Foundations -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind- radiant firming makeup
Smallonion 11/23/2012 6:23:00 PM
I've tried a million foundations - high end and drugstore- and returned a lot of them, too. I really like this - and I'm super surprised that I do. Makes my skin look fantastic! Really healthy looking. I use setting sprays because I have a hard job, so I can't speak to the staying power, but it looks wonderful, and makes me look healthier and more well-rested.
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Liquid -BeneFit Cosmetics - "Hello Flawless!" Oxygen Wow
Smallonion 9/1/2012 3:45:00 PM
The lightest shade was too light for me, and the next one up was too dark! Too big of a jump between shades means that there is no shade that matches my skin color. I got samples of both colors, though, and tried them both. Although I like the coverage and effect of this foundation as soon as it is put on- it has no staying power. In 2 hours it looked like I had no foundation on - it had all run off
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Physicians Formula - Youthful Wear Cosmeceutical Youth-Boosting Illuminating Face Powder
Smallonion 5/12/2012 7:04:00 PM
I was looking for a replacement for my Estee Lauder Aeromatte, and bought this on a whim, even though it's nothing like the EL powder. As soon as I ran my finger across it, I thought, "I'm going to hate this". That's because my finger looked all shimmery. However, I actually like it. When you use the powder with a large brush (not the silly, useless brush it comes with), it's actually nice powder that doesn't leave you looking like a disco ball. I don't see the shimmer when I apply it with a large brush. It definitely helps foundation and concealer last longer. The scent is kind of horrible - it smells like the worst old lady perfume, mixed with urine or BO - seriously. However, it's mild and you can only tell if you really really sniff it. I've been using it every day and am happy with it
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Bare Escentuals - Eye Brow powder 
Smallonion 1/30/2012 7:33:00 PM
LOVE this. I have been brow obsessed for years, and this is hands down the best brow product I've ever used. It doesn't look like makeup - it just looks like I have great brows. The color is perfect. Not orangy at all. I've tried every brow product, I'm sure. This is the best. Another reviewer said she didn't want to remove it at night because it looked so great - I laughed because I always feel that way. So, I don't take it off at night. I take off all my makeup except the brows. After all, you are supposed to be able to sleep in mineral makeup. So, if I have to go to the hospital in the middle of the night, at least I'll have good brows ;-)
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - Infallible in Endless Pearl
Smallonion 1/28/2012 10:43:00 AM
I do not like this at all. It is SO chalky and clumpy! It reminds me of the chalk squares you smoosh your pool stick in at the pool hall! There's not much pearl to it, and that's ok with me, but I wanted a very very light colored eyeshadow. It's difficult to put on, does not glide on smoothly, and when you brush it onto your eyeshadow brush it crumbles. Does not apply evenly, either. I've had other eyeshadows in very light colors that do not do this. To pick one at random, I have an estee lauder one sitting next to me. It's smooth textured and glides on. Thumbs down! It doesn't even stay on that well when you DO manage to apply it. I can't speak for the other colors in the range. But this one is not good.
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Hair -Philip Kingsley - Elasticizer
Smallonion 1/13/2012 10:02:00 AM
Love this stuff. Best conditioner I've ever used. However, I use it every time I shampoo because my hair is very damaged and coarse. I've been using it for a couple of months and I see much less damaged, and my hair appears to be growing because there is less breakage. Also, i get nice curl formation instead of frizz, and it adds shine. Holy Grail!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -BeneFit Cosmetics - They're Real
Smallonion 1/13/2012 10:00:00 AM
I was burnt out on mascaras - they all seem the same, even though every week a new drugstore one comes out promising XXXXL COLLASSAL LASHES!! I gave up trying them - they were all the same - nothing spectacular. Also, I was burnt out on Benefit. They always promise too much and in my opinion, most of their products don't live up to their promises. HOWEVER...I tried this mascara based on reviews that expressed how hard it was to remove. (That is a good thing to me - means it has staying power. I work a physical job, but still like to look presentable!). I love it. The formula is not clumpy and covers beautifully, and is very nice and easy to apply, first try. It lengthens lashes and stays on *all* day. Those of you who have trouble removing it - don't struggle with it, you'll lose lashes! Get an *oil based* makeup remover that says "removes even waterproof makeup*. That will make it slide off easily. I am really impressed with this mascara, and really surprised that I like it so much.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Rimmel - Clean Finish
Smallonion 12/2/2011 12:23:00 PM
I loved this when I put it on. I bought it in 'Warm Ivory". It looked fantastic, the color was perfect and really did minimize pores. Then, in an hour, I was orange! Like an oompa loompa! I tried some on my hand. It looked beautiful. In an hour - bright orange! WTH?! So, suffice to say I can't use it. Unless I have a reason to want to be orange for a day.
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Treatments -It's a 10 - Miracle Leave in Product
Smallonion 6/14/2011 8:58:00 PM
I am kind of shocked at how good this is, since I am a hair serum skeptic. I was totally skeptical about this product, and would NEVER have bought it if someone hadn't recommended it to me. The reason I was skeptical is because no matter what the brand, high end or drugstore, all serums and the like are one thing at their core: silicone - either Dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane. They all make my hair feel the same as the original silicone serum, Frizz Ease did, and that includes Fekkai Glossing cream. HOWEVER - this stuff is fantastic. I am astonished! The main problem with my hair is dryness and damage. Usually, by the end of the day, the next day after washing, my hair is coarse and dry feeling. Not with this product. It kept my hair soft and shiny for such a long time. I am really surprised by the performance of this product, and wished I'd tried it sooner. It's so much better than all the other serums/leave ins out there!
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Liquid -Bourjois - Healthy Mix Foundation
Smallonion 11/17/2010 9:26:00 PM
I love this foundation. I am very picky about foundations and have tried so many. This is comparable to a high-end department store foundation, but can be found in drugstores in the UK. (In the US, Ulta carries Bourjois, but I don't know about this specific foundation). The color is perfect - all of their colors are more yellow, like department store foundations, unlike most drugstore foundations, that tend to be too pink. Color 52 is perfect for me. The texture and coverage reminds me of several Lancome foundations. The best part - I thought such a lovely foundation wouldn't last - normally, to have it last all day, you need a thick, heavy foundation like Revlon Colorstay. Not so - this lasted me all day at work, and I work in a wildlife hospital, running around, working hard! I don't post a lot but signed on just to sing the praises of this foundation.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Sally Hansen - Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy - All Over Brightener
Smallonion 8/23/2010 7:03:00 PM
I read about this product on a blog, can't remember where, but the author said it was great for dark circles under the eyes. As this is my main problem, I was keen to try this product. I was a little put off by the fact that it was *purple*, as most under eye concealers are yellow or yellow based, but this is a brightener, not strictly a concealer. I bought it thinking I would end up taking it back. But instead - I loved it. It really does brighten up the under eye area. I like it almost as much as touche eclat. I was so surprised at how well this worked, being a purple cream! The only problem is that you can't use a lot of it, or it looks like you have light purple eye shadow smeared under your eyes. But if you use the right amount, it works really really well, in a very different way from other concealing and/or brightening products I've tried. If you battle with dark circles, this might be your HG product.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Moroccanoil - Moroccan Oil
Smallonion 4/12/2010 8:21:00 PM
Someone bought this for me and I really wanted to like it. When I got it, I looked at the ingredients. All they are is the same old silicone stuff that is in Frizz-Ease and every other serum out there. The first 3 ingredients are: cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, and cyclomethicone. Check all the serums you have - they all have these ingredients for the first 3. What is different about Morroccanoil? Nothing. Ok...Argan oil is the 4th ingredient. Big deal. It feels the same in my hair as every other serum
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Sally Hansen - Insta-Dri Nailpolish Colors
Smallonion 9/25/2009 6:30:00 PM
I read good reviews of this in Allure - it actually won one of their awards. I bought it in 'Quick Sand' - and I hate it. The color is ok, but the consistency is horrible! It's gloopy, streaky, thick - and gritty! It is being returned to the store. 5 bucks is 5 bucks, and I know I won't use this again. Edited to add: I forgot I had tried this,a nd bought it again in the bright yellow color. That was horrible too! Thick, streaky, impossible to put on smoothly. Blech.
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Treatments (Eye) -Garnier - Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller
Smallonion 9/25/2009 6:27:00 PM
Utterly useless. Did nothing for me despite a few weeks of consistent use.
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Liquid -Lancome - Renergie Lift Makeup SPF 20
Smallonion 9/11/2009 8:48:00 PM
I got a sample of this from the beauty counter. I tried it and thought it looked pretty good. I wore it to a party where I was going to see long time friends I hadn't seen in over a year. I got SO many compliments - on my skin, how young I looked, etc. My one friend even asked me point blank if I had work done! THis really does improve the complexion, and fill in pores and fine lines (I'm 38). That was last weekend. as soon as I can get to the dept store that carries it, I'm buying it! The only way it could be improved is if it lasted longer, but with those results, I'm not complaining.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No