Eyes -Unlisted Brand - Careprost~Generic Brand Latisse 
sandia1 12/12/2012 8:21:00 AM
Let me begin by saying that I started using Latisse in September of 2009 and used it for 5 months before switching to Careprost. By the 16th week of using Latisse, my lashes and brows went from blonde and thin(nner), [as they'd thinned and gotten blonde as I'd aged- I'm 51 now.] to darker and THICK and long. My lashes were IGNORANT long and thick. Almost too long when I wore mascara. My eyebrows were fantastic as well. All I really had to do was tint them with Just For Men Gel. Beautiful! As with most, I couldn't resist switching to Careprost because of the lower cost compared to the expensive Latisse. However, within a couple of months of using Careprost every other night to maintain my lash length & thickness as is suggested, I was really disappointed. :( They got thinner and shorter. I started using it every day again as I did with Latisse in the beginning. Nothing changed much. My lashes have remained longer and thicker than they were pre-Latisse, but my brows aren't nearly as thick as they were when I used Latisse and my lashes are longer than before I ever used Latisse. There is definitely a difference between the 2 products IMO. All of my bottles of Careprost have come from ADC, btw. From my own experience I definitely think there is a difference between the generic and the Brand name unless something happened and I became "used to it" or resistant, or if that's even possible. I haven't tried to purchase Latisse in the UK since I've only seen prices even higher than in the USA. I will buy Latisse when we move back to the USA this month and see if there is a difference as I strongly believe there is and report back. All in all, I think Careprost is a great product and would recommend it.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Revlon - ColorStay Aqua Mineral Makeup
sandia1 4/14/2012 2:16:00 PM
I have used Bare Escentuals and Smashbox Halo for 6 years, and recently (last Winter) switched to Colorescience mineral foundation because Bare Escentuals foundation had begun looking dull, rather than "glowy." (Not sparkly) My daughter-in-law uses this, and it looks fantastic on her 22 yr. old skin. We went to CVS to get more for her and there was a BOGO, and I decided to try it. I have dry-ish skin and use Retin A, so sometimes I get a tad flaky. I'm 50 and do not have *wrinkles*, but this settled into the fine lines I DO have, and looked cakey over my light as a feather moisturizer and sunscreen. I did use B.E. primer, and the look was awful. Blotchy and uneven, but matte-I didn't see any sparkles. Huge disappointment. It is not cheap either. I might review it once more after I exfoliate my flaky patches on my face and try it without a makeup primer since I saw a lot of "cones" (silicones-the primary ingredient in primers) in the ingredients. So far, however, I would not rec'd this for anybody who has any degree of crepiness under the eyes or fine lines. Instead of looking glowing, I looked dull, blotchy, older, and I washed this off before leaving the house. The cool feeling it gives is nice, but unfortunately the finished look leaves much to be desired. Bottom line, this is not an exceptional product and it is hugely overpriced in my opinion, especially for a drug store foundation-and I don't mind spending "more" on a good foundation. I also don't like some of the ingredients-ones I can't pronounce! lol I will stick to a mineral makeup with more natural ingredients and without added silicones, which can cause some people to break out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
sandia1 11/23/2010 4:16:00 AM
I like this foundation for a break in my mineral makeup when my face is flaky from retin a. I have heard so many women complain of sparklies, but I see absolutely none. It gives a nice medium coverage and doesn't leave my skin feeling dry during the day. I'd buy this again. It's a dream to apply with the Beauty Blender.
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Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
sandia1 11/23/2010 4:11:00 AM
I was so looking forward to loving this, but I don't. It goes on my lids in a greasy manner and takes longer to dry than other eye primers. :( I gave it an overall rating of 3 since my shadows don't crease, and last, but no more than any other primer. I'm disappointed that this wasn't my HG of eye primers. Bare Escentuals and MAC paint pots are better IMO.
