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 (^_^)/

Makeup Battle Royal #4: Battle of the Setting Sprays - Sacha Cosmetics versus L'Oreal

Welcome back to my blog.
Today, I have another Battle Royal(e) all about makeup setting sprays. One of which I've used for years, and the other is new to me but I've been enjoying it a great deal. Today, I'm putting the Sacha Cosmetics Fix It Setting Spray up against L'Oreal Infallible Pro Spray & Set.

Sacha Fix It Setting Spray (left), L'Oreal Infallible Pro Spray & Stay (right)

Packaging:

• Sacha: Throughout the years, the Sacha Fix It has gone through many cosmetic changes. At first it was in a translucent plastic spray bottle, then it was a pure glossy black plastic bottle. However, the new Fix It spray comes in a silver metal spray bottle which I really do like.
• L'Oreal: This is a matte black plastic spray bottle. I love the matte black and it feels extremely light, so your arms won't get tired when holding it up to spray.

Cost:

• L'Oreal : $99.99TT; US$16.99 (L'Oreal Paris Website)
• Sacha: $55-70TT (cannot recall the exact price, but prices vary where you purchase it); US$20 (Sacha Cosmetics Website) 

Product Claims:

• Sacha: Sacha Fix It Spray instantly sets makeup, keeping it fresh and smudge-resistant for hours.
• L'Oreal:  Makeup Extender Setting Spray, Long Lasting Finish, extends just applied makeup look. 

Don't expect either of these to keep you mattified throughout the day, because they are not designed for that. They strictly made to set your makeup and hopefully extend the wear of your products.
I will say that when I use the Sacha spray, the finished look tends to seem a bit more lived in but I have oily/combo skin, and I often experience my makeup smudging when I blot, even if I blot with blotting paper. However, with the L'Oreal I don't experience much smudging at all. The places I experience smudging with the Sacha spray are on the nose (glasses wearer, so it's common), under the eye and my forehead; whereas with the L'Oreal the smudging occurs on my nose only.


Scent:
Now I must warn you, the Sacha Fix It spray has a harsher scent than the L'Oreal. The Sacha tends to smell like astringent while the L'Oreal smells a bit like aloe baby powder with alcohol (weird description I know!). I've gotten use to the scent of the Sacha Fix It so it doesn't bother me too much, but if you're sensitive to smells you may prefer to try the L'Oreal.

Winner?! - It's a Draw!
Honestly, I can't choose a clear winning because some days, I prefer the finish of the Sacha over the L'Oreal and vice versa, and sometimes the smudging does not bother me. To me these are both well preforming setting sprays, and what it truly boils down to is how much you want to pay for your setting spray.

Thank you for coming out and reading today's post, I hope you enjoyed. I'm sorry I couldn't choose a clear winner, but at the end of the day, my word is not the be all and end all, what I may enjoy you may dislike.
Anyhow, I do hope you all have a great weekend, Eid Mubarack to all of my Muslim readers, and I shall see you all next week with another review (I'm on fire with these reviews...lol!)

Remember to stay happy,, healthy and positive,
until next time...
Bye (^_^)/

My Favourite Single Eyeshadows Part 2

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog, if you are new, and if you're a regular, welcome back!
Today, is part 2 of my favourite single eyeshadows. These can also be used to do a quick and easy one eyeshadow look but these are not your traditional neutral shades. Are you ready for this? I know I am.

 Rose Gold Eyeshadow

This particular eyeshadow, L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush, is quite possibly one of the most popular eyeshadows from this line and it is easy to see why. It's buttery texture and high shine metallic pinky-gold finish works well with every eye colour and every skin tone. It's great when paired with other eyeshadows, however on it's own it performs beautifully. Patted onto the lid, you get that high shine pinky-gold finsh, and when blended up into the crease, it blurs into a soft neutral pink, that does a great job at defining the crease.

