Moisturizers -Clinique - Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
MrsDevall 10/1/2009 6:05:00 AM
I got two of these from the recent GWP and thought to myself "What the heck am I going to do with this?". My skin is pretty normal, not too dry or oily, and even in winter just a light moisturizer is enough to do the trick. Then I got an idea. I figured if it's that great and I have two, I'd try it on my horribly dry elbows, after all I could always give away the other one. Well, let me tell you...I used a prescription lotion from my derm twice a day for over a month with little result. I used this once at night for two days and have silky smooth elbows. This even blew away the prescription. I've been using this for five days now and the difference is incredible. Now I won't have to worry about having ouchtastic cracked elbows this winter. Plus, with this, a little bit goes a long way. After five days of use, and storing it upright, I still haven't even finished what little bit was stuck to the cap. I doubt I'll need to buy a jar at all this winter, but when I run out of what I have I have no doubt that I will. It's mighty expensive, but for something that works this good, I'd be willing to pay just about anything.
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Mascara -Clinique - High Impact Mascara
MrsDevall 9/25/2009 5:14:00 AM
So far I really like this mascara. I got it as a GWP, and didn't really have any expectations either way (I don't really bother to read reviews on my freebies), but I think this might be a mascara I go out and buy when I run out. I wasn't really planning on using this for a while, I have enough mascara to last well into next year if I toss them every single month. (That'll teach me to buy in bulk) My issue is, right now I have Great Lash & Urban Decay for when I want simple and understated, and Lash Blast for when I want wowza lashes...but I didn't have anything that was in the middle. This mascara is exactly what I was looking for. Now, if I had been looking for skyscraper lashes that are full of volume, I probably would have tried this based on the name. I wouldn't really say it's "high impact", but it does do a great job. The brush is the perfect size to get every lash, the color is a very very dark black, and it curled and held the curl all on it's own. I can see this working with a simple daytime look, or a more dramatic night look. I had no flaking or smudging, even hours later and that's ALWAYS a huge plus. Price wise, it's only two dollars more than some drugstore mascaras...hell, it's cheaper than a few drugstore mascaras I can think of, so that's not bad at all. I'm definitely going to be reaching for this a lot. I'm really glad I tried this. UPDATE: I've been using this daily, and while I still love it, I've noticed that it will sometimes flake. It's not often, and I'm not sure why it does, but it's not enough to make me like this any less.
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Top/Base Coats -Sally Hansen - Dries Instantly
MrsDevall 9/11/2009 10:18:00 AM
I needed a top coat and didn't have time to go to Sally's so I picked this up at the drugstore instead. It was a little over a dollar and I figured it wouldn't work that well, but I was pleasantly surprised. Now, it doesn't completely live up to the claim "30 second top coat", it takes a bit longer than that, but it does dry about as fast (and hard) as Seche Vite. The best part is that this makes my nail polish last, on average, five days. With SV I used to have to redo every single day because it would chip so badly. I also had no shrinkage with this. The reason I gave this a four instead of a five is that when I got towards the last 1/4 of the bottle, it started to bubble up on my nails. It's a bit of a pain to only be able to use part of the bottle, but at a dollar it's not that big of a deal to go buy another one when it starts to do that. And I definitely will be buying more of this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Urban Decay - 24-7 Glide on eyeliner in bourbon
MrsDevall 9/9/2009 6:59:00 AM
I had high hopes for this, but was disappointed. I've had a few different 24/7 liners in the past and have never had a problem. This one doesn't last very long and when I put it on it tends to flake off into my eye. This came in the Trifecta and was my entire reason for ordering at all, so I'm a bit peeved, but oh well. I'm going to keep using this but will definitely not be buying this again. It's unfortunate because the color is absolutely perfect for me.
