Audrey Dao » DS Face

NYX Concealer in a Jar Review, Photos, and Swatches

Audrey Dao — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:08:32 +0000

NYX Concealer in a Jar ($5.50) A moisture-rich, emollient formula designed to conceal discoloration, dark circles and blemishes. Applied with a brush, the concentrated concealer goes on like a dream, is non-comedogenic and creates medium to heavy coverage. The Concealer Jar will last a long time. Available in 13 shades. Use the lavender for sallow skin, the green to neutralize redness, the yellow for under-eye darkness and the orange for under-eye darkness for those with olive skin tones.

My Thoughts:

NYX’s Concealer in a Jar is a miracle worker for my under eye circles. It even works well covering up blemishes. I noticed the texture of the concealer is thick, but it never caked up on me as long as I blended well. Even though the texture is thick, it’s also creamy making the concealer easy to blend and spread. I don’t like that it’s packaged in a jar for sanitary reasons, but I can solve this problem by using something else besides my finger to get some concealer out of the jar. Overall, a little goes a long way. The best part? It’s less than $6!

Check out more photos and swatches of NYX Concealer in a Jar in Glow, Medium, and Beige!

Palladio Herbal Mosaic Powder Review, Photos, and Swatches

Audrey Dao — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:30:38 +0000

Palladio Herbal Mosaic Powder ($7.99) Palladio’s Mosaics come in five harmonizing hues of pinks, tans and browns combined in one powder kit. They can be used individually or blended together to create a single shade to match your skin type. They can be used as an overall bronzer, blush, eye shadow or an overall face highlight!

My Thoughts:

Palladio’s Herbal Mosaic Powder works great as a bronzer for people who just want a subtle glow or a bronzer that isn’t too intense or pigmented. You can use each color in the Mosaic Powder on it’s own or you can swirl your brush over the powder to mix all the colors together. All the colors, on their own or mixed, are very light and subtle. The powder isn’t overly shimmery or glittery. Instead, it has a slight shimmer to help give the glow-from-within look. The lasting power of the powder is great. I can see a compact lasting for a long time, even with daily use. Overall, I would recommend the Palladio Herbal Mosaic Powder to people with light skin tones. I think it’ll be perfect. People with medium to dark skin tones might have trouble getting the color to show up since the powder subtle and isn’t very pigmented.

Available at Sally Beauty Supply and online.

Check out swatches and more photos for Palladio Herbal Mosaic Powder in Spice and Goddess of Sun!

E.L.F Studio Under Eye Concealer and Highlighter Review

Audrey Dao — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:45:42 +0000

E.L.F Studio Under Eye Concealer and Highlighter ($3) Correct under eye problematic areas such as dark circles and bags easily and effectively! Contains vitamins A & E, chamomile, caffeine and green tea to moisturize, soothe, and tighten the skin around the delicate eye area. Blends in easily and evenly to provide a smooth and natural finish.

My Thoughts:

I didn’t really like the E.L.F Studio Under Eye Concealer and Highlighter. Besides not being able to get any of the available shades to match my skintone, I felt the concealer acted more of highlighter than concealer. It’s too watery and thin to provide much coverage. Because it has a watery consistency, it ended up highlighting the blemishes and undereye circles due to the dewy/wet finish. I like the highlighter end. It’s great for highlighting the inner corners of your eye. It sort of gives off an angelic glow. Is this a skip it or keep it product? I say skip it. Even though it’s only $3, I felt the concealer end is just useless.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer Review

Audrey Dao — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:36:20 +0000

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer ($7.29) Dream Mousse™ Concealer conceals with an amazing air-soft feel

Air-whipped mousse texture feels lightweight on skin and builds opacity for settle-free coverage
Completely covers dark circles, imperfections and redness
Blends and smoothes away imperfections instantly
Oil-Free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist tested, safe for sensitive skin.

My Thoughts:

I’ve never tried a mousse concealer before so I didn’t know what to expect. I was very surprised to how well the Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer worked. The concealer went on very smooth and I had no trouble blending. You can layer the concealer. However, be aware of caking if you layer too much at once. I found it worked best if layered on thin layers. I didn’t experience any creasing or settling into fine lines. The concealer lasted all day and did a great job of covering up my dark circles. My one major complaint is that there aren’t that many shades to choose from. On the bright side, if you can’t find a shade to match you, you can use it as an eyeshadow primer. It worked great!

Boots No7 Mattifying Makeup Base Review

Audrey Dao — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:17:21 +0000

Boots No7 Mattifying Makeup Base ($8.99)

Help keep shiny skin under control all day long
Mattifying, oil-free makeup base
Blots away shine and helps minimize blemishes without blocking pores
With watermelon and cucumber extracts to help soothe and cool your skin

My Thoughts:

I’ve been looking for products that would help keep my oiliness at bay during summer. I came across Boots No7 Mattifying Makeup Base while shopping at Target. This seemed like the answer to my oily problem. The Mattyifying Makeup Base certainly did keep my face oil and shine free for hours and I mean hours! Almost the whole day! The texture is just too thick. The thick paste like texture makes it very difficult to spread and blend. I also noticed a slight white chalky finish. I found the makeup base was not a good base for makeup. It made applying foundation difficult and cakey. If you wear it alone, it works fine. Even though it kept me oil free for almost the whole day, I don’t think I will be using this again or at least adding it to my daily products.

