Foundation Fridays Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup - Review Pictures Swatches

image from lancome-usa.com

Welcome again to Foundation Friday!  I thought I would take a break from BB creams and tell you about a powder foundation that I have been using off an on for 15 years!  Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup. My color is Matte Porcelain I (C) (The lightest shade…of course)

The Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup is actually VERSATILE!  How nice of them to use truth in advertising.  This powder can be used wet or dry. It provides a range of coverage from full to light but the finish is always matte.  I personally like to use it applied with a kabuki brush over my BB cream for a flawless finish, but you can apply it on a bare, yet moisturized and primed face.

The powder comes with two puffs. One is a fairly thick makeup type sponge puff and the other is a thin touch up application puff.  If you choose to apply the powder wet and dry I prefer to use only one side of the powder for wet application because the powder does seem to get a bit of a crust on it when it dries from being used wet.  The "wet application" puff is sturdy and rinses out well, remember to keep it clean because you don't want to harbor bacteria on the sponge and transfer it to your face, right?  

As far as application goes, here is what I like to do.  For wet application, I put the puff under the tap, get the puff wet, wring it out and then apply it to the powder.  Once you have transferred enough to the sponge I like to alternate between smoothing a patting the sponge on my face working in sections.  Then once the foundation is applied and dried I like to take a kabuki brush and buff it out to eliminate any lines or marks from application.  The finish is almost opaque.  When applying dry I use a kabuki brush and apply it in circular movements working in sections around my face.  The coverage can range from medium to light depending on how much powder you use. The most important thing to remember about the finish is that it looks almost flawless.  I get this airbrushed look to my skin which I ADORE!

The things I like about this foundation:

It does not break me out!  Unlike MAC Studio Fix which broke me out terribly, Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup does not irritate my skin, cause breakouts or seem to cause any blemishes.

The Powder never seems to settle into my pores or fine lines.  It does not emphasise fine lines or pores as long as I prep my skin for application first (Primer / Moisturizer)

You can achieve different levels of coverage

It does tend to keep the oilies at bay slightly longer when I use it over my BB cream.

The powder comes in 26 different shades. It has a nice range of colors and tones for warm or cool skin. (Most important it comes in a shade light enough for ME!)

The compact is well designed.  It can easily fit in my purse or makeup bag, comes with an ample mirror, and a protective plastic tray for the puff to rest on inside the compact

The things I don't like about this foundation:

…

OK. so some people complain about the scent of the powder, but I guess I have been using it so long I have grown used to the scent.

Some people complain about the price.  It retails for $36.50. I guess I have become jaded because I don't think that's too much to pay for a department store foundation. (Hello Armani LSF is almost $60!)

Do you NEED this?  If you have oily or combination skin, this powder foundation might be just the thing you are looking for this summer.  It provides a great matte finish, works well with oily to combo skin and comes in a wide range of shades.  If you have dry skin, I really don't recommend using this powder foundation. It won't emphasize fine lines, but I doubt your dry skin would feel comfortable  all day long using it.  Now here's the thing. I said I had been using this off and on for 15 years.  I go through phases where I use it, then I find a new foundation landfall in love with that and the Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup goes by the way side.  Then my skin starts looking wonky and I reach for the Lancome and POOF!  My skin looks awesome again.  I'm not sure why I keep doing this to myself, but I am VERY glad that this is one of the few foundations that Lancome has NOT discontinued in the last 15 years!  I'm not sure what I would do if I didn't have it anymore.

Thursday Poll

This has been the longest week ever.  It always seems that the week before a holiday is soooo long.  I have this Friday off of work and Monday is Memorial Day in the US, so I actually get 4 day weekend instead of a 3 day weekend.  What bugs me about the US is that now almost every holiday there is a costume for sale that goes along with it.  You know, nothing says 'I Love America' more than a metallic blue lamé bustier and hot pants.

Or how about this one paying homage to your German ancestry yet still feelin the red white and blue with a Hofbräuhaus Server outfit in patriotic colors, of course.

Want to pay homage to the military this Memorial Day?   Well why not dress up as a slutty sailor.  Nothing says 'I respect the women and men in uniform' more, than a lot of cleavage or white fishnet stockings.

