BB Cream -Smashbox - Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35
stacialue0330 1/10/2013 2:56:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal to dry skin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: BB cream that supposedly not only covers imperfections, but also can improve your skin over time.
PACKAGE: Small, black tube-style container (1 fl oz.). Ideal for travel.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Considering the fact this is supposed to be a lighter option, I was surprised by the thicker consistency of this BB cream. Felt slightly mask-ish and tight on my face, but I chalk that up to normally wearing a mineral powder foundation most days.
APPLICATION: After moisturizing and prepping my face, I placed pea-sized amounts on my cheeks, forehead, and chin. Using a foundation brush, I blended the BB cream all over for a seamless look.
SMELL: Very faint, chemical smell that wasn’t unpleasant.
STAYING POWER: In a word: nonexistent. After first applying/blending, it looked gorgeous and even. However, about 2-4 hours after putting it on, it began to fail, big-time. Not only did it settle into creases on the face, but it peeled and flaked all around my nose and mouth as well, accompanied by a tight, tugging feeling on my face. Hugely disappointed! I tried it again with primer (even though supposedly BB creams don’t require it), and it was marginally better. Somehow, it still managed to highlight flakes and wrinkles, but maybe lasted about 5 hours before becoming unsightly. FAIL x BIG= SAD
NATURAL?: Yes, until the flakes/wrinkles show up.
COLOR: Beautiful. I chose Fair, and it blended perfectly. Gorgeous color, but again, it flaked off in record time.
SUNSCREEN: 35 SPF, before flaking. After that, I can’t be sure :-/
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: None.
OVERALL: Very disappointed! Giving this 1 Lippie, because zero is not an option. Even though the color was spot on and it has good sunscreen, that ceases to matter when it flakes off your skin within a few of hours. Pricey mistake at $39. Moving on to another brand!
INGREDIENTS: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Octinoxate 7.50%, Octisalate 4.0%, Oxybenzone 2.50%, Titanium Dioxide 1.10%
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
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Eye Primer -Urban Decay - Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (UDPP)
stacialue0330 1/10/2013 2:23:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal to dry skin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Eye primer for eye shadow.
PACKAGE: Cute, purple tube-style package. Excellent for travel. (0.37 fl oz.)
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Creamy, nude texture for light skins that blends into my eyes without leaving any color on them. Not sure how it would be for darker skins.
APPLICATION: After moisturizing and prepping my face, I use the tiniest dab on my eyelids and blend thoroughly with my ring finger, waiting a few seconds for it to sink in before applying eye shadow .
SMELL: No smell whatsoever.
STAYING POWER: Awesome! If I don’t use primer, my eye shadow begins to crease in record time, but with this primer, I’ve had my lids look great all day/night. I’ve only used this with powder shadows so far, but it would be interesting to see how well it’d work with cream shadows.
NATURAL?: Yes.
COLOR: Nude color that disappears on my lids when thoroughly applied.
SUNSCREEN: None.
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: None.
OVERALL: Great purchase! It was worth it, because a little goes a long way, and makes my eye shadow look fresh and pretty all day/night. I’m giving it a 4 out of 5 Lippies, because I haven’t used it with cream shadow yet, so I can’t say for sure it’s 100% amazing.
INGREDIENTS: Isododecane, Talc, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trihydroxystearin, Triethylhexanoin, Isopropyl Lanolate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Propylene Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Cera Alba (Synthetic Beeswax), Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Methicone, Isobutylparaben
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
stacialue0330 1/10/2013 2:09:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal to dry skin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Clear, odorless oil-free makeup primer.
PACKAGE: Tube packaging with a very simple, yet classic design. Lid stays on well and would be great for travel.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Light gel consistency. Definitely do not feel this when I have it on, which is a major plus.
APPLICATION: After moisturizing my face and waiting for that to sink in, I used a large, pea-sized amount and applied it with my fingers in a circular motion all over my face, allowing it to dry thoroughly before applying my foundation.
