Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Tough as Taupe
ManhattanMermaid 1/9/2013 6:20:00 PM
Great tip, READ ON! This is a great eye shadow base! Lasts all day, I haven't noticed any creasing. Comparable to MAC Paint pots. Now on to the tip.. For those of you that like Chanel Notorious, or like to contour with a grayish color to mimic a realistic shadow, but like to work with creams... Try this! It makes a GREAT contour! I like to apply with the angled end of Sigmas F88 brush, them blend out with my finger, then set with a translucent powder. It looks like a real shadow, and it's not so grey that it looks like death. Being that it is a cream, it doesn't catch onto bumps in my skin like the Chanel Notorious does, and it's matte, which makes a better contour anyway. Just wanted to share my exciting discovery! Would i repurchase? YES! I'm a makeup artist, and this has become a staple in my kit!
15 out of 17 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
ManhattanMermaid 1/7/2013 5:56:00 PM
READ ON FOR A GREAT TIP! This mascara is BLACK, and creates amazing length and volume. It holds a curl too. As other reviewers have said, this mascara doesn't have the lip near the opening of the bottle that wipes off the excess mascara. You're left with a TON of mascara on the wand, and though it creates a very dramatic effect, it's clumpy and messy, and you have to do a lot of lash combing to get a clean, separated look. Too much work for me, even given the great price of the product and the quality formula. Well, I HAVE GREAT NEWS! I have an old Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara wand that I use to apply this mascara. So not only do you get the benefits of this mascara, you also get the separated, lifted, clump free effect that the CG Clump Crusher wand gives! It gives you more control to fan out your lashes, and brush them in the direction you want them to go in. Plus, with the CG Clump Crushers wands size and shape, the opening of the container scrapes off the excess mascara. The combination of Jordana's formula plus CG's wand, gives the perfect dramatic effect, without the extra work of having to comb through the lashes to remove the excess, clumpy mascara. When using the Jordana wand to apply, you have to layer up the mascara while it's still wet, as once it's dry it's hard to layer because the mascara dries so stiffly. Another benefit of using the CG wand, it makes it easier to layer the mascara once it has dried. If you're unhappy with the wand and application of this mascara, try the Cover Girl Clump Crusher wand with it!
12 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Clump Crusher mascara
ManhattanMermaid 12/23/2012 10:20:00 PM
This mascara starts off on the dryer side, which I usually prefer, BUT this dried up to the point where it's no longer easy to use much too quickly. It has a beautiful effect, fans out (separates) and pushes up my lashes nicely, but very little volume or lengthening there (more a a slightly pumped up natural lash). I do find it clumps when trying to do a second coat over the first coat once it has dried. It also flakes. I will not repurchase. EDIT with TIP1/10/13+++ I DO love the wand on this. The inside of the wand (concave) holds more mascara so you can really cover your lashes in it, the outer side of the wand is great for positing your lashes, fanning them out in the directions you want them to go in. Read my review below for Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara for a great TIP when using this mascara! Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara: This mascara is BLACK, and creates amazing length and volume. It holds a curl too. As other reviewers have said, this mascara doesn't have the lip near the opening of the bottle that wipes off the excess mascara. You're left with a TON of mascara on the wand, and though it creates a very dramatic effect, it's clumpy and messy, and you have to do a lot of lash combing to get a clean, separated look. Too much work for me, even given the great price of the product and the quality formula. Well, I HAVE GREAT NEWS! I have an old Cover Girl Clump Crusher Mascara wand that I use to apply this mascara. So not only do you get the benefits of this mascara, you also get the separated, lifted, clump free effect that the CG Clump Crusher wand gives! It gives you more control to fan out your lashes, and brush them in the direction you want them to go in. Plus, with the CG Clump Crushers wands size and shape, the opening of the container scrapes off the excess mascara. The combination of Jordana's formula plus CG's wand, gives the perfect dramatic effect, without the extra work of having to comb through the lashes to remove the excess, clumpy mascara. When using the Jordana wand to apply, you have to layer up the mascara while it's still wet, as once it's dry it's hard to layer because the mascara dries so stiffly. Another benefit of using the CG wand, it makes it easier to layer the mascara once it has dried. If you're unhappy with the wand and application of this mascara, try the Cover Girl Clump Crusher wand with it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Maybelline - Baby Lips in Cherry Me
ManhattanMermaid 10/11/2012 9:39:00 PM
I absolutely LOVE this stuff! It goes on a soft sheer pink color, very natural looking! It doesn't wear forever but it does have a slight staining effect. I feel comfortable wearing this as my everyday look. Doesn't compete with whatever else is on my face, just looks fresh, healthy, and youthful. The packaging is super cute, love the scent (smells like Ludens cough drops which I eat like candy), and it gives my lips a dose of much needed moisture. This looks so gorgeous layered over MACs Kinda Sexy lipstick. I will repurchase over and over!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Matte - Kinda Sexy
ManhattanMermaid 10/11/2012 9:23:00 PM
This lipstick makes you look... Kinda sexy! Because of its pale color and it's opacity, it makes my lips look fuller. It's a great "nude" color with a hint of warm pink so it doesn't wash me out (NUDE nudes make me look dead -NC25ish, dark brown hair, brown eyes). This lipstick with Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me layered over it is a pink dream. Because it's a matte, it wears longer than other more emollient lipsticks. I love the texture of this, it's matte, yet still creamy feeling and it doesn't dry my lips out. I would say it's my favorite "nude". A must have!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Lancome - LA LAQUE FEVER Pink Dimension
ManhattanMermaid 9/13/2012 3:13:00 PM
This is a gorgeous soft pink lipgloss! It's light, but not garishly so, I'd say light bordering on midtone pink. Someone said it below, it's like your lip color but better and it makes your lips appear fuller. I really enjoy the wand, it's shaped so that I can really get close to the edges of my lips with precision, so that even the perimeters of my lips are covered in gloss (kind of like a glossy lipliner, which adds to the plumping illusion). It smells great and have a pleasant low key flavor. It's expensive but it has a lot of product in it. The packaging is elegant and classy, I feel fancy pulling it out of my handbag, and slipping it on my lips. The consistency is like a liquid lipstick, and it stays on for a while. It's sticky, but not like a MAC lipglass, my hair doesn't cling to it. I will repuchase this again, as I see it as a staple in my makeup bag. Tip: This looks great over MAC Pink Pearl Pop lipstick. :)
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Loose Powders -Laura Mercier - Secret Brightening Powder
ManhattanMermaid 9/13/2012 2:58:00 PM
This is the ONLY thing I will use to set my clients under eye concealer. It's the only powder that doesn't make the skin look crepey. It absolutley does not highlight wrinkles, it softly diffuses the light and makes the skin appear smoother. It also prevents the concealer from moving around. This is something I will keep in my kit until they stop making it (God forbid).
