Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Light Plus
amberlady 2/8/2013 9:38:00 AM
I must say, now that I have the correct color of this product I have to agree with the majority of the reviewers that this powder is pretty amazing! It doesn't leave a powderey finish, has a small amount of coverage and acts as the most perfect setting powder for foundation. I have dry skin and this doesn't emphasize flakes or creep into lines...it really is an awesome product. If you have oily skin, this may not be matte enough for you. It still lets whatever is underneath it show through so I don't see it being the best oil absorber. Originally, when I went to the MAC store the SA matched me to medium plus. I tried it for 2 weeks and couldn't figure out why my face looked so dang pink!! Then I saw on here that laurenclark rec'd light plus for nc25 skin (more suitable for yellow undertones) and it's a perfect match!!! It looks really light in the pan but it really is perfect for nc20-25 skintones. I will definitely repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Batiste - Dry Shampoo
amberlady 1/27/2013 9:44:00 AM
I haven't tried very many dry shampoos so I don't have a lot to compare to it to, but out of the few I've tried I like this one the best. It does pretty much what it says it will do...it sort of refreshes the hair by absorbing the oil and adding a little bit of volume. I like that it's not too expensive either. A lot of the hair products I use are pricier and it's nice to like a product that's not going to break the bank every time I need to repurchase. I always see this at tj max for around $5. The only real con I have is that it does take away the natural shine of hair giving the hair a very matte finish but I've experienced this with every dry shampoo I've tried. I wear my hair up whenever I use dry shampoos for that reason. Also, it does leave a white residue so just make sure to brush through your hair after applying. Overall, I like this product and I would repurchase it, but I'll probably try others as well just to compare.
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Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Erase Paste in Fair
amberlady 9/18/2012 11:06:00 AM
Let me start off by saying I was not initially in love with this product, however after much trial and error, and using it for almost a year I've managed to get it to really work beautifully and it's the main concealer I use under my eyes (I also like Mac Moisture Cover but only when I don't need much coverage). I'm going to start off by listing all the things I was doing originally that I feel made this product work against me, and then follow with the exact way I apply it now that gives me a completely invisible/brightened undereye area. What I was doing wrong: 1) I was using wayyyy too much product which left me cake central, and literally eyes that looked I had aged 10 years...I didn't even know I had that many lines for this to slide into. 2) I tried to conceal my entire undereye area...don't do this you're just asking for trouble and for it to seep into every line 3) I was rubbing it in with a brush or my finger which was causing it to cake in some spots and be streaky in others, so I'd try to layer a little more on top to even out the application which only made it worse so I'd have to completely start over...and I do my concealor after foundation so that sucked. How I've gotten it to work: 1) I gently dip my ring finger in the tub, and pick up just enough product to cover the tip of my finger and then apply the product only to the darkest area of my undereye/the inner third 2) I hold my finger still to my eye for a moment like a previous reviewer said to sort of let the product warm up then gently pat it into the dark area only...never rub!! NEVER RUB! I pat until it's completly blended. 3) As soon as I finish applying to one eye I immediately set that eye before moving on to the other. This is crucial...if I don't set it immediately it will have already have begun to crease when I come back to it after applying to my other eye. Right now I'm using MUFE HD with a fluffy eyeshadow brush to set it. I know this application technique sounds ridiculous and like a lot of work which is the reason I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5, but it's the only way I've gotten it to work and I've yet to find any concealor that wears this well when I apply it this way. It never gets dry, it doesn't cake or settle into lines (anymore), and it brightens and conceals my undereye to the point where they look air brushed. If you look in profile, in almost every pic I'm wearing this concealer. So overally, I adore this but it took some time to get me there. I will definitely repurchase because I have never found anything even remotely comparable. It is quite expensive, but like I said I've been using this for almost a year and still have 1/2 a jar left....plus it hasn't dried out. Oh, and I use this in the medium shade which is a salmon color but it works well for my warm skin because for my undereyes I feel a cooler shade actually conceals better. Hope this helps!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kerastase - Ciment Thermique
