Cleansers -MAC - Cleanse Off Oil
Lomelindi 9/4/2012 10:19:00 AM
Okay, after using this for a week, I like this product a lot but I don't think it's the best thing since sliced bread. At first, I was thrilled about how much product you get for your money (a little pricey at $30), but then I learned that you need 2-3 pumps to cover your whole face so you'll probably burn through a whole bottle in 3 months. I do like the pump though, it's easy to use and doesn't dispense too much product. To use it, I use dry hands to massage 2 pumps of oil all over my dry, made-up face. I then wet my hands slightly and keep massaging the oil until all makeup has been dissolved (takes about a minute). Then I just wash it off with water and follow up with another cleanser (not always) if I don't feel "clean" enough. This cleanser does take longer to take off my eye makeup than I'm used to, but it WILL eventually dissolve everything (liquid eyelier, waterproof mascara, etc.). Just be patient!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Shiseido - Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen EX SPF50+ PA+++
Lomelindi 8/30/2012 12:01:00 PM
I live in the US but got this from SASA.com (it's an Asian beauty store, much like how Sephora is in the US). It was about $30, so not TOO expensive but still a bit pricey compared to drugstore sunscreens. The bottle is made of durable plastic and is metallic gold; I believe this replaced the Perfect Smooth version, which is in a silver bottle. I'm not a huge fan of the tilted cap, but the tiny little nozzle is very helpful for dispensing only a little product at a time. Since the formula of this SS is so runny, it helps prevent spillage if you accidently tip the bottle over. Applying this SS was strange and took a bit of a learning curve. After shaking the bottle, I pour out a big droplet and quickly rub it over one side of my face. It absorbs rapidly so you'll have to repeat this process a few times to cover your whole face. It dries into this smooth, matte finish, which is LOVELY and really helpful as a primer underneath your makeup. I don't think this product is drying but then again, I have oily skin - I'd recommend wearing a moisturizer underneath anyways, especially if you're combo, normal or dry-skinned. The most amazing thing about this SS is just how MATTE it keeps me. I don't have to blot at all (I usually have to blot 2x over the course of a work day in the summer) until about 12 hrs later. 14 hrs after I apply it, my skin is noticeably oily, but being oil-free for 12 hrs is still incredible! This is definitely a keeper. NOTE: Even though the new Perfect UV version of this SS is supposed to be "easier to remove" than older versions, I still have to use an oil cleanser to remove it. Be sure to be VERY THOROUGH about removing this product from your face. Also, after a while, I noticed that I started to break out from this product, so I've taken off a lippie. This product is definitely not for sensitive or clog-prone skin. I wouldn't wear it past 12 hrs because every time I do, my skin starts breaking out and getting irritated.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Rimmel - Lasting Finish Pro in Wild Orchid
Lomelindi 8/27/2012 2:13:00 PM
This is a lovely, purple creme nail polish. That being said... that's kind of it. It has no shimmer or any hint of another color, and I don't even see any undertones to it. It's just solid, Crayola purple, neither dark nor light. I'll give it 4 stars because the bottle is heavy and sturdy and the brush is FABULOUS (wide and sturdy!). The formula is opaque, easy to use, and neither runny nor thick, so it doesn't drip all over the place. The brush makes it easy to be done with a nail in two strokes (one for smaller nails like the pinky). It dries decently fast and lasts about a week without chipping, so overall, it's just as great as the other polishes in this line. I will have to take off a lippie for the color though, because the color is so... flat and not even remotely interesting. I'll wear it for when I want a pop of color (probably summer), but I very rarely reach for this polish otherwise.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Don't Pretzel My Buttons
Lomelindi 8/23/2012 9:15:00 AM
This is the nude creme polish from OPI's Fall 2012 Germany collection. Judging by the bottle alone, I thought this was going to look IDENTICAL to my favorite nude, which is OPI's Samoan Sand. However, once on my nails, DPMB looked like a creamy, light toffee with strong mauve undertones to it, so noticeably grey-er than SS. Out in broad sunlight, you can see the mauve-y undertones much more than you can see them indoors, where it looks like a creamy nude. I have a love-hate relationship with this formula, but I don't hate it enough to take off a lippie. The color is quite pigmented and can be opaque in 2 coats (3 if you're paranoid like me), but the formula is so runny! I had to clean up rapidly a few times after I accidently applied too much and it ran down the side of my nail. I didn't expect such a runny formula from an OPI polish, but the pigmentation is worth it so no real complaints there. Because it's so light and runny, it also dries quickly, so that's another plus. Overall, another nice nude to go in my collection. I still think Samoan Sand will be a more flattering nude on those of us with very warm or yellow-y skin (I have NC25/30 Asian skin for reference), but this one is definitely wearable.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Rimmel - Lasting Finish Pro - Crushed Pearl
Lomelindi 8/15/2012 3:56:00 PM
