Primer/ Corrector -Yves Saint Laurent - Matt Touch - Touche Mate - Oil-Free Primer
krystal_a 6/17/2010 9:24:00 AM
Absolutely AMAZING! HG!!!! This is the best quality makeup product that I have ever bought for reasons which I will explain below, so the price ($42) to me is very well justified. I had my first tube for about 9 months before purchasing a new one. You only need about a pea sized amount, to get all day flawless makeup. The product itself has great "slip" and spreads like a dream. It has a whipped texture, but doesn't feel heavy or greasy on my skin, and the light floral scent is not offensive. It doesn't leave a white cast on the skin. This did not give clog my pores and make me break out like previous lesser primers that I have tried which are so overhyped but not even worthy of being mentioned in this review. Rather it minimized them and helped my powder foundation adhere better to my skin. As I am a bit on the oily side, I appreciate the mattifying property. I notice as the weather gets warmer, I have to blot about once a day, but believe me when I say I am not complaining about this, because it used to be that I would have to blot 3-4 times a day year round. I like the fact that it comes in a clear tube as well. When I got to he last bit, I cut the tube in half to scoop out the rest to put in a small sample jar. If you're still not convinced, request a sample first. You will not be disappointed!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Bare Escentuals - Rare Minerals
krystal_a 1/20/2010 10:48:00 PM
I used this product religiously for a month in conjunction with my normal skincare routine as directed by the instructions. While it was great for breakouts and cleaning out my pores, I soon noticed a patch of skin near my left temple was lighter than the rest of my face. The lightened patch is about an inch and a half long. It is really only visible under direct light, but needless to say, I was pissed. What 'natural' product does that to one's skin? I discontinued use immediately. I know the company's M.O. is providing their products in loose mineral form which makes it "natural", but for a treatment, that's quite ridiculous. The packaging is absolutely the worst. The price when you think about it is not that bad. One container of this is supposed to last you 3 months with almost daily use, so if you do the math, you pay about $20/month. I've seen treatments that claim to do the same thing for much more than that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -New York Color - Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny 720
krystal_a 1/17/2010 6:58:00 PM
There's really not much more that I can say that hasn't been covered by the many reviewers. The product is amazing. A matte bronzer that doesn't give a dirty ruddy look to my clients with more fair to medium skintones. What I wish is that this came in a deeper shade for more of us that are darker. Since no such shade exists, for those with tan to deeper skintones, I apply this, then use NYC's mosaic face powder in "all over bronze glow" on top of it for a subtle contour.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Smoke and Mirrors palette
krystal_a 10/21/2009 10:04:00 PM
I'm not going to give a description of the shades in the palette, as they're already all over the internet, but I will tell you why I like this. The colors upon application to the lid are true to what's in the pan, they are not chalky, and they blend exceptionally well. I do think it is more of a neutral than a smokey palette; one that suits all skin tones. I am a freelance makeup artist and will definitely be using these shades on clients, especially those in bridal parties. On myself, my favorite combination to do is deception on the lid, smoke and mirrors in the crease, black magique (which I don't think is a true black, but that's just fine with me) in the outer v, and fire in her eyes as a highlight. I don't particularly care about packaging, however I think the mirror and brush are both virtually useless. The brush is 2 inches long, and I don't see myself using a mirror that small for eyeshadow application. All in all, it's a great palette. One that I will definitely be reaching for a lot.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -New York Color - In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish - Mulberry Street 212
krystal_a 9/16/2009 3:26:00 AM
So I'll admit it...I bought this product partly on the name. I for one was elated when New York Color started naming polishes after NYC neighborhoods and landmarks. I currently have Bryant Park, Chinatown, Canal Street, East Village, and West Village--places in NYC that have a great deal of significance to me. It also doesn't hurt that New York Color created absolutely gorgeous shades in their honor. Ok so on to the review of Mulberry Street...I've been looking for an off-white beige pink tone polish for some time now. All that I have tried up until this point have had a crappy streaky formula and/or have been too stark in contrast to my liking for my dark skintone. Not this polish. The new formula for these New York Color polishes is amazing. It did take me 3 coats to get the true color as shown in the bottle, but I'm sure if I was more steady with my application, I would've needed 2. Either way, this polish will definitely get a lot of love from me!!
