Month: March 2017

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops

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Product:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops.  Don’t want to spend the money for Cover FX Custom Cover Drops?  With this Hard Candy dupe (almost), you don’t have to!

Overall Rating = 4 stars 4 Stars – Excellent

Cost: $7.00 (.5 fl. oz.) ($14.00 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  HardCandy; Walmart.

Container:  Glass bottle, twist-off cap with attached dropper.  As with the Cover FX product, the packaging is not ideal.  A squeeze tube would have been better.

Description:  I previously reviewed Cover FX Custom Cover Drops.  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is almost a duplicate product.  This is a small bottle of pure pigment in liquid form.  The concentrated drops allow you to increase the coverage or alter the color of any liquid or cream foundation.  You can also add color and/or coverage to a colorless sunscreen or moisturizer.

Formula:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is a thin liquid.  This formula is slightly thinner and less pigmented than the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops.  The tinted liquid is not intended to be used by itself.  It must be mixed with another product.  On its own, the formula has a matte finish, but not as matte as the Cover FX drops.  Shockingly, I actually prefer this formula to the more expensive Cover FX drops, as it blends easier.

Vegan Friendly:  Yes.  This product is free from animal ingredients.

Cruelty Free:  Yes.  Hard Candy does not test on animals.  This product is made in the USA.  Despite the fact that the brand is now exclusively sold at Walmart, I have not found any evidence that the brand is sold in China.

Sensitivity:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is free of fragrance, alcohol, gluten, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulfates and talc and is appropriate for those with sensitive skin.  ALLERGY WARNING:  This does contain a small amount of mushroom extract, so stay away from this if you are allergic to mushrooms.

Company Claims:

“Highly concentrated liquid pigments that  allow you to customize any face product for coverage or shade.

Squeeze the dropper and add drops to any daily moisturizer or primer to create a custom foundation.

The more drops you add, the higher the coverage. You can also add light or dark drops to any liquid makeup to custom match your skin tone.”

Discussion:  If you haven’t tried this brand that is exclusively sold at Walmart, you may be pleasantly surprised by some of their products.  The quality and performance of many of their products rival other brands that cost significantly more.  I’m looking forward to exploring this line further.  I picked up several different items and will be reviewing more of them soon.

The only downside to Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is that Hard Candy developed these to compete with Cover FX.  It is a shame Hard Candy chose to copy the FX bottle because it is the bottle that is the worst characteristic of the product.  Hard Candy could have produced a far superior product had they not copied the inferior bottle and dropper delivery system.

If you have a bit of mad scientist in you, then you will have fun custom mixing these drops into many different products.  For clients, they afford me customization in mixing foundations for superior matching.  For personal use, I can make my own BB and CC creams with these drops.

Colors:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops comes in ten colors: Fair 1, Fair 2, Light 1, Light 2, Light 3, Light 4, Medium 1, Medium 2, Medium 3, and Deep 1.  I have fair skin and usually buy the lightest or second lightest shade in any foundation.  In this product, I bought Light 1.  Fair 1 and Fair 2 were too light for me.  Light 1 corresponds to N25 in the Cover FX drops.  For all of you porcelain girls that can’t ever find anything light enough, Fair 1 may be just what you need to lighten up all of the foundations that are too dark.  For professional makeup artists, buy a Fair 1 and a Deep 1 to customize perfect matches for your clients.

Finishes:  Hard Candy also makes Liquid Radiant Turn Me Bronze, Turn Me Radiant, Turn Me Matte and Look Pro! Illuminate and Strobing drops to compete with the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops.  With all of these choices, you can completely customize your products to suit your needs.

Daily Review:  The wear that you will achieve from using Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops depends purely upon the medium that the drops are mixed with.  I do have to use more of the Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops to achieve the same tint or coverage that I would get with the Cover FX drops.  If I normally use one drop of Cover FX, I will use two drops with Hard Candy.

Application Tips:

  • Shake the bottle well to mix the contents as separation will occur.
  • Load the dropper while the cap is still on the bottle.
  • Begin with two drops and add more as needed.
  • Mix the drops with whatever you are tinting on a small sterilized palette or something similar.
  • Mix the drops with whatever you are tinting before applying to the face.  If you try to blend these on the face, they will streak.
  • To avoid air bubbles, don’t empty the dropper back into the bottle prior to replacing the cap.
  • Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
  • If the product gets too thick, it is time for a new one. It is not a good idea to add water to these.  If you need to dilute them, add a drop of sterile eyedrops.

Overall Review:  I was pleasantly surprised that the Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops performed as well as the Cover FX Custom Cover drops.  This is a useful product at a great price.

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops serve many purposes:

  • Correct foundations that are too light or too dark
  • Add color to a ghostly-white sunscreen
  • Allow you to make your own tinted moisturizer
  • Achieve a match for hard-to-match skin tones
  • Add coverage to a foundation that is too sheer

Pros:

  • Mixes well with a variety of products
  • Provides customization for many skin tones

Cons:

  • Not as many colors available as the Cover FX drops
  • The bottle and dropper are messy, expose the contents to air and potential bacteria,  and cause the product to dry out faster.  A squeeze tube would have been a superior delivery system.

Suitability:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Daily Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars = Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment DropsHard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment DropsCover FX Custom Cover Drops Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment DropsHard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops Swatch

Ingredients:  Dimethicone, Water, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polymethyl Methacrylate, HDL/Trimethylol, Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica Silyate, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fomes Officinalis (Mushroom Extract), Silica.  May contain:  Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

There Are Dead Bugs in Your Lipstick!

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There Are Dead Bugs in Your Lipstick!  Do you think I’m kidding?  I am not and I have the scientific research to prove it.

I Read the Ingredients on Labels:  Okay, I know I’m a bit of a freak when it comes to the science and chemistry of cosmetics.  I actually do read every label of every product and study the ingredients before I put them on my face.  I’m allergic to so many things that it is a necessity.  Also, I want to know what I am putting on my clients.  I feel a responsibility to them to be sure the products are safe.

Do the Ingredients Matter to You?  I have always been fascinated by the myriad of ingredients that comprise most cosmetics.  I’m sure many of you: a) don’t read the ingredients; b) aren’t interested as long as the stuff works; and c) think that because you can’t pronounce them, the ingredients really aren’t important.  Even so, don’t you want to know what is in the products you are putting on your lips?  After all, you are going to be licking this stuff off, essentially eating it.

What Are the Dead Bugs?  There is one ingredient that I find particularly startling, Carmine or Cochineal Extract.  Carmine and Cochineal are the same thing… the ground up bodies of dead bugs known as Dactylopius Coccus.  Cochineal are found in Arizona, Mexico and South America.  Contrary to popular belief, the Cochineal is a scaled insect as opposed to a beetle.

Cochineal Insects Cluster Photo by Frank Vincentz

Cochineal Insects Cluster
Photo by Frank Vincentz

How Are they Harvested?  The Cochineals live on prickly pear a.k.a. nopal cacti.  Small nests are placed on the cacti, the bugs crawl into them, and then they are brushed off of the cacti or collected from the nest.

Cochineal Insect Nests Photo by Oscar Carrizosa

Cochineal Insect Nests
Photo by Oscar Carrizosa

How Long Have Cochineal Bugs Been Used in Makeup?  The practice dates back to ancient Egyptian times.  It is estimated that these bugs have been used for approximately 5,000 years.

How Many Bugs Are in a Tube of Lipstick?  It takes 40,000 to 70,000 Cochineals to yield a pound of Carmine dye.  The number depends on the size of the insect.  The most desirable insects are pregnant females with expanded abdomens.  It is impossible to say how many would be used in a formula, but it would be more than a few.

One Crushed Cochineal Insect

One Crushed Cochineal Insect

Labeling Practices / What to Look for: (This is how Carmine will be listed on a label.)

