I will say...W&W cosmetics in general have improved dramatically since I first tried them as a teenager, back in the eighties. And these little Wildshine Lipsticks are the bomb! I have it in two shades, #329 (Suga' Shine) and #323 (Latte Shine). #329 Suga' is fabulous...a hint of shiny mauve color, with gold undertones, but still suitable for my PPP cool coloring. #323 Latte is more a shiny nude color, and doesn't exactly suit me...I think it would work better for someone with warmer coloring.

These go on sheer and VERY shiny. You only need one coat...any more than that and you get scary lipstick buildup. Wildshine feels very slick and moisturizing on the lips, and I never got a dry feeling while I was wearing these. After a meal of a cheeseburger and fries, I did have to reapply, even though I could still feel a little bit of the moisturizing properties on my lips. But, of course I had to reapply...that's a small thing to worry about. I'd say these last at least three or four hours on the lips with normal talking (no eating). I have very full lips and these make my lips look luscious and shiny without turning them into Porno Queen lips. An ingredient note...these do contain Aloe.

I don't detect any taste when I wear these. I also don't really detect a scent...other than plain old lipstick scent, and that only when I hold my nose right on the product itself. I can't smell or taste it when I'm wearing it. The packaging could use some work. I guess the reason the lipstick itself doesn't swivel down into the base is to save money on colored stickers for the tubes. That doesn't bother me. I don't even swivel the lipstick up for application at the moment, because enough is already showing to apply. I'm not crazy about the hot pink metallic tube under the clear acrylic, but I can deal with it. Again, I assume it is to save money on packaging. I suppose if the W&W logo and packaging bothered you that much, you could always swivel it all the way up, cut off the lipstick, and reinsert it in a different tube, or smash it down into a lip gloss pot.

I want to try other colors in this line (I'd like to try #325, Precious Shine), and at $1.69 at Wal-Mart, I can afford to! HUGE rave from me!

UPDATE 1/10/05: #325 Precious Shine was WAY too Porn Queen Barbie Pink for me.

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Lip Gloss -Bonne Bell - A&W Root Beer Lip Smacker

innamorata 12/15/2004 5:58:00 PM

I finally tracked down the elusive A&W Root Beer Smacker! I just had to go to a Target in another state to do it...

This Smacker is fabulous, total HG status for me. First of all, the smell is EXACTLY like A&W Root Beer. They got this one spot on. There isn't a heavy taste, but it does also taste like A&W Root Beer as well. The color is nice...where the Dr. Pepper Smacker gives a subtle sheer deep red color, this gives a subtle sheer nudey-brown color. It even looks shimmery, although I can't detect any shimmer in the gloss itself.

This feels nice and moisturizing on the lips, and has decent wear, but if you apply too much of this it looks cakey and icky. It won't last through a seven-course meal, but for a burger and fries it does okay...you can still feel the moisturizing properties of this afterwards, although the color does mostly wear off. But, whaddya expect? It's a lip balm, reapply! Get over yourself, put a little fun in your life and get this Smacker!

Now, if you'll scuzza me, I have an irresistible craving for root beer....

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Lip Gloss -Wet 'n' Wild - Glassy Gloss in Mocha Glaze

innamorata 12/10/2004 4:10:00 AM

I bought this shortly after I bought "Candy Glaze". I applied it, didn't like it for some reason, and put it in the makeup drawer.

I got it back out after a few months and I honestly have no idea what I was thinking...this is really a nice gloss. As long as you don't use a heavy hand when you apply it, you should be okay, since too much product just gets gloopy and gloppy on your lips. But a nice thin layer works just right. I like the smell...I think it smells like Kool-Aid. As far as I can tell, it doesn't have a taste. I use this a lot for those "natural makeup" days.

The color looks darker in the tube than it actually appears on your lips. It has a pretty shimmery-nudey color once applied, without any sparkles or glitter. It is very shiny and it lasts quite a while, even through a meal...which, as you figured out, means it is a sticky gloss. There's another reason not to apply a thick layer...it makes your lips stick together if you do, and then you get those nasty thready-sticky lip snots...

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Fragrances -New York Color - Pen Pal Shimmering Solid Cologne

innamorata 12/10/2004 3:31:00 AM

I have this in "Fresh Fragrance" (the blue pen).

I gave this five lippies for a few reasons. One, it doesn't irritate my allergies or asthma, or give me a headache, like many scented products can. Two, the shimmer is just right...not too much, not too light. Perfect for wrists, the nape of the neck, throat or décolletage. Three, the scent is very subtle...it smells like baby powder, or soap. Just a very clean and fresh smell that isn't overpowering.

Now, this must be said...it says right on the package...Cologne. It is probably dangerous to put it on your eyes. Just read the directions and the description on the package and you should be fine.

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Liquid -Almay - Almay Amazing Lasting Foundation ] [DISCONTINUED]

innamorata 12/5/2004 1:28:00 AM

I have this in "Pale", and it is a good match for my skin...not yellowy but not TOO neutral, so that my skin looks flat and lifeless.

This goes on like ColorStay, and reminds me a lot of that product. It sets VERY quickly so you must work VERY quickly. I find that I do okay until I get to my nose...more than once, I've had to take some makeup remover and totally take the foundation off my nose so I can start over. If you try to work with it once it starts to dry (especially on the oily nose area), it will get gluey and goopy and look like you put a blop of wet clay on your skin. Very unattractive.

I'd say this lasts several hours, although perhaps not all day. After a few hours there is shiny breakthrough...after a few more hours, there is evidence of foundation breakdown. This is also a very "heavy" foundation, and it can begin to look and feel quite goopy after a few hours. It is okay, but just not for me. YRMV.

UPDATE 3/22/05: I have since used this a couple of times and have had moderate success...I apply a VERY thin layer, and when I say VERY thin I mean so absolutely VERY THIN! And I have learned to work quickly, and on one small spot at a time. One cheek is too large an area...I divide my cheek into three areas and work it that way. I also use a very good powder with this. I can make it work, with a little effort, but I don't know if I like it well enough to put in that much effort all the time.

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Liquid -Cover Girl - Continuous Wear Makeup

innamorata 12/5/2004 1:17:00 AM

With CG foundations, the shade Natural Ivory is the shade I always use and I've never had a problem with it. It is a nice pinky-ivory that looks natural. If Ivory is too light and Classic Ivory is too yellow, give Natural Ivory a try.
The "continuous wear" part of this to me, is iffy...I had tried Fresh Look, formulated for oily skins, and was completely unhappy with it, so I thought I'd give this a try (this is for normal skin...as if the rest of us have abnormal skin). It became very shiny on my T-zone after a couple hours of wear, although my cheeks looked okay. I found the product itself easy to spread using a foundation wedge, and it didn't dry too fast so that you couldn't blend.
But the reason that I gave this a one lippie (and would give it a no lippie if that were possible) is because, after using this for about five days, my face broke out in four different patches of cystic acne. I am prone to those types of boils anyway, so I am very careful to keep my face clean and to always get all my makeup off at night. I used the same regimine that I use with all other all-day foundations I've tried...I use NYC Gel Makeup Remover to loosen the makeup, followed by a scrub with St. Ives Medicated Scrub and usually a wash, if needed, with some sort of gentle acne wash or bar (like Neutrogena). This has always worked in the past with ColorStay, CS Stay Natural, Almay Amazing Lasting, et al, and I've never had any problems...until now.
Ever had a cystic acne breakout on the edge of your nostril? It HURTS. And I don't want to spend the holidays looking like Rudolph, as I have another one on the tip of my nose. Along with the four cysts, I have many little whiteheads across my forehead and cheeks, and my nose is now dotted with blackheads and clogged pores. This is the ONLY thing I changed in my beauty routine, so I know this caused it. I am currently treating my poor face with Queen Helene Mint Julep masque, and will do so until I feel my pores are clean again and the cysts clear up. I took this back to the store and the clerk automatically refunded my money, since she could see what shape my skin was in.
I would say, don't waste your money with this one.
UPDATE 1/7/05: I managed to clear up all the spots on my face but two...there is one spot on my chin that continues to inflame...it goes away for a week or so, but I can tell there is still a hard little dot there, under the skin. Then it flares back up again. And I have a spot just by the outer corner of my left eye that is STILL INFECTED...I mean, still cystic acne, still draining, still disgusting. I can cover it up during the day with foundation and it is livable, but it IS still there. It wasn't there before I tried this makeup. Unless you particularly enjoy cysts, don't use this.
UPDATE 3/30/05: The cyst is gone...I switched to Burt's Bees Tomato Soap and Toner, and it finally cleared up the cysts. But, I still have a red scar by my left eye and probably will have for life. Gee, thanks Cover Girl...
UPDATE 3/9/08:Yep. Still have the scar. Every once in a while it becomes inflamed and gets white pus in it. Looks like I'm stuck with it. Thanks, Cover Girl. Good thing this is discontinued.

