Author: Nikki

Trying to focus on what I can and will do, instead of what I can't and won't do.

Concealer Round-Up (Pat McGrath, Armani, Dior, Too Faced)

Published on by Nikki7 Comments

Soooo I went a little concealer crazy this past year. I used to have 2 concealers and didn’t seem to be bothered by that. Then for some reason, I got it into my head that I needed to try out more formulas. Admittedly, I’m still not the most experienced with concealer but since these were shades that I personally had trouble finding swatches of, I’m hoping this is helpful anyway.

Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection M21, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk 9, Dior Forever Skin Correct 4.5N and 4WO, Too Faced Born This Way Cookie Swatches on Medium Dark Skin
L to R: Pat McGrath M21, Armani Luminous Silk 9, Dior Forever Skin Correct 4.5N and 4WO, Too Faced Born This Way Cookie

I am in my late 30’s and my skin type is dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone. I look for medium to full coverage because I do have darkness both under and in the inner corner of my eyes as well as the occasional acne scar that I want to cover. Like many women of color, I also have discoloration around my chin area. If I do wear a foundation that doesn’t cover it well, I do rely on concealer to pick up that slack.

For shade reference, some of my best foundation matches are Estee Lauder Double Wear in 4W4 Hazel and NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation in Tahoe.

Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection M21, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk 9, Dior Forever Skin Correct 4.5N and 4WO, Too Faced Born This Way Cookie Swatches on Medium Dark Skin
Concealers (left to right): Pat McGrath M21, Armani Luminous Silk 9, Dior Forever Skin Correct 4.5N and 4WO, Too Faced Born This Way Cookie
Continue reading “Concealer Round-Up (Pat McGrath, Armani, Dior, Too Faced)” →

Pat McGrath x Bridgerton Blushing Delights Swatches

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These are just some quick swatches of the new baked blush and highlighter palette from the Pat McGrath x Bridgerton 2 collection. A lot of people have complaints about this collection (myself included) so I’m not thinking it will sell out. However, on the chance that I’m wrong, I wanted to go ahead and get some swatches posted. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to test these products out.

Pat McGrath Blushing Delights Blush and Highlighter Palette Swatches
Pat McGrath Blushing Delights Blush and Highlighter Palette
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Product Updates: MAC Studio Fix Fluid and Pro Longwear Concealer

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If you are new here this is something I like to do occasionally. I revisit products when I have additional thoughts or new experiences with them. Things can change throughout the seasons or application preferences can change so I want to make sure to give you any new information that may help. Today we’re talking about 2 MAC Cosmetics best sellers. Let’s get right into it.

Studio Fix Fluid in C8 and NC45

UPDATE JUNE 12, 2024: This information is based on a discontinued formula. MAC released a reformulated version of Studio Fix Fluid in 2024. If you are looking for reviews, you can spot the difference because the new formula now comes with a pump built into the packaging.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid (C8, NC45)
MAC Studio Fix Fluid in C8 and NC45

So I’ve polled the audience. I’m the only person that thinks this foundation looks sweaty. Everyone I ask says this foundation looks natural but more perfected. My husband says he can tell it is more matte than when my skin is bare, but he doesn’t think it looks sweaty at all 🤷🏽‍♀️. He of course sees me the most often and up close, so I wanted to share his thoughts in particular.

Do what you will with that information 😂. But seriously, I wanted to let you guys know that I’m alone in this assessment of the MAC Studio Fix Fluid. Just in case my initial review was holding anyone back from trying this foundation. You probably won’t look sweaty.

Continue reading “Product Updates: MAC Studio Fix Fluid and Pro Longwear Concealer” →

Great Foundations That Just Don’t Excite Me

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It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation Tan Warm 43 and MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation NC45 Swatches and Review

I know I can’t be the only one to have this problem. While I don’t get excited about these foundations, I think they are all beautiful. I tend to like how my makeup looks when I wear them and I would definitely recommend them to others. The foundations I’ll be discussing today are the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better, NARS Sheer Glow, and MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundations. The biggest issue that I have with all 3 of these formulas is that the color matches aren’t my favorite. Obviously, the color match will be different for everyone, so I’ll be pointing out any other drawbacks that keep me from using these as I go. So let’s get into some details in case you are curious about any of these foundations.

Continue reading “Great Foundations That Just Don’t Excite Me” →

My Love-Hate Relationship With The Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer (4WO, 4.5N)

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UPDATE March 4, 2023: I was shocked to find out Dior reformulated the Forever Skin Correct Concealer. I have tested out the new formula and posted a review. The short and sweet review is that the new formula performs even better for me than the original. It is easier to blend, creases less, and transfers minimally. If you’d like more details, you can check that post out by clicking here.

