Makeup Brushes -Coastal Scents - 22 brush peice brush set
neurosciguy 3/20/2013 5:49:00 AM
Absolutely the best brushes out there for the price. Got this half off for a total of 25 bucks, tax and shipping included. Do their job perfectly, no shedding, easy to work with- they're even better than some higher-end ones I have. As a MUA I find myself using almost all of them (I'm ultra picky about face brushes, so I use other ones for that), and am very satisfied with their performance. I've also washed nearly all of them multiple times and not a single hair was shed- not sure what was with all the people complaining about it. It even comes in a neat little case which I use a lot. Overall a great buy.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Botox
neurosciguy 2/5/2013 2:24:00 AM
People use this BECAUSE IT WORKS. Ladies, I'm a neuroscience major and I can tell you exactly how this works and why it is HANDS DOWN the single best investment you can make in preventing wrinkles. Wrinkles are caused primarily by simply moving your face. Every time you frown, you cause forehead wrinkles. When you smiles, you get those loverly little crows feet creasing. Over time these creasings become permanently indented into the skin simply because of this repeated folding. Now, in order for your muscles to move (to cause the wrinkles) a particular neurotransmitter called acetylcholine is fired- this MUST be received by its counterpart in the body for muscles to fire. Botox works as a competitive antagonist, which means it occupies the receptors where acetylcholine would normally land, so it just goes right back to where it came from. No ACh reception, no muscle firing, no wrinkles forming. You may have noticed I said "forming." That's because that's really what this is best for; as a preventative treatment. While it may soften very very thin wrinkles if you're in your 20's by simply taughtening the skin a bit, it WILL NOT eliminate deep-set wrinkles. Sorry, but the only way to really get rid of them permanently at that point is to go under the knife. I've had it for about a month and a half in my crow's feet area (they looked like crow's feet of an ever-smiling 35-year-old, and I'm only 21) and I saw a friend who's beauty-conscious like me and he instantly noticed that they were GONE. I didn't even mention anything to him. Topicals like creams and serums are good but they simply can't replicate the effect of something injected into the skin and anyone selling you a product claiming that it does is a LIAR or CHARLATAN. The "frozen face" thing is something out of the movies, your face won't really get stuck like that. Also I advise going to an ACTUAL doctor and doing your homework; having stuff put under your skin with a needle is not something you want to find to cheapest person for. Hope this helps!
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Other -Unlisted Brand - Phisohex Antibacterial Skin Wash
neurosciguy 1/29/2013 2:31:00 AM
THIS IS THE SHIT. I suffered the worst skin you can possibly imagine for over a decade, tried everything OTC, prescription, you name. Proactive did jack shit. Acutane helped but it still didn't go away.... then I saw a different dermatologist who scribed me this and OH MY GOD. I wanna buy 100 in case it ever goes off the market. Will combat the worst acne, though as such it can leave skin kinda dry, but nothing a simple moisturizer can't handle. This is NOT for the everyday casual user, this is for people who have real problems with their skin. I love it because you get a TON for like 22 bucks- it lasts me almost half a year. Helps that you only need a tiny bit. Will repurchase until I die or until it stops production.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman - lash-brow groomer
neurosciguy 1/25/2013 5:00:00 PM
I mostly just bought this for the metal part for my lashes, and works wonderfully. The bit for the brows I skip on, since I prefer a spooley.
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Liquid -Burberry - Velvet Foundation
neurosciguy 1/12/2013 3:19:00 AM
Man, I really wanted to like this foundation. It goes on very smooth, and honestly I LOOOOOVE the smell omg- I normally hate fragrances in foundations with a passion, but this smells heavenly, like angel jizz. Every time I breathe in I just get happy thoughts. But anyway. Unfortunately I really don't have anything else good to say about it. It doesn't last too long and kinda cakes up after about 3-4 hours, even with a primer/setting spray. It also REALLY needs to set as it goes on quite light before it really darkens, which can make it pretty tricky to work with and purchase. I really like something with a glow but for now I'll stick with my photogenic luminescence from Lancome. A sad skip.
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Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 [DISCONTINUED]
neurosciguy 1/12/2013 3:15:00 AM
Nothing too special. Decent coverage I guess, but it just cakes up no matter the primer or setting spray or moisturizer... but the worst IS THE SMELL. OH GOD THE SMELL. For me it's just bothersome, but people who are sensitive to fragrances will probably get headaches- it's that bad. Pass.
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Liquid -Lancome - Photogenic Lumessence Light Mastering & Line-Smoothing Makeup
neurosciguy 1/12/2013 3:12:00 AM
MY NEW HG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhh ok so I'm a guy and I'm insaaaaaaanely picky about stuff really looking like skin- and this really does! I'm combo/oily in my t-zone and like a foundation with a bit of a glow, and boy this does the trick! Medium/buildable coverage, so not something if you have atrocious skin but for the average person it should cover well, using a concealer as needed. Personally I don't mind the spf; 15 never really gives me problems in photos. This looks especially good when worn with Laura Mercier foundation primer (original) and set with Reel Creations setting spray. I use the Sigma F80 to apply this and it looks great. Weartime is decent, maybe around 8 hours or so, though that's with a primer and setting spray. A wonderful foundation, especially for winter when we need something a bit luminous.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -NYX - Full Coverage Concealer Jar
neurosciguy 10/7/2012 1:47:00 AM
LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!! This is a bit like Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in that it's meant to be used on the face for problem areas, not under the eyes! I use this to cover anything my foundation can't deal with and it's great, lasts all day, doesn't move, and super cheap. No complaints here and will DEFINITELY be repurchasing.
