Benefit Erase Paste v.s. Benefit Boing

Concealer is one of those things that's very personal. It depends on your skin type, tone, need... so knowing all you can about one before you buy it is important.

First is Benefit's Erase Paste.
Starting right off the bat this is not for everyone.
Erase Paste can be worn on blemishes, but normally it's thought of as an under-eye concealer because it has a very peachy undertone, which is a corrective shade for dark under-eye circles. I have it below in 2 shades, No. 1 Light and No. 2 Medium.

Then Boi-ing, which I only have in one shade inNo. 20. As you can see I way hit pan on this one. Boi-ing is a lot more versatile than the Erase Paste but they consistencies of the two are completely different. I feel like Boi-ing would work for a lot more people, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the better of the 2.

Let's break it down now shall we?

Some pro's and con's of Erase Paste:

Pro's:

-It's corrective

-Heavy coverage

-A little goes a long way

-Contains more product

Con's:

-Really Thick

-Can Crease Easily

Now Boi-ing:

Pro's

-Good Coverage

-Easier to use (less time consuming)

-Doesn't crease 

-More versitile 

Con's

-Not as corrective

-Can Crease Easily 

These are two very different products and it really depends on what you're looking for in your concealer to decided which one is a better fit for you. 

Personally, I prefer Boi-ing because I don't love the thickness of Erase Paste. 

Let me know what you think of these products below!

xoxo,

Glimmer 

Review: Benefit POREfessional Face Primer

"Oil free, lightweight, translucent, and silky." That's how Benefit describes their POREfessional primer. If it's all those things, that sounds like perfection in a tube!

From Benefit:

Why we love it:

Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals.

How to apply:

To use under makeup: Apply to clean, lightly moisturized skin. Pat on problem areas & blend with fingertips.

To use over makeup: Pat on lightly over makeup & blend.

PRIME IN THE A.M.
Apply a thin layer of this PRO balm to clean, lightly moisturized skin. Pat lightly from the center of the face outward with fingertips. Wait seconds, then apply makeup as usual. Skin appears smooth & even…isn’t that what we’re all looking for?

APPLY WHENEVER PORES COME OUT OF HIDING
If pores reappear, pat delicately on T-zone over makeup & blend. The lightweight, oil-free formula means a beautifully refined complexion. Remember, just a dab’ll do ya!

info credit: Benefit

This is a silicone based primer, and it comes out of the tube kinda creamy. It's a flesh tone shade but it blends into the skin and becomes transparent. It does have a scent, a pretty... almost perfume like fragrance. The smell fades away as the primer melts into your skin.

I'm not sure if this primer actually makes a difference in the staying power of my makeup, but it does do a decent job hiding my pores and making my makeup apply smoothly and evenly. It doesn't keep my skin matte, so if you're looking for that, this isn't the primer for you. It doesn't promise to do so, but there are other primers that do help with oil control, and this isn't one of them.

What I think is particularly unique about this primer is that Benefit says you can apply it over your makeup if your pores become real visible. But if you applied before putting your makeup on, it should last shouldn't it? Hhmmm... I've never seen another primer advertise this, but hey, if it works, sounds good to me!
When I tested this, I wore my makeup for about 5 hours before I smoothed a small amount over my cheeks to fill in my (slightly more noticeable then before) pores. I think it made my face a appear more matte, but it didn't hide my pores. I expected makeup I was wearing to create a barrier between my skin and the new layer of primer. I was right. It absorbed into my skin, but it didn't penetrate my makeup and fill my pores. 

The tube packaging does get dirty rather easily, so please excuse the makeup that's on the tube!

I like this primer and I do think it preforms well. The only cons that impacts my decision to repurchase would be the $30 price point! Ouch... and the fact that it doesn't help with oil control. I don't know if I would repurchase this item because I do think there are a few less expensive alternatives that work just as well. 

But if you have a problem with pores, this works well. I do recommend! But like I said, I won't repurchase. 

xoxo,

Glimmer 

Review: Maybelline FIT ME Shine-Free Foundation Stick:

Hey guys!

Today I've got my review on the new Maybelline FIT ME Shine Free Foundation Stick. Maybelline is one of my favorite drugstore brands, so when they come out with something new, I'm definitely one to try it.

I purchased shade 130 and it matches my skin well.

Let me start by saying I don't normally wear foundation. A tinted moisturizer or BB Cream maybe, but I just don't feel I need something heavy coverage in my skin. But for some reason, this product sparked my interest. Possibly because I have combination-oily skin, which this product is marketed towards.

