Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Stipple
mitzigaynor15 4/20/2013 5:46:00 PM
Best brush available in stores for the price IMHO. I have been using this with a new powder blush and it blends perfectly. I only need to use a small amount of product to get a nice amount of fresh color on my cheeks. This brush is so soft, too, compared to other inexpensive brushes. It feels like velvet on the skin. I will purchase at least one more of these to use with loose powder. I already own the yellow bristled brush that I use for creme blush or foundation. I am amazed at how reasonably priced and high quality e.l.f. products are across the board. LOVE!
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Polishes -Barry M - Nail Paint
mitzigaynor15 4/17/2013 10:57:00 AM
My only Barry M polish is Indigo but that is soon to change, This has become my go-to polish when I don't know what else to use to polish my nails. Indigo applies like a dream and wears like iron. I read some comments about Barry M. polishes not drying properly but I've never had a problem. Indigo could be a one coater but I prefer the look of two thin coats. I let the first coat dry for about 10 minutes before applying the second coat and then I immediately apply a quick dry top coat such as Orly In a Snap and I've had no problem with the polish staying wet. Another less expensive alternative is NYC Grand Central Station which is actually a clear quick dry polish but maybe nail experts use it as a quick dry top coat and it works beautifully, and the price point is fantastic. I will be looking to purchase a few more Barry M polishes for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. In my opinion, this is the best polish out there for the money.
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Lotions/ Creams -Bath and Body Works - True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Hand Cream
mitzigaynor15 3/28/2013 2:05:00 PM
I received a tube of this because a coworker purchased it and the scent of it gave her a migraine every time she tried to use it. I will agree this hand cream is strongly scented but it doesn't give me a headache, thankfully. Every time I use this hand creme at work, someone in the office makes a comment about the smell. It smells good but it's just too strongly scented. I love the silky feeling of this cream as it penetrates into the dry skin on my hands. It leaves my hands feeling soft and smooth but not greasy. The tube that I was gifted is about gone--I've squeezed the heck out of it. I'll even cut it open soon so that I get every little bit of this luscious cream out of the tube--it's that good. However, $10 is a bit too pricey for a 2.5 fl. oz. tube of hand cream. I doubt that I will be buying this in the future but I'd use it if someone gave it to me. Botton line: Nice scent but strong, provides good moisturization without feeling greasy and long lasting smoothing characteristics but it's too expensive for my budget.
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Dandelion
mitzigaynor15 3/28/2013 1:46:00 PM
I had been eyeing this blush for quite some time before I finally treated myself at Ulta. I think the price was around $22 but I believe I had a 20% coupon that they accepted for this product. I am so glad I finally purchased this blush after lusting after it for so long. I am fair and it give my cheeks just the right glow in the wintertime. I haven't used this with a little tan yet as I purchased this in December. I don't try to tan my face at all but I usually end up with a little color by mid to late summer in the northern midwest. I think this will work any time of year for me because it's just the right shade that it brightens up my face without being chalky or too glittery. I use the brush that came with the product because it is quite soft and it does the trick. I just apply a small amount to the apples of my cheeks and it gives me the perfect pop of color. I don't carry this with me too often because I wouldn't want it to get broken. I don't know how breakable it is but I don't want to risk having it crack. I like the design of the box, too. I doubt that I would ever use this up but I would consider buying this brand of blush in a different shade. They are so darn cute!
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Lips -mark - Pro Glimmer Hook Up Lip Powder
mitzigaynor15 3/28/2013 1:26:00 PM
I have these from when I sold mark and Avon products. This lip powder has its place in my makeup collection for times when I want a matte lip. It's supposed to feel powdery on the lip because it's a LIP POWDER. I use this over a lip balm or pot gloss that has some real substance to it so that the product has a good base to stick to. The powder has a doe-foot applicator similar to those in regular lip glosses but you use it differently to apply to the lip. I always tap the bottom of the container on a hard surface so that I don't dispense too much powder on the applicator when taking it out of the container, then I take the applicator and blot it along my lips, starting with my lower lip. I dip the applicator into the container if I need more product and then continue to blot over the entire lip area. After blotting the powder on, I use my pinkie finger to gently blot and the blend the product so that it looks even on the lip. It will have a slightly chalky feel because it is a powder and it is supposed to look matte with a slight shimmer. I love the look of this lip product but I don't use this very often. I prefer a more dewey, wet look to my lip. However, it looks really nice with a dramatic eye and a soft blush on the cheek. I hope I never run out of my pro shimmer lip powder because I love pulling these out every now and then when I want to achieve a special look.