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Liquid -MAC - Pro Longwear Foundation
neurosciguy 9/16/2012 4:54:00 PM
I have combo-oily skin with the odd zit here and there. First off let me say that- going on at least- this is the most natural foundation I've ever used. It really looks like skin, not too shiny, not too matte, but just right. It's also easy to blend with my sigma f80 and I'd say the coverage is straight medium. I still need something like my nyx concealer in a jar for the bad stuff, so this may not be great for people with really bad skin, though I think you can build it to more than I do- I'm just always paranoid about doing that. I use three pumps for my whole face and going down onto the neck. It dries to quite a nice semi-matte finish so it really has the appearance of skin, though I put a little strobe on liquid the cheeks and temples. The only thing is after several hours if you get closer than a foot or so.... the effect just goes away; it can look cakey and flat, but only at that distance. It's just so weird. This even after loading up on moisturizer, and it even happens on the bits with the strobe liquid, and a setting spray and primer underneath. So weird. Other than that, it looks quite good. Doesn't oxidize, doesn't slide, lasts all day. Mac says this is transfer-resistant. Haha, if they say so. Maybe just a little. I still really like it though and I'll likely repurchase
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Makeup Brushes -Sigma - F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki (was SS197)
neurosciguy 9/16/2012 4:37:00 PM
Love this brush! Makes my foundation go on so well and leaves a beautiful airbrushed effect. Use to use a stippling brush for my liquid foundations (which I still prefer for powder) but for my Studio fix fluid or Pro Longwear this is my go-to. Bristles are really dense and I like that because I know it's actually moving the product around. The only downside is that it takes a couple days to dry because it's so darn thick, but it's worth it.
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Highlighters -MAC - strobe liquid
neurosciguy 9/16/2012 4:23:00 PM
Mac's hidden gem!! I love mixing this with my foundation and going over my cheeks, chin, and little on the top lip. By doing that and leaving the other places relatively matte it creates a subtle contouring effect, and my skin looks soooooooooo luminous, not shiny or oily but really just "lit from within." I'll continue to use this over any other highlighter because it's also loaded with green tea extracts and antioxidants that are really good for the skin. It just wish it wasn't so pricey, but I managed to get two on ebay for 35 bucks, was a great deal.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Removal -Gigi - All Purpose Honee Microwave Formula Wax Kit
neurosciguy 9/4/2012 8:20:00 PM
Tried to wax my face with this- terrible. Hurt unbelievably, which I wouldn't have minded so much except for the fact that at best it would take half the hairs off, but usually leave them all there. I bled quite a bit too. Also I just washed my face FIVE TIMES and used the wax remover lotion stuff, and I STILL have this crap on my face. Threw this POS out.
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
neurosciguy 6/25/2012 12:08:00 AM
My HG foundation!!!! I am in loooooooooove with this product after using it for a month, looks so natural, really good coverage (one of the few times I agree with a claim that something is "full" coverage; covers my acne like nothing else). I'm a guy and my standards for looking like natural good skin are higher than most, and I love this stuff. It can look a bit too dewey/shiny, but if you set with some powder like studio fix or MSF you'll be good. It also incredibly transfer resistant; if I put a little swatch on my palm in the morning and let it sit for more than a few minutes I have to use makeup remover to get that it off- soap and water won't make it BUDGE. really impressive. A word about all the breakouts- two things, THIS HAS A LOT OF SILICONE. Silicone has a tendency to clog pores than most other ingredients at the benefit of going on and spreading very smooth; some people are just more sensitive to it and thus get breakouts. Also, some people can actually be flat-out allergic to silicone and not know it; they put this on their face and they'll get nothing but problems, so get a sample before you but it. My favorite way to apply this is actually with my fingers, then buff it out with a stippling brush (I use Sephora #44 but the MAC 190 should work just as well). Personally I'm not a fan of sponges but the people who do use them for this seem to really like it. I urge you to look past the reviews about the breakouts for the reasons I mentioned and give this a shot if it's in your shade range (yeah, it's a bit limited). Will repurchase again and again and again. I get a lot of compliments on my skin when I wear this.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -MAC - Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
neurosciguy 5/19/2012 2:51:00 AM
Really solid foundation, not amazing but it definitely gets the job done. MAC describes this as a full coverage foundation, but I'd say it's medium at best. I like to apply this with a stippling brush over a regular liquid foundation, then take the mineralize skinfinish over at the end, which takes away the matte effect and leaves a healthy glow.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Sephora - Professional Platinum Stippling brush #44
neurosciguy 5/18/2012 11:58:00 PM
LOOOOOVE THIS BRUSH!!! I use this for applying my MAC studio fix foundation and buffing out anything liquid or creamy, and the finish is AMAZING. You can also tell it's high quality; it rarely sheds and the bristles are easy to clean. It's definitely on the expensive side (Sephora always is), but it's totally worth it.
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