Self Tanners -L'Oreal - Sublime GLOW
kbugg 7/17/2008 11:26:00 AM
Great product...smells like green tea, which I'll take over that nasty self-tanner smell anyday! This is buildable - so use it everyday like a moisturizer to see the color. I use this most days and my regular self-tanner about 3 times a week. This is a nice supplement when you don't have time for real self tanner - adds a nice glow and keeps the self-tan color alive. Plus it moisturizes which I really think helps keep the self tanner on longer. When my skin gets dry, the self tanner seems to flake off and look ugly. I like this product and the slight shimmer doesn't bother me, I think it looks pretty!
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear LIGHT Foundation SPF10
kbugg 6/13/2008 3:14:00 PM
I picked up a sample of the #2 intensity which is a nice shade for my light (NC 20) skin. I would describe the color as neutral...not too yellow and not pink. I love the coverage, it covers all the redness in my skin along with old acne marks that most foundations don't come close to covering. I like the light formula as you don't feel like you're wearing heavy foundation. This stayed put on my oily skin in humid summer heat! I only wish the SPF was higher, but I found this looks best with a moisturizer underneath it (I use one with SPF 30), this helps especially if you're prone to flaky skin from acne products! This is much better than the original DoubleWear which I wore in college and have since decided is way too heavy for me now. Macy's is having a gift with purchase right now, so I plan to purchase this and save my sample for my travel bag.
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Mascara -Chanel - Inimitable Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel
kbugg 2/25/2008 9:49:00 AM
I had a SA apply this for me and WOW what a difference it made. My other mascara (Maybelliene) that I had applied only a few hours before was already fading so I let her apply this mascara. This made my eyes look bigger and added tons of length to my sparse lashes. I bought the waterproof formula and so far am very happy. I just wish it wasn't so darn expensive, hopefully this will last me a while. Update: This has dried out and doesn't go on well at all - after only a few months. Too expensive for me to shell out that kind of cash for mascara every 2-3 months. I'm surprised Chanel didn't invent a formula that would last - I am very good about closing the top all the way but it still dried out very quickly.
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Blush -Revlon - ColorStay Mineral Blush in Petal
kbugg 2/19/2008 9:40:00 AM
While I like the color & texture of this blush, my biggest complaint is there is not enough product in the container! I have used this once a day for a month and it's already 1/2 gone! So, I checked the back of the container & there are only .04 oz - at $12.00 USD that's very expensive. Even my Nars blush gives me .16 oz. which is 4 x the amount (for about $20 USD)! Probably would not buy again b/c it's not a lot of product for $12.00. If I'm going to pay this much for so little product, I'll buy department store brands.
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Lip Gloss -L'Oreal - Infallible Lip Gloss
kbugg 1/30/2008 9:28:00 AM
I like the glosses b/c they definately stay on longer than other brands, and there's a great color selection. I bought coral sands and modern mauve...coral sands is a nudey-peach but very pretty with my fair skin. Modern Mauve is a bit pinker and darker, almost a bronzy-pink color and looks great when I want more color. I don't think these are any tackier or sticky than other lip gloss brands. It's good to use a lip balm before you apply this so your lips are well hydrated. Although it's not drying, it's not super moisturizing either. I would say it stays on 2+ hours, less if you eat a meal.
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Concealers -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector [DISCONTINUED]
kbugg 1/29/2008 9:01:00 PM
I bought this after trying the YSL highlighter at a dept. store counter and was turned off by the high price...I knew there had to be something more affordable out there. I am so impressed with this product, thank goodness I didn't spend $20++ on YSL! This works like a miracle brightening my eyes and how cool that it's double ended so you don't have more products weighing down your makeup bag! It blends nicely and looks very natural. I look well rested without having to load gobs of concealer under my eyes. I bought the light/medium b/c the light was a little too yellow. This must be a hot commodity b/c I had to search 2 different stores looking for the lighter colors!
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Powder -L'Oreal - Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation
kbugg 12/14/2007 9:17:00 AM
I love this foundation, IMO, much better than Bare Minerals, here's why: 1) Doesn't leave that shiny, sparkly look 2) Covers pores and has a better overall coverage 3) Packaging - this doesn't spill out when you open the top, travel friendly 4) Great for Oily Skin types I think this is good for oily skin women like myself, if you have drier skin, you probably won't like this. It leaves a matte/semi-matte finish and look very natural. I have oily skin with some flakiness b/c of the prescriptions products I must use to keep my acne under control, so I recommend using a moisturizer and or primer underneath (and wait 3-5 minutes until COMPLETLY dry, otherwise, product will "grab". Overall, this makeup solves all the problems I've had with other minerals foundations.
