Bronzers -MAC - Bronzing Stick - Rose d'Or - Belle Azure
sushiiflower 3/4/2011 2:40:00 PM
I purchased this back when the Belle Azure debuted in June 2005. I unearthed this in my makeup stash and wondered why I never used this? It's a gorgeous rosy bronze color. It looks very pigmented and shiny in the package but it goes on very sheerly, just enough to deposit a beautiful flush of rose pink on my warm golden skin. It works well on days when you want something low key but not high maintenance like powder blush. The staying power is not very high on days when you plan on running around or need a skin blotting. But it delivers. I prefer to layer this with a pink-rose colored blush like Bobbi Brown's Rose or MAC's Mocha. I find that it lasts a lot longer and gives the skin a beautiful highlight. It's a bronzing stick, but I rarely wear bronzers so I use this to highlight instead or in place of a blush. Wish I picked up the gold one when it was available! If MAC releases these again, I would definitely pick these up for summer travel purposes. For reference I am an NC40 in the winter, C6/C40 in the summer.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Palladio - Rice Powder Blotting Papers
sushiiflower 2/27/2011 6:38:00 PM
I picked these up at my local Sally's for about $4 in warm beige. I like that these sheets have one side for blotting and the other with powder. When I head to the gym, I don't wear any makeup but I hate the shiny face my moisturizer gives me. This solves the problem by mattifying my face without depositing color that comes off on my towel when I wipe my face. I like the packaging and the sheets are big enough to cover my face but small enough that i'm not wasting product. They are thick enough to absorb but not tissue thin that they rip mid-use. I think I'm going to buy a couple of packs of these to leave in my car, gym bag and makeup bag. Definitely worth it & would be a repurchase for me. Best of all, unlike most blotting sheets, these do not contain mineral oil! Warm beige was perfect for my NC40 skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -MAC - Lip Erase in Dim
sushiiflower 2/17/2011 6:23:00 PM
Lip erase is a flesh-toned balm that visually neutralizes and erases natural color from the lip. Shine and texture free. Available in a choice of two shades for use on light to medium skin tones. I purchased this in the shade 'dim'. For reference I am an NC40.
This is a must have staple for anyone with pigmentation in their lips and have a hard time getting the true color of lipsticks to show. I have a lot of red and purple tones in my lips so I can't readily wear certain shades or lustres because my lip pigment shows through.
It resembles the color of concealer but the texture is a lot drier so you need to pat this on with a brush (I prefer a concealer brush to a lip brush). It cancels out the tones in my lips so I don't have a purple/pink/lavender hue to the undertones in my lip. It comes in pot form so I don't advocate using your fingers. Application needs to be even to use this product effectively so smearing it on is going to create unevenness. Since the texture is on the drier side, you will need to exfoliate your lips otherwise this will show every imperfection in your lips. What's the difference between this and concealer? Concealer is thicker, creamy and doesn't quite allow for a dry base to apply lipstick. I don't want my lips to blend into my face. I just want to neutralize my lip color. This lip erase creates a nice base for the lipstick to adhere to without sliding color around and thereby making my lipstick last longer.
I purchased from MAC's pro store and it comes in two shades, pale (too light for my skin tone) and dim (which is perfect). I've mine for nearly a year and still haven't made a dent in it. A little goes a long way and I would definitely repurchase.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
sushiiflower 2/17/2011 5:48:00 PM
I generally do not wear liquid foundation because I dislike the shine and too heavy coverage of most foundations. When MAC released the Studio Sculpt gel foundation I wanted to try it. I really like the consistency of this product. It's not runny but nor is it too thick to blend. I use MAC's 109 brush to apply this on my skin in small circular motions blending outwards because my cheeks need the most coverage. I have in the past mixed this with strobe cream to give my skin a more glowy appearance.
This product gives my skin a nice dewy look without looking cakey or heavy. It covers very nicely and evens out my texture. I do have to be certain to blend because it can settle into fine lines. I like the way it makes my skin look. I use NC40 in select sheer pressed powder with a big fluff brush to set the powder.
The packaging is very hygienic. No messy fingers or over pumping to waste product. It comes in a squeeze tube so it allows you to control the amount of application. I use the back of my hand to warm up the product. I like that a little goes a long way. I did not have any issues with oxidation unlike other foundations.
