Powder -Bare Escentuals - Original SPF 15 Foundation
ceruleancharm 6/22/2011 12:04:00 AM
So, my curiousity finally got the best of me and I bought this product. I purchased the Matte first at Sephora and tried it for a few days and decided the color was a little too dark for my skin. Frustrated, I stuffed it away in my makeup drawer. I happened to be strolling through the mall about a week later and stumbled upon a Bare Escentuals store. I decided to go in and see what color their associates thought I was. According to them, I belong to fairly light. She even referred me to Original instead of Matte due to my complexion. I have combo skin, and she assured me Original would complement my skin. She was actually super nice and helpful (considering most sa I've came into contact with) as she showed me exactly how each item should be applied. Honestly, it looked good. Needless to say, I forked out a lot of cash that day hoping that Bare Escentuals was the answer! Meanwhile, I ended up returning the Matte formula to Sephora and switching it for a different color. So, for the past three weeks I've been alternating between the Matte and Original depending upon my mood that day. Honestly, I'm not very thrilled with either product. I feel like I've given both adequate time too. I prefer Medium coverage and I feel like I have to put so much on to even approach medium level. Like another reviewer mentioned, the makeup looks different each day. Some days it looks really nice, others I can't even tell I'm wearing makeup. For instance, I put it on this morning around eleven and when I got back in the car around 4, I couldn't really tell I had makeup on. I was inside, so I didn't sweat it off during this time period. It baffles me how it can vary so much from day to day. I've never experienced these wonky results before with other types of makeup. Also, it takes forever to put this stuff on to. I'm using the appropriate brushes (kabuki) also, and it's just not growing on me. Even though I'm younger, I have deep lines etched into my forehead, some crows feet, and a few minor lines near my mouth that I thought this would help, but it hasn't. It actually seems to settle into those areas. The warmth is a similar story. Sometimes it looks nice, while most other times the tiniest bit comes out way too dark once it is brushed onto the skin. So, all the claims about it being fabulous for the skin apparently doesn't apply to my situation. For the most part, I have clear skin with sun damage spots and freckles scattered here and there. Both foundations/mineral makeups are a hit or miss for me, and I'm getting frustrated with not knowing what my face is going to look like from day to day. Now, I need to find another foundation that will help my skin and give good coverage, but not overbearing (like Merle Norman). I fear going back to liquid foundations because they aren't near as healthy for the skin as minerals, but the mineral route just isn't cutting it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Bare Escentuals - Matte Foundation spf 15
ceruleancharm 6/22/2011 12:02:00 AM
So, my curiousity finally got the best of me and I bought this product. I purchased the Matte first at Sephora and tried it for a few days and decided the color was a little too dark for my skin. Frustrated, I stuffed it away in my makeup drawer. I happened to be strolling through the mall about a week later and stumbled upon a Bare Escentuals store. I decided to go in and see what color their associates thought I was. According to them, I belong to fairly light. She even referred me to Original instead of Matte due to my complexion. I have combo skin, and she assured me Original would complement my skin. She was actually super nice and helpful (considering most sa I've came into contact with) as she showed me exactly how each item should be applied. Honestly, it looked good. Needless to say, I forked out a lot of cash that day hoping that Bare Escentuals was the answer! Meanwhile, I ended up returning the Matte formula to Sephora and switching it for a different color. So, for the past three weeks I've been alternating between the Matte and Original depending upon my mood that day. Honestly, I'm not very thrilled with either product. I feel like I've given both adequate time too. I prefer Medium coverage and I feel like I have to put so much on to even approach medium level. Like another reviewer mentioned, the makeup looks different each day. Some days it looks really nice, others I can't even tell I'm wearing makeup. For instance, I put it on this morning around eleven and when I got back in the car around 4, I couldn't really tell I had makeup on. I was inside, so I didn't sweat it off during this time period. It baffles me how it can vary so much from day to day. I've never experienced these wonky results before with other types of makeup. Also, it takes forever to put this stuff on to. I'm using the appropriate brushes (kabuki) also, and it's just not growing on me. Even though I'm younger, I have deep lines etched into my forehead, some crows feet, and a few minor lines near my mouth that I thought this would help, but it hasn't. It actually seems to settle into those areas. The warmth is a similar story. Sometimes it looks nice, while most other times the tiniest bit comes out way too dark once it is brushed onto the skin. So, all the claims about it being fabulous for the skin apparently doesn't apply to my situation. For the most part, I have clear skin with sun damage spots and freckles scattered here and there. Both foundations/mineral makeups are a hit or miss for me, and I'm getting frustrated with not knowing what my face is going to look like from day to day. Now, I need to find another foundation that will help my skin and give good coverage, but not overbearing (like Merle Norman). I fear going back to liquid foundations because they aren't near as healthy for the skin as minerals, but the mineral route just isn't cutting it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Burt's Bees - Fabulously Fresh Peppermint & Rosemary Body Wash
ceruleancharm 6/3/2011 10:13:00 PM
I have been testing this product for about a week, and it is just fabulous. Never would I have imagined purchasing something that smelled like peppermint (I mainly prefer amber fragrances) to lather up in, but the smell isn't too overbearing and the benefits are incredible. For once, I not only smell clean when I exit the shower, I also feel clean. Major plus! I've never been a devout follower of natural products; however I'm sold on this one. I had a few rough patches/acne scabs on the back of my upper arms that would not go away despite what lotions I tried. I used cocoa butter, and several others, thinking it would help, but no luck. Over a week's time, this body wash has made miraculous improvements in the texture and appearance of my skin in that area. I also consider this body wash a bargain at it's current price (I paid $7.97 at Wal-mart). After thinking back to how much I've forked out at Bath and Body Works and Victoria Secret, this is certainly a buy, without the nasty chemicals (SLS and all the other junk) to worry about. Like I said earlier, not that I'm a natural junkie or anything but if it does a better job and is better for you than other washes, I'm totally up for trying it. Now, I'm looking forward to being the test dummy for other Burt's products that provide benefits for my skin and body rather than cheap fillers.
