Eyeliner -Maybelline - master drama eyeliner
mondrew 7/8/2011 2:37:00 PM
I bought this in Vibrant Violet. The color is great. That's about all this eyeliner has going for it. It doesn't work on inner rims (the picture on the packaging is seriously misleading). When I tried to twist it up, nothing happened but after about twisting it about 20-30 times, some liner finally came up but would not go back down after I had used it. This is the second time I have had this problem with a Maybelline twist-up eyeliner and I will not be purchasing any eyeliners from them again. Other reviewers have mentioned this problem with the twist-up tube, it seems to me that this is a design defect rather than just a few random dodgy products. Thanks Maybelline for wasting my money - again.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Alpha Hydrox - 10% Enhanced Cream
mondrew 6/15/2011 4:57:00 PM
This moisturizer is great. It feels a bit prickly/itchy when i first apply it, but that only lasts a minute or two. It is a bit too strong for my neck and decolletage so I mix it half-half with my CVS moisturzing lotion. I am also using the Foaming Cleanser. When I started using it, I broke out pretty badly with regular and cystic acne which lasted for about 3-4 weeks, but then it cleared up and hasn't come back. I figured that since this product has exfoliating properties, of course any pimples that were beginning to from under the surface of the skin would emerge sooner and all within a short period of time. As others have said, a little goes a long way. This cream may not be moisturizing enough for me in the winter but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Also, it's the cheapest AHA product I have found.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Fusion
mondrew 6/15/2011 4:48:00 PM
This is one of the worst mascaras I have ever used. It does nothing to volumise my lashes (my lashes are already long), it just makes them look spindly no matter how many coats I apply. I bought it in brown which is still quite a dark brown, I was hoping for something a little lighter. The brush is stupid, I have found that any mascara wand with those rubber-type bristles are useless on my eyelashes. Also, the bristles are just too short to do much. For me, a complete waste of money.
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Powder -Laura Mercier - Mineral Powder SPF 15
mondrew 6/15/2011 4:39:00 PM
This powder gives me a natural look. It doesn't provide much coverage, it just kind of evens out your skin tone which for me is enough for an everyday makeup. On me, it looks luminous but flash photography makes it look shiny. The shade I am using is Tender Rose which I think will be too dark in the winter. It is quick and easy to apply, but it would be good if the jar was a little deeper so that when I swirl a brush in it, no powder spills over the edge. I have been using it every day for about 3 months and there is still heaps left in the jar. I suspect it may oxidise a little but can't be sure, if it does the colour still looks OK on me. The twisty opener (for want of a better term) on the inside of the jar is kind of annoying and makes it tricky to get product evenly onto the brush. Will buy again though.
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Treatments -Neutrogena - Ageless Intensives Tone Correcting Moisture SPF 30
mondrew 6/15/2011 4:29:00 PM
This moisturizer corrodes plastic. I put some into one of those tiny plastic travel jars when I went away for a weekend, and when I finished what was in the jar, the jar had a rough texture to it and looked like frosted glass - not clear plastic as before. Probably why it is packaged in glass. However, this was not enough to put me off using this product. I know it should be, but it isn't. This is the best moisturizer with a high SPF that I have ever used. It doesn't leave a white/grey cast on my face. About 15 minutes after application, it has absorbed into my skin, leaving it non-greasy. It does still look a little shiny but I just dust a little powder over the top. It doesn't ball up when I apply it, and unlike the tinted version it doesn't irritate my skin. I can apply makeup over it without worrying that it will just slide off like so many other greasy moisturizers with SPF that I have used. I do not like the packaging. The pump dispenser is great, but it is impossible to get the last bit out and considering that I'm paying about $18 for a tiny bottle, I want to be able to use all of it. When no more comes out of the pump, I store it upside down and can usually get some more out if I remove the pump and use Q-tips, but this is time-consuming and annoying. I also wish it came in a bigger bottle - I apply to my face, all around my neck and on my decolletage and one bottle lasts maybe 3-4 weeks. I don't know how well this product corrects the tone of your skin as I don't have a problem in that area so sorry, I'm no help in that regard. I will keep purchasing this product unless I happen to find something better.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Neutrogena - Ageless Intensives Tone Correcting Tinted Moisturizer SPF30
mondrew 6/15/2011 4:14:00 PM
To dark and orange for my skin. Unlike the untinted version which I have been using for a few months, this one really irritated my skin, a kind of burning sensation. Exchanged it for the untinted one.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Miracle Skin Transformer SPF20
mondrew 12/1/2010 12:12:00 PM
