Why is it so difficult to find foundations and BB/CC creams that are the right shade? And why is finding foundation with the correct undertone almost impossible? Why does my skin tone change substantially in the summer in spite of the fact that I wear sunscreen? It is what it is. So I’ve had to come up with ways to get around these problems.
I bought CoverFX Custom Cover Drops immediately when they first launched. The Custom Cover Drops are pure pigment, and it’s important to buy the right shade. CoverFX has lots of choices, but I found out that the ones that I bought at the end of the winter didn’t work so well for the summer. Boo. Also, I found that I like to use the Drops most for making my own foundations with CoverFX CCD and either serum, oil, concealer, or moisturizer. To change the shade of an existing foundation or BB/CC cream, the Drops sometimes didn’t work as well especially for those where the undertone was off.
A couple of months ago, I received a new lightweight foundation from Milani, Milani Conceal + Perfect 2 in 1 Concealer + Foundation. It went on well and felt great, but the color the company sent me was too dark and too yellow. I tried mixing with CCD and it didn’t make much difference. I ended up giving it away. Because I liked the formula of the foundation so much, my friend Marcia from BeautyInfoZone.com sent me the lightest shade in the range. Unfortunately, it was still a bit too dark and too yellow. But she enclosed a sample of a product I had never heard of: Manic Panic (of hair dye fame) Dreamtone Flawless Foundation and Color Corrector.
It’s easy to use, fluffy rather than liquid-y and runny. I mixed it with the Milani foundation, and the whiteness of the product seemed to lighten the shade and take away some of the yellow. Vegan and priced at $10 on Amazon for a 1 fl.oz. pump bottle.
While using the sample that Marcia sent, I discovered that I needed something on which to mix the foundation and corrector. I tried a piece of aluminum foil but that wasn’t my favorite thing. I ended up purchasing a small inexpensive palette that came with a mixing tool to mix up my foundations or anything that’s liquidy. Definitely worth the $6.99.
I think these were two handy, affordable purchases. Money well spent.
The one that I have been seeing all over the blogsphere is The Body Shop Lightening Drops so this was a refreshing read. I had no idea Manic Panic made anything other than hair dyes!
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Never Judge A Book by Its Cover ~ Nip+Fab Kale Fix
I heard about the one from TBS too, but I got to try this out and the price was right so I went with it!
Interesting read. I’ve never tried any of these products and have thrown away so many foundations due to them being too dark.The Manic Panic seems worth the investment. Thanks Allison 🙂
If you go for it, I hope it works for you, Laura. I have several foundations that I really like but the shades are off so this helps me be able to wear them!
Wow!! I had no idea Manic Panic did something that than hair dye! haha this is pretty neat.
Destany recently posted…Zoya Sunsets Collection
Me either, Destany, it was a surprise!
The story of my life. lol I use the Manic Panic. I still haven’t tried the Cover FX drops, but I want to.
I’m glad you use Manic Panic to fix your foundations too. The CoverFX Drops are fun, but they’re expensive and not a real necessity IMHO. I had hoped they would magically transform foundations and concealers to a perfect match, but not really. They do make a nice tinted moisturizer or help with a liquid concealer that’s off.
Good to know. I probably get them at some point just out of curiosity, but no rush.
I’m not sorry that I tried them. I’m hoping they’ll get rid of the messy dropper and put ’em in a pump bottle one of these days especially since they are expensive. Hold off a while and maybe they will!
I didn’t know Manic Panic made anything but hair care. This is neat!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…NEW! Rimmel Magnif’eyes Double Ended Shadow + Liner
Yes, it was new to me. I’m glad Marcia sent me some to try coz it’s a handy little thing!
Thanks for linking to that palette, the price is perfect! I’ve seen similar palettes but never felt like paying more than $10 for one.
You’re welcome! I felt the same way. I didn’t want to pay too much for it since I don’t use it that often. It comes with the mixing tool, a plastic compartmentalized carrying case, and a tote bag. Good deal!
Dreamtone White is awesome!
