Blush -Vincent Longo - Water Canvas Blush
katmu1 10/10/2007 3:13:00 PM
I purchased this after trying VL water canvas foundation. The SA recommended Aqua Crimson for me. The shade in the pan is truly scary for PPP me, but after she applied I was truly sold. A beautiful healthy flush, similiar to what I have after a strenuous workout (but no sweating required!!). The texture is not as greasy as other cream blushes, such as Stila CC or MAC blushcremes. I took 1 lippie off however for the truly outrageous price ($42.50 in the US). I recommend applying with a contour blush brush. I don't think this product would apply very well with your fingers. Be sure to recap tightly as the WC line has a tendency to dry out if not sealed. For reference- 37 with dry, sensitive acne-prone skin. lighter than MAC NC15 / VLWC Soft Beige / BB Porcelain / lighter than Alima W1 / Becca Sand LSC
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Sunscreen -La Roche Posay - Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics spray SPF40 PPD18 [DISCONTINUED]
katmu1 10/10/2007 2:56:00 PM
This has become my HG (and I don't use that phrase lightly) sunscreen for daily application. I use this for my face only due to the cost. It has a lightweight feel and it does not leave white cast. This has not caused me to break out or caused a reaction like many sunscreens in the past. I will absolutely repurchase, even though this product is not readily available in the US. Hello, FDA are you listening? For reference- age 37 with dry, sensitive acne-prone skin. Skin tone is PPP / lighter than MAC NC15 / BB Porcelain / Becca Sand / lighter than Alima W1.
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Concealers -Becca - Concealer compact
katmu1 10/9/2007 3:26:00 PM
I have this product in Meringue, a very fair yellow based shade. This is one of only 2 concealers I have ever tried that felt like an exact match for my skin (BB Porcelain being the other). The compact is similiar in design to Becca's larger powder compacts but smaller. The concealer duo consists of two half-size pans - 1 full coverage and 1 medium coverage and a mirror. I use the full coverage for blemishes and other discolorations and the medium for undereye circles. For undereye application, this should be applied after a good eye cream. I always apply with a concealer brush. This product lasts better than any other concealer I have tried. I have been a big fan of Becca products, even prior to the Sephora sale so I would repurchase. For reference, lighter than NC15 / Becca Sand LSC/ BB Porcelain with dryish sensitive acne prone skin.
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Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Perfect Brow Pencil in Brunette
katmu1 10/9/2007 1:08:00 PM
I am giving this three lippies because the color is bit ashy and light for my brows and the high price. I wish that she offered another slighlty darker brown color. The texture of the pencil is somewhat waxy as other reviewers have noted, but it applies well and stays put for several hours. My favorite thing about this pencil is the brush on the other end. Excellent for grooming my brows in place. I would not repurchase as I am looking for something that will be an exact match.
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Eyes -MAC - Paint Pot in Bare Study
katmu1 10/9/2007 12:59:00 PM
I have paint pots in Painterly ( good matte base color), Bare Study and Indianwood (shimmery copper brown). Bare Study is a beautiful subtle shimmery but not glittery champagne color. I prefer the paint pots over the paint formula as they are easier to work with. The pot doesn't have the issues that the tubes had with dispensing too much product. This paired with Dazzlelight shadow over the top is my perfect everyday look that makes me look fresh and awake. A definite repurchase. So pleased that these are not LE.
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Cleansers -DHC - Deep Cleansing Oil
katmu1 10/9/2007 12:14:00 PM
UPDATE 05/05/2012: I had to stop using this as it was just too drying for my 40+ skin now. I've switched to DHC's cleansing milk, still removes makeup well but is better for my dry skin. I still think this is a good product for people without dry skin. UPDATE: I'm updating this to 5 lippies. I tried the Fancl and it broke me out. Finally got around to re-ordering more DHC last month and I can't believe the improvement in my skin. I will never stray again. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I use DHC as my cleanser in the PM only to remove makeup and sunscreen. It works well at removing these and leaves my skin so soft. Gentle, no reaction and no breakouts for me. The pump dispenser works well for dispensing the right amount of product. For reference, I am 37 with dry, sensitive acne prone skin. I would repurchase though I also plan to try the Fancl oil next. I do wish this was available in stores in the US.
