Mascara -Black Radiance - Lengthening Mascara with Protein 
GinaM98 5/13/2012 1:34:00 PM
I'm really surprised at the bad reviews, because I love this mascara. I like a bold lash look, so I usually use several coats of mascara, letting it dry between coats. Sometimes I will use a thin coat, for a natural look. It's a very rich, opaque black, gives me great length and volume. Best of all, it doesn't flake on my cheeks which is a pet peeve I have with most mascaras! My lashes are already somewhat long because I use Careprost (although I didn't get the dramatic results some people get with it) the difference between my bare lashes and when I use this mascara is noticeable. Sometimes my lashes can look a bit clumpy if I'm not careful but that tends to be the case with most mascaras. I try new mascaras all the time, but for some reason I keep coming back to this one. Probably because I don't notice a big enough difference between high-end mascaras and low-end ones. Sure, there may be better mascaras out there, but this one does the job for me and is dirt cheap.
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Liquid -Maybelline - Fit Me Foundation
GinaM98 8/21/2011 2:12:00 AM
I always have a hard time finding a foundation color match. My skin is fair, with slight yellow undertones and most light foundations are on the pink side. I've been using MUFE HD for a while now because it's the only one that seems to somewhat match my skin and give good coverage. But now that the weather is getting warmer and my acne is starting to clear up, I don't want the heavy coverage anymore so it seems pointless to buy such an expensive foundation. Maybelline FitMe has been a good switch, and I highly prefer it to L'oreal True Match for many reasons. The tricky part is finding a good color match and after much trial and error I discovered that mixing #110 and #210 gives me the best shade. This foundation is only around $7 a bottle, so even when I buy two it's still less than half the price of MUFE HD. The consistency is very smooth, easy to blend and the coverage is light/medium. It's not the best choice for my oily skin, but with a good powder it works. It's not a miracle in a bottle but as far as yellow toned drugstore foundations go, it's a keeper!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Tazorac
GinaM98 6/14/2011 2:17:00 PM
Quick background: I started having issues with acne at age 18. My skin used to respond well to systems such as Klear Action & ProActive but when I got pregnant I stopped using BP upon my doctor's advice. After I had my son I tried to resume the BP but my skin simply didn't respond to it anymore. I tend to get horrible cystic acne on my forehead and chin, and painful clogged pores around my nose. I would describe my acne as moderate. When I started Tazorac, I had an idea of what to expect because I've done alot of research. My mother uses it, and has had good results but she has a totally different skin type (dry/mature). I took the advice of the skincare board and used it every 3rd day, and buffered with moisturizer (Aquaphor around my eyes and Complex 15 on the rest of my face). I noticed peeling immediately, and it was more than just flakes. My cheeks would peel in sheets, the way one might peel after a bad childhood sunburn. Within an hour of applying the gel, my skin would start to itch terribly. I could only tolerate leaving it on for about 3 hours before I had to wash it off because it itched so badly... After about a week I was irritated to the point where it hurt to lay my face on the pillow. My acne worsened significantly, but I figured I was just purging. The redness on my entire face was impossible to conceal so I made excuses to stay in the house. I looked terrible, but I figured this was par the course for treatment. It wasn't until my mother stopped by my house one day and was shocked by my appearance that I realized this was above and beyond the normal range of side effects. So, after all was said and done I lasted 3 weeks on Tazorac before quitting. I'm still not sure if I was having an allergic reaction to the product, or if my skin was simply too sensitive but either way I am glad I stopped using it. I have since switched to Retin-A gel and I can already tell that this is going to be much better for me. I'm a bit red/flakey/irritated but it's very tolerable. The reason why I still give Tazorac 3 lippies despite it not working for me is because it worked so well for my mother. Her skintone is completely even and her face literally glows. She looks younger and more vibrant. If you use this product, be smart about it... Some redness is normal but if it's to the point where it hurts to lay your head on the pillow it's time to quit.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Complex 15 Therapeutic Face Cream
GinaM98 5/29/2011 1:49:00 PM
