Product Review: L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation and Full Wear Concealer

Welcome back everyone!

Today's post is going to be focused on the L'Oreal Fresh Wear foundation, and the Full Wear Concealer. These  two products have been very widely discussed throughout the makeup world, and they made their appearance locally in Trinidad a few months ago. I've been testing both of these items for the past few months, and I'm ready to give my opinions on them.

L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation

I picked this up in the shade 485 Golden Sun, and it is marketed as a breathable, buildable coverage foundation with 24hr fresh complexion. I purchased it back in June, and I've been using it since. I paid approximately TT$99, at Pennywise. This foundation is one of the most versatile drugstore foundations I own. Earlier this year, I reviewed the Maybelline Superstay 24hr foundation, and I can honestly say that I've been reaching for this foundation over the Superstay on a daily basis.

The Claims: (From L'Oreal's website)

•  Up to 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation provides medium-to-full buildable coverage that lasts all day.
• The formula contains three oil absorbers resist sweat, water, and transfer.
•  The ultra-thin liquid goes on smoothly to give a fresh, healthy-looking complexion that lasts.

My Experience 

After months of use, I can honestly say that this foundation will be an essential for me. It's lightweight formula, that has such a natural finish on the skin, I often forget that I'm wearing foundation. I definitely consider this foundation to be a buildable, medium coverage. While testing this foundation, Trinidad experience a heat wave, therefore, the humidity and heat really pushed the limits of this foundations claims of being sweat, water and transfer resistant. During the heatwave, I did sweat profusely (my air con died right before the heatwave also), and I got very oily in a few hours of wear, but the foundation never cracked or separated. I was able to blot the oil and sweat off without it lifting or shifting the product from my face.
Recently, I've been mixing the Fresh Wear foundation with my matte, full coverage foundations to reduce the intensity of the matte finish, and it has been phenomenal. Its thin consistency makes it the perfect mixing companion for thicker liquid foundations.

Wearing Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in 485 Golden Sun  and Full Wear Concealer in 375 Latte

L'Oreal Infallible Full Wear Concealer - 375 Latte 

This concealer has thrown my L.A. Girl Pro Conceal out of rotation since I first used it. Super lightweight, and creamy formula. It's pigmented and very full coverage that a little goes a long way. I've been using it exclusively since purchase. I usually prefer lighter coverage concealers, however, allergies and fatigue issues have pushed me towards higher coverage. I purchased mine at Starlite for approximately TT$110.

Claims
L'Oreal website claims, "Our extra large applicator provides maximum coverage in one stroke to cover under-eye circles, acne scars, and discoloration. Our waterproof, non-greasy formula won't transfer, fade, or flake so your full coverage look is locked in all day."
In my experience, this concealer does not breakdown, nor does it transfer onto my glasses during the day (yes, I wear glasses). I've not experienced it getting cakey, nor have I experienced any cracking or shifting during hot and humid weather.

Final Thoughts

This foundation and concealer combination has become my immediate go-to since purchasing. I love the texture of the foundation, and it's beautiful finish on the skin, as well as the impeccable coverage of the concealer. I don't regret purchasing either of these products because they are outstanding, and I would highly recommend them for anyone looking to try something new. 

We've come to the end of this review, but I'll be back soon hopefully looking at some eyeshadow palettes.

Bye (^_^)/

Product Review: L.A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation

Hello everyone!
Today, I'm going to be doing a review of the L.A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation. This is the first foundation from this brand that I've tried, and I must say I'm very impressed.

The shade I purchased is Light Tan, and it is an amazing match for my warm, lightly golden skin. I got it at Wonderful World for TT$60. It claims to provide smooth and buildable coverage, that has a soft and suede-like finish. Recently, L.A. Girl expanded the shade range to 24 shades, with the addition of 10 shades along the medium to deep spectrum.

My Thoughts 
This foundation is honestly one of the best "drugstore" foundations I've tried. I would say this is a solid medium to full coverage foundation. This foundation is a thick liquid but it glides onto the skin effortlessly. It is very easy to blend out with both a brush or blending sponge. I use either the elf Ultimate Blending Brush, or the Sacha Cosmetics Blending Sponge for my application, and I get even coverage every time. This has a suede/matte finish, which makes it suitable for combination and oily skin, and even for a hot and humid climate like we have here in Trinidad. If you have a drier skin type, I believe this in combination with hydrating skin care and a hydrating primer can work for you. However, if you're not a fan of full coverage, suede/matte finish foundations, this definitely is not the product for you.

