Highlighters -NARS - Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross 
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 11:49:00 PM
I went into Sephora and asked the sales girl for recommendations for a highlighter. She was excellent and took me around the store swatching highlighters from several brands. The Nars Albatross blew everything else out of the water. So many highlighters rely on sparkle and glitter. The Nars just had the loveliest, natural sheen. So subtle. She said she actually purchased several for herself in case they ever discontinue it. I absolutely love it!
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Eye Shadow -Bare Escentuals - Ready Eyeshadow duo 2.0 - The Escape
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 11:37:00 PM
I wanted to try the Bare Minerals eyeshadow AND I was also looking for "travel friendly" e/s in natural, neutral shades. I don't always want to be packing e/s palettes and I was drawn to the sturdy, compact packaging of these duos. It even has a mirror. The shade "Wanderlust" is a great neutral to cool, medium brown (hard to find) and "Daydream" is very close to my skin tone but with a bit of shimmer - great for blending out and/or as a brow highlight. I feel like I could throw this in my carry-on and have shades for a professional, natural look and also not worry about them getting wrecked. I am impressed with the Bare Minerals e/s. Very soft, buttery, pigmented and long-wearing (seriously, it doesn't budge!). Also, fragrance free and non-irritating if you have sensitive skin (like all of the Bare Escentuals products). I would definitely try out some more shades!
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Mascara -Clinique - Bottom Lash Mascara
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 11:22:00 PM
What a great idea! I don't usually wear mascara on my bottom lashes because it's too hard to negotiate huge mascara wands, and it usually smudges off anyway. I don't like water proof mascara, but for just the bottom lashes, I'm willing to make an exception. I am a fan of Clinique mascara anyway. I love the teeny-weeny little brush! It's brilliant! I've been wearing it on my lower lashes, even to work, and it doesn't budge. I think this is such a unique product and worth the money.
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Blush -Maybelline - Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 11:15:00 PM
I loved the colour of this blush in the package. It looked like the perfect pink for fair skin. Sadly, there were no testers in the Target I was in. This product has no pigment whatsoever. It doesn't show up AT ALL and I am very pale. I can't even use it as a highlight because it's matte. Booh! Don't waste your money. Maybe some of the other colours actually have pigment and show up? The "bouncy" texture is cool & unique, but seriously, the "rose petal" is a complete & utter fail.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Bella Bamba
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 11:09:00 PM
MUA has this listed as a blush, but Benefit describes it as "a 3D brightening pink face powder". As an all over face powder, this is a definite fail. Way too glittery. This product could NOT be described as "shimmery" - it's definitely sparkley. I thought I could use it as a brightener (like Bare Minerals clear radiance) or even as a highlighter but it's too much sparkle for me. As a blush, I actually like the colour, but, again, it's more sparkle than shimmer. It also is not really pigmented enough for me to really work as a blush. I would not reach for it over one of my Nars blushes. I'm not sure how I am supposed to use this product. It doesnt seem to work as a brightener, a highlight, or a blush :-(
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Blush -Tarte - Cheek Stain in Flush
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 10:39:00 PM
Every time I wear this someone compliments me on my complexion or says I look rested or relaxed. It definitely gives a natural glow! I like to put a cheek stain (I also love Benetint) under my foundation for a "glowing from within" kind of look. This also looks amazing over liquid foundation for a dewey, glowy effect. The shade "Flush" is perfect for fair skin. So natural. I have pretty sensitive skin, and at first was a little nervous about the fact that it was scented (a pleasant citrus scent). I have not had any reaction or problems with it. I think because Tarte uses really high quality natural ingredients. It doesn't irritate my skin at all.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Laura Mercier - Secret Concealer
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 10:30:00 PM
Best concealer I have ever tried! Definitely worth the price. I have number 1, and its very light, even light enough for my very fair skin. Concealer that is too dark (with a lot of drugstore brands, even the "lightest" shade is still too dark or too yellow for me) does not help with undereye circles. This has a hint of pinky peachiness to it which really brightens. It's so creamy and does not settle into fine lines. It's very pigmented, so I just need to use a small amount to get good coverage. It doesn't ever look cakey. I have used it for 6 months now, and I have only used up about two thirds, so although it's a bit on the expensive side, you don't need much product. It lasts a long time. I do set it with a tiny bit of Make Up Forever HD powder. Because its so creamy, if you don't set it you may find your mascara may smudge a bit. Also, it's definitely intended to be an undereye concealer - I wouldn't use it on blemishes.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -BeneFit Cosmetics - HOOLA
