Lipstick -Maybelline - Color Whisper - Orange Attitude 
SparkleBunny37 4/8/2013 4:56:00 PM
Maybelline's new Color Whisper lipsticks wil lgive you "sexy, soft, see through color with just a kiss of shine". Maybelline describes the formula of their Color Whispers as "pure color pigments suspended in a weightless gel, no heavy waxes or oils." The Color Whisper line consists of twenty shades; I previously reviewed Berry Ready, this review is for Orange Attitude, which is the color that appealed to me the most (yinz know me and my corals). Many bloggers and YouTube guru tout Maybelline's Color Whispers as dupes to Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters, but I disagree. I bought Orange Attitude at Walmart for $4.95 with a dollar off coupon. These lipsticks contain 3g (.11 oz) and sell for between $5-8. This lipstick was made in the USA. Sadly, Maybelline continues to test on animals. I really love the Color Whisper packaging. These lipsticks come in square, transparent packaging that's color coordinated with each shade, which I always find very appealing. The product name is written on the front and back of the cap in silver, cursive lettering. The base is square, but the twisting mechanism is round. The shade name and number can be found on the label on the bottom of the tube. The packaging for Maybelline's Color Whisper Lipsticks is really attractive; sleek but not too simple and bright but not overly cutesy like their Baby Lips balms. Maybelline's Color Whispers feel almost like a solid gloss, they glide onto the lips and feel much more comfortable than your average lipsticks. Color Whispers have a slightly shiny finish that gives dimension to the lips. \Unlike Berry Ready, which slid around on the lips and needed careful application, Orange Attitude can be swiped on without a mirror and is almost as effortless to wear as a tinted balm. Orange Attitude is much less slick and slippery compared to Berry Ready. This shade is not a long lasting lip color, I get an hour to an hour and a half of wear, tops. Maybelline Color Whisper Lipsticks have no noticeable scent or flavor. Orange Attitude isn't so much orange as it is a warm, peachy coral. Orange Attitude has no shimmer or glitter, just a light glossy shine. This shade has sheer color payoff, so it looks more like a gloss, but it can be built up for more opaque coverage. I though that Orange Attitude would be very similar to Revlon's Tutti Frutti Lip Butter, but they aren't. Tutti Frutti is much orangier. I love both shades, but they aren't the dupes I assumed they would be. Orange Attitude is a great shade for spring and summer, but that can be said for any coral. I really like Maybelline's Color Whisper Lipstick in Orange Attitude. The color is sheer, but still gives a light, fresh, coral color to the lips with a pretty glossy finish. Orange Attitude doesn't wear very long, but its easier to wear than it's darker counterparts. Packaging is attractive and the price point is very fair. I stated in my previous Color Whisper review that these lipsticks are comparable to Revlon's Lip Butters, but Maybelline's product is superior. I still stand by that, and I recommend Maybelline's Color Whisper Lipsticks and plan to purchase more in the future.
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Blush -Avon - True Color Blush Coral Radiance
SparkleBunny37 4/6/2013 10:54:00 PM
Avon's Coral Radiance is a new, limited edition shade of Ideal Luminous Blush. Avon offers a total of ten shades to choose from. Avon says that their Ideal Luminous blush offers "buildable, skin enhancing shades that go from soft and sheer to a perfect pop of radiant color with a natural luminous finish that lasts for hours. silky smooth, long wearing color." Ideal Luminous blushes contain 6.23g (.22 oz)and retail for $8. I bought Coral Radiance for $3.99 on a special deal. This blush was made in China. Avon does not test on animals, except in their Chinese market. Avon products can be ordered online, or through your local Avon sales representative. Ideal Luminous blushes come in a black cardboard box. The product name and Avon logo grace the front of the box. The back and sides of the box offer application tips, company info and a full ingredient list. The blush comes in a square plastic compact with the Avon logo engraved into it. The compact has a push button opening. The compact has a decently sized, good quality mirror, as well as a little brush. This brush will work in a pinch but I wouldn't recommend using it. The packaging is way bigger than I expected. The pan of blush is pretty small, about 2x1", so there's really no reason to have a compact so large that I can barely hold it in my hand. Hopefully Avon drops the brush and makes the compact more..compact. By the way, this shiny black packaging shows lots of finger prints. If I had reviewed this blush earlier this week like I had intended to I would've told you that I hate this blush and that I was returning it, but I've come around...mostly. I still don't think that its great, but I don't plan on returning it anymore. The texture of Avon's Ideal Luminous Blush is very powdery, this blush kicks up a ridiculous amount of excess powder. Because this blush is so powdery I find it hard to pick up with a brush. Application is just as easy as any other powder blush. Wear is average, about six hours before it starts to fade. Coral Radiance wasn't pigmented at all initially. Apparently I needed to work through the top layer before it would give off any color. Coral Radiance is a really nice color for spring and summer. This shade is actually pretty complex, I had a hell of a time capturing the color in a photo. Coral Radiance is a very yellowy orange coral with sparse silver glitters. Despite looking very orangey in the pan, Coral Radiance shows up as a soft pink coral flush on my fair skin. The shimmer doesn't transfer very much, just a fleck or two. Coral Radiance can be built up or sheered out depending on what you prefer and how you apply it. Coral Radiance is probably better suited to warm skin than cool, and will show up best on fair to tan skin. Avon's Ideal Luminous Blush in Coral Radiance is only ok, The packaging is bulky and the brush is kinda junky, I wish it wasn't included. The texture is extremely powdery, but the color pay off is decent. I really like the color of Coral Radiance, it's very pretty and great for spring. This is really an unusual shade of coral, it has a strong yellowy tinge to it that you don't often see. The overall quality of this blush is so-so, you need to work your way through the top layer to get good color payoff. I came very close to returning this blush, I'm still kinda on the fence about it. Because I have such mixed feelings about this blush I don't feel like I can recommend it. I wouldn't repurchase this blush, but I'll continue to use it.
