Current Foundation Routine...Mark, Wet n Wild and Physicians Formula

Ever since I finished my favorite Revlon Color Stay liquid foundation (Review here), I've been using other liquid foundation in my collection. I wanted to repurchase another bottle of Revlon, but I though I should use the other liquid foundation I have and give them some love. After all, I did buy all of them, so might as well use them right? I've also been trying new products that resulted in a new face makeup/foundation routine.

These are the face makeup I currently use:
Mark's Face Xpert Flawless Touch makeup, Physicians Formula Conceal Rx Strength concealer and Wet n Wild Ultimate Minerals powder foundation.  

I've had Mark Face Xpert Flawless Touch in Golden ever since I became a Mark representative. Check out my E-boutique HERE. I've used it several times and I really like it. I'm not sure why I stopped using it. It has an interesting packaging that dispenses the product onto a rounded sponge applicator attached to the top. The texture is a thin liquid that is very light weight and feels cooling to the face. It dries to a semi matte finish that looks very natural. Whenever I had it on, my co workers thought I wasn't wearing any foundation at all. The only downside is the limited shade selection. There's 8 shades to choose from on the Mark website and it's really difficult to distinguish your right shade. My shade is in Golden and it's a really good match for my NC42 skin tone.

Rounded Sponge Tip Applicator

Here is a few dots on the back of my hand. 

I gave my Almay Line Smoothing concealer a little rest and I'm currently using Physicians Formula Conceal Rx Strength Concealer in Soft Yellow. It's maximum coverage and conceals dark circles, blemishes, pimples and bruises pretty well. However, it feels very heavy and looks chalky and is way too light for me. It's probably better for people with fair skin. To make it work,  I apply a really tiny amount  under my eyes and blend very well with a wet sponge to prevent it from looking chalky. It gives me a bright under eyes.


A little goes a long way. It's very opaque.






I set foundation and concealer with Wet n Wild Ultimate Minerals Powder Foundation in Tan.  I did a review on this product awhile back. You can read it HERE.




Here is my current face makeup routine.

1. After moisturizer/primer apply Mark's Flawless Touch Xpert liquid foundation by dotting it on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin using the sponge tip applicator.
2. Blend it all over the face using a clean cosmetic sponge. 
3. Apply a tiny amount of Physicians Formula concealer under the eyes and blend it with the wet sponge.
4. Using a fluffy face powder, apply Wet n Wild Ultimate Minerals on top of the foundation and concealer to set it.

Here's a couple of  FOTD with Mark's Face Xpert Flawless Touch foundation on my face.

For more information on the Mark Face Xpert Flawless foundation, visit my Mark E-Boutique HERE.

It dried out on me...

I like brown eye liners because it's not as harsh as black, yet it gives definition to the eyes that looks natural. I got this dark brown felt tip eye liner by Physicians Formula awhile back at CVS during their 75% off clearance sale. I was very excited to try it out because it's been awhile since I used a brown eye liner. To my disappointment, this product did not work for me at all.

According to Physicians Formula website: 

"Ultra easy-to-use felt-tip eyeliner pen for bold lining. Perfectly defined look of a liquid eyeliner without the mess. Lasts for 24 hours and removes easily with any eye makeup"

Sigh...there really isn't much to say since I only got got a couple of uses out of it.

What I don't like:

- This product dried out really fast. It didn't even make it across the lid before drying out O_o. 

- I had to draw short strokes across the lash line in order to get a decent line. Then I had to do another pass to make the line look solid. I don't have all day to do this, so it was really annoying.

-The staying power was just okay. Not 24 hours as promised *shakes head*.

What I like:

- Once I got the line I wanted, the color is actually gorgeous and very natural.

- The pen-like packaging is cool. It makes application a breeze.

Here's what it look on my eyes. It's a nice brown shade.

I wore it at my Nutty and Good To Go makeup look. 

