Misc Beauty Tools -beautyblender - the sponge
sabzter 2/26/2012 12:18:00 AM
Total piece of crap. Got rid of it after a few days of use. And I actually read the instructions and watched youtube videos of people applying foundation with the BB before trying myself. Pink dye made me break out first day of use, and I hadn't changed anything else in my foundation routine. As soon as I stopped using the BB, breakout cleared up! Foundation looks amazing right after applying with the BB, but at the end of the day, OH MY GOD. I was so embarrassed---most of my foundation was just gone and was blotchy, like I'm too cheap to own a proper foundation brush. Horrible product and way too expensive for something that needs to be replaced over and over again. And people with sensitive skin, please proceed with caution. Returned back to Sephora and purchased a Sephora #56 Airbrush for $34.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Forever Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup (new - 2011 version)
sabzter 2/17/2012 9:19:00 PM
This is how we all wish our skin naturally was like. I was using the Diorskin Nude foundation and thought it was *close* to the most amazing foundation on earth. Who knew Diorskin Forever was that amazing foundation! Way better than Nude. I wanted a hydrating and glowy foundation that wasn't drying and didn't make me look greasy hours later. While Nude was somewhat glowy (meh), it kept drying my skin and enhancing/exacerbating my already dry patches. I had tried the old Dior Extreme Wear years ago and it had broken me out day one. The new Forever formula is completely different than the old one! It's very creamy and provides medium to high coverage IMO. It's very easy to blend and also easy to layer for more coverage. I can't describe it but for some reason, you can't really layer Nude. Forever does NOT look cakey. Does NOT dry me out. Does NOT exacerbate dry spots. Does NOT break me out. And it really has the most intoxicating smell ever---like a field of flowers. Very beautiful finish and more glowy than Nude without looking greasy after an hour or so like Nude. Staying power is about 8 hours. I throw on some Guerlain Meteorites on top for some extra glow and powder my t-zone twice a day. Best foundation on the market IMO. More natural-looking than Nude. One thing to keep in mind is that this foundation (and all other Dior foundations) does oxidize so I suggest you go a shade lighter. I'm about NC27 and initially tried 021 Linen, which was a perfect match upon application. Hours later it turned a muddy brown color and made me look about 3 shades darker than I am. So I opted for 020, which is not as yellow as 021 but oxidizes to look more natural.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -MAC - Cleanse Off Oil
sabzter 2/12/2012 1:24:00 AM
I picked this up quickly at MAC not knowing much about cleansing oils and wanting a thorough make-up remover. Other than a couple items, I'm not a fan of MAC at the least. I'm still waiting for this cleansing oil to break me out so that I can say "I knew it!" So far, however, it has done its job pretty well. I usually take 1-2 pumps of oil in my hands and rub it in all over my dry face at the end of the day. Then I add a tiny bit of water and rub some more. Adding a little water turns the oil white and thick. Then I rinse my face off for a couple minutes and when I feel that all of the oil is off, I wash my face again with my lavender soap (b/c I'm paranoid of breaking out). I don't mind having to wash my face twice b/c this stuff gets rid of everything! Granted, I also exfoliate often, use toner day and night, and don't wear foundation marketed as "long-wear" because my skin is super super sensitive. Unlike some reviewers, I actually LIKE the fact that the oil doesn't "lather." Maybe it's b/c I've been using it for a couple months and am used to it or b/c I'm new to cleansing oils. I just feel like whenever cleansers lather, they tend to leave your face dry and tight (in my experience at least). This oil leaves my face smooth, soft, and non-irritated (and knock-on-wood it stays that way!). When I get up in the morning, my face is brightened, smooth, soft, supple, and hydrated (not greasy). So as much as I can't stand most MAC products, this one has taken me aback. I really wanted to try Shu Uemura, but it sucks that I have to get it online and can't return if I have some sort of reaction to it since it's not sold anywhere in Arizona. Oh well, I'll stick to whatever my skin likes. I'll update if breakouts commence.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Sculpting Powder Makeup SPF 10
sabzter 1/29/2012 8:14:00 PM
