Foundation Review: L'Oreal Paris true match Super-Blendable Foundation

 Today's review is for the L'Oreal Paris true match Super-Blendable Foundation in C 0.5 Cool Light.

Availability: This retails anywhere from $10 - $15 for 30 mL (1 fl. oz.) and can be purchased at most drugstores that carry L'Oreal Paris products. 

Would I buy this again? I'm not sure. 

What is this product? What is it supposed to do?

Let's quote from lorealparisusa.com, shall we?

Our iconic True Match Foundation delivers a seamless second-skin effect that adapts to all skin tones and types. With 47 inclusive shades, precise color matching is virtually guaranteed—99% of women in a consumer test found their True Match. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid for 24-hour hydration, this super-blendable liquid foundation provides medium, buildable coverage with a lightweight, natural finish that won’t feel heavy. The vegan, alcohol-free, oil-free, fragrance-free formula is dermatologist-approved for all skin types, including sensitive skin. 

Product Highlights: 47 Inclusive Shades: True Match Foundation features a 47-shade range, using up to 6 pigments per shade for a diverse range of undertones.
Adaptable Lightweight Formula: This blendable vegan foundation provides a second-skin effect that never feels heavy or greasy, leaving a natural finish that is neither too matte nor too dewy.
Hydrating Skincare Infusion: Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture for 24-hour hydration, this liquid foundation is ideal for daily wear.
Conceals Redness & Dark Spots: Smoothly evens skin tone, conceals redness, and covers dark spots without settling into fine lines, for a flawless finish.
Dermatologist-Tested for Sensitive Skin: Non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types, ensuring breathable comfort and hydration throughout the day.
Proven Results: In a consumer test of 312 women, 99% found their True Match. 
WHY CHOOSE TRUE MATCH? L'Oréal True Match Foundation is designed for those seeking the most accurate shade of foundation for their skin tone. Beyond flawless, natural coverage, this vegan formula incorporates active skincare ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid for hydration and visible long-term improvement. 

What It Helps With:

Radiance: Brightens your complexion for a natural, glowing appearance that lasts throughout the day.
Hydration: Offers long-lasting moisturization thanks to a Hyaluronic Acid infusion that locks in moisture.
Skin Sensitivity: This vegan foundation is non-comedogenic, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and derm-approved for sensitive skin. 

 

Does this come in any other shade than the one pictured above?

This comes in 47 shades.

What's the coverage/consistency like?

I would describe the consistency as being a thin liquid. This has a medium to full coverage with a soft, natural yet glowing finish. 

Does this have any beneficial ingredients in it?

The highlighted ingredients are:

Hyaluronic Acid: Can hold up to 1000x its weight in water, helps skin retain moisture.

Aloe Leaf Juice: Has hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.

Is this scented?

This doesn't really have a very discernible scent to it.

What has my experience with the product been like?

Pros:

-Consistency is really smooth, easy to blend and apply
-Good coverage

- Finish looks like healthy skin

-Lightweight

-Really good shade match for me, doesn't oxidize 

Cons:

- I'm iffy about it because with the hot weather, it separates on my face.

I feel like this goes on smooth, it's incredibly easy to blend, it's buildable, it gives good coverage, it stays put, my skin looked and felt like skin.  It's luminous but not in a way where it's too much, it simply gives the skin a healthy glow. You know I've been stuck on my wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation for a long time and while I love it and the coverage it provides I feel like I can't get a shade that matches me just right because they oxidize on me. Initially, when I used this in the colder months, I really liked it but now that it's summer and hot out, I find that it does that thing where it defines each individual pore on my face even when I stipple it on and I'm not loving that about it. I'm unsure if it's because I'm sweating or the brush I'm using or what but I'll have to keep playing around with it and seeing if I'd like to buy it again. It's a shame because it is a really fantastic match for me and outside of it wanting to separate, I really love it. 

What do I use to apply the product?

I apply this with an unnamed big fluffy face brush.

I feel as though this review is pretty thorough but please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

Foundation Review: CoverGirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Foundation

Today's review is for the CoverGirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Foundation in 205 Ivory.

Availability: This retails anywhere from $10 - $20 for 30 mL (1 fl. oz.) and can be purchased at most drugstores that carry CoverGirl products. 

Would I buy this again? I think so!

What is this product? What is it supposed to do?

Let's quote from covergirl.com, shall we?

Amplify your natural radiance with a hydrating foundation packed with skincare benefits. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, this anti-aging foundation nourishes skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Easily find your shade and use a minimal amount for a sheer finish, or build it up into a full-coverage look.

Give your skin that youthful glow with COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation. This anti-aging foundation plumps up skin to instantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles for a younger-looking complexion. Skin tone looks more even and other imperfections are blurred, while hyaluronic complex and vitamin C deliver firming hydration to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant. Pro-tip: Use with COVERGIRL Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer for maximum results. At COVERGIRL, we’re Leaping Bunny approved cruelty free by Cruelty Free International, so you know our products are never tested on animals.

REDUCES WRINKLES: Anti-aging foundation instantly reduces the look of wrinkles for a smoother, more youthful appearance.