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Eyeliner -Rimmel - Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Nude
SparkleBunny37 4/5/2013 12:23:00 AM
Rimmel's newest eyeliner, the ScandalEyes Kohl Kajal seems to be a very big hit with every blogger that reviews them. Rimmel describes the formula of their ScandalEyes liner as "ultra smooth and creamy formula that glides on easily. Waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat proof, heat proof, humidity proof and scandal proof. Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, safe for sensitive eyes." This pencil liner is available in ten shades, I only have one, Nude (005). Rimmel's ScandalEyes eyeliners contail 1.2g (.042oz) and retail for around $4. I bought my ScandalEyes pencil at Ulta, I only paid .98c for it after a coupon and a deal. Unfortunately, Rimmel, a sub-brand of Coty, continues to test on animals. This eyeliner was made in France. There isn't too much to say about the ScandalEyes Kohl Kajal packaging. These Rimmel eyeliners are made of black wood and are coated to match the color of the product. The pencils are topped off with a clear plastic cap. The Rimmel logo, ScandalEyes logo, a Union Jack, shade name, and some claims are printed on the pencil in silver lettering. This is a traditional eyeliner pencil, so it does need to be sharpened. A few years ago when everyone was wearing white eyeliner on the waterline, I tried two different ones and hated how they looked. I think my eyes might be too dark for that look. When nude eyeliners because the new waterline trend, I shunned them, figuring they would look awful on me as well. Because I could get it for just a buck, I decided to take a risk on Rimmel's nude liner and I haven't regretted it at all. The Nude shade isn't really nude for everyone, but it's suitable for the majority of skin tones. Rimmel's Nude is a light to medium, yellow flesh toned shade. This pencil goes on very opaque, which really surprised me. This shade is very brightening, but because of it's yellow base it looks a little off up close. This shade would probably be a little more flattering on a tanner skin tone. The texture of this pencil is somewhere between NYX' Slide On Pencils and Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner. Rimmel's ScandalEyes Kohl Kajal Eyeliner is a very soft, creamy pencil that's comfortable to use on the lash lines and waterlines. I haven't tested the wear for this liner on my lash lines, since it would barely show up, but I can only assume that it would last a really long time. Why? Well...it lasts 7 hours on the waterline. For real. That's about twice as long as most pencil liners last on my waterline. Even after that seven hours, there's still some left behind. That's some serious lasting power. Rimmel's ScandalEyes liners aren't very smudge-able, they seem to set straight away, but that may only be true about the Nude shade. I've been wearing Rimmel's ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Nude non-stop! I love black liner on the waterline, but this flesh toned pencil has been a refreshing change. I can't find one negative about this product. This liner is creamy and a breeze to apply. The wear time is amazing. Have you ever had a nude pencil liner last seven hours on your waterline? Probably not, especially not one that costs $4. I can't recommend Rimmel's Nude ScandalEyes Eyeliner enough! Everyone needs this eyeliner. I'll definitely repurchase this pencil when I work my way through it, and I plan to pick up the Taupe shade as well.
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Liquid -Bourjois - Healthy Mix Foundation
SparkleBunny37 4/3/2013 4:51:00 PM
Healthy Mix is Bourjois' "first radiance boosting foundation with fruit derived ingredients for a flawless, glowing complexion for up to 16 hours". This foundation contains good stuff like apricot, melon, apple, and ginger extracts. Bourjois boasts that this foundation has an "exquisite, melting formula that blends onto the skin for a flawless yet natural finish" that's good for your skin because it'll provide "8 hours of moisture". This oil free foundation was dermatologist tested for high tolerance. I don't believe that this foundation contains any SPF. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation is available in three to six shades, depending on where you live. I have shade 51, Vanilla Clair, or Light Vanilla, which is the lightest of the six. I received this foundation as a gift. This foundation contains the standard 1fl oz (30 ml) and retails for $34AUD. Bourjois claims to not test on animals. This foundation was made in France. Bourjois products are available at drugstores and major retailers around the world, except here in the US. If you're lemming for Bourjois products, and don't have a friend overseas to swap with, you can order them through Asos, though the selection is somewhat limited. The Healthy Mix foundation comes in a clear plastic bottle with black pump. One side of the bottle is in English, the other in French. Both sides feature the Bourjois logo and product name, along with a few claims. Thes ide of the bottle goes on to list a few more claims, as well as the ingredients. The shade number can be found on the top of the cap. Pop the cap off and you'll reveal a pump. I'm not in love with this pump, it spurts out a little bit product at a time, instead of a nice, even amount. I guess a sucky pump is better than no pump at all though. Something about the texture of Bourjois' Healthy Mix Foundation seems a little off to me. When pumped out onto the skin, it looks and feels like any other liquid foundation, but as you begin to work with it, it seems to thicken up a little. Weird! I've heard many people say that MAC's Face&Body Foundation performs in a similar way, rubbing it in seems to somehow increase the coverage. At first, I didn't like this foundation at all, it was blotchy and provided very sheer, uneven coverage, it just didn't do anything for me. Turns out, it wasn't the formula that was bad, it was my application method. I was using my Avon Precision Grip Blender to apply Healthy Mix, and it seems like this foundation really doesn't agree with a dampened sponge. Healthy Mix works best when worked slowly into the skin with fingers, the natural warmth of your fingers will help melt this foundation into the skin. Bourjois claims that Healthy Mix will give a semi-matte finish with "perfect" coverage. I'm not clear on what "perfect" coverage means. Do they mean full coverage? If so, I disagree. Bourjois Healthy Mix gives a medium coverage. This foundation almost completely masks redness while covering small blemishes, freckles, and acne scars, but larger imperfections and dark circles will still need concealer. Semi-matte is a good description for the first half of the day, but after five or so hours, Healthy Mix starts to break down and little and gets more 'luminous'. I don't have oily skin, so if this foundation breaks down on me after five or six hours, I highly doubt that it'll last sixteen hours like Bourjois claims. I think Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation is best suited for normal skin. As I previously mentioned, it doesn't stand up well to even a little bit of oil, but it also clings to any dry patch it can find. On normal skin, this foundation has a very natural, flattering, skin-like look. The entire shade range for Bourjois Healthy Mix is in the light to medium range, so it's not very inclusive. All of the shades are also strongly yellow based. Shade 51, Vanilla Clair/Light Vanilla isn't too far off from my body's skin tone, but it's about a shade too dark for my face. I can get away with this shade if I blend it down my neck. While the shade isn't too far off, I feel like the strong yellow tone is very noticeable and unflattering, it really throws off the look of this foundation. To combat the undertone issues, I always set this foundation with ELF's Cool Tone Correcting Powder to balance the color. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation is good, but I definitely have foundations I prefer over this one. The texture is a little bit strange, and application is a little bit finicky. Healthy Mix performs best when applied with fingers. Bourjois Healthy Mix gives medium coverage with a natural finish, which is ideal in my opinion. Unfortunately Healthy Mix will only work for a small portion of people. The shade selection is minimal, only light to slightly tan skin tones are represented. The formula only cooperates with normal skin as well. I wouldn't repurchase Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, but I would recommend it if you have the right skin tone and type. I'm hoping to try the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation next.
