Mattify! Cosmetic’s Long Lasting Eye Shadow – Swatches & Review

Apr29

Finally! I’ve done some swatches of the Mattify Cosmetic’s Eye Shadows that I promised months ago. These show 4 of the 10 Mattify brand shadows that I currently own. They are super long lasting and the colors are unlike any I’ve ever owned.

Here are the ones I use most – am completely in love with these colors! Double click the picture to see it in a larger scale, because the small picture doesn’t really show all the pretty sparkles in the shadows.
(From left to right) Mystic Mermaid, Fields of Gold, Twilight, Earth Angel

Mattify Cosmetic’s Eye Shadow Swatches

I usually wear this Teal / Gold combo for work because it really brightens up my brown eyes and helps make me look alive when I would rather be sleeping.

Teal & Gold Eye Shadow from Mattify Cosmetics

The Teal (Mystic Mermaid) goes on with a liner brush, close to my lash line. Then I use the Gold (Fields of Gold) on my lids. Then I curl my lashes with the Shu Uemura Curler and use Tarte’s Lights Camera Splashes Waterproof Mascara. (I just started using this mascara last week, and it has awesome staying power!) This is super easy for a daily routine – takes only about 4 minutes.

This Black / Nude combo I usually wear for a night out, because it creates the perfect smokey eye.

Black & Nude Eye Shadow from Mattify Cosmetics

After using my Wet n Wild Liquid Liner, I apply the Nude (Earth Angel) to my lids, and under my brow bone. Then, I take a smudge brush to apply the Black (Twilight) to the outer corners of my eyes. I slightly blend it inwards about half way to the center of my lids.

Twilight is such an amazing color!! It has navy blue sparkles that really catch the light and accentuate your eyes. Before I found this, I had the toughest time creating a smokey eye. All the shadows I had tried were matte black, and made me look totally dead, or like I had a black eye. Not pretty. But this one livens up my eyes instead of making my lids look grey and sleepy. Since it’s a loose powder eye shadow, it does cause some fall-out during application, so I would suggest applying it before you put on foundation.

When I get a new camera, I will try to post some actual pics of this makeup on my eyes. For some reason, my camera doesn’t do a good job of capturing the beautiful colors on my actual eyes like it does with the swatches. Sooo…. Instead I have found a few pictures online that are similar to the looks I’ve created with these Mattify Cosmetics shadows.

Teal & Gold Eye Makeup Look – Shorty2Sweet’s Blog

This is similar to my every-day look, using the Mystic Mermaid + Fields of Gold. Found this on Shorty2Sweet’s Blog.

Black & Nude Smokey Eye

And this Black & Nude Smokey Eye looks a lot like the look I create using Twilight + Earth Angel.

Teal and Gold Eye Makeup

Here’s a look I want to try using the Mystic Mermaid + Fields of Gold. A cool variation of the regular black smokey eye.

Nude Eye Shadow with Black Liner

When I want a really neutral look, I just use the Black Wet n Wild Liquid Liner + Mattify Cosmetic’s Earth Angel. This gives you a polished look, without looking over done.

Overall, I give the Mattify Cosmetic’s Long Lasting Eye Shadows an A+

Pros

Very inexpensive at $4.99 each
Last all day, even on my horribly oily skin
Almost all the shadows have sparkles, but very smooth – not gritty at all
Colors are bright and vivid, don’t look muddy like many other shadows I’ve tried

Cons

Long lasting, but not waterproof
Loose Powder Shadows, so they cause a bit of fall-out during application

They can be purchased at this link: http://www.mattifycosmetics.com/Long-Lasting-Eye-Shadow.html

Review – Mattify Ultra – Amazing Powder for Oily Skin!

Mar26

how to stop oily skin review mattify cosmetics ultra face powder

Stop Oily Skin with Mattify Cosmetic’s Ultra Powder

As a girl with oily skin, the ongoing search for makeup that will control the oil was starting to seem like a never ending task. It was consuming my days – searching endlessly for something that might control the oil. Hell, I have such oily skin, I even started a blog about it! My search ended about a year ago when I discovered this wonder-product that I can’t imagine living without.

mattify cosmetics ultra powder for oily skin makeup primer products

Ultra Powder for
Oily Skin.
Photo Credit: Mattify Cosmetics

What is my # 1 beauty product?

