Beauty Diaries Vol. I: Summer Foundation Routine

 

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream in Light Medium | MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC 34 | VS PRO Anti-Shine FX Oil-Free Mattifier | the Balm Sexy Mama Anti-Shine Translucent Powder | Ulta Kabuki Brush

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream

I must say, this stuff is amazing. I heard great things about it, so I decided to start with a sample from Sephora first. I finished up my sample and I was sold - I had to have it. I purchased mine from Ulta, but it's sold anywhere that has Smashbox products. I'm usually really not that big of a foundation person, but since I'm working I like to look a little more put together, and evening out my skin tone is one part of that. I don't have terrible skin, so a BB Cream is the perfect formula for what I need. It's lightweight with SPF but still offers coverage. I've tried a tinted moisturizer, but I prefer BB Cream over the tinted moisturizer, simply for coverage purposes. This particular BB Cream blends right into your skin, and it feels lightweight. It has a pretty natural finish, and grows dewy throughout the day to look just like your skin. It's something I would highly recommend, especially if you're looking into investing in a tinted moisturizer or  BB Cream - I know it can be quite hard to decide with all these different BB Cream's that cosmetics companies are coming out with. 

 VS Pro Anti-Shine FX Oil-Free Matifier

I got this from work, and I'll admit, originally I was a bit skeptical about the product since I've never used any beauty products from VS, nor is it known for beauty products. But it was recommended by my boss, so I tried it out since my combination skin hates the humid weather. I ended up being pleasantly surprised. It is a gel-liquid formula, supposed to be applied on top of your foundation. It doesn't feel sticky or heavy at all, and goes on smoothly, almost like a primer. I would highly recommend it if you like something mattifying without the powdery/cakey look of setting powders.

theBalm Sexy Mama

I'm a pretty picky person about my powders, but this stuff I can't get enough of. I use it everyday, even on bare skin. I really love products from theBalm. I tried it out after reading great reviews of the brand from one of my favorite makeup blogs, Temptalia. The powder is pressed, but very finely milled and it's transulcent so it never looks cakey, nor does it even look like you have anything on your face. A little bit of this goes a long way, and it immediately mattifies your face even in the hot, humid weather. In my books, this stuff is a must-have!

ULTA Professional Kabuki Brush (not the same exact one as I have)

Photos and edits by myself

I wouldn't call this the best kabuki brush I've ever used, but it does it's job. I like the size and the density, and the fact that's it's retractable and easy to throw into my makeup bag is very convenient. However, it sheds like CRAZY. Everytime I wash it, it sheds. And the first few uses after I wash it, it also sheds. But as long as you can overlook that, it's not a bad brush. I still prefer using my kabuki brush from E.L.F though, which is also a lot cheaper than this and actually better quality in my opinion. The only downside to that is the fact that it's not retractable, so I wouldn't want to just throw that into my makeup bag since it wouldn't be sanitary.

The last product that wasn't individually photographed is the little MAC concealer sample I have. I am in love with that concealer (Pro Longwear concealer in NC34 - my summer shade). It is great for under eyes, and to be honest, sometimes I only use that and no BB Cream on my face, just to cover up some blemishes and redness. I don't really find it necessary to put product on my entire face since my skin is pretty clear everywhere else aside from the T-zone. The concealer is a perfect match to my skin tone and blends right in, so it works just as well when I just use conealer and my powder (I only use the VS Pro anti-shine FX on days when I know I'll be out and about more, and on those days I use it in conjunction with my mattifying powder).

To see the products I'd suggest for skincare before putting on makeup, checkout my Holy Grail Skincare post from last month!!

Hope you all enjoyed this, and sorry for once again going MIA for a couple days. This month is just so crazy with work and friends/family visiting from out of town! I will have a second post later on this evening for my Friday Feature, so keep your eye out for that!!

XOXO,

E ♥