NYC Skin Matching Foundation in Fair

I bought this foundation a few months ago at Rite-Aid. It was a new product for NYC at the time so in figured for only $3.50 i should give it a try!!

I've had a chance to give this foundation a fair try over summer so below are my PROS and CONS for you. Please keep in mind i have combination-oily skin and i am acne prone.

PROS
squeeze tube
super cheap
comes in 4-5 shades w/ blend to match skintone
medium coverage
gives skin a healthy glow
not sticky or heavy

50/50
blends okay, but not great

CONS
Can get cakey if you accidentally apply too much
Makes dry areas look worse

Apart from the con's i actuallt like this foundation alot and when applied super sheer it almost works as a nice tinted moisturizer which was perfect for Summer. It's only $3.50 so it's worth a try and if you're looking for a new foundation give it a try! :)

Wet N Wild Ultimate Match SPF 15 Foundation in Porcelaine

Unfortunately i am NOT in love with this foundation! As you can see from the photo i got it for 50% off at CVS which made it only $2.50 per bottle but it still wasnt worth it.

PROS

cheap

easily available in drugstores

formula wasnt too runny or too thick

felt light on my face 

CONS

shade was the lightest in "porcelain" but was still too dark for me

made my face and hand oily when i swatched/applied it

way too pink toned for someone who needs a "porcelain" shade

only comes in 4 shades (at least thats the only ones my CVS sells)

I totally wasted my money by buying this because it was so wrong i cant get any use out of it, unfortunately. It wasnt the worst foundation ive ever used but it wasnt great. I definitely will not re-purchase.

Mix Your Own Foundation Shade!

If you've ever had a foundation that just didn't match, you need to read this post! For those of you who regularly read my posts, you'll know a while back i bought the new Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in the lightest shade possible for me, and it was still way too pink/warm for my skin tone. I also have a L'Oreal TrueMatch foundation that was way too light and too drying on my skin. I have been thinking a lot about how to fix these two products in order to continue using them and not waste any money - i found it!!

A while back at WalMart i found these two cute little travel bottles hanging from the side of an aisle. It comes with one pump bottle, and one squirt bottle for $1.99. At first i had no use for them i just figured at some point they would come in handy and i was right! lol. *I plan to use the squirt bottle to make a homemade brush cleanser. I will do a full review & pics along w/ a recipe for that soon!*

Mixing Your Own Foundation

1. Make sure you have an empty pump or pour bottle ready to use. They can be bought in the travel-size section in the beauty aisles at your local drugstore and are usually very cheap.
2. Take two foundations that don't exactly match you, but you think would work well together. I chose these two shades and mixed a tiny amount together before dumping them in the bottle to make sure they made a nice shade. This may take a few tries.
3. When you've figured out how much of each shade you need - wether it's ½ and ½ or ¾ to ¼ of each foundation - begin slowly pouring them into the empty bottle. Do not pour them in all at once.
4. When the bottle is about ¼ of the way full begin to shake the bottle to mix to two shades and see if you're happy with the results. If you are - continue pouring the same way. If you aren't - try mixing in different amounts to balance it out until you have it right.
5. Once you've balanced the two shades and you're happy with the results, fill the bottle up as much as you can. Shake it and mix the two shades together and you're done!!
6. Shake well before each use.

Luckily i only needed to mix equal parts of my two shades so i basically dumped the entire bottle of Fit Me into the pump bottle and then dumped the entire bottle of TrueMatch ontop of and then shook it to mix them. The shade is still a tad light for me but its MUCH better than the others were by themselves. Because the Fit Me was too pink and a tad too oily and the TruMatch was too dry and too light, they mixed together very well!! Overall im happy with the results and i used the foundation directly after mixing them and it fit me great!

If you try this or have tried this in the past please let me know how it worked out for you, or if you did anything differently! :) Thanks for reading.

Revlon Custom Creations Foundation in Fair/Light

I bought this foundation a few weeks ago at CVS. It's originally $14.79 but thanks to extra bucks and a coupon for this i got it for $8.79.

Fair/Light is the lightest foundation shade in the Custom Creations line, but you can actually dial-up 5 different shade combinations with this which i think is great. I always have a hard time getting a foundation that matches my skin because they're typically too pink for my light skin w/ olive undertones. This foundation, however, takes the guesswork out of shade matching!

