How to Cover Redness

In the past few years I have struggled with facial redness and blotchiness. I'm not sure what triggered it, but it is very annoying to deal with! I envy the people who can leave the house with no makeup on, or "minimal" or "natural" makeup and look great. I have tried that a couple of times, but I will get asked if I have a sunburn or if I am not feeling well....not something I like to hear.

I spent a lot of time trying to find a "quick fix" to cover the redness in the mornings because I was tired of applying layer after layer of makeup. It took up so much time and I would end up looking "cakey" and too made up.

In the past year I have discovered a few products that have literally changed my life! One in particular is so quick and easy that it literally takes seconds.

It Cosmetics has a product called "Celebration Foundation Illumination". It is a FULL COVERAGE powder foundation that illuminates and hydrates all day long. This powder is SO pigmented, that I don't need to use ANYTHING ELSE with it. No green tinted primer, concealer...anything. It hides dark under eye circles along with any discoloration on your face. It leaves a flawless, luminous finish and it literally takes seconds to apply and get a full coverage look.

This has saved me so much time in the mornings! I am not kidding when I say that this is all I need to use. I use my favorite face buffing brush to apply this and it literally takes no time or effort to make it look like you have perfect skin. This foundation also works well with other face products. If you feel like you want a more matte finish, you can apply a powder on top and it will not get cakey at all. This powder works GREAT for dry skin. This is one of the only products I have found where I do not get dry patches throughout the day. It is super hydrating. I would suggest using a setting spray on top to achieve a long lasting finish.

There are other products I like to use on days when I am not in a huge rush to get out the door:

• Amazing Cosmetics: Amazing Concealer - This concealer is great because you literally only need a tiny drop for your entire face. The tube will last forever because of the high pigment. It does not cake up throughout the day and leaves a flawless, airbrushed finish. This is my favorite concealer at the moment!
• It Cosmetics: Bye Bye Redness - This is a really unique product to use for facial redness. It is a red neutralizing and color correcting cream that completely cancels out any redness on your face. Like the concealer, you only need a tiny bit. For me, it acts as a foundation and I like to finish it off with my Amazing Concealer for added coverage and highlighting with a powder on top. 
• Kat Von D: Lock-It Powder Foundation - I like to use this powder foundation, or MAC Studio Fix powder foundation to set my face for complete coverage. This can be used alone or on top of other products for maximum coverage. I personally use this on top of the Bye Bye Redness and Amazing Concealer for a flawless, full coverage, matte look.

I just want to add that I have never had any issues with any of these products caking up or clinging to dry spots, which is something I normally always have issues with, no matter what products I use! 

After years of trial and error with makeup primers, green moisturizers, full coverage foundations, powders, concealers, these products have worked the best for me at covering redness. 

I really hope that these recommendations help you if you are struggling with facial redness. Let me know if you end up trying any of these items and how they work for you!

Review: Scent Trunk Fragrance Subscription Service

Scent Trunk is a fairly new subscription box that reached out to me to review their service. Of course, I jumped on the opportunity to try this out!

Scent Trunk is a tailored subscription service that sends out 3 niche perfume or cologne samples per month. There is a box for men and women (which is nice), and the fragrances are custom picked, according to your scent profile that you fill out when you sign up.

The idea of this service is to help you find a fragrance that you will not find anywhere else. These are fragrances that you cannot find in stores. These are considered "niche" fragrances that are created in small, handcrafted batches. These scents are typically made with real botanicals and essences rather than the phthalates and synthetic chemicals you typically find in department stores. If you are someone who might be picky about fragrances, or does not want to smell like everyone else, you might enjoy this service.

Here is what I received in my box:

First of all, I give an A+ on presentation. I love the box, the detail, everything that comes with it. I plan on keeping the box and pouch to use for other things, or to simply tote my samples around in. 

(I love the fact that they include these detailed cards with each fragrance. It is really helpful!)

Here are my thoughts on my 3 perfume choices:

• Frollino Lavanda by PERFUMES BY TERRI - This one might be my favorite. If you read the info card, the description is pretty much SPOT ON. This has to be one of the most unique fragrances I have ever tried! When you first spray it on, it smells like BUTTER. You heard me right, BUTTER. Within a few seconds, the scent transforms into pure lavender. Now, if you know me, I am all about the essential oil life right now, and the lavender in this truly smells like pure lavender. It does not smell synthetic. After a minute or two, the fragrance settles and you legit smell like baked goods. Sweet, buttery, baked goodness. This fragrance is divine. It lasts a pretty good long while on me, too!
• Ninon by REBEL INTUITIVE - This fragrance is fancy. That is the first word that came to mind after I tried it on. Fancy, a bit earthy and florally. If you are into floral scents, you might love this one. It smells expensive. Not my cup of tea, but I am glad I got to test it out. Like the other one, I have not experienced a fragrance like this one.
• Safanad by PARFUMES de MARLY - This one might be a tie with my other favorite. I cannot describe how this one smells, but it has a nostalgic scent, like something I wore back in the '90s. I LOVE this one. I know my description of this is not much help...but I can see myself purchasing this. I want it. Now. 

My overall thoughts on this box are this: if you are having a hard time finding your signature scent, or are on a hunt for new and unique scents, this subscription is for you. While I understand that you can get perfume samples for free or super cheap at department stores or in other subscription boxes, these are niche fragrances that you will not find at any store.

The cost is $15 a month, which to me personally, is a little bit pricey. However, Scent Trunk was kind enough to offer my readers a 25% discount on their first box! Just use the code "tiffany25" at checkout. The code is good until July 1, 2015.

If anything, this is a great box to try out just for fun. Who knows, you may end up really enjoying it!