Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia
liveitup 3/8/2011 9:31:00 PM
For me, the Clarisonic is just a really good cleanser. It makes washing your face with just soap and your fingers look like a pile of bird crap. And for that alone, it deserves four stars. It has become a part of my nightly skincare regime and quite honestly I don't know what I would do without it. It removes traces of makeup that my remover did not care to pick up and it allows lotions and moisturizers to sink into my skin quickly and effectively.
still get acne. I think a huge reason why some disapprove of the Clarisonic is because it did not cure their acne breakouts; it did not meet their expectations. Firstly, I suggest you buy the product without any expectations, albeit the hype may be a bit irresistible. Buy it, try it, and if you don't like it, return it. It's not that hard (unless you die from it, then, yeah, uh, sorry). Secondly, if your acne is caused by your inability to clean your skin efficaciously, then the Clarisonic will help you avoid and get rid of stubborn breakouts. But if your acne is hormonal or genetic (like me), a simple cleansing tool (despite the steep price tag) will not be the Jesus to your rescue. Having said that, the Clarisonic, in all it's effective glory, will help your blemishes heal much quicker -- and I do dare say the $150+ tag is worth just that. I've never had stubborn zits and pimples heal so quickly.
A note to those even without sensitive skin: It might be okay to begin using the Clarisonic twice or even three times a day when you first get it, but I suggest you gradually become less dependent on it as time goes on. The Clarisonic isn't just a cleansing tool, it acts as an exfoliator. And over-exfoliating your face will cause dryness which causes your glands to produce more oil, which in turn causes more acne. I did not have sensitive skin prior to using this, but now my face is dry and only three coats of heavy moisturizer will do the trick. I'm slowly and patiently waiting for my face to return to it's un-dry state (I'd rather have oily skin than dry skin; unfortunately I learned the hard way).
As far as the overall improvement of my facial texture goes, I don't see a very noticeable change. I did visit home a while ago and my mom complimented on how my skin has changed for the better. But I did (and still do) not see it. My blackheads are a bit less visible (try using a nose strip after you've been using the Clarisonic for a while -- it's insane!), but even after using it for months and months, I still haven't accomplished that smooth skin look nor have my pores reduced in size (at all). But, to be fair of my given four lippies, as of now I'm more than content that it helps my acne heal in such a remarkably short amount of time.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Boots - Lifting & Firming Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
liveitup 1/7/2011 4:05:00 AM
HELLO holy grail foundation! I have never, ever, ever, ever, ever used a more perfect foundation than this one (knock on wood). I don't have enough amazing things to say about this product. Loves it.
The number one thing I look for in a foundation is acne control. I mean, not that in *controls* my acne necessarily, but it doesn't make me break out at all. May I repeat: AT. ALL. I have my hormonal shit from time to time, yes, but even then I've been seeing much improvement in my skin's texture. Also, this foundation in itself has been acne-free for me. I have never used a foundation that has kept me from breaking out albeit a tiny bit. And as college student who has been battling acne for most of her teen years (and now her twenties, unfortunately), this is a huge, huge deal.
The color range isn't diverse, but I'm going to be selfish right now and let ya'll know that I've found my perfect match regardless. It's weird because I'm an NC20, but blonde (the Boots shade and one which is relatively dark for a pale-skinned like yours truly) has been suiting me well. It doesn't match my face but it does my chest, and it makes my skin tone look much more even.
The finish is absolutely stunning. Like many have mentioned, not necessarily matte or dewy. More like a silky finish -- a combination of both. It's medium and buildable (which I most definitely need) and does not look cakey. I do, however, use concealer for the darker blemishes. Yes, this product has dimethicone in it, but last time I checked it's nothing to go haywire about. And because it has dimethicone I've also stopped using primer underneath my foundation. In fact, I do dare say you do not need to use primer with this foundation. The product itself blurs out your pores (in my opinion, it works great with one of those HD powder, whether it be MUFE or ELF), evens your skin tone, and stays on for an incredible amount of time (all without a primer). I leave my apartment at 8am in the morning, go to work, and go to classes. I blot my t-zone with a tissue maybe once or twice throughout the day (the consequences of having oily skin) but that's about it. I come back at 8pm and, voila, my skin still looks great. Impressed? I am. Most definitely.