The downside is the color system -- Normally I don't stray from my normal NC40, but this runs a lot lighter so I have to go up a couple shades before I found a match with NC44. It boasts medium to high full coverage with a satin finish. I didn't find this to be completely matte nor too shiny, the satin part sounds about right. I keep it more on the medium side since my skin doesn't need too much coverage. I normally wear MAC's select sheer pressed powder on a daily basis, but I would definitely break this out for a special occasion or a night out when I want to look extra flawless.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Snob lipstick
sushiiflower 2/16/2011 5:20:00 PM
MAC describes this satin as a lady like mauve. On my NC40 skin and pigmented dark lips, it's very pastel pink with no hints of mauve. Not a unique color if you have something like this in your lipstick arsenal, so I'd skip it. In order to make this more wearable for me, I would darken it with a rosy pink liner to better suit my skin tone. Not a color I would repurchase if I run out. I had high hopes for you Snob..
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Spirit
sushiiflower 2/16/2011 5:12:00 PM
MAC describes this satin as a muted pinky-beige brown. I agree with the description. I have pigmented dark lips, so by itself the color is just a smidgen too light for my NC40 skin tone (reminds of me of a darker version of Velvet Teddy) so I darken this with a liner. The formula similar to a matte more so than a satin, but not overly drying. It's a pretty color for a nude lip or an understated day lip. It has slight hints of peach undertones but that may be due to my natural lip color. I can see WOC using this as YLBB color and can be very versatile.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -Unlisted Brand - InStyler-Tre Milano brand
sushiiflower 2/14/2011 9:18:00 AM
An old co-worker of mine used this in her hair to go from curly to straight. I've watched the late night infomercials and always thought that it was some sort of gimmick. But co-worker owned three of these things. The original one where you can turn off the rotating barrel and the current one where the rotating barrel stays on when you move it through your hair. I spend a lot of money on blow outs because I could not achieve the same shiny volumized hair style like my stylist. I decided to give this product a go after watching one of my favorite beauty bloggers (tina @ the fancy face) used this tool to create the curls in her hair.
I followed the instructions in the booklet -- no product in my hair. I also let it air dry (trying to cut down on heat tools in my hair). It looked like a frizzy lion's mane because it was raining and I drove with the window partially down that day. My hair was fully dry when I tried this is my hair. Holding the iron gets very hot so be mindful of this. I am a righty so using this on the left side of my head was definitely tricky. Once I got the hang of it, I used it to create beautiful curls. The curls lasted 2 days with no product before or after. I go to the gym, so I had to tie it up, the curls fell but it still held a lot of volume. It was shiny and looked a lot healthier than if I used my chi to flat iron it. I have straight thick hair down to my lower back. It has been color treated but I currently have it dyed black. If you are looking for a product that works like a flat iron to create sleek flat hair -- this is NOT it. This creates volume, similar to what you get at a salon blow out. And I cannot manage to blow out my hair with a round brush and hair dryer. I suck at hair styles!
I also found this way easier to use than my curling iron because I also got those little dented ends. Again, I learned how to create the curls by looking it up on youtube and thanks to Tina @ the fancy face. After styling hair, you can use product to hold the curls or style you are trying to create but for me, I prefer my hair without any styling product. I am going to try using this with my thermal protector and see if I can deliver the same results. I use this on the highest setting. But will try a lower setting since ultimately my hair is straight. My hair has lasted 5 days with volume so far. I used my chi every single day to "fix" my hair. This wasn't necessary with the instyler for my hair. I worked in sections big enough to be managed by the instyler.
