Mascara -Cover Girl - Flamed Out
AndreaJunelle 5/19/2013 3:21:00 PM
I think this mascara is ok. Certainly not the worst I've tried, but not my favorite either. I have to say, I do really like the brush though! I find long brushes awkward but this one is short and fat, and can be used horizontally or vertically so helps me really reach and coat every lash. I'm a very "va va voom" lashes kinda gal (hehe :D) so I'm always layering mascaras anyway (although I'd love to one day find one that works all by itself with only 1-2 coats.. -Closest thing to that I've found is my beloved Jordana Best Lash mascara..) Anyway, since I'm an avid mascara layer-er I've been using this as my 1st coat/primer coat (in place of Maybelline Great Lash Lots Of Lashes) since the Flame Out brush coats all of my lashes nicely. Then I follow up with a coat of L'Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic and Jordana Best Lash Extreme. Like other reviewers, I was drawn in by the packaging. It's not boring like CG's "Lash Blast" formulas look, it's a bright orangey-red with purpleish-silver flames. Very flashy and caught my eye. I found this at WalMart for right around $6. I'd been very pleased with my last two CG Mascara purchases (Clump Crusher & Lash Perfection) so figured I'd love this as well but not as much as I'd hoped. I plan to continue using it until it gets about 3-4months old then I will toss and not plan to repurchase. On the up side, it has not smudged/flaked or given me any issues whatsoever, I really have no complaints other than that it doesn't live up to it's claim of "max volume". My bottom line- If you're someone like me who loves trying out new mascaras, like small brushes, and are ok with layering different ones to get your desired effect, I say give it a go - It's certainly inexpensive enough to try :)
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Moisturizers -Garnier - Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream
AndreaJunelle 5/13/2013 2:27:00 PM
This is my holy grail moisturizer, I can't believe I haven't reviewed it yet! For reference I have maturing (31y/o), oily, acne/clog-prone skin that is also somewhat sensitive. I have a VERY difficult time finding moisturizers that don't break me out and at the same time don't make my makeup slip & slide away or oxidize. Before finding this I'd been rotating back and fourth with Yes To Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer (which I found a little TOO hydrating for my oilyness) and Cetaphil Lotion SPF 15 (this one is also a bit overly moisturizing for my oily skin plus I wasn't a fan of "SPF 15" since I'm already wearing a separate sunscreen/Biore UV Perfect Face Milk or L'Oreal Sublime Sun Liquid Silk Shield SPF 50+) I've been using this moisturizer and this moisturizer only for almost 2 years now and NEVER plan on switching. I've gone through 2 tubs of this version, and almost 1 full tub of the "Dry Skin" version (which I used in the winter months when I needed more moisture and have a separate review already written for) This "original" version of the gel-cream is *just* moisturizing enough for my oily skin, wears very well under makeup, doesn't increase my oilies but gets rid of any flakes I sometimes have, and does not dry me out either (which was my concern when I purchased it due to the alcohol content) Thankfully my skin does not even notice the alcohol! &Best of all, this does NOT break me out which is a feat of it's own because so many moisturizers have given me grief over the years. This moisturizer is definitely not for everyone though. Anyone with dehydrated skin, very dry skin, or a sensitivity to alcohol simply won't care for this. It's not quite hydrating enough if you're skin is very dry or dehydrated (which is what happened to me over the winter & why I switched to the Dry Skin version temporarily) At night I DO use a separate moisturizer for my eye area, simply because I'm all about anti-aging now that I'm in my 30's and I know that this gel-cream is not overly hydrating. (&For my eye area I've been rotating that Yes To Tomatoes Moisturizer I mentioned above with Caudalie's Vinexpert Firming Serum)) So for me with my skintype, Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel-Cream is just heavenly! At $6 USD a tub (at WalMart this is the price I got my tubs for), it's an absolute steal. &One tub used daily lasts me around 6-7 months. I actually decanted my last tub into a squeeze tube because I HATE sticking my fingers in that tub! Even with clean hands/fingers I still always feel like I'm contaminating the product or something! (I'm weird, I know lol ;D) So I got myself a little pack of these mini plastic spatulas (at the art store in my area) and used one to scoop the moisturizer out of the tub and into my empty $1 squeeze tube (also from WalMart) -and now it works like a charm and I don't have to stick my fingers in a tub 2x a day :) Overall, I do highly recommend this all the time. To friends, family, and other MUA'ers on the MakeUpBoard :) Especially recommending to anyone out there with very oily skin, and also to those out there who are like me, with troublesome/acne-prone skin.if you have a difficult time finding moisturizers that don't aggravate things further, give this $6 gel a try. My skin has never been happier since I've been using this, I'm so glad I found it :)
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Bronzers -E.L.F. - Studio Cool Bronzer
AndreaJunelle 5/12/2013 3:37:00 PM
