♥ Foundation Color Adjusters ♥

 Hey everyone! I'm sorry that it has taken me this long to make another post. I have been doing a lot of research for this one! Today I wanted to talk with you all a little bit about foundation color adjusters. What are they? How do you use them? What options do you have as far as price point, brand, and availability? This may be a long one so stick with me! All pictures are from Google images. No copyright infringement intended.

 Many of us struggle at one time or another to find our shade in a foundation. Sometimes we may even miss out on trying a new product simply because we can't find a color to match us. This is where color adjusters come in. Most of us know by now through reading blogs like this one or searching through videos on YouTube that it isn't just about whether your foundation is too dark or too light. Every foundation has an undertone. Be it neutral, pink, orange, yellow, olive, red, grey, or beige. Now I won't be getting into great detail about color theory in this post(that's a whole other story), but I will explain some basics of color adjusting and which color cancels out which other color. So let's get started!

What are they?

 Simply put, color adjusters are highly concentrated pigments in liquid, cream, or powder form that are used to change the undertone in a foundation, concealer, etc.

How do you use them?

 Color adjusters(especially in powdered pigment form)are not meant to be used alone or to be used in the same manner as color correctors. If this is attempted it may cause skin irritation or, depending on the color used, staining of the skin. Rather, color adjusters are meant to be mixed into your base products(foundation, concealer, blush)in very small amounts. When used correctly they can change the undertone of your product. Is this making sense so far? Let me give you an example.

 Say that I have medium skin with an olive undertone but the foundation I bought, though it's the right shade, comes off a bit more yellow than I would like. Now, simply adding in green would make a yellow-olive toned foundation which can make the skin appear sallow and make you look sickly. So instead of trying to add in olive we first need to neutralize the yellow undertone. You may remember the term "contrasting colors" from grade school. The contrasting color to yellow is blue or purplish-blue. Which makes sense when you think about it since yellow mixed with blue makes green or in this case olive. So, if I add a few drops of a primary blue color adjuster it will neutralize the yellow and give me a more olive toned foundation. Phew! You still with me? Let me give you one more very common example.

 Let's say that I have fair skin with yellow undertones. Again, the foundation I bought is the right shade(dark/light enough)but it is too pink for my skin and makes me face look unnaturally pink compared to my yellow neck and body. So I need to neutralize that pink. Because if I simply added yellow, before neutralizing the pink, my foundation would become orange and I'd look like a sun-deprived oompa loompa. Rather than doing that I would add in a few drops of a green color adjuster to take out the pink since pink is just a lighter tint of red. Then, if I need to I can add in a drop or two of yellow color adjuster in case it looks too neutral. And I'd do the same thing if my skin were light, medium, dark, or deep.

 Now whether or not you want to adjust your entire product at once is up to you. If you prefer you can make your mix fresh daily(or as often as you wear foundation). Sometimes this is best if the foundation has been sitting for a while untouched and nearing it's expiration date while the adjuster is still fresh. But, it's up to you and how fast you go through a foundation. If you have trouble remembering which colors are contrasting then go ahead and Google "color wheel" on Google images. You'll get thousands of pictures. Just select the color of the undertone in your foundation and simply look directly across from there. Whatever color that is is the color your adjuster will need to be. If you would like a more detailed post on which color neutralizes which and understanding the color wheel please leave me a comment to let me know.

What are my options? Are they expensive? Where can I get them?

 There are many options out there from high end brands to stage makeup brands. I have yet to find an actual adjuster at a drugstore. They range anywhere from under $10 to over $20(US currency). I'm going to show you a few options that I have come across and I'll link you to where you can get them. Also keep in mind that the kind of adjuster you need depends on the formulation of your foundation. You can't mix a water based adjuster with a silicone based foundation or vice versa. And if your foundation is marketed as "waterproof" or "water resistant" you will need your adjuster to match. I will list the price and consistency with each product I mention. And, don't worry if you don't see one that suits your needs here. There are many others out there. You just have to look around!


Ben Nye Creme Color:

 Price: $5.99
Consistency: Cream

These are available from camerareadycosmetics.com. They ship internationally. Even if your country is not listed on their shipping list you can e-mail your order to them. They will send you your bill via PayPal and ship it to you. They cannot guarantee your order if your country is not on their shipping list, though. This is one of the most affordable options I have found. They have primary blue, green, red, and yellow as well as white available if you want to lighten the tint of your cream foundation, concealer, or blush. Ben Nye also offers a primary stack for $12.00 but it does not include a green and is grease based.

Kett Hydro Color Theory:

Price: $16 each or $80 for all 5
Consistency: Liquid

 You can also get these from camerareadycosmetics.com or you can get them from kettcosmetics.com. These are water based and highly pigmented. They're great for using with liquid water based foundations. Kett also offers their Hydro Proof Airbrush Color Theory Series which, as the name suggests, are waterproof and cannot be mixed with water based foundations. It is alcohol based. Unfortunately the Hydro Proof adjusters are available to be shipped to USA residents only. Airbrush makeup make great color adjusters because they are formulated to be very opaque and you need only a few drops.


