Lipstick -Revlon - Matte Lipstick Really Red
countrygyrl 4/30/2013 3:41:00 PM
This is another red lipstick I am in love with. I think this and Russian Red are in a tie for my two favorite red lipsticks (so far, you never know when I'll find another red lipstick to try) :). Really Red and Russian Red are close in texture, finish and wearability but the shades do differ so Really Red is not a perfect dupe for Russian Red. Really Red is a beautiful, perfect ,40's type, matte but non- drying, retro red. It does lean blue based but I would classify it as a tomato red. It doesn't pull orangey ( at least on me even though I sense some coral in there- it tends to go better with corally nail polish). Its not at all a true blue red. Those of you who are truly cool toned might not like this one. I am light and am hard to match because even though I lean cool (pink) I have alot of warmth (yellow) in my skin. In the tube Russian Red and Really Red are almost exact. However, Really Red is less pigmented than Russian Red and maybe a bit heavier since I put alot more on and blot and I don't have to do that when I wear Russian Red. The color stays true and doesn't feather or bleed but it may be slightly more transferable than Russian Red is. I will gladly repurchase Really Red especially since its is half the price of Russian Red.
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Lipstick -MAC - Russian Red
countrygyrl 4/24/2013 8:55:00 PM
I finally broke down and splurged on this iconic lipstick. This is a beautiful classic, elegant red. It works with jeans and a tee or a glamourous evening gown. Not quite as bright as what I thought, or what I have been wearing, but I got over that quickly. This is a true blue based red, yet leaning neutral, in my opinion. I think many people could pull this off, which is probably why its such a favorite. I love the feel of this. It applies beautifully and even and doesn't take alot to get full coverage. I can swipe on my bottom lip, put a bit on my top lip, perfect with a brush and Tada! Perfect red lips. Its matte ( I love matte red lips) but not dry and on me it lasts all day. It stays comfortable, light, and if you need a touch up it never feels heavy or thick. My favorite aspect of Russian Red is that the color stays true - ALL DAY AND NIGHT-no matter how heavy or lightly applied and it doesn't turn orange or fushia as the day wears on. Is it worth the $15 price tag. Ahhh, I'm cheap so ,no, not really. I do think its a bit high priced but I will be treating myself and buy this again (or maybe even ruby woo). On another note, for those of you who are afraid of red ,Russian Red is probably the perfect place to start. Many have claimed there are drugstore dupes for this- no- there's not a TRUE dupe. Some come close, very close, but seriuously if you can afford this- get it.
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Eyeliner -L.A. Colors - eyeliner & brow pencil
countrygyrl 4/20/2013 3:11:00 PM
This is my go to eyeliner. Since I do a daily red lip I don't do dark smokey eyes. I do a simple light wash of white eyeshadow on my lids, a ton of mascara (top only) and this eyeliner on my water lines (I'm over the cat eye look). This little eyeliner can't be beat. It goes on so easy and its dark, rich and creamy but not overly soft. Its a very pigmented black, you don't have to put on several layers to get color payoff. It doesn't pull or tug. It stays on with minimal smearing. Its not waterproof so if you are crying it will run and fade a little but still it holds up quite well on my waterery allergy eyes. It comes with two little pencils and sharpener. For a dollar its so much better than the .99 cent wet n wild and n.y.c liners. Its even better than many higher priced pencil eyeliners from other drugstore brands.
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Conditioner -Suave - Keratin Infusion Color Care Conditioner
countrygyrl 3/23/2013 5:50:00 PM
First off I am a co- washer with a once a week shampoo. I wasn't going to buy this because dimethicone is third on the ingredients. I am not a silicone hater by any means but for me when it comes to co-washing generally the less silicones the better (due to build up) Well I had a bogo coupon and couldn't resist. WOW, I am impressed. Now snce I used it as a co-wash my review may be a little different since I did not use shampoo beforehand and cannot attest to how it works with a shampoo. But , after co washing my hair was so soft and shiny from root to tip, no leave in needed here as ther usually is with my normal Suave Naturals co-wash. I love how my hair looks and how it smells. This stuff is perfumy but I like it. However I don't think I will be able to use this more than two days in a row without alternating it with a silicone free conditioner. Its still a winner in my book though.
