Makeup Brushes -Sonia Kashuk - Small Powder/Blusher
angelixia07 2/8/2012 4:41:00 PM
I've used this brush for both blush and contour and it works very well for both. However, it does shed a bit initially after I bought it. Also, I find that it's scratchy and I'm looking into finding a replacement for it. I do like the shape and size of the brush, similar to the Mac 109 but I don't care for the quality of the bristles.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Color Club - Love 'Em Leave 'Em 
angelixia07 2/8/2012 4:35:00 PM
I actually picked this baby up in a beauty shop in Mexico that had Color Club polishes in wholesale boxes. Anyhow, its a lovely holo nude gold polish. The holo is on the subtle side and the color is not very light, so it just sort of blends in with my skin color-NC30. At first I sort of hated it since it made my nails look a bit dull almost but I've gotten to like it for being subtle. It lasts very well and the application was perfect.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Sonia Kashuk - Remove
angelixia07 2/8/2012 3:05:00 AM
This is a really good eye makeup remover that performs well even with all the wp mascara and gel liner that I use. I just put some of this on a cotton square, swipe it gently across the lid, sometimes holding in on top for a few seconds and the eye makeup just melts off. I wear contacts frequently and find that it does not irritate my eyes with or w/o contacts. The price is good as an alternative to HE mu removers but not so good when compared to drugstore makeup removers. The price of this has gone up a bit to 10 dollars for 4oz if its true that it used to be eight. Compare that with some drugstore options that performs similarly well like the one from Neutrogena, Clean & Clear and Almay which are all about 5 bucks for 4oz, half the price of the Sonia Kashuk.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow
angelixia07 2/8/2012 12:08:00 AM
Overall, the quality of these are fantastic! I am really glad that companies are finally releasing good quality-long lasting, crease resistant and pigmented cream shadows in the drugstores. Its a very recent development with this line and the L'oreal Infallible cream shadows, which are also very good. Out of the two lines, I would still say that the Maybelline ones are still better because they are more long lasting and crease resistant. Out of the whole Color Tattoo range, most of the colors are pigmented, long lasting, crease resistant and easy to blend. I bought and tried quite a few from the range and find the formula is generally amazing even compared to HE formulas. In texture, they are similar to Mac paint pots and MUFE aqua creams. My favorites, based in best formula and color are Pomegranate Punk and Fierce & Tangy. Edgy Emerald is such a beautiful color but the formula creases a bit more and the color also fades a little. Overall, these are great and I will definitely be buying more.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Fierce & Tangy
angelixia07 2/7/2012 1:23:00 AM
This is one of my favorite cream shadows in my collection and I have quite a few. It's a really beautiful bright citrus orange in a satin/semi-matte formula. I think the entire color tattoo collection is great in general and love that they're able to put out great quality cream shadows at the drugstore, which hasn't been the case until just recently. Out of the entire range, the texture and formula of this shade is a stand out to me. It is just creamy enough so spread very effortlessly but sets on the lids so well that the creasing is very minimal to none and that's on very oily lids for me. The color is also unique especially for the drugstore and in fact the only comparable one period would be MUFE Aqua Cream #10, which is a lot more red orange.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -L'Oreal - Infallible Le Rouge - Unending Kiss 112
angelixia07 2/7/2012 1:15:00 AM
This is an awesome light neutral mauve pink that has a great, long lasting formula. I love the formula for this line in general. I find it extremely long lasting without being overly drying. I've tried other long last lip products but the generally dry the lips out like crazy, crack and gum up all over the lips and its a big mess. This on the other hand is really comfortable to wear. I wore it all through a 12 hour day and had to only reapply once midway through the day. I didn't even use chapstick underneath for the second application and it wasn't overly drying. I find that after you apply, its best to leave your lips relaxed and not press them together and it will set in a few minutes. After that it remains ever so slightly tacky but that stops after half an hour or so. It just lasts through drinks, snacks and even lunch. I love this formula so much I wish all the colors I have are in this formula so I don't have to apply so much.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -Ardell - Fashion Lashes #120 Demi Black
angelixia07 2/5/2012 2:48:00 AM
These are my absolute favorite lashes ever. If I had to pick one brand/style of false lashes to wear for the rest of my life, it would be these. I have naturally very short and straight Asian lashes so on me these are a rather dramatic difference, but due to the way they're cut, they are dramatic but in a natural way if that makes sense. I have bought different styles of Mac lashes and never liked any of them as much as this. Also, I was shocked by how good the quality of these were for the price. They wear and last just as long as Mac lashes but for a third of the price. I can reuse a pair for weeks of regular use.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Pomegranate Punk
angelixia07 1/30/2012 2:37:00 AM
