Makeup Review: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation

I was excited to hear I was selected to receive Influenster's Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation VoxBox.* When it arrived yesterday, I decided that unlike VoxBox products I'd received in the past, foundation was something I felt comfortable reviewing on my blog. I feel like I try new foundations all the time, and I usually have very strong opinions about them. 

This post probably should have started with a warning. I don't let anyone see me without makeup on, and I've certainly never taken a picture of myself sans makeup and posted it for all the world to see. So, brace yourself for what follows. But I decided there isn't really a good way to review foundation without showing its ability for coverage. 

The left is me, right out of the shower, not a drop of makeup. The foundation provided fantastic coverage but was still light. It blended easily and really provided a matte base for the rest of my makeup. 

The finished product. 

After 11 hours at school, I had touched up my makeup only once. Most notably, the touch-up was only taking care of smeared eyeliner, and not handling shine. This is a big deal to me, because I have oily skin. I can't go through the day without pulling out my compact a few times.

Overall, I'm so pleased with this product. Its packaging and consistency is reminiscent of a BB cream but with better coverage. Of course, it's a little heavier than a BB cream, but it's much lighter than a bottled foundation. Two thumbs up!

In case you're interested, here's a full list of the makeup I wore today: Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in Light Ivory; CoverGirl Professional Loose Powder in Translucent Light; Smashbox eyeshadow in Sherbert (lid); Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance Policy in Socialite (crease); Smashbox eyeshadow in Bliss (brow); Julep Kajal Eye Glider in Carbon Black; Too Faced Lash Injection mascara; Too Faced bronzer in Chocolate Soleil; EF Studio Pigment Powder blush in Raucous; Origins Once Upon a Shine lip gloss in Sheer Crystal.

Are you on Influenster? What do you think of their VoxBoxes? Have you discovered any new beauty products lately I should be aware of? I'm always up for trying something new!


*I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Speaking My Mind

Frequently I've said that I admire when people can speak their mind. However, lately I am beginning to feel the opposite. To give you some context, my family isn't the kind that speaks our minds. Don't get me wrong, we're opinionated, stubborn, and often argumentative. But we rarely speak up when we feel someone is doing something wrong. This includes when someone is hurting our feelings, doing something that upsets us, or doing something that we fear might hurt them. We've often viewed this as a negative about our family. When something bothers us, we let it fester until it blows up. But then, we typically make up quickly and move on with our lives. I've often used my family's approach to problems as a contrast to those people that seem to be able to say whatever is on their mind whenever it comes to their mind. I've often looked at the way our family does things as somehow lesser. But lately, I've been thinking about how admirable it is when people can show restraint. Maybe it's because that's just my nature, but I'm starting to think that there are often times when it's better to remain quiet. It's okay to not point out every little flaw that someone has. It's okay to not give every piece of criticism we think might help someone. It's okay to sometimes assume that people are aware of their own shortcomings, are working on improving them, and don't need the input of others – particularly outsiders – reminding them of the very areas they're working so hard to improve. Life is hard. Why make it even harder for those around us, those we should care about? Maybe some of us should reserve speaking our minds for those moments when what's on our mind is how great someone is, how much we admire them, how much we appreciate them. And let them figure out the rest.

"I got to Kansas City on a Friday"

A week ago, Zipsie and I packed up a rental car and made the drive down to Kansas City for the weekend. Good food, great friends, and a fantastic 48 hours.

For dinner on Friday, we went to Grinders. The conversational highlight of the evening was a discussion about the possibility of roadtripping made easier by traveling with a catheter. I suppose that's what you get when you have dinner with a med student.

Saturday was more eating and shopping. We tried out Potbelly for lunch and were all very impressed. Matt and Toby left after lunch while Jen and I hit up the Plaza. My biggest score of the day was at Barnes and Noble. I hadn't been for months (stupid Law School), and they had some of their BARGAIN BOOKS for an additional 75% off! Yes, I bought a brand new book for $1.99.

Saturday night Jen and Matt were off to a dinner for Jen's work, so Zipsie and I relaxed with one of the new books I picked up. (To hear more about that, visit my newly resurrected Book Blog.)

We were all a little disappointed that Jen's dinner ended too late for us to make it to the drive-in as planned, but we made do with just hanging out, enjoying one another's company. 

Sunday we met up with some more friends for brunch at this delightful little creperie, Chez Elle. It was actually my first time having crepes, and I must say--I'm a fan. 

After eating, Jen, Matt, and I drove up to Liberty Jail. It was neat to see something I've heard about my whole life. 

 If anyone knows cute Sister Jacobs from Cedar Hills (I think?), UT, she's doing great!

 Wouldn't it be cool if this wasn't just a replica? ;)

Sunday night, Matt made hamburgers on the grill for dinner while Jen and I caught up on Once Upon a Time. After Matt left, Jen and I watched a few episodes of Psych (to make sure she was hooked) and then I made the drive back up. Because I got into Omaha so late (er...early?), I was unsure how to get my rental car back to the location and find a way back to my apartment. I thought about walking, but I was a little nervous to do so in the middle of the night. I ended up arranging for a taxi to pick me up (Jen's genius idea). I don't know if this will speak more to my LDS, alcohol-free lifestyle or the fact that, lamentably, I've never lived in a big city, but I've actually never taken a taxi outside of my vacation to NYC in high school. It was quick, not too expensive, and I didn't have to wake a friend up in the middle of the night! 

When it comes to having awesome weekends away, I pretty much win.

My Friend, Courteney Cox

In my experience, finding a new tv show to love is as unenjoyable as making new friends. Of course, when I find a new show--or a new friend--I'm all in. I watch every episode. I start to talk like the characters. I tell everyone how great the show is. But those pilots, the initial hangouts, are all but entirely insufferable. You can't really judge a show on its first episode. But do you want to invest the time to watch a second episode if it's not going to go anywhere? It just takes so much energy that I'd rather spend on something I know I'll enjoy...like re-watching Season 6 of Friends for the 18th time.

Believe it or not, until about two years ago, I didn't really watch tv. There were two main exceptions: 24 and So You Think You Can Dance. One went off the air and the other invited Comfort to be an All Star. Tragedies on both counts. But then I came to Law School and I was sucked into the ease of being a tv junkie. Reading used to be my outlet, my escape. But at school and work, all I do is read. Literally. All day long. Read, then write a little about what I read, then read what I wrote, then read more so I can write more. I'm essentially married to Times New Roman, and by the end of the day I'm sick of him.

Most days I come home with a headache, eyes tired of moving across a computer screen, brain strained from searching for the answer to some unanswerable question. So I shut down. I kick up my feet, pet Zipsie, and watch a show. This summer has mainly been about Psych. I fell in love with Shawn and Gus and their ridiculous but wonderful friendship. Most recently, Suzzanne introduced me to Cougar Town. I had heard about the show, but I never had the slightest desire to see it. I'd catch portions of it while flipping through channels and I was annoyed by this weird group of adults playing ridiculous games or just sitting around drinking wine. However, I promised Suzzanne I'd give it a real chance, and four seasons later I desperately want a cul-de-sac crew of my own.  I want to be Ellie, a former attorney turned stay-at-home mom who talks openly about how boring babies are to play with. I want a marriage like Jules, where I can be honest about my need to argue and have my husband accept that. In so many ways, that show is ridiculously over-the-top. Yet in so many ways, it's exactly where I want to be when I'm 40.

I hadn't actually intended to discuss my obsession with Cougar Town in this post. The point was merely to say: I'm out of episodes and I don't know what to do with my Friday night. Any suggestions?