Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked 2 Palette
AlmaStarr 3/1/2012 10:59:00 AM
I am surprised by all of the glowing reviews for this. I have the first one and I use it all the time. I really love it. This is ok. Actually, the colors are strikingly similar so I'm not sure what all of this fuss is about. Holding them side by side I find it difficult to justify why I need both but since my Naked 1 is running low, I'll probably keep the Naked 2. I am annoyed that they reuse so many colors from palette to palette so this will probably be my last UD eyeshadow purchase for a long time.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Stila - Perfect & Correct Foundation
AlmaStarr 5/26/2011 8:50:00 AM
I, too, would've never purchased this if it weren't for the reviews here that I stumbled upon. I've had bad luck with Stila foundations in the past and complete wrote them off. Now that the weather is turning hot and sticky here, I realized I had to find a new foundation after mine starting pooling on my face. I swatched this on my hand in the store and I was immediately impressed by the finish. I love the pump and I apply with my Sephora 55 brush. There is way more coverage in this foundation than I ever would've thought. I think this is a medium-full coverage and I only need a pump and a half. The finish is matte but not drying, and very smooth. The only complaint I have is that they need more colors. I am somewhere between NC25-40 depending on my fake tan and I had to purchase this in Light. It's a tad bit peachy but a pretty good match. Definitely try this!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -LORAC - Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss
AlmaStarr 2/28/2011 5:28:00 PM
Yup, it looks like I have found a new lipgloss obsession. I bought a two pack of these for a special price at ULTA because I wanted a super sparkly pink lipgloss for a trip to vegas. I got out to the car, tried this on and was ready to return it and then it... morphed. I have the 3d and 4d shades and both look tremendous over lipstick and last for hours. It is the most innovative makeup I have bought in a long time. I dismissed Vivid after swatching on my hand and now I'm going back to buy it...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Unlisted Brand - FACE atelier Ultra Foundation
AlmaStarr 1/14/2011 9:44:00 AM
Here's my best advice - if you like Nars Sheer Glow then you'll LOVE this. This foundation has great pigmentation, awesome color selection, a beautiful luminous finish. Also, I ordered from whiterabbit (not affiliated) and I have to say that it's some of the best customer service I've ever experienced. I have been matched to NC25 in the past (although it's a little too yellow for me) and I purchased samples in 1,2,3,4. So far, shade 4 matches best. The only problem is that it does the EXACT same thing that Nars SG does to me - it pools in my pores and separates during the day. Looks okay from a distance but you can really see my foundation up-close. However, it offers a lot more coverage than Nars and I think many people could get a near flawless face with this product. I still really, really want to make this work so I'll be trying a variety of things and will update if anything changes. If you don't have very dry skin or large pores and want a truly airbrushed look then try this.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Fusion Beauty - Lipfusion Color Shine in Flirt
AlmaStarr 1/14/2011 9:32:00 AM
So I hate the price but I really do enjoy this product. I have probably 50 lipglosses at the moment and I choose this all the time. I have found that this really does plump the lips and it doesn't burn like the lip venom and it doesn't have some weird minty flavor, which I hate. It makes my lips feel slightly swollen. I already have full lips but while wearing this someone once asked me if my lips were "real". It's not terribly moisturizing for me but it seems like nothing is. Also, the color is neutral on me. I have very pigmented lips and this washes them out (which I prefer). I pair it with lipliner (currently Eastend Snob) and I get a perfect daytime pink. It's not sparkly enough or fun enough for a night out lipgloss but I would definitely repurchase for work.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Opal
AlmaStarr 9/1/2010 5:16:00 PM
Update: After using the opal for two months I started noticing that my undereye was looking stressed, veins became more prominant and I had to discontinue use. I will try it again soon but use it less frequently because my skin is too sensitive and I will make sure not to go above the orbital bone by accident. Original review: I think there's a lot of hate for this product because of the exorbitant price tag. I'm 31 and I have very dry, sensitive skin and some crow's feet forming. I didn't want to get another expensive treatment at the dermatologist so I figured I'd try this and return it if it didn't work. It is expensive so I had to be pretty sure. My results - definitely noticeable but not drastic. It plumps the lines and smooths the skin. I have not had these results after using a silicone primer under my eyes (not supposed to do that, I know) so I can't imagine it's just the silicone. I'm not sure if this has long-term benefits but I am quite happy with it and actually look forward to using it every day and seeing the smoothing effect occur - especially when I've had zero sleep. I have recommended this to people as an effective tool but don't expect miracles (for that, you'll have to spend a lot more at the derm). The machine is cosmetically elegant, easy to use, and I've found it's more effective for me to smudge the drop of eye serum around the applicator rather than applying a full drop. This keeps the applicator from catching on my skin and I use less. I hope this helps someone else!
