Pressed Powders -NARS - Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
rtobiejr 2/11/2013 5:33:00 PM
Wow. I have owned several powders (MUFE's revered HD, Ben Nye's banana powder, NARS loose powder in Mountain)-- so, I've been around the block. MUFE is great, but makes me itch (it has to be the silica, because there's only one ingredient). Banana powder is nice but is more for an evening event, as it is a mess to apply on the go. But this-- oh this-- in the words of Baby Bear is juuust right. does not make me look pale or splotchy, or oxidize or cast shadows, and the pressed powder variety travels so well. would I repurchase? you bet your porridge I would...
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Make Up For Ever - Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation
rtobiejr 2/5/2013 10:57:00 AM
So far so good. I love MUFE's Face and Body Foundation (the truest match in a foundation I've found thus far), and their HD Foundation (I wear 173 in this). In fact, I was in-store to pick up the latter, and they were all out. So I tested the Pro Finish in 173, and liked it-- even though I typically don't care for powder foundations. Took it (and the NARS powder) home- and I'm wearing it today. Very nice. Good coverage with out looking mask-like. Will update on how it wears as the day progresses...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -Ardell - 109 false eyelashes
rtobiejr 1/16/2013 11:13:00 AM
These are great!! the perfect everyday lash. they make my eyes stand out and are great for work, since the effect is subtle and not drag-queenish. I love the Ardell 110s as well, but this is an excellent everyday lash that doesn't scream-- I am artificial!
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Bronzers -Guerlain - Terracotta Bronzing powder
rtobiejr 11/19/2012 3:44:00 PM
So, I'm not a bronzer virgin. I've been around the block and in and out of love with several. It doesn't make me a bronzer-whore, though, when you consider that different companies mean different things when they make bronzer. Some mean "glitter fest", others think it's stage makeup for your role as "annoying orange". Guerlain has it down, though, and that is why I am stopping to write this review. Seriously, I own nothing else Guerlain-- and had never even given their line a look-see, until another MUAer and real-life friend (mrsrayhall, woot woot) told me she'd bought shade 8 and was happy. I went straight to Sephora and purchased 7. It is perfect. Gives a glowy, healthy look that is not disco-ball like. I like NARS casino, but in some way it seems not pigmented enough. This is perfect. I am using the NARS kabuki ITA brush (39 bucks well spent, but that's an entire other review), and it contours my round little cheeks, so beautifully, I am speechless. One lippie off for price (50 bucks is a LOT to spend on bronzer, even if I am worth it)-- but I think it will last a while because I only need a little. Try it, buy it, thank me later!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked Palette
rtobiejr 12/28/2010 4:43:00 PM
This is the best palette I have ever owned. I have never hadone with so many wearable colors, that I find myself reaching for it everyday. I would continue to rave, but I think I'm probably just reiterating what everyone has said: If you can find it, certainly buy it. I think it's a good deal for $44.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Jungle Red
rtobiejr 12/28/2010 4:41:00 PM
Jungle Red is my perfect red. Just putting this on completely brightens up my face, and I can't stop smiling! No need to put on much other makeup with this. I curl my lashes, put on some Diorshow and voila-- instantly awake. I recommend getting the Jungle Red lipliner, and if your lips have any pigment, putting a bit of foundation on them to even out first. This red is gorgeous!
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Bronzers -Iman - Afterglow
rtobiejr 6/15/2009 10:21:00 AM
This bronzer is absolutely beautiful on. The colors appear to clash in the pan, but when swirled together, they give the most attractive sun-kissed glow to dark skin. Iman’s line is targeted at women of color, so it is heavily pigmented. Women on the lighter end of the spectrum would need to apply this with a light hand, but boy oh boy, is the effect striking. The compact comes with a powder puff which I presume is meant to stay in the bottom of the compact, but doesn’t (the whole thing keeps popping apart, when it’s in there). So put this in your makeup bag, and carry a brush to apply instead.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel
rtobiejr 2/2/2009 10:57:00 AM
I have to say that I am in love with these pads. I bought the travel packs, as the ladies on here have suggested, and they have tremendously improved my hyperpigmentation, acne, and pore size-- in addition to giving me a fabulous glow! I hate the fact that they are so very expensive, as I have a 12-month-old who needs stuff everytime I turn around. I have cut back on use of these to about 2 to 3 times a week, and see marvelous results. I will continue to use these pads.
