Concealers -Ellis Faas - Concealer
arodwhat 2/13/2012 2:55:00 PM
This is my HG concealer. It blends like a dream. It doesn't even look like I have put anything on--it just looks like my natural skin. I have some creasing under my eyes that with other concealer, halfway through the day it would migrate to the creases and just sit there, highlighting them. This stays in places all day and makes those creases less noticeable. A thing that I really like about it is that it's more of a liquid so it goes on smoothly and doesn't feel thick and cakey but still provides great coverage. I am about an NW15 and I used S201, the lightest shade. It is slightly lighter than my skin but I like that because it lightens up the eye area. The only con about this product is the packaging. I truly despise it. I use my finger to apply so the brush is pointless to me. Also, I will click and click and nothing comes out and then it will start leaking some oily looking fluid and then eventually too much of the product will come out in one big glob. I keep this glob on the brush and use it for a few weeks until the brush has no concealer left in it and then repeat the process of clicking and getting oil and then excess. Very annoying. Regardless of the terrible packaging, I love this product and would buy again.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Chanel - Ultra Correction Line Repair SPF 15
arodwhat 6/27/2011 9:17:00 AM
I had a deluxe sample of this. I tried it three separate times about a week apart from each other and every time I ended up with new pimples within hours of applying. I wanted to love it because it feels luxurious and blends into the skin nicely without looking oily, but it's not worth breaking out every single time I use it. For someone without sensitive, acne-prone skin, I bet it would be wonderful.
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Sunscreen -Eucerin - Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion - Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen - 4.0 FL. OZ. 118mL
arodwhat 6/15/2011 10:38:00 AM
My mom uses this moisturizer. I realized that I had to have this product when I looked forward to going over her house and using it. This is one of the best drugstore moisturizers I have come across. It has a higher SPF than most which I like and it doesn't break me out or make me look oily. For reference, I have combo oily/dry acne prone skin. It does leave a whitish cast if I put too much on, but I actually kind of like that because it evens out my skin tone. This product reminds me of Chanel's UV essential SPF 50 but that is really runny and can absorb too quickly so you use too much; this is thicker so easier to work with. To apply, I put one pump's worth of product in my palm, rub it around in both palms, and massage it into my face. I don't rub, just pat. I think this helps with not leaving a white cast because it regulates how much you apply. My HG is still Roc's Bio Active SPF 15, but this runs a close second and it is good for days when I want a higher SPF.
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Foundations -Koh Gen Do - Aqua Foundation
arodwhat 5/10/2011 11:23:00 AM
This foundation is now in rotation with my other HG(Chanel Lift Lumiere). I was so lucky to receive this in a swap. I also received a deluxe sample of the KGD foundation illuminator and maifanshi powder in the swap, so I use them in conjunction with one another. So I guess this is kind of reviewing all three products. I start out with a fresh face and apply the illuminator to my cheekbones using my fingers. Still using my fingers, I then apply a thin layer of foundation all over my face and neck. I apply a second layer to areas that are red or broken out. Then I set it all with the powder. It truly gives the most airbrushed HD effect I have ever seen. At the same time, it still looks like my skin. My skin with an inner glow. I can be kind of lazy when it comes to make up and with a 3-step process of applying foundation I would normally not bother, but I love the look it creates so much that I want to apply it every day. My skin looks great both in person and in pictures with all of these products applied. Also, none of them break me out at all and I break out very easily. I use the lightest shade of foundation (PK-1) and although it is might be a smidgen too dark for PPP me, it still looks good. I am cool toned and I think this is pretty neutral so it could be used for any complexion. I have been using this product in the winter and spring so I am hoping that it passes the summer humidity test. If it does, then it will be my sole HG because lift lumiere doesn't do very well in summer for me.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Matrix - Sleek.look conditioner
arodwhat 5/6/2011 11:24:00 AM
I had used this conditioner solely and religiously for years and always loved it. Last year, I stopped using it. I don't remember why--I think I wanted to use something cheaper and something for color treated hair. So for the past year or so, I have been jumping around from product to product(salon and drugstore), and was never fully satisfied with any of them. My medium thickness, wavy hair has been really dry lately due to over processing and heat styling and I couldn't find anything that would help. Combing my hair after a shower was a painstakingly slow and careful process because I didn't want to damage it more with breakage and knots. About a week ago, I touched my hair and it felt like straw. Literally. I thought to myself, "When was the last time that I really felt that my hair was in good shape?" I realized it was when I was using this conditioner. So even though I had just bought a new Aveda conditioner, I decided to go out and buy this. Soooo happy I did. I can't stop touching my hair. After three uses, my hair is in such better shape. Like other reviewers have said, when I rinse it out of my hair in the shower it feels like liquid silk. Combs go through my hair with the greatest of ease! I can't sing my praises of this enough. It is my HG and I have learned my lesson--I will never stray again!
