Rimmel's Clean Finish Foundation is a Hidden Gem

Hello:

I recently tried Rimmel's Clean Finish Foundation which Rimmel describes as a: "Formula enriched with natural shine-controlling mineral powders for all-day oil control that won’t clog pores. Smooth Skin™ technology covers completely, for a natural, 100% poreless look. Wears all day.Don’t just mattify your complexion– go poreless!Perfect for all skin types."

The bottle has a interesting feature - a spatula attached to the cap, I assume it is to stir the foundation which is slightly thick and perhaps to scrape product out?  I don't think you would want to use it to apply the makeup to your face as you would then contaminate the bottle.  I could not find any information or Rimmel's website as to its proper use.  The foundation provides a nice moderate coverage and does give a matte look to the skin.  It stayed in place all day and works just as well as many of its pricier competitors.  As for looking poreless - I don't know that is possible with out layers of foundation, but it does not maximize the look of your pores.

I look much darker in the photo with the foundation on the sunlight was really bright and for some reason my camera really threw the color temperature off, and I am not photo savvy enough to fix it.

But I think this is a good foundation for everyday use.

Next up...Revlon,

Jasmine

Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Finish is modestly fantastic

Hello:
Today I tried Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Finish full coverage makeup.  It is a cream makeup that you apply with a wet sponge.

It takes very little product to get your face done and goes on smoothly.  I really like the coverage it gives and it looked fresh all day long.  It didn't get cakey or chalky, and it actually made my face feel incredibly soft.  This had moved into my top 3 and is now my favorite full coverage make-up!  And at $33 it's easier on the wallet than most. 



For some reason I look a little "grey" in the after picture, but I as you can see I was really red faced before and after I have a nice smooth finish.  It also halped my blush and bronzer stay in place and did not take much powder to get rid of excess shine.  A hidden gem in my opinion :).

Next up...drugstore brands,

Jasmine

Elizabeth Arden's Intervene can intrude into my cabinet

Hello:

Today I used Elizabeth Arden's Intervene which the company describes as "This liquid makeup with Biodormin™ skincare benefits helps put a pause on aging signs. Micro-mineral pigment technology smooths away imperfections for brighter, even-toned skin, as it delivers all day coverage, color-true shades, and a soft natural finish. " 

Like Chanel's Perfection Lumiere this lives up to its description.  It applies smoothly and lasts all day with out getting chalky or making my skin more oily.  My skin appeared more even toned as you can see in the pictures below.

The only draw back is it made the loose podwer I use look cakey after about 4 hours, but if you don't use powder than no worries.  I would use this foundation for a very natural look, on a day when I was only going to wear mascara and perhaps a little cream blush ( I would worry powder blush would get creases).  But overall it lands in my top 5.

Next up... Elizabeth Arden's Flawless Finish sponge on foundation,

Jasmine

Estee Lauder Lucidity - needs lots o' loose powder

Hello:

Today I tried Estee Lauder's Lucidity foundation which is moderate coverage, in the shade Linen.

The company describes Lucidity as "The radiantly perfect face. Special light-diffusing pigments actually reflect light away from fine lines and wrinkles, so they seem to disappear. Provides light moisturizing and other skin care benefits, so it's comfortable even on dry skin. Medium coverage, Natural finish, For Normal/Oily, Normal/Dry or Dry Skin protects with SPF 8 sunscreen."  uh-oh the light diffusing statement appears again and once again I ended up with a oily/chalky face.  After 3 attempts at moderate coverage foundations with "special light diffusing" attributes I am ready to give up, they are not for me.  Also, I am disappointed with the low SPF content, at least throw in SPF 15!
Here is my before foundation and after application pictures:

Bare faced



After I put Lucidity on

I think you can definitely see the smoothing effect, but it doesn't stay nice and matte for me unfortunetly.
So the search continues

Next up...Elizabeth Arden,

Jasmine


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Foundation Swatches

Hello!

When ever I'm putting on these foundations I'm always amazed in the color variation. Check it out.

