{Review} Smashbox High Definition Concealer

Hi there! Today's review is for a product I bought a long long time ago that I never got around to reviewing because I honestly wasn't using it enough to get a true opinion on it. I'm talking about the Smashbox High Definition Concealer. I purcahsed it the same time I got their gel liner (full review of that liner here!), but aside from the odd pimple here and there I wasn't using this product on a daily basis. I recently went through my stash, found it again, and really started using it. And I've gotta say, this is a great concealer!

The shade I own this concealer in is fair/light. I don't remember them having a huge selection of shades, but this one fits my skin pretty well.

The dispenser on this product is a slanted tip with a little hole. While it's not bad by any means, I think I would have preferred one of those pointy tip dispensers (like the one on the MUFE concealer). I feel like there is no reason for the slanted tip--I never apply this directly to my skin, I usually put some on my finger and dot it, or use a brush. Also, I need just the smallest amount of this stuff, and this type of dispenser makes it a little more difficult to judge how much is coming out. It's also a bit messier in the cap.

I don't know how well you can tell, but it's a very thin concealer, but very pigmented--full coverage in my opinion. The way I've been using this concealer is to make a tinted moisturizer, but instead of moisturizer I've been mixing it with my primer (a cheepie Rimmel one). It makes such a difference from using foundation and moisturizer. The concealer and primer lasts much longer, sets to a kind of matte velvety finish (which I still powder) and lasts and controls oil better than any foundation I've ever used. If I've worn makeup for the past two months, this is what I've been doing and I'm loving it!

This concealer also works  very well to conceal blemishes and dark circles, which I think is great because usually most concealers work well for one or the other. They'll either look really heavy under the eyes and cover blemishes perfectly, or look horrible over a blemish and amazing under the eyes. No such problems with this one. As long as the shade works for you in both areas, there is no reason to use two or eve three different concealers on your face like I see a lot of beauty gurus doing. The texture of this concealer is perfect--thin, but not runny. It's very comfortable to wear, never looks heavy or cakey, and really lasts all day.

And a little tip for covering blemishes: gently exfoliate the blemish before applying your makeup. A lot of times concealers apply cakey and dry looking on top of a pimple because they exaggerate the dry flakes of skin (as gross as this sounds lol). If you gently exfoliate the blemish, you're reducing the amount of dry skin around it, and therefore your concealer and foundation will apply much more smoothly. Just be careful--if the pimple is scabbing, DO NOT PULL THE SCAB OFF. That's one of the worst things you can do because it will inflame the area, meaning more redness, and it will also cause the pimple to heal slower. And you never really want to apply makeup to open skin, so just don't do it. This tip is more helpful when the pimple is gone, but there is still some dryness and a little red bump in the area.

Anyway, back to the review. This is a great multipurpose concealer. A little goes a really long way and it lasts very well.  Although it is more expensive than many drugstore concealers, if you're looking for that one concealer that does it all--check this one out!


Info:


Price: $20 (for 0.27 oz)

Ingredients: Sorry I don't have the package anymore and I can't find them online. If I find them, I will post them. And Smasbox not posting the full ingredients online--not cool!!

{Favorites} March 2011

Not a lot this month, but more than a few cheap and effective goodies!

1. Skin Care

Noxema Deep Cleansing Cream and L'Oreal Skin Genesis Deep Purifying Foaming Cleanser.

I've really really been trying to get my skin looking as great as I can, that's why most of the RIP posts lately have been filled with skin care items. I've really been just wearing less makeup and being more conciencious with my skin care routines, making sure to almost never skip it.

L'Oreal Skin Genesis Deep Purifying Foaming Cream Cleanser

I wouldn't say that this cleanser is foaming. It does lather, but not enough to qualify as a foaming cleanser. That makes this cleanser so different from others I've tried is that it contains clay. I've been washing my face with this cleanser for the past month and every two nights or so I leave it on as a mask for about 15 minutes before washing it off. It really cleans out my face and since the clays are a little abrasive, it gives me a good dose of exfoliation as well. It's just a really good all in one cleanser.

Noxema Deep Cleansing Cream

Now, I know that the idea of a cold cream type product seems very old fashioned, but I have to say that I've seen a drastic improvement in my skin ever since I started first taking off all of my face makeup and only then cleansing. As good as a face wipe is, it's not going to dissolve all of my makeup. If I just use a face wipe to clean my face and then use a bit of toner on a cotton pad, the cotton pad almost always ends up with makeup that I've missed on it. If I do the same but use Noxema instead, my makeup is completely gone. There will be nothing on the cotton pad, and that really leaves my skin cleaner when I finish with my cleanser.

