Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Milk of Magnesia
Hollenbubble 12/15/2011 12:13:00 PM
After reading the reviews on here, I was initially applying this with a cotton pad to my t-zone after moisturizing. It did a good job of stopping shine, but only if applied quite heavily, which a) wasn't all that comfortable, b) took ages to dry and c) made my foundation hard to blend. BUT recently I had a bit of an epiphany and decided to mix it with my moisturizer instead, and it's fantastic. I have it in a little spray bottle, and mix one spritz with slightly less moisturizer than I would usually use (mine's Olay Complete Care UV fluid) by putting them in my palm and rubbing my hands together. It doesn't feel any different to moisturizing regularly and my foundation blends just as well, but I don't get oily for hours and hours. With this, I find I only have to re-apply powder once towards the end of the day, whereas normally I'd be re-applying 4 or 5 times throughout the day. It's a godsend - cheap, easy and effective.
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Prescriptives - Virtual Matte
Hollenbubble 1/27/2008 9:59:00 AM
As a foundation, I found this product pleasing, but not amazing. Spf 15, oil-free - always good. Would be better in a pump dispenser than a screw top bottle. The colour was perfect (the range is huge and you get colour-matched before purchase). I thought the coverage was nice, maybe not completely full but almost. Liquid consistency that you have to blend quickly as it dries fast. This product is indeed matte on first application but this only lasted a few hours. As for finish, i found it could get quite patchy and there wasn't much left at the end of the day. However, when mixed with my moisturiser (Garnier Pure Long-lasting Shine Control) rather than layered over it, this is wonderful! I usually put a pea sized blob of each on the back of my hand, mix and warm with my fingers then dot and blend straight onto cleansed skin. Honestly. It evens out my skin perfectly, has quite impressive coverage, remains colour-perfect and the finish is absolutely SEAMLESS. No one would be able to tell you were wearing anything even if they studied you with a magnifying glass. There is not a trace of evidence, just perfectly smooth, even skin. It doesn't feel like you're wearing anything and lasts all day when dusted with good quality powder (I use Clinique). Above all, it does actually keep my shinies at bay. Obviously some oil comes through but I only ever look dewy, not shiny, which I prefer. I've taken a lippie off because of it's performance as a foundation, which it is supposed to be, but as a tinted moisturiser I think it's my HG. Only drawbacks are the price and the packaging. UPDATE: I recently tried applying the foundation with a brush, and the performance is much improved - silky finish and long lasting. A great product when used either way!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Dermalogica - Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15
Hollenbubble 10/7/2007 8:36:00 AM
I was very disappointed in this product. Dermalogica is usually fantastic for my fairly oily skin. Coverage is very sheer - not enough for me, as I'm looking for a one step base. Even with powder over the top, in the middle of the day the colour had collected into tiny patches all over my skin and I was horrifically shiny. Very upset about how much I payed for it. Packaging is dull - dermalogica always is - although usually I'd turn a blind eye if the product is worthy. Only redeeming factors are the SPF 15 and the fact that it is oil free. Other than this, not satisfied and would not repurchase.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 4:15:00 PM
When I bought this I was looking for a long lasting, natural looking lip colour in a shade that matched my own, or maybe a little rosier, to enhance my lipline. I got this in Timeless Nude which is pretty much the perfect shade. It looked good in the morning though never actually seemed to dry - no matter how long I kept my mouth open, it always felt tacky. I did not touch the gloss on the other end as I am not interested in horrid, gloopy hair glue, as I call it. I applied a layer of balm over the top intead ( you need to put SOMETHING over the top, it's far too dry alone). It did stay on my lips. However, at the end of the day it had changed colour (it turned an odd, pale/ greyish version of the original shade) and cracked all over. But trust me, there was absoloutely no point in trying to get it off with anything other than Revlon Colorstay make up remover pads, which thankfully my mum had. These feel horribly oily but they get the job done. All things taken into account, this lip colour is just not worth the hassle.
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Brows -Rimmel - Professional Eyebrow Pencil
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 4:02:00 PM
This would be a perfectly good eyebrow pencil if the colours weren't so damn unnatural looking. First I tried hazel, which looked promising but was actually too warm and not dark enough, and then Dark Brown, which is WAY too red. It's a shame because it has a good consistency (neither too hard or too soft), blended well with the brush attached to the cap and was good value.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Labello - CareGloss and Shine
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 3:54:00 PM
In the UK Labello is actually Nivea, so when I bought this in Sainsburys it was Nivea CareGloss and Shine in Pure Natural. I like the natural look and this goes on clear, though in the light has a slight nude shimmer which is lovely. It's very moisturising, smells yummy and if I remember rightly, has no taste (stops me licking it all off in relish). Comes in a very cute, handy little tube and application is peasy. Not at all sticky - very smooth. Love this.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Dermalogica - Special Cleansing Gel
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 3:38:00 PM
Berfore I tried this a few years ago I had only used budget cleansers, and had been put off foaming gels because they had always dried my skin out and irritated it (I'm combo/oily). I had resorted to using a Clarins lotion we had lying around which had really started to clear me up. When it ran out I had to use one of my old Clearasil or whatever washes, and it broke me out again (drying is so not the answer). Then my mum came home with this in a HUGE arse bottle and, though I thanked her, was secretly peeved at having to use another wash. I needn't have feared. This stuff did absolute wonders for my skin. It got me squeaky clean, didn't dry me out at all and gave my spots a good kick up the bum. It lasts forever even if you follow their advice and wash twice in a row (it really makes a difference) because you only have to use a tiny blob to get a good lather going. The only annoying thing about this is the price, and the packaging isn't great but then who cares if the product itself is?
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Mascara -Max Factor - Masterpiece Mascara
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 3:28:00 PM
I avoided buying this before now as my instincts just did not trust the weird brush. But when I asked a friend (who's eyes always look great) what she used, she said Masterpiece Max and surprised me. I prefer a natural look, so I decided to go with the original formula, and I really like it. I use it after curling my lashes and it does a great gob of lengthening and really seperating. It never flakes or smudges - it only comes off when I want it to, and fairly easily too. the only con is that somehow it's really easy for me to poke myself in the eye with this, and it bloody hurts! I shouldn't blame my own clumsiness on the mascara though. This is great stuff.
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Moisturizers -LUSH - Enzymion
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 3:20:00 PM
I really like this moisturiser, both for it's mattifying properties and it's gorgeous, fresh, fruity scent. I had it bought it for me at Christmas a few years ago and then got it again on offer instore, so I've never had to pay full price - as it is quite pricey. However, I do not mind paying for quality. The only reason I have taken a lippie off is because it doesn't have an SPF, as that would make it my HG. I'm sure there is a good reason though - it probably compromises Lush's natural policy and I respect that. I always make sure my foundation has an SPF when I use this.
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Lip Treatments -LUSH - Whipstick
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 3:14:00 PM
This is lovely. I ADORE Lush and this product is no let down. It smells lovely and chocolatey, tastes just like it smells (and it's made with natural ingredients, so I'm not worried about eating loads on nasty chemicals when I lick it off), really moisturises and leaved a slight nude/brown tint which I quite like. I love the little tin as well. A winner.
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Lotions/ Creams -Johnson & Johnson - Holiday Skin Body Lotion
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 3:07:00 PM
I have recently bought the new fragranced version of this product, and as reccomended by a friend I bought the dark skin version despite being fair/ medium skinned. I apply this after showering and exfoliating every morning, and I am happy with the natural looking colour that doesn't streak. Extra brownie points for the smell - it is absolutely divine (I can't stop smelling myself when I use it - a few days ago I huggesd my crush and he said I smelled good enough to eat! SCORE!) and it really does last 12 hours. If you use it at night, the scent still lingers on your skin throughout the morning. The only problem I have is an experience I had after bathing - I think due to the warm water having soaked my skin, when I had a bad itch on my leg and looked down I had actually SCRATCHED the colour off! It took a few days of reapplying to get the white scratchmarks to blend back in. So I had to take one lippie off for that - not good. However, I love this body lotion so much otherwise, and it gives me such a lovely glow, that I am prepared to look past this and avoid itching after having a bath!