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 10:13:00 PM
If you are very fair and have always been terrified of bronzer, like me, you should really try this! I am very pale with cool toned skin and any bronzer I swatched would look so orange or brown or just way too dark, but not this. I love that it's totally matte (you can use it to contour if you want) so you don't look like you've been glitter bombed. I don't like sparkley powder all over my face. I mainly sweep just a little on parts of my face that would naturally get a bit of sun and it looks so completely natural. It just gives a subtle glow to my complexion. Love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -L'Oreal - Colour Riche in Fairest Nude
NerdyLibrarianGirl 7/1/2012 9:50:00 PM
I heard this was a Viva Glam II dupe. Not sure about that but I love the colour. Very natural, wearable pinky-brown. Unfortunately the Loreal lipstick smells awful! This is the first one I've tried. It smells very artificial and sickeningly sweet like cheap sugary candy. I would not re-purchase a Loreal Colour Riche. And in Canada they are $10.99! Way overpriced. I love all the Revlon lip products which are less expensive and completely scent-free and have better packaging. I will stick to them from now on. If you are sensitive about scents I'd avoid the Loreal.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Telescopic
NerdyLibrarianGirl 6/27/2012 12:01:00 AM
I am on the fence about this mascara. I like the unusual wand, which is thin and comblike, but overall I find the formula too wet. It takes too much work to avoid sticking my lashes together in bunches and ending up with a spidery effect. I like how it doesn't make my lashes feel stiff and "crunchy" and I haven't had any problems with smudging or flaking. I think I'm just not crazy about the overall look it gives my lashes. Not sure I'd repurchase.
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Blush -Milani - Baked Blush in Luminoso
NerdyLibrarianGirl 6/26/2012 8:55:00 PM
These do NOT compare to Nars blushes in texture or quality! Nars blushes have such subtle sheen and highlight that give you a completely natural glow. Milani is maybe less finely milled, and has more noticeable individual bits of glitter. The luminoso shade is nice and pigmented and not as glittery as dolce pink (which is literally the worst blush I have ever tried). Not in love enough to re-purchase. Also - absolutely loathe the packaging.
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Blush -Milani - Baked Blush in Dolce Pink
NerdyLibrarianGirl 6/26/2012 8:51:00 PM
I'd heard so much about the Milani baked blushes, but after purchasing them I have no idea why everyone is raving about them. The dolce pink is the worst blush I have ever used. The only thing that shows up is the ridiculous amount of super sparkley glitter. Seriously, it's like someone hit me with a glitter bomb. these do NOT compare to Nars blushes in texture or quality! Nars blushes have such subtle sheen and highlight that give you a completely natural glow. These do not. The rose d'oro and luminoso were better (pigmented and less glittery) but dont waste your money on dolce pink. Also - absolutely loathe the packaging.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Milani - Baked Blush - Rose D'Oro
NerdyLibrarianGirl 6/26/2012 7:55:00 PM
The rose d'oro shade is nice and pigmented (the nicest out if the 3 I tried) and has a lovely shimmery finish, however these do NOT compare to Nars blushes in texture or quality! Nars blushes have such subtle sheen and highlight that give you a completely natural glow. Milani is maybe less finely milled, and has more noticeable individual bits of glitter. not in love enough to re-purchase. Also - absolutely loathe the packaging which immediately broke after one use, so now it doesn't have a cover.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Physicians Formula - Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascara
NerdyLibrarianGirl 6/5/2012 7:27:00 PM
This is pricey for a drug store brand (about $16 in Canada) but it was on sale 50% off. Like the regular 100% Natural Origin, what I liked best about it is that you dont feel like you're wearing mascara. I don't like mascaras that make my eyelashes feel stiff and crunchy. With this one my eyelashes felt completely soft. It has worn very well - no smudging or flaking. But, I hated the wand and the packaging. The brush is way too big! Too difficult to apply (I guess "jumbo" should have warned me). The green curvy container looks cool, but trying to hold it, open it, and use the wand with its thin, curved, shiny (think slippery) handle is just not very functional. Also don't like the price (wouldn't re-purchase at full price) and the smell. It smells a little odd.
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Mascara -Physicians Formula - Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara
NerdyLibrarianGirl 6/5/2012 7:19:00 PM
This is pricey for a drug store brand (about $16 in Canada) but it was on sale 50% off. What I liked best about it is that you dont feel like you're wearing mascara. I don't like mascaras that make my eyelashes feel stiff and crunchy. With this one my eyelashes felt completely soft. I love the wand. It's one of the new plastic brushes with little bristles, great for applying and separating lashes. The packaging is so cute, and I love the handle of the wand which looks like a shiny green leaf. So far it has worn very well - no smudging or flaking. The only two things I don't like: the price. (probably wouldn't re-purchase at full price) and the smell. It smells a little odd.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No