Eyes -E.L.F. - Natural Lash Kit 
Fireball 4/5/2013 10:13:00 AM
This is a review for all ELF Lashes. I have a few of them that I rotate depending on my make up look. I love that they are only a dollar and last really well. I can easily get up to 10 wears from each pair. Most come with a glue or a whole kit (a little tool to help you put them on). I use Ardell glue in black (do not recommend this unless you are a pro, otherwise you end up with black everywhere). Great product for a great price. LOVE!!!
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Misc Beauty Tools -Sephora - The Perfectionist Makeup Sponge
Fireball 4/5/2013 9:57:00 AM
I haven't tried the Beauty Blender sponge. I intended to actually buy it, but it's not available in the stores and I didn't want to wait. I read enough reviews of the Sephora one that I was willing to try it. I'm glad I did! Until now I was using a MAC foundation brush to put on my primer and foundation. I think this sponge blends everything so beautifully. Like the BB version, this one also expands nicely when wet for a flawless application. It's about $5 cheaper than the original. I will probably buy the Beauty Blender version just to compare, but I would repurchase the Sephora version.
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Eyeliner -Palladio - Liquid Eyeliner
Fireball 3/25/2013 3:42:00 PM
I'm surprised at the high number of high reviews. The application process was fine, I thought the tip was a bit hard and the initial swipe of color is rather sheer. However, it is nicely buildable, so after I was finished doing a winged eyeliner look, I was quite happy. My happiness level faded quickly when I looked at my eyes about halfway through my work day, and was mortified by what I saw. The eyeliner had smudged so much, it actually looked like was wearing eye shadow! It covered my entire eyelid. I'm honestly terrified to use it again because of how it may smudge. I may try it under eye shadow in the future, but I'm a bit nervous.
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Shampoo -Batiste - Dry Shampoo
Fireball 3/1/2013 1:39:00 PM
Best dry shampoo I've used. It doesn't get heavy like some, and it absorbs really well into my dyed red hair. My HG dry shampoo.
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Moisturizers -DDF - UV Moisturizer SPF 45
Fireball 3/15/2012 11:22:00 PM
This is one of the few sunscreen products that I'm not allergic to and doesn't leave me with a rash. It's pretty pricey, over $50 at Sephora. However, I was able to find it for a fraction of the price at my local TJ Maxx. BTW, TJ Maxx is now my go to retailer for hair and skin care. This moisturizer truly lives up to its name "weightless". It beautifully absorbs into my skin. I don't feel it on, it doesn't get overly greasy. I have an oily T-zone, so it's is inevitable that I will have to powder at some point unless I use some loose powder during the initial make up application. It's light, scentless, the tube sort of sucks, but good product. Because the tube is opaque, I wonder if I'll end up leaving a lot of product behind once the pump no longer reaches it. I like to be able to unscrew tops and extend the usage by a month or more. Would recommend.
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Skincare - Body -Bio Oil - All Products
Fireball 3/15/2012 10:46:00 AM
I bought this product to use under my eyes because I was battling an awful allergy that dried out my under eye area. It was wrinkled, and puffy, and it looked 15 years older than my skin actually is. It took a few days of twice a day applications, but I already see a huge difference. My skin is once again supple and wrinkle free. I'm going to use it for the recommended 2 month period, just to see what happens. I've been using it for about 2 weeks now.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -E.L.F. - Fuchsia Fusion
Fireball 3/15/2012 10:42:00 AM
I am in love with this blush! It's a perfect bright pink for spring, super pigmented. It has some glitter, so if you're looking for something more matte, this may not be for you. The color is just gorgeous. I'm an NC20 and it looks like a pink flush on my cheeks. It blends really easily, and you will need to blend to mute down the color a bit. A little goes a long way. This was my first venture into the E.L.F. world, and I'm very happy. Very good results. I will repurchase and look forward to trying additional products.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -NYX - Faux Lashes 
