Illuminare Extra Coverage Foundation: Review & Swatches (three shades)

Hello, Beautiful!

It seems the past two months have been full of foundation testing. I always seem to be on the search for the next best full coverage foundation - something that is truly full coverage, looks natural, and lasts. Recently I fell in love with Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation (you can read my review and check out swatches here). I still love and use that foundation now on a daily basis, but I've had my eye on the Illuminare line of foundations for awhile now.

A makeup artist I used to work with first told me about them, but I never really looked into them. Then I saw they had a foundation sample pack on their website and quickly placed my order. You get to try out three foundations and you get three shades in each foundation (Sienna Sun, Florentine Fair, and Portofino Porcelain).

Here's what's included in the sample pack:

You receive Fantastic Finish Foundation, Extra Coverage Foundation, and Ultimate All Day Foundation. They say each sample can give you 3 to 4 full face applications.

[You can purchase the Illuminare foundation sample pack for $10 on their website. You can purchase the full sized Extra Coverage Foundation for $27 on their website.]

Review:

What is it? Illuminare Extra Coverage Foundation is described as a foundation that gives you extra coverage without the makeup look. Provides a semi-matte finish. Serves dual purpose as a full coverage foundation and a concealer. Excellent for concealing redness, hyperpigmentation, acne and dark circles underneath the delicate eye area.

Quick Breakdown
Coverage: Full coverage
Finish: Semi-matte
How it goes on: Smoothly; easy to blend. A little goes a long way.
How long it lasts: Without a primer or setting powder, this looked great for around 4 to 6 hours before it started to fade and look noticeable. Using a primer and setting powder will prolong the wear.
Would I recommend it?: Yes, without a doubt! If you have major flaws to cover, or you want a foundation that will give you the ultimate coverage for a special night out, this is it!

So what do I think? Based on my experience, I think this is a fantastic foundation! It is full coverage. It did cover almost all my flaws (and there are many of them) with just one layer. I did layer it over those extra trouble spots and it covered them seamlessly. This probably has the most coverage out of any foundation I've ever used... and I've tried a lot! I didn't use a concealer with it because I didn't need to!

It goes on smoothly and doesn't show my dry or flaky areas. I have combo oily/dry skin and it worked well with my skin type. A little does go a long way. They say a pea sized drop will cover your entire face. I probably used slightly more, but I did layer it in areas. But considering how much I typically use with other foundations the amount I needed to use with this foundation was very little. I used a moisturizer underneath, but not a primer or setting powder (something I typically do when first testing out foundation to see their true wear). I would say that I would have to use a primer and setting powder with this to get the perfect application and wear. It looked natural and pretty when first applied, but maybe 4 to 6 hours later it looked noticeable on my face and had started to fade away. That problem should be solved with the use of a primer and setting powder.

Shade selection and choice? I have to say that if I hadn't seen the shades in person I would have been hesitant to purchase the shade that works for me. Florentine Fair is a near perfect match for my skin tone, yet the name is deceiving. It's not a fair shade at all; it's a medium shade. Sienna Sun would be a great match for me in the summer time... maybe with a little Florentine Fair mixed in. The other shade included in the sample pack is Portofino Porcelain, which is too light for me but I probably could mix that and Sienna Sun to get a shade that works for me (which is what I might do to get the most use of this sample pack). There are only five shades available, but they are very forgiving and wearable shades. You can mix two or more if needed to get the just-right-for-you shade. And if you need a full coverage foundation, and you know how frustrating it is to find one that is truly full coverage, mixing two shades together isn't a big deal if you know the foundation is fantastic.. and this foundation is! The shades blend out slightly lighter than they appear in the tube, which you'll see in the swatch photos.

Swatches:

Here are all three shades of next to each other (you can click on them to view them larger):

Illuminare Extra Coverage Foundation in Florentine Fair

Illuminare Extra Coverage Foundation in Sienna Sun

Illuminare Extra Coverage Foundation in Portofino Porcelain

I'll do a review and swatches on the Illuminare Fantastic Finish Foundation and the Illuminare Ultimate All Day Foundation very soon. The shade colors are very consistent across all three foundation types, so you can go by the swatch photos above to choose your shade if you wanted to purchase one of the other foundations in the sample pack.

Have you tried this foundation? If so, what do you think?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Smashbox Emulsion Lip Exfoliant: Review, Swatches & Tutorial

Hello, Beautiful!

Just a quick reminder before I start my review, swatches and tutorial of Smashbox Emulsion Lip Exfoliant. Now through November 26, 2010 you can receive a FREE 5-pc Beauty Bonus (all FULL SIZED products) and 10% off your order of $40 or more!

Check out this page for all the details and the coupon code you need to use!


Now onto the review and swatches...

With the cold weather setting in more and more each day, my lips are taking a toll. This is the time of year I exfoliate my lips more than any other. There is only one lip exfoliator I reach to: Smashbox Emulsion Lip Exfoliant (I'll call it Smashbox Lip Scrub for the rest of this blog post to keep it simple).

