Lipstick -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Honey
belle169 4/14/2013 6:14:00 AM
I have such a love/hate relationship with this lipstain - in many ways it's an ideal product for me, but this specific shade has a few downfalls which unfortunately mean I'm only able to give it three lippies. I shall try to elaborate... In terms of the way this feels and lasts on my lips, I love it. It's got a nice balmy feel and (almost slightly cooling) peppermint smell which means I enjoy applying it. Plus, it's nice and pigmented, and is pretty much opaque with one or two swipes. I'd say that the balm lasts for an average time - two or three hours, but as lip-balms go that's pretty good. Once the balm has worn off, it obviously feels drier, but for me it's ridiculously simple to just apply my everyday clear lipbalm over the top, and I'm good to go again. The stain lasts me at least five or six hours, depending on when/what I eat or drink in that time-frame. So in terms of wear, I say great! However, this specific shade, Honey, changes colour on my lips after a short time (about 15/20 minutes, usually). I picked up this shade because I wanted an easy MLBB colour for school and work. It goes on as my ideal colour, but, as has happened to other reviewers, it soon morphs into a much brighter, almost fuchsia pink. Sometimes I don't mind that, but in general I want it to stay the shade it goes on as - if I wanted bright pink lips I'd have bought a bright pink shade! So that sucks. If it weren't for the colour-changing issue, I'd definitely give this four or five lippies. As it is, I may try a different shade sometime (although I'll wait for a sale - these balm-stains are about $23 here in NZ), but I'll definitely read up on reviews first to make sure that I don't end up with the same issue as I did with this colour.
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Bad to the Bronze / on and on bronze
belle169 3/17/2013 7:54:00 PM
This is a stunning product, and one that I would definitely recommend to everyone. I put off buying it for ages, because I didn't want to get sucked into all the hype, but I finally caved and bought it a month or two ago and I'm so glad I did! Bad To The Bronze is a stunning shade; more brown/hazel than gold, with a golden shimmer (not chunky glitter) throughout. I love it with my dark hazel/brown eyes, but I think it would look amazing with all eye colours, really. Like has been said heaps already, it's very creamy once you break through the very top 'skin' when you first get it. I'm sure you could apply with a flat synthetic brush, but I don't really see the point as my finger works fine. Because of the unique consistency it's very easy to place the product exactly where you want it. The only time I've used a brush is when I've used it as a liner for my lower lashline (which looks stunning, by the way!). Mostly I just sweep the colour lightly across my whole lid, concentrating a little more in the outer crease. I think this is a very pretty, put-together look that I wear when I want to feel a little special. Price-wise here in New Zealand it's not actually too bad (given that all makeup is horrifically expensive anyway) - about $17 at Farmers. Still more than an hour's wages, but it is a product that I feel is worth spending a bit on. The only reason I've taken a lippy off is the wearing issue: don't get me wrong, this is by far the longest wearing cream shadow I've tried, but it doesn't live up to its 24 hour wear claim. I don't even have outstandingly oily eyelids, so I was a bit disappointed with that. I get about 8 hours (I know, that's still amazing!) before it starts to separate/crease a bit. As I say, I don't really mind, but I won't give a product a full 5 stars if it doesn't live up to one of its claims. Overall, I love this product. None of the other colours available here are ones I would really get any use out of, but if NZ ever gets any of the special collections I'll definitely consider picking up some more - Inked in Pink and Barely Branded are two that I know I'd love. So yes, a definite repurchase (if/when I run out)!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
belle169 2/3/2013 6:11:00 PM
