Foundation Friday: Morphe Fluidity Full-Coverage

On February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 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

No makeup :: Foundation only :: Full face

AM & PM (after the gym, but I don’t sweat a lot there)

approved

Foundation Friday: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Stick

On February 8, 2019February 7, 2019 By thehannahhardyIn Fair Skin Products, Foundation Friday, Reviews1 Comment

Claims
–Long-lasting coverage
–Semi-matte finish
–Infused with Argan and Sunflower Seed oils for intense moisture and seamless blendability

Price
–$5.99 at Target, Walgreens, wetnwildbeauty.com

Shade Range
–21
–My shade: Alabaster

Pros
–Affordable
–Shade match for me
–Gluten free
–Talc free
–Fragrance free
–Buildable coverage
–Cruelty free
–Vegan

Cons
–SUPER tacky so you have to set it
–Cakey
–Clung to dry patches
–Not very creamy, tugged going on

Final Thoughts
You get medium coverage with one layer and full with two. I could not get this to stay on my nose. This happens sometimes, but usually between a brush and a sponge, I can make something work. Not with this one! It looked SO cakey with and without being set with powder. It did have good coverage though, it covered all my redness with 2 layers. The first day I tried it, it made me SO oily. I looked in the mirror and my forehead was shining. I rummaged in my purse and found an oil blotting sheet and was shocked. My skin has not needed an oil blotting sheet or even gotten oily in YEARS. It was just AWFUL on my dry skin. The next time I tried it, I thought extra prep and moisturizing would help. NOPE. I love the original Photo Focus Foundation that is liquid, but this was a major FAIL.

Day 1
—Too Faced Hangover Rx Primer
—elf Blur Stick
—Milani Prep+Set+Glow Powder
*This is my usual primer/powder combo that works well with almost every foundation I use and try*

No makeup :: Just foundation :: Full face

Sorry if this is gross, but look how oily this foundation made me. I was SO shiny. My skin is dry AF and I never get oily.

Day 2
—Origins GinZing Moisturizer & eye cream
—Physicians Formula Rose All day Serum Primer
–Becca Hydra Mist Powder

You can see how it’s not clinging to my nose and how it just looks cakey and bad. My skin just looked like it was begging for moisture.

notapproved

Foundation Friday: NARS Natural Radiant Longwear

On February 1, 2019January 29, 2019 By thehannahhardyIn Foundation FridayLeave a comment

Claims
–Buildable, full-coverage
–16 hour wear
–Transfer proof
–Lightweight
–Fade-resistant
–Sweat proof

Price
–$49 for 1.0 oz
—Nordstrom, Sephora, narscosmetics.com

Shade Range
–33
–My shade: Oslo

Pros
–Paraben free
–Gluten free
–Cruelty free
–Shade range
–Shade match for me
–Fragrance free
–Full coverage
–Longwearing
–Lightweight
–Alcohol free
–Oil free
–Dermatologist tested
–Non-comedogenic
–Packaging, pump!

Cons
–Expensive
–Doesn’t work well with just any concealer or powder

Final Thoughts
The first time I tried this, I used my Hourglass powder and it was a hot mess. It looked heavy, cakey, and just bad. I tried it again with my Milani powder and it was a much better match. It set the foundation, but left my skin glowy and not cakey. I used my Catrice concealer and it was a nope, but it worked well with my Kylie concealer. I love the radiant finish and got full coverage with one layer. I really like this, but there are cheaper foundations that I like just as much that play well with any and all powders and concealers. I do think it’s a great foundation and if it were cheaper, I would definitely buy it.

NARS + Hourglass

NARS + Milani

approved

Foundation Friday: Powder Foundation Routine

On January 25, 2019January 25, 2019 By thehannahhardyIn Foundation FridayLeave a comment

Last week, I shared how I made my own powder foundation that is a perfect match for me. Now that I have a foundation that matches, I wanted to share my powder foundation routine. I usually reach for a liquid as I find them easier to blend out and less messy, but I do use powder foundation from time to time. If you missed the earlier post, you can read it here.

