Friday, June 24, 2016

Why I'm Throwing Out My Apricot Scrub


I know ... I know ... this is something that probably is a staple in most people's beauty routine, but I have to share with you ... I tossed my St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Ah!

Here's why ... I stumbled across a few links explaining about how bad for you they actually are! WHAT!? ... I know, I was shocked.

The first blog that I found was done by A Beautiful Whim .. This is a blog I have read before but hadn't seen this post.  The blog goes on to talk 
about basically everything that I love about this scrub ... It's cheap, it's easily accessible, and it feels good/like you're actually doing something. 

But then, it breaks down how the product has chemicals and ingredients that are actually harmful to your body.  Now, I'm not going to write in this blog everything she writes, I'm not going to poatch her research, so please, jump over there and read her blog.  Plus, I honestly couldn't do it justice, so please check out her blog!

After reading A Beautiful Whim, I jumped around online and found two more blogs that are also good sources of information ....

Ethereal Laura Spa

After reading through these blogs I was absolutely shocked.  I kind of felt like I had been duped and found myself walking to my bathroom to grab my bottle and toss it in the trash. It's kind of like a break up and you feel like a something you've depended on for a long time is an imposer! lol

Until next time!! ... xoxo,
Mikal-Anne

Friday, June 10, 2016

Review: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless


SO.. I recently tried out a new foundation. Shocker, I know! If you’ve been following my blog for any amount of time, you’ve probably keyed in on the fact that I seem to have one foundation that I use ALL THE TIME! Which is true.  With most make up, I’m switching it up often, but when it comes to foundation, once I find one I like, I tend to stick with it.  This is probably for a few reasons;  I’ve got pretty fair skin, which is difficult enough to find foundation that matches me, but I also have freckles, which leads to a whole other batch of difficulties with foundation.  Color matching is hard and then finding the right amount of coverage.  I need enough  coverage to balance out the tone in my face but at the same time, I can’t go full coverage.  Could you imagine, freckles everywhere by my face.. I think that might lead to me getting a few weird looks.



One day on my way home from work, I ran into Walgreens and was taking a look over through the makeup section.  I know I didn’t need anything, but maybe there was something in there that I wanted…



As I was looking around the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation caught my eye.  My current foundation was getting closing to being out and I knew I needed to get a backup in my collection.  The poreless claim was probably one of the things that really brought me in.  I’ve recently been struggling with noticeable pores.  I haven’t ever had this problem before and so battling them was totally new territory for me.  I was honestly up for anything.  I finally decided to give it a try, after debating for a bit.  Foundation is a big thing and trying a new one always has be a bit hesitant, but I had tried the Fit Me concealer before that I liked and ultimately decided to try it with the “Why Not?” mentality. 



What I bought: Fit Me Matte + Poreless in 112 Natural Ivory



Here’s what Maybelline has to say:



This ultra-lightweight foundation contains micro-powders that absorb oil for a matte and poreless-looking finish



Unique formula goes beyond matching just skintone and also matches the texture of normal to oily skin for the ultimate natural fit



Dermatologist and allergy tested, this mattifying foundation does not clog pores and is oil-free



Why You'll Love It



Eliminate the look of pores and achieve natural looking skin with this lightweight, mattifying foundation.



For normal to dry skin, try Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation instead.



For Best Results



Apply Fit Me!® Matte + Poreless Foundation evenly to your face and blend with your fingers.



The Packaging – This is in a nice glass bottle.  The packaging isn’t bulky or over bearing.  The one big down side for me is that it’s a glass bottle with a screw top lid, but no pump. Leaving you to have to pour this out and guestimate your best to make sure you don’t have too much product.  I pour this out on the back of my hands and even though the directions on the website say to blend out with fingers, I use a beauty blender.  The bad thing about this is it can leave you with too much product.



I wish companies would just jump on having a pump on every bottle that can’t be squeezed!!



