Rimmel London - Fresher Skin foundation. Swatches & Review.

Rimmel London - Fresher Skin foundation.

Websites: USA (This product is not available yet) - UK- Australia - Argentina

Shade reviewed: 100 Ivory. (lightest shade in Argentina).

Weight: 0.84 fl. oz. - 25 ml.

Swatches (No flash and with flash; I only used my fingers for application and blending, like all the foundations that I already reviewed and the ones that I will review in the future).

Before swatches

Swatched and blended.

Swatched and blended (after spreading it a bit more)

Swatched and blended (after 10 minutes)

Comparison between the swatched (now blended, that stayed fresh) with the already blended after setting for 10 minutes

Review:

It comes in a glass jar. There's a white cap (blockage) that separates the product from the actual product's gray cap. It has a soft scent to it. This is a gel foundation. Oxidazes at least two shades, not more than that. Transfers to your clothes. When it is applied, no matter what I used (sponges, fingers, different foundation brushes) the foundation moves around and I could get a better application dabbing with a stippling brush. Not really blendable. Patchy. Sets weird on the face. Cannot be built: when you try to build its coverage, the foundation that you already applied moves around and the area will be "a hot mess". After I finished my makeup, when I set it with a setting spray, as a final touch, gets wet, and drips down, leaving patchy areas again when "dries". This is not by any means a waterproof foundation (even after setting it with powder). This foundation is meant for combination skin (normal to oily). I got oily after a couple of hours of wearing it. It emphasizes fine lines.  Its finish is natural. It takes too much to dry, but it never fully dries. I cannot say if this foundation can cause some blemishes, I got a couple of pimples, but I think it wasn't this product (I really cannot say anything about it). The product is not sanitary, as long as you don't grab product with your fingers. If you touch your face throughtout the day, you'll get foundation on your fingers/hands and where you touched the product will be rubbed off. You cannot measure the ammount of product used in every application, it could be too much or too little. This foundation's not long lasting, and it melts off after a couple of hours in. Something possitive: it has SPF 15 and it doesn't flashback.

The following pictures show what happens when you use a setting spray for setting your foundation and powders (the very last step). I set it with a Loose Powder. Before and after applying setting spray (no flash).

As you can see, on the first picture was with no setting spray applied, on the second was only one spray and on the third I added another spray. It didn't set it, it made it wet again.

(Check my IG for future pictures).

Shades:
UK: 4 shades. 100 Ivory; 103 True Ivory; 200 Soft Beige; 201 Classic Beige.
Australia: 6 shades. 010 Light Porcelain; 100 Ivory; 103 True Ivory; 200 Soft Beige; 201 Classic Beige; 400 Natural Beige.
Argentina: 4 shades. 100 Ivory; 200 Soft Beige; 300 Sand; 400 Natural Beige.

Price:

UK: £7.49

Australia: $18,95 AUD

Argentina: $315 (Around $18 USD)

I don't recommend this product.

Ingredients:

AQUA/WATER/EAU, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, TALC, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, YRISTIC/PALMITIC/STEARIC/RICINOLEIC/EICOSANEDIOIC GLYCERIDES, SORBETH-30 TETRAISOSTEARATE, KAOLIN, GLYCERIN, DICAPRYLYL ETHER, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, SORBITAN SESQUIISOSTEARATE, ACRYLATES/BEHENETH-25 METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, CHLORPHENESIN, SODIUM PCA, PPG-8-CETETH-20, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, XANTHAN GUM, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, POLYURETHANE-14, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, DIMETHICONOL, DISODIUM EDTA, AMP-ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LIMONENE, DEXTRIN PALMITATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, BENZYL SALICYLATE, LINALOOL, GERANIOL, BHT, TOCOPHEROL, CITRONELLOL, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA(MATRICARIA) EXTRACT, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, ALGAE EXTRACT, LEUCONOSTOC/RADISH ROOT FERMENT FILTRATE, CITRIC ACID, ASCORBIC ACID, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM SULFITE, SODIUM BENZOATE, [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/-:TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)].

