Eyeliner -Bourjois - Liner Stylo & Taille mine
annely 3/5/2013 5:14:00 PM
I bought this in the colour "42 brun" (42 brown) at Di (a beauty store in Belgium). I use brown eyeliner everyday, and bought this to replace my Clinique quickliner in "dark chocolate". Packaging is fine, except at Di they always wrap everything in multiple layers of clear tape so it's a pain to get off at first, but that's just Di. After using it almost everyday for a good month, I would have to say that this product isn't that good. I apply it over my eyeshadow, and the colour isn't very dark. Even if I trace over the liner multiple times, it doesn't get much darker, so it isn't even buildable. Worse, the colour does not last, and I have to be careful when curling my lashes, otherwise patches of it comes off! It also doesn't go that smooth over my lid, so I have to press a little harder than I want to on my delicate eyelid skin. I guess this product is okay if you don't mind retracing your line over and over again, but I'm usually in a rush in the morning so I need to be able to swipe and go! If you're looking for a cheap brown twist-up eyeliner, go for L'Oréal infallible instead. When I swatched both of them side by side, the Bourjois liner looks much more pigmented, but when applying on your eyes, the L'Oréal one is creamier, more pigmented and is buildable. It also comes with a sharpener (which I never use) and they are both available here in Belgium for around the same price.
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Lipstick -New York Color - Ultra Last Lip Wear - 412B Mauve Gold
annely 2/7/2013 7:13:00 AM
This is one of my favourite shades of lipstick. This is my go-to lipstick for everyday, and I've repurchased it multiple times already (since you can get it for like CDN$3 at Walmart). The colour is basically a sheer, corally pink with tiny gold flecks. The colour pay-off is not impressive, but the lipstick is easily buildable, and the sheerness is what I like most about it. You will have to reapply after eating, drinking or kissing. (wink wink) The packaging sucks, and if you're not careful, you might chip off the top of the lipstick because it doesn't retract all the way down. Also, the plastic cover is really cheap and easily cracked. Nonetheless, I love this lipstick and always make sure I have multiple ones on stock in case they ever stop making it! If you're looking for a similar shade, but with less shimmer and more colour, then go for Rimmel's Heather Shimmer lipstick. Perhaps the best version of this shade is Estée Lauder's Tiger Eye, although that one is more bronze-toned than Mauve Gold.
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Lipstick -New York Color - Ultra Moist Lip Wear Retro Red 308B
annely 1/16/2012 2:19:00 AM
I swear I've reviewed this product already, but can't find my review so I'll do it again. I LOVE this lipstick! It's the perfect lipstick imho. What everyone says about this being an orangey-red is true, but I find that it's extremely flattering on my lips. Contrary to what others say, I find that this has great staying power, and I can eat and drink a full meal without fear that my lips have become a patchy mess. It doesn't dry my lips out like most other lipsticks, which means that I can wear it without gloss on top, and I think it looks best as a matte colour anyway. It was less than CDN$2 which is a steal for something of this quality! My only gripe would be the packaging: Since the tube doesn't go all the way down, there's a good chance of you slicing the lipstick if you have shaky hands, or if you put the cap on without paying attention. Nonetheless, I like the clear cap and being able to see the actual colour of the lipstick as opposed to just a shade sticker. I definitely recommend! For those of you who have problems with the staying power, here's how I apply it: Apply a thin coat of lipbalm on your lips and let dry a little before applying the lipstick. This helps keeps your lips from feeling too dry as you wear the lipstick throughout the day, and it gives the colour a more "smooth" appearance on your lips. Then apply the lipstick slowly, molding out the shape that you desire. Since it's a bright red, you'll want to shape your lips well to prevent it from looking like fake wax lips. Apply several coats if you want a more intense colour. Then, brush translucent powder (or baby powder) over the lips. Don't be surprised if most of the powder disappears into the colour. Then once you've added powder over your entire lip area, apply one or two more coats of lipstick to finish it off.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
annely 10/2/2011 2:54:00 AM
