Brows -Maybelline - Master Shape
jqsuared 2/26/2012 2:59:00 PM
This is the first review I've done in a long time and I thought this product was entitled to an opinion. First, I have NO BROWS. It started back in the day when those super skinny brows were trending. I had awesome, dark, (I also have naturally blonde hair, so having dark brows was a blessing.) thick eyebrows, and my mother, who of course, knows NOTHING when you"re 15 yrs old, warned me that my brows wont grow back, just like hers. Now, I'm significantly older and of course, momma is always right. I have a few random and spare hairs, but they grow in the oddest places, like my eyelid?!? So I NEED a good brow pen/pencil. My favorites thus far are LM brow pencil and LG brow marker. I also LOVE my cheapo Avon Glimmer Stick brow stick. It was 3 bucks! I also like "Define A Brow", it's slim and sturdy. My biggest issue with my brow artistry is getting the color just right. And of course, keeping my stenciled brows on my face. Mater Shape is the PERFECT color. PERFECT consistency. I have not a single complaint about the colored product INSIDE the worst possible packaging you could ever imagine. Before I read the reviews about this pencil on MUA, I wasted about 20 trying to figure out how to click, or push up the effin thing up. Wait, WHAT? You want me to SHARPEN this plastic thing? Yes. Sharpen. Unless you have some sort of PhD is sharpening, don't bother. It's seriously, not worth it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -MAC - Studio Sculpt [DISCONTINUED]
jqsuared 3/4/2011 10:14:00 AM
Wow. This is the best concealer I have used to date. I have all the basic concealers, UD, Benefit, LM, BB, Pixi, (Love the peach concealer), Paula Dorf, and some drugstore brands, like CC ageless corrector, which I also love. I had a brush to return to MAC and I didn't have a receipt, so I bought the concealer and the mineralize powder. I love both so much. This is by far the best concealer I have ever used. The SA picked out my color and I thought it was way to dark, but it just melts into my skin perfectly. The coverage is wonderful as well as the texture and the amount of product you get. I have a BB concealer and corrector that just sit there, I never reach for them, both cost about 3x the amount of MACs concealer, and I don't think they work nearly as well as the MAC concealer alone. I would like to try MUFE's concealer palette, but if that one fails, then I am definitely going back to MAC.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skin Finish Natural - Medium Plus
jqsuared 3/2/2011 1:44:00 PM
Wow. I have never bought any face makeup from MAC until recently. First off, I was impressed at the price. Cheaper than most high end brands and just a tiny bit more than DS brands. When I first applied the powder, it created a huge, loose mess. BUT, it's not as dusty after that first initial swipe with a brush. The SA insisted on MED for me even though I consider myself a bit lighter. And that is why she works there and I do not. The color is perfect. I picked up a concealer as well, thought the same thing about the color, but it's like second skin. I just kept on thinking, "She has perfect skin, how does she know about concealers?" Bless her heart cause I too, now, have perfect skin. You don't get much color with this powder and I love that for a few reasons. I do NOT want powder face. I can apply this like I have OCD and I will never get powder face. Second, the price. I was over the moon when she told me the price. I didn't realize that MAC makeup is so affordable. Third, I love the finish. It takes away the shinies but leaves a beautiful finish. The only grip I have it the packaging. I already popped out the plastic window. But that's small clams considering the awesomeness of this powder. Love it and I will forever buy it.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Cover Girl - Natureluxe Liquid Silk Foundation
jqsuared 2/21/2011 12:21:00 PM
I have an arsenal of foundations ranging from drug store to high end. I am always a sucker for new products and at 8 bucks, what's not to lose? I bought Natureluxe and Fit Me at the same time, both at unbeatable prices. Natureluxe is a pretty decent foundation for the price. The texture is fabulous, the coverage is sheer medium and I like the added jojoba for extra moisture for my skin. I really like this foundation for lazy days and quick makeup applications. It blends wonderfully and the finished results are nice, even skin. It hasn't broke me out and the color selection is wonderful. It may not be for everyone, but I really like this foundation. It reminds me of LM tinted moisturizer, but half the price. I use jojoba oil on my skin after my shower everyday so I find that little added ingredient attractive. I will buy this again and I think it will be perfect for summer wear.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Stila - Perfecting Concealer
jqsuared 2/13/2011 2:54:00 PM
I'm a concealer junkie. I have found a few that I use on a regular basis, under foundation but, I need additional coverage for some blemishes here and there. I prefer to use a tube concealer for this because anything in a pot will just cake up on me. This concealer was a perfect match is shade 3. When I say perfect I mean PERFECT. It is identical to my skin tone. I am so lucky. The consistency of the product is smooth, very easy to blend, and easy to build coverage. Use sparingly because a little goes a long way. I think this covers so well and is perfect for wearing over foundation. I had the SA recommend this to me and I couldn't be more happy. I will be buying this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - EXTRA VIRGIN Coconut Oil (All brands)
jqsuared 2/10/2011 12:16:00 PM
I'm obsessed with oils. I will try anything on my face once, and it seems the cheaper the product, the better it works. I got my jar of coconut oil at Whole Foods for about 6 bucks. I didn't know what to expect at first, but I quickly realized that this stuff is golden. I use it to remove my make up, and then after I cleans my face, I put a little more coconut oil on my damp face and I just let it absorb. I have tried all the expensive cleansing oils like BB, LM, Origins, MAC and coconut oil blows them away. I'm sorry, but when your dealing out 50 bucks for a cleansing oil, I don't want the first ingredient to be Mineral oil and castor oil. I can buy more organic pure oils at WF's and KNOW that my face isn't going to react. Albeit, I don't prefer to cook with the oil I use on my face, i.e. veggie oil, but I might give the coconuts a try. Especially in a THAI dish. And for about 6 bucks a jar, you cannot feel bad about trying it.... This is a staple in my face routine. I also purchase 100% pure argon oil for 8 dollars and rose hip oil, which is great for acne, for a little more.... Maybe around 20? But I def wanted to give it a try after all the great things I read about it. Don't hesitate to put oil on your face. The more pure, the better. With lotions, the first ingredient is mineral oil and that's more than likely the cause of bad skin. Or not moisturizing at all! That is a sin!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Bare Escentuals - Tinted Mineral Veil
jqsuared 2/9/2011 11:13:00 PM
I don't know when BE changed their packaging, but I am so glad they did. Finally, a stop top. I first used BE tinted MV by total accident. I thought I was using Faux Tan, and I was mad because it wasn't showing up as much as I wanted it to. I figured I'd try it all over my face, and I love the results! It warms up my complexion so well! And it doesn't change the color of my shin. I am totally surprised by this product, I usually hate mineral makeup. But I am 100% satisfied with my tinted MV. Yay!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Cellex-C - High Potency Serum
jqsuared 1/31/2011 5:12:00 PM
I cannot believe how expensive this tiny bottle of smelly, burning, liquid is. I was so excited to try it, but it was hard to apply such a thin, watery formula. It smells horrible and it stung like a bee when applied. I transferred a small amount of the serum into a spray bottle, sprayed it into a cotton square and swiped my face. I used this for exactly TWO DAYS. It clogged my pores so bad, I looked a bit more tan. Or maybe just dirty. I have a 10x magnification mirror and took a look at this face of mine and nearly cried. I had HUGE blackheads on my lips, never in my life had I gotten such huge blackheads. I was disgusted. I ended up squeezing this gunk outta my face for about 2 hours and then cried after I sat back and saw how I destroyed my face. It is now a bigger mess than I began with and I had decent skin prior to using this junk. I can't even describe how gross this stuff is. And it's such a bad ending because I can't return it and it caused me to pick so bad I cried. This stuff is made by Lucifer himself. I'm gonna try to swap it, but I am honest and I don't know anyone who would be willing to swap with me for the Devils urine, and I'm not gonna lie about the results after usage. Maybe I can use it as a weapon of mass destruction and fight terrorist, because even the worst of the worst terrorist would run from this poison. I will NEVER buy this again and I am weeping tears of sorrow all because of this small jar of SHIT. I will GIVE THIS AWAY and even pay for postage if anyone is willing to try it or has tried it and (gasp) likes it. FREE FREE FREE! I can't throw it away because it was about 12 hours of work BEFORE taxes for me. I hate wasting. I only waste time. Like the time I wasted on this review for this Serum a-la clog your pores with major gunk.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Jemma Kidd Makeup School - Mannequin Skin Illuminating Concealer
jqsuared 1/31/2011 1:24:00 AM
I will ALWAYS be on the search for the perfect concealer, I have found a few (relatively cheaper ones at that!) that I reach for on a daily basis. Pixi's Peach concealer and GLOminerals, love them both. Now, Jemma Kidd and her tube concealer.... I didn't have high hopes for this because I HATE concealer shaped like lipstick and I could really care less about the highlighter. You have three shades to choose from so I grabbed the medium, matching my skin perfectly. I don't remember if I used it right away or if it found it's little way to the back of my storage unit of makeup. Round after round of Erase Paste, Boiing, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, and some more random concealers, I used my lipstick concealer and practically jumped for joy. Not only did it match like skin on skin, but it actually COVERS. And it stays put. I use this puppy after I apply my foundation, I'll blend it either with the brush I used for my foundation or a giant fluffy eye brush or sometimes I'll bust out my flanges and use those to blend. Before I set my mug with powder, I'll give er a spray of whatever setting spray that's closest to me, blot with a velour puff and then powder like a movie star. F L A W L E S S. I used the highlighter, but I prefer a powder highlighter because it sets my under eyes better. I actually don't use this under my eye balls, only on blemishes and I have PLENTY of those. =) Three cheers for Target. Hip hip hooray!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Korres - Zea Mays Powder Blush in Natural
jqsuared 1/29/2011 11:43:00 AM
First off, I love to keep the protector plastic on my products, I have myself convinced these preserve my makeup more. Instead, with my Korres blush, my beloved plastic protector has only scratched my blush, so naturally, I have disposed of it. I seem to ALWAYS be on the lookout for the perfect contouring color. I feel that bronzers make my face look dirty, anything with an overload of shimmer will accentuate my acne scares and pores and it seems like anything I try last for all of 5 minutes unless I overdo it and walk out of the house with Tammy Faye face. I love makeup, but I want to look nature and subtle, like makeup should. I want to bring out my attributes and hide my flaws. Well, praise you blush Gods because I have FINALLY found the perfect contour. I originally bought this blush for that sole purpose, blush. I was using BM Warmth as a contour and it was just to dark. Once I tried this blush, it was perfect. I use my MAC 165 for the contour and then soften everything with NARS Laguna. (which I might return due to the shimmer) Or I will use a lovely Josie Maran bronzer I have, a nice light, shimmer free bronzer, using my 109. The resilts are beautiful. I then use my Papa Don't Peach blush and a quick dust of One Hot Minute (LOVE LOVE LOVE) and I looks like an artificial supermodel. All 5 feet of me. Consensus, this blush is best used for contouring on light to light-medium skin tones. And don't keep the plastic protector. It just scuffs up the blush. I will repurchase when I eventually run out in 15 or so years =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Dermalogica - Treatment Foundation
jqsuared 1/28/2011 10:47:00 AM
Finally! I foundation I LOVE. The shade seems to blend smoothly into my skin, creating the perfect match, it wears wonderfully, I love the tube because I can apply just the perfect amount, coverage is medium but can be built up to full. I just love this foundation and it's actually good for my skin! When I purchased it, I thought the color was much to dark. Perhaps I should have done better testing at the store? Nope. It's magic foundation. A beautiful satin texture, satin finish, covers beautifully without creating makeup face. And a little goes a long way. I apply it to my face straight from the tube, (hey, no one else will be using it. I can contaminate my own products) using about at 2 inch, thin line on my forehead, cheeks, chin and a tiny bit to the tip on my nose. I either use my Sephora Platinum 55 brush or my Cover FX foundation brush to blend and the results are finally the works of the perfect foundation creation. I cannot recommend this foundation enough. Especially those with troubling skin. My face feels amazing when I wear this, like there's a treatment on my face. It does rub off slightly, but what foundation doesn't? The only downfall is the steep price. But you definitely get a lot of product and you only use a tiny bit. I haven't even made a dent in the tube. I like this product more than my NARS Sheer Glow, which I also love to pieces =) I will buy this again!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -MAC - Paint Pot in Bare Study
jqsuared 1/24/2011 1:21:00 PM
This is my first paint pot purchase. I heard it works wonders as a eye primer so I was interested in trying it. I swatched each "subtle" color and decided I loved Bare Study. The shimmer wasn't to loud and I just loved the finish. When I used it with my eye shadows, the results were amazing. I am so in love with BS, I doubt I'll use my UDPP unless I run out. My shadow is so much more professional looking when I use this and the staying power is great. No matter what I use though, I always get a bit of creasing near the end of the day due to my grease ball eye lids. I like the paint pots, but I doubt I'll buy any other colors besides Bare Study. It's just so pretty and effective. This is HG for me. I will be buying this again, but I doubt I won't need to for another year. These paint pots last forever and I am having no issues with it drying out. Love this stuff. =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -BeneFit Cosmetics - My Place or Yours Gina
jqsuared 1/24/2011 9:35:00 AM
Would I buy again? YES, YES and Yes. I have a strange romance with fragrance. Perhaps it's the hormones/chemicals in my body, but the usual fragrances that smell wonderful on 90% of the population, smell like those aerosol knockoffs. Like Malibu Musk. I was at Ulta, farting around as usually, opening everything, testing everything, smelling everything, by the time I leave that store, my hands are the softest ever but a multitude of colors. As I was in the fragrance section, disappointed with everything, on the very last shelve on the very bottom were 5 bottles of BeneFit perfume. Hell, I didn't even know Benefit made perfume. I knelt down, threw my basket and purse on the floor next to me and closed my eyes as I sniffed one by one, the last scent being, My Place or Yours Gina. I ripped that last bottle of the shelf like it was the last piece of bread during the great depression. No one except me will have that perfume! And honestly, i really don't think anyone else was interested considering I was about the only person at Ulta. I will start with the con's of this fragrance. Small bottle. Scent could last longer. Makes my dogs sneeze. THAT'S ALL! The pro's. This stuff is sex. It's woodsy, it's sweet, it's peppery, vanilla, and it melts into my skin creating this wonderful aroma that I am so in love with. My sister tried it cause she loved it so much on me. It smelled like ass on her. You have to be a special person to wear this. I love it so much, I swapped PLAY and DKNY PURE for one bottle of YPOMG. Love it. I will buy it over and over. $35 bucks. That was it!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - 109 Small Contour Brush
jqsuared 1/21/2011 9:24:00 AM
The 109 and 165 are must haves for any makeup arsenal. Prior to owning these magic wands, my contouring attempts were something right outta Jersey. I searched and searched for the perfect brush and then I received these 2 in a swap. When the mail came, I heard the cosmetic angels sing. I have found the Holy Grail of makeup brushed. Now if I can only get my paws on the 138, my life will be complete.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Revlon - ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powder in 020 Suntan Matte
jqsuared 1/21/2011 9:18:00 AM
I love all illuminating powders. One Hot Minute, LORAC's Perfect Lit, Candlelight, LM Stardust..... And now this. It is NOT a bronzer, just like Georgia is not a blush. It's an all over powder that leaves the perfect glow, most comparable to my favorite, One Hot Minute. I do have the lighter and darker shade, but I prefer Suntan Matte because it's more subtle. The lighter pink can be used as a pretty subtle highlighter too. The key here is SUBTLE. I will def repurchase again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No