"Your Foundation Looks Lovely"

Ha! Take that expensive brands. Physician's Formula has a new winner with their Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Loose Powder SPF 30.

Ridiculously long, convoluted, inflated, and self-important name, but an amazing product. I ran into Sephora to lust after products I can afford only after I win the lottery (which will happen damn it). The sales associates recommended some products they love and told me my "foundation looks lovely"  and asked "What was I wearing?" I proudly answered Physician's Formula, which was met with some incredulous looks, but I pulled this lil' beauty bullet outta my purse to silence the haters. This stuff is that great.

Of course, it has the terrible brush and ridiculous packaging of all PF products, which they really need to get over. Hard. Peeps over at Physician's Formula need to stop, collaborate and listen: QUIT WITH THE WHACK PACKAGING. Moving on, this powder can be applied lightly as a setting powder, and it's yellow-based shade lends itself well to that, or as a full on mineral foundation. Of course, the shade range is limited, but fair gals can rejoice in the natural looking flawless coverage.

Heart it. Even more than I heart Ben Affleck circa 2000. Hard core.

Natural Wonder Drugstore Products That I Love

Here are a few of my favorite cheap, drugstore Natural Wonders:


1. Physician's Formula Organic wear™ 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer

This stuff is amazing. All natural, cruelty-free, feels good on the skin, and has an SPF. It also smells amazing. Not the greatest coverage in the world, but you will notice how the condition of your skin changes for the better when  using this product.

2. Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

Another natural wonder. I love Burt's Pomegranate Lip Balm. This is my fav balm hyped up on crack. A perfect sheer wash of color in a lip smoothing balm. Tastes good too. I recommend the color Hibiscus.


3. Yes to Cucumbers Daily Makeover Shampoo and Conditioner

Want shiny, soft hair? Want your color to last and last? Want this all in a natural, sulfate-free formula? Yes to Cucumbers is your answer. And it smells great too. So good.

4. Alba Natural AcneDOTE Deep Clean Astringent

If you have a case of the greasies, this is your cure. Willow bark extract naturally supplies salicylic acid, an oil and acne fighter. Aloe and chamomile soothe your skin so it doesn't dry out. Even I can use this, with my irrationally sensitive, nasty skin. It keeps me oil free longer, and even shrinks my pot hole sized pores. It wins so much, it must be made of Tiger Blood.

REVIEW: Physician's Formula Happy Booster™ Glow & Mood Boosting Blush

Drugstore goodness doesn't come in a cuter package:

Seriously. I am a callous bitch, but this lightly violet scented, shimmering heart covered lovely cracks through my gruff exterior and turns my cheeks into shimmering pink orbs of adorableness. Or so I like to think.

I have the Physician's Formula Happy Booster™ Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Natural, and it gives me a great, just-ran-up-the-stairs-after-eating-a-box-of-Twinkies flush. If you are a reader of da blog, you know I have a hard-on for most things Physician's Formula. They came through again with a great product. I can't wait to try other products in the Happy Booster line. Lord knows I need it.

Mixing Medium

Mixing medium, a combination of distilled water and glycerin, is a great tool in getting your powder foundations and mineral makeup to go on smoothly and flawlessly, without a "powdery" look. It's easy to make and use your own. Check out this video:

I use mixing medium when applying my Everyday Minerals or Hello Flawless. It really cuts down on the amount of product you use, and the amount of product that you look like you are using. And it is super cheap to make, and you get a high end result. 

One of The Best Foundations (For Me)

I've found it. One of my favorite foundations (so far). Everyday Minerals is pretty rad. Drug store price, free sample packs,a huge color and formula selection, amazing brushes, and fast service have won this hardened make up bitch over. There are 4 different bases, ranging from the dewy, glittery "Original Glo" formula to the formula of my choice, "Intensive."

I also love the heck outta there marketing and branding. Adorable.

The Sample Base Kits are amazeballs. You get 5 free samples of the base formula of your choice, ranging in color from Ivory to Mocha. You can order one free kit each time you make an order, additional samples per order are around $5.00. You get quite a bit of product in each sample, and if you are a mineral makeup fan, this is the way to go.

