Bronzers -Cover Girl - Queen Collection Natural Hue Bronzer in Brown Bronze
ShawP 4/11/2013 5:48:00 PM
What a pleasant surprise! Although I love my Cargo bronzer, this is a good, inexpensive backup. With a swirl on the product using a fairly heavy hand, and a sweep on the perimeter of my face, I have a warm flush type of glow that is so natural looking. It delivers warmth with an understated shimmer/sheen on my MAC NC45/Revlon Colorstay Caramel skintone. Very pretty.
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Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Long Wear Even Finish Foundation Spf 15
ShawP 1/2/2013 12:42:00 AM
I purchased the discontinued version (Oil-Free Even Finish Foundation SPF 15) in Warm Almond a long time ago because it is a perfect color match. It has been said that foundation is your match if it disappears into your skin, and this one does. However, I'd put it far back in my stash for later use when my skin cleared because imo it is not a full coverage foundation, and not sufficient to cover hyperpigmented blemishes, of which I've had my share. I knew one day it would be a great foundation when my skin cleared, and I was right. I started using the old version on the regular, and got a little anxious because I thought the new version may not be as good. And we all know how difficult finding a good foundation color match is. This version, imo, is very similar to the discontinued version, and may be better because it comes with a pump, plus it offers just a tad more coverage and is more creamy. Just like the old version, this yellow undertone, super-pigmented liquid evens your skin tone without covering it in a mask-like way. It looks like skin, and not like you are wearing foundation. However, concealer is needed to cover any blemishes. This foundation is good for me in another way because it motivates me to stick to a skincare regimen to keep my skin clear. Who wants to look like they have on a lot of foundation anway? Not me, anymore at least -lol. One lippie off because it is expensive, but worth it. UPDATE: I still like this, but not as much as the discontinued version. This one is a tad more pigmented and creamy making the coverage a tad heavier. I miss the nearly water version. But, I will continue to purchase because of the fantastic color match.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Cargo - blu_ray high definition pressed powder
ShawP 10/6/2012 3:49:00 PM
This powder has been a pleasant surprise for me. I purchased this powder at a deep discount at Sephora, and set it aside for a long time. For reference, I am MAC NC 45/Revlon Colorstay Caramel. Wanting a light option, I put this on over Smashbox BB cream. It leaves such a smooth, airbrushed finish that is mattified yet so natural-looking after it blends with your skin's oils. However, with super oily skin like mine, it has a tendency to turn red when it oxidizes. I am generally pleased because this would be good to use for a light application when running around. I will use until it's gone. However, I will not repurchase because of the redness.
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Brows -Revlon - Brow Fantasy in Brunette
ShawP 7/21/2012 4:08:00 PM
Although I've only used this once, I know it will replace my NYC Browser for sure. I purchased this on a whim because it was on sale, and I had a coupon. I am so glad I did. The color is perfect for my NC45/Revlon Caramel skin tone - not too dark or red. I sketch in the edges of the brow with the pencil, then fill in with the gel. It looks super natural, and soft yet defined. The best part is the gel because it's not greasy like the wax in the NYC Browser kit which I never use since I have oily, acneic skin. The gel doesn't dry hard either. It leaves a more powdery texture.This is my new staple.
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BB Cream -Smashbox - Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35
ShawP 7/8/2012 3:53:00 PM
I can't attest to the skin-perfecting benefits since I just started using it, but I'm really enjoying it. I have oily, acneic skin that really gives me the bizness in the summer with increased oiliness and breakouts. I have to step up my skincare for sure, yet the last thing I want to do in the sweltering summer heat is put on more makeup. So, my curiosity with BB creams began. It has been said that the Asian BB creams are superior for their skin-perfecting benefits, but I have yet to find one online that is recommended for darker skintones. They rarely, if ever, come in anything other than fair shades. So, for now, the US versions will have to suffice. I like Smashbox's version because for a whole entire face, I use a little less than pea size. It looks like a full-coverage job because my spots are almost completely concealed! I use the color dark (MAC NC45/Revlon Caramel) and it blends into my skin perfectly. Moreover, this BB cream is definitely for oilier skins because it absorbs oil unlike anything else I've tried that is supposedly geared for oily skin. My skin looks perfect after 5 hours without 1 blot, and that is not normally my life. My process: With my pea size amount, I dot my forehead, chin and both cheeks, and apply with my fingers in a smoothing fashion. At this point, I waste about 5 minutes admiring how evened out my complexion looks. Next, I may or may not apply undereye concealer. Lastly, I dust on BareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil. Or, when I want more coverage, I will apply a light layer of foundation over it, then the mineral veil. Wow, it still looks like skin! I hope to update with how it has improved my skin with hopefully nothing negative to say because I am pleased thus far. The price prevented me from buying sooner though because for $38, all you get is 1 oz. However, it seems like it's going to last a long time since I use so little.
17 out of 17 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Ruffian Gold
ShawP 7/7/2012 12:18:00 PM
This is like a creamy bullet of 14K gold fine, glitter-shimmer, and I am in love. It will not put you back in teen mode either because it is not a lipgloss. It is a creamy concoction of glitter that glows like a golden sheen. Usually, this color can be found in a lip gloss, but rarely in the form of a lipstick. So, after seeing/reading the reviews on Temptalia, I was sold. I was so excited for a dense, highly pigmented lipstick. It goes on sheer creating a very pretty, yet casual, run-to-the-store-but-I'm-still-cute look. Yet, with more layers, it gets richer, more golden and more sexy. It wears comfortably, and is not sticky like a gloss, but it imparts a beautiful sheen. The versatility of this color is endless. It can turn a basic creme color into a beautiful shimmer by layering it. Or, you can apply it just to the center of your lips to create a juicy pout. Or you can blend really well with lipliner for deeper dimension. I've never purchased a backup of a lipstick (because I have too much lipstick), but I every time I apply this one, I have to talk myself out of buying another one before it's gone since it is LE. Oh yeah, removal is tricky because of the high glitter content so I thought I'd add a word of caution.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter
ShawP 3/11/2012 11:32:00 PM
I recently purchased the Revlon Colorbust Lip Balm in Lollipop. Love it! I purchased this hot pink color as a cheap way to be 'on trend' with the upcoming neon styles for spring/summer. It is a vibrant pop of super pigmented color with medium shine that is also very moisturizing (I always apply lip balm as a base anyway). The more you apply, the richer the color gets. I can't wait to wear it more as it gets warmer. My summer face: dewy skin (made flawless with foundation of course), sweep of bronzer, mascara, defined eyebrows, and lollipop pink lips. Can't wait.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Eve Pearl - Salmon Concealer
ShawP 1/30/2012 7:59:00 AM
I purchased this concealer on sale through youtube guru makeupgeek's online makeup store. Prior to the sale, I never thought I would try this because it is expensive. I am so happy that I did because it is like an eraser for my dark circles and blemishes. I purchased deep and dark. It is very creamy, yet very pigmented. Its creaminess is misleading because you think it has no lasting power. But, it lasts for me with setting powder. So, using a concealer brush, I put a very small amount on the tip of the brush and smooth on my undereye circles. Next, I fingertip-blend and set with powder. If you don't set with powder, this will settle into lines. I also dab onto blemishes and finger-tip blend before putting on foundation. I've tried it before and after, but before seems to seamlessly blend better yet the coverage remains. I love the end result because my skin looks perfect as if airbrushed without the telltale signs of concealer showing through. However, will only repurchase if I find it on sale again because the more affordable MAC Studio Sculpt is a less expensive alternative/back-up.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Pro Activ - Extra Strength Formula 3-Step System
ShawP 10/6/2011 8:45:00 PM
I was using acne.org's system which is great, but for some reason, it hasn't been as effective as when I started. I was flipping through Proactiv's catalog which didn't work for me in the past, but I noticed that they have an extra strength formula that I wasn't aware of. The cleanser contains 7% benzoyl peroxide (BP), the toner contains 2% salicylic acid (SA), and the repairing lotion contains 7% BP. With the increased strength in the ingredients, I thought I would give it a try because the hot southern summer really wrecked shop on my skin which was previously under control until June, and I just haven't been able to rein it back in. In general, I like it better than the original (I have a review on that) because it cleared up my stubborn, persistent breakouts from the summer in less than 2 weeks. Even my mom told me that my skin was clearing up and smoothing out. But, it IS drying. I've experienced some mild flaking, but moisturizing helps. Surprising for my very oily skin because neither the original Proactive nor does acne.org dry me out at all. It is my AM morning skincare routine only because it's effective enough to keep my daytime oilies at bay while drying up and preventing pimples during my 12 hour shifts. By the time I'm get home, my skin just looks smoother. In the evenings, I use acne.org since it's not quite as drying. HTH Will update since I've only used for 2 weeks. UPDATE: I still like the system and put it in rotation when I'm having my PMS flare-ups. For me, the star of the show is the repairing lotion because it keeps my skin matte while it's healing the breakouts.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
ShawP 8/10/2011 5:00:00 PM
I am jumping on the Colorstay (for oily skin) bandwagon because it is the best liquid foundation I have used in terms of color match, coverage, and staying power. I have never been able to match my skin color as accurately with a foundation like this one. It is the closest I have discovered. As far as coverage, it can be applied for light coverage and built up to full, if necessary. Some have said it feels heavy, but to me, it is lighter than MAC SFF and feels so much lighter. I have also noticed that when I wash this off my hands, I have to use oil to get it off the residue, so it stays on very well, which means no transfer on clothes. Ladies, I resisted this for the longest since I've used MAC (NC45/NW40) forever. But, since I've found my match (caramel), there is no way I would be without it. It is definitely in my foundation rotation and is usually my first pick in my foundation arsenal.
