Self Tanners -Banana Boat - Airbrush Self-Tanner with Instant Bronzer
fasab88 4/2/2013 4:34:00 PM
I have been using this for the last week in place of the L'Oreal spray I previously used. The L'Oreal one goes on quite orange in some spots and is hardly noticeable in others (I do the usual shower, shave, heavy exfoliate beforehand). This one has it's pros & cons. The color pay off is great for medium skin. It's a nice olive-bronze color. The initial scent is meh..kind of off-putting with the weird citrus scent. It reminds me of Lemoncello (the lemon liquor) or lemon head candies...which I don't like. The after-tan scent isn't as bad or unbearable really. Also, it takes quite a long time to dry. I hate having to hold my arms out & stand in front of a fan naked for 15 minutes waiting for it to dry. But despite the cons I will continue to use it because the color is natural on my skin type & it lasts about 5-7 days. It also has minimal visible 'scaling' on my skin.
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Liquid -Rimmel - Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation
fasab88 4/2/2013 4:20:00 PM
I am in love with this foundation for so many reasons. I picked one up in every shade for my kit after I purchased one for myself. The shade ranges are a little skimpy, it could use a few darker shades (it's disappointing). As for the pros: - the price is ridiculously cheap for a great formula. It was around $7. - the container is very convenient. Just squeeze a bit out. It keeps everything clean, controls the amount you deposit at once. - the coverage is fantastic, a small amount goes a long way. I use about a dime sized amount for full coverage of my entire face. - it truly lasts ALL day. I put it on in the morning, set it with powder & I stay completely matte all day. There is hardly any oxidizing that's noticeable. It also doesn't separate on my nose like other long-lasting foundations do. Cons: - the shade range lacks a lot of necessary shades. Also, the typical shade names aren't true to the actual shade as it's applied. Darker shades apply lighter on the skin as well. For example, Ivory is quite a dark pink undertone, that's almost leaning towards beige. Thankfully I bought all the shades, so I just mix them together to create a perfect shade. Overall, it's an awesome foundation with an amazing formula. You can't beat it for the price I don't think.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skin Finish Natural - Medium Plus
fasab88 1/23/2013 1:51:00 PM
I love this face powder. I apply it to set my foundation, it makes the foundation look perfect. It has a perfect amount of covering power that a powder should have. It looks smooth, never cakey or dusty. I love it. However, I'm really really hoping this isnt the product thats been causing me to break out. I will be SO upset if I had to cut this out of my face routine. But I have a feeling this may be it. I always have had a little bit of an issue with mineral products.
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Concealers -NYX - HD Photogenic Concealer Wand
fasab88 1/15/2013 2:06:00 PM
I was pleasantly surprised by this concealer. Lately with my lack of sleep my usual Maybelline undereye concealer wasn't cutting it. I use this over my foundation under my eyes. It blends out perfectly & covers everything. It gives a totally flawless look. I love it for the price, you can't beat it. I use the shade "Glow" (or Glowing...one of those). It doesn't crease if it's set with a powder. It comes in great shade ranges. It even has a purple, green, and yellow toned concealer which is hard to find. Overall, I love it. I'll repurchase for sure.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter - 080 Strawberry Shortcake
fasab88 1/9/2013 2:45:00 PM
This is probably one of my favorite pink lip colors. I tend to have a bit of an issue wearing baby pink colors. Opaque lipsticks in lighter pink shades can make me look very stripper-esqe. Which is unfortunate because I love them. This bubblegum pink shade however is perfect. It's not too sheer, yet not totally opaque. It glides on like buttttter - as the name suggests. It's a nice bright pop appropriate for every day wear. The packaging is awesome for this line, I love how the color of the lipstick is the cover. It's just a too friggin cute of a color, get it :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Revlon - ColorStay Aqua Mineral Makeup
fasab88 1/3/2013 12:38:00 PM
I bought this the other day, didn't really read into it - but my local Rite Aid had a buy 1 get one half off on Colorstay products. I am a huge fan of the Colorstay foundations (the liquid & the whipped), but I have never used a powder or mineral powder from the line, so I figured what the hell. I used it the first time in place of my usual MSF. When I first put it on my kabuki brush and patted it on my face, I stopped...looked at the brush & thought to myself, how did I get this wet? I felt it --- nope, definitely dry. Put on some more product and again - wet?.... I dipped my finger in the powder and ran it against the back of my hand...felt dry? After explaining the total (excuse my language) mind f*ck I experienced, I'd like to say that this is the single most mind blowingly strange product I've ever used. I don't know what it is, for some reason I don't trust it though. Reminds me of the Starburst commercial "Solid yet juicy". With that being said; beyond the initial 'cooling' sensation when applying it, it's just a normal loose powder. Nothing special. I won't buy it again because I more than likely will not use it enough to go through it.
