10 Reasons Why We Love Make Over Ultra Cover Liquid Matte Foundation

Last week I took a beauty class held by Make Over. My aim was basically to prove myself that I already know the basic theory in applying make up. After the class, I bought the foundation that I used during the tutorial since the shade perfectly matched my skin. It's quite unusual because It used to be difficult for me to find the right shade from local product.

I will only do the mini review this time, on why I consider this foundation as my new HG. Yes, for acne-prone medium combination, this foundation could do almost everything just like what we expect the high end foundies to provide.

10 reasons why we love Make Over Ultra Cover Liquid Matte Foundation:

1. Hello, highschool girls! With 119,000 IDR price tag, you can get the 'real' foundation instead of just tinted moisturizer or bb cream.

2. The coverage, wow. 2 layers and I would say goodbye to my concealer. It covers each imperfection - redness, pores, acne scars, discoloration, you name it.

3. The finish is matte but not flat. I would say, semi-matte with dewy finish at the end of day.

4. It stays for decent time, around 6-8 hours, depending on the humidity and weather. 

5. The color selections are great! It offers 8 shades which is very rare to find for local products. It is ranging from pale to tanned and dark skin, with neutral, pinkish and yellowish undertone. For reference, I am matched with no. 04 Amber Rose, it is suitable for medium skin with neutral undertone. For Indonesian ladies, no. 3 and no. 5 are much yellower and may suits you the most.

6. The oil control is also very decent. It clearly makes my super oily skin looks fine until lunch time.

7. It comes with pump and meets the hygiene requirements. Yes, at this point, it is way better than Revlon Colorstay.

8. It doesn't oxidize nor leaves a white cast. Super yay!

9. Seriously, it doesn't smudge easily. Unless you rub your face with cloth after washing. But after 2 times pray during the day, it still looks OK even without touch up.

10. For the sensitive nose, this product doesn't have any noticeable fragrants. It may smell like a normal foundation, but very subtle, without being to waxy or perfume-y. 

See you in my next review. Happy weekend, all! ~xoxo~

MAC Studio Finish Concealer and My Eye's Prodigy

When I was given a IDR 400,000 MAP voucher from my Dad last week, there was nothing else in my mind except hunting for a concealer :D

Yes, I have been sort of like a zombie in these past few months. My daughter's extremely active and never fell asleep before midnight. Apparently, I am one of unlucky commuters in eastern part of Jakarta who has to wake up so early not to get caught in the bloody traffic jam. Thus, I can't tell you exactly how the free radicals' giving contribution to create the large dark circles under my eyes. Laaarge, I really mean it.

So far, for the rest of my life, I have never keen enough to buy an expensive concealer, as I was pretty happy with my VOV Cover Foundation in pot which I used as concealer after putting base and before applying powder. Too bad, my skin is tad lighter now and the VOV only comes in two shades -- the one that I had was very dark, and the other one is way too pink which I think would clash to my original skin tone. Moreover, the dark circles under eye are better to get eliminated by a salmon-like color. Speaking about color selections, my choice always goes to MAC. Their color range is just heavenly completed and matches to any skin tone.

So, here's my MAC Stucio Finish concealer. I initially wanted to buy the Pro Longwear Liquid Concealer because I demand for a long-lasting one. But, the shade that I am looking for; NC 35, was not available and I ended up buying the Studio Finish that comes in a small pot.

I am sorry for my grainy picture, as I was taking this under room low light :( 

NC35 in MAC is suitable for medium skin with yellow undertone. It's a lot different with NC30, even though it has a close numbering. NC35 appears a lot darker and more neutral. The color matches me perfectly, especially to cover my puffy eyes without looking too bright. It looks so natural.

The texture of this concealer is quite creamy. At least, if I compare with Laura Mercier Undercover Concealer, MAC is easier to blend. It provides a good coverage, I say medium and build-able. It doesn't cake or fade easily, but I have to be careful not to rub this off whenever I wash my face with water before praying. The price is quite expensive for a concealer, but a little goes along the way.

My overall score is 4.0/5.0

Here you see how good it covers my dark circles and fine lines under my eyes:

I love this product and will definitely finish this until the last swipe. Oh, MAC, how could you never failed on me? :)

My panda eyes disappeared easily. But, this only lasts for maximum 6 hours. After that, I need to retouch a little to keep my eyes look fresh.

See you in the next review! ~xoxo~

Review: TheBalm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer in Medium

Hello, beauties!

