Eyeliner -Sephora - Glitter Eyeliner in Gold
dcabc 1/24/2013 12:34:00 PM
Seriously, IT BUUURNS!!!!! I got the silver version on sale and as soon as I swiped it on, it felt like my eyelid was on FIRE. I could not get it off fast enough (I didn't wait to see if the burn went away when it dried - it was too painful!). Never had this experience with any other eye makeup before.
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Mascara -Maybelline - The Rocket Volume Express
dcabc 1/5/2013 11:00:00 PM
This mascara (the non-waterproof version) gave me crunchy spider lashes. Not a fan.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Differin Gel
dcabc 1/5/2013 10:27:00 PM
I've had persistent cystic acne on my chin for the last 7 years or so, and I really, really wanted this to work. Instead it's been like a bad relationship that I just can't quit. After 8 months of dedicated use, at best, it did not do much of anything (except cause these tiny clogs on the side of my face, so I started to apply to my chin only). But a few days ago, a planet started growing in the middle of my chin, and in my panic and desperation, I grabbed my Differin to give it yet another chance. I don't know what happened, maybe I applied too much, but by the next morning, the planet had spawned its own galaxy and taken over my entire chin. No joke, my chin and lower lip were so red and swollen that it actually hurt to talk. It's been two days now, and I've been icing it and taking ibuprofen to bring down the swelling, which has helped some, but wow. I think I'm finally breaking up with you for good, Differin. You and me are just no good.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Naked Lunch
dcabc 1/5/2013 4:32:00 PM
At first I thought Naked Lunch looked too much like e/s I already had, like Jest, or L'oreal Infallible in Iced Latte, or Maybelline's Barely Beige CT, or UD Sin, etc. But I've realized that some of those pearly champagnes can be over the top for work (esp Iced Latte, which I LOVE). The subtle shimmer in NL is perfect for work; it's a more casual but still glam neutral shade that complements most crease colors and pulls a look together with little effort. I usually pat it all over the mobile lid and use a taupe in the crease (or any of the med-deep shades from Naked 1 & 2).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -MAC - Skinfinish-Stereo Rose
dcabc 1/3/2013 6:25:00 PM
I finally got my hands on this with the Apres Chic release and I love it. I was concerned it would be too orange on my fair skin (NW15), but it's a lovely coral. I use it as a blush. To compare, Center of the Universe MSF looks almost burnt orange next to SR, and Laura Geller's Pink Grapefruit (which I read was a SR dupe) is deeper and rosier. There is some frost, but it's not OTT - it's like a coral version of Blond MSF, which has some frost and also makes my cheeks glow.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Cover Girl - Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm
dcabc 1/3/2013 5:50:00 PM
I like this product a lot! I also got the bright coral #235 - it reminds me of a glossier, sheerer version of Viva Glam Nicki. It's pigmented, moisturizing, and it doesn't stain! Stains are great, but sometimes I just want to change my lip color in the middle of the day without having to scrub the sh** out of my lips lol. This balm makes trying out brighter or deeper colors more fun and less of an all-day commitment.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -L'Oreal - Colour Caresse Shine Stain / Shine Caresse
dcabc 12/26/2012 2:15:00 AM
I love the YSL glossy stains, so naturally I stalked the L'oreal version for a few weeks until I finally tracked them down at a not-so-local Target (they still weren't on display but the website showed them as "in stock", so I asked a Target employee to grab them from the back). I got Endless Red, Stubborn Plum, and Coral Tattoo. Endless Red is a warm-leaning sheer red, not comparable to any of the richly pigmented YSL GS reds; Stubborn Plum is a cool-leaning MLBB, subtle but not invisible; and Coral Tattoo is straight up orange, albeit sheer. After testing them for a few days, I sadly have to say that these are pretty mediocre dupes mainly because they fall short on the main reasons why I love the YSL GS: 1. They're not that glossy. The red was shinier than the plum and coral, but all were distinctly flatter than YSL, and what shine they did have wore off pretty quickly. 2. As others have noted, the texture is more watery and the colors are much sheerer than YSL. This would not have been a problem for me at all, however, if it wasn't also difficult to layer. I thought I'd be able to build up the intensity of the color, but with the red especially, layering just made it look patchy. :( 3. It never really sets. With YSL, there's no color transfer on cups, and it actually stays glossy; with L'oreal, though, the color seems to rub right off (although there is a stain left with the darker colors). I doubt I'll return the ones I have, but I won't be buying more.
