Make-Up Review: High-end vs Drugstore Foundation: NARS & Maybelline

Three posts in one week...I've been procrastinating when it comes to writing up my reivews...so I'm playing catch-up. 
This is another makeup posts; here I'm reviewing two foundations, one high-end  the NARS Velvet Matte Skin tint, and one drugstore, the Dream Velvet hydrating matte foundation.
This isn't really a comparison post: I just want to give my thoughts on two similar products.

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I came across this foundation on YouTube a few weeks after its launch. I had been looking for a light foundation to add to my routine. Now there are people who will kill me for saying this but I'm not a fan of the MAC foundations: I've tried Studio Fix in NW50 and Matchmaster in 8.0 but my shade always runs a bit red and they just feel heavy on my skin. They also transfer like you won't believe.
I wanted to try something as good as the Lancome teinte Idole which blew my mind as to how good it was, in terms of shades available and overall performance of the foundation especially during our hot african summers.
So my friends were in the states during the summer this year and I requested some goodies from afar since NARS isn't available is South Africa.

1. NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF30 in the shade Polynesia Dark 1
I've been using it for over two months and I'm loving it. It's light and the shade fits me perfectly, even with the change in season (I've gotten darker). I've mainly used it in conjunction with the One Step Bronze primer from Stila. half a pea-sized amount is enough for my face, since I prefer light to medium coverage. I apply the foundation with my fingers or a beauty blender (I've not tried applying it with a brush). I apply the rest of my makeup and set my face with a finishing spray.
Here are some selfies:

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint

Packaging: Squeeze tube, 1.7 fl oz (50ml)
Appearance: Liquid foundation, slightly runny
Features: Broad spectrum SPF 30, Available in 12 shades
Price: U$ 44

2.  Dream Velvet Hydrating Soft-Matte foundation in the shade Coconut 95

This foundation has been out on the South African market for less than 6 months, and to be honest I was very skeptical about trying it out. Here are my reasons why:
1. There are only 7 shades available with coconut as the darkest. I wasn't sure it would fit my complexion. (There are never any testers for this in Clicks).
2. This foundation has no SPF, and that's not on!

But I pivoted and decided to give it a go since I remember my first ever foundation, many many moons ago was the Dream Matte mousse which I loved (Maybeline was the first to introduce dark shades in South Africa...I'm talking espresso and dark cocoa).

The Body Shop recently, introduced their Skin Defence Multi-protection essence SPF50 PA++++, first high SPF cream that doesn't give me a white cast...halellujah! life has been given!
So I apply this mosituriser after cleansing (it doubles as a primer) and then apply the foundation with a beauty blender. The finish is a soft matte natural finish, that's doesn't leave me looking monotone super powdery and washed out. I was worried that about the fit because coconut has some yellow undertones but it oxidises just enough to look natural.

Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation

Packaging: Squeeze tube, 1.0 fl oz (30ml)
Appearance: Gel-whipped foundation
Features: 7 shades available in South Africa (12 shades on the USA site)
Price: ZAR 110 (U$ 10.99)

Both foundations wore really well throughout the day; I experienced just a tad bit of shine along my T-zone by lunch time which gave me a bit of a glow and not grease :-)
By the end of the day my face was still holding and one could definitely get away with going out for dinner with a bit of blotting - you wouldn't have to re-do your face.

Swatches: Left: NARS  and on the Right: Maybelline

Verdict: Which one do I prefer? Honestly, I prefer the NARS for 2 reasons: SPF and shade (It just fits me better), also it's cruelty-free (its dififcult to find foundations for women of colour that are cruelty-free). But, $44 is a lot of money. If you have a good day cream with SPF you can get away with using the Maybelline foundation. It's a great foundation, if you're a beginner and good drugstore alternative for the NARS if you're not willing to spend $44 on a foundation.
The downside to both these foundations, is the shade range. both shades reviewed here are the darkest on offer. If you're darker neither of these will fit you. Both NARS and Maybelline, do have darker shades for some of the other foundations...so all is not lost.

Happy  Friday everyone,

xoxo

N

*images from www.narscosmetics.com and www.maybelline.co.za

Make-Up Wishlist #1

Hi all, 
I've thinking of doing a wishlist post for a while now. There are so many products out there I want to try, but they're either really pricey or not available in South Africa. 
So here I go:

 

1. M.A.C powder blush in "Film noir": MAC describes this as a rich warm chocolate  colour. It's a matte finish. It will really work well as a contouring colour for the all "chocolate girls" out there. Costs ZAR 275

2. Urban Decay  Eyeshadow primer potion: They come in 3 shades and I've heard nothing but good things. Can't wait for UD to open in Cape Town. Costs ZAR 350 at the UD store in Sandton.

3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #14: So many Youtubers have sang its praises (This is the best one I've seen to date). It's one of the view luxury foundations that has a wide range of shades. It's not available in South Africa, but you can get it from nordstrom for ZAR 950...Yikes!

4. NARS blush in "Taj Mahal" (another audacious shade from NARS is exhibit A) I cam across this blush while searching google for blushes that complement dark skin. Anything that isn't a bright fuschia or red doesn't really show on my skin, unless it has got gold undertones. also not available in South Africa. It goes for ZAR 461 on nordstrom.

5. Morphe Brushes 35B Color Glam Palette: I love eye shadow! That's all. I'm kidding...finding affordable highly pigmented bright shadows is surprisingly difficult in South Africa. So putting this one on the list because this palette gives me life. It's available at varrious online stores in South Africa. Muse Beauty is the cheapest at ZAR 550. 

6. Christian Dior Rouge Dior in 786 Mystique Mauve This is such a beautiful colour. I tried it once at the Dior counter in Edgars (Why do I do these things to myself?)  So gorgeous...but so is the price ZAR (not sure ...last I checked it was ZAR 460).

7. Givenchy Noir Couture in "Black satin": I bought my first high end mascara on my first trip to Paris for about ZAR 300. Way back in the days when the ZAR was stronger. This is hands down my favourite mascara...dramatic lashes anyone? It's available at Edgars in South Africa now for ZAR 580.

8. BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector: being a combination/oily girl has its dowside...oily T-zone by midday if you don't take things in hand. I'm not really into powder, so for me the solution is a good primer that can keep the shine at bay and keep my makeup from melting off my face (especially in the summer). This primer goes for ZAR 580 at becca cosmetics online.

9. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in "Topaz": comes as a liquid and poured compact. I'm not sure on how to apply liquid highlighter, so I'll stick with the compact. This shade is a bronzy gold that looks amazing on dark skin (See this review by the Style & Beauty Doctor). Also available at becca cosmetics for ZAR 470.

What make-up products are you dying to try out?

Love xoxo, 

N