Top Three High End Foundations

So I have decided to put together my list for top three foundations.  I am a makeup addict and don't discriminate against drug store. I love the drug store, but I have yet to find a foundation that knocks my socks off for my skin type, needs and desires.

So without further ado here are my top three picks.  I have tested and used these foundations all for over a year.

My skin type: Normal/combo summer and Normal/dry in the winter.

Issues I like to address with a foundation: redness, natural skin light coverage, my skin but better. Poreless effect.

Pick # 1: Chanel Vitalumiere:

Price: $45.00 USD

Finish: This foundation is beautiful, this gives a very natural finish to the skin. After application it almost immediately sets, powder is totally optional. If you are oily I would recommend a powder in to prevent oil breaking through midday. I would say most skin types can wear this foundation, it is not matte or drying for the drier skin types, will be flawless for normal to combo, and for oily  it is not oil controlling enough on its own so set with a powder. It provides a medium coverage can be sheered or built slightly.

Consistency: Because this is a water based foundation (my favorite) it is light weight, it is not a running consistency that will drip down your hand, but it is not thick at all.  When blended it is so lightweight it just melts into the skin.  Providing you with natural coverage, generally thicker foundations are medium to full coverage.  I find most people really don't need that much coverage for daytime.

Application: I really like using a foundation brush for application, preferably a flat top brush, or my hands.  This is effortlessly to blend.  Because it is so lightweight the application is so easy, and doesn't require a ton of work.

Average wear: Like most foundations unless they are really long wearing, heavy coverage and matte I find I get a good 6-8 hours our of this.  I need to touch up 4 hours in, in my T-zone.

Other notes: Like most Chanel foundations it has that Chanel scent, I find it to be very old world beauty and reminds me of the classic Chanel makeup.  Its not offensive, if you are fragrance sensitive maybe not for you. Has an SPF 15 and a very low SPF odor. I have repurchased this foundation twice.

Pick # 2: Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat:

Price: $57.00 USD

Finish: This is interesting the finish is a luminous finish, not completely dewy. Meaning your skin will look radiant have a luminous glow from within look.  It does not have a true "dewy" finish, which I stay away from because it slides all over the place and has terrible staying power.  This is a foundation I choose for a light night out meaning no dancing, or serious activity. Date night, movie, dinner and drinks. Your skin will look divine, flawless and healthy.  It does not have great staying power for high activity or a full work day.  Light to medium coverage.

Consistency: Again another water based foundation, this has a very liquid texture.  Not quite runny but thinner than the Chanel Aqua Lumiere. Blends out to a dream, very easy application.  Needs to be buffed in with a brush.  Provides a super natural coverage skin like appearance.

Application: Brush all the way with this bad boy.  I find it needs a dense brush the keep that liquid texture very even, love a good flat top.  Effortless, I like to powder my T-zone especially in the summer months.

Average wear: 4-6 hours not a very long wearing, really this foundation for me is all about the finish and kind of occasion I am wearing it for. Touching up all over or just t zone anywhere from hour 2-4. It can start to break up a bit after that. My oil starts to really produce in the T zone especially.

Other notes: Again YSL has a very distant smell to there lipsticks and foundations.  Very fresh though and I hate fragrance in a product but this and the Chanel is luxurious. A SPF of 19 which is light in odor. Many oily skin girls either love or hate this one,  can break out some skin types, and or just be a but too dewy for oily girls.

Pick # 3: Nars Sheer Glow

Price: $45.00 USD

Finish: A true satin finish foundation, don't let the name fool you. This foundation sets super quick almost immediately, providing a nice satin like appearance to the skin.  The term "glow" can be referred to the non flat look, its like matte and dewy made a baby.  You get the staying power and look of flawless matte, without the flat dry thick consistency.  A true medium coverage.

Consistency: This is the thickest of the three foundations, yet it is very lightweight on the skin and still thin enough and easy to work with and blend. Again water based, and easy to blend.

Application: Nars recommends using your fingers for application.  I like that but generally love using a brush for work, or nights out and a beauty blender for lighter day wear. I don't need any powder generally with this foundation. It really sets beautifully.

Average wear: 6-8 hours, this is an average wearing foundation. I find oil starts to breakthrough in hour 4-5 but not terrible.  I like wearing this out at night especially when I want medium coverage and to look flawless. This can work for oily skin girls as well, I would recommend setting with a powder, they also have a matte version of this foundation.

Other notes: The color selection runs very yellow undertone, which I don't mind. Fragrance if any is undetectable, a pump is available on the Nars website. I hate pour containers, not very sanitary. I have repurchased this foundation 4-5 times.  I love it.

I hope this was helpful and your guys enjoyed reading my top three picks.  I will continue to review foundations and other products. I don't review something unless I really have given it a good run.  I like to provide knowledgeable opinions on the products I use.  And I am always looking for the next best makeup product especially foundation! I will talk soon about my day to day routine for a natural everyday look.

Kiehls Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment Review

My under eye area took a beating this winter.  Here in NY we had a really long rough dry cold winter, wreaking havoc on the skin.  My under eye area has fine lines and crows feet, in combination with the dry weather I was in need of some moisture. Here is my full review on the Kiehls Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment.

Purchased: 

Price: 28.50 for 0.50 OZ

Texture: This is a very emollient thick cream, almost scent free. When applied to the orbital bone under eye area it feels very rich, if you rub the cream in it will get this watery rubbery almost texture to it.  Very odd and hard to explain, but if you pat as your suppose to with eye cream that rubbery watery feeling decreases to a rich thick absorption.  I recommend your skin be completely dry when applying otherwise that watery texture will be there as well.

