Blaq Vixen Beauty

Now that Operation Palette Pusher is on the backburner (for now), I figured I would instead focus on one of the newest editions to my blush collection: Fashion Fair Beauty Blush in Golden Sunset (regular price is $17 for 0.13 oz but I bought it for $13.50 at the PX here on Fort Sam Houston). Unfortunately, I wouldn't dare wear it now with my skin issues but I always remind myself that one day, I will. But for this post, I decided to swatch it on my cheek.

Golden Sunset in the pan.

Golden Sunset in the pan.
Golden Sunset swatched on back of hand (left) and on cheeks (right).

Editor's note: Click here to go straight to Temptalia's Master Foundation Matrix!

Have you checked out Christine's foundation matrix over at Temptalia? Such an ingenious idea! As long as there has been beauty blogs, I am surprised no one else have come up with anything similar. Or maybe you have? School me in the comments!

Christine created a Google Spreadsheet with MAC foundation shades (like NW35, NW40, NW45, etc.) as the common reference points, as many women out there have been sucked into the MACtrix at one time or another. I was sucked in May 23, 2009. So far, I've only been smitten with one product. You then scroll down the list to see which other brand (whether it be a department store, drugstore or a MLM (multi leveling marketing) company like meet mark, Avon, Mary Kay, Artistry or Market America.

If you don't see a brand that you regularly use, you can add it in column A, which is a list of all the foundations that have been added so far. I knew on the Iman Cosmetics site, they have a section where you can see which Iman shade would correlate with your MAC, L'Oreal, Black Opal, Revlon or Fashion Fair shade. If you know there isn't a match, you can type in "none" or "no match."

Possible matches for me:

More Revlon...

I'll keep you posted on my findings!

Image via Bitchie Life

Do you remember your first Fashion Fair product? Mine was the Oil-Free Perfect Finish Creme to Powder Makeup compact in Tender. This was back in November of 2006. I had just completed Navy boot camp and had transferred to Basic "A" Hospital Corps School, which was in the same city (Great Lakes, Illinois) but across the street.

After gushing to my mom about the massive selection of Dooney & Burke and Coach bags as well as shoes the local Navy Nex had, we decided to visit. You know that phrase, "Spending like sailors on leave?" Yep, that was me. I was buying all types of clothes, shoes, movies, etc. I wasn't as crazy about makeup though; the most I had ever experimented was with nail polish and lip gloss.

Still, to this day, I don't why I made my way to the Fashion Fair counter. I wasn't familiar with the other makeup counters - Lancome, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, or Estee Lauder - so naturally I would gravitate towards the only Black makeup counter in the store, right? I read Ebony as well as Jet. I guess I was wondering if the brand was really as old-fashioned as the ads suggested.

If I remember correctly, the Fashion Fair rep wasn't there - in fact, it was someone else that matched me. I can't remember which counter she was from, but her makeup was flawless and she dressed like the girls I envied back in high school.

She did a great a job blending - I didn't look too made up and it didn't look like I had a mask on my face! Since I had no idea about setting powder at the time, my face was hella greasy-looking. I pretended that it just made my skin glow, just like that time I rubbed a Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick all over my face. Glowing skin, my behind!

I tried it last year - the first time in two years - at the the Fort Sam Houston PX. That was the first time that I was matched for a Fashion Fair foundation in the Summer time. It looked okay - I can't remember which shade it was - but it wasn't until I stepped outside that I noticed that my face was darker than my face. This was before it oxidized. It was like prom night all over again!

Since then, I've thrown away my lone Fashion Fair foundation and haven't bothered buying another compact. Since I've found Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse foundation, I don't think I will!