Eye Primer -Trish McEvoy - Eye Base
Cutie7 4/6/2013 7:40:00 PM
This is a great eye base/primer if you use it correctly. I bought this a few years ago and wasn't "blown away" though I don't believe I was applying enough and applying it correctly. I've been wanting another primer and thought I'd check this out further as to why it didn't work for me before. I went on to Trish's website and watched a video on makeup application and this primer. First, use good lighting! Also, if your eye lids are dry and/or you want to ensure a smooth, wide-awake finish, apply a lite eye serum on top of your eye lid (I use Chantecaille Nano Gold serum though Trish's Booster eye serum works well too) and let it dry a moment. Then, spread the product in two or three separate swipes across your eye lid (one eyelid at a time). Next, quickly take an eye shadow brush (I use Trish's medium eye shadow brush) and blend it across and downward/upward over your entire lid up and across your brow area. Viola! Your eyes will now look rested - you can wear the primer alone for a fresh look or apply eye shadow on top and not worry about creasing! The video was helpful; previously I wasn't applying enough product to my eye lid and my blending technique was off. The serum on top of my eye ensures the primer "clings" to something and keeps your eye lid a little hydrated and helps ensure a smooth canvas (and no crepeyness). Note, do test the eye primers as there are several colors. I chose Bare - it's a neutral light beige. Doubles as a base (wear a lone) and primer.
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Foundations -Bobbi Brown - Long Wear Even Finish Compact Foundation
Cutie7 3/20/2013 5:48:00 PM
This a great foundation if you desire light-medium natural finish and a long lasting finish. It glides on beautifully and looks great topped off with Bobbi Brown's loose powder (I have it in white which is actually very light yellow). For reference, normally I wear Giorgio Armani or GA foundations - though decided to give this product a try and I'm glad I did. While GA foundations have amazing formulas and staying power, I find this formula to be quite good (better than Bobbi's previous foundations and foundation sticks) and the color match "warm ivory" to be a better match than GA (I have to mix two GA foundations to get a good match for my skin). Overall, I'd say this foundation is good for normal and normal to oily skin tones. Lastly, make sure your skin is free of dry flakes (exfoliate first) and apply a lite serum/moisteriser or primer before the foundation. I've worn this product a week and find it wears well through-out the day, looks matte though glowy, and photographs really well in pictures! EDIT: While I love this foundation, I do have to lower the rating by one lippie... simply because the price versus the quantity of the product. I've been using the foundation for almost two weeks, and just noticed I hit the center of the pan! I looked at the amount you get and it's only .28 ounce! For sure, I will finish the compact within the next week or 10 days. This is ridiculous! With GA foundations, while they are $60 you get a full ounce and it lasts me over two or maybe three months!! Bobbi needs to include atleast .50 ounce or more for this foundation since it's $46. Ingredients (excuse minor spelling errors): Ehyhexyl palmitate, phenyl trimethicone, silica, tribehenin, trimethylsiloxysilicate, shea butter, polysibutune, caprilyic/capric triglyceride, ozokerite, laryl methacrylate/crosspolymer, polyethylen, dimethicone, trihyrdroxysterin, tetrahedexyl ascorbate, lecithin, capryl glycol, tocopheryl acetate, simethicone, may contain: titaniaum oxides/iron oxides
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Giorgio Armani - Maestro Fusion Makeup
Cutie7 10/10/2012 5:25:00 PM
Sadly, I'm really disappointed with this product. I've tried this several times and unfortunately need to return the product. First, I love GA's foundations - was a Luminous Silk devotee then changed to Lasting Silk UV foundation a few years ago. This product doesn't deliver. First, GA says something to the effect "it's water free" and that "unique oils volatile and non volatile have different drying times and benefit the formulation". Contradictory, there is water in the formulation (near the end) and the oils volatile or not, there is A LOT of alcohol in this formulation. Hence, maybe the drying and drying out of your skin?? Alcohol is listed twice in the ingredients (near the beginning) and quite frankly this foundation looks awful on my skin. I'm in my early 40's and this foundation makes me look older! It sinks into every pore/wrinkle and don't even think about setting it with powder it unless it's a hydrating kind! I tried MUFE and even GA's powder and the foundation looked terrible. A few times I washed it off and started over. Not what I want to be doing with foundation or my time! Also, the coverage is sheer and atleast for me, later in the day, my face feels red and itchy... I also had a few breakouts and just the feeling of my skin with this on - it felt silicony and not soft like other foundations. FYI, I'm not sure what skin type this would be suited for, maybe someone young, with impeccable and normal skin? Eek...dunno
