MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder - REVIEWS amd SWATCHES...

M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder   

REVIEW and SWATCHES...

Formulated to provide a smooth, virtually invisible, fresh-looking finish, this soft, cream-like powder is carefully blended to provide the skin with extra care, nourishment and comfort.

Studio Careblend Pressed Powder provides sheer to medium coverage with perfect skin adhesion that helps to create a more flawless, refined look to skin. Studio Careblend Pressed Powder’s versatility allows users to apply it alone, over moisturized skin, atop foundation to set, or simply to touch up and perfect skin throughout the day.

Studio Careblend Pressed Powder has a super comfortable, weightless cream-like feel on skin, thanks to our unique botanical complex that consists of Safflower Seed Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Olive Oil and Lecithin. This “Comfort Complex” helps contribute not only to the beautiful skin adhesion and flawless finish look, but it also ensures that the powder will be non-drying, non-powdery and extremely comfortable to wear for all skin types.

This is truly a modern, next generation pressed powder. It is formulated with a combination of micronized treated pigments and luxurious ultra fine Venetian particles and worked in a special Crosspolymer and other ingredients to give the most luxurious glide and application with amazing, undetectable skin adhesion – looks like flawless skin, not pressed powder! Then, with the addition of the botanical “Comfort Complex,” we help the skin to feel its best and look its best, without the dry, chalky look of powders from generations past.

Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder blurs the line between skincare and makeup, with a pressed texture that beautifies as it benefits. Gives a sheer to medium, smooth, even coverage for a flawlessly soft and even tone with caring, comforting properties.

Size: 10 g / 0.35 oz

Price: $23

Shades Available:

                  Light                   Light Plus              Medium              Medium Plus             

           

                Medium Dark      Medium Deep           Dark                Dark Deep                

             

Light - Soft pale beige

Light Plus - Pale golden beige

Medium - Soft creamy beige

Medium Plus - Tan beige

Medium Dark - Caramel beige

Medium Deep - Rich golden tan

Dark - Deep caramel

Dark Deep - Rich golden bronze

 

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder is priced at $23 for 0.35 oz of product and is among the cheapest M·A·C Powders in the permanent range. This for me is already a selling point since M·A·C Powders are on the cheaper side when compared to other mid-to-high-end cosmetic brands. In addition to being among the cheapest on the market, they also come with a solid amount of product. Although they are not the largest powders from M·A·C, they carry the same amount of product as, and in lots of cases more than, other powders in the cosmetics world. And to be honest. Even drugstore brands are not that much cheaper - 30-60% cheaper - for the price of 2 Covergirl Powders just go for M·A·C. 


 

 

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder is available for purchase at M·A·C (stores and online) and other M·A·C retailers such as Nordstrom, Macy's, etc. There are 8 shades available that will be sure to cover a wide range of skintones. Since the powder is sheer-to-light coverage it shouldn't add too much color to your skin or on top of your foundation.

For reference I am NC45 in M·A·C Studio Fix Fluid Foundation and I can use a few shades of the M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder - Medium Deep, Medium Plus and Dark. 

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder comes in similar packaging as the M·A·C Blot Powder and M·A·C Select Sheer/Pressed Powder which is the solid black compact with a circular mirror inside the lid. The M·A·C logo and product name are printed in silver on the top while the product label with shade description, product size and company details is located on the bottom of the compact. Inside there is also powder puff

The compact is solid and perfect for travel. I have never had an issue with breaking or damage while it tousles around in my handbag or luggage. The mirror and powder puff are nice inclusions especially for touch-ups on the go.

 

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder is "formulated to provide a smooth, virtually invisible, fresh-looking finish, this soft, cream-like powder is carefully blended to provide the skin with extra care, nourishment and comfort."

TEXTURE

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder is an ultra-soft, ultra-smooth, ultra-creamy powder that feels silky when applied to the skin. I have no issues with this powder being chalky or powdery - weird to say a powder isn't powdery. It blends onto the skin almost like a light cream foundation would but in a powder form.

