Loving Right Now
Do you ever use a beauty product and think “Wow, it’s so good! I need to tell my friends about it!” Today’s post is exactly that. I’ve been using both of these makeup products for a while now and every time they touch my face, I’m reminded of how lovely they are.
The first one is Merit Solo Eyeshadow in Studio ($24). When Merit eyeshadows came out, this particular shade was always out of stock at Sephora until I finally managed to hunt it down, and it was love at first use. The formula is fairly pigmented and is intended to provide buildable coverage. A little goes a very long way so my pan barely has a dent in it even though I use it multiple times a week. I like that it has some skincare elements, too, namely, the chamomile and calendula extracts which can help soothe the sensitive skin around the eyes. I don’t think the amounts are significant enough for any meaningful change, but it’s better than nothing, I guess?
Another thing is, I have oily skin on my slightly hooded lids, so I’m particularly prone to creasing. I won’t lie, these eyeshadows definitely crease on me slightly if I wear them without a primer underneath. But I typically just smudge them back into place and we’re good to go for another six hours or so. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but I know it can be for some, so I figured it was worth mentioning. If you wear a good oil-absorbing primer, there shouldn’t be any creasing. My favorites are Benefit Cosmetics Stay Don’t Stray [sadly, discontinued,] Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, and about-face Shadow Fix Eye Primer.
The brand describes Studio as “cool taupe”, but on my fair olive skin it leans more neutral, as you can see in the swatches. It’s crazy how the same shade can look so different on different skin tones! My friend, who is a true cool pink-toned, says this looks almost gray on her.
The second product is About-Face The Performer Foundation in F2OLIVE* ($22). Honestly, I don’t use foundation much these days, but sometimes I need my skin to look more even-toned for photos or special events. That is when I reach for a base with light to medium coverage, luminous or satin finish, and hopefully, one that can last on my combination skin long enough so I don’t have to touch up all the time. The Performer checks all three!
It comes with a doe foot applicator that looks like a giant concealer, but this allows for a more precise product placement straight out of the bottle instead of wasting product on the back of your hand or on a makeup sponge. I know it’s not for everyone, but personally, I’d rather have a giant doe foot wand than another pump, but that’s just me. The formula is emollient which makes it very easily spreadable and buildable – you can have very light coverage in some areas and build up to medium in others, and it will all look uniform. The finish is something between satin and luminous on me, since my skin type leans more oily. But I think this can work even for people with dry skin because it definitely has some dewiness to it and shouldn’t emphasize dry patches.
There are many good foundations on the market right now, lots of them come in many different shades as well – it’s not like 15+ years ago when brands could get away with making 6-10 shades and call it a day. What makes The Performer unique is they have some truly unique shades in their lineup. For instance, they have a whole category for Olive undertone, along with the traditional Warm, Cool, and Neutral. And they also have Peach undertone for people who don’t fit in any of the others. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more perfect shade match than I did with F2OLIVE, you have no idea how much I appreciate their thoughtful approach to foundation shades. Yes, it’s not 50+ shades like Fenty or MAC, and not everyone will find their match, but some of these you probably won’t find anywhere else but here.
Have you tried either of these products? What makeup are you loving right now?
*Indicates PR sample
