Polishes -Lippmann Collection - Glitter in the Air
CarolynKeene 1/24/2013 4:15:00 PM
This is a polarizing polish, that's for sure. I'm going to be the oddball here and confess that I love this as a one-coater. In fact, I dislike the way it looks on me when I apply more than one coat. Weird, I know. I love the sheer, milky-blue base and the sparse glitter. It's sweet without looking babyish. The formula is terrific (not too thick) and the wear time is great. I find it easy to play with the glitter placement, but I try not to be too ocd about it. I find myself reaching for this lovely, unique polish again and again.
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Moisturizers -100 Percent Pure - Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration SPF 20
CarolynKeene 1/20/2013 4:29:00 PM
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. 100% Pure recently changed their packaging--along with the formula. The new version is awful. OLD VERSION: A nice, moisturizing sunscreen that I would wear in the winter on days when my skin felt dry. It was easy to apply and had barely any white cast. Packaging was a glass bottle with pump containing 2 oz. of product. NEW VERSION: A horrid sunscreen that's drying, difficult to apply and has the worst white cast of any physical sunscreen I've ever tried. And I've tried a lot. It makes me look like I died, was buried, then dug up a few days later. If the SPF were higher, I'd keep it for gardening. I hate to waste money, but I had to chuck it. The new tube packaging (includes a pump) is better than the glass version, but it now contains only 1.6 oz. of product. Neat trick. Also, the outer packaging is a bulky cardboard tube which seems incredibly wasteful. *shakes fist at 100% Pure*
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Polishes -Sally Hansen - Xtreme Wear - All Colors
CarolynKeene 6/1/2012 5:44:00 PM
For me, the cons outweigh the pros, and I've stopped buying this brand: Pros: Excellent price point, long-wearing (about 4 days for my tips, and weeks and weeks for my toes). Cons: Limited color selection (at my local d/s), formula is goopy--even when the bottle is fresh, looooong dry time (often resulting in smudges hours after application).
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Eye Shadow -NARS - Madrague Duo
CarolynKeene 12/12/2011 5:53:00 PM
I don’t know how I lived without this duo in my life. I’ve had this for several months now, and I use it nearly every day. The ivory/cream side serves as a great base for other shadows and is handy for blending. The soft caramel/tan side (swatched in store, it looked similar to UD Naked and Smashbox Nude) is the ideal crease color. It also works beautifully as a subtle liner along my lower lash line. Although I'm cool-toned (NW15/blue eyes for reference), I do better with warmer browns as cool-toned browns make me look tired. Both matte shadows apply like buttah with no powdery kick-up or fall-out, and last all day over primer.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Revlon - Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara
CarolynKeene 11/7/2011 9:50:00 PM
PRO: This didn't smudge. That's the only nice thing I can say about this mascara. Here is my laundry list of CONS: * Clumpy - Although the formula is thin and the wand comes out clean, just one coat resulted in nasty little clumps all over my lashes which eventually flaked onto my cheeks. * Not Plumpy - I expected more oomph from a mascara called "Plumping." Length was okay, volume was disappointing (unless you count clumps as plumping). This is really more of a natural-look mascara, in my opinion. * Wacky Wand - Do I need such a ridiculously long wand? I think not. * In Conclusion - I can't speak to the magical powers of the conditioning formula because I tossed my tube after a short trial period. The clumps made me an angry bird. Given some of the positive reviews for this mascara, I'm wondering if there are some quality control issues happening.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Bioderma - Photoderm MAX Lait SPF 50plus PPD 35
CarolynKeene 9/19/2011 12:28:00 PM
I have some serious trust issues with Photoderm Max Lait SPF 50+. I take care to apply plenty of s/s and to reapply frequently. My daily exposure includes dog walks and short errands. But since using this in the past couple of weeks, I've noticed that I'm getting color on my arms, especially my left arm (driving side). I know this has a very high PPD, but getting any sort of tan from incidental exposure is completely unacceptable to me. (A trial run of this s/s on my face resulted in four new zits, so if you're breakout-prone, I recommend a patch test. Also, I found this a bit too moisturizing for my semi-oily complexion.) I'm going to stick with my all-zinc s/s until I can find a high PPD s/s that works better for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Lavera - Lipgloss with Organic Jojoba in No. 6
CarolynKeene 9/4/2011 7:52:00 PM
This lip gloss should be ashamed of itself. First, the consistency is so incredibly runny, it disappeared from my lips within about a half hour. Second, although the fragrance was pleasant enough, the gloss had a blechy bitter taste. (Perhaps I got a bad tube?) I would have returned it but I lost my receipt. Into the landfill it goes.
