Blush -NARS - Orgasm Blush
EternalKudra 3/3/2009 4:00:00 PM
I first bought this stuff way back in maybe late 2002/ early 2003 or so, when it was still pretty new and always sold out at counters. I loved it; it's a great color for me. I like a bit of shimmer on my cheeks, and for me this has shimmer but not obnoxious glitter, just a nice golden pinky-peachy color that looks great with my pale, warm skin and goes with anything else I wear. I started wearing mineral makeup, though, and for a few years wore only mineral blushes. I just recently went back to orgasm because I missed the color, and I've realized it's irritating my skin. I have a rash just on the apples of my cheeks, little clusters of red bumps that look a bit like pimples but aren't, they're a little itchy. I don't know if I didn't notice irritation back when I wore it before because my skin was just pretty awful altogether back then, or if it's a sensitivity I've developed more recently. But whatever the reason, I'm positive it's the blush, the irritation is too localized to be anything else. Too bad, because I really do love the color, hence the 3 lippies. Obviously, though, I won't buy again.
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Cleansers -Clinique - Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
EternalKudra 3/3/2009 3:52:00 PM
I've been using plain safflower oil for quite a while to remove my Shiseido spf 55 cream and/or spf 42 foundation, so I'm long over the initial weirdness of putting an oily product on my skin and have grown to like it. But I've been wanting to find something that emulsifies, preferably even something that wouldn't require another cleanser. I tried MAC's oil, but it irritated my eyes like crazy, and I wasn't thrilled with how thin it was and how little it lathered when I added water. I figured TTDO balm was a good option to try next, as safflower is the oil in it and I already know my skin loves safflower. And so far, I'm loving TTDO. It melts everything off my skin, even my fluidlines just disappear. And it turns into a really nice milky lather, exactly what I had wanted the MAC oil to do. So far I haven't followed with another cleanser, and my mega-acne-prone skin hasn't been at all irritated. My only complaints would be that I don't love scooping it out of the jar (but how else could you package this?) and it definitely dries my skin out a bit more than my regular cleanser (but my regular cleanser is aquanil, which tells you how easily I get dried out). It's a bit pricier than I'd like, but I feel like it's going to last a long time. Overall, I'm impressed and I'd buy again. Edit: I realized that the first ingredient in this stuff, ethylhexyl palmitate, is considered a pore clogger (according to sage's comedogenic ingredients list, which I've found to be accurate). I'm not giving up on it for that fact alone, but I *have* started following immediately with my regular cleanser to err on the side of caution. I'm hoping that way I get any residue off and avoid any breakouts. Time will tell!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Technakohl Liner in Auto-de-blu
EternalKudra 3/2/2009 11:34:00 PM
I wanted to get a blue eyeliner and had been wanting to try the technakohls for a while, so I figured I'd give this a shot. I wanted a true blue color, not super bright, but not so dark it would just look like black. From the reviews I thought this one would be too dark, but when I swiped it in the store, it was exactly the color I was looking for. And on my eyes, I do love the color. I'd say it's what I think of as royal blue; it's not excessively flashy, but it's obviously blue and not black. The problem, though, is that it creased really badly on me, something I'm not at all used to from my usual powerpoints and fluidlines. It didn't disappear from my lashline, so I wouldn't say it has no staying power, but it did end up also in a blue line on my creases. It's too bad, application was nice and smooth, and I love the self-sharpening, not to mention being able to use it for B2M. But I don't think I could justify repurchasing when it creases so badly on me, I'd rather look for a similar color in one of the formulas that wear like iron.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Velvet Teddy
EternalKudra 3/1/2009 10:24:00 PM
This is a really nice (if not terribly exciting) color on me. It's too dark, at least on my lips, to be considered a nude, but it isn't dramatically dark by any means even against my pale skin. I was afraid this was going to be a bit too brown and dull, even though I like browns. It's not, though; there's just enough pink in it to avoid that weird too-brown look. I don't see any of the gray some other reviews have mentioned, but I have fairly pigmented pink lips, even though this is a rather opaque formula I would imagine natural lipcolor still makes a difference. This is definitely what I would consider a subtle, safe, everyday wear color. It's not something I put on and find very exciting or fun, but I would repurchase because it's still a nice, flattering color, and honestly I reach for un-dramatic lipsticks more often than not. The lasting power of the matte formula is incredible, so it's really nice to have a simple, go-to color in a formula that will last and last.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Russian Red
EternalKudra 3/1/2009 4:15:00 AM