IMPROVES TONE: Evens skin tone and blurs the appearance of dark circles and other less-than-perfect areas.

HYDRATING FORMULA: Contains hyaluronic complex and vitamin C for firmer and healthier-looking skin.

FIND YOUR SHADE: Available in multiple shades for you to find the right match for your skin tone.

CRUELTY-FREE: Covergirl products are Leaping Bunny Certified by Cruelty-Free International, meaning they are never tested on animals.

Does this come in any other shade than the one pictured above?

This comes in 18 shades.

What's the coverage/consistency like?

I would describe the consistency as being a mousse-like cream. This has a medium to full coverage with a soft, radiant finish. 

Does this have any beneficial ingredients in it?

The highlighted ingredients are:

Hyaluronic Acid: Can hold up to 1000x its weight in water, helps skin retain moisture.

Vitamin C: Helps to brighten, lighten, and tighten the skin; also has antioxidant properties.

Is this scented?

This has a fresh slightly sweet "green" scent that I personally really enjoy, it smells like nice skincare.

What has my experience with the product been like?

Admittedly these are first impressions but:

Pros:

-Consistency is really smooth, easy to blend and apply
-Good coverage

- Finish looks like healthy skin

-Lightweight

Cons:

- Kind of pricey for a drugstore item because the average price is closer to about $19-20 but you can use coupons/sales to get it for less.

So, I did have the cream version of this product in the past and it was ok to the point where I wanted to try this liquid version of it out and I'm so glad I finally got around to it! I really like this foundation - I feel like it goes on smooth, it's incredibly easy to blend, it's buildable, it gives good coverage, it stayed put and looked fresh for 8 hours, my skin looked and felt like skin. I think it might be too much for someone who only wears skin tints but if you want some coverage, this is a great option. It's luminous but not in a way where it's too much, it simply gives the skin a healthy glow. You know I've been stuck on my wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation for a long time and while I love it and the coverage it provides I feel like I can't get a shade that matches me just right because they oxidize on me. So I'm excited to both try other options and to have found another foundation I really like.

What do I use to apply the product?

I apply this with  my Memebox, Artis-style foundation brush.

I feel as though this review is pretty thorough but please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

August 2025 Empties

All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. ProBeauty Essentials Wispies Lashes x2: I honestly feel like these lashes are a bit frustrating to work with because they're so thin and have such thin bands that rather than being easy to apply, they're outright flimsy and bend funny. Due to the way they bend and are stubborn about gluing to the inner corner in a way that flows with my eye shape nicely, I feel like they make my eyes look droopy.

2. equate Almond & Shea Shea Sugar Scrub: I love how gritty this scrub is and how delicious it smells. This has an almond cookie scent that isn't overly sweet or heavily amaretto-ish either. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth and is great for shave prep. 

3. ORLY Nail Lacquer in Crawford's Wine: I am so sad to be parting ways with this nail polish! It is a gorgeous metallic wine red and I just loved wearing it. But that said, unfortunately, the formula has become thick and goopy where I feel like it's best to part ways.

4. L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Caring Deep Conditioner: I honestly wish they'd sell this separate from the hair color because it is deeply conditioning as its name implies and makes my hair, even if it's not color treated (it's currently not, my mom gave this to me), feel very silky and manageable.

5.Cococare 100% Natural Peppermint Oil: This time of year I use this oil as a deterrent for critters getting into my room and scaring me in the middle of the night. Unfortunately it doesn't do anything for centipedes but it seems fairly effective otherwise. 

6. Bath & Body Works Raspberry Tangerine Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel: This is such a yummy scented hand sanitizer! It smells mostly of raspberry jam with a very slight citrusy hint to it. 

7. Compliment Lychee and Peach Face Mask: I found that this mask worked well in the sense that it left my skin feeling soft and deeply cleansed after I used it. That said, this particular one made the skin around my nose tingle in an uncomfortable way so I probably won't be getting it again. 

8. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation in Rose Ivory: Over time this has become something of a holy grail foundation for me because it provides the right level of coverage where it's medium and buildable, it stays put well throughout the day, and it just has my skin looking really perfected. My only issue is that it tends to oxidize a bit so I don't really have a perfect shade match. 

9. Kirk's Since 1839 100% Premium Coconut Oil Castile Soap in Soothing Aloe Vera: I purchased this for washing my brushes since the Dr. Bronner's wasn't available at the time and it did a good job of getting my brushes clean. I did find it to be fairly non-drying to my skin too, I find that the Dr. Bronner's soap can be a bit harsh on my skin right after I've washed my brushes.

10. Shiseido Prepare Dermaplaning Razor: I like to use these once weekly to really get any strays on my face due to my PCOS.  It's about time to replace this razor as it's getting a bit dull.

11. IVON Cuticle Trimmer: I feel like these do a good job of removing excess dead tissue along the sides of my nails and around the cuticle area. That said I try to be careful not to nip at the eponychium because that can be quite painful and cause nail damage. 

