L'Oreal Infallible 24H Matte Foundation 10 Porcelain

If you're a frequent reader of beauty blogs, I'm sure the hype about this foundation did not escape your attention. I've heard so many raves about this new matte version of the Infallible foundation and though I had my doubts about it simply because it sounded too good to be true, in a typical beauty blogger fashion, I desperately wanted to try it. So does it live up to the hype? Oh, yes. I think it does.

Texture: The consistency is somewhere between liquid and thick and it reminds me a bit of Catrice's Nude Illusion, but it's a bit lighter compared to that one and also feels drier to the touch meaning it has a high content of silicones. It's one of those foundations that dries fast once applied, so you don't have a lot of time for blending it in and that's why I apply this foundation in sections to avoid any unblended patches of foundation.

Coverage: I'd say it's medium, though I've heard many people say it's almost full coverage and I have a feeling that some might say it looks like light-medium coverage based on my close-up pictures. I actually apply thin coats of any foundation, hence why my freckles still show through on the pictures. Because it's a matte foundation, I prefer to apply less, as foundations tend to look cakey very fast on my skin (I seriously have no idea how Youtube/Instagram girls get off with such thick coats of foundation and contour. It all looks so fake on me). Its best feature in my opinion is how well it hides pores. This looks amazing over pores. I've never tried anything like it, not even a primer. Almost every foundation started to emphasize my pores for some reason, but this kind of just camouflages it by filling them in, instead of just sinking into them. It's so amazing to see how the pores look so diminished with this foundation, I'm a huge fan. I have noticed though that with a brush I don't get such a flawless result when it comes to pores, so my preferred method of application is with fingers - well, at least when it comes to the areas around the nose. It doesn't cover under eye circles well and the blemishes will still peak though despite applying several layers on them, so an additional layer of concealer is needed.

Finish: This is a matte finish foundation and as I said it sets fast, however, it's not completely draining matte. I'm not sure if it looks like this only on my slightly oilier summer skin, but there is definitely that natural radiance I have showing though. It manages to keep my skin matte for a very long time, but if it's a very hot day, then I use a bit of powder on my forehead. It doesn't crease under the eyes, probably due to a high silicone content, same goes for any lines, though it doesn't disguise them like pores. This will look weird over patches, just to warn you. I have to be careful especially in the area around the eyebrows and close to the scalp. If your skin is dry or dehydrated, I don't think this is a foundation for you. 

Shade (10 Porcelain): I got the lightest one in the range and it's s closest to Bourjois Healthy Mix 51, only it's pink toned. L'Oreal has a tendency to make their pink toned foundation look a bit orange and I get that same impression when I swatch this on the back of my hand and it's also not the best match for my skin, but it doesn't look terribly fake I think, especially compared to N1 from their True Match range. It could be lighter, but at least I now have a decent face self-tanner, so I'll be able to use it in the winter as well.

Staying power: I've said a few times than I never check my foundation during the day because I just don't care enough, but I did notice that this foundation lasts averagely. It lasts maybe up to 8 hours on me, as by then it's definitely mostly wiped off on my nose, but the skin is mostly still matte. But it does fade nicely, without caking up or looking patchy.

Scent: It has a faint scent that I barely notice, but it's sort of a classic makeup scent.

Packaging: It's a simple tube with a precise nozzle applicator. The black parts of the packaging can get dirty from foundation fast, especially the cap as it's slightly rubberised. 

Price and availability: This doesn't appear like it will reach our drugstores anytime soon, even so I highly doubt that 10 Porcelain will be sold here (because as we all know pale women don't live in Slovenia *rolls eyes*), but I got mine on Salma for 10.90 €. I'm not sure in which countries it's sold apart from UK, but check your drugstores. US version comes in a bit different, flatter packaging. I have seen just the primer from this line in our drugstores.

So the final verdict on this foundation? I'm impressed. Do I like it more than my long time favourite Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum? I'm not sure that I do because that one looks like nothing on my skin and this one has that tell-tale matte finish, nor do I think like it more than Nars' Sheer Glow, but it's definitely in my top 5 and it's my favourite summer foundation for sure. I love how it looks over pores and I even like the matte finish, even though it doesn't make it the most natural looking foundation, but it's definitely very handy in the summer heat. The shade is its weak point, L'Oreal just has to learn how to make neutral light foundations. It's a foundation that to me appears like it has a high content of silicones and since it "fills in" the pores so well, I make sure I really get everything off at the end of the day, so I don't end up with blocked pores, but so far it hasn't caused me any skin problems at all. If you have oily, combination or normal skin, this is definitely a foundation to try, however, people with dry skin and any dry patches, might not like this foundation so much. I'm still a bit concerned how this will perform on me in colder months, but for now I'm fan.

Have a great day!

How do you choose the perfect shade? {Makeup}

Ohk, so when it comes to makeup or to speak of the simplest thing of tinted moisturizers, I am at loss with the shades. If I could, I would have written a post on "How to choose the perfect shade" (hoping someone would steal the title and give me a good post instead :-D). But, since I am total klutz at it, I would rather ask you. 

