Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
sigriiid 12/31/2012 7:53:00 PM
PACKAGING: Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation comes in a large glass container. It looks very pretty, kind of like Chanel, but is excessive and unnecessary. COVERAGE: I would call this a medium - full coverage foundation. It is a thick cream that you can build easily from medium to a fuller coverage. This really isn't a heavy foundation, but you can feel it on your face. It feels sort of silicone-y... Nothing terrible, it is just different. FINISH: This foundation has a very natural finish. Not too matte, not dewy. It just looks like skin. That is probably my favorite part of this foundation. Of course, setting it with a powder will alter the finish-- a little more matte, but still very nice. LASTING POWER: This foundation claims to last 24 hours. I have no need for foundation to sit on my face for any amount of time nearing 24 hours. This foundation started wearing down on my T-zone after 8 hours, which is still pretty good without a primer. I've found that a primer will nix this problem in the bud. OTHER: I don't have a lot of cons, but I have a few things that ought to be noted. First, this is not the cheapest of drugstore foundations. I purchased mine at Wal-Mart for $10.94, which is as cheap as you can get it unless there is a sale going on. I really like this foundation, so I don't mind. Another thing is application. When I first purchased this I was a little stumped as to how to apply it. I didn't want to use my fingers (like the instructions suggest) just because I find it a little unhygienic. After some trial and error, I found that I get the best results using a stippling brush or a dense kabuki-style brush. ALL IN ALL: I really enjoy this foundation. It looks great and the texture is...interesting. Give it a try!
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Eye Shadow -Bare Escentuals - Ready Eyeshadow duo 2.0 - The Vision
sigriiid 8/8/2012 12:50:00 PM
PACKAGING: All bareMinerals READY 2.0 eyeshadows come in a small, matte black case. I think the matte blacks looks very chic (similar to NARS packaging). The packaging feels very sturdy and well-made. However, whatever they used to mattify the surface of case, it feels sort of rubberized, holds on to excess powder. Because of this, the packaging will look dirty if you don't clean it after every use. This doesn't take away from the quality of the product, I just thought it deserved a mention. COLORS: The Vision contains two bareMinerals READY eyeshadows. 1. Illusion, which is a light blue with a matte finish. The name is spot-on. This shade has a tendency to look almost white... but not. Like an illusion! It is very pretty and surprisingly wearable for a blue eyeshadow. It also doesn't look chalky, which is wonderful considering this shade is so light AND matte. 2. Mirage is a red-ish brown with light blue duochrome. In comparison to similar colors like MAC Club, MAC Blue-Brown pigment, Too Faced Petal To The Metal, etc., Mirage is less intense, which I prefer because I think that makes it a little more wearable during the daytime. On the lid, it can almost look a little bruise-like. I like it, though. As you blend the color out, Mirage loses its blue duochrome and looks much more red-brown. TEXTURE: Fantastic. The shadows are so soft and super blendable. People use the word "buttery" all the time to describe eyeshadow, but it really is true in this case. They are so softy almost feel creamy. Another thing I'd like to mention is that even though they are super soft, they aren't powdery or chalky in the slightest. The company attributes this to some kind of fancy ingredients like cucumber and caffeine that supposedly offer anti-aging benefits... whatever. I'm 19, I don't know about any of that, I just know they feel awesome and look great. They are so pigmented, too. That means you don't have to use a ton of product to get great color pay-off. I consider Urban Decay to be my favorite eyeshadow formula, but these READY eyeshadows are giving them a run for their money. WEAR: These shadows are supposed to be incredibly long wearing, even without a primer. I have to agree. Before I started using UD Primer Potion religiously, I bought a bareMinerals READY 2.0 eyeshadow duo in The Scenic Route (which is beautiful). I did wear it without a primer, and had no troubles. I do think the shadows' intensity faded a bit, though. With primer, these shadows last through it all-- no fading, no nothing. PRICE: One of these duos goes for $20, kinda pricey for just two eyeshadows. You do get a better deal if you buy one of the quads that go for $30-- double the product for only $10 more, however none of the quads have ever caught my attention like the duos have... maybe they just know how to market their product. I think these shadows are worth it, though. WOULD I BUY THEM AGAIN? I would buy this product, again. Maybe not the same duo, because these seem to last forever. These duos come in a ton of other color pairings that look beautiful.