  • B Rose Liquid;
  • Carmine 5297;
  • Carmine Lake;
  • Carmine Ultra-Fine;
  • Carminic Acid;
  • Carminic Acid Lake;
  • C.I. 75470;
  • Coccus Cacti L.;
  • Cochineal Extract;
  • Crimson Lake;
  • E 120;
  • Natural Red 4;
  • Red 40.

If a Product Is Labeled Organic Is It Free from Carmine?  No, since Cochineal is an insect occurring in nature and not synthetically created, it still fits within the definition of an organic product.

Are So-Called “Natural Brands” Free from Carmine?  No, even brands like Burt’s Bees use Carmine in their lip balm.

Burts Bees Replenishing Lip Balm Pomegranate Flavor Contains Cochineal Carmine

Burts Bees Replenishing Lip Balm Pomegranate Flavor Contains Cochineal Carmine

Do Expensive or Cheap Brands Contain Carmine?  Almost every brand in every price range uses some form of Carmine to color their products.  It can be found in everything from e.l.f. to Chantecaille.

There Are Dead Bugs In Your M-A-C Lipstick

There Are Dead Bugs In Your M-A-C Lipstick

If a Product Is Labeled Cruelty Free Is It Free from Carmine?  No, that simply means that the product did not undergo animal testing at the time the product was packaged.  Cruelty free does not apply to insects.  Cruelty free also does not tell you whether or not the company previously participated in animal testing.  Also, many companies designate themselves as cruelty free when in fact they are not.  Any company that sells their product in China is not cruelty free because the Chinese government actually requires animal testing before a product can be sold there even if it was not manufactured there.

What Else Is Carmine Used In?  Basically, anything that has a red color might contain Carmine.  This is just a small sampling of products (there are thousands).  EWG (The Environmental Working Group) currently has 2,199 products in their cosmetics database alone that contain Carmine.

  • Candy
  • Cosmetics (Blush, Eyeliner, Eye Shadow, Face Powder, Lipstick, Mascara, Nail Polish)
  • Cough Syrup
  • Food (Dannon and Oiko yogurts)
  • Fruit Juices (Long list)
  • Prescription Medications
There Are Also Dead Bugs in Your NYX Blush

There Are Also Dead Bugs in Your NYX Blush

Is Carmine Dangerous?  No, for the great majority of people there is absolutely no evidence that Carmine presents any type of health hazard.  I have used many products that contain Carmine for many years with no ill effects whatsoever.  It is next to impossible to be a makeup artist and not use products that contain some form of Carmine.  Like any substance on Earth, anyone can have an allergic reaction to a substance.  There are people who claim to be allergic to water.  While extremely rare, there have been reports of serious allergic reactions to Carmine.

If Carmine Isn’t Dangerous Why Should You Care?  I don’t have a problem with companies using Carmine.  I do have a problem with companies naming and listing a coloring agent that misleads people as to what is actually in it.  I think Carmine should be listed as “Cochineal Insects” because that is indeed what it is.  By coming up with all of the different misleading names, it is impossible for a consumer to differentiate an insect-based colorant from a fruit or vegetable-based colorant.

If You Want to Avoid Carmine, How Do You Do That?  The only way to avoid Carmine completely is to read every ingredient of every label and only buy products that are certified “Vegan”.  As Carmine is derived from an insect, it cannot be used in vegan products.

What Do the Vegan Companies Use for Coloring Agents Instead of Bugs?  They primarily use:

  • Beets;
  • Carrots;
  • Cranberries;
  • Grape Skins;
  • Pomegranates; and
  • Tomatoes.

If Companies Can Use Fruits and Vegetables Instead of Bugs Why Don’t They?  I have no idea.  I assume because the bugs are cheaper.  Doesn’t it usually come down to the bottom line and profits for most companies?  I researched the cost and one pound of ground up Cochineal bugs is selling for $26 versus $38 for a pound of beet root powder.

What Can Be Done to Get the Bugs Out of Cosmetics?  Tell them.  Voice your opinions to the companies whose products you purchase.  If enough people start asking for fruits and vegetables to replace bugs, it will happen.

Conclusion:  Whether you do or don’t care if there are dead bugs in your lipstick, at least now you know how to watch out for them on the ingredients labels.  I hope you found this post informative.  Please let me know if you would like to see more of these types of research posts.  Thanks!

Research Sources:

AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.

CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). 2006. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 11th Edition. Color Additive Information. Washington, DC.

EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Color Additive Status List. September 2006.

FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701120/CARMINE/#

https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/RegulatoryProcessHistoricalPerspectives/default.htm

https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditivesinSpecificProducts/InCosmetics/ucm110032.htm

https://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditiveInventories/ucm115641.htm

https://www.fda.gov/forindustry/coloradditives/guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/ucm153038.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal

Cover FX Custom Cover Drops

Product:  Cover FX Custom Cover Drops.  Is your foundation too light, dark, warm, cool or too sheer?  This product actually changes the color and the coverage!

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.33 Stars – Good

Cost: $42.00 (.5 fl. oz.) ($84.00 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By:  Cover FX; Sephora.

Container:  Glass bottle, twist-off cap with attached dropper, outer carton.  (The container is not ideal.  Please see Cons below.)

Description:  Cover FX Custom Cover Drops is a small bottle of pure pigments in liquid form.  The concentrated drops allow you to tint or change the color of any lotion or cream makeup.  You can also add color and/or coverage to any mixing medium such as colorless primer, sunscreen or moisturizer.

Formula:  Cover FX Custom Cover Drops is a pigmented liquid.  The formula is not intended to be used by itself.  It must be mixed with another product which I am referring to as the mixing medium.  The finish is more of a matte finish than a dewy finish.

Sensitivity:  Cover FX Custom Cover Drops is free of fragrance, gluten, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulfates and talc and is appropriate for those with sensitive skin.  The product contains a small amount of alcohol and the scent dissipates once the alcohol evaporates.

Company Claims:

“Create your ideal foundation or tinted moisturizer by mixing these revolutionary drops of pure pigment with your favorite liquid beauty products.

What it Does:

These award winning, revolutionary drops of pure pigment were not designed to be worn alone but instead allow you to transform all of your favorite liquid beauty products into your ideal foundation or tinted moisturizer.  With this breakthrough formula you can customize both your level of coverage and desired finish.  What you choose to mix Custom Cover Drops with will determine your finish.  For a radiant finish, add to products like oils, serums, or creams.  For a matte finish, mix with a mattifying primer or lightweight lotion.  The possibilities are endless!  Then, simply adjust your coverage by the number of drops you add.

1 Drop = Sheer Coverage

2 Drops = Medium Coverage

3 Drops = Full Coverage

4 Drops = Extra Full Coverage

Custom Cover Drops are NOT designed to be used alone. Failure to shake well before adding drops to your favorite product will distort the coverage and result in less than desirable results.”

Discussion:  There was a lot of buzz in the beauty industry when these were introduced a couple of years ago.  People seem to have a love/hate relationship with them.  If used properly, they are a wonderful product that allow you to customize colors and achieve perfect matches to almost every skin tone.  When they haven’t worked for people it is probably because they used too much.  The pigments are highly concentrated, so more is not better with these drops.

I have always custom mixed foundations to achieve the proper color for clients, so when these came out I was hoping they would make the matching process easier and they have.  If you don’t want to fuss with blending and mixing products together, you won’t like these.

Colors:  Cover FX Custom Cover Drops comes in twenty-four colors.  I won’t list all of them here.  I will explain their color system for this product:  There are four colors that begin with “P” for Pink undertones; there are 13 colors that begin with “N” for Neutral undertones; and there are 7 colors that begin with “G” for Golden undertones.  It is important that you know your undertone before purchasing this product.  There is a shade for everyone from very fair to deep.

