Old Reliables: Foundations and Concealers

In the second instalment of 'Old Reliables', we take a look at a couple of my favourite foundations and concealers that I've continued to use on a regular basis over the years.

First up is MAC Face and Body Foundation

This is actually my everyday foundation and has been ever since I discovered it back in early 2009. Face and Body is a sheer, water-based foundation that is suitable for any skin type. Even though it's sheer, it's very buildable and you're easily able to get any coverage you want.
I've actually got the other women in my family hooked on this foundation after using it on them, it's especially beautiful on mature skin - really gives a gorgeous dewy look. Even on my own oily skin, I find this to be a really decent foundation. Recommend to all, this is always in my makeup kit.

Graftobian HD Warm Foundation Super Palette

If I want flawless skin, this is what I reach for. Originally bought for my professional makeup kit, I couldn't resist using it on myself too. Creams are soo versatile, I can't help but love them.
My favourite way to apply this is to mix it with Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion - and apply with a beauty blender sponge or a duo-fibre brush. When applied this way, I find that it gives you the 'my own skin - but better!' look, which is what I always go for. I absolutely despise the whole 'cake face' look, natural is always the way to go if you ask me.
This palette can also be used to contour and highlight, and it also makes an amazing concealer - this will cover anything! Highly recommend this for your professional kit, and the individual pots or smaller palettes for personal use.

Ben Nye Concealer Palette

Ben Nye is such a good quality, well priced brand. I've never been disappointed with any of their products yet, and wouldn't hesitate in recommending them. This especially, is one of my favourites. The colours in here blend well and are just the right consistency - not too creamy and not too dry. When followed with the Ben Nye Neutral Set - this concealer does NOT move.
I love it!

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

For like a year, this was the only concealer I used. Like the Ben Nye concealer it blends very easily, but it's much creamier. So setting is a MUST. A little goes a long way and it's quite easy to use too much - so start with a teeeny amount and apply more as needed. The thing I've noticed with this concealer is that the NW shades are much more pink-based than the other NW concealers that MAC make - so if you have a yellow undertone like me, the NW shades really can only be used on dark undereye circles. For blemishes and redness, you will need an NC shade.
My only real complaint is that I hate the packaging, glass jars are too heavy to carry around everywhere and I find that they do dry out quicker. Still the product itself, hasn't really failed me yet!

Thanks for viewing, stay tuned for the next instalment!
oxo

My thoughts on MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation

Most of you will know that I got a sample of the Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC20 last time I went to the MAC store. I’ve used it a few times and I’m really liking it. Infact I used it in my FOTD yesterday!

The colour is a perfect match for me, and it provides the perfect coverage. You only need a tiny amount to cover your entire face, so even though it’s on the expensive side, it will last quite a while. I apply it with just an ordinary foundation brush and have found that this works just fine. I’ve tried it with a wedge sponge too, but found that I use much more product when I do that.

While wearing it, you absolutely must set it with a finishing powder. If you don’t do this (which you should always be doing anyway!) then your face will quickly look oily and shiny. But I wouldn’t say that it’s any worse than any other liquid foundation I’ve used, in this respect.

I will most likely end up buying this foundation once I’ve used all of my sample, and I would recommend this foundation to anyone. Do what I did and get a sample before you purchase it! I honestly cannot believe how generous MAC are with foundation samples, I still have heaps left!

I’m also thinking about getting some of these foundations for my makeup kit because even though you can build up Face and Body (what I currently have in my kit) sometimes you just need more coverage.

Hope this has been of some help to you!
Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Woo! Latest M.A.C Haul and Review

I’m really trying to build up my MAC collection, because I really don’t have that much MAC stuff! So whenever I get a bit of money I head over to the MAC Pro store and get a couple of things!
This is what I got yesterday:

Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW20

As the MAC site says: “A creamy concealer that provides full coverage with a natural matte finish. Brushes on with enough blend time to conceal any size of blemish. Rich formulation allows you to use a micro-amount of product to even out skin. Water-resistant and long-wearing.”

I actually got one of the MAC girls to try this out on me under my eyes and I have to say that the MAC description above is very accurate. It is so very creamy and easily blended and a little goes a long way! It comes in a paint pot container though, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, as paint pots can dry out quickly if you don’t store them properly.

Anyway, I’m loving it so far. You do have to make sure that your undereye area is well hydrated before applying the concealer, so make sure you apply eye cream first! And remember NW concealers are much better at covering undereye circles than NC shades!

Next: Three eyeshadows!
Left to Right: Vellum and Phloof

And Contrast! (They didn’t have this in a pro palette refill so I just bought the normal one)

Vellum is a pale white duochrome with purple shimmer, I have been wanting this for ages and I’m SO happy I finally got it. It’s soooo pretty!

Phloof is an off white frost eyeshadow. To me it kinda looks like a really light pinky beige. It’s a really nice colour though that would be great for a neutral look or for use as a highlighter!

And lastly, Contrast is purplish blue with a blue pearl. It’s such a gorgeous colour and I can’t wait to use it!

Swatches, left to right: Vellum, Contrast and Phloof

I also got a sample of the Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC20, was a perfect match when she tested it on me in store, but haven’t tried it out myself yet. When I do there’ll be a FOTD and another review!

Thanks for viewing! oxo