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Lotions/ Creams -Julep - Rock Star Hand Cream
SparkleBunny37 4/2/2013 5:34:00 PM
Julep's Rock Star Hand Creme is an "anti-aging, emollient blend of shea butter, glycerin, coconut oil, and vitamin E. Keeps your hands hydrated, even after washing. This non-greasy, fast absorbing formula will leave you cheering for an encore. Rock on." Julep made a pretty big deal about this hand cream when it was released in the March Julep Maven Box. I'm pretty critical of most hand creams, I need a lot from them. I still haven't found a replacement for Garnier's Intensive Hand Cream, which is my favorite hand cream by far. I received a full size 3 fl oz (85g) tube of Rock Star Hand Creme in the March Maven Box. On it's own, the Rock Star Hand Creme retails for $20, or $16 if you have the Maven discount. Julep products can be bought through the brand's website, at the four Julep Nail Parlors located throughout Washington State, and in a limited selection at Sephora. Julep products are cruelty free and made in the United States. Rock Star Hand Creme has colorful, attractive packaging. The squeeze tube starts off purple and gradually fades down to pink. The Julep logo and product name can be found on the front of the tube. The back of the tube offers a product description in English and French, as well as the full ingredient list. Julep's hand cream has a twist cap that dispenses the product. Julep says that the twisty cap is supposed to be more convenient than a traditional flip top cap. I disagree, I actually find the twisty cap hard to operate if I have wet hands, plus the bottom of the cap gets kinda messy if you aren't careful. Even if it isn't the easiest to use, I like the packaging, its pretty. The box this hand cream comes in is kinda cool, it's white cardboard with the same information that's on the tube. One side of the box boasts some claims and ingredients in purple, punky style lettering. Julep's Rock Star Hand Creme is pretty average in consistency. This white hand cream is little bit greasy initially, but it sinks in quickly, leaving my hands feeling adequately moisturized and smooth. If I'm having a particularly dry hand day, which is pretty much every work day for me, this hand cream really isn't enough, but it keeps my hands comfortable til I can use something better. The moisture isn't super long lasting, I feel like I need to reapply the Rock Star Hand Creme every four hours or so. I find Julep's hand cream to be significantly more softening than it is moisturizing, and is better for preventing dryness as opposed to treating it. Surprisingly, this hand cream kinda lives up to it's anti-aging claims. Because of how often I have to wash and sanitize my hands, combined with the clingy powder from the latex gloves I have to wear all day, my hands often look old ladyish and shriveled. Julep's Rock Star Hand Creme really helps to improve the look of my hands, especially when used in conjunction with Julep's Glycolic Hand Scrub. Rock Star Hand Creme has a soft, pleasant, floral scent that doesn't really stick around. I'm not wowed by Julep's Rock Star Hand Creme. The packaging is kinda neat, I like the color scheme even though I'm not a pink and purple kind if girl. This hand cream isn't for you if you have chronically dry, chapped, or otherwise abused hands, so cooks and nurses beware. This cream is very softening, but it doesn't provide long lasting, truly nourishing moisture. Like most Julep products, the Rock Star Hand Creme is very over priced. Twenty bucks seems ridiculous when you can just pop into the drugstore and get a superior hand cream from St. Ives or Garnier for like $3. I wouldn't repurchase this hand cream nor do I recommend it.