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Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup
fasab88 12/14/2012 12:08:00 PM
I really wanted to like this foundation, I really did. Yes, it is beautifully luminescent. Yes the packaging is adorable *and handy - with the pump & all*. But it fell short with me. I have normal skin with dry spots (corrected before application with moisturizer), and no acne. My skin has slight discolorations of pink on my cheeks that are easily covered by foundation alone. I have the foundation in C3 (I am Revlon ColorStay #180 Sand Beige to-a-tee) and applied 2 and a half pumps of foundation (runny, light consistency) with a dampened face brush, it spread out so easily that it was like I was wearing a tinted moisturizer. On the areas without any discolorations, it applied evenly and gave my skin a glowing look. However, on my nose, cheeks, and chin, you could still very obviously see the pink tones underneath. So I applied the remainder of the foundation left over on my hand with a cosmetic sponge. With some finesse I finagled the foundation to get more coverage. I generally let my foundation dry for about 15 minutes while I do my eye makeup, then when I'm done I set it with a powder (MSF Natural in Medium Plus) with a large kabuki in a VERY light patting motion. And whattayaknow, the pink came back after drying completely. I will say, the finish however, is quite nice if you don't need a full coverage foundation. The luminous finish is subtle (no glitter) and flattering in the winter months. The staying power isn't all that great; pack a powder to bring with you if you plan to wear it all day. Overall, I don't want to bash this foundation for what it does not claim to be; it's not a full coverage foundation. I am a Revlon ColorStay & Kat Von D Lock It foundation LOVER; and this just ISN'T that type of foundation. I apply those foundations and leave the house feeling confident that when I return my face will look the same as it did when I left; I don't even think about bringing a powder with me. This one keeps me guessing, if it rains will my face slide off? (I live in Seattle --- this is a valid fear) I will continue to use this foundation on days when I don't want full coverage (hardly ever...unless I'm going to the gas station or taking out the trash), and when I go to the gym. It's very light & comfortable feeling, but it just ain't my cup of tea!
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Super Lustrous - Black Cherry
fasab88 12/12/2012 11:38:00 AM
This has become one of my favorite lipsticks of ALL my lipsticks. I am so head-over-heels for this lipstick it's sickening (only because I can't wear it every single day). It's my HG lipstick. It is SUPER vampy, flattering, deep dark red color with purple. It's one of those colors that you put on and instantly feel amazing. It ties neutral eyes together and makes your lips the ultimate focus point. I get a lot of those comments where people stop me and say "HOLY CRAP WHATS ON YOUR LIPS?!" and then once I tell them, it's usually followed by "I could never pull that off". But I feel like everybody could, the color is so flattering. The formula is great to be expected, as it is in all Revlon Super Lustrous colors. You should get it - it's amazing. Worth the money, I'll always have a soft spot for my Black Cherry lipstick.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles
fasab88 11/2/2012 1:12:00 PM
I will start this review by first saying: I have an addiction to under-eye concealers. I apply a big fat layer from the sides of my nose up to my temple. Most concealers don't work well when applied in this way (understably..I understand "less is more", I chose to ignore this)... Until I found this concealer. I passed it endless times in the drug store thinking to myself "look at that stupid sponge; let me guess, another 'ground breaking discovery in cosmetic application!'"