How to Pick the Right Shade of Concealer

This is one of my favorite beauty article I've read online. I definitely agree that it is important to pick the right shade of concealer for your skin tone. I am not really very familiar with what's the best from too many brands of concealers but for me, it depends on what brand you are comfortable to use, just be sure it is not too light and not too dark for your skin. 

I started using concealer for I think 5 months now. :) but I do not use concealer everytime I go out, I'm too lazy to apply it haha. But if I think that there are some imperfections on my face that I need to cover , then that's the time I apply it. I just bought a concealer from a beauty store just to try it and to see how it works for me :) My first concealer to use is  L'oreal's True Match Super Blendable Concealer in Light/ Medium Neutral. They also have other shades like the Neutral (They have Light/Medium or Medium/Deep in Warm, Neutral and Cool Undertones. You can also use Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer this is much cheaper but offer a good coverage), Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage (quite expensive), or Make up Forever Full Coverage Concealer (another expensive concealer). 

I love this concealer, the shade is 2 to 3 times lighter than my skin tone which is perfect to cover dullness and blemishes in my face. you can blend it easily to your skin and it does not smudge/melt with heat and sweat, it's waterproof! I mean it stays long than your ordinary concealer. The concealer comes in a brush/wand that absorbs too much product so don't concentrate on a particular blemish only, be sure to blend it right away after application because it dries easily. It's lightweight so you can use it everyday and easy to use.

Choosing the right shade of concealer can be daunting. Do you go lighter or darker? What about those undereye circles or rosacea on the cheeks. Here, we show you how to pick the right shades of concealer for your skin tone.

When choosing a concealer, you should consider both consistency and color. If you are covering major undereye circles, you're going to want a concealer that provides major coverage. The editors of Allure's "Confessions of a Beauty Editor" suggest testing consistency by dabbing concealer on the blue veins on the inside of your wrist.

Yellow-toned products are your best bet for covering up undereye circles, according to makeup artist Bobbie Brown. Orange-based tones blend best into dark or black skin. You want a shade or two lighter than your foundation (remember, your foundation should match your skin almost exactly). In the March, 2007 issue of InStyle Magazine, Brown suggests avoiding "greasy or chalky formulas that are too pink or white."

Test color on the area of your neck below your ear. Again, the color should be a slight lighter than your foundation. If you go too light, you risk looking like a raccoon.

Concealer is a definite "try before you buy" product. I don't recommend purchasing any product that's non-returnable. Instead, try out different concealers at department store counters or Sephora.

Review on Maybelline Clear smooth 

all in one 

shine free cake powder

Living in a country with tropical climate can be a big factor on choosing the right make up for our face especially when it comes on foundation. Usually, all I do is conceal, powder, contour and add nude or skin tone lipstick or lipgloss, with these Im good to go. It can be your daily beauty routine but mind you girls it wont last long especially the powder. If you have an oily skin (like my skin ^,^) or got sweaty during the day, the powder will surely be discontinued. Im not telling you girls that “All” powders doesn’t stay long. There are some powders or foundations that you can use that will surely reach your expectation but Im pretty sure it will cost you a thousand :>

We all know that Maybelline New York is one of the famous cosmetic brands here in our country which offers cheap but quality products. Compare to other expensive brands, I strongly agree that this product is without a doubt a good alternative for the expensive ones.

Maybelline New York Clear Smooth Extra Powder Foundation

Maybelline New York Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Cake Powder

I am a big fan of Maybelline even after I went to college. I usually use the old powder foundation, it’s the Clear Smooth Extra Powder Foundation which is also a two way powder foundation but doesn’t offer other benefits that the new one have. I also love their lipsticks, eyeliners and mascara ^_^.

So let’s review this new product from Maybelline, the Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Foundation. I first heard about it from PCX beauty store in Alabang Town Center. During that time, Im just looking for any kind of pressed powder. Then I heard one customer asking the lady if they have a powder foundation that is cheap but will last long, the lady recommended the Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Foundation which caught my attention. Knowing the quality that the brand provides, I checked the package and found interesting benefits. ;)) Plus, the price is so affordable. It’s only Php 249.  I didn’t even have a second thought on buying. 

I am using the shade “HONEY” because it’s the closest  to my skin tone. I choose the powder foundation over the pressed powder because it has good coverage and last long especially when you are using a damp sponge when applying it.

I am using the shade “HONEY” because it’s the closest  to my skin tone. I choose the powder foundation over the pressed powder because it has good coverage and last long especially when you are using a damp sponge when applying it. 

I love the packaging. You can find the summary of all the benefits of the product just by looking on the package. The compact’s color is pink which is so attractive to girls. ;) The mirror is huge enough to view my face ( I hate compacts with small mirrors.:>)  And I super like that the puff is separated from the powder. I believe that the puff should not be placed on top of the powder because it will waste some grams of the powder (most especially when the puff is damp).

	The powder foundation has a velvety texture and goes on smoothly on my face. It will give you a matte fresh looking finish. I usually put moisturizer before putting any make up on to keep my skin moisturized while wearing make up. It covers minor discoloration and imperfections on your face. It has good pigmentation and coverage. It usually stays on for 5 to 7 hours depending on your skin type. And it doesn’t need too many retouch or application throughout the day.

What I Like About This Product??

The answers are at the back of the package

The best thing that I love on this product is of course the SPF 25 PA++ which is 5 point higher than their previous powder foundation (Clear Smooth  Extra-Shine Free Powder Foundation), I don’t suggest or buy products without SPF, because we all know that the sun’s UV rays can dry out and damage our skin and known to cause early appearance of wrinkles especially around the eye area.

I love the shades (it comes on 4 shades, I usually use 04 HONEY), coverage (lightweight but covers blemishes and spots), finish ( matte and smooth), and the staying power ( long wearing and doesn’t cake).

Other things I  definitely like in this product… J

-This compact suits everyone’s budget.

-A good setting powder.

-Has no scent.

What I don’t Like About this product??

The powder cracks when you are not careful on handling the compact. So far I haven’t experienced this one yet but I heard a lot of complain about the powder having a soft consistency that it tends to crack easily.

Refill J

Below are some photos of the refill of this product. It’s not my routine to throw compact powders unless the mirror is broken or something is damaged. If you consume the powder and you decided to buy another one, I suggest you get the refill instead of the whole compact again. The refill is worth Php 149 only so you can save money and recycle at the same time. It has a puff inside, so need to buy another new puff  ;)

Additional Infos:

-When using this as setting powder, make sure you pat excess powder to avoid streak lines and too-matte finish (Super Matte make up will make you look  old. Make up artists around the world always say “Dewy is IN, Matte is OUT!”)

-Always use make up base or moisturizer before putting anything on your face, to make your skin moisturized while wearing make up. It also helps smoothen the application of your foundation and eyeshadows. Choose primers or moisturizers with SPF too J. The more SPF containing products you wear the more protected you are from the sun’s rays.

- Be hygienic when it comes on cleaning the puff. Be sure to wash it after every use or purchase another one.

This is me wearing Maybelline New York Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Cake Powder in 04 HONEY ;))

The Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Cake Powder is my favorite and go-to powder foundation. I will definitely continue using this one until I find a better one J .  I recommend this product to everyone who are looking for an inexpensive powder foundation that works pretty well. J

You can get this one from any beauty stores or ORDER on my online shop The Thirteenth Collection: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Thirteenth-Collection/187425124718678

Have you tried this one yet? Let me know how it works for you. ;)