Does This Work? Clarisonic Sonic Foundation Brush Head

Y'all--let's chat and get caught up! I didn't mean to take a mini-break from the blog, but life happens. Rather, my tire blew up coming home from visiting my family. Two new tires later, I'm finally back to my love of blogging. Whew.

So what's on the menu for today? It's Review Day, Tuesday, y'all! And up for today is the new Sonic Foundation Brush from Clarisonic I was sent. This has been on my radar to try, so after lots of experimenting, I'm happy to report back my results. I was so skeptical of this--would this really work? But I ended up being very surprised.

First off, this is a brush head--it's an attachment that goes on any Clarisonic. I didn't want you to think that you had to buy the whole kit and caboodle! You can tell how different it is from a regular Clarisonic brush head, as pictured in the background. And it is soft--not harsh on the face.

The Clarisonic Makeup Brush utilizes patented oscillation technology to generate more than 18,000 micro-blends per minute. The makeup brush gently provides a flawless, full foundation coverage look in 60 seconds or less. You can use it to blend any cream or liquid foundation (that includes stick foundation), bb/cc cream, concealer, blush, color correctors, highlight, or contour. Do not use this with powder products.

Equipped with anti-microbial and non-porous bristles, it is easy to clean and ensures minimal absorption so you use less foundation. Great for all skin types.

Before shot time, y'all! For this demo, I used Armani foundation for dry skin--this has a medium coverage. I used concealer, highlight, contour, and blush on the left (your left) side of my face. You simply dot the products on and then blend with the brush. I tested this putting everything on at once, but it worked best to blend in the same order as I normally would apply makeup.

Can you tell the difference? Now for the right side of my face, I decided to use a beautyblender for pictures. I tested this out with brushes and my fingers as well.

Hopefully you can see, the Clarisonic Sonic Foundation brush head gave me a fuller coverage. I know I'm super critical of myself, but I can still see my freckles shining through on the right. I felt the finish was similar for both.

Here's what I liked: one brush for everything. I think of my friends who are super low-maintenance when it comes to makeup--they'd love this. I truly was able to use this to blend my products in my regular routine. I think at $35, it's not a bad price because it would prevent you from having to buy additional brushes for the face.

If you already have a Clarisonic, just get this added on. It would be great for travel.

I love the finish of this--I find it comparable to a beautyblender--a flawless finish that is never cakey. I recommend it, if it fits the criteria for you. Order here or find in stores where it's sold.

However, I did not like this to blend out my concealer. It's a personal preference though. I didn't want this tugging at the skin under my eyes. I don't like how you'd have to buy the unit and this brush head to be able to use it. But overall, I was very pleased!

Have you heard of this or tried it? Would you?

Extra Elle: Had a great weekend visiting my family back home! I hope you had a great weekend, too.

10 Classic Drugstore Makeup Buys You Need to Try

Hey y'all! I was strolling down the aisles of the drugstore recently (this happens more often than I'd like to admit) and instead of being drawn to all of the NEW stuff, I decided revist some classics. You know, those makeup products you always hear about or maybe even forgot about. I thought I'd share 10 of my tried-and-true classic drugstore makeup buys you need to try:

FOUNDATIONS

For foundations, I chose two from L'Oreal. First up is a dry skin fave, L'Oreal True Match Lumi. It's a gorgeous luminous makeup that is very similar to the $64 Armani one. I even tested it for a dupe here.

For combo and slightly oily skin, I always recommend L'Oreal True Match. The shade range is really impressive--I love that it comes in neutral undertones (me) as well.

MASCARA

If I'm ever in a mascara rut and can't find one to wear (#beautybloggerprobs) I always go back to L'Oreal Voluminous. Pictured is a waterproof, Carbon Black version, but the original is my fave. It gives nice volume and is easy to wear.

For my friends who don't really wear makeup or mascara, or those who want something a little more natural looking, I recommend to them Maybelline Full N' Soft. It really is a classic mascara and can be hard to find sometimes, but it's stuck around for a reason--nice, fluffy lashes with no clumps.

Note: I didn't mention Maybelline Great Lash--the pink and green tube--it was the first mascara I ever used, and so many tubes are sold every minute, but I've never liked it. Do you?

EYELINER

Wet N Wild Megaliner is a classic opaque liner that removes easily with water. It's $3.99 and it's great for winged liner.

If you just can't figure out eyeliner, gel liner in a pot, like Maybelline Gel Liner. It's easy to use. Beauty Tip: I store mine upside down so it won't dry out.

WIPES + DRY SHAMPOO

There are cheaper options available, but when it doubt, I've been a long time fan of the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. They've never aggrivated my skin and remove makeup very well.