Well hallelujah, I've FINALLY found my holy grail contour powder! *squeal!!* For reference, I'm almost 31 years old with fair and mostly neutral (slightly warm) undertones (between MAC shades NC10 & NC15 ATM) My skin is also oily and acne/clog-prone. I have brown hair & eyes and my "season" is considered a Clear Winter. I've always felt like contouring can really add something special to a full face of makeup, but never could find my *perfect* one. Before finding this $3 ELF gem I'd previously been using L'Oreal True Match pressed powder in C7/Nut Brown (which I never would have thought to purchase on my own but saw several youtubers using it successfully) - and while that worked ok, it was a *tad* too dark for me so therefore required a lot of blending into my pale skin. Everything else I tried either didn't look right (too warm, too cool) OR, broke me out. (NYX Taupe, Chanel Notorious, & NYC Sunny are a few of these examples) Not long ago I was placing a drugstore.com order and needed to add something for $2 and some change to get free shipping. I placed this bronzer in my cart (on a total whim without reading reviews!) for $3, got it home and it's perfection. I think I've used it everyday since lol I typically use a large/fluffy blush brush for applying contour powders or bronzers but this specific one I've been applying a little differently, using ELF's Studio Blush Brush. It's not big and fluffy like you'd expect a blush brush to be, it's actually a little thin and tapered(but very soft!). So I've been lightly swirling that brush through the middle of this powder (making sure to catch all 4 shades) dab it on to the areas of my face that I want to contour, then go back with a kabuki brush and blend those "dabbed" areas out (if that makes sense? lol ;D) -It works like a charm! As you can see in the photos others have already provided above, this bronzer is one that contains 4 shades that are all completely, 100% MATTE. There's a pure white, a medium rosy pink, a light bronzer shade (light brown) and a darker bronzer shade (med-dark brown). The packaging is sleek (as all ELF Studio products are) - In the medium size black compact similar to NARS blushes. I really can not think of anything wrong with this bronzer. The price is right, the colors are pigmented yet not too pigmented or difficult to work with, it does not break out my finicky skin, and provides that "sculpted" look that I love :) The only person I wouldn't recommend this to would be someone looking for a bronzer that is going to "brighten" up their complexion. I don't have this issue as I'm a highlighter freak with oily skin-I'm always lookin "glowy" (lol ;D) But some others do like their bronzer to give a "glow". Since this is matte, it will not give that kind of finish on the skin. I'd recommend the Golden or Warm bronzers from the Studio line (or Physicians Formula Happy Booster Bronzer or Bronze Booster as these are my favorite NON-matte bronzers) But I know a GREAT many of us struggle to find that perfect contour shade that can double as a bronzer and if you're someone out there who's still struggling to find it ya gotta give this a try! It's only $3 and it's awesome! I do highly recommend and would certainly repurchase. 5 lippies well deserved ELF :)
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Lip Gloss -E.L.F. - Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 - Malt Shake
AndreaJunelle 5/10/2013 2:01:00 PM
I recently received Malt Shake & Goddess ELF lip glosses from a great MUA'er. I expected to fall in love with Goddess and not be super thrilled with Milt Shake but after trying both, I actually prefer this one -Go figure! A little about me: I'm early 30's with fair skin (between MAC SFF shades NC10 & NC15 ATM) with dark brown hair & eyes. My "season" is considered a Clear Winter :) I adore this formula of lip gloss. I'm a total gloss gal (vs. lipstick) and am slappin on lip gloss probably 10x a day. When I find one that's too sticky or glittery though, it typically gets tossed to the back/bottom of my stash never to see the light of day again (hehe) For $1 this formula is outstanding. Never sticky, very glossy "looking" but no visible glitter or shimmer. Very underrated glosses in my personal opinion (for whatever it's worth lol) The color is not very "spring/summer" (currently May) Definitely more of a fall/winter shade but I don't care & plan to rock it anyway lol ;) I'd describe it as a MLBB shade that is just a TAD darker than my lip color and it pulls slightly berry/plum. The very pretty and wearable shade along with the very glossy look of it on my lips is quickly making this shade a staple for me. So why did I take a lippie off? Two MINOR reasons - #1 is because this shade and only this shade (of the 3 from this line that I now have) causes a slight tingling/burning sensation that does not fade away until the gloss is removed. It's strange? It *kinda* feels like how lip plumpers feel, except the tingle I feel with most plumpers fades away not long after application whereas with this, it lingers and does not go away. It's slightly annoying but at the same time I hate to complain too much as it's such a lovely shade and only $1, and, the tingle reminds me that there's still gloss on my lips and that I don't need to yet reapply lol My reason #2 is because of the packaging - Again, I hate to sound too picky regarding a one dollar lip gloss lol, but the packaging is super flimsy :( Before I received the two in the mail I had another shade from this line a year or so ago. It was a baby pink shade with peachy undertones and about 6 months after I got it, it randomly started leaking and the entire tube leaked throughout the organizer where my lip products are stored =*( Long story short, it wasn't salvageable and got tossed. So I live and I learn - My new Goddess & Malt Shake glosses I will be handling with care and am storing them in a ziploc baggie lol But with that being said, don't let that deter you from trying these because all in all, they are pretty darn awesome. However if you have sensitive lips or issues with the tingle feeling that plumping glosses can give, you may want to avoid this specific shade. For me though, I love it and would repurchase Malt Shake in a second! I am also planning to try other shades from this line.
