SEASONAL CULL: Concealers...

Haven't talked too much about concealers in the past, nor created a different blog category in years. And given that Spring is the perfect time of year for a clean out, I'm kicking off this brand new series with a reassessment of my concealer collection. I reckon most gals will admit to hanging onto a whole lot of unnecessary clutter, and I am 100% guilty of first degree hoarding, especially when it comes to make up...

I do my best to keep similar items in the one place, but I was a trifle embarrassed when I gathered together all of the above cover-up tubes and sticks for the photo - crikey I don't even remember buying half of these! So where to begin? Well I started by putting aside the ones I'm currently using, swatched the rest to determine which ones were still viable, and then split them into "these colours don't work" and "potentials" - this meant I could toss quite a few upfront, and lessen the headache of what to keep...

Above are the ones I ditched, although I did check the coverage before they landed in the bin just in case the formula was a good one, and all I needed was a different shade. I find that yellow-based concealers work best for me, and these are all quite pinkish, so out they went, which left me with the ones below. Already a major improvement, but now for the acid test - which ones actually do what I need them to do?...

Everyone's concealer needs vary - I don't have dark circles, but I do have pigmentation that I absolutely MUST disguise, particularly around my lipline, plus I find that my foundation (any foundation!) simply doesn't stick to the centre section of my nose. Haven't been able to figure that one out yet. It's not like I touch it throughout the day - even by the time I finish my makeup, somehow or other it's gone! So I need something that will stay put to disguise my freckly flaws in this most central part of my face. I also have spider veins around my nostrils, which always show up as reddish patches in photos, so once again I need 100% coverage. I'm fortunate that I rarely get blemishes - probably once or twice a year a pimple rears its ugly head, so a concealer that's a good skin tone match and is dense enough is all that's required to deal with those pesky eruptions...

And lastly, I have huge under eye bags - I manage to disguise them in photos with the right lighting and using the camera flash, but if you saw me in real life, you'd say "oooh yeah, they're real bad!". So I also need a concealer a few shades lighter, which I then apply to the area beneath the bags that is in shadow in an effort to diminish the bulges (thanks Wayne Goss!). It really makes a difference, but takes a bit of practice because you have to be very precise, and can't blend it out or else the whole effect is lost...

In summary, here is my criteria:

• 100% coverage of dark pigmentation
• Long lasting
• No creasing around the eyes
• Exact skin tone match
• Plus a 2 or 3-shades-lighter skin tone match
• As natural as possible
• Readily available
• Reasonably priced

So here's my assessment of the 14 potentials, from left to right - I've highlighted the best... 

CROP Natural Concealer Pencil - Medium & Light (RRP $16)

Love these - excellent coverage, the pencil format makes these perfect for outlining and dotting onto spots or pigmented areas. I use the light one around my lips and the medium for touch ups on the rest of my face...

Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer - Ivory & Soft Honey (RRP $10.50)

Good coverage, tends to crease a bit in oily areas, not quite the right shades for my colouring...

Maybelline Master CONCEAL Camouflaging Concealer - Light/Medium (RRP $15.95)

My most recent discovery - this stuff is AMAZING! Perfect shade for me, barely any creasing, total coverage. No wonder this is almost always out of stock at Priceline. Only yesterday I managed to find the Light version, which is why it's not in the above photo...

Maybelline FIT Me Concealer - Light & Sand (RRP $14.95)

Very good coverage, however it does crease a little, doesn't seem to last all that long either, but it comes in a wide colour range...

Rimmel Match Perfection Skin Tone Adapting Concealer - Natural Beige (RRP $13.95)

This has a brush applicator which I like, but the coverage isn't enough for my dark spots, and I find it tends to go on a bit streaky and creases after an hour or so, only 3 shades available...

SAVVY Liquid Concealer - Light (RRP $4.99)

The cheapest of the lot, and while it's a good colour match, it's too sheer for my needs...

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer - Light (RRP $38)

Holey guacemoley, this is the bomb! Yep it's $38, but I have never EVER found a concealer that doesn't crease, covers EVERYTHING, and lasts all day, but this is it. I bought Light which is very very light and too pale for anything but my eye bag diminishing trick, but I've just ordered the medium from Sephora. You will not believe the coverage! The tube has the tiniest nozzle I've come across, and at first I thought it was a manufacturing fault because it's a struggle to dispense even the smallest amount. But it's intentional - you only need (literally) a microscopic quantity. I swear if you want full coverage, no creasing and all-day longevity, then this is the concealer for you. I figure the tube will last me 3 times longer than anything else, which makes it totally affordable...

