xtoomuchmakeupx

mini reviews from a makeup addict.

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Swatches of Light Neutral and Light-Medium Honey on the back of my hand.

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Swatch of some Tarte Shape Tape colors on my inner arm. My inner arm though is significantly lighter then my face, though, so this is not that accurate. I currently own Light-Medium Honey and use it for both under my eyes and spot concealing, but I'm curious about a few of the others. I'm probably truly Light-Medium Neutral based on the typical rules (my skin tans and then will burn if I spend too long in the sun).

I currently have Light Neutral and Light-Medium Neutral on the way from my last order, and am seriously thinking of ordering Light-Medium Sand to see if it could have a nice banana effect under my eyes like banana powder does.

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I Was Allergic To My Blush and My Facewash!

Yup.

I was allergic to my Almay Blush and my PC Calming Cream Cleanser. Ever since I stopped both my skin has been so calm and I haven't wanted to try and new products I still have out because my skin has been so happy.

Next week I have to at least try to add back in a couple eye creams.

Haven't been buying makeup and that has also felt great.

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NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Honey

So I've read so many rave reviews of this concealer. I actually really liked it! It seemd to set pretty well and covered just as well, probably better then My HG Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 215 Buff N. But then within the first hour or two I noticed a new tiny spot on my chin so its probably a no-go. I'm bummed!

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Honey

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

Mascara: Makeup Revolution The Mascara Revolution

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Makeup Revolution The Mascara Revolution

Well I'm still quite impressed with MUR. This is now my new HG mascara. No clumping at all on either eye. I really liked the MAC False Lashes Mascara, but I'd still get some clumping sometimes. This there is simply none. They look about the same. All mascaras seem to always look about the same, so clumpyness is generally how I judge mascaras. For $10, its a great mascara that has no clumping!

I also actually tried Makeup Revolution's Fast Base Concealer in Light Medium Peach as well, and the color was totally perfect and applied easily but I don't think it was enough coverage.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Makeup Revolution Fast Base Concealer in Light Medium Peach

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

Mascara: Makeup Revolution The Mascara Revolution

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Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Sand

So today I tried Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Sand and it wasn't bad! I read that this is HG for many and it performed as well if not better then the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Sand. But wasn't any better then anything else in photos. At this moment I'm not certain if I'm going to keep either of these yet, I still have some more things to try first.I ordered what this is supposed to dupe, The Nars Radient Creamy Concealer -- so we'll see how that goes eventually too.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Sand

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

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Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Sand

So today I tried Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Sand. I used to use this everyday a couple years ago. Back then I switched away from this because I had a lot of issues with creasing, but, this was before I really understood setting with powder.

So I used it today and as compared to many concealers it does blend quite well. It feels like you could layer a bit. But in photos it didn't really look any better then anything else. It set a heck of a lot better then it used to, but also wasn't the most amazing. But certainly wasn't that bad either.

I've got a couple more concealers to try, tomorrow will likely be Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Sand.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Sand

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

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Mac Blot Pressed Powder in Medium... again!

SO! I think this is my HG setting powder. This stuff is a dream. I wish I had tried this first. Its not too powdery and I think it actually stops shine. I think I really love MAC powders.

My False Lashes (not Extreme Black) arrived so I think I'm going to try that tomorrow I think to compare it to the Extrme Black and then return whichever one I don't like best.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 215 Buff N

Under Eye Setting Powder: MAC Skinifinsh Natural in Medium

Setting Powder: Mac Blot Pressed Powder in Medium

Mascara: MAC False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara

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MAC False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara

So I got the MAC False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara on Black Friday. I had gotten that trial of MAC False Lashes Mascara and liked it a lot so decided to grab this up.

I still have never had a mascara separate my lashes so well. I still have the trial, I should try one on one eye and the other on the other eye and see how they compare soon.

Definitely is going to be my HG at this moment, though.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 260 Buff N

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

Setting Powder: Mac Blot Pressed Powder in Medium

Mascara: MAC False Lashes Extreme Black Mascara

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Mac Blot Pressed Powder in Medium

So today I tried Mac Blot Pressed Powder in Medium. I hadn't had a chance to wash my Tarte Setting Brush so I used the puff it came with and used just a bit around my t-zone. I never got a chance to take a photo but my first impressions are positive! My skin didn't feel irritated and looked fine when I went to wash my face. Though I guess I didn't wear it too long. I also had waited a few hours after showering to apply my makeup and considering that it looked pretty good! So I washed the brush this afternoon and I'll try it again soon.

I have actually noticed over the last while my photos seem less shiny. I'm wondering if maybe changing my skincare regimine (taking out my foaming and scrubbing cleansers and adding the Paula's Choice Omega Complex Serum) has helped with the excessive shine on my t-zone? Or maybe switching from my old Neutrogena Loose Powder Foundation to MAC Mineralize Skinfinish.

