Cleansers -Cetaphil - Gentle Skin Cleanser
leisterz 4/1/2013 11:35:00 PM
On my second bottle. No need to reiterate what the rest is saying...that it doesn't remove make up and what not. I have dry skin. I used clean and clear prior to this but my skin got into a phase of breaking out every week, leaving me a ton of hyperpigmentation scars. Some say that perhaps I'm stripping too much moisture from my already dehydrated skin and suggested using this with the clarisonic. Wasn't used to the texture at first, and even though everyone claims using this with clarisonic is the bomb, i didnt see much changes in the first month. 2nd month - I decided to add baking soda to the face wash instead of using my clarisonic. Doing so made my skin sooo smooth. No flaking or dryness. After about a good 5 months, my skin is doing SO MUCH BETTER. No more breakouts, acne marks are fading, very few white heads. The baking soda is what really did the trick for me. Just add 1 part baking soda 1 part cetaphil. Mix'em up and start to very gently scrub and massage your face for a whole minute. Rinse, and you're done! Love this so much! If you have dry skin, give this a shot!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Hard Candy - Glamoflauge Concealer
leisterz 4/1/2013 11:16:00 PM
I own two of these in light and medium. The coverage on both are amazing! This concealer is HIGHLY pigmented, it covers blemishes and hyperpigmentation REALLY well, and you need very little to do the job. Those who find it cakey probably used too much, as you literally only need a tiny dot, then use your fingers to warm up the product a little on the back of your hand and gently dab it to any problem areas. Like someone else mentioned, this DOES settle into fine lines and is not good for undereye circles. Some heads up you need to know is that, this product is gooey and thick. Also, both light and medium are yellow based (which is winner for me).but medium is a little too yellow. Lasting power is average (arnd 4 hrs) unless you set it well with powder. It will rub off/transfer during hot/humid days (if not set well enough). My biggest gripe is that it only comes in three colors. Despite the cons, I really love this product. This is actually a really good product to mix with other drugstore foundation to yellow them out. I use light to lighten my foundations in the winter and medium to yellow out my almay TLC. When mixed with foundations, they give foundations better coverage! They also last forever. I've had mine for a year and it's still half full. Would recommend to those who are versatile with their makeup, like full coverage yet cheap concealer, or those who want a solution to drugstore's pink-based foundations. Give it a try! It's only 6 bucks anyway.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
leisterz 5/10/2012 11:42:00 PM
I don't have to say much since everyone else already put in a really good review about this mascara, but I just really wanted to rate this mascara because I've been using it for YEARS and always go back to it when I decide to try something new. I have Asian lashes, which means wispy to non-existent short lashes that are tucked under my eyelids, and this mascara manages to bring definition and volume to my lashes. It doesn't do much in the lengthening department, but that's not what they really advertise it as anyway. The end result is really black, thick but not clumpy lashes. Every time I use this I'm like "wow! I do have lashes!" The only problem with this mascara is that it dries out in the tube fast, but you're supposed to keep mascara for a max of 3-4 months anyway, and at only $5-8 at most stores it's no biggie. Another down side is that the mascara wand is too big for my lower lashes (Remember I have wispy Asian lashes). I gave this a 5 overall not because it's the best mascara out there, but because this product stays true to it's description and purpose w/out costing a ton!
