Liquid -Lancome - Teint Miracle
Ilse333 12/15/2012 2:50:00 PM
After all the reviews, I was expecting to be wowed by this foundation - but I found it to be quite average, and hardly deserving of its price or reputation. I did the usual try-on-the-hand in Sephora and thought it had a nice finish; but on my face, it was a different story. It just kind of left a so-so finish that was neither dewy nor matte, and didn't really provide much coverage. I say that as someone with pretty decent skin - no wrinkles, blemishes or marks - who doesn't even need heavy coverage. And it melted off my face (unevenly, I might add) rather quickly. Granted, I have combo-oily skin, but it was still disappointing. The best thing about this foundation was the lightness - you truly don't feel like you're wearing foundation. However, I can't say that it bothers me to feel like I AM wearing foundation, so that isn't much of a selling point for me. All in all, I'll go back to Dior Nudeskin for a light, dewy finish; that's one foundation that always makes me look glowing and natural. Sorry, Lancome.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Christian Dior - Nude Compact Gel - Natural Glow Creme-Gel makeup
Ilse333 10/21/2012 11:37:00 PM
Two of Dior's foundations - Forever Flawless and Nude Skin - are among my HGs. So when I wanted a compact foundation for my purse that I could use for quick touch-ups, I thought this would be perfect. Unfortunately, not only was that a mistake, it was an expensive one at that. This just isn't worth fifty bucks. (And I say that as someone who will spend a small fortune on foundation if it's good enough.) Partly it just wasn't right for my combo skin - I went from dewy to shiny to oily in about ninety minutes. No doubt this would be nice on someone with drier skin than mine. But the coverage itself was unexceptional. The point of "nude" makeup is that it looks natural and naked while still covering your flaws. Which is what I got from liquid Nude Skin. But this didn't do much for me at all. And I don't even need full coverage, as I have pretty good skin. All in all, I'm sorry I bought it. I would advise women with combo skin to try in advance if possible, because there are better uses of your money than this.
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Lipstick -Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Lip Tar - Hush
Ilse333 10/21/2012 11:32:00 AM
I saw these on Temptalia's site and thought they looked intriguing. Let's face it, we are all constantly searching for that perfect lip color that lasts and lasts. So I snatched this up at Sephora and .... how disappointing. There is nothing soft or natural or flattering about this product. It looks like I painted pale neon cookie frosting over my mouth. And it's drying, to boot. Because I hate not to get use out of something, I have found a way to use this under a deeper shade of nude lipgloss, and it looks okay that way. But really, I can't recommend this to anyone. Too many better lip products on the market.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - Twilight Night Shimmer Ink
Ilse333 9/13/2012 12:38:00 AM
I still can't figure out how this eyeliner looked SO beautiful on my hand when I tried it in the store but looks so dull on my actual eyes. I have green eyes and love deep purple liners - and anything described as a black plum with gold shimmer sounds like it would be right up my alley. But every time I've worn this, it just looks like a dull indeterminate color - not dramatic enough for black, not purple enough to make my eyes pop, not really anything. BB's violet ink gel liner shows up much more beautifully on me. That said, the nice texture and ease of application was still there, so I'm giving this 3 lipsticks for that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Clairol - Second Nature
Ilse333 6/23/2012 7:02:00 PM
Due to my hair's regrettable pattern of turning brassy no matter what kind of high-brand color is used on it, I decided to try semi-permanent color in the hopes of not going down that road. So far this has fit the bill - it deposits good, natural-looking color that lasts about a month. Ideally I could just apply brown permanent color to my hair that lasts forever and doesn't damage my hair, but for now I'll take having to do repeat applications that keep my hair healthy and looking good.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Christian Dior - Addict Ultra Gloss 227 Beige Tweed
Ilse333 6/3/2012 1:40:00 AM
This is the sexiest summer gloss ever. It's a beautiful shimmery bronzed pink-nude and looks so incredibly shiny and glassy on, without looking cheap or frosty. The staying power isn't bad either. I really haven't much to say about this other than it is absolutely gorgeous, would probably look good on a range of skin tones (I'm NC30) and is worth every penny.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
Ilse333 5/27/2012 12:21:00 PM
Yep, this lives up to the hype. It works for me best over another mascara (I like Dior's mascara base and Mac's Bold Back Studio Fix) rather than on its own, where it can go a bit clumpy. It's a very wet mascara and you will need to apply carefully. But I like the wetness, because it's easier to comb out my lashes and arrange perfectly and then have them dry that way - other mascaras are so viscous that if some of my lashes stick together, it is hell trying to get them to look natural again. I also like that this removes easily, without having to pull or rub. I am all about being gentle on my lashes, especially since I do wear quite a bit of mascara, and so many products these days seem full of harsh chemicals and glues. Ultimately this gives me long, glossy ultra-black lashes. I don't see the point in spending money on YSL when drugstore mascaras like this and Prestige are so amazing.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -L'Oreal - HiColor High Lift Hair Color
Ilse333 4/28/2012 4:34:00 PM
My hair is an unfortunate color. It's a mousy brown that turns gold in the sun and goes brassy no matter what coloring products are used on it. Currently it's long and has been colored and highlighted multiple times. So even though it's been looking dull and dry lately and I wanted highlights, I didn't want to use bleach in any way on it. I tried this in Ash Blonde, not expecting much. But it came out looking very pretty and natural - not brassy or like overly stripey highlights. That said, I wouldn't call it "ash" but more of a golden blonde. Best of all, it didn't seem to leave my hair in any worse condition that it initially was. I'll use again. ETA: My hair reverted to brassy within 5 days. I moved on to Clairol Second Nature, which was much gentler and more effective.
