Mascara -Cover Girl - Professional Mascara
BrittaBot 4/21/2013 8:55:00 PM
I wanted to give this a try after having used Super Thick Lash forever, and I prefer STL to this mascara, but it's still good. This mascara isn't dramatic, but it does produce very feathery, separated, smooth lashes. It doesn't droop curled lashes, smudge, transfer to my upper lids, or leave a black mess around my eyes after I wash my face. It's not clumpy, spidery, or fibrous and tacky on the lashes. The only reason I like Super Thick Lash better is that it's more dramatic, and it creates a thick, dramatic, dark lash quickly. You have to really take some time to build up your lashes with Professional (blue tube), and it still doesn't create huge, dramatic lashes. However, if you want a soft, fluttery, natural lash, check into this mascara. Also, it does not seem to dry out as quickly as STL, so that may be a plus to consider.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid- Lotion Sunblock SPF 30
BrittaBot 3/30/2013 9:17:00 AM
I bought this sunscreen because summer is coming, so things are going to get more hot and humid for my skin in the near future. I have normal/oily skin, so I thought this product would suit it well. I like my Olay sunscreen, but it's pretty moist and dewy. In terms of performance, Clear Face is pretty good. The texture is smooth and easy to apply, and it quickly sets into a satiny, powdery texture that works well under makeup. It doesn't smell bad, and it keeps my skin looking matte and clean during the day. I love that it's broad spectrum. However, this stuff burns my eyes like nothing else. I have used it on my face about 5 times, and 4 out of those 5, it has burned around my eyes the same way my eyes would burn if I accidentally rubbed them after handling chili peppers. It sucks. It feels like a hot, stinging chemical burn, and the feeling lasts for at least 10 minutes. I have used other sunscreens on my face, and none have ever done this. I have had reactions to sunscreens on other parts of my body (neck, arms), so maybe I have an allergy problem that most others don't have. If it weren't for my skin's reaction to this product, I'd give it a 5, so I'd still recommend that people try it.
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Lip Liners -NYX - Slim Lip Pencil - Beige 849
BrittaBot 3/3/2013 10:29:00 PM
This is my favorite lip liner. It's a very fair, frosty beige, and I like it because it doesn't add any pink or brown to lipsticks. It just defines and accentuates the edge of my lips to make nude lipsticks look more clean around the edges. Some other nudes add a lot of color, or they are kind of greasy or heavy and end up ruining a natural lip by looking too strong. I've used this one so much that the pencil is getting short, which is really saying something.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Almay - Intense i-Color Blue
BrittaBot 3/2/2013 6:50:00 PM
This mascara is remarkable, but for all the wrong reasons. I bought the color "Sapphire" because I wanted a natural navy mascara to wear with my silver, smoky, and blue shadows. On the brush, this stuff looks bright navy, but on the lashes, it's just sort of slate gray, with sparkles. I guess sparkles are nice or something, but how do they make lashes look any better? The formula is thin and wet, and it takes many coats to get any real definition on the lashes. But then it starts to dry out a little on the brush, and you quickly enter into tarantula-lashes territory. :( This mascara does NOT build well. It's just a dry, fibrous mess after a certain point of application. At least it's easy to remove, in a way. It comes off the lashes more easily than other mascaras, but then the sparkles end up sticking to my face after cleansing. Not really a fan of that. One good thing about this formula is that it did not transfer above my eyes at all during the day, and many other mascaras do. I will also say that the brush is unique in that it kind of grabs lashes and really combs through them, but I also feel it's too bulky and should be thinner. If you want a very natural mascara and already have long and thick lashes, this may be a good choice. But someone who really needs to layer their mascara will probably have a a bad time with this.
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Concealers -Laura Geller - Real Deal Full Coverage Cream Concealer
BrittaBot 3/2/2013 6:22:00 PM
I bought a tiny tube of this for $10 because I wanted a heavy duty concealer in case I needed one. I tried this under my eyes and around my nose, and I didn't like it for either. Too crepey and thick, hard to layer without cakiness, and it creased around my nose badly. I've used much cheaper concealers under my eyes that looked better than this product (Sonia Kashuk, Rimmel). It did come in handy one time, though. I had a huge red mark on my chin from a benzoyl peroxide reaction. I think this was the only concealer I had that would have covered it–it was bright red and more than an inch across. This concealer DID cover the redness completely, and it looked pretty natural when powdered over, so even though I'm not completely satisfied with this product, I think it has some uses and probably works well for some people. It's just not the right concealer for my needs.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Olay - Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System
BrittaBot 2/27/2013 10:00:00 PM
I'm writing this on behalf of my teenage daughter. She has had problematic skin for months–acne, redness, itching, sensitivity, and dryness. We had tried various washes and moisturizers (African Black Soap, St. Ives, Fruitique, Clinique, Neutrogena, Abba, Yes to Tomatoes, etc. . .), and everything either dried her skin, or had no beneficial impact on the acne problem. She doesn't wear makeup or spend much time on her appearance because she's always busy, so she just lived with red, bumpy, itchy skin. Since I knew I had to find something simple yet effective for her (she'd never stick with a complex system, and her skin seems too sensitive for multiple products), I went and splurged on this brush system. We saw serious results within one day, no joke. Now a few days later, the breakouts are almost all gone (she'd had pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and various uneven texture), and her skin texture is much more even and refined. My daughter also says her skin is much less oily during the day and that when she looks in the mirror, she feels like her skin looks good, and it doesn't hurt anymore. It's as though she has different skin. She uses the cleanser that came in the box, and she says she loves this system. She even praised that it's less messy than trying to wash her face at the sink. Mind you, this is a girl who is not that big into beauty products or treatments. I had high hopes for this product, based on reviews, and I can sincerely say that it has even exceeded my expectations. My daughter's skin is happier, and she's happier, and we don't have to keep searching for the "right" product anymore. I think this system works because the brush provides thorough, but gentle, exfoliation. Acne treatment requires increased cell turnover and exfoliation, but so many products, chemical or physical, tear up and dry out the skin so badly that its overall appearance and quality are still poor, even if actual breakouts are reduced. This brush system removes dead cells, oil, and the surface factors that cause acne, but without damaging the structure and moisture of the skin. I would suggest that anyone with acne just try this, even if it seems a little expensive.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Rimmel - Lasting Finish - Kate Moss 14
BrittaBot 2/24/2013 6:06:00 PM
I have always wanted a nude brown lipstick, but I've had trouble finding one because my skin is pink and fair, and most browns are too dark and warm/roasted to look natural (for example, MAC's Double Shot). Other "nudes" are too light and pasty-looking, thus draining my face of life (MAC's Honeylove). This color is perfect because it's a warm 90's-era brown with yellow and pink tones. I had tried Pure Zen by MAC, and it was too yellow, almost light orange on me. Fairest Nude by Loreal is pretty, but too pale and not suitable for work–it's more of a statement color with bold eyes, IMO. I also love the firm, even, smooth texture of this lipstick. It's not oily and slippery like so many Revlon shades, but it's just as affordable. It lasts forever on the lips and wears off evenly. It can be drying on chapped lips, so a balm and soft lips are recommended with this shade. The packaging is cute, too. Black, with "Kate" in red. The scent is kind of strange, like spicy fruits or florals, but it doesn't persist once applied on the lips. I've been very impressed with the Kate lipsticks and will keep trying more. I can see why this shade is too "gray" for some people, but it works for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Physicians Formula - Shimmer Strips Gel Creamliner (all)
BrittaBot 2/22/2013 10:57:00 PM
I got the trio for blue eyes because, well, I have blue eyes, and there was a 40% off coupon for PF. I almost never wore gel liners because they tended to transfer to my upper lids during the day, and they also dry out over time, making them hard to use and wasteful. But these liners are great. The trio has a navy blue, a brown, and a black with faint blue shimmer. The colors go on smoothly and heavily, instead of streaky. They are also easy to control and shape along the lashline. I can do either a very fine line right in the lashes, or a heavier one for a more dramatic, intensified eye. I barely have to pat my liner brush into the pot, and it picks up enough color. If I pick up too much, I just work it into the back of my hand a little bit. The color also lasts all day and doesn't melt under or above the eyes. I like that there's three colors in one stack. I can use warm brown or cool blue or black depending on my eyeshadow. And the pots take up little space in my kit. This product has changed me from someone who never wore gel liner to someone who wears it a few times a week. I never really buy PF products, but this is one that should be given a chance.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -La Femme - Blush on Rouge - Orange
BrittaBot 2/18/2013 9:55:00 PM
I bought this shade because I had no "orange" blushes, and I thought I would get something peachy and fun. Instead, "Orange" is a heavy, dense orange-red, like a Crayola, and upon seeing it, I thought, "WTF" and threw it in my Bin of Lost Makeup. Eventually I got curious as to what Orange would look like, and I found it's very loosely pressed and easy to overapply. But using just a little, it creates a warm red flush that looks natural and vibrant, like a true flush from under the skin. It's matte and easy to blend and diffuse. No sparkles or shine here. I think this shade would work on fair to mahogany skins because applied lightly, it's a a pretty flush, and applied to darker skins, the warm undertone probably looks beautiful. And for under $5 a pot, these blushes are worth trying out.
