CoverGirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir vs Revlon YouthFX Foundation + Concealer v Models Own Runway Matte Foundation

Sound the alarm: there are new drugstore base products!

Since both CoverGirl and Revlon have new foundations (on the pricier end of drugstore, IMO) on the market, I decided to battle them over the course of two weekends. Here's how I did it:

• I wore the CoverGirl on Saturdays; one of the two weekends I ran errands, the other I stayed home.
• I wore the Revlon on Sundays; one of the two weekends I ran errands, the other I stayed home.

In short, I gave them both a fair trial for a first-impressions style comparison. And I have thoughts- lots of them. I also added bonus reviews of the new Revlon concealer and a new foundation to Ulta.

Overall: Drugstore makeup is getting expensive. I'm watching price points creep up, but it really smacked me in the face with this post. 

CoverGirl Vitalist Healthy Elixir

The basics: 

Price: $11.49 (Covergirl.com), $11.99 (Ulta), $14.99 (Walgreens/CVS) for 30ml/1 Fl OZ (standard foundation size)

Shade Range: 14 shades

SPF: Yes, SPF 20

Shade Purchased: 705/Ivory (the lightest in the range)

Claims: Has vitamins, lightweight, full coverage, hydrating, oil-free, luminous

Packaging: Glass bottle with pump and cover (A+!)

I had high hopes for this one because I watched multiple beauty influencers on YouTube try this out and rave about it. They all cited the luminous finish, which I'm into here at the start of summer. Only one of them mentioned the reason why this foundation will never be worn by me again.

When I first applied it, I was into it. It lives up to the full coverage claim, and it looked like gorgeous, healthy, natural skin. I was loving it and couldn't believe how good it was for the price. It's a liquidy foundation but in a good way- it's what I like this time of year.

It started to break down in my T-Zone after about 4-6 hours and look a bit oily, but that's not the foundation's fatal flaw. I can blot easily this time of year.

It. Oxidizes. SO. FREAKING. BADLY.

I looked like an Oompa Loompa!

Weekend 1 I was self-tanned to about a NW20. Shade 705/Ivory- the lightest- oxidized to MATCH me. What the heck, CoverGirl?!? Weekend 2 I wasn't self-tanned and it looked like I'd been hit by an orange explosion within 4 hours and my face and body were different colors.

Since it's almost impossible to predict how a white mixer would change the formula and accurately predict the amount of oxidation, this foundation is useless to me. I'd recommend it only for our medium-complexion friends because most of the shades in this line are geared towards you. You might be able to deal with this but for a pale person this is completely unwearable and a waste of money by me. It's such a shame because I loved the finish.  CoverGirl, get it together. For real.

I didn't bother to take photos of my face because I was so embarrassed. Instead, I'll show you some swatches. In these, the one swatch was placed then allowed to set and oxidize for 2 hours. It was kind of fun to watch it become way too dark- like magic!

This photo is not retouched, color balanced, or anything. How in the HADES is this considered the LIGHTEST SHADE?!?! CoverGirl, this isn't ok.

I rest my case.

Bottom Line: If you're fair, this is a hard pass. If you're medium, try at your own risk.

Revlon Youth FX Fill + Blur Foundation

The basics: 

Price: $17.99 (Walgreens/Ulta) for 30ml/1 Fl OZ (standard foundation size)

Shade Range: 12 shades

SPF: Yes, SPF 20

Shade Purchased: 110 Ivory (the lightest or second lightest)

Claims: transforms the appearance of lines and wrinkles

Packaging: Opaque squeeze tube

OK, let's just get the price/packaging bit out of the way. This is extremely expensive for drugstore makeup, so I was quite let down by the somewhat cheap-feeling squeeze tube. Even the concealer came in a box! Although it's not fair, I had high expectations from this due to the price. There's some online debate whether 110 or 130 is the lightest, but at $17.99, I was not going to purchase multiple shades to figure it out.

There's also not a lot of claims, which also made me wonder about it prior to application.

It's funny in comparison to the last foundation- I had no idea about it going in, was dubious given the price point, and not a fan of the texture when I first squeezed it out.

