Lipstick -MAC - Venomous Villains Sinister
goldfishblowfish 1/6/2011 1:09:00 PM
I missed the collection but was lucky enough to get this from a lovely swapper. When I first read reviews I wasn't sure if the color would work for me, but I love how this looks with my pasty pale skin and a plum blush! Texture - I usually am hesitant about MAC's lustre finish. In my experience some of them have been extrememly drying and have caused my lips to crack. The formula of Sinister is very creamy and doesn't irritate my lips. Color: I love the color of this lipstick! On me, and in my opinion, this is kind of brown, kind of red, kind of purple. My lips are very pigmented, so this shows up on me as MLBB. The color is extremely buildable, so I feel that I get a couple different lipsticks in one. Lasting power: Because this lipstick is so silky, I feel the color doesn't last as long as some other MAC lipsticks. The good thing, though, is this lipstick doesn't fade to a weird or unflattering color. On me, it just fades into my natural lip color. Packaging: My picture's on the outside of the tube :) J/K! Typical MAC bullet shape with a picture of the Queen from Snow White - my favorite villian! The picture has held up well; I carry it in my purse daily. Price: I think MAC lipsticks are reasonably priced for the quality and amount you get. Drugstore lipsticks can cost aroud $9 or $10, and there are MANY high end cosmetics company that cost more than MAC lipsticks.
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Lip Treatments -eos - Lip Balm Sphere - Lemon Drop SPF 15
goldfishblowfish 1/4/2011 11:36:00 AM
I saw this used by one of the youtube gurus I watch religiously. She raved about the lip balm but didn't really say a name. I was SO frustrated because I couldn't find it anywhere. I stumbled upon this at CVS in the allergy aisle (of all places!) and I had to get it. I'm super picky with lip balms, and I'm super impressed! Packaging - Cute, original, and easy to find in my purse, even when I'm not looking! I love that it's big, but because of that, there's a lot of plastic used (for those who are environmentally aware) Texture - The lip balm is firm, so when I push it on my lips, it doesn't have a lot of give to it, and I don't have to worry about breaking it. The first time I used it, it was kind of hard, like you have to 'break' the skin, but once you do, the lip balm itself goes on smoothly. I *HATE* lip balms that have a waxy feel..I can't stand Blistex or Carmex or Bonnie Bell because of that. Smell/taste - This smells like lemons, so it's a nice clean scent. When you lick your lips, though, they taste like sugar cookies! One of the first lip balms I've had that actually TASTE exactly like it smells! Moisturizing level - I like that once the product wears off, I don't feel like I have to IMMEDIATELY put more on (but I do!). I've read some users find their lips dry, but I find the opposite! My lips look moisturized and healthy without looking weighed down by gloss or wax. Overall, I am in love love love with this! As soon as I find the other flavors, I will definitely be getting them, AND buying this one again :)
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Powder -Bare Escentuals - Matte Foundation spf 15
goldfishblowfish 12/21/2010 2:15:00 PM
I got a 10 day sample of this from Sephora, and I was excited to try it out. I hadn't made the plunge into liquid foundation, and I wanted something with a matte finish. All the other powder foundations I'd tried (the regualr BE formula and Merle Norman) had too much shimmer in them for my liking. The amount in the sample was generous and I got a bit of usage out of it, but I had a love/hate relationship with this product which bordered more on the hate side. I love the coverage this gave me (a medium to full coverage) but I found that even with a silicone based primer (like Smashbox photofinish) it settled into the lines around my eyes and mouth and made them more pronounced. I feel like, with this formula, if I bought a full size, I would go through it pretty quickly. The 10 day sample actually only lasted me 5 days, with light coverage on my forehead/chin/nose and a heavier coat on my cheeks. The worst thing about this, for me, was it made my skin itch like CRAZY if I sweat, especially around my hairline, jaw line, and around my nose. I didn't have that problem with the regular formula, and it was extremely uncomfortable. Thankfully, it only happened the last time I wore it, but it was enough to make me never want to wear the product again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Sinful - San Francisco
goldfishblowfish 12/20/2010 2:37:00 PM
I love the color of this nailpolish (in the bottle) and the price, but that's about it. Each time I've used this I've had the same results. I typically do my nails at night so they have plenty of time to set before I do anything. I use a sticky base coat (I can't remember the name), 2 coats of the polish, then OPI top coat. Each time, my nails have chipped within 16 hours of me having the nail polish on. I'd go to bed after the were completely dry, wake up, get ready for work, and by the time I was at work, I'd have at least 1 chipped nail. Thinking it was a fluke, I tried again, but had the same results. The color in the bottle (a luscious, deep forest green) didn't translate onto the nail. My nails looked, to me, like a bright kelly green where I wanted a forest green...and this was after 2 or 3 coats! I also had issues getting the nail polish to go on evenly, without streaking. The nail polish also stained my nails. I have to keep my nails painted now because they look like I have a fungus. I love that the nailpolish is cheap and I don't have to go to Sephora or Beauty Brands to get it, but, to me, it's not worth it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Rimmel - Colour Rush Quad in Smoky Brun
