Revlon's Just Bitten

I've read a few reviews from fellow bloggers who've tried Revlon's lip stain called Just Bitten.  I usually use Benifit's lip stain, but since this drugstore version is a fraction of the price, I thought I'd give them a try.  

What I love about Revlon's lip stain is they come in a variety of colors (not just a red & a pastel pink shade like Benefit).  Revlon's version is also really easy to apply, with the tip of the stain resembling a marker you use to "draw" on the stain.  The other side of the pen is a balm to give the matte stain a little sheen.  

I love stains because you get the dramatic effect of color without the mess of a lipstick & they also tend to last a bit longer (I've worn Just Bitten a couple times in the last week & the stain seems to last a couple of hours before I had to reapply).   

 

I purchased Gothic (top) which teems to be a bright true red & Twilight (bottom) which is a darker red.  I absolutely love the color of Twilight & have worn it day & night & even to work.  It's definitely versatile & work appropriate.  

Wearing Twilight in the picture above.

xoxo Shauna 

Foundation Hunt

Prescriptives Custom Blend Foundation

So, i've basically used the same foundation since I started wearing make-up (lets just say forever ago).  I love love love Prescriptives skin products because they're completely customizable & designed for sensitive skin.  You make an appointment with a Prescriptives "Custom Blend" specialist, & they match your skin tone while you specify coverage (light, medium or full), finish (matte or dewy), iridescence (adds a shimmer to your foundation), skin type (oily, dry, normal or combination), SPF, etc. etc.   

You can imagine my HOROR when Prescriptives announced that they were going out of business & would no longer be offering their custom blend line.  My foundation, powder, blush, concealer, & bronzer are ALL Prescriptives so as my supply runs low, i'll be testing out different brands & products reporting on my new favorites.   

The first product needing replacement was my Perscriptives Custom Blend Foundation.  I still have almost a half a bottle left, but since my skin hasn't seen sunlight in a while, it was necessary for me to get a new "winter" foundation.  

MAC Mineralize Foundation

The first foundation that I decided to try was MAC's new mineral line.  In the past, I've steered clear of MAC face make-up (although their eyeshadows are the best hands down) because they were full of oil & pore-clogging ingredients.  Their new mineral line is oil-free & more natural so this seemed like a good pick.  

The first thing that threw me off about this foundation was the smell.  I guess it's the minerals in the foundation, but I was put off by it.  The coverage was on the light side, and seemed a little too liquidy for my liking.   One of my requirements of face make-up is lastability because I work long hours & need my makeup to stay put.  By 5 o'clock, my make-up seemed non-exsistant.  

On to the next pick… 

Revlon Photo Ready Foundation

Revlon Photo Ready Foundation has been getting a lot of hype lately, so I thought i'd give it a try.  The price is A LOT less for drugstore make-up, so why not, right?  

One plus to this foundation is that there are a ton of shades to choose from, but the minus is that you can't try them on in the store.  Matching was kind of a guessing game & I definitely went a little too dark with my pick.  Not starting off good.  I also didn't really like how this foundation blended with my primer & bronzer.  My bronzer seemed a bit splotchy on top of the Revlon Foundation.  Also, again by 5 o'clock, my make-up was non-exsistant.  

Ugh.  Next pick… 

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Next, I tried Laura Mercier Sick Creme Foundation.  The guy at the counter recommended this option for me because I like a matte, fuller coverage look.  I absolutely loved how natural yet silky my skin looked when he applied it at the counter.  The test was how this puppy held up throughout the day and how it looked when I applied it at home with my other skincare products…

This foundation lasts all day & keeps my skin looking shine-free.  It doesn't make me brake-out & blends really well with my brozer & blush.  It also matches my skin-tone perfectly!  

Winner.  

Prescriptives Custom Blend Loose Powder

Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer

Some key products to help your make-up last longer & stay shine free is a setting loose powder (still using my Prescriptives Custom Blend) & a good foundation primer.  I use Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer (the light is oil free).  The Smashbox primer glides on super smooth & makes my skin super soft.  

xoxo Shauna