Blush -New York Color - Powder Blush In Park Avenue Plum
stephani99 9/28/2011 2:00:00 PM
I'm on a quest for a plum drugstore blush and Rite Aid was having a sale on NYC. I picked this up because I generally like NYC. However, I found this to be a dud and surprised it has such high marks here. It doesn't seem real plummy to me in the pan or on my face, especially compared to other plum blushes (Plumfoolery by MAC for one), and it also doesn't show up. I'm fairly pale (NC20) and even when I pack it on, it doesn't look plummy, it just looks flat and chalky. No shimmer which is ok, but also no color. I wish they'd get rid of the horrible brushes in these so the packaging would be less bulky but oh well. Since it was less than $2 I won't feel bad if I end up tossing it, assuming I don't exchange for something else because it's not impressing me at all and I definitely won't repurchase. It might make a nice eyeshadow, though@!
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Blush -NYX - Rouge Cream Blush - Glow
stephani99 9/23/2011 4:21:00 PM
Finally another of these I really like, since Boho was a bust which I exchanged for Hot Pink. Now I have Glow, which is also HIGHLY pigmented so just a touch of my MAC 188 blended like crazy gives me the nicest, warm pink flush as opposed to Hot Pink's cooler one. Glow is the one I reach for when I wear warmer shades (Natural was my first choice, but is a teensy bit too orange for my liking), and I wear Hot Pink with my cooler shades. These last a long time, at least all day (I have dry cheeks) so no worries about reapplying. At the rate I use this, in miniscule amounts, it will probably last me the rest of my life. Which is fine, since I love it but hopefully won't get bored too fast and ignore it. I'll probably get Golden and Rose Petale next, but have to order or eBay them since Ulta doesn't carry those. I'm now sorry I waited so long to add them to my blush collection and will be swapping out most of my powder blushes for creams (these, if I can) since my skin is a lot drier now, they just work and look better. I wish they'd make some more shimmery shades since the two I have are matte, but don't look 'flat' thankfully. I could probably layer a highlighter over them without making it look like I have a lot on, and that would add some shimmer I think. Either way I really like these, and prefer them over MAC Blushcremes. Good stuff!
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Blush -NYX - Rouge Cream Blush - Hot Pink
stephani99 9/23/2011 4:13:00 PM
Finally one of these I really like, since Boho was a bust. "They" say that in order to find your best blush color, you should pinch your cheeks and use the color they turn after that. Mine turn hot pink, probably like everyone else. Still, it gave me an idea so I exchanged Boho for Hot Pink. It is HIGHLY pigmented so just a touch of my MAC 188 blended like crazy gives me the nicest, in-from-the-cold flush, I love it. Seems to last a long time too, at least all day (I have dry cheeks) so no worries about reapplying. At the rate I use this, in miniscule amounts, it will probably last me the rest of my life. Which is fine, since I like it but hopefully won't get bored too fast and ignore it. However, it's a cool toned pink so I also grabbed Glow for a more peachy-pink when I wear warmer tones and that works just as well and looks just as good. I'll probably get Golden and Rose Petale next, but have to order or eBay them since Ulta doesn't carry those. I'm now sorry I waited so long to add them to my blush collection and will be swapping out most of my powder blushes for creams (these, if I can) since my skin is a lot drier now, they just work and look better. I wish they'd make some more shimmery shades but still, good stuff!
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Eye Shadow -Ulta - Extreme Wear Cream Eyeshadow
stephani99 9/23/2011 3:36:00 PM
I was initially at Ulta for UD's 24/7 shadow sticks, and ran across these that gave a similar effect for 1/4 the price. I got a light peachy one to use as a base, wash and highlight, and a bronzey brown for a lid, crease and possibly light liner color, at $4 each. I forget the name but Premier is one of them. When I first applied I was not happy, they looked way better swatched on my hand than on my lids :( They didn't crease however, and are more shimmery and better pigmented than the CG Shadow Blasts cream e/s I have which are fine, but not as unique as these. I think these are being clearanced, so I don't know if they'll be around for long, but it made me take another look at the Ulta brand for sure. They've really stepped it up since I was there last.
