Concealers -E.L.F. - Studio Concealer (Stick)
starbuck65 4/6/2010 7:22:00 AM
I've been using this everyday for a weeks. I do not wear this under my eyes however, if you can wear MAC StudioFinish concealer under your eyes without it being to thick/heavy/cakey...I would imagine that you can wear this under your eyes as well. In my opinion this has better coverage, I know this because I can COMPLETELY cover a tattoo on my ankle with this, set it with powder, it lasts ALL DAY. I have dry skin and found that StudioFinish was too drying, this is not drying on me. I'm really happy with this product. Now it is a bit small and I thought I would go through it quickly and loved it so much I ordered a few back-ups because I didn't want to run out however, after using this for weeks I did find that it takes so little product for what I use it for, my guess is that using this everyday, 7 days a week, it should last minimum 6 months but probably closer to 9-12 months.. On my face I do conceal a small cluster of broken blood vessels. I literally just tap it on one time, that's all it takes for me, and set it with MAC MSF Natural. I used to use StudioSculpt but because it's more emollient it does break down with your body heat and I found that I needed to touch up throughout the day and it got cakey and dry looking. I haven't had that problem with this since I don't have the need to touch up, but I will update this if that changes in warmer weather. Overall, I think it's a great product for concealing blemishes. Under eyes? I could only suggest that you use a method that works for you or that a method that you would normally use with any other heavy concealer. Since I don't blend mine out, I just touch it on the spot with a small brush, I don't know how much it would sheer out with blending. I only use liquid undereye concealer and I never use my fingers to blend it out as it sheers it out too much so I can't comment on how that would work undereyes. Now, as far as packaging, my concealer stick came broken, not that big of a deal, I have high-end products that break all of the time, it doesn't keep me from ever buying them again. I just keep it low in the tube. As far as the lids not fitting properly...it lasts all day on me so I don't find that I need to carry it with me so I haven't but I can see that it might fall off in a cosmetics bag, I don't know.
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Lipstick -MAC - Victorian
starbuck65 3/2/2010 3:52:00 PM
I'm glad to see a few positive reviews on this l/s. I actually ordered it based on the negative reviews. What some people were finding they disliked about this l/s sounded like something I would love. The previous reviewers to this summed up the l/s very well. I absolutely love this! It looks different in the tube (peachy) than it does on my lips however, MAC's website describes it well. I wear it with Pink Lemonade Lipglass. I'm absolutely stocking up on this one, and I've only done that with one other l/s from MAC over the last 13 years!
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Moisturizers -Cetaphil - Moisturizing Cream
starbuck65 2/22/2010 3:16:00 AM
Amazing! I've been using nothing but high end/overpriced moisturizers for years and years. I have dry, sensitive skin and rosacea. This was recommended by a dermatologist, gentle, fragrance-free, no lanolin... I didn't think that this could be used on the face, it's in a huge tub, which to me looks like a body moisturizer. It also has petroleum, which I thought would be bad for my skin, but I tried it. Was he ever right! I woke up after the first night of using this and glanced in the mirror in passing and looked again. For the first time in 14 years my skin wasn't red. I had no idea the other moisturizers were causing a lot of the redness (fragrance?), I just thought it was the rosacea. At times my skin gets painfully tight and dry, not anymore- this stuff is amazing! I use it head to toe, there's nothing better! NOTHING! My cabinet in the bathroom was once filled with lovely jars and bottles of pricey lotions and creams, it made me happy just opening the cabinet door- only to be replaced with a huge tub of Cetaphil. I was sad for a while but I'm okay now... my skin looks better than ever! If your skin is not dry enough for this, it works well as an under eye cream as well! Dry feet, dry hands, dry anything! Love it!
