Concealers -Unlisted Brand - L.A. Girl Pro conceal HD concealer
confooseddesi608 1/25/2013 8:44:00 PM
I highly recommend this product! This is going to be a long review, so skip down to the end to "Pros" and "Cons" to get the summary. Cost: The retail price is $2.50 USD for 0.25 oz (8 g), which, if you've bought concealer before, is very cheap! Availability: This is one downside to the product--it can be very difficult to find. I was lucky enough to find it in my (small) local discount cosmetics store for $2 each (unfortunately, they didn't have my shade, so I had to buy it online)! Shade matching is quite difficult online--also, shipping charges! (About shade selection, I have attempted to help out by posting the photos on this page of some of the shades swatched in comparison to other shades.) The most cost-effective method to purchasing this product, I have found (at the time of this review), is through eBay from BeautyJoint (note: I am not affiliated in any way, I promise! But this is how I purchased my L.A. Girls concealer.) They combine shipping, so it ends up being cheaper than CherryCulture unless you purchase more than eight of the concealers. Here is a comparison to CC, which charges $5.95 per shipment (FLAT RATE): If you get up to 8 L.A. concealers from BeautyJoint, you pay shipping of around 5.95. But with each subtracted item, you pay less shipping. For example, buying one of the concealers from this eBay seller, you pay $1.95 for shipping; buying two, you pay $2.29 shipping, three, $2.63 shipping. So unless you get eight or more concealers, it is more economical to purchase (one to seven) concealers from this eBay seller, than CC, which charges $5.95 flat per shipment (under forty dollars). I would suggest buying three or four shades, because I ended up being a lighter shade than I thought I would--I bought four and liked the lightest (for undereyes); though I wasted around $10.50, I know my shade now, AND for a single concealer, I have paid much, much more in the past. Packaging: Squeeze tube with screw-on cap. Not very pretty, but functional. I like squeeze tubes for liquid concealers the best, because it is easiest to get the last bit of product out OR mix different colors together in a separate pot. One of the issues is the stupid brush attached to the end of the squeeze tube. It seems like it wastes product, and it's not very sanitary. However, the brush is removable--I firmly grip the brush with my teeth and pull. That leaves only the tube opening--a little bigger of a hole than needed (with the brush gone), so careful not to squeeze too much product out. Texture: This has a liquid-cream consistency which is easily blended out with a concealer brush. I would only recommend using your fingers to blend if you want light coverage; using a concealer brush ensures you can build it to heavier coverage. It seems to blend in seamlessly with my skin (I use it primarily for under eye circles, which are dark purple). It dries to a semi-matte finish, perfect in my opinion. Coverage: This provides light-to-moderate coverage, depending on how you apply it (brush or finger) and how much you build it up. This doesn't offer anything spectacular in terms of coverage, but for a concealer this economical, the coverage is DEFINITELY superior. I would call this moderate coverage; if you liked, you could build it up to slightly heavier coverage. Endurance: This performs very well in terms of endurance--it DOES settle into my fine lines a bit, but let me be clear: I have NEVER, EVER found a concealer with adequate coverage that has NOT settled into my lines. This has settled less so than any other concealer I have tried. If it didn't settle into my lines at all, I'd wonder if it was some kind of crazy, awesome dream, or something. It also oxidizes just a tad and can feel somewhat drying under the eyes. I try to put the faintest sweep of setting powder over it, so as not to exacerbate the dryness. Even with powder, it seems to fade a bit after a couple of hours, so reapplication is necessary. Ingredient Safety: I also have posted the ingredients, which I could not find ANYWHERE online. If you look at the ingredients, you will see there are five different parabens! Shades: There are eighteen shades, from Classic Ivory to Dark Cocoa. They offer so many shades for "Women of Color," and that makes me love this concealer (and the brand) that much more. It is normally IMPOSSIBLE to find a decent shade match in concealer when you are darker than Jennifer Lopez. I am NC40-42 and like to use 40ish shades under my eyes. I use Cool Tan, but it's a tad pinkish/dark for me. I mix it with some Medium Beige, which is lighter and yellower than the Cool Tan. I've also posted some photos here of the shades swatched. L.A. Girl's product description: Crease-resistant, opaque coverage in a creamy yet light weight texture. The long-wearing formula camouflages darkness under the eyes, redness and skin imperfections. Provides complete, natural-looking coverage, evens skin tone, covers dark circles and minimizes fine lines around the eyes. Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Beeswax (Cera Alba) Stearyl Dimethicone, Isododecane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glyceryl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Mica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, MAY CONTAIN: Iron Oxides, (CT 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). PROS AND CONS Pros: EXTREMELY affordable! Great range of shades Good squeeze-tube packaging Moderate coverage Settles much less into lines Semi-matte finish Cons: Difficult to match shade Difficult to find Settles into lines & oxidizes a bit A bit drying
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Lip Gloss -Jordana - Lip Out Loud Super Shiny Gloss in TTYL
confooseddesi608 11/10/2012 2:52:00 AM