Finishes:  Cover FX also makes a product called Custom Enhancer Drops that comes in two bronzing shades and four illuminating or highlighting shades.  Those drops will add a glow and a pearlescent finish to any foundation, moisturizer or primer.

Daily Review:  The hours of wear that you will achieve from using Cover FX Custom Cover Drops depends purely upon the mixing medium that the drops are combined with.  I really like to add one drop to sunscreen to turn the sunscreen from a ghostly white product to a nice natural tint.  Also, one drop is all it takes to completely change the color of an airbrush foundation.  A little goes a long way with this product and it works the best if you use the least amount possible.  If a foundation is too light and needs to be darkened or warmed up, one or two drops is all that is required for an entire face.

Application Tips:

  • Shake the bottle well to mix the contents as separation will occur.
  • Fill the dropper while the cap is still on the bottle.
  • Begin with one drop.  I never use more than two drops.
  • Combine the drops and mixing medium on a small sterilized palette or something similar.  Mix with a clean makeup spatula or small brush.
  • Make sure the drops and mixing medium are completely blended prior to applying them to the face.
  • If you apply the drops full strength to the face, the finish will be thick and unnatural due to the concentration of pigment.
  • Don’t empty the dropper back into the bottle prior to replacing the cap to avoid air bubbles.
  • Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
  • Using 4 drops to achieve full coverage is simply too much and the finish will not look natural.
  • I cannot tell you what application method works best, i.e. brush, fingers, or sponge because I don’t know what you will be mixing it with.

Overall Review:  Cover FX Custom Cover Drops perform very well for their intended purpose.  The drops sound gimmicky, but they actually do serve a very useful purpose.  If you have a bunch of expensive bottles of foundation that you have only used once because they were too light or too dark, you can change the color with these drops.  If you don’t like to wear foundation and only wear sunscreen or tinted moisturizer, you can get a little better coverage or color by adding a drop or two.  As a makeup artist, they really help with custom matching and offer a lot of versatility.

If you like the idea of this product, but not the cost, I’m going to review similar products (one is supposedly a dupe) from Clinique, Hard Candy and NYX in the coming weeks.  The Hard Candy and NYX products are only $7 and $10, respectively.  We’ll see if they perform as well and if so, I will definitely let you know.  Please sign up so you don’t miss the future posts.

Pros:

  • Mixes well with a variety of products
  • Provides customization for hard-to-match skin tones
  • Wide range of colors will match all skin tones

Cons:

  • Price
  • Product dries out quickly once exposed to air
  • The bottle with dropper delivery system is messy, exposes the liquid to bacteria, and reduces the longevity of the product.  A squeeze tube would have been far superior.

Suitability:  Cover FX Custom Cover Drops is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Daily Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.33 Stars = Good.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Cover FX Custom Cover DropsCover FX Custom Cover Drops BoxCover FX Custom Cover Drops IngredientsCover FX Custom Cover Drops ShadesIngredients:  Ethyl Trisiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Bis-Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Dimethicone, Mica, Jojoba Esters, Triethylhexanoin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Water (Aqua, Eau), Alcohol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

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Product:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream.  This product comes out of the tube white and then changes color supposedly to match your skin.  Weird, right?

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars – Very Good to Excellent

Cost: $10.95 (1.0 fl. oz.) ($10.95 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inxepensive

Sold By:  L’Oréal Paris USA; Walgreen’s; Walmart; Ulta; Retailers everywhere.

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap. (Nice small, pointed tip.)

Description:   L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is a white lotion with encapsulated pigments that are released when the lotion is blended into the skin.  This product contains four elements (primer, moisturizer, foundation and a color corrector) in one.  In this case, “BB” stands for “Beautifying Beads” instead of Beauty Balm or Blemish Balm.

Formula:   L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream has more of a lotion consistency than a cream.  The formula provides light-coverage opacity and dries to a slightly powdery finish.  It feels silky to the touch and is hydrating.  This does NOT contain any sunscreen and offers 0 SPF.  I like my BB creams to contain sunscreen, so I regard the lack of SPF as a negative.

Sensitivity:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is fragrance and oil free and is appropriate for those with sensitive skin.

Company Claims:

“4 Beautifying Actions in 1.  Primes, Corrects, Hydrates, Perfects.  Flawless Bare Skin Finish.

Meet the Magic all-in-one skin BB cream, with Beautifying Beads; encapsulated pigments infused in an ultra-light lotion with antioxidants Vitamins C & E. This multi-tasking skin beautifier delivers 4 beautifying actions in 1: primes to smooth skin’s texture, corrects skin for a healthy looking even complexion, hydrates for all day moisture, perfects to hide imperfections.  Instantly transforms to your perfect shade for a flawless, bare skin finish. Over time, more beautiful skin.”

Discussion:  I previously discussed BB Creams in my post reviewing Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35.  If you want to read more about BB, CC or DD creams, please see that post.

Colors:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream comes in four colors: 810-Fair; 812-Light; 814-Medium; and 816-Deep.  Because the coverage is so light and it blends into the skin, the shades are pretty forgiving.  I tried the Medium on my fair skin and it didn’t look overly dark once blended.  The Light color is off and is too peachy.  The Fair color is better than the Light.

Morning Review:  I have used several tubes of this over the years, so I’m not new to this product.  For purposes of this review, after cleansing, I applied the L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream to bare skin.  (If you are going outside in the daylight, you should definitely apply sunscreen first.)  The lotion  has very little odor to it.  I don’t know how to describe the scent other than a slight chemical smell that disappears once applied.  It feels slippery to the touch.  You can definitely feel the silicone primer elements.  It does not feel oily or greasy on the skin at all; it just feels silky.  It blends nicely and offers a light blurring coverage.

Application Tips:  You will need to be careful with the tube.  The tube has a tendency to squirt out product as soon as the cap is removed, so be prepared to catch any drips.

I applied this with fingers, a foundation brush and a blender sponge to see which worked the best.  Due to the thinner consistency, I liked the finish the best with a blending sponge.  If you have oily or combination skin, you will definitely want to set this with powder.  This dries fairly quickly to a semi-matte or satin finish.

Evening Review:  On my dry skin, L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream looked good for about 6-7 hours.  My testers with consistent skin and combination skin got 5-6 hours of wear.  My tester with oily skin needed a touch up in about 4-5 hours.  Of course your results will depend upon many factors and may be different.

Overall Review:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is a quick and easy product for those who don’t want the bother of applying several layers to their skin each day.  Unfortunately, you will need to apply sunscreen underneath this during the daytime, as it contains no sun protection whatsoever.  (But still, two layers are easier than five.)  If you mostly wear makeup at night, you may not always need a sunscreen.

Pros:

  • Four products in one tube
  • Light coverage blurs skin imperfections
  • Skin looks natural and not heavy
  • Quick and easy to use
  • Blends easily
  • Lack of sunscreen means there is no risk of white flashback in photos

Cons:

  • Does not contain sunscreen
  • Some skin tones may not find a compatible match
  • “Light” color is too peachy for most skin tones

Suitability:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars4 Stars – 1 Star for lack of sunscreen = 3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers =4 stars 4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars = Very Good.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

L’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB CreamL’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream ReverseL’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream TipL’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream Swatch Blended

INGREDIENTS:  AQUA/WATER/EAU; ISODODECANE; CYCLOPENTASILOXANE; GLYCERIN; CYCLOHEXASILOXANE; PEG-10 DIMETHICONE; METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSS POLYMER; BUTYLENE GLYCOL; DIMETHICONE; ISOEICOSANE; DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE; BORON NITRIDE; PHENOXYETHANOL; CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE; SODIUM CHLORIDE; POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE; HEXYL LAURATE; ACRYLATES/AMMONIUM METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER; ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE; CAPRYLYL GLYCOL; TRIETHYL CITRATE; METHYLPARABEN; C9-15 FLUOROALCOHOL PHOSPHATES/C9-15 FLUOROALCOHOL PHOSPHATE; TOCOPHEROL; PANTHENOL; [+/- MAY CONTAIN: CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE; CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/ IRON OXIDES]; FIL D49725/2.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35

Product:  Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35.  Five creams in one tube?  If you don’t want to pile a bunch of different products onto your skin, you may like this time-saving cream.

