Fragrances -Kenzo - Flower
echoluster 3/6/2013 9:50:00 PM
One spray was enough for me to realize that I hate this fragrance. It is definitely an old-lady smell; it's way too powdery. Too bad, I think there are some nice notes buried under that powder. But they're REALLY buried under an avalanche of old-lady powder smell. Ick. This smell is like the exact opposite of what I expected from looking at the very modern bottle.
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Top/Base Coats -Unlisted Brand - Nail Magic Base Coat Therapy
echoluster 3/4/2013 8:37:00 AM
I guess it's OK as a nail treatment. It hasn't harmed my nails, anyway. However, my polish comes off in one large sheet after maybe 3 days, tops. I clean my nails thoroughly with either rubbing alcohol or acetone nail polish remover before applying base coat/polish, and use top coat (Seche Vite)/reapply top coat a few days after initial polishing. Nailtek's Foundation #2 works much better for me as a base coat for polish. It's really a shame, because this goes on well and seems to allow polish to go on really smoothly. It just also allows polish to come off smoothly, too -- which is an utter base coat failure.
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Liquid -NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation 
echoluster 2/28/2013 1:07:00 PM
Got a sample of this to try in the ongoing search to replace my now-discontinued HG foundation. Not a winner for me. It felt like I had to blend and blend and blend this one even though the color was pretty good. The finish screamed "makeup"! It also melted off pretty quickly. Nothing to write home about. Just an OK liquid foundation, I wouldn't buy this for my fair combination skin. I think I'll try again with a newer setting powder I just bought, but I don't think my results will be much different.
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Liquid -Kat Von D - Lock-It
echoluster 2/28/2013 12:43:00 PM
My HG foundation was discontinued, and being very fair, I put this one in the running as a replacement. Unfortunately, it hasn't made the cut. First problem is the color range. I'm very fair and neutral, maybe a little on the yellow side. Neither 42 nor 44 (the two lightest shades) are quite right; I suspect a mix of the two would be perfect. 42 is a little too pink and 44 is a little too yellow on me. However, I'm not desperate enough yet to buy two bottles to get the right shade. The other problem is, although this foundation does wear really well on me, is that it takes so much effort. The face must be perfectly exfoliated and perfectly moisturized, because you don't want this formula to find and amplify any flakes. I have to either mix it with moisturizer or spray my brush (or both) to get it to blend, and because it's so thick, I have to work my face in small sections. It doesn't spread well on its own. Perhaps the biggest problem is that the company has been out of stock for about 3 months now and there has been no clear answer as to when it will be back in production, or if it's discontinued. That's highly unprofessional. The dates I keep hearing are a moving target; last I heard was "end of February" and I'm writing this on the last day of February, so clearly another deadline was missed. I would be willing to take a chance on this if I could actually purchase this, but right now these stock issues are driving me towards other products.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NYX - NYX Matte Lipstick
echoluster 2/28/2013 11:54:00 AM
Bought this in "Alabama." It's a beautiful red with my fair skin and brunette hair (with red lowlights). The texture is great and staying power -- no complaints. I'm always happy with NYX lip products. Great colors and finishes, and so inexpensive! Just wish the entire line was carried in a brick-and-mortar store.
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Loose Powders -NYX - HD Studio Finishing Powder
echoluster 2/28/2013 11:46:00 AM
Another inexpensive, winning product from NYX. It's 100% silica, and honestly, I don't have another powder of its type to compare to, but I really like this one. Goes on nice and smooth with a fluffy powder brush, gives a nice finish (seems to hide pores very well). Only complaint is the packaging. I wish that instead of a flimsy plastic film covering the holes that dispense the loose powder, it was a sturdier plastic thing that could actually control the flow of powder better.
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Primer/ Corrector -NYX - Makeup Setting Spray - Dewy Finish
echoluster 2/28/2013 11:37:00 AM
I picked this up on a whim at Ulta. I think it's a good, inexpensive setting spray. Takes the edge off of the dry feeling that can happen in winter with the wind and indoor heating systems. The finish isn't super dewy on me, more "natural," which is perfect. Not sure if this makes a huge difference in my makeup's staying power (I'm experimenting with foundations right now anyway, so hard to say), but it doesn't hurt and I really like how it feels. Did I mention that it's inexpensive?
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Long Wear Even Finish Foundation Spf 15
echoluster 2/28/2013 11:20:00 AM
Got 2 samples of this from Nordstrom, as my HG foundation (Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation) was discontinued, and I was hoping this would be a superior replacement. It isn't. It's so bad. So, so bad. The color is OK, although I find it curious that the colors don't seem to match up (I was Porcelain, Alabaster in this is a closer match). It has a scent, a weird, overpowering scent like Clarins products. It's foundation! It's not supposed to be perfume. Gross. But worst of all was the texture. It never felt like it "set." It retained a weird, tacky finish on my face. It's not nearly as long-lasting as its predecessor. I guess I don't understand the point of this product. I wanted it to be the foundation of my dreams, an improvement on an already pretty flawless formula. Instead Bobbi Brown has reverted back to its original reputation for me as a brand with terrible foundation formulas, but good colors. A waste of $47.00 USD. I'm glad I only had samples.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Kat Von D - Tattoo Liner
echoluster 2/26/2013 10:27:00 AM
HG liquid liner. Love the applicator, love the application process, and love the staying power and pigmented color. I got "Skater" (dark blue) on sale at Sephora and I'm more than ready to get other colors. Finally - a liquid liner that comes in pen form, and the foam tip has the right balance of squishiness and firmness. This allows for very thin lines and detailed work, as well as drawing a thicker line. Even lasts on my waterline as long as I can keep it dry for long enough (a few seconds) to get it to set. The only thing I don't know about is whether it will dry out. I hope not! So far I haven't had to shake it or anything to keep the tip wet with liner, which is amazing. Staying power - I have slept in this (oops) and it looked decent the next day. Didn't flake off, didn't smudge. Also doesn't irritate my eyes. Other liquids I've used, if they drop a little in my eye, have caused a burning sensation or an intense watery eye reaction, not this one! Run, don't walk, to buy this liquid liner.