I'm mostly a nude/neutral lipstick wearer. My only red lipstick prior to this was Fresh Moroccan, which I love, but I was going in for a B2M lipstick and thought it was about darn time I finally got a true, retro, pinup girl red. I wanted a matte, and the MA showed me both this one and Ruby Woo, and we decided on this one because it was a bit warmer (and I have a warmer skintone). It's hard to get used to seeing yourself in a bright red lipstick when you aren't at all used to it. But I really think this is a good red for me (NC15-20ish, yellow but not *strong* yellow undertones). This is also my first matte MAC lipstick, and I'm in love with the formula. Yes, it's dry. But it lasts like I thought no lipstick could, through eating, drinking, etc. I want to buy every single matte color now. As for the actual color, I think it's still maybe just a tiny, tiny bit cool for me, but I have pigmented lips that tend to make everything go fuchsia, and this still looks more or less like a true red after hours of wear. It's going to take a while for me to be totally comfortable with it, but overall I think it's a winner.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -MAC - Mac cremestick liner in gingerroot [DISCONTINUED]
EternalKudra 2/26/2009 11:09:00 PM
I have lipliner issues. My lips are fairly pigmented, I love a nude look, and I don't wear lipliner all that often, but I'm always keeping an eye out for a lipliner that might help cancel out my lip color and help my nude lipsticks look more true to color. From other reviews, it seemed as though this liner did that, so I ordered one. But on me, I'm afraid, it doesn't lighten my lips at all. It warms them a bit and adds pearl, but the depth of color remains about the same. I'm still giving it a 4, because this is a nice texture and I think will be really versatile for me since it doesn't change the shade of my lips much. But then, since I'm a lipliner slacker, I don't know how often I'll actually reach for a liner that doesn't do exactly what I was hoping it would do.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen - Shy Girl
EternalKudra 2/25/2009 4:38:00 PM
To me, this color is like Ravishing's slightly lighter, frostier little sister. On my pigmented lips, it isn't what I would consider a nude at all, I don't think it's quite opaque enough for that. It lightens my natural lip color maybe a touch, but it's not as pale on me as it is on others I've seen. It's a super nice, slightly shimmery peachy light coral color, more interesting than a brownish neutral, but still soft and subtle for everyday wear. On me, it's got a bit of warm pink in it as well, but I'm not sure if that's due to my natural lip color. I can see this becoming a staple color for me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen Lipstick - Ravishing
EternalKudra 2/25/2009 4:10:00 PM
Wow, I love this color! I tend to be a nude/neutral lipstick girl, but I've been bored with that and wanting to branch out more. Corals have always sort of scared me, but I took a chance on this one and I'm glad I did. My lips are fairly pigmented and pinks have a tendency to go fuchsia on me, so this is perfect for a pop of color without that problem. It's creamy, and far more opaque than my creme d'nude. And it's an uncommon color but still light enough and subtle enough to not overwhelm my pale complexion. On me, the color is actually pretty close to the image of the model on the phone, which shocks me because with my pigmented lips, colors usually show darker on me. I think if I layered it over a true nude, I could totally get that same look. I can't imagine this would work well on those with very cool complexions. But I think everyone with warmer skin should give it a shot, I can see it working with a wide range of neutral and warm skin tones.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen - Creme d'Nude
EternalKudra 2/22/2009 10:05:00 PM
I've been searching for my HG nude lipstick for years, and I had such high hopes that this would be it. In the tube it looks like exactly what I was looking for: not too light, not too dark, not too pink, not too brown, just the perfect creamy nude. And I think if either my lips were less pigmented or this stuff was more opaque, it would be perfect. It's a nice color, and I love the formula (it was my first cremesheen, and I've already ordered 2 more), it's just a bit too sheer for what I had hoped it would be. On those with paler lips, I think this would be an amazing nude. It's still a good look for me, it tones down the pink in my lips some and has a nice subtle everyday look. I would repurchase, even though it isn't exactly what I had hoped it would be.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Bare Canvas Paint
EternalKudra 2/21/2009 7:44:00 PM
I can't believe I've never reviewed this stuff. This has been my staple eyeshadow base for about 6 years. My lids are oily, and shadow alone creases on me almost immediately, but on me, this stuff makes any eyeshadow last until I take it off. I put on a really small amount, blend it out, and it dries to a nice matte texture (there's pearl in it, but I mean that it isn't at all creamy or oily when it dries) that holds on to my shadows like nothing else. I've never tried the beloved UDPP because when it came out I was already happily using this stuff, so I can't compare. The tubes seem a little pricey, but a little goes a long way. This is one of very few staple products that I've repurchased multiple times and will keep repurchasing as long as it exists. If rumors of them being discontinued turn out to be true, I'll be stocking up for sure.
