SWAV Loves: CoverBlend by Exuviance
The full name is a little long though, CoverBlend by Exuviance (NeoStrata): Multi-Function Concealer SPF 15. Try saying that 5 times fast!The generally unassuming box (normally I am attracted toward flashier packaging, so this was purely a stroke of luck) claims, "Anti-aging treatment concealer with UVA/UVB protection; Non-creasing, Natural-looking, All day wear" followed by "Physician Recommended" and inside they also state that the brand is "Dermatologist developed" and that they do no animal testing. Sounds too good to be true! Well, shockingly, it's not!
Anyway, this concealer is so great for a couple of reasons: It's very lightweight, so putting it on doesn't feel like you're applying a thick paste. It's hard to explain how light it feels, but it might have something to do with the fact that the first ingredient listed is water. No mineral oil or lanolin here... and that's good news.
Another good thing is that this concealer is somehow moisturizing without those irritating oils! Yup, that means no highlighting of dry skin patches! It smooths on pleasantly, and wears really well too... no caking or settling into fine lines. It's suitable for sensitive skin and non-comedogenic. That means you can use it on any acne-esque formations you may have with no negative effects. It's great for under-eye circles as well!
It comes in a fairly large tube (0.5 oz) for only $16.50! This stuff is such good quality, it makes me mad that I paid $28. for a tiny tube of Amazing Concealer, granted that did last me quite a long time.
If anyone is a Makeup-Alley member, feel free to check out the reviews here. If not, I'll just tell you, they got a 4.2 out of 5, which is pretty damn good.
I bought it in Beige, for my Light/Medium skin. It's available in two other shades (Sand, Light) as well. And since I love Ulta, you can test it out there, or order online!
Dr. Hauschka Cover Stick = Disappointment
I currently use (and sort of love) Amazing Concealer by Amazing Cosmetics. It's not a perfect relationship. It covers up things very well, but I am never content with what I have and I believe that there is some better "miracle" product waiting out there for me. Hopefully, something that would be cheaper than the $40 Amazing. I was really looking for a creamy little jar of concealer with the coverage of Amazing. The creaminess was key. After seeing the Nvey ECO Concealer (I previously posted about, yet haven't gotten to Sephora yet!) and how the organic idea seemed so appealing, I took a trip to the makeup/skincare aisle of my local Whole Foods store, hoping to find my miracle.
After not seeing what I was looking for at all, I finally laid my eyes on Dr. Hauschka's Cover Stick. This product is marketed to be the most wonderful cover stick ever made. It looked perfect. It has all sorts of German writing all over the fancy-schmancy white and gold packaging, making you feel like you've spent your $20 wisely on this little imported stick.
The box reads: "Available in two shades, Dr.Hauschka Pure Care Cover Sticks can be used in place of a concealer to hide blemishes. When used at the first sign of a breakout, the special antibacterial formulation, containing Tea Tree and Manuka oils, helps to clarify the skin, while Anthyllis and Calendula support the skin's healing processes until the condition normalises." Sounds promising enough, right?
Wrong. For some reason, the tester in at Whole Foods was much better quality than the product I brought home! The product is not excessively creamy for some reason, and it has more of a dry, hard to spread consistency than I thought it would since the tester seemed very smooth. Also, the product has a strange patchouli potpourri odor (I won't call it a scent, that would be too pleasant), that I strongly dislike. It did not cover the imperfections I put it on, in fact, it only highlighted dry skin area on my face because of it's heavy, yet sheerish consistency.
The woman at Whole Foods tonight told me I could exchange it for another color if the one I bought was too dark on me. Well, it turns out that color is too light, and its the darkest they go... so it's going back. Negative, negative, negative, negative. (That's wrong color, wrong consistency, wrong scent, and wrong covering capability!) BAD. Do not buy.
Next I want to try FlowerColor Coverup by Ecco Bella. They have it at Dean's Natural Market for about $15. It has good reviews on MakeupAlley, or at least Ecco Bella's Natural Coverup does.
Regardless, it's back to Amazing I go for another day.
Products I want to try!
Here are some products from Sephora.com and MAC that I will hopefully be testing out next time I'm there. I've been reading reviews from around the web as well as MakeupAlley to gauge what might actually be worth the money or not. Here's what I've found:
This product's reviews seem to be pretty good, the only real complaint being the fact that it originally only came in one shade "neutral", but now it appears to come in "medium" also on the Sephora website. Apparently it is a very smooth-wearing, organic concealer that is anything but cakey. It also contains Vitamin E and a combination of safflower, jojoba, natural antioxidants and organic castor oils. It's exciting because it's organic too! Sephora suggests using this product sparingly as "a little goes a long way". I'm used to this motto as well as this price range (it runs about $30), because my current HG concealer is Amazing Concealer by Amazing Cosmetics.
Aside from the Sephora website, I can find little/no information on this brand or their products... which makes me all the more curious! Since I have recently realized the practicality of balms vs. gloss, these are really appealing to me because of their cute (I know, I'm a sucker) packaging! It's not all judging a book by it's cover though, because apparently these "rich and efficacious" novelty lip balms will leave your lips moisturized, as well as great smelling and tasting. The balms run about $9-10 for a single, and there are also trios for $16 with three different flavors. Each come in adorably packaged vintage-inspired tins (although there is one in tube format for those who don't like using the pots) in flavors like Dr. Pepper, Schweppes, and Hershey's.
Ok, I am going to admit something pretty big here: I have yet to try out one of MAC's Mineralize Skinfinishes. I know, I know. Obviously, while they were not in stores, I was aching for the day that they would re-release these mineral powders. That day arrived maybe a month ago when the N Collection came out. I have been meaning to go in there just to try out their MSF in Warmed, a bronzer/highlight shade with golden undertones... but I've been holding back from the temptation to dish out the measly $24.50, because I have MAC Vanilla Pigment (golden undertones) and I have my HG Bronzer (Revlon New Complexion - Sun). In my mind, owning these two products relinquishes the need for the MSF in Warmed. So then, the other MSF they released was Light Flush, a shade of highlighting pink. I have a small container of Tony & Tina's Cosmetic (discontinued) in a shade that I would assume is similar. So that is what keeps me from looking at the MSFs. I don't want to go there and buy a color I might already have... I'm being practical, for once. They still draw me in though. Maybe one day.
Have you tried any of these products? Feel free to leave a comment!
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