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Liquid -Shiseido - Perfect Refining Foundation
echoluster 12/12/2012 10:57:00 AM
Went to sample this at Macy's yesterday in the quest for a new foundation as my Bobbi Brown standby for the past few years has been discontinued. I'm very fair with neutral undertones, and I've used Shiseido's Dual Balancing in the past. I thought I could get a good color match in this, and the coverage sounded closer to what I was getting from BB. Nope! All the colors have a yellow cast. Unnaturally yellow in the 00 intensity. Couldn't get a color match on this. Too bad! If you're considering this one, try and get matched in person -- the colors are not one-to-one matches with the other Shiseido foundations.
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Polishes -Sally Hansen - salon effects
echoluster 2/20/2011 10:50:00 PM
Just applied today in Laced Up. I had previously tried the Nail Fraud brand from Urban Outfitters and had no luck getting those to adhere to my nails, but I was so attracted to the Minx knockoff idea that I really wanted to try these. (Plus, there's no way to get a Minx manicure where I live.) Well, these did take a while to apply, but I'm a perfectionist and it was my first time. However, they adhered! And I didn't have a problem with bubbles or peeling. I found stretching to be a bit dangerous. I ripped one film trying to stretch it. I found that it was easy to trim off the excess if I used a size that was just slightly too big for each nail. I also found that blasting them with a hairdryer just before application seemed to work well. Can't comment on longevity, but so far everything's good. I'm really pleased. I used Seche Vite on top and I'll probably reapply that after a few days. SV did not affect the finish at all. (My nails are image 5, on the light purple background.)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Clinique - Lash Power
echoluster 6/2/2010 11:01:00 PM
I just bought this for the second time. I like this mascara very much but I feel like there's something better out there. The formula is great and doesn't smudge, comes off with regular facial cleanser when you want it to. I don't love the brush and I feel that I have to work hard so that my lashes don't stick together when I apply this. If the brush was more densely packed with fibers I think it would work a little better. But this is a very good mascara overall. I wish my favorite Prescriptives mascara hadn't been discontinued.
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Primer/ Corrector -Urban Decay - All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
echoluster 6/2/2010 8:52:00 PM
I wanted to love this product. I tend to sweat in inclement weather, or under hot lights, and my face tends to become a melty mess. I sprayed this on 2 days in a row. I was impressed by how fine the spray was, and I didn't notice a difference in my makeup after I sprayed it on, which I thought was good (it didn't make me shiny or dry me out). However, I don't think it did much to prevent my makeup from melting or rubbing off. I didn't notice a difference and being caught in humidity still messed up my whole look. Additionally, I think it may have broken me out a little bit. It was the only change to my skincare/makeup routine those 2 days and I formed some new acne in random spots on my face. I'm used to acne and these pimples weren't particularly painful or bad, but it was annoying. I'm still looking for a product that will prevent meltdown. I'm thinking of trying Ben Nye's Neutral Set next.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Natural Finish- Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
echoluster 6/2/2010 8:41:00 PM
I have previously tried Bobbi Brown's Oil Free and Skin foundations. I didn't like either of them, but being very fair, I knew that I could find a color match in the Bobbi Brown line so I was excited to hear about this foundation. This foundation is AMAZING. I received a sample and bought it the next day when I was wearing the sample. The finish is just as described: "soft matte." I don't like a super matte finish and this looks perfectly velvety. It doesn't take a lot of effort to apply and blend, whereas I really have to work in the Stila foundation I have been using. I just apply it with a skunk brush and lightly blend as I apply. It also wears for a really long time. I wore it on a humid, almost 90 degree day and it looked remarkably well after several hours. It didn't turn shiny or melt off. It even dealt with my plethora of skin problems very well. I'm combination and acne-prone, with several flaky areas where blemishes are drying up and healing. The makeup didn't emphasize the flakiness at all, and it worked just as well in my oilier areas. I even found that primer wasn't necessary with this foundation, which is a big plus. On the other hand, it performed well with primer too (I use Laura Mercier oil free). The foundation is kind of expensive but given it's medium-to-full coverage I think it will last me a while. If you're even remotely interested in this foundation, go ahead and try it. It's really great. Possibly HG.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Physicians Formula - Shimmer Strips Gel Creamliner (all)
echoluster 4/20/2010 11:50:00 PM
I just got the hazel set at CVS for 40% off and this is one of the best beauty buys I've made in a while. I'm going to go back and get the green, maybe the blue set as well. The texture is amazing, creamy yet pigmented. It just glides on the skin. It also has great staying power once it sets (and I didn't even use a primer, which I usually do owing to my oily eyelids). Even the brush isn't bad. It's so much easier to use than liquid eyeliner. For about 10 bucks, this is an amazing value. Hopefully Physicians Formula will come out with even more colors. This is a really great product.
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