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Eye Primer -E.L.F. - Eyelid Primer
sandia1 9/11/2010 2:09:00 PM
Dirt cheap cost. I have dry skin and my eye lids are no exception. This product is thin, and takes a couple of minutes to dry. I LIKE the fact that it is more on the "oily" side rather than one that's too tacky or dries too fast. I wore shimmery shades with it the first time I used it and they went on very beautifully, no problems blending and my shadows were very intense. I had 0 creasing with this product and would definitely buy it again. It may not be the best for those with oily lids. Regular UDPP might work better for the oily lids. I will compare this to UDPP Sin- this leaves a better canvas to apply shadows, IMO. Sin dries too fast and doesn't really do anything to amp up my shadows. For the price difference, it's a no-brainer. I'll still use Sin and my MAC paint pots, but I'll still use this as well.
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Polishes -Sally Hansen - Insta-Dri Nailpolish Colors
sandia1 9/2/2010 4:14:00 AM
LOVE these nail polishes!! Glides on so nicely, dries to a fabulous shine in seconds! One coat is sufficient for full color. LASTS and lasts, and does not chip or go dull. 5 lippies all the way! I've used HE nail polishes and most take a while to dry, and inevitably the polish gets a dent, smudge or something. I hate the wait... I'll stick with fast drying, very affordable drug store brands! These might just be the HG of nail polishes!
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Eyeliner -Urban Decay - 24/7 Eyeliner Pencil
sandia1 9/2/2010 4:03:00 AM
What can I say?? Great stuff! Glides on so smoothly, smudges easily with a smudge brush and STAYS on until I remove it. Colors stay true all day & night. They are a bit pricey, and I'm sure less expensive pencil liners do a great job, but I bought nearly every color available. For the quality, I don't mind paying the price for these!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -L'Oreal - Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base
sandia1 9/2/2010 2:18:00 AM
I got 2 of these on a BOGO, as I'm always out to find my HG primer. I've used B.E., Smashbox, (2 different ones by them), Monistat anti-chafing gel, and a couple of others whose brand names I can't remember. All in all, it's nothing special for me. No better or worse than HE primers. I don't like the packaging-it should be in a tube or a pump dispensing bottle. I don't hate it, but I wouldn't re-purchase. My makeup stays put all day with this, but it's a bit pricey for drugstore primer. Maybe it's better for oilier skin, because I did notice that my Smashbox Halo didn't look as flawless as it usually does, or maybe I had extra flakiness from my Retin A. At any rate, it's not any better than a $5 tube of Monistat Anti-Chafing gel, so since it isn't anything special, just shrug.... I got it out today after not using it for a couple of months and just... bleh. It will probably go bad before I use it up. I actually gave my second jar to my daughter and she was under-impressed as well. She said, too, "I like the vag stuff better lol" Our phrase for the Monistat anti chafing gel. :D
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara in Black
sandia1 9/1/2010 12:15:00 PM
Gah! I really wanted to like the "tubing" effect this product claims to give- and nice volumizing. For me, it's just awkward putting the mascara on over the white bit because I get an uneven, clumping mess with white still showing. Big thumbs down. I have long lashes, and they aren't thin, and I really wanted to have a feathery, thick effect and all I get is eye lashes clumped together and that's not the kind of volume I look for. lol Ironically, the only thing I would give this 5 lippies for is removal. I just wet my lashes with warm water and the "tubes" kinds fall off and the residue easily washes off. I would not purchase again, nor recommend this product to anybody.
