Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25
ratmist 12/13/2011 7:20:00 AM
I'm currently trialling this with the samples I ordered from Paula's Choice UK. I am happy with it so far.
Pros: Not too expensive. Sinks into my skin nicely and leaves it very soft. Provides decent amount of SPF. I haven't felt any greasiness after application. I have not had any spots or pimples appear as a result of using it.
Cons: None so far. One lippy off because the shipping was very slow.
I'll update again when the samples run out. I intend to trial this for at least 14 days before committing to a full size tube. I do not wear foundation of any type, so I can't comment on how it interacts with that. I'm trialling this during the winter in the UK, when radiators are blasting and my skin is very dry. In the summer, when SPF is even more important, this product may behave differently. If I'm using it in six months' time, I'll update on my experience.
A note about the tube packaging: This packaging is fantastic for ensuring the product does not degrade due to exposure to light and air. Instead of removing the foil covering on the tube's opening, pierce it with a pin or needle, and then replace the cap. This prevents excess product from squeezing out the way others have experienced.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Guerlain - Rouge G de Guerlain 09 Galante
ratmist 10/11/2011 4:32:00 AM
Perfect 'my lips but better' colour. It's great for the work place too. It lasts on me for about 2-3 hours if I'm drinking or eating, otherwise around 3-4 hours. The formula is very moisturising and soft, and is very comfortable. It does not feel heavy on my lips. The packaging is really pretty and functional too. In fact, it's so good, I kind of wish all lipsticks in this price bracket came in a similar compact. It's so sexy to be able to whip this out and put on my lipstick while sitting at a table in a cafe, or restaurant, or wherever.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -LUSH - Henna - Caca Noir
ratmist 4/20/2011 11:06:00 AM
I've used Caca Noir twice now. I have hair that has been dyed before, and is around the length of my ears. I needed two squares, but had a little bit left over. First time, I didn't mix enough water in, and it didn't take well but I did notice it turned my grey/white hairs brown, but not black. I didn't use clingfilm/saran wrap the first time. It went absolutely everywhere and I felt like an idiot for not following the instructions.
Second time around, I grated it, mixed with cup-of-tea-temperature boiled water, mixed, and was ready to go in about ten minutes. Worked it into my hair from back to forward, concentrating on my roots and areas where I know there are white hairs. Left it in for just over three hours under clingfilm/saran wrap. I didn't have any problems rinsing it out - I just knelt next to my bathtub, used my shower head, and rinsed until the water ran clear (about 7-10 minutes at most).
My hair is naturally very dark brown, and I've got a lot of white strands that just irritate the hell out of me. I like how well it conditions and how soft my hair is. I don't like the smell, and I'm not happy that it didn't cover the grey as well as I'd hoped. I'll try one more time and see if it covers the grey. Both times, my grey hair was like a medium-brown colour, which is strange to me because I used the Noir blocks. The rest of my hair was deepened to a very glossy black. It lasted for me about two weeks or so.
UPDATE: It seems to be irritating my sensitive scalp. :(
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Lips -MAC - Pro Longwear Lipcreme - Extended Play
ratmist 10/5/2010 9:00:00 AM
£14.50 for red glory that lasts hours without feathering, drying out my lips, or fading. It isn't particularly cheap, but you get what you pay for. Tip for new users of the Pro Longwear Lipcreme range: the makeup artist who introduced me to these stated that I should not put anything on my lips before I put on these lipsticks, and that I should not cover the lipstick over with anything (for example, lipglass/lipgloss on top). The formula wants bare lips, and stays best if you don't put anything on top. Out of curiosity to see the difference, I've experimented with chapsticks underneath, and lipglosses or other lip colours on top, and found the artist was absolutely right: if you layer underneath or on top, you end up with a basic lipstick that transfers. Leave it on bare lips, and don't cover it up, and that colour stays put for at least 4 hours on me, including numerous tea and coffee breaks, public speaking, and general inability to not mess with my lips!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -MAC - Pro Longwear Lipcreme - Goes and Goes
ratmist 9/28/2010 11:42:00 AM
This is not an easy colour to pull off, but if you want a shock of lavender purple lips, this is for you. I like wearing this with very defined eyes (black liner, black combed-out lashes) and severely tailored black and white clothing. In other words, the only pop of colour is on my lips.
Tip for new users of the Pro Longwear Lipcreme range: the makeup artist who introduced me to this range mentioned that you should not put anything on your lips before you put on these lipsticks, and you should not cover the lipstick over with anything (for example, lipglass/lipgloss on top). The formula wants bare lips, and stays best if you don't put anything on top. Out of curiosity to see the difference, I've experimented with chapstick underneath, and lipgloss on top, and found the artist was right: if you layer underneath or on top, you end up with a basic lipstick that transfers.
