Lipstick -Clinique - Colour Surge Bare Brilliance - Blushing Coral
gem18tam 3/24/2009 12:48:00 PM
There's not much to add from what the other reviewers have said about this lipstick... it is sheer, but nice for a natural look. I did find an exciting use for it, though... I bought MAC's Fetish b/c I thought it looked great in the tube and at the time in the store it looked pretty good on me as well. However, the next time I put it on during the day, I thought it was way too dark for me (I'm pale, blonde, blue-eyed), at least for daytime. So I tried putting on a really light coat of Fetish with a coat of Blushing Coral on top - and WOW! The result, for my skin anyway, was fantastic. There's a nice brown undertone from Fetish, but it's not too dramatic b/c it's complemented by the pinkish tones of Blushing Coral. It's perfect for going to school/work when you want a little bit of color but don't want to look like you're going to a bar. Add a tad of gloss to the bottom lip, and voila!, a near-perfect shade!
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Eye Shadow -NARS - Strada
gem18tam 3/15/2009 2:26:00 PM
I absolutely LOVE this eyeshadow. It's one of my favorites, even though I don't use it all that much. My experience may be true for only fair-skinned girls, but here goes... First, I found that the color on my lids is pretty much the same as when I tried it on my hand in Sephora. My biggest problem with the e/s was that it came out very dark on me since I have such fair skin (and blue eyes) - way too dramatic for everyday use. So I started using it for the crease and that worked much better for me. I've found several colors it works with. First, I started using it with a light lavender (some Maybelline color I don't know the exact name of, but a matte so there's not over the top sparkle). Then I paired it with this really pretty white color in a tricolor set called Starry-Eyed Rising Star by LORAC. The white in that set is pretty sheer but has a gold shimmer to it, which goes very nicely with Strada. Most recently, I've paired it with Estee Lauder's Silver Ball. Silver Ball is kind of a dusty silver (almost grey), whick also goes nicely with the dusky purple tones of Strada. As I said, I only use a little bit at a time but if I ever run out I will definitely purchase again.
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Mascara -LORAC - Visual Effects
gem18tam 3/15/2009 9:51:00 AM
This mascara doesn't deserve its low rating. I loved it and am on my second tube. Yes, the wand is weird and takes getting used to. However, once you get the hang of it, the mascara goes on smoothly and is not clumpy. One of the great things about the mascara is that you don't need to re-dip for both eyes. If you use one side of the comb for one eye, there's still plenty left for your other eye. Just make sure you start with the outer lashes and try not to have too heavy a hand. Also, the color is a really great black, and it doesn't smudge or flake. I sometimes fall asleep with my eye makeup on and I've been able to wear this for almost 2 whole days with my lashes still looking perfect. As far as things I don't like, one is that it doesn't dry as fast as some other mascaras I've tried - sometimes I blink and the tips of my lashes hit my upper brow and mess up my eyeshadow. Also, when the product is running out that's when it can start to get clumpy. Finally, I'll agree with another reviewer that if you do get too much product onto your lashes, the comb is not good at removing it or spreading it out. But that can be avoided as long as you don't have too heavy a hand while applying, or if you get an eyelash comb I suppose (but I've never had to resort to that).
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