Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation, First Impressions

Yay!  It's finally here!!!  I've been waiting on this foundation to come out for months and now I finally have it.  Urban Decay's Naked Skin Foundation.  Now that I have it, I'll tell you this:  it was WELL worth the wait.  I LOVE this foundation, so let's get right into it.

The packaging is nice.  Very sleek and shiny.  The 1 fl oz bottle is tall and slim and has a pump for dispensing, which I love.  I hate when they don't have a pump!  Too messy!  The consistency is pretty thin.  It's thinner than my MUFE HD, more watery feeling.  But that doesn't take away from the coverage or finish AT ALL.  It's described as having a "demi-matte" finish, which is my favorite kind of finish.  It's not too matte and not too dewy.  To me, it's perfectly in between.  It's matte enough to make you look finished and dewy enough to look natural.  I would describe the finish as what natural skin should look like.

The application is great.  It goes on silky smooth and blends easily.  The coverage is medium in my opinion.  It could probably be layered to add more coverage though.  I got it in shade 4.0 (light/medium with a slight golden undertone) and it matches perfectly.  Urban Decay's website has a shade matching feature to help you find your shade based on the makeup you currently use.  I was using MUFE HD in 128 or Revlon Colorstay in Natural Tan.  Swatch time!!

As you can see in the first picture, the Naked Foundation (left dot) is thinner.  I used the shade matching thing on the website and it seems a little off based on the dots and swatched but as you can see in the third picture, they blend out into the same color.  Wanna see it on my face?  Okay, but first I have to show you my bare face.  EEEEKKKK!!!!

Okay!!  Scary, I know, but hey, it's me.  So the pic on the left is no makeup at all.  The one on the right is with only a thin layer of the Naked foundation.  As you can see, it looks natural but covered MOST of my blemishes and redness, especially the redness around my mouth and nose.  Woohoo!  Here's a pic of me with some concealer here and there and my makeup of the day.  Thank goodness for makeup! :)  Not sure what's up with that awkward face though! ;)

So far, I really love this foundation.  I love how nice it goes on, I'm really happy with the finish, the coverage is pretty dang good, and it feels weightless on my face.  My kind of stuff.  I should mention that I have really dry skin on my chin and around my nose but reallllly oily skin on my forehead.  This did well with both.  I blotted my forehead once and this foundation doesn't emphasize flakiness.  It even held up through my Zumba class!  One last thing I want to mention is that it doesn't have any SPF in it.  But I prefer it that way.  I hate the white cast you get in pictures from SPF in foundation.  So I wear Shiseido sunscreen under my foundation during the day and just the foundation at night.  How many more times can I say "foundation"!?

Anyway there you have it... my first impressions/initial review!  Great job, Urban Decay!  I hope you guys enjoyed this post.  Check back often for more!

Love,

Aylissa

P.S.  What would you like my next post to be about: my foundation routine and an application demo or on my 2 favorite skincare products that have helped with my acne?

Summer Favorites

Hey Guys,

I know I haven't posted anything in awhile... so sorry about that!  But here is a quick post about products that I am loving this summer.

Summer Favorites by restartmyheart on Polyvore.com

One - MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation - $26.50 - I used to think that powder foundations were horrible, had no lasting power or good coverage.  This foundation has changed my mind!  I use it over a tinted moisturizer on my t-zone to set it and on areas that need more coverage like under my eyes or around my nose.  It covers beautifully without looking cakey, leaves a nice finish and stays put.  I can Zumba for an hour and my makeup still looks good afterward when I wear this.  Love it!

Two - LUSH Figs and Leaves Soap - $7.60/3.5 oz. - BEST.  SOAP.  EVER.  I love it SO MUCH.  You guys know I love Lush products.  This is no exception!  It's all natural (of course) and has figs, glycerin, aloe extract and coconut oil, all of which are very moisturizing.  It also has little seeds in it so it's a gentle exfoliant at each use.  It smells absolutely AMAZING and makes my skin so soft!

Three - OPI in Do You Think I'm Tex-y? - $6-$10 - OPI makes great polishes that are easy to apply and last longer than some other polishes.  This particular one is a gorgeous raspberry pink and is a jelly finish so it goes on sheer at first and then finishes with a yummy jelly like gloss, not super opaque like a cream finish.  It's so pretty and I've been wearing it with everything!

