Makeup Brushes -MAC - 222 Tapered Blending Brush [DISCONTINUED]
annaz26 1/23/2010 7:33:00 PM
Amazing brush! I can't imagine how I blended before it. It works well for applying color but where it REALLY shines is the consistency of blending in the crease. It works so well for graduating colors across the lid. This is a total staple of my routine. Highly recommend this!
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #213 Fluff Brush
annaz26 1/23/2010 7:30:00 PM
I feel very strongly that this is just an O.K. brush. For twenty-threeish dollars, it's quite overpriced for what it is. Event the most dismally-stocked drugstore would have exactly this brush. It is nice quality and packs on product evenly. However, it is not nearly as special as other MAC eye brushes. If you're beginning with makeup, you'd be much better off investing in a more specialized brush like the beautiful blending or eyeliner brushes.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto
annaz26 1/12/2010 1:47:00 AM
The only good thing with this purchase it that it was cheap. I bought it on clearance after being lured in by the advertising (and really, it is a cute idea, the bottle looks like the heel of a stiletto). This mascara clumped and made me look as though I have about 5 really long eyelashes. After about three hours of wear, I began noticing flakes on my cheeks. From a brand new bottle! I suppose I would recommend this to someone who has very short, very full eyelashes to begin with. It WILL give you length, but in that you sacrifice fullness. I would not purchase this again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Farouk CHI - Chi Silk Infusion
annaz26 1/12/2010 1:41:00 AM
My hair is wavy and has quite a bit of natural shine on it's own. So when I use any kind of serum or gel, my hair tends to look greasy and unwashed. But Silk Infusion has been amazing-- it makes me hair feel soft and shiny and-- best of all-- not the least bit greasy. The scent is wonderful; it's not overpowering, floral, or chemical-y. It's very faint, but it stays on my hair all day. My boyfriend even noticed the scent and liked it too. I recommend using a TINY amount for your entire hair and, like with all serums, begin applying at the tip. I like to use it in wet hair before I blow dry. This is a great product that is definitely worth the price. And really, a small bottle will last you a long time. I have very long hair and use this every day-- but I can't anticipate running out of Silk Infusion for at LEAST 6 months.
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Blush -MAC - Trace Gold
annaz26 3/30/2009 4:44:00 PM
This is an HG product for me, but it's hard to say whether it's really a bronzer or a blush. I usually add a pinky colored blush underneath it, but only a little on the very apples of my cheeks. It's such a gorgeous shimmery color, and it's great whether you have a tan or you're fair-skinned (obviously you have to adjust the amount of product for your skin tone). Overall, it's just gorgeous and really everyone should swatch it for themselves.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Kiehls - Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
annaz26 3/30/2009 4:33:00 PM
Be warned, this is best as a night cream. I've tried to wear it under concealer, but it's just way too creamy for day wear. I dab the tiniest amount on at night. It conditions and moisturizes the area around my eye so that I can wear concealer or eye shadow during the day without it caking up. I love this product, but it's VERY expensive for my taste. But, the great thing about the Kiehl's counter (at Nordstrom at least) is that they're very pro-sample. They really do want you to try a product before you buy it. Their sample sizes are usually pretty decent, so you can use it for a couple of days to determine if it will work for you. Try that before you buy.
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Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
annaz26 1/23/2009 2:47:00 AM
I love Cetaphil. My dermatologist recommended it YEARS ago and I've used it ever since. It's gentle, non-irritating and perfect for my combination skin. I find it works best with a washcloth because it's consistency is a bit thick and hard to cleanse totally off my face, but that's more a personal laziness problem than an issue inherent to the product. It doesn't do everything for you, I use an exfoliating scrub twice a week along with it. But for daily use, a girl would be crazy not to try it.
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Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
annaz26 1/23/2009 2:42:00 AM
This has been my go-to treatment for my combination skin since middle school! In the winter, when my skin is drier, I apply it just to my T-zone. In the summer I could use it every day all over. I love the smell, the minty-tingling sensation and the way it leaves my skin feeling fresh and SO CLEAN. Never irritates me, always get the same, great results. Perfect!
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Toners -Burt's Bees - Rosewater & Glycerin Toner
annaz26 12/18/2008 5:34:00 AM
I bought this after I became irritated by BB's Garden Tomato Toner's scent. The Rosewater has a less pungent, sweeter smell. But other than that, I've found no difference between the two. Both removed excess makeup and oil after I wash my face and really improve the overall quality of my skin. I don't break out when I take the time to thoroughly tone my skin with this product. AT ALL. I typically don't have a lot of acne, but this product stifled ANY breakout consistently for the last 3 months. However, with harsher, drier weather in the winter months, I find that I have to be careful not to go overboard with it-- maybe skip a day between applications. It can dry out my skin very quickly. The bottle lasts a long time, and I definitely think it's a great price. It is hard to find, but you can get it off the Burt website and its definitely worth the shipping and handling cost.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Marc Jacobs - Eau De Parfum
annaz26 12/18/2008 5:22:00 AM
My boyfriend bought this for me after a saleswoman recommended it for a girl who loves gardenia scent. I love everything about it! It's feminine and floral without being sugary or overwhelming. The fragrance lasts ALL day (and lingers on my bedsheets, jackets, etc.) The packaging is perfection-- so sleek and minimal. I find that a single spritz is the perfection amount for me. I truly love this product, but I think perfume is a personal choice-- you should find whatever reflects your style and exploit the sample counter until you find the one that works best for you. At Nordstroms they'll give you a tiny glass cylinder of whatever fragrance you like, so you can try it for several days. Gotta love free stuff! :)
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Styling Products -Redken - Workforce 09 [DISCONTINUED]
annaz26 12/18/2008 5:13:00 AM
My only complaint is that his hairspray is EXPENSIVE! I'm a student and I don't really have the income to buy this often, but when I do it lasts a long time. This definitely gives my hair a lot of volume without making my hair sticky or heavy. I find that its excellent if you tease (backcomb, whatever you want to call it) your hair a bit. It also has a really inoffensive scent, though I guess it stills has a bit of a chemical affect to it. My favorite part of this hairspray is that is LASTS. I can style my hair at 7AM and my hair won't need a touch-up until late in the afternoon. What else can I say? I love it.
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Powder -L'Oreal - Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation
annaz26 12/18/2008 5:06:00 AM
I bought this product after my aunt, who has similar skin, recommended it to me. I have a more oily complexion and this has been my number one go-to product that I wear every day. It makes me matte and evens out my skin tone. Sometimes I just apply it over moisturizer when I'm short on time and just going to class. Ideally, I wear it over concealer and a teensy bit of foundation. But I have never used a product with such awesome coverage! The packaging, however, is awful. I tried using the brush it comes with, but I found that it was too stiff for powder and applies unevenly. I just used a fluffy powder brush instead. I have to turn the product upside down, shake it a bit, and then dip my brush into the residue on top. Not ideal at all, and the reason I don't give this product a 5. It may not look this way on the shelf, but there's actually a LOT of product in this and one usually lasts me 2-3 months! It doesn't break out my skin or look cakey, and I just can't recommend this enough. Thoroughly worth the $13 price!
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