Pressed Powders -MAC - Blot Powder - Medium/Dark
bellagemma 6/24/2010 10:54:00 PM
This broke me out a lot - I only used it on my nose and only got pimples all over my nose-it was weird. I also don't like the white cast it tends to give-I am nc37-40 fyi. I prefer the mineralize skinfinish natural powders or just using a blotting paper or tissue instead.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium Dark
bellagemma 6/24/2010 10:50:00 PM
I am nc37-40 and this is my HG powder for special occasions. I use this to darken my foundations that are a little too light for me. Medium Plus is a better match for me if I have a dead-on foundation match, but usually my foundations tend to be lighter so I use Medium Dark a lot (the MAC guy said to always get a lighter foundation if you are between 2 colors and then use powder to darken). This powder gives a really smooth and flawless look. I've bought it probably 2-3 times and also keep Medium Plus on hand. I had a few little acne bumps the first time I used it and then never got them again so it might have just been the brush I was using. Otherwise, no breakouts, amazing coverage, feels light, and gives a nice matte yet glowing and natural finish-HG! My only complaint is I wish it came in a normal compact with a mirror for touch-ups!
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Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam Gaga
bellagemma 6/24/2010 10:40:00 PM
I am nc35-37, and this reads as a cool, milky pink on me. It has quite a lot of pigmentation for a lustre, and it applies very evenly. Usually I have trouble with light colors like this (like MAC Angel) because they tend to go on kind of splotchy or patchy, but this is very creamy and covers all of my lips. It can be a little too cool for some looks, but is perfect for a smoky eye. I would only wear it to go out at night though- it is a little loud against a tan skin tone. Very nice if you are looking for a milky pink! Also, it doesn't make my teeth look yellow like a lot of pale pinks do which is a plus!
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Liquid -NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation 
bellagemma 5/30/2010 10:04:00 AM
I know a lot of people love this, but on me it doesn't perform any better than any other high-end brand. I think it looks and wears exactly like Prescriptives Virtual Skin. Yes, it is better than MAC and drugstore, but I still look dry and patchy on my dry areas, I still get very oily in my T-zone, and I still get foundation separating on my face after 3-4 hours of wear. It's not complete crap, but it's just not as amazing as all the reviews made it seem and to me, not worth $42. I got the shade Barcelona, and it's a pretty good match for my nc37-40 skin, but it looks a little light under flash: I tried it alone and with various setting powders : MAC MSFN, MAC Invisible Set, Maybelline Dream Matte, and Everyday Minerals (EM) Intensive powder. It works best in terms of oil-control when worn alone, and it works best in terms of coverage + oil-control when paired with the EM Intensive powder, but that's like putting on 2 foundations. FYI, I have EVERY skin problem you can have, so I am extremely picky about foundation. I have dark brown scars from old acne, red pimples, an oily T-zone, flakes of dry skin on my chin, and fine lines on my forehead/around my mouth.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Club Eye Shadow
bellagemma 5/6/2010 10:06:00 AM
One of the very unique MAC duochrome shadows-it reads blue, green, brown, purple-y, etc. depending on the light and application. So unique but I don't use it that much. looks like mac blue brown pigment
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Expensive Pink (Veluxe Pearl)
bellagemma 5/6/2010 10:01:00 AM
On me, nc37, its not pink but more of a peach/coral like NARS Orgasm blush or MAC Springsheen blush. It's still pretty and the texture is extremely smooth, pigmented-one of the better MAC shadows.
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Eyeliner -Milani - Liquif'eye Metallic eye liner pencil -black
bellagemma 4/29/2010 3:29:00 PM
Color: Very pigmented black, like MAC fluidline Application: Extremely smooth with a lot of pigmentation Wear: I'd say 8 hours, smudges a but on my inner corner, color fades a tad after about 6 hours so I re-apply Smudge-ability: When you first apply, you can smudge it, then it sticks Problems: Wish it was the twist up kind instead of the sharpening kind Pretty nice all in all!
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Stylish Smokes in Natural Smokes
bellagemma 4/27/2010 1:33:00 AM
This is a pretty nice drugstore product. The colors are similar to a lot of MAC shadows like Satin Taupe, Brule, Mulch. The texture is the only thing that bothers me a little bit. You basically have to use a brush that is pretty stiff and can really dig in there or else you won't get much color payoff. Wear time is quite nice if you use a base. Overall great value, very wearable, just use the right brush. I'd definitely recommend. I only swapped mine b/c I have so many MAC neutrals and would obviously rather use them. If I were on a budget and had nothing else, I'd definitely go for this.
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Eyeliner -Urban Decay - Ink for Eyes Zero
bellagemma 4/25/2010 12:55:00 PM
you'd be better off putting actual ink on your eyes. this is SMUDGE CITY...don't even bother, it will rub off before you're even done with your makeup. the black is not super black either, and if you set it with black shadow it will all travel down your face. The case is cute but kind of impractical with the half a centimeter wide mirror. pass.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Under Your Spell Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo
bellagemma 4/25/2010 12:53:00 PM
I usually really like MAC mes, but I guess this is not the right color for my skintone (NC37). It is too light I think-because the purple/silvery part reads exactly like All that Glitters on me.It looked gorgeous on my arm where the skin is lighter, so I think this is nice for pale skin. The copper part is okay....looks like Amber Lights but chunkier texture.
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Foundations -Urban Decay - Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup
bellagemma 4/24/2010 2:29:00 AM
This looked really pretty on, but I broke out badly. I think the packaging is not that great and traps a lot of bacteria. It gives a nice, natural, glow-y finish, not oily.
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Blush -MAC - Dollymix
bellagemma 4/24/2010 2:26:00 AM
Honestly nothing special for me nc37-40. Looks like EVERY pink blush I have-NARS angelika, MAC tenderling, Bobbi brown pink sugar...they all look the same on me. I ended up swapping.
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Toners -Clinique - Clarifying Lotion #2
bellagemma 4/24/2010 2:24:00 AM
This particular lotion stings my face badly-it hurts like putting rubbing alcohol on your face. I wanted to start a real skincare routine, so I got this with the 3 step system. I'm super oily and ended up with very dry, flaky skin and then I broke out. I switched back to using drugstore products and they worked better than this. Never will repurchase and am kind of turned off of clinique now.
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Bronzers -NARS - Casino
bellagemma 4/20/2010 10:02:00 AM
On me (nc37-40 olive/yellow), this runs a little bit too red to use as a bronzer-it's a dark brown but pulls red on me for some reason-might be reacting with my foundation or it might have mahogany undertones in it. Laguna gives a more natural contour color on me. The product has excellent staying power though, like most NARS cheek products.
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Hair -L'Oreal - Elnett Hairspray
bellagemma 4/20/2010 9:57:00 AM
I bought a travel size version-yuck. Gave me very circa-1970s hair-really stiff, old perfume-y smell, left a bit of a grayish cast on my black hair. It held pretty well but was like a helmet. I don't know what all the rave is about-plenty of good hairsprays better than this. Maybe it's a makeup artist/runway thing or the formula here in the US is different.
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