Product Review: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation vs L'oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

Hello there!

I've missed you for so long!

It's been a long time and I've run out of reasons for why I've not blogged in what seems like forever. Have I missed it? YES! Almost daily. Will I be blogging again regularly? I'll be honest.. I don't know, but I'm going to give it a go. In the meantime, though, I've been sharing my reviews on social media. Feel free to like and follow WMM on my Facebook page. :)

Facebook: Where's My Mirror?

That out of the way, I'm going to jump right into the product review between the 2 foundations. So here it is!

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte
vs
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless

I used to use foundation only for events and special occasions; on a daily basis, I'd apply pressed powder along with the rest of my makeup and go about my day. Over the course of each day, though, I'd need to use blotting sheets and touch up with powder several times because my t-zone would get oily. I have combination-dry and sensitive skin type with open pores near my cheeks, so makeup doesn't always stay on fresh and long.

Because of this, I didn't fully understood why people wear foundation on a daily basis until I started using it too. Since then, I'm hooked on it! It makes my skin appear more even toned, powder applied lasts longer, and I don't need to touch up as frequently (Win!).

For this review, I tested 2 liquid foundations to see how they hold up and which one works best with my skin.

Foundation #1: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

Jar Packaging: Yes
Foundation Type: Liquid
Price: about RM 42.80 (30 ml)

*Price depends on where you buy the product and if you buy it in store or online.

Claims

Based on information taken directly from Maybelline.com website:

• Normal or oily skin gets evened out and perfected with Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation.
• This lightweight foundation mattifies and refines pores and leaves a natural, seamless finish.
• Ideal for normal to oily skin, our exclusive matte foundation formula features micro-powders to control shine and blur pores. Pore minimizing foundation. Dermatologist tested. Allergy tested. Non-comedogenic.

Lil' Missy's Review - 

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless

Maybelline has done a phenomenal job in coming up with a wide range of shades for all skin tones. When I say "wide", I mean it. There are 40 shades to choose from and there's a shade for all skin tones, from Fair to Light to Medium to Dark.

There are 2 types of Maybelline Fit Me foundations:

1. Matte + Poreless 

• For normal to oily skin, without SPF. 
• To be used with Matte + Poreless pressed powder.

2. Dewy + Smooth

• For dry skin, with SPF 18.
• To be used with Set + Smooth pressed powder.

It took me a while to find the right shades for my medium skin tone, but I did it. I use 2 shades depending on how my skin looks on the day (ie. more tanned or more pale): 228 Soft Tan and 322 Warm Honey. For pressed powder, I use Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder in 310 Sun Beige.

I used the Maybelline website to narrow down the best match for my skin type and tone. It's a very helpful site: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Match Finder 

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation (228 Soft Tan)

I get mine from Watson's in store. The texture is light, leaves my skin more even toned, and doesn't make my face oilier. I prefer medium coverage and a more natural finish, so this works best for me. Since this provides good medium coverage for me, I hardly need a concealer. Personally, I find the foundation applies best when I use a sponge or brush. 

It doesn't really blur or minimise my pores. So I use a brush to apply and buff it in, and this technique helps to reduce the appearance of my open pores. Problem solved albeit temporarily. Also, the lack of SPF doesn't bother me because I use sunscreen daily.

I love it and I'm sticking with this for now!

My daily makeup using
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless.

Pros

• Affordable (it's within the drugstore price range for foundations). 
• Available at major pharmacies. 
• Light to medium coverage (which I like).
• Coverage is buildable (meaning that you can layer on the foundation to add coverage).
• Doesn't oxidise (it doesn't darken with more exposure to air, so the shade you see is the shade that will remain on your skin).
• Feels light on the skin.
• Leaves a natural, even-tone finish.
• Controls shine a little (depending on how you set the foundation with powder).
• Doesn't make my skin oilier unless it's a hot and humid day (it's a normal condition with combination and oily skin).
• No allergic reaction.
• Available in 40 shades that cater to Fair, Light, Medium, and Dark skin tones.