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Liquid -Merle Norman - Luxiva Lasting Foundation
sigriiid 7/27/2012 11:27:00 PM
PACKAGING: I really have no complaints about the looks of packaging. I like that, since they have repackaged, you can see the color of the product inside the tube. However, I really just don't dig the squeeze tube, in general. If you squeeze too much out, it is very difficult to get it back in the container. It can be done, but it takes time, and patience. COVERAGE: I would call this a medium - full coverage foundation. It blends easily, and you don't have to use very much, which is nice considering the price. Cream is the lightest color available, and it matches my coloring perfectly. FINISH: This foundation has a very matte finish. I have always considered myself to have Normal/Oily skin-- nothing too oily, but, boy, can I shine if I don't watch out. With this foundation, there is ABSOLUTELY NO shine on my face. I would strongly recommend this for anyone that has trouble with shine control. That being said, it may be a little drying on dry skin. LASTING POWER: Geeze, Louise! This stuff is called Lasting, and it sure does. I can safely say this foundation has lasted 12+ hours on me. I usually set my liquid foundation with powder, but I don't even have to with this. This would be great for weddings or events where you plan on getting pictures taken throughout the day and you may not have a lot of time for touch ups. However, I gave this a 4/5 instead of a full 5/5 because of two reasons. Number one: This is an expensive foundation-- I believe it retails for $31.00. That can be a little scary if you are on a tight budget. I might recommend buying this foundation and only using it on special occasions where you need your foundation to last a while. Number two: This foundation lasts...and lasts... and lasts. It takes a little more patience to wash this off than other foundations. This is a nuisance, at most, and not a huge deal for me. ALL IN ALL: This is a fantastic foundation. It has great coverage, eliminates shine, and doesn't disappear! Sure, it has its thorns, but what foundation doesn't? I will be repurchasing. A good drugstore alternative would be Revlon Colorstay for Combination/Oily skin. It costs 1/3 of the price and has a very similar formula.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Merle Norman - Lasting Creme Eyeliner
sigriiid 7/26/2012 10:51:00 AM
I have been doing the whole winged cat eye looks for a couple of years, now. I was always a little frustrated because liquid eyeliner would start flaking off, and pencil eyeliner smudged. While, I am a Merle Norman beauty consultant, I keep my opinions unbiased and honest. I wouldn't lie to my customers in order to sell a product, and I wouldn't do that here. I really do think this is a top notch eyeliner. It is VERY long wearing. It doesn't flake (hallelujah!), and it won't smudge or budge once it is set. It is waterproof, but is easily removed with eye makeup remover. My eyes sometimes water on the outside corner, so I'm pretty happy that it is waterproof. If you make a mistake, it is an easy fix without making a mess and smearing it everywhere (I'm looking at you, liquid eyeliner). You can correct any mistakes with a dry cotton swab before the liner has dried. I use the color Black and love how dark and pigmented it is. It is available in three other colors: Slate (dark charcoal), Coffee (this is a rich dark brown), and Brown (standard brown, this is the lightest shade of cream eyeliner). All shades are a matte finish. I gave it 4/5 because it does not come with a brush. If you don't already have one in your collection, you will need to purchase an eyeliner brush. While it isn't that big of a deal, it is something to consider before you buy. The idea of having to purchase a brush may not thrill you, but the Merle Norman eyeliner brush is great quality, and works well with this product. I consider it a solid investment if you intend to continue using cream eyeliner. Another thing to note, is that the application of cream eyeliner is a little different than pencil or liquid. I had small bit of trouble at first, but after a couple of times, I actually think it is easier to achieve the look I want. I have so much more control with a brush than I did with felt-tip liquid liners. Cream eyeliners (and liquids, too) can have a tendency to dry out over time. I keep lid closed tightly when I am not using it. I've had mine for about three months and haven't experienced any drying. You get a ton of product, so I foresee this lasting me quite some time. ANYWAY, I highly recommend this eyeliner.