This is an excellent quality long-wearing cream shadow. I've really gotten into using cream shadows as bases and have tried quite a few, mostly HE ones since they haven't starting making quality DS ones until recently. The texture is easy to work with and blends easily onto the lids. It's a pigmented satin cranberry color that is beautiful on its own as a wash or it will really make any burgundy or plum shades pop when worn underneath. I find that this lasts extremely well on my lids, which are very oily and most quality long lasting products will crease at least slightly on me and the creasing from this product was very minimal. I've tried a few other shades from this range and I would highly recommend this one just because of the beautiful color, great pigmentation and it wears the best out of the ones I've tried. The texture and lasting power is very similar to the Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows, which I have quite a few of. The texture is similarly creamy and blendable but rather long lasting.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Lustre in Syrup
angelixia07 12/20/2011 1:04:00 AM
This is a really nice everyday shade and I'm surprised that it doesn't get more love. It's a medium mauve pink/plum shade in the lustre finish. It goes on really beautifully, more like a very tinted balm than a lipstick and doesn't impart too much color. Although the lustre formula doesn't last very long, I still really like it since it goes on so easily and is sort of moisturizing. This is one of my favorites from all my Mac l/s just because it is very versatile and easy to wear. If it lasted a tad longer, I would give it a five.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -TheBalm - Sexy Mama
angelixia07 12/20/2011 12:58:00 AM
This powder is just wonderful! I'm surprised that it isn't more popular and that I would've never heard of it if it wasn't for a Hautelook sale on theBalm products. To begin, my skin is combination dry and oily most of the time. It's oily because I have naturally oily skin and dry from the use of BP+AHA or RAM. I normally use either EDM mineral makeup or BalmShelter TM, and I set both with Sexy Mama. This powder sets my makeup very well, no matter what I use and it also sets my concealer and minimizes creasing drastically. I love that the finish is very very natural. It in no way looks powdery, just diffused, shine gone and very skin-like and natural. However, the shine control is not very good. I still have to rely on blotting powders although this does cut shine a bit. It doesn't impart any color and is basically translucent. I have extremely acne-prone skin and this has not broken me out. I also love love the packaging, because it doesn't add any balk in addition to the product and is sooo travel friendly. Highly recommend!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -Ardell - Demi Wispies - Black
angelixia07 12/20/2011 12:52:00 AM
These are my favorite lashes at the moment! I love love love them. I've brought many Mac lashes just to find that many Ardell lashes styles are very similar, wear and last just as well and for a third of the price. I wish I knew before I spent so much money on Mac lashes. Since I've discovered the Demi Wispies style, I've been wearing them almost on a daily basis. It's a full, moderately long set of lashes but the lengths of each lash varies and they do flare out a bit at the end, which helps to elongate the eye. The overall effect is that of full lashes that are very wispy and flirty. My boyfriend likes them too. If you have very very short lashes, like I used to before Lattise, then these will look fake because your real lashes will not blend in as well and your bottom lashes will look significantly shorter than the top. I used to have very short, straight Asian lashes and these didn't look natural on me at all. After being on Lattise, I've been loving these. I curl and put plenty of mascara on my real top and bottom lashes and these just blend so well with the top ones that they do look natural. I highly recommend these lashes, they're beautiful.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -TheBalm - Shady Lady Eyeshadow Palette
angelixia07 12/20/2011 12:39:00 AM
This is an excellent palette. All the colors are pigmented, blendable and versatile. The fallout and fading throughout the day is also minimal. All the colors, although not neutrals, are very useable. They are not very bright and out there so its very easy to wear for everyday looks. Also, all the colors work together very well, which is hard to find in many palettes. I've created many looks just out of the colors in this palette the entire week and I feel fine not having to use colors outside the palette to supplement. And I normally use my shadows that are organized into 7 fifteen pan Mac palettes and I usually have to use shadows from 2 different palettes to complete the look, so its pretty impressive that I am fine with just using shadows from this one small palette of 9 shadows.
Caught in the Act Courtney-medium warm brown with fine gold glitters, brown base not super pigmented
Shameless Shana-warm tan satin finish, very pigmented
Luscious Lani-light pink champagne satin finish, subtle but pigmented
Jealous Jordana-deep, muted emerald green, pigmented but when blended into creases looses its green color
Risque Renne-deep muted cool blue, fairly pigmented
Jet-setter jennifer-light, frosty champagne gold, very pigmented.
All About Alex-medium olive green satin, very pigmented
Sexy Wheezie-light muted cool blue satin finish, fairly pigmented and name reminds me of Lil Wayne
Overall, I wish some of the colors were more pigmented. I wish Jealous Jordana had a more intense emerald base, because when used and blended into the crease it turns very muted and gray. Also, Risque Renne could have a stronger blue base. Basically, the darker colors could have more pigmentation and this palette would be perfect. However, for those who love muted, subtle and more wearable colors, this could be a blessing.