One of my ABSOLUTE favorite polishes, and it's not even an expensive one like OPI! First, just to add on to the raves about the packaging, the square, heavy bottle doess feel super sturdy. The brush is to DIE for, it holds (but doesn't drip) the proper amount of polish and is both wide and sturdy, so I only need 1-2 strokes per nail. Super, super easy to use! The color is a beautiful, softly metallic mother-of-pearl. Out of direct light it looks like a pale, grey-ish opal, but in direct light it turns chrome-like and shines pink. Despite its high shine, I think it's a chic, very wearable color. I've worn it both to work and group outings with compliments from multiple people. The formula is super easy to use (not runny but not thick, either), dries quickly and lasts a good week before chipping. I couldn't have asked for anything better!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Good As Gold
Lomelindi 8/15/2012 3:47:00 PM
This is part of Essie's "Mirror Metallics" 2012 limited edition collection. This is the only gold one. I'd describe this polish as an opaque, metallic, pastel gold. It actually looks like a spring-y color, so it's more interesting than most of the golds on the market. I'm in my mid-20's and I think this is a fun, youthful color to wear. The formula is typically Essie - thin, but not runny. ALL the polishes in this line are super, super opaque and you can get away with just applying one coat (although I always apply more). The finish is incredibly metallic and chrome-like, like I just dipped my fingers in mirror-like paint. The lasting power is decent with a proper base coat and top coat, but the metallic color makes it really obvious if something is chipping (especially once it starts to wear off at the tips of the nails). I'm taking off a lippie because the chrome finish is unforgiving to brush strokes and, again, to any chip / wears in the color over time. Take good care of this color while you're wearing it or it will look wonky! I will probably NOT buy it again due to how bad this polish can look if you don't apply it right.
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Lotions/ Creams -Trader Joe's - Aloe Vera Gel
Lomelindi 8/15/2012 11:07:00 AM
Multi-fuctioning, great for your skin and most of all, cheap! (I think this was something like $2-3 for the whole big bottle). I like how light this gel is, it sinks into my skin super quickly. However, even on my oily skin, it provides veeeeery little hydration. (Taking off one lippie for that.) I was hoping it would replace my summer moisturizer, but I can only use it that way (alone) the hottest, most humid of summer days. Otherwise I do need to follow up with another lotion, especially if I am applying this right after cleansing. Like all mainly-aloe products, this is great for your skin if it's irritated, swollen or sunburned. One great use I found for it is to rub it all over my palms and then pat it all over my skin before I sleep. It definitely sooths my skin and also helps my skin feel soft and smoother in the long run. I firmly believe that aloe is one of those natural, miracle-workers on skin, so I'm trying to find even more ways to encorporate this into my skin regime. However, I'm taking off another lippie because this stuff burns my eyes and I have no idea why. I have to pat really carefully around my eyes or otherwise I start tearing like I cut an onion or something. :(
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
Lomelindi 8/15/2012 10:57:00 AM
I have very warm NC25/27 skin, which is unfortunately NOT a color they make for this line. I ended up buying both NC20 (rather pale and kind of neutral) and NC30 (strongly yellow). I found that NC30 was a good enough match with my skin that I can use it alone for my sun spots, redness and acne. NC20 is waaaay too light for me, but I save it for when I have to mix it with NC30 for my lighter / more neutral fdtns. ANYWAYS, the packaging looks just like MAC's eyeshadows - exact same size, popped lid, black body, etc. It looks like you only get a little for your money, but that's because you really don't need much of this concealer every time you use it! One gentle swipe or tap of one of finger into the container covers most of one cheek for me. I personally like how tiny the packaging is, it makes it very easy to carry around when I travel. The formula is great, creamy (but light) and easy to smooth out. It's not as thick or gloopy as some concealers, which doesn't make it great at covering pores. However, its very pigmented, covers well, and generally doesn't sink into fine lines. (I like using it for my undereye area as well, but make sure you moisturize well first!) SUPPOSEDLY, it is pigmented enough to cover tattoos and moles although I haven't tried it that way. If you do want to use it for really dark areas, you might need a few light layers. Do NOT set with a powder in between layers (like you have to do with Dermablend concealers), it'll make the product too dry / cakey. Set after the top layer! The finish is somewhere between dewy and matte, but I don't notice it too much because I usually set immediately with powder. Most importantly, I have NOT broken out from this concealer! I have oily skin and am somewhat break-out-prone, and concealers tend to clog my pores more than most products. However, I've been using this product in the same parts of my face for two weeks now and I don't see a single pimple anywhere. A winner! I'd give this product a 4.5 if I could. I'm not sure it's my elusive, 5-star, perfect concealer, but it is very high up there.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Orly - Rage
Lomelindi 8/15/2012 10:45:00 AM
Oh dear, where do I start on this polish? First, yes, the color is a beautiful, extremely shimmery, rose-gold color. Secondly, it is LOUD! It is NOT a subtle color, which is sort of what I was expecting when I bought it. (Rose-golds are usually pretty subtle, right?) It's very pigmented and super, super shimmery, so it will definitely catch people's attention. Keep that in mind if you were hoping that this would be a subtle polish. I found the formula a bit too runny for me to work with well. I had to be super careful to be neat around the edges of my nails since the uber shimmery color is unforgiving if you make a mistake. On the bright side, it's so pigmented that you can get away with just one coat, although I still use two out of habit. The drying time is good to great, so at least you can toss on 1-2 coats and run out the door if need be. Overall, I think this is a beautiful, unique polish, but too in-your-face for me to wear often.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Korres - Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipstick (ALL)
Lomelindi 8/12/2012 10:33:00 PM
I only have this in #56 (the true red one). I have tried liquid lipsticks before and they usually tend to be tacky, thick, hard to apply, or a mixture of the three. This one AMAZED me. Like a few reviewers already mentioned, the l/l is easy to apply (doefoot applicator and thin formula) but it also has NO TACKINESS whatsoever. I don't even feel like I have BALM on. I applied it and immediately forgot about it because there's not even the remote sensation that I have something on my lips. The color is a glossy, very pigmented red, possibly with some orange undertones. (I think it leans toward bright, orange-red on me but I have naturally pigmented lips underneath.) I THINK it's be safe to say that this is a true red, because I don't think it leans toward brick red, dark red, or blue red. It is quite hydrating (but in a light way) and it really makes my lips feel super soft. I love how good it is for my lips, especially since my lips are almost always crease-y. I did take off a lippie because it seems like this product never actually dries. It comes off super easy and smears super easily, so I REALLY do not recommend wearing this if you know you're going to be eating at a dinner or something. I kissed the back of my hand as a test and there was a huge lip imprint there, although surprisingly there was still a decent amount of product on my lips. Overall, fantastic product! I got this for really cheap (a few $) off ACW, so I'd recommend waiting for a sale for those of you that want to rush out and buy this immediately.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Korres - Mango Butter Lipstick in Natural Pink 13
Lomelindi 8/8/2012 1:38:00 PM
Lovely, lovely lipstick! First, I got this for sale off ACW so I didn't have to pay the full price for it. The packaging is a surprisingly heavy, dark, round tube, which makes this lipstick look / feel expensive. (The tube feels like metal to me, which is very different from the plastic tubes most lipstick brands use.) The color is pretty much what Temptalia described it as - a baby pink with a yellow base, which sounds really strange to write down but mainly means that the color is a warm, light pink. It's VERY close to my natural lip color but it has enough pigmentation to even out the color of my lips, so it makes me look polished but still natural/fresh. The bullet itself is soft and quite sheer so you need a swipe or two to get the full color. I really love the finish - it makes your lips look a little glossy, but not in a wet, unnatural way. The pigmentation is smooth and doesn't sink into the lines of my lips, so it applies like a dream! It hydrates pretty well for the first 1-2 hrs, but after that it starts to feel like any other lipstick. There is a very faint scent but I don't notice it since I am not sensitive to fragrances. Overall, a very useful, pretty, "my lips but better" lipstick. I'm taking off a lippie because it has no staying power whatsoever, which is kind of to expected given how sheer it is. I can see myself burning through a tube of this very rapidly.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Olay - Dual Action Cleanser + Pore Minimizing Scrub 2 in 1 Foaming Cleanser
Lomelindi 7/31/2012 10:27:00 AM
This was a random, unexpected hit for me. I was at a my friend's house for a holiday weekend and she let me use her cleansers since I forgot mine. I used this for 3 days straight and WOW, I am impressed. While not a miracle product (it won't fight wrinkles, cure acne, etc.), this cleanser does make my skin look fresher and feel softer. I had to rush out and buy a tube of it for myself after I tried it. This product is like the perfect mixture between a gentle, lightly foam-y cleanser and a scrub. I'm not sure if it's the blue or the white part that foams, but one of them turns into a light lather while the other contains some small scrubs for exfoliation. The amount of scrubs isn't dense enough for any hardcore exfoliation, but it does help to get rid of some flaky skin (like around my healing pimples) and to keep your face from looking dull. The cleanser aspect is lovely and gentle, and even if I don't put on lotion immediately afterwards, I don't feel like it dried out my skin or stripped it of oils. The whole cleanser washes off super easily so there's not rubbing or extra soaking involved. There is a faint, fresh sort of smell for anyone who is sensitive to fragrances, but it doesn't bother me in the least. I LOVE how much product you get and how lovely the packaging is. The pump head gives you control over how much product you want to use, and the transluscent bottle tells you how much product you have left. I love seeing the white and blue swirls, it makes this product look high-end (a gimmick, I know). Overall, great cleanser that's readily avaliable at drugstores. I have no complaints. EDIT: This is not really a makeup remover, but it will work as one if you're willing to be patient with it. This clenser did remove my fiber mascara, my concealer, blush and eyeshadows after a thorough wash. I wouldn't recommend using it as a makeup remover unless you really need one in a jiffy because you probably shouldn't use scrubs near your eye area.
