Concealers -Almay - Bright Eyes Eye Base + Concealer
shyviolet 9/4/2008 4:16:00 PM
This is the best drug-store brightener that I have tried, but I would say it is more of a highlighter/ brightener than a concealer. I love Clarins Instant Light Perfecting touch - it is a brightener more than it is an actual concealer. It diffuses my dark shadows and gives me a nice glow. It doesn't cover the shadows completely which makes it look more natural. The creamy formula does not emphasize lines. But it is so darn expensive, I do not want to waste it when I am just out running errands. In comes Almay Bright Eyes. It does all of the above. It does not give me quite as much impact as the Clarins pen. But for the price, I will use this as my 'daily' brightener. I don't like the squeeze pen thing, would be much better in a squeeze tube or a pen that clicks. I am not sure if this particular concealer is non-comedogenic. Just about everything I put on my face gives me milia. I don't have any yet from this stuff, but will post back if anything pops up.
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Concealers -Clarins - Instant Light Perfecting Touch
shyviolet 8/7/2008 10:45:00 PM
I have been looking for this product all my life. I hate to look like I am wearing makeup, but I have VERY dark shadows. I have tried every concealer and hate that cakey makeup look that settles into fine lines. This is the ONLY concealer I have found that never cakes and always looks natural. I also get milia from everything and this does not seem to bother me. I use it very sparingly and just a few dots blended under my eyes can brighten my whole face. I love the fact that I do not have to spend forever blending and checking the makeup in different lights - this is a very low- maintenance product. Yes it is expensive, but I use it so sparingly that it lasts forever. Nothing even comes close to this product.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Korres - Body Butter - Guava
shyviolet 8/7/2008 10:38:00 PM
For the first time in ages, I am noticing a drastic change in my skin from a lotion. I use this all over after the shower. It smells nothing like Guava, it is more of a tropical, sweet coconut smell. It is easy to spread for a butter. The dispenser is fabulous, I wish everything came in that sort of container. This is a lot more than I am used to spending on lotion, but I can see how this is worth the cost. My legs feel so silky!
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Fiction Eyeshadow [DISCONTINUED]
shyviolet 8/7/2008 10:32:00 PM
I bought MAC Humid in hopes of getting a pretty emerald tone, but Humid brought out the dark circles in my olive skin. When I got Fiction as a swap extra, I thought it would be the same deal since it was also dark green, but this shadow actually looks great on. I am a makeup minimalist and enjoy shadows that can stand on their own. A little smudge of this over my eyeliner gives and effortless smoky eye. It has just enough shimmer and does not scream 'green'. This is my HG shadow right now.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Lady Speed Stick 24/7
shyviolet 8/7/2008 10:25:00 PM
I would not normally write a review for deoderant, but seriously folks, this one really sucks. I use the regular Invisible Dry Speed Stick and it does the job well, no complaints. So I figured this 24/7 version would be even better, right? WRONG. I am not sure if this stuff was just reacting with my chemistry or what, but after a few hours of wearing, it smelled manly - like men's deoderant. Very strange. Shortly after that, it seems to fade away completely... or does it? Let's see, it does not seem to be working any longer, but somehow it manages to leave this disgusting residue under your arms. When I take a shower, this stuff pills and sticks to the skin and I need to scrub under my arms to remove it. So basically, this stuff does not make it through the day, stinks like a man, and requires extra work to take off. This stuff is really horrible, the regular invisible speed stick works much better.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Paint Pot in Painterly
shyviolet 6/24/2008 3:06:00 PM
I was hoping that this would take the place of my UDPP but that was not the case. My main issue is having my eyeliner smear. A tiny swipe of UDBB keeps it in place all day, but it smeared with just the paint pot underneath. That being said, my liner did produce a very nice line that was easy to smudge with this stuff under it. And it did hold my shadow in place. I also really love the smooth texture of this. I am usually just an eye makeup girl, but this creamy texture entices me to try some of mac's other face products like concealer. I envy those who this matches their skin - I can't wear this alone since it is much too light, but I do like it to slightly brighten the inner corners of the eye. I don't think this is really necessary in my makeup routine. I am a minimalist for everyday and I like products that multi-task. So I'll stick with UDPP for now and save this for occasions. *Edit: I upped this to 5 lippies - I really like it. It brightens my whole eye area and my liner just glides on over it. Could be a new staple for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Paula's Choice - Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF30+ (new formula)
shyviolet 6/11/2008 8:01:00 PM
Love/ hate relationship with this one. I did not experience the pilling problem that others have mentioned. I did, however, experience the greasiest skin ever. I put this one and I was a grease monster, there is no way I could ever show up to work like that. As though I had just dunked my face in olive oil. Worse yet, it stayed greasy looking for the better part of the day. So you might be wondering why I gave this 3 lippies. I get clogged pores and milia very easily and this is the only sunscreen that I have found thus far that leaves my skin in great condition (surprising since it is so greasy). Maybe this would be good for someone with seriously dry skin. I saw that the non-oily formula has a horrendous rating so I will skip that one, but I will try the SPF 30 spray next.