I don't know why this product/color has gotten such bad reviews! I love it. (For reference this is TTYL, Shade 108.) This caught my eye at my local Walgreens (can also be found at some Duane Reades I believe), and it was only $2 USD, so I thought, why not? I have very specific lip gloss color I wear on my lips--they're thin, and I like to wear only peachy, gold shades, with some pigmentation; I feel they go best with my warm Indian coloring, and make my lips look somewhat plumper. (Who knows if this is actually true? :o) ) This looked like the perfect shade, and it was! A peachy, somewhat sheer but definitely with noticeable pigment (unless maybe you have darker lips), shimmery in a metallic way, not an "Oh my God her lips are so glittery and shiny!" way. When you apply it, though, I would do so in front of a mirror if you can--the shimmery pigment can get concentrated in a corner or the top of your lips, looking like you haven't blended it in well. I always make sure to wipe the corners of my mouth if I reapply this without a mirror. The packaging is a long cylindrical, clear tube--not too slim, not too bulky--with a silver screw-on cap and a doe-foot applicator. I prefer brush applicators, but there aren't many lip glosses out there with this type anyway. Seems most lip glosses are doe-foot tubes or squeeze tubes. I don't think the lip glosses are sealed (with plastic), so there is definitely a chance someone else has sampled it, if that is a deterrent for you. Staying power is not great, but for $2, I don't mind reapplying every 30 minutes. I just bought my tube a month ago and am running out, but then, I reapply that often. I just love how it makes me look and completes my made-up face. I haven't noticed any unpleasant smell/taste with this lip gloss. The texture is somewhat tacky/sticky but not excessively so. It is also not very moisturizing (but not drying either) so I wouldn't recommend this if you have really chapped lips, because the shine and lack of moisture will make those flakes stand out. (I fix this problem in the winter especially by making sure to vigorously exfoliate my lips.) I would recommend this for people with warmer complexions (but hey, if you like peachy shades, I would say go for it!) It's available at (some) Walgreens, K-Mart, and Duane Reades--call beforehand to make sure they carry it! Jordana's product description: Lip Out Loud Super Shiny Gloss • Fun & Flirty Colors • Patent Leather-Like Shine • New Slanted Soft Applicator • Made in USA Available in 15 Shades NET WT 0.085 oz / 2.43g Tips and tricks: Apply lip gloss with the wand’s slanted soft tip applicator by starting in the center of your upper lip and work your way to the outer edges. Same technique applies for your bottom lip. Use alone for a dazzling gleam or over your favorite lipstick for added shine. INGREDIENTS: Shades:102,103,104,105,107,108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Lanolin Oil, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Benzophenone-3, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). +/-May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica (CI 77019), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Carmine (CI 75470), Red 22 Lake (CI 45380), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985). Shade 106: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Lanolin Oil, Polyethylene, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Benzophenone-3, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Propylene Carbonate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Mica (CI 77019). Shade101: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate.
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Concealers -Revlon - Age Defying with DNA Advantage Concealer
confooseddesi608 8/20/2012 4:08:00 PM
I do NOT recommend this product. This is going to be a long review, so skip down to the end to "Pros" and "Cons" to get the summary. Cost: This is a drugstore concealer; I bought it for $10.99 USD at Walgreens in downstate NY, but it may be slightly higher or lower depending on where you live. It's a bit high for a drugstore concealer, but you get quite a bit of product, 0.18 oz or 5.3 ml (it seems like very little, but there are many concealers which give you a lot less product for price). So the price isn't bad, but I think it shouldn't be more than 8 bucks, especially for the quality. Packaging: The concealer comes in a red plastic box with the front missing to display the concealer tube and color. The product itself comes in a long, slim rectangular tube with a screw-on red cap and a doe-foot applicator. It looks very similar to Maybelline's FIT concealer, except with a red cap instead of a black one. I hate this packaging; it's not very sanitary and it is impossible to get every last bit of concealer out, though it is quite compact. Texture: This is liquidy and not very viscous, but somewhat drying with a matte finish. IMO matte is not appropriate for for an "age-defying" product. It's not very opaque and has the consistency of a thick foundation. Coverage: Coverage is buildable, from light to moderate. It would be very difficult to get high coverage from this, but I think this is intended primarily for undereyes. If you want higher coverage you're really going to have to invest in a good concealer brush; your finger will NOT cut it and will just sheer it out. I suggest Bare Escentuals maximum coverage concealer brush; its retail price is high but you can get it for cheap on Ebay (it is amazing!); also, Essence of Beauty or EcoTools concealer brushes. Overall, though, it didn't really cover my intense purple undereye circles unless I built it up quite a bit, and then it caked and creased. I would suggest using it only if you have light to moderate circles. Endurance: Here is where it fails. Abysmally. Firstly, upon applying, it doesn't blend well and looks cakey, even with the heat from using your finger. As much as you