Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Mascara with Lash Boosting Serum
mc82 5/8/2010 5:50:00 PM
I really like the black colour end of this mascara, even without the base, it gives thick and long lashes. The colour is very black too and formula is quite lush. I think I may prefer this over L'Oreal's Voluminous as it is a bit more dramatic looking. I have tried it with the base but I don't like it - with the mascara on top of the base it just makes my lashes feel too crispy and dry. Otherwise a great mascara.
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
mc82 5/2/2010 7:53:00 PM
I was not sure what to expect with this foundation but now that I have used it for a while I find that it is quite excellent. I use No.8 Golden Beige (I am MAC NC40/42) and find this shade rather good - slightly more yellow based without being at all orange, is natural looking and does not oxidize throughout the day. Initially when you apply it, there are very faint shimmer particles - I don't notice this at all once blended into the skin - in fact this is what gives the slight luminous quality which kind of skims over imperfections - I have acne scarring and while I still need some concealer as the coverage of the foundation is medium, this does seem to soften the look of those scars. I have used Colorstay before which is better coverage but I personally prefer PhotoReady as it looks more natural and I like the more creamy, plumper texture. This also lasts rather well throughout the day and packaging is much more convenient. Recommend
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Origins - GinZing
mc82 2/13/2010 7:49:00 AM
My usual eye gel was running out so I was on the look out for a general hydrating/brightening eye-cream and had heard good things about this so I went ahead and purchased. I have been using this for the past 2 weeks but already it's shot up to HG status for me. I love the creamy texture but it still remains light, easily absorbed, non-greasy and yet my under-eyes actually feel hydrated. Even though I have not noticed much in terms of brightening (although it does give a slight fresh look around the eye) this is an excellent base for concealer - it just looks more natural, not dry. I would prefer a tube for packaging but overall I am very happy with this and would repurchase.
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Duac Topical Gel
mc82 1/24/2010 11:24:00 AM
I was prescribed this from my doctor who said that many had found this to be really effective in clearing up acne, and I have to say, that after 2 months of use it really has cleared up my spots. Now I hardly get any breakouts at all, and if I do, they are really tiny and disappear after a day or so. When I first started using it I applied it every day before I went to bed but it did cause some dryness/flakiness around my chin so I then I only used it every other day and my skin then got used to it. My sister has also used this and is also impressed at how well it works, we have not used anything else as effective.
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Mascara -Cargo - Lash Activator
mc82 12/27/2009 11:22:00 AM
This is a great mascara that also gives you the benefit of improving your lashes. I have used this for about 2 months now, and the formula is still going strong, no drying etc. I like that this is a very deep black mascara which gives great volume without clumps, also defines too. Also it adds some lift to the lashes so I do not need to curl them. I find that this stays well through out the day and doesn't smudge, but it does require a very good eye makeup remover as the formula is so black.The brush is a plastic bristled one which is a nice straight medium size (no jumbo brush here) and it has a good 'grab' to get to the lashes. As for improving the condition of my lashes, I was actually rather impressed - my lashes are long already, but I do have the few odd lashes that are shorter so my lash line doesn't look as even. This mascara helped to address this and I did notice some length in these shorter lashes. Also sometimes I find with long lashes is that they bend and get into my eye but with this because of the lift it gives lashes, my lashes have a better natural hold and avoid getting into my eye. I initially was a bit reluctant to purchase this as at £19, it costs as much as a high-end mascara but I am glad I did as it has improved my lashes.
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Eye Shadow -Illamasqua - pure pigment Furore
mc82 12/18/2009 2:01:00 PM
Furore is one of the must-have shades from Illamasqua's Pure Pigments. I love this - it is such a beautiful pale neutral nude shimmer which would work for most skin tones and is a great highlight shade. The texture of the pigment is very smooth and easy to work with - it can be packed for a really intense shimmer or blended out for a pretty wash of colour. I prefer this texture over MAC, it just seems much finer.
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Primer/ Corrector -Illamasqua - Satin Primer SPF 20
mc82 12/13/2009 12:29:00 PM
This is one makeup product I have never really seen a point to as having tried previous primers *ahem, Laura Mercier*, they never seem to do anything, but with Illamasqua, this is not the case. The texture is a lovely milky liquid (but not thin and runny) that smooths into the skin in an effortless way. One thing in particular I love is the slightly sweet, milky scent. It does give a satin finish without any shimmer that doesn't look greasy, and I have tried different foundations over this and they do seem to apply nicely and smoother over this - I like it best under liquid foundations. Another great thing is that it does not irritate my acne-prone skin whatsoever. So far this is the best primer I have used and would definitely recommend.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -RMK - RMK gloss lips in 31 gold beige
mc82 12/13/2009 12:14:00 PM
The name of this gloss is pretty accurate as it is a semi-sheer beige with fine golden shimmer that looks great for a glowy look. This is not sticky at all but still has a good consistency - not thick but not too thin. The wand is unusual for what I've seen in other glosses as the brush is a flatter, stiffer shape which I quite like. I think this would work on most skin tones as it is quite a natural colour, very pretty and ideal for everyday. This is my first RMK gloss and I would definitely like to try other colours.
