AJ Crimson Makeup Seminar

Celebrity makeup artist AJ Crimson (also half of Kissable Couture) is holding a makeup seminar on Saturday in Manhattan. Check out registration information here.

Foundation Smackdown: MAC Studio Fix vs. Prescriptives Flawless Skin

vs.

MAC Studio Fix Foundation
Color Quality: 3.5 out of 5 - very close to my skin color
Coverage: 4 out of 5 - full coverage
Length of Wear: 3.5 out of 5 - skin gets oily after a few hours. Also has tendency to settle into crevices of face.
Kindness to Skin: 3.5 out of 5
Price: $25 for .52 oz ($48 per oz)
Verdict: WINNER

I have been wearing MAC Studio Fix foundation in C6 for almost 10 (EEK!) years. It's not that I am stuck in my ways and have a hard time changing. The truth is, I am a black woman who likes a full coverage foundation that does not look like stage makeup. And oh, by the way, my skin is sensitive! So until more companies develop quality makeup for women of color, I'm stuck.

So let's talk about the foundation. Studio Fix is a powder makeup that goes on with as much coverage as a cream foundation. It comes with a fantastic sponge that applies the color smoothly and evenly. Some people like to use a brush instead for lighter coverage. One caveat about the sponge is that you should change it every 1-2 months. I wear Studio Fix just about every day and it usually lasts me about six months. It looks lighter than your skin shade when it first is applied, but once it settles and mixes with your skin's natural oils, it darkens a bit (so don't be worried if it looks pasty when you first put it on). I am happy that the C6 color looks very close to my skin tone. The problem is, even though it is a powder, my T-zone always gets shiny when I use it. Oil blotters are essential! On another note, as long as I change the sponge regularly I seldom get breakouts as a result of the foundation.

Does it live up to its claim? The site claims it "is a powder and foundation in one that combines good coverage with ease of application." It also claims to maintain "a matte finish by absorbing oils on the skin, as well as Talc to provide a smoother, less reflective, matte finish" and "is long-wearing." I agree that it provides good coverage and is easy to apply. Though it has a matte texture once it is first applied, it does not absorb enough oils for it to maintain the matte finish. As far as long-wearing, it stays on for a long time but does not necessarily look good for a long time.

Would I buy it again? Yes

Prescriptives Flawless Skin
Color Quality: 4 out of 5 - a Prescriptives salesperson evaluated my skin color and matched it very closely.
Coverage: 3 out of 5 - medium coverage (worked best with Magic Powder)
Length of Wear: 4 out of 5
Kindness to Skin: 2.5 out of 5
Price: $39.50 for 1 oz.
Verdict: LOSER

I was very excited to try Prescriptives' Flawless Skin foundation especially after seeing how good it looked on my friend Karissa's skin. Her skin looked "flawless" and she told me she used a mix of the Flawless foundation and Magic Powder. I thought I was finally able to try something other than my old faithful Studio Fix. The same day I bought the foundation I also bought a new facial regimen from a different line. When my skin started becoming irritated and breaking out worse and in a different way than ever before, I just assumed it was the facial regimen. I stopped using the face creams and cleansers and continued to use the Flawless, though I still had irritation. I finally went to get a facial and I was told that whatever I used ended up irritating my skin to the point that it looked severely windburned. Needless to say once I stopped using the foundation, everything was back to normal.

The worst part of it was that though my skin was severely irritated, it looked amazing. The color looked great, and the Magic Powder topped it off very nicely. I wish I didn't have to let it go, but anyway you slice it, nice looking makeup over irritated, breakout infected skin just isn't very nice. Though it did not win the Beauty Smackdown, you should still try it out only if you don't have sensitive skin.

Does it live up to its claim? The site says it "works to protect against sun damage and external assaults while simultaneously diffusing imperfections" and "achieves a flawless finish while working 'undercover' to provide your skin with superior skincare protection." It also says that "daily use improves skin's ability to repair itself and guard against UVA and UVB damage" and the "lightweight, long-wearing foundation provides natural-looking medium to full coverage for all skin types." Since it has SPF 15 sunscreen in it, it must protect against sun damage. And as far as working "undercover," for me it worked undercover to damage my skin. I will agree that it is lightweight and fairly long-wearing. It also does maintain a natural looking coverage.

Would I buy it again? No. If only I didn't have sensitive skin...

Which would you choose?

Body Cream Smackdown: Bath & Body Works Lay it on Thick vs. Sephora Super Supreme Body Butter

VS.