amberlady 9/8/2012 12:58:00 PM
I recently made the huge transition from being bright blonde to dark auburn and have completely changed my hair care to best preserve my color and this is one if the products I've added. I have to say despite its horrific price tag I quite like this leave in. I have extremely fine hair and this doesn't weigh it down or give me the greasies. It makes my hair uber soft and offers a good amount of protection from heat styling. Before blow drying I put about a dime sized amount through my ends and I'm left with shiny, soft, manageable hair. If you have fine hair I recommend this because it is really light weight, but I'd never put it on my roots. The only real con I have is the packaging. Its a pain in the butt to have to unscrew the lid...a flip cap would be more functional. This tube will probably last me over a year which makes it worth it in the long run, but I would repurchase whenever I run out.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Melba
amberlady 8/24/2012 12:34:00 PM
I have finally found the most flattering blush for my skin tone ever!! For reference I'm around NC20-30 depending on the day. I've been on a blush kick lately, and am so glad I tried this! I would never have just picked this out at the Mac store because it's somewhat uninspiring in the pan but I saw it reviewed on here and thought I'd try it. It's the perfect combination of corall, peach, and pink on me and makes me look like I just got back from the beach. I love that it's matte too so I can choose to add shimmer to it (via nars luster) or use it on it's own for a more natural look. Adore!!!! Will repurchase forever!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -NARS - Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
amberlady 8/3/2012 6:33:00 PM
An awesome tinted moisturizer with an awesomely high spf!!! Goes on so smooth, has amazing coverage yet still light, doesn't dry me out or make me a grease ball, and stays put without being powdered. This delivers on all counts I look for in a TM, so I couldn't be happier. I'm right in between St. Mortiz and Alsaska so I mix the two or use them on their own depending on whether I've self tanned or not. I like to apply this with either my fingers or a sponge spritzed with MAC Fix+. Looks very natural, and glowy. Will repurchase!!!
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Blush -NARS - Luster
amberlady 8/3/2012 6:26:00 PM
Love this blush! It's stunning on my pale yet warm skin. It appears very peach once applied, which threw me for a loop because it doesn't look so peach in the pan, but it really is gorgeous. I like the subtle shimmer in Nars blushes too. They almost act like a highlighter and blush in one. So far, I own Orgasm, Desire, and Luster and Luster is by far my favorite of the three. It's very pigmented so be careful. The first time I applied it I really dove in to the pan because the color seems so understated but it's definately not...went a little overboard and had to start it over lol! It's pretty dang expensive, but will last ages so I definately recommend this if you are warm. Will rebuy!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -TiGi - Catwalk Root Boost
amberlady 4/19/2012 11:16:00 AM
This is just meh. I'm never impressed with products that say they'll add volume and this product is no different. I don't feel it did anything at all really, except maybe make my roots look a little dirty. My hair was pretty much stuck to my head, the opposite of what I want so I won't be repurchasing or even using the rest of this.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes
amberlady 4/6/2012 11:28:00 AM
I love this mascara! For starters, it really does lengthen the lashes and I even find it adds some extra volume. However, my favorite thing about it is how easily it is removed!!! Literally, just get it wet and it slides off, all of it!!! So much more gentle in terms of removal than any other mascara I've tried. I gave it 4 lippies instead of 5 only because you have to be somewhat careful when applying because it can clump, but when applied with a little bit of patience it's beautiful! I've already repurchased numerous times, and will continue to do so.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Laura Geller - Spackle Cream
amberlady 2/25/2012 2:57:00 PM
I'm really starting to wonder why I even try with primer. This one was especially awful. I bought the 3 in 1 product at Ulta that comes with the eye, lip, and face primer. As soon as I put this on and finished the rest of my makeup, my skin felt like it was being suffocated...and I didn't even notice a difference in the way my makeup looked. Not any smoother or flawless. I went and ran a few errands and by the time I got home my face felt itchy and uncomfortable so I took my makeup off to uncover 4 new blemishes. I hardly ever break out anymore so to me one time is enough to know when it's due to a specific product. Now, granted most primers do this to me, but this one seemed especially terrible. I will not be repurchasing...I will be returning.
