There are so many products that have hit the airwaves that get so. much. hype. And for good reason: the Naked palettes by Urban Decay were brilliant, Make Up Forever HD Foundation is lovely, Miss Dior Cherie and Coco Mademoiselle both smell incredible, so these products should get talked about. But what about those amazing, totally under the radar, have to be looking so hard you almost miss 'em products? I've got quite a few that I've been hoarding the past few months, (years for a few), and I think it's time someone started talking about them, so I think I may turn this into a series, and talk about one or two products in more detail in a post, let's see how it works out.
1. The first product I'm going to mention is a relatively new one to me. I discovered it by total chance this summer while purchasing other products at Sephora. The cashier dropped a couple samples into my bag as she handed it to me. I got home and actually almost threw away all the samples she threw in, but caught myself just in time. While going through them, one in particular caught my eye: Sarah McNamara's Miracle Skin Transformer 5-in-1 Face Broad Spectrum SPF 20. The five things it claims to do are: mattify, prime, protect, hydrate and enhance. I decided on a whim to try one of these little buggers, because anything that claims to do that much has my attention. I was blown away the first time I tried it. You can get this at Sephora and I think Costco (definitely more cost-effective option). Anyway, on to the product. This has one major drawback-it is only available in six shades, one of which is translucent, (deposits no color on the skin). So there is definitely a limited number of options. I've also heard that it oxidizes in some of the darker shades but haven't experienced any weird oxidation myself. Let me just say though, the effect that this gives skin is incredible. You can use it as a primer under your make up, you can use it alone as a tinted moisturizer/primer, you can use it on top of your make up, it looks damn near flawless any way you swing it.
I am not wearing any other make up in this photo. This was taken in natural light.
So, yeah, long story short: try this brand. They make several formulas: there's one for acne, they have a body version, they have an eye formula, and they have an impressive line of skin care, to boot. I haven't heard anyone talk about this brand, which makes me sad.
2. Alright, moving on. The next underrated product is sort of an interesting one, because the brand is very well known, but not for the kind of product this one is. Laura Mercier, let's just say it: her foundations, primers and tinted moisturizers are ah-mazing but I feel like that's the only type of product you hear about with her brand. Not that that's a bad thing, but people, we are missing out! I just picked up her new palette, which is limited edition for the holidays, the Artist's Palette for Eyes. Such a gorgeous selection of warmer toned pinks, plums and browns. It's like the Naked palette, but more concentrated. It's got 12 shadows, 6 matte, 6 shimmer, and they all fall into the ivory to peachy pink, to plummy purples and warm brown families. Such an awesome mix, and the number of looks you could pull off is just unreal.
Gorgeous, right?
Okay, you see what I'm talking about here. But let's talk about the real important thing: formulation. These shadows are buttery smooth. They are so unbelievably pigmented and so soft. I haven't noticed any fallout- can we repeat that? None. I'm particularly loving the third shadow in on the left hand side, African Violet. It's this stunning lavender-plum-with gold flecks blended so seamlessly in it just glows. The pigmentation on these is to die for. This palette would look great on any eye color, but hazel/green/blue eyes are really going to glow with these. I never hear anyone talk about Laura Mercier eye shadows, and I don't know why. Maybe her single shadows aren't this caliber, I can honestly say I've never tried any until now, but I am so glad I picked this palette up.
I feel like this has been a lengthy, long winded post, so I'll end here, but I will definitely be back soon with a couple more seriously underhyped products.
Stay lovely, lovelies!