Bath & Body Works Lay it on Thick Intense Moisture Shea Butter Cream (Tru Blue Spa line)
Moisture Level: 5 out of 5 - super moisturizing without being greasy
Scent: 4 out of 5 - A slight sweet, coconut scent
Price: $20 for 10 oz ($2 per oz)
Verdict: WINNER

Lay it on Thick is one of the best moisturizers that I have ever used. I just get so disappointed that it feels like I always use it up so quickly! The texture is thick and creamy without leaving your skin feeling oily. It is fantastic on skin that is very dry (especially during winter months), or on the places of your body that get the driest (like elbows, knees and feet). I found the moisture to last all day. Because it is so moisturizing, this may not be the best cream for people with oily skin. Also, though it also comes in a 6 oz. tube, the 10 oz is the best value.

Does it live up to its claim? It says, "Nothing makes skin feel better than incredibly rich shea butter. This deluxe cream takes it even further with protecting, conditioning vitamin E." It is a reasonable claim that I believe it lives up to.

Would I buy it again? Yes! I think I'm going to order some more right now!

Sephora Super Supreme Body Butter
Moisture Level: 3.5 out of 5 - goes on smooth and moisturizing but does not last very long
Scent: 3.5 out of 5 - Clean, fresh scent
Price: $25 for 13.52 oz ($1.85 per oz)
Verdict: LOSER

The packaging of Super Supreme Body Butter sold me! It lists a ton of moisturizing ingredients, calls itself "super nourishing" and it's named "super supreme," so it had to be good, right? Well, it was good. Not great, but good. It is a great value for the size. If you look at comparable body butters (especially in a Sephora store), it is a good deal. Also, the scent is clean (just slightly floral), and light enough for another fragrance to be layered over it. When I applied it it felt very thick but went on smoothly. Even though it seemed very thick and rich, it did not leave a greasy feel. I did notice it did not last extremely long. If you usually have normal skin but have dry skin in the winter, this is your wintertime solution. Also if you have slightly dry skin that is not sensitive, this maybe the body butter for you. One thing that I did not like about this was it clogged my pores. I have pretty sensitive skin ( more so on my face than body), and noticed some clogged pores on my back, arms and even legs - not cute. I don't know for sure if it would do the same to someone without sensitive skin.

Does it live up to its claim? My jar says, "The rich, yet non-oily texture literally melts into the skin for a one-of-a-kind, skin softening experience." and "it moisturizes, nourishes, protects and leaves the skin flawlessly smooth and soft to the touch" (slightly different from the website that says "it moisturizes, nourishes, protects, and leaves skin perfectly soft and smooth."). I agree that it is rich but not oily and also leaves skin soft to the touch. After my breakout experience, I think "flawlessly" is pushing it too far which may be why they took out that word from the site description.

Would I buy it again? Not for myself.

Which would you choose?

Lip Gloss Smackdown: Kissable Couture vs. MAC 3D Lip Glass

VS.

Kissable Couture Lip Gloss
Shade: Forest
Color Quality: 3.5/5 - nice shade, best layered with another lip color
Endurance (lasting power): 2/5 - does not last very long
Price: $22 for .16 oz - not a great value (you're basically paying a premium for the packaging)
Verdict: LOSER

Kissable Couture, launched by Forest Whitaker's wife, Keisha Nash-Whitaker, and celebrity makeup artist, AJ Crimson, has been receiving a lot of press lately. I have been intrigued by this line ever since my girl, Bernie, featured it on COCOACHiC - so much so that I bought some and wrote an article about it. Since then Keisha has even been featured on Oprah. I love beauty-preneurs!

So here's the scoop: My bottle of Kissable Couture came in an ultra chic black gift bag with ribboned handles and an elegant box. The packaging was very well done. I really liked the look of the intense crimson color in the bottle, but was surprised when it went on extremely sheer. The applicator's felt tip along with the gloss' thin consistency made it go on very lightly. I had to dip the applicator in a few times for it to go on with enough color that I was comfortable with. I liked it best when I applied it over a lipstick. But, its thin consistency also prevented it from lasting long. I felt like it was gone after 30 minutes. It does last longer on lipstick (or maybe it was just the lipstick that lasted longer). Also, after a few weeks there seemed to be an odor (that happens with a lot of drug store brands too).

Does it live up to its claim? The website says it "offers the ultimate high gloss factor that is standalone satisfying" and keeps you "coming back for a single sheer application or double coat of sexy sheen & divine fluidity." It also says it "won't weigh down your lips, rather provide an endearing feeling of everlasting love." Someone's PR person has a way with words, huh? I will agree that it doesn't weigh down your lips. However, I think "ultimate high gloss factor" is exaggerated and I have yet to feel the "endearing feeling of everlasting love."

