Loose Powders -Urban Decay - Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder
akharri785 3/5/2013 3:57:00 AM
I was a little leery of this finishing powder at first but have really grown to like it. I usually don't like loose powders but find that loose finishing powders are what work best for me when setting my makeup so I was really drawn to this with its particular promises. I like this setting powder because it is finely milled and truly does blur away my fine lines and minor imperfections. It can be scary at first because it does apply a little white and ghostly, but going over it with a nice, fluffy powder brush clears that up. As others have mentioned, the only downside is the applicator. Not to sound like a turd, but it's honestly the dumbest thing I've ever seen... it seriously sucks. I have not read one review on here or other sites that thought the attached-puff applicator was a good idea. Sorry for my rant but I really hate the puff, haha. In the end though, I really love this and believe it gives a smooth, almost air-brushed finish if applied correctly (with a quality powder brush). It's not going to cover up a honking, mountain of a zit but it will definitely help with your typical imperfections. I also think it helps with oil control, another plus! Oh, and it may look like there's not a lot in the container but I promise this baby will last you a longgg time!
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Makeup Brushes -Urban Decay - Good Karma Blending Brush
akharri785 3/5/2013 3:34:00 AM
I am IN LOVE with this brush. I know I probably bought into the marketing gimmick when I bought this to use with my UD Naked Skin foundation (like is recommended) but it has totally been worth it! It's SO soft, washes remarkably well (never sheds or dries misshapen), and truly does help to blur out imperfections when applying liquid foundation or balms. I usually mist it ever so slightly with a spray bottle (so it's barely damp... I may be crazy, but I think it helps my foundation apply even more smoothly) and use a gentle pump of Naked and then apply it using small, circular motions. The finished result is always very smooth and soft looking. I have only used this with my Naked foundation but think it would probably work pretty well with any other liquid foundation or balm as long as it's not too thick. I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a quality foundation brush!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Urban Decay - Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush
akharri785 3/5/2013 3:34:00 AM
I am IN LOVE with this brush. I know I probably bought into the marketing gimmick when I bought this to use with my UD Naked Skin foundation (like is recommended) but it has totally been worth it! It's SO soft, washes remarkably well (never sheds or dries misshapen), and truly does help to blur out imperfections when applying liquid foundation or balms. I usually mist it ever so slightly with a spray bottle (so it's barely damp... I may be crazy, but I think it helps my foundation apply even more smoothly) and use a gentle pump of Naked and then apply it using small, circular motions. The finished result is always very smooth and soft looking. I have only used this with my Naked foundation but think it would probably work pretty well with any other liquid foundation or balm as long as it's not too thick. I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a quality foundation brush!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Urban Decay - Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup
akharri785 3/5/2013 3:27:00 AM
I just recently switched back to wearing foundation instead of my beloved tinted moisturizers and was attracted to UD's Naked Skin because of the texture and coverage. I did not want a heavy foundation, but I wanted more coverage than my typical tinted moisturizers were giving me. I really think this is a great option if that's what you're looking for. Personally, I think the color selections are great for this foundation (I use 1.0) and almost anyone can find a great match, especially since this foundation isn't as dense and some of your natural skin tone can shine through. I like this foundation a lot because it's pretty lightweight and very blendable. I also like the formula because it's smooth to apply and is a nice, demi-matte; not too dewy but not starkly matte. I know I'm probably buying into the marketing gimmick but I truly believe pairing this with UD's Good Karma foundation brush (meant to be used with Naked), gives the best application and finish. It really helps to blur out imperfections and makes my skin look smooth and radiant. Which is always a plus, right? ;) As for wear time, I find it to be about average. I use this over moisturizer and primer and under setting powder. Sometimes I do have to blot my face a little after about 4-6 hours but, then again, I do live in the South! I also like the packaging this comes in and find that this foundation goes a longgg way for me. I generally use one gentle pump for my whole face. If you're looking for a heavy, full coverage foundation than this probably isn't for you. But if you are wanting some lightweight coverage to smooth out your skin, I'd definitely recommend this!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Urban Decay - Naked Skin
akharri785 3/5/2013 3:24:00 AM
I just recently switched back to wearing foundation instead of my beloved tinted moisturizers and was attracted to UD's Naked Skin because of the texture and coverage. I did not want a heavy foundation, but I wanted more coverage than my typical tinted moisturizers were giving me. I really think this is a great option if that's what you're looking for. Personally, I think the color selections are great for this foundation (I use 1.0) and almost anyone can find a great match, especially since this foundation isn't as dense and some of your natural skin tone can shine through. I like this foundation a lot because it's pretty lightweight and very blendable. I also like the formula because it's smooth to apply and is a nice, demi-matte; not too dewy but not starkly matte. I know I'm probably buying into the marketing gimmick but I truly believe pairing this with UD's Good Karma foundation brush (meant to be used with Naked), gives the best application and finish. It really helps to blur out imperfections and makes my skin look smooth and radiant. Which is always a plus, right? ;) As for wear time, I find it to be about average. I use this over moisturizer and primer and under setting powder. Sometimes I do have to blot my face a little after about 4-6 hours but, then again, I do live in the South! I also like the packaging this comes in and find that this foundation goes a longgg way for me. I generally use one gentle pump for my whole face. If you're looking for a heavy, full coverage foundation than this probably isn't for you. But if you are wanting some lightweight coverage to smooth out your skin, I'd definitely recommend this!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Too Faced - Natural Eye Kit
akharri785 3/5/2013 3:05:00 AM
This is one of my favorite palettes of all time. I love the Too Faced brand in general but their eye shadows are uh-mazing; great color payoff, beautiful color selection, buttery smooth, and phenomenal staying power. I also like that they work well wet or dry. I generally use these wet with my favorite primer (Too Faced Shadow Insurance), and they stay very well. I like the color offerings in this palette a lot and find it to be very versatile for day or night. I also like that it has matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes. Push-Up, Erotica, Honey Pot, and Cocoa Puff are my favorites and I always hit the pan of these four first. Like others have said, Nude Beach is definitely too glittery for me and the fall out is horrible so it is the one color I avoid like the plague in this palette. Other than that, I really think all the colors work well together and they apply and blend so smoothly. I do wish the shadows in the middle column were the "big" pans because those are the ones I actually use for my base. I know the first column is meant to be the base more, but I generally use these (since they're the lightest) for highlighting around the inner corner and the brow bone. This does come with "instructions" for three different looks but I prefer to play around with it a little more. Also, I know that some people don't care for it, but I do like the cardboard packaging it comes in for its size, as well as sustainability. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good quality, mid-priced palette with a little variety.
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Eye Shadow -Too Faced - Natural Eye Palette
akharri785 3/5/2013 3:01:00 AM
This is one of my favorite palettes of all time. I love the Too Faced brand in general but their eye shadows are uh-mazing; great color payoff, beautiful color selection, buttery smooth, and phenomenal staying power. I also like that they work well wet or dry. I generally use these wet with my favorite primer (Too Faced Shadow Insurance), and they stay very well. I like the color offerings in this palette a lot and find it to be very versatile for day or night. I also like that it has matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes. Push-Up, Erotica, Honey Pot, and Cocoa Puff are my favorites and I always hit the pan of these four first. Like others have said, Nude Beach is definitely too glittery for me and the fall out is horrible so it is the one color I avoid like the plague in this palette. Other than that, I really think all the colors work well together and they apply and blend so smoothly. I do wish the shadows in the middle column were the "big" pans because those are the ones I actually use for my base. I know the first column is meant to be the base more, but I generally use these (since they're the lightest) for highlighting around the inner corner and the brow bone. This does come with "instructions" for three different looks but I prefer to play around with it a little more. Also, I know that some people don't care for it, but I do like the cardboard packaging it comes in for its size, as well as sustainability. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good quality, mid-priced palette with a little variety.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Amore Pacific - Moisture Bound Vitalizing Masque
akharri785 3/5/2013 2:43:00 AM
I LOVE this stuff. I used to have very oily skin when I was younger but now it is more combination, resulting in some dry patches. I use a good moisturizer daily but sometimes need a little "oomph." And this is it! At first I was skeptical that this would make my face TOO oily, but it truly is amazing. You simply apply a thin layer of it in the evening after freshly cleansing your face and leave it on until you wash your face the next morning. It's a very lightweight gel and literally melts into your skin. I do this two or three times a week and it keeps my skin perfectly hydrated without being oily. I was also worried that this would break me out since I can be sensitive to some moisturizing products, but that's not the case at all with this masque. I also feel that it makes my skin a little more radiant and smooth after continual use. It may seem pricey at first ($60 for 3.4 oz at Sephora) but it truly does last a LONG time. You don't need to apply this with a heavy hand because a little bit of the liquid-gel goes a longgg way. I've been using the same bottle for four months now. I also like that it is more of a natural product and is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, phthalates, etc. When you first apply it, it does look a little shiny (even though it blends in well) but that doesn't really bother me since I'm going straight to bed anyway. Also, I really like the smell. It's smell clean and fresh (maybe slightly citrus-y?) but it may be a tad too "perfume-y" for some people. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this product. If you're looking for a little extra hydration to clear up some mild, dry patches; I think this would be perfect for you. If you're looking for a super, heavy duty moisturizing mask or cream; I don't know if this will be sufficient for you. But if you're in between those two extremes (like me), I think it would be great!
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Styling Products -TRESemme - Fresh Start Dry Shampoo for Oily/Straight to Normal Hair
akharri785 3/5/2013 2:17:00 AM
I remember using this for awhile when dry shampoos started to make a come back and not many brands had a dry shampoo in their line yet, but ever since Suave Professionals came out with one, I never used this again. I really feel like this stuff is seriously horrible in every way: it smells like cheap, powdery perfume; it leaves a filmy residue that actually weighed my hair down more and made it look worse; and it's a lot harder to fully massage when trying to get the white residue to blend in and go away. And I know dry shampoo nozzles have a tendency to clog but this nozzle was CONSTANTLY clogging, despite my best efforts to clean out the nozzle with warm, running water frequently. Seriously, but the Suave Professionals one instead; it's only two bucks and has great payoff. Also, if you do buy this, be aware that you need some SERIOUS ventilation in your bathroom because it is very thick and will make it hard to breathe.
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Shampoo -Suave - Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray
akharri785 3/5/2013 2:04:00 AM
This is my favorite dry shampoo, period. I have tried many department store and drugstore brands and this is what works best for my hair. This helps me get more mileage out of my hair between shampooing and doesn't make my hair feel filmy or gross. I usually just roughly section my hair and spray it on the roots and once I'm done doing it all over, I flip over and massage it in. It leaves a slight white powder at first (I have medium brunette hair) but I find that it really does go away if you massage it in well. I know people are all over the place regarding the smell; personally, it's a little strong (very citrus-y) but not too horrible. If you're looking for a new dry shampoo to try, I'd definitely recommend this. And it's only two bucks, so even if you don't like it, it's not a huge waste. I certainly like this a lot more than Tresemme's which I thought was wayyy too filmy and cakey, making it hard to fully massage in. Also, I never have issues with this nozzle clogging like I did with other brands. TIP: If you're having trouble rubbing ANY brand of dry shampoo in (as in, the white residue left over), style as usual and then take a barely damp cloth and LIGHTLY go over your hair with it. I found that takes the "ash" color off, at least for me, as long as the cloth isn't too damp and you're not pressing too hard into your hair. Like I said, I don't have this problem with this particular brand of dry shampoo but it helped when I bought other dry shampoos I didn't like as much. Thought I'd pass it on if anyone was interested! :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - LiQWD - Professional Volumizing Catalyst
akharri785 3/5/2013 1:51:00 AM
I LOVE this stuff. I have tried many different volumizers for my limp locks and have finally found the one that works perfectly for my hair. This stuff is a little pricey and the bottle is a little smaller than I'd prefer, but I will continue to buy it. To use, I simply; turn my head upside down, spray it directly into my roots (avoiding the very front of my hairline because it can make it a tad crunchy), rake my fingers through to evenly distribute it and blow dry. That's it! And it really does give me some great volume without weighing my hair down. Like I said, I avoid spraying directly into the very front of my hairline because I feel it makes it just a little crunchy, but aside from that, it's pretty weightless. It's worth a try if you're still searching for that "perfect" volumizer!
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Styling Products -Redken - WOOL SHAKE COTTON-INFUSED GEL SLUSH
akharri785 3/5/2013 1:44:00 AM
I wanted to like this, I really did. I read all the great reviews for it, but it just didn't work for me. I followed the instructions and also did as other reviewers suggested and didn't spray it too close because it is very sticky. I also put it on my hands first and worked it in under my roots like another person suggested. Either way I tried it, it didn't do anything for me except make my hair feel a little limp and.. oily? It didn't feel sticky or crunchy and it wasn't super oily, just kind of oily. The only benefit is that this is a pretty good price for a Redken product (if you like it) and it would probably last for a long time. As for the smell, I kind of liked it but it could definitely be overpowering. I'm bummed this didn't work for me but do have other volumizers that I found to be far more effective for my limp locks.
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Self Tanners -Unlisted Brand - mystic tan
akharri785 5/18/2012 3:17:00 PM
This is a LONG review but if you're a first timer and super nervous, read this, it will help. I promise! :) Here's my story; previously, I never cared about being tan and have never, ever been in a tanning bed. Essentially, my mother once read me a six page spread in Cosmo about skin cancer when I was a kid and I was basically terrified of the sun, haha. While I still slather on SPF 45 or higher when I go outside for a few hours, I have started to feel that desire to be tan. I am on a college campus and being tan is HUGE here. Girls are all about the beds and self tanning. I was still on the fence for years and finally, for my college graduation, I thought I needed a little color for all the pictures that would be taken and thought, "Why the hell not?" So I did hours (seriously, hours! haha) of research on what type of spray tans were the best. I watched countless YouTube videos, mined through dozens of blogs, and read reviews like crazy. Finally I settled on getting a Mystic. I then spent the next hour calling all the salons in town to figure out which ones offered Mystics and who had the best deals. After that, I settled on my local Planet Beach. I found their girls to be the nicest and they had the best deal. (Some places I called, the girls seemed almost annoyed with how to explain a spray tan and what to do.) Also. many of my friends recommended Planet Beach, so I made my appointment there. I moisturized heavily for two days before my spray tan and exfoliated the day before and the day of (not heavily, just a gently but thoroughly!). I arrived terrified but freshly-shaven and showered and with ZERO lotion on. The nice woman walked me through how it works (I'd already seen countless videos but listened to her patiently anyway because she was just so darn nice!) and explained all the products through the Mystic line. Finally, after settling on a package and my color (I went with "Glow" for the first time, it's the lightest color you can select... and I'm one pasty woman, haha!), she led me to the room. It had a giant Mystic booth in it and all the supplies I needed to prepare. She explained what to do and left for me to undress (the rooms are private and lock, so don't worry!). I quickly stripped and repeatedly read the instructions on the poster on the wall. I seriously was freaking out and questioning my whole life, haha. I put on the barrier cream super thoroughly (this is THE most important part!) on my feet, between my toes, over my pedi, on my ankles, on my hands, between my fingers, and on my mani. I did not put any on my elbows or knees and didn't find that they collected any extra since I exfoliated REALLY well before coming. Remember, DO NOT rub in the barrier cream... it's supposed to be super thick and just sit on top of your skin. It looks crazy, but trust me, that's the best way to apply it. Naked, barrier creamed up, and with my hair net on (pull it back a little so it's not covering your hairline); I nervously stepped into the huge booth. I swiped my hand in front of the censor and the robotic lady began talking to me. From there, it really was a breeze. There are numbers on the floor that tell you where to put your feet and the lady always tells you when/how to rotate and there's always enough time between sprays. You basically just stand there with your arms a little bent out from your body and fingers spread wide apart (cupping them can cause product to build up and leave your with orange crevasses) and let it spray you twice on the front in the two positions, and then twice on the back in two positions. But when you turn to the back, keep the same body position but put your hands slightly in front of your tummy so it doesn't get your palms. Aside from that, it's really easy, just make sure to try not to breath in deeply while it's spraying because it can be pretty intense. It was literally over in like a couple of minutes. The machine dries you and the spray is not cold, so it was pretty pleasant. Once you get out, you take off your hair net and carefully wipe off your barrier cream. I also "feathered" the cream while taking it off so my tan would blend nicely into my wrists and ankles and not look weird and have obvious lines. It worked really well. I gently towel-dried off (don't worry about it removing your tan because it won't) to prevent any streaks and changed in to my loose, dark clothes I brought. It seriously was so easy. I was ready to go once I was dressed. From there, you just make sure you don't get wet (from rain or shower) for at least four hours but I usually wait overnight. I also washed my hands and feet carefully an hour after the spray tan to make sure I got all the barrier cream off. (Also, I use a Noxzema pad on my face before going to bed since my face always tans more than my body. This gently removes a little tanner and helps to match your face to your body more.) I woke up the next day, showered, and it looked great! I was terrified I'd look in the mirror and see Snooki, but it was just a nice, golden me! I seriously recommend this. It's so easy and after the first time you do it, it's not scary at all. I also found that the Mystic fades super nicely. But I usually do buy the accelerator to add to my color cartridge. I don't care if it speeds up the tan or not, but it helps it looked more "airbrushed" and to fade a lot more evenly. So I highly recommend buying that too. I gave this all 5's in each department except price, because they are kind of expensive (anywhere between $20 - $40, depending on what type of package you get) BUT they do last a LONG time and are very quality. They usually last a week for me and fade nicely if I don't do any upkeep. Since they are expensive, I also use a gradual self tanner once a week or so between my twice monthly Mystics just to keep it looking good. I usually use the second to lightest cartridge and it looks so natural and sun kissed. In the end, I seriously recommend the Mystic Tan! :)