blend it out, it still looks a bit cakey. Then, after maybe 10 minutes, it settled into my lines under my eyes and perfectly highlighted each and every one! Not cool. (Though I am young, heredity has blessed me with deep undereye circles and fine lines since puberty.) It also was quite dry (not excessively so) and matte. So I pressed and blended out the "lines" to make it smoother, and soon the concealer had creeped back into the creases. I even tried using safflower oil to moisten the product up under my eye (this has worked for me in the past with other drying concealers to make them crease a bit less). No use, it still creased! (Even with good setting powder). I have put a picture up on the top of the page of my undereyes AFTER blending out the concealer a couple of times and waiting a short period. Effectiveness: Revlon claims this for its "DNA Advantage" line: "Revlon Age Defying with DNA Advantage Cream Makeup combines makeup + powerful anti-aging skincare to help protect skin's DNA to fight the signs of aging." I don't buy it. Not one bit. It's all marketing and hype. What clinical studies do they have showing that it helped to reverse or prevent the aging process? I'd like to see them. Though, I'm only 23, and I just applied the product an hour ago, so what do I know? Shades: This concealer comes in four shades: Light, Light Medium, Medium, and Medium Deep. I picked up Medium Deep; this matched my skin almost perfectly (just a tad lighter) and thus, I was lucky. But there are only four colors, and you will also have to be lucky to get a match! Also, their shade selection for ladies of "color" is really bad. Medium Deep is the darkest. By the way, I am NC40-42 in MAC, Honey in BB concealer, and between Medium and Deep Honey in Clinique concealer. Availability: You can pick this up in almost any drugstore, though this is fairly new and you may have to wait some time. I picked mine up in Walgreens; I know some CVS's carry it, and so should Rite Aid & Target (and other drugstores and discount stores). Though many may not carry some shades (specifically the darkest shade, Medium Deep! It wasn't in one CVS I looked in.It's always the darkest shades they choose not to carry >:O) Revlon's product description: Concealer + powerful anti-aging skincare targets: -Undereye puffiness -Dark circles -Fine lines and wrinkles More Info: -Targets undereye puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles -Won’t settle into skin creases -Hydrates and brightens for a revitalized look -Use with Cream Makeup for the ultimate protection against the signs of aging. Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Boron Nitride, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Phenyltrimethicone, PEG/PPG 18/18 Dimethicone, Bis PEG/PPG 14/14 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Tribehenin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 II, Ceramide 1, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niancinamide, Malpighia Glabra (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Phytophingosine, Cholesterol, Acetyl Hexapeptide 8, Alumina, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Trisiloxane, Polyisobutene, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Methicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone/Bis Isobutyl PPG 20 Crosspolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol Caprylyl Glycol, 1, 2 Hexanediol, May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947) PROS AND CONS Pros: Very easy to find Buildable coverage Affordable Slim, compact packaging Shade selection is okay and some people may find their shade Cons: Somewhat expensive for drugstore Drying (matte finish--this may be a pro for you!) Settles into lines, creases Difficult to blend Need concealer brush to build coverage Not many shades
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Concealers -Three Custom Color Specialists - Cream Concealer
confooseddesi608 4/23/2011 8:14:00 PM
Overall, this was a big disappointment. I saw the high rating on MUA and thought, maybe finally I'll have my HG concealer! Unfortunately, this was not the case. Cost: The price was $22.50 USD for 0.1 oz, or $225 per ounce. This is a little steep. Consider, MAC Studio Finish concealer at $68.75 per ounce, or L'oreal True Match concealer at $52.65 per ounce. However, consider Yves Saint Laurent's Anti-Cernes concealer at $500 an ounce, or Cle de Peau concealer at $411.76 / oz. I would say this is a mid- to high- end concealer. Plus, you need less concealer to deliver a good amount of coverage (it is highly pigmented), so comparing it to less expensive, more "watery" concealers may be comparing apples to oranges. Packaging: This comes in a flip-top metal container that snaps tightly closed. The great thing about the packaging is that it comes with a mirror inside; small, but very helpful for touch-ups. The bad thing is, it's a cream, so, of course, is not in a tube, and dipping your fingers/ a brush constantly into the container is unhygienic. Texture: This is a very creamy, easily spreadable concealer. However, it is not easily blendable. How can that be? Well, as much as you attempt to blend it, it still looks cakey and the coverage looks spotty. Hence, spreadable but not blendable. Coverage: This is incredibly pigmented and thus high coverage. I wouldn't use it for marks, acne, etc. because I have pretty clear skin, minus a couple small but annoying acne scars. I would use it for dark circles under my eyes, which are dark and purple, even if I've had 12 hours sleep and 8 glasses of water. However, though it is high coverage, the coverage is spotty. The coverage is not continuous and looks heavier in some areas than others. I would not particularly recommend this concealer for acne, because I don't know if it is comedogenic or not. It is pretty creamy; it might clog your pores. Method of application: I use my