Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Tinted Lip Balm
Ryleen 3/3/2011 5:01:00 PM
I have all of these except for Red Dahlia. In the morning, I pick one of these for the day and keep it in my pocket and it's usually the only lip product I wear. The color payoff isn't that of a lipstick, but I think it's pretty great for just being lip balm. I have lightly pigmented lips though, so maybe that is why it works for me. Of all of them, Pink Blossom and Rose are my favorites. Hibiscus is pretty but a little too corally for my complexion, I think. They are extremely hydrating and I love the pear flavor.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies
Ryleen 3/3/2011 1:57:00 PM
This is one of my favorite mascaras. The trick is mostly in the brush and learning how to use it, but once you get that, it's a snap. The spoon shape is supposed to be held with the curve going up into your lashes, so it coats them very evenly and holds a nice curl. The thing I like about this mascara is that it is very buildable, so long as you work quickly. It is wet, so once it dries the first coat, it probably isn't a good idea to apply another one or you'll risk major clumping. But you can apply one coat for a natural look or you could go for 4+ coats for dramatic. Very nice job, Maybelline.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express One by One
Ryleen 3/3/2011 1:35:00 PM
This is like a dry mascara version of Maybelline's Full N' Soft. So if you like Full N' Soft, but not the wet formula, maybe you should try this. I gave it a 2 on packaging because the brush is shaped like an oval and it's really difficult to apply evenly. Nice for a natural look, but I'd sooner wear something else. It's just meh to me.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Small Precision Brush
Ryleen 3/3/2011 1:29:00 PM
Good for straight-up liner. Picks up product very well. It isn't so great at tightlining or smudging - try the ELF Small Smudge brush for that. I've been using it for about a year and I haven't had any shedding or ferrule problems.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Line Small Smudge Brush
Ryleen 3/3/2011 1:26:00 PM
Awesome for smudgy eyeliner. No shedding, no handle/ferrule problems. I have been using it for about a year. Excellent for tightlining as well. I use it with powders but when I want REALLY smudgy I have also applied pencil and gone over it with this brush. I see by other reviews here that it is also good for winged - I haven't tried that, but I will now!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Blush Brush
Ryleen 3/3/2011 1:23:00 PM
This is my everyday blush brush! It does exactly what I need it to without any shedding problems. It picks up color very well and blends nicely. I like the handle, it is perfect for my hand. No complaints here.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Powder Brush
Ryleen 3/3/2011 1:22:00 PM
I don't use this brush for ALL my powder applications, and I don't use it daily. I use it mostly when I really want to get heavy coverage with my powder or liquid foundation. I have had it for about a year and it sheds a little, but not too badly. My ferrule is a little loose but I believe it will be fine with some help from my friend superglue. It is okay for stippling, but it makes it shed more so I stopped.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Line Eyeshadow 'C' Brush
Ryleen 3/3/2011 1:19:00 PM
This is the eyeshadow brush I use to apply color all over my lid. The whole idea of the 'C' is to put it into your crease, but truth be told, I really don't think it is good for that application. That is why I took a lippie off. I think the Contour brush is better for that. That said, this picks up product EXCELLENTLY and blends marvelously. I haven't had any shedding problems or ferrule problems with this brush. <3 it!
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Complexion Brush
Ryleen 3/3/2011 1:16:00 PM
This is one of the few brushes I use daily. It is called a "complexion" brush, but I use it for my loose powder. I actually prefer it to the raved-about ELF Powder Brush, depending on what look I'm going for. If I want to just even my tone and 'set' my foundation/tint then I use this to apply my loose powder. If I want something heavier, then I go for the Powder Brush. ELF brushes do occasionally have issues with the ferrules coming loose, but I have not experienced that with this brush. I have ZERO shedding problems. I've been using it everyday for about a year now, so I think that's pretty good!
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Toners -Mario Badescu - Special Cucumber Lotion
Ryleen 6/30/2010 10:42:00 PM
Disliked this stuff. It gave me small fleshy bumps along my jawline and into my cheeks. I like my Thayer's witch hazel and rosewater toner much better and it's lots cheaper.
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Cleansers -Mario Badescu - Botanical Facial Gel
Ryleen 6/30/2010 10:38:00 PM
I tried this cleanser for about a month. It was okay. Nothing to write home about. I think it's overpriced because why would you pay $12 for something that stays on your face for about 30 seconds tops? It just didn't leave me feeling THAT clean either. My only good thing to say about it was that it cleaned somewhat and didn't dry me.
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Treatments -Mario Badescu - Drying Cream
Ryleen 6/30/2010 10:37:00 PM
This is the best spot treatment for a whitehead I've ever used. It's not effective on blackheads, but that's not what it's for. It also works for those weird under-the-skin pimples too. The color is a bit off and a bit strong, but nothing that the concealer you were probably going to use anyway can't handle. Also, it's easy to think of this as more expensive than a drugstore treatment, but seriously...I use my pinky finger or a Q-Tip to get this stuff out of the jar and I often find that I STILL get too much out. I like to leave it on a bit thicker at night as sort of a pimple mask and then in the morning, it's usually gone or at least decreased in ugliness.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Mario Badescu - silver powder
Ryleen 6/30/2010 10:32:00 PM
This followed up by a Biore strip is the best way for me to get rid of those inescapable, unpreventable nasty nose blackheads. I use it on my chin and cheeks when needed too! Loooove it. I don't use it with the astringent afterward if I'm following with a Biore strip.
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Cleansers -Alpha Hydrox - Foaming Face Wash
Ryleen 6/29/2010 8:16:00 PM
Best cleanser I've ever used, but a note - you can't just wash your face with this stuff and go. It's a bit too drying for that. I use this in the morning with the AHA Gel and then the Sheer Silk moisturizer and at night I only use the AHA gel. Just put SOMETHING over it!
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Treatments -Alpha Hydrox - 10% AHA Gel
Ryleen 6/29/2010 8:15:00 PM
Love this. Keeps my skin soft and under control. Works better than any spot treatment I've used. I think I've found my HG....
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