Makeup Brushes -Quo - Powder Brush
ex0ticbarbie 12/8/2012 9:14:00 PM
I can't remember when I bought this brush, but I know that I have had it for at least 3-4 years. I bought it at Shoppers Drug Mart and I'm pretty sure I spent at least $20 CDN on it. This brush never shed its hairs, until very recently. When I'm doing my make-up, I usually have to pick 1-3 hairs off my face. The brush works ok in terms of its purpose and is not scratchy on my face, the problem I have with this brush is that the dye is constantly running. It still happens even after owning the brush for a couple of years. It doesn't run and leave dark marks on my face when I'm doing my make-up, it only runs after I washed my brush and left it on a paper towel to dry. The paper towel would be stained with a dark indigo color exactly where the brush head used to be. Because of that, I'm reluctant to use this brush and I'm on the lookout for a good quality powder brush that won't harm my wallet.
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Shampoo -Suave - Tropical Coconut Shampoo
ex0ticbarbie 8/11/2012 1:29:00 AM
Back when I was dying my hair with box dye from the drug store, I didn't really care about using higher end shampoos. I still cared about not having my hair color fade. When I was going on a tropical vacation, I decided to buy this shampoo because 1) I love the smell of coconuts and 2) it was really cheap! I was surprised at how well this shampoo worked for me. I have very thick, coarse and naturally curly hair and this shampoo did not cause any damage or make my hair dry. I used it during one vacation where I had dyed my hair burgundy just before I left and it definitely did not fade the red from my hair. I also used it during another vacation where I dyed my hair with jet black hair dye and it kept my hair color really black, bold and super shiny.
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Eye Shadow -NYX - Daffodil
ex0ticbarbie 7/6/2012 12:17:00 AM
I bought this eyeshadow based on the reviews I read on this site and the fact that I really wanted a nice, vibrant purple. I paid $7.99 for this at Rexall and have to say that I am EXTREMELY disappointed. I keep telling myself that I will never buy NYX eyeshadows again and I keep doing it. This will probably be the last time! I bought about 3 eyeshadows a while ago and was very disappointed with all of them. While the colors were absolutely gorgeous in the packaging, they did not show up at all! The same thing happened with this purple. I applied it and it BARELY showed up. I tried layering it and putting it on heavily and nothing! I am sooo mad. I really wanted this to work based on the great reviews, but unfortunately it doesn't. Application is great, there is no fall out however what's the point of buying an eyeshadow that makes it look as if I'm not even wearing eyeshadow? My skin is fair so it SHOULD show up, but doesn't. This honestly looks like the play make-up little girls wear when they play dress-up.
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Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - HiP Bright Duo - Flamboyant #538
ex0ticbarbie 7/4/2012 12:41:00 AM
The colors in this duo look so vibrant. I bought this duo primarily for the purple. I love wearing purple eyeshadows since they bring out the color of my eyes and look awesome with my skintone. This purple however was ridiculous. It was so sheer and gross. I'm pretty sure dollar store makeup would've been better quality. The gold was more vibrant, but not the best. What I really hate about the HiP eyeshadows are that they crease like crazy. I wear an eyeshadow primer and they still crease and just melt away. I would never repurchase anymore HiP eyeshadows. They are such a waste of money.
