First Impressions: Almay Clear Complexion Foundation

Far Right:  Almay Clear Complexion

Shade: 220 Neutral

So I was at work last week.  And I kept seeing discounted cosmetics come through my checkout lane.  And I was intrigued.  So I checked it out on my break and while most of the lighter shades were gone I did manage to grab a couple light shades in this foundation and the Cover Girl NatureLuxe foundation (review forthcoming and will be linked when I've had a chance to test it!) for only $1.50 USD each!  I think my store is just discontinuing these particular products...I don't think the companies are...but correct me if I'm wrong!

So at any rate...on to my first impressions of the product (head past the jump!)

First Impressions: Sephora Collection Brush Protectors

The brush guard has been circling around the beauty community for a while now...I'm pretty sure that I first heard of them two years ago and I'm positive they were around before that as well...but I never bought into them because I didn't think I needed them.

I deep clean my brushes once a week and spot clean them between each use so I wasn't seeing frays, splaying, or any signs of damage to the actual bristles themselves.  That is, until I looked at them last week and noticed the first signs of wear and tear.  I'd say that considering some of my brushes I've had for about 6 or 7 years, that's pretty good!  (at work, I'm prided on only having replaced 2 or 3 brushes in my belt in almost 2 years!)

I also never really got into them because I don't order a lot of things online (firstly because I'm cheap and secondly I hate paying S&H) so when I saw these in my local Sephora I got a little giddy!

Head past the jump for photos and my thoughts!

First Impressions: Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam Foundation

I'll avoid the long, drawn out introduction to this blog post - instead I'll direct you to the previous post for that.

Onto the impressions!

Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam

(shown in shade 240 - Natural Beige)

Head past the jump for my thoughts :)

First Impressions: Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation

So I did it.  I broke down and bought foundations from the drugstore.

[personal disclaimer]:

Now...before you start calling me out on the fact that I only use high end foundations...I'd like to justify my decisions on not getting drugstore ones to the fact that I already have around 8 foundations I've recieved from my day job that I rotate on any given day (although, three I purchased on my own [Clinique Even Better, Josie Maran, NARS Sheer Glow] and three of which only get rotated in the summer because they're tinted moisturizers [one of which I purchased myself...FusionBeautys...] and not heavy enough for my already super dry skin in Maine wintertime).  So do I really NEED another foundation?  No.

HOWEVER.

I'm also finding as I rotate my usual favorites that I'm dangerously low on a couple...and that my dear readers, is because of YouTube videos :)

Now again, don't get me wrong.  I love making my videos and sharing them...I actually get very bummed out when I don't have time to film a video for the upcoming week or two...but I can't justify replacing my very favorite foundation until summer (and honestly it's only because it costs $42...of which I don't have extra of in winter...NARS Sheer Glow in case you're wondering).  But this blog post isn't about that foundation.  It's about my first impressions of:

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse

(shown in shade Light 3.5 - Nude Beige)

Head past the jump for my first impressions of the foundation and a photo of it on my skin!

First Impressions: INGLOT Cosmetics

The internet has been abuzz for many many months now with a company that I'm sure you've all heard of by now - INGLOT Cosmetics.  (the website in that link is Inglot's USA site!)

They've been promoted heavily by gurus on youtube as well as being present at the many variations of highly anticipated makeup shows that go on throughout the year (i.e.: IMATS, The Makeup Show...)

If I'm correct in recalling my information, it's is a Polish brand and something like 95% of their products are produced in the European Union - which I think is amazing - I'm not going to get started on debates about where makeup is made and why [insert country of origin here] is good/bad....but I just think it's awesome when a company has a direct handle in the products they manufacture.

For us in the USA it's also awesome as there is now a flagship store in Chelsea, NYC and plenty of other locations to find their amazing products (Vegas, Jersey, Costa Mesa, Chi-town, SanFran just to name a few)!

I finally broke down when I realized that my beloved MAC Chromaline is drying out (I mean, I've had it FOREVER and it's just now starting to get to the point where it's a pain to work with) and I wanted to try something new...

Head past the jump to see my purchase and my thoughts on the products I received!