Foundation

CARGO Swimmables

During the summer season in the desert, I have a rule I abide by 99.9% of the time. My summer rule is always ALWAYS wear waterproof makeup. To deal with the heat, desert-dwellers spend a lot of time swimming. Never knowing when the opportunity will present itself, you should always be prepared. I have no problem with this, because summer is supposed to be about water fun!

One day this summer, I strayed from my cardinal rule. Guess what happened? I ended up swimming with my children that evening and they were horrified by what they saw. My eye makeup was running down my cheeks and I was quite the mess. This mistake won’t be repeated. I’ll tell you that I know first-hand there are some amazing water-resistant cosmetics available, and there’s no need to skip the makeup if you may take a swim. In fact, CARGO has recently added a waterproof foundation to their Swimmables makeup line!

Meet CARGO Swimmables

CARGO Swimmables Blush: Ibiza — CARGO Swimmables Water Resistant Blush: Ibiza

CARGO Swimmables Water Resistant Blush swatch above in Ibiza– a goddessy warm pink with a subtle golden sheen. Other shades available are Bali- a medium rose, and Los Cabos- a peachy bronze. Retail price $26.

CARGO Swimmables Longwear Foundation 30 Swatch

CARGO Swimmables Longwear Foundation swatch above 30– a warm light/medium skintone. This product is available in 8 different shades, ranging from Fair to Mocha. I love it so much I plan to wear it all year long! Retail price $34.

Even if you’re a fan of going bare-skinned in the summer, sparse brows need to be filled! The CARGO Swimmables Longwear Brow Pencil features an angled shape that’s perfect for drawing thin hair-like lines or filling larger areas.

CARGO Swimmables Longwear Brow Pencil swatches above (from left to right): Medium– a warm chocolate brown, Light– a pale golden blonde/brown, and Dark– a deep almost-black brown. This brow color is soft and natural, and definitely does not budge in the water! Retail price $20.

To shop from this collection click HERE to visit CargoCosmetics.com. Other retailers include Ulta and the Kohls.com beauty department.

The products featured in this review are press samples. Please click HERE to read my full disclosure.

IT Cosmetics CC Your Most Beautiful Anti-Aging Set QVC TSV

I’ll have to kick off this post by confessing my bias. You know I love everything and anything IT Cosmetics, but I wasn’t expecting to love the new IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte product. I love matte finishes, but when it comes to foundation my opinion is generally that aging skin should avoid matte foundations and powders. I was so surprised when I applied this product and LOVED it. This full-coverage foundation is worthy of any special event you have planned, but doesn’t look too flat or artificial. My skin was devoid of shine, without looking overly made up or artificial.

This new CC+ product is part of a fabulous QVC TSV that officially goes live on Friday 7/27, but can already be purchased if you CLICK HERE to visit the presale page. The IT Cosmetics CC Your Most Beautiful Anti-Aging Set contains three fabulous items for a low QVC TSV price of $49.20! Don’t forget that both the CC cream and the powder contain an SPF, making them a great go-to during the summer months or to take on vacations to sun-filled destinations. Also included in this TSV are the CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder (that softens the appearance of fine lines and imperfections like a boss) and the Heavenly Skin CC+ Skin-Perfecting Brush No. 702 for application of both liquid and powder product!

Retail price $49.20. Keep in mind, the brush alone retails for $48 usually… It’s almost like getting the makeup for free! CLICK HERE to shop for this set on QVC.

The product in this review was a press sample. Please click HERE to read my full disclosure.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation Review

The very first product I tried when I received a giant tower of press samples from IT Cosmetics was the new IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation. Why? When it comes to complexion products, IT Cosmetics has consistently delivered superior product. My aging skin is always searching for a foundation that will give it a boost, and this formula simultaneously works as an anti-aging treatment!

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation Review and Swatches

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation Swatches

Upon trying IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation, I was hooked. This full-coverage formula conceals all imperfections like a champ, and also hydrates the skin! The formula also contains hydrolyzed collage,n, peptides, caviar extract, argan oil and vitamins. It’s working to improve the appearance of your skin while you’re wearing it!