I have my Revlon Custom Creations foundation dialed on #2. It's obviously just one step darker than Ivory but its about right for me ATM. Im sure once Summer is over and im a tad more tan i may be up to #3 or #4.

PROS
5 different shade combinations from one foundation
pump bottle
bottle mixes shades for you, obviously
even though you get 5 shade combos per bottle, their are still a few different bottles to choose from which gives you ALOT of shades
matte finish
not greasy at all
feels super light
medium coverage

50/50
$14.79 is a bit steep for a drugstore foundation but worth it b/c u get five shades. Buying 5 other foundations shades alone would be alot more expensive.

CONS
I would not recommend this for someone with dry skin, as the foundation has a matte powdery finish and may make you look even drier. (to fix this you could mix a squirt w. a bit of your favorite moisturizer)
Needs to have more product in it. I have only used this roughly 5x and there's only 3/4 of the product left already.

Overall i am loving this! Which is alot for me to say because i have so many issues with foundation. I have at least 6 in my makeup collection right now that i cant even use b/c the shade or formula is so wrong for me. If you have combination-oily skin & you like matte finishes this foundation would be GREAT for you!

● Tips For Applying Foundation:
If you have acne scarring, active pimples, or red spots/blemishes try mixing a pea-sized amount of your favorite foundation w/ a pea-sized amount of your favorite moisturizer and apply it to face like a tinted moisturizer.
Once it's on apply a green concealer to reduce redness, then a regular concealer - pat around edges once it's dry to blend into skin.
Next, apply your foundation as usual (i.e. with a brush, sponge, etc). Doing this gives me extra coverage when i have a hormonal breakout and zaps any redness.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in 115 Ivory

I bought this Fit Me foundation in 115 Ivory at Walgreens a couple weeks ago for roughly $8. Everytime i had almost bought it before, i decided against it in the end because NONE of the shades matched me well enough. However, i decided to try it anyways =\

My skin tone is pale with olive undertones. So typically i need a yellow based foundation - not pink. Unfortunately this Fit Me is pink toned. *Everyone i talked to said it looked great and matched my skin fine but i dont think so LOL

My current foundation is CoverGirl TruBlend foundation in Classic Ivory. Its the perfect shade for my face and has blendable minerals + a pump bottle, which i love.

Maybelline Fit Me
[PROS]
very lightweight
blends easily
feels soft on face
medium coverage
sleek packaging
comes in TONS of shades
has SPF 18

[CONS]
too pink
super runny
no pump

If you check out Photo #3 you'll notice that the Fit Me shade is super pink toned and more runny compared to my CG foundation - both are shades of Ivory - both are the 2nd lightest shade in each of their collections. I dont hate the Fit Me foundation.... it blends well and covers great but i feel like when i put it on my face and neck dont match - the shades are off. I cant buy the lighter shade of Fit Me (theres only one more) because its TOO light for me. I am going to attempt to use this more, maybe mix it w/ a moisturizer or another foundation to even out the color but if it fails i will not be buying Fit Me again.

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Silk Foundation

I hate this foundation. The only positive things about it is the packaging and the fact that its a little lighter on skin than most foundations - otherwise i HATE it!

PROS
thin, sleek packaging
feels lighter than some other foundations
smells nice and fresh

CONS
made me break out
very sticky on my face
face looked oily in less than 2 hrs
light coverage - i need medium
price - $15.39 each
hard to use w/ a brush or hands b/c its so thick and sticky
looks cakey if too much is applied
has too much of a pink undertone, which doesnt suit me
stained shirt collar
just hated the way it felt in general

I barely applied any of this, it was a very light layer of foundation and it was stll so gross and sticky feeling. I despised the way it felt on my face and as i said within 2 hours i had a super oily face and was ALREADY breaking out!! Just the worst foundation i have tried in a very long time, not to mention its super price. Its the only $15 drugstore foundation i could find - not very cheap.

I WOULD NOT recommend anyone buy this foundation. Its terrible.

