Hair -L'Oreal - Excellence Creme Haircolor
Rezarific 4/17/2010 8:19:00 AM
After years of being dissatisfied w/ box color but not enough to stop trying, I've found the PERECT box dye. Last night it saved me my monthly $70, as I've been going to a salon for all-over light ash blonde highlights to my medium brown hair. So needless to say, my roots are pretty high-contrast to the rest of my hair. This week was the everyone-can-see-your-roots-look-crappy week, so it was my make-or-break moment. I almost went with a light brown from herbashine, because I didn't think I could get away w/ anything interesting while blending the nearly-platinum blonde all-over highlights in with the medium brown of my roots, but then the L'Oreal Excellence Triple Protection Color Creme, Light Reddish Blonde, a beautiful, low-key strawberry blonde color (8RB?) caught my eye. I looked at the back color guide, and from the results legend, I could see that the med brown would take a pretty true light red, and the light blonde would be a subdued and elegant strawberry blonde, and they'd blend together very well if the color guide/results legend was correct. It was more than correct!! My roots are GONE, and my hair is a gorgeous subdued strawberry blonde, with the roots being more of a light red, but it's such a natural-looking transition that it doesn't look like a dye job at all. I've never been so impressed with box color. I saved so much money on my salon visit this month, and hallelujah, I'm not going back until I need a haircut. Woo hoo! It looks so beautiful!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Mineralize Blush - Two Virtues
Rezarific 3/7/2010 10:01:00 AM
This is the blush I've been searching for! Maybe even for years! It's the perfect violet-undertoned pink with the perfect sheen. Looks great on my NW15-NW20 skin, and I'll update this review with new ideas once I decide what eye looks it highlights the very best.
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Eye Shadow -NARS - Mekong
Rezarific 3/1/2010 10:35:00 AM
I couldn't be more impressed with this blackened brown eyeshadow with adult (NOT teenybopper) glitter that blends easily and beautifully. This is my first single NARS eyeshadow, and it's the best "outer v" eye color I've ever had. It makes for a gorgeous smoky brown eye. In the store, I used Galapagos on the lid, Abyssinia as a highlight and Mekong on the outer v, and it was the best eye look ever. (Noe I just have to save up for Galapagos and Abyssinia--that's the one drawback. SUPER-pricey shadows.) I even have brown eyes and it worked to make them look beautiful. I think that's a statement to its quality and versatility. Also, I can use it alone and blend it WAY out for a lighter color to cover the lower lid. Long-wearing, too. I am SUCH a NARS believer now!
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Mascara -Bare Escentuals - Flawless Definition mascara
Rezarific 2/8/2010 10:56:00 AM
I have two or three of these mascaras, because I bought several BE kits last year, and the Flawless is their "of the moment" promo mascara. I was generally unimpressed when I first tried it, because although it gave my lashes plenty of definition and did increase length, they're pretty long and I have a lot of them, so I wasn't initially impressed. Since then, I've grown to appreciate that there is a time and a place for this mascara, when it gives me the exact look I want. It's now my favorite mascara to wear with a sophisticated and smudged-out smoky eye. I say give this one a chance--it took me eight months to appreciate how great it is, so you might like it right away or take a while to warm up to it, like I did.