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
countrygyrl 3/15/2013 7:27:00 PM
This is one of my go to products. It used to be too expensive for me compared to other oils but since I found the LouAnne brand in a 30 oz. "tub" at Wal- mart for $5.00 it is a must have, even if its only food grade and not extra virgin, organic or whatever . I use this as my makeup remover, a mix for my homemade sugar scrubs, a face moisturizer, leave in hair conditioner and overnight deep hair conditioner. Coconut oil has been proven to actually penetrate hair and protect it from protien loss, thereby making it stronger. You need to leave it on hair for 14 hrs. to reap all the benefits, thats why I generally use it as my daily leave in after co-washing. I have oily skin so prefer the lighter feel of coconut oil to any other food-based oils and since I have started using it as my makeup remover an overnight moisturizer I dont even get my monthly "PMS pimples". The only problem is that under 76 degrees coconut oil is a solid, and it is difficult to get out of the tub but it melts instantly in hands. Its not the best for sugar scrubs in the winter due to this fact but all in all its a winner. HG product!
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Deodorants -Unlisted Brand - Baking Soda & Corn Starch
countrygyrl 3/15/2013 6:53:00 PM
I honestly cannot believe this works. For years , and I mean about 30, I have been looking for a deoderant that actually works. I think I am smelly and I have tried every deoderant on the grocery store shelves. The only one that works for me is Certain-Dry but it is expensive and can irritate. Most other deoderants work for a while (like 2 weeks) then I need to change up. For the past year or so I just buy Suave because its cheap and with coupons I get it for like 40 cents. I just deal with having to apply it twice a day and maybe more in the summer. On a whim and after alot of research about going "natural". I tried this. I cannot believe it. It is now 8+ hours into my day and I am totally dry and I smell NOTHING, 100% nothing. By now (and usually before now) any other deoderant I have EVER used I would smell something (usually the deoderant with a undertone of stink. Sorry if its TMI) That brings me to another pet peeve of mine, I don't really want to smell my deoderant, but most deoderants are highly scented. If I want to smell good I wear perfume, because I like the way that smells, not my deoderant.. Anyway, on a trail basis I mixed 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of baking soda together. I placed the mix in a ornate, antique, ceramic jar that was my grandmothers so it looked pretty on my vanity. I applied it rather heavily to my still damp armpits, with an old dense eco- tools blush brush I don't use, directly out of the shower. Ok, it is a bit messy, there was powder everywhere and I had a bit of transfer on my shirt when I dressed. But, it wiped right of my shirt with a damp cloth, unlike traditional deoderant. It may be only 1/2 a day but I am soooo impressed. I swear I am never ever going back to regular deoderant, and if I get irritation after a week or so as some have claimed I will simply up the cornstarch till I find a happy medium. Love this stuff and it costs like pennies! UPDATE- after a few weeks of gettign accustomed to this (I did have some itching and irritation after 3-4 days but it went away within a week) I now mix this 50/50 - 50% baking soda with 50%Johnson and Johnson cornstarch baby powder in the lavender scent and actually apply with my finger tips. PERFECT!
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Lipstick -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Lipstick in British Red
countrygyrl 2/17/2013 3:50:00 PM
On my never ending quest for the perfect red I picked this up for $8.00. I am cheap so this was a pretty hefty splurge for me but I am really loving this lipstick. First, it applies so nice.Its very light, smooth and buttery feeling. At first I thought it was a bit sheer but a few swipes gives rich color and it seems the more I use it the better the color saturation. Second, it sets to a satin finish that never feels dry or heavy and it stays put fairly well. I do apply a fairly heavy amount straight from the tube in the morning and fix it with a lip brush. I don't blot then reapply with this one as it feels very light. I don't have an issue with bleeding or smearing to bad although I do have to touch this one up a few times a day because it does fade but it never dissapears. Third, the color is just so flattering. Its red but not really red - red. It has a coral undertone but I don't consider it coral or coral/red its still red. Its bright but not over the top and is very face brightening. I love British red and have been wearing it every day. I think I like it better than my trueer red reds. I wish it would end my quest but its still not quite perfect. If this shade had more of Covergirls lip perfection's ( in Hot ) staying abilities it would be a slam dunk winner.
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Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
countrygyrl 2/7/2013 4:04:00 PM
I tried this years ago and of course returned to my Colorstay. I had a few $3.00 off L'oreal makeup coupons and since the price of this is only around $7.00 at Walmart now I gave it another go along with the Truematch powder. ( For around $4.00 a piece I couldn't pass it up) I choose W2 and I have neutral to cooler toned skin.The C and N shades all look to pinkish to me. I prefer more yellow based foundations as they seem to brighten my face up making it look fresher. W2 is a bit too light but the W3 looked way to dark. This foundation is way lighter than Colorstay but still covers well and its buildable. It takes much longer to set than Colorstay and when it does its sort of a powdery finish. For me this is going to take a bit of getting used to. I topped it off with Truematch powder in W1 (as the W2 powder looked to dark and yellow to me and I prefer translucent colored powder) I wasn't sure if I liked it as first as it was too light and not as full coverage as I am used to. After a short while, I was impressed. Once everything really set up it seemed to mesh with my skin making it look perfected but not heavily madeup. I did use L'oreals primer first and I never use a primer with Colorstay, but I am really liking how I look. Lasting power is the biggest issue with me and its been about 4 hours and still looking perfect. The true test will be in the summer time heat and the long days. Also I really don't think the foundation would work as well for me without the matching powder. The powder is amazing.
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Lipstick -Cover Girl - Lip Perfection in Hot
countrygyrl 1/27/2013 5:05:00 PM
I like this lipstick alot. I picked it up because I saw that Covergirls makeup artist Pat Mcgrath had used this shade on 42 different models during a spring 2013 fashion show. I thought " hey, maybe finally the perfect universal drugstore red lipstick". I am very cheap so the normal $7+ price tag for this is a bit much but I wound up paying $3.50 with my rite aid card so it was worth it. This is a bright poppy red. Some describe it as a bright cherry red with slight blue undertones, and yes I would go with that, but to me poppy red describes it so much better because it has a certain warmth to it that alot of true blue based reds don't have. It does brighten my face up. This lipstick is creamy and applies beautifully. I put it on straight from the tube on bare lips and clean up the edges with a lipbrush, no liner needed. This lipstick seems to "dry" to a matte yet non-drying stain as the day wears on and does seem to turn to a more cherry red. I can honestly wear this with zero touchups if I want. The only downfall I can see is that it really, really stains. Even after I remove my makeup at night (with either coconut oil or vaseline and a few baby wipes) it leaves my lips very heavily tinted I basically have to scrub them raw to remove it all. Plus, I still find myself leaning torwards a more true red red shade like Wet n Wild matte $2 Stoplight Red) so while this still isn't my hg red *sigh* It's still beautiful. UPDATE 4/22/13- This IS my go to red lipstick(since it lasts All day). I wear it every day. Yes, EVERY single day- ALL day. It goes with everything from t -shirt and jeans ( my normal wear) to formal wear. Its not "perfect" but so far, its close enough. I have (last week) caved in and splurged and bought Russian Red from MAC to compare. Will do a review on Russian Red when it comes in.
