Liquid -Giorgio Armani - Maestro Fusion Makeup
Cristy1970 11/20/2012 3:17:00 PM
I felt compelled to write a review on this product since purchasing it about a week ago. First of all, it is very expensive, but hey, it's Armani--and it comes in a nice glass bottle with a dropper applicator. Having never seen an applicator like this used for a foundation before, I was impressed by how it rations out the foundation for you, much like a pump bottle. Its consistency is very thin and watery (hence the dropper) but then it blends like an absolute dream. It has a slight scent--reminds me of Johnson's baby lotion (which I love) but it quickly dissipates. I was told by "Antonio", the makeup artist at Saks who flew in from South Beach just to showcase Armani products, not to ever apply this with a brush or sponge, to only use your fingers to apply. He said not even the Armani brush. Well. I never. So, I bought it, took it home, followed his advice and boom--beautiful coverage, despite it being so thin. Antonio was right. And the greatest thing? It looks even better an hour later! It somehow covered all my redness around my nose and chin and just looks like my skin, but much, much better. It doesn't look makeup-y at all. I mean, not.at.all. It also contains spf 15, an added bonus. Now, I do understand the negative reviews written about this product. I have a feeling that if you desire full coverage (this is medium at best), have either very dry or very oily skin (and you want good oil control) or just prefer a more traditional foundation, you probably won't like this. There are a few important points one must know before trying this makeup: 1) skin must be thoroughy exfoliated and moisturized before application. Any dry, flaky patches will be exacerbated. 2) do not--I repeat--do not use primer first. This makes it look terrible. It's supposed to "fuse" with your skin. 3) apply only with fingers, not a sponge or brush Did I leave anything out? Shake this makeup really well first. And the finish is beautiful; very natural and skin-like, but neither dewy nor matte and coverage is light to medium. Like I said earlier, it doesn't really control oil. After I apply in the a.m., I dust some MUFE HD loose powder on top. But that's ok--at my age, I kinda like a slight dewy look after a few hours. Go to the Armani counter and ask for a sample if you're dying to try this, like I was. I ended up buying it and would buy it again!! For color reference, I am a MAC NC35, Chanel Aqualumiere in Beige 40, Laura Mercier Oil free TM in Sand, LM Mineral Powder in Rich Vanilla, and L'Oreal True Match in N4/N5 and 6.5 in this foundation is a perfect match.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 - Oil Free
Cristy1970 11/5/2012 11:53:00 AM
Well, after trying this tm in Sand, I must say that I like it, but I don't love it. You see, I have very oily skin and it is not for those of us with very oily skin. It has a beautiful, natural finish, very sheer to light coverage; they claim it's buildable, but I doubt that. Besides, you only get but so much coverage with any tinted moisturizer. I apply it with a sponge over clean, un-moisturized skin, then go over strategic areas with my Shiseido foundation brush. And it is flawless. I think my biggest issue with this, and the reason I won't be re-purchasing is because even if I set it with powder and prime first, my whole face is soooo shiny and it just fades right away after about 2-3 hours. And the price......well, it is Laura Mercier after all. I do love her line, though, and I'll say this much: if you have dry to slightly oily skin and want something that you can quickly slap on in the morning and know it will look great, then definitely give this a whirl. But if you are very oily and shine is an issue/concern for you, don't bother. And did I mention that it has sunscreen? PS--I am a solid medium-toned, with a little red around the nose and chin, half Lebanese, half Anglo-Saxon and Sand was a perfect match. For reference, I am MAC NC35, Armani LSF in #6, L'Oreal True Match in N4 Buff Beige.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Cover Girl - AquaSmooth SPF15 Make-up
Cristy1970 10/26/2012 10:17:00 AM
This product in one word: Wow. And I say that because I have tried countless foundations, both high-end and drugstore brands and this one really delivers. Btw, the only Cover Girls products I like are their Lash Blast mascaras. I don't think I've tried a CG foundation product since, like, 1983 when I first started wearing makeup. This creme foundation reminds me an awful lot of Vincent Longo's Water Canvas creme foundation. The coverage is medium, but could be built up if you want; it looks natural and silky-matte when applied. It does not control oil very well, but nothing does. I have to blot after a few hours. You know how you can't try out foundation at the drugstore? (One of the reasons I usually buy dept. store makeup) Well, I totally struck gold when I randomly picked "Soft Honey" based on just the dot of color at the top of the package and alas--it is a dead-on perfect match for my NC35 medium olive-with-ruddy- undertones skin. It wears pretty well and never looks cakey (I dusted some Smashbox HD loose powder over it and it looked great). And the price.....forget about it. So if you like cream makeup and you want something you can just slap on (it feels cool!) and it will look good, try this! Oh, and did I mention it hasn't made my oily skin break out and it has no fragrance whatsoever?? Way to go, Cover Girl. UPDATE: This is still a great cream foundation; still doesn't break me out and still looks natural and applies satin-y matte. I think the shade "Soft Honey" is actually a wee bit dark on me since what was left of my tan has completely faded. I'm thinking I may need either "Warm Beige" or "Creamy beige". It's hard to find a complete shade range anywhere except--you guessed it!--at Wal-Mart. They carry more shades than CVS, Target, Walgreen's, etc. FYI.