I was initially a little skeptical about trying LashBlast Volume when I read the reviews on here; after all, despite the huge hype surrounding this mascara there are quite a number of unimpressed reviews, and the overall rating isn't that high. However, I am happy to say, for me this mascara has lived up to the hype. :) I have quite mediocre lashes: not particularly long, dark or full, although not awful either. I personally can't stand mascaras that lengthen beautifully but give off the effect of about three lashes altogether, so a volumising effect is a must for me. On me, LashBlast gives great volume, and, surprisingly, a lot of length as well. The formula works really well for me: it's not too wet, so it doesn't just stick my lashes together, but neither is it so dry that it's hard to apply. I hate clumpy lashes, so this is perfect. Overall, with one to two coats, I am left with full, dark, luscious (love that word in regard to eyelashes! :P) lashes that stay reasonably curled all day. I don't experience any smudging, which is great, although occasionally I get a tiny bit of flaking if I've applied more than a couple of coats. The wand is large, yes, but I think it's the reason that this mascara works so well. I do get a bit irritated about how wide it is at the end; making it awkward to reach the very inner lashes, but overall it's something that isn't impossible to work with. I don't have any problems with removing it at the end of the day: I just gently use some warm water on a cloth, which gets off the majority of it, and then, to avoid rubbing the last bit off, I use either a little EVOO or even just my regular cleanser (being careful not to get it in my eyes, obviously!). I'm taking off one star just because of the occasional flaking issue and the non-tapered wand issue, but neither of those issues are a really huge deal for me. LashBlast has made me love wearing mascara, and I can definitely see myself repurchasing in the future. I'll probably try something else out next, just because I only ever have one mascara on the go at a time and I like to try out new things occasionally, but I doubt I'll find anything else better than this.
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Concealers -Rimmel - Match Perfection Concealer
belle169 10/24/2012 1:14:00 AM
Well, I was seriously beginning to doubt that I'd ever be able to say this about a concealer, but I think this might just be making it as my HG concealer. Why? Two words: it's amazing. Yeah, okay.... I will go into a bit more detail than that! First off: it's light enough for me. Nearly every liquid face product I try turns out to be too pink/orange based, and I end up looking worse off than before I applied them. However the lightest shade of this concealer is perfect: it matches my skin exactly, so I don't have the "reverse-panda" look goin' on, while still brightening the undereye area hugely. If you have problems with products (especially Maybelline) being too orange/pink, I'd definitely recommend trying this concealer out. Second: it actually has really good coverage. My undereye circles are not too bad at the moment (it seems like the more moisturised I keep them the less noticeable they are), but they're still bad enough that if I go out without concealer on people start asking if I'm sick, etc. This doesn't erase them absolutely, but they are barely noticeable, which is great. Third: This concealer has the most natural, "non-makeupey" finish of any I've ever tried. It barely creases at all, and stays looking slightly luminescent all day. I love it. I apply it over an eye gel, and set it with the tiniest amount of powder, and it stays all day with minimal fading. All these things, combined with the fact that a tiny bit of product goes a really long way, mean that I'm not planning on transferring my affections to another concealer anytime soon. The only con that I have with this product is its packaging: it's quite hard not to waste some product due to the gimmicky brush thing, and, frankly, I wish that they'd just put it in a normal squeezy tube. However I've learned to cope with it, and for the quality of the product inside I'm willing to put up with a little inconvenience. I do only use this for my undereyes (or occasionally a tiny bit of redness around my nose), and I probably wouldn't recommend it for acne, as it is a highlighting concealer, and will therefore accentuate any raised spots, etc, and make them more noticeable than normal. However it does work really well for redness, so bear that in mind. I've written a lot, but again it can be summed up into just a few short words: this product is awesome!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Australis - Crème Colour for Cheeks and Lips
belle169 10/14/2012 3:20:00 AM
