Mascara -Bare Escentuals - buxom lash
blythegraves 8/6/2012 4:31:00 PM
Favorite mascara! Clump, flake and smudge free. Defines, separates, adds a bit of volume, and holds a curl. Lashes are lush and conditioned, not stiff. Very easy to apply (can easily build multiple coats) and dries fairly fast. Does not irritate sensitive eyes and contacts. Similar to Bare Minerals "Flawless Definition", but actually adds volume and holds a curl. Lasts all day/night. Perfect go-to mascara.
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Powder -Everyday Minerals - foundation semi-matte formula
blythegraves 7/23/2012 4:14:00 PM
My favorite loose mineral foundation. I use "Sandy Fair" with their "Finishing Dust" and it lasts all day, usually with no touch-ups. No irritation or break-outs; very pure formula. The color really fits my skin tone and livens it up, giving a refreshed dewy/glowing look. The semi-matte formula is so creamy and seems to melt into skin, erasing any imperfections (does not highlight pores, dry spots, and lines like Bare Minerals). If you have extra dry skin: exfoliate, moisturize, and try applying the foundation with a damp foundation brush (or mix the foundation into your fav moisturizer). I used to use Bare Minerals, but they're so high-maintenance, so I switched to EM. They samples for $0.01, so it's worth a try.
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Loose Powders -Everyday Minerals - Finishing Dust
blythegraves 7/23/2012 4:01:00 PM
The BEST finishing powder (at least for me). It's truly sheer (unlike Bare Minerals sheer/original "Mineral Veil" which has an orange hue) and seems to wake up my skin. I use it with EM semi-matte foundation (the best, also), and it looks very natural, giving a lit from within glow. I have an oily T-zone and this controlled oil so well I didn't need a touch-up throughout the day (wow!). Application is effortless and produces an airbrushed/flawless finish. Love it. If you like Bare Minerals but dislike the quirks and high-maintenance, try Everyday Minerals.
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Mascara -Bare Escentuals - Flawless Definition mascara
blythegraves 7/19/2012 4:00:00 PM
Great everyday, natural-looking mascara. Really defines, separates and lengthens well. Does not clump or flake. The only con, which is a big one for me, is that it does NOT hold a curl...it kills the curl and straightens the lashes. Curling after mascara dries just makes the mascara flake. I find Buxom "Buxom Lash" to work much better.
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Concealers -Bare Escentuals - Well-Rested For Eyes
blythegraves 7/18/2012 4:38:00 PM
I am very fair and "Well Rested" is very noticeable (too light and shiny) and does not blend well. I used it as a spot treatment and under my eyes; it does conceal the blemish but does not blend well. I found it creases and accentuates pores and lines like crazy. I love Bare Minerals mascara, but I'm done with their foundation and concealers. I recommend the effortless Everyday Minerals for foundation/concealer/powder.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Extra Volume Collagen mascara
blythegraves 7/18/2012 3:24:00 AM
With one coat this lengthens, adds volume, defines/separates, conditions, and holds a curl. Really does last a long time. I wear it from morning to late night without it smudging. The wand seems a bit crazy, but he criss-crossing hairs really work some magic at lifting and separating lashes. One con is that the formula smells like shellac, but there's no odor when the mascara dries. I have sensitive eyes/wear contacts and I had no irritation. At the moment this and Bare Minerals "Flawless Definition" are my fav mascaras.
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Moisturizers -Origins - NIght-A-Mins Cream
blythegraves 7/15/2012 6:32:00 PM
I tend to have an oily T-Zone, but I never have a breakout; this cream left me with huge whiteheads and a bad breakout. I purchased the oil-free version for combo/oily skin, but it gave me a horrible reaction. I would not recommend.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous mascara
blythegraves 7/4/2012 7:01:00 PM
Great formula, just watch out for clumps (wipe off excess formula before application). Pros: -Conditions, volumizes, defines, lengthens, and holds a curl. -Does not flake -Does not irritate sensitive eyes or contact lenses -Great brush Cons: -Must wipe off excess formula in order not to get clumps and lashes that stick together -Smudges at the end of the day (try waterproof formula for longer wear/less smudging) At the moment I prefer Bare Minerals "Flawless Definition" mascara, but Voluminous is one of the best drugstore options.