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Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
Cristy1970 9/17/2012 3:47:00 PM
How do I describe this product? It is a creamy, gooey foundation, with the consistency of Cool Whip (like other reviewers said) and it comes in a jar, which I don't understand--why do companies put makeup in jars, knowing how unsanitary jars can be, esp. for foundation? Anyway, the finish is very nice, but not as nice as LM Oil Free foundation applied with a damp sponge. The finish is sort of dewy and very smooth; definitely not full coverage, as I expected from a cream makeup. First I bought it in Medium Beige, which was way too light, so I exchanged it for Natural Tan, which is an almost perfect match. Btw, I am Mac NC 35, LM Oil Free in Vanilla Beige and L'Oreal True Match N4 (Buff Beige). I apply it with my fingers with little dots on my nose, cheeks, chin and forehead and then spread it out with a damp sponge. It looks great at first! I also set it with Guerlain Meteorites powder. After an hour or so, though, it makes my skin look rough. Not sure why, but I don't like it. And the main thing about this foundation that bothers me is the smell--it's a sort of plastic, chemical smell and it doesn't dissipate! I feel like it gets in my mouth after a while. Gross. So, I won't be repurchasing. I was curious and now I know! I just keep going back to Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation. Nothing so far has beaten it for me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Revlon - Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara
Cristy1970 9/17/2012 3:31:00 PM
Ugh--I should have known. Revlon's mascaras, imo, always suck and this one is no exception. It's supposed to add volume, which it doesn't. It smears by the end of the day. And I have no idea if it makes my lashes longer yet. I'll use it up, but will definitely not repurchase!
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Lip Gloss -Chanel - Pagoda Glossimer
Cristy1970 8/18/2012 6:12:00 PM
This gloss is a very pretty pink-y shade with a touch a coral and gold, depending on how the light hits it. It's not a light pink, nor is it too bright.I love how it has no scent, has the doe-foot applicator and stays on pretty well for a gloss. As for the price....hey, it's Chanel! I'm a stay-at-home mom and this is my date night out with the hubby gloss. I would definitely repurchase Glossimer again. . But Bobbi Brown Rose Sugar is my hands-down, all-time favorite gloss. Sorry.
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Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere Aqua
Cristy1970 7/23/2012 5:42:00 PM
Hmmmm. I like this foundation. I do. But is it worth spending the money on again? I truly believe that foundations purchased at the department store are way better than drugstore brands. And the higher end, the better, usually. That's based on my many years of experience trying different foundations. But that's just me. Would I repurchase this product again? No. And the reason is, is there is something way better out there, I just know it. This foundation is nice, it provides medium coverage at best, it stays on pretty well, and it contains spf. The texture is thin and a tad watery, but it spreads evenly and looks rather natural on my skin. I don't care for the smell, though. And I have found upon looking at pictures of myself taken when I'm wearing this foundation that I look pasty and have that whitish cast, probably due to the spf. It comes in a plastic squeeze bottle, which is okay, but I do prefer a pump for foundations. Not bad, but not superior, either. I suggest if you're looking for a good high end foundation, shop around before buying this one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Yves Saint Laurent - Dessin Des Sourcils- Eyebrow Pencil
Cristy1970 7/23/2012 5:35:00 PM
What can I say? You get what you pay for. I got this in #4 and it is a perfect match for my brows. I have dark brown hair, olive skin, dark brown eyes, and almost black eyebrows. Being half Lebanese, my brows are really the focal point of my face, so it's important that they are properly shaped and filled in. This pencil does the trick and it stays on all day, until you wash your face. The shade looks downright gray but it goes on the perfect shade of dark ash brown. I love that it has a little spoolie on the end to brush my brows with. Used to use Brow-zing by Benefit, which is good, but this is much better. I didn't have as much control with Brow-zing because the brush and pan of brow filler wax are separate, plus I'm not a professional makeup artist, so.....anyway, if you're looking for a great eyebrow pencil that stays on and you don't mind dropping some cash, check this out. UPDATE: This pencil is still good, but it has dried up somewhat; I really have to press hard and I don't like doing that anywhere around the eye area. Don't think I will re-purchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Neutrogena - Naturals Cleanser + Makeup Remover
Cristy1970 7/23/2012 5:23:00 PM
I absolutely adore this cleanser! I use it in the evening to remove all of my makeup, including eye makeup, and it does a wonderful job without stripping my 42 year old, oily yet sensitive skin. I love it! It smells divine, too. It's a tad pricey for something you get at a drugstore, but all in all, it rocks and I will continue to repurchase. Please, Neutrogena, don't discontinue this!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
Cristy1970 7/23/2012 5:12:00 PM
After trying countless mascaras in the 20+ years that I have been using mascara, both high end and drugstore brands, this ultra-cheap mascara is amazing. What a well-kept secret! The only reason I knew about it was because of you guys---thank you! It thickens decently, lengthens, and best of all holds a curl all day without smudging. I don't really understand the complaints from others about it being difficult to remove; I just wash my entire face, eyes included, with Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover ( my new favorite cleanser...it's so awesome...I could eat it) and the mascara just comes right off, all of it. I barely have to swipe under my eyes with e.m. remover. So if you are looking for an amazing cheap mascara, definitely give this one a try. You can find it at Walgreen's. Go now! UPDATE: I still like this mascara; it still adds volume, lengthens, curls and lasts all day, but it's really wet and sticky. I find that it makes my lashes stick together very easily when applying and I have to be quick about separating them with a spoolie. But still a good mascara for the price.