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Eye Shadow -TheBalm - Shady Lady Luscious Lani
CarolynKeene 8/11/2011 6:54:00 PM
PROS: Color, finish, packaging, pigmentation, blendability, wear time, value. CONS: I wish this wasn't quite so soft. I inevitably pick up more product than I need and have to tap my brush. But the softness does give it a gorgeous, creamy feel. THE DEETS: On me (NW15), the color is a warm champagne pink, bordering on a pale peach. The finish is shimmery, but it's a fine, very wearable shimmer. The staying power is phenomenal over eye primer. I also own Just This Once Jamie from theBalm, and it performs just as beautifully. Using this as solo with eyeliner makes my eyes look tired, so I always layer this over another color or use it for blending other shadows. It does look beautiful as an under brow highlighter. I also tried this as a cheek highlighter, as someone else suggested, and it works great. I probably wouldn't repurchase this because the shade isn't quite right for me, but I still think it deserves 5 stars.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - All Terrain - KidSport SPF 30
CarolynKeene 8/2/2011 4:50:00 PM
This is marketed to the kiddies--complete with Disney charcters frolicking on the tube--but it’s become my go-to daily facial s/s. I’ve been on a frustrating mission to find one that doesn’t break me out, isn't too oily, and isn't pasty-gray. This is it. I've gone through four or five tubes already. The low PPD concerns me (I'm a Retin A user.), but I'll keep purchasing this until I can find a high PPD s/s that doesn't cause breakouts. The price is quite reasonable. PROS * No clogged pores or pimples. In fact, I think the zinc has helped improve my acne-prone skin. * Fragrance-free. * Minimal white cast on my NW15 complexion--it evens out my skintone nicely. (Blue Lizard Sensitive left a ridiculous grayish-white cast on my face.) * The most mattifying s/s I've come across (note: I have oily skin). Unless I'm going to be out and about all day, I typically skip primer. * Price is comparable to BurnOut, Vanicream, and similar physical s/s: 3 oz. for under $12. (I cringe a bit at the 2 oz. tubes that run $30.) • I've never burned or even tanned with this on. CONS * The consistency is like toothpaste, and requires a bit of attention to make sure it's evenly applied and blended. It highlights any dry spots on my skin, so I have to make sure all flakies are gone. * It's cosmetically inelegant--it goes on thick and feels a bit thick on my skin. * It's not greasy at all, but feels a bit tacky. Easily solved with powder, though. * When applying my mmu (Alima), I pat it on with a brush, as opposed to buffing it in. Otherwise, it disturbs the s/s. I don’t know how compatible this would be with a liquid foundation. * Because it is so matttifying, those with dryer skin may not like this. In fact, you might hate it. * My face sometimes feels a tad warm for a few seconds after I apply this (might be the grapefruit extract), but I haven’t experienced any irritation. Those with sensitive skin might want to do a patch test. * Low PPD (about 8).
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Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Shattered eyeshadow
CarolynKeene 8/1/2011 8:54:00 PM
This is the e/s I wear when I want to cheer myself up. It's a happy turquoise-y shade with a gold pearl finish that looks so darn pretty in the pan. I pair this with a matte caramel brown shade (darker side of Nars Madrague) to class things up. However, Shattered is a fussbudget. It's sheer--which can be a good thing when dealing with a strong color like blue--but it takes some work to achieve the intensity I want. Inevitably, one eye ends up brighter than the other and I have to try to even things out. The biggest bummer for me is that this fades and creases when worn over eye primer. (My other UD shadows are budge-proof over TFSI.) I don't know if it's a problem with the UD Duochrome finish, or just this color. I wouldn't repurchase for this reason.
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Eye Shadow -TheBalm - Just This Once Jamie
CarolynKeene 8/1/2011 8:34:00 PM
PROS: Color, finish, packaging, pigmentation, blendability, wear time, value. CONS: I wish this wasn't quite so soft. I inevitably pick up more product than I need and have to tap my brush. But the softness does give it a gorgeous, creamy feel. THE DEETS: I'd describe the color as a mid-tone, multidimensional mix of brown, gray and purple. Lilac-y brown? Taupe-y rose? I can easily wear this solo without any other eyeshadow and my eye makeup still looks finished. (NW15 for reference.) The finish is shimmery, but it's a very wearable shimmer. I always wear e/s over primer, but I was in such a hurry one day, I slapped this on primer-less. Eight hours later, I was shocked to see that there was just the tiniest hint of creasing, which never happens with other brands (UD, Smashbox, Nars). I also own Luscious Lani from theBalm, and it performs just as beautifully as Jamie.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Half Baked Eyeshadow
CarolynKeene 6/16/2011 3:31:00 PM
This color looked phenomenal with my blue eyes. This makes me think of white 14k gold jewelry--a not-too-warm, light, bright gold. This has no glitter, but is way too metallic for me. Made my 40+ lids look super crinkly and crepey. Boo. I also found this a little difficult to blend. Sadly had to return and am now hunting for a less-metallic version.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Aubrey Organics - Natural Sun SPF30+ Sensitive Skin/Children
CarolynKeene 6/10/2011 3:38:00 PM
PROS: Unscented; nice, lotion-like consistency; easy to spread; it didn't make my clogged pores/acne worse. CONS: I don't mind a little white cast (I'm NW15), but this gives my skin a grayish/pasty look. Highlights every microscopic skin flake I have. Looks greasy and feels tacky and heavy. Turns my mineral makeup into a cakey mess after a few hours of wear. (In Aubrey's defense, this isn't marketed as a facial sunscreen.) However, I also find it unwearable on the body. It tends to flake off, so it looks like you're covered in dandruff. And if the product is flaking off, so is the protection.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Aubrey Organics - Green Tea and Green Clay Rejuvenating Mask
CarolynKeene 5/27/2011 3:56:00 PM
Kind of a strange product. The consistency is like toothpaste and easy enough to spread. It doesn't dry on your face like traditional masks, so you can carry on a normal conversation while you're wearing it. It makes my skin feel hydrated, but sometimes my face feels kind of warm and ever-so-slightly irritated after I use it. Two things I don't like: 1. This has a sickly-sweet fruity fragrance that reminds me of rotting pineapples. Not very pleasant. 2. After the first use, the product separated. I have to shake the tube vigorously now before applying, but even then, the ingredients don't seem like they're fully mixed together. I definitely won't repurchase.
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Makeup Brushes -Alima - Foundation Brush 25
CarolynKeene 5/24/2011 2:49:00 PM
This brush has forced to me to apologize to my poor face for subjecting it to BE's kabuki brush all these years. I didn't realize how crappy that brush was until I started using this one. The bristles are densely packed but still flexible, and incredibly soft. I'm talking kittens and bunnies and clouds and baby's bottoms. Coverage is heavier than with BE’s kabuki, so I have to watch the amount of product I pick up. For days I want to go lighter on my foundation, I use my Ecotools powder brush. The bristles bled a bit the first couple of washes, but given that they're black, I wasn't surprised. I also lost a few bristles during the first couple of washes, but haven't had any problems since. Dry time is about 24 hours. As much as I like this brush, I'm not sure I would repurchase if I lost it. (I don't think it's going to wear out anytime soon!) I'd prefer a brush that allows for more buildable coverage.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No