What I Thought About What I Bought: Contouring Powders

Hello my fellow cosmetics lovers!  Today, I am giving you a review on my first contouring powders.  I am pretty basic when it comes to make-up.  I have oily skin and too much make-up is not a good mix.

I have long read the benefits of using contouring and highlighting shadows but never tried them, until recently. So far, I have tried two.  One works great for me and one, not so much.  Kim Kardashian made Ben Nye Banana Powder famous.  Everyone has probably seen these before and after photos and she makes it look so easy.

I ordered some online and tried a few times but couldn't get this powder to be as great on me.  I tried applying it with a medium sized kinda firm brush but made more of a mess than anything.  I took a couple day break and tried again using a flat, foundation brush.  It went on much better and didn't make a mess at all.  I waited a few minutes (as recommended online) and blended with a beauty blender.  Unfortunately, I just never got a look I loved and I ended up breaking out on my forehead.  I am not sure what triggered it, but since I stopped I haven't had any issues.  

I did a little more research and found this SMASHBOX combo set online at Sephora and decided to order. It cost much more than the banana powder did but Sephora is so great about returns, I thought...what the heck and splurged for it.

I opened the package and found that it had complete, super simple instructions plus a brush (shown).

 

I was initially concerned that the brush was so soft and fluffy that it may not work well but it is great!  There are instructions right on the mirror and the powder goes on so smooth.  There are no instructions on blending but I am using a kabuki brush (there are so many choices) and blending in after I finish the contour/highlight steps.  I top with a touch of blush.  (I love NARS)  

This is a little work for everyday (although the process is fairly simple) but I will definitely take the extra steps for a night out and maybe some big meetings at work.    

Have you tried contouring and highlighting?  Tell me what you think.      

 

What I thought about what I bought: Benefit + Kerastase

Today I am talking products.  I looooovvvveeee my products.  So fun to try to new stuff, especially with such generous return-policies with most stores.
A couple of my recent buys include more gorg eyes and better hair with some new powder/texture spray.

Up first: V.I.P. (Volume in Powder) spray from Kerastase.  My hair is baby fine and I rely on volumizing, texturizing products to give me a little oomph.  I wash daily so I never get to enjoy that second-day hair my friends do.  This spray was described to me as dry shampoo and texture spray having a baby.  Too funny. The lady that cuts my hair was so excited to see me and try this out.  It's great.  I spray at the root, kind of under my hair and lift up sections to spray all throughout.  Even a sideways head tilt for some top coverage works great.  I have effectively eliminated hair powder and finishing spray.  For those lucky enough to was every other day, the ladies at the salon say it's even better the second day.  It smells great and so far, generous application hasn't created the limp-effect from product overload.  Love this!
{Read more about it here}

Next up, I snuck through Sephora at lunch time last week and it just happened it was launch-day for a new eyeliner from Benefit, "They're Real! Push-up liner"  It's a new eyeliner that has a rubber slanted-tip and the eyeliner gel is stored inside the mechanism so it doesn't dry out.  I am used to wearing dark brown eyeliner so I have to learn to love this being darker but the tip makes it easy to apply.  It goes on soooo smooth.  Go grab this, you'll love it!

Sephora Sale - Ends soon!

Did you get your mailer?  Their 15% off VIB sale ends Friday, April 11th.

Here are a few of my favorite Sephora buys.

Sephora Faves by eporter-217 featuring Christian Dior

My cosmetic faves

Oooohhhh, one of my favorite topics: cosmetics.  I listed my daily-use faves.  I shop mostly online at Sephora.com and rely on reader reviews when deciding what makes it in my online basket.  These are the cosmetics I am using right now.  Check out my next post for my favorite drug store finds.

My cosmetic faves by eporter-217 featuring Christian Dior