Palettes -LORAC - It Kit for Lips - Feel It
syeung2 1/7/2006 12:27:00 PM
deep dusty rose lipcolor
rosy pink gloss
pale pink shimmer gloss
The colors are nice, but the glosses don't really impart much color on my pigmented lips. The texture of each is very soft, kinda like the Smashbox Lip Brilliance colors. Novel packaging. The bottom half of the lid flips up to reveal a small mirror, and the lipcolors tray slides out. I find the mirror to be too small to be useful, plus you have to hold the darn thing open to be able to use it. There is a small lip brush included, which works alright but you have to flip the palette over to get the brush to fall into your hand (unless you have small enough fingers to push it out of its storage section). The lipcolors tray is divided into three pans, with the rear-most pan barely sliding out far enough to be accessible when the lid is open - this I don't like b/c i worry about how long the plastic hinged flap lid will last if i have to keep cranking it way back just to reach the product... Nice product overall, but the packaging does not appeal to me and thus I would not repurchase.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #209 Eye liner 
syeung2 1/6/2006 10:41:00 AM
Works great, looks great, holds up very well. The hairs are firm, densely packed, and tightly packed together. I use it with BB gel liners and for lining with wet eyeshadow. Good balance and control. Would be even better if it had an angled head and slightly shorter handle, but I could say that about most eyeliner brushes :) Would definitely repurchase.
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Makeup Brushes -BeneFit Cosmetics - Get Bent Brush
syeung2 1/6/2006 10:32:00 AM
Works fine for me... I would like the bristles to be a little firmer, a little more densely packed, a little more tightly packed together... more like my MAC 209. But despite what I would change, it works just fine for applying gel eyeliner, like BB Inks. I have to admit I was surprised how good a line I got and what good control I have with this brush, because it really doesn't look special at all. The one I bought has the long handle - wish I had found the short handled version first, but no big deal. I especially like the bent angle (I'm terribly nearsighted and you just can't apply e/l while wearing eyeglasses!) - wish more manufacturers caught on to this! UPDATE: I've decided I prefer brushes with firmer bristles than this; however, it works fine for wet e/s as liner.
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Palettes -Bobbi Brown - Pink Lip Palette
syeung2 1/5/2006 7:02:00 PM
Iced Pink Shimmer Gloss Stick - shimmery pink, sheer coverage
Tulle Lip Color - soft pink, semi-matte, full coverage
Rose Berry Lip Color - pinky rose, semi-matte, full coverage
This trio comes in a black mirrored compact with a useful mini lip brush. I like this better than my Lorac It Kit for Lips - the BB compact is bigger, better designed (easier access to the pans), and comes with a better brush. I generally like BB lippies anyway, so it's handy to have a trio of similar colors with different textures in one palette. Unfortunately, I think this discontinued or limited edition, like her other lip trios - I found mine on eBay. For me, this is a must-have for pink shades, and a happy purchase!
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Palettes -Bobbi Brown - Red Lip Palette
syeung2 1/5/2006 6:42:00 PM
Ruby Lip Shimmer - soft ruby red with shimmer, sheer to moderate coverage
Copper Red Shimmer Gloss Stick - shimmery reddish brown, sheer coverage
Burnt Red Lip Color - brick red, semi-matte, full coverage
This is not the same as the V-Day palette...! I got this instead of the V-Day palette b/c I like having the lip shimmer and shimmer gloss stick options. I was also unsure that all the colors in the V-Day palette would work for me (BB Red has too much magenta undertone for my AAB coloring). This Red Lip Palette is great for me, b/c I like to wear reds but not always as full coverage lipstick. The Ruby and Copper Red have wonderful texture characteristic of the lines, and the Burnt Red goes on true. Comes in mirrored black compact with a useful mini lip brush. Unfortunately, I think this discontinued or limited edition, like her other lip trios - I found mine on eBay. For me, this is a must-have for red shades, and a happy purchase!
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Misc Beauty Tools -Sephora - Professional Go-Curl Eyelash Curler
syeung2 1/5/2006 2:05:00 PM
I hate to curl my lashes. I don't wear mascara on a regular basis. But this was so darn cute and cleverly designed that I convinced myself to buy it anyway.
