Liquid -Korres - Ginger and Vitamins Foundation, SPF 10 [DISCONTINUED]
ccdd 12/30/2007 12:32:00 PM
This product is a brand new addition to the Korres line, and can only be found on Sephora (for now--I think other venues will carry it after January 2008). According to another MUAer, it has been reformulated and the packaging has been changed. I ordered it under the assumption that is was the old formulation which was supposed to provide natural-looking, but medium coverage. I was looking for something new, and as this foundation has the added skincare benefits, I thought it would be good to try. I received it in the mail, and to me this is more like a tinted moisturizer for those who have near perfect skin (that's why I would give it five stars if I had skin like this). If you have anything significant to cover, I would not recommend this (hence the two--it wasn't totally awful, so I gave it a 2). The reformulation may have taken away some of the coverage benefits. From talking to the Sephora reps on the phone, the odd numbers (L1, L3, and L5) are more pink-toned, and the even numbers (L2, L4, and L6) are more yellow-toned. I ordered L4 on their recommendation, and found that it was too light, but definitely yellow-toned. Not overly yellow though. Were I to order it again, I would probably get L6 (pics in my profile for comparison). It spread easily, but seemed like it melted into the skin. It was definitely natural-looking, but almost TOO natural, like you hadn't taken the time to put on anything. Again, those with no skin problems might like it. I found the price, 28.00, reasonable as you get 1.3 ounces in a sanitary tube. It's packaged like toothpaste. I cannot speak to its all-day wear. Since it did not cover anything, I did not feel comfortable leaving the house in it for an extended period of time (well actually, for any time at all). Overall, if you don't need that much coverage and can go without makeup while waiting for Sephora to ship it to you, then go for it! Otherwise, I would say bypass this one and try something else. It's not worth the time and hassle of returning it.
19 out of 21 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -The Healing Garden - Skin Organics reFine microdermabrasion treatment
ccdd 12/30/2007 12:21:00 PM
I bought this product because it seemed like a natural way to still get exfoliation benefits (uses bamboo as the exfoliant instead of aluminum oxide crystals). Overall, I do think it is a good exfoliant...as long as your skin is not sensitive. JMHO, but this was really too harsh for my skin. Even though it is natural, I thought it was still just as rough as aluminum oxide crystals. This may work for some people, but it just didn't work for me. I felt like the grains were not small enough to be effective without damaging the skin.
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Cleansers -The Healing Garden - Organics reEnergize Facial Cleansing Gel
ccdd 12/30/2007 12:17:00 PM
I really wanted to love this product, but I just can't...even after two trial runs. I used it about six months ago then put it away because I believed that it was breaking me out. Recently, while visiting home for the holidays, I rediscovered it and started using it again. I had been using Desert Essence tea tree oil cleanser with sunflower oil and green tea. While I like that cleanser, I found that it was drying and I hoped this cleanser could moisturize while cleaning just as well. WRONG! Within 3 days of using this morning and night, my cheeks (entire face really, but especially my cheeks) broke out horribly. I know it was this because I didn't change anything else in my routine, and as soon as I got back to the Desert Essence cleanser, my skin began clearing up. This may work for some people, but it didn't work for me. I noticed that it has quite a bit of fragrance in it, so that may be the culprit, but I am not sure. However, I will not be test-driving this one again.
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Treatments -Good Skin - peel pads
ccdd 12/20/2007 11:35:00 PM
This review is for the citra-peel. I ended up trying this because I liked the MD formulations peel, but couldn't afford that one. This was the most similar one I could find within my price range (approximately 32.00 at Kohls). The peel was just okay. There was a lot of tingling with no noticeable benefits. I used it for about a month, and I just felt like it was a whole lot of nothing. It didn't help the clarity, breakouts, or uneveness at all. There might be some benefits if I continued using it, but it is just not worth it to me. I'd rather spend a bit more for something that works than keep trying with this one.
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Concealers -Cinema Secrets - Foundation/concealer
ccdd 12/13/2007 9:41:00 AM
This is a really good product! I wear #201-67(A) (my summer color) and #303-66(A) (my winter color). This product is 20.00 and comes in a .05 oz little pot. It doesn't look like a whole lot, but it will last a very long time because you don't need as much as you think. It covers well and can be applied in layers to achieve a seamless look. Technically, no setting powder is needed, but I like to use it with Ben Nye Neutra Set in Translucent to make sure that it stays. The only hard thing about this product is that it is hard to guess at a color match online. If you have trouble and can't order samples or you don't live near a retailer, then you can call the store in Burbank and Arthur can help you match a sample. The number is on the official Cinema Secrets website. Arthur said that as long as you have a color that matches your skin that you are satisfied with, you can send it in, and they will try to match it for you. One other drawback is that sometimes for people with oily, acne-prone skin it doesn't stay as well as something like Revlon Colorstay. So, most often I use it as a concealer for hyperpigmentation with the Colorstay (If I am in a hurry, I just use the colorstay). Sometimes I use as an undereye concealer, but I find that it tends to crease on me, so usually I just use for hyperpigmentation. Overall, a good quality product that is underrated because a lot of people still don't know about it. But remember to wash your brushes because the little pot can get bacteria build-up.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
ccdd 12/13/2007 9:24:00 AM
This product is one of the better foundations I have found so far. I have the SPF 6 version for combination/skin with softflex, and I wear Natural Tan. PROS--Adheres to the skin really well, without looking heavy Yellow-toned foundation colors that seem realistic Hasn't broken my oily, acne-prone skin out Good coverage Not hard to remove (I use Pond's cold cream or oil cleanser) CONS--Heavy glass bottle with no pump, less hygenic No testers to match colors at drugstore Can make you look older after longer wear by settling No way to tell how old the foundation is (some separated at d/s) Overall, this is a good foundation. I like the coverage and the fact that it stays on REALLY well. Since it adheres so well, sometimes I don't need to use finishing powder. I also feel that it helps mattify my oily skin without drying it out. But, I just don't like the way it makes me look after about 8 hours. It seems to just make me look old. But since it is one of the better foundations I have found so far, I would continue to buy this until something better comes along. One other con is that sometimes the bottles have foundation-colored fingerprints on them which means someone is probably opening them to test the color. Not the most sanitary. Plus, if you happen to get the bottle that everyone has dipped into, then some of the product will be missing. For 13.99 this is not horrible, but I like to make sure I get something new with no product missing.
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Primer/ Corrector -Bare Escentuals - Prime Time
ccdd 5/30/2007 3:06:00 PM
This is the first primer I've used and liked! At first I was skeptical, thinking this was going to be similar to Smashbox's primer. Smashbox's primer made my skin more oily and more slick than if I just applied my mu directly to my skin. This primer by Bare Escentuals is wonderful and works under both powders and liquids in my experience. All that is needed is one pump for the entire face. Although it still gives good slip, it is not greasy, oily, or slick. With this, I have no oily breakthrough until the end of the day (only because it's summer) and it's only on my nose. This is definitely a staple in my mu bag! *UPDATE* Still a good product, but now it feels like it is not doing anything for my skin. Not a good or bad difference, just no difference at all. For that reason, I have stopped using it. But it still gets a five for being a good product overall.
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Blush -Physicians Formula - Baked Blush - Baked Ginger
ccdd 5/30/2007 3:01:00 PM
I got all three of these blushes (ginger, cocoa, and berry) from a great cp on MUA! Everyone should own at least one of these blushes...to bad they are discontinued. Other than the bulky packaging and the brush (not really a good one), these products are great! The blush stays on all day and does not look powdery or fake. All the shades also have a pretty luminesce to them that gives a delicate shimmer, not a glittery disco ball effect! Physician's Formula should start making these blushes again!