I've been through 3 bottles of this, and I don't think I'm going back. Colorstay has been my staple foundation for a long time now, but I have a few problems with it that merit me switching and finding another foundation. First of all is the packaging. Like everyone else says, this stuff needs a pump! I don't see why Revlon doesn't just throw one in already. I always waste foundation because I end up pouring too much by accident and it's just really messy to use. There is a strong smell to this foundation, reminiscent of paint but sweeter (?) and as weird as this sounds, I really like the scent. Some shades have a stronger smell than others. So if you don't like fragrance in your foundation, avoid this one. The smell remains even after you've applied it on your face, but it's much much more subtle and eventually fades as you wear it. Coverage is amazing. Out of 5, I would give coverage 4.5. Super red blemishes won't be concealed completely, but this effectively covers my dark circles (except on really bad days), red areas around my nose and chin as well as minor spots and blemishes. With that said, it is a thick foundation. It's not what I'd call heavy, but you'll probably notice that you're wearing it. It lasts all day without reapplying, with/without powder, except around my mouth (but that happens with all my foundations). I have dry skin that gets oily around my T-zone, and this foundation tends to emphasize dry patches. It tends to settle in my pores (especially on my nose) and it can look very cakey depending on how I choose to apply it. My favourite method of application is using a damp sponge to sheer it out and to help it stay wet long enough for me to blend it properly. This foundation dries fast so most other methods (fingers, brush, dry sponge) tend to not work as well for me. Using a foundation brush then blending with a wet sponge is good too, for when I want thicker coverage. If you're going to stipple with this foundation, I recommend that you (a) pour small amounts at a time and (b) stipple FAST! This stuff is pure matte. Matte to the point that it looks too "mature" on my skin, but some highlight around my eyes and nose fixes that easily. I prefer a dewy finish though - which is another reason why I'm switching. The good news is that even when I'm running around all day, sweaty and gross, this foundation really stays put and doesn't feel like it's melting off my face. And it stays matte. It works well during the hot summer months too, although you'll probably want a lighter foundation anyway. I've had no trouble cleansing this off my face at night, but obviously you'll have to use more than make-up remover wipes! Also, because this is a full-coverage foundation, take the time to choose the RIGHT SHADE! It took me three tries to get it right. If you get the wrong colour it will show because this isn't sheer at all. Shades between the Oily/Combo and Normal/Dry formulas are NOT THE SAME. I asked my mom to get me a bottle of Fresh Beige once and she bought it in the Normal/Dry formula instead of the Oily/Combo I usually get and it was so much darker. So same shade name + different formula = different shade. With regards to the formulas, I don't notice much of a difference between the two except the shades, and that Oily/Combo is easier to blend. It's "stretchier" somehow LOL. And neither formula broke me out. Overall, a great foundation, but not for me. I don't think I will be repurchasing because I'm still on the hunt for an HG foundation. I'll use it when I have nothing else that works, but with so much variety out there, I doubt I'll have to.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Physicians Formula - Gentle Cover Concealer(green)
annely 8/30/2011 3:36:00 PM
Packaging: I don't like how the top juts out from the tube. You could easily knick it if you aren't paying attention while opening/closing the cap. Also, the cover feels a little wobbly when closed, so I think there's a slight possibility of this opening by itself in my purse. Texture: Typical cream concealer. Not the easiest to blend imho, but it's nice and creamy without crossing into liquid territory. Pigmentation: Good, with just enough green. I'd never use this by itself and I definitely recommend applying foundation and/or flesh-coloured concealer over it. Price: Cheap. Got this on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for CDN$5.59 + tax. Normally retails for just below CDN$7, I believe. Overall: Good enough. It does what it's meant to do (provided you know how to use it) and nothing more. Repurchasing: I would, but given that I only use this for hiding the occasional pimple, I don't think I'll run out for a while.
