Review & Swatch! Maybelline's New Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick in 110 Ivory

Hello all!  Today I have a quick review of Maybelline's New Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation stick.  This is a new for fall release!

 The "Fit Me" line promises a range of shades and skin tones to fit everyone.  This foundation stick however is different.  It promises to keep you "shine free" and give you a "flawless, matte finish".  It has a "anti shine core" that blends in to the foundation , and is supposed to be what keeps you matte. Read on to see how it worked for me!

There are some definite pro's and cons to this foundation.  

First the pros:

There are a few things I really liked about the foundation.  First, its in stick form.  No other drugstore cosmetics line has one, and I admit, I kind of loved it.  It was super easy to use and apply.  Just draw stripes on your face (across cheeks, forehead, chin), and blend with fingers or a brush (I used my trusty Sonia Kashuk flat top brush).  Also, shade 110 was a perfect match for me; not too dark, not too pink or peach, and it looked absolutely amazing.  This gives light to medium coverage.  I was able to go back over trouble spots and blend to get more coverage.  The fact that this is so small and compact also lends itself to being super portable.  Perfect for trips, or even touch ups while out.

Cons:

Unfortunately this did not keep me shine free.  As an oily skinned gal, this should have been perfect for me, and it wasn't.  It kept me looking great until the 3 hour mark, when I started to get shiny in my tzone.  After 5 hours I noticed the foundation was wearing off.  After about 8, I was shiny all over, and on my cheeks (where my skin is normal) the foundation looked patchy.  Also this transferred really badly.  Anytime I put my hand to my face, or put my phone to my face, there was a film of foundation left.  

Overall:

I feel like this has the potential to be an awesome foundation.  It leaves a demi-matte finish that looks really natural and fresh, its easy to tote along for touchups, and blends like a dream (also, the shade range is pretty nice).  All that being said, I dont think this is for oily skinned ladies.  This would probably be best for those with normal skin.  For those of us who have oily skin, I cant see this lasting all day and keeping them matte (even with powder on top)  .

8.99 @ Ulta

My Favorites Blushes of the Year!

I originally intended to do one HUGE post with all my favorites..however to give everything the *love* it deserves, I've decided to split them up.  So first up -Blush! 

From left to right: Covergirl's Trublend Minerals blush in Pure Romance, Happy Booster blush in Natural and Rose. The bottom row has Maybelline Fit Me! blush in Light Nude, and Loreal's Project Runway (Limited Ed.) Sultry Raven's Blush (725).

~Covergirl Trublend Minerals Blush in Pure Romance: This was actually the subject of my very first Love Rant.   I wear this blush practically every day, and I'm still not halfway done with the container.  It gives a light pink glow to my cheeks, and is practically mistake proof. It doesnt irratate my skin either..which as I've gotten older, has become more sensitive.

~Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Natural, and Rose: Yes. I have both-and they're amazing. First off, I love the fragrance.  Anyone who opens the container cant help but go "Hmmm..." The Rose comes off a bit dark on my cheeks, but still looks great..especially during winter.  It gives me that "Just came in from the cold" flush, which..doesnt look half bad;)  The Natural, well..hey.  Its natural.  Its pigmented, but not super heavy.  What I love most is that I can wear this to work, and not look like I'm trying to hard..I look put together. Plus the fragrance it has dissipates quickly..so its not like anyone can walk up and say "Happy booster blush?" 

~Fit Me! Blush in Light Nude by Maybelline: I wrote about this briefly in my birthday post to Maybelline.  This is the other blush I alternate with the CG.  It goes on very very light and smooth on my cheeks.  Sometimes I have to tap my blush brush more then once to get enough color, however that's not such a bad thing.  Blush is easy to overdo, and if youre fair skinned, you can come off clownish (which I've done..and is not cool).  The color is a mix of nude, and pink, so its a bit different then my other blushes.  Its also super affordable, so I'm not terrified of hitting the pan for this one. Its a good beginner blush.