The also carry some of the best (and cruelty-free) makeup brushes I have ever used. Ever. Soft, silky, and effortless application. No more itchy face, or "scrubbing" to apply your makeup. Truly Glorious.

In short, great price, great product, and worth throwing your hard earned cash on.

Cheap Thrill

wet n wild gets a bad rap, partly because they are cheap, partly because they do not believe in capitalization. Almost everyone I know has used wet n wild, particularly as a teen, or for cheap Halloween makeup. I have turned to the brand recently because it's so freakin' cheap, and they are cruelty-free, which is one of my musts. 

Their powder eyeshadows are amazing. Silky, long lasting, easily blendable, equal to expensive brands. My new fav is the Color Icon Eye Shadow Trio in "Sweet as Candy."

It doesn't look impressive in the pic above, but this stuff rocks. A subtle sheen of pearly color looks great on almost every skin tone (sorry olive ladies, this particular trio is not for you, but there are several others to choose from). All for around $3.00. Ridiculous. Go buy 2. 

Experiments in Broke Ass Beauty

I have been experimenting with several drugstore foundations that meet the Mandy Code:

1. Cruelty Free
2. On Sale
3. Come in Caucasian Corpse as one of the color options

I'm also interested in something that can last through the work day without many touch-ups, that stays put on the BP oil spill that calls itself my t-zone, and doesn't oxidize into a freakish orange color as the day wears on. I also don't want anything too mask-like, thick, or goopy looking. I hate that. One of the challenges I face is I am in and out of natural and artificial light.

Yes. I am concerned about how my makeup looks in various lighting. Let me tell you ladies, and the occasional gent, this can be the difference between fab and freakish. For example, in my videos, I wear more makeup, and a different kind, that I would wear in the real world, without the harsh glare of the artificial lights of my night time household. I would never wear this out of the house while sober. Unless I was walking into the same horror-show canned lighting fiesta that is my house. But, for the sake of this experiment, I wore different types of makeup into the real world: to my job, the grocery store, and over to a friend's.

Experiment 1: Almay's tlc truly lasting color makeup

The Claims (via the Almay website):

tlc truly lasting color^™makeup

tlc truly lasting color™ makeup with SPF 15 delivers up to 16 hours of flawless coverage that won't rub off—even in heat and humidity. Plus, it nourishes your skin with a blend of green tea to protect, vitamin E to help smooth, and lemon extract to brighten...for all day, natural radiance.

The Reality:

Can I just share that it really irks me that Almay doesn't use capitalization with their products? It makes me want to dislike the product immediately without just cause.


This is surprisingly good. I'm not a huge fan of Almay foundations. The color is usually way off, and oxidizes to the point where I look spray tanned. I'm a fan of Almay shadows and lippies. I'm now a fan of this as well. If I was a bit darker (of course) this would truly be a great, long(ish) wearing makeup that doesn't feel like a lot of makeup. It has good for you, gentle ingredients, no long wear smell. 

I applied with a foundation brush followed by a sponge for a smooth, even, flawless application. I liked this as a medium coverage option. It still looks like your skin and doesn't settle into fine lines or wrinkles. I don't use a powder over it, as I think that would be too "made up." This would be a great for someone with sensitive skin, who is trying to hide some redness. It does oxidize and get darker throughout the day, so watch out for that.


Oh, and 16 hour wear my fat, lily-white ass. It's long lasting, but not that long, particularly on my combo skin.

Experiment 2: Revlon's PhotoReady Makeup mixed with ColorStay

The Claims (via the Revlon website):

Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup - for poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. Photochromatic pigments bend and reflect light to erase every flaw. Complete, yet undetectable coverage. Soft, luminous finish.

- Oil free
- Fragrance free
- SPF 20

ColorStay™ Makeup with SoftFlex™ provides lightweight comfort, so you feel like you’re not wearing makeup. Looks fresh for up to 16 hours.

Want makeup that is flawless and weightless for 16 perfect hours? Revlon has the solution - ColorStay™ Makeup with SoftFlex™.

Specially formulated for combination or oily skin, this oil-free formula helps control shine all day and gives you flawless looking skin.