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -3LAB - Perfect BB Cream SPF 40
Cutie7 4/29/2012 3:19:00 PM
This is a wonderful BB cream if you have the right skin tone and skin type. If you have medium - dark skin tones and normal to dry and normal skin this could be a good BB cream for you. Overall I'm impressed with the SPF 40+ (titanium dioxide) quality, finish, coverage (good coverage almost similar to a light makeup) and lasting power. That said, the color choices come in: light, medium, and dark. However, light is too dark!! Light is very yellow based and more like a light-medium. I'm very fair, and you can definitely see the color on me. It's darker than the foundation I normally use (Giorgio Armani shade 2). While the finish and texture makes your face look somewhat airbrushed and poreless, I too am getting a few very tiny clogged pores. Most foundations will give me a few spots anyway. So, good skincare used prior to this is essential, good cleanser and light weight oil free serum if your skin is dry. Recap: Pro's *longwearing *good texture and looks good on the skin *spf 40+ and titanium dioxide which is a good physical sunblock *seems like this product would be somewhat water resistant as it adheres to the skin really well *provides a glow to the skin without looking too dewy Con's * colors are too dark. If you're fair skin toned color 1 will be too dark for you. Color 1 is a light/medium beige with strong yellow undertones. Color 2 is slightly darker and a little more pink. Did not see Color 3. * may be comedogenic or have an irritating ingredient which could cause breakouts for some. I'd say this formula is ideal for those that are 30+ or older and normal to normal to dry skin. It's hydrating and wrinkle minimizing. PS. Updated 5/15/2012 - Although this is a good BB cream *if* you can find a color match, however for me the lightest shade is just too dark and yellow for my neutral skin tone. It wore darker and looked obvious. My daughter said "Mom you're wearing too much bronzer" so that made me discontinue. If they make another light shade that is "truly light" with "neutral" tone I may consider purchasing as it's a fabulous formulation.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Giorgio Armani - Designer Lift Smoothing Firming Foundation
Cutie7 11/24/2011 5:31:00 PM
I had to go out and buy this foundation....as I like GA's other foundations (Lasting Silk). This one has adenosine triphosphate in it which is an anti-irritant. It may also provide part of the glow or energy infused appearance in the skin as this foundation is lovely! It reminds me a little of Lasting Silk (smooth coverage with UV protection of SPF 20). But also has characteristics of GA's Hydra Glow, but in a MUCH better formulation! The finish of this foundation is semi-matte and adds a glow and luminosity to the skin. It's not as drying as GA's other foundation (don't see alchohol in the ingredients) and seems to be long lasting on the skin. I don't like GA's loose powder, so I the foundation with LM's invisible setting powder. I also like MUFE high definitioon powder as well. I think this is a good foundation for all skin types (except oily) as it's a little more hydrating/creamy than GA's other versions. I took off one lippie, as although I love the fragrant smell of the foundation, I'd rather it be left out of the formula as I have sensitive skin and it can get aggravated with perfumed products. All in all, good selection of colors and the quality/finish wonderful.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Edward Bess - Ultra Luminous Eyeshadow
Cutie7 12/28/2010 5:08:00 PM
Well, hmmm.... first the good news is that the quality of these eyeshadows is pretty good. Similar to Giorgio Armani Maestro singles(which I have a lot of) and Chantecaille. The pigment and hold is great - last all day without creasing. The bad news is, that the color selection is very mediocre and kinda "boring". These shadows do not make my eyes "pop" like Armani ones. I'd say if you have golden blonde hair with brown eyes (with gold and green in your eyes) or if you have brown hair with hazel eyes the shadows may be a better fit. I have dark brown hair with caramel highlights and brown eyes. While these shadows apply nice, Nude doesn't look like much on my lids or brighten - looks almost like yellow chalk on my lids! Dusk is a greyish/brown (okay lid color) and Intimate is okay for crease. I also bought Mystery (neutral brown) and Night (very pigmented charcoal grey/black). Again, the quality is good, just very disappointed with the color selection. On a positive, note I did hear from the Neiman's SA that Edward will be coming out with atleast two new shadow colors in Spring 2011. I heard the colors will be light (similar to Intimate) which may be what we're looking for! A pretty light neutral beige with a little luster would be a great base (step aside Nude) and brighten the eyes. She anticipated they will be available for sale sometime in February - I will keep my eyes opened to check these out.
