Lady Gaga and Rick Genest (aka “Zombie Boy”)

Dermablend debuted their new ad campaign, and it’s visually amazing.  (I watched the video three times!) Take a minute to watch the fascinating advertisement…

Dermablend has broken out with a positive and socially effective message with their “How Do You Judge a Book?” .

Dermablend Leg and Body Cover – 3.4 oz. – $27

High performance technology, full coverage body foundation

High performance technology, full coverage body foundation. An improved lightweight formula with SPF 15 and high purity pigments. Leg & Body Cover offers improved skin tone shades and texture to deliver a flawless look and 16 hours of consistent color wear.

• Tattoos
• Stretch marks
• Varicose veins
• Spider veins
• Bruises
• Scars
• Burns

Those of us with tattoos that are visible to the public have always had someone say, “What if you want to wear an evening gown and you have THAT THING showing?” at one time or another.  Usually, we’d just tell them where to go, but the fact remains, maybe…just maybe we don’t want to show off our true selves at the fancy holiday office party at The Four Seasons Hotel.

What’s great about this product is along with it’s core-customer who may be struggling with skin ailments, scars and the like, now the zillions of men and women (just here in Seattle!) have an alternative (ha, get it?) to showing off our inked selves.

Obviously, the folks at Dermablend have found another niche: The Aging Hipster. Soon enough, we’re all going to be at the local Community Center, rambling and arguing over who was better: Alice in Chains or Soundgarden.

Zombie Boy – BEFORE

Rick Genest – AFTER

Nevertheless, I think Rick Genest “Zombie Boy”,  may have found the Best. Halloween. Costume. EVER.

Pretty, huh?  Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch – $40 – Sephora

Here’s the thing.  For me, it wasn’t money well-spent.  Believe me, I’ve read reviews about this fancy concealer raving about how amazing it is; I was more taken with the packaging than anything, quite honestly. I’m very much like a crow and like shiny things.

Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer – $10.49

However!  Remember when I wrote about Revlon Age-Defying Spa Concealer last year?  Live and LEARN, people.  I paid the price for you, because get this: I still prefer the silky smoothness and brightness of this drugstore concealer.  The YSL almost accentuated fine lines, even after using a primer and a nice foundation brush for blending.  I’m puzzled by how many women swear by  the high-end product, because I simply didn’t get the results I expected.

Have any of you tried either of theses concealers? I’d love to hear about your experiences!  All I know is, I’m sticking with the Revlon.

Disclosure: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Revlon and YSL.  Product was purchased by The Beauty Stop; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.

“I’m With Brad” by OPI – $9.00 available at Sephora

Right now, I have I’m With Brad by OPI on my toes–that name always makes me giggle, and the old stand-by French manicure on my fingernails because I’m on the laptop 26 hours a day and I really don’t care to deal with chips. As for the toe-sitch, it’s cold and wet here in the Seattle-area, so no open-toed shoes ’round these parts.

“Grey Suede” – Revlon Nail Enamel – $3.04 at Target

I’d like to start using a gorgeous Revlon nail enamel called, Grey Suede on my fingernails.  How do we feel about mismatched fingers and toes?  I think it’s just fine, as long as we’re not mixing orange and pinks.  Or reds and corals.

Hmmm….I think I better check with Patrick again just to be on the safe side.

Disclosure: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of (product).  Product was purchased by The Beauty Stop; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.

I know there are some pricey concealers out there, some are good, most are just so-so.  I want a good skin-tone match, smoothness in texture, convenience, but mostly coverage that doesn’t LOOK like a cakey mess.  Revlon’s Age Defying Spa Concealer has impressed me.

Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer – $10.49

I tend to have dark circles under my eyes (thanks a lot, Seattle weather) and a few fine lines (thank you, damp Seattle weather–sincerely this time, for keeping my skin in good shape).  This product has a great little twisty “paint brush” which allows YOU to gauge how much or how little you’d like to dot onto your trouble spots.

Once I’ve applied the Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer, also by Revlon (which I mentioned previously here at The Beauty Stop), I use a foundation brush to smooth and blend the concealer until it is completely blended and flawless.  I found a wonderful and inexpensive foundation brush at Walgreens, made by Ecotools.

Ecotools Bamboo Foundation Brush – $5.99

With Revlon’s Beyond Natural Primer, Age Defying Spa Concealer and Ecotool’s lovely brush, I don’t need a foundation at all.  It’s all about natural-looking flawlessness, isn’t it?

Disclosure: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of (product).  Product was purchased by The Beauty Stop; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.