Another review from TheBalm today, don't get bored, since I've been reviewing TheBalm so often lately. Yes, I'm currently a fan! None of their products I found disappointing, even a little, until I tried out its well-known tinted moisturizer (TM): TheBalm Shelter.

I have been eye-ing this TM since months ago. As I have typical of super oily skin (especially during summer like now!), I used to avoid myself using TM. TM is usually good for drier skin, and for someone who doesn't like to apply heavy make up daily. As for myself, without intention to get the heavy make up, I always pick the foundation which provides long-lasting and matte finish. My HG for drugstore in Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation shade True Beige and MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW30 for high-end. BUT, I have a big 'BUT' here. As I am now under dermatologist's medication (oh how I hate to comeback!!), she would strongly recommend me to use TM instead of foundation because TM's consistency is much thinner to let the skin breath.

So, with all my pleasure, I purchased this TM, hoping that all good reviews and raves in neighbor's blogs are true and accurate. To make sure to which shade I belong, I went to its counter at Debenhams and the BA said that my shade is Medium. Heard from the beauty bloggers that TheBalm Shelter has darker types of shades, I was thinking to buy myself the Light/Medium, but suddenly afraid of having my face with ghostly effect. Nay!

It's longer than my palm!

TheBalm describes this as:

"This weightless, silky-smooth tinted moisturizer with SPF 18 offers sun protection for everyday drama while helping to improve the look of your skin’s tone and texture, leaving you with a polished complexion."

My take after using this product:

1. COVERAGE is light to medium. It's great to even out skin tone, but not to cover acne scars or old blemishes. You definitely still need concealer.
2. CONSISTENCY is one of my likings. It's thick, not runny. A little goes along the way.
3. SHADES are only available in 3 (three) here, unlike in USA where they have 7 shades. The color is more beige-y than yellow-ish. For you who have fair(er) skin and used to love using BB cream the colors might a little bit too dark. You may choose the 'Light' one, because even 'Medium' doesn't match my medium-tan complexion. Since I have neutral undertone, I had to apply concealer with yellow-er shade to balance out the beige-y tone.
4. PRICE is not that cheap, originally sold for USD 25. Not a budget-typed of TM, but since they have 64 ml of product (it's even more than Etude Bright Fit BB Cream), the amount is worth the price.
5. LONG LASTING or not? It depends on the weather, I assume. Sometimes in Jakarta's current humid summer days, foundation with matte effect and long lasting promise is preferable. But again, as TM, this one would stay for around 4-5 hours. Not so bad.
6. PACKAGING is the winner! Even the tube is very sleek, soft, weight-less and travel friendly. I love it!
7. INGREDIENTS is paraben-free! That's why I fall in love with TheBalm products <3
8. OVERALL score is 3,9 our of 5,0. It's not a bad product, but maybe because I have been too impressed with my HG foundations, so this TM is not comparable. However, if you are looking for natural look, dewy finish and healthy glow face, this one is the answer.

No filter, no edit, just using self-focus and natural sunlight

Products I used: 

Base: TheBalm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer in Medium, Inez Corrective Cream in Dark, TonyMoly Dear Me Petite Pact in Natural Beige.

Eyes: Maxfactor Smoky Eyes Effect Eyeshadow in Purple Dust, Maxfactor Wild Shadow Pots in Ferocious Black, Silkygirl Gel Liner in Brown, L'oreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black.

Cheeks: MAC Extra Dimension Blush in Autoerotique, TheBalm CindyLou

Lips: Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in Dolce 

See ya later in my next review! ~xoxo~

Event Report: The Launching of Lancome Teint Visionnaire Skin Correcting Make Up Duo

Hola ladies!

Last weekend, I attended a Lancome event in Metro Plaza Senayan, as this brand just launched their new counter and the brand new Teint Visionnaire, a foundation and concealer duo in one pot.

Lancome Teint Visionnaire in 4 shades

The Lancome representative was explaining about the new product

Along with around 15 beauty bloggers, we were attempted to try out the foundation right on our skin to find the perfect shade. Mine was no. 04, I think that was the darkest one from the available color options. But it came to me as a surprise, because usually a French brand only provides minimum color selection especially for medium skin tone. But this no. 04 looks OK on me. Not too yellow but more on beige-y tone, but when applied on skin, it looks pretty natural. This foundation has separated compartment on the top for the concealer, yet in my opinion, the concealer is tad lighter than the foundation shade, so it is only useful for light imperfections.

