Liquid -Boots - Botanics Virtually Weightless Color Adjusting Foundation
NoelleyS 4/13/2012 2:40:00 AM
This product is seriously the best liquid foundation I have ever used, and I have tried a LOT from drugstore to high-end! The price is average for something that can be found at Target, but much less than what you pay for at a department store. Packaging is amazing - sturdy pump bottle that gets every bit of product down to the last drop up and out. A little goes a long way, so it lasts awhile too. Coverage is build-able, ranging from sheer to medium, and with some stippling can even reach almost full. I have applied with fingers, sponge, brush, and even cotton balls when I ran out of my sponge wedges. It provides a natural, flawless look that feels good on the skin. Soothing, moisturizing but never oily, lasts all day through humidity, workouts, the beach, and yet it washes right off with a gentle cleanser. The "botanical" ingredients are great and have never broken my crazy skin out - in fact it has improved my complexion immensely. Even on the few nights I have fallen asleep with it on after a night out I have not had any skin issues. While there are not too many shades to choose from, I found that while "honey" looked "off" on my skin tone, it actually did adjust and was a good match. Give this product a try... I do not think you will be disappointing. Many more girls need to discover this!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Boots - No7 Liquid Eyeliner
NoelleyS 4/13/2012 2:28:00 AM
I wanted to try liquid eyeliner from Boots, a brand I have been happy with in other areas. This product is awful! The price is a little higher, considering it is bought at Target here in the U.S., but it is Boots, which is generally good quality. The packaging is normal for liquid liner, but the brush is tiny, flimsy, and too soft to make a steady consistent line. It does not pick up or hold the product well and requires several dips and coats just to get a thick enough line. The eyeliner dries, breaks up around the eyes and then begins to flake off after just a couple of hours and looks terrible. Not only will it appear in tiny patches, like dotted lines around your eyes, but there will be flecks on your cheeks as it begins to disintegrate. Do not waste you money - there are better products out there. Will not be buying this again.
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Conditioner -TRESemme - Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner
NoelleyS 11/12/2011 8:48:00 PM
I am having a terrible allergic reaction to this product. I have longer hair (falls at least 6 inches below my shoulders) and since using it, my hair has become dry, brittle, and now has split ends. Until I started using it, I had the healthiest hair and not a one of these issues. Worst of all, I tend to wear lower cut tops (varies as to whether in front or back) and when my hair is styled over my shoulder(s) it has contact with my skin. My chest and shoulders/back that wear my hair regularly touches has broken out in a terrible case of what first looked like a hives/rash outbreak and now is full-blown acne. I was initially attracted to this product due to the "natural" element and the affordability, but I am definitely discontinuing use! For me, spending much more on quality products that don't wreak havoc on my body or expose to harsh chemicals is a must. This product fails.
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Cover Girl - Smokey Shadowblast-Bronze Fire
NoelleyS 1/31/2011 10:20:00 PM
This is a lovely color combo that looks compliment-worthy for no more than 30 mins after applying. After that, with or without a good primer underneath, it begins to smudge and melt off, leaving awful caky creases around the eyes. The packaging/application method is clever, but the product is an epic fail. Definitely not buying again - the lack of staying power is not worth the pretty shades.
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Liquid -Almay - Almay Truly Lasting Color longwear makeup
NoelleyS 11/8/2010 8:09:00 PM
Best liquid foundation I've tried so far. Color was a good match for my skin tone, coverage (applied with a round sponge) is medium-full, even and natural, feels relatively light, and it last pretty much all day - including through humidity and a few times caught in the rain! My only complaint is that it can tend to feel and look slightly oily, even though I use TLC powder (also a winner) over it, but it's nothing a little blotting and sometimes some extra powder in the afternoon won't fix. I've also experienced a very minor breakout of tiny little zits here and there, but am not sure if it's due to the makeup, or just the one or two times I haven't been very conscientious about removing it before sleep. I still plan on trying at least one more foundation I have been curious about, but can definitely see myself returning to this. Very pleased with this, Almay!!
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Lip Gloss -Physicians Formula - Plump Potion - Nude Potion
NoelleyS 10/3/2010 11:26:00 PM
I appreciated the satiny sheer nude color, but the staying power was worse than a lot of glosses, and it was WAY too sticky. I felt like my lips didn't want to open when I spoke, and it would build up around the corners of my mouth. It also had an unpleasant taste and scent. Originally I bought it to try out the plumping affect, but even though it tingled, I never saw a difference. I don't have thin lips, but was hoping for a little more fullness. Won't be buying again.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Physicians Formula - Healthy Wear SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer
NoelleyS 8/24/2010 11:45:00 PM
I switched to this over the summer and use it alone or under the matching powder foundation. Pros: Excellent packaging: hygienic pump that actually works and allows you to control the amount, plus it's cheery and cute. Great SPF: Has really protected against sunburn - and I've been outdoors a lot lately. Water/Sweatproof: Worn this to the beach, hiking, and even playing soccer and it held up quite well. Coverage: Slightly more than most TMs - covers small imperfections, all redness and little spots; really evens out tone. Cons: Color selection: Not quite a match... but this problem is solved when under the foundation. Application: Hard to blend w/fingers, and looks streaky w/brush. As long as you have time to work it in with a small foundation brush by stippling it's OK though; like sunscreen. Seems to accentuate wrinkles and dry areas Leaves me feeling very oily by midday. However, when I look in the mirror it doesn't look as bad as I feel, but I have to blot at least once or twice between classes. Bottom Line: My go-to all summer, but the search continues. P.s. Compliments! "Natural-looking" "Beautiful skin" "So fresh" Edit: keeping the extra oiliness at bay with blotting and powder is getting old... I probably won't even finish what I have :(
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clean & Clear - Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer
NoelleyS 5/26/2010 6:10:00 PM
Pros: lightweight, non-greasy, has a soft feel. Cons: after a few hours makes skin look and feel very oily, exacerbates skin problems - made flare ups more red and caused zits around my mouth. Also makes skin more sun-sensitive probably due to the salicylic acid. I'm switching to something I hope will be more effective for me.
