First Impressions Review: Benefit They're Real Mascara

I am a true lover of mascara. I would say even more than lip gloss. I know, I know. The horror. But it's true! I could go without lipgloss and use plain lip balm and look pretty much the same. However, once you add a couple of coats with that amazing wand of wonder (in the case of a good mascara), instant POW!

I have short-ish lashes but they have a nice natural curl to them and when I add mascara they look long AND curly, without the help of a lash curler.

I have tried tons and tons of mascaras, from the higher end Lancome and Giorgio Armani to the mid range like Benefit and Bare Minerals down to the drugstore favorites by Maybelline, Revlon and L'Oreal.

My personal, holy grail, can't live without, never fails me mascara is L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black. Its a drugstore brand, affordable (especially if you've got a coupon) and it consistently delivers amazing results.

But as a self professed beauty addict, I love to try new things. Eyeshadow, polish, lip products and especially mascara! So, even though I have my tried and true favorite, I inevitably find myself in the aisles of Target with TWO handfuls of different mascaras I'm dying to try because of other people's rave reviews.

I tend to keep shooting myself in the foot (or the eye, as it were) and trying Maybelline and Revlon mascaras even though I KNOW they just don't work for me. Dang you Fleur De Force and Miss Glamorazzi for your rave reviews and usually spot on opinions!

I received my sample of Benefit's They're Real mascara in my Birchbox a while back but never got around to using it. 

For those of you who don't know what Birchbox is, stop reading right now and go sign up. It's a monthly subscription service that sends around 5 samples each month, beautifully packaged. That little pink box is my mid-month pick me up! 

Anywho, I've been trying the mascara for the past two days and I LOVE IT! The formula is on the creamier side, less watery than some. It adds a lot of volume and curl and I get zero smudging and very little flaking (disclaimer: the minor flaking may be due in part to the fact that I apply at least two coats...sometimes more. I've never been one to do things half way, hehehe).

The wand has this little spiky mace like weapon on the tip that is perfect for grabbing and lifting those little tiny lashes in the inner corner and on the bottom. It also grabs the outer corner lashes nicely. Take THAT tiny lashes!

photocredit: sephora.com

I very well may purchase the full size product when the sample is done. Unless, of course, I find another mascara I "must" try.

Leave a comment below if you've tried the Benefit They're Real mascara and let me know how you liked it. If not, let me know what your Holy Grail, Can't Live Without It mascara is and I might have to give it a try!

*winks with long lashes*
xoxo
Jess

Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon

Let me begin by saying I take my concealing VERY seriously. I need my "unfavorable facial areas" hidden from the eyes of the world for at least 8 hours...sometimes more. I need my concealed areas to look smooth, natural and above all CONCEALED!

I received the Josie Maran Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon in the shade Medium as part of the Josie Maran 5 Piece Complexion Care package I ordered from QVC. The description of this product in the kit is not nearly as helpful as it should be but if you look at the item separately their website says:

What is it: This deeply hydrating, never-cakey, buildable, color-correcting concealer forgives all skin sins--dark circles, blemishes, uneven pigment--without masking that beautiful face of yours. Creamy, blendable, and luminous, it comes with a self-sharpening, twist-up tip so you'll always be on point.

Who is it for: Ideal for those looking to help conceal all skin concerns--including dark circles, blemishes, and uneven pigmentation--with one multitasking, portable product. 

Why is it different: This creamy formula is infused with argan oil to provide hydration and blendable coverage that's never cakey and never tugs or pulls at delicate skin.

How do I use it: Apply to skin and blend with fingertips

Sephora describes this product as a hydrating, ultra creamy, full coverage concealer.

I'd say both descriptions are accurate. (Full Disclosure: I rely on Sephora and QVC for most of my beauty reviews because that's where I tend to shop for beauty products).

I don't think I would have tried this concealer if it had not come in the kit. I'm not one for creamy concealers because I find that when applied under the eyes they fill in the lines in a very unflattering, obvious beacon to my I'm-just-over-30-wrinkles kind of way. Also, when applied to hyper-pigmentation creamy concealers on me usually slip, melt or don't do the job. I tend to go for a liquidy concealer that dries set, like the Smashbox High Definition concealer. This way if I need to build some coverage I am not amassing a small island of product on to whatever spot it is applied.