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
Rezarific 1/30/2010 5:04:00 PM
I bought this (in color 002 for my NW15/PPP skin) because it’s Revlon’s newest, and ColorStay foundation for oily skin works sooo well for me but never quite comes off my foundation brush, so I’m still looking for my HG liquid foundation. (I usually use Bare Minerals in Fair, but sometimes I need heavier coverage, and besides, BE doesn’t photograph well.) The coverage is good, but even when applied over a mattifying primer, PhotoReady fades within 5 hours and needs a transluscent powder touch-up after as few as 3 hours. I’m keeping it and using it because it’s easier to apply than ColorStay (plus I can apply it quickly w/ my fingers), but given its mixed performance, I’m only giving it 3 stars. Plus, I think it breaks me out. I’ve gotten two whiteheads since I started using it regularly, and ColorStay and BE both NEVER break me out. EDIT: Absolutely breaks me out. Cystic acne. Unchanged rating, since the pump is phenomenal. Works best when I put a layer or two of mineral makeup on under this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lipstick
Rezarific 1/1/2010 9:42:00 PM
This is really quite remarkable. I haven't been a fan of d/s lipsticks for ages, but Maybelline's Color Sensational line has made me give them another chance. Once I saw these very high-end-looking lipsticks on display at Target (packaged together so that when you buy one, you get two of a given color), I had to give them a try. The black quilted look is just like a Chanel purse. Quite classic. My finding this lipstick wasn't a coincidence--I found a review of Blush (the color I picked out) in this set of reviews, and from the content of the review, I knew that it would work well for me, too. What I didn't know is that it would be my MLBB go-to, my HG low-key lipstick. The semi-opaque coverage is soft and non-scented, and it looks just wonderful on me. I can wear it with a soft eye or a heavy, smoky eye. It's just the best shade ever, a medium-light rose-brown nude, and it really is very close to my natural lip pigmentation. I hate nude lipcolors that effectively erase your lips--this gives my lips a lovely shape and definition and a little color, but doesn't make them the focus of my look. Wonderful!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - ColorBurst Lipstick in Blush 035 [DISCONTINUED]
Rezarific 1/1/2010 9:40:00 PM
This is really quite remarkable. I haven't been a fan of d/s lipsticks for ages, but Maybelline's Color Sensational line has made me give them another chance. Once I saw these very high-end-looking lipsticks on display at Target (packaged together so that when you buy one, you get two of a given color), I had to give them a try. The black quilted look is just like a Chanel purse. Quite classic. My finding this lipstick wasn't a coincidence--I found a review of Blush (the color I picked out) in the generic Revlon ColorBurst review, and from the content of the review, I knew that it would work well for me, too. What I didn't know is that it would be my MLBB go-to, my HG low-key lipstick. The semi-opaque coverage is soft and non-scented, and it looks just wonderful on me. I can wear it with a soft eye or a heavy, smoky eye. It's just the best shade ever, a medium-light rose-brown nude, and it really is very close to my natural lip pigmentation. I hate nude lipcolors that effectively erase your lips--this gives my lips a lovely shape and definition and a little color, but doesn't make them the focus of my look. Wonderful!!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Rimmel - :asting Finish - Heavenly
Rezarific 12/19/2009 11:32:00 PM
This lovely lipstick is a pinky-mauvey-purple, and I don't know what the previous reviewers were wearing, but this is NOT a true purple. It's definitely more pink then purple, but there is a gorgeous undertone to this color that's identifiable as a mauvey-lavender. This color looks better on me than any lipstick ever has; I often have trouble with pinks because my lips are sooo pigmented (especially for a PPP complexion, I don't get it!), but I understand now why they recommend pinks for my skin tone. This looks so gorgeous on me. The finish is long-lasting, and since it's matte it can be drying, but I fix that my wearing a lip balm under a coat of the Rimmel color. I'm really excited about this color.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Rimmel - Lasting Finish Lipstick
Rezarific 12/14/2009 11:10:00 PM
I’m just like the previous reviewer in the fact that these are currently my favorite lipsticks. I think part of it is because I’m very sensitive to smells and tastes in lippies, and Rimmel lipsticks have only a vaguely pleasant aroma that I associate with generic sweets, and no nasty taste at all, not even the plasticky one I associate with most lipsticks. (Especially Urban Decay lipsticks—yuck-o-rama!) No, these are a real pleasure to wear; they feel nice on my lips and are available in great colors. (And they go on 50% off sale from time to time!) Currently, I have Vintage, Dizzy, Goddess, Airy Fairy, and plan to get more. My favorite nude/low-key lipstick is Vintage. Looks great on me and lets the emphasis stay on my eyes if the look is smokey or strong, but it doesn’t erase my lips like many nudes. Lovely!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Ulta - Afterglow
Rezarific 12/14/2009 10:27:00 PM
I'm so excited that I bought this blush, it rocks! I assumed this was a Nars Orgasm dupe, because I've never tried that blush but always wanted to (too pricey!), and when I tried on this Ulta "Afterglow" blush, my face looked exactly like I had just had one of those, um, very special moments. Afterglow is a perfect name for this blush, and it's far more subtle and ladylike than the Nars product's name. Not that I'm easily offended or fragile--I'm not--but I do like being unembarrassed when I tell my mother-in-law the name of this blush in recommending it to her, because she'd look great in it. I've never been a blush-obsessed person, I'm much more interested in eyeshadows, but I can totally see why people rave about Nars Orgasm. If it's anything like Ulta Afterglow, it's not just a blush, it's a beauty event! Luckily, I can get that look for just $3.50 after the BOGO discount, and that's for a full-sized product! I am so in love. . .
