Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer vs. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer

Concealers. They're part of that never-ending impossible quest for the perfect complexion, and I must say that it is quite hard to find the perfect concealer. I've been contemplating these two for quite a while, and I don't think either are my perfect "miracle" concealer. (Does that even exist??)  

After I bought Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in SC-3 from Gummy's blog sale, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to compare it to the pricier Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer. At first, I thought they might be similar, but they really are products for different purposes. 

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer is much drier in texture, while Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer is quite creamy and almost moist to the touch. The Koh Gen Do has much sheerer coverage and only comes in one shade option. Despite this, the Koh Gen Do does make a minor difference on my eyes, while the Laura Mercier does well to cover spots and blemishes. I can't imagine that someone with more to cover under the eyes or flaky blemishes to cover would have success with either of these, however.

Watch the video below to hear more thoughts and see these concealers in action!  

Not wearing any makeup here except Armani Rouge Ecstasy lipstick in 502. :) BLOG - bronzerbunny.com TWITTER - twitter.com/bronzerbunny INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/bronzerbunny PRODUCTS MENTIONED: Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3 DISCLAIMER: Products marked with an * were provided for review.

All in all, the Laura Mercier may end up being my go to for blemishes and comes in many more shade options - 7 are listed on Sephora's site! Sadly, I think the Koh Gen Do doesn't perform as well as Armani Maestro Eraser for undereyes and the color selection is quite limited, though those of you who are lighter than me may have success with it.

What do you think about these concealers? Have you tried either one? What is your favorite concealer? I'd love to know!  :)

Is It Love? Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon

When the Marc Jacobs line launched at Sephora in August, I was a bit excited and also a bit apprehensive. I had heard about the line in magazines and such leading up to it, but as a previously avid participant in Sephora's BeautyTalk forums, I remembered how I had filled out a survey about what I would think about a designer beauty line. Hmm!  

Anyway, I wasn't so sure about the packaging from the initial photos, and I waited until I could check out the line in stores. I thought the foundation, concealer, lipstick, and nail polish looked interesting, while the rest of the line seemed hit or miss. What really caught my eye were these Highliner Gel Crayons - part of me has an obsession with deeply black, creamy pencil liners, so I immediately wanted one. 

After swatching the colors available, I knew I wanted the bronzey Ro(Cocoa), and lucky for me that Blacquer was available at that time (very briefly) as a 100 point perk. I grabbed them, and I was quite excited, especially since the swatches seemed impossible to remove. Always a good sign.  

Unfortunately, Blacquer irritated my eyes, as many black waterproof liners have been doing this year. Ro(Cocoa) on the other hand, is just as gorgeous of a shade as I expected. The formula, however, is not as bulletproof as I was expecting based on the swatching experience. On my monolid eyes, they creased somewhat at the end of the day. I'd say that's probably 8+ hours, and the creasing wasn't bad (definitely wearable haha) but I was hoping for the wear I get from Armani Waterproof Smooth Silk Pencils, which really do seem to last forever. 

Swatches L=R: Marc Jacobs Highliner in Blacquer, Ro(Cocoa)

All in all, I'm really loving Ro(Cocoa) despite my high hopes for wear. I probably wouldn't purchase another one unless there was a really unique shade, but I'm definitely loving this one while I have it! What do you think? Have you tried this or anything else from the Marc Jacobs line? How did you like it? I'd love to know! :)

Affiliate Links 

Blush Fiends Fall: Stila Convertible Color in Poppy

This year, I've kind of been missing fall. Having spent the majority of my time in California since May, there hasn't really been any variation in weather. Do I even know what fall is anymore?? (Dramatic, I know.)

When I think of this time of year, I think of the trees and crisp air. I always loved watching the leaves change color, into those bright oranges and deep reds, so today's blush pick is inspired by those colorful leaves I'm missing. I would have picked an orange blush to go with the leaves, but that seems so summery. Plus when I think of fall blush, I think of deep reds - something that I'm missing from my blush collection, though I suspect I had some perfect ones in my Nars stash a few years back... Anyway, I'm all for cream blush when the weather turns dry, and Stila Convertible Color in Poppy seems to be just right this time of year.  

I love applying the color heavily on lips - as this formula doesn't feel drying or anything - as shown in the swatch above. Shown blended out to the right, it becomes a bit of an orange-y red on my skin. Kind of perfect I think! It is easy to apply quickly with fingers, and lasts all day on me too. Plus, I could sure use a bit of color this time of year. :) 

What are your fall blush picks? I'd love to know! :)  Check out the other ladies' posts for Blush Fiends Fall!
Beauty Reflections 
Bloomin' Beauty
ChloeAsh
Eye Heart It

Is Chantecaille Sel a Dupe for Burberry Pale Barley?

Last month, I purchased Chantecaille Sel eyeshadow from Gummy's blog sale, and I was really excited to try it. Every once in a while, you'll read a blog post about how great Chantecaille eyeshadow is, and I really wanted to find out for myself! 

Sel is a really great everyday sort of shade, and when I first tried it, I immediately thought of Burberry's much loved Pale Barley eyeshadow. In my opinion, Chantecaille's formula can't compare to Burberry's, but the shades are similar enough on my eyes. Sel has more of a gray/silvery undertone on me, while Pale Barley has more of a gold tone. 

Now onto the formula... Sel is soft and shimmery, but doesn't last long without primer. The first time I wore it, I didn't look in the mirror until after lunch (so about 5 hours after application) and pretty much all that was left was shimmer. Yikes. With my trusty Nars Pro-Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base, the nice color is more visible and actually stays on all day. This also doesn't apply well with fingers - the result is not very pigmented or even. Not a dealbreaker, but I think that is something to note given my laziness. :) A lot of eyeshadow gets applied with fingers over here, and this one is just not one that will work that way.

My preference is the Burberry formula, which is much softer and doesn't necessarily require a brush. Without primer, Burberry eyeshadows have always lasted all day on me, and they usually don't even crease in my monolid area. I think if you have Pale Barley, you probably don't need Sel and vice versa. If you're stuck between the two though, I definitely recommend Burberry!

What do you guys think about Chantecaille Sel? Do you think it is a dupe for Burberry Pale Barley? Are you adding either one to your list? I'd love to know! :)