Product Review: Makeup Prepping With Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing Primer

(Picture above represents the 1/2oz. size which is no longer available for purchase!)

CAMELLIA ROSE SKIN SMOOTHING PRIMER V2.0 1oz./$24 USD
http://www.camellia-rose.com/

"This is the second version of our Skin Smoothing Primer. We're calling it Version 2.0!

We took out the squalane and red raspberry which some gals are sensitive to and have added two oils that rarely cause reactions at all, Camellia Oil and Rice Bran Oil! We have kept Watermelon Seed Oil, because it is so great for the skin and also rarely causes a reaction. You could say this is the sensitive version! But this works for any skin type :)

It works perfectly as a base under your mineral makeup. You only need a small amount to cover your entire face.

We suggest using the dab pat smooth method, then letting it dry for about 2-3 minutes before applying your makeup."

INGREDIENTS
Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Camellia Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, Rice Bran Oil (cold pressed oils!)

Price: 4 of 5
Packaging: 2 of 5
Product Texture: 5 of 5
Smell: 4 of 5
Overall: 5 of 5

PRICE
The original price for the 1oz. container is $24.00 and can sometimes be seen on sale for $18.95 on the website. Be sure to check what the current price is going for.

My initial reaction to anything costing nearly $20 for a single product that's not a name brand, whether it goes a long way or not, kicks my frugal nature into high-gear. But only after testing any product for some time, can I really attest to how much its worth my dollar. And for the Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing Primer, this price is very much justifiable.

For $24 (even better when it's on sale!), you get 1oz. of the Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing Primer in comparison to spending $36 for Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer which does the same thing. And to ease the price factor in nicely, you're paying less for the same amount of product in Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer AND it has better ingredients for your skin such as Camellia Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, and Rice Bran Oil!

PACKAGING (based on the 1/2 oz. packaging, not the 1 oz. packaging)
Because I purchased the 1/2 oz. size before it got discontinued, it was packaged in a plastic, squeeze-tube container (as shown above). Personally, I'm not fond of this packaging as it is one of those containers that needs manpower once the final product nears the neck of the opening. The squeezing factor is great because it gives me control as to how much I can dispense but like I said, once it nears the neck, it's very hard to recoop the rest of the product without some serious thumb muscle action! Good call for Jen (Owner of Camellia-Rose.com) to only offer the 1 oz. from here on out which comes in a pump container! Plus, you get your monies worth with the 1 oz. anyways.

PRODUCT TEXTURE
When applying the Camellia Rose Skin Smoothing Primer, it leaves the skin feeling silky soft, velvety and ready for makeup application. The main ingredient that attributes to the feel of this product is Dimethicone, a silicone-based polymer, which is found being used in cosmetics and personal care products for a variety of reasons such as skin conditioning, skin protecting, anti-foaming, hair conditioning, etc... As I apply the primer to my face, it gives an initial mattifying look as it smooths and fills in fine lines.

SMELL

When it comes to products that contain natural ingredients, I've always known there to be some "stinky" ingredients which make the product less sensory-appealing. But with this product, it houses a very subtle aroma of watermelon with a hint of Camellia Oil (which I only know the smell of because I moisturize with it at nighttime) which is not overwhelming at all to the senses. I'm not exactly sure what Rice Bran Oil smells like, but even if it is noticeable, the overall smell is rather pleasant.

I do wish there was a bit more fragrance as the aroma is very subtle, but it's not something I'll be losing sleep over.

APPLICATION METHOD
Jen suggests to use the "dab, pat, smooth" method when using her Skin Smoothing Primer. I find that this method works well for me as does using a duo-fibre skunk brush like the MAC 187.

When using the "dab, pat, smooth" method, it is exactly that - dab, pat, and smooth the product around your face. But always remember that when applying any product to your face using your hands and fingers, to apply gentle pressure so as not to stretch your skin which promotes wrinkles.

