Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Hissyfit - Saving Face Foundation SPF 50
skwerlie 4/29/2012 12:02:00 AM
OK, I'll say it straight up: as a foundation, this is not the best. It has a sort of thick and sticky texture but still does not give very full coverage. As a tinted sunscreen, however? Well I certainly like it! It's one of the very few high SPF tinted moisturizer type products I've been able to find in Australia (most only have SPF 15 or so), and it's miles ahead of the other one I've actually purchased, Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear. This has a less heavy feel, doesn't dry as sticky (I can actually apply makeup on top of this and have it come out just fine), and comes in a much larger shade range. It also applies better and feels better on the face! I use my fingers as I find that the heat helps with the somewhat thicker formula (unfortunately this also means that it can melt a little bit on hot days). It has a fairly dewy, but not greasy, finish which I think looks nice with more natural makeup looks or on its own. The active ingredients are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, both physical sunscreens, and it has a bunch of natural plant ingredients which are meant to be good for the skin. I can't really tell if that does much for me as I don't tend to use this as a daily foundation. I think it's great for summer days when I just want to even my skintone out a bit but don't feel like putting on a face of makeup- I'll be putting on sunscreen anyway so why not one with an added tint?
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Eyeliner -Physicians Formula - Felt Tip Eye Marker in Black 
skwerlie 4/18/2012 1:45:00 AM
I picked this up after hearing that another one of PF's liner pens (the "eye definer" version) was pretty good- I couldn't find that one but thought I've give this a try. It. Was. AWFUL. The tip is hard and uncomfortable on the eye- on the first swipe you don't have to push hard but after that it starts to dry a bit and you get inconsistent colour payoff. After using this only a couple of times, the tip seemed to have permanently dried out and even after storing upside-down no product would reach the very end. Applying with the side of the pen is messy, hard to control, and gives a very thick line. I can't remember how the wear was on this, in fact I can't even remember if I ever made it out the door without removing this liner and using something else. I thought it would be a time-saver but not if it's impossible to get a decent line! Into the trash it went and good riddance!
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Mascara -Chanel - Inimitable Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel
skwerlie 4/17/2012 10:09:00 PM
I received this mascara as a sample with a Chanel purchase- I do not usually buy high end mascaras as there are great drugstore mascaras that cost much less (and if I'm going to shell out for high end, I'd rather put my dollars into a product that will last me a longer time, like an eyeshadow or lip product). This mascara is quite nice overall- it gives pretty good separation to the lashes (though they can still stick together a bit), and nice length. It also holds a curl very well, better than a lot of other mascaras, while not making the lashes feel stiff or crunchy. I don't know if this is because I have a sample size, but I also find that the tip of the wand tends to comes out of the tube with too much product on it, and can overload lashes and look less than ideal. While I do find that the brush doesn't always get between each lash and can leave some lashes stuck together, this is definitely not a clumpy mascara! I do sometimes get minor smudging under my lower lashes with this mascara, and it does feel like it takes longer to dry on the lashes than some formulas- dangerous if you sneeze or blink too soon! It's also the blackest mascara I've ever used, which I think is it's strongest point. It doesn't give a super-intense false eyelash look or anything like that, but the deep black colour definitely makes it a touch more dramatic! I quite like this mascara for blending/marrying my natural lashes with falsies- the super black colour, curl-holding power, and wetter formula all work together to make it work very well for this purpose. Would I buy a full sized, full price tube of this mascara? No. But I'd certainly be enthused about getting another sample with any future Chanel purchases!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Inglot - AMC Lipgloss
skwerlie 4/16/2012 6:49:00 AM
I have this in shade 542, though the shade doesn't really matter that much as they're all quite sheer once applied. I do actually quite like this lipgloss, but I gave it a lower rating because it doesn't really live up to the appearance in the tube. In the tube, it's an amazing holographic/multichromatic rainbow of awesomeness. On the lips it's a sheer peachy shade with no visible multichromatic finish, however I do find that something about that holographic pigment makes my lips look a bit fuller than with other glosses. It has a very lightweight feel, but I only like to apply a light coat or my mouth will feel too slippery (not sure I would call it greasy). Because of that light texture it does not have a lot of staying power. It has a strong fruity candy scent, like other Inglot lip products. I find it generally agreeable but it can be a little too intense, especially if I'm eating or drinking after applying (though the scent does fade).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Essence - Gel Eyeliner
skwerlie 4/16/2012 6:35:00 AM
I've only tried London Baby so far- it's a beautiful deep taupe shade with a shimmer finish. I actually prefer a slightly drier gel liner- I find that this one is a little too soft and fluid and can require some building up (obviously this is a personal preference and this texture is probably more appealing to most)! Although it's not my favourite liner texture, it makes this work very well as a cream shadow/eyeshadow base- it sheers out easily and I love it for a soft smokey look! It smudges easily when first applied but sets well after a few seconds and is crease-resistant once dry. As a liner it gives a beautiful softer look that I think would flatter most eye colours. Because the texture is very soft and glidey, it's easy to get a crisp edge to your lines (though I find I need to go over a second time to get solid payoff). I'd definitely give the other shades a try as they're very reasonably priced, but London Baby was the one that caught my eye most right off the bat.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bourjois - Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation
skwerlie 4/16/2012 6:18:00 AM
I couldn't quite decide if this was a 4 or 5 lippie product, it does have some flaws but I'm still loving it at the moment. It applies beautifully and gives a nice light to medium coverage- I do need to use more concealer than I would with some foundations, but it gives a much more natural look which I definitely prefer for an everyday look! It can be built up to a point but will never be a full coverage foundation. It doesn't accentuate pores or the occasional bit of dry skin, and has a nice semi-matte finish. It doesn't look like a matte mask but I'm not sure I'd say it's particularly dewy either. I set with a powder and do sometimes get a little shiny throughout the day, but this happens to me with pretty much anything, sadly. The colours lean more neutral than some lines- no overpowering pink or yellow undertones- and because the coverage is light to medium the limited shade range will still work for some who can't find an exact match... but the shade range is definitely the weakest point for this foundation. I believe there are only six shades, and they range from fair to medium. If you are very fair or even moderately dark-skinned you'll be out of luck, which I think is a real shame. The packaging is OK- the pump dispenses a good amount of product, and you can easily get a partial pump (unlike some products which are all-or-nothing). The bottle is a rigid plastic and the cap slides on over the pump but does not click into place or have any ridges or bumps to hold it on- I wouldn't feel comfortable just tossing this into a bag, the cap can slide off fairly easily as it is only held in place by friction and the pump does not lock.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Bourjois - Volumizer Mascara
skwerlie 4/16/2012 4:50:00 AM
I primarily use the first step of this mascara- it's become my daily mascara and the first step alone gives a nice defined but not too dramatic look, which is nice for work. I find that I can layer several coats using the first step setting and the mascara does not get clumpy. The brush also separates lashes well and gives them a fair amount of length and volume. The second step is a little harder to work with- it loads a lot of mascara onto the brush and definitely can leave some big clumps unless you either scrape most of the mascara off the brush or comb through after application (though even then it can be a bit clumpy as the wider opening just puts SO MUCH mascara on the brush). If you work carefully and are willing to take more time it can create a very dramatic lash look! I wouldn't at all recommend using the second step on the lower lashes though- only the first. This mascara doesn't smudge or flake on me, and I find that it holds a curl pretty well while still leaving the lashes on the softer side (especially when just using step one, though even step two doesn't give that crispy feel that some mascaras do). The tube can feel a little flimsy at times, like when you are selecting/changing steps, but I suppose that's part of the nature of a convertible product like this. The colour is pretty dark, though not the blackest I've come across. Overall a good mascara for me, though I do feel that step two leaves something to be desired.
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Lipstick -L'Oreal - Color Riche Nutri Shine
skwerlie 4/14/2012 10:11:00 AM
I have three of these lipsticks- in Sheer Papaya, Strawberry Juice, and Shiny Apricot. Since it's one of the lipstick/balm/gloss hybrid products that's been so popular lately, the colours do tend towards sheerness- some of the shades would probably look nearly identical on the lips so I don't think there's a need to buy the whole range. That said, they're more pigmented than some brands' offerings while still feeling and looking nice on the lips- I find them moisturizing and comfortable to wear. They're fairly slippy and don't last all day, but they're also easy enough to reapply without a mirror (with the exception of Strawberry Juice, which is the red in the line). Some shades are loaded with shimmer, while others have a more subtle glossy finish. I do find that I can be left with a bit of glitter on the lips after the colour has worn away but I haven't noticed it migrating around my face. Overall I think they are a real winner- as long as you are expecting a sheerer, balmy lipstick. I've been wearing these nearly every day to work for the last 4 or 5 months and I'd definitely repurchase them when I run out (I think Sheer Papaya will be the first to go as it's my favourite shade)! The price point is a little high for drugstore, but I've bought all of mine on sale for $10 apiece (retail price I believe is $22), and L'Oreal tends to go on sale fairly frequently at Priceline, Target, and the like. I'm not sure where these are available outside of Australia but they don't look like the same products as the Colour Riche Balms that are being sold in the US right now, though I do hope they are given a wider release as they're a great product! They also have, hands down, my favourite drugstore lipstick packaging- in fact I think it's nicer than a lot of mid to high end brands' as well! It's not just pretty looks either- the tube closes with a firm click and beneath the translucent plastic shell there's a full metal tube, top and bottom. They don't have any scent, which I am glad for as I'm allergic to florals like the regular Colour Riche line. All in all I'd highly recommend this line- if it's sold where you live, that is!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Peony Colorburst Lipgloss 008
skwerlie 5/13/2011 6:29:00 AM
Peony is a really pretty warm pink shade with lots of shimmer. Though it's not as pigmented as some of the other Colorburst glosses, I think it looks really lovely on a nudey pink lip. It adds a nice amount of shine and some glitter to perk the lips up. The real excitement factor in these glosses, for me, is the texture. They're extremely non-sticky and as soon as I tried one on I fell in love with the formula. Though there is glitter in this, it's not gritty in the slightest and feels great on the lips. The downside to this texture is that it doesn't last as long as a stickier gloss, but I'd rather reapply this than wear a super sticky gloss. It's also more kiss-friendly, as my husband hates getting goopy gloss kissed onto him and these don't bother him! The tubes are very chic, somewhat similar to a Chanel Glossimer tube (but about half the price and of course a different formula). The Revlon Colorburst line, both for glosses and lipsticks, really is one of the most stylish looking at the drugstore! I think this is a fabulous product and will definitely be wearing it (and Strawberry, the other shade I picked up) very often, while I eagerly await the release of more here in Australia!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - ColorBurst Strawberry
skwerlie 5/13/2011 6:20:00 AM
These have finally come out in Australia, and even though I've only owned it for a couple of days I can safely say that Strawberry is one of my new favourite glosses. Packaging-wise they do invite comparison with Chanel's Glossimers but they're not quite the same- I think Glossimers are a bit shinier and some tend to have more complex glitter (more shades in the one gloss). The texture of the Colorbursts is a winner for me, though. They're incredibly non-sticky feeling, which is great for me because I don't like the stickiness of many glosses. They're also a little more kiss-friendly, as my husband dislikes getting goopy lipgloss smooched onto him. And of course they cost roughly half as much as the Glossimers (in Australia at least), for about the same amount of product (there's actually slightly more in the Colorburst tubes) so that's a win too! Strawberry is wonderfully pigmented- much stronger than I'd expected! The colour is a very pretty warm watermelon pink which I think is super cute. It's glittery but not gritty feeling and not too overly sparkly for me. Due to the non-sticky texture it does tend to wear away but I don't mind reapplying glosses and it does leave a little something on the lips even after the gloss has gone. It doesn't seem to be fragranced, the smell is faint and vaguely medicinal but barely noticable when applied. The tube, much like the Colourburst lipstick line, is attractively chic and looks more high-end than most drugstore products. I really can't say enough how much I love this lipgloss, and I'm definitely looking forward to more shades coming out here!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -BeneFit Cosmetics - Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner - Tattle Tale
skwerlie 5/11/2011 9:44:00 PM
When I first swatched Tattle Tale I kind of thought "Super frosty white? No way!!" but since my counter was clearing it out and it was half price I picked it up anyway and I'm really glad I did! It's a really lovely highlight colour either on the browbone or the cheek, and though I don't wear it alone it makes a really nice eyeshadow base. I find that the creaseless creams can crease on me a bit, but not badly (and I have very crease prone lids). A teeny tiny amount of primer potion underneath fixes that problem, much less than I'd need to use with powder eyeshadows! Tattle Tale has a softer texture than my other creaseless creams, I'm not sure if it's something to do with the formula or just that the others are a bit dried out (the lids on these jars are not very airtight, which is my only real problem with the product). Either way, the fomula is really buttery soft and sheers out so that the end result is definitely not a super frosty patch of white. The finish is a really pretty sheen that I actually quite like as a cheek highlighter too. I'm not sure if this colour is being discontinued or if my local counter was just clearing it out to have a smaller product lineup... I really hope it's not being discontinued though!
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Eye Shadow -BeneFit Cosmetics - Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner-BIRTHDAY SUIT
skwerlie 5/11/2011 9:32:00 PM
I absolutely love love LOVE Birthday Suit! The colour is gorgeous- a sort of nudey goldy taupe that is super pretty on its own for a played-down neutral eye or as a base for something more. I do get some creasing with these, but I have very crease prone lids, and the teeny tiniest bit of primer potion underneath seems to fix that problem (and sometimes they don't crease without primer, I suppose it depends on the weather or what I do that day). Compared to my MAC Paint Pots, I think Benefit's have better staying/non-creasing power and I like the texture a bit more. Like the Paint Pots, I prefer to apply these with a finger rather than a brush, I think the formula really glides on well but some of them need a little bit of warmth to get there. My only real beef with these is the packaging- the lids aren't very tight and two of them, including Birthday Suit, were actually already starting to separate from the glass pot when I first bought them. They're still perfectly fine and usable but the jar obviously doesn't create a very airtight seal!
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Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst in Raspberry
skwerlie 5/11/2011 5:57:00 AM
This is the second shade from the Colourburst line that I've tried after Peach (a bit sheer but it grew on me). Raspberry has much more colour payoff on me than Peach did, it's still not completely opaque but I think that works quite well with the shade- for some reason I really like slightly sheer berry colours! It feels really nice on the lips- creamy and not drying. The finish has a pretty sheen to it, not overwhelmingly shimmery but just enough to look really lovely. It's unscented which is a big plus for me, as I'm allergic to a lot of cosmetic fragrances! The tube and the lipstick itself are also super pretty, very luxe feeling for a drugstore product (though they are one of the most expensive drugstore lipsticks so I guess you're paying for it). My only real beef with it is the low staying power- it seems to disappear from my lips so quickly! But still, a quite nice product and one I'm happy to use!
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Lipstick -BeneFit Cosmetics - Rocket Pop
skwerlie 4/2/2011 11:35:00 PM
This is (on me at least) a very nice MLBB colour. It doesn't really add much to my lips but just makes them look that tiny bit more polished and even. The texture of the lipstick feels a bit like a gloss or balm hybrid and it's definitely nice and moisturizing. This does, however, lead to the one major problem... there's very little staying power. It's not so bad and I still think this is a very nice lipstick, but it can be a bit frustrating how quickly it disappears from my lips (more noticable with the brighter shade of this formula that I also bought). I picked this up for half price at the local Benefit counter because the colour is apparently being cut from their lineup, which is a bit of a bummer. It's definitely a nice daily MLBB lipstick which I'd probably buy again if I could!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Smashbox - Eye Shadow Trio - Smashbox.com
skwerlie 3/27/2011 6:57:00 AM
I honestly just bought this for the brown shade- I was having a hard time finding the right shade of chocolatey matte brown with a nice texture and just grabbed the trio because I was tired of looking. It kind of reminds me why I don't usually buy pre-selected palettes, as I rarely find that I want or need all of the included shades. The pink and gold shades are not particularly impressive, they seem like something I could get more easily and cheaply in a drugstore line. They're not terrible, just nothing special. I do like the brown, it's dark enough to use as a liner as well as a shadow. The trio wasn't incredibly expensive but I would probably be better off trying to find the right colour in a single next time. The pot is a sort of matted plastic similar to Nars packaing, so it gets kind of dirty and icky looking quite quickly... not a fan of that choice.
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