Polishes -Sally Hansen - salon effects
floofinator 4/7/2012 2:50:00 PM
I love these nail appliques. I used to be obsessed with nail polish, changing my nail colour up to once a day, and owning hundreds and hundreds of bottle of nail polish. But--it was a lot of work, prepping, painting, drying, removing...it became too much. I got lazy and stopped painting my nails especially after I finished school. My nails started to weaken when there was nothing on top to protect them, and I hated seeing the unsightly yellow colour of my nails from too nail colour changes. One day, I decided to try these nail appliques, even though I would've never imagined using them 1-2 years before (I saw it as cheating...) The first time I used these it took me forever to apply them. You peel off the top clear protective film, then the bottom film protecting the adhesive, and place them on each finger. It was a mess the first time because I wasn't used to it. There were folds in the strip and I couldn't get to the edge of my nails. But, they did last a long time, almost up to the 10 days before I noticed any significant signs of wear. I'm on my 5th pack now, 3 months since I've started using these, and I'm getting really good at the application part. I've managed to find a perfect match in terms of the strip shape for each of my fingers, and I no longer get folds in the strip when applying. I can cover the entire nail completely, and I'm a lot faster now at applying these (maybe 1 hour from removing the previous pattern to being completely finished, including the time it takes to file my nails). My last design lasted me THREE weeks. Yes, three. I did have some serious nail growth and some tip wear, but since it was a pattern with white in it, you couldn't really tell. I've received so many compliments on my nails (more than when I was painting them myself), and everyone wants to know how I got these cool patterns. I wear these for over the 10 days it claims to last, and my nails always still look great when I remove them. They rarely chip like real polish, although they do wear down at the tip and sometimes get tiny little cracks towards the end of their life. They come in a variety of patterns, and I hope Sally Hansen continues to make more. They are pricey at about $8-$10 a pack, but since I can get 2-3 weeks of wear, I think they're worth it because I don't have time to paint my nails anymore (or wait for them to dry) and I don't like having other people doing my nails. I will continue to repurchase again and again, and have considered wearing the plain baby pink one (Tu Tu Much) for my wedding. With actual nail polish, no matter the brand of base/top coat I use, the polish tends to chip on the 3rd/4th day, and I don't want to be painting my nails so close to the wedding day (no time). With these nail appliques I can do them a few days before and be sure that they will still look perfect on the big day and after when we go on our honeymoon!
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Clear Mascara
floofinator 4/6/2012 11:31:00 AM
I use clear mascara when I am working in the field. You can't tell I have makeup but this still helps separate my lashes and makes them a little darker. I don't use this for holding a curl as it just weighs my lashes down, but I have found the perfect use for it--eyebrow gel! Defines my brows and makes them look perfect. I have had the same tube for years (it lasts that long) and will repurchase soon for hygienic purposes...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Chanel - hydramax + active nutrition lip care
floofinator 3/18/2012 10:41:00 PM
I'm a huge fan of Chanel products. I love their nail polish, lip gloss, and especially their fashion accessories. This product was disappointing and overpriced. I'm not sure what is so special about it...it felt nice when my lips were dry and needed some moisture but now that they're normal (from religious application of balm and using lip polish), I feel like this product does nothing special to keep my lips hydrated. If anything, I feel like after a few minutes it dries on my lips and makes them even more dry... The scent is pleasant but irritates my throat if I ingest any by accident (just licking my lips does the trick). The pot is kind of unsanitary and while the packaging screams Chanel and is luxurious, it's also bulky and inconvenient. There are similar lip balms out there for a much lower price. There is a lot of product and will probably last a very long time, but I definitely will not repurchase in the future and save the $$ for something else Chanel!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Arbonne - Makeup Primer / Base de Maquillage
floofinator 3/18/2012 10:35:00 PM
I have never heard of the Arbonne brand before until an independent consultant came knocking on my door. Out of all the products she left me to try, this is the only I tried (all others were anti-aging products, and I'm 23...) I rarely used a primer before but this felt nice on my skin and made makeup application smoother (especially concealer). After using this for awhile and sampling other primers out there, I really see what a difference this primer makes. My makeup lasts all day long, and it prevents me from pulling on my skin when I'm blending products. It prevents me from getting oily throughout the day, which many other primers I've used fails to do. I use approximately 1 1/2 pumps for my entire face. I had some problems with the primer "balling" up (|like eraser shavings) which was very annoying but I think it had to do with the toner I was using. Or it could've been an old bottle that I got. Anyway, I stopped using that particular toner with this primer and now have no problems. I'm currently on my 2nd bottle and have ordered 2 more. One bottle lasts me approximately 2-3 months with daily application. A little difficult to get as I prefer to purchase on eBay since it's quite a bit more expensive here in Canada when I purchase on the Arbonne website or through a consultant. I saw reviews in the other old primer listing commenting on the poor black packaging...personally I find it very sleek and if you want to see how much product is left, just hold it up to a light and you will see... Will definitely repurchase! I have found my HG primer!