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Powder -Merle Norman - Luxiva Ultra Powder Foundation
ccdd 5/30/2007 9:53:00 AM
Bought this yesterday, and I usually don't do reviews this early, but I had to! I love this powder! At first, the gaudy, large gold and white compact and the overpowering fragrance made me a little skeptical. But this morning I am wearing it and loving it so far! I have oily skin and the stick foundation I was using made me look like an oil slick by 10:00 am! Today I used the milani secret cover concealer over my hyperpigmentation and layered the powder under and over it! And wow, my skin looks more flawless than it has in a long time! And to me, the concealer is not even that good (still searching for my HG concealer). The fragrance disappears shortly after you put it on and so far so good. Coverage is actually quite good as well if layered. I will update if anything changes as I use the product more, but as of now I plan on going to get a back-up next week!
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Brows -Physicians Formula - Wonder Brow in Dark Brown
ccdd 5/30/2007 9:48:00 AM
LOVE this product! Ordered it off e-bay as I could not find it in any of my local stores. I got the color dark brown, which fills in my brows nicely without looking too overdone (much better than the soft black pencil I was using). The consistency is like a powder and wax in one...kind of like what Smashbox would maybe make if they put their browtech in combined pencil form. Also, the price is excellent! Will definitely repurchase when I run out! *UPDATE* Got a second pencil in a wonderful RAOK, but this one didn't seem to work as well. Seemed very hard and came out looking sloppy. Ended up using Sephora's brow palette in 02 (like Smashbox, but with one more brow color and 12.00 instead of 25.00--also lasts longer). Still not a bad product though.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne (Rococo) [DISCONTINUED]
ccdd 5/17/2007 9:45:00 AM
Received this product in a swap and am glad I did! At first I was hesitant because of other reviews where people were dissatisfied, but I am glad I swapped for this because it is the perfect highlighter for my NC45, NC50 skin. It is too much to use over the entire face, but placed along the tops of the cheekbones, on the brow bone, and other strategic points of the face it creates a nice glow. I like it too because it actually shows up as a highlighter on my skin. Used this way, I will have this a long time, but if available, I would repurchase if I ran out.
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Palettes -Smashbox - Red Carpet Color Compact
ccdd 5/17/2007 9:40:00 AM
I received this item in a swap. It is packaged in a thin black case that is thin and a little bigger than a credit card with smashbox embossed on the front. Inside are 3 e/s, 1 blush, 3 lip colors, and 1 cream highlighter in pink. I like the construction of this palette, but in my opinion, these colors are primarily for those with cool tones. The e/s and blush did not seem to have a big color payoff, at least for me. Bottom line...liked the idea and concept of the palette, but wish the colors inside were different.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
ccdd 5/16/2007 6:59:00 PM
UDPP revolutionized my eye shadow wear! I have told everyone I know about this eye shadow primer. It is a must have in an m/u bag whose owver loves e/s. It is a beige cream that is applied in a very thin layer over the eyelids before e/s application. A little goes a long way! This will keep any eyeshadow on your lids without creasing, and it makes the color payoff so much better. I don't know how I lived without this before. This is definitely a staple in my m/u bag and I can't be without it!
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Bronzers -E.L.F. - Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder -- Sunkissed
ccdd 5/16/2007 6:56:00 PM
These are great bronzers and for only 1.00!!! To me, they rival d/s and even high-end bronzers. I have these in both sunkissed and warm tan. Sunkissed is more of a gold color with noticable, but not over-the-top shimmer. Warm tan is more of a matte brown color. Both are beautiful and buildable. And, for a dollar, you can't beat the price! Packaging isn't horrible, but I gave this area 3 lippies because they are a bit delicate. Try these! Don't let the cheap price fool you.
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Highlighters -Milani - Glimmer Stripes--all shades
ccdd 5/16/2007 6:53:00 PM
Compared to Bobbi Brown's Shimmerbricks, these are a steal! I like them better than the shimmerbricks because they are less shimmery, but still provide a nice glow. I have these in Berry Glimmer, Terra Glimmer, Bronze Glimmer, and Cocoa Glimmer. They blend well and are great as both a blush and eye colors. Each Glimmerstrip also comes with a wonderful highlighter color. Plus, you can find them at any local store that sells Milani cosmetics. (drugstores, Walmart, K-Mart, etc.) For those of you looking for an inexpensive alternative to Shimmerbricks, try these!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No