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Conditioner -Redken - All Soft
Cristy1970 3/6/2011 3:25:00 PM
IF you read my review for All Soft Shampoo, then you know how I feel about it....this baby is just as good. This is a rather emollient conditioner, at least for my hair, which is straight, layered, medium-fine and dry at the ends. Someone with very dry or coarse, curly hair may not find this moisturizing enough. I gather my hair in a wet ponytail and apply this only to the bottom third of my hair, let it sit a few minutes, then rinse. I can then easily detangle my hair and it is so shiny and smooth and manageable! I sound like a 1970's Prell commercial, I know, but this stuff is the bomb. A little goes a long way, and the smell is soft, pleasant and not intrusive (i.e. it doesn't smell like apples) Give it a try!
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Shampoo -Redken - All Soft Shampoo
Cristy1970 3/6/2011 3:19:00 PM
I love, love, love, LOVE this shampoo!!! Did I say I LOVE it? This is probably my favorite shampoo--the only one that thoroughly cleans my hair without making my scalp itch or making my hair feel like straw, rinses clean and has a nice, soft scent that doesn't smell remotely like freakin' apples. I love the conditioner, too. (separate review) My hair: medium-long, straight, colored, medium-fine texture, layered, greasy at roots (must wash every day) and dry at the ends. This shampoo doesn't make my hair lay flat, either. Also, Ulta will run awesome deals on this every so often so I can stock up. I'm in LOVE and I want everyone to know!! Try this--I think you'll like it. UPDATE: Well, I guess either my hair got used to this shampoo, or Redken changed their formula, because my hair now feels kinda dry and straw-like when I use this. Not soft and silky like it used to. I dunno what's going on, but I don't like it as much now.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clinique - Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20
Cristy1970 3/6/2011 3:12:00 PM
I'm not surprised by all the negative reviews for this product; if you have young skin, are oily and prone to break-outs, you not only will probably hate this cream, but you probably don't need it yet, either. This is for us gals who need more moisture, but not a greasy feeling face, and some skin tone correcting due to sun damage and/or plain old aging, but as other reviewers have said, it is slooowww. So be patient! Also, this does have a rather strong sunscreen scent, but I love that it has a significant amount of sun protection. The packaging could be better; wish it were in a pump or even a tube instead of an unsanitary jar. That being said, this is a very good moisturizer that does indeed moisturize without making me feel greasy and creates a nice, smooth, surface on which to apply foundation. I'm on my second jar and will repurchase when that one is empty...unless, of course, I find something better--you know how that goes.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Aveeno - Positively Radiant Makeup Removing Cleanser
Cristy1970 3/4/2011 6:05:00 PM
OMG--words almost cannot describe how much I love, love, LOVE this cleanser! It does what it says--removes every last trace of oil and makeup, including eye makeup (except for waterproof mascara, which I rarely wear anyway) and leaves my skin soft and squeaky clean. I absolutely love it and will always repurchase. It has fragrance, but not enough to irritate my skin and it's rather pleasant. Strangely, one of the only places I can find this is at my neighborhood Kroger! Please, Aveeno, don't discontinue this product!!!!! UPDATE: Well, thanks, Aveeno for discontinuing this cleanser....I can't find it anywhere in Virginia. I have a new love, though--Neutrogena Naturals Cleanser + Makeup Remover!! See my review.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Bobbi Brown - Shimmer Lip Gloss - Rose Sugar
Cristy1970 3/4/2011 5:59:00 PM
This is one of my favorite lip glosses out there--the texture, the shade, the wearability...I love it! I just hate the stupid brush that it comes with--come on Bobbi, you can't come up with a better applicator? REALLY? And for the price, you don't get a lot--another drawback, but not a deal-breaker. I would repurchase, b/c I've never found a close enough shade (btw, it's a light, neutral, shimmery peachy-pink that looks great on anybody) that wears as well as this one. I heart Bobbi Brown! UPDATE: Ok, I guess I can stop complaining about the lame brush applicator cuz Bobbi has replaced it with a doe-foot applicator! Rock on, BB.
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