Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
escebola 6/25/2012 10:57:00 AM
My skin is too oily and I wear far too much makeup to use this as a face cleanser/makeup remover. However, I started using it to cleanse my baby daughter's body after finding out regular baby body wash was too harsh on her delicate skin and was leaving her with nasty red bumpy areas. Enter Cetaphil and her skin is now as it's supposed to be: baby soft! Also, it comes with a pump, which makes it easy to aply sole-handedly while trying to hold your baby in the tub. Only for that, I'd repurchase again until my daughter's skin is ready for another product.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
escebola 6/25/2012 10:52:00 AM
With over 5,000 reviews uploaded, there's not much left to say about this product. It's a colorless matte primer which make eyeshadow last all day long without creasing, even if your eyelids are oil-town like mine. I'm not a fan of the applicator. I prefer the Too Faced Shadow Insurance method of applying and spreading with your finger, it's gentler in my opinion. But it's just that: a metter of opinion. The product itself is great and I alternate between this and the TFSI, as I have various tubes at home. Will repurchase forever.
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Eye Shadow -Make Up For Ever - Aqua Cream 13 - Warm Beige
escebola 3/1/2012 11:01:00 AM
I only own 2 aqua creams: number 15 (gorgeous taupey/brown shade) and number 13, which is a warm champagney shade. I really like the color as well as the fact that it is very long lasting. Admittedly, it is tricky to work with, but practice makes perfect. What really brings this shadow's rating down to 3 lippies and make me refuse to buy this product again (or use it up, for what it matters) is the extreme glitter going on with this shadow. Hello glitterbomb. It reminds me of a warmer shade of MAC Bare Study paint pot (which is shimmery, but nowhere as glittery as this). However, I love number 15, the darker brown shade.
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Lip Gloss -Aveda - Lip Glaze in Kamara Fruit
escebola 1/20/2011 8:25:00 AM
I received this lip gloss in a swap and, at first, I didn't pay much attention to it, now I'm obsessed with it! I only own 2 Aveda glosses. Both of them have a minty cooling effect, which only lasts for a few minutes. Other than that, no overpowering taste or smell. The color is a shimmery neutral. It's sheer, but capable enough of somewhat toning down my natural lip color, leaving a champagney/goldish shimmer (very subtle, not at all sparkly). I love to use on top of l/s like MAC Tanarama for a shimmery nude lip, or with any other shade, applied in the middle of my lower lip, to make it appear more full. When applied alone, it's a step up from using clear lipgloss, it'll make lips look more polished and shophisticated. It has a doe foot applicator that performs well. I'm very pleased with this gloss (as with the other Aveda one I own) so I'd repurchase it when I finish it up.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline
escebola 1/18/2011 7:54:00 AM
I love how intensely pigmented this black kohl is, and that it's creamy and glides on like a dream, both on lids and on waterline. However, I can't get past the fact that it smudges on me like no other kohl I own (MUFE's aqualine pencil, or Revlon Colorstay). It'll actually give me raccoon eyes after an hour of application! I guess this could be solved by applying a bit of carbon e/s on top of the liner, but who wants to be bothered? I'd rather use blacktrack fluidline and be done in half the amount of time! For me, cons are stronger than pros, so although I won't be throwing it away, i wouldn't repurchase it again.
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Primer/ Corrector -L'Oreal - Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base
escebola 9/17/2010 6:38:00 AM
Right now this is my fave primer. My goal is to smooth ot my skin, hide pores and eliminate shine. And this it does very well, and for a fraction of the price of other more expensive alternatives I've also tried: Lancome, Nars, Giorgio Armani. My other fave one is Clinique Pore Refiner, but the L'Oreal one gives a more airbrushed appearance. I apply it with my fingers. The jar is a bit unsanitary, as I have to stick my finger in it (can't bother myself with using a scoop, etc) but oh well, it's just me using it. My fndt goes on more smoothly when I use this primer, but I'm not sure if it lasts longer. I use longwear fndts to begin with. This does not control oil for me, my oilies will manage to make it through any layers of MU I've applied. It just eliminates shine, which I have even when my face is freshly cleansed and gives me a matter finish (although not dull) for a bit longer than any other primer I've tried. Will def. buy again! EDIT 5 november 2010: this is now my HG primer and probably one of the most important steps in my MU routine. I can truly see a difference if I don't use this primer, my skin looks so much worse.
