Crème -BeneFit Cosmetics - Some Kind-A Gorgeous
sarahbella1012 12/1/2006 11:38:00 AM
I have mixed feelings about this product. I agree with the other recviewes that it is probably best for truly medium skintones. I am NW20 (MAC)and while it's a bit darker than what I'd choose, it blends in very well. I can get away with it in natural daylight without looking freakish. In any event, I am going to hang onto it for use in the summer when my skin is a bit darker or for a quick fix when needed. The packaging looks cheap, but BeneFit isn't known for superb packaging anyway. Also, the sponge that is provided is very thin. I can see how some people would really love this product and some would think it's "just ok". I would not repurchase for the price. I am sure there are lower-end alternatives out there that would perform comparably.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Cargo - Topeka
sarahbella1012 10/30/2006 10:16:00 AM
I received this in a swap recently and was slightly nervous about the color since I'm a PPP (MAC/NW20)and other PPP's have commented that the color appears slightly muddy. Thankfully this is not the case with me! This is a beautiful, perfect neutral color for me - not too peach, not too nude, not too pink. It leaves me looking naturally flushed and seems to last. One of my best swaps in a long time - I would purchase this if I ever run out. The pan contains a generous amount of product, which helps justify the price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Stila - Gel Cheek Color in Cherry Flush
sarahbella1012 10/24/2006 2:27:00 PM
I recieved this as a CP from a lovely swapper (no Stila counter in town) and I am SO, SO impressed! I was a little apprehensive about the color, especially sight-unseen. Even when I received it I wasn't sure how it'd turn out, but once applied it gives my PPP NW20 complexion and great boost of color without looking overdone. My cheeks look flushed, rosy and healthy ALL DAY LONG (and I just kind of put it on. I wasn't careful with the application at all)! I don't believe I've ever had a blush last through a 8-9 hour day with no touch ups. It blends quite easily and does not stain the fingertips. The texture is probably the best of any gel blush I've tried. Great job, Stila! I will repurchase this without a doubt!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -L'Oreal - True Match Superblendable Blush in Baby Blossom
sarahbella1012 10/20/2006 9:22:00 AM
I received this in a swap after wanting it for a LONG time. It is a pretty, light, cool pink that brightens up/compliments my pale (MAC) NW20 complexion perfectly! It reminds me (as others have mentioned) of a more pigmented Benefit Dandelion or a less peachy/gold (Milani Luminous) or MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder (Sundressing LE Summer '06). My only complaint is that the shimmer tends to "travel" which I don't love but I will keep using it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Donna Karan - Cashmere Mist
sarahbella1012 10/18/2006 1:57:00 PM
This is very subtle and long lasting, but waaaay too powder-y for me. It reminds me of an older lady. It just doesn't jive with me, so I did not purchase. I washed my hands MULTIPLE times to get this scent off and it would not budge - so one lippie for staying power.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Narciso Rodriguez - Narciso Rodriguez for her
sarahbella1012 10/17/2006 1:30:00 PM
I really like that this smells unique and more sophistocated than all of the cookie-cutter scents that are flooding the market right now. I love the inital spray, but the dry down is a bit sweet and almost powder-like on me, which is a shame because I LOVE this scent! I will be crying all the way to the return counter with this one...