I've seen this cream many times in the drugstore, but always passed it by because the packaging doesn't catch the eye, and I've never seen an advertisement for it. Big mistake on my part, because what's inside the lackluster tube is worth every penny! I recently began using Retinoids, so my skin is very angry... This is the only moisturizer I've used that doesn't burn when I apply it (my face is extremely irritated and red) and I've tried many others. My skin is acne prone, and it doesn't appear to cause new blemishes. My skin is also very oily, so I typically have problems with moisturizers being too greasy... Complex 15 actually absorbs into my skin and is the least greasy moisturizer I've used. I only notice a fraction of the oily mess I usually experience. I can see this working for dry skin types as well, because I had alot of peeling from the Retinoids and it keeps most of it at bay. I recommend mixing this moisturizer with a bit of Aloe Vera Gel to further soothe irritated skin.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Sephora - Perfecting Cover Foundation
GinaM98 5/27/2011 7:05:00 PM
I tried this because Sephora is discontinuing their Hydrating Foundation... I didn't love the hydrating foundation, but it was the only thing that even remotely matched my skin. 05 Porcelain is a close color match to D20 in the Hydrating Foundation but it's slightly less golden and applied darker which was disappointing for me. This is their lightest shade, but be forewarned- but If you are truly pale it will be way too dark for you...The coverage is good, I needed less concealer than usual and it's easy to blend. I like it better than the Hydrating foundation but I'm not overwhelmingly impressed with it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - Wear Infinite Eye Shadow Single
GinaM98 5/27/2011 4:41:00 PM
Smooth latte is a dupe for MAC Wedge! The color is almost identical... It's a tan- light brown that doesn't pull too warm or too cool on me... Perfect neutral color for me. Surprisingly, I actually prefer the silky texture of Smooth Latte over MAC Wedge so I would definitely purchase this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Unlisted Brand - Yogurt Mask
GinaM98 4/2/2011 3:27:00 PM
Now that I have been applying yogurt masks daily for two weeks, I feel I am ready to write a review. For me, it's not the miracle product I see others raving about, but considering that a huge 32oz tub of yogurt cost me $3 and isn't marketed as a skincare product, I can't complaint too much. This is the first time I've used lactic acid. I have dry skin around my nose and mouth from BP and I found that I needed less manual exfoliation when I used the yogurt masks. My existing acne seems to have dried out a bit, and so far I only see one new pimple forming. My skin feels a bit softer, but nothing remarkable. Overall, I have noticed a slight improvement, but it's nothing to write home about. Using these masks has sparked my interest in lactic acid, and I now feel like I am ready to try the MUAC lactic acid peels. With that said, I recommend anyone who has sensitive, acne prone skin try these masks just to see how your skin reacts to lactic acid. It's a cheap way to find out if your skin likes it.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Sephora - Porcelain
GinaM98 3/11/2011 12:26:00 PM
I've just recently began buying the Sephora brand shadows and so far I am impressed. This particular shade, Porcelain, is the perfect color to use for a natural, polished look. I like to wear it on my lid and as a highlighter on days where I am dressed casually but still want to look put together. It's a creamy, matte off-white beige shade.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Sephora - Face Complexion Brush
GinaM98 3/11/2011 12:14:00 PM
I'm pleasantly surprised by this product. I was looking for a basic tool or scrub to help with the dry flaky skin I have around my mouth and chin. I was disappointed at first because the bristles seemed too soft... But once I got the brush wet, lathered a bit of cleanser and started brushing in circular motions I could definitely feel it working. It's gentle, yet effective. I've been using it for about a week now and the flaky skin on my face is so much better than it was before. I definitely still need to find a good moisturizer, but until I find it this brush should keep most of the flakes under control. For $5 it's worth a try.
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Liquid -Sephora - Hydrating & Smoothing Foundation
GinaM98 3/3/2011 2:49:00 PM
There are alot of things I don't like about this foundation... It seems to emphasize any dry patches I have, and I find it difficult to blend without looking streaky. The staying power is mediocre at best, so you will absolutely need a setting powder. On the other hand, they have a wide variety of colors with undertones easily identifiable (D=yellow R=Red) so I was able to find a great color match. The coverage is relatively sheer but does a good job canceling out most redness...and it doesn't seem to aggravate my acne. For those two reasons I will likely purchase this foundation again despite it's shortcomings. I'm still working on my skincare routine, so hopefully once my skin is in better shape this will work better for me.
