A Review: Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer

They say stick to what you know, so I feel like using a product for more than two years would result in my knowledge of the product being- well pretty good. When my best friend first saw this concealer, she mistaked it for lipstick and ended up smothering my concealer all over her lips. Looking at me with disgust in her eyes she asked my why on earth I'd want to blank out my lips like that without leaving a hint of colour behind. So this is where the story begins, my Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer that started off as the laughing stock and the origin of zombie makeup for my friend and I- to something I've had a relationship (or so to say) for almost three years.

This concealer claims to effectively conceal spots, blemishes, and under-eye circles. And for the most part, I agree. I have purchased two shades, Ivory, which I recommend, and Neutraliser - that I picked up by mistake and do not recommend. The packaging is just like a lipstick (not to be confused with one though) and comes with o.15 oz or 4.5  of product between 7-10$. It isn't the most hygenic, as the most common way of application is to apply it straight from the tube, but if you have a lot of acne problems, to halt a stop to that ever so fast growing bacteria getting trapped under your pores, a brush to apply the product would work just as well.

So, good news first or bad news first? Well, I like to keep things positive, so lets start with the good news: Ivory: My preference of use is for concealing or 'hiding' the blemishes as Rimmel London would prefer to say. The consistancy is very creamy and thick- making for quite the opaque coverage. It can be used for under the eyes- more of a light coverage cover (if you have bad dark circles like me.) Unfortunately, every rose has it's thorns- and so does this product. Due to the fact that it is so creamy, once you go to cover your blemish, if its not set, it moves around easily. One swipe of your finger over it on accident can easily take off all the product. Lastly, if you lay it on thick, it does crease easily, so keep application minimal (especially on eyelids). But overall, this is definitely a very good concealer- thick, creamy, opaque and easy application gets the job done. Although it's good, I'd like to find something that's great, so this may be the last time buy for this one.

Left to Right- Ivory, Neutraliser

Left to Right, Ivory Neutraliser

Now onto the Neutraliser, it isn't THAT bad, but in my opinion, not as good as Ivory. The consistancy is a bit dryer, a bit harder to apply, just not as that 'skating on freshly cleaned ice' kinda feel- if you know what I mean. It's just kinda like -eh. It's not bad, but not good. I don't have too much to say about it, just not a fan.

With that said, I have found a way to put this product to use. Heard of white eyeliners? Or tan for your waterline? I was quite intrigued by those, but didn't want to buy a new eyeliner. Looking at the concealers I realized hey- that's pretty much what those nude eyeliners are. So I whipped out my angled brush from trusty Joe Fresh and lightly swiped it in the products and onto my waterline- and it works like a charm. So if you have wanted that extra awakeness in the morning (which I highly recommend) - it's a quick fix. And one that I use everyday.

Joe Fresh Concealer brush (top) and angled brush (bottom)

When I run out of these ones I will not be repurchasing, but looking forward to trying a new concealer that can hopefully 'hide the blemishes' even better. With a few years relationship with this product, I am ready to move on and try and see new ones. Rimmel Hide the blemish concealer- its really not you, its me..

-Madi

A Review: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Gel Liner

I have tried two types of eyeliners in my life, pencil and gel. I started off with the classic sharpening pencil, then to the mechanical twisty kind to a pot and brush. And that is where this review begins. I was introduced to the Maybelline's Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in brown over two years ago as it was the neglected product in my mothers makeup drawer. Neglected not because it was bad, but because my mom is on the more- dramatic side of things, and brown eyeliner is my favourite. Since then, I've been hooked.

Very accessible, application is very easy (even for a shaky hand like me), lasts for a very long time (give or take 24hrs) - long enough for me, easy consistency, doesn't dry out fast, and good for your wallet at ringing in only $10.00.

So it comes with .106 OZ or 3g of product and small application brush- which is actually very good. The product claims to be completely waterproof and smudge proof. It is for the most part- it will be if you avoid rubbing your eyes, and it is most definitely smudge proof. For me, it stays close to perfect from 6:30 in the morning to 9:30 at night, with little fading. I have never had trouble with this eyeliner ending up giving me racoon eyes or it ever falling beneath my lash line.

The two colours I have tried are Brown and Eggplant (the purple shade). You get a very fine and precise line, that can be built up to be as dramatic as you want. Both colours are very pigmented and smoke out beautifully. Brown is a very matte shade, no sparkle or shimmer there- which makes it the best everyday colour, it subtly defines your eyes without looking too overboard.

 Eggplant or Aubergine is a beautiful plumy purple, that is also very subtle with a bit of sparkle in it. Nothing too crazy, but definitely a nice sheen. What I have to say about this one is the exact same as Brown, I love it, lasts for a very long time with minimal touch ups, very pigmented and very easy to apply.