When applying with a duo-fibre skunk brush, such as the MAC 187, I place a very small amount of product to the palm of my hand, dab the tips of the bristles in the primer, stipple the product around my face then buff in a circular motion to evenly distribute.

WHAT I LIKE

• Little goes a very long way with this product! (Translation: Bang for the buck! YAY!)
• It contains natural ingredients like Camellia Oil (hair and skin conditioning properties), Watermelon Seed Oil (moisturizing, quick absorbing, rick in Omega 6 and 9 EFAs, dissolves sebum buildup), and Rice Bran Oil (collagen formation, antioxidant).
• The way it makes the skin feel smooth and velvety.
• The delicate smell of watermelon.
• Didn't break me out.

WHAT I DISLIKE

• The 1/2 oz. packaging. This won't matter however because this size will no longer be available.

OVERALL

This is definitely a makeup staple in my book. If you're looking for a makeup primer that is very similar to the touch and feel of Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer but with some natural ingredients that have great benefits (not to mention a waaay better price tag!), you should take some time to go to Camellia-Rose.com and check it out. I actually just placed my order for a 1 oz. bottle and should be receiving it just on time for my birthday! A little treat to myself.

Do you have a makeup primer that you enjoy just as much?

Aloha,
Mrs. Lynne

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New Loot: Mailman Brings Buff'd To My Doorstep, Part I

Earlier this month, Buff'd Cosmetics excitedly fused in a few new things into their product offerings. Not only is Jennifer Burns, Owner of Buff'd Cosmetics, promoting 20% off all full-size products until July 31, 2008 AND a new formulated foundation color named Cognac (dark shade with heavy yellow undertones; darker than my HG foundation in Camel), their foundations are now available in three formulas: Light, Original, and Concealing.

Jennifer is always such a delight to work with and headed Camel in the new Concealing formula my way. And if you've had the pleasure to do business with Jennifer, you know that she never stops there and always includes a little something extra. She surprised me by including Caramel in the new Concealing formula as well, since that is the next closest color that my skin likes, and to top off the package, I was gifted with a sample of mineral eyeshadow in Fairy Tale.

(Left) Camel in Concealing and (Right) Camel in Original

(Left) Caramel in Concealing and (Right) Caramel in Original

The main ingredient difference between the Original and Concealing formula is Kaolin Clay. Kaolin Clay is a natural absorbent found in many hygiene products as well as cosmetics all over the world. It is high in mineral content that makes it beneficial for oily skin yet it does not take away the skin's natural oils making it also great to use on those with dry skin. It is also mild enough to be used by those with sensitive skin. It is known to rejuvenate the skin while exfoliating it, increasing circulation, and clearing pores when used as a mask.

The coverage of the new Concealing formula is fantastic. It really smooths out the skin and makes it so soft to touch - I don't know of any other foundation that does this! Although I don't need the extra coverage, I've personally stayed away from full-coverage foundations purely based on the fact that I don't enjoy the extra weight of ingredients on my face. I need anything on my face to be as lightweight as possible.

But with Buff'd's new Concealing foundation formula, there is no weight difference between this formula and the Original formula that I use. This is a major plus and one of the main reasons I liked Buff'd from the beginning because their foundation felt nearly non-existant on my skin.



The new formula is such a dream. And after a long day, I've noticed how the Kaolin Clay works hard to keep the oils at bay because I found myself not needing to touch up as often.

I cannot say enough good things about the new formula. Definitely a winner on my list for sure!

If you think this is good stuff, stay tuned as I will reveal to your shortly what else the mailman brought to me from Buff'd. In a word = color!

Aloha,
Mrs. Lynne

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Buff'd Cosmetics: I Loves Me A Good Matching Mineral Foundation

If there is one thing in my makeup arsenal that is not MAC, and I repeat NOT MAC, it is my foundation.

Yes, folks. You read it right!

