Treatments -Beyond Belief - Vita C Antioxidant Serum
klaiyr 1/11/2013 8:47:00 AM
OMG, I haven't written a review on MUA for a LONG time! This is how much I love this product! I have melasma, and it lightened it about 3-4 shades! I no longer need to pile on the concealer and my skin is so smooth. My pores are smaller and even the leftover hyperpigmentation on my chin from previous zits have almost completely cleared. This stuff is really amazing. It's been a WHILE since a serum or cream has done much for my skin... I've even tried RetinA and all it does it make my skin peel. This stuff is only $10. I've already repurchased another bottle and started buying other Beyond Belief products because I'm so happy w/ my results. ;-)
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Concealers -Unlisted Brand - L.A. Minerals
klaiyr 5/7/2011 11:49:00 AM
UPDATE: I realized you have to use a tiny tiny amount. If you have dark spots or even worse, melasma, then you have to be very careful w/ this b/c it can make your spots appear to look blue. YES, blue. I use it and then layer over it w/ liquid or mineral foundation. ------------------- It's been ages since I've reviewed a product, but when I discovered this I wanted to shout it from the MUA mountain tops! I ordered it on a whim after doing a google search on mineral concealers b/c I quit using liquid concealers a while back. I have melasma and need something strong and full cover. I was using Everyday Minerals in Medium as a concealer, but it never quite did the trick... you could always see that ugly shadow still lurking underneath it. I also tried EM Abbott concealer after the discontinued the Peach concealer (I don't know why!!) and it did not work as well... in fact, it sucks IMO. I am telling you, I"ve NEVER had a mineral concealer cover up my dark spots like this EVER. You just need the TINIEST amount, too much and your spots will look white. You need a good brush too I think. I use the eyeshadow kabuki brush from EM for more control. Just stipple or swirl and it covers really nicely. Next, I top my entire face off with my trusty Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation and my spots are invisible. Not only that, I don't feel like I have heavy makeup on whatsoever. It feels relatively light. Believe it or not when i'm just at home I usually have MU on... just b/c I hate seeing my spots and I don't want anyone else to see them either. Well thanks to L.A. Minerals I don't have to. I really like the other concealers... it is such a good match on my skintone... which is quite unbelievable. Try it. They have samples for $2 and a full size costs about $17 w/ shipping!
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Fragrances -Jo Malone - Nectarine Blossom and Honey
klaiyr 12/1/2010 5:52:00 PM
Wow, I am surprised by the general bad percentages of the Jo Malone fragrances! Besides the fact that it is utterly expensive... I find that the scents are very light and clean and almost like a body splash. As expensive as it is, I would definitely repurchase.
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Skincare - Face -Avene - Thermal Water
klaiyr 11/24/2010 2:50:00 PM
I don't get it... it doesn't do anything for my skin. I've tried it after a work out, after a shower, before and after makeup and moisturizer... it just seems like it's plain old tap water in an aerosol can. Will not be repurchasing this.
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Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Greensations Youthful Trends - Caffeinated Makeup Primer
klaiyr 11/24/2010 2:47:00 PM
I am torn about this product. I've never used a spray on primer before. In keeping in tune with my other organic products I have been using lately, I wanted an organic, all natural primer. This is what the website says about it: "the world's first caffeinated primer with 100% natural ingredients. Makeup primers are all the rage these days, and they are used to help set your makeup and reduce the appearance of lines while absorbing oils and binding makeup to the skin. Unlike sticky primers and serums, this water based spray dries evenly while hydrating skin and tightening lines. Our spray also helps pores breathe and keeps makeup looking beautiful all day long. It also reduces facial sweating and protects skin from UV damage. This proprietary formula outperforms all other makeup primers and one bottle lasts for many months. It's fantastic stuff works for all skin types and colors, as well as all types of makeup including mineral powders, creams and liquids. Supercharge your makeup regimen today for flawless beauty with the world's first caffeinated skin primer." I use it underneath my SS, foundation, and powder... and I can't tell if it's really doing anything. It also costs around $20 with shipping, so this stuff certainly ain't cheap. Not sure if I would repurchase. I will have to try this product out in different ways with different kinds of foundation and I will update. But I do like the fact that it is all organic and is good for your skin! Most primers I've seen are filled with chemicals...