goldfishblowfish 12/20/2010 2:23:00 PM
My one complaint about this quad is that all the finishes are the same. I can't use all the colors at once or I feel like my eyes are covered in shimmer/frost. I know asking for a matte shadow in a drugstore quad isn't asking too much! I wish I could travel with it and not have to take additional products for a finished look. With that being said, I must have repurchased after a reformulation, because I love these shadows! I bought mine about 2 months ago, and instead of the circle shaped shadows mine are triangles. When I got the shadow I was surprised how silky they were - in the package they LOOKED soft but you never know. All of the colors are pretty, but I'm particulary fond of the pink/champagne color that everyone else is. It makes my brown eyes pop! The other three colors are pretty, but I don't wear the light bronze-ish brown because the color doesn't flatter my skin tone. The colors blend well together and go on with minimal fallout. I did say I wouldn't repurchase this again because I have similar colors.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Sephora - Lash Plumper
goldfishblowfish 12/13/2010 12:22:00 PM
I first tried this mascara from the Beauty Insider birthday kit. I loved the brush and the way it made my lashes look. It separated them well, it held my curl (which most mascaras don't!) and made them look a little thicker. I was still on the fence about it. It smudged under my eyes throughout the day, and flaked badly. A couple weeks ago I was looking over the Sephora sale items (I was almost-but-not-quite qualified for free shipping) so I needed another item to add another item. The waterproof mascara was on sale for $4, and I wanted to see if it flaked as much as the regular kind. The waterproof formula DOES NOT MOVE! I actually have to TRY to get the mascara off at night using makeup remover, and even then it takes a bit of work. This mascara has not moved or flaked through naps, crying fits, OR bad allergy eye-running days. The waterproof formula is a little wetter than most mascaras, which I typically avoid. For me, I've found the wetter the ascara, the faster my curl deflates. The waterproof version holds my curls better than the regular formula. It doesn't clump up when you apply more than one coat. I can't say enough good things about this mascara! I've looked long and hard for a good mascara (BARELY buy the same kind twice) and I think I've found my HG mascara!
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Liquid -Boots - No7 Intelligent Balance Foundation Mousse
goldfishblowfish 11/30/2010 3:08:00 PM
Before I tried this, I had never used a mousse foundation. I thought I wouldn't find a good match; I'm very pale with neutral to pink undertones, and all the colors looked a little yellow in the jars. After I read the reviews I knew I had to try it. I'm roughly an NC15, and I bought the lightest shade. I was slightly offput by the smell of the foundation. None of my other foundations have a smell, and this one does. I don't know what it smells like, but the smell is strong in the jar. When I'm wearing it, I don't smell a thing. The texture of the foundation is fabulous! The mousse foundation provides great coverage, layers well, and is extremely buildable. One layer gives a medium coverage then I only have to touch up on my red areas, like my cheeks. I used my fingers to apply and I did not have any issues with the product balling on my skin, but I did have a primer under it. I set the foundation with No7 Translucent powder and I'm good all day, until I wash my face. The packaging looks like I paid 5 times more for it than I did. It's a beautiful frosted glass container with a black laquered lid. Because of the way the jar is shaped it may be hard to get some of the product out, but it does come with a small spatual that should help. I only use about 1/4 of the spatula spoon for a full face of coverage, and usually have some left! This is my new HG foundation!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
goldfishblowfish 11/26/2010 2:25:00 PM
This has been my HG cleanser for the past 3 years. I love that this product is a makeup remover, a face wash, and a toner all in one. I have super sensitive skin, and I have never had a problem with this soap breaking me out, but it is strong enough to remove my mascara (even waterproof!) without much rubbing. The soap itself seems, to me, to be super concentrated, and not a lot is needed. My skin feels cleaner, softer, and smoother after use. It has a soft smell, clean but not overbearing. I've accidently got this soap in my eyes a few times and have only had very minor irritation. The soap can be pricey, but around Christmas, they offer a litre size for $42, that comes with a pump. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these! I bought one last year. I wash my face at least 2x a day (sometimes more if I need to) and 11 months after I bought it I have a little less than half left. The $10 bottles are great for traveling and you get at least a month's usage out of it.