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Loose Powders -Bare Escentuals - Mineral Veil
blythegraves 7/2/2012 4:22:00 PM
Good setting powder, but I prefer Everyday Minerals "Finishing Dust". They both are corn starch, but Bare Minerals contain stearate fillers, EM does not. The sheer/original Mineral Veil has an orange hue that does not really work for my fair skin. When I used Bare Minerals when they first came out (~10 years ago) I remember that the veil was not this orangey, so I'm not happy with that. It does control oil and sets foundation well, but it's not the best. For a better, but similar option, I use Everyday Minerals Finishing Dust; it's pure and works well (for less $, too), if not better, than Bare Minerals. Overall, it's not a bad product, but it's not for me.
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Sunscreen -Pratima - Neem Rose Sunscreen
blythegraves 6/30/2012 11:59:00 PM
I love Pratima's products; very holistic and high quality with instant benefits. The "Neem Rose Face Sunscreen" is super. If you have dry to combination skin I recommend moisturizing generously prior to sunscreen application. This sunscreen is a physical barrier that will last all day and primes makeup well, but does not moisturize by itself. The ingredients are very nourishing and smells slightly of rose (not too overpowering). I find it makes my makeup last longer, like a primer, without any makeup meltdown. Does not clog pores or cause breakouts (may even keep breakouts away due to the ingredients-- neem, especially). It does not leave a white-cast, but I'm fair so it wouldn't really be noticeable; may take a bit longer to rub in if you're dark-skinned. I've been using it for 3+ years and I'm a loyal customer.
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Pressed Powders -Origins - Silk Screen
blythegraves 6/30/2012 11:02:00 PM
Great sheer-light buildable coverage pressed powder. I am very fair with peachy/neutral undertones and "Porcelain" fits me well. Looks very natural; goes on really creamy matte. Foolproof powder and flawless whether you apply it with a powder brush or a sponge. Does not cake, settle into pores, accentuate dry skin/wrinkles or cause breakouts. Lasts all day, even after a hike/yoga/workout. I put Everyday Minerals "Finishing Dust" setting powder over it for extra staying power; it prolongs it throughout the day/night. I have a oily T-zone and only had to touch up my nose a couple times in hot/humid weather. The only con is that it tends to wash out your complexion and may be too matte/flat (unless that's what you prefer). At the moment I prefer Everyday Minerals semi-matte foundation for natural dewy/glowing coverage.
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Scrubs -Clinique - 7 day scrub for face
blythegraves 6/30/2012 4:10:00 PM
Just ok. It's pretty potent and might irritate sensitive skin if used too often or rubbed on too vigorously. Worked well at exfoliating, tingles, and smells minty fresh. Clinique has also has a less intense/daily formula if you're worried about over-doing the exfoliating. I favor MyChelle "Fruit Enzyme Scrub" and Origins "Brighter By Nature" pads over this; they exfoliate well and brighten/nourish the skin.
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Mascara -Clinique - High Impact Mascara
blythegraves 6/30/2012 3:58:00 PM
I really wanted to like this mascara; Clinique is a great brand. I have long lashes and was looking for some definition and volume, nothing mind-blowing. I do like the brush/wand, but not the formula. It made my long lashes seem short and fat, offering no definition and clumping like crazy. I went back to my amazing L'Oreal "Voluminous Million Lases".
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Powder -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals ALL
blythegraves 6/27/2012 11:51:00 PM
Mineral foundation is wonderful, and this is one of the originals/trend setters, but it is NOT the best. I used it off and on for 10 years because I could never find something that really fit me (I'm not really a foundation person); I used it mostly as a spot treatment/concealer (with the Mineral Veil") since it's horrible as an all-over foundation. I found a better loose mineral makeup: Everyday Minerals. Pros: -Goes one smooth/creamy -Easy to apply with brush -SPF -Healthy glow Cons: - After a short day, it settles into/highlights pores and wrinkles; slides off face -Accentuates dry spots -Oxidizes after a couple hours (even with a primer) -Does not do well with all face moisturizers -Difficult to find a routine that works with Bare Minerals due to its high maintenance -Bismuth Oxychloride can cause cystic acne and irritation over time I switched to Everyday Minerals foundation and setting powder and I'm totally happy with their mineral makeup (has none of the cons listed above). I do however recommend Bare Minerals "Flawless Definition" mascara and their "Mineral Veil".
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous Million Lashes
blythegraves 6/27/2012 11:23:00 PM
Pros: -Does not smudge -Lightweight, conditions, defines, lengthens, volumizes, holds a curl -Safe for sensitive eyes/contact lenses -Easily buildable for night-time drama -One coat for simple daytime/natural look Cons: -Have to work fast to get desired look; dries fast and tends to clump on the edge/tip of lashes I favor L'Oreal's "Voluminous 24 hour collagen" mascara to this. Currently, Bare Minerals "Flawless Definition" is my fav.
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