12 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Shiseido - Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus
dcabc 11/15/2012 6:20:00 PM
I was hoping for an HG based on the glowing reviews, but the search continues. This stuff is like putting cement on your lashes; they will. not. move. The wand is bizarre, but it was fine after I got used to it. The main problem for me was the formula; it made my lashes incredibly hard and crunchy and spidery-looking. Removal was not hard but added an extra step (it took oil cleanser plus waterproof eye makeup remover). But if waterproof is what you're after, it delivers; it held up without flaking or smudging all day, which is why I gave 3 lippies.
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Styling Products -Sexy Hair Concepts - Root Pump
dcabc 10/14/2012 11:01:00 PM
My hair is long and thick and voluminous at the ends and sides, but it tends to get weighed down and flat on top. I use this product to give me some lift at the crown and then I coat the mid-shaft to ends with moroccan oil to smooth everything out before I blow dry. This combo works great! I think the oil counters the drying effect that others have experienced. I've gotten so many compliments on my hair since I started using root pump. It's also buying me more time between getting my layers trimmed, which is what I usually do when the top gets flat, and my hair stays cleaner-looking longer, which is a huge plus.
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Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Forever Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup (new - 2011 version)
dcabc 10/8/2012 1:00:00 AM
I've just been on a HE foundation sample bender and this is the big fat winner. I'm NW/NC15 (depending on the product) and Ivory 10 is a perfect match. No breakouts, no oxidization/midday cheeto face, it melts into my skin and feels like I'm not wearing anything on my face at all, and it has a lovely finish (even without powder) - not too matte, not too dewy. I've used both a brush (SK flat top - just gently pressing into the skin rather than a major buff) and my fingers and it always looks good. Also, I usually set it with MUFE's HD powder, but for some reason it does not play well with ELF's version - it noticeably dulls the finish, although it seems fine with my other foundations. The price is steep at around $50, but for me it's worth it because it makes my skin looks so much better.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chanel - Joues Contraste Powder Blush
dcabc 7/22/2012 11:51:00 PM
Fleur de Lotus is highly pigmented and creamy smooth, and it somehow makes my cheeks glow without any obvious glitter or shimmer particles. It's a flattering peachy-pink-coral on my NC/NW15 skin, a softer version of Deep Throat or theBalm's Frat Boy. I also love that it smells like roses, which makes me feel fancier than I actually am lol.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Maybelline - Dream Fresh 8-in-1 BB Cream
dcabc 7/19/2012 1:37:00 PM
Out of all the BBs I've tried, this works the best for me, hands down. Here's what it does well: -Makes my skin smooth and dewy and non oily -Diffuses pores, so I've been able to skip primer -Nice consistency - not thin like a TM, but not overly thick like some of the Asian BBs I've tried -No breakouts or skin aggravants. In fact, my bare skin has looked better since I've been using this -It doesn't melt off of my face in the heat or go patchy on my chin (most liquid and powder foundations do this on me) -Application is uncomplicated - I can smooth/rub it onto my face like a moisturizer and it applies evenly. (I especially love this - brushes/blenders/sponges are great, but it's also nice to not have to bother) -Good color match - I'm NC/NW15 and light is perfect. It does not oxidize on my skin. -Cheap! It really does look like my skin but better. My only minor gripes are that it's been hard to find in stores (I ordered mine from target.com) and the tube is small, so I'll be going through this fairly quickly. Overall this stuff is great.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Sinful - Neon Melon
dcabc 5/31/2012 1:42:00 AM
Great color in the bottle, but it's a horrible formula - thin, streaky, smells vaguely of pesticide. I know it's cheap, but seriously, I gave it 6 good coats (plus ridge filler and t/c) before giving up. That's a lot of coats! I may try again and polish my nails white before hand as others have suggested here, but that should not be a necessary step, regardless of the price.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Charm
dcabc 5/24/2012 11:31:00 AM
Charm is my favorite of the 4 I picked up (the other colors I got were Cherish, Rendezvous, and Lovesick). The color does darken slightly after about 20 minutes on my lips, but I actually love that color more than how it applies; it goes on looking like Revlon Colorburst in Soft Nude, and ends up (on me, at least) like MAC Razzle-Dazzler. It's a gorgeous, light, peachy coral. The "balm" effects are also impressive - I put this on first thing in the morning instead of my usual balm to test out just how moisturizing it was, and it actually kept my lips soft and moisturized for a few hours. I'd definitely repurchase Charm. I'm not as excited about the other colors I got. Since they go on more pigmented at first, the darkening effect, or stain, ends up being too dark overall for me. This is also annoying if you want to change lip colors during the day - the dark stain is hard to remove! Still, it's a nice product if you keep that in mind.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Pink Cult
dcabc 5/22/2012 4:55:00 PM
It's a pretty blush, but the color on my cheeks does not match the neutral, almost dusty light pink in the pan. When applied, it's a rather dupe-able (and dark) rosy flush rather than a subtle grayish pink, which is what I wanted.
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