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $39.00 (1.0 fl. oz.) ($39 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By:  Smashbox; Sephora; Ulta; Major Department Stores.

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap, outer carton.

Description:  Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 is a beauty balm with a nice amount of broad-spectrum sun protection.  This product contains five elements (moisturizer, primer, foundation, sunscreen and a mattifying agent) in one tinted cream.

Formula:  Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 is a lightweight cream.  The formula provides light-coverage opacity and dries to a slightly powdery but not dry-looking finish.  It is slightly hydrating and moisturizing but not overly so.

Sensitivity:  Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 is free of fragrance, oil, parabens, phthalates and talc and is appropriate for those with sensitive skin.

Company Claims:

“The 5-in-1 Miracle Worker!

Wonder why models in our L.A. photo studio hoard this 5-in-1 miracle-worker BB cream? It cuts down on prep time and instantly creates even, radiant skin.

    • Primes. Perfects. Hydrates. Banishes shine. Protects with SPF 35
    • Reduces appearance of fine lines & wrinkles in just 4 weeks
    • Wear alone or under foundation for more coverage”

Discussion: 

What is a BB Cream? 

BB Creams, or beauty balms, are just a fancy way of marketing tinted moisturizers that also contain sunscreen.  They provide slightly more coverage than a tinted moisturizer and less coverage than a foundation.

Who are they good for?

  • Anyone who likes a more natural look than a full-coverage foundation
  • Anyone who doesn’t like heavy-feeling products on their skin
  • Anyone who doesn’t have the time to apply separate moisturizer, primer, sunscreen and foundation
  • Anyone who wants only one tube of product to travel with

What is the difference between a BB Cream, a CC Cream and a DD Cream?

A CC Cream is the same as a BB Cream except they supposedly also contain color-correcting agents.  I have not found this to be true and when I use them, I see no difference in the products.  It is all about marketing.

A DD Cream is a product that stands for Dermatologically Defining, Daily Defense, or Dynamic Do-All, or any number of things depending upon the brand.  Once again, it is simply a cream that has a lot of ingredients so that you can use one product instead of three, four, or five.  (Some claim to replace eight, but that is just stupid.)

Colors:  Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 added three colors to the initial lineup and it now comes in eight colors: Fair, Fair/Light, Light, Light/Neutral, Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Dark and Dark.  This a nice range of shades and there should be one to match your skin tone.

Morning Review:  I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup, so five products in one tube appeals to me.  Also, sometimes I have very little time to work on a lot of clients, so eliminating steps is a huge bonus.  After cleansing, I applied the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 to bare skin.  This BB Cream has primer, moisturizer and sunscreen built in so you don’t need all of those extra layers.  It does feel slightly moisturizing to my dry skin.  If you have severely dry skin you may need a moisturizer underneath.  I would describe the coverage as light.  Even though it is not heavy, it definitely blurs imperfections and makes the skin look better.

Application Tips:  You will need to be careful with the tube.  The tube has a tendency to squirt out more product than you need, so to avoid this, hold the tube vertically and this won’t happen.

I have a lot of experience using this.  Over the years I have applied this with fingers, a foundation brush and a blender sponge to see which worked the best.  I like buffing it on with a flat-head brush.  A sponge with a dabbing motion will provide slightly greater coverage.  If you need thicker coverage, you can build this up a little, but if you are wanting full coverage this is not the product for you.  If you have oily skin, you will definitely want to set this with powder.  This sets up fairly quickly and dries to a semi-matte or satin finish.

Evening Review:  On my dry skin, Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 looks good for about 6-7 hours.  When I use this on clients with consistent skin and combination skin, they can expect to get 5-6 hours of wear.  Clients with oily skin will need touchups in about 4-5 hours.  Of course your results will depend upon many factors and may be different.

Overall Review:  Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 is a quick and easy product for those who don’t want the bother of applying several layers to their skin each day.

Pros:

  • Five products in one tube
  • Light coverage blurs skin imperfections
  • Skin looks natural and not “mask” like
  • Broad-spectrum SPF of 35
  • Quick and easy to use
  • Blends well

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • May not be hydrating enough for very dry skin

Suitability:  Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 is suitable for the following users:

  • All users except those with very dry skin (You may need a moisturizer underneath.)
  • This does not have any obvious reflective ingredients so this is also a good product for male actors, models and performers that need something lighter than a full-coverage foundation.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars = Very Good.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 Fair

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 Tube Box

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 Ingredients Box

Wow, what a list of ingredients!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 Color Fair

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 Color Fair

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 Color Swatch Chart

INGREDIENTS:  Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5 %; Octisalate 4%; Oxybenzone 2.5 %; Titanium Dioxide 1.10%

Other Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, PEG-40 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract , Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trehalose, Oryzanol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Urea, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Caffeine, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Lecithin, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol.

May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Zinc Oxide(CI 77947), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Do Makeup Finishing Fixing Setting Sprays Actually Work?

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Do Makeup Finishing Fixing Setting Sprays Actually Work?  Are these just expensive water or will they keep your makeup looking good for hours?

Rather than just review one brand of product, I thought I would discuss a type of product that I receive a lot of questions about.  In future posts, I’ll go into detail for some different brands of setting sprays and their positive and negative features.

Are makeup finishing, fixing or setting sprays new?  No, absolutely not.  I have been using them my entire career.  Makeup artists used to simply make them from distilled water, witch hazel, and glycerin.  I guess that is one of the major changes in makeup artistry from decades ago to today.  Makeup artists used to make a lot of their own products.  Now, everything is for sale already made, and in a plastic bottle.  Another change is that mainstream consumers are using the same products that were once only for sale to professionals.

What is a makeup finishing, fixing or setting spray?  The intent of the product is to help makeup last longer.  Some sprays also have waterproofing agents.  Some products do double duty, such as MAC Prep + Prime Fix +.  The MAC spray is intended to be sprayed on both before foundation and then again after you are completely finished with all of the powdered makeup products.  The MAC Prep + Prime works very well but I had to stop using it because I’m allergic to the fragrance in it.  Most setting or finishing sprays are only designed to be used once the makeup is completed and not as a primer, too.

Do they really make a difference or are they just a waste of money?  Yes, they do make a difference, especially for those with oily skin.  Makeup just doesn’t stay put very long on oily skin.  A setting spray can help the makeup to not fade, cake, run or settle into fine lines and wrinkles.

What is in a makeup finishing, fixing or setting spray?  That really depends upon the brand.  There are huge differences from one brand to another.  Some of them are essentially watered down hair spray.  (Yes, hair spray will keep your makeup on longer, but it is not healthy for your skin and I would never advise using it on your face.)

Makeup finishing, fixing or setting sprays for oily skin typically contain alcohol along with some acrylates and copolymers.  (These more closely resemble hair sprays.)

Makeup finishing, fixing or setting sprays for dry skin tend to be free of alcohol and they have some skin-friendly hydration ingredients.  (These more closely resemble toners.)

Is there a difference between a finishing, fixing or setting spray?  Once upon a time, yes.  But now, no there is not.  As more and more companies try to come up with names for their products that haven’t already been used or taken, the terms have become interchangeable.  The only way to really determine what a spray is good for is to read the ingredients.  Most sprays come down to basically being either spray toners or hairspray-type setting liquids.

