Eye Shadow -MAC - Graphito Paint
retro_vertigo 4/5/2005 10:01:00 AM
Like its namesake, Graphito is a slightly shimmery charcoal grey and its consistency seems a little thicker than other MAC paints to me. This is a great base for a really dark or smoky eye, which I don't do that often so this tube will last forever. Like all MAC paints, it really has staying power and makes anything you layer over it last all day. In the past, I've been able to prevent any unwanted oozing by unfolding the bottom of the tube prior to opening it for the first time. Oddly enough, this was the only paint that that didn't work for. It oozed a LOT when I first opened it, but hasn't leaked at all since. Still, it's a shame to lose that much product. I consider this paint as my HG when I want a black(ish) liner. UPDATE: My opinion on this paint changed when I tried MAC’s new fluidlines. As a liner, it pales in comparison to the wonder that is Fluidline. I haven’t touched Graphito since I bought Blacktrack.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Artjam Paint
retro_vertigo 4/5/2005 9:46:00 AM
I just love MAC paints, they blend well, are reasonably priced for that amount of product you get, and they keep your make-up in place all day. Artjam is a brownish plum. I really like to pair it with MAC Club or Blue Brown pigment. It helps intensify the blue in both of those colors. I've followed other MUAers advice and unfurled the tube prior to opening it to avoid leakage and have not had any problems. I doubt that I'll run out of this any time soon since I usually only wear it for special occasions being that it is rather dark and intense on my NW15 complexion., but if I did ever run out, I’d most definitely buy it again.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Stilife Paint
retro_vertigo 4/5/2005 9:40:00 AM
I am in love! This is my HG eye shadow base without any doubt. I'd give a dozen lippies if I could. I love MAC paints and have been able to avoid the common problem with too much product coming out by unfolding teh tube when I first get it. Stilife is a soft beige that blends perfectly with my NW15 skin tone, so it doesn't change the color of eye shadows that I layer over it. It ends up looking like my eyelid color, only shimmery. It seems to have a softer texture (like mousse) than other paints which makes it blend quite easily. And top of just looking great alone, it also keeps my eye make-up fresh looking all day. I can not sing its praises enough.
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Fragrances -MMU Cosmetics - Angelic
retro_vertigo 2/28/2005 11:08:00 PM
I've never smelled the original, so I'm not rating this as a dupe, just as the scent itself. Wow, this is a keeper. I love the smell of patchouli, but find that most patchouli scents are way too overpowering, but not this one. It's very fresh and natural, but sweet and spicy at the same time. I wear it as a perfume and liked it so much that I ordered it as a lotion. My BF absolutely adores this scent and compliments me whenever I wear it.
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Fragrances -MMU Cosmetics - Bikini Martini
retro_vertigo 2/28/2005 11:04:00 PM
LOVE this scent. It smells exactly like 7Up with a tiny hint of fruit; although no particular fruit is dominant. The scent description says that it has hints of peach, cranberry and clemintine. This fresh scent makes a truly lovely bath wash.
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Fragrances -MMU Cosmetics - Angel Mist in FRESH LINENS
retro_vertigo 2/28/2005 10:59:00 PM
Haven't tried the Angel Mist, so I'm reviewing the scent alone. This smells almost exactly like Bath and Bodyworks scent by the same name. A very fresh, laundryish smell. Not quite like a dryer sheet, but very nice.
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Fragrances -MMU Cosmetics - Purity Parfum- Fresh Glazed Doughnut
retro_vertigo 2/28/2005 10:56:00 PM
Didn't smell anything like a doughnut to me; just sweet. Had a weird plasticky smell that I wasn't too fond of. MMU has much better food scents than this. I didn't think that is smelled like BBW Warm Brown Sugar like the reviewer stated below, as I really like that scent.
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Fragrances -MMU Cosmetics - Mayan Gold Perfume oil
retro_vertigo 2/28/2005 10:54:00 PM
A very nice patchouli scent. Not something I could imagine as my signature scent, but quite pleasant nonetheless. Very green and earthy. A lot more complex than just patchouli to cover up B.O. or 'other' offensive odors. The only reason I give it a 3 rather than a 4 is because MMU's Angelic is a similar type of scent and I like that much better.
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Fragrances -MMU Cosmetics - Purity Perfume Oil - Lea's Sister
retro_vertigo 2/28/2005 10:49:00 PM
Since I haven't tried the original, I can't rate this as a dupe; only as a scent on it's own. This was one of the worst smelling perfumes I've ever encountered. It had a strong alcohol (think vodka) scent that I found headache-inducing. I let 5 other people smell it and like the previous reviewer, we all thought that it was nauseating.