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Hard Candy - Glow All The Way in Doll Face
akharri785 4/18/2012 3:40:00 PM
After emptying my wallet over and over again for Benefit's High Beam, I began a desperate search for a new highlighter/illuminator. Let me start off my saying; I still absolutely ADORE High Beam and would happily buy it all the time if I were Bill Gates. But sadly, Bill Gates, I am not. So, in order to give my poor little wallet a break, I began researching for "comparable" highlighters. I stumbled across some good ones most were almost just as expensive as High Beam, if not more. I came across Hard Candy's Glow All The Way in Doll Face. I read some pretty positive reviews and decided to give it a try. For almost four months since first hearing about it, it was always sold out at Walmart... Always! Finally, after essentially giving up,the heaven's opened up while I was wasting time in the beauty aisle and little rays of light practically beamed down at it. I grabbed it, excitedly squeaked about it to my fiance (who didn't understand what all the fuss was about but was supportive none the less), and ran home to give it a try. Let me start off by saying that this bottle is HUGE. It will last a VERY long time. It's quite a steal for $8 and 2.7oz worth of product (see picture I added with it in my hand for size comparison). Also, the packaging is pretty cute. And I haven't had any problems with my lid not shutting tightly likes others have mentioned, so I guess I just got a good tube. Now, for the product itself, when you first squeeze it out, it's VERY pink and golden. It claims it's "infused" with 24 karat gold but I think they're fibbing there. I was seriously doubting my purchase initially BUT it blends incredibly well and melts into your skin like butter. So make sure you blend, blend, blend, ladies! It is more pink-y and golden than High Beam, which is a little more creamy and cool, but if you blend it well it still works very well and appears subtle and not over the top. For those that say it looks too much like "clubbing" make up, I find that with some great blending and light powder on top, it really isn't garish at all. If you'd like to see the difference between High Beam and this, see the picture I added. (High beam is swatched on the top of my hand and Glow All The Way is one the bottom.) I also like this packaging better than High Beam's. High Beam is quite small and I'm not a fan of "brush" applicator and it's nearly impossible to get all of it out of the jar. Glow All The Way is nice because you can squeeze it directly on your fingers. Overall, I found this product to be a worthwhile purchase. I will say that I do not think it's a dupe of High Beam but it's a pretty darn good substitute. So if you're like me and you're looking for a cheaper alternative, this is your ticket. Good luck, ladies!
12 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
akharri785 4/18/2012 3:17:00 PM
I just may be this product's biggest fan. Seriously. I have always had fairly oily skin and my eyelids were no exception. When I dared wear eye shadow without any type of primer, it would end up stuck to my crease in less than an hour. I didn't even think about wearing crayon liner. Nope, for many years, it was liquid eye liner for me only. I finally decided to give powder eye shadow a try again due to how many beautiful colors are out there and the fact that plain liquid liner was getting very old. So I researched multiple types of primers and finally settled on this one. I was skeptical at first but, two years later, I'm still a believer. This stuff is incredible. My eye shadow last from when I put it off, until I take it off at night. I have never even bothered trying any other primers because I got it right the first time with this product. Also, some may be put off by the price, but trust me, this stuff lasts FOR-EVER. No joke. The tube appears small but it only dispenses a tiny amount at a time (which is all you need!) and I use it almost every single day and it lasts me up to six months. So really, the $18 you pay is hardly that expensive considering how long it lasts. I do have a few tips though; DO NOT use a lot of this. If you use any more than a thin layer, it can cause it to be too thick and "goopy" on the eye, therefor being counterproductive. Always use a small amount. ALWAYS make sure the eyelid has been JUST cleaned to get this to really stick and stay. Also, to get that extra staying powder and deeper color appreciation, I always put a few drops of contact solution (thanks for this tip many years ago, Cosmo!) and put it on via a "wet application." I then proceed to blend dry shadow over it. This makes it last so much longer and the colors look better; not too dark or deep, it just enhances the color. I think this method works better than just using regular water. Hope this helps!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No