Blog | Page 59 of 225 | Makeup By Kim Porter

Review: My Favorite BB Cream – AJ Crimson BB Cream Shades #3 & #4 @AJCrimson

April 30, 2013 by Kim S. / blog, Product Swatches, Reviews / 9 Comments

I promised I would post a review and swatches of the AJ Crimson BB Creams, so here it goes. In early March, I purchased two of AJ Crimson BB Cream shades, #’s3 & 4. I posted swatches of each cream on my instagram account, as well as some face of the days (FOTD) from when I used it.

In my post about the Garnier BB Cream, I talked about what BB creams are. I’m going to skip all of that in this post.

AJ Crimson BB Cream is described as…

MORE THAN A BB! AJCRIMSON NEW BB CREAM HAS MORE COVERAGE! ALL THE GREAT SKIN CARE YOU NEED IN MOISTURIZER! AND IT HAS A PERFECT SHADE RANGE!!!!

My thoughts:

AJ Crimson BB Cream next to IMAN’s, is one of the few cosmetics lines to offer darker BB Creams shades for women of color. I love the AJ Crimson BB Cream. Here’s why…

-It moisturizes

-It doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy or oily

-It has great coverage

– A little goes a long way

– It looks natural

-It can double as a primer

– It’s lightweight; it doesn’t feel heavy

– It’s an actual cream & not fluid-like

Wearing the AJ Crimson BB Cream Shade #3

I must admit that when I first squeezed out my first bit of AJ Crimson BB Cream, I was a bit thrown off by the color. The AJ Crimson BB Cream doesn’t come out brown, but, a buttery caramel color. I think I’m explaining it correctly. Once you rub in the cream, it turns into the shade it’s meant to be. I find that I like the application of the AJ Crimson BB Cream better when applying it with a damp brush; therefore, I use my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush sprayed with a little bit of my WEN Lavender Replenishing Mist to blend in the AJ Crimson BB cream.

Shade #3 he has matched up to MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC35, and Shade #4 he has it matched to NC45 in the Studio Fix Fluid. Shade #3 matches me perfectly, while shade #4 is too dark; it would be the perfect shade for the summer after I’ve spent some time in the sun. This is why you really can’t go off of your MAC “match” because it honestly varies. I always try to express that to people.

Would I recommend?

I would definitely recommend purchasing the AJ Crimson BB Cream. They’ve become so popular with all of the buzz on his twitter, instagram and facebook page that most of the BB Creams are sold out and you have to be placed on the waiting list, BUT , I believe it is worth the wait.

When I purchased the AJ Crimson BB Creams they were on-sale for $10 each. Currently, he’s selling them for $20 each (orig. $34). I probably should have bought all shades when they were $10, but, I wasn’t sure how good they were going to be (or not). I do want shade #2 for highlighting purposes. It would also be nice to have a few of these for my kit.

You can purchase the AJ Crimson BB Cream at http://ajcrimson.myshopify.com or visit his booth at The Makeup Show New York May 5 – May 6, 2013.

If you do plan on purchasing the AJ Crimson BB Cream, check his comparison chart below.

Disclosure: Products mentioned in this post were purchased by me with my own money. Opinions and views are honest and my own. I was not compensated for this post. This post may contain affiliate links

Review: IT Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Flush Matte Sweet Apple {Swatches}

April 29, 2013 by Kim S. / blog, Product Swatches, Reviews / 2 Comments

PR SAMPLE

IT Cosmetics sent over one of their newest Vitality Cheek Flush, Matte Sweet Apple. I love IT Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Flushes. If you’ve read my reviews of them, you’d know why, check it out HERE. The Vitality Cheek Flush lasts all day, through the oil, through the sweat; it doesn’t move! For those very same reasons, it’s perfect for the warm weather. I was happy to see that a matte shade was added. Sometimes, if you tend to get super oily on the face, especially on your cheeks, using a blush or bronzer with sparkle or shimmer can make you look even more oily.

I love the Vitality Cheek Flush Matte Sweet Apple. It’s the perfect shade for spring. It gives a nice, natural flush of color even on my brown skin. I’ve also seen it described as the perfect matte raspberry shade for fair skin, think Snow White. Just because it is matte it doesn’t mean the color is flat or dry-looking because it isn’t. As you can see from the photo below, it doesn’t look dry at all. Check my full-face photo on instagram MakeupbyKimPorter.

A little goes a long way, so be careful when applying the Vitality Cheek Flush Matte Sweet Apple the IT Cosmetics French Boutique Blush Brush.

The cost of the blush alone is $24 available at ITCosmetics.com, which is a great price since you use very little; therefore, the pan of blush will last you forever! The blush with with brush (available on QVC.com) is $35.

Disclosure: Product was provided to me for free by the company or its PR for review consideration. I was not compensated for this post. This is my honest opinion.

Review: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream ‘Deep’ {Swatches}

April 25, 2013 by Kim S. / blog, Reviews / 4 Comments

I’m a BZZAGENT, and through my membership I was provided for free the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream. This is the second BB cream I’ve tried. Wait, really this is the third… The first I tried was the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB and the second one Is AJ Crimson’s. I didn’t get to use the Maybelline BB Cream since I got the wrong shade; I wound up giving it to my sister. She’s supposed to review it for me.

What are BB Creams?

BB Cream’s are beauty balms. They’re really popular in the Korean and Asian community, us American’s are just now getting into them. It seems like we’ve gotten into them, and run away with the idea. How are we up to DD creams? What in the heck? Anywho….Dermatologists used BB creams for healing scars caused by laser skin surgery. After laser surgery, the BB cream was used to protect, soothe protect, and regenerate sensitive skin while covering redness and laser surgery scars.