... Maybelline had a sale, and I figured I'd try it out after I saw the shade ranges. I picked up the Neutralizer which is a yellow-beige 'corrector' tone. It was my loss for overlooking it due to it's sponge; I could have been using this months before if I hadn't been so judgmental! First off, the sponge is awesome, yes...freakin groundbreaking. It is so precise for such a cute puffy little thing. Great for gliding it in the highlight V then lightly blending out with a damp sponge. Easily build-able for unbeatable coverage - it's so light & comfortable to wear, yet so pigmented. The neutralizer shade is great great for under eye circles, it looks so bright yet natural over my foundation. I loved this product so much, that I bought the Brighten shade as well, I put that bad boy under my foundation, then the neutralizer on top (scary amount, I know..it's all in the blending, I promise my under eyes aren't blinding in direct sunlight.), I have gotten a bunch of compliments on simply 'MY complexion' since I started wearing this..if only they knew. As for downsides; YES it will settle into fine lines..like all concealers; but it's so light it just takes a tap of a finger to blend it back out. Set it with a translucent powder and you're good to go for the entire day. Also, it is not entirely effective on blemishes, I use a cream concealer for that purpose. But for something clearly labeled under eye concealer, it is efficient in it's intended use. Also..forgot to mention this; for some reason it burns when you apply it, but then after you blend it, the burning goes right away?? I find myself rushing for a sponge to blend and put out the flames; I don't have sensitive skin & this has never happened to me before. I googled it and there is something in the 'Age Rewind' formula that is harmless & common and therefore not too unpleasant for me to give it up. Overall, I love it. I've repurchased 3x since I bought it. I'm officially a chubby-sponge-applicator-concealer addict. I recommend it :)
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - ColorBurst in 070 Soft Nude [DISCONTINUED]
fasab88 10/24/2012 6:57:00 PM
I recently purchased this lipstick in search of a true nude for me to wear when my eyes are very dark. I LOVE this lipstick shade! Usually I get the Revlon Super Lustrous lipsticks, but I this shade and decided to give it a shot. It's much more moisturizing than their other shades, it gives an excelent sheen on the lips. The color is a very nice peachy-nude, that provides the nude lip without the 'dead' look some more matte nudes give without gloss. I started the day with the Revlon Colorburst in Bronze Shimmer gloss over it, but switched to just the lipstick and it looks very glossy & flattering without a gloss. As for cons; it doesn't have the staying power as the Super Lustrous line, but makes up for it with the nice creamy texture. Also, I noticed there isn't much product. The product inside is shorter than a standard lipstick. I can see myself going through this much quicker than another lipstick. Overall; I reccomend it. It's a fair price for a drugstore lipstick, it's moisturizing and a very flattering nude color. It will definitely be my go-to every day lipstick (aside from the incredible Fairest Nude by L'Oreal)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Cover Girl - lip perfection/entwined
fasab88 10/22/2012 1:50:00 PM
I have been trying to broaden the range of colors I have for lipsticks, and in my search for a deep, eggplant shade I came across Entwined by Cover Girl. The bottom of the lipstick looks like it fits that description. But when I put it on, it's far more of a dark grape color than egglant. The bottom looks like it has a red undertone, but it's definitely a straight purple color. It's still beautiful, but I don't think it's true to the color swatch. It's definitely a brighter toned pure purple. The texture is dry feeling, not nearly as enjoyable to wear as the Revlon lipsticks. Overall, I'm not a fan, I have colors VERY similar to this (usually with a berry name). If you are looking for a grape color that can transfer into multiple seasons, this is a good choice, but for a vampy fall color; this isn't it.
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Liquid -Kat Von D - Lock-It
fasab88 10/15/2012 3:03:00 PM
While in Sephora, I was debating picking up another MUF HD foundation (which I have a love-hate relationship with), and the Kat Von D lock it foundation was right next to it. It first caught my eye because of the sleek container. It's in a glossy container with a silver/black design on it and a unique silver button like pump. I swatched the two foundations in my shade, and the Kat Von D immediately impressed me. The MUF is quite runny (the oils seperating from the pigments and staying on the top of your skin like an oil slick) even if you shake it a bit. Where the Kat Von D was a great creamy consistency. Once I blended it out, I noticed despite its thick texture, it still blended out like a liquid foundation would. There are a great selection of shades (especially in the medium range, where there are multiple shades containing different undertones). It's also definitely a fair price of $34. I chose it over the MUF HD and used it the following morning. It applied like a DREAM with a slightly damp beauty blender (dry sponges, or brushes, make it a tad more difficult to blend evenly, as it is moderately thick). It's definitely a full coverage foundation, virtually erasing any discolorations and leaving you with a perfect complexion. The finish has a matte feeling, yet still has some luminosity. It literally leaves your face feeling soft, and gives you a noticeable glow. For a thick foundation, it has a very natural feel & look to it. Once I set it with a translucent powder, applied my contour and blush, I left for my full work day. When I came home, there wasn't any separation on my nose which tends to happen, and my t-zone was still matte *no touch ups through the day*. Overall, it's a great foundation that sticks to what it claims; it is full coverage, it is long wearing, it does create a perfect canvas! I will reccomend it, and I will definitely be repurchasing.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Bonne Bell - Lip Lites
fasab88 8/10/2012 11:39:00 AM
What's not to love about these lip glosses? They're super cheap, they're a quick and easy, flattering lip gloss for every day use. Sure, they don't stay on like a MAC or NARS gloss, but they taste and smell so delicious I don't care how many times I have to reapply them. Whenever I'm at Wallmart I always swing by to see if there are any colors (or rather, flavors) I want to try. My favorites are Caramel Latte (a nude colored shimmer - usually worn on it's own), Strawberry Parfait (a milky pink - usually used over a tea rose or primrose lipstick for extra pop), and Metallic Mocha (similar to Caramel Latte with a bit more color - usually worn over Fairest Nude or similar lipstick). Like I said before, they aren't comparable to a long wearing, high pigment lipgloss, they're just a fun shimmery gloss that you won't mind swiping on throughout the day. They're always in my purse, and they're virtually unbeatable to wear on a date --- they will be surprised when your kiss tastes like a chocolate cake ;)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
fasab88 7/9/2012 3:34:00 PM
I have been an avid Revlon Colorstay Liquid foundation user (the normal/dry #180 Sand Beige) for years. I have tried all sorts of other foundations -- drugstore & department brands. Nothing ever really compared when it came down to performance for the price. I saw this at CVS and decided to pick it up to give it a try; I haven't ever been disappointed by the Colorstay collection. I've never experienced a breakout while using the line, they stay put, and I love that you can build it up to a full coverage without looking cakey. I have to say... this cream version is better! First off -- it is MUCH more convenient to use. The liquid foundation has always been messy (put the pump on the bottle already Revlon!) and sometimes can take a bit to dry. This cream foundation uses considerably less product for a better coverage. It dries quickly, creating a matte look that lasts. I also haven't had to use as much setting powder in order for it to stay throughout my work day. I have gotten compliments on my complexion since I've started using it because the coverage is great, as to be expected. I add a tiny squirt of primer to it, mixing it up on the back of my hand, then I use a cream foundation brush (Real Techniques expert face brush) and the results are unbeatable. Overall, give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -The Body Shop - Vitamin E Cleansing Cream
fasab88 6/25/2012 12:28:00 PM
I started using this product due to over exfoliating with drugstore salicylic acid products when I was experiencing a break out. I don't have acne prone skin at all, and rarely experience more than one or two pimples at one time, so I knew something was up. It turns out the acne products had caused painful cystic acne due to trapped oil. My mother (an esthetician) reccomended I use something to replenish the mositure to my face, something gentle & nourishing. So I stumbled across this set at Ulta. I have been using the cream cleanser, toner, and mositure cream together for about two weeks or so. It completely (and I mean COMPELTELY) deminished all of my acne, my face is completely clear & frankly, has never looked better. Not only has it cleared all of my acne, but it also significantly evened my skin tone (which was patchy and red due to the exfoliation). This cleanser is very gentle, it almost feels like you're rubbing straight cream into your skin. I massage it in until it feels like there's nothing left. I had to get used to a nonlathering face wash, but now I don't think I'll go back. After using it, my skin feels so soft and mositurized without the greasy feeling. So over all: Pros - gentle, immediate feeling of moisture to the skin, adds unbeatable softness to dry areas without making skin greasy. It feels luxerious & pampering, and it's affordable. Cons - when you're not used to a facial cleanser that lathers up, it can be an adjustment. I highly reccomend this for people with dry or combination skin, it works wonders.
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