Self Tanners -Tarte - Maracuja Self Tanner
jarona 6/7/2013 2:24:00 PM
I received a sample of this product in the Sephora "2013 Sun Safety Kit". Truthfully, I wasn't even going to try it because I likened it to a similar product by Benefit cosmetics that was absolutely horrific. Anyway, out of frustration at my paleness, I figured what the heck..and tried it. WOW! I was very surprised. A small amount of product is sufficient to cover your entire face. It looks super-dark when you squeeze the Maracuja Tanner in your hand, but upon application, fades into a very realistic brown not orange color that looks very natural and gives a healthy glow. It doesn't dry out your skin, doesn't streak and really looks great. I'm guessing I will have this sample for a couple of weeks and as soon as I'm done, I'll definitely head to Sephora to make a full-size purchase. Very happy with this. Also--fair-skinned girls...this is great! Truly great!
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Eyeliner -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega Liner - Turquoise
jarona 5/25/2013 4:46:00 PM
There are some makeup items that I go "high end" on. Eyeliner, isn't always one of them. I like to mix it up! This Wetn'Wild Turquoise Mega Liner is a great find. At 2.99 I had a great surprise when I went to pay. It was half price because I purchased the Bronzer as well (I'll review that later on). The color is nice and bright and really brings out the greenish hue of my hazel eyes. In addition, the brush applicator tip is thinner than thin so it gives fantastic control and makes at very easy to make those little cat-eye wings. Yayah! Definitely will try the other colors--now if they only made white, it would be the icing on the cake!
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Eyes -Lancome - Oscillation Powerbooster Primer
jarona 5/2/2013 7:56:00 PM
Wow! Lancome is my favorite company for skincare...and, I am quite fond of their mascara. But...and a huge but...this is one gimmicky product that I should have just not spent the money on. Actually, a nostalgic moment made the purchase. Some years back, Bourjois had a product that had a mascara at one end and a white lash primer/conditioner on the other end. It was beyond awesome. This product from Lancome doesn't come even close. I get it. I get the gimmick of the vibrating wand--however, it is a waste of batteries, because the wand really doesn't do anything except appear as though it's vibrating. The product itself--well, I have not seen any difference in my lashes. (Granted I use Careprost, but I still use mascara and other product). I thought perhaps the product would contain fibers to lengthen, but no. I also question why anyone would need primer on their lashes...Mascara stays on all day anyway--what's to prime? Gotta say, Lancome bombed big-time on this one. For overall rating I did not give this a one because it really isn't the worst product on the market, but it is lightyears away from the best. Price: 4 because it falls short of being extremely expensive. Packaging: 2 because the gimmicky vibrating wand is just ...well..a gimmick! I absolutely would not repurchase. Thank you for reading and I recommend your money would be better spent on a different product!
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Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact SPF 20
jarona 4/28/2013 9:16:00 PM
Hello. S/A. Are you LISTENING TO ME???? I want the Tinted Moisterizer! Anyway, in a moment of "whatever" I allowed the Laura Mercier S/A talk me into making the purchase of this Tinted Moisterizer Creme Compact in "Bisque". Here's how it went down: I went to the counter. Asked for the Tinted Moisterizer. The S/A took this compact out and began to slap it on my face. I looked in the mirror. Said "Hey, this looks like Sh(t! It's oxidizing!. So she took a lighter color--namelingly "Bisque" proceeded to apply it to my face. Said "I can't see how it REALLY looks in this lighting", but I bought it and figured that maybe it would not be too bad. Next morning: Applying this garbage: Doesn't cover. Looks patchy. STILL oxidizes. Taking it back and EXCHANGING for the tube of tinted moisterizer. Note to Laura Mercier. Miz Mercier. EEF you 'ire zeeze S/A, to sell your product, plez. Tich zem to 'ave knowledge about zee product you ahr selling. Zey do not know enyzing about your product. Eef I am to be a fool, plez let me be a fool with a S/A who knows about your garbage product. Thank you, Jarona.
