Eyeliner -Maybelline - Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
Sarz_1981 10/19/2011 9:57:00 PM
I would have given this a higher rating had it not been for how irritated this made my eyes. I think this is a comparable product to the MAC gel liner, quite a nice texture, easy to apply, and I didn't mind the brush that came with it either. Made a great dramatic winged eye. The only problem is, I wear contact lenses and this stuff seemed to kind of flake into my eyes and then get stuck on my contact lenses and it was quite hard to clean off my lenses - I had to rub hard! It also felt like I had clumps of dirt in my eyes which was quite irritating and hard to deal with when I work in front of a computer all day and had red streaming eyes! I only wish that this had of worked out for me because otherwise it was quite promising and so cheap! Would be a great product for someone less prone to irritation :o(
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Chanel - Vitalumiere Aqua
Sarz_1981 10/19/2011 9:50:00 PM
I have been using Chanel foundations since I was in my late teens early twenties. Occassionally I would switch to other brands just to see if there was anything better for me out there, but always coming back to Chanel because their products don't make my skin go crazy. My daily go to foundation is the Chanel Vitalumiere Eclat Powder Foundation. For reference, I've got combination/acne-prone, reactive skin. Unfortunately, this foundation was the first one that has ever broken me out and also made my skin super unbalanced. I tried this because of the amazing reviews it got on here and by other bloggers. Sadly, after using this for one day (with my usual Chanel pressed powder) I noticed my skin was considerably dry (almost parched) like the moisture had been sucked out of my skin. I thought maybe it could have just been me not moisturising my skin enough that day so I gave it a good three days to see how it went. Well, it didn't improve and my skin went from being clear to crazy. Spots everywhere and very dry in some areas, and in others super oily - not my usual combo skin which I've managed to finally get under some level of control. I suspect, as others have, the alcohol content in this product didn't agree with me - hence the drying. It's sad, because I really do love Chanel makeup, but I'll stick for now with the foundation powder (and hope they don't discontinue it!) and my MUFE Mat + on nights out.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Make Up For Ever - Aqua Cream 15
Sarz_1981 10/19/2011 9:40:00 PM
Wow! I love MUFE aqua cream shadows. I have this one plus no. 13 warm beige and no. 16 pink beige. I have found that you have to apply these really quickly as they set fast and don't budge. I have also discovered that they apply a lot easier with my fingers (if applying as a wash over the entire eyelid) rather than my usual shadow brushes - I think the warmth from my fingers actually makes these a bit more blendable and buildable. I found that applying with a brush makes them a bit caked on. Nevertheless, these are fantastic. I want all of them! MUFE continues to impress me with their products. So far I'm using their Mat + foundation, full cover concealer, eyeliners, and now the aqua creams.
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Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Mat Velvet PLUS Matifying Foundation
Sarz_1981 10/11/2011 1:55:00 AM
I don't usually wear liquid foundations, my preference is for compact or powder foundations. Currently my daily foundation is Chanel Vitalumiere Powder Foundation but I needed to find something with a bit better coverage for my wedding. After a bit of research on MUA I decided to try out the MUFE Mat Velvet Plus. I have combo skin so I wanted something with a soft mat finish. This foundation is actually not too hard to apply. I originally tried applying with my Sigma F80 brush but have found that it applies so much better with my damp beauty blender and I literally just bounce it across my face. It takes about 2 minutes to apply and only a small drop will cover my whole face. The coverage is beautiful. I know some people think it is mask like but this makes my skin look like porcelain. I love it. Definitely my HG for nights out and days when I want a bit more coverage. So far this has not broken me out or congested my skin, although I do take care to make sure I remove it properly with make up remover and thoroughly cleanse my skin afterwards.
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Treatments (Eye) -Yes To Carrots - Yes to Cucumbers - Soothing Eye Gel
Sarz_1981 10/11/2011 1:47:00 AM
I've been trying to find an eye cream/gel that will help reduce my dark circles and soothe my eye area - even just a little bit would make me happy. I was recommended this so I gave it a whirl. Well, I was slightly disappointed to say the least. This stuff dried my eye area and did nothing to soothe or lessen the dark circles. I'm not sure if I got a bad batch but this just didn't do anything for me sadly.
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Skincare - Face -La Roche Posay - Thermal Spring Water
Sarz_1981 10/11/2011 1:42:00 AM
Ok, so yes this "water in a can" and yes I can't believe I've been sucked into this phenomenon, but I have to say I'm now a believer! I've been using this for about two weeks now after my night cleansing routine. I spray it liberally over my face, chest and back. So far, my back has started clearing up, my chest area is clear and my face just seems to love it. Soaks it right up and is not drying or irritating. I had a mosquito bite me on the face the other night right after I got out of the shower (thanks very much Mr Mosquito!), so there I was with a nice big bite with a huge red patch nearly a quarter the size of my cheek. I sprayed my thermal spray on it and within 5 minutes all redness was gone and 10 minutes later you couldn't even see where I'd been bitten. I didn't even have to apply an ice pack or antihistamine on it. This stuff, whatever is in it, is truly amazing.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -La Roche Posay - Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser
Sarz_1981 10/11/2011 1:34:00 AM
Ok, so my fiance brought this back for me with a heap of other LRP stuff from France - I'd actually asked for the foaming cleanser but they didn't have it at the store so he got this instead. At first I was a bit reluctant to use it as it has had mixed reviews but I've been using it the last couple of weeks as my morning cleanser and so far so good. I've been trying to cut down on the amount of exfoliant products I use and have been using this in place of my usual Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant routine in the mornings. I have to say, this is the gentlest cleanser I have used. Gentler than Cetaphil I reckon. My skin is calm, balanced and not irritated and so far no breakouts which is always a plus with my acne-prone/reactive skin. I have only been using this for a couple of weeks, so I will update after I've used it for a bit longer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -La Roche Posay - Toleriane Ultra
Sarz_1981 10/11/2011 1:29:00 AM
I have found my "HG" moisturiser! I have been using this for a month now - mainly just at night as I use the Dermalogica Skin Recovery with SPF30 during the day. I am usually a bit nervous about using new moisturisers (or new products generally) as my skin is quite reactive and I can usually tell within a week if something is not making my skin happy. I have combo/acne-prone/reactive skin, with the usual monthly breakouts. Since I've started using Toleriane Ultra my skin has been calm, clear and the redness around my nose/chin has greatly reduced. Also, I've noticed that when I do get a slight blemish they haven't been as red or as angry as they usually get. I should note previously I was using Cetaphil Cream Moisturiser or alternatively Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream at night. I have tried this under make up during the day, I haven't decided whether I like it under make up or not yet. It certainly didn't make my make up look any worse. I thoroughly recommend this for anyone with sensitive, acne-prone or reactive skin.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Becca - Fine Loose Finishing Powder
Sarz_1981 8/8/2011 11:51:00 PM
I seem to have no luck with Becca products, I want to love them, but my skin just doesn't. I absolutely loved the perfect match of Sesame to my skin tone and at first instant loved the texture, luminescence and coverage this powder gave. However, four days later, my skin balance was starting to change radically. To clarify, I have combination skin, which can tend to be on the oily side during summer. So, four days later my skin had become so dry and flakey and it felt like all the moisture had been drawn out of my skin. To top it off, I got some really pretty cysts and pimples on my face. I generally only get acne around that time of the month now, and they are always in the same zones, these were not where I'd usually get my breakouts. The powder had been my only change in product in the last few months. In addition, I'd previously tried the Becca Foundation Stick a couple of years ago and had pretty much the same reaction, dry flaky skin, cysts etc. For some reason, I just cannot wear Becca. I really , really want to, because everyone just raves about it and it is so easy to get here in Australia, but I have to listen to my skin. So for now, back to my Chanel powders.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Aveda - Lip Saver
Sarz_1981 6/20/2011 3:23:00 AM
I LOVE this lip balm. It's pricey but worth it. It's moisturising, not too sticky, the flavour is not overpowering. I'm always sad when I run out of this.
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Cleansers -Dermalogica - Ultra Calming Cleanser
Sarz_1981 6/20/2011 3:18:00 AM
My beautician gave me this recently to try as she thought I was using too many exfoliants in my skincare routine. Given that I actually quite like a lot of the new products Dermalogica have been bringing out (generally the Age Smart range) I thought there would be no harm in trying this, and it's supposedly Ultracalming. Well, I can't say that it worked for me. Within a week of using this I had breakouts, more blackheads than usual and there was nothing calm about my skin. I know it was this as this was the only product I had added or changed in my routine at the time. I am a bit sad this didn't work, but my skin seems to be very anti to sensitive skin products. This may work for people with less reactive skin than me. It was actually a nice textured cleanser and wasn't too fragranced. I might give this another go in the future, but for now this is on my blacklist. Such a shame.
