Lipstick -Max Factor - Vivid Impact Lipcolor- new for Jan. '09 (all shades) ] [DISCONTINUED]
bandabug 6/24/2009 11:42:00 AM
Add me to the list of ladies who are in love with this lipstick! I found a Max Factor display at Walmart (after searching every other store in town) -- I wanted to buy my fave mascara (Volume Couture) -- and I spotted these lippies. I bought Vegas, Baby and I just adore it! The name is a misnomer...there is nothing daring or glam about this shade. On me, it's a warm neutral...MLBB. Very pretty and work-appropriate. The texture is amazing! It's soft, precise, creamy & long-lasting -- what more could you want? As others have noted, I didn't even need a liner with this product. I will definitely be trying other shades in this line. I have my eye on Ms. Terious....
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Liquid -Lancome - Photogenic Lumessence Light Mastering & Line-Smoothing Makeup
bandabug 6/17/2009 12:57:00 PM
This foundation was quite nice but a bit too slippery on the skin for me. There are also quite a range of colors and the colors are further broken down into cool/warm/neutral hues, so that's a big plus. It is easy to spread/blend over your skin, but then feels like it could be wiped off very easily. I suppose the texture would be very appealing for very super dry/mature skin, but I like my foundation to "melt" into my skin a bit more.
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Styling Products -TRESemme - 24-hr Body Foaming Mousse
bandabug 6/9/2009 2:03:00 PM
I'm always game to try a new mousse or any product that promises volume & body. This one, however, I found to be thoroughly average. There's nothing offensive to report about it -- no bad smell, crunchiness, etc. It just didn't do a whole lot in the volumizing department. It was unremarkable in that regard. I will continue my quest for my HG volumizing styling product...
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Mascara -Max Factor - Lash Perfection Volume Couture [DISCONTINUED]
bandabug 6/4/2009 2:36:00 PM
I love this mascara! I alternate between this one and Maybelline Full n' Soft, but I think my lashes look a bit more dramatic with the Max Factor. It doesn't clump or flake on me and, most importantly, doesn't smudge AT ALL. I have naturally dark circles under my eyes and I work hard to cover them up and keep my entire eye area looking bright -- I can't have raccoon eyes due to poor performing mascara! This stuff never fails me and I will happily buy again and again. Definitely a drugstore option to try, ladies.
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Liquid -Rimmel - Lasting Finish Enriched w/ Minerals
bandabug 5/27/2009 2:31:00 PM
Once again, MUA steers me toward a product I would otherwise have never looked twice at. This foundation is a treasure! I've been checking the ratings lately, trying to find a new one that wouldn't break the bank -- I've come dangerously close to shelling out for my fave high end (Px Virtual Skin), but when it came time to actually cough up the cash, I kept hesitating. I'm so glad I did! This product is just what I've been looking for at a MUCH lower price. I bought Ivory 100 and it's perfect for me. However, summer is just starting and if I find this begins to look a bit too light, I'll try Soft Beige, as others have done. I apply it with a foundation brush (no primer or powder), use a bit of concealer, and I'm good to go. It looks like my face, not some weird mask. It doesn't settle into fine lines and provides me with smooth, med. coverage (but I'm sure could be applied to achieve fuller coverage, if desired). It feels so nice & light on my face too, not too slippery or overly matte. What a find! The only drawback, as mentioned previously, is the color selection. Extremely fair ladies will probably not find a shade that's light enough. Rimmel has a winner here, but the color options need to be expanded.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clinique - Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
bandabug 5/26/2009 10:40:00 AM
I have tried this lotion many times and have never had any success with it, no matter how little I use. I have normal skin and am not acne-prone, but this clogs my pores and causes breakouts every time I use it. I given it every chance (figuring if it's a Clinique bestseller, it must work well), but it's just too much for my face. Perhaps a person with seriously dry skin would find this lotion satisfying. I, however, am finished messing around with it -- there are scads of better, cheaper, alternatives available these days.
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Fragrances -Johnson & Johnson - Baby Cologne- Original Blue Bottle
bandabug 5/23/2009 12:10:00 PM
I thought I'd see if this fave of mine had been reviewed yet on MUA and voila! So glad to see I'm not alone in my fondness for this product. I love wearing this in the warmer months -- it's refreshing and light. I haven't tried putting it in a spray bottle, but that's an excellent idea since using it straight from the bottle it a bit messy (kind of like using a body splash). I agree with others who noted the clean, comforting scent. It's very subtle and I especially like to put it on at bedtime; the smell is very calming. It doesn't smell like other standard baby products (i.e., heavy on the powder). It's a different yet completely appealing fragrance, in my opinion. Just clean, clean, clean.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55
bandabug 5/13/2009 1:41:00 PM
Let me start by saying that I am not acne-prone, so I don't know if this product would cause problems for someone who suffers from breakouts. I admit, the consistency is a bit thick, but I don't find it to be greasy or shiny at all. It does a terrific job of protecting my skin from the sun and I don't find it to be too heavy on my face. It really works well for me and I will continue to purchase it. One lippie off for the sting if it gets in your eyes, but I have yet to use an effective sunblock that doesn't.
