Blush -Tarte - Amazonian 12-Hour Clay Blush In Flush
babeybearz 4/21/2013 11:42:00 PM
I like this product, but WOW a little goes a LONG way. That's something I will never get used to - the fact that some blushes require so much more product to be applied than others. I actually like blushes that require more product... there's something satisfying and easy about swirling your brush around a few times, buffing it onto your face and blending, maybe going back for a little more blush and blending it out a little more. Well, this blush definitely isn't like that. The first time I used it, I swirled my brush around a few times and then applied... holy jesus, I looked like I was 13 again and just learning how to apply makeup. It was WAY too much product. I've since learned the proper amount to apply - now I just barely tap my brush a few times and then apply it and that's all I need. The color looks a bit scary in the pan if you're not used to that kind of thing, but once you apply it, it gives you that nice, natural, rosy glow that makes it look like you just came in from a brisk walk (if you apply the right amount, that is!). I don't know about the claim that it lasts 12 hours. I guess when I get home from work, it's still there... well, SOME of it is still there... but it also seems like at the end of the day, it's possibly oxidized a bit as it's a different color. So, sure, it CAN stay there for 12 hours, but it's a different color afterward lol. Not in a bad way, but still. Probably the best thing about this blush is the packaging. I'm a sucker for packaging and this is super cute! I love it! I'm sure this will last me forever since so little product is needed to get any kind of color result. After it does run out, I probably won't repurchase since I can find this same shade in so many other brands that have (IMO) better blushes.
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Eye Shadow -TheBalm - Overshadow
babeybearz 4/21/2013 11:29:00 PM
I didn't like this at all. I was extremely disappointed. I tried the Overshadow in No Money, No Honey and couldn't find one thing I liked about it. As a shadow by itself, it's too sheer to be worth the application. When using it OVER shadow, it just doesn't do anything to make it worthwhile. I found that it actually DOES alter the color of shadow when you apply it over it, so I wouldn't recommend using it if you just spent a ton of time doing your eyeshadow with different shades and blending and all that... this will just cover most of that up. It does make eyes slightly more shimmery, but just not in a very satisfying way. I have a ton of eyeshadows that are just as, if not more, shimmery than this Overshadow and in better shades also. As such, I just don't have a use for this and will most likely get rid of it. Not really recommended, you could use the money for other things that are more worthwhile.
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Concealers -BeneFit Cosmetics - Powderflage 
babeybearz 4/21/2013 11:23:00 PM
I'm surprised this doesn't have better reviews. I love this stuff. I was using Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder for quite a while and then swapped for some of this, not really expecting much after reading all the reviews. It turns out that I like this stuff way better than the Laura Mercier powder. I think the main difference is that this powder is pink-toned, so after applying it gives a noticeable brightening/lightening effect to the under-eye area, but without a white tone to it - it's more natural looking. The Laura Mercier powder brightens and lightens, but also makes your under-eye area look white. I kind of like the lightening/brightening effect WITHOUT the white better. I also think the Powderflage settles into fine lines less than the Laura Mercier powder. Right after applying the Powderflage, I always see a noticeable difference in the appearance of my under-eye area and it's always very pleasing! I've already purchased another one of these and will continue to use it for a long time. Also, I wanted to add that I use the little application brush that came with this product and I think it works fantastically. Perhaps if you're not getting the best results with your Powderflage, you should try using the brush that comes with it since it's meant to apply it in a single layer to prevent that cakey look. I usually don't use makeup brushes or applicators that come with the products, but this one is great! It's looks like a tiny little miniature fan brush like the kind you'd use for blush. When I use this, I get better results than I do when I use other brushes (like small powder brushes). Anyway, highly recommend this product! Try it out and play around with it. Works super well for me. :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Mirenesse - Glossy Kiss in Perfect Kiss
babeybearz 4/21/2013 11:07:00 PM
I was sort of excited to try this. It looked like a nice product and the shade looked over on the pencil, but on my lips it was too red. :( It was pretty scary looking. I did love how it went on very smoothly though, and how it looked glossy once it was on. If I had tried a more "friendly" shade (like one that is good across a wide variety of skin tones/shades) then I may have liked it better. In the particular shade I got though, I would not recommend unless you like really bold, intense lips. I didn't try it as a cheek tint (it's supposedly useful both as a lip and cheek tint).