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Laura Mercier - eyeshadow - sable
ManhattanMermaid 9/13/2012 2:54:00 PM
This creates the perfect everyday, soft smokey eye! No need for a seperate lid and crease color, this does it both! This also makes a great transitional color between a darker crease color and the brow bone highlight. This goes on so smooth and seamlessly, I almost don't have to blend the edges. It's a no brainer. Perfect neutral shade to compliment light to medium skintones. I think every makeup artist should have this in their kit. I have to buy two now because of this! Get it, you won't be dissapointed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Boots - Face rosewater toner
ManhattanMermaid 2/15/2012 11:03:00 PM
I LOVE this stuff! It makes an excellent gentle toner, that doesn't strip your skin, yet doesn't leave it filmy either. It smells amazing, and I can rest at ease knowing that the scent is completely natural, from Damask Rose oil, no fragrance added! This product is 100% completely organic. And it does what it says; soothes and tones. The price isn't sky high either. I found mine in the natural skincare section in Target. WILL be repurchasing.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -LUSH - Eau Roma Water
ManhattanMermaid 2/14/2012 11:16:00 PM
I love this product, you get a lot of it for the price (around $8 for the 3.3 oz bottle). It's very gentle on the skin. I use this as a toner and also I spray this on my face before moisturizing, as it helps the lotion absorb better. Although I believe this product is targeted for dry skin, it works well on my oily skin, I have NO problems with it making me oily or causing break outs. My only qualm is within a week of using this, the spray started coming out unevenly. But it IS a great product and I will buy again.
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Lip Treatments -MAC - Tendertone Lip Balm SPF 12 - Hot N' Saucy
ManhattanMermaid 2/14/2012 11:10:00 PM
Sheer cherry red, no shimmer, soft shine, slippery feel, and hydrating. This has a sweet fruity smell that makes me want to eat it. I LOVE this product. It imparts a very natural color to my almost non-pigmented lips. Something to throw on at night after washing my face to make me look a little more alive. A lot of product in tub. Would buy again.
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Cleansers -LUSH - coal face soap
ManhattanMermaid 2/14/2012 10:35:00 PM
This is a very HARSH cleanser. DO NOT rub this directly on your face, as I scratched up my face this way. =/ I have oily skin, but this is too harsh for me in the dryer winter months. But, I will try this again in the summer, as I'm sure it will work much better for me then. I will also use this on my back and chest to prevent acne.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Grey Utility Powerpoint
ManhattanMermaid 2/14/2012 10:32:00 PM
I AM not a grey eyeshadow person. BUT this is a great alternative to black liner!! Brown tends too look a little too warm/reddish around my eyes, so this grey gives me a less intense look than black, but none of the warmth of a brown. Perfect! I use this to softy define my lower lash line, and sometimes on my upper lashline (instead of my normal blakc liquid/gel) for a very soft look. As all Powerpoints, once this sets, it lasts all day without smearing or transfering.
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Primer/ Corrector -Urban Decay - De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray
ManhattanMermaid 2/14/2012 8:17:00 PM
Some say this is no different than the All Nighter spray. I beg to differ. All Nighter has DIMETHICONE in it that De-Slick doesn't. Dimethicone is a conditioning silicone. Which is why All Nighter didn't work on my oily skin as it actually broke down my makeup when the silicone mixed with my natural oils and made me immediatley glisten. De-Slick doesn't do that. It leaves no shine and keeps my makeup in place. My oils do eventually come though, but it doesn't break down and seperate the make up like with All Nighter. I recommend this to oily skinned girls. Does make my makeup stay in place longer but not from morning till night, though nothing will do that (short of my MAC Pro Longwear Foundation). Nice big bottle, with soft, even, light, mist. Will repurchase.
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Paint Pot - Groundwork
ManhattanMermaid 2/14/2012 8:06:00 PM
HG! This is a very natural eyeshadow base/primer for my clients with a skintone from NC40 and up! It also looks good on lighter skintones as well, for a deeper brown shadow look. It lasts a long time too, at least a year and a half. It's creamy, so powder sticks to it, rather than flaking off like it does on the more shimmery paint pots and paints. Will repurchase again for my kit as long as MAC makes it. Tip: Store it upside down and shut the cap tightly to prevent it from drying out, though I have never had that problem with mine. Works great on oily and dry skin alike. Prevents creasing, makes shadow last all day, and keep the colors vibrant. I HIGHLY recommend this. I recommend Painterly for light to medium skin tones, as it has the same creamy consistency as Groundwork. Both very universal shades.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No