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Lotions/ Creams -Suave - Skin Therapy Advanced Therapy Moisturizer with Multi-vitamins and Glycerin
bandabug 5/13/2009 1:29:00 PM
Hmmmm....I guess I'm in the minority with this one. I am not wowed by this lotion; I think it's strictly an average moisturizer and the smell is, in my opinion, too heavy for a body lotion. It WAS cheap so, if you're on a tight budget, you might want to try it and see if it works for you.
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Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Jojoba Oil - 100% pure
bandabug 5/7/2009 12:25:00 PM
Can't believe I've neglected to review this product until now -- it's a staple in my routine. I don't think I can say anymore about it that hasn't already been said: it's the best eye makeup remover (bar none), moisturizer, cuticle softener, etc. A great all-around product to have in your bathroom. Yes, the bottle is a messy pain, but it's still worth every penny! Makes skin super soft and healthy-looking.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Maybelline - Mineral Power Lipcolor ] [DISCONTINUED]
bandabug 4/23/2009 10:26:00 AM
I bought this lipstick based on the rave reviews and I'm not completely sold on it. While the feeling on my lips is wonderful -- not sticky, gritty, or drying -- I don't care for the color selection or the rather matte finish. I have thin lips and need a bit more shine, but if I put gloss on top of this formula, the color slides around too much. Also, the shade I purchased (Nude Shell) appeared a bit too orangey & warm for my coloring. I was expecting it to be more of a neutral pink. All in all, a great lippie if you want both moisture and a matte appearance, but the color selection is fairly limited.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Clairol - Natural Instincts Hair Color
bandabug 3/27/2009 11:53:00 AM
I completely agree with shan1976, Natural Instincts in the shade "Sahara" is a great choice for those of us with dishwater blonde hair! I've been using this color for several years and it's just a wonderful boost (don't fear the super light-haired model on the box, your hair will not be anywhere near that blonde!). Sunflower just didn't add enough of a noticeable effect, but Sahara is just right and SO natural-looking. Growing it out is no big deal -- you can't see any kind of line. My hairdresser is amazed at the results I get from a box at the drugstore! As others have noted, the conditioner is awesome too. I love this stuff.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Bonne Bell - Gel Bronze
bandabug 1/16/2009 7:21:00 AM
Thanks MUA for reminding me about this wonderful product! I used to use this gel bronzer years ago and loved it but, somewhere along the line, it fell out of my rotation -- maybe during the ultra-pasty skinned grunge years of the the early 1990s? Anyway, I was looking into finding a bronzer to add a bit of life to my aging winter skin and stumbled across the reviews for Bonne Bell gel. I was attracted to using a gel vs. a powder -- I don't need to pile on more powder at my age! I went out and bought a tube of Golden Tan and am very happy with it! I use it primarily on my cheeks/bridge of nose right now and it gives a perfect healthy glow. I'll probably try using it over my entire face in the summer. Right now I'm so pale I think it would look odd to have my whole face a shade darker than the rest of my body.
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Conditioner -Mastey - Frehair Detangler
bandabug 10/27/2008 8:19:00 AM
First, let me begin by saying that if you are looking for a deep conditioner, Frehair is NOT for you. I used to use this in college (on the recommedation of my hairdresser), when I was obsessed with my appearance! It is absolutely wonderful for thin, fine har. The only reason I stopped purchasing it is because 1) it's rather difficult to find and 2) it is on the pricey side (now that I have a family & a mortgage, I can't always afford to splurge on hair care products). That doesn't change the fact that, after all these years, it remains a standout in terms of the perfect level detangling it offers ladies with thin, baby-fine hair. If you are looking for a gentle.everyday, no-residue conditioner, give Frehair a shot -- it's terrific! Note: You will probably want to keep a weekly, more intense conditioner in your rotation for times when your hair feels especially dry.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Gillette - Venus Disposables
bandabug 10/19/2008 3:03:00 PM
The good thing about these razors is that they perform very well for disposables -- easy to handle, attractive, and they give you a smooth shave. You don't have to worry about gashing yourself or getting horrible razor burn like you do with other, cheaper, disposables. That said, I'm disappointed they don't last longer. I feel like I have to toss them very quickly -- they get dull FAST. For the price, I think I should be able to get a bit more use out of them. At this rate, they are too expensive for me to keep purchasing.
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