Eye Shadow -Stila - Oasis Eyeshadow
Sugar76 8/17/2003 5:16:00 PM
Oasis is a shimmery golden peach in the pan, and when applied, looks more flesh-toned with golden shimmer. (I'm asian with medium tan complexion). It's much warmer than Kitten and less frosty. (To be honest, there is really no comparison between the two shades). I like to use it as a wash with La Douce in the crease. The staying power of this shade is only decent. It disappears during mid-day.
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Eye Shadow -Stila - Diamond 'Lil
Sugar76 8/17/2003 5:00:00 PM
I wholeheartedly agree with kitkat85's description of Diamond Lil. It is a very unique shade that has great depth. This shadow seems to pick up on color tones of clothing, especially greens and olives. I usually wear it in the crease and it makes my dark brown eyes more pronounced. It's shimmery, but not too over the top that I can't wear to work. The staying power is wonderful and never creases on me. (I use Benefit FY Eye as a primer). Never realized I am able to pull off grey eyeshadow until I stumbled upon this lovely shade.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 266 Thin Small Angle (Synthetic hair)
Sugar76 8/17/2003 4:07:00 PM
Good quality brush that retains its shape after numerous cleanings and not shed a single hair. The bristles are stiff enough to fill in eyebrows, and great to use dry when lining eyes. (I prefer to use a Garden Botanika angle brush to line wet). When my first #266 was stolen, I realized I couldn't live without it and quickly replaced it.
Update 2/04: For those looking for a drugstore alternative, try Maybelline's angled eye brush. I rather travel with this brush and leave my precious MAC 266 safe at home.
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Makeup Brushes -Philosophy - The Pocket book Brush Kit
Sugar76 8/17/2003 5:43:00 AM
This tri-fold case comes with travel size brushes consisting of a blush brush, eyeshadow brush, and push brush. The black microfiber case can hold up to two "Little Black Books," on one side, and has a zipped compartment too tiny to hold anything more than a sample size mascara and lipstick. Overall, the case is 6"x3". The brushes are of average quality and not worth the US$47.50 price tag. The blush brush is a bit scratchy, but the shadow and push brush are softer. No shedding, and the wooden handles, although similar looking to Bobbi Brown brushes, feel cheap. Under ordinary circumstance, I would not have bought this brush kit but I was able to receive a full-size Hope in a Bottle free w/ purchase. Even though I will not repurchase, the kit is quite compact and is nice for travel.
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Lotions/ Creams -Philosophy - Soul Owner
Sugar76 8/17/2003 5:21:00 AM
Great product! I've purchased Soul Owner three times already. There are periods when I get lazy and not use it for months at a time. When my feet are truly callused and heels are cracked, I use it religously every morning and night and see results within a week. It's so worth it. There is a strong medicinal scent which doesn't bother me. (My SO on the other hand, HATES it). The lotion is thick and not very greasy.
Update 01/04: Changing my original rating from a 5 to 4. I'm finding that after all these years, this product is no longer working for me. It irritates my skin. Oh well. The search continues.
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Blush -NARS - Orgasm Blush
Sugar76 8/17/2003 3:50:00 AM
A shimmery peachy pink that shows up on my medium tan asian skintone. It's very pretty for a daytime look when lightly layered. Though the shimmer itself is extremely subtle, it does accentuate my pores. If only I can find a matte version of Orgasm! Fortunately Nars blushes do not cause me to breakout. Good staying power and nice texture. I previously owned Maybelline's Pink Tangerine, but it doesn't compare to the real thing.
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Makeup Brushes -Bobbi Brown - Face Brush
Sugar76 8/16/2003 7:12:00 PM
I was forced to purchase this kabuki twice...my first was stolen (only after less than one month of ownership)...grrr. Not all BB face brushes are created the same, unfortunately. My first did have that undeniable "ass" scent and it shed with each use. My second brush, I am happy to review is much different. No strange odors and has shed only a couple of hairs. I use it to apply BE mineral foundation and it gives me a smoother application than the previous brush I was using, Chanel #8 brush. Plus, BB is so much softer. I don't bother to store the brush in the accompanying bag because I don't want to crush the bristles and it's difficult to take out. It's still a cute little case for single shadows.
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Eye Shadow -Anna Sui - Eye Color in #002
Sugar76 8/16/2003 6:57:00 PM
In the pan, it look shimmery and off-white. Once applied, the shimmer is still present, but the color takes on an iridescent light pink, almost lavendar-like shade. (I am asian, and have a tanned complexion). Nicely accentuates my dark brown eyes. Very pretty and the texture is quite soft. Staying power is average. Purchased for US$12 at www.beauty.com. Love the gorgeous gothic packaging. I would buy more shadows from this line only if I am able to find it at a discount.
