I realized the other day that I’ve been reviewing products for 3 years, but I’ve never really shared the criteria that I use to decide whether or not a product is approved. Also, today is also my 500th blog post and my 3 year Blogiversary so there’s no better time!
Mascara
–Can’t flake or smudge
–Provides length, volume, and separation
–Builds without clumping
–Lashes stay curled
–Easy to remove
Concealer
–Shade match
–Full coverage (I prefer full coverage. However, if a product claims medium, I won’t say it’s not good because it isn’t full. I just adjust my expectations.)
–Blendability
–Works with corrector and setting powder
–Minimal creasing and settling into fine lines (I have fine lines so every concealer is going to settle/crease slightly)
Foundation
–Shade match
–Longevity
–Finish
–Blendability
–Doesn’t cake when set with powder
–Doesn’t cling to dry patches
–Coverage (Again, I prefer more full coverage, but I do test formula that aren’t full coverage)
Non-Formula Related Criteria
–Shade range
–Availability
–Price
When I’m testing something new, I like to keep my other products the same. Complexion products like foundation and concealer are finicky. Not just any primer, powder, setting spray, tool, will work with your skin type to give you the intended result. This is why I think makeup is so fun and why I love to try new products.
New Foundation
–Initially, I use primers and powders I am familiar with (i.e. First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothie Primer & Fenty Pro’Filtr Setting Powder in Butter–two of my all time favorites)
–Usually test over a few days with different primer/powder/setting spray combos
New Concealer
–I use the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Corrector and Fenty Pro Filt’r Setting Powder in Lavender. These are my go to products and I know how they work with my favorite concealers. Therefore, if I test a new one and it doesn’t look good, I know it was the concealer.
New Mascara
–Use LOreal Mascara Primer
the Hannah Hardy 
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