I was surfing cuteoverload today and came across fredflare that sells these ridiculously cute and expensive products that I would probably never buy. Okay, I admit I would buy them if they were a lot cheaper. I got a good laugh out of their stuff they’re selling. Here’s panda skillet: http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2008/03/ladies-and-gent.html

When I see these products, I’m thinking, they must be from Japan…hehe. What are your thoughts? Would you buy these? I’ve actually seen some of the clothing that they sell in retail stores that are probably cheaper.

This post is long overdue, but I’m finally posting my lumiere updates!

So I used up both of my sample baggies - I got Luminesse and Veena Velvet in Medium Gold. They were both $1.25 each. I was going to my the sample kit, but that was $9! So I decided instead to just order the sample baggies individually.

As for color match, they both match my skin perfectly! I’m a MAC NC35-40 and Everdayminerals Tan for those who want MMU comparisons. As for staying power, both of the foundations stayed on my skin all day. What I like about their MMU, is that their foundations are finely milled, so that it is very easy to blend.

Here’s my review of the two different formulas broken down:

Luminesse - (from website) Created by customer request! This is yet another soft, finely milled foundation mimicked after a nationally known brands that is just as its suggests…. Luminous! While it is still a matte foundation, this formula offers a luminous glow with a light medium to heavy coverage. If you like the finish of Bare Escentuals, Sheer Cover or Jane Iredale, you are going to LOVE our Luminesse!

This foundation was too sheer for me! This is great for those with good skin, and for those that want light coverage. Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to me. I have acne prone skin and large pores. When I applied this with my Everyday Minerals concealer, you can still see my blemishes. I probably will not buy full size for this formula. On a plus size, it did not break me out like Silk Naturals.

Veena Velvet - (from website) The addition of a cosmetic grade oat powder has been added to this unique foundation to create a soft, creamy like textured foundation that is perfect for sensitive skin. Will help heal and soothe the skin and keep your skin oil free all day long without drying your skin. Veena Velvet is a all matte, foundation that is not chalky and completely blendable powder.

I have to admit that I really do like this formula for my skin. It provides medium-full coverage and conceals my acne scars and pimples. It blends really easily, leaving my face looking natural, not cakey or chalky which is always a plus. If I was to buy Lumiere full size, this would be the one. I would say this is a tie with my Everday Minerals Buttered Tan in Intensive. And it did not break me out!! Overall, I’m quite impressed with Lumiere - but its a little more expensive than Everday Minerals.

On a side note, their formula Flawless contains squalene and Cashmere contains silk - these formulas might break people out.

I still yet have tried my Buff’d samples!

I was tagged by ladystarr…so here’s my list…

1) Cleaning brushes - I have to admit with ladystarr that I don’t clean my brushes as much as I should. I use my brushes practically everyday and when the weekend comes around, I’m either too lazy or forget when was the last time I washed them!

2) Expired products - I hold onto my old makeup that I should have got rid of - examples include my 3 year old MAC studio fix, 3 year old eyeshadows and old mascara…

3) Aggravating acne - I have a habit of poking my pimple, when I get a pimple. I know the “#1 rule is: don’t touch your face!”, but I can’t help it!

4) My nails -This might be a little gross or TMI…haha..but I have a habit of peeling, not trimming, my nails and toenails. But I do use a nail clipper!!

5) Eyes - I have a habit sometimes of rubbing my eyes. And once I start rubbing my eyes, I keep rubbing! This is probably due to either my dry contacts are allergies…so this messes up my eye makeup. Or once I stop rubbing my eyes, half of the eyeliner on my eye is gone or I remove my eyeshadow altogether.

Hmm….now I’ll tag:

Nanzy
barebudgetbeauty
vi anne
xuanie
christianadivine

On a side note, I logged into my bzzagent account and found a new campaign waiting for me…Silk Soy Milk. I’m assuming that they will mail me coupons to redeem for free soy milk? Usually bzzgaent emails you about campaigns, but sometimes they don’t. So for those with their account, I recommend signing it once awhile to see if there are any campaigns or surveys avaliable. Some campaigns fill up fast!

Overall review - 3 out of 5

I finally got around on trying out this product and was pretty excited about it. The concept is pretty interesting, a in-shower facial that is activated from the steam from your shower. This product is oil-free and is suppose to detoxify, smooth and soften skin.

This is taken directly from Clean&Clear :

CLEAR^®SOFT In-Shower Facial cleanses young skin by offering a deep purifying technology that consists of a combination of the following key ingredients: Glycolic Acid (an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid), clay, natural fruit acids, and exfoliating beads. The SOFT In-Shower Facial features Glycolic Acid, an exfoliant that promotes gentle cell turnover, as well as clay, which draws the dirt and oil out of skin that often gets trapped deep down in pores. Formulated with natural fruit acids, this cleansing treatment helps lift impurities from skin as the exfoliating beads help to improve skin´s clarity and texture by gently, but effectively, sloughing away tired, dull skin.

My experience: The directions mentions that this should be in place of my normal cleanser, so I used this while I was in the shower. The texture of this facial reminds me of gray toothpaste with small microbeads. I applied it onto my face, waited for a minute, before exfoliating. I kept thinking if my shower was steamy enough….As soon as I applied this onto my face, I felt a slightly burning sensation from the AHA. After I rinsed off the facial, my skin felt really soft and it felt clean! But when I followed up with a toner, I still had a lot of makeup left on my face. This did not remove my mineral makeup as I was hoping for. Maybe my shower wasn’t steamy enough? lol I tried it a second time, using hotter water in the shower, and I still got the same results. Usually, my showers aren’t that hot, especially since spring/summer is approaching, I don’t know if it will still be as effective. As a pro for this product, it did not break me out. But overall, it does a good job in softening my skin, but not removing my makeup!

Oh, I found out that this product is already on shelves. I saw this at my local target for about $7 retail. I’m going to continue using this after I wash my face with my normal face wash, but I probably wouldn’t buy it in the near future. I’m still trying out the moisturizer and will update after I try it for another week or 2.