Mascara -Make Up For Ever - Smoky Lash Extra Black Mascara
hannaxbear 3/31/2010 1:46:00 PM
I got this in Sephora's MUFE value kit. I liked how black and thick the mascara was, but I thought it was too clumpy to get a good look out of. I also think it doesn't do a very good job of either keeping a curl or curling my lashes at all--it seems to weigh them down. Consequently, my Cover Girl Lash Blast Waterproof at less than half the price delivers a MUCH better result. I notice a big difference in the curl of my lashes when I compared the two. Also, this mascara flakes a little during the day since it's so heavy and runs really badly if you cry or get your lashes wet somehow. Of course, I can't expect much since it doesn't claim to be waterproof, but it's like REALLY bad--you are left with super black raccoon eyes. All in all, I will not be repurchasing this. However, it isn't a bad mascara, but it's just okay--definitely not worth the price and there are other mascaras that deliver better results.
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Polishes -Sally Hansen - Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish
hannaxbear 3/8/2010 3:24:00 AM
These polishes are fantastic!!! I've never been a nail polish girl, mainly because I always had so much trouble applying them. But this one was so amazing that my nails end up looking fabulous! The main reason is the brush applicator--it's shape is very unique. It is shaped in such a way that it is VERY easy to use and apply nail polish as well as fix any mistakes. In addition, the nail polish comes on very thick and creamy, not opaque at all, which I LOVE! However, even though the product states the base coat and top coat etc. are included in the formula already, I still use top coat anyway. These last for about a week before the chipping gets really bad, which isn't bad. These nail polishes also come in very pretty colors (some are sparkly/frosty and others are matte) and dry shiny! I have these in Raisin the Bar (sparkly purpley plum color) and Mudslide (rosy brownish nude)--both are nice, but I absolutely LOVEEEE Mudslide (the swatch on their website is too dark for this color--it's lighter than that). I think I'll end up wearing this color pretty much all the time! Unfortunately, these nail polishes are pretty pricey, running at about $7 a pop, but I'm in love with their applicators and thick, creamy formula, (and their color Mudslide in particular) so I'd definitely repurchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Dream Matte Pressed Powder
hannaxbear 1/22/2010 3:12:00 AM
I used to use MAC Blot Powder to set my make up and control my oil throughout the day, which worked great, but when I heard that Maybelline's Dream Matte Pressed Powder was comparable at a fraction of the cost, I had to try it! And I have to say--it DOES compare! I'm never spending $20 on MAC's Blot Powder ever again, since I can get this for $7! It controls shine and sets my make up just as effectively, if not better. It doesn't cake or look too powdery either, although I'm always careful with application anyway (I use a kabuki brush). The only thing I don't like about it is the packaging. While the swivel mirror is sort of cool, I don't think it's intuitive or practical. Overall, I definitely recommend. (:
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Primer/ Corrector -Make Up For Ever - HD Microperfecting Primer in 7 Pink
hannaxbear 1/22/2010 3:02:00 AM
Pros: - I actually see the difference before and after application. It hides my pores and lines very well. - Feels like a moisturizer and leaves skin VERY soft and smooth! - Preps skin for smooth and even foundation application. - The packaging looks very pretty and expensive. Cons: - I agree with the other reviewer--it doesn't seem to add radiance? - Expensive at $32 for 1 oz. - Hard to use up all the product with a pump. - Cap falls off way too easily! - Pump dispenser sometimes stiffens, so you have to use more strength to push it, but you end up getting more product than you originally wanted. Note: There is a fragrance but it doesn't particularly bother me. Overall, I like the results I get from using this primer, so I would purchase again, although I may stray from it time to time to go back to the cheaper Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel since this is so expensive, but I definitely recommend it!
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Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Monistat - Chafing Relief Powder-Gel
hannaxbear 1/22/2010 2:52:00 AM
Pros: - Smooths out skin for even application - Feels very similar to Smashbox Photo Finish and produces the same result as far as I can tell - Cheap at ~$8 for 1.5 oz tube Cons: - Don't like the powdery feel left on fingers - Photo Finish feels slightly better - Don't like the smell Overall, I would purchase this again and use it from time to time, particularly because it's so cheap and gets the job done. However, I recently started using MUFE HD Primer and I love it! (See my review on it for more details) Nonetheless, this is a good buy.
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Powder -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals ALL
hannaxbear 8/8/2009 2:49:00 AM
It took some time, but I've come to love this product. It looks very natural and feels very light on my skin--almost as if I'm wearing nothing. However, I will say that it probably does not work for everyone. These are the things I have noticed: - Probably only best for evening out skin tone. If you're hoping to cover up bad acne or something bumpy, it probably won't work very well. The foundation just tends to clump on those types of areas. - Best for normal or oily skin types, NOT for dry skin. As much as they like to advertise that this is a "creamy powder," it isn't really--at least not enough. I notice that whenever I have dry patches where I didn't moisturize enough or something, it just clumps there or shows a lot. I have oily skin, so it keeps it pretty matte or slightly dewy, even in the hot summer months of southern California. However, I do need to switch moisturizers (from thin, sunscreen type to Olay Complete) during the winter to prevent dry patches. Primer would probably help with that too. - Application is easy, but always gets sort of messy due to the packaging, but it can't really be avoided and it's not that bad so I just deal with it. - Lasts pretty well throughout the day with primer. - Buildable coverage, but I feel that there IS a limit. You don't really want to pile on TOO much because then it does start to look powdery and fake. However, it's unlikely that you'll do it by accident unless you thought you could pile on a LOT and still look natural. Overall, as long as you're only looking to even out skin tone and have normal to oily skin, I definitely recommend this foundation. It works great for the right people. People have given me tons of compliments on my skin ever since I started to use it and I influenced all of my best friends to start using it too. (: If you're wondering whether or not to get the starter kit, get it if you really want ALL of the products that it comes with--it is a good deal. However, if you only want the foundation, it's better to buy separately. Also, you can find it on eBay for around $18 (free shipping, no tax), which can save you up to $10, depending on your tax rate! Ulta also offers 20% off for college students every first Tuesday of the month on ANYTHING.
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Powder -Bare Escentuals - Mineral Powder Foundation
hannaxbear 8/8/2009 2:49:00 AM
It took some time, but I've come to love this product. It looks very natural and feels very light on my skin--almost as if I'm wearing nothing. However, I will say that it probably does not work for everyone. These are the things I have noticed: - Probably only best for evening out skin tone. If you're hoping to cover up bad acne or something bumpy, it probably won't work very well. The foundation just tends to clump on those types of areas. - Best for normal or oily skin types, NOT for dry skin. As much as they like to advertise that this is a "creamy powder," it isn't really--at least not enough. I notice that whenever I have dry patches where I didn't moisturize enough or something, it just clumps there or shows a lot. I have oily skin, so it keeps it pretty matte or slightly dewy, even in the hot summer months of southern California. However, I do need to switch moisturizers (from thin, sunscreen type to Olay Complete) during the winter to prevent dry patches. Primer would probably help with that too. - Application is easy, but always gets sort of messy due to the packaging, but it can't really be avoided and it's not that bad so I just deal with it. - Lasts pretty well throughout the day with primer. - Buildable coverage, but I feel that there IS a limit. You don't really want to pile on TOO much because then it does start to look powdery and fake. However, it's unlikely that you'll do it by accident unless you thought you could pile on a LOT and still look natural. Overall, as long as you're only looking to even out skin tone and have normal to oily skin, I definitely recommend this foundation. It works great for the right people. People have given me tons of compliments on my skin ever since I started to use it and I influenced all of my best friends to start using it too. (: If you're wondering whether or not to get the starter kit, get it if you really want ALL of the products that it comes with--it is a good deal. However, if you only want the foundation, it's better to buy separately. Also, you can find it on eBay for around $18 (free shipping, no tax), which can save you up to $10, depending on your tax rate! Ulta also offers 20% off for college students every first Tuesday of the month on ANYTHING.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Gillette - Venus Razor
hannaxbear 7/18/2009 8:18:00 PM
I have no idea why this razor would get anything less than 4 or 5 lippies. This is an amazing razor. Yes, at first, the price seems a bit high, but let me tell you--I've used one single Venus razor (with the same blade) for YEARS before having to change it. For the past 5 or 6 years, I have used only 3 blades so far. And really, I could've used those blades for even longer before changing them because they still worked pretty well. Sometimes, when I'm in a hurry, I just wet my legs and shave with no shaving cream and I'm not even in the shower. (However, this will sometimes cause a bit of irritation but not much and my skin has never been irritated with regular usage in the shower.) And I don't want to jinx it but I've never gotten a razor cut. Not to mention, these razors come in beautiful colors and they're pretty durable. I will never buy another razor and I can't understand why anyone would want to use a different one.
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Primer/ Corrector -Korres - Silicone-Free Face Primer
hannaxbear 7/18/2009 4:02:00 AM
This primer is fantastic! It smells fresh and light, like lemons, and goes on super smooth, prepping your skin perfectly for flawless foundation application. It absorbs pretty quickly and feels lightweight. I do see and feel a difference in application and I believe that it does help keep the make-up on longer, although I haven't actually tested this or anything. I'm unsure of whether or not this helps with oiliness, but it certainly doesn't cause it. And of course, it's great to know that the product you're using is free or parabens, silicone, etc. Unfortunately, this thing is way too expensive for me. It costs about $28 for a one ounce tube, and even though you only use a small pea-sized (or so) portion, I think I'd finish the tube every 6 months or so. For that reason, I would probably not buy again unless I can't find a decent alternative. I'm going to try Monistat Chafing Powder Gel next...
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Styling Products -Dove - Body & Lift Volumizing Mousse
hannaxbear 7/18/2009 3:55:00 AM
So this is a pretty affordable product, runs for around $4 at Target, smells nice, and is very light--never makes your hair sticky or stiff. Unfortunately, it also does practically nothing to your hair. I see no change in volume or anything else for that matter. Therefore, I would not recommend it and would not buy it again. Such a shame, I wanted to like it too.
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Conditioner -Neutrogena - triple moisture deep recovery hair mask
hannaxbear 7/16/2009 3:01:00 AM
I love this hair mask! I use it once a week, or when I feel I need to, and it always makes my hair so much softer and nicer. It helped to repair my hair when I used to blowdry, curl, and straighten it a lot (I don't do as much of that now so I use it less often). It really is a "hair mask"--it does for your hair what face masks do for your face! This is what I do: 1. Shampoo. 2. Apply hair mask all over my hair, but focusing mainly on the ends. 3. Pile hair on top of head and put on a shower cap. 4. Wait (or do other things like shave, etc.) for 5 minutes. 5. Take off shower cap and rinse off. I bought the one that is in a jar, which can be kind of unsanitary (although I would always have clean hands when I'm showering so I guess that's not a big deal) and messy, but you get a little bit more product out of the jar instead of the tube, so I'll stick to the jar nonetheless. This runs for about $6-7 at Target, which may sound a little pricey, but you only use it once a week or less and it'll last you for something like a year, so it's worth it. Overall, I definitely recommend using this if you have damaged hair or use heated hair appliances frequently.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Neutrogena - Fresh Foaming Cleanser
hannaxbear 7/13/2009 9:47:00 PM
This is a nice cleanser--comes out as a thick creamy white liquid and lathers up pretty nicely. I like the thick creamy feeling and the bubbles, as opposed to other thin, watery cleansers. It usually doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or tight and seems to wash away makeup, dirt, etc. pretty well. I've never used to remove my eye makeup though, but apparently many other reviewers here have, so I guess it works well there too--I'm just not comfortable with the idea of rubbing a cleanser into my eye. This is a pretty good cleanser, but there's nothing spectacular about it, so I WOULD buy it again, but only after switching around with other cleansers. (In general, I'm not very picky about cleansers and I don't have sensitive skin or anything, so I tend to switch around cleansers a lot.)