Mehron LUX Airbrush Makeup:

Price: $21.95
Consistency: Liquid

 This is available at mehron.com. Like the Kett Hydro Proof this is waterproof and water resistant. Unlike Kett this ships worldwide. So, again, this can be mixed with any waterproof liquid foundation or product. And, it sets matte so it's a better option for oily skinned people. This is quite pricey but you do get 2.5 ounces(75ml)compared to the Kett Hydro Theory where you only get 0.5 ounces(15ml)or the Hydro Proof where you get only 1 ounce(30ml). So it's a good value if you intend to use it a lot and more accessible worldwide. Plus it is water and green tea based and formaldehyde and paraben free.

Temptu Pro Adjuster:

Price: $25 each for full size or $50 for 7 piece starter kit smaller size
Consistency: Liquid

 These come in a 1 ounce(30ml) or 4 ounce(120ml)size. They are silicone based and can be mixed with any other silicone based products. You can get them from camerareadycosmetics.com or from temptu.com. They ship internationally.

OCC Pure Cosmetic Pigments:

Price: $14.00
Consistency: Powder

 These are 100% pigment. No fillers. Pure color. Not all primary shades are available on occmakeup.com but they have blue, white, black, and amber. You can find more shades of it on Ebay like a yellow and green. MAC pigments work too. So do Make Up Forever pigments. Just be careful because some colors do stain even when mixed. You can mix these with either a powder or liquid mineral foundation. OCC ships worldwide.


 I hope this helps some of you out there who have trouble finding your right shade. There's no need to miss out on raved about new releases. We have adjusters! I think this covers one adjuster for every texture of foundation. I tried to cover them all. There are many more out there so don't give up. Just keep searching until you find what you need. Comment down below if you have any questions for me. Have a lovely day!

Obscure/Less Known Makeup Brands

 Hello again my lovelies! Sorry I haven't posted in a little while. I haven't been feeling well these past few days. Mother nature dropped her monthly "present" on my door step so I've just been really really tired and unable to concentrate without my head aching slightly. But, I'm back! Today I thought we could talk about something a little different. I'm sure you'll agree that there are SO many makeup brands out there whether you shop counters in the department store or aisles in the drugstore.

 But, no matter where you shop you are, no doubt, always on the hunt for that super pigmented concealer that melts into your skin and doesn't budge. Ever searching for the eyeshadow that blends with no effort and has the color payoff of warpaint. Or, maybe you're looking for that face powder that has the perfect amount of coverage, is finely milled, and sets your base for the long haul. Sometimes it's hard to find all of that in a product from the drugstore(though recently they have really been stepping up their game). And, how many of us can afford to try out every product we'd like to at the high-end counters? Today I want to share with you some other alternatives!

 It should come as no surprise that in the ever growing world of makeup products some brands get lost in the mix. But, some of them are really underrated and deserve more props than they appear to receive in the beauty media. So let's get started!

Ben Nye:

 You may remember that recently I posted about where to buy Ben Nye makeup(which can be very confusing). Ben Nye is a stage makeup brand with amazing products. Their concealers are creamy and high coverage. Their eyeshadows are awesome and they come in a very generous size.And they have so many shades of contour/blush creams and powders to choose from. They deserve way more notice than they receive and I highly recommend calling and ordering a catalog from them. It's free and they have some really unique products that you may not be able to find elsewhere(spirit gum, theatrical lashes, waxes, prosthetics, and adhesives and removers of all kinds). Plus they come at pretty affordable prices. Great for personal use or for a makeup freelancing kit.

Inglot:

 Recently this brand has been receiving slightly more attention than usual thanks to a few honorable mentions from some popular YouTube beauty gurus. This brand has such a wide color range and offers what they call a "Freedom System" where basically you choose your packaging, products, and shades and build your own palettes for lipstick, concealer, eyeshadow, blush, and face powder. They also sell lip pencils and lipsticks in tubes as well as other things. But the freedom system can be a bargain. Get only the colors you want or need. Customize it to your own needs with great quality products. One eyeshadow is very big and is only $6 for the pan. They have very creamy lip pencils too.

Kryolan:

 This brand is very similar to Ben Nye in both product range and price point but it is more internationally accessible. For that reason I thought I would mention it as I know more than a few of my readers live in various countries.

 Those were just a few brands I thought I would mention. For more information and to check out more obscure brands of mid-range products and stage makeup check out camerareadycosmetics.com. There are many other brands out there with full coverage cream foundations and concealers that are better than MAC or MUFE(graftobian, RMCA, and those mentioned above). I hope this helps some of you out and helps to broaden your horizons a little. I love trying new products. If you have any recommendations or blog post requests please leave them in the comment section below and follow my blog by e-mail. Have a lovely day!

