An Oily Girl's Dream? A Review of the Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation

As excited as I am to see a forecast full of 70 degree weather, there is one definitive downside to the sunny warmth of spring. My skin will begin its transformation from usually-kinda-shiny to uber-mega-greasefest. Yes, oily skin shows signs of aging more slowly than dry skin, so I've got that going for me. But in the meantime, the struggle to keep my makeup from literally melting off my face is real.

If you're in the same boat as I, you've probably tried what feels a million different mattifying foundations, primers, and powders in pursuit of some miracle product that doesn't make you cakey and dry as the Sahara, but that also doesn't break down and turn into a shiny mess after a few hours. While I've certainly encountered my fair share of adequate products, finding something that truly blows my mind is a rarity.

And that's what we're here to discuss today.

Falling In Love All Over Again: New Launches From BareMinerals

*PR Samples/Affiliate Links

If I was to ask myself which makeup brand I've had the longest relationship with, nothing even comes close to BareMinerals. Their Original Loose Powder Foundation was the first high-end product I ever remember owning, and I treasured that jar like it was filled with powdered gold. The obsession only continued - from warmth and mineral veil, to blushes, eyeshadows, and even brow powder. At one point I'm pretty sure my entire makeup routine (with the exception of mascara and lipstick, perhaps) consisted entirely of BareMinerals loose powders.

Fast forward 15 years (...seriously though, how has it been that long?) and BareMinerals products are still some of my everyday go-tos. Of course, a lot of things have changed since high school. With the addition of skincare and pressed powders, the BareMinerals lineup is way more comprehensive than it was in the early 2000s. And while some brands miss the mark while trying to be trendy or keep up with the times, I feel like BareMinerals has always managed to find that sweet spot of creating classic, effortless, everyday products that can work for women of any age.

All that being said, you can imagine my excitement over having the opportunity to go to New York City for an event promoting the launch of the new BarePro 16 Hour Full Coverage Concealer. I have been obsessed with the BarePro Performance Wear Powder Foundation, which provides beautiful, matte coverage while being incredibly convenient and easy to apply. In addition to the concealer, I also got to take home a few other new goodies from BareMinerals to test and try out for you guys. So let's jump in and take a closer look at the latest additions to the family!

New in For Spring 2018: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfector

*PR Sample/Affiliate links used

Spring is officially here, and I am SO ready to start switching up my makeup routine. I always prefer to take things in a lighter, brighter direction as the weather warms up - from glowy blushes, to fresh-faced bases, to glossy lips. So of course, this new launch came to me at the perfect time! Thanks to Influenster I had the opportunity to test out the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfector in exchange for an honest review. This lightweight perfecting base is designed to blur the look of imperfections on the skin while still being fairly sheer, natural, and easy to apply. After having a few weeks to put it to the test I'm finally ready to report back and share my thoughts with you!

Major Deal Alert! Sephora Favorites Selfie Kit

*Affiliate links used

Friends, I've got a nostalgic place in my heart for these Sephora Favorites kits. When I first started out blogging and couldn't afford to drop hundreds of dollars on new makeup to review, they were one of my favorite ways to explore the beauty scene on a budget. From glowy essentials, to the latest in nude lips, Sephora does a great job of curating fun and trendy collections of products to sample.

Admittedly, since those early days my beauty collection has grown to a healthy size, and I find myself being a lot more discerning about whether or not I really need another sampler set. This Selfie Kit, though. This was a deal too good for me to pass up.

New at the Drugstore for Spring 2018: Physician's Formula's Latest Launches

While the temperatures in New England are still below freezing, it appears that Spring has arrived in the beauty world. Over the past couple of weeks, brands all over have been dropping the first of their 2018 launches, gearing up for what will surely be another epic year in beauty. While I'm currently on a no-buy for January, I did manage to pick up a few of Physician's Formula's latest releases to test out at the end of last year. The new Healthy range includes a foundation and a liquid lipstick, both with wider shade selections than any other product I've seen previously from the brand. They've also expanded their insanely popular Butter range with the addition of the Butter Highlighter - a cream-to-powder formula that sports the same heavenly tropic scent. After about a month of playing around with these products, I've got some thoughts to share. 

New in: Glo Minerals' Latest Launches

I am an odd duck. Or at least, that's how I feel some days. I'm a total introvert and definitely need a lot of time to myself to charge up my emotional batteries, but I also LOVE meeting people and making new friends. There's something so fun about the process of getting to know a person and seeing your relationship change from being strangers to something more. It's the same with beauty. Every time I discover or am contacted by a brand I've never tried I feel that same fluttery excitement as I anticipate what our first encounter will be like.