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Treatments -Make Up For Ever - Mist and Fix
floofinator 3/17/2012 10:50:00 PM
I use this after I'm done applying my makeup. It helps to set everything and gives me a nice glow. I tend to use 4-5 small spritzes (ie not full sprays) around my face to make sure I cover the entire area, and I apply with my arm as far away from my face as possible. I've drenched my face in this by accident but it always dries off completely, and I use a tissue to gently blot the slightly shinier spots after application. I definitely think this helps to extend the wear of my makeup, and it prevents my face from getting oily during the day. I bought the large bottle and think it would last me for a few good months at least. I will repurchase. It's a bit expensive, but not too bad if I just have to spend the money every few months. I will update the review after I've tested this during the summer!
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Blush -Christian Dior - Rosy Glow Awakening Blush
floofinator 3/17/2012 10:41:00 PM
I love trying new blushes and when I needed some other things to get free shipping on Sephora, I decided to get this since I stopped seeing it in my local Sephora stores. I have done some research on the product prior to purchasing and have seen other ladies with similar colouring as me (light Asian skin, neutral/slight yellow undertones) wear this and have it work for them. I've walked by it multiple times in Sephora and always thought it was a scary hot pink colour that I probably would've never tried if not for the positive reviews I found online. The packaging is very pretty and luxurious. I never understood why a blush compact needs a mirror since I always apply my makeup in front of a mirror (I rarely touch up my makeup throughout the day) but it makes it look fancier. I love the Dior monogram on the blush and would hate to see it go when I've used enough of the blush. I typically do not like to use the brush that comes with blush compacts as I find they don't do a very good job, but the brush that came with this Dior blush is perfect for application. I dare say it would work better than my own blush brush. One swipe and it picks up enough product, yet applies on the skin lightly. When I first swatched it on my hand, it was a scary, chalky neon pink. It didn't change colour like it was supposed to, but it was totally different than when I applied it on my face. It applies as a very light, soft pink, one that makes me look chalky and washed out (the first time I had it on I was so disappointed that I would have to return this to Sephora), but after a few minutes it turns into a flattering, slightly cool toned pink that works even for my warm skintone. I like to add a bit of highlighter to my cheek since the finish is a matte finish, and it gives me the perfect flush. I tend to use blushes that are coral or rosey brown, so this is a nice change. It's the perfect colour for spring and I'm thinking of wearing this for my wedding. I use the brush and swipe it once on the blush, then do one large swipe on my cheek. Then I layer 2-3 more swipes (without picking any more product up from the pan) on the apple of my cheeks. It gives me enough colour without making me look like a clown. As for staying power, this stays on all day. I wear Arbonne primer with MUFE Face & Body or Givenchy Photo Perfexion liquid foundation, set with Clinique pressed powder. This is definitely one of the best blushes I've tried, I might love this more than my Tarte Amazonian clay blushes. I hope Dior makes this a part of their permanent line and comes out with more colours (ones that change a little differently and may work better for certain skintones), but I'm sure this pan will last me a long time. I would repurchase in the future if I run out and it is still available though! Very expensive as I can buy a bottle of foundation for this price, but well worth the money considering the results and how little product you need to use.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Tarte - Amazonian Clay Long-Wear Blush in Natural Beauty
floofinator 3/15/2012 11:46:00 PM
I love Exposed in the same line of blush, and decided to try something different. It looks a little scary on the Sephora website and in the pan--it looks like a raspberry red, which I have never tried for blush as I tend to pick plummy/neutral pink for my light-medium yellow toned skin. The lasting power matches the other colors of this line of blush, and I do like the color on me. Applied on the cheek, it is a slightly deeper pink than what my natural flush is. Unfortunately, for some reason it doesn't blend as easily as the other colors I've tried so I tend to apply too much. When I do try to apply with a lighter hand, it comes out uneven. I don't think it's my brush because I've been using the same brush for my other blushes and it's only with this blush that it doesn't blend fully. It's a shame because it's such a pretty color for spring. Based on this, I probably won't repurchase this but would definitely try other colors in the Amazonian clay line.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Tarte - Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed Tarte Blush
floofinator 3/15/2012 11:40:00 PM
I love this blush--I am on my second pan of it and am waiting for summer when I have more of a tan to use this. I currently prefer softer/pinkier blushes for spring. It's a neutral rosy tan color, and can work for a variety of skin tones (I think I am NC20-25...I have light-medium Asian skin with slight yellow undertones). The color can be built up, and blends easily--you only need a little bit of product for it to show up on the cheek though. It is great for giving a natural looking flush for tanned skin. It lasts a very long time and I can usually still see the blush on my face at the end of the day, and I don't remove my makeup until 10 or 11 at night. It has a matte finish so I pair it with illuminating powder to highlight my cheekbones a bit. This is probably my favorite shade in the entire Amazonian clay blush line!