The other great thing about this liner is that once you put it on, you have about three minutes till it completely dries, so that gives you tons of grace to correct anything- it's truly a life saver.

I want to mention the steps I do my makeup to ensure that it dries completely. The only problem I had with this is I would put on and perfect my beautiful cat eyeliner, then I'd go to curl my eyelashes- then what the heck! It was all gone except for the one little wing coming from no where. If it doesn't dry completely, it will transfer and it will smudge! Once it's dry, it's as sure as heck aint going no where. So first I conceal eyes and prime them, then I do my eyeshadow then apply the liner. Here is where I suggest you finish the rest of your face or brows or whatever you have to do, then finish with curling your lashes and applying mascara to ensure that the liner that you worked on is sure to stay there.



Pro's:
- long lasting
- rang of colours
- comes with a very good brush
- good consistency (creamy)
- stays put!
- drugstore, about $10.00

Con's
- takes a few minutes to dry
- hard to remove without makeup remover

Here is my last tip for this post- If you accidentally leave the lid off, it will dry out a little bit, but a quick fix is to add just a drop of water, put the lid on and leave it, if there is still some water in the morning, just take a brush and mix it in a little and - wa la! All better.

I know a lot of people that say they love a product after a week of use- bear in mind this is one of my all time favourite products- I've gone through 3 in total and never go a day without wearing it. I highly recommend this product to you- it has most definitely earned it's spot in my 'Products I can't live without' list,and you can bet the minute I see mine running low, I'll be running out to the nearest drugstore to buy a replacement.



 -Madi

A Review: NARS Multiple in Portofino

A few months ago I was interested in dipping my toes into the alter universe of blushes- cream blushes. It almost seems as if regular powder blushes would feel the way about cream blushes as Santa and his elves do about the South Pole. Two things sounding so similar, yet are the world apart. So as I was going from counter to counter applying and covering up many cream blushes from across the board of brands. From potted to compact, to coming out of a tube to a solid modern packaging. The decision was close, but I proudly and confidently walked out of The Bay with my first NARS product, NARS Portofino Multiple.

Oh alright, so it isn't your classic cream blush- I maybe cheated a little. But whoever said 'cheaters never prosper' because I definitly did.

This line of blushes- er, products is quite unique. The can be used for your eyes, lips and face- heck anywhere you wanna put them. They come in a range of colours from highlighting to blush tones. The colours that are more fixated to highlighting can easily be used as an eyeshadow, face hightligher for your cheek bones, cupids bow, and nose, but can also be used to streamline your legs and shoulders. Sounds like a miracle worker hey? Too bad it won't perform a miracle to your wallet. My beloved NARS Multiple rang me in at 46$- I know, but before you stop reading on, indulge me for a minute while I explain how I justified this purchase.

So the colour I went for is more along the deep coral side almost into a fiery orangey pink. It does have a slight sparkle to it- and I myself am not a huge fan of sparkly cheeks because I am one to prefer the more natural look, but oddly enough, I love the slight sparkle. The colour is great- it's gives you a healthy 'glow' one that looks like you just took a run or the butterflies in your stomach flew up to give your cheeks a little flush.

Now, for my weapons of choice. There are two brushes and three ways that I have found to work to apply this product. The one I have been going for the most is with a brush, swirled around the blusher and applied. I find this to be the easiest and least messy way to apply it. The two brushes I have been going back and forth with are one MAC 168SE angled brush (with the pink head from the holiday collection) or a Joe Fresh blush brush (sold only in Canada I believe) and you can get it from Superstore, and is surprisingly good quality (future blog post). You can also apply the stick directly to your cheek and blend it in with your fingers or brush (my other favourite way) or you can apply it to your fingers first, then to your cheeks. I don't prefer this way because you loose a lot of the pay off from your fingers to your cheeks.

Mac 168SE, Joe Fresh Blush Brush

Let's talk blendability and wearability. I have found that it does blend to be quite sheer when you use your fingers, but more pigmented when you use a brush because the colour doesn't transfer to your fingers. It blends so well and is really a no fuss situation. The colour Portofino, is a very wearable everyday kind of colour because it leans in towards the more sheer side of the pigmintation scale. Goes very well with a natural eye, or a smokey eye. This is my go-to blush.

When you first pick it up you may seem like, dang, this isn't a lot of product for my just about 50$ blush, but have no fear, a little goes a long way. I use mine religiously for a good 9 months and I've used up maybe a cm. I don't know how that works- but I sure am glad it does.

Overall, I would reccomend you this blush. The wearablity is great, consistancy is a charm and colour hits it home. I can't speak for the other colours in this line, I have yet to try more, and I am thinking in the near future my lonely Portofino will have a little friend.

- Madi