Mattify Ultra Powder for oily skin! You have probably heard me mention this product in several of my other posts. The reason is, I never EVER apply my makeup without also using the Mattify Ultra Powder. If I forget to use the powder, my face is an oily mess within minutes.

How did I discover Mattify Ultra?

While reading random beauty blogs, I stumbled upon a stellar review about this amazing face powder, and decided to add it to my list of products to try. Yes, I seriously did have a LIST! Since this was one of the least expensive items on said list, I decided to try it first. Including shipping, paid $14 for it online at www.mattifycosmetics.com .

How to apply Mattify Ultra Powder?

When I first bought it, I didn’t realize that you could use it both under AND over your makeup. So, for the first few days I used it as a setting powder over my liquid foundation. In the morning, I used a big powder brush to put it on. It looks white in the container, but when you put it on, it just blots into your skin and becomes completely invisible. For touch-ups during the day, I used a powder puff. I was totally amazed at how poreless my face looked! Not only did my face not get greasy for 3 whole hours, but it looked like an air-brushed photo.

fluffy powder brush with white powder mattify ultra powder for oily skin products

Apply Mattify Powder

Now 3 hours may not seem like much to the average person with normal skin. But for me, it was nothing short of a miracle. Before I started using the Mattify Powder, all other products I had tried kept me oil free for maybe 1 hour max.

After returning to the Mattify website to look more closely at their other products, I discovered you can use the Mattify Powder underneath makeup as a primer. Really?? That was such exciting news. I have searched the world over for a primer that doesn’t feel greasy and doesn’t contain silicone – which gives me huge breakouts. I was about to give up on primer all together when I found this powder.

products for oily and acne prone skin mattify cosmetics ultra powder

Mattify Ultra Powder
reduces acne

I started using the Mattify Ultra underneath my makeup, and again over the top of my foundation. It extended the oil-free situation to about 3.5 hours, but what’s more exciting is that it stopped me from breaking out. My pores get clogged so easily, and I was used to 6-7 breakouts every week. Beauty advisers and dermatologists have suggested using only mineral powder makeup, since liquid makeup is often a culprit for causing breakouts. But, mineral makeup does not provide nearly enough coverage for my face, so I am stuck with using a full coverage foundation. Much to my surprise, after a few weeks of using the Mattify Ultra under my foundation, I was only getting about 3 breakouts per week! Seriously. Amazing.

oil rig spitting oil cosmetics and products for oily skin

My skin produces more grease than an oil rig

The Mattify Cosmetics line has since become one of my favorite brands. When you have oily skin, you know that your beauty products must be either waterproof or designed to absorb a truck-load of oil. While I don’t think any of the Mattify stuff is waterproof, it does last all day and stops my face from having that nasty coating of oil.

Other Products from Mattify Cosmetics

As long as I use waterproof mascara, foundation, liner, and brow filler, the rest of my face is good to go with the oil absorbent Mattify products. I also use their blush and eye shadows. Will swatch some of those and do a review soon! I have collected almost all of their eye shadows, because they only cost $5 each. The colors are crazy gorgeous and don’t get all creased like most other eye shadows do after a few hours on me. Here is a pic of some of their shadows, from a review on the She Scribes website:

mattify cosmetics long lasting eye shadows crease free gold purple teal eye makeup

Mattify Cosmetics Long Lasting Eye Shadows on She Scribes Blog

Basically, if you have oily skin, this is a brand you must try! And if you have a tough time getting your foundation to look fresh and oil free all day, trust me… the Mattify Ultra Powder will be your savior! I haven’t seen the Mattify brand in drugstores, but am not sure if some salons might have it. I just buy mine online at their website www.mattifycosmetics.com and it usually arrives about 5 days after I order, so shipping is pretty fast.

Hottest Spring & Summer Eye Shadow Colors for 2013 – Teal Emerald Green & Teal Blue

Mar4

And the hottest eye shadow color for Spring & Summer 2013 is…
(Drumroll please)

TEAL EMERALD GREEN & TEAL BLUE

Teal Eye Shadow – Spring Summer 2013

Believe it or not, Teal and Emerald are very user-friendly colors! They compliment ANY skin tone from very fair to very dark, and can be worn as a liner or an eye shadow to draw immediate attention to the eyes. These colors have a fun, lively effect & will brighten up your entire complexion.