Noxema Deep Cleansing Cream

How I use it (and I will have a full review posted soon), is I scoop a little bit out with my hands and massage it into my face and neck after I've removed my eye makeup with a liquid eye makeup remover. I make sure to get the hair line and neck very well because I apply makeup there but tend to neglect the area when cleaning. At first the cream feels thick, but it gets thin very very quickly. Because it is oil based it will dissolve all of the makeup, everything. I then use a cotton pad or a face wipe to remove it, but you can also wash it off. I love how clean but moisturized my face feels after using this stuff.

L to R: Noxema and L'Oreal.

Although the texture of Noxema seems solid in the tub it thins out as your hands warm the product and spreads very easily. ANd if you zoom in you can see the little particles in the L'Oreal cleanser.

2. Makeup

Sally Hansen Carmindy Fast Fix Concealer All Over Neutralizer, NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in Translucent, MAC MSF in Petticoat, Benefit High Beam, Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Nude Blush, Shiseido Color Stick in Champagne Flush, and Chanel Glossimer in Seashell.

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in Translucent and MAC MSF in Petticoat.

I picked up the pressed version of NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder because while I love the loose version, it simply isn't convenient for every day use. I was really surprised with the pressed version as well. It goes on almost invisible (not completely, but doesn't really add too much coverage) and doesn't look cakey or anything like that. I usually use the loose version in the morning just after applying my makeup and take the pressed version with me to go for touch ups. And because the case isn't as sturdy as more expensive drugstore powders, I make sure to keep it in a makeup pouch. It hasn't cracked/opened on me yet, but I don't want to risk it.

MAC's Petticoat MSF I bought last year around the time that Pret-A-Papier collection came out. At first I was absolutely in love, but after a while I kinda forgot about it. I found it again a few weeks ago when I was cleaning out my vanity and fell in love again. I even found a better way to wear it. I used to just use it as blush, but now I layer it over my bronzer and it gives the most natural finish and keeps my bronzer from looking too matte. I'll show you pics of this later.

And how stunning is the veining!?

Benefit High Beam, Shiseido Color Stick in Champagne Flush, and Sally Hansen Carmindy Fast Fix Concealer All Over Neutralizer.

Whenever I'm breaking out because of stress I try to focus on concealing and illuminating, highlighting the good areas on my skin and concealing the bad. I found the Sally Hansen Carmindy concealer at the Dollar Store (I'll post a haul in a bit) and I love it!!! I completely gets out the red or the purple!!! It can look a bit heavy so I only really use it on pimples, not all over the face.

L to R: Shiseido Color Stick in Champagne Flush and Benefit High Beam.

I love these two highlighters. I actually bought both of them because I couldn't ever find the Boots No. 7 Highlighting Lotion at Target, and I actually found the Shiseido one at TJMaxx for around $16! I usually just use them in the inner corners, cheekbones, and the cupids bow. I find that the pink highlighters don't work on the brow for me. They just end up looking unnatural. I use the Shiseido one when I need a more subtle highlight and the Benefit one when I want a little bit more oomph.

And I love the packaging of the Shiseido one!!! So chic and pretty!

Sally Hansen Carmindy Fast Fix Concealer All Over Neutralizer.

I've always been a bit skeptic about color correcting concealers. Before this one, just about every single one would look unnatural, even under regular concealer or foundation. This one doesn't. It blends in seamlessly and looks barely there, even without regular concealer over it. It doesn't look too yellow either, which I like. I actually wanted the lavender version of this concealer, but they didn't have it :(

L to R: Chanel Glossimer in Seashell and Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Nude Blush.

I've been wearing one of these every single day. That says a lot because I'm not really much of a lip person. I easily get annoyed with something sticky or something that transfers easily. For me, Nude Blush is the perfect my-lips-but-better color. It barely shows up but evens out my lips and gives me just a bit more color. Oddly enough, it also makes my eyes look bluer, which I love!

L to R: Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Nude Blush and Chanel Glossimer in Seashell.

I love the formulas of both as well. Nude Blush smells like watermelon and goes on very thin, almost like a thin balm. It's very moisturizing. The formula of the Chanel Glossimers is unlike any other lip gloss I've ever used. It's more gel than liquid, a bit thicker but not sticky and always very shiny!!!