NATIO Natural Cover Concealer - Skin Tone 2 (RRP $14.95)

Sponge applicator, pretty good colour match, but seems to stay shiny even when it dries so you'll need a setting powder. Creases quite a bit, only two shades available...

Rimmel Wake Me Up Anti-Fatigue Effect + Radiant Glow Concealer (RRP $14.95)

I can't find the shade name on the tube anywhere, but I'm guessing it's Classic Beige (there's only three to choose from). Reasonable coverage, but not enough for me and doesn't build up evenly, contains teeny little sparkles for "illuminating" the under eye area, but I need to disguise rather than accent...

ModelsPrefer Argan Infusion Liquid Concealer - Light (RRP $9.99)

This is thicker than most of the others of its kind, covers redness very well but creases under the eyes, doesn't last more than a few hours, and there's only two shades in the range - it surprised me though, it's a lot better than some bigger brand names...

Face of Australia Lasting Finish Concealer Stick - Neutral (RRP $9.45)

Again only comes in two shades. I was using this primarily around my lips before I discovered the Crop one that I prefer. Creases when applied under the eyes, medium coverage, blends well though...

So after this major Spring clean, here are my keepers, and my HG's ♥♥♥:

You've no idea how GOOD I feel after doing this! I've reduced 24 products down to five, and freed up a whole bunch of space in my kit. I plan to repeat the process with my foundations, blushes, eye shadows, eye liners and lip products so watch this space - I admit the lippies will be my greatest challenge, but I figure if I do it gradually by shade families, it won't be quite so painful lol...

Do you do a seasonal cull of your makeup, or only your wardrobe?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking this to the always brilliant Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥...

REVIEW: Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipsticks...

Maybelline, you've done it again! In my opinion, MNY are the #1 drugstore brand for the most consistently fabulous lip products - these Vivid Matte Liquids are exceptionally good, and by far the most comfortable liquid lippies of all the ones I've tried of late. Flat matte lip products are all the rage, but I struggle with the inevitable drying effects, usually within half an hour of application. Some are tolerable if re-applied, but others need to be removed completely to avoid streaking and clumping, and that's a pain for me when I'm at work. This range is NOT matte (yay!) - more like a satin with a slight gloss, although they do dull down once they dry. But I'm so enamoured with both the formula and colour range, I bought the whole set ♥...

Not just moisturising, they're also creamy and light yet dense enough to cover the (in some places deep brown) freckle pigmentation that I have, on both the fleshy part of my lips as well as the outline. All but the two nudes leave behind a generous stain after a meal (although they do transfer), and the hues are stunning - from nude through pink to hot pink, orange, plum and an absolutely sensational red! I could rave on all day, but I'll let the swatches do the talking ♥...

This first one is Plum Possessed - such a pretty plum with quite a bit of brown content - I'll be putting this away till Autumn. The one on the right is Nude Flush, the most gorgeous nudey pink in my kit, I absolutely adore it ♥...

One the left is Nude Thrill - another fabulous nude with a hint of orange, just to make it interesting. And that flaming fruit sensation next to it is Orange Shot - a stunner for the brave, and one I'll be wearing over and over again throughout the Summer...

And here we have what I reckon is the cream of the crop - Rebel Red. SO bright, SO bold and SO vibrant. On the right is Fuchsia Ecstasy - a sassy pink that's has so much red in it, it's almost a red...

These pinks look very similar, and they are, but not quite as much as my shonky camera portrays them. The first one, Berry Boost, is deeper and has a drop or two of blue in it, whereas Electric Pink on the right is considerably brighter and definitely high voltage...

The applicator is the traditional does foot spongey kind with a slight curve - super easy to apply, and the cap locks in place with a few twists...

L to R: Posessed Plum, Nude Flush, Nude Thrill, Orange Shot, Rebel Red, Fuchsia Ecstasy, Berry Boost, Electric Pink

I'm plum loco about them all! Not exactly cheap at $17.95 a pop, but I managed to pick up most of them for half price at Chemist Warehouse - they're pretty much out of stock now as their sale has been going on for a while, but you might be lucky. Yet another triumph Maybelline - keep 'em coming ♥♥♥...

