Lips -Laura Mercier - Lip Stain in Shy Pink
triangleX 9/24/2007 11:37:00 PM
this matches my lip color almost exactly, which makes it the perfect pink/nude for me. it gives my lips some polish and shine and a bit of color without any effort. lasts a few hours too, longer than the majority of the lipsticks i own. i give it huge points for not drying out my lips. it doesn't settle into the edges or wear off from the inside out (leaving a hideous ring around the lips effect). it's silky and light and feels gently moisturizing, like a lipstick. i can wear this color with anything too, which is great for when i'm in a hurry. i am so obsessed with these i bought one in Sugar Violet and Scarlet too.
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Crème -Laura Mercier - Stick Foundation
triangleX 8/6/2007 8:32:00 PM
the only reason i gave this a 4 instead of a 5 is because Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer is my perfect foundation. this is a close second, and i constantly reach for it when i'm in a hurry. i swipe a few dabs (not lines, but little dabs) on my cheeks and nose and blend with either my fingers or a sponge, depending on what's easiest at the time. either way i get perfectly blended, sheer coverage. it's more matte than my TM, but still sheer since i don't wield it like a Crayola crayon. i don't have to apply loose powder over it b/c the finish is always very fine and soft. i have oily skin, but this stays put really well all day long. i have it in Bare, which matches my fair skin perfectly. this has never caused any irritations or spots. the price is a non issue for me since the quality is outstanding and it will last me months. i will continue to happily repurchase.
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Moisturizers -Kinerase - Kinerase Lotion with SPF 30
triangleX 7/9/2007 4:14:00 PM
this product is the smartest cosmetic purchase i have ever made. no other skin care product comes close. i have used a wide range of facial moisturizers and have never felt so good about my skin until i started using this one. other high end brands do not come close. i have been through my share of lower end products such as LUSH, Alba Botanica, and Kiehls w/o satisfying results. but I am the high end skin care queen and have been through La Mer, Sisley, SKII, Elemis, Chanel, and La Praire without ever feeling like the price justified the results. Kinerase is different from anything i've tried before, and in only two months my skin looks better than it has in my life. this is light enough for my oily skin, but it has an unusual blam-like texture that actually feels like it is moisturizing my skin. it sinks in completely without any residue....if i touch my skin only a few minutes after applying i only feel the texture of my face and not the moistness of a lotion. no tightness, no dry patches, and no irritation or sensitivity. makeup goes on so smoothly and b/c this is absorbed so thoroughly, it doesn't change the color of my foundation like other sunscreens do. you must take care to rub this in gently and well or it does have a tendency to leave a slight white cast behind. but the sunscreen protection is completely stable so it's worth the small extra bit of patting in. i can see where the price might scare people off, but i don't compromise when it comes to my skin, since i only get one lifetime to keep it healthy and protected. for reference i use about a 1/4 of a teaspoon on my entire face as recommended by the SCA., and about the same amount on my neck and upper chest area.
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Mascara -Revlon - 3D Extreme Mascara - Blackest Black
triangleX 6/9/2007 8:41:00 PM
i was desparate the other day when i bought this. i was spending an impromtu weekend at a friend's and had to make a drugstore run for a few essentials. i grabbed this b/c of the glitzy packaging, expecting at the very least a decent mascara that would tide me over for a day or two. but this is honestly awful. the brush is tiny, for starters, and packed with short, dense bristles. when i pulled it out of the tube it was just coated in globs of mascara...there was nothing within the tube to wipe the bristles off even a little bit. so all i get when i pull out the wand is a tiny spoolie completely globbed up with mascara. impossible to use something like that but try i did. i wiped it off on a kleenex as best as i could but i hate having to do that too--mascaras that require wiping are a waste of money and an inferior formula IMO. well...i attempted to apply this and all it did was clump my lashes together and make them look awful. i threw this away immediately. WALK AWAY FROM THIS!!!
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Highlighters -BeneFit Cosmetics - High Beam
triangleX 5/27/2007 8:58:00 PM
the only reason I am giving this a 4 out of 5 lippies is because sometimes it can look a little intense. i can't use this all the time because it can be toodramatic looking when i am going for a natural effect. i have to use a powder highlighter if i need something subtle (kevyn aucoin's celetial powder is the best for that kind of effect IMO). but this really is gorgeous and it gives me the appearance of beautifully high cheekbones. i just dab some on the back of my hand first and apply it across cheekbones, browbones, and collarbones with my fingertips. i have oily skin and haven't had any problems with this at all. goes well with my very pale skin and blond hair.
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Mascara -Kiss Me - Kiss Me Mascara
triangleX 5/14/2007 7:12:00 PM
i gave this 3 lippies and i said that yes, i would buy this again. seems to make no sense but i honestly can't rate it above a 3. for me, this doesn't give lush, fatty, full looking lashes, or even feathery soft ones. this is an extremely natural mascara that gives my lashes a very defined, very separated, sort of wispy appearance. it makes them look darker and slightly longer, with a little pointed tip at the end of each lash. i like that it does make my lashes show up more while remaining natural. i use it for the gym, and for extrememly hot days when i know i need my makeup to stick. it doesn't budge at all, ever. stays on when i rub my eyes and even when i splash my face with water. but it comes with a price b/c this is not easy to remove at all. i use plenty of warm water until i've basically saturated my face, and then use a gentle sweeping motion and that does nothing. it's only after repeating this several times and combining that with a slight rubbing motion that this will come off. so i won't be using this all the time. but it is basically a nice mascara for the above mentioned situations. as for being as wonderful and brilliant as it claims to be, i have to disagree. EDIT: after a week or so, I just can't stand this. my lashes look hypershiny, thin, spindly, and very separated. also, having to spend 10 minutes pulling at your lashes to remove this crap can't be good for them. i know how to apply and remove m/u, and no amount of warm water and "gentle sweeping" takes this off. what complete garbage. i tossed this.
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Eyeliner -Shu Uemura - ME Black 01 Drawing Pencil
triangleX 5/13/2007 7:23:00 PM
this black is so flattering and so beautiful. it's not your basic matte, one tone black that only certain people can pull off. this is a cool toned, deep gray with a metallic sheen. it looks nearly black, but that steely shimmer keeps it soft. i would say that there is a touch of sapphire blue micro-fine glimmer in there too but i would be hesitant about even calling it glimmer because it is dust-fine. really very pretty and so unusual. stays put all day long without smudging. it never tugs or pulls at my lids either. these are the best liners out there, and this one is my favorite of the shu pencil liners i have.
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Eyeliner -Shu Uemura - M Brown 02 Drawing Pencil
triangleX 5/13/2007 7:10:00 PM
these eyeliners are the best i have found. this color is such a dark, rich, deeply pigmented true brown. it has none of the reddish or beige tones of many brown liners, and there is no shimmer or sheen. it's hard to find a good brown that doesn't make my eyes appeared tired or red or just blah. this glides on very smoothly with no skipping or pulling. it takes just a very light motion to apply it perfectly. lasts all day and will not smudge or rub off, but it comes off so easily with my gentle face wash. i'm actually thrilled that this is what i consider waterproof liner, but it doesn't take oily makeup remover to get it off. i bought this in five other colors and all of them are brilliant. worth very penny and then some.
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Treatments (Eye) -BeneFit Cosmetics - Ooh la lift!
triangleX 5/6/2007 8:20:00 PM
i really do see a difference when i use this product. i have super pale skin, so it seems like my dark circles and puffiness are very obvious. this actually depuffs and makes me look much more fresh and awake. i dab about 4 dots under my eye from the inner corner to the outer edge of my eye (and even up around my browbones once in awhile). i pat it in gently with my ring finger and it sinks in perfectly and quickly. i an apply my TM right over it w/o any waiting period. i do feel a very slight tingly sensation, but it is extrememly mild. i haven't experienced any dryness or other adverse effects. this along with my lemon-aid and eye bright and i look so fresh and pretty in the mornings.
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Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Lemon Aid
triangleX 5/4/2007 8:24:00 PM
i have very pale skin and unfortunately everything show in glaring detail. i get dark circles, discolored eyelids, the works. i bought this last week from a friend's recommendation and i'm very happy with it so far. i just use my ring finger to gently dab a thin layer all over my eyelind, brow bone, and the corners of my eye. i make sure to only use a thin layer or else it gets too thick and will crease. but if blended well it makes my lids look flawless. the yellow tone in this isn't a problem for me, though my skin is not yellow toned at all. it's too sutble for it to be obviously yellow tinged. i feel like i dont even need eyeshadow on most days now. but when i do, this helps my shadow last much longer than it normally would. since i only use a bit, this will last a long time. the packaging, while boring (in addition to being cheap looking), is sleek and thin enough to fit in my smallest makeup case. love it.
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Eyeliner -Shu Uemura - Liquid Eye Liner - Black
triangleX 5/2/2007 5:48:00 PM
liquid liner is my nemesis. it's hard to get a precise line, it can look very harsh, it can go on overly thick and look costumey, it can flake off, and it can have a shelac type of finish. but everytime i see someone with a razor thin line of jet black liner on their upper lid i am envious. i saw this at the shu counter a few weeks ago and once i tried it on my hand and saw the beautifully precise, crisp line i was sold. i bought one and an extra refill. it's so easy to use because of the calligraphy style tip. this gives me such a gracefully thin line, and even that perfect little upturn at the outer edge of my eye. i like the sleek, satin finish this has too. if it had been too shiny i would have returned it. this does not budge either. ocassionally i wear individual false lashes (on special occasions) and i use this to dot over the glue so that the lashes blend seamlessly into my natural lashes. i will keep repurchasing this one!
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Eye Shadow -Shu Uemura - ME Beige 800
triangleX 4/25/2007 6:57:00 PM
i could not have found a better all over brow highlighter or eye wash. it's a stunning champagne beige but it has a nice warmth to it...a bit of a peachy skin tone. nothing drab, bland, taupe, or pale that would wash me out. the sheen is gorgeous, it catches the light and just glows off my skin. much better than a tacky frosted or glittery shimmer. just slick, subtle metallic finish. this goes with every eyeshadow color i own and i wear it as an all over eyeshadow base everyday. it is so pigmented that i only need to lightly sweep my brush in it. i think the Shu packaging is the best too because i don't have to open up anything to view the color. i can't rave enough about this!
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Lip Gloss -Shu Uemura - Sweet Lip Gloss Strawberry
triangleX 4/25/2007 6:46:00 PM
these glosses are yummy! they smell so good. this is a soft, baby pink with gold shimmer. a nice warm pink tone. it goes on very sheer but it does add a nice hint of natural color to my lips. looks very fresh and natural and is perfect for summer when i don't feel like wearing much makeup. this looks beautiful layered over lipsticks. i like the slick feel of these glosses, nothing too sticky. plus these seem to last longer on me than some of my other glosses.
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Lipstick -BeneFit Cosmetics - Rush Hour for lips and cheeks
triangleX 4/18/2007 2:34:00 PM
the most simple product i own! it's so easy to use and to apply and it always comes out looking perfect. i really don't think it's even possible to mess up. just wipe a bit on either cheek and on lips and then gently blend in. perfect natural looking, understated glow. really looks nice on my very pale skin too. the consistancy is creamy but it turns into powdery lightness when i blend it into my skin. nothing sticky, tacky, thick or wet as with many cream blushes. this dries just perfectly...it melts into the skin. i like it better than my tarte cheek stains and i never that i would ever say that. i use it on my lips as much as i use it on my cheeks....i just add some sheer lip gloss on top if it feels dry. the packaging is so sleek and eye catching too. i love just tossing this in my purse even though i haven't had to touch up throughout the day on my cheeks, only my lips. every girl should have this!
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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Mascara
triangleX 4/17/2007 6:59:00 PM
i knew i was going to try this one eventually. i had to see what all the fuss was about. this really is very nice, and i did enjoy it alot. but i don't think that it is as wonderful as it is hyped up to be. it does lengthen well and give that feathered look. the volumizing is decent as well. i would say that it makes my lashes more striking than most mascaras do. but i am disappointed because that lush, long, feathery look only lasts for a few hours tops. after that my lashes look like i just applied a natural daytime mascara. they sort of just wilt. it doesn't hold a curl well either. i am not oily skinned and i do not wear thick moisturizers in the daytime so i can only assume that it's the formula itself and not me. also it has dried out significantly within the space of three weeks. overall, not for me.
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