SMELL: No smell whatsoever.
STAYING POWER: This is where my review starts to go downhill. I’m not sure if it depends on the type of foundation you’re planning on using after applying the primer, but I’ve had mixed results with this. When using my full-coverage foundation, it works like a champ. Using it with Smashbox’s BB cream has been less-than-satisfying. I’ve also used it with my Jane Iredale pressed powder foundation, and it doesn’t seem to play well with that formulation either. With the latter two options, areas of dryness and wrinkles seem to stand out from a 100 miles away. Also, the foundation starts to flake off around the corners of my mouth, nose, and chin. Not very attractive!
NATURAL?: Yes, until your foundation of choice decides to flake/crease.
COLOR: Completely colorless.
SUNSCREEN: None.
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: None. And I’ve used this quite frequently, in the hopes of making it work out.
OVERALL: For it’s original intended use (with full-coverage for special occasions), it works great. Other than that, it seems to take the longevity out of my other foundation options. It could be that my skin is too dry (it’s winter now), and perhaps I should try the moisturizing version of this instead of the oil-free. But, when it does work, it beautiful. A middle of the road primer for me, which is why I’m giving it 3 Lippies.
INGREDIENTS: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, silica, Dimethicone/Vinyldimethicone, Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Water, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Dove - Refresh+Care - Invigorating Dry Shampoo
stacialue0330 1/10/2013 1:48:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal skin. Medium-blonde, chemically treated hair that I try to only traditionally wash/shampoo 2-3 times per week.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A dry shampoo with a nice, clean smell.
PACKAGE: Like many other dry shampoos, this comes in a standard aerosol spray canister with a plastic lid (5 oz). As long as this is stored where the lid is not likely to be knocked off, it’s pretty travel-worthy.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: One of the more natural feeling dry shampoos I’ve tried; leaves my hair feeling clean and not gunky.
APPLICATION: MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT DRY SHAMPOO: use SPARINGLY!! That point cannot be stressed enough! I spray just a spritz here and there throughout my hair at the crown and scalp and work it through the rest till I feel it’s been evenly distributed. This cuts down on the “powdered” look that can result when you’ve sprayed too much in one spot. I have a very subtle ombre look going right now, so my roots are darker than I’ve ever had. Still, using just a tiny amount on my hair makes my greasiness disappear without looking like I dumped baby powder on my head.
SMELL: My favorite thing about this dry shampoo is the smell. It just smells like my hair has been washed with Dove shampoo. All day long when I’ve used this in the morning, I catch whiffs of it in the air, and it’s always clean and fresh. Most other dry shampoos have a funky, overly perfume-y smell that seems to be covering the greasy funk of dirty hair, but this is not one of them!
STAYING POWER: Great! I use this in the morning on Day 2 hair (sometimes even on Days 3 and 4, depending on my activity levels that week) and my hair stays clean looking/smelling without becoming greasy. I love how much longer I can go between traditional shampoos with this product.
NATURAL?: Yes, if applied correctly.
COLOR: Again, if you use this with a LIGHT hand, it shouldn’t be obvious at all. If you have very dark hair, it may not be ideal and you may have to play around with it a bit to see if it’ll work for you.
SUNSCREEN: None.
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: None.
OVERALL: Ever since discovering dry shampoos two years ago, I’ve tried so many different brands. Of all the kinds I’ve gone through, Dove is by far the best one. For $5 at a local drug store or grocery, it can’t be beat. I’m giving it 5 lippies for what it can do, even though you may experience some powdery-ness when applying it. Unfortunately, the nature of dry shampoos is that most of them either show up on your hair or they have a weird texture/smell/or all of the above. Considering the limitations of dry shampoo in general, this one stands out from the rest!
INGREDIENTS: Isobutane, Propane, SD Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denat.), Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Butane, Fragrance (Parfum), Isopropyl Myristate, Silica, Cyclopentasiloxane.
