Cleansers -Ponds - Deep Cleanser Cold Cream
xtinahb 8/22/2011 9:00:00 PM
Not for me. I have combination skin and wanted a creamy makeup remover to use before my cleanser and toner. Ponds definitely removes makeup that's for sure, hence the two lippies. But nothing else worked for me; the fragrance was too strong for my taste, it left an extremely greasy film even if I used damp cotton pads to wipe clean several times, and overall just felt too heavy. Maybe that's why it removes makeup so well! But with my combination skin it was just too rich. I didn't break out, but my skin just felt greasy. I hope it works for people with dryer complexions and who don't mind fragrance; it's so cheap and really does take your makeup off.
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Foundations -Perricone - No Foundation Foundation
xtinahb 8/21/2011 4:35:00 PM
My go-to weekend/ "no makeup" base. I have a C4/NC30 Asian combination skin complexion and pop this right on well-moisturized skin. It evens out my complexion, imparts a subtle dew, provides top-notch broad spectrum sun protection, AND has antioxidant benefits. I could not ask for more, except a lower price, of course, but I find value in this product and will repurchase. It was recommended by my dermatologist, who wears it herself, and she is a fair-skinned blonde woman with lovely skin. I can speak for myself though, and as a light tanned Asian, this is a perfect shade for very natural but effective evening out of skin.I finish with a cream blush, very light powder just on my nose, and my trusty Dr Pepper lip smacker and feel fresh and ready for the weekend!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Mario Badescu - Collagen Moisturizer w/ SPF 15
xtinahb 8/20/2011 3:09:00 PM
I have combo skin (oily t-zone, dry cheeks) with a relatively even Asian complexion. This moisturizer sinks in when applied on a damp, post-cleansed face and after 15 minutes, creates a perfect surface for makeup. I wear foundation and powder and with this moisturizer I get slightly shiny by late afternoon, which is totally expected and fine, I did not experience increased oiliness. The little dispenser spout always clogs up and then spurts out too much product when you apply more pressure which is annoying but whatever. The texture is so nice and my skin feel hydrated and plump, not oily. I just wish it had more sun protection! Will use it up and then look for a moisturizer with higher SPF.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #130 Short Duo Fibre Brush
xtinahb 8/17/2011 2:57:00 PM
The best brush for cream blushes. I have broken capillaries on my cheeks and never feel cream or gel blushes look right; my cheeks just look redder,not flushed or healthy, when I use my fingers. The small, short head is perfect for the apples giving you control over exactly where you want color, rather than smearing with my fingers, and you can blend those quick-drying gels and tints super quickly and evenly with this brush. MUA are such experts using their fingers with creams, but I'm no professional so like the ease and control of a brush. If you want that wash of color and dewiness of a cream brush but feel finger application looks uneven, get this brush!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Bobbi Brown - Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer (Spring 2011)
xtinahb 8/16/2011 5:27:00 PM
Got a genorous sample of this in Medium for my C4/NC30 Asian relatively even complexion. The coverage is amazing and leaves a semi-matte finish and is more like a light/medium-coverage foundation than a TM, which I liked, since the formula still feels quite light. This shade was just a touch too dark for me, but I liked the slight boost of tan in the summertime and when I tried the shade below, it was far too fair. The smell is awful; truly chemical and rubberlike, as other reviewers mention. This product is slightly above average because the coverage is great for a TM but the overall quality is really is offset by that darn smell. I also prefer dewier finish if I'm wearing a TM, so I wasn't convinced to buy.
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Eyeliner -NARS - Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner - Via Veneto
xtinahb 8/16/2011 5:15:00 PM
Easy and creamy to apply, like a kohl, but with much longer wear. I get 5 hours on the top lashline before there is smudging on the outer corner and undereye area. I have naturally oily lids so 5 hours is about as long as I ever get out of an eyeliner pencil. Didn't do much on the waterline; it was all gone within an hour. The sharpener kinda sucks and eats up a lot of the product. But I love how easy it is to put on and it somehow smudges well but stilll stays put! Will repurchase.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium Deep
xtinahb 8/11/2011 11:33:00 AM
I'm an NC30 Asian combination skin, relatively even and clear complexion. I use Medium Deep on my cheeks as a lil oomph for a natural look. Doesnt look like blush or bronzer; just a nice healthy color with a natural finish, not powdery or chalky. Love it and bought in two other colors (Deep for bronzer, Medium Plus for touch-ups). My only complaint is why on earth don't the Mineralize compacts have mirrors?
