Liquid -Becca - Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation 
catspek 3/4/2013 1:22:00 PM
I wanted to like this foundation because it lays down nicely on the skin and has medium coverage (ladies who want serious coverage, look elsewhere). BUT the scent/fragrance was too strong. Like grandma's perfume. Yuck. Wiped it off and I can still smell it faintly on my face. Also, this foundation seriously emphasized my fine lines, and my lines are VERY fine. As in when I'm not wearing any face makeup, you don't see any. Within one minute of this settling into my skin, I grinned slightly in the mirror and saw all these tiny little crows feet. I'm not vain about age (I'm only in my 30s) or fine lines (I kind of like them), but emphasizing them for no reason serves no purpose. Simply cannot rate this higher than 1 lippie because 1) for the price it should be amazing, and 2) it smells like drugstore foundation and for me it's not wearable. Oh well, the search for a great foundation continues :-(
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Powder -Alima - Satin Matte Mineral Foundation
catspek 2/13/2013 9:58:00 AM
I had high hopes for this foundation/powder, but.....it pains me to say this because I respect Alima's philosophy and their customer service is good....I hated this product. I did my due diligence and ordered many tiny samples before choosing the exact perfect color. I'm a fair beige (can't remember the exact number right now) and the color itself is perfect. However, the finish is so cakey and blah. They tell you to use the teeniest-tiniest amount, which I did. And I applied in light downward strokes, just like they instruct you to do. Still, it just sat on my face, no "melting" whatsoever like others have mentioned. I think that might happen if you have oily or super-moisturized skin, but for regular skin, it was like a layer of flour on my face. And the worst part, it broke me out slightly and absolutely nothing breaks me out. I guess that's just my skin's reaction to this particular product and not a reflection of the makeup itself (hopefully), but I can't give a product any more than 2 stars if 1) it looked terrible on my face, 2) broke me out, and 3) I wouldn't purchase it again. By the way, this stuff isn't cheap. But they give you samples (usually of eyeshadows) with any order, and that's nice. The shadows have the same texture as the foundation, so they make your eyes look crepe-y and blah too. What a shame, because the color palette is lovely. Sorry Alima, this one's a no for me.
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Blush -Unlisted Brand - RMS Beauty - Muse
catspek 1/10/2013 1:53:00 PM
I don't say this about many products but....I am obsessed with Muse. It's unlike any other color. (Respectfully I have to disagree with the review by "hjjung" because Muse would NOT be best on dark skin, in fact it would probably not show up.) Muse is a curious color, kind of beige but with a slight pinkish undertone that's barely detectable in the pot, but it shows up on fair skin in the most lovely way. It was one of my first purchases from RMS because it wasn't scary-looking. I only use it on cheeks because on lips it's pretty much nothing. I have very fair skin, hazel eyes and light brown hair, and Muse is awesome. I give it 5 lippies because despite it's unassuming look, it's the one I reach for over and over. It makes my skin feel supple the whole day, and that's with only using the tiniest bit. I have two pots of it and I've barely scratched the surface of the first (bought five months ago). If you're fair, try this. I'd be surprised if you don't have the same reaction.
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Brows -Christian Dior - Powder brow pencil
catspek 1/2/2013 10:49:00 AM
Within one day of getting both colors (sand and blonde) I became addicted to their texture. They are, by far, the easiest pencil to apply, and leave the lightest feathery powder finish. Most often I use them lightly over Tarte EmphasEYES which is waxy and stays put. The only complaint is the lack of color options for this pencil. Both have a slight auburn undertone and that's very frustrating. How hard is it to make PURE light, medium and darker browns??? I'll continue to use these because their texture and lightness is wonderful and addictive, but I'm not positive I'd buy them again until they introduce more colors.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Tinted Brow Gel in Brunette
catspek 12/31/2012 10:11:00 AM
I tried several of the colors but they are all gold. It's weird. I like Anastasia stencils, but not one of these tinted gels was wearable for me. The gold-ness isn't subtle, it's full-on GOLD, and unless it's nighttime, these are not natural-looking.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Tinted Brow Gel in Blonde
catspek 12/31/2012 10:10:00 AM
I tried several of the colors but they are all gold. It's weird. I like Anastasia stencils, but not one of these tinted gels was wearable for me. The gold-ness isn't subtle, it's full-on GOLD, and unless it's nighttime, these are not natural-looking.
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Moisturizers -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Argan oil
catspek 12/30/2012 11:47:00 PM
I can't say Argan oil is amazing and superior to other oils (safflower, olive, coconut, etc) but this one is light, has NO SCENT and tames flyaway and static-y hair with the tiniest amount. Great bottle with the dropper makes it easy to control. After I bought it I learned it's in the family of nut oils, though, and that could be a problem for allergic people. I don't use nut oils as a rule, so I just use a couple drops for my hair ends, and it makes my hair feel like silk. Definitely pricey for the small amount, though, so I wouldn't buy it again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Brow Stencils
catspek 12/30/2012 11:33:00 PM
I have a small face and lame eyebrows. My brows don't naturally arch, they're not perfectly symmetrical, and they kinda slope downward. When I first opened these stencils I thought, "these are WAY too big," but it's interesting how well they work after you mess around with them. I now use them almost every day, and if you saw how small my face is, you wouldn't believe it. The trick is to follow the directions!! Don't use the stencil you assume will work best, use the one that the majority of your brow FITS INTO. I thought the petite arch would be my go-to stencil, but shockingly the medium arch works perfectly every time. I don't have medium-sized brows, but the slope of that stencil works best. Is the cost too much for, essentially, one stencil that works? Well, my brows finally look great every day. That's worth the money. Just wish there were more arch options, rather than five.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Phytomer - Purifying Gommage Exfoliant
catspek 12/1/2012 2:16:00 PM
It's crazy how good this product is. I hadn't even planned on buying it, I planned on buying only the Vegetal exfoliant (which I adore). When both came in the mail I decided to try this first, since it had been an impulse buy, and it'd been a while since I'd exfoliated and I knew this would be 'harsher' than the Vegetal. O...m...g this exfoliator is ridiculously effective and yet GENTLE. Typical of Phytomer in that way. I learned from reviews on the site where I bought it that the best method is to smear a thin amount over your face, then let it sit for a good minute or two until it's tacky, but not dried. Then gently rub your face in circles...gently....gently....around and around, for another good minute. Within a minute the mask starts to roll off your face, so just keep rubbing in a circular motion around your entire face. Eventually 90% has rolled off and your skin is insanely supple and soft. Finish by splashing cool water and voila! You've had a facial at home. The scent is lovely, simple marine with no florals or fruits (yay!). This is now my #1 favorite exfoliator. #2 is the Phytomer Vegetal, which has no manual exfoliators in it, only enzymatic. BTW, my skin tends to me somewhat reactive and this doesn't bother it in the least. In fact, it soothes it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - RMS Beauty - Raw Coconut Cream
catspek 11/26/2012 12:43:00 AM
I was intrigued and excited to try this, but I didn't expect to like it. After a couple months of regular use I have been pleasantly surprised - extremely so. I'm not a fan of products in tubs but RMS does everything in a glass tub for purity's sake (they explained that to me on the phone). Ignore the other reviews that say about this is the same as coconut oil from the supermarket. It's NOT. This is serious, hardcore, no joke, pure coconut, basically compressed into a waxy-cream. Like what happens to garlic when you put it through a garlic press, this is the coconut version. If you don't like the smell of coconut, you won't like this because it almost assaults you. I'm not a fan of scented things but I enjoy this, and it fades after a few minutes anyway. Plus, it's authentic, not something "resembling" coconut. I remove makeup with it super easily, but in my experience it's best used like this: Before you get in the shower or wash your face, smear it all over your face (eyebrows, lips, everywhere). Hop in the shower or do other stuff first, like wash your hair or brush your teeth. Then it's warmed up and sunken into the skin. Now rub your skin gently, but thoroughly, for a good 10-20 seconds, either with fingers or a cotton or sponge pad, then wash this off with a basic lathering cleanser. (I still use Neutrogena original face wash after 20 yrs). Your skin will be totally clean, yet soft and perfectly balanced. For someone like me with dry skin this is HG material because it allows me to use the lathering "stripping" cleansers I love without the over-dryness they cause. Plus, for eighteen bucks this doesn't break the bank. After two months I'm about halfway through the tub. PS: I'd give it 5 lippies if it came in something other than a tub. Why not a toothpaste-like tube? It would keep out all the light and push out any air. Update: Several months after my review I had a minor facial surgery (not cosmetic) and was instructed to use Vaseline on the wound while it healed. They sent me home with a tiny packet, and I thought I had more in my cabinet, but I didn't. I had a big bandage on my head so I didn't want to go out. I knew people the world over use oils (like olive) for scar-prevention, so I tried this, dabbing it every morning and evening, then just leaving it there. A week and a half later, half the wound is nearly invisible. No joke...invisible. Maybe he was just a great surgeon but...invisible? Only ten days later? Hard to imagine someone THAT good.
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Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - RMS Beauty Lip & Skin Balm
catspek 9/28/2012 8:04:00 PM
I have become a very recent devotee of RMS (like in the last four weeks). I seriously love this lip balm and...no joke here...I don't like ONE lip balm on the market besides this one. I hate that because this one is very expensive but I've tried about 100 over the years and every one of them ultimately makes my lip flake, or they contain ingredients I don't want to swallow throughout the day (which we do with every lipstick and balm). The one thing I can't stand about this product is the packaging - a glass tub. I saw on their website that glass is used in lieu of plastic because plastic leeches into products and eventually degrades them. I appreciate that, but it's just not sanitary or convenient to have to put your fingers into a tub several times/day. I wrap a tissue around my finger and do it so I don't have to wash my hands every time I want to apply lip balm. Like, how can you apply it in the car? Or when you're walking down the street? Even so, I now own three of these balms. One for bedside, one for downstairs when I'm too lazy to walk upstairs, one for purse. Expensive but totally worth it for the product itself. Oh, and it lasts for HOURS. Even after eating you can still feel it on your lips.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Cover Girl - Smoky ShadowBlast in Silver Sky
catspek 10/26/2011 1:10:00 AM
This product sux. Pigment is minimal. It's creamy and goes on in a flash but that's because it never dries. Never. Ten minutes - or an hour - after putting it on, you can just wipe it away. Seriously, you can just wipe it off with your fingertip. Ugh, terrible. There's no way they really tested this before putting it on the market. Total junk.
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Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Brow Pen - Long Wearing Brow Tint
catspek 4/15/2011 1:25:00 PM
This is my new favorite product. The tip is perfectly tapered so you can feather in tiny strokes 'beneath' your lashes to fill in the area without it looking like brow powder or pencil-like. I'm totally addicted to this thing. I see some people complain about it drying up and maybe I haven't had it long enough to see that, but even if it lasted one month, I'd repurchase in a heartbeat. I LOVE this thing. However, I only gave it four lippies b/c of the lack of color choices - the light works for me but it has the slightest auburn quality. I noticed someone with black brows said the same thing about the darker shade. So these are hardly "universal" as advertised but when applied with a light touch, it's awesome, awesome, awesome. You have complete control with this thing. Try it, you'll see.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Smashbox - limitless eyeliner
catspek 10/23/2010 10:22:00 PM
For the price you can't beat getting four pigment-rich colors. The texture is very smooth, blendable and comfortable. But be warned, they are nearly impossible to remove - seriously. With enough oil-based remover you can get 90% off but you'll simply have to wait a day or so for all of it to be gone. Does it deserve to call itself long-wear? Absolutely. But it's a bit too long.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Le Metier de Beaute - Anamorphic Lash Mascara- JADE
catspek 7/9/2010 8:36:00 PM
I, too, became addicted to this line and it's because of the mascara. However my addiction has run its course, not because the products aren't good (they are!) but because they're not quite exceptional enough to merit the exorbitant prices...and I mean seriously expensive for the amount of product you get. The colors are FANTASTIC and I really like the brush but the formula does two negative things: It clumps (though you can easily comb through) and it wastes too much when you pull it out of the tube. Perhaps that's a dispense-design problem but man do you waste a lot of product. I'm not cheap with cosmetics at all, but it hurts to see that much beautiful mascara wiped on a tissue before you've even applied it. Even so, once it's on and combed through, your lashes are feathery and lovely. I'll miss having this around but if they change tubes or dispense methods, I'm back baby!
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