23 out of 23 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -MAC - Mineralize Foundation / Loose - Medium
starbuck65 2/14/2010 8:10:00 AM
Although this is a "foundation" it works well setting liquid foundation for extra coverage...like the younger gals can do with StudioFix Powder. This, to me, works like a softer, gentler version of StudioFix Powder for that reason, to pack on StudioFix on my 44 y/o skin...not pretty, although I can use it with a brush and sometimes have to hose it down with Fix+, the Mineralize loose is not the chalky, powdery, drying, heavy finish that SF Powder can be (on older skin). I've read that it provides "light" coverage, I would say on my skin it provides medium+/buildable. I am somewhere in the NW25/NC25 (often mix the two foundations)so in winter I wear the Medium, in summer the Medium Plus. Packaging...I get why the puff could be nice in theory, I don't use it except to "puff" it on to the skin and blend with a brush. The concept is similar to Philosophy's foundation, didn't like that applicator either, it's too large and inflexible so it's not posible to get around the nose... The powder is very finely milled, not drying, it provides a natural matte finish but doesn't look cakey or dry on my dry skin, nor does it settle in to my fine lines. I love it! I'd also like to mention something that I've noticed with every other mineral foundation/powder that I haven't noticed with this one (or MSF Natural). Once upon a time when mineral foundations were born, it was said they were ideal for sensitive skin...Not so much for this sensitive skin. Every other powder has made my skin itch, burn, break out in hives...in the summertime. I don't know if the ingredients are different, haven't checked, I do know that I do not have that problem with this foundation at all. It's the only one I haven't had that problem with. As far as the container and getting it out or just using a brush or the applicator I find that if I just want to puff it on I simply tip it over (with the lid on securely), give it a shake and then open, puff away. If I were to use just a brush, unscrew the lid so that it's loose BUT STILL HOLDING THE LID IN PLACE as not to get the powder anywhere but the inside of the container, loose as in it has more room between the powder and the puff, tip upside down, give it a little shake, take the lid off, insert brush...voila!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -E.L.F. - Wet Gloss Lash and Brow Clear Mascara
starbuck65 1/28/2010 2:43:00 AM
I was surprised by the negative reviews on this product, well, sort of. There are so many mega-holding products out there now, if you're used to that, this may seem a bit weak in comparison. I like it, it works great for me, possibly because my brows are not full. I don't know why but as I get older my brows get a bit squirrel-y looking, growing in odd directions, it's crazy looking! I bought this just to use on my brows and I'm not sure why it holds better than a wax on me but it does.I love wax, particularly Revlon ColorStay pencils for color but it just doesn't get my brows going in the right direction. This clear gel does, which is odd as it is a very light hold, it doesn't feel stiff or sticky at all but it does put my brows back where they're supposed to be and they stay that way. Like every other product out there, it may not work for everyone, but it's a buck, worth a try in my opinion. I'll continue to buy.
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Bronzers -E.L.F. - Studio Cool Bronzer
starbuck65 12/30/2009 7:12:00 AM
So, I've been watching far too much YT...Since E.L.F. had come out with the Studio range and I've watched just about every video out there, I took the plunge. I'm really surprised with E.L.F.I know that the Warm Bronzer seems to be the most popular. The Golden Bronzer, described as an "illuminating shimmer" is a fantastic highlight shade. The Cool Bronzer seems to be the least popular of the 3 and I don't know why. I ordered all of them. I am bronzer-obsessed. If someone makes a bronzer, I will buy it, probably because I'm light, I wear sunscreen, and am in need of serious color in the summer, well, all year. I own everything from Physician's Formula to Dior to Chanel to Mac and back again, you name it, I own it, drugstore to HE, seriously obsessed. I love this Cool Bronzer. The closest bronzers that I own to this shade (the two brown shades together) is Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess in Soft Matte Bronze however, it's not red, I find EL to be too red and fades quickly, but still similar in brownziness and tone, it's similar to NARS Laguna as well, really similar but prettier. I know the Cool Bronzer looks a bit scary in the pan, it's a bit sheer, not too sheer,and the color is amazing. Not too red, not too orange, not too golden, no peachiness. It's the color thatI would be if I were to spend the summer outdoors and had a nice tan. Imagine that! Oh, and it's matte! Love it. It lasts all day (Dior and MAC are the only other bronzers), I don't care about the price, it's good. I'm really happy with this. I did try it with the 4 colors swirled together, it's obviously a bit pink, just a bit, still pretty. I prefer the two browns together, maybe hitting the lighest shade a bit. The pink could be used as a cheek color. Like I've said on other reviews for E.L.F., it's not chalky or cakey on skin, which is something that I think about with less expensive brands... I read that someone didn't see how anyone could use this as an all over bronzer...I used the MAC 109. If it doesn't work for you for a bronzer, they make great e/s- I tried it, loved it! And then there's the blush... The lightest color isn't a highlight shade, it's more like a light powder, perhaps to lighten up the deeper shades if needed? I don't know, but I do know that I love it! And I'm happy that I bought this, it's a favorite! If I could only keep one bronzer, summer bronzer, I'd probably keep this one. I have a feeling that I'll be getting rid of a few products soon. I'd say it's a multi-purpose palette, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow...add a little lipgloss and some waterproof mascara, perfect for summer! Again, it's matte, not powdery matte, more like MSF Natural kind of matte. LOVE!
