Tinted Moisturizer -Wet 'n' Wild - Ultimate Sheer Tinted Moisturizer - Buff
nn21pika 11/13/2011 7:33:00 PM
I have mixed feelings about this product, which is a shame because I really wanted to like it. I saw all the good reviews, liked the price, and generally have good experience with WnW, so I thought I'd give it a try. I have it in Natural and Buff (the latter suiting me better). First off, with pros: good coverage, very inexpensive price, easy to use. It dries just a smidge more quickly than my CG Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer, so I find myself working on one area of the face at a time, but nothing to fret about. However, the con is that I find this does not stand up to water/sweat at all. One time while talking on the phone in hot weather, the sweat just melted the makeup off my face and onto my phone! (sorry to be gross) Same thing happened when I got wet in the rain. Just to test it out one more time before making a final verdict, I applied some to the back of my hand, and it looked great. But I added a couple drops of water, and saw it turn milky white and just drip off my and.. =/ I dunno if this is expecting too much, because it doesn't claim to be waterproof/sweatproof at all, but I don't have this issue with my CG tinted moisturizer. That's why this product is unfortunately a no-go for me. =/
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -E.L.F. - Studio Golden Bronzer
nn21pika 9/22/2011 4:37:00 PM
I agree with other reviewers here who say this is more of a highlighter than a bronzer. In the beginning, I was disappointed with this because I used it as a bronzer and thought it barely showed up on my skin. I went several months without using it until I got the idea from a youtube beauty guru to swirl my brush and use it as a wash of color over the eyes. Now I do that on days I'm not too particular about my eye makeup. It just brightens my eyes without being any obvious color. I also use it as a highlighter. I'm around NC25, so it brings a nice subtle sheen to the skin. I probably won't repurchase this simply because it comes in a huge pan (0.4 oz), and for the purposes that I use it, I'll likely never run out. But for $3, I definitely recommend people to give it a try. :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Physicians Formula - Mineral Wear Talc-Free Blush in Blushing Glow
nn21pika 6/5/2011 7:39:00 PM
Great natural-looking blush on my NC25 skin. I'll admit that I usually find Physicians Formula a liiitttle pricey for drugstore makeup, but this was a steal when I got it on clearance. (And I guess it's worth it if people care that it's talc-free.) It's very pigmented, so just a tap is enough. Very smooth and blendable, lasts all day. This is my go-to color when I want a natural "glow", so the name is very appropriate, hehe.. My only gripes are the price and packaging: Personally, I can't justify the retail price because I know there are other pigmented drugstore blushes for much less, but I say go for it if it's on sale. And it includes a brush underneath the pan (hence the case being a little bulky), but I use my own brush anyways. It's still a good, sturdy case though--I just wouldn't include the brush.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -E.L.F. - Mechanical Eyelash Curler
nn21pika 6/5/2011 7:20:00 PM
Good, inexpensive lash curler. At first, I agreed with a previous review that the spring is unnecessary as it requires just a bit more effort to use. (Even my boyfriend fiddled with it and another curler I had, and he didn't get why they added a spring.) But I've gotten used to it, and if anything, I think it prevents me from crimping my lashes. It just has a nice, natural curl now. :) I agree that it's difficult for me to get to the base of my lashes, which is my reason for only giving it a 4. (I've been able to do that with my other curler.) But I still like this over my previous curler because it seems a bit more "sturdy" and I'm not as afraid to carry it around when traveling. I've already re-purchased because you just can't beat the $1 price for such a good, basic makeup tool. :)
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Moisturizers -Trader Joe's - Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion
nn21pika 6/5/2011 7:07:00 PM
Great, inexpensive facial moisturizer with SPF. Of course, I'd prefer more SPF if possible, but 15 is good enough for everyday use at the office. It's $4 every day at Trader Joe's for 4 oz., and that's cheaper than any other facial moisturizer with SPF 15 that I've seen, even on sale. I even got my guy friend hooked on this stuff cuz it's a good, cheap, basic moisturizer with hardly any scent. NOT greasy at all and dries pretty quickly, which I appreciate because I can apply my makeup on right after without having to wait long. Only thing I would like differently is the packaging, because I prefer using a pump. But that's fine, I just re-use the pump from my previous facial moisturizer. Love this stuff, have already re-purchased, and definitely plan to again. I just hope Trader Joe's doesn't discontinue this for whatever reason. :D Thanks for reading, hope my review helped! :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Sally Girl - Onyx
nn21pika 4/1/2011 2:57:00 AM
Bought this when I was a total noob at makeup (just slightly more experienced now, hehe). Tried using it to line my eyes, but that didn't really work it because it's true, it's not super pigmented. But I guess that actually helps cuz now I use it every day to fill in my eyebrows! I'm asian with blackish/dark brown hair, and I was never crazy about having black hair and a warm-toned brown eyebrows. o_O So I use this with a stiff, angled liner brush and fill in my brows. Totally matches my hair.. And since it's not super pigmented, it doesn't give me dark black eyebrows--it just helps fill in the sparse parts. For this purpose, I would definitely purchase again. But as a shadow for the eyes, I wouldn't really recommend it.