BB creams offer the following benefits:

* Produces a very natural, “no makeup look”
* Provides coverage like a foundation, and in most cases is non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog pores)
* Similar to a tinted moisturizer, but with more benefits
* Conceals all types of pigmentation, discoloration, acne and other blemishes
* Has healing properties that soften, smoothen and refine skin
* Encourages skin regeneration to create and maintain youthful skin
* Contains UV Protection for healthy skin (SPF levels differ for each brand/product)
* Anti-wrinkle and skin-lightening benefits (depending on the brand)

About the Garnier BB Cream

Save time with just one multi-benefit product that offers advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage. This hybrid formula renews radiance, brightens complexion, evens skin tone, hydrates and protects with SPF15 UVA/UVB sunscreen. Get results you can see and feel instantly.
-Renews, Brightens, Evens, Hydrates, Protects
-SPF 15
-Dermatologist tested

My Thoughts

Many times I’ve mentioned my oil t-zone. During the warmer months, it gets worse, which is why I stay away from heavier foundations in the summer; I use tinted moisturizers. When I received the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream I was excited because it was meant for people like me who suffer with oily skin. I love a nice a looking matte or natural finish after applying my foundation, and this gives the same finish.

The Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream is available in the following shades: Light/Medium, Medium/Deep, and Deep I was sent shade ‘Deep’. To my surprise it matches perfectly. It makes my skin look brighter, and more even.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream Deep Before & After — Lips: Ellis Fass Milky Lips Shade #L306

The Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream is lightweight. Don’t let that fool you into thinking the coverage isn’t great because it is. This BB Cream hides the few dark spots that I have very well, and it doesn’t feel heavy on my skin. What’s great about it is that the coverage is buildable. If you’re not satisfied with the coverage of the first application just go back and add more where you need it. I like that even after an 8-hour or more work day, my face is still pretty much oil-free.

One thing that I did not like about the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream is that it is not moisturizing. My skin felt a little tight after applying it. Overall, I do like it. It isn’t too forgiving on areas where there is dry skin, so keep that in mind.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream Deep Swatch — Right side is the BB Cream blended in

Would I recommend?

If you have dry skin, the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream may not be for you. For $12.99 it isn’t bad. I will definitely have it in line for my summer makeup routine and for my lazy makeup days. Now I have something to compare my AJ Crimson BB cream to. A review on that will be up later.

Visit garnierusa.com to learn more about Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream and the rest of their revolutionary Skin Renew line.

Check out Garnier’s Facebook page to recieve a $1-off coupon on Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream.

Have you tried any BB Creams or the Garnier BB? What do you think?

Disclosure: This product was provided for free by Garnier through BZZAGENT for review consideration. I was not compensated for this post. These are my honest opinions.

Review: AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream

April 23, 2013 by Kim S. / blog, Reviews / 1 Comment

I’m a member of Influenster, and through my membership I was provided for free the AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream for review consideration. I was happy to review AVEENO products since I used to use them religiously during my high school and early college days. I swore by the AVEENO Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser and Daily Moisturizer.

My Evening skincare routine does consist of a night cream – Cerave PM Moisturizer, and sometimes I will use Perricone MD VitaminC Esther 15 prior to my night cream application, and wake up with brighter, smoother skin. The AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream suggests it would provide the same results I was achieving through my regular night time moisturizer and serum, so I gave it a try.

What is the AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream?

Brighten and even skin tone with AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream. Formulated with ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex and vitamin B3, this advanced night cream leaves skin smooth and healthy looking. This oil-free night cream will help keep you looking fresh and luminous.

My Thoughts

For the most part my skin is normal; I do tend to get oily in my t-zone, but who doesn’t For that problem, I tend to stay away from skincare products, especially moisturizers that contain oil. I was happy to see that the AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream is oil-free.
The AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream is specially formulated to target what AVEENO calls the “5 Factors of Radiance”, which means this night cream will improve tone, dullness, brown spots, texture and blotchiness. Not to mention leaving your skin fresh, awake and luminous. The AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream does help with leaving your skin smooth, and healthy-looking. It also revives my dehydrated skin.

I exfoliate as much as my skin allows, and I keep my skin hydrated externally by moisturizing, and internally by drinking crap loads of water; therefore, I really had no issues with dull, tired skin. I mean, my skin isn’t perfect. There are those nights where I’ve had one too many drinks, and my skin the next day is dryer than who knows what! That’s where using the AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream comes in.

The texture of the cream is well, creamy. It isn’t oily or greasy. It glides on smoothly, and blends into the skin without much manipulation; I love that! I hate when I apply a product and have to continuously rub and rub in order for it to absorb.
I dislike the scent. I don’t like anything going on my face to be scented, especially my night creams. Although the scent is light, I dislike it.

Would I recommend?
I would recommend the AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream. It does what it is supposed to do as far as smoothing, softening and hydrating. I can’t attest to it diminishing brown spots or correcting blotchiness, since I haven’t used it long enough. At $16.99 per 1.7 oz, it is priced well. It’s less than what my current night time routine moisturizers cost, and it does the same things.

Where to purchase?

AVEENO POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream can be purchased at Drugstore.com or Target.com

Disclosure: This product was provided for free by AVEENO through Influenster for review consideration. I was not compensated for this post. These are my honest opinions.