Foundations -L'Oreal - Visible Lift, Extra Coverage, Line Minimizing Makeup
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 9:17:00 PM
I strongly dislike this foundation. I mostly got it to substitute for the concealer of the same brand, and I instantly regretted it. I hate the packaging, which comes with this awful brush attached to the top so you have to apply the product with the brush. In my opinion, I should be able to decide how to apply my products myself. I cut off the bristles, but then the product just got stuck around the base. As far as I can tell, the brush is just a gimmick to waste foundation so you have to buy more sooner. Even worse: you can't clean it, so who knows what kind of bacteria are growing in this? The color slips all over the place and it's impossible to control. Even worse: it leaks out of the package when you aren't using it. It doesn't even do a great job covering you! I hate wasting money, but even I will probably throw this away. Bottom line: I will never, ever buy this again. It provides minimal coverage, slips all over the face, and has the worst packaging I have ever seen. I could rant about how awful this is for hours, but frankly, it isn't worth the time or effort.
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Sunscreen -Kiss My Face - Face Factor-SPF30
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 9:12:00 PM
My face generally leans on oily, so this is the only moisturizer I use. It has healthy antioxidants, and the opaque packaging keeps the bells and whistles from being damaged by light. It's a little thick for my taste, so I add a drop or two of water when I apply. I find that even when I'm on the water all day sailing or water skiing, as long as I'm wearing this my face won't burn. I love that it's very nature friendly, with 30% recycled packaging that can be re-recycled! My skin feels light and fresh after I've applied this in the morning, a wonderful feeling. Bottom line: Great sunscreen that can double as a daily moisturizer for normal to oily skin. Make sure to avoid getting this in your eyes, it can sting!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -L'Oreal - True Match super-blendable blush
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 9:07:00 PM
This is too compact to get a significant amount with a blush brush, so I just use my fingers. The color is very, very mild (I'm using n3-4), which is good if you're like me and want an exceedingly natural look, but won't work for any significant coloring. When I say natural, I mean the sheerest of pinks with just a hint of shine. In fact, this is more shine than pink, so it gives me the glow I'm looking for without the fake-looking pink that I'm trying to avoid. The bottom line: Very, very natural looking. More of a gentle shine than an actual pink color, but it can be great for a natural, young look. Try using your fingers instead of a brush for this one.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Concealer
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 9:02:00 PM
In a word, this is a decent concealer. Up to par with other true match products, it's easy to find a shade in your color. However, it can slip into places where you don't need it (such as into your eyes, and it stings a lot!). This doesn't cover extremely dark circles very well, which is my biggest problem, although it does an okay job when set with a light powder (I use the true match powder). It works great for my sister, who has much lighter circles under her eyes than I do. The bottom line: Not a bad option for light to medium coverage under the eyes, but it won't cover the darkest of dark circles, and it can slip into your eyes or over places you don't need lightening.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Bamboo 6 Piece Eye Brush Set
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 8:58:00 PM
I love every one of the Ecotools brushes, and I use them all! I'm a goner for non-cruelty, recycled products, but even I realize how often quality suffers for eco-friendliness. Not in this case! The non-cruelty fur hairs are soft and supple, and they won't fall out even after repeated cleaning. For THIS SET SPECIFICALLY: I love the small brushes and use them for everything. The crease brush is too big for the crease, but it can be used for special stage make up effects, powdering under your eyes to cover circles, using eye brow powder, or just on a whim. The blending brush is one of the most versatile brushes Ecotools sells. These are great for people just learning to use brushes, since each brush has a recommended use, and for the most part, they are accurate recommendations. The brushes are a good size for almost anyone, and depending on what I'm doing, I use every single one (although not necessarily for the recommended use). I own the six piece set, the five piece set, and the eye make-up set, and I love the way each case fits into the larger one. Very convenient, especially since I have to take them around to school plays and often use these on multiple people. The brushes and the packaging are very attractive and natural looking. I make my makeup as natural as possible, so I love that my brushes match my face! Bottom line: These are relatively cheap brushes that are match up to the quality of the most expensive brands! They won't fall apart, they're soft, and they're extremely versatile. Great for beginners. Add in the recycled packaging, non cruelty fur, and bamboo handles, and you've got one of the best nature friendly products available!