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Primer/ Corrector -Make Up For Ever - HD Microperfecting Primer in 1 Green
EternalKudra 2/18/2009 7:29:00 PM
Edit: I've been using this some days and other days not, and have come to the conclusion that it really does increase the lasting power of my foundation and make it look more flawless than it does alone. So I'm thinking I'll be repurchasing for sure. I'm always wishing there was an "on the fence" option for "would you purchase this item again?" I'm pretty happy with the smooth application and staying power of my foundation without a primer, so I was looking more for redness reduction from this primer than anything else. Maybe I'm crazy, but I don't feel like I see any difference in redness. Maybe I'm putting it on too sheer? This primer does leave a nice smooth finish, but without feeling like spackle on my face. I tend to avoid primers out of fear they'll accentuate my dry patches, but this one actually seems to tame flaky areas rather than accentuating them. My foundation definitely does glide on over it. I just don't know if I'll repurchase since it's fairly expensive and those traditional primer qualities weren't really the reason I bought it. For now I'm saying yes, since I do think it's a lovely product overall.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Finacea Gel
EternalKudra 2/17/2009 12:11:00 AM
Here's a little history: I've been dealing with acne for over 15 years, moderate in amount but severe in type, and persistent. For a while, my skin was almost where I wanted it to be using BHA and BP, but I needed more. I tried Diacneal for a while and had okay results, bumped up to Differin and had a horrible experience with it for around 6 months. Frustrated, I went back to BHA and BP, but added Finacea. I had tried Finacea months ago, but never managed to consistently work it into my routine because I was juggling too many products. Now I've been using it daily for a few weeks. Finacea is a nice texture, it soaks in and leaves a nice matte finish. It tingles for a few minutes, especially if my face isn't totally dry yet, but doesn't burn or irritate. But most importantly, my skin is finally clear! I did also step up from 2.5% to 5% BP, so I don't know how much of the difference to attribute to Finacea, but I suspect the Finacea has more to do with it than the change in BP. The only reason I'm giving it 4 out of 5 is because I also have a lot of redness in my face, both from past breakouts and just in general, and I haven't seen a rapid reduction in that like others have. Otherwise, I'm happy. Soon, I'll try taking a break from my beloved BHA to see if Finacea is effective enough at keeping the blackheads and tiny bumps away, and I'll update then. For now, I'm happy with the combo!
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Blot Powder
EternalKudra 2/14/2009 7:44:00 PM
This is one of those products I've gone back to again and again for years. I'm not extremely oily, but I love this stuff to set my makeup as opposed to a "normal" powder because it isn't heavy and chalky, it just gives a smooth, matte, finished look and seems to help reduce the look of pores. When I get oily, I prefer to blot with blotting sheets because I feel like they actually take the oil off instead of just powdering it. But I'll touch up with this stuff after, and I think it helps keep oil from returning. I'm giving it 4 instead of 5 because it is awfully expensive for powder, and I've had them break easily on me before. I also occasionally feel that it might cause some small break outs, even though there's nothing in it that should be a problem (unless you're sensitive to 'cones, and I'm not). I'm NC15-20ish and I've always used medium, but sometimes it seems just a touch dark and I think I might try light next time. Overall, I'll keep coughing up the money for this stuff, because I've never felt another powder with as nice of a texture as this one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -MAC - Cleanse Off Oil
EternalKudra 2/14/2009 6:38:00 AM
So far I'm on the fence about this. I've only been using it for a few days, but I thought I'd share my initial thoughts. I've been using plain safflower oil followed by cleanser for a long time, so I wasn't one of the people at all skeeved out by the thought of putting oil on my face. But I always felt like the plain oil didn't quite come off as cleanly as I wanted, so I decided to finally try an oil cleanser. It takes more of this than I thought it would to remove my makeup... I don't wear a ton, but what I do wear is pretty tough, waterproof stuff (Shiseido spf 42 foundation, MUFE concealer, MAC fluidline, etc.). Even though I only wear mu a few times a week, I'm worried about the speed with which I might go through this oil since it's a little pricey. Also, it didn't lather as well as I expected from other reviews. I haven't used it without following with another cleanser yet, because it just doesn't seem like it would rinse quite clean enough without it. The blurry eye thing is tolerable but weird, I didn't really understand what other reviews meant by that until I experienced it, even though I'm already blind as a bat with my glasses off when washing my face. On the up side, it does dissolve everything, and my face does feel super clean and not at all filmy after (I'm following with aquanil cleanser). But it also feels a bit drier than usual. I think I prefer this to the plain oil and I'll definitely use up the bottle, but I'm undecided whether I'll repurchase or try another oil-based cleanser. Update: After a few days of using this, I've realized it irritates my eyes horribly, so it's going to have to go back to the counter. I love the idea of the product, but I'm going back to my plain safflower oil for now. Going to try Clinique TTDO balm next.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Galderma - Benzac AC 5 (benzoyl peroxide gel 5%)
EternalKudra 2/8/2009 7:58:00 PM
For a while I was trying to move away from using BP products, but the simple truth is that I can't seem to get my skin anywhere close to clear without it (even with rx products). I used PC 2% BP for quite a while, but I wanted to try something a little stronger, and I was also trying to get away from some of the extra ingredients the PC has. I'm pretty happy with the Benzac 5%; it doesn't dry me out any more than the 2.5% I used to use, and even though it looks like a lotion, it dries clear and not white, so I can use it during the day if I want. I'm also not sure that it really works any better than the 2.5% did, and it's a little bit gritty in texture. It's inexpensive, though, and doesn't have a ton of extra ingredients to potentially bother my skin, so I'll probably keep using it unless I ever find anything that works better for me than BP.
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