Highlighters -Tarte - Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder Champagne 
masqued_dreamer 4/10/2012 12:51:00 PM
Tarte Amazonian Clay shimmering powder in Champagne is a beige shimmer powder that can be used as a cheek highlighter or a highlight for under the brow bone. This retails for $30 for 9 grams of product and is available anywhere Tarte is sold, such as Sephora, Ulta, QVC and beauty.com
For starters, I love the packaging. It's in a soft leatherette casing that has a quilted pattern on the top, with Tarte embossed in it. Beneath the quilting, the compact is plastic that is closed with magnets on the left and right next to the powder. Inside you will find that the compact has a mirror and on the botton portion is the powder. The best thing about this packaging is that it is designed to be depotted and repotted if you deem that necessary. All I did was turn it over and give it a light tap and the powder just popped right out because it's held on by a magnet. This is desirable if you want to put it in a free form palette such as Z, unii or anothersoul.
Onto the product itself, I love the beige shimmer. It's a very universal shade that i believe can be used on all skintones and it lasts all day. I generally apply this at about 8 or 9 in the morning and I don't have to reapply this all day. When I get home from work, I still have full glowy shimmer. This to me, alone, makes it well worth the $30 but I probably wouldn't spend any more than that on a highlighting product. Like I said before, they give you 9g of product and that is huge when you consider that you only dab it a little bit on top of your cheeks. I really do like this product.
overall, I would purchase this again if I ever need to but i feel like I won't ever need to, considering how much product is in the package. While it is a little bit pricey, I personally believe the price is worth it. Drugstore highlighters just don't do it for me. it's long lasting, wearable on many different skin tones and versatile.
Ingredients: Mica, ethylhexyl palmitate, zinc stearate, silica, dimethicone, squalane, polyethylene, lauroyl lysine, kaolin, retinyl palmitate, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium dehydroacetate, glyceryl caprylate, p-anisic acid, potassium sorbate.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -E.L.F. - Studio Blush Blushing Rose
masqued_dreamer 4/10/2012 11:35:00 AM
ELF Studio Blush in Blushing Rose can be described as a berry color with gold shimmer. For $3, you get 4.75 grams of product. That's a steal, in my book. ELF also has some great deals on their products all the time, so you almost never have to pay full price.
It appears really dark in the pan but goes on pretty sheer. You would have to do quite a few swipes to get it the true color in the pan. That's why I'm only giving it 3 stars. When I purchase a blush, I expect it to be the color I see in the pan. However, the fact that it's sheer can be a great thing if you're a fairer skin tone. If you're not, I feel like you're going to have a hard time getting this color to show up.
packaging is okay, but nothing special. It's a black plastic casing that says "elf blush" on the front. The front has a clear window on the front so you can see the color of the blush. When you open it up, it has a small mirror and the pan of blush below it. I have had issues with some of these blushes popping out of their pan because they're only held on with one strip of double stick tape, but what can you expect for $3?
Overall, I think ELF studio blushes are great but this one was kind of a miss for me. If a color isn't pigmented, I generally won't reach for it...as is the case with this one. I'll still use it occasionally but it's not one of my first choices, even in just the elf brand. I'd say save your $3.
Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Nylon-12, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Paraffinium Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Polybutene, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491 , CI 77492 , CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow No.5 Lake (CI 19140), Red No.40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Violet (CI 77077), Blue No.1 Lake (CI 42090).
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Almay - Oil-free eye makeup remover liquid
masqued_dreamer 4/9/2012 11:26:00 AM
This is the Almay liquid remover in the purple bottle. I bought 3 or 4 of these because they were such a good price at Walgreens but now I regret hoarding the stuff. It does nothing but sting my eyes horribly. I put some makeup remover on a cotton pad, set it on my eyes for a few seconds and then wipe away. It leaves my eyes burning and not able to see for a good 15 minutes. I'm going back to Neutrogena. That stuff actually worked and I never had a problem. Funny thing is, the makeup remover pads from almay are awesome! Never had a problem.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -TheBalm - Mary-Lou Manizer
masqued_dreamer 4/8/2012 10:27:00 PM
This has replaced MAC's Lightscapade MSF as my HG highlighter. Price of this is $24.00 USD for 8.5g of product. TheBalm describes it as: "This honey-hued multi-use product is much more than just a luminizer - it is a highlighter, an eye shadow, and an all-over shimmer in one. However, this creamy feeling highlighter, shadow and shimmer diffuses light leaving skin looking softer and younger - while at the same time adding a subtle glow. Layer it on your lids for luxe-looking lashes, sweep it on your cheeks for a sexy sheen, or use it as an all-over finishing touch before you head out for the day or night. Talc, Oil, and Paraben-free, Mary-Lou Manizer is a lot more than she appears to be!" A little bit about my skin: I am very fair, warm toned and have dry to very dry skin. My skin isn't particularly acne prone but I do get occasional break outs and allergic reactions to certain products. I've been using this product for about 2 months and I instantly fell in love with it. It's shimmery without making my face look like a glitter ball. It's a champagne color that seems to be very versatile on several skin tones. It stays on my skin throughout the day without having to reapply at all and is more noticeable without looking ridiculous than my previous highlight. I've only tried this as an eye shadow a few times and it seems to stay on just as well as any of my other higher end eye shadows. It's great for a sheer wash of color or as a highlight below the brow. It can also be built up for a more opaque shade. Overall, I think this is a great product for everyone who wants a glow without looking like a disco ball exploded on your face. The price is mid ranged and you get a lot of product for the price, considering some highlighters can be a lot more for less product. You just need a tiny bit to do the job, so I feel like this one compact would last you years. If I ever run out, which seems unlikely, I will certainly rebuy. Ingredients: Mica, Isoeicosane, Polyethylene, Boron Nitrate, Polyisobutene, PTFE, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491)
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -NYX - Slide On Pencil - Jet Black
masqued_dreamer 4/1/2012 3:25:00 AM
I have several of these but the jet black was the one that sold me because it's a dark black liner that actually stays on my waterline for a good 10-12 hours. If definitely lasts during my work shift and usually a little bit longer. I recently just bought a second one because i have such good results with the first one. I'm still testing out other colors, so I will review those next.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline
masqued_dreamer 3/30/2012 11:33:00 PM
I bought this eyeliner originally because it's the blackest black I can get and it actually stays on my waterline (when set with carbon eye shadow). Wearing it alone, it smudges like mad. I don't think it's specifically made to stay on, especially on the waterline. In my experience, nothing stays on the waterline but this does a pretty good job. If it wasn't for that, I don't think I would have bought it. I really like the eyeliner. I bought two backups of it but not enough to the point where i would give it a 5 star rating. It's good, but could be improved. i'm not a fan of pencils that have to be sharpened because they're just a mess to deal with. Other than that, great eyeliner.
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Mascara -Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
masqued_dreamer 3/25/2012 9:48:00 PM
I will be buying this from now on as my everyday mascara. i tried it originally because of the price and the great reviews but it really is an amazing mascara. it gives volume without becoming clumpy and it gives my lashes amazing length. I don't think you can go wrong for 3 bucks. Win Win...Win
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Palettes -Smashbox - Photo Op Mega Palette
masqued_dreamer 3/11/2012 10:27:00 PM
This palette is exclusive to QVC and as soon as I saw it on easy pay I had to purchase it. I've had it about a month and I've been pretty pleased thus far. The palette costs around $107 with tax and shipping from QVC.com. yes, it is pricey for a palette but you get quality that you don't usually see in value palettes. I will review each product individually below: Eye shadows: there are 56 shadows in this palette (1.25 grams each). They are comprised of all 16 eye shadow trios and the softbox quad and Stage one quad. This alone is a huge value, considering the size is larger than that of the trios and the quality is fantastic. I've tried most of the trios so far and They are richly pigmented and last all day. I get a ton of compliments on these shadows when I wear them to work. Cream liners: You get 8 colors (.90 grams each) I'm kind of on the fence about these but so far they've given me quality results. I have a feeling that these are going to dry out soon but I feel like theyre a great way to try different shades of liner. These, too, are great quality. I've tried a few different colors and they stay all day without budging on both my waterline and lash line. Brow tech powders and wax: The wax is great for setting your brow powder and the tech powders can mix to get your perfect color. i mixed the auburn and brunette to get the perfect shade for my red hair. Blushes: includes two blushes (8.46 grams each). These blushes are huge... I have a feeling they are going to last me a while. Colors are posy pink and warm apricot. I've worn both on multiple occasions. They look very bright and clown like in the palette but i was pleasantly surprised that they go on pretty sheer and are pretty buildable without getting cakey. Highlighters: There are 3 soft lights highlighters...pretty small, they look like they would be good for trying out. I have not been that impressed with thee. They're okay but nothing to brag about. They add a nice sheen but nothing too unique. Lip glosses: There are 5 lip glosses in the palette. I like the range of colors, as they could be wearable on almost everyone but i'm just not a fan of palette glosses so I pretty much just overlooked these. Overall, this is a great palette. The price is a bit much but i think it's definitely worth it for the amount of product you're getting. There are many many more hits than misses. Pretty much the only miss in here for me was the glosses but I saw that coming. I would certainly buy this again if given the chance. It really is an overall great value.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked Palette
masqued_dreamer 3/6/2012 11:22:00 AM
I use this palette usually everyday for work. I don't really have an issue with the fallout because I put my foundation on after. For all that you're getting in this palette, it's a great price. If My math it right: the shadows alone are worth $177 and the eye shadow brush is worth another $26. for an estimated value of $203. I love this palette. It's versatile enough for me to get a lot of different looks out of it but still neutral enough for me to wear every single day.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia2
masqued_dreamer 2/22/2012 5:23:00 PM
I was looking to buy a clarisonic for a while before I purchased the mia 2. It seemed like a lot of money just to wash my face but I saw that QVC had it on easy pay so I obviously had to try it. If it didn't work out, I could always return it and get my money back. Anywho, i've been using this since Christmas and I hit one little hiccup. I was using it too much when I first got it (twice a day) and it started to give me little bumps on my chin. I decided to look up some more info on it and started using it every other day. the bumps went away and I've had picture perfect clear skin since then. Since I've gotten used to it more, I've started using it once a day and my skin still is really clear, bright and just pretty. My foundation applies much nicer too. for $150 I got the two brush heads (deep cleansing and sensitive), The clarisonic, the plink charger, a travel case and a 3 oz bottle of philosophy purity cleanser (which is now my HG cleanser for night). I have one more payment of $36 but I feel strongly that it's worth it. I would purchase this again in an instant if I had to but hopefully it lasts me years!