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Blush -Ulta - Girlie
SparkleBunny37 4/2/2013 12:05:00 AM
Ulta claims that their Cheek Colors will "contour, highlight, and give cheeks a fresh glow. Long-wearing, silky powder glides across your skin, giving skin a fresh, natural, glow." Ulta offers a total of eleven shades, this review is for Girlie. I got a 6g (.21 oz) sample of this blush as a gift with purchase nearly two years ago. I've never thought much about this blush, yet for some reason I reach for it quite often. This blush retails for $7, and obviously can only be bought at Ulta and ulta.com. Ulta brand products are not tested on animals. This blush was made in China. Packaging for Ulta's Cheek Color has gone through some changes since I got mine. My Cheek Color comes in a clear, round compact with the Ulta logo on the front. The new packaging is a black pan with a flip top with the Ulta logo. Either way, the packaging is pretty cheap and plain, not attractive, and really nothing much to talk about, so moving on. Ulta's Cheek Color texture is not so good. It feels a little stiff in the pan, which is misleading because its actually quite powdery. Like when you swirl your brush in the pan, it kicks up a plume of powder. This blusher is decently pigmented, but the powderiness makes the pigmentation seem less intense than it is. Application is average, I don't think I've ever had a problem with applying any powder blushes. Where the real problem lies is the wear. Ulta's Cheek Color fades so quickly, I think it fades away almost completely after only four hours, which is kinda pathetic. I know there's no reason to have a scent to a blush, but Ulta's Cheek Color smells kinda like chocolate and that makes me happy. I like the color of Girlie, which is the only reason that I haven't tossed it out yet. Girlie is a matte, warm, carnation pink with a dusty, slightly greyed quality to it. This shade is very flattering and natural on my very fair skin. I've been using Girlie to blend out a a brighter, more springy brush, to give it a seamless look when it meets up with my bronzer. Ulta's Cheek Color in Girlie isn't very good. The texture is very powdery, which negatively impacts the pigmentation. While I really love the dusty carnation color, it barely lasts. I do not recommend Ulta's Girlie blush, there are far better blushes available in the $7 price range. Had this been a product I paid for I would've been a bit cross. I haven't had much luck with any Ulta brand products, except their lip glosses, so I think it'd be wise to avoid the brand in general. I wouldn't repurchase Ulta's Cheek Color in Girlie, but I'll continue to use it.
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Eye Shadow -Barry M - Dazzle Dust #92 Aqua Gold
SparkleBunny37 3/31/2013 4:29:00 PM
Barry M's #92 Dazzle dust is an "aqua gold" pigment. This English beauty brand offers about 60 shades of their Dazzle Dusts. These loose eyeshadows are described as "breathtaking, loos, highly pealrised powder available in a profusion of colours to enhance your eyes, lips, or cheeks. Each little pot contains multiple facets of intense, reflective colour that glides on smoothly, adding sparkle and sheen. These luscious shades can be applied bright and bold to shimmering and subtle." I received two Barry M Dazzle Dusts, #90&92, in a swap with my English friend Rae. Dazzle Dusts are packed with product and retail for just £4.59 ($7USD). Barry M is cruelty free. Barry M products are available at drugstores throughout the UK, as well as on the brand's website, which ships internationally. Barry M's Dazzle Dusts come cute glass jars topped by a black twist off cap. The product and brand name, along with the brand's web address are printed on the cap in gold lettering. The shade number can be found on the bottom of the jar. The cute, compact nature of these jars make them very easy to store. The Dazzle Dust jars don't have a sifter in it, which may or may not be a negative to you. To me, it doesn't really matter, pigments are messy no matter how they're packaged, but I'd prefer Dazzle Dusts to come with a sifter. Pigments can be used in a variety of ways, but the most common use is as an eyeshadow, which is how I've chose to review this product. Dazzle Dust #92 is extremely finely milled, it's smooth and dense, so much so that it looks half pressed in the jar. Just like #90, #92 is quite powdery, causing a lot of fall out, even more than most loose shadows do. This shade has perfect pigmentation, it goes on opaque but it can also be sheered out into a light wash. Foiling barely intensifies to color of #92, but it helps the pigment applies more smoothly. Wear time for Barry M's #92 is fantastic. When worn over a primer or base, #92 doesn't crease or fade at all for at least 8 hours, This shadow crease slightly after 5 or so hours when foiled. Aqua Gold stains the eyelids a very unflattering bluish green and is quite hard to remove. Barry M #92 aka Aqua Gold is ridiculously gorgeous. The name is spot on! In the jar, #92 looks like a medium blue with a green undertone. When swatched and applied, Aqua Gold shows up as more of a seafoam green with a very strong duochromatic sheen. Despite being a bright, turquoise shade, I feel like #92 has a soft quality lent to it by the golden reflect. As with most duochromes, the intensity varies from the angle the color is viewed at. I love Barry M's #92 Aqua Gold Dazzle Dust, it's a huge improvement on #90 Pearly Mauve. This pigment's texture is much smoother and finer. Aqua Gold applies very smoothly and has flawless wear. This shade is beautiful, unique, and well pigmented, but be warned that it does stain. If you have access to Barry M, and aren't afraid of a bold, glimmering turquoise, you might want to check out Dazzle Dust #92.
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Primer/ Corrector -Too Faced - Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer
SparkleBunny37 3/27/2013 2:57:00 PM
Too Faced Primed&Poreless is the brand's "skin smoothing face primer". Too Faced calls Primed&Poreless "a one-of-a-kind makeup primer that was scientifically formulated to wear under bronzers and foundation powders, or alone, to achieve the look of flawless skin without makeup. Vitamins A&C, mulberry extract, and a powerful dose of retinol virtually banish pores while tired skin is left hydrated, firmer, and detoxified. Primed&Poreless creates the perfect canvas to allow powders, bronzers, and foundations to airbrush onto the skin seamlessly and perfectly blended. Skin appears brighter, fresher, and younger. Color stays true and stays in place all day". Well that was thorough, I definitely know what to expect from this primer now. Too Faced' primer is pretty popular, so I was excited to try it in the 5g (.17 oz) tube I got in the Beauty Editor Darlings value kit, which I bought at Ulta for $19. The full size 1fl oz tube retails for $30, Too Faced also offers a .5fl oz size for $15. This primer has proved so popular that Too Faced has expanded their Primed&Poreless line to include three or four other products. Primed&Poreless is vegan friendly and paraben free. Too Faced does not test on animals. This primer was made in America. Like just about all Too Faced products, Primed&Poreless has lovely, feminine packaging. This primer comes in a light pink squeeze tube. The Too Faced logo and product name grace the front of the tube along with some directions. My sample tube has a needle nosed dispenser, which may differ from the full sized version. The cap doesn't really like to stay on, which is the packaging's only flaw. Primed&Poreless is similar to Benefit's Porefessional, but with a creamier texture and slightly yellower tone. Primed&Poreless smooths over the skin with ease. A little goes a long way, I need only a small pea sized amount to coat my chin, nose, and cheeks. Too Faced' pore reducing primer doesn't completely erase the look of pores, but I'd say it blurs them about 50%, they disappear even more once foundation is applied. Primed&Poreless slight yellowy tone seems to correct the redness that often accompanies larger pores. Primed&Poreless isn't just great for pores, it fills and smooths over fine lines. This primer feels lighter on the skin than both Benefit's Porefessional and Tarte's Poreless primer, probably because of the creamier formula. Unlike Tarte's Poreles primer, Too Faced' does not cause clogged pores, nor does Primed&Poreless seem to control oil and prolong the wear of foundation, but then again it's hard for me to tell since I don't really tend to have foundation issues in the first place. I really enjoy Too Faced Primed&Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer. The creamy texture is pleasant to work with. The translucent yellow tinge is very corrective. Primed&Poreless does a good job of masking both pores and fine lines without causing breakouts. Packaging is gorgeous and function. I think I might save my pennies and buy the .5fl oz tube, I think it's worth the price, especially since I only need a little bit for each application. If you're hunting for a pore minimizing face primer, why not try Too Faced Primed&Poreless, I think it may be the best of the three high end pore reducing primers I've tried (even though I like them all)!