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Lipstick -MAC - Rebel Lipstick
krystal_a 7/17/2009 3:58:00 PM
When I was selecting lipsticks to B2M for at my counter, I told the SA that I wanted something with a little purple in it. We tried Up the Amp and I decided that it was way too bold for my liking, and so this was the next one she picked up. I'm generally an indecisive person when it comes to makeup, but as soon as I tested this on my lips, I fell in love. The way it glided on so smoothly, and the way I could build up the color to my liking really made me a fan of the satin formula and the color. When I asked the SA what I could do with my eyes, she said I could do a purple and pink look, or do something minimal like a winged liner and have my lips be the focus. This isn't a color I would wear to mass or a super formal event, but it's definitely one I would wear casually for a night out and maybe for those days when I'm feeling extra spunky. Here are two photos (different lighting) w/ Rebel and Pop Mode lipglass. NC50 for reference.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Bare Escentuals - Prime Time
krystal_a 7/8/2009 11:46:00 PM
I tried, but I just cannot get down with this product. I do love the consistency and the way it feels on my skin. But contrary to what it is claimed to do, my pores were not minimized...if anything they were accentuated, like craters! I was so disgusted. And instead of my bare escentuals foundation lasting long and true to color, the primer faded it. I nearly shrieked in horror when I noticed that my minor acne scars were showing through within hours of application. My skin takes better to the foundation without a primer. Within days, little pimples popped up on my face. I introduced another product into my routine at the same time, so I'm not sure if I can fully attribute the breakout to Prime Time, but I am discontinuing use now.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - #217 Blending
krystal_a 7/7/2009 2:24:00 AM
This brush has seriously changed my eyeshadow application. Application is now a breeze... not only does it take less time to do my eye makeup, but it looks even better now than before! the bristles are soft, yet thick and stiff enough to really place eyeshadow well into the crease, softening harsh lines in a flash. it's a very versatile brush...I use it for lid color, crease color, outer v color, and highlight. This brush gets my vote for the one that makeup lovers should have in their collection. I just don't like the fact that it's white because everytime I get color on it I feel like i instantly have to wash it hahaha.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
krystal_a 7/7/2009 2:00:00 AM
Have been using this off and on for 2 months. MAC NC50 for reference. Got this in Caramel, which is a little too yellow for me...Cappuccino would probably be a better match. I got the formula suited for combination/oily skin. I love the SoftFlex in the foundation because of the subtle illuminosity it gives to my skin. I like that this is light to medium coverage. Can be buildable. It definitely looks natural on me, not overly made up. Stays on amazingly long without a primer. I have two issues with this product. First is that it comes with no pump! I pour the foundation onto the back of my hand and apply it with a foundation brush, but a pump would give me better control of usage. Second is that there is no SPF in the darker shades. Not sure where Revlon gets off thinking that darker skin tones do not need coverage from the sun, but thank goodness that I wear a moisturizer with SPF in it.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Bare Escentuals - Tinted Mineral Veil
krystal_a 7/7/2009 1:41:00 AM
Unlike the regular mineral veil, the tinted mineral veil is great for tan to dark skin tones, as it adds a subtle hint of a warm tone to the skin. Like the regular mineral veil, it sets the foundation perfectly, giving my makeup a flawless appearance and absorbing oil throughout throughout the day. I can touch up with this as necessary throughout the day without worrying about my makeup looking too unnatural or cakey.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Make Up For Ever - Duo Mat Powder foundation
krystal_a 7/7/2009 1:27:00 AM
MAC NC50 for reference. Purchased this in 216 which was a bit too light for me...218 would have been a better match. I really wanted to like this. I constantly had to play with the application...I used the applicator it came with, interchanging it with a powder brush. Sometimes it would go on soft and natural, other times harsh looking and cakey. I would put this on at about 7am in the morning, and within hours, my face would look like I was wearing no foundation. Absolutely no staying power whatsoever! Trying to reapply this throughout the day was disasterous..my complexion would just look uneven. For the price people pay for it, you'd think that there would be a lot more product than what it comes with. I will try with a primer if I decide to invest in this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Olay - Refreshing Toner
krystal_a 7/7/2009 12:52:00 AM
Don't you just love when you can pinpoint products in your routine that are giving your skin grief?! I picked this up because I was out of toner and have been unable to find my beloved Dickinson's witch hazel anywhere. I do like that the Olay toner didn't make my skin feel tight or burn after using it, however in the last 2 weeks since introducing this product into my routine, I've had breakouts here and there. Back to the store this goes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bare Escentuals - Aubergine
krystal_a 7/7/2009 12:42:00 AM
BE describes this as a rose pink. This also has a noticeable shimmer to it. People tend to run away from shimmer, but the shimmer in here while noticeable, is very subtle, and if applied correctly, will give your skin a healthy beautiful tone. Looks scary and dark in the pot, however as the previous reviewer said, you only need the slightest amount of this. This blush gives me a natural flush of color, and I have gotten several compliments whenever I choose to wear it. My shade in BE is golden dark (MAC nc50) for reference, so definately good for the tan-dark skin ladies. At $18, the price is steep, but consider it a good investment. One pot will last you at least 2 years.
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Mascara -Bare Escentuals - buxom lash
krystal_a 7/7/2009 12:22:00 AM
I love the brush on this mascara. It reaches my itty bitty lashes and overall lengthens my lashes. I do not find the product to be volumizing whatsoever. The formula does not clump or smear throughout the course of wearing it. I often use this over another mascara because of the brush and because even though the color of the mascara is black, it is not dramatic enough for my liking. That being said, this mascara is more appropriate for natural, daytime wear. I would not buy it again simply because I have found a drugstore mascara which more or less does the same thing (unfortunately without the amazing brush).
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Moisturizers -Dove - Deep Moisture Facial Lotion SPF 15 ] ] [DISCONTINUED]
krystal_a 7/7/2009 12:14:00 AM
I have been using this for months now and have found it overall to be an excellent basic moisturizer for my skin type. It only takes a pea sized amount for it to do it's work. Light fragrant scent. Does not irritate my eyes, which I have found with other moisturizers that have SPF in them. The only thing which holds this product back from getting a 5 is the packaging. I believe a pump would be more efficient. As I previously mentioned, you only need a little bit of this for all day wear. With no pump, you can end up squeezing more than necessary out of the bottle because of the lack of control.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No