Powder -Alima - Satin Matte Mineral Foundation
a67penguin 11/18/2006 1:40:00 PM
This is the best MMU I've tried-- and I've tried a lot (BE, JI, Trish McEvoy, Tarte, EM). Alima's is the lightest weight of all of these-- doesn't cake on my skin like JI's does (but doesn't provide the same level of coverage, either-- if you have bad skin, beware). TM and Tarte's are in pressed form-- wish Alima's were too, but this is a pipedream for now. Tap, buff and swirl away. What distinguishes Alima (IMHO) from other brands is the color-range-- NO other line out there has so many shades! I'm a Neutral 4 (Charmeuse-- horrid name, but it looks great on me!) The gold and yellow shades are just as described. The Olives run fairly dark. No matter how difficult you think you are to match up, you'll find something from this line. No doubt. And if you need some help, email the CS-- they are really great about responding right away. The powder contains no bismuth (like JI and BE), so it doesn't look shiny and won't accentuate your pores when you wear it. Overall, I love it. Slightly more expensive than EM (by a few bucks), but the shades are so good, it is worth it. BTW-- Kate (the owner) has better eyeshadows and blushes than EM, too. Her eyeliner eyeshadows are amazing-- I love Maya (greenish black), but they're all lovely. You can't go wrong. Definitely check it out: alimacosmetics.com You won't be sorry! I'm on my second jar.
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Palettes -Make Up For Ever - Essential Eyes
a67penguin 11/10/2006 5:06:00 PM
This is a great collection of neutral eyeshadows that (I imagine) flatter everyone's coloring because they are basic brown. The pressed eyeshadow palette is similar to any of Bobbi Brown's, i.e., a three pan with rectangular mirror. The full sized colors are light beigey shimmery (champagne), medium netural taupe and a mahogony deep brown (very similar to the BB shade).All three are excellent quality. Really-- the quality is just top flight. You also receive a full sized black waterproof liner-- again, the quality is fantastic. I tried it on my hand at the store, and hours later (and after several handwashings), the line still remains. You also receive two star powders-- unfortunately, they are really small. What they lack in size, though, they make up for in quality. Though I normally dislike pigments because they're messy, these are a joy to work with. There's also a DVD that I haven't watched, yet. I'll update you once I have. UPDATE: the video is actually fairly good to watch. It doesn't work on my TV DVD, rather I have to watch it on my computer drive. Perhaps that was the other reviewer's problem with it. At any rate, it isn't exactly a high budget video, but it suffices. I wish Dany spent more time showing you how to use the palette and other stuff with real brushes, rather than the dumb sponge tipped applicator that is included in the set (throw that out right away). She has three "looks" showcased: day, night and "fete" aka party-time! I can't say I learned much, but it was nice to see her technique up close. Dany describes what she does in French, then there's woman who translates it for us dumb American types. (haha). Seriously-- it is worth watching once. At the end, Dany tells the "MUFE" backstory-- this is sort of a waste and not too interesting, unless you like makeup history or something. Doesn't change my overall rating-- this is a great set! Perfect for x-mas/Hannukah gift season-- make sure you get yourself one too or you'll be sorry you didn't!
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Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Shimmerwash Eyeshadow in Chocolate
a67penguin 3/16/2006 7:08:00 PM
I find this shadow to be a very flattering liner shade (I'm MMM, fairly light green eyes). The shimmer is very understated.
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Lip Gloss -Lancome - Honey Violet
a67penguin 10/9/2005 2:44:00 PM
This l/g got me beyond my self imposed boycott of Lancome products. I've shied away from Juicy Tubes as they seem like something that appeals to the teenybopper crowd-- but when I saw this one at Douglas, I had to have it. It is a really lovely violet-- but not fuschia-- shade that has some burgundy underneath it. It look especially nice after it has worn down a little to a stain. For whatever reason, it picks up the natural rose in my lip color to its best advantage. Too bad it is limited edition. I hope 3 CC can remake it for me once I run out.
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Blush -NARS - Zen
a67penguin 10/9/2005 2:39:00 PM
Another NARS surprise for me-- Zen looked like just another dusty beige blush that would wash me out. NOT! Looks can deceive. When I brush this on, the color comes up a pinky/apricoty beige-- not like the dirty brown it appears to be in the pan. I love it. Especially with a pop of bright red or pink on top (Outlaw, KA's Shadore). Love it, love it, love it.
