Dislikes - June 2014

Benefit Browzings - Light

This is the color that the woman at the Benefit counter matched to my eyebrows, it was only after I looked closer at the product that I discovered she had matched me to the color "Light" even though I have very dark brown hair and eyebrows. Even though it is not the right color for me, I tried just using the powder by itself for light definition and it did not work. This palette (both wax and powder) has an obvious red/orange tint that would be difficult to match to anyone. Furthermore, the two brushes and the tweezers that come with the kit are just too small to be of any practical, long-term use. 

NYX Auto eyebrow pencil - Dark Brown

This eyebrow pencil does not work in two capacities. First, the wax pencil part is very dry and you have to press really hard to leave any marks. This is not ideal when you are working with eyebrows and you want to fill them in with thin, light strokes. Second, even though this color is "Dark Brown," it is not neutral enough to work for brows. It still leaves an odd tint that might work better for auburn hair. The brush on the end works fine, but I find that it is easier to work with mascara wand brushes for eyebrows than with comb brushes. I might have to invest in trying an Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil instead.

Stila Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Olive

Olive / Moss / Intense Black

Normally, I love Stila liquid eyeliner. The formula lasts all day and does not irritate my eyes. However, the color "Olive" is very unflattering. I bought it before I bought "Moss" when I was looking for a green eyeliner. Unfortunately, "Olive" turned out to produce a very yellow kind of green color. In the pictures about it looks brown, but it is actually yellow-green. What's worse, if it smudges or smears at all, it leaves behind a yellowish trace. If you are looking to buy a green eyeliner, I suggest "Moss," rather than "Olive."

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm - Unapologetic

I thought that this lip crayon would be a beautiful, bright pink color to wear during the summer. However, the texture is awful. The picture does not emphasize the texture as much as I had hoped, but this crayon look really chalky and emphasizes all of the ridges in your lips. The consistency is just not right. Plus, I do not think that it actually looks matte. If you really want a great matte lipstick and do not mind splurging on a high-end lip product, go for the Hourglass Opaque Rouge liquid lipstick instead.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I will admit, this product did make my face feel smooth and helped my foundation last longer. Unfortunately, it was not worth the drawbacks. It made me break out really badly all over my chin and the sides of my face. If you have sensitive skin, definitely steer clear of this particular primer. However, I have used the Smashbox Photo Finish Light primer, and while it did not have the same smoothing effect, it did not make me break out nearly as bad. If you really wanted a primer, I would recommend the Smashbox Light primer rather than the original.

Stila Color Correcting Cream - Fair 01

I already mentioned this product in my BB creams and CC creams review, but I think that it is worth mentioning again. I realize that it is a color correcting cream, and it is supposed to have a green base to cancel out redness. Unfortunately, it is more yellow that green, and it does not match my pale skin at all. It made me break out, looked really greasy, and failed to provide any coverage at all. Furthermore, the packaging makes the product leaky and messy. If you want a sheer tinted cream with sunscreen, I would recommend Stila's Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer instead.

BB Creams and CC Creams Review

Name: Stila CC color correcting cream

SPF: 20 broad-spectrum, chemical and physical sunscreen included (octinoxate, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide)

Color: fair 01; yellowish but supposedly tinted green to help counteract redness, unflattering

Finish: dewy

Consistency: thin

Coverage: sheer

Durability: wears off quickly

Breakouts: yes

Size: 1.3 fl. oz.

Rating: 2/10, The color correcting is not flattering for me, it provides almost no coverage, and it doesn't last.

Would Recommend?: no

Name: Almay smart shade CC cream
SPF: 35 broad-spectrum, chemical and physical sunscreen included (octinoxate, octisalate, titanium dioxide)
Color: 100 light; too orange
Finish: dewy, may need a light powder on top
Consistency: like a thick foundation
Coverage: moderate, sticks to dry patches
Durability: moderate
Breakouts: no-- but I have not worn it for more than one day at a time
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Rating: 3/10, disappointed with the color and the consistency
Would Recommend?: no

Name: Benefit Big Easy
SPF: 35 broad-spectrum, chemical and physical sunscreen included (octinoxate, octisalate, titanium dioxide)
Color: 01 fair; good color match for me
Finish: matte, no powder needed
Consistency: powdery
Coverage: light
Durability: wears off quickly-- after only a few hours
Breakouts: few
Size: 1.18 fl. oz.
Rating: 6/10, It is a great color and I love that it is matte, but it does not last very long.
Would Recommend?: yes, it is pretty good for a one-step product