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Mascara -Clinique - Lash Building Primer
floofinator 3/15/2012 11:35:00 PM
For now this is my go-to lash primer. Ever since they discontinued my beloved Shiseido The Makeup mascara base, and unable to drop money on another tube of Dior lash primer, I decided to try Clinique's. It doesn't lengthen as much as my Shiseido, but does a great job holding a curl in my coarse and hard to curl lashes, and helps with separating lashes before I apply mascara. Best of all, it's probably one of the less expensive primers out there. I will continue to repurchase until I find something that works as well as my old Shiseido!
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Mascara -FairyDrops - Scandal Queen Mascara
floofinator 3/15/2012 11:32:00 PM
I'm on my 4th tube of this mascara. I wish I could use other regular non-tubing mascaras for for some reason they all seem to smudge on me. I use this mascara over Clinique lash primer and often another mascara (Buxom, Smashbox Hyperlash, fresh, etc) and I always get long, curly lashes at the end. It seems like a lot of mascara in the end, but I apply the primer and first mascara with a very light hand. Fairydrops helps me "set" my mascara and prevents smudging. My mascara stays on all day and in hot and humid weather or after swimming, instead of running down my face, the mascara simply flakes or comes off in tubes--way better and easier to clean off than raccoon eyes. I have no problem with the brush at all. When the tube of mascara hits the 2-3 month mark it gets clumpy/too fibery and doesn't work as well, but that's about the time you're supposed to get a new tube anyway. I think I use the brush incorrectly...instead of applying the mascara by having the brush curve towards my lashes, I do it the other way. It works for me, and seems to be better than the "correct" way. I have also used this alone and get good results but prefer to use it over primer and another mascara. Yes it adds up, but for my difficult lashes, I'm very happy to have found something that works well for me, even if it means doing a few extra steps and using a couple of extra products.
