Julep's DD Creme & Concealer

I'm normally not so quick to write a review of a product, however, this particular time it didn't take long to form an opinion.  This month, I selected the Modern Beauty box from Julep.  Inside, it came with their new DD Creme & the matching DD Concealer.    I was very excited to try these out because BB cremes have become all the rage.  Also, they really hyped these products up.  I really expected something phenomenal from them.

Initially, everything seemed fine.  The cardboard box seemed to be made of quality material.  The lettering was sleek.  And, I was still holding that hope for an amazing, out of this world product.

The same went for the concealer.  As you can see, I selected both in the shade "light".  They only had 3 colors to choose from.  Since I am very fair, I selected their lightest option.  I knew I was taking a risk here because it is difficult to match very fair skin.  The video they had put out on their facebook, though, showed a woman who seemed to be a similar color to myself.  The foundation and concealer blended on her like a dream!  All indications that this could end well, right?  WRONG!

I'll start with the concealer.  This seemed to be an area most people had problems with.  You look at the bottle, and while small, seems like you should still have enough inside for multiple uses.  I mean, this isn't supposed to be a sample size.  This baby retails on their page for $32.00 and Mavens get the exclusive pricing of $25.60.  Even if you selected one of their boxes this month, you paid $19.99 or used Julep points (aka: Jules) equaling 2,000 points. A concealer that is that much should be amazing, right?  Well, I wish I could let you know.  Unfortunately, there was only enough inside my tube for one use.   I had to fight with my tube to even get that small amount out.  I struggled to get just barely enough to apply under my eyes.

Squishing and squeezing the bottle did little good for me.

This tube is mostly filled with air.  

Another point that worried me....  Neither of my tubes had the sanitary foil seal over the opening.  Some girls said theirs did.  The fact that some did, and some didn't, is even MORE concerning. That tells me it should have been there, but that mine did not has me worried. 

You can see, nothing more is going to come out of this tube unless I cut into it and scrape whatever might be stuck to the inside walls.  And I don't feel I should have to fight that hard for a brand-spankin'-new product. This is worse than trying to force the last pearl of toothpaste out of a tube!

Some girls said their DD Creme was filled similarly....mostly air and not enough product.  Well, I can't tell for certain, but I imagine mine was filled properly.  It seemed to have an okay amount of product inside.  However, my problem was the consistency of it.  It was so extremely oily!  When I initially squirted some out, it was half pigment and half oil substance.  I thought "okay, I just need to shake this one up."  So, that's what I did.  Upon initial application, it seemed fine.  However, within 20 minutes, it was breaking down on my face.  I have never seen a foundation-like product break down this quickly.  I might expect a bit of breakdown after wearing it all day, in the heat, on an oily face that is sweating.  But, a fresh application shouldn't start breaking down like this.

Let's not even start on the fact that the "light" is far too dark and orange for someone who is fair.  I have even gotten a bit of sun and, still, it is too dark.   I would have to do some serious sunless tanning to get this to work. That's just not my thing.

Here, I have included a close up shot of the breaking down of the DD Creme.   Come on now!  This is ridiculous!

Monday morning, shortly after they opened, I called in.  I spoke to a woman and explained the problem.  Initially, I felt that I was getting brushed off.  Kind of a "Thanks for letting us know.  This helps us in product development."  But, I didn't feel like my concerns were being remedied.  I have 2 products that I cannot use.   I didn't feel it was fair to just walk away and no solution be had.   I voiced this and let her know that I'm not trying to be difficult.  However, I feel cheated and would like to return, exchange, or be refunded these products.  

As of posting this, I am still in the middle of working with customer service to find a solution.   The last contact I had was offering to send me another bottle of the concealer but they wouldn't be able to do the same for the DD Creme because they are sold out of the "light" shade, but would be happy to send me a "medium."  This doesn't feel like a solution to me.  So many girls are having problems with their concealer, so another bottle isn't going to fix it.  That just gives me 1 more application.  It would seem that most everyone is receiving empty concealer tubes.  I don't want another empty tube.   As for the DD Creme, I don't want a medium because I will never be of a coloring that would be able to wear "medium" foundation.  Also, until there is some certainty that the manufacturing has changed and there aren't so many duds, I'm not comfortable chancing another oily tube.  So, I am still out 2 products.  

