Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Finishing Kabuki
francisvi 2/26/2011 4:53:00 AM
I was looking for a stippling brush when I saw this at Walgreens. It costs $7-8, so I picked it up. When I first opened it, I was disappointed by the really sparse hairs. I thought of returning it, but then I tried using it to apply my powder blush. It gave a great finish! It looked so blended with my skin, so natural-looking.. It is a little too big, tho, so I stopped using it for that. Now, I use this brush to buff my foundation (I apply the foundation w/ fingers first since this brush is not dense enough to pick up the foundation). It evens out the application and gives smooth finish. I also use this to apply my finishing powder (I like it better than using my powder brushes because this one doesn't pick up too much product). I love it! Will definitely buy again, well, I need to, so that I can have one for each use :) It is really soft, like all other Ecotools brushes. The handle is perfect on hand, it can stand on its own too, so it's great for storing.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Nivea - Creme
francisvi 2/20/2011 4:54:00 AM
This saved my life! I have oily- combination skin, and was fustrated with acne problems. I found that toner was not good for me because it dried out my skin and thus made it more oily. More oily = more acnes. The key is keep my skin well-moisturized, and this (I use the German one) is very moisturizing. Only use it at night tho, and my face will feel very soft, smooth, and healthy in the morning. After a few weeks or so, I already saw the difference, my face started to clear up. I don't recommend this for morning routine because it can get greasy during the day as you sweat and produce more oil. I've been using this for about a year already, haven't even finished my 150ml tin. It's very thick, so just need a pea size for a whole face. Put a dot on cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, and let it sit for a half a minute to warm out first for easier blending. It has some scent in it, at first I felt that it was strong, but I get used to it, it's quite a nice floraly scent, tho. I usually buy mine at Amazon.com for about 15 bucks or so, or swap for it. The ones made in Mexico is available at every drugstore for just a dollar (smaller tin). I've never used the Mexico ones, so can't make a comparison. The German one has mineral oil too, it's Paraffinum Liquidum, just want to clarify that because a lot of people thought it didn't have mineral oil like the Mexico ones.
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Lip Gloss -E.L.F. - Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 - Watermelon
francisvi 2/20/2011 4:17:00 AM
This costs only a dollar! It's the only flattering watermelon color. I have pigmented lips already, and this makes them look healthy and inviting, lol. There is some fruity scent in it, not strong tho, don't worry.. The formula is nice, very soft and blends really nicely, but it's more on the sticky side. Its lasting power is good, better than most DS lipglosses out there. The packaging is nice too, in a squeeze tube. I love it and would definitely buy again when run out.
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Mascara -Revlon - Double Twist Waterproof
francisvi 2/19/2011 4:05:00 AM
This is one of the worst mascaras I've tried. The packaging is fine, just a red regular tube. It smells weird and quite strong. The formula is watery, too. The brush is chubby and not really flexible. It gives some volume and length, but it clumps. I bought the waterproof version, but to my surprise, instead of holding my curls up, it weighs them down! Big UGH! I will not repurchase, will not even think/consider it. It's an overall horrible mascara.
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Eye Makeup Remover -Sonia Kashuk - Remove
francisvi 2/13/2011 12:38:00 AM
The Best eye MU remover! Not like other DS brands that tend to be oily and irritating, this one just feels like fresh water, with very light refreshing scent. It costs about $10 at Target, but the whole bottle will last quite a long time because it only takes a little bit of product to remove all of your eye MU on BOTH eyes, including those stubborn waterproof eyeliner and mascara. It doesn't need a lot of work, too to get them off. This is a must-have. Note that you have to shake the bottle before each use. I forgot once, and I had oil madness all over my lid, lol. There are water-like and oil-like separate things in it, so shake it first! Oh, what I don't like about it is the packaging, something you have to be careful, too. It's like a bottle of water, with a screwed-type cap, and no rubber thing between the cap and the opening. The opening is big, so if you drop it when it's open, you'll probably lose half of the product. So, just be careful :) It is a great product, I promise!