FINISH

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder has a semi-matte natural finish which is perfect for those of us who want to stay matte throughout the day but not look like plaster. I love the M·A·C Blot Powder for the mattifying effect but I am not too thrilled with the finish - it can be drying and powdery. The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder instead gives a nice matte finish that still looks like natural skin. It is also hard to overdo this product and cause a cake-y mess which is great for layering.

COVERAGE

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder gives sheer-to-medium build-able coverage. This means it is light enough to use to set your foundation but still gives enough coverage to be used alone. While the powder is not as pigmented as a regular powder foundation it can still be used to even out the skintone and covers slight imperfections. I'm not sure if there are soft-focus components in the formulation but there is a slight blurring effect that can help minimize pores and fine lines - great plus!

WEAR

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder wears very well for 6+ hours on my oily skin before the oils start peeking through. It is not meant to be an oil-control powder but it does keep my face relatively matte throughout wear. The oils are easily blotted away without disturbing the powder underneath.

The M·A·C Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder is actually my favorite powder hands down. I have been using it religiously for months without feeling a need to search for anything else. I love the finish which leaves my skin matte but still natural. And the texture is divine! It's smooth and creamy and applies beautifully to the skin. I highly recommend checking this out.

Have you tried this Pressed Powder? What do you think?

 

Medium Dark, Medium Deep, Dark, Dark Deep

 

                                     Medium Dark, Medium Deep, Dark, Dark Deep

TAG | My Perfect Imperfections

TAG | My Perfect Imperfections

'Violet Fringes' Look

'Violet Fringes' Look

Hey my loves. Been a while huh? Hahahahaaaa. I am beginning to sound like a broken record. I haven't been wearing too much makeup lately...for whatever reason...taking a makeup-vacation I suppose...or just straight up lazy. Doesn't winter make you hibernate anyway? 

Anywho I decided to go with a different spin on my makeup. I'm going to colored lashes for a semi cut-crease. It's not something I ever really do too often so I hope you like it. (Don't mind the wet hair...LOL)

Eyes: 
PRIME:
I applied Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lid up to the brow bone. I then applied MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW35 under my brow and on my browbone area - Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush. I then applied MAC Layin Low Paintpot (creamy beige) all over my lid up to the brow bone as my primary base  - Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush.

COLOR:
For the entire lid and browbone area I applied MAC Wild By Nature Eyeshadow (matte camel). MAC 252 Large Shader Brush
For the outer cut-crease I applied MAC Indian Ink Shadow (matte deep purple) topped with MUFE #92 Eyeshadow (matte brilliant purple). MAC 242 Small Shader Brush + MAC 217 Blending Brush
For highlight under my brow I used Magnolia Makeup Buff Pigment (matte ivory). MAC 252 Large Shader Brush
On the lower lashline I applied Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel in #83 (deep purple). Cozzette D200 Pencil Definer Brush

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown). Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:
I lined my lower waterline with Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel in #83 (deep purple). MAC 263 Small Angle Brush 
I used Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Amethyst for my lashes and added Ardell Star Lashes in I ♥ Zach (violet) for effect. Duo Lash Adhesive

Lips: 
POLISH:
For my lips I used Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in #380 Vintage Pink (creamy purple pink) topped with Anastasia Hydrafull Gloss in Guava (shimmery light pink).

Face: 
FINISH:
I primed my skin with Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel - hands. I used Chanel Perfection Lumière Long-Wear Flawless Fluid Makeup in 54 Beige Ambré - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Dark - face puff.

I used Tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer - fingers - under my eyes set with MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Medium Deep - face puff. 

I used Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed (satin nude) for my cheeks - Cozzette Contour Stylist S135 Brush and MUFE #2 Sculpting Kit for contour - Sigma Angled Kabuki Brush.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 hr Eyeshadows - REVIEW and SWATCHES...

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 hr Eyeshadows 

REVIEW and SWATCHES...