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Fresh Foaming Cleanser
arodwhat 4/25/2011 11:51:00 AM
This cleanser does foam nicely and does remove makeup very well. That is where my praises end. It gave me periorial dermatitis, so I really dislike this product. I have a history of eczema but I had never had any spots on my face before using this. I had been using this product for months and noticed off and on that I would get tiny red bumps and dry skin around my eyes. I finally realized that the only thing that really changed in my skincare routine was this face wash. I stopped using it and the PD stopped as well. I will not be using this product again. Be careful if you have sensitive skin!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Cargo - Essential Eye Palette Cool/Neutral
arodwhat 2/25/2011 9:14:00 AM
This item is foolproof. I wear it exactly how it says to wear it: I put the lightest color up to my brow bone, second lightest on the lid, second darkest in the crease, and darkest in the outer V. The outcome is the most polished looking neutral eye I have ever seen. It looks great with my skin tone since it is made for cool toned gals and it really makes my blue eyes pop. The nice thing about this palette is that you can layer it for intensity too. I can put it on lighter for the daytime and then add more at night to jazz it up. I actually did this the other night when I went out with my friends and my one friend looked at my eye make up and said "Ooo, Taylor Swift make up!" meaning it looked smokey and sultry. So this palette is really versatile. The colors have been described well below so I won't go into them, but I will say that the second darkest color (meant for the crease) also makes for a nice brow powder. I have tons of neutral palettes (even the much coveted Dior Iridescent Leather) and this tops them all. <3
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Edward Bess - All Over Seduction
arodwhat 2/24/2011 10:06:00 AM
I swear that there used to be reviews on this product. Oh well...maybe they got lost when EB got added to MUA as a new brand. This product currently comes in two colors: Sunlight and Afterglow. I only have this in Sunlight, so that's what I'll be reviewing. This is a cream highlighter that comes in a little black compact with a pouch. I almost swapped it away because I didn't think it did anything. That's because I was used to other highlighters that actually look like you are wearing a highlighter. I've tried countless numbers of them, HE and drugstore, ones that were supposed to be so finely milled you couldn't even tell you were wearing a highlighter! But...you could. That's why I was so thrown off when I tried this product. It melts into your skin and the shimmer particles are so non-existent that you really can't even tell where you put it except you know because in those areas, your face glows. I applied it to my cheekbones yesterday and I couldn't stop looking at my face in the mirror I was so in awe of myself ;) The color of Sunlight is a light champagne. Out of all of my highlighters, the color most resembles Lorac's Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder in Luminous (which used to be my HG), but Sunlight is not quite as heavy on the glow so it's a less obvious and more natural looking highlighter. The EB website says that you can use this on your lips and eyes as well, but I have only applied it with my fingers on my face with and without foundation so I'm not sure how it does on lips or eyes. For reference, I have very fair cool skin and usually use one of the lightest shades of foundation from any brand. I have very sensitive skin that breaks out easily. This product has not broken me out at all. Also, I have dry patches in winter sometimes and highlighters have a tendency to "highlight" those. All Over Seduction can still be used when I have dry skin and it does not accentuate the dryness. It costs $38 which I don't think is too expensive since there are lots of mid to high end brands that sell highlighters for more than that. I love this product--my new HG!
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Satin Taupe
arodwhat 1/24/2011 8:08:00 PM
Sorry to give a mediocre review, but I wasn't as in love with this as I thought I would be based on reviews. I tired to love it, I really did! It does have a great silky texture like most MAC shadows, but I just don't like the color on me. Even though others say it is cool toned, I thought that it looked too warm on my cool skin. For reference, I am nw15 w/ light brown hair and blue eyes. I have Korres 18S shadow and I like that a lot better on me. Also, I found that if I layer the 18S with a Modelco shadow in Miami that I have, it is pretty much the exact same color as Satin Taupe. So if you happen to have those two colors lying around and are considering buying Satin Taupe--save your money! I'm swapping my ST away since I don't like it enough to keep it and I can recreate the same look with shadows I already have.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Clinique - Almost Makeup [DISCONTINUED]
arodwhat 1/5/2011 10:41:00 AM
I love this stuff during winter. I almost didn't buy it based on the reviews here, but I am glad that I did. It is my go-to foundation during the day because it's so easy and quick to apply and it evens out my complexion so nicely with a dewy glow. It doesn't highlight any dry spots I might have either. It applies kind of like a tinted moisturizer, but I actually had the Clinique TM and like this product better. I apply a thin layer all over my face and blend it in really quickly, then I use the Almost Powder make up to set it. It is "almost" make up, so if I have any really bad blemishes, I do need to use a spot concealer on top. This foundation stays on my face all day, from 6:30 in the morning until 10 at night. I do need to blot or powder once during the day, but I am really oily so I have to do that with any foundation. I've been using it for a month and no break outs either. As I said, I love this stuff for winter. I don't think I'd even try to use it in the summer because I need something more matte for my oily skin.
