Foundations -Clinique - Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup
bernsie 11/20/2012 10:04:00 AM
I can't believe I'm the first to review this new Clinique foundation. I'm glad for the opportunity as it's amazing!!! I've been looking for the perfect foundation since 1978. I'll admit that's a long time, but I've been in the beauty industry ever since (though I've been retired the last 10 years.) It's not that I haven't been happy with other foundations as you may see within my reviews here. It's just that since I bought this ($27.00) I've never felt as if anything has fit so perfectly. I was not prepared to LOVE this as much as I do. It is within their Pore Refinig Solutions line of what was only skin care prior to this. I knew anything that would blur pores would do the same for imperfections in general. It contains salycilic acid which acts as a chemical exfoliate as does their clarifying lotions (toners.) It also contains sodium hyaluronate which helps to bind water, moisture to the skin. I'm 54 and have a somewhat oily T Zone. They don't recommend it for very dry skin though I disagree as you may use a particularly rich cream under it. I LOVE this because it looks more like real skin and not like makeup than any other foundation I've ever used and I've been through too many to mention (and embarrassed to admit.) Unfortunately, it doesn't come in a very wide variety of colors (though the 9 Neutral (MF-N) is perfection on me (I'm an NW-30-35 in MAC depending on formula.) Clinique does expand it's range of color if the base sells well so they might eventually expand the color range they have in Even Better Makeup, which is quite extensive. This new Clinique base goes on like a gel. It has great slip and you should start off using a bit less than you're used to w/a liquid foundation. It's medium coverage, but you may build it higher. It's long wearing (though it is not non-transferable.) I find transfer resistant foundations tend to emphasize the texture beneath. This new Clinique Base does the opposite. It will take an uneven texture in all meanings of the term and perfect it. Let's hope they extend the color range. If you are fair you will be hard pressed to find a matching color as it starts in the fair to medium tone in it's lightest color. I think my shade was their 2nd lightest and I'm totally Medium toned, not fair, not dark. This foundation Rocks. I've never given a perfect 5 with this much enthusiasm to anything here on MUA! Hats off to Clinique for this one though it's made in Belgium!!?? Texture: Mat, though not flat mat. Looks like freshly cleansed skin. I kid you not!
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clinique - Repairwear Intensive Night Cream
bernsie 6/13/2012 2:46:00 AM
I like this product. I tend to use very aggressive skin care. Retinols at high percentages, Retin-A gel and Tazorac gel from the dermatologist as you need an Rx for them. I use 30% and 60% professional glycolic peels, stabalized Vitamin C and some peptides. There are occasions where my skin will get a bit tight and dry though I live in a very humid climate. I know the tolerance of my skin. When I'm feeling dehydration coming on I will use this cream at night for 2-5 days, giving my skin a break from all the actives which would also go on at night. This cream fits the bill to perfection. I will wake up with my skin feeling hydrated and velvety soft and comfortable. This effect (especially after a 5 timer with the Repairwear) will last me another 2-5 days of feeling comfortable and hydrated (even while not using the Repairwear.) It seems to have a cumulative effect after just a few nights use. I don't know of any other product which will do this in tandem with the rest of my aggressive treatments. I would imagine if someone used this consistently it would really build up benefits, though the benefits are higher for me with my regine. Repairwear is suppose to hydrate and firm as a night cream (especially when combined with Repairwear w/SPF for day and Repairwear foundation. It fits the bill for which I use it. I enjoy it's consistency and the way it sets/penetrates. I like the way my skin looks and feel after application and in the morning. It's concentrates and has great slip so a small bit goes a long way as I go very long between repurchases of it. It has no fragrance. It just really does what I need it to do as a substitution for my regular regime: Hydrates and comforts so I may restart the aggressive treatments. I've tried the Zero Gravity Lift version of it and do not like that as much as this more simple cream. I've tried others which also were good to excellent, but I always come back to Repairwear!
