Essence Match 2 Cover! Cream Concealer: Essentially A Disappointment

I have been exploring the drugstore more lately, especially Essence products.  I am a huge fan of their Silky Touch Blushes and their I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base, so when I saw this little cream concealer duo I was intrigued.  I usually use the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque, so when I picked this up I was hoping this would be a much cheaper alternative because of the slightly pink toned concealer on the right.  

One downside of the Essence Match 2 Cover Concealer that I noticed right away was that it only comes in one shade.  Now, I understand that you are supposed to be able to mix these two colors to find the appropriate match for your skin tone but anyone with a deeper skin tone is just out of luck!  

The texture of these two concealers is definitely creamy, but not too emollient that it will slide right off of your face.  When I applied the lighter, more salmon-colored shade to my dark under-eye circles I immediately noticed two things:  First, the product was way too light on its own and actually accentuated my dark circles; Second, it did not blend in easily and I felt like I had to really tug at the skin under my eyes to get it to blend (which I hate doing!).  

Since the shade was way too light, I went to the darker shade and applied it over the lighter concealer, attempting to match my skin tone and salvage the amplified dark circles that were haunting my face.  The darker shade helped even out the color, but I could still see my dark circles even through the two layers of concealer (and I had gotten 8 hours of sleep, so they weren't even that bad).  

I walked away to grab a cup of coffee and when I came back I was shocked that the concealer had already creased.  I smoothed out the crease with my finger and immediately set it with a translucent powder.  

Around 12 p.m. (I applied my makeup at 8:30 a.m.) I checked my makeup in the mirror and my concealer had almost completely broken down and was creasing like crazy!  I smoothed it out with my finger once again to try and remedy the situation.  It looked cakey and horrible.  When I got home from class at around 4 o'clock I checked my face again, and the concealer had all but disappeared.

Overall, I will definitely not repurchase this concealer, nor will I ever use it again for under my eyes.  Perhaps this will work on the face to cover up blemishes, but I do NOT recommend it for under your eyes.  Let me know if any of y'all have tried this concealer and what you think of it/how you apply it if it works for you.  I wish I had liked this concealer more, but I think for now I will just stick to my Bobbi Brown Corrector.

+Taylor Rae

My Friday Face

One of my favorite things about having a slightly obsessive amount of makeup is the chance to go shopping in my own vanity drawer every morning.  Now, as a full-time college student, I don't always have the luxury of taking my time to carefully select products -- so when I do get the chance, I cherish it.  I decided to treat myself today and indulge in a little makeup therapy, and here is what I came up with...

I wanted to have a more dewy, radiant complexion today so I started out with the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer, which I have been LOVING recently.  It gives my skin a healthy glow without looking glittery or over-the-top.

For foundation, I used the Make Up Forever HD Foundation with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush.  This foundation looks so incredible when you really take the time to blend it into your skin, and the lasting power is pretty good considering there are no "long-lasting" claims.

Luckily I only had to use my Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque today because instead of the usual 3-4 hours of sleep I was able to grab a decent 6 hours!  It really is incredible the difference a few hours of sleep can make when it comes to dark under-eye circles.  If you are normally sleep-deprived like I am, however, this corrector is a lifesaver.  The pinky or peachy tones of the product (depending on which shade suits your skin) cancel out any blue/purple tones under your eyes.

For my cheeks I used the Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel to add a bit of warmth and definition, NARS Orgasm Blush on the apples of my cheeks for that perfect peachy-pink glow, and the NARS Multiple in Copacabana as a highlight on the tops of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, on the brow bone and in the inner corners of my eyes.  I have been neglecting my NARS multiple for a few months now, and after today I cannot figure out why!  I rub my finger on the product and dab it lightly in the places where I want to highlight and it creates the most radiant, but still very natural, glow to your skin.  Sometimes I find that highlighters can go a bit too far with the shimmer, but this highlighter has the most beautiful sheen.

I wanted to keep my eyes relatively simple, while still adding a bit of depth and a wash of color.  I chose to use MAC Soft Brown eyeshadow in my crease with a fluffy blending brush to define my eyes a bit more, and MAC Patina eyeshadow blended softly over the lid.  I then used the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Eye Kohl in Nude on my bottom waterline to open up my eyes a bit more and brighten up my face.  After a quick eyelash curl, I piled on my go-to volumizing mascara - the Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara.  For anyone who is not familiar with this mascara already, RUN to your nearest Walgreens and pick one up!  I actually find myself choosing this $2.99 mascara over some of the $25-$30 mascaras that I own because it doesn't flake, doesn't smudge under my eyes (huge pet peeve of mine!), and is extremely black.  Then, to finish off my eye look, I grabbed my favorite quick brow product, the Tom Ford Brow Sculptor in the shade Chestnut.  The price is a bit ghastly ($42.00 eek!) but, in my opinion, COMPLETELY worth the splurge if you are in the market for a high end brow pencil.  The brow product itself is more of a waxy texture, so even on really hot days, the product doesn't budge.  On top of which, it is extremely easy to apply and comes with a little spool at the opposite end of the pencil to brush through your brows.

