Self Tanners -Kate Somerville - Somer 360 Tanning Towelettes Face and Body
8788xo 7/20/2011 9:58:00 PM
What a nightmare. A family member purchased these at a special price, so I figured I would give one a try. After extensive self-tanning research, I took the plunge. I followed the directions word for word.. even did research online about the product for application tips.. The first application, not bad-- no transfer (after less than 10 minutes of dry time), even-ish tan, no streaks, my feet were the only thing that I apparently didn't apply enough color to (you can't tell, because there isn't a color guide, they go on clear!). I did have a tiny pooling of color on the back of my left ankle, but that was my fault. I did look a little on the orange side, but after showering I felt I looked a bit less ridiculous. I applied another towel a day or two after because the color wasn't very dark at all. The trouble started here, I wound up with a bunch of random places that didn't take to the color, and it started to look uneven. And then, to top it off, in direct sunlight, my skin looked like it was an orangey/red/tannish color..yuck. Not realistic whatsoever. After it faded a bit, it looked a little better on my arms and chest, but then something else went wrong! I went to the gym (no problems with sweating, the color stayed put), came home and hopped in the shower.. I stepped out of the shower looking like a speckled fool. The tanner had started to pool in places, and fade in others.. despite the care I took in washing my skin so it wouldn't screw it up. I looked almost bruised in some spots.. it was 100 degrees out that day, and I had to wear pants and a long sleeve shirt to work. It then took me, 2 baby oil soaks, baking soda, and 2 irish spring soap washes to remove the color -- IT'S STILL LINGERING (this would've been fabulous had it actually worked out!) Overall, this product is overpriced... The packaging is good, but nothing life-changing amazing.. Also, they claim this product doesn't smell like a typical self tanner..Sure, it smells like lemon floor cleaner for the first few minutes, and then it proceeds to smell like every other self tanner. I really wanted to like these, but just save yourself the headache and get it done professionally.
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Lips -Revlon - Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm
8788xo 7/20/2011 9:38:00 PM
I was excited to try this product....and I've used it maybe three times since purchasing it over 6 months ago. I have it in either twilight or forbidden (too lazy to get up and look), it's an extremely dark red. I feel as if I could exfoliate my lips until they bleed, and this stain still wouldn't look correct on me. The color is great, very intense, but it seems to be very blotchy/uneven on me despite the things I've tried. The balm is good, yes, because the product dries my lips up within a minute of applying, but it's nothing spectacular. It does stay on for quite sometime, which is a pain, especially if it doesn't look correct. The color seems too intense for a stain, I feel as if I look like I'm wearing more of a lipstick than anything. The packaging is "convenient," I suppose. To me, it just appears sort of juvenile. And with all the things women carry around in their bags, the caps just don't seem tight enough.
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Liquid -MAC - Pro Longwear Foundation
8788xo 7/20/2011 9:24:00 PM
I had mixed feelings about this product, at times during the winter, it just looked terrible on my skin. I guess it's probably because my skin was dry as the sahara. I typically like a fuller coverage foundation.. I feel as if this product can go on a little heavy at times. I started using it with stila's illuminating tinted moisturizer, which helped it blend better. I also tried a few different methods to apply the product: regular foundation brush, stippling brush and my fingers. Of all the methods, I preferred using my fingers, as it warms the product up, and makes it easier to blend. Once this foundation sets to your skin..it doesn't budge for hours, I find myself still removing a lot of product off my face at the end of the night (good thing). This has also made it through a full day of work, and then an hour or so of intense cardio at the gym. The packaging is great-- it has a pump. For the most part I love this, I would love it even more if it worked during the winter months!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -E.L.F. - Studio Golden Bronzer
8788xo 7/20/2011 9:12:00 PM
I think I've gone through two of these bronzers now? Amazing, it doesn't get any better for $3.00, and they're paraben free. They look a little shimmery in the palette, but on my face they provide a subtle, pretty glow. The packaging is sleek, simple and doesn't look cheap. The only reason I gave the packaging a 4 because the mirror pretty much fell out of the compact towards the end. I could've fixed it, but for the price, I bought another one since I had almost finished it anyways :)