From the Left:
#1) Physcians Formula Tinted Moisturizer (which you can tell has moisturizer in it because it was the first one I put on the didn't dry down)
#2 Lancome Teint Miracle
#3 Lancome Teint Idole
#4 Clinique Perfectly Real
#5 Clarins Everlasting Foundation
#6 Clarins Skin Illusion
#7 Estee Lauder Double Wear

They all blend fairly well, but as you can see the full coverage foundations dry down very quick.  You can also see my arm which is actually very close in color to face - hence the reason I can never find a close match and need to try all these :)

Jasmine

Double Wear...well I'll wear it now and again

Hello:

I realized I may not have mentioned I don't use a primer when I try these foundations - ok onto the info.

Today I am posting pictures of Estee Lauder's Double Wear.  The company describes the foundation as "15-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. Won't change color,smudge or come off on clothes. Feels lightweight and comfortable." 

I does wear all all day with no smudging, and it gives a matte finish that doesn't get oily or chalky. I have combination/normal skin and this was a little bit drying for me I am wearing the shade Bone in the picture below and I look a little pasty.

It is a full coverage foundation, but it didn't give me quite the coverage I would have expected, as you can see you can still see my freckles.  It applies smoothly and lasts all day, but I think it is more suited for those that have oilier skin and/or sweat a lot.

Next up...Estee Lauder Lucidity,

Jasmine

Skin Illusion keeps it real - really real

Hello~


Today I present Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation which the company describes as "This light-reflecting, oil-free and hydrating foundation perfectly combines mineral and plant ingredients to create a naturally radiant complexion with light to medium coverage. Clarins Light Optimizing Complex and Pink Opal Pigments, combined with a unique blend of ingredients, continuously hydrates and protects skin resulting in a beautifully radiant and perfectly even complexion." 

They mentioned the dreaded "light optimizing" phrase but luckily I did not notice any chalky-ness.  Though the continous hydration may be a bit too much, I have normal (winter dryness) skin and it got a bit oily on me towards the end of the day.  But the moderate coverage and plant extracts ( it has that same slight botanical smell) work to create a really nice finish and this mat be my new favorate moderate coverage foundation.

I think it's "super-natural" in a flawless, smoothing way, and gives my pale skin a nice glow. I also realized I always just show you my foundation face, so here's about 5 minutes later when I've powdered. bronzed, blushed, concealed and put my eyebrows "on".  All that's left is eyeshadow and mascara, but not bad eh?

 Next up...the infamous Estee Lauder Double Wear!

Jasmine

Not only amy I wildly beautiful... but I am CRAFTY!

Hello!

I have always been crafty in a couple of senses of the word.  Like I'm crafty like a fox, I look for the angle on things and try to come up with unusual solutions if need be.  And then I'm Crafty like Martha Stewart - big time.  I am an avid quilter, I do needlework, I make jewelry and I sew bags and things.  So what does this rant have to do with the world of beauty junkies.  I needed to craft up some storage ideas for my makeup collection!  I saw the idea on Pinterest (which is the best waste of time ever), and decided I needed to make my own MAGNETIC MAKEUP BOARD.

Source: curbly.com via Angela on Pinterest

 This is what you need:
1) Old frame that can still hold in the glass plate
2) Sandpaper
3) Paint in your choice of color (acrylic craft paint works well) and a sealer
4) Paint brush
5) Sheet metal cut to fit in frame
6) Spray Adhesive
7) Fabric of your choice
8) Sticky back magnets (it usually comes in a roll)

Ok - so I went thrifting and found a large frame with a hideous picture inside for $4.  I took sthe picture out and measured it.  I had my man friend cut the piece of sheet metal to fit inside the frame using the old picture as a template.  Be careful cutting and handling sheet metal - it's sharp! I then I cut the fabric to fit the piece of sheet metal with just a teensy (like 1/8 inch) extra around the edge.  I used spray adhesive to adhere the fabric to the metal and then sanded the frame so I could paint it.
Here is the frame pre-paintjob:

The gold foil frame is actually not bad but I wanted PINK - like Barbie pink :)
So I layed out a protective surface and just painted two twin coats on.

Pretty!

 

Next I put the metal with the fabric on it into the frame and secured it in place.  And it looked like this:

For some reason the pink frame looks different in every picture - I am not a good photographer.

Sweet Barbie fabric right!?!  My Makeup desk/closet is all white, black and pink so this was just right.  Then I just started going thru my eyeshadows and choosing the ones that I can see the color thru the lid and I put magnets on the back and Wa-Lah- stuck them to the board and now they are easily accesible and take up no counter space.  Not bad for $4!