With as dedicated as I am when it comes to MAC (and I think y'all know just how dedicated I am), you'd think I'd gone mad to not be constantly sporting the ever popular MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 or the latest MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation. I own both and don't have any problems with either, but with the newest emphasis on pure mineral products swarming like flies at an island picnic, I was lucky enough to find one that works for me.

Buff'd Cosmetics is based in the northern city of Prince George, British Columbia, Canada and is handled by the lovely Jennifer Burns. Just recently launching a new face to her online store, Jennifer really takes pride in her business and it shows.

From the beginning, Jennifer has always been one of the kindest ladies to deal with when it comes to online customer service. I mentioned to her what shade I was in MAC terms and she suggested a few foundation colors. I tried a few of the shades already formulated in her foundation line and sent her detailed pictures of the results so that I could get her professional opinion on how she felt about how they melded with my skin.

These are swatches of the mineral foundations she suggested and sent. Clearly from the swatches, Toffee and Caramel were in my color arena.



If I could choose my own skin color, Toffee would definitely be top of the list. Unfortunately, Toffee is too pink for my current skin tone but perhaps in another life, Toffee.





I thought Caramel was a great color match, but after taking pictures and seeing that there was still a very, very slight variance in color, I decided to get a hold of Jennifer and key her in on my dilemma. After sending her my visual results of Toffee and Caramel, she took matters into her own hands to create a custom formula to cater to my warmer skin.

The result? Custom #1 and Custom #2.






One thing that is very important in choosing the correct foundation color is to see that the transition from jawline to neck is as seamless as possible under all lighting conditions. As you can see, the two custom formulas Jennifer came up with are really spot on. But the verdict stands that Custom #2, has won my heart over. And with only 5 ingredients, great coverage, and the lightweight feel that this mineral foundation gives off, it makes it that much more enjoyable to know that I'm doing my skin some good.

Jennifer is currently in the process of adding Custom #2 to her permanent line of foundation colors and will soon be available for purchase as "Camel". So be sure to keep on the lookout if you feel you are of similar skin tones as I. As a MAC reference, I'm an NC42 in Studio Fix Fluid, NC45 in Select Sheer Pressed Powder, Medium Dark in Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, and Dark in Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation.

Need to get your mitts on these right now?

If you feel like these shades are in your territory and would like to sample Custom #1 and/or #2, then feel free to email Jennifer your request. If you would like to purchase a full size container of Custom #1 and/or #2, then add "Caramel" to your cart and after submitting payment, send Jennifer an email letting her know your information and that you'd like either/both Custom #1 or/and Custom #2. Please don't forget to let her know that Mrs. Lynne @ MakeupFix.net sent you :)

I hope your foundation is holding up and all are ready to embrace Hump Day!

Aloha,
Mrs. Lynne

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Product Review: MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation (Loose)

MAC MINERALIZE SPF 15 FOUNDATION (LOOSE) $29.00 USD

"A lightweight loose powder foundation that utilizes the power of minerals to provide the skin with a smooth, radiant, natural finish. Brushes on the skin for sophisticated, medium-buildable coverage. Special mineral complex helps keep skin healthy and nourished while the blend of moisturizers and conditioners in the formula help create a smooth, flawless application. Provides essential everyday SPF 15 sun protection." ~Source

PRICE
Retailing for $29.00, the sticker price doesn't shock me when it comes to MAC foundations. That sounds about right for a high end brand if not more affordable next to brands like Laura Mercier and Vincent Longo. But if $15 for L'Oreal Bare Naturale Foundation is already a splurge, then the price of MAC Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation (Loose) just might have you visualizing what your stomach would look like after having to subject yourself to Cup O'Noodles for the next month.

PACKAGING
In terms of creativity, I think the packaging is very cute. But depending on your brush of choice, unless you plan on using the fluff 'cap'licator that it comes with or a brush with a smaller circumference, it may not work as well to accommodate something like the cult favorite, MAC 182 (buffer brush). And being that it is mineral foundation, there needs to be room for a swirl and tap.

