FAVORITES | February 2014 and Mini-Reviews on MUFE Full Cover Concealer and Benefit Fakeup Concealer!

So it's been really rainy today so the lighting was off. Still, I wanted to take pictures of everything so I apologize beforehand for the sucky quality. Now that the logistics are out of the way, let's head into my February Favorites! ❤❤❤❤

The first favorite I have is the Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I've had for months now and never actually used it, which makes me facepalm a million times because it's soooo amazing! I have a ton of foundation that I haven't been using because I wanted a "looks like her real skin--but is it real??" kind of look. When I applied foundation with my fingers, I got really good coverage but it looked a bit cake-y and I hate using my fingers for my makeup; I dislike getting dirty and so when there's product on them, I have to wash my hands, like right away. I've tried a couple of brushe from e.l.f. and didn't really like the streakiness. I even got the Beauty Blender (still sitting on my table after 2 uses) and didn't get the exact finish I like. The bristles are so soft and but dense, letting you blend with ease. So long story short, the Buffing Brush is amazing, better than the Expert Face Brush, in my opinion.  I'm sad that I can't get this brush alone but I am tempted to buy another set just so I can have more of these brushes! You can find this brush (in a set with 3 other brushes) at Ulta or Real Techniques. If you are in the UK, you can probably find them at Boots.

To go along with this brush, I've been using my Covergirl Stay Outlast 3 in 1 Foundation. I got in the summer, which is when my skin gets super oily and while I found that it controlled my oil, it just didn't look natural. It went to the back to my collection until I recently pulled it because my skin was breaking out (darn hormones!). I applied it using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and I've been loving it so much more! It really does cover my redness, pores, and hyperpigmentation marks with one layer. Some days, I don't even need to set it because it sets well without feeling sticky. It does transfer onto clothing if you don't set it (I learned that when I put my chin on my black pants while I was studying--luckily, I was able to rub it off before leaving the library). I have it in the color 842 Medium Beige, which is a little too pink for me but I blend it down my neck and you can't tell. I feel like after I add powder and blush, you can't tell that it's a little off. After wearing it for 4+ hours, it oxidized to match my skin better. Even though it's winter right now, my oily t-zone is still producing a lot of oil but this foundation keeps me matte for at least 4 hours; after that, my oils do break through but it isn't so oily to the point I look sweaty. I actually like how this foundation looks after 4 hours because it's more of a dewy look that doesn't look overboard.

The Innisfree No Sebum Pact has been my favorite powder this month! I really like the small compact because it can fit into my bag for on the go touch-ups. There's also a mirror and small puff included, which is handy. It definitely absorbs my oil without making me look cake-y. A little goes a long way, which I'm very happy about since I have to buy it online. This powder is super popular among Korean beauty bloggers so I was curious about it. Innisfree is a more natural beauty brand so I appreciate that. This powder comes in two packaging types: compact and loose. I got the compact, even though it was more expensive, but I'm a super klutz, so loose powder just means trouble for my butterfingers. However, I get more uses out of it because it's more portable. This powder is part of a range of products designed to control oil so if this powder isn't enough to control your oil, check those out!

