Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Drugstore Superstars: Foundations


I'm a huge fan of drugstore foundations!  While I feel like some products on the drugstore market are lacking when compared to their higher-end counterparts, I don't find that to be the case for foundations.  However, because the range of products out there is so amazing, writing a blog about the best drugstore foundations is tough; it really is a matter of taste.  For instance, some people prefer very light coverage while others tend to go for something heavier.  Likewise, one person might prefer a dewy finish while another opts for a matte finish (with some people going for something in between).  Lastly, there are powder-lovers and then those who prefer cream.  While there are literally hundreds of variations out there, I've tried my best to narrow it down to the best in the biz, as well as highlighting those products that are the most accessible.  So, without further ado, here are my drugstore foundation superstars!

Liquid Foundations


Liquid foundations are the most popular type of foundation.  When used well, they can mimic flawless, airbrushed skin, but when used improperly, they can tend to look cakey and fake.  Although they are typically recommended for people with dry to normal skin, which doesn't describe me, it's my favorite type of foundation.

Light Coverage: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation ($7.99)


Like the majority of liquid foundations on this list, there are two different formulas for this foundation: Matte + Poreless (geared towards people with normal to oily skin) and Dewy + Smooth (geared towards people with dry to normal skin).  This product has a nice range of colors (sixteen shades), so it shouldn't be too hard to find something to match your skin tone.  I find that, even though it's advertised as a medium coverage foundation, it's quite sheer.  Of course, that contributes to it feeling very natural and lightweight on the skin, but it doesn't do too well with concealing blemishes, which is why I tend to favor other products over it.  However, if you don't have anything major to conceal and would just like to even out your skin and fix some light discoloration, this is the perfect fit for you!  (Haha... no pun intended!)  On a regular day, I find that it will give me a good 4-5 hours' worth of wear before I have to touch up (keep in mind that my skin is oily and breaks down makeup faster than people with drier skin).

Medium Coverage: L'Oreal True Match ($10.95-$12.95)


Well, hello there, holy grail item!  There's a reason why this foundation has won tons of beauty awards - it's that good!  L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup has been a part of my life since I was a teenager buying makeup at the grocery store.  It was amazing to me then, and it has stood the test of time because I still still think it's amazing.  The color range is fantastic (thirty-three shades!) and is divided into three categories: cool, neutral, and warm undertones.  It has a satin finish, which means that it is somewhere in between matte and dewy, so it looks very natural on the skin.  Bottom line, while it's not exactly weightless, it doesn't feel heavy on your skin.  As y'all know, I have oily skin, so I do feel like I need to set this one with powder to keep my oiliness at bay, or else blot throughout the day.  In an effort to expand the line, True Match Lumi has been added to the True Match family, and fans with dry skin rejoiced!  While there aren't as many options with this one (twelve shades), it's still just as blendable as the original, but this time, with a beautiful dewy finish.  True Match has medium coverage, but I find that it builds pretty well to cover problem areas.  I can get a good 6 hours' worth of wear with it until I have to touch up.

Full Coverage: Revlon Colorstay Makeup ($10.39)


I'm a big fan of Revlon's Colorstay collection (as you'll see when I continue on in this series), and the foundation is no exception.  Like the others, it has a formula for Combination/Oily Skin, as well as one for Normal/Dry Skin.  The shade range is pretty great, with twenty shades for the Combination/Oily and twelve shades for the Normal/Dry.  What I love most about this foundation is the coverage.  It provides the fullest coverage of any foundation on this list, without feeling super heavy on the skin.  I've never tested the 24 hour wear guarantee of this product (mainly because I don't feel like it's good for your skin to keep makeup on for 24 hours), but I can attest that it is very long-wearing; this is the one that keeps me matte the longest.

BB Cream: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream ($7.44)


For the days that you don't want to put on a full face of makeup, there's BB Cream.  Since being introduced into the market a few years ago, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream has been my ultimate go-to in the summer, when I feel like eyeliner and lip gloss is all that my face can keep on in the Texas heat.  It has sheer coverage, so I definitely need to use a concealer with it when I have blemishes, but it's the only BB Cream on the drugstore market with enough coverage that I feel comfortable wearing it on its own.  It's light, comfortable and hydrating while providing some coverage, as well as, best of all, SPF 30.  There aren't very many colors in this line (only five shades), but that's the name of the game with BB Creams.  I find that it's blendable enough, however, so that most people will be able to make it work.

