Decisions Decisions

Doesn't it sometimes feel like we are all always looking for that one perfect product? I have one friend who is always buying new blush- striving for the perfect glow. I have another friend who has a trash can filled to the brim with discarded mascara in search of the best lash. And of course- the ideal concealer is something that eludes many.

Well lately I have a new product I am constantly hunting. For the first time in my life - I need foundation. Now truth be told, I have dabbled with foundation in the past. But I have always been lucky enough to use it only on special occasions or for when I really wanted to look polished. However with my twenties further and further in the rear view mirror - the reality is that my skin needs a little help.

Now mind you, I know that I am lucky. For the most part, I am not dealing with super deep lines or sun spots or acne scars or any of the other myriad of skin issues that women face. My biggest issue is splotchy skin. I crossed 30 and all of a sudden I was a little more red around the nose and a little uneven overall. Suddenly, my usual powder and concealer combo was not working. It was time for something a bit more serious. I have used mineral foundation in the past and had great success but I am feeling liquid is my future.

So here I am - in search of something that will allow my skin to show through but will still even me out.

The first thing I purchased was this...

Stila One Step Correct - $36 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

I have been using it for a couple of weeks. I like that it is a primer that addresses many skin issues. However, I am not totally impressed. I think that there are better primers out there for less money. I don't feel it evens me out all that much and while I do like the moisturizing feel - I am not loving its work on lines or pores. Regardless, I am willing to stick with this primer for a bit longer. At least until I can see what this primer mixed with the right foundation accomplishes.

Now for the real issue....

The reason I am in a deep quest at the moment is because I cannot get my hands on this....

My long time favorite. But Prescriptives, alas is no more and my shade of Traceless is sold out on line and everywhere else I have checked.

So in a quest to find a new fave for natural coverage - these are the two new foundations I am going to try:

1 - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 - $45 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

This little bottle promises exactly what I am looking for - "invisible, lightweight coverage that looks like skin, not makeup." If that statement is true - I have found my new best friend.

My second option if good ol' Bobbi Brown fails?

2 - Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation SPF 15 - $38 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

I love Smashbox and am currently a huge fan of this...so I have high hopes for this foundation as well - even though I am going to give Bobbi Brown the first draft slot.

So wish my luck BGNDers....and tell me what products are you constantly hunting for?

And of course - check back in with me to see how these foundations held up....

Keep looking fabulous,

BGND

Old but still sad news...

So this information has been out there but I still wanted to address it now that I am back to blogging...

Two of my go-to makeup brands are going out of business! They have been staples for years but unfortunately we all know that in this economy no business or individual is really safe!
In case you don't know who these companies are....

Max Factor and Prescriptives...so sad.

Now Max Factor has been around forever...If you want some background on the company - check out their Wikipedia page here. They have made countless innovations in nearly every field of cosmetics - umm...they created foundation, lip gloss and waterproof mascara for goodness sakes!

And Prescriptives, while not as old as Max Factor was seriously formative for me in middle school and high school and they are a current favorite of makeup artists and celebrities. They have done amazing things in many areas of cosmetics and skin care including being the first company to really come out with any kind of cream highlighter or reflective makeup with their *Magic line. ( Some day I will share with you my nightmare black light experience with one of their early reflective lotions!)

Anyhoo - the saddest part for me of both of these companies going out of business (besides the obvious real world concerns of job loss etc..) is that these two companies carry two of my ultimate go-to products.

Max Factor makes the AMAZING Lash Perfection Mascara. A perfect separator, lash-coater and darkener for each and everyone of your lashes. Plus it is UBER affordable at $8.99!!
I will be going out and purchasing many many of these tubes of mascara...They are amazing and will be sorely missed! If you go out to buy this - just remember LASH PERFECTION- sometimes the packaging is different.

Prescriptives makes more than one product that I have used over the years - from eye shadows to concealer to fragrance. One that I have purchased over and over is the awesome Traceless Foundation. It is light, smooth as silk and provides great coverage without looking like you are wearing foundation. It literally just makes your skin the very best it can be. I am SO sad that Prescriptives is going away- this is THE ONLY liquid foundation I buy. Not surprisingly - Traceless is totally out of stock on line. You are going to have to hit a Prescriptives counter if you want a container of this gem.

Both of these companies are being shut down and pulled off the shelves in January 2010. So if you are a Max Factor or a Prescriptives fan- get your goods now!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

Prescriptives for the cure

I am not sure why there aren't more people who are major followers of Prescriptives. Perhaps it is because they are one of the only major lines that is not at Sephora?

I have been a HUGE fan since middle school when a friend of mine introduced me to the brand. Her mother was allergic to Formaldehyde and back then, Prescriptives was one of the only brands that was exclusively Formaldehyde free. Prescriptives has come along way since those days and now is the maker of some of my all-time favorite products. Why am I telling you all this?

Because now is your chance to get acquainted with Prescriptives and get a deal at the same time. Right now at all Macy's, Prescriptives is having a great deal to promote their mineral make-up line.

They have two very popular options - the Mineral Powder and the All Skins Mineral Makeup with SPF 10. And for a limited time when you buy either of those products you can get a FULL SIZE tube of Flawless Face Primer and a FULL SIZE Foundation Brush (specially formulated to work with either mineral foundation- liquid or powder), all for only $17. That is a MAJOR steal. The brush alone makes this a killer deal as Prescriptives' brushes are amazing quality and very long lasting. My everyday brushes are Presriptives and I have had them for years.

So if you are new to Prescriptives or perhaps looking for a new mineral makeup, I say take advantage of this deal. I never met a product from Prescriptives I didn't like and I don't think you will either.

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND