Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation

You've probably heard before that there are places to save money with your look and places to spend. Inexpensive eyeshadow and lipgloss are easy to come by but we've been told over and over to spend money on foundation and skincare to make us look our best. While I definitely think that you can find great foundation at the drugstore I do see the point with that philosophy. If your skin doesn't look it's best than the rest of your look is basically pointless. My favorite foundations do a pretty great job of making me look good but if I had unlimited income I'd definitely splurge for something a little higher end, something like Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation. At $42 I could probably buy 6 of my drugstore favorites but this is the real deal.

I was a little shocked when I tried this foundation because I didn't have high hopes for a shade light enough for me to wear. Of all the foundations and tinted moisturizers I tried at Ulta there were very few that actually worked with my skintone. That is one of the worst things about being so fair. Most shades are too dark and too yellow for me, I'm more pink than yellow. The lightest shade in this foundation is slightly yellowed but easily blendable and looks great blended out. I would say this was the closest color match I'd seen all day.

The foundation felt amazing on my skin and wore wonderfully. I had absolutely no problems with it alone or over primer. It is a medium to full coverage product but you can easily sheer it out if you need to. It felt slightly hydrating but didn't make my face shiny or slick. I think this foundation would be perfect for the winter months when I need something a little thicker for my dry skin. I highly suggest getting a sample of this one, it could be your holy grail foundation.

Smashbox Lash DNA

As I'm nearing the end of Mascara Monday posts I think I've finally come to realize what I need from my mascara. It can't be too heavy on my lashes, can't clump or smear, needs to be dark black and shiny and the brush has to add to the experience instead of being cumbersome. In my experience with Smashbox Lash DNA, I found the brush to be not only too big but with it's blunt end, actually quite frightening to have so close to my eyes. I can actually see the end of the wire that is holding the bristles in place, not a pretty picture when you're dealing with something as delicate as your eyeball.

Overall the mascara was a good one once you get past the brush. It instantly volumized my lashes and the thick brush kept clumps at bay. I didn't have any issues with smearing, always a good thing in weather like this. As I've said before I just can't seem to keep my hands away from my eyes and very frequently, at the end of the night, I'll have rubbed a ring of black mascara all around my eyes and nose. Whoa is that sexy!

This one's black as they come which is always a plus in my book. My lashes weren't left feeling brittle and dry and removal was fairly routine, no surprises here.

I'm not sure if this one is on it's way out but it doesn't appear to be available on the Sephora website although it is included in the limited edition Give Me Some Lash Set. My hope is that they're keeping the formula and updating the brush. Do you know how hard it is to reach the inner lashes with a blunt end brush?

Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm in Guava

I'm in love with somebody, found some one who completes me. I'm in love with somebody, oh yeah, and it's not you! I love this song and Halestorm in general, hence the concert review and the Face-off Friday post dedicated to Lzzy Hale, lead singer for the band.

There's a product out there that I'm head over heels in love with, the "someone who completes me" if you will. On a recent trip to not one but two Ulta's and a Sephora I kept finding myself drawn back to Smashbox's Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm in Guava. I tried it on at the first Ulta but it got lost among all the products I tried on. I checked it out at Sephora, again loving it but not fully ready to commit. At the last stop of the day, the second Ulta, I put it on again, marvelling at how cute it was even though Matt thought it was a little bright. He's right, it is brighter than normal for me, but that was the point. I'm wishing I didn't listen to him and bought it anyway. I'm regretting it so badly. For that reason it's officially made "the list"- the wishlist that is. I'm hoping come the holidays or even for our 5 year wedding anniversary this summer, a certain someone will surprise me with it.

As for the product itself, I found it to be really fun. The marker style applicator gives me too bright of a color so what I did was apply it around the edge of my mouth and worked quickly to blend it over my lips, adding more where needed. Then I applied the balm at the other end and went on my merry way. The best part about this lip stain is that the gloss is colored and if you so wanted you could wear it on it's own for a sheer pop of color. Of course, if you're like me you're going to want to add gloss on top and I tell ya, it didn't effect the staying power one bit. This lasted well into the night on the drive 2 1/2 hour drive home and didn't feel dry or caked on like some other lip stains can. For $23 I want something that is going to stay on and look great for hours and this product really delivered. How's that for a first step into the bright lippie world?