This is a really lovely and luxurious powder---definitely Dior quality (shade = beige praline, normally b/w NC 25 & NC 30). It feels like heaven on your face, provides awesome coverage, and really does offer that "inner glow" that we all wish we had naturally. On days that I need extra coverage with my Diorskin Nude foundation, I throw this on and my skin looks beautiful. I will add, however, that on top of foundation (any foundation I presume), this powder is very very visible, as it is pretty thick (which is why its coverage is awesome!). Immediately, I can see creases and lines on my forehead, even if I apply the smallest amount over foundation. I can definitely tell that I have powder on and it looks very cakey. Having said that, I think this powder worn alone looks just lovely! I usually apply it all over my face, esp. if I'm in a rush and don't have time for my foundation routine. Beige praline initially looked very light but dusted all over my bare face, it just looked luminous, smooth and perfect, like "my skin but better." I usually like to take the lightest shade (the illuminator) and go down my nose, over my forehead, and highlight the tops of my cheeks. Once I was skyping with someone and I could not believe how amazing my face looked, and all I had on was this powder! All of my acne scars were suddenly gone! Definitely worth investing in. For more of a glowy, finishing powder (zero coverage) on top of foundation that you can't see at all, I recommend Guerlain Meteorites (see separate review of that--HG!).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Shiseido - Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum
sabzter 1/29/2012 7:40:00 PM
I just started using this yesterday so I know my review will not be the most helpful. But I thought I'd write a review right now and then update a couple weeks to a month later on results. Compared to the Dior One Essential serum (which trashed my skin---see separate review of that), this serum is pretty thick and takes longer to absorb into your skin, which I'm not too fond of. I agree with reviewers who compared this to a moisturizer, as its consistency is definitely less like a serum and more like a moisturizer/lotion. Since it's thick, it's harder for a tiny amount to cover your entire face. I need more of this serum that the One Essential to cover my whole face. But I don't mind, since this is $80 and the One Essential is like $120 (pre-tax). I can see why the smell bothers people---it almost reminds me of that baby-smell. It doesn't bother me much because though the smell is pretty strong at first, it quickly fades. I also agree with reviewers in that this serum leaves a film on your face that leaves your skin powdery smooth, yet not uncomfortable. As some other people have been doing, I haven't been using a separate moisturizer with this because I don't think it's necessary. That's what I love about it. It also works as a great primer for make-up so I haven't been using my primer either. I like it so far, esp. since the One Essential immediately produced breakouts, and this one hasn't broken me out thus far. We'll see if that lasts, and I will definitely update. I haven't seen any results so far, except for smoother skin, but I also use Dior's exfoliant and toner everything morning and night, so I can't necessarily contribute the smoothness to this serum. I'm glad to see this doesn't have salicylic acid and castor oil in it like the One Essential (yuck!). I hope to see positive results like everyone else has! **2-Week Update---my skin is softer, smoother, more hydrated, and CLEARER!!! So far, I'm loving this stuff!!!!! Still not using an additional moisturizer. =) ***3-Week Update---had to add one lippie back because my skin has never looked/felt better! Skin is more supple, softer, and breakouts have practically ceased. Dryness is all gone. Fine lines & wrinkles are lessened considerably. Still no additional moisturizer necessary.
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Guerlain - Les Meteorites balls powder
sabzter 1/29/2012 7:27:00 PM
LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff!!!!!! I have it in Teint Rose and I'm in between NC 25 and NC 30 in complexion. First off, for everyone thinking that this is a highlighter, this product is NOT in the least a highlighter! This is a beautiful finishing powder that you cannot see at all. At first when you apply it, it looks very blah (not chalky at all), and you're like okkkaayyy, this is like every other finishing powder. But give it like 20 minutes and holy cow! It imparts this amazingly beautiful glow to your face that I can't even explain! All I know is that I've never seen anything like it before! You can't see the powder anywhere on your face, yet it brightens your face and makes it look so angelic. I'm constantly looking at myself in the mirror and I do notice that I get a lot of compliments when I'm wearing this. These tiny little balls are just magical! I usually apply this all over my face with my Diorskin Nude foundation and don't usually use any other powders. Once in a while I'll use some Dior shimmering powder if I want to highlight my cheeks and forehead. Or if I want a little more coverage, I throw on some Diorskin Nude Scupting powder, but since that powder is thick and definitely looks very powdery, I don't prefer to use that