Mascara -Maybelline - The Rocket Volume Express
librariandiva 1/12/2013 12:33:00 PM
LOOVVVE this mascara! When I first saw this advertised I was excited because the brush looks like that dense, rubbery bristle kind that works really well for me (think CoverGirl LashBlast or Buxom by Bare Escentuals) These can also be hit or miss because they can go on clumpy.This goes on VERY clean and separates my lashes really well! It also holds a curl amazingly well. My lashes dont droop even after hours of wear. Also lengthens even better than most lengthening mascaras I've tried. This mascara REALLY has it all for me. Length, curl, separation. Have to say that they dont really make my lashes look thicker, but I dont like that look anyway. I prefer lashes that look defined, separated, curled and long. I would say that if you apply more than 2 coats you might start to get into "spiky" territory. If you are going for the type of lash look that I am, try this, For a drugstore brand, it beats the pricey designer ones hands down!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals Ready Foundation
librariandiva 10/10/2012 4:43:00 PM
This is a convenient product in a convenient package....that's the ONLY good thing about this product! I've been a BareEscentuals fan for years and I've liked their mineral products BUT as we all know its messy to use and not convenient. I think that's why the company has changed its gears to now offering these repackaged formulas (smart move). I wish I could say that it works, but I can't. This product markets itself as an exciting alternative to its powder foundations, but the formula is heavy, hard to blend, and goes on (and stays on) cakey and orangey. I have an expert hand at putting on makeup and I couldn't make this work not matter how light a touch I used. The great flat-level brush (it's included when you buy the set on QVC) works well at picking up the formula BUT it is VERY dense and goes on heavy no matter how lightly you "tap" the brush on it. I ordered the set from QVC and I kept the brush that came with it and I use it with my Smashbox Halo powder (which I still find hard to beat). LOVE the "twist and grind" concept for makeup.BE has missed the mark on this completely. The "mineral revolution" was fun while it lasted. I enjoyed it , too but as I get older, I prefer something more convenient that gives me more natural results.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -L'Oreal - Visible Lift Repair Absolute
librariandiva 9/7/2012 10:39:00 AM
First of all, I have to say I am NOT a liquid/cream foundation girl at all! Have always hated the heavy feeling this gives to my skin and I dont even bother looking at new ones because if its liquid, its not for me. I have stuck with mineral and/or powder based foundations for years but now that I'm getting older, I need a little more coverage. I saw this at CVS, bought it because I had an ExtraBucks coupon, and I loved it form the first try. The packaging attracted me and the idea of this being not just a makeup but an anti-aging product at the same time appealed to me. Also has SPF, which is ALWAYS a plus! After wearing this for the first time (in the last week of August, ugh! ) I was impressed with how natural it looked on my skin, like I wasnt wearing anything and how long it lasted. I tried the small sponge that comes in the package, but I tossed it because I found that my Beauty Blender (that wonderful pink egg-shaped sponge) works MUCH better to even this on my face. I recommend this method. And yes, I DID notice my skin looks smoother after using this for 2 weeks now. Its got some good solid anti-aging ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Pro-Retinol, ProXylane and Vitamin C. My skin is on the oily side and this hasnt made me break out at all. This is pricey for a drugstore brand ($16) but its defintely worth the price for me.
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Avon - ANEW CLINICAL Resurfacing Expert Smoothing Fluid
librariandiva 3/18/2012 4:50:00 PM
This is a great affordable product from Avon. I use this a couple of times a week and I really notice the difference in my skin after just a week of use. My skin is oily so I like what glycolic based products can do for it. This goes on smooth, with a dropper applicator, and it really smooths my skin all over. Doesn't irritate at all. I've even noticed my redness is less noticeable over time. I like to use it during the day (when I'm indoors, since the packaging says it makes your skin sensitive to sunlight) and I rinse off before sleeping, since I don't like to put anything on my skin overnight. I will definitely always keep this in hand for a skin fixer-upper when I need it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Avon - Pro Color Lipstick and Gloss Duo
librariandiva 1/3/2012 7:46:00 PM
This is a really fun innovative product! I love when someone finally designs something that makes sense, a lip stick and gloss product in one! Aside from the great , functional design, the lipstick and gloss formulas themselves are great and they mix very well together. If you've ever tried to layer your glosses on top of your lipsticks, the gloss usually breaks down the lipstick and they dont usually stay together for long. This product does both well and both formulas stay on well. I love the Hot Lips (which is a fuchsia with perfectly matching gloss) and the Pink Bouquet (which is a deep mauve lipstick with a light pink gloss) . The lipstick formula feels so soft and comfortable on my lips I sometimes just wear that alone. You will probably spend the first couple of days with this product marvelling at the design (the gloss tube swivels up INSIDE the lipstick, which is hollowed out) and playing with it (like I did). It's a practical and enjoyable product. Alas, it seems like Avon is already pricing this to sell in its clearance bin (started at $10, now it around $5) so stock up on them like I'll be doing!
