Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara
shadesofyellow 10/8/2012 3:15:00 PM
I hate this mascara. It's clumpy, it smears, does not give me volume nor length. I have no idea why this is a 'favorite' among makeup artists!
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Other -Ben Nye - Final Seal
shadesofyellow 9/16/2012 6:19:00 PM
Wow, just wow. I have an acne-prone skin w/a very oily t-zone. Final Seal is not kidding when it says, 'seal'. At the end of a 10-hour day my face looks nearly as good as when I left the house. My t-zone does not get oily at all. I do however have two issues, but I think it has more to do with the Kryolan Anti-Shine Powder I use. On my nose, where I am most oily, the powder sort of accumulates near the oily pores (not cute at all). And since I used Final Seal over it, I can't buff it out when I notice it during the day. So I end up with these weird spots on my nose (and sometimes chin). Again, not really Final Seal's problem, it's just doing its job. Second issue is the pump/mister. It doesn't spray in a fine mist which is crucial for this product to work well. I get some fat droplets that, if I don't blot before it dries, will be evident on my face. I've stopped using this until I can find a better mister. I'm not sure if this would be a great product for drier skin folks because I think the mattifiying effect might have to do with the SD alcohol sucking up the facial oils.
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Cleansers -Simple - Cleansing Facial Wipes
shadesofyellow 9/16/2012 6:08:00 PM
I have sensitive acne-prone skin an generally wear quite a bit of foundation. I use the OIl Cleansing method to remove the day's makeup but didn't want to rinse it off with water since that would leave my skin dry and tight. I picked up the Simple Cleansing Wipes and they've been great! removes the oil and makeup and doesn't dry my skin out! I did try the Boots wipes also but came back to the Simple Wipes. They both work fine but Simple seems to get the water proof mascara off better and has less of a fragrance.
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Lipstick -MAC - Cut a Caper
shadesofyellow 9/12/2012 7:34:00 PM
Beautiful pinky-coral shade on my NC25 (w/yellower undertones) skin. It's almost like a lipstick/gloss with how slick it is. Its lasts about 2 hours on me. I do have a bone to pick though. Whether it's indicative to this shade or batch, I don't know but I purchased this recently (part of the Pleasureseeker collection, I think) through MAC online. In that same order I bought Venus as well. Same formula, same batch code. Well my Cut a Caper broke off at the base and I've been unable to melt it back together. (It makes me sad every time I use it because it’s such a beautiful shade, and it's harder to get color on using just a lip brush). However, happyish ending. I wrote to MAC, just to let them know about the issue, and they offered to send me a replacement (of a different shade, since Cut A Caper is LE).
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Liquid -Kat Von D - Lock-It
shadesofyellow 9/12/2012 7:21:00 PM
I'm on my third day of wearing this foundation and I quite like it! Coverage: Beyond Awesome! Full coverage, doesn't look cakey. Oil Control: Great! I have to blot after about 3 -4 hours w/other foundations, with this one, I can blot at about 4-5 hours but I don't really need to. I've just been doing it more out of habit. I do set it with Kryolan's Anti-Shine & MAC MSFN like I do with other foundations. Breakouts - this is a big one, every BB cream I've tried and the MUFE Mat Velvet has broken me out. Crossing my fingers that I don't break out with this one as well but so far so good. Wear time - pretty decent - at the end of a 9 hour day I still look pretty decent. I've tried applying this with the Shiseido Foundation brush and the results were okay but it does look better using a Beauty Blender. I also just noticed that I'm a little streaky so I'll try working on smaller areas of my face. Shade-wise, I'm a NC25 with yellower undertones. I purchased Medium 52 and it's a bit too dark for me. I'll be heading to Sephora soon to look at the lighter shades. Edited to Add - 9/16/12 (review written 9/12/12)- I went to Sephora yesterday and picked up a sample of Light 48. It matches my skin much better but the undertone is quite different than Medium 52. Sephora is correct in describing Medium 52 as 'warm beige undertone' and Light 48 as 'beige undertone'. I used Milani Mutlitasker pressed powder in Light Medium to add a bit of yellow to my face and I'm good w/the results. I did try mixing the two but I'm satisfied w/the results of Light 48 by itself.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Biore - UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen
shadesofyellow 7/29/2012 12:53:00 PM
Wow, just wow. I wanted a sunscreen without the sunscreen smell, white cast, or greasy feeling...and here it is! Now given that alcohol is high on the list it could be slightly drying. I have an oily t-zone and normal cheek area and its okay for me but I could see where other reviewers are coming from. Since I'm in the US I've been ordering off eBay for about $18 but its well worth it!!!
