Moisturizers -Olay - Complete All Day Moisturizer with sunscreen Sensitive Skin SPF15 (classic gentle formula)
flamencovixen 12/6/2009 1:09:00 AM
This is a review for the reformulated version. The old version contained Zinc Oxide and was a physical sunscreen. The reformulated version is a chemical sunscreen. The active ingredients are: 5% octisalate, 3% avobenzone, 3% homosalate; 2.6% octocrylene. The reformulated version appears to be photostable. I am so thrilled that this version doesn't contain octinoxate or oxybenzone. I agree with the previous reviewer that this version is much better than the older version. The reformulated version with avobenzone is much superior in terms of sun protection. In addition, I haven't had any negative reactions to the reformulated version. Also, the price is still very reasonable, especially when one buys the two-bottle pack from Costco. I did use the older version at one point but then I stopped because I realized that it really wasn't giving me the protection that I needed. During the summer, I prefer to use a sunscreen with a higher SPF. But as it is now winter, I am using Olay for incidental sun exposure.
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Liquid -Maybelline - SuperStay Makeup - New Version
flamencovixen 10/18/2009 4:03:00 PM
I purchased this foundation a few weeks ago when they were BOGO in Rite Aid. I'm an NC 20 to 25, neutral to warm undertones. My face is paler than my neck and my neck has a lot more yellow than my face so my goal when buying foundation is always to make sure to match my face to my neck. It's always been a challenge for me to find a drugstore foundation that works for me...I have yet to find the perfect match and always end up mixing two different shades, which is something that I am willing to do as long as I can get a close enough match and avoid spending $ on high end foundations. I purchased Sand Beige and Nude to mix. Sand Beige was just too pale on its own but it had enough yellow. I purchased Nude after reading raves on the board. Nude looks like it has peachy-beige undertones but I was hoping that mixing with Sand Beige would work. The results weren't bad but I still wanted a better match. After seeing a swatch of Classic Beige on the board, which showed it to have yellow/brown/olive undertones, I exchanged Nude for Classic Beige. I have to say that the mix of Sand Beige and Classic Beige looks pretty good. The foundation of the formula is creamy and like a souffle and it does dry to a matte finish (not as matte as Revlon Colorstay). Unlike Revlon Colorstay, you have more time to blend the Maybelline foundation on your skin (I use my MAC 217 brush to apply the foundation). Unfortunately, this doesn't last all day...my skins starts to get oily after a few hours. Also, these foundations would have been better in a pump bottle because it's hard to get the foundation out of the bottle. I am going to use this foundation in the winter time and then use my Color stay in the summer.
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Loose Powders -Everyday Minerals - Natural Reflection Finishing Powder
flamencovixen 9/5/2009 11:57:00 AM
I have this powder in light (I am an NC 20-25 with neutral to warm undertones) and it really does an amazing job for setting my mineral make up. I like this powder because it's finely milled and it looks more natural on me - it doesn't leave my face looking caky or powdery as the translucent powders I used to use. I think it's because those translucent powders contain corn starch. I am so glad that I decided to purchase this finishing powder.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Stylish Smokes in Natural Smokes
flamencovixen 6/13/2009 2:36:00 PM
Natural Smokes is one of four newly released "Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quads" in the "Stylish Smokes" collection. I have to say that I am pretty impressed with Maybelline's eyeshadow quads as they have been reformulated over the last couple of years and are pretty good for drugstore eyeshadows. Natural Smokes comes in 4 colors - (1) a cream colored, satin textured shade that is designated for the brow bone; (2) a cool-toned, medium taupe that has a shimmery texture that is designed for the eyelid; (3) a dark brown shade with a shimmery texture that is designated for the crease; and (4) a cool-toned, dark, smokey brown with a matte texture that is designated for outer corner. This shade reminds me of MAC Brun or MAC Dark Edge (LE). I love this quad because the browns are all neutral to cool-toned and don't have any red undertones (especially because I have noticed that a lot of brown colored drugstore eyeshadows tend to have red undertones). The quad packaging is similar to the usual Expert Wear eyeshadow packaging except it comes with a black colored base (as opposed to the typical blue colored base). It comes with 2 sponge applicators. Even if you don't like sponge applicators, I