Foundation Issues...Try Your Concealer Instead!

I was talking to my best friend, from the web, yesterday and we both ended up ranting about how we needed new foundation and didn't quite know what to get.  We chatted about new drugstore brands first and foremost since money is tight these days.  Then, as always, the coversation turned to MAC...go figure! 

Molly ended up telling me that she prefers a matte foundation and would LOVE to have one that wouldn't end up being non-existant by midday.  I have to agree with her!  Well, the other night, she ended up at MAC...another go figure...looking for foudnation!  Because the suggestion the MUA there made, I asked Molly to write a little something about her visit to the counter.

"The MAC MA suggested that since I wanted a foundation that lasted longer than my current foundation (which is a mixture of face and body, tinted moisterizer, and studio sculpt) that I could use a concealer. She said that since I have good skin I could use the Studio Finish concealer on problems spots, and then use their Prep and Prime powder to set the concealer. My main concern when going in was finding something that would last through work, and was matte. If you have a more labor intensive job this might not work as well. I was finding that even with a desk job my little mixture was melting off halfway through a normal work day. After the MA applied the concealer ( which she only used a very tiny bit with their small stippling brush) I could see a difference. It didn't look like I was wearing foudation/concealer, and it was matte. Perfect!!"    Molly Dermer 2.4.10

Concealer!  Seriously, I never thought about doing it!  It IS essentially the same thing with the same types of ingredients.  So, I ended up having my own experience this afternoon.  I had to be at my daughters' school immediately after work today.  Obviously, since MY foundation doesn't last all day, I wanted to touch up my makeup before going.  As usual, I forgot to put something in my makeup bag...my foundation & beauty blender!  I remembered this conversation with Molly, so I grabbed my Boi-ing concealer by Benefit and tried a little on my cheek.  It seemed to be working so I applied a light, even coat all over.  Followed by my BE Matte foundation, the combination gave me a nearly flawless look to my skin!  The only issues was where my acne has ended up flaring up again...nothing covers that! 

So, if you are in a bind or even if you are looking to try something new for foundation, reach for your concealer!  You will most likely be impressed by the results!

Have you tried this??  Where did you get the idea from if you have?

Review: Almay Smart Balance/Smart Shade Makeup/Foundation

I purchased this product in the “color” light/medium. However, it really doesn’t come out as a color at all!! (You can see what I mean in my YouTube video review of this product here --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiQEEVckOz0

I purchased this product at WalMart for a little over $10. (I received a free Smart Shade Concealer with it as well.) I had been scoping this out for a while, seeing the commercials claim to match perfectly to your skin tone and balance out skin for people with combination skin…perfect for me! (They do make a formulation without the “balance” part in it.) Numerous times, I have walked past this item and did not purchase it. I was very scared it would be crap and I had spent this money for nothing. (After all, I can get a MAC shadow for the same price! Lol) Reluctantly, I purchased it this time.

I have been back and forth with my opinion on this product! At first, I ABSOLUTELY HATED IT! I tried so many different application methods and finally gave up after about 4 days of not getting decent results! Only when a sub suggested it, did I give it a try again. (Besides, it had been a while since my last try, I really wanted to provide a fair review!) This time, I was going to skip all the normal application techniques (brush/sponge) and went right for applying with my fingers. I found if I began the product in my hand, I ended up with a better result in the end.
It may sound silly, but I apply 2 layers of this product….very sparingly, mind you. Day one, I only applied one layer, and my complexion ended up being splotchy. Day two, adding the second layer made all the difference in the world as far as appearance goes. I never really had a terrible time with oilyness/greasiness (except in the norm t-zone…a great product would do away with this issue….especially one that claims to help balance out the oily/dry spots of your skin!) By day four of using this product, my skin had broken out. Nothing majorly bad, but bad enough to keep me off YouTube for a while! Argh…this is not what I want to deal with!

I may use this product until it is gone, then again, I may not. I may just kick it down to my girlfriend that has wanted to try it. I had high hopes for this foundation and I was sadly let down. Now, if you are looking for a light coverage, you may have better results than me. I just thought for sure that it would help balance my skin as claimed. The “regular” formula may work better. If you have this formula and have had different/similar results, PLEASE LET US KNOW in the comments below!!! I love to compare notes with people and different opinions generally make a difference as well!

Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/VanitysEdge! I will be posting contest info for the first 100 subs soon! Yay!