Shampoo -Oscar Blandi - Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray
maomaouchi 9/15/2012 8:54:00 PM
I very rarely hate a product so much that I throw it away in disgust. It usually lingers in my bathroom for a couple years and I'll have come back to it and tried it a couple more times before I guiltily toss it. Not so with this product. This was absolutely terrible. I tend to need dry shampoo between washes because I have very black, straight hair that gets very obviously greasy at the roots. Prior to getting this (thankfully it was in a kit), I was using Batiste. This product is SO much worse despite being nearly 3x the price of Batiste. It has no grease-soaking power whatsoever and dries down to an even more greasy, heavy feel. Definitely not volumizing. In fact, my hair felt dirtier, heavier and greasier AFTER using this product, no matter what I did. I tried spraying less, more, more frequently, but nothing worked. I chucked it and haven't looked back. I highly DO NOT recommend this product. It has no use whatsoever in terms of voluminizing and removing oiliness. Batiste performs much better for a fraction of the cost.
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Moisturizers -Murad - Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30
maomaouchi 9/6/2012 9:33:00 PM
I got this to replace my Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion but I must say I much prefer the Shiseido. Aside from being a lower SPF than what I was using, I feel that this product just just doesn't do as good of a job as Shiseido under makeup. My mu fades a lot more quickly with this and my forehead is always greasy at the end of the day it is blindingly shiny in the sun. It also does not soak in as well Or create a nice smooth surface for applying makeup! I think the Shiseido has really spoiled me as it is such a multi-functionalroduct and this product can never replace it! It does have a nice texture and smell, and surprisingly it does not break me out even though I have sensitive, acne prone skin. I will save it as an emergency backup and for use on my body, but I will definitely not be repurchasing.
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Polishes -Butter London - La Moss
maomaouchi 8/10/2012 12:10:00 AM
Streaky and blotchy, unfortunately. This is not such an unusual or bad thing on the first coat but this was the case all through the third coat. I simply could not achieve a smooth finish with this. Beautiful, brown-leaning red that def has a vampy, sexy feel. Total waste of a beautiful color on the worst formula I've ever come across in a nail polish. You've been warned!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -BeneFit Cosmetics - Charge It! Shopping Lip Shine
maomaouchi 5/3/2012 4:11:00 PM
This is my favorite lip gloss I've gotten in awhile! It's got nice pigmentation, is a great consistency (not to sticky), and it smells really good. It lats around two hours before I have to reapply, which if around average for me for a lip gloss.
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Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Painted Purple
maomaouchi 1/28/2012 10:48:00 PM
I am pretty disappointed by this product and was not a bit surprised by the unusually low lippie score this shade has compared to the rest of the Color Tattoo eyeshadow line. My thoughts after having it and playing around with a couple days are as follows: COLOR: This is what attracted me to the shade in the first place. In the jar, it looks like a gorgeous shimmery neutral mid-tone purple that neither leaned too blue or pink. I was excited by it because I'm have a fairly olive complexion and most purples look like death on me. When swatched, however, I'm a bit disappointed to report that it actually leans more pink purple, due mostly because of the pinkish/purple shimmers. Le sigh, the first signs of a let down. TEXTURE: The killer. Doesn't blend correctly--your fingers just kinda push the product around, so it'll look splotchy. I've found the best way to apply this is in thin layers with a flat, small synthetic brush. This is sort of annoying because it takes many layers to build up the color intensity that you're after (the light, blended out color is just overall blah) and it's hard to blend away harsh edges. I can get it to look nice, but it's kinda not worth the hassle. WEAR: Long lasting like the rest of the Color Tattoos. I don't use an e/s primer with these and they last all day without creasing. I have medium-oily lids. PACKAGING: I LOVE the packaging. Luxe, lays completely flat and is stackable and looks really, really good for d/s. The d/s brands are stepping up their game! PRICE: Fair. Slightly less product than a MAC Paint Pot (4g vs. 5g) but less than 1/2 the price and frequently on sale. I got mine at CVS for $6.99 with some Extra Bucks back.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Lumene - Lift Touch Rejuvenating Cleansing Oil