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Lipstick -NYX - Round Lipstick in Circe #522
annely 8/30/2011 3:13:00 PM
I bought this because I was looking for a cheap nude lipstick and this got some good reviews. My favourite nude is Clinique Creamy Nude, but I wanted something a little cheaper. Now I did my research before buying; I checked it out on MUA, looked at online blogs, swatches, etc. and I was prepared to not like it, but hey, it's less than $2 on cherryculture.com (not including their ridiculous shipping costs) and it's becoming harder and harder to find NYX in my local drugstores. As always, I will start with the packaging. It's cute and functional, and I like that it has a transparent section on the bottom that shows the actual colour of the lipstick, instead of a plain colour sticker. The tube is pretty enough with its shiny black body and fancy white print. I also like that the cap closes with an audible click, so I don't have to worry about it accidentally sliding off. The lipstick has a faint scent. I've read other people describing it as a "rose" scent, but I'm not quite sure. Definitely some kind of artificial floral scent, imho. I don't understand how some of the pictures show pink lips when this lipstick is completely flesh coloured. No traces of pink at all. This gives me concealer lips and is about a shade or two lighter than my natural skin colour. It's not as bad as I thought it would be, but it's definitely not my nude of choice. The shade is workable, and I wouldn't mind wearing this occasionally if the texture weren't so greasy! I also read in other people's reviews that this would be "moisturizing". Now, I love a good moisturizing lipstick because my lips chap like nobody's business. But this lipstick is just greasy! It wipes off at the slightest touch, and the colour "breaks" across the lines of your lips because the formula is so thin and wet. An average lipgloss has better lasting power than this thing. I admit I had high expectations for the lipstick, but the greasiness completely caught me off-guard. I will continue to use it a bit; see if I can salvage some use out of it, but 'till then, I definitely won't be repurchasing. Maybe it can double as a cream concealer?
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Blush -Joe Fresh Style - Cream Blush
annely 8/29/2011 11:58:00 AM
I purchased two of these blushes at my local Joe Fresh store for CDN$8 + tax each, with 4.2g of product per blush. I got two shades: Bloom and Pecan. The packaging comes in the form of a thick plastic compact that gives the appearance of frosted glass - except it's plastic. The packaging fooled me when I bought Pecan (it turned out to be lighter than it looked behind the frosted cover), so try to look for online swatches before buying. They're light and they feel quite sturdy, but after a few days in my purse, I found that a bit of plastic has chipped off on the hinge of "Bloom" and thus the lid wobbles a little when I open it. There's a difference in texture between Pecan and Bloom, with the former being softer than the latter. It almost feels as if someone popped Bloom in the freezer, and so it feels more "solidified". The consistency of the cream is thin and I didn't have any trouble dabbing the product out, although blending was a bit harder with Bloom than with Pecan. When it comes to colours, Bloom is this cool, bright Barbie pink that's very well-pigmented and could give you clown cheeks if you're not careful with the blending. Although my skin tone is very warm, Bloom looks great on me. I will probably be repurchasing this shade when it runs out. I don't know how to describe the colour of Pecan. I expected to use it as a sort of bronzer, but it looks more like a peach/melon blush that leans too orange for my skin. It also has too much pink in it to be what I consider a true peach blush. Whatever it is, I imagine this would look great on darker skin tones. Probably the best way to describe how this colour looks is by imagining the redness that you get while sunbathing, except more orange than red. This would be great for a "sun kissed" (not "sun tanned") look. It's not as pigmented as Bloom and I find it can "disappear" if you blend it out too much, which is problematic for me. I started out really liking this shade, but now I find it rather blah and I'm not sure if I'll repurchase it .
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Mascara -Rimmel - Lycra Lash Extender
annely 8/29/2011 11:18:00 AM
This is a great basic mascara that does exactly what it says it does. Although my lashes are naturally long, this makes them appear even longer, which is great for my everyday work/au naturale look. It does add some curl, but it doesn't hold it as well as a waterproof mascara would. This mascara doesn't give any volume, nor does it promise to do so, so don't expect it to thicken your lashes. The formula is thin and a little bit on the dry side, but it has ZERO clumps and does not flake on me at all. I have had no problem layering this mascara on so it's definitely buildable. Packaging is functional and sleek, with a cute cap, and the mascara doesn't appear to be drying out, so it works! Got this for CDN$3.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart during a sale, and will definitely repurchase! If you're looking for a cheap lengthening/everyday mascara, this is it!