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Shampoo -Frederic Fekkai - GLOSS Glossing Shampoo
masqued_dreamer 2/11/2012 12:46:00 AM
I'm going to keep this really simple. The glossing shampoo leaves my hair really silky and manageable. It makes styling my hair a whole heck of a lot easier than with my regular shampoo. The only reason I wouldn't buy it again is because of the price. $24 is a lot for an 8 oz bottle of shampoo
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Coastal Scents - Bright Eyed Eye Brightener in Ivory
masqued_dreamer 2/11/2012 12:37:00 AM
This is the first time that I have ever purchased a concealer for the purpose of covering under eye circles. So Far it has turned out great, It Is the perfect color for cancelling out the blue tones of the undereye circles and it doesn't seem to settle into fine lines like other concealers do. The only issue i have with it is the color selection. There really aren't that many shades to choose from. But overall, It's a good product and does the job,,,I certainly would buy it again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -MAC - Cremewash
masqued_dreamer 12/20/2011 10:35:00 AM
I was looking for a cream cleanser that wouldn't dry out my already dry skin. The SA recommended Cremewash because it was formulated for dry skin. sorry no dice. I've been trying for months to like it but all it does is exacerbate the dryness of my skin by creating even more dry patches so much to the point that no amount of moisturizer helps my face from feeling tight. For the price, i am highly disappointed . I bought 2 bottles and 1 is still untouched. I'll probably never use it again.
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Liquid -Clinique - Perfectly Real Makeup
masqued_dreamer 11/15/2011 4:12:00 PM
This foundation comes in a standard foundation size of 1 FL. OZ. It's allergy tested and 100% fragrance free like all clinique products. This foundation retails for $24.00 I have it in shade 01...every foundation I have is in the lightest shade due to my pale irish skin. The color selection is pretty good. At 20 shades, everyone is bound to find a shad that works for them. At first I was hesitant about this because another clinique foundation was too dark for me, but after I put this on, it blended seamlessly into my skin. I always have that fear that I'm going to have the dreaded line of demarcation on my neck but this foundation is my perfect shade. While the foundation's consistency is like a cream, it doesn't go on nearly as thick and heavy as other cream foundations i've tried. It still looks like my skin but a little bit better. This foundation isn't marketed towards being long lasting, but I feel like it should be. With other foundations, I've had the need to touch up my face with blot powder due to oily spots but this foundation does not cake or get greasy on my face. I've never found the need to touch it up. I work a pretty fast paced job and it still stays put after 12 hours. The packaging is just kind of so-so. I can see a lot of waste occurring from a squeeze tube but I feel like it's almost a given that a cream foundation should be in a squeeze tube for ease of use. Overall, I would purchase this again and again. I have no real problems with it. It may just become my HG foundation after I've used it long enough.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Anastasia Brow Powder
masqued_dreamer 4/16/2011 10:19:00 AM
This is my go-to brow product. I used it on my brows every single day. With the two shades working together, you can get a perfect color match. I have never had a problem with it smudging or coming off. For a high end product it's not that expensive and it lasts a pretty long time. It's worth the $22. The packaging is nice with the little mirror and the logo on the front, it looks like a mini compact. It would be a little bit more sleek if the packaging were black instead of silver. I bought this color in Medium Ash but i find myself using the darker color more than the lighter (i have medium brown hair) so maybe next time, i'll go with the brunette shade. Overall, it's a great brow product and a staple for me.
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