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Mascara -Revlon - Photoready 3D Volume
librariandiva 1/3/2012 7:22:00 PM
I was really impressed by this mascara. I've never liked ANY Revlon mascara, none of them seem to work, either because of the brush or the formula, but with this one, Revlon has finally got it right! I decided to try it because the package shows the brush separate from the tube and it looks just like my favorite Bare Escentuals Buxom brush. Rubber with lots of bristles, even a rounded tip to reach those inner corner lashes (and it does!) I loved how the brush worked, it separates very well and the formula holds a curl and shape all day. I highly recommend it if you like mascaras with these new rubber bristles (think Covergirl Lashblast) and you have sparse little nothing lashes like mine.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter
librariandiva 12/4/2011 7:12:00 PM
Love this formula! I've been really into Revlon lately and this latest product has surprised and pleased me again. I love the way this feels on my lips! Very soft and slightly glossy. I tried the Sweet Tart and bought another one after just 2 days! This color is my perfect pink. I'd say its bright bubblegum pink. The color stays on longer than you think a sheer moisturing lip product would. Most lipsticks that are too soft tend to not stay on or feather, but this is better than the more expensive ones I've tried. Love the packaging, too. The tinted covers are very close to the shade in the tube. I bought Maybelline's BabyLips at the same time and this actually moisturizes and smooths my lips BETTER !
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Tarte - Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse & Brow Brush
librariandiva 10/25/2011 4:59:00 PM
Always on the lookout for a good, usable brow product. Always use pencils but they fade and sometimes dont look natural. Brow "systems" like this sometimes are not practical to use everyday. I like Tarte products, so I thought i'd give this a try. Wow, it works great! It does require careful application, comes with a double-ended brush (of you buy on QVC) and is easy to use. Product hasnt dried out on me at all, but I always try to make sure its re-capped tightly anyway. I use the Taupe color, which I recommend,since it goes on darker than you expect! I have naturally dark brown (very sparse) hairs and this leaves a nice medium brown color. It lasts all day without touching up! I was very impressed by that. They also have an Amazonian Clay pencil, which I bought, but this ultimately leaves a stronger finish , whereas the pencil (asso in Taupe) is much lighter on the skin. I think its exclusive to QVC for now, but it is worth buying it with the double ended brush. Great value!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express One by One
librariandiva 7/2/2011 9:47:00 PM
Wow! I was really impressed by how well this works! I don't usually like to buy drugstore mascaras because the formulas (and the brushes) tend to be cheap and do nothing for my skimpy , straight lashes. I've been loyal to BareEscentuals Buxom mascara for a couple of years now and didn't think I'd find anything that would work as well on my lashes as Buxom does. This one by Maybelline may just replace it. I was attracted to the unique brush at first, and then the claims, thought I'd give it a try since there was a sale at CVS that I took advantage of. It's sold with the brush seperated from the tube so you can appreciate its cute pink rubbery bristles before you plunge it into the tube and make it black forever. It goes on very smooth and clean and does not clump at all! I didn't believe it til I tried it , but the claims are true! Does a great job of seperating every lash and lengthens them impressively. I wouldn't say it curls well, but the I always use a lash curler anyway. Has a perfumey smell but I don't know if all Maybelline mascaras smell like this or if its just this formula. I was surprised because I have been disappointed with every Maybelline mascara I've tried in the past (great lash, the colossal, the falsies) that have made claims of greatness. I think Maybelline has got it right this time. I just hope it sells enough to keep it on the market because I'm definitely going back to this one again and again! I would even say this performs BETTER than Buxom in that I get a much cleaner application overall, no smudges on my lid from the end of the brush (my one criticism of Buxom's brush) . Highly recommended!
