Liquid -Sephora - Perfecting Cover Foundation 
rubysubi 8/1/2012 11:25:00 AM
So...Hazelnut is my "summer color" foundation - I love the coverage it provides, it photographs beautifully (no white ashen tones), it doesn't break my skin out, it's the perfect amount of yellow, doesn't oxidize on my super oily, acne-prone skin.. HOWEVER. I have yet to find a primer that works well with this. Ordinarily, I'm not a primer girl but this foundation had me looking and feeling like a greaseball after just an hour. In the humid DC summer days, my skin already oils and greases up, so you can only imagine my pain at this ghastly discoball effect. I'm talking about completely greasing up a blotting sheet after an hour and a half. I've tried Iman's primer and Sephora's primer underneath but to no avail. Tomorrow I'll try Laura Mercier's and if that doesn't work I might actually have to go old-school and use MOM (milk of magnesia) underneath and see if that works out any better. Wouldn't buy it again just because it got discontinued... but got it for a fiver at my Sephora so I can't complain about that! One pump truly is enough for good coverage on my acne-scarred skin.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Illusion D'Ombre - Illusoire
rubysubi 10/23/2011 9:05:00 AM
I must agree with previous reviewers. The price of this product is definitely ghastly. I could buy a week's worth of groceries for the cost of this eyeshadow (I live alone, and eat mainly fresh produce, to clarify). I got this on a whim, at the Chanel counter at Saks, as I was being matched for a now-discontinued foundation. While the MUA and I waited for the foundation to dry, she said "I don't want to pressure you to buy anything that I'm about to put on your skin, but let's wait about 15 minutes to see if the foundation oxidizes on your skin - while you're here I might as well give you a full face." When she pulled out this eyeshadow, I was skeptical, as I have oily skin and don't tend to wear shades as deep as this all over my lid for daytime. But I was bored, and let her have her way with me. Am I glad she did! This is a gorgeous shadow that can be worn day to night, or when doing a 5 minute face as a single color across the lid, which I usually never do. I was surprised that it lasted a good 8 hours without a primer, and with no creasing. My lids usually crease most cream shadows up within an hour or so, but this one had no problems. I twitpic'd my eyes with this shadow on, and was FLOODED with messages asking for the name of the shadow. It gives a fresh yet sultry effect and definitely is in my top 5 eyeshadows now. Most of the other shades have dupes, but this one is truly unique. Phenomenal!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Unlisted Brand - blackup cosmetics - matifying foundation
rubysubi 10/17/2011 5:35:00 PM
- you have to order online unless you live in Europe or New York, using their foundation matching tools (which vary from computer screen to computer screen, and they only have a few MAC foundations to compare your ideal blackup shade with) The site's Foundation Finder tool recommended FM 04 for me (I picked out medium-light as my general tone, and selected the applicable things like "oily skin" and "matte finish"), but the image on the site looked a little pale, so I ordered FM 05 as well just in case. As I suspected, I need to wait for this line to come into stores before buying any foundations or blush shades, because the recommended FM 04 on my skin was a lot deeper than it needed to be. I swatched some on my hand and it was darker than my MAC NC 45 Pro Longwear (which is supposed to be pretty yellow but is still VERY orangey on my skin). Noticeably. The consistency of it wasn't too bad at first, but after a second use, it was like squirting oil out of a bottle. It does have a pump though. Maybe if I kept it in the freezer it would work better, but even keeping it in the fridge didn't keep it moussey. Definitely didn't go on or stay matte. Felt like I was putting vaseline on my face and melting away. Emphasized lines, bumps, you name it. Returned those bottles and tried shades FM01 and FM02. Both were runny, and provided (again) almost no coverage. What a waste of money for me. Probably would be great for gals with dry skin though..