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Lips -Neutrogena - MoistureSmooth Color Stick
mitzigaynor15 3/28/2013 1:09:00 PM
I purchased this product in the shade of Sweet Watermelon 30. When I saw these in the store, they reminded me of the Clinique Chubby Sticks that I have seen in magazines. I had a coupon plus 20% off my shopping visit at CVS, so I think the price was around $6.75. I like the fact that this lip stick doesn't need it's own sharpener--the product sharpens itself as you screw it up from the base. It's like a liner and color in one at the tip is sharp enough to line the lips first and then fill in the lips with the color. Even though most Neutrogena products are fragrance free, there is a hint of a fruity scent to this lip product that I kind refreshing. This shade goes on my lips a little lighter than the color on the stick and it has a bit of a shimmer. I talk all during my shift at work and this product stays on and doesn't bunch up in the corners of my mouth or get sticky. It wears very comfortably on the lip and feels very light. It's a great spring lip product, IMO. I will purchase one or two more of these babies to have in my collection because I adore the scent and the fresh feeling of this lip product. Winner!
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Extra Volume Collagen mascara
mitzigaynor15 3/26/2013 10:51:00 AM
This is one of the mascaras that I keep in my rotation. I am a makeup junkie and I never stay with just one brand. I rotate my mascara based on what kind of look I want to achieve, mood, etc. This mascara is very dense and can be gloppy when you start a new tube of it. The brush is very fluffy so a lot of product is dispensed on the brush when you pull it out of the tube. In order to avoid too much product, scrape the side of the wand on the inside when you are pulling the wand out and it gives you a clean side of the brush to work with. Turn the brush to dispense a good amount of mascara onto your lashes, then turn it again to comb through and acheive a non-clumpy look. This mascara takes a practiced hand and isn't ideal for someone new to applying mascara. I use this when I want to create a lot of volume and thickness on my lashes. If you are trying to achieve a lighter look, this one is not the best. This mascara wears well, does not flake off and removes easily with cleanser and water, and a bit of eye makeup remover afterwards. I always keep a tube of this around.
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Polishes -Avon - Nailwear Pro in Cherry Jubilee
mitzigaynor15 2/12/2013 2:32:00 PM
This is one of my favorite vampy shades this winter season, although I can see myself wearing this straight on through spring and summer. Avon Nailwear Pro + nail lacquer is the best polish you can buy dollar for dollar. It looks like high end, wears like iron and is quite inexpensive and fairly accessible. I remember when my mother sold Avon in the 70s, Avon was the first nail polish I ever used. It has always worn well and removes easily with acetone. I get seven or more days of wear with minor tip wear with this line across the board. Cherry Jubilee is a beautiful clear dark wine color that is a close dupe to OPI Skyfall. Avon's Tweed is close to this shade also but different enough that I own both. The shine you get with this polish is fantastic even before you add top coat. Avon's NP formula is not finicky as far as what treatments you use with it, although I prefer to use Avon's Smooth Beginnings base coat and Seche Vite Quick Dry TC. This shade looks fantastic with trendy top coats, as well. I pair this with Ninja Polish Sticks 'n' Stones for an artsy look. Get this polish!
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Lotions/ Creams -mark - Hand It Over Super Moisture Hand Cream
mitzigaynor15 11/20/2012 10:12:00 AM
This is a review for the Lemon Sugar hand cream. There are several new scents at this time: jasmine, plum and vanilla. I am partial to lemon scented or flavored products. I got this as a demo when I was a mark rep as I have always liked mark Talk To the Hand cream and thought this would be similar. This product is much greasier than Talk To the Hand, thus the "Super Moisture" tag line on the product. This may be best suited for nightime/bedtime use because of the greasiness but you'd miss out on the lovely fragrance while you are sleeping. I love the fragrance of the lemon sugar products in the mark line--body butter, body spray, etc. I prefer to use products at bedtime that have less fragrance. I put this hand cream on today at work and I answer phones and work at a computer. My hands feel like they need to be wiped off with a tissue even fifteen minutes after application. It did a good job of moisturising my cuticles and dry areas on my knuckles but I feel slippery. The scent is nice and light, not too much for the office. I might just use this for cuticle cream at work so that I can enjoy the fragrance and keep my Talk To the Hand (or other favs) for use before bed. mark's prices overall have gone up in the past year but their quality, being part of Avon, is top notch. As with most hand creams, a little goes a long way and this 1.5 fl. oz. tube will last me a long time as a traveler in my purse. I would not purchase this product again based on the greasiness and I have other hand treatments that I like better. The best quality of this product is the sweet lemon fragrance.
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Lotions/ Creams -Burt's Bees - Coconut Foot Creme
mitzigaynor15 11/7/2012 10:56:00 AM
I received a tube of this in a kit as a GWP. When I have some really dry, cracked areas on my heals this is the creme I use. A little bit of this very thick, effective creme goes a long way. It spreads and soaks in quickly with the warmth of your skin--think applying after a shower, then put on socks. You are left with highly moisturized skin and there is a greasy residue that will keep working for a time so you will want to cover the area with socks or get right in bed unless you want to pick up stuff off the floor. This creme also works well on elbows, knees or any excessively dry patches. The little tube I received is still going strong but if I run out, I will purchase some to have on my nightstand. This is a keeper.