]]> http://thebeautystop.com/finally-a-concealer-i-can-rave-about/feed/ 3 http://thebeautystop.com/we-all-have-a-favorite-lipstick-dont-we/ http://thebeautystop.com/we-all-have-a-favorite-lipstick-dont-we/#comments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:16:59 +0000 Diva Julia http://thebeautystop.com/?p=12331 I have a confession. I’ve used the same lipstick since 1996.  I know, right?  Okay, maybe once in a great while, I’ll switch it up, but I always come crawling my way back to the one I love.

Three guesses which one I have a long-term relationship with…I’ll wait.

Yep, someone out there knows.  It’s DIVA by MAC.

Diva – MAC Cosmetics – $14.50

Honestly, if they ever discontinues this shade, I’ll take the entire MAC counter hostage with my cheap lip-liner as my sissy weapon of choice. Speaking of cheap inexpensive lip-liners,  I never–repeat–never buy an expensive lip-liner.  Here’s why:  A nice, nude-tone liner is always the best shade to use, no matter the color your actual lipstick.  Every drugstore should have a good selection.  I use Revlon’s Colorstay in “Nude”.

Revlon Colorstay in Nude – $7.99

One more thing:  Line your lips AFTER applying your lipstick.  This technique will correct slight imperfections made around the lines of your lips as well as prevent “bleeding”.  This is especially true when using bold lipstick shades.

What lipstick do YOU hang onto like a pitbull?

The first of these products I’ve tried (and used for a good amount of time) is called Freeze & Go by Freeze 24/7. As you can see in the photo above, the packaging is über sexy. The shiny red case with a built-in mirror is pretty irresistible. The product itself is great, too–but at $65.00 retail for .37 ounces, that’s a little pricey these days. I had to give it up, in search of something similar but more cost-efficient (read: CHEAPER!).

• Freeze & Go – $65.00 for .37 ounces

- Available at www.freeze247.com

I believe I struck gold with Revlon’s Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer. This product is marketed slightly differently that the Freeze & Go but upon comparison, I have found this smoother be every bit as effective. I am finding that my under-eye circles are less noticeable and my skin tone is nicely evened out. I use a small amount of concealer and I’m good to go. I don’t find the need for a foundation with either of these products, even though they do seem to be advertised as an “under make-up” step in one’s cosmetic regimen. Oh, and take a good look at the price!

• Revlon’s Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer – $12.99 for .85 ounces

- Available at www.drugstore.com

Extra “smoother” tips:

• Use what’s left on your fingertips after applying the smoother to your face onto the top of your hands to present a nice smooth, more youthful appearance.
• Freshen up your face mid-day by simply smoothing on a bit more of the product. You’ll have a lovely, matte, dare I say flawless appearance, without the messiness of a powder (which can also be quite aging).

MEN can also use this product! They are not “girly” scented and are small enough to tuck into a jacket pocket. We’ve all seen men with shiny faces (or bald heads!) who could totally use something to help them aesthetically. I’ve suggested the Revlon smoother to a few men I know, and they love using it — but probably wouldn’t admit it to their “bros”, but who knows? Maybe during half-time, they actually do discuss skincare!

Do any of you use smoothers/primers?

Disclosure: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of (product).  Product was purchased by The Beauty Stop; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.

I’ve had a real love/hate relationship with Revlon of late.

Some of it I have loved. Others I have hated. So I guess I was kind of on the fence when I trialled their Colorstay foundation. Read on to hear my thoughts.

Packaging

This is painful packaging. There is no pump which means you have to either dig into the bottle to get out the foundation, or tip it out (which invariably results in tipping out too much foundation). I really wish Revlon would introduce a pump to this foundation!

Product

I tried this over a primer and it was DISGUSTING. Greasy. Oily. Slid off my face within an hour.

Then I tried it without a primer (ie just over my day moisturiser). And, voila, I had the perfect complexion.

This is thick stuff and you’ll need to work quickly and in small sections. But once it’s on, it’s on until you take it off and it doesn’t change or oxidise or mutate at all during the day.

It’s a winner for me!

Price

This is at the upper end of the Revlon price spectrum but it does what it’s supposed to so I’m content paying $40 for it.

Revlon Colorstay

After the disaster that was my trial of Photo Ready, I was hesitant to try the Creme Gloss.

But I’m glad I did. Read on to find out why.

Packaging

The packaging on this is amazing. It’s a flow through brush which means you have to turn one end of the gloss, which pushes the gloss to the brush.

I love this type of packaging. It’s clean (I just clean it with a makeup wipe once I’m finished applying) and results in a perfect pout.