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Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Face & Body Foundation
rtobiejr 1/13/2009 2:24:00 PM
I shall start this review by giving you a brief history of my relationship with various foundations. 2000: I find Prescriptives Virtual Skin. The shade Real Antelope is perfect for faking good skin-- sheer coverage, a good match on my dark skin and easy to apply. I use this for many years-- and always think it is wonderful-- and it is, for I naively do not know any better. 2006: I try a *god-awful* stint with Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup. It looks absolutely terrible-- blotchy, patchy, dry, shiny and dirty all at once. Is it possible for makeup to make you look 204 years of age instead of only 24? Apparently. Back to PX's Real Antelope for my wedding, this time with some Flawless Skin Powder over it. I will not know until I see the professional photos that my wedding makeup is too light. I try MAC, discover I am NC43ish, and that MAC gives me delightful red polka-dots all over. May of 2007: I discover I am pregnant! (My husband apparently did not refuse to touch me despite my ill-matching powder.) I find my skin more fickle and try Stila's Natural Finish Oil Free Makeup. This is fine enough for a while. Then I realize that this coverage, while sheer is certainly not buildable, and comes off on everything. I quietly allow this to be forgotten about in my makeup bag. December 2008: With a husband, full-time job, 10-month-old and everything inbetween, I discover that my patience for makeup that does not cover the evidence of my sleepless nights is waning. Upon the recommendation of the many reviewers here on MUA, I purchase the F&B in #18-- and lo and behold! People are declaring me a well-rested, poreless beauty. It is sheer coverage that lasts and is buildable. I-- am in love. Who says happy endings don't exist?
51 out of 52 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Sebastian - Shaper Hairspray
rtobiejr 11/25/2008 10:03:00 AM
I have relaxed hair that generally does what I want it to. However, for about a week after relaxing, I find that the roots are a bit flat no matter what I do. I like my hair to have some body-- but touchable hold is what I like-- where my husband can run his fingers through it, but I have a little lift at the roots, and shine. Shaper accomplishes all of these things. I am so pleased to have found a hairspray that does all this. As for the smell, I will readily concur that it is, well, icky. It seems to subside shortly after spraying, though, so I am overall pleased with the results and would purchase again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous lipgloss in Glossy Rose [DISCONTINUED]
rtobiejr 11/3/2008 2:55:00 PM
I forgot my Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in a Stitch of Brown (627) at home, and discovered this on my way to a job interview. Changing purses is always a hazard-- and I knew this would happen sooner or later. I stopped at a Walgreens en route and picked up the Revlon Super Lustrous in Glossy Rose. Fabulous! I can't believe this is so cheap and is the most beautiful pinkish nude shade. The only thing I am not loving is a cloying sort of sweet smell that the gloss has. Other than that-- I am happy to have found this at drugstore, and now know what I can use in a pinch!
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Eye Shadow -Iman - Iman Luxury Eyeshadow in Pewter
rtobiejr 10/31/2008 9:43:00 AM
After reading in Marie Claire magazine's November 2008 Issue that grey eyeshadow was back, I picked this up at my local Target. What a beauty. This shadow is pigmented, blends beautifully and is absolutely wearable-- even for day. The quality rivals MAC's shadows for wear and blendability (is this a word)? Iman has managed to make a beautiful line of colors that are exceptionally high-quality for drugstore products--and her line is certainly worth a look!
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Bronzers -NARS - Casino
rtobiejr 10/28/2008 10:49:00 AM
I first tried this product in Laguna, and quickly discovered that that shade of bronzer made my caramel-colored skin (Prescriptives Real Antelope/Real Tan in winter; MAC NC42/45) look ashy. Not to be dissuaded, I went back to Sephora and returned it for the NARS bronzer in Casino. This, ladies, is the STUFF. I am so pleased with the fine texture of the powder and the shade is just gorgeous. Subtle, like bronzer should be, and gives you a glow as though everyday is your wedding day. Price is somewhat steep, but it is excellent quality--and sometimes, you do get what you pay for. I will certainly repurchase.
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Concealers -Revlon - Beyond Natural Concealer and Highlighters [DISCONTINUED]
rtobiejr 9/25/2008 1:35:00 PM
I bought this in the Medium-Deep shade, as I have NC45 skin (Real Antelope for the Prescriptives users) and have been dissatisfied with MAC's concealers in the past (too cakey and drag-queenish--I don't have THAT much to hide!). I have to say, I am impressed with this formula. The concealer literally melts into imperfections (acne scars and pimples). I am taking away one lippie, mainly because I do not find this concealer as effective around the eye area. It seems a bit too oily. However, for facial imperfections, it does a wonderful job of concealing while leaving a dewy finish-- slightly, well, beyond natural!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Lustre in Lady Bug
rtobiejr 4/9/2007 10:17:00 AM
Ladybug is my perfect red! I wear this in combination with the MAC lipliner in Red Enriched. It makes my teeth look whiter, and my eyes shine-- and this is truly the perfect red for this NC45.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No