Highlighters -MAC - Iridescent Powder - Belightful
lil_kismet 2/8/2009 9:15:00 PM
This imparts a GORGEOUS warm peachy-champagne glow to my cheekbones! However it contains huge chunks of gold glitter, which is a shame, because minus the glitter this is an amazing warm-toned highlighter. I'm sad to say that I will not repurchase this product.
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Moisturizers -Merle Norman - LUXIVA® PREVENTAGE™ Firming Defense Creme Normal/Oily
lil_kismet 1/18/2009 9:21:00 PM
This day creme is excellent! I have normal skin for the most part, but get oily in my T-zone every now and then. It gives me soft, supple, smooth, healthy, even-tone skin and has never left a greasy film over my skin like so many other face moisturizers have. It has a bit of a sunscreen scent to it but it isn't bothersome and fades very quickly. While it is expensive you get a lot of product in the jar -- it'll last at least 6 months since you don't need much product per use. This is the perfect moisturizer with SPF that I've come across to date and will continue to use it for a long time to come.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #228 Mini Shader Brush
lil_kismet 1/7/2009 1:09:00 AM
While I wouldn't consider the 228 to be an essential brush to have, I do think it would be a great supplement for anyone's collection. It's become my favourite smudger brush, and I actually prefer it to the 219 pencil brush for this purpose. I find it works better than the 219 for smudging because it's less densely packed and moves/smudges product more easily and seamlessly. It also works great for detailed crease work and to slightly deepen colour in the outer corners of small monolid Asian eyes like mine. Overall, it's a very good quality, functional brush and I use it more than I ever thought I would.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Paula Dorf - Eye Primer
lil_kismet 12/1/2008 1:32:00 AM
I own both PD Eye Primer and UDPP, and I've come to the conclusion that PD's primer is superior. Yes, it does have a thick and seemingly heavy consistency, which is why you don't need much product at all. It has a semi-creamy texture and blends in really nicely and provides a perfect canvas for eyeshadow application. The trick: LESS IS MORE. A couple light dabs with a finger is all you need for your entire lid. Eyeshadows are vibrant, crease-resistant, fade-resistant, and last the entire day with this stuff.
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Eyeliner -Merle Norman - Soft Touch Eye Pencil
lil_kismet 11/22/2008 12:26:00 AM
These Soft Touch liners are absolutely wonderful! So far I have them in Blackout (matte black) and Teak (a dark neutral-warm brown with fine copper shimmer). They glide on effortlessly and smoothly and last all day. Unlike most liners, they stay soft and don't harden in the winter months and won't tug at the skin around the delicate eye area. The sponge tip applicator on the other end works great for smudging too. My only gripe is that these are too expensive at $22.50CAD a pop. I sheepishly admit though that I would repurchase this product. It's quality far exceeds any other brand on the market that I have tried.
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Highlighters -NARS - Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross
lil_kismet 11/15/2008 4:54:00 PM
An absolutely gorgeous barely-golden highlighter. my only complaint is that it doesn't give me that "wow" factor on it's own. I can't ever wear it without a light spritz of Fix+. For some reason it just looks too powdery and gives me a bit of a white cast even when I've only applied a small amount. Maybe it's coz I'm always layering it over powder foundation?? In any case, with Albatross in combination with a single spritz of Fix+, I feel like I'll never have to stray and explore other highlighters again, it really is that good :) It gives me a gorgeous runway supermodel-like glow, which I've never before been able to achieve with other highlighting products I have tried over the years. Love it and will definitely buy again!
