Diorskin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer

Student: "Miss Mocklin, what's the gray stuff under your eyes?" 
Me: *running to the mirror "That's called bags... you'll get them when you're older!"

Wow, bags under your eyes stink!  I used Clinique's concealer and the color was consistently too dark or too light.  Ever see pics of chicks with too light concealer? I love it! Anyway I had to divorce Clinique. Then I tried Sephora, which really in a nutshell I wouldn't recommend their products unless you're on a budget. Even then, I'd consider the oldest profession before putting their products on my face! So after Sephora's concealer (in two forms), I went to Smashbox, which like I said before - made me yellow.  So my favorite sales lady at Sephora tried many many different kinds of concealer on me, and this is the only one super strength enough to hide the "gray stuff" under my eyes.  I love it!  It's not cheap, but it's lasted me a long time. I don't even remember when I purchased it. She also told me my technique was WRONG! I was using like ring finger like I've always been told, and sometimes I used a small foundation brush.  Well, the best way to apply concealer, wedge sponge! I have never tried anything else since then. I also use this concealer on creases near my nose (saw a makeup artist do it), and on my sun spot (which is disappearing - thank you skin bleach) So to wrap this up... Dior concealer - I'm sold!

9 out of 10

Info from Sephora:

What it is:A concealer that provides the ultimate coverage by hiding skin imperfections and creating a flawless canvas.

What it does:
Smooth and velvety, this intensively moisturizing concealer has unique treatment properties to help minimize the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.

What else you need to know:
Advancing mineral makeup technology, this formula blends 100% natural, mineral pigments with Dior's exclusive active mineralized water for flawless, glowing skin that actually improves over time.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation

For the longest time I was using Clinique foundation.  Although I was satisfied, I knew there must be more out there for my red and oily face.  I then switched over to Smashbox and although the products are good, I never could find a good color match for my face. I always looked yellow.  After doing some research for oily skin I ran across this product.  The reviews were great and just what I needed. The mat finish which is awesome for my oily skin, and great for my redness. (I don't have rosacea, just my Irish shines through) Anyway, I applied this product to half of my face, and I truly felt like my face had turned into a magazine ad. The full coverage hid my redness and covered so well, I looked like for once I had near flawless skin.  Well needless to say I purchased this item and have been using it for almost a yr.  I still wear my Clinique to work sometimes, but I'm always much oilier and unsatisfied at the end of the day.  If your skin is like mine, you won't be sorry!

10 out of 10

Info from Sephora:


What it is:


A shine controlling, oil-free, water-resistant, complete coverage liquid foundation.


What it is formulated to:


Hides imperfections, evens out skin tone, and mattifies with a non-oily, perfectly powdered finish. The result is flawless and lasts for hours.


What else you need to know:


Although this foundation provides full coverage, the end result is completely adjustable to fit your needs - a little goes a long way.

LORAC Colour Me Couture Palette

I recently was wondering around Sephora, looking for perhaps some new eyeshadow.  (not that I need eyeshadow in the least bit)  Well I asked one of the salespeople, (who never steers me wrong) about Lorac.  She told me they were better than Urban Decay.  Now to me, that's almost blasphemy.  Can there be any other eyeshadow better than Urban Decay?  And all you MAC lovers don't even know what's up until you've tried UD! Well I proceeded to put a primer on the back of my hand to get the full effect of the shadow, and the saleslady told me THAT was not even necessary with Lorac eyeshadows.  Well I tried various palettes on the back of both hands, primed and not primed... and I was in LOVE! Now, I wouldn't go as far as saying better than UD. Urban Decay is my first love when it comes to eyeshadow! Anyway, the Lorac shadows are amazing!  And the palettes really aren't that expensive. (same price I've been spending on palettes. I especially like the color choices of the palettes.  FALL COLORS!  Fall is my favorite season, and fall colors look great on my because of my blond hair and green eyes. 

Ok, so I went on ebay yo purchase the palette.  Times are rough, and b/t gas to get to Sephora and paying full price, buying the LORAC eyeshadow - well, I'd starve.  JK.  No, I found it on ebay for about $10 less, brand new out of the packet. I did sacrifice my Beauty Insider points.. and I'm not that far from the 500 point gift... yes again.  Last year they boo boo'd and gave it to me 3 times. I was honest and told them I only earned it once. I surely didn't spend $1500 at Sephora last year! Ok I'm babbling... I recieved the palette and the first thing I noticed were the brushes.  OMG the brushes are fabulous!  One side is a small rounded brush good for blending and the other is a wide bristle for all over.  The texture is soft and the quality is top notch! Well I applied the eyeshadow today... Now it doesn't have the shimmer of SMOG (the brown), it's more of a matte, but it rocks!  I can't wait to buy more LORAC eyeshadow! I'm not deserting UD by any means, but now I have more to choose from!