fingers to apply most concealers, unless they're liquid, and I use a brush to blend it in around the corners of my eyes and the sides of my nose. (That's how far the circles span!) Since this concealer is so creamy, I would recommend using a brush; you don't need to warm it up on your fingers in order to apply it. Also, using a brush may be more hygienic. Finish: I waited awhile after applying to see if it would "set" and dry up a bit. It doesn't. It stays creamy on your face. The finish is wet and thus melts off easily. I tried setting it with powder; this does the trick and sets it well, but makes the under-eye area look dry. Endurance: This settles into my lines ten minutes after applying it, even if I set it with powder. Half of it melts off and the rest that lasts looks cakey and spotty. HOW did this get such a good rating?? Shades: There are ten shades: #1 through #10. I use a mix of number 6 and 7, for my MAC NC40-42 (winter) skin. If I wanted to continue using it in the summer (NC42-43) I would just mix more of #7 in. (To mix, scoop out some, put it in a separate container, and microwave it so it is liquid and mixable. Hey, if it was a good enough concealer, it would be worth the trouble!). I don't know if this will match the lightest or darkest of ladies, but the ones in between will find a shade. I am usually the last or second to last in foundation/concealer shades for the majority of brands, so I consider their shade selection reasonably good. Availability: I bought this online from dermstore.com with free shipping and hassle-free returns (so they say, I didn't actually return the product). They say if you test the product, you can still return it. However, shipping is free, so that was incentive enough for me to try it; unfortunately, I am now out $45 (for two colors) and past the return period. There are also 38 stores throughout U.S.A., but keep in mind that is not very much, and you might not have any stores within your area. There are several stores in New York city (including the original 3 Custom Color store, with testers) and one in Los Angeles. Other locations can be found at http://www.threecustom.com/pages.php?pageid=5 Bottom line: This may be a nice concealer for someone who wants to cover very slight discolorations or under-eye darkness. I think layering it so it could cover my circles made it spotty; it couldn't "handle" the layering and ended up looking terrible. No matter which way you use it, you will need setting powder, access to a big city (or a willingness to buy it off the internet without knowing your exact shade, like me), and an ample wallet. Ingredients: Mineral Oil (Parraffinum Liquidum), Petrolatum, Ozokerite Wax, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Lanolin, Propylparaben, Zinc Stearate, Kaolin. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (Cl 77491, 77492, 77489), Ultramarines (Cl 77007), Chromium Oxide Greens (Cl 77288). Three Custom Color Specialists' product description: "This versatile formula is appropriate for all skin types and is designed to provide the most effective coverage for redness and dark circles. Use in isolated areas with our Concealer brush or your fingers. For full coverage all over the face, use with a dry sponge. For sheer coverage, use a wet sponge or blend with moisturizer. Also available in refills for your Refillable Trio Compact."
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Concealers -MAC - Pro Longwear concealer
confooseddesi608 2/9/2011 2:04:00 AM
I only use under-eye concealer, so I'll be reviewing it as such. I have to admit . . . I'm pretty shocked that this received rave reviews. This is one of MAC's highest rated concealers. As soon as I saw MAC had a new concealer and it was rated above a 4 on MUA, I was ridiculously excited (more excited than someone should get over a concealer :o) ). So much for my excitement . . . Cost: MAC concealers are very reasonably priced for being a medium-end (as opposed to high- or low-end) brand, and for the amount of concealer you get. It's $16.50 USD (at least at Macy's in NY) for 0.30 ounces of concealer, which translates to $55 dollars per ounce--not a lot of money, considering many drugstore concealers have only a third of this amount for half the price. (Consider L'Oreal Visible Lift Under Eye at $239.80 per ounce, or Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer at $262.25 per ounce. Of course these are highlighter-style pens, which tend to give you less product than other concealers.) Packaging: This is one of the areas wherein this concealer suffers the most. I believe many other reviewers have bemoaned the limitations of the ridiculous pump that always pumps out too much. A simple squeeze tube would have been infinitely easier. Also, some reviewers mentioned that it was glass, which could break if dropped. I am notoriously clumsy, so that's a major deterrent for me. Texture: This concealer is (obviously) a liquid, not creamy and slightly thick. It is not moisturizing, because once applied, it feels like you have makeup (or really, paint) under your eyes. It just feels icky and dry. Coverage: The coverage from this is okay, but nothing spectacular. It covers my eye circles (more like two black eyes) pretty well, but it's not incredibly pigmented. For heavy hyper-pigmentation issues, I wouldn't think this coverage would be adequate; otherwise, I think it would satisfy most people. Method of application: This is a liquid, so I always use a concealer brush (EcoTools makes a great concealer brush which you can find at many drugstores for less than five bucks, and Sonia Kashuk makes a good one for around $6 at Target). I squeeze the pump and enough product comes out for both eyes; I swipe the liquid on the brush and apply under my eyes in gentle patting motions, until the circles are completely covered. A concealer brush is also ideal for blending the outer edges of the