I've tried just about every dry shampoo under the sun (seriously, check posts here and here) and Batiste Dry Shampoo will always be under my counter. Beauty Tip: Love dry shampoo but hate the white cast it can leave? Try this tip! It works (Batiste has brunette versions btw).

REVIEW: OUAI FOAM DRY SHAMPOO

BLUSH + POLISH

For that one blush you need to own, that looks good on just about everyone, Milani Luminoso is at the top of the list. It's peachy-pink shade has the slightest kiss of a glow. It's so pretty on skin. 

There's a reason you'll always see Essie Ballet Slippers on every "best of" list: it's a neutral polish that just works.

We're just scratching the surface here!

Which classic drugstore products are must-haves for you?

Extra Elle:

Random fact, but I love the movie Donnie Darko--never saw it in theatres, so when a local one was showing it for the 15 anniversary, I had to! It was worth it.

Went on a mask-buying spree at Urban Oufitters! I've been trying them out here and there.

Check out these drugstore-exclusive brands--lots of goodies for less than their name brand counterparts.

NEW Too Faced Fall Collection Preview

Too Faced is one of those brands that always grabs my interest, and let's be honest, my money too. The packaging is too cute and the collections are always fun. You've seen TF plenty of times on here, too. So when I got word of their new fall collection, I had to share it with y'all. Let me know what's on your wishlist!

Glitter Bomb Palette

I LOVE glitter. LOVE it. I don't wear it on my eyes, usually (I love my neutrals), but I know many of you do, so I *had* to share it. It's so pretty, right?

Hangover 3-in-1 Spray

Have you ever tried TF's Hangover Primer? You can see my thoughts here. Well now it's in a makeup refreshing spray. It's silicone, alcohol, and oil-free!

Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder

This lightweight powder is full of good stuff like coconut water, and it apparently gives a fabulous filter-like finish. Plus, the sifter is heart-shaped!

Born This Way Foundation and Concealer

The line is being expanded with even more shades for the popular foundation and concealer!

Clover Palette

OMG Y'ALL! Named after the owner's beloved pup, the Clover palette, this 18-shade palette is too cute for words. What do you think of the dandelion yellow?

Melted Latex

High shine liquid lipsticks are coming your way! The one pictured is Unicorn Tears but expect other gorgeous wearable shades, too.

Expect this line to hit stores in June!

All pics and info via TF and Instyle!

What caught your eye?

Extra Elle:

Still sick over here, but feeling better! Hope y'all have a great weekend!

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It Cosmetics Confidence in a Compact Review

I think when it comes to foundation, it's not usually a beauty product I get too excited over. I know what I like, and I tend to stick to it. But when I got ahold of the new It Cosmetics  Confidence in a Compact™ with SPF 50+ (pr sample) I couldn't resist. Plus, it garnered my attention because it's a compact cushion foundation--I've reviewed a few of these on blog already. And, well, the dang packaging got me. I mean, look how shiny it is:

So after trying this for a month, I'm ready to share my thoughts.

$38

Itcosmetics.com

ULTA

Skin-Transforming Full Coverage Solid Super Serum

The groundbreaking solid serum technology combined with anti-aging hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, squalane, antioxidants and a super ceramide cream truly transform your complexion.

Perfect for even the most sensitive skin, Confidence in a Compact™ features a proprietary Anti-Aging Armour Rejuvenating Concentrate™ that is activated upon contact to immerse your skin in moisture, restore visible radiance, reduce the look of pores, discoloration, lines and wrinkles, and improve the look of firmness. You’ll see powerful results instantly and more dramatic results over time!

Innovative airtight compact lid for your freshest, most hydrating results

There are 7 shades:

And I can tell you the texture of this is a creamy solid foundation. There is no cushion here, but it does come with a classic spongy puff. I apologize for the pic colors--not sure what happened!

porcelain, light, medium, medium tan, tan, rich, deep

I was sent a brush, but preferred to apply it with the puff the best.

Here it is on half of my face. Initially, it is very light coverage. I did have to press the foundation on and pat, pat, pat to get the coverage you see. While billed as full-coverage, I wasn't able to get full-coverage. Pretty darn close though! It didn't get cakey on me and I had no reactions to this.

And here I am with full makeup, minus blush, contour or highlight. Since so many have asked, I'm wearing MAC Lady Danger, my favorite red. I wanted to make sure you saw the foundation. As a dry skin girl, coverage isn't usually something I get that much of, since I tend to go for a more dewy look, but I was able to get that from this. It felt lightweight on the skin. It lasted a few hours and never oxidized--a plus since it has spf 50+. If you have oily skin, this will require more touchups after a few hours, so I don't think this is the one for you. However, I am loving it!