Luckily, before I drove out to return them for being too frosty and funky-chunky looking, I came here and read the below. Glad I did, because now I know I was applying too much and not blending correctly. Because they dry so fast, it was hard to do with a brush and as I found out, applying more clearly wasn't the way to go. I ended up with a heavy frosty mess rather than the sheer shimmery goodness I saw on my hand in the store. After I tried using less (a LOT less) and blending with my finger instead of a brush, they turned into a different animal and became the picture of loveliness I wanted rather than thick frosty clumps. Now they are gorgeous and last forever too. I want to get a couple darker shades to use as liners or darker washes, probably the grey, black and plum shades if they still have them. They really are pretty, so I thank MUA once again for saving my impulse purchase!
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Lip Gloss -NYX - Mega shine- Copper Penny
stephani99 9/21/2011 8:15:00 PM
Simply gorgeous. No copper or penny here whatsoever and very much like the Peach shade of their Round l/s which I also have (also horribly named because it looks like this -rosy/berry pink with shimmer). They go really well together. I thought some said these were vanilla scented, but I get cherry. More like Cherry Coke than cough-syrup cherry, which I'm grateful for every time I apply it.
Anyway, I love this and it looks lovely on, has great pigment, perfect shimmer without being glittery or gritty, is smooth and moisturizing, lasts awhile for a gloss, and comes in a big tube with nice slanted applicator.... what don't I like? That I can't find more! Ulta only has a few so the rest I'll have to order, but I better not go by names alone, as I've learned that NYX has issues with naming shades that look nothing like their names imply. I don't see this one as a dupe for anything yet; it's brighter and more berry on me than any of the MAC VG shades were (I think Sponge Cake is more like those, personally), and I don't have Chanel Mme to test so not sure there. Either way this is a worthy shade in it's own right, dupe or not :) and one of the best that I've tried so far. I'll definitely get a few more since they're cheap, and better than I expected.
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Lipstick -NYX - Peach
stephani99 9/21/2011 7:54:00 PM
Peach is the dumbest name ever for this shade, what was NYX thinking? I hope Peach is a woman's name and not the shade they think this is or we're all in trouble :) That said, I love it. Even though the shimmery, almost frosty, finish scares me a little because I'm not used to that look on me, it's such a gorgeous berry pink I still want to wear it. Really brightens up my face and looks polished, even sans liner which I never wear anyway. Doesn't look like the picture here, it's prettier than that. Similar to Copper Penny Mega Shine Lipgloss, also horribly named as it is also a shimmery berry pink!
Like the other Round l/s this is also soft, pigmented, and non-drying but be careful not to leave in a car or anywhere it gets warm for long or you'll have issues. I lost Thalia that way (RIP) because it got too warm, broke at the base and was never the same again and because a huge mess I had to throw out, so don't let it happen to you. Wasn't an expensive loss but still.
Anyway, if you aren't really looking for a peach color but want a rosy-pink berry color and find most l/s too drying or not pigmented enough, ignore the name and take a look at Peach.
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Blush -NYX - Rouge Cream Blush - Boho Chic
stephani99 9/21/2011 3:54:00 PM
I'm switching out my powder blushes for creams since my dry skin isn't taking well to them like it used to but loves cream, which also look more natural on me. This was my first NYX cream rouge blush along with Glow (based on the great reviews of the creme blushes by NYX in general, and the only two left unmolested at Ulta where I could find them in person to look at). Sadly, I am disappointed in Boho despite a few recs on the MU board for this shade. It swatched nicely in the store, went on beautifully at home: blended well (I use a MAC 188), and I looked dewy and lovely as I headed out the door. Two hours later I looked in a mirror and it was gone. Just like that. Like I didn't apply anything at all. Not even the shimmer was left (which wasn't OTT to begin with and I liked). Granted, I did not use a primer underneath this and only had on moisturizer and foundation, but I set with BeneFit Thrrob powder (which looks like Boho in powder form to me) to make sure it stuck around. So much for that. It was so pretty too - a light pink that isn't too cool for my warm skintone nor too bright to look unnatural. I'm not even that dark right now (@NC20) so I expected more since half the time blushes are OTT on me but the other half not so much; clearly this must be the latter camp. I will try this again with a primer to see if there is any difference before I return or exchange for a different shade at Ulta, assuming I can find one that isn't opened and icky which was difficult to begin with. (I REALLY wish NYX would seal their stuff so it doesn't get molested in stores so easily, but that's a different subject.) Overall Boho gets a three for texture, blendability, packaging and price, but minus two for the lack of staying power and low pigmentation, and a No repurchase at this time.
