40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 31, Prescriptives

Cavewoman: If I had to say that any one brand of cosmetics dominates my collection, it would definitely be Prescriptives. I've been using this line for almost twenty years! I discovered Prescriptives in the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store on a trip to NY, and made my first purchase that day, a water-based shake-before-you-use foundation that is no longer being made. It is interesting that my very latest purchase at Prescriptives is also a foundation, this time the Custom Blend. My skin has changed drastically in these years between that first purchase and the last one, but what hasn't changed is the fine quality, user-friendly, performance-delivering items in the line. I almost can't say one favorite, so I'll tell you just a few. It'll be hard to limit myself, but I will try!

Above all, the Custom Blend foundation is my favorite Prescriptives item. I was in Dillards a few months ago, a shopping trip quickly planned with my cousin. The only thing I wanted to do that day was go to Prescriptives, because this is the only counter in our area which does the Custom Blend. I approached the SA who greeted me warmly, listened to all my foundation issues, skin-type needs, and she asked me tons of questions about what I was wanting in a perfect foundation. She asked my Prescriptives color-print family (I am Blue-Red) and set out to make my makeup. The base that is used is oil-free, so I asked for moisturizing ingredients. She explained all the ingredients (adding treatment, too) and then showed me the luminizing ingredient (she added lots of the pink, and a little of the gold.) She tested her blend on me every step of the way, and would not stop until I was totally happy with the blend. She wrote everything down on a card, and if I want more and can't get to her store, she can blend and send! What I ended up with is a very moisturizing foundation that matches me more perfectly than any store-bought pre-bottled foundation I have ever had, with luminosity and comfort too. It is a pleasure to reach for my Custom Blend, knowing it performs exactly as I wanted it to. No caking, no turning color, no settling into lines or pores, and it is luminous and glowy. It is about as close as I have ever come to something resembling the old Luxe formula, and also Clinique Gentle Light, which I used when Luxe was discontinued. My Custom Blending was a most pleasant experience, from start to finish. Many foundations that I have are wonderful and I won't toss them or swap them away, but my Custom Blend is the one I reach for almost all the time now.

The Holiday palettes are something I wait for every year. Inside the large compact are six shadows, a blush, and a highlighting finishing powder. These pans can be popped out, re-arranged, and refilled directly from Prescriptives regular stock. I have four of them, both the warm and cool from last year and this past year. I re-made one of them with colors I chose from the Prescriptives display, saved the pans I removed, and interchange and replace when I use one up or just see new colors at the counter that I'd like to add to one of the palettes. I do not know of one other company that offers such a useful palette. Pans are held in by magnets, so it is easy to change them. And they are perfect for travel, too. Included in each Holiday palette is a double-ended shadow brush. A very nice brush, too.

Another great Prescriptives product that I use every day is the Flawless Concealer. A small silver compact with pot concealer inside, this product goes on smoothly, doesn't dry out, doesn't sink into lines, and doesn't cake or fade. I like a concealer in a pot, because it is easy to just tap my finger onto the product and dot and blend under my eyes. I happen to use it over my Prescriptives Vibrant Eye. That's a luminous serum-type of product that feels lightweight and adds a bit of light-reflection to diffuse any shadow or darkness under the eye.

Prescriptives has recently launched the fabulous AnyWear pressed powder foundation. I can't believe that finally, there is a powder foundation that looks beautiful on dry skin! It can be used wet or dry, you won't ruin it with a wet brush, and it covers beautifully without that masky powdery look. I like it as a finishing powder too, but it's great all on its own, for days when I have to paint and go and I don't have time to do a full foundation application.

I could just go on and on about Prescriptives! But then we'd be here for days! Go see all the beautiful things at the Prescriptives counter (Racecar Red is a great red lipstick!) and maybe you'll become a fan, too.
See how I am sneaking in one more Prescriptives product?

What are your favorite Prescriptives products? Let us know in the comments!

Photos: Cavewoman

Disclosure: The products were purchased by the reviewer.