The Fair Foundation Files and My Take on a Classic Look for Spring

The extensive testing process is over and I have come to a lot of conclusions about Rimmel's Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in shade 010 Light Porcelain (retail $4.99 at Ulta, but I received it complimentary from Influenster).

So, what does this wunderkind have to offer us?

• Cheap price tag at around $5 depending on location
• No added fragrance as far as I can tell
• Totally matte
• Fun mousse texture
• Lots of light shades

It claims to offer 'lightweight shine control' as well, but we will get to that claim.

The texture of this is a mousse and is very fluffy, so you will think you need more when you actually don't. A little goes a long way---a lot gets cakey fast. This can be used with fingers, a BB, a flat brush, or a round foundation brush. I have tried all methods and they all basically work the same.

Here is me wearing Stay Matte in Light Porcelain all over my face. It almost covers my hardcore cheek hormonal blemishes, but a little dab of concealer fixes them right up. I just wanted to show you with only this product.

You really need to moisturize and prime well. Even if you have oily skin, this will get into every pore and every fine line. But if you prep well, this can have great results.

My results have been nothing less than spectacular. For over a week, this foundation (Clinique moisturizer and primer underneath) has keep me completely shine/oil free for 12-15 hour days. I have worn this during busy work and school days and I also wore it to a 95 degree day at the Huntington Library (for you non-Californians, it is beautiful, but mostly outside and was hotter than the sun that day). No shine whatsoever. 

But before you go running out and buying this, I have a few words of advice....

This may work for me, but I feel this will probably be a seasonal product for me. It takes a ton of prep time for me to look flawless with it (I have larger pores and my cheeks run drier). Also, I do not see this as 'lightweight'. It certainly isn't heavy, but I would say you can feel it on your skin.

Also keep in mind that this tends to oxidize in my experience about half a shade. If you have a chance, try a test patch on your skin first. Ulta let me return the first shade I bought before the Influenster box with no problem (that shade was Light Ivory, the next one up from this, and ran too yellow).

Overall: If you are drier on at least 50% of your face or have a lot of fine lines, this might be a nightmare for you. Oily girls...grab this and throw away your blotting linens forever.

Now, onto the fun stuff...I decided to make a look for Influenster and @RimmelLondonUS for the #StayMatteSwitch movement.

This is my twist on a classic look---for Spring! Substituting my normal red lip for something pinker and of course, matte skin!

What I Used:

1. Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in Light Porcelain ($4.99)

2. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Creamy Natural ($4.99)

3. Clique Cheek Pop blush in Peach Pop ($21)

4. Benefit They're Real Mascara ($23)

5. Josie Maran Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon in Fair ($20)

6. Nude browbone shadow from Wet N Wild 'Drinking a Glass of Shine' Palette ($4)

7. NYX Collection Noir Liquid Black Liner ($5.99)

8. Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium ($22)

9. Lipstick Queen Chinatown Glossy Pencil in Chase ($22)

This is a routine I rely on for early morning to still feel fun and fresh

1. Prime, get that foundation on your face---any way you like---and then conceal!

2. Set with powder

3. A little blush on the apple of your cheeks. Something dewy works well!

4. Curl lashes and apply mascara

5. A nude matte wash of shadow on your lid is simple and a no-makeup look

6. A liquid liner baby cat eye keeps things classic

7. A hint of brow keeps things looking put together

8. And a glossy coral pout keeps things fresh!

What is your go-to Spring look?

Influenster UniVoxBox 2014 Review

Class is in session over here at PrettyPandaMakeup with the Influenster UniVoxBox! I was so excited that this came just in time for the start of my second quarter of the Spring!

Let me make a note right now that I DID NOT receive the Red Rose Real Tea that everyone else got. No idea, maybe they just made a mistake or something, but I was excited to try it out. I will probably still buy it! Image below for your reference:

But lets talk about what I did get!

Playtex Sport Fresh Balance Tampons (16 for about $6): They work, 'nuff said! I like them for yoga and zumba classes, especially. Easy to throw in a gym bag or any bag and are really cute haha!

Pilot Acroball Pure White Pen (they come in a pack of all the pretty colors for about $12): I received the sunny yellow one. I was actually hoping it would write in that color...but its just black. However, I love it! Writes smoothly and very spring-y.

Next up is the imPress Press-On Manicure in It Girl, which is a pretty metallic purple ($5.99): These work really well but I did need to trim my long nails to make them fit. I do find the sizes are a bit small, so if you have really wide nail beds, you will probably hate these. These stay on up to four days for me, but usually I take them off after two or three because I like to polish my nails all the time. These are great for special events...and no dry time!

Now for the NYC Expert Last Lipstick in Forever Fuchsia ($2.85): I love this color! It is so bright, applies easily and lasts about 3 hours on me. It does have the typical 'lipstick' smell but for the price and color, I can overlook that.

So great for Spring! And I like applying this before class to give me a perk-me-up!

I think I can give my signature red a short break for this pink!

Last, but not least, is the Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation in Light Porcelain ($5.00): I picked this up a while ago, tested it, and took it back because it was too dark (it was the shade Light Ivory). However, the geniuses at Influenster sent me Light Porcelain, which I have not previously seen at my local Ulta. It is the lightest shade in the line and it works amazingly on me! It has fair/pink undertones.

This color is almost too light for me, but since this foundation (in my previous experience as well) oxidizes almost a half a shade darker nearly immediately, it is a perfect match. Thanks Influenster matchers! I love the airy-mousse formula of this! Really easy to apply and very full coverage.

Even the dollop show above is a bit too much. A little goes a long way! I will have a more extensive review up soon in another addition of the 'Fair Foundation Files'.

Thanks Influenster for the UniVoxBox and all these essentials for school! Woohoo! 

"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes."