Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder Review

So I am a little late with this review for the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder.  Many have raved over this setting powder for some time.  I have not seen many women of color reviews, so I though that I might snag a travel size during this spring's VIB sale.  Check out Sephora' s spill:

Infused with the finest French “cashmere talc,” this non-dusty, non-drying translucent powder sets makeup and creates a flawless finish. A unique light-reflecting ingredient creates a soft-focus appearance that smooths away fine lines and imperfections as it sets your makeup. The translucent shade looks and feels natural on all skintones, and creates a flawless finish. Use it to add a velvety finish to any makeup or for a bit of color and coverage when foundation is not worn.

What attracted me to this powder was that it is a cream color versus the typical white translucent powder.  I was still searching for a powder that sets my makeup without adding significant amounts of color.  Most white translucent powders can leave a white/gray cast on women of color or cause flashback in photos.  Many recommend Laura Mercier because it claims to not cause flashback.


This powder is finely milled and applies smoothly even with the powder puff included in in the travel size box.  The first time I used the powder, I set my entire face.  I still felt as though I had a white cast on face.  After a few minutes, the cast was less noticeable.  I did not significant change is photo quality. 


I also tried setting under my eyes only.  I experienced the same slight white cast, but I felt more comfortable with it under eyes versus my entire face.  Once the powder sets, the makeup has a flawless effect.


Am I in love? No.  I think that I may have to have the right match for this powder...meaning finding the best product to compliment it.  I used it with Urban Decay, Kat Von D, and Nars so far.  Because of the great quality of the powder, I will continue trying to work it in my makeup regimen.


You get 1.0 oz for 38.00 USD, which is comparable to other high-end setting powders.  Have you tried this?  Stay FABULOUS!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Sun Dipped Glow Kit Coming Soon

 ABH is definitely conjuring up some good stuff in their makeup lab.  ABH released online that there will be another glow kit...the palette will be the Sun Dipped palette.  It's full of bronzy goodness!  I wanted to start a makeup no buy, but I would be lying if all of these products release in the next couple of months!  I definitely do not need anymore hightlighters, but they are addicting.  The launch date has not been disclosed, but I will keep you posted.  Will you be snagging this palette?  Stay FABULOUS!

New Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette Coming Soon

Anastasia Beverly Hills has released several sneak peeks of the upcoming summer palette:  Modern Renaissance.  The warm tones and pinks have my head spinning!  The palette will retail for 42.00 USD, which is much more than the previous eyeshadow palettes.  The exact release date has not been disclosed.  Keep an eye out.  I definitely want to get this palette.  Will you be snagging this?  Stay FABULOUS!

Milani Conceal + Perfect 2 in 1 Foundation and Powder and Even Touch Powder Foundation Review

So, I have still been on the hunt for a good drugstore foundation.  The struggle is finding a product that works well for my oily skin and has a good color match for women of color.  Milani is a popular brand with many women of color friendly products.  Recently, they have released their 2 in 1 foundation that works as concealer and foundation.

The line comes with 14 liquid foundation shades and 9 powder foundation shades.  I am impressed with the color tones especially for the women of color...not too yellow or pink.  I chose the color number 13 Chestnut, the second to darkest shade, and it is a perfect match.  The foundation comes with a pump.  The product is a more of a watery consistency, so be gentle when pumping the product.  I used a beauty blender for application, and the foundation blended wonderfully.  The foundation set to semi-matte finish.

The chose the darkest shade, 08 Warm Toffee, in the Even Touch Powder foundation and it's a good color match for my skin tone.  I purchased the powder foundation solely to set my liquid foundation.  The Milani website states that this powder can toggle between a setting powder and touch-up powder.  The powder adds good coverage and creates more of a matte finish in combination with the liquid foundation.  I prefer this finish over the semi-matte due to the oiliness of my skin.  The final look wore well for 6 six hours without shine. 

Both products retails for approximately 9.99 USD depending on where you purchase the product.  Due to my demographic location, I was not able to find any of the women of color shades in my local drugstores.  I purchased my products directly from the Milani website.

Overall,  I am impressed with quality, longevity, and coverage of this foundation.  I think that it is definitely one worth a try.  Have you tried this foundation?  What's your favorite drugstore foundation?  Stay FABULOUS!

Check out my photos below...

After 8 hours...

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Review

Another late review...better late that never, right?  Hourglass's infamous ambient light powders have become many individual's go-to powder.  Definitely not new to the market, Hourglass created these finishing powders to capture, diffuse, and soften the way light reflects on the skin.  Check out the write up:

Ambient Lighting Powder is a groundbreaking collection of finishing powders that capture, diffuse, and soften the way light reflects on skin. Unlike traditional powders, which merely cloak imperfections, Ambient Lighting Powder utilizes photoluminescent technology to filter out harsh light and refine the appearance of the complexion. The powders deliver a multidimensional luminescence to every skintone, making it appear softer and lit from within. The finishing powders enhance skin in any type of light, including flash photography. With three universal shades available in the Ambient palette, you can create any desired effect.

I must say that Hourglass did an awesome job of capturing the exact the desired results.  The Hourglass palette includes three finishing powders:  dim light, radiant light, and incandescent light.  Of the three, I use dim light everyday.  I use dim light to set my makeup all over.  This powder truly cloaks imperfections and gives me a smoother, softer appearance.  There is not cast or flashback from any of these powders.




Radiant light works well as a highlighter for me. Honesty, I own so many highlighters that I rarely use this one.  Incandescent light is too light for my skin tone and may work well as a highlight for fair to light skin tones.  In the future, I will repurchase dim light only.  The palette is 62.00 USD for 3 powders.  A single 0.35 oz  for 45.00 USD.  Have you tried anything from Hourglass?  Stay FABULOUS!

New Urban Decay Vice Lipsticks Coming Soon

I knew those lipsticks sales were for something....making room for a whole new lipstick collection, maybe?!  Urban Decay just reformulated and has an upcoming release of over 100 new lipstick shades.  Some shades are returning from the revolution line.  20 Shades will be exclusive to Sephora, and 20 shades will not be in Sephora but present at other retailers.  The shade range is enormous, and I do not even know where to start!  Even though I have enough lipsticks to last a lifetime, I will probably snag a few colors.  The collection will release June 5th everywhere.

In the meantime, the revolution lipsticks are still on sale for 11.00 USD at all retailers.  Grab a few colors for the low.  I really liked the matte revolution lipsticks, so I may grab one or two more colors while they are still available.  Are you excited?  Stay FABULOUS!

ORS Curls Unleashed Leave In Creme Review

First off, when you open this product, it smells like a lemon meringue pie!  That's about the only pro that I have...it smells good.  This product is meant to be a leave in moisturizer, but I actually feel as though it made my hair drier.  Weird, right?  The product is a thick cream and it applies smoothly seemly melting into the hair.  After a couple of hours, I noticed that my hair felt a little hard, rougher in texture.  My hair felt like when I had put too much protein in my hair in the past.  The product states that it's paraben free, mineral oil free, and alcohol free...but it doesn't feel that way.  There may be some sneaky ingredients in there.  But overall, I was not impressed with this product and will not repurchase it again.  I was surprised writing this review for ORS because I have loved their products in the past, but this one was not it for me.  Oh, the joy of finding the hair product staples!  Have you tried any of the ORS line for naturals?  Stay FABULOUS!