Are they good or bad for your skin?  That depends upon the product you are using and how you are using it.  If you are only using the spray once your makeup is complete, it is not going to be absorbed by your skin due to the layers of makeup that are acting as a buffer.  If you are also using the spray as a primer, it is important that the ingredients are healthy for your skin.

Are they expensive?  The ones I’m discussing today range in price from $3.00 for 2.02 ounces to $31.00 for 4 ounces.

What is the best way to use a makeup finishing, fixing or setting spray?

  • If you have oily skin, spray some onto your beauty blender sponge instead of water.  This will help foundation to last longer.
  • To keep eye shadow from having so much fallout, spray an eye shadow brush prior to application.  (Note, doing this will intensify the color of the eye shadow, so don’t do this if you are going for a very light, soft or natural look.)
  • Once the makeup is complete with everything except lipstick, hold the bottle approximately eight to ten inches from the face.  Spray two sprays in an “X” pattern.  Spray a third spray on the center of the face to get the “T” zone.
  • When your makeup starts to fade and needs to be touched up, first blot any oily areas with a blotting paper.  Next, lightly powder the areas you blotted.  Finally, spray one or two sprays on the areas that were powdered.  Your makeup will last for another couple of hours this way.
  • Don’t hold the bottle too close to the face.
  • Don’t saturate the face; the idea is to apply the spray lightly.

What are some good and bad makeup finishing, fixing or setting sprays?  I wouldn’t say that any of them are all good or all bad.  They have different qualities and you have to select the appropriate product for your particular needs and skin type.  Personally, I can’t use any of the products that contain fragrance on myself or my clients due to my severe fragrance allergy.  Some people like products that are perfume-filled.  Here are some of the ones I have tried and which skin types they will work best for.  (Please note that as opposed to “Normal”, I use the term “Consistent” for skin that is neither dry nor oily.)

Description Size Price Alcohol Free Fragrance Free Recommended Skin Type(s) Claims
e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set 2.02 fl. oz. $3.00 Yes Yes Combination, Consistent, Dry, Sensitive Keeps makeup in place, moisturizes and soothes
e.l.f. Matte Magic Mist & Set 2.02 fl. oz. $4.00 No Yes Consistent, Oily Controls shine, vitamin infused
L. A. Girl Pro HD Setting Spray 1.0 fl. oz. $7.00 No Yes Consistent, Oily Matte finish, lightweight, non-sticky formula
M-A-C Prep + Prime + Fix + 3.4 fl. oz. $24.00 Yes No Combination, Consistent, Dry Water mist gently soothes and refreshes skin and finishes makeup
NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray 2.02 fl. oz. $7.99 No Yes Combination, Consistent, Oily Long lasting, dewy finish
NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray 2.02 fl. oz. $7.99 No Yes Consistent, Oily Long lasting, matte finish
Physicians Formula InstaReady Setting Spray 3.4 fl. oz. $12.99 No Yes Combination, Consistent, Oily, Sensitive High-tech formula works to instantly mattify, blur, and visibly retexturize skin
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray 4.00 fl. oz. $31.00 No No, has LOTS of fragrance Consistent, Oily Keeps makeup looking gorgeously just-applied for up to 16 hours
Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray 4.00 fl. oz. $31.00 No No Oily Prevents makeup meltdown, controls oil, deflects surface shine and keeps skin matte

 

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Sete.l.f. Studio Matte Magic Mist & SetL. A. Girl Pro High Definition Setting SprayMAC Prep + Prime Fix +NYX Cosmetics Dewy Finish Setting SprayNYX Cosmetics Matte Finish Setting SprayPhysicians Formula InstaReady Setting SprayUrban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting SprayUrban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray

Where can I get more information on a particular product?  I’m going to review some of my favorites in depth in the coming weeks.  If there is a particular spray you have questions about, I’ll be happy to address those if you write to me.

Which ones work/don’t work for you?  Do you have a lot of experience with a particular brand?  Please let me know what works for you so I can share the results.  Thanks!

Does IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Live Up To The Hype

Product:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer.  This product supposedly replaces five separate products in one step.  Does IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation live up to the hype and really work?

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.25 Stars – Just Okay

Cost: $65.00 (1.08 fl. oz.) ($60.19 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By:  ITCosmetics.  This product is NOT sold at QVC or Ulta.  (Please don’t confuse this with the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50.)

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, pump, outer carton.  (Perfect packaging!)

Description:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer is a foundation with a UVA/UVB Broad-Spectrum Sun Protection Factor of 50.  This product contains serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation and sunscreen in one tinted cream.

Formula:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer is a medium-weight cream foundation.  The formula provides medium to full-coverage opacity and dries to a dewy finish.  This has a bizarre ingredient, “Snail Secretion Filtrate”, is the second ingredient.  That’s right, you are putting slimy snail juices on your face with this product, and lots of it.

Sensitivity:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer is fragrance free, but it contains citrus, eucalyptus and cinnamon oils, which can be irritating to certain individuals.  It definitely has a citrus flower scent.

Company Claims:  (There are a lot of outlandish claims for this one.)

“IT corrects, perfects and protects your skin!

Infused with 3D SKIN FLEX™ Technology for natural-looking full coverage that won’t crease or crack.

Why you’ll love IT

This first-ever full-coverage moisturizer from IT Cosmetics™ lets you say bye bye to foundation—and hello to beautiful, flawless-looking skin. Perfect for all skin types, Bye Bye Foundation™ covers absolutely everything while truly caring for your skin. More than a foundation with skincare thrown in, or skincare with a hint of color, this game-changing formula is infused with proprietary 3D SKIN FLEX™ Technology to deliver weightless coverage that lasts all day and is clinically shown to improve the look of your skin, even after you take it off! Here’s how 3D SKIN FLEX™ Technology targets skin at three levels to create your most flawless-looking complexion::

IT CORRECTS

  • Anti-aging ingredients infuse moisture deep into your skin to help treat and correct the look of aging skin. You’ll notice a difference in just 10 days!

 IT PERFECTS

  • At your skin’s surface, light-diffusing pigments create a beautiful, soft-focus effect. These flexible pigments float above lines and wrinkles and adjust to your facial movements, giving you natural-looking coverage that won’t crease or crack!

 IT PROTECTS

  • On top of your skin, mineral-based SPF 50+ broad-spectrum physical sunscreen protects and helps prevent free-radical damage for healthier, younger-looking skin!
  • Proprietary 3D SKIN FLEX™ Technology creates flexible full coverage that won’t crease or crack
  • Formulated with skin-loving, anti-aging ingredients that improve the look of your skin in just 10 days
  • Light-diffusing pigments blur away imperfections for a beautiful, soft-focus finish
  • Broad-spectrum, mineral-based SPF 50+ protects your skin from the sun and is perfect for even the most sensitive skin types”

Discussion and Questions:  

How does the IT Cosmetics Full Coverage Moisturizer differ from the CC Cream?  According to the company, the only difference is that the CC Cream does not contain the “3-D Skin Flex Technology”.  (That is nothing but a bunch of marketing hoopla that means absolutely nothing.)  I haven’t tried the CC Cream to compare them, but I will soon and I’ll let you know the differences (if any).  Upon evaluation of the ingredients (see below), they seem the same to me.  The CC Cream costs less.  Please sign up if you would like to receive the review of the CC Cream.

Is this a moisturizer or a foundation?  Calling this a moisturizer is misleading, because that gives you the impression this makeup is lightweight and this is anything but.  This is, first and foremost, a foundation that just happens to contain moisturizing ingredients, some of which are good for your skin.  If you have a lot of flaws to hide, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer covers extremely well.