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 hr Cream/Gel Eyeshadow

Ink intensity. Tattoo tenacity. Dare to wear the longest lasting shadow. Maybelline's Eye Studio Color Tattoo's ink technology creates the most saturated shadow. Cream gel smoothes on for vibrant, crease-proof color that never fades. Dare to get inked.

- 24 hour wear without creasing or fading

- Ink pigments for intense color

- Unique cream-gel texture

Ingredients

Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Ceresin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Alumina, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cyclomethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Candelilla Cera / Candelilla Wax / Cire De Candelilla, Caprylyl Glycol, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Tin Oxide, Acrylates Copolymer, Paraffin. May Contain: Mica, CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides, CI 77007 / Ultramarines, CI 19140 / Yellow 5 Lake, CI 16035 / Red 40 Lake, CI 77000 / Aluminum Powder, CI 77510 / Ferric Ferrocyanide, CI 75470 / Carmine, CI 42090 / Blue 1 Lake, CI 77400 / Bronze Powder, CI 77288 / Chromium Oxide Greens, CI 77289 / Chromium Hydroxide Green, CI 77742 / Manganese Violet, CI 77400 / Copper Powder, CI 77163 / Bismuth Oxychloride, CI 77510 / Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide.

10 Shades Available:

 

   

The Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows are priced at $5.99+ for 0.14 oz of product. The price will vary for these since they are available drugstore and discount retailers - I got mine for $5.99 at Harmons but at Ulta they are $6.99 each. Also, since Maybelline is considered a drugstore/low-end makeup brand you are sure to be able to grab these on sale (hello buy 1, get 1) or at discounted prices.

These eyeshadows are actually on the small side in terms of the amount of product. In fact they have the least amount of product when compared to similar products from other brands. At this price though, the amount of product shouldn't really sway you one way or the other - they are affordable and even buying two will still be cheaper than similar products from higher end brands.

 

The Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows are available at drugstores and various retail stores within the US. You can find these at Ulta stores, on the Ulta website, Harmons, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc.

 

The Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows are packaged in clear round glass jars with black screw-top lids. The glass jars are very similar to the L'Oréal HIP Cream Liner jars. Since these come in glass containers the shelf-life of the product is greatly improved versus plastic jars. The screw-top lids also have enough grooves and a liner insert to ensure a tighter seal and prevent premature drying-out of these products.

The name of the eyeshadow is printed in white on a black label which is secured to the lid of the jars, along with the product amount and company information. The jars are see-through to give a clear view of the product inside with a clear label on the underside printed with the Maybelline Color Tattoo trade name. Easy to grab the right color from a drawer filled with makeup goodies!

The only real drawback to the packaging is the location of the product label - it's secured to the lid. This can lead to cross-matched lids on the wrong jar if you have multiples of these eyeshadows. I actually did this while swatching but since the names are color indicative it didn't take much to figure out which lid goes where. Not a total disaster but something to note.

I think the packaging is quite nifty for drugstore eyeshadows and does not scream cheap. The glass jar is a nice plus and they do match up well against the higher-end packaging.

 

 The Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows are touted as providing "24 hour wear without creasing or fading" They are also described as having "ink pigments for intense color" and

a "unique cream-gel texture".

The Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows are creamy and smooth and glide unto the skin very well using a brush or your fingers. These eyeshadows are not as fast-drying as other versions on the market so they allow some time to move them around without tugging or dragging on the skin. The product itself is relatively firm within the jar but once they are applied they feel much softer. They are somewhat of a cream/gel consistency with a slight tacky feel to them. They are not as tacky as say NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils but they do not have as dry a consistency as MAC Paintpots.

The matte/cream shades are very smooth and silky while some of the shimmery shades do have a slight grit to them based on the infused shimmer. The shimmer is micro-fine rather than chunky so the texture won't be too rough on the skin.   

The Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows have a couple of finishes - matte/cream and frosts with infused shimmer. The frosts shades have varying levels of shimmer and even the size of the shimmer is different for each shade. Check the swatches for a better feel of the finishes.