Since I’m completely addicted to teal and emerald eye shadow, I’ve purchased these colors in several different brands ranging from drugstore to high-end. All of the ones below that I have tried function really well on oily skin, and are very long lasting. Here is a list of the best Emerald / Teal Green / Teal Blue eye shadows and eyeliners I’ve found:

Maybeline 24 Hour Gel –Very long lasting, waterproof, sweat-proof ($8)

Mattify Cosmetics Long Lasting Eye Shadow – Contain built-in primer to prevent creasing and fading ($5)

Stila Cosmetics Smudge Sticks – Water resistant, perfect for lining inner rims of eyes ($20)

Nars Shimmer Eye Shadow – Vibrant, high-pigment color – but you do need a setting spray to prevent transfer ($23)

INSPIRATION!

Pictures of Emerald & Teal Eye Makeup

teal green eye makeup teal blue maybelline color tatoo 24 hour long lasting waterproof eye makeup

Teal Green Eye Shadow Maybelline 24 Hour

Teal can look awesome when applied across the entire lid as an eye shadow. Try the look above with Maybelline’s 24 Hour Cream Gel Shadow. It stays put until you use makeup remover to take it off. Perfect for wearing to a club or summer beach party, because it won’t sweat off!

teal eye shadow blue green eye makeup on dark black skin tones sparkly

Teal Eye Shadow – Vibrant Eye Makeup for Dark Skin Tones

Teal looks beautiful & vibrant on darker skin tones. To copy the sultry look above, use black liner for the lash line & water line, NARS Eye Shadow in Tropic on the lids and under lower lash line, and Mattify Cosmetic’s Navy Blue eye shadow in Midnight Train for the outer corners. These contain gorgeous silver sparkles, and high pigment color. However, these eye shadows aren’t waterproof, so you do need to use a makeup setting spray if you will be out in extreme heat or around water.

teal eye liner teal eye makeup spring summer 2013 hottest color long lasting eye makeup mattify cosmetics

Mystic Mermaid Teal Eye Liner by Mattify Cosmetics

Emerald also makes a great eye liner color, even for those who normally shy away from bright eye makeup. It adds a color burst, without looking over-done and can be worn with either casual or formal clothing. To re-create this look, try using Mattify Cosmetic’s Mystic Mermaid Teal Eye Shadow with a damp liner brush. Finish with their Snow Bunny Sparkly White Eye Shadow in the inner corners, to brighten the entire eye area.

mermaid eye shadow teal green teal blue eye makeup sparkly iamamermaid com

Sparkling Teal Blue Eye Shadow from www.iamamermaid.com

Here is a beautiful eye shadow look that combines teal blue with shimmering white sparkles. The blog where I found this (www.iamamermaid.com) doesn’t list the products used. So, I’ve come up with some ideas of my own! For liner try Stila Cosmetic’s Smudge Stick in Peacock or Blue Ribbon. For the pale blue eye shadow, add Mattify Cosmetic’s Day Dreamer to your lids, and blend very well so just a hint of blue is present. Finish by dusting some glitter over the top, like Lime Crime’s Gemini or Virgo.

Check out more blog posts from MakeupGuru4u!

MUFE Pro Finish Powder Foundation Review – Great Product for Oily Skin

http://makeupforoilyskins.com/2013/02/27/mufe-pro-finish-powder-foundation-great-product-for-oily-skin/

I Hate BB Creams! Why Beauty Blemish Balm Creams Do Not Work for Oily Skin

http://makeupforoilyskins.com/2013/01/31/i-hate-bb-creams-a-rundown-of-why-beauty-balm-blemish-creams-do-not-work-for-oily-skin/

Best Tinted Moisturizer for Oily Skin – How to Make Your Own Tinted Moisturizer

http://makeupforoilyskins.com/2013/01/17/the-best-tinted-moisturizer-for-oily-skin-how-to-make-your-own-tinted-moisturizer/

MUFE Pro Finish Powder Foundation – Great Product for Oily Skin

Feb27

makeup forever pro finish powder foundation for oily skin review

MUFE Pro Finish Powder Foundation Review

This is THE most amazing powder foundation I have ever used! A few swipes, and suddenly all of my blemishes, pores & freckles disappeared. Application was insanely easy. All I did was swirl the puff around on the powder for a few seconds, then began applying it to my face, working in sections. I started with my chin, using downward sweeps, and then repeated this process on my entire face. For a few acne spots that needed more coverage, I went back and patted the powder on using blotting motions. The whole process took about 1.5 minutes.