If you can, go buy it. At least try it out. Your face will thank you.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Mineralize Blush - Improvise
liveitup 12/9/2010 8:33:00 PM
I really like this "blush" though, like others have mentioned, it's more of a highlighter. I have NW15/NC20 skin tone (I have a neutral complexion) and Improvise works on my skin just enough to show up as a really pretty coral-pink. It's not a blatantly obvious kind of blush, it's subtle, but it still makes my cheeks pop which I adore. I put this over cream blush (my favorite combo is with MAC's Pleasureful) and it comes out a dream. The only thing that bugs me is the lasting power which isn't so great. But in Improvise's defense, I'm out at 8 in the morning and come back after school and work at 6pm. Overall I'd recommend. Found this at my CCO for about $13.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Stipple
liveitup 11/17/2010 2:53:00 AM
I don't know what the below reviewer is talking about. Perhaps her expectation of the ELF's new stipple brush was too high (something about a skunk?), but I bought this brush without any anticipation. I have not owned any stippling brushes like this before (like the MAC 187) so I can see where the previous reviewer is coming from. But I didn't know what I was in for when I bought this online and cannot compare this brush to another like it, so this review is completely objective in that sense. I can compare to their powder brush, though, which I'll get to later. I was -- and still am -- very surprised despite my lack of any expectation. Yes, the brush itself is not dense at all, and I almost felt disappointed that it was this way when I first took it out of the pouch. When I used the brush to apply foundation, though, I was amazed. This thing is incredible and I can (kind of) see why people rave about the 187 and others like it. It picks up just the right amount of product and applies to my face like a dream. I get that airbrushed, clean effect all the while being able to cover my dark spots and blemishes (I'm a victim of bad teenage breakout syndrome). Compared to their powder brush (which I was using before as my foundation applicator), I think I'd have to say I like both equally, but for different reasons. Using the stipple brush takes me a bit more time to apply foundation but I've never looked cakey at all. My makeup really does look flawless. Using the powder brush provides phenomenal coverage and the finish can look amazing even when I'm in a hurry, but the cakey effect isn't something new when using it. It is also more difficult to clean. Still, I adore both. Overall, love, love, love. I'd recommend it, for sure, and even if you don't like it, your wallet won't yell at you.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
liveitup 10/17/2010 5:09:00 AM
I really, really, really want to stay with this product. And I have, despite the problems, but my face just continued to get worse. In the end, I told myself to break up with PhotoReady and move on. So I did. On a serious note, the finish is wonderful. The foundation itself lasts a very long time, through the thick (exercise, running three hours, sweat) and thin (work and school). The sparkles on my face aren't something I really mind (in fact, something I like about the way it transfers onto my skin) but I do think it was this sparkle shit that clogged my pores. Even after my night routine, I could see these sparkles on my face. I like you when the foundation is on, but please go away when I take my makeup off! It didn't, it just wanted to stay. Damn sparkles, so obsessed with me. At first the breakouts were minimal, but I suppose as the sparkles just wouldn't leave their newfound home, they began to settle and worsen my acne problem. I ended up breaking out in small acne bumps all over my forehead (never before have I gotten those small bumps, let alone acne on my forehead) and now it is sitting in the back of my drawer, crying out to me. But I must resist. Revlon, take out those damn glitters and I'll be buying every shade and jar off your counters. I will buy off your company, okay? So take them out.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
liveitup 10/17/2010 5:02:00 AM
I used this product religiously over the course of the last two years (seriously, like ten bottles lying around) but something seemed to have happened to my skin that began to hate the thing. I never broke out with it until recently when I purchased a new bottle. New formulation or perhaps just this specific jar? No idea, but all I know is that I'm not satisfied anymore. I have, however, loved this for so long it seems fair that I give it at least three points. The coverage is phenomenal and the lasting power is out of this world; truly something worth checking out. The shade range is decent (though I have never found a perfect match). The lack of pump is irritating but something you won't mind especially if this is HG for you. The strange paint scent is also something you'll get over the first few days. In my experience, the dry/normal and combination/oily formulas do not differ largely enough to go out of your way to buy one over the other; they both had the same finish and effect on me.
