Blush -Tarte - Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dollface
UrbanObsession 3/15/2013 2:19:00 AM
So I caved and spent $24 on this after reading the rave reviews here! I'm a broke college student, so I tend to stray away from HE makeup because it breaks the bank! I'm not gunna lie, this blush is so worth it! Best one I've ever used, the formula is smooth, pigmented, and long-lasting. And the color reminds me of spun cotton candy, if only it smelled like it too, id be in heaven! For reference, I'm an NC25 and this blush gives me the perfect pop of color without looking garish. It goes on quite sheer, which I love, because I can build up the intensity to my liking. I use ELF's blush brush to apply it and its so natural, non-streaky, and ethereal looking, I can't get enough of this shade. When I check my makeup in the mirror at work, this blush is going strong and there's no need to reapply--ever. I'm going to repurchase this HG and buy other colors once my pocketbook allows it!
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Concealers -NYX - HD Photogenic Concealer Wand
UrbanObsession 3/15/2013 1:25:00 AM
Thank you NYX for providing high-end coverage on a drugstore budget! I have the HD concealer in green and beige, the latter is a perfect color match for my yellow-toned skin! I don't care for the green so much as it has a blue undertone that makes my face scary pale if not applied lightly, I wish it had more of a warm undertone. I find it works well for inflamed skin/active pimples, def not for everyday use. On the flip side, beige is so amazing!! The coverage is medium to full and it truly covers everything! You only need a tiny amount and I apply with my fingers then set it with a tinted finishing powder, voila! It lasts all darn day. Another thing I love about it is that it dries matte and doesn't oxidize. I'm so glad that I got my hands on this miracle worker, I've been to Ulta numerous times and its always sold-out! Will repurchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Bare Escentuals - Correcting Concealer
UrbanObsession 3/15/2013 1:14:00 AM
Confession time: I've never been a fan of BE cosmetics but decided to give them another try after hearing rave reviews from my bestie about this concealer. My color match is medium 1, and the product comes in a tiny black compact that is quite nice & sturdy. I was so anticipating this product after hearing such great things about the coverage but it doesn't work for my skin. It's very sticky/tacky in texture and doesn't set completely even when finished with setting powder on top! I find the opaque finish really unflattering and it starts to crease and slide off my face after 2-3 hours :( I love the coverage, as it's very buildable and covers my acne scars fully...it just doesn't last! Won't repurchase & do not recommend to my oily skinned gals! I look like I smeared grease paint on my face after a couple hours, which is a look that I hate!
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Crème -L'Oreal - magic smooth souffle
UrbanObsession 3/15/2013 1:02:00 AM
I think this is being discontinued or reformulated because I found it in the clearance box at Ulta for $4! I'd rate this foundation a 3.5 if I could since it truly is one of the better DS foundations IMO its true to color and has a matte finish with medium coverage. It feels light on skin and a little goes a long way! What I don't like is it clings to any dry patches of skin I have, oxidizes after a few hours of wear, and contains silicones that may irritate ones face. Overall, I won't repurchase because I'm still on the hunt for something better!
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Styling Products -Sebastian - Potion 9
UrbanObsession 3/13/2013 2:42:00 AM
This product takes me back to the 8th grade when I received this hair miracle for my birthday, back when it was packaged in a squeeze tube. I loved it then, but it became impossible to find anywhere in the small town I live in. Flash forward, ten years later I'm wandering through Sally's and see GVP version of this product. I literally cried inside because its exactly what my hair needed! Provides excellent moisture and shine to my curls without added weight or bulk. It smells great and a quarter sized amount is all I need for my long hair. Will gladly repurchase and this product is so good that I'm able to use it alone without any additional styling products. It's like having a cream, serum, and gel in one! HG for sure :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NARS - Orgasm Blush
UrbanObsession 3/13/2013 2:21:00 AM
IMO there are great dupes for this shade that are way cheaper! If you are a fan of HE makeup, then it's a must-have, but my budget won't allow it anymore. I love the color, pinky-peach with micro gold shimmers. O looks sparkly in the pan, but it applies very natural and the shimmer is barely noticeable on my face(thank goodness bc I hate sparkly blushes with a passion)! This blush creates a sexy glow and takes very minimal product since its highly pigmented. I have yellow undertones and light skin, so the golden tone works well for making my cheekbones pop! I gave this to my sister after finding more affordable "dupes," IMO ELF studio blush in Candid Coral is the exact same color, maybe a little less pink. I add a small amount of ELF Passion Pink to it and get the same effect for under $5. Also NYX blush in Pinky is identical! Do yourself a favor & investigate alternatives for this much hyped product cuz $28 for a blush is crazy.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Almay - Smart Shade Perfect & Correct Primer
UrbanObsession 3/13/2013 2:05:00 AM
This primer made my face feel like a greasy bag of chips and it smells like it too! Normally, I enjoy products with color-correcting properties, which is what intrigued me to buy this on a whim. My skin is ruddy and uneven, very oily, and a few acne scars for reference. I applied this to my freshly washed face with a small amount of moisturizer underneath and was repulsed by the scent which is potent and reminds me of potato chips--so gross! The texture is really thick and I felt like it sat atop my skin without absorbing into it like good primers do. A half hour after application, my skin looked so greasy!! I didn't notice an improvement in the way my skin looked and this junk felt so tacky on my skin...it broke me out after one day and I haven't used since.
