Mascara -Hourglass - Film Noir Lash Lacquer
Phanatical28 2/9/2012 1:58:00 PM
I picked this up impulsively after hearing so much about it on YouTube. I have long, full, dark brunette curled lashes already, so I was a bit skeptical. I only use this for going out at night for extra drama as it really is a dark, glossy black lacquer. For me, it works best over lengthening mascaras rather than volumizing mascaras. I also love this over false lashes for a really pumped up look. The tube closes tightly and securely so my product is still nice and creamy. Sometimes I do have to wipe off the little brush on the side of the tube as it can get goopy, but otherwise it's so simple to apply. Overall it's a great addition to a beauty arsenal, and one I will repurchase.
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Mascara -Yves Saint Laurent - Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara
Phanatical28 2/7/2012 11:32:00 AM
I'm really surprised with the negative reviews on this! I had read them all before, so when I was able to get a sample as a 100 point perk at Sephora, I went for it so I could try it without shelling out $30. I'm so happy I decided to, because I love it! I'd just run out of my HG MUFE Smoky Lash, which became so dried out it was impossible to use (however, this was only after months, and I still recommend it wholeheartedly) when this sample came into my life. Yes, it is definitely a "wet" formula, but I rather like it for once. I have extremely long, full and curled lashes, so it will leave some marks on my brow bone but they're easily removed. I do find it doesn't give me a lot of crazy drama like Smoky Lash, but it does make the lashes look significant and dramatic without being over the top. For me it's perfect for work or a casual night out, though if I'm going all-out for a special occasion, I'd reach for Smoky Lash still. It is rose scented which doesn't bother me but may affect those with sensitive sniffers or allgeries. Overall it's a great mascara - definition, color, separation, and a beautiful scent all in a fantastic package! I especially love how "Shocking" is scribbled down the side! The beautiful gold tube makes it super easy to spot when I travel with my black hole of a makeup kit!
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Powder -Sheer Cover - Sheer Cover - Mineral Foundation
Phanatical28 12/13/2011 10:34:00 AM
When I looked this up, I was startled by the bad rating. However, reading through the almost 300 reviews, I see that about 98% of them are pretty much reviews of the company/mailing program/etc and not the actual product. People who didn't read the fine print and come here to complain about it really don't help the people who are just looking for honest reviews of the product itself. That's where my review comes in. Let me begin the review with this: I don't have acne. I don't even ever really break out. I do use the Proactiv system as I find it reduces my skin's tendency to get oily, as well as keeps it amazingly smooth. I don't have much redness or unevenness, and I don't need almost any coverage. In fact, I don't really need foundation at all. And that is why I love this product - because it's just a thin veil of product that makes my skin look absolutely airbrushed. I, in fact, do own an airbrush system, and this offers extremely comparable results for me. I have tried others, such as BE, and they just did not work - obvious, itchy, and not a perfect match. I refuse to buy two shades and attempt to get it perfect every day, so BE was out of contention there. I hate always relying on liquid foundations as I don't need too much coverage, and I feel like they just sink into my pores. My work is very quiet, and I dislike wearing much makeup unless it's a really special event, so this was perfect for me. It's easy to apply, and a little goes a long way. I use my MAC 109 brush to buff, buff, buff and it looks great! My other products go on wonderfully over top of it, as well. Prior to application I apply MAC Matte gel as a primer, and everything stays in place all day, no matter how I sweat. It rarely will ever get cakey on me, but in the event it does, a little misting of water of Fix+ does the trick and brings it back to life! I purchased this at the Proactiv cart in my mall for two reasons: I, seemingly unlike most others, DID read the fine print and didn't want to get locked into such a program, and I wanted to get color matched. I am an NC20-25, MUFE HD #117 and the color Bisque matches me perfectly. I did try Frost but it cast a ghostly look about my face. I wish the packaging was a bit sturdier, or locked like the new BE containers do. However, I think this will be great for travel, as I like to travel light and quick, and since this is a powder it can be carried on flights. For a powder I think ~$28 is a bit expensive, but it's much cheaper than my preferred liquid foundations, so I'll take the trade-off. It also seems like it will last a long time since only a little is needed for great, even coverage. Overall, this is a huge win for me! I will keep repurchasing.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies
Phanatical28 11/4/2011 2:23:00 PM
This mascara is just okay for me. It does darken and accentuate my already long, full, curled lashes, but it definitely doesn't make them look false. It also has a tendency to clump on me. I actually use this on days I want a more natural look. However I do like the curved brush and think it's easy to work with. It's not HG for me, but it is okay in a pinch. I probably won't repurchase it though.
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Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15
Phanatical28 11/4/2011 1:57:00 PM
I adore this lip balm! It is amazing and leaves my lips so pillowy soft. I love the Rose color as well, since it gives my lips a nice healthy glow without being too red or overbearing. The taste is still lemony like the original version, but just with a nice hint of color. It lasts for ages on my lips too, which is another benefit. My other love about this balm is that the packaging is a substantial metal, and the cap screws on so no worries about losing it or having it open in your purse. Just be careful not to let it get too hot or else it will definitely melt due to the soft, creamy texture!
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Blush -NARS - Desire
Phanatical28 11/3/2011 10:52:00 AM
I absolutely adore Desire blush. At first I was super hesitant to try it, but I took a very light hand and simply dabbed my brush in it two or three times, tapped off the excess, applied, and wow! It gave me the most innocent glow ever! It looks like you're lit from within. I also think it looks more like a real "glow," moreso than Orgasm! Truly an amazing color. It takes so little for results that I can't imagine running out of this, but if I ever do I will surely repurchase.
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Bronzers -NARS - Casino
Phanatical28 11/2/2011 9:44:00 AM
I was a little afraid of this bronzer at first, since I'm always terrified to look dirty or orange-fake. I took this very lightly with my contour brush, and wow, I've fallen in love! It is the perfect contour for me, and also adds a nice, natural glow to my face! I use it very lightly and build to avoid looking dirty due to packing it on too heavy. I personally don't detect much shimmer in it while on my skin, which is why I'm comfortable using it as a contour. It can really be built up too, which will be nice for the summer. At $33 normally (I got this in the Danmari palette for $65), I think it's a steal since a little goes such a long way. I've had my Laguna now for quite some time - 2-3 years - and I have yet to hit pan. However, if I ever do, I will definitely replace! For reference I have light olive NC20-25 skin.
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Blush -NARS - Sin
Phanatical28 11/2/2011 9:34:00 AM
I must admit, I was really hesitant to try Sin (in fact I was really hesitant to try most of the Danmari palette!). I am NC20-25 and was afraid it'd be too purple or bruised-looking on my skin. However, I dabbed - not swiped - my brush into the pan and applied, and wow, was I shocked! Sin is a gorgeous mauve-y color when applied to my cheeks, and looks very similar to my HG blush, MAC's The Perfect Cheek, which was LE. It's so pigmented that only a dab is needed for each cheek, making it a fantastic, long-lasting value. It makes me look refreshed and glowing, and lights up my entire face. It doesn't scream of powdery makeup either, but just a gorgeous, pretty flush. I will definitely repurchase once I run out!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Stridex - Maximum Strength Soft Touch Pads Alcohol Free (Red jar/box)
Phanatical28 11/1/2011 2:52:00 PM
This product is AMAZING! I use it twice a day on areas where I'm prone to breaking out. It helps stop new blemishes while healing what's already broken out. I notice that on my skin at least it helps to fade redness as well. My skin cleared up noticeably within the first few days of using these pads. It also has not dried my skin out, although I have normal/oily skin and make sure to use moisturizer on all areas I treat. I switch to a heavier moisturizer in the colder months. The smell is definitely medicinal although not gag-inducing, and does not linger around once you've applied the solution. The pads themselves are very large and absolutely soaked through and through, assuring there is enough solution to cover large, even multiple, areas. The pads also have this cool little cut-out on one side to make them easier to remove from the jar. All this for only $3? A steal! I'm so, so thankful I've found these!