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Concealers -MAC - Pro Longwear concealer
escebola 9/17/2010 6:08:00 AM
This is a fluid concealer, which I like better than hard-as-rock Laura Mercier stuff, or certain pasty concelaers, which are hard to blend and/or settle into fine lines. This goes on smoothly and disappears into my skin, without drying or caking. Also, no breakouts from this (I've been using it for a couple of weeks now). It comes in a glass vial with a pump dispenser. Be careful when pumping, a lot of product comes out. Which I don't mind cause I use concealer not only under my eyes, but also on other parts of my face. A reviewver below has suggested to collect extra product in a small jar and using it in the next few applications, so that you don't waste it. Worth taking note of. I've applied this with a brush and also with my fingertips. As it is a fluid concealer, it is easy to apply either way. MAC has a broad choice of shades, so I guess most people will find one that'll suit them. As for lasting powder, it does stay on without budging (I apply liquid fndt and/or powder on top, that may help, too). All in all, I'm extremely pleased with this concealer, and would def. repurchase. It's probably my fave out of all MAC concealers I've tried before (the ones that come in the squeezable tube, are difficult to blend and settle into fine lines; the one in the glass jar, are too greasy and slippery, I find that they don't last on me; the stick concealer is nice for travelling, but it's not my preferred way of applying concealer).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Hipness- fafi collection
escebola 9/2/2010 8:14:00 AM
I purchased this blush with the Fafi collection and completely forgot about it for months. After seeing swatches for the To The Beach Collection, I fished it out of the back of a drawer and has been my go to blush all summer long. It is a pinky coral shade, with finely milled gold shimmer (the kind that, if any, will give you the faintest sheen or glow: there are no chunks of glitter here). It's not overly pigmented, but it's also biuldable, so you can go for a subtle effect or pack it on for a more dramatic result (at least for me: for reference, I'm a NC25-ish). I love to top my Nars Turks and Caicos Multiple Tint with a light dusting of this blush, enhancing the tint and sealing it, so that it will last all day long on my cheeks. I'm answering yes to the Q about if I'd repurchase (if it is ever repromoted) but bear in mind that this is not the most unique shade out there, so not to worry if you've missed out on it. PS: prefer the To the beach packaging to the Fafi one, but I'm not too picky about that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NARS - The Multiple in Turks and Caicos
escebola 9/2/2010 7:48:00 AM
(There's another review on this same product under "Turks and Caicos Multiple Tint") I learned about Nars LE Multiple Tints quite late. Actually, I had to hunt down one of the few tubes that were still available where I live (don't care for ordering online if at all possible: I want my items asap once I decide to buy them!) Now I wish I had bought a backup of this one and/or tried one of the other 2 shades that came out. This is a "hard gel" consistency tint (reminds me of Tart tints, but it's far less sticky) which comes in a tube that very much looks like a regular Nars multiple. I've seen it apply with a foundation brush, but I'd rather run it over my cheeks and then lightly spread with my fingertips (I'm the only one using this product, though). I believe there are tuts on youtube demonstrating how to apply this product. This particular share looks scary orange in the tube, but shows on my cheek as a very flattering pinky-peach shade (I'm surprised by the amount of pink I get; not complaining, though: straight apricot/peach looks weird on me). You can build up the shade if you're not satisfied with dragging it just once over your cheekbone. This feels lighter than a regular cream blush and, for me, it's much easier to apply. As for the staying power, I'm pretty satisfied. Especially if I top it with a light dusting of MAC Hipness blush (I think I could use many other shades: it's just that Hipness is my staple go to shade right now). Then I'm 100% sure that my blush won't budge, and that's pretty amazing to me, since, on account of my very oily skin, blush will inevitably melt off my face after a certain number of hours. All in all, I really like this product, it is close to HG status for me now and, if I could, I'd def. repurchase it and try other shades.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NARS - The Multiple in Turks and Caicos
escebola 9/2/2010 7:47:00 AM
I learned about Nars LE Multiple Tints quite late. Actually, I had to hunt down one of the few tubes that were still available where I live (don't care for ordering online if at all possible: I want my items asap once I decide to buy them!) Now I wish I had bought a backup of this one and/or tried one of the other 2 shades that came out. This is a "hard gel" consistency tint (reminds me of Tart tints, but it's far less sticky) which comes in a tube that very much looks like a regular Nars multiple. I've seen it apply with a foundation brush, but I'd rather run it over my cheeks and then lightly spread with my fingertips (I'm the only one using this product, though). I believe there are tuts on youtube demonstrating how to apply this product. This particular share looks scary orange in the tube, but shows on my cheek as a very flattering pinky-peach shade (I'm surprised by the amount of pink I get; not complaining, though: straight apricot/peach looks weird on me). You can build up the shade if you're not satisfied with dragging it just once over your cheekbone. This feels lighter than a regular cream blush and, for me, it's much easier to apply. As for the staying power, I'm pretty satisfied. Especially if I top it with a light dusting of MAC Hipness blush (I think I could use many other shades: it's just that Hipness is my staple go to shade right now). Then I'm 100% sure that my blush won't budge, and that's pretty amazing to me, since, on account of my very oily skin, blush will inevitably melt off my face after a certain number of hours. All in all, I really like this product, it is close to HG status for me now and, if I could, I'd def. repurchase it and try other shades.