Cons

• Doesn't blur pores.
• Doesn't minimise pores.
• No SPF.

Foundation #2: L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

Jar Packaging: No (comes in a tube)
Foundation Type: Liquid
Price: about RM 50.00 (30 ml)

*Price depends on where you buy the product and if you buy it in store or online. I got mine from the USA.

Claims

Based on information taken directly from lorealparisusa.com website:

• Up to 24hr matte without the flat. Air-light texture, demi-matte finish. 
• Achieve a matte finish that won't fall flat with this air-light, longwearing liquid formula. Lightweight and creamy, foundation goes on smooth with a demi-matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours - hiding imperfections for a smooth, clear complexion.

Lil' Missy's Review - 

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

If you're looking for a quick-drying foundation that dries to a smooth, velvety finish, then this is the foundation you'd want to consider trying. 

There are 3 types of L'Oreal Infallible foundations:

1. Total Cover Foundation - up to 24HR coverage with a weightless feel. For normal skin.
2. Pro Glow Foundation - up to 24HR coverage with an all-day glow. For normal to dry skin.
3. Pro-Matte Foundation - up to 24HR demi-matte coverage with air-light texture. For combination and oily skin.

I wouldn't wear this on a daily basis because I don't need a quick-drying foundation and prefer a more natural finish. I'd save this for special occasions or long nights out.

It wasn't difficult choosing my shade and I went with 108 Caramel Beige. For pressed powder, I use Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder in 310 Sun Beige.

It's fantastic for long days or nights out because you don't have to think about touching up! Up close, though, it doesn't leave a natural finish - then again, this depends on how you apply it and how much you use.

I'm definitely using this for special occasions!

My simple evening makeup using
L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation.

Pros

• Affordable (it's within the drugstore price range for foundations). 
• Medium to full coverage.
• Doesn't oxidise (it doesn't darken with more exposure to air, so the shade you see is the shade that will remain on your skin).
• Feels light on the skin.
• Leaves a smooth, demi-matte, and velvety finish.
• Controls shine a little (unless it's a hot and humid day).
• Doesn't make my skin oilier.
• No allergic reaction.

Cons

• Not found in stores in Malaysia, so you'll need to buy it online.
• VERY quick drying (you'll need to work on applying this FAST before it dries).
• Doesn't leave a natural finish (depending on how you apply and how much you use, it'll be extremely obvious that you have foundation on).
• Doesn't blur or minimise pores.
• No SPF.
• Available in only 12 shades.

Lil' Missy's Verdict

If you've read my review up until now, thank you! It's a lengthy one, but totally worth it if you're looking to purchase either foundation.

My choice foundation between the 2 is Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless. I can use it daily, day and night, and leaves a natural finish.

For special events, I'd definitely go with L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation for more long-lasting coverage.

I hope this review helps you! Thank you for reading! xx

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Until the next time.

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Reality Bites: WMM's First Post of 2016

I’ve been inactive for too long. Over-a-year too long. Being overworked and wanting to write regularly again don’t go hand in hand. My entire schedule was out of whack last year. There was a non-existent work-life balance that I had succumbed to. Partially self inflicted because I allowed it. No fun. No fun at all, my friends.

Recently I had a rude awakening. While I was busy at work, I received a WhatsApp message from my sister informing me that my mum had a fall. See, I’m from a close-knit family, and we’re a small one. It was a rude shock because this was the incident one working afternoon:

*Note: Not for the faint hearted as I'll be revealing some mildly gory details.

-      Mumsy was on medication for dry cough that made her drowsy. She lost her balance and fell face first into a wooden chair. Face first! *^%k#&^%$!!

S   She told my aunt about it first instead of me because she didn’t want to disturb me at work. My aunt then informed my sister instead of me because she, too, didn’t want to disturb me at work. My sister (who lives in the USA, by the way) immediately informed me about this. God bless her for this. Thank you, Big Sister!

Bloody hell. No one wanted to inform me of this emergency because they “didn’t want to disturb me at work”?!? High time for a change, I thought.

