Over the weekend, I went through my samples from the Earthen Glow Minerals Cover Me sample kit I got in the Light range. Normally, I'm fair, but Earthen Glow is one of those companies that makes stuff for the extra-fair. They sent me all 12 colors in the light range for the Cover Me foundation formula, and I picked out the 3 that looked closest, face swatched them, and picked Lora as the best match, which is unsurprising as the mousse foundation that matches me so well is also Lora.
A. Color matching.
5. I can't even tell where the line is!
B. Coverage.
4. Significantly reduces contrast between normal skin and blemishes/scar.
C. Adhesion/durability.
3. Gets me through an eight-hour day. I blew my nose a few times, and that wiped off the product around my nose. It also seemed patchy on my forehead. Not a lot, but a little.
D. Combination skin friendliness factor.
3. Does ok until lunch. I touched my forehead five hours after putting the foundation on, and my fingers came away with oil on them. After I removed the makeup, my skin was a little dryer than usual.
E. Irritancy.
3. No problems at all.
F. Presentation
2. Functional packaging. Sample baggie, good size. Full sizes appear to come in normal jars.
G. Value
1. Costs more than you'd expect. $18 for a full size? I haven't seen a price that high on the other sites I frequent.
H. Company is nice to work with, good customer service. 1 point.
(Reserving judgment on this until I hear back about the dried cream liner. Will revise accordingly.)
Total: 21/30. Not bad, but also not one of my favorites. If you have normal skin with a greater number than usual of blemishes or discolorations, then this is probably great for you.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Some thoughts on finishing powders
Someone over at Chanty's mineral makeup forum posted a question about finishing powders, which got me thinking about the ones I've tried. Here's my thoughts on them:
1. EDM's (discontinued) Silk Powder - I loved this. It was the first EDM product I ever used a full size of up, and I got it at the same time as the Natural Reflections, in my first non-sample EDM order.
2. TKB Trading Micronized Silk Powder - got this because I loved EDM's and couldn't get it anymore. The tablespoon sample baggie and a 25g jar to put it in cost me less than an EDM sample. I reach for this most of the time now, and when I run out, it's only $1.50 for a new baggie (though the company has a $20 order minimum, but I always want at least that much stuff from them).
3. EDM's Natural Reflections (light) - I haven't noticed any good oil control benefits or that it sets my makeup particularly well, but I do use it for added sun protection. I'm down from a full size jar to a 10g size jar. It was one of the first EDM products I bought in a full size.
4. Fyrinnae Fluff. I have a 10g jar, which is fine as I don't use it often, but it has a blurred soft-focus effect. I can toss it and a baby buki in my bag if I need to touch up later. I've also used it without makeup to reduce shine and blur imperfections.
5. EDM's Start-to-Finish Kaolin. I disliked this enough to give it away mostly full. I don't think my face likes kaolin.
6. Fyrinnae Oil Control mineral powder. I bought this in a full size and wish I hadn't. Again, my face doesn't like kaolin. I should have known. I am using it as a base for DIY eyeshadow projects.
7. Physician's Formula MineralWear pressed powder. I used this for years, but it irritated my skin. Maybe I should have tried it with better brushes, but I think it might have been the product.
In the distant past, I also tried the Corn Silk powder in the blue compact (grainy and itchy making!), and Bonne Bell used to make pressed powder that I used in my teens. At one point, I tried Cover Girl's loose powder and it was also ok, if nothing special.
I am expecting to get one of Physician's Formula new precious gems pressed powders (no scary ingredients!) sometime soon, and I am also waiting on a sample of SN's Date Bait.
I currently own the TKB Trading silk powder, EDM Natural Reflections Light, Fyrinnae Fluff, and Fyrinnae Oil Control Mineral powder.
1. EDM's (discontinued) Silk Powder - I loved this. It was the first EDM product I ever used a full size of up, and I got it at the same time as the Natural Reflections, in my first non-sample EDM order.
2. TKB Trading Micronized Silk Powder - got this because I loved EDM's and couldn't get it anymore. The tablespoon sample baggie and a 25g jar to put it in cost me less than an EDM sample. I reach for this most of the time now, and when I run out, it's only $1.50 for a new baggie (though the company has a $20 order minimum, but I always want at least that much stuff from them).
3. EDM's Natural Reflections (light) - I haven't noticed any good oil control benefits or that it sets my makeup particularly well, but I do use it for added sun protection. I'm down from a full size jar to a 10g size jar. It was one of the first EDM products I bought in a full size.