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Loose Powders -Boots - No. 7 Perfect Light Loose Powder
goldfishblowfish 11/26/2010 11:50:00 AM
This was my first experience with a Boots product. I got this from Target for $11.99. The packaging is absolutely beautiful, better than some high-end stuff I have. I LOVE that there is an internal lid that screws onto the sifter to keep the powder from going everywhere. Because of that lid, one shake gives you the amount. I have the translucent powder, and it is incredibly light. I don't feel like I have a bunch of product caked on my face. I have normal to dry skin, and putting a light dusting of this over my foundation keeps it in place all day. Because of the quality of the product I got and for what I paid, I feel like I should have paid twice what I did. My new HG powder :)
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Lipstick -MAC - Crosswires Cremesheen
goldfishblowfish 11/25/2010 12:40:00 AM
I love coral lipsticks, but because of my coloring (warmish brown eyes/hair and neutral to cool toned skin) nothing looks right on me. They all tend to turn orange. This is the first flattering coral shade I've been able to find in ANY brand! This is also my first experience with the creamsheen formula from MAC. I love MAC lipsticks, but sometimes they can dry my lips out, especially the lustre texture. This lipstick made my lips feel hydrated all day. Even without a lipliner I only have to apply once or twice while I'm at work, which says a lot about a lipstick's staying power.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Sephora - Flashy Liner Waterproof
goldfishblowfish 11/25/2010 12:22:00 AM
My HG liner for a smoked out look. I have this in Flashy Black, which is a dark gray-black. This eyeliner is super creamy and goes on without tugging or pulling. I prefer this over the UD 24/7 liner I have, and compare it to the HIP pencil liners. It blends so well with a smudge brush or a qtip, and easily makes that perfect smoked eyeliner look. I agree with the comments regarding setting the powder, though. I've found if you use it on your lower or waterline and don't set it with a powder, it will run a little. I have problems with eyeliner, even waterproof, running, so it's nothing new to me. I also have issues sharpening this. Because it's so creamy, I can't get a super precise point. When I want to sharpen it, I have to put it in the freezer for a bit, but I still can't get the paper thin point I'd like. For the price, I won't complain though. It's a very flattering color (black without being too black) and goes on like a dream. Definitely pick this up! I can't wait to try the other colors.
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
goldfishblowfish 11/24/2010 9:22:00 PM
My favorite thing about this foundation is the packaging. I LOVE when foundations have pumps. The packaging is sleek and looks like it would stand up well to a lot of traveling or being tossed around a makeup drawer. The color Vanilla was a good match for me. I'm barely an NC15, and a lot of foundation turns orange or me or is hard to match. The downside was the actual foundation itself. I found the sparkles to be overwhelming and not dewy. I felt like I looked like I'd dumped glitter all over my face. The foundation was hard to blend with a foundation brush, and was doable with a kabuki and using a silicone based primer. The coverage was okay but it didn't last all day. I was disappointed, especially for the price.
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Concealers -Pixi - Correction Concentrate- Brightening Peach
goldfishblowfish 11/24/2010 8:58:00 PM
I've tried several under eye concealers, and this is the only one to even out my severely dark under eye circles. Unlike everyone else, the pot it comes in doesn't bother me. I prefer to use my fingers for concealer, because the heat from my finger "warms up" the product to allow it to smooth out better. I first heard about this from thekatieab on youtube, and bought it after I saw what it did for her eyes. I cannot believe how awesome this is! I've used it for about a week now and because of the TINY amount you need, it barely looks used. I like to set this with e.l.f.'s complexion perfection (the pink color) and I don't have any problems with caking throughout the day. My eyes look alert and awake, which is what we all want :) It is a little expensive for a drug store brand, but don't let the price throw you! You barely need any and it's well worth the 'expense'!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Tarte - Clean Slate
goldfishblowfish 11/22/2010 9:46:00 AM
I got this as a deluxe sized sample in a holiday gift set. I love how silky the primer is and how easy it is to blend in liquid/cream foundations. This one, to me, felt silker than Smashbox PhotoFinish, and not as heavy. A pea sized amount is more than enough to cover my entire face. The only downside is, due to my skin type, I cannot use mineral foundation with this, no matter how long I let the primer set. Within a few hours, my skin feels greasy, like I'm wearing a mask. It doesn't look greasy, just feels heavy. Also, I don't like the packaging because it's hard to squeeze and get product out once it's less than half full. It may be easier with the full size product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Mary Kay - Timewise Firming Eye Cream
goldfishblowfish 11/22/2010 9:41:00 AM
I neglected to use an eye cream in my early 20s, so now, at 27, I'm starting to notice fine lines around and under my eyes. I've tried a couple eye creams but this one is my favorite. Not only does it help with the under eye lines and darkness, it firms my eyelids as well! I have naturally sleepy eyelids, and this really helps. My only complaints are if I use a full pump I get WAY too much product, so I have to be careful when I press the pump, and if I get any in my eye, it burns. It's hard to tell if this would happen with everyone, or just me. My eyes are hypersensitive so a lot of products make my eyes burn. The irritation is not severe enough to make me stop using the product. I would recommend this product to anyone who has dry to normal lids. If you have oily lids, this may be too heavy for you.
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