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Loose Powders -Lumiere - Flawless Finish Sheer Finishing Powder
katmu1 10/3/2007 4:13:00 PM
This is my favorite powder that I have tried to date (BB, Chanel, MMU, etc). It doesn't oxidize or turn color on my pale NC15 skin. It comes in 3 colors - Sheer, Ivory and Sand. This review is for the Sheer. Retails for $8 for a 4 grams or $16 for 12 grams. This applies truly sheer on me and does not make me look heavily powdered. It comes in a clear jar with a sifter. I prefer the Lumiere jar to other MMU powder jars (BE, Alima) that I have tried in the past. This is a definite repurchase for me. Ingredients: premium grade serecite (colorless mica), iron oxides, Magnesium stearate.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Shiseido - Pureness Oil Blotting Papers
katmu1 10/1/2007 4:38:00 PM
I had previously used the Clean & Clear sheets, but bought these after reading the positive reviews here. I like the larger size of these, and they do seem to work a bit better than the C&C, but they are somewhat expensive. Still, I prefer these to powder during the day. I would probably repurchase unless I can find something that works better that's not so $$$.
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Blush -MAC - Blushcreme - Lilicent ] [DISCONTINUED]
katmu1 10/1/2007 4:16:00 PM
As other reviewers have commented, I think this is an excellent creme blush for the fair skinned. A subtle peachy pink that gives me a light natural flush. I do apply with a creme blush brush for the best application but can apply with your fingers in a pinch. For application, without a brush, apply immediately after foundation and lightly dab the color and then blend. For reference, NC15 / BB Porcelain / Alima W1 with dark hair and brown eyes.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Satin Taupe
katmu1 9/28/2007 4:05:00 PM
This is my most favorite MAC e/s shade-- a perfect plummy taupe on me. I typically pair this with another lighter shade as a highlight, such as Shroom or BB SW Bone over UDPP primer. Very smooth application and good staying power. For reference MAC NC15 / BB Porcelain / Alima W1, dark brown hair and brown eyes. A staple for me.
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Lipstick -Vincent Longo - Baby Balm Lipstick
katmu1 9/27/2007 2:51:00 PM
I have this in Soft Saturn, a soft nude peach. I like this color and the staying power of these as compared to the VL Lipstain lipsticks. However, I do not like the texture of these as well as the other VL lipsticks, as they are somewhat gritty. For that reason and the price ($23), I would not repurchase. I expect a $23 lippie to be excellent so I was somewhat disappointed.
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Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Bone 16
katmu1 9/24/2007 1:21:00 PM
For reference, NC15 / BB Porcelain. As other reviewers have noted, Bone SW is somewhat sheer like many BB shadows. I apply this over a base to highlight the inner corner of my eye and under the brow bone. The shimmer is very fine compared to many other brands. (Talking to you UD!) Yes, it's subtle but with a color like Bone I think that is the goal. The pan is a large size and I do not expect to run out for a long, long time. A definite repurchase for me.
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Powder -Lumiere - Flawless Finish
katmu1 8/29/2007 4:38:00 PM
I have settled on this after trying Alima and Everyday Minerals as well. I find that the Lumiere gives a bit more coverage than the Alima. This really looks natural on my dryish, sensitive, yet acne prone skin. Golden Light was a perfect match for my NC15 / Alima W1 / BB Porcelain skin. I like the container better than other MMU's that I have tried as I have found it to be not as messy. I apply with Lumiere's kabuki brush ($27 for 2 jars of foundation and the Kabuki brush). A definite repurchase, but I don't expect to run out for a long time.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Vincent Longo - Nude Lipstain
katmu1 8/29/2007 2:46:00 PM
This is my favorite shade of VL lipstain for an everyday wear to work color. This is truly the color of my lips but slightly darker and warmer. Try these before you buy as the colors do look different once applied however. I love the creaminess of VL lipstains. I do frequently have to reapply during the day but I don't mind as most long lasting colors I have tried are too dry for my lips. I prefer this to NARS, MAC, Stila, LM, etc. For color reference, NC15 / BB Porcelain / Alima W1 with dark brown hair, brown eyes and lightly pigmented lips. A definite repurchase. Update 1/28/2008: I have decided that this color is slightly too brown for me.
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Blush -Alima - Satin Matte Blush in Mimosa
katmu1 8/22/2007 6:02:00 PM
I would agree with the previous reviewer who compared this to NARS Deep Throat. It's similiar but without the shimmer and a touch more pinkish. I think a good subtle color for pale warm tone girls. I use a skunk blush to apply and would recommend starting with less product than you think you might need and build slowly. I think this is a very good value for the color payoff. For color reference, NC15 / Alima W1 / BB Porcelain. UPDATE 10/9/2007: I am dropping this to 4 lippies as I find it's easy to apply too much product with the style of jar that Alima uses.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No