Product - The open-cage design (it's open on the sides) works great with my small eyes and does a good job of crimping/curling my straight, stubborn Asian lashes. The traditional metal scissor-type curlers always pinch me on the sides and are seem to have the right curve for my eye shape; they also seem awkward and unbalanced to me, I've slipped my grip more than once and twisted my lashes and lids, OUCH. The Go-Curl has a white rubber pad plus a spare included (it is stored onboard, discreetly, in the handle), with a clear plastic resealable pouch - not sure how long the resealable adhesive will stay clean, so I anticipate that I will have to toss the pouch eventually. The device itself is mostly constructed from plastic and uses lever action to crimp; the lever arm folds flat against the housing for travel; to use, you just unfold the lever arm to the open position, insert your lashes, and squeeze. The compact size means it's far less likely to twist in your hand while you're crimping.
What I like about this - The crimper is open on the ends, so I can reach the outer lashes and not get the outermost caught in any mechanism. The stable, compact design provides good control and my fingers dont shake from squeezing too hard or too long. Doesn't pinch my skin or my lashes. Maybe a little expensive given the construction materials, but since I only buy a lash curler once every 15 years, I think I can live with it :) The only thing I would change on this is the color; it's kinda hard to see if I got all my lashes when the housing is black - a color which provides contrast to my dark lashes would be nice.
UPDATE: not sure who came out with it first, but Japonesque and Revlon have their own versions. The Japonesque one is pink (yay for gals with black lashes!) and I've written a review for that as well.
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Eye Makeup Remover -Almay - Gentle Gel Eye Make Up Remover
syeung2 12/31/2005 2:16:00 PM
This mineral oil-based gel formula is a bit hard to work with, IMHO - it takes more rubbing for adequate makeup removal and leaves more residue than a liquid remover would. Definitely avoid if you hate mineral oil-based removers. The formula does not irritate my eyes. However, I always have to use something else to get rid of the oily residue, especially if I want to reapply makeup - what's the point of having to use another cleanser to remove your eye makeup remover? ugh. Handy for my travel bag and does the job it promises, but it's not my choice for everyday use. Will not repurchase. I still prefer Physician's Formula Vital Lash (Oil-Free) Eye Makeup Remover Lotion.
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Pressed Powders -NARS - Pressed Powder
syeung2 12/31/2005 1:57:00 PM
I have this is Beach (for the end of the winter season, NC20-25) and Mountain (pretty much the rest of the year, NC25-30). I'm a AAB, with yellow undertones and both these shades work beautifully for me. I prefer pressed powder cuz I don't like to wear much on my skin, and with this I can achieve a nice light dusting and my face won't feel oily and icky at the end of the day. I have small pores and this powder never irritates my skin. I like the large pan and packaging of the NARS compact, there's plenty of room to get my brush in. I don't get any use out of the sponge thing, those just accumulate in my drawer :) I had a hard time finding shades that worked for me - will definitely repurchase if/when I run out!
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Blush -NARS - Passion [DISCONTINUED]
syeung2 11/30/2005 4:35:00 PM
I am a sucker for NARS blush and this is why. Passion is a warm peach, matte shade, that works beautifully for my AAB/NC25 coloring. Not orangey or brown on me, just a nice warm glow. No one talks about this blush much, maybe because it's not so vivid in the pan, or maybe because the NARS swatch makes it look boring? This gives me a very natural flush/glow, so natural that I don't look like I'm wearing any obvious blush at all! Nice pigmentation, like other NARS blushes - sheer but easily buildable. Another NARS winner for me :) This is the NARS blush I reach for most often.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Sky High Curves Extreme Length and Curl WaterProof [DISCONTINUED]
syeung2 11/15/2005 11:38:00 AM
So-so. Maybe waterproof but it's not oil-proof! On my oily skin I got raccoon eyes in just 2 hours - not badly but still noticeable, especially if I rub my eyes at all. The main reason I get wp mascara is to avoid the raccoon eye look.... hence the low rating. Application is uneventful if you work quickly - not clumpy, dries reasonably quickly. Does not add any noticeable curl or lift on its own. Slight thickening and lengthening but nothing special IMHO compared to any other thickening/lengthening mascaras. Easily removed with eye makeup remover.