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Lotions/ Creams -Palmers - Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 2:56:00 PM
I LOVE this body lotion. I have normal skin on my body, and it just drinks this stuff in and sighs with happiness. The perfumed version has a delicious chocolatey/buttery smell and is just so moisturising (as is the unperfumed, of course). My legs feel like silk if I smooth it on straight after shaving. I use body lotion after showering in the morning and then put tights on to go to school, and it has exactly the same effect as putting on foot cream and then wearing socks overnight - when I take my tights off at the end of the day my skin is velvety, supple and still full of moisture. My ONLY bad point is the packaging - it comes in a very dull whte bottle with plain lettering. If palmers spruced it up a bit then this would be the ultimate body lotion.
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Powder -L'Oreal - True Match Minerals
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 12:48:00 PM
COLOUR - there is a good colour range with this product, and Golden Beige is almost perfect for me. TEXTURE - you don't actually feel this product as it is applied with a brush, but your skin feels soft and smooth after using it. FINISH - freshly applied, this looks even and softly matte. However, can look powdery and a little chalky if too much is applied or not blended well. WEAR - this product claims to be long lasting, but this is where it lets me down - after only a few hours I'm horribly shiny, the colour is patchy and has settled into pores. It's a real shame, because everything else about it is so promising. But since I have oily skin, staying power and shine control are very important in a foundation. PACKAGING - very convenient. It comes in a smallish loose powder-style container, with a mini kabuki brush attached to the lid and another larger clear lid to keep the brush clean. You tip the container upside down to get the powder flowing, then unscrew the brush and swirl it in the powder, tap off excess and buff over skin. I love the idea of mineral foundation, and I'm sure for people with normal skin this is great. But not for me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
Hollenbubble 9/22/2007 10:20:00 AM
I bought the combo/oily version of this product. Pros outweighed by cons. COLOUR: Unfortunately, I was right in between shades with this - Buff was too pale, Sand Beige too orangey. TEXTURE: Thickish liquid. Have to blend fast, because it sets fast. Felt a little heavy for me. COVERAGE: Full - and it does cover well, but at the expense of looking too thick. FINISH: I found it to settle into my pores a little too much. I definitely looked like I was wearing foundation and it wasn't at all mattifying, despite claiming to be for oily skin. Had to put powder over the top which only added to unnatural effect. WEAR: Did last all day, but left me shiny a few hours in. Overall, I was not happy with this product and wouldn't repurchase. Quite upset by the fact that I have wasted 11 quid...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Maybelline - Dream Matte Mousse
Hollenbubble 9/15/2007 9:47:00 AM
I was seduced by the texture of this product, and also by the matte claim, which I figured would be perfect for my fairly oily skin. At first I bought the second shade, Cameo, which had too much of a pink undertone for my skin and was a little too pale. Next I bough Nude, which was pretty much perfect, although being a cheaper brand, some people will find the colour range limited. By far the best bit of wearing this product is the application! It feels blissfully soft on both finger tips and skin. The coverage is quite nice although not very buildable as this would leave it looking thick and unnatural. It was indeed matte on every area of my face except my nose, Which has a natural shine to it and doesn't bother me too much - I only get irritated when the shine comes from excess oil. A nice thing about this product is the fact that it removes the need for powder and application is very quick and easy. The reason I have only given this product 2 lippies is because it doesn't last on me at all. After a couple of hours most of it has slid off and the rest has settled in the creases around my nose, leaving me horribly shiny. I do not like having to touch up at all so this is a major drawback for me. Something just doesn't feel right about slapping more make up over old product and oil, it's disgusting. Mere blotting sheets could not save this one. Will not be repurchasing, although I'm not too miffed as it is cheap and I bought it on offer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No