concealer melt down

I have another little dirty confession to make.  This may be too dirty for some, reader discretion is advised.  I'm almost too embarrassed to admit this out loud.  Are you ready for it?  ...
I've had the same tube of special concealer for 10 years!  Yes...10!  Gross right?  I can't believe I actually admitted that to ya'll.  It sounds gross, but to be completely honest, it hasn't gotten nasty or moldy and has continued to work its wonders all these years.

I'm sad to say that my little tube that is barely the size of a pinkie has finally seen its days.  In concealer years, she is 20 years old (assuming most concealers last 6 months) and its time for her fly the coop.  This magic concealer was made by Mary Kay but I am disappointed to find out that they don't make it any longer.  I actually found that out like 5 years ago which is why I held on to it for 5 more years.  Gah this sounds disgusting to say it out loud.  In my defense, the tiniest amount this magic paste could cover the nastiest blemish and darkest circles.  Hence, I saved it for emergencies only and used a more disposable concealer for everyday use.

Since I have been aware that my beautiful bond would soon end I have been on the search, for about a year, for a concealer equally equivalent.  I hate to say that I have failed.  Until last week.  I have tried everything...top name brands, drug store name brands, you name it, I've tried it.  This was not a cheap task either.  I've forgone many a lip gloss in the hopes of unveiling a new magic paste.  All these so-called concealers I tried turned out to be too thin and rubbed away when base was applied over it or went on too dark and brought more attention to what I was attempting to hide.  That really irks me because the point of concealer is to be thick and mask our imperfections - not slide off at the sight of a foreign object coming its way.  I need a concealer that can stand up to any job and hide the darkest of circles.

OK, OK...I am getting to it...drum roll please...{I'm not sure how to sound out a drum roll, so please use your best imagination here.}

Physicians Formula - Physicians Strength Concealer



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I am super satisfied with this item and over the moon with the fact that it cost less than $10!  $10 is probably cheaper than the other stuff you've been using, so when you run out (hopefully not 10 years from now) I definitely recommend trying this baby out.  If you don't like it, sell it your sister for $5, or stick it in your mom's Christmas stocking.  I love this stuff because it is thick but not quite as thick as caulking.  {Also not quite as thick as it's prececessor, but some things are irreplaceable.}  It doesn't settle into the fine lines you [don't] have and it doesn't wipe off when applying base.  I have finally found my go-to replacement and can use it all I want until they decide to discontinue it (which I cross my fingers never happens - I'd hate to ration a tube of concealer again).  If you decide to try this product, and I hope you will, let me know what you think.  Oh, and a tip, a little tiny bit goes a long way so squeeze in small bits until you are accustomed to it.

If anyone has somethinge even better, please leave a comment and let me know!  I'd love to try it out - I can't live without my concealer.  Some say mascara, but concealer would be my one essential make up item to have if ever stranded on an island.

P.S. I know you are supposed to throw make up out after 6 months, a year max.  But I don't have any fungus growing on my face (that I know of) or suffered any ridiculous break out, so I'm going to ignore those makeup gurus and keep doing me.

budget friendly finds reviewed

I kind of feel like doing some cosmetic reviews.  I am slightly obsessed with finding reviews on anything and everything before I buy it.  And I don't mean just a "like" or "dislike" review, I want the details and I want the details from real people, not the professionals who get paid to say they "just love it". 

Recently I think I have had some really good finds (and I'm uber excited about that by the way).  Nothing upsets me more than buying something, whether $5 or $40, and then finding it to be a total flop and disappointment.  Know what I mean?  Below are reviews on a few budget friendly items.

1. Pond's Cold Cream: I can't believe I haven't listened to my mother sooner on this.  I just finished my first jar of it and I am obsessed and simply cannot live without it now.  It gets a lot of negative reviews for being too gloppy and greasy, and it is.  But that is what is good about it.  I use it as a make up remover and it will remove anything.  I also rinse it off with a wet washcloth which takes care of the gloppy greasiness - water alone doesn't really take this stuff off.  You don't have to be rough and scrub your skin to death to get off eyeliner and mascara - it just slips right off like silk and there is no make up left behind.  After using it a few nights in a row, my skin was really glowing and much more even.  Oh, and extremely soft and silky.  I have dry skin so I rub in a tiny dab on my chest before bed and leave it on until I shower in the morning.  It seems to make that skin area look healthier too.  It can be used as a cleanser alone, but I only do that if my skin is feeling dry or irritated.

2. Rimmel Match Perfect Foundation (SPF 15): I would say this is a happy medium between tinted moisturizer and full on major coverage foundation.  I have been very satisfied with this foundation and very satisfied with the sale price of under $5.  This is the first liquid foundation I have actually loved and will actually buy again.  I haven't needed a true foundation up until this past year, so trying to find one has been discouraging at times.  Over the counter or behind the counter, they've all been too thick, cakey, greasy, yellow, pink, etc.  The Rimmel Match Perfect provides great coverage without masking your natural skin tones.  It seems to cover the unevenness while allowing your natural pink cheeks shine through.  Other foundations have made me look like a yellow brown blob of a face.  I've even been using this without concealer.  It truly does provide lightweight coverage that doesn't cake up, sink into wrinkles, rub off, and it matches my skin tone nicely.  Its is not greasy but surprisingly leaves skin feeling very soft.  I fully recommend.

3. Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Moisturizer: I'd have to give this 2 stars at best.  I wouldn't exactly call it a moisturizer.  However, it does do work when it comes to the "mattifying" part.  This is a good product to use maybe once a week if you plan to be in a hot, humid environment and worry your make up may melt off.  It dries your face up real tight and keeps it oil free for most of the day.  But using it more than once a week really dries out the skin and makes wrinkles more obvious.  You can live without this one & spend your 7 dollars at Starbucks.

4. Boots No 7 Time-Resist Night Cream and Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum: Boots No 7 skin care products have to be THE BEST KEPT SECRET.  These items are inexpensive for the quality of the product.  The night cream and serum have both lived up to their promises and have done amazing job on my skin.  It must be used every night (like any item of choice), but the results will show within a week.  It does help diminish fine lines and gives you a brighter skin tone.  The cream amount is generous and will go a long way.

If you are constantly looking for quality inexpensive items, I hope this post will help.  If you aren't, thanks for reading anyways.  I hope everyone has a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend & God Bless our troops!