Lest we forget our most beloved icon of freedom in America, The Statue of Liberty.  Why not give that French gal a much needed makeover with a micro mini dress made from fabric cut to the same size as our actual Constitution! 

Ah yes.  America. Red, White, Blue and slutty.  Don't get me wrong. I'm not hating on the pretty women in these photos. They all have beautiful bodies.  What I don't like is that these costumes give the impression that nothing is sacred anymore.  That SEX has to be inserted (pardon the pun) into all facets of our celebrations.  I'm not a prude. I like to look and feel sexy. I just think there is a time and a place for it.  Going out to a nightclub = Look sexy. Going to a memorial day picnic = Look pretty, the sexy can come later when you are participating in the memorial day car wash and you re-enact that scene from Cool Hand Luke.  

 it get's kinda hot and heavy at the 2:45 min mark.

You've never seen that movie?  Dude!  Watch it. It's awesome.

But back to my point.  a) You don't need a costume for every freakin holiday.  I saw costumes for St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day. I bet there is even a slutty Easter costume out there! There sure as heck are slutty Mrs. Claus costumes.  b) You don't need to dress like a slut to look sexy.  Sure.  Show off the goods from time to time. You work hard to look that good, but sometimes cutoff shorts and a t-shirt look sexier to a guy than star spangled hot pants.  c) I can't believe you haven't seen Cool Hand Luke?!  The "What we have here is a failure to communicate." line is from that movie.  "No One can eat 50 eggs." scene is awesome.  Plus Paul Newman looks hot!

Sexy costumes do have their place. Halloween, Costume Parties, Comic Book conventions, The Bedroom, but please let's keep the day when we honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, a little less provocative. (and yes I see the irony of asking people to not use their "freedom of expression" AKA Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, on a day where we honor people who fought to maintain that RIGHT.  I'm just making a suggestion. It's not like I'm trying to pass some law that will limit someones ability to have the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That would be Un-American.) <---- see what I did there?

On To The Poll!

1.  Blush Of The Day? - Chanel Joues Contraste in In Love. A bright orange-y coral. I'm wearing it trying to convince myself that I don't need to buy the limited edition JC from Asia in Fleur de Lotus because they look similar.

2.  Latest beauty acquisition or upcoming beauty acquisition? - I recently received a bottle of the Dita Von Teese perfume from my UK friend Hayley at London Beauty Queen blog. I really like it and it smells sexy!

3.  Name one of your favorite movies made before 1970? - There are a ton, obviously, but Cool Hand Luke I mentioned above so I don't wanna cheat and name another.

4.  Speaking of sluts, what beauty brand(s) are you a total HOOR for? - I'm an equal opportunity HOOR, but I must say that Guerlain and Chanel are neck and neck.

5. What was one of your most favorite costumes (I have asked this question before, sorry) - My favorite costume is still the same.  The time I went as Satan's Cheerleader for Halloween one year.

Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm - Review

 I have a confession. Sometimes, when Mr. Sith isn't at home, I watch TV infomercials.  I know. I think I might be the only one that does, but they just suck me in.  Especially the ones focusing on beauty like hair care, skin care, makeup, etc.  I wonder what it would be like to be in an Infomercial.

(slow dissolve mimicking the standard TV dream/imagination sequence whilst harp music plays)

TV Announcer

Introducing the amazing, the incredible Slice-o-matic!

(Cue fanfare music)

TV Announcer Voice

It slices, it dices, it chops and minces.  This all in one handy slice-o-matic is made with industrial grade stainless steel and plastic.

(Cue Trumpets playing Ta-Da!)

TV Announcer

Not Convinced?  Here are some customer testimonials!

(Dissolve to Pink Sith giving a customer testimonial)

Pink Sith

Oh yeah. The choppy thing.  It's OK.  I was chopping onions in it yesterday and it was the first time my eyes didn't tear up while cutting them, so I guess that's cool.  Oh speaking of eyes, I really want to tell you about this Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm! 

(holds up box of the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm)

 

 Pink Sith

 I have tried tons of eye gels and creams.  I had one that I loved dearly, but it was fairly expensive and because of the packaging, it was in a jar, it lost it's potency fairly quickly. The Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm hydrated the delicate skin around my eyes, plumped up fine lines, and worked really well under makeup.