Makeup looks fresh and feels great for up to 16 hours thanks to the lightweight, comfortable feel from the SoftFlex ColorStay™ formula.

Medium to full coverage, with SPF 6 protection*.

What I did:

Some other bloggers have mentioned their success at blending these 2 formulas together. Frequent readers of this blog know I have a deep hatred of PhotoReady, and a mild like of Colorstay. Sometimes two wrongs make a right (Michael Bay and Explosions, Britney Spears and Auto-Tune, Captain and Tennille) and I thought this might too.

The Reality:

I applied a 50/50 mixture with a foundation brush followed by a sponge for the smoothest coverage. No powder. This looks great in really bad, harsh artificial light. It looks like you belong in an open casket wake in soft light or natural light. It's just too mask-like. If you were going out for a night on the town and need something that lasts and you will be in dive bar lighting, this will work. If you are getting pictures taken and want to hide flaws with ultra-coverage, this will work. If you are working on your tuck game and need something to hide your stubble, I would recommend this. That's about it.

My experiment had mixed results. I think these products are going to make some people amazingly happy, I'm just not one of 'em. Go find a bogo sale somewhere and get yourself some warpaint to experiment with. You just might find your perfect match in your mad experiment.

Amanda

Retro Makeup Tutorial

We were at it again peeps! The Other Amanda sat down for a easy and quick retro look.

Vintage Makeup: Cruelty Free Alternatives

Vintage Makeup: Cruelty Free Alternatives

Helpful link for those looking for cruelty-free alternatives!

Check Out My Video Tutorial!

Check out my first epic makeup tutorial video. Pardon the shady camera stylings, poor lighting, and my overexposed boobs. I'm still learning. 

REVIEW: Revlon Makeup Eraser Pen

Do you ever unintentionally jam your mascara wand into you eye, causing a raccoon-eyed mess around your eye? Have you ever gotten to close to the base of your eyes, and made a mascara mess? Or, have you ever so royally messed up your eyeliner that you had to wipe off or start over?

I do one of these things everyday. Every. Damn. Day. The Revlon Makeup Eraser Pen is one of the best things to ever happen to me. I rank this up there with meeting my husband, joining Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time, and buying Just Dance 2. This shit is the real deal.

Run this over mistakes to clear the area for a quick shadow/concealer/liner application. It saves me so much time in the morning when I, of course, mess my face up completely when applying mascara. This could also be used for lipstick messes and the occasional brow pencil tragedy. Everyone should have this. Everyone.

REVIEW: BeneFit Products that Rock My World

It's time to unveil some of the products that are contributing to my new-found hotness. let's start from the base up:

1. BeneFit's You Rebel Lite SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer

Note that I, of course, have to use the specially made, corpse colored version of a perennial favorite, but at least they make it, unlike countless other brands. This is a great, blendable, buildable tinted moisturizer. It is yellow-toned, so instead of looking pink or Snooki orange, this calms redness and leaves a fresh, more even complexion. And it's oil free. You also get a ton of product (a little goes a loooooonnnnggg way) so this will last even with daily application. If this product was a person, it would be Anne Hathaway. A pale, intelligent beauty that stands out amongst all the botoxed, tanned, shriveled Hollywood whores. Truly lovely.

2. After applying You Rebel Lite, I move on to my newest bestest friend: BeneFit's The Porefessional

This stuff is freaking wonderful. I have huge pores in between my eyebrows, and along the sides of nose. my cheeks are even starting to join the giant nasty pore parade. It's awful, disheartening and makes me die inside a little when I see them, winking at me with their huge, greasy vastness in the mirror, mocking me.

The Porefessional is like a pore assassin. it helps temporarily fill in the pits created by pores, stop their incessant oil leaking, and create a smoother, softer, oil free canvas for you to base the rest of your look on. This knocked my proverbial socks off ladies. If I was given the choice of no more The Porefessional and a night of endless pleasure with Brad Pitt a la Legends of the Fall, I would send young, long-tressed, Adoniis-bodied, virile Bradley packing. This goo is that amazing. You know how your make-up settles into fine lines and your pores after a while (or in my greasy case, after 20 minutes)? This slows that process down, and for less oil prone gals, stops your make-up from sliding into your nooks and crannies. Heart.

