My New Foundation Routine: Initial Feelings

Hi friends! I know I was supposed to update you all the next day after the big foundation test (the summer outdoor children's party in Alabama heat) but I believe I still may be recovering from that! LOL I have continued basically the same foundation routine the remainder of the week and today I was not planning on going anywhere so I have slapped on my Philosophy "Take A Deep Breath" and am using this opportunity to clean my brushes and sponge.

So here's my thoughts about the different products I have used this week each day:

1.  Philosophy "Take A Deep Breath" (sample received as part of my $10 June Glam Bag Subscription) : I am very pleased with this product. It doesn't seem to really help with any redness I have (Although I've seen they do have a moisturizer to help with that and will probably try that next.) however, this gel-like moisturizer has a lovely cooling feel when you apply it and does not feel greasy at all to me. The little sample sized tube has been wonderful and with using I would say a double pea-size amount each time has lasted me about 10 uses and maybe has 1 or 2 left in there. I will give my final review and decision to repurchase when it's completely empty!

2. Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer: Ultra Light Formula ($8 - Walmart): This is another product I am very pleased with so far! I will start by saying the one thing I would change about this product is that it feels EXTREMELY greasy when it goes on and frankly I was really worried about that making me break out (which is not normal for me) or increasing my redness. I wish they could change this initial feeling because I think it could scare some people off but when the product dries it leaves your skin as silky and smooth as a newborn baby's bottom!! LOL There is no feeling of greasiness when it dries at all and it really does make a nice smooth layer for you to apply your color cosmetics on top of. This product is white in color and is clear when you spread it so this product would not be used to help conceal anything, just help make a smooth surface. I had hoped that whatever primer I chose would help to conceal my redness without having to use an actual concealer so again, this is another product that I have not decided yet if I will repurchase and will give a final review and decision to repurchase when it's completely empty. 

3. Revlon Colorstay Makeup in #250 Fresh Beige for Oily/Combination skin ($9.99 - Target): This product has lived up to ALL expectations to me thus far AND lived up to it's name for me. I already have serious issues with facial sweating when it's not 100 degrees out in Alabama, but now that it is actually that, I have an even greater need for a long-wearing foundation through the heat and sweating. When I bought it I was not sure about the color and I also didn't realize I had picked up the one for Oily/Combination skin and I have dry skin. I have been very pleased with the color choice for me, I usually have to pick the lightest shade of foundation as I am fair skin and I tend to avoid the sun as much as possible during summer months but this color, a couple shades away from the lightest, seems to suit me well and looks natural when blending down the neck. Also, I was afraid the Oily/Combination product would be bad with my dry skin and hasn't been too bad thus far. My dry patches haven't gotten worse, but that being said, I do not think this type of foundation is helping to make those patches less dry either. My plan is to go ahead and work on finishing out this bottle and to keep an eye out for Revlon sales and my Revlon coupons and see if I can't pick up one pretty cheap for dry skin. As far as coverage, I would say this is a medium to heavy coverage foundation. When using a blending sponge to apply (thoughts on that coming next) you really do have the option to control the coverage more than say using your fingers or brushes (in my experience) to apply. I consistently went over each area and then would go back again to my reddest of areas. I found that 95% of the time my redness was well covered. As posted in #2, I will probably be on the search for a concealer in the next week  or so that is light and can be of help to me just during days I really need it. 

4. Sonya Kashuk Blending Sponge ($10.49 - Target): This product has been fabulous for me. In my opinion, this product, blends well, holds well in the hand while applying, is able to be used on all areas of the face thanks to the different sized ends, helps you control your coverage and rinses out well daily. I had previously seen several reviews where the reviewers had trouble rinsing our their sponge, but I have not encountered that. I am about to do a full washing with some foaming face wash so will let you know next review how well that works out. I have used the same process every day with this sponge to get the results I've had. I get the sponge wet under the faucet and I squeeze out really well until you can't really tell if it's wet or dry. I then put a dime size amount of foundation on the back of my hand, I dab the sponge in the foundation and then I use a light stippling motion all over my face. I truly feel like this product helps me to achieve an even application and airbrush-like finish. This will be my LAST review on this product until it comes time to replace it to let you all know how long it lasted for me. As stated in my last blog, I currently have no intention of trying the Beauty Blender (the pink, egg-shaped one). FABULOUS PRODUCT!!!

5. Mary Kay Loose Powder in Ivory #1 ($14.00  - Local Mary Kay Rep): This will be my last thoughts on this product until the winter months as I have made the decision to put this product away until the weather gets cooler. When I wore this product the other day out in the heat, once I did start sweating quite a bit, the powder did start to clump up again (not pretty). I spent 90% of the time at the party blotting my face. Since that day I have chosen to go without the powder and I have not experienced that again. As I stated before, I did really enjoy the powder when I wasn't sweating so bad, so I will give it another go when it gets cooler out. 

And that's it folks! I have been pretty pleased as well with the wear of my eye makeup, but I do think I will go back to using the Tarte Eyelid Primer that I was using when the True Blood palette came out. It really helped with any creasing and the over all look and wear of eye products. As usual, the STAR of all my face products HAS to be the Tarte Eyelash Primer and Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara! I will never go back to anything else! I am a very emotional person and that mascara has held up though everything... Tears, Sweating, and even unintentionally rubbing my eyes after a long day. FABULOUS PRODUCT TARTE!!!

If anyone has any questions, let me know! :)

Julep Maven Subscription - May 2012 Box

Happy Friday everyone! I'm starting this blog with a review of my May Box from my Julep Maven Subscription. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this service so please check out the link to the left if you are interested and you can get your first month for just a penny! What comes in a Julep Maven box?? Keep reading!

