Eye Primer -NYX - Eyeshadow Base in White
taurusdragonfly 8/13/2012 6:42:00 PM
I never have problems with creasing shadow - even cream shadows. I got this to see if it would amp up a cheap palette of brights I bought online. It did kinda - but the pretty colors were streaked and patchy within a couple of hours. not worth it.
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BB Cream -Maybelline - Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream
taurusdragonfly 8/13/2012 6:34:00 PM
After seeing a few good reviews, I thought I'd give this whirl on my vacation. I wanted something light and sheer w SPF since I knew I'd be in the hot sun but might still want a little coverage. This fit the bill. I purchased in deep - the color looks light going on, but it blends very well, so it may work for a range of darker complexions. When I tried it at home, the product kinda balled up on my skin and didn't seem to do anything in terms of coverage. But I threw it in the bag w my Iman mineral powder anyway. On my trip, I used the Dream Fresh BB cream without anything underneath and it worked pretty well. My nose was super shiny within an hour of application but otherwise it was ok. The SPF didn't show up gray in photos and I looked like I had nothing on - just a bit airbrushed. It helped that I tanned which evened out my skin tone some too, but the cream still helped. I wouldn't use this in place of my usual everyday moisturizer, but I am impressed at the sheer blendable coverage. I've never found a good color match from maybelline for my cocoa brown skin, so this was a pleasant surprise.
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes
taurusdragonfly 8/13/2012 5:10:00 PM
Picked up a mini pack of these for a trip. Unfortunately, I should have stuck with the Ponds or yestocucumbers wipes. They did a good job of removing all makeup traces - even mascara, but these wipes also burned my skin and left a weird residue and puffy eyes the next morning. My skin and eyes can be sensitive, but still. I gave them to a friend who was on the trip with me and she ended up with a fine rash on her face after a second use. Stay away.
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Cleansers -AMBI - Even Clear Skincare Foaming Cleanser
taurusdragonfly 7/14/2012 12:58:00 PM
I like Ambi products, so I gave this a try when I had a coupon. It is pretty much the same as the Aveeno foaming cleanser, except it smells different. Light, non-irritating cleansing with just enough acid to get into the pores and minimize oil, but not leave your skin too dry. This whole line has the same annoying perfumey smell, but it works. By itself, it's just ok, but used in conjunction with the exfoliating wash, it works really well.
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Cleansers -AMBI - Even Clear Skincare Exfoliating Wash
taurusdragonfly 7/14/2012 12:46:00 PM
I like Ambi products in general for my skin. This one isn't my favorite, but it still works. I find it works best when applied with my fingers, so I can determine the amount of exfoliation and then followed with a foaming/gel cleanser. The salicylic acid is enough to promote exfoliation and cell turnover and the scrubby beads aren't too harsh when applied gently. A little goes a long way - I use about a dime-sized squeeze and it's plenty. The texture is a bit weird: it doesn't rinse clean, leaving a slightly greasy feeling behind - which is why I follow it with another light cleanser. (might be the macadamia oil.) Still I see fading of my blemishes, improved skin surface, and some oil control, so it's doing its job. Not a fan of the smell either - too perfumey. The tube lasts a really long time.
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Loose Powders -Prescriptives - All Skins Powder
taurusdragonfly 7/14/2012 11:47:00 AM
I bought this like a zillion years ago because it was what my mom wore. Back then I never wore any makeup except eye and lip stuff bc I had great skin. Once my adult post-bc acne started, I began experimenting with makeup and used this in level 5 to blend over concealer. I'd forgotten it about since moving on to more full coverage. Just tried it as a setting powder and fell in love all over again. I like this better than my Iman mineral powder bc it's weightless, more translucent, stops transfer, and looks the most natural - even hours into wearing. It really makes my makeup look like skin, especially in this summer heat. (t-zone can get a little oily, but not bad.) I'd even wear it for a 'no-makeup' day with just concealer. The packaging isn't so great, The loose powder spills into the ridges of the screw cap and cakes onto the puff. I'm always spilling powder and that sad puff doesn't work at all. I just tap a little into the cap and apply with a sculpted brush. Sad to see it's been discontinued - although the all skin mineral powder may be a good substitute to try. Considering how much I still have left, it'll take years before I need to repurchase, but def worth e-baying.
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Makeup Brushes -Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - Expert Face Brush
taurusdragonfly 7/9/2012 2:20:00 PM
I like this brush a lot - almost as much as my Ulta sculpted brush. It's just slightly less plush and dense than the Ulta brush. But it's also much cheaper and dries quickly. In fact, I have been reaching for it more often bc I wash it more frequently and it's always dry by the next time I use it. It has shed a little, leaving behind a few strands in my cream foundation, but very minor. The weighted end is nice - feels good and controllable in my hand. I use this brush for powder and cream-to-powder application. It leaves a smooth, light, natural finish w/o depositing or wasting product. I hardly ever use anything liquid, so I can't speak to its application of liquid foundation. I store my brushes in a flat long container, so the wide handle doesn't bother me.