I also tried my Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 260 Bisque N as spot concealer and I was happy with it! I'll probably try it again.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 215 Buff N

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

Setting Powder: Mac Blot Pressed Powder in Medium

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Essence Brighten Up! Peach Pressed Powder... Again!

So my reaction is still slowly healing but has made good progress. Today I decided to try Essence Brighten Up! Peach Pressed Powder again, as both my under eye and face setting powder. I have to say I really liked it today! I thought my under eye concealer set very well and I actually thought it had some mattifying power without being too powdery or cakey. I definitely want to try it again tomorrow as my under eye setting powder. I'm a little afraid it makes my skin too orange/peach but I'm not sure. Otherwise it really worked out well!

I keep looking back at photos where I had tried MACs Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast and they look really good. I keep wondering if I should get it again, and if I do, should I return my back up of my current HG Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach while I still can? I'm not sure but I'd like to do my return soon.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 215 Buff N

Under Eye Setting Powder: Essence Brighten Up! Peach Pressed Powder

Lipstick: MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Devoted to Chili

Setting Powder: Essence Brighten Up! Peach Pressed Powder

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MAC Prep + Primer Transparent Finishing Pressed Powder

So I still have my reaction from Bye Bye Breakout but its slowly leaving. So today I tried MAC Prep + Primer Transparent Finishing Pressed Powder. I actually liked how it applied and was pretty optimistic about it but soon after I finished my makeup I noticed a bit of a reaction. So I washed my face immideately and redid my makeup sans setting or finishing powder. So its getting returned sadly. It doesn't seem to have any of the ingreidents the other setting powders I've been alergic to have so far so I'm not sure what it could be but it deifnitely happened.

I'm hoping to be nearing my end here with trying tons of new products. I still have plenty of things I currently own to try again. I'll get another great coupon

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 215 Buff N

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

Lipstick: MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Devoted to Chili

Setting Powder: None

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Sensitive & Dry Skin Joys

I'm still dealing with the breakout from IT Bye Bye Breakout. Its funny I guess to break out so badly from something thats suppoed to dry out a breakout, but it does in fact suck. I'm focusing on the fact that I think it finally made me realize I'm allergic to Sodium Hyaluronate and will now try to check all products for that to avoid this really annoying reaction from happenning again.

In the last couple of days its become cold enough to put on the heat. We've got a humidifier upstairs and downstairs to try to combat the dryness that comes with cold weather and the heat. Looking at the photo I took today, even with no setting powder my face looks less shiny. I wonder if this is just due to my moisturiziers absorbing more or something because of the onset of dry enviormnetal conditions. As this stupid breakout goes away I'm also going to be trying to ween myself off of benzoyl peroxide because its supposed to be terrible for your moisture barrier but I'm not sure how well that will go. The less I try new face prodcuts, my guess is the better it will go.

I spent months wondering if I was crazy for thinking I was having reactions to so many products. I'd tell myself I could just be regular breaking out but I think there is now enough of a pattern on my allergy list to say I'm not crazy and I am just allergic to an ingrident that happens to be in a lot of concealers for some reason.

I'm having some mixed feelings about returning the MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast. Looking at pictures of it it might actually be better the my HG Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach but I still find it hard to believe as well. MAC says on their website that their product provides a "sheer" wash of color while the Lancôme is said to be full-coverage. Thus the mixed feelings. I'm trying the MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Bold Brown today. My initial impressions are that the brush is great but that the color might be too dark? Though that might be a bit of a stretch. I might also be looking for excuses to return it so I can contunue using my $4 Wet N Wild Brow Mascara instead. Though I mean I think thats fair. I'm also trying the MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara again. Its the third try and I think it clumped the least but it still clumped. I think it will definitely be going back.

I ended up sending back the MAC Powder Blush in Mocha as well. I liked it but a couple times I think it clung to a dry area of my upper cheek poorly and that is deifnitely a reason to send it back. I think I'm just going to stick to my Almay Smart Shade Blush in Nude/Mauve for now. Sure, it goes on super lightly, but I'll just appply a little more, and I'd still much rather that then a heavier blush anyway. Though I just realized while searching for it, its no longer sold at Ulta, which is not a great sign for it. But I've got a backup and maybe I"ll just stick for it for now and worry about it later. I am so sick of trying face products. I've said this before, but I must so sick of reactions. My blush is fine and sure it might not still exist by the time I run out but by then I can look for something new.