In other words - if you want the benefit of the longlasting colour formula in these lipsticks, find a colour in this range you love all by itself, and just use it and nothing else! If you wanted something super glossy, these babies really aren't designed to deliver that finish, but they are reasonably creamy and pop colour like crazy.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -MAC - Pro Longwear - Till Tomorrow
ratmist 9/4/2010 11:17:00 AM
I've been looking for a neutral lip colour that would suit a conservative workplace for a long time, one that I wouldn't have to endlessly reapply, and this is it. This product does exactly what I want. With Oak pencil (or any neutral coloured lip pencil), this gives me a slightly lighter lip than my naked lip colour, and it lasted for hours - after drinks, talking, and eating. However, it loses one lippy because it's slightly tacky/dry on the lips - I never forget I'm wearing it, which is a new sensation for me, and not one I particularly enjoy. I know this is probably the price you pay for high pigment payoff and lasting colour, but if anyone could come up with a formula that doesn't feel dry or tacky, that would be the HG. I haven't found a product yet that gets that right, but MAC's as close as I've ever come so far.
EDIT: Up to 5 lippies now. I love the performance of these lipsticks and I will be buying more. Got used to the slight dryness and it doesn't bother me anymore. My lips did not feather or actually dry out, so I'm very happy.
Tip for new users of the Pro Longwear Lipcreme range: the makeup artist who introduced me to these stated that I should not put anything on my lips before I put on these lipsticks, and that I should not cover the lipstick over with anything (for example, lipglass/lipgloss on top). The formula wants bare lips, and stays best if you don't put anything on top. Out of curiosity to see the difference, I've experimented with chapsticks underneath, and lipglosses or other lip colours on top, and found the artist was absolutely right: if you layer underneath or on top, you end up with a basic lipstick that transfers. Leave it on bare lips, and don't cover it up, and that colour stays put for at least 4 hours on me, including numerous tea and coffee breaks, public speaking, and general inability to not mess with my lips!
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Stick -Shu Uemura - Nobara cream cover stick
ratmist 5/27/2010 5:08:00 PM
I love this product. Shu Uemura stopped making the cream foundation I had been using (Water Perfect Water-in cake Foundation), but I wasn't too upset when I saw the shades in this product are much more suited to my skintone.
The only thing I don't like is the packaging (that's the missing lippie). The stick-style feels pretty flimsy and the top doesn't stay on as well as I would've expected for a top brand. I'm not confident using it for traveling because sometimes I find the top comes off when it's in my bag; it has to sit in a makeup bag for me to be certain it'll hold or not get damaged. I travel a lot for business, so this cheap packaging really grates, especially for the price you pay. Also, I liked the compact because I could reapply and blend away with the sponge - can't do that as well with a stick, unless I just use my fingers, and that's not as hygienic (yes, I'm one of those girls who wash the sponge for hygiene). And no way to buy refills to save money- the compact lets you do that, but this won't. Boo.
On the plus side, it's so thick that I only need to use this where I need it. It's more like half foundation, half concealer, which I love. It's very creamy, easy to blend, and dries pretty quickly. Sometimes I dust with powder, but often I don't bother. It is a very natural finish and I love the formula.
It's so easy to get ready in the mornings because I don't need to use concealer with this. I just apply it with a good makeup brush to go where it's needed (redness or uneven T zone), slap on a tiny bit of lipgloss, and I'm good to go.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Shu Uemura - M Green 510 E/S
ratmist 6/29/2008 5:01:00 PM
I would never have reached for this colour if not for the Shu Uemura makeup artist who seemed to think it would look nice on me. It is a stoney-green/grey colour that is not irridescent or shimmery or glittery, yet still quite sea foamy in appearance. If you're looking for a sea foam green shade that is neutral enough for a conservative workplace, this one will knock your socks off. It makes my brown eyes pop without screaming "colour" on the eyelids. I didn't even need a crease shade. The makeup artist also paired it with IR 900Y (irridescent white) that has a gold/yellow duochrome effect for the highlight. Gorgeous, and it stayed on all day even in windy, cold Scotland. The cost in the UK is £13 per eyeshadow - ouch! If it wasn't such a great product, I'd take a lippie off for the price alone.
