Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen - On Hold
CandeeNova 8/17/2012 3:55:00 AM
I'm medium olive toned (about NC35 in MAtC). I bought this lipstick after seeing it look beautiful on many people of my or similar skintone. In the tube it looks like the perfect blend of coral and pink like a mlbb color for pigmented lips. When i got home and out it on though, it just looked hot pink. I was very disappointed with the color. After trying to take it off, I realized that although the color didn't work for me the staying powder was pretty awesome! The lipstick itself is also very pigmented!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -NARS - Pressed Powder
CandeeNova 4/9/2012 12:46:00 AM
This is the best powder I have ever used. It gives a very pretty airbrushed finish similar to MAC's MSFN, but the texture is very light and the powder is very finely milled. If you have oily skin, you'll love this! It keeps you matte most of the day. The trick I've found that works best with this powder for people with oily skin is to dab it on with a velour puff. If your skin is more combination like mine, a quick swipe with a fluffy brush is all you will need throughout the day with maybe a touch up on the nose area by lunch time. You do have to be careful as it is very finely milled, if you press to hard on the compact or swirl your brush too hard, you will waste a lot of product. I am medium to medium tan (probably and NC30-35) and I use the color beach.
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Crème -Laura Mercier - Silk Creme Foundation
CandeeNova 4/9/2012 12:40:00 AM
This foundation gives great coverage and looks natural, but my skin doesn't like it. I get a reaction everytime i wear it and I feel like it dries my skin out as well. Also, the colors are limited. If your skin can tolerate it, and you can find a good color match, it is definitely worth a try.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup SPF 20
CandeeNova 2/5/2012 3:47:00 PM
In MAC i'm about an NC30 in MUFE HD I am shade 123 and 40 in mat velvet plus In Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation I am #6 Natural Beige. It is the perfect match for my skin. But, it doesn't last on my skin. It has a medium coverage which I find can be buildable and stay natural looking but after 2 hours, it starts to fade. I've tried it with primer and without primer. It does last a little longer with primer, but not long enough to really make a difference. The other thing I don't like is that because it fades, so does everything else that I put on my skin. Powder, blush, bronzer, highlighter, etc. Someone on the makeup board suggested setting it with a powder foundation to improve the lasting power. I will give that a try, then post an update about how that worked for me. Even though I have issues with the staying power, I would repurchase because the color match is so perfect! I am olive toned (Latina) and I have such a hard time finding a foundation that is yellow enough to match my skin without being too dark. So unless I can find a foundation in this color that lasts longer, I will continue to repurchase.
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Concealers -Sonia Kashuk - Hidden Agenda Concealer Kit
CandeeNova 11/19/2011 2:58:00 PM
I bought this concealer because I am on a budget and couln't afford MAC studio fix (which I think breaks me out) or my Laura Mercier secret camouflage that I never seemed to find a good color match in. So I saw an article in a magazine that recommended this product and I decided to give it a try. I am very pleasantly surprised with this drug store product. It covers well, I haven't had it cake on my skin and it blends wonderfully. It has three colors and one translucent powder (that I don't like at all and find it useless). I use the greenish-yellow one for any redness and I use the peachy-pink-salmon under my eyes blended with my clinique airbrush concealer with good results so far. I have not had it break me out but I have found that it gets kind of oily on my skin. The greaseyness however may be because I get red around my nose and chin where I use the concealer and these also happen to be my oiliest spots. Most days, I can just wear this concealer and powder and don't even need foundation. It's a great price and good quality so I will continue to buy. If you have very fai skin or very dark skin, this concealer will not work for you. It's best suited for medium skin tones.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Matte Blush - Bite Of An Apple (Venomous Villains)
CandeeNova 11/10/2011 12:01:00 AM
I have medium olive toned skin NC30-35 and this blush is not at all flattering on my skin. It's a beautiful blush with medium-high pigmentation but I think it would look better on cooler toned, lighter/fairer skin. I think that my skin's undertones and the blush's undertones, just clash on my face and it makes me look red rather than like I have a nice natural flush (like the blood just rushed to my cheeks).