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Lipstick -Soap and Glory - Super-Colour Fabulipstick - Guavarama
SparkleBunny37 3/26/2013 3:21:00 PM
Soap&Glory's Super-Colour Fabulipsticks feature "ULTIMELT™ lip shine & shaping technology, 3-D PLUMP™ peptide complex, Shea Butter, Monoi Butter & Vitamin E. Hyaluronic acid and Ceramide 2 (for aging repair and visible wrinkle reduction) help to give a soft, smooth, dewy, plump colour-fill pout." Soap&Glory divide their Fabulipsticks into two families, matte and satin. There are six satin finish shades, I have all of them in the limited edition Wowed Mouth palette, which was sent to me by my English friend Rae. The Fabulipsticks, sadly, aren't available in the US. A small selection of Soap&Glory products can be found at Sephora for a very inflated price. Each full size Fabulipstick contains 1g and retails for about £10 ($15USD). Soap&Glory does not test on animals. These lipsticks are made in Italy. I can't really comment on the Fabulipstick packaging, since I have them in palette form. The palette is adorable though! Made of red cardboard; the palette's name, Soap&Glory logo, and a woman riding a lipstick can be found on the front. The back of the palette offers a full ingredient list, and a peek at what lipsticks are inside. Inside the palette you'll find all six lipsticks in round pans, long with a nice sized mirror and a double ended lip brush. Lip palettes are almost never convenient, but Wowed Mouth is a fairly small palette that fits in almost any bag, and the mirror and brush are good enough quality, so on the go application isn't too much of a pain. Obviously a traditional lipstick in a tube would be much more convenient though, I'd love to have Guavarama in a tube. I like Soap&Glory's Fabulipstick formula. When I received this palette I was concerned that the lipsticks would be hard and waxy, like those in many lipstick palettes, but they're actually quite creamy. Guavarama glides onto the lips and feels very comfortable for about half an hour, after that it dries down and feels a little bit clingy and dry on the lips, a gloss will correct that though. Soap&Glory's Guavarama Fabulipstick has pretty average wear. I get about two hours of wear before I need to reapply. This lip color stays in place, no smudging or feather, despite the creamy texture. Guavarama has a strange, almost blood-like flavor. I know that sounds really off-putting, but it needed to be said. One of the first times I wore it I thought I had a small cut on my lip because I thought I was tasting blood. I assume it has a lot of iron in it compared to the other five shades because I don't really notice the bloody taste in the other ones. Guavarama is my favorite shade in the Fabulipstick range. I don't think it's a particularly unique shade. Guavarama is extremely flattering on me, I actually have gotten a few compliments while wearing it. This is a medium, warm pink with brown with subtle tan and red tones in it, depending on the angle you catch it from. This lipstick has a slight dewy, satin finish and no noticeable shimmer. Guavarama has excellent pigmentation, and can be built up to be very bold, or sheered out as a stain. Soap&Glory's Super-Colour Fabulipsticks are good. The texture is creamy, application is smooth, and wear is decent. Guavarama is a great, rich, warm pink that I wear often, this seems like a universally flattering shade. The kinda bloody flavor is bizarre, hopeful it's a fluke or something. If Soap&Glory's Fabulipsticks are available to you, check them out, they're a little pricey, but you're paying for good quality. I hope Sephora stocks these lipsticks soon, I'd definitely purchase Guavarama, if not the entire collection.
