Powder -Laura Mercier - Mineral Powder SPF 15
terriv13 8/28/2009 12:56:00 PM
UPDATE** 11/7/09** No, I guess I got too excited too quickly on this. It dries my face out and makes it look older than it really is. I so wanted to like it, as MMU is just so much more convenient, but, alas, it's not for me. :( **Original review** I've tried many MMU before and never had any luck with my dry skin. Thought I had it with Meow Cosmetics, but when I ordered the full size after using the sample, it didn't look the same for some really odd reason, and you can't return their products :/...... Anyway, I had been waiting to order this through Sephora, and they were out for, like, 6 weeks, but I finally got it, and am soooo glad I did! I am fair-med yellow-undertone complexion, and the Laura Mercier Online Artist hit the color for me spot-on. She suggested Natural Beige, and while I ordered that along with the Classic Beige just to be sure, the Nat. Beige was the best 'settled in' shade. The Classic Beige was a bit too dark, and I knew I wouldn't be able to wear it year 'round. As for the finish and the wear, I love it! Since I have really dry skin, I moisturize really well a bit beforehand, and use a primer (Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel, bizarre, but works!), let the primer dry a bit, then buff on using the Everyday Minerals flat-top brush. The finish is like soft satin. Not too dry and powdery looking, and not too shiny (BE are you listening?) It also does not irritate my sensitive skin or make it itchy. YAY!!!
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Primer/ Corrector -Meow Cosmetics - Primp & Preen: Equilibrium Balancing Powder
terriv13 8/14/2009 12:19:00 PM
Well, now. I had really high hopes for this, based on their website description that it would moisturize and soothe my skin prior to my Mineral Makeup Foundation. WRONG!! It dried my skin out soooo bad, that I felt like it was shriveling up as the day went on. What was I thinking, though, really. A powder that is moisturizing!? This reminds me of Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder. Same look and texture. I really should have just ordered a sample, but I was placing an order and didn't want to have to pay separate shipping if I liked it, so I ordered the full size. Maybe I can make it work by moisturizing the hell out of my skin first, and just using it over a tinted moisturizer on casual days, as Meow Cosmetics have a NO RETURN policy (didn't know that 'till too late). Waste of $14.00. Oh, well, I guess you live and learn as you go, right!?
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Powder -Meow Cosmetics - Pure Powder Mineral Foundation
terriv13 8/1/2009 11:54:00 AM
EDIT ~ 8/28/09. The full size, for some unknown reason, just doesn't look the same as the sample did. There was a time gap of a few months, as I used up the samples, but still. It doesn't wear the same, either, and I can't return it, so I'm out the $28.00. What a waste!! Boo! ~ Just now ordered the full-size, as Meow Cosmetics is having a B-Day sale with everything at 25% off until 8/3/09, code is HappyBdayMeow. I really wanted to try the Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation, especially as I have a $65.00 credit at Sephora, but they have been out-of-stock for at least a month, and I'm out, AND since I really, really like this from Meow, I thought, why am I being dumb about this!? It really is kinda a no-brainer... I am always on the lookout for a Mineral Makeup that would work for my dry, sensitive skin, and I've FINALLY found one!! All the others dried my skin out really bad, and made it itch, and were too frosty-looking (ahem, BE, are you listening?). Liquid foundation just feels icky on my skin. I got sample size of the Pampered Puss in Naughty Abyssinian, which is a yellow/beige shade. It's not too yellow, and not too much beige, which can be flat looking, and just a *very* slight amount of glow to keep it from being too matte and chalky. It really is the perfect shade for me, and just melts right in. I moisturize really well with L'oreal's Age Perfect cream, let that sink in, then apply a light coat of primer, let that dry, then buff away with a flat-top brush I got from Everyday Minerals. Brush worked great, but not the Foundation.... If my skin is extra dry, then I mist on MAC's Fix+. You can make your own, though, by mixing purified water, rosewater, and some castor or jojoba oil, using amounts of each based on your individual needs, and put into a small spray bottle. I see in my e mail that they offer a new primer called Primp and Preen Equilibrium for sensitive, dry skin. Sign me up! Ordered that too! **EDIT** 8/14/09 ~ The Equilibrium did NOT live up to my expectations!! I wasted $14.00 ! It made my skin feel really, really dry, not moisturized and soothed as they promised. Meow Cosmetics has a NO RETURN policy that I didn't catch. I should have just ordered a sample, but bought into their claims, and didn't want to have to pay additional shipping to order a full size. My mistake.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Aveeno - Nourish + Condition Leave-In Treatment
terriv13 5/30/2009 7:12:00 PM
I use this after using the nourish + volumize shampoo and conditioner, and absolutely LOVE the results!! My thin, fine-to-medium-texture highlighted hair is left with lots of body and shine, without being weighed down. As I said in my review for the shampoo and conditioner, I'm so glad I found a drugstore brand that I like better than the pricey Redken stuff I was using before!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Aveeno - Nourish + Volumize
terriv13 5/30/2009 7:07:00 PM
I use this along with it's corresponding conditioner, and I absolutely love them both!! I'm so, so glad I found a drugstore brand that actually works better than the pricey Redken stuff I was using before. This makes my hair soft and shiny, but not weighed down at all. Alot of volumizing products left my hair feeling dry and straw-like, but this does not. Whoo-hoo!! I also use the leave-in spray afterwards, and the combo of the three really makes an appreciable difference.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Aveeno - Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion - Customized Dial
terriv13 5/27/2009 6:20:00 PM
This works so-so, nothing special or different than other self tanners other than the dial-thingy. But, oh Lord, the SMELL!!! It is, by far, the WORST smelling self-tanner I've ever tried. It smells really bad straight out of the bottle, let alone after it develops. It has a really sharp, nasty smell that I can't describe. All I know is that it gives me a horrendous headache as soon as I put it on. No, no, no. And, oh by the way; NO!