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Liquid -Givenchy - Photo'Perfexion 100% Natural Complexion 0 Flaw
floofinator 3/15/2012 11:16:00 PM
This is definitely the best and the most expensive foundation I've ever used...but it is worth it. Like so many new reviewers of this product, I received a sample of this foundation with my Sephora order in #5 Perfect Praline. I had already found what I thought was my HG foundation, Face & Body by MUFE, by the time I received the sample, but I was so pleasantly surprised when I tried this foundation. The consistency is more watery than other liquid foundations I've used (Smashbox and Clinique - medium consistency, MUFE F&B - gel consistency) and the first time I tried this I definitely put way too much on the back on my hand. I still had a good 1/3 left when I was done. I apply this by lightly dabbing my stippling brush on the product, then stippling the foundation quickly on my face. I have light-medium skin with slight yellow undertones and #5 applies lighter than my skin color, however, after blending and drying, dries to match my skin almost perfectly. I wouldn't say it oxidizes though because once it's blended it doesn't turn even darker or orange on me. In MUFE F&B, I am in between #20 (Ivory) and #32 (Alabaster Beige). I probably lean more towards #20 now that it's end of winter, but in the summer I can become a little darker than #32. Comparing the two brands of foundation, when I mix 1 pump #20 and 1 pump #32 of MUFE F&B (which is what I was using before I found Photo Perfexion), I get the exact color as #5 Perfect Praline (when it is dried and blended). I have never, ever looked this amazing after applying foundation. I have pretty clear skin with some pigment/scarring from past acne on my chin and under my nose, but for the most part I am blemish free everywhere else and my skin texture is pretty even. Photo Perfexion evens out my skintone and makes my skin look flawless. I use over NARS (custard or ginger) and Murad (medium) concealers and my scarring/small blemishes are well hidden. You can still see them if you look up close, however, from regular distance (eg looking in a mirror) you can't see them at all, and I am sure they would not get picked up in photos, with or without flash. I have dark under eye circles and this foundation hides them well too. It's kind of hard to explain the finish. It's soft, matte, but luminous (in the good way) at the same time. Applying with my stippling brush, I get a perfect airbrushed finish. I finish off with Clinique's matte pressed powder and my skin looks amazing from 7AM past 7PM. With my MUFE F&B, I would get a little oily around my T-zone at the 3PM-4PM mark, but with this foundation...nothing. It is currently 9 PM and I can't feel even the slightest oiliness to my skin, not even my T-zone. The finish, not to mention, still looks perfect - soft, even and not blotchy. I should also mention that when I'm done applying my makeup, I do use MUFE Mist & Fix. I have used that with MUFE F&B as well, but I get better lasting power with the Givenchy foundation. Overall, I'm really happy with this foundation. I think this is HG material. It's a shame since I just perfected my application for MUFE F&B, but I think I will use this during the colder months and MUFE during the summer when I want a more lightweight foundation with lighter coverage. The Givenchy doesn't feel heavy at all on my skin, and the fragrance is not noticeable to me. I would classify the coverage as light-medium, but it's definitely buildable to medium. The only thing I"m concerned about with this foundation is that I won't be able to find a perfect match for my tanned summer skin if I do choose to use it in the summer. It seems like many people have said on MUA and Sephora reviews that Shade #6 and #7 tend to turn orange. Perhaps I can mix with MUFE #32 or darker to get my perfect summer shade... For a foundation, it is very expensive, however, I think one bottle can last me an entire year considering my MUFE F&B will last me over a year. A little goes a long way! Edit 05/20/12 - I wore this on my wedding day and it photographs beautifully. I had flawless skin in pictures, and my makeup looks as if it was professionally done although I did it myself. I found that applying primer, then concealer, setting everything with powder and then applying the foundation and setting again with powder and makeup fixing spray makes the foundation last ALL day. I only had to blot and powder once and that was just for good measure.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Talika - Lipocils
floofinator 3/11/2012 5:59:00 PM
I have sparse and short Asian eyelashes and started using this product last year. I apply it at night before going to bed, usually using the spongy tip to apply a bit of product along my lash line first, then using the brush to sweep the product on my lashes like I do with mascara. I will use in the morning the same way if I don't plan on putting on makeup, otherwise I'm not sure how it would perform with mascara on top. In just over a month I saw denser lash growth, in addition my lashes are darker and very slightly longer. They have become softer and even started to get their own natural curl. My lashes curl easily now and it's easy to over-curl them before putting on mascara now that they're easier to work with. They hold a curl better on their own as well, so my mascara looks much better on now. I wish the product gave my lashes some more length but I'm just happy to see actual results from this. I think there are 2 versions at Sephora, one is the Lipocils Expert, which is the one I use, and is the more expensive one. Surprisingly, it costs less than it does in the US, but is still pricey at $50 CAD. It does last a few months though, and I'm on my 3rd tube. The only con I have is that in the morning sometimes I get crusties around my eyes from the gel drying. It's no biggie though because I only ever use this at night anyway. I do not care much about my bottom lashes, so I have not tried using it on the bottom lashes and cannot comment on growth, but a very good thing about this product is that it does not irritate my eyes unless I get a huge chunk of product inside. Overall, very good product, and even though it's expensive, there are far more expensive products out there. I will continue to repurchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Face & Body Foundation
