Foundations -Tarte - Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full-Coverage Foundation SPF 15
DragonRhia 4/20/2013 9:51:00 AM
I have this in 2 shades: light and medium. The light is my main shade and I blend in a little bit of medium based on how tan my skin is. PROS: light to medium coverage, excellent consistency, excellent blendability, good staying power, doesn't look cakey, there is a lot in the tube and it goes a long way, tube allows you to squeeze out the majority of product/no waste, it does help control oil, I've not worn it over 10 hours - but it works well during that time frame, no break-outs or rashes (I have sensitive skin). CONS: shade variety is limited. Hmm, I don't have a lot of cons for this product. A couple tips that work for me...blending two shades to get the correct shade for your skin is helpful as the color selection is a bit limited. I was never a foundation brush person until this product. When I used my fingers to blend I always ended up with a heavier coverage that what I like (I was moving from TM to this product), but the foundation brush allows me to blend it with a lighter touch. It helps control oil, but I also use a mattifying moisurizer (murad) and a light dusting of powder to set it (hd-mufe) and with that combination I do not look oily at all - even after 10 hours. I will keep buying this as I swapped for many products until I found this one and it does exactly what I want it to do.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Flying Fox Shower Gel
DragonRhia 4/20/2013 9:31:00 AM
I use this occasionally. PROS: scent is rose based and sensuous, it doesn't take a lot for a good lather, scent stays on skin after shower, free of "junk" that you can find in a lot of body washes, not so gentle on my sensitive skin (I can rash out if I use this consistently). CONS: very thin formula which makes it easy to use too much, scent lingers on skin (this can be a pro or a con depending on your preference), you really need to enjoy a rose scent. I use Happy Hippy daily, this is just an "extra" scent for when I want to switch things up a bit. I like it for when I'm feeling a bit saucy.
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Happy Hippy
DragonRhia 4/20/2013 9:24:00 AM
This has been my staple body wash for a few years now. PROS: gentle on my sensitive skin, fresh scent that doesn't stick to my skin, good lather, free of all the "junk" that goes into a lot of body wash products. CONS: is great consistency (not too thick or thin) when the bottle is full, but about half way down it gets very thick (always a great lather tho), bottles aren't made to be reused as the plastic breaks down (I have little bottles in my shower and keep a large bottle of this for refills), somewhat expensive (but the quality is good), scent doesn't stick to my skin after a shower (this can be a pro or con depending on your personal preference). If you like a clean fresh scent that helps wake you up in the morning but is not overpowering, definitely give this a try.
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Loose Powders -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Loose Powder
DragonRhia 6/23/2012 12:23:00 PM
I gave it 4 instead of 5 lippies because of the packaging and how to get it out of the package in a good way. :P PROS: slightly oil mattifying (for me), sets every type of make-up, smooth looking finish, does not hurt/affect my sensitive skin, does not make my face look "white" (since powder is white), price is good for quantity, stuff goes a LONG way. CONS: packaging and application period! I don't normally use loose powder because packaging and application are never easy. I like this product so much that I use it but grumble over the packaging and application. Its easy to get too much powder on the brush and then its a process to get the right amount tapped off for a smooth application on my face. If you can overcome the challenge of application - message me and tell me your trick! I love this product and will keep buying it even if I grumble over the application.
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Moisturizers -Murad - Oil-Control Mattifier
DragonRhia 6/23/2012 12:15:00 PM
This stuff works! I have tried almost every under make-up primer out there and they have all failed by making my make up look like a clown mask. This product allows everything to go on smoothly and naturally. I use this under tinted moisturizer, Obagi sunscreen, and foundation. PROS: only need a small quantity to cover face,scent does not linger, moisturizer is light, mattifier works very well, no break-outs after initial (see CONS), mattifying properties make make-up look natural, helps make-up last longer, SPF 15, gentle on my sensitive skin (I easily break out in a rash if something is harsh). CONS: price is high for quantity, scent is a tea tree type scent (which is often unpleasant for many - but fades immediately after application), is a light moisturizer (if you are looking for something heavier you won't find it here), slight blemish break-out in very beginning ONLY, but went away immediately (this could have been due to me adding a new product or my hormones too! but I've used this for a month now and have not broken out at all since). I highly recommend you try some sample packs of this first as it is SO EXPENSIVE. I did have an initial break-out of 3 small blemishes (I rarely get blemishes at all) and I stuck with the product through those 3 and my face has not broken out since. My skin is T-zone oily and I don't blot. I should have before I used this product but now since I'm using it I have noticed that I don't need to. If you have tried lots of primers (with high hopes) and not liked their effects - this product might be what you are looking for.