(Pan back to TV announcer looking at Pink Sith like she's insane)

TV Announcer - miffed

Thank you Pink!  Now, as I was saying...

(Pink Sith steals microphone from announcer and grabs the camera lens to focus on her again)

Pink Sith

I wasn't finished.  

(gives TV Announcer death stare and shows the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm bottle to the camera)

Pink Sith

This balm has a gel-like texture that soothes and prevents skin irritation.  But that's not all.  This wonder balm diminishes signs of aging and fatigue around the eye!  But wait! There's more!  The Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm is said to increase the tolerance of your skin in the eye contour area and it will protects it from allergic reactions thereby reducing sensitivity as well as reactivity.  Hold on, because  have even more to tell you!  The Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm provides your skin with a surge of hydrating comfort that lasts all day!   And one more thing! The Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm comes in an airless pump which dispenses just the right amount for each use.  I have been using it for 3 months and I really have seen a difference in the skin around my eyes. I was...

(TV Announcer snatches the mic away from Pink Sith and adjusts the camera)

TV Announcer - irritated

Thank you again Pink.  Now back to the subject at hand......

(Pink Sith commandeers the mic and camera and starts running with both)

Pink Sith - short of breath

I was skeptical at first when I started using this eye balm, but I saw over time that this has a great cumulative effect.  Now this isn't cheap. It costs $95 for 0.5 oz but I found it to be worth the money, personally. You may think otherwise, but that's cool. I'm not the one trying to sell a product, I'm just a customer testimonial.  In fact...

(Pink Sith is tackled by the TV announcer, who happens to be wearing a toupee and it is flopped over to one side revealing his bald spot.  The TV Announcer and Pink Sith wrestle with the camera and microphone whilst expletives are heard from both parties.  Video feed on camera goes in and out mixed with snow and a test pattern.  Suddenly the camera transmits a clear picture of a disheveled Pink Sith)

Pink Sith - Breathless

In fact 

(Pink Sith adjusts her shirt and gives an annoyed look to the now unconscious TV Announcer) 

Pink Sith

I received this as a sample from Natura Bisse but I fully intend to purchase my own when this one runs out.  That's the only down side to this product.  Because the packaging is opaque I have no idea how much is left in the bottle.  When will it run out?  That is a mystery to me.

(Pink Sith smooths down her tousled hair and nudges the unconscious TV Announcer with her foot.  He slowly starts to regain consciousness.)

Pink Sith

Thanks for joining us today. I hope you enjoyed our program.  remember you can purchase the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm from Neiman Marcus or from Natura Bisse's own website.  You can also call my pal Kathy Shoreman at 571-533-4972 with Neiman Marcus and she can help you out with a purchase over the phone and tell you about other products from the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical line.

(end infomercial)

Yeah. Probably not a good idea that I be in one.  I'm not really photogenic and I hear the camera adds 10 pounds.

This post contains an affiliate link for Neiman Marcus. Affiliate links gives the Pink Sith Blog a commission when you click and purchase something from that link. It's just like a retail associate who works on a commission basis. When you shop through an affiliate link on Pink Sith you help support the site!

Freeze 24/7 Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask - Review

image from dermstore.com

You know how I'm a sucker for gimmicks, right?

You know how I love self foaming products, especially oxygen masks, right?

Well now Freeze 24/7 has made the ideal cleanser for me. It's self foaming and it acts like an oxygen mask to boot!

OK.  Let me explain.  Freeze 24-7 Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask provides cleansing, purification, detoxification and hydration. All in one cleanser!  I have been using this as a mask and cleanser for a few weeks now and I have already seen a decrease in the amount of clogged pores that have camped out on my forehead.  Seriously!  I wish I had taken before and after pictures but I really had no idea that this cleanser would be able to get rid of some of those clogged pores.   The cleanser is also able to remove makeup and impurities as is able to moisturize and leave the skin soft.  Check, Check, and Check!  It's also supposed to calm irritated skin.  Check!

I do have to admit that I did not use this cleanser to remove all of my makeup. I still use my oil cleansing method to do that, but I did notice that once I rinsed this cleanser off I had no residue left on the cotton pads from my toner.