My Past Experiences with Powder Foundation: Not Good
Over the years, I’ve tried several brands of powder foundation, and none of these products have provided enough coverage on my oily, acne prone skin. Instead of being able to use the powder foundation alone, I would end up using my regular liquid makeup & then applying the powder foundation over the top as a setting powder.

mark powder buff foundation for oily skin

Mark Cosmetics Powder Buff Foundation

To date, the best powder foundation I’d come across was the Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation. It provided enough minimal coverage for running errands or going to the gym, but didn’t have the staying power to last more than 2 hours before my blemishes began to peek through. At only $14 it is much less expensive than the MUFE Powder Foundation, and the packaging is almost identical, but I would recommend the Mark brand if you only need light coverage and aren’t worried about hiding flaws.

What do I love most about MUFE Powder Foundation?
Aside from its high pigment coverage, I love that this is a matte powder! Those are so tough to find. Most powder foundations on the market are geared toward achieving a dewy finish. Ick. On my oily skin, “dewy” translates to “I just dipped my face in bacon fat”.

I used the MUFE Pro-Finish in Neutral Caramel #177, which was a free sample. This was a bit too dark for my skin tone, so when I go to Sephora to test other shades, I will try Golden Caramel #175 and Neutral Amber # 174.

makeup forever powder foundation for oily skin products

MUFE Pro Finish Color Choices

My Results:

Now, it was time to test longevity. Here is the break down of my 3 tests with using MUFE Pro-Finish Powder Foundation:

Test #1:
Saturday Afternoon, sitting around the house
Much to my amazement, it took about 2 hours before my face started to look shiny. I’d used no products underneath or over the MUFE Pro Finish, because I wanted to see how long it would last on its own. With my liquid makeup (alone) my skin gets oily in less than 1 hour, so 2 hours for the Pro Finish was quite impressive.

Test #2:
Sunday Morning, before running errands
The next day, I tested it with my usual primer & setting powder (Mattify Ultra Powder). This gave it extra-super-impressive long wear. After washing my face & using my regular Proactive routine, I applied the Mattify Ultra with a powder brush as a primer, then the MUFE Pro Finish Foundation, then another layer of the Mattify Ultra Powder to set everything in place. This time, I went a full 4 hours before getting oily. That has to be some sort of record for me!

Test #3:
Monday Morning, before work
The results from Sunday had been so long lasting, I decided to do the ultimate test – a full 9 hour work day! Although I just work in a comfortable air-conditioned office, my makeup somehow likes to melt away & disappear by mid day. I normally need to use oil blotters a few times, and re-touch with the Mattify Ultra twice to keep oil under control. I spot apply my liquid makeup a few times during the day if blemishes are peeking through. So, I had my doubts that the MUFE Powder Foundation would last through the day. Here are my results:

Clean n Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

I stayed oil free, with a little help from my friends:

Mattify Cosmetics Ultra Powder

Clean n Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets & Mattify Cosmetic’s Ultra Powder…

I used the same routine as on Sunday, applying the Mattify Ultra Powder first, then the MUFE Foundation, then more Mattify Powder. I left the house around 7:30am & checked my complexion at my 10am break. It was a tad bit shiny, but still looked virtually flawless. I patted some Mattify Powder on to get rid of the shine, and then checked again at my 1pm lunch break. Again, just a tiny bit of shine, and still the full-coverage remained! After another dusting of the Mattify Powder, I continued my day. At 5pm when it was time to leave work, I checked in the mirror one last time. There was a bit of shine, but almost all of my acne blemishes were still covered! Really? An entire day without foundation touchups to re-hide red spots? Amazing. The little red devils were just starting to peek through.

