Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - Wear Infinité Eyeshadow Quad
Cristy1970 6/15/2007 5:34:00 PM
I have this in Earthscapes and it is comparable to some department store eyeshadows, in my opinion. It wears well, the colors are totally neutral and completely matte! (Paula Begoun would be so proud) There are 2 sort of medium natural browns, one lighter than the other; one cream color for the browbone and a very dark mahogany brown, which is great for the crease and for lining the eyes. They stay on pretty well and don't bother my supersensitive eyes. If you're looking for a conservative, reliable, neutral brown eyeshadow palette, this is definitely worth a try. And the price is right.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -NARS - Powder Foundation
Cristy1970 6/15/2007 5:26:00 PM
I have this foundation in Fiji and I really, really like the texture and finish of this powder! It gives light to medium coverage and is not chalky or powdery in the least. It maybe controls oil a teeny bit, but nothing really does IMO. I have very large pores, very oily skin and some sun damage (I'm 37) and I'm prone to breakouts, and this stuff is pretty darn good-no zits, and I;ve used it since January. It also has no fragrance. I like to use a powder foundation because you can just slap it on quickly and go. The color Fiji is maybe a teensy- weensy bit pinkish on me (I'm a MAC nc35, Px yellow-orange), but it's not too bad; besides, the other shades were too light. Anyway, I love this stuff applied with a big brush, then I buff it in a little with the brush, then I use the enclosed sponge (which is very good, BTW) to then buff over the humongous pores on my nose, cheeks, chin and forehead and it ends up looking really natural. I highly recommend this to those of you who love a powder foundation but don't like the chalky, heavy, powdery finish so many of them give the skin. I plan to repurchase (I've just hit the pan), although I do want to try Stila's Illuminating Powder Foundation! Ah, once a makeup junkie, always a makeup junkie!!!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Prestige - Lash Matrix in Black
Cristy1970 3/27/2007 6:24:00 PM
This has got to be, besides L'Oreal Voluminous mascara, the worst mascara I have ever tried. It's supposed to "wrap around each lash"; well, lemme tellya, it wrapped around my lashes alright, so much that I couldn't get it off at night without literally peeling it off of each and every lash, some of which fell off into the sink! It also clumps like hell and does nothing for curling your lashes. What a bunch of crap--save your money.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Almay - One Coat Mascara (lengthening)
Cristy1970 3/27/2007 6:19:00 PM
Just an average lengthening mascara--nothing too dramatic going on here. My lashes are long, dark, thin and straight so I like a mascara that curls, volumizes and maybe lenghthens just a tad (so why did I buy this one?)Anyway, it's nice if you want a natural look. Doesn't do much in the way of thickening or curling. Also stays on pretty well. Probably won't repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -MAC - Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Cristy1970 9/21/2006 5:25:00 PM
I don't know-I guess it's because I'm just getting older, dammit, but I cannot wear powder foundations anymore. They tend to look so chalky and fake on me and they accentuate my pores like a mother! I mean, it looks like someone literally drew little black dots all over my nose, cheeks, chin and forehead after I apply it! That being said, this is probably one of the better powder foundations out there, if that's your thing. It's pretty finely-milled so it doesn't look too fake and I definitely recommemd applying it witha large fluffy powder brush. I've tried Lancome, Clinique, Origins, Laura Mercier, Mary Kay, Maybelline, L'Oreal and even Rimmel powder foundations (I like how you can put on your face so quickly with powder as opposed to liquid) and this is one of the best but alas, time is making my pores so big and the powder tends to settle into the fine lines that I didn't have 8-10 years ago when I first starting wearing this:( Anyhoo, I like how the sponge is kept in a separate compartment, even though I never used it and the color selection at MAC is just phenomenal, and not just for the foundations, either. If I could turn back time, I would definitely repurchase and if you're a busy, twentysomething with decent skin that's kinda oily and want a quick, but seamless face, try this. Guess that means I need to start wearing liquid.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara
Cristy1970 9/21/2006 4:59:00 PM
This is a good basic thickening mascara. Applies very easily and builds quickly and even stays on pretty well throughout the day. My only major complaint is that it doesn't seem to hold curl very well. (and I use a Shu Uemura lash curler, for God's sake!) But for the price, you can't go wrong with this one. I'd buy it again. (Although I never buy the same mascara two times in a row...still searching for that HG!)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Lash Out
Cristy1970 9/21/2006 4:54:00 PM
This is a very good mascara for lenghting and even thickening, I found. I don't care for the thick, fluffy mascara brush but I liked this and will definitely repurchase. The one thing I hate about L'Oreal mascaras is their tendency to grab too much mascara on the brush and also as one continues to use it, I feel like they don't screw on tightly enough, thus paving the way for mascara dry-out. Otherwise, I highly recommend if you want long, sorta thick and clump-free lashes.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Laura Mercier - Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation
Cristy1970 9/21/2006 4:50:00 PM
Well, after all the hype from InStyle magazine about this being the best foundation EVER, I decided to give it a try. I really like it a lot--it provides sheer to medium coverage, which I like, and you can definitely build it up if necessary. The girl at the Nordstrom counter suggested I use a damp makeup sponge (and not just ANY makeup sponge, either....a Laura Mercier makeup sponge)and I really like the finish I get with it. It does look pretty much flawless-you can't see foundation creeping into fine lines or pores, and I have huge, ENORMOUS pores on my nose, chin, cheeks and forehead. The only problem is the color: I bought Golden Beige and I think it's a tad too dark/orange-y, but the LM translucent loose powder seems to help. This foundation helps control oil a teeny bit, but in my 22 years of wearing and experimenting with foundations of all brands, I have found that tragically, nothing will stop oil production on the oiliest parts of one's face....nothing. As for the packaging, I love the pump, hate the glass bottle. Will definitely repurchase. UPDATE: June 15, 2007- Unfortunately, this makeup makes me break out like crazy, with huge cystic zits, all over my face. It pains me to have to write this, but, alas, it's true. I thought for sure it was my cleanser, my moisturizer, my powder, hormones, etc, but it was this foundation, I'm sure. I stopped using it about 2 months ago and there's nary a cystic zit on my face. Sigh....oh well, I guess it'll save me $38 every few months, right? Well, if you're not breakout-prone and like a light to medium coverage foundation with a fantastic texture and beautiful finish, definitely try this. You won't be disappointed!!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Sky High Curves Extreme Length and Curl [DISCONTINUED]
Cristy1970 9/21/2006 4:40:00 PM
I've used this mascara before and remember liking it...I know it hasn't gotten the most fab reviews, but I really, really like it! I have long, stick-straight and somewhat thin eyelashes so first I curl them with my Shu Uemura eyelash curler, then apply this. It goes on easily and builds excellent length and even some thickness very quickly. I like a bold, dark, dramatic lash and this delivers pretty well. I just finished a tube of Precriptives' Beyond Long and while I did like it, it was nothing spectacular AND it cost $19...I believe Sky High Curves only costs 5 or 6 dollars....hmmmmm-which one should I buy?! It holds curl, also and holds up fairly well throughout the day and I have incredibly oily eyelids and under-eyes, so I will definitely repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Revlon - Fabulash
Cristy1970 4/13/2005 12:11:00 AM
This mascara sucks-there's nothing fabulous about it. It doesn't thicken at all and smears like crazy and what is up with that weird brush?! I guess that's what I get for believing what commercials say...will definitely NOT repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - Lash Lift Mascara
Cristy1970 4/12/2005 11:38:00 PM
I LOVE this mascara--LOVE IT!!!!!It builds thickness (after several strokes, but it does nonetheless), lenght and holds curl like nobody's business--the reviews for this one were right on. Also, I love the little dents in the wand handle so your thumb and finger don't slip-gret idea. It doesn't smear except for a teeny weeny bit after 6 hours of wear and I saw no flakes (so far). I've been wearing it a week and I love it. Quite possibly my HG mascara! Finally..... EDIT: Well, here I am 2 and 1/2 years later, and I've come back to this mascara. I really do love it. It thickens, separates and lengthens and it stays on pretty darn well for a non-waterproof mascara. Try it with a Shu Uemura eyelash curler--fabulous results if you have straight, thin, but long lashes like me. And at the end of the day, I just wash my face, eyes included, with my Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser (my HG nighttime cleanser) and it comes right off. Occasionally, I swipe some eye makeup remover over my eyes to remove traces of mascara, but that's it! This mascara might clump a tiny bit, but I have yet to find one that doesn't and I've tried A LOT! I just swipe my eyelash comb through my lashes after application. It reminds me a little of DiorShow but for a fraction of the price. And it DEFINITELY beats that crap-they-call-mascara Voluminous! Will definitely continue to re-purchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous mascara
Cristy1970 4/3/2005 1:50:00 PM
I tried this mascara because it got such rave reviews from you guys, Paula and InStyle magazine's annual "The Best Cosmetics" report for 2005. This is definitely not the best mascara I've used, although it did add major thickness, volume and length, which I liked, to my lashes. Also, it held curl really well. The two major problems with it, which will also prevent me from buying it again, were that the brush was so gloppy and it clumped when I applied it and it has absolutely NO staying power--I had major raccoon eyes after like, 3 or 4 hours of wear! I was so disappointed! It was better that Maybelline Volume Express (sucks) and Revlon Fabulash (kinda sucks). Maybe I'll try the waterproof and that will take care of the raccoon eyes problem.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara
Cristy1970 2/14/2005 4:43:00 PM
After reading so many rave reviews on this mascara, I decided to give it a go....not so great, as it turned out. Not terrible, either, but definitely not great. I don't know if it's just my lashes or what, but I didn't find it to build hardly any thickness, it did not hold curl (even after I curled and curled my lashes with an eyelash curler) and it smeared all under my eyes by the end of the day. So, I'm still searching for that HG mascara....next on my list is Revlon Fabulash. (I don't know why I don't just stick to CG Professional or MF 2000 Calorie, but I just have to see if there's something better out there!!!)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum Express Mascara
Cristy1970 11/6/2004 3:29:00 PM
Thought this would become my HG of mascaras-not so. It barely thickens at all-just coated my lashes. Also, it didn't hold any curl and I used a lash curler before I put it on. Will definitely not repurchase. Max Factor 2000 Calorie is much better!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Mary Kay - Oil Mattifier
Cristy1970 11/2/2004 6:20:00 PM
This is by far the best oil mattifier I have ever used....ever! And trust me, I have had super-oily skin since puberty and I'm now 34 years old and I still have oily skin like a teenager! I've tried I don't know how many different brands of mattifier-Neutrogena, Clinique, Lancome, ProActiv, just to name a few, and this is the best for the price. Some mattifiers leave a powdery streaky finish that you have to wet to remove, but this doesn't. It is definitely a staple in my makeup bag, esp. during the summer (and I live in the south!) In the winter, I still use it over a light moisturizer and it still works for hours. It doesn't stop the oil ( I wish something did!) but it definitely, definitely makes a big difference. My HG of oil mattifiers!!!!!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No