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Foundations -Almay - TLC Truly Lasting Color
leisterz 10/8/2011 1:13:00 AM
Okay, so I am BIG on foundations. Jump to my comparison of Colorstay and Almay if that's only what you're interested in. A few things about me and my skin: I'm Asian with yellow undertones, combination skin but tends to be on the dry side most of the time, minimal pores, mild acne, moderate hyperpigmentation/acne scars. Can't complain much BUT with Almay I can have ALMOST (like 95%) perfect skin. :D I've tried all kinds of foundations (high and low end) and I stuck to Revlon Colorstay (normal to dry) because it has by far the best coverage and lasting power. I've used it for about 2 years and considered it my HG foundation. Then, I moved to a different city and my skin condition got worse and super dry. I had to cover up more and I noticed that Colorstay looked more cakey than usual. It still looked good but I wanted something BETTER. Then I stumbled upon reviews for Almay tlc and heard all the craze and decided to get it. I was a bit wary cuz a lot of MUA reviewers said it was bad for dry skin but I got it anyway. COMPARISON FOR COLORSTAY AND ALMAY: Colorstay has better coverage while Almay's is only medium. However, Almay's is buildable to a full coverage and would not cake up like colorstay. I can go without concealer and ALL my hyperpigmentation spots are still concealed! They both last about the same amount of time (all day), but note that I do NOT have oily skin. Almay has less pink undertones and is a better match for me imo. I can't say it's yellow but def not as pinkish. I use Neutral in Almay but Natural or Medium beige in Colorstay. Almay has a pump! W00t for hygiene = less pimple popping up. If you think Colorstay is thick, Almay's consistency is THICKER! I was shocked at first thinking it'll be even more cakey but I was surprised that after applying it looked like 2nd skin instead of a "I'm trying to mask my skin" look that colorstay has. HERE IS HOW I USE IT: If you have DRY skin, you MUST moisturize. Double moisturize if you must. I used Eucerin Face lotion, it's good! Use a primer if you want it to last even longer (through sweat and hot weather). Because the consistency is SO THICK, it's tough using a regular foundation brush to paint/blend it on. Instead, I use a flat top/stippling brush from ELF, spray a mist of water over the brush to thin out the consistency, then STIPPLE it on. Keep stippling until you reach desired result. Then set it with a good translucent powder! (I recommend physician's formula mineral powder..the compact ones...for drugstore products) This works GREAT. It doesn't look like i have powder sitting on my nose or cheeks or anything like that. This is probably my new drugstore HG foundation. I hope it works for you guys too!
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Eye Charm - Double Eyelid Tape
leisterz 3/22/2011 3:41:00 AM
If you have super heavy monolids like I do, then the tape CAN be hidden. The reason for this is because the tape will fold inwards and so most of the tape will be concealed under your fatty eyelid. The only downside is that the "double-eyelid effect" is not as obvious. And in some cases, might still remain mono, but the up side is that it makes your eyes twice their size and rounder and less droopy. The trick to hiding the tape is apply makeup over it. Matte eyeshadows are more ideal because the tape is reflective. However, this problem can also be solved by applying eyeliner over the tape so that it'll look like part of your eyelid. One of my fave bloggers has a good tip on this so you should check out her blog frmheadtotoe.com (under the single eyelids tag) I've been using this trick for almost a year and a half now and nobody can tell I have the tape on. They just notice that my eyes somehow have a different shape and size with makeup on. Even if i tell them to look for the tape, it took them awhile to see it (even though I pointed the tape out to them). I wish these tapes were cheaper cuz the uncut ones can give you way way way more eyelid tapes than these for half the price but i usually end up getting these because of my laziness to cut the tapes into the correct size for my eyes. Even so, I'd recommend this for people who wants bigger eyes!
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
leisterz 11/7/2010 8:16:00 PM
So I just got this product because of the many positive reviews and also because I loved Revlon's Colorstay line of liquid makeup. I was running out of my fav colorstay and decided to give this one a try. Before I give my opinion for anything, please note that I have normal to dry skin, and I love the dewy look more than matte so my opinions will be based around these facts. Also, I know this review is long but i just want to be detailed! That said, I really really like the product! Since I love the colorstay a lot and I know those who want to try Revlon are comparing between the two, here are the differences of photoready and colorstay: Photoready is more blendable, and not as thick as colorstay. It does not dry as quickly and gives you more time to apply it without looking as cakey. Colors are more yellow-based (imo at least). Since I am Asian, i find this a plus because it matches my skin tone more than my colorstay! It has a dewy finish. I dont think you can see the sparkles unless you are being very nitpicky and staring me down at kissing distance. Gives a healthy glow overall. Photoready also dries to a powder finish. That is to say, it doesn't stay liquid or creamy all the time unlike L'Oreal's true match that seems to rub off onto anything. So you can skip the translucent powder to set it if you are in a hurry. i know it sounds weird that it's a powder finish but yes, it is still dewy. =D More lightweight than colorstay but has medium to full coverage. Coverage is not as strong as colorstay, because colorstay has a thicker consistency, but photoready is buildable and since my skin is not acne-prone but just uneven with redness, it works well. For those with dry to normal skin that looks kinda dull, this foundation will give you a nice glow to make your skin look healthier! Even my room mate noticed that my skin looks softer and more natural than my colorstay. I think colorstay (even the dry/normal skin kind) is too matte for people with dry skin, thus casting a very dull and cartoon-y look. Don't get me wrong, I love my colorstay! But I like looking more natural than matte. I don't know how this foundation photographs yet, but since i don't really take pictures it doesn't bother me. Oh and last but not least! Packaging! It actually has a pump so it's more hygienic and less wasteful than colorstay's packaging and it doesn't smell as much as colorstay's. I will buy this product again because it's what I've been looking for! I liked colorstay's coverage but it didnt give me the dewy look that i want and it was a little too pink for me. Photoready matches my skin tone more and it's lasting power is pretty good. Looked the same to me at the end of the day. (but I use a primer too just so you know) Definitely my new fav foundation! My only complaint is that it is pricey for a drugstore makeup at $11.99!! Oh and cons! This color range is DIFFERENT from Colorstay. So do not pick the same color. I had to pick a shade lighter to get it just right. Hope that helps!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -NYX - Highlight Contour
leisterz 2/27/2010 4:10:00 PM
Like most others, i bought this on the NYX $1 sale. I do like the highlighter but it's only just okay. It is not shimmery or too sparkly, but gives a nice glow. I'm not sure how to use these products either, but I use these after applying my liquid foundation (dont know if this method works if you use powder). It is VERY pigmented so a little, VERY LITTLE, way less than you'll expect little, will go a looong way. I use it to highlight my nose bridge and cheekbones and it does give you a glowy/dewy effect and i admit it's pretty. However, i only give 3 lippies because too much of the product and it will cake. You'll need to spend a lot of time contouring and blending it out to make it look just right/natural. Also, I dont think $17 for the original price is worth it. The contour does not work for me! It is TOO DARK and ashy for my fair-medium w/ yellow undertones Asian skin. I used to joke with my lil sister saying she could use the contour for her Oprah Winfrey getup she needed for a class presentation. (I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but trying to give you an idea on just how dark it showed up on me. We both respect her and her works, why else would we choose to do a presentation on Oprah?) Still, it works okay if use a tiny amount for a large area for sculpting. For a dollar's worth, these aren't bad. I probably wont buy this again bcuz I dont use it much and it will last a long time for me. Plus, will only get it again for $1.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -NYX - Jumbo Eye Shadow Pencil - Milk
leisterz 2/27/2010 3:56:00 PM
I bought this product on a NYX haul after hearing raving reviews about their jumbo pencils. I am impressed with this pencil because it really brings out the colors of my eyeshadows, esp the sheer ones! Although a lot of people say that this product creases, I never experienced this because I don't have oily lids and I have monolids (asian eyes). However, using it on top of my eyelid tapes didnt cause any creasing either. I apply it REALLY really thin, just draw a light streak across my eyelid and blend it out really well with my fingers. It works as a great base and for me, it works okay as a primer. of course UDPP is WAY better, but being a cheapskate this works well enough for me. plus a little goes a long way. Really good investment. Will buy it again. Took off a lippie because my sharpener doesnt sharpen it =(. I've heard others didnt have this sharpening problem though. Product would have been better if already came in a pot so I neednt depot it.
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