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Vanilla
bernsie 6/12/2012 11:29:00 PM
Vanilla is a much lighter version of Orb. Their consistency is similar as they have high payoff and cover everything. This is a bit too light for me to use as an eyeshadow base, bt I love it as a high-lighter below the highest point of the eyebrow arch and inner corner of eye (between the inner eye corner and nose.) No matter what colors you are using (neutrals to vivid colors) Vanilla is the perfect high light, period.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - MAC Orb Eyeshadow
bernsie 6/12/2012 11:22:00 PM
This color and texture is a staple eyeshadow if ever there was one. I'm medium toned skin coloring and this acts like an eyeshadow base from lashline right up to under the entire brow. It has an unusual amount of payoff, covering anythin and everything. I tend to have a bit of pinky mauve coloring to mu entire upper eye area. If I use nothing over it I will soimetime get asked "what eyeshadow are you wearing?" It is that discolored (though asked the color of eyeshadow when I'm not wearing any isn't as bad as having dark discoloration which surely needs correction), but it always interferes with the "true" color shadow I want to use and therefore I'd never get the proper color if I didn't use "Orb" as my base shade. I don't even have to use an eyeshadow base/primer or concealer as the "Orb" works fine alone. I like it best when applied over to set concealer on the whole upper eye. Everything added: crease color, liner cokor, lid color (which I usually skip as I love the color/lightness in "Orb" by itself. It goes with everything and brightens the whole area w/out looking flat. When I'm in a rush I'll just use "Orb over the entire eyelid and mascara and that's it. I will on occasion just use "Orb" from lid to brow bone, add a bit of liner to the upper lid and curl the lashes adding mascara to the upper lashes only. It's a very clean, minimal look. "Orb" rules. I can't imagine it looking bad on anyone except those with very dark skin. I wouldn't be w/out it. There's nothing out there like it. You may find a similar color, but MAC's texture of "Orb" is full coverage without looking heavy/chalky. It has the slightest bit of sheen to it like satin, but a bit less. No frosty particles here. Pops and opens the eye!!!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Neutrogena - Clear Pore Shine-Control Gel
bernsie 6/12/2012 5:38:00 PM
I think this oil/shine control primer is excellent. You can use it under foundation or bring it with you to apply and blot oil during the day right over your makeup without moving it. As soon as it dries the shine is gone and you're matte w/out any powder/build-up. It's brilliant and not at all expensive. The black tube it comes in is perfect to get just the right amount out ( and you don't need much.) These type of shine control creams/lotions/gels tend to be far more expensive than this plus you've a foundation primer built into it's oil control property. It is a new line of oil control products (just in time for summer) containing this blotter along with oil blotting foundation and transparent pressed blotting powder. I'll review the powder as I bought that in conjunction with this. I Highly recommend this oil controlling primer. It looks as good as it works! I LOVE it! Addendum: I can't find the blotting powder so I thought I'd attach my review to this. It comes in this awesome looking, strong/durable black compact. This does what it is suppose to do: Blot oil/shine and for quite long a time w/out close together intervals/touch ups. I believe there is only one color which is transparent. It is that as it does not feel as if it is depositing color, but just product. On it's own it blots quite well, but in conjunction with the oil control primer and you are kept shine free for an inordinate amount of time. I love it because the combination allow you to just forget it and not be looking for a mirror to see if it's working or not and you need another application of one or both. You may feel confident in it's performance. The compact is quite "cool" looking with it's black matte look. It has a rather industrial look to it and has a rubber type feel/coating so it feels secure in your hand. The tube of blotting primer has the same feel. They are high quality products at drugstore/Walmart prices. It really is a different aesthetic for Neutrogena, kind of MAC like, but far less costly yet with an equal performance level. Highly Recommended as separates, but both together ups the ante. There are also oil control foundations that go together with these. I did not buy the base, though if these are any indication the base also must blot oil/shine very efficiently. I can't imagine what performance level you move to when using all three together. One thing is for sure: Problem, oil laden skin must bite the dust with this trio!!!