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Mascara -BeneFit Cosmetics - BADgal Lash
sigriiid 7/8/2012 8:39:00 AM
I picked this mascara up because I'd read and heard a lot of great things about it, and I've never used a high-end mascara before, so I thought "Why not?" WAND: This wand is pretty huge, in both length and thickness (wow, that's dirty), and is a bristle spiral type brush. I always fall for these kinds of wands. Something about them just looks great. As a girl with a decent set of natural lashes, I dig the big brush and would call it one of the mascara's main selling points, but girls with teeny lashes-- nuh-uh. You will make a mess. FORMULA: The formula is really creamy-- not too dry, not too wet. It's a very rich black, and has had no trouble holding a curl. CLUMPS & STUFF: This mascara will do a lot of things for your lashes. One thing this mascara will not do is clump. It is great at really separating your lashes and bringing them up and out. Some people have said that this mascara smudges, but I haven't seen it. However, I don't wear mascara on my lower lash line, which may make a difference. I have seen very slight flaking, but nothing serious. RESULT: Honestly, this is a great mascara, but it just isn't as dramatic as I would have liked. I have found that using a lash primer (I use Merle Norman Lash Prep) really amps things up, and makes a HUGE difference. With the addition of the lash primer, I am very satisfied with this mascara, and will great use out of it. This mascara promises you the lashes a "bad gal," and I would say it delivers. You get pretty good length, as well as lots of separation and volume. OVERALL: This is a great mascara, it does what it claims to. However, I am slightly disappointed that it costs $19. While I realize this is not the MOST expensive mascara out there, it isn't cheap. I was really hoping for jumping jacks, the whole nine yards, and drag queen lashes for that price. I will probably not be repurchasing only because I want to try other prestige brands of mascara. In other words, I would repurchase this if I wasn't so curious about others. I would recommend this to ladies (and gents) who already have decent lashes and are looking for some length and volume (and don't mind the price tag).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast
sigriiid 6/23/2012 1:06:00 PM
PACKAGING: This is the mascara in the big orange tube. I think the bright orange can come off as a little brash, but that's just me. I've used the white tube that was released for the Olympics, and I think it just looks cleaner and more mature. The packaging doesn't effect the mascara's quality, but it does catch your eye. WAND: I used to be terrified of this wand before I tried it. But then I tried it. Honestly, this is the best brush I've ever used. The shorter bristles control the lashes, which gives excellent separation and prevents clumps. I love the size of the brush, but I've always loved big brushes. The wand gives me tons of volume, and even some length. I have a pretty good amount of lashes with decent length, but nothing spectacular. If you have particularly short lashes, this wand may be a little difficult to use at first. However, with practice, I have no doubt it will work for you, too. FORMULA: The formula is on the dryer side, which works well with my lashes. Wetter formulas just make it easier for me to clump my lashes together, and that isn't cute. There is a slight smell (not bad), but it isn't overpowering. This mascara stays on all day with no flaking. It is great at holding a curl (I don't even have to curl my lashes when I use this). To top it off, it is very easy to remove with soap and water, but even easier to remove with eye makeup remover. CLUMPS: While I believe clumps happen, they occur most often because of how YOU apply your mascara. For me, ZERO clumpage. I've been using this mascara for years, and I've never seen a mascara hold up to the "no clump" claim, except this. This mascara is buildable, too. Personally, when it comes to lashes, I live by "Go big, or go home". With this mascara, it is so easy to get natural-looking lashes, but just as easy to get those dramatic, drag queen lashes. OVERALL: This is my HG. I used it for years, tried other brands of mascara, and now I'm back, again. I love everything about it. It doesn't clump, doesn't flake, and lasts all day. Lash Blast give me fantastic volume, and even some length. It gives me everything I want in my lashes. CoverGirl is an easily accessible drugstore brand. That means, I can find it anywhere, and I'm not going broke. I've seen it retail for anywhere between $5-$9 depending on where you get it, if you have a coupon, or whether there is a sale. I would recommend this to anyone. I have and will continue to buy again and again.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Merle Norman - Luxiva Ultra Thick
sigriiid 6/21/2012 9:21:00 AM
I am reviewing the "re-vamped" Luxiva Ultra Thick Mascara with the rubberized wand. Personally, I prefer rubberized wands. I think they offer better separation and control. The performance of this mascara is great. The formula really is ultra thick, but not dry. I wouldn't call it buildable. I've found that two coats is where it maxes out-- any more coats, and you'll be headed straight for clump and spider lash city. I haven't had any trouble taking it off using Merle Norman Dual Action Eye Makeup Remover, so I have no complaints there. The only complaint I do have it that it flakes. I don't end up with raccoon eyes or anything, but I end up brushing the flakes off my cheeks throughout the day. It's not a big deal, but it should be noted. I give it a four simply because of the flake factor. Other than that, wonderful mascara.
