Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Review And The Brush Version Of The Beauty Blender

You may remember my review on Estee Lauder's Double Wear and how much I loved it.  That was also a post I had written when I had my old phone, so all of the associated photos were deleted with the transfer of data.  The link is still above so you can read my thoughts on it but wait until you hear about Estee Lauder's Double Wear Light.

This is Double Wear's younger, hotter sister.......Quite frankly, I am ashamed I haven't reviewed this sooner. If you love the full coverage, matte finish of Double Wear but find it a bit too drying or heavy, than Double Wear Light will be your new obsession.

It comes in only 10 shades but if you are an online shopper like I am, it is much easier to make your selection than it is with the Double Wear.  I think the fact that it has such a narrow shade range makes it easier to find one that matches you.  Sometimes too many options can be confusing.

There are of course several ways to apply this, for me fingers is the worst way. I feel it just smears the product on and doesn't allow for an even application.  I tried with the amazing beauty blender and that works great but I am literally about to tell you about the brush version of the beauty blender.....I am so serious!!

Sephora Pro Airbush Blender #78

This brush has over 100,00 bristles.....it is so soft and allows for smooth, even application AND you can stipple it for targeted concentration on an area.  Think of how many beauty blenders you buy when they need to be replaced and you can justify the cost (at least that is how I did).  My foundation goes on like it is air brushed every time I use this brush.

So soft and lovely

The only negative is it takes a while to clean it and it also takes 2 days for it to dry completely but it is worth it if you want a photo shopped smooth face!  Click HERE to buy it and read even more reviews!!

I wore it this weekend and used the brush for application.

#nofilter loves

I think it looks amazing, it goes on light and doesn't make you feel like you are wearing makeup.  I am using Laura Merciers translucent setting powder for under my eyes and to set my face lately.  I am still on the fence about that powder, and am looking to try Bobbi Brown's pressed powder next.  Laura Mercier's powder sets my under eyes perfect and doesn't crease but I don't feel like it lasts all day and that is a problem with dark under eye circles like mine.

For reference, I am 1N2 Ecru, pale ivory beige with neutral undertones, for Double Wear.  That is why I selected Intensity 1.0 in Double Wear Light.

Currently Sephora is offering a primer, night serum and foundation brush for only $10.00 with purchase of either Double Wear Light or Double Wear! Click HERE to get that!  Otherwise, you can go to any department store counter and get a free 10 day sample of either!

Have you used Double Wear light before??  What are your thoughts on it??  How soon are you going to get this brush??

Let us know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!! xo

September 2014 Product Favs

September 2014 Product Favs

I knooooooow, I am a day late as I truly meant to post this yesterday so please forgive me.  Since I am a self proclaimed product junkie (okay who am I kidding, it is common knowledge), I thought each month I would tell you the stand out products that I have come across.  Both high end and drug store, for all walks of life.

From left to right, CoverGirl Cheekers, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, LA Splash eye shadow primer, Coastal Scents eye shadow quad and Oscar Blandi Texture & Volume Spray.

I love the blush because it is a powder color that lasts all day and still gives me that summery glow.

I just wrote my love letter about Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer (click on any of the links above for more information and prices).  It gives me great coverage but that "no makeup", airbrushed finish and chock full of good ingredients.  Plus it's affordable and lasts forever.  Well, until it's time to pitch it :)

LA Splash's primer is made for glittery shadows so that proves that it can withstand my normal day to day shadows.  My eye shadow lasts all day and never creases. It also helps intensify the color. Win Win.

The quad of shadows from Coastal Scents is from their Revealed palette.  The colors are highly pigmented and last all day, even without primer.  Getting them wet gives me four completely different shadow looks. These colors are perfect for this fall, too!

And lastly, the texture and volume spray from Oscar Blandi is great for freshly washed hair, but even on second day hair after my dry shampoo it looks I just had a blowout.  No sulfates and added keratin for strength.  Plus the texture my hair has makes me look like I should be going out and not to work.

So there ya have it!  My favorite products for September.  I think this is the shortest post I have written so far :)  Honestly I had to spend a few days narrowing them down because there are so many and for the October post, it is going to be even harder!

Have you tried any of these before? Are they already in your makeup bag?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day!

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Nude) Review

Thanks to being a member of Pop Sugar's Sample Squad, I was recently provided with a $43 full size Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.  Holy Crap, Batman!  I was so excited to receive this!  One it was full size and two it is a Laura Mercier product!  I recently came to love her products......I am sad to say it took me this long.

Actually, the first product I ever tried was from Sephora and it was a bronzing primer.  It gave me the perfect shimmery tan and was also a primer and I loved it.  Then I tried this product at a department store with my mama (different shade) and am using her highlighter on and off daily.  Ah.....so nice.

Okay, back to this product.  The color I received was nude.

Here is what it looks like, with and without flash.

