Drugstore Superstars: Concealers

 Hey Glammies!  Welcome to the next installment of our Drugstore Superstar series!  This one is all about concealers.  Much like foundation, there is not one miracle concealer that is suited to everyone's needs... if there was, the company that sold it would make a killing!  So, I've broken down this post into categories, in order to help you find the best match for your needs.

Spot Concealer

For those of us with blemishes and imperfections to hide, L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer ($8.95) is an absolute Godsend.  The thick, full-coverage formula is ideal for spot concealing and it's been my go-to for years (beating out all of its high-end competitors).  You may have seen it in action in my Summer Glow Makeup video tutorial, which is on our YouTube channel (if you haven't, go check the video out here!).  Its stick packaging not only makes it easy to apply, but also easy to throw in your purse for on-the-go touch-ups.  As you'll find with many other concealers, however, it's not really multi-purpose.  For instance, I would never use it for concealing under-eye circles since I find the consistency to be quite dry and because it does not blend as easily over the skin.  As with most cream products, be sure to set this product with powder if you want it to stay put on your face all day.

Under-Eye Concealer

I rarely suffer from dark circles or bags under my eyes, so I don't find myself reaching for this product as often as some others.  However, when I'm extra tired and my eyes need some help in order to perk up and look awake, I grab my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser ($9.99).  It comes in 6 shades and does a wonderful job of neutralizing dark purple shadows cast underneath the eyes.  The liquid formula is easy to blend (especially since most people have drier under-eye areas than the rest of their face), but it doesn't skimp on coverage.  On the other hand, I'm a bit torn on the sponge applicator because, although it does a great job of blending the product, I can't imagine that it's very sanitary since you can't remove the sponge to clean it.

Brightening Concealer

With the trend of highlighting and contouring your face becoming more and more popular, concealers that also highlight and brighten your features are becoming increasingly in demand.  For the cost-conscious, there's Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highighting Concealer ($7.99).  Its gel-based formula diffuses light, illuminates your skin and blends like an absolute dream!  Unlike other products that claim to do the same thing, it doesn't come off as streaky on the skin.  I wouldn't use it to conceal blemishes, however; not only does it provide very sheer coverage, but with the illumination factor drawing light and attention to the face, it may result in the complete opposite of what you're probably going for!  In other words, it may draw attention to any problem areas, as opposed to hiding them.

Color Correcting Concealer

I don't usually advocate the use of color correcting concealers for casual makeup users since they can be difficult to work with and because it takes practice to properly apply them.  However, if you have some skin issues that will not be covered up by regular, flesh-toned concealer, NYX Above & Beyond Full Coverage Concealer Jar ($5.00) is for you!  Here's a quick crash course on which colors do what:

• If you want to conceal yellow discoloration (such as sallow complexions or yellow bruising), go for a lavender concealer;
• If you want to conceal redness, go for a green concealer;
• If you want to conceal purple discoloration (such as dark circles or scarring), go for a yellow concealer; and
• If you want to conceal deep purple or blue discoloration and you have a deeper skin tone, go for an orange concealer.  (My fellow Glammie, Bex, mentioned this technique in her 1 Product, Multiple Uses blog post.)

This product is incredibly full-coverage and long-lasting, and a little goes a long, long way.  Just dab the product on your problem areas, layer your regular foundation over it and say goodbye to your hard-to-conceal spots!  These also come in more traditional flesh-colored tones for those of you that want a high-impact, full-coverage concealer that matches your skin tone.  Since they are so thick and high-coverage, it's not a consistency that I enjoy using all over my face, as they tend to make me look cakey, which is something I try to avoid as much as humanly possible!  Nevertheless, they have their place, so if your skin has any of problems that I mentioned above, you should give this product a whirl.

All-Purpose Concealer

Now, I know that I mentioned before I started this list that there isn't a concealer that is suited for everyone's needs, but bear with me.  The NYX HD Photogenic Concealer Wand is my absolute favorite drugstore concealer, and I have my freelance makeup kit stocked with every single shade.  It does a great job of concealing my blemishes and blends effortlessly under my eyes, and the lighter shades highlight my face perfectly.  Why on earth do I have this entire list of products if I use it for everything, then?  Because, as mentioned before, I don't really suffer from a great deal of face discoloration (especially after I put on foundation.)  This product has a light to medium coverage, which is all I really need, but some people might need more.

So, there they are, my concealer superstars from the drugstore!  If you want to check out the other blog posts from this series, click here.  Stay tuned for the next installment: Bronzers!

Glammie love!