The shade and packaging were not enough to make me like this product.It just dried out way too fast. There are many drugstore eye liners that are better than this, so skip this one.

price: $6.99

availabilty: drugstores. I got mine at CVS

Review/Swatch: Physicians Formula Needle-Free Plumping Lipstick

I got this Physician Formula Needle-Free plumping lipstick in the beginning of January, and I barely got to try it out this week. It took me this long to give it a try because I was a bit scared. I mean, a lipstick that promise to re-shape and plump the lips in 60 seconds sounds pretty dang scary to me.

So why did I buy it? Because it was cheap. I got it at my local CVS during their end of the year clearance sale for only $2.75. Click here to see my haul. I'm a sucker for cheap makeup, so I bought it and hoped for the best.

SHADE

The shade I got is in Mauveberry Potion. It's a gorgeous berry purple-y mauve-y shade. It's not too dark nor light on my lips, and is very wearable for day time. 

TEXTURE, COVERAGE

 The texture is so smooth and creamy and glides on the lips like a lip balm. I didn't want to stop applying because it felt so nice. The coverage is from sheer to full. One layer is sheer, while layering more will give a full coverage. Also, it is very moisturizing. I had it on the whole day, and I didn't feel my lips get dry at all.

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS: BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNAL GLYCERIDES, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DIBENZOATE, OLEIC/LINOLEIC/LINOLENIC POLYGLYCERIDES, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, OCTYLDODECANOL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ADIPIC ACID/DIETHYLENE GLYCOL/GLYCERINE CROSSPOLYMER, JOJOBA ESTERS, STEAROXY DIMETHICONE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL RICINOLEATE, SILICA, QUATERNIUM-90 BENTONITE, POLYESTER-4, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CAFFEINE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, ETHYL CELLULOSE, ETHYL MENTHANE CARBOXAMIDE, HEXYL LAURATE, HYDROGENATED DILINOLEYL ALCOHOL, HYDROGENATED PALM GLYCERIDES, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, ISOSTEARYL ALCOHOL, MENTHOL, METHYL NICOTINATE, NIACIN, PALMITIC ACID, PALMITOYL OLIGOPEPTIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, TRIBEHENIN, ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL, BHT, BUTYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, MAY CONTAIN: MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, CARMINE, IRON OXIDE, RED 6 LAKE, RED 7 LAKE, TIN OXIDE, YELLOW 6 LAKE.

Wow, that's a lot of stuff in one lipstick.

Source: Physicians Formula website

EFFECTIVENESS

 I felt a strong tingling and burning sensation right after applying it. It was tolerable, so I didn't freak out. Then, I pretty much stared at the mirror the whole time to see if my lips will get plump.The product promised dramatic results in 60 seconds, so I snapped a lot of photos to catch any difference. But unfortunately, it didn't work. My lips stayed the same, even after the tingling sensation went away about 8-10 minutes.

  

  This is the back of the box with before and after photos showing dramatic results in 60 seconds. Pretty scary right? Too bad it wasn't true.

2 swipe on my arm

 After 60 seconds, my lips still looked the same. It would have been crazy to see a fuller and plumper lips similar to the before and after photos at the back of the box.

PROS:

-The shade Mauveberry Potion is beautiful

-I love the creamy and smooth texture

-It has great coverage

-It is very moisturizing that last the whole day.

CONS:

-It didn't work. No plumping effect at all.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Even though I was a bit scared to try it, I kind of wanted to see dramatic results. I know, I will probably get freaked out if it did work, but too bad it didn't. On the other hand, I can still see myself using this lipstick because of it's pretty shade and great moisturizing effect. Would I recommend it to a friend? No!

price: $9.99 but I got it for $2.75

availability: CVS

Review/Swatch/Eye Makeup: Physicians Formula Baked Collection wet/dry eyeshadows in Baked Sugar

Here is a quick review of my Physicians Formula Baked Collection wet/dry eye shadow in Baked Sugar. I got it at my local CVS Pharmacy during their makeup clearance sale for 75% off. It wasn't exactly the palette I was lemming on, but it was the only one on sale so I went ahead and purchased it. It was only $2.09 so why the heck not!

SHADE, TEXTURE, FINISH

Baked Sugar consist of 3 colors, a champagne pink, white and a champagne taupe, all pigmented with shimmery/frosty finish wet or dry. When used dry, the texture is soft and applies smoothly on the eye lids. When used wet, it applies a bit streaky so make sure you pat and swipe with a brush to deposit the color better.