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Concealers -NYX - HD Photogenic Concealer Wand
AndreaJunelle 5/6/2013 9:44:00 PM
I was hesitant on buying this as I don't have an Ulta store within reasonable driving distance from my home and had to order online. I purchased NYX's Concealer In A Jar a year or two ago and was very disappointed.. It didn't even begin to cover my very dark circles, and caused me dry patches/fine lines under my eyes every time I tried it. I couldn't my terrible experience with it after reading so many online raves for that particular concealer :( The second reason I hesitated was simply because I was torn between shades Porcelain & Fair (CW01 & CW02). I typically go with the lightest concealers in every line, but saw some swatch pics of Porcelain and was concerned it may be too light but at the same time Fair looked as though it may be too dark. When Ulta recently had a 40% off NYX sale I couldn't pass it up any longer and decided to go with Porcelain CW01 and I'm MORE than pleased :) For reference I'm 30years old with oily, pale, clog-prone skin with very dark and purple toned under eye circles. In MAC SFF I can pull off NC15 at my darkest but am usually between NC10 & NC15 (making me NC13ish I guess? I haven't been to an actual MAC counter in a decade O_o lol) I decided to go with Porcelain instead of Fair because I've been obsessing over the "triangle method" of applying concealer to my under eye area and wanted to make sure I got one that would brighten up my complexion.Porcelain does exactly that. I purchased this to use for my under eye area only though so I can't describe how it works on blemishes. But I can say that I am super happy with how it handles my very dark, purple toned under eye circles. It's very light and creamy, never cakey. &I've had zero issues with it creasing. & I just have to comment on how light this shade is because I'm so impressed! There aren't many concealer shades out in general that are THIS light, and there aren't any at all that I can think of from the drugstores this pale in color - so way to go NYX! (&Since I wear under eye concealer daily I have tried them all - from Maybeline Age Rewind Eraser in Fair, Maybelline Fit Me in 10 AND 15, Maybelline Dream Lumi in Ivory, L'Oreal Visible Lift Pen in Fair, & L'Oreal Magic Lumi Wand in Fair) None of the above are as pale as this concealer in Porcelain. NYX HD Photogenic Concealer Wand retails on Ulta's website for $4.99 and often goes on sale. (A steal of a price if you ask me! ;D) I also have experienced no issues with clogged pores or acne blemishes from this concealer which is another concern of mine (aside from shade matching) now that I'm pulling my concealer down further on my face (with the triangle method that I mentioned above). Overall I highly recommend and do plan to repurchase. I only need one coat of this and it blurs away my dark under eye circles flawlessly. Definitely a 5 lippie worthy concealer from NYX!
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Lipstick -Maybelline - Color Senational - Autumn Rush
AndreaJunelle 5/2/2013 8:02:00 PM
I've been obsessing over this lip color the past few days. I'm typically a very "pinky nude" type of lipstick gal that wears the occasional red lip for special occasions. For reference I'm quite fair toned w/neutral leaning warm undertones (between N10 & NC15 in MAC SFF) Also with dark brown hair & eyes. My "season" is considered a Clear Winter. I purchased this a year or two ago on a total whim (either on sale or clearance I believe?) Then got it home and decided it was too dark for what I was looking for at that time, threw it in my lipstick container & just found it again several days ago. Now I love it and don't know WHAT I was thinking when I tossed this aside. It's gorgeous and the formula doesn't disappoint either. I'd describe the shade as a pinky-brown that leans ever so slightly red. Almost a MLBB color but a tad darker on my medium pigmented lips. Very similar to CG Lip Perfection in Smolder(another new found favorite of mine). I love it with a little clear gloss dabbed on top and it seems to go with all of my favorite eye and blush looks as well. The formula lasts about as long as any typical lipstick would (several hours unless I eat or drink) and when it does fade away it's never patchy or drying. Very nice, especially for the price (around $6 USD). I have several lipsticks from the ColorSensational line now and am pleased with them all. There really doesn't seem to be any losers in this bunch which is awesome! Though I feel like this is more of a fall/winter color I don't care and will rock it year round lol ;) I highly recommend and do plan to repurchase.
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Foundations -Cover Girl - Clean Whipped Creme Foundation
AndreaJunelle 5/2/2013 2:24:00 AM
I know this is a very initial review as I just purchased this several days ago, but I'm in love with this foundation. For reference I'm almost 31 years old with oily, very clog-prone, fair and neutral leaning warm toned skin (currently between MAC SFF shades NC10 & NC15) &As for my "season", I'm considered a Clear Winter. I purchased this foundation in the lightest shade available (305, Ivory) at my local WalMart for just under $7 USD ($6.79 IIRC?) and 305 is *almost* my perfect match. It's an ever so slight tad on the dark side for me now, but it's probably not noticeable to anyone but me. & I think that when I get my slight yearly summer tan in a month or two (even though I wear sunscreen religiously..) that it'll be a really great match for me then, when I can pull off NC15 in SFF with ease. I have to admit though, I knew when I purchased this that I was going to enjoy it. Due to my troublesome skin I'm a religious ingredient checker and naturally checked the ingredients before purchasing. These ingredients looked a bit familiar though.. Then it dawned on me, they are very similar to CoverGirl's TRU Blend Whipped Foundation that was discontinued two or so years ago. I absolutely adored the Tru Blend Whipped Fndtn and I remember being SUPER disappointed when it was discontinued and actually stocked up on an extra tub of it when it went on 75%off clearance. When I got home I rumaged through my stash and actually found that old tub of the Tru Blend version, compared the ingredients, and whaddya know? They're the same :) So this "Clean Creme Whipped" is a newer, repackaged version of "Tru Blend Whipped".