Moisturizers -StriVectin - TL Tightening Neck Cream
mhanna 4/23/2013 12:19:00 AM
I have had very good results with this product. It does what it says it will do; it tightened up my neck and jaw line. I am quite impressed by the noticeable results. I was actually considering botox injections in my neck when i first started using this product; I no longer feel I need it. I have sensitive, reactive skin so i approached this with extreme caution. But i have had no negative reaction and I am on my second jar. I apply it both AM and PM but follow the AM with sunblock. I which it was in a tube instead of a jar and the jar is rather large, so it is not easy to travel with. I decant a small amount into a plastic pot when I travel. you do not need a lot of the product so the jar will last several months. I purchased mine from Macy's and it was $68 USD. It has a mild citrus-like scent but dissipates quickly upon application. I will continue to repurchase this product for as long as I continue to get these results. I recommend it.
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Lipstick -Too Faced - La Creme in Coral Fire
mhanna 2/25/2013 8:19:00 PM
I have this in Coral Fire (and also got one in Spice Spice Baby). I am surprised I have not heard more about these. I only looked up reviews after my purchase (which I know not to do). this come in a solid gold tube and the tube is slanted so it glides on to the lip easily. It has the feel of a balm but is much more opaque in color. The color is a coral-pink, but not too bright. Very work/day wear appropriate. What I really like about this lippie is that it is very moisturizing and it fades to a soft stain. I apply this from the tube, wait for about 15 min so that it is more of a stain, then top off with a gloss for more shine, but you can leave as a stain for less shine with color. Unlike other “stains” this stays moisturizing even when it dries down so you can still feel it on your lips. That soft moist stain stays on my lips for 2-3 hours, which is fine since I would rather reapply a moisturizing color then have a long lasting color that dries out my lips. I got mine for $21 USD from Ulta. I see that the below reviews mention a lemon-vanilla scent, it sounds lovely but I detect no scent.
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Foundations -Cover Girl - Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation
mhanna 2/12/2013 9:07:00 PM
This foundation did not work for me. I have mature skin that needs hydration and looks best with sheer to medium coverage that is dewy. This is NOT that. This is a full coverage foundation that dries matt. If you want full coverage foundation, this one does seem to fit the bill. It has a nice consistency, easy to apply with a foundation brush, and stayed on all day. Great easy to use pump in a light weight plastic bottle. I actually wish I could get away with wearing this foundation. But for me, this makes me look too “made up” and really ages me. So, this one did not work for me. I will not be repurchasing.
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Dressed to Kill
mhanna 2/12/2013 8:55:00 PM
I am a big fan of Nars l/s in general. I probably have most of them. In general, I find the formula to be comfortable and long lasting. I find them to be reasonably moisturizing but I have started to add a lip balm under the l/s when the weather is chilly. This l/s is no exception. Good quality lipstick that has no fragrance to my nose. On me, this color is a deep berry with gold flakes and it is opaque even on my pigmented lips. I do not get any coral undertones but the gold flakes do warm the color up a bit. The glitter does make the texture a bit gritty, very similar in texture to Nars Beautiful Liar l/s. I do not really care for the gold flakes (especially during office hours) but I do like the berry color, so I have been wearing this lippy with a cream (non-sparkly) l/g to tone down the glitter. While I do not care for the gold shimmer I do like that they do not travel all over your face, but stay on the lips. I like this color but will be keeping it for evening or wearing it with a gloss to tone it down. Due to its lack of versatility I will not be repurchasing this l/s.