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Tinted Moisturizer -MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer
DragonRhia 12/28/2011 2:45:00 PM
I've really enjoyed this product and will buy it again. Sometimes I mix it with something a bit heavier before application and sometimes I don't. I gave it 4 lippies because of the price and how difficult it can be to track down in a store. Sephora and Ulta were out this last time I was looking for it. I get tired of ordering things on-line as sometimes I want the product when I walk into the store to purchase it. PROS: no strong or lasting scent (I'm prone to migraines and scent is a trigger), coverage is not sheer but not heavy or noticeable, easily blendable with something slightly heavier, can pat skin with hands to turn it matte, doesn't get shiny on my combo skin, doesn't feel like I've got anything on, tube is easy to use. CONS: price, difficulty in finding it in stock, lack of color options.
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Lip Liners -Jordana - Easyliner for Lips in Silver Lilac
DragonRhia 10/5/2011 12:45:00 PM
I wear purples very well and this is an excellent addition to my purple lip colors. It looks like a light lavender but stains a medium purple and is great under other purple lip glosses I own. PROS: retractable pencil (no sharpening), stain sticks WELL (I tested this and then did the following: flossed and brushed my teeth, took a shower, drank water and coffee and the stain was lighter [about half the power of when I put it on] but STILL there!), price $1.99, good color selection, no package waste (like a box or something) just plastic seal around pencil itself. CONS: I have to order this off of Cherry Culture so no local purchase whenever I want, I can't tell the colors as well when its on-line so sometimes I order a color I totally can't use.
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Lip Liners -Jordana - Easyliner Easy Liner - All
DragonRhia 10/5/2011 12:42:00 PM
Excellent lip stain. I'm so impressed. PROS: retractable pencil (no sharpening), stain sticks WELL (I tested this and then did the following: flossed and brushed my teeth, took a shower, drank water and coffee and the stain was lighter [about half the power of when I put it on] but STILL there!), price $1.99, good color selection, no package waste (like a box or something) just plastic seal around pencil itself. CONS: I have to order this off of Cherry Culture so no local purchase whenever I want, I can't tell the colors as well when its on-line so sometimes I order a color I totally can't use. MUST TRY if you get the opportunity!
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Shampoo -Terax - Latte Shampoo
DragonRhia 9/26/2011 1:08:00 AM
I would buy this in general. I swapped for it and am still using up my original bottle, which is good sized and I do plan on buying it when I'm about out. I love this as a weekly stripping of product build up. PROS: scent, bottle size, good lather, product lasts a long time as it is not for everyday use (I use it 1x/week), hair feels squeaky-clean. CONS: I cannot find this to purchase in my area so I will have to order it on-line, very watery formula (but it does lather well).