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked Palette
AlmaStarr 8/9/2010 1:13:00 PM
This is something that lives up to the hype - and maybe even exceeds it. It's the most amazing eyeshadow palette I've ever bought and I knew it the second I tried on the first color. The eyeshadows are such an amazing texture and pigmentation. The eyeliner is fabulous, too, and stays well on my waterline. If you can get your hands on this, don't hesitate. I'm recommending it to everyone I know.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation
AlmaStarr 4/4/2010 6:38:00 PM
UPDATE: So I found a trick that makes this last on me. I use moisturizer, wait three minutes, sunscreen, wait three minutes, and then Cargo HD primer/mattifyer, then foundation, then Cargo HD powder on top. It looks gooood for summer. Very natural in the sunlight and it lasts for about five hours. But, man, what a pain!!! Updated the lippie to four. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I was so excited to try this. After much deliberation, I settled on the shade Santa Fe (even though I'm NC 25 and Ceylan was recommended by most). The shade was a perfect match. I put on my moisturizer and sunscreen with a primer on top and prepared myself for the magic to occur. Sure enough, I got a flawless, natural look that surpassed all expectations. I immediately pronounced it HG. Then, a few hours later, I peeked at myself in the car mirror in the daylight. OUCH. It had completely worn away from the oily areas and clung to the dry spots giving me a speckled, mosaic look. It was the worst any foundation had ever looked on me. So far, I've kept it to try various methods of wearing it (different moisturizer, without sunscreen, no primer, alternate setting powders). Same effect - great at first and then terrible later. I'm leaving it at 3 lippies for now but I'll update if I find the trick to keeping this looking awesome all day instead of just the first hour...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam Gaga
AlmaStarr 2/22/2010 9:22:00 AM
It's surprising how varied people's experiences are with this lippie. I was hesitant about purchasing it but then decided to get it, if only to add to my collection. I am NC25 and did not think it would look good on me based on all of the reviews. I also have highly pigmented lips and thought it might look chalky. Well, I love it!! If I can get my hands on a backup, I will. It ends up a very light, wearable pink that looks great with a gloss on top. I've been wearing it everyday since I got it. Love it and love Lady Gaga, too.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sephora - Professionnel Platinum Air Brush #55
AlmaStarr 1/20/2010 8:47:00 AM
This is the BEST brush hands down. Better than the 187. I love it and use it every day for foundation, blush, bronzer, you name it. In fact, I'm buying another one to use just for my liquid foundation. Highest recommendation possible and the best beauty purchase I've made this year by far.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
AlmaStarr 1/19/2010 2:39:00 PM
I, too, got caught up in the hype for this product. I found a VERY small display of this at a Walgreens near my house and purchased Vanilla which is way too light but I figured that it would be (they only had three shades available and the rest were way dark). As others have stated, the pump is fabulous and you don't need a lot of this foundation but it doesn't apply well with a brush which is odd because it has a creamy texture so I thought it would. I have dry skin and this definitey highlighted the dry sections and gave my skin a powdery/sparkly appearance. After applying this I was getting ready to leave for work and then looked in the mirror quickly... not good, folks. I looked blotchy and foundationy at the same time. I wanted to wash it off so bad but I didn't have time. This will be going back. I can imagine it working for someone very young with skin that is already somewhat smooth for a little extra oomph. Not for those with dry, mature skin.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -MAC - Boy Bait Cremesheen
AlmaStarr 12/7/2009 12:59:00 PM
This is the first MAC lippie that I've bought and LIKED in a while. I have highly pigmented lips so most nude colors either looks chalky or are too sheer to show up at all. This one's really nice (although Boy Bait is more beige than peachy on me). I love the formula, very moisturizing, and I am very tempted to repurchase before these are unavailable...
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Stila - Hydrating Primer SPF 15
AlmaStarr 11/20/2009 1:22:00 PM
This makes your skin feel soooo nice when you first put it on - moisturized, plump and smooth. However, I haven't noticed that it makes my foundation last any better (it's a downgrade from other primers in this respect) and it has the consistency of glue which can make applying foundation a little trickier. Even after I've waited 15 minutes for it to dry it still seems to "grab" my foundation and does not provide the "slip" that I look for in a primer. I have the feeling that this was a waste of money. On the upside, it hasn't made me breakout (yet). Oh, and my skin is still super dry so I question its moisturizing capabilities.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -BeneFit Cosmetics - High Beam
AlmaStarr 11/20/2009 1:16:00 PM
Either I haven't mastered using this product or I just don't like it - can't decide. I purchased it about a week ago and I LOVE the sheen it gives (especially used on the cheekbones); however, when I apply it as the last step in my makeup process it gets "stuck" in the powder and doesn't blend well. If I apply it before the powder and just over the foundation then it disappears once I set with powder and the powder clumps in it if it hasn't completely dried. Am I missing something? Also, I have large red spots that have appeared in the area that I'm using it... on both sides of my face! Coincidence? I think not. I'm giving this another couple of tries because I'm a makeup masochist and then it's going back to Sephora. Super pretty highlighting color, though, just a poor formulation for me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Perricone - Ceramic Skin Smoother Finishing Serum
AlmaStarr 11/4/2009 9:18:00 AM
UPDATE: This clogged me up bad and I discontinued use and dropped the rating. Original Review:I am so surprised by the reviews for this and, honestly, if I had read them before I probably would never have used this product. I received a generous sample of this and have been trying every primer I can find till I find one that actually works for me. For reference, I have very dry, clog prone, EXTREMELY reactive and sensitive skin. Although I don't understand the science behind it, most of the heavy silicone primers just dry me out and make me more sensitive. The first time I used this I was amazed at how fresh and smooth my foundation looked all day long. I have continued to use it for a week without any problems. I wonder what is in it that is causing so many people to have a reaction? I'm going to have to look at the ingredients list, but I suspect that it's one of the antioxidants. I really like it and would like to purchase a full-size but can't spend the money right now. However, if you have the funds I would definitely recommend trying this! It is my favorite primer after using the following brands: Laura Mercier, Tarte, Laura Geller, Smashbox, Benefit. I'm trying the Stila moisturizing one next...
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No