This is a mousse foundation- it reminds me a lot of Rimmel Stay Matte or Dermacol Cover Foundation. I felt like Revlon missed the mark by launching for summer- this is more of a fall/winter/spring texture for me. I felt like this would be perfectly timed in the Southern Hemisphere.

I got best application by taking some of it on a palette, using my finger to dot/swipe on my face, then use a damp beauty sponge to blend out. One pass built to high medium/low full coverage and produced a gorgeous natural finish- slightly luminous but less than any dewy foundation. Coverage was great, it's just not a texture I think is right for this time of year in my climate. My audio notes included the following: "I like the coverage- that's not my issue. I can foresee this breaking down and sliding off my face in the humidity. Don't get me wrong, I have a feeling I'll pull this out in the fall."

Color 110 Ivory is a fantastic shade match for me at my natural NW13-15. I was a bit frustrated with it in that I wanted to keep the finish without powdering, but that's not possible. It has to be set. I wear glasses and waited 5 minutes after application (but didn't powder) to put glasses on to check it out. I tore up my nose. I wish cosmetics companies didn't do this to us glasses-wearers!

I powdered with the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting powder which took the luminosity down quite a bit but still looked good. My natural oils in the T-Zone started to poke through after about 5 hours but all that took was some blotting. At the 10-hour mark, it was still hanging strong. Consider me impressed! Yes, my imperfections did look somewhat blurred.

Bottom Line: I doubt I can wear this during the summer, but as soon as the humid inferno subsides I'll be reaching for this. I really love the finish and how it wore- but will look for sales. I recommend waiting for those 40% off drugstore sales and nabbing this to try or a BOGO Free offer and also grabbing the concealer.

I'm also going to throw in a mini bonus review for a foundation I tried in late May that's drugstore-priced that hasn't been talked about much.

Models Own Runway Matte Foundation

The basics: 

Price: $11.99 (Ulta) for 30ml/1oz

Shade Range: 8 shades

SPF: No

Shade Purchased: Porcelain 01

Claims: Matte foundation; smooth finish that saves face

Packaging: Squeeze tube in box

I picked this up at one of my local Ultas. Models Own is a UK-based brand that only recently came to the US in select Ulta stores (and online). One of the cool parts is that they have in-store testers. I decided to try the Runway foundation because it seemed that the lightest shade was hella light and would work on my complexion.

According to my notes, it's very thick and rides extremely heavy on the skin. I noted that this is only a Fall/Winter formula and color for me- and that it's one of the lighter shades of foundation that I own. In short, I wouldn't recommend trying it right now and would say wait until it's cool again. I remember being quite unhappy with how my makeup blended over it and just not happy in general. I won't give up on it, but it's extremely rare for me to put a note on a box and say try again in the winter.

Here's a swatch comparison of some of my lightest foundations. Note the opacity of the Models Own swatch- it speaks to the thickness of the formula.

Bottom Line: Not a spring/summer foundation; the palest shade is very pale-girl friendly. This foundation really is for those who want a full coverage, matte finish- it's hard to make your face have much luminosity with the foundation.

Now, let's move on to the other Revlon product that was released.

Revlon YouthFX Fill + Blur Concealer

I know this is on a quilt, but I was nabbing a photo before I played with it!

The basics: 

Price: $13.99 (Ulta), $14.99 (Walgreens/CVS) for 3.2ml/0.11FL OZ

Shade Range: 6 shades

SPF: No

Shade Purchased: 01 Fair

Claims: Immediately corrects the appearance of dark circles and lines and wrinkles

OK, let's stop here for a second. A drugstore concealer in a box? Nice, Revlon. What I'm not a huge fan of is the cushion wand on top of the click pen because I find those always get nasty. I'd have preferred for a brush-tip, to be honest.

Packaging: Click pen in box (!)

I applied this by clicking up twice (by the way, it takes a hot minute to get the pen to start dispensing product), then dotting the concealer on my underage and then using a damp beauty sponge to blend out. I was really impressed with it- it's buildable (I ended up with 2 layers to cover my undereye circles without corrector) and doesn't immediately crease. I had time to layer it, photograph, and then set before any creasing.

