Polishes -Sinful - Nail Polish (all colors)
kimmah 8/5/2011 12:54:00 PM
Only polish I ever tried that didn't chip, OPI, Essie, name brands and all. , within the first 5 days of applying~one coat, no base or top coat. I have short nails, so most darker tones look weird, but Nirvana and Vacation Time both look amazing, and I have Mercury Rising on my toes.
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Self Tanners -L'Oreal - Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion in Natural Medium Tan
kimmah 8/4/2011 1:28:00 PM
I am pale, not alabaster. Without tannig, I look sickly in summer. I am 42, but have much~younger complexion, so sun and tanning beds are not options. I have tried Versa, self tanners, the daily slow-color lotions and even tinted moisturizers to wear skirts in summer w/o feeling awkward. No luck. This product, though, has changed that luck. Cons: the glitter is absurd, but I tone it down by applying lotion a few hours after I use the product. I definitely do not advide using this less than two or three hours...a day before is best. Container is prone to splattering if you don't shake the product down. PROS: No streaks unless you are sloppy. Inside of my wrist is the most problematic~make sure you do that area close to last and don't rub your arms against your body as you apply. Yes, your palms can be brown, but on th reverse, the color LASTS! I first applied this ten days ago then a second layer two days layer. I used some Dove daily tan lotion in between- I have applied it fur times total all over, and spot applied once or twice. Still have first bottle. You definitely have to go slow and don't try to go native tan in one application. I had instant color, and other than glitter, loved it. Notched down for glitter. I didn't have isues w/ the smell. I only use it my publically visible body areas, so it lasts awhile. It WILL rub off on clothing if you aren't dry before you dress or you get sweaty thefirst day. Shoe straps also wreak havoc on hot days or after 10 hour days, but that is to be expected.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Length
kimmah 11/15/2009 12:37:00 PM
I need length AND volume, so this is waste for me. I ended up with long, skimpy lashes. It also didn't seem to have the staying power of Lash Blast, which I love. If you have thick lashes, this might work for you--it definitely gave a little length--but I'd go for L'Oreal Double Extend or Max Factor before I bought CG.
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Hair -L'Oreal - Elnett Hairspray
kimmah 4/26/2009 9:18:00 AM
I'm reviewing the French version of Elnett. I bought a can in Paris in April and paid about 11 euros. I chalked it up to a very important souvenir, lol. I used it last night for the first time. I teach high school and it was prom night. I was the sponsor, so I was crazy busy from 5 pm-11pm-working, cleaning, dancing, etc. My hair is naturally curly and can frizz like mad when humidity kicks in. I've never found a hairspray that can hold a style through all of that without giving me helmet hair (my hair is above the chin, longish, layered pixie style and super, mega thick). Elnett is AMAZING. My hair held its shape all night and not one iota of frizz in sight. Unheard of for my hair. I'm kicking myself for only buying one can--I will be taking an extra duffel for wine and Elnett on my next trip to Paris. The smell isn't great, but it's not offensive. Perfume wiped out the scent for me. The spray is a super-fine mist and once it dried down, my hair felt slightly drier, but was very flexible and not at all tacky or plastic. I was able to sweep my bangs out of my face later in the night and didn't feel any hairspray on my hands. The American version, from what I've read, is NOT the same. Do not let the bad US formula sour you on the Paris version. I have tried every DS hairspray in the book along with several higher end sprays and this stuff is MILES above anything in the US. If you can get your hands on an actual Parisian can, hang on for dear life.
