Powders -Johnson & Johnson - Baby Powder
janet1028 5/14/2013 8:13:00 PM
Most MUAers don't know who Way Bandy was but Google him and you will find that he was THE go-to make-up artist of the 60's and 70's and early 80's until we lost him to AIDS. He was one of the - if not THE first - to promote using oils to cleanse your face, using natural products whenever possible (there were no truly organic color cosmetics back then that were widely available) and he used baby powder as a setting powder. I came across his two books from the 70's where he offers up a number of fantastic make-up designs that stand the test of time. I went along with the color and formula options (with fantastic results BTW) but hesitated when it came to using the baby powder as a setting powder. Then I thought, "Why not? He's right about everything else!" It's FANTASTIC! I've used dozens of powders over the years including professional HD powders and this gives me the results I want! No oiliness, soft skin, lasting color. Try it! I swear you'll get hooked. Then find Way's books on Amazon. You're welcome!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -La Femme - La Femme Eye and Brow Pencil
janet1028 4/13/2013 1:53:00 PM
La Femme. How did I miss this line? Owned by the same family since 1957, this Hollywood-based line is used by professional make-up artists. And they have everything for super low prices. These eyebrow/liner pencils are a whopping $1.50 from makeupmania and are the best I've used. Skip the MAC and the Tarte and the Anastasia and go right for these. The Blonde is ideal, the Light Brown really is light brown and the formula stays on!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
janet1028 1/23/2013 8:54:00 AM
This is a great example of a product that is well-loved by woman from teens through their thirties and goes completely south for women in a higher demographic (unless you have super oily eye lids). I have purchased this product periodically throughout the years and after the third time I wear this primer - or any primer - I look in the mirror and think I've aged twenty years! It simply dries out my eye lid skin and makes eye shadow look...hideous. I always end up taking it off! It actually emphasizes the wrinkles because of the way the product "dries" on the lid. Yes, my eye shadow will stay on forever. But, NO, I don't want it to!!! So ladies, skip the primer and use a neutral shadow as your "base." If you're onstage and want or need super dramatic eye make-up, sure, this will help. But for daily wear shadow, forget about it!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Cover Girl - Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation
janet1028 1/23/2013 8:18:00 AM
I really wanted to like this product! I was expecting something like Revlon's ColorStay...but I didn't get it. For a product that comes out of the bottle quite thick, it doesn't provide the same type of coverage. On "dry" skin - no primer or moisturizer, it simply looks plastery without real coverage. On moisturized skin, it is barely there. And it has that "Noxema/Cover Girl" scent that is ultra-annoying. There are plenty of other drugstore options that are reliably good...like Revlon ColorStay! Or L'Oreal True Match!
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Moisturizers -Juice Beauty - SPF30 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer in Ivory
janet1028 1/23/2013 7:00:00 AM
I have sensitive skin. I keep looking for a mineral sunscreen. I keep wasting my money. Juice Beauty is sold on the "aren't extracts great?!" concept which is just plain wrong. Extracts like these aren't great, just irritating. And now I have to wait for my skin to clear up and I'm 57.
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Expert Wear - Browntones
janet1028 11/3/2012 2:56:00 PM
With the mixed reviews, this is another example of how an eye shadow duo can be ideal for one person and disappointing to the next. IF you are looking for an eye shadow that has a smooth finish that is not overly pigmented, Browntones works very well. I wanted a very natural day look that I could put on while sitting in my car in the dark waiting for my morning train at the crack of dawn. Anything else would scare both me and the other passengers and while I am adept at applying make-up, even I know when too early is simply too early! This is a great shadow duo for faces over fifty or teens who are starting to wear eye shadow. Neither color is a matte, but have the most subtle texture. It undoubtedly looks best on fair complexions as anyone deeper than a medium tone would find it too pale. And the price is right! I don't wear a primer and I don't have any trouble with it staying on for the day.
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Eye Shadow -Cargo - Essential Eye Palette Cool/Neutral
janet1028 7/25/2012 8:32:00 AM
This is a product that should be beloved by faces over forty and boring to younger women! It is IDEAL for older faces because the shadow are not as pigment-heavy as others and go on very soft with the ability to blend easily. Further the colors are terrific for cool skin tones (warms should use one of the other similar quads). I get a soft, professional look easily and quickly without worrying about glitter or shimmer. It's a MUST in my make-up bag! I've been reviewing products on this site for years and even have my own at Facesoverfifty. I urge women to check out the age-appropriate review because what works at twenty usually won't at fifty.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -MAC - Mineralize Foundation
janet1028 7/25/2012 8:24:00 AM
Once again, a MAC foundation creates fans and foes. If you've read the other reviews, you know this is a cream foundation that "dries down." I can't imagine even attempting to put this on with anything but a duo-fiber brush and I am a pretty experienced make-up artist. It requires blending that a sponge or flat foundation brush simply can't apply. Also, I think it is best applied over a primer. But not a moisturizer. A true silicone primer, BTW. So if you can do all that, I think you get a really lovely finish that other MAC products don't provide. I agree that it is a tiny amount for the price but this is a foundation that must be used and not left in the drawer. It won't "age" well and I imagine that just opening and closing the compact will let lots of air affect the product quality. So if you have sensitive skin and only want medium coverage that looks "natural," it is a good product. But it isn't a silicone - based product which will provide a smoother finish.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Vitis Vinifera Facial Moisturizer by Circa 60 Skincare, Inc.
janet1028 9/7/2011 9:38:00 PM
I was looking for a simple, effective evening moisturizer that wouldn't break out my skin, didn't feel greasy, and actually made my skin look better in the morning. I didn't think I was asking for much! I got a sample of Vitis Vinifera and found flipped. How could a formula so simple be so effective? It contains grape seed and jojoba oil which penetrates into the skin leaving it smooth and soft after about five minutes. Over the course of a few weeks, my skin looked so much better and I haven't had a single breakout. I tried this along with the cleanser and toner and think it is the perfect trio for evening cleansing. It's available I. A few salons or online at www.circa60skincareinc.com. I got samples of a lavender shampoo and condition plus a serum sample with my order. A four ounce jar runs $24. And I use it on my hands, too!