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Mascara -Urban Decay - Big Fatty Mascara
MrsDevall 8/15/2009 11:56:00 PM
I usually don't buy a lot of different mascaras and just stick to what I know, but this came in my Trifecta and I figured I'd give it a go since I already had it sitting there. I didn't have great expectations for this. Hell, I didn't really have any expectations, it was just "oh cool, I get the eyeliner I've wanted, I get to try the primer potion without plunking down a ton of cash, and oh hey look a mascara too!". But I was expecting more than I got, especially from Urban Decay. Simply put, this is Great Lash in a fancier tube. It did nothing for length or volume at all. I could curl my lashes till the cows come home and it's not going to hold it. Basically all this did was darken my lashes. For me, on some days, that's exactly what I want, just plain old black lashes with no flair. I already have very long, full lashes so when I'm trying to go for a simple daytime look and put on anything too fancy I end up looking like a plain jane with hooker lashes. That's why I've always kept Great Lash in my makeup kit for those days. I do have to say, I love love love the brush on this. I have an issue with poking my eyes out with tiny brushes, the big ones I'm ok with. So that's definitely a plus for this. I am going to keep this around, and I am going to use it. It has nice staying power. However, I won't feel bad when I run out. I would never spend the amount they charge for the full size when I can get something that does the exact same thing for $3 at Dollar General.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
MrsDevall 8/13/2009 9:25:00 AM
This is the first product I've ever used that has absolutely blown me away. I got this in the sample size that comes in the Trifecta and have been using it for the past few days. The first day I used it with my UD Midnight Cowboy eyeshadow and noticed that I had significantly less glitter fallout than with my usual primer, MAC Paint Pot. I've also noticed over the past few days that the colors came off a little, although not a lot, brighter with the Primer Potion. Last night, though, the most incredible thing happened and that's what made my mind up to write the review now instead of waiting to test this for a few more days. Yesterday afternoon I put on my makeup as per usual, with my powder eyeshadow and went out. I came home early because I wasn't feeling well and went to bed without taking off my makeup. Well, it's now 9:30AM the next day and my eyeshadow is still 100% INTACT! The eyeliner is gone, and the mascara has smudged, but every little bit of eyeshadow is still here without even the slightest hint of fading. Wow! Just wow! I noticed a few of the reviewers saying that they didn't like the brush, and it doesn't bother me. I haven't had issue with putting too much on yet. I did take off one lippy for the packaging of the regular sized product though, because I definitely WILL be buying that. It's going to be a PITA to have to depot it into something else, but this product works great and I don't want to be without it again, so if it must be done oh well. It is silly of them to charge so much for a product and put it in ridiculous packaging like that though. As far as everything else is concerned the product inside is definitely a 5 out of 5, if only the packaging didn't suck this would be perfect in every way.
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Highlighters -New York Color - Chroma Face Glow [DISCONTINUED]
MrsDevall 8/8/2009 7:26:00 AM
I wasn't sure if this was going to be one of those products that I regret buying, but it was on clearance and I had a coupon so for a little over a dollar I figured "why not". I'm glad I did. I got this in Moonstone and it's fabulous. I use this as a blush instead of a highlighter and it gives me a nice healthy glow without looking like I actually have any blush on. It's not very pigmented, but it's buildable so two or three swipes with my brush and it shows. I had been a little nervous about how shimmery it looks in the pan, too much and I feel like I look weird, but this comes off very subtle on me. Though I've only had it a few days, it's become my go-to blush. I have quite a few other blushes but they don't seem to work with every look I do like this one does. It looked just as great with a simple light daytime look as it did with a dramatic nighttime eye. I love that about this. A big part of the reason I bought this was that it's the same concept as MAC MSF. I've never used anything like this before and didn't want to spend a huge amount of money on something I might not end up being that fond of. Now that I know how great these things are, when I run out I'll probably get MAC instead, being that it's more pigmented and I won't have to use as much. Either way, I'm hooked on these. I love it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Removal -Unlisted Brand - Smooth Away hair removing pads
MrsDevall 8/5/2009 1:43:00 PM
After the first airing of any commercial with a 1-800 number and four easy payments of 19.99 plus shipping and processing, this crap ends up in my mailbox courtesy of mom. Usually everything she gets is useless, but I was surprised at how great this is at filing the edges of my nails! Oh wait...this is supposed to shave my legs, isn't it? I figured I'd please my mother and at least try it, after all, she keeps raving about it (or at least, she did until she forgot about it). It took me 45 minutes of sitting there rubbing in circles until my leg and my wrist hurt for nothing. Ok, there was something...stubble! It filed off the hair (in a three inch patch at that) and left worse stubble than I'd have after two razor-free days. At that point I gave up and just shaved. If you really want to get rid of hair quick and easy and hate shaving that much, just nair the things. But, there is hope for this. I use the little one as a nail file to get my edges just right. At least it's good for something.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bodycology - Coconut Lime
MrsDevall 8/3/2009 9:44:00 AM
I got a sample of the vanilla set of this brand from Wal Mart and loved it, so I went to the store to get some more, and ended up getting this scent instead. I absolutely love it. (Actually, I love all of them) I have a lot of problems with scented anything because they give me migraines, but this is subtle enough to not bother my head, but still be noticeable at the same time. It's the perfect summer scent. I had never heard of this brand until now and was shocked at how much you get for only $4. I've been using this almost daily for a month now and you can't even tell. It's so moisturizing too, so I usually only need to put it on once and it lasts all day. I also picked up the body splash in this, sample size for $2. I'm definitely going to get so more of these in the other scents when I go back to Wal Mart. The only thing I don't like about this is that whatever plastic the bottle is made of is a bit hard to squeeze, and when your hands are covered in lotion it can be a bit of a PITA. For the price, the scent, and the amount of moisture you get though, it's not a big deal.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -SAMY - Fat Hair 0 Calories Thickening Spray
MrsDevall 7/10/2009 10:31:00 AM
This product is "meh" at best. I got this on a whim when I saw it on clearance, and what a waste it was. The trigger is placed in a really weird spot so that a lot of times I end up with a good amount on my hands. It doesn't do much of anything for my hair except make it crunchy, and it smells like crap. Nuff said. I'd never buy this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
MrsDevall 7/8/2009 4:49:00 PM
This product has been hyped up for so long, and being that it's Cover Girl, I was reluctant to try it. I went out on a limb last night and got a package of three at Costco because the price was great, and I have to say, now I get why everyone loves this. This has officially become my HG drugstore mascara. The formula goes on great with no clumps, and it lasts a heck of a long time with no flaking or smudging for something that isn't waterproof. (At least I don't think it is...is it?). The brush worried me a little bit, I'm used to big brushes from using Diorshow but this was even bigger than that. I was surprised that big fat brush was able to get all my lashes, even the tiny inner ones, in one swipe. What it does surprised me the most though. If I had to compare it, it would be like a mix of my other two HG mascaras. It curls and lengthens like Rimmel Sexy Curves, I didn't need a curler at all. And it adds almost as much volume as Diorshow without the hefty price tag. I was expecting not to like this and figured I could always swap or give the other two away. Yeah, not gonna happen. This is the first Cover Girl product I can honestly say that I not only liked, but would buy again (granted not for a long time considering the amount I have).