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Luxe
Rezarific 12/10/2009 11:36:00 AM
I bought this mascara based on the MUA reviews, and while I loved it at first, I happened upon Rimmel’s Volume Flash The Max (hot pink tube w/ gold lettering) soon after I’d bought my Lash Blast Luxe, and I haven’t used the Lash Blast since, except for our holiday party, for which occasion I thought sparkle was more important than oomph! While it is a solid, quality mascara, the results aren’t as good for me as my trusty aforementioned Rimmel or my BE Buxom mascara, which rocks the whole Kasbah too. So while it’s a worthwhile buy, this isn’t my HG. Lash separation—7 out of 10; lash volume—4 out of 10; lash length—7 out of 10; Clump-free zone—9 out of 10; long-wearing—6 out of 10; smear-free zone—7 out of 10.
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Eye Shadow -NARS - Silent Night
Rezarific 12/9/2009 10:12:00 PM
I simply can't find the words to express my disappointment in this eye shadow. I thought that finally, with this Sephora doorbuster, I could afford to try a NARS product. It wasn't even worth the $9. I understand that there'd be fallout with the glitter, but I couldn't even get a decent, even layer of the base gold color on my eye over UDPP. How unforgiveable is THAT? Can't get an even layer of color, don't want to wear gold glitter everywhere BUT my eyelids--game over, this cruddy product is going back to the store.
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Lip Gloss -Bare Escentuals - 100% Natural Lip Gloss in Rose
Rezarific 12/2/2009 6:09:00 AM
This lip gloss is perfect for me, regardless of what eye look I'm wearing, and I've found that to be both surprising and exciting. It's a mauvey pink with teensy chocolate undertones, so when I have a strong eye look on, it steps back into the surreptitious role of nudish lip, but when my eyes are understated, BE Rose lip gloss can take charge and be the star of my FOTD. I'm quite pleased. The smell is also lovely, and it doesn't taste bitter, nasty, or overly sweet, like some glosses do. Decent wear time for a gloss--better if you wear full-cover lip liner or a good, matte lipstick under the gloss. This is currently my favorite lip color.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Yes To Carrots - Yes to Tomatoes Trouble-Free Facial Wash
Rezarific 12/2/2009 12:01:00 AM
I prefer cleansers with a pump, or at least a flip-top lid, so while I've hardly ever given a product a 2 for packaging quality, this cleanser deserves that low rating. It's quite awkward to get into and get closed again while you're in the middle of washing your face. This is more scented than I can really handle in a facial cleanser, plus I just read the ingredients for the first time (oops!), and while I bought it because it's supposed to help acne-prone skin, it actually has several oils in it, including olive oil, which I know (from first-hand experience) breaks me out. Darn--I'm going to try to return this to Walgreen's, even though I'm sure I've tossed my receipt. I'm sure it's because of all the oils in this cleanser, but my face sure doesn't feel very fresh and/or clean after I've washed up with this stuff. This cleanser gets a "D" grade in my book. FYI--Ingredients:Water, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Solanum Lycocarpum (Tomato) Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Red Tea) Leaf Extract, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco Glucoside, Maris Aqua (Dead Sea Water), Rosmarinus Officialis (Rosemary) Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Capsicum Annum Extract (red pepper), Parfum/Fragrance, Magnesium Chloride, Maris Limus Silt Extract, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Olea Europa (Olive) Oil, Calendula Officinalis Oil, Niacin, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Rhodella reticulata extract, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Camelia Sinensis (Green Tea Leaf Extract), Dehydroacetic Acid
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Alba Botanica - Hawaiian Aloe & Green Tea Oil Free Moisturizer
Rezarific 12/1/2009 11:48:00 PM
So sorry, Alba, I love your hand creams, but this oil-free face moisturizer is so ultra-fragranced (and NOT in a good way) that I can't even use it to find out whether it works well. Every time I put this on, I feel nauseated from the smell. Plus, I hate moisturizers where you basically have to contaminate the whole container by dipping your finger (or anything, really) into the product. Nasty--it really negates the awesomeness of the paraben-free product. Sure, germs are natural, but they're not going to help my acne prone skin stop breaking out!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No