Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup 24 hrs
peoplerpeople 11/8/2012 6:02:00 PM
Hate. The new formula gives me acne. The consistency is different, and I don't mean better. Btw, Caramel differs significantly between Colorstay, Photoready, and Photoready Whipped/Mousse formulas. I'm pissed.
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Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Elasta QP Design Foam
peoplerpeople 8/4/2012 3:38:00 PM
Maybe I haven't worked out how much to use, but this left my 2b/3a fine, not thick, frizzprone hair gummy with little hold when I used it to set rollers and tried using it to blowdry. The Elasta QP Design Silk (same size but white opaque bottle) on the other hand, I love dearly.
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Hair Styling Tools -Revlon - Revlon Ionic Hot Air Styler Kit 
peoplerpeople 7/22/2012 9:13:00 AM
I don't understand why there aren't more hot air brushes on the market. My AfAm hair (transitioned, 3a curl) is fine and curly/prone to frizz. When I use this, I don't need a curling or flat iron afterwards, because the tool dries and smooths without removing all curl. I only ever use the bristle brush attachment. The tool is lightweight and easy to pack but also is very, very, very loud. The high setting is too hot for use with the brush attachments. That said, this tool doesn't compete with the efficiency and power of better hair dryers on the market. Nevertheless, I am on my third. The first just sorta bruned out after 2.5 years of regular use. The second lasted 2 years before an outlet in a UK hotel labeled "US voltage 220v" cooked the motor; it runs, but smells and sounds so different that I have retired it...and bought another. I have a regualr hair dryer too, but this tool is just great in its simplicity, especially for travel, and cheap enough for me to forgive its shortcomings.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Urban Decay - Complexion Primer Potion-Brightening
peoplerpeople 5/4/2012 9:53:00 AM
I tried a lot of primers in search of one without silicone worth using. (The silicone ingredients in primers give me this weird, painful, slow-motion acne.) A lot of the silicone-free ones did absolutely nothing...at all. As in, why spend on a primer that doesn't even help with the foundation? This product came to me as part of some kind of Sephora sampler about a year ago and I still like it. I see the difference when I use it before applying my liquid foundation (I don't notice anything when I use it under powder foundation). My makeup looks smoother and lasts longer when I use it. From the other reviews, I suspect that I use way less than others. I squeeze one thin line along one finger, lightly spread it across fingers of both hands, then pat it lightly across my nose, forehead, and apples of cheeks. I have not personally experienced the taffylike consistency, but will not argue that others have not. Finally, I won't lie: the brightening effect is yet to appear. No brightening, but it works the way I want it to work. Minus one lippie because the finish flakes off the cap like crazy. Otherwise, I like a tube.
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Moisturizers -Cerave - Facial Moisturizing Lotion - AM SPF 30
peoplerpeople 4/12/2012 10:03:00 AM
One of the coolest things about MUA is that, because no one product works for everyone, one can compare one's self against others with seemingly similar profiles and try to predict success, etc. For me, Cerave's AM and PM moisturizers are the truth. In my personal experience, the AM is light but effective. It sinks in quickly and does not leave a whitish cast. No odor that I could detect or problems with balling under makeup. I can name a few moisturizers that I like but do not use because they were not compatible (balling, etc.) with the foundation I use and I chose to stick with the foundation. What I like most is that this product does not clog my pores, irritate my skin or cause me to breakout...and I feel like my skin overreacts to *everything*. I second the observation that the product is not remotely sweatproof. I have not found use for the lotion or body cream. Again, I don't judge the accuracy of the other reviews, but wanted to add my own just in case my experience may prove useful to someone out there.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Chanel - Bois des Iles
peoplerpeople 4/12/2012 9:10:00 AM
