Lipstick -MAC - Rebel Lipstick
jacrodriguez 3/5/2013 1:18:00 PM
This is stated as one of the Best Selling shades by Mac. Often sold out. Knowing this, of course i grabbed one on the first chance I've got. I am on the fence and quite confused about this though. It's shade on the tube is Dark Plum, but when applied, it is a dark berry-reddish plum when applied as a full color but on lighter application, it would look Dark Fuschia. I researched on it and it looked gorgeous on the swatches. But when I applied it on my lips with full color, I got disappointed cause it made me look...old and matronly. Not flattering on my NC25 skin tone. So I opted to blot it and blot it some more till it looks like a stain and alas! It looked great! The color turned out to look light berry Fuschia. I am also so impressed with it's longevity, that stain lasted on my lips even after I brushed my teeth before I went to bed which is impressive. And it fades evenly like I had a natural flush on my lips... So i decided to keep it and just wear it as a stain from then on.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -La Mer - Creme de la mer moisturizer
jacrodriguez 1/17/2013 1:21:00 PM
I have been a CDL user for years. I also have tried a whole lot of other brands, even argan oil, trying to look for a cheaper alternative or a cream that works better but I always come back to this and swear on this. I just can see the difference it makes on my skin that nothing else has delivered the moment i go back to it after straying from it for months. It gives my skin a very flattering glow, a rosy and healthy glow, my pores are non-existent, my complexion even toned, plumped and moisturized. My foundation goes on my skin a lot better, and looks better. I actually use less foundation cause i like my natural skin to show through. Yes it is very expensive to maintain but you need a little for your whole face so it will last you for many months.I scoop a small amount then put it on my palm then rub both my hands together to soften it and spread and massage it all over my face. A lot of people have been saying that the price cannot be justified cause the ingredients are cheap but for me, IT SIMPLY WORKS. I am not a scientist, dermatologist or an expert, I just trust it based on the effects and the difference I see on my skin for years. I can use a cheap makeup remover, face wash, toner and don't even need to add a serum but I won't give this one up. I use it nightly as my end of the day treat. I use a moisturizer with an SPF in the day. I have combination oily skin and it worked fine and didn't break me out.
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
jacrodriguez 1/17/2013 12:51:00 PM
This concealer has worked well on me so far. I have deepset eyes and have dark circles that is brownish purple in color. Really bad. And I have this in NC30 and NC20. My shade with the foundations is NC25. It's just weird that this concealer doesn't have it in that shade? Anyway, I apply Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach first and pat this in top and it totally covers and brightens my undereyes. My dark circles are my biggest insecurity on my face so I have really tried A LOT of concealers from drugstore to high end... Have a whole drawer of them but I grab for this one with the Bb corrector the most. I use the nc30 for a more natural look and the nc20 for a more made up look. Lasts on me very well cause I used it while I was in labor for 28Hours! Still wanted to look decent amidst the torture. ;)
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 224 Tapered Blending (Windshield Wiper) Brush
jacrodriguez 9/1/2012 11:04:00 AM
This is a versatile brush. I used it first as a Blending Brush for eyeshadows, which it was originally meant to do, but then I discovered Nars blending brush 13 which is way better in shape, size, quality and softness. But this one did not go to waste. This is a good brush and I use it now for application and blending my concealer on my under eyes, redness and blemishes (which gives the best and most natural coverage), dusting powder to seal the concealer where I placed it, applying bronzer on my inner brow bone to the sides of my nose for contouring and removing flakes of mascara or droppings of eyeshadow on my face. So I love it.
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Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Corrector
jacrodriguez 9/1/2012 10:44:00 AM
I'm an NC25 and I use this in Light Peach. I have deep set eyes and bad dark circles that are a bit bluish/purple and this has saved me. I apply it with my ring finger dabbing it softly or with a Mac 224 on top of my foundation then put my Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NC30(I find that this shade complements the corrector more than NC25) on top of it and this combination makes my eyes look brighter but not to the point where I look like I have headlights on my eyes. My eyes just looks flattering, awake and I look healthy and not sick. I apply it in a triangular shape from the inner corner of my eye, to the base of my nose then back up to the outer corner of my eye then blend that whole area thoroughly. This lifts up my whole eye area. I only dab very little amount of both BB corrector and Mac concealer for it not to cake. Then pat and roll on a little pressed powder to seal it. It creases a little during the day but a little pat and blending smoothes it back. It takes practice and getting used to to make this process fast when you are in a hurry.
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Moisturizers -L'Occitane - Immortelle Very Precious Cream
jacrodriguez 9/1/2012 10:10:00 AM
I have been using Creme de Lamer for Years and loved it but it us getting too expensive for me to maintain. So I had to look for another cream that worked as well, or even better. I researched and tried different brands but unfortunately failed and wasted a lot of money until I came across this cream. I was actually interested with the Precious Cream but the SA said that this was better. Precious cream was ok but i wasn't wowed by it. It was just like any other moisturizer that gave moisture while on my skin but didn't give any special effect on my face. I asked for testers of both and compared it for a week each and she was right. So I got a whole jar of the VPC and I was so happy I did! The Very Precious Cream moisturized my skin very well without being too greasy or heavy, my skin is bright, smooth and my pores are smaller. I wake up with glowing skin and it lessened my blemishes and calmed my up coming breakouts before they even erupt! Which is a plus. Can't say much about how it combats the fine lines and wrinkles yet though cause I don't have much. Exept around the eyes. Still yet to observe that. It is also less expensive with more product. I only use a little and it spreads easily all over my face and neck so a whole jar lasts me up to 8months or more. The scent is not so overwhelming too. Edit: L'Occitane had discontinued this! They said it's now the Precious Night Cream. SA kept on convincing me it's the same product but researched on it and it is not. Changed some of the ingredients I think. Too bad. I really liked it. Well, going back to my CDL then.
