Blush -Cover Girl - Cheekers Blush in Rose Silk
glamstep 4/24/2013 6:10:00 PM
Closest ds DUPE for NARS orgasm! Super blendable, soft and pigmented enough for my NC25 skin (may not show up on darker skin tones unlike the infamous HE one). Appears as a pearly cool toned pink sheen on me that gives a flushed glow. Absolutely love this, my most used blush in the winter especially.
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Eye Shadow -E.L.F. - Custom Eyes - Ivory
glamstep 4/24/2013 5:46:00 PM
This didn't give me much of a punch to highlight under my brows/inner tear duct with. It works better when I apply it with a wet brush. Yes you could use it for a subtle highlight as the silver shimmers are quite minute and disperse as a sheen rather than glitter. But I have my WnW Reserve your cabana and even E.L.F's very own Luminance (dupe for MAC CCB in pearl) and E.L.F. shimmer palette in sheer sunrise (that have 4 highlight shades) for that purpose. Nonetheless I'll use it up as it conveniently fits in my ELF custom compact so is more portable then the other options, but the rest perform better as highlights so I doubt I'd repurchase.
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Bronzers -E.L.F. - Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder -- Sunkissed
glamstep 4/24/2013 5:40:00 PM
BEST eye shadow + liner for spring/summer EVER! I use this gem all over my lid on top of NYX jumbo eye pencil in milk = pop of effortless gold goddess mysterious eyes! Throw in a darker taupe/mocha brown in crease for added depth & definition. Another phenomenal way I use this is with an eye pencil brush, smudge it over a pencil brown liner (by Milani) for an everyday smokey chic look. Im into natural soft looks and usually I can only achieve this with the pearly champagne silvery-pink colors (Stila kitten/MAC shroom/ all that glitters/CG shimmering sands/Maybelline tattoo barely branded etc) never with a gold/brown nude. This compliments my yellow Asian NC25 skin SO much more then my prior obsessions and brings out my brown eyes. As a bronzer its too light & as a highlight too dark, if that makes sense. The brown melts into my skin & Im left with a gold sheen that stands out on top of my cheekbones but doesn't have enough pigment to contour with. It would make a gorgeousss highlight on tanner complexions & perhaps an acceptable bronzer for paler gals. But for me its all about the eyes, so versatile & multi-functional for a buck. A major HIT from E.L.F! Please pick this up and try it even if you have their blush/bronzer duo or their larger golden/warmer/cooler quad bronzers.
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Blush -Rimmel - Blush in Santa Rose
glamstep 4/23/2013 12:28:00 PM
I cannot attest to the new/changed reformulations as its my first purchase of this shade. But I do LOVE it, Ive only been reaching for this since I got it. Its a fool proof baby coral with the tiniest iridescent silver sparkle that translates into a healthy sheen. The color leans more pink vs nude/peach on my NC25 asian yellow skin. I generously swipe several layers to get the healthy flush as too light of a hand applies more like a highlight over pigmented blushes. Its quite a light shade so won't show up on tan/darker skin tones. Absolute NO flaky, crumbly quality; just smooth application. It lasts a good portion of the day too!
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Powder -Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light
glamstep 4/22/2013 1:57:00 PM
DUPED. I went to sephora this past wk in hopes to purchase this during there 15%off members sale. I had the SA eagerly put this on me, although I was convinced I was going to purchase it regardless based on the raves here & my love of glow/dewy skin that this products boasts. I could never justify the purchase without the discount ofcourse, HG item or not. As a graduate, non-working student, I simply cant afford it. I loveD this as a highlight & even all over my face as a setting powder, but was genuinely shocked when the SA told me not to purchase it. She said its "not doing much for you. You can achieve the same look with other affordable products, Im sure." Ofcourse she didnt mention any of these miracle replacements. I waked out discouraged and empty handed , but I must say that was the besT advice/shopping trip ever. Because I headed straight for the ds and found a dupe myself! Its the WnW Reserve Your Cabana bronzer! I got the same, non-glittery glow all over my face/as highlight as I did with this one! PRICE comparison; $46 for 0.35 oz of Hourglass or $3.99 for 0.46 oz Im not bashing this product because I LOVE LOVE the look , even if only I can notice the difference it gives my otherwise dull complexion. Im just loving the effect wITh the cost from WNW.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NYX - summer love
glamstep 4/18/2013 12:19:00 PM
Let me start off by saying I absolutely HATE cool toned lippies. They look awful on my Asian NC25 very yellow skin. As a result I own no blue based nudes/pinks/purples even (which unfort excludes alot of the good ones available). This is the ONLY lipstick, I own, rock & love. Its probably because this leans neither cool/warm; its truly a "neutral tone." Its a beautiful sky pink with the slightesttt gray-taupe undertone. Its semi sheer, hydrating and has a glossy satin finish. It such an easy everyday effortless color on my lightly pigmented lips. If your on the fence with a lot of lippies, HE or DS because of the undertones; check this one out. You wont be disappointed!