Recently I was contacted by Glo Minerals and asked if I would be interested in trying a few of their newest product launches. At that point Glo was a brand I knew by name only, so I checked out their website to get a better understanding of what they're all about. As it turns out, Glo Minerals is the makeup line of Glo Professional, a brand designed for use by skincare professionals (dermatologists, estheticians, and the like). They're passionate about producing high-quality, cruelty-free cosmetics that will not only be safe and gentle for your skin, but also help protect it from UV and environmental damage. Their products are free of talc, non-comedogenic, and designed for use on sensitive skin.

As someone that totally nerds out over reading labels and likes to be conscious of the chemicals I'm putting on my face every day, I knew Glo Minerals was a brand that I would totally jive with. They ever so graciously sent me four of their newest product launches to play with, and I'm happy to report back and give you all the full scoop!

Score This Deal: Becca Create Your Own Light Set

Friends, I've discovered another seriously amazing makeup steal that you might want to jump on ASAP! As with most of my beauty finds, this was another thing I totally stumbled across by happenstance (thank you Facebook advertising) and couldn't believe what was on the screen in front of me. The BECCA Cosmetics Create Your Own Light Set is a Beautylish exclusive retailing for $69 and (yes you're hearing me correctly) contains FOUR full-sized products and one travel-sized product. Say WHAT? If you've ever shopped for BECCA Products before, you'll know that the average retail price of most of their primers, blushes, and highlighters is more than $30. Needless to say, this set is a GREAT deal.

Kat Von D Lock-It Vox Box Review

Friends, when you're a beauty junkie like myself, there's nothing quite like the promise of new makeup to lift your spirits. A few weeks back I was having one of those epically frustrating, overly-stressed work days that can send even the most chipper of individuals into an existential crisis. Every minute closer to 5:00 seems longer than the last, until the span of time between 3:00 and 3:07 feels like an hour. Suddenly, my phone makes a little ping. An e-mail! Even if its nothing interesting, it's still a welcome distraction from the time-torture inside my cubicle. So I reach over and check, half expecting my electric bill, only to find out that it's Influenster telling me I've qualified for a new campaign!

I'm pretty sure in that moment I took the phrase "doing a happy dance" literally and immediately jumped out of my chair to share the news with my equally beauty-obsessed coworker. This wasn't just any Vox Box. I was being sent 5 (five!!) products from Kat Von D's new Lock-It range to test and review. Truth be told, I've read way more about Kat's products than I've actually experienced them first hand. Many of her products are constantly being raved about by the beauty community at large (Lolita Liquid Lipstick, anyone?), but I'd yet to take the plunge and purchase something myself.

Fast forward to a month later and I've finally got my own thoughts to contribute to masses. Did Kat's products live up to the hype? Read more to find out!

Makeup Must-Haves for Oily Skin

Fellow oily skinned friends. Tis the seasons of our greatest struggles. It's funny, because after another long New England winter I was starting to believe that I could call my skin combination.

LOL...yeah no.

As soon as I start needing the AC my oil glands kick it into hyper drive, and all of my winter and spring makeup routines leave me looking like the greasiest of greaseballs. Fortunately, my years of testing and trying various beauty products have led me to a few wondrous shine-controlling bits that I always rely on come summertime. If you've ever watched your foundation separate or break up right on your face, seen your eyeshadow crease into oblivion, or notice your t-zone turn into an oil slick, these five products ARE LIFE. Even just incorporating one or two into my makeup routine makes a huge difference. So if you're ready to be enlightened in the ways of matte-ness, let's take a closer look.

Shop the Stash | Concealers

Hey friends! It's time for another shop-my-stash installment. For those of you who're new to the Little Blushing Birdie scene, I've been on a mission to sort through my makeup collection. To swatch, play, and rediscover old flames in an attempt to curb those urges to go out and haul more goodies. A few weeks back we delved into my bronzer collection, and today I'm busting out makeup's magical eraser. The eradicator of dark circles. The banisher of blemishes. The nemesis of redness. Yes, today we're chatting about the little miracle that is concealer.