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - cool as cucumber
mitzigaynor15 4/27/2012 8:43:00 PM
I have several Color Icon Trios and love them all which made me finally decide to buy this one. I'm not a big green eyeshadow fan but I loved the look of the plum color in this trio and it was on sale for approx. $2. All the other WnW shadows I've purchased over the past 18 months or so have been buttery soft, highly pigmented and wonderful to use. The green in this trio are 85% okay but the plum sucks. I have to scrape the applicator across it to get just a little color on it and it applies in patches on my lids. I am so disappointed in this trio. Boo! I hope this doesn't mean the quality of WnW is going down hill as I have fallen back in love with this old school brand. I would not purchase these shades again. I should have returned this but for $2 I'll keep it around to use the greens now and then.
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Polishes -Sinful - Sinful Nailpolish in Timbleberry
mitzigaynor15 1/21/2012 11:14:00 AM
First, I gave this an overall rating of 3 because Sinful Colors polishes have an odd consistency--they get gluey as you are applying to nails so you have to work fast but the payoff can be awesome if you can work with it. I love this color so I would buy it again--I need to get a backup because it's a very unique coral-red I haven't seen anywhere else. After reading some of the reviews below, it's obvious the color is dependent on your skin tone. I have a cool-pink tone and this looks lovely on me. It's bright but not neon and the perfect amount of pink-coral-red that makes it so unique. Love it! I hope SC will work on making their formula easier to work with. Overall, SC has a great range of colors and they are priced right.
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Polishes -OPI - Animalistic
mitzigaynor15 1/18/2012 2:00:00 PM
I was excited to hear about the Muppet collection from the start but this was a shade that I almost passed on. In the bottle it looks like any other orange-red with a shimmer and, honestly, not very special. I am so glad I bought this! This has a warm component to it, almost a golden shimmer, and looks orange-red with my skin tone. This whole line of polishes goes on like butter and this shade covered well in two thin coats. I used Orly Bonder as a base and Seche Vite as a top coat. This wore two days with no chips or tip wear whatsoever. Some may think this is an over the top red, even the name "Animalistic" gives it a wild character but I found it almost a neutral red on me. It is a very classic color which made it look not so garrish and just plain pretty on my shortish, squared off oval nails. After wearing two days I topped this with a glittery polish that sets it off a little more, giving it a bit more glitz with some bar glitter and scattered gold based microglitter. This formula is wearing like iron and I feel will stay until I remove it. Animalistic will stay in my monthly rotation as it is a gorgeous red and deserves to be used and admired. "Thumbs up" to OPI for making this collection! Addition: After I wore this beautiful polish, my nails were stained orange very badly despite using good strengthener and base coat, so two coats under the color... not a huge deal because I just painted them again but beware to those of you who don't always paint your nails. This highly pigmented polish will stain.
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Eye Shadow -New York Color - Individual Eyes Cusom Compact 939U Bryant Park
mitzigaynor15 1/18/2012 1:41:00 PM
I bought two of these a while back, this one for blue eyes, and the green one for my DD, although I use all kinds of colors and don't follow the little charts that often come with palettes these days. After I bought this, I used it a few times and it got swallowed up by my stash. I pulled it out the other day and used it this morning for the first time in months. I was immediately taken aback by how soft and pigmented the shadows are. I don't use the primer but I was looking at the illuminator in the quad and I think this would work well on its own as a highlighter but the packaging says it can "transform" the shade of E/S but it would only be by lightening it a bit as it is a pearly white cream. I don't like the shadow applicators that came with this palette but at least it offers enough sides for all four shades, easily remedied by using different brushes but I like to have my applicators "travel" with the E/S as I often apply my MU on the run. I like the silver and grey in this palette and the lavenders work well as accent colors. I don't think I would use the lavenders on my lids by themselves--too 70s. The colors are cool and flattering to my complexion and my blue eyes. There really isn't a good browbone (highlight) color--they are all too dark, unless you use the illuminator as a highlighter. I'd consider buying this again if I ran out of the greys but that is unlikely as I have lots of E/S in my stash and many similar to these colors. If you come across these eyeshadow collections, they're good quality for the price. The applicators are tiny and if you use primer you probably want to stick with your usual primer as the one in this collection is not real great. These are some pretty shades and overall a nice palette.
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Polishes -OPI - The Muppets Collection - Warm & Fozzie
mitzigaynor15 1/6/2012 2:42:00 PM
I am in love with several of the OPI Muppet Colllection nail polishes. This one comes in second, just behind Designer...de Better. This is such a beautiful, complex color when applied. It is warm, shimmery and beautiful. It was tiny pieces of microglitter in multicolors but it is not overly showy. The wear of this polish is on par with other OPIs in that, with a good base coat and top coat, it will stay on until you decide to take it off or your nails start to show growth. It's a versatile color and could be used as a base for one of the more glittery colors in the Muppet collection. However, I wouldn't waste this by covering it up as it is so gorgeous on its own. I will buy a duplicate and hope that I can continue to find this shade in the future. Winner!
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