I also "distressed" the frame a bit because I like the gold coming thru.  I ran out of magnets, but this is a great start.  Please feel free to ask any questions if you want to make your own and I wasn't clear!

Keepin it Crafty,
Jasmine
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Everlasting? 10 hours would be fine.

Good Evening:

Today I tried Clarins Everlasting Foundation (or as the bottle actualy says Teint Haute Tenue).

Clarins describes this foundation as "This foundation offers 15 hours of impeccable coverage and total comfort. Formulated with a "high-fidelity system", it enables a light, invisible veil to set your foundation you apply it, leaving it soft and supple with perfectly even, long-lasting wear. Clarins exclusive Light-Optimizing Complex instantly captures, diffuses and magnifies light. Fine lines and small imperfections are visibly minimized and the complexion appears even and luminous."  This is much the same scenario as Teint Miracle by Lancome.  As soon as companies talk about light reflecting, and luminous complexions - I think at about hour 5 this is going to go chalky.  And it did.  Whatever these light complexes are they aren't stable it seems, and if your skin produces any oil you get patches of foundationand your skin goes from luminous to flaky, chalky mess.  It has a really nice smell when you put it on, very botanical, but not the smoothest application I had to really blend it so it wasn't streaky or built up too much in one area.  

Next up... Clarins again!

Jasmine

      

Superbalance...except when I use the stairs

Hello:
Today's foundation face is Clinique's SuperBalanced in Light. 

 The Clinique webbsite describes this foundation as "The smart makeup. Liquid foundation with adjustable, oil-free coverage provides moisture and absorbs oil when and where needed. Silky upon application."  It provides medium coverage and did not cake or get chalky during the day.  I also did not need to apply powder so it must live up to absorbs oil claim. 

It's a good foundation for it's pricepoint $23.  The application is not as smooth as other foundations I have tried, and it needs to be blended in quite a bit, but then you are good to go all day. And as for my superbalance I don't think I've fallen this week, but give it a few days or a set of stairs.

Next up...Clarins,

Jasmine

Perfection indeed

Good afternoon!

Today's foundation is Chanel Perfection Lumiere, and it lives up to it's name!

 I used to use only Chanel Vitalumiere foundation because I loved the "dewy" look it gave my skin.  My roommate at the time loved it as well (you know who you are!) and we would go around complementing each other skin all day.  Well as I have gotten older I prefer more of a matte finish and Chanel's Perfection Lumiere delivers moderate coverage with just the right dose of light.

Chanel describes the product as "Effortless to apply, with seamless blendability for a naturally flawless effect, this breakthrough foundation is the ideal all-day, everyday formula – suitable for all skin types in a diverse range of 20 shades."  It is one of the most dead on product descriptions I've come across.  I always read the full product description after I test the product so I don't have any pre-conceived ideas.  My first thought when putting this on was "This is so easy to apply!"  through the day I looked in the mirror and though it was "a great everyday formula".  I'm so happy when a company does not over promise on their products. One drawback is it is only SPF 10.  It is a natural looking foundation and you would need concealer for any extra redness or under eye circles, but this is looking like it may fall into the top 3 foundations on my list! Which are by the way...

#1Teint Idole Ultra (Lancome) $42

#2 Chanel Perfection Lumiere $55

#3 Physcian's Formula SPF 50 tinted moisturizer

Next up...more Clinique (I think),

Jasmine

Perfectly not what I expected...

Greetings:

Today I tried Clinique's Perfectly Real Foundation, which is described by the company as "Feels like nothing at all. Yet creates your skin's most perfected, natural look. Patent-pending* micro-mirrored technology optically resurfaces skin. Ultra-lightweight liquid formula is oil-free, non-acnegenic."  The micro-mirrored technology was not a mirror I want to look into after a few hours.  Intially, it looked good:

It took quite a bit of product to get coverage, I generally use about a pea size of product, with Perfectly Real I need about a nickel size.  It emphasized my pore size more than any of the products I have used so far and you do not want to use a setting powder because it turns cakey!  So I think it you really, want to be Perfectly Real that's how you have to wear it - perfectly by itself.  My blush (powder) caked as well, a cream blush may fair better.  This formula is touted as moderate coverage, which I would agree with.  If you just wear foundation and mascara this may work for you, but as a foundation base I'm perfectly disappointed.