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Powder -New York Color - Loose Face Powder - Translucent
annely 7/24/2011 1:01:00 AM
I bought this mainly to set my makeup. Because my skin is rather dry, the majority of my face products are liquid and I needed a powder that would keep them from rubbing off during the day. So, after reading the largely positive reviews on MUA, I decided to go buy this one. The packaging is okay. I don't carry this powder around anywhere so the fact that the cover simply slides down and does not latch/lock doesn't bother me. A plus is that the bottom half of the container is somewhat clear so you can see how much product is left. I was also aware from reading reviews that there are too many holes in the sifter, so when removing the sticker covering these holes, I only took it out a third of the way through, and I've had few problems with it dispensing too much product. That doesn't mean that it isn't messy though. When you shake the container to get the product out, the powder somehow ends up on the edges of the pot, so when you open the lid, the powder can fall out and make a mess. Now, the actual product is pretty great. It isn't as smooth and silky as other powders I've tried, but it's still very smooth, fine and easy to blend. It's translucent, and doesn't leave a whitish cast over my make-up, nor does it dull any of the colours. It's great at mattifying your face and on summer days when you're feeling more "au naturale" you can just buff some of this stuff on your face to remove shine. Because it is translucent, this won't cover any imperfections. It's great at setting my makeup and making it last through a 9 hour work day, although an hour or so after lunch, I do get a bit of shine popping through. I'm debating getting the compact version of this powder to use for on-the-go touch-ups, but I will definitely repurchase this loose powder when I run out.
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Concealers -New York Color - Smooth Skin Liquid Concealer
annely 7/20/2011 6:23:00 PM
I'm suprised that no one has posted a review on this product yet. It's truly a drugstore gem and I love it! I actually bought this on impluse and debated returning it to the store shortly afterwards. I had purchased some new concealer a few days before and didn't really need this one, but I was too lazy to wait in line at PharmaPlus to return a C$5 product. Well, thank goodness for that, since I haven't stopped using this stuff since! The packaging is identical to the new NYC Liquid Lipshines. I love how the container is sleek, cute, purse-approved and functional (no leaking!) all at the same time. The concealer itself is a scentless liquid with a smooth consistency that's not too thick, not watery and not at all hard to blend. With the built-in applicator that looks like an improved doe-foot, I just dab it lightly under my eyes and on any problem areas around my face and blend it out with tapping motions using my middle and ring fingers. If you're concerned about keeping the applicator as hygienic as possible, you can dab the concealer on clean fingers instead of applying it directly on your face. A little goes a long way you so you should make sure that you use a light hand when dotting it around your face and not too much all at once. This concealer is great in that it's easy to blend out, very pigmented, won't look cakey (if you know what you're doing), won't crease, won't emphasize dry patches and lasts throughout the day. I was specifically looking for a concealer that wouldn't cling to dry skin around my healing blemishes, and this concealer does that very well! You can also wear it above or underneath foundation without it affecting performance (I wear it underneath just so it blends better). For reference, I have dry skin that gets a little oily around my T-zone, so my staple products are usually liquid. I can see this concealer being too greasy for people with oily skin. I don't like using this with pimples because when you blend it out, the coverage is not so good. It also takes a while to set if you've applied it thickly. The only other con I can think of is that it only comes in two shades (according to the NYC website), both of which are targeted towards fair skin tones. The darker shade, "Medium", is what I have and it fits me perfectly. I hope they come out with more shades soon. I also use this product for on-the-go foundation touch-ups. I work from 8-5 most days and now that it's summer, my make-up doesn't stay on in certain places, even with primer and setting powder. A major problem area is around my lips. I eat, drink and talk a lot in those 9 hours and constantly have to reapply lip colour, so the foundation around my lips tends to get wiped off during the day. Instead of carrying a bulky bottle of foundation/tinted moisturizer in my bag, I just carry this baby around, dab lightly on the skin around my lips, blend, set with my Clinique compact powder and voilà, like new! So if you've been looking to try out liquid concealer and are on the fence about this one, go for it! It's cheap, multifunctional, effective and just a great DS buy all in all. Definite repurchase for me!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Extra Volume Collagen Mascara (waterproof)
annely 7/18/2011 7:16:00 PM
I bought this on sale for about C$7 at Shopper's Drug Mart, but I know it normally retails for about C$10+. I was on the hunt for a good waterproof mascara that was actually waterproof, unlike the L'Oréal Voluminous mascara (waterproof version) that I previously tried. I bought it before reading all the reviews on MUA and now I wish I had spent my money on a Maybelline mascara instead. I have no problems with the packaging. It's bulkier than most of my other mascaras, but I actually think it's rather cute in an oversized kinda way. And it closes properly, so the mascara doesn't dry out. (Very important! LOL) 5 lippies for packaging. What I like about this mascara is that it IS waterproof, it's as black as my other black mascaras, it holds a curl very well, it doesn't smudge or flake easily, and is somewhat easier to remove than other waterproof mascaras I've tried. Now it's all downhill from here. I usually like big brushes, but I think this one is too big. The only advantage there is to its size is that I don't have to dip the wand back into the bottle to do my other eye, I just have to flip sides. In all other cases, the XL-sized brush just makes it easier for you to accidentally smudge the mascara on your lids, especially if you have short lashes. Couple that with the fact that it's waterproof and quick-drying, it can be annoying to have to remove, especially when you've just finished creating a masterpiece on your lids. The formula itself also sucks. It's a very dry mascara, which I noticed from the day I opened the tube. The first time I used it, there were clumps (despite the "clump-free formula" claim) but they were micro-sized and easy to brush away. From my second time onwards, clumps have become a fact of life for this baby. And because this mascara dries so quickly, it can be difficult to brush the clumps away. It's also not buildable. Anything more than one coat will give you spider legs, guaranteed! And it's not as if one coat is all you need: one coat is too little, and two coats is too much! You can't win with this one. I'm glad I didn't pay full price for it, and I definitely won't be repurchasing.
