review: ysl fusion ink foundation

                                     

When I was in Sephora this past weekend I decided to look around for a new high end foundation to try. My last love of this genre was the Nars Sheer Glow, but I was starting get a bit tired of it, especially because of how unforgiving it was of dry patches. Plus I wanted something a little lighter, and that's when I spotted the new YSL Ink Fusion Foundation. I've never tried a foundation from this brand before and it just looked so pretty and, well Cara Delevigne was on the ad so the decision kind of made itself. There were 21 different shades to choose from, which was fabulous & easy to navigate, unlike my usual 15 minute struggle to find my shade. The price tag was a bit scary at $60 (ouch), so I asked for a sample instead... which is my favorite thing to do at Sephora. They give you a hefty sample too! I've used the foundation everyday for about 4 days now & I've not even made a dent in it.

Okay back to the review.. The foundation is said to boast feather-light texture with its "fine as ink formula.. perfects the skin yet wears weightlessly all day. Never cakey or heavy..." (YSL website). Also, it is supposed to have a soft-matte finish.

first impression. I've got to say, all of these metaphors kind of screamed 'malarky' to me at first sight. But, I've got to say they were spot on. This foundation really lives up to it's fluffy description. The website says that you use the applicator (I used my finger bc of the sample, but same difference really) and dab product on the high points around your face and that's really all you need. It leaves a beautiful perfected satin base with minimal product. It instantly sinks into your skin & it doesn't even feel like I'm wearing foundation. I had some blemishes on my chin so I added a few more small dabs of product and it covered it well. I would suggest adding a concealer too, but you won't need much.

application. Now I've applied this three different ways so far and they've all worked wonderfully. You get the best coverage using your fingers, so that no product gets absorbed by a brush as well as it gives you more control of where the product goes. I've also used a beauty blender and a duo-fiber brush. The foundation website suggests using your fingers and the tutorials use a duo fiber brush. The brush gives an airbrushed finish, but my favorite way to apply is with the beauty blender. It makes for a more dewy and light application. It's not the best coverage this way, but on the days where I don't want to look like I'm wearing makeup, it's beyond perfect.

lasting power. It is very long lasting. I've been guilty of wearing this foundation to bed once and it actually was still on my face and looking good the next morning with no evidence on my pillow!(perfect 'third date' foundation winkwink) I do get oily in my T zone, especially my nose, so I've been using the Becca matte primer just on the T zone with a little Rimmel Stay Matte powder & the foundation held up perfectly, with no oily breakup. There is a fragrance to the foundation, which I actually quite like that doesn't linger too much, which I also like. I just can't say enough good things about this foundation. It's amazing and perfectly low maintenance. I'm even contemplating getting the full size.. OH gosh, my poor wallet! But I can't help it , this stuff is quickly becoming my new favorite & I would suggest to everyone of all skin types.

Have you tried this foundation? let me know what you think!

ttyl :)
madeleine.

*photos are from the YSL website

review: maybelline color elixir

So I know these lip glosses have been circulating all over the interwebs, but I made the educated decision to hold off for a little bit and let the initial hysteria die down before I would strike with my own review.

I am not typically a lip gloss person, the stickiness doesn’t appeal to me and I usually prefer a more balm-like texture on my lips that feels hydrating. With this said, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the new Maybelline’s New York Color Elixir. It goes for $6.94 at Walmart, which is a decent price.

I bought the shade “085 Hibiscus Haven” which is a bright blue-toned fuchsia, also out of my comfort zone. I usually go towards more natural colors but this one called to me for some reason. So I went with it, and I’m glad I did. The color payoff was highly pigmented and opaque  on my lips and really gave me the “BAM” I hoped for, but it was also very wearable, which I love.

The gloss feels very thick on the lip, and definitely hydrating. Although the gloss wears off after a few hours, it does leave a bit of stain that is really nice and I almost like it more when it’s worn off a bit. I personally am not crazy about feeling thick shellac on my lips so usually I will blot it with a napkin. It takes the thick, high-shine gloss off but it still looks lovely and pigmented. the doe-foot applicator is also very nice and makes application easy and precise.

 

^ gloss as it is ^      

^ gloss after one blot ^

The way I prefer to apply it is I use a lip scrub first, like this one from Lush that tastes like mint chocolate, then a put a balm like my favorite Burt’s Bees one to make a nice smooth canvas for the gloss, put the gloss over and then blot once with a napkin.

^ Burt's Bees Lip Balm, Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub ^

All in all, it’s a really nice product. The smell is nice but not overwhelming, the color is opaque, wearable and stays put on your lips and it definitely was hydrating. My only cons are that I don’t really like how thick it feels and it will cling-to and show any dryness you may have, so you should make sure to exfoliate your lips prior.


What do you guys think of the elixirs? I definitely want to buy more. Tell me your thoughts and suggestions in the comments!

:) ttyl,
madeleine

review: freeman charcoal & black sugar face polishing mask

I've seen these Freeman masks everywhere so I decided to give one a try. I've heard a lot of hype about how amazing charcoal masks are, especially since Glam Glow entered the beautisphere about a year or two ago, but I am not about to drop $70 dollars on a tiny jar of coal and mud. So this prompted me to try a cheaper alternative.

 the Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Face Polishing Mask  goes for only $1.97 at Walmart for the little single-use package, which is .5 oz for your face and neck.

The package says that this mask:
- absorbs oil and impurities without over-drying the skin
- exfoliates away dulling skin cells for softness and clarity
- is perfect for all skin types

I followed the directions and applied it all over my face and neck and this is where I ran into a problem. I don't know if I was just naive, but when I squeezed out the product it looked and felt like just a regular scrub. It was very grainy and didn't have the texture I was expecting from a 'mask'. It was kind of difficult to apply it evenly on my skin because all the little sugar bits wanted to stay together. It also started to get really messy and crumbly and chunks were falling on the counter and down my shirt. After a couple minutes I was able to distribute the mask fairly evenly.

                                         

I then waited, as directed, for 5-7 minutes for the mask to sink in, set? Not really sure what the waiting did, I didn't feel the mask doing anything, but I had faith in whatever secret process was going on in my skin. After the 7 minutes I "gently massaged" the mask into my skin for about 1 minute, which was slightly unpleasant as there were A LOT of sugar particles and it started to hurt after the first 20 seconds or so. Rinsing it off my face with warm water was easy and quick, the mask didn't cling too much to my skin and just washed right off. The end result was actually quite nice. My skin felt really smooth and soft and it wasn't red at all from the exfoliating, which surprised me and the mask did as it advertised and did not dry out my skin at all.

My final thoughts on this mask is positive. Although the application was a bit messy and it took a little elbow grease and some wincing to exfoliate, the end result was very nice and it did what was promised.  My makeup went on amazing as well, after using this plus it was dirt cheap, which is always good in my book.

I would definitely recommend this mask to somebody who is about to go to an event or for people who wear heavy or full coverage makeup because it makes for the perfect base. I wouldn't suggest this mask for regular use though, because of the exfoliant. Im definitely going to try more masks from this line. Which ones do you like?

:) ttyl
madeleine

a wee walmart haul

As per usual, while food shopping in Walmart I took a little detour down the beauty isle and picked up a few things. As you can see I got a nice variety of both new and older products. Expect too see reviews on all these soon. Have any of you tried these out? Tell me what you think and we can compare notes!

Covergirl Bombshell Volume Mascara (very black) $8.94
Maybelline Color Elixer Lip Color (085 Hibiscus Haven) $6.94
Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Face Polishing Mask $1.97
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush $8.98



:)ttyl,
madeleine