Mascara -Rimmel - Sexy Curves
julbra 4/12/2010 7:03:00 PM
Overall this was a good mascara for me. It lengthens really well, holds the curl (although my lashes are naturally curled) and is not clumpy. However, I've been using it for about three months now and it's starting to dip in quality. I know it's one of the number one rules of makeup to only keep mascara for three months anyway, but I still expect a product to have more durability. The other day my sister was wearing this mascara and I swore she did not even have anything on to begin with, because her lashes were limp and were not curved at all. Initially I blamed it on her application technique, however I just used this today and I'm having the same problem--the mascara no longer holds. Overall I like it, but I don't think I'll purchase again just because I like to try different mascaras and this was not earth-shattering enough to reach HG status. It never flaked on me, which is another plus--but when I removed it this bled like no other--my eyes would be completely black; it looked like an oil tanker had exploded on my face. I normally don't buy waterproof mascaras, but I have never experienced such bleeding like this, and it made removal a lot harder. Overall, I would recommend, but I won't repurchase.
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
julbra 4/8/2010 10:02:00 PM
The Primer Potion is a god-send. I, like many other people, have had issues in the past with shadows creasing on me. However, a swipe of Primer Potion on the lids combats creases for hours on end. Even my cheaper shadows, such as Revlon, Maybelline, and Covergirl, stay all day with UDPP. What I love most about UDPP, however, is that it makes the colors more vivid--especially with my less pigmented shadows, UDPP helps them come out of their shell a little more and actually show up on my lids. I can even swipe my finger across my lid and little to no shadow will show up on my finger--which really shocked me! (in a good way). Anyway, UDPP is definitely worth the money (even though its on the expensive side) if you want your eyeshadow to have staying power. I will repurchase (although I want to give Eden a go next time). Five lippies!
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Polishes -Rimmel - Lasting Finish Pro - Steel Grey
julbra 3/25/2010 5:13:00 PM
This is a great color, a good dupe for the famous Chanel Particulière (in my opinion) which was exactly what I wanted for the longest time, and for about twenty dollars less. I needed two coats for opacity, which seems to be the norm with most of my darker polishes. But what really surprised me about the Rimmel nail polishes was their quality--the formula was amazing, even (not streaky), quick drying, and the brush was very easy to use. It does not last as long as the advertisements and the product title would lead you to believe, however I did not use a topcoat. It lasted me about three days before any serious chipping started. Overall I love this color, the formula, the brush, and the price. I'll definitely be getting more of these. Five lippies!
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Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Starbucks - Napkins
julbra 3/7/2010 4:47:00 PM
Like some of the other reviewers, I was also very surprised to see Starbucks napkins on the MUA top picks list, however they're listed for a reason! I actually discovered their blotting power on accident, one day when I was blowing my nose after I got a latte. I noticed where I held the napkin to the corners of my nose was oily. I had no idea that Starbucks' napkins had a hidden talent, so I was very surprised to see that they do! I don't really have oily skin (for the most part) but these are very handy for those who do as they are effective and free.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto
julbra 1/30/2010 7:34:00 PM
Overall I think Lash Stiletto is a decent mascara. It lengthens and separates (for the most part) which is generally what I look for in a mascara (Note: I have very long and thick lashes to begin with). It's very dramatic so if you want an everyday mascara you should probably skip this one or get it in brown. Some issues I had with it is that it did not separate the lashes in the outer corners of my eyes, which is a problem I usually have with mascaras that I am looking to correct (it's very annoying). I like the brush but like I said its hard to get to the outer corner lashes, which creates my problem. In addition to that, Lash Stiletto flaked on me pretty much everyday and one morning (yes, morning, about an hour or two after I applied the mascara) I noticed a pile of black flakes under my eyes. Not attractive. While overall I like Lash Stiletto and its clever packaging, I figure there are probably better mascaras out there, even in the drug store realm. So, now that my three month trial with LS is over, I'm moving on to Rimmel Sexy Curves. I'll see how that goes...
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Lip Treatments -Smith's Rosebud Salve - Smith's Rosebud Salve
julbra 1/30/2010 2:26:00 PM
Rosebud Salve is a great lip balm that not only moisturizes the lips but also leaves a nice rosy-pink color that is very pretty! I primarily use it on my lips but on the can it is described as a multi-purpose balm for red and irritated areas on the skin. I love the vintage-looking tin and the smell, which is of course a beautiful flowery aroma. However the only con I can think of for Rosebud is that it doesn't do as much for cracked and dry lips as it claims. I find that Carmex or Burt's Bees works better when my lips are really hurting. Despite this I always carry my can of Rosebud around in my purse and it's my HG lip balm for when I'm out. Overall it's an excellent product, really cute and lovely and I would both recommend it and buy it again!