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Polishes -Sinful - Let's Talk
SparkleBunny37 3/25/2013 10:29:00 PM
Sinful Colors' Let's Talk is such a beautiful purple, definitely my favorite color that I've picked up from the brand. This is far from my favorite nail polish brand, I've had a lot of wear and staining issues with other Sinful polishes, but Let's Talk may have changed my opinion. Sinful Colors, a recent acquisition of Revlon, offers a huge selection of shades for a very reasonable price. Each bottle contains .5fl oz (15ml) and retails for around $2. Sinful Colors nail lacquers are DBP, Toluene, and formaldehyde free. Sinful Colors does not test on animals and makes their products in the USA. Sinful Colors products are available at drugstores worldwide. Sinful Colors' bottles are plain but cute. The round glass bottles are topped with a texturized black plastic cap. SC is embossed on the top of the cap. The brand logo can be found on the front of the bottle. Some product info can be found on the back of the bottle. The shade name is listed on a label on the bottom of the bottle. The Sinful Colors brush is pretty basic; average length, average width, average flexibility, with no splayed bristles. Let's Talk's formula seems very thin, which is definitely a problem that plagues Sinful Colors polishes. The polish just drips off the brush in a way that had me awaiting application disaster. Surprisingly, this polish only pools a bit on the edges of the nails. The first coat of Let's Talk goes on streaky and uneven, but has decent color payoff. The second coat evens out everything and makes the color entirely opaque. Let's Talk dries pretty quickly, about a minute per coat. This polish doesn't chip or peel, but the wear isn't that good. Let's Talk suffers from significant shrinkage, which is unattractive and eventually causes the polish to come off. I'm kinda willing to overlook the shrinkage because the color of Let's Talk is beautiful and so brilliant that my camera can't handle it! Let's Talk is a bright but deep purple with strong blue tones. This is definitely an eye catching, flashy color, which is only enhanced by the nearly metallic finish. Unfortunately, Let's Talk;s finish gets very dull after a day or so because of the shrinkage. I like Sinful Color's Let's Talk. The color is so beautiful and deep. I don't have many purple polishes, so this shade is really a standout in my collection. While Let's Talk doesn't suffer from the watery formula and peeling so many other Sinful polishes do, but it does shrink on the nail. The formula isn't perfect but the color is! The rich, shiny purple is bold, intense and well worth putting up with the poor wear. I'd definitely recommend and repurchase Sinful Color's Let's Talk. I buy it as a gift for friends pretty often. Who can't fall in love with this color?
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Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Fit Me
SparkleBunny37 3/21/2013 6:20:00 PM
Maybelline's FitMe Pressed Powder has given me problems since day one. I picked up a compact of this powder after enjoying the matching foundation and concealer. The first compact looked fine from the outside, but when I opened it, the glue that holds the pan in place was everywhere, so I exchanged it. The new compact has a the same problem, but it isn't as bad. Anyway, Maybelline says that their FitMe pressed powder gives you a coverage that's "flawless and lets the real you come through. Beyond matching; fresh, breathable, natural finish". This powder doesn't contain any oils, waxes, or nonsense. The shade selection is awesome! There's a total of eighteen shades, I have Porcelain (110), which is the lightest shade. This powder compact contains 9g (.3 oz) and retails for around $8, but I got mine on a deal, and paid only $3.50. I bought my powder at Ulta. Unfortunately, Maybelline does test on animals. This powder was made in the USA. I like this powder's packaging. The square compact is made of black plastic. The front of the compact offers a window into the product, along with the Maybelline and FitMe logos, and shade number. The back of the compact offers some claims, company info, and a full ingredient list. Things get a little interesting when you pop this compact open. Square packaging, square pan, right? No, actually. The pan of powder is round. You'll notice a tab below the pan, lift it up and it reveals a decent sized mirror and a round puff. I'm not really feeling the powder puff honestly, but that's a matter of preference, I'd rather use a brush. Anyway the packaging looks nice and is kinda neat, but I don't think it's particularly functional considering you need to flip between the pan of product to pick some up and the mirror to see where you're putting it. Maybelline's FitMe Pressed Powder is very smooth and densely pressed, it barely kicks up any excess powder at all. One thing I noticed right off the bat is that this powder contains a small amount of shimmer. A shimmery face powder doesn't appeal to me, but the shimmer doesn't seem to transfer on to the skin. I don't love the finish of the FitMe powder, its moderately powdery on the skin. Whether applied in bare skin or over foundation, this powder looks obvious. Despite the powdery finish, I don't feel like this powder ever gets cakey. FitMe powder settles into pores and fine lines, ones I didn't even know I had! This powder ages me a couple years every time I put it on! This powder is also a little heavy, I can feel it on my skin even after its been on for a while. It seems like I don't like anything about Maybelline's FitMe Pressed Powder, but that isn't so, there's one thing I like about it that almost makes up for its flaws - the coverage! The coverage is great! If your skin isn't too problematic (unlike mine at the moment), you could likely get away with using FitMe as a powder foundation. This pressed powder gives medium coverage and is excellent for evening out the complexion and masking small imperfections. Another bonus for Maybelline's FitMe Powder in Porcelain (110), is that it matches me very nicely, not perfectly, but close enough. This powder leans a little bit on the warmer, yellower side. For some reason the yellow undertone shows up particularly strongly around my mouth area. Aside from that the mismatched undertone isn't very obvious, in fact it aids in evening out my skin tone, and it livens it up a little. After a quick swatch and comparison with my two other pressed powders, Maybelline's Porcelain is the best match I have. I'm not in love with Maybelline's FitMe Pressed Powder, but there are aspects of it that I really like. The color match is good, and the slight yellowy tone neutralizes the plentiful redness in my cheeks and nose. The coverage is very nice, it would make a good powder foundation. I'm not pleased with the powdery finish and I hate the way the powder settles into the finest of lines. Maybe Maybelline's FitMe powder could work for you if you have an excellent primer and setting spray. I should probably look into getting a decent setting spray because I really want this powder to work for me. I wouldn't repurchase this powder, nor do I really recommend it. Hopefully I can find a way to make it more flattering, because it certainly has some strong points.
