Makeup Brushes -Sigma - F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki (was SS197)
abrad1967 11/14/2011 7:09:00 PM
I'm amazed that this brush is so highly rated. I've used the MAC 109 for applying liquid foundation and loved it until I tried the ELF powder brush. I've been using the ELF powder brush for approximately a year and it applies liquid foundation like a dream! My skin looks nearly flawless when I use the ELF powder brush. I have five or seven backups, just in case they decide to discontinue or change the brush. Anyhow, when I use the Sigma F80 to apply liquid foundation, my pores are much more visible and the coverage isn't nearly as flawless as when I use the ELF powder brush. I would suggest trying out the ELF powder brush, which is a fraction of the cost of the Sigma brush, before plunking down $16 for the Sigma F80. I think I paid less than $3 for the ELF brush - I believe it was on sale. What I do like about the Sigma F80 is that the handle is shorter which I prefer because I find shorter handles easier to work with. Also, the bristles on the Sigma brush are more dense so you use less product - the product tends to stay on top of the brush. With the ELF powder brush, a lot more product is wasted because it seeps down into the brush. I would not repurchase the Sigma F80. This just goes to show that more expensive isn't necessarily better.
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Concealers -Maybelline - Super Stay 24 Hour Concealer
abrad1967 10/25/2010 1:22:00 AM
This is a great opaque concealer. This works great on my dark undereye circles and hyperpigmentation spots and it does not break me out which is a HUGE plus. This can be a bit drying so if you use it under your eyes, I would recommend using a moisturizing eye cream first. Although this has decent staying power, I don't know if I would say that it lasts 24 hours. After about 6-7 hours of wear, it does cake on me and it's fairly noticeable. I will continue to repurchase this because of the great coverage it provides and for the fact that it's so difficult to find facial products that do not break me out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bodycology - Vanilla Cupcake
abrad1967 10/25/2010 1:04:00 AM
I love vanilla scents, which is why I had to try this product. I also tried the fragrance mist and was not impressed. I like the consistency of this lotion. It's not sticky or oily and it does moisturize but I cannot get over the cheap "playdough" scent. Yes, this is a less expensive alternative to BBW products but I will gladly pay more for superior scents/quality.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
abrad1967 10/24/2010 10:36:00 PM
I understand why this mascara has a following. It's not the best mascara I've used but this is the best mascara at holding a curl. Its best feature, imo, is its ability to hold a curl. This mascara does separate lashes and adds volume and length. I feel it's better at providing volume than length. This also does not clump which is a huge plus. However, the brush is a bit chunky and it takes awhile to become comfortable with using this thick plastic brush. Overall, a great mascara. The selling point for me is that it holds my curl.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Sinful - Nail Polish (all colors)
abrad1967 10/24/2010 9:59:00 PM
I love the variety of colors but the polish is not as opaque as OPI or Essie. With Sinful polishes, I have to apply at least three coats for a sufficient opaque finish. This is an inexpensive brand but I would rather pay more for better quality.
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear
abrad1967 10/24/2010 9:40:00 PM
To my disappointment, this foundation did not work for me. After using this for a few days, it left me with dry patches, which I found strange because my skin is extremely oily, and also broke me out. I've been using Revlon Colorstay and wanted to try a new foundation. I heard DW provided better coverage so I gave it shot. The coverage with DW is comparable to CS. I don't feel the coverage with DW is necessarily better. However, DW is easier to blend because it doesn't dry as quickly as CS. I've order EL Maximum Cover foundation so I can't wait to try that out but I will not repurchase DW.
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Fragrances -Bodycology - VANILLA BUTTERCREAM- body mist
abrad1967 10/24/2010 9:19:00 PM
I bought two bottles along with other Bodycology products without having tested the scents. Walmart and Walgreens in my area did not carry this scent so I ended up ordering from from Ulta.com. This body mist smells like playdough! I had husband do a sniff test and the first thing out of his mouth is "playdough". This does have a decent staying power but it does smell cheap, smells slightly like vanilla cupcake but more like playdough. I definitely will not repurchase Bodycology products. I will stick with Bath and Body Works products which I feel are much better quality.
