Eye Shadow -Giorgio Armani - Eyes to Kill Intense #6 Khaki Pulse
Trinity675 4/13/2013 1:23:00 PM
This product was a splurge for me. I really wanted to try just one of them since I'd heard so much hype about the formula and the wonderful, multifaceted amazeballs colors. I chose khaki pulse because I love these olivey-bronze-green colors. This is the type of shade I gravitate to because it is slightly more interesting than a plain ole neutral, but not crazy enough to get you thrown out of the office. It looks great as a smoky eye on my brown eyes. This is my favorite type of product because you only need ONE shade to make an amazing look! I am not the type to blend 8 different colors and carefully place each one for an elaborate look. I like to pick one amazing color and let it do the talking, so this is perfect. I like to use fingers to apply and then a 217 to blend out any edges, but I'm sure you could use a brush for application. The color is beautiful and metallic but not glittery, which I love. I can create a gorgeous look in a minute or two with one product, and THAT makes it worth the money to me! This IS expensive though. While I love the one I bought, I would not personally rush out to collect them all unless I saw another color that I had to have, something I would wear regularly. I chose a neutral shade because, if I spend this much money, I want to be able to wear it all the time, not twice a year. Overall, I love mine and am happy with my purchase. If you find a great color you will use regularly and have a bit of money to splurge, these are beautiful!! If you love unique shades and textures with multi-dimensionality and want something less expensive, Fyrinnae is a great choice at a fraction of the cost.
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BB Cream -Smashbox - Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35
Trinity675 4/13/2013 12:59:00 PM
This BB cream works really well for me! Like many others, I bought after seeing TiffanyDs review on the product. She also has combo/oily skin, and I've fared well from her recommendations in the past. Most TM and BBs (well, American "BBs," but that's another topic) don't hold up well on me and are gone about halfway through my day. I hate wearing a lot on my skin and I have pretty good skin, so I always end up looking for nice, light coverage that actually lasts and doesn't break me out. A tall order apparently. Things I love about this product: -spf 35!! Hooray!! - nice, smooth coverage, easy to slap on and blend in minutes -holds up on my skin throughout the day (a miracle) -doesn't break me out I ran the ingredients through cosdna and only one came back as questionable, so I gave it a go. I've been using this for about 6 weeks now and no breakouts! I run EVERYTHING through cosdna now, and if it doesn't pass that test, I don't even bother. Anyway, if you're combo/oily and looking for a light coverage product that holds up well, has a great spf, and isn't loaded with acneic ingredients, this is worth a go if you can find a shade match!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Urban Decay - Naked Basics
Trinity675 4/13/2013 12:46:00 PM
This is one of those palettes that I looked at several times in store before I finally gave in and purchased. It just seems so BORING when you see it next to all the other shiny, sparkly gorgeousness in Sephora or Ulta, even thought you know it will be a workhorse. That it is: a workhorse. I use this palette pretty much every day and I'm developing sizable dips in several of the shades. This is perfect for a neutral everyday look or a dramatic dark smoky eye. Naked and Faint are also great brow colors!! My favorite look with this palette: Walk of Shame or Foxy as a base (or mix and apply as a base), a dark brown eyeliner (like UD Demolition) on upper lash line and outer half of lower lash line, smudge with Naked and/or Faint. Blend like crazy. Venus on the inner corner. That's it!! So easy and a nice natural-ish look. As it's already been discussed in every other review, the size and packaging are fantastic for travel. I rarely bring any other palettes besides this one. I find this is really all I need because when I'm on vacation, I find myself caring less about getting ready and more about getting out and having fun. Overall: I love this little guy!! I would not want to be without it! The quality is wonderful and while it's not a showstopper in store, it quickly becomes that underrated workhorse you count on every day.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Urban Decay - Urbanglow Cream Highlight
Trinity675 2/13/2011 12:01:00 AM
I love highlighters and I love Urban Decay, so I couldn't resist this! I bought this in the shade Sin, which is a warm champagne, similar to the eyeshadow of the same name, but less pink. For me, with fair neutral skin and red hair, this looked to be the most versatile of the shades, though I could see all of the shades working for me. (Maybe I'm just telling myself this so I can buy them all!!) -Gorgeous colors -Beautiful texture, which is easy to blend -Long lasting, even on my oily skin. SERIOUSLY. -Adorable, durable packaging that includes a mirror -Some larger glitter particles (I think it's gorgeous and not too OTT, but some will hate it), but over all, just a gorgeous creamy frost The factor that tipped the scale and convinced me to buy this was the texture of this product. I do have oily skin, so sometimes a cream highlighter does not work as well on my skin. I wanted to try something that was more long lasting and this definitely fit the bill for me. It survived beautifully through an 8 hour workday in a restaurant and still looked gorgeous without disappearing. Something to note: if you are looking for a subtle, soft highlight, then this is not it. This is currently my favorite h/l, but it does have some larger particles of glitter that may be off-putting to some. All in all, I love mine, and have been using it every day for the last two weeks. I will most likely buy one of the other shades as well. HTH!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Kiss Me - Kiss Me Mascara