Too Faced Totally Obsessed Sampler Set Review

If you love to try new makeup, but aren't so into the idea of dropping a ton of cash on products you've never tried before, sampler kits are the way to go. When my makeup collection was a less embarrassing epic size, I wanted to get my hands on just about every one I came across. They're usually a great value, and let you test out new and well loved products from a brand without making a huge investment. Of course, as someone who blogs about makeup on the regular, I feel like it's gotten harder for me to find sampler sets that pique my interest. Cause let's be serious, no matter how great a primer is, by the fifth sample it's basically old news.

But then there was the Too Faced Totally Obsessed Set ($25)*. This adorable little box contains five deluxe sized samples of best-selling Too Faced products and somehow I had only tried one of them. One! To make things even better, these are all products I've been seriously lusting after thanks to a million rave reviews from the blogosphere. Did everything live up to the hype? Come find out!

Disappointing Products, Part II

Consider today's post a PSA to the beauty world. For the past year I've been putting aside products that for one reason or another were a let down to me. From wonky formulas to lackluster pigmentation, there are many a reason a product can disappoint, and it's really frustrating to waste your money on something that you just don't enjoy using. Hating on beauty products is not something I like to do, but sharing my true feelings is important to not only keep me honest, but to also help steer you all in the right direction. Cause let's be real, we work hard for our cash money, and if we're going to spend it on a new mascara it better not give us raccoon eyes!

Coola SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray Review

It's no surprise that I seriously enjoy testing out beauty products. But when you get to the point where you feel like you've seen it all and tried it all, it gets harder and harder to get excited about new launches. There are only so many neutral eyeshadow palettes, felt-tipped black eyeliner pens, and matte lipsticks you can try before everything starts to look and feel the same. After a while you start wondering if you're mumbling "long-wearing...buttery...opaque finish..." in your sleep. Once in a while, though, a brand will come out with something innovative, something mind-blowing and revolutionary. Something that has people saying "I MUST TRY THIS" and impulsively pressing the "add to cart" button on the Sephora website. Hence where I'm going with this super rambley rant of mine. The COOLA SPF30 Makeup Setting Spray ($36) is one of those could-be-genius beauty products that I couldn't wait to get my hands on. A lightweight spray that locks down makeup AND provides you with SPF? You've got to admit, it sounds pretty brilliant. And after a few weeks worth of use, it's finally time to let you know whether or not I got myself excited for good reason.

Brand Focus: Maybelline

Over the past year I've started testing and trying a lot more drugstore makeup. While the aisles of Sephora and Ulta are filled with lust-worthy, luxurious products, my budget just doesn't afford me the ability to buy high-end beauty on the regular. With the aid of coupons, sales, and general shopping savvy I've been able to snag a lot of drugstore beauty products at ridiculous prices, allowing me to test and try at my leisure without breaking the bank. That being said, I have also quickly learned that just because you got a good buy doesn't necessarily mean you made a good purchase. While there are disappointing products at all price points, budget beauty is by far the most inconsistent. To help you avoid buyers remorse, I thought it would be helpful to take a closer look at some of the most popular brands at the drugstore, discussing what I think they do well, and what I think isn't worth your heard earned cash.

Starting on a positive note, let's talk all things Maybelline. Maybelline is a brand that has quickly won me over, with an ever growing range of products that easily rival their high end competitors. I'll be sharing all of the products I've tried recently, and whether I love it, like it, or recommend you leave it out of your shopping bag.

Rose Gold Glow

I adore soft, feminine makeup. Sheer washes of color, glowing skin - nothing too overdone or overly complicated. Pinky nudes and rose gold hues lend themselves perfectly to this kind of look, warming up your natural features while still managing to look natural. Here are some of my favorite products to do the job.

Almay Smart Shade CC Cream & Shadow Softies

This year has been all about exploring aisles of my local drugstores for new and interesting products to try. Sometimes I stumble upon amazing and affordable dupes for some of my favorite high end products. Other times I'm underwhelmed with what I try. While Almay is brand that I've known about for over a decade, this the first time I'm adding their products to my beauty stash. Geared toward sensitive skin I was curious to see how these gentle formulas performed.

Budget Beauty Alternatives

Beauty splurges - we all have them from time to time. Sometimes it's worth spending the extra dollar for that super-smudge-proof eyeliner, or foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone. But let's be practical. A lot of us out there have the kind of budget that is much more suited for shopping at the drugstore. That's not to say that our cosmetic bags need to be lacking in quality products. More than ever, drugstores are carrying affordable alternatives to popular prestige products. Need some proof? Here are a few of my latest budget-conscious finds that will make you think twice about dropping tons of cash on their high-end counterparts.