Loose Powders -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Loose Powder
hkempler 12/3/2012 4:47:00 PM
Bite the bullet and finally bought this. I’ve recent switch from powder foundation (BeneFit Hello Flawless) to BB cream recently (Missha), and needed a powder to set it. I’ve tried E.L.F. which claims to be a dup of this, well...E.L.F powder isn’t as finely milled, and I didn’t like the feeling on my face when wearing it. So, I went to Sephora and asked for a sample of MUFE HD Powder. It took me over a week to figure out how to wear it without having a ghostly cast on my NW25 skintone. Now I got it down pad. I only really need very little powder for the whole face. I pour little powder on my back of my hand, blend it with my index finger until the powder nearly disappears, then use a fluffy power blush to pick it up, fluff onto my face. Don’t worry, although you can’t see the powder, it is there on the blush. This method sets my BB cream beautifully without being too matte and it lasts all day without a single touch up (I’m not into a completely matte face, and I have dry skin). I will re-purchase it when I run out, but at this rate I’m not sure when I will need to!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Hard Candy - Living Doll
hkempler 12/3/2012 12:09:00 PM
I got a small size of this blush in First Flush kit. It looks slightly different from the full size one that has a gold vein running through it. The one that came in the kit is slightly cooler. I like the colour and the glow that it gives, but I found that the texture is too drying and it only lasts 3 – 4 hours max before I have to re-apply. I have no intention of re-purchasing.
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Primer/ Corrector -Clarins - Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
hkempler 9/12/2012 4:27:00 PM
I already have a few great face primers on my roaster. Then, I’ve been given generous samples of this. First I thought I was going to use it just for fun, but boy oh boy…what a great product! This is probably the best primer I’ve ever use. I does give me that airbrush complexion. Now I’m hooked. I echoed other reviews that it is not the best primer for oily skin, but for my dry-medium skin type it is just perfect! I does require a different technique in applying. It has a thicker texture compared to other primers, so I didn’t just rub it all over my face like I would with my BE Prime Time or Smashbox, because it would create an uneven texture. I found that it’s best to place and pat it all over my face, like you would with Benefit Porefessional (and this is a much better primer than Porefessional). The lasting power is also great too. I usually get 9 hours straight, with makeup still looks flawless at the end of the day. Now that I’m almost out of it, I need to go out and buy this. I shouldn’t have tried it at the first place, now I have to spend money :)
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NARS - Luster
hkempler 8/20/2012 7:05:00 PM
NARS website describs the colour as “golden apricot”, and they’re absolutelyly right. It’s perfect for my NW25 skintone. I was collecting NARS blush, and this was one of those that I was delaying in getting as I was judging it from the pan. I eventually bought it, and I’ve been wearing it most of the summer. It gives me “the glow from within” that I always wanted. On me, it leans a little pink and looks nothing like the pan. If you are planning to buy it, I recommend that you try it in person instead of looking online. Just like any NARS blush, this one lasts about eight hours, but doesn’t fade patchy like some NARS blushes, and I love that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Origins - Starting Over (with Mimosa)
hkempler 7/31/2012 1:06:00 PM
I received a free full-size sample from Sephora, and initially didn’t like its horribly strong orangey smell and put it away. I recently started using it again while contemplating my next skincare purchase. After two weeks straight of using just this product, my skin looks visibly better. My skin feels firmer and the skin tone is even out nicely. It has very nice texture and absorbs very quickly into the skin. I always have clear skin, but it now got much better to the point that it looks like I’m wearing foundation/BB cream without wearing one :) I still can’t stand the smell, but put up with it because the product itself is great. I am also not sure whether it will be moisturizing enough in the winter. I may have to add another moisturizer into my routine if I am going to use this product in the winter. Overall, I am very satisfied with it, and will re-purchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -BeneFit Cosmetics - The Porefessional
hkempler 6/29/2012 10:54:00 AM
This product is like a bad ex-boyfriend who you can’t live with or without. I will forever be on the fence about this. I love the balm-like texture and how it looks tinted but goes on translucent. However, it was not easy to blend. After using it for a month, I found some tips that help me get the best result: - First, a well-moisturized skin is a must because this product will not hydrate or nourish your skin like some primers would. - Follow the instruction sheet from BeneFit - lightly pat it onto your skin. Don’t try to blend it out because it will disappear into nothing and lose its “pore covering” effect. - Put on a little first, then add on if needed. Putting it on too much at once can create a patchy surface. You have to play with it a few times to get a hang of it. I suggest asking for a free sample from your local retailer before buying full-size. Once you figure out how to best put it on, you will love the poreless effect it creates. For everyday use, I still use my BE Prime Time as a primer, followed by Hello Flawless powder, then use Porefessional for some spots that still need coverage. It’s not long lasting. I get 4 – 6 hours for one application. So, you need to carry it around for touch us throughout the day.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Ruffian Gold
hkempler 6/25/2012 1:47:00 PM