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -American Beauty - Super Plush 10-hour lipcolor
sarahbella1012 10/15/2006 9:38:00 AM
I normally dispise long wearing lip color, but since I'm traveling a lot for work and was caught by surprise with the stupid "no liquid" on planes rule (meaning not even gloss!), I picked this up out of desperation in Plush Berry. I've had MAC's Pro Longwear (which I hated) and this is about 10 times better. I don't feel that it is as drying to the lips and the gloss end of the product is clear gloss and not loaded with chunky glitter. The color is very similar to MAC's new Viva Glam VI, a nice mauvey/berry neutral and is very long lasting. I'm giving it a try will probably repurchase in the future. It retails for $16 and I bought it on sale for $14.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -MAC - Prep + Prime Skin
sarahbella1012 10/13/2006 5:50:00 PM
I picked this up based on a friend's recommendation after an afternoon of marveling at how beautiful her skin looked. It appeared FLAWLESS and she has had difficulty with acne and oil in the past. I have slight acne and super DRY skin, but I must say that it gives me that same healthy, glowing look. I love it! I've never used a primer before this, so I did not have expectations, which readers should note. My only complaint is that it does not seem to minimize or mask the look of pores, but mine are not all that large to begin with. It is not enough of a detractor for me so I will continue to purchase. I noticed other MUA'ers have experienced breakouts with this. So far, I have not (and tend to be acne prone). Will update if I develop a problem.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam VI
sarahbella1012 10/13/2006 5:44:00 PM
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! I cannot believe it took me so long to pick it up! I am MAC NW20 (cool) and while the gloss version is too sparkly for me, the lipstick is THE perfect neutral. NEW HG!!!! Seriously, this is all I need and I don't think I've ever felt that way about a lipstick. Will repurchase again and again. PLUS it benefits AIDS research - yay!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Mary Kay - Signature Lipstick in Raisinberry
sarahbella1012 9/15/2006 9:04:00 AM
This is a fall/winter staple color for me. I recently swapped for this after taking a break for a while and I am so glad to rediscover it! I am MAC NW20 skintone and this plummy neutral is perfect for me without being too dark. It also seems to make my teeth look whiter and my hazel eyes greener. The only thing I don't care for is the fact that it can tend to sit in the lines on my lips - not so good. BUT, I love the color and the packaging and will keep going back to this as one of my HG staples.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -BeneFit Cosmetics - Eye Bright
sarahbella1012 9/8/2006 2:52:00 PM
I didn't expect much from this but it really delivers! I love it on the browbone as a highlighter and on the outter corners and inner corners of my eyes to brighten. I do have dark-ish undereye circles and when I use it on that area it tends to look a bit pink-ish or chalky. That's my only complaint, however. It lasts forever and blends into my ULTRA DRY skin SUPER easily, so that is a plus. I've never had a white toned eyeliner or highliter in pencil form that is THIS EASY to blend. Will re-buy, but this lasts forever. BeneFit can thank Carmindy for this sale as well!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Ostentatious
sarahbella1012 8/25/2006 4:55:00 PM
I love this for the fact that it IS a dull-taupey brown and that is exactly why I purchased it. I was not looking for a "wow" factor, I just love the staying power of Fluidlines and don't love Dipdown. This IS muted and shows up very nicely on my NW20 complexion. I can see where girls with darker skin tones may not get as much out of it (like my sister in law who hates it!). I don't see obvious shimmer or sparkle although it does look nice in the right light. Good for daytime. Not "over the top". I usually strive for a natural look anyway, so this is perfect. I don't usually stock up on LE (I have a zillion brown and taupe liners), but I do like this and would rebuy if MAC added it to the line.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Stila - All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer 3 - gold
sarahbella1012 8/15/2006 3:46:00 PM
I bought this because a) I'm obsessed with liquid highlighters and b) the fabulous reviews here were hard to ignore. Do I love it? No. I do like it, however, but it doesn't deliver what Prescriptives Magic seems to do for me so it's up for swap. The Stila provides a warm, sheer wash of color that shows up sparkly in the sunlight. I feel it is "too much" for me in direct sunlight though I do love the color. I already get this effect with my MAC Beauty Powder or Clinique Loose Powder in Gold Dust. One other thing I do not care for is the thicker consistancy of the liquid. It does not seem to apply evenly or very easily. Will not repurcahse. You do get a lot of product for $20, which is a plus.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Clinique - Perfectly Real Makeup
sarahbella1012 8/7/2006 3:36:00 PM
I typically hate Clinique foundations (except for Almost Make-up), but tried this since I am desperate for an oil-free product for my suddenly acne-prone skin at the age of 32 (the horror!). I didn't feel like shelling out the $ for Prescriptives Flawless, so I am giving this a go. I am surprised by the color match and the coverage. It is excellent! I can't typically use anything too thick (which this is not, but provides medium coverage) with my dry skin. I love the packaging - very hygenic. My only complaint is that it is oil free which doesn't apply well to dry skin (I realize it's not formulated for dry skin), but I'm in a bind w/the acne thing, so I am using this to see if it makes a difference. Will buy again if this helps my skin.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Dandelion
sarahbella1012 7/28/2006 5:19:00 PM
I received this in a swap and LOVE it on my cool-toned NW20 complexion! It almost reminds me of MAC's LE Beauty Powder in Shell Pearl from the Sundressing (2006) Collection, but it's much softer and without the goldish shimmer. Very subtle and pretty. It perks up my face without being obvious. That being said, I have no use for the brush or the stupid packaging - one lippie off! It's rather pricey, but I am leaning toward buying it when I run out. Love this!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No