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Hair Color -Revlon - Frost & Glow Highlighting Kit
8788xo 5/7/2011 8:19:00 PM
I was literally jumping up and down when I saw the results of this kit. I've dyed my hair multiple times.. mostly dark colors. I went to salons wanting to lift the color. I was charged between $100-200 each time, and haven't had the result I did with this product. It lightened my hair! It's a light brown/golden chestnutty color (since I accidently lightened it all). Nonetheless... it didnt turn orange or yellow. It may not be perfect and it's a bit brassy (nothing worse than a salon has left me with) and that was too be expected with lightening dark hair. I'm really impressed as of right now.. I purchased the kit for $5.99! I'm glad I gave it a whirl. Possible words of wisdom: 1. Doing this alone = probably not the best idea. The cap is a pain, but it's worth it... it's just easier to have someone else do it. Also, I thought I read pull hair through every hole for "striking" results... it says every *circled* hole, OOPS. My friend pulled hair through every single hole... so it took 2 hours.. haha, but the result was still good! Just a bit tedious. Also, this stuff smells suprisingly good! For $6, it is well worth the price! I still can't believe the results! UPDATE (7/20/11), I've used this product two more times since my original review-- this product is well worth the money and the time, just make sure you follow the directions! and don't forget the strand test!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -eos - Lip Balm Sphere - Pomegranate Raspberry
8788xo 1/15/2011 4:03:00 PM
I really liked this for a bit when I first purchased it.. but now, in the winter months it doesn't really do much of anything. Just sits on top of my lips.. doesn't absorb.. Otherwise, the packaging is cute & it's paraben free :)
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Fragrances -Tom Ford - White Patchouli
8788xo 11/15/2010 4:26:00 PM
The patchouli comes through at first on my skin, and I really enjoy the scent oddly enough. But after a while, when it settles on my skin I smell like an old lady. I could see this settling amazingly on some people...but on me.. uck. I prefer black orchid, in the bottle or on me. I do love the packaging though :) I wish this would have settled well on my skin.
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
8788xo 11/15/2010 4:14:00 PM
I've been using this foundation for about 2 years now, and just finally decided to write a review. In almost 2 years, I've only purchased two tubes.. a little goes a LONG way. I use a MAC 187 brush to apply it, it provides excellent coverage... depending on the primer, and powder you use. If you use TOO much it will wind up on your phone or something else. It has staying power, if applied correctly... and depending on the conditions. I recently purchased the new long wear foundation because this one tends to fade substantially by the end of the day. But, I've still loved it nonetheless. ALSO, I have extremely sensitive skin: I'm allergic to ALL parabens iso, isobutyl, propyl, methyl, ethyl... I'm also allergic to bacitracin, aka, NEOSPORIN! I have NEVER had a problem with this, which breakouts, or itching..which is QUITE the miracle. Other than the variance in staying power, I love this foundation.
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Blush -E.L.F. - Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder
8788xo 11/15/2010 4:02:00 PM
I've been using this product for over a year..I've already repurchased it twice, just in case they discontinue it. I really, really love the blush, the bronzer is a bit dark.. nice for contouring (obviously), but use a VERY light hand! The products do look a bit glittery in the compact.. but on my face, look dewy, and not sparkly.. thank god. This does remind me packaging and set-up wise, of the NARS duo, but at the price, give it a shot..most likely you'll like one or the other..and if you don't it was only $3 you spent instead of almost $50!
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Mascara -Lancome - Hypnose Drama
8788xo 11/15/2010 3:48:00 PM
By far the best mascara I've ever tried. Some products, no matter the promise, make my lashes look stubby.. and pointy. I have dark lashes, so I purchased this in the darkest color..other than my lashes being dark, they suck! So, this mascara makes me look like I'm wearing fake lashes, but in a good way. It's simple once you learn how to use the brush (there is a certain way!), and my lashes look amazing. It's one of the most expensive mascaras I've bought, but I love it. Applied very, very carefully it can work for bottom lashes -- but otherwise that's the only downside... bottom lash application can leave you looking like a mess. This sounds ridiculous, but seriously, learn how to apply the mascara properly via video, or at the store/counter.. it helps, A LOT.