floofinator 3/11/2012 3:19:00 PM
I have been using this MUFE foundation for almost a year. I've gone through numerous brands of foundation in the past, including Clinique's Perfectly Real liquid foundation and Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX liquid foundation. What I found with the other foundations I've tried is that as the product gets older the staying power tends to go downhill. I didn't find this with MUFE at all as I'm still on my very first bottle, and still have about 1/3 left. The staying power and color is the same as the first day I used it. I am Asian and have light skin with yellow undertones and have used #32 Alabaster Beige all year long. Since this foundation has only light-medium coverage, I could see it blending in easily and working for a wide range of skintones. I've never used MAC makeup but based on what I have seen over the years with my colour matching I would say I'm NC20. Lately I've been more careful with my makeup application since I'm trying to get my technique down to do my own wedding makeup, and have noticed that #32 doesn't blend completely into my skin when looking in the mirror in natural lighting. It worked very well during the warmer months when I had a tan but now that it's winter/early spring my tan is completely gone and #32 is turning out to be too orange for my skin. I bought my second bottle of MUFE Face and Body recently in #20 and have been blending 1 pump of #32 with 1 pump of #20 for a perfect match for my skin. For the past year I've been applying the foundation using my fingers over NARS concealer on my face in my problem areas (under-eye circles, scarring from past pimples under my nose and chin) and then blending with a makeup sponge. Then I finish with Clinique's Stay Matte pressed powder. The coverage is ok and worked for the most part but if anything I find the sponge just kind of smears the foundation and concealer around and reveals all the scars underneath. Recently I switched to using a stippling brush (Sephora #44) and was amazed at how much smoother the finish was. The coverage also seems to be much better than using fingers/a sponge to apply the foundation. I put two pumps of product on the back of my hand, smear it around to blend the two colours together and to get rid of the large clumps, and then gently dab the stippling brush to get the product on the brush. Then I stipple the product on my face, and the result is a nice, even air-brushed finish that is natural looking. It still doesn't completely covers up my scars, but softens them and makes them unnoticeable unless you're very close up to my face and looking straight at them. I usually apply makeup at around 6:30 AM and don't take it off until 10-11 PM. I don't bother with touching up during the day except for maybe a little bit of powder and usually the foundation is only a little faded at the end of the day. I don't get greasy during the day wearing this, and I have combo skin. My skin for the most part is pretty normal though, as I said I use foundation only to cover up certain problem areas so if you're looking for something to cover heavy scarring/dark spots/bright red blemishes this may not be the product for you. Overall, I love this foundation and will continue to repurchase. I have been tempted to try MUFE's HD foundation but don't really think I need to look further for a better foundation since this works so well for me. I have stopped using drug store brands for a few years now so I consider this foundation to be average priced, and keep in mind my first bottle has lasted almost a year and there is still 1/3 left.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -NARS - Custard
floofinator 11/14/2009 10:31:00 PM
I'm on my 3rd tube of NARS's custard concealer and it is probably the best concealer I've tried so far. I use it to cover up undereye circles and blemishes/scars and while it does a good job of covering up circles it's only so-so for reddish blemishes and scars. Blends nicely, doesn't cake up, and has pretty good lasting power. My biggest complaint is the packaging...there's so much product left over at the end that I need to use the end of a makeup brush to scrape out product inside...if the identation was more shallow it'd be easier to get the product when it's almost used up. Anyway, great concealer...possible HG material (I haven't decided yet) unless I can find something better with much, much better coverage!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Shiseido - The Makeup Mascara Base [DISCONTINUED]
floofinator 11/14/2009 10:27:00 PM
I have difficult lashes like many other Asian gals out there...my lashes already have a slight natural curl but most mascaras can't hold an eyelash curler curl for long. Mascaras like Diorshow and Clinique's High Impact mascara simply clump on me and weigh my lashes down. And other mascaras that can hold the curl don't thicken quite enough. Shiseido's mascara base sets a great foundation for any mascara. It thickens and lengthens, and I noticed significant improvement in both volume and length for most mascaras I used with this base. I was using this with MaxFactor's 3000 calorie mascara and it makes my lashes extremely thick and gives them the perfect length. I've just started use this with Shiseido's Perfect Mascara and it looks even better. I am about to finish my first tube of this mascara base and I'm extremely happy with the product. It IS pretty expensive considering the fact that I still need to buy mascara to use this with, but the results are so worth it. My first tube did last 6 months, so I guess an additional $50/year isn't too bad for gorgeous lashes! Will definitely repurchase--I just bought my 2nd replacement tube yesterday!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No