It held on all day without creasing. I set once with Hourglass powder and once with ELF Undereye setting powder. It performed well with both.

Here are a few comparison swatches. Part of the reason why it's not going to be an everyday staple is the shade.

From L-R: NARS Creamy Concealer- Chantilly, Tarte Shape Tape- Fair Beige, Revlon Youth FX Fill & Blur Concealer, Rimmel London Match Perfection- 125 Fair, LA Girl Pro Conceal- Porcelain, Catric Liquid Camouflage- 005 Light Natural

Bottom Line: I think this is fabulous for a more natural makeup day for me when my Shape Tape is noticeable. I think that this is a really good drugstore concealer and would recommend it to anyone.

If you've made it to the end of this really long post, you're awesome. I hope this is helpful to someone with all of the new drugstore base products on the market!

QBB Hauls: Various Drugstore Fun

Today's QBB Hauls is lots of fun drugstore products that I've been purchasing lately. I'm waiting for the big L'Oreal and Maybelline releases... I've got Walgreens rewards at the ready!

• Now, this first one isn't from the drugstore, but it's drugstore priced. If you want to know why I purchased it, watch this video. This is the Docolor Multi-function Contour & Highlight Brush- it's a drugstore dupe of the NARS Ita.
• I discovered Milani Rosa Romantica Baked Powder Blush- I think this is a new shade? It's #13. I found it at CVS and it's lovely. In the packaging, it appears to be lighter than many of the other shades. I decluttered most of the blushes from this collection because they were all dark, so this is exciting! Update: After writing the post but before posting, I opened and swatched. This is so a highlight, not a blush.
• Next up, two new Revlon releases. I have the Revlon Youth FX Fill & Blur Concealer in 01 Fair and the Youth FX Fill & Blur Foundation in 110 Ivory. Even though this won't match my body, I'm still curious to try it. At the price (really high for drugstore), I didn't want to get multiple shades.
• I finally picked up the Milani Contour & Highlight duo in 01 Fair because I'm going to try more creams (at least I want to).
• Not from my local drugstore, but I finally got my hands on the L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara! I can't wait to try it out and report back.
• Lastly, one of my local Walgreens was getting rid of L'Oreal Color Riche Extraordinaires. I like the formula with the one that I have, so I picked up 101 Rose Melody and 601 Nude Ballet for 50% off each.
• I also picked up Sally Hansen Miracle Gel 589 Punk-ish Purple at 50% off. I was obsessed with this formula last summer.

Now, a little bit of skincare/hair goodness/self-tanner.

I've got Yes to Blueberries (I love this), Yes to Primrose Oil makeup removing towels, Hask Greek Yogurt Color Protection Deep Conditioner Mask, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, and Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer (I can't wait to try this!)

I also have something else that I didn't get in the drugstore but it does fit.

Isn't the exterior packaging beautiful? The studio lights make it dance.

I caved when Wet 'n Wild said there were only 50 kits left. It took forever to get it. I ordered on 23 May and didn't get until 3 June. This is my first purchase from Wet 'n Wild direct, and I'm not sure about future purchases. I can get the brand at the end of my road (literally), so unless it's a special kit I'm not sure because I'm so impatient. Still, this is just special.

For those who have been living under a rock, the Wet 'n Wild Unicorn Glow Collection.

Please let me know if you'd like me to review any of these items.

What have you been purchasing from the drugstore lately?

Quick Five: Essential Mani Tools

Today's Quick Five is a bit different- here are my essential mani tools.  Although most of my nail looks are swapped within a day, I do try for longevity from time to time.  Here are my top picks:

1. Nail Files: I love my Sephora glass file in combination with this plain pink nail file I bought at Harmon when I lived in the NYC area.  I love them so much that I buy a handful of these every time I'm back in the area.

2. Buffer: I use a Revlon Crazy Shine buffer that I picked up at Ulta.

3. Tools: My nail clipper is Sally Hansen, from the drugstore, and I use Sally Hansen nail nippers.

4. Hand Cream: What's a mani without a hand massage? I've been using Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream lately.