Best And Worst Lip Balms

Hello again, beauty lovers! Today I am coming at you with something that I am obsessed with. Yes. It's true. I am a lip balm junkie. And, since I am I have pretty much tried it all except for the new Nivea Lip Butters I am dying to get my hands on...and the new E.L.F ones...and that one by Blistex...I can stop anytime I want. Anyway, I thought it would be nice if you all could benefit from my obsession in some way. Although I love most lip balms there have been a few that were a disappointment. I'll start off with the ones I love in no particular order!

The Best:

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm:

 This is definitely a favorite of mine. Finally an SPF of 25 that doesn't smell like sunblock! This product is fantastic for keeping your lips soft and hydrated. It's so good at forming a moisture barrier that it almost has a plumping effect on the lips. It comes in 4 other scents/flavors as well. I liked the one in Natural Mint just fine. It felt cool and refreshing, wasn't at all sticky, and left a soft glossy sheen. For only $7.50 at Ulta it is truly a bargain. This little tube lasted me 6 months with near constant use! Definitely try this out if you haven't already.

Smith's Rosebud Salve:

 Apparently if you mix petrolatum with cotton seed oil and perfume you get awesome. This is so moisturizing. If I have the driest, most cracked, chapped, dehydrated lips ever this fixes it in 5 minutes. It's kind of shiny on and smells like rose petals. Unlike others this isn't sticky at all. I like that it is available in a squeeze tube now instead of a jar so it is more sanitary and I don't have to look for something to wipe my finger with constantly. Because this has no spf I use this more as an overnight treatment or while I am hanging around at home. This just makes my lips so soft and smooth. And, it's a generous amount for only $6.00 at Sephora. It also comes in a minted rose and a strawberry flavor/scent.

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment:

You can get a 2 pack of these small squeeze tubes at Walmart for $5.26. This is a great lip protector. It's just slightly tacky but with a thin layer you don't even notice. It's not glossy like the ones previously mentioned and has no scent or flavor. I use this one after I have exfoliated my lips to keep moisture from escaping. It's a bit thicker in consistency than most and really forms a good barrier on a windy winter day. And, you can't beat the value of this one. They have also come out with one specifically for the lips called Lip Repair that I am anxious to try.

Blistex Lip Medex:

 This glides on much thinner than the others do. It has a strong medicinal mint scent which some may not care for. It feels nice and cool and looks glossy. This also comes in stick form if you prefer that. I just have it in the pot so I chose to show what I own. This makes my lips very smooth and plumps them. I use it at night when my lips feel a bit cracked or rough. This really does a great job of keeping moisture in. My lips are soft and hydrated my morning. I've also found that this helps in preventing flare ups of Seborrheic Dermatitis due to the many antifungal essential oils it contains. Plus this is probably my cheapest favorite at only 98¢ at Walmart.

The Worst:

 Vaseline Lip Therapy:

  I really hated this one. It felt like what I'd imagine smearing a glue stick on you lips would be like. It is incredibly sticky and thick. The only ingredient is white petrolatum which does not actually sink into the lips. It just sits on top and makes it hard to talk. This was awful. Did nothing for my lips. Don't waste your money on it.

Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment:

 This stuff has a horrible thin, greasy texture. Also it smells really bad and tastes even worse if it gets in your mouth. It turns your lips white no matter how little you use which makes you look dead. But, at least it's cheap so you don't waste a lot on it. It may work for cold sores. But, I can't be sure since I've never had one. I really didn't like this.

 EOS Summer Fruit Lip Balm:

 E.O.S may stand for Essence of Smooth but, trust me, it doesn't exactly translate on your lips. This smells great and tastes sweet but does literally nothing for your lips. It doesn't plump, hydrate, or hold in moisture. It just sits on top of your lips smelling good and tasting nice. If, you have cracked, dry lips when your put this on you will have cracked, dry lips when it begins to wear off. I wanted to love it because it smells and tastes so good and I think that packaging is cute but I had all I could do to use this one up.

Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate:

 It's 100% natural. No nasty parabens or artificial dyes. Unfortunately what it really nasty about this one is the scent that I just couldn't get over. This smells like an herb roasted turkey dinner with cranberry sauce. Not exactly the nice sweet, fruity smell I was expecting. I really couldn't get over the strong peppery rosemary scent this had. It was decently moisturizing but I just couldn't get through the whole tube before I tossed it. The smell lingered forever and was so repulsive to me. I tried using it only at night but it was so strong that I couldn't fall asleep! This was a fail for me. I wanted to like it.

That was just a sampling of my best and worst lip balms. I have tried many more and will try more in the future. Let me know if you would like a second post on this topic in the comment section below. Have a great day! Talk to you soon.

*All pictures were taken from Google images. No copyright infringement intended.