Foundations -Cover Girl - Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation
kasiecakes 5/1/2013 11:54:00 AM
This foundation lasts the longest of all my drugstore long-wear foundations. Colorstay pales in comparison with the new 3 in 1 foundation when it comes to long-lasting coverage. Oil control is fantastic and I find I only need to blot once or twice every 3-4 hours. My skin is oily and breakout prone, but this has yet to give me any problems. My only gripe with the line is that the colors run slightly pink and oxidize on my skin. I am about NC25 in MAC foundations and I'm currently using the shade Medium Beige in this foundation. It is a little bit pink, but it's fine if I contour in with bronzer. The packaging is a lockable pump with a clear cap, which is an A in my book. Also, I don't feel like I need to powder after this foundation. It sets quickly to a demi matte finish that feels like powder on the skin. Overall, I would give this a 4.5 if possible. If only I could find a perfect color match...
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Shampoo -L'Oreal - EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo
kasiecakes 2/4/2013 10:55:00 AM
The shampoo from this line just didn't cut it for me. I had to use extra to coat my hair and after washing it out, I still felt dirty. The conditioner on the other hand is my HG. So no go on the shampoo, but a giant YES on the conditioner. Out of all the Ever______ items, my favorite shampoo is with the Reconstruct line in the green bottle. That shampoo is my HG.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous in Carbon Black
kasiecakes 7/30/2012 9:50:00 PM
I have a love hate relationship with this mascara. I ADORE the easy peezy wand that is simple and small enough to get around my tiny Asian eyes. I love that the formula is thickening and gives me length and volume in just two coats without clumps. I love that it is the blackest black I have ever worn in terms of mascara. I just love a lot of things about this mascara. The only thing I don't love, the only thing that's a deal breaker, is the fact that this mascara gives me crazy panda eyes. Both the waterproof and non-waterproof formula smudge under my eyes. I don't have this issue with any other mascara but this specific one, which is disappointing considering its so perfect during the first 30 minutes. I've switched from this to Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal in the bright yellow tube. So far so good with that one. It doesn't give me the same finish as Voluminous, but at least it doesn't smudge :(
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Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
kasiecakes 7/4/2012 12:25:00 PM
For the first time in my life, I didn't have to blot my face for over 6 hours. This foundation is quickly becoming a favorite, knocking out my MAC Studio Fix Fluid and also kicking all my BB creams to the curb. This and the original Colorstay Fluid are being used daily now and are the only two foundations that can keep my oils at bay. This specific creme formula works better than anything I've ever tried when it comes to keeping me MATTE, and this stays on for a good 10+ hours. My skintone is NC25-30, and I chose the shadr Warm Golden. I chose it according to the coordinating color in the fluid that I have, which is also Warm Golden (I can also wear Golden Beige) in the liquid version. The texture of this is PHENOMENAL. Its light, creamy, and super blendable. Unlike the original Colorstay, this gives you more time to blend before setting so you don't have to work in "sections" like you did with the liquid. The creme is like a soft pudding and it springs back a bit when touched. The only thing I loathe about this is the packaging. Its classy and feels nice and heavy, but it's also impractical. I would personally prefer a squeezy tube for hygienic reasons. Price point is a bit high. I bought it for 12 dollars at my local Target. You only get a little bit of product too, LESS than the average 1oz foundation. This one only holds about .8oz, so it's just not much product. Then again, a little goes a long way since there is a lot of coverage with this. Its super pigmented! A light layer gives me medium/full coverage Overall, I would repurchase. I would label this HG if it wasn't for the bad packaging.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Maybelline - Color Sensational Lipstick - Warm Me Up
kasiecakes 6/11/2012 1:29:00 PM
My skintone: NC25 yellow asian skin Warm Me Up: Yellow, midtone pink with subtle golden shimmer Formula: pigmented, smooth, comfortable on lips Wear: 3-4 hours with light snacking and drinks, wears slightly on inner lips Packaging: not the cutest, but functional and easy to use On me: this shade is very natural on me. It comes out a slightly darker MLBB and leans more pink on me. Its very pretty and has become a staple in my purse! I wear this most of the week. Its not too pale to wear alone, and it also looks fantastic with a smoky eye. The formula is spot on for me, and I really enjoy that I don't feel dry lips after removal of this. Price point: around 7-8 bucks Overall, its a great lipstick that feels very high end on my lips, and I prefer this formula to a lot if my high end lipsticks. Will definitely repurchase!