~Jaz

Drugstore Superstars: Foundations

I'm a huge fan of drugstore foundations!  While I feel like some products on the drugstore market are lacking when compared to their higher-end counterparts, I don't find that to be the case for foundations.  However, because the range of products out there is so amazing, writing a blog about the best drugstore foundations is tough; it really is a matter of taste.  For instance, some people prefer very light coverage while others tend to go for something heavier.  Likewise, one person might prefer a dewy finish while another opts for a matte finish (with some people going for something in between).  Lastly, there are powder-lovers and then those who prefer cream.  While there are literally hundreds of variations out there, I've tried my best to narrow it down to the best in the biz, as well as highlighting those products that are the most accessible.  So, without further ado, here are my drugstore foundation superstars!

Liquid Foundations

Liquid foundations are the most popular type of foundation.  When used well, they can mimic flawless, airbrushed skin, but when used improperly, they can tend to look cakey and fake.  Although they are typically recommended for people with dry to normal skin, which doesn't describe me, it's my favorite type of foundation.

Light Coverage: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation ($7.99)

Like the majority of liquid foundations on this list, there are two different formulas for this foundation: Matte + Poreless (geared towards people with normal to oily skin) and Dewy + Smooth (geared towards people with dry to normal skin).  This product has a nice range of colors (sixteen shades), so it shouldn't be too hard to find something to match your skin tone.  I find that, even though it's advertised as a medium coverage foundation, it's quite sheer.  Of course, that contributes to it feeling very natural and lightweight on the skin, but it doesn't do too well with concealing blemishes, which is why I tend to favor other products over it.  However, if you don't have anything major to conceal and would just like to even out your skin and fix some light discoloration, this is the perfect fit for you!  (Haha... no pun intended!)  On a regular day, I find that it will give me a good 4-5 hours' worth of wear before I have to touch up (keep in mind that my skin is oily and breaks down makeup faster than people with drier skin).

Medium Coverage: L'Oreal True Match ($10.95-$12.95)

Well, hello there, holy grail item!  There's a reason why this foundation has won tons of beauty awards - it's that good!  L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup has been a part of my life since I was a teenager buying makeup at the grocery store.  It was amazing to me then, and it has stood the test of time because I still still think it's amazing.  The color range is fantastic (thirty-three shades!) and is divided into three categories: cool, neutral, and warm undertones.  It has a satin finish, which means that it is somewhere in between matte and dewy, so it looks very natural on the skin.  Bottom line, while it's not exactly weightless, it doesn't feel heavy on your skin.  As y'all know, I have oily skin, so I do feel like I need to set this one with powder to keep my oiliness at bay, or else blot throughout the day.  In an effort to expand the line, True Match Lumi has been added to the True Match family, and fans with dry skin rejoiced!  While there aren't as many options with this one (twelve shades), it's still just as blendable as the original, but this time, with a beautiful dewy finish.  True Match has medium coverage, but I find that it builds pretty well to cover problem areas.  I can get a good 6 hours' worth of wear with it until I have to touch up.

Full Coverage: Revlon Colorstay Makeup ($10.39)

I'm a big fan of Revlon's Colorstay collection (as you'll see when I continue on in this series), and the foundation is no exception.  Like the others, it has a formula for Combination/Oily Skin, as well as one for Normal/Dry Skin.  The shade range is pretty great, with twenty shades for the Combination/Oily and twelve shades for the Normal/Dry.  What I love most about this foundation is the coverage.  It provides the fullest coverage of any foundation on this list, without feeling super heavy on the skin.  I've never tested the 24 hour wear guarantee of this product (mainly because I don't feel like it's good for your skin to keep makeup on for 24 hours), but I can attest that it is very long-wearing; this is the one that keeps me matte the longest.

BB Cream: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream ($7.44)

For the days that you don't want to put on a full face of makeup, there's BB Cream.  Since being introduced into the market a few years ago, Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream has been my ultimate go-to in the summer, when I feel like eyeliner and lip gloss is all that my face can keep on in the Texas heat.  It has sheer coverage, so I definitely need to use a concealer with it when I have blemishes, but it's the only BB Cream on the drugstore market with enough coverage that I feel comfortable wearing it on its own.  It's light, comfortable and hydrating while providing some coverage, as well as, best of all, SPF 30.  There aren't very many colors in this line (only five shades), but that's the name of the game with BB Creams.  I find that it's blendable enough, however, so that most people will be able to make it work.

