base makeup

Foundation mixology

~ stashy ~ 74 Comments

Since I’m guilty of buying new foundations instead of using up my current open bottle(s), typically I have at least 12 different ones on the go.  Some of them are better suited for the summer, while others are only used during the winter months.  My skin tone often straddle between light and medium shades, so I typically mix 2 different shades to get a suitable colour match.   In addition, mixing different foundation formulas helps to get a finish that works better for my combination skin type.
foundations
Typically, I like to mix foundations to both colour match and improve on the formulations to my liking.

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Back to MAC pick and some other stuff

~ stashy ~ 44 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I asked for recommendations on which MAC lipstick to trade in for, and a number of you chimed in on your recommendations.

Back to MAC
Hint: It’s a Cremesheen!

The big reveal!

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Guerlain Météorites

~ stashy ~ 50 Comments

Guerlain Météorites is a cult classic – there’s not much I can add to the history and information that’s already out there, so I’ll just show what I own and my thoughts on them.  I will attempt to write this whole post without using the word balls (other than this one mention), or snicker.  Staying classy!
GuerlainMeteorites2

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MAC Face & Body vs MUFE Face & Body

~ stashy ~ 43 Comments

This post kicks off “Comparison Week” here on the blog!  I’ll be comparing a bunch of products, showing differences and similarities, and maybe even unearth some dupes!

Today I’m comparing 2 foundations with the same name: MAC Face & Body and Make Up For Ever Face & Body.  Having the same name and similar claims naturally lend them to be compared against each other.  Since I posted my base stash not long ago, I had a few questions about my opinion on them, so I hope this comparison will help.
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MAC F&B comes in a plastic squeeze bottle, whereas MUFE comes in a glass bottle with a pump (the addition of the pump is a recent phenomenon, it used to be just a pour bottle).

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Back to MAC suggestions

~ stashy ~ 81 Comments

I’ve collected 6 MAC items to return to MAC!  They’re not all empties – most of them are expired products or items that just didn’t work for me.

For those of you may not be familiar with the program, this is what MAC’s site states:

Because we share your commitment to the environment, M·A·C accepts returns of its primary packaging through the Back To M·A·C Program. By returning six (6) M·A·C primary packaging containers to a M·A·C counter or M·A·C Cosmetics Online, you will receive a free M·A·C lipstick of your choice as a thank you.

Since 100% of the selling price of VIVA GLAM Lipsticks and Lipglass is provided to organizations that help people living with HIV/AIDS, these are excluded from this program.

I thought I’d show you what I’m returning to MAC and then you can help me decide what to select as my free lipstick!
BacktoMAC3
This will be kind of an empties / purge post too.

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Foundation, Powder, Concealer Stash

~ stashy ~ 66 Comments

Most people have maybe 1 or 2 foundations (perhaps a winter shade and one for summer), a couple of concealers (under eye dark circles vs covering blemishes), and a face powder.  That’s normal.  Why I have amassed this many foundations / powders / concealers (or as I call them, base products), I have no excuse for.  I couldn’t even fit everything I own into one frame so here’s a portion of what I’ll be showing today:
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I figure I would just lump all my base products including highlighters and bronzers into one post instead of them separating out.

Remember, this is a no judgement zone. 😉

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It’s Summer Solstice, let’s talk about sunscreens

~ stashy ~ 23 Comments

Happy Summer Solstice!  Aka the longest day of the year, aka official first day of summer.  And I want to remind everyone to wear their sunscreen today, and every day! 🙂
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If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you’ll know what I’m an advocate of sunscreen.  No other anti-aging skincare is as effective as sunscreen.

There are 2 general categories of sunscreens: 1) chemical and 2) physical (or sometimes referred to as mineral).  I personally prefer physical sunscreen (combinations of titanium dioxide [TiO2] and zinc oxide [ZnO]), for a number of reasons:
• much more photostable than chemical sunscreens
• less likely to cause skin reactions
• combined, TiO2 and ZnO covers the entire spectrum of UVB and UVA rays (and you want to protect well against both: UVB causes sunburns but UVA causes aging)

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Maybelline Concealer Comparison

~ stashy ~ 32 Comments

I like the brand Maybelline mainly for one product: their concealers.  I don’t like their mascaras – they smudge terribly on me.  Not really a fan of their lipsticks – their packaging bother me (why would there be a neon outer casing that doesn’t match the bullet shade?)   Their eye shadows are just average (although their matte single pans are good, but I fear they’re being phased out).  However, Maybelline concealers are phenomenal!  There has not been a Maybelline concealer that I’ve tried that was complete rubbish.  For me, the Instant Age Rewind (IAR) concealers are one the best under eye concealers on the market, regardless of price point.

Since I have quite a few Maybelline concealers in my stash currently, I thought I’d do a quick comparison and review of them:
maybellineconcealers2
From left to right:
• Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Medium 130
• Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Neutralizer 150
• Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector in Light medium 720
• Fit Me Concealer in Sand 20
• Face Studio Master Conceal in Light / medium 30
• Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Buff 340

These concealers are all very affordable, retailing for less than $15 and easily accessible at most drugstores.  I use all of these concealers mainly under my eye area.  I prefer stick or cream concealers for blemishes or redness.

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Face primers: Shiseido and Cover FX

~ stashy ~ 27 Comments

I’m no expert on face primers.  I don’t have issues with foundations lasting on my skin, and I don’t have skin texture concerns that primers often address (large pore, uneven skin, excessive oiliness).  Up until a few years ago, I never used a face primer but I’ve since incorporated it into my skin routine. I mainly use face primers as another layer of protection against the elements.
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Today I’ll review 2 primers that I own, and they’re probably not the more popular brands that are often reviewed online (Smashbox, Benefit, Hourglass) but they’re good for what need.

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Beauty Hacks

~ stashy ~ 17 Comments

This is a list of beauty related “hacks” – just tips and tricks that are inexpensive, and perhaps a little unconventional. There are all things I use on a regular basis that have been helpful to my beauty routine – I hope you get some new ideas!

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Note that I’ve gleaned some of these ideas from various online sources over the years, and some I’ve dreamed up myself.

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