Thursday, May 28, 2015

Flawless Foundation...Drugstore Buys

For years I pretty much stuck with the same foundation. Occasionally I used a powder compact, but that was the extent of my face makeup. I was introduced to primer a few years ago, and added that to my beauty routine occasionally, but it has only been the past few months that I have radically altered my face makeup routine. I will post about high end makeup at times, but for now I’m going to focus on affordable, or “drugstore” products.

 Primer is a MUST HAVE. Not only does primer improve the look of your makeup, it lasts so much longer when you take the time to apply a primer. Sometimes I forget and I can totally tell the
difference. I have used probably 4 or 5 different primers at this point, and my favorite primer is…..Vagisil Chafing Relief Powder Gel. No, I have not lost my mind. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is the first primer I ever tried and I loved it, but at $36 per ounce, this was way out of my price range. I tried a few cheaper primers, but never got the same results. A friend introduced me to this gel and guess what? It is the same as the Smashbox Primer, but at $4.98 for 1.5oz it’s a little more budget friendly. I know it sounds crazy, but I swear I get the same results using this as I do with the Smashbox primer.



 CC Cream, BB cream, Tinted Moisturizer, whatever you want to call it! I have yet to really figure out what the difference is between these three products; they all seem to serve the same basic
purpose. E.L.F. has a tinted moisturizer for $3 and I’ve been pretty happy with that. I’ve also used the Covergirl BB Cream and I’m not a huge fan of the way it feels on my skin, I definitely prefer the E.L.F. Most of these have an SPF in them, which is why I use them and they help even out your skin tone before you apply your foundation. This is definitely one area in why I’m seriously lacking knowledge; hopefully I can try some more in the near future and update you all on my thoughts!

 I used Covergirl Foundation for years. I think I will always have some loyalty to Cover Girl, but unfortunately they’ve been replaced as my go to Foundation. Disclaimer: I’m cheap, like super cheap. Like when I was going to “upgrade” my foundation I think it physically hurt me to spend $12 on foundation. But it was well worth it. I did a TON of research on Foundations before I made my final choice. I bought the L’oreal True Match Lumi Health Luminous Makeup SPF 20. This has become my go to foundation and I will be replacing it once I run out. I prefer full coverage foundation and this seems to be the best one I’ve tried yet. I like the way it feels going on, it blends well, and it comes in 15 different shades so it isn’t too hard to find a match. I love the pump bottle, I definitely feel like I use less product with this style bottle. I’m going to give you a quick overview of other foundations I own and my thoughts as well.

 Cover Girl Clean Makeup -
This was my go to foundation for years, and I still use it occasionally but it does not blend as well as the L’oreal does. I also have to be really careful or I end up with awful makeup lines on my face. My face is constantly changing colors, and so a makeup that is a little versatile when it comes to shades is a must for me, and this just doesn’t always cut it. I also feel like I waste a ton of product with this bottle.

 Covergirl Tru Blend -
I don’t know if I don’t like this product because I bought the wrong shade, but even when I’ve mixed it with a dark color I just haven’t been thrilled with the results. I don’t feel like it stays on very well and I didn’t really like the coverage it gave. If you like a lighter coverage, you may like this product. 

Loreal True Match-
This is really close to the Loreal Lumi, but I’m not a fan of the bottle, I feel like I waste more product than necessary. It does good decent coverage, but the Lumi definitely looks better and lasts longer, so if I were to choose, it would definitely be the Lumi.

 Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid-
I actually got this as a freight store on the cheap so I paid significantly less than typical drugstore prices, and I still kind of want my money back. I don’t think there’s anything I really like about this product. It has a weird dropper thing that’s a pain to use. It’s super liquidy and I don’t like that at all. The coverage wasn’t great and you use way too much product.

 No joke, I didn’t know until recently that you should apply concealer AFTER foundation. I use the E.L.F Essential Perfect Blend Concealer which I’m pretty sure I paid $1 for at my local Hyvee and I love it. I’ve never had the desire to look into other concealers because I’m so happy with this one.
E.LF. Concealer and Pressed Powder

 You should ALWAYS set your foundation with powder. It’s going to hold your makeup longer and it will look better. I’ve only really used three powders, but I’ll give you my thoughts on all three. Covergirl CG smoothers pressed powder. I don’t know why but I love the way this powder smells. I’ve always been super happy with this powder and it’s a go to product for me. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder is great too! This is really great for oily skin. I get oily skin around that time of the month, and will use this to keep from looking like a grease ball. I’ve also used the E.L.F. essential flawless face powder and it’s not one of my favorite E.L.F. products. I don’t feel like it blends very well and the color choices are either super light or super dark.


 The next step would be contouring and blush, but that will be its very own post! Once you have applied your contour and blush, there’s one final step that I’ve discovered is hugely important in
keeping your makeup looking awesome all day long! You need a “setting powder” I use the E.L.F High definition powder in the translucent and I love it. It just gives your makeup a finished look and helps it last longer.

 I’m always on the lookout for new, inexpensive face products to try, so if you have any suggestions on what I should try next, leave me a note in the comments! What are your go-to face products?

8 comments:

  1. These are some helpful tips! I also like knowing about inexpensive face products. I am pinning this.

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  2. I'm all over inexpensive beauty products but they have to be quality as well. I've never heard of the Monistat as a primer thing! I will have to compare ingredients and consider using it.

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  3. The one thing I don't mind splurging on is my primer and foundation. I've been using MAC for years and I love the finish it gives me. At $28 and $36 a pop respectively, yes it's a little pricey but a little goes a long way. Not only that, I've tried over the counter foundations and could not achieve the same results or match my tone perfectly.

    I do love Rimmel's eye liner and mascara and L'Oreal has awesome eye shadow paletes.

    Great post. I can't wait to read the one on cotouring :).

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  4. Chafing Cream?? Seriously?? That's such a neat tip! I used primer for the 1st time a few months ago & love it. You really can tell a difference when you don't use it.

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  5. I'm bad with using makeup, so I only use it once every couple of months, and I tend to use BB cream as...concealer. haha. I love how inexpensive ELF products are + that a lot of them actually work despite the price! :] (I used to use that concealer too!)

    Thanks for sharing that beauty hack too! I never thought it could be used for primer! :P

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  6. I've been looking for a new drugstore foundation; so thanks for the recommendation! I will definitely check out the L'Oreal!

    xo, Chelsie @ Life with Rosie

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  7. I just found my new favorite beauty blogger! Amy body who will admit they use vagisil on their face has my trust. My primer costs too much. Looking forward to trying this!

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  8. I just found my new favorite beauty blogger! Amy body who will admit they use vagisil on their face has my trust. My primer costs too much. Looking forward to trying this!

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