Alternate Application Methods:

no water wet cosmetic sponge doesnt work for oily skin

Don’t dampen cosmetic sponge unless you want sheer coverage

This product can also be used with a damp sponge, but that results in more sheer coverage. I tried it, and hated it. You would need almost perfect skin to be able to get away with using this as a wet foundation. A bit of water on the sponge thins it out too much, and creates barely-there coverage. It didn’t even hide the freckles on my nose when used damp. Also, it felt somewhat sticky, and never dried to the nice matte finish that I got when using the powder with a dry sponge. So, I would not recommend this application technique unless you have dehydrated & flawless skin.

Final Thoughts:
Since my skin is oily, acne prone & freckled, I have always sworn by liquid foundation with full coverage. On a daily basis, liquid makeup is probably what I will continue to wear, just because it is less expensive than the MUFE Powder. But, it’s great to know that I now have a powder foundation which I can use for touch-ups, or a full-face application when liquid makeup is too inconvenient. It will be perfect for summer – traveling & camping are two situations where using liquid makeup is a pain in the butt! Am curious to see how the MUFE Pro Finish will last in scorching heat & humidity, or after a day at the pool. But the good part is, touch-ups will be a breeze, if needed.

I’m so thankful that Sephora offers product samples like these – otherwise, I would never discover new high-end products! Who wants to spend $30 or more to find out if a product works? I have drawers full of drugstore brands that I’ve used once and hated. Glad to know that I can purchase a full-size container of MUFE Pro Finish with confidence. They retail for $36 + S/H at Sephora, or you can find them on Ebay as low as $28 including shipping.

Whatchya think?
Going to try it out? Tried it already and loved or hated it? Tell us in the comments!

Check out more blog posts from MakeupGuru4u!

Hottest Spring & Summer Eye Shadow Colors for 2013 – Emerald Green & Teal Blue

I Hate BB Creams! Why Beauty Blemish Balm Creams Do Not Work for Oily Skin

Best Tinted Moisturizer for Oily Skin – How to Make Your Own Tinted Moisturizer

Kree Harrison of American Idol 2013 Looks Like Rose from Two and a Half Men

Feb21

Split Screen – LEFT: Rose from Two and a Half Men (Melanie Lynskey) RIGHT:(Kree Harrison) from American Idol 2013

Anyone else notice the striking resemblance between Kree Harrison from Season 13 of American Idol and Melanie Lynskey (Rose) from Two and a Half Men? They look almost identical!

While watching American Idol the other night, my boyfriend walked into the room while Kree was singing. He watched for a second, and said “woah, I didn’t know Rose could sing!” He actually thought that Rose was on American Idol, doing a guest spot.

These two women could be identical twins. Just looking at the picture set I put together, most people couldn’t tell them apart! I did a little experiment at work – and everyone thought they were the same person. Upon closer inspection, you can tell slight differences: Kree’s nose is a bit longer than Melanie’s, and Kree’s face is more of an oval shape, while Melanie’s is round.

At any rate, Kree is an AMAZING singer & really busted out the vocals on last night’s episode of American Idol when she sang Patty Griffin’s folk song “Up to the Mountain”. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of this uber talented Rose-look-alike in the near future. Is Kree as demented as Rose’s character in Two and a Half Men? Possibly. But methinks she hides it a bit better than her pseudo-stalker counterpart. Rock on Kree!

Check out more blog posts from MakeupGuru4u!

Mattify! Cosmetics Ultra Powder for Oily Skin – Secret to long lasting makeup

http://makeupforoilyskins.com/2013/03/26/review-mattify-ultra-amazing-powder-for-oily-skin/comment-page-1/#comment-60

Hottest Spring & Summer Eye Shadow Colors for 2013 – Emerald Green & Teal Blue

http://makeupforoilyskins.com/2013/03/04/hottest-spring-summer-eye-shadow-colors-for-2013-teal-green-teal-blue/

MUFE Pro Finish Powder Foundation Review – Great Product for Oily Skin

http://makeupforoilyskins.com/2013/02/27/mufe-pro-finish-powder-foundation-great-product-for-oily-skin/

I Hate BB Creams! Why Beauty Blemish Balm Creams Do Not Work for Oily Skin

http://makeupforoilyskins.com/2013/01/31/i-hate-bb-creams-a-rundown-of-why-beauty-balm-blemish-creams-do-not-work-for-oily-skin/