These products have decent but not great color payoff and can be used sheer or layered for more intense pigmentation. They are not fully opaque in a single swipe but this is expected with cream eyeshadows (remember these are not gel/cream eyeliners). They stay true to the color in the jar and the bolder shades can be built up enough to create a soft eyeliner effect. But be sure that these do NOT have the color payoff of cream/gel eyeliners.

However, layering the frost/shimmery shades can lead to issues with flaking or cracking of the color on the lids. I have had this issue with the MUFE Aqua Creams as well so keep that in mind. Of course, you can avoid this by not caking on the product (too many layers) or waiting for the layers to dry completely before adding another.

There are 10 shades in total and the colors are a mix of neutrals and bold brights. I am sure a lot of people were hoping for more neutral/skintone shades since (I suppose) we are all in search of a cheaper alternative to MAC Painterly Paintpot or Stila Caramel Prime Pot. No such luck here...but what you will find are some quite surprising lovely bright colors with some shimmer. 

There are pops of green, blue, purple and even the very unusual orange along with bronze, silver, burgundy and a shimmery white. Based on the excitement of the makeup community over these eyeshadows, if Maybelline is wise they will debut more colors in skintone and smokey shades to capture a wider audience.

These Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows apply smoothly to the skin and blend easily with the skin and with other cream products. You can apply with a brush (synthetic is recommended) or by using your fingers. Again, they glide unto the skin without tugging or dragging BUT they take some work to get an even layer of pigmented color. Depending on the shade there can be some issues with skipping and patchy results. One good thing about these is that they are not drying so they won't tighten and hurt the sensitive lid area. 

Hmmmm....here is where my opinion changes completely and goes against the the majority other reviews out there! I was not able to enjoy any of the claims made by Maybelline or the 'great' results experienced by others.

Creasing? YES. Fading? YES. Hot Mess? YES. I don't know why I seem to be among the very few that these didn't work for at all. I tried them without a primer first since they should be able to hold up without any assistance and I tried all the colors with the same results....creasing, melting, smudging mess!

Then I tried them with primer and while they didn't melt away and smudge everywhere, they still creased unforgivably. I wish I could say they only creased slightly so that I could get away with primer and powder and be set...but no such luck.

Next was the primer + Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows + powder eyeshadow sandwich which fared a bit better than all the above. I had better wear but I still had some minimal creasing after about 4 hours of wear. For me these are like NYX Jumbo Pencils...pretty, creamy, pain to work with!

 
The Maybelline Color Tattoo (BY EYESTUDIO) 24 hr Eyeshadows have great potential. But all in all I am heartbroken with my bad luck. Not to worry though since there seems to be hope out there for others. A lot reviews claim long-lasting fabulous results so I wouldn't write these off because my oily lids rejected them. I'll still try to use them though because they are truly pretty and creamy little rascals. They are a GREAT bargain and if they work for you then grab them all! But maybe...test just one out first in case they don't like you as much as they don't like me.

 

50 Edgy Emerald
Shimmery emerald green. This applies somewhat sheerly and can get crepe-y when over-applied.

40 Tenacious Teal
Gorgeous blue with a slight teal tinge and silver shimmer. The shimmer is most present in this shade. Nice pigmentation but can get crepe-y when over-applied.

10 Fierce and Tangy
Did you ever expect such a color from Maybelline? NO! Anywho...it's a fierce light orange color with golden sheen. The shimmer is faint so it's almost a satin finish. Lovely.

 

 35 Tough As Taupe
Matte/Cream grey-beige color. Very unique and one of my faves. More grey than nude as it looks in the pot. Would make a lovely soft smokey look.

20 Painted Purple
Patchy little beast. Medium toned purple with slight sheen. Does not apply well at all. Slides everywhere before settling into a patchwork baby.Not a good color to get (yes it's pretty).

05 Too Cool
Icy white. Perfect highlight color.

15 Audacious Asphalt
Medium silver with light silver shimmer.