Pressed Powders -Unlisted Brand - Kett Sett Powder - compact
JoieDeVlvre 2/18/2013 10:29:00 PM
Was fortunate to be introduced to this at IMATS. Its so great, mattifies, does not destroy the coverage that foundation provides, does not go all over the place like loose powder, makes my make up withstand about 10-12 hours of New York weather and wear on my oily t zone. Zero texture or coverage, just mattifier. Must be patted on, not brushed on.
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Mascara -Giorgio Armani - Eyes to Kill
JoieDeVlvre 12/18/2012 10:31:00 PM
Amazing mascara!!! Probably the most amazing ever created...in my book at least... And there have been lots and lots of mascaras tried and tested in my book.. Zero complains, well besides the price but then again...since when has perfect been cheap? Very lengthening, crazy volumizing, very glossy, holds a curl forever, does not smudge, does not dry and flake off...beats Dior show, beats voluminous by loreal and every mascara created by lancome ( I just compared this to the other amazing mascaras ......again.....In my book :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -TheBalm - Bahama Mama
JoieDeVlvre 11/19/2012 11:42:00 PM
It's a contouring powder more than anything else. It resembles a matte eyeshadow more than a bronzer. As a contouring powder it does a superb job. if you want to look sun kissed then this probably isn't the best choice. For the sun kissed, bronzed yet a matte look..try chocolate soleil by too faced. However as a contour powder this is super!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bobbi Brown - Powder Blush in Pale Pink
JoieDeVlvre 11/19/2012 11:36:00 PM
This is instant pretty!!! Just when I thought no one can teach me anything new about make up, not at all bragging but I am one of those: know it all, have it all girls.....when a professional make up artist introduced me to this on my wedding make up trial and my world was transformed. Girls, it is life, youth, instant pretty on your face. I also own desire by nars, pink swoon by Mac and a gazillion others...and although very similar...this is the prettiest of them all and the one I wore during my wedding :)))
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Vichy - Normaderm Pro Mat spf 15
JoieDeVlvre 6/17/2012 1:09:00 AM
Very surprised by the negative comments here. But then again, if it is being advertised as a moisturizer, then I can probably see why. It is by far not a moisturizer! In fact, it is just the opposite. I would call it an oil control primer instead of a moisturizer. I was given a sample of this at my local Duane Reade. The sample lasted me about 2 weeks, my skin and make up was on it's best behavior for these 2 weeks. I went back and bought the full version as soon as it finished. I really like this because it prolongs foundation time ( sometimes I even skip powder, which I would never do prior). Very morning rush friendly, It absorbs right away, makes my skin a perfect, matte canvas ready for make up application which also makes make up last. $ 23 at duane reade. For reference: My skin is combination: normal/oily.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle
JoieDeVlvre 6/14/2012 11:09:00 AM
My new crazy obsession, although I've owned this for 2 years. I don't know why my love for this did not start sooner. It makes complete strangers stare 5 seconds more. Looks so healthy, glowy, instantly pretty. I just wish it looked the same on pictures, it doesn't! Do not use this on days you will be photographed because you will end up looking sweaty or extremely oily. All the other days - it stops traffic!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Age Defense Face Shield SPF 90+
JoieDeVlvre 5/21/2012 2:23:00 AM
I don't have sensitive skin and typically products do not break me out. I've tested out all types of foundations, moisturizers, powders and regardless of the brand, quality or price I've been fortunate to be able to say that nothing really broke me out. Until I tried this that is!!!! First time I used it was only on top of my forehead. The following morning the top of my forehead had 5 painful, very red zits. Without thinking much about it or correlating it I decided to put it on my nose the following day and developed 3 more zits there. It does contain high SPF so it gets 2 stars just for that.
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Crème -RCMA - Color Process Foundation
JoieDeVlvre 4/29/2012 12:51:00 AM
I've been on a professional foundation craze since IMATS 2011, I am also reviewing Graftobian, Kett, Mehron. ( haven't tried Cinema Secrets or MUD yet but intend to). Therefore if you're interested, you can read my reviews on them. I do believe that professional foundation brands are superior to commercial brands. With that said: RCMA is a good foundation. I like it but don't love it. Like everything else, it has it's pros and cons. Pros: very pigmented and long lasting, looks like skin and is HD friendly if applied correctly. Once it's on, it's on! Withstands sweat, humidity, rain, snow, pretty much everything until I take it off..and by take it off I mean take it off twice, it needs a strong make up remover, a toner, followed by clarisonic, and I still have make up in my face. I can literally take a shower and come out with it still perfectly on. I am not kidding. Cons: for a cream foundation it is very difficult to apply. It isn't very creamy nor emollient so blending is an issue. It's texture is similar to margarine or butter which has been in a strong freezer for a while. Application: I apply it with a damp, but warm beauty blender, which is the only application method I found that works with this without looking cakey or like a mask. It does require a specific application tapping method which is time consuming and not very morning rush friendly. How it compares to other Pro brand foundations: I don't reach for this foundation often. On A typical day I like Kett and Graftobian much more. They don't require such a specific, time consuming application method nor a harsh removal routine in the end of the day. If I was in the middle of high humidity weather and needed a high coverage foundation that wouldn't sweat off or budge for 24 hours I would use RCMA, otherwise I rarely need this.