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Lipstick -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega Last in Red Velvet
countrygyrl 1/16/2013 4:39:00 PM
In my hunt for the perfect red lipstick I have passed this up time and time again and now that I finally bought it I wonder what the hell I was thinking by not getting it before. I think compared to some other truer reds (like "stoplight red" or NYC "retro red") under the drugstore lighting it looked to pink- I was wrong. Its red and bright and cheerful. Many say its a cherry red and I would agree. Its a blue based red but it has a bit of warmth to it thats hard to describe and even though it is a cool toned color I can see how certain skin tones may think its orangey, due to the warmth it gives off, although I cannot detect any orange tones in it. It brightens my face up and makes my lips look plump. I put it on straight from the tube and clean it up with a brush, no liner needed and long lasting.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Pantene - Expert Collection Age Defy Shampoo
countrygyrl 1/13/2013 3:25:00 PM
Maybe I really shouldn't comment because I actually haven't tried this and probably won't. I am not a pantene hater by any means, fact is Pantene conditioners are the best for my hair period. I do, however, get caught up in the Pantene hype. I think every new Pantene product release is going to be the end all to be all of haircare. Nope. Read the ingredients on this shampoo compared to the other Pantene shampoos. They are basically the same!!! Why pay so much more for this shampoo when you can buy just about any of the "regular" Pantene shampoos for alot less and get more product and get basically the same thing. Seriously its just clever marketing.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
countrygyrl 1/10/2013 2:54:00 PM
I think after all these years I can finally say that colorstay is my HG foundation. Oh, I have tried many, many drugstore foundations and avon and marykay over the last 20 something years since I started wearing makeup but I always, always, without fail, come back ot this one. It never oxidizes on me, the shade Sand Beige is as close to my real skin tone as I have ever come across, I lasts all day on my supper oily skin (I still use powder to set it- baby powder to be exact), never looks too thick or cakey (I apply with a damp cosmetic sponge- this is the key for me), and it makes my skin look near perfect but not overdone. My only problem is I wish it was either in a squeeze tube or had a pump and was cheaper (Im just that cheap that I hate to spend $10-$13 on foundation)
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Lipstick -Maybelline - Color Sensational ~ Red Revival
countrygyrl 1/1/2013 5:26:00 PM
I want to love this lipstick but for now I only like it. The color is great. Red, but not bright in your face red, its a darker red, more like a blood red with no brown. No orangey or pink tones either, and it doesnt go fushia. Very close to my current fav. NYX "snow white" but redder. Im thinking I actually like this color more than my "snow white" because "snow white" can be to dark if applied to heavy. However my issue with Red Revival is the lasting power and finish. I like fix it and forget it makeup. I can apply "snow white" in the am with a lipbush and it sets to matte and lasts all day on me even if at times it can be a bit dry. Red Revival is very creamy, almost messy as some have mentioned and it stays "moist". I have to apply and blot three times in the am and perfect it with a lipbrush to get any lasting power.I have to apply to bare lips because if I prep with foundation or powder first it feels to thick. I should probably try it with lip liner but thats one more step and one more product and I'm trying to streamline my makeup routine. Touch ups are a must with Red Revival, especially after a meal, but at least it fades evenly and doesn't completely disappear. Ill give this a go because I do love the color, maybe ill get used to the feel. Its not expensive and it can be found most anywhere. *Sigh* still looking for my HG cheap red lipstick
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Luminous Lights Expertwear Eyeshadow Palette-Lavender Lights
countrygyrl 12/11/2012 7:03:00 PM
This review is actually for "Opal lights". I almost picked up the Lavender lights but those shades look very much like maybellines "Crown jewels" eyeshadow trio just lighter and more shimmery. Opal lights has a pale pink (base), pale yellowish shade (lid), a pale white touched with silver (crease) and a pale coppery (liner) shade. I love these eyeshadows. They are not heavily pigmented but just give a sheer wash of subltle shimmery color. I do red lips so want a more subtle eye and these are perfect. They brighten my eye area up. If you are looking for pigmented, full coverage shadows you will be disapointed with these although every shade could be used as a highlight on eyes as well as cheeks.
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Lipstick -Wet 'n' Wild - Megalast Lipstick Stoplight Red
countrygyrl 12/10/2012 11:26:00 PM
I really like this. HG perfect red? Hmmmm not sure yet. I have been wearing NYX Snow White which is a much deeper blood red. I love Snow White, however, I seem to be looking too pale as of late and am feeling like a need a brighter red. Stoplight Red fits the bill. Its only $2.00, and I can pick it up many more places than NYX. Spotlight Red is RED. Much brighter than Snow White. Much more "pin up red". I cannot really notice any definate undertones. Its not orange or pink, all I see is red, with maybe a slight blue base. ( the other red in Wet-n-Wilds matte line, Red Velvet, looks to pinkish to me) Stoplight Red does brighten me up but I am a bit concerned its too bright. I'm thinking it just needs to grow on me since I have been wearing much deeper reds for a few months now. Its very longlasting, and not drying. Again, as with all my reds, I apply with a lip brush. I donot have to blot and reapply with this one.
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