Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam II
GoddessIv 10/21/2012 3:31:00 PM
It was a hard and long struggle for me to find the perfect nude lipstick, but finally last year I did and it was Viva Glam II. My coloring for reference: NC 20 (warm/gold undertone), dark brown hair and dark brown eyes, not very pigmented lips (almost nude). I was looking for a lippie to be able to wear with smokey or a heavier eye make up that doesn't wash me out and has just a touch of a color to it. This lipstick is a nude beige with a touch of pink and some grey but to me the gray is not over done; it is just enough to make the lipstick work with cooler colored make up and the beige/light brown base allows for warm make up. I'd say this formula is drying and every time I wear it, I have to moisturize my lips first, it's also a good idea to exfoliate...otherwise I end up with the "raisin-mouth". Lastly, I'd repurchase this lipstick had MAC remained cruelty free, but unfortunately they decided to expand into China. The Chinese government mandates that all products sold withing their country be tested on animals first. So even though Mac doesn't test their products withing the US, they still do it (or commission a company to do it for them). Either way, they are not cruelty free anymore, which is very disappointing since MAC was built on these principles. Whatever happened to "Tested on models not on animals"?
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Blush -MAC - Sheertone Shimmer blush in Peachykeen
GoddessIv 9/25/2012 5:40:00 PM
I just purchased Peachykeen by Mac about about a few weeks ago and I like it very much, however, I am torn and not sure if I should return it or keep it. My reason for this is that I just found out that the company has started to sell in China, where testing on animals is mandatory. Unfortunately, Mac never came out with this announcement just changed their statement on their website, that's why many people don't know about this and/or in total disbelief that they went against their philosophy. I am so disappointed by Mac, they were a cruelty free company, standing up for social issues just as much as for quality make up. When I started using Mac (15 years ago), they were owned by the founders of the company. This has changed in 1998 when they were bought out by Estee Lauder, now Estee makes the decisions instead of Mac, and they decided to disregard what Mac stands for and go for the recently opened up market in China (money). I felt that I had to put this information out there for others who care about animals and don't want to purchase from a company who tests and/or experiments on animals, and for those that purchased Mac partially for being a cruelty free company.
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Powder -MAC - Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
GoddessIv 11/7/2011 7:39:00 PM
I just started using Studio Fix powder foundation by Mac about 2 weeks ago (wanted to wait and see if it broke me out). Guess I'm just one of the lucky gals, because it didn't. I have acne scares and red acne spots on my face with occasional acne that I needed to conceal and also started to have some deepening of fine lines around my mouth. While the powder does not provide full coverage (I'd say light to medium if you want it to look natural), it still does a nice job of concealing my imperfections, although, not 100%. I need to use concealer underneath the powder and even with that you can tell there are acne scares. It does, however, softens them up a lot and evens my skin tone out. I do have to avoid putting too much around mouth area, otherwise I risk getting powder into the fine lines around my mouth witch would then end up accentuating them. So I'd recommend Studio Fix to those who have smooth skin or only a few fine lines. Even if you normally suffer from break outs, I'd suggest give this a try because I think, it all depends on what ingredients you are sensitive to. I say this, because I wanted to use only natural products and tried Dr. Hauschka powder, which broke me out despite all the good, natural ingredients (obviously I was sensitive to something in the powder), this foundation however, does not bother my skin at all. It does look natural and so easy to apply in the mornings. I use Elf Flat Top Powder Brush (you can get it in Target for $3!) does a beautiful job applying Studio Fix. I also use the sponge that came with the product, but not on my whole face, only on the areas that need heavier coverage (like zits, acne, deep red spots). If you want fuller coverge, I'd also get Studio Fix+ to set the powder once you "caked" it on. Because the Fix+ contains glycerin (a natural moisturizer, almost like oil), it acts like your own skin oil, only you don't have to wait for your skin to soak in the powder, the Fix+ does that for you, which results in a dewy finish. It takes away the powdery look but not the coverage. I found that I only need a little bit of Fix+ on certain areas, because if I use too much I look oily. Or I found that it is great to layer foundation, Fix +, foundation, Fix+, etc, a little bit at a time to reach fuller coverage without looking powdery and cakey. Definitively try this foundation over different moisturizers, because that also made a huge difference in how the end result looked. Over my Phyris Whitening moisturizer, it looked cakey, but when I used it over DermaE Tee Tree Oil moisturizer, it looks amazing. I hope this helped. Overall, I am loving Studio Fix foundation!! If my skin continues to like it, I'll repurchase.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Powder Brush