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Cleansers -Ponds - Deep Cleanser Cold Cream
jacrodriguez 9/1/2012 2:56:00 AM
This has been around for generations for a reason. It has taken care of the skin of my grandmother, mother then now me. It removes all my makeup really well. I use an oil based makeup remover for my eyes though and not this cause this kinda stings. I apply thick amount all over my face and neck and massage it for a minute or so where I can see all the foundation, blush, bronzer all being lifted off then I wipe it off with tissue. Then i wash my face with my favorite facial wash after to double cleanse and make sure that no trace of make-up is left. This routine has kept my skin clear for years. Well, except when i have my monthly visitor and when i was hormonal when i was pregnant. Also have been using Shu Uemura cleansing oil in rotation with this before but it is so expensive to maintain. This has always been a staple and will still be in the future. I will definitely recommend this to my own daughter when she is all grown up and into makeup already.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Fire Down Below
jacrodriguez 9/1/2012 2:32:00 AM
Gorgeous matte bloody red lipstick. Just beautiful. I'm an NC25 and it is flattering on me.
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Stick -Shu Uemura - Nobara cream cover stick
jacrodriguez 9/1/2012 2:01:00 AM
I am NC25 and the shade 764 is great match. It is creamy yet it does not leave that heavy mask like feel on the skin. It is medium to full semi-matte coverage that still give such a flattering natural glow. I see that it works best when I use just my hands to spread it all over my face. Can be used as a concealer just apply more on the areas needed. Really easy to blend. Packaging is light plastic though, breaks easy.
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Lips -Bobbi Brown - Lipstick in Pale Pink
jacrodriguez 8/31/2012 2:15:00 PM
I love the way this looks on me with a Smokey eye make-up. I am NC25 btw. It is nude with the right amount of pink that would not make you look washed out or dead. Maybe Beigey-pink would describe it. Doesn't look chalky either. The formula is quite dry but for me it has a nice creamy matte effect that is full coverage and is still great with gloss. I just hope it had a more up to date packaging. Looks old fashioned but the product is more important anyway so I can let that go.
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Blush -Becca - Creme Blush in Lotus
jacrodriguez 8/31/2012 2:06:00 PM
At first I was scared to try it in the Becca counter cause it was so dark in the pan, looks dark plum and I assumed that it is for darker complexions. I was opting for the softer or rosier shades. However, the SA encouraged me to try it and I fell in love with the flush that it gave me! Im an Nc25 and it was perfect for me. I just dab my finger on the pan ever so lightly to get the product and blend it on my cheeks and it gives me a natural "just ran a mile" blush. Really pigmented so you just need the littlest amount to get the effect that you want. Had mine for over a year, being my most used blush and I hardly dented it so it was worth the price. Love the shield looking packaging too. I have combination oily skin and it stays on well even on a humid day or when I sweat. It is easy to blend, the formula becomes one with your skin, does not just sit on top of it and is still forgiving if you accidentally applied way too much. I am so glad I took the plunge and did not just judge this from the way it looked on the pan.
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Makeup Brushes -Sigma - F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki (was SS197)
jacrodriguez 8/31/2012 1:39:00 PM
Got this in the Sigmax set and this is the best one among all of the brushes included. This brush is very, very good. It is dense and soft and the length of it's fibers is just perfect for a good control. Gives me a flawless, airbrushed finish whatever brand of liquid/cream foundation I use. I also have not experienced any fall out of it's fibers when cleaning the brush. Will definitely repurchase.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
jacrodriguez 8/31/2012 1:27:00 PM
This mascara is ok... gave my lashes length but not "Oh wow!" length and also just decent amount of volume. Smudges on my oily lids and under eyes at the end of the day. Not the best but not so awful either... On to the next...
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Falsies
jacrodriguez 8/31/2012 1:19:00 PM
Edit: Ok I had to change my rating cause after giving it another chance and realizing a better way to use it, I loved it. How I used it differently? I applied it with a lighter hand or should I say gentler, feather like stokes on my lashes. It made a whole world of difference. Also, I wore this when I was in labor for 28HOURS and it didn't smudge on me!!! Held my curl pretty damn well. I was in torture with pain but at least my eyes looked good in the pictures lol! Used MUFE aqua brow in no. 3 for my brows and a little Mac studio finish concealer in NC30 and I looked acceptable till I gave birth amidst the sweating :)
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Eyeliner -Shu Uemura - Painting Liner
jacrodriguez 8/30/2012 1:17:00 PM
I have tried a lot of gel/cream eye liners cause they are my favorite type than pencils/kohls and liquid. I've got some from high end to drugstore brands like Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Mac, Wet n Wild and Maybelline and so far after some time on using gel liners, this one worked for me the best. I live in a very humid country and I need a smudge proof and waterproof/cry proof true black liner. I need something that would just give me a peace of mind during the day that wouldn't let me check my eyes often in the mirror if I have globs on my tear duct and on the outer corners of my eyes and raccoon eyes. I love having that doll like look so I always apply this on my upper lash line and tightline. And this has not smudged on me or even transferred on my waterline whether I am out on a humid day or in an air-conditioned room the whole day. Stayed on and stayed black. Even had a nap with it on and nothing moved. And this is really stark black I must say. It is creamy and matte and glides on easy for me to control. It also dries quicker than Clinique and Maybelline, does not flake like Bobbi Brown, not so dry like the Wet n Wild (but also very good one) and does not fade on oily lids like Mac. I didn't have any bad reaction with it so far. It is expensive though for a smaller amount of product compared to the others. Will be trying the MUFE Aqua Black Waterproof Creme Eyeshadow next if it is tougher than my Shu.
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