Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Clump Crusher mascara
adamj2004 10/26/2012 2:59:00 PM
Amazing mascara. I bought it in Blackened Brown because, after taking Biotin for several months, my lashes look ridiculous with black mascara on because it is so dramatic! My eyelashes touch my brow bone now and the blackened brown shade defines without being too obvious. The original and Fusion Lashblast are amazing but honestly, I think I may like this one better! Very volumizing, lengthening, and non-clumping; finally, a mascara that does what it claims! Cover Girl has really hit it out the park with the Lash Blast line and this one is no exception!
6 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
adamj2004 9/12/2012 9:29:00 AM
I really like this foundation but it is the most difficult foundation I have used to get it to look right! I tried it first with a brush and that was a total disaster...so much so that I almost gave up and returned it! Streaky, chalky mess. But I wanted to give it another chance and applied it with fingers (something I NEVER do and have never had to do with any other foundation..EVER)...but it looks amazing this way! Good coverage and nice finish! The undertones are a bit odd to manuever...I have a neutral undertone but I could not use any of the N shades because they are too dark. I ended up getting W1 (NW15 shade skin) but I probably would realistically need a 1.5 because the W2 is too dark :( In the Lumi foundation, the 1.5 is perfect! If you look closely (especially in direct sunlight), there IS absolutely shimmer in this. I'm not sure how I feel about this either way but it is definitely not matte. This goes for the powder as well (if you catch the light on it, there is shimmer in this as well). Very good DS foundation for the price and with coupons, it is even better!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Lady Gaga - Fame
adamj2004 8/27/2012 2:12:00 PM
I have an ambivalent relationship with Lady Gaga's fame. I used to work for Coty as a fragrance vendor/model and learned that we would be distributing Lady Gaga's fragrance. This was around 2010 when Lady Gaga had just hit in the States (I had been a fan since Just Dance had come out and special ordered The Fame from Canada before it was available here). At that time, she had wanted the notes to be blood and other bodily fluids...I was instantly excited because I was very much hoping for an avant garde fragrance much in line with her fashion and image. Fast forward to two years later and we get Fame. Mostly what I get out of this fragrance is the apricot and, if I try VERY hard to smell it, the honey. I smell no belladonna and certainly no incense although in the dry down (which comes around 2-3 hours on me; non-existent on skin soon afterwards) I do smell some warmth. Ultimately, to me, this fragrance smells unfinished and showed SO much promise in its conception. The bottle is gorgeous (although without the cap is a dead-ringer for the Gap Close bottle but with a clear bottle and black liquid instead of a frosted bottle and clear liquid) and I adore the print ad, packaging, and commercial. To me, it is a matter of appearance over substance. This clearly will sell a lot because it is a fruity-floral although I appreciate that it is not syrupy-sweet. However, it smells unfinished to me. I will be layering this with a heavy incense fragrance such as Comme des Garcons Avignon and/or Gucci Pour Homme to see how it fairs. I think it will be very layerable! I adore the bottle and it will stay on my vanity even when I finish it :)
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
adamj2004 8/24/2012 7:12:00 PM
I really, really like SFF's finish and coverage...but I have to accept the fact that it is not for me anymore :( I have worn it for the past week again (I wore it in the past with no problem) but for whatever reason, my skin can no longer tolerate it. Every day after I take it off I find new blocked pores and breakouts :( Looking at the ingredient list, there theoretically should be nothing that breaks me out but I just need to accept that it does. Nothing else has changed in my skincare routine other than the addition of this UPDATE: My forehead is INSANELY broken out a few days later now. Idk what changed with my skin but it simply cannot tolerate SFF anymore :( So upsetting bc the coverage is so great :(
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Concealers -Hard Candy - Glamoflauge Concealer
adamj2004 8/9/2012 11:11:00 AM
Glamoflauge looks very good and you get a lot of product for your money. The packaging looks very high-end and reminds me a lot of the MUFE Full Coverage concealer tube. However, the product itself is garbage! Overrated and over-hyped like Revlon Lip Butters as another review commented. This is NOT full coverage like everyone claims! It never sets (even with powder), is INCREDIBLY cakey no matter how much you use under your eyes ( I didn't even squeeze the tube at all, literally just DABBED it onto my finger and put it on my undereye), and doesn't conceal even minimal redness around my nose. The consistency is also an incredibly dry finish which is very unattractive. Completely useless product for me :( I know a lot of other people like it but this will be returned. The pencil is the only reason that I gave the rating one star (I would've given zero if possible). The pencil is actually quite creamy and I would buy that if sold separately.
