Lotions/ Creams -Yes To Carrots - Hydrate Body Lotion SPF 30
macompanick 5/27/2010 9:17:00 AM
I bought this after reading a review in Lucky magazine. I'm the palest of the pale and having SPF built in to my body moisturizer seemed like killing 2 birds with 1 stone. The scent of the lotion was overwhelming to me on the first day, but I got used to it. My gripes with this product are: 1) I went through nearly one $15 tube in less than a week! 2) The lotion is uber-thick and sticky and left white stains inside all my clothes! I didn't quite finish the tube, but I just tossed it.
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Mascara -Lancome - Hypnose Drama
macompanick 10/28/2009 9:55:00 AM
This product came highly recommended by two separate sales people at Sephora. I was a fan of regular Hypnose (see my other review), so I gave this new formulation a try. The sales rep gave me specific instructions to start with the "flat" side of the brush, then use the "S" to wiggle through lashes. It must be me, because I found no flat side. In any case, my primary reason for disliking this product is the strong rose scent. It even lasts after applying on my lashes and I am just not partial to rose. The scent is overwhelming to me (why does a mascara need a scent anyway?). Second, this mascara made my lashes clump together - major spider. My lashes are very fair and sparse to begin with. While the color was intense (which I like), overall, it was not a good look on me. I'm going to exchange it for something else.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Giorgio Armani - Eyes to Kill
macompanick 10/28/2009 9:49:00 AM
I really, really, really wanted to like this mascara. It truly fanned out my lashes and gave lovely (although not "in your face") volume. Unfortunately, it smudged under my eyes each day I wore it (and I don't wear mascara on my bottom lashes). Reluctantly, I returned it to GA and am awaiting my refund. EDIT: I swore to myself that if they ever came out with a waterproof version of this mascara, I'd scoop it right up. Well, I did just that and it's just not worth the effort to remove it at night. I had some crazy notion that since the regular formula was so runny on me, that the waterproof version would be parfait. Sadly, it's not the case. It takes 3 coats to get the volume I like and even after using mineral oil gel to remove, it still clings to my lashes. If this gave me the phenomenal results I expected, I would give in and buy a separate eye makeup remover. But, it's not worth it. I'm sorry Mr. Armani!
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Lipstick -Maybelline - Color Sensational Lipstick - Warm Me Up
macompanick 9/1/2009 9:41:00 AM
I don't think I've ever liked a Maybelline lipstick...until now. I perused the display at CVS and found this one in the Naturals. I'm usually drawn to the pinks, but they all seemed to have some sort of shimmer/frost. I prefer a non-shimmer look and this lipstick delivers in may ways: 1) Neutral, but not a brown nude. I am MAC NW20, but my full lips have a lot of pigment and this actually takes them down a touch, without making them look muddy. 2) The consistency is smooth, not drying and the color lasts. Even after I eat lunch, it leaves a lovely (albeit faint) stain - without a line around my outer lips. 3) No lip pencil necessary. 3) The color matches any of my makeup combinations (I use Bobbi products on my face). I am genuinely surprised at the quality of this lipstick. And not that it really matters, but the new cases are classy, too! It's delightful to find a true nude/natural, non-shimmer, high quality drugstore lipstick. Kudos Maybelline! MLBB indeed!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bobbi Brown - Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks - Powder Pink
macompanick 7/23/2009 9:36:00 AM
I've been searching for a HG blush and I think I've finally found her! The color gives me an everyday, natural flush on my NW20 skin. I apply with a "skunk" brush, the color lasts all day, and there is no glitter (a huge plus for me). I swipe Bobbi's Shimmerbrick in Pink on top of my cheekbones, and voila - blush perfection (I know I probably just contradicted myself, but I prefer to control the application of shimmer than to have it built in to the product)! Plus, I use so little that this pot could easily last for 2 years - even with everyday use. The color matches all of my eye and lip colors, so it's foolproof. I dare myself to find a better product!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Make Up For Ever - UV Prime SPF50
macompanick 7/23/2009 9:29:00 AM
I was attracted to this product for the high SPF. I was a little disappointed that it was only 1 fl oz., but for a primer plus SPF, I guess I can justify the price. Unfortunately, the scent of this primer is just waaay too strong for me. Plus, I have a hard time getting it to absorb into my skin - it leaves a white cast on my already pale skin (MAC NW20). I know that's the SPF, but I wear a moisturizer with SPF 30, so I think I'm covered. I've also noticed that I have to use MORE foundation over this primer than with others. The most disappointing part, though, is that my face looks greasy by lunchtime. I just don't like any part of how this primer performed for me. I'll be returning it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Coralista
macompanick 5/20/2009 9:00:00 PM
After reading about this new blush in my mags and on MUA, I decided to give it a whirl. Lately I've been using MAC Cubic (I'm NW20 BTW). However, it took so much effort to get the "flush" I wanted with Cubic, that I felt I was really tearing through the pot. Enter Coralista. Normally, I don't like a glittery/shimmery blush, but Coralista eliminates the need for my Bobbi Brown highlighter on top of matte blush. As a point of reference, it's not as glittery as Nars Orgasm or Deep Throat, so that's a plus for me. It's appropriate for day and night and matches any eye and lip combo I do (mostly natural browns, greys, pinks and peaches). While the package is cute and bright and easy to find in my makeup bag, it's not terribly portable. Plus, I don't know why Benefit includes a square brush for blush. I apply my blush (any brand) with a "skunk" brush. That said, I feel like Coralista is a winner. I think will last forever. I'll assume I'll buy again, but I probably won't need to for a year!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Unlisted Brand - Unite Boing Curl Cream
macompanick 3/11/2009 11:19:00 AM
This may be the worst cream I've ever used in my 3A naturally curly hair. It makes it feel like stringy straw. The sole redeeming quality is that it seems to give volume, but my hair is just a big ol' frizzy mess. I tried my best to use up the bottle (especially at $20!) but I just can't suffer through the results day after day. I'm going to toss it.
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Mascara -Physicians Formula - Plump Potion Lash
macompanick 3/11/2009 11:14:00 AM
I bought this on a whim and was excited after I saw the other reviews. However, the mascara made my lashes bunch in weird ways and it clumped. It took over three layers to get the look I wanted, so I'm going to return it. On the positive side, I have sensitive eyes and had no problems with irritation w/this product. If you want something with a funky brush that gives a natural look, you may want to try. It's not dramatic enough for me, though.
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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Iconic High Definition Lash Curler Mascara 
macompanick 3/8/2009 8:34:00 PM
I ordered the special Diva to Go Set from Sephora, because it had free shipping. I tried this mascara for about 2 weeks, but it just didn't do it for me. The brush seemed to glob an awful lot and my lashes seemed to stick together rather than give a full fan of volume. I must admit, Dior packaging is lovely, but I'm paying for the product inside. I just couldn't justify $27 for the results this masacara gave (even with the free lipstick), so I returned it to Sephora.
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Lip Gloss -Revlon - Creme lipgloss [DISCONTINUED]
macompanick 2/8/2009 11:18:00 AM
I originally bought this creme gloss in Play Up Pink (after seeing it on the Lucky magazine cover). However, the color was just too bright for me, so I exchanged it for Slip Into Pink, the lightest shade. I 100% agree with the previous reviewer - there is just a horrid amount of glitter (not sparkle or shimmer) in this gloss. I just don't know why Revlon seems to make all of their lip products chock full of glitter (to give you a sense, after wiping the gloss off my lips, I literally have specks of glitter around my mouth and on my chin! And I'm no slouch in the make-up application/removal process). I'm nearly 35 years old - this is just too young of a look for me. On the positibe side, the texture of this gloss is not too sticky, there's no scent, and the formula wears well. It's so sad - without the glitter I think this would be a perfect everyday shade for my NW20 skin and full lips.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Urban Decay - Rush
macompanick 1/5/2009 2:54:00 PM
I sampled the product at Ulta and liked the color under the store lighting. It's definitely a sheer, natural color, but I think it looks more purple/plum on me than pink (I am MAC NW20 but my lips are fairly pigmented). I really like the caramel flavor, but the staying power is pretty poor. I don't often complain about packaging, but the tube is tough to carry around in a pocket and the tiny dagger on the end makes it all but impossible. To me, this is a superfluous detail. Ultimately, I returned it because overall, it was just "meh" and not worth $22. I'll continue my quest for the best MLBB lip color.
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Mascara -Givenchy - Phenomen'eyes Mascara
macompanick 12/26/2008 7:01:00 PM
I debated about getting this mascara for several weeks, but I finally decided to treat myself. Unfortunately, it leaves a bit to be desired. I did not experience any running/smudging/smearing, as some other users, I just feel like the wand is too difficult to use - even for my tiny eyes. I get better results when I start with a coat of Max Factor Volume Couture, but as I've said in other reviews, I really don't want to use 2 mascaras to get the effect I'm after. I think I'll finish this tube, but I don't plan to repurchase.
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Mascara -Make Up For Ever - Smoky Lash Extra Black Mascara
macompanick 11/30/2008 9:58:00 AM
I got sucked into a demo of this mascara on HSN one morning. The before and after was truly impressive and shipping was cheap, so I decided to give it a try. I checked the MUA reviews and it seemed like I couldn't go wrong. After having to wait over a week for delivery (probably should have ordered right from Sephora), I was really disappointed by the results. The color is quite dark, which I like (my lashes are so light I get them tinted), but it gave me spiky, spidery lashes. Even my husband agreed that my lashes looked weird. I prefer not to have to fight with an eyelash comb after application, so it's just too much work for me. I'm returning to HSN.
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Liquid -Revlon - Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup SPF 15
macompanick 11/8/2008 12:59:00 PM
I used this foundation during the summer. I really liked the sheer/adaptable coverage and the portability of the packaging. However, I must've had a delayed reaction because I broke out all over my face after 3 or 4 weeks. I was surprised and saddened, because I really thought it was a very good foundation/TM otherwise. Once I discontinued use, my face cleared up. If you don't have a problem with silica, maybe it'll work better for you.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No