MAC Studio Mist Foundation

I know that I am considerably lucky to have the skin that I do. Although I do have the occassional breakout and/or blemish (usually around that time of the month), I am fortunate enough to have generally very clear skin. Please don't hate me! I feel for those of you who aren't so lucky and seem to have breakouts more frequently now than during puberty. My Sweetie is one of those people.

Anyhoo, imagine my suprise when on January 2nd a zit the size of a dime and as red as a pomegranate popped up right in the middle of my cheek! Being as this is something I do not usually have to deal with, I was a little taken aback and unsure of what exactly to do. My normal concealer (Benefit's Bo-ing) and the foundations that I tend to use (Bare Escentuals) weren't really doing a great job of hiding that sucker. I was hoping that the zit would clear up after 2 or 3 days like mine normally do...boy was I wrong. Let me just tell you, today, January 31st (yes, a month after it first appeared) there is actually still a remnant of the sucker left.

So, after a week of trying to cover this baby, I was getting desperate. I began to search through a storage container of make-up products I had thrown in my linen closet. Mostly products that I had stocked up on or purchased because I just had to have it, but of course had not found time to use it (come on, we've all been there). It's a good thing I did this because I found the answer to my prayers at the bottom of that container. Meet MAC Studio Mist Foundation.

I first read about Studio Mist sometime this summer in some magazine. It was a glowing review about what flawless coverage it provided while still feeling and looking sheer. It sounded like something I wanted to try and so when I was at the Aurora Outlet Mall at the Cosmetic Company Store I found Studio Mist for $10 less than what it costs at the department stores so of course I got it. Being as I like to let my face breathe, I don't wear foundation everyday. Thus, Studio Mist was thrown into the make-up pit in my linen closet one day as I hurried to tidy up the bathroom before company came over. Now that I have tried it, I'm sorry that I waited so long to.

At first, I wasn't sure how to use Studio Mist. As I shook the can, the sound reminded me of the shaking of a can of spray paint. Was I supposed to spray the contents directly on my face? Maybe my finger tips? How about a sponge? Yes, MAC, a little direction on the box or bottle would have been nice. Now that I've looked at MAC.com I find that the directions state to spray it on your hand or palette and then use a brush or sponge. The first time I used Studio Mist I actually sprayed it right on my face and have to say it worked just fine. I did smooth out some areas with my finger tips but it looked fabulous. I have since tried spraying on my hand as well as spraying it on a brush. When I sprayed it on my hand first, the coverage was much sheerer, but still very nice. There was more full coverage by spraying it directly on my face or on the brush.

Let me just tell you, Studio Mist covered my nasty little, no, huge zit perfectly. I can not believe how it covered the redness...especially because this was no ordinary red. It was redder than the Red Planet. Absolutely horrible. So, if you're looking for something with more coverage, without looking like you've got 10 pounds of caked on make-up, try Studio Mist. Hopefuly it will help you out like it did for me. And if you can get it at the Cosmetic Company Store for under $2o then that's even better!

Laura Geller Balance-N-Bronze

Although Laura Geller has been around for quite awhile, and her products seem to pop up everywhere, I have never tried her products. I am kicking myself now! A few months ago, my Mom purchased a kit of hers and fell in love with it and told me to try it. Typical procrastenator that I am, I never got around to it. Then while channel surfing about a week or so ago, I saw Laura Geller herself giving some tips and showing her products. I was more than intrigued with her Balance - N - Bronze (Balance & Bronze), so I ran out and picked it up. OH...MY...GOD!!! How have I lived without this for so long?!?! This product combines her Balance - N - Brighten (Balance & Brighten) and Bronze - N - Brighten (Bronze & Brighten) in one convenient compact. Use the "balance" side to balance out your skin and even your skin tone. Let me just tell you, this is replacing foundation for me! It feels so light and airy, like I am wearing nothing, but still is able to make my skin look flawless. I could not believe my eyes. One quick layer of this lighter than air powder and I look like I walked out of a magazine shoot. But the fun does not stop there! Then use the "bronze" side to give your skin a nice sun-kissed glow. Everyone needs the help of a bronzer in the winter. The problem is that some bronzers are so noticably fake that it makes you look like an Oompa-Loompa. My skin looked so natural with this product, I am still in disbelief. In all honesty, my skin looked so great that I didn't even need to add any blush. The fact that this product is made up of many shades that perfectly compliment each other makes this a product that will work well on any skin tone. I speak from experience. My skin tone is some what medium while my sister is increadibly fair. We have both tried this product out and it is perfect for both of us. This product is a steal at $28, especially considering that you can easily pay double that in order to get a separate bronzer and a seperate foundation.

Sephora.com is offering a special Laura Geller kit for the holidays. Laura Geller Baked Beauties Collection ($100 Value) Baked Beauties Collection contains my new favorite product, Balance - N - Bronze (Balance & Bronze), as well as Blush 'n' Brighten in Golden Apricot (bronze, gold, and rose); Baked Eye Shadow in Unearthed (bronze, chocolate, and champagne); plus a Creamy Mascara in Black, Lipstick in Peach Melba (bronzed rosy peach), and a 1 oz Spackle foundation primer mini in a clear, zippered travel bag. With the exception of the Spackle, all of these products are full sized! Great deal. Only $55.

On more thing while we're talking about Laura Geller. My Mom originally tried her products because of the Laura Geller Spackle. This is what Laura Geller is known for. This under make-up primer smooths out your skin and fills in the lines and wrinkles. Since I'm still in my mid-20s, I'm fortunate enough not to have to worry about wrinkles yet (and believe me, I'm taking every step to keep that up!), but I must say that this primer is great for other reasons as well. It really keeps my make-up in place. For people with really oily skin, give this a try. It acts like a barrier between your skin and your make-up. And for people looking to hide fine lines and wrinkles, my Mom gives her seal of approval on this one! Only $21.50. Her line also contains eye and lip spackle. Ideal for people who have trouble keeping eye shadow from creasing.

Check back in the coming weeks, because I just ordered a few other Laura Geller products including lip gloss and eye shadow. Supposedly, her Lip Stay lip glosses stay on forever! And her eye shadow is available is some of the coolest colors I have ever seen. Believe me, I will try this products as soon as I get them and will share my experience with everyone!