Trinity675 4/14/2010 1:15:00 PM
I'm a fan of tubing mascaras in general. I live somewhere where it gets over 100 regularly in the summer, and I HATE waterproof mascaras: they are so hard to remove and I always seem to have leftovers the next morning. My other favorite is the L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes. The L'Oreal is about half the price as Blinc, but has an extra step involved in the application, and I don't find the formula to be as nice. It took me a week or so to get the application down for this product. When I first tried it, I wasn't all that impressed with it. Once it had been opened for a week, though, it firmed up a bit, and I was able to get quite a bit more volume from the formula. IME, it is best NOT to add more coats after the mascara has dried: it never seems to work out any other way than clumptastic. Pros: - rarely clumps: you can build the volume up while the application is still wet -really smooth forumula - VERY black color -does not smudge, even on lower lashes -only has one step, rather than the dual-ended L'Oreal one -brush is a nice hourglass shape for getting corner lashes -slightly longer shelf-life then L'Oreal once opened: I've been using my current tube for about 2 months now and it's still going strong. -really easy to remove: my lashes feel healthier since I'm not scrubbing to take off waterproof mascara. No raccoon eyes the next day either! Cons: -not cheap (I paid $22 for it) -decent volume and length, but those of you who love Diorshow: this is NOT your new favorite mascara. This is for people looking for lasting power, easy removal, and some nice definition----NOT a false-lash-effect. -occasional flaking: nothing too major, but it does happen. Overall, I really like this product and will buy again! Just remember, if you don't care for it at first, give the tube a few days and try again: it's a little watery when you first open it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -MAC - Viva Glam V Lipglass
Trinity675 4/1/2010 11:43:00 PM
This gloss sat in my stash for months before I appreciated it. I bought it based on the reviews, and was totally disappointed at first. I LOVE brights, so this was not the ticket for me . . . . initially. One day I decided to try something different, and I realized that this gloss was the perfect color. On me, it's a great nude-ish color. Not concealer-lips nude, but healthy, natural, and pretty. I got SO many compliments that day, and it was a nice departure from brights, but without making me look washed out. I have gone through two tubes of this, and will definitely go through more. It's the perfect MLBB shade for me and I reach for it often. It does have the usual Lipglass texture, which is sticky to some, but just means long-lasting to me. Great scent and reasonably priced, especially considering how long it lasts. My new, unexpected love: like the boy next door that you never noticed for years and then ends up being the love of your life. Lol! You get my meaning. :D
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Chanel - Rouge Allure Laque Coromandel 72
Trinity675 11/22/2009 5:01:00 PM
I'm really in love with this lipstick, and most especially this particular color. I got Coromandel because Dragon was OOS everywhere, and probably still is. But I love red lipstick and don't mind a orange-based red, so I tried it on at the counter and loved it! The color is amazing, a beautiful show-stopping red that leans slightly towards the orange side. I find it looks true red until you put it next to Dragon (the other red in this collection) and then it appears more orange since Dragon is definitely more blue based. The formula is incredible. I don't even have to wear a lipliner and it doesn't bleed. It lasts for hours and hours without compromising the finish or coverage. It applies easily the way a lipgloss would. I love the fact that you can rub or press your lips together and it just feels like a lipgloss rather than something long-wearing. I really don't like the long-wearing lip colors because I always end up with a lighter part in the center of my lips by the end of the day or after I eat or drink. With this product, you can smooth your lips together a bit to redistribute the color after drinking and never have to reapply. The packaging is gorgeous, heavy, and luxe. It is expensive for sure, but since you hardly ever have to reapply, you don't use much of it. I think it's totally worth it if you can find a color that you like because it should last a long time. I also bought Imperial and MIng, which are also gorgeous. LOVE. I hope they make more colors!!
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Eye Makeup Remover -Neutrogena - Oil Free eye makeup remover
Trinity675 8/16/2009 12:28:00 AM
How it is that I haven't written a review for this product is beyond me!!! I have gone through at least 5 bottles of this remover, and it is amazing!!! It takes off all types of makeup easily, including waterproof mascara and MAC liquidlast liner (notorious for it's iron-wear). It is reasonably priced at most drugstores and easy to find. I strayed once from this remover, and came right back to it. It you're in the market for a great makeup remover, check this one out!!!
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara in Black
Trinity675 7/29/2009 4:35:00 PM
I have really come to like this mascara! I bought it when it first came out on the market, and I was not very impressed. I don't care much for length: I like color and volume from a mascara. I used it a few times and threw it out. Fast forward to summer: I started having second thoughts about this because one thing I remembered from my first test drive with this stuff was that it DID NOT smudge or run. Here it is, 100+ degrees in CA and I'm reconsidering. The second try-out with this mascara, I gave it more of a fair chance: I read the directions very carefully and I also made sure I had a lash comb to use. This time I love it!! Pros: *DOESN'T SMUDGE!!! (This is being worn all day in triple digit heat) *extremely easy to remove, and the little tubes are fun to pull off *removal gets ALL of the mascara, no day-after raccoon eyes *nice black color which is actually black, not gray *nice length! *base coat really does nourish and amp up the length and volume Cons: *sort of a steep learning curve for some *not the best at holding a curl *brush is sorta short Application tips: *Follow the directions!!!! Really! *Do not let the white base dry before you apply the mascara; you have to work faster than normal *It is easier to build it up when it's wet, IME: once dry, don't bother * if you notice clumps on the brush, clean it off on a paper towel: I think that when exposed to air from repeated use, it tubes up and then you essentially transfer those tubes to your lashes. In the form of clumps. No bueno. So clean that sucker off once in awhile. So, if you're willing to invest a few days in learning how to use this mascara, it is well worth the effort to have smudge-free lashes and a mascara that removes easily. I really love this stuff!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Stila - Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer
Trinity675 7/13/2009 11:23:00 PM
Overall, I really like this TM. I've been wearing it most of the summer, and it has been just what I need during the 100+ degree heat here! It hasn't broken me out personally, though this will be different for everyone. The coverage is VERY sheer, even in the TM category, but I still love it. The texture is very creamy and smooth and feels good to spread on. My skin has been good lately, and I haven't wanted much coverage, just a dewey look that would hold up well in the heat. I love the illuminating properties, which I find subtle and natural, as well as the SPF. I spread it on with my fingers, then use a separate concealer for circles, and put a touch of MMU or leftover BM Mineral Veil over the top to set it, and it looks great! This is pretty expensive, compared to the Cover Girl version. (I know: duh, of course it is) However, most HE TM are similarly priced, and I plan to use up mine by the end of summer, so I'd say I got my money's worth. I have reasonably oily skin, but I don't find that this makes me any more so. Overall, I'm very happy with it and will continue to use it every day, especially during the summer!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -L'Oreal - True Match Superblendable Blush in Bare Honey
Trinity675 7/2/2009 11:27:00 PM