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -MAC - Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
starbuck65 12/30/2009 6:15:00 AM
I've been using this since it came out, so, for months...My skin is normal/dry, add to that that I'm 44...I love it, I'm on my second container. All I can compare it to is MUFE HD and E.L.F.'s High Definition Powder, which I just received and have only used a few times. For skin that tends to be a bit more dry and/or mature, I think this is the best, hands down, provided this is what you're looking for. It doesn't dry my skin out like the other 2, and sets my liquid foundation as well as my undereye concealer beautifully. Every other powder I've used to set undereye concealer looks dry and cakey, which is what sparked my interest in the new translucent powders....MUFE, I don't like it, not even a little bit, sucked every bit of moisture out of my skin, it was absolutely horrible (and frankly REALLY overpriced as it's only silica). E.L.F. is bit better in that the main ingredient is Dimethicone...then silica, but can catch on dry areas that I didn't know that I had, but is still a tiny bit drying, but much better than MUFE. MAC P+P doesn't do that. I thought that it would be a bit drying with cornstarch, but it's not drying on my skin at all. Although MAC doesn't promote it as a product for dry skin, I think it's the best out there for setting undereye concealer and believe me, I've tried nearly everything. Even the powder that left my skin looking dewy, Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder, is very drying under my eyes. Two thumbs up for MAC! *EDIT* This is a temporary edit...This is not to say I don't love MAC P+P Transparent Finishing Powder but I did compare it to two others and I may have to re-evaluate the ELF HD in comparison. I said it was more drying under my eyes but I believe that it may have been caused by applying the Studio Sculpt Foundation with a sponge, wiping away moisturizer and primer. I used my brush to apply today and used the ELF HD powder and it looks great. I'll give that a try for a few days and do a review on ELF, but as far as MAC goes, still a GREAT PRODUCT!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -E.L.F. - Studio Golden Bronzer
starbuck65 12/29/2009 10:52:00 AM
I was on the fence with the Golden Bronzer because of the mixed reviews. I was reading complaints that it wasn't showing up, not a good bronzer... HOWEVER, on the E.L.F. website it is described as an "illuminating shimmer", that means highlight/shimmer to me, so I did order it (along with the others). I love it! I find it very similar to the lighter MAC MSF's that I own, less metallic, no glitter, but still shimmery, which is good. It's a really beautiful, light golden shimmer. It is absolutely GORGEOUS! It's not powdery or chalky. and wears all day on me. I've been using the lightest shades in this palette and the Warm Bronzer as e/s over a base. They're fanstastic!
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Blush -E.L.F. - Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder
starbuck65 12/23/2009 1:42:00 PM
I recently received this in an order and despite the fact that this is the dead of winter, I couldn't wait to try it (on days that I had planned to stay home getting ready for the holidays). Although this has been compared to Laguna and Orgasm, it's not the same. To me the blush isn't a dupe for Orgasm or Super Orgasm, I don't have Deep Throat but have heard it is more closely related to that. The contouring/bronzer is darker than Laguna, not a whole lot. I don't have Casino so I can't compare it to that. Same idea as NARS. The other similarity to NARS is that the blushes from ELF are very loosely packed. A lot of complaints that they kick up quite a bit of powder when hit with the brush...So does NARS. It doesn't make it bad, just place your brush in your product differently. The difference I've noticed is the lasting power. It really lasts, I was surprised. NARS doesn't last long on me at all, it's just me, my skin. This ELF duo really lasts. I am a bit light and because the bronzer is a bit dark and very pigmented, I applied with a MAC 188 and once applied lightly with the 188, it looks very similar to Laguna. It doesn't look powdery or chalky. Lasted all day. Good stuff! I would order this again.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Borghese - Kirkland signature for Borghese
starbuck65 12/12/2009 9:23:00 AM
I cannot stop blabbing on and on and on about these 2009 brushes. When I saw them this year, most on YT loved them but the reviews here were mediocre, then I realized that they were the brush sets from previous years. I've never been interested in these sets in the past. I have no doubt that there are inexpensive brushes that are amazing quality, I've not found any. Years ago I had a habit of picking up a less expensive brush here and there and end up throwing them away. I have spent years building a brush collection from MAC and NARS. I cannot be trusted to find a less expensive alternative. Well...I didn't find these, I watched everyone else buy them on YT and finally decided to grab a set. I L-O-V-E them. I disagree with every single gal out there claiming that it's good for people just starting out or for people who can't afford MAC brushes... I'll compare