foundation review – Hoots of a Night Al

Maybelline Dream Cushion Liquid Foundation

February 16, 2017 No Comments

According to their website, Maybelline’s “Dream Cushion Fresh Face Liquid Foundation delivers complete luminous coverage for fresh-faced perfection.” I only agree with some of that statement. While it does give you a luminous, fresh-faced look, I don’t think it gives you complete coverage or perfection. I recently received the Dream Cushion Foundation to try for free from Influenster.

This is the first cushion foundation I have ever used, so I was excited to test it out. I decided to try it for the first time with the cushion applicator included in the package. According to the instructions, you’re supposed to simply slip the cushion onto your fingers, press it into the cushion foundation, and tap it onto your face to apply the foundation. I found this method gave me moderate coverage, but it took a very long time to ensure there weren’t any bare patches or streaks.

For my second application attempt, I used my damp Beauty Blender. Once again, I pressed the blender into the cushion foundation and applied it to my face using a tapping motion. This worked slightly better than the cushion method, but it made the already light coverage of the foundation even sheerer.

Finally, I tried applying the foundation with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I dabbed my brush into the cushion foundation, stippled it onto my face, and buffed it out. This definitely seemed like the best application method to me, so consider trying different techniques if you purchase this foundation.

I found that the Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation provided a luminous, dewy affect. However, the coverage was definitely lacking. I tried to build up the foundation some, but it didn’t provide that flawless, matte look I’m used to wearing. (Duh, I don’t think it’s meant to.)

It definitely smoothed out many of my imperfections and evened out my skin tone, but I still had to use a lot of concealer for certain areas. Also, it did not wear well at all. I have combination skin, and anywhere I generally get oily, this foundation slid right off my skin. I did wear it with a primer and setting powder, but that didn’t seem to help at all.

I don’t think this claims to be a long-wearing foundation, since Maybelline advertises how easy it is to apply this on-the-go and carry it with you at all times. However, once I apply my foundation I add concealer, setting powder, contour, bronzer, blush, and highlighter…pretty sure if my original foundation is coming off, I don’t want to apply a second layer on top of all that.

Negatives aside, I do think this is a great foundation. If you’re someone who wants to simply even out your skin tone and prefer a fresh-faced look, this could definitely be the foundation for you. I think it would work best on dry skin types. However, with the right combination of primer and setting powder, it may work for any skin type. I can see myself using the Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation on days when I’m running errands and just want a bit of foundation and some mascara.

There are currently 8 shades (for reference, I’m wearing shade 20 Classic Ivory), and this will set you back about $16. That’s a little high for a drugstore foundation to me, so if you’re on the fence, purchase it somewhere that is good about returns like Ulta.

Have you tried the Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation? Any tips for me to help it stay put longer?

Primer

Nivea Men’s Sensitive Post Shave Balm (Full Review)

Foundation

Maybelline Dream Cushion Foundation in 20 Classic Ivory

Concealer

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Fair 15 (Full Review)

Setting Power

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Contouring Palette in Dulce de Leche

Contour

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Contouring Palette in Dulce de Leche

Bronzer

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

Blush

Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Pearlescent Pink

Highlighter

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Palette in Catwalk Pink (Full Review)

Eyeshadow Primer

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded (Full Review)

Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (Full Review)

Eyeliner

Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx (Full Review)

Mascara

Covergirl Super Sizer Fibers Mascara (Full Review)

Eyebrows

Ulta Brow Powder in Medium

Lips

Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry (Full Review)

Tools

Beauty Blender

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Wet n Wild Large Eyeshadow Brush

Wet n Wild Crease Eyeshadow Brush

Wet n Wild Contour Brush

Wet n Wild Angled Liner Brush

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

I received this product for free to review, but, as always, all opinions are my own.

Beauty

Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation and Concealer

May 13, 2016 6 Comments

I have been seeing the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation and Maybelline Fit Me Concealer praised all over the place lately. From people who love high end makeup to drugstore fans, these seem to be pleasing everyone!

I decided to jump on the bandwagon, so I purchased both of these products last week. I feel like I have finally used them enough to write a review.

No surprise, I’M A FAN! I purchased the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Fair 15. There is another light shade, Light 10, but it seemed to have more yellow undertones. Fair had pink undertones, which suits my skin better.

It comes in sleek packaging with a doe foot applicator. I have been using it as both an under-eye concealer and to cover blemishes and redness.

The formula is great! It’s so creamy and smooth, without being greasy or looking too thick. It easily blends out with either my finger or Beauty Blender and provides enough lightness without making me look like a raccoon.

In fact, my mom has been on the quest for a good under-eye concealer for years and has tried every high-end product around, and she recently tried this and loves it, too!

I think the concealer adds brightness, while blending seamlessly into my foundation, which is everything I look for in a concealer. Oh, and coverage, duh. It does a great job of that, too. 🙂

For the foundation, I picked up the shade Natural Ivory 112. It is the second lightest shade, and seemed to have similar coloring and undertones to the concealer.

I LOVE THIS FOUNDATION. It seemed slightly drying when I first put it on, but I decided to wear it regardless, and give it a chance. I’m so happy I did! I’ve always wanted to have that porcelain skin look, but I feel like I can’t ever achieve it with my freckles. This foundation got me the closest I’ve ever been!