product so you don't look like you have two big splotches of color on your face. Endurance: Hmm. I would definitely say it's long lasting, because once it's set, it doesn't look any different a couple hours later. The problem is in the "setting" itself. When applied, it looks great. If it stayed that way, I would be sold. It doesn't. It 1) oxidizes (I believe that's the term) and turns noticeably darker about 30 mins-1 hour after application. This wouldn't be a problem normally; I considered just choosing a lighter shade and letting the "set" color match my skin tone; but the color sets to this awful, grayish tone. Not attractive, no matter how light or dark it is. 2) It settled into my fine lines--horribly! It highlighted lines I didn't even know existed. It looked dry and cracky, and no amount of pulling or tugging could make the product look smooth on my skin once it set. My only choice was to reapply over the lines or just take it off completely. Shades: MAC, compared to most brands, has an absolutely fabulous shade selection. I don't know if they have shades fair enough for the fairest ladies (they seem light to me, but what would I know!) and I doubt they have shades for the darkest ladies, but the ones in between have plenty to choose from. Unfortunately, MAC concealer doesn't come in my foundation (winter) shade, NC40. I use NC42, which is not too much noticeably darker; so if I truly liked this concealer, it wouldn't be a problem using the NC42. Also, this shade is darker than the NC42 of Select Cover-Up, so the shades among MAC concealers may not exactly match up. Shades range from NC(warm)/NW(cool)15 (fair) to NC/NW50 (dark). Availability: Where I come from (NY area) MAC is easily available. You can find it at major Macy's stores, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, etc., or go to http://www.maccosmetics.com/locator/index.tmpl to check where exactly your nearest MAC is. You could also find it online, but there would be a shipping charge, and you wouldn't be able to test it. Bottom line: If you're looking for an under-eye concealer, I HIGHLY recommend looking elsewhere, especially if you have fine lines. It's not moisturizing enough either. However, if you're looking for a long-lasting spot concealer, this may be it for you. (I'm not sure it will oxidize on everyone, because perhaps my skin oils or something else contributes to the oxidation, and whether oxidation of makeup occurs depends on an individual's skin. I've had tons of trouble with other concealers oxidizing on me (not every concealer, just a fair few), so it may just be my skin's dysfunction. It's worth a shot; MAC has testers, and I believe most MAC's will let you return, even if it's opened, but ALWAYS ask before purchasing! Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Tribehenin, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Methicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Laureth-7, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid [may contain] (CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491/CI 77492/CI 77499/Iron Oxides) MAC's product description: "A lightweight fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a comfortable, natural matte finish. Colour-true formula lasts up to 15 hours. Helps conceal and correct the look of under-eye circles, and discolorations. Comes in a clear glass vial with a matte black pump."
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Concealers -Dermablend - Smooth Indulgence Concealer
confooseddesi608 8/20/2010 12:38:00 PM
Cost: The cost is $21 USD for 0.3 oz. This is not terrible, especially since many high-end concealers come with less than 0.1 oz. Also, a little bit goes a pretty long way. Overall I think this would last a couple months for me, since I use concealer every day and heavily apply on under-eyes. Packaging: The concealer comes in a squeeze tube. It does not spurt out all at once when you squeeze it, which is a plus for getting exactly the right amount. However, getting every last bit out will be difficult. You would have to cut open the tube. However, it is the most hygienic option, in my opinion. The only way to be able to get all the product out would be a pot, which would be unhygienic. Texture: It's a thin but creamy concealer. It dries matte, however--a little too matte for me, as I use it on the under-eyes. Coverage: This concealer is runny, but highly pigmented. When I dabbed it on my under-eye, I would say I got what I expected. It covered my circles pretty well, but nothing amazing. Blending was a problem, however, as it dries quickly. Even when wet it is a bit difficult to blend. It looked very dry and a bit cakey on my face when it dried. Method of application: I usually squeeze a bit from the tube, and pat it on with my fingers, to warm it up and give it a smoother appearance. Then I blend with my brush around my nose, corners of my eyes, and bottom of the circles (cheeks). You have to blend quickly, since it dries fast. Also, it does not blend very well with a brush, so you should put it on with the fingers at first (if you're putting it under-eye--but stick with a brush if you put it on other, more acne-prone areas of the face, like the nose or chin). Endurance: This lasts very long, but dries to a weird pinky color. (It is pink on my golden skin at least; perhaps it is orange on cool-toned people!) It settled in my fine lines under the eye a bit, since it is dry, but nothing too drastic. After it dries fully, it does not look any different 5 hours later. Shades: There are six shades in five intensities. (Fair) Nude, (Light) Sable & Sand, (Medium) Honey, (Tan) Caramel, and (Deep) Mocha. I am Caramel, which matches my NC42 complexion pretty well (even if it dries darker--ick!) I don't know why everyone says there is a bad shade selection. Someone said there are only three shades--maybe they recently expanded the shade