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Mascara -BeneFit Cosmetics - BADgal Lash
retro_vertigo 2/12/2005 7:35:00 AM
A very good mascara although I'll probably never buy it again. It goes on smooth, dark, and layers very well. My lashes are naturally dark, fairly long, and pretty thin. One could definitely get that 'Twiggy' look with this mascara if one were so inclined. The brush was a tad larger than usual, but was no more difficult to use than most. Unlike many previous reviewers, I did not have any problem with smudging, but I never do with mascaras. Must be my dry, lizard-like skin. Anyway, I put Bad Gal on one eye and my HG (Maybelline Full N’ Soft) on the other and could tell no significant difference. So, my suggestion to those who are considering Benefit Bad Gal Lash, save your money and get a tube of Full N' Soft for 1/3 the price.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara
retro_vertigo 11/23/2004 9:55:00 AM
You have got to be kidding me. I can't believe that this is supposedly the 'Mascara of Champions' according to MUAs everywhere and Allure readers’ polls. It has to be a conspiracy. First off, I usually don't wear waterproof mascara as I find it too hard to remove and I’ve NEVER had a problem with my mascara smudging or running before. So I first tried the non-waterproof formula of Great Lash and it went on ok. I noticed no spectacular thickening or lengthening powers, but I wasn't expecting that. I was looking for a natural every day mascara. However, I sneezed (once, softly) 15 minutes after applying it, I had two large black rings under my eyes. I tried the waterproof upon a friend’s suggestion and while it didn't smudge, it flaked something awful and really irritated my eyes. What else is there left to say? The waterproof flakes and the regular smudges. Full N' Soft is far superior to this mess.
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Hair Color -Garnier - 100% Color [DISCONTINUED]
retro_vertigo 8/12/2004 1:15:00 PM
I tried 660 Intense Auburn and absolutely loved the results; a deep, garnet red. This product has a neutral/pleasant smell, did not fry my hair, and the conditioner was wonderful. The color came out darker than the picture on the front of the box, but lightened up a bit after a few shampoos. Reds are the color most prone to quick fading and I've been dying my hair various shades of red for almost 10 years and I have to say that this one stayed exceptionally well, about 4 weeks. My hair is naturally medium-dark auburn, very thick, curly, and is about 6 inches below my shoulder when it's pulled straight. Two days before I used this dye, I used a home color reducer in my hair and that stripped most of the previous dyes, so my hair was 'virgin-like'. I used two boxes and really didn't have much extra dye left over. I think that this product is best left to those who want a somewhat unnatural quality to their hair color and have very little gray hair. Also, I see that some previous reviews had a problem with extremely bright roots (aka 'hot roots'). Using a coloring cap on your hair can reduce that or it may just be that you have a darker dye on the rest of your hair and the virgin roots absorb more of the newer color and look more intense. Growing your hair out, getting color-correction at a salon (lots of $$$), or using a home color reduction kit like Jheri Redding’s one 'n only Colorfix prior to a new hair color can help.
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Blush -MAC - Cream Color Base in Flighty
retro_vertigo 8/12/2004 12:56:00 PM
Ok, here it is... for use on the eye, this product gets a -400. It creases and slides off and I have VERY dry skin. However, as a blush, it's a pretty color and stays ok. It also looks nice on the lips, but doesn't last very long. If you're looking for an eyeshadow base, MAC paints are much better.
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Treatments -L'Oreal - ColorSpa Moisture Actif [DISCONTINUED]
retro_vertigo 5/30/2004 4:18:00 PM
It all started when I went to rent a movie and the girl working at the counter had lovely alabaster skin (similar to my own) and dark, almost black hair. She looked so striking, (kinda like Snow White), that I decided I needed to dye my hair black. (My hair was previously medium auburn) So I went to the drugstore next door and picked up Plum Oasis. On my drive home, I began to have doubts and was pretty close to returning the dye, but I and decided to look this color up on MUA first. I came across yellowcar's review and took one look at her profile pics and decided to give it a go, all the while chanting my hair dyeing mantra, 'It will wash out. It will grow out'. This color is nothing short of gorgeous and will be the shade I reach for whenever I want to go very dark. (Thanks yellowcar!) It looks black, but there's a burgundy tint that makes it less harsh against my super-pale skin. I've gotten numerous compliments on it. The smell was quite pleasant. It did however, leave my hair a little dry and I have very thick, strong hair. The conditioner helped a good bit, but I noticed that I need to condition more than normal to maintain a healthy shine. The biggest flaw with this product is that it's quite runny. My dumb cat knocked the half full bottle over and sent a stream of burgundy dye 6 feet across one wall. I guess I'll have to repaint when I move out. Oh well, this color is worth it.
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Lip Gloss -Maybelline - Wet Shine Diamonds Liquid in Plum Solitaire
retro_vertigo 5/5/2004 9:53:00 PM
This is the exact color of a mixed drink that used to be served at a bar I frequented. The drink was called 'The Slut'. It was the girliest drink possible with umbrellas and fruit art and swirley straws, but with enough liquor to kill a water buffalo. And that is why I love this color. It's loud; it's daring, and way garish. It screams, "I'm woman and hear me roar...and bartender, bring me another drink!' It's not as bright as it is in the tube, but it's definitely a color not for the faint at heart. It shows up on me a bright cheap bubblegum pink. It's the best.
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