GoddessIv 11/5/2011 7:58:00 PM
Needed to find a brush that applies Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation and that's when I stumbled through these reviews. The same day I went to Target to see the brush and I purchased one. I am so impressed with it that I felt I had to write a review. Since I bought Elf Powder Brush I do not use my Mac brushes but use only this one to apply powder foundation, blotting powder and powder blush! It just does such a good job dealing with all 3 of these products that I can't be bothered with my other face brushes anymore...so I went back to Target and bought another 2. If you own Mac blushes, you will be pleasantly surprised how perfectly this brush fits into their pan. Since the brush has a round shape and a flat top, it takes up the size of the pan perfectly, leaving only a small space around the head of the brush to allow you to circle it around to pick up the blush. I especially like this aspect, but it also does a superb job of applying the product (somehow the blush falls on the exact spot where it suppose to). Then I blend with the same brush. As far as foundation goes, it also does a perfect job. Picks up enough product (not too much, not too little) and blends the product well into the skin. No streakiness, cakeyness, or shiny surfaces peaking out from under the foundation. Now I really regret buying all the expensive Mac brushes, only wish I new about this one sooner! Can't believe it's just $3...
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Blush -MAC - Sheertone Blush in Coygirl
GoddessIv 11/5/2011 3:08:00 PM
Bought Coygirl along with Breath of Plum for winter and I love both! However, I found that Breath of Plum looked more natural on my NC 20 skin tone. Coygirl looks nice too, has a more cool, dusty lavender-pink color (def. not unnatural, it still works for warm skin tones, maybe because it is a little dusty). I usually wear it with purples, pinks and mauves. On my cheeks it shows up pink with a tinge of lavender, it is definitely lighter than Breath of Plum. A lovely color though for the winter and I found that I reached for it often since the weather turned cold! Pairs well with Two Faced Centerfold lipstick.
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Blush -MAC - Sheertone Blush - Breath of Plum
GoddessIv 11/5/2011 2:25:00 PM
Believe all the good reviews, this blush has beautiful, natural pigmentation. The staying power is not excellent, but not bad either. I've purchased two blushes for the winter; Breath of Plum and Coygirl. I am an NC 20 and both blushes look nice on my skin tone, but Breath of Plum looks the more natural. When I flush, my cheeks has really this color, so I am very happy with it. I usually apply it with the Elf Powder Brush (the flat top one), it fits perfectly into the round box of MAC blushes and applies them beautifully. To me, Breath of Plum looks, well, plum with a hint of brown and pink (it reminds me of burgundy wine but lighter, if that makes sense), it is such a beautiful color, has a medium depth to it, definitely not muddy! Because of the added brown, it has warmer undertones vs. Coygirl (a light frosty lavender-pink). Both are gorgeous for the winter though!
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Makeup Brushes -Urban Decay - Shading Brush
GoddessIv 10/26/2011 7:07:00 PM
I just received Urban Decay's Good Karma Shading Brush, but I felt compelled to write a reveiw for it, because I liked it so much. I took my chances with this one (before I bought it, I didn't see any reviews written on it), but I'm glad I did. As soon as I received it, I took it to the bathroom to try it with the Naked Palette shadows. I was trying different looks with it and I found that it's great when applying shadow to the crease, but it works really well on the lid and brow bone as well in a pinch if you are - lets say - late in the morning and don't have time. For referece, I have medium-smallish eyes - so many brushes that work for others didn't work for me, because I have smaller crease and lid space than the average person. This seems like a great everyday brush; it is soft, yet dense enough to deposite just the right amount of shadow, I like how the head is angled, it works kind of like an angled blush brush for your cheeks, except you buff the shadow with this one. Even though I've been using make up for quiet some time, eyeshadow was not part of my make up rutine, so I appreciate a brush that makes it easy for me to apply shadow in the mornings with good results, when I'm in a hurry and don't have time. So I would highly recommend this for people who don't have experience with eyeshadow application, just starting out, becuase the brush is so easy to handle, yet one gets such good results The only thing that I'd change is the packaging; Urban Decay is great for paying attetion to details like using recycled egg cartons for the packaging (which I love, buy the way, even that's good quality you can keep your brush in it), but why put the recycled box in a plastic sleeve and the brush in a little plastic bag, when you go through such a pain to have recycled paper boxes for packaging, recycled materials to make the brush itself? I wish they lose the plastics!
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Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen- Modesty
GoddessIv 10/24/2011 4:24:00 PM
This has become my every day lipstick and I bought two to have one in my handbag and one in my dresser drawer. It has the perfect ratio of pink to beige, the second barely showing up, just to tone down the pink enough to become work appropriate, yet still have enough pink to brighten up my NC20 warm complection. I found that usually I don't even need a lip liner or a mirror to apply this if I'm in a hurry, yet it still looks good! However, I did find a nice lip liner to go with it; by Two Faced Perfect Lips Universal Liner. The liner that the SA recommended for me at Mac was Soar, which is the same color as the lipstick but much stronger in shade, so if you have darker complection than mine, it would probably also look nice with Modesty. I'm on the fence of purchasing Soar because if I shade my lips with it (not just the outline), it makes Modesty look stronger (that's too much for me for every day), but it would make a nice evening look, but then again, I would probably just buy another nice lipstick for a night out.
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Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen Creme Cup
GoddessIv 10/24/2011 4:01:00 PM
I just purchased this lipstick the first time, but i think this will be a staple. I like that it's opaque, therefore fully covers my lips and that the texture is creme sheen which is not moisturizing, but definitively not drying (maybe if you have dry lips to begin with, then I suggest you use chap stick underneath this one, or pass this and go for something more moisturizing). I love the color, I've been searching for one like this forever, and it was so hard to describe, but when I finally came across it I new this was it and the search was over! If I had to describe the color, I would say it is a neutral pink with very light coral undertone, that's why it seems to be so flattering on most skin tones and that's why it was so hard to find something like this (I'm an NC20 warm undertone), so most of the time if I wear something like this, it washes me out. I think the addition of a slight coral helps to warm up the pink to bring it back to neutral. The coral is not apparent at all when it's applied, it is a soft-pink color, but not loud, gaudy, or teenagerish. It is subtle, yet still shows up and can be worn by all age groups, even by more mature women. I've read this being described as a very sweet, soft, innocent pink and I have to agree 100%! After picking this up, I did a Google search to see how other people liked it and that's when I discovered that others use this interchangeably with Angle which is what Kim Kardashian wears, so if you want to see how this looks on, check out a pic of Kim K. wearing Angel, that way you'll have a rough idea what Creme Cup looks like. The one thing I wish, is that Mac would come up with more feminine packaging, I love their products but the boring packaging is killing me to look at every day. Would be nice if the outside would reflect what's inside the package.
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Concealers -Estee Lauder - Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
GoddessIv 10/24/2011 3:22:00 PM
Recently purchased Double Wear concealer by Estee L. because I needed more coverage than my Dr. Hauschka cover stick. What I liked about this product was how long lasting it is, but I expected more coverage after reading the reviews. I have moderate acne and when it goes, it leaves red marks along my face and jaw line, as well as a few acne scars, so this is what I needed to cover. I usually have to apply 3 times to get adequate coverage and when I do that the color builds up as well, so I get light peachy marks all over my face. I've sampled many shades and the closest that I found was the Extra Light (10). So I am not extremely happy with the color either, but it will work until I find a better one. I have golden undertone and I am an NC20 in Mac foundation, and 15 in concealer, and I noticed that Estee Lauder doesn't really cater to us, with with warm undertones. Therefore, I'd recommend this brand for people with cool or neutral skin tones. Same happened when I tried their foundations, even the yellow end of the spectrum turns pinkish when it dries on my face (applied it with a wet sponge). When I talked to the SA, even she admitted that their foundations oxidase and even the warmer tones turn more of a pink, then yellow.