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Self Tanners -Sephora - Sephora Body Self Tanning Bronzing Mist
Ilse333 4/7/2012 11:25:00 PM
I think this is an incredible bronzer for fair-skinned people. For me - NC27/fair to medium Caucasian - the effect is quite mild. I'll continue to use it on my pasty white legs, because it does a great job of giving them some light, even color. (I'm someone who does not like to wear shorts or bathing suits in public because my legs are so white and sometimes have psoriasis. This takes care of that issue.) But above the waist, where I'm a few shades darker, this barely did anything. I wish Sephora would come out with a darker version. Because it does apply beautifully (I spray and blend manually) with no streakiness or orangeness. The smell isn't awful, but it exists. When I tested it in Sephora, there was a heavy perfume scent that I figured would dissipate. I was right about that, but that familiar chemical self-tanner smell materialized within six hours - not nearly as bad as most products, but still present. The reality is, the perfect natural-looking, scent-free tanner has yet to be invented and this is definitely a good choice for lighter-skinned people.
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Bronzers -Bare Escentuals - Ready Bronzer
Ilse333 4/7/2012 11:33:00 AM
Not a terrible bronzer, but not fantastic either. I bought this in The High Dive, the middle shade, because I can't resist buying new bronzers when spring comes around. It's very silky and the shade is a warm toasted golden-brown that does look nice on my NC27 skin. But it applied unevenly (this was trying several different brushes) and faded quickly and unevenly. I can't see the point of bothering with this when there are so many superior bronzers on the market from Guerlain, Bobbi Brown, Armani, and so on.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Illamasqua - Tremble
Ilse333 4/7/2012 11:27:00 AM
I bought this when my Sephoras stopped carrying my favorite shade Unrequited. This looked quite similar, but once I got them home I could see that Unrequited is more of a classic bubblegum pink and Tremble has a shade more peach in it. To my surprise, I preferred Tremble - it's more flattering on my NC27 face. This shade is something you'd think is easily duped but when I busted out my entire collection of peach-pink blushes - which is colossal - this was unique. It's bright but subtle, awakening your face, and like most Illamasqua blushes, melts right in and looks perfect. Katie and Hussy seem to be the faves of this line, but I own both and never use either. Hussy is just a bit too bright - it looks pretty in my makeup mirror and then clownish in other lights, no matter how lightly I apply and blend. Katie looks awful on me period. I mention this because I think a lot of people read the reviews and gravitate to these shades - if this is you and you haven't had success with them either, try Unrequited or Tremble. They are gorgeous.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Unlisted Brand - Target Eye Makeup Remover
Ilse333 3/25/2012 5:15:00 PM
I've used plenty of similar eye makeup removers in my time, but this is the only one to damage my undereye skin. Normally I have smooth skin, no lines - but after a week of using this, I look like I'd aged twenty years beneath my eyes. Crepey, dehydrated and just old. I realized this was the only new addition to my routine, and eliminated it. Problem solved. Wouldn't recommend to anyone.
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Lipstick -Bobbi Brown - Rich Lip Color SPF 12 - Bare Pink
Ilse333 3/9/2012 10:31:00 AM
I am not an adventurous lipstick wearer - I usually stick to nudes, and prefer them not too brown or fleshy looking. Which is such a common thing that you'd think it'd be much easier to find the perfect nude lipstick, but it really can be quite difficult. Bare Pink fit the bill for me - it's a pink-based nude, neutral enough to wear with anything, but with enough color to avoid looking like you put concealer on your lips. The formula is not drying and the lipstick hasn't broken (I'm apparently too forceful, because almost of all my lipsticks break.) I'll be buying this as long as they make it.
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Moisturizers -Cetaphil - Moisturizing Lotion
Ilse333 3/9/2012 10:27:00 AM
I bought this in the travel size when I was on a winter vacation without moisturizer. I intended it for my legs and arms, but when I saw how nicely it absorbed and kept my skin soft without making it greasy, I used it on my cheeks and forehead. This is a beautiful moisturizer for me, much better than expensive Sephora ones I've tried. (Though not as good as Philosophy Miracle Worker, my HG.) The chief benefit is that it sinks in right away, and keeps my skin soft for hours without getting it shiny or eating my makeup off. As someone with combination skin, this is quite a blessing. That said, I only use it on the dry parts on my face. And of course, its low price tag doesn't hurt.
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Lip Gloss -Tarte - Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Tipsy
Ilse333 2/12/2012 2:24:00 PM
The pretty packaging on this lip gloss is appealing, and the fact that Tarte has hit so many homeruns lately will probably convince people this lip gloss is the next one. It isn't. It's not a bad lip gloss, but it's merely average, and with so many superior ones on the market, I won't repurchase. What this gloss does right: it feels smooth and nourishing on my lips. They weren't dry to begin with so I can't testify if this actually does minimize lines as it says. My chief disappointment is that while Tipsy looks like such a pretty color - a light, milky middle ground between peach and coral - it's basically transparent on my lips, making it look sexy over lipstick but clear and pointless on its own. I already have a dozen lip glosses I could say the same about so I won't bother buying this again.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No