Concealers -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles
Rina7 1/10/2012 3:14:00 PM
First of all, this product blends very nicely in my undereye area; it's thin and adequately pigmented. If i use a light touch, it doesn't look like i'm wearing makeup, and my darkness where are somewhat diminished (although by no means entirely concealed, because there is a big of bagginess/shadowing that no concealer can erase). I'm NC 25/30 with yellow undertone, so the yellowish No 50 Corrector shade alone suits me just fine. The other shades are too pink-beige for me; and the Light is too light, Medium is too dark. Wears for about 6-8 hours. My only complaint is the applicator: the sponge tip is useful for lightly dotting, but it means that I'm putting on product that has been sitting in the tip for days. I'd rather have a squeeze tube, especially since the product is thin enough to be very spreadable.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Clinique - Anti Gravity Eye Cream
Rina7 9/15/2011 5:35:00 AM
I really like this eye cream. I needed an under eye cream with some more "umph", and the Clinique SA recommended this to me. It is very moisturizing, and seems to last all day. Usually my under eye area gets lined and crepey towards the end of the day, but it gets much less so with this cream. I have sensitive eyes and skin, but haven't noticed any irritation like in the other reviews--but then again, I don't apply up to my lash line, or on my upper lids. Very happy with this product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Skin79 - Super+ BB Cream Pink Label
Rina7 3/24/2011 9:41:00 PM
I'd give this 3.5 lippies. I'm east asian with NC25 skin. I ordered some samples of this version (pink package) and a gold version, and found that the pink one is more natural looking. Compared to Hanskin Premium Magic BB Cream, I'd say this has less coverage, but is slightly less ashy (more natural). Trouble is, I think the coverage is a bit too light. There is a slight perfumy smell that goes away quickly, and I'm fairly sensitive to perfume. On the fence with this one.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Ishizawa Labs - Nanoce BB Moist Cream
Rina7 3/24/2011 9:30:00 PM
I have to say that I was sorely disappointed by this BB cream. I'm east asian with a yellow undertone, NC25. My sister, who is NC 30, bought this in Healthy Ocre, didn't like it, and gave it to me to try. I had really wanted to try it, because I had read that it doesn't have the grayish cast that seems to be common with BB creams. Well, it's certainly not gray... but it's way too orange. It makes me look sallow. I even tried mixing it with my regular BB cream, and the result was ghoulish. I also found the Nanoce finish kind of dry, accentuating pores and dry patches. My sister also tried it and hated the orange cast. So I went right back to using Hanskin Premium Magic BB Cream.
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BB Cream -HANSKIN - Magic BB Cream
Rina7 3/5/2011 5:44:00 AM
This review is for Hanskin Premium Magic BB Cream in the black tube. I'm Asian with NC25, combination skin. I look pretty young if I don't wear makeup, but my complexion gets tired out by the end of the day so it needs help. I decided to try a BB cream because foundation -- especially powder foundation -- is aging. At first I was on the fence about this product because it has an pink/ash tone and is a tad too light (though not unnaturally so). But it has been a couple of weeks, and I've been using this BB cream in lieu of foundation. It is SO easy to blend in, with just a pea size dollop for my whole face. With light coverage, it looks just like my skin, but better -- brighter and more even in tone. It's also the only product of any kind that blends into my under-eye area without accentuating lines and bags. The finish is dewey but I set it with ELF studio HD powder to bring it to semi-matte. The ashiness can be managed with a touch of bronzer across the cheeks and brow. Minimal touch-ups for oil control. No perfume is a plus. Best of all, I look fresher and more youthful now that I've stopped using foundation. However I'm going to test other BB creams for a better color/tone match.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Cover FX - Cover Fx - Powder Fx
Rina7 1/14/2011 2:47:00 PM
I picked this up a couple of weeks ago in M50 because it's one of choices without perfume. I'm torn about it. On the one hand, this color is a great match. On the other hand, it has an aging effect by exaggerating fine lines and pores and making my skin look dry, especially in dry winter weather. I've also noticed a bit of slight bumpiness/possible clogged pores after using this a few days in a row. I'll look for something else for now, and try this again in the summer.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Walkyrie
Rina7 9/14/2010 1:51:00 PM
This review is for NARS Velvette Matte Lip Pencil in Walkyrie. The color is basically a true rose. On my slighly darker lips, it looks sophisticated, understated and natural with a slight berry tone which works with my skin; but not too much pink, a problem I usually have with rose lipsticks. Love the combination of matte finish, creamy texture, sharp lip definition, and staying power. It's not particularly drying, though I apply lip balm as an under- or over-coat. Just wish it came in more colors!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara in Black
Rina7 9/6/2010 9:15:00 PM
The only reason to use this mascara is because you can't find anything else that doesn't smudge and you mainly want longer lashes. Aside from that, there are a lot of con's: tends to glue lashes together for spidery effect; does not thicken at all; kills the curl; the two-step application with the primer is a hassle; and the fat brushes smear product on my lids. So I've switched over to some mascara found at a Japanese grocery store in SF Japantown (Dramatic Parfums' Dramatic Volume & Curl Mascara), which also doesn't smudge or flake, but gives a little bit more volume in one coat and dries super fast.
