August Favorites!

Assalamu Alaykum/ Hi,

August is gone and September is here! I'm excited because September is my birthday month and I'll be turning 21 on the 14th.  So, there are quite a few things that I have been liking in August and a number of them I have yet to mention here on my blog.

1. NARS Contour blush in Gienah

I am very grateful to NARS for making a contour color that actually shows up on my skin. The darker color seems to have a slight reddish undertone when it's applied to the skin. I use the lighter color to sent my concealer under my eyes.

2. Urban Decay FLUSHED Dual Ended Brush

I originally bought this brush to go with the NARS Contour blush. However, when I used them together I didn't like the results. I prefer to use this brush with blush. It applies more color than Ecotools blush brush I was using before.

3. ELF Complexion brush

This is the brush that I am currently using to apply the NARS Contour blush. Since it's tapered the top is flatter. So, it's very good at making a line for contouring.

4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown

I've recently started filling in my eyebrows, but I didn't have an eyeshadow color that was dark enough. So, I decided to just buy a product specifically for my eyebrows. The Brow Wiz is raved about by many YouTube gurus for good reason. It fills in your eyebrow but it still looks natural. Also, it comes with a spoolie conveniently placed on the end of it.

5. Benefit's Watt's Up Illuminator

I've had this product for months and have used it on and off. Apparently it's back on. It's very natural and doesn't look overly shimmery or glittery. You can use it over powder and it won't ruin your base.

6. Hourglass veil mineral primer and Smashbox Photo Matte primer

I've been trying  this combo ever since I saw Casey Holmes use it in one of her videos. I apply the Hourglass primer first all over my face but I focus it primarily on my T-zone. Then, I apply the Smashbox primer on the parts of my cheeks where I have huge pores.

So, That's it.

Until Next Time,

Aleema

Review: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

For this post I'm going to be reviewing the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. This is my first time trying anything from Hourglass. I've been wanting their Ambient Lighting Powder and Blushes though. I bought the primer the day before Ramadan started and have been using it every day that I wore makeup since.

I love this primer! It's a mattifying primer which is exactly what I need. Let's look at the claims of the company about the product.

Claims:

Flawless skin starts here. This luxuriously silky primer will conceal redness, minimize the appearance of pores, help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles and repel water to ensure makeup appears fresh all day long. Broad spectrum SPF 15 helps shield skin from the sun.

• Designed for all skin types
• Conceals redness (even rosacea) to create an even skintone
• Helps soften the appearance of visible pores, fine lines, and imperfections
• Extends the durability of makeup applied on top of the Veil Mineral Primer
• Satin-finish formula absorbs excess oils
• Naturally derived titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to protect skin from UVA/ UVB rays
• Free of oil, parabens, phthalates,gluten, sulfates, fragrance, and vegan- friendly

This primer comes out as a white thick liquid. When you first apply it, it does give a bit of a white cast. However, that doesn't show through your foundation.

This does feel very silky. Like a silicon primer. I know that there are some people that don't care for primers like that. So, keep that in mind. 

I don't have any fine lines or wrinkles as of now (and hopefully not for a long time). As for my pores, I don't notice them appearing any smaller. I usually don't. I might be very oblivious to that. I would prefer for them to be gone altogether. So, seeing them slightly minimized is not something I care for I guess. 

It does extend the wear of my makeup and it takes me longer to get oily. When I do it's not very much. 

I agree that the finish of this is a satin-finish. After I apply all of my makeup and my setting powder I don't look overly matte and dry.

I prefer the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer over the Smashbox Photo Matte Primer.The former performs better. However, I will continue to use them both.

Now let's talk price. This primer can be purchased in 3 sizes. I bought the smallest for $18. It's 10 ML or .33 oz. The next size available is 30 ML or 1 oz. That retails for $52. The last size available is Jumbo on Sephora's website. It's 60 ML or 2oz and retails for $72. The last size is limited edition.

So, depending on your budget you have 3 price points to go with. I definitely recommend giving this product a try, especially if you have oily skin. I know Sephora had it as a 100 point perk recently. It still might be one. 

So, That's it.

Until Next Time,

Aleema :)

Review: Smashbox Photo Matte Anti-Shine Primer

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

If you have been read a few of my blog posts you may or may not know that my skin is naturally oily. Therefore, I am always looking for new ways to keep it matte. Due to the heat in Dubai, my skin was even oiler. My Urban Decay De-slick setting spray wasn't cutting it anymore. I bought this primer from the Sephora in the Dubai Mall.

The product comes in a squeeze tube which is convenient. It allows you to control how much product you use. You only need a small amount.

Here is the claims of the product as written on the packaging:

This cream gel formula instantly absorbs oil and minimizes the appearances of pores, leaving skin shine free for up to 8 hours. Wear alone, over/under makeup or dab on for touch-ups.

Does this product keep my skin oil free for 8 hours?

No, It didn't last for 8 hours. When I first bought it I was pleasantly surprised that it managed to suppress my oil at all. I will say that I feel that this primer is better at reducing my oil than suppressing it completely. For the first couple of hours I was shine free but after that I noticed my oil coming through just not as much.

Does this product minimizes the appearance of pores?

Not really. If it did, it wasn't noticeable to me.

I've applied this product alone, under, and over makeup, and it performed the same.

I believe that this product costs about 165 Dirhams. I know I got ripped off once again. But, this primer was out of stock in Dubai for about 2 weeks, and when I checked Sephora website it was out of stock online and in stores in the US.

Final Thoughts: I give this product a thumbs up. I think it is better to be used for touch ups though.

So, That's it.

Until Next Time. :)