In conclusion, yes it's pricey (but I paid more for my chi), it's a little noisey but definitely not moreso than if you used a blow drier), it can be tricky to use in the non dominant hand but once you master it; it works like a dream! You do have to make sure the barrel is going in the correct direction otherwise it will not straighten/curl the hair. It might even pull it. I am looking to purchase a back up travel one to carry with me in my gym bag. That's how much I love this tool. Please see my profile for a picture with my hair the first time I tried the instyler.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -NYX - Push-Up Bra for Eyebrow
sushiiflower 2/10/2011 5:09:00 PM
NYX's website describes this as "Dual-sided pencil that defines and highlights brows. The defining side created in a universal shade flatters all brow tones while the highlighter side lifts and brightens the eye area. The Eyebrow Push-Up Bra can also be used as a concealer"
I really wanted the Anastasia version to this because I needed a highlighter/brow pencil with built in wax for travel purposes. I tried both at Ulta, one on each brow and they were practically identical in application, texture and size. The only difference was the price tag. It applies naturally, not dark nor too light, so no need to comb through application like you should with a brow powder or heavy pencil. It's buildable so application is controlled. I have dark skin, so the highlighter was a tad stark without blending. I took my ring finger and blended it out and it was perfect. I would definitely repurchase this. I have very black brows and it worked perfectly even though it's brown in color. It's universally flattering unless your brows are blond. You will need a jumbo sharpener, but you can easily find these at any beauty supply store. It kept my brows in place (as my brow thins out, my hairs point downward), they were not hard and stiff like with a gel setter. A definite must have for easy peasy brows. I have not used this as a concealer. The highlight side does not suit my NC40 skin. Retailed for $9.99 at Ulta.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - China Rain
sushiiflower 12/13/2010 10:26:00 PM
One of my favorite scents. It's so clean and refreshing with the slightest hint of sweet floral musk. It's not heady or overpowering. Every time I get a whiff I become enamored all over again. Best described as such: softness of a bouquet of lilies, the freshness of a fresh cut rose, a hint of moss, while the scent of a fresh spring rain blends with sandalwood and musk. As a sidenote, I absolutely hate roses and my chemistry hates it too, but this does NOT have a heavy rose scent at all. It's spring rain combined with melons and musk.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Penultimate Eye Liner - Rapidblack
sushiiflower 8/16/2009 12:42:00 PM
What a total waste of money this is. I love the idea of this product but the execution is just horrible. The line is very faint and I had to go over it three times just for it show on my nc40 skin. If the product was thicker and darker, it'd be an improvement. For the price, there are much better products out on the market compared to this. Fail!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Ode on Melancholy
sushiiflower 3/15/2009 9:18:00 PM
This is the scent of the hopelessness, torment and despair of love. Lavender and wisteria, heart-wrenching pale rose, desolate white sandalwood and thin, tear-streaked white musk. While I love most lavender scents, I am not a fan of BPAL's because they can be very strong and overwhelming. I found this in my imp box. BPAL had thrown this frimp in when I bought a couple of bottles. It smelled good in the imp but I like darker oils so I wasn't sure what to expect. Wet this is incredibly beautiful and soft. Melancholy is a fantastic description of this oil. It's so understated that you really have to get close to smell this. It's a scent that may not last long so you really have to slather it on. Waves of soft wisteria play on the lavender to give this a soft sad smell. The white sandalwood is absolutely gorgeous, it really plays on the other notes. Definitely 5mL worthy. It's unoffensive and seemingly pretty. I want!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Malice
sushiiflower 3/15/2009 8:12:00 PM
I usually like spicy oils with patchouli in them but a note in this turns a tad soapy on my skin. Which isn't entirely bad, it's sorta a spicy clean smell but definitely not working with my skin chemistry. I suspect it's the ylang ylang that turns powdery and soap. Back to the unused imp stash you go Malice.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Miskatonic University
sushiiflower 3/15/2009 1:37:00 PM
Initially this was absolutely delicious, instant love for the strong sugared coffee smell. I was in love. As it started to dry down, it got dusty and weathered, like old leather bound volumes found in the depths of a historic library. The final dry down, the lovely irish cream has totally disappeared and the oakwood polished smell is very very very strong and unappealing. Definitely retiring this imp.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - grandmother of ghosts
sushiiflower 9/24/2008 7:01:00 PM
Grandmother of Ghosts - laurel, stargazer lily, splintered woods, peony, mandarin and white musk, and is spiked with pale pepper. Musky woodsy floral. Reminds me of being in a forest and smelling freshly chopped wood. It's pretty musky and peppery. The verdict is still out on this one. Not sure if I really like this scent. If you're into woodsy florals, then this scent is for you.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Lilith
sushiiflower 9/24/2008 5:57:00 AM
I really wanted to like Lilith because it starts of sweet and fruity but in a dark sort of way. The rose comes out pretty strongly on me and there is something in this that goes sour with my chemistry. I can't place the notes that are turning on me. Myrrh usually agrees with me as does musk, so I'm not sure. But one thing's for sure, Lilith, up for trades you go.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No