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Tinted Moisturizer -Jane - Be Pure Aguaceuticals
klaiyr 11/24/2010 2:40:00 PM
I have yet to try this product alone, but in conjunction with my Elta Tinted SS and 100% Pure Cover Foundation, it works great! The reason I bought this was because the $32 100% Pure Foundation I purchased online was so not the right color for me. It was too light. The Elta Tinted SS only comes in one color and it tends to make my face a tinge too white, so I bought this to keep in line with my organic products, but to even out the color a bit. I bought the second one from the darkest. It says it is for mediterranean skin or something like that. When I squeeze it out of the tube, it reminds me of Maybelline's Water Based Foundation I used to use. It's very watery and light. The color is perfect b/c it balances out the lighter colors of my SS and foundation. I could not use this color alone b/c it would be way too dark. My skin tone is in between an NC and NW25. I think for the price and for not having any parabens in it, it works nicely. I also use an organic spray on primer before putting this on and it works great.
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Treatments -Garden of Wisdom - Niacinamide
klaiyr 11/23/2010 1:56:00 PM
I guess not a lot of people know about this product from GOW! I bought it a few years back hoping it would help with dark spots. Initially, it worked really well, but as I have learned since then, a rich nutritious diet is the key at making your skin glow. I have cleaned up my diet pretty well and now that my skin is looking really nice, I have added GOW's niacinamide powder to my facial lotion at night, or I even add it to my avocado oil and the next day my face is brighter and even toned. I love this stuff. I am sensitive to vitamin C, so this is a much gentler alternative that my skin reacts to nicely. I think it only cost like $15 for a nice sized baggie. Check them out!
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Frownies
klaiyr 11/23/2010 11:51:00 AM
I am still torn about this product. On the one hand, sometimes when I tear it off my forehead in the morning the lines are GONE! Other times, they are still there, which leads me to think I applied it incorrectly? Forehead lines are hard b/c as soon as I take off the frownies, my forehead lines are visible SO quickly. All I have to do is raise my eyebrows and BAM! the forehead lines are back. I've only been using it for a week, so maybe it's just not enough time. However, I've never seen my forehead lines so soft before. Not even when I use retin-a, or wrinkle cream. So maybe it IS doing something. I guess only time will tell. I will update again in 30 days.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Everyday Minerals - Foundation - Intensive formula [DISCONTINUED]
klaiyr 11/18/2010 3:12:00 PM
I have been using EDM for the last few years and really like it. It is probably my most Go-To mineral makeup of all time. I really also like Laura Mercier's MMU coverage, but it just makes my face way too oily. I only use it on nights out, but not if I have to have it all day on my face. I think the coverage of EDM is really really good for a MMU. I have melasma and it covers it quite nicely. The only thing you have to be careful of is applying too much, because it can look chalky and cakey. I use the EDM brushes with this and it works great. Always always always, spritz your face with water or MAC Fix + after applying this! It gives a very dewy more natural look and takes away any cakiness!
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Shampoo -Burt's Bees - Very Volumizing Pomegranate & Soy Shampoo
klaiyr 11/17/2010 5:19:00 PM
Wow, I am shocked by the negative reviews on this. I really love Burt's Bees Shampoo! First of all it's organic, so you can't go wrong with not using harmful chemicals on your head. It doesn't lather up so well, but that's probably b/c it IS all natural. What I do is add a dab of my regular shampoo to help lather it up a bit. The first time I used this, my hair was SO shiny it was like someone had sprayed it with a can of shiny! I didn't even blow dry either - I rarely do. Anyway, this has become a staple in my shower. I switch it up with this and L'Oreal's Sulfate Free shampoo for my color treated hair. Love Burt's Bees!
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Kabuki Face Brush
klaiyr 11/17/2010 1:38:00 PM
All I can say is WOWIE! So soft! I was not expecting it to be so big b/c it didn't look that big in the photos on the ELF website. I am a bit of a brush whore (but never spend more than $20 on a brush), so this makes a nice addition to my two ELF flat top brushes, concealer brushes, and powder brush. My baby kabuki from Ocean Mist cosmetics works pretty good, but I noticed it gets to be quite smelly and I have to wash it often - although I think that's b/c I am constantly dampening the brush before dipping it in the powder. I use it to put mineral foundation all over my face and it works well to cover evenly. I haven't tried wetting it yet, only b/c it's SO soft, but maybe I will try it at some point. Yay for quality made ELF brushes!
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Tinted Moisturizer -Wet 'n' Wild - Ultimate Sheer Tinted Moisturizer - Natural
klaiyr 11/15/2010 2:39:00 PM
UPDATE>>> I realized although it gives me pretty good coverage, it just kind of sits on top of my pores and makes my face white - which probably means it's not the right color for me. Up it goes on swap! ..................................................................................................... I purchased this out of pure curiosity based on the MUA reviews. It's only $3 or $4 at Rite Aid so I thought, WTH! I am glad I bought it. For reference I have NC25 Asian skin with slight yellow undertones. Natural isn't a perfect match, but it's good enough. The color doesn't have any pink in it but it's not yellow either. I'd say it's a neutral shade. When I first put it on it looks a little too white for my skin, but then it blends in pretty well. I could probably go one shade darker, but no biggie since I mix this with my primer and Elta Tinted SS. That's right... I mix all three together and apply it on my face. It works great. I have to agree with other reviewers, this is more than a sheer TM. It's almost like a foundation and if you don't blend quickly, it will dry kind of fast. Also, you need a good moisturizer underneath it if you have dry skin... otherwise you might end up pulling and tugging on your skin. Another suggestion is to spray your brush or sponge with water to dampen it slightly and then apply on your face. The coverage is a lot more natural. I would definitely repurchase this!
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Yogurt Mask
klaiyr 10/20/2010 2:49:00 PM
As a DIY beauty lover, I don't know WHY I waited so long to try this out! I am hooked! I tried this yesterday with low fat yogurt from Wholefoods ($3) and left it on my face for about 30 minutes. After I washed it off, my face felt so clean, soft, moisturized, and bright! I didn't feel anything "filmy" like other reviewers had mentioned and I didn't need to wash my face again. I just put a thin layer of coconut oil and my skin is loving it!!! I also LOVE the fact that the yogurt comes from the fridge and is NICE AND COLD going on the face. I thought how perfect it would be to apply this after a nice run or yoga, since I tend to get the red/flushed face. Love it and am hooked!!! Thanks again MUA.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Japonesque - Parian Spirit Professional Brush Cleaner
klaiyr 10/18/2010 1:44:00 PM
Wow, I cannot believe the negative reviews for this product! I have tried Baby Shampoo and even the DIY brush cleaner ingredients listed on MUA, but notice my brushes STILL have crap on them afterwards. Japonesque is the ONLY brush cleaner that gets ALL the gunk out of my brushes. The smell seriously isn't bad... I read a reviewer said they smell like rotten oranges? Seriously? It smells citrusy, but not like anything is rotten! I know it's expensive ($30 a bottle) but an entire bottle has lasted me years b/c I dilute it with water AND double duty it by washing it with baby shampoo first, and then dipping it in Japonesque, and then rinsing off with warm water. My brushes are literally brand new afterwards, feels soft, and clean.
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Aztec - Indian Healing Clay
klaiyr 10/15/2010 1:49:00 PM
Thank you again MUA for supplying me with a winner!! I would've NEVER EVER known about this wonderful clay mask w/o all you wonderful MUA reviewers! My skin tone: medium sized pores, sometimes acne prone (mysteriously got 5 zits on my face at once last month when I barely get one zit a year!), uneven, and lately I had been getting clogged pores b/c of the homemade dupe MAC Fix+ (made with pure glycerin & water). These clogged pores were KILLING my skin. Most of them erupted into cystic zits, and some of them just stayed clogged and for the life of me, would not go away. Enter Aztec Healing Clay. I used it maybe a handful of times before... I rotate it between the honey mask and Queen Helene's mint julip mask. Anyway, yesterday, the LAST clogged pore was FINALLY loosening up. I mixed the Indian clay + queen helene mint julip + 2 uncoated asprins + spritz of witch hazel + enough ACV to moisten the clay, mixed it in my palm, and applied it to the clogged pore and to my oily t-zone. 30 minutes later, I washed it off, and to my great surprise, the pore had CLEAN come off and the area was SO refreshed looking! You don't understand how stubborn this pore was. It was literally sitting on my face since last August and it's now Oct! Thank you Aztec healing clay... it was a small miracle of sorts, but definitely worth keeping you around! For only $7 or $8 a tub, it'll last you a lifetime! LOVE IT!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No