maomaouchi 12/3/2011 3:48:00 AM
This is one of the only emulsifying oil cleansers available at drugstores and it is definitely an awesome find. This is a fantastic oil cleanser that does exactly what oil cleansers should do--it efficiently removes my makeup completely (I wear sunscreen, waterproof mascara and waterproof liner, among other things) and rinses away easily. I have used a number of different higher-end oil cleansers (DHC, Shiseido, Origins, Lunasol) and this one performs just as well if not better as all of them. I always follow up with a mild cleanser, usually Philosophy Purity Made Simple to get rid of any residue, which I think is necessary with the vast majority of oil cleansers. I find that this one removes makeup completely, doesn't break me out one bit and isn't too stripping/drying. Best of all, it works this well and is at least half the price as most other oll cleansers on the market. Very impressed, will definitely repurchase. I usually see it at CVS, for around $11 but there are sales so watch out for those. Bottle is a semi-transparent pink, making it easy to tell how much product remains. Pump mechanism, I usually use 2-3 pumps.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - The Falsies in Black Drama
maomaouchi 11/26/2011 5:03:00 AM
I generally have not had good luck with drugstore brands but this mascara is surprisingly brilliant for my lashes! I have the waterproof version. I have shortish, stick straight Asian lashes which are very resistent to staying curled. Many, many mascaras I've tried will make them droop even after curling, which sort of defeats the whole purpose of wearing mascara for me. I'm happy to report this mascara is wonderful at holding curl! All day, with many layers and with no drooping. Perfect. The brush is interesting, it's sort of broader than normal brushes and scooped...kind of like a spoon. The brush is natural bristles, not the rubber ones. The applicator takes a bit of getting used to. A lot of ppl have issues with clumps; I find that it works best actually NOT to wiggle the want at the base--this actually deposits too much product. Just sweep up and out instead, it helps a lot. The redeeming quality of the brush is that it is excellent at getting shorter hairs at the corners. Formula is good as well. It is quite black, doesn't flake, the fibers add length and it also volumizes quite well. I'm pretty impressed!
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Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Finishing Kabuki
maomaouchi 11/4/2011 12:39:00 AM
Once again, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about Ecotools. This is a gorgeous, unique looking short-handled duo-fiber brush with a head similar to the infamous MAC 187, with the difference being that the head on this brush is about 20% larger than the 187 and is made of two different types of synthetic fibers. It's marketed as a finishing kabuki but my favorite way to use it is as a foundation brush to apply my MUFE F&B. I use it first to dot foundation all over my face and then to buff it all in so that it's blended. It blends the foundation both seamlessly, and equally as important for me, efficiently--it only takes me about 30 sec. to do my face because the brush is so big and effective (lol...that sounds kinda gross). It doesn't waste product either because the brush doesn't absorb much due to its more sparse, longer hairs at the top of the brush head, which cannot collect a lot of foundation. However, it still allows for effortless blending because the bottom of the brush is denser and the fibers there help to buff the product into your skin once it has been evenly distributed by the top fibers. It's also extremely reliable as it doesn't shed one bit and can be washed very easily. On top of all this, I think it's also much more soft than the 187 and much, much cheaper. Win win, all the way. Definitely an HG item for me!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline - Midnight Blues