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Mascara -Rimmel - Endless Length and Lift-Waterproof
syeung2 11/13/2005 11:16:00 AM
...sigh... I should have checked these reviews first instead of buying this item on impulse. I was intrigued by the comb applicator, but now I know it's not for me - my lashes are tightly packed together, so this actually does not separate my lashes - it makes them stick together at the ends in groups of 4 lashes or so... maybe that's because it takes so darn long to dry? I keep getting wet mascara drag on the inside of my eyeglasses! Never again.
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Blush -NARS - Torrid
syeung2 10/28/2005 4:28:00 PM
It's true - this is exactly like Gilda (matte) but with shimmer. Torrid is also a lovely coral-peach color, like a more intense, deeper version of NARS Passion with a bit more pink added and then some subtle shimmer too. I glow a little bit more with Torrid than Gilda b/c of the shimmer, I think.... also, the shimmer in Orgasm seems more noticeable than in Torrid. Definitely peachier than Orgasm. According to NARS, Torrid and Gilda are coral in color, but these don't have enough pink to warrant that description - this is especially apparent if you see it next to BB Apricot. On my AAB/NC25 skin, this is another NARS winner - great warm flush, and excellent-as-always texture, staying power, and packaging.
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Blush -Bobbi Brown - apricot powder blush
syeung2 10/18/2005 12:29:00 PM
Still a fan of BB powder blush! Some of the BB blushes look scary bright in the pot, but go on so nicely - sheer but buildable. So I took a chance on Apricot - not a color I would have picked for myself normally, but BB blushes have always worked very well for me... maybe it's because of BB's yellow-based undertones? Anyway, I was trying to match the coral blush in the Stila re:Orient Bamboo Blossom palette - and this is a perfect match. The color is a matte coral. Gives my AAB/NC25 cheeks a nice warm healthy-looking flush. On my skin, the color is a little pinker/rosier than NARS Gilda, but I have to paint myself like a clown for the difference to become obvious :) Apricot is the color I was expecting BB Nectar to be... Nectar has more pink to it than Apricot. I love the BB texture and long wearing color too. I guess some gals like MAC's fliptop packaging but I strongly prefer BB's clear screw-top lids. Definitely will repurchase if I ever run out!
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Blush -NARS - Gilda
syeung2 10/13/2005 2:54:00 PM
I seem to be collecting NARS blushes, and this is another winner! :) I held off on getting this one, b/c it looked hideous on me in the store - the MA didn't really take any care in the application, just painted me like a clown (with that technique only NARS Nico would have been OK, LOL!). Anyway, in the privacy of my own home, with my own brushes, and my own conservative application, Gilda looks great on me - AAB/NC25. Overall, a lovely coral-peach color, like a more intense, deeper version of NARS Passion with a bit of pink added. Matte, no shimmer (if you prefer some shimmer, get Torrid).
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Eye Makeup Remover -Nivea - Eye Make-Up Remover
syeung2 10/9/2005 2:59:00 PM
I kinda like the packaging, actually, it's good for travel and i don't have to worry about it popping its top and leaking all over my bag. Fine for removing e/s and cake eyeliner. Does not seem very effective against waterproof mascara though - so maybe OK for gals who wear the non-wp variety. If your goal is removing w/p mascara, though, look elsewhere.
UPDATE: This creamy lotion formula is a bit diffucult to work with, IMHO - it takes more rubbing for adequate makeup removal and leaves more residue than a liquid remover would. Maybe it's the extra rubbing or the runniness of the formula getting in my eyes, but the formula seems to irritate my eyes, especially if I don't rinse very very well after using. Also, it will leak out from the container if you don't cap it... The screw cap is good for traveling securely but a pain when using it. Will not repurchase. I still prefer Physician's Formula Vital Lash (Oil-Free) Eye Makeup Remover Lotion.
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