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Crème -Shu Uemura - Water Perfect Water-in cake Foundation
ratmist 6/24/2008 4:13:00 AM
I prefer a natural look and my skin is usually clear, combination with dry cheeks, oily t-zone. My skin is quite sensitive though and I tend to break out easily in reaction to most makeup, hence I don't wear much foundation (if at all) and stick to either concealer-only or a very light layer of creme-to-powder or creme foundation + powder to set. I got this in colour 763, which gave me a slightly lighter look than the colour 754. Strangely, to me this works best as a thick concealer where you have problem spots but can be a light or heavy foundation depending on what you want. I use it to even out skin tone where there are dark or red areas, lightly stippling with the tips of a foundation brush. A little goes a helluva long way with this stuff. The price at Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh was £21 for the cake and £7 for the compact. The cakes can be bought as refills obviously and for £21, I think it's a good buy. You need a powder to set it though, in my opinion. I just use a cheap transluscent powder to set (or my Guerlains Meteorites if I'm feeling fancy) and I'm done. With this, it takes me less than 2 minutes to get my foundation done because I don't need to put on moisturiser underneath due to the moisturising properties of the cake. No need for sunscreen either - this has SPF 18 PA+++. Add a lipgloss and possibly some eyeliner/shadow and I'm out of the house within 15 minutes. Will update if it breaks me out, turns my face into an oil slick, etc.
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Cleansers -Shu Uemura - Cleansing Beauty Oil Balancer
ratmist 6/22/2008 7:25:00 AM
I'm pregnant and my skin has gone nuts with hormonal changes. I normally have combination skin (dry cheeks, oily T-zone) and very rarely have any pimples. With the hormone changes, my skin has reverted back to my teenage years - all spotty and pimply, especially on my chin and forehead. Horrible. I'm loathe to try new cleansers/moisturisers while pregnant, but I got this as a GWP at the Shu Uemura counter. I'll buy a full-size when it runs out. It is exactly what my skin needed. It feels balanced again. It took off my waterproof mascara and all of my makeup. The pimples on my forehead and chin have calmed down and aren't as red looking - unbelievable. The dry patches on my cheeks are gone. Even the large pores on my nose were cleaned out and looked smaller - it seems the oil loosened up and dissolved the dirt clogging up the pores. You do have to get a lesson in using it from the sales assistant/make-up artist though, if you've never used cleansing oils before. The trick is to use around a 10p piece amount of oil, massage into face, then massage some water in. After massaging the water in for about 15 seconds, the product should have had enough time to break down your makeup. Rinse off thoroughly and pat dry. If you're looking for something that will leave you feeling tight and squeaky-clean-dry, this isn't it. This leaves you feeling soft and plump, not dry and tight. If you prefer feeling dry and tight after your skincare routine, this product will not make you happy. If you have dry skin or combination skin, I highly recommend it. I can't speak for oily-skinned people though. Talk to the Shu Uemura people and get a freebie before you commit the money to buy it.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Sandy B. lipstick
ratmist 6/16/2008 7:56:00 AM
Hate it. I have medium-toned, yellow-gold-undertoned skin. Sandy B is a peachy-champange frost lipstick that makes my skintone look dirty. The overall look was "cheap 1980s asian chick". I can't explain it better than that. I think it'd look best on someone fairer or with pinky/peach undertoned skin. Oh, and did I mention it has almost no moisturising effect? It's incredibly drying!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Maybelline - Forever Strong
ratmist 6/16/2008 7:50:00 AM
I bought the new colour, Extreme Blackcurrent, on the weekend. Perfect pedicure colour! Not too purple, not dark enough to be called black. Just lovely darkly sinful purple. And the staying power so far has been fab. Quite impressed for a cheap buy! EDIT: I've used this for 3 manicures now and I'm fed up with it. The consistency is very gloopy and difficult to work with. It's about the consistency you get in 1-2 year old bottles of nail polish. In the end, I used two drops (only 2 drops mind you!) of OPI nail lacquer thinner to make it easier to use. It's made the polish more susceptible to chips, so maybe the formula is gloopy because it's supposedly more resistant to chipping. Not impressed anymore - even for a cheap buy.
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Eyeliner -Urban Decay - 24-7 Glide on eyeliner in bourbon
ratmist 6/16/2008 7:47:00 AM
Finally a goldeny dark brown soft eyeliner that doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes, is smudgeable for a smokey look, when dries becomes unsmudgeable, and makes my dark brown eyes pop. What more do you want?!
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Eyeliner -Urban Decay - 24-7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
ratmist 6/16/2008 7:43:00 AM
Holy Grail black eye pencil. When I can't be bothered with using a gel-ink pot and brush, this is what I reach for. Once it dries, it stays. I wear contacts and my eyes water a lot as a result. This stuff stays put, even on the waterline. Before it dries, it's sooooo easy to smudge into a smokey eye. It's incredibly soft too. Even if I sharpen it to a wicked point, it will not irritate my sensitive eyes when I apply it.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Ricepaper Eyeshadow
ratmist 6/16/2008 7:40:00 AM
If you're Asian, you need this highlight colour. Don't worry about whether you need MAC's other standby highlighter - Shroom - more. Get them both and go home happy. Shroom is a little lighter with slightly pink undertones. Ricepaper has slightly golden undertones. Depending on what the rest of your eyelid colours are, you'll use one or the other.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No