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Makeup Brushes -Coastal Scents - IB 109 Chisel Fluff
lil_kismet 10/16/2008 11:50:00 PM
To my surprise, this brush has become one of my daily staples. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing to the naked eye, but the brush hairs are amazingly soft, it picks up powder nicely, and deposits colour evenly across my lids. While the brush is on the flimsy side, this doesn't deter from its quality. It works beautifully for a soft, sheer wash of colour, it covers a large area due to it's width, and can also be used for basic blending. A high quality brush at an exceptionally low price ($3.49US) -- you can't go wrong with that! :)
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Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara Blackest Black
lil_kismet 10/13/2008 8:21:00 PM
I actually really like Great Lash and have always come back to it over the years. It does a great job at defining and volumizing my lashes. I avoid clumping by wiping down the wand a bit with a tissue, so less is definitely more with this product. I think the small size of the wand is ideal for someone with smaller eyes for more controlled applications. Probably not a miracle worker, but it works well for me and I still prefer it to other expensive, high-end mascaras I have tried in the past. And last but not least, you can't beat the price! The drugstores have BOGO sales for this mascara all the time :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Rimmel - Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in Pure White
lil_kismet 9/20/2008 3:57:00 AM
I'm really pleased with this! I've been meaning to get a white eyeliner for some time now and didn't feel up to spending $15+ on a high end one that would probably fade away on my waterline anyway. I tested out a few different brands at the drugstore and I settled on this Rimmel one. It's VERY pigmented, glides on effortlessly, and actually has pretty decent staying power. It has a semi-creamy texture, but not overly creamy/soft. A matte and bright stark white shade and perfect for giving smokey eyeshadow looks that extra pop. A high quality liner that runs for around $6 Canadian. I'd definitely repurchase this.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - MAC Brun Eyeshadow
lil_kismet 9/15/2008 9:40:00 PM
I use this mainly as a brow powder. I have black hair/light asian skin (NC20-25) and it is an excellent match! It's a neutral-warm matte blackened brown shade. Not too cool/ashy looking (like Carbon) and not too warm-toned (like Espresso). It's just right! Also doubles up wonderfully as a liner or a crease colour for smokey eyes. Good lasting power too. A great basic eyeshadow that can serve many purposes.
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Treatments -Merle Norman - Luxiva Energizing Concentrate
lil_kismet 8/31/2008 12:07:00 AM
I absolutely LOVE this serum. It's an amazing hydrator and makes my face look incredibly healthy and glowy. I apply it underneath my MN Luxiva Preventage firming defense cream. I try not to use it everyday as it is so expensive.. I use it on average of 3-4 times/week in the mornings, and I find that it works so well, that I don't even need to use it everyday. It is extremely concentrated and you need only the tiniest squirt. On top of all of this, I've never had any breakouts from using this. My only issue is that it is painfully expensive, but I must admit that it was well worth the splurge.
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Blush -Paula Dorf - Tempo cheek color cream blush
lil_kismet 5/31/2008 12:08:00 AM
This cream blush screams QUALITY! A very pretty warm peachy-pink tone and provides a beautiful, natural glow. I love its smooth and creamy yet non-sticky consistency. It blends beautifully and has great staying power too. I can't rave enough about this stuff and definitely intend on trying more PD cream blushes in other shades.
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Lip Gloss -C.O. Bigelow - Ultra Mentha Lip Shine
lil_kismet 5/11/2008 9:47:00 PM
A wonderful basic clear lipgloss! Not at all sticky and applies evenly for a nice glassy shine. Has great lasting power to boot! And I can't get enough of the minty taste! While it gives off a light tingling/cooling sensation, I don't find it to be much of a lip plumper. I like how it isn't harsh and drying to my lips. I would definitely repurchase -- I prefer this to MAC Lipglass any day.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 182 Buffer Brush
lil_kismet 3/25/2008 9:30:00 PM
I wish I could give the 182 a perfect 5 lippies, however, it sheds far too much. Every single time I use or wash it, it sheds between 3-5 hairs each time and I've owned it for a year if not longer. The shedding should have stopped by now but it hasn't. I think it is far too expensive considering the amount of shedding. However, it remains an extremely dense brush and it performs amazingly. Perfect for application of mineral powders and overall blending of the face. The bristles are extremely soft and plushy, almost bouncy and feel amazing gliding across my skin. As much as I would love to say I would purchase this brush again, I remain undecided for reasons aforementioned.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 188 Small Duo Fibre Face brush
lil_kismet 3/15/2008 11:22:00 PM
The 188 has become my primary blush brush. It is really versatile and I love that it could be used for both powder and cream formulas. The smaller brush head allows for controlled application. It applies any blush flawlessly to an airbrushed finish when you buff in small circular motions. It also works very well for face highlighting. I absolutely love this brush and recommend it to all.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No