what's keith's FAVORITE FOUNDATION?

 

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet +: A shine controlling, oil free, water-resistant, complete coverage liquid foundation.

What It Is Formulated To Do: Hide imperfections, even out skintone, and mattify with a non-oily, perfectly powdered finish.

Why I Like It:  It truly stands up to heat and humidity while providing full coverage.  I've worn this out on 100 degree weather days and it stayed put through intense sweating and all.  I use No. 80-Cognac, which is a little darker than my skin tone, and I apply it on the outer perimeters of my face and under my cheek bones (where I need the most coverage) for a sculpted look.  A little goes a long way. 

what's keith USING?

 

I'm sure that by now just about everyone has tried Neutrogena's Oil Free Acne Wash pink grapefruit facial cleanser and I am no exception.  I have been using this product off and on since its debut in 2008.  I would have to say that it is an exceptional cleanser with a nice lather and a very addictive smell.  It leaves my skin feeling clean and void of dirt and oil without overdrying.  There is one caveat though and that would be the packaging.  If not sitting upright the product will leak out of the bottom of the pump making this product unideal for throwing in your gym bag.  Otherwise, there's no question why it's an Allure Reader's Choice Award Winner. 

how does keith TAME HIS FLY-AWAYS?

why does keith GET SO MANY COMPLIMENTS?

I'm addicted to mouthwash and because of that my teeth are as white as snow.  The trick is to leave the mouthwash in your mouth for a few minutes.  I usually shower while doing so. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus I make sure that I floss every night. 

 

Now if only I could stop eating so much candy, I wouldn't have as many cavities. 



what's keith USING?

From one of my most trusted skin care brands, RoC brings an anti-aging power duo--RoC Retinol Correxion MAX Wrinkle Resurfacing System.  Step 1 smoothes deep wrinkles while delivering a dose of retinol, while Step 2 helps remove the upper layer of dead skin without any irritation.  This system claims to erase the signs of aging and improve skin smoothness and tone among other things.  Well my take on this system is quite simple.  It is amazing.  I've noticed a slight reduction in wrinkles however that's not my main concern.  I have a problem with my uneven skin tone and this product works quite well and delivers great results.  By far this is the best night skin care regimen that I have tried on the market.  RoC never seems to let me down.  

what's keith USING?

what's in keith's MAKEUP BAG?

 

One of the best innovations to come out of Asia, this variety of Oil Absorbing Sheets is made of some type of silky material rather than paper.  Plus this variety handles a particular problem very well—retrieving one sheet at a time.  Once you open the lid, a piece of tape grabs one sheet for easy pop-up dispensing. 

what's in keith's MAKEUP BAG?

Forever 21

 Here's a cheap product with a fairly decent payoff.  It has a fair amount of white pigment that produces a highlighting effect on my dark skin, so I use quite a light hand and it creates a nice and dewey hue of color. 



how does keith SET HIS MAKEUP?

"Hi.  Is there anything I can help you with?" the energetic young lady says to me batting her long eyelashes further emphasising her wide eyes and nightime smoky eyes.  "Yes, I'm looking for something that will help my makeup last throughout the day," I say.  "Like a primer," she says.  "No like a. . ."  "Setting spray," she interjects.  I agree and she walks me over to the far wall and introduces me to Urban Decay's All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray.  She picks it up and tells me to give it a try.  "This is our number one setting spray," she says.  Where am I?  I'm in Sephora at Towson Town Center, as if you really have to ask. 

 

"I'll take it," I say and she proceeds to open the drawer to fetch me the product and I proceed to the check out counter.  I quite like the product and I notice that it's made by a company called Skindinavia as indicated on the bottle.  Wait a minute.  I've heard of that name before.  On YouTube, that's right.  So I pay Skindinavia's website a visit and discovered that they offer a setting spray that does an even better job at keeping my makeup in place-Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finish.  This particular setting spray claims to maintain a picture perfect hold even on a bride's special day hence the name. 