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Blush -Merle Norman - Luxiva Lasting Cheekcolor - Razzle Dazzle
sigriiid 5/31/2012 11:02:00 PM
This blush is sooo pretty. I thought it was beautiful just looking at it, but upon further inspection, it looks very similar to NARS Orgasm. It gives a very natural looking flush to the cheek, and it is even very hard to over apply. The gold is very fine and just gives a lovely glow to the face.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous Million Lashes
sigriiid 5/30/2012 3:44:00 PM
I was drawn to this mascara because of the packaging. I'm tired of all the neon colors I see with all the Maybelline Volum'Express and CG Lash Blasts. The gold mirrored packaging looks very mature, which I like. WAND: The "millionizer" wand is cool. I like the shape and the amount of bristles.The shape reminds me of Maybelline's Define-A-Lash, but bigger and easier to work with. It really separates your lashes. FORMULA: The formula is wetter than I like, which I am discovering to be true with a lot of L'oreal mascaras. I am able to work with it, though. It is also very black. My only problem with it is that it doesn't hold a curl very well. It also tends to leave my lashes kind of stiff. CLUMPS & STUFF: I found this to be clump free as long as you keep the coating simple. Two to three coats is fine, but more than that and it starts to clump REALLY BAD. However, it really all depends on how YOU apply your mascara. Your technique can really effect the way the mascara behaves. I noticed a small amount of flake-age, but nothing horrendous. I haven't encountered any smudging. RESULT: It doesn't really specify what this mascara is supposed to do on the packaging. It claims to "millionize" your lashes (whatever that means). I was expecting it to make my eyes look like I had a million lashse. I was let down, though. I found it to be pretty "meh" in the volume department. The length it gives is decent. OVERALL: This is a pretty good mascara. I don't love it, though. I would call it average. I am looking for a mascara that thickens my lashes and adds just a tid-bit of length, and this just isn't it. Even though this isn't what I'm looking for, I am able to layer it with other mascaras if I need more separation. I will probably keep the wand after I'm through and use it as a lash comb.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Mega Plush
sigriiid 5/30/2012 3:22:00 PM
While this isn't a terrible mascara, it didn't exactly live up to it's claims and just isn't what I'm looking for. The best thing about this mascara is the "revolutionary gel-mousse formula". It applies smoothly and is lighter (in weight) than other mascara formulas. It dries to a wet-looking, glossy finish. I've heard it compared to Maybelline Lash Stiletto's finish. This finish is very pretty and makes your eyes pop. I usually think that the look of the wand is generally how it will make your lashes look. I'm really not impressed with this wand. It is a bristle wand. Looking dead-on at the tip, the bristles make a rounded triangle shape around the wand. I don't like this. Also, the bristles are kind of wonky. Some overlap other bristles and look messy. I also don't like the flexible part. It is too bendy, and this makes it very difficult to control. This mascara is supposed give both volume and length, with an emphasis on volume. I find it to volumize my lashes minimally. It adds some length, but not an impressive amount. Because the formula is light weight, it builds in thin layers. Because of this, it took way to many layers to build the look I wanted. However, if you are looking for a natural look, this wouldn't be a bad choice. I like the big false-lash look and this is not the mascara to do it with. I don't like this mascara. It isn't bad, it just doesn't do what I like a mascara to do. I'm sure many others would like it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous in Carbon Black
sigriiid 5/18/2012 2:05:00 PM
WAND: Something I especially like about the product is that it has a traditional bristle wand that isn't massive. I'm so over the 'bigger is better' notion that is going around in the mascara world. AND the bristles are stiff enough that they don't bend when they come in contact with your lashes. They are stiff enough that they give good separation and really get into your lashes. FORMULA: The formula is wetter than I prefer, but it's not bad. Because it is wetter, it's very easy to build several coats. I haven't noticed any kind of scent on the formula, either. The color is very rich, dark black. I've heard others say it makes the color of their eyes pop, but I can't say that it makes my eyes pop more than any other black mascara. In my experience, this mascara has no trouble holding a curl. I have found that it will flake a bit with too many layers or a long day. One to two coats, and it won't flake much. CLUMPS: As for being clump resistant; all mascaras claim to be clump resistant. This mascara will obviously clump at some point depending on how many coats YOU use, YOUR application technique, and how long you've had the product. My tube is fairly new. I usually apply 2-3 coats of mascara and haven't had any huge clumping issues. RESULT: I have found that this mascara gives me minimal length (it doesn't claim that it will lengthen your lashes). It does give an impressive amount of volume in very few coats. I'd recommend this for girls (or guys) who are satisfied with their natural length and just want to add volume. OVERALL: I really like this mascara. IT DOES WHAT IT CLAIMS TO DO, and that is hard to find. The price hard to beat at a little under $6. I bought it at Wal-Mart, but the price will vary with your location and store. I would recommend this, yes. But like I said, it doesn't give a substantial amount of length, so I wouldn't recommend this to someone who wants that in a mascara. I would buy this product, again. A NOTE: Some people recommend letting this mascara dry out a couple of weeks. I have done this, and I do think it performs better if you usually prefer a dryer formula.