IS IT A DUPE? | MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER vs. MAYBELLINE MASTER CONCEAL

I feel like it’s be a hot minute since I’ve done a dupe post! But boy, oh boy, do I have a great one for you today!

So today, I feel like we’ve got the “mac”-daddy (a little pun intended) of all dupes. We’re duping the cult classic, makeup artist favorite; MAC Pro Longwear Concealer!

With everyone and their mother raving about this concealer, I had to try it for myself – so off to Macy’s I went, looking for the MAC counter.
I was color matched in store (though I think he gave me the wrong undertones) to NW15 and NW20 (back in the winter) and sent home with samples. I’m still working through them, jussayin’.

While I was testing it out over the course of a few days, I noticed that it was super similar to something I already had in my collection – the Maybelline Face Studio Master Conceal!

Could it be? Could the cult fave have a drugstore cousin? Keep reading to find out!

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MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER ($21 / maccosmetics.com)

While my samples are in a little plastic pot with a screw-off lid (hello, unsanitary!) the full size, which contains 0.30 fl oz of product comes in a glass tube with a pump – while a pump is typically the more desirable in terms of packaging for hygienic reasons, I’ve heard that it can tend to spew out too much product, making it wasteful. And who the hell wants to waste high end makeup?! Not me!

This concealer comes in 16 shades – NC is used to describe skin with warmer undertones, and NW is used to describe skin with cooler undertones, and the number is your ‘level’, if you will. For reference, I’m an NC15 in the winter, and right now (mid-July) I’m about an NC25/30. The associate matched me under fluorescent lights in a Macy’s, and got my undertone wrong (I’m fair with yellow undertones), but it’s alright – fluorescent lights are hardly forgiving.

In terms of formula, this concealer claims to be medium to full coverage, matte, water and transfer resistant coverage for up to 15 hours. Whoa. It’s also made with a built in technology for priming your eyes (one of my fave ways to use it!), but it can be just a little on the heavy, drying side, which is ok for someone with combination or oily skin, but someone with normal to dry skin may find it too drying, as it sets matte rather quickly, and can tend to cling to dryness if you don’t exfoliate and moisturize prior to use.

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MAYBELLINE FACE STUDIO MASTER CONCEAL ($8.99 / drugstores)

The packaging of these concealers couldn’t be more different – while the MAC one comes in a glass vial with a pump, this one comes in a plastic squeeze tube with a twist off cap, which in all honesty, I prefer. There is far less wasted product, because you can control the amount that comes out. And since you’re essentially using less, the 0.4 fl oz will last you quite some time!

This one only comes in five shades, however they are neutral in tone, and I’ve never had any trouble finding my match – I use ‘Fair’ in the winter, ‘Light’ in the spring and fall, and ‘Light/Medium’ in the summer. They adapt to skin tones incredibly well, which is quite impressive for drugstore concealer, and more specifically Maybelline, which tends to run cooler/pinker in undertone.

The formula of this concealer is incredibly similar to MAC, claiming to be a full coverage, high-resistence concealer with an undetectable finish. I absolutely believe that this is everything it claims to be. The only difference would be that this one takes a bit longer to set, unless you powder it right away, which can make it appear a bit dewy after you’ve blended it out. Personally, I set every concealer with a powder, whether it’s recommended or not, just out of habit – #oilygirlproblems. The upside to this one is that I have no trouble with it clinging to any dry areas on my face, with my problem spot being the creases on either side of my nose.

So, is it a dupe?

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I absolutely recommend trying the Maybelline concealer if you’re in the market for something full coverage and similar to the cult classic from MAC, but just can’t see yourself “makin’ it rain” for a high end concealer. They’re both great products, and MAC is definitely worth the buy, but if you’re being budget-conscious, then the Maybelline is a perfectly acceptable dupe!

Have you guys tried any of these concealers? Which one is your fave? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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FEBRUARY 2016 FAVORITES

Ok, I know February is a short month, but geez! It breezed right by!

I’ve really been trying to incorporate some new or ‘under-loved’ products into my regular routine, because they’re either close to empty and I want to use them up, or they’re ‘rediscovered faves’.

Let’s get started!

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BITE BEAUTY SMASHED AGAVE LIP MASK ($26)

I swear the weather up here in New England has reached a whole new level of crazy. Like ‘Britney Spears when she shaved her head’ crazy. And with that has come parched lips. This lip mask is a God send. So much so that despite it’s $26 price tag, I ordered three of them. One for my vanity, one for my purse, and one as a backup. I know. I’m nuts, right? But it’s that good. It’s got a gorgeous universal red-wine tint, and it’s packed full of high quality ingredients like Lanolin, vanilla extract, natural olive fruit, and jojoba oil. It comes in an un-tinted formula, as well as one thats a rosy champagne-y color, but this sheer red just spoke to me. And it’s freakin’ amazing.