(Which is totally fine with me lol) The ingredients for anyone interested are as follows: Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, disodium etda. The only difference (that I've noticed) between this & Tru Blend is that the 2nd & 3rd ingredients are switched. With THIS foundation, water is the 2nd ingredient, and glycerin is the 3rd. With the discontinued foundation, glycerin was the 2nd ingredient, and water the 3rd. Everything else is identical so it's only a very minor change and they apply and feel exactly the same to me. As for the shade range though, I can't say for certain that the shades are the same as the discontinued whipped version. I have Ivory 405 in TruBlend Whipped and Ivory 305 in Clean Whipped Creme and I think that the Tru Blend (the older version) looks maybe a tad darker in the pot? But on the same token, it may just look a little darker because it's a tub of foundation that's been sitting for almost 2yrs..? I have 2 comparison pictures I shared above of those 2 Ivory shades for reference. I actually have a 3rd picture that compares the two ingredient lists but my cell phone didn't capture the words very well / it's not very readable so I chose not to upload it (so you'll just have to take my word on that lol ;D) About the coverage and finish - A little goes a long way.. First time I tried it I forgot about how thick it was, glooped out what I would normally use from similar "whipped" foundations (like Revlon CS Whipped), started blending, then realized that I took out wayyy too much. Only a half of a pea sized amount is sufficient for my entire face. &Thus far I've liked applying this with my fingers in dabbing motions. I've also tried it with my stippling brush 1x with great results but have yet to try it with my Beauty Blender, so hopefully I can update this after I play around with it a bit more. When I used the Tru Blend/older version I always used my fingers or a regular wedge sponge simply because it was before I purchased my stippling brushes (RT Stippling Brush & ELF Flat Top Powder Brush) as well as the BeautyBlender so playing around with these new(er) & different application techniques is quite fun! With my regular moisturizer (Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel-Cream) and one of my regular primers (either Revlon PhotoReady or Benefit Porefessional) CG Clean Whipped Creme keeps me matte for about 6-7 hours before I start feeling the need to blot or powder.(Which is pretty typical for me) BUT, If I use a mattifying primer before applying (for example, Biore UV Face Milk Sunscreen or my DIY Primer of Aloe Gel + Silica Powder) I've been getting closer to 10-12 hours without needing any blotting or touch ups, which is awesome. I'd describe the finish as satin-y. But if I had to chose between just dewy or matte, I say it's more matte. &The coverage is medium but easily sheered for lighter coverage as well as buildable to full. The foundation itself is so light and fluffy, I REALLY love the feel of it and think it's a steal for the price.(esp. considering a little goes such a long way!) CGs last foundation released (Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1) was between $11-13 USD in my area and this is less than $7 for something that I'm enjoying just as much. Of course I'm NOT a huge fan of "tubs"..Ugh. Even with clean fingers I ALWAYS feel like I'm contaminating the product or something when I gotta stick my finger in there lol So, I've been using a Q-tip to dab a little out (&like I said, a little goes a long way!) -then going from there. So needless to say, I'm quite pleased and do plan to update once I've used my different brushes & sponges to apply. So far I've only seen this available at WalMart. I stopped other drugstores in my area this morning looking for Maybelline ColorTattoo's & Revlon Lip Butters (I'm such a MUA'er I swear lol) &There were no traces of the new CoverGirl items (CG also released w/this foundation Flame Out mascara, Smoochies Lip Balms, Clean Glow Blush Trio's, &shadow pots). So if you're on the hunt for this, try WalMart. They had all of these new items on a cardboard end-cap display. I think this is a great&inexpensive 5 lippie wo
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Foundations -Maybelline - New Instant Age Rewind
AndreaJunelle 4/7/2013 5:00:00 AM
I am surprised at how much I like this foundation! I purchased it a while back because I adore the "Age Rewind Eraser Brightener Concealer" I found the concealer very easy to work with and it's also one of the few drugstore concealers that completely covers my dark circles like no other. So I hoped to love the foundation just as much and while I do, it's just for different reasons.. For reference I have 30yr old, very oily, clog/acne-prone, neutral leaning warm undertoned skin.(I'd be between shades N10 & NC15 in MAC at the moment) I have the lightest as well as the 2nd lightest shades ("Creamy Ivory 120 & Buff Beige 130") Creamy Ivory is a good match for me this time of year when I'm at my palest (winter) & Buff Beige matched me very well up until October 2012 or so when the weather changed and I lost any bit of a tan I had.. I originally purchased this because of the attached sponge applicator. I've tried the "brush top applicators" on concealers & foundations in the past and I don't ever find the brushes to be useful (still required blending w/a sponge or fingers) so I wanted to try this because since I'm an "on the go" mother of two, there are MANY times that I'm applying my makeup on the living room floor or in the car Lol so am not always able to do a full face at my vanity with my dampened beauty blender (you get the picture right? ;D) Luckily I was dead on right about the applicator! The sponge applicator really helps me (I do end up blending a little with my fingers when I'm done using the sponge, but it is not required to the point that the sponge is useless) I do have breakout prone skin and thankfully have not had any issues :) It is also very light coverage (which is what I personally want for days I'm quickly applying fndtn away from my vanity) It may be possible to build it up to medium coverage since it's so natural looking, but if you are looking for something very full coverage, this is simply not for you. For me though, not only does it even out my skin without looking mask-like, it gives a sort of *glow* to my face that I can't explain, but not ever too oily looking, nor does it accentuate my oily spots in the summer weather or any dry patches that I tend to get during winter. From time to time I stray away from this to try other things, but I recently rediscovered it and totally regret forgetting about it!! For full coverage days/special occasions I do reach for something else most times (most recently either CG Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 or Wet 'n Wild CoverAll Cream) But for regular days I've been reaching this quite often, and I *always* carry it in my purse because the sponge truly is great for touch ups as well. I paid between $9-10 USD which is not bad for a quality, drugstore foundation. If it were more, I'd pay more because I think it's great. I definitely think this is 5 lippie worthy &I highly recommend for anyone looking for an inexpensive lightweight foundation :) **Edited to add - After reading some of the reviews below I noticed a lot of people are reviewing this foundation as the concealer from this line, but my personal review is for the Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup foundation. The packaging of the foundation is basically identical looking to the concealer, just larger :)