Phyrra recently posted…Natasha Denona 28 Purple Blue Eyeshadow Palette
I think Marcia who sent me a sample said that you turned her on to it so thank you!
Thanks for the mention. I have saved so many wrong foundations since Phyrra mentioned it in her review and I bought this. I’m glad to pay it forward and now maybe others will be able to use their too dark foundations. I have a very expensive one that I bought from Vasanti but once I saw the Manic Panic was $10 that’s the one I use.
MarciaF recently posted…Win a GuruNanda Essential Oil Diffuser and 8 Essential Oils in our giveaway
I was so happy that you introduced this to me. And I like the inexpensive palette too – don’t know if it’s the same one you got, but you steered me in the right direction!
What a fabulous way to lighten your foundation. I have some darker ones sitting at home, and this would be a great way to save and use them! 🙂
Shipra recently posted…Urban Decay Alice Through the Looking Glass Palette Review
It really is a good way to save foundation where I like the formula but the shade is off. Otherwise, I’d be giving them away or tossing them
SAs in some countries just give me the deepest shade they have without bothering to match it. This product will certainly help with such foundations!
Renu recently posted…May Makeup Madness International Beauty Giveaway
That would drive me crazy, Renu. How lazy of them! This is a good way to save foundations that you’d otherwise have to giveaway or toss.
I find shade matching at Sephora to be much easier, once I find a perfect shade in at least one formula. Then, I use the shade matcher tool online and it tells me what best shades in other brands would work as well. It’s not 100% accurate of course, but it’s a good starting point!
Julie recently posted…BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette
The shades that I usually have to alter are foundations that I’ve received for review. Often I’ll get a foundation that I love to try out, but the shade is off so this is a good way to save me from having to toss them. I’ve tried the Sephora color match. It helped me find one of my all time favorite foundations from Bobbi Brown!
That sounds like a winning product to me! Being able to alter the color of foundations to get them to be a better match is genius!
Stacie Hamilton recently posted…Maintaining Clear Skin With The Best Acne Treatment Kits
It has saved me from giving away or tossing foundations where I liked the formula but found the shade slightly off 🙂
This is cool. I also didn’t know Manic Panic Made color correcting drops. Did you think about using a lavender corrector to cancel out the yellow? It may help more than the white.
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You know, I didn’t think of that, Kim. I have a lavender powder corrector that I got in a Memebox. I tried it once (I don’t have yellow undertones), and my face turned a rather ghostly color. I actually like mixing the fluffy liquid with my liquid foundations, rather than doing layers. The Manic Panic seems to negate the yellow with the intensity of the white, plus I need to lighten the overall color while I’m removing the yellow so one step seems easier for lazy ole me
Thank you so much for this review! I clicked the link, the moment I got to it and this product went right on my Amazon wishlist. I will be picking it up, next time I place an order!
Erika recently posted…Hask Beauty Kalahari Melon Oil Colour Protection Hair Care Collection | My Notes and Photogrpahs
I think you’ll find it very handy, Erika! You can’t beat the price 🙂
This is going to be fabulous for transitioning Winter foundation into Summer and vice versa. I have lightening and darkening drops from The Body Shop I’ll be using!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Perfecting & Correcting with BECCA Cosmetics
I’ve been curious about The Body Shop drops.
I could so use a bottle of this! I have a few foundations I love that are just a bit too dark.
Bailey recently posted…Your Best Hair (ever) with Pai Shau Hair Care
It saved several of mine from being tossed.
This sounds really awesome. I have the Body Shop stuff like this.
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…Mac Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick
I was curious about The Body Shop drops, but I happened to get this first.
This is great for people who need lighter shades than brands offer!
Lisa Heath recently posted…Pahlish Venetian Carnival Collection
That’s true, Lisa. You can really lighten up even a light foundation for someone with really pale skin
I’m always intrigued by the idea of mixing my makeup. I do it from time to time but usually use the back of my hand because it’s always on a whim that I decide to do it!
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I’ve done it on the back of my hand too but with some of the new water-based foundations, it’s too messy because they’re so watery. True that I have to get out one more thing, but it’s easier to use this than to clean up my mess 😉