Crème -Laura Mercier - Silk Creme Foundation
princessplumjade 4/19/2013 11:22:00 PM
A small amount and a light touch are all you need. A small amount and a light touch are all you need. A small amount and a light touch are all you need. Shall I repeat myself? I'm a 42-year-old Latina with decent skin (early maturity, moderate fine lines and redness, combination and sensitive type). I'd characterize Silk Creme Foundation as a highly pigmented, heavy coverage tinted moisturizer with a beautiful, amazingly natural, skin-like finish. Wear is good: I've worn this makeup from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm with minimal touch-up. The soft, natural matte finish remains moist on the face and never completely dries down, even with powder. Thise makeup transfers a lot, and probably wouldn't hold up well during exercise or other activity. Coverage is impressive. No concealer needed. The color Cream Ivory is a perfect match for my complexion, fair yet warm. The key to application is the right amount. More than a little and less than too much. A thin application gets "patchy" and a thick application cakes. The happy medium is superlative. For me, the best application is stippling a pea size dab of product over the center of my face and slowly blending outward. Sometimes I use a duo fiber brush, sometimes I use a kabuki brush. I prep my skin with sunscreen and a thin layer of tinted moisturizer first. I touch it with a little powder but it never really sets well. This is worth the purchase price. Very much "my skin but better." Minimal maintenance needed. I wish it were more affordable, but the color, finish, and coverage make this a HG for me.
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Primer/ Corrector -Laura Mercier - Foundation Primer Radiance
princessplumjade 4/19/2013 10:07:00 PM
Honestly, I don't see a huge difference in Primer Radiance's look and performance compared to LM Tinted Moisturizer Illuminating SPF 20. The formulations are a bit different, but both are lightweight, SLIGHTLY moisturizing cosmetics that leave a soft, sheer, luminous finish on the skin. While there's some color variances, the products are so sheer they could be used interchangably with little noticeable difference. Probably the biggest difference is TM Illuminating's SPF 20, BUT even this isn't that impressive because sufficient application of this product to benefit from sunscreen would look thick, oily, and unnatural. I'm in my early 40's with decent normal/combination skin for my age (non-smoker, minor facial lines and redness). My favorite routine for Radiance is: 1) normal skin care routine; 2) generous application of matte finish sunscreen; 3) squeeze out a pea size amount of Radiance, rub briskly between fingers until all fingertips are evenly coated, 4) pat and LIGHTLY massage over the face, 5) stipple with foundation of choice (my personal faves: Bobbi Brown Skin and Laura Mercier Silk Creme) 6) LIGHTLY powder if necessary. My powder of choice: Too Faced Candlelight This is a great technique to get a dewy, luminous, ethereal complexion with decent wear (6-8 hours) It's a great makeup look for making your skin the focal point and you need little or no additional cosmetics. A touch of blush, a little lip balm or gloss, and it's done. The luminous effect "brightens" shadows and dark circles, so concealer is unneccessary. I DON'T recommend this product for younger skin or for oily skin. Maturer and/or drier skins will get a lovely "lift" from this product if they don't overdo it. Anyone else simply doesn't need it unless they want to use it as a highlighting luminizer. Overall, I love the effect of this product but I consider it overpriced. However, there is no comparable product in a more affordable price range. This is a cosmetic for people seeking a subtle, sophisticated, NATURAL pearl-like luster, not glitter galore. With the right foundation and a subtle hand, this is the kind of makeup that takes years off your complexion, gets you "double take" looks in public, and has your women friends asking about your skin care and makeup.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
BB Cream -Revlon - Photoready BB Cream SPF 30
princessplumjade 4/2/2013 7:52:00 PM
FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, sensitive combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, Revlon Colorstay in Buff I recommend Photoready BB Cream as a sunscreen product. I purchased it in Light/Medium and it's a little too dark to be a perfect match but it's pretty sheer and forgiving. This is a good choice for normal, or SLIGHTLY dry or oily/combination skin. The finish is ultra-dewy -- skin has the creamy loveliness of an oil painting and coverage is sheer. Flaws and imperfections are minimized and skin looks smoother due to the product's glossy shine. It transfers with a vengence and I doubt it would hold up through a workout. This would be a nightmare on true oily skin. Overall feel is very comforting and moist. I'm afraid to powder it or apply other makeup over it due to the emoillient texture. It gives skin a refined, radiant look and provides SPF 30. I apply it to my face before I drive home from work and usually shower it off within a few hours. Been using for a few days and so far no breakout or other reaction. I'm not positive but I think it may even be benefitting my skin. IMHO it's expensive given the limited usefulness. This is basically a tinted sunblock product in a nice tube.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF 20
princessplumjade 2/22/2013 11:06:00 PM
I have really mixed feelings about this product. In terms of overall texture and performance, I enjoy using it. It's very lightweight, almost gel-like in feel, easily glides over primed skin and blends to a sheer finish. I have combination skin and I don't find this either greasy or moisturizing. Coverage could be better. This is definitely the sheerer side of sheer. Imperfections are blurred, but still obvious. Set with silica powder, this is a good, bare-faced makeup that provides SPF. I've also stippled foundation over it for better coverage, set with Too Faced Primed and Poreless Powder, and got no-fuss, all-day wear. Despite its good points, I'm unlikely to repurchase it because: 1) Poor color match -- the lightest shade is a tad too peach for me. It's okay for casual wear or layered with other foundation. 2) Poor packaging -- the clear plastic packaging isn't good for the antioxidants or the retinol. 3) Neutrogena does animal testing. If I purchase from them, it needs to be exceptionally good and benefit my skin. This is a tinted moisturizer and there are others just as good from cruelty-free companies.
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Lotions/ Creams -Olay - Total Effects Body Lotion
princessplumjade 1/4/2013 6:00:00 PM
Olay performs animal testing on its products. I use this product because it is part of good skin care. I do not endorse use of animal-tested cosmetics. I love this product, it's an effective, lightweight lotion that absorbs quickly and comforts the skin. I have combination skin and this works very well for me. Not sure if it's sufficient moisture for drier skin types. It's wonderful for treating dry skin on feet. Just glop it on, rub it in, slip on thick cotton socks. I noted obvious improvement after a few days' use. It doesn't leave any greasy residue on skin. I'm not a big believer in products making skin appear younger, but I do think my hands look smooher and prettier. Definitely feel softer. Again, moist and plump without greasy afterfeel. I will repurchase if I can't find another comparable product from a cruelty-free company.
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Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Plum Lip Treatment SPF 15
princessplumjade 1/4/2013 4:42:00 PM
This is a wondefully greasy tinted lip balm with great color payoff. The color is quite neutral and will flatter all but the coolest and warmest complexions. It's very pigmented, slightly sticky, and very lightweight and comfortable to wear. This texture and feel is what all "lip butter" should be like. I like the durable metal packaging and the screw type lid. This product won't break or accidently open in your bag. Unfortunately, the product doesn't last well. It functions more like a moisturizer than a cosmetic product and the rich, lovely color fades quickly. Another, more serious "con" is the lack of broad-spectrum SPF in the product. I clicked "Yes," to repurchasing this product, but I'm really more "Maybe." $20 is a lot of money to pay for a tinted lip balm that fades in a hour and doesn't protect against UVA damage.