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - CIRCA 60 Skincare Inc. Start Here Facial Cleanser
janet1028 9/7/2011 9:29:00 PM
If you are looking for a super gentle lightly foaming facial cleanser that removes sunscreen and make-up including mascara, you'll be amazed by the quality of this all natural product. Packaged with a microfiber cloth for extra exfoliation, this cleanser is both scent and color-free. It's terrific for rosacea but works for dry skin, oily skin and combination skin. The company targets woman "of a certain age" but frankly, who cares?! It's a fantastic, affordable option. After trying everything from La Mer to Target's Up and Up, I won't be switching anytime soon. Aqua (Water), Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Vegetable Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Tetrasodium EDTA, dl-Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) $20 for 8 ounces-it will last you for the rest of your natural life! The website address is www.circa60skincareinc.com or mobile m.circa60skincareinc.com. Every purchase comes packaged with tons of one-ounce samples. After shopping in the drugstores and departments stores, I am buying from these smaller skincare companies. the service and the prices are much better as are the products.
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Hair -Unlisted Brand - Essential Wholesale Bases
janet1028 5/14/2011 3:27:00 PM
I want to start by saying that I would never discount another writer's opinion. Being in the small business skincare field, I completely understand the difficulties with vendors, with getting products that are incorrectly labeled, formulations changed, etc. I've had my own issues with formulators and chemists. But my pesonal experience with EW has been pretty great. I use them as the vendor for some of my line and I get nothing by compliments on the formulations. Their pricing makes it possible to actually run a small business. They have recently added a new CEO and other principals so perhaps they will be gravitating away from the proverbial "family-run business" problems. Anybody thinking of moving out on your own in this capacity, know that that this is not for the casual entrepreneur. I have personally tested hundreds of formulas, poured over cosmetic chemistry books and white papers, and virtually spent the better part of a year to bring my products to market.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Unlisted Brand - isopropyl alcohol
janet1028 3/8/2011 1:58:00 AM
There is nothing good about using alcohol on your skin. It can really cause problems like over-stimulating the oil gland at the base of the pore. That being said, I can't live without it. Everyone who has said they put it on blemishes and get overnight relief is so right! All of those years of salicylic acid and cremes and gels and...I have a vague recollection of using this as a teen. Maybe it was witch hazel. But I like witch hazel, too! The shame!
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Fresh Foaming Cleanser
janet1028 11/19/2010 2:30:00 PM
I love this cleanser, LOVE it and I happen to think that it is one of the best cleansers on the market regardless of the price. It comes from Neutrogena but it seems to be an entirely different company producing it because it is so different. I read through the reviews. Some women didn't like it because they felt it didn't rinse well. I think it is very important to understand how to use it correctly (directions for a cleanser, go figure!). Anyway, use one pump and rub it between your hands and under running water ( low setting) until it FOAMS. THEN apply it to your face and it rinses right off. If you don't do that, you will be rinsing until the cows come home because every time you add water, you'll be activating the solution. Make sense? I highly recommend this product for faces over fifty. There are so few liquid cleansers for older women that aren't cremes but still remove make-up without drying facial skin. See www.facesoverfifty.com for more over-fifty options.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Unlisted Brand - bh cosmetics 28 colors neutral palette
janet1028 11/17/2010 10:44:00 PM
I saw one other review for a larger palette by bh cosmetics that was not very positive. That's okay. We all have our own experiences. I've had a lot of eye shadows over the years and I'm here to tell you that this palette is one of the best I've used. There are 28 neutrals: some matte, some shimmer and two or three dark shades that have more intense shimmer but never glitter. These range from mid to deeps tones with a highlighter or two and have both cool and warm undertones. The pans are the size of a quarter. And I think I paid around $18.95. I always wear a shadow base. Currently I'm using Benefit Stay Don't Stray. I usually do a neutral eye with a powder liner. I have no problems blending these shadows and I happen to think that they are pretty well pigmented. The darks work quite well as liner and can be used with a wet brush. I'm in my mid-50's and frankly, some days my eye lids look like crepe paper. I find that these shadows do a great job of going on and staying smooth. Tonight I went to the gym and didn't remove my make-up first. It was still fine after an intense workout. I can't ask for more than that. Maybe younger women want a more intense color payoff than these shadows will provide. But for faces over fifty, these shadow are perfect! See www.facesoverfifty.com for more information about suitable products for older faces.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -BeneFit Cosmetics - Hello Flawless!
janet1028 11/17/2010 10:30:00 PM
I purchased this based on the positive reviews here. And I do like it. I wear it over sunscreen lotion and really only put it on my nose and chin and maybe my cheeks as a base for a powder blusher if I'm going in that direction. But here is my one negative comment. As a woman in her mid-fifties with some lines and a wrinkle or two plus some patchy dryness, I find that it just clings to those areas and doesn't stay on as long as I need it to on the oily areas like my nose. So when I reapply, I really have to avoid the dry, lined areas. It's a lot of work for a powder! Nonetheless, I can certainly see how younger women love this product. It just takes a little more work for faces over fifty. I like to review products with that demographic in mind and started a blog called www.facesoverfifty.com. I come to MUA to read all the reviews but sometimes ithings look a little different on faces over fifty.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No