Four - Nexxus Humectress Hydrating Treatment Deep Hair Conditioner (what a mouthful!) - $14 - During the summer our hair gets damaged takes a beating from the sun, the ocean, chlorine in the pools and heat styling.  This stuff makes me say, "What damage?"  You use it like a mask (or just like your regular conditioner once a week) and it makes my hair so soft and shiny.  I have had less split ends (I am NOT as gentle on my hair as I should be) so if you have dry, brittle hair, this stuff is amazing and I highly recommend it.

So those are my summer favorites that I've been using like crazy.  Sorry it took me so long to get another post up.  I just haven't been sure where I wanted this blog to go or how I wanted to go about getting there!  But now I am sure and there will be new content on here way more often so keep a lookout!  Thanks for reading. :)  Hope you enjoyed!

Love,
Aylissa

Lush Buffy Body Butter

Hellooo Gorgeous!

It has been a long time since I have posted anything.  It's horrible, I know!  I have wanted to but haven't had the chance.  I wanted my next couple of posts to go in a certain order since I've had some requests, starting with a foundation routine video/application tutorial, but my camera isn't great with video and I've been thinking about getting a new one... anyway, I'm back now with a review. :)

Presenting my newest love:

*LUSH BUFFY BODY BUTTER*

Three words:  It.  Is.  AMAZING.  As you all know, I am a huge fan of Lush cosmetics.  They're products are luxurious, effective, natural and fun.   This product is no exception!  So what is Buffy Body Butter?  Well, it is a body bar packed full of moisturizing shea butter and cocoa butter and also has ground rice, almonds and aduki beans to exfoliate leaving skin smooth and soft.

Why do I love it so much?  In the summer months, we all go swimming and hang out at the beach or the pool and inevitably get fried at some point, no matter how much sunscreen we put on.  You know that horrible itchy, flaky stage where your sunburn starts to peel, leaving you looking like you have some skin fungus?  This completely eliminates that whole stage!  I have really dry skin anyway and I always pile on the lotion after every shower and, depending on what I'm doing, a couple of times throughout the day.  When I use this in the shower, the exfoliants scrub my skin and get rid of all the dead skin cells.  You then rinse off the grit and the shea and cocoa butters stay behind.  Using this bar should be the last step of your bath or shower.  When you get out, you pat yourself dry (so that you don't rub the butter off) and then massage your skin to help it absorb the butters.  After using this several times, I have a visible improvement in my skin.  Also, my skin FEELS amazing.  I don't have to use lotion anymore.  My skin is soft & hydrated.

The only negative thing that I can think of is that if your skin is sensitive and you're not used to exfoliating, it can hurt a little if you aren't careful.  It is gritty when you rub it on.   I personally like that, though.  I cannot say enough good stuff about this body butter bar, however.  I love it so much and it's one of my staples now.  Lush continues to surprise me by how innovative and wonderfully pampering their products are.  I am going to be a lifelong customer.  :)

Anyway, I just had to review this product.  I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you get a chance to try this product!  Or any Lush product!  If you do, please comment and tell me about your experience.  For those of you that have tried Lush, what is your favorite product?  Comment below!

Thanks for reading..  missed you guys! :)

Love,

Aylissa

Get a free deluxe perfume sample from Sephora!

Hello Lovelies!

I have a coupon code for you!  Head over to Sephora's website and enter the code "miniscent" at checkout on your order of $25 or more.  Choose from Dior Miss Dior Cherie, Versace Bright Crystal, Issey Miyake L'Eas d' Issey and Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir.

I personally LOVE Versace Bright Crystal.

I'm not sure how long the code will last so GO NOW and get something pretty for yourself!  Also, I have a contest in the works for you guys that involves a giveaway so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Love,
Aylissa

P.S.  Want to show me you love me?  Help me promote my blog by recommending me to your friends.  Link me in an email or something like that.  It will be much appreciated!

Current Foundation Review (Nars & Maybelline)

Hi there:)


So on my other blog, someone requested that I do a review on my current foundation, so I decided I'd go ahead and put it on here for you guys as well.  Right now I use two different ones for different things... Nars Sheer Glow in Punjab and Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse in Natural Beige.