Would I buy it again? Yes. Though I would not buy it again for me (too expensive and doesn't last long enough), but I like it as a gift idea for my fashionista friends.

MAC 3D Lipglass
Shade: In 3D
Color Quality: 3.5/5 - glossy, clean look with a hint of color
Endurance (lasting power): 3/5
Price: $14 for .17 oz
Verdict: WINNER

I am a fan of MAC lipglasses and was excited to see MAC launching the 3D Lipglass, a more sheer, less sticky version of their original lipglasses. The applicator and consistency reminded me of MAC's lip lustreglass. I think the color is very on-trend since women are wearing less-pigmented lip glosses. Though the color is sheer, there was a level of complexity to it (a peachy, pink color with tiny shimmers that didn't make my lips sparkle, but rather shine) so it didn't feel like I was putting on something I could find in a drug store. Also, I liked that despite its sheerness, it lasted a pretty long time. Usually about an hour if I wasn't eating or drinking a lot. Great for a fresh, feminine look.

Does it live up to its claim?
The website indicates it "fuses a high gloss wet-look finish with balm-style emolliency and conditioning" and "delivers 3D-style dimension to the lips through an innovative combo-blend of extreme pearl and multi-reflective shine." It also says it is "non-sticky, smooth to apply" and its "finish lasts for hours." I agree that it does feel conditioning to the lips and has "multi-reflective shine" (you can see fine shimmering in the bottle but it is not glittery). I also agree that it is "non-sticky" and "smooth to apply." However, saying that it "lasts for hours" is a stretch - it may last for hours if you didn't move your mouth for hours.

Would I buy it again? Yes. At least as long as this look is on-trend.

Which would you choose?

Body Wash Smackdown: Dove Cream Oil Ultra Rich vs. Olay Ultra Moisture

VS.



Dove Cream Oil Body Wash - Ultra Rich formula
Texture: 4 out of 5 - Creamy but not oily
Scent: 2.5 out of 5 - Rosewood and cocoa butter (soft and a mix between floral, wood and powder - I prefer fruity over floral)
Price: $7.59 for 19.4 oz ($0.39 per oz)
Verdict: LOSER

I just finished using Dove Cream Oil Body Wash Ultra Rich for the first time. I really liked the consistency of the wash. It is creamy and did not dry out my skin. It actually reminded me of those in-shower lotions to be used after your body wash (though I imagine Dove added some type of detergent to their formula). Though there were three moisture drops on the packaging, I didn't feel like my skin was super moisturized. My skin was not dry, but I definitely needed some lotion on after I dried off. What I liked the least was the fragrance. Just not my cup of tea and actually if the scent was better I probably would have used it again.

Does it live up to its claim? The back of the container says, "intensely moisturizing, but sensationally lathering...Rich in oil, but not oily." I would not say it is "intensely moisturizing" or "sensationally lathering." I saw some lather, though I'm not sure how "sensational" it was. I do agree with it not being oily though.

Would I buy it again? No. The scent did it for me. I just didn't like the smell or after smell of it. Didn't smell fresh.

Olay Body Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter
Texture: 4 out of 5 - Creamy and lathery without being oily
Scent: 4.5 out of 5 - Soft, sweet, pleasant
Price: $7.99 for 23.6 oz ($0.34 per oz)
Verdict: WINNER

This product is actually "old faithful" for me. As much as I try to find something I like better, I just keep coming back. What I like about it is that it lathers enough to remind you it is indeed a body wash but leaves the skin soft too. I break out easily and it is gentle enough to be moisturizing without irritating my skin. I really like the pleasant scent and it is also a great value.

Does it live up to its claim? The back of the container says "soap-free formula for gently cleansing," "moisturizers enhanced with shea butter penetrate deep within the surface to condition the driest skin for up to 24 hours," and "keeps in moisture and has a clean rinse." I agree with gentle cleansing, clean rinse and that the moisturizers condition the skin. As far as the " to condition the driest skin for up to 24 hours," I think that 24 hours is far fetched though the "up to 24 hours" may be more like 2 hours.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

Which would you choose?

Welcome to Beauty Smackdown!

Hello all! Welcome to my new site! If you're like me, you may be very overwhelmed by the amount of beauty products out there that all claim they are the BEST. Magazines may show us what they think are good products, but who knows if those beauty editors are being paid a lot money just to say they're great? Beauty Smackdown is dedicated to giving you my perspective on what I think about featured products. I definitely welcome your thoughts too! I am a huge product fan but am not the absolute expert. Hopefully I will be able to at least give you enough information to make an educated purchasing decision.

Here's what I need from you: tell me what products you want to see! Feel free to post them here or email me at divaonadollar@yahoo.com.