BareMinerals GenNude--Info, Swatches, & More

Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when I shared my latest haul? Here's a refresher right here. I said in the video my favorite things I purchased were these from BareMinerals new GenNude collection. I ended up receiving a few more and thought I'd share.

What is it?

• BareMinerals has a new GenNude collection
• 60 shades of lip glosses, lipsticks, matte liquid lipsticks, and lip liners

Gen Nude Buttercream Lip Glosses:

SHEER-TO-MEDIUM COVERAGE
PLUMPING, MOISTURIZING FORMULA
NON-STICKY, BALMY SHINE
ULTRA-BUTTERY TEXTURE

$18

Get these at ULTA, BareEsscentuals.com 

Swatched Top Down:  Heartbreaker, Fancy, Flirt, Forbidden

Radiant Lipsticks and Under Over Lip Liner:

MEDIUM COVERAGE
MOISTURIZING COLOR
ADDICTIVE CREAMY TEXTURE

$20

Lipliner (not pictured...oops!)

USE UNDER TO DEFINE OR OVER TO POST LINE
CREAMY BLENDABLE FORMULA
5 WEARABLE SHADES THAT COMPLEMENT ALL FINISHES

$16

Swatched top down: Bubbles, Honeybun, Tutu and eyeliner On Point

Matte Liquid Lipcolor:



FULL COVERAGE
LONG-WEARING FORMULA
MOISTURIZING CREAM-TO-MATTE FINISH
LIGHTWEIGHT, NO-TACK TEXTURE

AND THEY SMELL LIKE BROWNIES!!!

$18

Swatched from top down: Frenemy, Juju, Cult (not pictured because it looks like concealer on me) Weekend, Slay

Overall thoughts: I am pleased with this collection. I think there is a nude for everyone out there in a finish for everyone. 

Glosses: Pigmented, not sticky

Lipsticks: Very creamy and great for those who normally shy away from lipsticks

Lip liner: I think $16 is a little much for a lip liner, so I would skip those, but the quality is great

Matte Liquid Lip: My fave!! Very light formula and isn't drying. They don't last the longest but they fade away nicely on the lips.

Would you try BareMinerals GenNudes?

Extra Elle

Here's a video on how to find the right nude lip
Still dealing with cable/internet issues. Hopefully the third time is the charm!

Want to enter to win $1350 from Nordstrom? Then check out that post right here.

New Makeup, Holiday Collections, Holiday Palettes & Giveaway!

Hey you! Happy weekend to us! I hope you have some amazing plans. I'm still trying to get over this cold--I am so behind on comments and will be spending the weekend catching up. I hope you catch up on my posts--I've got some good ones. But today's post is making me really excited because it's all NEW makeup! New brands, new collections, new holiday collections, and new holiday palettes--I can't wear to share! All products shown were sent for consideration.

Yes, there is more than lip gloss here to comment on--

you gotta click to SEE MORE!

Quick High End Foundation Reviews

Hey you! How was your weekend? I don't have much to report on my end. I've got this nasty cold and it has knocked me for a loop. I finally made myself rest this weekend (204 emails sitting in the ole Inbox and counting, ugh) and am feeling a little better.

For every review I do on drugstore foundation, I get a request for expensive ones. And since the Sephora VIB discount ends today (I'm on a makeup no-buy, boo) I thought this could give some options.  Please note: all foundations have been tested in a variety of application methods, so just because they did/didn't work for me, I kindly ask that you please not give me suggestions on how to try them. Trust me, I've tried every possible way. But I encourage you to try the foundations that strike your fancy! Also, none of these caused me to have a reaction, but I suggest getting a sample (Sephora does this) and testing just in case. Enjoy these Quick, High-End Foundation Reviews:

Urban Decay Naked Skin

• $39
• 18 shades
• Natural-looking (light coverage and slightly buildable)
• Easy to apply and wear
• Very lightweight feeling
• Best for: combo-oily skin

Kevyn Aucoin Liquid Airbrush Foundation

• $45
• 6 shades
• Satin finish
• Medium coverage
• Best if applied in sections as it dries quickly
• Best for: normal-combo skin (it is recommended for oily skin, but those I have tested it on have found to not last as long as hoped)
• Note: I have dry skin and can wear this easily as long as I have a good thick moisturizer on (I'm wearing it in this Friday's video)
• I don't believe this has SPF--the rest reviewed here do.

Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation

• $42
• 10 shades
• Natural feel, with slightly dewy finish
• Sheer-slightly medium coverage
• Best for: combo-oily skin (this is another one that is oil-free but I can wear in the summer or with heavily-moisturized skin)

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

• $45
• 17 shades
• Lightweight with glow
• Sheer but buildable
• Best for: it is listed for dry skin, but it never worked for me, no matter what I tried. I would suggest normal-combo to slightly oily.

Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Invisible Skin Fusion Foundation

• $61
• 8 shades
• Light coverage with a dewy/silky finish
• Sheer but buildable
• Best for: I think everyone should give this a try--a sample of course. This foundation is very runny but I love how it looks--it's my fave.

Smashbox High Definition Foundation

• $39
• This product is no longer being sold by Smashbox, but it is still available online.
• Medium-full coverage
• Best for: oily skin. It looks great in (non-flash) photography

Bare Minerals BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation

• $29
• 20 shades
• Slightly medium-full coverage
• It takes only a few drops, making it even more affordable
• Best for: normal skin, but I can wear it with dry skin. I've had many friends with combo skin who loved it.
• Originally reviewed (with demo video) here.

Diorskin Nude Skin-Glowing Makeup

• $49
• 16 shades
• Natural, but buildable
• Glow-from-within finish (I'm wearing it in my Fall Haul video)
• Best for: This is another one I'd suggest everyone trying--get a sample. I think dry, normal, and combo will like it best.

PS: Click here for 5 Drugstore Foundation Reviews

10 Freebies I Actually Purchased

I have reviewed over 500 products here on ElleSees--a little bit of everything, not just beauty. It's a detailed and lengthy process (see my Review Policy here) that I enjoy. Some I have purchased and some were PR samples. And while my reviews are honest, I know I've viewed other blogs and wondered if the reviews were positive just to get freebies. Do they actually purchase the items once the sample runs out? I have many times! Today I picked 10 freebies I ended up buying later. I plan on making this a series since I have so many! Enjoy.

Each product is linked to the original review. Click link for info.

1. Batiste Dry Shampoo--This is one of my fave dry shampoo brands, and I've loved them all--they have cute packaging, different scents, and there's a type for everyone.

2--Pic Monkey--This is what I use to edit my photos on the blog and my Christmas card, as pictured above. Love it and use it daily.

3--Dr. Sponge--Using this Kojak sponge has softened my KP-ridden arms. This is a holy grail product for me!

4--Sensationail Gel Nail Polishes--This is one of my favorite gel nail brands. I've purchased their Fuse brand too!

5--Bare Minerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation--This is my current fave foundation. Dry to combo skin types should give this a try. I've gone through the samples I was given and recently purchased a darker shade for summer. I've also purchased their glosses!

Each product is linked to the original review. Click link for info.

6--Just About Anything Neutrogena--I may be a Neutrogena ambassador, but I purchased their products before I became one, and even now--as recently as last week. I love their sunscreens, lip crayons, wrinkle creams, makeup wipes, and more. Good stuff.

7--Blue Jeans Bar Express--This is a cool concept I got to try. A stylist personalizes several outfits for you and you only pay for what you keep. No fees or anything! I purchased an amazing pair of jeans that fit me like a glove.

8--Studio Gear Cosmetics--I love their shadow trios and lipsticks!

9--Reebok Skyscapes--I was given the purple pair but loved them so much I had to buy a hot pink pair. Most comfortable shoes I own. And I couldn't resist posting another pic of Charlie. He's doing well, by the way!

