Like a Snapchat filter for your face–but this one’s for real

 

I was not planning on writing this post, but then I tried a product that I never knew I needed—and I had to let you know about it! For the record, I wear daily foundation because I have to. My skin tends to redden easily or look uneven-toned. Foundation is a core makeup product and I get to test out the best (and the worst) of the natural options. Prepping my skin prior to makeup has also become somewhat of an art form, since getting it wrong could mean foundation doesn’t sit well on my skin throughout the day and that’s just a nuisance.

Yet, when the seasonal Beauty Heroes Discovery Beauty Box* arrived with three products from makeup brand Vapour Organic Beauty, I took a while to dive into it. In fact, the box sat around waiting for me to try it for quite some time.

(As a reminder, Beauty Heroes no longer sends members a makeup box but reserves the cosmetics collection as an optional seasonal offer at an incredible price for members and non-members alike. So let’s head back to the contents of this box…)

Momentary confusion

At first, I thought the big blue bottle was the Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation which I already own and love, but I kept wondering how Beauty Heroes could select a shade that would be suitable to everyone. On closer look (darn eyesight!), the blue container was actually the Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector, $56, a product that I never would have considered purchasing. In fact, I didn’t even know what it was for.

Oh you too? Great! Then let me fill you in. (This is what happens when I spend too much time writing into the wee hours. I start having conversations with you.)

What it does

Here’s the deal. It’s like a makeup primer that blurs all sorts of  unsightly imperfections (GAWD I don’t like that word!), and then also imparts this lit-from-within luminous glow to my skin with light reflecting particles—all without using any silicones that could clog pores or use of magical witchcraft and wizardry. Wait, actually there may be some magic in this mix, because when I topped off this perfecting lotion with the Atmosphere Foundation (a perfect pairing, imho) and looked into my car mirror ten minutes later on my way back from dropping off the kids at school, my first thought was “wow, my skin looks fantastic today!” totally forgetting that I had applied it. No joke. This really happened. And for those of you who know that I’ve got a terrible memory lately, yes, I know you’re laughing.

Swatches of Stratus + Aura Blush in EROS

Here’s what Stratus looks like in action on my hands alongside the very pretty, berry-hued Aura Multi Use Radiant Blush in EROS, $30, that comes in the package too.

 

You can see in the photo that there’s a glow to the area where Stratus was applied. It’s pretty subtle so you won’t look like a lightbulb or anything. I do think that Vapour’s foundation suits dry or mature, non-oily skin better, and I can’t quite tell yet if that’s the case with Stratus too. I’ve only used it a handful of times with equally illuminating and skin-perfecting results.

What makes it heroic?

It’s powered by active ingredients which Beauty Heroes is great about listing on their description page and which I’ll share with you here:

• Camellia Seed Oil – Brightening, Anti-aging
• Elderberry Fruit – Brightening, Anti-Aging
• Holy Basil Leaf – Brightening, Calming
• Lotus Leaf – Brightening, Anti-Aging
• Papaya Extract – Exfoliating, Hydrating
• Sunflower Seed Oil – Hydrating
• Tomato Leaf Extract – Brightening

When to apply it?

I don’t yet know what the long-term results of continued application will do to improve my skin, but I’m hanging in there for the long haul. This is now a must-have product in my makeup collection that I apply in this order: toning mist, treatment serum, SPF lotion, followed by Stratus and foundation. I’m really, really savoring this product and thrilled that I had a chance to discover it in this seasonal box.

But wait! There’s more…

I’ve been a fan of Vapour’s blushes for quite some time and definitely find them comparable to W3LL People’s Universalist sticks which I use interchangeably with negligible differences—as in other than packaging I’d pop one or the other in my purse and be just as content with the color payoff. EROS is not a shimmery color. It glides on sheer and can be layered for stronger color, if desired.

Cream blushes don’t last too long on my oilier skin, so the convenience of a portable stick is not lost on me. It’s great when I need to reapply during the day and can be used on cheeks, lips, as well as lightly on the bone over eyes and under brows to tie the look together.

The sample of Clarity Organic Makeup Remover, $15, is a nice bonus. It’s probably not a product that I would purchase (I’m hooked on Josh Rosebrook’s Herbal Infusion Oil), but I was happy to test it out. Interestingly, after I wrote my last post about 11 cleansers, somebody commented that there are really two cleanser categories: makeup removers and facial cleansers, and I think that’s very true. It’s rare indeed to find a cleanser that removes all traces of makeup well in one step.

Clarity is Certified USDA Organic and contains eight oils that give it excellent slip as it swipes off makeup and dirt.

This entire box is valued at $101 and Beauty Heroes is offering it for a limited time for a mere $45!! Is that not the deal of the century? OK fine. I say that nearly every time Beauty Heroes offers a box, but still…that’s a great price for what’s in this box.

Have you tried Vapour Organic Beauty? What do you love from the line?

Super time sensitive offer!

By joining Sacred Beauty Salon, you will receive this set absolutely FREE! But hurry! The series kicks off TODAY, Sunday, Oct. 30th and it’s the final day to take advantage of this offer! To find out more about Sacred Beauty Salon Online and to register head over here. Read my review of this outstanding program here.

 

 

*Full Disclosure