Rants – WARNING:  I previously warned you about buying this product from the infomercial.  If you buy the 7-piece kit from the TV infomercial for $49.95, the $49.95 is an installment, not the full price.  I was billed three payments of $49.95, plus 9.5% tax, plus $5.95 for shipping.  I also had to unsubscribe from an automatic-delivery program that I never agreed to in the first place.

Raves:  My favorite thing about this product is the container.  The squeeze tube with a pump on the end is sanitary, easy to use and you get all of the product out of the tube.  One pump is the precise amount needed for a full face.

Colors:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer comes in four colors: Light, Medium, Tan and Deep .  The Light is definitely two shades darker than my ivory-toned fair skin. For those with very fair or porcelain skin Light may be too dark for you.  I don’t know if this used to come in Fair like the CC cream does, but if it did, that color is no longer available.  To me, the Light looks more like a Medium in other brands.  The Light looks NOTHING like what is shown on the website.  The Deep has too much of an orange tinge for most skin tones.  Here is a swatch comparing the Light in the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer that I previously reviewed next to the Light in the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer.  You can see just how truly dark this Light color is.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer Swatches

 

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer Shades Chart

Morning Review:  I’m all for anything that makes life quick and easy.  After cleansing, I applied the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer to bare skin.  Supposedly with this product you don’t need serum, primer, moisturizer or sunscreen, as they are all contained in this one tube.  It does feel moisturizing to my dry skin.  This is probably too hydrating for those with very oily skin.  This feels very thick and looks like makeup, not skin.  Also, it dried to a very strange color on my face and it had an ashy appearance.  I guess you would say it has an undertone of grey, which is truly bizarre.  (Some bronzer will take care of that issue.)

Application Tips:  I applied this foundation with fingers, a foundation brush, and a blender sponge to see which worked the best.  This stays dewy and does not set up very quickly, so you have time to blend this and work with it.  I found that it looks best with a flat-head brush by buffing it on.  I would describe the coverage as medium with a brush and full opacity with fingers or a sponge.  A sponge with a dabbing motion will provide greater coverage.  If you need thick coverage, you can build this up in layers if you need to.  Because the finish feels slightly tacky, you will definitely want to set this with powder.

Evening Review:  On my dry skin, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer does not budge and lasts for 8-10 hours.  When I use this on clients with consistent skin and combination skin, they can expect to get 6-8 hours of wear.  One of my testers with oily skin liked the feel of it but hated the medium color and said it made her look dead.  It lasted about 4 hours on her.  I have not tried this on clients with oily skin.

Overall Review:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer is good for covering skin issues if you can find a color to match and it feels nice on the skin.  I usually just wear tinted moisturizer, so this is too heavy for me personally.  Plus, they don’t make a color for my skin.

Pros:

  • Five products in one tube
  • Medium to full coverage hides all types of skin issues and discolorations
  • Mineral Based Broad-Spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 50
  • Quick and easy to use
  • Blends well
  • Nice packaging and delivery system

Cons:

  • Colors are off and are not as described
  • Needs lighter colors
  • Color had unflattering grey undertone
  • Expensive
  • Citrus and other oils may be irritating to some users
  • May be too hydrating for very oily skin
  • Beware of the misleading infomercial and auto-delivery programs

Suitability:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer is suitable for the following users:

  • All users except those with very oily skin (If you have oily skin and use this, please let me know how well it wears for you.)

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Evening Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.25 Stars = Just Okay.

Would Buy Again?  No.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage MoisturizerIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer Box

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer Before After

(Photo Courtesy of IT Cosmetics)

Ingredients:  (IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer):

Active: Titanium Dioxide 9.015%, Zinc Oxide 6.305%.

Inactive:  Water, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Butyloctyl salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Magnesium sulfate, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum hydroxide, Hexyl Laurate, Stearic Acid, Calcium Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan isostearate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Citrus aurantium dulcis, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Punica granatum seed oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Persea gratissima oil, Niacinamide, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Perfluorohexane, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Cholesterol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Perfluorodecalin, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Sprout Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Pentafluoropropane, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Steareth-20, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Colloidal oatmeal, Hydrolyzed silk, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, N-hydroxysuccinimide, Hydrolyzed collagen, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Tocopherol, THIAMINE HCl, Riboflavin, Retinyl Palmitate, Pantothenic Acid, Palmitoyl oligopeptide, Niacin, Folic Acid, Chrysin, Carnitine HCl, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, CHLORHEXIDINE DIGLUCO- NATE.

May Contain: IRON OXIDES (CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499

Ingredients:  (Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50):

Active: Titanium Dioxide 9.015%, Zinc Oxide 6.305%.

Inactive: Water, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Magnesium Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hexyl Laurate, Stearic Acid, Calcium Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Niacinamide, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Lactobacillus/Honeysuckle Flower/Licorice Root/Morus Alba Root/Pueraria Lobata Root/Schizandra Chinensis Fruit/Scutellaria Baicalensis Root/Sophora Japonica Flower Extract Ferment Filtrate, Perfluorohexane, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Cholesteryl, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Indicum flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Perfluorodecalin, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sprout Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Pentafluoropropane, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Steareth-20, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Colloidal Oatmeal, Hydrolyzed Silk, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopherol, Thiamine HCl, Riboflavin, Retinyl Palmitate, Pantothenic Acid, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Niacin, Folic Acid, Chrysin, Carnitine HCl, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Chlorhexidine Digluconate. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

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Product:  Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.  A makeup artist’s best friend is, and always has been, powder.  This powder blurs away imperfections beautifully.

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.67 Stars – Very Good to Excellent

Cost: $38.00 (1.0 oz.) ($38.00 per ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By:  Laura Mercier; Nordstrom; Sephora; Major department stores everywhere.

Container:  Plastic jar, sifter screen, twist-off cap, outer carton.

Description:  Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a loose powder used to set foundation makeup for greater longevity and to help minimize fine imperfections.

Formula:  Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a tinted loose talc-based powder.  The formula provides very light coverage and controls shine with the addition of corn starch.  The texture is airy, light and silky feeling on the skin.  This also comes in a pressed-powder format for instant touchups or those who don’t like the mess of loose powders.

Sensitivity:  Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is fragrance free and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.  However, please be aware that this product contains parabens and soybean oil.  If you are allergic to parabens or soybeans, stay away from this one and try the paraben-free, dye-free, oil-free Laura Mercier Translucent Invisible Setting Powder which also works very well but is not quite as silky feeling.

Company Claims:

“Set your makeup with this perfectly sheer, silky powder. Ideal for normal-to-oily skin of virtually every tone.

What is Translucent Loose Setting Powder

With multiple major awards and counting, Laura Mercier’s “best in beauty”, cult-favorite bestseller is your go-to setting powder. Loose powder feels luxuriously dense in the jar, feels incredibly soft and silky-light on your skin. Pros love the super smooth application: goes on evenly, blends effortlessly, provides great wear. Sets makeup without adding weight or texture.

Modern Matte Finish

Creates a modern matte finish with a touch of sheer coverage. The translucent shades work on virtually all skin tones.

Soft-Focus Effect for a More Flawless Look

Like all Laura Mercier Setting Powders, it has a soft-focus effect that subtly blurs the look of fine lines and imperfections. Doesn’t settle into fine lines or pores and never looks cakey.

Formulation Details

Oil-free (NOT TRUE). Non-comedogenic. Non-caking. Dermatologically tested.”

Discussion:  Makeup artists have always used loose powder to set foundation, blur imperfections and give makeup a soft matte finish.  Powder only came in loose form for many decades before the pressed powder compact was invented.  Powders were pretty much all the same and were talc based until about 20 years ago.  The invention of high-definition cameras completely changed the need for high-definition makeup.  Suddenly, you could see every line, blemish and pore on an actor’s face and they weren’t happy.  It took a while for makeup to catch up to the needs of the industry.