10 out of 10


Info from Sephora:


What it is:


A shimmering eyeshadow palette that features five complimentary shades.


What it does:


LORAC Color Me Couture captures the spotlight this season with glamour, elegance, and classic beauty. Five pearlescent eyeshadows of neutrals and golds and a black sparkle shadow allow you to create your own Red Carpet couture look and shine like a star. The shadows are infused with pure Mother of Pearl to emphasize each shade's color and intensity, capturing the light and giving a luxurious pearl essence to the lids. All eyes will be on you with LORAC!


This set contains:


- Enlighten (shimmering creamy pearl)
- Style (shimmering gold pearl)
- Luxe (shimmering bronze pearl)
- Jade (shimmering olive green with gold pearl)
- Designer (shimmering black with gold pearl)

Smashbox Complexion Perfection

What first prompted me to try Smashbox was their Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer, which is amazing! I did some research on their foundation, concealer, and powder and decided to give it a whirl. I went to Sephora just to check it out, and tried it on. Low and behold - ran into a friend (RF) who complimented and asked me what I had done differently to my skin. Well, if that was the reaction, then I had to get it! So I did, after pay day. Let me tell you what I love and don't love. Now mind you, I bought the sampler kit, which comes in only 4 colors. I bought the light color. I maybe should have bought fair.

High Definition Foundation - I really like this foundation. I think it has great coverage and leaves my skin looking great! (minus my truck sized pores)

High Definition Concealer - I really like this concealer as well. Although it has great coverage,it's just a little too liquidy for me.

Photo Finish Foundation Powder - This stuff is absolutely amazing! I mix this with the color corrector primer and my face feels like velvet. You will not regret buying this, even if you do just separately.

Halo to-go Hydrating Perfection Powder - I really like this powder. I'm still looking for better, but it's the best I've found yet!

Love,
Robin Bird

8 out 10!

Kat Von D - True Romance Palette - Ludwig

When I bought this palette, I was really looking to get a Laura Luke palette, but was unimpressed. I love, love, love this palette!!! The black and brown are matte, so I can tell you right off the bat, I don't use them often. I don't do matte eyeshadow. The others are great, and perfect for those natural days. Way to go Kat Von D! I can't wait to get more palettes!!!

Palette:

- Lucifer (matte charcoal black)
- Orbi (golden green shimmer)
- Dimebag (metallic lime green)
- Clay (beige with gold glitter)
- Tequila (metallic cornsilk shimmer)
- Downtown (metallic light copper shimmer)
- Baroque (golden bronze shimmer)
- Leather (deep chocolate brown sheen)
- Two double-ended applicator brushes

7 out of 10!

Sephora - Eyeshadow, gloss, blush, bronzer palette

I bought this palette because I was awed by such a great deal. ($23) Now first with the blush. I like that it has three colors of blush. Most of the time I use a dusty rose color (all purpose). But in the fall and in the evenings I use a little bit different shades. So yes, I mix a bit with these three colors. BTW - I'm out! The bronzer is a good bronzer. It's not too orangy, and looks natural. Now am I going to seek out buying more bronzer and blush from Sephora, odds are - no. The glosses I have not used. Reason? The shadow, blush and bronzer have made their way into the glosses, which is gross. Why they put glosses in this palette is beyond me. A palette with 36 eyeshadow, 3 blushes, and a bronzer and they thought no powder would make their way to the glosses!? Ok so eyeshadows. If this was the only eyeshadow palette that I owned, I might be in love with it, but I'm not. I'd much rather use other brands, even Loreal from the grocery. The shadows are matte, which I hate, and are not concentrated my any means. If you like a light dusting of eyeshadow, this may actually be for you. I like concentrated, even when I'm going natural. One pro about Sephora shadows, they do not crease!

Love,
Robin Bird

Eyeshadows - 4 out of 10
Lip Gloss - NA
Bronzer - 6 out 10
Blush - 6 out of 10

MAC - Paints

One of the most important tips I've ever received in applying make-up is to have a good primer on my lids before eyeshadow application. Now let's be honest - eyes are very important, next to a flawless complexion! Although many, and I do mean many people swear by the Urban Decay Primer Potion, I use MAC paints - bare canvas. It does come in a very small tube, ($17) but I promise it will last forever if used properly. I have one in skin tone - bare canvas, and one in a light gold. (can't remember the color) I love them and swear by them!!!

10 out 10!!!