Product Review: Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer

 Hello everyone!

       Concealer is that part of makeup that goes hand in hand with foundation. It is basically a thicker product designed to cover areas that are more red or darker than desired, and foundation alone can not do the trick. Concealer has to be thick enough to cover the problem areas but gentle enough to use daily under the eyes, and not drying to leave patches of dry crinkled skin. I have used a few brands in the past trying to find the one that works best for my skin type. Recently I have changed from my beloved NARS brand to the TARTE brand. I was unfamiliar with this brand, but it was recommended as a nice choice comparable to the NARS concealer. I have used it now the last 2 weeks with a daily occurrence and I have to say I am quite impressed with it.
      The first thing I noticed about this particular product was the consistency. It was thicker and had a tacky texture to it than some of my previous concealers. So I was going in with some skeptical thoughts but used it anyway. I dabbed under each eye, and to any areas of concern, then buffed it in with a brush, and was pleased with how quickly it blended it with ease. I thought for sure with the tacky consistency I would be blending forever but that was not the case. I then finished up the other areas and had the nice smooth complete coverage I desired. Throughout the day I constantly checked my makeup to make sure nothing was sinking in (which is an extremely annoying and creates that aged look when every line is highlighted)  and it wasn't! That was excellent because even with my NARS I had some noticeable lines under my eyes.  The product was definitely long lasting, the longest I wore it so far was up to 12 hours with no issues or touch up required. My skin felt very comfortable and had a nice dewy appearance. This particular concealer has a unique ingredient. The maracuja is an Amazonian fruit rich in vitamin C and fatty acids to keep the skin hydrated throughout the day. The effects were definitely noticed and felt. At the end of the day when removing the product, even though it is waterproof, it washed off with ease and left no residue. I had no residual eye irritation or burning, and the next morning when applying the product I had no problems with my skin either. 
        I would have to say this is a very nice product when looking for a good concealer. It was fairly priced and with the amount needed on a daily basis this product can last quite a while. I am pleased with my purchase and once I use it all, I will be going back for more!

Thank you for reading and good luck! For more information regarding this product/ordering you can find it here: http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-maracuja-creaseless-waterproof-concealer

Necessary Products to Keep Handy in your Makeup Bag

      Hello everyone!

          Everybody has there own "must haves" in their makeup bag. My must haves are for that quick need to throw my face on for whatever occasion and look fresh. One of my absolute favorite products is a tinted moisturizer from Revision called Intellishade. This is a moisturizer with zinc based SPF 45 protection, with a nice tint that matches any shin tone to help reduce any redness. It is odorless and extremely light weight. My other favorite is the Naked Beauty Balm cream from Urban Decay, with SPF 20, the nice non-thick texture provides coverage to reduce redness and the primer is very effective for the struggles of all day wear! That is the base for me in my everyday routine. Next is concealer for under the eyes and any areas that are very red, this is one of those steps that a little goes a long way. Sometimes too much concealer looks caked on and can actually draw more attention to areas than desired. At this point the base is ready for a loose powder that can be blended to perfection for a flawless finish. Presto you have a flawless face! Now you can add small touches to emphasize your natural look. Mascara is a MUST! Mascara alone without eyeliner is OKAY. Defining the lashes will make the eyes pop without the dramatic eyeliner. Next is a nice light pink blush to emphasize the cheeks. The rosey appearance will give that fresh appeal while still maintaining that natural look. Last is the lips. Now lipstick sometimes can be hit or miss. Avoid any warm shades that are very bright. Also make sure the lips are moist. Dry lips with lipstick…not good, not cute…moisture, moisture, moisture! So in these dyer times a lip gloss is acceptable or a lip moisturizer with a shimmer. (Burts Bees is my favorite) These 5 products can easily be kept in a small carry with you everywhere bag so you put yourself show ready in  under 10 minutes, keeping a very natural appearance with settle highlights.

Thank you and good luck!