Showing posts with label L'Oreal. Show all posts

L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick - I Create, I Rule, I Am Worth It

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick Review

I haven't qualified for an Influenster Voxbox in a hot while. I remembered the early ones I received were full of average products which were fun to try but nothing memorable or repurchase worthy. VoxBox's Rouge Signature edition, however, has blown me off my feet. As my first L'Oréal lip product, the Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick in I Create, I Rule, and I Am Worth It are quickly becoming my go-to formulas of choice lately.

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick Influenster VoxBox

L'Oréal's description:

Lightweight matte colored ink that delivers a stain-like feel with the color impact of a liquid lipstick. Imparts lips with a high pigment, matte finish, and lasting wear.

Less texture*, more color: Rouge Signature is a lightweight matte colored ink that delivers intense pigment loads with a weightless, bare-lip sensation. This ultra-comfortable liquid matte colored ink provides lasting matte color and infuses lips with a healthy, even dye of color. The no makeup feel of a stain combined with the color impact of a liquid lipstick. Find your signature shade from our captivating range. Use with our precision applicator to shape and lines lips for a precise and perfectly applied lip.

CAUTION: Flammable until dry. Do not use near fire, flame, or heat.

Directions
Apply starting in the center of your upper lip. Work from the center to outer edges of your lips, following the contour of your mouth. Then glide across the bottom lip and fill in. To take off, use an oil-based makeup remover or our waterproof Micellar Water for best results.

Ingredients
AQUA / WATER / EAU, DIMETHICONE, OCTYLDODECANOL, ISODODECANE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, ALCOHOL, ACRYLATES/POLYTRIMETHYLSILOXYMETHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYL PENTAPHENYL TRISILOXANE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, PEG/PPG-18/18 DIMETHICONE, ALUMINA, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, LINALOOL, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, TOCOPHEROL, PARFUM / FRAGRANCE, [+/- MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR, CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES, CI 45410 / RED 28 LAKE, CI 15850 / RED 7, CI 45380 / RED 22 LAKE, CI 15985 / YELLOW 6 LAKE, CI 42090 / BLUE 1 LAKE, CI 19140 / YELLOW 5 LAKE]

Lipstick 7 ml / 0.23 oz

L'Oréal (MSRP): USD $11.99

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick packaging closeup

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick name label

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick applicator

Packaging

A thick, transparent plastic tube with a twist-off cap and a petal-shaped applicator. The stopper inside the tube is just large enough for the applicator to come out easily whilst scraping off the perfect amount of excess product.

New tubes will have a sticker label for a security seal; if the perforated part is broken it probably has been opened already. The label for the name is placed on a very small sticker at the bottom of the tube.

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick - I Create lip swatches
I Create (No. 416)
"Nude," muted pink color in the tube. On my lips, it becomes a little peachy (warm pink) and is most similar to my natural lip color.

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick - I Rule lip swatches
I Rule (No. 414)
Pink with blue undertones that is almost a dusty magenta. It applies true to the color in the tube.

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick - I Am Worth It lip swatches
I Am Worth It (No. 426)
Red with cool/blue undertones. Also applies true to the color in the tube.

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

The three colors I have tried are all highly pigmented yet lightweight and not tacky. Immediately after application, it is a bit wet with a slight shine but as the formulation dries it takes on a more velvety matte look.

The lipstick does transfer and wipes away but it also leaves stain my lips to a degree; the less bold colors are not as noticeable since it is similar to my bare lips.

There is a very slight sweet scent if I really sniff the applicator itself. Otherwise, it doesn't smell of much after I apply it nor does it taste of anything if licked.

How I Apply

Gradient lips // Point the applicator with the concave part facing my bottom lip. Spread a light layer starting from the center and then toward both sides. Lightly smack my lips together to put some color onto the upper lip.

Full lips // Start the same way as I would for gradient lips. Afterward, I add a layer or two extra to get more precise lines. I like to flip the applicator over so the concave part is facing up and then use the pointed tip to create the clean lip shape.

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick - I Create, I Rule, I Am Worth It color swatches

lavlilacs L'Oréal Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick - I Create, I Rule, I Am Worth It transferring

Thoughts & Recommendations

L'Oréal couldn't have been more accurate with their description of what the Rouge Signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipsticks are. Everything that makes this lip product special is what I had hoped the Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick to be. Having tried both now, I do hope something existed with the best qualities of both.