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Liquid -Laura Mercier - Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation
kbugg 12/2/2007 7:13:00 PM
I used this back in college when my skin was a greasy messy and very acne prone. After years of experimenting with other products that either broke me out or just didn't live up to their promises, I have decided to return to this tried & true formual. I have oily skin, esp. in the t-zone and this product really helps with the oil without looking "Matte"; I would say it's more of a semi-matte finish. Very natural looking and the color selection has been improved since I used it years ago. I bought Warm Ivory which is a warm but neutral tone. I have fair skin with neutral/pink undertones. I like that it's 100% oil free, doesn't feel heavy but covers flawlessly. I think it's best to use a foundation brush to get a really good even coverage and also use on 1 area of the face at a time instead of trying to apply to your whole face at once. LM is expensive, but thinking about all the "trial & errors" I've wasted on other products, this is not bad considering it works and hopefully my search is over!! I only wish LM would add SPF coverage, so I took off one lippie! The pump is nice...one pump was enough to cover my whole face, so this should last a while. The bottled doesn't travel well, so I asked for a sample size from the sales person and it comes with a container I can refill as needed.
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Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Certain Dri
kbugg 10/24/2007 10:16:00 PM
Ok, I have to say THANK YOU to those that reviewed & recommended this product, so I felt I should add my opinion for others like me. I thought I was the only woman who's underarms would sweat for no apparent reason (I'm even cold natured!) but almost without fail, I would get wet marks on my clothes within a few hours of showering & dressing. I have probably spent at least $100 trying to find the right deodorant/anti-perspirant that would fix my problem. I was too embarrased to discuss with anyone (thank goodness for the internet & MakeupAlley!) so I just kept buying more products...most recently Secret Clinical Strength and I didn't notice any improvement. After reading the posts here I bought Certain dri and followed the directions very closely to avoid irritation. Well, I didn't have irritation and I noticed a SIGNIFICANT reduction in sweat the very next day. I have finally found THE product that fixed my problem without having to go to a Dr. I think the key is the ingredients, Secret Clinical has 20% aluminum zirconium, which is just a little stonger strength than the average deodorant on the market. Certain dri has 12% aluminum chloride, which is not even listed as an ingreident in the other deodorants. So the key ingridient must be the aluminum chloride. I can't believe I've never seen this in the stores, but there it was at Kroger wedged in between all the heavily advertised products. I am so excited, and can't wait to raise my arms in freedom again and wear white shirts & silk tops without fear of embarrasment!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Chanel - Chanel Ultrawear Lipcolor
kbugg 10/23/2007 2:38:00 PM
Love these lipsticks, they really stay on...probably 4-6 hours on average. Also, won't come off on your cup or when eating. The colors are limited, however they just came out with some new ones, I like Rose Garnet - a sophisticated pinky-brown color. Perfect all occasion color that works for fall without being too dark. I hate reapplying lipstick after 1-2 hours and getting it all over my cup when drinking, this lipstick solves those problems. But be ready to fork out $30, however I think it's worth it considering it lasts so long, so you will use less product over time.
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Powder -Ulta - Mineral Powder Foundation
kbugg 10/19/2007 10:52:00 AM
I agree with the pros and con reviews of this product...I think the key as someone said is to use a brush (not the sponge) to get good coverage without caking. If you use the sponge, go light handed...this product covers VERY WELL but you can easily use too much, which I did the first time. After trying again, but this time using my kabuki brush from BE, product still covered without settling into pores. Also, if you're flaky, you should use a light moisturizer to keep product smooth. I love that it comes in a compact with no powder mess, so it travels well in your purse. I paid full price this time, but next time will take advantage of the special to get an extra for my makeup bag & purse.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Define A Lash
kbugg 10/16/2007 2:54:00 PM
Great mascara for everyday. Gives you a very clean look and makes eyes bigger. Definately more length than volume, but I find volumizing mascaras can clump easily. This is a nice classic look, although for an evening look you may need several coats. Absolutely no clumps! Good staying power, although I always touch up mascara before important meetings or going out anyway.
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Crème -Giorgio Armani - SPF20 Shaping Designer Foundation
kbugg 10/15/2007 2:22:00 PM
I saw this in Allure mag. so the product junkie in me just had to try it. I raced to Saks over the weekend and have decided while I do like the product, I don't love it. I'm still debating whether to keep it or return it. The coverage is very nice, however it did settle into my dry areas even with a primer underneath. My skin is oily in the t-zone and this makeup left me feeling a little shiny after a few hours. As far as the packaging, It comes with a nice quality brush for application however I don't like the compact it comes in, it's very heavy in your makeup bag. I would spend almost any amount of money for the "perfect" foundation; however I'm not sure this one measures up to it's $70 price tag. **UPDATE: I returned this product and received a sample of the Luminous Silk Foundation...much better, smoother finish, looks more polished. I have oily skin, so I'm going to give it a few more days before purchasing.
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