BB Cream -Etude - Etude House Precious Mineral All Day Strong BB Cream
butterbelle 5/26/2011 12:29:00 PM
I have this in #2 Sheer Glowing Skin under the new "All Day Strong" formula so I'm not sure how this compares to #1 Sheer Silky Skin formula. #2 definitely has a dewy finish and is great for those with normal to dry skin. It has great lasting power and it blends well. However, the grey/pink in this BB cream's shade is really off-putting and is actually a dealbreaker for me. For me, a base makeup item must be a perfect colour match before anything else. I don't think this shade is flattering on anyone's skin tone so I wouldn't recommend this BB cream. But because of its other merits, I am giving it 3 lippies.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation 
butterbelle 5/26/2011 12:08:00 PM
I really don't like this foundation. The coverage is very light for a liquid foundation. The finish is not "glowy" like the name suggests. I find that it gets blotchy very fast and its staying power is pretty bad. The colour range is pretty good and ceylan is a good match for me. However, for $42, it is definitely overpriced. I will not be re-purchasing.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Bare Escentuals - bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation - Golden Medium 
butterbelle 5/26/2011 11:57:00 AM
I was extremely skeptical about mineral foundation given the hype around it. I thought, "How much coverage could a powder foundation really give me anyways?" I never would have bought it if I didn't try it on in the store and I saw what a big difference it made. It evens out skin tone and gives more coverage than any powder foundation I've ever tried before. However, it doesn't cover up dark circles (I use a separate concealer for that) and it doesn't cover up acne scars or freckles. So if you're particularly concerned about those, I wouldn't recommend this for you. If you're looking for medium coverage and a nice natural finish that has great oil control for the summer, I definitely recommend this foundation. Golden medium is also the perfect shade for my skin tone. It's only $31 in Canada and since you use so little with each application, I expect that it will last me a long time.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Avene - Soothing moisture mask
butterbelle 5/26/2011 11:49:00 AM
This product saved my skin last winter when my skin was parched and nothing else was working. Despite the potentially comedogenic ingredients in this product, I experienced no breakouts. I think what sets this product apart from other moisture masks is the fact that you don't rinse it off afterwards but spray some thermal water on instead. It really helps add and retain moisture to your face. I always woke up with soft and supple skin in the morning after using this at night as the last step to my skincare routine. It is a bit pricey for $30+ CAD but since it's only meant to be used occasionally, one bottle lasts a long time and for the results I've gotten, it's definitely worth the price.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Olay - Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive Skin
butterbelle 5/26/2011 11:40:00 AM
I previously used Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer for Combination/Oily Skin with SPF15 and it BURNED my face after a few months of use so I was very hesitant to try this but I needed a moisturizer with sunscreen. I picked it up when it was on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart for $9.99 (regular price: $18.99). It's a really nice light moisturizer and most importantly, it doesn't burn my skin! It keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day and the SPF30 is definitely enough sun protection for the winter months. Shoppers just recently put this on sale again so I bought two back-ups because that's how much I love this. I prefer not using a separate sunscreen in the winter since sunscreen is usually so greasy so this moisturizer is perfect. I would not purchase this at regular price since the bottle only gives you 75mL. Another problem with this moisturizer is that after you've used most of it up, the pump will not pick up the last little bit at the bottom of the bottle so you have to find other ways of getting that last bit out. But I still prefer having a sanitary pump than having it in a jar. Overall, a great everyday skincare item and I would definitely re-purchase when I run out.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -E.L.F. - Studio High Definition Powder
butterbelle 5/26/2011 11:27:00 AM
This is the best setting powder I've ever tried. (Granted, I haven't tried the MUFE HD powder so I can't compare.) It helps my foundation last so much longer and because of how translucent it is, it doesn't make my foundation look cakey in the least. And it's SO cheap. For $6, you get 3.6 oz, which is amazing. I will definitely re-purchase since this is the perfect setting powder and it's at such a good price.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Chanel - Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Make-Up ] [DISCONTINUED]
butterbelle 5/26/2011 11:24:00 AM
This is currently my favourite foundation. It provides medium to full coverage, depending how much you apply. The colour selection is somewhat limited but for my NC25 skin, it's absolutely perfect. Most foundations tend to emphasize dry flakes on my face but this one is creamy enough that it truly gives me a glowy complexion. It doesn't have great oil control since it is meant for those with drier skin types but its lasting power, its dewy finish, and its full coverage are just so impressive. I will absolutely re-purchase when I'm finished with my current bottle. It definitely is expensive so I only use it for special occasions.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Powder Brush
butterbelle 5/26/2011 11:20:00 AM
This is the best ELF brush I've ever tried. I love this for applying any powder product. It's especially effective for buffing on mineral foundation. The brush is dense, weighty, and it doesn't have the disgusting synthetic smell that other ELF brushes tend to have. It is so much better than the studio complexion brush. If you're going to try any ELF product, this would be my pick. I've already bought another 2 as back-ups.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Sephora - Hello Kitty Liquid Nail Art
butterbelle 4/13/2011 10:49:00 PM
I have this nail polish in Blueberry. The formula is very high quality and one coat is enough to get it to look opaque on your nails but I use two coats to typically touch up. The wide brush that comes with this nail polish makes application much easier, imo and the colour itself is very unique and perfect for spring. If they come out with another colour that interests me, I'll definitely be buying it again!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Hask Placenta Plus Henna 'n' Placenta with Olive Oil
butterbelle 4/13/2011 10:43:00 PM
This was a very moisturizing deep conditioning treatment and it made my colour-treated hair soft and tangle-free. HOWEVER, no retailer near me sells this so I have to purchase it for $7/packet on eBay so it is pretty pricey in the long run. It is also a huge hassle to finish shampoo-ing in the shower, put the mask on, step out and put a hair dryer on your head for 10 minutes. My arm got pretty tired so this step is definitely a big con. Overall, it's too expensive and inconvenient for me to use on a regular basis but if you don't have the same problems as me, this product delivers on its promises and gives you very soft and nourished hair afterwards.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Rimmel - Lasting Finish - Airy Fairy
butterbelle 4/5/2011 2:29:00 AM
I really wanted to like this after hearing such good recommendations from my friend about this lipstick. The colour itself looks very pretty when swatched but on my skin and my pigmented lips, it just looks like hell. When I put it on, it almost looks like my skin colour but in a bad way. This colour was just not flattering on me at all and I'm really disappointed after having such high expectations for it. The lipstick itself isn't very moisturizing or long-lasting even with a lip balm underneath so I don't think I'll be trying any more lipsticks from Rimmel in the future.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Christian Dior - Serum De Rouge
butterbelle 3/28/2011 6:52:00 PM
This is my HG lipstick! #730 in Coral Serum is perfect for my pigmented lips and adds such a pretty pop of colour to my lips. Most lipsticks are either too dark/dramatic or too light. I hate light-coloured lipsticks but this was perfect. This colour is closer to a red than a true coral but is a light enough red that it's not too dramatic for everyday wear. Dior's Serum de Rouge has such a nice consistency on the lips that you can skip lip balm before putting this on, if you wish. (I still put a layer of lip balm on beforehand.) It's not very long-lasting but then again, no lipstick ever is. It is very expensive for a lipstick but no other lipstick colour flatters me as well as this one does. Highly recommended!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Christian Dior - Serum de Rouge in 730 (Coral Serum)
butterbelle 3/28/2011 6:51:00 PM
This is my HG lipstick! The colour is perfect for my pigmented lips and adds such a pretty pop of colour to my lips. Most lipsticks are either too dark/dramatic or too light. I hate light-coloured lipsticks but this was perfect. This colour is closer to a red than a true coral but is a light enough red that it's not too dramatic for everyday wear. Dior's Serum de Rouge has such a nice consistency on the lips that you can skip lip balm before putting this on, if you wish. (I still put a layer of lip balm on beforehand.) It's not very long-lasting but then again, no lipstick ever is. It is very expensive for a lipstick but no other lipstick colour flatters me as well as this one does. Highly recommended!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous Waterproof
butterbelle 3/28/2011 6:46:00 PM
I am very pleasantly surprised by this mascara. I usually have very low expectations of drugstore mascaras since most of them do nothing for my sparse, straight Asian lashes. But this mascara held my curl really well and made my lashes look fuller. I got it on sale for $6.99 plus a $2 off coupon from L'Oreal so this was a great steal. Even at its $11 regular price, I'd still be willing to pay that price for such a nice drugstore mascara. I can see why this mascara is so raved about now! Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus is still my HG mascara but this is a great cheaper alternative. Would definitely repurchase!
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -LUSH - h'suan wen hua conditioner
butterbelle 3/28/2011 3:57:00 AM
The only nice thing I can say about this product is its delicious cinnamon smell. Other than the nice smell, this product doesn't hydrate or nourish my colour-treated, coarse Asian hair. This product was particularly disappointing since I heard so many great recommendations from my friends and it just didn't measure up at all. First of all, it makes no sense that LUSH tells its customers to put this on for 20 minutes before shampooing. Not only is this extremely inconvenient (I don't know about you guys but when I get ready to shower, I like to be done fast), it also removes any effectiveness this product might have on your hair since you shampoo out all of the moisture that might have been placed on your hair from this treatment. Shampoo is meant to strip the build-up of oil on your scalp and inevitably, the oil/moisture from this treatment is definitely stripped as well. When I'm rinsing this out with only water, my hair does feel softer but as soon as I shampoo it, all of the softness from this treatment is gone. And any softness I feel after I'm done conditioning my hair is no more than what I normally get from my regular conditioner. The only way I can see this working effectively is if you disregard LUSH's instructions and use it after shampooing to leave it on for 20 minutes as a conditioner instead. But given the price ($17.95 for a jar which you should get only 2 uses out of if you follow LUSH's instructions) and the ineffectiveness of this product, it's not worth the time and hassle this product takes. Not only will I never repurchase this product, I will never again purchase a hair treatment I have to apply BEFORE shampooing.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No