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Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Bamboo 6 mini brushes
sandia1 8/18/2010 3:21:00 PM
Love, love, LOVE Ecotools! I have not been disappointed with any Ecotools brush/es so far, and this set is no different!! I found these at Tesco in the UK and had to have them. Every brush is soft and has a USE every time I apply makeup. Inexpensive and incredibly made. I especially like the shorter handles-soooo very convenient. You just can't go wrong with any Ecotools product. 5 lippies all the way and I would definitely buy again and recommend anybody buy these.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
sandia1 8/13/2010 10:35:00 AM
Primer Potion Sin is my favorite go-to eye primer. I love the shimmer, the color and it can be uses AS an eye shadow! Any shadow goes on perfectly over this primer smoothly and stays day and night!! I would rec this to anybody. I just wish the packaging were different. It's PRETTY, but when there is still a lot of product in the tube, it's hard to get out unless you take the plastic thingie out of the neck- then there's too much product-but this is a small price to pay for such a wonderful product. Well worth every penny! EDIT-I wrote about UD Sin, but the original as just as good, and I use it also. :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Devita Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer spf 30
sandia1 8/13/2010 10:15:00 AM
Fabulous sunscreen!! I do NOT use chemical sunscreens any more- at all. This light, silky cream absorbs right into my skin leaving it soft and clean! NO white cast and absolutely great protection. I never tried the older version in the jar- I do like the pump jar and that they increased the zinc % to 19. You don't have to get all caught up in ppd with zinc oxide based sunscreens. You've got superior protection without the worry of the hormone-disrupting chemicals in most sunscreens. 5 lipsticks for this product!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powders -Smashbox - Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder
sandia1 8/13/2010 9:54:00 AM
This product is total perfection! It makes my skin look flawless without a powdery, cakey look. The finish is fabulous, it's hydrating to my dry skin, and the coverage is nicely buildable. Packaging is incredible, as you do not have loose minerals waiting for a spill! I can't say enough good things about Smashbox Halo. The ONLY downside, I think, is lack of shades, though Fair works very well for me unless I'm faux-tanned, in which case, the Light works well.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Bare Escentuals - bare Minerals Foundation #2/#3 & Mineral Veil
sandia1 8/13/2010 9:40:00 AM
I began using Bare Escentuals in 2006. (I was one month shy of my 45th birthday) I'd seen the infomercials and wanted to try it, but never did until 2006 when I tried my niece's foundation/mineral veil. My first attempt was a bad one! TOO MUCH product was used. I tried a second time and I fell in LOVE with the look. Being a makeup junkie, and nearly 45 at this time, I had tried nearly every product out there, from cheap to over the top expensive. I have dry skin, some fine lines and when I moisturize and use a primer (I have several) B.E. accentuates my fine lines no more than any liquid/cream makeup (which I always had to set with a powder) did. For the first time since my 20's people began saying to me "OMG your skin is beauuuuuuuuutiful" as opposed to "Wow, I love the way your makeup looks." Or "Your makeup looks great." There is definitely a learning curve with B.E. I am not a fan of the moisturizers, but I like the cleanser okay. I've switched to the oil cleansing method, so no need for the cleanser, really. I don't have a problem at all with the minerals clouding up or getting everywhere. The packaging could be better because the minerals do get into the top of the containers and a spill can be bad-but that goes for most liquid products, too. The eye shadows are fantastic- I have over 475 of those alone. (NO I don't work for B.E., but I wish I did!!) A little goes a longggg way, and one little pot of eye shadow lasts forever. I agree, not too great for travel, but I've found ways to get around the minerals piling up in the caps. I am not the biggest fan of B.E.'s brushes, unless it's the few that are synthetic. Many of the face brushes irritate my skin and feel scratchy. I prefer softer, synthetic brushes that don't hold onto too much of the product. That, and product packaging, are my 2 gripes about B.E. I hate how they say you can never use too much Mineral Veil- cos you can! Mineral Veil is my least favorite product, aside from the non-essential, special brush cleansers. Use a gentle, cheap shampoo and you're good to go. All in all, my skin has never looked better. I also love Smashbox Halo, and alternate using B.E. foundation & SH. I LOVE B.E. and doubt I'll ever quit using it. At least now they have a much better color selection, and the foundation packaging is much better with the click and twist inside cover. They seriously need to make better brushes, and I hate their mascaras. Definite thumbs down. Love the blushes, radiances, eye shadow, just about everything except a rare few items. I find B.E. cost effective all in all since I don't need to use much product. I have broken capillaries around my nose and redness on my cheeks and B.E. covers that nicely without looking cakey. I like the Bisque concealer as well. I don't think this makeup is for everybody, as no makeup is. You must tailor to your needs. I'll close by saying that after about a year of using the foundation, I felt some itchiness when I would sweat, but when I switched to synthetic brushes, that stopped. Since they now offer a matte foundation, those who don't care for the more dewy, glowing look have the matte option without having to use the mineral veil-which I found to be a useless step--and I also find that my makeup routine time is no longer than it ever was. EDIT: Something has changed with Bare Escentuals' foundation. It really used to be nice and glowy, but now the original formula is dull and powdery in its finish. I gave this foundation up for Colorescience mineral foundation. Huge thumbs down to B.E. for a negative change in the milling or whatever they did to change a good foundation into one I won't buy again. :(
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No