TARTE BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer SPF 30 - Review & Swatch; Fair

TARTE BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer SPF 30 - Review & Swatch

It is summer and I am looking to change my makeup routine a bit with some lighter and hopefully a less time consuming routine while adding an SPF to my base.

However, I still like and need a full coverage base because I have some acne, some acne scarring, uneven skin tone - and I always prefer a full coverage, matte base.  (Dewy  does not look good on me, unfortunately!)
I've read reviews about this product raving about it and most stating it was a medium coverage, even possibly leaning toward a fuller coverage -- so I decided to give it a chance.

The application feels a bit odd, very silky, like a primer, but that does not translate to any oiliness on the skin, which is nice - but still feels a bit odd.
The deciding factor for me disliking it, to the point I will be returning it -- is that it muddied my skin and made it more uneven, I believe, than before applying it!  It just did not look good on me.
I applied it with my fingers, with my foundation brush, and gave it a number of chances to see if I would like it applied with different products or in different ways -- nope, always the same result for me.

Another factor that didn't work for me was I didn't have a great match for my skin color.  I purchased the Fair, as the Light was too dark - and when I mixed the two it was the correct color, but no way am I purchasing two to get the correct color for summer.  (I do not get too much color change on my face in summer, so the Light wouldn't have worked either.)

As always, everyone has different and unique skin - and unique needs, this was just my personal experience.  As much as I wanted to love it, I will be returning it.

Outside //  In natural, in-direct light

Outside // In natural, sunlight 

Outside // In natural, in-direct light 

_________________________________
- The Pretty Points - 

Price and Size:  $34.00/ 1.0 fl Oz.

COVERAGE:  Light to Medium (depending on how much you put on and what you consider light/medium)

PROS:
+ SPF 30
+ Powdery/ Matte finish, not a dewy or sheen finish
+ Nice packaging, convenient to carry along and squeeze tube to access all of the product
+ Cruelty Free! :) Yay Tarte! 

CONS:
- Light coverage (in my opinion, but might be a good thing for some people)
- Muddied / uneven coverage (on my skin)
- The right match for me would be combining Fair and Light together (which I do not want to do for a summer, easy routine...)
- Was not buildable for me... when I would try minimal, then build, it just didn't work or look good on my skin

Coverage/Pigmentation  ❤ of ❤❤❤❤❤ 1.5 // 5 
Longevity   ❤ ❤ ❤ of ❤❤❤❤❤  3 // 5 
Feel  ❤ of ❤❤❤❤❤  1 // 5 

OVERALL:  I would not purchase again and will return it. 
Overall Rating:  ❤ out of ❤❤❤❤❤

A few of my favorite coffee places in New York City

As with many things, coffee is highly subjective to one's personal taste. While I lived in NYC, my love for coffee grew and my love for GOOD coffee developed. Of course I habited Starbucks quite often (more than I'd like to admit) because of the millions of locations and convenience of it. 
However, when I could buy local or at a speciality coffee place, I really loved it. Here are a few places/companies I really, really love.

My favorite latté I've had in the city was at Fika. They have 4 locations in the city, I went to the one on Park Ave South in Union Square/Flatiron area. It was creamy, thick, delicious with absolutely no hint of bitterness at all. The baristas were friendly and approachable and I could drink their lattés everyday!

My favorite 'take home' iced coffee is from a company from Brooklyn called Grady's Cold Brew. Yumm. I would get serious cravings for this stuff!!! The other big name places iced coffee just didn't even compare! It's creamy, strong, with no bitterness - just pure delicious. I love it with a dash of cream over ice - pure perfection!!! I always had the best luck finding it at Whole Foods in the city. They're packaging is just amazing too!! Retro font and design and in glass bottles!! (I always prefer glass for the health/safety concerns) My boyfriend and I loved it so much that we bought 4 large containers to bring home!!! Thank goodness they ship!!

LOVE these bottles!!! And the stuff inside is pretty good too.... 

Back of the bottle 

My favorite place to go for whole beans and a hot coffee would be Oren's Daily Roast. There are multiple locations and a convenient one on Broadway in btw 40th/41st. They have a customer card that is definitely worth getting!! Oren knows his coffee... He is seriously knowledgable and seriously passionate!!! Gotta love it. Thank goodness he ships as well!! So I don't have to live without my Oren's beans. I stocked up on it before I left as well, but buying 3 lbs or more of coffee ships free!! Yay! Love Oren's.

There are three other places I highly recommend, first, Stumptown. I love getting something new every time, and they really put the time into making a wonderful drink. Sometimes it doesn't have the 'kick' I'd like but it's definitely worth checking out. They have a 1920s vibe going with the baristas dressed as such too. It can be hard to see because it's in the Ace hotel. Also, it is cash only and can get quite busy! But a great spot, nonetheless.

Stumptown - Mocha Latte 

Stumptown - Mocha Latte 

Second, 71 Irving Place. This is off the main area just a block from Park Ave South in Gramercy/Flatiron/Union Square area. It's cozy, busy, and offers great coffee and cookies. My favorite ambience of darker, relaxed, and tends to be more quiet. Really relaxing and really good!

Lastly, Blue Bottle coffee. You'll have to venture to Brooklyn or certain places like the high line or food truck, etc. We went to Brooklyn and it was worth the trip. Great ambience, great baristas and great coffee. Our favorite was the iced coffee New Orleans style - yum!

Blue Bottle - Barista making our coffee! 

Blue Bottle - drip coffee display.  Beautiful.

If you're interested in these places, I recommend going to their websites to see places they are served and locations.
I will post links to their websites below.
If you're not a coffee person, or like me, enjoy both equally as much - I will be posting about tea in the city.

I welcome any questions or comments! I'd love to hear your favorite places to get coffee!
Thank you for reading!
*xo

Coffee Love.

https://www.orensdailyroast.com/

http://www.fikanyc.com/coffee

http://gradyscoldbrew.com/

http://stumptowncoffee.com/location/new-york/manhattan/

http://www.irvingfarm.com/

http://www.bluebottlecoffee.com/


*I was never compensated or given free coffee or anything; I purchased from these companies on my own just because I wanted to try good coffee around the city - then I decided to share my love and thoughts! Cheers! 

Welcome!

Rockefeller Center - NYC at Christmas 2010

 I intended to start this blog while I was living in New York City - however, as things often do, it got pushed to the side.  Now I have moved back home to the Midwest, for many reasons, including my health, family, my dog, (yes, my dog!) and a few other reasons as well.  A part of my heart will always be in New York City, but for now my heart is home with my family. 
I am using this blog to express my thoughts and to post honest reviews of cosmetics, nail polish, and anything else I try and think would help someone out with making a decision.  
I plan to also reflect on some of my time in NYC with pictures and recommended stops.  :)  I am no expert, but have relied heavily on honest reviews of blogs and other people to try the things I have, so I would like to expand and return the favor.
I love being surrounded by beauty, makeup, flowers, good tea & coffee, traveling, dogs, nail polish, reading, baking, fashion/shoes, theatre, and of course, music!
*xo

Back home in the Midwest