The Rouge Signature packs a colorful punch whilst being versatile. I love that I could wear a light layer or build up for a bolder look. The formulation is buttery smooth, lightweight, and most importantly not tacky. Layering and reapplying is a breeze. It doesn't seem to settle into my lines nor catch onto dry patches. Once it dries down, I barely feel like I have anything on my lips.

Perhaps the only questionable claim is this providing lasting wear. The brand chose their words very wisely. In a sense it does, the bolder colors do leave a noticeable stain. Those swatches on my arm lasted a good week's time despite cleansing oils and eye/lip makeup remover. On my lips, though, is a different story. The staining effect only lasts as long as the top layer of skin isn't exfoliated off. For me, that happens twice daily...once in the morning because of lip balms and another time at night because of cleansing. The actual liquid lipstick portion easily wipes off when eating or drinking—the oilier the foods, the more color is removed.

L'Oréal' offers slightly more product (7ml versus Maybelline's 5ml) but it has a higher Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Pricing (USD $11.99 versus Maybelline's USD $9.49). I definitely prefer the see-through tubes of the Rouge Signature. I also actually find myself reapplying after the color fades because of how fuss-free it is; whereas I had no such thoughts with the SuperStay due to its tackiness, tendency to flake, and inability to layer. If only the liquid lipstick part of the Rouge Signature is as transfer-proof as the SuperStay, while keeping its non-sticky texture, we would have one huge gem of a drugstore matte lip product.

Retractable Eyeliner Comparison - L'Oreal Matte-Matic versus Revlon Colorstay

lavlilacs Retractable Eyeliner Comparison Review - L'Oreal Matte-Matic versus Revlon Colorstay

Sharp, clean, and precise eyeliner looks are a wonder to see but require much skill and patience to master. While it is a makeup goal I would like to achieve some time in my lifetime, I am satisfied with my current liner skills for a day-to-day routine. Having the right formulated product, ideally long-wear & smudge-proof, and delivery mechanism, best if retractable, is definitely key to keeping the morning process concise and stress-free.

I don't typically keep multiple eyeliners open at once but since I happened to have two similar ones in hand I thought I would compare how L'Oreal's Matte-Matic in Deep Brown fairs against Revlon's Colorstay Eye Liner in Black Brown. Both have lofty claims, generally good reviews, and are affordable; what's to lose?

lavlilacs L'Oreal Matte-Matic in 513 Deep Brown packaging

lavlilacs Revlon Colorstay Eye Liner 202 Black Brown packaging

Descriptions:

L'Oreal
Rich matte intensity that lasts up to 24HR. Built-in sharpener for buidable precise lines. Waterproof. Smudge resistant. Gel cream formula for smooth application. Soft & easy application. Opthamologist tested. Do not use in eyelid.

Revlon
Rich, intense color. Wears up to 16 hours. Use smudger to blend color. For a precise line, gently sharpen using pull-out sharpener at base of pencil. Glides on smoothly. Waterproof. Opthamologist tested.

Ingredients
L'Oreal
DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, SYNTHETIC WAX, PHENYLPROPYLDIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, POLYETHYLENE, HEXAMETHYLDISILOXANE, DISILOXANE, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID, CAPRYLYL TRIMETHICONE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, SILICA, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TALC, LECITHIN, TIN OXIDE, TOCOPHEROL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, CITRIC ACID. +/- MAY CONTAIN // PEUT CONTENIR: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, IRON OXIDES – MICA - CI 77891, TITANIUM DIOXIDE - CI 77000, ALUMINUM POWDER - CI 77510, FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE - CI 77007, ULTRAMARINES - CI 77510, FERRIC FERROCYANIDE - CI 75470, CARMINE

Revlon
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, OZOKERITE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, POLYETHYLENE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, CANDELILLA CERA ((EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX) CIRE DE CANDELILLA), TOCOPHEROL, SORBIC ACID, BHT, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, (MICA), (IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, 77492, 77499)), (TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)), (BLACK 2 (CI 77266)), (FERRIC FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510)), (CARMINE (CI 77470)), (ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007))