I have my fingers crossed that this will all come to a happy conclusion.  I think, typically, Julep has good customer service and work to find positive solutions.  So, once this is all said and done, I will be sure to update what finally ended up happening with this dilemma. 

Oh, also!  When I spoke to customer service, I was asked to send in pictures of the problematic products.  These are the same photos I sent in to them.

Also, please don't mind my chipped polish.  I have been putting off repainting them until closer to an event I am going to.  I assure you, they are freshly painted now though!  :-)

UPDATE: As of Thursday, the 6th my issue has been resolved.   We had a couple of back and forth emails until a satisfactory resolution was found.  In the end, I did get the equal amount for the box back in Julep Jules.  So, I'm pleased.   I would have loved to have two products that I could actually use, but with one empty and the other separating, it just isn't possible.  :-(  I'd like to think they will be going back to the lab and figuring out why the products ended up having these problems and improve upon them. Everyone was very excited to try a new face product for this summer, but many were left disappointed.   Better luck next time?  Let's hope.

Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation

After I returned my Revlon Colorstay foundation a little while back, I have been back on the hunt for a good drugstore foundation.   I don't often have luck when it comes to liquid foundations.  Typically, they look okay initially, but will quickly oxidize, slide, separate, etc.   The Revlon Colorstay was amazing, but unfortunately, I  learned that it doesn't work with my chemistry.  I ended up breaking out in painful, cystic pimples. 

(side note: as long as it works well with your chemistry and you are certain to wash away all traces at the end of the day, I think it is a fantastic foundation to try out. You can see my review: HERE!)

I first saw this foundation pop up in my local Target store just after Christmas.  I should have bought it back then because it still had a $5.99 price tag.  It seems that the price has jumped up now.  I think, according to another blog, that was an introduction price.  Once they have launched it everywhere, the price will be set just around $10.00.   I bought mine at a Meijer store for $9.99.  This was close to the same price (if not the very same) that I paid for the Revlon Colorstay. 

This foundation claims to be not just a foundation, but a primer and concealer as well! "All day flawless coverage. Lasting power of a primer, coverage of a concealer, and blendability of a foundation in one. Shine free." One should be able to apply this to the skin without having the extra steps of a primer and a concealer, according to the claims.  We'll get into this a little bit further down. An added bonus to this foundation is that it already contains some SPF.  There is an SPF 20 mixed into this product.  I really appreciate that, even though I still apply sunscreens to make sure I'm as protected as I can be (with a makeup product, that is)

It comes in about 14 colors, which isn't as large as the Colorstay (it has 20, plus two different formulations for each particular color), but significantly better than a lot of foundation ranges.   The lightest they offer being 805 Ivory.  If you are looking for a very pale foundation, that is as pale as you'll get from this range.  It may not cut it for everyone, and if that is the case, there are some pure white foundation mixes you can get, but typically they're not found in a place like the drugstore. 

The bottle contains 1 oz, which is about average for a foundation.  It is in a glass bottle with a blue pump dispenser. I appreciate this immensely!  So many of us have complained for long enough that we can't stand having to pour out the foundation onto our hands, a sponge, or a palette.  This makes it easier to pump out the right amount of product without worrying that we are wasting.  Good job, Cover Girl, good job!  Something that seems strange to me, however, is that a lot of people have mentioned that theirs didn't come with a lid over the pump.  Mine did.  I have a little plastic, clear lid that snaps over top of the pump, onto the bottle.

When I first tried this out, I sort of expected to get a whiff of paint, like I did with the Colorstay, but nope!  Yes, it has a scent, but to me it is more of a typical cosmetic kind of smell.  I didn't find it strong or offensive.  Once the product is blended onto the skin, the smell has gone away.  This won't mean anything to 99% of people, but for some reason, when I smell this foundation I am reminded of going through cosmetology school.  Now, for most, that is going to conjure up ideas of perm, dye, and hairspray.  While those are prominent scents...that isn't what this smells like.  I can't explain it, but something about my cosmetology school smelled like this foundation does. HAHA!

Application is very nice with this foundation.  I found I could pump out 1 full pump onto my brush (which is simply a flat top mineral brush.....it works well for buffing in this foundation), dot it around my face, and then buff it in.  It blends out with ease.  I didn't find that it dried up too fast.  I was able to work with it and get it spread across my entire face and down my neck before it dried.  

