Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Skin Foundation SPF 15
pmonga 2/3/2012 12:25:00 AM
I loved this foundation. I used it exclusively for a little over one full year - absolutely no other foundations (didn't own any others and didn't feel the need to try any others). Once I ran out, I thought I would try other brands and formulations...but honestly I miss this foundation and will be repurchasing soon. I like it because it looked great in pictures for me (I have a full year's worth of pictures to prove it!). No white cast or washing me out. For pictures, very nice coverage. None of my acne scarring or breakouts showed through too much and sometimes if I wanted flawless coverage, I'd layer on a little BB concealer in a matching shade. I have worn it in very hot/humid climates (Miami in the summer) while on vacation and with primer underneath and set with a little MAC blot powder, it was quite long-lasting- I never once felt like my foundation was melting off my face or had disappeared. Finally the last reason why I liked this foundation a lot is because I have always had very oily skin, filled with breakouts/acne, and highly sensitive. This did not aggravate my acne or make me break out further- a HUGE factor for me in foundations. I gave it 4 stars because once I ran out, I didn't feel like I couldn't live without this and immediately had to re-purchase. There are other solid foundations out there too. But this definitely has earned it's place in my foundation arsenal.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -MAC - Blot Powder
pmonga 2/2/2012 6:46:00 PM
I have moderately oily skin for most of the time (blot every 5-6 hours), but due to hormones/stress, at times my skin gets VERY oily :( (like need to blot 2 hours after applying makeup). This was the very first powder I purchased a few years ago, back when my skin was more or less normal (barely oily) and I found I had no use for it. It sat forgotten for so long. Fast-forward to when my skin type changed, and I tried a TON of powders and mattifying gels to combat my oiliness (YSL, LM, Too Faced, Bobbi Brown, Makeup Forever, drugstore). Nothing worked exceptionally well. One day I tried this again and it blew the others out of the water! Now I use it daily on top of foundation and tinted moisturizer/BB cream. I have already re-purchased and will do so again. It's annoying to have wasted so much money on the other powders to satisfy my curiosity and search for something perfect because honestly, this just works.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Anastasia Of Beverly Hills - Anastasia Brow Gel
pmonga 2/2/2012 12:17:00 AM
I happily used up a tube of this and then decided to replace it with a cheapie drugstore clear mascara because this stuff is expensive. Does not compare at all. I learned my lesson and am repurchasing Anastasia! Doesn't flake, holds the brow shape in place ALLL day. I have have thick and full brows and a drugstore clear mascara does nothing for me hold-wise after a couple of hours. When I had my 1st tube, this was something I put on every single day, even though I don't wear makeup every day, because of the definition it would give my combed brows. I love it so much!
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Mascara -Lancome - Hypnose Drama
pmonga 1/31/2012 1:04:00 PM
This is such a hyped mascara with the Kardashians being fans of Lancome Hypnose and whatnot, so I thought I'd give it a try. Turned out to not only be a dud, but one of the most clumpy, unpleasant, and difficult mascaras I've ever had to work with. It gets disgustingly thick, clumpy, and goopy within WEEKS of opening :( and application is a mess with clumps of mascara everywhere + it clumps lashes together. Totally returned to Sephora.
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Highlighters -BeneFit Cosmetics - High Beam
pmonga 1/31/2012 1:01:00 PM
Surprised to see how many people liked this because I absolutely hate this! Returned to Sephora. I found it very goopy, gunky, thick, and difficult to blend out because it would get "patchy" and streaky. I also did not like the white pearly sheen on my very warm and yellow NC30 skin. If the formula had been better, I would have kept it for the winter months because I get extra pale and the color would be more flattering.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -The Body Shop - Chamomile Eye Makeup Remover
pmonga 1/30/2012 4:46:00 PM
This is my favorite eye makeup remover and I have been using it for a little over one year. I picked it up on a whim last winter when I say they were having a buy 1 get 1 free special on some products, including this make-up remover. I have used high-end eye makeup removers (Dior, Chanel, YSL) and drugstore (Almay, Neutrogena) and have been left unsatisfied by all! This is the perfect median. Pricepoint is perfect- not overpriced, and not too cheap like drugstore quality. Effectiveness and quality is GREAT...I love doing heavy, dark, smokey eyes when I go out, and this removes everything in 2-3 swipes. I take a cotton circle/square pad, soak it up with the remover, and hold it over my eye for a few seconds, gently pressing down. Everything slides right off with a few swipes. I have never had a problem or irritation with using this and would definitely repurchase again. They sell these in mini 2oz bottles as well, which I purchased and left at my boyfriend's house, gym bag etc so that I can always take off my eye makeup at night. Also, the 2 full sized bottles I purchased last year have lasted me over a full year, which makes it a great value! Hoping to catch these again on sale soon. :)
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
pmonga 1/30/2012 2:57:00 PM
My FAVORITE drugstore foundation. I am so happy that this worked for me! I am in my early 20s, but with oily skin all over and I struggle with adult acne and very frequent breakouts. This is totally full-coverage and covers whatever battles are going on on my face at the moment with acne + scarring. It does not break me out, but I also do not use this on a daily basis (I don't wear foundation or any makeup everyday). I generally save this for night time. I love this for night time because it stays on my face (literally does not budge or wear off), even from super long nights out at clubs/bars/dancing, even during hot, humid summers and trips to Miami with my girlfriends. Also, a major reason why I love this foundation is that it photographs great- no white cast, no washing me out! For this reason, I have recently worn this to night-time weddings/events/dates as well. I know a lot of people complain that it is thick and can be difficult to apply and spread, but the best way to apply it is using a damp sponge. I use Ulta's version of the beauty blender sponge (it's about $5). I wet it, squeeze out the excess water, pour a bit of foundation on the back of my hand, and go to work dabbing and blending on all areas of my face. You can also do the same with disposable white foundation wedges. I have 3 bottles of this in my bathroom right now, all in my various shades for the different seasons, and I always ALWAYS take this with me on vacation! Will absolutely re-purchase if I ever run out.
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Lips -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Balm
pmonga 1/15/2012 9:41:00 PM
On their own, I really like this product. They are NOTHING like the Revlon Lip Butters. I own 5 of those, and all are very pigmented and buttery soft. These are buttery soft without the pigmentation, and way more glossy. It makes my lips look and feel more plumped up. I own the colors Caring Coral, Heavenly Berry, and Caramel Comfort. They have the sheerest color tint, but lots of gloss, softness, and moisture. I use this product on no-makeup days, as it puts the tiniest hint of color on my lips. I would also use it when I'm wearing heavy face/eye makeup and want a very natural and light, glossy lip. Also, I frequently travel and often can't be bothered to do a full lip liner, lipstick, and gloss routine on-the-go, as it's an inconvenience to pull out a mirror! Even with the Revlon Lip Butters, because they have such a strong color pay-off, I'd want to use a mirror to make sure I'm not smearing color all over my face. These are fool-proof on the go...as in, you won't be smearing color on your lipline, face, teeth etc. I really like that! I can imagine myself enjoying using these while on vacation later this year, particularly in a beachy place, as these have SPF and would be perfect to put on by the pool/beach and not look like you're trying too hard/putting in too much effort to do your lipstick routine. I would purchase again, but only the Plum color, as I hear that is the most pigmented of all of the balms.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No