~ Loreal's Project Runway (Limited Ed.) Sultry Raven's Blush (725): This is one of those things where I had good intentions to blog and do a review about it, and lost track of time.  However, I do have the photos I took of it so I will share them here.  

Its a gorgeous mid toned pink!! it'll work on all skin tones, and is silky and smooth.  Unfortunatly I dont think they're available anymore since it was limited ed, but the blush is still gorgeous, and one of my favorites.  This is one I save for special occasions, since once its gone..its gone.

So there you have it! My favorite Blushes of the year! What are yours?

Happy Birthday Great Lash!-Top 5(ish) Maybelline Picks

This month is Great Lash from Maybelline's 40th birthday!  And in honor of that, I decided to do a post on my top 5(ish) Maybelline products.  Originally this was going to be Top 3, but I had so many-I had trouble choosing!

#1-Mineral Power Illuminator & Mineral Power Finishing Veil Translucent Loose Powder

I LOVE these two products!!  I actually have a finishing veil from CG (discontinued now), but I like this one much better.  They both came with a small Kabuki brush (the one from the illuminator pictured here).  But i dont really use them.  The Illuminator had mixed reviews online, but personally I love it. There are some days when I use this alone (as opposed to foundation ).  It gives my skin a nice glowy look. Its non irrating, and doesnt clog my pores or anything like that.  I got it in Nude and it looks great on me. 

As for the finishing veil, what can i say? I LOVE it. I use it with a powderbrush to set my foundation and its great.  It gives my skin a nice even look:)

#2-Fit Me Blush in Light Rose & Nude

Since I'm super fair skinned, I usually err on the side of Nude and Light pinks.  My cheeks always seem to have a slight flush to them so I dont need something super pigmented.  I happen to use the Nude more then the pink for an every day look.  It gives my cheeks a nice flush without being overdone.  The pink is perfect for spring and summer and I love how it looks like I'm not wearing any blush at all.  While the blushes are great, for gods sakes, do NOT use the brushes they came with. It picks up WAAY too much color, and its hard to blend.  But the colors are really the focus here-and they are winners.

#3- Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming Makeup & Pressed Powder.  Also Fit Me Foundation

As I said before-It was so hard to choose just a few! For a good 2/3 weeks after I bought the Age Rewind foundation, thats all I would use.  I LOVE that its natural, has SPF, and it makes my skin AMAZZING.  I'm 26, so I wouldnt normally need something that has the tagline "age rewind" but it makes my skin look like i'm 16 again (those were the days...).  It evens out my skintone, tightens my skin, and is just radiant. It does have a slight scent to it, but it fades quickly.  I dont normally used pressed powder to set my foundation, I usually just use it instead of.  So the pressed powder is great for giving me that not-too-made-up look I'm going for. 

The fit me foundation..well I covered that in my review! But it is great, sheer, and natural looking foundation..and it has no oils in it (another plus). 

#4-Eyeshadow-Charcoal Smokes

I love wearing grey eyeshadow, and was drawn this this right away.  They change the way they package the quads now (too look like the eyeshadow on the right).  But its a great quad in that it labels everything for you, and it looks really good when all put together. I like that they make things mistake proof. The eyeshadow on the right was a limited edition spring color that I cant stop wearing.  The eyeshadows blend easy, are pigmented, and dont crease (which is great!).  Theyre also mistake proof..so how can you not love them?

#5- Last but not least-Great Lash Mascara!

Maybelline hands down has the widest selection of drugstore mascaras..and who can blame them when they do it so well? I purchased Great Lash many months ago, and i honestly wear it at least once a week. Its great for when I wear my glasses because it makes my eyes pop without being too overdone. Its great for throwing in your purse and using every day. Its also priced great..and I like that it conditions as it thickens.  Its great!  The other mascara is the One-by-One .  It has an awesome brush, and it volumizes with no clumps!

So there you have it. My top 5ish favs! What are yours?