L'Oreal Infallible Amber Rush Swatched in Natural Light (Is it metallic pink or metallic gold? It's a mix of both)

Fire-y Eyes
 

 Jordana Cosmetics Single Eyeshadow in A Classic, is one the most beautiful metallic orange eyeshadows I've ever seen. Jordana usually gets overlooked because their products are so inexpensive but the quality of their eyeshadows are unbelievable. Buttery and pigmented, they are so lovely to swatch, and it does not lose any of that pigmentation when transferred to the eyes. To me oranges and browns play well together, and for me, it tends to make my eyes look more fierce and fiery. I do wear glasses, so that tends to tone down the intensity of this eyeshadow a bit, but with a bit of black winged liner, I feel positively fierce and fabulous for the entire day. I used this recently while playing with my makeup to do a Deathstroke inspired eye look (posted on my Instagram: @ladyjpsych)

Jordana Cosmetics A Classic Eyeshadow Swatched

Speaking of fiery, this NYX Cosmetics Single Eyeshadow in Fahrenheit, is beautiful! I do believe this eyeshadow is discontinued, however, if you can find it somewhere online, I highly recommend it.

NYX Fahrenheit Eyeshadow

It's a pinky-reddish eyeshadow that is laced with gold shimmer throughout. It looks like fire! Depending on how light hits this eyeshadow, the tones and colour changes.

NYX Fahrenheit (Natural Light)

NYX Fahrenheit (with Flash)

Mauve-ing On

Get it, mauve-ing on....I need to stop! (U_U)

 Milani Marbelized Baked Eyeshadow in Fusion. This is one of my all time favourites, and it is perfect for a single eyeshadow look. Used dry, it gives a soft sweep of mauve and gold all over the eye, and when used wet, you get more of a reddish-mauve laced with golden shimmer look.
Because of it's versatility (being able to use it both wet and dry), I recommend having this single eyeshadow in your collection.

Top - Fusion (Dry swatch), Bottom - Fusion (Wet swatch) - Natural Light

 I can't even with this....

 Yes, that's seriously what I have labelled this last eyeshadow because it is so unbelievably gorgeous!
Just look at it....sighs! 

 This is the Sephora Brand Eyeshadow in Hold Me Tight. The best way I can describe this colour is a pink-purple that sometimes tends to look like a purple taupe. It's really hard for me to describe, but it is just beautiful. It acts perfectly as a neutral colour on it's own, I've paired this eyeshadow with red lips and they just worked together so beautifully. It is marked as a shimmer eyeshadow, but it does tend to run more metallic to my eye. I really need to get my hands on some more of the Sephora Brand eyeshadows...I wish Trinidad had a Sephora (T_T)

Sephora Brand Eyehsadow Hold Me Tight - Natural Light

  

That is all from me today, thank you so very much for stopping by my mind palace, I hope you enjoyed.

Until next time, stay happy, stay positive and stay healthy!

Bye guys!

(^_^)/

My Favourite Single Eyeshadows Part 1 - Bronze, Copper and Gold

Hello darlings!! Today, I'm going to be posting all about some of my favourite single eyeshadows that are great for a single eyeshadow look. I took my inspiration for this post from emilynoel83, from a video she did I believe back in 2013, all about her favourite stand alone eyeshadows that are capable of being used for a one-eyeshadow look. 

A little warning : If you live in Trinidad and Tobago, the Avon Single Eyeshadows I'm mentioning, may not be available to you, because Avon has officially stopped selling their products to Trinidad and I believe a few other Caribbean islands.  I'm sorry for including them since they are hard to get your hands on, but you don't need to get the exact products listed here.

All of the eyeshadows that will be mentioned, are a mid-tone colour with a shimmery/metallic in finish, but when blended into the crease, they take on a softer, more satin look, creating the illusion of two separate shadows on the eye.I usually do this type of eyeshadow look when I'm strapped for time on a morning, or if I'm feeling lazy and don't want to use multiple eyeshadows for one look.

Simple, One Eyeshadow Look Using Avon Satin Taupe Single Eyeshadow

1. Bronze and Copper

Bronzes and Coppers look amazing on brown eyes, because to me they bring out the richness in the brown. I also find that these shadows bring out the warmth in my skintone. I have a warm/yellow undertone to my skin (MAC NC44/ True Match W7).

 

Top Row:

• Avon Single Eyeshadow (full review in archives)
• Copper - (true copper colour)
• Bronze Luster - (deep smokey bronze shade with some gold shimmer throughout)
• Satin Taupe - (a brown taupe shade)

Bottom Row:

• Milani Single Powder Eyeshadow - Caramel Brown (A golden bronze brown)
• L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow - Bronzed Taupe- The Infallible Eyeshadows from L'Oreal, closely resemble a pressed pigment and are best applied with the fingers.

Swatches of each of the aforementioned eyeshadows.

All of these eyeshadows are very soft and pigmented, and they don't typically need any base/primer beneath them unless you have super oily eyelids, then I will recommend using a eyeshadow primer underneath.

2. Gold

Excuse me while I rip off Goldmember from Austin Powers by saying, " I love gold!"
Gold eyeshadow on my eyelids just make me extremely happy. I have a good number of gold eyeshadows, but the following three (3), are my favourite for a single eyeshadow look.
Each of these shadows have a very warm tone but are not strong yellow golds by any means, therefore they really bring out the warmth in the skin, or at least in my skin.
Slight warning about the Prestige eyeshadow, it is super pigmented, the texture is quite similar to the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows, where it feels incredibly soft, but the amount of pigment is insane, so be very careful when applying it. I recommend applying onto the lid with a finger, then blending out with a fluffy brush like the CALA 311 or Ecotools Blending Brush.

 Left to Right:

• NYX Single Eyeshadow- Oro 
• Prestige Eyeshadow - Golden Retriever
• Milani Runway Eyes Baked Eyeshadow - Bronze Doll

Swatches

Part 2 of this series will go live either next Friday or this Sunday, I haven't decided on that just yet, but I didn't want to make this post too picture heavy. I've also bought some new products to test out, and I can't wait to get to work on those post. I'll post a picture of the hauled products on Instagram, so be sure to follow me over there, also I posted my May favourites on my Instagram also so feel free to check it out (@ladyjpsych).

I believe that is all for today, I hope you all have a great weekend, and a great week, and I will talk to you all again very soon.
Stay happy, positive and healthy darlings.
Bye ^_^)/

Easy Work/Everyday Makeup Part 2.

Hello everyone,
I'm finishing off my work/everyday makeup ideas post today with part 2.
Note: Base Makeup is the same for all looks, with the exception of the Bronze Daytime Smokey Eye. For details on the base products used in all the other looks, see part 1 ( http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/04/easy-everydaywork-makeup.html).
Now I love a good winged liner look, and for all of these looks, I had winged out eyeliner, ranging for subtle to bold, but I got away with it because I wear glasses, and my frames detract from the bold eyeliner (yay four-eyed perks!)

Work/Everyday Makeup pt.2

Look 1 - Copper Winged Liner 
I started off the week by doing subtle winged liner with an eyeliner pencil. I used the Avon Mega Impact eyeliner in Rich Copper.It gives definition to the eye without being as dramatic as a black eyeliner, and the copper colour brings out the warmth in my dark brown eyes. This liner does contain some gold glitter, which I played off of by adding Sacha Gold Rush Eyeshadow (I believe this is discontinued) in the inner corner. Some mascara and a soft neutral/nude lip (I'm rocking some lip balm here) and the look is complete.

Copper Liner with Lip Balm

Look 2 - Work and Event Look (Bronze Daytime Smokey Eye)

The next look I did was for both work and an event that I attended after. It's was bronze-y smokey eye, with winged liner and pinky lips.I used my Smashbox Full Exposure Palette for the eyeshadows, L'Oreal Lacquer Liner for my winged liner and my lip colour was Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Sultry.
My foundation was L'Oreal True Match W7 because it has a natural finish, is long-lasting and feels lightweight on the skin. I also used Milk of Magnesia as a mattifer because I knew it was going to be a long and hot day. 
Brushes used:

 *Smashbox Full Exposure Palette Double Ended Brush,
 *CALA Eyeshadow 313,  CALA Blending Brush 311 , Real Techniques Fine Liner Brush

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm- Sultry

Look 3 - Golden Eyes

A simple, one eyeshadow look but unfortunately I cannot find this eyeshadow in stores. The eyeshadow in question is Nicka K HD Eyeshadow in 3009 (Love!). It is a beautiful golden brown shadow, that when blended out in the crease transforms into a gorgeous satin finish brown. I used the Eco-tools Full Eyeshadow Brush to apply the shadow and then I went ahead and lined my eyes with the Jordana 12HR Made To Last Eyeliner Pencil in 02 Espresso Last, and popped some of Sacha's Gold Rush Shadow into the inner corner.
Lips: Jordana Twist and Shiny - Honey Love

Sascha - Gold Rush (circular pan), Nicka K HD Eyeshadow - 3009 (rectangular pan)

Look 4 - Winged Liner on Fleek!
Ugh...I can't believe I used the term fleek but I think that maybe the only term to describe just how much I love this liner look and just how great it looks, especially if you wear large framed glasses.