NOTE: I usually won’t review anything until I’ve used it for at least a month. However, since this is a limited edition, I want to get my review in early so that it helps my fellow MUA-ers in making a decision. MAC Ruffian Gold is not an opaque lipstick. It’s more like a bunch of soft gold shimmering glitters held together by a clear base. It’s sheer, so when you put it on it was like putting a gold dust over your lips. Gorgeous. I’m highly sensitive to the grittiness on lipsticks with glitters, or even shimmers, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. I was so happy to learn that it was not at all gritty. The glitters are soft and well blended. A+++ for me. I tried it over red, coral and nude lips, and it works for all. It updates the look of your lipstick immediately, making it more “special”. For the last few days, I’ve been wearing it on its own with just a clear lip balm. It has a causal chic look to it which I love. However, it would work better for me when I’m a bit more tanned (c’mon summer!). IMO, It’s a great product if you want to update your look without spending a ton of money on many new lipsticks. For me, I wear a lot of gold in the summer, so this is perfect. It will also work great for the Holidays over red lips. Wear time is about 4 hrs, which is pretty standard for a frost lipstick. I’m glad to have this winner from MAC, after a few disappointments with their products lately. I gave it a solid 4.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Dandelion
hkempler 6/19/2012 4:55:00 PM
Many warned me that this would not show up on my NW25 skintone, but I swapped for it anyway. It took 3 – 4 heavy swipes to make it barely show on me. On me by itseld, it’s a ballerina pink with very…very subtle shimmers. The lack of colour payoff doesn’t’ deter me from liking it, and I’ve been reaching for it quite often as a highlighter on top of my matte blush (beautiful combo with Tarte Exposed or NARS Gaiety). I found that I get more colour payoff if I use that silly blush that comes with. It’s coarse, so you can “scratch” the powder off to get more power. I also like the smell. It instantly lifts me up. I’m not a big fan of the packaging though. I can’t fit it in my makeup bag, and I wish I could carry it with me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Japonesque - Power Curl Eyelash Curler
hkempler 6/14/2012 10:36:00 AM
I’ve been using it since last year. First I was taken aback by the lack of spring on this curler. Due to the lack of spring, when I curl my lashes, it doesn’t feel like it’s curling them i.e. I don’t feel the pressure that I would with Shu. But believe me…this curler does a fantastic job. It is larger than Shu which is better for me since I have large eyes. It’s able to get my corner lashes that Shu curler is unable to reach. My Asian straight lashes are softly curled and sky high, and remain curled for over 10 hours (thanks to mascara too). NOTE: I took off one lippy because of their customer service (or lack of). Before buying, I had some questions and sent my inquiries through their website. They never answered or even acknowledged it, which is ridiculous sine this isn’t a cheap curler. I had to ask my fellows MUA for answers, and ended up buying it. A few months later, I submitted the form for a replacement pad, I didn’t get any response back that my form was received – nothing! I waited a few weeks, and emailed them to inquire. Again no answer. Three weeks later, the replacement pad just showed up in the mail. A response would be nice! Due to their customer service, I will not purchase this curler when this one breaks, which maybe awhile since it’s pretty sturdy.
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Polishes -Revlon - Minted #85
hkempler 5/11/2012 11:18:00 PM
I bought my first Revlon nail polish because I fell in love with this colour. My usual brands (OPI, CG, Zoya) don't have this perfect minty colour that I had been looking for. The formula, unfortunately, was very streaky and not at all self-leveling. The small thin brush makes it even harder to apply. Now I only wear this colour when I get my nails done because I could never do it by myself. Nonetheless, I will probably re-purchase because of the colour. It's such a gorgeous light and airy mint. It also looks great with glitters on top.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Lincoln Park After Dark
hkempler 5/5/2012 10:50:00 AM
It's the perfect dark for me. I love that dark aubergine colour that's almost black. I've never attempted to apply this polish on my own. Like other dark colours, I will only get it done in the salon to get that perfect look. Only two coats will do that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Kiss Me - HEROINE MAKE long and curl mascara (black)
hkempler 5/2/2012 1:39:00 PM
After waiting one full month for it to arrive from Asia, this mascara has turned out to be a major disappointment. I already have long lashes with medium volume. I just need something that would hold curl because my lashes are straight and pointing down. This mascara doesn’t even do that. It instantly flattens my freshly curled lashes and doesn’t lengthen or volumize them. It actually makes my lashes look shorter! I’ve tried it with Shu, Shiseido and Japonesque lash curlers with no result. It works a bit better when I applies it over CG Lashblast, but that’s pointless.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Corrector
hkempler 4/25/2012 1:08:00 PM
I bought it in peach as SA suggested. It was a perfect match, and STILL it doesn't do anything for me, which was surprising since I don't have bad undereye circles. You also got very little product, so I consider it expensive.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Bare Escentuals - Prime Time
hkempler 4/24/2012 6:26:00 PM
I’m on my second bottle. I like it the most compared to what I used before (Smashbox and CoverFX). It’s light and easy to apply. It just glides on the skin making my face a perfect canvas for BE powder. It doesn’t help minimizing my pore or correct my skin tone, however it isn’t a deal breaker since those aren’t my major issues. If you want something just to help your foundation/powder glides and stays, this product works wonder. IMO, it isn’t expensive since a little goes a long way. One thing that bothers me, though, is the pump! Half way through I have to turn the bottle upside down and decant it to a small container to get very once of it. A tube would be better.
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Polishes -OPI - Tutti Frutti Tonga
hkempler 4/19/2012 12:02:00 PM
I wore this colour on my wedding years ago. It looks fantastic over a French manicure as it gives a touch of pink and shine. However, I wouldn’t purchase it or wear it on its own because it’s incredibly streaky. This is the colour I would only get done in the salon.
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