The cleanser is a bit different.  You are supposed to apply it to damp skin.  This gel formula foams up like .... like those shaving gels that turn to foam.  But not quite as foamy and this actually cleans your skin.  It's pretty cool actually.  You won't see bubbles per se, but you will get major foaming action.  You can also use this as a mask. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and rinse off. I kinda treat this as a mask cleanser every night. I apply it to my damp skin, let it foam up.  any Mr. Sith by trying to kiss him while wearing the foamy mask.cleanser and by the time he relents it's time to wash it off.  What I see when I rinse off this cleanser is clean, happy skin. My skin is not tight or overly dry, it looks happy like I just had  facial and it feels soft. 

I have read that some people complain about a film left on their skin after rinsing away this cleanser. I too have experienced this, but I started to use a muslin cloth to rinse the cleanser away, and since I started to do that, I have not noticed any film remaining on my skin.

According to Freeze 24/7 the Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask contains a "proprietary complex of Bio-transformed Rice Bran and Hydrolyzed Soy Protein for deep cleansing, maximum skin purification, detoxification and hydration."  It can be used as a shaving cream...humm.  This product is NOT tested on animals and contains NO animal by-products.  It is Dermatologist Tested, Hypoallergenic and Non-irritating.  OK, The shaving cream attribute is still sticking with me because the more I used this cleanser the more I felt like I was putting shave gel on my face.  BUT The more I used this cleanser the more BETTER ("more better" not grammatically correct) my skin looked.  I couldn't deny the results that were staring back at me in the mirror.  This cleanser is awesome!

OK.  2 cons to this cleanser.

1. The packaging.  I'm not sure why the Freeze 24/7 packaging has not changed over the last decade but it really really should.  From the garish red and aqua blue box to the cheap pseudo "space age" pump this cleanser is stored in, it just looks tacky.  May I suggest a plastic squeeze tube or tube with a built in pump?  Might I also suggest the packaging change to an icy blue and silver?  I think that would look more current.  I get that you have to have the whole "ice" motif with the product names, but you might want to steer away from the whole ice desserts thing.  It too is tacky.

2.  The second con I have is that this cleanser is EXPENSIVE!  it retails for $65 for 3.3 fl oz.  That's hefty for most people.  If I had not been sent this cleanser I'm not sure I would have purchased it on my own.  HOWEVER after seeing how much my skin loves this cleanser I can't imagine using anything else!

Do you NEED this?  Maybe.  If you have some chronically clogged pores, oily or acne prone skin, this might be the cleanser you have been looking for all your life.  If you have Dry or Normal to Combination skin and NO pore issues, you can skip this. HOWEVER,  you'll be missing out on all the self foaming, chasing your SO around the bedroom with a foamy face fun that this cleanser entails.  Your loss!

In honor of Memorial Day weekend Freeze 24-7 Age-Less Skincare would like to offer you to Take 20% OFF your next order with use of code: MEMORIALDAY  The code will be valid: 5/22/2012 - 5/31/2012. That makes the price of the cleanser a bit more palatable! You can purchase this item at www.freeze247.com You can also purchase at Dermstore.com but I'm not aware of any specials going on right now.

This post contains an affiliate link for Freeze 24/7 and Dermstore.com. Affiliate links gives the Pink Sith Blog a commission when you click and purchase something from that link. It's just like a retail associate who works on a commission basis. When you shop through an affiliate link on Pink Sith you help support the site!

Agent Provocateur L’Agent Eau Provocateur Fragrance Review

I was asked to review one of the new Agent Provocateur day fragrances.  I was sent  L’Agent ‘Eau Provocateur'. Now in the interest of full disclosure I really, really do not like oriental scents. YSL-Opium, Serge Lutens-Serge Noir, Guerlain-Shalimar, Estee Lauder-Youth Dew, etc.  Those kind of scents assault me.  I feel violated when I sniff them (not in a sexual way, you sillies!).  It's just something about MY chemistry that says NO to Oriental fragrances.  

amber resin

What is an Oriental fragrance?  Oriental fragrances have a typical dominant amber scent.  However their makeup can include musk, resins, wood (like sandalwood) and exotic flowers and spices. Sometimes patchouli is in there as well.  

sandalwood

The Oriental accord in fragrances is the antithesis in what I like in a fragrance.  I like roses, white flowers like Magnolia, Jasmine. I like citrus and green scents too.  Oriental does not suit me.  