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Mascara -BeneFit Cosmetics - BADgal Brown
Phanatical28 8/30/2011 12:32:00 PM
This is the absolute only version of BADgal I have ever liked and had success with. It came in my Legally Bronze kit, so even though I wasn't too pumped about it, I figured I was looking for a brown mascara and since it was basically free it wouldn't hurt to try. Well, what a difference from all my other experiences with BADgal!! I used this on my super long, full, black lower lashes since I love having definition, but when using black mascara it can often turn spidery quickly on my eyes. This is absolutely perfect for that. The skinny-yet-effective brush defined, lengthened even more, and made them look lush without looking like Elvira lashes! The brown provides a nice contrast with the black mascara I used on my upper lashes as well. When I did try this on my upper lashes it didn't give quite the impact I like, so I think I'm going to stick to using this as a bottom lash mascara only. But it really is a superb mascara.
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Bronzers -BeneFit Cosmetics - HOOLA
Phanatical28 8/30/2011 12:18:00 PM
I got a full-size of this as part of the Legally Bronze collection, though I'd been meaning to try it for quite a while. I was afraid it would be too dark and muddy for me, but used with a light hand and blended nicely, it's amazing. It really is the perfect matte bronze, not too dark for my NC20-25 complexion. I have the new packaging, and I must say I'm not a fan. I don't find the mirror useful, and the top constantly flips closed while I'm working with it. I do, however, still love the brush. I actually use it to contour a very fine line under my cheekbones, which I then blend out for the perfect look. I use it to contour everywhere, it's just that great. I'm really happy I finally picked it up!
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Crème -BeneFit Cosmetics - Some Kind-A Gorgeous
Phanatical28 8/30/2011 12:13:00 PM
I already did a review for the "Light" version of this, and now that I've been using the "Medium" version during the summer, I think it warrants its own review. I still am in love with this product. It glides on so smoothly and blends so easily that it's a dream to work with. I use the included sponge still, just like with "Light," and it works fantastically. It matches my light tan perfectly, too, so it just looks like I have to-die-for skin instead of a foundation mask. This is both a pro and a con. Luckily, after years of treatment, I've gotten my skin clear, smooth and manageable, and it doesn't need much coverage, if any. If however you're looking to cover up scars, redness, etc., this product probably isn't for you. Another con is that the product is really easy to fly through, since it's so soft and creamy. It will also melt quite quickly if it gets too hot. Overall though this is a huge winner for me - perfect lightweight coverage, amazing application, and portability all in one.
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Lipstick -Yves Saint Laurent - ROUGE PUR COUTURE
Phanatical28 8/26/2011 12:54:00 PM
I have this in #34, which is a petal pink. I really like it, but it is definitely much frostier than I anticipated. I really need to exfoliate and moisturize my lips before I wear this, but I do love it on. It has a smell and taste of rose, but that doesn't bother me at all. It fades nice and evenly, and leaves behind a slight shimmer when it's gone. Overall I really like it and it's very unique to my collection. The gold packaging is fab, too - chic, sexy, and sturdy all at once! I would definitely repurchase.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Chromagraphic Pencil NC15/NW20
Phanatical28 8/22/2011 3:12:00 PM
If I were on a desert island and allowed five products, this would be in my bag! It is THAT amazing. I use it for so many things. I love lining my waterline with this to look more wide-eyed and awake when I don't want to use Fascinating (a white pencil from MAC). You can tell there's a hint of something there, but it doesn't scream "MAKEUP!" - I just look fresh and awake. I will also use this to mute out my lips, as I am an NC20 and it still matches my skintone quite well. I've even used it on-the-go as a spot concealer - blended very well of course - and it's worked! I wouldn't recommend it for that, but I have done it in a pinch. This is a really fantastic, versatile pencil I will use for decades to come!
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Unlisted Brand - Blinc Mascara
Phanatical28 8/22/2011 3:06:00 PM
This is a definite no-go for me. I have really long, thick, curled lashes, and I actually see them go downhill when using this. It makes them look like itty bitty sticks! I've gotten two tubes of this (one from my Birchbox and one from a mascara set from Sephora) and both have done the same exact thing. Could I have gotten two bad tubes? Maybe. But I think it's more the fault of the mascara. I've used tubing mascaras before to great success. This formula just doesn't agree with my lashes. On the pro side, it does remove quite easily for me. The brush is also quite nice, and there is no offensive scent to it. However it just isn't for me.
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