The foundation pot fits easily into one's palm which also makes it easy to toss into your purse for on-the-go touch-ups. Albeit the container is bulkier than your average slim compact, but if you have a messenger bag or a trunk size handbag, this product will easily blend in with the rest of your belongings.

Now ain't that cute... aww. Lol.

And it just isn't mineral foundation without a sifter, is it! What I like about the sifter is that in using a MAC 188 (small duo fibre face brush) for application, the synthetic ends of the brush can pick up the powder right through the sifter without ever needing to tap the cup on the butt. It also helps keep a hot mess at bay.

MAC designed the Mineralize Foundation to include an attached puff applicator that twists securely into the top of the cup. With an ergonomically friendly handle that makes for easy gripping, it definitely makes buffing a cinch! It even comes with an extra puff for when you need to change it.

The applicator is very soft against the skin, and in a word, pampering. But despite the pamper treatment, I'm not one for using puffs or sponges after realizing how much bacteria accumulates on them. Instead, I apply the MAC Mineralize Foundation with the baby skunk brush, MAC 188.

PRODUCT TEXTURE
The texture of the MAC Mineralize Foundation is almost like that of flour. Soft and airy. It smooths over the skin very nicely and really fills in those fine lines making the skin appear more smooth and evened out.

In the first picture, I only covered what would be known as your left with the MAC Mineralize Foundation. Concentrating the foundation on my cheeks, you can tell that it evened out my skin pretty well.

In the following two pictures, I applied moisturizer,
primer, and concealer PRIOR to putting on the foundation.

This picture is to show you how my face looks with both sides completely covered with the MAC Mineralize Foundation. Overall, it looks very consistent on my face. Coverage was definitely buildable, but since I don't use much to begin with, I used enough to just even me out.

WHAT I LIKE

• The overall design is pretty snazzy. I'm a sucker for unique packaging.
• It's soft texture and the smoothing properties that give the face that nicely polished look.
• I don't have to turn the cup over in order to dispense more product as my brush picks up the powder conveniently through the sifter.
• Anything that has SPF is always a plus!
• It is lightweight on the skin. It could be that I didn't have to use much, but even at that, I could hardly tell it was on.
• This could go either way, but I do like that there are 8 different shades to choose from instead of having to worry about NC or NW.
• The puff applicator is conveniently housed for those quick touch-ups when you don't have a brush available. Not to mention it is soft as clouds!
• It gives MAC disciples the opportunity to have choice in a mineral foundation.
• The puff applicator locks into the cup to prevent spillage while making it easy to tote around.
  

WHAT I DISLIKE

• On the flipside, that there are 8 different shades to choose from instead of having to worry about NC or NW. Some people might think that if it was available in NC or NW that it might be more color accurate.
• I have read that the shade that you think you are might be a notch darker than what you actually need.
• They could have packaged the base to be a bit wider for those who would have liked to use a kabuki brush to buff the foundation on.
  

OVERALL
I'm still going to stick to my non-MAC mineral foundation as I like the fact that it is a true mineral foundation without added fillers and is spot on the money in color match. But with that being said, I honestly don't mind the MAC Mineralize Foundation at all. It's soft, filled in fine lines, gave adequate coverage, didn't oxidize on me, and was a fairly good color match. I would definitely recommend this to those who can resonate with the reasons on why I like the product.

Hope you all are having a great Wednesday so far! Happy Hump Day!

Aloha,
Mrs. Lynne

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Product Review: Oils of Aloha's Kukui Oil

Living in Hawai'i definitely has it's perks. You're practically minutes away from the water, the sun is warm, people live the 'aloha spirit', and rainbows are full here. With that said, the island is still not immune to humid days or cold weather during this time of year. Although you won't find Lake Tahoe snow or iced lakes here in December, the cold mornings and harsh winds can do some dirty business to one's skin. Especially when it comes noon time and it's all of a sudden humid.



