Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere Aqua
BudgetDiva 4/9/2013 4:53:00 PM
I thought I had found the HG of foundations with La Mer but this tops even that treasure. I have this in shade 30 Beige. One word...AMAZING. Great coverage, no creasing or cracking throughout the day, no oxidizing. And while expensive it takes the tiniest amount to do my entire face, with complete coverage and no need for a concealer "boost" to any area. My skin feels like silk the entire time I'm wearing this foundation, and feels soft and silky after I remove it at the end of the day. This, after all of these years, is FINALLY the perfect foundation I've been searching for.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Mary Kay - Beach Bronze
BudgetDiva 4/1/2013 6:11:00 PM
I bought a 6-pack sampler of MK lip glosses and this was one of the colors it contained. WOW...great nudish-bronzy color with just enough glitter to make the lips look fuller, and a nice smooth texture, too. Not a ton of color (the Red Passion is VERY pigmented and just gorgeous, too) but enough to stand on its own or over a lipstick or lipliner. I think this will be one of my "go-to" glosses, especially on busy days or on the weekends. MK sure isn't my mom's makeup anymore, lol!
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Lips -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Balm
BudgetDiva 2/8/2013 10:58:00 PM
While I adore Fresh Sugar Plum lip balm, at $22 a pop and lasting less than a month, I decided to try to find something that would produce similar results (soften my lips, which chap easily, and give a little bit of pop). The CVS on the corner was having a BOGO on L'Oreal lip products, so I picked up Comforting Caramel and Nourishing Nude. I really like these. The color is there but subtle (similar to FSP balm in that it just adds a hint of color) and so far seems to be very moisturizing and longer lasting than the FSP balm. I don't detect any sparkle or glitter (another reason I loved the FSP balm, no glittery effect). I put it on about 4 hours ago and haven't had to reapply it and my lips feel moist and soft. Although not as great as FSP balm, at one-third the price, I'm willing to make a little bit of a sacrifice. I do intend to pick up the Berry color of this product just to see how the color compares to FSP but, as of right now, I'm kicking FSP to the curb in favor of L'Oreal's Colour Riche Balm, what with similar results and the ability to get 3 for the price of 1 FSP. Maybe drugstore products aren't so bad after all.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Lancome - Hypnose Doll Lashes
BudgetDiva 2/8/2013 1:17:00 AM
Mascara FAIL, Lancome. After seeing this demo'd on HSN or QVC, I just had to get one. Total disappointment. The best thing I can say about this product is I like the applicator. Personally, I prefer the NYX Doll Eye mascara, which is a fraction of the price of the Lancome and produced a much better result. I honestly don't think Hypnose Doll Lashes is any better than most department store mascaras...and not as good as a lot of them. I'd advise trying to score a trial size tube before investing bucks into the full-size version.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Mario Badescu - Herbal Hydrating Serum
BudgetDiva 2/2/2013 10:41:00 PM
I have a love/hate relationship with MB products and, after going through 2 samples, I'm going to have to put this on the "hate" side of our relationship. It's a lightweight serum, clear blue in color, and it feels nice going on. That being said, no matter how I adjust the amount I use, it never feels completely dry and stays somewhat tacky on my skin, no matter how long I wait for it to absorb. I have combination/sensitive skin and I thought this might be a good way to moisturize and protect without irritating my skin...but the best I can say about it and gave it 2 lippies is because at least it didn't break me out. But, then again, it didn't do much else, either. Back to Dior for serum needs.
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Fragrances -Diane Von Furstenberg - DIANE
BudgetDiva 2/2/2013 8:30:00 PM
I love the SJP fragrance Lovely and found this DVF fragrance to be very similar, albeit less intense. I adored Tatiana in the 80s and I think I love Diane by DVF even more, if that's possible. This is a classy, sophisticated scent that smells more "woman" than "girl" (no sweet, candy-ish notes, nothing that smells like the little girls' fragrance selection at the drugstore). It's a unique combination of smells that lasts all day with just a quick spritz or two and never fails to bring compliments. It's subtle yet strong enough to last all day, and I find it suitable for both daytime and evening wear. If you're a fan of SJP's Lovely, you would undoubtedly love Diane by DVF. If nothing else, stop by and pick up a sample at Sephora and give it a try if you're bored with the "kiddie" smelling sweet fragrances that seem to be permeating the market and see how it works for you. I definitely plan on repurchasing...although it won't be for awhile because the bottle lasts quite a long time.
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner
BudgetDiva 2/2/2013 8:25:00 PM
I have this in both the brown and grey shades and love them both. I love the thick, smudgy line it produces with no dragging, skipping or tugging, and it lasts quite nicely if topped with a powder. I will definitely repurchase and plan on picking up the violet one next.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Montagne Jeunesse - Masks
BudgetDiva 2/2/2013 7:20:00 PM
I received a package of this to try as part of Influenster and kinda put off using it because I'm pretty much an Ahava fan and wasn't sure I wanted to try another product on my unpredictable, sensitive skin. The one I received was the Clean-Up mask (detox) mask and I decided to give it a whirl while my husband was at work (it's a pretty vivid green and no point in giving the man a heart attack in case he saw me in it). I left it on about 15-20 minutes, until it was thoroughly dry and removed it with warm water and a washcloth. WOW. My skin was soft, not stripped of oil, and, no kidding, was a tiny bit pinkish and glowing. As I used it in the evening, I didn't put makeup on after removing it and found myself touching my skin all night because it just felt so...SOFT. I've seen this brand for sale at Walmart before but never tried them...after this experience, my usual Ahava mask may have some serious competition (and, for a bonus, at a fraction of Ahava's price). Seriously in love with this mask and find the 1 package will give me 3 treatments...Woot!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Plum Lip Treatment SPF 15
BudgetDiva 2/2/2013 7:00:00 PM
Great product in that it imparts a bit more pigment than a lot of tinted balms and my cold-ravaged dry lips were back to soft and supple after just a day or 2 of using this product. I love the packaging (a metal tube with a locked cap so no coming apart when it invariably drifts to the bottom of my purse), and the travel size is perfect for taking everywhere. Although I'm loving this product, it's pretty much on par with very high-end products, so although I *would* purchase this again but next purchase for just a couple of bucks more will be Dior Addict Lip Glow, which I understand has even better qualities that this one. Overall, I'd recommend Fresh Sugar Plum to anyone...the color is, IMO, very similar to cult fave Clinique's Black Honey, which pretty much looks great on everyone.