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Lip Gloss -L'Oreal - Infallible Lip Gloss
terriv13 5/9/2009 12:16:00 PM
I really only use this over lipliner of various shades depending on my mood. I use mostly Bloom over Cliniques Lipliner in Tender Taupe, and it gives a nice, 'pink chocolate' effect that really lasts. I just vary how deep the lipliner color is to determine how deep I want the overall effect to be. My preference is to apply the lipliner, then run my finger over it to soften it and lighten it up a little, then apply the gloss. I hated all of the long-lasting lipsticks, blech!! But this, works really well at lasting without being drying AT ALL. One BIG NOTE OF ADVICE: I had the same problem with it transferring on my teeth, so what I do is this: Immediately after applying, I put a light coating of vaseline on my thumb joint down at the base of my hand and up the thumb itself, then pop that in my mouth and pull it out over the slightly closed lips a few times until no more color comes off. Learned this trick from Heidi Klum!! It really works! The vaseline creates a barrier from the color to your teeth. I know it sounds a little gross, but, hey, if it works.....!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Clinique - Fresh Bloom Allover Colour all shades
terriv13 4/29/2009 9:32:00 PM
Tried placing this review under the blush category, but it never showed up, then I found it under 'all', so here I am! I have this in Almond Blossom and I love it! It takes care of both blush and bronzer for me, so it helps saves me some time. I personally don't find this too shimmery, it's just right for me. Doesn't accentuate my pores, just enhances my skin! Even though it says it's 'Allover Colour' I wouldn't use it for that, or it would be too shimmery. Also, I feel that it's overpriced by about $10.00, hence one lost lippie, but I still really, really love it anyway!
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Blush -Clinique - fresh bloom allover colour
terriv13 4/29/2009 11:52:00 AM
I have this in the Almond Blossom, and I find that it does the job of both blush and bronzer at the same time. It's a beautiful flower that has two shades in the pan. The darker flower is more of the *slightly* pink bronze shade, and the center of the flower as well as the background is a soft gold. It's called 'allover colour', but personally, I wouldn't do that. I use it just on my cheeks and a little at my hairline and down my nose. It does have some shimmer, but on me, anyway, it isn't over the top. Just a nice healthy, dewy look. Doesn't accentuate my pores as some shimmer does, and I find that I like the natural, healthy look. Just don't use a heavy hand. Start light and build from there. I gave it five lippies, and while I really feel that it deserves that many, I do think it's about $10.00 over-priced. It retails for $29.50, I think, and as I mentioned, I really feel they should sell it for more around $19.00. Beautiful to look at in the pan, too! I'm pretty sure it's a limited edition, but I don't see me using it up very fast, so I think I'm okay!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Bobbi Brown - moisturizing cream compact
terriv13 4/13/2009 7:25:00 PM
I got this as a sample with my Bobbi Brown order, and promptly put it away and didn't think about it until my skin started acting really dry, which I absolutely HATE the feel of. So, I remembered that I had this, and thought I would give it a whirl, and am so glad I did! I use a foundation brush, not the sponge, and apply it over my spf15 moisturized skin, followed by Bobbi's Face Base, then the foundation. I then set it with my LaMer Loose Powder, and..... voila!! No more dry skin!! My skin feels and looks dewy, but not greasy or oily, and best of all, it doesn't feel like it's covered with chalk dust. I have this in Beige, and it's a wee bit light, so I dust on some bronzer and that warms it up. Think when I order full size, I'll get the Warm Beige instead. Not sure how this will do in the Summer, but we'll see. For now, I'm lovin' it!! *~* EDIT ~*~ This broke me out!! I have dry skin, and I rarely break out anymore! So much for that......
