Mascara Monday: Too Faced vs LOreal

On October 22, 2018October 17, 2018 By thehannahhardyIn Dupes, Mascara MondayLeave a comment

CLAIMS
–LOreal :: Lashes are feathery soft to the touch, voluptuous volume and length, 200+ bristles catch every lash
–Too Faced :: Smudge proof, all day wear, thicken and lock curl in place

PRICE
–LOreal :: $8.99 @ Target, $9.99 @ Ulta
–Too Faced :: $24 full size, $12 mini @ Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom

SHADE RANGE
–LOreal :: 4, waterproof option
–Too Faced :: 1, waterproof option

PROS
–LOreal :: Lots of volume, affordable, easy to purchase/find, no flaking or smudging, easy to remove, waterproof option
–Too Faced :: Lots of volume, get a fake lash look, mini option for testing/travel, waterproof option, doesn’t clump, paraben free, vegan, cruelty free

CONS
–LOreal :: Clumpy, lashes felt heavy and crunchy, not cruelty free, formula dries out quickly
–Too Faced :: Expensive, full size will dry up before you can use it

FINAL THOUGHTS
–LOreal :: I don’t love this, but I don’t hate it either. I can make this work when I pair it with another mascara that can separate and fan my lashes out. I’m going to use it since I bought it, but I definitely won’t repurchase. I see why people like it and I know it works really well for a lot of people, but my lashes are too stubbly and sparse.
–Too Faced :: This is my favorite mascara ever and one of the few high end mascaras that I have repurchased. I recommend getting the mini because the full size will start to dry out before you can use it up. There is a reason this is the #1 selling prestige mascara in America.

White LOreal Primer + LP — LOreal Lash Paradise

DUPE OR NOT?
I definitely don’t think these are dupes. The packaging and brush are similar, but the formulas and wear are not. The closest drugstore dupe to Better Than Sex is the Revlon Volumazing. I did a full review on that one and you can read it here.

Too Faced (left) :: LOreal (right)

Foundation Friday: Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Matte Serum

On October 19, 2018October 11, 2018 By thehannahhardyIn Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Diffuses imperfections
–Medium, buildable coverage
–Skin looks visibly younger and smoother
–Anti-aging benefits
–Soft, matte finish

Price
–$7 @ paulaschoice.com
–$19.97 at nordstromrack.com

Shade Range
–8
–My shade: Level 0

Pros
–Good ingredients
–Packaging:: pump!
–Cruelty free
–Buildable coverage

Cons
–Shade range
–Accentuated my dry skin
–No shade match for me

Final Thoughts
For starters, I think this might be being discontinued since it’s on SUPER sale and available at Nordstrom Rack. It’s totally fine that if it is because this was not for me. I know it’s a matte foundation and I have dry skin and those things don’t usually go together. However, I prefer a matte finish and with a hydrating, glowy primer and a good moisturizer, I can usually make a matte foundation work. I did full coverage with 2 layers, but I had to use a white mixer because the shade was too dark. This was a no go for me.

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Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder

On October 17, 2018October 11, 2018 By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

They mean it when they say mini

Claims
–Silky, lightweight
–Natural/luminous finish
–Smoother, more youthful appearance

Price
–$15 for 0.05 oz
–$33 for 0.56 oz
—Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta, toofaced.com

Shade Selection
–3 in the full size :: universal, medium, deep
–1 in the mini :: universal

Pros
–Cruelty free
–Hyaluroinc acid is an ingredient
–No parabens, sulfates, phthalates
–Mini option to try before committing to full size

Cons
–Little dark and yellow toned to be “translucent”
–Looked awful on my dry skin
–Had to use a blotting sheet for my forehead shine and I NEVER get shiny

Final Thoughts
I HATED this. It looked SO cakey on my dry skin and clung to every dry patch and pore. It aged me and was just not a good look. Thank goodness I bought the mini and didn’t commit to the full size. I returned this.