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Styling Products -Paul Mitchell - Super Skinny Serum
ceruleancharm 6/3/2011 12:10:00 AM
I have used this serum for approximately two years off an on. The beauty of this serum is how quickly it speeds the drying time of my hair. I have mega-thick, coarse/wavy hair that makes me feel like I'm in a sauna for an eternity during the blow-drying process, but this stuff helps alleviate that miserable feeling. If I'm in a hurry, I defintely grab this stuff before blow-drying. I don't use it all the time because it doesn't seem to control frizz as well as the more permanent products I use (It's a Ten serum and Sexy Hair Soy Renewal serum). However, it does a fabulous job straightening my aggravating hair. I still use a flat-iron afterwards to soften and tame the coarse feeling of my hair, but I would do this regardless of the product. The price seems fair for what it does for my hair. Also, a little of this product goes a long way. I usually use a dab over a dime-sized amount, and that seems to seal the deal.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Revlon - Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara
ceruleancharm 6/2/2011 11:50:00 PM
I have horrible looking eyelashes, so I'm always on the look for a mascara that will help and hopefully complement them. I purchased the original luscious growth formula about three months ago and thought it was the real deal. I could actually see growth, and for once my eyelashes didn't look spidery or anemic. I was thrilled with this product and the way it made my lashes look. For once, I felt like a teen with those gorgeous, jaw-dropping lashes. I went to re-purchase the other day, and to my surprise it's different. Why?!?!? Completely broke my heart as I slathered the new stuff onto my lashes. Needless to say, the spidery look quickly returned and I couldn't get my lashes to separate. The wand seems drastically different than the original and not conducive to preventing clumps at all. So, I guess that leaves me on the miserable hunt, again, for a dynamic mascara that can complete the look.
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Lip Gloss -Pur Minerals - Pout Plumping Lip Gloss - Rose Zircon
ceruleancharm 6/2/2011 11:28:00 PM
I purchased this lip gloss in Rose Opal, and I think the color is spectacular. With a tan or without a tan, it looks natural when I apply it. I'm not a fan of over-the-top-show-stopping color which is one reason I like this color. I also think this gloss complements my blond hair and pink undertones. I like it because of its wearability. I use it with or without make-up and it works well either way. It does have a smell to it (kind of like my grandmother's perfume), but it doesn't stink and I can't detect it once it's on the lips. The smell as it comes out of the container doesn't concern me. I wouldn't classify it as thick coverage, but it's not runny or lightweight either. Regardless of the consistency, it manages to hold on to my lips for a long time. I have noticed, though, that it comes off quite easily when I'm eating, but I don't know if that is typical of a gloss or not. The downfall for me is the price. I really like the color, but $18 is incredibly steep for me when we're talking about lip gloss. I'm undecided as to whether I would re-purchase, but my decision definitely hinges on the price. If I could find a similar product that offered a comparable color for a significantly cheaper price I would gladly switch.
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Shampoo -Organix - Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy
ceruleancharm 6/2/2011 11:03:00 PM
So far I have been pleasantly surprised by this shampoo. I usually stray from drug store brands, but I really wanted to try something that was sulfate/sodium free for the sake of my hair. Afterall, it is a living thing also, right? At seven bucks, I figured I'd gamble on the purchase. The initial smell is like being on some exotic island in the Caribbean which certainly doesn't bother my nostrils, but it doesn't seem to last. This is not a big deal to me at all, but I did want to point out that the island smell doesn't linger, unfortunately. The shampoo lathers incredibly well. It actually does a better job than my Frederic Fekkai shampoo, which was like four times more expensive, at least. I got the same results as I would with my FF shampoo, but with more shine and softness. I still flat-iron, but I would do that no matter what shampoo I used because of my extremely coarse, almost medium-length, mane. I don't use it everyday because I alternate it with my Frederic Fekkai Technician Color shampoo in hopes of preserving my not-so-cheap salon color. I must point out that I've never had a keratin treatment before, but I wanted to try the shampoo to see if it worked as well as a straightening or smoothing shampoo. This one has certainly earned a permanent spot on my shower shelf!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No