(you can also tell that I have stopped going to the tanning bed....a decision that was very hard for me to make but I will be turning 34 in a few days and I am trying to slow down the aging process)

Let me start by saying that I was afraid this was going to be like a lotion with a tint.....albeit pricey, I have tried some products a bit pricey and they have given me no coverage at all.  But no, this is light coverage with SPF 20 in it.  It is thick, like foundation, not thin like a lotion.  "Nude" is actually described as a light beige for fair to light skin tones.  It gives off a bit of a dewy finish (sidebar, dewy always makes me think of the character in Scary Movie haha), so if you don't like that, use a powder finish like I did.  I used MakeUp Forever's HD Finish Powder.

I used a beauty blender to apply the product and here is what it looks like on me.  I also used Benefit's Porefessional as my primer.

Yeah, so pretty close to natural looking skin, right?? I am VERY pleased with the results. Plus, there is a blend of Vitamin C and E in this bad boy. The main goal of this makeup is to provide the "no makeup" makeup look and I think that it does that perfectly.

Have you tried this product before?  How do you apply it?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day!!

Old Faithful (My Top Go To Brands & Products)

Good morning!!

Yesterday my friend and I got to talking and she asked me if I had a list compiled of what I use and always go back to when making purchases.  Um.....can you believe I don't??  With all the subscriptions I have and all the things that I have tried, it is a great question!

I mean, hey, I love experimenting with different colors and textures but there are certain things that I have to have.  Ya know, if you could bring one thing on a deserted island....blah, blah, blah :)

The very first thing I put on my face is Murad's Oil Control Mattfier to prevent oil slicks on my face.

This truly is a miracle product for oily skin.  On the surface it reduces shine and underneath it controls breakouts.  Before using this I was using those oil blotting sheets several times a day and I haven't had to use one since!  Make sure you are patting this on your face, not rubbing it in, I find it is much more effective that way.

Next up is Benefit's POREFESSIONAL for my primer.

This fills in my pores that are the size of potholes and fine lines.  It provides a smooth canvas for makeup application and keeps my makeup from sliding off my face during the day.  It is flesh colored and can be used after makeup for touch ups but I have never needed to do that :) Some primers that I have tried are oily going on or tend to "ball up" on my face and this one has never let me down.  I also like to use Laura Mercier's Radiance Bronze Primer too if my skin is way too white in the winter.  I would put it on before my Porefessional.

Next up is my concealer, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye.

I have hereditary dark circles (thanks Mom!) and my trick to help keep them covered is to put my concealer on before my foundation.  That way I get double coverage and am able to blend them both together for a seamless finish.  Now, if I was up all night with my new puppy, which I have been lately, sometimes I may need a dab over my foundation too!  70% of women are Neutral Medium.  This is a cream concealer, not a liquid so a little goes a long way.  I use my IT Cosmetics Brush to dab it on, not rub it, for an airbrush like finish.

I did order Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclait Concealer from Sephora and it will be here today.  This is the Creme de la Creme of concealers and I really wanted to try it and review it for ya'll so that will be coming soon!  I have heard rumors of dupes out there so I wanted to do some testing myself. :)

Foundation......depends on the season and I am actually still trying to find the perfect summer one.  I just ordered Becca's Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation and will review that soon, too.  In the fall and winter I use Hourglass Immaculate Mattifying Oil Free Foundation and it is my favorite!  And currently I am using Jouer's Luminizing Moisture Tint (read review here).

For blush, I LOVE Benefit's Benetint.

It is both a cheek and lip stain and it works for both!  As a cheek stain, it gives me a sexy flush and lasts all day long!  3 swipes on the apples of my cheeks and I'm done! I would love a sample of Cha Cha Tint as I love coral colors too :)

Eyebrows....I tried a ton of products and keep going back to IT Cosmetics Universal Brow Power Pencil.

The biggest pro for me is the color.  It can be as light or as dark as I want but it is closest to the natural taupe color of my brows.  Plus for every one sold, IT Cosmetics will donate one to the Look Good, Feel Better Foundation for women fighting cancer, which is a subject very close to my heart.

Here is my makeup of the day today!!

I am wearing all of the above and Benefit's They're Real Push Up Gel Liner. This will be another go to product from here out.  Read my latest review on it, HERE!

For eyeshadow, I am wearing Covergirl Bombshell in Ice Queen as an eyelid primer and ELF's mineral eyeshadow in Smoldering. My lashes are wearing Benefit's They're Real Mascara.  I go back and forth between black and colored mascaras and honestly I have not had to buy mascara in ages because I have so many!

I am wearing my Laura Mercier Highlighter from my latest Sample Society box and Benefit's Hoola Bronzer.Lips are wearing Bella Pierre Vanilla Pink from one of my Glossyboxes.

So.....ya think I am the poster girl for Benefit or what??  They were truly the first brand I trusted and used when I started my makeup obsession and I will continue to love them.  The only product they have ever let me down on was the Boing concealer...but that is a topic for another day!

I would love to know what ya'll use as a setting powder for your makeup.  I am still looking for the "One".

Let me know in the comments below!!

Also, don't forget, we still have a HUGE giveaway going on until next week so enter on the Mudpipes & Glitter Facebook page's Giveaway tab or click HERE!

Have a great day!!