Products

Primers—Wet n Wild Primer Water, Too Faced Hangover Rx, elf Poreless Putty #extraAF
Corrector—It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealing Pot
Concealer—Kylie Cosmetics in Pearl
Contour—Anastasia BH in Fawn, Catrice Prime & Fine in Ashy Radiance
Undereye Setting Powder–Custom mix, more on that soon 😉
Foundation—Custom mix
Bronzer—Bare Minerals Invisible Bronze in Fair to Light
Blush—Becca Mineral in Flowerchild
Highlight—elf Jelly Highlighter in Bubbly, Anastasia BH Amrezy
Brows—Tarte Busy Gal Brows in Taupe, Almay Brow Pencil in Dark Blonde, Anastasia BH Clear Brow Gel
Eyes—Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Base, Colour Pop Twinkle
Lashes—Essence Lash Primer, Benefit Roller Lash
Lips—Maybelline Touch of Spice
Setting Sprays—MAC Fix+, Kat Von D Lock It

Steps

Prime–Spray Wet n Wild Primer Water :: apply Too Faced primer all over :: apply elf primer around the nose where my large pores are to blur and fill
Correct, conceal, and set under eye concealer
Creams–contour the nose with ABH Fawn, apply elf Jelly Highlighter to cheek bones
Foundation–buff powder into skin (I use this brush), 2 light layers for light to medium coverage
Blush, bronzer, highlight, and contour
Brows
Eyes
Lashes
Lips
Setting spray

This looks like a lot of products and a lot of steps, but I can do this in less than 10 minutes. It’s my go-to when I’m running late or just want a more natural, light look.

I totally forgot to take my usual AM & PM pics!

Foundation Friday: Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Hydrating

On January 18, 2019January 14, 2019 By thehannahhardyIn Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Long-wearing
–Won’t settle into pores and fine lines
–Won’t oxidize
–Transfer proof
–Buildable coverage
–Hydrates
–Natural matte finish

Price
–$36 for 1.0 oz
—Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta, smashbox.com

Shade Range
–40
–My shade: 0.1

Pros
–Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E are ingredients which are great for my dry skin
–No parabens, phthalates, or fragrance
–Vegan
–Cruelty free
–Oil-free
–Shade range
–Buildable, medium to full coverage
–Lightweight
–Packaging–>pump!

Cons
–Tacky finish, doesn’t set
–Not good on my dry skin, looked SO cakey with powder

Final Thoughts
This looked HORRIBLE on my dry skin. I think it might because I used powder to set it, but it felt so tacky so I had to. I can’t stand the feeling of a tacky foundation and I’m not waiting around for a foundation to set. My blush and bronzer would definitely not have blended over top had I not set it with powder. I got full coverage with 2 layers and I prefer full coverage so that was a positive. However, this was a total fail for me. I’m so glad I got a sample at Sephora to try before buying!

swatches

notapproved

Mixology: Powder Foundation

On January 16, 2019January 14, 2019 By thehannahhardyIn Fair Skin Products1 Comment

Finding a powder foundation that matches my very fair skin tone is not an easy task. You may have seen my review on the Mary Kay Mineral Powder and it was just a little bit too dark. I had another powder foundation on hand that was too dark so I decided to use those two and my Makeup Revolution Ghost Powder to make my own perfect shade.

I’m basically a cosmetic chemist now.

Here’s what I used
–Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation in Fair Cool
—Mary Kay Mineral Powder in Ivory 1
—Makeup Revolution Luxury Baking Powder in Ghost

Steps
1) Crushed up the Urban Decay powder using a cuticle stick
2) Dumped the MK powder in the plastic container with UD powder and started mixing in the Ghost powder to lighten it up.
3) I added white and swatched till I got it to match my skin tone.
4) Added mixture into MK packaging for convenience and stored the rest.

I now have a lifetime supply of a powder foundation that matches me perfectly!

My powder foundation routine will be posted next week!

Foundation Friday: Almay Clear Complexion Make Myself Clear

On January 11, 2019January 10, 2019 By thehannahhardyIn Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Help clear & prevent blemishes while it conceals
–Covers, clears, calms, and controls
–Non-cakey
–Non-irritating
–Helps control oil breakthrough

Price
–$14.99 at Ulta
–$12.57 at Wal Mart
–$8.99 at Target
–$15.49 at Walgreens
–1.0 oz

Shade Range
–12
–My shade: Porcelain 99

Pros
–Packaging, pump!
–Salicylic acid is an ingredient, my skin reacts well to this
–Medium to full, buildable coverage
–Lightweight
–Lasted all day
–Didn’t cling to dry patches or accentuate dry skin
–Easily accessible
–Fragrance free
–Hypoallergenic
–Non-comedogenic

Cons
–No shade match for me
–Not cruelty free
–Shade range
–Expensive for drugstore

Final Thoughts
I thought with the shade name “Porcelain,” I’d get a shade match. WRONG. I had to use a good amount of white mixer to get this to work. I was really impressed with the coverage and wear time though. I hate the shade range is so bad! If there’s a shade match for you and you have acne prone skin, go for it! I’m not approved because there isn’t a shade match for me and I’m too lazy to be mixing foundation every day.

Primer: Too Faced Hangover Rx
Powder: LOreal Hydra Perfecte