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Blush -Illamasqua - Cream - Rude
mc82 12/13/2009 12:02:00 PM
I have never really been into cream blusher, for fear of clogging my acne-prone skin and looking too shiny but with this, I don't need to worry about any of that, as it wears on my skin really nicely. I love the texture, it is a lovely light, soft cream that blends very easily. I lightly dab my brush into the blusher and apply as this is well pigmented so you don't need much. Rude is a quite a bright looking peach but gives a great fresh-faced look when applied sparingly. I would imagine this would work on many skin tones (for ref I am NC40/42 in MAC). I could not ask for any more with this and would definitely like to try the other colours.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -E.L.F. - Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 - Candlelight
mc82 12/1/2009 6:17:00 PM
I got this free with my first ELF order and I have to say that I am impressed. The texture is smooth and stays well without being sticky (I prefer this over Lancome Juicy Tubes). I am NC40/42 in MAC and I love this shade - it is a pretty nude, with a slight peachy glow and has a good level of pigmentation. Great that it has SPF. I am amazed at the quality for such a low cost product and I would definitely look at other colours.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -By Terry - Light Expert
mc82 9/25/2009 3:40:00 PM
I think I have found my HG with this foundation - it is just simply incredible. This is the first foundation that I have used that really delivers what it says on the box. I am NC40/42 and use No.3 Honey Light which I find to be a really good match as it blends really well and looks very natural. I love that this visibly plumps the skin so it looks smoother and fresher. I have acne scarring which in some areas of my face have left very slight pits, and this helps to soften the appearance of these. I would say the coverage is sheer to medium, and quite buildable, but I still use a little concealer to cover blemishes. This foundation lasts really well throughout the day and I do not get as oily on my T-zone as I normally would. It seems to be keeping my skin well hydrated as well. Even when I wash this off my skin looks a bit more fresher and plump as well. The only negative is the price, but this does not put me off as I feel I get a skincare product as well as a foundation. Highly recommend.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Rouge Bunny Rouge - Gleaming Temptations Lipgloss - No Strings Attached
mc82 9/21/2009 4:52:00 PM
This brand is very new to the UK, having only launched this year. I bought this from when they had their 2 week launch in Selfridges, and I have been using this consistently since. It is now my favourite lipgloss. This gloss is not sticky at all, which made me think the staying power would not be so great, but it lasts rather well, it feels very smooth and hydrating rather then drying out the lips - very impressed with the formula. This colour is a beautiful peachy/pink with gold undertones, quite a glowy, pearly shimmer without glitter - it's hard to describe how gorgeous this is as I haven't found a colour quite like this. All the Rouge Bunny Rouge packaging is beautiful, with lovely illustrations on the tubes. This gloss comes in a tube with a sponge tip wand applicator. The only negative about this is the price - at £20 for 7ml, it is the most I have ever paid for a gloss. Despite this I would still repurchase as it is one of the best quality lipglosses I have ever come across.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -L'Oreal - De-maq'Expert Elixir Concentrate
mc82 9/6/2009 8:52:00 AM
I love cleansing oils for removing makeup but thought I would give it a try as I like the eye make-up remover in this range. This has a feel of a cleansing gel with a hint of a balm quality to it. It does emulsify when water is added but it doesn't give me that clean feeling you get with a cleansing oil. It doesn't effectively remove make-up either, and I still have to use a separate eye make-up remover. Irritates my eyes a bit too. Hate it.
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Treatments -Superdrug - Naturals Coconut&Sweet Almond Intensive Conditioner
mc82 8/25/2009 6:44:00 PM
This makes my hair soft and also gives a little shine and bounce, which I was quite impressed with since I only paid £1.89 (when it was on offer). I often don't bother using styling products afterwards. Comes in a huge pot that lasts ages and is cheap. Overall great drugstore buy.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Ren - No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm
mc82 8/23/2009 8:12:00 AM
I was really excited about this product as I love all the other Ren cleansers and had high hopes for this, but I found this just ok. It is a soft balm that is easily massaged into the skin and is supposed to emulsify to a rich milk and then can be rinsed off or wiped off with a damp cloth. I found that it only slightly emulsifies and that it is best taken off with a damp cloth as rinsing with water still leaves residue on the skin. With most good cleansing balms/oils you find that your skin is completely clean of makeup but not stripped, but with this I was still finding that it had not removed makeup off as thoroughly. I also found that it irritated my eyes. It has quite a strong rose scent which I quite like, and you only need a small amount so despite the price, I would imagine this lasts a good while. I was rather disappointed with this and therefore would not repurchase.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No