4. Fyrinnae Fluff. I have a 10g jar, which is fine as I don't use it often, but it has a blurred soft-focus effect. I can toss it and a baby buki in my bag if I need to touch up later. I've also used it without makeup to reduce shine and blur imperfections.
5. EDM's Start-to-Finish Kaolin. I disliked this enough to give it away mostly full. I don't think my face likes kaolin.
6. Fyrinnae Oil Control mineral powder. I bought this in a full size and wish I hadn't. Again, my face doesn't like kaolin. I should have known. I am using it as a base for DIY eyeshadow projects.
7. Physician's Formula MineralWear pressed powder. I used this for years, but it irritated my skin. Maybe I should have tried it with better brushes, but I think it might have been the product.
In the distant past, I also tried the Corn Silk powder in the blue compact (grainy and itchy making!), and Bonne Bell used to make pressed powder that I used in my teens. At one point, I tried Cover Girl's loose powder and it was also ok, if nothing special.
I am expecting to get one of Physician's Formula new precious gems pressed powders (no scary ingredients!) sometime soon, and I am also waiting on a sample of SN's Date Bait.
I currently own the TKB Trading silk powder, EDM Natural Reflections Light, Fyrinnae Fluff, and Fyrinnae Oil Control Mineral powder.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
EOTD - New Year's Eve eyes
Just for fun, I took pictures of the eye look I did for New Year's Eve. I'm pretty proud of it as it's one of the fanciest looks I've done and it worked pretty nicely. Maybe it was too much for the small party with friends I went to, but both the eyes and the party were a lot of fun.
Eye open:
Eye closed:
Products used:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance on entire lid (free sample from Sephora, woot!)
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy on lower lashline, lid, and just above the crease.
Meow ScandalEyes Traci L. on inner third of lid.
Fyrinnae Equality on outer two thirds of lid.
Fyrinnae Immortality as upper liner and above the outer crease.
Silk Naturals Sonic to highlight (I am almost out of this sample baggie!)
Meow VandalEyes Breaking and Entering to line lower lashline (I like this color but want to buy a green liquid liner instead of purchasing a full size - it migrated later in the day)
Gabriel Color Mascara in Black Brown.
I liked this because it was dramatic without being overpowering for my fair skin and it brought out my blue eyes.
What did you do for New Year's?
Eye open:
Eye closed:
Products used:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance on entire lid (free sample from Sephora, woot!)
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy on lower lashline, lid, and just above the crease.
Meow ScandalEyes Traci L. on inner third of lid.
Fyrinnae Equality on outer two thirds of lid.
Fyrinnae Immortality as upper liner and above the outer crease.
Silk Naturals Sonic to highlight (I am almost out of this sample baggie!)
Meow VandalEyes Breaking and Entering to line lower lashline (I like this color but want to buy a green liquid liner instead of purchasing a full size - it migrated later in the day)
Gabriel Color Mascara in Black Brown.
I liked this because it was dramatic without being overpowering for my fair skin and it brought out my blue eyes.
What did you do for New Year's?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Review - Earthen Glow Minerals Mineral Mousse Foundation
Another liquid! (And most probably my last, unless anyone has samples of stuff).
Today I wore my new Earthen Glow Minerals Mineral Mousse foundation. How'd it do?
A. Color matching.
5. I can't even tell where the line is! I ordered Lora, which is "Light warm," after being warned that their fair shades were for the truly ghostlike, and on consultation with them via email. I also took a gamble and ordered a full size, so I could take advantage of the 30% off sale, and I'm glad I did because it does match very well.
B. Coverage.
4. Significantly reduces contrast between normal skin and blemishes/scar. Covers all but the worst of the red marks and the darkest part of my surgical scar.
C. Adhesion/durability.
4. Almost gets me through a twelve-hour day. Looks great on my lower face, like I'm not wearing makeup, but my forehead got a little patchy.
D. Combination skin friendliness factor.
4. By mid-afternoon, some oil spots have broken out or some areas look dryer than normal. Not too much oil, actually, just a tiny bit of shine on the forehead. Dryness is a slightly bigger issue, but less so than with some other brands.
E. Irritancy.
3. No problems at all.
F. Presentation
3. Beautiful presentation. Ok, so the packaging isn't really that attractive, but it's in an airless pump that comes with this little piece of plastic you can use to keep air from getting in through the pump hole. The pump also makes it very easy to only dispense what you need, you won't accidentally pour out more. Extremely functional packaging.
