Mascara -Make Up For Ever - Smoky Lash Extra Black Mascara
dlsdls 7/31/2012 8:35:00 PM
This is probably the most dramatic mascara I have used. I've always thought that black mascaras (whether they are black, very black, extreme black, carbon black, etc.) all just look black. Smoky Lash is the only one I have used that actually seems more than just black. The result is lashes that are sexy and, yes, smoky. I can get incredible volume with this mascara, but need to keep a lash comb on hand because I can't seem to avoid clumping during application. I've heard a lot of people say that they don't like the texture of Smoky Lash once dried. It definitely feels crunchy and unnatural but this doesn't bother me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Tarte - Lights Camera Lashes
dlsdls 7/31/2012 8:28:00 PM
This is one of the few high-end mascaras that are truly worth it. I get amazing volume, length, curl, and separation. It's really the whole package. When I do 2 coats of this over Tarte MultiplEYE lash primer, people ask me if I am wearing falsies. Aside from the price (which I believe is justifiable here), I have no complaints about this product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Bare Escentuals - buxom lash
dlsdls 7/31/2012 8:22:00 PM
This mascara is good for length and separation. I didn't get any clumping, flaking, or smudging. The results just aren't very dramatic. You get natural, wispy lashes which are definitely very pretty. I just prefer more volume. When I applied 5 coats I got the volume I wanted but I just think it's a waste of time to do more than 2 coats of mascara. Buxom Lash isn't bad by any means, just not for me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Bare Escentuals - Flawless Definition mascara
dlsdls 7/31/2012 8:16:00 PM
This mascara definitely gives definition. It is one the best separating mascaras I have used. From up close, it literally looks like I have a million eyelashes. From a distance though, any added volume is barely noticeable. It does an okay job at holding a curl but, unfortunately for my stubby lashes, did not add any length at all. I did like this mascara for times when I didn't want to look like I was wearing any, like at the gym or visiting the doctor or dentist. I had the regular (not waterproof) formula and had no problems with smudging or flaking. In fact, I would say the regular formula is water-resistant. I will not be repurchasing this mascara because it's not lengthening enough for me. If you have naturally long lashes and prefer a natural look, give this a try.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -MAC - Paint Pot in Rubenesque
dlsdls 7/31/2012 8:02:00 PM
This is my go-to eye shadow for days when I am too busy or lazy to get out my brushes and primers and palettes. I just use my finger and apply this thin cream from my lash line up to the socket. It dries quickly, lasts all day, and never creases. One layer gives an eye-opening sheer wash of shimmer. Two layers gives an opaque rose-gold-y colour that goes with anything. I have owned my pot of Rubenesque for exactly one year. I use it several times a week and have around 2/3 remaining. I haven't had any issues with the product drying out or the texture changing. I will never be without this product!
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Blush -NARS - Orgasm Blush
dlsdls 7/31/2012 7:45:00 PM
The pigmentation here is exceptional. I only have to use a tiny bit to get a huge pop of colour. It is also easy to blend and lasts all day. The only thing that stops me from loving this is the glitter. I mean, I guess Orgasm was designed to be glittery, so it is well made and delivers on what it's meant to do. I just feel a little obnoxious when I wear it sometimes. The glitter is super noticeable and, for this reason, I usually reserve this blush for parties/nights out.