This is what the tube looks like (although mine is more than half empty in the photo below):

Here is a swatch of what it looks like (white sugar-like paste with black exfoliator beads):

So what do I think of it? Well, to put it simply, I LOVE it! It has a great flavor to it - a sweet sugary flavor. It feels good on your lips - not too harsh at all. It leaves my lips super soft, which is the perfect canvas for any lip product that follows.

So how do you use it? It's pretty simple, and you can do it the quick and fast way or you can leave it on a little longer to get more benefits. It's just three easy steps!

Tutorial for how to apply Smashbox Lip Scrub:

Step 1: Apply Smashbox lip scrub to your lips with your fingers (see photo below).

Step 2: Scrub your lips with your fingers. I do small circles, as well as back & forth motions (see photo below). You basically want to scrub until you feel good about how your lips feel. Then you can move on to Step 3 or you can leave this sit on your lips for up to 10 minutes (I usually wait 5 minutes), which helps soften lips even more.

Step 3: Wipe off the lip scrub with a wet or dry cloth or paper towel (see photo below).

The Final Result: Smooth, even, chap-free lips (see photo below)! Follow up with a lip balm to lock in moisture and all the great smoothness you just created!

You can purchase the Smashbox Emulsion Lip Exfoliant for $18 at Sephora.com. One tube will last you a long time. I've had mine for at least 2 years (although I don't use it daily).

Do you use a lip exfoliator? If so, which brand and what do you think of it? Have you used the Smashbox lip scrub? If so, tell me your thoughts!



Kat Von D Rock n Roll Shadow Duos: Review and Swatches

Hello, Beautiful!

Just a quick reminder before I start my review and swatches of the Kat Von D Rock n Roll Shadow Duos. Now through November 26, 2010 you can receive a FREE 5-pc Beauty Bonus (all FULL SIZED products) and 10% off your order of $40 or more!

Check out this page for all the details and the coupon code you need to use!


Now onto the review and swatches...

I picked up the Kat Von D Rock n Roll Shadow Duos several months ago from Sephora. I did these swatches back when I first purchased these, but never did a blog post on them. Since I've been so busy lately I decided to pull from my swatch archives for this post.



These shadows were on sale, as they are discontinued colors, for only $10 each. I find that I don't reach to use these like I do with other shadows. I like them, but I don't love them. Out of the three shade duos I purchased I only really use one. I really should use these more often, but sometimes I forget I have them.

Shades I have:

• Confessional (a glittery champagne/a shimmery champagne)
• Livewire (a glittery silver taupe/a shimmery silver gray)
• Motorhead (a glittery charcoal/a stain carbon gray)

Below are the swatches:

They have good pigmentation, as you can see from the swatch photos, and they're pretty long lasting. You get a lot of shadow in these compacts, and each compact has a mirror - which is a nice little bonus.

The one downside is how close both shades in the duo are. To me, the only real difference is one side (the left side) has glitter and the other side does not. On Sephora's website the duos look like there is a noticeable difference in shades, but in person that is not the case - especially Confessional and Motorhead. I think the only duo that has a slight difference is Livewire.

You can still pick up a few shades on Sephora's website for $10 each. They have Confessional, Moonshine (a blue duo), and Motorhead left in stock. I'm not sure if they're available at a Sephora store. I'd check in person but the closest Sephora is an hour away (which isn't a big deal for me to drive considering I used to work a mile from that Sephora), but I don't have time to visit a Sephora store very often.

Do you own these shadows? If so, what shades did you pick up and what do you think of them? Do you reach for these often?

Sephora Haul - Plus, ValentineKisses.com FREE Beauty Bonus!

Hello, Beautiful!

Before I get into my Sephora haul, I want to remind you about our awesome FREE 5-pc Beauty Bonus and 10% off your order of $40 or more! Some of you have already taken advantage of this great deal. Don't miss out! The 5-pc Beauty Bonus has a retail value of $25+! They are all FULL SIZED products! This offer ends November 26, 2010!

Check out this page for all the details!



Now onto the Sephora haul...

I've placed three orders this week at Sephora. I know that sounds like a lot, but let me explain. The first order was just for the Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation in shade M30, and of course I wanted free shipping so I added some nail polish to my order so I'd qualify for free shipping. I also wanted that free beauty clutch with the samples :)  That was order #1.

Then I received a Sephora event invite in the mail with a 20% order code. I NEVER get my Sephora mail promos on time. The event was over days before I received the invite, which made me mad because I always miss out on all the events because they never send out the invites early enough! But I did still have a few hours to use the 20% off code, and I'll never pass up the opportunity to say 20% at Sephora! I ended up getting the Beauty in a Box: NARS Junkie set (which is $69 and is now out of stock - I'm glad I got this while I could!). I'll do a post on that set once I receive it in the mail (which should be tomorrow or Friday). That was order #2.