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Lipstick -Clinique - Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick - CHOCOLATE BRONZE
annely 6/23/2011 2:24:00 AM
This a dark plummy/mauve-y colour that borders on brown. It has noticeable gold shimmers when you look at it in the tube, but they're less noticeable on your lips. The colour is more sheer than I expected, but nonetheless it's gorgeous! I think it's great for complementing neutral looks (browns, greens, golds). The staying power is average for a lipstick (meaning not very long) and I think it could do without the shimmer, but nonetheless, it's a great lippie.
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Lipstick -Clinique - Long Last Soft Shine - Creamy Nude
annely 6/23/2011 2:20:00 AM
One of my favourite lipsticks! This is a nice, peachy nude colour. It's definitely brownish, not pink, but with peachy undertones. The colour looks so flattering on my warm, yellow-toned Asian skin. I can wear it to tone down dramatic smoky looks, and also to complement a more simple and casual work look. What I like best about this lipstick, aside from the colour, is how comfortable it feels on my lips. It's one of the rare lipsticks that do NOT dry my lips out the longer I wear them. Sometimes I feel like it's rubbed off because I can no longer feel it on my lips, but it's still there! Also, it has pretty good lasting power for a lipstick. It stays on for about a few hours, unless of course you eat/drink/lick your lips often. If I drink carefully, it only fades a tiny bit, but I don't think it would last through eating. It has a soft matte finish; no shimmers or glitter. I like to top this off with clear gloss just to add dimension and thickness to my lips, and the final result is amazing. I love how versatile this lipstick is and how great it works. Definitely a staple in my make-up bag!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Hard Candy - Glamoflauge Concealer
annely 6/7/2011 11:02:00 PM
This is a GREAT product! My only complaint is the limited colour selection. I bought this in "Light", which lo and behold, was too light for me. "Medium" was too tan in the store. I'm going to buy it sometime and maybe try to mix the two, but it's still inconvenient. I took off a lippie for that, since having a proper shade selection is so important when it comes to concealer. As to the actual product, let me just say again that it's GREAT!. A little goes a long way, so it's good that the nozzle on the tube is tiny to help minimize wastage. It's thick and pigmented, which is great for tattoos, under-eye circles and dark spots. The problem is that since it's so thick and pigmented, you'll have to blend it out over a significant amount of skin for it to look natural, thus, it isn't good for spot treatments. That's what the pencil appears to be for, although I haven't used it yet. It's a wonderful bonus in any case. Definitely try out this concealer if you haven't already. If you can get your hands on a tester, test out the shades before buying because there are only three available. All in all, one of the greatest make-up items I've bought for under $10! (retails for about CDN$8 at your local Walmart)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Baléa Warming Face Mask
annely 5/24/2011 7:19:00 PM
I got this during a 3 for $5 sale at Shoppers Drug Mart. This new Baléa cosmetics brand seems to have replaced SDM's former "Life" brand. Some of their products are pretty good, but this one isn't one of them. The "warming" effect really appealed to me so I bought it and tried it out that very night. When I opened the pouch, I found that the mask seemed to have somehow separated in the packaging. What came out when I snipped the top was this runny, yellow liquid, with the same consistency as water. At the bottom of the pouch, I could feel something tough and leathery, like thin orange peels. When I applied it to my face I felt a stinging, burning sensation and my entire face went red. I washed it off immediately. If I could give 0 lippies, I would. Avoid this one!
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