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Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara Waterproof
MrsDevall 7/7/2009 7:28:00 PM
I was looking for a no frills, waterproof mascara and this does the job perfectly. It's cheap and stays on a lot longer (without any flaking at that!) than some of my better mascaras. It even made it through a nap without any smudging. The little brush makes it a lot easier to get to the tiny inner lashes, and the formula hasn't gotten clumpy. I found it went on great if I did it slowly, a little bit at a time. I curled my lashes this morning and it has held the curl beautifully. If you're looking for something that's going to give you amazing volume and length, definitely don't get this. If you don't need it, then this is the way to go. I'll definitely buy this again.
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Eyeliner -Styli-Style - Line&Seal
MrsDevall 6/6/2009 2:07:00 PM
I used to wear Dior Crayon Eyeliner because it stayed put all day, but I heard about this as a cheaper alternative from Enkore on YouTube and figured I'd give it a try. This stays put with no smudging even longer than the Dior. For only $4 it's a steal. There are some pros and cons to this, however nothing to stop me from giving it all 5 lippies, or from buying it over and over again: Pros: Super easy to apply with little to no smudging. I can apply this directly to my waterline and no matter what happens during the day, I know it'll stay put and not run. The color choices are great. So far I've only tried black, that's what I wear 99% of the time, but I wouldn't hesitate to get another color if I had the need for it. Cons: So far I've only found this at CVS, and it can be a bit of a hassle to get if you're like me and don't have one close by. If you fudge it up when you're applying, you have only a tiny window to get it off easily. And the pro & con to this is that it lasts super long. So long that if you wanted to (and sometimes if you don't) it'll last all the way until the next day. (Great if you're lazy or will be out all night). Sometimes no matter how much makeup remover I use this stays put. Overall, I'm glad I found this. It's right on par with Dior when it comes to quality and a fraction of the price. My wallet definitely likes this one much better.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Rimmel - Lycra Wear in Milk Chocolate
MrsDevall 6/4/2009 4:13:00 PM
I really like this polish. It has it's problems, but nothing that would stop me from using it..or buying more when I run out. First, the color is a really creamy taupe. It's more of a cool tone, so I was unsure if it would go well with my warm toned skin, but in my opinion it looks great. The formula is ok. I had a bit of trouble getting it to go on evenly. I ended up taking it off halfway through because it kind of chunked up. I've found that if you do one coat, let it dry completely (or close to it), then do your second coat it goes on a lot more evenly than it would. I did have to take off one lippy for that. I'm on day three with this polish. So far I have a tiny bit of tip wear, but it's not noticeable. I got one chip, but I think that was more due to using Seche Vite top coat than the polish itself. Even with the Seche, I haven't had giant chips or peeling polish like I've had with any of my other polishes. I love that. Next time I use this, I'm going to try it with one of my other top coats to see it if holds better with no chips. Now, the polish says that no top coat is needed, and it probably isn't. I'm just a creature of habit and feel weird about not having any on. Overall, this polish has exceeded my expectations. For a $3 polish I bought at the drugstore, it's held up better than any of my CG, Orly, or Essie polishes. That has again confirmed my love for Rimmel. Lastly, I will definitely buy this again. The color is great, and unlike any other polish I have. And I'll definitely be checking out some of their other colors in this as well.
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Gels/Soaps -Nivea - Touch of Happiness Body Wash
MrsDevall 6/4/2009 12:52:00 AM
I got a sample of this from Wal Mart and fell in love with it. It smells amazing, and it lathers well. I had no need for lotion when I got out of the shower, so I got to skip that YAY (I hate lotion). Had I read the packaging before I used it, I probably would have figured it was gimmicky, but it really does have a great pick-me-up sort of smell to it. It was only after I used up the sample that I read the name! So it is quite true. I ran out of the sample size a few days ago, and ran to Wallgreens as soon as I got my check today so I could get it. The price was a bit of a shock. It was $7, more than I would have ever though I'd pay for a soap but the scent, coupled with not having to have that greasy lotion feel on me made it worth it. The only other issue I have is the bottle. I accidentally dropped one of them in the store and the whole top shattered (Sorry 'bout that, Wallgreens). I'm a bit worried about what might happen to mine in the shower. I guess I'll have to see to find out. As of right now, yes, I'd buy it again.
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