This is a really nice product from Australis, and one that has quickly made it into my everyday makeup routine. COLOURS/PIGMENTATION: This product is available in three colours: Dusky Rose, Choc Truffle and Flirtatious Pink. I purchased Dusky Rose, which is a very pigmented deep pink that sheers out to the perfect healthy flushed look on my cheeks, but can be easily layered to pretty much the same colour as in the pan as a lip colour. TEXTURE: At first the texture is a little hard, and even slightly waxy, but once you've used it a few times it softens to a texture that is easy to work with; still not super soft (you wouldn't be able to scoop out some on your finger), but easy to pick up a layer on your finger, which brings me to... APPLICATION: I've not used a brush with this, simply for the reason that I don't own a stippling brush. However I imagine it would work well with that method of application. I simply use my fingers to pick up the product and dot on my cheeks, then blend out using a very light tapping motion. I really feel that I can blend it out to the most natural finish this way. Once it sets it has a very slightly dewy finish, but it definitely isn't shiny. WEAR/FEEL: Upon first application the product feels a tiny (tiny!) bit sticky. However, this feeling quickly fades as the product sets, and it then feels basically like you have nothing on your cheeks. On my skin-type (combination, with fairly dry cheeks) this lasts all day without a problem. Sometimes if I feel that I'm going to be out for ages, or I want a more matte look, I'll set it with my powder, and it definitely lasts like that. I'm not a huge fan of this for a lip colour - I find it quite drying. Since I haven't really worn it much as a lip colour I can't comment on how it lasts for that. PACKAGING: Just your average screw-top pan with a clear lid. It's alright - nothing special, but nothing awful either. PRICE: Really good value - mine cost me NZ$13.50 at Kmart. MISCELLANEOUS: It has, strangely enough, a lavender scent. Although I think it's a bit unnecessary, it doesn't really bother me, and I don't notice it after a few minutes of wearing the blush. OVERALL: I love this product as a blush, and will definitely be using it heaps in the summer especially for a natural, no-fuss look. I'm not that impressed with it as a lip-colour - I find it drying and very average. That's the only reason I've taken a lippy off, as it is advertised as a colour for both cheeks and lips, and I only find it suitable for one of those uses. However I definitely recommend this to everyone and will be repurchasing/trying the other two colours in the future. :)
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Oatmeal
belle169 9/5/2012 10:43:00 PM
My skin is normal/combination, and not breakout-prone at all. However, I do have slightly uneven skintone on my cheeks, and some noticeable pores and redness around my nose. Often cleansers/exfoliants dry my skin out a lot, without showing any great benefits. However, whenever I use oatmeal as a face exfoliant, my skin feels smooth, radiant and healthy, and I feel like my skintone is less prone to redness. I use a small handful - maybe three/four tablespoons - in the shower (I never use it over the sink as it is very messy) anywhere from one to three times a week, no more than that just because it is a (albeit very mild) exfoliant. I make sure it's very saturated with water so that the oats are softened, squeeze out the excess liquid, and apply in circular motions all over my face, then rinse. Seriously, it makes my skin feel amazing. I've also used oats a few times in facial masks, and they work well for that too. I'd definitely recommend using oats as a facial cleanser to everyone. :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Badger - Mocha Cocoa Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
belle169 8/27/2012 1:02:00 AM
I'm really not that taken with this lip balm. I love the Badger body butters, but this is the first lip product I tried from them, and it just is not particularly impressive. The smell is definitely a cocoa butter smell; I don't mind it, but if you're not used to it it might smell a bit weird. There's no noticeable taste to this product, which is a plus for me. It's fairly moisturising, lasts a few hours, feels okay on the lips. There really aren't any huge problems. I don't like the texture - it's quite lumpy feeling to apply, although it feels smooth on the lips, and it's quite a hard stick, and takes a bit of work to get on. Eh. I like that it's natural, but I'd still reach for any of my Nivea balms over it any day. Won't be repurchasing.