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Moisturizers -Garnier - Ultra lift pro deep wrinkle cream
NoelleyS 5/10/2010 11:04:00 PM
Even though I'm in my 20s, I decided to pick this up for wrinkles on my neck and forehead (probably due to years of loving the sun too much). I have been using it at night for a month or so, and while I do think I see some slight improvement, it's not worth it for me!!! First of all, it was made me break out everywhere I have used it - forehead, neck, and even chest area! I haven't had pimples on my forehead in forever, and the zits on my neck are definitely a new experience. Secondly, it has a very heavy, greasy feeling that doesn't feel any better in the morning. The last losing factor: I found it costly for something I can pick up in Walmart - might as well grab something better during a department store sale.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clean & Clear - Oil Absorbing Sheets
NoelleyS 5/6/2010 7:52:00 PM
This product is amaaaaazing! Granted, I've never used blotting sheets before this - I used to just pat my face with tissue and reapply powder, which is not very effective and ends up looking cakey! These sheets do wonders!!! The absorb oil and instantly eliminate shine, without messing up my makeup! I just wish they were a little larger and a little cheaper, but that won't stop me from buying the packs again and again! They fit easily into your purse or wallet and are so discreet and easy to use. LOOOOVE! I wish I had given these a try when I was a teenager, and for past formal events, but the last event I went to, my pics were amazing because my face wasn't shining like the moon thanks to these. :)
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
NoelleyS 4/26/2010 8:31:00 PM
Horrible product - I decided to give it a try myself, and promptly returned it the next day. No coverage, has an oily feel while still accentuating dry lines I didn't know existed (after moisturizing, too!), settled into pores, and was overall too shiny. A little shimmer is nice for night out, but IMHO, stick to a pretty bronzer if that's what you want - because this stuff is nasty. DEFINITELY not camera ready! You will look like an oil slick. I can't imagine who this would really work for... Packaging was decent - a pump is always nice. For a drugstore product that was crappy to boot, overpriced. Stay away! I'm sticking to Rimmel long lasting foundation and bronzer until I find something better, and use Revelon colorstay blemish concealer, eyeliner, and shadow.
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Liquid -Rimmel - Lasting Finish Enriched w/ Minerals
NoelleyS 4/7/2010 11:39:00 PM
This foundation is surprisingly satisfactory! I have found the staying power to be better than Revlon ColorStay for Combo/Oily skin, and the coverage to be more natural and less cakey - all this without setting powder! My tiny pock marks from teenage acne still show through, but have with every single foundation I have ever tried, so I'm pretty sure that I will have to live with that. (Note: I don't use primer and am trying to find one that may help with this, so if there are any suggestions let me know.) I use Revlon ColorStay blemish concealer now and then under my foundation. Rimmel has really pleased me with this foundation and I am in warm, humid FL so the fact it has held up through a whole class day is impressive. Color match is great, too! Definitely would buy again.
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Powder -Physicians Formula - Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation
NoelleyS 3/21/2010 10:24:00 PM
This powder foundation is the best I've ever tried so far! Buildable coverage that is still natural, excellent oil control, has not caused any break-outs, and awesome protection! I wore it to the beach the other day and was there for hours - no sunburn, and it really is perspiration proof! I have two tiny complaints: the color selection is very limited, and in photos (probably due to the SPF) it turned me WHITE - I mean I look sickly pale! So I've decided this will be my go-to for casual beach and sporty days. I'm excited to try the bronzer now! PF didn't impress me when I first tried it years ago, but I'm completely sold now. :)
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Crème -Cover Girl - AquaSmooth SPF15 Make-up
NoelleyS 3/9/2010 12:38:00 PM
I used this ages ago in high school when I was battling acne, and felt that it only exacerbated my skin problems. However, now that I only get the occasional blemish but have old tiny pitted marks, I want something that is affordable, provides full but natural coverage, and it more blend-able than Revlon ColorStay. So, I bought this a couple of days ago and am soooo disappointed. It makes my exfoliated skin look flaky and dry, yet shiny! The color was guess-work, and you can definitely tell! It slides around and cakes around my nose, and the coverage is only ok. I don't like to waste stuff so I probably will try to make it work until I can take more time to research and buy something else. So far I've tried applying it on a just-exfoliated face, with and without moisturizer, with a couple of different sponges, my fingers, and a high-end foundation brush. Still not pleased. I just got back from class and washed it all off. DO NOT BUY if you have the same needs as me!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Physicians Formula - Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder
NoelleyS 2/17/2010 3:15:00 PM
I was hoping to fall in love with a more natural product and bought this during the mineral wear hype... Absolutely no coverage, no staying power, no oil control, and the packaging is the most inefficient and ridiculous thing ever! Very disappointing. The color was surprisingly good though - the only good thing I recall about it!
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