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Lipstick -New York Color - Ultra Last Lip Wear Caramel
AndreaJunelle 3/21/2013 12:40:00 AM
I'd never tried any of NYC's Ultra Last Lipsticks before but came across a beauty blog recently with swatches of several lipsticks from this line, one of which being Caramel. Had I not seen the swatch photo's first, Caramel would have never been a shade I'd pick up on a whim as it looks so much darker and frostier in the tube than it does on my lips. For reference I'm quite fair and mostly neutral undertoned leaning slightly warm (between shades N10 & NC15 in MAC) with dark brown hair & eyes &considered a "Clear Winter" :) For me, Caramel shows up as a slightly darker than MLBB shade, with coppery undertones that lean red. It has pink undertones and is definitely not what I'd classify as a frost even though it's not matte either. It just has some dimension to it, and makes my lips look like I've applied a little gloss over top of the color which I really like :) Caramel is fairly hydrating (I don't need to wear a balm or gloss under or over it) However it isn't extremely long lasting. But with that being said, it's not any less longer lasting than any other basic lipstick that I own either. So overall, I'm totally pleased! I found the Caramel shade at my local WalMart for $1.74. The other 2 shades I was interested in from the blog (Mousse & Fragile Pink) were not available at WalMart (not even listed on my local WalMart's NYC display) -so I purchased those shades at RiteAid for $1.92. But stores like RiteAid, CVS, & Walgreens very often offer BOGO 50% Off sales on NYC so it's very easy to get these lipsticks for even less than that price (which is already a steal in my opinion for less than $2 USD!) I'd highly recommend not only Caramel, but all of the Ultra Last Lipsticks. The only reason I had to take 1 lippie away is for two reasons. The first being, when I got Caramel home the lipstick had broken off at the bottom, from the tube. I easily decanted it into a travel tub of course and just apply it with a lip brush. But these need to be handled with care as their quite fragile. (I unfortunately learned the hard way!) &The other reason is simply because they ARE marketed as "Ultra Last" when I don't find them any longer lasting than other lipsticks that I've tried. These are two VERY minor complaints though for such great and inexpensive lipsticks. I definitely plan to repurchase and highly recommend -Way to go NYC!!
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Lips -Wet 'n' Wild - Megalast Liquid Lip Color Red My Mind
AndreaJunelle 3/20/2013 5:35:00 PM
These are probably my favorite lipstains that I've ever tried, from any price point. I actually purchased my first two without knowing that they were lip stain type lipsticks, and thought they were more like a gloss lol But they're lipsticks that act as lipstains and come in tubes with wand applicators (like pictured) :) I could immediately tell upon application that they were not a gloss at all but they DO need to be be worn with a gloss (or balm). Whether it be applied before or after, they're too tight feeling on their own, but I don't want to take any points/lippies away from them for that reason alone because I assume the reason they have that "tight" feeling during & immediately after applying is what makes them perform so well - They're EXTREMELY pigmented & longer lasting than anything else I've tried. Red My Mind & Pink Perfection have lasted through 2-3 meals and a nap on me without fading away even the slightest - amazing right?! Red My Mind is a stunning bright red &I am VERY picky with red lipsticks.. For whatever reason, I can't seem to pull off reds as easily as others do. Not sure if it's due to my skintone or something else that I haven't yet come to figure out..? (For reference I'm 30 y/o and between N10 & NC15 in MAC at this time - which just means I'm super pale & mostly neutral undertoned but lean more warm than cool. I also have dark brown hair & eyes.) I can honestly say that at one point in time or another probably tried close to 50 red lipstick shades, and only have TWO that I can say I LOVE (those two being Revlon SuperLustrous in Really Red, & Revlon's Lip Butter in Red Velvet) I have a few other reds that I like, but they don't do it for me the way those other two do. Until now! NOW I can say that I have THREE red lipsticks that I love now thanks to WnW's Red My Mind lol :) I have to say though, if I apply Red My Mind with a heavy hand it looks a bit scary on my super pale skin, so I have to be light handed with it and dab a little balm on my lips before applying and a little gloss or balm on again after applying, but the end result is great. For anyone who loves red lipsticks, Red My Mind is one you need to try! &For anyone who loves how reds look on other people but have a tough time finding reds that look flattering on you, I'd recommend Red My Mind to you as well :) From this line I also have Pink Perfection (a gorgeous baby pink which borders on almost being a nude pink) and I Can Bare It (a dark nude shade which is just a little too deep for me pesronally, but it's still very nicely pigmented & would probably suit a different skintone much better than mine) So I would also highly recommend Pink Perfection along with Red My Mind. Overall, for $2.99 these are exceptional! I've seen them available pretty much everywhere now. I first found them at Walgreens but purchased my most recent one at RiteAid. I have also seen them at CVS & KMart. Right now (mid-March 2013) 2 of the local drugstores in my area have $1 off coupons attached to them, so they're available at this time for $1.99 which is just a total steal. Another great quality lip product from Wet 'n Wild -I'm also a huge fan of their MegaLast Lipsticks (the originals) & MegaShield Lipsticks (they're like lip balms but super pigmented & contain SPF 15) I'll definitely be repurchasing MegaLast Liquid Lip Colors in Pink Perfection & Red My Mind though. I also plan to try out other shades from this line. Great job WnW!! **I also added the picture for this review but it is NOT my picture nor am I affiliated with the blog it came from, I simply found it via Google and thought it looked like an accurate representation of the shade :) **
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Lipstick -Wet 'n' Wild - Megalast Liquid Lip Color
AndreaJunelle 3/20/2013 5:19:00 PM