12. Kose softymo Deep Cleansing Oil: I feel like this does a fantastic job of removing my makeup and leaving my skin feeling soft and conditioned afterwards. It is a great first step in a double cleansing routine. That said, it can leave residue and not fully remove eyeliner so I also like going in with a Makeup Eraser to get any excess off due to the fact that I typically wear quite heavy makeup. 

13. Flower Knows Powder Puff: I have to admit that I'm a little bit disappointed in this puff because the top of it ripped during the first week of use. I did manage to get three months of use out of it. I like to wash these puffs weekly and replace them right about every three months. This was otherwise a nice puff and was easy to use. I like the finger strap that it has on the back because that makes it easier to hold when using it. 

14. wet n wild Loose Setting Powder: This is one of my favorite setting powders because it really helps keep makeup in place but it keeps your skin feeling like real, velvety skin instead of feeling powdery. It doesn't look cakey or heavy on the skin either and doesn't emphasize any dry patches.

15. fino Premium Touch Hair Mask:  This mask made my hair feel really nourished and silky. It smells really delicious as well - in fact I really liked its scent and I like that the scent lingers in the hair afterward. 

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above. All opinions are my own.

August 2025 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm back to replenishing on things that I'm running out of and buying mostly just necessities.

1. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation in Rose Ivory: I'm running low on my current bottle and decided to just restock on a tried and true. I find this foundation makes my skin look nice, provides buildable coverage, and stays put on my skin all day even in hot and humid weather. 

2. Kose softymo Deep Cleansing Oil: I'm running low on my bottle and since I love this for taking my makeup off with, I went ahead and got another bottle.

3. Green Pharmacy Damask Rose Revitalization Washing Face Emulsion: It seems as though my local pharmacy expanded the range they carry from this brand and since I'm running low on face wash and like the toner from this line, I decided to get this and try it out. 

4. Green Pharmacy Cactus Squalane Ultramoisturizing Face Serum: So, we all know I absolutely stan the COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence for a face serum that keeps my skin plump and hydrated. That said, this looked promising so I decided I'd give it a try and see how I like it. 

5. Green Pharmacy Pomegranate & Argan Oil Mask for Dry, Damaged Hair: Alright so honestly, my hair is currently not dry or damaged but I do like to use a hair mask weekly and the scent of this one seemed more promising than the chamomile one they had. I'm running low on my current hair mask so I decided I'd give this a try.

6. Lebelage Snail Cleansing Foam: Unfortunately the rose cleanser I mentioned above didn't work out for me so I decided to go ahead and pick this up in hopes it would be more agreeable with my skin. 

Disclaimer: I purchased all the items listed above myself. All opinions are my own.

April 2025 Empties

All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Dove deep moisture body wash: I really enjoyed this body wash because they are very hydrating and thus made my skin feel very smooth and silky post-shave. I like to use this specifically for shaving because this lasts longer than shaving cream/gel and provide my razor with a nice, smooth glide so my skin feels soft and not irritated post-shave. 

2. Dove relaxing lavender oil & chamomile body wash: In a similar vein to the above, I like to use this in place of a shaving cream/gel. The reason I finished two bottles back to back so quickly is because I had this bottle with a tiny bit of product in it hanging out for a while since my eczema came back in the winter and I was using the deep moisture version instead.

3. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation in Shell Ivory: As you all know, I love this foundation - it's very natural looking on the skin, but gives great coverage and is long-wearing. I like the healthy glow that the dewy finish one gives me.

4. Ardell Professional Active Lash in Speedy: I really like how soft and natural these lashes look, they add a little length and volume without being over the top. That said, similar to many other pairs I have issues with, they really like popping off at the inner corner and it's a bit of a fight to get them to stick on there. I wish they were like a centimeter or so longer because what causes issues is how difficult that inner corner is to grab onto and adjust.

5. Colourpop Party Proof Eye Primer in translucent: I LOVED this primer, the tube itself lasted forever - I believe over a year! I like the translucent shade because it doesn't really have any color in it, so it doesn't interfere with whatever eyeshadow you place on top. Additionally, this gave me a smooth canvas on my eyelids and my eyeshadow was vibrant and crease-free until I washed it off at the end of the day.  

6. Kerastase Paris Chronologiste Youth revitalizing hair mask: When I got this sample, I honestly wasn't expecting anything special other than hydration. That said, I was wrong to think so! My hair felt so silky and healthy in a way it hasn't felt since I was a child! This sample packet actually had enough for 2.5 uses (I say 2.5 because the last one I did have to add a little extra of a different hair mask into my hair), which I am grateful for. This mask also smells delightful -it's got this really sophisticated perfume to it which leaves my hair smelling fantastic. That being said, at $75, this mask is crazy expensive and I'm unsure as to my likelihood to ever actually purchase it for myself. 

7. equate Shea Sugar Scrub in Coconut Hibiscus:  As I've noted many times, I love how gritty these shea sugar scrubs are. They really make my skin feel smooth and are invigorating to apply. This one in particular has a sweet, tart, fruity scent that I really enjoy. 

8. SENKA Perfect Whip Beauty Foam: I love this cleanser because it has a very nice, rich lather to it and leaves my skin feeling very soft and smooth after I wash it off. 

9. Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray: I am so sad that I've run out of this and my nearby CVS no longer carries this so I can no longer get it on sale (nearby anyway), I loved buying the jumbo bottles of this spray because they lasted forever and helped my makeup stay on. I also love using this setting spray to apply metallic eyeshadows onto my eyelids to give them more intensity.

10. Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronzer: My issue with this bronzer is that this light shade felt a hint too light for my skin-tone, and overall the shade range on these is very warm-toned. I do love how silky the formula is, but I feel like the shade range only works on light-to-medium warm skin-tones and not very fair or very deep skin-tones.

11. COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: I'm so sad to have run out of this as it is a staple item in my skincare collection. This keeps my skin feeling supple, hydrated, and bouncy. I feel like if my skin ever starts drying out, this always brings it right back so I like to have it on hand just in case my skin gets irritated.

12. Bath & Body Works Pocketbac in Passionfruit & Banana Flower: This hand sanitizer smells really nice and I guess it gets the job done? Being a germaphobe I always have hand sanitizer on me and I like that these have a nice scent. They don't have that heavy alcohol scent that standard hand sanitizer tends to have. 

13. equate Shea Sugar Scrub in Tropical Mango:  As I've noted many times, I love how gritty these shea sugar scrubs are. They really make my skin feel smooth and are invigorating to apply. This one in particular has a sweet, tropical fruity scent that I really enjoy. 

14. deal worthy Fresh Scent Body Lotion: I like that this lotion is fairly inexpensive but it feels hydrating and does a great job making my legs feel soft post-shave. It smells nice too, fresh but not overpowering. 

15. wet n wild Loose Setting Powder: Even though I have backups, I'm sad that this ran out because it's a great setting powder. This doesn't cling to any dry patches I have, it makes my skin look very smooth and I don't need a lot of product to create that velvety, natural skin finish I like. 

16. berkley jensen baby wipes in Green Tea & Cucumber: I like using these to wipe down surfaces, wipe swatches off my skin, and to wipe my makeup items off with.

17. Ardell Demi Wispies: Not only do I love these lashes but I'm convinced all others should be similar to them. I say that because I don't need to trim them to fit my eye shape and the bands on them are so thin and flexible that it's easy to sit and adjust them so they're right at the lash-line.

The following lippies all smell off so I'm letting them go:

18. Clinique Pop Lacquer Lip Colour + Primer in Lava Pop: 

19. NYX Butter Gloss in Sugar Cookie: 

20. ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Bad Habit: 

21. ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip in The Rabbit: 

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the products mentioned above with the exception of the Kerastase hair mask which I received as a sample.  All opinions are my own.

March 2025 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm back to replenishing on things that I'm running out of and buying mostly just necessities.

1. e.l.f. 16HR Hydrating Camo Concealer in Fair Rose: I'm running low on my current tube and decided that perhaps the Fair Beige shade is a hair too dark, so I'd give this a try. I'm a little wary that it might be too light, but I suppose we'll see. 

2. e.l.f. Suntouchable Whoa Glow Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen in Sunlight: I'm running low on my current primer and wanted to try something else that was also glow-giving so this was a good option. 

3. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation in Rose Ivory: I'm running low on my current bottle of foundation so I figured I'd replenish. 

4. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: I was on the very verge of running out of this and ordered a replacement right quick. Luckily I got it in wherein as soon as one bottle ended I received the other one so it was a seamless transition. This is an item I really don't want to be without due to the extent that it reduces redness in my skin and helps to smooth my skin's texture.

I received the following two products as samples with my squalane oil purchase:

5. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI: I keep sticking to the same serums lately and while I probably won't be switching, I decided to try something new out.

6. Kerastase Chronologiste Youth Revitalizing Hair Mask: This is a hair brand I've wanted to try for ages now but their products are pricey and I'm a girly that, despite having very fine hair, it gets quite dry so I figured trying out a hair mask would be a good way to go.

7. L'Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Bronzer in 250 Light: I'm running low on my current bronzer and had coupons for L'Oreal so I decided to give this one a try. 

8. wet n wild Rose Addiction Photo Focus 3-in-1 Primer Water: I was running low on my setting spray and since my local CVS stopped carrying Milani (the one I've been getting) and I had all these coupons I just decided to get this old standby. 

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above with the exception of the sample Sulwhasoo and Kerastase products. 

May 2024 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm back to replenishing on things that I'm running out of and buying mostly just necessities.

1. Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Gingham Gorgeous: I smelled this last year in the bar soap form, which it seems that they no longer make, and the bar soap smelled delicious. That said, in my opinion, the fragrance in spray form smells like a Bath & Body Works store.

2. Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Rose: I have friends that have this in their bathroom and nearly every time I visit them, I end up using it, so I decided to pick up a bottle of my own.

3. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation in Rose Ivory: So for whatever reason I thought I was out of foundation but it turns out I actually had a full bottle of Shell Ivory left. That said, I picked up the Rose Ivory shade because Shell Ivory is a bit dark for me currently, so not all is lost.

4. Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronzer.: I purchased this since I'm running low on my current bronzer. That said, I feel like this is a bit light for me.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above.

December 2023 Arrivals

Ok folksickles! I'm back to replenishing on things that I'm running out of and buying mostly just necessities.

1. Colourpop Mini Haul: I purchased some holiday presents for my friends but also replenished on masks since I figured that's a skincare item I don't have much of at the moment. I picked up:

Fourth Ray Beauty A-HA Moment exfoliating enzyme Mask

Fourth Ray Beauty Avocado superfood nourishing Mask

Fourth Ray Beauty Soak It Up hydrating hyaluronic Mask

2. wet n wild Mini Haul: I essentially got products to replenish on because I liked them, I am trying out a new concealer here though. Both concealers took some guesswork to pick out a shade so I'm unsure how accurate I was.

photo focus Dewy Foundation in Shell Ivory x2

photo focus Concealer in Fair Beige

Photo Focus Loose Setting Powder in Translucent x3

Mega Last Incognito All-Day Full Coverage Concealer in Light Beige 

3. Shiseido Prepare Dermaplaning Razor 3-Pack: I like to use these little razors for precision work around the face so if I have an upper lip hair under my nose, say, this gets to it wherein tweezing it might be too painful and a regular razor just won't give me the precision I'm looking for.

4. COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: I've started to run low on the bottle I'm currently using so I've decided to replenish. Honestly, initially, I was considering trying a new serum but the price point of this at the time was just too good for me to pass up because I really do love this product.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above.

Foundation Review: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup

 Today's review is for the L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup in n1-2 Soft Ivory.

Availability: This retails anywhere from $12 - $17 for 30 mL (1 fl. oz.) and can be purchased at most drugstores that carry L'Oreal products. It retails at $13.99 at lorealparisusa.com.

Would I buy this again? I'm honestly not sure; I'll explain in the notes section.

What is this product? What is it supposed to do?

Let's quote from lorealparisusa.com, shall we?

Finally, makeup that creates skin so healthy – it’s luminous! True Match™ Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup combines 3 powerful ingredients that work to improve your complexion the more you wear them. 40% pure water for all-day hydration. Antioxidants and Vitamins C and E for improved clarity and skin tone. And Liquid Light Technology for an instant, luminous glow. Isn’t it time you met your match?

See the Results:

Instantly: skins illuminated.

In 1 Month: skin is clearer, healthier, more luminous

Finish: Luminous

SPF: 20

Coverage: Lightweight, buildable coverage that lasts up to 8 hours

Skin Type: For all skin types. Safe for sensitive skin.

Does this come in any other shade than the one pictured above?

This comes in 15 shades.

What's the coverage/consistency like?

I would describe the consistency as being a creamy liquid. This has a medium to full coverage with a soft, radiant finish. 

Does this have any beneficial ingredients in it?

Octinoxate 7%: 

Glycerin: Attracts moisture to the skin.

Is this scented?

This has a subtle paint-like scent to it.

What has my experience with the product been like?

I had a bottle back in 2017 with the silver pump and remember really liking it. Unfortunately that review has been deleted so I am writing a new one.

Pros:

-Consistency is really smooth, easy to blend and apply
-Good coverage

- Finish looks like healthy skin

-Lightweight

Cons:

- I'm unsure if there is a proper shade match for me

I'm going to touch on the shade situation with this foundation; back when this came with the silver pump, I bought this same shade and it was a pretty good shade match for me. However, since the reformulation into the pink pump, as you can see, it's a bit too dark and orange. There is a lighter shade, Porcelain Ivory, that sounds like it might be the right shade for me BUT given that they've grouped it into the warm tones, I'm not sure it'll work because my skin is on the rosier side of the spectrum. It's a shame because I really loved this foundation and used to rave about it to everyone but now it seems like there is no longer a shade that will work for me; I'll have to see if I can find a bottle of the Porcelain Ivory in-store somewhere and see if it looks like it might work. The good news, however, is that this is a dead-on dupe for the Wander Beauty Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation; so if you'd like to save yourself some money and there's a shade in this makeup that you think might suit you, it's worth looking into. Additionally, how are you going to call this True Match and have it come in only 15 shades, that seems a bit unrealistic for a foundation that's supposed to be able to match any skin-tone according to its name. This wore really well for nearly 12 hours (which is the point at which I went and washed my face). 

What do I use to apply the product?

I apply this with  my Memebox, Artis-style foundation brush.

I feel as though this review is pretty thorough but please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Best of 2022 Favorites

Hey folksickles. I feel like this list will be shorter than years past as I stuck to mainly the same products and things in 2022 especially so, there's that. But alas here are the products and things I very much enjoyed and would repurchase. I will say that I don't have photos of the products here because I've used up many of them and thrown them away but... there's always Google and in the instance that I've reviewed a product, the product name will be clickable and you can take a gander at the review.