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Blot Powder
kasiecakes 5/3/2012 3:12:00 PM
My shade: NC25 The shade of blot powder I have is MEDIUM DARK. Dont order this online in the shade you think you need. If possible, go to the MAC store and take a look yourself. Though this is supposed to be mostly translucent, I picked the closest shade to my skin, which ended up being Medium Dark, which was actually a fair-medium shade in the pan. Even the darkest shade really is about a midtone medium and might look ashy on the darkest skin. Effectiveness: Blot Powder is by far the best powder to keep my oilies at bay. It isn't a miracle product and sucks up all my oil, but it helps with shine and keeps my foundation (MAC SFF) from moving around during the day without looking cakey. I can reapply this up to 3-4 times a day without an issue of cakiness. Mind you, I only apply this to my t-zone where I get the oiliest. The best thing about this powder is that though it mops up the oil, it doesn't dry out my skin either. I leaves me with a natural matte, soft focused look that diffuses away from my large pores and imperfect skin. If your skin is VERY oily, I suggest using a blot sheet first and then following up with the powder for optimal matte time (up to 4 hours for me!) I don't remember the price, but I bought it about a month ago and theres a nice dent in my powder already from daily use. Theres still a lot left and I'm far from hitting pan even with multiple touch ups during the day, so this baby is going to last a while. Overall, it was a GREAT buy and I think it's my HG powder during the summer to mop up my oily skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Tough as Taupe
kasiecakes 5/1/2012 3:00:00 PM
My shade: NC25 Tough as Taupe: Not a true taupe, leans more grey and cool toned, matte Texture: Smooth, buttery, easy to blend Staying power: So so, not as great as a paint pot, but not far off. Well worth the price and lasted a good few hours before creasing. Overall, it was just a bit too cool toned for my warm skin and washes me out. I prefer the Bad to the Bronze shade which is much warmer and a bit more shimmery. I liked that Tough as Taupe was matte because I prefer flat finishes, but the color was just a bit off for me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Velvet Teddy
kasiecakes 5/1/2012 2:32:00 PM
My shade: NC25 Velvet Teddy: Matte midtone beiged pink, leans neutral on me It took a few tries for me to get this lipstick to work, but once I got it, it's been an HG color for me. The color in the tube is a bit deceiving. It actually comes out a bit more cool/neutral on my warm skin and also tends to be a shade lighter than the bullet. I was slightly disappointed at first, but gave it a try anyway. I fell in love with it after a week or so because Velvet Teddy gives me a very Angelina Jolie look: pouty and soft. With a touch of nude lipliner and this lipstick, I'm set! Make sure your lips are moisturized and exfoliated, otherwise this lippie ends up accentuating the flakies and dryness since it is MATTE. It's balmy enough to be comfortable on my lips for most of the day + touch ups. The texture of this lipstick is actually phenomimal. I usually hate matte formulas, but this one has become a favorite!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Superlustrous Lipstick - Demure (LE)
kasiecakes 4/12/2012 2:57:00 PM
This is a gorgeous pink neutral with silver shimmer. It pulls more pink on my lips, but it isn't overly frosty. It definitely has a pearl finish, which is funny since the tube says its a cream. Either way, it looks great on my NC25 skin and pigmented lips. It's definitely MLBB, and adds a little something to an otherwise plain face. Great for work and everyday wear. I get about 3 hours of wear with this since it is super moisturizing and easy wears off. But at only 5 bucks a pop, you can afford to constantly reapply. I love how emollient this is and how it glides of effortlessly. I can use this WITHOUT a balm, which is nice when I need to just slap on and go. And with this lipstick, I dont even need a mirror, thats how natural it looks on me. Plus its LE, so give it a try while you can. You won't be disappointed.
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Lip Treatments -Nivea - A Kiss of Moisture
kasiecakes 4/12/2012 2:44:00 PM
This is hands down, the BEST lip balm I have ever tried. I personally like a thicker, more conditioning balm and this is it! This balm is the "Essential" balm in the dark blue tube. I'm making the distinction from the one in the light blue tube cause the alternative is significantly worse than the Essential version. I can't seem to find this dark blue tube of wonder in store anymore, so I order in bulk online. It's a great night treatment for me, even topping my Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy. I love the texture of this balm. I can actually FEEL it on my lips, something that I truly enjoy as opposed to having more "slip" and lightweight balm. If you're looking for somthing more lightweight, buy the light blue tube. This balm doesn't have any issues with breaking me out around my lips and actually sinks into the lips, moisturizing deep within as well. 5/5, the BEST. I hope this never gets discontinued.