Name: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
SPF: 30 broad-spectrum, chemical and physical sunscreen included (octinoxate, titanium dioxide)
Color: Terre-neuve light 0; good color match for me
Finish: dewy, need a powder on top
Consistency: too thick, it feels like heavy sunblock
Coverage: moderate
Durability: moderate
Breakouts: some
Size: 1.9 fl. oz.
Rating: 5/10, I wanted to love this, but it feels too much like thick, gloopy sunblock that would melt off my face.
Would Recommend?: no

Name: Boscia B.B. Cream
SPF: 27 broad-spectrum, physical sunscreen included (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide)
Color: Light, decent color match for me
Finish: dewy, but not too much; powder optional
Consistency: thick, but not too bad
Coverage: moderate
Durability: moderate
Breakouts: few
Size: 1.75 fl. oz.
Rating: 8/10, This is my personal favorite. I love that it only has physical sunscreen, it is not too dewy, and it has pretty good coverage. The only downsides are the occasional breakouts and thick consistency.
Would Recommend?: yes

Name: Stila sheer color tinted moisturizer
SPF: 20 broad-spectrum, physical sunscreen included (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Color: fair; great color match for me, brightening
Finish: very dewy, need a powder on top
Consistency: thin
Coverage: very sheer, lots of glitter/shimmer
Durability: limited
Breakouts: some
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Rating: 7/10, This is my second favorite. I love that is only has physical sunscreen and that it feels light on my skin. I do not like how shimmery it is or how dewy it is.
Would Recommend?: yes, if you did not need coverage

Top to Bottom: Stila sheer color, Boscia, Nars, Benefit, Almay, Stila CC

Left: Inital application / Right: Blended

Natural Makeup

Left: No makeup
Right: The makeup from this look

Products

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer- Light

Lancome Teint Miracle- Ivoire 2 (C)

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer- Light1 Chantilly

Lancome Translucence powder- 100 Ivoire

Nars Blush- Oasis

Nars Pro-Prime Eyeshadow Base

Naked Basics Palette- Venus, W.O.S., Faint

Stila stay all day waterproof eye liner- Moss

Maybelline Great Lash- Clear

Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment- Rosé

 Tools

Essence of Beauty kabuki brush
Sephora Synthetic complexion powder 43
e.l.f. Complexion Brush
e.l.f. Eyeshadow "C" Brush

Sephora Perfecting Concealer 20

Process

After moisturizing my face, I use a small amount of Smashbox Photo Finish primer in Light all over my face to help my makeup stay put all day.

Using the Sephora Synthetic complexion powder brush #43, I used about a pump and a half of the Lancome Teint Miracle foundation in the shade Ivoire.

I put a dab of concealer on the back of my hand using the wand that comes with the product. Then, using the Sephora Perfecting Concealer brush #20, I conceal under my eyes and on any redness or breakouts.

Using the Essence of Beauty Kabuki brush that I bought from CVS, I use Lancome Translucent Powder in Ivoire to set my foundation and concealer and to mattify the look.

With the e.l.f. complexion brush, I concentrate Nars blush in Oasis onto the apples of my cheeks and sweep upwards towards my temples.

I use the Nars Pro-Prime eyeshadow base because it really helps to keep eyeshadows from creasing if you have oily eyelids.

I use three colors from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette in order to add definition to my eyes. Using the e.l.f. eyeshadow C brush, I use the color W.O.S. all over my eyelid as a base. Then, I add the color faint in the crease of my eyelid and blend it out. Finally, I use the color Venus right under my brow bone and by my tear-duct to brighten my eyes. 

 I use stila Stay all Day waterproof eyeliner in Moss to line my upper lid without winging it out. I find that the dark green of the eyeliner brings out my eye color.

For this natural look, I prefer not to fill in my eyebrows, but I still want them to look polished. I sweep Maybelline Great Lash in Clear through my eyebrows to keep them in place and define their shape.

Lastly, I use Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Rosé to add a hint of color to my lips that still looks natural. The bright pink color helps my face look more awake.

This is the finished look.