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Conditioner -Unlisted Brand - Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle
babeybearz 4/21/2013 11:00:00 PM
I didn't have too high of expectations for this since it's a brand I'd never heard of and the packaging didn't look very expensive, but it turns out I love it! The scent is just amazing... I think that's the one particular quality about this leave-in conditioner that made me want to purchase it. It really does leave hair silky and smooth (especially when you're also using a heat-taming spray). After showering, I'll just wait til my hair dries a bit (so it's damp) and then spray this all over, focusing more at the ends, and then follow with the TREsemme Heat Tamer spray. These two products together make my hair smell AMAZING for several days (I only shampoo a few times a week) and make it really easy to brush through. It's so soft and it also holds it's shape better after using this spray. I've already purchased more and I don't think I'll let myself run out of this anytime soon! Highly recommended!
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Hair -Unlisted Brand - MACADAMIA NATURAL OIL Deep Repair Mask
babeybearz 4/21/2013 10:53:00 PM
I absolutely LOVED this. I've been using the L'Oreal Professional Absolute Repair Cellular deep conditioner and haven't been overly happy with it, but I just figured that since it was so expensive, it must be doing what it's supposed to do. Then I tried this stuff and WOW it's amazing. First of all, the smell is just heavenly fantastic. Second of all, it made my hair SO much smoother and softer and easy to comb through than my L'Oreal deep conditioner ever did. I'm getting rid of my old deep conditioner and have already purchased a tub of this stuff after trying the sample! I can't wait to use it again! HIGHLY recommended!
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Loose Powders -Laura Mercier - Secret Brightening Powder
babeybearz 3/8/2013 5:49:00 PM
I like this, but it's definitely nothing spectacular. It really does give a noticeable brightening effect when I use it under my eyes, but I only notice it in the first minute after I put it on and after that I forget about it forever. I never notice my Bobbi Brown corrector creasing, so I suppose I can attribute that to using this product, but I can't be sure (maybe I'll try wearing it under one eye and the other without it and do a comparison at the end of the day). I also don't like that it stains my makeup brush a white color, although that's just a minor complaint because it washes out. All in all, this product is alright... expensive, but it does something that none of my other products will do (brighten) so I'll probably continue to buy it. I think this one jar will probably last FOREVER though since you need so little of it. Definitely give it a try though. :) UPDATE 4/21 - I just wanted to update that I've now switched over completely to using Benefit's Powderflage instead of the Laura Mercier Brightening Powder. I find that the #1 thing I like better about the Powderflage is that it has less of a WHITE look after you put it on. Maybe that sounds weird, but what I mean is that it still lightens and brightens up the under eye area just as well as the Laura Mercier, but since the powder is pink (instead of white) it has more of a natural brightening effect and just doesn't have that white tone to it. I also think it doesn't settle into fine lines quite so much as the Laura Mercier powder. When I use the Powderflage, I see a noticeable difference every time and it's always pleasing. I will most likely swap the Secret Brightening Powder and I will definitely continue using the Powderflage instead.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Murad - Clarifying Skin Cleanser
babeybearz 3/7/2013 12:03:00 AM
This is a really great cleanser. I don't have acne, but I do get the occasional breakout along my jawline or on my chin and this cleanser really seems to help dry everything out and minimize the blemishes. I use it after my Dermalogica PreCleanse oil and it makes my face incredibly soft and smooth afterward. I don't even use my Clarisonic that much anymore because it started irritating my skin and making it flake/peel after I started using retinol cream and glycolic acid moisturizers at night... so now I just use the tips of my fingers to scrub my face and even doing that my skin feels so smooth after using the Murad cleanser. Just make sure to scrub really well for at least a minute or so if you're not using the Clarisonic, otherwise it doesn't give as much of a clean feel. I also think the consistency of the cleanser is just perfect - it's not too runny like many other liquid cleansers, which make it kind of messy when trying to wash your face with your hands. This is my favorite cleanser and I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. Will definitely repurchase once I run out as well.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Waterproof
babeybearz 3/6/2013 3:36:00 PM
This has been my go-to mascara for quite some time, I'd say a few years or so. Now, I usually stick to higher-end makeup and not because I'm a makeup snob, just because I feel more comfortable that whatever I'm buying is really going to do what it's supposed to do and do it BETTER than other brands out there, and buying the more expensive stuff gives me that confidence. That being said, no matter what brand of mascara I try, I always come back to the Lash Blast. I've tried quite a few high-end mascaras and I'll always use them and think, "Wow, this is a great mascara!" and continue using it until it runs out. Then I'll be in need of more mascara and pick up some Lash Blast at the store and think, "Wow, this really makes my eyelashes so much bigger and bolder than that other stuff!" It's happened so many times now that I just use the Lash Blast mascara regularly and don't stray much anymore. It's great if you want big, bold, pretty lashes (not so much a natural look). I've tried both the waterproof and regular and they're both great. Would definitely recommend and will continue to buy unless/until I find a brand that works better (but at this point I kind of think it's a waste to spend a lot on a mascara when this one works so well anyway).
