Blush -Stila - Convertible Color Lillium
katmu1 5/27/2012 3:52:00 PM
I have owned Lillium for several years. This along with Becca Turkish Rose are my go-to cream blushes. This color is a bit brighter and pinker than Turkish Rose so I tend to wear this more in the summer. I like to use my finger to stipple this on as opposed to use a cream blush brush. I find application with my finger looks more natural. I think Lillium is a good shade for pale skintones, but I think some of the other shades would be better for people darker than NC20 or so. On me, under finishing powder I find that this lasts about 6 hours before it starts to fade. I would repurchase, although I hope that the formula of this has not changed as with some other Stila products recently. For reference, MAC NC15 / Bobbi Brown Porcelain / Becca LSC Sand with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Skin is dry and sensitive.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Face Touch Up Stick
katmu1 5/21/2012 10:14:00 PM
I carry this product in my purse for touch-ups. I like that it's portable and easy to blend. I wish this had a little bit more coverage and lasted longer than 3-4 hours on me. I don't use this undereye, only for blemishes or discoloration. I have this in Porcelain and it's a good match so that's a plus. I marked that I would repurchase but I would love to find something similar with a bit more coverage.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Blanc Type - Matte2
katmu1 5/18/2012 1:48:00 PM
I do believe this is my favorite MAC powder shadow ever. It's not that the shade is particularly unique but it's the texture that makes it a standout. I'm NC15 and at 42 unfortunately am always looking for something to cover some redness on my eyelids. I apply this over soft ochre paint pot (which is a touch too yellow on it's own) all over my eyelids for my everyday look. I usaually then add something similiar to MAC Kid in the crease for a little extra definition. It makes me look like I've actually slept 8 hours, which in reality never happens anymore. It doesn't scream "I'm wearing eyeshadow" which I love. I've owned many other pale beige skintone shadows (WnW brulee, MAC vanilla, NARS edie, BB bone both cream and shadow) and I like this best because of the smooth texture. It doesn't highlight any crepiness.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Fusion Beauty - Illumicover Line Smoothing Luminous Concealer
katmu1 5/17/2012 6:23:00 PM
I bought this concealer to use as an undereye concealer when it was on clearance at Sephora for $9, marked down from $36. For $9, it's a decent concealer but I would not repurchase at full price. I went with this after seeing Lisa Eldridge use it in her "no-makeup makeup" video. Pluses: Mix of concealer and light reflecting pen (so more coverage than touche eclat for example) Doesn't settle into fine lines under my eyes. Nice texture - not too heavy or watery, easy to blend. Looks natural Cons: The biggest is staying power - I find that this tends to last a few hours. Pen dispenser - portable, but sometimes have to click several times to get any product. I'm 42 so I have some fine lines undereye. I have this in Pale. For reference I wear NC15 in MAC, Porcelain in BB, Sand in Becca LSC. I will be looking for something similar when this runs out with a bit more staying power. Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Isododecane, Hydrogenated Didecene, Polydecene Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone Disteardimonium Hectorite, Boron Nitride, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol Aroma (Flavor), Methicone, Tropolone, Propylene Carbonate, Cetyldimethicone/ Bis Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethylacrylamide/Acrylic Acid/Polystyrene Ethyl Methacrylate Copolymer Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diamonobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Dextrin, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, May Contain/Peut Contenir : CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77492 (Iron Oxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxide), CI 77499 (Iron Oxide.