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Liquid -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind The Lifter
mhanna 1/1/2013 8:10:00 PM
This is the new liquid foundation from Maybelline, I found the full display at Target so I thought I would give it a try. It is from the Age Rewind line which is targeted to older skin but also works well for dry skin. This comes in a pump, light weight, plastic bottle which I really like. It says that it is both a foundation and a primer in one. When you dispense one pump to your fingers it does feel more liquidly then the regular foundation. I like to blend the foundation between the tips of my fingers and then rub it on with my fingers. At first it went on with a white-grey cast that really scarred me. Then once it is worked into the skin it still seemed too "white" for a bit. The first time i used this i almost rinsed it off, but I like the Age Rewind concealer so much that i gave this a try. After I did the rest of my make up, the foundation had blended perfectly on my face. The color had adjusted to my face and matched even the skin on my neck. I picked "Medium Beige". There are about 15 colors to chose from but the color is very hard to see from the bottle, so try to get somewhere with testers. I did not use any primer but I did set with powder (Two Faced Primed and Poreless). But the real beauty of this foundation is that as it warms on my face (by the time I put on my powder) it adjusts to my skin and makes it look amazing. My skin has been so dry and flaky in this cold weather. but with this foundation my skin looks plump and, well, young. It feels light on my skin. I look dewy but not at all oily and it lasts all day. When i remove it at night, my wash cloth looks like I had just applied this foundation. So I know it did not go anywhere. I have only been using for a week so i will edit if i get any break outs, but it could not wait to write a review on this really great foundation. This is medium coverage and does not feel heavy on my face. I do still need concealer for under my eyes, (but that is always the case for me). I got mine for around $14 at Target. I would recommend and I will definitely repurchase. I took off one lippie for that weird cast when you first apply, but don't let that scare you. It is a great foundation.
13 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Color Stay Ultimate Suede Lipstick
mhanna 11/20/2012 2:13:00 PM
Revlon Colorstay “Ultimate Suede” l/s is the new l/s from Revlon. I have in the color Fashionista (#080). It comes in a tube with a clear top, the bottom of the tube is an accurate representation of the color. The clear plastic top pulls off and the color clicks up and is in a slanted/flat tip that applies like a lip balm. The color is opaque and has a satin finish. The first time I tried this I was really put off by the scent. It has a “sour” smell that I really did not like. It does not last, as soon as you apply the odor dissipates, but if you are sensitive to smell then this is a no-go. I first tried this directly on my lip. It goes on smooth and initially very comfortable. But then it got dry and tacky which I did not like. I was going to throw it away but I did give it another try b/c I really like the color (which I will get to in a moment.) So, the next time I first applied a matt lip balm (I like Nivea-Kiss of Recovery) before applying the color. That made a huge difference. The color goes on smooth but really does last a good 2-3 hours. It feels comfortable and does not fall apart if you add gloss on top. So, now for the color: Great burnt coral with a tiny bit of brown. It is a great fall color that I really love. I love to layer Revlon Sunset Peach l/g over it for the perfect combination. The combination just brightens my face and makes me feel good. I purchased at CVS for $8.95 but I use my CVS bucks so they are actually less. It looks like they had about 20 different colors and I am going to go back for a few more. I have my eyes on Cruise, Iconic, Supermodel…uhm, too many more to mention.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Amsterdam
mhanna 10/24/2012 4:19:00 PM
Nars Amsterdam Pure Matt Lipstick is one of the new Nars lip colors for fall. It is in that slim pencil package and is a twist up slanted flat top. I don’t think I have ever purchased a l/s that was “matt” but I loved this color so much that I gave it a try. The color is a garnet red that has brown undertones. It is not flat finish, as I expected it to be. It has a natural sheen to it that makes it very comfortable to wear. It goes one very pigmented and covers lips completely. But the best part is that it is not drying at all. Somehow it does not settle into the lines on my lips and does not look dull or flat. At the same time, it certainly wears like a matt; it lasts for several hours. I love the way this feels. This is a very comfortable day-time red. It cost $25.00 from Nordstrom.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Autumn Leaves