Best Tinted Moisturizer for Oily Skin – How to Make Your Own Tinted Moisturizer

http://makeupforoilyskins.com/2013/01/17/the-best-tinted-moisturizer-for-oily-skin-how-to-make-your-own-tinted-moisturizer/

Review & Swatches Wet n Wild Megalast Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick

Feb6

long lasting lipstick lipstain wet n wild megalast liquid lipstick all colors

Wet n’ Wild Long Lasting Liquid Lipsticks

I am forever in search of long lasting cosmetics. Why? Because makeup seems to dissolve off my face in a matter of minutes. So, imagine my sheer excitement when I found a low-cost & long lasting liquid lipstick from Wet n’ Wild!

This hybrid lip-stain / liquid lip-stick performed very well for an item that only cost $3 at the drugstore. I’ve tried a few high end brands at $15 + and was disappointed. BUT –there are some application tips you must follow to get the most out of this Wet n’ Wild product… Read On!

1. Do NOT apply a thick layer!

This liquid lipstick is very thick and gooey. A tiny bit goes a long way. The applicator is a soft, angled doe-tip (which I love). But the lipstick itself is very thick and clings to the applicator.

APPLICATION #1
On my first try, I applied the liquid lipstick full-force. This resulted in a “va-va-voom” deep cherry color. It looked great at first, but then it started to dry. It felt like I was wearing a peel-off face mask on my mouth! It started to change colors to a purplish rotton grape shade & looked horrible. You could see every line & wrinkle on my lips. I promptly removed it with my trusty Cover Girl Clean Eyes Makeup Remover & washed my lips so I could try again.

APPLICATION #2
Realizing that I should not use as much product as the applicator holds, I wiped about half the lipstick off of the tip before applying. This resulted in a much more smooth & fluent result. There was plenty of pigment, and my lips looked beautiful. It dries very quickly, so you have to work fast. However, one problem remained: The color started changing again! This time it went to a purplish hot-pink, and I looked downright scary. Since I had no time to try again, I slapped some beige sparkly gloss over it to tone down the pinkness.

Much to my surprise, the gloss didn’t make it wear off or flake. This lipstick was still going strong 5 hours after application!

The color I used was Raisin the Roof:

Wet n Wild “Raisin the Roof “

2. Do NOT use oil-based gloss over this lipstick.

Am pretty sure that any product or food with oil will dissolve this product (as with any long-lasting makeup). So, if you do use gloss make sure it isn’t super waxy or oily. If you eat a greasy meal, you will probably need to re-apply. I used Jordana Gloss Sensations in Honey Glaze & it worked great.

3. DO Moisturize your lips after removing the lipstick.

Most long lasting lipsticks have a tendency to dry out the lips. To combat this, use a rich moisturizer on your mouth after removal, and before bed. I like to use Nivea Crème – it is very emollient, gentle & hydrating. (This is also a great moisturizer to use during seasonal changes & if you suffer from dry lips after catching a cold!) Don’t use typical lip balms & if you do, choose an all natural brand that does not contain Salicylic Acid. Many companies include acids or alcohols, as marketing scams. They continually dry out the skin, forcing you to keep re-purchasing the lip balm!

Also, if your lips are peeling, skip using this Wet n’ Wild Lipstick – it will accentuate any dry areas, and cause them to dry out more. Until your lips are healed, use the Nivea Crème and then a sparkly gloss, instead of lipstick. Regardless, it is always good to exfoliate the lips a few times a week. Use a mild sugar scrub to remove any dry, shedding skin.

Overall Review:
In short, I really like this product and will be trying more colors. Can’t wait to get my hands on Coral Me Bad & I Can Bare It. These seem like more neutral colors, and will hopefully not change shades after I apply them! I’ve had the problem of mysterious color shifting with many lip-stains, so maybe it is just something about my skin that causes it!

Product Score: B -
Will I Buy Again? Yes

The Goods
• Very inexpensive
• Nice range of colors
• Soft, angled applicator tip
• Long lasting for 5-7 hours

The Bads
• Slightly drying to the lips
• Colors shift and don’t stay true (at least on me)
• Feels heavy, cracks & peels – but only if you apply too much

I Hate BB Creams! A Rundown of Why Beauty Balm Blemish Creams Do Not Work for Oily Skin

Jan31

BB Creams Do Not Work for Oily Skin

Just in case the title didn’t get my point across… I HATE BB Creams! Whoever decided they should be marketed toward those with acne prone skin as a Blemish Balm should be slapped for false advertising.

