Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer

I know, another drugstore concealer. I've been testing a few of them, especially since I'm looking to make a few changes in my routine.

Say hello to the most recent viral sensation, Makeup Revolution's Conceal and Define Concealer ($7, Ulta). Call it exceptional timing with other brands that we won't mention setting fire to their own empires, but customers were on the hunt for a good, inexpensive replacement with an inclusive shade range.

There are 18 shades in the range, which promises full coverage and long wear. For your $7, you receive 0.11fl oz of product.

I really love this large doefoot- it does call to mind the high end product they're coming for with their advertising (and admittedly the product I'm having issues with supporting right now). I've been testing a few new concealers and have come to the conclusion that I like the oversized doefoots, especially since I'm usually getting ready pre-dawn. Every second matters.

I picked up two of the shades on launch day from Ulta.com: C1-fair skin, neutral undertone, C3- fair skin, pink undertone.

I'll readily admit that I expected for C1 to be my shade, but at $7 I was willing to take a chance. This time of year I'm NW13.

Yup, C1 for me.

Now, let's do a quick comparison to a bunch of fair concealers in my stash so you can see where these fit in.

It's not as light as Tarte Fair/NARS Chantilly (they're very close in color, it's a formula preference to be honest, and I'm trying very hard to get back into the NARS), but it's a nice natural looking undereye.

Now, let's talk about the wear. I didn't photograph it in-use, but the fact that I've been wearing it every single day under my eyes since I got it should tell you what I think. This performs all day, doesn't crease that much (at my age, everything's starting to crease, and my undereyes were still rehabbing from the damage from the Maybelline Fit Me. Check out last week's post for details.), and is overall a nice concealer. It's more full-coverage than the Smashbox, which is what I had been testing for most of January.

Bottom Line: At $7, you really do need to try this out. It's already one of my favorites in my expansive collection, and it holds serve against high end favorites. I'm sold.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer Shade Extension 05 Ivory

Fit Me Concealer.

Those are three words that most beauty junkies know well, and hold their tubes near and dear. Sadly, the shade range has been pitiful and even your QBB has been unable to test it. The Fit Me Foundation (in the Matte and Poreless version) has probably the most inclusive shade range in the drugstore... but the concealer? Lacking.

We first got inkling of a shade extension on the brand's Instagram at the beginning of the year, and I spotted the expanded range at my local Walmart when they redid the overall displays in January.

There are also two new darker shades in this release.

Finally, I got to play with the formula.

Now, I'm not totally new to the Fit Me formula; I played around with Shade 10 (the second lightest) last summer when I was really self-tanned and liked it. So, the idea of a Fit Me concealer that would work for me year-around? I was in.

I love that brands are starting to put their products in these blister packs. I'm able to buy with confidence that nobody has tampered with it.

The basics: Maybelline Fit Me concealer is a cream concealer with doe foot applicator, and retails for $6.58 for 0.23fl oz. I've yet to see the shade extension other than in-store at Walmart (and this is post-Walgreens reset that I'm writing this, but pre-CVS/Rite Aid).

Shade 05 Ivory is much, much lighter than Shade 10:

And, keeping it in the parent company family, here's how the lightest shade of Fit Me compares to the lightest L'Oreal Pro Glow:

What a freaking joke, L'Oreal. In what universe is that Classic Ivory?

I reference the L'Oreal Pro Glow for a specific reason that arose during testing.

I remember liking the Fit Me formula. I need to do some research to see if it's been reformulated because my reaction was completely different. The coverage is beautiful and I loved how it looked under my eyes. However, I developed serious sensitivity and a possible reaction after using it for two days in a row similar to what some users have reported with the L'Oreal Pro Glow. It felt like my sensitive undereye skin had been burned; I ended up dabbing aloe where the concealer had been.

So, the shade range is getting better. But for a reaction to the formula, this is a hard pass (and why I wouldn't put it back on my eyes for photography- it's just not worth it.).

NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer

After having settled into a concealer rhythm (OK, maybe a rut. But it worked.), I've found myself exploring concealers again. I'm reminded why I cling to my HGs so tightly- there are good, bad, and ugly concealers out there. I won't spoiler this review.

Today we're talking about the NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer. At $4.99, it's one of the cheapest concealers I've tried in awhile, and with its 23 shades, has one of the better shade ranges. After checking Ulta's website and discovering that my preferred shade was out of stock, I headed out to one of my local NYX Stores to find it. It's not a new release, but it's new to me.

One small caveat: I have a couple of the color correcting shades. But I've never tried the skin toned versions.

I tested Shade 00 Alabaster- the lightest of the range. According to NYX's website, this is "alabaster with neutral undertones".

With regards to the applicator, it's the normal doe foot.