Have you tried any of these liquid lippies? Which shade do you think would suit you best?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. You'll find this post and many more over at Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥...

REVIEW: Vera Wang Princess Revolution EDT...

Ahh Vera, you sure know what I like - just added this Vera Wang Princess Revolution to my collection because the sample spritz was unforgettable. Had to have it, even though this is only an EDT, and as expected, doesn't survive much longer than two or three hours. However while its longevity on the skin is somewhat disappointing, it's one of those perfumes that surrounds you in a fragrant cloud of deliciousness for as long as it lasts. Since buying it I've discovered there are nine others in the Princess range - whoa! (says she, crawling out from under her rock). Interestingly it's the only one that I've tried, for the simple reason that I so rarely see any Vera Wang testers in my frequented haunts, and, well, let's just say I've banned myself from DJ's and Myers perfume department until further notice lol!...

Like most of my other VW fragrances, this is a fruity floral - opening notes are black cherry, blood orange and watermelon (big on the watermelon).  At its heart are jasmine, lily of the valley and red apple blossom over a seductively sumptuous base of amber wood and cedar. In other words, precisely my kinda thang. The blurb says it's aimed at gals who are rebellious, confident and edgy (not me at all ha ha), but the bit about "...her only rule is to never follow any rules" sits very comfortably with my persona ♥...

The bottle is particularly gorgeous - the bold red glass is decorated with pencil drawings, mainly of hearts and stars and described as "graffiti", but to me they're more like the sort of doodles I come up with in one of my painfully boring meetings (yes I still take a pen and paper to meetings!). The flacon design is exceptionally clever because it captures a true heart shape, yet is perfectly stable standing on its own, and there's even a detachable ring underneath the crown cap, although I think I have enough already...

Refreshingly fun and flirty with a splash of the sensual, it's perfect for me this time of year when I'm emerging from my heady ambery and spicy orientals, but not yet ready for the crisp crystalline and zingy summer fruit varieties I so love when the mercury soars. Undoubtedly aimed at a much-younger-than-me demographic, but hey I'm not one to let a marketing department decide what I do and don't like! Available in the usual stockists at $49 for 50ml, I found this on special a week ago at Mega Save Chemist for $38.99. LOVE IT ♥♥♥

Are you a fan of the Vera Wang Princess series? Which one is your fave?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Looking for some great blogs to follow? You'll find plenty over at Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥...

REVIEW: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - Best in Beauty 2015...

Crikey, it's beautyheaven Best In Beauty Awards time again! This time last year I was voting, and racking my brains over my entry in this awesome annual competition, and to my absolute delight, I was one of the lucky winners ♥ To be fair I won't be entering again this year, but I'll sure be letting beautyheaven know which ones are my faves from the list of nominations. I still have a stack of long overdue reviews of the fabulous products that came in my prize pack, so here goes with the amazing Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - this is a long forgotten love, and one I'm so grateful that bh reminded me of, plus it's been nominated again this year... 

I first discovered this ever so gentle skin smoother, soother and brightener back in 2013 - from memory I collected several freebie sample bottles from some magazine covers, and was 100% sold after the first use. It's a very fine rice-based powder that you mix with water into a creamy paste, gently massage into your skin for approximately 1 minute, and then rinse off...

Apart from Rice Bran, other ingredients include Green Tea, Gingko and Colloidal Oatmeal, along with Licorice Root, Allantoin and Papain. It's honestly the gentlest "scrub" I've ever had the pleasure to use - gentle enough to use every day, even on my ancient face...

Containing no artificial colours or fragrances, it has a kind of oatmealy scent, but it's very subtle. Just LOVE how my face feels after a dose of this magical powder - amazingly smooth and silky, and the overall texture looks more refined. Best of all there's not even a hint of pink when I step out of the shower, or any other visible sign of irritation ♥...

No wonder it won last year, and I'll put my money on it scoring another accolade this time around - I'll certainly be voting for it! Thank you again beautyheaven and Dermalogica for reminding me that I need this in my life on a permanent basis ♥

This is definitely my HG exfoliator - would love to know yours...

Did you enter the beautyheaven Best in Beauty Awards 2016 competition?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking this to the always brilliant Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥...