Treatments (Eye) -Promaxyl - Eyelash Renewal serum Rapidlash
jillbanks 5/3/2010 3:47:00 PM
LOOOOOOOVE this stuff! I was skeptical about eyelash serums and have never used them....but tried this on a whim and it is amazing. My lashes are so long. People stop and ask me about them. It has made a huge difference in my eyelashes! I don't think they are really darker ( and mine are naturally light ) but they are so much longer and thicker.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Moroccanoil - Intense Curl Cream
jillbanks 10/14/2009 10:14:00 AM
I have really long, layered, very wavy hair. I am always looking for something new... I figured since I loved the oil, why not try the curl cream? This is the best curl cream I have ever tried. It made my hair very soft, very wavy, and the curls were defined without being crunchy. I think that I may use a little gel next time just to get a bit more definition. There has to be a balance. I also think everybody will have to experiment with the quantities used depending on hair length, texture, and curl type. If you have wavy or curly hair, I would really give this a try. I am so excited I found this! By the way....surf the net for the best prices on this stuff...you will save some $.
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Treatments (Eye) -SkinMedica - TNS Night Eye Repair
jillbanks 9/24/2009 1:36:00 PM
HG HG HG! I am SO in love with this eye cream...! Where has it been all my life? I feel like I have tried everything and spend tons on you name it....This is the ONLY cream that totally gets rid of my puffiness and under eye circles. When I wake up in the morning...even after not getting a lot of rest, I have NO puffiness. My eyes look bright and nice...which makes my whole face just look better in general. I have only been using this for a week, so I don't know about long term results...but it really does the job I need it to do right now. Worth every single penny!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Face & Body Foundation 
jillbanks 8/31/2009 2:56:00 PM
I love this foundation for a light to medium coverage....it is def not a full coverage foundation but really sinks into the skin and evens me out enough for daytime wear. I like the way it feels going on- sort of like a gel. Very lightweight but easy to build and blend! I think the bottle will last quite a while.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Complex 15 Therapeutic Face Cream
jillbanks 5/11/2009 8:14:00 PM
This is the BEST moisturizer I have EVER EVER EVER used. I get all of my friends and family onto this! A dermatologist told me years ago to use this. It is very light yet effective. Has NEVER broken me out in years and years of use. Complex 15 sinks right into your skin and does not leave it feeling sticky or moist. This good b/c you can put on makeup afterwards without it going on weird! I use Retin-A which makes my usually oily skin really dry. This stuff just balances out my skin wonderfully. I sometimes have a hard time finding it, so I get it on drugstore dot com. I should have reviewed this a long long time ago but could never find it on here so I forgot. I use this stuff a.m and p.m and have used it for so long. I have used a lot of moisturizers but this one is the best I have ever used AND best of all it is really cheap. I would say this is a light moisturizer even though it says cream. Love it! Hope they never stop making it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Paradisco (Frost)
jillbanks 5/11/2009 7:56:00 PM
This eyeshadow is very pretty...and very different than anything I usually wear. My mom gave it to me b/c it did not work for her, so I thought why not give it a try? I used Brule on the browbone b/c I did not want to add more shimmer, put Paradisco all over my lid, and used Woodwinked in the crease. It gave me a pretty "sunset" eye as another viewer described. Personally I did not have any trouble getting it out of the pan as some others did. As a matter of fact, it went on pretty bright and I had to really blend to tone it down. Oh, and I lined with MAC Bountiful Brown. The look did not look right until I used a brown liner. This look was nice but the Woodwinked made it way to shiny, so next time I will try a matte brown or something else. I doubt I will buy this again, only b/c this shadow is not an "every day" look for me.
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Self Tanners -Olay - Touch of Sun - overnight
jillbanks 5/7/2009 1:00:00 PM
I think this stuff is GREAT. I used it nightly on my super white legs for three nights in a row and today my legs are tan enough to wear capris without being embarassed! This is not meant to get you dark right away like regular self tanner. I like using it on my legs b/c I typically don't show them that much and therefore don't want to waste my more expensive self tanners on them. I used the medium/dark color and like I said, my legs are really white. It gave me just the right amount of color and I plan on using it all this summer!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper [DISCONTINUED]
jillbanks 5/4/2009 10:26:00 PM
I am a big fan of the original 2000 calorie so I thought this could be bigger and better. I was wrong. I like the old stuff better. This wand just does not work for me. My lashes are SO much longer and thicker with the original 2000 cal. Everybody has different lashes and preferences. This just did not work on me. I tried it several times and each time I just felt disappointed. The brush makes it really hard to me to do the inner and outer corners of my eyelashes, which are the most important on me. The end of the brush is too big and does not allow me to get the look I desire. I wish I didn't waste 10 bucks on this stuff. Oh well... it's not the first time and won't be the last!
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Treatments (Eye) -Mario Badescu - Olive Eye Cream
jillbanks 5/4/2009 10:20:00 PM
I am on the fence about this one.... This eye cream is very thick, and almost seems like an ointment- I guess the olive oil makes it feel greasy. It just depends on what you like. I like it b/c it is really moisturizing but I honestly don't know how this could ever go on under makeup. Even with a small amount. No big deal. I just use it at night. I do know that it does nothing for puffiness at least on me. It softens the eye area and is a simple cream that was not too expensive. I have been back and forth between this one and another, so I guess I need to use this one by itself for a while and then update.
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Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
jillbanks 5/4/2009 10:12:00 PM
I have been using UDPP for a while now, and wanted to try this b/c I am tired of running out of primer potion so fast. I hate the packaging- it is just my opinion but I always felt like there was more down in there that I could not get out. Anyways... the girl at Sephora convinced me to try this and I am really glad I did! Yes, it is thinner in consistency than UDPP BUT I find it works just as well. You really need to let it set for a minute before putting on your shadow! No big deal. It seems like there is so much more product in the tube and I can squeeze it all out unlike other packaging. I actually put more on my lid b/c I feel like I am not trying to conserve it so much. And on the UDPP, I always felt like hardly anything came off on the wand even if it was brand new. Don't get me wrong, the stuff is great, I just wanted a change. I find that with the Too Faced my shadow goes on smoothly, stays on all day, and does not crease. It looks great when I wear this. I have not done an all day side by side but I think I just might! I will update when I do.
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Self Tanners -Bare Escentuals - Faux Tan
jillbanks 5/4/2009 10:01:00 PM
Okay, this summer I decided that I was going to put forth the effort it takes to get a nice fake tan. I am fair-skinned. Not the whitest out there but still fair. Let me tell you- this stuff is WONDERFUL! One application gets me pretty tan. Everyone at work thought I went to the beach after spring break when I just hung out at my sister's house in the country. If you want this to look good it takes a little time but it is worth it IMO. I exfoliate using a Buff Puff. Remember those, ladies? I know it is old school, but they work and it is a lot cheaper than buying top quality exfoliaters for your body. I save those for my face! So everyone knows to exfoliate before self tanning but I also use gloves, which I think is very helpful. After I remove my gloves I use a cotton pad with a little self tanner on it and do the tops of my hands, so they look bronze as well. This stuff gets pretty dark on me, and I don't want the "cut off" at the wrist line. I also mix this with a small amount of lotion and put it all over my neck. No streaks, no blochiness. I love this stuff!!!!!!!!!!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Makeup Artist's Choice (MUAC) - Micro Polish Cream
jillbanks 4/22/2009 8:58:00 PM
This scrub has VERY fine crystals which makes is a great quality scrub! I hate scrubs that have big chunks b/c they really don't exfoliate well. This is a perfect scrub for mild exfoliation. I don't use it as much as I would like b/c I use Retin-A and also use the MUAC peels. If you are looking for a high quality microderm scrub, try this one out. It is amazing!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen Lipstick - Ravishing
jillbanks 4/19/2009 8:21:00 AM
I really love this lipstick. It is sort of bright on me which I figured it would be. However, it only looks good if I self tan and use bronzer. If I wear this with my usual fair skin, it does not look good. But with my tanned look, it is wonderful. It brightens up my face and my whole look without looking over the top. I wear it with a light nude liner and put some MAC instant gold gloss on to mute the color a bit. Gorgeous!
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Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Dream Matte Pressed Powder
jillbanks 4/19/2009 8:17:00 AM
Yet another reason why I LOVE makeup alley... This powder is amazing! I would have never tried it if I did not see the reviews on here. I was all set to go and spend 50 bucks or so on something at sephora but I am so glad I tried this first. It gives my skin a very smooth and airbrushed look. I use it with a little kabuki brush over my foundation. My skin does not get oily (although I have combo skin) and stays matte all day long. I got this for 6.50 at Walmart and it runs for 8.50 at my CVS. I would only buy there if on sale or something. Anyways, for the price, this powder is worth a try. One of the best I've used in a long time. I am going to stock up on more!!!! Update--- this powder runs on the light side. I am fair usually and before I started self tanning the lightest shades were all way too light. Medium Sand is my shade with no tan and Medium Beige works when I have some more color. For reference I usually am NC 20-25. I still love this and find myself using it more often than not. I def use it more than other expensive powders in my drawer.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Ben Nye - Neutral Set translucent powder
jillbanks 1/18/2009 5:04:00 PM
This little gem is one of the MANY reasons I love makeup alley! I would have never known about it were it not for this website. I LOVE this loose powder. It is an amazing setting powder that does not change the color of your foundation. It is very light...not heavy or thick. It is cheap. You get a ton of it. Does not clog pores. Sets my foundation perfectly. Looks fabulous is photos (as in oil control- even if you don't have oily skin photos can make you look shiny and this really really helps! ) I am going to order another one just to have a backup even though it will take an eternity to run out.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No