I have to admit that even Shade 00 was a slight bit dark on me.

However, I think it is doable. Let's go to the eye shots so I can show you how I worked a slightly too-dark shade. First shade is unblended, second is blended out.

I'm getting all real up in here- look at those naked lashes and natural brows!

Yes, it's a bit dark but it's workable. I do like to blend in a bit of Shape Tape when I'm not testing this on its own to lighten it up.

Let's talk wear time, creasing, and overall impressions.

I love this concealer. I love it enough that I wish there was a lighter shade! It requires a bit of finessing under my eye to really cover everything, but it's perfect for a natural day. It lasts all day, and doesn't crease on me. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Bottom Line: This is a drugstore gem, and now I understand why it's so widely stocked. I recommend finding a shade that matches you and enjoying!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Concealer

Although I've been loving so many Anastasia Beverly Hills products as of late, I've avoided the line's base products until recently. Perhaps it's because I've heard poor reviews for my skin type with regards to the stick foundation that I skipped the concealer.

It took a sale over July 4th at Ulta that dropped the price from its normal $20 to a mere $10 to tempt me. Because I've spent $10 on a drugstore concealer!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Concealer retails for $20, contains 10g/0.35oz, and is available in 15 shades. I purchased mine from Ulta, but it's also available via Macys and the brand's website. As I've started to note, ABH is a cruelty free brand. (I'm not cruelty free but I know this is rather important to many consumers. I tend to purchase cruelty free when I can, but I do review EL, L'Oreal, etc. Please note- any attacking comments will be removed.)

I nabbed the lightest shade- 0.5- as a hunch. I was right, as the shade works wonderfully on my natural NW13-NW15 skin.

With the notable exception of the NARS Soft Matte Concealer, I generally hate pot concealers. This looks similar to the eyeliner and Dipbrow pots, only it's concealer.

The container has frosted glass look, although it's a plastic jar. I'll readily admit that my expectations were rather low.

Alright, enough rambling. Let's open this up.

This initially comes with a plastic covering across the concealer (see the small tab on the left?)

With that open, I can see that 0.5 is a creamy neutral, slightly leaning yellow shade. It wasn't until I dipped into it that I could tell anything about consistency or coverage until I swatched it:

Wow.

After testing this for a week or so on a daily basis, I have so many wonderful things to say about it. It's glorious for spot concealing, but it's not an undereye concealer. Just the tiniest pin prick covers so much, and the amount of pigmentation is mind-boggling. I found that this lasts all day and even looks natural, blended out when wearing a tinted moisturizer. I'm just sorry that I hadn't tried it earlier.

Bottom Line: This is a wonderful, full-coverage concealer that I recommend checking out, especially if you're able to catch it on sale. It leaves a radiant finish- a perfect compliment to my other favorite potted concealer (NARS Soft Matte). It's overwhelming just how little you need to use, and this pot will last forever. This is not an undereye concealer. But it's gorgeous as a spot concealer and to cover larger red areas.

It's All About That Catrice Base: HD Liquid Coverage & All Matt Plus Foundations, Liquid Camouflage Liquid Coverage Concealer, and Prime & Fine Primers

Today's post started out in my head as a first impressions of a new foundation from Catrice Cosmetics (HD Liquid Coverage Foundation), and evolved into a review of all of the base products I own from the brand. Sometimes that just happens.

For those who aren't familiar, Catrice Cosmetics is a European drugstore band. It was introduced into the US market late in 2016 via the brand's website, Ulta.com, and select Ulta stores. Luckily, one of the stores that has a full Catrice setup is only a 15 min detour between my home and my childhood home. As a result, I've been able to grab a few items.

I will preface my review with this caveat: the shade selection is terrible. It's pale girl friendly but not WOC-friendly. So, I'm sorry to those who can't find a shade match.

The HD Liquid Coverage Foundation ($10.99, Ulta.com) is a new release from Catrice. It's more expensive than the other foundation I have. But since I've had such a great experience with the All Matt Plus foundation, it was worth splurging on in a recent Ulta order.

It's quite a thin formula, as I accurately predicted given the packaging. It took quite a few dots but it did give me a nice, airbrushed look.

Here's a swatch of the lightest shade, 010 Light Beige:

For reference, I was about a NW13-15 when I took this photo.

Here's a glimpse of just the foundation, before setting with some Laura Mercier translucent powder. Yes, it did oxidize a bit- but this is also just how pale I am.

Overall, good coverage. I would either pull down my neck or use a very light powder.

It wore pretty well over the course of the day and didn't break up, using the Catrice primers.

Bottom Line: If you can find a shade to match you, I recommend trying this foundation. It feels lux for a budget price.