10--Clear Hair Care Line--I've bought the shampoo, conditioner, and the awesome hair treatment so many times. When my hair gets "used to" other shampoos, I always go back to this brand.

What products do you purchase over and over?

PS: $500 Visa Giftcard Giveaway!!

Nude Summer Makeup

One of my favorite looks for summer is nude makeup. Bring on the smokey eyes, nude lips, and bronzed skin. I love it. Today I'm sharing some of my favorite nude shades of makeup--I have many different shades and products I love, but wanted to highlight just a few. Enjoy!

1. Lipstick--Milani Nude Creme--I like my nude shades with a bit more pink in them, and this one is gorgeous and smells like watermelon. Also Try: Milani Teddy Bare (brown nude) or Kate Moss for Rimmel 03.

2. Polish--Essie Cocktails & Coconuts--A beautiful slightly shimmery beige that makes a tan pop. Also Try: Bonne Bell Nail Lacquer or Essie Sand Tropez (no shimmer).

3. Lip Gloss--Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie in Trail Blazer--For when I want a kiss of color. Also Try: Mally Starburst or NYX Smokey Look.

4. Shadow--Neutrogena Crease Proof Eyeshadow in Constant Copper--This shadow survives summer days and nights without creasing. I like the shade Stay Golden, too. Also Try: Milani Shadow Eyez in Champagne Toast.

5. Blush--Tarte Amazonian Clay in Nude--A pigmented, long-wearing blush. Also Try: ELF in Peachy Keen

• For more nude lipsticks, click here.
• For how to wear nude lips, click here.

What are your favorite nude makeup products?

Love Target? Want to win $200? Enter these giveaways:

• $100 Target giftcard from Sonia Kashuk (also enter here)--ends 6-30 
• $100 Target giftcard from St. Ives--ends 6-3

Bare Minerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation Review & More Products!

I've had so much fun playing with the products I was sent from Bare Minerals, including their new serum foundation. Check out the goodies below:

-Eye shadow compact in The Inspiration
-Lipsticks in Make Your Move, Get Ready
-Gloss in Ringleader
-Blushes in The One, The Secret's Out
-Concealer in Medium

And here is the Beauty Obsessed kit, which has a little bit of everything:

-Mini gloss in Trailblazer
-Mascara Flawless Definition
-Blush/bronzer duo in The Secret's Out/ Skinny Dip
-Eyeliner in black

As far as the products go, here's a quick review:

• Lipsticks are gorgeous and feel nice
• Lipglosses are really pretty--mine were both light colors, so light on pigmentation
• Eyeshadows are pigmented and didn't crease
• Blushes have beautiful colors and are buildable
• Conealer is amazing--see original review here
• Mascara looked natural on me and had no clumps 
• Eyeliner worked well and comes with built in smudge tip/sharpener

And now for the new foundations!

-The Biolucent Mineral Brightening Treatment is a gorgeous primer that delivers a glow to the skin.

-The BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation is outstanding!

• no: parabens, fragrance, water, silicones, or oils are in this
• 20 shades
• $29 
• feels lightweight on the skin
• sheer to full coverage
• adds a glow to skin without shimmer
• satin finish

-Perfecting Face Brush is a small flat top brush with a well to hold foundation, It's $28 and worked perfectly for applying the serum foundation

And here's a demo, info, and review on the Pure Brightening Serum Foundation:

Click here to see the video if you can't watch above. 

Here's a before/after shot of me--other than cropping and text, this photo was not enhanced in any way. Not sure you can tell in the before, but I have freckles, visible pores, wrinkles, and discoloration. I was really impressed with how glowing my skin looked, as well as the coverage with just 1 drop (please see video as I take you through sheer to medium to full coverage). Pictured in the after is 6 drops. I'm wearing all Bare Minerals products (foundation, eyeshadow, eye liner, mascara, lipstick, gloss, blush, concealer). I'm very impressed with this foundation and highly recommend trying it!

Do you use Bare Minerals? What products are your favorite?