Laura Mercier Minerl Foundation Powder - Rave Review

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 Classic Beige

This review comes with a story that may have to have a part 2.  When my mom was visiting she ran out of her powder and I ran out of my mascara, so we went to Sephora.  I told her she has to try this Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation.  I have read so many excellent reviews on it, especially for women with mature skin.  We found the perfect shade and she was sold.
Now I am giving this mineral foundation RAVE reviews because since my mom has been wearing this, she has been complimented over and over on how young she's been looking, how beautiful her makeup is, and women asking her what she uses on her face.  She says it looks like she got a mini face lift when she puts it on.  Now a mini-face lift, that is a rave review from her.  
My mom is in her 50's.  This foundation last all day for her, which is great because they are in the restaurant business,  long hours, stress, and heat and it looks perfect.  Her pores are minimized and it doesn't settle in any lines, it smooths them out.
So, this is why there has to be a part 2.  I have to try it out next to tell you what it looks like on someone in there 30's, maybe it will make me look younger too.
Have you tried this foundation?  What is your favorite mineral foundation?

PRESENT TIME!

 The hubby was away again for work, this time his destination was Germany and he brought me back these beautiful presents.  They are from a German brand called Get Me Gorgeous.  I love the colors of the packaging so cute.

How perfect are these color combinations.  They are so pigmented, and perfect for traveling.  The case is small and you have all the colors you could want.  I love when he gets me makeup because it's so not a guy thing, but he does it for me, love him!

I keep this in my purse.  It's got 2 compartments and a great mirror.

These are the glosses.

These are my favorite though.  The perfect neutral palette.  Day to night looks with just these colors.

I have never heard of this brand, have you?  

What eyeshadows do you carry in  your makeup bag?

UGG BOOTS - In the Summer?

I know it's crazy, but I had to get them because it was almost 1/2 off.  I went back to Off 5th and was walking by the kids clothes, and saw these.  They were in kids sizes, but they looked big and tried them on in a kids 5, and they fit perfect.  I'm a size 7 which I think is kids 5.  They also had a size kids 6, but because these are knit, I wasn't sure if they would stretch like a sweater, and I stuck with the 5's.  

So they were $80 minus 20 or 25% plus my new rewards card got me minus 5%, I think they came out to $67.  I just saw them at Nordi's for $129.  I would have never thought of kids shoes.

So, I had to get them in the middle of summer.  Honestly, I could wear them now because the weather at the beach in California has only been hitting 69 degrees for a high.  I think we had 4 hot days.

Do you like Uggs?  I think they have a Love/Hate relationship with people.

TOP DRUGSTORE PRODUCTS under $10 - LIPS

These are my favorite drugstore products that are really great for under $10

LIPSTICK

Left - Right

Revlon Colorburst - I have 4 shades & I love them.  They don't have a smell and are really pigmented

Revlon Matte - Matte lipsticks are drying, but these look matte but feel moist on the lip.

Loreal Color Riche - very creamy, smooth, and pigmented. I feel they make my lips look plumper.

Avon - Very affordable and beautiful colors that have staying power.

NYX Round lipsticks - These don't have the best staying power, but they come in every color you can think of. 

Wet n Wild - These are their new matte lipsticks.  They are really creamy and non-drying.

C.O. Bigelow - This is from Bath & Bodyworks ($7). I put this on before bed and my lips are soft and no dry skin.  It's great for chapped lips, very minty.

Revlon Super Lustrous lip Gloss - These have a huge range of colors and are super soft on the lips, not sticky, soft scent, and moisturizing.

LIP LINER

Prestige - They are my favorite.  They glide right on no tugging and great colors.

E.L.F - Natural is their only color, but it's really nice. I wish they had more colors.

Jordana - Very inexpensive, smooth, wide range of colors.

Wet n Wild - These are more dry, but these outlast your lipstick and good colors.

NYX - These are cheap, great colors, and pigmented.

The one thing I never buy high end is the lipliners.  There so many great cheap options out there.

What is your favorite under $10 lip product?

NEW PRODUCTS I'M TRYING

Remington EP-4000 Smooth and Silky Epilator

I have been reading that using an epilator gives you less hair over time, but is very painful.  I'll have to see how painful.  The epilator could be used anywhere you shave on the body.