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Liquid -L'Oreal - Cashmere Perfect Foundation [DISCONTINUED]

innamorata 12/5/2004 12:54:00 AM

I originally gave this a so-so review, but I'm changing it now. This is probably one of the better foundations I've tried for my oily, acne-prone, PPP skin.

The color I have, Natural Ivory (a light ivory with pink tones), matches my skin perfectly. The foundation itself comes in a tube, which I like...ease of use and transportation. The foundation itself is a kind of powdery paste...it is rather similar to toothpaste in consistency. As I apply this with my fingertips, I can hear the foundation going "scritch scritch" on my skin (that is a plus, in my book).

The first few times I wore this, it would tend to get oily and goopy after a few hours. I've discovered a couple of tricks to help keep this from happening. First, if you do have any flaky spots, use a LIGHT, oil-free moisturizer on them, and just a daub, about ten minutes before you apply this makeup. That way, the moisturizer has a chance to soak into your skin and doesn't react with the foundation. Next, don't apply too much of this...a little dab'll do ya. This isn't something to apply with a heavy hand, or it will get pasty-looking as the day goes on. Finally, this does need setting with a good powder, no matter what the box says. I've been using white rice powder and it works wonders.

Using these tricks, I've been able to get 12 or more hours of wear out of this, with minimal shine, one touchup with powder, and no fading of the color. That is better than ColorStay's Stay Natural does on my skin, and to this point that is the makeup which has lasted the longest on me. I took off one lippie because it does take a little tinkering with powder to get it to last, and after several hours I do get the "reverse perforated nose" look (where the foundation rubs off somewhat on the skin on your nose, but stays in the pores...making you look dotty). I also think this foundation is a little pricey for "drugstore" foundation, and it is hard to find (the only place I've found it is at CVS). But, overall, this is a good foundation and one oily-skinned girls should try.

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Foundations -Maybelline - Dream Matte Mousse

innamorata 12/5/2004 12:45:00 AM

I am iffy on this. First of all, I do like the wide-mouthed jar. I don't worry too much about bacteria, because any foundation will become contaminated once you touch it, whether it is in a jar or a pump or a squeeze bottle or a whatever.

And I got the color right the first time...it helps that they have the same first three colors as Cover Girl, because I always pick Natural Ivory. It is a nice pinky-ivory that brightens my skin. It goes on smoothly and blends easily with just my fingers. Plus, you really don't need a lot for decent coverage...a little dab'll do ya.

The problem, again, comes in the wear. I don't normally set this with powder, but even when I do I get shiny breakthrough a couple of hours after I put it on. And it never quite seems to "set" on my face, always feeling a bit moist. But it does give a nice, natural, even look to my skin. If they could make it a little more drying and touch-proof, I might purchase again.

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