Rose

So why did I agree to review a fragrance that is known as a flowery Oriental?  While the original flowery Oriental fragrance of Agent Provocateur may be forever linked with "female sensuality and self-indulgent pleasure for the senses.", there is now a trio of new lighter scents.  This Spring, Agent Provocateur introduced a collection of 3 day fragrances which claim to "capture all the provocative ingredients from their existing perfumes."  But provide a subtle and light alternative of daytime fragrances. 

Bergamot

According to Agent Provocateur L’Agent Eau Provocateur’s scent pyramid is said to consist of:

Top Notes: Bergamot, Leaf Accord (fresh cut green leaves) Mandarin, Apple, Melon and Peach

Middle Notes:  Rose, Jasmin, Tuberose, Magnolia, Freesia and Ylang. 

Base Notes: Musk, Patchouli, Sandalwood and Amber Crystals.

Jasmine

They got me with the "fresh cut green leaves", "Rose", "Jasmin" and "Magnolia".  Why am I putting these words in quotes?  Because they linger for only a few moments before the heady oriental mix of Amber, Patchouli and Sandalwood smother the ever loving life out of them in the dry down.  Now don't get me wrong. I can still detect a little rose gasping for air in between the amber and sandalwood, but this is a much warmer fragrance than I am used to.  That doesn't mean it's bad. It just means that if you like amber-y type fragrances but wanted something a little lighter for daytime, maybe with a nice floral accord, this might be just the thing you are looking for!

Magnolia

When doing some research into this perfume I found this delightful review expert from a press release from Agent Provocateur (Thanks FragrantWitch!) on Now Smell This.  (A great fragrance resources if you ever need one).  This review sounds like it was ripped from the book "50 Shades of Gray". It just sounds so OVERLY sexualized and dramatic.

It said:

"L’Agent is a provocative scent that captures the senses in a flight of magnetic oriental florals, intoxicating amber and erotic musk.

Its potent heart has been captured with captivating ingredients like Geranium Bourbon, Rose de Mai, Jasmin Sambac, Tuberose absolute and Osmanthus. The heart has been secretly nurtured by adding exotic dark secrets in addition to Davana Oil, Baies Rose, Ylang Ylang, Rosewood and Angelica.
The base has been kissed and caressed with the finest and darkest ingredients including Patchouli, Sandalwood, Amber Crystals, Tonka Beans, Rock Rose, Myrrh and Black Incense Musk."

"erotic musk"

"secretly nurtured by adding exotic dark secrets"

"The base has been kissed and caressed with the finest and darkest ingredients"

How awesome is that description?  It's kinda silly, but it's also spot on as far as the scents go.  The description makes me think of some dude in a white lab coat fondling test tubes with his female lab assistant.  She is one of those women that wears thick glasses and keeps her hair in a tight bun.  As she removes the glasses, she pulls out a strategically placed hair pin and a cascade of beautiful, shiny, bouncy, brunette hair falls about her bare shoulders as she has also shed her lab coat is and is wearing nothing more than a garter panties and stockings.  The Lab dude is also one of those pretty people that wears thick glasses but as he removes them, his finely chiseled features, piercing blue eyes and strong jaw are featured.  He too sheds his lab coat and reveals the he is not wearing a shirt.  His Adonis type body is perfectly tanned and his six pack abs have a six pack.  As he embraces her in his muscular arms, it becomes readily apparent that these two are not the real lab rats.  It's so obvious.  How do I know?  Those two idiots are using a Volumetric Flask to heat liquids when they should have been using a Florence Flask!  Plus they were measuring the liquid with a Glass Beaker when they really should have been using a Graduated Cylinder. The graduated cylinder is far more accurate than a beaker.  Everyone knows that! Duh!

The new ‘Eau Provocateur’ Collection from Agent Provocateur is available at Nordstrom and selected department stores. ‘Eau Provocateur’ retails for $70.00  for a 50ml Eau de Toilette Spray.

This post contains affiliate links for Nordstrom.com. Affiliate links gives the Pink Sith Blog a commission when you click and purchase something from that link. It's just like a retail associate who works on a commission basis. When you shop through an affiliate link on Pink Sith you help support the site!