First, an apology: this review will probably not be helpful to many because, as much as I like to read about fragrances, I have difficulty writing about fragrance myself. I did not like this at first because I thought it smelled too "old lady." I would wear it to, I don't know, daytime weddings or luncheons. Then I realized that I really liked the fragrance when I smelled it in my clothes. After two years, I have come to think of this as a signature fragrance, which means that I reach for this one more than others on the occasions that I wear fragrance at all. A spritz of the EDT behind the knee or at the base of my back 1+ hour before "showtime" is perfect. I like that the fragrance is not crazily overly popular; at least, I haven't noticed the fragrance on others (Yay! Mine!) Also, though I couldn't explain why, I haven't suddenly fallen out of "like" with it the way I have with other scents. There. Told you not to expect much. I just wanted to document my appreciation for no reason in particular.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Media lipstick
peoplerpeople 4/11/2012 10:54:00 PM
Hooray! The color lasts well before ultimately fading -- not flipping -- to a rosy berrylike hue. Hooray! This lipstick doesn't dry out my lips or the area surrounding my lips. Hooray! I love it when a blind buy leads to something awesome. Didn't recognize it at the time, but this has quickly become a goto. Will repurchase.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Shea Moisture - Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
peoplerpeople 4/11/2012 10:46:00 PM
I tried this as part of a sampler kit, which means that I was way less likely to be upset if I didn't like it. The shampoo felt good, lathered well enough for my standards and seemed to moisturize as promised. The smell is musky Argan-oil strong, but not necessarily unpleasant. Unfortunately, I'm beginning to realize that hair products with Argan oil, including that Morroccan O. line, seem to really bother my eyes(?!). From tears and pinkness to small but fiery red hives in and around my eye area, this shampoo (and/or conditioner) doesn't agree with me. I'm bummed because I did like it but take solace in the discovery of the shampoo, etc. from the hibiscus coconut formula. Happy endings overall.
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Lip Gloss -Clinique - Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Currant
peoplerpeople 3/29/2012 7:36:00 PM
I was starting to think I am allergic to lip gloss. I like the look, but one product after another would start the area around my mouth to tingling, itching, or burning within 5 to 30 minutes after application. So far, this gloss is different. The color is nice alone or as a layer. The shine is not overthetop. The gloss is not super thick, vinyl-y or kumquat-flavored (none of the aforementioned is bad in and of itself, but I suspect that I am sensitive to one or more ingredients that account for flavoring or texture or plumping or something). The gloss is/does just what I want: it acts as a moisturizing layer underneath or on top of my dark lipsticks, which tend to dry out and off over time. I agree that it doesn't last long, but it does seem to extend the life of lipstick I'm wearing just a bit. Haven't noticed the smell mentioned by other reviewers. I first tried this in the Black Honey, which I bought along with the Chubby Stick thing. Chubby Stick fell by wayside, figuratively speaking. I still like the BH, but find the slightly paler and slightly pinker Currant more versatile. Would that I could score a teensy tube like the sample of Grapefruit Sephora distributed some weeks back, I'd be totally content. As it is, this is a new favorite.
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Hair Styling Tools -Goody - Spin Pin
peoplerpeople 2/16/2012 8:17:00 PM
This product singlehandedly (1) elevated my relationship with my ailing mother-in-law, who could continue to work her French twist even after surgery left her weak; (2) made my dad-in-law very proud to know he could help with her hair ("why haven't these been invented before now?"); and (3) made my sis-in-law burn silently in a corner, I guess because I dared introduce a product about which she knew nothing (because, you see, she knows EVERYTHING about anything worth knowing) and for which her mother was very grateful indeed. Oh, and I keep plenty around for twists and buns in my own hair as well. I have no complaints. Lovely invention. [Update-of-sorts (4/2012): Wow. What's up with all the thumb-feedback? It doesn't matter one way or the other, but I don't get it (shrug). The pins remain extremely easy to use, particularly for one seeking and/or less knowledgeable about working a French twist without a lot of bobby pins. Frankly, I use them most often to fix my hair up and away from my neck while I sleep. Mom's hair is mostly collar-length and coarse; mine is shoulder-length (right now), 2b/3a, fine, and slightly prone to breakage.]