Ok, so first of all I want to talk about the actual service. Julep is based out of Washington with one of their salons in beautiful Gig Harbor, where I used to work at Artbeads.com back in the day! Last month I had to call to update my credit card information and was greeted with a pleasant voice message where I was asked to leave my information for someone to call me back. Having had mediocre experiences with companies in the past, I honestly expected to be called back the next day. Boy, I was I pleasantly surprised when I was called back within 5 minutes.... by a PERSON ... who spoke ENGLISH!!! HAHA! HOLY COW! That never happens anymore! The lady who took my call was so kind and when I told her I used to work in Gig Harbor she personally invited me to come to one of the salons the next time I'm in the area and told me all about how Julep Mavens get a discount! AWESOME!

Their next A+ in my book goes to their shipping department. Each package arrives lightening fast AND with tracking information! I really do not like when you pay for something and you don't know where it is until you have it in your hands. So.... A+++ to the Julep Shipping & Customer Service Departments!

Now let's talk about packaging... SUPER CUTE! Each month, you subscription arrives in a very sophisticated looking black box with Julep Maven in white writing. When you open it, everything is packaged perfectly! Each box has arrived with a cute crinkle paper of some kind to act as padding and then each product in the box is carefully placed and wrapped in either a sturdy box or a cute bag or tissue paper and some ribbon. They even wrap any of the glass nail polish bottles in bubble wrap for extra protection!

Julep also includes a card to describe what you are getting in your box and I always seem to find some "extras" thrown in which is always wonderful in my book! Wait... did I say "thrown" ?? Most companies I've purchased from, when they include something extra, it always seems to be just an extra product they've had left over or something, a product that has nothing to do with anything else in the box, and it's just "thrown" in there. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate ANYTHING that is free. However, it just seems like such a nice touch to include a surprise extra that coordinates with something else in the box!

One of this month's cute "extras" was this Julep Daylight Defense lip balm with SPF 15. This product coordinates so well with the lotion that was included with my subscription this month. It is labeled as "Vanilla Mint" and it definitely is that! The lip balm itself is very soft and creamy and not oily at all. The vanilla mint scent is fantastic and the mint leaves a cool sensation around your mouth without being overpowering at all. The ingredients are natural and make me feel good about applying this product daily.

My next cute little summer surprise... 2 pixie sticks!! LOL! I haven't had one of these since I was little and so the memories just came flooding back! Thank you Julep for the flashback moment! :) So adorable!

This next little card was tied with a ribbon to the outside of the package. I LOVE Katharine Hepburn so I thought this was an adorable little inclusion with this package. It really seemed to fit with the box. As you will see the nail polish colors are bold but the other products encourage you to be responsible in having all your summer fun!

Now, on to the actual subscription products for the month! (Can you believe all that other stuff were just freebees??!) One thing you need to know about being a Julep Maven is that it is very much customized to you. When you sign up for the subscription, you take a little style quiz and it places you into a category: American Beauty, Boho Glam, Bombshell, Classic with a Twist, & It Girl. (But you can always pick which ever box you want in the end! Will explain that later.) My Julep Maven style is Classic with a Twist. So far I've just gone with their suggestion and have not changed to any other style boxes. So, the first product you see here is the Julep SPF 30 Daylight Defense for Hands & Face. The box reads, "The one-step solution for beautiful hands, nails and skin. Vitamin E hydrates skin and strengthens nails, while built-in SPF helps guard against fine lines and sun spots. - No parabens or sulfates - PABA-free - Ideal for everyday use"

My thoughts: This product feels so good on the skin! I have only used it on my hands so far and not my face, but I love what I'm feeling so far. The product to me has an extremely light citrus-y scent and is not oily, or greasy feeling; it just feels very soft. It really is a pleasure to wear! I plan on trying this out underneath my tinted moisturizer at some point on my face. 

Also with my subscription this month came 2 Julep Nail Polishes. LOVING these cotton-candy-like colors this month!! On the left is the pink polish called "Lauren". I would lean to say this is almost a hot-pink. One the left is the blue polish called "Claire". This is a beautiful true sky-blue color. 

These polishes were close to a recent nail tutorial I saw about water marble nail polish so it inspired me to give it a try! It's not perfect, but I love how the colors came out and when they blend, it gives a beautiful purple hue.

So there's my take on the water marbling with those 2 colors. Not too shabby for my first time, I don't think! 

Here are some FAQ about Julep Maven Subscription:

1. How much is the subscription? You can get your first month for just $.01! Seriously, that includes your products and shipping! After that, each box you choose to keep is $19.99 including shipping. 

2. What if I don't want a box during a particular month? Julep is AWESOME about this! Each month you will get an e-mail saying that your box is ready to view. You then have a few days to choose one of the following options.

a. Keep the box as is and do nothing. Your card will then be charged when the box ships.

b. Choose one of the other collections.

c. Gift the box to a friend (This is a great idea for a last minute birthday gift!) The box of your choice will be sent to the person you choose and your card will be charged when it ships to them.

d. Skip a month. (There are no penalty fees or anything of that kind when you choose to skip a month)

3. How can I become a Julep Maven NOW!? Just click the link to the left! If it doesn't show your box as a penny, just ask me for the latest coupon code!

--So that's it guys! I hope you enjoyed my review on this box and please let me know if you have any questions! I would love to know what you got in your Julep boxes this month!--

Yours... -- Jessica --