CC Cream: Covergirl + Olay CC Tone Rehab Foundation ($13.99)


While I may have neglected it when I was younger, proper skincare has become quite important to me. Covergirl + Olay Tone Rehab Foundation's whipped consistency feels almost too thick for a CC Cream, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's incredibly lightweight on the skin and that, although it has light coverage, it's not nearly as sheer as a BB Cream.  With fourteen shades, it has an incredibly large range of colors for a CC Cream.  The only drawback is the scent... while not exactly unpleasant, I really try to stay away from products with perfumes as they irritate may people with sensitive skin.
 Maybe it's because the tone and evenness I was used to seeing in my skin had started to fade, or because my skin is now rebelling with age (hooray adult acne!), but I've become obsessed with trying to restore my skin to its former glory.  That's why I've been very intrigued by the idea of CC Cream.  Somewhere between skincare and foundation, the main difference between CC and BB cream is that CC Cream not only hydrates and protects, but it is also supposed to correct discoloration and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.  The

Honorable Mention: L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation ($12.99)


Since this is my personal list of favorites, I feel like I would be amiss if I didn't mention my current favorite drugstore foundation.  The L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte hasn't been on the market for too long, but as soon as it went on sale, I snatched up a bottle for myself.  It's almost weightless on the skin, and it's oil-free, which means that the wear doesn't change over the course of the day.  It's a demi-matte finish, so even though I don't feel like I look shiny, it still looks like skin (something that matte formulations tend to ignore).  The only reason why it didn't unseat the other foundations on this list, is because it has a limited shade range of only twelve colors.  I find this somewhat frustrating because I'm between two shades, which I have to mix to get my perfect shade.

Powder Foundations


Powder foundation is the easiest type of foundation to apply, and it tends to stay put in hot weather, which makes it the perfect summer staple!  Powder foundation is also very versatile; you can opt for sheerer coverage by applying it with a brush, or you can go for fuller coverage by applying with a sponge.  Although not necessarily ideal for people with dry skin, as the powder tends to cling to dry patches, a good moisturizer should be able to correct that.  I have two drugstore options.

Pressed Powder: L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Powder ($10.95)


L'Oreal's True Match Line is seriously the gold standard in drugstore face makeup.  I've already mentioned their liquid foundation, and the powder foundation is just as amazing!  The formulation in this powder is so creamy and soft that it hardly feels like powder at all, and (like the name states) it blends onto your skin like an absolute dream.  Like the liquid foundation, the color range for these powders is unparalleled, with thirty-three shades from which to choose.  There's no doubt that you can find a shade that matches you!

Loose Powder: L'Oreal True Match Mineral ($15.25)


Remember what I said about the True Match line?  The L'Oreal True Match Mineral Powder can't be beat.  Although they have a reputation as being messy, I find that loose powders usually provide the most natural looking finish to the skin, as blending is part of the application.  It doesn't come in as many colors as the pressed foundation (twelve shades), but it has a wider selection than any of its competitors.  Mineral makeup has become somewhat of a must-have for those with sensitive skin, as well as those who are looking for coverage but trying to avoid clogged pores.  I love that this product has a brush attached to the lid, so it's easy to apply and pop into your purse to do touch-ups on the go (something that is usually pretty difficult to do with most loose powders).

So, there you have it: my drugstore foundation superstars!  As with the primer post, below is a handy little chart to find out which foundation best suits your needs.

Oily Skin
Dry Skin
Light Coverage
Medium Coverage
Full Coverage
Skin Correcting
Fit Me (Matte)
X
X
Fit Me (Dewy)
X
X
True Match Lumi
X
X
True Match Liquid
X
X
Colorstay (Oily)
X
X
Colorstay (Dry)
X
X
Dream Fresh
X
X
X
Tone Rehab
X
X
X
X
Pro-Matte
X
X
True Match Pressed
X
X
X
Mineral
X
X
X
X

Glammie Love!
~Jaz

Friday, May 15, 2015

The 51 Best Beauty Products of 2015!

So we definitely have a few of these products which we absolutely agree should be on this list!

One being:
Best Contour Kit: 
Swipe the deeper hue beneath cheekbones and the lighter one above them. Voila—supermodel fierceness.
MARC JACOBS BEAUTY #Instamarc Filtering Contour Powder in #40, $49, sephora.com.Also, don't forget to check out our latest YouTube video where we review it on our (mostly) Sephora Haul, along with other great products!

The one's we don't have we are excited to try! Has your new and favorite product made the cut? See original source link below or keep scrolling down!