Have you heard of this foundation before?

Extra Elle:

Back at the dentist today! Wish me luck!

Best No Makeup-Makeup Brands

"I don't really wear a lot of makeup.
I'm looking for more of a no makeup-makeup look, like a natural look. 

What do you suggest?"

--via Facebook message

I get asked this so often I thought it might help some of y'all out there! While I can definitely find you beauty products from here and there to complete your request, I thought it would be easier to share some of my favorite no makeup-makeup brands. These give you a natural look, are great for beginners and those who don't want to wear a lot of makeup. Plus, I think many of you will fall for what a lot of these brands stand for.

See also: Natural-Looking Makeup in 5 Minutes

Glossier

I lovingly call this my Model's Day Off brand. This brand features skincare, which I love for glowy skin, but they feature makeup as well. You can grab the basics, like their perfecting skin tint, boy brow, and generation g lip product. See my Glossier review and video here.

Nudestix

What drew me to this brand was the genius idea of everything being in stick form--how easy is that? Makeup crayons for your eyes, lips, and face...and it was started by two sisters and their mom! You can easily find shades that will work for you that look natural. My faves: lip+cheek pencil, magnetic eye color, and their concealer pencil. Find them at Sephora and read one of my many mentions of Nudestix here.

via ellesees Instagram

Ilia

I love Ilia because each product is filled with up to 85% bioactive organic ingredients. They want to create the purest products possible. Even the containers are made from recycled aluminum. And their line is lovely. I want pretty much everything. Above is what I've tried from them. Find them here and get your list ready.

Aveda

I had heard of this brand for years, but mostly for hair care. Then I started getting packages from them with skincare that I loved. But their makeup line is what really got my interest. I had no idea they did makeup! While there are pigmented products for a more dramatic look, they offer plenty of no makeup-makeup options.

Wearing Aveda shadows, eyeliner, lip liner, lipstick, and gloss as seen in the pic prior to this one

More Suggestions:

Paula's Choice--Another skincare brand that features makeup

It Cosmetics--They have some very natural-looking products. Their CC Cream works on just about anyone.

Neutrogena--Grab a lip crayon, eye shadow stick and foundation to keep it looking natural.

Almay--Whenever I get asked for a really natural-looking mascara, this is at the top of the list.

Mineral Fusion--Find this brand online and at Whole Foods

100% Pure--A great organic beauty brand

Burt's Bees--Another skincare brand but this one has really stepped up the lip products! Here's a new favorite of mine from Burt's Bees.

Do you like the no makeup-makeup look?

Which brands would you try/like?

Maybelline Cushion Foundation Vs. L'Oreal Cushion Foundation

Cushion foundations are popping up in drugstores, and I'm a huge fan. Maybelline released their cushion foundation this month (review here) and I wanted to compare it to L'Oreal's version. Neither have SPF, by the way.

Maybelline DREAM CUSHION™ 

FRESH FACE LIQUID FOUNDATION

• 8 shades
• "Dream Cushion™ Fresh Face Liquid Foundation delivers complete luminous coverage for fresh-faced perfection."
• INGREDIENTS AQUA / WATER / EAU BUTYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE METHYL TRIMETHICONE DIMETHICONE DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE GLYCERIN LAURYL PEG-9 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE PENTYLENE GLYCOL BUTYLENE GLYCOL TRISILOXANE PEG-10 DIMETHICONE TALC MAGNESIUM SULFATE ACRYLATES/STEARYL ACRYLATE/DIMETHICONE METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER PHENOXYETHANOL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER LAUROYL LYSINE ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE ASCORBIC ACID PANTHENOL ADENOSINE PANAX GINSENG ROOT DISODIUM EDTA TOCOPHEROL CITRIC ACID
• $15.99

             L'Oreal TRUE MATCH™ Lumi Cushion Foundation

• 16 shades (usually 12 can be found)
• Luminous finish with sheer to medium coverage
• Ingredients: AQUA / WATER / EAU, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, METHYL TRIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL, TRIMETHICONE, GLYCERIN, LAURYL PEG-9, POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL, DIMETHICONE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, TRISILOXANE, PEG-10 DIMETHICONE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, ACRYLATES/STEARYL, ACRYLATE/DIMETHICONE, METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, PHENOXYETHANOL, 
DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, LAUROYL LYSINE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID,
STEARIC ACID, ALUMINA, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, LECITHIN, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ADENOSINE,
POLYGLYCERYL-3, POLYRICINOLEATE, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENYLETHYL RESORCINOL, TOCOPHEROL
• $16.99

The packaging is pretty much the same on the inside and out, as they are made in the same place.

The coverage is better on the Maybelline, pictured left, but both give sheer-medium coverage.  L'Oreal is on your right.

I've applied Maybelline to one side (left) and L'Oreal to the other (right). I'm wearing the Zooeva Cocoa palette that I won from Zoe's blog, by the way!

And here's a shot of them both, and it's hard to tell the difference, isn't it? 

I'm using lighting here to demonstrate the luminous aspect.

So which was better? 

This really depends on your preference. I felt like Maybelline had better coverage but definitely showed my fine lines more on my dry skin. They both lasted the same amount of time, and I wasn't able to get a full day of wear. I like them both, but personally, I like L'Oreal more. I have compared these to compacts from Lancome, Sulwhasoo, and Laniege and found the two I reviewed to be different from those, but similar to one from Amore Pacifc.

Have you tried these? Which is your fave?

Extra Elle:

I went a little crazy in the dollar section of Target for Valentine's Day stuff. They get me every time!

I can't believe we had snow on the ground still on Monday and 70 by Friday.

NEW L'Oreal Makeup + Skincare + Haircare Reviews

Finishing up my huge roundup of the new releases in drugstore makeup (check out part 1 and part 2)! And today I'm sharing my L'Oreal haul. I purchased these items in December and after many uses, I'm ready to share them with you. Let me know what you're interested in from this haul!

L'Oreal released a trio of makeup blending sponges. After checking them out, I decided the one that was for me was the L'Oreal Infallible Blend Artist Concealer Blender. I found the yellow one to be too huge and awkward to work with. The pink one wasn't soft enough for me.

But back to the concealing sponge. What makes it different from other sponges is the cut bottom, making it easy to stand upright. It does a nice job of blending, if you are looking for a smaller sponge but not as small as mini-beauty blenders (see reviews here).

See also: Are Mini Beauty Blenders Worth It?

And speaking of Beauty Blenders, here's a size comparison amongst the L'Oreal concealer sponge, BB, and the Real Techniques sponges.

I also found lots of new skincare, but since I have dry skin, I only picked up a couple of things for me. There's the Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for dry skin (there's a normal skin one too). While the moisturizer is light, comes in a pump, and I like the formula, I feel like I paid $18 for heavy packaging. Don't get me wrong, it's nice and heavy, but I don't think I would buy this again.

The Extra Dry Skin says it's lightweight, but it's very thick and it works well. I use a scoop instead of fingers to use this. Both are scented, which may aggravate sensitive skin, but I enjoyed the scent.

Next up I found these new L'Oreal Micellar Waters. I'm pretty sure I've reviewed every micellar water known to man at this point, but I can't help it, I love them, and they're nice to keep in my professional makeup kit.

At first glance, the tops remind me of the ones released last year from Garnier (see reviews here). There is a cleanser for normal to oily, normal to dry (pink), and all skin types (waterproof).

See also: Garnier Micellar waters

Here's a quick waterproof liquid liner test of each, as listed in the first pic, using a Qtip. The first two took about 20 swipes to completely remove the makeup. The bottom one took about 5.

I decided to compare the L'Oreal micellar waters to the Garnier ones. They are the same size but the Garnier is around $8 and the L'Oreal is around $10.

The first line has the pink Garnier vs. the pink L'Oreal.

The second line is the aqua Garnier vs. the aqua L'oreal. I felt they were pretty equal results-wise, but the Garnier won for cleaning away the makeup the fastest.

The third line was the Garnier aqua vs. L'oreal waterproof using only my finger. The Garnier won this round.

The L'oreal Infallible Total Cover foundation was next. This oxidized on my skin quickly, which isn't unusual for full-coverage foundation. My dry skin didn't like this, plus it turned it orange, and the color on the tube is not indicative of the shade inside. I didn't like this on me, so sadly, no orange pics! ;)

I forgot to mention these hair care products I got from Influnester. I really love the Ever Pure Sulfate-Free 10-in-one elixir. It worked great on my blow out, and gave me some volume.

There is also the shampoo and conditioner--mine is the moisture one, but there are others for different hair care needs. I really liked these too, but they are almost too moisturizing.  I would buy all of the hair care products.

Other releases from L'Oreal I skipped:

• cream contour/highlight (and I believe there was a color correcting one) palette
• Dual-ended shadow sticks
• Blush quads--they almost ended up in my cart!

Which products from this haul did you find interesting?

Extra Elle:

I have been tackling my inbox, getting 1873 emails down to 128!

I watched the Carrie Fisher/Debbie Reynolds documentary and found it bittersweet.