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Bronzers -Edward Bess - Daydream
Cutie7 12/27/2010 4:35:00 PM
Very nice bronzer! Applies smooth and like a dream. Nice, light golden glow. Similar type of bronzer like Chantecaille (Capri) - sheer, not glittery/frosty/metallic. Though Edward Bess's is more brown based versus Chantecaille is more peachy. If you like bronzers without the glitter/frost and are fair-skinned, Daydream is a good bet!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Giorgio Armani - Lasting Silk UV Compact Foundation
Cutie7 7/27/2010 12:01:00 AM
I feel torn on this product.... While the product itself is good, long lasting water resistant powder foundation with SPF 34, the colors are all wrong!!! Armani has done this before with other formulations - instead of staying with similar color schemes of their current foundations, which receive rave reviews, they decide to make new shades and offer less color choices. Bad news for us consumers. My complexion is fair and the lightest shade is 3. Shade 3 is really peach looking - almost like a light blush! Then there is 3.5, which is waay too yellow, and color 4 is a beigish orange. Color 5 is a nice beige for a tanned medium complexion, but too dark for my skin. I *hear* they may come out with lighter colors maybe 2 and/or 2.5 so guess I'll wait to see. The product itself is lovely - very soft milled powder which truly is long lasting. They just need to manufacture colors that consumers want and use. Similar to the UV liquid foundation SPF 20 would be ideal!! I hope you're reading Armani :)
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Le Metier de Beaute - Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment Fluid ...
Cutie7 7/17/2010 12:38:00 AM
Wonderful, awesome, amazing!! This has truly has made a big difference in my skin in one month in using it. It's to be used daytime only. My skin - a bit uneven, mild Rosacea, mild acne. This product has retinol in it, which is time released and encapsulated and delivered deep into the skin without irritation. It's also is tinted, a little shimmery, and has SPF 20. Within a week or so in using it, my face overall felt softer and smoother. Over the month, it's reduced my daily mild acne to slight. To recap or give Pro's - Beautiful, shimmery lotion with SPF 20 Smooths face and evens skin tone Lessens blemishes Wears well with foundation/powder on top or if you have minor flaws - great tinted moisteriser on it's own. Not overly hydrating - good for both dry and oily skins Nice texture and applies well. Livens the skin. Fragrance free - big plus for sensitive skin Non-irritating for me - and I have sensitive skin. Use it once a day only. Con's - Only two shades. The light/medium is a smidge dark for very fair skin like mine. But if you blend it out well, it looks stunning and not too dark. A "light" color would be perfect for us porcelains! If it were slightly more pigmented, it would eliminate the need for a light foundation on top (on some days I can go without though). I do wear foundation to work though for more coverage. Update: Still loving this!! Has done wonders - smoothing skin and even-ing out skin tone. Note, ladies who are fair like me, make sure you really blend this in so it does look more natural. Also, the SA said you can apply a light powder foundation or liquid on top for more coverage (I do this sometimes). Note: I heard from the SA that sometime Fall/Winter a "clear" formulation will be available. Keep your eyes out! This will be good for those of us who are fair and may want "no color" but the benefits this anti-aging powerhouse offers! Also, I heard the company is working on additional skincare to be released 2011- stay tuned!! Price - $125 and only sold at Neiman Marcus
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Vivite Vibrance Therapy
Cutie7 6/20/2010 1:14:00 PM
Wow - I've only been using this two days and so far so good with the results. I can already see and feel this working, it does slightly tingle when you put it on and immediately evens and brightens the skin. I have mild Rosacea with a little bit of blotchy skin tone and prone to breakouts on my jawline. I read the ingredients in this and although I don't have melasma or brown spots, it did say it evens skin tone which I need. Sure enough it does. The mulberry, licorice, green tea really help. I was nervous the glycolic acid and slight amount of retinol would be too strong for my skin, but so far so good. This is a keeper for me - will update should I feel otherwise. Edit: Unfortunately I had to stop using this. Overtime, the glycolic acid was too strong for my skin. I started to get irritation and bumps. :(
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Le Metier de Beaute - Classic Flawless Foundation
Cutie7 4/16/2010 4:10:00 PM
I read the reviews here and thought I'd give this foundation a whirl... I love Giorgio Armani's UV foundationa and Laura Mercier Oil-Free and thought this would be a good alternative makeup to wear. Luckily I received a sample (and bought the foundation) as the bottle will be going back to Neiman's. The formulation applied horribly and smelled glue-sunscreen like. The formula actually smells and reminds me of Bobbi Brown's Oil Free foundation that I tried over ten years ago. It was complete YUCK!! For $68 I'd expect what the name implies "flawless". It's interesting too, that the bottles and foundations look nearly exactly like Giorgio Armani. It's funny, the bottles may be similar, but the product lacks the true flawless and impeccable finish of GA or Laura Mercier. You don't get what you pay for here, atleast in my opinion. Sisley's oil free foundation is another good bet, formula superior. What a shame with this.
