Makeup Brushes -MAC - #217 Blending
lifeviolet 7/21/2010 1:04:00 PM
I really love this brush. I use it for everything, applying eyeshadow, blending, cream product, and even for under eye concealer. The shape of it is perfect, tapered and just slightly flat. The bristle is soft and pick up just the right amount of product. The one thing I found this brush really excel in is blending. It is not cheap, and I don't have any experience with MAC's brushes that come in a kit so I can't comment on that. But even with the price I have gotten myself another one just because of how versatile it is and how much I use it. I would definitely recommend this to anyone is interested in investing a little money on good quality brush. I've used my older 217 for four to five years now and it's still in great shape, the while bristle has a little discoloration from all the eyeshadow I've used with it. But it hasn't shred at all, still holding great shape. I would definitely buy this again but I don't think I'd need to in the near future as MAC's brushes in general last for a long time.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Beauty Powder in Enough Said
lifeviolet 11/26/2008 11:53:00 PM
This is very natural looking on my NC30-35 skintone. The shimmer isn't over the top, in fact, after I applied it I don't notice any shimmer at all, just beautiful glowy skin. The colour doesn't look very enticing in the pan, it's a bronzy beige with some orange undertone to it. So I'd imagine fair to light skin gals might find it too orangey, and it's not very pigmented so it might not show up much on darker skin, but for me, it's the most natural, understated, everyday blush colour I've found so far. I am seriously considering getting a back up since it's a limited edition (*sigh* MAC). And say if MAC decided to re-promote this in a year or two, I'd snatch this up again in a heart beat
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -NARS - Loose Powder
lifeviolet 9/14/2007 5:14:00 AM
At first I wasn't really impressed by this loose powder. I thought it's just so-so, then I tried others from samples or friends and realized this is a great product. It's quite translucent, set makeup very well, take down shine reasonably well, and doesn't give me a powdery look. I actually like the packaging, although it's kind of inconvenient I think it looks very sophisticated, and there is a lot of product in there to make up for the price. In general I really like NARS products and this one is no exception.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Lumiere - kabuki brush
lifeviolet 9/14/2007 4:49:00 AM
I might be weird but I really don't like this brush very much. I have the premier kabuki from everyday mineral, the supernatural from philosophy and the #25 foundation brush from Alima and this one pale in comparison. It is very soft, much softer than the EDM kabuki and just as soft as the Alima and the supernatural, but it's not nearly as stiff as the others. It is also very dense, not quite as dense as the supernatural but dense enough to give decent coverage, but it's somehow kind of a floppy brush. I really love my #25 and the supernatural (it applies liquid and cream foundation as well, just love this one) so I don't think I would be using this one soon. I think I would give this away to my friend who just got into MMU and is in need of a dense foundation brush.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - Volume Couture Waterproof
lifeviolet 7/25/2007 7:07:00 PM
This is a great waterproof mascara. It doesn't clump, gives nice volume, hold curl well (most waterproof do), and there's no flaking or smudging. I even cried in it and it still hold the curl and no smudging what so ever. The only thing is with a mascara claiming to be volumizing I do believe it needs work in that department. *UPDATE* March 2011 Couldn't find this in Hong Kong, so I've switched to MaxFactor False Lash Effect WP, works very well, need to build up in coats for volume but isn't clumpy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Alima - Foundation Brush 25
lifeviolet 6/8/2007 8:53:00 PM
It's my favourite brush for MMU. It's exceptionally soft, dense, and pack just enough product for my whole face. The price is very reasonable for the quality, customer service from Alima is excellent. There is nothing I can complain about this brush or the company that sells it. (Compared to the other MMU brand Lumiere's synthetic brush, this is still better quality, of course it costs a little more, but I would definitely pay the little extra for this.) Would I buy this again, I am actually considering getting one for my traincase for when I travel. And if I ever lose this I would definitely, and likely immediately fork over USD25 to get another. UPDATE July, 2010 >>> I haven't use this brush for a while now since I have so many foundation/powder brushes I've accumulated over the years. But this brush had held its shape, still feel very soft through numerous washing. I still think this is worth the price (although I think Alima had discontinued this and since changed to one that's very similar).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Youngblood - Crushed Mineral Blush
lifeviolet 4/19/2007 7:38:00 PM
I have to say I originally decided to buy this blush because I like the packaging, but after trying them on (I have Coral Reef and Cinnamon) I just love how sheer and natural they look on me. I've tried EM All Smiles blush and it goes on too heavy and not nearly as nice as Youngblood. A little is all you need. They don't emphasized my pores or break me out, and they last all day. I'll try more of EM's blushes (because they have such great deal with their kits!) and I'll also try BE. But for now, Youngblood is my favourite in MMU blush.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Youngblood - Crushed Mineral Blush - Coral Reef