Swatches:

Top to bottom: Chanel Glossimer in Seashell and Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Nude Blush.

Top to bottom: Benefit High Beam and Shiseido Color Stick in Champagne Flush.

Sally Hansen Carmindy Fast Fix Concealer All Over Neutralizer.

It looks a lot more yellow than it actually is when blended out. I'll do a full review to show just how well it works!!!

Top To bottom: NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in Translucent, MAC MSF in Petticoat: lightest shade, middle shade, darkest shade, and all swirled together.

That's it for March. No special perfume and you already saw my hair favorites earlier! Hauls and reviews coming up!

{Favorites} January 2011 (VERY Pic Heavy)

So I've decided to post my monthly favorites. I know that some bloggers have been doing this for years, but I just haven't had the time till now. Be prepared, though, this is a very long post. I've got my favorite makeup, skin/hair stuff, and this month I do have a few perfumes I've been wearing obsessively! Enjoy!

1. Makeup:

Kinda clockwise from the shadow: Jemma Kidd Eyeshadow in Vintage, Lancome Artliner in Plum, Sephora Tricks of the Trade Eye Primer, NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent, Benefit Cream Eyeshadow in Birthday Suit, Prescriptives Camoulflage Concealer in Light B/R, Sally Hansen Carmindy Sheerest Cream Bronzer in Rio Glow.

Kinda clockwise from the shadow: Jemma Kidd Eyeshadow in Vintage, Lancome Artliner in Plum, Sephora Tricks of the Trade Eye Primer, NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent, Benefit Cream Eyeshadow in Birthday Suit, Prescriptives Camoulflage Concealer in Light B/R, Sally Hansen Carmindy Sheerest Cream Bronzer in Rio Glow.

Jemma Kidd Eyeshadow in Vintage ($16)

Tis is a great color for when I don't feel like wearing a lot of eyeshadow. I'e just been putting this all over my lid, slightly above the crease, and then using my Lancome Artliner in Plum. It's such a pretty combo!

Benefit Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit ($19)

I looked at my Benefit cream shadows just lately for the first time in months and noticed that Birthday Suit was starting to crease, so I figured that I'd really start using it so that it doesn't got to waste. I love the color! I'ver really been into metallics lately and this color is the perfect in between for people who like silver and gold.

Lancome Artliner in Plum ($29)

If you've been reading my blog you know how much I love my Lancome Artliners! They're the perfect liquid liners. The tip is just different from most other liquid liners and makes it really easy to line. It isn't normally as wet as it looks above. I accidentally left it upside down overnight :( When I finish this one, I want to try the L'Oreal version of it.

NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent ($3)

This is just a great no frills cheap powder. It doesn't add anything in terms of coverage, but just sets my makeup and makes my face matte. It's a really great value. The sifter is a bit large, but I just dump some out into the cap, swirly, and apply, just like a mineral foundation. It's definitely not a travel item, though.

Sephora Tricks of the Trade Eye Primer ($8)

This stuff isn't as good as UDPP because it does crease by the end of the day. Not as much as if I didn't wear a primer, but I never have any creasing with UDPP at the end of the day. If you are looking for a decent cheaper alternative, this is currently on sale at Sephora for $8.

Prescriptives Camolflage Concealer in Light B/R ($20)

I've been breaking out a bit lately so I've been using this concealer. I'm almost done with it. I lost my Smashbox HD Concealer, which is my fave, so I've been using this. It covers really well and stays put all day. I like the dispenser a bit better than the one for Smashbox concealer (which is like a squeeze tube lip gloss) because I waste less with this fine tip.

Some swatches:

Swathces top to bottom: Sally Hansen Carmindy Bronzer, Benefit Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit, Jemma Kidd Eyeshadow in Vintage, Lancome Artliner in Plum, Sephora Tricks of the Trade Eye Primer, and Prescriptives Camoulflage Concealer in Light B/R.

2. Skin/Hair:

L to R: Pssssst Dry Shampoo, DDF Aloe Toning Complex, Philosophy Hope in a Jar, and Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream.

Pssssst Instant Dry Shampoo ($6.99)

When I got my hair cut, I had some bangs cut in and since I've got oily skin they tend to get oily faster because the lay against my forehead all day. I just use this to refresh my bangs. Since I don't use this all over my head, I don't really deal with the gray cast people sometimes complain about. I've heard that Suave is coming out with a really great dry shampoo for $2, so I am really interested in trying it out after I finish this one.