often and everyday. I would never pay $60 for a powder, but this stuff is a Godsend!!!! I would get it over and over again! I have a feeling that these tiny balls will last a while though. Oh yeah and no breakouts guys! And believe me when I say that I have the MOST sensitive, acne-prone skin ever to exist---I even breakout with the wrong detergent/drier sheets! One thing to add is that this doesn't provide any coverage whatsoever, hence why you can't see it on your skin as "powder." It's simply a finishing powder that makes you look like you have the prettiest skin in the room. I also notice that any other powder will make my skin matte at first and then oily as the day progresses (esp. the t-zone), but the meteorites NEVER make my face look greasy as the day progresses, not even my t-zone! I'm so so so impressed with this wondrous product, and everyone can stand to benefit with this IMO.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Guerlain - Meteorites Perles Teint Rose
sabzter 1/29/2012 7:25:00 PM
LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff!!!!!! I have it in Teint Rose and I'm in between NC 25 and NC 30 in complexion. First off, for everyone thinking that this is a highlighter, this product is NOT in the least a highlighter! This is a beautiful finishing powder that you cannot see at all. At first when you apply it, it looks very blah (not chalky at all), and you're like okkkaayyy, this is like every other finishing powder. But give it like 20 minutes and holy cow! It imparts this amazingly beautiful glow to your face that I can't even explain! All I know is that I've never seen anything like it before! You can't see the powder anywhere on your face, yet it brightens your face and makes it look so angelic. I'm constantly looking at myself in the mirror and I do notice that I get a lot of compliments when I'm wearing this. These tiny little balls are just magical! I usually apply this all over my face with my Diorskin Nude foundation and don't usually use any other powders. Once in a while I'll use some Dior shimmering powder if I want to highlight my cheeks and forehead. Or if I want a little more coverage, I throw on some Diorskin Nude Scupting powder, but since that powder is thick and definitely looks very powdery, I don't prefer to use that often and everyday. I would never pay $60 for a powder, but this stuff is a Godsend!!!! I would get it over and over again! I have a feeling that these tiny balls will last a while though. Oh yeah and no breakouts guys! And believe me when I say that I have the MOST sensitive, acne-prone skin ever to exist---I even breakout with the wrong detergent/drier sheets! One thing to add is that this doesn't provide any coverage whatsoever, hence why you can't see it on your skin as "powder." It's simply a finishing powder that makes you look like you have the prettiest skin in the room. I also notice that any other powder will make my skin matte at first and then oily as the day progresses (esp. the t-zone), but the meteorites NEVER make my face look greasy as the day progresses, not even my t-zone! I'm so so so impressed with this wondrous product, and everyone can stand to benefit with this IMO.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Christian Dior - Capture Totale One Essential Skin Boosting Super Serum
sabzter 1/29/2012 6:55:00 PM
When I first started using this product, I was initially quite impressed. I loved the consistency of this, as it's thin, you only need a very small amount and it absorbs incredibly quickly, making your skin feel soft and moisturized and initially it made my face brighter and more radiant. I started to break out as soon as I began using it but continued to use it, as it is more of a detoxifier in the beginning, and I figured the breakouts would disappear after 1-2 weeks (as I was told). However, after a month of using this, I am extremely disappointed with Dior. For $120 (before tax), you would expect this serum to be HG material!!!! After one month, the radiance this serum produced disappeared, the serum did absolutely nothing for my dry spots, made my face more dull, and did nothing for the lines on my face. Everyday I'd get more and more zits and painful, under-the-skin ones that are very difficult to get rid of (they just wouldn't go away and are still not gone!). If this was even $50, I would blame myself for maybe not spending enough for a high quality product for my face. I gave this 3 lippies though because I loved the consistency of this, the smell, and how great it felt on my skin---it did feel very fresh upon application. I do believe that the fact that this has salicylic acid in it contributed to my breakouts----why Dior would put such a cheap ingredient in a supposedly high-quality product, I cannot gauge. Oh oh and it also has CASTOR OIL people! Can you believe that!? Sick. So this ended up going back. =( **Had to change from 3 to 2 lippies since I'm STILL recovering from the horrible breakouts this stuff produced!!!!!!!!
