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 (^_^)/

Product Review: Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier Face Primer

Hello everyone!

Today, I'm doing a very quick run down of the Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier Face Primer. I purchased this, along with the Sacha Buttercup Powder approximately a month ago, and I've been putting both to the test, however, I shall be reviewing them separately for the sake of time. (Basically, I have assignments due, and mid terms coming up so I need to get to work!)
DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with Sacha Cosmetics. All products are purchased by myself .

Product/Packaging:

Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier Face Primer

• It is a simple and sleek, matte black squeeze tube packaging. Nothing incredibly fancy.

Product Swatch: Sacha Mattifier Face Primer

• The product itself is a white cream, that blends out and instantly mattifies the skin. It does not leave behind any residue, nor does it leave the skin looking white or ghastly pale. 

Claims:

• Lightweight
• Absorbs Excess Oils
• Smooths the skin 
• Reduces appearance of Fine Lines and Pores
• Dries invisible  

Price:

• This varies depending on where you purchase it. If you live in Trinidad, there are multiple Sacha Cosmetics Image Centres throughout the country where you can find this product. I purchased mine at Pennywise in Trincity Mall, and costed within the range of $32-$50 ( I lost my receipt...sorry)
• If you don't live in Trinidad, you should be able to find the product online at Sacha's website for USD$20.

My Thoughts:

After using this product for 3 weeks consistently, I have to say whether I use it alone, or in conjunction with my e.l.f Mineral Face Primer, this Sacha Mattifier really does mattify. It lives up to all of it's claims, especially when it comes to reducing the appearance of pores, and smoothing out the skin. My foundations glide onto the skin and blend a lot easier. I do still have to blot throughout the day, but not as frequently as I usually have to. I tend to have to blot every 2 hours on the dot, but with this I can go 3-4 hours without the need to blot., and when I do blot, I only have to use half or 1 blotting paper as opposed to my usual 2. Yes, I normally go through 2 blotting papers every 2 hours when I'm either not wearing any makeup, or I wear makeup sans mattifier.

Wearing the Sacha Mattifier beneath my foundation. I'm a bit shiny after 5 hours w/o blotting.

Conclusion:
 
For a Caribbean girl like me, this mattifier is a great investment. We don't have easy access to many of the international brands mattifying products, and once we do find an option, it usually costs a lot more than its worth.
If you're in the market for a mattifier that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, you could consider this one, or if you want another alternative, Milk of Magnesia is a great mattifier, however, it can clog your pores if you use it everyday.
 
 I hope you all enjoyed today's post, and I also hope you have a great weekend. I have a very busy weekend, and week coming up, however, I will attempt to have a post up on Friday as per usual. Thank you all so much for stopping by J's Mind Palace, and I hope to see you all again very soon.
Stay happy, healthy and positive!
Bye! (^_^)/

DIY Mattifying Face Primer

Hello sweeties, (gotta get a Doctor Who reference in), I teased about this in my last post, so here it is, a DIY face primer that works (for me at least).

Disclaimer: I didn't not develop this recipe, I found it on Pinterest, and I have a link to my Pinterest to the right.

Link to source post: 

http://m.instructables.com/id/DIY-Starter-Makeup-Kit-and-More/step3/Primers-Toners-and-Setting-Spray/

I was searching Pinterest for ideas of homemade mattifying primers, because my oily skin has just been out of control lately, (yay hormones)( "-_-), and I came across a very simple recipe using milk of magnesia. 

I've personally have been using milk of magnesia as a mattifier but only for special occasions because it tends to clog the pores. 

The recipes requires a spray bottle, water, milk of magnesia and rose water (optional). 

Milk Of Magnesia

Distilled Water

Depending on how oily your skin is, you can tweak the recipe, however I used equal parts of water and milk of magnesia (1/2 cup each) and 2 tbps rose water. Pour into the spray bottle, give it a good shake and voila! 

Having it in a spray bottle makes application a breeze but I still recommend patting it in with a sponge to ensure that it gets distributed evenly on the skin. 

I've been using this in conjunction with my e.l.f Mineral Face Primer and my L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder foundation and it makes my skin look naturally flawless (which it isn't). It doesn't clog my pores and my level of oiliness isn't as ridiculous as it normally is...yay! 

This is a quick and easy DIY, and it makes me want to try out some more finds from Pinterest.
Until next week, stay happy, healthy and positive!
Bye (^_^)/