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Liquid -BeneFit Cosmetics - "Hello Flawless!" Oxygen Wow
BudgetDiva 1/1/2013 8:38:00 PM
Updating my review to say I have actually fallen in love with this product *after* using it with my DHC Velvet Cream primer. It actually does glide over enlarged pores, etc., and leaves a very "blurred" finish yet lets your inner "glow" shine through as well. I also like that it is easy to remove at the end of the day and only takes 1 makeup remover cloth to take off every bit of product. It may seem expensive but, since it only takes 1-2 pumps to cover my entire face, this will last at least a couple of months. Paired with Benefit BeneTint on the cheeks, it's a definite winner for a put-together but casual look.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -Prestige - Cocoa
BudgetDiva 1/1/2013 8:33:00 PM
After finding Chanel Nude lip liner increasingly difficult to find, I stumbled upon Prestige Cocoa lip liner pencil and decided to give it a try. It's a very good substitute for the Chanel liner, applies easily with a light touch and very blendable onto the lips. I've been topping it with NYX gloss in Nude York City and find it gives a perfect nude lip, without looking too pale or washed out. I did take off 1 lippie for the packaging, in that I'm greedy and would love it if it had a lip brush on the other end of the pencil. Other than that, it's a keeper!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -New York Color - nude york city
BudgetDiva 1/1/2013 8:29:00 PM
A simply perfect beigey-nude with just the right amount of sparkle (no disco balls with this shade). I use it with Prestige lipliner in Cocoa and blend into my lips, then top with this this gloss and, voila, the perfect nude lip. I should also mention that there's something with this gloss, the formula or the shade or the combination of it and the Cocoa lipliner, that makes my lips look extremely full. Definitely a keeper and going to the top of my list as a HG everyday gloss. At less than $3, I'd suggest anyone who likes a nude/beige gloss to give it a try.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Mary Kay - Golden Copper
BudgetDiva 6/8/2012 2:15:00 AM
I have to admit, I've recently fallen head over heels for the "new" (at least to me) mineral line, wearability and colors. I received a couple of samples of this blush from a local MK consultant, which didn't even seem to be enough for a full single application based on the size of the sample card. Wow, was I wrong. What looked like a miniscule amount on the card actually provided enough blush for 3 applications, as well as using it lightly as a bronzer at my hairline, down my nose and as a bit of contour along my jawline. This color is GORGEOUS. It is a light coppery color with a golden sheen (as the name would imply). It's neither muddy nor orange. I've been wearing it for a few days now just from the samples I was given, and it stays on a good 8 to 10 hours without fading away on me. I'm very fair (an MK Ivory 6 or Beige 2) and it blends beautifully into my fair skin and does double-duty for me as a subtle bronzer as well. I was so impressed with this blush/bronzer, as well as a few other products - including a couple of their Timewise foundations (Luminous and Matte wear) that I've scouted around on Ebay to buy the full-sized versions, as well as the "pro compact" and the products to fill it. I said it in another review and I believe it bears repeating here - If you haven't tried MK in awhile, ring up your consultant or find one online if you don't want the hassle of face-to-face contacts and get some samples of the various blushes, eyeshadows and lipglosses. This mineral line is leaps and bounds ahead of many of the Signature products and really worth trying for yourself. The samples are always free, so there's nothing to lose and you might find yourself falling in love with some of these colors and products, too.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Mary Kay - Nourishine Plus Lip Gloss in Red Passion
BudgetDiva 6/7/2012 10:28:00 PM
In a word, GORGEOUS. I ordered a set of mini-glosses and this was one of the colors contained in it. It's a beautiful shade of red with gold flecks. This is one of the few lip glosses I've tried that has enough pigment to stand alone without a base lipstick color under it, yet it's not a scary "here-come-BudgetDiva's LIPS" in-your-face red. It also had some serious lasting power and didn't go pink or orange but stayed a true red. If you've been looking for a wearable red gloss, I'd recommend at least trying a travel size of this beauty. In fact, all of the colors I received in this mini-selection was gorgeous and completely wearable. I intend to buy full-sized tubes of all of them. I scored my set on Ebay for under $12 and well worth every penny.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -DHC - Velvet Skin Coat
BudgetDiva 6/6/2012 8:19:00 PM
IMO, the creme de la creme of primers. I received a sample packet of this in their catalog and tried it the next morning and immediately fell in love with it. While other primers made me feel greasy and oily, this one is, as the name says, literally like velvet. I immediately ordered a fresh full-sized tube of it (from Ebay at a savings of about $6 plus free shipping) and don't see how I ever managed without it. A couple of times I've been distracted in the mornings and have forgotten this step in my makeup routine and, wow, can I see and feel the difference. I'll continue using this on a daily basis. A little does indeed go a long way so don't let the price scare you away from at least requesting a DHC catalog as I believe this is one of their standard samples. IMO, this and their cleansing oil are 2 of the most AMAZING products I've ever had the pleasure of using.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No