DDF Aloe Toning Complex ($32 for 8oz)

I bought this on sale at TJ Maxx for $3. you can't get the 4.5 oz size anymore, but you can get the 8 oz size at Sephora. I like this for spraying on my face when I feel like my makeup looks heavy. It just makes everything sink into my skin really nice and it gives a bit of hydration also. I feel like it calms my skin so I also use it on my face before applying my makeup. I keep it in my bag (that's why it looks so beat up, lol!) to spray throughout the day.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar ($38 for 2oz)

You can't buy this in the 1 oz jar anymore, but I'm kinda glad I bought the smaller jar because a little of this goes a long long way. I've been using this on small dry patches all over. I have oily skin so I don't use this all over my face, but it's great for around my chin and the tip of my nose where I get rally dry and rough in the winter. I also use it on super dry patches on my neck, hands, elbows, and feet. You need the tiniest amount and it works miracles!

I've had it for almost a hear and I'm not even half way through yet.

Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream ($19.99)

Ever since I've started to wear my contacts on a daily basis my eyes have been pretty sore. I guess my eyes just don't like contacts. Or the other way around, lol! My eyes have been getting sore and puffy and this is great for getting rid of the puff in the morn before I apply my makeup. I don't really need anything anti-wirnk, so I can't speak for it's effectiveness in that area, but from the reviews I've read online I've heard great things. And $20 for an eye cream really isn't that much, even for 1/2 an oz.

The fine tip makes it super easy to get the smallest amount out so that I minimize waste. I really dislike eye creams that come in little pots.

Some swatches:

Top: Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream. Bottom: Philosophy Hope in a Jar.

Top: Boots No 7 Protect and Perfect Eye Cream. Bottom: Philosophy Hope in a Jar.

Protect and Perfect is a thin eye cream. I don't like the super thick ones because I feel like they're too rich and seep down my face and make my cheeks and nose oily. Hope in a Jar is a thicker balm like cream. It really is great anywhere where you need some deep moisture quick!

I'm almost done with it!!!

3. Perfumes:

L to R: Calvin Klein Eternity, Bodycology Pick Me, Calvin Klein Eternity Moment.

I've really been into the more floral perfumes lately, maybe cause I'm pining for spring, haha! I've been using one of these three daily for the past month. Sometimes I mix them. They smell soooo delicious!!!

L to R: Calvin Klein Eternity, Bodycology Pick Me, Calvin Klein Eternity Moment.

Some pretty pictures:

I've got Eternity in a purse size from Marshalls for $10. Such a bargain!

I love the simple, yet sophisticated and elegant packaging of Eternity Moment! Soooo pretty!

Bodycology's Pick Me is $10 retail, but I found it at Kmart for $2! It smells really fruity, but also fresh, not sickly sweet like candy. My only complaint about it is that the packaging is a bit flimsy. The little plastic cap came off and the tip tends to leak a little bit w/out it, so I never cary it in my purse anymore.

I've been using them so much that I'm almost done with all 3!!! I always get compliments when I mix and match them, too! Something you might want to try at home with your perfumes.

That's it for now! I really look forward to doing more monthly favorites in the future!

Review: Boots Anti-Blemish and Concealer Duo

The applicator for the blemish treatment is a roller ball. Not liking that too much.


The applicator for the concealer is just a doe-foot spongy one.


Here's a swatch of both:

The red circle is where the blemish treatment is.

First off, the I have a gripe with the packaging, specifically that of the blemish treatment. The roller ball sucks! It takes forever to dispense the product-I could barely get any out to even show you the texture. I think it would be better as a gel, like most blemish treatments, and in a squeezable tube. As for effectiveness, I don't think that this one quite comes up to par with my other anti-zit gels. I've been using a Clearasil one that works a lot better. Honestly, I didn't see much of a difference in the size of my blemish, only a decrease in redness and even that was after three days of use, so it is not very effective.

The concealer on the other hand, is also problematic. The color selection is horrible as there is only one shade!!! What's up with that!? It matched me, but I've very fair, so it's not going to work well for someone even just a bit tanner than me. The formula is very creamy and applies well, but doesn't have much lasting power, even with a primer and a dusting of powder. The texture is very nice, however. It's very creamy. I wish my foundation was this creamy. But on pimples, it fails.

I usually like Boot's products, but this one is a skipper, I'd say.

Info:

Price:

Ingredients:

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.