L'Oreal eyeliner 0.01 oz / 0.28 g
Revlon eyeliner 0.01 oz / 0.28 g

(Retail prices vary greatly depending on the city/town)
CVS/Walgreens: USD ~$9-10.00
Target: USD ~$6-8.00

lavlilacs L'Oreal Matte-Matic in 513 Deep Brown opened

lavlilacs Revlon Colorstay Eye Liner 202 Black Brown opened

Packaging

Both are retractable (twist-up-and-down) pens. I didn't show it in the photo but L'Oreal and Revlon both include a sharpener at the end of the eyeliner pen; just give the bottom a slight tug and the contraption will reveal itself. The only packaging difference between the two is Revlon has a sponge tip smudger.

lavlilacs lavlilacs Retractable Eyeliner Comparison Review - L'Oreal Matte-Matic versus Revlon Colorstay swatches

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

L'Oreal's Matte-Matic is drier and waxier, almost like that of a crayon. It is very crumbly and tends to tug at my eyelid skin when I go to draw a line. The liner has a tendency to snap off if I apply just a tiny bit too much pressure.

Revlon Colorstay Eye Liner is creamier. It glides easily without any drag.

Both have no scent and dry down to a matte finish. Both can appear similarly dark if drawn over a couple of times. If not, Matte-Matic's Deep Brown is slightly lighter in color and has more red undertones when compared to Colorstay's Black Brown.

A freshly drawn Matte-Matic line doesn't smudge too much. Colorstay, on the other hand, does smudge and quite a lot at that. When water and rubbing get thrown into the mix, both smear and lose their pigmentation. I would say both are water-resistant to a certain degree but not waterproof. Both liners wash off well with just cleansing oil/balm by the end of the day. However, fresh liner needs a bit of help from eye-lip makeup remover.

lavlilacs Retractable Eyeliner Comparison Review - L'Oreal Matte-Matic versus Revlon Colorstay applied

How I Apply

Draw a line as close to the lash line as possible. Slightly wing the outer edges.

Thoughts & Recommendations

My eyelid space is typically dry after cleansing. It gets oilier throughout the day. The biggest issues I have is with eyeliner and eyeshadow smudging from the upper lashline to the lower, especially on the outer corners because I tend to squint and close my eyes often. Plus, my eyelids are currently asymmetrical; one side has two folds while the other has only one, unfortunately causing the latter lashline to fold right into the crease which often causes creasing. 

When I first started using both these eyeliners, I thought I could confidently say I liked the Matte-Matic more purely due to its drier formula. It was a little difficult to draw a line but not impossible. The most important benefit was how little it transferred and smudged onto my lower lash line at the end of the day.

Then it seems the L'Oreal liner dried out more and more in the tube as the months went on. It started to snap and crumble as I tried to draw on eyeliner; had it happened once because I twisted the product too far I wouldn't have had such a big change of heart, but it occurred multiple times no matter the length of liner I twist out. While not very noticeable it does also dry and create specks/fall-out throughout the day which tend to end up under my eyes.

My feelings for the Colorstay liner has more or less been the same since I first started using it. I appreciate how smoothly it glides onto my lids. I like how pigmented the line is with just one stroke. But I absolutely hate how easily it transfers. If I don't set my eye area well with powder pre-eyeliner, the line would crease. If I didn't set the eyeliner with powder after drawing, the liner would crease. If I opened my eyelids too early before the eyeliner had a chance to set, the liner would also crease. After a long day of wear, surprise surprise, the liner would smudge onto my lower lashline.

That being said, Revlon actually isn't the worst eyeliner I have tried. Colorstay has fairly good staying power as long as I take those extra steps. It doesn't hold up all day because my eyelids do get oily and watery throughout the day but it doesn't give me panda eyes within the first hour of wear.

I cannot say if the L'Oreal liner would last up to 24 hours but I have had both on for close to 16-hour occasions before and they have held up well, granted my eyes didn't get watery or itchy at all. Matte-Matic and Colorstay lose their color intensity and both smudge onto my lower lash line to varying degrees depending on the day's conditions.

Between the two, I would only recommend Revlon's Colorstay Eye Liner and only to people with drier eyelids and/or doesn't mind completing a few extra steps to ensure it works well.

Daily Look | Dusty Rose

lavlilacs 2018 PMAD daily makeup look, dusty rose

I wanted to share an update on how Project Make a Dent was going but realized many of the products don't look much different from my first post since it's only been two months. The next best option was to show how I have been incorporating the chosen items into my makeup routine during this time period.

