I am a foundation freak.  Although most foundations look good on the skin when first applied, the real test is how they look hours later.

I have tried everything from drugstore to department store and regardless of how much they cost, some are definitely better than others. My favourite drugstore foundation is CoverGirl’s Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation, which gives you perfect coverage and lasts all day. I also have their TruBlend one, and although I do like it when first applied, I don’t find that it is long lasting.  I’ve also tried their Clean Whipped Creme foundation, which I also loved and would totally re-buy (I have too many foundations at the moment, but if I ever find the need to buy a new foundation, I would get this one again).

The brand released a new line of foundations and a concealer, called Ready, Set Gorgeous, and when I saw that Katy Perry was the spokesperson behind it, I was like sign me up!  They actually have a whole new line of products out right now, but some are limited edition for the time being until next year (the Ready, Set Gorgeous powder foundation, CoverGirl XL Nail Gel, and CoverGirl Coverlicious glosses).

I was sent the CoverGirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous foundation in shade 105, as well as the concealer to try out and review.  The products launched a couple months back in drugstores and I have been itching to get my hands on them. The one thing that’s different about these is the packaging.  I feel like CoverGirl is really trying to appeal to a younger generation with a lot of their new products, plus having Katy Perry as a spokesperson doesn’t help either.  I’m instantly gravitated towards these products because of course, their name, as well as how they look.  Unlike the Stay Fab and TruBlend foundations, this one is in a squeeze tube, making it easy to apply and perfect for travelling (no pump on this bad boy!).  The concealer is a tube with a doe-foot application, so you can get pretty precise on where to place the product.

The idea behind this foundation is that it’s oil-free and provides long-lasting coverage.  The foundation has a built-in powder system that fights again shine, pulling oil and sweat away from your face, instead of trapping it underneath your foundation.  The concealer is lightweight, oil-free and shine-free that won’t clog pores. I wore this for eight hours on Sunday, and although I was mostly inside with tons of A/C, I did sport it in the sun and heat.  Overall, it held up pretty well and definitely longer lasting that the Trublend version. It’s not a full-coverage foundation, I would probably classify it as a light to medium coverage, but I think it’s perfect for everyday wear.  I would definitely wear this everyday to work and then put something a little heavier on for night.

As for the concealer, I do find it’s a little thin for concealing blemishes and dark circles.  If you really need some major concealing, I would skip this product. I like it for everyday wear underneath my eyes, but I wouldn’t go full-out glam with this product.  The concealer would be great for teenagers, as they most likely haven’t developed dark circles yet (oh, the magic of aging… not that I’m saying I have dark circles…).

Overall, I really liked the foundation and recommend it.  I recently saw it at Wal-Mart for under $10, so if you want something relatively inexpensive and does the trick, pick this up.  This is great for those who don’t wear a lot of makeup and like to keep things au natural.  As for the concealer, I can think of many other drugstore brands that do a better job on concealing.  Even the TruBlend Concealer gives a better coverage than this one.  I don’t want to knock it entirely because I love the packaging on it, but if you want something thicker, I would skip this product.

Have you tried CoverGirl’s new InstaGlam collection?  Thoughts?

Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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When I say, “run like a girl”, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  I think that the majority of people would see someone running, arms flailing, hair whipping like crazy.  What about “girl pushups”?  That one’s easy, those are pushups done on your knees, right?

I grew up thinking that “you run like a girl” is an insult, or that those so-called girl pushups, are the easier version of the ones done on your toes.  I think that those terms are so commonplace now that most people don’t even think about the fact that it’s kind of offensive.  We have a ton of them in our language and vocabulary (“wifebeater” would be a good example), that it’s no big deal.

You may have seen Alway’s new video popping up on your Facebook newsfeed (that’s where I first saw it) promoting confidence in women.  According to the new Always Confidence and Puberty Study, only 19 per cent of girls have a positive association with the phrase “like a girl”.  Always, the brand most known for feminine hygiene products, is rallying girls from across the globe to redefine the meaning of doing something #LikeAGirl from an insult to an expression of strength, talent, character, and downright awesomeness.

The video was directed by Lauren Greenfield, who did The Queen of Versailles, which if you haven’t seen, go watch.  I saw it last year solely for the fact that it had an American Eskimo in the poster, but the doc was actually so good that I told basically all my friends and family they had to see it.  Go check Netflix if they still have it on there, that’s where I watched it.

Anyways, take a look at the video, share it, and be part of the movement.  I’m a girl and can do pushups on my toes, chin ups, and run a marathon, and guess what?  I’m proud to say I can do them #LikeAGirl.

What’s your #LikeAGirl experience?  Share it in the comments below to win the same t-shirt I’m wearing, as well as an Always product (which is “always” needed 😉 ). Giveaway open to Canadian residents only, ends on July 11, 2014.

Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Like what you read?  Check out these related posts.

• Ooh la la! Valentine’s Day Gift Guide, plus giveaway!
• How to be a #bombshell!
• Lovespell: a sweet Valentine’s Day look
• Bring on the glitz!

This summer I’m totally craving peach nails.  I seriously can’t get enough.  A beautiful peach-toned shade looks so fabulous on tanned hands, as well as my current stark white ones.

I received select colours from Sally Hansen’s new summer 2014 collections (there’s a lot of them!), including two from the Sea Bloom collection (I’ve also seen this collection called Electric Summer), which launches in July 2014 for a limited time in Wal-Mart stores. Inspired by pastels and muted hues found under the sea, the collection of eight colours differs from their spring pastels collection in that they are more summer shades.  I received the colours Floaties, a creme peach, and You’re Crabby, a pink lavender.

I have a few Sally Hansen XTreme Wear polishes and although I do find that they make my nails harder (my nails are soooo thin right now), they aren’t the most long-wearing polish.  I’m obsessed with Floaties, but it started to chip after a day.  Okay, it wasn’t the biggest end-of-the-world chip, but still.  With that being said, they retail for $3.49, and I’ve even seen them as low as $1.50 at some stores on sale, so I mean, for the quality of the product (these go on quite opaque), you can’t beat ’em.

Although I only tried two shades from the collection, I highly recommend Floaties.  Seriously, it’s so pretty and super on-trend for summer.  I actually used Fruit Ta-Ta from the XTreme Wear Rio Collection (already in stores) on my ring finger as an accent and loved the combo.  I do like You’re Crabby, but I feel like I have a few colours like this one in my collection already.  It’s pretty much a staple shade, so if you don’t have anything like it yet in yours, I would consider it.  It’s pretty versatile.

I was checking out swatches of the other shades in the line and there are some definite must-haves in here, and for $3.49, you can’t go wrong.

Please note, I was sent this product from PR.  All opinions are my own.

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