1. e.l.f. Cosmetics Total Face Sponge: This sponge is just absolutely fantastic! It gets enormous when wet (compared to when dry), is super squishy, and bouncy. My absolute favorite thing about this sponge though is that it isn't very absorbent so it blends out your complexion products perfectly without sucking much of them up into itself. This ensures that you get a fuller coverage, need less complexion product, and makes the sponge itself super quick and easy to wash. My only complaint about these is that because they're this deep maroon berry shade they end up leeching a lot of colorant when they're washed; I wish they weren't dyed or were dyed with something that didn't leech.

2. Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base: I've been testing out my moisturizers to see if there's any that are no longer fresh or that I don't like because I've got a whole bunch in my collection - I use each for a week unless it smells super off before deciding that I want to do with it. Well, the week I was using this I would look forward to my nighttime routine (I use this at night, despite it doubling as a primer, because I use a moisturizer with SPF during the day) so that I can slather this on my skin. This feels luxurious in that it has a rich texture to it, but it absorbs nicely and isn't too thick. You don't need a lot of product at all and honestly, I think it might just be worth splurging on every once in a blue because I'm enjoying it so much! That being said, who knows if I'll ever actually buy this because, like I said, I've got a whole bunch of moisturizer. :P

3. UGG Ansley Moccasins: Ok so I don't really talk about fashion at all on this blog but I just HAD TO mention this because I am so blown away by them. Now, I wasn't the biggest moccasin wearer and in fact I didn't wear them at all but one of my friends got a pair of these fuzzy moccasins in 2019 and said they were super comfy which had me wanting a pair. I mean I got my first pair of proper UGG boots (the Bailey Bow, if you're curious) in 2019 and I absolutely LOVE them, they're super cozy and warm but the slip-on, slip-off aspect of the moccasins got me curious. So when I saw that these were on sale I decided to go for it. Well, these are BEYOND my expectations. I wore them out in 30 degree (F) weather and with bare feet and they kept my feet warm and feel like sticking your feet into cuddly warm clouds, it's just wonderful. That being said, I like to wear nylons with them when the temperature falls below 35(F) just to protect my skin against the elements. They are perfect to throw on for shopping or driving or just generally when you want comfort and can't be bothered with boots (alas they're not rain or snow-friendly, I haven't really worn them in either condition but I wouldn't try it).

4. ColourPop Sol Pressed Powder Palette: I think in terms of its color scheme, this palette is the perfect transitional situation to take you from summer into fall. With that being said, I feel like I've established long ago that I don't really think about seasons much when testing or using my palettes. I've been playing with this again and just absolutely enjoying the process! The shadows are all so beautifully pigmented, blend beautifully together, and create a versatile array of looks. I'm sad that they've discontinued the palette because it's just so great!

5. ColourPop Ooh La La! Pressed Powder Palette: I have been playing around with this palette this month and it has honestly been such a fun time. I really have to thank my bestie for picking this palette out for me because I never would have picked it up on my own at the time. I thought bright pinks would make me look sickly but they're actually super fun and flattering.

6. ORLY Kiss The Bride Nail Lacquer: I feel like my nails just look so elegant with this on. It's definitely a nice whispery pastel pink that pretty much goes with everything. 

7. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation: I have been really loving this foundation. Firstly the shade match is really great for me, it has a beautiful finish to it where it's a medium to full coverage product but still looks like glowing, healthy, skin and it wears well despite the heat and humidity. I do set it with powder, which probably helps it stay put but since I powder all my foundations, I'm still impressed that something dewy holds up so well through this heat. It also doesn't make my skin feel oilier or slide around when it's humid out which other hydrating/dewy products tend to do on me. I'm very impressed with it. 

8. Kim Chi Chic Puff Puff Pass Powder in Translucent: Speaking of setting powders, this is the one I've been using and I really like this because it's super finely milled and silky. It really helps to set makeup, it keeps my under-eyes from creasing but it doesn't like dry, overly powdery, or cakey. 

9. Trader Joe's Watermelon Facial Mist: You folks might remember how much I loved this when I purchased it last year so when I saw it again at Trader Joe's I just had to have it! This smells nice and gives the skin a wonderful, refreshing boost of hydration. For a $4 mist it is worth every penny!

10. NYX Ombre Blush in Soft Flush: I've been playing with the blushes in my collection to see how they wear and how I like them and I just adore this blush so much! It's well-pigmented, gives a pretty flush to my skin that's flattering and looks really nice.

11. ColourPop Lilac You A Lot Pressed Powder Palette: I've been playing with this palette this month and it's been an absolute pleasure. Purples can be so hard to formulate and get right, they're often poorly pigmented or apply kind of splotchy but this palette is an absolute joy to use. Each and every shade is buttery, pigmented, and blends beautifully with the rest. I loved every single look I did with this - it compliments my eye and hair color so nicely. If you are someone that likes purples I would definitely suggest giving this a try.  

And now, a show I really loved. I feel like I watched so much trash anime last year that I can't say anything other than this moved me enough to recommend that others watch it:

12. My Dress-Up Darling: It has been ages, since I've brought up a show that I really enjoyed here and this is a show I really loved watching! Granted, it's quite pervy and loaded with fanservice but I personally think that it works in the context of what's happening and isn't awkwardly inserted for shock factor (or at least, it's done better than other animes have done it). It's a great, genuinely funny rom-com with what I think is a really fun plot and loaded with really sweet moments. 