Dusty rose was a trending makeup look a while back on YouTube. I was always a little apprehensive towards one-color trends because it felt kind of tacky, like wearing head-to-toe in one color and becoming a walking crayon sans the costume. It might look chic if white, gray, or black; anything else takes someone more fashionable than me to pull off. Throw a pink shade into the mix and it could easily make my face look blotchy instead of put-together.

Somehow, one day I played around with the colors I forced upon myself this year and the monochrome theme didn't look as bad as I imagined it to be.

lavlilacs 2018 PMAD daily makeup look, dusty rose eyes

lavlilacs 2017 2018 PMAD daily makeup look, dusty rose - products used details

There hasn't been a big change in the steps of my morning routine. The biggest changes from December's "Daily Look" post is a few product removals and a bunch of color swaps.

On this particular day, I still started with a light layer of Clio Kill Cover Pro Artist Liquid Concealer in Green. I followed with a layer of just the foundation in the VDL MULE Ultimate Cover Palette in A03 that was set with a dusting of Kate Lasting High Coverage Powder Foundation in OC-C, focusing mostly on the eye area and T-zone. Afterward, I applied the bronzer shade from MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish in Pink Power under my cheekbones and temples of my forehead. I used the Milani Minerals Blush in Sweet Rose on top of my cheeks and lightly over my eyelids. For highlight, I opted to use Urban Decay in Virgin.

I applied Urban Decay in Toasted all over the lid as well to add a bit of shimmer and textural contrast to the eyes. It is barely noticeable but I swept the Hustle shade close to the lash line on the outer corner of the lids, to give my eyes more depth...I think? Then I curled my lashes and applied Clio Hitch Eye-King Mascara in Volume, lined my eyes with L'Oreal Paris Infallible Matte-Matic Waterproof Eyeliner in Deep Brown, and filled in my brows with JUNGSAEMMOOL  Refining Color-Bony Brow in Smoky Bony. The finishing touch is always a light coating of Maybelline Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Lover on the innermost part of the lips.

What do you think? Not bad or tacky? Should I continue this series when I change up my look for the warmer months?

Project Make a Dent No. 2 | End Results

Project Make A Dent 2016

The biggest appeal of doing Project Make a Dent is surely seeing the progress made, or sometimes lack thereof. I can really get a sense of what textures and types of products I like with repeated use, as well as know what steps I can cut out of my routine if need be.

Being committed to a set of products did get a little boring as the months went by. But knowing that the end result would be to see empty pans or bottles made it much easier. Plus, I could always choose to go lighter- or heavier-handed with base products, skip eyes, or do lips. Even with a limited selection, there was still room for variety.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Liquid and Cream base products - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Liquid and Cream base products - Half year results
Project Make A Dent 2016 Liquid and Cream base products - End results

L to R: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, Maybelline Angelfit Pore zero Base SPF 25 PA++, and Lancome Teint Miracle in 6W Buff

I guess there was no surprise to see that both Clarins' primers remained untouched in 2016. Many occasions, I preferred not to apply a separate layer of primer before foundation. Other times I did not want to dip my fingers into a potted product. But I think it was ultimately just my bad choice of having two too many primer options in this round of PMAD. I had a tendency to only grab for the Maybelline Angelfit base since it was already used some and I liked to mix it in with foundations.

Anywho, the end results of the base products for Project Make a Dent No. 2 are: Maybelline base has about 1/3 of the product remaining in the tube and the Lancome Teint Miracle has been completely cleared out.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth - Half year results
Project Make A Dent 2016 Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth - End results

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

See, no progress made with the Clarins Instant Smooth. None at all.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Powder makeup products - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Powder makeup products - Half year results
Project Make A Dent 2016 Powder makeup products - End results

L to R: MAC Mineralize Blush in Pet Me, jane Shimmering Blush in 01 Natural Blush, MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly game, Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette in N-1, and N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in 720 Sunny

The group of products I look forward to seeing at the end of every PMAD, powders! These are the easiest and quickest to apply. But are also the biggest teases since seeing pan doesn't mean emptying the entire thing is near.

Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Pet Me  - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Utterly Game  - Before results
Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Pet Me  - Half year results Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Utterly Game  - Half year results
Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Pet Me  - End results Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Utterly Game  - End results
MAC Mineralize Blush in Pet Me
MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly Game

I thought I hadn't made any progress with these MAC Mineralized Blushes at the halfway mark. Now that I can compare the photos from start to finish, it is anything but. The dome of powder has definitely gotten more flat throughout the year. Utterly Game has even gone concave and some rings of the pan are peeking through now.

To the completely honest, I noticed that the dome in Utterly game was smaller than Pet Me after the half-year update and decided to use it solely to see how far I could pan the product out by 2017. Pet Me didn't receive nearly as much attention after that.

Project Make A Dent 2016 NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder 720 Sunny - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder 720 Sunny - Half year results
Project Make A Dent 2016 NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder 720 Sunny - End results

N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in 720 Sunny

Like with many pressed powders that I have panned out before, the NYC Bronzing Powder crumbled into pieces from brush swirling after the hole got bigger. But I guess it still counts as having made a dent, yeah? I had finished this a few months before the year ended and can say I did not miss not having it in my routine. Rather than using a bronzing powder to balance lighter foundations and/or powders, I found slightly darker foundations to be very handy.

Project Make A Dent 2016 jane Shimmering Blush 01 Natural Blush - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 jane Shimmering Blush 01 Natural Blush - Half year results
Project Make A Dent 2016 jane Shimmering Blush 01 Natural Blush - End results

jane Shimmering Blush in 01 Natural Blush

Oh, jane Shimmering Blush...how I am glad the year with you is now over. It was super difficult trying to get color from pan to brush to face. The mixing of colors and metallic-y swirly mess in the pan made my inner neat freak grow exponentially. Ultimately, I didn't quite like you as a blush nor as a highlighter.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Kose Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette N-1 - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Kose Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette N-1 - Half year results
Project Make A Dent 2016 Kose Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette N-1 - End results

Visee Glam Nude Eye Shadow Palette in N-1

If there was one surprise from this PMAD, it would be the progression in this eyeshadow palette. It is hardly noticeable in the photo. But I have really tried my hardest to incorporate eye makeup, other than eyeliner, into my routine. My looks aren't anything dramatic. It is just enough for me. Maybe I'll keep at this with the Visse Glam Nude in 2017 and see how much I can dent it now that I am more inclined than last year to use eyeshadows.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Lip products - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Lip products - Half year results
Project Make A Dent 2016 Lip products - End results

L to R (clockwise): Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 680 Temptress, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in 418 Caring Coral, and Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

As with the bases, there was no surprise with how I did in the lip products department. Lip balms are staples in my nighttime regime, so the Korres Lip Butter surely would have been emptied once I made it routinely. It was slightly more difficult to get myself to remember to use the L'Oreal Colour Riche but have found it to be quite nice as a MLBB/sheer coral lip balm. As someone who usually hates to have things on her lips throughout the day, even lip balm, the Colour Riche balm is a good compromise for when I want a bit of color and protection. As for the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick...I have no excuses. It just never became a part of my routine and was forgotten.


Project Make a Dent No. 2 seems to have been pretty successful. Most of what I expected to completely finish was indeed used up. It would have been even better if I was able to get through a blush and a lipstick as well. Perhaps next time?

I am not 100% if I will be doing a full year's worth of PMAD in 2017. I have a stash of makeup sachet samples that I would like to use up. I might also stick to using the same products that were in PMAD No. 2 for a while to try to pan those out. If that's the case, then PMAD No. 3 might not be very interesting and/or repetitive. We'll see!

Project Make a Dent No. 2 | Half Year Update

Project Make A Dent 2016

It has finally been half a year since I started the second edition of Project Make Dent. Compared to the halfway mark of the first attempt at this project in 2015, I would like to pat myself on the back for the progress made so far. My selected makeup stash is getting used up a lot faster than anticipated.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Liquid and Cream base products - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Liquid and Cream base products - Half year results

L to R: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, Maybelline Angelfit Pore zero Base SPF 25 PA++, and Lancome Teint Miracle in 6W Buff

Primers are one of the beauty items that I have the most difficulty incorporating into the routine. Both Clarins' items were barely used in the past half year, whereas I would add a bit of the Maybelline Angelfit base to the Lancome Teint Miracle whenever I veered towards liquid foundation. I guess using one of the three primers, even if sometimes, is better than none at all.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth - Half year results