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Toners -Dermalogica - AGE Smart Antioxidant Hydramist
Sarz_1981 6/20/2011 3:13:00 AM
This is an amazing toner. Prior to using this product, I had never found a toner that didn't dry out or irritate my skin. This stuff is amazing. My skin feels plump, moist, soothed and gives my skin an amazing glow. I also feel that my make up goes on a lot smoother after using this. I have combination skin that is prone to break outs, particularly when I try new products or products that my skin just doesn't agree with. Since using this product I have not broken out and in fact believe this has improved the tone and texture of my skin. It also smells really nice too. One of my all time favourites!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -MD Forte - Facial Cleanser II
Sarz_1981 6/20/2011 3:08:00 AM
I hope MD Forte never discontinue nor change this product. This has been my HG cleanser for so many years, and I can't believe I am only now getting around to reviewing it. I developed acne in my early 20's and feel like I tried every specific acne treatment I could get my hands on. Even now I will spot a new product and give it a try, but ultimately end up coming back to the MD Forte II cleanser. This is a smooth soap free liquid, which you only need a tiny amount to massage into your face and neck. I apply this to a dry face (after removing my make up), massage it in for a few minutes and then rinse off. Originally I used this am and pm, but now only use this as my night time cleanser. My only regret is I didn't discover this from the beginning of my battle with acne. I have combination skin which is quite reactive when certain products aren't suited to it. I never had any adverse reaction to this product. I totally recommend this to anyone who is having problems with cystic acne, blemishes, or blackheads. If you aren't used to glycolic products this may sting a little at first but as your skin gets used to it you won't notice it. If you want you can build up to the MD Forte II cleanser by starting on the MD Forte I cleanser. Make sure you moisturise after use.
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Powder -Chanel - Vitalumiere Eclat de Chanel Compact Makeup
Sarz_1981 5/12/2011 11:25:00 PM
After they discontinued the Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Creme Compact I was a bit lost and had to find a new foundation, but wanted to stay with Chanel. Firstly, I started using the Teint Innocent Compact but, while it is good it wasn't 100% perfect, especially when my skin wasn't looking the best. While I was on holiday in Germany earlier this year I finally took the plunge and tried this. I was a bit nervous about trying a powder foundation as I'd had no luck with them in the past, and would always end up with a chalky mess on my face. I also have had a few disasters with mineral foundations. I originally tried this in BA30 - Beige Ambre - Sable - which I can't seem to get in Australia, but have since moved on to B30 - Beige - Sable which is a much better match for my skin tone anyway (I'm in between an NC25 and NC30 - fair skin with yellow undertones). I have to say this is the best foundation I have ever used. It feels like satin on my skin and has great staying power on my combination skin, although I do use the Poudre Universell compact to set it. The good thing about this powder foundation is you can have either sheer coverage or build it up to a more medium coverage if you prefer. It blends so well that it gives a very natural finish and no caking. I should also add I have acne-prone and sensitive skin, and have had a few disasters with reactions to foundations over the years (GA LSF is one example of that, as is BE Mineral Powder Foundation) and after 5 months of using this foundation I've had no breakouts or irritations from this. One of the only things I don't like about Chanel is they continue to discontinue my favourite foundations, I hope that this one stays in their product list for many more years to come.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
Sarz_1981 3/10/2009 10:53:00 PM
Day 1, hour 7.5 - so far this stuff is freaking amazing! I just had a look in the mirror - shadow is firmly in place, hasn't melted into my eyelids or caked up and my eyeliner hasn't smudged onto my eyelids either! Unlike other primers I've tried this has a creamy consistency but when you dab it onto your eyelids it doesn't feel oily or wet, it feels very matte. SI also really pumps up the virbancy on the colour of my eyeshadow. I can't believe how vibrant my eyeshadow still looks after 7.5 hours and not all caked into the crease! Will update again for end of day status! ETA - I've now had this on for 12 hours now and can I say I am so in love with this product. No caking at the crease, no oily lids, eyeshadow and liner still looks as fresh as it was this morning. woohoo!
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