Does anyone remember how they discovered skincare and makeup tricks pre-YouTube? How much did this opening line just age me? Many turned to makeupalley for the dialogue banter but I got my fix on the DL watching QVC and HSN. Not even kidding.
One of my most vivid TV shopping memories is of Holly Mordini presenting the Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, which had to have been at least ten years ago. And while my makeup interest has always been limited to bronzers and concealers, I not only got that damn thing right then and there, I rocked that powder for years.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Fast forward to today… Smashbox is now owned by the Estée Lauder Companies and every brand under the sun is dying to get on sell-a-vision. An industry pro, Holly Mordini is currently on EVINE Live with a line of her own, STROKE of BEAUTY. Launched together with Dean Factor, the great-grandson of the legendary Max Factor, this tightly edited range of color essentials combines Holly’s passion for makeup with her background as a painter, sculptor and mixed media artist. It’s beauty for the art of it!
So what did I try?
The Skin Finish Concealer in Medium. Available in four shades, the STROKE of BEAUTY Skin Finish Concealer is soft, creamy, and extremely blendable. It glides on effortlessly and provides medium to full coverage with a soft matte finish. The Medium shade has a hint of pink to it and matches my light to medium complexion perfectly. Fact: if a concealer has a trace of yellow in it, it’s an immediate pass for me.
Does it deliver?
Honestly, the verdict is still out. The texture and color are pretty fantastic and while I only need a tiny bit of concealment under my eyes, I tried the STROKE of BEAUTY formula with and without a setting powder. Real talk: I prefer avoid layering in my morning routine. Applied solo, this concealer lasted only until lunchtime, but admittedly the weather has been insanely humid, which may have contributed to my face literally melting into the asphalt. Creasing was minimal. Let’s be honest, every concealer settles unless the area below your eyes is virtually lineless. And, if it is, you probably don’t need to use one.
If you’re like me and enjoy hunting down concealers with hopes they’ll become that holy grail, give STROKE of BEAUTY a try. See if evine.com still has the set that comes with a tapered brush ($29, if available). Explore the full line at strokeofbeauty.com.