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Alpha Hydrox - AHA Souffle 12 percent Glycolic AHA
JoieDeVlvre 4/28/2012 1:17:00 AM
This gives me better skin than any other product I've tried, both by Alpha Hydrox or any other line. Although I honestly feel that Alha Hydrox products that I tried have been very very good, this one is just better! It does what AHAs are meant to do. It exfoliates, clears up acne, moisturizes, gives a clearer, brighter complexion...overnight! My skin: moderately oily t zone and dry to normal cheeks. I'm not overly prone to breakouts, except on those few, special, days before that time of the month ( but this product is particularly helpful during this time). I purchased this in TJ Maxx for $ 7.99, it's not always there but I have seen it a lot more lately. Must apply sunscreen otherwise you will expose newly, freshly exfoliated baby skin to the sun, which is aging and a definite NO-NO. So wear sunscreen !!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Unlisted Brand - Mehron Celebre HD Pro Cream Makeup
JoieDeVlvre 4/28/2012 12:58:00 AM
I've been on a professional foundation craze since IMATS 2011, I am also reviewing RCMA, Kett, Graftobian ( haven't tried Cinema Secrets or MUD yet but intend to). You can read my reviews on them if interested. I do believe that professional foundation brands are superior to commercial brands. With that said: Overall/Application: This foundation is just okay. Like all others it has pros and cons. It's Full coverage, very pigmented, blends easily as it is very emollient and creamy, can be effortlessly applied with a beauty blender, any foundation brush or fingers. On my face it must be set with powder, otherwise it's gone within half an hour ( my skin is combo, moderately oily t zone and normal to dry cheeks). Longevity: On me it lasts 5-6 hours maximum ( even if very well powdered). The worst problem I find with this is that it transfers and rubs off on clothes or anything that comes in contact with my face. if I touch or scratch my face and then touch a piece of paper - the paper will have stains on it from my fingers and the part of my face which I touched won't have foundation on it at all. I highly dislike that. How it compares to other professional brand foundations: In consistency it is similar to Graftobian cream foundation. However, Graftobian by far surpasses Mehron in terms of longevity. Mehron is probably the shortest lasting foundation from the professional brands I've tried. Another negative: if my skin hasn't been exfoliated or has dry patches, Mehron will over accentuate them worse than any other. However, price-wise it is the most inexpensive of all pro brands. At IMATS it was discounted at $ 8.50, regularly it is $ 10. Shades: from what I witnessed at IMATS - Mehron has a large shade selection. From lightest to darkest, with all undertones. Medium 3 matches me very well, in MAC terms I am about NW25 to NW30. I do use it on days which I predict will be short and when super longevity is unnecessary. I wouldn't repurchase it though as I feel that other pro brands are superior.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Graftobian - High-Definition Glamour Color Creme Foundation
JoieDeVlvre 4/27/2012 11:25:00 PM
I've been on a professional foundation craze since IMATS 2011, I am also reviewing RCMA, Kett, Mehron. ( haven't tried Cinema Secrets or MUD yet but intend to). Therefore if you're interested, you can read my reviews on them. I do believe that professional foundation brands are superior to commercial brands. With that said: Graftobian is an amazing foundation. Full coverage, very HD friendly, undetectable to the camera. Looks like skin, not too matte, not too dewey, just very skin-like. Covers everything, makes freckles invisible. Application: It blends like a dream, very emollient. I can use my beauty blender, any synthetic foundation brush (Sigma HD brushes are my fav in that department), or my fingers and it will look great regardless. Has a butter-like texture which makes it super easy to apply and blend in literally seconds. To compare: Graftobian is my *almost* first favorite foundation. I say almost because it's not quite second, as it's tiniest decimal points away from being my first ( which is Kett cream foundation). However, I tend to reach for Graftobian more frequently than for Kett. My reasons: It's easier and faster to apply than Kett. With Graftobian I can literally smear, blend and go, while Kett does require slightly more skill and effort to apply and blend, as it has a stiffer consistency ( I posted a review for Kett as well). It's easier and work into the skin which makes it very morning rush friendly. I feel that Kett surpasses Graftobian in the teensiest, slightest bit in longevity and because it is a little bit more forgiving to dry skin and flakes. Longevity: It's long lasting. I apply and set it with translucent powder ( Kett Sett powder or Graftobian loose translucent, both amazing products). I would say it lasts about 10 to 12 hours on me if powdered. My skin is combination, Oily t zone and normal cheeks and it withstands oil, humidity, rain or other NYC forecast. Shades: My perfect shade is Vixen and in Mac terms I am about NW25 to 30. Their shade selection is enormous. I've seen the widest variety of shades from the palest, whitest to pitch, jet black, any undertone possible. Highly recommend!
24 out of 24 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Unlisted Brand - Kett Fixx Creme
JoieDeVlvre 4/27/2012 7:50:00 PM
I've been on a professional foundation craze since IMATS 2011, I am also reviewing RCMA, Graftobian, Mehron. ( haven't tried cinema secrets or mud yet but intend to soon). you can read my reviews if you're interested. I do believe that professional foundation brands are superior to commercial brands. With that said: Kett cream foundation the best foundation I've tried...ever...period! Full coverage but looks like skin, not overly matte nor dewey, just like skin...can't come up with a better explanation than that! Looks perfect in photography, very HD. In fact, I recently had a professional photo shoot for which I have been impatietly waiting for over a year. I actually bought all the professional foundations to try before the shoot and pick the best one. I ended up using Kett, and will post pics as soon as the photographer sends them to me. Application: I apply it with a damp beauty blender and then blend into my skin. It is a cream foundation but not the moistest of creams. I would compare it to the texture of butter which has been put in the freezer for 30 mins, so it's a cream but on the stiffer side so it requires a little bit of skill and effort to blend it ( totally worth it in the end though) I set it with Kett Sett transluscent blot powder ( best powder I've ever tried). Longevity: it lasts until I take it off at night with the rest of my make up. It doesn't get ruined or effected by humidity, rain, heat or any other NYC weather forecast. It also doesn't transfer or rub off on clothes, which is so important. Shades: I matched myself at IMATS. Their selection of shades was extensive. From the palest to the darkest. Yellow/pink/olive skin tones ( I would be surprised if someone was unable to find a matching shade from what I saw).
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Perfect Brow Pencil in Brunette
JoieDeVlvre 4/9/2012 12:31:00 AM
This pencil put an end to about 8 years of suffering with incredibly sparse brows and a very noticeable bald spot right in the middle of my right brow. Nothing I have ever used looked so natural and undetectable..nothing! I have jet black hair which is very thick and grows with the speed of sound...except my eyebrows...they decided to stop growing altogether. Previously I used eye shadow, Brun and/ or charcoal brown by Mac did an ok job. Now I have been introduced to this pencil and I swear this transforms my face. It looks so realistic and soft, the color is beyond perfect and it lasts until i take it off with the rest of my make up in the evening. My mother who typically notices absolutely everything actually asked me what I did to make my brows grow back. I'm unbelievably happy I found this!!!!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Vichy - Dermablend Corrective Foundation
JoieDeVlvre 4/6/2012 11:40:00 PM
Very lightweight but at the same time very pigmented, full coverage foundation. You need such a small amount, which sounds like the most overused phrase, except this time it's actually true. My skin is combo, with a slightly oily t zone. On me, it lasts the whole day, sometimes the whole night too ( if I'm not in the condition to take it off before bed, but shhhhhhh! this doesn't happen often). I set mine with Ben nye translucent powder which does not add color, only longevity. I have shade 35, in Mac terms I am approx NW30. On me it's about an 85% perfect match. I say 85 because it's about 15% darker than my own skin tone but I definitely make up for it with the amount of bronzer I apply on top.So I'm content. 25 was too light. Very much recommend!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Eve Pearl - Salmon Concealer
JoieDeVlvre 11/19/2011 11:34:00 PM
The idea and theory behind this concealer is great. However it's not so great in practice. On me it looks nice for about 2 minutes. After 2 minutes are up, because it is so creamy, it moves around a lot, settles into fine lines and then emphasizes them. I have normal skin, not oily, not dry, not sensitive, it's just normal. My application technique is not at fault, I don't apply a lot, very little in fact, I pat it on like everyone mentioned, like gossmakeupartist demonstrated, then set it with finely milled translucent powder, but it just doesn't work. I really hoped it would. My under eye area isn't too terrible on days that i actually get adequate sleep, i would say like 3 out of 10, 10 being the worst, however after 10 mins of having this on - it turns into a 6 out of 10. I will not repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No