My detailed notes on all of the makeup and skincare products I’ve tried or intend to try, so you don’t have to

-Jenn Fast

Sorted alphabetically by brand. Will be kept updated, so feel free to bookmark.

Quick rating system: For your convenience, I’ve challenged myself to provide a quick Recommend/Do Not Recommend rating for each item, whether or not I’ve had time to explain my rating. Disclaimer: Just because something did not work for me does not mean it will not work for you, and just because I liked a product, there is no guarantee you will! My ratings are soley based on my personal preferences and have nothing to do with any partnerships I may have in place. My ultimate favorite product of choice in each category is designated with an asterisk (*)

I have linked any videos or articles I’ve done as they become available, or a link to where you can purchase the product for your convenience. Are there any more you’d like a detailed review of? Just let me know!

Makeup

Bare Minerals

Original Liquid Mineral Concealer

Great formula! Thin but total coverage, sets quickly, buildable, and vegan. Fair 1N is very peachy, a little too dark for under eyes. Very Fair .5 N is about perfect, but wish it was brighter.

Recommended

Barepro Performancewear Liquid Foundation

Flax 9.5 to light/neutral – need something warmer. But nothing special about the formula for me, though it is buildable, matte, and vegan.

Not Recommended

Charlotte Tillbury

Lipstick

Color Pillow Talk is the perfect pinky-nude. Walk of No Shame is gorgeous, deeper pink w/ shimmer.

Recommended

e.l.f.

In case you were wondering, the brand name is an abbreviation for “eyes, lips, face.”

16 Hour Camo Concealer Matte Finish

Both light sand and light peach are way too light! Even lighter than light ivory. Like white! Very thick and drying.

Not recommended, especially for mature skin

Halo Glow Setting Powder

Cakey. Provided some subtle glow, but prefer the Houglass Veil.

Not Recommended

Hydrating Camo Concealer

Does not budge once set! Light ivory is too light but usable. Light beige is just about perfect. Full coverage, but not hydrating to my mature skin.

Not Recommended

*SKIN Suntouchable! Invisible SPF 35, Lightweight, Gel-based Sunscreen and Primer

After the Embryolisse Lait Creme, my makeup primer of choice anytime I might possibly leave the house. It is technically a sunscreen first, but also an excellent makeup primer. Like the Lait Creme, one of only two primers that will not pill or separate under even my most long-wear foundations because even my mature skin is oily after just an hour. It is clear, pore-filling and blurring. I apply with my foundation brush to ensure an even, thin layer. I always keep a backup so that I never run out!

Recommended above all others

Haus Labs

Triclone Foundation

Nothing special about this formula for me. No staying power when tried over sunscreen. Better staying power when worn over my normal Lait Crème, but still did not wear as well as Lancome Teint Idole.

Not Recommended

Hide

Foundation

Vanilla very light with neutral undertones – slightly too yellow. Wheat very light with rosy undertones. Formula too thick but complete coverage. Too expensive for what it provides.

Not Recommended

*Hourglass

This is a luxury brand that I have discovered is worth it’s price tag. Although there is no need to buy all your makeup from this brand, if you are having trouble finding something specific that performs well, try the Hourglass version! But only if you can afford to fall in love…

*Veil Translucent Setting Powder

My setting powder of choice! Very finely milled, leaves a subtle glow with no glitter and not drying. It’s the perfect balance and have not yet found its duplicate, so worth every penny, although it is pricey.

Recommended over all others, especially for mature skin

Lancôme

You’ve probably heard me say this before, and you’ll hear it again: Some things are classic for a reason. If you’ve dismissed Lancome for being “old school,” you’re missing out. The reliability of their formulas and range of their colors are what keep them relevant.

*Teint Idole All Over Concealer

110 IVO (C) is a perfect match. 095 is lighter/brighter for under the eye. Love the sheerness and staying power, especially for mature under eyes, for those of us who get creasing. Will not eliminate it, but minimizes it if using the lightest layer, which is how concealer should be applied in any case.