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Lipstick -Bare Escentuals - Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick
GinaM98 1/7/2011 9:49:00 PM
I'm surprised to see so many bad reviews on this lipstick! Like many of you, I tried the "Bare Escentuals" system years ago and sadly it didn't work for me so I haven't paid attention to this brand since then. However, when I asked a Sephora Sales associate to find me a lipstick she suggested Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Stick in "San Francisco." The best way to describe it is an amped up version (maybe 3 shades more intense) than MLBB. I didn't realize it was possible to be dramatic yet subtle at the same time, but "San Francisco" manages to pull it off. This is a good color for people who primarily wear nudes and MLBB shades but want to branch out without trying something "scary" like bright pink or red.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Banana Boat - Aloe
GinaM98 1/4/2011 6:03:00 PM
This is a review for Banana Boat Aloe Gel as a makeup base and moisturizer. I have acne prone combination skin that also happens to be sensitive yet easily dehydrated in the non oily areas. Long story short is, I have had a tough time finding products that work for me due to the complicated nature of my problem skin. I actually discovered this use for Aloe Vera by accident. I recently started a BP skincare regimen to control my acne, so my skin has been very red, flaky and irritated. My mother suggested I try applying Aloe Gel before bed to calm the irritation. After using it for a few days I noticed that not only was my skin was indeed less irritated, but it was somehow less greasy in the T-zone and less dehydrated everywhere else. It's almost as if the Aloe stabilized my skin to some degree. On a whim, I decided to try it under my makeup and sure enough it made a decent primer. My makeup needed less powder to set, and far fewer touchups during the day. My search is still on for a HG primer but I'll continue to make this a part of my skincare/makeup routine until I find it... And in the meantime I will also throw away all the old primers that don't work for me. Let's be realistic here though, if you are expecting aloe gel to be a miracle product that fills in pores, lines and wrinkles, controls your oil, makes your skin look airbrushed and makes your makeup last for days you will be sorely disappointed. But if you are someone like me who gets tired of using products that make your acne worse, try this stuff before buying anything else... You might be surprised at how effective it is, and if you hate it you can save it for summer sunburns.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Super Lustrous- Blushing Mauve
GinaM98 12/23/2010 12:18:00 PM
First of all, I've come to the conclusion that whoever is in charge of naming Revlon's lipstick shades should be fired! lol. But seriously, I wouldn't call this a mauve shade at all. I'd call it a light pink MLBB with a pearly sheen. Very pretty, wearable shade because it's not frosty at all. This is my first time trying a lipstick from the "super lustrous" line, and I'm not a huge fan... I've come to the conclusion that I just don't like lipsticks with pearly finish. It reminds me of MAC Creme Sheen lipsticks to an extent. Overall a pretty good drugstore find, just not my cup of tea.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Make Up For Ever - Rouge artist intense
GinaM98 12/19/2010 6:53:00 PM
I'm becoming a huge fan of this brand as a whole... I think this brand deserves much more hype because every MUFE product I have tried so far could easily attain HG status. I recently bought #34 which Sephora describes as "Satin Light Raspberry" and I think the shade description is accurate. It definitely reminds me of fresh, ripe raspberries. I had a hard time deciding between #34 and #35 because they are nearly identical in the tube and swatched on the hand. The lipstick itself is heavily pigmented so a little goes a long way... It's an intense shade, but surprisingly versitile. I sometimes apply cherry chapstick, then dot a tiny amount of the lipstick and blend and to get a perfect MLBB look... But a heavier hand gives you a bright pink/berry mouth. It has good lasting power as well, and doesn't bleed.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Hot Gossip - Cremesheen
GinaM98 12/2/2010 4:12:00 PM
I tend to stick with MLBB shades, but I'm trying to branch out. I was searching for something a few shades brighter than my usual choices but not over the top. This shade fits the bill! It's a true pink shade with an ever-so slight purple undertone. It has a sheen but isn't frosty. It's a versatile color, that can be kicked up a notch by using a bright liner or toned down with a neuteral liner. I feel more glamorous when I wear this lipstick. I am a dark eyed brunette with warm, yellow undertones, but I imagine this would be an ideal shade for all the cool-toned blonde as well. The only problem I have is the Cremesheen formula... I have to constantly reapply, because it has zero lasting power for me hence the 4 lippies. I'll buy it again if I can't find a dupe!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No