Okay, so this is a splurge for me because I've been using my Maybelline Fit Me concealer and L'Oreal True Match concealer pretty much since I started wearing more makeup. I wasn't happy with the coverage or the color but just didn't know what else was out there. However, the MakeupForever Full Cover Concealer is a cult favorite that I just had to try and I'm so glad I did! It matches my skin tone perfectly, which was my biggest problem with my drugstore concealers. Even though L'Oreal has different a lot of different shades and undertones, I couldn't find a good match for me. I had to mix a lighter shade with it to make my perfect match, which was kind of trial and error; some days, it would be too light and some days it would be too dark. With the MUFE concealer, I never have to play scientist and mixing concoctions anymore (no offense to the real scientists out there!). It comes in 12 shades online and I forgot how many shades they offered in store >__< I have it in shade 7 Sand. The tube packaging is my kind of concealer because you can get the most out of this product. I think it's more sanitary as well. It claims to cover scars, tattoos, hyperpigmentation, and burns, and while I don't really have any of those other than hyperpigmentation, I'm very satisfied with the coverage. It also claims to be waterproof and while I have not tested that, it definitely does not budge on me. A teeny, tiny bit goes a long way--if you apply too much, it can look cakey so be careful! I love using this on days that I don't want to wear foundation but still want coverage. Since it matches my skintone so well, it looks super natural, which I never thought would be possible using my drugstore concealers. Now I have nothing against them, as I still do use them from time to time, but I feel like they blend into my skin better when I have foundation on. This one is better for those lazy days (like, every day, really). It also sets super quickly--like within 30 seconds and after that, it's pretty much budgeproof for the entire day. I don't see my oils breaking through on areas that have this concealer on but it is the middle of winter so my oil production isn't as strong as it is in the summer. I have high hopes for it though and I can see why it's a staple in many makeup artists' kits. I highly recommend you try this out; it's a bit expensive at $32 for 0.5 oz. but I use so little of it to get the desired coverage (compared to my drugstore) that I think it's definitely worth it--find yours at Sephora!

Okay, I'm going to try to keep it short and sweet from now on because I'm sure y'all are tired of reading by now lol. The Benefit Fake Up Concealer snuck it's way into my heart this month and it's probably going to take up permanent residence there (not that I mind). It's a pretty interesting concept as it has a hydrating ring with the concealer in the core. With it being winter here, my undereyes have been a lot drier than they normally are and eye cream doesn't always cut it. The coverage is pretty good--I don't have the worst dark circles ever but I like brightening my undereyes with concealer, and this does they job well. I don't get that crepe-y, dry looking under eye like I do with other concealers as the day wears on, so definitely a holy grail for me. I can say a whole lot more about it but then I might as well do a full-on review! (Would y'all want one?) It's available at Benefit, Sephora, and Ulta.

The Etude House Lip Tint Choux in 01 Red Choux has been on my lips more often than not this month! If you read my ✈International Makeup Haul✈, you'll know that I've been looking for a good Benetint dupe. This one is totally not red at all but more of a pinky magenta color, which I still love. I'm going to have a more thorough review of it up soon (hopefully right after this post!) so you'll just have to wait for that post. ♡♡♡

Lastly, I've been loving the Maybelline The Buffs Lipstick in Stormy Sahara. Now, I'm not a fan of nude lips at all. I prefer a bold lip because it brightens my face so much more and matches my personality more. Lately however, I've been looking to do even more natural looks so when I saw this on MusingsofaMuse, I was really intrigued. I was nervous about getting it but I am so glad I took the plunge! It's a peachy caramel color that scared me at first, but it complements my skintone and makeup looks. I tend to wear warm browns and neutrals so this just meshes right in. Now I don't think anyone has peachy caramel lips but I like that it's more subdued and sophisticated for those days that I want to look more natural. For some reason, the swatch looks neon, but I assure you, it's pretty nude on my medium light skin tone. It might be my monitor is just playing tricks on me... The only con would be the smell. I think all Maybelline lipsticks I've tried so far have this play doh scent that I do not like. As a child, I disliked playing with play doh so this just rubs me the wrong way. However, I'm looking past that because I love the color so much and the smell doesn't linger on your lips once applied.

MWAH Musings ♥

• It's still raining today. Gah. 
• I'm hungry. Going to make dinner and them come back and finish up the Etude House post!
• I've been listening to 2NE1 and SNSD's album on repeat ever since it came out and I love them both so much. I've especially been loving 2NE1's Come Back Home unplugged version because that's what I thought the song would be like. I like the other version too but this one just has a lot of emotion in it. #sone and #blackjack #4lyfe

So that's it for this post! Let me know some of your favorites by commenting below! I'll be sure to update this post (along with my Etude House Kissful Tint Choux post) with pictures tomorrow. Until then, goodnight or good morning wherever you are! ♥

*Update 03/05/14* Just uploaded pictures for this post, which you probably have noticed already since you've gotten this far. (>‿♥)

XOXO,

MWAH ♥

•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°

Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. I cannot guarantee that the product(s) will work for you. I do not approve or endorse the products or information available on these sites. Proceed at your own risk