13.Somali and the Forest Spirit: This has been on favorites back in 2020 and I re-watched it earlier this year. Honestly I'm so in love with the story and adventure in this anime. I love many of the characters so much. That being said, I find it both healing and heartbreaking to watch. The world this story takes place in is beautiful, a lot of the characters are fun and friendly but a lot of them are also prejudiced and ultimately it's curious to see if they ever find peace. In addition, it's heartbreaking because the manga had to be put to a close due to the author's poor health and, while from what I've seen, it seems that the author wants to continue to work on the manga when they make a recovery, it remains uncertain and weather or not the anime will ever get a second (or subsequent) season. I'm not saying that as a oh they should work in it type of sentiment, I'm merely saying that it is generally sad and I hope that, whether or not they continue on Somali, that the author does recover.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I paid for all these items with the exception of the Bobbi Brown and Kim Chi Chic products which were provided free for testing purposes. 

August 2022 Favorites

Hey folksickles,

Alright, all the goodies I've been enjoying in August :) 

1. wet n wild photo focus Dewy Foundation: I have been really loving this foundation. Firstly the shade match is really great for me, it has a beautiful finish to it where it's a medium to full coverage product but still looks like glowing, healthy, skin and it wears well despite the heat and humidity. I do set it with powder, which probably helps it stay put but since I powder all my foundations, I'm still impressed that something dewy holds up so well through this heat. It also doesn't make my skin feel oilier or slide around when it's humid out which other hydrating/dewy products tend to do on me. I'm very impressed with it. 

2. Kim Chi Chic Puff Puff Pass Powder in Translucent: Speaking of setting powders, this is the one I've been using and I really like this because it's super finely milled and silky. It really helps to set makeup, it keeps my under-eyes from creasing but it doesn't like dry, overly powdery, or cakey. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I paid for the products mentioned above myself.

June 2022 Empties

 All my monthly trash on display for you to see. :P

1. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder: This alleges on the back that it's meant to blur fine lines and wrinkles but I honestly find that it makes me look drier and more wrinkly than I actually am. It also has a very intense odor to it. I feel like I had it in the past and liked it but I can't say that it was enjoyable to use this time around. I probably won't be picking this up again. 

2. Christophe Robin Cleansing Mask with Lemon: I used this mask as a co-wash type of mask in conjunction with the Hair Oil with Lavender and it left my hair feeling very hydrated, silky, yet refreshed and clean. While I personally prefer the clean feeling I get from traditional hydrating shampoos, this was a nice once a week treatment to help hydrate my hair. I definitely feel as though my hair is healthier in having used this but I don't know if I want to put in the effort of doing the treatment again.

3. berkley jensen unscented baby wipes: As mentioned in the past I like that these wipes stay moist (I do keep them in the packaging upside down so the liquid goes from the bottom to the top when I flip it over to use it) and are great for wiping down surfaces and makeup, as well as removing makeup swatches when I take photos for the blog. I also like to add a little rubbing alcohol to these and wipe down surfaces when I go to the laundromat because people let their kids into the carts and onto the tables in the shoes these kids are hanging around outside, stepping into all kinds of dirt in and I don't want the extract of that nastiness on my clean laundry so this is certainly a helpful measure.

4. the Creme shop 3D Faux Mink lashes in Lolita: These lashes look really full and pretty but honestly I find that lashes that are longer in the center like these are difficult to trim in a way that looks cute - I guess the best way would be to trim pieces from both the inner and outer area so the center remains longest and it's a less awkward look. In addition, I found that it was very difficult to get the corners of these lashes to stick down. 

5. Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Formula: Honestly I've been using this a lot lately because my eczema has flared up. I am happy to say that I find cortisone creams really help to soothe and clear up my eczema patches in combination with a more hydrating eczema cream.

6. pixi skintreats Makeup Fixing Mist: I liked this setting spray okay. While it did the job of feeling refreshing and generally helping my makeup stay in place - both face makeup and eyeshadows that I used wet with it, I just wasn't blown away with it in any sense. I wish this smelled like roses but unfortunately it doesn't - it just has a very faint perfume-y scent.

7. beauty blender Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation in 2.10: Overall this is a nice foundation but given that I only had these bubble samples and this was the lightest one in it, I think the shade isn't quite right for me; it's a tad bit too dark and yellow and, if I was to purchase this, I think shade 1.50 is the one I'd go with just guessing off the chart on the back of the cardboard this came with. This is a full-coverage, lightweight foundation with what I'd describe as being a natural matte finish - meaning that it looks like healthy shine-free skin, it isn't powdery or overly flat - overall I prefer something with a more dewy finish but the wear is comfortable and it truly is long-wearing like it claims. I had this on for just under 12 hours the other day and wore it in humid, hot conditions underneath a mask and it stayed put beautifully except for around my mouth. I did eat so I can't really blame the foundation for having moved in that area.

