Top/Base Coats -China Glaze - Fast Forward Top Coat
MakeupFanNow 3/22/2013 1:54:00 AM
I think China Glaze is my favorite nail polish brand. I love this top coat. It is every bit as good as Seche Vite and smells a whole lot better. The formula is much thinner and easier to use as well. I have not had any shrinkage and it dries lightening fast. And it's cheaper than Seche Vite. As with all China Glaze products, the brush works well and I get one thin coat without any problems. It's a great top coat, I will absolutely buy again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Clinique - High Impact Mascara
MakeupFanNow 3/18/2013 1:25:00 AM
My favorite mascara. Works for me in one sweep. My lashes look thicker, longer and don't get that crunchy spider-leg look. I use this on my upper lashes and I use Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara for the lower lashes. (I LOVE that stuff too.) If you accidentally get a clump, it brushes out easily. It lasts all day, no smudging at all. Clean up is a breeze. I can wash it off no problem with my facial cleanser (I use Shiseido's White Lucent Foaming cleanser), no need for extra make up remover. Over all it is easy to apply, makes my lashes look great, stays on with no flaking or smudging, and comes off very easily. A great mascara, I love it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Orly - Nail Polish
MakeupFanNow 3/10/2013 3:48:00 AM
I have quite a bit of trouble applying Orly polishes. The formula is rather thick and difficult to spread. I also have a big problem with the drying time. It's really, really irritating to be honest and I have also had the problem of dents or damage to the polish many, many hours later beause the stuff takes way to long to dry. It is beyond frustrating to spend so much time on my nails only to have it ruined many hours later, when most other polishes would have dried and been fine. Unfortunately I have quite a few of their polishes before I really identified the problems. Unless there is a color that really knocks my socks off, I really don't think I'll be buying any more Orly.
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Lotions/ Creams -Kiehls - Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion
MakeupFanNow 3/10/2013 3:41:00 AM
This stuff was nice in the store, it was creamy and hydrating when I tried a sample there. When I tried using the bottle I purchased at home, the first pump was ALL OIL. EEECH! I had a palm full of argan oil and had to slather it all over just to use it up because I didn't want to waste the very expensive product. There was no mention that this stuff might separate when I bought it and mixing it up in the container was not really feasible. I took it right back to the store and the sales person was not really helpful after I told him I was returning the product, said that it was not uncommon for this lotion to separate and treated me like I was crazy for thinking this stuff should stay emulsified. So no, I don't want to shake the thing like a maraca every time I go to use it. For $38 a bottle, call me crazy but I think it should stay emulsified. I won't be buying this again.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #150 Large Powder Brush
MakeupFanNow 3/10/2013 3:30:00 AM
I bought this brush on the strength of MAC's reputation. But unfortunately this one does not live up tot hype. It sheds like crazy. I keep having to pick a hair off my face every time I use it. And it is SCRATCHY. Geez, for that kind of money, you would think it would not lose hair every time and scratch and irritate my face. Unfortunately I misplaced my receipt, otherwise I would take it right back. I won't buy this again and I am now leery of wasting any more money on these very pricey brushes. That will teach me to buy something before reading reviews here. I would never have bought it if I had read the many reviews here from posters who had the exact same experience I did.
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Lotions/ Creams -L'Occitane - 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream
MakeupFanNow 3/3/2013 2:10:00 AM
I really wanted to like this hand cream. So many rave reviews, but one big problem I have with it is the scent. I really, really hate it. It almost reminds me of the original Nivea cream or Dove. I could not stand the smell of either of those. It's moisturizing properties are ok. I would rather get the tin of the 100% Shea Butter and use that instead and not have that scent to deal with. I will not be buying it again.
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Lotions/ Creams -LUSH - Dream Cream
MakeupFanNow 3/3/2013 2:00:00 AM
I've been using Dream Cream for over a month now and my skin has greatly improved. My legs were very dry and had some bumps and they are all gone. I would also, occasionally get very dry patches on my upper arms during the winter. I have not had any since I started using this cream. Even though it is expensive, a little goes a long way. The consistency is not to thick and it works easily in to the skin, much better than super thick body butters that you really have to massage in to the skin. It is not greasy or heavy at all. I've even used it on my face when it was irritated and the skin calmed down almost immediately. I didn't break out, even on my T-zone. The scent is lightly floral, not overpowering as some Lush products can be. One thing I do not care for is the packaging, The jar is pretty deep and getting the product out as you get towards the bottom. I will need a small spatula or other tool to get to the bottom and not get cream under my fingernails. I will definitely buy again.
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Liquid -Shiseido - Radiant lifting foundation
MakeupFanNow 2/27/2013 1:47:00 AM
My skin as been getting more dry with time so this foundation was recommended to me at the Shiseido counter. It glides on easily, great coverage, highly pigmented. I didn't need under eye concealer. I have a few blemishes right now that did need concealer but not as much. It does not settle in to wrinkles, and it does not cause any dry patches on my face. It makes my skin appear flawless and does not dry me out. It's lasted a good 6 hours easily, just a little touch up, no dry patches or creasing. I do like the pump packaging, it's very easy to control the amount that comes out. The I20 perfectly matches my complection. (I am NC20 MAC) A great choice for people with dry skin. I will definitely purchase again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Shiseido - Perfect Refining Foundation
MakeupFanNow 2/26/2013 2:12:00 AM
I have been using this foundation for a year and it is a HG item. As others have said, you do have to work quickly and in smaller areas as it does set fast. I put a small amount on the back of my hand and use my Shiseido Foundation brush and stipple it over my face. Excellent coverage with great pigmentation. I have not had any transferring issues, this stuff stays put. I do use Cle de Peau concealer on the few spots the foundation can't hide. I am getting dry skin as I get older, as long as I moisturize well before applying and a touch up much later in the day, this foundation lasts a good 6-8 hours. I will be using this foundation for years to come.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter - Berry Smoothie
MakeupFanNow 2/26/2013 2:00:00 AM
This is my favorite color so far. The color is a nice pink with a tiny amount of shimmer, perfect for those days when I don't want to wear a lot of make up, but still want to look pulled together. The balm is very smooth and moisturizing going on and I use it every day. I don't wear lipstick much any more because I got tired of the heavy feeling most lipsticks have and I did not want tons of color on my lips. It was my understanding that these butters were meant to be sheer, so the comments about the lack of strong pigmentation is puzzling to me. Overall, I love these new balms and this color is at the top of my list! I am going through my first tube quickly and I bought a back up too.
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Polishes -China Glaze - Swanky Silk
MakeupFanNow 2/25/2013 9:40:00 PM
I love the color of this duochrome polish. It is at times gold and other times a rose gold. The consistency was fluid, not thick at all. I got good coverage with two coats. It is tricky to get it smooth with no brush marks. I will definitely be getting a back up bottle of this polish. The other colors in the Bohemian line are so cool. I also have Unpredictable.
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes
MakeupFanNow 2/24/2013 11:19:00 PM
Well, the wipes did the job and removed my make up, but it stung my eyes. They hurt so much I was really worried I'd damaged my skin around my eyes. Thankfully there was no swelling or blemishes, just some redness and irritation. I don't know how well the packaging will keep the towelettes moist. I am putting it in a separate ziplock bag just in case, but that's another mark in the minus column. I liked the smell and it did work well, but the pain around my eyes was too much. I suppose I can use them up on my neck and other parts of my face, but I won't be repurchasing.
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Lip Treatments -Sephora - Color reveal lip balm in Unique pink
MakeupFanNow 2/24/2013 10:42:00 PM
I got this because I'd read it was a dupe for Dior Addict Lip Glow. It is similar, a little greasier in application. The scent was similar as well. I found the color change less dramatic. It's a nice balm, but I think I do prefer Dior's balm over Sephora's. I won't be repurchasing.
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Other -Unlisted Brand - Baking Soda
MakeupFanNow 2/24/2013 10:32:00 PM
Baking soda is a great multi-purpose item. I use it to powder my feet for odor control. I use about 2 teaspoons and make a very thin slurry with water to exfoliate my face. I had a bad bought of sensitive skin with breakouts from a bad reaction to two cheaper foundations I tried. I was in desperate need of exfoliation, so I did a search for home recipes. Baking soda did the trick! I just made sure it was very thin so it wouldn't be to harsh or scratchy on my face. So glad I found an inexpensive alternative to get rid of the dry flaky skin. I also use baking soda to wash my hair. Sometimes, when regular shampoos are too harsh, or my scalp is reacting badly to a product over a period of time, I will use baking soda on my scalp to balance it out again. I work small amounts in to my scalp and massage. I then rinse it out and use a spray bottle with organic apple cider vinegar to neutralize the baking soda. I then rinse my hair thoroughly with water. The vinegar smell dissipates. I also plan to try the teeth whitening trick with peroxide when I get the chance.
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Tools -Sephora - Glass Nail File
MakeupFanNow 2/24/2013 10:24:00 PM
The file does a great job. I've tried regular files and I never liked how they worked. They were too harsh and thick. Thicker files gave me a lot of trouble shaping my nails, I couldn't get in close without hurting my finger or damaging the sides of my nails. I like how thin this file is. This file shapes my nails quickly and they don't split. The file I got is double sided now as I read at least one review that said it was only on one side. The carrying case is nice. I have one in my purse and one I keep with my nail care set at home. A good value and a really nice file for $10. I am so glad I won't have to buy any others.
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