MAYBELLINE FACESTUDIO MASTER CONCEAL ($9)

This is one of those ‘rediscovered favorites’. It kinda got buried in my collection, and recently while I was searching for something to conceal my ‘mommy hasn’t slept in a week’ dark circles, this all but jumped out of the drawer at me. It’s thick and creamy, but blendable, and has amazing coverage. I use the shade ‘Light’ under my eyes, and ‘Fair’ to conceal any blemishes, and it does the job without fail. Because it’s so creamy, though, this is one of those concealers that you must set with a powder, or it will absolutely crease. But it’s awesome.

SALON PERFECT BROW DEFINING KIT ($9)

 

 Since running out of my trusty NYX Micro Brow Pencil, I’ve been filling in my brows with powder, and I’ve been loving it! This kit comes with three brow shades, a highlight shade, an angled brush/spoolie duo, and a wax pencil (which I don’t really use). I find that my brows look more natural than ever, which is great for those minimal makeup days where I don’t want my brows to overtake my face, but I definitely want them filled in. When set with a good brow gel, the color stays put all day! One thing I like to do to ensure it doesn’t fade at all is run a little bit of my eyeshadow primer through my brows, and then fill them in. Those babies aren’t goin’ nowhere!

COVERGIRL LASH BLAST CLUMP CRUSHER EXTENSIONS MASCARA ($8)

 

 I have pretty much every ‘Lash Blast’ mascara out there, and ‘Clump Crusher’ is by far my fave. Until I found this in my local CVS one day. I actually applied it in my truck in the parking lot, with no other makeup on, because I was so excited. And it totally delivered! My lashes were defined, slightly volumized, noticeably longer, and it seemed to even curl them a little as well! My eyes looked wide open and awake, and even though I had no powder under my lower lash line, which guarantees a smudge-fest, it didn’t transfer! It applied easily to both my top and bottom lashes, which is uncommon – I usually have to use a different mascara with a smaller brush for my bottom lashes – and it made them long and gorgeous! I’m in lash heaven!

ARDELL DEMI WISPIES ($10 for 4 pairs) 

 

 I’m not a regular wearer of false lashes – I mean, c’mon, I’m a stay at home mom; I barely put regular clothes on during the week! False lashes are typically a ‘special occasion’ thing for me, but a couple weeks ago I was feeling especially sassy, and decided to throw a pair on, and I find myself wearing them more often than not now! It’s to the point where it’s almost easier to throw on a pair of Demi Wispies than it is to try to achieve a similar look using three different mascaras. And far less time consuming. What I love about these is that while, yes, they can be quite full and glamorous, they also work well for day to day wear, to really enhance the eyes and open them up. They work well with a blown out smokey eye, or how I’ve been wearing them, with a dusting of a neutral matte brown in the crease, and that’s it. With the literally thousands of styles of false lashes on the market, it amazes me how truly versatile one particular style can be! If you’ve been wanting to try false lashes but can’t decide where to start, start with these!

ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR STAY-IN-PLACE POWDER MAKEUP ($40)

 

 Yet another product that seemed to get lost in my ‘black hole’ drawer of pressed powders, I pulled this out recently when I was battling a few blemishes. The reason behind it, and how I have been using it? To spot-set my concealer, and just provide the teeniest bit of extra coverage to particularly angry blemishes. This is also great if you’re someone who doesn’t wear foundation on a regular basis, but gravitate more towards concealer, and want just that touch of coverage and oil control without looking like you have anything on your skin. Basically the way I use it to spot conceal is to apply my regular concealer (or heavy duty, depending on the job) and take a pointed eyeshadow brush, like a pencil brush, and dab it right over the concealed blemish. It helps to set it in place so your concealer doesn’t slide around, even if you aren’t in the mood for a full coverage face. It’s also great with a flat top powder brush to just even out your skin tone. And for the record, because I know it’s a pricey powder, Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder does essentially the same thing. I just happened to have this floating around, and it’s more than half gone, so I’d like to use it up. I hate waste.