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Brows -Ardell - Brow Sculpting Gel
Lomelindi 7/31/2012 10:17:00 AM
Great, cheap product that WORKS! My eyebrows are strange, they're quite sparse so I can't overpluck them, but I also can't trim the hairs much because they are long (i.e. if I pluck one long eyebrow hair, I end up with a huge gap somewhere else in the brow). Therefore, I just try not to do much to my brows and focus on keeping the long hairs manageable. Usually, I usually just fill in my brows with pencil and very lightly brush this Ardell gel over my eyebrows to get the hairs to stay in the right 'direction'. It works GREAT and stays all day. I'm taking off a lippie because this gel seems to pick up everything and anything that's near and around my brows. A week after I bought it, the gel in the tube surrounding the brush hairs was extremely cloudy, which is kind of gross but apparently normal for this product. (It picks up powder and pigment from the other makeup products around my brow like foundation and eyeshadow). Nowadays I think it tends to pass this powdery color on to my brows, so occasionally it looks like I have dandruff on my brows as I brush the gel through. Not a great look, but not hard to deal with as I just brush it off once the gel dries. Just don't panic (like I did) if the gel stops being transparent - there's not much you can do to prevent this!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -L'Oreal - walk on the beach 300
Lomelindi 7/30/2012 4:06:00 PM
I looove greiges of any kind and Walk on the Beach is a lovely addition to my collection. It caught my eye at Duane Reades and was on sale for $5, so I figured it can't hurt to try it out. First, the packaging. I really like these rounded-rectangular bottles that L'Oreal uses because they feel heavy and sturdy. I want a rounder brush handle though, since the rectangular brush handle feels a bit unstable in my hand. The brush itself is nothing special, just sort of a normal, average length/width DS brand brush. The color is chic and interesting. It's basically a light, creme grey with faint beige undertones to it. (It looks noticeably warmer in the bottle than it actually is on the nail.) It's ALMOSt a dupe to my favorite grey, OPI's (LE) Skull & Glossbones, but WonB might be a wee bit lighter. I am NC25 and I personally like this color. I don't think it makes my fingers look dead or zombie-ish because even though this color is pretty neutral-cool, there is enough of that beige in it so that it doesn't clash badly with my skin. The formula is admittedly not the best. I'm taking off a lippie because it's very runny, so it might get all over your nailbed if you're not careful. One coat is quite streaky, but a second coat surprisingly takes care of this issue. Thankfully, it dries quickly so I can toss on 2 layers and run out the door.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Milani - Baked Blush - Rose D'Oro
Lomelindi 7/30/2012 3:54:00 PM
I am on the fence about this product. Yes, it's pretty, both on the pan and on the skin. However, I'm not sure if I really think it's flattering on me (NC25 Asian). In the pan, it's a gorgeous, bronze-y pink dome with gold veins inlaid into it. On my skin, it looks like a unique, deep, shimmery bronzy-peach sort of color. There is enough of a pink undertone and (very fine) gold shimmer to make it interesting and 'glowy', but I think the bronze aspect is too strong on me, since I am already very warm-skinned. The first time I wore this, someone asked me if that was blush or bronzer on my cheeks. :( If you're a fan of bronzers, you'd definitely like this blush, but to everyone else, I'd apply this with a very light hand and/or a very soft brush! Or better yet, you can layer this very lightly on top of your other blushes to give them more warmth. The staying power is good but not great for a DS blush, about a few hours on my oily skin. Keep that in mind in case you reach for this blush for a long day.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No