Blush -Lancome - Blush Subtil (all colors) 
ibraille 7/6/2012 1:19:00 PM
I have several Lancome Blushes and love all of them. These simply do not get enough love. They are tad more expensive than say MAC, but they significantly better quality. I love the packaging. Especially the large mirror it provides. These are highly pigmented blushes that blend beautifully and wear very well. I find myself reaching for these more than most of my other blushes. They have a descent color range and have some very unique colors as well. Even the shimmery blushes are only subtly shimmery and do not emphasize pores or cause any other unpleasant situations. These have never caused a reaction on my very sensitive skin. I highly recommend giving these a try. For referrence I'm about NC30-35 and own/love Shimmering Mocha Havana, Miel Glace, Rose Romantique, Shimmering Manderin Sky.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Tarte - Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full-Coverage Foundation SPF 15
ibraille 6/5/2012 6:00:00 PM
I am impressed. This does what it says. This offers medium buildable coverage. It has a truly natural finish - satin matte. It phototgraphs very well. It stay on for the 12 hrs it claims, but I wish it lasted a bit longer but only cause my day is longer than that. It holds up well in the heat, but if your are truly very oily you may need to use something on the Tzone at least to help it from sliding off. I apply this with a buffing brush- either the SigmaF80 or the newer Real Techniques Buffing Foundation Brush (the one that is slightly pinched). I find that if I moisten the brush a bit the finish is even nicer, too. (Tip from MakeupbyTiffanyD) A little goes a long way, too. I squeeze a line of only the length of my middle fingers fingertip from bend to end of tip if that makes sense. But that does my whole face. It blurs my pores so they look smaller, too. Most importantly no irritaion or break outs because of this. Will repurcahse. It's the only one I have found in the 2 yrs that I've been searching for a replacement that works for me, so it's a keeper.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Clinique - Blushwear Cream Stick - Peachy
ibraille 4/19/2012 2:02:00 PM
I love these cream stick blushes. This color is really pretty as a base for corally or peachy blushes. I have it in Shy as well. These don't break me out or irritate. Love them and they really stay on the skin well. Little goes a long way so price is reasonable. I find that applying with a brush is best. I swipe my Real Techniques buffing brush over it then blend onto cheeks. Totally worth try.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Shiseido - Nourishing Mascara Base
ibraille 4/19/2012 1:59:00 PM
This does not compare to the original formula. At best this holds a curl fabulously, but I can accomplish that with a waterproof mascara. This adds ok length, but it did nothing for volume like the old formula. This really works no better than using a lengthening waterproof mascara as a base then following with a second masacra. I can get the same effect for under $10.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sonia Kashuk - pointed foundation brush
ibraille 4/19/2012 1:54:00 PM
I picked this only because of the rave reviews this has gotten on YT and here on MUA. Otherwise it is not something I would have thought to pick up. Happy I did. I love it for concealer. I think it's a tad small for a full face of foundation, but for concealer and it works wonderfully. Blends it out fantastically without picking up too much product. It is a super soft brush as well. Really glad I picked it up. Another SK brush that rocks.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Mat Velvet PLUS Matifying Foundation
ibraille 4/19/2012 1:50:00 PM
What a disappointment. This stuff's mattifying power lasts about 15 mins! My skin is slightly oily in the spring before it gets too warm...but this made me really oily within like the first 1-2hrs. It was a shiny oily mess that pretty much ended up melting off mostly by the end of the day. And it broke me out :( I can't really think who this would work for?? Even dry skin would have issues cause it sticks and emphasizes dryness. Complete fail....only thing I liked was the packaging. See through and squeeze bottle.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Citrix Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 30
ibraille 3/29/2012 1:40:00 PM
I'm surprised this had such little reviews...this stuff is really good. I have been on a search for a new sunscreen for 2 years now and having had no success and reaction after reaction to various things...I FINALLY found this. I was honestly expecting it to be one more on the continuelly growing list of products to mess up my skin once more. Nope--my face likes this stuff. It is a light moisturizer, it doesn't make me shiny, and it doesn't leave a white cast because of the micronized zinc and chem SS mix. It runs $20-$25 which isn't super cheap, but compared to other purchases I've made I find it to be relatively affordable. Plus, it works! That's pretty priceless to someone with sensitive skin. For reference I have highly clog and acne prone skin that is also highly sensitive.( I can only tolerate octinoxate of all the chem SS so thank goodness that's what's in this. ) and am about NC30-35.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -E.L.F. - Wet Gloss Lash and Brow Clear Mascara
ibraille 3/29/2012 1:22:00 PM
$1! This stuff keeps my brows in place all day til I wash my face. I fill in my brows with shadow and then lightly go over them with either side of the gel (I figure its the same formula) and done. It sets quickly, doesn't flake/turn white, doesn't pick much color from fill in color, and doesn't cause any kind of reaction. Will now be a staple for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Physician's Choice - PCA Skin Weightless Protection Spf 45
ibraille 9/12/2011 11:19:00 AM