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Blush -NYX - Rouge Cream Blush - Boho Chic
stephani99 9/21/2011 2:59:00 PM
I'm switching out my powder blushes for creams since my dry skin isn't taking well to them like it used to but loves cream, which also look more natural on me. This was my first NYX cream rouge blush along with Glow (based on the great reviews of the creme blushes by NYX in general, and the only two left unmolested at Ulta where I could find them in person to look at). Sadly, I am disappointed in Boho despite a few recs on the MU board for this shade. It swatched nicely in the store, went on beautifully at home: blended well (I use a MAC 188), and I looked dewy and lovely as I headed out the door. Two hours later I looked in a mirror and it was gone. Just like that. Like I didn't apply anything at all. Not even the shimmer was left (which wasn't OTT to begin with and I liked). Granted, I did not use a primer underneath this and only had on moisturizer and foundation, but I set with BeneFit Thrrob powder (which looks like Boho in powder form to me) to make sure it stuck around. So much for that. It was so pretty too - a light pink that isn't too cool for my warm skintone nor too bright to look unnatural.
I'm not even that dark right now (@NC20) so I expected more since half the time blushes are OTT on me but the other half not so much; clearly this must be the latter camp. I will try this again with a primer to see if there is any difference before I return or exchange for a different shade at Ulta, assuming I can find one that isn't opened and icky which was difficult to begin with. (I REALLY wish NYX would seal their stuff so it doesn't get molested in stores so easily, but that's a different subject.) Overall Boho gets a three for texture, blendability, packaging and price, but minus two for the lack of staying power and low pigmentation, and a No repurchase at this time.
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Blush -Maybelline - Fit Me, Sweet Melon
stephani99 9/15/2011 7:37:00 PM
I have the opposite experience with this than the below reviewer. I don't have issues with ingredients, not having sensitive skin so that isn't an issue for me to begin with and frankly, I think it's a pity things get rated low because of that. It's not technically the makeup's fault and if the majority of people were that sensitive to it, it wouldn't be made with those ingredients to begin with. YMMV.
But I digress big time, because on the other hand I've never been a fan of Maybelline blushes (except for Dream Mousse that the Bouncy ones replaced and I'm so far only lukewarm about). I saw this on clearance at Rite Aid and thought if it was awful at least I wouldn't be out much. This was a pleasant surprise though. It's got a nice texture but not so soft it flies everywhere when you use it. It has minimal shimmer (it looks way more shimmery in the pan) but doesn't have a ton of pigment compared to what I'm used to so it takes a few swipes to get going. Once it does though, it lasts all day without looking powdery or flat; a nice warm glow. Sometimes it deceives me in different lighting though, like the day I had to wipe some off the second I got into my car for work and looked in my mirror and went "well hello there Sweet Melon!" I had to wipe some off and re-blend because it was a bit brighter in daylight as opposed to my bathroom lighting I guess, so now that I kow this I can apply accordingly. The brush is awful and useless, like most drugstore ones are, so it went straight to the round file (and here's my mini rant on that issue: I wish drugstore brands would get a clue like everyone else and stop including the teensy useless brushes and instead, make the pans bigger or the compacts slimmer and more 'compact' instead. we can dream can't we?). I think this was LE from last summer so I can't repurchase although I would, if I saw it again. It's one of the more unique shades I own- not a true peach or coral, nor is it straight-up pink. It's definitely warm but not nude or brown at all either. The Melon shade in the regular lineup doesn't look like this, but if I ever use it all I may try that one just to see how it compares (plus Maybelline goes on sale a lot so I often need something else for a BOGO). Overall this is a pretty shade that lives up to it's name. I have no idea if there is a dupe for it since I can't get it anymore but I know it goes on darker than BeneFit Coralista so it's not that one :)
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Liquid -Maybelline - Dream Liquid Mousse
stephani99 9/8/2011 3:30:00 PM
Seems like a lot of people who rate this low have oily skin and claim it might be better for normal to dry skin, and from my experience I'd say they're right. I have skin on the dry side and this works well for me. It has good coverage (I'd call it medium), is easy to blend, has great packaging; doesn't look cakey or heavy, you need very little (one pump, two if you want to layer more in certain areas), and it does look smooth and airbrushed if you blend well. My only reason for giving a 3 is that I'm on the fence regarding shades. After much debate I chose Nude because it looked light but yellow enough for my skin tone, and the lighter shades, mostly Ivories, seemed either too pale or too pink. The Nude seems to match just fine going on, but then appears to oxidize slightly darker later on (this could be the lighting where I work, because at home it looks perfect) so I'm not sure. I also set wtih powder (Smashbox Halo i Light) so perhaps I'll skip that next time and see if it makes a difference. Either way, I'll test it a bit longer and see if it's just the lighting, the powder, or whether I have to exchange for one shade lighter. I love how well this seems to works for me and it's not expensive, but I'm not sure it's a keeper until I determine what shade works, but it's pretty darn nice otherwise!
