Lips -Revlon - Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm
annaharris_227 6/25/2010 6:05:00 PM
This stain is okay...I chose the Twilight shade. No, not because I love the movie (LOL), but because I was on a low-end makeup kick and most traditional lipstain shades (cherry red, bright fuschia pink) look ridiculous on me. I'm an NC20-30 and Twilight is a very deep burgundy red. It's almost too much on my skin tone even when applied sheerly...but that's simply a shade issue and not due to the product formulation itself. But my main beef is the packaging for the clear balm at the other end of the stick...the first time I opened this lipstain, I was grabbing the balm end too hard when I went to open the stain part. Well, the cap on the balm came off and the balm itself completely broke clean off at the base, rendering it useless before my first application. They should at least make it to where you can swivel it in and out like a traditional lipstick. As far the stain's lasting power, it lasts a couple hours on me before I have to reapply but that's it. Overall, not a bad product but there's room for improvement at the same time.
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Eye Shadow -Rimmel - Colour Rush Eyeshadow Quad in Urban Flower
annaharris_227 6/25/2010 5:51:00 PM
Yet another drugstore quad that looks beautiful in the pan, but doesn't show up on me very well. I'm an NC20-30 depending on what MAC foundation I'm wearing, just to give you an idea of my skin tone. I gravitated toward this at Wal-Mart simply because it looks so pretty...maybe it might show up better on those of you with fair skin, but if your skin tone is medium even in the slightest you probably want to find something with more pigmentation. When will I learn to just stick with high-ends in the eye shadow department? *sigh* And yes, I've tried using the sponge applicator included in the compact and foiling...not much difference vs. dry application with a brush.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Hard Candy - Night Out
annaharris_227 6/25/2010 5:31:00 PM
This is a nice semi-sheer deep brownish plum. In fact, it's an extremely close match for NARS Fast Ride. Night Out looks like it's slightly darker, but I'm looking at the piece of paper I have them swatched on and I have to be looking for it to notice the shade difference. Also, it isn't quite as sheer as Fast Ride. Anyway, if you love NARS Fast Ride but you want something with a bit more "oomph" try Night Out instead!
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Lotions/ Creams -Frederic Fekkai - Creme Luxeuse
annaharris_227 6/7/2010 2:13:00 PM
I finally caved and bought this at Ulta after so many years of wanting to try it. Like pretty much everyone else here, I heard about it on Oprah's list of favorite things. And I love the scent...I can't quite describe it. It's clean, slightly musky....I can't find the rest of the words. However, I have to admit that the moisturizing capabilities of this body butter are pretty much the same as my Clinique Deep Comfort body butter, which is a little less than a third of what Fekkai charges. I tend to use body butters mainly on my feet because they tend to get so dry, and both products perform the same on me. But the scent of the Creme Luxuese is so unique! You can't get that smell anywhere else! I think I'll probably buy this again in the future, but it won't be on a regular basis. Again, the moisturizing ability just isn't quite on par with the price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Frederic Fekkai - Glossing Conditioner
annaharris_227 6/5/2010 5:13:00 PM
This stuff is my HG high end conditioner! Leaves my wavy hair soft, healthy, and completely frizz-free every time! I can let my hair air dry and I'm not a giant poofball all day! Of course, I'm not a fan of the price but when it works this well I'll gladly fork over the extra money for it. And the very small amount I use each time more than makes up for the cost. Oh, and by the way, this review is for the original Glossing Conditioner, not the new one from the Advanced line. I absolutely HATE the glossing conditioner in the advanced line! It is a completely different formula than the original and doesn't work as well in my experience. Frederic Fekkai still makes his original line, but it's only sold at Target and Bath and Body Works now. It's also on his website under 'Classics' or something like that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Frederic Fekkai - GLOSS Glossing Shampoo
annaharris_227 6/5/2010 5:04:00 PM
This stuff is my HG high end shampoo! Leaves my wavy hair soft, healthy, and completely frizz-free every time! I can let my hair air dry and I'm not a giant poofball all day! Of course, I'm not a fan of the price but when it works this well I'll gladly fork over the extra money for it. And the very small amount I use each time more than makes up for the cost. Oh, and by the way, this review is for the original Glossing Shampoo, not the new one from the Advanced line. I absolutely HATE the glossing shampoo in the advanced line! It is a completely different formula than the original and doesn't work as well in my experience. Frederic Fekkai still makes his original line, but it's only sold at Target and Bath and Body Works now. It's also on his website under 'Classics' or something like that.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Everyday Minerals - Champagne
annaharris_227 5/4/2010 7:41:00 PM
I love this highlighter! I get the exact same effect of the NARS Copacobana multiple under my bronzer, but for less money. Hey--I'm all for the occasional splurge, but sometimes you really can find something identical for cheaper. So far, this is my HG highlighter! But just remember that a little goes a LONG way! I only use a few little dots for my entire face in order to avoid the Edward Cullen effect.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -NARS - Ophelia
annaharris_227 5/4/2010 7:23:00 PM
I really like this gloss! I was looking for a natural pink gloss to go with bronzer, and I think I've found it! The color really does match the 'strawberry nectar' description given by NARS. It's right in the middle between light and medium pink and has just the right amount of shimmer. Almost reminds me of strawberry sorbet or sherbet. You'd be hard-pressed to find a dupe of this at your drugstore! Also, very versatile--it can go with a shimmery bronzer or even a dramatic eye, as someone else below said. Overall, if you're looking for a light pink gloss that doesn't scream 'porn star', look no further!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Clinique - City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector Broad Spectrum 25 SPF
annaharris_227 4/25/2010 1:08:00 PM
This is the only sunblock I actually enjoy applying to my face! It's not heavy at all! It's goes on light and it's even tinted to avoid that whitish cast sunscreen tends to leave behind. No breakouts from it either! My HG facial sunscreen!