Next up...my old friend Chanel,

Jasmine

I'm not all that worried about the sweat...

Greetings again:

Today's foundation face is Avon's ExtraLasting Liquid Foundation (it used to be called PerfectWear).

  It is a medium to  full covergae foundation and the company describes it as "Always fresh, never cakey or dry. Resists water and sweat. Stands up to heat and humidity. Feels featherlight and flexible all day. Comfortable coverage up to 18 hours."  The resists water and sweat comment kinda throws me for a loop, can you wear this while swimming? And if it resists sweat is it not letting it through, thus suffocating your skin?  These are not things I really want to try, but for me it did wear comfortably for 12+ hours and it did not look cakey or chalky. 

It does not give as good of coverage as the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra, but it is still a good foundation for evening out skin tone.The main drawback is the application, the product is very dry and does not smooth on to the skin easily.  I had to really blend, blend, blend it with my brush so it was streaking or globbed on in one area.  I like the results enough to keep it because I know it is workable, but I don't think the average user would be pleased.  Tomorrow we move on to a brand I've actually never tried before.

Next up...Clinique,
Jasmine

Full Coverage

Hello:

Today's foundation face is Full-Coverage.

Most Full Covergae foundations are made to last 12+ hours and some are even 24 hours!  Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra is described as "14-hour ultra-resistant makeup delivers flawless, full-coverage that lasts. The retouch-free, oil-free formula features Lancôme’s SoftFeel™ technology glides on to comfort skin with flawless full coverage. Divine comfort leaves skin feeling soft, comfortable and silky-smooth hour after hour."  I will say it is super comfortable and it does a realy nice job of evening out my skin tone and creating a nice soft matte look - here I am in Buff 2:

I usually don't need much powder with this foundation and it has great staying power.  I also need less concelear as the formula seems to cover redness very well.  As you can see I will still need to use a concealer for my undereyes but that's pretty normal for me.  So now that we have seen what Lancome has to offer, I'm going to move on to a less expensive brand and see how it compares.

Next up...Avon,

Jasmine

More than Natural

Wow! Two posts in one day!  The hardest part of blogging for me is not content but getting images for the posts.  I try to take the pictures in the same quality sunlight each morning, so these foundation posts are one image a day - because I want to see how it performs.

  In this photo I am wearing Renergie Lift Makeup from Lancome in Lifting Clair 20.

The company describes the foundation as:
"An innovation in age-defying foundation; this lightweight, moisturizing fluid visibly “lifts” slackening skin, and blurs lines and wrinkles for up to 12-hours. The magic behind this makeup is Lancôme’s Micro-Lift™ technology with Pure Vitamin E that optimizes luminosity and leaves skin looking younger than ever. Instantly, your complexion appears flawlessly even and line-free."
If you look at this versus past posts you can definetly tell this is a full coverage foundation (my freckles are hidden in bright light) and I will say I think it does give a good 10 hours of wear, but I don't really look "luminous", and I have lines on my face!  I am definetly not line free.  This foundation is aimed at women over 40 and I will say it is my favorite for achieving a smoothing, fresh look for an older client that does not have very dry skin. 

 Next up...Teint Idole,

Jasmine

A little more than natural...

Greetings:
Today I want to continue with my foundation conversation and have photgraphed myself wearing Lancome's Teint Miracle in Buff 2. 


 Their website describes it as: "With Aura-Inside™ technology, Lancôme invents its 1st foundation that recreates the true natural light of perfect skin. Its unique weightless texture provides perfect buildable coverage with a bare sensation. Instantly, complexion appears lit-from-within, visibly flawless."  It is oil free and fragrance free and has SPF 15.   Ok, I would say it does feel weightless, the coverage is only buildable if you truly know how to buff in more with a brush so for most it is a "natural" look foundation.  I really don't know how "lit from within" I look, but it does cover some redness, and as you can see my give me a more even skin tone, which for me is what I really want.