After I get myself to try the MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Pressed Powder I want to also give up on setting powders. I may be allergic to Zea Mays Starch which is in a whole bunch of setting powders (not the MAC one above, though). They either just look too powdery and/or seem to make me break out.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 215 Buff N

Under Eye Setting Powder: MAC Skinfinish Natural in Medium

Lipstick: MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Devoted to Chili

Setting Powder: None

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The Joys of Sensitive Skin

So I sadly reacted so badly to Bye Bye Breakout. How redicukous is that?!

I feel less crazy now. That it wasn't my imagination, I really have been allergic to a lot of things. I really just want to stop trying new concealers. But at the very least I should try to look up the incredients in products I get from now on and try to avoid the three in the list below.

I'm going to keep a running list of what I think I might be allergic to here.

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MAC Skinfinish Natural in Medium as an Under Eye Setting Powder

So today I tried IT Cosmetic's Bye Bye Breakout as my spot concealer, though, I actually didn't have any real troublesome spots so it was more of a test of seeing if I'm allergic to it. But I liked it enough that as long as I continue to not react to it I'll keep trying it and report how I feel about it when I've got more of an opinion.

I also tried my MAC Skinfinish Natural in Medium as an Under Eye Setting Powder today. I use this as my foundaiton but MAC actually decsribes it on their site as a setting powder. So yesterday and today I tried it as my under eye setting powder and overall I think I was pretty impressed! I was careful to only tap tbe brush twice on the powder each time to try to not pick up way too much powder and didn't have a ton of residual powder later. I think something about the finish of the powder helps makes wrinkles less noticable maybe. I'm going to continue to try it as my under eye setting powder for a bit longer.

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 260 Bisque N

Under Eye Setting Powder: MAC Skinfinish Natural in Medium

Lipstick: MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Devoted to Chili

Blush: MAC Powder Blush in Mocha

Spot Concealer: Bye Bye Breakout in Medium

Setting Powder: None

Update: So I swear right after I posted this post I felt a huge spot on my chin. So maybe I really do just have bad luck with concealers? Its also the first day of my period so I don't know if its that or the concealer but my skin has been so well behaved that it just seems like it probably is the concealer. I got the IT Cosmetics Illuminating Under Eye Concealer as well but now I don't even know if I want to try it or try this one again. Ugh.

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MAC Powder Blush in Mocha

So I defnitely had a reaction to one or both of the MAC Concealers I tried, so I rested my skin for a day.

Then I tried the new Essence Loose Powders, in both Peach for under eyes and Banana for t-zone. I just have bad luck with concealers and setting powders. I actually liked the Essence Peach Powder quite a bit the first time I tried it yesterday, but then I tried it again this mornning and it was just not good. The left side was just powdery, not all of the powder had sunk into my skin. I tried it with the banana powder and as soon as I used that decided I had to wash my face. I think the banana powder was too light for me and washed me out. I suddenly understood what a "dry patch" was because I saw one on my cheeks. So I immidetely washed my face and tossed both powders back in the box to return. I think wtih that that I'm just going to keep the LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes my HG and stop trying other under eye setting powders. Once I'm done trying new products I'll try my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish as an under eye setting powder again but really the LM powder is the best and nothing else has really come that close.

After I washed my face I decided to try MAC Powder Blush in Mocha, which was a my more succsessful try. It applies lightly which is what I always hope for with blush. I think this will become my new everday blush.

I wish I understood my tone better. I wimped out of going to the MAC Store to get color-matched today. I'm definitely going to go next time. I've gotten it into my head that my MAC Skinfinish Natural night be a shade too light and I really just want to know my MAC shades.

I was toying with the idea of trying their Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation because of its Matte Finish but then I remember I have always had really bad luck with Powder Foundation and much, much better luck with Mineral Powders. ALl of my problems with all of the setting powders should help reiterate this.

The last thing from this order to try is the MAC Paint Pot in Painterly, which I will try tomorrow I guess in place of my usual HG Base Eyeshadow (Maybelline Expert Wear Single Shadow in Linen).

Concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Peach + Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in 260 Bisque N

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

Lipstick: MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Devoted to Chili

Blush: MAC Powder Blush in Mocha

Setting Powder: None

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MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW25

So I tried MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW25 today. I actually forgot to take a picture, but, wasn't such a big deal because it had creased a tiny bit. Not so bad, but I think my HGs are better. So I think tomorrow I'll use my usual and compare the photo at least of yesterday with The MAC Smooth Wear concealer. Though since it'll be my usual products, I think I will try Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder as my setting powder tomorrow.

Concealer: MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast + MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW25

Under Eye Setting Powder: LM Secret Brightening Powder for Under Eyes

Setting Powder: None

Update: Ugh so totallly reacted last night. My skin is so picky with concealers. :(