Cosmopolitan / MSN's Lifestyle Beauty: 51 Best Beauty Products of 2015

© Provided by cosmopolitan

All You Need to Be Trendy

Best Eye Shadow:
Be the first of your friends to rock spring's smoky eye. Simply swap your go-to gray for this cool blue hue.
NARS Dual-Intensity Eye Shadow in Giove, $29, narscosmetics.com
Best Dry Shampoo:
This invisible, oil-absorbing refresher leaves hair looking even better than if it were freshly washed.
PANTENE PRO-V Root Reboot Dry Shampoo, $7, drugstores.
Best Nail Polish:
Moody lacquer with a matte finish makes any outfit look cooler.
SALLY HANSEN Velvet Texture Nail Polish in Deluxe and Lavish, $10 each, drugstores.
Best Lipstick:
This electric hue has multiple personalities. It lasts for hours like a stain, is pigment-packed like a lipstick, and shines like a gloss when topped with the built-in lacquer.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge in Bright Orange, $24, sephora.com.
Best Contour Kit: 
Swipe the deeper hue beneath cheekbones and the lighter one above them. Voila—supermodel fierceness.
MARC JACOBS BEAUTY #Instamarc Filtering Contour Powder in #40, $49, sephora.com.
Best Styler:
Beach waves: once a summer-only style, now a downtown girl staple.
TRESEMME Make Waves Shine Enhancing Cream, $7, drugstores.
Best Brow Booster:
If Cara's arches are your heroes, this tinted gel is a must. Packed with fibers, it makes fearless, full brows a seconds-only situation.
L'ORE?AL PARIS Brow Stylist Plumper, $9, drugstores.
Best Eye Treatment:
Turn down for what? This brightening cream—a must for party girls—camos dark circles with light reflecting minerals.
NEUTROGENA Rapid Dark Circle Repair Eye Cream, $20, drugstores. 
Best Lash Fix:
De-clump last night's lashes this morning with mascara-reviving serum.
URBAN DECAY Mascara Resurrection, $16, Sephora.
Best Cleanser:
Late night? Apply a few drops to a cotton pad, wipe off your makeup, pass out (rinsing not required).
SIMPLE SKINCARE Cleansing Micellar Water, $7, drugstores. 



© Provided by cosmopolitan

All You Need to be A Minimalist

Best Mask:
Slather on before bed and wake up glowing. What could be easier?
OLAY Regenerist Luminous Overnight Mask, $26, drugstores.
Best Foundation:
Tap the cushion sponge lightly for subtle coverage, or give it a good press for more coverage when you need it.
LANCOME Miracle Cushion All-in-One Liquid Compact, $47, lancome.com
Best Styler:
This overachieving spritz—it refreshes, creates texture, adds volume, and more—is all you need in your hair arsenal.
NUANCE Texture Enhancing Finishing Spray, $13, cvs.com.
Best Hair Treatment:
Skip conditioner and add a few drops to the length of your tresses for instant polish and hydration.
MARULA OIL Rare Oil Treatment, $40, raremarula.com for salons. 
Best Serum:
This leaves skin so dewy and smooth, you might not even need makeup.
BURT'S BEES Renewal Intensive Firming Serum, $20, burtsbees.com.
Best Makeup Multitasker:
This sheer lip and cheek stain takes the guesswork out of finding a perfect shade. It reacts to your skin's unique pH, creating a customized, perfect pink.
DIOR Cheek & Lip Glow, $37, Sephora. 
Best Body Wash:
Cleanse, buff, and moisturize in one single step.
AVEENO Positively Nourishing Smoothing Body Wash, $7, drugstores.
Best Exfoliator:
The ultimate lazy-girl tool, these bamboo-fiber sponges gently refresh skin when wet—no scrub needed.
SEPHORA Clean Machine Konjac Sponge Duo, $15, sephora.com.
Best Blush:
All you need to look pulled together in seconds. Just dust along your T-zone and cheeks.
BOBBI BROWN Brightening Brick in Coral, $46, bobbibrowncosmetics.com.
© Provided by cosmopolitan

All You Need to Be A Bombshell

Best Lipstick:
Two hottie approved hues with an of-the-moment velvety finish.
MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Creamy Matte Lipstick in Siren in Scarlet and Divine Wine, $7.49 each, drugstores.
Best Styling Spray:
Spritz on pre-blow-dry to protect from heat and keep strands full, frizz-free, and fresh smelling for three days.
BIG SEXY HAIR Full Bloom, $19.95, sexyhair.com.
Best Volumizer:
A crunch-free mousse alternative that creates envy-inducing body. 
TONI & GUY Volume Plumping Whip, $13, drugstores.
Best Hair Spray:
A few mists and your hair will outlast everything from humidity to hookups—trust.
R+CO Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hair Spray, $29, randco.com.
Best Base:
Apply all over to even out skin. Then use the applicator to add an extra layer to still-visible issues.
CLINIQUE 2 in 1 Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer, $27, clinique.com.
Best Shampoo:
Like a juice cleanse for your scalp, this rids strands of the icky stuff (buildup, residue, you name it).
CLAIROL Hair Food Root Cleansing Shampoo, $10, target.com.
Best Mascara:
Layer on the kit's primer and fiber coats for next level lashes without the mess of glue or commitment to extensions. 
PHYSICIANS FORMULA Instant Lash Extension Kit, $14.95, drugstores.
Best Hair Perfume:
A mist or two of this cocktail inspired scent makes any mane intoxicating.
FEKKAI Hair Fragrance Mist in L'Air de St. Barths, $20, fekkai.com.
Best Eyeliner:
This Sharpie look-alike creates foolproof cat eyes — a signature of bombshells everywhere.
COVERGIRL Bombshell Intensity Liner, $7, drugstores.
Best Self-Tanner:
Get bronzed in under an hour with this fast developing glow-getter.
JERGENS Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse, $12, drugstores.
© Provided by cosmopolitan