Revlon Photoready Foundation Review

Audrey Dao — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:49:33 +0000

Revlon Photoready Foundation ($13.49) Revlon PhotoReady™ Makeup – for poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. Photochromatic pigments bend and reflect light to erase every flaw. Complete, yet undetectable coverage. Soft, luminous finish.
- Oil free
- Fragrance free
- SPF 20

My Thoughts:

I was so excited to try Revlon’s newest foundation. The idea of a foundation that creates a flawless canvas for photos excited me. Sadly, it failed to come through. The foundation was very shimmery. It made it look like you were sweating and shiny in photos. However, it did go on very smoothly. Photoready provided medium coverage and was not greasy or oily. From afar, the foundation made my skin look flawless, but up close, it made my pores extremely noticeable. It seemed to have settled in my pores. I suppose it did make my skin look presentable in photos, minus the shimmer that made me look shiny. In person though, it did not look good. I guess if you want a foundation specifically for photos and not many people will be seeing your skin, give it a try. It might work for you. If you wanted an everyday foundation or a foundation for special occasions, this is not it.

Loreal Paris Age Pefect Skin Supporting and Hydrating Makeup Foundation Review

Audrey Dao — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:30:48 +0000

Loreal Paris Age Pefect Skin Supporting and Hydrating Makeup Foundation ($16.99) I know this is suppose to be for “mature skin,” but you know what? I don’t care because it works wonders! It’s long lasting and doesn’t budge. The hydrating quality gives your complexion a non-greasy, radiant, healthy glow. I like that it is a mousse texture so I don’t have to worry about it being runny or spilling. The foundation provides medium coverage and doesn’t settle into fine lines. It’s non-cakey and looks very natural. It does come with it’s own foundation brush, but I like to use my own. I would have to say this one of the best drugstore foundations. I cannot tell you the number of compliments I received every time I use this foundation. Everybody kept telling me I had such wonderful skin. Little did they know, it was the foundation.

Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer Review

Audrey Dao — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:19:50 +0000

Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer ($8.49)

Why You’ll Love It

Micro-minerals fully conceal imperfections and under-eye darkness leaving you with naturally flawless, healthy looking skin.

All-day natural coverage
Won’t clog pores
Ophthalmologist tested
Contains 0% oil, 0% talc and 0% fragrance

My Thoughts:

Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer is not so great as an under eye concealer, but it is great for covering up redness. It’s a creamy concealer that is very easy to blend and provides medium coverage. I didn’t get any clogged pores or breakouts from the concealer (thank goodness!). You don’t need a lot. Just a tiny tiny drop. Not even a drop of water size. Less than that. If you layer on a few layers, it doesn’t get cakey.Definetely one of the good drugstore concealers.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder Review

Audrey Dao — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:27:54 +0000

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder ($8.49)

Why You’ll Love It

A pressed powder innovation, Dream Matte™ Powder’s ultra-fine formula delivers an amazing air-soft feel and silky texture.
• Jet-milled into ultra-fine particles for an air-soft, ultra-silky texture
• Revolutionary liquid binder ingredients provide cushiony, smooth application
• Formula ensures superior blendability for even application every time
• Magically matches skin’s texture, never dusts up or settles into lines
My Thoughts:

What an awesome powder for blotting/oil control! It’s great for setting concealer and foundation. I don’t use it as a foundation because it is so sheer. I prefer medium coverage when it comes to foundation. I like how the mirror is in a separate compartment from the powder. You don’t have to worry about the powder dirtying the mirror. The powder puff that comes with it is surprisingly great too. The lasting power is also wonderful. At the end of my work day, my face was still shine free! The powder is very smooth and undetectable. You don’t have to worry about a powdery finish. The best part? No breakouts! Definitely one of the best powders I have ever used.

Maybelline Pure Concealer Review

Audrey Dao — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:30:14 +0000

Maybelline Pure Concealer ($2.99)

Why You’ll Love It

Blemish treatment stick and salicylic acid acne medication covers, conceals and treats in one precision applicator.

Contains the highest level of acne medicine (2% salicylic acid) to treat and prevent new blemishes
Formulated with good-for-your-skin ingredients like Aloe, Vitamin E and Chamomile to soothe skin

My Thoughts:

What was I thinking when I bought this? Thank goodness for BOGO sales. The packaging idea was great, but the product itself wasn’t. I couldn’t really blend it because it dried too quickly or maybe it was dry itself. There are very limited shades, and I found it too difficult to find one that would work for my skintone. It’s really orange. Like fake and bake orange. Even though it only costs like $2-$3, I feel there should be some product in the stick. There was barely any. The staying power isn’t great either. It is easily rubbed off. I wouldn’t recommend it. If you want to try it, I recommend really moisturizing your face first or you will end up with cakey patches all over your face.