Revlon Colorstay for Combination/Oily Skin (8/10)

Summary
Cons

• Tends to look cakey
• No pump
• Transfers easily

Pros

• Affordable
• full coverage
• Perfect finish for about 4 hours

In-Depth Review

One of the most popular drugstore foundations has been those in the Revlon Colorstay line. It's a strong performer as a full coverage, long lasting and affordable foundation.

I chose the combination/oily skin formula over the dry/normal skin and it has worked out pretty well. Due note that the dry/normal skin formula has SPF 15 vs the 6 found in the combination/oily formula (potentially more flashback). I've been using this foundation for more than a year and it performs pretty well when I know in advance what my day is going to be like. For instance, I won't be wearing this if there's a chance i'll be sweating heavily or trying on clothes because it is not transfer resistant. I also won't be wearing this for a full day because i know after 4 hours, oil will start to seep through and by the 6 to 8 hour mark, the foundation begins to separate on my skin - not the look i'm going for.

Since this is a medium-full cover foundation, selecting your foundation shade is crucial for a more natural look. The shade I chose was perfect for summer when I'm more tan but doesn't match at all during the winter months. Application is easy but there is a tendency to overuse the product - especially because there is no pump to control the amount that comes out. To reduce transfer onto clothing it's best to set this foundation either with a powder or with a tissue (firm patting motion over entire face) to take off the excess product/oils. Finish is semi-matte and it photographs well.

Revlon Colorstay was my first drugstore foundation and I have no regrets in my purchase. Even though I don't use it as often as I used to it, it's become a handy concealer for redness around my face.  I will not however be repurchasing this in the future to use as a foundation. 

How to Treat Your Oily Skin (Part I - Introduction)

I've had oily acne-prone skin since my early teens and I've learned a lot over the past 10 years about what works and what doesn't work with my skin. Granted, everyone skin is different but I'm hoping you can find some useful tidbits in this series. These posts will be quite wordy with minimal images but I will try to list out key points. Also, these findings that i will share with you are observations made from my own experiences as well as research done over the internet - I have not received any training, nor am I an aesthetician or dermatologist. With that being said, I have had very little success with trained professionals when it comes to the health of my skin.

This primer on how to deal with oily skin will be divided into three parts: 

1. Introduction
2. Skincare
3. Makeup  

As mentioned above, my skin is acne-prone and oily, but it's also sensitive and dry. How can that be? Well, it is because my skin is dry that it's producing so many oils to protect and restore the moisture in my skin. If our pores were to excrete water (instead of oil) to moisturize our face it would simply evaporate into the air (like sweat). So instead, oil, which can't evaporate, is excreted to create a barrier between the dry air and our skin/body - which is composed of a lot more water than exists in the air! By maintaining this barrier, the skin can hydrate itself through our bodies more effectively - so drink up! 

Science aside, a lot about "dealing" with oily skin is learning to accept it. I know it sucks, but embrace it - you'll never need a highlighter and I've been told to expect a delay in the onset of wrinkles (but i'm still not sold on that). Of course, a shiny face isn't the most pleasant of looks so be sure to look out for my follow up posts!

Anthony Logistics for Men Alcohol Free Toner (8.5/10)

Summary
Cons

• Artificial scent
• Not very moisturizing
• Minimal reduction in pore size

Pros

• Clears blackheads
• Improves skin texture
• Reduces skin discolouration