And finally, the third order I placed today because they have a lot of great items in the sale section! I took the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for my friends and family. I picked up some little stocking stuffer kits for my friends and family (one in Pink Grapefruit, one in Vanilla Cupcake and one in Coconut Cream). At $7.50 each, they make a really affordable gift! I picked up Urban Decay Loose Pigment shadow in Baked for a gift. It's only $5. I already own two of these, which I like, and this shade is a good color for just about anyone on my gift list. also picked up some things for me: Tarina Tarantino Magic Hour Cream Shadow in Black Diamond, on sale for $9.50! I wanted to get the purple shade too, but I read too many bad reviews about that shade. At least with the black I can use it as a shadow base or a liner. I also picked up an Urban Decay shadow duo in Grind/Oil Slick, for just $10! Those shadows retail for $19 each, so that is a really great deal! If I were you I'd pick these up for $10 while you can! Not many duos left and they were $19 for two just a few weeks ago! Plus, they have a new sample offer - which is a free Get-Away tote with 10 free samples. Use the code GETAWAY (must spend $25 or more). And that was order #3.

I swear I don't typically place that many Sephora orders in such a short time! I will admit that I do spend too much there, but I've been really selective lately with my Sephora orders. I usually only place a Sephora order now if there is a great sale or special price on something (like their weekly specials), and of course the great free gift offers!

Full reviews of all the products from my Sephora haul (minus the products I'm keeping as gifts) will be posted soon! And, I may have picked up an item or two for part of our Twelve Days of Beauty contest (coming December 1st)... but I won't say what those items may be :)


On a personal note...

I had to get another epidural nerve block yesterday! This one was 100 times worse on the pain scale. This time they did a traditional labor & delivery epidural (going through the middle of my back), but they aimed it to the left side, over my left butt cheek and down my left leg. And all I can say is OUCH! Sure, all you feel is pressure... but wow.. the pressure was intense! It felt like they took a baseball bat and shoved it down my leg... then took another baseball bat and did the same thing... and then another, and another! Wow... I've never felt something like that before. That epidural made the last one seem like a tickle party, and made the epidural when I was giving birth seem like nothing! I really, really, really hope this one works (the last one did absolutely nothing for me). If it doesn't work the next step is going to be really painful and I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

Today I am SO sore. I'm taking it very easy today, as it still hurts to bend, twist, or reach. I should know by the end of the weekend if it helps or not. I'm not a highly religious person, but if you are, please pray for me and that my leg pain will go away. I've had this leg pain for going on 3 years at the end of this February. It has totally taken over my life and the way I have to live my life. I'm just sick of it!!

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation: Review & Swatches

Hello, Beautiful!

I was really excited to try out Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation this morning. This morning I was running really late getting my son ready and off to school, so I didn't do a full makeup routine... I didn't even use moisturizer! But I did need coverage on my face so I reached for this foundation and that was all I put on this morning.

I applied this with my fingers since I was in a major rush. One of things I liked when I read about this foundation is it's built-in primer, which is supposed to help it go on smoothly and keep skin hydrated. With all the acne treatment products I'm using right now my skin tends to be dry and flaky in spots. Without a moisturizer and/or primer most of my foundations won't go on smoothly and they'll show every dry and flake spot. However, the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation went on very smooth and didn't show any dry or flaky spots! That instantly impressed me, although that was only one of many things that impressed me about this foundation.

It dried very quickly, which to me is a huge plus. I know some people hate foundations that dry quickly because they like to apply dots all over their face and then blend it in. With quick drying foundations you can do that, but it could become difficult to blend them in. I usually work in sections anyway when I apply foundations (forehead, left cheek, right cheek, chin, and nose), and I actually prefer a foundation that dries quickly so I can move on with my makeup steps.

It's transfer resistant... which a lot of makeup claims to be, but ends up being anything but transfer resistant. This foundation really did stay on my face once it dried without rubbing off if I touched my face.

The coverage level is medium to full. I was really happy with how much it covered just using my fingers to apply it.

The finish is luminous natural look. Nothing too dewy or too matte - just nice, luminous skin! Although I haven't tested it out for 25 hours yet, so far it's been on flawlessly for nearly 6 hours and there are no signs of wear or need to re-apply.

I also didn't have to set this foundation with a powder, which is a big change to my normal routine. I always set my liquid and cream foundations with some sort of setting powder so they set and last all day. I didn't need to with this foundation; although I'm sure I'll test it out with setting powder just to see if it makes any difference.

The only cons would be the shade selection. There aren't many options and my shade - 303 True Nude - was on the darker end of shades to choose from (I think only 2 shades darker than the one I selected). There aren't shades for those with darker skin tones, which is really a shame because this is a really great foundation. It may even be one of my favorites I've ever used. I was nervous about the color I selected. It looks too dark in the tube, but when I tested it at the store all the shades blended out lighter. I selected True Nude 303, which happens to be a close match to my skin tone - although slightly too light.

Below is a swatch photo of the foundation. On the left you can see the foundation and on the right you can see what the shade looks like once blended into my skin a little. It's a little lighter, but it works good for my skin tone (my hand/arms are still darker than my face... my body tends to hang on to summer tans for months and months).

 



So what do you think? Have you tried this foundation? If so, what do you think of it? Will you pick this up next time you see it on sale?