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Crème -Maybelline - Dream Smooth Mousse
abrad1967 10/8/2010 12:43:00 AM
This is a medium to full coverage foundation and provides a dewy finish. This can easily be controlled to provide a light finish as well. I love the way this foundation makes my skin look - dewy and an airbrush look. I have extremely oily skin and after about two hours of wear, my face is an oil slick. This foundation did not break me out but it certainly did not control my oilies. I think this foundation would work very well for anyone with normal to dry skin. I really do love the way this foundation looks on my skin but since it seems to exacerbate my oily skin, I would not repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Milani - Creme Brulip
abrad1967 5/12/2010 7:34:00 PM
I agree with the previous reviewer that these smell like Bailey's Irish Cream. I could do without this scent but some may love it. I bought the shade Peaches & Cream which is a mid-tone peach color. I also bought Sugar Glaze which is a nude peach. Firstly, these glosses are the most pigmented glosses I own. These are extremely pigmented and these two colors are gorgeous! However, these glosses do settle into lip lines and I don't care for the scent.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Neutrogena - Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15
abrad1967 5/12/2010 7:21:00 PM
I love that this has SPF 15. This isn't greasy or too heavy. This is great to wear if you don't feel like wearing l/s or l/g. I don't know if this is available in scented/flavored versions. If so, I would repurchase.
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Treatments (Eye) -Origins - GinZing
abrad1967 5/12/2010 7:11:00 PM
I received a generous sized sample with a gwp. I don't believe this eyecream claims to moisturize but since it is an eyecream, I expected it to provide a bit of hydration. This is the worst eyecream I've used for this purpose. To my surprise, I awoke with eye area being drier than ever. The pros is that this does not irritate my eyes and it does help with puffiness. I also love the shimmer. However, because this does not hydrate my eye area, I would not purchase.
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Blush -NYX - Nutmeg
abrad1967 5/7/2010 6:20:00 PM
I love this shade! Right now, this is my go-to blush. It is highly pigmented and lasts all day. This is such a gorgeous color and looks natural on my skin tone. It's chalky but that is something I can overlook because I love the shade so much. I'm removing a lippie because it is so chalky.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NYX - Cinnamon
abrad1967 5/7/2010 6:13:00 PM
I bought a few of NYX blushes because I wanted to try different shades of matte blushes. This shade actually looks a bit scary in the container but don't let that deceive you. When applied on my skin, this appears red/coral/pink shade depending on how much I apply. I do feel this shade is universal. I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality of NYX blushes. The staying power is great too. The only issue I have with NYX blushes is that they are chalky.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Shiseido - Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream For Face SPF38
abrad1967 5/7/2010 6:00:00 PM
I'm on a sunscreen kick so I purchased this because of the positive reviews on this site. This is a pricey sunscreen considering that it is only 2 oz. However, if it works great, it would be worth every cent. The best thing about this ss is that it leaves a matte finish and it does keep the oilies at bay. This makes a great primer because of this reason. However, the issues I have with the product is that it can be a difficult to spread/rub into the skin - the consistency is thick. I have large pores and this cream can become embedded into my pores! I often have to use an exfoliating scrub to remove all the residue after using this.
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Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
abrad1967 4/24/2010 3:33:00 AM
I've had this foundation for awhile but I rarely grab for it. First of all, I love the color range, especially the foundations with yellow undertones. I feel "HD" is deceiving because this really does not diffuse imperfections. I prefer a matte finish like Revolon Colorstay. MUFE HD gives a dewy finish and I find that it does not control my oilies as well as Colorstay. This is a decent foundation but for $40, I don't believe it's worth the price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No