LONGEVITY, INTENSITY
The shadows last a long time wet or dry especially with a good primer underneath. When used wet, the color of the shadows intensifies, giving it a metallic finish except for the darker shade in the palette that is supposed to be the contour shade (champagne taupe). It's too shimmery and wasn't dark enough to be a contour color and doesn't add any definition to the eyes at all. A good eye shadow palette should have at least one matte contour shade and this palette doesn't so booo!

USAGE:
Now as promised in the packaging, this palette is supposed to help you create a beautiful eye makeup using only the 3 colors to highlight, contour and line the eyes. It even has an eye diagram at the back of the packaging showing where to place the colors. It's really a neat idea and definitely helpful but I found a problem with the palette. The colors are very pretty on it's own but when used all together in one eye makeup? Forget about it! Your eyes are going to look like a shiny disco ball. Remember, they have a frosty finish and frosty shadows creates no definition on the eyes at all. It can also look washed out in photographs because the shimmers reflects the flash of the camera. You'll see it in the makeup I did using this palette (phots below)

TIP:
Don't use the shadows in the palette all together. Mix in a shadow with a matte finish, meaning no shimmer or shine to create balance. Also, you can use the shadows individually to highlight your face to bring in light and give it a dewy look. Apply it on the top of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and on the tip of the lips.

Swatches

These were swatched dry. I didn't bother taking a photo of the swatch wet because there wasn't a huge difference.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

This is not a bad palett just promise me not to use it all together to create an eye makeup. The shadows are too shimmery and frosty and doesn't compliment any eyes. Like what I said, mix in a matte shadow preferably a matte contour shade to create definition and balance to the look. 

availabity: CVS

price: $7.95

EYE MAKEUP using BAKED SUGAR

Do you see what I mean? It's nothing but frost and you can't even see the colors...not good!

Do you own any Physicians Formula Baked Collection palettes? If so, which one do you have?

Free Physicians Formula Makeup at CVS...whoo hooo!!!

One of my new year's resolution is to keep track of my spending and so far I've been pretty good. I keep my receipts whenever I make a purchase and, I store them in an envelope that I keep in my purse at all times. Last night, I was going through my envelope and I noticed a coupon attached to my last CVS makeup haul receipt. It says, " $10 off on Physicians Formula Powder Palettes, Blushes and Foundations". OMG...are you serious? This got me super excited, you have no idea! It's a wonderful excuse to make another trip to my beloved CVS haha. Oh, and the clearance sale is still going on so for sure I can snag some makeup for free!!!

So after work, I went to my local CVS and to my surprise, they still had some clearance makeup left. Some had stickers, some didn't but most of them were still on sale. I was able to get 4 Physicians Formula items that I didn't get before and they were all 75% off. Then with my $10 off coupon, I ended up paying only a little bit of the balance which was $1.72  plus tax $1.14 (freakin' tax!)....Awesome!




I was so happy with my purchase, my best friend called me a makeup geek! ^_^





So ladies, I hope you didn't throw away your receipts. Check if you got the $10 coupon too!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway Winners Revealed!

Congrats to Alcimary123, Barbiedolltori and victoriasecrets11 - winners of Spoiled Pretty's Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway!

Each winner will receive Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter, which features five coordinated waves of luminous color that can be applied as eye shadow, blush or highlighter. Darker shades can be used to contour and accentuate cheeks. Lighter shades can be used for an instant highlighting and brightening effect. Or sweep a brush across all shades for the ultimate blushing glow!

Winners will receive Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter in all four shades (Healthy Glow, Natural Glow, Rosy Glow, Sunkissed Glow).

Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter is an inexpensive dupe for Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks. For more drugstore alternatives to your favorite department store beauty products, watch my latest TV segment!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Giveaway!!!