Packaging-wise, this is PERFECT. It fits all the shadows and doesn't add any unnecessarily bulk. I love the shadows in the UD palettes but the add SOO much BULK in addition to the shadows which I don't care for. The size of this, compact and slip, includes a very nice size mirror, is soooo perfect for travel. However, I do wish it was maybe plastic instead of cardboard, it just doesn't seem as sturdy as plastic.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -TheBalm - BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer
angelixia07 12/18/2011 2:38:00 AM
UPDATE: I am about half way through the tube and I've gotten to love it even more, as if that was possible!! It just goes on so beautifully but it provides very this beautiful diffusing yet light and natural coverage. I wear this nearly everyday, especially on my long days when I get up at 5 and get home at 10. No other product I have tried will look good on me for that long but this. It looks just as good at 10 as it did at 5 in the morning and I do not set it with powder!! I've come to find that light/medium is a bit dark for me and when I finish this I'll buy it in Light instead. I am at about NC25 at the moment b/c no sun. Also, this is very buildable and you can definitely put on more if you want more coverage. I put this on a friend of mine and she loves it to death too now and went out to buy it. This tm is absolutely magical, a definite HG times a million and I'll never stop using it as long as they make it!!!
I was pleasantly surprised by how good this product is. This is a very light weight tinted moisturizer with very light coverage. I am sure it could be built up but I prefer the light coverage, hence why I am using a TM. I've used the very popular Laura Mercier TM before and also liked it, but I like this much better. For one, LM has more coverage, I would say it has the coverage of a light/medium coverage foundation. Second, unlike BalmShelter, it feels and looks like a light foundation. BalmShelter goes on light, spreads and blends effortlessly with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush (Love!). It does not feel like foundation at all, it actually feels like you just got moisturizer on. As far as coverage goes, it does make my skin look overall more even, which is what I am looking for. It does not hide noticeable marks, scars, blemishes, etc. My skin has been pretty good lately so on days that I don't care to wear MU, I throw this on. I really don't like to go out w/o any makeup these days. I just cover anything that needs to be covered w/ concealer and I set the whole thing with powder.
I find that this foundation looks better as I wear it throughout the day. I use the shade Light/Medium and I am about NC30 and EDM Winged Butter is a perfect match for me. I fnd that Light/Medium matches well enough but it's not perfect. In certain lightly, it seems not yellow enough and a bit too pink but mostly, its a decent match. I should also point out that I am extremely acne-prone and currently using BP&AHA or RAM and this does not irritate my skin or break me out. I also find that compared to my normal foundation, which is EDM Intensive Formula, this leaves my skin feeling much more hydrated at the end of the day.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Sugarbomb
angelixia07 12/16/2011 5:02:00 AM
Sugarbomb is a sheer, subtle peachy coral color with very fine gold shimmers. It goes on very smooth, is easy to blend and very fool proof. It's a definite no brainer that you could throw on in two seconds. I love how subtle, lovely and natural the color is. It just gives a warm peach glow to the face. I have NC30 skin tone and this shows up on my skin well. I find that for some reason, it goes on more pigmented with the brush that comes with the blush, which I think is a rather good shape and very soft. I use it diagonally along my jawbone/cheek area and blend in a circular motion and find that it works very well. It's a rather good brush to use for contouring as well. The hair appears to be white goat hair, similar to that of the Mac 217 brush. Also, this blush has 12 grams/.42oz of product, which is double the amount of the average blush! However, that has to be weighed against the fact that the product is not very pigmented.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Dandelion
angelixia07 12/15/2011 5:40:00 AM
First of all, I have about NC30 skin or EDM in Winged Butter and this does show up on me, even though the effect is subtle. On my skin tone, Dandelion is a light, slightly brightening, natural shade of peachy pink. It is really hard to go overboard with this, making it a fantastic choice for an everyday throw it on quick and you're out the door kind of color. Also, since it is very subtle, natural and I would imagine universally flattering on lighter skin tones that this actually shows up on. Like many have mentioned, the smell is rather nice and the packaging, though I find cute since its in a square paper box, is not the most convenient. I would prefer a convention flat plastic pan of some sort but it doesn't really matter that much.
I believe that Dandelion is meant to be a sort of complexion enhancer/beauty powder and not necessarily a blush. I mean, its a good idea to make a powder that goes on lighter, not as pigmented and give you lots of it 7grams. First, it makes it easy to control and hard for you to overdo or go wrong with it. Second, you have the option of dusting a light layer all over as a complexion booster. You could put it on heavily and it becomes a natural shade of blush. The thing I like is that, although it is pricey and you can say that its not that pigmented, they give you quite a bit of product so you could use it all over or concentrated as a blush. I actually like the brush it comes with. Its a square flat shape that is really soft and picks up color well and makes the blush go on more pigmented than my own blush brush. It also makes a great contour brush if you don't want to use it for blush.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No