G. Value
2. Costs about what you'd expect.
H. Company is nice to work with, good customer service. 1 point.
Company does not have good customer service, or service is unrated - 0 points. I will come back and edit another point into the score if I get appropriate resolution on the dried cream liner I got in the same order. They also took a long time to respond to my emails about the ingredients of the foundation, but when they did answer they were very helpful.
Total: 25/30. This stuff is pretty good. It's amazing how it evens out skin tone and covers minor imperfections without looking chalky or cakey. Word to the wise: this stuff is easy to overdo. I only use one tiny squirt the size of a pea for my whole face. I had equally good results dispensing onto the back of my hand and applying with a foundation brush as I did dabbing small amounts around my face with my fingers. Both times, I blended with my fingers. Liquid foundation shouldn't require a brush, in my opinion. Overall, I really like this stuff.
Today I wore my new Earthen Glow Minerals Mineral Mousse foundation. How'd it do?
A. Color matching.
5. I can't even tell where the line is! I ordered Lora, which is "Light warm," after being warned that their fair shades were for the truly ghostlike, and on consultation with them via email. I also took a gamble and ordered a full size, so I could take advantage of the 30% off sale, and I'm glad I did because it does match very well.
B. Coverage.
4. Significantly reduces contrast between normal skin and blemishes/scar. Covers all but the worst of the red marks and the darkest part of my surgical scar.
C. Adhesion/durability.
4. Almost gets me through a twelve-hour day. Looks great on my lower face, like I'm not wearing makeup, but my forehead got a little patchy.
D. Combination skin friendliness factor.
4. By mid-afternoon, some oil spots have broken out or some areas look dryer than normal. Not too much oil, actually, just a tiny bit of shine on the forehead. Dryness is a slightly bigger issue, but less so than with some other brands.
E. Irritancy.
3. No problems at all.
F. Presentation
3. Beautiful presentation. Ok, so the packaging isn't really that attractive, but it's in an airless pump that comes with this little piece of plastic you can use to keep air from getting in through the pump hole. The pump also makes it very easy to only dispense what you need, you won't accidentally pour out more. Extremely functional packaging.
G. Value
2. Costs about what you'd expect.
H. Company is nice to work with, good customer service. 1 point.
Company does not have good customer service, or service is unrated - 0 points. I will come back and edit another point into the score if I get appropriate resolution on the dried cream liner I got in the same order. They also took a long time to respond to my emails about the ingredients of the foundation, but when they did answer they were very helpful.
Total: 25/30. This stuff is pretty good. It's amazing how it evens out skin tone and covers minor imperfections without looking chalky or cakey. Word to the wise: this stuff is easy to overdo. I only use one tiny squirt the size of a pea for my whole face. I had equally good results dispensing onto the back of my hand and applying with a foundation brush as I did dabbing small amounts around my face with my fingers. Both times, I blended with my fingers. Liquid foundation shouldn't require a brush, in my opinion. Overall, I really like this stuff.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Mail! (ETA - now with pics!)
Today, I went to the post office to pick up all the mail that had accumulated while I went to visit family for the holidays.
I got:
1. My Earthen Glow Minerals mini haul - a full size mineral mousse foundation in Lora (light warm), a Cover Me light sample kit (loose foundation), and a cream liner (Alpine - off white). I'm pretty excited about the foundations, but the cream liner came hard, so I'm hoping I'll hear back from them soon. I hear good things about their customer service, so I'm sure it'll be ok.
2. A swap package from Jackie over at Chanty's forum: some EDM samples, a couple Signature Minerals sample blushes, and a nice pile of baggies with pretty colors in them.
3. A swap package from Nacori, also over at Chanty's forum: a foundation sample kit from My Beautiful Earth, which is a UK company I wouldn't get to try normally.
4. A free return postage label from Physician's Formula so I can return a tinted moisturizer I bought from them that expired two months later. Now that's what I call customer service!
I got:
1. My Earthen Glow Minerals mini haul - a full size mineral mousse foundation in Lora (light warm), a Cover Me light sample kit (loose foundation), and a cream liner (Alpine - off white). I'm pretty excited about the foundations, but the cream liner came hard, so I'm hoping I'll hear back from them soon. I hear good things about their customer service, so I'm sure it'll be ok.