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Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 [DISCONTINUED]
sabzter 1/20/2012 8:22:00 PM
This foundation really surprised me. I waited for a while to purchase it because I got scared when I read the negative reviews on this site about breakouts and the Nude being a very "dewy" foundation. After trying a bunch of foundations and going through ups and downs with my super sensitive skin, I finally decided to get this. This is an incredibly beautiful foundation, depending on how you apply it and your skincare routine. This is how I apply the Nude and it has REALLY helped my acne-prone skin improve in many ways, making it brighter, clearing up my skin, and remaining on my skin for about 8 hours. For those of you with incredibly sensitive skin, I really hope that this helps you gauge how this foundation functions. FIRST, I apply the Dior Gentle Toning Lotion (toner) all over my face---it burns the first couple times but your skin gets used to it and it really is wonderful. SECOND, I apply my serum all over my face, letting that set for about a minute. As for the foundation (shade = 022 Cameo, I'm normally right between NC25-30)...first of all, be sure to shake the bottle every time you pump a little bit of it out; it's extremely necessary. So, I take about half a pump and put dots of it all over the left side of my face and take about another half a pump and dot the foundation over the right side of my face. I take another half a pump and dot the foundation over my chin, nose, and forehead. Then I take my flat-top Shiseido foundation brush and stipple the foundation everywhere, making sure it's evenly applied, and then I blend it in. It honestly will not like you have any foundation on. I then take my Guerlain Meteorites in 01 Mythic and apply all over. Then I take my Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Scupting powder (shade = beige praline) and with the luxurious brush that comes with the powder, I swirl it around in the powder and apply on my forehead and bridge of my nose. I then throw on a little Dior blush (shade = rose brazilia) and take a little bit of my Diorskin Shimmering Face Powder (shade = amber diamond) and highlight my cheeks. And that's for the makeup application, esp. for those of you struggling with how to get the Nude foundation to look "glowy" and yet not make your skin "greasy." This is a very natural foundation if you apply it the way I stated above and not overdo it. If you overdo it, your skin can easily become both dry and oily, depending on how your skin normally is. I have super sensitive, acne-prone, combination skin, and long-wearing makeup (will never try it again) absolutely does NOT work for me, as it always irritates my skin like crazy. This foundation does not do that at all, which surprises me a lot, since I've always thought Dior makeup was bad for the skin. I wouldn't say that the foundation on its own is very "glowy," like the Chanel Teint Innocence (now discontinued) was, but it definitely is incredibly natural-looking. There's just something about it that I can't put my finger on, but it makes the skin look almost perfect, as if it's the almost-perfect version of your skin. You can't even really see it on yourself! The consistency is fairly thin and yet I would categorize this as a medium-to-full coverage foundation because it covers all my acne scars, which even long-wearing makeup doesn't do. You can build this for full-coverage, but I doubt it would look as natural. It feels unlike any other foundation I've ever tried, and the greatest thing is that even with my oily t-zone that every foundation highlights, Nude somehow manages not to. It leaves a very natural glow on your skin all day and though I don't really need to blot at all throughout the day, I sometimes do once after 4 hours, like if I've been in my car for an hour going to work with the heat on. And you don't even need to use that much or to build it---I don't even need to use a concealer with Nude (unless it's that time of the month and I just can't help that). Speaking of that awful time, I've noticed that I've been breaking out A LOT less than I normally do! Even the breakout I currently have is very tiny little dots, localized, and very few. Another great thing is that Nude absolutely does NOT slide off my face, as I've been reading from other reviewers. Obviously, if you don't really take care of your skin, your skin is going to be oily and no makeup will stay on. I learned this the hard way after trying about 97% of makeup brands out there including Guerlain, Chanel, Estee Lauder, Mac, Shiseido, Clinique, Smashbox, Lancome, MUFE, Bobbi Brown, you name it! In the past three months, I think I've tried and returned about 6-8 different foundations because of skin issues. For those of you who are oily and feel that this may make you more oily, I really think you should give this a shot. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but for you oily girls, try using toner/exfoliator, moisturizer, and primer---it will really help!! Also---this is a pretty hydrating foundation (w/o being greasy) if you apply products similar to those listed above. It can be drying if you don't properly moisturize and beware for those of you using Benzoyl Peroxide or other acne medications because Nude will absolutely dry out your skin, no matter what you do. I would recommend this for people with both dry and oily skin---remember to properly tone, moisturize and prime beforehand. Okay I think that's about it! I apologize for a ridiculously long review, but I see so many people struggling like I have for years with finding the right foundation and having good skin while wearing it. Oh yeah and FYI, it lasts thru a strenuous workout!!!! I am in love with Nude, and if anyone has any questions about any of the products or the foundation, shoot me an email!