I only purchased the HD Liquid Coverage foundation based upon my experience with the All Matt Plus foundation ($8.99, Catricecosmetics.com)

This is such amazing packaging- it's a glass bottle with... a PUMP.

I have shade 010 Light Beige, and this has become one of my go-to foundations on the weekend. It does stand up to my summer combo skin and doesn't break down. I will admit that it's quite light though. Here's a swatch:

It doesn't oxidize, either. I'd put it in my use up pile when it disappeared from Ulta's website, but now that I know it's on Catrice's site... I really do like this a lot.

Bottom Line: I highly recommend trying this out. It's a true matte, light drugstore foundation that stands up to all-day wear.

I also have one of Catrice's concealers- the Liquid Camouflage High Coverage Concealer ($5.99).

It's supposed to be a full coverage concealer. The wand is flat, and the formula is similar to Urban Decay's Naked Skin concealer.

The shade's a bit dark for me (005 Light Natural) and it requires a couple of layers. Here's a swatch:

It has a formula that would work well under the eyes, so I tested it (again) when I tried the HD Liquid Foundation.

Clearly my dark circles were out to play. I took this before I set- and yes, it creased because I didn't set right away. I hate putting this photo up, but I'm being real.

Bottom Line: proceed with caution; I know of plenty of others who like the concealer as-is.

Just to wrap up this part of the post- here's a comparison swatch of the HD Liquid Coverage, All Matt Plus, and the Liquid Camouflage Concealer.

Now, let's talk some primer.

The Catrice Prime & Fine Pore Refining Anti-Shine Base is a white, water-based fluid primer. It gives a soft finish but has no silicone in it. I find that it holds onto my makeup for a full day. It's oil free, and works for a full day even in the summer.

It blends out beautifully:

I also pair it in my trouble areas with the Catrice Prime and Fine Smoothing Primer.

It's a potted primer similar to the Winky Lux, Tarte, and L'Oreal versions.

It's a silicone primer that is lighter weight and feels more emollient than any of the others that I mentioned. I like it, but it's not my favorite in this category.

I have to be careful when I blend it out. This swatch is rather heavy:

Bottom Line: Catrice makes some awesome primers, and I look forward to trying some of the others.

I advertised this post as base products only, but I'll give you a peek at one of the other amazing product I've tried- the Liquid Metal eyeshadow.

That doesn't look like a $4.99 shadow, does it?

Bottom Line: I think Catrice is a value brand worth exploring. Its shade range for base products is limited, but the products punched well above their weight. Although it's mostly an online-only brand here in the US, it's worth checking out.

L'Oreal Infallible Pro Glow Concealer & Powder

This summer, L'Oreal continues to extend their Infallible lines- there are new lips and face products coming. Today we'll talk about the brand-new concealer and powder that the brand is releasing for Summer 2017.

I'll admit that I was disappointed that L'Oreal chose to create a Pro-Glow concealer rather than a Pro Matte, because I've never been a fan of the Pro Glow foundation, whereas the Pro Matte is one of my drugstore Holy Grails. I'm halfway through my second tube of Pro Matte, but am mixing in the Pro Glow during the winter for finish. I can't wear it alone.

I don't think I've found this at local stores yet but purchased mine from Amazon. I'm making this clear because I didn't get to see it in person prior to purchase.

When it arrived, my heart sank. I'll get to why in a bit.

Let's talk packaging. It reminds me of Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, which I decluttered because 10 is too dark. It's a slim, square tube with a flat applicator.

Now, here's my issue with this. I purchased shade 01 Classic Ivory. On my hand is Pro Glow foundation 201 Classic Ivory.

I have two thoughts.

1. FAIL
2. What the *&*&*, L'Oreal ?!?!?!?!?!

I didn't even get to test the formula, this is such a ridiculous fail. Because I want to make my dark circles even darker. Glad L'Oreal's on the cutting edge of that trend. UGGHHHH.

Look at just how damn dark this thing is:

Are. You. Kidding. Me. ?!?!?!

L'Oreal, this isn't acceptable. Your LIGHTEST shade would be the 5th-7th darkest in Shape Tape.

ARGH.

I could vent all day about this, but let's move onto the other release- the brand-new Pro Glow powder. I do have its cousin Pro Matte and like it.


The packaging is similar to Pro Matte.

The powder isn't.

This is such a unique powder- there's actually 2 powders in there!

It's reportedly a demo-matte powder with an included highlighter. The upper shade is demo-matte and slightly darker, whereas the lighter shade on the bottom is a highlighter.

Here's a swatch:

I'm really digging this product- it gives such a nice, airbrushed look without becoming a glitter ball.

Bottom Line: The powder's worth checking out, but the concealer is a ridiculous hard pass that's unacceptably dark.