maomaouchi 9/3/2011 6:00:00 PM
Wow, this is SUCH a lovely color! In the pot, it looks like a very blackened blue with very fine silver shimmers. What really sets this apart from your usual navy blue eyeliner, however, is the fact that it has a healthy dose of teal thrown in too, for good measure. This makes the color very unique and it looks gorgeous on my brown/black eyes. When applied to my lids, you definitely see more teal. Also, the finish is definitely quite matte and you can't see the fine shimmers at all anymore. It does a really great job of defining the eyes because it is quite pigmented but it is not as harsh looking as black liner. It also makes the whites of my eyes whiter because of the cool color palette. I was able to achieve a very good, solid line without having to go over spots more than twice at most. Dries quickly like the other fluidlines and stays forever. I think this is an excellent liner for brown eyes, but I can also see it being unique and fun for green eyed ladies as well! It's pretty neutral, so it will work for many skin tones. This is right on trend for Fall as well, and I'm super excited to wear this color with my Autumn clothes!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Lypsyl - Regular Lip Balm
maomaouchi 8/29/2011 1:18:00 AM
What a fantastic product! I've gotten very selective over the last couple years about my lipbalm because it's become obvious that some work better than others. This is definitely in my top three lipbalms, along with Aquaphor and LUSH Honey Trap. I have very peely, lined dry lips that I pick at all the time. It's such a bad habit (I get spots that are raw and bloody), but I absolutely hate the feeling of loose, peely skin on my lips and tend to pick them a lot more when a lipbalm isn't doing its job. The really bad ones don't moisturize at all and make my lips dryer (Minted Rose Bud Salve, Softlips, Korres Lip Butter, etc.) while the ones that are ok moisturize my lips but does nothing about the peeling. Lypsyl is really great because it is both moisturizing and exfoliating. Lypsyl gets the job done thanks to that magical ingredient we all love in our face creams--Retinyl Palmitate, aka AHAs. This gently exfoliates your lips while the beeswax, mineral oil, coconut oil and shea butter moisturize. Such quality ingredients for a drugstore product! I've noticed since using this product my lips have been completely smooth and the lines from my dry, overpicked lips are slowly fading. This is one of the only lipbalms I've come across with an AHA in it and I have to say it is absolutely genius. A little pricey for the amount you get but I will always come back. I find using it only once at night is plenty to keep lips nice and smooth, so one tube can last a good while. I supplement with Aquaphor throughout the day to keep my lips looking lush and moisturized. A little pricey for the amount you are getting but still a bargain for such a great product. Cute packaging too, with a unique shape and a cute little Bee push up applicator (you have to see it to get what I'm talking about here). This is another Holy Grail item! It makes my lips perfect! No more bloody, painful, dry, cracked lips and no more uneven lipcolor application. Lipstains are no longer my enemy, yay!
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Polishes -Revlon - Carbonite
maomaouchi 8/19/2011 11:57:00 AM
Revlon's attempt at Chanel's Graphite A color they aptly named Carbonite A neutral metallic grey that has a pretty sheen And in some warmer lights you see a bit of green! While the glitters in Carbonite are not as pretty I was obviously inspired to write a little ditty I'm happy to report one coat is enough Although I used two-- at times I can be rough It's been three days and so far chip free Which makes this a half-miracle for such a small fee. It's perfectly on trend for the fall and winter seasons Not getting it would be committing manicure treason! I probably look crazy I can't stop staring at my nails Is it possible this is holy grail?
18 out of 20 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Smith's Rosebud Salve - Minted Rose Lip Balm
maomaouchi 8/15/2011 6:05:00 PM
I'm quite disappointed by this product. I purchased this expecting it to be the same formula as the normal Rosebud Salve, but for some reason this is more drying on my lips--I'm not sure if it's because the formula is slightly different or if it's the mint essential oil. The texture is similar to that of the original, but a little bit thinner and more greasy. It doesn't have good staying power at all, I'd say 1 hour max, more like 30 min. It adds a little bit of a pinkish tint to your lips, which looks quite cute and is housed in a vintage-looking tin. I'll def use it up, but I would never repurchase. I expected this balm to be far more moisturizing than it is.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Face & Body Foundation
maomaouchi 8/11/2011 1:12:00 AM
I'm so glad to have finally jumped on the MUFE Face & Body train. It is absolute perfection as a product and I finally understand what the fuss is all about. Here are my thoughts: TEXTURE: Using MUFE Face & Body has really made me think differently about foundations. Let me just say, while I haven't tried many, all foundations seemed similar to me--creamy, thick-ish (despite variations on coverage) and as a result very uncomfortable. I also hated that most foundation, even if it matches, has a great finish, etc still doesn't really blend into the skin enough and it is always pretty obvious to me when people are wearing it. For this reason, I have never regularly worn foundation. Enter MUFE F & B. This product has NONE of those qualities! F&b is a water-based foundation, giving it that unique, thin and liquidy consistency that is so important in the way it seamlessly absorbs into your skin. It is basically pure pigment suspended in water--when applied, the water kind of evaporates away or something and you are left with a very, very thin layer of pigment that doesn't look thick, won't clog your pores terribly and most importantly for me blends into the skin. I usually take a large duo-fiber stippling brush (I use the Ecotools one, it's awesome), and dot/buff 1 pump on my entire face. I love that it is sheer but still has a noticeable effect on one's complexion/tone after one thin layer. You can also build this up for thicker coverage--but it will never be full coverage. I'd say medium-full. WEAR: Great, lasts 10+ hours for me, and I have oily, acne-prone skin! It fades a little bit, but I can definitely tell the difference at the end of the day for my skin with and without this foundation. FINISH: extremely natural--this is probably my favorite aspect of this foundation. I swear with one layer I can not tell at all that I have foundation on my face. My face just looks slightly glowy and weirdly poreless with an even complexion. It's like magic. It DEFINITELY does not give the dreaded 1-dimensional face you get with some foundations due to thickness/finish. Nothing like that at all here. PACKAGING: I got it recently so it's the new glass bottle with the pump, which I think is a god-send. I cannot imagine using this without a pump as the texture is so thin and I need the control for sure. The packaging looks good, is sleek and efficient. PRICE: Cheaper than a lot of other high-end foundations (even others in MUFE) and reasonable if you don't use much daily. BEST SUITED FOR: -ppl who don't like foundation -ppl with mild-moderate acne (1-2 breakouts/month) -people with dull skin (seems to do a bit of brightening and softening of the edges) In addition, this product has a very large, diverse range of colors (although only some are available at Sephora). Another HG product for me. Thanks MUA!
13 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Bumble & Bumble - Surf Spray
maomaouchi 7/17/2011 5:25:00 PM
This is another one of those great Bumble & Bumble products that sort of has an amorphous purpose--and the results highly depend on your hair type. I will tell you about my experience to help people with similar hairtypes: I have mid-back length, layered straight Asian hair. I rarely use products in it because I find most product weigh down my hair and make it look oily without giving body, texture or shape to my hair. My biggest issues are volume and even more important texture. I have the type of hair that won't hold curl with a curling iron and won't stay in a bun without a bajillion bobby pins because it slips right out. Surf Spray changes this for me. It gives my hair a more casual, tousled look when I wear my hair down while giving my hair grip when I wear it up. I actually like it just as much as a product to use in my hair when I'm putting it up as I do down! It gives a nice, matte finish to the hair as well, so I have no issues with my hair looking greasy, which was always very obvious with my black hair. To use, I spray in my hair after I air-dry it. I do maybe 6-8 spray in my hair, on all parts--roots, shaft and ends. I work it through and then kind of scrunch a bit at the roots to get more lift. Overall, fantastic product. A little expensive, yes, but I don't find I have to use a ton (although I will admit, it is small) but worth it for the benefits. I will definitely be repurchasing!
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -LORAC - Behind the Scenes Eye Primer
maomaouchi 7/11/2011 2:01:00 AM
This is very similar in terms of texture and color to UDPP. It is ever so slightly silkier feeling. I am disappointed to report that on my oily, hooded lids this does not work nearly as well as UDPP for me. While I don't experience any creasing with this product, it does not seem to intensify the color as much as UDPP. More importantly, this primer doesn't prevent fading of my eyeshadows at all. I'm disappointed as LORAC is one of my favorite brands, but they just seemed to have failed in this department. I won't be repurchasing this one :(.
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