Lotions/ Creams -The Body Shop - Aloe Body Butter
CStuartMonteith 9/6/2012 12:38:00 PM
This is the perfect body butter for sensitive skin. It has no parabens or preservatives. I find it very moisturizing, but not too greasy. It has no perfume, so if you want a body cream with a scent, look out for other Body Shop butters. I have on occasion used it on my face in the winter, when my skin gets very dry due to the heating and had no adverse reaction. It is expensive, but lasts a long time.
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Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Long Wear Even Finish Foundation Spf 15
CStuartMonteith 8/29/2012 1:49:00 PM
I got a sample in warm sand, which is a good match, although I am usually beige. It is buildable, which is useful for my blotchy skin, but it means that when laying it on thick, it gets shiny and quite sticky, so you might want to put a bit of powder to get a more matt finish. I applied it with my fingers, I don't think it would work out well with a brush as it is not liquid, it would be very hard to blend. It did not oxidize. Get a sample before you buy, I find that the colors are different from the other BB ranges. It lasted well, but it could be because I had quite a thick layer on and my skin is normal to dry. I would not recommend it to very oily skins, they would be better off with EL Double Wear which is truly matt. But if you have moderately dry to moderately oily skins, this foundation will work well. UPDATE A couple of days after I tried this foundation, I got huge white heads(is it acne?) which I have not had for at least 20 years, on my chin, they are painful and took about 2 weeks to heal.
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Makeup Brushes -Sigma - E25 Blending (was SS217)
CStuartMonteith 8/28/2012 6:39:00 PM
I first got the short handle version of this brush as a free gift from Sigma. I was so impressed that I ordered the standard version. The brush is very soft and is good at blending. I have washed it and it did not shed and splay. I bought it as I was told that it is a dupe for the MAC 217, and it is a lot cheaper. So far so good, do not hesitate to get one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sigma - F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki (was SS197)
CStuartMonteith 8/22/2012 1:13:00 PM
I got this brush, along with others, direct from Sigma in the US, not realizing that you can buy the same from some UK websites for the same price. I had to pay customs duties (not too high) and an extortionate amount to Royal Mail for their "handling". The brush is incredibly soft. I use it for applying liquid foundation. However, it takes forever to clean and dry properly. Please note that this applies the foundation to a medium to full finish, which suits me fine, as I have imperfect skin. But if you want a lighter touch, I would recommend one of the "skunk" brushes instead (in case you wonder, I mean the black ones with white hair at the top). As a free gift, I got a short E25, which is exactly like the MAC 217. It's a brilliant eye brush, so I ordered another one.
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BB Cream -Garnier - BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector - Light/Medium
CStuartMonteith 6/27/2012 7:08:00 PM
This BB cream is very dry, so is only suitable for oily skins You would need to wear moisturizer before applying, if you had normal to dry skin, like I have, so it would be pointless, really.
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Blush -MAC - Immortal Flower
CStuartMonteith 4/20/2012 12:14:00 PM
I was using Peaches before I came across Immortal Flower. Because I look pale most of the time, I found that I had to blend, blend Peaches so that it would look natural. Well, no more with Immortal, which is a lighter version of Peaches. The color is so natural, perfect for yellow tone skin, but I would not recommend it for pink tone skin, as it might be too much of a contrast. I think it is a limited edition. Please MAC, make it permanent.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -MAC - Boldly Bare
CStuartMonteith 4/20/2012 10:17:00 AM
Boldly Bare is a limited edition, however you will find that Subculture is extremely similar. I bought it because I like having limited edition stuff - silly me - but in fact I should have not bothered, as I already had Subculture. For some reason, these two pencils are not as soft as Spice, but it is not quite a bad thing because they are long lasting. The color is neutral, orangey beige is the best I can describe it. It is a bit deeper than my lips, but I wear it with most of my lipsticks. If I wear pink or beige tone lipsticks, I use In Synch. All in all, Boldly Bare and Subculture would suit most light skins.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
CStuartMonteith 4/16/2012 10:46:00 AM
I got a sample in NC20. The color is perfect for my skin, it is a lot less yellow when blended. I found it quite drying, but not overwhelming so. The second time I tried it, I applied it with a slightly damp sponge, making it more natural looking. This is a very long lasting makeup, it lasted all day on me.
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Lotions/ Creams -The Body Shop - Body Butter Shea
CStuartMonteith 4/16/2012 9:48:00 AM
Lovely scent. However I find that it is very greasy, it is only suitable for very dry skins.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - # 239 Eye Shader Brush
CStuartMonteith 4/8/2012 12:54:00 PM
This is a versatile brush. I can use it on the eyelid, in the crease, under the eye for smudging. I have even used it as a concealer brush. I thoroughly recommend it, the bristles are very soft and they dry fast after cleansing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - #190 Foundation Brush
CStuartMonteith 4/8/2012 12:37:00 PM
In response to KitKat, the brush comes in a very thin cellophane sleeve open at the top and with a bar code. It is a very good brush, I had the same one for at least 5 years, cleanse it once a week with the MAC brush cleanser and also with shampoo. I also got the 190SE which came with other brushes before Christmas from Nordstrom, but the bristles are definitely different. The shorter special edition brushes are made in China, whereas most of the normal length ones are made in Japan, US or Canada (the country is printed next to the bar code). Do not buy from Ebay, although they look very similar, they are not authentic, therefore they are of an inferior quality. The brush applies the foundation more thinly than with the fingers, so you use less product. You have to be careful to pat after applying, otherwise you would get streaks.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Skin Foundation SPF 15
CStuartMonteith 4/8/2012 12:16:00 PM
I bought this foundation in Beige, and just as well because it looks pale and ashy in natural daylight. It is very liquid, so you have to be careful not to drop some on your clothes. It has a very light coverage and you cannot build it up, your face would just look shiny and it would rub off everywhere. I can hardly see the difference before and after applying, I might as well use just a tinted moisturizer. This foundation is suitable for people with a good skin without any blemishes.
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Blush -MAC - Sheertone Blush in Peaches
CStuartMonteith 4/8/2012 12:09:00 PM
I find it surprising that some people find that this blusher is too sheer, as I experienced the reverse. I am an NC20, so maybe the color is too deep for my light skin. The powder is good quality, however the packaging is quite cheap for the price you pay. I have just bought the MAC limited edition 'Immortal Flower' which has the same color tone as Peaches, but is much lighter and I find it perfect for my complexion.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Bobbi Brown - Foundation Brush - short handle
CStuartMonteith 3/21/2012 7:20:00 PM
I bought this brush (normal length) from Nordstrom, so assume that it is genuine. It is a good brush, but I don't think it is any better than the other foundation brushes I have purchased over the years (for example MAC, Prescriptives, Lancome). They all seem to be the same, except for the handle, although the BB one is dark brown, not two tone like the others. It is indeed soft, but by the time you finish applying your foundation, it does cluster, so you have to clean it every single time, which is annoying, especially when you are in a hurry. Nowadays you can buy more or less the same brush from any drugstore for a lot less. At $35+tax it is overpriced.
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Hair Color -L'Oreal - Excellence Creme
CStuartMonteith 3/8/2012 12:48:00 PM
My hair is nearly black. My Mum always told me NOT to buy black hair dyes because they are too harsh, very unnatural. So I always choose a dark brown. Even the darkest brown color is a bit too dark. Anyway, the color lasts forever, I only need to do the grey roots. My hair stays shiny. I recommend it, along with the L'Oreal Preference (I can't really tell the difference).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No