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

This little pot of silicone-ness called the Clarins Instant Smooth laid untouched and unopened for the past 6 months. I think my aversion could have been due to the fact that my skin has been very sensitive and acne-prone. Just the thought of layering something that was non-breathable onto my face underneath even more product left me cautious.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Powder makeup products - Before results
Before
Project Make A Dent 2016 Powder makeup products - Half year results
After

Top L to R: Maquillage Face Creator, Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder in 220 Natural Beige, and MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly GameBottom L to R: MAC Mineralize Blush in Pet Me, Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade, Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette in N-1

To no surprise, powder products definitely showed the most progress. I may not have been a very diligent makeup user in the past, but seeing the pan of powder products is always motivating to become one.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder 220 Natural Beige - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder 220 Natural Beige - Half year results

Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder in 220 Natural Beige

Somehow, someway, I was able to pan out the Maybelline FIT Me powder. I expected to finish this particular one later on in the year but not that I am complaining. This just means I can get an early start at another powder in my stash.

I mentioned it in the first PMAD Part 2 post, but this isn't my favorite powder. The feelings still hold true. Certain days it felt a tinge too dark for my complexion and too powdery-looking for my liking. That might sound like completely nonsense but a girl can dream (especially with the technology today) right?

Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Pet Me  - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Utterly Game  - Before results
Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Pet Me  - Half year results Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Utterly Game  - Half year results
MAC Mineralize Blush in Pet Me
MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly Game

While I have a hard time panning primers because I cannot incorporate it into my morning routine, I have a difficult time panning blushes for a whole different reason. If the product is high quality, only a little bit is needed to give a ton of color. It seems impossible to completely finish given the sizes of blushers.

No matter how often I swirl my makeup brushes in these two MAC Mineralize Blushes, it doesn't really seem like it's made any difference. If I wasn't recording the progress for this project series, I wouldn't even think the surface got any flatter. Photos don't lie! Do you see it too or is it all wishful thinking on my part?

Project Make A Dent 2016 NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder 720 Sunny - Before results
Before
Project Make A Dent 2016 NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder 720 Sunny - Half year results
After

N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in 720 Sunny

Of all the items I picked out for this year, I wanted to finish this particular item the most. I feel like I have had the N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Bronzing powder for ages (and I definitely have). It is most likely past its product expectancy. Despite daily usage, progress seemed to be very slow. If it doesn't completely pan out by the end of the year, the bronzing powder will be heading towards the trash bin.

Project Make A Dent 2016 jane Shimmering Blush 01 Natural Blush - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 jane Shimmering Blush 01 Natural Blush - Half year results

jane Shimmering Blush in 01 Natural Blush

My opinions toward this jane Shimmering Blush is pretty neutral, maybe leaning towards the slightly negative side. I had cleaned up the packaging of everything for the sake of the photo but this blush has so much shimmer that flies everywhere whenever I used it with a brush.

For a blush, it is way too shimmery. As a highlighter, it isn't natural enough. Let's just say this is one of the items I won't be missing after the year is over.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Kose Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette N-1 - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 Kose Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette N-1 - Half year results

Visee Glam Nude Eye Shadow Palette in N-1

Hmm, it doesn't look like I made much progress with the Visee Glam palette at all. I didn't use eyeshadows as much as I did the other products in the pile but it was definitely more than I had last year. It did help that the color palette in this one was more natural. Let's see how it fares again at the end of the year.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Lip products - Before results
Before
Project Make A Dent 2016 Lip products - Half year results
After

L to R (clockwise): Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 680 Temptress, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in 418 Caring Coral, and Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

The biggest struggle in the first edition of PMAD was definitely the lip products. Lipsticks just weren't my thing. I can say that I have had better success this time around. But just by a margin. I was able to incorporate the Korres Lip Butter into my night routine as an overnight lip balm as it was relatively colorless. If I remembered, I would apply the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm as the last step of my makeup routine in the morning.

The product I reached for the least this past half year was definitely the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick. It is a very natural looking color and everything yet it isn't reached for at all. Strangely in the last month or so I have been into the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil from the Sephora birthday freebie last year. I don't wear lipsticks often, if ever, but when I do I go for a very statement look: deep red and matte. Go figure.