Tinted Moisturizer -Smashbox - Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
chirakat 11/15/2009 8:15:00 AM
I never expect 'coverage' from tinted moisturizers but at least they can even out skin tone. This is very light. It almost does nothing to my face other than moisturize. It's too sheer to even out my skin tone. The only thing I like about it is the color. The name is Light but it's yellow based medium tan - just right for my NC30 yellow Asian skin. If you want a moisturizer that can give you a little color so you won't look too bland, this is it. If you want some coverage, go for Laura Mercier. Warning: Should not use it if you're acne prone.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
chirakat 11/15/2009 7:45:00 AM
This has more coverage than a usual tinted moisturizer. It's more like a very sheer foundation. The cream is easy to apply. It isn't oily but oilier skin people might want to blot once or twice during the day. Sand is the best match for NC30 though I wish it had a little more yellow in it.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Bobbi Brown - Tinted Moisturizer [REFORMULATED]
chirakat 11/15/2009 7:16:00 AM
Definitely not for oily-combination skin. It feels nice when apply but it turns oily in a few hours. It has no coverage but can even out skin tone. Medium is good for NC30 but it gets darker later in the day.
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense-Combo Oily to Oily
chirakat 1/15/2009 3:28:00 AM
I am actually a combination-dry skin person. I've tried the Dry Combination formula before but felt that it wasn't made for a hot humid climate use. My normally dry cheeks became very shiny, let alone my normally oily t-zone. What I liked about it was the ingredients, the SPF25 and it didn't break me out. So when the sample ran out, I decided to buy the Combination Oily to Oily one. What a difference! No greasiness. No shininess. Even though it is made for oily skin, my dry cheeks feel comfortable - not dry. I could layer a dab of Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief underneath if I needed to. The nice thing is it makes a pretty good makeup base too. Since it keeps your skin matte, your makeup tends to stay on. So far this is the best daytime moisturizer with SPF ever for me.
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Cleansers -Shiseido - "Perfect Oil" Cleansing Oil
chirakat 12/24/2008 2:14:00 AM
Pros: - Cheap. - Cleans well. No trace of makeup left. (Don't know about waterproof mascara. I use a separate eye makeup remover.) - Smells nice but I'd prefer no scent. - Doesn't cause breakouts for me. Cons: - Leaves a little oily feeling after rinsed off with just water. - Contains perfume and alcohol. Though alcohol is listed toward the end of the ingredient list, it's enough to hurt a dry, sensitive skin. My cheeks were dry to flakes after using it for 6 days. - Too thin and runny (same consistency as MAC). I had to use 3 pumps instead of 1-2 for DHC or Fancl. - It claims to help dislodge comedones and blackheads. Didn't happen during the 6 days of use. Verdict: Don't let the name fool you. This oil is far from perfect.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Shiseido - Perfect Smoothing Compact Foundation SPF 15
chirakat 11/24/2008 1:07:00 AM
I used to use only powder foundation because of its convenience until I reached 40. My skin became drier. I had to switch to liquid/cream/stick foundation but never stopped wanting a powder one. Then this Perfect Smoothing Foundation came along. It claimed to be suitable for dry and coarse skin. I had to try it and it did not disappoint me. The powder is very soft. It spreads on almost like a cream and kind of melts into skin. Once I tried putting on several layers on my face just to see if it would get powdery or cakey. No it didn't but then it didn't look natural anymore either. Anyway, moderation is the key. Because it has more moisturizing ingredients in it, I become surface-oily easier when in hot, humid outdoors. But it happens when I wear a liquid/cream/stick foundation too. So this is not to complain about. When indoors, it never feels dry. I can smile without cracking my cheeks. Best powder foundation for dry skin so far.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -BeneFit Cosmetics - High Beam
chirakat 10/21/2008 2:26:00 AM
First I bought High Beam but I couldn't stop wondering if Moon Beam would've been nicer. So I had to get Moon Beam too. I find that both are nice in their own ways. I will tell you the differences so you won't have to wonder. For reference I am NC30 Asian. HIGH BEAM: This one is pearlized pink in color. The pinkness doesn't show up. Only the silvery sparkles do. High Beam glow is more prominent than Moon Beam. Maybe it's due to the difference in mica and titanium dioxide content in the formulas. The sparkles are silvery white on my skin. Though they are super duper fine, if you put too much, like when you mix it with foundation and wear all over, you will look metallic. Think Tin Man in Wizard of Oz. You might be able to wear it all over if you have fair/light skin because there's not much color contrasting going on. If you're darker warmer skin toned, it's better to wear it only where you want to highlight. Remember to use very little amount. It will give you the glow you're looking for. MOON BEAM: This gives you subtler glow. It's more suitable for everyday wear. The color is peachy with pink-gold iridescence. Somehow I think gold sparkles are not as reflective as silver ones in High Beam. If what you're looking for is a full-makeup/night-out/show-time highlighter, Moon Beam is not much of it. I think its best use is to mix with moisturizer or sunscreen to wear all over on days that you want to wear no makeup but don't want to look blah either. Again not too much or you will look fake. Some say that High Beam is for lighter skin tone and Moon Beam is for darker. I say choose High Beam for spot highlighting and Moon Beam if you want subtle all-over glow. Personally I like Moon Beam better. I get more use out of it.
