Eye Makeup Remover -Almay - Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads
kissjacksparrow 9/4/2011 1:45:00 AM
I'm not really sure why these have such awful reviews - I mean, they aren't anything amazing, but they do the job. I picked this up after I ran out of my Lancome & Up & Up (target brand) duo-phase removers. I thought this might be more convenient since they are pre-moistened pads. They are basically mostly mineral oil, which I guess is what is supposed to be moisturizing. I mostly just picked this over the other verity because oil removes WP mascara better. I also thought maybe it would help condition my lashes and keep them healthy. Well, I will agree that these pads are too small. I dont wear a ton of eye makeup most days - just a sweep of shimmer eye shadow, and thin line of eye liner and mascara, but I really almost need 2, 1 per eye to get thorough removal. I was also surprised at how thin they are. Something a little ticker and more substantial would really help to move eye make up, but I can deal with it. Yes, it does leave an oily residue behind, but I always wash my face with a cleanser. This is a MAKE UP REMOVER, IT IS NOT A CLEANSER - so I dont get why people complain about that.... you are SUPPOSED to wash your face after anyways... so that oily residue is there for, say, a few seconds. I use a wash cloth to make sure I get off all the residue and any remaining eye make up and when I get up in the morning I have not found any raccoon eyes from product left behind like I do with a lot of other MU removers. I do think it conditions lashes, but I haven't seen any crazy differences. Overall, it works - I mean, using a cotton pad with some oil (I like coconut or jojoba) would work just as well, if not better, but I'm lazy and I like the convenience. I would buy again, especially if I were going to be traveling.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Softsoap - Spa Radiant Exfoliating Body Wash
kissjacksparrow 8/28/2011 11:59:00 PM
The one I am reviewing is in the new packaging, so I am not sure if it is the same as the older stuff... anyways... I bought this because CVS was having a sale and I think I paid like $1 for it or something ridiculously cheap. I went back to school & am broke as a joke, so I can't be too choosey these days. My body wash of choice would be the Dove Cream-oil but it's kinda pricey. That being said, of the large selection that softsoap offers (which they have a nice, big range) I picked this because I hoped that the sea salt granules would help give me body a nice glow this summer. Well, as far as exfoliating goes, it really doesn't do a whole lot. There just isn't enough of the salt to really scrub, so for me if does not replace the occasional rough body scrub. But for a daily body wash, it is fine. It lathers up and get's me clean, what more can I say? It doesn't moisturize a whole lot like my dove, but it doesn't dry me out either. It smells really good - like cucumbers & salt, with a hint of some kind of freshness, maybe a little bit of a natural floral scent in there, too? I'm not really sure how to describe it, but I do like the smell a lot. I just finished up my bottle, and it took me a while, maybe 3 months? So I feel like it was a very worthwhile purchase. I would buy it again if it's on sale, but I am not running out to replace it right away.
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Aztec - Indian Healing Clay
kissjacksparrow 8/28/2011 11:44:00 PM
Aztec Secret Forget any so-called silly ready-made “mask” you have ever bought. Nothing can compare. As a full-blown beauty enthusiast & product junky, I’ve tried me some masks – many of which I liked – but I was not ready for what I was about to learn: that every “mask” I ever “liked” has NOTHING on this, baby! Nothing. So, lets talk QHMJM, the most talked about mask. Good stuff, except it contains irritants like methyl, as do many other masks. And do you know what it’s main ingredient is? Well, it’s THIS! So with this you basically get the same mask, on turbo charged and minus the irritants. Most masks are chalk full of all kinds of ingredients, and this only has one: pure bentonite clay (volcanic ash). It’s simple. And it works so much better. The best part of it’s simplicity is that you are able to customize it to fit your wants/needs. I use it to shrink and purge more pores and to treat occasional acne as I get it. I mix mine with apple cider vinegar (ACV) and the more natural/pure the form, the better. (I suggest organic, w/ the mother – even though it looks nasty). I don’t mix mine 50/50 as the instructions suggest. To me it always turns out way too watery, so I just mix in a bowl, little by little, until it becomes creamy. I don’t like it to be too thick, but not too runny either. I think it is best to use a dropper to add the ACV and make very little, and add more powder/liquid as necessary. You really need a lot less then you think you do, and so it’s best to air on the side of too little – not only save product, but because it is a pain to clean if you have a bowl full you need to wash! I do not put it on anywhere NEAR as thick as they suggest. I put on a rather thin layer, just thick enough so that I can’t see my skin. Otherwise, it will take a million years to dry. Even when I do this, it still isn’t fully dry in 30 minutes. I try and leave it on as long as I can stand, but it’s rarely long enough for it to dry all the way, but it’s still effective. If you didn’t feel it pulsate, you didn’t leave it on long enough… sometimes I don’t feel until about 20 minutes into the process. I recommend doing something that will distract you so you don’t sit there an think about how weird it feels and how badly you want to itch or chip it off. Do not go and watch something hilarious… when you laugh or smile it will crack off you face and itch more! Don’t talk on the phone, don’t try and eat, drink through a straw… do whatever you need to do to stay as stationary and expressionless as possible! Also, keep it far away from your eyes & mouth. When it tightens it will become very uncomfortable if you don’t, especially around the sensitive skin around the eye sockets. What I do is after I’ve smoothed it out everywhere, I take a damp Qtip and clean it up anywhere that got too close before it dries. When it’s dry, & I’m ready to remove, I start moving my face around and let as much of it crumble off as I can get. Then I take a damp warm washcloth and hold it onto the face until the mask softened and GENTLY wipe it away. You skin will be very sensitive, red, and blotchy, so please be nice to it right now. Then follow up with a basic moisturizer for sensitive skin (no fragrances, no special ingredients like chemical exfoliants or lighteners) and don’t try and do any other treatments right after. Give you skin the night to recover, because this stuff is intense! I have tried using moisturizers with BHA/AHA and it just burned really bad! A lot of people complain about it being too drying, but I find a nice night cream (I use olay for sensitive skin) takes care of that. Sometimes I reapply it a couple times in the night. It you still have a issues, try adding some honey to your mixture. Also, don’t over use it, either. Only use it when & where you need it! This stuff really does tighten on the skin. You can feel it; that’s the pulsing they are talking about. You can also tell because if a piece chips off the skin under that area kind bulges out around the drying mask and you can see it pulling at the edges… it’s the weirdest thing ever. Honestly, it kinda creeps me out. It’s worth it though. After I take it off my skin is smooth, firm and inflammation is reduced. My pores are visibly smaller and cleared out. Overall skin looks healthy and glowy. You can do variations of this mask using things like tea, honey, etc – so make sure you read as many reviews as you can so you can see the options. For me an occasional mask w/ this + ACV works wonders. If acne is in the early stages, this will bring them to the surface and make it look a little worse. This pimple has now “come to a head” and it will now heal faster. If you are into extracting, then a lot of times after this mask a pimple that was too deep to extract before ready for purging. If not, then just keep doing the mask as a spot treatment until it dries out. Healing acne, inflamed acne or recently picked at acne looks much less inflamed after this mask, but the areas are still very sensitive and need to be left alone to heal. Overall, I am very happy with this mask, and I don’t see myself using anything else in a tube ever again. I forget about it for a while, and then when I try it again I am amazed all over. Nothing has cleared up my skin so quickly & effectively. $6 a tub is an amazing deal and it will last ages! I have used it so much and I am not even half way through it yet!
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Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Monistat - Chafing Relief Powder-Gel
kissjacksparrow 8/26/2011 11:08:00 PM
Wow. This stuff totally works & makes a HUGE difference. I haven't had much luck with primers in the past. They either break me out, or seem to not make much of a difference. For a long time I was convinced it was just an unnecessary step. Well, I moved recently and it is REALLY hot here in the summer - I'm talking in the 100s - and my makeup was NOT lasting at all. It would melt off within a few hours, and I would be constantly reapplying and blotting all day long. Even Revlon colorstay - which used to be my go-to for long wear - would be sliding off my face in a few hours. I finally became desperate and decided to try this. I'm with the previous reviewer, and I think it is silly that people get all freaked out about putting 'vagina cream' on their face. At first I thought of monistat and yeast infection cream - turns out this is not, and it actually can be useful for bikini rash... The only reason I hadn't tried it is that I didn't think it would work. Also, it seems like it is kinda hard to find in my area. It seems to always be sold out. I was excited when I was finally able to find it because I was becoming desperate! Well, to my surprise, this stuff works wonders! I take a pea size around and dot it on my forehead, around my nose & cheeks, chin, eye lids (anywhere I get oily or have blemishes) then blend all over. It is really silky feeling and glides right over and smooths out an textural problems. It really does help keep oil under control and makes my makeup last easily 3x as long. Lately this has been my routine for quick, light makeup looks: Apply TM, then apply Monistat, concealer & powder. I am good to go and my skin does not get super oily. I also will use this after moisturizer and before foundation if I am going for a full face, but lately I haven't been doing that too often. Even before I finish my make up I think this primer makes my skin look better by taking down the shine/mattifying the skin and makes pores less obvious. I also love that it is fragrance free & suitable for sensitive skin! So far I haven't had any breakouts from this primer either, which I am really surprised about. (HC broke me out so bad!) and it works better then any other primer I have used! For reference, there are the primers I have already tried: Smashbox photo-finish & photo-finish light, Hard Candy (broke me out so bad!), Rimmel poreless (did nothing), Lorac Aqua-prime oil free (did nothing), Benefit That Gal, Revlon (that would be my 2nd choice)... and I am sure a few others. But seriously, NOTHING else has given the results that Monitat does. & I am not embarssed either... Shiz, I even bring this with me when I do my make up at school... who cares? If it works, it works! This is cheaper then any other primer I have used as well. I bought mine at Walmart for $6 (it was almost $10 at CVS) for a big tube (1.5 oz), and you only need very little. So this is one of those 'lot of bang for your buck' kind of products. If you need help getting your make up to stay and oil control, then I think you should really try this!
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Powder -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Pressed Powder
kissjacksparrow 8/23/2011 5:43:00 PM
I am a person who rarely buys the same product over and over, even when I like it, because I am always on the search for the next best thing. This is an exception. I have purchased several of these in the past few years, but this summer I REALLY proved it's self to me. You see, I just moved further south this year, and it is HOTT here in the summer.. 100s, easy. If I wear foundation, I would usually wear liquid, but I was even swearing through colorstay within a few hours. On top of that, I think colorstay was starting to break me out! Before this summer, I would use this as a setting powder over foundation. I would use it lightly with a fluffy powder brush and it would add just a bit of coverage and take down shine. It also makes my pores & redness less obvious. It is a really good setting powder if you want more full coverage. This summer I use it as a foundation. I apply sunscreen, concealer and then butt this on with a kabuki and I was surprised by how much coverage it gives! It gives medium coverage, and with concealer, I get a pretty flawless look! It doesn't get cakey on me, and I really like the texture. It is light and silk and kinda just melds into the skin. As for wear, I still need to blot or touch up though out the day, but at least when it doesn't melt off my face! I think this will be my go-to for school in the mornings, because it is so fast but does so much! Best of all, my skin is now clearing up now that I have been doing this, so that's great - it doesn't clog up pores. They have a decent color selection, as far is powder goes (where a lot of other DS lines have only 3 to choose from..) But I also find them to be forgiving as long as you are in the ballpark. UPDATE: After several weeks of ditching foundation, and using this + spot concealing, my pores are now SO SMALL and I hardly need any concealing at all! I am not back to the skin I used to have, that didn't need foundation... packing is hygienic, and while it didn't feel too sturdy, it survives living in my purse. I don't like to use a puff, but it's handy for touch up. I wouldn't apply it unless I had to because it doesn't go on evenly with the puff and looks so much better with a kabuki. It can settle into fine lines, or cake up on dry skin (so if you have dry skin, you MUST moisturize before hand) and it isn't anything amazing for soaking up oil. In fact, throughout the day the oil seems to make is kind of.. creamy feeling? Then it is prone to rubbing off at that point. So to combat this, I use oil blotting sheets every few hours, and reapply witht the provided puff if I need it. And while it minimized the appearance of pores upon initial application, as it wears off it does sort of settle into the pores on my cheeks, but after touching up it's fine. So it's not perfect, but I have yet to find that one miracle product that can do it all. Honestly, I am just being nit picky at this point. I really think this is one of the best pressed powders I have used! I also want to give Neutrogena props because I have been having really good luck with their skincare & makeup products over the years. Check out my other reviews if interested. addendum: When I wrote this review I complained about it not being able to keep up with the heat and occasion humidity we are experiencing this summer. To deal with that, I have been pressing a more oil absorbent powder onto my Tzone with a round make up sponge. It doesn't solve the problem all together, but it does help make it last longer and I have to blot less frequently. This way I get better oil control, but get the finish and the cover I like so much from this powder. Hope this helps some of you with oilier skin make it work.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Physicians Formula - Shimmer Strips Gel Creamliner (all)
kissjacksparrow 8/22/2011 1:28:00 AM
I'm going to be honest - this stuff is really great, but the packaging sucks so much that I don't think I would buy this again. I have 2 sets: green eyes & brown eyes. they both have a purple, and a black with a matching shimmer (green shimmer & purple shimmer - which is dupish to the Stila pink noir smudge pot) and a matte brown for brown eyes and a forest green for green eyes -- they are colors that are different form the other drugstore options. It's not all that cheap and you don't get much product, but you get 3 fun colors to play with. The quality is great - they are smooth and glide on easily, they are pretty much budge proof and are so richly pigmented & creamy. The only issue is that the they dont close tighly enough and they dry out SUPER fast. I couldn't even reconstitute them by steaming them.. I even added a drop of jojoba oil, which has worked for me as a last resort int he past and even that couldn't fix it. In the two sets I have, the purples were the first to go, and the blacks seem to last the longest. I was so PO'd that I had to throw half of them out before I could use them up. I suppose if you use these daily and were able to use them up before they dried out it wouldn't be an issue, but I purchased these more to have fun colors to play with on my off days, so I was bummed the fun colors just wouldn't last. . . If PF will improve the packaing, I would buy again, but for now, I'd rather spend a little more on Maybelline and live without the the more exciting colors...
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Lineur Intense liquid liner - brush tip
kissjacksparrow 8/21/2011 1:17:00 AM
I'm having trouble believing the ratings for this product - it is honestly one of the worst liquid eyeliners I have ever used! Consistency - its pretty gooey & weird. The opening gets built up with thickened product and I found I needed to wipe it off every use, wasting a lot of product or it will leave thick globs that make application really hard. Application - the brush is OK, easy enough to work with if the formula wasn't so strange. My problem is that I have to be REALLY careful because it is too easy to make a mistake, and it's not easily fixed. The worst part is that it gets all over my lashes, making them clump together into those nasty 'spiderlegs' clumps. I would try to comb through it with a spoolie and would just end up with flakes all over my face. It take me a million years to get this on because I am trying to be way too careful with it because of the inferior consistency. Finish - it's really shiny. I would prefer matte. Like it's adverstised, it is REALLY DARK BLACK - I mean, super, super black. That's cool and all, but it is SO pigmented, that if you make a mistake, there is no quick fix or cleaning up. You have to remove it all and start over, otherwise I just keep smearing around black. Removal - OMG, this stuff takes for ever to get off! It lifts easily with MY remover, so I don't need to scrub and scrub, I just can't get the color off. When I am washing it off it looks like I put on black face! It took two rounds of oil cleanser followed with a foaming cleanser to get this stuff off my face - it's pretty extreme. Wear - not so great. It flakes & rubs off really easily. When it dries, it still feels tacky, which I though would make it wear better. I was not impressed with the wear of this at all. I could live with that if I didn't experience the other issues I had, since I only wear this on my top lashes and dont usually have an issue, but in this case, there's just too much going on to look this over. In all, this was a disappointment for me. I much prefer the liquid eyeliners from WnW, Prestige, Maybelline (line stiletto) or NYC - I have had much better results, and most of them are less expensive then this one. I really tried and tried to like it, but I finally got fed up & threw it out.
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Lineur Intense
kissjacksparrow 8/21/2011 1:05:00 AM
I'm having trouble believing the ratings for this product - it is honestly one of the worst liquid eyeliners I have ever used! Consistency - its pretty gooey & weird. The opening gets built up with thickened product and I found I needed to wipe it off every use, wasting a lot of product or it will leave thick globs that make application really hard. Application - the brush is OK, easy enough to work with if the formula wasn't so strange. My problem is that I have to be REALLY careful because it is too easy to make a mistake, and it's not easily fixed. The worst part is that it gets all over my lashes, making them clump together into those nasty 'spiderlegs' clumps. I would try to comb through it with a spoolie and would just end up with flakes all over my face. It take me a million years to get this on because I am trying to be way too careful with it because of the inferior consistency. Finish - it's really shiny. I would prefer matte. Like it's adverstised, it is REALLY DARK BLACK - I mean, super, super black. That's cool and all, but it is SO pigmented, that if you make a mistake, there is no quick fix or cleaning up. You have to remove it all and start over, otherwise I just keep smearing around black. Removal - OMG, this stuff takes for ever to get off! It lifts easily with MY remover, so I don't need to scrub and scrub, I just can't get the color off. When I am washing it off it looks like I put on black face! It took two rounds of oil cleanser followed with a foaming cleanser to get this stuff off my face - it's pretty extreme. Wear - not so great. It flakes & rubs off really easily. When it dries, it still feels tacky, which I though would make it wear better. I was not impressed with the wear of this at all. I could live with that if I didn't experience the other issues I had, since I only wear this on my top lashes and dont usually have an issue, but in this case, there's just too much going on to look this over. In all, this was a disappointment for me. I much prefer the liquid eyeliners from WnW, Prestige, Maybelline (line stiletto) or NYC - I have had much better results, and most of them are less expensive then this one. I really tried and tried to like it, but I finally got fed up & threw it out.
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Brows -Revlon - Colorstay Brow Enhancer
kissjacksparrow 8/16/2011 9:48:00 PM
I have brows that are really light, thin & sparse. If I don't draw them in, from far away, I look like I have no brows at all. Its even worse in pictures. It has been this way all my life - I have some awful childhood photos.... So, I am pretty picky about my brow products and am often trying things out, in search of the perfect one. I have several that I like, but I have yet to find that one product that does it all. What is that I want from a brow product: Well, first it needs to be the right color - even thought my hair is dark brown, too dark of a brow product makes my brows look harsh & overly fake. Or if they aren't too dark, they are too orange or red - not a good look with my ash brown hair. I also need them to fill in my brown while looking somewhat natural, and something that can hold the stragley hairs in place. Oh, and it has to stay on all day - trust me, having your brows melt off in the 100degree NorCal heat does not instill confidence... This, for me, is near perfect. I really like the color of light brown - it is neutral and blends in well with my natural brow hairs. It is medium pigmented (remember, it is a 'tinted wax' so I wouldn't expect the moon here) more pigmented then some other brow waxes or setting gels I have tried. The wax really does help keep the brown in place, that is unless it is hot, and then I can literally feel them melting off! Its hot here, so I wouldn't sure this in the spring or summer unless I set it with dome powder and I know I am not going to be outside all day. Use the tinted wax works best with some additional product for me, and so I like to use a powder to help fill in & beef up the brows, it gives a more believable texture that way. This highlight end is also really nice - I use is as an cream eye shadow base on my lids sometimes, or to highlight my inner corners and brow bones, but my favorite use of it is on the lower water line. I was using Benifit eye bright for this, but this color looks better with my coloring. the highlight seems to last most of the day, and is easy to touch up. It really does add some brightness to the eyes which I need, because I tend to have dark under eye circles and reddish waterline - making me look really tired in the morning. I like packaging, It is nice for on the go, and is a good multitasker. My biggest complain is, that there is so little product. I run out of the wax so fast and way before I get even half way through the highlight, and it's really expensive for so little product. Honestly, I think what they are charging is ridiculous! the WnW eye pencil in Taupe is similar, and is only 99cents, so I will use that until I use up the highlighter end of the one I already have, and then I will only buy when it's on sale - Luckily rite aid sometimes does 40% off colorstay products, and I will hold off for one of those. Revlon, please put more of the brow wax in here!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Essence of Beauty - Brush Cleaner
kissjacksparrow 8/8/2011 3:13:00 AM
I noticed this at CVS while shopping to use up some ECB before they expired. When I saw this I was excited because I had been wanting to buy the ELF daily brush cleanser, but my Target has only the shampoo. I have been super lazy about washing my brushes lately, and I thought this might be a good alternative to using make up remover wipes like I used to. (they really take a lot of work to get them clean.. I dont know if they changed the formula on this, but the package is completely different now. It's mostly water & alcohol with some conditioning ingredients, and it sure doesn't smell pretty, but I do find it cleanses the brushes surprisingly well - way better then the wipes, and it doesn't leave any residue behind, even after using it almost daily for a few weeks. I use a micro fiber washcloth, spray directly into the bisthles, and gently wipe & swirl the damp brush on the washcloth. Denser brushes, like ones for blush, powder & foundation take a little extra work, but since I'm always using the same colors, I'm not too worried about those - I mostly need it for eye brushes so that my colors dont get muddy. I dont think this replaces shampooing brushes to get them fully clean, but it really does wonders if you dont have the time or are too lazy, like me, to wash them daily. One word of caution - it's easy to go spray crazy. My first few uses I went through half the bottle without even noticing.. I was shocked when I realized! Since then, I have been more aware, and use only one spray and really work with it before I spray more so I don't use unnecessary product. Since doing it this way, I've barely put a dent in it and it still looks just about half full. I am so happy to find something like this at the drugstore that is easily accessible & inexpensive. I no longer had any desire to buy the MAC brush cleanser, and making your own seems like more effort then it's worth when you can just buy this for so cheap. I highly recommend this, and now consider it a staple.
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Top/Base Coats -Unlisted Brand - Beauty Secrets - Nail Matrix Cuticle Oil and Instant Polish Dryer
kissjacksparrow 8/6/2011 4:35:00 AM
this stuff is this business! I used to think I didn't like cuticle oil after trying my first one (by Rimmel, which is, not surprisingly, long discontinued) because it didn't seem to moisturize, was an oily mess, and I really saw no difference in my nail health. I prefer butters & creams (Burt's bees, Mango mend, things of the like) Well, I was at Sally's, checking out the nail care section, as I was restocking on a few things I needed. I saw that the beauty secrets treatments where on sale, and since I needed a new top coat anyways I thought I would give it a try. I did see that these items had really good reviews on the Sally's website before I went, which helped sway me when I saw they where on sale. I was intrigued by the fact that it is a cuticle oil AND a polish drier. First of all, this smells good - a nice almond smell. Second, its not overly oily. It actually does absorb into my skin. I like the packaging - I bought the large 2.5ml globe. It's HUGE, but still fits in my Helmer (Ikea storage unit). The brush makes it easy to apply. It's nothing glamorous, but it works and it will last me a long time. Oh, and it's mega cheap -- for around $6 I get way more then most other .5ml bottles . And, well, it works. I was already using Nail Envy & taking biotin and keeping my nails hydrated, but once I added this to my regimin, I saw a marked improvement in my nails. They are longer, stronger, move flexible, almost no more peeling (peeling was my biggest issue) and they seem to be growing faster. I am amazed in the difference it makes! Oh, and it does make polish dry faster, too! Which I am excited about because, while I do really like quick dry top coats, I find they aren't as long lasting. This allows me to use a regular top coat and cuts the dry time down (but it is not instant) I love this!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Cover Girl - Olay Simply Ageless
kissjacksparrow 8/3/2011 1:45:00 AM
I have 3 of these: 1 for when I'm tan, 1 for when I'm not, and 1 that is the 'color corrector' (yellow) I have dark under eyes and some puffiness that I inherited from my father, with very fair skin I inherited from my mother.. not such an attractive combo... I am always on the look out for a nice under eye concealer. I was so hopeful about this that I bought both the concealer the correcter thinking it would be a hit. first thing I want to say is that the 'swirl' is really annoying. The product come out much lighter once mixed, so it's really a shot in the dark picking the right colors, and of course the drugstore has no testers. It's also rather pointless. It's supposedly some kind of 'serum' but it is no different in consistency from the color swirl and it doesnt do jack to moisturize the area - in fact I find it rather dry. yet, despite being dry, it manages to to crease like a mother... it's just dd - both oily & dry. strange. I will say it has very nice pigmentation, and covers well if you dont have a lot of fine lines. I am in my mid 20s and have always been avid about wearing SS, so I dont have much in the way of wrinkles, but this manages to make it look like I do. also, the yellow corrector is such a bad color - used alone or under the concealer, it looks super grey on me, and my skin is yellow tones, so that just baffles me. I also tried this as a primer/base for eyeshaow, because it feels like just the right consistency for that (like a paint pot, almost) but it creased and did not last long at all. I do, however like it for blemishes, but you have to use it right. I tried dabbing it on at first and it just looked really cakey in the area I was trying to conceal. But, if I use a *very* small concealer brush and put it just on the blemish/dark spot it really gives good coverage and allows me to keep the rest of my skin nearly bare, which I like. (not a fan of the obvious foundation look personally) the only problem is I need to touch it up midday because it doesn't last all day & I've tried it with various primers & finishing powders. It really is a shame because I have a hard time finding blemish concealers I like at the drugstore now that Maybelline dream mouse concealer is DC'd I have moved on to Benefit Bo-oing, which is working well. I dong think bo-oing is as pigmented as CG, but it lasts a heck of a lot longer. I'll probably keep using is on casual days unitl I use it up, but I wont be repurchasing.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Garnier - Sleek and Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray
kissjacksparrow 8/3/2011 1:31:00 AM
I have used the two different levels of hold in this hairpray, and honestly there isn't too much of a difference but I prefer the level 3 hold. I have naturally curly hair and I typically depend on gels for hold - I style it wet & let it air dry, so I dont relay on hairspray for hold. I really only use this for my bangs when I blow dry and/or flat iron them to keep them in place either for wearing them down or for doing a 'pouf' with my bangs, or for when I am doing updos to spray down any fly aways. I orgionally bought my first bottle last winter because it was 'anti-humidity' and I wanted something that would help keep the moisture in the air from turning my hair into a frizzy mess when it was raining & it seemed to do an OK job. This isn't a very strong hold hair spray. If I was doing something fancy and really needed some staying power, I would use something more along the lines of the got2be glued spray or aussie freeze, but for a little touch up for everday, this is fine. I like this because it gives lightweight hold. It doesn't leave my hair feeling coated or sticky like a lot of other hair sprays do. Its a 'brush able" hairspray, and I can comb though and re-work my bangs without it feeling crispy, crusty and there is ZERO flaking! This is really good because a lot of times I will start off with my hair down, and put it up in the afternoons when I work (I work with kids, so I like to keep my hair out of the way), It also really does add shine, like it says, and so I think it makes for a nice finishing spray. Best of all, it smells sssooooooo good! I wished it was a perfume! It's a little different from the usual garnier smell (which I also like) and I just adore the scent. It makes be feel like my hair can still smell good even on the second day, when I spray a little of this to tame flyaways... Packaging is standard. I think it is attractive for beings so inexpensive, and the I have never had issues with the nossel clogging. (that can be such a pain with a other hairsprays) Yeah, I'll buy it again (already have) but I'll be honest, it's nothing really amazing, but perfect for my wants/needs from a hairspray.