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Moisturizers -First Aid Beauty - Ultra Repair Cream
adamj2004 6/22/2012 12:11:00 PM
I hate to do this but the Ultra Repair Cream (which everyone loves) does not work for me as a facial moisturizer at ALL :( The eucalyptus oil is completely unnecessary for this item especially since F.A.B. totes itself as a brand for those with sensitive skin. Also, I believe the shea butter is breaking me out in this. I woke up to several very painful whiteheads this morning after using this the night before and I can only attribute it to this since it's the only new addition to my skin care. However, the colloidal oatmeal is very beneficial for those with eczema and I love it for the rough spots on my elbows. However, you can find colloidal oatmeal in Aveeno products at the drugstore so you don't need to spend this much on a product to get this active ingredient. Thankfully, I bought the travel size tube but will not be repurchasing. UPDATE: I lied. I have, in fact, repurchased not once, but twice, already! It works amazingly for dry spots on my elbows and keeps them from coming back! I will ALWAYS have some of this and have bought a tube for my mother to try as well! I just can't use it on my face but for dry spots on the body, it is a miracle worker!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -New York Color - Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny 720
adamj2004 6/21/2012 10:54:00 AM
Super cheap but you get what you pay for. If you look closely, there is a TINY amount of shimmer in this (mica is listed in the ingredients). Looks very light in the pan but oxidized to a lovely shade of orange even with a light hand. The applicator included is useless (who in their right mind would even apply bronzer with a sponge anyway?) and went immediately into the trashcan. I don't understand why this is so highly rated. I love the fact that you can find a relatively matte bronzer for so cheap but the shade is AWFUL
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous Million Lashes
adamj2004 6/20/2012 9:09:00 AM
Gorgeous packaging and brush first of all. Very high end looking tube and the long, thin, flexible brush coats every lash. It reminds me a lot of the Bare Escentuals Buxom and the Urban Decay Lush Lash mascara. Unfortunately, this is where my love affair ends. The formula is volumizing and lengthening like they claim...but it smudges IMMEDIATELY and flakes soon afterwards. That is a huge dealbreaker. This will be going back today.
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Primer/ Corrector -Too Faced - Primed and Poreless SPF20 Bronze Tint Skin Smoothing Face Primer
adamj2004 5/23/2012 11:01:00 AM
LOVE this product. It is a primer but really has a bit of coverage too. Gives just enough color to warm up your skin if you use a small amount. It is basically identical to the Guerlain Terracotta Skin Healthy Glow Foundation (I don't care that they label it as a foundation, it does NOT have enough coverage to qualify as one; let's be honest, it's a primer) but half the price! LOVE!
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Concealers -Revlon - PhotoReady Concealer SPF 20
adamj2004 4/28/2012 9:54:00 PM
I really want to like this concealer. It is so creamy, clicks up nicely, covers well and is long-lasting, and has high-quality packaging as well (feels heavy in your hand). However, the insane amount of shimmer is a deal breaker for me :( I just can't do it. I want to hide the discoloration in my inner eye, not highlight it. If I blend with my fingertip to really get into the inner corners, the shimmer left behind is absolutely appalling. I don't understand why Photoready has to be so shimmer heavy, if Revlon would do a version without shimmer, I would be all about it. Colorstay it is for me. I'm not even going to go near the foundation.