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Misc Beauty Tools -NYX - Blotting Paper
babeybearz 3/6/2013 2:51:00 PM
I really like these. I don't understand why the ratings are so low. To be fair, this is the only type of blotting paper I've tried to date, since I don't have a very oily face and never really found a need for blotting papers. So maybe I just don't know what I'm missing? Recently though, I underwent surgery and after that my face started getting very oily. It's started to calm down now, but I still like to use these papers to prevent shine from creeping up in the afternoon. They are very thin and sheer, not in a bad way, and they soak up a ton of oil! I didn't even realize I had that much oil on my face. I guess the only downside I can see to these is that 1 sheet gets used up VERY quickly. For me it's not a problem because 1 sheet will take off most of the oil, but for those with oilier skin I think you'd have to go through quite a few to get a satisfying result. I've never noticed them to take off makeup as long as I'm actually blotting and not wiping. So it seems as though these tend to work better for those with mild to moderately oily skin - if that sounds like you then I'd definitely recommend. :)
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
babeybearz 3/6/2013 1:20:00 AM
This stuff is amazing and I don't care what anyone else says, it's way better than other primers. I've used a ton of different eyeshadow primers because I spend a lot of time doing my eye makeup everyday, in JUST the right way (I always do a cat eye so I don't want that wing tip to smudge at all), and if I don't use a primer then my eyes look like a mess at the end of the day. In the past, I'd always switch from primer to primer, whatever looked good when I ran out of the previous one, cuz I figured they were all the same. Now I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't try this, the eyeshadow primer of all eyeshadow primers, sooner! The staying power really is much better than other primers out there. Sure, other primers might keep your makeup in place, but UDPP keeps your makeup in place AND keeps all the eyeshadow lines crisp and clean without feathering or bleeding at the edges. It's still sort of shocking to me to look in the mirror after I get home from work and see my eye makeup looking exactly how it did when I left in the morning. Sometimes, when I'm lazy, I'll just wash my face but not wash off my eye makeup and just kind of trace over it the next morning... like apply the same eyeshadow and trace over the remaining eyeliner, and the makeup STILL stays in place pretty well from the leftover UDPP. Not as well as starting with a clean slate, obviously, but still. Another thing I love about UDPP is the texture and consistency of the primer. It's thick enough to feel like it's going to stay where it is, but still smooth going on. I've tried some primers that are very watery and I always feel like they're not going to work because they're so thin and slippery/oily feeling (they DO work, but I just don't like that slippery consistency). The only thing I don't like about the UDPP is the packaging... sorry, I just think it's a bit tacky looking and over the top. I wish the tube was more refined and sophisticated looking, but that's just the UD brand image I suppose. Anyway, if you're looking for a new eyeshadow primer, or even if you're NOT, I'd say definitely give this stuff a try and I think you'll be impressed. One day I'm going to test it out and do one eye with a different primer and the other eye with UDPP and see how it looks at the end of the day. If I do, I'll update here and let you know what I find. :D
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Eyeliner -MAC - Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Industry
babeybearz 3/6/2013 12:57:00 AM
This is my HG eyeliner. I've used it on a daily basis for the last 3 or 4 years after I was fortunate enough to swap for one and realize how amazing it is. I don't like using BLACK eyeliners for daytime makeup and when going to work - I just feel like sometimes they can look too intense/dramatic and I'd rather reserve that look for night. I like this eyeliner because it's more of a charcoal/graphite type of color, so it's dark enough to make my eyes pop, but not overly dramatic. The staying power is very good also and I haven't found it to smudge, although I do use UD Primer Potion on my lids and that keeps pretty much everything in place. Its application is also very, very smooth and I can use it for both thick and thin lines, upper and lower lids. I will probably continue to buy this liner forever and would HIGHLY highly recommend giving it a try.
