Brows -Milani - Easybrow
SweetMoonbeams 12/4/2012 11:55:00 AM
I am so very impressed with this product. I was first introduced to Milani brow products when emilynoel83 on YT had her mom talk about her favorite brow product, and although this is not the product her mom raved about, I decided to look into other Milani brow products because I don't like brow tinting pens (which is what her mom loves). This product is amazing for me. It very hard for me to find a pencil that looks natural. I usually end up choosing powder products and even finding a color match for me is a challenge. I am a natural redhead with very blond brows and lashes. If I choose a shade that's too warm, my brows look too red which looks ridiculous, and if it's too cool, it also looks unnatural. I bought this in the taupe shade (can't remember the number, maybe 002 or 003, but I think it's the lightest they make). It glides on like a dream, and at first it will look like too much product is being applied, but the spoolie on the other end blends the product like a dream. There are no streaks after you blend the product and it stays put without having to use a separate gel/wax/powder. Another reason why I love this is because it is MECHANICAL!!! You can roll it up and down. The tip never gets too "big", if that makes sense. It is perfect for me. It lasts through an entire workday until I take it off at night. I'm a dental assistant and work around a lot of steam from the autoclave, and this doesn't budge. I'm so happy I did some research and found this. This is my HG brow product now and will purchase back ups because it is very reasonably priced. Love it!! ***EDIT***...the shade I use is 03 Natural Taupe
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Clump Crusher mascara
SweetMoonbeams 11/26/2012 1:07:00 PM
I've always been a fan of CG mascaras. I love Lash Blast Volume. It never flakes, smudges, or smears, which is something I can't say about most high end brands I've tried like Dior, MUFE, and Lancome. The only complaint I have about LB Volume is the brush is just a bit too big. I have smallish eyes and sometimes I get some mascara on my skin. Even with the gigantic brush, though, it was still my HG until now. I bought this 3 days ago and am IN LOVE. The formula is very similar, if not identical to LB Volume. What I love most of all is the brush. It is much smaller and has a bit of a curve to it. It gets every single lash without getting mascara on my skin. It lengthens, volumizes, and holds a curl all day. It removes very easily with cleanser and water even though it doesn't budge throughout the day. It doesn't clump, but I never had a problem with clumping when using LB Volume. I am just so pleased with this. I really, really hope this doesn't get d/c because it is hands down the best mascara I have ever used.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Sonia Kashuk - Blending Sponge
SweetMoonbeams 11/13/2012 7:53:00 AM
I have not tried the Beauty Blender, so I can't compare the two products, but I do love the SK blending sponge. I got it a couple weeks ago at Target for around $10 USD. I had a couple of foundations that I just couldn't get to look right, no matter how I applied them. They looked patchy, streaky, or just all out unnatural (CS Whipped Creme, I'm looking at you). After using this sponge for a couple of weeks, I'm convinced that it will make any foundation look good. After moisturizing, I get the sponge thoroughly wet and wring it out. I don't wring all the water out...I just find that it works best that way for me. I apply small dots of foundation to my face with clean fingers and "bounce" the foundation with the sponge into my skin. I use the pointed end around my eyes and nose, and the flat end to blend the foundation around my jawline and across my cheeks. I can't even tell that I'm wearing makeup. I get the coverage that I want from the foundation without having the look of makeup. This also blends concealer effortlessly. It's just a great tool in my arsenal.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - Shading Brush
SweetMoonbeams 9/27/2012 4:40:00 PM
This has easily become my favorite eye brush. I have smallish eyes and don't have a lot of lid space. Bigger brushes can make my shadows look muddy and blend everything together TOO well. This is a small, dense brush that is perfect for defining the outer V and crease. It places the shadows perfectly and blends them together for a soft effect. I also have the Expert Face brush and love that one equally. You can't beat the price and quality. LOVE!!
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Lipstick -Tarte - LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain in Envy
SweetMoonbeams 9/24/2012 5:59:00 PM
Let me preface this by saying that when I give reviews, I do not base the overall score on how the color looked on me. I can't wear certain shades. Simple as that. That doesn't mean that same shade wouldn't look smashing on someone else...Anyways,I digress...on to Tarte LipSurgence in Envy. In the tube, the shade looked like a deep brown-based plum. It even looked that way swatched on my arm. I ended up buying it and when I put it on, it just felt really...strange. It has a waxy texture, and almost feels silicon-y, which I don't know if that is an ingredient or not. This particular shade made any dry patches on my lips visible and didn't feel moisturizing at all on my lips. I actually feel it made them more dry. the tint also didn't wear off evenly on my lips. I had a darker ring around my lip line after a couple hours. The color was lovely, but I can't justify keeping something that was not even mediocre in quality and costs $24. Returned.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Rose Velvet
SweetMoonbeams 9/12/2012 7:54:00 AM
The Revlon Super Lustrous line is my absolute favorite lipstick line. It's a classic, iconic line that has been around for decades, and for good reason. I've tried high end (Dior, Chanel), mid range (MAC, Lancome), all the way down to Wet n' Wild Megashield (which are really good as well) and the SL line blows them out of the water. I especially like the creme shades. The texture is extremely creamy and is very pigmented. The staying power for me is great. The lipstick isn't dry, but it definitely has much less slip than a Lip Butter. This color is very similar, if not a dead on dupe, to Revlon Colorburst l/s in Rosy Nude. The texture is different, as Rosy Nude is a bit glossier and more sheer. It is also similar to Pink Truffle Lip Butter. Rose Velvet is one of those colors that just "does it" for me. It's a little darker than most of my other lippies so I tend to wear this more during the cooler months but you can wear it any time of the year. It is my perfect neutral lip. It can be blotted to a matte finish without losing much of the color. This is my favorite way to wear this lip at the moment. The color, on me (NC15/20 red hair, blue eyes) is a rich rose with hints of brown, but not enough to make the color muddy. The brown undertones make this lipstick perfect for me because a lot of pinks can look garish on me. I apply one thick-ish layer, blot, apply second layer, blot. The matte shade you get by applying this way looks similar to the matte lip that Kat Dennings wears on Two Broke Girls (which is Tarte LipSurgence matte lip tint in Envy). Rose Velvet isn't quite as dark as the Tarte one, but for me that makes it more wearable. Even if you don't get this shade, I recommend at least trying the Super Lustrous line if you haven't already. The quality rivals high end, plus they have a great selection of shades and finishes. 5 lippies!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Rosewater & Glycerin - Heritage Brand
SweetMoonbeams 9/4/2012 9:57:00 PM
I've been buying this for years. It's wonderful. I use this a few different ways. First of all, when I'm applying a full face of foundation, I spray my face with this before applying. It helps foundation to look very natural, like skin, and makes it blend like a dream. After I have applied my foundation and set with powder, I lightly spray my face to get rid of the powdery look. I also use this as a mixing medium. Sometimes I use eye shadow as eyeliner and I use this to wet the brush. This is an amazing product. It is completely natural with no chemicals or preservatives. MAC Fix + can't even compare to this...for me anyways. LOVE.
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Skincare - Body -Johnson & Johnson - Baby Oil
SweetMoonbeams 7/10/2012 10:05:00 AM
There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said about baby oil. I don't use this on my face, but that's because I oil cleanse with EVOO with great results, so I'm not going to rock the boat. I use baby oil while I'm still in the shower before drying off. It's incredibly fast and easy to apply to wet skin. It takes me 30 seconds (literally) to apply. After I have applied this all over, I towel off. There is a slightly oily residue left on my skin, but that is quickly absorbed. After 15 minutes or so, my skin is not at all oily, just really soft and wonderfully, but subtly, scented. The scent isn't overpowering and doesn't interfere with any other fragrance that I sometimes wear. I don't have a need to use any other moisturizer on my body, except for maybe elbows and knees in the drier months. This is a very affordable, convenient, and gentle moisturizer. It's a staple in my skincare routine and out performs every expensive cream/lotion that I've ever tried. I wouldn't be without this. Ever.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Bad to the Bronze / on and on bronze
SweetMoonbeams 7/5/2012 8:57:00 AM
When I first got this, I hated it. I applied it over TFSI and used my finger. It looked patchy and dry. I stuck it in a drawer with my other unused makeup, but then decided to try it over another cream eye shadow. I used L'Oreal Infallible e/s in Endless Pearl as a base and then applied BTTB with a stiff dome brush. I used it all over the lid and took a little into the crease. I then used a MAC 217 to blend the area above the crease. It looks flawless and it lasted a whole 14 hours with NO CREASING. It's been in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees here, so that's saying a lot. And this is without using TFSI! I've found a really good go-to e/s look that takes less than 5 minutes to apply, and that includes liner and mascara. Maybelline, keep up the good work! I'm loving your new products!!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Maybelline - Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream
SweetMoonbeams 7/5/2012 8:50:00 AM
Maybelline, I'm really loving your newest products! I picked this up in the Light shade. It looked really orange when I first dispensed it, but it blended in with my skin like a dream. It really does blur imperfections. I love that it contains a physical sunscreen and that it has sheer coverage. I have good skin anyways, I just have a little redness that I like to cover up and this does the job. It lasted all day without getting oily looking or oxidizing. It also photographs really well, with or without flash. I hope that doesn't cause any kind of weird reaction with my sensitive skin because it really does work well. It may just take the place of my beloved Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Maybelline - Dream Lumi Touch
SweetMoonbeams 7/5/2012 8:45:00 AM
**EDIT** The packaging sucks. The writing that 's on the tube is done in gold glitter-type ink and it flakes off very easily and quickly after using. I ended up with showgirl-esque glitter on my face that wasn't very easy to remove. I kept the overall rating the same because I still love how the product itself performs. Just wanted to warn others before they had to find out the hard way. This is the best concealer I've used for the redness under my eyes. I don't have dark circles, but I'm really fair and have a lot of pink in my skin, especially under my eyes. I only wear tinted moisturizer which covers most of the redness on other areas of my face, but didn't totally cover the under eye area. This works brilliantly! It doesn't look obvious, doesn't get cakey or dry looking, and lasts all day. It brightens without being sparkly. It doesn't make my eye makeup smudge and doesn't irritate my eyes at all. I find the brush applicator to be useless but that's not a big deal. I just dot this where I need it and blend with my ring finger. This is a really good find for me since everything else I've tried for the under eye area always looked caked on and really dry. Definitely a repurchase!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Victoria's Secret - Very Sexy for Her
SweetMoonbeams 7/2/2012 12:12:00 PM
I had forgotten how much I loved this until a coworker and I were talking about perfumes and she mentioned this one. I wore it about 7 or 8 years ago and remember loving it. I rediscovered it after she mentioned it and I still love it! It's a bit heavy for daytime wear during the summer, but it's a very wearable nighttime scent, or for wear during cooler months. I'm really glad I rediscovered this!
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Lips -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum
SweetMoonbeams 7/2/2012 11:42:00 AM
This is probably my favorite lip butter. I also like Pink Truffle and Red Velvet, but find myself wearing this a lot more than the others. I'm really pale with freckles, blue eyes, and red hair. My lips are naturally very pigmented. This color mimics my natural lip color, but gives them a little bit of oomph. It is sheer, and it's not long wearing, but once the shine is gone, I'm left with a very nice stain. I don't feel like I need to reapply very often because of the staining effect. You can layer this quite easily as well to get more of a full-on-in-your-face plum color. Just apply, blot, apply again, blot, and apply once more. It's a beautiful color, very versatile, and comfortable to wear.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - Infallible in Endless Pearl
SweetMoonbeams 7/2/2012 8:57:00 AM
I got this a week or so ago. I got home and swatched it on the back of my hand and wasn't impressed at all. I wanted something a bit lighter in color than Painterly Paint Pot by MAC and this was the closest thing I found in the drugstore. Painterly worked great as a base and primer for me, but it just looked a little muddy. On the back of my hand, this L'Oreal e/s looked dry and chalky, but on my eyelid, it was invisible. It looked like my eyes, just brighter. The slight shimmer in the pot is undetectable when applied, which is another plus. I use a large, dense eye shading brush by Sonia Kashuk to apply. I used this with no primer, then used my usual e/s products. It barely creased after 12 hours and the colors were still very vibrant. I can't ask for anything more than that. For me, it works as well as UDPP and TFSI. I'm excited to try more shades from this line.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Night Cream
SweetMoonbeams 6/30/2012 9:14:00 AM
I've waited about a 6 weeks before writing a review for this. I don't write many reviews about skin care, especially anti-aging ones, because I don't find that they do anything positively or negatively. My results are usually just "meh". I am 34, fair skinned, blue eyed, and a redhead. I am pretty diligent about sun protection and always have been, so my skin is in pretty good shape anyways. Before starting this product, I had a few lines around my eyes and around my mouth. They weren't deep, but noticeable. After a month of using this every night as my moisturizer, I noticed a significant difference in those lines, especially around my eyes. The skin looked hydrated, plump, and youthful. The texture of my skin has also improved. I should also add that at the same time I started using this, I also started using the Oil Cleansing Method exclusively to cleanse my face, remove makeup, etc..., so I don't know if this product, the OCM, or the combination of both helped my skin so much, but this didn't break me out, dry out my skin, and didn't irritate my somewhat sensitive skin. I'll certainly keep using this when I'm finished. It's affordable, and little goes a long way. 5 lippies for sure!!!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No