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Blush -Wet 'n' Wild - Ultimate Minerals Loose Blush
nn21pika 5/23/2010 4:56:00 AM
I decided to get this because I read the good reviews here, and I have to agree, this is a great blush! I have one in Purely Mauve. It's true, it's pigmented and you hardly need any, so this little jar should last anyone a while. I've had mine for several months, and granted, I don't use it EVERY day, but I've used it several times, and it still looks like I barely made a dent in it. I like that it doesn't have shimmer (a matte blush every now and then is good). I actually really like the packaging cuz I've figured out the best way for me to use this blush. It has a little plastic seal kinda thing inside the cap, so you don't have to worry about any spillage if you toss it in a bag (I wish my loose powder was like this!). I just open this plastic seal and tap however much I need into the gray cap, and then I dip my flat-top brush in the cap. Sound simple enough, but it appears some people don't like this packaging, so I just wanted to voice that I actually like it very much. Even at full price, this blush is pretty inexpensive for the amount you get (since you don't need much). However, I got mine at a 40% off sale at Rite Aid, so it was EVEN cheaper. I would totally repurchase this blush, and I highly recommend it to anyone, especially at such an inexpensive price, it's worth trying! =)
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Cover Girl - CG Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer in Light to Medium
nn21pika 5/23/2010 4:43:00 AM
Great simple, inexpensive tinted moisturizer. I forget the price, but I got it during a BOGO Free sale at Rite Aid. I was looking for a basic tinted moisturizer because I (luckily) have pretty decent skin (just lotsa freckles, hehe), so I wasn't looking for something with heavy coverage. I was also fairly new to makeup when I got this, so it worked out perfect that this is SO smooth and easy to blend. I wouldn't have known what to do if it was super thick and difficult to blend or whatever. Coverage is pretty sheer, but it evens out your skin tone. I really like the texture of this--as I said it's really smooth, but it's also not greasy feeling at all (like other moisturizers I've used), so it almost feels like a light foundation, and I even set it with the Cover Girl loose powder after I've applied this. I've been using this well over a year and have not broken out at all (I don't have sensitive skin, however.) Overall, a great basic tinted moisturizer with a bonus SPF 15. I would definitely recommend and repurchase. =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NYX - Taupe
nn21pika 5/23/2010 4:29:00 AM
Can't say much that hasn't already been said about this great product! Haha.. I decided to try this out as a contouring powder after watching a youtube guru use it, and I'm glad I did. It's honestly so good, I almost don't even want to bother trying out another contouring powder because I'd rather buy this again since I know it will work so well. Color is just right--not orangey, not dirty looking (as so many have said)--It's just dark enough it looks like natural shadows on the skin. I also have NYC bronzer in Sunny and liked that for a while, but I like this a lot more since I got it. Sunny looks rather orangey compared to Taupe, and I don't like that since I'm on the pale side, so Taupe definitely works better for me.. I admit the NYX blushes in general are much smaller than expected, imo..But relative to other brands, I know the price isn't bad at all. And the quality is great, too. Overall, a really great contouring powder that I would definitely recommend and repurchase. =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Avon - Basics Rich Moisture Face Cream
nn21pika 10/14/2009 2:47:00 AM
I got this face cream because I read the reviews on the Avon website, and this product had a 100% people-would-recommend percentage, plus a high 4.something rating. I did not believe a product could be THAT good, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm SUPER glad I did. It has become my HG moisturizer. If you read the reviews on the Avon website, it is absolutely true that this moisturizer does NOT leave a greasy feeling whatsoever, it simply absorbs into the skin. I only put this on after my evening showers and sometimes again before bed, but I do believe people can wear it under makeup earlier in the day because it really doesn't leave a greasy residue I know my other moisturizer did. I dunno if it's because I'm simply paying more attention to my skin =P, but I really do feel like my skin texture has improved since using it. It's always super smooth when I wake up the next morning..:D Anyway, I think it's a GREAT before-bed moisturizer that I would HIGHLY recommend people to give a try. Some reviewers said it was discontinued for a while, so I suggest people try it while it's still out should it be discontinued again. It's also pretty darn cheap because Avon is constantly having sales, and they even have a larger jar now too. I also actually LIKE the smell, I think it's like jasmine tea..(*shrug* just my opinion) Thanks for reading my review! =D