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - ExpertWear Eyeshadow Quad in Chai Latte
julbra 1/24/2010 10:50:00 PM
Very nice neutral eye quad that I have used at least three-four times a week since I purchased it. I think I was enticed by the name, but this also makes for a great simple eye with a nice subtle touch of "wow" with the bronze which I put in the crease of the eye, as directed. I usually only use the first three colors: the lid, the crease, and the brow bone ones. My only complaint is that the lid color (the pretty musky brown) is a little light and not very pigmented, unlike the bronze crease color, which is awesome. However, overall this was worth the small price tag and I would definitely repurchase.
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Lipstick -MAC - total wow!
julbra 1/24/2010 10:37:00 PM
I love Total Wow! It's probably my HG--I've been wearing it frequently to school because it suits me well while not being too insane for my environment. I defiantly agree however that the lips should be hydrated before application to get the best results--I recently started using Burt Bee's Rhubarb under it to hydrate--it also adds a shimmery touch and it lasts longer without drying my lips. I will defiantly be buying this again--it's lovely!
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Lipstick -MAC - Russian Red
julbra 1/24/2010 10:27:00 PM
I purchased MAC Russian Red after hearing so many good things about it and for me, the hype was worth buying. Russian Red (aside from having a great name) is a sexy, bold, true red, very pin-up yet still wearable (the lady at the MAC counter who helped me recommended that you apply RR with a brush, since it is so intense). In addition to being a lovely color, it also makes my teeth look move-star white, which is a nice added bonus. I also love the matte finish, it adds to the retro look. Anyway, get Russian Red--it's very flattering and sexy for a night out, or for those who are bold enough perhaps even an everyday color (I'm not quite ready for that kind of commitment yet--lol).
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Makeup Brushes -Bare Escentuals - Flawless Application Face Brush
julbra 1/24/2010 10:21:00 PM
I received this brush (as well as the other big fluffy brush and the concealer brush) as a part of the Bare Escentuals Starter Kit. While I like the makeup products in the kit, I have to say that the brushes (aside from the concealer brush) are terrible. They're both short and thick, which for some reason I don't like. However, the bigger problem with both of the brushes is that they scratched the HELL out of my face. Very harsh on the skin, as I know others have mentioned. I also noticed mine shedding on first use--however after that one time of using the BE brushes I immediately stopped and went out and bought the Eco Tools brushes, which are far superior: soft, no shedding, longer/thinner handles, and cheap. I would recommend those over the BE brushes any day of the week. Obviously I will not buy this product ever again.
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Polishes -OPI - Russian Navy
julbra 1/24/2010 9:11:00 PM
Just got this color yesterday and I am completely smitten by it! It's very sexy, a nice winter color. It's a shimmery/metallic midnight blue and it's very intense yet wearable. The color applies very evenly and you only need two coats for it to be completely opaque (which I guess is not surprising since the color is so dark). I can't really attest to the staying power of the polish (since I've only worn it for about 24 hours...) however from what I've heard about the durability of OPI polishes, it should hold tight for a while. This is my first OPI shade (aside from Sephora by OPI) and I am very impressed!
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Polishes -Rimmel - Lasting Finish - Tequila Sunrise
julbra 12/29/2009 1:09:00 AM
When I was at the drugstore one day taking a look at the nail polishes Tequila Sunrise immediately stuck out to me, and for such a cheap price it seemed worth the buy. And indeed it is! I love the orange-red color (it's the exact color of MAC's So Chaud lipstick); it appears exactly as is in the bottle. Additionally, it goes on smooth and does last a considerable amount of time (although may be not as long as the advertisements suggest...) The consistency was great at the beginning when I bought Tequila Sunrise in the spring, however by the end of the summer I needed a new bottle because the product got so gooey and weird...but anyway, overall, it's an amazing product for the money you pay and I will defiantly continue to by Rimmel in Tequila Sunrise; in addition to a few other shades...
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Lipstick -MAC - So Chaud
julbra 12/25/2009 12:13:00 PM
I love So Chaud! I was looking for an Orangish-Red after I saw the makeup at the Spring/Summer 2008 Temperley London show. So I went to the Mac Counter and I first tried Morange, which I decided was WAY too orange. Then I tried So Chaud because it has a more reddish coloring that is not too bold yet still very vibrant and fun. As a lot of other reviewers mentioned, it's a great Summer color but I have found myself wearing it in the dead of winter! I love the matte consistency, however it does slightly dry out lips if they have not been moisturized for a while. My favorite thing to do is blot it with a Kleenex, it brings out the matte finish.
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