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Mascara -Giorgio Armani - Eyes to Kill
Cutie7 6/7/2009 2:17:00 PM
Amazing mascara! The best GA's ever made. I've tried the Soft Lash (good but not great) and Maestro - Obsidian Black (which is very good). What makes this an awesome mascara, better than Maestro, is that it curls/lengthens very well. It applies like a dream - has a full brush and the formulation applies and adheres well. It doesn't leave your lashes clumpy or hard either. I curl my lashes with Keven Aucoin's lash curler, apply GA's mascara primer, then I apply this mascara two quick full coats = gorgeous lashes. Comes in four colors - black, a red or rouge color, steel grey, and dark bronze brown. Oh by the way, go to GA's site, giorgioarmanicosmetics.com to see how do apply makeup, eyes to kill, and night-time looks. Good "how to's"
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Giorgio Armani - Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF20
Cutie7 4/3/2009 7:17:00 PM
This is GA's newest foundation just launched at Sak's. I've read about it and thought it sounded pretty fascinating: seamless coverage and long lasting 14 hour wear. Hmm... Who wouldn't want that? I spoke to the Sales Associate and she said the coverage was light-medium and agreed the foundation was long wearing. She said the colors were slightly different from Luminous Silk, slightly lighter and maybe slightly more neutral. I normally mixed 2 and 5 in LSF. Still, I ordered 2 and 5 in Lasting Silk and asked for a few samples of 4 and 4.5. I've only used twice, but can say, yes, it goes on very smoothly and does provide a beautiful glowy (but semi matte) seamless coverage. It kinda reminds me of a LSF and Hydra Glow hybrid, but a really light and smooth formulation. Pro's: Seamless glowy coverage. Semi-matte - not too dewy but not dry or cakey at all Easy to apply - use your fingers or foundation brush Sets quickly and covers pores well and provides a "real skin" look Doesn't seem to settle in pores or lines - which is a plus! Lasted about 10 hours the two days I wore it (didn't wear a primer but a serum underneath). My "pink" in my nose started to show through later in the day. Potential Con's: Has fragrance (though toward the end of the ingredients). Can be irritating if you have sensitive skin like I do. Also, has alcohol which can be drying. These two ingredients tend to wreek havoc on my skin over time and make it redder... I hope I can use this foundation as it is lovely. Colors are a bit "off" from LSF (more neutral or peachy and also lighter in color). Not oil free, however says "non comedeogenic". I'm break-out prone so will update if I start breaking out. Good for all skin types, however, those with drier skins may need a moisteriser or something underneath as it's a little drying. Overall, an excellent foundation!! ***UPDATE*** This foundation is totally amazing! I've changed my rating from a 4 to a 5. I've worn it daily now for a few weeks - and it's truly my fave! It doesn't break me out, looks like luminous smooth skin on, and lasts atleast 10+ hours. I do have to mix/match a few colors and it's kinda pricey doing so, but the finish is incredible. I put GA's concealer on first (mix colors 2 and 3) then I put my "mixture" of foundation with a brush all over. I use Laura Mercier's brightening powder to set my under-eye area and LM's loose transluscent powder to set the foundation. Hopefully, GA will make a high definition powder to go with their Lasting Silk foundation - would buy it in a heartbeat!
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Obagi - Zo Skin Health Oclipse Sunscreen and Primer SPF 30
Cutie7 3/6/2009 7:33:00 PM
This is da bomb of all SPF's and primers! I recently bought this at Nordstrom after reading about it on the Zo skin health website. It sounded pretty interesting - a makeup primer that has SPF and also peptides (tightening effect). I initially tried the sample and was sold! It's very siliconey, however, it only has about 10 or so ingredients in it and doesn't breakout my sensitive very acne prone skin. It glides on and literally holds makeup on all day. It gives a matte, soft quality to the skin. Try it - you'll like it.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant
Cutie7 3/6/2009 7:28:00 PM
I agree with the reviewer below, unless I got a bad batch, this gel did absolutely nothing. I have mild acne and am prone to blackheads. I put this gel on and all it did was "sit" on my skin. It's like it's water - hard to absorb.... My face looked greasy/slimy. I never used again.
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