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Mascara -Smashbox - Full Exposure
librariandiva 4/26/2011 9:14:00 PM
This is great new mascara from Smashbox, which is one company that does NOT do mascaras well at all. Not just my opinion, that seems to be the consensus judging from the reviews. Smashbox has really redeemed themselves with this one! I saw it at Sephora and decided to try it because it's selling point is that it has lash fibers in the formula. (it does , you can see them!) If anyone has tried Fiberwig (which has mostly fibers in a flimsy formula) its the same principle. Full Exposure has fibers PLUS a good volumizing formula. When I first tried this , I was hooked! It's like painting on lash extensions! It has a really long, thick brush so you get a lot of coverage in just a few strokes. I have very sparse, straight lashes and this makes them look like falsies. It does tend to get a little clumpy, so just remember to wipe after you dip! I've been loyal to Bare Escentuals Buxom for years and now I am switching to this (assuming it will stay around)
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Super Lustrous Lipstick - Softsilver Rose
librariandiva 1/10/2011 11:24:00 AM
I dont know why this is getting such negative reviews, but I wanted to add a positive one, for what it's worth! I also chose to seek this out because I saw it in the Allure's Awards issue and decided to try it. I am mostly a lipgloss girl, dont wear lipstick as a rule. This has made me get back into lipstick again. I bought it at CVS because they had a great sale on it, and I was pleased that it worked on me so well. It feels good on my lips, which surprised me because I dont usually like the feel of drugstore lip products. The color is really nice, its like a bright, light, pearly rose. I think its very flattering for me and the color lasts for hours! For a drugstore brand, I was pleasantly surprised that this product worked so well for me and has made me rediscover the benefits of lipstick.
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Lip Gloss -Laura Mercier - Violet Glace
librariandiva 1/3/2011 9:05:00 PM
I'm new to LM products but I was really impressed with this gloss and the surprise of this color especially. It's listed as Violet, but it's a VERY misleading label. I wouldn't put this in with the purple family at all. It does have a mauve color to it, but I'd say it leans more toward a muted pink..maybe mauve-pink? This is also misleading when you see it in the store and in its package. I decided to try it and its the perfect daytime color. Doesn't make a color statement, but looks polished. Love the way it feels, thicker than usual gloss formulas, but not heavy. Nice soft sugary scent.
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Lip Gloss -Laura Mercier - Rose Glace Lip Gloss
librariandiva 1/3/2011 9:00:00 PM
I have never tried LM products before, but I know there is a lot of positive buzz about her line so I decided to give this gloss a try. I love the consistency of it, its much thicker than most glosses, more like a "liquid lipstick" feel, but not heavy like ones that are advertised that way. Smells nice and sugary (but not overpoweringly so) and it goes on really smooth. Everytime I wear this I ALWAYS get compliments on how it looks on me, what a nice color for my face, etc. I usually wear pinks during the day, this color is a little more bolder than what I would wear. Kind of like a deep, bright Rose, but still in the Pink family. Both the color and the shine last for hours, which I'm always impressed by since that's the miracle promise that almost never happens! I recommend this for those who, like me, stick to soft , muted pinks and want to try something just a little bolder. I'm really impressed by this formula and will definitely buy another when I'm done!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -BeneFit Cosmetics - Stay Don't Stray
librariandiva 8/21/2010 12:03:00 PM
Love this formula, and everything it does for me. Its a great shadow primer, goeson smooth and dries super-quick. Makes my shadow stay on all day without any creasing. Only thing that frustrates me is the pump dispense, which is why i gave it a rating of 2. Even thought this is a liquid, it should be put in a pot because you only need a SMALL amount , I acutally use just a dot to cover BOTH of my eyelids. I made my own solution to this by using one of my empty plastic Sephora sample containers (I always keep and reuse them) pumped as much as I could get in there and I carry it in my purse and just dip my finger in it to get my perfect "dab" of it. Try this and you'll really like this formula in the long run.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Make Up For Ever - Kabuki Brush
librariandiva 2/26/2010 5:33:00 PM
Okay, $40 is a LOT to pay for such a tiny kabuki brush, BUT this is worth every penny! I debated whether or not to get it, but after I lost mt favorite Smashbox brush, I had to replace with something good. I love the fact that this comes with its own carrying case. SO important to me because its hard to carry this type of brush in your purse without it getting powder everywhere! It fits perfectly in any size purse. The brush is beyond soft. It's almost whisper soft. I know it sounds weird, but sometimes I swipe it over my face without even dipping it into powder first as a kind of relaxing therapy. I think you will find yourself doing this, too! This also spreads any mineral makeup or powder you have beautifully. I use Smashbox Halo Hydrating Powder, this brush picks up everything and smooths it over my face perfectly. You won't regret investing in this, its well worth the price!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No