Blush -Becca - Beach Tint in Watermelon
LeeleeBell 7/17/2011 8:55:00 PM
This was more of a dusky rose leaning than watermelon on me as far as color. I have used this over powder and over foundation alone. I tried both fingers and a MAC 130 brush. It didn't apply smoothly/as evenly as I wanted. I watched the zuneta vid on yt for tips and I just did not get that same flawless finish no matter how I applied it. I also tried it on my lips. It didn't stain my lips or make any difference really. It felt like balm. I don't regret purchasing it but if I had seen it in person before buying I think I would have skipped it. I didn't think it did my skin color any favors (NC20ish/neutral leaning warm). I expected to hate the smell/taste before I bought it, since I am not a fan of watermelon scent/flavoring...and I did dislike it. It was much more intense than expected (as far as scent/flavor) but thankfully that fades relatively fast. For me, this is going to be good as a base for blushes but thats about it. I wouldn't repurchase it.
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Eyes -Make Up For Ever - Aqua Creams (Multi-Purpose)
LeeleeBell 6/12/2010 3:47:00 AM
These come in 22 shades varying from neutrals to metallics to bright and bold colors. They are billed as being made to use for eyes, cheeks or lips...but some are specifically designed just for lips and cheeks or just for eyes and cheeks. This is a cream product with a slightly slick 'feel' when you swatch out of the pot. Once they are dry, these will not budge at all. This would be a great thing if they were all meant to be eyeshadows or liners. After trying several of the aqua creams, I truly do not think these are as multipurpose as they are advertised to be. I got #9, which is meant to be for lips and cheeks. I wore them on my lips and they were VERY drying even with a lipbalm underneath...and didn't dry very smoothly. You have to wear a gloss with it, even just a clear gloss to keep the color looking smooth and to keep it from pilling. This is far from the ideal l/s texture. If I had known before applying what it would feel like on lips, I wouldn't have bought it. I will be sticking to the ones meant for the eyes IF i buy more in the future.(Not sure I will though, as I prefer the feel of others). On the plus side, they are VERY pigmented. One swatch goes a LONG way. That said, they are tough to apply if you have dry lids like I do. I have to pat it on with fingers because it kinda "pills"/doesn't apply 100% smooth in a swipe, and dries so quickly.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sigma - E25 Blending (was SS217)
LeeleeBell 6/12/2010 2:00:00 AM
On its own this is a really great eye/crease blender brush with just the right shape to get into the crease and be able to blend well/smoothly/evenly. The denseness and "resistance" are just right. A great product at a great price. To compare it to the MAC 217, for which it is a dupe: The Sigma one is about a half inch or so longer at the handle, and the brush part is a bit longer as well. The sigma brush is not quite as dense as the MAC one (close though). The MAC 217 still blends better because of the thicker overall denseness & thickness of its bristles...so I still prefer it. .BUT the Sigma is pretty darn close. It's the best dupe I have seen yet (and honestly there really aren't any other that come close IMO)...and I know I am going to get a LOT of use out of it.
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Kat Von D - Beethoven palette
LeeleeBell 12/12/2009 4:23:00 PM
I had walked by and ignored this palette dozens of times at Sephora...hadn't heard great things about the KVD eyeshadows so I basically ignored them. Then, on a day I was looking for a basic smoky eye kit, picked this up, swatched it, and was so surprised at the pigmentation. I took it home and thought I would use it occasionally...but during the first week I had it, I used it just about every day. That was approximately 2 months ago and it is still a favorite. At first I was most excited about "Rad purple" with it's deep navy-purple tone and finely milled fuschia glitter. It was my primary reason for buying the palette. But I have since fallen in love with all of the other colors as well. Razor gray is the first gray that hasn't appeared dull/muddy against my NC20ish complexion and caramel/light brown eyes...it has a slight green undertone that makes my eyes truly pop. I use it with all of my smoky eye looks. Lucifer is the blackest black I own now, and I love its smooth matte texture. Leather is such a gorgeous, smooth, matte, pigmented chocolate leather brown. I truly use every color in the palette, but those in particular have become my favorites. They are all SO pigmented & blendable...with a smooth, rich texture. This is my most used, favorite palette I have bought this year...and that totally caught me by surprise. I think that's saying a lot, considering I bought *a lot* of makeup this year (90% of what I own) ; I got back into makeup in Jan of 09' after a 10 yr break. I especially love the fact that it's so versatile: You can create some simple, muted daytime looks...or really smoke it up for some dramatic evening looks. There is fallout with the e/s, but I find that most well pigmented e/s have that issue...and I can work around that.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Victoria's Secret - Siren
LeeleeBell 10/21/2009 11:55:00 PM
A beautiful matte burgundy red, comparable to the texture and color of MAC's diva, but with a bit more of a cool undertone. Applies smoothly, well pigmented. Great price, lasts a long time :)
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Lipstick -Bare Escentuals - Berry Glace
LeeleeBell 10/13/2009 1:35:00 AM
I do so love Bare Escentuals' lip products; the lipsticks are my favorite texture/formula (along with Illamasqua's l/s). They are creamy, pigmented, soft, unique and last a long time. They can be blotted on for a nice stain too. No waxy feel to it. Berry Glace is a gorgeous berry rose with a slight sheen to it (not frosty at all).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Bare Escentuals - Red Delicious
LeeleeBell 10/13/2009 1:28:00 AM
I do so love Bare Escentuals' lip products; the lipsticks are my favorite texture/formula (along with Illamasqua's l/s). They are creamy, pigmented, soft, unique and last a long time. No waxy feel. Can be blotted on the lips for a nice stain too. Red Delicious is a nice neutral red with a *very* slight bit of a brick undertone (photographs brighter than it actually is)...more on the warm side than the cool side, but truly a red that can be paired with warm or cool looks. It's not over the top; a matte with a bit of shine to it. Does not bleed on me like other reds do. No frost whatsoever. I pair it with MAC's Russian Red (matte) when I want to brighten it up a bit.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Bare Escentuals - Plum Brulee
LeeleeBell 10/13/2009 12:42:00 AM
I really do love Bare Escentuals' lip products; the lipsticks are my favorite texture (along with Illamasqua's l/s). They are creamy, pigmented, soft, unique and last a long time. No waxy feel and they can be blotted on for a nice stain. Plum brulee is a lovely light plummy fig with a nice sheen to it. A gorgeous, unique fall/neutral lipstick.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping [DISCONTINUED]
LeeleeBell 10/6/2009 10:15:00 PM
I bought this product on a whim, having heard great things about it. I am not a 'huge' fan of MSFs but I wanted to give this one a shot, and I am glad I did. I have had it a month and it's been my go-to highlighter ever since. I apply it with a skunk brush lightly over the bridge of my nose/middle forehead, cheeks & chin and it gives me a nice natural looking glow, without glitter. I am so glad I took a chance on it.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Overrich - Heritage Rouge Pigment
LeeleeBell 10/6/2009 12:17:00 PM
I am not generally a fan of pigments, because of the messiness and extra "work" involved in application...and some of them are much too shimmery/glittery/chunky. I love this color so much though, that I am willing to work with it. It is a gorgeous burgundy brown color, has a soft texture and is perfect for fall. My favorite MAC Pigment so far.
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Blush -Prestige - FreshGlow Baked Mineral Blush -Pink
LeeleeBell 10/6/2009 12:00:00 PM
I bought this on a whim, not really expecting much. I wanted a nice wash of light pink for the apples of my cheeks, but most of the "straight up" pinks I had tried in other brands either didn't show up well on me, were too bright, or made me look like I had a rash lol. I was surprised to take this home and find out it was exactly what I was looking for! It has become a favorite go-to blush. It is pigmented, soft, easy to blend and has no glitter. I really love it! (For reference I am NC20"ish"/Revlon CS Buff)
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Rimmel - Sexy Curves
LeeleeBell 10/6/2009 11:35:00 AM
This mascara is GREAT at separating my lashes, lengthening them, coating them without any clumps, and it is buildable so you can go from a more natural look to a more dramatic look if you want. I took one lippie off because it doesn't do much as far as adding "volume" ...though it is versatile and user friendly (no need to constantly wipe off the wand to get excess off). I took another lippie off because it dried on me after a month and a half (and I closed it tight).
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium
LeeleeBell 10/6/2009 11:27:00 AM
After trying so many finishing/setting powders and compacts that left my (dry) skin looking cakey/powdery, I thought I was just going to have to settle for that and spray some fix+ to try and blend it all out (an extra step that I didn't need in my routine, which also left some patchiness at times if I wasn't careful enough). Tired of the hassle, I posted on MUA board for recommendations and almost everyone said "MAC MSFN!". I am glad I listened. I set my face with it once a day (over foundation), and that's all I need. I love this stuff! I am NC20"ish", Revlon CS Buff for reference, with olive undertones and I use Medium. If I have any complaint: I only wish it came with a mirror lol. I will be repurchasing for sure!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Illamasqua - Welt
LeeleeBell 10/6/2009 11:09:00 AM
I have a lot of lipsticks from a lot of different brands, and Ilamasqua lipsticks have quickly become my absolute favorite formula. They are smooth, non feathering, soft, matte, pigmented, creamy, and they stay put! Not flaky or waxy or frosty in the least. I only wish Sephora carried more of them! Welt is a gorgeous matte "darker" berry pink with a very slight purple undertone.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Illamasqua - Rich Liquid foundation
LeeleeBell 10/6/2009 10:58:00 AM
I am normally Revlon CS Buff, which I thought was a great match for me...I decided to try Illamasqua since i had heard some great reviews. RF 135 was far too light. RF140 is much closer a match (a great match for me, actually) though still a bit lighter than I had grown accustomed to. The first time I tried it, I thought it was far too dry. Then I saw Gossmakeupartist's tut on youtube, where he explained how he mixes his moisturizer in with the product. I tried it and now am in love with this foundation. I also used it over the satin primer by Illamasqua (which I also love) and that really helped as well. I get great coverage that lasts all day without melting off and without patchiness at the end of the day. I set it with powder once in the morning and I didn't even need to touch up. Something else I love: A little goes a VERY long way! If I have a complaint it's the color range available at Sephora, and trying to figure out the "numbering" system for these foundations. Illamasqua really needs to work on making that more 'logical' for people to figure out.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No