Recommended above all others

*Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

This is my personal foundation of choice for daily wear! 225N is a little too light but works if warmed up with bronzer. 230 Buff W is a perfect match (230W for summer if I am tan). I love the sheerness and finish. Perfect for mature skin. No detectable scent.

Recommended above all others

Laura Geller

Baked Foundation

Fair is perfect , Porcelain too light. Light coverage, could be drying and settle into lines for mature or dry skin.

Not Recommended

Baked Highlighter

French Vanilla is a universally flattering gorgeous color. The formula is elite, non glittery. One of the best highlighters I’ve found.

Recommended

L’Oréal

Infallible Full Wear Concealer

360 Cashmere for highlighting, 365 Cashew for contouring. Full coverage but on the thick side.

Not Recommended

Infallible Total Cover Foundation

Too thick. 304 Natural Buff for summer, 303 Nude Beige for winter. Medium coverage at best, not terribly buildable, very thick for me.

Not Recommended.

Makeup by Mario

Surreal Skin Foundation

Did not wear well and showed all pores and texture except where heavily powdered/baked. Tried over sunscreen and my normal Embryolisse Lait Crème, as well as several different setting sprays. Started to slide off my face almost immediately. Not worth the money for my skin type.

Not Recommended

Maybelline

Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

Nice & sheer, slightly luminous finish, wish it had a pump dispenser. Not full coverage- medium at best. Not quite all day wear, starts to separate around nose – this is a dealbreaker for me. 220 Natural Beige is too dark for winter, might be ok for summer. 128 Warm Nude is closer, but probably need even lighter by end of winter. 125 Nude Beige even closer, but needs to be lighter. Would like to try their concealer.

Not Recommended

Tattoo studio Gel Pencil Eyeliner

The best for lower eye line! Comes in multiple colors. Blendable before it sets, and then wont budge.

Recommended

Milani

Rose Powder Blush

01 Romantic Rose is a bit dusty/neutral. There are so many other better formulas out there, not worth trying another color.

Not Recommended

Silky Matte Bronzing Powder

Very pigmented, so use a light hand. 03 sun tan is dark. 02 is better and is what I use as a powder contour.

Recommended

Revlon

Super Lustrous Lipstick

045 Naughty Plum – love this color! Hydrating creamy formula. Not long-wearing, so would recommend wearing over a compatible long wear liquid color.

Recommended

Skincare

Embryolisse

*Lait Crème

Known as a moisturizer, but this is also a makeup artist secret weapon. This is what many of us use as our makeup primer of choice on all skin types, including myself. It has a very light pleasant scent, will not irritate even the most sensitive skin, and will not cause breakouts, even on my extremely acne-prone skin. This is one of only two primers that will not cause even long-wear makeup formulas to separate on me within an hour, and yet hydrates my mature skin. It has truly changed my makeup game – no exaggeration.

My only unmet need with this formula is that it lacks SPF/sun protection, which is absolutely crucial to preventing skin cancers and the early signs of aging, especially hyperpigmentation/melasma and wrinkles. Why spend so much time and money on skin care products and treatments only to throw it all away with sun damage? For that reason, I only use this product as my primer on days when I am not leaving the house, or when doing makeup for evening events. Otherwise my default is the e.l.f SKIN Suntouchable Invisible sunscreen and primer (see above).

Recommended above all others.

Obagi

High-end Japanese brand

*Nu-Derm Skincare System

This is a prescription-only topical complete skincare program that addresses hyperpigmentation, acne, texture and fine lines or wrinkles. Perfect for those of us who need to address multiple skincare issues and who feel like we have tried almost everything. It is often considered the “last stop” before moving on to more invasive interventions such as chemical peels or laser treatments. But at a cost starting at $500 per 3-4 months of product, and most patients requiring 6+ months of treatment, it is not a small investment.

This is the ONLY thing that has worked to end my lifelong battle with acne, so for me it was worth the investment. Pictures and video proof:

Recommended