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Powder -Lancome - Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup
stephani99 8/30/2011 7:51:00 PM
After much trying and erroring, feelings of a hopeful "Maybe?" grew to a resounding "No" and a lower rating for my former favorite powder foundation and long-time flame, Dual Finish. I just can't get it to work or look the way I want regardless of how I apply it anymore; brush, sponge, puff, wet, dry, primer or no primer, it's still the same flat, cakey, patchy look on my skin that makes me look haggard :( so sad. I used this for years and loved it, but apparently my skin has changed (read: gotten drier and thus in need of a softer finish) and this stayed the same.
It would be great for gals oilier than I am, if they want a really matte finish with good long-lasting coverage. It is just too pricey for me just to keep as a blot powder but is such a gorgeous compact I loathe to part with it. However, it isn't worth keeping for that reason because it's not refillable. I get the same type of compact with my Lancome Photogenic Luminessence pressed powder (which they dc'd online but still have at counters, great for those Macy's GWPs!) Photogenic is geared more for my skintype than Dual Finish so sadly, our love affair has to end. Seems I have better luck with lower-end powder foundations than I do with a lot of the HE ones I've tried lately for some reason (Milani, CG, Maybelline and PF come to mind). Oh well. I guess if you don't have cantankerous dry skin like I do, give this a shot. Be aware it is strongly fragranced though, or opt for the Frag-Free version. I liked the scent, but it does dissipate fast if you aren't a fan, however.
Luckily, Lancome's liquid foundations are still among the best for me so I'll stick with those, but find my powders elsewhere in the Lancome line (Photogenic) or in another brand, at least until they come out with a powder foundation that acts the opposite of Dual Finish for my needs (i.e., a soft focus moisturizing, rather than drying, compact powder with medium coverage) so I can come back to the Lancome fold. I don't know if what I want from them, or anyone, is even possible but a gal can dream right?
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Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst in Soft Rose [DISCONTINUED]
stephani99 8/26/2011 2:25:00 PM
Once again I am shocked at a low rating for a product I love.... okay, maybe not since this has occurred a lot lately, but this time I'm glad I ignored MUA or I would have never tried this lovely shade and would have gone for yet ANOTHER nude or mauve. I already liked the CB line but only have one or two other shades, kind of 'meh' nude ones, nothing to write home about. Not so with this; all my other lippies are going to be jealous because I only want to wear Soft Rose, with everything because it goes with everything. I don't know if it's a dupe for Chanel Mademoiselle or NARS Dolce Vita. I think I've heard both, but don't have either to swatch to see for myself. I may check next time I'm near a counter but either way it won't matter - I'm already in loooove with this one.
Somehow it morphs from slightly warmer or cooler depending on what I'm wearing that day (clothes or mu); love love love it! Don't try to do what I did and rely on pictures or reviews to judge whether this might work for you or not. You have to try this on to actually get a feel for it because no picture or description I've seen yet quite captures the color accurately once I had it in hand. It's a bit hard to describe; not nude or pink or red, but a mashup of all three. It's not dark, nor overly bright, because I tend to shy away from screaming colors (like reds) during the day, and definitely not light/pale or nude. No matter what color you call it, it has good pigment and lasts awhile (especially with the apply-blot-reapply method), has no obvious scent or taste, does not dry out my lips like most do, has a nice glossy finish, no shimmer or frost (thank you Revlon for realizing some of us don't want to glimmer ALL the time), does wonders to brighten up my face and is flattering to my skintone, currently @NC25 (the lighter side of medium with warm yellow undertones); the tube is attractive, the cap doesn't fall off in my purse, and best of all, this shows up on my pigmented lips! I'm going to get another tube to keep at work (or worse, if for some reason Revlon gets a bug up their butt and discontinues the shade, then I can have Three Custom Color Specialists recreate it) because I want to wear it all the time.