It comes in a bottle with no pump, so I simply dot it around my face with my fingers and blend it in with a foundation brush.

It definitely diminishes the look of my pores (I think anyway, based on the photo below!), and gives my face a flawless finish without looking like I have tons of makeup caked. It supposedly contains micro-powders that help absorb oils throughout the day, but I still get shiny after a few hours of wear.

What else is there to say? I’m a believer! This foundation and concealer combination is my current favorite, and at around $10 for both, I think it will be for quite awhile!

Beauty

Beauty Blurbs: Japonesque Luminous Foundaiton

January 25, 2016 6 Comments

Hey y’all! Today, I wanted to review the Japonesque Luminous Foundation for you. I purchased this shade quite awhile ago, and it has definitely become one of my favorite foundations.

The shade I am wearing here is 02. There are only 10 shades available, so it may be hard for some to find their perfect match. I love how moisturizing it is without making me look greasy. The formula creates a dewey look that has a medium-full coverage.

I have some patches of redness on a my cheeks and forehead, and this foundation easily covers them.

The Japonesque Luminous Foundation costs around $36, which is definitely more than I typically spend on foundation (WUT UP drugstore cosmetics!?). However, I think the cost is justified for how great the product is.

It stays on my combination skin for at least 8 hours, though if you have very oily skin, it may not last as long. I use a finishing powder to help set it as well.

If you’re in the market for a new foundation, I definitely recommend giving Japonesque Luminous Foundation a try. Its dewey, luminous finish is sure to please any makeup lover!

Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 Talk to you soon!

Beauty

Beauty Blurbs: Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin

June 3, 2015 5 Comments

Hey y’all! First things first, I always have the desire to refer to my readers as “Hooters,” which is totally not okay. Unfortunately, it popped into my head one day, and now every time I start a blog post, I want to say, “Hi Hooters!” Don’t worry, I’ll continue resisting the urge, I just wanted to fill you all in on my creative process. 😉

Today’s post could alternatively be titled “Selfie Overload!” So…I’m sorry in advance for that! I am reviewing Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin and wearing the color “Buff,” which is the next to lightest shade. I have repurchased this foundation multiple times and continue to love it!

This foundation claims to provide “longwearing coverage with a lightweight formula that won’t cake, fade, or rub off.” I must agree! Don’t let the term ‘lightweight’ make you think it doesn’t offer great coverage! With a light layer, I am able to even out my skin tone and cover minor blemishes easily.

I have worn this foundation with and without a primer, and it stays on for HOURS each time. On the bottle, it says it can be worn for up to 24 hours, but the maximum amount of time I’ve worn it is around 14 hours. The normal/dry skin formula controls the shine even on my oily areas really well. If I ever have any issues I do a quick swipe with an oil-absorbing sheet, and I’m good to go!

This foundation works for me from day-to-night and light-to-heavy makeup applications. There is a Combination/Oily skin formula I have tried when my skin gets more oily, and it works great as well! With 20 shades, this foundation covers a pretty wide range of skin tones.

Another positive aspect of Revlon Colorstay Makeup is that I’ve been able to achieve both dewy and matte looks with it! On the left in the photo above, I used a blush with more shimmer (MAC Peachykeen) and a lighter application. On the right, I used a finishing powder (e.l.f. High Definition Powder), matte blush (MAC Pink Swoon), and heavier application. With simple variations, this foundation can provide quite a range of looks and satisfy several styles.

If it’s not obvious yet, I’m a huge fan of this foundation, and that has almost nothing to do with the fact that it’s only about $10! If you’re looking for a great, new foundation (that just happens to be inexpensive!), definitely try out Revlon Colorstay Makeup!

Beauty

Beauty Blurbs: Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation

May 26, 2015 10 Comments

I figured it was high time for my first foundation review on Hoots of a Night Al, so I decided to start with one of my tried and true favorites. The Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation is a great, affordable, medium coverage foundation. With 14 shades to choose from, it will fit a range of skin tones. Another perk is that it can be found at most drugstores as well as Walmart and Target for around $10 or less.

As always, I typically apply my foundation with a MAC 187 duo fibre face brush. I have had this brush for years, and it really blends my foundation evenly. However, I have also applied this foundation with my fingers, and the results are still great.

As you can see in the photo below, one layer of the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation covers almost all of my redness and helps with my under eye circles. The “3-in-1” claim implies that this foundation combines primer, concealer, and foundation in one step. I am happy to say it can be layered to achieve fuller coverage for trouble spots. Of course if you have more severe skin issues, a concealer will always aid in covering up those areas.

On my combination skin, the foundation lasts for around 10-12 hours without a primer, so I think their claims are pretty fair! With a primer, it lasts even longer, of course.

Another perk of this foundation is that it has SPF 20 included, so you’re helping to protect your skin all day. This product is unscented, which is nice. It has a relatively matte finish, and you can add a finishing powder to help your look stay fresh all day.

Covergirl’s Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation is one of my go-to drugstore foundations for the price and quality. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced product for everyday wear, I would give it a try!

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