Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear (old formula)
AlmaStarr 9/1/2009 10:11:00 AM
I'm about half way through my 10 day trial of this product. At first, like many other reviewers, I got matched to the wrong shade. I am a MAC NC25 for reference and the MA put me in "Linen". It didn't look terrible on, but it was definitely too light and it aged me considerably. You could see the paler color settle in my pores and it created that dreaded "mask-like" appearance. I went back and got re-matched to "Dusk" which has pink tones but is a much better match to my skin. Overall, I think they have very weird color formulations and you need a MA who can break the "rules" to find you a shade that really works. I like the full coverage for evening out my red cheeks and covering my imperfections and I don't have to use a primer or a setting powder. Instead, I brush a little of the Dior Amber Shimmer (think that's the name) over the top and it looks less matte. This lasts all day on me and I recommend this for those who are looking for a made-up look. I will be purchasing a full-size bottle.
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Lipstick -Shu Uemura - Rouge Unlimited Pink Collection PK 369
AlmaStarr 8/3/2009 4:19:00 PM
I am in LOVE with the Unlimited Pink collection. It's amazing - I am slowly collecting each and every one of them. I had to have this one because supposedly it is the color that the rest of the line is based off of to get the most true colored pinks. I love this color on others and it is very striking with the 325n layered over it. This is the hot pink color of the season! However, I just can't pull it off because I look terrible in bold lips - hence the no repurchase rating. Also, I think that the color is a little too trendy to invest so much in but the pigmentation and formulation is superb.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Sugarrimmed Dazzleglass
AlmaStarr 7/23/2009 3:30:00 PM
It's official. I don't like dazzleglasses and I don't get the big deal with them. I'm obsessed with sparkly so I thought these would be perfect for me. First I got "Steppin Out". It looked weird on my pigmented lips - not the color in the tube at all. Then I tried Sugarrimmed, which is a far better color for me and looks pretty but then, after about 15 minutes, the sparkle seems to fade and I get lip scum. Oh yes, lip scum - that dreaded line inside your lips. It happened with the Steppin Out, too, but I just didn't wear it enough for it really to be an issue. I've had better results from my 5 dollar Mark Hookup Luxe or from my $25 Shu Unlimited Pink. Oh, and this will only last about a month if you use it every day... I love MAC but I'm not buying anymore of these.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Shu Uemura - Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O
AlmaStarr 7/23/2009 3:07:00 PM
I have to say I'm super happy that I DON'T like this product. When I used this the first couple of times all I could think was that it smelled so good and made my face feel so soft and yet so clean afterwards. I knew that it was more than I wanted to spend on a cleanser. I also believe that (and I know there's different sides to this ongoing debate) mineral oil is ultimately very harmful and potentially aging to your skin... but I just had to try it anyway. I was just about to give in to all the positives and rethink the negatives when I started getting large lumps all over my chin and under my nose (my two problem areas). Sadly, this deluxe sample joins many others in my beauty graveyard... RIP
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Skincare - Face -Caudalie - Contour Cream Eyes and Lips
AlmaStarr 6/30/2009 1:09:00 PM
I really really like this and I wish I didn't because it's more than I would like to spend on an eye cream! In fact, I had all but given up on eye creams when I tried this. They seemed to me to be a load of bull... never did anything for me. I tried all the "best ones" too - Kinerase, Boscia, that Avon one that everyone likes - the list goes on. I got this as a sample from Sephora and I've been using it for a couple of weeks. Already, my eye area has depuffed considerably (it had gotten to the point where I thought I was going to need a bleph for my bags). The fine lines are slightly less noticeable and I'm much happier with my appearance. It also doesn't irritate my super sensitive eyes/skin. What more could I ask for??? Oh yeah, a discount... it's spensive :( but I'm still purchasing the full-size for sure.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Dazzleglass - Steppin' Out
AlmaStarr 6/23/2009 9:21:00 AM
I am always a sucker for pink lipglosses! This looked like such a fun color in the tube - almost a watermelon pink - and had so much sparkle I thought it would be great for a night out. I was wrong. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a lovely color... for someone else. On my highly pigmented lips it ends up more of a raspberry color. It's not the look I usually go for. I don't hate it - just not for me (and maybe some other pigmented lipped gals out there).
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Treatments (Eye) -Ren - Active 7 Radiant Eye Maintenance Serum
AlmaStarr 6/19/2009 1:00:00 PM
I can't speak of any long term benefits of this product because when I put it on, I immediately broke out with a large swollen hive under my eye. It stung incredibly and the hive took a few days to go away completely. Despite my better judgment, I decided to try it again just to be sure and the SAME EXACT thing happened. I had high hopes for this, but a definite no for me.