It is, obviously, heavier than a tinted moisturizer, but I don't think it is as thick as the Colorstay.   I would say this is a medium to full coverage foundation, depending on how much you apply.  I apply as little as possible, and then if I still need more coverage in certain areas, I'll go back in with a tiny bit more.  I don't feel like my face looks cakey at all when I wear this.  It does a very good job of evening my skin tone and covering blemishes.  At times, I do need to go back in with a bit of concealer in some areas, but that is really if I'm trying to 100% perfect my face.  I would feel completely comfortable applying only this and walking out of my house.  

I don't feel like my skin is suffocating with this foundation on. Obviously, I know something is there, but it doesn't feel as though I am wearing a mask.  I think it is light enough to still be comfortable.  I find this to be amazing considering it has quite good coverage.  Typically, we expect to find these types of foundations thick, heavy, and cakey. 

I have some very fine lines, but I didn't have any kind of issue with it settling into those areas.  That is a bonus!  The last thing someone with fine lines or wrinkles would want is a product settling into them and emphasizing them.

To give you an idea, I do have oily skin.  In the summer it is much worse.  So far, I have only been able to test this out through the winter months, so we'll see how things pan out in the summer.  I like that this foundation mattifies my skin without making me look deathly.  If you have dry skin I think it could go one way or the other....some will like this and others will hate it.  I did notice if I had any dry patches (from, say, a healing break out or around my nose after a cold) the foundation does cling to it a bit.  Make sure you moisturize before applying this.  Even me, having oily skin, I always make sure I have a well hydrated face first.

Each time I wear this, I treat it as I did the Revlon Colorstay.  I apply some coconut oil to my face, which breaks down the foundation (and everything else on the face).  Then, I wash with my facial cleanser to remove the makeup and the coconut oil.  Lastly, I wash a second time with my Olay ProX Brush and cleanser. This way, I am certain to remove all traces of makeup.

I have to say, so far so good.  I haven't had issues with the formulation breaking me out.  I do think this is just as worthy of hype as the Revlon Colorstay foundation.  It really does hold up to its lofty claims.  Over all, I'm very impressed.  The only negative I have is the price.  Because it is a drugstore brand, I think its price tag should be lower....but that goes for most drugstore products anymore.  They all seem to have jumped up in price over the last couple of years. :-(  If you had any interest in this foundation, I think it is worth purchasing and giving a shot.  I really do think it rivals all other drugstore foundations....  and, dare I say, some high end ones.

November Favorites

This month, the family has been battling colds and allergies, so for the most part, I have been extremely simplistic with my makeup.   I have been wearing products that would erase discoloration and/or bring life to my face, but haven't messed too much with fun eye looks.  That is why you aren't seeing any eyeshadows.  I did wear them, just not enough to be included in a "favorites" post.

The products I used to create the illusion of a more alive and awake face were items by Maybelline, Coty, and Sonia Kashuk.  I started by covering any blemishes or red areas with the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette.  I don't really mess with the deepest shade or the powder.  I stay in the lightest cream shade and the green. Then, I will use the product in the little pot.  That is actually one of the Maybelline Age rewind concealers.  It is the one in the Brightening shade.  My tube broke, though, so I had to depot it.  That is where it lives now. That goes under my eye area and a little bit down the center of my nose.  I think it actually works well to bring light down the center of the face that way. On a good day, I will stop there and just set it with the Coty Air Spun Loose powder.  Now, if I feel I need more coverage, I will have started with the Maybelline foundation at the very beginning.  I like this foundation when it gets colder.  I know these Maybelline concealers are supposed to be for under the eyes, but I have found that certain shades can work on blemishes too!  However, don't dab them directly on the blemish.  Dot some out onto your hand (or palette) and then use a finger to pick it up and onto that area (or with a brush).

The lip balm I have been using will come as no surprise.  It is the Jack Black Lemon & Chamomile lip balm. I love this one so much. I feel like it really hydrates and heals chapped lips better than other products. It has been in a lot of "favorites."  

The blush is Sonia Kashuk in the color Flamingo.  This may seem like an odd color choice since we are in the middle of fall.  I found that this particular pink gave the perfect "came-in-from-the-cold" kind of glow.  Plus, when I'm not wearing much else, it bring just a bit of life and color to my face without screaming that I am wearing a blush.  