What a great find this blush was!! This is a great neutral/nude blush with great pigmentation and a slight shimmer. As it climbs above 100 degrees this summer, my fair skin can be red enough on it's own. I decided I wanted to look for a more neutral glow. I've always loved the True Match line, though the blushes all looked pretty anti-climactic to me: no colors ever grabbed me. Probably because they are so natural looking. Chalk this up to something MUA has inspired me to try: I always thought blushes should be pink or peach or something other than what non-makeup-junkies would categorize as "tan." I checked the reviews here and decided that Bare Honey was a good bet, and a cheap way to test drive a new look. WOW!!! I love this blush!! What a great color!!! Great pigmentation, smooth and easy to blend, slight glowy quality, great value for the money. The compact has a mirror on the other side and a brush. The brush I don't use: I love my 109, but the mirror is a nice size. Overall, this has helped me create the perfect, natural, easy to maintain summer glow!!!! I really want to try some of the other colors now, since I would have normally walked right past this color if it weren't for MUA!!! Edited to add: this blush is VERY soft. I've never broken a blush before, but this one dropped and smashed all over the place. I went back for another and noticed that several others were smashed as well. So beware: try not to drop this baby!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Fyrinnae - Loose Eye Shadow in Rapunzel Had Extensions
Trinity675 6/25/2009 10:54:00 PM
I love this shadow!!! RHE is a gorgeous shimmery gold-peach with a HINT of pink. I use it as an all over wash on my lid, then add black or brown liner, and it's awesome!!! One of the colors my BF actually noticed: it's very beautiful and adds a glowiness to your eyes. It has a great texture and is easy to apply. I know that some of their darker shadows have to be foiled to achieve the true color, but RHE is so light that you can just sweep it on and it looks amazing. You could also use this color as a highlighter on other parts of the face. A couple of notes: the packaging is tricky. The pot has no sifter, so you get this tiny cloud of shadow that poofs into the air like fairy dust when you open the lid. And then you have to be very careful with the open container. I typically tap the lid several times before opening it to tamp the powder a bit, and then sweep my brush around the inside of the lid: don't even dip your brush into the pot. Check this one out if you're just getting into Fyrinnae!!!
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Lipglass in Lychee Luxe
Trinity675 6/25/2009 10:46:00 PM
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this one. I LOVE this color and this gloss!!! Whenever I feel blah or if I feel like something is missing from my look or I want a pick me up, I wear this color!! Lychee Luxe is always the right choice!! I got it a couple months ago and I've almost used it up! Gorgeous glowy, shimmery coral color and great texture, as expected from a MAC lipglass. It brightens up my whole face and makes me look alive. My favorite way to wear it is a summery pinup: some black or deep brown winged liner, blush, and this gloss!! Gorgeous!!! Definitely a HG for me and I will definitely repurchase again and again.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Revlon - DoubleTwist
Trinity675 6/10/2009 10:53:00 PM
Don't do it. Just don't. You're thinking, "It can't be THAT bad, can it?" Yes, it can. The brush looks pretty cool until you go to actually USE it: then it becomes a nightmarish mess. The wand pulls out SO much product that you have to spend several moments wiping all the sides off every time you dip the wand. I can't believe this got out of the consumer testing without someone noticing that the wand pulls out enough product to pave your driveway with. Spend your money on something else.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Volume Exact Waterproof
Trinity675 5/21/2009 12:55:00 PM
I bought this on sale when looking for a good WP mascara to wear out on a boat all day in the summertime. This stuff is awesome!!! Here is how it did for me: Pros: 1. Holds a CURL!! It's amazing! For me, this mascara's most impressive quality. 2. Little or absolutely no smudging 3. Nice volume and virtually no clumps 4. Good color: nice black 5. Lasted all day on a boat in the summer with sunscreen, sweat, allergy eyes, etc Cons: 1. If you want false lashes, this is not the one for you: it will give you a nice fat black version of your lashes, but this isn't the next Diorshow, so don't be expecting it. Yeah, only one con. Overall, it was exactly what I was hoping for. It is definitely on the "natural" end of volumizing mascaras, but that's was what I expected from CG. It definitely gives more volume than Lash Exact, but isn't quite Lash Blast level. I was glad about this, since I wanted a slightly more natural look.
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