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Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Nicole Paxson - Mimosa Foundation
terriv13 2/20/2009 3:48:00 PM
~*~ Wanted to edit this to include some info on questions I've been getting on this. Seems there is alot of interest, but others are put off, same as me, about limited color choices, and no returns on the product if it's wrong!! First, it has an spf of 30, using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, so no chemical barriers. It's also transfer resistant, and wears well for me. ~*~ I clicked yes that I would buy it again, and I will, providing I don't find something I like better. I kinda have a love/hate relationship with this foundation. First, the only reason I'm making this work is because it's a small company and they don't accept returns. They should send samples though, but they don't. Guess they can make more money that way? Seems to me they run the high risk of people just not ordering in the first place out of fear of being stuck with a high price product they don't like.... Anyway, on to the review! This is great for sensitive skin, as Nicole Paxson, who created it has Lupus. It also has effective sunscreen in it, and is in a pump bottle. What I don't like is the consistency ~ very thick, so I thin with some moisturizer. Also, the color choices. You have Light, Medium and Dark. I got Medium, (I'm a MAC 25-30) and while the depth is correct, it's a little peachy. I need something with a little more yellow in it. It wears really well, and is a semi-matte finish. I can adjust the finish by either using a heavier moisturizer to make it more 'dewy', and using a light moisturizer if I want it more 'matte', although somewhere in between works best for me. Again, it's a love/hate thing with this, and I find my review to be rambling, so guess I better end it! Hope it helps!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper [DISCONTINUED]
terriv13 2/20/2009 2:07:00 PM
Really liked this! I used the Chanel Extreme I think it was called, and didn't like it near as well as this! This gives my lashes length and thickness, without any flaking or smudging. Big deal in my book! I still use Blinc's Kiss Me mascara (the tube kind of stuff) on my lower lashes, as I have dry skin, so use a heavy eye cream and concealer, so conventional mascaras always smudge, where the Kiss Me doesn't! Fantastic combo that works beautifully for me all day!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Beige Shimmer Wash
terriv13 2/20/2009 2:02:00 PM
As I stated in my review for the color Saddle (matte), I use this with the Saddle, using the beige on my inner half and brow bone. I find that the two contrasting finishes; Beige being shimmer and Saddle being matte, give me just the look I want. Not too shimmery, not too matte!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Saddle
terriv13 2/20/2009 1:59:00 PM
I took one lippie off for price, although it really is worth it, it's just times are tough right now... Anyway, on to the review! I use this on my crease and outer "v", and a slight bit under my lower outer third lashes, with Bobbi's Shimmer Shadow in Beige on the inner half and brow bone. I find that it is neutral enough to compliment whatever I'm wearing, so that saves both time and money! As stated before, it has just enough depth to show up nicely without looking too dark for daytime. Love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powders -Smashbox - Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder
terriv13 12/12/2008 9:41:00 PM
Oooh, I wanted to HATE this product because of the price, but, alas, I don't!! I actually love it quite alot. I can't normally use powders bacause they make me look like a mummy, all kinds of dry and papery-looking, VERY ATTRACTIVE I might say. NOT!!! Anyway, I digress..... This makes my normally dry sensitive skin look flawless, dewy and comfortable. It sets my Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Foundation perfectly and makes it last all day. Like someone else mentioned, DON'T use this under your eyes unless you are in your 20's, and even then I would be careful, but elsewhere is beautiful. Everything else from Smashbox just hasn't worked for me, kinda like Benefit, it just doesn't happen no matter how many times I try, with just a tiny few exceptions, Benefit's Erase Paste, and now this truly wonderful, but horrendously expensive powder from Smashbox. I absolutely hate how much it costs, but the results are worth it. I just hope it comes down a little by the time I need to replace it, which shouldn't be for awhile, as there seems to be quite a generous amount. Love the whole shaver thing, much less waste and is far less messy than regular loose powder. The little buki brush that comes with it is a waste, though. Wish they gave the option of not getting it, and maybe have the price a little lower.... Anyway, I use a big fluffy powder brush from Sonia Kashuk that I got from Target at a great price instead, and it works beautifully! **EDIT** Nope, not gonna work.... Dried my face out and made it look older :( Plus, it's just simply way too overpriced.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No