them to MAC somewhat, they are different brushes, but I think most people are familiar with MAC. And for the record, I love MAC.MAC is hands down my favorite m/u, it's not all I own, but you know when your room looks like a MAC counter, that's love. That said, maybe you won't love these brushes the way I do, and all I have to say about that is...Good for you and more for me! The powder brush is amazing. I have used it to apply HD powder, Chanel's loose powder- which is really finely milled, MSF Natural... It's a really great brush, much better than all of the powder brushes that I already own. It's gorgeous and soft and dense. It's a great, great brush. I am seriously in love with these brushes. They are the softest brushes I've ever felt. Think soft like MUFE kabuki kind of soft but softer. The flat top bronzer...heaven... If you've used the 109 to apply liquid foundation (and brush hairs), the Borghese brush is the same size, far more dense, no shedding, not even one hair, it's the best I've ever used. It is hands down a much better brush.The finish is 100X better, smoother, more professional. The finish is beautful. I used it yesterday with Revlon CS- perfect, and no shedding. None...I had no idea you could buy a brush that didn't shed like a, so anyway... If you've used MAC StudioSculpt foundation you know it's not an easy foundation to work with as it's gel-based. It's been a hassle since day one. This flat top bronzer applies it flawlessly! I tried it today,I cannot say enough about it. The angled foundation brush, I don't typically use the flat foundation brushes and although I own concealer brushes, I never use them for under-eye concealer. This angled brush was amazing. I used the DiorSkin Sculpt concealer-one soft swoop with that angled brush and it was blended. I'm shocked. I think it would work well applying cream blushes or bronzers. It's bigger than my 192, it's a much better fit, size-wise, than the 192 to my face, it's softer, it applies more smoothly and evenly... I can't say enough about these brushes. The e/s brushes- I prefer these to my HE brushes. I heard that it wouldn't pack on color as well as the 239, I disagree. I love it and it's bigger than the 239- a much better size in my opinion, it's perfect. The blending brush is, I'm not sure what else I can say- I may have to get out the thesaurus so that I don't keep using "perfect", "amazing "...but they are . It blends, or applies if you prefer, wonderfully. It doesn't make one big mess of a color like my 226, it doesn't fluff out like my other blending brushes, I can't describe it, it's just a better brush for me. It blends out the line, not all of your e/s. Make sense? This is just my opinion. The flat e/l brush is a bit smaller in width than my 212, applies exactly the same. Exactly. The smudge brush is a smudge brush, I have not used it, but it's a smudge brush. That's all I have to say about that. The dual ended eyebrow is great as well. The travel set is great. The powder/blush brush is almost unnoticeably smaller (except for the length of the handle) than my 116, but blends better, it doesn't just dump blush the first place your brush hits, it's impressive, I wish it had a full sized handle, it's that good. It also has another flat e/l brush, a concealer brush and another blending brush that is ever so slightly smaller than the full size. I haven't used those yet but would imagine they are every bit as good as the full sized. The brush bags are great, particularly the full size, it zips, the smaller does not. The eyelash curler- I didn't need another. I think the kit is so amazing. I just got another...I should get several more. I imagine that I am going to "need" more flat top bronzers for, surprisingly, bronzer. I have a small face, it'll be perfect. I think it'll apply a heavier dose of powder, should I need it. I think it'll be a great blush brush as well. I'm impressed and frankly a little sick to my stomach knowing that I have spent more than 2K on brushes, and I prefer these and they were $19.99. Now what am I supposed to do with all of my other brushes? I truly am impressed with these brushes. Truly! *EDIT* I was going to throw away the eyelash curler but thought I'd try it first. It feels a bit, I hate to use the word "cheap", but it doesn't feel like it will last forever. It is fantastic! The travel brushes are fantastic! I'm giving all but 3 of my NARS brushes to my neices, a few of my MAC brushes to them as well (I'll keep most of those). I absolutely prefer these brushes to every single HE brush I own! I feel horrible having spent all of that money over the years on HE brushes. These are by far, hands down, my absolute favorite!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Christian Dior - Dior Bronze Essential Bronzing Powder
starbuck65 12/7/2009 4:03:00 PM