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Moisturizers -RoC - New Hydra+ Bio Active spf15 Normal Skin [DISCONTINUED]
arodwhat 10/27/2010 10:17:00 AM
I love this stuff! I have searched high and low, high end and low end, for the perfect facial moisturizer. I can safely say I have found it here! I feel a little unsafe about it though, because I found this at Marshall's and haven't been able to find it anywhere else. The tube seems small, but it only takes a little bit of product to cover your entire face. I've been using my tube daily for a few months now and I probably have 75% left still. This lotion blends in like a dream, does not leave any white cast to your face, and doesn't feel like you have anything on. i feel like it has actually improved the clarity of my face. i break out very easily but this has not broken me out at all and i think it actually helps keep my face clear. I have very oily skin with dry patches and this is just perfect for me. If anyone knows where to find this stuff, pleeease PM me, because i am worried i won't be able to find more once my tube runs out!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -ModelCo - Beauty Fix
arodwhat 6/14/2010 1:04:00 PM
LOVE LOVE LOVE. Make up always seems to melt off of my oily face, but not with this stuff. No raccoon eyes whatsoever. On Saturday, I went to a bar where it was hot and humid and I was dancing up a storm. My eye make up was in tact all night, I even slept in it(oops!), and when I woke up, my eye make up was still in amazing condition. I even recycled the eye make up and kept it on for a wedding shower the next day with a little bit of a touch up. Wow, if a product can extend my make up for two days, you know it's good...and you know I'm gross ;) As for making foundation last, it definitely makes it last longer and makes blush stay on longer, but I don't think anything could keep foundation on this oily face forever. Still gets five out of five from me because this is an HG!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Phyto - PhytoSpecifics Extreme Shine Spray (Voile Brillance Extreme)
arodwhat 6/3/2010 1:43:00 PM
I love this stuff. I have hair that is medium thickness, and it can be very curly and frizzy. Sometimes I straighten it, but it can still be frizzy even when straightened. This product is perfect for my hair because it calms my frizzies without being oily. I have Moroccan oil, but i don't like putting that on my hair when it's curly because I feel like applying it pulls down the body and curls when I have to spread it throughout my hair. This is nice because I just spray it on. I love this for when my hair is straight too because it adds so much shine without looking greasy. It's also great for up-dos because you can add shine and tame frizzies with just a spray. It's pretty impossible to put any shine product in your hair when it's pulled back... Would recommend to anyone. If you have the chance, try it!
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Highlighters -Sugar Cosmetics - Tropic Tan Illuminating Liquid Bronzer
arodwhat 4/12/2010 7:42:00 PM
The lid broke on mine, so now I have to unscrew it to get any out, but that is actually easier than the pump anyway. Now that the poor packaging is out of the way, this stuff gets 5 lippies from me! I mix it with my body lotion and then spread all over. If I do straight liquid bronzer, I feel like it looks too dark and sometimes splotchy, but it is perfection when mixed. I wore this on my legs to a wedding in the middle of winter when I was pasty white, and I looked like I had a natural tan. I hope that it's not discontinued(?) because I don't like sunless tanning products nor do I like getting color from the sun or tanning beds, so this is the stuff for me.
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Conditioner -Bumble & Bumble - Seaweed Conditioner
arodwhat 3/25/2010 2:06:00 PM
This stuff is the worst! I normally switch between Matrix Sleek Look and Bumble & Bumble color support conditioner for cool blondes, and my hair feels great when I get out of the shower while it's still wet. It feels healthy and smooth. I have been traveling so for the past week I've been using a sample I had of this. When i get out of the shower, my hair feels knotty and unhealthy. It feels like I didn't even use conditioner. Putting a comb through it is torture to my hair. It just stretches the hair and I can hear it snapping and breaking. I hope that this stuff hasn't ruined my hair too badly. Maybe this would work on someone with very fine, straight hair, but my hair is medium thickness and wavy, and it was terrible for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No