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Self Tanners -Jergens - Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer-Medium Tan
jarona 4/18/2013 8:23:00 PM
I am a connoisseur of fake tan. Especially after a bout with skin cancer three years ago. I've tried everything on the market. I've been orange. Streaky, blotchy..all in an effort to find the perfect faux tan. Well ladies and gents of MUA, Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisterizer is one of the best on the market. It is well-worth the seven bucks. In fact, I do believe it out-tans and out-performs St. Tropez. It is just as great as TanTowels. Jergens, has, over the years managed to get it right. They can even take the word "moisterizer" out of the packaging and I *along with others* would still purchase it. It applies nicely, a moussey foam, which is nice and neat, non greasy, non runny, easy to apply--in a circular motion. It dries in minutes so you can apply after your morning shower or bath, rub the foam in, and get dressed for work. The color is nice and even and even after a couple of days, doesn't blotch up. No offensive odor at all. I know the regular creamy version of Natural Glow has a scent that smells kind of sweaty after a while. This product has received a 5 from me because it really looks great and the application process is quite foolproof. The price--well, it isn't as expensive as many of the high-end fakers, but it isn't as dirt cheap as Ocean Potion either. The packaging also gets a nice 5 from me because I'm a sucker for foam--seriously--my foam love started when I was a kid and played for hours in the bathtub with that Crazy Foam soap! I would absolutely re-purchase..In fact, I have to make a run for this stuff this weekend. If you try this, I think you will really like it and be pleased. Remember, my young MUA'ers. It is better to fake tan than to go to a tanning bed. Take it from me, you do NOT want to have MOHS surgery on your face from baking in the sun!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Vaseline - Spray & Go Moisturizer
jarona 4/13/2013 1:21:00 PM
A commercial for this product really caught my interest. Moisterizing is one of those rituals you need to do, but it is a pain. Especially if you want to wear jeans or pants after you apply lotion because it feels filmy. According to the commercial you can spray and immediately dress and go. REALLY? Because I certainly could not spray and go. I had to spray and stay. It took a few minutes because I needed to rub this into my skin. Once again, the advertising campaign spins the truth. Granted, I will say that it didn't take as long as an actual lotion to soak into my parched legs, but come on. I was expecting an extremely fine mist. I gave this a 2 rating because of the lack of truth in advertising. You still have to rub it in a wait a few moments. The price isn't bad...but I would spend more for a better product. A 4 for the packaging because I love the concept of a spray moisterizer. I answered no to repurchase because it didn't deliver on the promise of spray and go. If they change the formula to perform what they say, I'll reconsider. Meh product.
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Eyes -Unlisted Brand - Careprost~Generic Brand Latisse
jarona 3/28/2013 12:23:00 PM
Because of a price increase in my medical benefits, I had to budget and cut corners. So I stopped Latisse at $107.00 and got Careprost at 30.00. Smart move on my part because this works just as well. Honesty counts with me though and I'll be honest with you. I"m almost 58 years young. Any woman my age has most likely gone through losing lashes that were once lush, thick and plentiful. This is not going to give you the lashes you had when you were 20 years old--neither is Latisse. However, it WILL give you much longer lashes. Longer lasher = a more lush appearance. Yes. I still have to wear my much maligned mascara, but with the equation of Careprost + Mascara, my lashes look great. I've even been asked if I had lash extensions or fakes on. Will continue to make the purchase, but I do wish that there were a better way to package this. I use a slim eyeliner brush to apply.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Lancome - Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Make-up Remover
jarona 3/28/2013 9:14:00 AM
Wow! This Lancome product has a lot of love in the reviews. Although I'm a big Lancome fan, this Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Make-up Remover is a total dud for me. Total. Dud. First of all, I'm at that "age" where I have to powder in my eyebrows since the fading started. Then I have the lashes that are Latisse/Careprost enhanced but I need a lot of (well-despised) mascara to define the lashes because I wear thick eyeglasses. I also have a thing about dark eyeliner (top lid only). Add some shadow, highlighter, primer to the mix and I wear quite a bit of makeup. That means my eyemakeup remover has a tough job to do. This doesn't do it. The liquid seems greasy enough when it pours out and I have used it on a cotton pad to be eye-friendly. Still, it doesn't do the job. I need a TON of this stuff just to break through my Lancome mascara. Honestly, I would have given it no lipsticks, but I did find a use for it. If I get mascara on my lids while applying, I just dab a bit on a q-tip and blot the freshly-applied smeared mascara off. I will stick to Albolene--my lard-like and fabulous make up remover--it does the job quickly and moisterizes my face!
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Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
jarona 3/15/2013 1:46:00 PM
This foundation USED to be a staple of mine quite a few years ago. Then--as my skin matured, I started using high-end foundations. However, my daughter used this when she lived at home. OK..so about a month ago, I was cleaning out her stuff and came across a full bottle of this that she left home. It was the same "color" that I used C-3. Now--let me explain what made me start using this again. I purchased one of those blendy-sponges and noticed that I was using a bit more foundation with the sponge and I didn't want to waste the high end stuff. So anyway, I figured I would give it a go. Again. WOW! Why was a being such a foundation snob? After using this with the blendy sponge, I was really happy with how dewy this foundation looked on my dry skin. Amazed, in fact. I forgot about how great this foundation was--it DOES NOT OXIDIZE!!! And at less than ten bucks at my local Wegman's, what a steal! The blending is great--doesn't cake up--and I'll tell you, over the primer, it is smooth and silky. It's nice when you re-discover an item--especially one that will save tons of money. High end foundations shove over, I went back to my little drugstore brand and am now happy I'm back! Seriously--especially for "older and more mature" skin--try this...use one of those blendy sponges...it really makes a difference. I think you will be pleasantly surprised--and the savings mean more $$ for shoes!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Lancome - Color Design in Pale Lip
jarona 2/21/2013 7:04:00 PM
Wow. Just wow!!! I received this lipstick in a Lancome promo and it stayed zipped up in the little bag it came in. Usually, the promo colors are just a little "off". Anyway, while rummaging through my makeup, I picked it up and tried it on. This is a GREAT, GREAT nudey-pink shade. I'm extremely fair, with freckles and some pales and pale pinks just look weird on me. This looks perfect! One review stated it wasn't matte--but it is more matte than not. I guess it is more satiny. It glides on nicely and if your lips are very pigmented (ahem--like mine), this color works so well. It also lends itself very well to applying gloss over it. This color is a keeper. I will be repurchasing a couple of these--one to keep at the office and one in my "travel" bag!
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Primer/ Corrector -L'Oreal - Revitalift Miracle Blur 
jarona 2/21/2013 6:40:00 PM
After receiving a generous sample of this Miracle Blur in a magazine, I figured I would try it--with the $2.00 off coupon, if it was decent, it could be worth a try. Honestly, I have no friggin' idea how L'Oreal is shilling this? A primer? A skin cream? It claims to "blur" fine lines and smooth out the skin...so what was the verdict? Well, I'm in my 50's. Unless I check myself into NYC's Hospital for Special Surgery on the Upper East side and have a spectacular face lift, my skin is never, ever, ever, ever going to look as smooth as it did when I was in my 20's. Never. Any woman who thinks their "mature" skin is going to look like a young girl's after using this product--well, I have a bridge to sell you. The product itself is nothing more than a white primer. It works well as a primer and that's it. My makeup stayed put all day. This product did the same thing that Smashbox and every other silicone type primer does. That is a good thing. However, L'oreal needs to be truthful in advertising--something I'm really becoming more and more frustrated with. Stop lying in your ads. Don't repackage one product to appear like another product. The good is that it goes on smoothly. Doesn't make your makeup "ball" up on your face. I did give this 3 lipsticks because of the fact it is nothing more than a primer. If L'oreal had advertised this purely as a primer, I would give it 5 lipsticks--but it does NOT get rid of your fine lines. I would not repurchase -- there are other primers I use. Thank you for reading this review. I hope I helped in some small way!
