Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
ZenArcade 5/8/2013 7:21:00 PM
I resisted buying this due to the price--but I'm glad I finally took the plunge. I can see why this is so popular. It doesn't take much extra time to apply, and just a tiny dab on each eyelid really helps shadow stay put (and intensifies the color). I am more inclined to make eye shadow part of my routine now that I know it will actually stay put. The tube should last a good long while, making this a reasonable value despite the $20 price tag.
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Dry Skin Therapy PLUS Intensive Repair Lotion
ZenArcade 4/10/2013 6:01:00 PM
I live in a cold, northern state. Winters are harsh and my skin gets very dry and uncontrollably itchy if I skip even a day of moisturizing. The good news is that this product works; the bad news is the way it goes on your skin. I've never understood what people meant by "sticky" or "tacky" lotions until now. This does not sink in quickly; your skin looks shiny and feels temporarily greasy. I will continue to use the giant pump bottle I bought (it's beneficial for my skin and is truly fragrance-free), but when it's out, I will probably not repurchase. Vaseline Intensive Care also works well but feels much better when applying. Eucerin makes some great products, but this just isn't for me.
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Foundations -Almay - Smart Shade Smart Shade Anti-aging SPF 20
ZenArcade 4/10/2013 5:47:00 PM
I don't use foundation every day, and I've never had one that felt like my "go-to" product -- until now, I think! I am quite pleased I tried the anti-aging version of Almay's Smart Shade foundation. I dislike heavy foundations (and I don't actually need heavy coverage), so something like this is perfect -- it provides medium coverage but feels non-existent. I like it better than Almay's regular Smart Shade product (for whatever reason, that doesn't mimic my skintone as well) or Neutrogena Glow Sheer. This also gets points for the tube packaging -- it keeps things nice and sanitary, and takes up minimal space in my makeup drawer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Cover Girl - Perfect Point Plus Eyeliners
ZenArcade 11/2/2012 5:56:00 PM
This is my go-to eyeliner because of the ease of application. Most shades tend to be slightly "creamy," so they go on gently, without tugging at the delicate skin of your eyelid. It's easy to do a subtle application or build up a thicker line. I never use the smudging tip at the other end, but I still like this product since there's no need to sharpen it, the colors are good, and the price is right. Only minor downside is that it wears off partially by the end of the day. I can never master liquid liners, so this is easy for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Cover Girl Professional Mascara (washable)
ZenArcade 11/2/2012 5:47:00 PM
I found this to be a surprisingly good "cheap" mascara: goes on nicely with no clumping, leaves lashes soft and not brittle, and the brush size is good if you, like me, dislike the hugely oversized brushes that are so popular now. This mascara doesn't give me huge, dramatic lashes, but it's perfect for everyday wear and comes off easily. This and Almay's mascara are my fave drugstore choices.
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Concealers -Physicians Formula - Concealer Twins
ZenArcade 9/10/2012 3:19:00 PM
I'm disappointed in this product, though I like the idea of a color-correcting and skin-toned concealer in the same tube. I have the yellow and flesh-tone one. The liquid is very thick and hard to blend. Under my eyes, I find it settles into lines and highlights them, rather than help me cover up some under-eye darkness. (I should note I have few very, almost unnoticeable wrinkles -- so this makes me look wrinklier than I am.) I'm still looking for something to subtly mask under-eye darkness and glide on smoothly... I'd love to hear other people's suggestions if you know of a good, relatively inexpensive alternative! Perhaps this product is better elsewhere on the face and not near the eyes -- if you did have a serious pimple or scar to cover, the thickness of this might be a benefit, not a negative.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Dove - Nourishing Oil Detangler
ZenArcade 9/10/2012 3:09:00 PM
I have plenty of hair, but the strands are very fine and tangle and shed easily. Seemingly no matter what conditioner I use in the shower, it's difficult to comb out my wet hair. This product is a low-cost help in that department -- I spray it on generously post-shower, give a minute to sit, then comb my hair out with a very wide-tooth comb. I'm not sure it really moisturizes my hair, but, as a detangler, it does the job adequately. There is no unpleasant odor or greasy feel. Will repurchase.
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Lips -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain- Smitten
ZenArcade 9/3/2012 1:43:00 PM
I love this product and have purchased it in three colors: Smitten, Romantic, and Cherish. Smitten is my favorite of the three: a bold, flattering berry shade that works well with my blue eyes and pale skin (though I'm sure it would be flattering on a wide range of people). The shine is subtle, the color lasts, and it does not feel sticky, drying or uncomfortable on the lips. This is a terrific product that I definitely prefer over traditional lipsticks, liquid glosses or balms that don't last.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Aveda - Lip Glaze in Mango Juice
ZenArcade 4/26/2012 7:22:00 PM
I'm a fan of many Aveda hair products, but not of this lip glaze. Luckily, I got is as a freebie. It goes on with a sticky feeling and so thickly that it looks white. Ugh! I have to smudge off the excess with my finger. While it does stay on better than other glosses, the color is barely noticeable (though it's very shiny, if that's what you're looking for). All in all, I would not purchase with my own money. There are better, cheaper options.
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Cleansers -Olay - Sensitive Skin Foaming Face Wash
ZenArcade 3/23/2012 6:50:00 PM
My skin is generally really good, but I have to be careful since I have mild rosacea and occasional allergic reactions to things. This is my favorite cleanser to use at night: it removes makeup thoroughly, doesn't dry or irritate my skin, and the price is really reasonable. I have tried more expensive things, but I keep coming back to this because it simply works the best for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Aveeno - Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser
ZenArcade 3/23/2012 4:55:00 PM
I thought I'd give this a try since I like foaming cleansers and have mild rosacea. Plus, I've had good luck with other Aveeno products. This cleanser is OK, but not fabulous -- it doesn't remove makeup as well as I would like it to, and my skin feels a touch dry right after using. I'll finish the bottle, but then go back to Olay's sensitive-skin foaming cleanser; it's cheap and works very well for me.
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Lips -Revlon - Color Burst lip butter - Cotton Candy
ZenArcade 3/16/2012 11:27:00 AM
Many people seem to rave about these Lip Butters, but I don't see why. The texture feels just like rubbing a stick of butter or wax on my lips -- yuck! It doesn't stay on, and then my lips feel drier than if I hadn't bothered at all. Also, I did not care for the Cotton Candy shade. I have a light skin tone, but even on me, Cotton Candy is lighter than my natural lips, making me look washed out as a result. I like the texture & colors of Cover Girl Natureluxe Lip Balm better -- and it's basically the same price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Cover Girl - Natureluxe lip balm Hibiscus
ZenArcade 1/15/2012 1:57:00 PM
Hibiscus looks bright in the tube, but is more subtle on (yet still noticeable). This is nicely moisturizing and the color is pretty. I can imagine it working on almost any skin tone. Only downside is that you must reapply frequently. Still a very good product, though.
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Eye Shadow -Cover Girl - Intense ShadowBlast
ZenArcade 1/15/2012 1:54:00 PM
I have been tempted to buy primer to use with my powder shadows, but I'm glad I bought this product (which combines primer + color) instead. It goes on quickly, is easily blendable with a finger, and you can do a sheer application or layer on the color more heavily. I have both the "extreme green" and "platinum pop." Despite the name, the green is pretty subtle if you want it to be. The silvery light blue of "platinum pop" appeals to me less, but I'll still wear it. If Cover Girl adds a plum shade, I'd buy it in a minute! This stays put and looks good for a long time; there is minor creasing, but that can be smoothed out with a finger or Q-tip.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Lolita Lempicka - Fleur De Corail
ZenArcade 11/1/2011 3:58:00 PM
I own three different Lempicka fragrances, and this is my least favorite. Luckily, I didn't pay much for it since I found it at a discount store. While the original L is rather rich and vanilla cupcake-y, it can be a nice comfort scent in the winter. This scent, Fleur de Corail (Coral Flower), is just so BLAH. It's not terrible, but it lacks personality or interest. The original Lempicka fragrance (in the whimsical apple-shaped bottle) is also a better choice -- while it's quite sweet and has that unmistakable licorice note, it also has character. I would not repurchase this one.
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