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Concealers -NARS - Ginger
a67penguin 10/9/2005 2:36:00 PM
This concealer really surprised me. It seems like a lightweight-- like you'd get no coverage from it-- esp. when compared to others like Laura Mercier, CDP or SM. Even Becca's seems heavier. This is where the surprise factors in-- this little concealer goes on a little chalky, but smooths out beautifully-- sort of in the same league as CDP or SM's. (well, I guess they're all the same company, Shiseido). Once it smooths out, you see the coverage factor-- it is lightweight, but a serious concealer. Packaged like a NARS lipstick-- I guess the downside might be you'd reach for it thinking it was a lipstick and not a concealer, but given the good qualities, I'll live with that. Ginger is a perfect-- and I mean PERFECT match for my skin.
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Treatments -Elizabeth Arden - Allergen - Prevage MD Anti-aging Treatment (1% prescription-strength Formulation)
a67penguin 5/24/2005 9:25:00 AM
I've used this for about 2 weeks, and have noticed more pores shrink and my skin become more "even" in appearance. Not that I had mottled skin previously, but it looks more refined, and I attribute that to the Prevage. Nice formula-- not greasy in the least. I've had no reactions to it-- no burning, itching, etc. I apply it at night b/f my moisturizer. Expensive, but worth it.
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Pressed Powders -Chanel - Purete Mat
a67penguin 5/12/2005 9:20:00 AM
This is a wonderful addition to Chanel's lineup of powders. I was always disappointed with the other pressed powders Chanel offered, but this one is mattifying and feels silky to boot. I wear "buff" and am about an NC30/Laura mercier Sunny Beige, KA 07.
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Lipstick -Kevyn Aucoin - The Expert Lip Tint
a67penguin 5/2/2005 11:07:00 AM
I'm reviewing Moonbiba. I'm not sure if this is a new shade or not. It is more of a lip tint than a true opaque lipstick-- seems sheerer than KA's other lipsticks. Leaves a beautiful deep blackberry stain on the lips that lasts a long time. Highly recommend! (i'm a FFF to MMM KA 07, Armani 5.5-6.5).
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Lip Liners -Kevyn Aucoin - The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil
a67penguin 5/1/2005 10:17:00 AM
I echo everything SCD wrote below, but also wish to rave about the long lasting qualities-- this liner literally lasts all day long, though it is smooth to apply. Go figure!
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Eye Shadow -Kevyn Aucoin - The Essential Eyeshadow Set - Palette 1
a67penguin 4/22/2005 9:06:00 AM
These eyeshadows are the best I've tried, hands down (well, OK-- they tie with Shu's, but probably b/c the same factory makes these or something). This is a great palette of neutral, but not boring basic browns. Slight shimmers. You can mix/match to your hearts delight, and best of all, the pigment lasts ALL DAY LONG. Much nicer to buy a palette than an e/s single and wonder how to pair it up. $55-- but well spent.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
a67penguin 4/21/2005 12:08:00 PM
Product was overly greasy, made my pores appear LARGER than they are (even in my cheek area) and clogged my skin. After stopping use for a day, my clogs disappeared. Not a great product and I'l returning it to the store. Yuck.
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Blush -NARS - Gilda
a67penguin 3/21/2005 3:40:00 PM
Probably the best suited blush from NARS for me (MMM).... I think it would work equally well no matter if you're warm, cool or neutral. Very well pigmented.
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Concealers -La Prairie - Light Fantastic Cellular Concealing Brightening Eye Treatment
a67penguin 3/16/2005 9:26:00 AM
this is a very nice, portable concealer pen-- similar (as others mentioned) to other brands (notably YSL Touche Eclat), but LP's three shades seem to be more real skin appropriate. I tried #3, which is a great match for this NC/NW 30/35, LM Sunny Beige, SM 02. I'm carrying it around in my purse instead of my extra other SM concealer.
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Liquid -La Prairie - Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF15
a67penguin 3/16/2005 9:20:00 AM
I finally tried this out after work last night. Though I can see the product's appeal (great coverage), the coverage is just too unnatural looking to me. I looked in the mirror and thought, "wow!" I looked airbrushed-- which some feel is a good thing... to me, it just looked fake. Maybe for a photo or a wedding, but not everyday. Other than that, it had a nice, relatively light feel on my face despite the heavy coverage. Extremely expensive, but you seem to get a lot for your money (matching concealer).
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