight, and blendable but on the drier side as I have oily skin. I recommend it if you are oily or t-zone oily, don't like a heavy look, and want something that will not make you break out.

 

This NYX primer is new to my arsenal. This is supposed to not give you strange aura if photographed and it works with that. It is clear and gel like and smooths easily onto the skin. It is cruelty-free but full of silicones. I was wary of that at first because EVERY primer I have tried with silicone breaks me out like nothing else. I have been using this for a while now and no breakouts. But if you have the same irritation, be cautious and do a patch test for a few days.

 

Other than that, this primer is great. It extends my Clinique foundation wear by 3-4 hours and kept my skin matte and flawless through a particularly stressful and trying first date...and to me, that is a good indicator of a product under pressure and performing well!

 

 

Here are some swatches so you can see the consistency of the primer (clear) the foundation unblended and then lightly spread out. It looks slightly yellow here, but is a true neutral base.

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. If you want to see a run-down of my skin care routine, just let me know!

 

 

 

Rimmel BB Cream: Swatch and Review

Okay...so I have to admit I HATE the whole BB cream trend. I mean, beauty balm that has absolutely no coverage? I might as well walk out of the house with a clean face. That is why I love this BB cream so much...actual pigments!!

 

 

 

Rimmel's BB Cream in Light is a 9 in 1 perfecter that supposedly primes, moisturizes, minimizes pores, conceals, mattifies, smoothes, covers, brightens, and protects. Whew! It also has a 25 SPF and because of that, has an expiration date. It is 1 fl oz and retails for $7.

 

 

 

It has Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, and Octocrylene as active sunscreens. Avoid if allergic.

 

 

Spread a dime-sized amount on your face and rub in like a sun-screen until it has disappeared.

 

 

This is for anyone as skeptical of BB creams as I was! This is also for anyone that is looking for a BB cream with actual coverage at an amazing pricepoint and it will not oxidate! (At least it didn't on me!) 



 

The above picture has the Rimmel BB cream applied all over my face.

 

 

Basically, I highly recommend this.

 

Let's go through the 9 claims:

 

Primes: Yep, does a nice job with this...my blush went on smoothly.

Moisturizes: The creamy formula reduced some dry patches on my cheeks.

Minimizes Pores: Kinda, not super noticeable.

Conceals: Concealed acne scars!

Covers: Clearly, more like a foundation than a traditional BB

Smoothes: Not significantly, but yes.

Mattifies: NO. This has a dewy finish.

Brightens: Yes, I think it had a nice glow

Protects: Against what? I don't know...

 



 

Price: 10/10

Performance: 9/10

Color/Wearability: 9/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

Total: 47/50 = A = Happy Panda!

 

Do you like the BB cream trend?

 

Rimmel BB Cream: Swatch and Review

Okay...so I have to admit I HATE the whole BB cream trend. I mean, beauty balm that has absolutely no coverage? I might as well walk out of the house with a clean face. That is why I love this BB cream so much...actual pigments!!

 

 

 

Rimmel's BB Cream in Light is a 9 in 1 perfecter that supposedly primes, moisturizes, minimizes pores, conceals, mattifies, smoothes, covers, brightens, and protects. Whew! It also has a 25 SPF and because of that, has an expiration date. It is 1 fl oz and retails for $7.

 

 

 

It has Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, and Octocrylene as active sunscreens. Avoid if allergic.

 

 

Spread a dime-sized amount on your face and rub in like a sun-screen until it has disappeared.

 

 

This is for anyone as skeptical of BB creams as I was! This is also for anyone that is looking for a BB cream with actual coverage at an amazing pricepoint and it will not oxidate! (At least it didn't on me!) 



 

The above picture has the Rimmel BB cream applied all over my face.

 

 

Basically, I highly recommend this.

 

Let's go through the 9 claims:

 

Primes: Yep, does a nice job with this...my blush went on smoothly.

Moisturizes: The creamy formula reduced some dry patches on my cheeks.

Minimizes Pores: Kinda, not super noticeable.

Conceals: Concealed acne scars!

Covers: Clearly, more like a foundation than a traditional BB

Smoothes: Not significantly, but yes.

Mattifies: NO. This has a dewy finish.

Brightens: Yes, I think it had a nice glow

Protects: Against what? I don't know...

 



 

Price: 10/10

Performance: 9/10

Color/Wearability: 9/10

Packaging: 10/10

Overall Quality: 9/10

Total: 47/50 = A = Happy Panda!

 

Do you like the BB cream trend?