However, I love this concealer! I love that it's creamy so it sinks in and sets on my skin nicely. It covers what I need covered and if another layer is needed for coverage I'll apply a little dab of setting powder and then another layer of this concealer, blending the edges well.

When applied to a breakout it nicely hides the redness. Unfortunately there isn't much we can do about the texture of a breakout but this concealer does not contribute to dryness or flaking like some less-creamy concealers might. Also, because of the infusion of Argan Oil which is rich in Vitamin E, I think it helps that breakout heal AND helps prevent scarring. That's just my not-a-professional-aesthetician opinion.

I love that it's a twist up crayon because the point allows me to trace under my eyes and around my nose, applying it just where I need it. And, because I apply my makeup on the train, the less product I need to touch with my train-grimey hands, the better. 

It is worthwhile to note that I use this concealer two ways:
1) regular moisturizer -primer - tinted moisturizer- concealer- tinted setting powder (for a full makeup at work face)
2) regular moisturizer -concealer- tinted setting powder (for a quick out the door/weekend face)

If I'm feeling adventurous maybe I'll post a before and after pic on my Instagram (Follow me at BeautyBloom14) with my skin before the concealer and after, a la "weekend face". Leave a note in the comments and let me know if you'd like to see it in action.

Xoxo 

Jessica 

Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Tinted Moisturizer

I thought it made sense to write my first blog post - my blog "foundation" if you will - with a review of my new favorite "foundation"! See what I did there? Ha.

I got the Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer in the shade Medium as part of QVC's Josie Maran 5 Piece Complexion Care Package.  

Their description says: 

Argan Tinted Moisturizer: For a dewy radiant glow, apply Argan Tinted Moisturizer to face and blend with fingertips

When I first received it, I put down my favorite foundation, Chanel's Vita Lumiere Aqua, and proceeded to give this a true whirl.

I apply my makeup on the train while I commute to work in NYC and I usually apply my foundation with a buffing brush from Sephora. This way my hands stay cleaner and I don't put any train grime on my face. I applied the JM Tinted Moisturizer using a brush as I normally do and I found it to be a bit streaky. Like the bristles of the brush created lines in the product on my skin. I also noticed that a ton of product remained in the brush. I was NOT pleased. Alas, I continued on in this same fashion, determined to give this product a full two week test.

Then, one morning I decided to follow the instructions *gasp* and guess what? It worked marvelously. I don't use that word nearly enough. Marvelous. Sounds really grand. Anyway, applying the product with my fingers and blending it in 

really gave my face a dewy complexion with a natural, flawless finish!

I find that the coverage is very nice. Its a medium coverage but it does really well covering my existing hyper-pigmentation. I only have to go over some especially dark spots with some concealer. Incidentally I use the concealer that came with my kit - the Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon (review on that next). I find the combination of the two is effective, hydrating and gorgeous. Really marvelous!

I set this on my face with the Bare Minerals Touch Up Veil - Tinted. I use that powder to set every foundation and I really like it (review on that soon). Also, it's worthwhile to mention that no matter what foundation/tinted moisturizer I'm using I always use a primer. My current favorite is the Hourglass Veil Mineral primer.

Here's the product in all it's effectively packaged glory

A true testament to how much I like this Tinted Moisturizer: you know that feeling after you wash the days gunk off your face and you layer on your skin care and you get to the part with your nourishing, hydrating, (maybe a bit pricey) moisturizer and you pat it in and feel it sinking in to your skin, smoothing everything out and doing all its moisturizey goodness to your skin cells? Well that's how I feel when I apply this! But then...I look in my travel sized mirror and ...behold... a nicely evened skin tone that is dewey and radiant without being shiny or greasy!

My skin is combination, VERY oily in the T-Zone (like I need to blot twice a day) and prone to breakouts (especially during that time of the month) and I find that this Tinted Moisturizer is one that I reach for daily. My beauty addict wanderlust can't even tempt me, I have no desire to try something new right now. That's how much I like it.

Here I am wearing it today

Check out my Instagram BeautyBloom14 for Makeup Of The Day posts! 

Xoxo

Jessica