I bought this as I wanted a (reasonably) natural tinted moisturizer with an SPF. Overall, it is an okay product. The texture is smooth and light, it doesn’t feel like I have anything on my skin. The color match for me is pretty good. My skin was only slightly dry the first time I applied it but the cream emphasized the dryness and made my skin look flaky. However, it was only really visible close up and improved after exfoliation. Then my skin looked very smooth and had a bit of an airbrushed appearance. Up close to the mirror I could see it on my skin but from about 2 feet away it looked very natural. I have to use my regular moisturizer in addition to this cream as it doesn't moisturize very well. I would advise waiting for 15-20 minutes after applying moisturizer, to apply this cream. The website says you can build up your level of coverage. I did not find this to be the case at all. After I applied the one thin layer of product, I tried applying more on the dark circles under my eyes but the product would just not stay on/stick to itself, even if I waited an hour or so after the first application. If I tried to dab it on rather than smooth it on, it just looked like one of those bad sponged-on shabby-chic paint jobs. It reduced the appearance of my dark circles but only the tiniest bit – they still looked very dark. I needed to use a concealer under my eyes as well. It definitely covered the red areas on the sides of my nose but it isn’t so effective on pimples unless they are not too inflamed. Also, if you use a napkin, blow your nose, scratch/rub your skin, it will come off. This product has some positive attributes but is not worth the $48 price tag. I will finish the tube I have, but won’t buy it again. I’d rather look for a good BB cream.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Almay - Almay Pure Blends Mineral Makeup
mondrew 12/1/2010 11:36:00 AM
If this foundation had a wider range of shades I would try it again, but the only shade that was pale enough for me gave my skin a greyish tone. The good things about this foundation are that it covers blemishes well without looking as though you've got makeup piled on your face, and basically made my skin look flawless (just the wrong color!).
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Scrubs -St.Tropez - St Tropez body polish
mondrew 12/1/2010 11:27:00 AM
The tiny particles in this exfoliant are gentle on my skin. I like the fragrance. Price is a little steep but would buy again.
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Shampoo -Kiss My Face - Miss Treated Shampoo
mondrew 12/1/2010 11:21:00 AM
This shampoo doesn't leave my hair feeling all dry and rough after I've rinsed it out, unlike regular shampoos. It leaves my hair looking healthy and shiny, but then the condition of my hair wasn't too bad anyway, just in need of a trim and a bit dry. It is expensive, but I guess that makes me more concious of how much I'm using and I've found that I tend to use less than other shampoos and it is still enough for my long hair. The smell is okay, but as with most natural products has the smell of who knows how many essential oils/herbs which I am getting a bit bored with. I would buy it again, but I would like to try some other natural shampoos first.
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Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Lucas' Papaw Ointment
mondrew 12/1/2010 11:12:00 AM
I love this as a lip balm, but I wish there was a version containing sunscreen! I usually apply the Badger Balm SPF15 lip balm over the top when I go outside. It would also help if the tube had a flip lid, I have lost count of the number of times I've dropped the lid. This ointment leaves my lips soft and moisturized. I also occasionally use it on cuts, scrapes etc but have lately taken to using honey instead. Funny how it doesn't say anything on the tube about using it as a lip balm, but this is definitely my favourite lip balm! This is also excellent for babies' nappy rash, the tubs are good for at home and a tube for the nappy bag.
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Lips -Bourjois - Rouge Hi-Tech Water-based liptint [DISCONTINUED]
mondrew 11/29/2010 10:37:00 AM
I like this lip tint but I bought the wrong colour - it's just too bright for me. I don't like how you just pull the applicator out of the jar, I would prefer if it screwed in. I would buy again, if I can figrue out which color suits me!
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Lotions/ Creams -L'Occitane - 20% Shea Butter Hand Cream
mondrew 11/29/2010 10:31:00 AM
This is super-moisturizing and it smells great. Would definitely buy again. I tend to use this more as a treatment than an everyday moisturizer as it is too greasy to keep applying all the time and be able to, say, turn a doorknob, open a jar..... not practical. I usually just apply it before bed. Expensive, but worth it as for me it lasts a while and it makes my hands look so soft. Difficult to get the last bit of product out of the metal tube, although the packaging does look good.
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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Mascara
mondrew 11/29/2010 10:23:00 AM
This is my HG mascara for a dramatic look. It makes my lashes look thicker and longer. It doesn't clump my lashes. I love the smell, the packaging, the gigantic brush.... The only thing I don't love is that it dries out quite quickly so I have to replace it before I have even finished the tube. Given that I don't have occasion to use it very often, I only get a few uses out of it before it needs replacing (otherwise I would have given it a 5). But it's just so amazing in every other way that to me it's worth it.
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Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Invisible Zinc - Tinted Daywear in Light
mondrew 11/29/2010 10:16:00 AM
This shade is still too dark for my pale skin so I mix it with a little bit of normal/untinted sunscreen. Unfortunately this dilutes the coverage (color-wise) so I would love it if there was an even lighter shade. I like this sunscreen, but I would like it more if it was more matte/less sticky (although in saying that, it isn't terribly greasy - I have used much worse). The smell bothered me when I started using it but now I don't notice it.
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