These are probably my favorite lipstains that I've ever tried, from any price point but I have to admit, I had no idea that they were lip stains when I purchased my first one ;P They appear to be glosses UNTIL you apply one, then you get that "lipstain" feeling and know that these are NOT glosses whatsoever lol So with that being said, they do need an oil cleanser or balm type of cleanser to be removed (without scrubbing your lips off) I personally have been using J&J Baby Oil for removal with ease :) Unfortunately these stains most definitely need to be be worn with gloss or balm, whether it be applied before or after, they're too dry/tight feeling on their own. But I don't want to take any points(lippies) away from these for that reason only because I assume the reason they have that "tight" feeling is what makes them perform so well (I personally don't have any real "issues" with wearing gloss/balm with these but others may not care for that aspect) Regardless, I have 3 now and they're EXTREMELY pigmented & longer lasting than anything else I've tried. Red My Mind & Pink Perfection have lasted through 2-3 meals and a nap without fading away even the slightest - amazing right?! Like I said above, I have Pink Perfection, Red My Mind, & also I Can Bare It. Pink Perfection is a beautiful baby pink that appears to have a slight bit of shimmer but is semi-matte at the same time (if that even makes sense?) I Can Bare It is a deep nude and my least favorite of the 3 I own. It's "said" to be the shade that Fergie is wearing in some of the individual display's for these MegaLast Liquid's, but it didn't look the same on me as it did on Fergie lol - Much deeper and *almost* gave me that "too dark concealer lips" kinda look which isn't always flattering..I decided to keep it though and use it to tone down some of my brighter lipsticks that are hard for me to pull off . I'm between N10 & NC15 at the moment (fair with mostly neutral undertones that lean slightly warm), with dark brown hair & eyes for reference. Red My Mind is stunning! I am EXTREMELY picky with red lipsticks.. For whatever reason, I can't seem to pull off reds as easily as others do - not sure if it's my skintone or what, but I can honestly say that I've tried at one point in time or another probably close to 50 red lipstick shades, and only have TWO that I can say I LOVE - Revlon SuperLustrous in Really Red, & Revlon's Lip Butter in Red Velvet. I have a few other reds that I like, but they don't do it for me the way those other two do - Until now, now I can say I have THREE red lipsticks that I love now thanks to WnW's Red My Mind! :) I have to say though, if I apply Red My Mind with a heavy hand it looks a bit scary on my super pale skin, so I have to be light handed with it and dab a little balm on my lips before applying and a little gloss or balm on again after applying, but the end result is great. For anyone who loves red lipsticks, Red My Mind is one you need to try! &For anyone who loves how reds look on other people but have a tough time finding reds that look flattering on you, I'd recommend Red My Mind to you as well :) I'd also highly recommend Pink Perfection to anyone who loves pink-y, or pinky nude lipstick shades. I fall in love with anything light pink or nude pink, especially blue based pinks. - Pink Perfection is no exception. It's somewhere between a *slightly* blue based light baby pink & a nude pink. Stunning. Overall, for $2.99 these are exceptional! Another great quality pigmented lip product from Wet 'n Wild - I'll definitely repurchase Pink Perfection & Red My Mind, and I also plan to try out other shades from this line.
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Concealers -L'Oreal - Visible Lift Serum Age-Reversing Concealer
AndreaJunelle 3/13/2013 5:57:00 PM
I purchased this on accident, almost returned it but decided to try it anyway and am glad I did! I ran into the store to repurchase the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Concealer Pen which I keep in my purse for touch ups since it's a lighter coverage concealer. I wasn't paying attention and grabbed this instead lol (Hey L'Oreal, the packaging of this & the Lumi are too similar!) Anyway I got it home, read a few reviews and decided to keep it. Tried it for the first time several days ago and thought it would be very similar (coverage wise) to the Lumi one so I applied a good bit of it and when I began to blend I quickly realized that this one has wayyy more coverage so I ended up with the "reverse panda eye" effect (not a good look BTW) But I was excited that it was a fuller coverage concealer though because I have VERY dark under eye circles, always have (genetics I assume?) and am always looking for that Holy Grail concealer for my under eye area. So when I tried it the following day I just dabbed on a very small amount, blended, and wow it was perfection! Covered ALL of my dark circles really effortlessly which is not an easy task. I've never been so pleased with a product that I didn't even mean to buy! Lol ;) For reference I'm almost 31 with very pale (between N10 & NC15 in MAC), oily/acne-prone skin, and dark, purple undertoned under eye circles. Since my dark circles are very purple toned, I've found that concealers with yellow tones seem to cover them best, and the "Fair" shade of this Visible Lift Concealer Pen does indeed lean yellow which is yet another difference between it and the Lumi Pen - The Lumi's Fair shade has more neutral undertones that lean more pink (which is why it works better for touch ups for me personally). Overall, I'm super impressed and can't believe I haven't seen more raves regarding this concealer! I think it's really great quality. My ONLY gripes are the packaging & price.. I got it at WalMart which is always the least expensive place in my area for drugstore makeup but paid just under $13 USD which is definitely on the high side for a concealer. Granted $13 doesn't break the bank, but I'm not sure if I've ever paid that much for a concealer that didn't come from Sephora before! &Next, the packaging - These "clicky" pens are just not ideal for me. I like that they're travel friendly and sleek, but that's where it ends. I can never seem to click out the exact amount I need without clicking out too much then I end up wasting some or making a mess *sigh* My Maybelline Dream Lumi Pen actually wouldn't stop clicking and was pushing out concealer when it wasn't even in use (I had TWO of them that did this!) So I ended up cutting off the bristles and clicking all of the concealer out into a tiny travel tub and using a regular concealer brush to apply and that method works really well! If I end up having issues with this pen I plan to do the same. I'd love to see this in a regular concealer tube with the doe foot wand though! :) Other than those two minor gripes I'm really pleased and DO plan to repurchase regardless of the price & packaging. This is one of the better under eye concealers I've tried to date, from any price point (drugstore or dept.store) & I highly recommend!