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Moisturizers -Cetaphil - Moisturizing Cream
amberlady 12/6/2011 10:01:00 AM
Never thought in a million years, that a product with petroleum would fare well on my skin...alas I stand corrected! My usual moisturizer (Cerave PM) hasn't been cutting it lately with the season change, and this along with an HA serum has completely transformed my skin. Surprisingly, it doesn't leave me greasy, goes well under foundation and is a breeze to apply...no tugging, hard rubbing etc...it absorbs quickly and doesn't feel like it's just sitting on top of my skin. I'm pleasantly surprised. Best of all, it's dirt cheap. I got the one in the squeeze tube and I think it was like $6. It's wonderful knowing my HG winter moisturizer is only 6 dollars and it will literally last the entire winter since you really don't need much product per application. Love it, will definately repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -MyChelle - Ultra Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum
amberlady 12/6/2011 9:45:00 AM
My skin loves this stuff! Now that the weather is changing, my dry skin is even drier and using this product before my moisturizer has kept the flakies at bay. It leaves my skin dewey and hydrated...and best of all no breakouts! I personally love the smell as well. To me the rose smells fresh. The packaging is great with a locking pump bottle, I never accidentally get too much product...which is good b/c holy toledo is it expensive for something that's just going to make my moisturizer work better. Regardless of the price, it's still an awesome hyaluronic serum...love the temporary plumping it adds to my skin!! I will definately be repurchasing!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
amberlady 11/4/2011 11:14:00 AM
My HG cleanser forever and always! It's gentle, doesn't cause my skin to feel dry and tight, and it doesn't break me out...it simply does what it says, gently cleanses my face. I use mineral oil to remove my makeup or any flakies I may have, and then follow up with this to remove any oil residue. From there, my skin is soft and clean and ready for any actives I want to apply. Make sure you get the one that says gentle cleanser, not daily... one time while repurchasing I didn't pay attention and grabbed the one that said daily which smelled horribly of chemicals and left my skin dry. Other than that though, this is reasonably priced and you get so much product for what you pay you really can't go wrong. Thank you makeup alley for the recommendation of this super awesome product!!
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Skincare - Body -Johnson & Johnson - Baby Oil
amberlady 11/3/2011 7:45:00 PM
What's not to like about baby oil?!?! It's the cheapest product I own as well as the single most used product in my arsenal. I give myself mineral oil face massages every day...removes all flakes, dirt, makeup, sunscreen etc... you can shave with it or use it in the shower for added moisture. You can add a few drops to your regular moisturizer to amp it up, or it can be used in the bedroom with the hubby for massages/etc. :) It's truly a staple!! Will repurchase forever!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Merle Norman - Luxiva Sheer Defense Tinted Moisturizer
amberlady 11/3/2011 1:31:00 PM
Love, love, love, love!!!!! My go-to product for my face. I've been trying out a lot of different foundations lately from Dior, to YSL Teint Resist, to MUFE HD, to Smashbox and I always come back to this. I have dry skin, and most foundations dry me out even more no matter how well I moisturize so I love that with this product I never have to refresh my face with a spray or anything. It glides on so smooth, and has the perfect amount of coverage while still allowing my skin to show through. It lasts the entire day without slipping, but it may not if you have oilier skin...however it reapplies just as smoothly I've found. There's a picture in my profile where I'm wearing this in the shade tan if you want to see for yourself (never mind the naked lips in the pic, still had to kiss my man goodbye :x ) I highly recommend this if you're not a big fan of foundation but still want to be polished. Another great Merle Norman product in my opinion!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No