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Primer/ Corrector -Revlon - PhotoReady Perfecting Primer (color 001)
princessplumjade 12/23/2012 10:36:00 PM
FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, sensitive combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, Revlon Colorstay in Buff I don't think there's another primer in the DS market to compare in quality to this one. It also beats out many higher-end, more expensive primers. This isn't a combination product. No antioxidants or moisturizers or sunscreen. It does one thing well: prime the skin. Product has a moderately thick lotion texture and should be smoothed quickly on clean skin for best results. Two pumps of this give my combination skin a smoother, more refined matte finish. I apply this primer to my lips as well and it works wonderfully under lip color. Foundation applies more smoothly, and wears longer on my skin when I use this primer. It does a good job of temporarily minimizing my pores (moderate in my nose area) and facial lines (forehead and eyes, fine to moderate). I wish it lasted longer (full workday) but the look "softens up" a bit after several hours of wear. I also seem to get more even coverage from sheerer finish products (tinted moisturizers) over this primer. Packaging: the lovely pump bottle is pretty elegant, but the primer does clog the pump, even with regular (daily) use. Still, this is a small concern IMHO because the pump allows the most sanitary, controlled application. I'm torn between this product and my Too Faced Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer. I like Revlon's oil-free finish, but Too Faced has a lovely nude tint to it that blends naturally into skin. Revlon has a pale blush pink tint that does leave a hint of "white cast" on skin. I reach for the Revlon more frequently but on my dry skin days Too Faced is more comforting. If this primer had a nude tint, I'd give it a 5 star rating.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -New York Color - Smooch Proof Lip Stain
princessplumjade 12/23/2012 9:35:00 PM
FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, sensitive, combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, & Revlon Colorstay in Buff I own this product in the following shades: Forever Freesia (light purplish pink, may have been discontinued); Never Ending Nude (mauve-y nude); and Smooch Proof (blue-red) I've only used these pretty recently, so I'm not sure how long the product lasts (as in how many uses one gets.) I'm venturing to say that the price (under $5) is pretty good for a lip stain from which one gets at least one full year's use. I love the effect of these lip stains, particularly the "Never Ending Nude," a lovely natural cool mauve-brown, very much MLBB on me. It's easy to apply and is pretty versatile. It can be worn alone with more minimal/casual makeup. It can also serve as a "base coat" for additional lip color (balm, gloss, lipstick.) First application is a little cold and wet. It dries down to a weightless stain finish, very natural and attractive. The applicator is pretty good, allows me to follow my mouth's shape. I've worn it a few times and I have yet to see it wear for 16 hours straight. It doesn't last me through a meal or a beverage. Overall, I'd say it's worth the purchase price for a no-fuss easy lip effect.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
princessplumjade 12/23/2012 9:04:00 PM
NOTE: My review refers to the BHA Liquid, not the Lotion. I have been using this product regularly for about 15 years. FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, sensitive, combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) and in early maturity (minor facial lines, redness). Foundation Shade Refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, Revlon Colorstay in Buff Skin care is key. A dollar spent on effective skin care is worth $20 spent on cosmetics or cosmetic procedures. The healthier and better cared-for one's complexion, the fewer cosmetics are needed to look one's best. I've been a devotee of Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid since the late 1990's and it has my highest recommendation. IT WORKS. Simple as that. I have never used another BHA product as gentle and as effective as this one. It's the wonderful kind of miracle product you can apply to a blemish one evening and wake the next moring with a clear face (or with the blemish dramatically minimized.) I had ultra-oily complexion in my 20's and 30's. Nightly application of this exfoliant after Skin Balancing Cleanser and Toner kept my skin blemish-free, smooth, and clear. If I'd discovered and used the product earlier in life, I'd probably have no acne scarring at all. These days, I still apply nightly after cleanser and toner and follow with antioxidant serum and moisturizer (dry areas only). It keeps my skin smooth, clear, and battles the very infrequent breakout. It also safely exfoliates milia ("milk spots"). I cringe when I read about people using needles to remove these blemishes when regular exfoliation will do this safely. It is excellent for prevention of ingrown hair (from tweezing or epilating or waxing.) The texture of this liquid is like a thin serum that can be smoothed on with fingers or applied with cotton pad. It is clear and lightweight, but it does not "sink into" the skin immediately. Some may dislike the feeling of "residue" on the skin, but it is fragrance-free and non-irritating. It's also available in gel and lotion formulations which may have better "texture appeal." I've gritted my teeth as the cost of this product has risen over the years, but I'll continue to purchase and use it. I don't know of a comparable product in any other product line.