mhanna 8/24/2012 8:42:00 PM
I just picked this up today. It is a wonderful color for fall, but I will be wearing it year round. It is a sheer coral-brown-red with gold flakes. Autumn Leaves seem fairly pigmented even though it is in the “sheer” l/s group. By comparison, it is more opaque then Love Devotion (which is a more poppy coral sheer) and Outsider (which is more brown). When I first swatched it on my hand, it came up very orange with gold shimmer. But, when applied to my pigmented lips, it is a lovely, very wearable, coral-red with gold shimmer. It sounds bright, but it is a surprisingly office appropriate color. I am a big fan of Nars l/s and find them to be moisturizing and long wearing and this l/s is no exception. I got the l/s at Nordstoms for $24.00. This is a great new addition to their sheer l/s line. Love it.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Chanel - Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss
mhanna 3/6/2012 5:27:00 PM
Warning: These glosses are highly addictive. This is described by Chanel as “long wearing lip gloss”. I first purchased two shades in this line: Fatale-pigmented coral red, rich, smooth, creamy; and Insouciance-a beige nude but made wearable by a tiny hint of coral. I still need a darker lip liner with this one to avoid looking washed out. I loved these two so much that I just bought three more! I got Genie- a warm sheer coral; Imaginaire-a coral pink, also sheer but so lovely; and Emoi-an impulse buy, but is a pigmented berry color. This is a very dangerous, and expensive, habit. I am glad they have such a limited color range (only 9). I love them all. The Imaginaire and the Genie are much sheerer then I expected b/c my first two (Fatale and Insouciance) were very pigmented. But what they all have is an amazing smooth, comforting feel, not sticky, very hydrating, but not slippery or heavy. I think I am mostly addicted to the feel of these glosses. The colors are great and they do last a little longer than regular gloss, but I would not call them “long wearing”. I got mine at Bloomingdales and Nordstroms and they are each $32 USD (ouch). I hope these last a long time because I know that I will repurchase once I am out. I took one lippie off due to $$. But otherwise, it is an amazing gloss.
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Lips -Chanel - Rouge Allure Laque - Dynastie 74
mhanna 1/27/2012 5:29:00 PM
Dynastie works really well on my warm skin tone. It is a pinky/brown on the wand, but what makes it special is the coral undertone that really comes to life with my tan/olive skin. Because it is a liquid l/s, it is opaque and covers my pigmented lips well. The formula is smooth and creamy, not sticky. It stays put on my lips and does not bleed. It feels very moisturizing. This color is a very wearable as you can pull more pink or coral depending on what you are wearing and the rest of your make-up; so, that makes this color go-to everyday lip. All the raves about the formula by other reviewers are true. But what I love about this product is the color. Great, easy to wear, brightens my face, but not inappropriate for work and just “comfortable”. Love it. I got mine at Bloomingdales for $32 USD.
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Lip Treatments -C.O. Bigelow - My Favorite Night Balm
mhanna 1/14/2012 10:43:00 AM
I picked this up at BBW about 2 weeks ago. The packaging and the product look and feel like the Jack Black lip balm, which has been my HG for a long time. The differences between this and the JB is that this one has no scent at all (JB has a mild fruity smell) and no taste. This product does have this weird effect for me, if i lick my lips, my tongue tingles; it is not unpleasant but just odd. There is no tingling or any sensation on my lips. It just feels like a slightly thicker vaseline but with no "slippage" and no stickiness. I put this on before bedtime and I like the comforting feel of the balm. After 2 weeks I have found this product does work to keep your lips more hydrated during the day and my lips do look and feel more plump with less lines. When I wake up I can still feel the hydration on my lips and my lips feel plump. During the day, I am actually aware that my lips feel full. I really like this product. It does not have an SPF like JB so I would not use during the day, but i normally do not wear l/s and or l/g during day, so this is not a negative for me. The cost is also comparable to JB ($7.50). Like JB, the product is in a little blue tube so, you can squeeze out a small amount and rub on your lips (I prefer to rub it in with my finger instead of the applicator tip but the tip is angled so you can apply directly from the tube if you prefer). This product works and I definitely recommend it. I have already purchased back-up and will be repurchasing.