options? Anyway, now, at least, if anyone complains about shade options, they have to realize that the shades are evenly spread out from light to dark. In most foundations/ concealers, there is a plethora of light shades, and one or two dark shades. So, most light people are able to find their shade in many products. (This is pure speculation.) But with this product, a dark person as well as a light person will have an equally hard/ easy time finding their shade. I'm sorry, but I have to say, now you know how it feels. For darker ladies this brand has pretty good shade selection (as well as for lighter ladies), so it makes me annoyed when people are like "why aren't there ten light shades??" Then again, six shades in reality is not nearly enough for ALL women. I would say a concealer/ foundation needs at least ten shades to match most women. Availability: I found mine at macy's, but not all macys' carry the brand. Contact your macy's (if you have one near you) directly, or go to http://www.dermablend.com/stores/ to find a location near you. Miscellaneous: This has SPF 20, which is a MAJOR plus in my book! SPF is absolutely needed, especially under the eye, to keep the circles from getting darker. Dermablend's product description: Medium coverage concealer for minor to moderate localized skin flaws. Provides twice the coverage of a classic concealer for up to 12 hours of wear (16 hours of wear with Setting Powder). A soft touch to skin, Smooth Indulgence Concealer evens complexion and won't enhance fine lines or surface imperfections. Provides all day hydration with SPF 20 Sunscreen. For Skin Flaws Such As: # Rosacea # Redness # Uneven skin tone # Minor acne scars # Dark under-eye circles # Isolated facial skin flaws Ingredients: Not listed on Dermablend's or macy's site.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -TEMPTU - Undereye Concealer
confooseddesi608 8/17/2010 5:14:00 PM
What a waste of money. Luckily, I just tried it in Sephora, so I didn't have to waste money on it. Cost: The cost is $28 USD (I got it at Sephora) for 0.05 oz. To me, that is a pretty crappy price for the amount of product. Think of this: Yves Saint Laurent's Anti-Cernes is 60 less dollars per ounce than this. And YSL's is much better! (Though it has less color options). Packaging: The concealer comes in a twist-up tube with a cap. Nothing special there. Texture: It's a very creamy solid--in fact, it was breaking up a little (getting mushy) in the tubes at Sephora. Unfortunately, the stick is about 90% moisturizer and 10% concealer. Coverage: Absolutely abysmal. This was like a tinted moisturizer stick. I rubbed it on under my eye, and even directly from the concealer stick, it hardly covered anything. It was extremely sheer. My dark circles were still clearly visible. That may be because there is a circle of moisturizer (a circle of white, think Colour Riche lipstick by L'oreal) in the middle of the concealer stick--but even when just the color was rubbed on my skin, it was sheer. Method of application: If you use this concealer, I would suggest rubbing it with your fingers to warm it up. Actually, you may not even have to do that. Like I stated previously, it's extremely moisturizing. I would rub it directly on my skin, or to be more hygienic, to dab some concealer on a brush, and then apply. Endurance: I would not know; I rubbed it off immediately to try on other, more promising concealers! Shades: There are six shades: Porcelain, Fair, Light, Medium, Natural, Tan, Dark, and Deep. Tan, my color, is around an NC42 in MAC, but less orange. I did not look at porcelain, but the name suggests the color is very light. However, Deep is not extremely deep. So, 5 lippies for color options--maybe 4.5. I NEVER find my shade in concealer (except, of course, for brands like MAC). Too bad I hate this concealer!! Availability: These can be found at Sephora's nationwide. They are new, so they probably will be near the front, displayed prominently. Temptu's product description: Dark circles and fine lines, meet your match. Our innovative undereye concealer is infused with reflective diamond dust and antiaging vitamins.This formula's light-reflecting diamond core effectively diffuses the appearance of lines, dark circles, and discoloration for a radiantly flawless effect. Vitamins A, C, E, and K work alongside cucumber and aloe to moisturize and smooth delicate skin, fight signs of aging, and revive tired eyes. No Parabens, Sulfates, or Phthalates. Suitable for all skin types and tones, dermatologist approved, and hypoallergenic. Ingredients: Caprylyl Methicone, Dioctyldodecyl Fluoroheptyl Citrate, Dimethicone, Ceresin, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ozokerite, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Squalane, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane Benzimidazole Diamond Co-Polymer, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Gum Acacia Senegal Gum, Sucrose, Retinyl Palmitate, Phytonadione, +/- (may contain): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Apt.5 Cosmetics - Retractable Blush Brush
confooseddesi608 7/27/2010 12:16:00 PM
This is sold in Duane Reade stores in Manhattan, but other than that I don't know where you would find it. I purchased it awhile ago, so I can't be sure of the price, but I believe it is 5.99 USD. This is quite cheap for a brush, especially one of good quality. The hairs are soft, and so far, with vigorous washing and almost daily use, only a few hairs have fallen out. I use it to set my makeup and for blush, and it works very well. It is retractable, just as the name says, so the brush's stray powder doesn't get all over your other cosmetics (and vice versa). I believe this is a dupe of Posh's retractable blush brush, for less money (theirs is 12.99 I believe). I don't know if it is as good, because I've never tried Posh's. But it is pretty darn good for 5.99!