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Powder -Clinique - Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder - 02 Stay Neutral
GoddessIv 10/24/2011 1:06:00 AM
I am really sorry to let this powder go because I loved it until recently when I discovered that it's giving me black heads. Never had this problem until I started using this powder (I had moderate acne starting about 2 years ago, but that's hormonal.) so now I have black heads as well. The reason I liked this Clinique powder because it gives a tiny amount of coverage, so that when I don't use foundation, just concealer, it makes my concealer blend into my skin really nicely. Depending on the oiliness of your skin, it gives about 2-3 hours of oil control before it starts showing a little shine ( I am moderately oily in the t-zone). I also liked the color 02 stay neutral and that the powder didn't break me out. So right now I am really disappointed that I have to let this one go; it worked really well for me.. I just bought Mac blot/pressed powder and i have to say it does control shine much better than the Clinique does. However, it does not have any coverage at all, so when I use my Double Wear concealer, the end result is not as flawless. So I also ordered Studio fix powder foundation by Mac (it hasn't arrived yet), but when I tried it at a Mac counter, I fell in love with the coverage and the way it looked. I wore it all day that day and it didn't break me out, so we will see when it is worn every day what happens. I probably write a review about that as well. My fingers are crossed, hope that combo will work out.
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Lipstick -Too Faced - Lip of Luxury - Centerfold
GoddessIv 10/18/2011 4:56:00 PM
I bought Centerfold recently and I am on the fence with this one. I am lookingfor a plum/mauvey nude to go with my wardrobe and purple/plum/mauve nailpolishes for the winter. I think this is a great lipstick, it mousturizes, stays put for a long time considering, great packaging and so on, but I think this color best suits people with cool and neutral undertones. I love this color but i feel it washes me out on its own, I think someone like me (warm undertone) can only get away with this lipstick and looks best when one wears plum/mauve/purple clothes to complement this color. So definitely not an everyday nude lipstick that I can wear with anything. I am going to see what Mac has to offer this weekend and if I found something better, I'll return this one. Update: I am keeping Centerfold! I'm loving it now. I did find a lovely blush at Mac this weekend (Breath of Plum) and it goes so nicely with Centerfold!! I love the two together. If you love this lipstick but doesn't look quiet natural on you, definitely give Breath of Plum a try, because it really complements the color of Centerfold and makes it look so lovely on. Also, I have Toff by Butter London nail varnish to complete the winter look. They all go together very nicely. One more thing that I discovered wearing this lipstick; it seems that when it is applied at first, it has a very cool violetish undertone to it, but after a few minutes, it seems to warm up on my lips and turn a little warmer in color. I don't know if anyone noticed this or not, but it might be just oxidization, however, I do prefer the warmer color, so it's all good.
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Pressed Powders -Dr. Hauschka - Translucent face powder
GoddessIv 10/18/2011 12:01:00 AM
Even though ingredients are good, something irritated my skin because it caused me break outs. I bought Dr.H a long time ago, meant to replace my Clinique stay matt powder but I never did because every time I tried Dr.H I broke out. So after storing it for 2 years, I just ended up tossing it recently. Very sorry it didn't work out, I really wanted to use something natural and better for my skin, especially that I use Dr.H products so I like them in general. My other issue with this pressed powder was that even though it was designed for all skin colors, it made my light skin tone even lighter a tad bit. I didn't like that either.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Line Fan Brush
GoddessIv 10/5/2011 8:48:00 PM
Perfect brush for appying bronzers for people with fair skin. I've been trying to work Hoola by Benefit since that was the only bronzer that I found that didn't make me orange or muddy brown, but somehow the bronzer still showed up blotchy on my skin when I appied it. Then I thought maybe if I use an extra soft fan brush..so I did and it worked! I was looking at more expensive brands initially, such as smashbox and Ulta's own line but those were kinda scratchy on my face and too dense. This brush is so soft that if I arefully apply Hoola, it works and doesn't deposite too much bronzer at one place. It also works great for eyeshadow fallouts (actually that is what you suppose to use fan brushes for.) Oh and its very inexpensive - $3 @ Target! Update: It does not work for eyeshadow fallouts unfortunatelly, it is too soft to swipe away extra bits of color from under the eyes. Then I also purchased Elf Studio Powder Brush (flat top) and I found, that one applies bronzer much better. So now I don't have any use for this brush.. anymore...
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Mascara -Ecco Bella - FlowerColor Natural Mascara
GoddessIv 9/25/2011 3:42:00 AM
My favorite mascara!! It's been about 5 years that I purchased it the first time because of having sensitive eyes, and had no bad reactions to this mascara at all. I also like the way it makes my lashes look (adds just the right amount of volume) and it stays put almost all day. Maybe toward the end of the day I have a little flaking, but that's about all the negative I can think of and even that maybe due to the mascara getting a little old cause I had it for a while; might be time to repurchase.
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