3. BeneFit's Boi-ing Concealer

 Remember my love of Erase Paste? My introduction to Boi-ing makes that fondness seem like a school girl's crush. this is a bit dryer of a formula, which works much better on my skin. A little dab'll do ya, and you can mix it with a touch of The Porefessional for a silky, light touch concealer and primer in one step. I just knocked your ass to the ground with that I know. It's what I use around my eyes when I don't have deep, dark circles. When I do have straight up purple bags, I use Boi-ing Straight up. It conceals without being heavy or gross, or caking into fine lines.


There is more to come Dear Internet, but this is it for now.

Amanda

 

Mo' Money, Less Problems

Forget what Diddy said ladies. Sometimes, by spending more money up front for beauty products, you save yourself time, anguish, and most importantly, cash.

For example, you buy Brand X foundation at La Drugstore. After you actually wear Brand X in public, you realize it sucks in a triple X kinda way. It's the Jenna Jameson of foundations, and you've spent $12.00 bucks on it. La Drugstore's return policy on cosmetics varies from store to store. You live in an urban area, so you are totally SOL. NO RETURNS. Balls.

You instead have to purchase another foundation, and hope for the best. If it doesn't work out for you, the cycle continues. I've lived this folks. Let me tell you something--it's not worth it. I've had my come to Grilled Cheesus moment. I  saved money and bought a few real, returnable, high-end products.

I look f$%ing fabulous.

I also returned 2 foundations and a powder before I was satisfied. Here are some tips I am passing down to you before you enter the scary customer service driven worlds of Sephora and Ulta.

1. Research products online and read reviews.


Duh. There are people like me tripping over themselves to make sure you don't buy a shitty product. Let us help you chicas. Google it. Read about it. Be informed about what you smear on your face.


2. Look good when you go shopping.


Seriously, I don't want no scrubs shoppin' at Sephora wit' me. Look good. You will feel confident, and the sales people are less likely to hone in on you like cheetahs on an injured antelope. Strut bitches, strut.


3. When they ask if you want help, tell them no, even if you need it. 


But Amanda, you ask, isn't this counterintuitive? Yes and no. If you tell them that you are browsing when you walk in, you don't have to worry about them stalking you and pressuring you to buy something. In my case "help'"consisted of two very orange foundations and an illuminating powder that lit me up like a Studio 54 Disco Ball (I did, however, get directed to the bestest mascara in the world). Under the prison lights of their stores, anything looks good. Daylight is the real test. If you need advice ask for it, but browse on your own first. Smear the back of your hand, your collar bone, and your cheek with a million sundry products. Go crazy. Narrow it down to three or four items like items. Then ask a sales person for help if you are still lost.

When I browsed and picked out products on my own, I hit home runs. I know how pale and greasy I am, and how large my pores are. These beatches have no idea about my struggles. Know thyself, and buy products that work for you.

4. Don't be afraid to return things.


If you hate it, return it. Life goes on. Pick something else instead. Don't let the stank eyed gaze of the salesperson scare you. RETURN IT.

5. Don't be scared to try something different.


Get sucked in by cute packaging. Pay too much for something you don't feel like you can live with out. If it sucks, you can always make like number 4 and RETURN IT. It could be the best purchase you ever made.

I'll be posting reviews on my high end haul shortly. Don't think I've abandoned my dollar store roots Internet. I will forever prowl the aisles of CVS looking for eyeshadow quads and lipglosses while slightly buzzed off of vodka and sugar free Redbulls. Old habits die hard.

Red Breaks My Heart

My red hair washed out after 4 days. I only washed it twice. I'm a natural looking medium reddish brown now. I LOVED the red day one. It was awesome, and I'm, sad that it happened.

I did, however, learn a valuable lesson: IF YOU WANT TO BE RED GET YOUR HAIR COLORED BY A PROFESSIONAL. That was very capslock Harry Potter a la book five, but it's the truth. Don't play.