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Skincare - Face -Clinique - 3 Step System
annaharris_227 4/25/2010 12:44:00 PM
I've used this system on and off over the years. I've tried skin types 2 and 3 both with the liquid soap and the bar soap, and they all have either dried me out or broken me out more than normal. I notice the sytems with the bar soap dry me out, and they systems with the liquid soap break me out. I'm not pinpointing the types of soap as the exact cause, I'm just noticing trends in the different systems. I always keep trying the 3-step simply because it's so simple without an excess amount of products (though the SA's do recommend other stuff to use in addition). But I find that the prescribed products for a single skin type don't work for me when used together. I will try it again in the future, but next time I'm going to go the same route as a lot of the other ladies on here and create my own 3-step regimen based on Clinique products that agree with my skin. For example, I know for a fact the the DDMG is the only 3-step moisturizer I will use--DDML just stays way too greasy afterward, even on my slightly dry skin. I know this angers some people and that it throws off ratings, so to mitigate this how about creating a 3-step listing just for those of us that make our own system and keep this current listing for those that follow it to a T?
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Lips -LORAC - Lorac lip/cheek sheer wash stain
annaharris_227 4/12/2010 5:07:00 PM
Yay! A lip stain that I actually like! I bought this in Sheer Magic which is more of brown based dark red, as opposed to the bright cherry red that most lip stains are. It's perfect for those of you who feel ridiculous wearing other stains! The roller ball applies the product evenly, and it lasts a while once it's on. I would definitely repurchase this in the future.
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Shampoo -Clairol - Herbal Essences- Hydralicious Self-Targeting shampoo
annaharris_227 3/27/2010 3:58:00 PM
OMG this stuff is thick! I have to squeeze the bottle kind of hard to get it it to come out in the shower, and it takes a bit longer than most shampoos to rinse out. But it does moisturize my hair VERY well! However, it's breaking me out in deep painful zits on my scalp. If it weren't for this quality, I'd repurchase in a heartbeat. Those of you who aren't acne prone are so lucky! But I am giving it a higher rating simply because it does what it says on the bottle so well.
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Liquid -Coastal Scents - Undercover HD Foundation
annaharris_227 3/19/2010 8:45:00 PM
I'm so glad Coastal Scents finally thought to sell samples of this stuff! I don't buy any makeup online in a full size that I can't return if it's the wrong color or simply doesn't work...that's just way too big a risk to me. Anyway, this foundation blends well and doesn't sink into my pores, but it's just not enough coverage for me. It goes on light and to get more coverage you have to keep layering it on. I actually own the original MUFE HD foundation, and I can get full coverage with just one pump as opposed to Coastal Scents and even the Smashbox HD foundation. I highly recommend springing for the real deal (MUFE) on the HD foundation trend if you need anything other than light coverage!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Kim Kardashian
annaharris_227 3/14/2010 5:18:00 PM
Damn....you guys were not kidding about how bad this smells!! One whiff at Sephora, and I almost fell over! It's a VERY strong white floral. This is one of those rare scents that I will actually label as "old lady"...the only other scent I've ever called "old lady" is White Diamonds, and I've reviewed tons of fragrances!
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Concealers -Make Up For Ever - HD Concealer
annaharris_227 3/2/2010 8:48:00 PM
OMG...this is hands down the BEST concealer I've ever used. How was I satisfied with other concealers before this?! LOL Not only is the coverage superb, but it blends like a dream. I literally cannot tell where my skin ends and the concealer begins! This is definitely the only concealer I will buy from now on.
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