L'Oréal Paris - True Match Foundation. Review & Swatches.

L'Oréal True Match Foundation

Website: USA, Argentina, UK, Australia.

Shade reviewed: 1N Ivory; in the US is called "Soft Ivory". This is meant for neutral undertones.

Weight: 1 fl. oz. - 30 ml.

Swatches (pics)
Before swatched:

After swatched (no flash):

After swatched (with flash):

Blended on the right and swatched on the left (no flash):

Blended on the right and swatched on the left (with flash)

Review
In Argentina can be found in a glass container with a pump. The consistency it's a little bit liquidy, runny, but thinker. Once it's on the skin, it feels lightweight. Sets in a powder form and dries fast. After 10 minutes without setting it with any powder, I cannot feel any sort of tackiness, and I dind't have any problem on applying any powder on top either. The finish is natural. I have noticed some sparkles in the formula. Its coverage is medium and it can be built to have an almost full coverage. It covers small blemishes. It can be applied with a foundation brush, beauty sponge or fingertips. Easy to blend. I cannot see any redness, and most of my freckles are covered with the thinnest layer of product. Stays in place all day, if it is set with loose powder or pressed powder (and setting spray). I can see some oiliness thoughtout the day, nothing major, though. Some of the product might be transfered to the clothes. It didn't oxidize, or at least not even a shade if it does (but I haven't noticed any oxidazation). It has no scent. It didn't break me out. It has SPF 18.

Price

USA: USD 10,95 + tax.

UK: £10.

Australia: around AUD 30.

Argentina: around $380 (we are in an inflationary period the price might change; almost USD 23).

It belongs to a collection/line: True Match line (permanent).

Shades (USA): 33 shades.

Warm undertone: W1 - "Porcelain", W2 - "Light Ivory", W3 - "Nude Beige", W4 - "Natural Beige", W4.5 - "Fresh Beige", W5 - "Sand Beige", W5.5 - "Suntan", W6 - "Sun Beige", W7 - "Caramel Beige", W8 - "Crème Café", W9.5 - "Deep Warm", W10 - "Deep Golden";

Neutral undertone: N1 - "Soft Ivory", N2 - "Classic Ivory", N3 - "Natural buff", N4 - "Buff Beige", N5 - "True Beige", N5.5 - "Perfect beige", N6 - "Honey Beige",N6.5 - "Golden Beige", N7 - "Classic Tan", N8 - "Cappuccino", N9 - "Mahogani";

Cool undertone: C1 - "Alabaster", C2 - "Natural Ivory", C3 - "Creamy Natural", C4 - "Shell Beige", C5 - "Classic Beige", C6 - "Soft Sable", C7 - "Nut Brown", C8 - "Cocoa", C9 - "Deep Cool", C10 - "Espresso".

Shades in the UK: 23 Shades.

Warm undertone: 1W - "Golden Ivory", 3W - "Golden Beige", 4W - "Natural Gold", 5W - "Golden Sand", 6.5W - "Golden Caramel", 7W - "Golden Amber", 8W - "Golden Cappuccino", 10W - "Deep Golden".

Neutral undertone: 1N - "Ivory", 1.5N - "Linen", 2N - "Vanilla", 3N - "Creamy beige", 4N - "Beige", 5N - "Sand", 6N - "Honey", 8N - "Cappuccino",

Cool undertone: 1C - "Rose ivory", 2C - "Rose Vanilla", 3C - "Rose Beige", 5C - "Rose Sand", 7C - "Rose Amber", 9C - "Deep Cool" ("Fonce Froid"), 10C - "Espresso".

Shades in Australia: 15 Shades.

Warm undertone: W1 - "Golden Ivory", W3- "Golden Beige", W4 - "Golden Natural"), W5 - "Golden Sand", W7 - "Amber Dore", W8 - "Cappuccino".

Neutral undertone: N2 - "Vanilla", N3 - "Creamy beige", N4 - "Beige", N5 - "Sand", N6 - "Honey".

Cool undertone: C1 - "Rose ivory", C2 - "Rose Vanilla", C3 - "Rose Beige", C7 - "Rose Amber".