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Barely Branded Color Tattoo
BrittaBot 2/18/2013 9:39:00 PM
I think this product probably works better for some than for others. I have oily lids and use a fair amount of sunscreen (making my lids more oily), so this cream shadow eventually creases heavily on my eyes. It may do great on drier skins, but I still need a primer if I want this stuff to last all day. However, the shade, a creamy, peachy, soft tan/beige is very pretty and versatile, and on my lids, it comes across as a little silver, rather than straight gold. It's a good base color because it's luminous and evens out the lid, but it's not super frosty or powdery, just radiant and soft. I've used a bronze from Naked 2 in the crease, as well as lavender taupey shades, and they both look pretty over Barely Branded. This shade is also good for the inner corner because it looks natural and brightening, rather than frosty and heavy. In general, I think creamy shadows can look more lively and beautiful on the skin than powders because of their reflective moisture content, and I'm happy to be able to pick up these pots for so cheap at the supermarket.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Maybelline - Fit Me Foundation
BrittaBot 2/18/2013 8:34:00 PM
I've used this only a couple times, so if it turns out to ruin my skin, I'll update my review. Right now, though, I'm kind of amazed at how good this foundation is. I picked it up thanks to Wayne Goss (who loved it) and a dollar-off coupon in the store. I tend to avoid DS foundations because a bad foundation ruins an entire face, and the only one I've used for years is Revlon CS. But I love Fit Me because it blends smoothly and quickly (I use my fingertips), it lasted all day at work without turning greasy (my skin is normal/oily), and it has a diffuse, soft finish that isn't heavy, dry, masklike, glittery, orange, flat, or any of those other horrible things that foundations can do. The finish is very skinlike, IMO, and I say this after wearing nothing but Coty Airspun for the past while (since I loved the natural finish). As a bonus, blush blends easily over Fit Me without any powder barrier. I used a super pigmented La Femme blush in Orange, and it blended like a dream. No blotching, dragging, skipping across the skin, or shifting the foundation around. My Mary Lou Manizer also looked good as a highlight. I admit I don't like that there's no pump with this container, but I use a cotton swab to get product and dab it around my face. After I use my fingers to blend, the swab serves as a "concealer" applicator to apply more foundation on any red areas. Fit Me actually works well as concealer since it didn't cake or crease under my eyes or around my nose. One thing I will say is that I bought "Ivory" because that was the lightest shade in the store, but I think I need "Porcelain" because my face is a little darker than my neck when I'm in the car. In artificial light, they look fine, however. It seems this product gets mixed reviews, but I'm happy to have found something so cheap and effective, and with such a broad shade range.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Philosophy - Chocolate Lemon Funnel Cake
BrittaBot 2/18/2013 12:39:00 AM
This body wash smells and looks wonderful. It truly does smell like a batter of chocolate and lemon, and it's a pearly, rich cocoa color that's luxurious to apply in the shower. It suds up well and isn't drying, and it just smells great while you use it. My family and I have collected quite a few Philosophy body washes from Nordstrom Rack and Marshall's. They're fun and high quality, and I always like seeing what unique scents and colors they can come up with.
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Lips -Tarte - Lipsurgence Natural Matte Lip Tint in Exposed
BrittaBot 2/18/2013 12:35:00 AM
I got Exposed in a Christmas set with other Lipsurgences, and I have to admit, I would not spend full price on this, BUT I'm very happy with the actual quality of the product. Exposed is a satiny matte pink-based, nude beige. It looks natural, but polished, and I love the peppermint scent and velvety look and feel of this lipcolor. It's matte, but not heavy and dry. I also like the chubby pencil shape. It's a nice change from the classic lipstick bullet. The packaging is also pretty and practical–the tube is the same color as the product, so you can spot it easily in a pile of makeup. Exposed goes great with my fair skin and dark blonde hair, and it would probably work for a variety of colorings.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Rimmel - Match Perfection Concealer
BrittaBot 2/17/2013 8:48:00 PM
I'd give this a 4 since I think it's a 3-4 if you want to cover blemishes, but a 5 if you want to perfect the areas around your eyes, nose, and mouth. I bought this to serve as an undereye concealer based on reviews, and I've been very happy with the texture, finish, and wear of this product. It's creamy, blendable, and long-lasting, and it doesn't cake up and become splotchy like other concealers. I also like the pen applicator because I can apply a lot of product or very little to precise areas. This even makes a great lip line perfecter if you trace it lightly around your lips. I don't think it's pigmented enough for serious blemishes, though, only fading discoloration. It hides my small red spots, but I don't think it's heavy-duty enough for more than that. I got the lightest color because I'm always the lightest shade in any brand, but I think I could have done well with the next shade up. I think this concealer is definitely worth checking out, and I can see why it's gotten such good reviews.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Rimmel - Lasting Finish - Kate Moss 08
BrittaBot 2/13/2013 10:18:00 PM
This is a surprisingly great lipstick. On me, it's a neutral, soft rose/nude, and the texture is firm and even. I love this lipstick because it's not too orange, too gray, too brown, too light, or too dark. It's the perfect saturation of color and hue for my skin, and it makes me look polished but super-natural. I'm also surprised by how good the texture and wear are. A lot of drugstore lipsticks are too greasy. They shift around and disappear quickly or don't apply evenly. This lipstick wears better than MAC, imo, and it's comfortable. Some people may be put off by the scent–it's a bit of a strange spicy floral, but I'm used to it. I had never tried a Rimmel lipstick before this one, but really impressed by the quality of this shade.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No