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Jane - Be Pure Aguaceuticals
stacialue0330 4/15/2009 9:07:00 AM
I am not a huge fan of any kind of foundation, but because I have very fair skin that I'm currently treating with Tazorac cream, I sometimes need something with some SPF in it to protect myself when I'm outside for hours at a time in the sun. I picked up this bottle of tinted moisturizer at Walgreens (usually I use Paula's Choice tinted moisturizer, but I wanted something that I could get locally instead of ordering online). My first test was to put some on to run 5 miles in the morning. This stuff held up ok to that, but wound up running on my cheeks when I began to sweat. Not a deal-breaker, but PC's TM got me through an entire half-marathon without streaking. After showering, I reapplied the TM again and wore it through the day. It gave me pretty thick coverage--not something I was looking for since I prefer more of a natural look--and the color match wasn't perfect. Still, it was a passable TM that looked ok. I only wore it for the one day, and two days later I wound up with some tiny clogged pores and some minor zits. Nothing major, but I can't help but wonder if it had something to do with the TM. If so, I don't want to know what it would do if I chose to wear this every day. Overall, I think it's a decent product that would work in a pinch, since I didn't get any sun damage or burns on my face while outside in very sunny weather. I will most likely stick w/PC's TM as my first favorite, however.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Lash Out
stacialue0330 5/19/2008 8:43:00 AM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP with fairly translucent lashes. I use the Blackest Black color.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: From the package: “Lengthening and Separating mascara. Separating curved Teddy Bear brush builds and separates.”
PACKAGE: Standard-style gold-colored tube with a red stripe around the base of the wand. Nothing super flashy here. “Teddy bear” style brush that is fairly flexible and can be shaped for more curve if desired.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Non-clumpy smooth formulation that applies in thin coats to lashes.
APPLICATION: I am one of those “less is more” types when it comes to makeup application, so I usually only apply one coat to each upper lid--although one could apply more than one coat easily without worrying about undue clumping with this particular mascara.
DRYING TIME: The drying time for this mascara is pretty fast. It’s not so fast that you couldn’t put on an extra layer, but fast enough that you don’t have to worry about blinking and accidentally smudging some on your lids.
SMELL/IRRITATION: I couldn’t detect any significant smell to this when applying to lashes, and I didn’t experience any eye irritation whatsoever.
STAYING POWER/CLUMPING: Amazing. I don’t use the waterproof version, so I’m pretty impressed with this formulation’s staying power. I work in a hospital, and am usually sweating at some point during the day, and this stuff hasn’t budged on me yet. Of course, if I were to purposely rub my eyes with it on, it’ll definitely go where it’s not wanted. ;-) Towards the end of the container, it does clump a little, but what mascara doesn’t after awhile? Compared to the scads of other mascaras I’ve used over the years, this one has the longest shelf-life and manages to not clump for a VERY long time. Even the amount of clumping at the end is nothing compared to some of the clumping I’ve had at use #2 and 3 in other formulas!
NATURAL? YES! I love how natural this mascara looks! Someone mentioned that this was the brand that Tammy Faye used, but so what? I think if you wind up putting ten kabillion layers of anything on, it’ll begin to look fake and clumpy at some point regardless of what brand/formulation it is. With this particular mascara, I think it looks natural while highlighting my lashes at the same time.
COLOR: Blackest Black works for my otherwise pale lashes.
OVERALL: My HG mascara! I’ve been using this particular one for the past year, and I’ll never be without it! As far as mascaras are concerned, it’s fairly perfect. Five lippies, hands down!