Swatches above from left to right: Fair, Light, Medium, Medium Tan, Tan, Rich, and Deep.

Retail price is $38.

Retailers of this foundation will include ITCosmetics.com, Ulta, and QVC. Sephora also sells the brand, but it appears they won’t carry this particular product.

The product in this review was a press sample. Please click HERE to read my full disclosure. Keep scrolling for more images!

Back To School Beauty Must-Haves: MAC Next To Nothing Collection

MAC Next To Nothing Collection Product Lineup

MAC Next To Nothing Collection Foundations

In the “back to school” category, the MAC Next To Nothing collection is a must-see! College and High School students rarely need medium or full coverage foundation. MAC Next To Nothing Face Colour is a super sheer foundation that offers a wee bit of color correction and a radiant, playful finish. Retail price is $31 per bottle.

MAC Next To Nothing Face Colour Photos, Swatches, Review

MAC Next To Nothing Collection Foundation Swatches- Lights

MAC Next To Nothing Face Colour swatches above (left to right): Light, Light Plus, Medium, and Medium Plus.

MAC Next To Nothing Collection Foundation Swatches- Darks

MAC Next To Nothing Face Colour swatches above (left to right): Medium Dark, Medium Deep, Dark, Dark Plus, and Dark Deep. All nine shades available in the collection are shown above, so simply select the one closes to your skin tone and you’re set!

MAC Next To Nothing Pressed Powder Photos, Swatches, Review

MAC Next To Nothing Collection Pressed Powder

MAC Next To Nothing Pressed Powder offers the slighted hint of shine control, and feels so silky! Colors available coordinate perfectly with the foundation. Retail price is $28 per compact.

MAC Next To Nothing Collection Pressed Powder Swatches

MAC Next To Nothing Pressed Powder Swatches (left to right): Light, Medium Plus, and Dark Deep.

MAC Next To Nothing Collection Makeup Brushes

No MAC collection would be complete without the perfect tools for application. The MAC 141 Synthetic Face Fan Brush (shown at left) can be used with liquid, cream, or powder formulas. Retail price is $35. The MAC 140 Synthetic Full Fan Brush is perfect for powder application, and features a super-soft flat design with a rounded top. Retail price is $42.

Click HERE to shop MACCosmetics.com, other retailers include Nordstrom.com, Bloomingdales.com, Macys.com and Saks.com. The product featured in this review is a press sample. Please click HERE to read my full disclosure.

MAC Next To Nothing Collection Selection

Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation

You may have gathered this from my past posts, but I really REALLY like stick foundation. A solid foundation has all of the convenience of a stick concealer, but the same blendable formula of a foundation. An added bonus? They are the ultimate in portability, and there’s no risk of spilling! These Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation sticks feature a dual-end foundation and contour combo. It makes following your favorite contouring “how to” tutorial a snap! Simply apply foundation and contour color with a swipe of this chunky stick, and blend with your favorite sponge or brush.

Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation Contouring End

Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Contouring Swatches

The contouring end features a face-hugging angled tip for easy application in small quantities or across broader areas of the face.

Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation Photos

The foundation end of Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation is flat for broad application, and also easy to swipe a foundation brush over the surface.

Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation Swatches

Foundation swatches from left to right: 0.5 a pale peachy shade, 1.0 a warmer light shade, and 1.1 a yellowy light shade.

Foundation swatches from left to right: 1.2– a warm caramel, 2.1– a peachy caramel, and 2.2– a warm deep shade.

Contouring swatches from left to right: 0.5– a cool-hued medium shade, 1.0– a warm neutral, and 1.1– a dark neutral.

Contouring swatches from left to right: 1.2– a warm medium tan, 2.1– a medium tan with a bit more pink, and 2.2– a dark tan.

Smashbox Studio Skin Shaping Foundation Stick retails for $42. A total of 16 shades are available, so if one of these six isn’t a match be sure to surf on over to Smashbox.com to find one that will work! Other retailers include Sephora, Macys.com, Nordstrom, and Ulta.

The product featured in this post was a press sample. Please click HERE to read my full disclosure.