I have combination-oily skin, and this foundation manages to maintain its integrity through humidity and the oil slick that is my T-zone. It doesn't separate or breakdown, and there is little to no transfer once it is properly blended into the skin. This also happens to be one of the best shade matches I have in drugstore foundations. It's the warm yellow undertone that I need!

Wearing L.A. Girl Pro Matte Foundation in Light Tan

 I've really been enjoying this foundation, and I've been using it in combination with the L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation, and they make a gorgeous combination.

Conclusion 

I thoroughly enjoy using this foundation and given it's suede finish and longevity during heat and humidity, I would recommend it for persons looking for a "special occasion" foundation on a budget. A great inexpensive full coverage with a decent shade range. L.A. Girl released some Pro Color Foundation Mixing Pigments to work with the current shades in their range in order to cater to more skin tones, however, I hope in the future they will further expand their range.
This is the end of this post. I decided to make it short and sweet since I'm now getting back into the swing of things.
I will be doing a review on the L'Oreal Fresh Wear foundation and Full Wear concealer soon. I'm working on product shots for other posts including the second part of my Juvia's Place palette collection.
I hope you all have a fantastic week ahead, and I shall see you soon!
(^_^)/

Product Review: Sacha Cosmetics Pro Powder Foundation

Hello lovelies! Welcome back!
Today, I was planning on posting a time lapse video of me applying a quick and easy makeup look, however, my video quality was extremely poor. I'll continue to test out filming conditions because I would like to post some videos both here and on my social media platforms.
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with Sacha Cosmetics. All products are purchased by myself .

A staple product for my quick, and easy makeup days is the Sacha Pro Powder Foundation. I purchased this foundation in July 2018, and it's one of my favourite products I've ever used. On Sacha's website, it retails for TT$75, however, if you purchase it at one of their Image Centers and you have their loyalty card, it will be discounted.

Sacha Pro Powder Foundation - Pure Beige

Shade
I purchased it in the shade Pure Beige, after being matched by one of the artists at the Image Center located in Trincity Mall. It is a perfect match for my yellow undertone. Most foundations tend to pull too cool-toned (pink) on my complexion.
If you're curious about my other foundation matches:

• 310 Sun Beige in Maybelline Superstay Foundation
• W6 Sun Beige L'Oreal True Match 
• 370 Natural Tan Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation

Product Claims

On their website, Sacha describes this product as "oil-free, 2-in-1 powder foundation absorbs oil and eliminates shine all day long. Quick and easy to apply, it provides full coverage, fits like a second skin and gives you a flawless airbrushed finish."

My Experience 

I use this product with a dry Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, and buff it in with my Urban Studios Buffing Brush and I do get a medium-to full coverage. The coverage depends on how much product you load onto the sponge in my opinion. It feels extremely lightweight on the skin, and it tends to trick the untrained eye into thinking you have flawless skin. Every time I've worn this foundation, I've been complimented and asked what I use on my skin to make it look seamless and flawless. 

In terms of oil absorption and eliminating all day shine, that's where I have to dispute these claims. I have combination-oily skin, and currently in Trinidad, it has been hotter than Satan's armpit. Coupled with having PCOS which causes my hormones to fluctuate, this powder does not eliminate my oily sheen all day. After 3-4 hours of wear, if I'm out and about, I will have to blot and do a small touch up around my nose as it tends to break down fastest there. However, if I'm indoors in air-con, I stay shine free for longer. 

I've also used this product to set my liquid foundation, and it helps extend the life of my foundation, as well as balance my complexion, if my foundation is running too cool. I really enjoy using it for minor touch ups, since it has a huge mirror.  

I never expect to have any powder or foundation last long on me however, despite the fact that it sometimes breaks down around my nose, elsewhere on my face, it tends to stay in place. Oils may peak through but the powder lasts. (My nose is a beacon of oiliness!) If you have any patches of dry skin, or in my cause healing breakouts (I know I should pick or pop my pimples but the temptation is real), the pro powder foundation will cling to those areas. 