Did you happen to catch my latest tv appearance? A few weeks ago, I taped a segment for the Philadelphia NBC affiliate and dished on my favorite drugstore beauty buys. If you haven't seen the segment yet, I highly recommend you check it out because you’re missing out on some super fab product recommendations. For example, if you love Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks but your wallet is saying, "Nuh-uh, honey" – you (and your beauty budget) are in luck.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter features five coordinated waves of luminous color that can be applied as eye shadow, blush or highlighter. Darker shades can be used to contour and accentuate cheeks. Lighter shades can be used for an instant highlighting and brightening effect. Or sweep a brush across all shades for the ultimate blushing glow!

For the price of one Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, you can get three Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips. But I’m going to do you one better. This week, three lucky Spoiled Pretty readers will win Shimmer Strips Custom Blush & Highlighter in all four shades (Healthy Glow, Natural Glow, Rosy Glow, Sunkissed Glow). Each prize is worth $48!

Enter to win by leaving a message in the comments section. Make sure to leave your email or another way for me to get in touch, just in case you get lucky.

Contest is open to U.S. residents. The giveaway ends at noon (EST) on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Good luck!

Drugstore Beauty Must Haves!

After a brief television hiatus, I'm back on the tube again...this time, dishing on my favorite drugstore beauty must haves.

We all know that it doesn't actually cost a million bucks to look like a million bucks. But there are thousands of skin/body care products and cosmetics at your local drugstore...and choosing what should go in your basket and what should stay on the shelf can be overwhelming.

So reporter (and fabulous style blogger) Lilliana Vazquez asked me to share my beauty expertise with Philadelphia's NBC10 viewers and name my top drugstore beauty buys. Some of my current faves include:

L'Oreal Paris Ideal Skin Genesis Complexion Equalizer Day/Night Cream, $19.99 (comparable to Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20, $42.50)

Revlon PhotoReady Makeup, $13.99 (comparable to Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation, $40)

CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion, $9.99 (comparable to Diorshow Mascara, $24)

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss, $5.99 (compare to Lancome Juicy Tubes, $18)

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Blush and Highlighter, $12.99 (compare to Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, $38)

What are your favorite drugstore finds? Spill your must haves in the comments section...

FOTD: Physician's Formula Organic Neutral Eyes

Hey readers! My neice Elizabeth came up with the name for this look. She called it Organic Neutral because I mostly used Physicians Formula Organic Wear makeup. I used the shimmery light pink and light brown eyeshdows with a tad of black on the eyes and shimmery metallic neutral lipgloss for the lips. (I got them at CVS for 75% off. Everything was $1.99 each ). This look is great for an everyday look.

face:
Mac Studio Fix in NC42 (liquid foundation)
Nars duo concealer in Custard for under the eyes (one shade lighter than your skintone)
Mark Powder Buff in Golden to set the foundation (a pressed powder foundation)
Avon smooth mineral blush in Golden Glow (a neutral blush to a sunkissed glow to the cheeks)
Milani Mosaic blush in After Glow to contour the face (medium tone bronzer) I love this stuff!

eyes:

Almay line smoothing concealer in medium as a base/primer

Physicians Formula Organic wear eyeshadow duo in Hazel eyes. Light pink e/s all over the lids and brown e/s on the crease and lower lashline.
Mac e/s in Shroom on the brow bone as a highlight

Chanel Winter Nights quad (black e/s) applied lightly on the crease for a slight definition

Mark eyemarker in Java (dark brown e/l) on the upper lash line

Physicians Formula Organic wear eyeliner in Black Night (deep black e/l) on the water line

Maybelline Big Lash mascara upper and bottom lashes

Physicians Formula Organic e/s duo in Hazel Eyes

Physicians Formula Organic e/l in Black Night








lips:
DuWop lip venom as a lip primer. You can use a any lip balm
Wet and Wild l/l in willow (a nude lip liner)
Physicians Formula Organic wear lipgloss in Super Ginger (Shimmery metallic nude)

Physicians Formula Organic wear in Super Ginger = LOVE!!!

I can't get enough of this lipgloss. I even bought another one as a back up ^_^

I'm glad I got to try the Physicians Formula makeup line and, I am so pleased with the quality. I'm not really into Organic makeup and I dont know much about them but this stuff is really awesome. I will do a review very soon.

Have a great week everyone!!