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Mascara -Too Faced - LashGasm
SparkleBunny37 3/18/2013 10:46:00 PM
Too Faced Lashgasm mascara has a "vitamin rich, creamy formula that penetrates for high color absorbency and exaggerated length. Multiple rows of flexible yet firm, molded bristles are designed with micro hooks hat grab each and every lashes for a gorgeous, clump free application. Too Faced claims that this mascara contains good stuff like meadow foam seed extract, panthenol, vitamins A&E, and jojoba seed oil. I got a tiny 3.9ml (.13oz tube) in Too Faced Beauty Editor Darlings value kit at Ulta for $19. The full size tube contains 12ml (.4oz) and retails for $21. Too Faced does not test on animals. This mascara was made in Canada. Too Faced products can be bought through the brand's website, Sephora, and Ulta. I love Lashgasm's tube. The black tube is thin, with a gold tassel detail around the neck of the tube. The Too Faced logo is printed on the tube in pink cursive letters. The product name is written on the tube in gold and pink font. The tube also informs you that "It IS the size of your lashes that matter!". The tube is cute, like most Too Faced products. Twist off the cap and you'll reveal a pretty cool brush as well. The rubber bristles brush is about an inch long and has short bristles that get shorter near the tip. The brush is a little more flexible than most, and is very easy to get right at the base of the lashes. This brush is very easy to wiggle and sweep through the lashes. The brush holds very little product, combine that with the short, evenly spaced bristles, and that makes for excellent separation. And separation is indeed what Lashgasm delivers, along with a fair amount of length. This mascara looks great with just one or two coats, carefully wiggled through curled lashes. More than two coats and Too Faced Lashgasm can get a little clumpy, but nothing that a lash comb can't fix. Lashgasm holds a curl decently, but starts to give way towards the end of the day. This mascara doesn't wear perfectly, after about 6-7 hours it flakes just a little. The good news is that there's no smears and smudges involved. Despite not having flawless wear, or being perfect at keeping my lashes curled, I love the way Too Faced Lashgasm makes my lashes look. I just wish it provided some volume, but often times you have to choose between volume and separation. I can always layer a volumizing mascara with Lashgasm for absolutely perfect lashes. I'm really pleased with Too Faced Lashgasm mascara. I haven't loved a lot of the high end mascaras I've tried, but something about Lashgasm is different. I love most things about it; the tube, the brush, the length, the separation - all great! What I dislike most about this mascara is the price tag, I'd almost definitely repurchase it if it weren't so expensive. If you're looking to splurge on a mascara that lengthens and separates beautifully, Too Faced Lashgasm is a pretty good choice!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Bourjois - Healthy Mix Correcting Concealer
SparkleBunny37 3/15/2013 7:43:00 PM
Bourjois, the French drugstore beauty brand, probably has the most products that I covet. Unfortunately, this brand hasn't been available in America for the last handful of years, so I have to admire their products from afar. Worse than that, this brand is available in Australia, where I spend a chunk of time, and it tempts me so, but like many cosmetic brands sold down under, I find it prohibitively expensive. Bourjois says their "Healthy Mix fruit therapy correcting concealer smooths away dark circles and imperfections for a visibly rested and radiant look. It's exquisite, melting formula blends on the skin for a natural result". This concealer contains raspberry, melon, and apricot extracts. Bourjois says that this concealer is dermatologically tested, moisturizing, and oil free. This concealer is available in 3-6 shades, depending on where you live. I have shade 51, which is the lightest shade available. I received this tube as a gift. This concealer contains 10ml (.33 fl oz) and retails for about $28AUD, or $21CAD. Bourjois does not test on animals. This concealer was made in France. Bourjois products are available at drugstores throughout most of the world. If you live in the US, Bourjois can be ordered through a handful of e-tailers like Asos. I love Bourjois' style of packaging. The Healthy Mix concealer comes in a squeeze tube with a slant tip applicator. The front of the tube features the Bourjois and Healthy Mix logos, and a few claims. The back of the tube offers the shade name and number, more claims, and some company information. The tube is closed off by a brown cap. I like the slant tip applicator, its very efficient and not messy at all. One of my favorite YouTubers, Jennifer Wan (fashionismycrush) talks about Bourjois products all the time. The way she raves about their Healthy Mix line has convinced me that I needed to try their products. I would sample the concealer and foundation every time I went into Priceline, but I could never convince myself to drop nearly $30AUD on one concealer. I'm kinda glad that I didn't because I don't love this concealer. It's ok, but this isn't the unbelievably awesome concealer I'd hoped it would be. The consistency is slightly pasty, I find that it grabs on to dry patches and fine lines, really accentuating them. Neither lines or dry spots are really problems that plague me, but I can terll that this isn't a good concealer for dry or older skin types. This concealer's application is a little finicky. I don't suggest a brush for this concealer, it really seems to need the warmth from your fingers to help it melt into the skin. Another option is to apply it with a damp sponge (the water will thin the concealer a little). Either way, this concealer is kinda fussy. Coverage is a little iffy as well. Bourjois' Healthy Mix Concealer is actually pretty nice for the under eye area, thought it needs two layers to full cover dark circles. Healthy Mix isn't quite so good for blemishes, it doesn't pack enough pigment. This concealer wears decently throughout the way. The shade doesn't fade or oxidize, and the concealer doesn't become cakey or flakes off. I think this concealer gets a little worn out after about six hours, so you may want to take it with you for longer days. Bourjois Healthy Mix in Eclat Clair, aka 51, is a very yellow based concealer, so it's great for color correction. It evens out redness a bit, but it's better for reducing the grey/blue cast we can get in our undereye areas. Eclat Clair is much too yellow for me to use extensively, but it looks alright under my eyes. This shade looks very off when I use it on my cheeks. Eclat Clair is actually a great color match for me, its just the undertone that throws it off. I recently found that mixing a dab of Benefit's That Gal primer, which is pink, into this concealer really balances it and makes it much more neutral and wearable for my skin tone. I have very mixed feelings about Bourjois Healthy Mix concealer. I really expected it to be amazing and it isn't...but its not awful either. You really need to develop your own technique for applying Healthy Mix, because it might give you some trouble. I think this concealer caters to very specific skin types, imperfections on mature and/or dry skin would probably only be exacerbated, but it's good for normal to kinda oily skin. I wish Bourjois had an expanded shade range, it's not very inclusive at all, I can only imagine it doesn't feel good to walk into Priceline and see three relatively light shades. I'll continue to use this concealer, but I wouldn't repurchase it. I also don't really recommend it. I'm not too discouraged though, I look forward to trying more from Bourjois in the future.