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Blush -NARS - Douceur
dlsdls 7/31/2012 7:34:00 PM
I find that the pink/mauve undertones in Douceur create a more natural-looking contour than matte bronzers I have tried (Benefit Hoola and Too Faced Chocolate Soleil). The colour starts off sheer but builds easily so application is basically foolproof. It is also very blendable. I use a MAC 168 angled brush to apply Douceur under my cheekbones, under my jaw, and into my hairline. It lasts for the better part of the day before starting to fade and never gets patchy. I highly recommend trying out this product if you have found that other contouring shades are too harsh or orange-y.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -BeneFit Cosmetics - One Hot Minute
dlsdls 7/31/2012 7:13:00 PM
I like this product as an all-over luminizer. The powder looks somewhere between copper and rose gold but is very sheer once applied on my NC25 skin. If you hate glitter in your luminizers, be warned that there are some small glitter particles here. It's not in-your-face but definitely noticeable in sunlight. The packing is a round metal tin. The lid screws on quite tightly so it's safe for travel. It comes with a sort of mini fan brush which, to be honest, I don't like. It's too small and flimsy, even for applying a highlighting product. I get good results using a MAC 167. I turn the tin upside down (with the lid on) and give it two or three shakes back and forth. This dispenses a small amount of powder onto the lid, which I swirl onto my brush. I apply first to my cheeks, then down the middle of my face, and then do an all-over sweep of my face with what's left on the brush. The wear is decent. My skin is normal and I get a pretty sheen that lasts a school/work day. This isn't going to last you all day and night though.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup
dlsdls 7/31/2012 6:48:00 PM
I am in my early 20s and luckily don't need any "age rewinding" yet, but bought this foundation because of the rave reviews on YouTube. I'm NC25 and the shade Buff Beige is a decent match. The product is on the thinner side, as far as liquid foundations go. However, it feels quite oily, both on my fingers and once applied to my face. I have normal skin, and this foundation will not set on its own. Without powder over top, the foundation remains slick all day and transfers onto everything my face touches. With a mattifying powder, the foundation does last all day but still feels uncomfortably greasy and looks shiny. The best luck I have had is applying primer, then the foundation, then powder, then setting spray, and then another dusting of powder. After doing this I don't feel like my face is melting all day. I do like some aspects of how it makes my skin looks. It gives light-medium coverage, camouflages redness and freckles, and makes skin looks smooth. The finish is just too shiny for my liking. We're not talking dewy and glowy here --this is full on shine. I have used foundation in both cold and hot weather with the same results. There is a light scent which I imagine would be inoffensive to most users. The packaging features a built-in sponge applicator through which the product is dispensed when you twist the bottom of the bottle. You are meant to apply the product directly onto the face with the sponge, which features some sort of antibacterial technology. Using the built-in sponge to apply and blend the product resulted in too much streaking. When I applied the product onto my face using the sponge and then worked it in with my fingers, I felt like my fingers were absorbing all of the product. Buffing it in with a flat-top foundation brush is your best bet. An issue with the packaging is that you can't tell how much product you are releasing into the sponge, so I would usually end up dispensing too much. The sponge is antibacterial so you could just let the excess product sit there but that just... didn't appeal to me. So I would wipe the excess off onto a tissue and waste quite a bit. I ended up just ripping the sponge off so I could dispense the right amount of product directly onto the back of my hand. You get 20ml of product, compared to 30ml for a typical foundation. Overall, not impressed with this foundation. I would not recommend trying it unless you have very dry skin.
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Dandelion
dlsdls 7/31/2012 5:49:00 PM
On my NC25 skin, Dandelion shows up as a subtle neutral pink. The shimmer is virtually undetectable once applied on the cheeks. It blends nicely and never looks powdery. Although it won't matter to most people, let me just say that this is hands down the best smelling blush I have ever used. My only complaint about the product is that it only lasts for maybe half the day before fading away completely. It does last a bit longer with a setting spray over top, if you're willing to take that extra step. I haven't had any problems with the packaging. It has held up well through lots of travelling. The brush it comes with actually works okay in terms of picking up and depositing colour. I just prefer using a longer handled brush for more precision. The Bare Escentuals Tapered Blush is great for this product. Dandelion is perfect for when you are going for a no-makeup look or when you don't want your cheeks to distract from the rest of your face. Because it is basically a toned-down version of the colour of my cheeks when I am actually blushing, I find that it matches any clothing, lip colour, or eye makeup. Think of it as "your cheeks but better." With daily use, the .25 oz you get lasts around one year. With more realistic use, it'll last 2-3 years. Although I am not entirely convinced that there isn't a more affordable dupe out there, I will continue to repurchase because I think the overall value isn't too ridiculous.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No