The Teint Visionnaire foundation

The bottom

After belnded well on the back of my hand

I also managed to meet other Indonesian beauty bloggers (yay!) and they are (mostly) much younger than me :D Great to meet all the passionate young woman who are pretty and so dedicated being a beauty bloggers.

the IBBs

the ceremony

cutting the ribbon

french musical performance

We also could have our face being sketched by Ms. Diani Apsari. All bloggers were so excited and we had a long queue to take turn. The sketch was so ladylike and vintage-y. You may want to see this:

the illustrator at her working desk

this is mine

this is the sketch of other participant

happy!

We also joined the make up challenge. There were 3 couples competing for prize worth IDR 2,000,000. I was joining as the make up artist rather than the model (because I had my make up and felt hesitate to pull it off on the spot :p). I paired with Erna, the theme was Flawless Look so we had to apply the make up as natural as possible. Too bad I didn't win, but overall great experience though. Because we only had 15 minutes to did that!

Putri had the make over from Lancome make up artist

The models

Auzola & Erna

the winners!

The best part from an event was, of course, bringing home some product samples and I could try it liberally at home! These are the products I got from the goodie bag:

inside the goodie bag!

Sunday stroll, movie date with my daughter and I was wearing the Lancome Teint Visionnaire no. 04 as base

See you later till my next review!

 

Dream Comes True with Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse

"I once dreamed, that in my wallet, there would be no blotting paper anymore"

Anybody with super oily skin like mine, please raise your hands up!!!

The most annoying part of having that super oily skin is no matter how good our make up one second after applied, it will just disappear within two hours. Or three, if you're lucky. Then we will busy preparing for some blotting papers, either green or blue, to absorb the excess oil on our face during the humid days, that we regularly buy at monthly grocery shopping.

Gosh, how I wish I never have to blot my paper again. But that's impossible. Even when I use an oil-free foundation, with mineral oil control loose powder, there's nothing that could keep the shines at bay. The longest I survived is just until lunch time, after that, do not ever ask how mess my make up was.

But miracle does happen though.

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in Natural Beige. I am on my second jar already!

Actually I heard this product so long time ago, around 10 years perhaps, when I was still in college. At that time, I didn't use foundation daily and the only one I had was only the Maybelline Clear Smooth Foundation after its first launch in Indonesia. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse, suddenly it comes again with new and improved formula. I read some good reviews of this product and decided to try. Just a lucky try, considering that the price is not so expensive at IDR 95,000.

I bought the Medium 2,5 shade, which is Natural Beige. It suits my skin SO WELL like it's melted without any trace.

A tiny amount

After blend. You can see how perfect it suits to my skintone

This foundation has a soft mousse texture that a little goes along the way. The coverage is medium to full, that for my blemished skin like mine, I don't even need to use the concealer. YEAY! Even a heavy powder is no longer necessary (a setting powder for finishing is enough) because it leaves matte and powdery feel on skin. It covers redness and acne marks incredibly, as long as you found the right shade for your skin. The oil control is oh-so-great! I barely see any shine on my face during the day, but, if we wear this without primer, it will easily fade out. So, prime your face first before putting this on. At least, a day cream from your regular routine. As for me, I use The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion as day moisturizer and primer. This combination never fail to keep my face matte all day long.

Even a single thin tissue would easily fade the foundation out if without primer

In USA, this foundation come in a wide range of color selection, but here in Indonesia, it's only available in 4 shades. Medium 2,5 is suitable for medium-tan skin tone with strong yellow undertone. Although my undertone is more yellowish neutral, but I do like having my face turns to be more yellow than pink. I feel more like an Asian :D

My rate on this product is 4.3/5.0. Also check out my review at Make Up Alley here.


However, the Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse could be a nightmare for you who have dry skin. Though it covers pores and fine lines well, but it would accentuate the dry parts of the skin and that makes it look flaky. This foundation will work good for oily skin only, as in combination skin, you must be careful to not apply this on dry areas. ~xoxo~

Left: one layer of Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse. Right: bareface

FOTD

On above picture, I am wearing:

• Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse in 'Natural Beige'
• Urban Decay Dangerous Eye Palette in 'Loaded'
• Revlon Colorstay Creme Gel Eyeliner in 'Brown'
• NARS Bronzer in 'Laguna'
• Make Up Forever Aqua Rouge in 'Brown Beige'