This is one of those shades that makes you happy when you catch a glimpse of yourself with it on, and it makes your day a little brighter. That's what makeup should do in my book, and this does it beautifully. This alone is the best compliment I can give this or any makeup item :) It can be pricey for DS so just wait until they have a % off sale, a BOGO or a CVS Bucks deal (like the week I got this) where I literally got two lippies for free out of four total. (Still cheaper than it's dupes, though!) Since it's in their regular lineup there's no rush and if you must, it's worth the wait. (granted, I wish I would have tried it earlier than I did b/c it would have saved me a little cash and a lot of frustration searching for The One, but better late than never eh?) I seriously haven't been this excited about a lipstick in some time. It literally stands out in a virtual sea of lip products. I just can't gush enough which is obvious from the length of this review! Just try it, and if you get it from any of the major drugstores (CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid) you can return or exchange if you hate it with receipt. Or you can send it to me :)
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Lip Gloss -New York Color - Liquid Lip Shine - Pink Cosmo
stephani99 8/9/2011 6:18:00 PM
Pink Cosmo is a 2011 LE Summer collection shade, along with a bronzey-brown one (Mocha-something-I-forget, haha). This is a very sheer, very shimmery light pink color. Not terribly pigmented so it barely shows up on my pigmented lips but looks great over lipstick to give it a little "pizazz" otherwise nothing special unless you just want a light pink, almost sheer, glittery gloss. It's not chunky glitter nor is it gritty to the point you can feel it, but it is noticeable in the tube and on lips when the light hits it. Lasting power is about average, perhaps a bit less since these are not sticky glosses in general. They are quite moisturizing though; I never end up with dry lips wearing these which is nice. My favorite part of these new Lip Shines and what I don't remember from the old version, is the yummy scent and taste - vanilla buttercream or something close which is absolutely divine. Cosmo is not one of their better pinks though (IMHO). If you want a bright vibrant pink go for Fashion Ave Fuschia; if you want a warm neutral pink go for Honey on the Hudson (my personal favorite); if you want a cool mauvey pink go for Rivington Rose and if you want sheer and sparkly Cosmo is your best bet, however, it is not in the regular lineup, at least not yet. I got mine in a display at Rite Aid over the summer, not sure how much longer it will be around so if you want it, get it while you can. I'm giving it a three because I like everything about it, except the low pigmentation factor.
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Lip Gloss -NYX - Round Lipgloss Real Nude
stephani99 8/5/2011 6:06:00 PM
I was really hoping that the scent/taste wouldn't be as bad as reported but in reality and compared to other glosses I have (and I'm talking cheapo ones, not fancy ones) it is. I got this and Natural cheap on eBay and can barely tolerate them due to that chemical-lemony-dishwashing-soap scent and taste. It isn't terribly strong so I could probably deal it if they didn't also make my lips feel numb, and not in a good way like some of the lip plumping glosses. I'll try the Mega Shines next before I give up on this brand of gloss entirely, since I've heard they smell like buttercream frosting, or at the very least, aren't as bad as these :( I guess I'm more sensitive to scent and taste in my lip products than I thought. Bummer. I'll still give them a three for good pigment, nice shine without glitter or shimmer, the good-sized tube and cool applicator.
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Lip Gloss -NYX - NYX Round Lipgloss in Natural
stephani99 8/5/2011 6:05:00 PM
I was really hoping that the scent/taste wouldn't be as bad as reported but in reality and compared to other glosses I have (and I'm talking cheapo ones, not fancy ones) it is. I got this and Real Nude cheap on eBay and can barely tolerate them due to that chemical-lemony-dishwashing-soap scent and taste. It isn't terribly strong so I could probably deal it if they didn't also make my lips feel numb, and not in a good way like some of the lip plumping glosses. I'll try the Mega Shines next before I give up on this brand of gloss entirely, since I've heard they smell like buttercream frosting, or at the very least, aren't as bad as these :( I guess I'm more sensitive to scent and taste in my lip products than I thought. Bummer. I'll still give them a three for good pigment, nice shine without glitter or shimmer, the good-sized tube and cool applicator.
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