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Concealers -Lancome - Maquicomplet (Complete Coverage Concealer)
Rina7 9/3/2010 12:23:00 AM
Very high quality concealer, the best I've tried. Does a good job covering dark circles under my eyes and erases hyperpigmentation without accentuating the bit of bagginess/crepeyness I have. Honey Bisque matches my skin fair-medium Asian skin very naturally, not too dark/light or peachy. The consistency is somewhere between lotion and cream and is highly pigmented (a little goes a long way) with great coverage for minor discoloration. (So far I have yet to find anything that completely erases bluish dark circles.) When the product dries, it just looks like skin not makeup. I also apply on my nose and then lightly brush tinted powder all over my face for a very natural daytime look. The only minus for is that it only lasts about 6-8 hours. But at least it doesn't flake or crease!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Unlisted Brand - Body Time Aloe Vera Freshener
Rina7 6/29/2010 3:08:00 AM
I've been using this toner for years, ever since I quit using those awful, harsh alcohol based toners. This has all natural ingredients -- witch hazel to tighten, papaya extract, grapeseed extract, and aloe vera -- that are great for your skin. I just splash a few drops onto my palms and smooth over my face after cleansing, and it helps keep my skin smooth and preps it for moisturizing. Not a great makeup remover, but a wonderfully gentle and clean toner.
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Blush -E.L.F. - Studio Blush Blushing Rose
Rina7 6/29/2010 2:37:00 AM
Really love the color of this blush, never mind that it's $3: In the compact, it looks like a beautiful berry color -- but not too cool toned -- with a bit of gold glitter in the compact. Applied lightly on my Asian NC25 skin, it looks fresh rosey pink. I'd prefer no glitter but it's not overbearing. Great color payoff though it doesn't last all day. I've switched from my NARS blush to this for everyday use. Giving 5 lippies for great value.
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Eyeliner -Stila - Smudge Pots gel eye-liner
Rina7 6/28/2010 7:14:00 PM
I had high hopes when a makeup artist recommended this as a liner that might work for me, after I complained that liners always transfer and leave unsightly smudges my lower lids. Alas, no such luck with this one either. I like the soft, smudged line you can create with this and a good eyeliner brush, but the bottom line is that I can't wear it because it smudges and transfers.
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Eyeliner -Revlon - ColorStay Liquid Liner
Rina7 6/28/2010 7:10:00 PM
EDIT: I FINALLY found my HG liquid eyeliner, so I'm downgrading this to 4 lippies. The HG is Dolly Wink Liquid eyeliner (Japanese brand), not in MUA, found at a Japanese grocery store in SF Japantown. It's a pencil shaped dispenser tipped with an ULTRA fine tipped, flexible brush. Always dispenses the right amount, with super pigmentation, dries quick, does not budge, stays all day, and does not run when my eyes tear. There are other Japanese and Korean brands that I hear are great... Original Review: If you're like me and have an awful problem with liner transferring onto your lower lids very quickly, I highly recommend trying this one out. Maybe it's my oily lids and straight eyelashes, but every other liner I've tried leaves big smears on my lower lids, even if I just applied it to my upper lids. Pencil, liquid, gel, you name it, every price bracket. So I'm very happy to have discovered ColorStay Liquid Liner, which dries quickly and lasts a long time without smudging or transferring. I appreciate the slim, stiff felt tip, but as a novice I find it tricky to use. Right now I need a lit makeup mirror and a countertop to steady my elbow so that I can create a straight, tight line w/o skipping. Beware: it runs like crazy if your eyes tear. But this liner gets 5 lippies anyway just for being the ONLY liner that will not transfer onto my lower lids, opening up a whole world for me makeup-wise.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Revlon - ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
Rina7 6/28/2010 6:23:00 PM
I have oily eyelids, and every single "waterproof/smudgeproof" liner I've tried transfers onto my lower lid within 2 hours, so frustrating. This one works pretty well for me in that regard: no transfer, though it is weakly pigmented as everyone says. It slides my lashline after 6-8 hours; fortunately that just creates a nice thin tightline, which I like. I also find that the pen tip allows a lot of control with minimal skipping. I can place neat little dots within my lash line, which I can't with other products. It gets a lot of points with me just for not transferring so I will continue to use for daytime; just wish it had more pigment!
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Treatments -Biore - Pore Cleansing Strips - Nose
Rina7 6/2/2010 3:24:00 AM
Thought this was a great idea at first. It did remove many, though not all, of the blackheads on my nose. However, I found that I always developed a nasty, deep zit on my nose a day or two after using a pore strip. Apparently unplugging my pores allows bacteria to go deep into them. A better way to remove blackheads is the oil cleansing method.
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