Product Quality

Um, would it be exaggerating to say that this is my new favourite lip gloss?

I wear this every day. I absolutely adore it.

It slicks on beautifully, giving my lips an opaque finish with a high gloss. And it lasts all day. By around 4pm, I have mild wear in the middle of my lips but that’s about it.

This is an absolute winner from Revlon. If you don’t like the heaviness of lipsticks, but you want some colour and shine, this is the product for you.

Price

In Australia, this costs a crazy $26. I’m sure it’s cheaper in the States. No matter. I would buy this if it were $50. That’s how good it is.

Creme Gloss

$26 – Revlon

I’ll admit. I bought into the hype with the Revlon Color Ready Foundation. And when I tried it in the drugstore, it looked amazing. But do I still love it? Read on.

Packaging

The packaging on this is great. It comes with a pump (yay for pumps) which always appeals to me for no other reason than hygiene.

The pump spurts out a whole lot of product though. So be careful, lest you end up with foundation flying across the room. I find half a pump sufficient to work on small parts of the face.

Product

The foundation itself is light and very easy to work into the skin. And it has SPF which gives it bonus points in my book.

And, no jokes, I’ve never had a foundation that gives me such a flawless finish. When I finish applying it, it’s like I have perfect skin. And I most certainly don’t have perfect skin.

BUT, after a few hours, this separates and sits in patches on my skin. You can see where it has melted off and where it sits, tenuously hanging on for dear life. The beautiful flawless finish I had is gone and is replaced with something from a horror film.

Price

In Australia, this cost me $30, which is mid-range, I guess, for foundation.

Unfortunately, whilst I love the look of this when first applied, it has no staying power with my oily skin. So I won’t be repurchasing. (((

Revlon has reworked some of their formulas.  Which has resulted in Revlon’s ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick.

This is a formula that promises to last 12 hours without the need for the usual dual application (ie one wand for pigment, the other for gloss).  Sounds good to me!

ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick

$11 – Revlon

Overall, this is a very subtle palette.  I tried to layer the colours to make it seem richer and more pronounced, but it doesn’t layer well.  So if you want impact, this is not the palette for you.  But it does make THE PERFECT palette for those of us who work in conservative, corporate environments.

Plum Like it Hot

No product

With my trusted EDM concealer – god, I love my EDM concealer!

With the light plum colour over the entire lid and brow area

With the darker plum on the crease and outer ‘v’ of the eye

With the gold applied as a highlighter over my brow line

With my favourite Natio Eyeliner and Rimmel Glam Eyes Mascara

Make a Sheen Lustrous Shadow – Plum Like it Hot

$6.99 – Revlon

This is a long-lasting lip color, with the pigment on one end and the gloss on the other.  And it seems to have divided the beauty community in half.  One half love it, pointing out that the color lasts all days without budging.  Others, on the other hand, claim it dries their lips and is near impossible to remove.

So how did I find it?  I found that, so long as I followed the rules of application, this is a great lipstick.  To get a great look I did the following:

• Make sure your lips are soft and moisturised.  That means exfoliating them first, applying a moisturing lip balm and allowing that balm to do its job before you start.

• Make sure you use a liner before you apply.  It will give your lips definition and help to contain the color.

• When applying the color, apply the color quickly and ensure your application is light.  If you use a heavy hand and apply alot of the product, it will ‘ball’ and start to flake within hours.

• You have to wait until the colour dries completely before you apply the gloss.  This can take up to 2-3 minutes but it’s worth it.  The gloss only works with the color if the color is dry.

• Make sure you top up the gloss during the day to ensure your lips stay soft.  This lipstick will stay put all day, but it does have the propensity to dry your lips out, particularly in air-conditioned environments like the office.

My first gripe with this product was the struggle to get it off.  Revlon claim an oil-based cleanser will remove the lipstick but I found that even my best cleanser was no match for this stuff.  The only thing that worked was…. wait for it…. olive oil.  Yep, it took olive oil on a cotton ball to remove this stuff.  Hey, they claim it lasts forever and it does!

My second grip is that I have to follow rules to make this work.  I like effortless makeup and this, while looking superb, requires a little too much work for my liking.  One false move and you have to start all over again, which, given how hard it is to remove the stuff, makes this a labor intensive lipstick.

But, if you want a color that lasts forever (it’s the perfect lippy for a wedding or any other event which lasts for a long time and you have minimal access to touch-ups) and is stunning to look at, this is it.

Pros: Beautiful color, lasts all day and looks great

Cons: Difficult to remove without some effort, can be complicated to get the perfect look

Colorstay Overtime Lip Color

$19 – Revlon