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Palettes -Kanebo - Kate Spicy Eyes
Sugar76 7/31/2003 3:36:00 AM
Kate Spicy Eyes is a practical but cute eye palette. I purchased the most neutral palette: BR-1. It consists of 2 powder eyeshadows (a shimmery beige w/ golden specks, and a chocolate brown), 1 powder liner (black w/ silver glitter), and 1 cream liner (shimmery burnt yellow). Also included is a double-end sponge tip applicator, and an eyeliner brush. I find the eyeshadows to be sheer when applied with an eyeshadow brush, but the staying power of this little gem is awesome. Plus they do not crease. The texture is smooth and silky and has an almost cream-to-powder feel, although they are just powder shadows. The powder liner hold up well after an eight hour work day, but the cream liner disappears within a couple of hours. I would never choose a deep golden shade to line my eyes with, but this color is very pretty and surprisingly makes my dark brown eyes appear brighter. The silver glitter in the black liner doesn't show up at all. The entire palette is approx. 1" x 1", making it ultra travel friendly. Colors are conservative enough for work, and can be layered to create a dramatic effect for evening. One of my favorites! (Pic in profile).
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Shampoo -Alberto Vo5 - Kiwi Lime Squeeze Clarifying Shampoo
Sugar76 7/28/2003 12:17:00 AM
I've been using this shampoo for the past month, 2x a week. So far,so good. I like it better than Neutrogena Anti-Residue shampoo and Origins No Deposit. For one, it seems to do the job without stripping my already course hair dry, unlike the other two products. And two, it's dirt cheap. I bought my bottle for 79 cents. The scent is refreshing and not overpowering. I have thick straight hair, but an oily scalp and have to be very careful of products that weigh it down. Fortunately, this shampoo rinses clean. Two thumbs up for this clarifying shampoo because it gives my hair that fresh-from-the-hairstylist-bounce.
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF45
Sugar76 7/27/2003 11:09:00 PM
I've been using this product since March. The consistency is creamy, but upon application turns semi-matte. There is a white cast, but once it dries it's not as noticeable. (I am asian, with yellow skintone and a tan, oily complexion). After a week of using Dry-Touch, I did have some minor breakouts on my chin and cheeks, which I initially thought was caused by this sunscreen. However, I decided to stick with it. A few months later, I am relieved to find that Dry-Touch wasn't the culprit afterall. Prior to this, I was using Paula's Choice Non-Greasy SPF 15 or Coppertone Oil-Free SPF 30. Both felt greasy and heavy, especially under make-up. Dry-Touch feels lighter, but it still feels like I'm wearing sunscreen. This product isn't completely shine-free, but it does a better job than past SPF products I've used. Currently I'm on my second bottle. I highly recommend this for oily-skinned gals.
Update: 1/4/04 I've repurchased again. I slather this stuff on every day whether I'm heading off to work or hitting the beach. I am not changing my original rating, but although it's hyped as having a matte finish, it does leave a thin shiny film on my face within an hour after application. Aside from this, I feel this is still the best sunscreen for my oily skin on the market that's affordable and hasn't caused further breakouts.
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Makeup Brushes -BeneFit Cosmetics - Concealer Brush
Sugar76 12/26/2002 7:38:00 PM
Agreed with the others, this brush is too big to use for the undereye area. Fortunately, I've found other uses for it. It does a relatively decent job as a pushbrush. I line my eyes with it when using press or loose eyeshadows. I also find it quite nice for applying cream eyeshadows. Works great with MAC Paints and Maybelline Cool Effects.
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Makeup Brushes -Sonia Kashuk - Large Eye Shadow Brush
Sugar76 12/26/2002 7:28:00 PM
A relatively soft brush that is a tad stiff. It picks up just the right amount of pigment for an all over color wash. Hold up extremely well to cleanings and has yet to shed. Can't beat the price and I absolutely adore the SK color trademark: the lovely powder blue handle.
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Makeup Brushes -Sonia Kashuk - Angled Eye Shadow Brush
Sugar76 12/26/2002 7:20:00 PM
Attempted to use this as an eyeliner brush for powder eyeshadows, but it wasn't stiff enough and the bristles were just too wide. However, it does make an awesome and inexpensive crease brush. I have a small crease and it does a wonderful precise job at depositing color to that area. The only let down is that after several cleanings, the bristles become splayed, and is nearly impossible to get it back to it's original shape.
Update 12/30/03: Not all SK angled brushes are created equal...so I find after purchasing a second brush. Whereas my first angled brush was soft and great for depositing color in the crease, the second brush was stiff...perfect for filling in brows or lining eyes. It's unfortunate that there doesn't seem to be any quality control. However, SK brushes are worth the money.
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Makeup Brushes -Smashbox - Travel Brush Set
Sugar76 12/26/2002 7:09:00 PM
The best thing about this set is the black zip-around microfiber case with inner mesh pocket. It stores more than it looks and is relatively compact. It's pefect to throw into an overnight bag or a roomy purse. The case also holds up to five short handle brushes. (It fits my short handle Bare Escentuals face brush and Bobbi Brown ultra fine eyeliner travel brush perfectly.) The set includes a blush brush, blending brush, and crease brush which are of good quality, with no shedding and hold up well to countless cleanings. Unfortunately, the travel size pushbrush is another story. It is too stiff for use around the eye area, and doesn't compare to its full size cousin. I had been using this SB set nearly everyday up until I bought a Sonia Kashuk set. I agree with the last reviewer, it's a little on the spendy side when there are other travel brush sets available.
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