recommend that you keep them and use them because when I use an eyeshadow brush to apply these eyeshadows, it doesn't pick up as much of eyeshadows. The sponge tip applicators, on the other hand, do a great job of picking up and depositing the colors so the eyeshadows appear more pigmented. I was torn about whether to award this quad 4 lipsticks or 5 lipsticks - if I could I would give it 4.5 lipsticks only because the darkest shade isn't as easy to blend as I would like it to be (in that way, it is very similar to MAC Brun and MAC Dark Edge because those weren't as easy to blend as well, in my experience). Nevertheless, I gave it a 5 because overall, Natural Smokes is still an impressive quad considering that is a drugstore product. I am not sure if this is LE or permanent but I bought a back up just in case. For a picture of the Natural Smokes Quad, please see the link to "The Pink Train Case blog" (not my blog). She has pictures of all the quads of from the Stylish Smokes collection. http://pinktraincase.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-maybelline-stylish-smokes-quads.html
18 out of 19 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Trader Joe's - Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo
flamencovixen 1/3/2009 7:11:00 PM
I am so glad that I came across a cheaper alternative to Giovanni's Tea Tree Oil shampoo. Tea Tree Tingle has no sulfates, is cruelty free, and has a lot of organic botanicals. All the key ingredients in Trader Joe's Tee Tree Tingle are the same as those found in Giovanni's version. Tee Tree Tingle is also much cheaper and has a lot more product - I paid $2.99 for one bottle (16 oz). Giovanni's 8.5 oz bottle is $7.99 at Ulta. My scalp gets itchy and I love how this product's tingly effect soothes my scalp.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - HiP Concentrated Duo - Saucy #818
flamencovixen 1/3/2009 4:38:00 PM
The HIP eyeshadows are pretty good for drugstore eyeshadows. Saucy has warm-toned shades - the darker color is a dark brown with shimmer/sheen (but not over the top shimmer). On my eyelids, it appears to have just a hint of red undertones. The lighter color is a coppery shade with orange undertones. While I am not fond of eyeshadows with red undertones, I still think this is a great e/s to have if you can pull of warm eyeshadow colors. Saucy is pigmented and easy to blend. Packaging is a little on the bulky side, however. HIP eyeshadows are pricey for drugstore eyeshadows so I recommend that you purchase them when they are BOGOF. For reference, I have light skin with warm/olive undertones, MAC NC 20 to 25.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Plushglass - Angel Cream
flamencovixen 1/3/2009 4:29:00 PM
I just came across this limited edition plushglass at the local CCO several days ago and I am thrilled with my find. Angel Cream is a pretty, milky pink lipgloss without any shimmer. It is a neutral to warm-toned color. For some, it may appear to be a little Barbie-ish in the tube but trust me, it's sheer enough. This is similar to Nars Turkish Delight except TD is lighter, less pinker, and more milky. I actually prefer Angel Cream to Turkish Delight. I am really bummed that Angel Cream is limited edition because I think it's a better and cheaper alternative to Turkish Delight. Angel Cream also has a pleasant and mild scent/taste - sort of like vanilla and cookie batter. On top of that, Angel Cream gives my lips a tingly sensation. It comes with a doe foot applicator. I will definitely stock up on this product.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Matte Lipstick - Nude Attitude
flamencovixen 1/1/2009 7:10:00 PM
I am disappointed with Nude Attitude. In the tube, it looks promising - a pale, pretty, milky peach color with no beige or pink tones. However, on my lips, it leaves a sickly-looking whitish layer - I see no peach whatsoever. It's somewhat drying but that's to be expected from a matte lipstick.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -St. Ives - Apricot Radiance Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser-Combination Skin
flamencovixen 1/1/2009 6:59:00 PM
This cream cleanser is so-so. I don't think it really does a good job with cleaning so I don't use it to remove make up - I just use it to wash my face in the morning. I wouldn't have purchased this unless Walgreens was offering this cleanser for free after a rebate. In terms of texture, the cleanser is creamy and it has little particles of apricot kernels. I wouldn't call them microbeads - they don't seem to be "micro" at all. The purpose for these kernels is to help in exfoliation but I don't think they really do anything. First of all, the kernels are too big and feel too rough. And there isn't enough of them mixed in with the cream cleanser so you don't feel like your skin is getting an even exfoliation. I've tried other cleansers with microbeads and I feel that they did a better job).