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Makeup Brushes -Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - Stippling Brush
UrbanObsession 3/3/2013 4:43:00 PM
I picked this up at ulta B1G1 half off and am obsessed!! It's the only face brush you need, seriously! It blends foundation like a dream, evenly distributes bronzer, and is perfect for a dusting of blush on my cheekbones. I wish that I bought 2 of these because I'm blown away by the high quality, but I bought the last one:( I see a return trip to ulta in my near future to buy another! The bristles are soft, yet firm and the handle is sturdy, it even stands upright on a flat surface. Get this now!! My skin has never looked so immaculate and no tell-tale makeup smears in sight. I recommend using a stippling motion starting from the inside of your face then make your way to outer corners, chin, and neck. The result is an even, airbrushed finish! Sam offers how to vids on YT that are super helpful to check out!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Urban Decay - 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
UrbanObsession 2/27/2013 2:04:00 AM
Oh Urban Decay, you disappoint me so with your beautiful packaging but below average product! I was drawn to this liquid eyeliner for its claim of being waterproof and of course, I'm a sucker for sleek, high-end packaging. I have the shade Perversion, and was hoping for a matte black, but it dries with a shiny patent finish. Love the long applicator because it makes application easier by keeping my hand steady but I can't get past how it runs after a few hours and gets smudgy along my outer corners. It fades, yet is a pain to remove because it dries into a tacky plastic film that I have to pick off my eyelids at the end of the day. So not impressed :( I wish UD would bring back their discontinued liquid liner because this is a terrible replacement for a product that was a staple for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -New York Color - Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny 720
UrbanObsession 2/27/2013 1:55:00 AM
This bronzer is okay for me, I like that its matte and not shimmery like the majority of DS brands are. However, that's where my love for this stuff ends. It looks orange and patchy if I don't apply very lightly and is hard to blend. IMO, NYC's color wheel bronzer is far superior in terms of blending and I won't repurchase this but it's workable for me.
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Mascara -New York Color - Sky Rise Lengthening Mascara
UrbanObsession 2/27/2013 1:40:00 AM
No smudges or clumps with this mascara! I agree with the previous reviewer that it reminds me of Maybellines Lash Discovery, which I can't find anywhere! The brush is thin and works perfectly for my lower lash line as well as my upper. You can apply multiple coats of this and it doesn't clump!! Very natural looking & I took a lippy off because its not as pigmented as I like, but for $2, I'm not upset. This is a daily staple for me and find it works really well when used in conjunction with a thickening mascara for bolder lashes. Try applying 2 coats of this mascara and while its still tacky, put a coat of Maybelline Full n Soft on top! Voila!! Beautifully defined lashes that look like falsies.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - GVP Joico K-Pak
UrbanObsession 2/27/2013 1:34:00 AM
Works exactly the same as Joico K-PAK except significantly cheaper! I'm a broke college student who can rarely afford high end brands, so this fits the bill! My hair is damaged from frequent highlights and coloring, it's thick and very long/curly. The bottle basically sucks, so I took a lippy off because it takes me a min or two to get the product to come out! Wish it came with a pump dispenser but no worries. They consider this to be a reconstructor and it's meant for very dry & brittle hair, I do not recommend to those who are looking for a basic deep conditioner, this is for ladies and gents who need to save their hair! It smells like vanilla and tropics, and after 3-5 minutes letting it soak into my hair it feels much softer! Proteins contained in this product may have a drying effect on some people, especially if used more than once a week. I recommend following this treatment up with a conditioning balm or deep conditioner to counteract any dryness that occurs. My hair feels softer and full of vitality, the damage is less visible and frizz has been reduced. Highly recommend.
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Eye Primer -E.L.F. - Eyelid Primer
UrbanObsession 2/27/2013 1:16:00 AM
Don't knock it until you try it! And I'm so glad I did, elf eyelid primer is amazing. I formerly used UDPP until it started drying out my eyelids in the winter...there must be an ingredient in there that my skin is sensitive to. I went looking for a cheap replacement and found this product in the sheer shade for only $1! It really does work and this comes from someone who's tried a wide variety of Eye primers and has oily eyelids that resist makeup. I love using this primer by itself with winged liner and mascara on days where I want a natural look with minimal effort. The formula really evens out ruddy eyelids and makes mine look fresh and awake! It truly resists creasing just as long as my beloved UDPP, my only complaint is that it does not improve the intensity of your eyeshadows like more expensive brands. This is my new HG for the winter due to its thin texture and moisturizing feel, although I plan on switching back to UDPP for the summer.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Kabuki Face Brush
UrbanObsession 2/22/2013 2:39:00 AM
This product has so many uses and I hope to buy a few more! It applies mineral makeup evenly, bronzer, pressed powder, etc! My skin gets quite dry and flaky during the winter but this brush is SO soft and non-irritating to my dry patches, I just love it! All ELF brushes are impressive and a good value imo but the kabuki brush is a must-have for me if I could only choose one face brush.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Manic Panic - Temporary Hair dye
UrbanObsession 2/15/2013 3:28:00 AM
I'm gaga over Manic Panic!! My hair is dry and chemically treated with blonde highlights, I dye the underside layers with MP to mix things up! It's not damaging to the hair and there's zero mixing required. I do suggest wearing gloves due to the fact that it will stain your hands and nails. The fun part of this hair color is that it gradually fades out and the color transitions from dark to light. Fave color is voodoo blue and atomic turquoise. I'd skip out on cotton candy pink because it literally has no pigment unless your hair is bleached. It doesn't improve the condition of hair by any means, but it doesn't damage or dry it out like box dyes- no harsh chemicals and vegan:) will repurchase again & again!
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