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Lip Treatments -Avon - Beyond Color lip Conditioner SPF 12 with Retinol
kimmah 1/24/2009 6:05:00 PM
Awesome lip conditioner. I was a Carmex/lip balm addict, but this has replaced that habit. It's very smooth and moisturizing. I use it at night and also on cold days as a base for lipstick. It's very, very pale, so I can't wear it alone or my lips are sort of invisible. Avon runs great promotionals--it's 3.99 in the current catalog. Never pay full price because they have it on sale every couple of months.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
kimmah 11/3/2007 9:29:00 AM
I am a devotee of Max Factor mascara--for me, there is no comparision. Voluminous and Full and Soft are my backups. I thought I'd try this just to see what the hype was and because I needed mascara and because it was cheap--6.78 at Wal Mart in Tennessee. I was not expecting to love it, so I was pleasantly surprised to see how long it made my lashes look--I have stumpy lashes and this product REALLY gave them length and definition. I do like the color of the black/brown--not too harsh, but not so wimpy like many browns. I did two quick coats and that was enough. It's not really any better than my MF products, though, and the brush is far too big. I hope no poor teenager buys this as her first mascara because she'll likely blind herself or give up on mascara forever because of the bulky, unwieldy applicator. Seriously, wtf was the packaging designer thinking with the handlebar-sized wand? Not sure if I will buy again because my eyes are itchy today and it may be the mascara, may be allergies. I'll keep trying and see which it is. If it's just allergies, I'd buy this again with a coupon or in a pinch, but it has not converted me from my Max Factor Lash Perfection or Volume Couture--not by a long shot.
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Mascara -Max Factor - Lash Perfection
kimmah 5/3/2006 6:42:00 AM
This is my HG mascara. I wasn't impressed at first--it was a bit too thin and runny on first application and I had spidery lashes, so I put it away and ranted. I came back to it after a couple of weeks for a second try and was oh, so glad I did. It had "aged" perfectly and is now the best mascara I've ever tried for the perfect dramatic, but not spidery lash. This mascara defines my stubby, short, lashes and drags them out to insanse lengths without clumping them. I only use one coat, but comb through several times on each eye without letting it dry. The result is magic. It doesn't thicken that much--but it adds definition and length and gives a gorgeous finish to my eye, without making me look to Tammy Faye Bakerish. I've not ever been able to really use a comb to get rid of clumps and since I've used this product, I've not even thought about one. The price is ridiculously cheap and I will cry like a baby if they ever stop making it or screw up the formula.
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Eye Shadow -Milani - Touch of Brown Quad
kimmah 4/29/2006 4:02:00 PM
Love the idea of Milani quads for portability and compactness, but I hate the quality of the packaging and the useless brush applicator. I'd rather they leave it out all together and make the shadows larger.
I hate to disagree with a fellow MUA'er, but these colors are not all unique. From top right, clockwise: Almondine (nice highlighter, shimmery, builds up and looks great), mustardy, taupe matte shade. Interesting. This one is definitely new, Golden Bronze (a gorgeous golden tan shimmery shade that look beautiful with blue eyes) and the darkest shade is a deep brown with shimmer. This is also a new shade. Very different than Java Bean, which has red tones. This one is more neutral/cool. The quad is worth it for this brown alone, IMO, but if you don't already have Golden Bronze (which is also part of the Earthly Delights quad--why do they do that???), then you really, really need it.
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Eye Shadow -Milani - Eyeshadow Quad 02 Sedona Sunset
kimmah 4/29/2006 3:56:00 PM
I love Milani and I like the concept of their quads, but I'm a little frustrated that they dupe the colors from one to the next.
The colors in Sedona Sunset are clockwise, Almondine (a nice, shimmery highlighter), a matte brown/taupe, Spice (a beautiful coppery red) and Desert Sun (a shimmery golden beige). If you own the singles of these, then you really don't need the quad unless you want the matte. The quad does make it easier to travel. The shadows are all gorgeous as per Milani's norm and look great together. No complaints about quality.
The packaging on the quads is terrible, so I remove a lippie. The case looks really cheap and the applicator is terrible with a useless brush. If I didn't have the singles of these shades, I would buy this quad again for convenience, but if I had the time and energy, I would probably just depot my own singles and make my own palette.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Clinique - Color Surge Impossibly Glossy - Sugar Plum
kimmah 4/29/2006 10:56:00 AM
A pretty pinky mauve shade with some of silver flash. It has a great shine to it and I love the way that it makes my lips look very, well, glossy. It holds up about average for HE gloss and wears evenly. My only gripe is the tube, which is generous, but I have trouble getting the right amount to come out--I end up with too much on my lips and then it glops around the corners of my mouth, etc. I feel like I'm wasting some every time that I apply, which is a bummer.
