Makeup Brushes -Sephora - Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush # 57
StephB 1/16/2013 7:52:00 PM
I use this with my Bobbi Brown corrector and creamy concealer under my eyes. I've always used my fingertips for my undereye area. But I think this brush works better! I've tried using other concealer brushes for this application and they never worked. This one works beautifully, creating a natural, airbrushed finished. I love the travel cover that came with it also.
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Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Creamy Concealer Kit (Reformulated & New packaging 2011)
StephB 1/16/2013 7:49:00 PM
NOTE: I only use the concealer portion, not the powder. I wish they sold it without the powder as I love the concealer but prefer a different setting powder. I also believe this concealer works best when used with the corrector as the corrector is nicely moisturizing. I have not tried to use the concealer alone since I feel (since using the two in conjunction together...and a corrector for the first time in my life) the two are made to be used together and that a corrector is a wonderful item when one has dark circles. I have dark (genetic) circles that I've been concealing as long as I can remember. Now that I'm in my mid 30's I also have the added challenges of finding a concealer that will cover completely and not dry out my under eye area or accentuate any flakes or any tiny fine lines that might be there. On the other hand, ones that accomplish this can be too moisturizing, thus creasing or wearing away during the day. It's hard to find a balance. I've tried numerous concealers over the years and the two that work the best for me have been Laura Mercier Secret Concealer or Lancôme Effacernes (both over my eye cream). I'm a huge Laura Mercier fan and have never been too thrilled with Bobbi Brown products in general. I decided to finally try the BB corrector/concealer combo a couple of weeks ago. I think what made me do it was realizing my Lancôme shade was a bit too light (based on a photo) and my LM was too drying for this time of year. So I bit the bullet, skeptical as to whether I would like it at all. I halfway expected to try it, dislike it, and end up returning it. I'm normally MAC NC25 / NC30, NARS Fiji, LM Sunny Beige. I wear Light Peach for the corrector and Beige in the concealer. I questioned the need for a corrector. But it does help neutralize so that the concealer can cover without showing any darkness through it. I pat some of the corrector onto my inner corner and under eye area. I concentrate on the part under the inner part of the eye but also dab it under the entire undereye area to the outside corner so everything is blended nicely. Then I either lightly pat it in to blend with my finger or Sephora's airbrush concealer brush. I never ever rub. Then I do some other things for a bit so it can settle. Note that it's very moisturizing and may crease a tiny bit directly under the eye during this time. If so, just barely tap to pat out the crease with your fingertip. The tiny crease will disappear...the corrector will not rub off. Next, I lightly pat on the concealer in the same areas then pat it out with my fingertip or the brush to blend...same process. Next I top with LM's brightening powder, using Real Technique's setting brush. I lightly pat the powder on with the brush. Then I'm finished. The result it lovely. This is it. I've found my perfect undereye concealer. It covers completely yet blends in beautifully. It moisturizes yet lasts all day without creasing. I swear I look younger. I've actually had compliments since I've started using it. I look refreshed. When topped with LM's secret brightening powder to set, the effect is perfect. I'm sorry I didn't try her concealer years ago. If anyone has super dark circles and won't go in public without concealer under your eyes, please give this a try.
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Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Corrector
StephB 1/16/2013 7:43:00 PM
I have dark (genetic) circles that I've been concealing as long as I can remember. Now that I'm in my mid 30's I also have the added challenges of finding a concealer that will cover completely and not dry out my under eye area or accentuate any flakes or any tiny fine lines that might be there. On the other hand, ones that accomplish this can be too moisturizing, thus creasing or wearing away during the day. It's hard to find a balance. I've tried numerous concealers over the years and the two that work the best for me have been Laura Mercier Secret Concealer or Lancôme Effacernes (both over my eye cream). I'm a huge Laura Mercier fan and have never been too thrilled with Bobbi Brown products in general. I decided to finally try the BB corrector/concealer combo a couple of weeks ago. I think what made me do it was realizing my Lancôme shade was a bit too light (based on a photo) and my LM was too drying for this time of year. So I bit the bullet, skeptical as to whether I would like it at all. I halfway expected to try it, dislike it, and end up returning it. I'm normally MAC NC25 / NC30, NARS Fiji, LM Sunny Beige. I wear Light Peach for the corrector and Beige in the concealer. I questioned the need for a corrector. But it does help neutralize so that the concealer can cover without showing any darkness through it. I pat some of the corrector onto my inner corner and under eye area. I concentrate on the part under the inner part of the eye but also dab it under the entire undereye area to the outside corner so everything is blended nicely. Then I either lightly pat it in to blend with my finger or Sephora's airbrush concealer brush. I never ever rub. Then I do some other things for a bit so it can settle. Note that it's very moisturizing and may crease a tiny bit directly under the eye during this time. If so, just barely tap to pat out the crease with your fingertip. The tiny crease will disappear...the corrector will not rub off. Next, I lightly pat on the concealer in the same areas then pat it out with my fingertip or the brush to blend...same process. Next I top with LM's brightening powder, using Real Technique's setting brush. I lightly pat the powder on with the brush. Then I'm finished. The result it lovely. This is it. I've found my perfect undereye concealer. It covers completely yet blends in beautifully. It moisturizes yet lasts all day without creasing. I swear I look younger. I've actually had compliments since I've started using it. I look refreshed. When topped with LM's secret brightening powder to set, the effect is perfect. I'm sorry I didn't try her concealer years ago. If anyone has super dark circles and won't go in public without concealer under your eyes, please give this a try.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - Setting Brush
StephB 1/16/2013 4:11:00 PM
Nice little brush! I use it to set my undereye concealer with my LM Brightening Powder. I occasionally set spot concealer with it. It's super soft and does the job I need it to do without smudging anything off or scratching. I'm glad I purchased. I was using some random Bare Escentuals small foundation spot brush prior to buying this. There is no comparison.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - Expert Face Brush
StephB 1/16/2013 4:02:00 PM
Where has this brush been all my life??? I never ever would have thought about using a brush like this to apply liquid foundation. I cannot get over how quickly I can now put on my foundation and how wonderful it looks. I wish I'd have discovered this brush years ago. I get oily in my t-zone yet can also get some flaky spots from my Finacea/Differin. This brush never accentuates the flakes the way using a sponge, a flat brush or even my fingers can do. It just creates this lovely beautiful canvas (with only a tiny bit of foundation) that covers yet doesn't look heavy. I'm so impressed. I don't understand how it does what it does. I'm just glad it does what it does. I purchased MAC 188 shortly before getting this. This is so much better. I've used it with my NARS Sheer Glow and LM Silk Creme. It works with both beautifully. Because the application with this brush is faster and looks so nice, I've gone from using liquid foundation only a day or two a week and powder foundation most of the time (because of convenience) to using liquid foundation on a daily basis.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - Powder Brush
StephB 1/16/2013 3:50:00 PM
I recently purchased four Real Techniques brushes and love them all. This brush is so incredibly soft and dense I can't help but be a little mad at myself for using my other powder brush all these years and thinking it was fine. The brush stands up by itself on my vanity and looks pretty. Plus it's large and grabs as much or as little powder as I want. I sometimes wish it took longer to apply my powder just to feel the brush...it's that nice!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - Blush Brush
StephB 1/16/2013 3:45:00 PM
Great brush. I've been using the same brushes for a while. I guess I thought a blush brush was a blush brush. I started catching some videos and reviews and thought that there may be more to the brushes than I thought. I was using an older smaller angled MAC brush that was doing a decent job. Yet, it wasn't anything exceptional. And often, I'd find myself having to get a section of my upper check one again because for some reason I get a gap there sometimes. This brush is so full and exceptionally soft. And the coverage is perfect every single time. I feel like I get perfect glowy cheeks now with no effort. This is an amazing value.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -NARS - Sheer Matte
StephB 11/17/2012 2:32:00 AM
I had been a huge fan of NARS Oil Free foundation and wore it for years. I have sensitive, acne prone skin with rosacea on my nose that can flare up if I use the wrong thing. My t-zone gets oily but I also get surface dryness from skincare products (finacea and differin) that I exfoliate away once or twice a week or when needed. Most of the time my skin looks pretty good. I thought this would work for me since I have an oily t-zone. I tried several times. Sadly, each time, no matter how much I exfoliated, it accentuated any dry flakes I had, even when none were visible to the naked eye. It's like it wouldn't quite blend in to the skin but was sticking to things on the surface. It was very apparent I had foundation on as a result. I had to return the foundation to Sephora today. I exchanged it for the Sheer Glow and am hoping it will work for me instead. I'll never understand why companies mess with a good thing. Their original formulas were fine. I'll report on the Sheer Glow after I try it. But this one certainly disappointed me. I thought it would be the closest to their old Oil Free. Sadly, it was nothing like it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Olay - Sensitive Skin Foaming Face Wash
StephB 3/29/2012 9:29:00 AM
I have combination skin that gets very oily in my t-zone. I also break out easily and have rosacea that flares up easily on my nose lately. I need to use products that are good for sensitive skin, that won't break me out or leave me an oil slick by mid morning. This cleanser is a very nice basic cleanser for my difficult skin. However, like several other "foaming" cleansers, it doesn't foam upon facial contact only. You must follow the directions on the package for it to work properly an foam and not leave a residue..."wet hands and face. Pump into hand. Splash product with water, work into a lather and massage on skin. Rinse off with warm water." The lather is created in your hands BEFORE applying the product to the face. When used this way, it rinses cleanly and easily. My skin, though oily, can get dry in the cool months. This cleanser has never made it feel dry or stripped, nor has is made it feel like there's still a residue left behind. It also rinses my makeup off cleanly. I do use a separate eye makeup remover though. It's a nice basic cleanser for someone who needs something for sensitive skin.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Waterproof Voluminous Carbon Black
StephB 1/15/2010 7:22:00 PM
I'll start by saying that L'Oreal's Voluminous Waterproof in Black and Black/Brown are staples for me. I've been using them for years. I always end up going back to them even after trying multitudes of high end waterproof mascaras. No other mascara seems to give my thin, blonde, stick-straight lashes length AND volume AND hold a curl the way this mascara does. I just love the stuff. Having said that, I was THRILLED when I saw the Carbon Black version at Target. I didn't bother to check MUA reviews. I just assumed it was the same as my other beloved Voluminous mascaras. Boy was I wrong! I've never had a mascara (especially a waterproof one) smudge onto my browbone by lunchtime just because I look up and down during the day! I don't wear mascara on my lower lashes so it doesn't smudge below. But to smudge on my browbone! That's just ridiculous! It's the middle of winter. It can't be blamed on humidity or heat. Even if it was hot or humid, this has never been a problem with other formulations. I tried it several times and finally just threw the whole tube out.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Lustre in High Tea
StephB 7/12/2006 11:05:00 AM
I'm on my second tube of High Tea. The texture is fantastic and the color superb. It makes my lips look fuller because of the shine. It's a perfect beige nude that doesn't wash me out. I don't see any pink when I look at it, but it must have some in it to keep it from looking grayish. This is my perfect, everyday nude lipstick. Love it!
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Lipstick -MAC - Hue
StephB 7/12/2006 10:59:00 AM
I've been looking for a nice, creamy, light peachy/pink/nude. I have High Tea and wear it a lot but it's more of a beige nude. Politely Pink is a little too pink. I wanted something in between the two. This is it! I'm just sorry I didn't find this sooner. The only way I could like it better was if it was the Lustre formula instead of the Glaze. But the color is perfect and doesn't wash me out. Oh - I've been using it with Enchantress Lipglass a lot. The combo is stunning!
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Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 - Oil Free
StephB 5/3/2006 4:51:00 PM
I love this stuff! I was hesitant b/c I dislike her original TM...and I like most everything from Laura Mercier! The original TM made me oily and broke me out. This gives me nice coverage yet doesn't look like I'm wearing foundation. It simply makes my skin look nice. I've worn it for five days now and have completely clear skin still. I also don't find this to be nearly as oily as the original TM. So my skin stays more matte than I thought it would. The color range is different though. I thought I'd wear Sand but may have to get the shade lighter. I'm hooked on yet another fantastic LM product!
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Styling Products -Phyto - Phytodefrisant
StephB 4/10/2006 9:36:00 AM
I used this a long time ago and don't remember liking it very much. Lately I've been having problems with my fine, yet abundant hair. It would get flat on top but poufy in the middle and get flyaways down the length of my hair. I repurchased Phytodefrisant a couple of weeks ago and have been using it daily. I use about a nickle-sized amount all over my hair and comb through. My hair looks really sleek and healthy yet not weighed down. I have no idea why I stopped using this product. It's perfect for my hair.
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Moisturizers -DHC - Olive Virgin Oil
StephB 4/10/2006 9:34:00 AM
I'm so sorry I've let this sit in my stash of products for so long. I pulled it out last week and started using it over my Extra Nighttime Moisture at night. My skin is so much softer~ I have combo skin that gets dry on the surface from using a retinol product. I also get an oily t-zone during the day. For that reason, I don't use it during the day. Using at night only has made my skin so soft and clear. I'm truly amazed. DHC is the best line of skincare I've found so far. Oh - I'm very breakout prone and all this has done is keep pimples and bumps at bay and improve my skin. I understand why people with acne prone skin would be nervous about using olive oil as a treatment product. It does appear oily for about 20-30 minutes but then sinks in. If this is what it takes to get clear, glowing skin, then I'll stick with it forever!
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