To complete my look, I dabbed on a bit of the Korres Lip Butter in Quince.  These lip butters are incredibly creamy and hydrating, with a really nice tint to them -- a quick, no hassle lip product that gives your lips that perfect bee-stung color.

I hope you guys enjoyed jumping into my brain for a few minutes and following my thought process behind today's makeup.  Let me know if you guys have tried any of these products, or if you have any suggestions for products I should investigate in the future!  Have a lovely weekend!

x Taylor

Wantworthy Wednesday: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

One perk of being obsessed with the beauty industry is that you are always aware of the best products on the market, one downfall of being obsessed with the beauty industry is that you are always aware of the best products on the market -- it's a catch 22.  While there are countless dupes for those lust-worthy products, sometimes there isn't a comparable subsititution for the real thing which can be frustrating.

One of the products I have been dying to get my hands on is the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm, mainly because Caroline Hirons raves about it and she is THE skincare authority in my (and most other beauty bloggers') opinion.  Unfortunately, it is a little more difficult to get ahold of in the US, and if you can find it, it is a whopping $55.36 for 3.4 oz of product.  Though I was ready to take the plunge and order it online, I was hoping that there would be a more accessible, and possibly cheaper, alternative to this cult product.

Well, my beauty prayers have been answered!  I recently saw a fellow blogger named Michelle (beautylifemichelle.blogspot.com.au) talk about a new Clinique cleansing balm on her Instagram that had been approved by Caroline Hirons.  WHAT?!  I was immediately intrigued.  So I immediately went to Caroline Hirons' instagram and found her original post about the product where she said:
"I think I'm in love.  Far be it from me to speak too soon but: fragrance free, mineral oil free, doesn't emulsify into a milk that stings the eyes, takes all eye MU off, washes clean with facecloth.  It might be genius.  No fluff, no stupid claims - just literally takes the day off.  Well whatddya know."

I did a little more research and the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm  is $28.50 for 3.8 oz of product, which is considerably less for slightly more product (compared to the Emma Hardie one).  I'm not saying this is by any means meant to be compared to the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm as far as the actual product is concerned, but if you are looking for a cleansing balm then the Clinique one is slightly more accessible and slightly less expensive.

Now, some of you may be wondering why I am hammering on about a cleansing balm.  Why use a balm as opposed to a typical foaming cleanser or cleansing water?  Caroline Hirons, who I defer to in all skincare matters, talks about how it is her preferred method of cleansing because it forces you to use water when cleaning your face and is excellent at removing every trace of makeup and dirt at the end of the day, as well as massaging your skin while cleansing.  A cleansing water (such as Bioderma) is not particularly good for your skin, and doesn't really remove everything from your face.  She also discusses how foaming cleansers are TERRIBLE for your skin and can severely dry out your skin.  Obviously I am not an expert in skincare, but she is, so if you care to check out her blog I URGE you to -- she has changed my outlook on skincare completely.

I am more than excited to try this product and will definitely keep you all posted. If anyone has any thoughts on it please comment down below and a huge thank you to Michelle of beautylifemichelle for instagramming a picture of this product!  If it wasn't 5:15 a.m. here in Alabama I would already be at the Clinique counter, but I guess I will have to wait until 10 o'clock.  Oh, the struggles in the life of a beauty addict!

British Invasion! Rimmel Lip Lacquers Have Arrived!

For months I have been drooling over the gorgeous swatches and YouTube videos featuring the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers from our friends across the pond, hoping that I too could one day get my hands on them in the US.  Alas! The day has come!  The minute I saw a drugstore haul video on YouTube featuring the new Rimmel lip products (called the Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquers in the states) I bolted out the door and headed for my local Walgreens.  If i'm being honest, I actually headed to three of my local Walgreens in search of these lust-worthy liquid lipsticks.

Just as my hope was dwindling, assuming that Tuscaloosa, Alabama had not yet had the pleasure of receiving these galactic lip products, I walked into the third Walgreens and there they were.  All 14 colors sitting neatly on a shelf at the front of the store, awaiting my greedy hands and colorless lips.  Though I was tempted to buy every single one, I ended up leaving with only four -- Luna, Nova, Stellar, and Big Bang.