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
rubysubi 10/6/2011 10:50:00 AM
How badly I wanted to love this foundation. With MAC, I usually go between shades NC44 and NC45 depending on the time of year and the foundation, and purchased NC44 at the advice of MUA - mind you, I told her that I have oily, acne-prone skin, so she really should have directed me to another foundation. Not denying my own culpability, I should have done my research before trusting a salesperson. Had I looked at the MAC website instead of blindly trusting the associate I would have seen the product description and known right away it wasn't going to work on my skin. At first, I was very pleased with the amount of coverage such a small amount of product provided (I have hyperpigmentation issues), but about an hour later, it had transferred to just about everything I owned and was starting to get an ashy pink tint. It dried in a decent amount of time, which was nice. Some foundations take aaaages to dry, and others dry too fast to blend. This one was perfect in terms of drying time. An hour after buying it and having it applied over my entire face by the MUA, I took a picture in natural light and was horrified at the ashiness I was seeing, even without a flash. Later that evening, I noticed tiny blackheads starting to form around my nose and chin. No bueno. I kept giving the foundation a chance, using different primers and setting powders, but I had no luck with it. The breakouts got worse, and the ashy tint never went away. If MAC makes more shades of the Pro Longwear Liquid Foundation, I might have to try that one next.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Suzi Says Feng Shui
rubysubi 3/3/2011 3:38:00 PM
A fantastic shade of creamy cyan blue - looking at it in the bottle, it didn't seem that interesting, but as soon as I put it on I fell in love. In pictures it brings out the golden undertones in my skin
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Jade is the New Black
rubysubi 3/3/2011 3:35:00 PM
Absolutely adore this nail polish, it's a true jade color that looks great on my NC44/NC45 skin. I always get compliments on this nailpolish, both in my office and while I'm out and about. Photographs beautifully as well.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Gilt by Association
rubysubi 8/18/2010 1:27:00 PM
My go-to eyeshadow when I want to do a sexy, smoldering, Kardashian-style smokey eye. I agree, the first photo up there doesn't do the eyeshadow justice at all. I use it wet or applied over a sticky base to get the most out of it, and never cease to get compliments on it from men and women alike. When smudged right below my lower lash line, it's beautiful. Got this at a CCO for about 8 bucks, and would go back for more right away if I didn't know that I'll probably never use all of it (it's a big Mineralize shadow). LOVE it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Top/Base Coats -Unlisted Brand - Nail Pro Speed Demon
rubysubi 8/1/2010 6:46:00 PM
Fan-frigging-tastic product. Does exactly what it says, for dirt cheap, and actually seemed to smooth out a couple of lumpy layers of my nail polish too (without getting any of the color on the brush. LOVE this. Got it on sale @ Sally's for under $5.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - full force violet
rubysubi 7/6/2010 12:04:00 PM
So.. I've given this a 3/5 stars because I had super high hopes for this pigment and it just didn't cover all the bases most other Matte MAC pigments do. The name of the color is perfect, and as soon as I saw this pigment I knew I had to have it. Depending on how you use it (and what you use under it), it can look like a violet or a blue or a deep almost indigo color. I was scared to wear it on my eyes at work because of how bright it appears in the jar, but *takes a deep breath* when applied as a regular eyeshadow, it is SUPER powdery and chalky. It's a pigment that I have to use with a blue/violet/super pale base for the color to come through. Usually with matte pigments, I can use Visine instead of water if I want to use the color as an eyeliner, or bring out more of the pigmentation - but with this I have to use a real mixing medium - and frankly I'd rather use my Ben Nye cake liners for that purpose. Those with dry/normal skin could use a cream color base or a shadestick (or any other creamy-ish) base under this shade to give the pigment something to stick to, but those of us with oily skin just aren't going to have that same luck, unfortunately. In terms of making a nailpolish with this, though, it's a DREAM color. It takes on different colors in different lights, and I always get loads of compliments from men and women alike on the vibrant hue. Probably won't buy it again because 1) a little pigment goes a long way 2) I can't see myself reaching for it for more than nail polish reasons, or for use on drier-skinned/pale folks. It also gets a 4 because I prefer the old pigment jars to these newfangled skinny ones.
