Makeup Brushes -Elizabeth Arden - Face Powder brush
Arenal 11/14/2010 4:36:00 PM
I forgot to review this until I saw someone else mention it. EA gets very little love here; I guess many consider it a stodgy, old-lady brand. Too bad, because they have some excellent products. This is a brilliant brush, and one of my top faves. The synthetic bristles are the softest I've ever felt. The denseness makes this perfect for powder, bronzer, mineral foundations, etc. Perfectly weighted and worth every penny.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Stila - Smudge Pots gel eye-liner
Arenal 11/14/2010 3:38:00 PM
This is my favorite gel liner [with Smashbox a close second.] I think smudge pots are far superior to Bobbi Brown gel liners and easier to apply. I like the color choices. The shimmer colors are fairly low-key and appropriate for older women.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Dr. Bronner's - dr bronners assorted scented castille soaps
Arenal 11/7/2010 2:44:00 PM
Hate to be a killjoy, but the unscented castile bar made my skin feel very dry and tight. I don't know what it is with me and Dr Bronner products, but I never have success with them,
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Eye Primer -Laura Geller - Eye Spackle
Arenal 10/29/2010 2:57:00 PM
I use and like a bunch of Laura Geller products, but this one is a big fail. I've given it several chances, but it creases within an hour or so, and does nothing to help eye shadow last.
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Eye Primer -MAC - Prep + Prime Eye
Arenal 10/29/2010 2:53:00 PM
I'm surprised at the low ratings. I like this a lot, both as a lid primer and as a way to even out my pigmented lids. Sometimes I use it w/o shadow on no-makeup days. I'd buy this gain, but at the rate I'm using it, it'll last at least 3 or 4 years.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Carol's Daughter - Some of Marguerite's Magic
Arenal 10/9/2010 12:07:00 PM
I'm very happy with this product. I use it as a leave-in conditioner, and as a hairdressing when my hair feels dry. I am Caucasian with thick, curly hair, and have always gotten good results from AA-oriented products. This conditions and styles without leaving any greasy residue. Only a tiny amount is necessary, so one jar will last a very long time. I don't find the scent at all unpleasant.
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Shampoo -TRESemme - Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo
Arenal 7/19/2010 4:50:00 PM
I was considering purchasing the Oscar Blandi dry shampoo the other day, but came to my senses and realized that $23 for a small can is crazy. I read a positive review of TRESemme's comparable product and decided to give it a try. I have curly and dry hair, but during the summer my scalp can get a bit dirty. This is easy to use--just apply the foam to the scalp, massage a bit and towel off. If one uses a modest amount, I think the toweling step can be skipped. It freshens up my scalp and hair and gives a little oomph to my style. I got this on sale at CVS--2 for $7. I like it and will definitely buy more.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -L'Oreal - Lash Boosting Serum
Arenal 7/9/2010 5:01:00 PM
I should have known better to purchase anything *before* checking MUA. I bought this last night, used it once and got some eye irritation. After realizing that it doesn't help lengthen lashes, back it went to CVS. At $16.45, this junk is way to expensive to experiment with.
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Highlighters -New York Color - Colour Wheel Mosaic Powder Translucent Highlighter Glow
Arenal 6/6/2010 1:58:00 PM
Cheap, easy to apply, and provides a nice matte effect. I like that it has little or no shimmer. This is a great DS dupe for one of my favorites, Laura Geller Balance & Brighten. Looks very natural. This will be a hot weather staple for me, on top of my Smashbox SPF 15 primer. I'm really impressed by the quality of NYC products. I hadn't tried them until recently [based on their many mentions here] and what a combination of rock bottom prices and high quality.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer SPF 15 with Dermaxyl
Arenal 6/3/2010 10:42:00 AM
The negative reviewers may be using too much product. It literally takes a few dots to cover my entire face and neck, so a 15ml travel tubs lasts for months and months. I use various primer brands, but this is my staple for the summer months, since it is one of the few with an SPF. I also use it in lieu of moisturizer, which helps to avoid greasy skin. I also allow the product to dry/set for several minutes before applying any makeup. It works like a charm.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -New York Color - Ultra Moist Lipwear - Violet Shine
Arenal 5/30/2010 8:42:00 PM
A pretty good basic pink lipstick, and a steal at $0.99. Unfortunately, it turned fuschia on me, so I gave it away.
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Brows -Maybelline - Define-A-Brow
Arenal 5/9/2010 11:57:00 AM
PROS: Cheap Available everywhere Portable, since no sharpening necessary Long-lasting Easy & fast to apply Light & small; easy to carry in small purses CONS: Consistency a bit too hard & waxy Very small amount of product Includes a comb rather than a brush It's not my favorite, but it's good for a quick application. When there's Maybelline BOGO's, worth stocking up.
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Primer/ Corrector -L'Oreal - Studio Secrets Anti-Redness Primer
Arenal 4/28/2010 3:04:00 PM
Bought this yesterday afternoon and returned it this morning. How do I hate thee? * liquidy and difficult to blend. * doesn't cover green--makes your face look green. * contains shimmer. Who'd want that in a primer?? * expensive for a drugstore product [$12.95]
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Eye Shadow -Korres - Eye Shadow
Arenal 4/21/2010 1:47:00 PM
I'm a Korres fan, but really dislike their shadows. My color is supposed to be a "base" with some shimmer, but all I got was flat and chalky non-color. These aren't cheap, but there's no mirror in the case--a pet peeve of mine.
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Powders -Smashbox - Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder
Arenal 4/2/2010 2:32:00 PM
I've got to stand up for one of my favorite products. I've been using HALO for over a year [a lifetime for a cosmetics junkie] and continue to love it. Generally I use it as a setting powder over my face and under my eyes. It produces a matte and natural finish. On very hot days I might have to reapply to the T-zone, but generally a single application lasts all day. It is expensive, but the compact is very large and a very small amount is needed, so it works out to a low cost-per-day. This was one of the first Smashbox products I used, and since then I tried at least a dozen, and its come to be one of my favorite lines.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No