Winged Liner Appreciation.

Without my glasses, it looks incredibly long and bold but with the frames on, it looks like your run of the mill, everyday wing.
I started off by priming my lid with my Smashbox Shadow Primer, then I used Milani Single Powder Eyeshadow in Caramel Brown from lash line to crease, again using my Eco-tools Full Eyeshadow Brush.

Now for the wing, I used the L'Oreal Infallible Lacquer Liner in Blackest Black and my CALA 508 Eyeliner Brush. The 508 is similar to the Real Techniques Fine Liner Brush, but the bristles are a tad shorter and less tapered, which makes doing the wing very easy. I just draw a line from the edge of my lower lash line, and go up towards the end of my eyebrow. I stopped where my orbital bone starts and then dragged the liner inwards towards my eye and lash line. I am considering doing a short video or pictorial on how I do my liner exactly, since it's hard to explain in just words.
Lips: NYX SN06 (I'm hooked on this stuff!)

I honestly wish I wasn't anxious about sitting in front of a camera and actually recording my eyeliner application, but I have a tendency to clam up in front of cameras (never going to be an actress ever!). I think I'm going to try and conquer that fear just to do a video on my winged liner application, although there are a lot of videos on YouTube about it.
Anywhosies, that is all for me today, and as usual I do hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Stay happy, healthy and positive and I will see you next Friday.
Bye (^_^)/

Haulage! First of 2015

Hey guys, it's been a while since I posted a haul and since I've been slowing building up a collection of products that I've purchased, I figured I'll do a combined haul post for you all.

Eyes:

L'Oreal Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow

 I can not lie, I am obsessed with the L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Eyeshadows... I now own 6 and continuing to slowly develop my collection of these. The latest addition to my collection are Golden Sage (333) and Midnight Blue (889). My only wish was that Trinidad got the limited edition shadows collections that come out ever so often with this line...Burst into Bloom I will find you (T_T). Excuse my melodrama, I adore the feel of these eyeshadows, they're buttery but not powdery, basically like a pressed pigment. They are easy to blend and when applied with your finger, which is my preferred method of application, the colour payoff is freaking ridiculous! I have included swatches below, and I kid you not when I say I just touched my fingers to the product, no swirling my finger around the eyeshadow, just touching. 

L'Oreal Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow 333 Golden Sage, 889 Midnight Blue

Golden Sage (left), Midnight Blue (right)

 Maybelline Color Tattoo 100 Caramel Cool
 I was lucky enough to grab the last one of this shade at SuperPharm recently, and I do believe this will soon become my new go-to everyday eyeshadow. It is beautiful. It's a metallic warm copper brown, and it blends like a dream. I believe this was part of the 2014 Spring collection from Maybelline and it's only now available in Trinidad.

Maybelline COlor Tattoo 100 Caramel Cool

Blended out swatch of 100 Caramel Cool 

Rimmel ScandalEyes Liquid Eyeshadow 019 Pomegranate
It's a liquid eyeshadow. It's not a eyeshadow base, nor does it have the consistency to be an eyeshadow base. I haven't yet tested the longevity of this product on the eyes, but the colour is gorgeous. I absolutely love red/cranberry shades on the eyes, so I'm really excited to wear this in the upcoming weeks.

RImmel ScandalEyes Liquid Eyeshadow Pomegranate

Blended out Swatch of Pomegranate

Lips:
Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipstick in 660 Touch of Spice
This colour is gorgeous! It's soft and creamy and glides onto the lips. The best part is, it does not dry out the lips! Oh and it smells like a vanilla cream cupcake....YES!

Maybelline 660 Touch of Spice

No Flash - Swatch 660 Touch of Spice

Flash - 660 Touch of Spice

I have some more products that I'd like to share with you, particularly some new brushes I've been trying out, so be on the lookout for that.
Side note, this week, Trinidad and Tobago is in full swing Carnival 2015 mode. If you're going to be out on the road, please be safe, we know how crazy the roads get around this time. If you're playing mas this year, I hope you have fun on the streets, and again be safe.
If you're not from Trinidad and Tobago and you won't be taking part in Trinidad Carnival, I hope you all have a fun and safe weekend and upcoming week.
I shall see you lovelies next Friday, with a new post.
Bye (^_^)/