Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
loved 1/1/2009 7:44:00 PM
Goes on smoothly by using my finger. I only need a little bit but it keeps the shadow on all day without creasing or flaking. I wish the bottle were a shaped a little bit better so that I could be sure I'm getting all of the primer out. This is a must for all makeup bags. I'm already on my fourth tube. It's also great if you're not going to use shadow but need something to even out skin tone on the lids. I haven't tried other shadow primers but doubt there's anything better than this.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Volume Exact Waterproof
loved 1/1/2009 7:41:00 PM
This is the volumizing mascara that I go to. It truly is waterproof and the brush is amazing. I don't find it clumps but rather evenly distributes the mascara. So, kudos to CG for both a great black formula (I use Very Black) and a brush that works. It doesn't lengthen though but it is called VOLUME exact for a reason. It's not too runny so one or two coats is enough, it really sticks to the lashes. I continue to repurchase.
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Blush -Laura Geller - Blush n Brighten Golden Apricot
loved 1/1/2009 7:38:00 PM
Very bright. Too much and I look like a clown and the line between just enough and too much is very thin. There is way too much shimmer and sparkle in this for me. I was hoping for something to just give me a little glow but this isn't it. I thought the colors would be good for my Asian-toned skin but it's too bright and bold. Not for me.
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Eyes -Bare Escentuals - Weather Everything Liner Sealer
loved 1/1/2009 7:26:00 PM
I use this two ways, both work fantastically. One way, I use a brush to put this over my liner. It seals it and my liner looks as good as it did when I put it on at the beginning of the day. Another is to use it with BE glimmers. I mix in a small, tiny drop of this with a little bit of the glimmers and *voila* instant metallic liner. This doesn't irritate my eyes lik BeneFit She-Laq and it doesn't change the color of any liner or shadow I use it with. It dries fairly quickly. I wish the drops that come out of the dispenser were smaller, 'cause a lot goes a long way and the drops are more than enough for one application.
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Cleansers -DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil
loved 1/1/2009 7:17:00 PM
This is the best for removing makeup, waterproof or otherwise. It's got a great olive oil scent. At first I was skeptical. I mean, come on, use oil on your face? I have combination skin and find that this doesn't make my skin more oily or difficult. It washes off clean and leaves my skin fresh. I really, really like this.
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Fragrances -Ralph Lauren - RALPH COOL [DISCONTINUED]
loved 1/1/2009 7:13:00 PM
I wear this over the summers. It's got a cool, fresh note. A bit edgier than Ralph. I'm surprised that I like this. I'm usually all about the warm, sugared notes of fragrances like Princess (my winter scent). This is not exactly beachy, but it's less delicate and more casual.
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
loved 1/1/2009 6:04:00 PM
Thick, silicone - like texture with no fragrance. I like the idea of this and it works well. It fills in wrinkles and pores practically disappear. It goops up on my foundation brushes though and after longterm use, I develop cystic pimples. Too bad, I thought this was a winner.
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Light
loved 1/1/2009 5:57:00 PM
Don't understand the point of this. I don't see a difference at all. I don't see how this is a 'light' version of Photo Finish. I don't see any similarities whatsoever. At least the original smoothed out my skin and filled in wrinkles. This does go on smoothly but it practically disappears. I'm not going to waste my money on this again.
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Foundations -Smashbox - High Definition Healthy FX Foundation
loved 1/1/2009 5:54:00 PM
Love this liquid foundation. I apply it using Smashbox's foundation brush and I couldn't ask for much better results. It's light, my skin can breath, the color match is pretty much spot on (I use medium beige in BE and light in this - L3). I will warn potential users that upon application, there is a strange scent which dissapates after a while. I really like the pump. I feel that I can really get all of the product out of the bottle and that it's easy to control the amount I place on the back of my hand with a steady press of the top. I did take one star off because the buildable coverage really only goes from sheer to medium. Don't look to this to cover acne, scars, or really dark beauty marks. It won't. However, on a fairly good skin day, this is AWESOME. I highly recommend getting the foundation brush with this and applying a light powder on top, like Mineral Veil, to keep the makeup in place. Foundation, brush, and powder make a world of difference.