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Too Faced - Milk Chocolate Soleil
princessplumjade 12/11/2012 9:54:00 PM
FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, Revlon Colorstay in Buff I can't believe I bought this product, and even tougher to believe how much I like it. Bronzers have never worked for me, always looked phony and unattractive. Since my skin tone has actually faded as I've matured, I never imagined I could wear bronzer well. This soft, light brown pressed powder works beautifully with fairer skin tones. It goes on soft with a natural matte finish. The color is more "lukewarm" than golden/warm and should work for all but the coolest skin tones. It's a definite multi-tasker -- bronzer, contour powder, blush, eye shadow, a powder for medium-to-deep skintones -- and it blends beautifully. Wear is pretty good, too. I love the cocoa fragrance and don't find it overpowering, but it might be a dealbreaker to some. I think it's overpriced, but it doesn't have a comparable DS counterpart, so I'd keep buying if I needed it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 - Illuminating
princessplumjade 12/10/2012 9:06:00 PM
UPDATE: I'm about halfway through the tube and I'm finding myself more dissatisfied with this product's short wear life especially in warmer weather. Still, it's proving very versatile. I've been wearing it as a sunscreen/primer, stippling over it with Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation, and sprinkling Too Faced Primed and Poreless Loose Powder. The effect is gorgeous, very beautiful polished skin but remarkably natural. In the office, a co-worker stared at me and finally asked, "Are you wearing makeup?" This application wears longer and is more easily maintained than the TM by itself. Original Review: FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, Revlon Colorstay in Buff I wear this product in Bare Radiance. It's a shade too deep for me, but it gives me an attractive, fair bronzed look, more "healthy" than "sun-kissed." I love LM products and am rarely disappointed in them. This product is unusually good and works pretty well for me. It applies like a creamy lotion and the luminous finish gives surprising coverage. I reach for this product when I don't want to bother with concealer, just smooth on with fingers over oil-free primer, pat gently under eyes, and set with matte, oil-free powder. A light neutral lip gloss and I'm done. No other makeup. It gives me a healthy, radiant look and yes, it camouflages dark circles and red discoloration pretty well. Not invisible, but definitely minimized and less obvious. If you are used to matte or ultra-matte looks, the dewy "glow" might overwhelm you. It doesn't look "fake" or "Twilight-ish" to me, and I apply this TM all over my face. That said, it's not matte or satin. It is luminous and that's what it looks like. I suggest sampling it and wearing a few times before deciding on whether it's the right look for you. I dislike a few things about it. I think it would be better in a pump bottle or pump tube so consumers could control the application. In excessive heat (natural or artificial) it "separates" on my skin and looks patchy. The wear is decent for TM. I get about 5-6 hours good wear out of it, by lunch time I need to blot and brush on a little powder foundation to extend wear through the workday. Without the touch-up it deteriorates to greasy shine territory. If I were ten years younger -- with very oily skin -- I could never have tolerated this product. I'm not sure how well this product photographs. It's pretty dewy, so I can't imagine it looking good in photos. Probably not the best choice for wearing to weddings or at events where one is likely to be photographed or filmed. Also, as much as I like it, I don't believe it's worth $43. I cringe at paying so much for this, especially due to the poor wear time. But I don't think there's another comparable product on the market so I'll definitely purchase again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Skin Foundation SPF 15
princessplumjade 12/3/2012 10:21:00 PM
FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, minor/moderate redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory or Sand, Revlon Colorstay in Buff FYI (2): Bobbi Brown tests its products on live animals. For this reason, along with numerous customer service complaints, I have ceased purchasing their products. This review refers to product use prior to my awareness of their animal testing status. This foundation is quite fluid, like a thin, watery lotion. It stiples beautifully. The colors are lovely, very skin-like. Nice, sturdy pump bottle. Overall texture, coverage, and finish is more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation. In fact, I get better coverage and wear from some tinted moisturizers. Without primer, this foundation sunk into and emphasized every pore and fine line I had. I kid you not, I saw flaws I never knew were there and weren't noticeable without this product! Primer makes it a little more wearable, but I'm unimpressed with overall wear. It "sinks" into the skin and wears away before a standard workday's end. It also transfers a lot. A perfect or near-perfect, younger complexion would wear this well, but a perfect/near-perfect younger complexion doesn't need foundation. It boasts a very natural, satiny radiance (NOT glittery or sparkly) but the effect is ruined once you powder. Without powder, it won't last half a day.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Maybelline - Color Sensational High Shine Lip Gloss
princessplumjade 11/30/2012 10:52:00 PM
FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, Revlon Colorstay in Buff FYI (2): Maybelline tests its products on live animals. For this reason, I have ceased purchasing their products. This review refers to product use prior to my awareness of their animal testing status. Due to Maybelline's animal testing policies, I won't be buying this lip gloss again, and I'll miss it. This is one of those truly perfect products. GORGEOUS packaging, elegant and understated for DS cosmetics. Great applicator should allow for good precision on a variety of lip shapes and sizes. The lip gloss itself is just right, creamy smooth with excellent "slip" and no traveling or bleeding. Remarkably long-wearing, it's lasted me through breakfast and lunch without need of touch-up. Attractive colors in a variety of shades with great color payoff. Finish varies from luminous to creamy. It has a mild fruity-candy type fragrance that dies down quickly. Retailing at $5-$6, it's plenty affordable. In fact, there's not a single negative I can think to offer about this gloss in terms of its packaging and performance. I've paid a lot more for products that performed a lot less. If you can stomach the idea of this product being tested on the eyes and skin of helpless live animals before it makes its way to your beauty bag, this is a great choice.
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Blush -Maybelline - Dream Bouncy Blush
princessplumjade 11/30/2012 10:18:00 PM
FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, dark circles, redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, Revlon Colorstay in Buff FYI (2): Maybelline tests its products on live animals. For this reason, I have ceased purchasing their products. This review refers to product use prior to my awareness of their animal testing status. I wasted money on two of these, Petal Pink and a deep plum wine shade. Terrible quality and messy application. I had to scrub the surface of the blush with my fingertip to get enough color to dab onto my face. The Petal Pink was more orange-y on my skin. It's not very moveable, either.
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Foundations -Maybelline - Dream Matte Mousse
princessplumjade 11/30/2012 10:07:00 PM
FYI: I am a Latina woman with very fair olive skin, combination type (dry forehead, oily nose & chin, normal cheeks) in early maturity (minor facial lines, redness). Shade refs: LM Creme Silk in Cream Ivory, Bobbi Brown in Warm Ivory, Revlon Colorstay in Buff FYI (2): Maybelline tests its products on live animals. For this reason, I have ceased purchasing their products. This review refers to product use prior to my awareness of their animal testing status. I used Dream Matte in Classic Ivory, decent skin match. I applied the product with a standard (paddle type) foundation brush. Light strokes and very careful blending leave an elegant, smooth matte finish and medium coverage with a dry, lightweight feeling on my skin. Can be used to conceal dark circles, but work quickly. Sets very well. Nice "canvas" on which to apply other makeup. If you get a good match, this is a very nice choice for photography. It lasted pretty well but this isn't an ultra-matte makeup. If you're oily, you'll eventually need to blot, but you'll get better wear from this foundation than most, especially if you apply over a mattifying primer and top with powder. Drier skins will need a moisturizer or moisturizing type primer. Jar packaging should be updated to prevent waste and make for more sanitary use. Use a q-tip or small plastic spatula, or other tool to scoop out the foundation. Don't dip your brush or use fingers since this will transfer bacteria to the jar.
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