It is an 18 hour foundation but I start to see chalkiness (from my facial oils, and environmental stuff) at about 6 hours. I actually don't know that I have ever worn it 18 hours, but I have taken a nap after 5 hours with this on and it looked the same when I woke up 2 hours later and there was no pillow residue!  I like this foundation but I think there are better natural look foundations out there for me!  The search continues...


Next up - full coverage from Lancome!

Jasmine

Prepping the Palette

Hello!

So now that you've seen me in the"buff" I thought I'd start showing what different type of foundations can do.  There are 3 major questions you should consider when choosing a foundation(s) (I really feel you need 2 in your arsenal, as I have yet to find one that can be light enough for "day" looks and be built up enough for the full coverage you may need.) Anywhoo.. 
#1 - Consider your skin type (dry, normal/combination, oily) and look for one that caters to your particular skin - though I will say 85% of us are normal/combination skin.  Truly dry skin is rare (most the time people just need to exfoliate and use a moisturizer) and truly oily skin is not that common either. In my years working at the cosmetic counter I have seen maybe 1 or 2 people that had OILY skin and they were under a dermatologists care. 
#2 - What do you want you foundation to do?  Do you want full coverage or natural luminessence (the dewy look), do you want to cover redness, do you want it to be super long lasting? etc, etc...  Most foundations can do a few of these things at once so do a little research online of the major brands and you'll be able to narrow the field down quickly.
#3 - How much do you care?  If you just want something quick - tinted moisturizer is great.  If you want more coverage then do it right, get thee a foundation brush!
Now that you know what you want your Foundation to be, where do you get it?  Head to the mall!  Almost all of the major lines Lancome, Clinique, Estee Lauder, MAC, Dior and on and on will ask you the exact questions I mentioned and color match you for free any day of the week.  Many will give you a sample to try for a few days.  So let them know what you are looking for and try it out!  Some may not want to spend as much so find out your local drug stores return policy and you can often try products and return them.  There are so many prducts out there, you will definetly find the right one for you.  Or in my case the right 5 or 6....

So here's some of mine! I decided to start with tinted moisturizer as I honestly think that's all most people really want and/or need, and most have an excellent amount of SPF which is a super bonus! 

Here I have on Physcian's Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 (tinted moisturizer) in Fair

 along with Chanel loose powder in Clair 1.  It looks very, very natural but I like that it evens out my color a bit (I tend to be pink on the chin and nose and cheeks) and the SPF is great!  My chin needs concealer, but that a whole different post!  My next post will kick it up a notch with "natural appearance" foundation. 

Jasmine

The skin I'm in

So as I mentioned last post, I believe I have "good skin" so I decided I better put out some proof - so here I am freshly scrubbed with just my serum and moisturizer and eye cream on :)  Please excuse my goofy look!  I also need, need to get my eyebrows done!  When I have makeup on I can fake a better arch with my brow powder. I also don't think of myself as being that "freckly", but I think the face self tanner I use is bringing them out, if that's possible.  Yes, I did say self tanner I'm normally about 4 shades lighter than this, but New Year's is one of the few times I dress up and take pictures so I need to not blind the flash. Again comments and thoughts are appreciated!  :)

Skincare is the ultimate Makeup

This is going to come across terribly vain but it's the truth and I have a point - people often tell me I have beautiful skin and I do.  But it is because I work at it!  I was on the SPF train back in the 90's people, I have always been very, very careful to protect my skin from UV damage and it's paid off.  I don't smoke I rarely drink and I get a lot of sleep. I would be really in good shape if I would just drink more water :). I said I had a point and this is it - Make up can only do so much. You have to take care of the palette the art is going on.
I have a rigorous skin regime (AM -> wash, tone, serum, sunblock, eye cream, skin cream) and (PM -> wash, tone, serum, self tanner, eye cream, skin cream) and when people ask me how I keep my skin looking good I tell them my system and they say "Oh I could never do that, it's soooo much." I try and explain it takes all of 3 minutes, and you just have to want to do it, (Like anything else in life.) But I do do it, and EVERY day. But that is why I have nice skin, it's not luck, it's effort. So when I put on that make-up I love so much I am not spending so much time trying to hide what I don't like but rather enhance what I do like and enjoy the art. Once you start taking care of your skin, you would be surprised how hard of a good habit it is to break.

Making pale - pretty,
Jasmine