Revlon ColorStay SoftFlex Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin

I have heard so many people rave about this foundation, so when i saw it on sale at CVS for 50% off PLUS i had a $4 coupon off any Revlon purchase of $10 or more - i knew i had to try it!! I ended up getting this foundation for less than $3 which is a total steal.

I bought this foundation in 150 Buff.

PROS
not to runny, not too thick
medium-full coverage, usually i dont even need concealer
blends very well into my skin
no scent
nice packaging
long lasting
lightweight, feels like nothing is on my face
controls my oil
doesnt "melt" in heat
has SPF 6

50/50
This is liquidy enough to be in a pump bottle, and would be alot easier and more sanitary to use if it were. However this isnt a huge issue.

CONS
Looks cakey at first no matter now light i apply it, that fades quickly though but i find that if i apply a powder over this it continues to look cakey all day. So its actually just better used alone with no finishing powder on top.

I have tried soo many new foundation lately, mainly because they were uber cheap, but this one (alone with Rimmel Clean Finish) is my favorite! The fact that i dont have to use concealer or a finishing powder takes 2 steps out of my routine and actually makes it quicker.

Its been 90-100 degrees here lately. My favorite thing about this is that i can wear it outside even when its super hot and humid and it never feels gross, melts, or wears off. The shade looks a tad too light/yellow for me but because the foundation blends so seamlessly it actually ends up matching me perfectly. I would highly recommend this! Its also made for normal and dry skin also.

AVON Ideal Shade Foundation Adjuster in Cool

This is a brand new product from AVON which adjusts your foundation shade to make it slightly darker, drop by drop. It comes in Cool for light skin tones, and Warm for dark skin tones.

As you can see from the swatch the AVON Ideal Shade Foundation Adjuster in Cool is a warm shimmery bronze color. It does not dramatically darken your foundation with one tiny drop. From experience one drop gives you one shade slightly darker. Add more drops for a darker shade. So its really easy to control your shade!

To Use:

1. Apply a nickel-quarter size amount of your foundation on the top of your hand.
2. Apply a tiny 1/2 pea-size amount of Foundation Adjuster beside or ontop of your foundation. 
3. Mix the two together with your finger or a foundation brush.
4. If its not the shade you want yet, add another tiny drop of Foundation Adjuster until you reach the desired shade.

This is pretty simple to use and very handy if you have a foundation that's just too light for you. As i said earlier this Foundation Adjuster does come in two shades for light skin tones and dark skin tones. I have never seen another company with a product like this, have you?

NYC Smooth Skin Liquid Makeup

I purchased this foundation the same day i bought the new Rimmel Clean Finnish foundation. They were both super cheap, this one was around $2, and i figured I wouldnt be loosing much if i didnt like either one of them so i grabbed them both! LOL

PROS
cheap, roughly $2
blends well
can be applied with a brush or sponge
has a nice consistency
long lasting
feels soft on my face
never sticky
stands up to humidity
the shade "Nude" matched me pretty well but could be better

50/50
Only available in 7-9 shades (i cant remember exactly) But because they're very blendable and skin-matching its not a huge issue.

CONS
Hard to get out of the bottle. This is a thick liquid foundation, it will not run out when you tip the bottle - you basically have to beat it out.

Overall this is a nice foundation - especially for the price. It felt light and soft on my face which i was happy about, and it definitely wasnt sticky. As i said the shade "Nude" matched me well but it would have been a little better. My only issue is that its such a pain to get out of the bottle! I had to beat it vigorously to get it out, it just wouldn't move. *I have to say i definitely love the Rimmel Clean Finish foundation ALOT more!

Have you tried this foundation or another NYC foundation? What do you think? Would you every buy one if you havent already?

Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation

I did not expect to like this foundation as much as I do, mainly because of how cheap it is and i typically can't find a Rimmel foundation in my shade. However, this new Clean Finish line, $3.97, is great and it has more shade options!

This foundation is very unique in the sense that it had a wand with a spatula on the end. This basically means you can scoop the product out as opposed to hitting it to try and get it to come out. In my opinion they probably added the spatula/wand because the foundation is very creamy and too thick to pour.

Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation

- 100% poreless for a natural even complexion - Lightweight for a clean, fresh finish. - Vitamins A & E plus anti-oxidents - Fragrance free - Dermatologist testet

PROS
lightweight
medium coverage - could be layered for more coverage if needed
blends like a dream
no streaky lines
powdery feeling finish - not sticky
feels great with or without a powder on top
"Ivory" matched my skin tone perfectly
spatula came in handy - i like it a lot!
worked well on my dry AND oily areas
long lasting
definitely evened my complexion well
didn't smudge or transfer off onto clothes or anything else
cheap! only $3.97 each
better shade range than any other Rimmel foundation line
did reduce the appearance of my pores

50/50
-I found that this is best applied with a dampened sponge instead of a stippling brush just because of the creaminess and the fact its a little thicker than a liquid foundation. The sponge also gave a more airbrushed poreless effect than a brush did. Some people may not like this but it doesn't bother me.
-It claims to make you 100% poreless. It definitely reduced my pores ALOT but did not make them disappear 100% so the only issue i have is that their packing sort of lies... a little.

CONS
None!

I totally love this! I cant believe it! It feels so amazing on my face. I've only been wearing it for about a week but i want to call it my Holy Grail foundation already! (we'll see though, only time will tell) mainly because of the overall finish & feel. I am very pleased with it - especially the price! LOL This will most definitely be a repurchase for me in the future.

My Foundation Tips & Tricks

Photo is mine. I put ALOT of effort into this, and I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite tips for applying foundation, wether it's with a sponge, brush, or other techniques. Please remember while reading this that I have combination-oily skin and i am sometimes acne prone in my t-zone with occasional dryness on my cheeks (depends on seasons/weather). If you have techniques of your own that are different from mine PLEASE tell me, i always find them helpful and others might too :)

I have the hardest time finding a foundation shade that matches my skin tone, and sometimes they match but tend to be too drying or too oily so it is a constant battle for me. This is why over the years ive came up with the following techniques to balance everything out when a foundation i buy just isn't right for me. Im not an expert or anything just wanted to help you in some way and share my knowledge. I've divided them into categories for you. Enjoy :)

My Foundation Is The Wrong Shade…

1. If it's too light try the new AVON Ideal Shade Foundation Adjuster, $4.99. Pour or pump a small amount of your favorite foundation onto the back of your hand, add a 1-2 drops of the foundation adjuster and mix them together!! It will instantly darken the foundation just a tad. Adding more drops makes it darker. It comes in shades for light & dark skin.
2. If it's too dark mix it with a bit of your favorite moisturizer - specifically one that's white in color to lighten up the shade.
3. After applying your foundation buff a lighter toned pressed powder onto of it to fix the shade a little.
4. If you have one dark and one light foundation, mix them together! Do it slowly and use little amounts at a time until you get the right shade.
5. If your foundation is too pink or too yellow for your skin, exchange or return it!!

My Foundation or Face Is Too Dry…

1. Try mixing your foundation half & half with your favorite moisturizer, or ¾ foundation and ¼ moisturizer to balance it out.
2. Spray a makeup setting mist onto a makeup sponge (try E.L.F. Makeup Mist & Set, $3) prior to applying your foundation to that sponge. It will keep it moist and the moisturizing properties in the spray will counteract the dryness in your foundation or skin. PLUS it will help your foundation last longer.
3. Exfoliate and moisturize your face prior to applying foundation, it will provide a clean smooth surface for you to work with.

My Foundation or Face is Too Oily…

1. Use a foundation base/primer to face prior to applying your foundation.
2. Pay extra attention and make sure the foundation you're buying is suited best for oily skin
3. After applying your foundation use a kabuki brush and buff on your favorite pressed powder or HD finishing powder (like the one from E.L.F. for $6). This will nix any shininess and oil plus the silica in it will automatically absorb any extra oil that produces throughout the day.
4. You could also use a makeup setting mist specifically designed for oily skin to zap oil and set your makeup.
Use an aspirin mask 1-2 per month - it instantly softens skin, reduces reduces, and eliminates oil. But, this is too harsh for weekly use which is why i suggest only 1-2 time a month.

Should I Use A Sponge, Fingers Or Brush?