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Brows -Revlon - Colorstay Brow Enhancer
hannaxbear 7/4/2009 5:10:00 AM
I've never paid much attention to my brows before until maybe a year ago, when I first got them threaded and shaped and yeah it definitely made a difference, but I never really thought of filling them in (since they are rather light or sparse) until a few months ago. So I did what I always do and went to MUA to find an affordable product with good reviews and this came up so I went and bought it for around $7 (with BOGO free, so I bought another Revlon product while I was at it). They didn't have much color selection, so I was afraid that this Blackened Brown would still be too brown for my black-ish eyebrows, but nope! It's perfectly natural! It's very easy to use--you twist the pencil, gently apply it in small strokes onto your eyebrows, and use the included eyebrow comb to blend it out and comb your eyebrows. And voila! Looks totally natural but totally fabulous and it lasts all day! You can also use the included brow highlighter on the other side of the stick, but I find that it stands out too much on my skin, but it might be good for brightening up the inner corner of my eye. My only complaints are the packaging--the cap on one side feels somewhat loose and looks a little cracked--for no reason at all, I never dropped it! And the included eyebrow comb is just by itself, very tiny, so it's easy to lose. I put it in a ziplock bag with some eyeshadow applicators because I don't know where else would be a better place... Other than that, totally recommend! Better eyebrows really do make a difference. (:
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
hannaxbear 4/12/2009 11:26:00 PM
I bought this on sale 40% off in regular (not waterproof) very black. Pros: + Very black color, which I love. + NEVER smudges on me, which is fantastic because all other mascaras in the past, even waterproof ones, have smudged on me, at least a little by the end of the day. I even tried putting this on my lower lashes, which I never do, on a hot day and it lasted without smudging! Even after I worked out at the gym for 1.5 hours!!! + Volumizes and holds a curl well. + Very easy to take off. + Lashes are still relatively soft. + Doesn't clump much. + Love the big plastic brush! Cons: - For some reason, a lot of mascara tends to clump at the end of the wand, which can get in the way while you're applying mascara if you don't wipe it off. - Doesn't do much lengthening. I love this mascara, especially for it's ability to stay put without smudging, and would definitely recommend it. However, I took off one lippie because of the clumping on the wand issue and because it doesn't make my lashes super amazing, although it is enough to keep me satisfied for now. I would repurchase, but I might deter from it and try other products to find my HG mascara. UPDATE: I've now tried the waterproof version and I've noticed a few differences: - Thinner formula, doesn't seem to clump as much in the bottle. - Holds a curl much better! Never realized that the non-waterproof formula didn't do a great job. Curl stays exactly the same all day, as if I had just curled them. - Harder to take off, but still rarely lose any lashes. (: - Different smell, I like the non-waterproof formula's smell better, but it's not that bothersome. Just a minor note. - Not sure if it's really waterproof, but after taking a shower with it on, it doesn't smudge or make raccoon eyes. Everything else as mentioned above is the same--still lasts all day and never smudges! I would continue to buy the waterproof version because it holds my curl MUCH better!! If that doesn't matter to you much, then stick with the non-waterproof version.
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Eyeliner -Neutrogena - Nourishing Eye Liner
hannaxbear 4/12/2009 11:13:00 PM
This eyeliner was on sale 40% off and the reviews here (though there were very few) were raving about the product, so I decided to try it. What a mistake! After applying it for the first time, I immediately took it off and decided I would return it as soon as I got the chance. The tip is very dull and the eyeliner is super soft (not in a good way) so it's pretty much impossible to make a thin precise line. I purchased this in Cosmic Black and it was more gray than black--definitely NOT intense color. Overall, just a very bad eyeliner and I would not recommend it to anyone.
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