5. Cuticle Cream: Dior Creme Abricot is the OG for a reason.  I'll type out a review of it one of these days, but it's the only thing that has kept my cuticles healthy.

Budget Beauty: Bordeaux Lips (Overview)

By now, beauty lovers in the know have heard that bordeaux is the color of the season for lips.  Sounds beautiful- but also not a trend to be taken lightly.  There's a fine line between vampy and vampire.  Readers of this blog have likely figured out that I'm ultimately a high-end makeup girl.  However, I hesitate to buy a high-end version of this lip trend because I'm not sure how much luck I'll have with it or how comfortable I will be wearing it on a daily basis. So, this presented me a perfect opportunity to flex my budget beauty skills.

While I may mostly be a Chanel and Dior kind of woman these days, student days and being able to afford drugstore makeup with a coupon weren't that long ago.  I used to pride myself on being able to stay on trend at a fraction of the price. Formulas and products have improved significantly since then, too.

Over three posts, I'll be bringing you the 10 items I purchased to test drive this trend.  I purchased in-store, and relied upon only the drugstore sale in one case and was able to stack a reward at the other store on top of the sale price and a store coupon.

Here's an overview of what I purchased:

• 5 Lipsticks
• 3 Lip gloss/liquid lipstick
• 2 lip liners

I purchased all items on one day (within an hour, actually), and visited two stores to do so.  My total for the items was $19.06 plus tax.

In my case, I can test 10 items (my own mini curated collection) for just over half of a Chanel lipstick.

I'm working my way through the items throughout the week- watch for posts as I get reasonable groups completed!

Drugstore Chic: Revlon Nail Art Chalkboard Nail Enamel

Although my usual makeup choices may lead you to believe otherwise, I can't pass up a great bargain.  Today, I have one of the best drugstore finds I've stumbled onto for awhile.

When this Ciate chalkboard nails kit first came out, I thought about it but quickly dismissed the idea. $25 for 4 colors? No thanks. The markers seemed like they'd smudge easily, too.

Every nail art trend always spawns the drugstore version.  And this time, I feel like drugstore has beat the high-end version!

Revlon has been stepping up their nail art game lately, releasing quite a few duos like those I'm about to feature. The only major downside is that you have to really watch the brush since excess nail polish gets on it easily and you can have a giant mess. If I hadn't had paper towels down, I'd have chalkboard nail enamel on my living room area rug!

For Autumn 2013, Revlon has released a series of eight LE Nail Art Chalkboard Nail Enamel Duos.  They retail for $8.99 each, but if you're like me you know how to watch for the plethora of BOGO sales to pair with your coupons.  I picked up this entire collection going to two different stores.  After combining sales, coupons, and store rewards, I walked away with the eight colors for less than the Ciate kit.  Budget beauty at its best.

I love the names of these polishes- they're aimed at the back-to-school crowd. Each duo has 0.26fl oz (combined) of nail polish. I'm going to confess right now: I don't know about wear time since I tested these on a nail wheel.  I lack the nail art gene, so you're getting a much better attempt at using these properly by painting a stationary object.

Over-achiever is the soft pink chalk color of the group. I found it relatively easy to work with, and opaque in one heavy coat or two thin.

Study Date is a bold neon orange.  It is the brightest polish of the group, and was opaque with one coat.

Teacher's Pet is a yellow chalk color.  As expected, this one needed a bit of love to get full opacity since it's such a light color.

Pass/Fail is a light lime green chalk. It was muted but yet opaque relatively easily.

Spring Break is chalky aqua.  It's a beautiful color.

Liberal Arts is a pale sky blue- and one of the standouts to me. It was opaque in one coat and really had a nice contrast to the base color.

Homecoming is a chalky lilac- and another of my favorites. I found it among the easier shades to work with.

Straight A's is classic white chalk.  Like you might imagine, the formula was difficult at best, and required precision and patience to achieve opaque lines.

My pathetic attempt at nail art, in order:

And some sad attempts at multi-color nail art:

Bottom Line: These are an adorable, budget-friendly way to try out this nail art trend- especially if you catch them on sale. The brushes up the difficulty level, but it's still great value.