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Bronzers -Sally Hansen - Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy Sun Glow Powder Bronzer in Spring
8788xo 7/21/2009 11:28:00 PM
I bought this bronzer as soon as it came out and i love it! I'm a mac nc25 right now and this looks great and not too obvious on my skin. I like using it for a light contour or for a quick all over wash of color. It brightens up my skin just enough to make me look less sallow and tired in the morning. I actually like the smell, which is odd because most cosmetics with any scent irritate me in one way or another. The price seemed a little steep for a drugstore bronzer, but if you pick it up when they're on sale at ulta or cvs, it's completely worth it. The only thing that sort of let me down about this product-- I had used a decent amount of it, I had probably a little over half of the product left, but I decided to put the compact in my makeup bag for the first time. Assuming that it comes with a mirror and a brush it would be semi sturdy/portable. Well, it went into my bag in one piece, and came out in about 20. It all just cracked apart. I still use it of course, but it's never going to my purse ever again. I plan on purchasing summer next :)
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Foundations -MAC - Studio Stick SPF 15 ] [DISCONTINUED]
8788xo 7/7/2009 11:30:00 PM
I was SO nervous to try MAC foundations. I know many people love them, but many people have had horrible experiences. I'm always skeptical with foundation, I have fairly sensitive skin (seriously, I'm allergic to neosporin). Anyways, so I was terrified that this was going to break me out. I have a hard time matching my skin tone, but apparently, I'm an NC32 and it matches quite well. The packaging is appealing, very sleek, portable and convenient. It was a little expensive for the amount of product you get, but the product itself is very versatile, so I can handle the price. But, if you plan on using this everyday for a more than light coverage, it may go fairly fast. Other than that it's really easy to use. I just apply it with an angled foundation brush, focusing more so on trouble spots, and blending out from there. My only complaint is sometimes, oddly enough, it just doesn't sit well on my skin and other days it works perfectly. I tend to lose coverage on my cheeks/directly under my eyes throughout the day, but other than that the coverage remains. It has buildable coverage and feels like you aren't really wearing anything. Plus, no breakouts, period.. it's been over a month. With my skin-- I'm shocked and amazed. I use mac's MSF natural to finish it off. I would definitely buy it again, but looking at the MAC website my shade is gone..it figures.
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Mascara -Sally Hansen - Natural Beauty Lift and Define Mascara (inspired by Carmindy)
8788xo 7/7/2009 10:33:00 PM
I'm allergic to parabens which is immediately what attracted me to this line-- it's paraben free! woo! I was so excited to buy this mascara and when I did I was really disappointed, considering how much I like the other products in the line. It made my contacts/eyes all wonky, it was sort of inky, almost? The packaging was boring. The other items in the line have much more impressive packaging. The wand on this mascara is just..stupid. I couldn't even dispense the product to save my life, the wand is just a bad design period. I also already have fairly dark eyelashes, okay, really dark.. I understand that this is a natural beauty product, it should still enhance the "natural" beauty of your lashes a little bit, or what would be the point of buying it? It just made my lashes look inky (and not in a good way), and made them look stubby & stick right out, which my poor wimpy little half asian eyelashes do not need, they can do that on their own!
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal
8788xo 7/7/2009 10:24:00 PM
I really do love this mascara, but then again I really don't have much to choose from that isn't going to break the bank. I'm allergic to all parabens, and finding mascara without paraben has been quite the challenge. To my surprise this has been the best one yet. The only other one of tried as of recent is Sally Hansens/Carmindys Natural Beauty mascara, which was horrible. Other than the fact that I'm not allergic to it, I'm half asian so my eyelashes are a tad on the short/straight side. This gives them both volume and length. It does clump a bit, but that can always be taken care of with a brush. It has excellent staying power, it rarely flakes, unless I've been crying or something like that. The smell is a little overpowering at first, but now I don't even notice it. It goes on easy, comes off easy and I'm not allergic to it! I've bought it about 3-4 times now, and I still love it.
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Foundations -Sally Hansen - Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy Airbrush Spray Makeup
8788xo 4/16/2009 3:23:00 PM
I love the liquid foundation from this line, so I was excited to try this. I'm half asian, so my skin has yellow undertones to it. I was really disappointed by this. I didn't like the texture, and the color looked orange/pink on me. I looked vaguely like an oompa loompa? haha. This stuff also smelled..interesting.. entirely too sweet for my taste. The bronzer from this line also has a scent to it, but it's not overpowering, this on the other hand is a little too much. There's not much of a color selection either, I returned this and definitely will not be repurchasing again. oh, and it also made me itchy.. yay!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No