Like a lot of other products, I read the mixed reviews on this bronzer, I bought it anyway. I'm glad I did. This is the only bronzer I have from Dior, I have a million others, including Chanel, which I saw a few comments on. I prefer this to Chanel's bronzers. I'm an NW25, well, I wear an NW25, I'm really very neutral, normal/dry skin. I bought this in 030 Bronze Tan. First the color- it's probably the most natural looking bronzer I've ever owned. More importantly, on me(I'm 44), it's completely texture free in that it doesn't look like I have any powder on my face at all-it's just color, it's not shimmery, not matte, very natural. It's not orange at all, not overly warm, it's not red, but it's not ashy and gray like Benefit's Hoola Bronzer is on me, this is not a dirty looking bronzer at all. It's extremely pigmented, I used a 187 brush to apply and it wears like iron. A 187! So, it's not as if I'm buffing it in, I'm just applying it. Amazing! It does not fade on me at all. Finally a bronzer that doesn't fade. The color is perfect! Absolutely recommend this product.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorstay Soft and Smooth Lipcolor in 255 So Blushious
starbuck65 12/7/2009 12:27:00 PM
I'm with Marguerite on this one! I share the same coloring and same thoughts on this lipstick. In addition to wearing it alone, I will often layer these over lipsticks because of the long wearing formula. These generally last about 6 to 7 hours on me. I love this color, it's gorgeous. Some people dislike high shine and frost l/s. I love them! I don't have to wear gloss with them. One coat is full coverage so need to apply as if you were swiping on MAC, or another regular l/s, repeatedly.Several coats- this is metallic, like light pink patent leather- and that's how I like to wear it. So Blushious seems to have the highest shine for me so far. Plush Pink (355) is a ever-so-slightly deeper pink with warmer undertones, shiny but not as much as 255 but still gorgeous. The packaging is sleek, I don't find these l/s to be drying at all, although they're not particularly moisturizing, they're still comfortable, and even if they do feel as though they've dried or worn off, I'll check in the mirror and they still look moist and freshly applied. And as Margurite mentioned about the gloss....These are great, generally gloss eats off my lipstick and I'm left with bare lips in 20 minutes or less. This formula fears no gloss. LOVE IT!
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Concealers -Christian Dior - DiorSkin Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer
starbuck65 11/15/2009 1:17:00 PM
Although I read the reviews, there were complaints of this creasing, I bought it anyway. I'm glad I did. I don't have any creasing or caking. I always set concealer with MAC P+P Finishing Powder, maybe that's why I don't have those problems. This is not a heavy coverage concealer but I would imagine that if someone has dark enough circles under their eyes that an average concealer is not covering them, they would probably need a corrector anyway. I haven't tried this over a corrector yet but I'd bet it would work well smoothing the area if applied over the corrector. I haven't worn this more than 12 hours but it lasts at least that long on me, like I said, I do set it so that it doesn't cake or crease, that probably why it lasts as well. I do find that it is smoothing, or atleast is as smooth looking as my under eye area is after moisturizer. Most concealers make that area look a bit worse, this is the first I've tried that looks that good. Will buy again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -MAC - Zoom lash
starbuck65 11/3/2009 8:47:00 AM
I always, ALWAYS, wear a lash primer with mascara. If I didn't I probably wouldn't love this mascara so much. I only gave 4 lippies due to needing a primer. That said, this is my new favorite. I haven't worn mascara from MAC in years. For me this is a one-coat wonder. I was shocked. My favorites...YSL Faux Cils, Lancome Hypnose and L'Oreal Voluminous. With all of those, after the primer, I still need to do 2-3 (sometimes 4) coats. I do 2 with this, but like I said, always with a primer and the results are far better than any others I've tried and like. And I have not had an issue with clumping for the first time in my life. This does not clump, primer or no primer on me. As far as the brush...it works well for me. I will absolutely repurchase! *EDIT* I gave another star, who cares about the primer- this is amazing, I'm loving this mascara. Another plus to this is that it does not fade or dull down after a few hours-after 27 hours whe I fell asleep on the couch one night and didn't wash my face -some mascaras fade and look faint-like all of the mascara is there but the color faded out, I don't know if that makes sense.Not this one! It doesn't budge! I love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -MAC - select cover-up
starbuck65 11/2/2009 3:02:00 AM
MAC needs to put this in a full size foundation tube. A gal on YouTube, can't remember her name, uses it as foundation. I had forgotten about it until I went to MAC last week. My undertone is pretty neutral but because of rosacea and a little sun damage I'm always given an NW. NW is great in the summer. In the winter, it's too pink, yet looks more yellow in the summer? I don't know why. NW in the winter makes my rosacea look worse and my skin look blotchy. The MA gave me a tube of Select CoverUp in NC30 (usually wear NW25 foundation). It's perfect. I could wear it pre-foundation, I can wear it alone. Either way it's perfect. It takes out all of the redness from the rosacea. It looks like skin, it's neither matte not luminous. It blends better mixed but with a damp sponge it mixes well on it's own. Love it!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No