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Skincare - Face -MAC - Fix+
shadesofyellow 7/20/2012 9:40:00 PM
So I'd heard about Fix+ for a long time and finally during a MAC visit I bought one of the mini sized ones (you know, the one sitting at the front counter, like that pack of gum, candy bar or National Enquirer you don't need to buy but you do just cuz it's there?) The more I use it the more I've come to appreciate it. I like powders, and I probably like them too much but Fix+ to the rescue! It gets rid of that powdery finish perfectly! I don't know if it extends my makeup life, maybe it does but I'm more interested in it getting rid of the super powder finish. Sure there are DIY versions out there but I like MAC's so I'll buy it again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Light Plus
shadesofyellow 7/20/2012 9:26:00 PM
Thankfully I didn't listen to the SA when she said I should get medium for my "NC30" skin (I'm actually NC25, and I bought LIght Plus). This shade is great for me, and I use it to set my cream foundation (currently using Graftobian Hi-Def Creme Foundation) I'm not sure what it is about this powder, I just know it works! It sets my foundation, doesn't get cakey, imparts a nice light dusting of powder. For reference: NC25 w/yellower undertones. Acne-prone, very oily t-zone but chin can get flaky, pretty normal everywhere else,
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Lipstick -MAC - Lipstick in Bombshell
shadesofyellow 7/20/2012 9:09:00 PM
Very pretty shade of brightish pink w/a slight gold sheen. Looks nice w/my NC25 (w/yellower undertones) skin.
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Lipstick -MAC - Costa Chic
shadesofyellow 7/20/2012 9:03:00 PM
I love the color! I'm a NC25 (but have yellower undertones) and it's a pretty, bright coral-y color. Perfect for summer! But I give it a 3 because it bunches (?) up/collects on the inside and sides of my lips. It does settle in my lip lines a bit but that's not nearly so bad as the 'bunching/migration'. Edited 8/2/12 - MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer prevents Costa Chic from settling in the lip lines and helps a lot with the migration.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia
shadesofyellow 6/4/2012 12:12:00 AM
I have been using the Clarisonic for a little over two months now, and prior to that I was using the Olay Pro-X brush for about a year. To be honest, I haven't seen the heaven-sent skin others have raved about. I have been using the Sensitive brush head the unit came with and just started using the Deep Pore brush head a few days ago, and I'm hoping that will help. So far the only improvement I've seen over the Pro-X brush is that my super clogged nose pores have diminished quite a bit (however it should be noted that I am using mandelic acid by Garden of Wisdom as well and that may contribute to the unclogging). It's still a nice brush, and I like that its rechargeable and that the head is bigger than the Pro-X.
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)
shadesofyellow 3/25/2012 8:16:00 PM
UDPP was the 2nd eyeshadow primer I tried. The first being ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer, and the third being Too Faced Eyeshadow Insurance. I'm on my 2nd tube of UDPP and it doesn't seem as magical as my first tube but it still does the job, and I still do prefer UDPP over TFSI. ELF's primer works well too and is a great budget option to UDPP. I have fairly oily lids and it keeps me crease free throughout the day, and it brings out the color no matter how poorly pigmented a shadow might be. Great stuff!
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Eyeshadow Brush
shadesofyellow 3/25/2012 8:11:00 PM
This is a great brush IF you find the right one. In terms of quality, it is hit or miss. Never by this brush online because you never know what you'll get. I've bought 2 at Target and 1 online. The first one I bought was great, packed on the loose shadow just how I wanted it to. The 2nd one i bought looked okay but I should have taken it out of the case to feel the bristles - a chunk of inner bristles seemed glued together and it wasn't worth driving all the way back to return a $1 brush. The third I bought off Elf's website had the right shape but had half the bristles of the first two. Additionally, all three are different lengths (this doesn't bother me too much though) So long story short, buy it in person and check the bristles first.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Tamanu Oil
shadesofyellow 3/24/2012 10:13:00 PM
Tamanu oil is the best! My first brand was Aura Cacia but now i'm using some I bought from Mountain Rose Herbs. I was very skeptical when the saleswoman recommended Tamanu for my acne. She had me rub some on the back of my hand and omg I think the rental car I was in probably smell like it for days. It's not a bad smell, it just takes getting used to (I don't think it smells like skunk either). After I had been using it for a about a month I actually found the smell to be soothing(?). Either way, I'm not sure how much it really helped in preventing acne but it definitely helps in healing them AND it helps TREMENDOUSLY with the hyperpigmentation I get with acne. I noticed that the earlier I started applying it to the spot the quicker the hyperpigmentation would fade away. I do use it all over as well - it makes my skin very soft. Love the stuff!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Lucy Minerals Foundation
shadesofyellow 3/24/2012 9:58:00 PM
This is my HG foundation - I'm on my third jar. I've gone through a bunch of other brands: - MAC Studio Fix - Used this for over ten years but it would slide of my face by the end of the day and get oily/cakey around my nose - BE (gave me cystic acne and the color wasn't a great match for me), - Meow (Pampered Puss looked fantastic but didn't give me the coverage I wanted, Flawless Feline turned cakey on me), - Adorned with Grace (another good one with better oil control than LM but again, not enough coverage -Silk Naturals - decent coverage but looked cakey on me Lucy has great coverage, and it doesn't take a lot of product to get there. I couldn't find a perfect match so I buy Snow White and use Silk Naturals pigments to mix my own. Also, you do want to use LM's Finishing Powder - I've tried other finishing powders but LM's won't take away from the coverage. This doesn't have the best oil control (I'll be trying the OCC version soon) but I blot with J&J blotting sheets and it looks fine.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No