I recently wore the Pro Powder Foundation to go visit my hairdresser, and I took some photos;  one being fresh after application, and the other 4 hours later. In the second photo, I noticed my nose becoming very oily, and breaking down the powder, as well as emphasis on some breakouts that are currently healing. 

Wearing the Pro Powder Foundation

After 4 hours (Look at that shiny nose)

Conclusion

I do really enjoy the ease that this powder foundation provides. Is it worth the price? For me, yes it is. It's versatile, quick and easy to apply, and easy to touch up if required. On hot days if I feel to wearing some makeup, this is what I reach for because it is extremely light on the skin, that I forget that I'm even wearing makeup. Sacha has been hitting it out of the park with their products lately, and I hope they maintain their momentum. 

I will link some of my other Sacha product reviews below this post, and until next time stay safe, and thank you for dropping by.

Bye(^_^)/

Sacha Reviews 

Buttercup Powder (Original): https://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/10/product-review-sacha-cosmetics_16.html

Intense Matte Lip Velvet: https://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2016/03/product-review-swatches-sacha-cosmetics.html

Product Review: Maybelline Superstay Foundation

Hello Everyone! Welcome back to the blog today.

Today, I have a review of the Maybelline Superstay Foundation. I've been testing this foundation for two (2)months.....yes, TWO (2) months! This is the longest I've ever taken to test a product, and that's mainly because I've been having a hard time deciding whether or not I love this foundation.

I have this in the shade 310 Sun Beige, which is the lightest shade that is carried here in Trinidad. Firstly, I am not pleased with the colour selection available in Trinidad.This is a consistent issue with "drugstore" base makeup locally. I am far from the lightest complexion you'll see in Trinidad, and they carry too few shades for deeper complexions also. One would think that in a racially,and ethnically diverse country, the cosmetics being imported would reflect that diversity, but it does not.
Secondly, the pricing will vary according to the store you purchase it. I paid between TT$65-70 for mine, but I believe some stores have it for more than that.

Product Claims
This foundation claims to be/have;

• Full Coverage
• Matte finish 
• Lasts for 24 hours
• Breathable and Comfortable 
• Fade and Transfer-Resistant 
• Oil-free (Doesn't clog pores)

Does it live up to its claims?
I've worn this foundation for 8+ hours, and while my skin did get oily,the foundation itself was flawless. I didn't experience it breaking down throughout the day. The entire time I wore it it didn't feel heavy on the skin, and there was no sign of it fading in pigment or coverage during the day. I did experience a small amount of product transfer when my skin was oily, but it didn't impact the coverage whatsoever.

This foundation is full coverage. It hid any breakouts I was experiencing and it did not accentuate any pores when worn with a primer (I always wear primer underneath foundations). I love to apply this foundation with a damp makeup sponge (I use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge),or with a buffing brush like the elf Ultimate Blending Brush. I get the same level of coverage with both tools, however, the brush requires a bit more time to seamlessly blend the foundation into the skin.

The left side of my face (right side of the picture)is bare. The right side of my face (left side of the picture) is310 Sun Beige.

I saw many people complaining that they got very oily throughout the day being one of the main reasons why they didn't like this foundation. However, the foundation does not claim to be an oil-controlling foundation. I do have combination/oily skin, and I do get oily regardless of the oil-controlling abilities of a foundation, so it didn't really bother me or my opinion of the product. A quick blot with blotting paper, and its good to go.
Regarding the claim of not clogging pores, I have not experienced any breakouts, or increase in blackheads or clogged, congested pores since I started using this foundation.

First Impression versus Continued Use
When I first tried this foundation, I fell in love with the coverage but nothing else. I thought it felt super heavy, and looked cakey, and I just wanted to get it off my face that day. On this first use, I had used 2 full pumps of foundation, so I decided the next time I used it I would use less product. This was the key to falling in love with this foundation. Less product is important. We live in a world of social media videos showing gurus piling on layers upon layers of product, which may translate great on camera but in everyday life, not so much. This was why I initially disliked this foundation, I was too heavy handed. Now I tend to use 1 full pump all over my face, and then if I feel the need to add more coverage I use a touch of concealer, however, I've found myself refraining from concealer because this foundation does such a good job at covering whatever I want to cover.

