Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer Review

Calling myself a fan of concealer would be an understatement. I love a great concealer that covers crazy dark circles and a surprise zit with ease, if it highlights as well - I'm in!

The YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch product seems to be the best highlighting concealer on the market. I've had a couple Sephora samples but it's hard for me to truly test a product with such a small sample. I'm also too budget-conscious to splurge and buy the YSL product.

While trying to find a drugstore version I came across Maybelline's highlighting concealer. The price point varies but is around $6 at a drugstore. Online reviews raved about it and I had to try it. Apparently my mom even had to try it too! And since we're so much alike we both had the same feeling - underwhelmed.

I had to use a good amount of my loyal standby Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer to assist the dream lumi touch to fully cover my dark circles. The formula is a thick consistency and didn't pack enough punch to really do its job of concealing. Even with a good base of concealer underneath, I didn't feel this product diffused my dark circles.

I thought it might be a better highlighter than concealer, but I like more of a shimmer to give a good effect (like for strobing). So when used to highlight my brows it looked like sheer concealer and not a highlighter. The product has a built-in brush, similar to some lip glosses and the LA Girl FX concealer, which I like since it's easier to apply. But this product makes it difficult to get a small bit of the concealer without leaving the brush with extra product. I hate wasting makeup so this is a bummer for me. 

Overall I don't recommend this product :( It simply doesn't do what is promised and other products work much better, but for a little more money. I love the Bare Minerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener. It really helps conceal while diffusing dark circles and is half the price of the YSL version (is only $22). For me, it's highlighting effect has yet to be seen. It doesn't stand alone as a great concealer either so I would look to try a different product than this one.

-J.

Mac Pro Longwear Concealer Review

Right when I opened this product the smell took me back to my high school days when I exclusively used MAC face products. My go-to was the StudioFix Powder Foundation. I layered that stuff on until my mom persuaded me to try something else (I was not applying it correctly or in a shade that resembles my skin tone). I really haven’t used MAC in years with the exception of the eye shadows I’ve accumulated over time. Everyone still has Nylon, right?!

I have been on a quest for a few months to find the perfect concealer for my dark under-eye circles. I’m starting with drugstore concealers first so I don’t spend too much money on concealers I don’t like or aren’t what I’m looking for. So I was enticed back to trying the Pro Longwear Concealer thanks to one of my favorite beauty bloggers, Lauren Curtis. It gives her such a flawless complexion and blends in really well.

Compared to the drugstore products I’ve tried, I only need a fraction of the amount of MAC concealer to cover under my eyes. I’ve been using LA Girl Pro Concealer but felt I needed a lot of product and still touched it up with my Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. That is not the case with this product since a small amount covers so well. This concealer will cost you $21, which I at first was uncomfortable with. My rule is usually to splurge on things I plan on using often but not a lot of so it lasts longer (Boscia BB Cream, NARS powder compact), and spend less on things I use a lot of everyday (L’Oreal foundation, LA Girl concealer, Maybelline mascara, etc.).

I think this concealer gives great coverage and blends well into my foundation. The consistency isn't too thick so it's easy to apply and spread, especially with a damp sponge. I think for dark, dark circles I'll rely on a bit of my Secret Camouflage but it definitely covers blemishes with ease. A lot goes a long way which I love, I hate when my under-eye looks cakey. Since I don’t need a lot of this concealer I will definitely use for a long time. Until I’m ready to purchase another kind…

-J.

Laura Mercier Metallic Crème Eye Colour Review

I cannot say enough good things about this cream eye shadow. This was another Sephora sample that I tried and instantly loved. So far I've only used the shade 'Gold' because it's super versatile. I can use a little bit alone for a simple look at work or I can layer it with powder shadows for a custom high-pigmented look. 

There are seven shades available, I'm looking to try Platinum for a pale peach shimmer and Alloy because I will always use a taupe eye color. I previously would hit up my local Sephora to purchase but it looks like I'll have to visit LauraMercier.com, Nordstrom or Saks Fifth Avenue. The regular size will cost you $24 but will last long enough to make that price worth it. It took me a year using a couple dabs almost daily of the sample until I ran out. The sample lasted that long, so imagine the regular size.

I'm a huge fan of Laura Mercier make up products. My mission is to try the entire line but as much as I'd love to - I have rent to pay. So one day...

I definitely recommend this cream shadow if you are looking for a long-lasting product that won't crease, is easily blendable, versatile and leaves you with a shimmering sheen.

-J. 

Boscia BB Cream Review

My caboodle runneth over... The holy grail BB cream

I recently purchased the Boscia BB cream after trying a free sample from Sephora. I really liked it and I've been in the market for a BB cream to simplify my morning routine during the week. The sample was great, but as someone that really prefers more medium to full coverage I was hesitant to purchase a quality BB cream. The Boscia BB cream will set you back $38 but it's well worth it. I'm always wary to trust makeup packaging but this BB cream said it will adjust to your skin tone and I believe it does. There is a lighter version for those with fair skin tones and a regular/medium shade version, and I like a tanner face to match my fake tan so I went with the regular version.

I was really impressed when I first applied a nickel sized amount to half of my face(told ya I like full coverage) and it covered really well! It's also build-able so you can have fuller coverage but it still feels light and doesn't feel like you're wearing foundation (which is a total plus!). As a lady with freckles, blemishes and uneven skin tone, BB creams make me nervous. I was worried it would be too sheer and would not match my skin tone or even out my complexion. But the Bosciabb cream delivers. Like Dominos. If Dominos cared about your face. It's one of Sephora's top BB creams which led me to pull the trigger and purchase it.

Boscia's BB definitely puts other BB creams I've tried before to shame  (Revlon and Covergirl) . Those always looked off. The available colors aren't in a wide enough range so I always looked orange. Which is a fear of mine since I don't want to go back to my orange  days in high school/early college (please tell me we've all been there).

So if you're in the market for a BB cream and you're willing to spend $38 - I highly recommend the Boscia BB cream. I think it's definitely going be part of my daily routine and will see how my complexion and skintone improves over the next few weeks.

-J.