Review: Joppa Minerals

Somewhere i saw a reference to Joppa Minerals and looked them up. They had a sample kit for $0.01 + s&h so i ordered it. The sample kit came with 2 tiny jars of foundation, 1 tiny jar of "finishing silk" (their version of mineral veil), and then 4 baggies of various concealers, bronzers and blush. I did get to select each and every color i wanted for the kit so that was cool. I've had it for a while now and just didn't even know where to begin with it, such small amounts, and in baggies and stuff...

Finally today i gave it a whirl and EWWWW. I didn't even get thru the entire application because it is so chalky and powdery. ugh. it felt AWFUL. Just AWFUL! Even to the touch. Bare Minerals are creamy to the touch. These Joppa Minerals made me feel like i'd just been playing with sidewalk chalk. I seriously had to go wash and put on lotion like, stat, because where i rubbed my finger tips against my hands and everything, just felt sucked up and dried out.

So i give these like, negative 5 starrs.

Seriously.

So bad.

Review: Revlon Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer

Well, this past week, Target had Revlon's new "Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer" foundation primer on sale for $10.89 down from the usual $12-ish. I had Target & Revlon coupons so in the end, i spent $5.89 + tax for a .85 fl. oz. tube of the stuff.

I compared the primer to Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer.

Side by side my initial impression was that Revlon goes on "wetter" than Smashbox. So I would venture to say that if you have dry skin, or if Smashbox ever felt drying to you, Revlon may feel more comfortable on your skin.

Perhaps because of whatever makes it "wetter", this product also seems much more noticeable on. As in, I am aware of it being on my face for some time after I apply it, like it is thicker or heavier... I've never noticed that with Smashbox.

Second, Revlon's primer is scented, & this feature really bugs me. It is a faint fresh scent, but the idea of adding fragrance to something that you put on your face, RIGHT NEAR YOUR NOSE, strikes me as a bad idea. It's so unnecessary. I wonder if the fragrance will cause any negative effect for sensitive skin users. I would caution you to try it in a small inconspicuous area first, if you have sensitivity to such things.

The first time i ever used Smashbox, i rubbed a bit on the back of my hand at the store. I was like WOW! because instantly, my skin looked smoother, my pores looked way smaller and the effect was dramatic. (Not to mention it felt good on, and wasn't SCENTED!) When i tried the same thing with Revlon, it didn't have that wow factor.

So then I wore the Revlon primer under my minerals yesterday and i just wasn't impressed. My make up stayed put, but Bare Minerals have a way of doing that on their own. The reason i like using the Smashbox primer is because of how great it makes my skin look before and after i apply the mineral foundation. I just didn't notice the same effect with the Revlon primer.

Perhaps Revlon's primer would be better reviewed by someone who uses liquid foundation. It has, after all, premiered along with an entire line of Beyond Natural Skin Matching liquid make up. It's possible that i don't see a dramatic result because it isn't meant to be used with mineral foundation. Then again, neither is Smashbox's primer, yet i love the combo.

So I'm at a loss. I hate to say don't buy it if i just haven't used it in conjunction with the correct products. But i hate to say GO GET IT! when i'm not really impressed by it. I'll say for the price, it isn't a bad product to keep in your arsenal. Especially if you don't want to shell out $36 for the other. If you are simply in the market for something just like Smashbox but with a lower price tag, this isn't it.

How to Apply Bare Minerals

My version of how to apply Bare Minerals/Bare Escentuals. Good music too!

ETA: I should mention that my left eye looks extra dark, and has a big lump on my brow bone because i smacked it against the front door. *sigh* Have you ever read my blogger profile? The worst part of it was i tripped walking up to the front door after jamming to starbucks, and while falling FACE FIRST, i also managed to dump $10 worth of coffee all over the front step. As much as my face hurt, i was crying for my mocha.

Review: Boots No7 Mattifying Make-Up Base

I recently received a sample of Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer. It never dawned on me to use a primer with my minerals, (even though Bare Minerals markets one, duh). so i tried my Smashbox sample and loved it, and used it until it was all gone. A few days later I was making the usual HBA rounds at Target and found a foundation primer by Boots No. 7. I heart Boots, so i snatched it up. Mattifying Make-Up Base, priced just right at $6.99, comes in regular and GREEN, for those needing to neutralize a red face. I chose the regular one and excitedly tried it the next day.

~*~*~*Sound the GONG! We have a LOSER! *~*~*~

This stuff is awful. Plain and simple. Forget trying to BLEND it. It is "Matte" in every way and can't be smoothed on no matter which way you try. It actually freaks me out because it feels like my skin is being tugged and pulled while trying to blend it in. HELLO FUTURE WRINKLES! I didn't see any significant difference in my make up while using this, but i DID flip down the visor mirror in time to see a smear of this stuff that hadn't blended in and was CRUSTY AND WHITE on my face. Take it from me, learn from my wasted $6.99 + tax - it's worthless. Don't buy it.

Similar in appearance to Smashbox's primer is a newbie by Revlon called Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer. It is SO going into my cart next time. Stay tuned!

Foundation Primer

So I was just working on a product review about a foundation primer, and I decided to first write a quickie about what the stuff is for. I, for one, had no clue this was another thing i "needed" as a part of my make up routine. And need is used extremely loosely here, since I of all people know that busy mommies can't be all willy~nilly adding EXTRA "to-do's" to their days. It has to be worth it.

I wouldn't say this needs to be a part of your daily make-up prep, but for outings, extra hot and humid days, special events, date night, etc. foundation primer is a great tool. What it does is, PRIMES your face by reducing the look of large pores & fine lines, and overall smooths your skin before you apply your foundation. So your foundation goes on better, looks more even, and lasts much longer. Clinique makes a product meant specifically for helping to control excessively oily areas on your face, such as your T-Zone.

I recently tried a few products and liked one by Smashbox a lot. That one was definitely "worth it" because besides paving the perfect way for my foundation, it actually felt very good going onto my skin. It's not a lotion, but not a typical gel. Almost like it would be greasy, except it isn't. Does that make sense? :)

There are a few other's I plan to try. A new one by Revlon, and another by Rimmel that I've yet to see in person. There is a rumor floating around, that a particular product made by MONISTAT is an excellent foundation primer! LOL! Supposedly Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel is a surprise foundation primer and women everywhere love it so much, they are overcoming their personal embarrassment to purchase it. I haven't tried it yet, but if you are brave enough to purchase it from the teenaged BOY working the register, print the coupon at the bottom of the linked page to save $2.00 on it!