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Highlighters -Mary Kay - Facial Highlighter Pen
confooseddesi608 7/17/2010 5:55:00 PM
I have very dark, hereditary under-eye circles. (Thanks Dad.) I am around an NC42-3 in MAC, E80-B15 in Cover Fx, with dark tan-olive skin. Cost/ Size: The price is $18 USD for a 0.04 size. Highlighting pens usually come in these small sizes. With how much highlighter I had to use to get any coverage, this is a very small size. Price and sizewise, Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Éclat is LESS money! (Mary Kay's is $450 for an ounce; Touche is $400 for an ounce.) Perhaps, however, Mary Kay's is more coverage and thus less product needed than the Touche. (I have never used the latter due to the terrible lack of shades). Packaging: This, like many highlighters I think, comes in a click-style pen (turn the bottom) with a brush. I very much dislike this packaging. You have to click about 75 times to get it started, and then too much comes out. Also, for sanitary reasons, brushing the brush against your face can contaminate it. If you want to be hygienic, you should use your own brush (which is better for application as well). However, I did not, as I am lazy. Also, the pen style allows companies to put much less product in the container while seeming to put an adequate amount; the pen itself, with its brush and click mechanism, takes up more space than the actual product. I don't see why they didn't just put in a squeeze tube. I suppose they wanted a dupe of the legendary Touche Éclat! Texture: This formula is extra creamy, as I think it should be, seeing as its intended use is under the eyes (I think). It blends easily against the skin. Coverage: I give it a -100 for coverage. This is a foundation (coverage-wise), not a concealer. To be fair, this is marketed as a highlighter, not a concealer. However if its intended use is to lighten the under-eyes, it failed miserably for me. When I tried to build up coverage, since a simple swipe (for me) did absolutely nothing, it creased under my eyes--and my darkness still did not look covered at all! Thus, coverage is NOT buildable. Then again, I have very dark under-eyes. I think if you have very slight darkness under your eyes, or just want to have a brightened, well-rested look, this may be the product for you. However, I can't see why you just wouldn't use an actual foundation, which is much less expensive than this (for the amount you get). Also, you could use this on the inner corners of your eyes, and under your brow bone, as an actual highlighter. Method of application: I swiped the product on with a brush, then blended with a concealer brush. I would recommend this or simply using a concealer brush, but make sure you don't just use the brush included. Also, your fingers would probably not do a good job, seeing how thin this product is. The product blends easily enough with a concealer brush. Endurance: To be completely honest--I hated this and did not leave it on long enough to see how long it would last. HOWEVER, since I must have put half the pen's liquid under my eyes in an attempt to dispel the darkness, I did notice that it creased a LOT. However, if you are just putting a simple swipe of the product under your eyes, it will probably not crease. Shades: There are four shades: Shade 1, Shade 2, Shade 3, and Shade 4. Very creative. Shade 4 looked to dark on the Mary Kay site, so I purchased Shade 3. (Incidentally, it was quite a bit lighter than it appeared on the site. Perhaps Shade 4 would have worked. So caution: the colors look darker on the site than they are in reality.) It is a very peachy, cool shade, which is bad for me, since I am warm toned. Also, it was way too light for me. I do not know if shade 4 would work, because I don't plan on buying it. I think perhaps if you were around NW25-30 and cool toned, this would be the right shade for you. The shade selection is very disappointing, but this is usually the case with click-style concealer-highlighters, for some reason. Availability: You can buy from a Mary Kay representative, or online (eBay) for cheaper. I bought it for under five dollars and it retails for $18! This is 72.2% less than regular retail. (I like to do math. I'm a nerd.) If you don't know your shade I would recommend going to a representative and testing it, though it would be a little mean to test the product with a Mary Kay representative, and then turn around and purchase it on eBay. (However, saving $13 dollars . . . hmm.) Ingredients: WATER, ETHYL MACADAMIATE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, PTFE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, POLYSILICONE-7, CETYL DIMETHICONE, SILICA, HEXYL LAURATE, BARIUM SULFATE, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, RETINYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHEROL, MALIC ACID, GLYCERIN, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, MICA, IRON OXIDES, TALC, ISODODECANE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream
confooseddesi608 7/12/2010 12:47:00 AM
I LOVE this cream. I use it as a facial moisturizer, even though apparently it is not intended for that. But it smells divine, and for a facial moisturizer it is rather cheap. I also use it on my dry feet or hands, and it keeps them smooth and silky. This is more of a night or winter moisturizer; these days I do not wear it out but instead just to moisturize during the night. It is thick and a bit difficult to spread, however. It runs about $11-12 dollars, which is not too bad. It comes in a jar. I would prefer a tube, because dipping into the jar over and over just can't be sanitary.
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Top/Base Coats -Sally Hansen - Double Duty Base & Top Coat
confooseddesi608 7/12/2010 12:40:00 AM
I bought this based on the great reviews for this product. However, I was really disappointed. I used it as a top coat. No matter how I applied it, my nail polish color chipped within two days, or sometimes even the next day. It does add a nice sheen to the nail color. Oh well, it was cheap.