29 out of 33 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Sally Hansen - Airbrush Legs Lotion - Deep Glow
jarona 2/17/2013 1:57:00 PM
Surprisingly, I saw this product on the clearance rack at TJ Maxx. For $2.99 how could I pass this by--especially since I hoard fake tan--I figured this may be worth the try--even if it is leg makeup. I wasn't expecting much but WOW!!! I followed the directions and carefully sprayed my legs and feet. I was able to blend (in a circular motion) evenly and waited the minute or so before getting dressed. My legs look great. Listen--if you cannot stand to wear *Ugh* pantyhose and don't like the scent of many fake tanners, this could be your saving grace. Oh..I purchased the medium and on my fish-belly-white legs..it looks fantastic and it hides those spider veins. I'm running to TJ's to see if the last two cannisters are still there. OMG--I hope this stuff is not discontinued by Sally Hansen!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -YBF Cosmetics - Universal Taupe Automatic Eyebrow Pencil
jarona 2/14/2013 6:39:00 PM
After countless times of watching the ever-entertaining Stacey Scheifflien shilling her YBF beauty products --- especially this "fantastic" Universal Taupe Automatic Eyebrow Pencil, I figured what the heck. She states that it is for ALL color brows. Guess what? It isn't. I never give up hope that somewhere, someone will come up with a great automatic eyebrow pencil in black or charcol and it will be the color of my, and countless of other women with my color hair, of those dark, dark brows. The good thing about the pencil is that it is packaged very nicely. There is a wirey brush at one end that enables you to brush your brows into a more natural line. The texture and quality of the pencil is fine as well, I pressed very hard on my brow to get the darker color and the tip did not break and the way the pencil applied the product was great. But....taupe is not black and once, again, my brows were not my regular color. I will say this is better than the Anastasia brow pencil. The Anastasia pencil turned my brows ginger. This pencil turned them orangey-brown. Oh well, if you have lighter brows, I think this is a great product for you..darker than brown--forget it. Stick to the NYX brow powder--it comes in black!
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Palettes -Urban Decay - Naked Basics
jarona 2/8/2013 9:46:00 PM
...And on the Third Day, UD created "Naked Basics". I used to be so sad when theoriginal Naked palette was introduced. The neutrals were wonderful, but alas, too warm for my cool skintone. Then Naked 2 was introduced and I was happy!! I've already hit pan on a couple of the shadows in N2 and truly love the palette, but I've always wondered--what if UD came out with a totally matte Naked Palette? .....and Naked Basics was born! I love this so much I purchased two. The palette is smaller than the previous Naked palettes, but good things come in small packages. Every neutral color is great--and the black shadow is so versatile as a brow filler, a liner and a shadow. This is THE perfect palette for travel! The rubberized compact is a great idea as well. There is no way this palette is going to randomly open up and get shadow dust all over..and the 27.00 price is heavenly. Very. VERY happy and will definitely repurchase!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge
jarona 1/28/2013 8:30:00 PM
I've been reading about the Beauty Blender sponge but just could not bring myself to pay the price. Instead, while taking a trip to my local TJ Maxx, I saw this Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge for $4.99. I figured, what the heck, right? I followed the directions for the first use, watched it expand, then wrung the excess out with a towel and applied some liquid foundation. It applied my makeup beautifully. These days, I'm very careful with my foundation as I'm older--and in the winter, my skin gets dry so my foundation can get cakey if I am not careful. What stopped me from giving this sponge 5 lipsticks was that I had to use quite a bit of the foundation as the sponge absorbed an awful lot. If it hadn't absorbed so much, this would have gotten a 10!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No