I immediately informed my boss, packed up, and left for the day to be with mumsy. When I arrived to see her, it was a painful sight because she lay in bed resting with temporary bandages on her face. As I drew closer, my stomach was in knots because the bandages were no longer white; instead, they were red from the blood soaking into the material.

Mumsy had a bandage just above her eye and just below her chin. I could tell that the cut just below her chin was deep because that’s where the bandage was REALLY bloody.

My aunt and I took her to the clinic. Thankfully, there was only one patient before her turn and he was very quick. He was very, very grumpy towards mumsy, but his time with the doctor was brief. Whatever. My focus was mumsy. Side note: Grumpy uncle, I hope you’re feeling better now.

When her turn arrived, the nurse motioned for her to lie down so that she could clean the wounds before the doctor attends to her. This was my aunt’s cue to exit the room because she literally cannot see deep cuts/wounds and blood. All three of us walked in together because we’re family, and no one gets left behind.

Mumsy appears very calm as she’s lying in bed, but I can tell she’s very worried and nervous. The nurse removes the bandages and I see the cuts very clearly: the cut above her eye is quite deep that she can’t open her eye properly; the cut just below her chin is disturbingly deep that it looks like the skin forced itself to split open wide. I even caught sight of a bone. OMG, I felt like screaming and passing out! I needed to remain calm and composed – I can’t let my emotions rule my responses in this situation. Gotta be focused. I realise that mumsy has her eyes locked on me. Remain focused. While I was (falsely) assuring her that the cuts were not deep and that she would be just fine and dandy, she kept searching for the truth in my facial expression. While she was searching, I was rambling about my week and our traditional Chinese New Year Eve dinner coming up.

Success! She bought it. First mission accomplished! Crap, this was the easier part.

Now, the doctor comes in to tend to her cuts and tells her that she’s very lucky she sustained only cuts and not broken bones, or worse injuries. He needs to do some stitching. Uh oh…. this ain’t gonna be a good time for mumsy because he needs to inject her with local anesthesia first. I know this process quite well and I knew it would be a VERY painful one for her.

Anesthesia injected for the cut above the eye, check. It was bearable pain for mumsy. As he begins to (as gently as possible) inject the area just below her chin, I see her hands clamped so tightly to the sides of the bed, it looked like her veins would explode. And she’s groaning in pain. It was odd and painful for me because roles are now reversed. She used to be by my side when the doctor was cleaning my wounds or stitching me up…. and now… now, I need to keep her calm.

The room is dead silent at this point, you could hear a pin drop. Heck, you could probably hear everyone breathing at this point! So I did what came naturally to me: I gently stroked her legs and started humming to try to distract her from the pain and silence. Right on cue, the doctor and I are having a conversation about the song I’m humming. Mumsy is listening intently, and I see her grip on the sides of the bed slowly easing.

Anesthesia injected for the cut just below her chin, check. Second mission accomplished!

Mumsy needed several stitches for each cut, and she’s all stitched up nicely now. The doctor did a fantastic job with her! We take her back home and she’s relieved she doesn’t need to go to a hospital. We are all relieved. We kept her company while she ate something – her first meal of the day – then took her meds and slowly drifted to sleep.

Reality bit hard for me that day. It was very disturbing that my family members didn’t want to trouble me simply because I was at work and they didn’t want me taking time off (fearing that it would have an impact on me or my performance at work). Like I said earlier, high time for a change. No more overworking to the point where I have no life outside of work and am too exhausted to do anything but lay like a beach whale in bed. Enough. 

More time for family. More time for friends. More time for me.

On a positively grand note, mumsy is recovering well. Thank God.

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I've missed all of you dearly, fellow readers and friends. Until my next update soon. xoxo

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Product Review: Arezia Make Up Palette

Hello, hello, my lovelies!!

Let’s talk make-up palettes this week, shall we?

My best friend and I have a very special relationship, and this involves us not giving each other presents on time. Sometimes. 