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Blush -NARS - Luster
xtinahb 8/5/2011 8:26:00 PM
Fantastic to highlight on my C4/NC30 Asian Skin. I use this on my apples on top of bronzer and it leaves the best golden glow. I feel it's slightly more shimmery and frostier than Orgasm, but in a very rich and subtle way, leaving my cheeks lit and glowy!
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Blush -NARS - Orgasm Blush
xtinahb 8/5/2011 8:23:00 PM
What hasn't been said about this? It is a wonderful light peachy pinky blush on my C4/NC30 Asian skin. A no-brainer color to throw on with almost any lippie or eye. It makes me look bright and healthy. I use the Nars yachiyo brush for application and it diffuses the perfect amount of color on the apples. I only say I wouldnt buy it again because its pigmented and theres so much product I doubt I will need to :-)
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Skincare - Face -MAC - Fix+
xtinahb 8/5/2011 5:39:00 PM
I'm a Mac Fix+ believer. It really does minimize any powder appearance and impart a nice dew to my makeup. Light misting at least 6-8" away is essential and I don't press completely down on the spray. When I spray fully and too close, it's way too much product and dries in big blotches and is too shiny rather than an overall dew, not attractive. One bottle lasted about 5 months and I repurchased.
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Bronzers -NARS - Laguna
xtinahb 8/5/2011 9:38:00 AM
Great matte, tawny, healthy tan color for my C4/NC30 Asian skin. I apply with the Nars Bronzer 19 brush in circular motions from temple to under cheeks to under the jaw and I feel healthy and summery. I can pile it on and it doesn't look powdery. Fantastic quality and pigment. Will def buy again.
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Misc Beauty Tools -beautyblender - the sponge
xtinahb 8/3/2011 10:28:00 PM
AMAZING! I was so skeptical about a $20 sponge, but was looking for a new way to apply foundation in the summertime where I want a lighter touch. This thing is awesome. It truly blends and smooths liquid foundation and concealer perfectly and since I dampen it as directed, it leaves a nice dewiness to the skin, not powdery or matte at all. The narrow point is perfect for corners of eyes and around the nose and the wider end is just the right size to press and roll around your face to finish. I didn't buy the cleanser; I just use baby shampoo after each use. I wish there was a better way to store this than the cheapo plastic case it comes in, but it's no biggie. LOVE and recommend!!!!
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Concealers -MAC - Select Moisturecover
xtinahb 8/3/2011 4:40:00 PM
Love it! I use the NC30 for my C4/NC30 Asian skin. I have pretty even skin with just a few broken capillaries and mild undereye circles, so I dot this and blend with a MAC 224 or a beautyblender on top of my foundation and it's perfect. I love the dewy finish and it doesn't settle into pores whatsoever, which I hate with thicker concealers. It definitely is a LIGHT concealer though, so it doesn't work when I have pimples or something major going on. Still, it's my daily go-to concealer!
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Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere Aqua
xtinahb 8/3/2011 4:11:00 PM
Nice light to medium coverage, semi-matte finish, but too drying and not a great color match. This was my first Chanel foundation and I was disappointed. I worked with a Chanel MUA and got the B50 for my C4/NC30 Asian skin and it turned out to be just slightly too pink. Also, be aware alcohol is listed as the 3rd ingredient, not good for my combination skin (dry cheeks, oily T-zone). After 6 hours my skin looked and felt drier and fine lines were apparent. Application is fussy, because it dries VERY quickly so you gotta work fast! I use a dollop just slightly smaller than a dime for my whole face with a Mac 190 brush. Lovely coverage, but not a good fit for my skin type or color. I was starry-eyed by the Chanel name and all the raving on Pixiwoo over Chanel foundations, but will not repurchase this formula.
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Makeup Brushes -Sigma - F05 Small Contour (was SS109)
xtinahb 8/3/2011 3:07:00 PM
Insane amounts of shedding if using a liquid product, but fabulous for powders. I love this shape and despite it's cheap(er) price than MAC, it does have a high quality look to it. Look is the key word. Stick to bronzers and blushes with this brush and you will be very happy. After owning and using for 5 months including several deep-cleanses and weekly "quick" cleanings, it still sheds like crazy during liquid product application. I tweeze away at least 20 hairs every time. Retired for foundation, still using for powders.
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