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Lip Gloss -Stila - It gloss - humorous
kimmah 4/29/2006 10:54:00 AM
I have found my HG peach lip gloss. I love this shade! It is a great silvery peach that doesn't require you to be tan to pull it off. I have fair-tomedium warm skin and it's almost impossible for me to find a decent peach shade of gloss that doesn't wash me out or turn orange. This one is perfect. I found it at CCO and will be going back ASAP to stock up. I like the applicator with brush better than a tube because it keep me from applying too much (like a Clinique tube, for example) and I have more control than with a sponge wand. This gloss is definitely IT for me.
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Palettes -Sue Devitt - Starbrights Lip and Cheek - Electra
kimmah 4/19/2006 11:07:00 PM
god, this is the most gorgeous neutral cheek color I think I've ever put on my face. It is truly like a natural flush on me, FFF with medium red hair and warm toned skin. Not sticky, not gummy, not tacky--just gorgeous color that blends in totally and looks incredible. I will never be without this again. I have an old-style pallete and it is horrible to open. Spring for the new one; your nails will thank you.
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Lip Gloss -Wet 'n' Wild - Megaslicks in Orange Twist
kimmah 4/19/2006 11:02:00 PM
The color was pleasant enough, although it turned a bit orange on me; I think it will look good on someone with a darker skin tone and I'll hang on to it for summer. My biggest issue with it was the scent. Gag. It was fruit, but not like real fruit--just annoying. Melonish, but plasticky, too. It faded, but not quickly enough. Also, the metallic sheen to the gloss faded very quickly. The remaining color/shine was nice, but the initial color was much more unique. For 1.99, though, you can't expect a miracle in a tube.
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Moisturizers -Lumene - Vitamin Advanced C Energy
kimmah 4/16/2006 1:21:00 AM
This is a product that you really have to give some time, IMO. At first I was using this and couldn't tell one iota of difference and wasn't really sure what it was for, but I found it for a steal on clearance at CVS (they changed the packaging I believe) and bought it purely due to the Lumene name and the product description on the box.
It's not particuarly moisturizing, not very heavy, not very dramatic. But now that I've been using it daily for about six weeks, it dawned on me that my face positively GLOWS. My skin has never looked better--smoother, clearer, more radiant and I really think it is this product because it is the only thing that I have changed that could have made this much of a difference long-term. I truly cannot believe the difference when I look in the mirror NOW and two months ago. The "clarity" is remarkable. The brightness or whatever you want to call it. It's hard to put into words, but there is a noticeable difference.
The smell is a bit citrusy, but it fades. I like the fact that it doesn't leave my face greasy, but soft instead. I actually use my "regular" Dove day moisturizer if I shower at night or the step 2 MK dermabrasion serum with this and it still isn't too heavy.
I'm not wild about dipping my hand into the jar, but on the plus side, it is barely showing a dent in the level of product because I can really control the amount that I use. This jar will last for ages at this rate and I will definitely purchase more of it.
It has not taken away the redness on my cheeks or diminished the darkness under my eyes, but I don't really use it up close to my eyes much because I have very sensitive eyes. When it *does* get there, though, it doesn't irritate them at all. I may start using it there to see if it helps any. Probably can't hurt. Watch for a sale and grab some.
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Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - 5 Colour Eyeshadow Clubbing
kimmah 4/15/2006 1:45:00 AM
I've been using this in different combinations since I purchased it off ebay and it has been a dream. I was wary when it arrived because I really don't wear that much grey or peach or pink and I don't really know what in the world I was thinking when I bought it, but it was a great purchase. The eyeshadow has fabulous pigmentation, goes on like a dream and lasts for hours. It blends beautifully and the colors go together in interesting combinations or stand alone. I use the white the most as a highlighter with the three main colors in the palette and other shadows as well.
I have a warm skin tone and many times grey and pink look really bad on me, but these shades don't. The gray is a gorgeous medium grey with a little shimmer to keep it from being too flat. It doesn't turn silver or blue or bruisey. It just stays grey. The pink is a rosey pink, but not pink-eye looking. It looks smashing with the grey. The peach is a gorgeous color for blue eyes and also works with the grey. The black is a true black and it is nice to line with--that's all I've used it for. It isn't too harsh. The white is an excellent shade for highlighting. It looks as if it will be very stark, but it blends into an excellent brow and inner corner brightener for me--an NC20-25ish, ivory skinned with red hair.
I will definitely be purchasing other Dior quints in the future. I feel an expensive forming.
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