Fab or Fail: I'm a Ginger Now

Ok peeps, time to weigh in on my newest rash decision--red hair. I've had the bug for quite some time but being blond is safe, generally flattering, etc. Whattya think?

Revlon Foundation Round-Up: Fantastic or Fail?

Hola Chicas,

CVS had a bogo sale on some Revlon foundations and I could not resist the temptation to purchase the 2 that had been twinkling in my eye for some time now: SPA Age Defying Foundation and Colorstay Mineral Mousse Makeup.

 

SPA Age Defying Foundation in FAIL. 

I

Colorstay Mineral Mousse Foundation in INFINITE SADNESS.

I wish I had better news for you girlfriends, but the facts are in. DO NOT BUY. Revlon has such amazing products (Colorstay with Soft Flex, Just Bitten Lipstains, Colorstay LipSheers...) that I was floored at how crazy bad these were. Someone was drinking too many Mike's Harder Lemonades when they were cookin' up these formulas.

SPA Age Defying Foundation

Pros:
-Dewy finish
-Lot's of product

Cons:
-WTF is with the unsanitary, needless-streak-causing-funky-brush applicator? You have to use tools to pull this thing off. I'm She Hulk and I can't rip it off. SHENANIGANS!
-This is not true to color. It's actually far lighter than the tube and that's saying something coming from this snowflake.
-It's not really any kind of coverage. I've used tinted moisturizers with more bang.

This might be good mixed into something too heavy for you, or as a color corrector for something too dark. On it's own. Meh.

Colorstay Mineral Mousse Foundation

Pros:
-It was a nice try

Cons:
-Wack coverage, can get clumpy, settle into fine lines and pores
-Not true to color
 -Color doesn't stay

If you are like me, the glowing picture of Halle B. sucked you into to this purchase. It was a sad mistake, as I will never be a beautiful Oscar-winning screen actress famous for humping Billy Bob like she really meant it and being absurdly hot. Smearing this on your face makes you look more like Crazy Aunt Dot, with the crepe paper skin, neon pink lipstick and haphazardly smeared brow pencil. It will also make you smell like her--the faint scent of Gold Bond, cats, and musty Danielle Steele novels.

Stick with Colorstay ladies. Get your ass in gear Revlon.

It's a G-D Shame.

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been wrestling with an ethical dilemma and how I want to phrase my thoughts without sounding like a PETA hypnotized, granola munching, hemp-raising hippy. That being said, I eat a mostly vegan diet, recycle, turn the faucet off, buy organic, shun non-cotton underies, despise sulfates, and make all natural bath and body products as a hobby. Patchouli should be wafting behind me in a perfumed curtain of Aquarian goodness and sunflowers should sprout in my foot prints as sparrows braid my hair. Did I mention I have an herb garden?

I don't think animals are people, although my dog might disagree with me as he watches television next to me with eerily human intent. I do believe they have the right to a life filled with as much freedom and dignity as possible, even if they end up on the dinner table, or are incubating the possible cure for breast cancer. There are, in my opinion, justifiable reasons for animal testing. AIDS, Leukemia, and MS are but a few of these reasons. Thumper can take one for all the kids suffering at Saint Jude's. Don't get me wrong--those animals suffer and live an extremely shitastic existence, it sucks, and if there is any possible alternative for testing it should be taken. End of story.

I don't think that in the year 2010 Thumper should be getting mascara and lipstick shoved in his adorable little eye. My plumping lip gloss doesn't need to be forcefed to rats to make sure it's safe. Cosmetic companies shouldn't be putting crap in my mascara that they think might be that effing questionable. This isn't even a question for me.

To be honest, I didn't even think this was an issue anymore. It's 2010, wasn't there supposed to be a flying car by now? Haven't we moved beyond such asshatery? Well, these cosmetic giants haven't:

CoverGirl
Maybelline
L'Oreal
Johnson & Johnson
Sally Hansen

This only names a few. More information can be found here.

Neutragena doesn't test on animals, but its parent company, Johnson & Johnson does. So the drugstore brands we have left are:

Revlon
Almay
Physician's Formula

These are the brands you will be seeing featured from now on. Hopefully, this will expand. I will also be supporting Neutragena's decision to stop animal testing. As a consumer, my purchases can also be meaningful and just.