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Cleansers -Clean & Clear - Deep Action Cream Cleanser
belle169 8/21/2012 8:06:00 PM
This cleanser worked great for me. Clean&Clear in general seems to agree with my skin, so I'm glad about that. :) I used (just finished the bottle) it in the shower as an everyday cleanser. It was very creamy, worked into a nice lather, and felt great on my face. It had a really nice cooling feeling that left me feeling awake and ready to face the day! :P The smell is also very fresh and cool. It definitely didn't break me out, or aggravate my skin in any way, and best of all: it didn't leave my skin feeling dry and tight like many cleansers do*coughneutrogena*. Not too expensive, and easy to find at the supermarket. I'm currently trying out another Clean&Clear cleanser, but I'm sure I'll repurchase this one sometime in the future. :)
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Lips -Nivea - A Kiss of Milk and Honey
belle169 8/21/2012 7:49:00 PM
Holy. Grail. Product. Nivea has always been my favourite brand for lip balm, but this is definitely their best balm ever. It has a smooth, light feeling on the lips, moisturises for a good few hours (obviously if you eat or drink you'll have to reapply; that just goes with the territory of lipbalms), and even when it wears off it leaves my lips feeling nice and smooth. The smell's pretty nice as well, I think it's slightly floral rather than milk or honey, but I like it. And the taste is very inoffensive and barely noticeable (and this is coming from someone who is very picky about the taste of lip products). Comes in a fairly big, sturdy tube, for a reasonable price: ~NZ$4 at the supermarket. The only con I can think of is that there is no SPF in it. However, I hate the taste of lipbalms with SPF, and so I don't mind this at all. If I'm planning to be outside for a while I just apply a balm that does have sun protection. LOVE, and will continue to repurchase. :)
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Concealers -Maybelline - Dream Lumi Touch
belle169 8/15/2012 11:38:00 PM
I like this product way more than I was expecting to, to be honest. I have moderate-dark undereye circles, and most concealers either cake up/oxidise/crease on me, usually without even providing that much coverage. I do have a corrector and concealer that I like, but sometimes I feel like they're a little too heavy to wear every day. This concealer does a pretty good job of neutralising and highlighting my undereye area, doesn't crease and gives okay coverage (definitely doesn't cancel the darkness out, but makes it a little less noticeable). I don't wear this everyday, but it's nice to have the option for when I feel like wearing less concealer. The colour (fair) is just okay for under my eyes - like all Maybelline products it borders on slightly too pinky/orange, but as long as I don't layer too much it's fine. However, the thing I LOVE this product for is highlighting the bridge of my nose and concealing any redness I have around my nose. It doesn't cake, and it covers that redness beautifully! I personally don't mind the packaging: I feel with the clicky pen you have a certain amount of control over the product you apply. Like everyone else, I wish it came with more product, but there's not much we can do about that, sadly. So, overall: for undereyes it gives an alright natural highlighting coverage. For redness/around the nose, it's amazing! 'Nuff said. :)
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Powder -Revlon - ColorStay Mineral Foundation
belle169 7/26/2012 2:54:00 AM
This is a nice light/medium coverage mineral foundation. I don't have particularly troublesome skin, so the coverage is perfect for me. I use it everyday to set my concealer and buff into my t-zone. If I feel like the extra effort I apply over my cheeks as well, and it does a good job at neutralizing any slight unevenness without looking like I'm even wearing makeup. If I wear foundation (Rimmel Stay Matte), I use this over the top as a setting powder: it not only sets the foundation, but provides just an extra layer of coverage and really does make my skin look flawless WITHOUT looking cakey at all. The only con, as others have mentioned, (and yes, it is big enough that I've taken a lippy off my rating) is the packaging. The brush is way too small to be functional, not particularly soft, and sheds. I still use it when I don't have anything else, but it's not ideal. My lid cracked a while ago(I don't know why - I haven't dropped it or anything) and so I have to be very careful when screwing it shut, so that's also annoying. I'm probably not going to repurchase (have a feeling it's being discontinued anyway), but that doesn't mean I don't like this foundation - I do!