This Dior concealer has received a fair amount of hype since its release in January 2020. One of the big reasons I wanted to give it a try is that even after a couple of years, I still hear people raving about it. I initially just purchased shade 4WO, but I ended up purchasing the shade 4.5N to see if mixing a custom shade would work better for spot concealing. I had to do this because there is no 4.5W or 5W shade that I could have tried. Ideally, it would have been nice to see a 5WO shade. I’ve been trying this concealer out since September 2021, and I have to tell you, it took some serious experimenting before I came to love it. Now that I know how to use it, I actually prefer it to my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. There is a lot to like about this concealer,r but as with all things, there are some drawbacks. Hopefully, I can give you the rundown so you’ll know if this concealer might work for you or if you should choose something else.

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer Swatches in 4WO and 4.5N
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer in 4WO (left) and 4.5N (left)
Continue reading “My Love-Hate Relationship With The Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer (4WO, 4.5N)” →

Fantasy Makeup Declutter, Vol 1 (Pat McGrath Divine Rose Blush, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Foundation Stick, MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara)

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Pat McGrath Divine Rose Blush Swatch, Lancome Stick Foundation (410 Bisque W) Swatch, Laura Mercier Rose Glow Highlighter Swatch, and MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara
Pat McGrath Divine Rose Blush, Lancome Stick Foundation (410 Bisque W), Laura Mercier Rose Glow Highlighter, and MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara

Today I wanted to talk about some products that I just can’t seem to part with, but I could stand to declutter. This is a fantasy declutter because I have no intention of donating or selling any of these products. There are times when I don’t hesitate with letting go of items that don’t work. When you try a lot of makeup (or anything really) there will definitely be items that don’t work out, it’s inevitable. Whether it is because of the formula or the shade, I’ve come to realize that there is something about all four of these products that just aren’t right for me.

Continue reading “Fantasy Makeup Declutter, Vol 1 (Pat McGrath Divine Rose Blush, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Foundation Stick, MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara)” →

What’s Old at Sephora, Vol 2 (VIB Sale April 2022)

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As always credit for this overall concept goes to Emily Noel on Youtube. I originally saw her older videos about What’s OLD at the Drugstore. I did this for last year’s sale and figured why not turn it into a series. So as the name implies, none of my recommendations are the newest things to the market. The sale dates are 1 April 2022- 11 April 2022 depending on your membership tier.

Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder, $39.00

This powder has been lurking around since at least as far back as 2016. For years so many people wanted Hourglass to create their ambient lighting powders in skin tone shades. Well, Laura Mercier did just that. The line started out with 6 shades and has been cut down to 3 recently. Shades 1, 3, and 5 are the new permanent lineup, although Sephora currently has shade 2 in stock. While this new range is unfortunate, I hope that more people can discover this great product and the brand can afford to expand the range.

Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder (5 medium to deep) swatch on medium dark skin
Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder (shade 5, medium to deep)

I have dry skin and this is my preferred setting powder but it can also be used as a finishing powder. When using this as a setting powder, I get the longevity and dried down feeling I prefer, but the glow of the powder keeps my skin from looking dry or looking matte. As a finishing powder, I apply this if a foundation is accentuating my texture. I find that layering this on top improves the look of things and makes the texture appear smoother. Laura Mercier claims that this powder has a “diffused, soft-focus finish” and I guess that is the benefit that helps with the look of texture.

Continue reading “What’s Old at Sephora, Vol 2 (VIB Sale April 2022)” →

15% off Beauty At Macy’s (ends 3 April 2022)

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If you are a Sephora VIB Rouge, I would pass on this sale and wait for the VIB Sale that starts on April 1st. The VIB Rouge members will get 20% off during the Sephora sale. Unless of course Macy’s carries a product that is not available at Sephora. Nordstrom is price matching the Macy’s sale (if they carry the same item) so if you prefer Nordstrom, you can also shop through them. Now let’s get into a couple of recommendations.

You know me, I like to give recommendations that I don’t hear a lot of talk about. Today I want to talk about a blush and a highlighter. Liberte is one NARS blush that I rarely hear about anyone using. They did include the shade in the limited edition Afterglow blush palette, so maybe it will start to gain some traction. MAC Lightscapade is a highlighter that used to get a lot of buzz and that has definitely died down. I’d imagine that this particular shade of the mineralize skinfinish line is still popular for those with lighter skin tones.

Continue reading “15% off Beauty At Macy’s (ends 3 April 2022)” →