Let's face it. This sucks. No more Lashblast. No more Voluminous. Get with the program cosmetic giants! I want to buy your shit. I want to be sucked in by the young starlet in your ridiculous marketing campaigns. I desperately want to purchase your sulfate-free shampoos that infer Sawyer from LOST will take me again and again in a polar bear cage while Jack watches.

Stop poisoning bunnies so we can be BFF's again.

REVIEW: CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara

We all know I am obsessed with mascara. It is my one beauty must have other than tintes moisturizer with an SPF. I tried the original LashBlast mascara and was not impressed. I was the opposite of impressed. It was gloppy, didn't stay put, and managed to get everywhere during application.

This waterproof version, howevr, lives up to all the hype I've been seeing about this stuff. The brush is still a bit outrageous and hard to control, but the product delivers. Go CoverGirl.

REVIEW: Sally Beauty Supply Hair One Cleansing Conditioner

I've noticed a trend lately, I only blog about stuff I'm in love with. This is no different. I bought the knock-off of Chaz Dean's Wen Hair Care System for a fraction of the cost at Sally's. I chose the Aloe and Cucumber Hair One formula for normal hair. IT IS AMAZING.

Here's what Sally has to say about their freaking great product:

Sulfate Free



All natural approach to hair care


No damaging detergents or harsh chemicals


Formulated with natural herbs and oils


Cleans with an astringent and antibacterial properties

Introducing Hair One ... a salon quality product that provides a new all natural approach to hair care and hair detox that leaves hair cleansed, conditioned and in optimum shape. This conditioner has no damaging detergents or harsh chemicals. It's made with an elixir of natural herbs and oils that clean with astringent and antibacterial properties through a luxurious, penetrating cream without the stripping of detergents. Hair is left with remarkable shine, moisture, manageability and polish. With continued use, Hair One Cleanser Conditioner will stimulate the scalp, promoting better blood circulation, allowing for healthier hair growth and prevention of hair loss.

Sally isn't telling a fib here kids. My hair has more body, bounce, and shine and I have eliminated the use of my conditioner, leave-in, shine serum, and mousse. I just blow dry and throw some styling paste in. It's miraculous. If this product were a man, he would look like Timothy Olyphant, put the toilet seat down, encourage you to have seconds (maybe even thirds) and taste like chocolate.

Amanda

REVIEW: Revlon Colorstay Foundation

I'm a greasy gal. I'm also in sales so I need something that is going to even my skin tone, withstand the oil slick that is my t-zone, and last through a 12+ hour day. I've tried Revlon Colorstay Foundation in the past, but I wasn't sold. It looked clumpy and downright streaky on my skin.

Due to my CVS Extra Bucks (of course) I was able to get a bottle of the Combination/Oily formula on the cheap. I'm pale, but I've got my spring glow going on, so I was able to buy the shade one step up from bloated white corpse. It was very exciting even though it's indicative of sun damage in 50 degree weather while wearing SPF 30. Sigh.

Here are my tips for successfully using a Colorstay foundation:

1. Exfoliate. Long-wearing foundations will accentuate every nook, cranny, and flake you have on your face. Scrub it off!
2. Moisturize and Protect. Slather on your sunscreen (I'm quite partial to Aveeno's Positively Radiant SPF Moisturizer).
3. Use a Foundation Brush. This formula dries quickly and can be streaky, so putting it on with your fingers can be a challenge. I use a fluffy foundation brush and start with my nose and work outward. I just want a thin layer for a little coverage. If you need full coverage, you can definitely achieve that with this formula.
4. If you need concealer, apply it over the foundation. Counter-intuitive I know. Just believe me.
5. I use a liquid highlighter on my cheekbones and a dab on my chin. 
6. I don't finish with a powder. You know me and matte. We don't get along.

This might seem like a process, but in reality it takes less than 5 minutes. I get compliment worthy skin that actually lasts through a business day. I do get a case of the greasies by mid afternoon, but a blotting paper cures that, and the make-up stays on my face, not on the paper.

This is my new go to for work days. Keep on exfoliating ladies!

Amanda