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Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Alicia Silverstone 5-piece Brush Set
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 8:52:00 PM
I love every one of the Ecotools brushes, and I use them all! I'm a goner for non-cruelty, recycled products, but even I realize how often quality suffers for eco-friendliness. Not in this case! The non-cruelty fur hairs are soft and supple, and they won't fall out even after repeated cleaning. These are great for people just learning to use brushes, since each brush has a recommended use, and for the most part, they are accurate recommendations. The brushes are a good size for almost anyone, and depending on what I'm doing, I use every single one (although not necessarily for the recommended use). I own the six piece set, the five piece set, and the eye make-up set, and I love the way each case fits into the larger one. Very convenient, especially since I have to take them around to school plays and often use these on multiple people. The brushes and the packaging are very attractive and natural looking. I make my makeup as natural as possible, so I love that my brushes match my face! Bottom line: These are relatively cheap brushes that are match up to the quality of the most expensive brands! They won't fall apart, they're soft, and they're extremely versatile. Great for beginners. Add in the recycled packaging, non cruelty fur, and bamboo handles, and you've got one of the best nature friendly products available!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 8:50:00 PM
I love every one of the Ecotools brushes, and I use them all! I'm a goner for non-cruelty, recycled products, but even I realize how often quality suffers for eco-friendliness. Not in this case! The non-cruelty fur hairs are soft and supple, and they won't fall out even after repeated cleaning. These are great for people just learning to use brushes, since each brush has a recommended use, and for the most part, they are accurate recommendations. The brushes are a good size for almost anyone, and depending on what I'm doing, I use every single one (although not necessarily for the recommended use). I own the six piece set, the five piece set, and the eye make-up set, and I love the way each case fits into the larger one. Very convenient, especially since I have to take them around to school plays and often use these on multiple people. The brushes and the packaging are very attractive and natural looking. I make my makeup as natural as possible, so I love that my brushes match my face! Bottom line: These are relatively cheap brushes that are match up to the quality of the most expensive brands! They won't fall apart, they're soft, and they're extremely versatile. Great for beginners. Add in the recycled packaging, non cruelty fur, and bamboo handles, and you've got one of the best nature friendly products available!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Full 'N Soft Mascara
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 8:38:00 PM
I've been using this for a while, and it never lets me down! It applies evenly and thickly, and it makes my lashes look fantastic without weighing them down. It can smear, but doesn't any mascara? It doesn't sting your eyes if it accidentally gets into them, and I use both the water proof and the normal. I love the natural look, and this is just right to make a difference without being to obvious. People will notice you, not your mascara! Bottom line: Great for every day use, will definitely buy again!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 8:31:00 PM
An excellent product! I'm big on inexpensive make up, but I hate wasting money on drugstore foundations that you can't sample. L'Oreal found the balance with the 'color sheets' they have along with the make up displays. You just hold your hand under the sheet and look to see which color disappears over your skin. I found the perfect foundation for my skin color in just one go! My little sister did the same, and her recommendation was perfect as well, even though we have significantly different skin tones (hers is light and warm, mine is dark and neutral). I'm a huge fan of the natural look, so I only use this around my eyes (you should see my panda circles, you'd be astonished) and on blemishes. It does a good job on blemishes and an ok job on dark circles (so I use a concealer as well). I love the texture as it's smooth and easy to blend. I think this is great for teenagers, as it isn't oily or heavy in small amounts, and it can give a healthy glow to the skin. The bottom line: If you want to use a lot of foundation, I would recommend something else, but for light coverage in your perfect color, this is it!
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Lipstick -Wet 'n' Wild - Wild Shine Lipstick
helerycelerie 10/3/2011 8:22:00 PM
I play clarinet nearly every day, so I hardly ever wear lipstick, but this was so cheap that I figured I might as well try it for special occasions. The only color left on the shelf was lustful (925), which looked really dark, but I decided to risk it. I'm glad I did! This is much lighter than it looks, only a shade or two darker than my natural lip color. It's pink leaning on plumb, wich works well with my natural pigment. I love a natural look (another reason I don't often wear lip color), and this is an excellent choice. I like the texture, although I find it can slide while being applied. As long as you wipe off the excess, it should be alright. I've been wearing it over lip balm, which could be affecting the slipping. On the downside: the packaging is terrible. It doesn't go in all the way, so you have to be exceptionally careful when replacing the lid, or it will end up all over the place. Then again, it's $3 at cvs, and I got it 30% off. Since I have to wipe it off whenever I play clarinet and reapply often, it's a pretty good deal for me. The bottom line: An excellent, inexpensive lipstick with a great texture that can look natural, but the packaging could definitely be improved. Still, I'll be trying other colors!
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Conditioner -TRESemme - Climate Control Conditioner
helerycelerie 8/6/2011 6:11:00 PM
First impression: When you buy TRESemme, you get a lot for a very good price. 32 ounces for under $5 is definitely worth a try. The shampoo, in its black container, and the conditioner, in white, are very easy to tell apart, even when you're in a rush. This shampoo/conditioner has a very mild scent that won't clash with other products or perfumes, which is wonderful. Furthermore, there aren't any useless coloring agents added just to make the products look pretty. The shampoo is transparent; the conditioner is a translucent white. I've been using this shampoo/conditioner for about a week now, and I love it! I've gotten tons of complements on the softness of my hair, and it hasn't been as frizzy, even considering our hotter-than-normal summer. Whether or not it directly protects my hair from the climate, the shampoo is a good basic cleanser, and the conditioner is well balanced. The conditioner contains silicones that could potentially build up over time, which some people don't like, although I find it helps my very curly hair maintain its structure. All in all, I really like this product, and I'll certainly buy it again. Down side: These bottles are too large to fit into a suitcase for travel. The bottom line: A no-nonsense conditioner that makes your hair look great at a decent price!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -TRESemme - Climate Control Shampoo
helerycelerie 8/6/2011 4:19:00 PM
First impression: When you buy TRESemme, you get a lot for a very good price. 32 ounces for under $5 is definitely worth a try. The shampoo, in its black container, and the conditioner, in white, are very easy to tell apart, even when you're in a rush. This shampoo/conditioner has a very mild scent that won't clash with other products or perfumes, which is wonderful. Furthermore, there aren't any useless coloring agents added just to make the products look pretty. The shampoo is transparent; the conditioner is a translucent white. I've been using this shampoo/conditioner for about a week now, and I love it! I've gotten tons of complements on the softness of my hair, and it hasn't been as frizzy, even considering our hotter-than-normal summer. Whether or not it directly protects my hair from the climate, the shampoo is a good basic cleanser, and the conditioner is well balanced. The conditioner contains silicones that could potentially build up over time, which some people don't like, although I find it helps my very curly hair maintain its structure. All in all, I really like this product, and I'll certainly buy it again. Down Side: These bottles are too big to fit into a suitcase for travel. Bottom line: A no-nonsense shampoo that makes your hair look great at a decent price!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No