lifeviolet 4/11/2007 9:05:00 PM
I personally love this blush. It's a little sheer on my light-medium skin (it is rec for fair to light skin, but I just love the color so I got it anyway) but I can layer it on and it's transparent enough to look great on me. It looks kind of like I am glowing from within. The color is coral with some heavy peach tone. Since I have to layer it on and since I love this so much I might actually use this up, and if I do I am definitely buying another one. For reference I am NC30-35ish, strong yellow undertone, black hair and eyes.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack
lifeviolet 3/19/2007 4:15:00 PM
I really like MAC Fluidline. I have Dipdown, this, and shade. They are very easy to work with, last all day when I set with a little powder over, and just make my Asian eyes look so much better. Blacktrack is your basic, no glitter, simple black and since I usually just line my top lash and skip shadow this can be a little too intense. I alternate between this and Dipdown. The price is not bad neither, so I will be looking into other shade. Right now I am eyeing Jadeye, blue peep, and Waveline.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -MAC - Tinted Lip Conditioner - Soothing Beige
lifeviolet 2/13/2007 5:50:00 PM
I am surprised the rating for this is lower than Gentle Coral. I thought Gentle Coral would look more natural but it's just too bright, so with new packaging (classic black lid clear tub for MAC) I decided to give the TLC another try. I really like this one. It's more moisturising than Gentle Coral (maybe because I can put more on without looking foolish), in fact, it's moisturising enough that I use it on its own. And it just gives me natural healthy looking lips. Edit(March 11th 2007): I am really loving this, makes me look casual yet pull together, plus I can just use this like a balm. I am wanting a back up of this. will definitely buy again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Giorgio Armani - Blender brush
lifeviolet 1/26/2007 3:10:00 AM
I love this founation brush. I've used a few other and so far this is the best. It blends my Duwop Revolotion Face nicely and provide the best and yet natural coverage among any other application method I've tried (finger, damp sponge, other foundation brush...) I got the whole set of GA brushes for Christmas from my sister so the price is not a problem for me. But would I spend USD$45 on this if I have to repurchase? Yeah, I would. However, you really have to use a alcoholic brush cleanser for this brush, otherwise it would get this weird stinking smell (minus one point for that).
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Origins - Brush on Color in Sugar Cookie
lifeviolet 1/25/2007 8:26:00 PM
bought this blush when I was getting my daily moisturizer at the Origins counter. I was looking for something peachy and this is the best the SA could find. I was skeptical but she put some on me and I liked it enough to buy it. Been using this everyday for nearly three months now and it does give me a very natural flush on the cheek, however, there are so many different blush out there this is not special enough for me to keep buying.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -MAC - Tinted Lip Conditioner - Gentle Coral
lifeviolet 10/4/2006 12:46:00 AM
I bought this online when I was buying the fluidline gel liner. I was skeptical about this before it even arrived from the reviews, and I think I have to agree with them. It's a little too bright to be named 'gentle'. As a tinted lip balm it's no where near moisturizing enough. The package was okay except there is the huge colour swap on the lid. I like the smell, though, unlike other lip gloss this actually smells good. the lid came undone in my purse once and my whole bag smells like vanilla ice cream for a few days. I don't think I would finish this big tub and don't think I would buy again.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Clinique - Brow Shaper
lifeviolet 8/31/2006 3:31:00 AM
This is better than any brow pencil I've ever used. I got the shade charcoal as I have really black hair and it just looks natural. I don't care for that tiny brush that come with so I brought a smashbox brow brush to apply this with. The price is great as with most Clinique products and look like this is going to last me at least a year if not longer. When I finally run out I think I will buy again. EDIT(March 11th 2007): Tried other powder and this is not nearly as pigmented as others, so I will not repurchase after I run out.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Origins - Make A Difference Skin Rejuvenating Treatment
lifeviolet 8/31/2006 3:24:00 AM
I brought this because of the reviews here and I really like this. I have combination/oily skin and this doesn't make me any oilier. But this does leave a dewy look and helps my make up look better. the texture of my skin is more even now (maybe a combination of this and the biotherm toner, i don't really know). I don't mind the fragrance as it's not very strong to me, however, my boyfriend just love it. I just got my secound jar and I expect it to last another three months, so the price is all right. I will buy again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No