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Powder -Iman - Second to None Semi-Loose Powder
taurusdragonfly 6/28/2012 2:50:00 PM
Now that it's hot, I prefer lighter makeup, so most days I just use this powder (earth dark) and concealer (earth medium) on my trouble spots. It's light enough not to melt off or streak when I sweat and pigmented enough to give a nice even finish to my complexion. It is a little reddish which fortunately works for me as I tan. In the winter I only use this to offset makeup that is too ashy or yellow-based which is why the little pot has lasted a very long time.
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Powder -Iman - Second To None Luminous Foundation
taurusdragonfly 6/28/2012 2:43:00 PM
Not a fan of the Iman's luminizing products - they are too glittery and gold/yellow for my cocoa brown complexion, but this compact (earth3) somehow stayed in my makeup bin. Recently I tried using it as hi-light and it works very nicely for that. A sweep on the top of cheekbones/under eye is little more subtle than my fave Cargo bronzer. Now I'm getting my brown girl Kardashian face on.
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Tinted Moisturizer -NARS - Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
taurusdragonfly 6/21/2012 8:39:00 PM
I wanted to like this - I thought I would love it. Sadly, after testing a sample of the Polynesia shade a few times, I just don't. The texture feels kind of silky going on, but it never feels like it dries or sinks in completely. I kept waiting to forget I had it on, but nope. Although I only used a small drop, I felt the thin plasticky coating on my face until I washed it off. It gives a sheer wash of color; unfortunately the tint looked a bit red on me or like I had a mild sunburn. I do like that the texture looks very natural - not like I'm wearing makeup at all, except the dewy sheen makes me look vaguely oily/sweaty. A light dusting of powder tones it down, but results in a similar light coverage effect as my powder-only face -- so there's no point. Oh well. I might try the lighter shade, Martinique in case it's more of a color match problem.
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Blush -Iman - Blush Duo - Posh
taurusdragonfly 6/11/2012 3:10:00 PM
I'm just getting into blush and am a fan of most Iman beauty products, so I gave this a try recently. This deep pink blush is very pigmented, but blends down nicely and the touch of sparkle is nice for a slight hi-lighting effect. Shows up on my chocolate brown skin without looking clownish when applied with a light hand and blended. The texture is very loose but doesn't appear powdery on. Not a big fan of the Iman pots; the plastic pot tends to separate from the base and the fallout can get messy.
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Blush -Iman - Blush Duo - Allure
taurusdragonfly 6/11/2012 3:08:00 PM
This peachy tan blush almost disappears on my complexion, but has enough pigment for a pretty soft look. I think this peachy color gives a hilighting ethereal summer kind of look on my dark complexion I'm surprised to like. The texture is very loose but doesn't appear powdery on. Not a big fan of the Iman pots; the plastic pot tends to separate from the base and the fallout can get messy.
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Bronzers -Iman - Afterglow
taurusdragonfly 6/1/2012 7:24:00 PM
After all the glowing reviews and the fact that Iman is my go-to face makeup, I was sad not to like this. Way too sparkly for my dark brown complexion like most 'luminizing' Iman products. I'm just not into the gold glitter. With a LOT of blending and the lightest hand/super soft brush ever, it can work. But still doesn't beat my Cargo bronzer for a soft luminescent finish. I've dusted off extra powder in my inner wrist, so I can see how it would look better on a light complexion. Ultimately, stay away if your complexion is more kelly than beyonce.
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Cleansers -Alba Botanica - Coconut Milk Facial Wash
taurusdragonfly 5/18/2012 9:03:00 PM
I fell for the pretty bottle and ingredient list and gave this a try. This product is a little odd - I like it, but I wouldn't repurchase. It's a cream cleanser, so it doesn't lather - just smooths onto your skin. Still it rinses clean and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and thoroughly clean. Unfortunately, it doesn't remove makeup, so if you don't wash your face with something else first, it will leave lots of makeup behind. Pretty much countering that deep pore cleansing claims...Also it tingles - not sure which ingredient causes the tingle or why (there are some acids and lye), but my skin doesn't seem irritated by it. But the sensation is odd at first. It smells really good - tropical and a little gingery. The smell is the best thing about it. Since it wasn't a makeup remover or an acne fighter, I started using it as my midday wash - when I got home from work or school or the gym, but wasn't ready for the full before-bed scrub-down. Overall, it was just a neutral product for me - nothing bad happened and it didn't compete with anything else I already use.
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Cleansers -Aveeno - Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser
taurusdragonfly 5/18/2012 8:47:00 PM
I like this cleanser. It has just enough salicylic acid to reduce my oiliness, but not so much that it leaves my face taut or dry. I don't use everyday, but it seems gentle enough to. I really like the light foamy texture. Definitely recommend for keeping acne prone skin at bay.
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