Remington S-1051 Sleek n Curl Digital Ceramic Hair Straightener with Tourmaline and Bonus DVD

I have never used a Remington flat iron, but in the reviews the hair always looks so silky.  I guess that's my goal, soft silky hair with a flat iron.  This flat iron is a straightener and curls with heat up o 430.

I'll be trying them out the next couple weeks and see if they live up to their promises.

Have you tried an epilator?  What new products have you bought lately?

NEW PURSE + New Rewards Program for Saks Off 5th

I stopped at Off 5th at The Block in Orange to check out the CCO and I ended up with this beautiful leather L.A.M.B Bag.  The purse was $400 down to $200, but everything with a red sticker was 50% off.  This had the red sticker and was $100 + they have  a new rewards program that gave me 5% off the $100.  I love L.A.M.B purses and shoes, but they are pricey.  I think this was a great deal though.

I love the black leather with the blue and white detail.  I am mostly in jeans and T's and i think this would look great for every day.

The blue stripes remind me of a racing jacket.  

The inside is cloth with black/blue trim.  It's very roomy and the purse itself is light weight.  I hate when purses are heavy without anything in them.

When we walked in a sales rep. asked us to join Off 5th rewards program.  It's just name/address/email/phone, or you can ask at the cashier  With this card, you get any discount that is available without having to print or find their coupons.  Plus they have promos where you get an extra percent off.  The  extra 5% promo is running for 2 weeks, which is 5% off all the other coupons on your total bill.  I think this is great.  I can never find or forget my coupons, sometimes I don't know they're even running.  I wish Macy's would have this, I never remember my coupon there either.

So what's your favorite purse/bag right now?  Any great discounts to share?

MAC IN THE GROOVE - HAUL +swatches

Stereo Rose

I really wasn't interested in this, even with all the hype, but when I saw it in person, I realized it would be a great blush.  I'm not a huge MSF fan, but this color is really pretty, peach/pink/gold.

Jazzed

I love cremesheens, but I hope this doesn't get deformed like my others.  This is a really pretty peach & flattering on too.

Band of Roses

This blush duo looked so nice on.  You have the light pink/dark raspberry, and swirled together is the perfect deeper hot pink.

Artifact Paint Pot

This wasn't in the collection, but I don't know why I don't have this.  I love purples and cranberry's.  This will be perfect underneath or even alone.  I'll have to try some combinations out.

The collection was really pretty.  I didn't get any eye shadows because they make my eyes itch, but they had really pretty color combos.  The lippies were all really pretty too.  I may have to go back for a second look.

Did you get anything from this collection?  What's your experience with the cremesheen formulation?  Any ideas for my artifact paint pot?

NEW FOUNDATION - COVERGIRL CLEAN OIL-CONTROL/review

I have been using this foundation for the last couple of months.  It's my second bottle of the 545 warm beige.  I just bought the 560 and add a drop/pump to the warm beige because i have been self tanning.  The colors darker than the 545 just look too pink or gray for my skin.  It really has a light to medium coverage, but it feels and looks like your own skin.

PROS

• Price $4-6
• Light satin finish
• Controls the oils in the T-zone
• Doesn't look like a mask or caked on
• Good color range
• Dries to a powdery feel

CONS

• Lasts 4-5 hours
• No SPF
• Some colors are too pink, hold it up to your skin in the light
• Hard to get the foundation out without a pump

The best way I found to put this on for the best coverage is with a Mac 190 or for a lighter air brushed a soft domed kabuki brush.  i usually do the T-Zone with the 190 and the rest with a kabuki.  I just stipple the kabuki and it looks amazing.

COVERGIRL CLEAN POWDER

This does nothing at all.  It doesn't cover or set your makeup.  Two thumbs down.  That's even if you can open the top.  Pass on this.  The color range is supposed to correspond with the foundation color, but it looks way too orange if you get the same color.

Have you tried this new line yet?  How about the acne control? 

I'm thinking of trying the MUFE matte foundation come fall.  Is it good?

MY FAVORITE MAC PALETTE

This is my favorite Mac Palette.  I take this one with me whenever I travel.

1st row L-R : Amber Lights, Nocturnelle, Folie, Da Bling, Brule

2nd row L-R : Bronze, Sketch, Satin Taupe, Mythology, Rice Paper

3rd row L-R :  Glamour Check, Twinks, Club, Expensive Pink, Arena

I also bring Carbon, but that's in a pot still.  I'm mostly wear a natural, brown, or a little purple eye. 

What's in your favorite Mac palette?