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Cleansers -Cerave - Foaming Facial Cleanser
DragonRhia 9/12/2011 7:31:00 PM
I'm on my second bottle of this. I've used the high end facial cleansers and for what I need my cleanser to do - this works great. PROS: easy to find (Walgreens carries it), inexpensive, pump is sanitary, cleans the make-up off my face w/o problems, isn't drying to my combination skin, no scent. CONS: doesn't always foam and I have to wash 2x to get foaming action.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - The Black Palette
DragonRhia 2/11/2011 10:04:00 PM
I LOVE this product! I purchased it to use as eyeliners and not eyeshadow and it works awesome with the dark variety of colors. Colors in the palette are: Black Dog (black matte), Barracuda (black w/silver sparkly shift - which basically makes it look gray), Sabbath (black w/blue sparkly shift), Jet (black w/purple sparkly shift), Cobra (black w/gold sparkly shift), Libertine (black w/emerald sparkly shift) PROS: richly pigmented and easy to use as eyeliner; product lasts FOREVER since I'm using it as an eyeliner (I've been using it for 2 months now and there are no dips in any color); the sparkly shift and the color really does come out when I use it as a liner; bonus items of 2 minis UDPP in Eden and 24/7 pencil in Zero (black); price. CONS: I don't use the mini UDPP and 24/7 (but they were great to swap out); Barracuda (the gray) makes my eyes look small (something about how the pigment/sparkle reflects in light for me); Sephora Exclusive (meaning Sephora is the only place you can find this item); price. *So how is the price a pro and a con. Well, $36 is expensive - HOWEVER, if you buy/love/wear UD eyeshadow anyways - their regular shadow pot is .05 oz at $17 each and in this palette you get .01 oz less (these are .04 oz each) and you get 6 colors (plus the 2 minis). So, you could get 6 of the regular sized eyeshadow for $102 and not include the 2 mini items or $36 for .06 oz less of eyeshadow and a mini UDPP and mini 24/7 pencil. So, in the end, I see this as an excellent deal. I would definitely buy it again but I don't think I will need to in my entire lifetime! :)
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Treatments -RoC - Retinol Correction Deep Wrinkle Serum
DragonRhia 2/11/2011 9:34:00 PM
I really wanted to like this product. I will make this short and sweet though - bottom line - this product made me break out in zits. I rarely ever have a blemish but this stuff gave me a lot at the same time. I have combo skin that is usually sensitive. If I ever react to a product its because I break out in a rash from sensitivity, but this made me break out in zits instead. :(
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Mascara -Josie Maran Cosmetics - gogo Mascara
DragonRhia 2/11/2011 9:27:00 PM
I got this in my Sephora sampler and it is one of my favorites from that sampler box. I'm actually surprised after reading the reviews that I like it so much. FYI - I have thick and short lashes that do have/hold a curl with the right products, they are very light brown and are hard to see. PROS: comparable price $22 (most high end mascara's range from approx $15 to $40 on Sephora); didn't irritate my eyes (I have sensitive eyes); made my lashes thicker/richer looking; the Argan oil is in the middle of ingredients and I think it really did moisturize my lashes; rich black color; rarely smudged (a big no no for me); not waterproof (I don't like waterproof mascara as its too hard for me to get off); came of with regular face routine. CONS: wand (I wanted to like this wand but can't-I'm going to try it with a different wand); clumping on the brush (but didn't on my lashes); didn't make my lashes look longer (I do like that in a product); would run if I cried or teared up; I think it smudged once or twice in all the times I've worn it and I wear mascara for 10+ hours in my work day. I plan on buying a large tube of this and possibly using a different wand. Its a huge deal to pass my tests - the ONLY other mascara that has passed all my testing is Hourglass Superficial.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Bobbi Brown - Extra Spf 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm
DragonRhia 2/11/2011 9:05:00 PM
I use this product occasionally but I can't seem to let it go so there is something about it that I really like. PROS: rich and moisturizing, one of the few products I've actually gotten compliments on that my skin looked "dewy" (which is probably why I can't let go of this product); good for very dry winters; SPF 25; 8 tints (colors); blends easily with fingers or brush. CONS: expensive $50; package is a glass jar (not hygienic at all); slight scent; too heavy for summer; glass jar is heavy; I often have to use a matte powder to take off some shine. I would buy this again even though I don't wear it very often.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Lancome - Aqua Fusion Teinte SPF 15 - Continously Infusing Tinted Moisturizer [DISCONTINUED]
DragonRhia 2/11/2011 8:55:00 PM
I used this product all summer. I've been switching it up for winter with different TMs but this was nice overall. PROS: squeeze tube with small opening so quite sanitary; SPF 20; moisturizing but not oily; even though its only 4 colors to choose from they blend well into your skin; can shake the tube to mix product if needed. CONS: price is $38.50; scent; there is only 4 colors to choose from (its a pro and a con when it comes to TM). I would repurchase this product, although I have found other TMs that I like better that cost less - although this is a good product.
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