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Eyeliner -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner - Black
confooseddesi608 7/12/2010 12:37:00 AM
I NEVER thought I would be in love with a Wet 'n Wild product. But thanks to these great ladies at makeupalley giving it a high rating, I decided to try it. I mean, I only had 4 dollars to lose, right? I was looking for a longer-wearing concealer which wouldn't smudge. This is it! One time while wearing the concealer I burst into tears, and this DID wear off a bit, but I didn't have streams of eyeliner running down my face like I did with liquid liner. So it is not waterproof, I would say, but water-resistant. And once it sets, it SETS, and it is very difficult to get off, except with eye makeup remover. The brush it comes with is okay, but I just bought a 11 dollar eyeliner brush (pointed) from Sephora. If you want a defined line and better control, you really should buy a separate brush. It is a bit of a hassle carrying the separate eyeliner pot and brush around, but it's worth it. I do have to say that sometimes touch-ups are needed, because at least for me, the black fades a bit. But then, I have oily eyelids. I exercised with it and it did not budge. And I was dripping with sweat, lol. The color is the blackest black ever, and the formula glides smoothly on my top eyelid. (I don't use it on my waterline.) It does take a bit of practice to master the eyeliner brush, but as with anything gets easier with each time. For the price, this is a ridiculously excellent eyeliner. I will never go back to liquid liner again (except for those lazy days).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Mary Kay - concealer
confooseddesi608 7/11/2010 11:23:00 PM
Cost: The price is $10 for a 0.33 size. This is one of the largest concealer sizes I have come by, and by no means the most expensive, so you are getting a lot for your money. (It used to be 0.5 oz, but even still it is a good deal.) In addition, you can purchase it for $6-8 on eBay. The only problem is finding your shade. Packaging: The concealer comes in a squeeze tube. This is great for sanitary reasons. Texture: The concealer is thick but not very creamy. It dries matte. Coverage: This is incredibly pigmented and thus high coverage. My under-eye circles are gone when covered with this concealer. Method of application: I would recommend using a concealer brush to apply (EcoTools has a great concealer brush and it is under $15) for better control and blending, since this is a liquid. You could use your fingers but I find it easier to use a brush. Endurance: This stays on pretty long. However, it dries matte and looks dry on the under eye area. I would not recommend it for that use, especially if you have lines under the eye, because it WILL settle into them. Setting powder is not necessary because it already dries matte; this would make it more drying. Shades: There are seven shades: Ivory 1 and 2, Beige 1 and 2, Bronze 1 and 2, and yellow. I use a mix of Beige 2 and Bronze 1 for my NC42 skin. (More of the bronze then the beige.) I am warm-toned and like to use a yellow-based concealer. However, this was too yellow for me, which is saying something. I did not discontinue use because of this (I discontinued use because it was so drying); I am already warm-toned so the extreme yellow was not TOO noticeable. However, for neutral or cool-toned people, I can imagine this would be waaaay too yellow and a deterrent to using it. Availability: You can buy from a Mary Kay representative, or online (eBay) for cheaper. If you don't know your shade I would recommend going to a representative and testing it. Ingredients: Water , Isononyl Isononanoate , Cyclopentasiloxane , Sorbitan Isostearate , Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone , Lauroyl Lysine , PTFE , Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate , Propylene Glycol , Cetyl Dimethicone , Hexyl Laurate , Sodium Chloride , Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane , Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil , Beeswax , Nylon-12 , Tocopheryl Acetate , Diazolidinyl Urea , Retinyl Palmitate , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract , Lecithin , Cyclohexasiloxane , Titanium Dioxide , Talc , Iron Oxides , Zinc Oxide May Contain Ingredients Ultramarines
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -NYX - Full Coverage Concealer Jar
confooseddesi608 7/11/2010 11:06:00 PM
When I saw all the great reviews for this product, and the fact that it was so inexpensive, I hastened to get my hands on it. Since I don't have any stores near me that carry the NYX concealer, I bought from eBay, guessing at my best color choice. I chose "Glow," which actually turned out too light for me. Since it was cheap, I tried again, purchasing "Tan," which was too dark for me. This concealer actually has a great shade range, especially considering how cheap it is. I was just disappointed they did not have a matching shade for me. So, what's the crazy concealer junkie to do? I melted some of "Glow" and some of "Tan" and combined them, trying to come up with a matching color. The color I came up with still did not match me, and I figured out why--it was waaay too pink. Both Glow and Tan are very cool-toned. For the most part, I think, darker ladies are warm-toned, and it disappointed me that even if the concealer was not warm-toned, why was it not neutral toned? As for the concealer: it has great coverage, but is very drying. I found that under my eyes it creased and caked within 30 minutes. I would recommend this only for blemishes, etc, but make sure to set it, because the lasting power is not great. On a side note--it is really, really smelly. There is some kind of chemical smell to it. Why couldn't they have just left it unscented? For the price, it is overall an okay concealer.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Cover Girl - Olay Simply Ageless
confooseddesi608 7/9/2010 11:09:00 PM
I disagree with the previous reviewer. The darkest shade is medium dark, which is waaay too light for my NC42 skin. (I am definitely not the darkest person out there; MAC goes to NC55 and obviously there are people darker than that.) So, this concealer has a great color range, but if you don't count any skin tones darker than "medium." No offense to the previous reviewer.
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