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Crème -MAC - Mineralize Foundation
katmu1 5/10/2012 6:53:00 PM
I've been using this foundation for the last month. I would agree with previous reviewers who describe the coverage as light-to-medium. I have dry, sensitive skin and was a little nervous how the sunscreen ingredient would work for me but so far I haven't had any issues. I apply this with a foundation brush and then do a bit of final blending with a makeup sponge and I really love the results. This doesn't seem to settle into fine lines during the day or emphasize my dry spots so those are both big pluses in my book. And it lasts better than other foundations I've tried with about the same amount of coverage. I actually like that it comes in a compact as that will be good for travel but I'm a little disappointed that after a month there is already a gap around the outside of the pan, so I'm hoping this doesn't dry out too quickly. Overall, I'm pleased and would likely repurchase unless I can find something better. For reference 42 with dry, sensitive clog prone skin. I matched to NC15 in this. Some other brands & shades I match to are Bobbi Brown Porcelain, Becca LSC Sand, Tarte AC in Fair.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Devita Rx UltraSolar 50
katmu1 5/5/2012 2:43:00 PM
I've been using the UltraSolar 50 for the last few weeks as my daily facial sunscreen. Previously, I've been using the body block 30 on my face. Compared to the body block, the 50 is creamier and a feels a bit more moisturizing. If I apply the 50 right under my eyes, my eyes do tend to water for a minute or so. This seems to protect better than the body block as I have not picked up any color since starting this. It doesn't leave a white cast and hasn't caused my makeup to pill up. It is a bit more expensive than the body block at about $33 for a 4 oz. tub. Overall, I'm very pleased as this seems to be protecting well, is moisturizing and hasn't caused any reaction so far. (I have had issues with most chemical sunscreens.) Active Ingredients: Micronized Zinc Oxide 19% (Transparent), and Titanium Dioxide 8%. Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Capric/Caprylic Triglycerides (derived from coconut oil), Stearic Acid, Vegetable Glycerin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate (from vegetable oil), Lecithin, Vitamin E Acetate, Allantoin, Comfrey Root Extract, Grapeseed Extract
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Blush -NARS - Sex Appeal
katmu1 4/30/2012 4:24:00 PM
I agree with most of the reviews that this shade will really only work for the truly pale. (I'm NC15 at my darkest). It does show on me, but just the slightest hint of peach. I haven't had the chalky issues that some reviewers mention but I never put on more than 2 layers. That said, I still don't find myself reaching for this very much. If I want a subtle blush I tend to go with Korres Nude 15 instead or a cream blush like Stila CC Lilliium. I don't think I would repurchase this. It's spendy for the amount of color payoff.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -DHC - DHC Cleansing Milk
katmu1 4/29/2012 10:53:00 PM
I've been using this cleanser since last fall. I used to use DHC's cleansing oil but found it's become too drying for my 40+ skin. This is a very creamy cold cream type cleanser that doesn't irritate my skin. My skin feels softer after I cleanse with this. I feel like this does a good job of removing my physical sunscreen. It's somewhat expensive but this is one of the few cleansers I've found (even so called sensitive ones) that doesn't dry me out. The pump dispenser works well
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Lipstick -Becca - Vendela
katmu1 10/19/2011 6:07:00 PM
Vendela is the one lipstick I carry in my purse everyday no matter what (that and Fresh Sugar Rose lip balm). My lips are naturally pigmented, so this on me is just a slightly more rosy, slightly darker version of my own lips. Truly MLBB. It does have a hint of brown. I agree that this shade could work on many different skintones. I took off 1 lippie due to the price, $24 retail although it can often be found for less online. And the silvery tube has become scratched due to being in my purse everyday so I might prefer a more matte tube. But if my trusty tube of Vendela ever goes missing, I would absolutely repurchase. And that is because this lipstick doesn't dry out my lips during winters in Minnesota, and that is saying a lot. For reference NC15 / BB Porcelain / LM Porcelain with brown hair and eyes. Pigmented lips. Dry, sensitive skin. Ingredients Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Ricinus Communis(Castor) Seed Oil, Phytosteryl Oleate, lsostearyl Isostearate, Hydrogenate Polyisobutene, Polyethylene, Polyisobutene, Kaolin, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Flavor (Aroma), Beeswax, Ozokerite, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Luffa Cylindrica Seed Oil,Tocopheryl Acetate,Honey Extract, Water (Aqua), Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Gllycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Talc. MAY CONTAIN + /: Iron Oxides (Cl 77491, Cl 77492, Cl 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Cl 77891), Carmine (Cl 75470) Yellow 5 Lake( Cl 19140:1), Red 7 Lake( Cl 15850:1), Red 30 (Cl 73360)
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - Color Icon Single in Brulee
katmu1 10/19/2011 5:37:00 PM
Overall, I love this eyeshadow. For the price, it really can't me beat. I normally do not buy drugstore e/s but this really reminds me of higher end shadows like Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and MAC. The color as other reviewers have stated is a dupe of MAC's Brule - a creamy matte pale beige. This works well at covering discoloration on my eyelids. The only real drawback for me is the packaging as it's hard to open, but for less than $2 you can't have everything. This is my new everyday look more awake e/s, a title previously held by MAC Soft Ochre paint pot. The WnW shadow creases less. For reference- NC15 / BB Porcelain / LM Porcelain, dark hair and brown eyes. 41 with Dry, Sensitive skin.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Devita Solar Body Block 30