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Lipstick -MAC - Cremesheen - Shy Girl
kasiecakes 4/9/2012 6:16:00 PM
Skintone: NC25 This is the only nude I can wear without looking like a corpse or like I'm trying too hard for the "nude" look. With other lipsticks, it is completely obvious that they are, in fact, there. Shy Girl pulls a neutral beiged out pinky peach on me and gives me slightly glossy lips with a subtle shimmer (no frosty messes here). It is balmy enough that I'm not uncomfortable and lasts a good couple hours through food and drink! I would definitely repurchase. UPDATE: I lowered this down one lippie because I'm having a hard time getting an even application because this lipstick is more sheer. I wish it was just a little more opaque! Update: No matter how hard I try with this lipstick, it always seems to catch on the finest lines and flakes, no matter how hard I try and exfoliate. Lowering one lippie. The color is gorgeous, but I don't like the formula.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -E.L.F. - Studio High Definition Powder
kasiecakes 3/29/2012 3:59:00 PM
This is initially very nice! It's super silky and very finely milled. Even though its a stark white powder, it applies very translucent if you use a light hand (which you're supposed to!) I used a baby buki with this, brushing it over the puff to collect some powder and using it to buff over my face. The oil control is so-so. I found that it made my cheeks and forehead oily, but my nose really dry which is odd considering I have dry cheeks and oily t-zone! It was cheap and for the price, it's worth a try. It's a good powder and it does give me a diffused soft-focus effect for a few hours, so its nice! I wouldn't repurchase this because I like my Blot Powder so much more, but it's a nice alternative sometimes.
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Blush -NARS - Deep Throat
kasiecakes 3/29/2012 3:48:00 PM
Deep Throat in the pan: lighter pink with slightly peachy tones, silvery/gold shimmers Price: $26-$28 at Sephora Deep Throat on me: leans more pink than peach, slight shimmer (nothing like the glitterball Orgasm or anything close to that), flattering on my NC25 skin. It deposits more sheerly, allowing me the ease of layering and blendability. I don't get any patchiness with this as long as I use a powder after my foundation (MAC SFF followed by MAC blot powder). Staying power: 8 hours, max. My skin is oily, so 8 hours is pretty darn good in my eyes. I don't see it moving around much, but more like fading, which is fine with me because my pink glow in the morning fades to a natural tint later in the day. It mixes in with my oils well, never looking unnatural as I've noticed with Orgasm. Orgasm tends to be a giant peachy glitterbomb on my face, not helping me at all with my oily skin, so I'm glad I picked this one up instead and returned Orgasm. Finish: The slight shimmer I get with this blush is actually flattering on my skin despite my large pores and oilyness. It is suitable for everyday wear and very subtle on my skin, allowing me to use it at work with a light hand or amp it up for nighttime use! Packaging: Rubberized black packaging. It's pretty at first, very it attracts a lot of dirt and fingerprints. The mirror inside is a good size and I'm able to see most of my face in it while I'm applying my makeup. Overall: Great buy and I would repurchase, even though its pricy!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
kasiecakes 3/19/2012 2:04:00 AM
I was looking for something that would replace my beloved Revlon Colorstay because I can't seem to find a perfect color match with Revlon. I'm exactly NC25 with strong yellow undertones and MAC tends to run very yellow. Yay me! Anyway, SFF is a lot thicker and more pigmented than Colorstay, both of them smell equally bad, but neither are intolerable. Colorstay lasts longer on me than SFF in the combo/oily formula and also seems to keep the oilies at bay better too! If they made Colorstay closer to an NC25 shade, that would be my ultimate HG considering Revlon NEVER breaks me out. SFF hasn't broken me out yet and I'm hoping for the best. Btw MAC, I hope you read this. INCLUDE THE PUMP FOR FREE! I'm already forking out almost $30 bucks for a foundation, so just give me the damn pump to make my life easier! Lord knows how hard it is to pour out SFF with its thick consistency. So overall, good foundation with great coverage. Oil control is average, shade selection runs very yellow, even in the NW shades, so be aware! Wash thoroughly at night or you'll probably break out!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Anastasia Brow Powder
kasiecakes 1/21/2012 1:25:00 PM
HG eyebrow product. I have almost black, sparse asian eyebrows and this is the only product I've found that doesn't have red in it. I use the shade Brunette. I use the lighter powder on the inside of my brow and slowly use the dark one on the outside of my brow. This powder is crazy pigmented. I only tap my brush in the pan and its still too much! It will last a long time. Highly recommend.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No