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Lipstick -NYX - Round Lipstick in Pumpkin Pie #630
glamstep 4/17/2013 2:48:00 PM
Out of the dozen NYX lipsticks Ive tried over time, this is one of my top 3; actually its my go to for spring especially! Its a true matte peach with a creme sheen finish. Feels like a balm (the lipstick round tube reminds me of it too) very hydrating. Its semi sheer so need layering for full pop of color. Personally I prefer nude/MLBB shades all year long with all looks. My NC25 warm asian yellow skin just doesn't like much color, but this is a shade even I can comfortably apply without feeling like its too over bearing. Its my bold look lol (my lips are veryy lightly pigmented pink) I see others describing this as a nude? maybe thats after application, color mixed with their own lips color/chemistry. I'm describing the color as is in the tube, on the bottom dial for identification and even on my hand in daylight. Nude=brown/concealer like to me and if I had to choose between nude/pink; I'd stay it leans more pink (if any). Its really just a true peach, with no hints of orange in it. I feel the color belongs to a MAC shade I cant lay my finger on or the new Too Faced La Creme shades. It actually feels & wears like TFLC lippies, so needs re-applications to last all day.
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Lipstick -Wet 'n' Wild - Fergie Daily
glamstep 4/15/2013 11:19:00 AM
Finally a warm toned pink nude at the ds! I would describe this as a mid tone pink nude (more pink then beige/brown) It has noo purpley/mauvey/cool undertones which look awful on me. I can see this looking a little too pale for tanned/deeper skin tones (Bebot Love may be a better option for these gals IMO). But for my asian yellow NC25 it goes on like a perfect MLBB shade. I found these lippies to apply more smoothly then the original mega last line but they too can be drying. You must absolutely have plumped moisturized lips for this to not crinkle/settle in. Longevity? Ahh 2-3 hours but because its such a natural color on my lightly pigmented lips you cant even notice it wear off horribly. Im liking the new silver mirror packaging but HATE the no retract old design. You have to be soo gentle and careful to not smash it in the lid/sides. But other then that its a keeper, especially at the price & color!
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Foundations -Wet 'n' Wild - Coverall Cream Foundation
glamstep 4/9/2013 9:59:00 AM
Anyone else breaking out with this stuff???? I notice the tube doesn't say NON-comedogenic on it. Such a shame cuz I reallyyyy love what I see. This is surprising because i DONT have sensitive acne prone skin, as a matter of fact NO makeup has ever broken me out (knocking on wood) any acne I get is purely hormonal (time of the month/weight gain related). Anyways, Im wearing 816 fair/light which btw isn't light enough for me, (NC25). It might've worked if it wasn't so neutral-pink undertones that scream orange mud in daylight. Love the creamy (full of silicone primer ingredients) texture & the coverage (2 layers really does cover-all of my scars/moles). The finish is dewy, it says semi-matte; very natural. It does transfer to cellphone/clothes so you musttt set it with power AND finishing spray. So 2 awful points. Ive been using this for night outs/dim light settings since it isnt the right match for white lights office settings, for a wk now & since then have noticed more redness & new whiteheads/acne on my cheeks. I love the formula, price, finish so much that Im willing to give it another go with the Fair (if it matches) as my problem areas could be related to the OCM I started a month back (late purge period?) Idk maybe Im in denial, but I want to give this the benefit of doubt. I refuse to give up on this stuff, just yet. Ill report back with the new shade & another week of use!
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Lip Gloss -E.L.F. - Mineral lipgloss in Au Naturale
glamstep 4/6/2013 11:55:00 AM
True peach with silver/gold micro-glitter.I don't find it gritty, quite contrary its smooth & hydrating application. No stickiness or scent either. Its semi-opaque in color. Multiple layers=Golden frost galore. My biggest complaints are size & longevity with this lippie. I would say it lasts an hour tops (without eating/drinking) then it leaves just the glitter behind (its not uncomfortable/crazy chunky IMO) but its a major step down from the balm like moisture you get when its first on. Another con for me is the size! I know its cheap but its petite & while ordering online this could be misleading. Its like 1/3 size of an average pen, literally. Not unique or outstanding enough for a repurchase but I'll finish it up on weekend run out for errands.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Precious
glamstep 3/24/2013 5:13:00 PM
I wish this shade was Precious to me!--how ironic. The quality, packaging, price point is a huge plus in this entire line but the shades just don't come to par for us nude, pink, natural lippie lovers. I was hoping this would be an everyday nude for me. It applies as a milky apricot nude (which I love) and a few minutes later changes to a cool aid metallic pink (so 5 yr old childish) Im almost embarrassed to be seen in public with this on. Such a shame, I couldn't afford to love even 1 lippie from the oh so kissable stain by revlon.
