Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Devita Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer spf 30
Rowenah 8/20/2011 2:27:00 PM
Every time I stray from this product I end up going back. I want to say 1st off that this product is as effective as any MOISTURIZER with SPF in it. Meaning, if you are swimming or sweating this is NOT a good product for you. It does not contain any barrier forming ingredients and so obviously it will NOT stand up to getting wet or sweat in. Vanicream Sport SPF 35 is my product of choice when swimming or doing outdoor chores and activities. I highly recommend it. However, I am very acne prone with extremely sensitive, oily skin. I need a daily moisturizer with SPF that keeps my skin matte, contains no irritants, plumps fine lines and doesn't form a barrier that can trap sebum against my skin. This moisturizer is a boon for oily skin and never ever causes me to get red or breakout. I find that it am less oily when I wear it than when I don't, and it leaves my skin feeling like velvet 10 minutes after application. It offers sufficient SPF for running errands or driving to work and it does not cause my mineral foundation to slip or oxidize during the day. Also because it only contains natural sunblocks I do not have to worry about chemical screens like Avobenzone interacting with the iron oxides in my mineral foundation (which could possibly decrease the effectiveness of the SPF). I love the formula and hope they never change it. The new packaging is also great. They have nearly doubled the amount of product you get and it now comes in a sturdy clear plastic squeeze tube with a very secure flip top, so it is easy to dispense and know when it's time to order more. I would recommend this product as an excellent moisturizer for oily, acne prone rosaceans. It is moderately expensive, but worth every penny. My only complaint is that I wish I could find it in stores like Whole Foods or somewhere similar for convenience.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Sally Hansen - Inspired By Carmindy Natural Beauty Your Skin Makeup ] [DISCONTINUED]
Rowenah 4/30/2011 12:58:00 AM
I think this foundations color is excellent for those with very fair skin. I purchased the porcelain and it was a perfect match for me. I have never used another drugstore brand that was light enough for my skin. The coverage is medium to full and this makeup wears very well throughout the day. However, I had one of the worst breakouts I have had in years after a week of using this foundation. I was getting blemishes in areas that I have never broken out in before. I would not recommend this foundation for anyone with sensitive or acne prone skin.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Cover FX - Powder FX Mineral Powder Foundation
Rowenah 4/5/2011 3:09:00 PM
I use the E0 color. This is my HG mineral foundation. I have very pale skin and b/c of redness in my t-zone caused by rosacea I need a neutral colored powder to really block out all the redness. I apply this powder using a swirling motion with the Jane Iredale Handi Brush. It looks great. A little goes a long way to cover redness, so I apply much less foundation than I normally would with a loose mineral powder. I don't have a lot of blemishes, so I can't say how well it works for someone suffering with serious acne, but it covers the odd monthly breakout very well. It wears well (lasts me from 6AM-6PM) and I can easily take it in my purse for touch ups. The look is not totally matte, but it's not "sparkly" like a lot of MMU. It doesn't enlarge my pores, irritate my skin or cause breakouts. I have combination skin and it does not turn into a greasy mess or settle into fine lines on the drier areas of my face. It's not a miracle, b/c I do have to blot my t-zone at lunchtime - but it's pretty darn good, and doesn't get cakey when I use it to touch it up w/an Eve Pearl mini powder puff. The package is very sturdy. I carry it in my purse every day for touch ups and it has never opened up and made a mess. I have even accidently dropped the compact and it did not shatter. This powder does double duty b/c it can also be used to set concealer when wearing liquid makeup for extra staying power, or to touch up liquid foundation throughout the day b/c it applies so smoothly w/a puff. I hope they never discontinue or change this product - it's the best mineral foundation product I have ever used. It's not super cheap, but there are more expensive MMU brands out there and I think this one's well worth the price.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Unlisted Brand - FACE atelier Ultra Foundation
Rowenah 4/5/2011 2:52:00 PM
I purchased 2 samples colors and the white. I mixed the lightest shade they make with the white to get a true match to my skin. It went on easily and the finish was nice when freshly applied. I wish their lightest shade didn't need white b/c at the price they charge, it would seriously hurt my wallet to buy two full-sized bottles at once (I had to do a 50/50 mix). By 10 AM my face was very oily and I had to continue to blot at least once every 2 hours to keep from looking shiny. By 5 PM the color had oxidized and created a visible foundation line beneath my jawline. I tried wearing it again using different application techniques and setting powders throughout the week, with the same results. The coverage does last a long time, but that's the only positive I found. I also experienced a little bit of a break out. I expected a lot more from this foundation considering how expensive it is.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Jane Iredale - Handi Brush
Rowenah 3/23/2011 11:01:00 AM
This brush is stupid expensive for something so small, but it is worth every penny. I use to to apply Cover FX pressed mineral powder foundation and it's amazing. Soft non irritating bristles that do not kick up dead skin on your face. The density of the hairs leaves a perfect finish after I buff my skin. It looks totally smooth and non-cakey (even when building up coverage). It does shed with the first 2-3 washes, but after that I've never seen it shed again. For this insane price, I hope it lasts me a long time. Will buy again when this one wears out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Earth Science - Clarifying Herbal Astrigent
Rowenah 3/23/2011 10:38:00 AM
I agree with other reviewers that it's not a miracle product, but it is good and non irritating. I have noticed that my skin is somewhat clearer, however. I have very sensitive skin and this does not bother me at all. I find it to be very hydrating and use it as a light moisturizer in the PM, since my skin is quite oily. I am thrilled to have found something that will not break me out or cause oiliness, but hydrates overnight. I just spray a little more than usual on and let it sit on the skin till it soaks in. I have had no breakouts, rashes or flushing from this product. The price is good, and the bottle is a nice size. I can get it in the organic section of my local grocery store, so that's pretty convenient. My only complaint is that no matter what spray bottle I put it in, it always comes out as a heavy squirt (never a fine mist), so I can't use it as a touch up/setting spray for makeup. I'm sure it has something to do with the ingredients, but I think the ingredients are great, so I'd rather they not change anything. Perhaps I'll try another Earth Science product for that purpose. Also the smell is pretty medicinal, but I'd prefer that over added fragrance which is not good for my skin. The smell fades completely once it absorbs.
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Foundations -Eve Pearl - High Definition Dual Foundation with CosmeNutrients
Rowenah 3/11/2011 11:21:00 AM
I purchased the Eve Pearl Fair foundation duo. The lightest shade in the pallette was a dead on match for my skintone and the coverage is pretty unbelievable. The packaging is very sturdy and I love that the foundation is covered (so it never gets on the mirror) and the sponge is stored in a seperate compartment to prevent bacterial growth inside your compact. The finish really mimics real skin when applied with the "Eve Pearl Method"; and you don't have to use it as a full coverage product if you don't want to. It can be applied sheer to full. However, while using this foundation I had one of the worst breakouts I have had in years. As a testiment to how incredible the coverage is, I can say that it covered every single blemish it caused, but my skin was never going to recover if I continued to use it. I have combination skin and was using it in the winter when my face gets quite dry. It did not emphasize lines and helped to calm flakiness, but it got very greasy looking on my face by midday (though my skin felt tight) and would just rub right off onto anything that touched my face. I think the product is perfect for professionals to use in photos or for brides/special occasions because it will make the skin look both natural and flawless (my pores and blemishes were totally invisible with this foundation on), but I wouldn't recommend it for everyday use as it does not seem to have much if any staying power beyond the 1st 4-5 hours of wear.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Laura Mercier - Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation
Rowenah 3/11/2011 10:53:00 AM
This foundation was good in that it did not aggrivate my acne prone skin at all. No breakouts is always a plus. It didn't do much to control oil, but nothing ever really does. Coverage was sheer to a buildable medium; I used a damp sponge and found it every easy to work it. I saw there were several complaints about the finish/consistency - but once I used the right application tool, I had no problems. Just be sure you apply all over the face with the sponge to get a sheer finish 1st and then stipple back over the areas that need more coverage. It helps if you work in one area of the face at a time and apply the foundation to the back of your hand or a pallette 1st so you can work it into the sponge properly. My main complaint with it is that even the fairest shade is very, very yellow. I purchased the Porcelain Ivory. The color continues to oxidize throughout the day, so the effect intensifies as you wear it. I find that many Laura Mercier products lean towards being very warm toned and in general I cannot use them.