61 out of 62 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -BeneFit Cosmetics - Moon Beam
chirakat 10/21/2008 2:12:00 AM
First I bought High Beam but I couldn't stop wondering if Moon Beam would've been nicer. So I had to get Moon Beam too. I find that both are nice in their own ways. I will tell you the differences so you won't have to wonder. For reference I am NC30 Asian. HIGH BEAM: This one is pearlized pink in color. The pinkness doesn't show up. Only the silvery sparkles do. High Beam glow is more prominent than Moon Beam. Maybe it's due to the difference in mica and titanium dioxide content in the formulas. The sparkles are silvery white on my skin. Though they are super duper fine, if you put too much, like when you mix it with foundation and wear all over, you will look metallic. Think Tin Man in Wizard of Oz. You might be able to wear it all over if you have fair/light skin because there's not much color contrasting going on. If you're darker warmer skin toned, it's better to wear it only where you want to highlight. Remember to use very little amount. It will give you the glow you're looking for. MOON BEAM: This gives you subtler glow. It's more suitable for everyday wear. The color is peachy with pink-gold iridescence. Somehow I think gold sparkles are not as reflective as silver ones in High Beam. If what you're looking for is a full-makeup/night-out/show-time highlighter, Moon Beam is not much of it. That's why some reviewers here say Moon Beam doesn't do anything for them and that's why it has such a low rating as a highlighter. The pink irridescence kinda fools me to see that my skin tone is more even. But I don't think it can really do that. Moon Beam gives just a little pearly glow to my face. I think its best use is to mix with moisturizer or sunscreen to wear all over on days that you want to wear no makeup but don't want to look blah either. Again not too much or you will look fake. Some say that High Beam is for lighter skin tone and Moon Beam is for darker. I say choose High Beam for spot highlighting and Moon Beam if you want subtle all-over glow. Personally I like Moon Beam better. I get more use out of it. *Also check out MAC Strobe Cream. It is a moisturizer that has the same pink-gold iridescence as in Moon Beam already mixed into it.
42 out of 42 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 - Illuminating
chirakat 10/17/2008 3:58:00 AM
I love how it isn't greasy and thick like Stila Oil Free TM spf 30. I love the color Natural Radiance and how it doesn't oxidize. What I don't love about it is that it is too very over-the-top shimmery. You either wear it sparingly and get partial benefit of the SPF20 or wear it like you should with regular sunscreen and look metallic. If you're planning to own just one tinted moisturizer, skip this because you'll soon be looking for another.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - black russian
chirakat 10/14/2008 4:00:00 AM
It's soft and easy to draw a line but it's also smudge proof. The color looks shimmery dark blue. The glitter is not obvious unless you smudge it then it becomes too glittery. To me it's 80's glittery disco look. Quality of the pencil is undeniable. It won't be fair to give it 1 lippie just because I don't like the disco look. If you don't mind the glitters, this is one of the best pencil eyeliners out there.
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Lipstick -NARS - Honolulu Honey
chirakat 10/4/2008 10:56:00 AM
If you are medium tone (NC30-35), have medium pigmented lips, want to wear MAC Freckletone color but cannot, Honolulu Honey is the next best freckletone for you. It has more pink so the color shows up on you better.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -NARS - Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Calliope
chirakat 10/4/2008 10:28:00 AM
The color is milky-orangey-not-so-brown beige. This and Blonde Venus lipstick colors are like 97% indentical. This one, of course, is matte but even so, its texture is very moist and creamy. This color is nice for a brighter nude look.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - senorita
chirakat 10/4/2008 9:53:00 AM
This color will suit everybody: fair, medium or dark. It's so natural looking but it's not like "nude" looking. It's as if your lips "blush". It can go with any color eyeshadows or even no makeup at all. Go ahead order it online. No need to try it on. You will love it too.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -MAC - Lightful Protective Moisturizer SPF 30
chirakat 9/19/2008 10:11:00 AM
It's light, non-greasy and easy to apply. It sinks in quickly but it leaves my face very shiny. After half hour I still look wet. It's kind of sticky to the touch too. If you don't mind its shininess or stickiness and just want a moisturizer that's not very moisturizing with high SPF, you're gonna love this.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Stila - SPF 30 oil-free tinted moisturizer TM
chirakat 9/19/2008 8:20:00 AM
Think old fashioned sunscreen and you'll get the picture of what this is like. It's thick and difficult to blend without pulling and tugging. I think this is normal for a high SPF, physical/chemical, no alcohol sunscreen. It helps to warm it between fingers then pat it on instead. It has no sunscreen smell or white cast though. It leaves my face very shiny though it isn't greasy to the touch. I even find it not moisturizing enough. I am NC30-35 and have Medium 02 which is a tad too dark and it turns even darker as the day goes.
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