Liquid -La Mer - Skincolor De La Mer The Treatment Fluid Foundation SPF 15
Merlinn 8/23/2012 4:07:00 PM
This is currently my HG foundation :) Pros- - Color match is good for me (Ivory) - Light coverage - Long lasting - I work the typical 9-5 M-F and hit the gym after work. I don't always remember to bring makeup removing cloths with me and keep my foundation on while working out (eep!). Once I get home I use a makeup removing cloth and there is still foundation on the cloth - even after cardio! - Doesn't look cakey - Looks glowy at first, but then seems to settle to a natural finish that doesn't look like foundation. - Doesn't oxidize - Smell is a bit bizarre, but I've actually grown to love it. - Contains SPF - Does NOT break me out :) Cons - Price - Doesn't look horrid in photos, but doesn't look spectacular in them either. Maybe it's just me that looks bad lol! I will repurchase. I love this as my every day foundation.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Yves Saint Laurent - Matt Touch - Touche Mate - Oil-Free Primer
Merlinn 8/23/2012 2:40:00 PM
REPURCHASING!!!! Love this primer. I bought this in February and it's now the end of August and I'm about to repurchase. A little goes a long way too. Pros - makes skin incredibly smooth - doesn't break me out - makes skin matte, but not too matte as in drying the heck out of my face - I don't think this has all the added gunk that some primers do. I had an allergic reaction to MUFE's primer .... really makes you wonder what in the world are they putting in some of this stuff. I use this after my moisturizer and notice that as I'm applying this the "sheen" from my moisturizer goes away making my skin matte. Not the creepy kind of matte that makes your face dry, but this honestly makes it look as if I have normal skin instead of oily/combo. It stays that way throughout the day too I do still use powder during the day, but I think this works as promised and am happy with the results. Great job YSL!
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Toners -Lancome - Lancome Pure Focus Toner
Merlinn 1/20/2012 11:55:00 AM
Meh, it's an okay product. I got it to help control oil and it does give a matte finish at first, but it doesn't last. It's gentle and smells good, but I don't really get a "wow" factor from this product. It's a bit expensive and you can get more bang for your buck with other toners. I use a toner in the morning and at night. This is my morning one in hopes that it would help my face from getting oily midday at work. I would only recommend this toner in the morning as I do not think it would be effective at removing dirt/oil after a long day at work or school. I didn't have any negative side effects such as breakouts or reactions, but I will not be repurchasing.
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Masks -Lancome - Empreinte
Merlinn 1/20/2012 11:50:00 AM
I use this 2x per week on Sunday and Wednesday. Sometimes I might throw in an extra day if I have a special event. Here are my thoughts - Pros: - Gentle yet effective - Dries quicker than other masks. Directions say to leave on for 5 mins. Sometimes I might leave on a little longer, but not much because the clay truly does dry within 5 mins - Helps reduce oil and firms skin - I see results for about 1 1/2 - 2 days which is extremely impressive in my opinion - Smells nice - Doesn't break me out or cause my face to purge Cons: - None. Some might say it costs a lot, but it's cheaper than a facial and you get a good amount of product.
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Brows -Maybelline - Define-A-Brow
Merlinn 1/20/2012 11:44:00 AM
I've used this product on an off again for years. It's cheap and has a little brush for your brows at the end. It stays on all day. I do add clear gel after appyling this to soften the look and help keep the pencil on all day. 4 out of 5 stars for the color. I use the medium color and find it a bit too red, and I have a warm, brown colored hair. Don't hate it, would repurchase, but not HG status.
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Lipstick -Yves Saint Laurent - Rouge Volupte #2 Sensual Silk / Blond Sensuel
Merlinn 1/17/2012 2:54:00 PM
At first I had many of the complaints you'll see in other reviews - doesn't last long and even though it's super creamy my lips were cracked after wear... However, I figured out how to make this lipstick work and actually make my lips smooth. The secret, I find, is when applying foundation to your skin in the morning add a little to your lips. After I use MAC's 187 brush on my entire face I take one last swipe or two over my lips to add a thin layer to my lips. After that I put on my YSL #2 and, voila! The lipstick stays smooth and lasts much longer. I do have to reapply later in the day, but that's a given with lipstick. I've also tried other things like adding lip balm before and after application. It works a little bit better if applied before. This lipstick does wear off quickly even if you're not doing anything with your lips. It just seems to vanish, but the packaging, color, look and texture are fantastic. It's a bit of a high maintenance lipstick, but I would repurchase and love it now that I know how to work with it.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Chanel - Perfection Lumiere
Merlinn 1/5/2012 1:13:00 PM
Love this. I'm sad to see so many negative reviews. I never tried Pro Lumiere, but based on comments and what've I read the Perfection Lumiere probably wasn't a good replacement as these two foundations are completely different. However, I have oily skin and tend to get clogged pores and pimples here and there. This foundation is perfect for me, and I haven't had any skin reactions to it either. I am Beige 30 and don't find it too yellow/orange. I love YSL's Teint Resist, but I found the coverage was a bit light for my liking (while at work, I still use YSL on the weekends bc it's not as heavy). Perfection's coverage is on the medium side, but could be full coverage with layers. Pors - Long wear - still beautiful coverage after wearing for 12 hours. Not sure how much longer as I take my makeup off after then. My blush was still visible after the 12 hours too so it really keeps the makeup looking fresh and on your skin all day. - Good coverage - do need extra help if trying to hide a pimple, but I don't mind - Awesome color match (for me) - Doesn't make my skin cakey or dewey. - Face stays matte for most of the day. I do gently powder my T-Zone once per day which is good considering I used to have to powder my whole face multiple times per day with other founadtions. -Good for oily skin -Didn't clog my pores/cause breakouts Honestly, the only cons I have are the pricing and it contains SPF. Some people say it is hard to apply. It does dry fast, but it's not impossible people. I use MAC's 187 brush and have no trouble with streaking or caking. The way I look at it is if I'm going to dish out 55 bucks on a foundation I better make sure it's working for my skin. I wanted to also note that I think this foundation is meant to be pampered. Meaning you're not just applying it, but working with it. So the way I can try to explain this is with your morning/night moisturizer - you don't just glob it on your face and go about your day... you take a moment to really work it into your skin and make sure every inch is covered to avoid dryness. Same thing with this foundation. That's not supposed to sound negative, I guess I'm trying to say love this foundation and it will love you back (dorky, I know but that's how I feel).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Estee Lauder - Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
Merlinn 12/12/2011 3:04:00 PM
Mixed Feelings..... LOVE this for work. It stays put all day and does a great job of covering dark circles and/or skin imperfections. Great packaging and blends nicely with my skintone. The only CON I find with this is that it doesn't photograph well!!! NOOOooo. Other than that this is awesome, but I wouldn't use it for a night out. It looks goofy in photos. I used to use their double wear foundation but found out that leaves a whitish cast too.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Yves Saint Laurent - Matt and Radiant Pressed Powder
Merlinn 12/12/2011 2:33:00 PM
LOVE this! I use it during the day as a touch up powder. I use shade 4 along with shade 6 in YSL's Teint Resist Foundation. I used to use a 'translucent' powder during the day to take the shine away. Wasn't happy with it. I felt like if I'm going to retouch my face why not add a little coverage. This is perfect for me. I wanted something that would take the shine and oil away without adding no coverage at all or too much! This is right inbetween. Is expensive and the packaging is annoying, but I use a retractable kabuki brush so I don't care that the pouf doesn't fit in the container. Love YSL!
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Liquid -Yves Saint Laurent - TEINT RESIST Long Wear Transfer Resistant Foundation
Merlinn 12/2/2011 9:57:00 AM
I think I've found my HG foundation. This is perfect for my oily skin. My face is matte most of the day. I do need to use a teeny tiny swipe of powder after lunch as my face will be a tad oily. However, I never have to use blotting paper with this and it lasts incredibly long. The color matches my skin and I feel like I have a healthy looking glow. It's hard to find a good balance of matte/glow with oily skin. You either look like a powdered goofball or have way too much oil. Also, coverage is right in the middle of medium! Doesn't break me out, is oil-free and contains a small amount of SPF. Photographs wonderfully. Is expensive, but I will continue to buy. Hands down great foundation. In love.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Loose Powder
Merlinn 12/1/2011 2:07:00 PM
Love this stuff. Just need a small amount and your foundation will last all day. If you use a lot it will give you a white cast. I was told to use a pea sized amount with a kabuki brush. Instead of 'sweeping' it across your face just merely buff it. Meaning, go in little circular motions all over your face rather than sweeping it left to right. Hope that makes sense. Have bought this multiple times and will continue to use this as my setting powder.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
Merlinn 12/1/2011 2:05:00 PM
I've tried this product twice. Once when it first came out and I recently repurchased. Doesn't suit oily skin, or at least my oily skin. I'm not sure what in the world is in this stuff but it gave me an allergic reaction. I try to take good care of my skin and this was the only thing that was new. Everyone raves about it which is awesome for all of you, but didn't work for me. Didn't have a good staying power either. I hear it's great for photos - but Chanel is specifically made for photos so ...? Don't quite understand the point of this foundation. It's not meant for work and if I'm going to buy a foundation just for photos this would not be it. Probably ideal for college ladies. I was told my face wouldn't be oily. That didn't turn out to be true. I could tell before I left for work the first use I wasn't going to be happy. Already had too much of a dewy look. That look plus oil skin equals a nightmare later in the day.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
Merlinn 12/1/2011 2:01:00 PM
Love this. It really does remove all makeup without drying or irritating my skin (oily and acne prone). I recieved this as part of Sephora's skin care giveaway because I thought it was a bit expensive. I can say I will repurchase. It is a bit weird in the beginning. I didn't think it was actually cleaning my skin, as if I had a film left on my face. Once I continued using it I realized it was cleaning my skin and there really wasn't a film - maybe it is a different texture than most cleansers that threw me off. Doesn't break me out, removes all makeup and doesn't dry my skin. Winner!
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Double Wear (old formula)
Merlinn 10/21/2011 9:59:00 AM
I have oily skin and wanted a foundation that stayed on my face throughout work rather than slide around. Also does not make me breakout. Love this stuff. It stays on through the work day and has a semi-matte finish. I almost switched foundations because I kept getting a shiny look to my face. I realized it was my old moisturizer and NOT this foundation. Wish the colors were a bit more close to my skin color, but it's close enough so I won't complain. UPDATE: This leaves a white cast in photos. I look great going out, but see the pictures and think what in the world happened. It's the foundation. Removing one lippie for that. I've switched to Yves St. Laurent's Teint Resist. Still love EL's foundation, but don't want to put up with the hastle of poor pictures.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Philosophy - the microdelivery exfoliating wash
Merlinn 10/21/2011 9:56:00 AM
Use this as my morning face wash. LOVE it! The first day I used it I felt kind of bummed about it. I didn't think it was anything spectacular while actually using the product. I was in a rush to get to work so I threw myself together. The next time I looked at myself was mid-morning ... WOW! I noticed such a nice glow to my face, it looked like I had nice, soft skin. I've used it for about a month now and love it. Will continue to use. I also use this in conjunction with my DDF revolving polisher with the brush head.
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