Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Lip and Lid Primer
valngau 8/15/2007 7:44:00 AM
This is a disappointing product from Smashbox. I thought a dual purpose item would make it easy for me to bring when I travel. I bought this onboard a flight so I couldn't try before I bought it. The lip primer leaves an opaque beige color on my lips which weird because I already have pale lips. Perhaps it's more suitable for someone with dark lips. I guess it's good if you want to have the true color of the lipstick transferred on your lips. Eye primer wasn't impressive because it felt heavy & didn't solve my greasy eyelid problem. So, the eyecolor still settled into the creases of my eyes at the end of the day. I gave it 2 lippies for the good packaging & because the lip primer didn't dry out my lips.
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
valngau 8/15/2007 7:34:00 AM
This primer is amazing. It goes easily on my skin, dries quickly & leaves a really smooth matte finish. Makeup will stay on longer than if I were to put just moisturizer. Apart from that, I don't know what else it's good for but according to the reading material, it has other stuff e.g vitamins. I don't know about that but I do know it is an excellent primer for liquid or powder makeup without leaving any trace of it after application. I have oily combi skin and thankfully I haven't experienced any breakouts with this. I took out 1 lippie because of the high price for a little product. I run out of the primer before I run out of foundation
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Cle de Peau - lipstick
valngau 8/15/2007 7:17:00 AM
I bought my first CDP lipstick in shade #41, a beige/nude color with some shimmer and I loved it. So far, it's the BEST lipstick I've every tried. I have dry lips & this lipstick doesn't leave them dry after wearing plus the staying power is amazing (although not like those super stay ones) for a moisturising lipstick. The taste & fragrance is hardly noticeable which is great. I wear it over my MAC Prep+Prime Lip to make it last even longer. The shades are also very wearable, so don't expect many "trendy" shades. I took 1 lippie out because of the high price ~ almost $50 a tube!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clinique - Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
valngau 8/9/2007 2:42:00 PM
I'm on my third jar right now. I have combination skin & this stuff is great in removing make-up, even the water resistant ones. What's great is that it's not oily, especially when I'm removing waterproof eye makeup. Apart from removing it effectively, it doesn't run into my eyes unlike oily eye make-up removers. After rinsing, my skin doesn't feel dry but it leaves a dewy finish. The price is OK for something that lasts quite long
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Treatments -Elizabeth Arden - Allergen - Prevage MD Anti-aging Treatment (1% prescription-strength Formulation)
valngau 7/16/2007 3:22:00 AM
I'm in my mid-30s and I guess I'm looking out for the next best thing to slow down any signs of aging. I still get compliments for my "good skin" although I'm plagued by the usual monthly breakouts & old scars. I've been using my trusty La Mer cream & serum all this while. I was sold into using Prevage after the rave reviews during its launch so decided to give it a try. It comes in this pump bottle which means I can't see how much is left & I won't be able to scoop up all the stuff. The lightweight gel comes in an orange color & has a funky smell which I got used to. Upon application, the texture is velvety & makes me touch my face often. After using it for a few months now, I know I didn't get any breakouts or other negative effects which is good. I guess it is maintaining my already "good skin" but the old scars are still there. I can also use it over my eye gel which is an added bonus. I have one noticeable wrinkle on my forehead which still hasn't changed after usage. For the price & packaging, I don't think I will repurchase this again.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Philosophy - Philosophy Supernatural 4 in 1 mineral makeup
valngau 7/16/2007 3:04:00 AM
I decided to try mineral makeup since it's "non-irritant" & has SPF15. I'm glad I tried first with Philosophy's Supernatural except that I got a shade that's a shade darker than my skin tone (mail order). The foundation-concealer-powder comes in a jar with a sponge top, and I had a bit of trouble trying to figure how to use it but now it's probably the easiest way to apply foundation ever. Just pat on the face & go. No brushes needed! As expected from mineral makeup, it is heavier than your regular loose powder & quite opaque if you apply more. I have oily-combo skin but the powder is not too heavy & has good staying power. Plus, if I accidentally fell asleep with it on at night, I don't get any breakouts. It's also great for travel because it's small & light Some concern on the sponge applicator which can get dirty after a few applications : I just removed it, give it a gentle wash with soap & warm water, then squeeze out excess moisture with a towel and leave to dry. In 2-3 hours, it's dry & good as new. Otherwise, you can buy extra sponges for $3 for 3.