Maybelline Claims: "Our first gel stick foundation with an anti-shine core. Fresh gel foundation blends to a flawless matte finish. Lightweight powders in the anti-shine core instantly dissolve excess oil." Available in 12 shades. 

As you can see in the pictures below, this product does have a solid, clear-ish white core surrounded by foundation. Maybelline claims this is an Anti-Shine core. 

Is that false advertising? 

I normally apply a primer under all my face products to smooth out my skin and minimize my pores. With a primer on, I didn't have a problem with saying power. It lasted all day until I used makeup remover to take it off.

I didn't test it without primer, but I did test it with and without setting powder. I do get oily in my T-Zone, so with out powder I expected to see some shine coming through, even though it claims to be shine free. Today is was 112 degrees outside and I did notice I got shiney, But it wasn't extreme at all, and normally, without powder, I would be a hot mess! So I definitely think the anti-shine properties work to control oil for a little while, but a light dusting of setting powder would probably help out! 

Shade 130

I didn't particularly find the texture of this product "gel" like. It's more of a cream. It does blend to a matte finish, and it's very light weight. I love that. You don't feel like you have on a foundation and when you touch your face you don't get that excess foundation or cakey feel. 

I also wanted to mention that this is not the foundation to use a sponge or beauty blender to apply. I found that when I did, it didn't cover as well and was harder to blend out.
My preferred method of application is my Sigma F80 or F82. 


I think Maybelline did a really great job with this one!

You have to play with it a while, but after a couple applications you will get the trick.

Before you run out and buy it, I just want to get something out in the open. Stick foundations aren't for every one. 

I'm glad Maybelline marketed this towards oily skin, because if your skin is dry, this won't work for you. Adter testing it a while, I found it may cling to dry patches you may have, or any flaky skin on your face. You really don't want to emphasize that aspect of your skin, so if that's a concern for you, I'd say skip it. 


Hope I was helpful =) I like this product and hope you do too! 

xoxo,
Glimmer <3 

My *Holy Grail* Concealers:

Hey Guys!  :)
Today I'm going to share with you my 4, most loved, have to have, would immediately repurchase, concealers! Or in other words, my "Holy Grails" as far as concealers go.

(Not in any particular order)

No. 1: Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette:

This palette contains two creamy creamy concealers, one lighter one darker, one green toned concealer, and one finely milled translucent setting powder. That's right, all of these in ONE palette. And don't worry, they didn't skimp on the quality because of the bargain. All 3 of these concealers are rich, creamy, easy to blend, and are nicely pigmented! It's easy to find a shade perfect for you by blending the 2 skin tone shades together, or maybe this could be your year around concealer palette! One shade for winter and spring when your a bit lighter, another for summer and fall when your a bit tanner! This palette is essential for blemishes, spots, and discoloration.
Available at target and target.com 

Shade 07, now packaged in a black compact.

No. 2: Laura Geller "The Real Deal" Concealer:

This product may be on the pricier side, but you get a major bang for your buck. You need the tiniest amount of product to get great coverage, the full size tube could last for more than a year. This concealer is a bit heavier, so it's best for blemishes and scaring. It covers like no body's business and lasts all day! Love it!
Available at Ulta, Ulta.com, QVC.com, and laurageller.com

Shade Medium

No. 3: E.L.F. Oil Free Maximum Coverage Concealer:

I love this product. Would I say its maximum coverage? No. It's not nearly as opaque and heavy duty as the Laura Geller Real Deal Concealer. But that's why I love it so much! It is light weight and has a natural finish, so it never looks cakey. Its blendable, creamy, and has great pigmentation. I use this under my eyes for dark circles, on my face for blemishes and discoloration, and anywhere else I need to. You can't ever tell I'm wearing concealer. It blends so seamlessly and and melts into the skin while still covering imperfections! It's amazing!

Shade Nude

No. 4: Bare Minerals Multi-Tasking Summer Bisque (SPF 20):

This is a powder concealer product. Bare Minerals really did a fantastic job at creating something blendable, decent coverage, pigmented, and not powdery looking. I love using this to set my under eye concealer. This can be used alone, but if you have dark-dark-dark under eye circles, hard to cover blemishes, or you are trying to amp up the coverage of a maybe not that great concealer, this product is amazing. Alone I'd say it is light to medium coverage, but paired with another concealer, it's amazing! And for those days you don't need a lot of coverage, and you want something quick and effortless, this is my go to!

Shade Summer Bisque  

Have a great rest of your day =)

xoxo,
Glimmer