The island is home to the Kukui Tree and the infamous Kukui Nut Leis (shown above) you see being worn all around and hanging from car rear view mirrors. Availabe in a variety of styles and designs, who would have guessed that the oil of this seed could benefit the skin.

I first heard about Kukui Oil a couple of years ago. My sister-in-law (SIL) had really bad (and I mean BAD) eczema in California because of the dry air there. Prescribed ointments and lotions were the only things she could use on her sensitive skin and even at that, the results were minimal. From there, Wal-Mart's OTC Equate Dry Skin Cream was by far a better solution and eventually replaced all the doctor's prescriptions.

My mother-in-law (MIL) ran across Kukui Oil at a store here on vacation and bought it to try it out on the SIL's skin. Claiming to relieve dry skin, sunburn, eczema, and psoriasis she just had to put it to the test. After continual use of the product, eczema was a thing of the past. Her breakouts still occurred, but less often and definitely not more than what she was used to having. Then when they moved here, my SIL's skin cleared up just from the tropical air!

So if this oil could do wonders for eczema, then what about using it to moisturize?

Now mind you, I have oily skin. To use it anywhere else on my body was fine. But once the thought of using it as a moisturizer for my face presented itself, hesitation kicked in like a natural born reflex. And I'll let you know right now that it took some coaxing and a little extra reassurance to just try out the oil on my face. And even then, I only started using it as a nighttime moisturizer because its night and who the heck cares how my face is! So I took the plunge and tried it. The worse thing that could happen was I'd have an allergic reaction and/or breakout from it. Either way, if after a consistent trial of using it and I didn't start to notice any results (not dramatic results, but just ANY results), all I'd have to do is stop using it and go into recovery-mode. But at least I knew.

But oil on an oily face? You'd think I'd gone mad. Well the mad truth behind oil production is this. Your body secretes oils to lubricate itself. Although you'd think the purpose was really to drive you to your wit's end crazy! When the oils are stripped, your body thinks there's less oil so it produces more to make up for the oil that was taken away. And the more oil you take away, guess what? The MORE oil you're going to produce to compensate. Plain and simple.

So I decided that if I couldn't beat my own body's game at oil production, then I'm going to play game to get it to produce LESS oil, NOT MORE. Herein lies my Kukui Oil.

I have been using this pretty regularly for nearly a month and the results are just as you've seen in my FOTDs and my most recent Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) Tutorial. My skin feels soft and supple, it looks smoother, and even moreso after incorporating the OCM into my regimen, my T-Zone shine is getting under control.

On With the Oil

The oil is very light in viscosity. Not thick like pouring a bottle of Glycerin onto your hand. And although the bottle says "Fragrance Free", the overall smell is just like that of oil.

The Skinny on Application

In order for oil to work, you need to use it on a damp face. After washing up, I fill my prayer hands with water and douse my face with it. Then I scrape the drips off my face with an arched hand. You want your face to be damp not wet. Since my hands are still damp from the dousing, I squirt a TINY bit of the Kukui Oil into them. Tiny should resemble 3-5 drops from a dropper. I then rub my hands together to distribute the oil and then work it into my face. Because my face is damp, gliding the oil across the skin is easy and if you can meditate on good energy, very relaxing. I concentrate on my nose and forehead since these are the areas where I would like the oil production to stabilize. And then keep massaging the oil until EVERYTHING has absorbed into my skin.

When To Use It

I started using this as a nighttime moisturizer until I finally got down how much oil to use. Initially I was using too much oil and the result was exactly what I was afraid of, an oilier face. But after working out the kinks and realizing that 3-5 dropper drops is barely anything, it works like a charm. After bringing the amount to use under control, I've moved up to using the Kukui Oil as a daytime moisturizer as well. And since you barely use much, one bottle will last awhile!