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Blush -NARS - Douceur
escebola 8/2/2010 5:53:00 AM
I'm a fan of Nars blushes AND neutral/nude shades. This new shade had to be a winner, I knew it before I bought it, cause it's both! I just purchased it and it hasn't disappointed me at all! It's a beautiful beigy-pink, absolutely work safe. The color is almost identical to one of my favorite everyday blushes: Shu Uemura's P Amber 84, which I use not only on my cheeks but also on my eyes, to define my crease. I believe it's matte (at least, it won't leave any shimmer on your cheeks). The texture is superb, as with all Nars blushes: not chalky at all. And the lasting power is great, too. The packaging is the same as always (black rubber compact, with a huge mirror), although it has Nars written on the actual blush itself. When I first saw a picture, I thought this would look tacky (it reminded me of some awful fakes that you may still find in ebay, where the blush has "Nars" cheaply engraved in the product) but it does look nice upclose, actually. This is a limited edition, or so it says on the box. I've heard that Nars' LE products stay around for a long time, though. Would def. repurchase!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Allure
escebola 9/14/2009 12:20:00 PM
It might be my skin tone, but this color doesn't really show up on me unless I pack on 3+ coats, in which case it's a really pale nude color (almost white). However, it does unify your natural nail tone and imparts the most beautiful glass-like shine: 2 coats give you that perfect polished look, a little bit more put together than just using plain top coat; very work appropriate. It would also be a great color to use for a french manicure. I give it 3 lippies because the color is a bit booooring and I don't reach for it that often (I prefer other polishes) but I'd def. repurchase if I ran out!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Coastal Scents - 28 Neutral Palette
escebola 8/28/2009 8:41:00 PM
I normally wear neutral shades, so I was eager to have a few more shades to play around with. I bought this palette off ebay (much cheaper than Coastal Scents). The palette is made out of plastic, reminds me of a MAC eyeshadow palette. Haven't had it for long, so I don't know if it'll break to pieces any time soon. The shades are nice (although there are a few that look very much alike...) quite a few colors to play with and you have matte, shimmery and glittery textures. As for the shadows' quality... I paid only a few euros for this, so I don't expect the greatest of quality. That being said, there are a few shades that are EXTREMELY chalky. They crumble under the slighest of pressures from my brush. As for the pigmentation, this also varies from shade to shade. But you can create some beautiful looks using this palette. The biggest problem is that, even applied over a base (TFSI), they fade out within a couple of hours. I don't think I can use this for work and expect it to last until the and of the day. I wouldn't even imagine using this for bridal mu, as many times suggested here and on youtube. It wouldn't even make it through the So, all in all, I think the quality is just what you pay for, my biggest problem being the short lasting power. So, although I'm not sorry for buying this (cheap!) I wouldn't buy it again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Kevyn Aucoin - The Pure Powder Glow in Dolline (Apricot)
escebola 8/13/2009 4:38:00 AM
Dolline is a gorgeous peach matte blush, which will gives me a fresh and awaken complexion any time I use it. Although it is matte, it's doesn't leave a chalky or powdery finish on your cheeks. The package is sleek and has a big mirror. The brush it comes along with is nice to reapply on the go. I'll use another brush if I'm at home or have my MU brushes with me, but for a quick fix one I'm out of the door, the one that comes in the compact will do. It is a pricey blush and it's difficult to find where I live, but I'd def. repurchase if I run out.
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Polishes -Sephora - brownie
escebola 1/29/2009 5:13:00 PM
This shades belongs to the multi-action nail polish range. It's supposed to be hardening, stengthening & smoothing. I can't confimr or deny any of this, cause I haven't used it for that long. I just wanted to say that this is a beautiful cream dark true brown shade. The first coat wasn't enough (mind you, I'm not an expert polish user) but after two coats the finish is creamy and opaque. The lasting power is ok, so I'd def. repurchase this.
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