CC Cream: Covergirl + Olay CC Tone Rehab Foundation ($13.99)

While I may have neglected it when I was younger, proper skincare has become quite important to me. Covergirl + Olay Tone Rehab Foundation's whipped consistency feels almost too thick for a CC Cream, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's incredibly lightweight on the skin and that, although it has light coverage, it's not nearly as sheer as a BB Cream.  With fourteen shades, it has an incredibly large range of colors for a CC Cream.  The only drawback is the scent... while not exactly unpleasant, I really try to stay away from products with perfumes as they irritate may people with sensitive skin.
 Maybe it's because the tone and evenness I was used to seeing in my skin had started to fade, or because my skin is now rebelling with age (hooray adult acne!), but I've become obsessed with trying to restore my skin to its former glory.  That's why I've been very intrigued by the idea of CC Cream.  Somewhere between skincare and foundation, the main difference between CC and BB cream is that CC Cream not only hydrates and protects, but it is also supposed to correct discoloration and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.  The

Honorable Mention: L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation ($12.99)

Since this is my personal list of favorites, I feel like I would be amiss if I didn't mention my current favorite drugstore foundation.  The L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte hasn't been on the market for too long, but as soon as it went on sale, I snatched up a bottle for myself.  It's almost weightless on the skin, and it's oil-free, which means that the wear doesn't change over the course of the day.  It's a demi-matte finish, so even though I don't feel like I look shiny, it still looks like skin (something that matte formulations tend to ignore).  The only reason why it didn't unseat the other foundations on this list, is because it has a limited shade range of only twelve colors.  I find this somewhat frustrating because I'm between two shades, which I have to mix to get my perfect shade.

Powder Foundations

Powder foundation is the easiest type of foundation to apply, and it tends to stay put in hot weather, which makes it the perfect summer staple!  Powder foundation is also very versatile; you can opt for sheerer coverage by applying it with a brush, or you can go for fuller coverage by applying with a sponge.  Although not necessarily ideal for people with dry skin, as the powder tends to cling to dry patches, a good moisturizer should be able to correct that.  I have two drugstore options.

Pressed Powder: L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Powder ($10.95)

L'Oreal's True Match Line is seriously the gold standard in drugstore face makeup.  I've already mentioned their liquid foundation, and the powder foundation is just as amazing!  The formulation in this powder is so creamy and soft that it hardly feels like powder at all, and (like the name states) it blends onto your skin like an absolute dream.  Like the liquid foundation, the color range for these powders is unparalleled, with thirty-three shades from which to choose.  There's no doubt that you can find a shade that matches you!

Loose Powder: L'Oreal True Match Mineral ($15.25)

Remember what I said about the True Match line?  The L'Oreal True Match Mineral Powder can't be beat.  Although they have a reputation as being messy, I find that loose powders usually provide the most natural looking finish to the skin, as blending is part of the application.  It doesn't come in as many colors as the pressed foundation (twelve shades), but it has a wider selection than any of its competitors.  Mineral makeup has become somewhat of a must-have for those with sensitive skin, as well as those who are looking for coverage but trying to avoid clogged pores.  I love that this product has a brush attached to the lid, so it's easy to apply and pop into your purse to do touch-ups on the go (something that is usually pretty difficult to do with most loose powders).

So, there you have it: my drugstore foundation superstars!  As with the primer post, below is a handy little chart to find out which foundation best suits your needs.

	Oily Skin	Dry Skin	Light Coverage	Medium Coverage	Full Coverage	Skin Correcting
Fit Me (Matte)	X		X
Fit Me (Dewy)		X	X
True Match Lumi		X		X
True Match Liquid	X			X
Colorstay (Oily)	X				X
Colorstay (Dry)		X			X
Dream Fresh	X	X	X
Tone Rehab	X	X		X		X
Pro-Matte	X				X
True Match Pressed	X	X		X
Mineral	X	X		X		X

Glammie Love!
~Jaz

Drugstore Superstars: Primers

For me, it's absolutely essential to put on a face primer before applying makeup.  You wouldn't paint a wall without putting down a primer first, and the same concept applies to your face.  There are primers that help with oil control, some that minimize pores and some that even out skin tone, but the main reason for using a primer is to provide a barrier between your skin and your foundation.  In other words, it evens out the texture of your skin, your makeup goes on more smoothly and the wear is prolonged.  There are some primers that have a very thick, almost whipped consistency, and then, there are some that are thinner and go on your face more easily.  It's all a matter of preference as to which one you prefer.  I have great products for each option, which you can find below.