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Crème -Maybelline - Dream Smooth Mousse
liveitup 10/17/2010 4:54:00 AM
This is my new favorite drugstore foundation. I bought this on a whim after remembering having read a few reviews on how wonderful this is. But I was hesitant, because this product was catered more toward dry skin and light(er) coverage. Let me tell you now -- I have very oily skin and horrible scarring and discoloration on my face. I breakout often, bumps, blackheads, huge pores, the whole deal. But I bought it anyway, and I'm so glad I did. I was never a fan of the 'dewy' look but this baby converted me; it is a dewy non-oily finish that lasts quite a while (I do blot with tissue, but that comes with having very oily skin). The foundation itself, however, does seem to come off easily. When I do blot my face with tissue, I see a lot of foundation on it. And since I am terribly oily (this cannot be controlled by any foundation I've tried to date), SM doesn't last long around my nose. Minus one lippie for all that. Otherwise a great foundation. No breakouts, medium and buildable coverage, and a finish that will make the boys go gaga.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation
liveitup 10/17/2010 4:47:00 AM
Like seemingly all the other negative reviewers, I've been eyeballing Sheer Glow for a while, and finally caved in a few weeks ago. I tried Sheer Matte when it also first came out, hated it, and ended up swapping, so I was kind of hesitant with this one. I wish I received a sample to try before I bought it because that would have saved so much of my time. I was matched with Punjab which, surprisingly, turned out to be a perfect match. I've never found a perfect foundation shade... ever, so you could imagine how thrilled I was. After trying it for a few days, though, I couldn't bring myself to like it. The application was all wrong and it made me look so damn cakey. I tried to change the routine using my fingers, different brushes, and other applicators but nothing worked -- still cakey. The foundation wore off in no more than three hours and began to gather around the creases on my face (corners of my nose, my eyelids, my mouth) and I was less than impressed. I have a morning-to-night schedule; this would not suffice. Why I gave it two lippies instead of one: The glorious shade match! If anyone uses Punjab and knows the exact color dupe, please message me! :) Also, it didn't make me break out whatsoever, and with my super sensitive acne-prone skin, this is a feat.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power - Cream Wash
liveitup 9/3/2010 6:24:00 AM
Run. Away. Now. This thing is by far the single worst product I have ever used! Not only did it make my acne worse, it broke me out like I've never broken out before. I used it one night and the next morning I woke up with pimples. That's not unusual for me so I just let that slide and kept experimenting with the cleanser. Big mistake. My face just continued to worsen and I stopped after the third use. I've never had so much acne in my life no thanks to this crap (am I allowed to say that on here?). It's been two weeks since I last used this and I'm still trying to figure out a way to clear up the damage it has caused. Ah... What to do... :'(
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -New York Color - Smooth Skin Loose Powder
liveitup 6/17/2010 3:15:00 AM
That "puff" is just ridiculous. I'll use it to wipe my mirror, though it'll be worthless for that, too. Packaging sucks hard. I make sure to twist it slowly open so the product doesn't fly into my eyeball. But the powder is great! Better than BE/M loose powders, hands down. Very comparable to Laura Mercier's Loose Powder. Doesn't make me break out. Doesn't make me look chalky or cakey. Just a great, flawless application. Great product. Go buy it now.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Milani - HD Advance Concealer
liveitup 6/1/2010 5:37:00 AM
The product is alright - just alright. The price is reasonable (especially for those that compare it to YSL's Touche Eclat) but the shade selection is just horrid. Only four shades and not one that advertises deeper skin tones? Lame. The concealer is creamy and easy (maybe a bit too easy, sometimes I don't like that) to blend, but the coverage is minimal. I only use it to 'conceal' - that is, brighten up - my undereye area. I can't stand the packaging. I thought it'd be interesting to try at first but over time, it became a hassle to click that stupid clicker thing that never clicks out the perfect amount of concealer. Put it in a tube, or a jar, or something else rather, and I'll be all over it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Parlez-Vous OPI?
liveitup 6/1/2010 5:27:00 AM
It's just OK. On me it looks like OPI's Metro Chic or Rimmel's Steel Grey - not dupes per se, but very comparable - so I wasn't too impressed. The color is nice and the application makes it slightly (though not entirely) worth it - very easy to apply (as always, OPI's applicators are great) and it's very thick so you don't need more than two coats. It doesn't last long on my nails though, regardless of what kind of top coat I use. I'll put it on before I sleep and the next morning before I leave the house, the polish has already chipped. Either I sleep like an ogre or the lasting power on this polish just stinks. And I'm pretty sure it's not the former because I've been told I sleep as still as a rock.
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Polishes -Essie - Island Hopping
liveitup 6/1/2010 5:22:00 AM
The color is gorgeous but not on me! I'm so sad, I really wanted this to work. I usually force drab colors (that I like in the jar) on my nails, but no matter how hard I tried telling myself it looks nice, it just didn't work. I'm fair skinned and it looked like a reddish, brownish, purplish dirt had stained the tips of my fingertips. Oh well, on to the next one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Essie - Jazz
liveitup 6/1/2010 5:18:00 AM
Love this color. It's amazing. The consistency is great and so is the lasting time. I don't use a base or top coat and Jazz lasts me over a week (with three coats). Definitely impressed. It complements my fair skin tone very nicely as well. Get compliments all the time. Cons: Not very opaque, hence the three coats, and the price.
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Polishes -China Glaze - Solar Power
liveitup 6/1/2010 5:12:00 AM
This polish takes the definition of 'streaky' to a whole new level, let me tell ya. Ugh, I spent an hour trying to perfect applying Solar Power but my nail polishing skills fell short with this junk. It was so streaky, even after three to four coats, and I wound up erasing it all and with a sore back. Not good. The color is gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but it's just impossible to transfer that gorgeousness from the bottle to your nails. Not worth the expensive price; definitely not worth your precious time!
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