For anonymity, let's call her "SK". Bear with me.. there's a reason for this brief introduction.

So SK gave me a lovely belated Christmas gift this year: Arezia Make Up Pallete. It consists of 48 powder eyeshadows in a single palette. From the moment I lifted the cover and saw the palette, I fell in love with it!

How can you not fall in love with this?

Jar Packaging: No
Tested on Animals: Undetermined
Price: RM 68.00 (62.4 g/2.2 Oz)

Ingredients

Talc, Mica, Dimethicone, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Petrolatum, Titanium Dioxide, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

Lil’ Missy’s Review

You read it correctly earlier: it's my belated Christmas present for last year. She bought it from Sephora in Sunway Pyramid during their (2013) Christmas promotion. Thank you so much again for the gift, SK!! :p

I’ve tested the different hues on many different occasions. If I had more than a pair of eyes, I would’ve tested them all at once! That's how excited I was when I opened my gift!

The packaging is simple and slim with a pretty design on the cover. As for the product, there is a good variety of matte and glittery hues to choose from in the convenience of a single, portable palette. 

The eyeshadows are not only pretty, but they are also easy to apply. I use an eyeshadow base before applying them with a brush, and they remain intact for about 5 - 7 hours. This is great for me considering my eyelids tend to be oily!

For me, it’s handy that the hues range from sheer to low intensity as I don't often wear very pigmented and vibrant eyeshadows (unless it's a fancy occasion or event, or I'm suggesting looks for my WMM Facebook page and on Instagram). So if you’d like more intensity, simply apply more of the product.

What I also like about it is that it has a large mirror big enough to see not just your eyes, but also your whole face.

Pros

• Affordable.
• This single palette contains 48 powder eyeshadows.
• Good variety of matte and glittery hues that are suitable for all skin tones.
• Easy to apply.
• Long lasting.

Con

• Was available during 2013 Sephora Christmas promotion.

Unfiltered Photo of Swatches -
Only The Bottom Row Has The Hues Over an Eyeshadow Base

I'll leave you with a few helpful tips on eyeshadow application: 

Tip #1
Apply an eyeshadow primer or base before applying any powder eyeshadow - the colour shows better and stays on longer this way. This tip is especially useful for those of us with oily eyelids.

Tip #2
If you purchase an eyeshadow that turns out to be less pigmented than expected, there are ways to build up the product to help make the pigments more pronounced. Sometimes, it's possible to build up a more intense finish by layering repeated coats of the product, especially if an eyeshadow primer or base is applied over the eyelids first.

Tip #3
Similarly, applying eyeshadow with a dampened make-up brush helps concentrate the pigment, and results in a more vivid, intense hue.

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With any luck, Sephora may just sell this palette again this year!

I hope you find my review and tips helpful! Until my next update soon... stay beautiful! :)

To follow me on Facebook and YouTube, visit these links:

Facebook - www.facebook.com/wheresmymirror

YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/wheresmymirror1

xoxo
~ Lil’ Missy ~

WMM Is On YouTube!!

Hey, everyone!

After many requests from my friends, readers, and followers, I'm finally on YouTube!! Yaaayyy!

Uh huh.. I've recently started my very own WMM (Where's My Mirror?) YouTube channel!! I'm so excited!! :D

If you've been wondering about certain products or need some tips that I've not published yet, let me know what they are and I'll do the research for YOU. How convenient is that?? ;)

Do share your thoughts, feedback and/or suggestions on what you'd like to see/watch to help you with your beauty/skin care/body care needs. Or anything at all for that matter! From the products and tips I've featured to whether they work or don't, or even if there are other ways to use them!

I've personally tested (and will continue to test) the products in my updates, so you know that you have my official Lil' Missy seal of approval!

Click this direct link to my YouTube channel: Lil' Missy: Where's My Mirror?

Remember to subscribe, like, and comment on the channel! :D

Below is the first video I did - it's a product review on Benefit Gimme Brow. ;)

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Stay beautiful. Be safe. Always have fun, my lovelies!! :) xoxo

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~