MILANI BAKED BLUSH IN ‘LUMINOSO’ ($8)

Almost everyone here knows about Milani Baked Blush in ‘Luminoso’ – and if you don’t, crawl out from under your rock, run to your nearest CVS, and buy it! All of the Milani Baked Blushes are nice, but most I find to have chunky glitter in. This one though….*le sigh*….not only is it a drugstore dupe for a high end brand, but it’s got this incredibly natural peachy pink glow with the slightest champagne shimmer in it. It’s like having your blush and highlight all in one. It’s like heaven shined down on your cheeks, from a little round, golden compact. This is one of those staples that absolutely everyone needs in their collection, whether you’re a drugstore goddess or high-end hoarder.

BUXOM FULL ON LIP CREAM IN ‘ROSE JULEP’ ($20)

 

 This is a new purchase, which I really struggled with before committing and placing my order, for a few reasons; #1. $20 for a lip gloss? Really? #2. It’s hard to pick a shade online – but thanks to a swatch by Kathleen Lights on YouTube, I took the plunge, and I’m glad I did. I do enjoy Buxom’s lip products; they have a wonderful, refreshing, cool, tingly feel on the lips, which I can’t wait to use during the warm brutally hot summer months. The colors really are gorgeous, this shade in particular being a rosy pink shade that is very close to my own lip shade, so it’s perfect for a minimal makeup day. And they last. They’re sticky, but not uncomfortably so, which helps them stay put, which in turn means you’re not reapplying every hour and zipping through a tube of this stuff in a month.
Really, go buy one. They’re awesome.

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There you have it guys!! What are some of the things you’ve been loving this month? Have you tried any of these? Leave me a comment and let me know! I love to hear from you!

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DRUGSTORE FOUNDATION ROUTINE

 

A national study, commissioned by Neutrogena, has suggested that American women expect their cosmetics to deliver flawless skin and sun protection, over fashion-forward colors. Read the whole article here.

I must be one of the women that falls into that category, because I would totally choose flawless skin over anything else, any day of the week. If I could have it naturally, that would be wonderful. But since I don’t, I fake it with foundation, concealer, powder, etc., as do many of us.
So today, that’s exactly what we’re doing! This is going to be a simple tutorial, just on how I achieve the base of my face – no eyes, lips, brows, nothing like that. This is simply foundation, concealer, powder, and maybe I’ll throw in a little natural contouring.

So let’s get started!

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First things first, I typically start with a primer. Depending on my needs, I use different products to prime. If I’m oily, I reach for the Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer – if I’m dry and dull, I tend to go for my L’Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer – which is what I’m using today. After cleansing and moisturizing (super important if you want your makeup to look F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S!) I apply my primer and give it a few minutes to really absorb into my skin.

 

 Next, you want your ride or die foundation – something that you know is your perfect color match, the coverage that you want and/or need. On days that I need really full coverage, I grab my Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation – this stuff with cover EVERYTHING. But today, since I really just want a nice, light to medium coverage, I’ll be using the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation, and I am in the shade 110 Porcelain. I’ll be applying it first with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, and then going over my dry spots (cheeks, sides of my nose, forehead) with a damp sponge, just to make sure that the foundation isn’t clinging to any dry patches, and really just infuse as much hydration as possible.

 

 Now, for concealer – I’ve been super dry under my eyes lately, and I’m also battling a hormonal breakout (thanks a lot, Aunt Flo!) so I’m using two different shades of the same concealer. Under the eyes, I’m using the Maybelline Face Studio Master Conceal in the shade ‘Light’ because it has a slightly yellow undertone to it, which is great for my dark circles, and the shade ‘Fair’ for concealing blemishes and highlighting. This concealer is super creamy, which means it will crease if not blended and set properly, so I’ll blend it out with a damp beauty blender and set it with my NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent, using my Morphe M438 brush. Be careful not to get any powder on your cheeks or forehead for the next step.

 

 Next we’ll do a little cream contouring. I like cream contouring (especially on dry skin) because it looks so incredibly natural. All you need is a foundation or concealer a few shades darker than your skin tone, so I’m using the Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation in the shade 355 Coconut – it’s the darkest shade they offer, but also the most neutral/least warm. I simply draw a line from the top of my ear diagonally down toward the corner of my mouth, but going no further than the tail of  my brow, and a few lines on either side of my forehead right above the brow, and start blending – since it’s so dark, I blended it out with my foundation brush, but with no additional product on the brush – I only used the leftover to blend it seamlessly into my skin.

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From here, you can go ahead and finish your makeup the way you normally would! I just added a little blush, mascara, filled in my brows (if you want to read my brow tutorial, click here) and added a lipstick/gloss.

What are your favorite foundations and concealers? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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LOTS OF LOVE!!