Whenever I got to buy a loose powder, I have this SA apply it on the back of my hand and if it blends, its awesome!!! But, unfortunately, they forget one thing that back of the hand is generally least tanned and way different in shade than the face. So, obviously, many times, the choice of shade goes wrong. 

Now, I also have this issue of white cast. Have you applied a tinted moisturizer and found it to give a white cast? So, what does that mean - do I have to take a darker shade or a lighter one? Well, I am sure it must have happened to you when you were an amateur as well. So, how do you really go about choosing the coveted shade?

Also, what do you do when you have an uneven skin on the face? The same shade doesn't go well everywhere, right? So, do you blend it with a moisturizer or buy two different shades and mix them? I think many do that as well but its not exactly very simple, right? So, hoping to see the tips from you :) Shoot them down!!

For those who are not aware, the shade of the foundation should be same as that of your jawline. Do check out my take on blending basics and please don't laugh if you find it really weird coz I am really not great at it :(

PS: Forgive me for enabling the word verification coz I do know how irritating Google has made it but I am getting an overload of spam comments so taking this step after a lot of deliberation. Hoping to see your comments continuing :)

Image Courtesy:yourbeautysecrets.tumblr.com,lilylolo.co.uk

Vedic Line+ BB Cream {Product Review}

Price: Rs 225 for 30ml

Ingredients

Pros

- gives an even brightened finish

- has pinkish undertones and gives a pink flush to the skin

- stays for 5-6 hours

- suits most of the skin tones

- very small quantity is enough

Cons

- may give white cast sometimes

- blending does create problem sometimes

- may not suit really dark skin tones, medium wheatish is fine though!!

My Experience

I love the packaging!!! Absolutely cute and girly and bright. It has a small nozzle which disperses a little amount of product and honestly, you need just a small drop of the product for the entire face. It smells nice as well. The fragrance is very light and almost non-existent so not to worry much about it.

after blending, see how natural it looks!!

The color of the product is light brown which suits even the fair skin tones. It has pink undertones which gives a pink look to the face even if you are a little yellow. The texture of the product is light and a little runny so it spreads easily on the skin and gets absorbed soon.

I did initially face bending issues but later on, a simple tip became my mantra and no blending issues from there on. This tip was published by Paris (check it out here). She says that when using fingers to blend foundations, one should use the whole palm instead of just the finger tips!! And, trust me, it really works. 

And, the finish of the product is very sheer. It gives a light glow to the face but otherwise your own skin shines through. It doesn't really cover any part of the skin. The product does have spf 20 but then you need such a little amount of the product that the sun protection is just not enough. 

Also, sometimes, the product tends to leave white patches, courtesy Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide so use it in just a little amount. I don't know why I always face problem while applying any tinted moisturizer on the area between nose and lips. Probably, I always take more than the amount required.

Overall, I did like the BB cream. My review is probably the last you will find but I have read all the other reviews and there are very mixed reactions to the product but not negative. Also, yes, this product controls oil and sweat to a very less extent. So, make sure you use loose powder to take care of sweat and extra oil. 

Regarding its staying power, I would say that it stays well up to 3-5 hours but doesn't last entire day for me!! If blended portion by portion on the face, it does stay an entire day but the blending becomes difficult for me in that way so I avoid it!!! Otherwise, it does keep the face fresh till the time it stays.

PS: Product sent by brand.

Check out other products from Vedic Line:

Vedic Line+ Exfo 10 Avocado Face Scrub

Vedic Line Apple Green Toner
Vedic Line Fig & Honey Moisturizer
Vedic Line Papaya Scrub and Papaya Face Pack
Vedic Line Neem & Brahmi Disinfecting Face Wash

Foundation / Tinted Mositurizer - Blending Basics {Skin Care}

[Source:theknot.ninemsn.com.au]

I have been using tinted moisturisers (TM's) since last September and as a result, I have gone through various stages of difficulties in blending them into the skin. So, I thought I would put down certain things important to take care while blending. This is from an amateur perspective and I use just fingers to blend in. 

Smooth Skin

Smooth skin is very essential to begin with before doing the blending. Flaky skin is the worst thing which can happen to you so always make sure you exfoliate your face, neck and decolletege regularly to make sure that your tinted cream goes on smoothly and blends in your skin without leaving any patches and the whole of the exposed skin is in same shade. 

Amount of product

This point is very important. You should know how much is enough for your skin otherwise you can end up looking like a ghost. To make sure you don't overuse, dot your face with the tinted moisturiser and blend in. Add the moisturiser as and when needed. This way you don't generally end up over-using. 

Uneven Complexion

My forehead is almost a shade darker than my face and it always gets darker if I don't eat properly so whenever I apply TM's, I have to make sure, it has blended well with the darker shade of my skin otherwise it looks ghostly on that area. And, getting different shades for different parts of your skin is not exactly a viable option. So, take care to use less of the TM on the darker area and blend well.

Apply moisturiser

It moisturises your skin and provides a base for the foundation / TM to go on smoothly. So, it is always a good idea to apply a moisturiser and wait for 5-10 minutes before applying a TM to allow the moisturiser to dry up.  And, it also gives a dewy finish leaving your skin looking hydrated and radiant.