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Cleansers -La Roche Posay - Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser
ex0ticbarbie 7/4/2012 12:29:00 AM
Let me start of by saying that, for many many years, I have wasted a ton of money on products in an attempt to try to help my acne prone skin. I had perfect skin until I was about 16-17 years old and all of a sudden, my face turned into a horrible mess. I had started to develop huge cystic acne that were blue and dark purple in color, hyperpigmentation and deep acne scars. In addition, my face became ridiculously sensitive and would break out if it came into contact with anything it didn't like. Dermatologists would prescribe products that would severely dry out my skin and cause it to look very flaky and gross. Other products would react so badly to my skin that I ended up looking as if I burnt in a house fire. If a product didn't break me out, then it would leave my face feeling so dry and tight that it literally hurt to move my mouth. Anyway, enough of my history and onto my review. This is THE BEST cleanser I have ever used in my whole life. I have started to see a new dermatologist and God bless him, I finally found a doctor who actually cares about my skin and wants me to be happy. I also love the fact that he does not prescribe me millions of pills to take and then send me out the door. He recommended this cleanser to me and I know that from now on, this is the only cleanser I will ever use on my face. I started using this cleanser in April 2012 and have been using it everyday since. It makes my face feel so clean and fresh after using and does NOT leave me with that dreaded tight-skin feeling. It also takes off all of my make-up and foams up really nicely. I bought a 400ml bottle of this for $27 CDN plus tax (at his clinic).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Essence - get big lashes volume boost mascara
ex0ticbarbie 7/3/2012 11:47:00 PM
I bought this mascara at Shopper's Drug Mart for around $4. My tube is black with yellow and pink writing. I didn't really have high expectations for this mascara since it is so cheap. This mascara is very buildable but it doesn't deliver the dramatic thickness I'd want from a mascara. It is really dark and does not flake off or irritate my eyes. I use it on days when I don't care if my lashes look perfect. The brush is really big which I don't mind, it just means I have to be a bit careful when applying my mascara so that it does not get all over my eyelids. I do end up with some mascara underneath my bottom lashes, but I remove the excess mascara with a cotton swab and it comes right off. I use many coats of this since 1-2 coats is too natural looking for my taste. It is great when layered over another mascara, but on its own it's nothing special. I won't be repurchasing this since I only bought it to test it out and see what it's like.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies
ex0ticbarbie 7/3/2012 11:26:00 PM
This is an ok mascara. It is definitely buildable but I didn't think that it gave me what I was looking for. I have very long, but thin eyelashes and I always look for a mascara that will make my eyelashes look really thick. This mascara is really black (which I like) and it did extend the length of my lashes, but didn't do too much in terms of volume. The mascara didn't irritate my eyes or flake off which is a huge bonus for me. I absolutely can't stand the brush though. It is 'flexible' and to me feels very flimsy and as if it would break any second. I found that really awkward whenever I'd apply my mascara. The size of the brush was ok though.
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Polishes -China Glaze - Flip Flop Fantasy
ex0ticbarbie 6/24/2012 10:48:00 PM
I LOVE this color! This is the perfect summer color! I have gotten so many compliments on this polish that it's not even funny. I would say that this is a neon hot pink/coral color. It looks amazing with tanned skin and pale skin (it makes my pale skin look more tan which is a bonus!). Application is ok, it is opaque after 2 coats for me. Wear is not that great but I find that is a problem with all of my China Glaze neons. They tend to last a maximum of 3 days on me (with my OPI top coat) before it begins to chip. I don't even mind reapplying because this color is just so beautiful and fun. I also think it's great because I don't have to apply a white base coat to get this color to show up. I would definitely repurchase this!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Got 2 Be - Guardian Angel Heat Protect N' Flatten Flat Iron Balm and Gloss Finish
ex0ticbarbie 6/21/2012 11:51:00 AM
This is the worst product I have EVER used! I used to use the Got 2 Be blow dry lotion (in a black bottle) and it was amazing. It really protected my hair and made it feel so soft and silky. I have been looking for the same bottle and I couldn't find it so I decided to give this product a try. I have only used it once on my hair (I sprayed it on my dry hair right before flat ironing) and was really confused why my hair felt so disgusting afterwards. I had no clue it was this spray that was responsible for completely frying my hair and making it feel like a wiry nest! This product completely ruined my hair - I am SO mad. I have been flat ironing my hair for YEARS and have never experienced such damage. The damage is so bad that I will probably have to cut off several inches of my hair! :(
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Bronzers -Bourjois - Delice de Poudre
ex0ticbarbie 5/22/2012 3:32:00 PM
When I first bought this bronzer, like some other reviewers, I was unaware that it came in different shades. It was in a clearance bin at my local Shopper's Drug Mart and only cost $2. Previously I had been using a bronzer by Cover FX that a Beauty Advisor had recommended to me, but didn't like it since I thought it was too dark and orange for my skin. I have fair skin, but even though I am fair, I am still darker than most people with fair skin. My skin also has a yellowish-olive tint to it. When I tan naturally, I always tend to go golden and never brown so that is why self-tanners and bronzers that are golden-looking are always the best for me. This bronzer is amazing! I love the smell and it applies like a dream. It has never given me that dreaded muddy-looking or orange face and it is definitely buildable. It looks extremely natural too. When I went to Cuba, my body got extremely tanned and my face didn't get as dark so I layered this bronzer over my foundation until it matched my body. Nobody ever questioned me whether I was wearing make-up and thought that the tan was real! The reason why I also love this bronzer is because it has NEVER EVER broken out my super sensitive, acne prone skin. I have been using this bronzer every single day since summer of 2011 and it has not even hit the bottom of the pan yet. I would DEFINITELY repurchase this, even at its regular price!
