I Tried 4 Drugstore Foundations & This Is How It Went
To be honest, I was never the biggest fan of using drugstore foundations.
One, I never found my shade. Because I'm very intentional about where I spend my money and who I support, if a brand didn't carry my shade, I assumed I'm not the customer they had in mind and I'll keep it moving. Two, shopping for makeup is enough work in itself. Although I save a lot of money shopping at the drugstore, I didn't want the hassle of finding the closest shades to my complexion and then have to mix it every time I want to use it.
I'm glad to say the beauty industry is making progress and my last drugstore visit was different from all the others. I'm also happy to see more black-owned beauty brands in the drugstore. They understand the struggle and they're consistently looking for change beyond financial motives. So, if you're thinking about picking up a few drugstore foundations, here are my thoughts based on my four selections.
BLK OPL True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation
BLK OPL's True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation is a medium coverage foundation that minimizes the appearance of your pores with a matte finish.
Shade:
520 Hazelnut
Price:
$10.93+
My Thoughts:
This foundation is a perfect match for my skin complexion! Although this is just a light to medium coverage foundation, the pore perfecting element makes it seem like your face has more coverage. I also have combination/normal skin, but this foundation is perfect for all skin types. It gives the right amount of hydration for those with dry skin and its oil-free ingredients caters to those with oily skin. Lastly, the application is pretty easy — just pump and blend.
Yay or Nay:
Yay!
Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Filter Foundation
The Revlon PhotoReady Insta-Filter foundation is a medium buildable foundation with a built-in beauty blender so you can easily apply your makeup with everything you need in one product.
Shade:
450 Mocha
Price:
$13.97+
My Thoughts:
This was the most expensive from my foundation haul and the one I liked the least. Revlon's Insta-Filter foundation only came in three dark shades: caramel, cappuccino, and mocha — the range is not enough. The sponge was not as soft as I hoped, in fact, my face felt irritated from all the blending. I also thought the foundation was a bit ashy on my skin and had a few creases around my eyes.
Yay or Nay:
Nay.
L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation Makeup
L'Oreal's True Match foundation is a light to medium coverage foundation with SPF (select shades) that gives you a natural finish.
Shade:
Deep golden (warm)
Price:
$8.86+
My Thoughts:
This foundation is supposed to match your skin's undertone and I think it did a pretty good job with that. My skin looked more vibrant and polished. The only thing I didn't like about this foundation is the wide opening. So you have to be really careful when applying it to your Beautyblender or foundation brush.
Yay or Nay:
Yay!
Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid Makeup
The Black Radiance Color Perfect liquid makeup is a full coverage foundation with a satin finish to enhance your natural skin tone.
Shade:
Brownie
Price:
$3.87+
My Thoughts:
This is pretty good foundation, especially for the price point! I never spent less than $5 on a foundation. It is a buildable full coverage foundation with a satin finish. When I used it on my dark spots, it didn't cover it completely, but you'd have to be pretty close to see it. I know if I used a color corrector, it will be completely hidden. I love that the foundation doesn't feel heavy or look caked up on my face. Lastly, the application is pretty easy — it comes with a spatula so that I can easily apply the product to my face!
Yay or Nay:
Yay! Girl, it works and it's less than $5!
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Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Kendrick Lamar And Whitney Alford: A Timeline Of Their Decades-Long Relationship
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford are one of those couples who like to live their lives outside of the public eye. Unlike many celebrity couples, we don’t really hear a lot of details about their relationship in blogs and social media except for when Kendrick raps about it. Whitney has even been featured on many of her fiancé’s songs, but it was his last album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where he was the most vulnerable.
Outside of supporting her Pulitzer Prize-winning man, Whitney is also a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. The couple share two beautiful children together and seem to enjoy their privacy. From high school sweethearts to starting a family, here is a timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s relationship.
2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet
Whitney Alford and Kendrick Lamar at 2016 Key to the City Ceremony
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.
2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney
In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”
2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple
56th Grammy Awards with Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend
Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”
Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album
In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”
Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford at 2015 BET Awards
Photo by Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET
During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”
2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child
It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”
2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child
The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”
Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers"
In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.
Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video
Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.
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Feature image by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS