Blush -Maybelline - fit me
SHeust 8/17/2012 10:11:00 AM
Color reviewed: Light Mauve I am not a blush girl. I always feel like it is too much when I wear eye makeup, and eye makeup gets priority with me. However, I picked up this blush because it was a pretty color and Maybelline was on a buy 2, get 1 sale and I already had 2. This blush is perfect for what I was looking for. Very subtle, very sheer, natural looking color that doesn't overwhelm or look clownish. The light mauve color is a nice neutral nude pink that really flatters my pale skin tone. It looks like a truly natural flush, which is always what I've thought blush is supposed to be (not stripes, contour, etc). It has the tiniest hint of shimmer to it, but it is very subtle and pretty. The powder is finely-milled and you can layer it to add more color if you like. It blends easily and lasts well. The packaging is a little chintzy but I don't care. The brush is probably too small to be of any use, so I use my Too Faced teddy bear hair brush which works well. If you're looking for a pretty, inexpensive blush that won't clash with the rest of your makeup, definitely check out this line.
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Polishes -Essie - Braziliant
SHeust 8/11/2012 8:30:00 PM
I picked this up on sale at Ulta while looking for an orange or coral polish, and I was not disappointed! In the bottle it looks orange with a pinkish shimmer to it, going on it looks straight up orange and then it dries to a bright, opaque, very slightly sparkling coral. Two coats were all I needed and it had enough shine on its own not to need a top coat (though I did one anyway out of habit). The formula is thick but not gloppy, goes on smoothly and dries pretty quickly, without any bubbles. This is a really pretty, flattering summer color and I definitely recommend it!
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Color Chrome Eyeliner- Gold Charge
SHeust 8/5/2012 4:09:00 PM
I love this gold flake colored eyeliner. I don't usually go for metallics but this is true gold, not brassy, and shimmery but not glittery. It glides on very smoothly and never smudges The pencil has a great consistency - the formula is soft enough to work with, and not drag on your skin, without being so soft that you can't sharpen it or make a thin line. It stands out without being glaring/obnoxious and it really enhances my green eyes. I layer with other eyeliners for dramatic looks or use alone to add a hint of gleam. Lasts forever, looks beautiful, just a really great gold eyeliner. This is one I will always have in my kit. Highly recommend.
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Lipstick -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick
SHeust 8/5/2012 11:59:00 AM
I have this fantastic lipstick in Sheer Linen and I love it. Super creamy with a rich, glossy (but not sticky) finish, this shade in particular is a nude with a hint of pink/rose. The formula doesn't last long on and isn't hyper pigmented, but that is because it is more of a moisturizing rather than longwear lipstick. It feels and looks beautiful on and I will definitely be getting more colors. I thought it was $6.99 when I bought it at Ulta, but it was actually $9.99. Sort of pricey for me, but worth it and I will wait for a sale to pick up more. The packaging is sleek and pretty, has a small section that shows the color and clicks into place to close. The lipstick shape is slender and round, rather than the angled (bullet) end, which I always find to be more elegant and easier to apply. Absolutely recommend this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Jergens - Jergens Natural Glow Firming
SHeust 8/4/2012 5:52:00 PM
I have been using this for about four years; I can't believe I somehow haven't written a review for this great lotion in all that time. This is probably the best under $10 subtle self-tanner on the market. You can even put it on when you're kind of drunk (speaking from experience) and end up with even, natural looking color and no streaks or weird spots. I use this in medium, because I am very pale and the light shade doesn't do enough for me. Never looks orange or fake, always looks like real sun color. Moisturizes well, dries quickly - this is a fool-proof way to add color daily. It doesn't really start to build up until after about a week and then it starts to fade in a rather unfortunate way 2-3 days after that, so keep that timeline in mind if you need a certain amount of tan for an event or weekend away. Never has irritated my sensitive skin. Not sure the 'firming' ingredients really do much, but the placebo effect keeps me buying that version of the Natural Glow. Can't recommend this enough if you're looking for a beautiful, even, light tan tone without the dangerous rays of the sun.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Fresh - Brown Sugar Body Polish
SHeust 7/24/2012 10:10:00 AM
I received this as a gift. It is ridiculously expensive ($38!) - especially for how much you get, which is only enough for about six uses - so I would never buy it for myself, thus I wouldn't 'buy it again'. However, as far as the product itself goes, it is a pretty great scrub. The sugar crystals are big and coarse and strip off my self-tanner really well, without having to grind down the skin like I normally would. It smells very good, sort of like oranges, and leaves my skin feeling super smooth and soft. The sugar crystals have a base liquid that can feel a little sticky after rinsing if the weather is humid, but it's not a big deal. I will definitely be checking out other (cheaper) sugar scrubs after the results I got with this one, hoping to find a good dupe.
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Polishes -China Glaze - Harmony
SHeust 7/6/2012 8:00:00 PM
In the bottle this looks like a silvery metallic purple. On, it dries to a very pretty, jewel toned purple. China Glaze makes great polishes. The polish is thick but not gloppy, goes on smoothly and dries fairly quickly without any air bubbles. Harmony, like the others, has a smooth, shiny finish that lasts for days without chips or fading. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a pretty, deep purple polish!
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Treatments -Redken - Extreme Anti Snap (new formula 2011)
SHeust 7/1/2012 8:06:00 PM
After dying my hair from platinum to burgundy and back again in a short period of time, it was in terrible condition and breaking off constantly. The only reason I was able to stave off a dramatic haircut as long as I was is this treatment. I would soak my hair in it, practically, and while it couldn't bring my destroyed locks back to life, it did majorly curtail the breakage and somewhat improve the condition. No residue or buildup, this treatment is lightweight and its results are good. I would definitely recommend it if you're having problems with breakage!
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Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Mildew eye shadow
SHeust 7/1/2012 2:26:00 PM
I swatched this at Sephora and thought it was my HG green. Couldn't justify spending that much money on a single pan shadow, so tried a bunch of dupes that didn't work out before finally getting Mildew on eBay for about $12. UD shadows (I have the Naked 1 Palette) are great quality. Generally they have good pigmentation, nice shimmer, smooth texture and long lasting ability. Mildew is good for its texture and it does have a lovely shimmer to it but I was disappointed in the color once I actually put it on my eyelids. It came out a lot lighter than the swatch, so instead of being the dark army green I'd hoped for, it was just a so-so medium green shade. I was really disappointed that the pigmentation didn't translate for this shadow.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Extra Volume Collagen Mascara Blackest Black
SHeust 7/1/2012 2:20:00 PM
It had to happen sometime. I am constantly intrigued, and then disappointed, by L'Oreal products. This is the first mascara from the brand that didn't disappoint. Which is not to say that it is amazing, either. But it is pretty good. Good lengthening ability, adds a satisfying amount of volume, the black is actually black and not gray like their other mascaras, and this also holds a curl better than most mascaras I've tried. I am pleased. Dramatic, false lash look? No. Long, lovely eyelashes? Yes. The brush is pretty good, too. It's a bristle brush and it's kind of big. It picks up every lash and you can keep brushing through multiple coats without any clumping. This formula, despite being dry, is very buildable and the brush does a good job working with that. Lasts well - I can wear all day and into the night with no flaking or smudging. The packaging is very sleek. $9 is a bit much, but on sale this might be worth your while.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Lee Stafford R U Taking Protection? From Hair That Never Grows Past A Certain Length
SHeust 6/30/2012 8:11:00 PM
I cut bangs about three months ago and growing them out has been a very slow process. I decided to give this product a shot to see if it would jump start outgrowth for the bangs and also the rest of my hair. The name caught my eye, because my hair never does seem to grow past a certain length (for me it always seems to stop right past the boobs). I have been using this for about two weeks and it is almost gone. I'm not sure that it's doing anything yet as far as hair growth - I think it will take more than one jar to determine its effects there - but overall it has made my hair appear fuller/thicker and feel softer. My hair also seems smoother and to have more volume, without even having to blow it out. The smell of this treatment doesn't bother me as it has some of the other reviewers. For overall improving hair health, I give this a 4 - I might bump it up to a 5 score if I do see some growth after using it for a month or so. Despite the fact that I feel it is a bit pricey at $12 a jar, I will buy again to see if I continue seeing results. Update 10/28/12: I stopped using this for awhile because it was pricey and I wasn't seeing major results. I quickly realized how great this mask really is once I stopped using it and tried a few less expensive masks. Without this, my hair lost a lot of the volume and softness it had gained while using it and I also noticed more breakage and strand loss. This stuff may not make your hair grow - or it may, but not enough for you to have some sort of Rapunzel effect - but it does make hair healthier, as well as making it look and feel great. It was out of stock at Ulta for awhile and I was hunting it down like mad and am very happy to be recently reunited with it. This mask is definitely HG for me now.