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Mask Monday: Philosophy Purity Clay Mask

On October 15, 2018October 11, 2018 By thehannahhardyIn Mask Monday, Reviews, SkincareLeave a comment

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Claims
–Draws out impurities, scrubs away blackheads, and shrinks the look of pores
–Skin is left refreshed, glowing, and appears virtually blackhead free

Price
–$35 for 2.5 oz
–$18 for 1.0 oz
—Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, philosophy.com

Pros
–Smaller size for travel and/or testing
–Smells good
–Effective
–Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth but not stripped
–Cruelty free
–Good ingredients: sailicylic acid, bentonite, and titanium dioxide

Cons
–Expensive

Final Thoughts
I really LOVE this mask. I bought the smaller size to test it out, but I would definitely buy the full size. I don’t think it is as effective as my beloved GlamGlow Super Mud, but it still does a great job and is much cheaper.

Foundation Friday: Mary Kay Mineral Powder

On October 12, 2018October 7, 2018 By thehannahhardyIn Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Buildable coverage
–Long wearing
–Transfer resistant
–Skin perfecting
–Controls shine
–Matte finish
–Weightless

Price
–$20 for 0.28 at marykay.com
—Compared to Bare Minerals Foundation that is $29 for 0.28 oz

Shade Range
–12
–I tested shade Ivory 1, but I really need Ivory 0.5

Pros
–Good price for powder foundation
–Very natural looking
–Lightweight
–Buildable: sheer to medium coverage

Cons
–Shade range
–Not cruelty free
–Online or through consultant only

Final Thoughts
My friend gave me this to try and I thought the shade might work, but it was just a little too dark. I mixed the Makeup Revolution Ghost powder in and made it work. You can build it up to medium coverage, but that’s as full as it gets. You can still the redness on my chin peeking through. To get a more full coverage look, I recommend using a flat top brush to buff the product into the skin. If you want a more sheer look, use a fluffier, powder brush to just sweep over the skin. It’s perfect paired with a little concealer for light makeup days. Powder foundation can look rough on dry skin, but I really like how this one looked. This a great product and I recommend it!

Primer: Becca First Light Priming Filter and Catrice Prime & Fine Smoothing Refiner
Concealer: Kylie + Tarte
Undereye Setting Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Loose
Tools: It Cosmetics Flat Top Travel Size Brush, beautyblender

You can see that it’s just a little too dark/off for me in shade Ivory 1.

IMG_1068_Facetune_02-08-2018-18-58-06 — No makeup :: just foundation :: full face

approved

Colour Pop No Filter Loose Setting Powder

On October 10, 2018October 7, 2018 By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Weightless
–Soft focus, matte finish
–No flashback
–Not heavy or cakey

Price
–$9 for 0.30 oz
—Compared to Laura Mercier Translucent Powder $38 for 1 oz
–Available at colourpop.com

Shade Range
–Affordable
–Cruelty free
–Vegan
–Silky smooth & finely milled

Cons
–Contains talc
–Online only
–Didn’t work with certain foundations, the Colour Pop foundation being one of them
–Showed every fine line under my eyes

Final Thoughts
–I wore this with my beloved Rimmel foundation and it didn’t cake up at all. Then, I tested it with the Colour Pop foundation which was a disaster. It was too much matte for my dry skin.
–I think you have normal or normal/oily skin, you would like this. If you have dry skin, you can make it work, but you have to use the right combination of primer, foundation, and setting spray to make it work.
–It’s not a bad product, it’s just not a good product for me.

Colour Pop Conealer + Colour Pop Powder :: Kylie/Tarte Concealer + Colour Pop Powder

Colour Pop Powder size compared to Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

CP Found + CP Powder — Colour Pop Powder + Colour Pop Foundation

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Mascara Monday: Lancome Monsieur Big

On October 8, 2018October 7, 2018 By thehannahhardyIn Mascara Monday, Reviews2 Comments

Claims
–12x more volume
–Buildable volume and length
–No flaking or smudging
–Creamy formula
–24 hour wear

Price
–$25 full size
–$12 mini
—Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, lancome-usa.com

Shade Range
–2 :: black and brown
–Waterproof option available

Pros
–Mini size available for travel/testing
–Lots of volume
–No clumping
–No flaking
–No smudging

Cons
–Not cruelty free
–Pricey
–Only available at specialty stores

Final Thoughts
–I LOVE the volume it gives my lashes.
–No flaking or smudging all day which is important to me
–I got this half off during Ulta 21 Days of Beauty. It is definitely $12.50 good, but I don’t know that I’d pay full price for it. It reminds me of the Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara which is much cheaper.

approved