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Eyes -Jan Marini - Age Intervention EyeLash
valngau 5/10/2007 12:23:00 PM
After years of abusing with eye make-up & recent eyelash extension, my eyelashes were looking sparse and I tried to find the best way of getting the best results. I saw an email on JM Eyelash on Skinstore and checked the review here. So, I ordered a tube and started using it since Mar 2007. A tube which contains a tiny amount costs a lot, around $100 so I religiously used it every night After 2 months, I found that my lashes have definitely grown longer but not thicker as I hoped for. The missing ones (post extension) have also sprouted. One rouge lash even grew so long that it reached my eyebrows. Bottom line, it will help you grow the lashes but only the ones you were meant to have, not give you more. So my Asian eyelashes were long and not thick but I love that mascara give them a lot more oomph! So I will purchase again since one tube goes a LOOOONNNGGG way
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Select Sheer Pressed Powder
valngau 2/26/2007 8:20:00 AM
I've never been fond of Mac's powders before because they are not as light as I would like them to be, they tend to be thick & cakey. Fortunately, with Mac's new Select Sheer collection, the powders have improved. I got an NC5 shade even though I normally use NC30 because this powder is quite light on the skin. The sponge puff is not exactly the best I've used but then I normally use a brush to apply powder when I can, so the puff is seldom used. It's handy to carry around but be warned, after carrying it around in my travel bag, the powder inside came undone, broke to pieces and now I can only apply it with a brush.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -La Mer - Skincolor De La Mer - The Powder - Poudre de La Mer
valngau 2/26/2007 5:53:00 AM
OK, OK .... one must be crazy to buy this product (it's over US$65) but its got to be the perfect loose powder. I've tried most major brands, Bobbi Brown, LeClerc, Mac, Laura Mercier & so on but La Mer takes the cake. Honestly, I don't buy in the "treatments" in this powder but oh my, the texture is super amazing, ultra fine & doesn't leave any color on my skin. After trying it on, my face doesn't look "made up" or cakey but dewy. So it's great to prep your skin after moisturiser & before makeup I have combination skin (oily T-zone & dry cheeks) and upon application, it blots the shine but doesn't dry out my cheeks. Actually, after trying it on for the first time, my friend commented how natural but nice my face was. She had no idea what I used. Pity the price is a bomb and while the jar looks great, it's too heavy (½ lb?) for me to lug on my travels.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Pro Longwear in For Keeps
valngau 2/11/2007 9:24:00 AM
I was disappointed with Mac's Pro Wear. While the color (a soft mauve) is fabulous for any occasion, the long lasting power leaves little to be desired. For starters, this is an expensive product ~ about $25 a tube, so a little amount. It is a little drying upon application, as expected from a long lasting lipstick, then top off with a gloss (with the tube) It doesn't have as much staying power as Max Factor's Lipfinity and fades off after a light meal or a cup of coffee.
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Liquid -Becca - Luminous Skin Color sheer foundation
valngau 12/5/2006 2:13:00 AM
OK, I'll have to say you'll either love or hate this product. For starters, I like it for its sheer coverage, slight shimmer finish, SPF 20, great packaging and beautiful range of natural colors. What I don't like about it is that it's expensive and I found it to be a little greasy for my combination skin, so I can only use this during the cooler/dry months which is great.
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Primer/ Corrector -Yves Saint Laurent - Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch)
valngau 12/5/2006 2:09:00 AM
I saw this product in stores for years and never thought to try it but out of curiosity, I relented. I simply love this product. No, it won't give you as much coverage as a concealer but it gives you the right amount of brightness around those areas where you need them, under eyes, corners of the nose & great on primer on eyelids. Plus, Touche Eclat didn't cake on me and because it is a pen design, it's convenient to bring anywhere with you. I got No 2 because I found No 1 to be too pink on me (I'm asian). I took out one lippy because it is an expensive product but if you fly, duty free shops do sell them is a travel packs of two which is cheaper than buying them individually
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Lip Treatments -City Cosmetics - city lips
valngau 7/21/2006 6:31:00 AM
I really wanted to like this product but I just don't, maybe my lips are sensitive or something. Apart from the fabulous colors, City Lips doesn't really do much for my lips. Everytime I apply it, my lips would feel a burning sensation & start peeling after a while. I guess the "plumping" happens when my lips get irritated. The price doesn't help either, at US$29 a tube, this so-so product is really expensive.
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Eyeliner -Laura Mercier - Black Violet kohl pencil
valngau 6/9/2006 12:51:00 PM
I bought this because I liked the unique black violet color and liner texture. However, it doesn't last long because after using it for a few hours, it smudged. You will only find out after using it for some time. Shame because I really liked the color and it goes well with my brown eyes
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Lip Liners -Laura Mercier - Natural Lips
valngau 6/9/2006 12:47:00 PM
For the kind of money I paid for it, I expected a little more oomph. The color is just lovely and perfect for any lipstick but it does feel dry. Because of this, I find that it doesn't glide as well as my MAC liners
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