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Nails -Essie - Blanc
ex0ticbarbie 3/26/2012 1:23:00 AM
I have been looking for this nail polish everywhere since I was really in the mood for "white out" colored nails. I had a hard time finding this and finally found it at a local beauty supply for around $6.75. The polish is the exact color I was expecting - a true "white out" white. However, I was never actually able to wear this color because of several issues I was having with it. First of all, it is extremely streaky and requires about 2-3 coats to look opaque. Second, it takes FOREVER to dry. Third, even after waiting for so long for it to dry, my nails still have that gummy feeling to them and if I accidently knock my nails into something or something gets on them, the nail polish is completely ruined. I like doing my nails but I have absolutely no patience for this polish. I think I would have to wait at least an hour for it to completely dry and not become ruined.
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Fragrances -Calvin Klein - Euphoria
ex0ticbarbie 3/26/2012 1:19:00 AM
This is an amazing perfume! I received it as a gift for my birthday and have gotten so many compliments on it. I can't describe the scent - I would definitely say there's a floral note in there, but I can't really describe what other notes I can smell. All I can say is that this perfume is super mysterious and sexy. It is perfect for a night out. I would definitely wear this during the summer, since this has more of a warm weather feel to it.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Total Face Brush
ex0ticbarbie 1/25/2012 7:21:00 PM
I bought this brush at the dollar store. I use it for applying pressed power and loose powder over my foundation. I have honestly never experienced any problems with this brush. It doesn't shed at all and I find that my Quo brush actually sheds a lot more even though it cost 20 times more. I also washed it many times and did not have any problems with it shedding then or the actual brush coming off of the handle. It does not feel scratchy at all when I am applying my product. For $1 it exceeded my expectations and I'm really happy with it.
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Polishes -OPI - Up Front and Personal
ex0ticbarbie 1/23/2012 6:32:00 PM
This is such a beautiful color! It is a light, pale champagne-gold color with a bit of shimmer. The shimmer is not too obvious, immature or childish at all. Two coats of this polish and it is very opaque. I hate polishes that require a million coats to look opaque *cough*ChinaGlaze*cough*. Although you can still see a bit of your fingernail line underneath it, it is not obvious at all and you really have to look hard to see it. The polish is not streaky at all and lasts for days without any chipping. OPI really is amazing! I bought this nailpolish to wear for my graduation pictures. The color looks really classy and I think wearing a coat of this would be appropriate even for work.
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Polishes -China Glaze - Mrs. Claus
ex0ticbarbie 12/13/2011 8:47:00 PM
I LOVE this nailpolish! This is definitely jelly-like opposed to being like normal polish. I decided to wear this to a corporate Christmas party just to give me a fun, festive look. I applied it over OPI Red and used about 2 coats. This toned down the brightness of the OPI Red but gave me such an amazing look. It is definitely shimmery, but not immature. When the light catches it, it looks simply amazing! It is also not that gritty. Some glitter polishes actually make my nails feel like sandpaper. This one makes them feel a little rough, but not bad at all. I didn't apply a topcoat over this and it has lasted me about 3-4 days so far without any chipping. I'm not sure what this polish looks like when I apply it alone, but with a red base underneath, it is gorgeous!
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