Product Review: Bare Minerals Foundation

     I'm on a search for the best foundation/powder out there. My "solution" at the moment is to just try it all, so when my MAC liquid foundation and pressed powder was running low, I made the switch to Bare Minerals. The Bare Minerals website, http://www.bareescentuals.com/, says the following about the Bare Minerals foundation:
"Our ORIGINAL SPF 15 Foundation gives you all the flawless coverage you want with a naturally luminous finish that won't clump or cake. It's clinically proven to improve the appearance of your skin over time. The creamy minerals diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles without drying out your skin. Its silky, soft texture looks like a powder, but feels like a cream and buffs on beautifully. Made with only the purest, highest quality ingredients. It's makeup so pure you can sleep in it.®" I definitely agree that it doesn't clump or cake and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this about BareMinerals! One of my bigger issues with MAC foundation is that I definitely feel like it's cake, however - I have used it in a way that doesn't make me feel that way, but that's for another time. Another great pro - it definitely covers my imperfections and makes me appear as though my skin is flawless, not the makeup. However, there is a down side which I have found to be disappointing - unlike my MAC foundation and powder which last for at least most of the day, I have not had that experience with BareMinerals and that's something that is really disappointing for me. I work with children and when I wore MAC foundation and powder to work, it was still there at the end of the day. Not so much with Bare Minerals - by noon the imperfections of my skin are fully visible, as if I hadn't put makeup on that morning.
After a few days of this happening, I popped in the introduction DVD BareMinerals is so nice to include to re-watch it, under the assumption that this was 100% user error. This wasn't the case. The DVD says that you only need to use a very minimum amount to achieve full coverage. I have not found this to be accurate. In order to elliminate most of the redness of my skin, I have to go over my face 3-5 times and it doesn't eliminate all of the redness, some of it just turns to light pink.
I do greatly enjoy the fact that it doesn't feel oily or heavy like MAC tends to, but I appreciate the longevity of the MAC foundation and powder way more.

So at this point, when my BareMinerals runs out, unless something changes - which I will update on if it does - I will be trying a new brand next go around. MAC is still winning at the moment.

Product Review: OPI Drip Dry

Back in January, the Hubster had the opportunity (and in my opinion priviledge) to go the Long Beach ISSE Show. Unfortunately, I had to go to work while he got to go play. Lucky for me though, he picked up some fun goodies! I was so excited when he showed me that he had picked up OPI DripDry Laquer Drying Drops. 'Cause let's face it, how many times have you gone to do your nails and have them get messed up right before you leave? I don't know about you, but this happens to me frequently.
According to OPI, DripDry Laquer Drying Drops "Dries nails to the touch in one minute, completely in five, with just 1 to 2 drops. Soothes cuticles with jojoba. Recommendation: When you need to get out the door in a hurry!"

I'm calling their bluff.

While I definitely agree with the fact that it really does dry nails to the touch in one minute, I completely disagree with it drying completely in 5 minutes. Luckily when I used it, it was a weekend so I didn't have much to do - and I'm usually skeptical about "quick drying" anything related to nail laquer. So I painted my toes, waited just long enough while I read through the instructions of OPI DripDry and followed them. I applied 2 drops like instructed, put my feet up for a minute and then tested to see if they were actually dry to the touch. They were! In all seriousness, I was ecstatic. It was working, but I was still skeptical. I continued to put my feet up for an hour - one full hour. According to the product, they were completely dry and I was free to do whatever I pleased. I spent the next hour cautiously walking around the house completing chores and then hopped in the shower. Much to my dismay, when I got out after waiting 1 hour and 55 minutes longer than I should have had to, my nails were damaged! They were all wrinkly, like when you put on a pair of cute shoes before the polish is dry and they get all smudged... you know what I mean.

So, OPI - what's the deal? Why was the nail polish, which was also OPI, damged so much after waiting almost 2 hours? I've had better luck with the 99 cent brands...I will be giving it another shot, but from a cautious first use with outcomes as they were, I won't be expecting much better the second time around.

Introduction: Makep by Sara Colello

Website

I want to make people feel as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside.
     From an early age, I fell in love with makeup. My passion for makeup artistry inspires me to learn more and to appreciate creating beauty in every face. There's something so invigorating and thrilling about sweeping my brushes over the canvas of a beautiful face. I seek to accommodate each client with customized attention in order to achieve the outcome they deserve. It is pure joy creating looks that are uniquely catered to each individual; whether a client wants a natural, fresh wedding look, a commercial beauty look or a haute couture fashion look.
     I have worked with numerous photographers, models, wardrobe stylists, and clothing designers and am the official makeup artist for Anthony Colello Hair Styling and Digital Obsession: Photography by Frank Wise. Makeup by Sara Colello is currently providing professional quality services to Phoenix, Arizona and its surrounding areas as well as parts of South Orange County, California. I look forward to working with you!


With all of that said, here is my blog that will be written in as I see fit. Enjoy! If you have any suggestions, questions or comments don't hesitate to e-mail:  makeupbysarac@gmail.com