Shades in Argentina: 5 shades.

1N - "Ivory", 3W - "Beige Dore", 4W - "Natural Dore", 5N - "Sable", 6N - "Miel".

USA Packaging

UK, Australia and Argentina Packaging reference:

I recommend this product.

Ingredients: on the website, at the back of the pruduct where the code is (peeling it off).

NOTE: Ingredients vary shade by shade. Please see the list below and check the product packaging for ingredients at desired shade level.

Porcelain – W1, Light Ivory – W2, Nude Beige – W3, Natural Beige – W4, Sand Beige – W5, Sun Beige – W6, Caramel Beige – W7, Soft Ivory – N1, Classic Ivory – N2, Natural Buff – N3, Buff Beige – N4, True Beige – N5, Honey Beige – N6, Classic Tan – N7, Alabaster – C1, Natural Ivory – C2, Creamy Natural – C3, Shell Beige – C4, Classic Beige – C5:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: TITANIUM DIOXIDE 3.01%
COSMETIC INGREDIENTS: WATER • ISODODECANE • CYCLOPENTASILOXANE • GLYCERIN • CYCLOHEXASILOXANE • PEG-10 DIMETHICONE • METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER • BUTYLENE GLYCO • DIMETHICONE • ISOEICOSANE • DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE • CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE • SODIUM CHLORIDE • POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE • HEXYL LAURATE • C9-15 FLUOROALCOHOL PHOSPHATE • ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE • DIAZOLIDINYL UREA • METHYLPARABEN • PROPYLPARABEN • TOCOPHEROL • PANTHENOL • ALUMINA • METHICONE. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE • IRON OXIDES • MICA • YELLOW 5 LAKE • RED 7

Fresh Beige – W4.5, Suntan – W5.5, Crème Café – W8, Perfect Beige – N5.5, Golden Beige – N6.5, Soft Sable – C6, Nut Brown – C7:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: TITANIUM DIOXIDE 3.26%
COSMETIC INGREDIENTS: WATER • ISODODECANE • CYCLOPENTASILOXANE • GLYCERIN • CYCLOHEXASILOXANE • PEG-10 DIMETHICONE • METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER • BUTYLENE GLYCOL • DIMETHICONE • ISOEICOSANE • DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE • CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE • SODIUM CHLORIDE • C9-15 FLUOROALCOHOL PHOSPHATE • POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE • HEXYL LAURATE • ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE • DIAZOLIDINYL UREA• METHYLPARABEN • PROPYLPARABEN • TOCOPHEROL • PANTHENOL. MAY CONTAIN: IRON OXIDES • TITANIUM DIOXIDE 

Deep Warm – W9.5, Deep Golden – W10, Cappuccino – N8, Mahogany – N9, Cocoa – C8, Deep Cool – C9, Espresso – C10:
COSMETIC INGREDIENTS : AQUA / WATER / EAU • CYCLOPENTASILOXANE • ISODODECANE • GLYCERIN • CYCLOHEXASILOXANE

M.A.C. - Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation - Review & Swatches

Hi, friends. Today I start reviewing products. I will start with those products I own, then actual new products. The main reason is to give you all the information I can think of so you can decide to get it or not. I will try to give you an information as objective as possible (even though is related to my own experience).

Consider the following: foundations in Argentina for fair skin tones, as for dark skin tones, are barely impossible to get or find, let alone the color match, and there are a selected few brands that bring them. The brand M.A.C is the one, as far as I know because I've witnessed it, that has/brings all the spectrum of skin tones and undertones they offer. If you cannot find the right shade in the drugstore, because there are no "testers", I'm sure you can find it at M.A.C's. So, if you are in Argentina, because you live here, or because you're on holidays or just for work, and for some reason need to buy any foundation (or concealer or powder), M.A.C is the best and safest option. It's not cheap, but it's considerably less expensive than other high end brands. The only thing that might happen is to go to a M.A.C store and find out your shade is out of stock. Don't worry, they restock frequently.