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Eyeliner -Make Up For Ever - Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Mat Black 0L
shyviolet 6/5/2008 4:28:00 PM
Pretty darned good. I went for a run and when I came back I had some smudges, so it is not totally waterproof. It does not last on the waterline, but most liners don't. If this smudges, it can easily be swiped away with a tissue or clean finger. I actually really like the line from this - smudges just enough, intense black. Just wish it stayed in place a little longer. I used this yesterday with my Urban Decay Primer Potion. I had some issues with the consistency on the lower lashline - it will not apply evenly over the primer. It skipped and looked sort of like liquid liner that was flaking off. It did last, but the line wasn't so great. Between the good consistency and the fact that this will outlast most pencils, this is a staple in my everyday bag.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Stila - Kajal Eye Liner in Onyx
shyviolet 6/3/2008 8:29:00 AM
I hate to say it but this is one of the worst black liners I have tried. I tested this on my hand first and was excited to see a richly pigmented black line. When I tried this on my eye, I found the texture to be way too soft to do anything with. The liner gets everywhere. I usually line both top and bottom but after I lined the top of my eye with this, I had dark black smudges under my eyes. I tried to blend it a bit with with my shadow/ liner brush - my brush got totally loaded with product as though I had used a gel liner. My eyes looked just ok after all that, but I had black smudges all over my hands and face along with a table full of black-smudged tissues and q-tips. After I cleaned up my mess, I noticed that the liner was already migrating below my eyes. Since this stuff is so soft and pigmented, I did not give it an opportunity to turn me into a raccoon. I removed it with jojoba oil and cetaphil and ended up relining with another liner. Seriously, this is not worth the money. I love the fact that it is so rich and pigmented, but I actually found that the Prestige Waterproof black liner gives just as pigmented a line without this huge smudging problem. It is only $5, I would suggest trying that out before getting this. I am just bummed that I wasted an application of UDPP on this stuff (yes, it smudged even with that)!
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
shyviolet 6/2/2008 11:10:00 PM
I'm floored. This stuff is basically super-glue for eye makeup - it makes it almost impossible to smudge! Eyeliner is the only makeup I wear on a daily basis. EVERYTHING smears under my eyes. I was having some luck with Bobbi Brown's gel liner, but it takes me some time in the morning to get it to look right (and on the bad allergy days, it does smear at the end of the day). I just take a tiny bit of this primer and apply to my lower lashline. It dries within a few seconds and I apply my liner. My liner is not as smudgeable when it goes on over this stuff, but it is a small price to pay It lasts way longer on me than the 8 hours that others have had - this stuff stays until I take it off. I have tried other primers and nothing even comes remotely close to this. All of those black liners that have been sitting in my drawer because they smudge can now be put to use. No problems removing it - I use jojoba oil.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -Laura Mercier - Baby Lips lip pencil
shyviolet 4/27/2008 9:40:00 AM
I can see how this may be a little bright for some people, but this has become my HG / mlbb lip color. I love the idea of lip stains and products that will give a nice tint to the lips that I do not have to constantly reapply. I use this pencil to fill in the entire lip. When I first put it on, it is a bright pink/ coral. I let it sit while I do the rest of my makeup, then blot with a tissue. Throughout the day, I just use my regular lip balm or chap stick as needed. The color is a beautiful healthy pink on my lips. It brightens my whole face but does not scream that I am wearing makeup. Best yet, it lasts through the better part of the day. Applying it once in the morning is usually enough. I have yet to find either a stain or pencil that wears this well - I would definitely repurchase.