 I can honestly say that I have no idea what I would do without this product.  The sweltering heat this summer has been unbearable and my makeup had no chance of staying in place without this.  I recently ordered my third bottle and have no signs of breathing another day without it.  The original formula is not bad either.

what's in keith's MAKEUP BAG?

Covergirl Intense Shadowblast Primer + Shadow

 



"intensify your eyelook!  Our innovative formula of rich eyeshadow with built in primer gives you intense crease-resistant color that last for hours.  intense shadowblast is rich color that stays!"

 

This product has got to be the worst eye primer/shadow I have ever used.  As you can see, it looks quite ashy on my skin tone and offers no color pay off.  When applied, I get just a wash of color and when I apply too much, it starts to crease and flake.  (Good luck blending it.)  Plus it has way too much shimmer for my taste and it's not even a good base for  powder eyeshadow.  Covergirl gets an EPIC FAIL on this one.

what's in keith's MAKEUP BAG?

This foundation and I go way back--all the way back to 2008 when it first debut on HSN.  At the time I was using a product called The Men Pen and after the demonstrations on TV, I figured I should give this product a try.  So I went to Sephora Online and purchased the foundation in shade 175 as well as the HD Primer and Powder among other things.  Well when I got it in the mail, I was underwhelmed.  I now realize that that was because I had never used a liquid foundation before.  (At that time, I was a major rookie and had no idea how to apply it.)  So I sent the foundation and powder back but kept the primer. 

Fast forward to January of 2012.  After a trip to Sephora at Towson Town Center, I decided to give this product another try and this time I bought shade 177 and I fell in love.  It's a perfect match for my skin tone and makes my skin look youthful and airbrushed.  Since it is quite expensive, I try to save it for special occasions, however I don't see a day when I'd be without it. 

what's in keith's MAKEUP BAG?

Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Liquid Makeup

 

I'm pretty sure I've told you just how much I love the Covergirl Queen Collection and this Natural Hue Liquid Makeup is no exception.  It has a nice hue indeed and leaves a natural dewey finish with medium coverage.  I tend to stipple the foundation on my face with the e.l.f. Powder Brush and I always set it with the Queen Collection Natual Hue Pressed Powder.  The Covergirl Queen Collection has got to be the only drugstore brand that truly adresses my skin's true undertone.  What an exact match?  This will forever be a staple in my makeup bag.   

what did keith GET IN THE MAIL THIS TIME?

It's been well over a year since I've ordered cosmetics from one of my favorite brands, EyesLipsFace.  So, here's a look at some tried-and-true as well as some new products I ordered back in June. 

e.l.f. Studio Cool Bronzer:  Great alternative to my much adored Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder.  Not too red and not too orange--plus I love how I could customize the tan by dipping my e.l.f. Studio Complexion Brush in the desired blocks.  Although, I just don't get the white block.  I try to avoid it at all cost.  I think it makes my skin look ashy. 

e.l.f. Studio Warm Bronzer:  Way too light for my skin tone, however I use it as a luminizer for my face and body.  Creates a subtle tasteful glow.

e.l.f. Essential Custom Eyes in Aubergine:  Hands down my new favorite eye-shadow.  It makes for one classy and sophisticated smokey eye.

e.l.f. Essentials Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara:  For taming stubborn eyebrows.

e.l.f. Essentials Zit Zapper: One of the cheapest yet effective acne treatments that I know of.

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths:  Again, one of the cheapest yet effective cleansing cloths around town.  Does a phenomenal job at removing makeup.

e.l.f. Essential Toe Separators


e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Treat & Tame in Dark:  I'm shocked to discover that the treat ingredients actually include retinyl palmitate and the tame contains a "fiber enhanced mascara formula".  I'm pretty excited to give this product another try. 

what's keith USING?

FOR WOMEN OF COLOR: Your hair has unique structure with distinctive twists and turns.  Each strand needs gentle cleansing with added protection against dryness and breakage to help grow healthy-looking hair.
PANTENE PRO-V INNOVATION: Pantene's unique shampoo and conditioner system with oil-enriched formulas helps defend and moisturize each strand.  Hair is soft, tamed and strong against future damage.
WHY I LIKE IT: With its perfumed scent it not only cleans my hair but conditions it better than many other conditioners.  Reliable beauty staple of mine since 2009.

what's keith's GO TO STORE?