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Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
bernsie 6/11/2012 11:38:00 PM
Wow! Finally, transfer resistant foundation has come into it's own and in a big way. I always found these long wearing foundations tended to texturize the skin it sat atop. It wore forever, but never refined the skin in the same way non-transfer resistant (regular) foundations did. You know, dry,flaky skin appeared more so as did acne scars and pits. Pores never seemed as refined as regular foundations. Now we've got the best of both worlds: The refinement and finely ground pigments of regular foundations with the long wearing of transfer resistant, Finally!! It just might be the perfect foundation. Thank you Revlon. You'll make a killing on this. I just hope you've patented the formula.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Powder
bernsie 6/11/2012 10:48:00 PM
The best thing about this pressed powder is the color scheme. Although, I have a problem with L'Oreal's classification: Their Warm colors are actually Cool and their Cool colors are actually Warm. IE: Pink is simply the color Red with white added. Red is as Warm as a color can get. This is why water fixtures have the color Red in the direction you move toward to get hot water. Blue is the color you move toward to get Cold water. Any colors derived from the sun are Warm colors: Yellow-orange, orange, red-orange, red, blue-red and violet-red. Cool colors are yellow-green, green, blue-green, blue and violet-blue. The color wheel's North position is Yellow, which is neutral, moving West (left) toward orange and red is Warm. The color wheel's South position is Violet, also neutral, moving East (right) toward blue, green, yellow-green (olive) is Cool. Anything to the left of Yellow and Violet is Warm, to the right of Yellow and Violet is Cool. This is important to understand as opposite colors on the color wheel are called Complimentary colors, that is when laid side by side they enhance each other: Red (warm) is opposite of Green (Complimentary colors) laid side by side the red makes the green look greener, and makes the red look more red. This is why we call them Christmas Colors (they are vivid and festive.) When you lay them atop each other they cancel one another out: Green is often used in a powder or primer to eradicate or at least tone down the red in one's skin (like a blemish.) A brown eyeshadow w/red, orange (brick) will make green eyes appear more green. Orange and Blue are Complimentary Colors: an eyeshadow whose brown has a bit of of orange or yellow-orange will make Blue eyes seem more blue. The color wheel is cut between North and South, whereas cosmetic companies cut it East to West (this is inaccurate and does not serve the art/science of the reason for the color wheel in the first place. If you have dark under eye circles (which appear as a grey shadow, Blue being the undertone of grey then you need a concealer which is peachy, a Warm shade (yellow-orange and opposite of blue) a cool shade, which will cancel out the grey shadow. even if your skin is olive (cool.) English, Irish and Scottish heritage tend to have fair skin whose under eye and lid skin is thin, showing a hue of the blood which passes through them making the under eye area and lid skin appear red or purple-red to purple. Although their skin is usually flushed and appears rosy (Warm) they need a Cool (yellow, yellow-green, golden concealer) to eliminate the red-purple. L'Oreal's True Match line of foundation and concealers and powders and blush (which is always Warm: rosy-pink, pink, coral, honey, brick, red and combinations of these. No one blushes Cool: yellow-green, green, blue green and blue, blue-violet.) would match your skin to their so called Cool (pink,rosey; which is inaccurate as this skin undertone is Warm) and you would then be matched up to all products which are Cool: foundation, powder, concealer and the supposed Cool Blush, even though you may need combinations of Cool and Warm within your choice of these products as described above. All that aside (I'm sorry as this kind of inaccurate info is a pet peeve of mine) their pressed powder is very smooth and velvety silky in texture and application, though it is sheer, which is what you want in a translucent pressed powder otherwise you'd have a powder foundation. The talc is finely milled and appears very skin like and not at all powdered down flour. It will just matte the skin making it appear more smooth and even and pore less. This is what you want on a nose or forehead and chin. Let the cheeks glow. This also works well over your lip outline and lips before you reapply lipstick. The packaging is of thick and strong plastic with a mirror and separate compartments for powder and sponge. I like this separation as oily puffs or sponges (a sponge is supplied w/this pressed powder and is washable) when stored on top of pressed powder will cause the powder to form a hard film of dirt/oil and render the sponge unable to pick up and deposit powder. Highly Recommended. Wwsshhheeeww!! :-)
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Concealers -Maybelline - Super Stay 24 Hour Concealer
bernsie 6/11/2012 6:06:00 PM
I've spoke elsewhere here of transfer resistant products taking on the texture they are applied over. Transfer resistant foundation will make a dry flaky skin look more so. Acne ,marked, pitted skin will look more so. Great, young skin looks beautiful. Older, dry, lined skin, not so much. Non-transfer resistant foundations will refine a larger variety of skin flaws. Bad skin looks good. Descent skin looks great. Beautiful, perfect skin looks astonishingly glorious. Well I guess you get the idea (the point I'm trying to make.) THIS is a transfer resistant concealer , hence the name: Super Stay 24 Hour Concealer, but it does not have the tell tale signs of transfer resistant. This concealer is smooth. If you've dry under eyes I'd recommend using a richer than usual eye cream under it, but that's okay as once it sets it stays put all day. It's good at covering flaws such as redness around nose, pimples, etc. It's at it's best hiding under eye darkness if you've the proper color. This stuff "rocks" and even works well as an eyeshadow base (over the entire eyelid right on up to the brow.) It doesn't crease very easily and shadows/hi-lites/liner looks more true to it's original color. I love it. Sets a new standard in transfer resistant and affordability!