katmu1 4/9/2010 2:22:00 PM
I think I have finally found the sunscreen that works for me. I've been using this every day for the last 3 months and I still love it. I used it during a trip to Mexico and I did still tan a bit, but I didn't have any of the irritation I've had with many other SS. This doesn't dry me out like many physical ss have, and it doesn't clog my pores. It doesn't leave a white cast either (although I'm pretty pale to begin with) and feels nice and smooth going on. I think it's a good value as I paid $22 for a 6 oz bottle. A definite repurchase. EDIT 05/05/2012: I'm not using this on my body only as I've switched to the Ultrasolar 50 for my face as the protection is better. I'm deducting one lippie. MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE: 14% (TRANSPARENT) Purified Water, Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Japanese Green Tea Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (derived from Coconut Oil), Vegetable Glycerin, Dexapathenol (Vitamin B5), Vitamin E (Acetate), Olive Oil, Lecithin, Shea Butter, Copper Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Olive Squalene, Vitamin A (Palmitate), Hyaluronic Acid, NaPCA, Essential Oils of Lavender and Chamomile, Rosehip Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Seaweed Extract, Riboflavin Phos
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15
katmu1 12/16/2009 5:54:00 PM
Like many other reviewers, I was thinking this might be one of those products that doesn't live up to the hype. But I love it for the most part. It is the best moisturizing balm for daytime that I've tried, better than Korres butters and even Lipstick Queen Medieval in terms of moisture. This has even worked during sub-zero temperatures walking my over-zealous labrador retriever. Gets rid of the peeling & flaking I often have at this time of year. One shortcoming though for those of us with pigmented lips, on me the color does NOT show. Not at all. So I still end up using either the Korres or the LQ over this if I want color. Needless to say, I feel a bit silly spending $22.50 on a lip balm that has no tint on me. I would love to find something similiar but a bit cheaper and with a tint that shows. This would likely need to be on sale for me to repurchase, but I marked yes because for right now if I lost this I would repurchase because it is so moisturizing. I do like also that it has sunscreen.
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Blush -Korres - Zea Mays Powder Blush in Natural
katmu1 12/14/2009 6:08:00 PM
I can't believe I missed writing a review on this. This is my most favorite powder blush ever. I wear this most every day over tinted moisturizer. It really is a nude blush, just enough hint of pink to keep it from being a bronzer with a hint of shimmer. This shimmer in not OTT like many other powder blushes I've tried. I apply lightly with a skunk brush. It gives me just a hint of color to keep me from looking washed out. This is also great to layer over my favorite cream blush, Becca in Turkish Rose. This on it's own has good staying power for a powder blush. My skin has not reacted to this blush negatively at all. For reference, NC15 / BB Porcelain with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Dry, sensitive clog-prone skin. Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Nylon-12, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Zea Mays Starch, Octyldodecyl Lactate, Octyldodecanol, Isononyl Isononanoate. May Contain: CI 77891, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77007, CI 75470, CI 77742, CI 77288, CI 77289, CI 77510, CI 15850, CI 73360, CI 15985, CI 19140, CI 42090.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Tarte - Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Mosturizer (Smooth Operator)
katmu1 12/11/2009 7:01:00 PM
I wear this in Facade, very pale somewhat yellow shade. I love the texture of this and that it looks very natural with just a hint of glow. It does not settle into fine lines even by the end of the day. It lasts really well for a light foundation, although if you asked me I think it's more of a tinted moisturizer than a true foundation. I love that the sunscreens in this are physical only as many TMs and foundations use avobenzone or other chemical sunscreens that my skin can't tolerate. I used to wear Tarte Peaches N' Cream most of the time. Thanks to suggestions from MUA and especially the skincare board, my skin has improved considerably and I now prefer lighter coverage for everyday. Compared to Peaches N' Cream, this is lighter and more glowy where Peaches N' Cream is pretty matte at least on me. The one thing I wish I could improve was if it smoothed out my pores a bit more, especially on my cheeks. Normal retail price in the US is $35 for 1.7 oz tube. However, if you watch Tarte's website & sign up for their emails, I usually get this for 30-40% off during one of their sales. For reference, skintone is MAC NC15 / BB Porcelain with dry, sensitive, clog-prone skin.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Laura Mercier - Satinee Creme Eye Colour - Ecru Silk
katmu1 12/11/2009 6:30:00 PM
I would absolutely agree with Lizzy28's description of this color as being very similiar to Chanel Lotus. Ecru silk is right on for the name. I bought this originally mostly for travel as I was using a MAC paint pot in Soft Ochre as my daily shade to conceal redness on my eyelids. The small tube is more travel friendly than the glass pots from MAC. Compared to the MAC Soft Ochre, this is a bit more sheer and has a slight hint of shimmer, but not nearly as shimmery as MAC Bare Study. After testing this prior to a trip, I switched from Soft Ochre to this as it looks more natural. It just makes me look rested and awake. It does tend to crease slightly on me by the end of the day, but not enough that I would stop using it. It retails for $22 in the US. I have been using this for several months and have hardly made a dent in the tube. When I eventually run out, I will repurchase this. For reference, 39 with dry, sensitive, clog-prone skin. NC15/ BB Porcelain with brown eyes and dark brown hair.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No