Lipstick -Sephora - Ultra Gloss Lipstick
stellina 2/11/2003 9:58:00 AM
I have this in Strawberry, which also seems very bright in the tube but applies as a lovely rosy pink. I agree - Sephora cosmetics are wonderful, & so much more reasonably priced than other lines they carry.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Color Scheme #1
stellina 2/5/2003 10:03:00 AM
When the MA applied this on me, she did a very dramatic look with all 4 shades, not something that I'd do myself, but just from that I could tell that it was possible to get a soft, pretty everyday look from these in various combinations. It will be great in the summertime since it's a warm palette.
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Lipstick -Cover Girl - Triple Lipstick in Right on Red
stellina 2/4/2003 10:00:00 AM
This is a great product. The texture is just like more expensive dept. store l/s - creamy & moist with good coverage. The name is deceptive, because it's actually a brick or muted red, very flattering and a good way to ease yourself into wearing red l/s.
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Lips -Bare Escentuals - Lipstick- Rain
stellina 2/3/2003 11:30:00 AM
A friend who's a BE fan told me about their l/s, & on my last trip to Ulta I decided to try it. Rain is a beautiful color: rosy brown with some red to it, but a muted, wearable shade. The texture is quite creamy & moist, which I like, & I don't find the scent to be strong at all (most reviewers have mentioned it, but it wasn't a problem for me). I'll definitely be looking for more colors.
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Primer/ Corrector -Shiseido - The Makeup Pre-Makeup Cream SPF 15
stellina 1/28/2003 10:21:00 AM
I was never a fan of makeup primers until I tried this. I've been using Shiseido foundations for quite a while, so I thought I'd see how it went, & was pleasantly surprised. It has a very slight tint that just even out the complexion a little & it definitely makes the foundation look better. It might not be right for summertime or very oily skin, though.
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Lipstick -Shiseido - The Makeup lipstick - Salmon Rose
stellina 1/28/2003 10:18:00 AM
This is a beautiful shade, neutral but warm, that would suit many skin tones. The consistency is nice and moist. Another great product from a great line.
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Lip Gloss -Bourjois - Effet 3D Lip Gloss - Beige Elastic 74
stellina 1/18/2003 11:47:00 PM
One of my favorite shades to "glaze" a lipstick underneath. This is the co. that makes Chanel (NOT the other way around), so it's like the Glossimers only cheaper.
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Lipstick -MMU Cosmetics - Glisten lipstick
stellina 12/10/2002 3:43:00 PM
I got this in Summer Nights, & it's a great neutral color with a twist. There appears to be different shades of shimmer which give it that "dimensional" look that a lot of companies are touting now. Very glossy & creamy, making it feel like a more expensive product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Shiseido - The Makeup Color Control Stick
stellina 12/5/2002 11:35:00 AM
This is an underbase/concealer type product that is meant for use under a regular foundation. It's hard to describe - sort of a pale muted green - but it works! Unlike the old-fashioned mint green types, it blends almost invisibly into the skin tone and erases redness. With foundation on top (I use Shiseido's Compact Foundation), all traces of red are gone. Expensive for what seems to be a small amount, but such a unique & effective product that it's worth it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Shiseido - powdery compact
stellina 12/3/2002 10:41:00 AM
This is definitely an improvement on the previous formula! The shade (Natural Fair Ochre) is perfect for my olive skin & the texture is amazing: matte but not drying, natural but with good coverage. Fortunately the new refills fit my old compact - more cosmetic companies should offer refills, as they're economical & less wasteful.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Nails -Unlisted Brand - ProStrong - Instant Thickening Kit
stellina 11/18/2002 10:55:00 AM
Over the past year, I've tried many of the Pro Strong items, including the Nail Builder & Sealer included with this kit. The first time I used the Builder & Sealer, I was disappointed: while it lived up to its claim of thickening & protecting the nails, it was extremely difficult to apply without getting air bubbles & an uneven finish, and it took forever to dry. I actually got so frustrated after a while that I threw it away. However, a few weeks ago, I got so desperate with my nails cracking & breaking that I decided to give it another chance. I'm glad to say that this time everything worked like a charm. Maybe Pro Strong reformulated the builder, because it's much smoother to apply & dries quickly. The Thickening Topcoat included in this kit may be my new favorite, as it lasts considerably longer than most and really does live up to its claim of strengthening & reinforcing the nails. Again, all Pro Strong products are much cheaper when bought in kits, although all 3 of these items can be bought individually for a lot more money.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Nails -Unlisted Brand - ProStrong - Basic Kit
stellina 11/18/2002 10:47:00 AM
This kit has the 3 basic items in the Pro Strong line: Accelerator, Liposome, and Hand Cream. In my opinion, they are also the most useful products in that order. The Accelerator is key: unlike other fluoride treatments that I've tried, this is the most effective because it absorbs into through a full manicure (on natural nails). The Liposome also claims to absorb through polish, although I wonder if the same effect could be achieved with other nail moisturizing products that cost less. Of the 3, the hand cream is the least impressive - while it claims to last several hours & through hand washings, I don't think so. There are better & cheaper hand creams on the market. Still, the kit is good value for money because, for some odd reason, Pro Strong products are far less expensive when bought in kits (making me wonder if their prices on individual items aren't terribly inflated). Pro Strong has definitely helped my thin, brittle nails - while they're not shatterproof, they're much better than they were before.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Mary Kay - Lipsticks
stellina 11/11/2002 9:57:00 AM
The reformulation (smoother & more consistent color) and new packaging (sophisticated brushed metal) prompted me to take another look at this line and re-purchase my old favorite, Toffee. I also wound up getting Cinnamon Twist since the MA used this in my makeover. They're similar, although Toffee has more pink/brown tones & Cinnamon Twist definitely has more red/brown. They both look great with my favorite cheapie liner, the famous W&W 666.
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Liquid -Helena Rubinstein - Double Agent Foundation
stellina 11/6/2002 11:38:00 AM
This is my favorite liquid foundation. It feels lightweight, but has excellent coverage, even hiding the red blotches on my cheeks. It's also a perfect color match for my yellow-toned skin. After getting a sample in Italy (it's a very popular line all over Europe), I was happy to find that the brand has resurfaced in the US - yes, I'm old enough to remember when all the stores carried Helena Rubinstein!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No