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Concealers -Maybelline - Undetectable Concealer
bernsie 6/11/2012 5:46:00 PM
This concealer has been around for quite sometime. There must be a demand for it as I believe this has been around (in different packaging, however) since the mid to late '90's. I might be wrong and am thinking of a Cover Girl titled somewhat the same (as in meaning; not having it show.) Though I believe this is the right one I'm thinking of. It was quite the formula for a drugstore/Walmart brand of concealer meaning it was not expensive whatsoever. I turned many friends/clients/co-workers onto this as I thought it did an exceptional job of covering under eye darkness (if the proper color was chosen) and not accenting fine under eye lines. It also stayed put as you mostly never had to roll it out of fine, direct under eye lines. I don't think this is a concealer for marks that need covering on different parts of the face. It is definitely not meant for covering redness from pimples, etc. It is really best for under the eye. Most non-transfer resistant concealers do tend to move and need occasional rolling with the finger to push it out of settling within lines (touch-ups.) Transfer resistant anything tends to take on the texture of whatever it is applied over. IE: Use a transfer resistant foundation on dry flaky skin and it makes it looks more so. Over acne marked,pitted skin and it makes it look more so. Dry under eye areas that are lined will look more so. I understand the need and following of transfer resistant foundation particularly: You have oily skin and live in a hot, humid climate. Your skin is normal, but it's the middle of August in South Florida and the humidity is 99% and unbearably hot. I still say non-transfer resistant foundation makes a larger majority of skin types look more refined. The same holds true of concealer. You get the best of both worlds with this product. When it has dried/set under the eye it tends to stay put and does not overly texture the area. you may need to reapply midday, but it's worth it. Everyone I have turned on to this stuff really likes it as well.
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Pressed Powders -Christian Dior - Diorskin Pressed Powder
bernsie 6/3/2012 9:57:00 AM
I'm reviewing the forever diorskin pressed powder. I believe it is a bit newer than the one listed above and is meant to be used in conjunction with their forever (transfer resistant) foundation. I believe I've heard the above powder has more coverage whereas the forever powder is to control shine, keeping everything matte, it's very sheer so numerous applications never look cakey and extends the wearability of the forever foundation (and I would therefore say most all foundations.) I love this pressed powder though it is expensive, but it's made in France (I find French Milling to create some of the finest quality powder in the world) and the packaging and spongr which comes with it for application is all top quality. It works is all I know. I've the world's worst oily T-Zone and this is the most oil absorbing powder I've ever used so I rarely have to reapply, hence it lasts long. I use it in color #002 and it's perfect. If the time comes to repurchas and I can afford the splurge I will buy it again!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Dove - Damage Therapy Conditioner Intensive Repair
bernsie 6/3/2012 8:12:00 AM
I use this in conjunction with the matching shampoo and leave in conditioner. I used to be a hair product snob, but no more. I had lifted my hair 5 levels w/40 volume peroxide and then went back and did foil hi-lites with bleach and many of them at that. This system brought my hair back to life and as good or better than going with the prestige brands found in your better salons. You know, where every product cost upwards of 30 and 40 bucks. I wish they would come out with skincare and makeup line under their same quality/price ratio. I love most anything by Dove. It's come a long way in recent decades/years.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Dove - Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo
bernsie 6/3/2012 8:04:00 AM
My best friend is an amazing, award winning stylist who has owned her own high end very expensive shop in Cheshire. Connecticut. She recently celebrated the 25th aniversary of her shop. As a matter of fact we met in hairdressing school in 1977. We are both hair care snobs and always have benn, but I must tell you what is now availane in 2012 in drustores/Walmart there is almost no reason to spend 30 bucks on a shampoo. This Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo with micro moisture serum and fiber actives has done wonders for my hair (combined with the matching conditioner and leave in Nourishing Oil Care leave in Soothing Cream. I ened up lifting my hair color 4-5 levels w/40 volume peroxide and then went over it with bleach for foil hi-lites and many of them at that! This line of Dove products literally brought my hair back from the dead and for as little money as I've ever spent on haircare. Dove has since expanded their line even further and they seem to continue to do so. I use Dove soap (with Nutrium or Oil care) and nothing else. This brand has really grown and done so successfully with quality/price being unbeatable. They need to come out with an entire skincare and makeup line next as I think this would be just as successful if they maintain their control ove rthis qualit/price I refer to. There really isn't any need to spend a fortune on hair products anymore as it's redundent when it comes to Dove!!!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Dove - Cream Oil Bar