Face Primers

NYX Angel Veil Primer ($16.00)

This is my all-time favorite drugstore primer!  It mattifies my face, blurs my larger pores and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth.  The formulation reminds me of a mix of the silky finish of the Mineral Veil Primer by Hourglass and the consistency of the Primed and Poreless Primer from Too Faced.  Some other bloggers have complained that the primer was runny and thin, but I never found that to be the case with mine.  I'm not sure if NYX has changed the formulation slightly or if I'm just lucky, but make sure to give the tube a nice shake before applying the product, just in case.  One thing that I did notice, however, is that it can leave a slightly white finish on the skin.  This can actually be a positive for people with fair to medium skin tones because it causes a brightening effect, but for darker skin tones like mine, it can create a bit of a white cast on your face.  Nevertheless, it doesn't affect the color of your foundation, so I didn't feel like it was a truly serious drawback.

Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer ($9.99)

When you pump this primer out, it almost feels like it has too thick of a consistency.  However, it effortlessly blends into your skin and feels surprisingly lightweight.  This primer is best for blurring fine lines and minimizing pores.  A little bit goes a long way with this, so just one pump is more than enough to cover your entire face.

Maybelline Master Prime Primers ($7.94)

For those of you who don't really need help in blurring fine lines or large pores (first of all, you go, Glen Coco!), the two primers that I mentioned above might be too thick for you.  In that case, the Master Prime would be a better fit.  There are three different variations of this primer: Blur + Smooth, Blur + Redness Control and Blur + Illuminate.  All three have the same basic formulation, just with a couple minor differences that I'll mention in a second.  First of all, I don't really understand why the word "blur" is in the name because I didn't notice it doing anything of the sort.  What the lightweight primer does do, however, is hydrate and even out the texture of your skin so that foundation application is smooth and easy.  I would recommend this primer for people with dry to normal skin because of the hydration aspect.  On the other hand, since it doesn't mattify your face, people with oily skin might want to look elsewhere.  The Blur + Redness Control has a slightly green tinge to it, so it helps neutralize the skin color of anyone that struggles with redness, without being overpowering.  The Blur + Illuminate has a pinky, pearl-like finish, giving the skin a luminous and dewy look, which is great for people with dry skin.

Eyelid Primer

Wet 'n' Wild Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer ($4.99)

For someone with oily skin, I've never found my eyelids to be all that oily. Because of that, eyeshadow creasing hasn't been a big problem for me.  My fellow glammie, Bex, does have that problem, so putting on an eyeshadow primer is an absolute must.  We found that this product is the best drugstore product of its kind to prolong your eyeshadow's wear, and to make sure that the color doesn't fade or crease on your eyelids.  You do, however, have to use this product sparingly.  If you put too much on, the opposite effect will happen and your shadow will crease almost immediately.  The trick is to put a little bit on your lid, blend it well, and make sure you let it dry and set before you put anything on top of it.  It doesn't exactly make your shadow look more vibrant, so that's why I would recommend using it in conjunction with one of the following eyeshadow bases. 

Eyeshadow Bases

Eyeshadow bases are not to be confused with primers.  Primers are made to prep your eye for shadow, and bases are designed to make the colors of your eyeshadow more vibrant.  I have a couple of favorite bases from the drugstore. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Gel Eyeshadow ($5.29 - $5.99)

These come in a variety of colors, but my favorites are the "leather" series because they're matte. They are almost an exact dupe for my favorite base of all time: the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot.  They are super creamy, easy to blend, quick to dry and will stay on your lids all day long.  These also don't crease on my eyelids, but it doesn't exactly block oil; so, if you have oily lids, use an eyeshadow primer first.  The best part is that it isn't super sticky on the lid, like most other bases, so you can actually just use it by itself, without shadow.   

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4.50)

For those of you who prefer pencils to cream pots, there's the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil. These eye pencils have a bit of a cult following in the beauty blogger world because they really do intensify any eyeshadow color.  I actually feel like it does a better job than the Maybelline Color Tattoos, but the reason why they're lower on my list is because I feel like it's harder to blend and quite a bit stickier, meaning that you can't wear it on its own.  I'm all about the multi-functional products!

TLDNR

OK, I know I can be really long-winded, so here's a little chart to help all you super busy people figure out which primer is best for you.

Face

	Blurs Pores and Fine Lines	Mattifies Face	Smoothes Skin Texture	Brightens	Moisturizes	Light-weight	Neutralizes Redness
Angel Veil	X	X	X	X
Photoready	X	X	X
Blur + Smooth			X		X	X
Blur + Redness Control					X	X	X
Blur + Illuminate				X	X	X

Eyes

	Prevents Creasing	Prolongs Wear	Blocks Oil	Prevents Fading	Intensifies Color
Wet N’ Wild	X	X	X	X
Color Tattoo	X	X		X	X
Jumbo Eye Pencil		X		X	X

So, there you have it, the best drugstore primers on the market!  Which ones are your favorites?  Stay tuned for the next part of the series: Foundations.  Happy shopping!

Glammie love!

Jaz