8. Dr. Teal's Shea Sugar Scrub in Coconut Oil: This is a really great scrubby sugar body scrub that, even though it's called "coconut oil" doesn't have a super prominent coconut scent (it's toasty and light) and is hydrating without an oily feeling. It rinses cleanly and doesn't leave a residue behind.

9. The Ordinary "Buffet": Honestly, I'd have to use this long-term to say if this does anything regarding aging because, as of now, I don't have any prominent signs of aging I can comment on. This serum feels really hydrating and gives my skin a nice boost of hydration while leaving it feeling really smooth, which I enjoy. 

10. Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation in 1-N95 Fair: Frankly, the amount provided in this little sample wasn't even enough to tell me if this matched my skin well (because it just kind of blended away into sheer nothingness) let alone if I liked the foundation or not. I'm disappointed because a luxury brand like Givenchy can afford not to be cheap with their samples but of course they are because they want to seem "exclusive." 

11. Dove renewing peony & rose oil body wash: This body wash smells INCREDIBLE and leaves my skin feeling super soft and silky. As always, I really like to use these body washes for shaving because they're hydrating and provide a nice glide for my razor.

12. the Crème shop 3D Faux Mink Lashes in Tea: These lashes are very pretty and have a nice elongating effect. That being said, they are unfortunately a pain to get glued down to the eyelid nicely as they like to pop off at the corners.

13. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane: As we all know this oil remains a holy grail in my collection and while I'm sad to have finished up this bottle, you already know I've replaced it with another.

14. Trader Joe's 100% Australian Tea Tree Oil: Honestly it's strange to put this into an empties post because I essentially only use this to clean my air conditioners but on the rare occasional I'm afflicted with athlete's foot I find that tea tree oil helps kill it off.

15. COVERGIRL Trublend Undercover Concealer: I honestly didn't love this concealer the way I wanted to. It's high coverage but sets in a way that I feel looks sort of cake-y. 

16. Trader Joe's Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream: While this is in no way "supremely" hydrating I did really like the way that it hydrated my eye area. This is lightweight and plays nice with makeup, even when I put it on my lids (I have lid eczema so I could use the extra hydration) it hasn't caused my eyeshadow to crease.

17. PACIFICA Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream: This BB cream has been truly a bizarre product. I liked it at first because it gave my skin a nice glow and was buildable but after a while this didn't want to play nice with the primer I was using anymore so I started using it without a primer, because it says it doubles as a primer. Well, my old sunscreen ran out and I started using a different one and this didn't play nice with that either, so I had to go back to using primer. Overall, this has a strange texture in terms of what it feels like it plays well with versus not and the coverage it provides is too light for my personal taste. I will not be getting it again. Additionally, I wish this had an SPF in it because, well, it would make sense for this to have SPF as a multi-purpose product.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased all of the above with the exception of the Christophe Robin, pixi, Givenchy, PACIFICA, and beauty blender products. 

May 2022 Arrivals

 Ok folksickles! Look at me for a change, pretty much only buying essentials. 

1. Flip Fit Mini Haul: So, happily for me, Flip Fit generously invited me to be a part of their ambassador program this month and allowed me to pick out some items for testing purposes. These are the items I picked up:

hey HONEY Open Your Eyes Lifting Eye Serum - I'm starting to run low on eye cream, there were no eye creams to choose from so I decided to give this a try because I like de-puffing products and this is meant to hydrate as well, so we'll so how it does

COVERGIRL + Olay Simply Ageless Foundation - I've been hearing good thing about this foundation for years and years so I decided that since I can test it out, I might as well.

Wander Beauty Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation - Honestly I just wanted to try this foundation because the name sounded intriguing and I don't have any foundation left so I felt that getting two was justified.

Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Mat - I have a mini of this that I got at IMATS years ago and that I've been using for years since then. I've always considered investing in this and never got around to it so, again, I'm glad I got the chance to test it out.

COSRX Aloe Sun Soothing Cream SPF 50 PA+++ - I paid for this item myself. I needed to replenish on SPF and I know that I really liked this one in the past so I figured I'd get it again since I'm able to get a discount with Flip.

2. wet n wild Mini Haul: So, I really needed to replenish on eye primer as I am running out and really like the wet n wild one but can't seem to find it anywhere near me - shipping is free with a $25+ purchase and they were doing 30% off for Mother's Day so I figured you know what let me get some things that I wouldn't mind having on hand that I have enjoyed a lot in the past. I also decided to try their loose powder. Honestly I am shook that all of this together came out to something like $32 with sales tax. I got:

photo focus Eyeshadow Primer

I remember purchasing the foundation back when it first launched and liking it so I figured I'd purchase both finishes and see if I still like it and which finish I prefer

photo focus Foundation Dewy in Shell Ivory

photo focus Foundation Matte in Shell Ivory

photo focus Primer Water in Rose Addiction x2 (this is by far my favorite setting spray so I got 2)

photo focus Concealer in Light Ivory

photo focus Loose Setting Powder in Translucent

Oh My Star Complexion Trio in Sparkling Star (this came as a free gift)

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above with the exception of the items Flip Fit sent and the gift with purchase from wet n wild.