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Chanel - Bronze Universel De Chanel Sun Illuminator
sabzter 4/23/2011 1:27:00 AM
Absolutely love this stuff. This is what an actual tan looks like---not that dirt brown that everyone wears that looks like poop. Eww. I tried like every bronzer in Sephora (b/c of the price) before I decided on Chanel. How stupid---I should have known after everything else broke me out that Chanel's high quality never falters. I love everything about this bronzer---the color, the texture, the lack of shine/shimmer, the mattifying finish, the staying power, you name it! It is so beautiful. I apply this with my MAC 130 brush and it blends wonderfully. Definitely best bronzer on the market---I didn't believe that until I actually tried it. My thoughts on the "orangey" color that everyone complains about: I think that if you're too light-skinned, stray far away from this b/c it will look very unnatural. However, if you have a wee bit brown in your skin, this bronzer just makes you look amazingly sunkissed. You can control how tan you want to look with this, which is what I really like about it. I also want to comment on the amount----because it is so pigmented, I feel the $50 is actually worth it since it looks like it would take more than a year to go through all of it. I hope Chanel never discontinues this product otherwise I will go insane! **EDIT** Broke me out. Since I've stopped wearing it, my skin's gotten wayyyy better. If you're acne-prone with sensitive skin, better to stay away from this. I took off one lippie because other than the breaking out, it's the most amazing bronzer I've ever owned. If your skin can tolerate this, I'd never let it go!!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -NARS - Irresistiblement
sabzter 4/4/2011 12:42:00 AM
Last I checked, orange and peach were in the same category.... I'm gonna try this out for a week or so and then rate it properly. EDIT: Omg, epic fail!!!! While this is an incredibly unique-colored bronzer, people with sensitive skin beware---I just removed this bronzer after only one day of wearing it, and my skin is all red, bumpy, itchy and irritated everywhere that I applied the bronzer. Going back to Sephora!! I knew Nars products were pretty toxic, but I didn't know they were this bad!
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Bronzers -Tarte - Park Avenue Princess
sabzter 3/17/2011 2:19:00 PM
Wowww, I have been looking for a glowy bronzer like this one for my yellowy south-asian complexion for a loooooong time. After purchasing and returning bronzers numerous times, this time I went into sephora and went from one brand to another swatching the colors on the top of my hands. Tarte's was the only one that had yellow in it and I figured it would make me look very naturally tanned and glowy. I love the metallic it has in it----so pretty and absolutely luminous!!!! Just be careful about putting too much on your nose because that's what I did in the store when I was trying it on and it looked really funny when I got to my car and checked it out. I know everyone's obsessed with Nars Laguna, but after swatching it on my hand, I knew it was going to look really "muddy" on my face. If you have a lot of yellow, light olive tones in your skin, this is the perfect bronzer. It looks super natural and very unlike snooki. I haven't tried the matte version of this, but I'm not a fan of matte bronzers anyway since they almost always are patchy on the face and hard to blend. I must say, however, that out of all the matte bronzers I swatched, I liked this one the most. But nothing can compare to the luminous glow that the original brings to the face----it's just stunning. UPDATE: I've been noticing breakouts everytime I wear this. When I stop wearing it, they're gone. This is an extreme disappointment considering that I thought Tarte was all about non-pore clogging ingredients. Sadly, this will be going back to Sephora. =(
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Giorgio Armani - Face Fabric Second Skin Nude Makeup
sabzter 3/13/2011 3:15:00 AM
I just began using this a couple weeks ago. I'm NC25-30 and I was matched to #2. Let me just start off by saying that I am absolutely in love with FF. FF has a very strange texture. It has a thick, gel/mousse-like consistency and upon putting it on, it just disappears into your skin, to the point where you won't even be able to see the foundation. I have never in my life come across any foundation like it before. It goes on literally like a second-skin. A lot of foundations falsely claim to do that, but FF actually achieves this. It amazes me every time I put in on. Coverage is very sheer to light. The great thing about FF is that you can build coverage. On the days when I want more coverage, I just put on two layers. Best coverage is achieved with a MAC 190 brush. I usually put on one layer, throw on some Lasting Silk Powder (in #4), and then some Bronze Mania bronzer (in #1). I don't recommend FF for people who have a lot of covering up to do. I waited for my skin to clear up entirely from breakouts from other foundations before I bought this. It does, however, do a good job in covering up blemishes from acne. I have slept in this numerous times with no breakouts. Even after an 8-10 hour day or through sleeping in FF, I still wake up with a super fresh face! FF doesn't fill into lines or wrinkles, which I feel foundations ALWAYS seem to do for me. It also doesn't make your face oily or shiny