bernsie 6/3/2012 7:43:00 AM
I've used Dove forever in the shower as I detest anything that comes in a bottle or tub. I love the shape of a bar of Dove soap as it fits in the hand perfectly. Now, I've reviewed the soap w/Nutrium which I like better than the original, but I like this one with Cream Oil even better as I find it a bit more moisturizing than the one with Nutrium. It's inexpensive. It lathers up well and rinses very quickly never leaving a residue on shower glass/tub nor on the body. This is a staple if ever there was one. I've tried the more expensive french milled varieties and many other high end brand, but always return to this...Always!!!! I've reviewed many skin care and makeup items here (over 130) and I don't believe I've ever scored anything as perfect as this little, cheap bar of soap found virtually everywhere.
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Gels/Soaps -Dove - Nutrium Moisturizing Bar
bernsie 6/3/2012 7:33:00 AM
I like a bar of soap in the shower and I've used Dove since I can remember, but this Nutrium ups the ante. It's even more moisturizing than the original yet rinses quickly and leaves you feeling clean not striped. Doesn't leave any soap residue on shower glass/tub nor the body. It's inexpensive and if you let it dry out properly it will last long as well. I've tried all the fancy expensive french milled varieties, but I always come back to this. Highly Recommended
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Powder -Maybelline - PureStay Powder Foundation
bernsie 6/3/2012 6:41:00 AM
I love this powder foundation. The color "Buff" is perfect, which might have to do with why I like it so much. When I apply it I can't really see it as it matches my skin so well. Other than the mattifying texture it gives the skin I'd be hard pressed to see where it and my skin met. It goes on quick and lasts quite long, especially considering this is an inexpensive drugstore/Walmart find that's been around forever. They used to have it available in more shades, but have got rid of the one's that didn't sell well, I guess. You may also brush this on as opposed to sponging it on for a sheerer look. Just make sure you don't use too large a brush with too soft hairs as you'll never get the required deposit this needs. Here's a little trouble I will go through (I'm a bit nutty I guess.) I will buy one shade darker than this color and I than take both and use a butter knife to remove both pots of their product. I do this atop a very smooth, clean surface (a large magazine page which has been coated over the paper to give the magazine a higher quality to it's feel. Vogue works well.) I then crush the two colors together using the butter knife until they are broken down and mixed together. I then dump the combined formula into a jar which has the removable plastic lid with the holes in it as you would find in a loose powder. I then replace the plastic lid w/holes and replace the screw down lid. I then shake so everything is even more mixed (MAC Stores sell these containers.) I use this by tapping the desired amount into the underside of the screw down lid and using a very firm Kabooki style brush apply it by buffing it into my skin. Because you have the control of how much powder to dump into the lid you control the coverage it gives you. The brush you use will also control coverage. The shorter more firm the hair the higher the deposit. The longer, softer the hair and you get less of a depost. I use the short/firm hair method. You can get more coverage and still have it look quite natural than you ever could just sponging it on in it's original pressed form. You also can really color refine the product to exactness of color tone for your skin. This product is cheap enough to do this as I would never attempt this with MAC's Studiofix. Studiofix's color range is varied enough to not have to resort to this, but I can still get more coverage this way than sponging on a standard shade of Studiofix. Both of the maybeline shades cost far less money than a single Studiofix when bought in Walmart plus you get twice the amount of product. Love it and Highly Recommend it even in it's regular form and usage. This miz is used when I become slightly darker in the Summer though I can get away with it no matter the season.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No