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Makeup Brushes -Urban Decay - Shadow Brush
SparkleBunny37 3/14/2013 11:08:00 PM
Urban Decay's Good Karma Shadow Brush is the "ultimate eyeshadow tool. Get an all over sweep of color with the flat side of the brush, or use the fine, rounded tip for more precise shading. Thanks to the tight bristles, this multi-purpose brush picks up a little or lot of shadow,k so you can shade, blend, and define. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice with her first set of brushes, this is one you'll want in your collection." I got this brush as part of the doubled side brush included with the Naked2 Palette. Usually I'd never review a brush included with a palette separately, but this one is actually the same quality as the individually sold version. That alone is impressive and something I commend Urban Decay for doing that. The Good Karma Shadow Brush retails individually for $26. The entire line of Good Karma brushes has taklon bristles and is vegan friendly. Urban Decay is a cruelty free brand. This brush was made in China. Since my brush came with a palette, its a little different. My Urban Decay Shadow Brush has a reflective, greige plastic handle. The Urban Decay and Naked2 logos are printed on the handle. This brush is extremely lightweight. The shape of the brush head puzzles me slightly. It looks more like a concealer brush than eyeshadow brush. The taklon bristles are duo-toned, the base is taupe, the tops are white. The bristles are very stiff and densely packed into a precise paddle shaped. You know...like a concealer brush. The stiff bristles don't pick up product very well at all. The bristles are pristine though, they're extremely uniform, not one bristle is out of place and I've never lost any. This brush washes well and dries very quickly. The only problem is that the white portion of the bristles get stained. I'm not in love with the way this brush works. Like I said, this brush doesn't pick up much product, so I need to keep dipping it back into the pan. The thin brush head is so hard that I find it a little uncomfortable to use. The Good Karma Shadow Brush packs shadow on well, but I feel like ELF's Eyeshadow Brush works just as well, if not better, and picks up product more easily, as well as being more comfortable to use. In my opinion, this style of brush is better suited for cream eyeshadow or concealer, but once again I have better brushes suited for that. I'm not a fan of Urban Decay's Good Karma Shadow Brush. I had to force myself to use it for testing/review purposes. I don't see myself reaching for it very often. The quality is good, but I think there are superior eyeshadow brushes out there for much less than $26. I preferred the Good Karma Crease Brush and would recommend it over the Shadow brush if you want to invest in an Urban Decay Brush.
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Eyeliner -Avon - SuperShock Eye Liner
SparkleBunny37 3/14/2013 1:36:00 PM
Avon claims their SuperShock eyeliners are a "glide on gel" that "lines your eyes with precision". Avon gives you a selection of six shades, I have Metallic Teal, whose name says it all. Each little pot contains .14oz (4g) of product and retails for $7. I paid $3.99 for mine when it was on special. This eyeliner is not safe for use on the waterline. Avon does not test on animals, except in their Chinese market. This gel liner was made in China. Avon products can be bought through your local sales rep, or through the brand's website. Packaging for this gel liner is surprisingly cute! The product comes in a standard black Avon box that offers a description, directions, ingredients, and company info. The eyeliner it's self comes in a rounded glass jar topped with a black screw on cap. The cap features the product name, written in silver lettering. The jar has a lot of excess packaging at the bottom, which normally I wouldn't like, but in this case I think it's ok because the jar is still quite small. The cap twists on well, keeping the product safe from drying out. I've had this liner for a few months now and it hasn't dried out. At first I hated this eyeliner, it was awful! It had a waxy texture and shamefully bad color payoff. I stuck it in my eyeshadow base drawer, considered returning it (Avon has a great return policy), but I eventually forgot about it. I pulled it back out last week and wiped away the top layer in case it was dried out. Now it's...kinda good. I've tried better gel liners for sure, but SuperShock is decent. The formula is a dense, hard, solid gel that needs to be swiped a few times with a brush to get picked up. I'd prefer the SuperShock gel liners to be a little creamier. Despite it's harder texture, Avon's SuperShock Gel Eyeliner applies nicely, it doesn't glide on effortlessly the way a gel liner should, but it doesn't tug either. This liner wears well, about 7 hours before it starts to far. SuperShock doesn't smudge, smear, or transfer. My only two annoyances with Avon's gel eyeliner is that it doesn't get along with my eyelash curler; for some reason some of this liner flakes off when I curl my lashes. My other problem? This eyeliner is kinda difficult to remove, and even after the actual product is off, it still stains my outer corners a little. Metallic Teal is a deep, mostly green teal. In the pot it appears to have small flecks of teal shimmer, but they don't transfer noticeably onto the eye, at least not as an eyeliner. If you use Metallic Teal as a cream shadow you're more likely to see the shimmer, but it's still very subtle. Metallic Teal has good color payoff if you swipe your brush through the product two or three times. I like the color of this liner, it's surprisingly flattering. Because its a deeper shade of teal it doesn't shout "bright, colorful eyeliner!", its a great way to add a colorful accent to any look. I'm planning to wear this liner to work over the weekend with an otherwise neutral eye, which I think will be a great look for spring. I like Avon's SuperShock Gel Eyeliner, but I don't love it. I think the formula could be improved upon. This liner wears decently and applies well enough, but it doesn't actually impress me in any way. The color is what saves this product from total mediocrity. I definitely would've returned it if I had chosen a more common color. I'll use this liner from time to time, but I wouldn't repurchase it. There are definitely better gel eyeliners out there, even for a similar price point. I only recommend Avon's SuperShock Gel Eyeliner in Metallic Teal if you love the color and don't mind putting a little more effort into your eyeliner application.
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