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked 2 Palette
sigriiid 5/16/2012 4:26:00 PM
I am someone who is a makeup junkie but has only recently started dipping my toe into high end makeup. I had been dying over this palette on the internet for months, but couldn't convince myself to buy something like eyeshadow for $50. Finally, I couldn't just look at swatches anymore. After buying the Naked 2 palette from Ulta, I understand why someone would pay $50 for an eyeshadow palette. It comes with 12 full sized shadows with matte and shimmer finishes. The shadows are so, so, so smooth and blendable. Not only that, but being a neutral palette, there are an unlimited amount of combinations and looks to try. Browns have never been so exciting (except, perhaps, in the original Naked palette that I do not own). You can create very wearable day time looks as well as dramatic, sexy night time looks. The packaging is sturdy and secure. Some might say it is a little big to travel with, but I beg to differ. It feels like it could last through shuffling around in a luggage bag (and it has). My only trouble is that a few of the colors, Snakebite, YDK, and Busted, have fallout. I still give the palette a 5/5 because I expect that with ANY eyeshadow, and if there isn't any fallout, its just a plus. I absolutely love this palette. Its been a few months and I'm still coming up with new looks to try. The palette excels because of its endless versatility and fool proof colors. I would recommend this to anyone. ANYONE. I am going to try the original Naked palette, next.
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Mascara -Neutrogena - Healthy Volume
sigriiid 5/16/2012 1:55:00 PM
I have never been satisfied only using one coat of mascara... until I used this. I'm all about going big or going home, and my lashes are no exception. I want it all. Covergirl Lash Bast (original or fusion, it didn't matter to me) bas been my HG for a couple of years. I started experimenting with other mascaras because I just got bore with good ol' Lash Blast. Thank heavens I did. I already have a decent amount of lashes with decent length, but this really takes them to the moon. I really could walk out of the house with only one coat and be completely happy. This mascara has a very large brush. I've heard it being compared to Diorshow, which is one of the reasons I bought it. I am usually not HUGE fan of the BIG BIG brushes, but this one is different. The bristles are stiff enough that they don't get all wishy-washy when I apply. I will recommend Neutrogena Healthy Volume to anyone. Its got a fair price, and its healthy for your lashes. MOST OF ALL, IT DELIVERS. *****EDIT***** Something that I have continually noticed, but failed to point out in my earlier review, is that the non-waterproof formula is DEFINITELY NOT WATERPROOF. I didn't buy the waterproof formula because I don't enjoy the process of taking waterproof mascaras off, but I don't want to constantly worry that if my eye tears up I'll have a black tear rolling down my face. I have found that this mascara smudges A LOT if your eye waters and has a tendency to run if it gets too wet. I imagine this is due to the natural ingredients, making the formula easily broken down by water. I really don't have a problem with watery eyes, so I still use and love this mascara. However, I felt like I should mention it. I know that this could be a real deal breaker for some buyers.
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Liquid -Revlon - New Complexion Makeup
sigriiid 5/9/2012 4:15:00 AM
I really like this foundation. I was able to find a shade that matches my skin tone very easily. The consistency is a little runnier than I prefer, but that is just an opinion and doesn't take away from it. It blends very nicely and doesn't have any kind of aroma. The only reason I took a lippy off is because it doesn't last very long, especially in the T zone if you don't use a primer or set it with a powder.
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner
sigriiid 2/27/2012 1:49:00 PM
Overall, this is a pretty good eyeliner. Its very dark and easy to apply. I even really enjoy its chunky size. A lot of people might not like that its like holding a children's crayon, but I think it helps steady my hand. My only complaint is that without any kind of primer, this eyeliner transfers to my top lid A LOT. I use Urban Decay's Primer Potion, and this eyeliner stays put. I probably won't purchase it again, though. This is only because there are other eyeliners I prefer more.
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