at any point in time (not even after 10 hours!!!). Granted, I don't have oily skin, I have combination. But every foundation seems to make at least my nose shiny after a couple hours of wear. But I have never needed to re-apply powder during the day. I've even worn FF by itself---no powder or bronzer, and I still didn't become shiny or oily during the day. I think that this foundation would be a God-send for people with oily skin. People with dry skin---avoid FF b/c it may dry you out more. FF is really good for people who want to get that "no-makeup" flawless face look. It looks like a better version of your own skin! I suggest going to the Armani counter and having the SA match you and put in on all over your face to get a feel for how the texture feels. I also want to add that this foundation is full of silicones. For me, if you've read my other reviews, you'll see that even though I have the most sensitive skin in the world and have a reaction to almost every foundation that exists out there, the silicone-heavy foundations are the ones my skin really appreciates. I've never ever had a problem with MAC's studiofix liquid, though 95% of the population has. Unfortunately, that and now FF are the only foundations that work for me. So if you're like me in that sense, chances are that your skin will love FF. There are only like 5-6 ingredients in FF, and you'll see that they're all silicone-based. Cons---price is a bit crazy, $47 at Saks. Also, I feel like I'm going to be going through this tube a lot quicker than I had hoped. But I like this so much, that I'm willing to cut down in other areas to keep repurchasing FF. The shades are also a bit weird. This is a very yellow-based foundation (which works for me b/c I'm Asian), but the different from #2 to #3 is crazy. Better to go lighter than darker though, b/c there's always bronzer for the summer. Overall, I highly highly recommend FF. I had never tried Armani's line before, but now that I have, I think the only thing that will make me look for another line is me going completely broke!!! FF has really surprised me. Go get a sample right now!!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere Aqua
sabzter 2/20/2011 4:58:00 PM
I just purchased this foundation yesterday. I'm not really sure about it yet, but will write a full review after having tried it for about a month or so. I'm not sure if this is the case because I haven't checked out other department stores, but Neiman Marcus MAY be the exclusive retailer of Chanel's VA for the time being. I'm from MI and purchased this at Somerset's Neiman Marcus (which is a pretty fancy/expensive mall). So for those wondering where they may be able to purchase it, try out Neiman or other dept. stores like Saks or Bloomingdale's. Currently, you won't be able to purchase this online, as it's not even listed on any of the online dept. stores. I just ran across it by chance. Judging by the number of reviews, I wasn't sure if people knew it was already being sold in the U.S. **EDIT** I know I said I'd wait to review this, but here I go. VA is a beautiful foundation and it really does look like a second "skin." It's more on the matte side than luminous or dewy but it is also extremely natural. It smells intoxicating. I put it on (1 layer) with my MAC 109 and I couldn't even tell that I had it on. All the pluses I side, I believe I will be the first to state sadly that this foundation broke me out after day 1. I had one tiny zit so I didn't want to believe that it was the VA. But then the next day when I wore it, I had 2 more!!! I really wanted to fall in love with this foundation since I waited so long to purchase it, but it will be going back to Chanel. I am going to stick to MAC f & b because it has a similar (slightly dewier) finish without the breakouts (even though it has oil?...how weird is that?).
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Liquid -MAC - Pro Longwear Foundation
sabzter 11/27/2010 3:39:00 PM
I don't understand what all the hype is about. I tried this for one day and that was enough for me. First of all it took forever to apply. It's so streaky and cakey and simply does not blend. It dries soo fast that it leaves patches on the face, as if some parts of the face are darker than others or have more foundation on than others. It also takes a very long time to dry. And if you apply any setting powder on top of it, it feels like it's sticking to the foundation. As soon as I put on the PLW, I felt like immediately taking it off, as it just felt super disgusting on my face, like it was going to break me out or something. The PLW also doesn't provide much coverage, for such a heavy and sticky foundation. It also looks gross since it doesn't apply as smoothly as the SFF. I gave it 2 lippies b/c the staying power is incredible and lasts all day. I believe the people that said it lasted through naps and all. But I wouldn't wear it again after trying it for a day b/c it just FEELS like a mask. Also, beware that this foundation takes a lifetime to remove (since it doesn't budge on your face once applied). It took me like 25 minutes. It's hard to get rid of all of it, which is probably why some people have experienced breakouts from it. This kinda feels like Estee Lauder's DW foundation which I absolutely cannot stand b/c it makes you look "old people-ish." I think I'm going to stick with my SFF since its coverage is unsurpassed, and it's just a prettier foundation IMO.
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