NARS Sheer Glow - $42


Pros - Easy to apply and blend, wide color range, feels light on the face, stays put, looks great.
Cons - Dries kind of fast so you have to apply faster than some liquid foundations, and it’s pricey, have to use concealer for blemishes.


I LOVE, let me repeat, LOVE this foundation.  It feels light on my face and not at all cakey, even when I layer it.  It’s advertised as having a glowing, satin finish.  I wouldn’t say this makes you glow, though.  The coverage is light to medium and almost sheer.  It doesn’t have any shimmer, which for me, is great.  I use this foundation when I want lighter, more natural coverage.  It looks really natural and pretty and can be dressed up or down, depending on what eye/cheek/lip makeup you choose.  I wouldn’t use it without a primer and I do have to use a concealer with it when I have blemishes.  I also have to set it with powder on my forehead, otherwise its gets shiny after a few hours.  While it does dry fast, I apply with a stippling brush and buff it in, so I’ve never had any problems blending or applying it.  I think this is a great foundation for those with combo to dry (but not flaky) skin.  It doesn’t look good on flaky skin.


Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Foundation - $8


Pros - Cheap, easy to apply and blend, moisturizing, great coverage, stays put, beautiful finish, doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.
Cons - Very small color range, bulky packaging.


I was really impressed with this foundation.  I didn’t expect much because I am usually disappointed with drugstore foundations.  This one, however, is wonderful.  I like to use it when I want more coverage or if my skin is feeling dry.  It has really good medium to full coverage all on it’s own without feeling cakey and it stays on all day when used with a primer.  It’s not a mousse.  It has a creamy consistency.  I don’t have to use a concealer with it.  It covers redness really well and moisturizes skin also.  I have combination skin with oily, normal, and dry areas, and it works beautifully for me.  My sister has extremely sensitive skin and this didn’t irritate it or break her out.  She loves it as well.  I’d still recommend setting it with a powder.  The color range is terrible but if you can find a shade to match you, I think you’ll love this one.


So that’s my review, I hope you enjoyed it.  If you’d like a video tutorial or have further questions, let me know in the comment section! :)


Love, 
Aylissa

April Birchbox!!

Hello, you beautiful people!

It's been a few days since I've posted anything so I thought I'd show you what I got in my April Birchbox shipment!  For those of you that don't know what Birchbox is, it is a monthly subscription to a company that sends you a box of deluxe samples to try once a month.  It's $10 a month and so worth it!  It helps you try new products with less waste.  The packaging is recyclable and if you don't like a product, you only spent a couple of dollars and you don't have a full size container of it to go to waste. The samples I got this month are great!  Most samples you get from other companies are usually only good for a one-time use, but as I said, these are deluxe samples and they're huge!  Anyway, here it is, my April Birchbox:

THE PACKAGE!

Getting excited!!

YAY!

And here is the haul:)

This months focus was going green because April is a reminder that we should be mindful of our environment and the effect we have on it.  From left to right, first we have LIVE GRN Eau de Parfum in Earth.  Made from biodegradable and sustainable ingredients, this lush scent is laced with jasmine and sandalwood.  Smells awesome!  Very earthy-chic. :) 

Next we have Zoya Nail Polish in Jules.  Zoya's lacquers are super glossy and this versatile shade is a shimmery gold.  So pretty!

Third is Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel and Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer.  Natural fruit acids dissolve even the most tenacious dead cells for an immediately brighter, smoother complexion.

Fourth we have Lavanilla, The Healthy Body Butter.  It's made from all natural shea and cocoa butters an smells delicious with its lavender and vanilla scent.

Last but not least, we have a little extra gift, Bloomin Seed Paper.  You can plant this paper and grow wildflowers! How fun is that!?

So there you have it.  My April Birchbox shipment.  For anyone looking to broaden their beauty horizons, who love surprises, and just want to try new products, I highly recommend subscribing to Birchbox.  It's so much fun and you get to discover great stuff every month!

Have any of you subscribed to/fallen in love with Birchbox like I have?  Let me know in the comment selection below!  I hope you all have enjoyed this post!

Love,

Aylissa

P.S.  Coming soon - a review on my current foundation!