Final Thoughts
This foundation has many mixed reviews, and initially I didn't want to try it because of this. However, I am a believer in trying out products and forming my own opinions, as well as my genuine curiosity as to whether or not this foundation can hold up in a tropical climate. During the two months of testing, Trinidad has had some incredibly hot and humid days, and while I did get oily, the foundation itself held up very well. Honestly, I believe with a good mattifying primer, and good setting powder and setting spray, this foundation is worth the money.

Thank you all so much for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed.
I'm playing around with the format of my review(s) posts here, hence why no review blog post is the same. Feel free to let me know what elements you like or dislike, and I can adapt that into future posts.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy and positive.
Bye (^_^)/

Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation and Powder Review

Hello doves, I'm still very ill hence why this post is a little bit later than usual. My sinuses are congested, tonsils are painfully inflamed and I have really bad muscle aches, but I am going to fight through it to get this post up. It's going to be a concise post because I really need to get some rest. It's been over a week, and I'm feeling worse now than when I first got this cold.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation 310 Sun Beige

Holy crap, I love this stuff! My only wish is that it came with a pump. This shade matches me perfectly. If you need a reference I'm a W7 in L'Oreal True Match and NC44 in MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation. I've used this foundation with and without a primer for a week, ( I haven't worn makeup since I got sick...yikes!) and I have to say this foundation is awesome.

Firstly, it has a beautiful consistency, it's isn't overly thick but it is not at all watery. It's creamy and super lightweight and it blends like an absolute dream. I use my Real Techniques Expert Face brush, and buff the foundation into my skin. Super quick and easy.

The second thing I absolutely love about this foundation is the finish. The finish is not at all heavy or cake-y, your skin just looks demi-matte and naturally flawless. My makeup area is directly next to a window, so I usually use a mix of natural light  and artificial light to apply my makeup, so I can usually see off the bat if my foundation is looking heavy, and it never has.

Third, this foundation does indeed leave you looking poreless. I personally, have a lot of open pores on my cheeks and around my nose, but with this foundation, you can't tell and that makes me quite happy.

Finally, this foundation, does a pretty good job at keeping me matte. I have to blot a lot less with this particular foundation than usual. I usually have to blot every 2 hours, but with this I can get away for 4-5 hours straight without needing to blot (if used with powder), or 3-4 hours without blotting if used on it's own.

In conjunction with the Maybelline Matte and Poreless Powder, also in shade 310 Sun Beige, the longevity and oil control ability is really great.

Maybelline Matte and Poreless Powder 310 Sun Beige

N.B. I've rocked the powder sans foundation with just a bit of primer underneath, and the coverage is light/medium which is impressive for a pressed powder. It does a great job of controlling oil and evening the complexion.

I wore both to Ani-Market 2015 that took place here in Trinidad, and goodness me did this foundation hold out. I applied it at 8 am, I got wet in rain, got sweaty thanks to high humidity, spent hours walking around the convention with my friends, blotted once during lunch at 1pm, snapped a selfie with one of my best friends close to 3pm, and this is what my skin looked liked (I'm the one with the purple hair)...

Selfie @ Ani-Market 2015 with my Best Friend ChenChen

It's absolute craziness!

In the end, I absolutely love this foundation, before I tried it, I was on the fence about purchasing it, but I'm really happy that I did. It's about $60-$70TT which is cheaper than my beloved L'Oreal foundations, so I am positive that this will be a staple in my makeup collection.

This concludes this week's blog post, I'm going to go lie down and listen to some music and continue fighting this beast of a cold. I hope you all have a great weekend. Ramadan Mubarak to all of my Muslim readers, keep safe during this time. To all of my US readers, have a great 4th of July weekend, keep safe.

Question: If I were to get my hands on the L.A. Girl Nude Eyeshadow Palette, would you prefer to see a review with swatches, or a few looks and review? Comments are welcomed here.

Feel free to follow me on Instagram (@ladyjpsych) I post stuff there, and my Pinterest (J's Mind Palace). I also have a Tumblr under the same name, where I reblog all of the weird/nerdy/psych related things.
I hope everyone keeps safe, and stay happy, healthy and positive and I shall talk to you all very soon!
Bye (^_^)/