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Treatments -Reviva - 10% Glycolic Acid Cream
babeybearz 3/4/2013 1:29:00 AM
God, I'm just so torn about this product. I love glycolic products and I've been using glycolic acid peels for quite some time, so I figured I'd give this moisturizer a shot since I tend not to do the peels often enough to give consistent benefits. I do the 50% glycolic acid peels, so I just opted to go straight to the 10% glycolic moisturizer rather than the 5%. I started using this on a daily basis before bed and holy s*** it just made my skin abnormally soft and smooth. I'd put it on at night and then the next day my skin would feel tremendously soft and powdery smooth. I kind of became obsessed with using this stuff... the only problem is it just has a terrible drying/flaking effect on my skin that I can't seem to negate. At first I thought my skin was just getting used to the cream and the frequency of using it, so I just stuck through it for a couple of weeks, but the flaking never stopped. I had this terrible peeling effect all over my face and under my eyes in particular... god it just made me look SO awful. Then I'd try to cover the flaking/peeling with more makeup and I just looked a mess. I didn't want to stop using this stuff because it made my skin so smooth, so I started putting this on earlier in the evening and then following it with a deep hydrating night cream. It helped a little bit, but I still had the flaking problem. I finally realized that I just can't use this product in conjunction with my Clarisonic... the combination of chemical exfoliation and mechanical exfoliation is just too much for my skin to handle. After I stopped using the Clarisonic, the condition of my skin improved tremendously, although my skin still does tend to get a bit dry after using the Reviva cream. Now I only use it 2-3 days a week and alternate it with retinol cream and my skin is very soft and smooth. There's a noticeable reduction in fine lines and my pores have shrunk quite a bit. I honestly wish I could use this product more, because the more you use it the softer your skin will be, but it's just too harsh. Maybe during the summer when my skin is less dry I'll be able to use it more often. Otherwise I might go down to the 5% and see if it works better for my skin. I would still recommend this product though - the price can't be beat and it gives noticeable results. Pretty sure I will repurchase once I run out of this.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrance -Gucci - Gucci Pour Homme
babeybearz 3/4/2013 1:10:00 AM
Oh my god! This cologne is amazing. It just smells like PURE, SEXY MAN. I don't know any other way to explain it. I got a sample of this in a swap and decided to try it out on my man. He's been using the same Abercrombie & Fitch fragrance for the last 2 year, and it's a nice scent, but obviously it gets tiring smelling the same exact cologne every day for 2 years. So anyway, I applied some of this to my fiance's neck area and omg I just could not stop smelling him. It just made me want to hug him so I could keep smelling that wonderful sexy, manly scent emanating from him. I honestly don't see how anyone could not like this cologne on a guy. I will DEFINITELY purchase a full-size for myself (err, I mean for my fiance). If you must, try a sample out before buying, but I think I'd go so far as to say that you'd be safe purchasing a full-size version of this without even testing. Mmmmmm!
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Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Luminous Moisturizing Foundation
babeybearz 3/4/2013 1:01:00 AM
This is just okay. It wasn't a bad foundation, but it didn't wow me either. I have a lot of foundations that I think are really great though, so perhaps I'm just a tough sell. I always think it's really helpful when people give shade match comparisons, so here's mine: I have a fair-medium complexion, I wear NC20/NC25 in MAC, 020 in DiorSkin Nude, 120 Soft Sand in MUFE HD Foundation. In the BB Luminous Moisturizing Foundation I purchased the 3.25 Cool Beige shade (sight unseen, kinda scary but the shade actually matched me perfectly - got lucky this time!). The foundation goes on really nicely and blends very easily - application is a snap. I feel like it looks better when it first goes on though. The finish was pretty nice, nothing spectacular, just as good as any other high-end foundation, but after a few hours it started looking sort of dry on my skin. It certainly didn't make my skin appear LUMINOUS in any way. I actually think the Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation has a lot nicer finish and looks WAY more luminous than this foundation. Weird! Another thing I didn't like about this foundation is that it's VERY sheer. I had some red marks along my jaw line from breaking out after using retinol cream, so I put a couple layers of the foundation over that area and it doesn't seem to be buildable at all. If you've ever tried the MUFE Face & Body Foundation it's sort of like that... you can build up layer after layer, but it'll only do so much. I suppose this is a good foundation if you're not looking for much coverage and don't have any marks or discoloration to hide. I also think this is probably best for oily skin types since it seemed to look dry on mine after a few hours. I will probably end up swapping or selling the bottle I purchased and just continue to use my DiorSkin Nude foundation (which is amazing, btw). I would definitely sample this foundation before committing to purchasing the full-size bottle. Oh, also one more complaint: the bottle didn't have a pump and that really bothers me. It just makes it so much more of a hassle to pour out the right amount of foundation instead of using a pump. I'm really not used to not having a pump, not to mention the fact that you never know what the consistency of a foundation is going to be like and that drastically affects how much comes out when you're pouring, so I wasted a lot of product just trying to pour out the right amount. We're paying a lot of money for this product, just give us the freakin pump.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No