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Polishes -Revlon - Creme Brulee
belle169 7/26/2012 12:29:00 AM
This is a lovely nail polish. I've never bought any polishes by Revlon before, but I'm definitely planning on picking up more in the future. The quality is amazng: it's a fairly thin formula that goes on in a very opaque coat and doesn't take forever to dry. I usually do two coats, but one still looks pretty darn good. As a piano-player I tend to chip nail polishes quite quickly, but this (with a top-coat) lasts me close on a week before any chipping happens. In terms of this particular colour: it's a lovely subtle metallic/shimmery nude gold, that can also look slightly silver or bronze depending on the light/colours around it. I like to use it as an accent nail as well, as it goes with so many colours. And last but not least - price! The Revlon polishes only cost around NZ$20, which is amazing when you consider that OPI polishes retail for $32 here in NZ. Love! :)
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Blush -Jordana - Blush- Sandalwood
belle169 7/13/2012 9:58:00 PM
Although this blush looks a little boring in the pan, it is beautiful when applied. I love it, and it's pretty much my everyday blush. It's neutral enough to go with everything, but not muddy/too pink like some colours. When I first purchased it I thought it was a matte colour, but it actually does have the tiniest amount of shimmer: not glitter, just a (very very tiny) sheen in the right light. I really love that, as I don't like wearing super glittery things on my cheeks, but matte can sometimes look too flat/obvious. Super pigmented - I barely tap my brush in the product to get enough, and it blends out very well. Lasting power: so it doesn't last all day, but I don't really care. I sometimes reapply a tiny bit halfway through the afternoon, but usually it's only faded a bit and I'm fine with that. Price: Incredible. Love this blush!!
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Fresh Foaming Cleanser
belle169 7/7/2012 3:46:00 AM
I'm really torn about this product: I love pretty much everything about it, except for one thing. It's probably just easiest if I list the pros and cons. Pros: ~Cleans and takes off makeup really well. I use this nightly, and I do feel like my face is properly clean and all makeup is removed. It even does a pretty good job at removing (non-waterproof) mascara, although I prefer to use extra-virgin olive oil for that. ~Does what it says: foams. It's pretty cool, actually. I wet my face, dispense about half a pump into my wet hands and rub them together to get a foam before applying to my face. ~Has a very good amount of product with a great pump-dispenser. ~Inexpensive - about NZ$14 dollars at the supermarket, which is very good for the amount of product you get. (I've had mine for over six months, and am only about 1/2 finished.) Cons: ~Leaves my face feeling absolutely dry and tight, especially around my chin/cheek area. It's a real shame, and the only con I can find, but it's a big one. That's why I won't be repurchasing - I have to apply a heap of moisturiser before my skin feels anywhere near hydrated again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Cover Girl - Eye Enhancers Quad - Urban Basics
belle169 7/1/2012 2:07:00 AM
I've had this eyeshadow quad for a good six or more months now, and so I figured I should probably get around to reviewing it! :P I do really like this quad. It's got four colours (obviously, being a quad! xD), two of which are my go-to shadows when I feel like wearing eye makeup (not very often, like once a week maybe). Those are the brown/copper shade and the frosty, slightly shimmery white, both of which are pigmented and good in texture (the brown especially), and which complement my dark brown eyes very nicely. I use the white all over my lid, and then blend the brown onto the outer third and crease of my eyelid. I find these colours, although good dry, are particularly nice when used wet. The other two colours, the violet/grey and very sheer champagne sparkly shades are also nice, but not ones that I use that often. The violet is just ever so slightly chalky - not awfully at all though - and the champagne tends to have a little glitter fallout, and is, like I said, very sheer. I still use both of them and enjoy them, but not as much as the other two shades. Lasting power: very good. I'd say, if applied wet, these shadows last virtually all day with minimal fading, and no creasing. That being said, I don't have particularly oily eyelids, and I don't use a primer, so results will probably differ between people. Price is also good - under NZ$15 (can't remember exactly how much), so a real bargain. *oh and I forgot to say, the brown/copper shade reminds me of a cross between the UD shades Smog and Toasted. Very pretty! :)
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