smooth finish foundation powder

In past posts {here}I raved about how much I loved my Laura Mercier Foundation Powder #3 {$50}. It provided excellent coverage, you could use it wet or dry and it was very light weight and hypoallergenic which is key when I'm choosing make-up. I recently went to Sephora to purchase this product and it's been discontinued! I was shocked! I didn't know what to do! But fear not! This Foundation Powder is new and improved! It's now known as the Smooth Finish Foundation Powder. I was skeptical at how much better this product could get....considering I loved the original. But it really is better! It's described as a 'second skin' oil- free foundation powder, that can also be used wet or dry. I find applying the product wet first allows for optimum coverage, and then applying the powder dry afterwards creates a very natural look.

What it does: This silky smooth innovation offers a natural veil that imparts a color-true finish that lasts up to eight hours. It glides on effortlessly, camouflages, hydrates, and blurs fine lines, never settling into them. Ultra fine micronized pigments flex with skin for coverage that is even and flawless. Use it as a sheer to medium powder or build coverage using it wet.

What else you need to know:This powder is formulated with conditioning agents vitamin E and shea butter to provide hydrating, lightweight comfort. This product is dermatologist and allergy tested and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.

One thing you need to know when you go to Sephora to pick up this new product, is the shade # you were using in the Foundation Powder {for example I was a #3} will not be the same in the Smooth Finish Foundation Powder {for example I am now a #5}. Sephora makes this transition fool proof by providing a chart that says.... if you a #3 you are now a #5!  EASY! You can also ask one of the consultants in the store to do a skintone test to pinpoint exactly what foundation colours in the store match your skintone for easy purchasing! The test literally take 40 seconds. The consultant takes 3 "pictures" of your skin {one from your forehead, one from your neck and one from your cheek} the camera instantly tells you what colour skintone you have and e-mails you your foundation matches!! Simple and painless and very very helpful!*

 

I am skintone number 2Y07, and these are a few of the foundations they sent me!

Stuff You'll Love!

You'll Love: Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer


Whenever I pick up and magazine I {like every other girl on this planet} find myself drooling over the expensive products they recommend you buy. Sometimes I cave and buy them. But most of the time I opt for the less expensive but equally satisfying alternative. So I thought I would post the products I love and that I buy on a regular basis. These are all things I think are worth spending your time and hard earned money on, and I think you will love as well! 

$42

Throughout the past year I've tried a few different make-up primers {NARS and M.A.C} and I have to say that I like Smashbox's product the best! Since I have acne prone skin I need something hypoallergenic, light weight, oil-free and hydrating {for my crazy dry skin} and this product has all four! This 2012 Insider's Beauty Award Winner immediately quenches skin and seals in moisture for hours allowing make-up to go on smoothly and evenly and last all day all thanks to Hydraplex which is a hydrating extract derived from desert plants. In addition to it's amazing hydrating qualities this primer also helps fill in fine lines and pores without feeling heavy and oily, contributing to a smooth and even end result! 

Use:

Smooth a pea-sized amount over clean skin {I also use Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream before hand}. Wait 2 - 3 minutes and apply make-up.

Price:

You can pick this product up at an location that sells Smashbox! I purchased mine at Shopper's Drug Mart for $42. I know it's not on the cheaper end of the scale, but you really don't to apply a lot for every day use so stretching the products life is easy!*

Friday Favorites*

Happy Friday! It's been a few weeks since I did a Friday Favorites post...mainly because I've been too busy and distracted to hit the stores but I've been able to find a bunch of things I loved this week! This weekend we are heading to Banff to celebrate my big 26th birthday {my birthday isn't until Monday}so I'm sure I will have tons of amazing photos to show you on after the weekend!*

yummy Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Cake!  {not mine}

snail main love*

bead dazzled cow! {only in Calgary}

pretty stem dyed flowers

nothing like a new blush!

Have a great weekend everyone!*

Friday Favorites*

Friday Favorites* by vodka-caviar featuring sterling silver jewelry

Its FRIDAY!!!  The work week is finally over {or almost over for some of you!} Here are the top 5 products I saw/purchased this week! Today I have a make-up consultation at Holt Renfrew, to learn how to properly apply the make-up I own!  I'm super excited about it! I've never had a professional teach me about make-up application before, I just learn as I go or through blogs that you guys have! I will definitely post about how it went and what I learned this weekend!  Have a wild weekend everyone!!*

..the weekend in photos

I hope you all had wild weekend! It went by way too quickly...{as usual} This weekend was pretty laid back....a bunch of movie watching....cleaning {Jon's mom is visiting from Ontario this week!}....cooking and shopping! Here's a few shots of my weekend!*

Homemade Udon Soup  *addicted*

A few wants and a purchase

pink & coral

"Sleeping with the Enemy"

fresh cut tulips

a few of my favorite things....

Nars Laguna Bronzer

black honey 

12 Days of Favorites*: Day 5

Makeup

As I mentioned in my Skin Care Post {here} I have had a lot of problems finding hypoallergenic makeup that doesn't irritate my skin. I posted about the foundation and concealer I use, but I didn't mention my favorite eye shadows, eye liners and mascaras! I use these products everyday {when I go out at night I swap out the eyeliner and eye shadows for something more dramatic}. I love the Quo liquid liner. The tip is perfectly pointed and not flimsy so drawing a straight line is fairly easy. I started using primer for my eye lashes in high school. I find the mascara goes on easier, and your lashes don't look clumpy and the primer keeps them healthy. I use to use those 2 in 1 mascara tubes, but I prefer the M.A.C Prep and Prime. When it comes to mascara I never buy expensive department store brands like Estee Lauder, Chanel or Dior. I just go to Shoppers Drug Mart and buy whatever is on sale!  During one of those sales, I found and fell in love with Maybelline, The Falsies Volume Express mascara. The wand is curved so it adds curl to your lashes {I hate eyelash curlers} and it also adds dramatic length! I'm also partial to M.A.C eye shadows, I find they apply easily and blending them to get different looks is so easy! The pots last a long time and are fairly inexpensive for the amount you get! I'm quickly running out of everything so I hope Santa puts a few things in my stocking!*

M.A.C Prep + Prime Lash : $15 M.A.C

M.A.C Eye Shadows: $15/1.5g M.A.C

QUO Liquid Liner: $8 Shoppers Drug Mart

The Falsies Volume Expess: $10 Shoppers Drug Mart