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Styling Products -John Frieda - Frizz-Ease Hair Serum
francisvi 2/13/2011 12:19:00 AM
Wowza! I'm surprised with the very low rating! I love this serum, I'm on my third bottle already, in Original formula. My hair is medium long, and just slightly wavy. I straighten my hair sometimes, and I use this before straightening, when my hair is still a little bit damp, just a pump is enough for all over. I mostly focus on the ends part, tho. It smells good, but it feels like oil - kind of. If I use this today, I'll have to wash my hair the next day. It works well for me, keeps my hair from drying and splitting. I'll keep purchasing :)
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Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Monistat - Chafing Relief Powder-Gel 
francisvi 8/9/2010 1:58:00 AM
This is a cheaper alternative of a primer, I think it costs about $5 at Walmart and has tons of product. It is in a toothpaste-kind of container, so it very sanitary and easy to use. It indeed made my skin smooth and easy to apply foundation on. However, the texture felt more like a melted wax on face, if you know what I mean, lol. Kinda similar to Hard Candy primer, but thicker consistency. Sadly, this broke me out so badly only after a couple times using it, most likely because it clogged my pores. (the Hard Candy one works just fine). Note that my face is combo-oily, so if you have similar type of skin, beware..
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Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto - Waterproof
francisvi 8/1/2010 5:10:00 AM
I was skeptical when this (and the Voluptuous ones) came out, mostly because the brush looked "meh". I got both anyway (waterproof version) when they were on sale for $1.50 each (it probably was a mistake on the Target pricing, but whatever lol). For a DS, this is not one of the decent ones. The wand is too long, which makes it difficult for me to work it. Maybe because I'm used to short, bulky ones, like their Volum' Express. The brush is straight, exactly like a Stiletto, lol. I would say, it's not easy to apply because of it. It clumps, too. Its staying power is great however; it holds my curl all day, and it doesn't make my lashes stiff and is quite easy to remove. I hate loosing lashes! lol. It does lengthen my lashes, but not too dramatically. I don't find it build-able tho; the more coats I apply, the more unnatural my lashes look, my lashes will stick together, so it will look like I only had a few, but long, dark lashes. Seriously, the brush just doesn't work very well, doesn't separate lashes. Overall, two lippies..It's a "meh" mascara, I guess it's alright if you want a natural look with a few swipes-one coat application. I won't repurchase, even when they're on sale again.
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Eyeliner -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner - Black
francisvi 7/30/2010 1:40:00 AM
This is a really good product. It's really cheap, about $4 at Target, with a lot of product in it. The packaging is horrible, I keep mine in a drawer and never bring it with me around in a purse or something, but I see cracks all over the bottom not long after I bought it, I don't know why. The cap is a screwed-kind, which is ok, sometimes can be hard to open tho. I have it in Black and it's pretty dark, nice solid Black. Throw away the brush it comes with, it will hurt your eyelid like hell because it's so hard. I use an angled e/l brush from Ecotools, which makes applying cream e/l so easy. Note that I have oily lids, so I always use an eye primer (TFSI or UDPP) before applying this, and it will last at least 12 hours. Without primer, it smudges on me. Fair warning tho, it's kind of hard to remove. I use Sonia Kashuk eye MU remover, which is my HG, but this e/l is still hard to come off with this. I'd def. recommend this to everyone and repurchase of course.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara Waterproof
francisvi 7/10/2010 2:14:00 AM
This mascara is pretty awesome for a DS. Love the brush; it doesn't clump, it separates my lashes really nicely, making me look as if I had full lashes. However, it isn't build-able, I tried to apply a few coats, but it just didn't make any difference. I think this is great if you're going for a very light or an everyday look. It also doesn't make my lashes stiff at all; it does keep your lashes soft, and easy to remove, whether by using an eye MU remover (I use Sonia Kashuk's) or by washing with a face wash. Staying power is great, too, and even if apply multiple coats, it doesn't weigh down my lashes (I have stubborn, straight down lashes). This is one of a few mascaras I keep buying, pretty good and cheap for daily use.
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
francisvi 6/14/2010 6:21:00 PM
It used to be my favorite concealer. The packaging is excellent, the product is a lot for I think $14. I used up three of this, and each lasted me about a year, and I used it about 5 days a week to cover horrible post-acne marks all over my cheeks. You don't need a lot; just a little tiny dab will cover most. It's build-able. It's staying power is great (8 hours at least) on my combo-oily skin. It's overall a great investment. The only drawback is that it shows up white on picture due to its SPF. I don't use this anymore (switched to MUFE Full Cover) because of it, but this is a pretty good concealer.
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Lipstick -MAC - Freckletone lipstick
francisvi 6/14/2010 6:08:00 PM
I love the packaging, sturdy and elegant. This particular shade is in Lustre formula, and Lustre is one of the worst formulas of MAC. It doesn't stay on long; it's pretty much gone after I eat my meal. It also doesn't blend very well, especially when you have dry lips, because it will accentuate the chaps. I'm NC25/30 Asian and this Freckletone shade is actually a nice nude, leaning towards peachy side. I won't buy this again; I won't buy any of the Lustre.
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