As for the product’s consistency – It’s a fairly runny consistency; Which doesn’t help you when you’re trying to pour the right amount on your hand!! However, it does make it easier to blend out and get coverage all over.  



I noticed some people say that this product dried really fast and so it could be hard to work with when trying to blend out over you’re entire face.   I did not notice this, however I did use a blending sponge to apply which may have helped.



One thing that really did impress me about this line is the shade options.  It looked like there was a large range of colors and I that pretty much everyone should be able to find a shade that works for them. 



I must say, the coverage for me is fairly perfect..  The first application was a little too light but I was able to build up the right amount for me.  The finish is really great.  It’s definitely a skin like finish.  I honestly wouldn’t classify this as an overly matte or dewy finish, something more down the middle.



The finish is a bit on the dryer side on your face when it sets.  If you’re someone with dry skin or have dry patches (like break out spots that are healing) this product will definitely attach to that area and will make it visible. 



As for how it wears throughout the day – I did notice it starting to break down a little by the end of the day.  Which, honestly, is expected. However, for the most part it held up.  

As for the poreless claims – I can’t say that I noticed this really helped my pores.  I did start paring this with the Benefit poreless primer in my problem areas and the combo of that and this foundation seems to solve whatever problem I was having.  I don’t notice pores or this settling into my pores and fine lines.  Which, let’s be honest, there are definitely fine lines to battle!



Over all – Do I think this is better than my CoverGirl 3-in-1 foundation that’s my all-time favorite … I think it’s definitely battling for that position.  Which the change in my skin, I do noticed that the 3-in-1 doesn’t seem to give me the same finish/look that I use to obtain, but I still love it. 



If you’re looking for a new foundation and you have average skin, this is definitely worth trying out.  I don’t think you’ve got anything to loose with it.

If you want to see how this foundation applies, head over to my YouTube channel (click here) and watch my get ready with me where I use this foundation.  There is also a corresponding blog post (click here) that lists all of the products that I used in the video.


Until next time… xoxo
Mikal-Anne
    

GRWD: Day Watching Softball



Hi Lovelies!! I was getting ready to head out and watch my boyfriend play softball and was trying out a new foundation.  I would turn on the camera and film a get ready with me video with a first impressions of the Maybelline Fit me Matte + Poreless foundation.  

Listed below is a list of the products I used and in the order I used them.  If you are interested in my review of the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation - click here

Also, if you haven't checked out the video accompanying this post - click here!

Primer:
Rimmel Fix & Perfect


Foundation:
Maybelline Fit me Matte + Poreless in 112 Natural Ivorey

Concealer:
Rimmel Match Perfection in 125 Fair
Maybelline Master Conceal in 010 Fair
Setting powder - Be a Bombshell Smooth Criminal

Blush:
Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Just Pinched Pink

Powder:
Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in 010 Fair


Contour:
Maybelline Master Contour Face Contour Kit in Light.


Bronzer:
NYX Bronzer in Light


Blush:
Wet & Wild in Heather Silk


Eye Primer:
Mary Kay Eye Primer


Eyes:
Ulta Brand Bermuda Sand
Ulta Brand Au Naturel
Lorac Pro Pallet Taupe
Lorac Pro Pallet Espresso
Lorac Pro Pallet Garnet
Lorac Pro Pallet Lt. Bronze
Lorac Pro Pallet Champagn


Eye Liner:
Mary Kay Eye Liner in Deep Brown
Lorac Pro Pallet Espresso to set the eye liner


Mascara:
Loreal Mascra in Black Brown
Revlon Lash Potion in Black Brown
Almay Get Up and Grow in Black Brown


Eyebrows:
Chella Pencile in Tantalizing Tope
Mary Kay brow gel             

And that's it! ... I say that like it was a few products - I know, I tend to go overboard.  :-|

Don't forget to jump over and check out my YouTube video and the review of the Maybelline Matte + Poreless foundation if you haven't already!  

Until next time... xoxo,
Mikal-Anne