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Lip Gloss -Revlon - Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze in Unlimited Nectar [DISCONTINUED]
ShawP 8/3/2011 11:20:00 PM
I found this gem in a 99cents only store and I feel so lucky to have found it. It is a light caramel creme with subtle shimmer - perfect for the nude look. Upon application, it feels like you are applying melted lipstick that feels very moisturizing. It's not a sticky, low pigment lipgloss. It delivers a well pigmented, high sheen. This lipgloss, IMO, is a sophisticated lipgloss for the grown-ups. I am so satisfied that I feel like I've made a high-end purchase (think MAC) for a $1US!
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Brows -Maybelline - Define-A-Brow
ShawP 7/6/2011 4:21:00 PM
I found this on sale for 50% off at Kroger Grocery. I've been happy with Rimmel's but couldn't resist a sale. I like this quite a lot because the pencil is micro-thin, but sturdy which makes it perfect for creating light strokes within the eyebrow. The comb on the other end is nice and stiff yielding the hair wherever you need it to go, unlike the ones with brushes on the other end. The color is nice as well. I am NW40/NC45 and I use medium brown for a natural look. It doesn't change color with my oily skin, either. However, I've only been using it about a week and I have never had so many pimples in my eyebrows! I have at least 2-3 pimples in each brow. I'm not sure if this is causing them or not, since it is 98+ degree weather at the time I'm trying this. I'll stop using it for a bit and see. UPDATE: I had to stop using this because I continue to break out in my brows when using this. I'm disappointed because I really liked it.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Eyeshadow Brush
ShawP 6/2/2011 9:00:00 AM
I bought this brush because it seems dense and compact--perfect for packing on color on the lid. However, once I took it out of the package, I noticed the center bristles of the brush are hard, stiff and stuck together. I attempted to soak in soapy water in hopes it would dissolve what may be hardened glue to no avail. Oh well, it was just a dollar, right? I'll do what's suggested here and look for the studio line c.
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Fragrances -MOR - Marshmallow
ShawP 5/16/2011 1:06:00 PM
I purchased this from a dear MUA frag board fan. It is the roll-on version filled with perfume oil sweet with roses and honeysuckle. The roll-on format is small and convenient which I hope all perfume manufacturerers make more of. It is a perfect fragrance for work because the drydown makes it mild. Plus, the roll-on formula prevents it from creating a fog and floating into everyone's personal space. Nice change. I carry in my purse since it's so portable with no signs of spilling. Only reason that I wouldn't buy again because I love fragrance in general and love trying different ones.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Acne.org - Cleanser
ShawP 4/15/2011 11:49:00 PM
Before using this cleanser, I used Cetaphil daily facial cleanser. THIS is what Cetaphil aspires to be. The Acne.org cleanser is clear, fragrance-free, creamy rich and pure as it gets with no actives. I use it 3 different ways: with the jojoba oil as a makeup remover, as a cleanser, and as a simple pick-me-up to refresh my face throughout the day when it gets oily. I never thought I would appreciate a basic cleanser like this because I thought a cleanser had to be full of actives and leave my face dry and irritated to get rid of acne. With this cleanser, my skin feels clean and supple. Only drawback is the shipping when I just need this.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No