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Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - retractable kabuki
Rowenah 3/3/2011 4:41:00 PM
I hate to give this a 2, but I'm going to. Here's why. I have had to throw away 4 of these brushes b/c the heads of every brush detached at the base. None of them lasted more than 3 months; one brush lasted as little as 3 weeks. All were purchased new at Target. The brush is indeed super soft, cheap and puts on powder foundation beautifully. The cap stayed on very well and never got powder inside my purse. After repeated use, the cover for the brush does sometimes fall down when you are using it, unless you hold it back. However, even at just $8.00 a piece, I ended up spending $32.00 and have nothing to show for it. For that amount of money I could have purchased something just a high in quality that would have lasted me longer. I never dried the brush sitting upright, never used hot water or got any water into the base when I was washing the bristles. I never pulled on the bristles or wrung them in a towel. I treated this Eco Tools brush just as carefully as I treat my more expensive brushes. To sum it up, the bristles are great, but there is a serious quality control problem with the adhesive they are using.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sigma - F82 Round Top Synthetic Kabuki
Rowenah 3/3/2011 9:51:00 AM
I want to begin by saying that this is a nice quality brush from Sigma. It is very well made, sturdy and the bristles are extremely soft, densely packed and well anchored. I have had mine for several months and washed it plenty of times without any shedding or loss of shape. However, I think this brush applies powder foundation very heavily. This is a problem I find I have with every synthetic buffer brush I have tried. I prefer using a natural bristle buffer to apply powder b/c it keeps the application lighter. This brush is ideal for people looking for total coverage, but I don't find I use it much anymore b/c I don't particularly like that look on myself. I prefer the Jane Iredale Handi-Brush for powder foundation application. That being said, this is a good product, but not right for me.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
Rowenah 3/1/2011 5:05:00 PM
At first I thought this was too expensive for the amount of product you get. I use so little product that this one tube has lasted me 6 months so far. So, it turned out to be much cheaper than I thought. I use it every day M-F when applying my eye makeup for work. I apply much less eye shadow and the color stays truer all day. It's not a miracle and if you over apply your shadow it will crease and look like clown makeup. But that will happen with anything you use too much of. My only complaint is that I wish the packaging was more hygienic (i.e. in a tube).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Cerave - Hydrating Cleanser
Rowenah 3/1/2011 4:56:00 PM
I have sensitive skin and rosacea and this was recommended by my dermatologist to use in conjunction with Finacea. This cleanser was very greasy. It took 2-3 washings to remove all my foundation. It also burned my skin. I now use a cleanser that came with my Clarisonic instead, which is much gentler and better at removing dirt/oil/makeup.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -NARS - Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross
Rowenah 3/1/2011 4:50:00 PM
I have combination skin that leans towards the oily side, so usually I have no problem with powder based beauty products. The powder was very drying and because I am snow white pale and I couldn't tell this color from my own complexion. I wasn't expecting glitter, but for this price point I expected a noticeable dewy glow. Probably better suited for someone with more of a "normal" toned fair complexion so this color would stand out better in contrast - and on oilier skin. As always NARS compacts are well put together and very sturdy, but I am disappointed in the amount of product NARS puts inside their packaging. I would be happier with cheaper (middle of the road MAC quality) packaging and more product.
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Powder -Lancome - Ageless Minerale Skin-Transforming Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 21
Rowenah 2/10/2011 12:12:00 PM
I really love the color, texture and long wearing ability of this foundation. It is truely the nicest looking loose mineral powder foundation I have ever used. The finish is just lovely and it doesn't accentuate fine lines. It is easy to do touch ups (as long as you blot any oily spots before reapplying) w/o looking cakey - though I rairly need them. I also found it totally covered any redness I had in the center of my face. The shade is perfect for my very pale skin (BE, and JI are both too dark). My only complaint is that anytime I wear it, I feel like I have a few blemishes that weren't there before when I take it off at night. It's not super horrible, but it still bothers me. I can't imagine what ingredient is giving me these breakouts b/c I have always been a huge fan of Lancome liquid foundations as they never cause me to get zits - EVER. I want this to work so badly for me b/c it looks beautiful and natural, but I think I will have to try to find something else as my go to summer foundation formula. I just feel like I have tried every brand name and indy mineral product out there and either they are all too dark, don't last more than an hour, or both.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No