The pigmentation of these lip lacquers is INCREDIBLE.  One swipe and you're good to go.  But, don't be fooled by its lipgloss-like appearance -- these vials of lip quenching joy cannot be applied without a mirror because they are so intensely pigmented.  I made that mistake when I left the drugstore as I slapped it on my lips without looking (obviously overeager about my new purchase) and I ended up looking more like a clown than a beauty enthusiast.

Here are the swatches of all four colors.  (Top to bottom: Big Bang,  Stellar, Nova, and Luna)

Another positive note to add to this already glowing review is how practical the applicator is.  This is not your typical doe-foot applicator, it is as if the YSL Glossy Stain applicator and a standard lipgloss applicator had a baby -- a wonderfully useful baby.  There is a substantial dip in the applicator, which collects the perfect amount of product so you don't have to keep returning to the tube for more color.  Genius!

It is safe to say that I am a huge fan of the Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquers and I look forward to trying the rest of the colors.  And yes, when I say the rest I am not exaggerating.  When you really like something you want more right?  AT&T commercial anyone?  

Thank you for reading this post (especially if you have managed to wade through my rambling all the way to this sentence) and I will see you all again shortly! 

+Taylor Rae

And just because I like to overdo it, here are a few more swatches...

'

Luna

Nova

Stellar

Big Bang

Bronze Summer Makeup Look

This entire summer I have been favoring a more bronzed, glowing look (how original for the summertime eh?) and I thought I would share this look that I have been loving with all of you!

I started out with the L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation, which does give you a dewy finish, so if you are oily just make sure to powder afterwards.  The foundation itself isn't as long wearing as some of my other foundations but it is a gorgeous product nonetheless.

Under my eyes I used the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque which has been a staple in my makeup bag since December.  What did I ever do before I discovered this product?! As someone who is a bit of an insomniac, this salmon-toned concealer is essential for masking those pesky dark under-eye circles since it cancels out the blue/purple tones.  I then added just a little more brightness with MAC's Prep and Prime Highlighter in Light Boost.  This product is a soft, pale yellow and is especially handy when creating a really full-on contoured/highlighted look a la Kim Kardashian.

For the eyes, I kept it relatively simple by using MAC's Paint Pot in Indianwood (quite similar to the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze) with the MAC Eyeshadow Woodwinked on top of it.  I chose to use Woodwinked for this look because it is one of those shadows that, once you begin blending it, turns into a completely different shade -- giving the illusion that you spent much more time on your eyeshadow than your schedule allows.

Since this is a more glowy look, I highlighted under my brow bone with MAC's Shroom and used MAC's Nylon on the inner corner of my eyes.  I followed these products with heaps of Maybelline's The Falsies Flared Mascara and lined my inner rim with another holy grail product of mine: the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Pencil in Nude.  This makes a HUGE difference and really helps open up the eyes (another life-saver when you are a night owl like myself).

For the cheeks, I used the Chanel Soleil de Tan Bronze Universal cream bronzer to add more warmth to the face and fake that sun-kissed summer glow that we all want, followed by a bit of contouring using Benefit's Hoola Bronzer.  On my cheeks I am wearing MAC's Peaches Blush and NARS Albatross as a highlight on the tops of the cheekbones.

For the lips I decided to go with a peachy nude, Rimmel's Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight, followed by a touch of MAC's Sushi Kiss (LE) Lipstick.

Hope you all enjoy this tutorial! Have a lovely weekend!

xo Taylor

Josie Maran Argan Oil Review

I have been searching for the perfect moisturizer for the past few months, scouring the aisles of the drugstore and raiding the department store counters -- desperate to get my hands on some kind of magical elixir to change my skin.  Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to say that I have found it!

It is no secret that bloggers and skincare fanatics alike have been raving about the Josie Maran Argan Oil, and I can now understand the hype.  I was skeptical to jump on the band wagon at first because the idea of putting oil on my face seemed a bit contradictory to everything I thought I knew about skincare, but I took the plunge.

The oil itself is lightweight, and feels delicious on the skin.  Yes, delicious.  The first time you put it on your face you can feel the moisture immediately returning to your skin.  I use it during my morning and evening skincare routine, usually putting on significantly more at night, although it does wear well under makeup, because I enjoy knowing that while I am sleeping my skin will be soaking up as much moisture as possible.

Now, I do have normal-to-dry skin, but those of you with oily skin, don't panic just yet! I was curious about how the oil reacted with more oily skin types, so I asked one of my friends to try it on her skin for a week and let me know what she thought about how it affected the oil production on her face throughout the day.  Her verdict? She loved it! She did not notice any excess oil on her skin and said her skin hasn't felt that soft in years.

As for my verdict?
Get your hands on the Josie Maran Argan Oil as quickly as possible!