Since I had my run in at Walgreen's and Target, I've had to shop at other stores.  I now frequent CVS on 31 Light Street for my every day needs from CVS-brand disposable enemas and twin blade razors to Q-tips adn Essence of Beauty body sponges.  I just wish I had come across this store sooner.  CVS is the home of all of my prescriptions and I'm always greeted with great customer service at the pharmacy counter.  I also have a CVS ExtraCare card and use it every time I check out.  Being an ExtraCare card owner, I always receive great discounts and offers on my receipt.  CVS also sends me great offers via email and get this--I can send those offers straight to my card, so there's no need to print any coupons.  Plus I can't forget to mention the ExtraCare Beauty Club.  For every $50 I spend in beauty products, I get $5 in ExtraCare bucks.  In other words, I get $5 to use in their store on whatever I want.  I have to say that the only downside to the Light Street location is that they seem to always run out of shopping bags plus they don't seem to always have the products I need.  Sometimes I have to walk to the CVS East Harbor location on 630 Exeter Street to avoid those problems. 

what's keith USING?

"Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Toner is the first acne toner designed to reduce breakouts in just hours, plus fade the look of post-acne marks for clearer, more even-toned skin.

The refreshingly clean formula dissolves away oil as Microclear technology speeds acne-fighting medicine deep into pores to reduce pimple size, swelling and redness in under 8 hours.  It speeds surface skin cell exfoliation to help fade the look of post-acne marks."

Why I Like It:  Because it not only removes any impurities from my skin but also fades post acne marks.  I've been using it for about three months applying it with a CVS cotton round and I have to say that I've noticed slightly a more even skin tone.  One caveat though--it can be quite drying to my skin at times.  However, a huge improvement from the  Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Gel. 

what's keith USING BEFORE BED?

How To Use: Gently massage mask on skin until mask turns light blue.  Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

Key Ingredients: 3.5% Sulfur, Vitamin C and Copper

How It Works: "Penetrates deep into pores to smooth and help treat acne-inflamed skin.  Cools and tightens as it absorbs excess oils and deep-cleanses clogged pores.  Leaves skin feeling smoother and refreshed."

Why I Like It: One of the best drugstore face masks and beats the much reviewed Queen Helene Mint Julip Mask by a long shot.  Leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed while combating any acne flare ups.  I also use as a night treatment by dabbing just a little on my pimples before bed and I wake up to pretty clear skin. 

what's keith USING TO SHAPE HIS MUSTACHE?

what's in keith's MAKEUP BAG?

I take it that this concealer is truly intended to be used under and around the eyes, however I didn't use it for that purpose.  I used it to conceal any blemishes or hyperpigmentation on my face and I must say that it did an okay job.  It offers full coverage, although it doesn't seem to last long on it's own.  I have to set the concealer with a setting powder for longer wear.  My main concern for this concealer is that it doesn't come in enough shade ranges and I found that the concealer was far too light for the foundation.  When I use True Match super blendable makeup in C6 Soft Sable or W8 Creme Cafe, both concealers matched pretty well but what about shades C 7-8 and N 7-8.  My folks of color, that's where I think you'll run into a problem.  I won't be buying stealing this item again.

what's keith READING?

Head to Toe
"I also have to moisturize a lot because I have psoriasis.  I like St. Ive's."

After reading Head to Toe in the March 2012 issue of Allure magazine, I came upon a shocking discovery.  Kim Kardashian suffers from psoriasis.  "Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells."  This discovery hits close to home because my father also suffered from psoriasis.  I distinctly remember his battle with this disease as he struggled with dry flaky skin on his scalp, ears, and numerous other areas that would flare up on his body.  As I inspect Kim's photo as she's dressed in a thin DKNY sweater and bikini, I'm quite sure Kim's condition fares far better than my father's, however this disease in no way hindered my father from everyday life.  Her remedy seems to be that she "moisturizes a lot"  and after a recent purchase from CVS, I too like St. Ive's body lotion.