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Treatments -It's a 10 - Miracle Leave in Product
AlmaStarr 6/4/2009 1:48:00 PM
I am absolutely IN LOVE with this. I have extremely fine, damaged, bleached hair and most leave-ins do nothing but weigh it down. I have literally 20 different kinds of the most popular leave-ins at home because my hair is so damaged and I'm constantly hoping for a miracle (Living Proof, Joico, Tigi After-Party, Frederic Fekkai, various Kerastase, and the list goes on and on). I was using Oscar Blandi Seta Cream with some success, but I found that after a few days of use my hair developed a buildup. I use the It's a 10 spray every day when I get out of the shower and my hair smells great, has shine, no flyaways and BODY!! I love this and I've recommended it to all of my friends and I've packed up all of my other leave-ins! This is my favorite of all time, by far!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -MAC - Refined Golden
AlmaStarr 5/18/2009 10:34:00 AM
I like this bronzer! A lot! I've been using Nars Laguna for years and I never really liked it but I couldn't find anything better. I tried so many bronzers without ever really being happy with anything (Lancome, Bobbi Brown, Tarte, etc.) I finally purchased this after reading the reviews from someone who has very similar coloring as me and the same Greek heritage. It was her HG, so I figured it was worth a try for me. This is definitely a bronzer upgrade - and it's cheaper than Nars!What more could I ask for? And although I've had problems with bronzers looking orangey on me, this never does. It looks more peachy and I really don't need to layer it with blush unless I want a brighter cheek.
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
AlmaStarr 5/18/2009 10:25:00 AM
UPDATE: I like this foundation when I first put it on but it doesn't last very long. After about 3 hours it seems to cling to certain areas and look blotchy. I still think it looks lovely when I first apply and I'll use it when I'm going out for just a few hours... ORIGINAL REVIEW: For reference, I have VERY dry skin, some fine lines and I'm very prone to clogging. I have been using Maybelline dream liquid mousse (which was my first forray into drugstore foundations after switching between a variety of high- end powder foundations) and was looking for something else that wore more evenly on my skin throughout the day. I was given a generous sample of the studio sculpt and find it to be a good foundation, definitely better for my dry skin than the studio fix, but I'm still on the fence... Pros: great coverage for me, doesn't get oily but keeps my face moisturized, only need a tiny amount. Also, I haven't noticed any breakouts and that's rare for a MAC foundation. Cons: the color is a little off. I'm not quite an NC25 in this line, but I'm not pink enough for NW25 either. It looks okay when I'm tan, but in the direct sunlight the color was a little obviously off. Also, even though it's moisturizing, it's still thick enough to settle into some of my fine lines. Doesn't look awful, but it's more noticeable than with the liquid mousse especially. I'm going to try to find a better color match, and if that's works I will definitely purchase for the summer. I'll update if anything changes.
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Self Tanners -Unlisted Brand - Malibu - Hemp Golden Glow Bronzing Moisturizer 
AlmaStarr 4/9/2009 4:29:00 PM
Sorry, but this stuff was the biggest let down I've had lately from a MUA recommendation. I got no color. Seriously zero... after a week of using it and already being pale. On the positive side, It smells decent - no self tanner stink - but then again, why would it? If this has any self tanner in it, I've yet to see it! Won't repurchase.
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Lip Gloss -Christian Dior - Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect- Jersey Pink 157
AlmaStarr 3/17/2009 4:58:00 PM
I've got to be missing something. The color is unflattering - way too "blue" and almost sci-fi looking on my lips. The tube leaks in my purse (although it is lovely), it's really not that glossy at all as compared to MAC and it's super expensive. This was the most I ever spent on a lipgloss and now it's sitting, lonely and unused in my makeup graveyard.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Living Proof - (Spray) Straight Making No Frizz Styling Spray
AlmaStarr 3/4/2009 3:33:00 PM
I was so excited to receive this product but it really disappointed me. Using the Living Proof spray (for fine-medium hair) alone made my hair feel very very dry (especially at the ends), I had a ton of flyaways on the top, and it was very flat by the end of the day. The only reason I gave it 3 lippies is because I found it worked a lot better if I used a leave-in conditioner before using the Living Proof spray - but even still I can not use it more than two days in a row without my hair getting very dull, heavy, and dry to the touch. I've heard the cream works a lot better. For the record, I have thin, damaged, highlighted hair with a lot of breakage.
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Liquid -Maybelline - Dream Liquid Mousse
AlmaStarr 2/17/2009 11:50:00 AM
UPDATE: After using the Studio Sculpt for a few weeks, I've returned to this. This really won't work unless you have VERY dry skin - which I do. This makes me look far younger than the Studio Sculpt. I apply it with the 187 and I can't put it on my chin because it clogs. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I have very very dry skin and some fine lines, so this seemed like it would be a good match for me. I bought it for somewhere in the vicinity of $8 which is great - makes me feel better in this economy. Overall, I really like it! It does blend very nicely and my pores are much less noticeable. It also stays "moist" on my skin, even with setting powder, which is good for my dry skin but also slightly uncomfortable, hence the lippie off. One thing that really made me like this product was that I tried it on my friend when she came and visited with me. She is also starting to have some fine lines and she was wearing BE. I couldn't help but notice that she looked so much older! (Gosh, I hope she doesn't ever read this...) I applied the Dream Liquid mousse to half of her face and she immediately looked 5 years younger - huge improvement! Bottom line: good drugstore option, great for dry skin, finish is a little too dewy for all skintypes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Boscia - Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment
AlmaStarr 2/6/2009 9:46:00 AM
Well, I've used this product for a year and a half morning and night - mainly because it did not irritate my sensitive eyes and I found it soothing. In that time I've developed significantly more noticeable undereye creases and a kind of loosening of the skin (I use sunscreen religiously). So I can officially say that this did absolutely nothing for me in terms of improving my skin or being wrinkle-preventative. I won't be repurchasing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No