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Moisturizers -Philosophy - Hope in a Jar - for all skin types
loved 1/1/2009 5:42:00 PM
Love, love, love. This is a lightweight moisturizer with a delicate lavender scent. I don't know what I did before I used this. It absorbs nicely, not greasy at all. I have to be careful not to get too close to my eyes because it is irritating. This particular item does not have SPF, which I wish it did because I don't like If Hope is Not Enough. I don't find this creates blemishes or irritates my skin. The only huge downfall is that it comes in a tub. I don't like sticking my fingers in it but, I don't have much of a choice. I just make sure my hands are well washed. Will definitely repurchase once I finish with my 8oz. tub - it lasts forever!
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Eyeliner -MAC - Liquidlast Liner - Point Black
loved 1/1/2009 5:34:00 PM
This is a very intense black liner. I love the dramatic effect I can get with it. However, I find that there are some aspects of it which really put me on the fence about repurchasing. First, the consistency. It's very thick. If I don't wipe off the brush before applying it goes on unevenly and forget about it if you get it on your lashes. Second, because it's so thick, it takes forever to dry and once it does, it stays there. If I blink before it's fully dry I get a line of it on my upper lid and completely mess up my eyemakup - liner is my last step. Third, because of the price, and the aforementioned characteristics, I wish it were a little thinner. I'd get more for my money. Fourth, the brush is not as thin as I would like. Sure, rolling the brush around the end of the tube allows the bristles to tighten up but I wish the brush were as thin as the Liner Clubbing brush (by Bourjois, which I think they discontinued). The only thing this has going for it that puts it above Fluidline, IMO, is the dramatic black pigment. I mean, it's BLACK and goes on as black as it looks. Will be repurchasing. ETA: It's a b*tch to get off but looks great on the waterline - make sure under your eyes is dry before you apply it. (03.30.09)
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Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack
loved 1/1/2009 5:27:00 PM
There's no substitute. This is the absolute BEST liner out there. Granted, it's $18 but it's worth every penny (and more). I've tried other gel liners and liquid liners but I keep coming back to this one. I prefer this over Point Black Liquidlast, even. With a really good brush, this makes a nice thin or thick line and stays pretty well. I do go over it with BE Weather Everything and even by the end of my 8 hour shift I look almost as good as when I first put it on. The jar lasts a long time but it does tend to dry up and crack over time. I find that if you add a little DI water and mix the liner up, it lengthens the life of it and sort of reconstitutes the original consistency making it just as easy to apply as the first day I bought it.
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Primer/ Corrector -Philosophy - The Present Clear Makeup
loved 1/1/2009 5:22:00 PM
I like this. I tend to wear it under foundation, as a primer rather than as a 'clear makeup' but when my skin is really behaving, I may go with this over HIAJ and just go out like that. It's got a thick lotion texture and goes on smoothly. It doesn't glob up on my foundation brush which I appreciate. A lot of primers that I use build up on my brush giving me an uneven appearance. This has a gentle lavender smell, a delicate smell. It does smooth out my skin, minimizes pores, but doesn't fill in wrinkles - I don't think it's thick enough. I don't have a problem with breaking out with this, or any other Philosophy product so it all depends on skin chemistry. I don't find any long-term effects - good or bad. Love that it's in a tube.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - the microdelivery exfoliating wash
loved 1/1/2009 5:05:00 PM
My favorite face wash. The 'diatomaceous earth' is great for a slight scrub-like exfoliation which is just enough so I can use it every day. I use it in the morning and find that it really refreshes my skin. The gentle beads smooth my skin for makeup preparation. It's gently foaming so it gets rid of the oil build-up. It doesn't remove makeup very well so people would need to use a separate remover or try Purity (not for waterproof makeup). No noticeable, bold fragrance.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
loved 1/1/2009 4:26:00 PM
At first I was disappointed. It's low foaming (unless you use a face brush), and doesn't strip your skin and has oils to condition your skin so upon initial use, you wonder, "what exactly is this doing to my skin? It doesn't seem like it's doing anything." But that's the point. It doesn't do what the drugstore cleansers do that we're used to. It doesn't dry out your skin, it doesn't irritate your eyes, it doesn't cause sensitive skin to flare up and cause problems throughout the day. It has a delicate scent. It washes off completely and there's no need to tone afterwards. Moisturizer is optional, depending on skin-type and what kind of day I'm having. It washes off makeup nicely but not waterproof mascara. That's the only disappointment. This is no guarantee that it'll work for everybody but that's what return policies are for. ETA: I now use this after shampooing and it really helps with volume and softness. It's also great as a body wash to get rid of the dirt and grime around those difficult places - behind the ears, under the arms, etc.
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