My skin is very blemish prone, and also very oily. I have some freckling, and some little scars from past acne breakouts. Every day for the past 3 years, I have worn Estee Lauder Liquid Foundation along with Mattify Ultra Powder for Oily Skin. With this combo, I now get fewer breakouts, my skin isn’t nearly as oily looking, and just a tiny bit of the foundation covers all of my flaws. After getting such amazing results with these products, BB Creams had high standards to meet – and they all failed!

What I’ve discovered is that Most BB Creams are nothing but a tinted moisturizer. So, with the added moisture (even if the products are labeled “oil-free”) my skin turns into a grease factory. Several of them also made me break out more than I normally do. Some of them clogged my pores and caused blackheads. ALL of them made my skin produce more oil. ALL of them failed to provide enough coverage.

The first BB creams I tried were the easily accessible drugstore brands: Garnier Skin Renew and Olay Fresh Effects. These did absolutely nothing positive for my skin. I tried both with / without concealer, and both with/without my trusty oil absorbing Mattify Ultra powder. End result: my skin never stopped looking oily and there was zero coverage from either of these BB Creams. They both felt greasy and heavy, like a gooey moisturizer. Someone with dry skin would probably love these.

BB Creams

Then, I decided to obtain some samples from Sephora & Macys for the higher end brands. At Macy’s I tried Estee Lauder’s Day Wear, which is intended for oily skin. This is the ONLY BB cream that did not make my face greasier than usual. However, it didn’t cover any imperfections, and it looked like I was wearing next to nothing. I also tried Clinique Age Defense, which felt waxy and heavy, but did not cover and certainly did not control oil.

At Sephora, I took so many samples home, I will just list them below with the results.

Too Faced Beauty Balm
Of all I tried, this one provided the most coverage. It at least minimized the appearance of my freckling and redness from acne (but still nowhere near what my regular liquid foundation covers). Unfortunately, it didn’t help with the oiliness & my skin felt sticky within an hour of application.

Smashbox Camera Ready
This one claims to control oil. Om, no. I actually looked shinier after I applied it, and it made my face itch. I had to wash it off after only 20 minutes because of the itching.

Bobbi Brown BB Cream
At first, it provided a bit of coverage – similar to the Too Faced Balm. But even though it felt dry to the touch, it made my face look shimmery. Again, the oily problem popped up after only 1 hour of wear, then the pigment to the cream seemed to fade, and coverage completely disappeared.

Boscia BB Cream
Gave my skin a healthy looking glow, but didn’t really cover any imperfections. It actually did give my skin nice coloring, but I would need to use a ton of concealer underneath for a flawless face.

Stila Stay All Day
Provided a semi-matte finish, but it only lasted about half an hour and didn’t provide any coverage. It looked like I was wearing no makeup at all.

In short, here is why BB Creams are NOT ideal for oily, breakout-prone skin:

• Too hydrating for combination or oily skin
• Leave skin feeling and looking sticky all day long
• Promote even more oil production than usual
• Feel heavy or greasy, and some brands clog pores
• Most contain no ingredients to actually fight blemishes
• Do not contain enough pigment to cover even light freckling or tiny acne breakouts

My experience with BB creams has been all too similar to my trials with Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup. I tried to use their mineral foundation for weeks before discovering I was allergic to Bismuth Oxychloride. Since so many people with acne prone skin swore by these products, I wouldn’t give up on them working for me. I ended up with tons of zits, my face itched, and I looked horrible every time I wore it. That goes to show me that not all products work for all people.

BB Creams – NOT For Oily Skin

I have completely given up on BB Creams until some company comes up with a truly pigmented formula for blemished oily skin that does not make the face look shinier. Some blogs do state that brands from Japan are better & have more pigment than the ones in the states. If I decide to give BB creams one more shot, and order a Japanese brand from Ebay, I will post an update. In my opinion, BB Creams should only be marketed toward people who have flawless, dry skin with nothing to cover, and no oiliness to deal with.

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