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Moist Hemp Jasmine and Cucumber Body Moisturizer by Creative Lab
kissjacksparrow 7/31/2011 3:11:00 AM
I have been using these lotions for years. They are the exact same at the Malibu bran lotions sold at Walmart (which I usually a few bucks cheaper, too) an 180oz bottle runs for around $7 at Sally's beauty supply. Packing is a standard pump. Gotta love the big weed leaf on it... The Malibu ones are usually have more fun-looking labels, but whateves. This lotion has an impressive looking ingredients list. It contains glycerin and a lot of oils and natural extracts. It is not loaded up with a bunch of 'cones (which protect the skin & hold in moisture, while oils actually can penetrate into the skin and do more) This lotion has a strong smell at first, but then dries down to a light, clean smell. I picked up cucumber jasmine thinking it would be very mild and layer well with my other perfume. It was surprisingly strong and sweet. Personally, I think it smells a lot more like cucumber melon then jasmine. However, I do think it smells good. I have found this layers/mixes well with my Dove Go Fresh deodorant & body spray in Cucumber & Green Tea, which smells very 'earthy' and I think they balance each other nicely: the lotion adds a sweetness, and the body spray adds depth. As for the moisturiazation: I like that it is more of a cream-gel consistency. It absorbs into the skin quickly, which is great for using the in the morning after a shower because I don't have to wait as long before I put on my clothes. It feels like, but it is really hydrating. It instantly plumps up the skin and makes it feel supple and not at all greasy. I can tell my skin feels a lot softer later on in the day, and continues to make my skin softer and softer as the days go by. I get compliments from my SO and friends about how soft my skin is, and I am pretty sure it is this. this particular lotion has hemp seed oil in it, which is really good for the skin. It supposedly helps firm the skin, but I can't really say much about that -- I don't really feel like my skin is lacking firmness to begin with. Overall, I have and would buy this again. I like to switch up the scents. they have a lot of fruity ones that I like for summer. (I also currently have a bottle of the Malibu Mojito scent that is so summery and fabulous) If you can buy it at Walmart, it's a little cheaper, but the Sally's price is still very reasonable. Overall, these are some of the best body lotions I have ever used, and will remain a staple in my body/skin care regimen. I think it helps they have a good selection of scents, as I bore easily which is why I usually stray from brands that I actually really like.. I recommend any/all of them!
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - Color Icon Trio - Sweet as Candy
kissjacksparrow 7/30/2011 2:43:00 AM
I went into the store solely to buy the WnW trio in walking on eggshells. Out of the old palettes, the WnW Egyptian Sands was on of my favorites, and it is probably the only e/s I have completely used up in YEARS - being the product junkie that I am... and Walking on Eggshells is supposed to be nearly the same thing. Well, this one caught my eye instead, and I thought the pink would be something fun and different, as I usually stick to straight up nude/neutral shades. I had high expectations to begin with. I personally think WnW has some of the best quality eye shadows out there overall. The fact that they are cheap are just another perk - but honestly, I would buy them regardless. & this trio did not dissapoint. I found it to be very smooth and easy to work with, however they are so soft that you have to be careful with storage because they crack so easily, and they can really be dusty and leave a lot of fall out. They are also pretty pigmented. The pink is sort of sheer, but I like that, since I am not comfortable wearing bright colors on a daily basis (for work and such). The crease color, on the other hand, is really pigmented. Shockingly so. Sometimes I forget and it goes on really dark - way darker then I would expect. However, its not really too much of an issue because it blends really easily and nicely. The highlight shade is perfect. The only thing I can find to complain about, really, is that it is very shimmery and it really needs a matte shadow to tone it down a bit. If this came in a quad with a matte such as brulee, then it would be PERFECT. I pretty much wear it as directed: I pack the pink onto the lid, blend the grease color into the crease and with a small brush concentrate the highlight shade just under the brow bone and in the inner corner. Lastly, I take a big fluffy brush and use a matte highlight shade (such as brulee) and I use it to blend in between the crease shade & the highlight shade so it looks polished, blended and not overly shimmer. I wear this a lot for school/work because I feel like the shimmer can really brighten up my often tired eyes without being too frosty or over the top. I would repurchase when I use it all up, which I do foresee it happening since this has been my go to recently. I will also go back and pick up some of the other shades. These do not disappointing, but I do think all of them need more verity in the finish rather then them all being frosty or shimmery. Oh, and packing is pretty lackluster, but I dont really care, it's only $2.99, I just wished the packaging would protect the soft shadows better, a lot of times I have had to pass on buying because most of them were already broken in the store...
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