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Brows -Wet 'n' Wild - Brow & liner pencil
AndreaJunelle 3/13/2013 3:45:00 PM
I'm absolutely obsessed with this kohl pencil from WnW in the "Taupe" shade. I use it for my brows. I'm 30yrs old and *just* started doing my brows, like, this year(better late than never? ;D) I have (&have always had) pretty full brows, I get them tweezed/waxed every 4-5 weeks, so never thought I "needed" to do my brows and thought it was only for people with thinning brows but I'm ready to say now that I was wrong! I had the Taupe pencil in my cosmetics collection already, purchased it at my local CVS store for .99cents just to use as a basic taupe shade of eyeliner, but unfortunately I never really reached for it as an eyeliner so it collected dust until I saw a good amount of posts on the MakeUp Board about people with fair skin and dark brows using it as a brow pencil. I thought hum.. maybe I'll try that? Needless to say I did and have become a bit of a pro with it by now, and I've also tried quite a few other brow products along the way but always come back to this one. The ones I've tried thus far are all from drugstores but are: NYC's brow kit, ELF's brow kit, and Wet'nWild's brow kit. -I like them all, but don't find any of those as fool-proof and natural looking on me personally as the Taupe Pencil (which makes me happy because this pencil is HUGE, much taller than your average kohl liner pencil and is only $1 - it's a win/win) As I said above my skintone is quite fair (In MAC I'd currently be between N10 & NC15) but I also have very dark brown eyes, and med-dark brown hair (as well as brows) -Taupe blends perfectly without looking like I've placed anything at all on my brow area which is the biggest thing for me, I don't ever want it to look like I've applied anything to make my brows look "done" (If that makes sense?) I typically top this pencil off with a little bit of clear mascara by ELF or Maybelline, just so my brows look tame ;) But the clear mascara part isn't even a "must" with this pencil as it smoothes my lashes down really well on it's own. I've been using this pencil regularly (6-7 days a week) for about 4 months now and am still only about 1/2 way through it, so it lasts quite a while - regardless of how long it lasts though I plan to repurchase over & over again. I actually just stocked up on 2 more of them recently at a CVS BOGO WnW sale ;) Wet 'n Wild has really impressed me lately and this is no exception, I highly recommend!
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Treatments -Olay - Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum - Fragrance Free
AndreaJunelle 3/11/2013 6:24:00 PM
I really like this product because I think it's versatile. I feel like it does several things, and will also work for different skin types. I want to start off by saying that I'm 30 years old with oily(yet easily dehydrated), acne&clog-prone skin, and large/visible pores. I purchased this after having it recommended to me by another MUA'er (a friend of mine). Otherwise I never would have known it existed because Olay's display at the drugstores is massive and confusing.. I found it at my local WalMart for just under $21. The pricetag scared me a little at first.. $20 certainly doesn't break the bank, but it's a bit on the high side for a "moisturizer". I kept my receipt though and figured it it didn't work I'd return it lol Regardless, I got this to use as a lightweight moisturizer. To either pair with my regular moisturizer when my skin needs more hydrating in the winter time(now), or to use alone in the summer when I don't need a heavy moisturizer because my skin is at it's oiliest. The first time I tried it I paired it with my regular moisturizer on a day my skin was feeling a little dehydrated (my "regular" moisturizer being Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel-Cream for Dry Skin) and I was really impressed. It did exactly what I expected it to do - lightly hydrated, worked well with my other moisturizer, didn't turn me into an oil slick by noon, and wore well under makeup. I was pleasantly surprised to notice a few other things it did as well! It also seems to double as a makeup primer, creating a great makeup base while smoothing out my lines & pores. I already use a primer/pore minimizer type product (currently Revlon's PhotoReady Primer or DHC Velvet Skin Coat - very siliconey type products that really diminish my pores better than anything else I've come across to-date) But when I pair THIS along with the one of those (usually my Revlon PR Primer), my pores are GONE. It's like amazing magic or something ;) My next concern was breakouts.. My skin is super finicky and while the ingredient list looked pretty safe, I can never know for 100% until I test drive it. For anyone else interested, those ingredients are: Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide 3 (Amino Peptide), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (Green Tea), Allantoin (Comfrey Root), Cetyl Ricinoleate, Bis PEG/PPG 14/14 Dimethicone, PEG 10 Dimethicone, PEG 100 Stearate, PEG 10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Benzyl Alcohol Thankfully it's been a month or so of continued use and I haven't experienced any new acne, clogged pores, or blackheads so I think I'm safe(Yay!) The claims on the packaging are as follows: "Olay Regenerist helps regenerate your skin's appearance without such drastic measures as chemical peels, cosmetic surgery or laser. Clinical tests have proven that amino-peptides can help regenerate damaged skin. Now Olay uses this technology to beautifully regenerate skin by renewing its outer layer, revealing newer skin. Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum Fragrance Free uses a concentrated form of an exclusive amino-peptide complex and combines it with moisture to offer the maximum regeneration and hydration within the Regenerist line. This gentle, dermatologist-tested formula is 100% fragrance and color free and has been designed for everyday use." So this product actually seems to be "designed/marketed" for anti-aging.. I'm not super picky with anti-aging, so I wouldn't be disappointed in it if I didn't notice any long term benefits just because I love everything else about it. I do like to take "anti-aging precautions" whenever I can of course (wearing sunscreen daily, things of that nature) But thanks to my oily skin I seem to be aging gracefully (or at least I think I am lol) so I do plan to repurchase this over and over again regardless. As I said above, it's been a month or so of use now but I still get surprised when I look in the mirror and see how poreless I look some days! It's really made a huge difference in my life so Olay did a great job with this one. Now I just have to pray they don't discontinue it! ;)