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Toners -Makeup Artist's Choice (MUAC) - Rosewater Hydrosol Mist
adamj2004 4/14/2012 8:01:00 PM
What I love most about this is that it is an alcohol free toner. Alcohol toners dried out my skin and this led me to stop using toners altogether for several years. A lot of rosewater toners are so incredibly overpriced for what you get (Fresh Rose Marigold Floral Water for instance) but this one is incredibly affordable! It also comes in a sturdy metal spray bottle and is 6 ounces as well! I use it as a toner on a cotton ball, to refresh my skin after an at-home peel (MUAC Mandelic Acid), or to lightly mist my face to refresh my foundation or tone down powderiness. A GREAT multi-use product which I am sure to repurchase once I run out and it also smells amazing:)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Jack Black - Intense Therapy Lip Balm spf 25
adamj2004 4/9/2012 2:58:00 PM
Total HG lip product! After searching literally years for something that would help my year-round chronically dry lips, this is it! I have spent more money buying both tons of crap cheaper products and more expensive lip products that had big claims but did absolutely nothing (Fresh Lip Treatments, I'm looking at you). This product is minty, feels cooling and refreshing going on, soothes dry and chapped lips, and has a convenient squeeze tube to get every last drop out. Best of all, the moisture LASTS! It isn't one of those that feels nicely going on and then fades away minutes later. I LOVE THIS! It is a bit expensive but with these benefits, I will gladly pay that price for this again and again!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -E.L.F. - Studio High Definition Powder
adamj2004 4/9/2012 11:28:00 AM
People saying this is the same as MUFE HD Powder are dead wrong in my opinion. The only similarities the two have in common are that they are both white and both are silica based. That's where the commonalities end. The MUFE is much more finely milled while the ELF is much more grainy and chalky. Also, the packaging on the ELF is TERRIBLE and incredibly messy and unnecessarily bulky. I used it for awhile but ultimately went back to MUFE. It's the best, there's just no way around it.
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Liquid -Maybelline - Fit Me Foundation
adamj2004 4/6/2012 2:45:00 PM
First of all, I got this foundation for only $2.00 with a $3 dollar off coupon :) That is really where the pros outweigh the cons. 110 is a perfect match for my skin (it's hard to find pale foundations at the ds with a neutral undertone) but later on, it left me looking a bit ashy and grey. I loved the coverage, which is light (I don't expect a foundation to cover my breakouts, most don't), but this foundation will not set no matter what I do and what primer I use! Even if I lightly touched my face or lightly used my phone with it barely touching my face, there would be foundation everywhere. Also, it dries patchy and accentuates dryness. That, unfortunately, is a deal breaker. This one got thrown right into the trash (not even worth it to return and go through the hassle for $2.00 and some change) In general, I have been let down EVERY time by Maybelline. I will not be repurchasing any face makeup items from them ever again at this point (but I love their brow products, those are really great!)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Kate Walsh - Boyfriend
adamj2004 4/6/2012 12:50:00 AM
Completely OBSESSED with this fragrance and have been for some time. I can't believe I hadn't written a review on it before now. It smells incredibly sexy and woodsy. It is definitely a masculine fragrance (that is why it is called Boyfriend) but smells incredibly unisex at the same time. Myrrh, benzoin, and amber are the most prominent notes here. There is supposedly jasmine and vanilla as well but I smell none of that in here. This is ALL about the woodsy notes which I love. It smells so much more expensive than it is. That being said, my only gripe is the packaging. The "leather" trim around the spray nozzle is incredibly cheap looking (literally a sticker) and the train case gift set (which, of course, now that I wanted to buy it, is no longer in production) is RIDICULOUSLY overpriced for a .5 oz bottle and travel sizes of the oil, rollerball, body cream, and a mini votive (which I REALLY wish they would sell on its own full-size; I would GLADLY pay more for that). I adore this fragrance and will never be without it :) It has become one of my signature scents
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No