Fireball 2/13/2012 5:43:00 PM
This mascara line is from their Boudoir Collection. The Faux Lashes mascara gives a very moderate result. It didn't make my lashes longer or particularly thicker. Also, the formula was smudging on my bottom lashes in a matter of minutes. I had to Seal It, to keep from getting raccoon eyes. If they make a waterproof version, my Ulta didn't carry it. This may do better as a waterproof, but with my CG LashBlast Fusion in WP why bother? I will admit, I got suckered into the cute packaging. The letter font is Art Deco, and it looks sort of glam.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Fusion
Fireball 2/8/2012 5:47:00 PM
I am never happy with mascara. I've used Mac since HS, and I'm 35 now. I am so sick of all the formula changes that I've lived through in the past few years. Just stop it Mac! It was great in 1997, why muck it up?? In the last 6 months I've been dealing with a disabled parent and while I still want to look amazing, I don't have time to go to the mall to pick up a tube of freakin' mascara. So, another solution needed to be implemented. I've decided to venture into the drug store market again. I got burned, badly by Maybelline and Loreal a few years ago, so I was very apprehensive. I bought two CG lines and one from Nyx. Those reviews are still pending. I have to say, I love this mascara. It doesn't smudge, it gives me good buildable lashes, it stays put all day, and is on par with Mac's Mascara X for daytime. Or maybe not X, I cannot keep up with all the new lines they release. This gets a big YES and I will repurchase. So easy on the wallet too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clean & Clear - Continuous Control Acne Cleaner
Fireball 2/8/2012 5:40:00 PM
I updated my rating to a 5. I've been using this for a while now, and my skin looks really good. I haven't had any break outs, not even during high stress or TOM. I'm not sure if it's the Persa-Gel or this or both, but I'm not changing unless my skin freaks out. I'm very happy with this product. I'm using it in combination with Pond's to help prevent break outs and not dry out my skin. I haven't found this drying, however I avoid my eye area: anything from the top of my eyebrows to the cheek bones. And I use this very sparingly. It says on the package that dryness may occur, and I wanted to err on the side of caution. I am able to use it twice a day, once before bed and in the morning after my workout. In the morning, washing off my sweaty, grimy face this feels incredible. Tingly and refreshing. I will most likely repurchase unless I find something even better.
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Treatments -Clean & Clear - Persagel 10
Fireball 1/18/2012 3:01:00 PM
I updated this review to a 5. I'm not sure if it's the Clean & Clear Cleanser or this that is keeping my skin looking great. Either way, the combo is working. Also, since I've been using this for a while now, my skin has adjusted and I no longer find it as drying. However, I'm still applying a very thin layer over my skin where I tend to break out. Every day, twice a day. I bought this as an alternative to my regular DDF BP gel. They both contain 10% BP. They both work on zits and to keep skin clear. However, DDF can be used safely everyday. Clean&Clear is very very drying. I mainly use it at night, otherwise you have to apply it with a very gentle hand since it leaves a very white very chalky residue. It is very effective on treating and preventing normal acne. For a cystic zit, it will take a few days of regular application (up to 3 a day) to clear up the area. I had a stressful home situation which resulted in a rather aggressive break out. I had no DDF, but I had a Walgreens that carried this line. During this time, I did use it during day and night, to treat three cystic pimples. I used a very thin layer of it during the day to minimize the dry and white out effect and still be able to put make up on my face. It cleared it up beautifully. I now use this as a prevention, thin layer before bedtime. This seems to prevent the dryness and is keeping my skin clear. This can also be used as a spot treatment on a developing pimple. During the day, I am also using DDF Acne Control Treatment (Salicylic Acid Acne Medication). For some reason at my current age Salicylic Acid alone doesn't keep my skin clear nor clear up any breakouts.