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Liquid -NYX - Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation - Ivory
glamstep 3/24/2013 5:05:00 PM
Based on the picture, Im assuming this reviews counts for all shades not just the Ivory. I purchased mine in Nude, a highly recommended match for NC25 skin, with warm undertones. I think it is the closest match but sadly not the best. I tried Creamy natural -super pink! and Natural-super orange! All the shades seemed to have this underlying problem, super strong visible undertones. Nude is yellow but looks muddy (dare I say orange) if I only do a spot application on problem areas, it absolutely must be blended all over to look wearable. Luckily its a beautiful creamy thick formula that glides and smooths out instantly. I don't even need a brush, apply like a TM or high end BB cream, same squeeze tube bottle also. Its medium to full coverage and never looks cakey on. It leaves a very dewy finish, its not glitter/shimmer but looks like Ive sprayed a cool hydrating mist, which I dont mind considering I have dry skin. Im just shocked their calling this a "matte" product?!! Maybe their implying your natural oils wont seep through the day instead? (Which they do) Im not sure, but I had this same issue with the powder counterpart to this foundation. I find the staying power to be below average as well . I use a finishing spray (Skindinavia) and still find it separates in my T zone area at the end of the day. Maybe its my super hydrating moisturizer underneath this but I just feel like a slick grease ball. Its an uncomfortable I want to wipe my face off feeling, yuckk. I don't get it because I have veryy dry skin (Embryolisse & natural oil serums are my friends even in the summer months) just so you get an idea of how parched my skin is. So be warned and take it with a grain of salt!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -NYX - Stay Matte but not Flat Powder Foundation
glamstep 3/24/2013 1:57:00 PM
I got this after seeing its repeated in Emily Noel's yt videos. Luckily ULTA always has testers for their NYX foundations so I was quickly able to spot Soft Beige as being the closest to my yellow NC25 skin. I wear MAC MSF in Medium Plus for added warmth so I was looking for a similar effect, not exact shade match to wear over concealer to make everything more even & flawless. Coverage is quite good, medium and leaves a dewy finish, I love. I dont know if NYX has recently changed its formula or not because I was quite hesitant with this product because of the oxidizing issue many on MUA warned. I wore it for many days in a row & checked in various lights throughout the days and had no issues of the color darkening/orangeing out. However I did notice the wear wasn't superior quality. I often got blotchy (even after using Skindinavia setting spray on top) and I have quite dry skin. I almost always needed to touch up and made the mistake of not having a kabuki on hand and got instantly scared. It was so much darker/orange/muddy looking. I became so conscious of my technique on initial application and just accepted the sloppy blotch face at the end of the day, until I realized its not even worth the effort. On to the next powder search.
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Lip Gloss -Hard Candy - Megawatt Smile & Tooth Whitener
glamstep 3/17/2013 11:41:00 PM
Hollyannaeree from YT said she picked up 8 tubes of this lippie, (the total number that were available at her walmart during that visit). Ive been a biG fan of her lip recommendations as she always rocks the soft, nude, barely there yet not too pastel, concealed , sick looking lips. Because such qualities are hard to find in the ds, I was intrigued when she said this was her go to lip that had it all. I went nuts looking (in 3 different stores) for this special Megawatt Smile LS + tooth whitener (I didn't bother with this end, so no comments) and couldn't find a single shade from this line so I finally gave in & plunged online. She mentioned her favorite shade was Picture Perfect & ofcourse on the website, there labeled by color shades not their actual names & in person there actually numbered, so to clear up some air, heres the 3 I own: #500 in Vanity is Mauve online #502 in Shine On is Light Pink online #504 in Picture Perfect is Nude online These lippies have a center white core, that provide a subtle shimmer & glossy finish to the lips. The colors are quite saturated & leave your lips moisturized & soft. Glide on like a lip balm. Has a minty scent/flavor & comfortable tingling sensation that lasts a few minutes. I would say vanity is a fuchsia mauve, light pink is true to its name along with having some silver more obvious reflects, picture perfect is a cooler nude, with the slightest taupe undertone. The last 2 are more wearable then the first, but still less than I was expecting. They wear off quite quickly 3-4 hours and leave the glitter behind. The formula itself is too creamy that the tip always feels soo soft & Im always afraid I'l bend/break it. The bottom tooth whitening, seems like a waste. I would repurchase it tho, its like the revlon lip butters with shades I prefer more but minus the hunting online for it hassle.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Rimmel - Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Taupe
glamstep 3/12/2013 11:47:00 PM
Am I the only one that can't pull this shade off? Im sorry for the rant, not the rave but this isn't for me. Yes I was also intrigued by the unique, high end look of this shade & quickly pulled up MUA on my phone to reconfirm the purchase. Its a great, soft, creamy, blendable pencil don't get me wrong but IMO its best suited for fair skin tones. Im a NC25 and this shade barely shows up on my naturally somewhat pigmented eyelids. I've worn a base/concealer underneath to cancel out the blue/grey undertones & still had minimal notice. Its non-existent even on my waterline! I would have love to line the outer quarter of my lower lashes with a softer more natural shade but this didn't cut it for me. If your not PPP or have colored lids, steer away. I even watched a yt video by RimmelLondon on this exact liner & the model was fair skinned, freckles, red head & a thick line of this on her upper lash line looked stunning. I tried that too & simply looked like I was famished, over worked or punched in the eye. My eyebrows are too pitch black for this & theres an obvious in difference color. Yes this can be worn as an eyeshadow base but I have my Maybelline color tattoo in Tough as Taupe for that exact purpose and shade. Its more pigmented, more product & stays on longer for the same look.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No