2. A swap package from Jackie over at Chanty's forum: some EDM samples, a couple Signature Minerals sample blushes, and a nice pile of baggies with pretty colors in them.
3. A swap package from Nacori, also over at Chanty's forum: a foundation sample kit from My Beautiful Earth, which is a UK company I wouldn't get to try normally.
4. A free return postage label from Physician's Formula so I can return a tinted moisturizer I bought from them that expired two months later. Now that's what I call customer service!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Rubric for reviewing vegan mascara
Hey all!
So due to my beeswax allergy, I can only use vegan mascara. I prefer natural products, but I'm not averse to coating my lashes with plastic, either (though I'd prefer to not have to).
But how to pick the best vegan mascara? The foundation rubric is working out so well, I'd like to propose one for mascara reviews, too.
So:
A. Clump factor.
1. Super clumpy.
2. Some small clumps, but mostly smooth.
3. No clumps! Very smooth.
B. Longevity.
1. Raccoon eyes or flakies not too long into wearing.
2. Raccoon eyes or flakies toward the end of the day.
3. No raccoon eyes or flakies!
C. Lengthening.
1. Lashes do not appear any longer.
2. Lashes appear somewhat longer.
3. Holy length!
D. Volumizing.
1. No improvement.
2. Some improvement.
3. Full, lush looking lashes.
E. Irritancy.
1. Burny eyes.
2. Some burny eyes or other mild and short-lived irritation.
3. None.
F. Natural factor.
1. Recognizable ingredients.
2. Mix of natural and synthetic.
3. Only vegan because there's no petrochemical or silicone animal.
G. Value.
1. Costs more than you'd expect.
2. Costs about what you'd expect.
3. Costs less than you'd expect.
H. Brush.
1. Difficult to use - gives poor results.
2. Okay, nothing special.
3. Pretty awesome - gives great results!
I. Customer service.
0. Bad, unhelpful, nonexistant, not tried.
1. Great company to work with.
So due to my beeswax allergy, I can only use vegan mascara. I prefer natural products, but I'm not averse to coating my lashes with plastic, either (though I'd prefer to not have to).
But how to pick the best vegan mascara? The foundation rubric is working out so well, I'd like to propose one for mascara reviews, too.
So:
A. Clump factor.
1. Super clumpy.
2. Some small clumps, but mostly smooth.
3. No clumps! Very smooth.
B. Longevity.
1. Raccoon eyes or flakies not too long into wearing.
2. Raccoon eyes or flakies toward the end of the day.
3. No raccoon eyes or flakies!
C. Lengthening.
1. Lashes do not appear any longer.
2. Lashes appear somewhat longer.
3. Holy length!
D. Volumizing.
1. No improvement.
2. Some improvement.
3. Full, lush looking lashes.
E. Irritancy.
1. Burny eyes.
2. Some burny eyes or other mild and short-lived irritation.
3. None.
F. Natural factor.
1. Recognizable ingredients.
2. Mix of natural and synthetic.
3. Only vegan because there's no petrochemical or silicone animal.
G. Value.
1. Costs more than you'd expect.
2. Costs about what you'd expect.
3. Costs less than you'd expect.
H. Brush.
1. Difficult to use - gives poor results.
2. Okay, nothing special.
3. Pretty awesome - gives great results!
I. Customer service.
0. Bad, unhelpful, nonexistant, not tried.
1. Great company to work with.
Happy New Year!
Hope everyone's 2010 is shaping up to be a good year!
I'm waiting for some weather to clear up so I can be safe on my drive home, where I should have some swaps and a mini-haul from Earthen Glow Minerals (mineral mousse, cream liner, a Cover Me sample kit) waiting for me.
In other New Year's News, I just joined Megsmakeup.com, which is a site that gives you points for reviewing different products that you can redeem for free makeup at 50, 150, or 250 points. If you're interested in joining, I can invite you! Just comment with your email.
Or use the link on my sidebar to check it out if you're interested. :)
I'm waiting for some weather to clear up so I can be safe on my drive home, where I should have some swaps and a mini-haul from Earthen Glow Minerals (mineral mousse, cream liner, a Cover Me sample kit) waiting for me.
In other New Year's News, I just joined Megsmakeup.com, which is a site that gives you points for reviewing different products that you can redeem for free makeup at 50, 150, or 250 points. If you're interested in joining, I can invite you! Just comment with your email.
Or use the link on my sidebar to check it out if you're interested. :)
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