One of the first changes we began to see was the invention of finely-milled micronized powders and the addition and replacement of ingredients.  Silica and minerals began to be added to reflect light, and in some instances, talc has been completely eliminated in powders.  The formulations require chemists to work tirelessly to come up with new formulas to keep up with the demands of this ever-changing industry.

What makes this powder special is that it was specifically designed for use in the print industry.  Laura Mercier, a professional makeup artist, understood what needed to change to make powder less visible by high-definition cameras.  Ms. Mercier got it right with this one and it quickly became a favorite product of professional makeup artists everywhere.

Colors:  Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder comes in two colors that work for virtually all skin tones: Translucent is for very fair to medium skin tones;  Translucent Medium Deep is for tan to deep skin tones.

Daily Review:  This is an excellent powder to use for “baking” foundation.  Pour a very small amount of powder into the lid of the jar.  As a last step after makeup has been completed, apply Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder with either a powder brush or a velour puff.  I like to press the powder onto the face with the velour puff and then brush it off with a good-quality soft powder brush.  A little goes a long way with this powder and you don’t need much.  This feels silky to the touch and gives the skin a soft radiant finish like matte satin.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

  • If you have asthma, always be sure to hold your breath while applying loose powder to prevent inhalation of the powder.
  • If applying with a brush, be sure to tap out the excess prior to application to avoid getting too much product onto the face.
  • If you are wearing any type of creams (blushes, contours, highlighters) make sure you are happy with those before applying this powder. Once the powder is on, you can’t go back and blend any cream products.
  • For additional longevity to your makeup use a setting spray on top of this powder.

Overall Review:  Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is an industry-standard product.  This is a staple in a lot of professional makeup artists’ kits.

Pros:

  • Professional quality results
  • Finish does not look dull or cakey
  • Light tinted coverage helps to blur skin issues
  • No white “flash back” in photos
  • Makes foundation last longer
  • Fragrance-free formula
  • Silky texture

Cons:

  • Not appropriate for those with paraben or soybean allergies
  • Does not come with the velour puff or any type of applicator

Suitability:  Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is suitable for the following users:

  • Consistent Skin
  • Combination Skin
  • Dry Skin (While the company does not state it is for dry skin, I have used it on dry skin for many years with excellent results.)
  • Somewhat Oily Skin (Seriously oily skin with do better with the Laura Mercier Invisible Setting Powder.)
  • All sexes  (I use this on men with excellent results.)
  • Not for use by those with paraben or soybean allergies

RATINGS REPORT:

Daily Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 5 stars5 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.67 Stars = Very Good to Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Box

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting PowderLaura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Reverse

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Velour Puff Sold Separately

Laura Mercier Velour Puff Sold Separately

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Light to Medium Color

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Light to Medium Color

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Medium to Deep Color

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Medium to Deep Color

Ingredients:  Talc, Magnesium Myristate, Nylon-12, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, EthylhexylPalmitate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben, Lauroyl Lysine, Propylparaben, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Butylparaben, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Methicone. May contain: Ultramarines (Cl 77007), Iron Oxides (Cl 77491, Cl 77492, Cl 77499).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup

4 Comments

This post was updated on February 16, 2020.

Product:  Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup for Face and Body.  This is one to reach for when you need serious coverage.

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $39.50 (1.0 fl. oz.) ($39.50 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Expensive

Sold By:  Estée Lauder; Dillard’s; Nordstrom; Sephora; Major department stores everywhere.

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap, outer carton.

Description:  Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup is a waterproof opaque foundation with a UVA/UVB Broad-Spectrum Sun Protection Factor of 15.  This product replaced the popular product that was discontinued formerly known as, “Estee Lauder Maximum Cover Lightweight Makeup”.

Formula:  Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup is a thick liquid to lightweight cream foundation.  The formula provides full-coverage opacity and dries to a powdery matte finish.  The formula is buildable for even greater coverage.

Sensitivity:  Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup is fragrance free and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Company Claims:

“12-hour wear. Natural-looking. Long-wearing.

This soothing liquid-creme makeup is designed to camouflage all skin imperfections, including surgical and acne scars, tattoos, birthmarks, sun spots and varicose veins. Helps protect with SPF 15.

BENEFITS:
Full, concealing coverage. Long-wear.

COVERAGE – Full

FINISH- Matte

FORMULA FACTS

  • Broad Spectrum SPF 15
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Non-acnegenic; won’t clog pores”

Discussion:  If you like a full-coverage makeup, this one feels light on the skin but covers extremely well.  If you prefer a very light natural-looking or luminous makeup, this one is not for you.  I have fair skin with freckles and my freckles completely disappear when I apply this foundation.  They have a tendency to show through most foundations, but not this one.

Colors:  Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup comes in sixteen colors (previously 8 colors):  1N1 Ivory Nude; 1N3 Creamy Vanilla; 1C1 Cool Bone; 2C5 Creamy Tan; 2N1 Desert Beige; 2W1 Dawn; 2W2 Rattan; 3N1 Ivory Beige; 3C4 Medium Deep; 3W1 Tawny; 3W2 Cashew; 4N2 Spiced Sand; 4W1Honey Bronze; 4W2 Toasty Toffee; 5W2 Rich Caramel; and 6W1 Sandalwood.  The 1N3 is a good match for my ivory-toned fair skin.  Colors with an “N” are neutral; colors with a “C” are cool; and colors with a “W” are warm.  For those with a very fair porcelain skin the lightest shade may be slightly too dark for you.

Morning Review:  After cleansing, toning, moisturizing and priming, I applied Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup.  If you have oily skin, you should skip the moisturizer, but do not skip the primer.  The primer will help to extend the wear of this foundation.

I have experimented applying this foundation with fingers, a foundation brush and a sponge beauty blender.  It sets up very quickly, so I have found that it works best with a flat-head brush by buffing it on.  If you need thick coverage, fingers will work better.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

  • Make sure your skin has been recently exfoliated prior to using this foundation, especially if you have dry skin, or it will settle into the dry patches and be difficult to blend.
  • A little goes a long way; don’t apply too much product to your face. Work with small dots of product.
  • It dries very quickly so don’t apply it to your whole face at once; work in small areas at a time.
  • For heavy coverage, apply it with your fingers and pat it on, don’t rub.
  • For lighter coverage, apply it with a foundation brush or damp beauty blender sponge.
  • If you have dry skin, use a moisturizer or moisturizing primer first.
  • As this dries to a powdery finish, do not put any type of creams (blushes, contours, highlighters) on top of this, only powders.  Creams don’t blend well on top of powders.
  • For full waterproof coverage, set it with a fixing spray. I like Luminess, Urban Decay or MAC.

Evening Review:  On my dry skin, Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup does not budge and lasts for 10-12 hours.  When I use this on clients with oily skin, they can expect to get 6-8 hours of wear.  It will come off with regular facial cleanser; it will not rinse off with just plain water.  I have used this on models for outdoor water shoots with very good results.

Overall Review:  Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup offers full coverage without a heavy feel on the skin.  It can be tricky to blend if you try to work on too large of an area.  As long as you work quickly and in small sections, it works extremely well.

Pros:

  • Professional quality results
  • Full coverage hides all types of skin issues and discolorations
  • Moderate Broad-Spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15
  • Waterproof
  • Fragrance-free formula
  • Skin-friendly ingredients
  • Long lasting

Cons:

  • Dries very quickly so you need to work fast
  • If your skin is extremely fair, there may not be a color light enough.

Suitability:  Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup is suitable for the following users:

  • All users
  • I would not use this on a man unless it was for performance purposes.  It can be difficult to blend over the man’s beard area.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars = Very Good.

