Gels/Soaps -Unlisted Brand - Dr Bronners Liquid Soap - All Scents
jaycarr 1/14/2013 7:35:00 PM
I have been using this since I was little. I used to only see it in NY but now it's much more commonly sold. It is great!! Cleans you completely and has a very invigorating scent. The peppermint version can sting and open cuts or your vajayjay so I mainly use the green label variety. It's become more expensive but so worth it. Price shop if you can, as I've never seen it on sale. Smaller ethnic shops may sell it slightly cheaper. It is very watery, which is the only slight downside but if used sparingly the bottle can last forever. I like it as a travel product because it truly will clean your body & hair. Plus, if you're ever bored in the bathroom the label is an interesting read haha. This is a high-quality liquid soap.
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Deodorants -Dove - Clinical Protection
jaycarr 1/14/2013 7:28:00 PM
This is as close a clinical strength deodorant I've found in a drugstore. I get smelly very fast. Hot weather, cold weather, while sleeping, at the gym, etc if I don't have a high quality deodorant it is not pleasant. This deodorant keeps me smell-free from after shower to bedtime the next day! It's supposed to be applied at night so it can really set and block the sweat, which is safe. I shower in the am and let it dry before I get dressed. It is important you let it dry to save yourself from those embarrassing white clothing stains (it can get messy). I can go 2 days and not smell! It has the click applicator and dries as clear as any white cream deodorant does. It hasn't flaked off onto my clothes throughout the day. I alternate between this and another brand 'clinical strength' liquid deodorant. I can't use most of the cheaper popular brands because I smell right through them. I'm on my second package and still loving it!
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Blush -Tarte - Amazonian 12-Hour Clay Blush In Flush
jaycarr 1/14/2013 7:18:00 PM
Eh. These were so hyped and I was disappointed with one of my MAC Sheertone blushes so I decided to give it a shot. I have medium brown skin, and the color comes off as an unflattering hot pink. The blush is extremely pigmented so I played around with application techniques before wearing it outside. As a previous review mentioned it is splotchy without foundation or a base on, and it is a bit difficult to work with once on the skin. Worst of all it is not as long lasting as claimed unless you apply it very deeply. I like the lightweight colored packaging but the contents leave more to be desired. I've purchased better drugstore blushes. I love blush but I'd only repurchase in a different color at a discounted price.
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Foundations -Revlon - Nearly Naked Foundation
jaycarr 1/14/2013 2:40:00 PM
This is a typical drugstore foundation, nothing to make it stand out from the crowd. I purchased it in shade caramel, as it was harder to find the deeper shades in multiple stores. Color selection is severely lacking. I expect more from Revlon by now. Typically I swear by Revlon Colorstay but it can be high-maintenance. I was looking for a fresh, easy, breathable foundation (with slightly more coverage than a tinted moisturizer). There is no pump applicator, and it pours out very liquidy. When smoothed on the color matched my skin fairly well. It photographs beautifully at first (no white cast, not ashy). Unfortunately, it does not last! I have incredibly oily skin, but in the cooler months I am less so. It set to a semi-matte finish even with the Nearly Naked Powder over it. I don't like to look dewy so soon after I first apply, and within 3 hours I was an oily mess. With Colorstay I never have to touch up that early, even without a setting powder. I was very disappointed. Also, coverage fades away as the day progresses. I will return it and resume my lightweight foundation hunt. Le sigh.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Maybelline - Baby Lips lip balm
jaycarr 1/10/2013 3:23:00 PM
Average lip product. I bought the minty one that goes on clear. It moisturized my lips, but if you are seriously dry this will not penetrate and clings to dry skin flakes. It just kind of sits on top in an obvious way and stopped working all together after a few weeks. The colorful twist tube packaging is easy and attractive. Smells good, wouldn't lick off. It's just alright. Definitely not worth the hype in my opinion.
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Primer/ Corrector -Urban Decay - All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
jaycarr 1/10/2013 3:17:00 PM
This product was such a huge disappointment. This was my first experience with makeup setting sprays and will likely be my last. You do get a good amount of product in the bottle. The nozzle sprays it out similar to Windex, instead of a fine mist. The spray itself has a very light scent but goes on sticky. When it got on my eyelids all day I felt the sticky reside with every other blink. I had to play with it a couple times to see what application works best for me, as it does not spray on evenly. Keep your eyes closed or they will burn. It took 3-4 sprays a decent distance away from my face to coat it all. After 1-2 minutes to dry it set nicely. My makeup lasted a good 4-5 hours with minimal oil bleeding through. It's best when used at night. If you can snag a deluxe sample go for it, but I'll stick to setting powder when necessary.
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Primer/ Corrector -Sephora - Smoothing Primer
jaycarr 1/10/2013 2:37:00 PM
This primer is surprisingly good! I have a very oily t-zone (and entire face in humidity) and this held my liquid foundation well. It's a lotion-based consistency, so its not drying. The key is to use a tiny amount. Start with a pea-sized dot for where you most need primer and spread it to the rest of your face. On my incredibly oily days I did start to bleed through after 4-5 hours, but if paired with a decent sheer HD setting powder you could go even longer without a touch-up. I would buy this over Smashbox Photo Finish primer. They hold up about the same. It's not my favorite primer of all time but it's definitely an underrated product. Worth the $16 bucks!