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Skincare - Face -Avon - Skin So Soft Facial Hair Removal Cream
nn21pika 8/20/2009 6:26:00 PM
I decided to try this product based on the good reviews I read on the Avon website, and I'm quite glad I did! It works really well at removing my upper lip hair (which is all I intend to use this for). It comes in a long, slender 1 fl. oz. tube with a slanted tip, so it's very easy to use to spread the cream onto the area without having to touch it. You leave it on for at least 2 1/2 minutes (but no more than 8) and then you wipe it off. Keep in mind to apply a nice, even layer. It's true as other reviewers have said that it'll sting/burn a little upon wiping it off, but then I took a reviewer's suggestion of just putting on Neosporin afterwards, and it felt just fine. =) Vaseline works also! Hair was gone for a good amount of time..I feel safe in saying more than one week. But just for reference, I'm not that hairy of a person, haha..so it may vary for others. On sale I got this for around $4, so it's a pretty good deal. I would definitely recommend and repurchase! :D
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Sally Girl - Sally Girl Eggplant
nn21pika 8/18/2009 5:33:00 PM
I have mixed feelings about this shadow. I bought this back when I was first trying out makeup for fun and I only used it a couple times..but now that I know just a little more about makeup, I realize this isn't very pigmented. Just now..I'm swatching it with my finger onto the back of my hand, and it takes SO much effort just to get a decent color..And this is the back of my hand! I'm not gonna rub that hard onto my eyelids! But then I thought I ought to try it as a wet shadow before giving up. I wet my Avon concealer brush and applied some first to the back of my hand, and once it dried..I saw it actually had decent color. I then tried on my eyes, and it's not bad at all! Pretty nice actually..I think Eggplant is like Onyx (matte black) where it just works better wet than dry *shrug* Probably won't purchase again, but at least I've found a way to use it now. =)
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Eye Shadow -Sally Girl - Golden Bronze
nn21pika 8/18/2009 1:05:00 AM
Really decent neutral eyeshadow! I use it as my everyday lid color..It looks neutral enough for everyday wear, but is just shimmery enough my eyes are more noticeable than without. I noticed just a little bit of creasing by the end of my day, but not enough to dock a lippie. My lids are oily by then, it's only expected..Plus I'm not using any base or anything. So yes, GREAT buy for just $0.99...Definitely would recommend to anyone who wants a simple neutral look. =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Cover Girl - Eye Enhancers - Tapestry Taupe
nn21pika 8/14/2009 5:43:00 PM
LOVE this eyeshadow! As others have said, this is a really good eyeshadow to wear alone for my skintone (light-medium with yellow undertones). When I wear this eyeshadow, I simply don't have to worry about applying too much because I feel the color is just so neutral on me, but it still gives a really nice shimmer. I like the texture just fine, didn't have any problems with creasing, and it lasted a good few hours for me. It's pretty pigmented too, I don't have to apply too much..
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Mascara -Avon - Wash off Waterproof mascara
nn21pika 8/6/2009 2:21:00 AM
I got this mascara cuz of all the great reviews I read from the Avon website, and they're true!! This is only the 3rd mascara I've ever tried, but I already really appreciate the fact that there are no clumps, it doesn't smudge onto my bottom of my eyes, it washes off easily with soap and water, and it holds my curls really well. I put on my mascara at 6:45am today and the curls still held until I showered at 10:30pm.. In my opinion, it adds just enough volume that I would use it every day, but I find that its still buildable without clumping if I wanted more volume for a special occasion or something. I haven't been using my other mascara since I tried this one (Maybelline Full & Soft), but I'll use it up eventually..haha You can also get these for really cheap if you wait for a sale! I got them for only $2 a piece when regularly they're $6.50
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