This is a lightweight moisturizer with a SPF. It would be great for oily to combo skin. Loved that it came with a pump. The ingredient list is VERY similar to EltaMd UV Clear spf 46 except without the niacinamide and lactice acid which I thought might make it even gentler. This applied nicely and even worked as a sort of primer making any makeup around the eyes (concealer/foundation) go on supremely smooth and extended wear nicely as well. Cosmetically speaking, this was great under makeup and with my oily Tzone. Sadly, this made my forehead really angry and broke me out quite a bit within just a few days of wearing it. Lots of clogged pores all over my forehead with a sprinkle over the rest of my face. If you don't have sensitive skin or are too breakout prone, this would be quite nice.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Physicians Formula - Powder Finish Concealer (yellow)
ibraille 9/2/2011 1:47:00 PM
I buy 2 of these at a time because I use it every single day. It's only about $5 and works great at neutralizing redness and darkness. I use it under my eyes on the darker areas as well across my cheeks to tone down the redness I always have there. I apply my foundation over it. This is very gentle and has never irritated my skin. I even use this alone when I go to the gym just to conceal a little darkness around my eyes and lids. I don't find that it contributes to oilyness either. Highly recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Clinique - Fresh Bloom AllOver Colour - Peony
ibraille 9/2/2011 1:43:00 PM
I really like this. The color is such a pretty pink color. It's the perfect cheek color for when I want something a little brighter than my usual nude/pink blushes. It works great with plum-y or red pink lip colors. I like the packageing, too. It feels sturdy and a little goes a long way. The shimmer in it is the kind a like, glowy. It doesn't emphasize pores which is a great plus. I'm about NC35 and shows up nicely. The only one of the 3 colors that actually worked for me. Almond looked dirty and posey was invisible on my skintone. Will repurchase.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Christian Dior - Addict Lipstick
ibraille 8/26/2011 6:09:00 PM
I picked this up in #750 Rock N Roll...pretty pink. Texture is nice. I like that its glossy and yet stays put. I was surprised by how well this stayed on. Too bad it dried the heck outta my lips. It feels moisturizing as you apply it, but by the end of day 1 my lips were all peel-y. Not good. :( So will not repurchase and as pretty as it is...its going back.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Laura Mercier - Daily Face Shield with Adaptogens SPF 40+
ibraille 8/9/2011 12:35:00 PM
D*mn this is expensive and yet worth every penny for me. It doesn't cause ANY type of irritation, breakouts, or greasy oil slick. It works as both a light moisturizer and primer. It helps my foundation go on even more smoothly and last longer. I think it is slightly water resistance because even when I perspire I don't find that it breaks down. Also, no white cast :) It is a very runny liquid. The best way to spread this without using half the bottle is to make sure your face is slightly damp. I spritz water lightly on right before and it works great that way. I dab it on forehead, cheeks, chin and spread then go back and do around the eyes with a teeny bit more. Sinks in quickly. Pricey, but def HG for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Promaxyl - Eyelash Renewal serum Rapidlash
ibraille 7/18/2011 9:00:00 PM
This stuff works! I picked it up at Costco for just under $50 for a 2 pk. 1 gives you about 3 months of daily use. Saw results after 4 wks. By the 3rd month my husband asked if I was wearing mascara to bed! My lashes actually have gotten long enough so that they curl. Fantastic. Also, no irritation. At first I applied it wrong. I was applying it to the skin at the base of the lashes, your actually supposed to applyit to the base of your lashes closest to your skin. As soon as I did that i saw a total difference in results. I didn't experience much irritation or skin discoloration. Something I will always use. EDIT** 1/31/12 After using this for about six months and loving the change in my lashes, I have stopped using it. Although my lashes look fantastic this does cause pigmentation to darken around your eye area....and not just on your lids. This darkenend my under eye area, too. I did not realize this til I ran out and realized that due to my lack of use my under eye area was getting lighter. Realizing that my under eye circles weren't truly as dark as I thought they'd gotten. I rather have less fabulous lashes in exchange for less to NO undereye circles.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Juice Beauty - Green Apple Peel
ibraille 7/17/2011 12:59:00 AM
I got this as a gift from my sister in Full Strength. I probably would have never purchased it myself. Boy, would I have missed out! This stuff is really great. I honestly did not even want to try it. I was kinda scared :( I have really super sensitive skin and was afraid it would cause my skin to feel like it were on fire or worse cause some sort of allergic reaction. After almost having it for a month, I decided to finally give it try. This stuff looks like applesauce slime, if that makes any sense. It's a yellow-y apple color(duh-green apple!) and it has a slight scent, but nothing annoying or overwhelming. I applied it to my face a few mins after washing. It started *tingling* almost immediately. I only made it 5 mins in the first time. I soon discovered that sitting in front of a fan or something makes it WAY more tolerable and eventually worked up to the full 15 mins. I fell in love with it almost immediately. The results are almost better than a professional peel. My skin feels AMAZING right after, it eats up all the dry bits, and helps to clean out my pores somehow. This mask actually helped pull out some pesky clogged pores that just wouldn't budge and faded some old acne marks, too. I was sold! I have been using it now for about 6 weeks on nights I skip my RetinA. The only thing this mask does is make my skin better. No irritation, no breakouts. Also, the price is totally worth it. $45 and 6 uses in and I have barely made a dent in the jar. I'm maybe 1/4 of the way down. Will never be without this. So glad I finally tried it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No