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Lipstick -NYX - Jumbo Lip Pencil Iced Coffee 711
rubysubi 5/9/2010 8:34:00 AM
LOVE this product.. am not usually one for lip products unless it's a super bold lip color, but this is a fantastic nude color for me (without washing me out as C-Thru tends to do to J Lo.. i'm just sayin).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Milk of Magnesia
rubysubi 5/9/2010 8:21:00 AM
Who would have known that a laxative would be my HG primer? Shames all others. I have skin that's super oily/acne-prone/sensitive, so most primers that work end up breaking out. And the ones that don't break me out don't really work. Normally, by 10am I have to blot when I don't use this. But with MOM, no blotting until at LEAST 1pm. Application: after washing, toning, and lightly moisturizing my face (and letting the moisture sink in for about 2-5 minutes), I blot off excess oil with a single ply of tissue paper, then shake the bottle to mix the contents up. I usually use about 3 drops and apply a super thin layer to my nose and the area immediately around it, a lickle bit on my eyelids, and chin. If I'm in a rush, I fan it for a couple seconds, otherwise I get dressed and let it dry on it's own. After that, there's sometimes some chalky residue if I've applied too much, so i lightly run a dry cotton ball over those areas and then apply my foundation/concealer as usual. For my eyelids, I apply, dry, then put a little bit of MAC Paint Pot in Painterly over it, and BAM! Long-lasting, creaseless eyeshadow. I'm talking about "lasts through rain before the club, a long night of dancing, and pancake house afterwards" - WOW. Although I've marked "Yes" to purchase this product again, a few drops goes SUCH a long way that it'll probably be close to the expiration date of the product before I have to buy any more..
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
rubysubi 5/9/2010 7:50:00 AM
After reading and watching reviews, I was super ready to settle down with this foundation. I usually wear Px Virtual Matte in Fresh Tawny in the winter, and add a little Fresh Antelope in the summer. Since its discontinuation, I've been searching for alternatives. Most of MAC's foundations aren't yellow enough for me (or if they are, they break me out - case in point: studio fix fluid), or oxidize SUPER orange, no matter what primers/powders I use. I purchased this in Toast, for Combination/Oily skin, since it was the closest match to my skin when I tried it on in the store - pretty yellow, and almost a perfect match. Well, the staying power of this foundation is AMAZING. It stayed on through 90degree heat, I didn't have to blot at all over the course of the day, and it didn't transfer. however.... I'm not sure what all these people are talking about with the "drying quickly" claim. Maybe it's because I have oily skin, but this definitely took a while to dry on me. I broke out all around my chin by the end of the day. I'm talking painful Studio Fix Fluid breakout, that a week later I'm still battling. Additionally, though in my bathroom's light (which I've spent a lot of money on trying to make it as close to daylight as possible) it was a perfect match... this foundation is just WAY too pink on me. Not red, but baby pink. Luckily, CVS has a great return policy and I was able to return it. Better luck with another one, I guess..
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Liquid -Cover Girl - Queen Collection Oil-Free Moisturizing Make-Up
rubysubi 3/28/2010 6:26:00 PM
I have this in Rich Sand, which I added a little Studio Sculpt to in NC44 to get the perfect match. At just over six bucks for 1 ounce, it's not bad value (even though it looks like you get a lot less), and I was surprised that it was yellow enough for my skintone (I wore Fresh Tawny/Fresh Antelope in Px's Virtual Matte). My T-Zone got pretty oily around midday, but then again, it always does with non-mattifying foundations. Plus, I can fix that by using MOM as a primer. I've only been using it for a few days, and it hasn't broken me out yet. I'll update if it does.
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Loose Powders -Ben Nye - Bella Luxury Powder: Banana (formerly known as Visage Poudre Luxury Powder)
rubysubi 3/5/2010 1:35:00 PM
A pale yellowish powder, finely milled, sets foundation amazingly without giving coverage. Photographs beautifully. A little bit of powder goes a long way, too. On regular days, I use this powder instead of my MUFE HD powder.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Length
rubysubi 2/1/2010 3:53:00 PM
This absolutely doesn't do what it says. It separates, but doesn't actually lengthen lashes at all. I use this only for applying mascara on my lower lashes. Waste of money. The original (orange tube), however, is awesome!
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