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Lipstick -MAC - Hot Tahiti Lipstick
mhanna 1/10/2012 5:20:00 PM
I am so sick and tired of all the “tinted lip balms” that are being put out by every MU line, with the color so sheer that you barely see anything at all and it wears off in about 10 seconds. Nope, I want color! So, in anticipation of Spring, I went out and purchased this l/s. Hot Tahiti-even the name is fun! I see this being referred to as having a “blue” undertone, but I am olive/tan with warm undertone and this l/s works for me. I love that it is bright without being garish. It totally brightens my face but somehow still looks “neutral”. Don’t get me wrong, it is bright, and it is opaque. But, it still looks professional enough for work. On me it is pinky-fuchsia (or bright raspberry)color (not red at all) and I think a perfect color for Spring. It is a Luster formula, so it goes on a bit shinny, not matt, so it is easier to wear, and (if you must wear a sheer color) it is easy to sheer out with your finger. One lippie off b/c, as with all Mac l/s, this can be drying. Overall, I am very happy with this l/s.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Pixi - illuminating tint & conceal
mhanna 12/19/2011 8:13:00 PM
This has been my HG foundation for over a year, but a few months ago I started using it exclusively. I like it better then all the high-end dept store foundations and the very popular drug store brands as well. This works best if you have good skin and just want to even it out without heavy cover-up. The coverage is “sheer-medium”. The finish is dewy but I use powder to set it, so less shiny on me then other reviews have mentioned (I use Too Faced Primed and Poreless to set and it is perfect). I love that it looks fresh all day. To add to all the other raves about this product, it is perfect for business women who travel. It comes in a wonderful little tube (so no glass or pump). I apply a small pea size to my face directly with my fingers, so no brush or any mess with application. I do use the concealer in the cap, but not under my eyes as I find it cakey-so I use it to cover redness around my nose. I have had no issues with break outs or sensitivity. I can only find it at Target (its $30 USD, so not cheap) and it has become difficult to find since word has gotten out about how great this is. Whenever I find it I get two tubes. Not a huge color selection (I think only 4 shades). I use the darkest and it works well on my tan/olive skin, but the coverage is sheer enough that I think the shades can work with a wide variety of skin tones. The coverage really works for more “ahem” mature skin like mine. It does not settle into lines and does not make you look all haggard at the end of the day. I love the fact that it has 20 SPF! It claims to have ingredients to actually improve your skin. I am not sure if that is true, but I love it all the same. I definitely recommend this produce.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Rimmel - Stay Glossy
mhanna 10/15/2011 3:27:00 PM
I just found this new gloss by Rimmel at Target. Not sure if they are new or if I just never saw them before. The tube is super pretty, looks more like high end brand, but cost was $2.49. It is a "6 hour gloss." The price was right so i got it in three colors: Captivate Me- a dark wine in the tube but goes on sheer mauvey pink. Perfect for a bit of darker color for fall but looks so natural; Always Lovely-frosty bright pink in tube but goes on so amazing sheer pink. so perfect for everything. And, my new favorite, All Day Seduction-looks dusty coral in the tube goes on as an understated super glossy nude peach. Amazing. The applicator is the slightly flattened doe foot applicator so there is enough on each side for both the top and bottom lip without re-inserting the wand. I am freaking out about how much I love these shades. None of them went on frosty at all. All three are soft, sheer color. the Seduction has been on for two hours now. Still looks shiny, my lips look full, not dry at all. Not sticky (on a scale of 1-5 with Mac a 5 these are a 2). I do not detect any smell or taste at all (which is perfect for me). I believe they had nine colors total, but I could be wrong. I am going back to check out the other colors and buy a back up for Seduction. This is one of the best glosses I have ever tried. I am beyond impressed and would highly recommend.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -NARS - Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Hopi
mhanna 8/19/2011 7:28:00 PM
Hopi is one of the colors from the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil collection. It is glossy, not matt. It goes on as a slightly frosty pale peach-beige. I have pigmented lips but it still has enough coverage to give a very sexy beige lip look without washing me out. I love that it makes my lips look a bit fuller and, well, sexy. It stays on quite well (2-3 hours) but is slightly sticky, which I do not mind but some may. I do not detect any scent or taste. I think it looks great for tan, olive and darker skin tones.
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