31 out of 42 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Tarte - Lights Camera Lashes
peoplerpeople 1/2/2012 11:06:00 PM
I love this mascara bc it's the only one that doesn't make my eyes water after hours of wear. Deduct one lippie bc other drugstore mascaras have made my thin lashes look better, but I keep buying this bc I can count on it to perform without causing any irritation whatsoever.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Shag Lipstick
peoplerpeople 1/2/2012 9:57:00 PM
Oh yeah. This has replaced O as my favorite everyday lipstick. The shade can do no wrong. Nuisance is that my MACstore is always out of the shade. UPDATE: I'm back to O again. Shag started to look bland and one-dimensional.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
peoplerpeople 1/2/2012 9:43:00 PM
I agree that this product is a bit lighter in consistency than Colorstay, which is ironic because I find CS Caramel to be my go-to/greatifabitdark color match in *summer* (combo/oily bc the other smells weird and differs in color from caramel in dry-skin formula) and PR Rich Ginger is a greatifaweebitlight color match for winter. Truth be told, I hadn't noticed any sparkle to speak of. I use this over good moisturizer or else my chin sometimes looks ashy dry immediately upon setting w powder. Tradeoff for lighter coverage is less staying power, but I can workaround that well enough. FWIW, I am closest to MAC NC42 (though that shade is just a smidgen too yellow) and Honey in Dior, but haven't stayed with products from either line. Bottom line is that 009 Rich Ginger is my current goto, if not my HG. P.S. Love the pump. Why don't all foundations come with a pump?
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Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Bioinfusion Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion
peoplerpeople 11/17/2010 1:08:00 AM
I like the way this product moisturizes my fine, recently relaxed, slightly dry hair without the heavy grease or oil slick feeling. I apply at night and hair has absorbed by morning. Wish this came in smaller sizes, but the upshot is value for amount of product. Have only tried this product but I plan to try the shampoo next.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
peoplerpeople 8/2/2010 11:35:00 PM
Okay, I am surprised that this product has moved me to contribute a review. The shade match -caramel 400, combo oily- is not "excellent" but works almost-very well for summer and the coverage is good. Most importantly, however, is that this product "gets the job done" without streaking, melting away, or changing color on me. I can hit the right level of sheer vs. opacity *and* this foundation goes the distance on days when I know I have reason to leave a/c for the great 100-degree outdoors, sweat included. In other words, I would reach for this as the best choice if I were scheduled to run a marathon. In all seriousness, this product must work for me on some "real" level because I keep using it. I would buy this again, partly because I like the idea that I have a rescue if I'm traveling and have to make do with whatever I can get my hands on over the next three hours. The other part to my recommendation is that I lasts very well (especially if set with MUFE HD powder. And that's the end of the story...). UPDATE: (2012) This foundation has stayed w me thru cold rainy days, hot rainy days, and intense sun across 6 countries this summer. Still like MUFE and PhotoReady, but this ColorStay wears and travels phenomenally well. This has become my every-day foundation. I mix caramel with golden caramel (not a complicated process; if I'm in a hurry, I just dot some of each in area and use fingers to blend). This stuff takes a lickin' but keeps on tickin'. Am increasing rank on packaging because, after a year of travel, I am more forgiving about a screw-top. Pumps are better for hygiene but less forgiving to my toiletry bag. The beauty world sorely needs a delivery system that serves hygiene and travel needs - is anyone working on this? Am tempted to drop overall rank for one and a half reasons. The deeper shades, including those that match my skin, do not have *any* spf at all - WHAT is up with that? The half-reason is this: when it comes to cotton blouses/shirts, this stuff is indelible. I got specks on my cotton broadcloth shirts. Immediately I applied TideToGo instant spot remover (works on water-based foundation), rinsed in cold/hot, laundered, the whole thing. This stuff DOES NOT come out. I count this as a half-reason mainly because I'm just sad about my blouses and realize that one can hardly condemn a foundation named COLORSTAY for its effect on fabrics while applauding the foundation named COLORSTAY for lasting all day. I just need to be more careful, but want to pass on the warning anyway.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No