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Eyes -Unlisted Brand - SkinActives Eyebrow Serum
shyviolet 4/11/2008 12:33:00 PM
I have to admit I was not expecting much to happen, but this is actually working. My brows are thick but sparse if that makes any sense. I like a dramatic brow and already have a good shape but need to fill in the sparse areas with pencil. After only 3 weeks of using this, I got up this morning, grabbed my eyebrow pencil and I actually cannot find any areas that need any pencil! My natural lashes are usually nothing to write home about and I hate the feeling of mascara. This stuff has actually made my lashes thicker - all I do now is curl them and go. The difference is noticeable - I wish I took before and after pics. Would I purchase this again? Hell yes! I love the idea behind Skinactives - this is the first product I have tried from them and based on these great results, it will not be my last.
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Lips -Burt's Bees - Lip Shimmer - Watermelon
shyviolet 4/10/2008 4:49:00 PM
If I had to pick only a few products to take to a deserted island, this would be one of them. Most tinted lip balms I have tried do not moisturize as well as a regular chapstick, but the color is not as nice as a lipstick. This shade is the perfect YLBB color on me - brightens my face a bit without looking fussy or made up. My lips are moisturized and the color stays on for hours. The shimmer is like a subtle healthy sheen as opposed to chunks of glitter. After a few days of using this, my natural lips look much better since they are so hydrated. I actually love the size of this - makes it easy to to carry around and I love that this is a stick instead of a pot - makes it quick and easy to apply (no mirror needed). *EDIT - Knocking off a couple of lippies because the sparkles in this are driving me nuts, also after a week of using it, my lips are starting to dry out! I'd rather just spend the money on my BB tinted balm and have soft lips that are not coated in glitter.
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Lips -Burt's Bees - Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers in Champagne
shyviolet 4/9/2008 8:40:00 AM
The formula is right on. My lips felt very hydrated, I only had to reapply a couple of times throughout the day (no mirror required) and I LOVE the mint - so refreshing. After a couple of days of using, I noticed that my natural lip color looked better - probably from the hydration. I also really love the packaging - I'll always choose something I can just stick in my pocket and slick on throughout the day over a pot of gloss, and the small size makes this so easy to carry anywhere. The color was not flattering at all on my medium olive skin. It completely covered my natural lip color - not even a hint of pink - just a whitish cast. The actual texture was pretty nice - I was afraid of having a mouth full of sparkles, but the amount of shimmer is great for no-makeup days as well as evenings out. I think this color may be nice for a paler complexion. I can still use this now - I "stain" my lips with a bright, rosy color then layer this on top and it comes out great. When I run out I will save myself a step and get the Watermelon shade - I thnk that may be more flattering with my skin. I still gave this 5 lippies - the color does not go with my skin but the formula is a winner.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Honey Lip Balm
shyviolet 3/24/2008 8:12:00 PM
I bought this lip balm because I liked the fact that it has all natural ingredients, it is cheap and it is something I can easily pick up at the drugstore. Even though this was certainly not the best balm I have tried, I have a feeling I may end up repurchasing at some point for those reasons. When I first bought this balm I was going to throw it into the garbage. The smell was pretty bad and it was rock-solid. I had to keep rubbing it over my lips to the point of causing irritation. There didn't seem to be enough of whatever emollient it is that makes balms soft and makes them stay on your lips. I kept it on my nightstand to use before bed anyway. Now that I am about halfway through the tube - it is working out great! It is much softer, almost like Chapstick's consistency, applies easily and lasts longer on the lips. I am not sure if that is because of heat, or because the good ingredients settle toward the bottom. I am already forgetting about how badly this stuff sucked when I first bought it, so I may repurchase. My other HG lip balm in DHC Lip Cream and it is around $7/tube for that plus I have to order it, so I have a feeling that Burt's Bees may have a semi-permanent spot on my nightstand for now.
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