Overall

I can say I've faced my fear of putting oil on my face and am glad I did. The results on my skin are more than I imagined. And I don't say this to boost up my confidence or self-esteem, but only because just like good sale you see going on, you have to share it.

Hope Tuesday is doing it's duty and keeping you uppity UP!

Aloha,
Mrs. Lynne

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Product Review: Everyday Mineral Foundation Samples

I warn you now: Be prepared for all the bare faced pictures :)

Mineral makeup has been on the market for years but is now more evident in becoming a more mainstreamed product. Cosmetics companies like Bare Escentuals have been in the mineral makeup biz for years while companies like L'Oreal have expanded their makeup line to include a mineral alternative such as their Bare Naturale line.

Whether you're a vegetarian, do yoga, choose water over soda, or make the simple decision to take a shower, there's always a part of us that wants to make healthier choices for our mind and body. And when it comes to makeup, we're lucky we have such an alternative to a safer and more natural approach.

As you know, I received my Everyday Minerals haul the other day. This is my first time ever diving into mineral makeup. So needless to say I'm a mineral virgin and have no expectations other than knowing I'm supposedly doing something good for my skin. I'm also learning how to identify potentially harmful ingredients that are usually found in regular cosmetics, but at times it just looks like random letters put together with the word "oxy" stuck somewhere in between. Clearly I'm new here.

As part of my order, I had 3 samples of foundation: Medium Deep (Golden), Medium Tan (Golden), and Sandy Medium (Warm) all in the Intensive formula. I chose this formula because it says that it gives "an extra boost of lasting intensive coverage with a silky near-matte finish". I've always been a matte kind-of-gal due to the shine that my face produces. And I'm in dire need of lasting coverage as I don't have time to be touching up because of these little people called kids.

After swatching the colors, I knew that Medium Tan and Sandy Medium were more in my territory. Medium Tan definitely has more yellow in it whereas Sandy Medium has a bit more pink. In the following pictures I started with a sheer layer of Sandy Medium, a few layers of Medium Tan after, and then topped off with Sandy Medium on the outer parts of my face.

Bathroom Lighting

Natural Lighting


This is so you can see the transition from face to neck.
Pretty darn good, huh?

MAC Foundation Range
NC42-43

Color Payoff
Seamless and natural if you find which shade(s) match(es) you best. It's also very lightweight and like they say, "less is more". I applied sheer layers of the foundation to build the coverage I wanted and the color melded into a flawless finish.

Ease of Use
Applying mineral foundation is a fairly easy process. Tap a small amount of product into a ceramic bowl or into the lid of the container. Infuse the powder into the brush, tapping off the excess. Then build your desired coverage using a circular motion. Depending on your current application method of liquid foundation (i.e. stippling, buffing, etc...), applying mineral foundation will probably take the same amount of time unless you just use pressed powder. During pressed times, I normally swirl my kabuki in my Sheer/Select Pressed Powder which doesn't take long at all, so applying mineral foundation does take a tad bit longer, but only by a couple minutes.

Tools
I used the MAC 182 since it's the only kabuki brush that I have. I wouldn't mind getting a flat-head long-handled kabuki brush.

Using this is great if you...
-are looking to give mineral foundations a try. You can choose 3 different shades of foundation so you're bound to find one that's close to your skin tone. And if not, then you have the option to mix and match your selections. And on top of the foundations, you can also try out a concealer and blush/face color. All you pay is shipping.
-want to take that natural approach to makeup.

Using this is not so great if you...
-think the process of applying mineral makeup may be too time-consuming.
-are just purely not interested in the benefits that mineral makeup has to offer... couldn't think of anything else :)

Overall...
I really like the product. It smoothed out my skin and hardly felt like there was anything on. I think I'd like to try out their pressed powders just because I'd like something convenient when I don't have the time to swirl, tap, and build. But aside from convenience, it's worth paying for shipping. Who could go wrong with that?

Aloha,
Mrs. Lynne

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