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Foundations -Wet 'n' Wild - coverall
AndreaJunelle 3/9/2013 3:30:00 PM
Wow, I haven't been this initially pleased with a foundation in I don't know how long! I typically buy one, feel like I've already tried 2 others JUST like it, then after a little time decide if I love or hate. My love for this new "CoverAll" was instant though and after 1week of daily wear I'm still pleased! For reference I'm 30 years old w/very fair, neutral undertoned(leaning warm), oily & clog-prone skin. I'd read a few raves regarding this fndtn on the boards & beauty blogs (it was being especially loved by those with fair & oily skin) but I still walked past it several times in the drugstore without giving it a 2nd look.. I figured I had enough fndtns & didn't need a new one to risk a breakout from. I did purchase the CoverAll Pressed Powder when it came out and have been happy with it, but it's more of a full coverage powder & I personally go for a light coverage "nautral" look on a daily basis since getting my skin cleared up recently (thanks to the MUA boards!) So it's not going to be my Holy Grail of pressed powders, but is still nice none the less especially for the price. &The "Fair" color in the Pressed Powder is a great match for me. Then last week my daughter was admitted into our local Children's Hospital which is 2hrs from my home & I needed to make a quick trip to CVS(for some feminine products, which is only a few blocks away from the hospital) While I was there I remembered I didn't have any makeup w/me so purchased this foundation in Fair/Light for $4.99. I was perplexed bc it appeared the lightest shade was Fair/Light, so that was what I got of course but I remembered reading on the MUB that there was a Fair shade (like the powder has) which matched those of us who are lighter than NC15 in MAC(I'm currently N10-ish but can pull off NC15 at my darkest. I also wear N1 in L'Oreal True Match which is my *perfect* fndtn shade) Now that I'm back at home & have done a lil digging I've found that there is indeed a shade called Fair but for whatever reason it's not carried everywhere which sucks :( I'm not going to hold that against WnW/this review though bc it's the individual stores that chose which shades they want to carry/think will sell & not the choice of WnW (or at least that's how I've come to understand it?) Once I got in good lighting Fair/Light looked REALLY dark in the tube but to my surprise it's not terribly dark at all! Granted it's not my "perfect" match, but it works. I'd describe Fair/Light as a mostly neutral undertoned shade. I would LOVE to get my hands on Fair to compare the two though so plan to go searching for it soon, but until then Fair/Light does the trick &even looked good under the terrible flourescent hospital lighting (which we all know is NOT always flattering) So I really feel that what the shades look like in the tube is not accurate to how they look on the skin. My next concern was breakouts.. My skin is so finicky & picky, so the "generally loved" fndtns on the Makeup Board & blogs are usually ones I can't wear without my skin freaking out =( But the ingredient list for this looked fairly safe and after 1wk of continued use I'm happy to say that I still do not have any new acne, clogged pores, or blackheads -WooHoo! For those interested, the ingredient list is as follows (typed out from the back of my bottle because I couldn't find it elsewhere online lol) water, cyclopentasiloxane, isododecane, talc, butylene glycol, cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, glycerin, phenyl trimethicone, peg/ppg-18/18 dimethicone, dimethicone, hexyl laurate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, propylene carbonate, silica, dimethicone crosspolymer, disteardimonium hectorite, magnesium aluminum silicate, sodium chloride, lecithin, chlorphenesin, 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid, bisabol, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, propylene glycol stearate, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, tocopheryl acetate, tetrahhexyldecyl ascorbate, polysorbate 20, propylene glycol laurate, dimethiconol, sorbitan laurate, methylisothiazolinone, titanium dioxide/ci 77891, iron oxides/ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499 I feel that anyone w/normal, combo, or oily skin (that can find a color match) will really love this foundation. Those with drier skin, I don't know.. Maybe with a good moisturizer it'd work? I'm not a great judge of things like that since my skin type is on the other side of the spectrum but I can say that the 1st time I tried it I didn't moisturize well & noticed a few flakies around my nose..(we all know about those dreaded "winter skin flakies" right? *UGH*) So before the 2nd use I moisturized a little better &didn't use my mattifing primer underneath and voila - perfection & love at first sight! I walked away & didn't see myself in a mirror again for at least 8hrs, but when I did was pleasantly surprised that it had not separated, caked, oxidized away, or done anything! It looked freshly applied & I didn't even need to blot which is pretty great. The coverage is what I'd describe as medium but buildable and that's ideal for me so CoverAll is definitely ranking up there as one of my favorite fndtns. Will it be "holy grail status" for me? I won't know for sure til the humid summer weather rolls back around. This time of year my Tzone is oily, but other areas of my face are more "normal" than anything else so I don't need a ton of oil control. In the summer however, my skin becomes a MESS and too many foundations just slide away after an hour or two.. So I'm still looking for that "year round HG fndtn"*fingers crossed* I do hope to update this in a few months when the weather warms up though! In the mean time, this totally deserves more than 5 lippies in my opinion. I highly recommend it, especially when you consider the price. For $3-5 it's not a huge investment, and if you really dislike it, most drugstores allow open cosmetic returns with a receipt (CVS & Walmart do) So it's worth a try, great job Wet 'n Wild! **Update -- I found the "Fair" shade at KMart just like a reviewer b
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No