The Mascara I have been reaching for is one that I had forgotten how much I enjoyed.  It is the Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara.  It is in the regular formulation because I don't care for waterproof mascaras. While this doesn't add thickness to my lashes, I love the length that it gives.  I don't have long lashes but when I put this on they look quite impressive!

Finally, is the perfume I have worn most often.  While I, probably, prefer one of the other Lolita Lempicka perfumes that I recently purchased over this one, this is the bottle that I have actually worn the most.  It is just the original Lolita Lempicka.   I do have a review on the scent of it.  It is one that I'd highly recommend checking out.

I wanted to get this post up a couple of days ago, but with not feeling my best, I am in a bit of a slump and haven't done much in the way of blogging or preparing/taking photos.  My nails are also in a rut, but I am trying to pump moisture into them so, hopefully, they'll get some length back on them.  I would like to get at least a couple of holiday designs up on the nail blog.

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation

Finding a foundation is one of those struggles that most of us experience. Whether you want to buy from the drugstore or from the department store, it seems it is always hard to find a formulation that will agree with your skin's chemistry as well as be a perfect color match. I thought I had found the perfect liquid foundation, for me, in Revlon Colorstay. 

I bought this at Target towards the end of October.  I selected the version that is made for combination/oily skin, seeing as I have oily skin.  I chose the color 150 Buff.  This was actually an accident.  I thought I chose the Ivory one.  It wasn't until I had gotten home that I realized someone placed Buff in the wrong slot.  All worked out fine, though, because this ended up being a perfect color match for me.  

Everything seemed to be going well.  The color matched me perfectly.  It didn't oxidize throughout the day.  It would stay in place and not transfer onto clothing or anything else.  It controlled oil, which no other foundation had been able to do.  By the end of the day, my foundation looked just as nice as it did when I first put it on!  I was certain this was going to be my "holy grail" foundation.  In fact, I was so thrilled with it, that it made it into one of my "favorites" posts!

There were some minor downsides.  It had a strong paint smell to it.  I had never known any other foundation to smell identical to a bucket of paint that I would slather onto the walls in my home.  However, that would go away after application, so I dismissed it.   

This is a foundation that dries quickly. Because of this point, you have to work in sections.  You can't really dot it on and then blend. You must work section by section across the face and blend as you go.  This was something that I had to get used to, but nothing that I felt was worth discontinuing use over. 

This foundation can look cakey if you aren't careful.  You will look like someone inexperienced with foundation, who has just discovered this bottle of liquid face mask, and slathered it 3 inches thick.  Be careful!  I didn't like the way it applied with brushes.  I did apply with a wet Sonia Kashuk sponge and it worked out nice, but I still felt as though I was wasting product into the sponge.  I decided I preferred my fingers the most.

Now for the major negative for me.  I kept wearing this wonderful foundation because I was convinced it was amazing.  I am someone who doesn't wear liquid foundation every day.  I don't feel that I need to.  I wear it for special occasions and on the weekends if I am testing out a look or the product, itself.  Each time I would wear this foundation, the next day or two days later I would have horrible break outs.  I have never had a foundation break me out in the way that this does.  I am on medications that a dermatologist has given me.  Even those meds couldn't keep the breakouts at bay!  Because this is a known long-wearing foundation, I took special care to be certain I removed every trace of it.  I would get in the shower, moisten my face very well, apply and massage in some coconut oil (this is what I use to remove all traces of waterproof makeup too--it works wonders!), cleanse with my regular face wash.  Once out of the shower, I'd use my alcohol-free astringent on a textured cotton pad to remove any traces that might have been left behind, and moisturize.  That wasn't even enough because, without fail, I'd wind up breaking out after wearing this foundation.

I was so disappointed.  I tried over and over, hoping I'd conclude it was something else.  Ultimately, I had to return it to Target.  Because I had heard that so many people have issues with Revlon foundations, I had held onto my receipt just incase... and I'm glad I did.  It was an easy return.  I ended up repurchasing the Olay ProX brush (which I love, but ruined a few months back when I left it in a puddle of water in a shower basket...which lead to battery erosion and destroying the inside...eek! Don't do that!)

I am sad that it didn't work out because the positive points with this foundation had me very excited that it would be my "holy grail", but I just can't deal with the painful breakouts that it brought on.  That, for me, just isn't worth it. So, I am still on my search for something that will hold up through the day, not oxidize, not turn oily, be a good color match, not break me out, and not cost me an arm and a leg. Good luck, right?