Use fingers deftly

If you use fingers to blend in, make sure they are clean first. Use your middle finger to do the blending. It always helps to dot the face with the TM. And, instead of rubbing the product, patting it works better. Doing the patting motion quickly helps in giving a smooth finish and avoids the pulling of the skin which happens when you tend to rub in the product.

Make sure you have time

I have always noticed that when I am pressed for time, I am never able to blend well. Either I over-use the product or don't use the fingers quickly enough to give a smooth finish. And, patting always takes more time than rubbing in.

So, hope this is helpful to you all. Do drop in your comments :)

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint - Beige {Product Review}

This is the second tint I have used after MVO Moisturizing Face Screen. So, lets see how it did for my skin?

Price: 21 Pounds (Rs 1600 approx) for 40 ml

Ingredients

Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are responsible for the spf 15 and seeing them right in the top of the list makes me happy and then, you can see the iron oxides at the bottom along with Titanium Dioxide which provides the pigments for the tint

Packaging

I loved the whole black/nevi-blue packaging of the product. It looks classy and attractive enough to tempt. Also, along with the product you have ordered, they will send you the samples of all three shades and they encourage you to use these samples first and decide which one suits you and if you have ordered any different shade, they would replace it for you provided you do not break the seal. This is a good thing to provide to the customers so that they can make the correct choice without any problem.

Swatches

Samples of all three shades

Swatches of all 3 shades

My Experience

Ok, the main disadvantage of this product is that it has limited choices in the matters of shade and I am not sure if all the skin colors fall only under these three skin tones. And, spf 15 is way too less if you don't use sunscreen separately in Indian climate. So, that's one more place where it can be improved. 

Since my makeup knowledge being very limited, I actually tried to discover what is sheer. Actually, the foundations are classified in the categories of coverage according to the amount of pigment they have.
Sheer is the most transparent and contains the least amount of pigment. It will not hide discolorations on the skin; however, it can minimize the contrast between the discoloration and the rest of the skin tone. Although pigment technology has evolved dramatically since 2004, the traditional protocol for sheer foundations called for pigment to comprise 8–13% of the finished formula.
Light can cover unevenness and slight blotchiness, but is not opaque enough to cover freckles. It contains 13–18% pigment.
Medium coverage can, when set with a tinted (instead of translucent) powder, cover freckles, discolorations, blotchiness, and red marks left by pimples. It contains 18–23% pigment.
Full coverage is very opaque, and used to cover birthmarks, vitiligo, hyperpigmentation and scars. It is sometimes referred to as “corrective” or “camouflage” make-up. In general it contains up to 35% pigment, though professional brands, designed for use on stage, can contain up to 50% pigment. [Source: Wikipedia]

The product is really creamy and applies very easily. It blends very easily with the finger tips but leaves a lot of product on the fingers too so make sure you don't use the entire hand while applying this product. No problem during blending too and gives a smooth, even and non-patchy finish though I am not really sure if it covers the blemishes because this is supposed to be sheer. And, also, a point which Liz Earle products have taught - 'Less is More'. Very less of the product is required to give the desired finish. Any bit more and you could end up looking like a frying pan. Right amount and it will keep your face dewy and radiant through out the day.

Now, this being said that the product is creamy, do not mistake it to be moisturizing. In the drier climate as it is now and for dry skin, there is a need of moisturizer underneath. But, if you are in a hot and sultry climate or even humid one, be sure to set the foundation with the loose powder otherwise you might end up like a frying pan or a streaky face if you happen to sweat a lot or the skin becomes excessively oily. This I speak from personal experience. That day, I went to get the parlor services done and unfortunately, there was no electricity in the whole locality so it was really hot and I sweat a lot and very easily. So, by the time I was half way through, the girl attending me commented if I had applied foundation and said my face has become all white and I am sweating a lot. So, that's a lesson that never go without setting it with powder.

And, when it is hot and humid, the tint does transfer to the phone too. That's a problem easily solved if it is set with powder. I tried both the situations. And, one more thing I would mention is that carefully check between the shades coz the wrong one can make you look darker than your skin tone. I know that's obvious but actually, my skin color is wheatish so technically, Beige should have suited me but when I tried the Bare, it too suited me well and didn't look patchy or streaky at all like it generally happens if you choose too light a shade. In fact, it blended really well into my skin and gave me a radiant look without looking ghostly or white at all and it was like I had applied Beige only. There wasn't much difference except probably a little bit in terms of radiance. But, when I applied Beach (the darkest shade), it did turn me darker even though it is meant for medium to dark skin tones. So, selection of shades can be a little tricky.

My Recommendation

If I have to speak just for the product if applied correctly and taken care that it doesn't bleed, I would say its a good foundation and should be applied in a very thin layer for the best results. I think it will look fab at night rather than in the morning. And, I should add that I think its botanical ingredients do a little good for the skin too. So, that's an another plus to prefer this over other foundations. The only problem is that you have to order it online so you can check out Liz Earle website for more details.

PS: Product was sent by brand for consideration.