Showing posts with label spring 2018. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring 2018. Show all posts

3.13.2018

HAUL | Dior Forever Undercover Foundation and Concealer Review + Addict Lacquer Stick, Rouge Dior Liquid, Abricot Base Coat First Impressions



I have been on a makeup kick because my skin is improved to the point where makeup is fun again! Lots of you have been missing my base and complexion product reviews, so I decided to swing by Bloomingdale's and test out the revamped Dior Forever Foundation Collection.  The Undercover series is a departure from previous renditions and formulas thanks to new creative director Peter Phillips, and I can confidently say I approve.


I purchased the Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer at the end of December and have worn it pretty consistently since.  It provides sheer to medium coverage and lasts a good six hours so long as there is no rubbing involved.  I think it would perform well under the eyes, but I have only tested this concealer formula on my blemishes and acne scarring which isn't exactly what it is intended for.

It's not supposed to crease or settle into fine lines in case you're curious; I know the vast majority of makeup aficionados need concealer to cover under-eye darkness.  I try to avoid it unless it's a special occasion.  I purchased 21 Linen which is my usual shade in Dior complexion products and it was surprisingly a touch too light.  It is waterproof but blends easily so I'm able to make it work.

  
The Diorskin Forever Undercover 24-Hour Full Coverage Foundation, on the other hand, runs a whole shade darker so I still matched to 21 Linen.  Because I liked the concealer, I figured I would have similar feelings about the foundation.  Indeed, I give 8 out of 10 to both products.  The color for this foundation is nearly a perfect match to my skin tone currently, but I would hesitate to call this a long-wearing foundation.  



Now I give both 8/10 because I wish the concealer provided more coverage like the old discontinued DiorSkin Star, and I wish this new foundation was better at preventing my T-Zone from looking oily by the end of the day.  That being said, I am an oddball and prefer not to have to deal with touch-ups.  The Undercover Foundation initially dries down very "dry" so-to-speak making it feel fresh and weightless even though it covers my redness well.  Oh, and you get 1.3oz instead of your standard 1oz foundation bottle. 



I do find that this Diorskin Forever Undercover 24-Hour Full Coverage Foundation looks best when worn at sheer to medium coverage because it looks most like real skin at that point.  It is positively capable of full coverage with a pea sized amount and yes, it looks shockingly smooth without looking thick or caked on whatsoever, but full coverage is just not my style any more.  

My one major issue with this new formula is that it looks oily around my nostrils after three hours and breaks down around my mouth around five to six hours.  Overall though it is an excellent water-based foundation and it performs much better than average on my very dry skin, but I recommend setting with powder and prepping trouble spots with a thicker moisturizer before application. 



While testing the foundation, I wore it alone, with concealer, and then finished with the Diorskin Forever and Ever Control Loose Powder which I was the most curious about to be honest.  I stopped packing on powder foundation and have happily moved on to loose powder now that I'm not hiding huge breakouts.

I primarily love the mess-free mesh overlay packaging.  It is sleek and practical, and the powder formula one of the lightest and most impressive that Dior has ever produced.  I've tried the Nude loose powder before but it was difficult to get a shade match and I found the shimmer too prominent.  The air-whipped texture of this new Forever and Ever loose powder, however, is right up my alley.  Plus how much cuter could the name get?



It doesn't even feel like I'm wearing powder, although my skin does look immediately velvety soft, smooth and matte without appearing dry.  The formula absorbs excess sebum and neutralizes shine so it can be used for touch-ups throughout the day as well.  

I recommend using the included kabuki for that, but I start off my day by dusting it all over my face with a big fluffy powder brush with a lot of flex.  The powder is super fine and nearly invisible so start off slowly because just like with the foundation, you don't need very much.  Out of my entire haul, I would recommend the Diorskin Forever and Ever Control Loose Powder first and foremost.  It's that good. 


Then of course I couldn't leave without perusing the overwhelmingly jaw-dropping display of colorful lip offerings.  I honed in on the brand new Addict Lacquer Stick in Underground which is a pink nude, which is a "My Lips but Better" rosy beige shade that glides on like butter.  It feels like a luxurious lip balm which makes it tempting to reapply more often.  There's an exclusive shade at Bloomingdale's called Melrose and for some reason, it is $2 less so check it out if you're looking for a pink-coral!  Dior calls this new formula liquified shine and I would say that's an appropriate description.  It's pigmented but shiny and soothing and hydrating and doesn't make my lips peel.  Win.


