Tag: affordable

Milani Prep+Set+Glow Illuminating Transparent Powder

On By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Natural, healthy glow
–Blurs imperfections
–Sets makeup
–Adds all over radiance
–Lit-from-within finish

Price
–$9.99 at milanicosmetics.com, Walgreens, Target
–$8.97 at Wal Mart

Pros
–Affordable
–Perfect for dry skin
–Cruelty free
–Vegan
–Sets makeup but doesn’t cake
–Lives up to all of its claims
–Easily accessible

Cons
–None

Final Thoughts
I am OBSESSED with this powder. I have dry skin, but I’m not into the super dewy, glowy look. Most setting powders are mattifying and don’t look the best on dry skin, but they set your makeup well. I was looking for a product that would set, but not necessarily mattify and accentuate my dryness and I finally found it. This one sets, but doesn’t mattify or cake. It just gives a beautiful, subtle glow. I use this product every single day and it is a dry skin dream. I can’t be without it!

P.S. I use it with this brush. I swirl the brush in and then go in and set. I use a light hand and a light amount of product.

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It’s really hard to get a swatch of a transparent powder, but I tried.
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AM & PM :: My makeup was set and was still in place at the end of the day. You can see the subtle glow it gives a little better in the picture on the right.

approved

 

Foundation Friday: Morphe Fluidity Full-Coverage

On By thehannahhardyIn Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Long-wearing
–Sweat proof
–Water-resistant
–Full-coverage
–Transfer resistant
–Great for all skin types

Price
–$18 for 1.0 oz at Ulta & morphebrushes.com

Shade Range
–60
–My shade: F1.10 Fairest with Neutral Undertones

Pros
–Affordable
–Oil free
–Paraben free
–Full coverage
–Long lasting
–Wasn’t too matte for my dry skin
–Didn’t cake on my dry skin
–Fragrance free
–Shade range and tones
–Cruelty free
–Shade match for me
–Easy to blend
–Worked well with my concealer/powder combo

Cons
–Availability :: can only get online, Morphe stores, and select Ulta stores

Final Thoughts
I got full coverage with one layer and I didn’t have to use much product. I got full coverage in one layer using a brush and a sponge. It covered ALL of my redness. At first, it didn’t want to stick to my nose, but that’s not unusual. I got it to stick using a sponge. I was worried that it would be too matte and drying on my VERY dry skin (thanks, cold weather), but it wasn’t. I do think it would dry down/set and not be tacky, but I always set with a powder regardless. Since my skin is dry, I use a fluffy brush and do a very light dusting. I almost bought shade F1.3 (fairest with pink undertones) because I have VERY pink undertones, but I think it would have been too dark. F1.10 was definitely the shade I needed. I think this is a great, full coverage foundation that is affordable.

Primer: Too Faced Hangover RX, elf Blur Stick
Powder: Milani Prep+Set+Glow
Tools: Morphe M439 and Real Techniques Sponge

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Before & After
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No makeup :: Foundation only :: Full face
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AM & PM (after the gym, but I don’t sweat a lot there)
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Swatch
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Shade comparisons

approved

Hauled it…how was it?

On By thehannahhardyIn Hauls, Reviews2 Comments

haul

A few weeks ago, I shared a HAUL. I actually purchased these products and started using them before that post went up, so I’ve had plenty of time to test all these products out and form opinions on them.

Keep reading to see which products I liked and which ones were a bust!

Side Note: I love watching Haul videos on YouTube, but hate when there is no follow up. I’m over here wondering if those products worked out. Were they good? Do I need it? Should I avoid it? HELP A GIRL OUT. LET ME KNOW.

elf

  • Prep & Blur Stick, $8
    • Repurchase
    • Blurs pores really well
    • LOVE
  • Jelly Highlighter in Bubbly, $6
    • This WILL NOT blend over powder. Most creams don’t, but I forgot to use it and wanted to try it anyway, major mistake.
    • I put on my foundation, tap this on my cheekbones, and set with translucent powder. You can still the highlight peeking through.
    • I apply a powder highlighter on top and you get BLINDED. You can certainly skip adding the powder highlight if you want something more natural.
    • LOVE
  • Color Correcting Stick in Correct Dark Circles Light, $4
    • Creamy
    • A little too dark for me, but I can make it work
    • VERY pigmented, just need a little
    • Easy to blend
    • LOVE
  • Brow Gel, $5
    • Note as good as my beloved Tarte gel
    • Will use on days where I don’t want to take the time to use a pencil, but want some color
    • When I do my brows, I start with a tinted brow gel and then fill in with a pencil. You can’t do that with this one. This gel and a pencil just don’t work well together.
  • Poreless Putty, $8
    • Everyone is LOSING THEIR MINDS over this primer because it’s supposed to be a dupe for the Tatcha primer.
    • This provides a good, smooth canvas for foundation, but it didn’t do much for my pores.
    • It also wasn’t cute on my dry skin. I used it all over and only around my nose where my pores are larger and it just wasn’t a good look for me.
  • Eye Makeup Remover Balm, $4
    • Perfect for removing stubborn liner and mascara
    • Run over my lash line and wipe all the makeup my initial remover missed
    • LOVE this
  • Solid Brush & Sponge Cleanser, $4
    • This is just as good as more expensive solid cleansers
    • Will be buying several of these next time I order
    • LOVE
  • Smoothing Eye Serum, $8
    • I keep it in my mini fridge so metal rollers stay cool which helps depuff
    • Hydrates and smooths
    • LOVE