Would Buy Again?  Yes

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup

Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup Color 1N3 Creamy Vanilla

Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup Color 1N3 Creamy Vanilla

Without and With Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup

Ingredients:  ISODODECANE; ISOHEXADECANE; METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER; PETROLATUM; GLYCERYL STEARATE; DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE; HYDROGENATED STYRENE/ ISOPRENE COPOLYMER; MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX\CERA MICROCRISTALLINA\CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE; KAOLIN; CHOLESTEROL; ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT; FUSANUS SPICATUS WOOD OIL; TOCOPHERYL ACETATE; LINOLEIC ACID; GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL; STEARYL GLYCYRRHETINATE; BISABOLOL; SILICA; PROPYLENE CARBONATE; METHYLDIHYDROJASMONATE; POLYETHYLENE; 2,6-DIMETHYL-7-OCTEN-2-OL; POLYGLYCERYL-3 DIISOSTEARATE; PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE; ALUMINA; PHENETHYL ALCOHOL; [+/- IRON OXIDES (CI 77491); IRON OXIDES (CI 77492); IRON OXIDES (CI 77499); TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891); MICA; BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163)] <40794>

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette

Product:  Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette.  This concealer palette features four colors, three for color correcting and one for highlighting.  This little compact can be a game changer.

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars – Excellent.

Cost: $3.99 (.22 oz.) ($18.14 per ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  Wet N Wild Beauty; Walgreen’s; Walmart; Retailers everywhere.

Container:  Round plastic case, twist-off cap.

Description:  Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette is a concealer that corrects discolorations on the skin.

Formula:  Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette is medium-weight cream.  The formula provides light to medium-coverage opacity.  This is not as thick as the Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick I previously reviewed.  If you need serious heavy-duty coverage, that one will work better for you, but you will need to buy the colors individually as opposed to in a palette like this one.

Sensitivity:  Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette is fragrance free and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Company Claims:

“From under eye circles to acne to yellow discoloration, this one palette does it all, which pretty much means you should never be without it. Everyone has flaws, and this palette has something for everyone.

Let’s spin the color wheel! This circle of concealers contains all you need to balance out any imperfection in your complexion. It’s beauty’s version of playing with paint, and your face is your coloring book!

  • Circle of concealers balances all imperfections!
  • Purple and yellow are opposites on the color wheel, so use yellow to cancel out any unwanted purple spots, such as bruises or under-eye circles. Any overly yellow spots? Attack them with purple.
  • Green and red are opposites, too. So use green on anything red: zits, flushes, blemishes, you name it!
  • White brightens any color, so whatever part of your face you want to highlight, this is it!”

Discussion:  Most people are very confused by color-correcting concealers, don’t know if they need one and don’t know how to use them properly.  These concealers, unlike flesh-toned concealers, are designed specifically to hide discoloration imperfections like redness from scars or blemishes (with green), sallowness (with lavender), purple-toned undereye circles (with yellow) blue veins (with peach), etc.  If you have any of these issues and you want to achieve a smooth even skin tone and uniform color to your face, then using one of these under your foundation can absolutely work wonders.  Professional makeup artists have always utilized these techniques, but now that the products are readily available to the average consumer, you might as well take advantage of our trademark secrets.

Colors:  Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette comes in one color, 349 Color Commentary.  It contains, purple, green, yellow and white.  They are all matte in finish with the exception of the white, which has a shimmer finish and is intended to be used as a highlighter.  These four colors will work for all light to medium skin-toned users.  These will not work well for those with very dark skin.

What Color Do YOU Need?

The color-correcting concealer I use most frequently on clients is green.  Almost everyone has a slight redness around their noses or a few red-toned blemishes.  Green is the opposite on the color spectrum from red and therefore effectively neutralizes any red pigmentation.  I frequently use yellow, too.  I occasionally use purple for general brightening as opposed to spot concealing.  If you look at the color wheel you can see which colors are opposite and will, therefore, cancel each other out.  Red is a primary color and its complementary opposite is green.  Blue is a primary color and its complementary opposite is orange.  Yellow is a primary color and its complementary opposite is purple.

Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette Color Wheel

 

ISSUE COLOR OF ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CONCEALED COLOR OF CONCEALER TO USE
Acne Blemishes Distinct Redness Green
Acne Scarring Slight Redness Light Green
Broken Capillaries Slight Redness Light Green
Bruises – Dark or Heavy Purple Yellow
Bruises – Fading or Healing Yellow Purple
Dark Circles Under Eyes Brown Blue
Dark Circles Under Eyes Purple Yellow
Hyperpigmentation Brown Blue
Pimples Red Green
Rash Heavy Distinct Redness Green
Rash Light or Faint Slight Redness Light Green
Rosacea Red Green
Sallowness (Yellow tinge to skin) Yellow Purple
Self-Tanner Nightmare Orange Blue
Veins Blue or Green Peach, Coral or Orange

Need Help?  If you still don’t know what color concealer you need or it is not working for you, write to me and I can tell you a brand and color of concealer that will address your specific issue.

DON’T Use Lipstick:  I know you see posts and videos all over the internet telling you to put lipstick under your eyes if you have dark circles.  Don’t ever do this!  The ingredients in lipstick can be very harmful to the delicate skin underneath your eyes.  If you need a peach, coral or orange concealer, try Bobbi Brown corrector or the NYX Color Correcting Palette, which has peach in it.  The NYX formula is creamier than the Wet N Wild one.

Daily Review:  After cleansing, toning, moisturizing and priming, apply Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette on any discolored areas prior to the application of foundation.  I apply this with a small detail brush for blemishes or a concealer or foundation brush for larger areas.  I then carefully apply foundation on top of the concealer and set the areas with a finely micronized high definition powder.  Once it is set, the concealer will last for many hours.

Helpful Application Tips and Tricks:

  • If you are accustomed to applying your concealer on top of your foundation, that will not work with a color-correcting concealer. The colors must be applied under foundation not over.
  • Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette will not work as well on blemishes if you apply it with a sponge or your fingers.
  • Use a small concealer, detail, or lipstick brush for application wherever you need concentrated color.
  • The product needs to be concentrated on the specific area of discoloration and nowhere else.
  • If you need to cover a larger area with sheerer coverage, you can use a sponge or your fingers.
  • Be careful when applying foundation on top so as not to remove the concealer.
  • Pat foundation on top of the concealer, don’t rub.
  • If you accidentally rub the concealer off when applying foundation, just dot some more colored concealer on top of the foundation and carefully blend it with the detail brush.
  • If you are having a difficult time covering the colored concealer with foundation, you are using too much of the colored concealer.
  • To keep it in place for hours, set it with a good quality powder.

Overall Review:  Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette is an excellent product for hiding many different types of discoloration issues.

Pros:

  • Four colors address many discoloration issues
  • Medium- weight cream blends easily
  • One compact lasts a long time
  • Takes very little product to cover imperfections
  • Fragrance-free formula
  • Skin-friendly ingredients
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • The white “concealer” is not a concealer at all, it is a shimmery highlighter.  The white should have been replaced with a peach-toned concealer.  By virtue of the white having shimmer in it, it cannot effectively be used to lighten the other colors if necessary.

Suitability:  Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette is suitable for the following users:

  • All users.  (This is a very good product for men to use as well as women.  I use this on male models, actors and performers.)

RATINGS REPORT:

Daily Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars = Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)  Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette

Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting PaletteWet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette Reverse

Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette Swatches

Wet N Wild Coverall Color Correcting Palette Swatches

Ingredients:  Propylheptyl Caprylate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Kaolin, Ozokerite, Microcrystalline Wax/Cire microcristalline, Nylon-12, Synthetic Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de candelilla, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Allantoin, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Sorbitan Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Carmine/CI 75470, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, Mica, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Yellow 5 Lake/CI 19140.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.