ELF Poreless Face Primer

May 22, 2017

Random Thoughts

On the docket for today is ELF’s Poreless Face Primer. But first, some randomness, as promised in my original conception of this blog. It’s so funny, because while I was in the shower (which is where I always get ideas) I had tons of things to write about. The trick is getting them all on the computer before they fly out of my head. Which happens quickly :).

I have four cats living in my home currently. It’s not like I have wayward cats just stopping by; I say I have four currently because two are foster cats. So maybe I do have wayward cats. Bottom line, I have two more than I usually do.

I also have a robot vacuum, a Bobsweep to be precise. And I love the robot vacuum. I’m fairly certain about 80% of my life is spent vacuuming when I don’t use the Bob (that’s his name). Unfortunately, one of the cats got scared of the Bob last time I ran him, and peed on one of the couch cushions. So now, Bob is just another piece of furniture that I stare at longingly when I’m vacuuming. With the regular vacuum.

So there’s the random thoughts for today. Onto ELF’s Poreless Face Primer. Now I, like most women, spent most of my youth not wearing foundation. In fact, I thought for years that it aged me. I look back on those days fondly. With what I would define as starting-to-be-aging skin, foundation definitely makes all the difference in whether I look 27 or 47.

For years, I also did not indulge any thoughts of “primer,” except on special occasions where I was being made up by a makeup artist. Again, I remember these days fondly, for now I put on primer sometimes when I’m not even putting on foundation. It offers a nice, even finish to apply loose powder or highlighter or whatever.

First Impressions

I would like to mention that, even as I’m writing this, one of my cats (the jerk) is tearing at the corner of my shag rug. I’m sure I’ll talk more about him later. At first glance, I really like ELF Cosmetics. The aesthetic of the brand is simple, something akin to MAC, perhaps, very clean with simple black packaging. I wish it were more mainstream, as I often have to go hunting for it in the drugstore and usually find it on the end of an aisle somewhere.

The consistency of the product is hard to describe. It almost feels like liquid powder, if that makes any sense. It’s slippery but light.

More Thoughts

By the time I got around to buying ELF Cosmetics Poreless Primer, I had already tried a few ELF products. So I kind of knew the caliber of the brand, which I think is good. ELF always stacks up well in product comparisons that I’ve read on other blogs, so I was optimistic.

Now, I have huge pores. Cavernous. Surface of the moon. And it’s just getting worse as I get older. I’ve always been envious of those girls with perfect skin. I have a few girlfriends whose skin looks like its been airbrushed all the time. I want to kick them, just a little bit.

So here’s me starting out without makeup today. This gives me a ridiculous amount of anxiety — I hate looking at photos of myself without makeup. But I think this is something a lot of women struggle with and my new rule is that I have to do things that scare me and be brave. So here:

I don’t know if that gives an accurate representation of what my pores look like, but I’ll spare everyone the close-up of my nose. Now, the next photo is me with just the primer on my face, pre-makeup application.

Still not great, but markedly less shiny. And my pores aren’t jumping out at me anymore, demanding that someone use them as swimming holes or something.

Better, right? This is me with the primer, undereye concealer, ELF Loose Powder and Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, one coat. Not going to win any awards, but also not going to scare anyone at the pet store.

Cost and Where to Buy

ELF Cosmetics Poreless Primer can be found on the ELF Cosmetics website for $6, Amazon for $5.99, or at your friendly CVS store for $8.00.

Summing Up

I’d give ELF Cosmetics Poreless Primer an 8 out of 10. I’m definitely incorporating primer into my makeup routine from now on, and I think this does what it sets out to do. The price is very good. My only complaint is that I think sometimes it makes me break out. But not always. Yeah, I thought that would end when I left my teens, too. Surprise!

Want me to try a different primer? Leave me comment or send me a message!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

May 8, 2017

I picked up a tube of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara over Christmas in Ohio. It’s funny, I almost just typed “Christmas break” as though I’m not a grown up who hasn’t had a Christmas break in…a long time. And no, I’m not a teacher so there’s no reason for “Christmas break.” As a matter of fact, I had gall bladder surgery over this “Christmas break,” so it was more of a chore than a celebration

Anyway, I bought a tube of this in Ohio at Sephora while shopping with my friend Caitlin. We were there on a post-Christmas shopping trip and I was doing my best not to buy everything in the store. Mascara displays were everywhere, so I decided mascara would be (one of) my purchases (I have no self control, okay?).

First Impressions

The tube is adorable. I like pink. And Caitlin’s eyelashes look amazing, so why not? I’m a loyal Diorshow addict, but I should step outside of my comfort zone and try new things.

Experience

So I took some photographs so you don’t have to just take my word for it: this mascara is great. My eyelashes are naturally pretty good; they’re not super thick, but they’re pretty long, so I’m always looking to boost volume. Here is a photo of my eyes pre-mascara (No judgment please! I’m wearing no makeup and the lighting is bad.)

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara - Beauty Chaos — I know, my hair looks awesome, too.

So that’s me, pre-mascara. There are a lot of layers here so bear with me. In this next photo, I have one coat of mascara on my left eye, but not the right.

Next, I put a second coat on my left eye. Despite the crudity of my photography skills with my iPhone, I think you can see there’s a definite difference between the two eyes.

This next image is two coats on the left eye, one coat on the right eye. I told you, I did my due diligence here. Again, forgive the images. I see the shadows are annoying. Sorry ???? Finally, two coats on both eyes.

If I were only allowed one item of makeup, it would be mascara. Or concealer. Or lip gloss. Okay, I can’t choose one. But I will say this: when I run out to the grocery store or whatever, if I put one cosmetic on my face, it’s mascara.

Cost and Where to Buy

Like I said earlier, I got Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara at Sephora for $23. Ulta also carries Too Faced for $23, and lots of department stores such as Macy’s carry Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara for around the same price. So it’s a little steep, but I think it’s worth it.

Summing Up

Overall, I would rank Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara 9.5 out of 10. I love it, it’s amazing, but the price is the only gating factor. I would like to try Too Faced’s other mascara products, like their waterproof mascara and their Better Than False Lashes Extreme! Instant Lash Extension Kit. Wow, that’s a long name.

Want me to try some crazy makeup? Message me here!