I want to mention this is the only High End product I will review so far: this product was the one that made me reconsider makeup (and because of this one my little obsession started). In future posts I will be focusing on Drugtore makeup, (but I have high hopes to be reviewing High End and Luxury products too in the future).

Let's our journey begin!

M.A.C Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation

Website: M.A.C Cosmetics USA, M.A.C Cosmetics Argentina (unfortunately, there's no description of this product on the Argentine website), M.A.C Cosmetics UK, M.A.C Cosmetics Australia.

Shade reviewed: NW13. One of the lightest. It's meant for cool undertone. If you don't know what "undertone" means, you should read this post first: Understanding colors.

Weight: 1 fl. oz. - 30 ml.

Swatches (pics):

Before swatches

Swatches (no flash)

Swatches (with flash)

Blanded on the left and swatched on the right (no flash)

Blanded on the left and swatched on the right (with flash)

(Note: I'm not a professional photographer. And some of the pictures were off color or color balance. But, I tried to matched the image color to what I saw on my arm using a app that came with the phone.) 

Camera used: ZenFone 2 (my phone's camera), original pic's resolution 10MP.

Review: 

It comes inside a black cardboard box and its container is made of glass, with a dropper. The consistency before applying on the skin is on the watery, runny side. Once it's on the skin, it feels very lightweight, I feel like I'm not wearing anything. Sets in a powder like form, although not completely powdery. After 10 minutes without setting it with powder, I cannot feel any tackiness when I touched my face; and I couldn't noticed any problems applying any powder on top. The finish is natural to the matte side, but not glittery, I would say satin matte finish,if that makes any sense. I cannot see any sparkles or glitter mixed in the formula. Its coverage is sheer to medium, and it can be built to true medium coverage. I can be applied with any foundation brush, sponge for a sheer application or fingertips. I cannot see any redness peeking through, even with the sponge, but I can see some of my freckles. It covers small blemishes. Evens the color of my skin. Stays in place all day (where I didn't touch with my hands, of course), might transer to clothes. I set it with powder. It didn't oxidized. I noticed some oiliness throughout the day, but nothing major, on me was kind of a "natural glow" after 14hr of wear. (Unfortunately the oiliness cannot be seen through the camera, but you can check my IG where I do some comparisons/ "live" wear tests) It has a vanilla scent, very pleasant, nothing overpowerful or unbearable. It didn't break me out.

My M.A.C Store experience: the MUA was very kind and helped me to choose the right shade and foundation. I tested two different foundations (and shades). He applied half face one foundation ("Face and Body" N2, was a bit off and slightly dark), half face the other one ("Waterweight" NW13, that I saw on display). After I chose the foundation (I think you know what foundation I chose), he removed the other foundation and completed my face with the foundation chosen. So I left the store with my M.A.C bag and face done. He used a M.A.C foundation brush on me that was so soft, but it was as the same price or more as the foundation, so if you have the chance, at least feel it. That brush is in my "next to buy" list.

Price

US: USD 34 + tax.

UK: £27.

Australia: $54.

Argentina: I don't have the current price, it could be arround $1,000 (it's an estimated price, when I bought it the converted price was around USD 55). Visit any M.A.C store or call them to know about the price.

(In Argentina, UK and Australia taxes are included in the price).

It's part of a collection/line: MAC Studio (permanent).

Shades: 23.

"Neutral Cool" (for warm undertones): NC 15, NC 20, NC 25, NC 30, NC 35, NC 37, NC 40, NC 42, NC 44, NC 45, NC 50;

"Neutral Warm" (for cool undertones): NW 13, NW 15, NW 18, NW 20, NW 22, NW 25, NW 30, NW 35, NW 43, NW 45, NW 47, NW 50.

UK and Australia: 25 shades. I see two more shades, N12 and N18.

I recommend this product.

Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 5.0 Titanium Dioxide 3.1 Zinc Oxide 2.1 
Inactive Ingredients: Water\Aqua\Eau, Methyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Silica, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone Silylate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Litchi Chinensis Seed Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Triethyl Citrate, Laureth-7, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Dextrin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Polyglutamic Acid, Zinc Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate [ /- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Zinc Oxide (Ci 77947)]

Makeup (products). Part 1: Face

Hi friends. Today I want to talk about different makeup products and the place you should use them, some might have different uses depending on the person and the method of application. I won't talk about skin care, just makeup.

I highly recommend that before applying any makeup, your face should be clean.

When you apply makeup, you can start with your face or with your eyes depending how powdery eyeshadows can be or if you see any fall out on your cheeks (after application). If it's powdery eyes can go first, in order to prevent ruining the makeup. Piece of advice: if you buy a new eyeshadow, I highly recommend applying it first so you can see if there's any fall out for future applications.
Also, for applying makeup you can use any of the following: fingertips, brushes, beauty sponges and/or the applicator that comes with the product. Maybe you will use one, a couple or all when applying a product, this will be as a personal preference.
Is it necessary to use all the products I will mention? No. I will make posts about them.

I will split the products in three groups: face, eyes and lips.

On this post I will talk about face as a whole.

Face

1. Primer: this goes before the foundation and prevents it from moving round. Some have skin care properties, others are color correcting, pore minimizing, etc.
Where to apply?: all over the face or the areas you want, depending on the primer or personal preference. You can apply as many primers as you like, as long as they have different "functions" in different areas of the face.

2. Foundation: evens the skin tone. The coverage could be sheer or light, medium or full. The finish could be: matte, satin, natural, dewy. They can be made for a specific skin type: oily, normal to oily, normal, dry to normal, dry, sensitive, acne-prone. And they also are meant for our skin tones and undertones: the range is how many color options a brand has, from the lightest to the darkest (fair or porcelain, light, light/medium, medium, tan, deep and dark, even deep dark), and made for the undertone you might have: warm, neutral or cool. Foundations can be found in a cream, liquid, whipped, powder, mousse, cushion, foam and aerosol form. There are also BB cream, CC cream and DD cream that can be included in this category. I have heard of EE creams.
Where to apply?: All over the face, including neck and earlobes for even the skin tone.

3. Concealer: they are meant to be used for dark circles (the area under the eyes), for blemishes (pimples) and for illuminating* (contrast). Some are color correctors too, and they should be used before the regular concealer and the foundation. Note: if you use concealer for dark circles, try to avoid applying foundation in that area; if you use a color corrector you should use less product (less is more). Some color correctors can be found as primers.
Where to apply?: over dark circles, blemishes, scars (color corrector if needed).

4. Powder: to lock the foundation (except powder foundations) and the concealer in the place we just applied them, we use powder; also known as setting powder. It could be loose powder or pressed powder. It could be translucent or have some tint to it.

Where to apply?: over the foundation and concealer of cream or liquid form.

5. Contour*: natural shadows on our face. Can be found in different brown shades, some are more warm based, others are more cool based. It can be found as a: stick, powder, cream, cushion, whipped, liquid, aerosol.

6. Highlighter*: bring some shine to certain areas of the face. It could be found in a stick, cream, liquid, aerosol, cushion, whipped, powder (loose and pressed) form.

7. Blush: to bring life to the cheeks. It could be found in a stick, cream, liquid, aerosol, cushion, whipped, powder (loose and pressed) form. Different shades and colors, and finishes, from matte to more metallic.
Where to apply?: on the apples of the cheecks and blending upwards and towards the sideburn/ear.

8. Bronzer: brings some life to the face or "sun touch" to the skin. Different shades, and finishes, from matte to more metallic, and different presentations, most commonly found as pressed powder.

Where to apply? perimeter of the face and sometimes under the cheekbone/blush area.

9. Setting Spray: in a spray form, some can be used as primers. Use for locking the makeup, make it one with the skin and some will make the whole makeup last longer.
Where to apply?: spray all over the face (following the product's instructions).

See you next post!

*this will be a post on its own.
Note: the images are illustrative only, depending on each one of us those products can be excellent or be a total disaster.

Next post Part 2: eyes and lips.