Wet n Wild

My friend Owen delivered her sweet, identical twin girls at 24 weeks. She and I have several mutual friends, but got to know each other through blogging. She is so sweet and has the cutest little family. Her sweet girls, Molly & Lucy, are in the NICU and have a long road ahead before they can join their parents and older sister, Vivian, at home.

A PayPal was started to help with expenses and if you have it in your heart to donate, you can use this link. If you aren’t able to donate, prayers are always welcomed and completely free. I know God has a special plan for these girls!

L’Oreal Hydra Perfecte Perfecting Loose Powder

On By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

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Claims
–Light-diffusing
–Minimizes pores
–Special moisturizers to nourish and protect your skin

Price
–$9.99 at Wal Mart
–$11.95 at lorealparis.com

Shade Range
–3
–My shade: Translucent

Pros
–Affordable
–Not overly mattifying like most powders are
–Finely milled
–Looks good on my dry skin
–Soft focus effect

Cons
–Scent, very strong fragrance
–Hard to find :: I only find it in store at Wal Mart
–Not cruelty free

Final Thoughts
All powders will slightly mattify, some more than others, and that can look bad on dry skin. This powder is perfect for us dry skinned gals. It has a very airbrushed, soft focus effect and doesn’t look cakey or accentuate dryness. The scent is strong, like it is in most L’Oreal products, but it doesn’t linger and I can deal with it. I hate that it’s hard to find in stores. I only find it at Wal Mart which sucks. I don’t know how well this would work for keeping oils at bay so keep that in mind if you have oily skin. It’s my new favorite, go to loose setting powder.

IMG_7212approved

Mask Monday: LOreal Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort

On By thehannahhardyIn Mask MondayLeave a comment

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Claims
–Non-drying formula
–Cleanses and captures impurities
–Evens skintone
–Leave skin feeling clean, soft, and comforted

Price
–$6.50 at Ulta
–$6.59 at Target
–$12.99 at Walgreens
–$8.67 at Wal Mart
–1.7 oz

Pros
–Affordable
–Easily accessible
–Good ingredients i.e. titanium dioxide
–Didn’t leave skin feeling dry or stripped
–Skin felt soft and supple after use
–Quality packaging
–Lots of product for the price

Cons
–Not cruelty free

Final Thoughts
I’ve tried the other masks from this line and really liked them so I figured this one would be good too and it is! I found this at TJ Maxx for $4.50 so I figured I had nothing to lose by buying and trying. Clay masks are good for drawing out impurities and unclogging pores, but they can be drying. This mask wasn’t, but if you have dry skin like me, I would only use one or two times a week. I will definitely be incorporating this to my skincare routine weekly.

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Haul

On By thehannahhardyIn Hauls1 Comment
haul
image via

elf and Wet n Wild released new products and had sales going on so I did a little shopping. I placed these orders after Christmas when they were having mega sales on top of their already affordable prices so I got a lot of bang for my buck! I placed my orders on the actual website, but you can find them at drugstores, Target, Wal Mart, etc.

elf

Wet n Wild

Stay tuned for a follow up post to see if I liked these products!

Aveeno MaxGlow Infusion Drops

On By thehannahhardyIn Reviews, SkincareLeave a comment

Claims
–Lit-from-within glow
–Even skin tone & texture
–Moisturizes for a full 48 hours

Price
–$19.99 at Ulta
–$17.99 at Target
–$23.99 at Walgreens
–$17.95 at Wal Mart
–$3.99 trial size available at Ulta

Pros
–Mini option available to try
–Non-comedogenic
–Paraben free
–Phthalate free
–Pretty packaging
–Multi-use product (can use alone or mixed with other products)
–Smells good
–Made my skin glow
–Easily accessible
–Affordable

Cons
–Not cruelty free

Final Thoughts
This is my new skincare must have. I loved mixing this with my moisturizer for added hydration and glow. I dot my moisturizer on my face and then drop a few drops of this and rub it all in. It makes my skin SO soft and hydrated. I got the trial size initially, but have since purchased the full size. I don’t like to mix oils into my foundation or apply foundation on top of an oil so this is a good product to have on hand. It basically does the same thing, just in a different formula.

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I tried mixing this with the Jouer Essential High Coverage Creme Foundation. I love the coverage of this foundation, but it looks awful on my dry skin. Adding in the glow drops helped it look better, but it still didn’t look great. Improvement is good, but unfortunately this foundation is just a no go for me. The other foundations I use are more hydrating so I haven’t tried mixing it in with those as I don’t really need the added hydration.

approved

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