The Dior makeup artist recommended that I top Underground with the Delicate Satin Rouge Dior Liquid Lipstick to create a true pink nude lip when I mentioned Underground was darker than I usually gravitate toward.  It's a beautiful pairing.  There are three finishes offered in this new long-wearing liquid lipstick formula, but I told her I have extremely sensitive dry lips so she said satin was my best bet.  The pigmentation is rich and even, no feathering, and the sponge tip applicator is awesome!  I love the tiny well that deposits the perfect amount of color so I don't constantly have to dip back into the tube.  I don't know if I would purchase many more of these Rouge Dior Liquids though simply because I prefer the convenience of the Lacquer Stick.


Last but not least is the Abricot Nail Base Coat which was more of purchase driven by laziness.  I have been giving my nails a break from gel manicures, but I forgot how time consuming it was to paint my nails and wait for them to dry completely.  I'm really out of practice!  But this Abricot base coat is unique because it's hard to find one that isn't too matte or too pink.  It also hides how damaged and brittle my nails look.


I love that it makes my nails look a touch milky yet glossy and healthy and brighter!  It acts as a protective barrier for my nails and lasts about five days worn alone so long as I'm not dunking my hands in chalk or working on my car.   This will be my go-to nail product from here on out.  It makes me  well my hands — feel clean and ladylike in under two minutes and it dries almost as quickly.  One coat is all you need.



P.S. There's a free gift with any $175 Dior beauty purchase happening at Bloomingdale's right now!  It's an adorable white embossed Dior logo pouch with a sleek black star chain zipper and a sample of Capture Totale DreamSkin. 



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3.10.2018

REVIEW | Tom Ford Extreme Collection Eyeshadow Swatches + Lash and Brow Tint Swatches



I constantly see complaints that luxury brands don't offer enough color, but Tom Ford answered in a big way this Spring!  I can't see many being dissatisfied with the twenty eyeshadow singles and tinted mascaras released.  These are indeed ultra pigmented and long-wearing (no primer necessary whatsoever), but it's the mirrored mini-compact in sleek reflective chrome that is unique to Tom Ford's Extreme Collection that I adore.  Most swatch as well as they apply on the eyes.  I recommend using a densely packed flat brush for maximum color impact.   



I only have 16 shades but my favorites are the glitter finishes anyway and that's what I recommend because you can layer with any eyeshadow in your stash!  Some of the shades, particularly the blues and purples, are reminiscent of previous releases from quads and palettes but occasionally, repeats in single format are worth splurging on.  I absolutely love love love the glitters!


The textures are quite smooth, even for glitters which I normally apply with a clean fingertip.  The foil finishes are very vibrant, even the TFx4 shade which I always blend with a matte brown and matte orange to keep it wearable for daytime.  These eyeshadow might be intimidatingly bright but they are so easy to work with!

TFx17 is a deep turquoise glitter
TFx16 is a lavender glitter
TFx15 is a pink red glitter
TFx20 is a gold glitter
TFx19 is a slate blue silver glitter
TFx11 is an emerald green
TFx9 is an indigo with a purple duochrome
TFx8 is a beautiful teal
TFx7 is a rich royal purple
TFx6 is a cool violet
TFx3 is a bright pink
TFx10 is a charcoal black
TFx14 is a golden citron
TFx1 is a silvery grey
TFx4 is a coppery orange
TFx13 is a pink/lavender duochrome


Missing:
TFx5 is a very pretty red, which is quite trendy for eyeshadow right now!  TFx12 is a burgundy berry and TFx2 is fairly traditional gold.  TFx18 is a military green glitter that I may really need in the fall season.


The new Extreme Lash and Brow Tints are pretty interesting, although not a must-have in my book.  No smudging though!  My favorite is TFx24 because it is the most wearable. This copper bronze shade is the perfect "colorful" shade to wear year-round and it catches light beautifully.  TFx22 has a slightly pink duochrome as seen in the swatches and TFx21 is extremely pigmented, probably the most impactful color on brown eyes.  TFx23 is a gorgeous teal that I know I'm going to love wearing in the summer, the only one that made my eyes pop when I opened up the tube!


Bottom line: These Tom Ford Extreme singles are expensive eyeshadows but wow, you need at least one.
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2.13.2018

REVIEW | Skin Care Update ♡ My Top Picks from SpaceNK + Spring Beauty Edit GWP



I am so thrilled to share that SpaceNK, the ultimate destination of luxury beauty products, launched their highly anticipated Spring Beauty Edit!  Spend $275 and score a gift with purchase that is worth over $500 with the code SPRING18.  It's a rare opportunity to discover an exclusive curation of 28 beauty breakthrough must-haves from Sunday Riley, Diptyque, Byredo and not a single foil packet which I appreciate very much.

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