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Cleansers -Boscia - Purifying Cleansing Gel
jaycarr 1/10/2013 2:27:00 PM
This facial wash feels very clean. So clean it left my face as dry and ashy as a bone. I liked the very delicate scent, and it felt very smooth in my hands. It didn't lather too much and rinsed away cleanly. My major problem was that I found it much too drying. Even when used every other I developed dry patches and had to buy a thicker moisturizer. Would not repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle
jaycarr 1/8/2013 4:36:00 PM
This is a great product! First, the packaging is cute. Nothing too special but nice enough. It applies very smooth and even. Wears about as long as your standard lipstick (maybe 2 hours) but the color does fade into a nice pink tint. Pink truffle is a fleshy-pink color. It looks darker in the tube than when applied. I have brown skin and pink lips, and when I put this on its my lipcolor amped up 2 shades. Not too glossy but goes on more moisturizing than a lipstick. As you apply more the color intensifies. I just love the way it glides on. As you use it, it does melt a little around the edge of the tube. Nothing too dramatic but I wouldn't leave it in the car on a sunny day.I will say I appreciate the tube being pink so I don't have to store it upside down to see the label I wish it was a dollar or 2 cheaper, but great buy. Very nice everyday color without being too natural or too girly.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Too Faced - Chocolate Soleil
jaycarr 1/8/2013 4:28:00 PM
I am NW45 (brown skinned) and this did nothing for me. Yeah it smells good. Unless I'm going to eat it, this does nothing for me. It felt chalky as the brush picked it up and was a bit powdery. It was about the same as my skin tone, but a tiny bit more flat colorwise. Maybe on lighter people its great, but its marketed to be good for a range of skin tones. In actuality its for a range of light to olive skin tones. I did like how it didn't have any shimmer. Pass.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
jaycarr 1/8/2013 3:30:00 PM
This mask is surprisingly affordable and fantastic! I was going through a short-lived "buy only expensive beauty products" phase when my friend turned me on to this. They used it in her beauty school. For $3 at Dollar General, why not? I love this product now! Its much better than the Aztec Clay mask. Once every other week, or when my face just feels clogged and gross I throw this on while cleaning. It smells minty and tingles a bit. Its a short mask, only 15 minutes which is great. The tube seems like the most pratical way to package it, but sometimes its hard to squeeze out and get all of the product (especially with mask all over your hands). Rinses away pretty cleanly, but I follow up with a deep moisturizer. Not too drying for periodic use and has not caused me any breakouts. My skin always feels better afterwards. Well worth the money!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous mascara
jaycarr 1/8/2013 3:22:00 PM
Pretty solid mascara. It builds at the tips nicely. I like the black tube, rounded brush version in very black. The brush is big but handles my smallish lashes great. It didn't clump on me, at least when it was new. It can be worn during the day for a subtle but noticeable pop, or really built up to dramatic lenghts in the evening. This was my go-to but my tube dried out fast. Thats a good thing in the beginning because when it dries a tiny bit the formula was perfect. But 6 weeks in and its clumping like crazy. Good thing is, its not too pricey and I try to use coupons/sales when I buy drugstore makeup. I know mascara has a short shelf like but I've had other mascaras longer and they are still fine.
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Eye Makeup Remover -Lancome - Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Make-up Remover
jaycarr 1/8/2013 3:15:00 PM
Great eye makeup remover! I was hesitant to buy another eye product with oil in it, but seeing as those are the best products to remove mascara with I gave it a shot. Definately worth it. The good reviews are spot on. I use cotton squares, and hold them on my eye for 5-10 seconds before I rub, just to really wet the lashes. It removes eyeshadow, eye liner, and mascara all in one. Best part- no oily residue! It has never, ever irritated my eyes. The price is steep so I only use it for eyes. If you can get it during a holiday or with purchase at a beauty counter that's the smartest way. I bought mine at a CC (cosmetics company) store that was having an additional 25% off sale. And the blue bottle is pretty! (not that it matters, but still haha).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -NYX - Eyebrow Cake Powder - ECP02 Dark Brown/Brown
jaycarr 1/8/2013 3:03:00 PM
As a brow powder its okay. For less than $10 its worth a shot. The two little brushes that come with it are okay, I would recomment getting a more precise eyebrow brush eventually. It definately looks natural when applies lightly, and built where needed. I'm AA with brown hair and it matches well. The two powders look very similar to me. I kind of wish they just mixed them and gave us 1 larger color. The pigment is not great but when you use the brush it came with, the brush is very tough so it picks it up well. It fades slowly throughout the day but nothing drastic. I like natural, slightly imperfect looking brows during work and this does the job. It's no holy grail item but definately a good fall back product. The packaging is perfect, but the wax is useless. Thick, dirty after used, and awkard to get on a spoolie. I set with Anastasia brow gel. For precise looking brows I would keep product searching.
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Primer/ Corrector -Too Faced - Primed & Poreless (regular, pink tube)
jaycarr 1/8/2013 2:52:00 PM
This is on its way to becoming my holy grail primer. I am very oily. As in oil slick after 2 hours no matter what setting spray/powder oily. I am NW45 so when I got a sample of this I was very skeptical. It comes out a dusty tan color. I have worn it on my skin without makeup and it settles to an invisible finish 2-3 minutes after applying. It doesn't look ashy. Didn't really mininize my huge pores, so I wouldn't recommend it for that. Maybe on lighter skin. Made my face did look a little smoother. As a primer under foundation it absolutely does its job. The slighty grainy look of it really creates a smooth canvas.I use 2 pea-sized amounts (one for each side of face). I don't even have to touch up all morning; its that good. The price is steep but it's worth it to me. They sell it a lot in kits with other products. I moisturize well before applying, and would recomment everyone do the same as it is not a lotion-type formula. I occasionally cycle between my lotion-type primers because this feels drying sometimes. Not tight, just not as smooth as a lotion would.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No