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Cleansers -Ponds - Deep Cleanser Cold Cream
Fireball 12/28/2011 3:42:00 PM
EDIT 2/9/12 I received a few helpful emails from the ladies on this board, thank you!!!! I have since amended the way I use Pond's, and it works much better with my skin. I am most likely one of the people whose skin doesn't react the best to Mineral Oil. However, because my skin is wickedly combination, and only part of it hates the MO, I am still using Pond's. My new routine: take off my eye make up with Ponds, I go well into my cheeks to remove any blush as well. I massage it in circles and then remove with a dry but soft hand towel. Finally, I follow up with CLEAN & CLEAR® CONTINUOUS CONTROL® Acne Cleanser, avoiding my eye area completely. Some days I use Pond's all over my face to give myself an extra kick of moisture in this winter dryness. I then follow up with C&C cleanser above, but using a very small amount. This has been working perfectly. My skin isn't mad at me anymore, and it's staying nicely hydrated. Old review: I'm not 100% sold on this product, and I think it's mainly due to my inability to use this correctly. Do I use it on a wet or dry face? The hints about steaming your face to open up your pores further confuse me. Steamed face, so wet face? Or at least wet-ish face? It seems silly to steam my face then dry it to then wash it and dry it again. So I'm constantly debating the wet/dry issue while in use. Then I over think dipping my fingers into the pot. Should I be using a towel? Does it matter if my fingers have some water on them since I just got through steaming my face? I swear, face washing should not be this complicated. It does get my face very clean from make up. The eye make just slides right off. I then I circular motion to clean my face and then remove with a wet wash cloth. It feels like my face has residue no matter how much I rinse. I've been using this for a few weeks, and I think it's breaking me out a little. I may incorporate a benzoyl based cleanser for a while to clear up this mess, and may be re-introduce Ponds on a 1 day per week cleaning. It has prevented my face from being dry, and it is almost January. This is a good thing, so maybe I just need to find a balance of cleaners to use. Again, it should not be this complicated!
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Scrubs -Unlisted Brand - MicrodermaMitt ZitMit
Fireball 11/20/2011 5:55:00 PM
I found this product in my local natural beauty supply store on a recommendation from the owner. I complained that my face is always dry and flaky and zit prone, yet oily. Gross. He showed me the ZitMit, "it will change your life" he said. And he was right. His customers range in their frequency of use, from a few times a week to daily. I'm a daily. This has replaced all the other scrubs I was using. My routine is now to wash my face in the am with a bit of cleanser and water, run the Mitt down my face for about a minute, and then rinse my skin again. My skin is never ever flaky. My breakouts are greatly reduced, but I attribute that to the DDF BP Gel along to the ZitMit. I still get one or two small blemishes around my time, but I have not had a cystic zit in about a year. The instructions recommend replacing the Mitt every three months, I have had mine for 6 and it's still fine. I wash it gently with some cleanser after each use and hang dry. It runs about $25 for the Mitt, and even if you replace it often it still doesn't break the bank. Success? You betcha!
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - ColorIcon Palette in Lust [DISCONTINUED]
Fireball 3/25/2011 2:18:00 AM
I haven't used WW since junior high school. This was on sale at my local CVS, so I bought a few things. One of the palettes I threw away because it was cream based, and just awful...no review I don't remember what it was called. Now on to this... The colors are gorgeous. LOVE the purples. I love kits and palettes because of the complimentary colors, and this paired all shades nicely. I usually use MAC and Sheseido shadows with a few others in the mix. It's been a while since I used a drug store brand... The product is a little "loose" almost mineral like. I experienced a lot of shadow falling on my cheeks and under my eyes during application. Rather annoying since I have to incorporate a clean up stage after application. When I use this, I moisturize after, not before, because I found I had to reapply my moisturizer. I use the Urban Decay primer with this and the staying power sucks. By the end of the day, my eyeshadow is almost gone. The shades in the container are a lot more intense than in application. It's fine, and makes for an okay work palette even though it's purple. It ends up looking muted on the skin. But if I go out after work, I have to reapply which is again annoying because of how much it falls off the brush. It is cheap, especially on sale...but given the cons, I'm not sure I'd repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Garnier - Skin Renew The Brusher Gel Cleanser
Fireball 3/25/2011 1:51:00 AM
I normally buy cleansers from Etsy, from indie designers. However, I was lax on purchasing, ran out, and was in a bind. This sold me on seeming 1) natural 2) having exfoliating benefits and 3) sort of "fun" with the brush thing. This product did not deliver what it promised. Exfoliating? Not at all. Design of the bottle is poor. Getting product out is incredibly annoying and at times difficult. I should not have to squeeze a bottle that hard to get product. And the plastic bottle is a lot tougher than it should be considering squeezing is the preferred method of product extraction. The feelers/brush don't exfoliate and feel sort of gross and unnatural against my skin. It sort of feels like wet plastic gloves, yuck. The cleanser itself is sort of drying. My face feels tight immediately after wards. I have to hasten to my moisturizer. The smells is overpowering and a strange mix of citrus and chemicals. Won't be buying this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No