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - Color Icon Single - Envy
SHeust 6/30/2012 7:56:00 PM
I was looking for a dupe for UD Mildew and this looked very similar in the package. However, I had the same problem with this as I did with all of the other greens I tried (including, eventually, Mildew) - it looks much lighter on skin than it does in the package. I want a dark, black-based army green shadow and I have just had no luck. This is a medium green with a neutral tone. As with other WNW shadows, the pigmentation is good and the shadow texture is very smooth. Lasts for hours and hours without budging. If you're looking for a good standard green shadow for practically no money, look no further.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
SHeust 6/30/2012 10:38:00 AM
What I look for in foundation: medium but natural looking coverage, won't irritate my sensitive-combination skin, long wearing, easy to apply. Revlon describes this as "decadent" on their website, and I can't think of a better adjective. The consistency of this foundation is unlike any other I've ever tried. Liquid but not, this creme feels rich and moisturizing but also super light and breathable. This works with all the areas on my face fine, not highlighting dry spots and not becoming oily in the oily areas. I agree with the other reviewers that determining a color match from the jars is tough, but since I wear Vanilla in Photoready, which is the next step up from Ivory, I figured I would wear Buff in this. Perfect match. I would describe the shade as neutral in tone - I'm warm, and while it doesn't necessarily lean warm, it's definitely not cool or pink either. Does not oxidize or turn orange - color stays true. The foundation blends in easily and seamlessly, leaving my skin looking even and luminous but still like my skin. The coverage is superb and buildable, without being obvious. If you use too much, it can become cakey - but that's a problem with any foundation. I still need concealer for blemishes but not for under the eye when using this. The finish is matte/satin which is wonderful because many products like this finish dewy, which I hate. It somehow manages to looks fresh all day. As far as lasting power, this lasts 10+ hours still looking as good as it did in the morning. No wearing off issues whatsoever, even during hot summer days. No fading, running, caking - nothing. It stays beautiful all day and into the night. No touch-ups required - seriously. Tested its claims to stand up to heat/humidity by wearing through a hot outdoor baby shower and a humid actual shower and it didn't melt or smear. Their 24 hour claim is probably BS, but I don't wear makeup for 24 hours at a time anyway! I do not set with powder personally, but I do wear a powder bronzer on top. Word to the wise, this will soak up the bronzer a bit since it doesn't "dry" completely, so I've had to use a lighter touch with my bronzer. I gave a 3 for price not because it is pricey generally, but because it is pricey for Revlon at $13.99. However, it is well worth it, and with Ulta coupons and sales I'm sure it can be purchased at a discount. I don't mind the jar packaging at all - it looks elegant and feels solid - and you get a ton of product which is great. I apply with my fingers. A sponge would probably soak up too much product and I'm personally not that deft with brushes. Foundation washes off easily with cleanser and water. Has caused no skin problems so far. Overall I am thrilled with this foundation and would recommend it to anyone else who wants to look like they have beautiful, glowing, even skin!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Maybelline - Master Shape
SHeust 6/26/2012 1:50:00 PM
I have to agree with the other reviewers that the packaging for this is very stupid. Why is this not a twist-up? I thought it was by the look of it in the package and then was completely flummoxed to reach the nub of the pencil and wonder what the hell I was supposed to do to get to the rest. Maybelline should make this a twist up if they want to keep the plastic housing, or switch it to a wood pencil if they insist on it being manually sharpened. The pencil formula itself is decent. Very waxy, which does well to keep brow hairs in place but looks a little obvious on the areas where hair is sparse. The blonde is darker than expected and a little gray, but still a pretty good shade for a blonde pencil. It doesn't smear, and lasts throughout the work day. I also like the spoolie brush, which works well. If Maybelline fixes the ridiculous packaging, I would buy this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Giovanni - Vitapro Fusion Leave-In Hair Treatment
SHeust 6/26/2012 1:39:00 PM
I have only been using this for about two weeks, so I will update this review if my opinion changes after prolonged use. I wanted a lightweight leave-in hair treatment to use in the summer, since I'm trying not to use my blow dryer but just washing, conditioning and then air drying left my hair feeling a lot more coarse then when I blow dry and use product. I like and use Giovanni products generally (the Smooth as Silk S & C are HG for me) and I had intended on trying their Direct Leave-in but read in some of the reviews that it could leave a film/residue. I definitely didn't want anything that would weigh my hair down, so when I saw this, I checked the reviews and then decided to go with it. The spray nozzle works well and distributes a good amount of product onto the hair. I spray all over when my hair is wet and then comb through. It definitely makes my hair feel softer, compared to using no product at all. I think it also helps to reduce frizz and coaxes my hair into subtle, mostly straight waves (my hair is naturally wavy-ish, in a half-ass way). It doesn't leave any residue or stickiness at all, which is impressive. I am going to keep using, although I am wary of extended use because of the warnings that certain ingredients could make the hair dry with overuse. In the meantime, I am pleased with the results and would recommend this.
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