1. If you want medium-full coverage with an airbrushed effect, use a stippling brush like the Sigma F50.
2. If you only need light-medium blendable coverage use a sponge like the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge at Target.
3. If you're using your fingers this seems to only work best for tinted moisturizers. You're going to get better, more even coverage with foundation by using a brush or sponge. Always wash hands prior to using them on your face.
4. No matter what you're using always clean them weekly, if not daily to reduce bacteria buildup and the possibility that it make break you out b/c its dirty. Check out E.L.F. Brush Shampoo or Daily Brush Cleanser for $3 each.

I Have Acne, What Are Some Tips I Can Use?

1. Cleanliness is key here, just like the tip above you need to make sure whatever you're using to apply your foundation is clean and sanitary.
2. Some companies like Neutrogena and CoverGirl have foundations specifically made for acne prone skin that include 2% salicylic acid to fight breakouts.
3. Exfoliate! The buildup of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells contributes to breakouts. Exfoliating not only cuts down on acne but also provides a soft clean base for makeup. Also choose a moisturizer meant for your acne prone skin like LUSH Vanishing Cream - which balances oiliness, dry spots, AND acne.
4. After cleansing/exfoliating and using a toner dab on an invisible spot treatment like LUSH Grease Lightning to dry up & fight acne prior to using your moisturizer and foundation.
5. Mix a pea-sized amount of your foundation with a pea-sized amount of your favorite moisturizer and apply them to skin like a light tinted moisturizer. It provides moisturization plus a nice base to even skintone prior to applying your concealer.
6. Choosing the right concealer is super important also. Pick a green concealer to balance redness and a skin-toned concealer to cover it and any other non-red blemishes (like the Physicians Formula ones in tubes). Dab the green concealer over any red spots or active pimples and allow to dry, then cover them and other problem spots with your skin-toned concealer. Pat around the edges to soften and diffuse then apply your foundation!
7. NEVER pick at your face!!! Each time you touch an active pimple, scab, etc. you're extending the life of it by 7-10 days and inflaming it or even making it worse b/c your hands may be dirty. Leaving it alone is your best bet

WOW That was long hahaha. Sorry. These are all the tips i keep in mind when situations like this pop up and i hope they help you! As i said at the beginning, if you have any tips or tricks of your own please share them! Thanks so much for reading :)

Coty Airspun Translucent Loose Powder

I bought this powder at Kmart BOGO for $6. Its ALOT of powder and a pretty large container so two of them will last me a very long time.

I'll admit the packaging isnt very cute. My guess is it isnt changed sinc the 1920's because ever since I can remmeber my grandma using this (like 20 yrs ago when i was a kid) they have always looked the same. However, that doesnt really bother me because its a good product.

This is a loose powder so it can get a little messy, but as long as you dip your brush it and tap off the excess really well you shouldnt have any issues. Its a creamy ivory shade but totally translucent when applied to skin and sets my makeup really well without making me look dry, cakey, or powdery. It does have a smell, just the typical powder scent but not very fragrant at all and I cant smell it the entire day, just when I first apply it. You can buy it in fragrance free if this bothers you. (green container)

Overall, i really like this powder and I can see why my grandma used it for so many years. It immediately zapped any oiliness or sheen from my liquid makeup and made my face look clean and fresh. Very nice makeup setting powder.

CoverGirl TruBlend Foundation

I bought this foundation in Ivory about a week ago after having not so great results w/ another CoverGirl foundation. It took me a good ten minutes to figure out which shade would for best for me. I am pale w/ olive or yellow undertones and I often buy foundations that look right in the store, but end up being too pink. I have applied this using a sponge, and a brush but i prefer a brush everytime. The formula is thick and creamy, but not heavy or cakey. I cant even tell im wearing it.

When i use a foundation brush to apply it, i get better and more even coverage and although im using more product on my face it doesnt feel like it. When im done applying and blending my face is covered, even toned, and dewey looking like I have a fresh glow. I was also surprised at the staying power this foundation has, I havent noticed any wear or transfer (like rubbing off onto clothes). My favorite part is the pump bottle, makes everything so much easier. Overall it’s a great foundation, which is alot for me to say because i typically end up hating every foundation i buy. However, i will be re-purchasing this over & over.

What is your favorite Drugstore foundation??