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Lipstick -NYX - B52
flamencovixen 12/23/2008 6:32:00 PM
On my pigmented lips, B52 looks like a neutral to cool-toned medium rosey mauve lipstick. It is creamy with no shimmer or frost. This lipstick has no discernible scent/taste. For reference, I have light skin with neutral to warm undertones, MAC NC20 to 25.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NYX - Lipstick- #527 Uranus
flamencovixen 12/23/2008 6:18:00 PM
Uranus is a round lipstick that is medium brown with just a hint of a red undertone. It is creamy and has no shimmer. I agree with what a previous reviewer said about this lipstick color not being good for people with light skin color. This color reminds me of the brown lipsticks that were popular in the 1990s. No discernible scent/taste. Cute packaging with a clear bottom. For reference, I have light skin with neutral to warm-undertones, MAC NC 20 to 25.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NYX - Echo
flamencovixen 12/23/2008 6:08:00 PM
Sadly, this nude lipstick washed me out. Echo, which is from the Round lipstick collection, is a warm-toned, pale beige colored lipstick (with yellow undertones). It looks like concealer on my lips. It is creamy and has no shimmer. I can't wear this alone and need to use it to tone down other bright lips. This lipstick will be a good bet if you are looking for nude lips inspired by JLo. For reference, I have light skin with neutral to warm undertones, MAC NC 20 to 25.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Matte lipstick in Mauve It Over
flamencovixen 12/22/2008 1:13:00 PM
Mauve it Over is one of the lipsticks from the newly released Revlon matte collection. On my pigmented lips, this lipstick is a neutral-toned, light to medium, mauvey pink lipstick. I am drawn to nude pink lipsticks but they tend to either wash me out or look too Barbie-ish on me. Luckily, Mauve It Over is a great alternative to those types of lipsticks -it manages to give me sexy pink pout and still look appropriate. It is somewhat drying so I prep my lips with lip balm before I apply it. On my lips, this color is a sister or cousin of MAC's matte l/s Kinda Sexy (Next to Kinda Sexy, which is a warm-toned lipstick, Mauve it Over looks cooler-toned). It has no scent/taste. It comes in a black matte looking tube with a clear top (so you can see the color of the lipstick). For reference, I have light skin with neutral to warm undertones, MAC NC 20 to 25, Revlon CS liquid foundation combo of Buff and Sand Beige.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - All Revealing (amplified cream)
flamencovixen 12/21/2008 6:27:00 PM
All Revealing is part of a limited edition set called Ruffle Tan Lips and I believe this set was released sometime in 2007. I was able to purchase this set in my CCO just a few days ago. The set comes with 2 lipsticks (Embrace and All Revealing) and a lipglass called Headliner). Both lipsticks come in a shiny black plastic tube with sparkles. The set includes a cute, small, black satin pouch with ruffles. All Revealing is an amplified cream formula. It is a warm-toned, creamy peachy nude (with some beige). It has no shimmer. I like that this lipstick doesn't wash me out, which many nudes tend to do for me. It reminds me of the type of lipstick that Brigitte Bardot used. For reference, I have light skin with neutral to warm undertones, MAC NC 20 to 25.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Embrace
flamencovixen 12/21/2008 12:51:00 PM
I am surprised that there is no review for this Frost lipstick called Embrace. This is not to be confused with another MAC lipstick called Embraceable, a lustre. Embrace is part of a limited edition set called Ruffle Tan Lips and I believe this set was released sometime in 2007. I was able to purchase this set in my CCO just a few days ago. The set comes with 2 lipsticks (Embrace and All Revealing) and a lipglass called Headliner). It also comes with a cute black satin pouch with ruffles. When you I first looked at Embrace, I thought it appeared so over the top because it looked like an extremely frosty and glitterly Copper colored lipstick. But to my surprise, Embrace is actually pretty and not over the top. On my pigmented lips, Embrace is a coppery pink with a pearlescence and that leaves a pearlescent sheen and microsparkles. The base color (without the sheen and the sparkles) actually reminds me of Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick in Birthday Suit (note: I came across two different Birthday Suit lipsticks - one appeared to be a sheer pearlescent beige nude that washed me out and another lipstick formula that was a coppery pink pearlescent nude that was prettier. Embrace reminds me of the latter formula). I had to wear lip balm underneath this lipstick because it is somewhat drying. The tube is cute - it's a shiny black tube that has microsparkles. For reference, I have a light skin with neutral to warm undertones, MAC NC 20 to 25.
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