All You Need to be Classic

Best Face Powder:
Nothing beats this mineral-based favorite that blurs away imperfections and leaves skin Photoshop flawless.
BAREMINERALS Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $28, bareescentuals.com.
Best Nail Polish:
Reliable like a taupe but with a touch of 'tude, this greige is definitely the new neutral.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Act Your Beige!, $9.50, Ulta.
Best Body Wash:
The timeless shower staple modernized with a crisp, citrus scent.
DOVE Go Fresh Revitalize Body Wash, $7, drugstores.
Best Lipstick:
Think of this creamy mauve pink as a nude 2.0.
ESTEE LAUDER 

Pure 
Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Dynamic, $30, esteelauder.com.
Best Frizz Fix:
Touch up fuzz or polish frazzled ends anywhere with a purse-friendly solid serum.
KERASTASE Elixir Ultime Olio Riche Serum Solide, $45, kerastase-usa.com.
Best Mascara:
Packed with hydrating argan oil, this formula defines and nourishes lashes in a single stroke.
RIMMEL LONDON, Wonder'lash Mascara, $8, drugstores.
Best Eyeliner:
The secret to a natural looking, perfectly lined eye? This easy-to-apply kajal.
REVLON PhotoReady Kajal Matte Eye Pencil in Matte Charcoal, $9, drugstores.
Best Foundation:
Liquid foundation fans will love this silky, oil obliterating formula.
ELIZABETH ARDEN Flawless Finish Perfectly Satin 24Hr Makeup, $38.50, elizabetharden.com.
Best Conditioner:
Smooth, Kate Middleton-esque blowouts start in the shower with this almond and macadamia oil treatment.
NEXXUS Oil Infinite Restoring Conditioner, $17, drugstores.
Best Eye Shadow:
The ultimate palette, these are the only four shades you'll ever need to create eyes that mesmerize, day or night.
CHANEL Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in 27 Variation, $61,chanel.com

© Provided by cosmopolitan

The Most Iconic Nail Colors

Classic Red:
This timeless shade made its debut on the Dior runway in 1947.
DIOR Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer in Rouge 999, $27, dior.com
Sultry Dark:
This shade made deep colored manis mainstream.
CHANEL Le Vernis in Vamp, $27,chanel.com.
Trendy Taupe:
Every five minutes, a bottle of this gray-beige blend is sold.
ESSIE in Chinchilly, $8.50, essie.com.
Electric Blue:
This top-selling cobalt is a trendsetter staple.
YSL La Laque Couture N.18 Bleu Majorelle, $27,yslbeautyus.com.
Hottest Pink:
Women have been wearing this flirty berry for more than 60 years.
REVLON Cherries in the Snow Nail Enamel, $5, revlon.com.

© Provided by cosmopolitan


Best Smellers

Hey, Bud:
With floral-scented polish, you can do a mani anywhere and not get the stink eye.
REVLON Parfumerie Nail Enamel in China Flower, $6, drugstores.
Pretty Sweet:
Giving new meaning to cocoa powder: this bronzer spiked with antioxidant rich chocolate.
TOO FACED Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer, $30sephora.com.
Pucker Up:
The grown-up version of Dr. Pepper lip balm: peach-infused lipstick.
MAC Wash and Dry lipstick in Tumble Dry, $17.50, maccosmetics.com.
Wipe Hype:
Fruity, acetone-free, and fab, these towelettes gently remove nail polish and nourish with argan oil.
JOSIE MARAN Bear Naked Nail Wipes, $9, sephora.com.
Skin Juice:
A zit zapper that smells like fresh-squeezed grapefruit? Yes, please!
NEUTROGENA Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer Pink Grapefruit, $8.50, drugstores.
Get Cheeky:
Wearing this pomegranate scented blush is like Elle Woods spritzing her resume with perfume—so unnecessary, yet...why not?
BENEFIT Majorette Booster Blush, $28, benefitcosmetics.com.
Mint Matteness:
These fiber packed papers soak up oil and play mood lifter, thanks to peppermint.
BOSCIA Pink Peppermint Blotting Linens, $10, drugstores.
This article was originally published as "Beauty 50 Times the Sexy" in the May 2015 issue of Cosmopolitan. Click here to get the issue in the iTunes store!