Overall Results: Mega moisture, this cream really delivers in the hydration department.  It is a no frills eye cream, doesn't claim to really reduce aging but provides hydration.  To be honest most creams promise so many claims and don't deliver.  Most do not make our under eye bags/wrinkles/discoloration disappear.  This provides exactly what it says it will moisture.

Additional Notes: I would not recommend this eye cream for people with very oily lids or under eye area.  I noticed a big complaint on the reviews is it makes peoples under eye concealer crease.  I didn't have that issue it made mine stay longer because my under eyes were properly hydrated. I am now about 3/4 done with the jar.

Would I repurchase: Yes I would repurchase, maybe not for the humid summer weather I think it's too heavy but a nice luxurious eye cream for the cold drier months.  For dry skin I say this is a go, also it did not irritate my retinol products.I think this makes for a great night eye cream as it really is a treatment product for any time of the year.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Concealer Stick Brightener Review

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Concealer Stick Brightener Review

Price: 9.99 varies with drugstore

Where to purchase: any local drugstore near you

Color:  I purchased this in the Brightener color, the color ranges from 6 shades including the brightener shade.  The color is a light pink base, I am very fair right now in mac shade ranges I could be a NC20.  This is significantly lighter than my skin tone but due to impeccable formula it blends in and diffuses the darkness under eyes.  Remember this is a brightener not a concealer.  Other shades are available for concealing.

No Airbrushing or retouching brightener is worn here.

Formula: As said above this has a lightweight almost air like texture, I find it very soothing to put on.  It glides onto the under eye area beautifully without any tug or pull.  It remind me of how a mousse (blush/foundation) feel with that whipped like effect but even smoother.

Packaging:  Genius, I really love this packaging with a twist up product you waist absolutely no product, and there is a bouncy soft sponge on the top that disperses the product.  By the time you would need to replace the sponge for hygienic reasons you will run out the product.  So hygienic, simple, economical, and great for travel or on the go.

Application: After moisturizing and occasionally priming  I twist the cap for some additional product to dispense.  I apply this directly to the darkness avoiding the outer area where crow’s feet would occur.  I apply a light amount and pat in with my ring finger.  After I am finished I go ahead and apply any foundation, tinted moisturizer, powder or alone.  After foundation you can then apply additional concealer’s or correctors to balance out any additional discolorations.

Tips:  To add additional brightness if need extra pep to the under eye area, apply a tiny amount in the same area mentioned above and pat in.  This will give your skin a brighter more awake appearance to the skin!

Overall Thoughts:  Definitely worth it 100%, inexpensive and effective which is the most you could ask for out of a beauty product.  Go out and try it worst comes to worst you can always return this product.

These are just my opinions your results may vary with each and every beauty product reviewed.

Burts Bees Citrus Facial Scrub Review & Pictures

Burts Bee's Citrus Facial Scrub Review 

Cost: 7.99

Purchased at: Target or online and various drug stores.

Smell:  Has a very warm smell spicy like a pie, could be offensive to sensitive noses.  For me I like it has a more natural organic smell.

Texture: Thick paste like consistency with large to small granules of ground almonds, oats, and pecans and mixed exfoliators for an intense scrub.  I would not recommend this for sensitive skin, if you do any more than 10 seconds of scrubbing it is more on the abrasive side.  Although this scrub is abrasive it is not offensive to the skin.  Let me explain, you are required to mix a few drops of water into the scrub to allow it to become a more creamy consistency which glides on the skin.  It does not have a micro sandy feel that feels like you are burning your face off, but it is not as light as a gentle exfoliator.

If you are looking for a hybrid between gentle and harsh this is the perfect concoction for you.  I try not to use this more than 2-3 times a week, exfoliating the skin really is not beneficial in the long run.  But it does create a nice smooth surface for moisturizer and makeup application. 

Application:  Scoop about a dime to nickel size in your hand, add a few drops of water to the create a creamy paste.  Apply gently to skin working it in with circular motions, apply for about 60 seconds.  Remember scrub longer not harder!  Rinse and I like to add a bit of cleanser since there is a slight oil residue.

If you have tough stubborn skin this is a great addition to ad to your skin care regime especially since it is so available and affordable.  This product is free of sulfates and other harsh chemicals.  For the price its a definite try!

DDF Ultra Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew Review

This is a complete review for the DDF Ultra Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew.

Price: 40.00

Where to Buy: Sephora, Ulta, Online Shops

Why I like it:  I have normal to dry skin, I occasionally break out due to bad eating habits (greasy food).  Most moisturizers are too scented, too greasy, or too thick for me.  This oil free formulation is fantastic a lightweight almost whipped like texture.  There is virtually no scent, and absorbs within 30 seconds of applying.  Ideally this would be great for oily skin, but it does not irritate or break my skin out.  I never get shiny with this moisturizer and it truly sinks in.  You can over apply and it will still continue to sink it.

I apply this with jojoba oil in the winter and summer to avoid dry skin issues.  I would imagine if you had extra shine from oil this wouldn't add to the issue.  If your looking for moisture with no bells and whistles this is for you. 

Packaging:  Is a love, very hygienic the pump is air tight, you waste absolutely no product.  I've gone through about  5 bottles so I know when it runs low.  But you can easily run out due to the opaque white bottle.  The pump has no clogging issues and easy to control.

Price:  I really hate buying this every time I am running low I try to seek out a cheaper brand but I cant seem to find the right alternative.  For 40.00 its a bit steep for having no real benefits other than moisture.  But I will repurchase until I find a more cost effective solution.  If price is not an issue go for the gold!


Overall thoughts great product good for a basic no fuss mouisturizer with a hygienic packaging and a high price tag!  Hope to find a dupe soon!