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Concealers -Christian Dior - DiorSkin Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer
CandeeNova 7/31/2011 9:44:00 PM
This is the best concealer I've ever used. It really does conceal dark circles and it brightens. It blends so easily with just a few taps from my ring finger. It lasts all day and it doesn't crease! AND it hasn't caused milia under my eyes. I'm NC35 and I use the color honey. Its very peachy toned which makes it great for undereye cirlces. It comes in a tube with a doe foot applicator like a lipgloss which I feel helps control how much product comes out so that you don't waste any product. Unfortunately for many people, this product only comes in 3 colors that I know of and the color that I use is the darkest shade.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Select Sheer Pressed Powder
CandeeNova 7/31/2011 9:33:00 PM
I'm usually and NC30 in the winter and an NC35 up to NC40 in the summer. With this powder, I find that I have to get one that 1-2 shades lighter. Not only does it run darker but i also oxidizes a little. Just as an example, right now I'm NC35 and I use this powder in NC25. The powder itself gives a beautiful finish to the skin. I use it with covergirl compact powder puffs all over my skin after foundation. Using it this way helps keep me matte all day. I've tried using it with a brush but I find that it doesn't last as long/very long at all. What I don't like about this powder other than the inconsistency in the colors is that it transfers easily and its a little pricey. I wish the packaging was like MAC's studio fix powder where there was a seperate spot for the puff just to keep it more sanitary.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation
CandeeNova 3/29/2010 1:55:00 AM
MAC NC 35 Everytime that I wear this foundation I get so many compliments about my skin. When I look in the mirror, I really don't see much of a difference other than my skin looking even, but I get so many compliments about my skin "glowing" or looking "delicious" that I know it must be doing something. Also, I was recently photographed in this foundation and it photographs BEAUTIFULLY!!!! What I love about this foundation is that it doesn't bother my skin!!! I have very senstive reactive skin that's VERY prone to clogged pores and milia and this has yet to break me out! Shame on me, but I even slept in it a few times and not a hint of a break out. It also is supossed to help your skin with long term use. It is expensive but it works so well I will keep buying it. The name is sheer glow, but don't let it fool you. it give me great even coverage and blends very easily. Also, it says it's made for dryer skin, but I have fairly oily skin and it works very well and lasts a long time on me. I apply it with my fingers, a Sonia Kashuk contour flat top brush or with a mac 130. I feel that I get the sheerest coverage with my fingers and the most coverage with a brush My only gripe, the packaging. I wish it had a pump like it does at the store.
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Biore - SkinPreservation Dual Fusion Moisturizer+SPF 30 ] [DISCONTINUED]
CandeeNova 1/2/2010 4:04:00 AM
I'm 25 and I need the spf because I'm a teacher and I'm outside with the kids for at least 10 minutes daily, longer if I have yard duty. This product claims to be especially for "in between" skin. Too old for acne, but too young for wrinkles. I must admit, that sales pitch sucked me in. I was happy with it at first because it was convenient since it's both a moisturizer and an spf. I didn't find that it broke out my acne prone skin and I liked that it didn't make my skin greasy which most spfs do. I don't think however, that this "moisturizer" is moisturizing. I found that while I was using it, my skin got very dry. I also question the effectiveness of the spf because while I was using it, I still tanned while I was out in the sun for my class' short 10 minute recess at 10:30 in the morning. Next, I will be trying DDF's Organic Sun Protection which I've heard is great for acne prone skin. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
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Brows -Bare Escentuals - Essential Brow Kit
CandeeNova 12/2/2009 12:23:00 AM
I don't like this product because the colors are very limited. I am also not a fan of loose pigments because they get all over the place and a dark color's fallout like a that of brow powder is hard to remove. I did however love the brush! It's super firm so it provides great precision and control when I'm shaping my brows with my current brow powder. I believe that BE now sells the brow brush separately which is a plus!
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Cleansers -MAC - Makeup Remover Wipes
CandeeNova 12/2/2009 12:19:00 AM
A general rule of thumb when removing makeup is "like removes like" Most cosmetics are silicone based and MAC wipes have silicone in them so they do a pretty good job at removing makeup, but they don't remove every trace of it. I use them sometimes when I'm done cleansing to get rid of any extra masara or liner that was left behind. Also, if I'm in a bind and I need to remove makeup quicky, I will use one but they're not my favorite makeup remover.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -LUSH - Ocean Salt
CandeeNova 12/2/2009 12:10:00 AM
I like this product because it's fun! It smells good enough to eat and has vodka in it. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that salt and alcohol are very abrasive and drying ingredients that do not help the skin. I don't like to waste product so I mixed a little in my shampoo and it did a good job at clarifying my hair. My all-time favorite facial exfoliator is MAC's Microfine Refinisher. It has worked wonders on my skin! It's very gentle and suitable for all skin types. My favorite LUSH facial exfoliator is Love Lettuce Mask. For the body, i like their sugar scrubs.
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Scrubs -LUSH - Buffy the Backside Slayer
CandeeNova 12/1/2009 11:51:00 PM
Buffy is a great exfoliator but i absolutely could not stand the smell!! It's a horrible grass like almost garlic-y scent that does not go away. I've heard a lot of people say that it was too abrasive for them, but for me, that was not the case. After I tried Buffy, I tried Aqua Mirabilus and I liked the scent better, but it wasn't as moisturizing as Buffy. My overall experience with this product is that it's not worth it. I'd rather use just soap in the shower and a good body moisturizer after. I will not be repurchasing.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Girl's Delight Dazzleglass
CandeeNova 11/28/2009 11:00:00 PM
This product has a brush applicator and i prefer a doe foot applicator. i also don't like the glitter. glitter on the lips if a fun idea, but it just isn't natural to me and i ended up not liking it after using it a couple of times. it's super sticky and you have to apply it very lightly or else it's just a disgusting build-up of product on your lips.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No