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Tazorac
stacialue0330 5/15/2008 4:11:00 PM
BACKGROUND OF SKIN: Up until I took Accutane at the age of 26, I had always had issues with acne. In the beginning, it was only a bump here or there with constantly oily skin, but as I got older the acne seemed to be getting more cystic and problematic. Now, I have only the occasional teensy-tiny zit that usually goes away within hours of first showing up, and my skin is more normal to dry. My doctor, after having completed the course of Accutane, put me on Tazorac Cream .1%, which is what this review is for.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Tazarotene in the .1% cream formula.
PACKAGE: Standard packaging that can either come in 60 mg or 30 mg. Probably pretty travel-safe. I’ve managed to travel with it with no issues.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Creamy, like a lotion, and it leaves your face feeling moisturized upon first applying. Anyone with oily skin may prefer to use the gel, as it’s supposedly a bit more drying. For me, the cream is perfect.
BREAKOUTS/SENSITIVITY: Because I used this right when I ended my course on Accutane, I didn’t experience any breakouts. However, excessive dryness was almost immediately present, even though the creamy application had me first fooled into thinking it might be more emollient than drying. It felt like my face had been pulled EXTREMELY tight, like a horrible face-lift, when I first began using it. I also had a lot of flaking. Using Cetaphil cream moisturizer helped tons, as well as limiting my application to every other night. Once my skin got more used to the formulation, I was able to begin applying it nightly without a ton of flaking.
PRECAUTIONS: Make sure to protect areas that are treated with a good sunscreen. Once, I thought I had my face covered when I went to the local pool, but realized I was wrong when I had the sunburn from hell later that day. Also, this is a category X medication that must be stopped if you’re female and think you’re pregnant due to the possible birth defects that result from use during gestation.
END RESULTS: I have now been using this product for two years, and it is amazing! Not only has it kept whatever acne may have come back after Accutane in check, but it’s obliterated any fine lines/wrinkling/scarring that may have otherwise been present at my age (29). I routinely get shocked looks and amazed stares when people find out I’m closer to 30 rather than 20. Sincerely, all I wanted in the beginning of battling my acne was clear skin, but the added bonus of having much younger and softer skin is awesome, too! I am absolutely in love with this stuff!
COST: I have amazing insurance, so I can pick up a 60 mg tube for $9 USD at my local Walgreens. If I were buying this straight up at an American pharmacy, it would be extremely pricey and harder for me to justify, but I’d probably still find a way to get it. I can’t say what a tube of this product costs outright at the moment, but when I first began getting mine filled, I remember the cost hovering somewhere around $200 USD for a 60 mg tube without insurance. YIKES! Gotta love having benefits . . . .
OVERALL/ADVICE ON USE: HG status all around! Again, make sure you follow all the directions in the package, and remember that it takes at least 12 weeks of continuous use to see the results you're after. For acne clearing purposes, you'll probably breakout worse in the beginning with the peak breakout happening sometime around weeks 4-6. After that, the breakouts should lessen and clearer, more even skin should emerge. This stuff is serious, so treat your skin well. Use a non-irritating cleanser, like Purpose, and a simple moisturizer (as stated before, I prefer Cetaphil cream), slap on some SPF when spending time in the sun, and your skin will be rewarded!
INGREDIENTS: Active: Tazarotene 0.% Inactive: Benzyl alcohol, Carbomer 934P, Carbomer 1342, Edetate Disodium, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Mineral Oil, Purified Water, Sodium Thiosulfate, Sorbitan Monooleate, Sodium Hydroxide.
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Neutrogena - Fresh Foaming Cleanser
stacialue0330 5/15/2008 10:08:00 AM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C). Had fairly oily skin before Accutane treatment. Now, skin is on the normal to dry side.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A basic, light foaming cleanser that claims to remove makeup while not over-drying at the same time.
PACKAGE: This cleanser comes in a standard pump-style bottle that may be a pain to travel with. Either buy a generic travel bottle to put some of this into, or invest in plastic baggies to put the original bottle in.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Gel-consistency liquid cleanser that turns to foamy suds with a bit of water.
SMELL: Very dish-soapy, is the only thing I can compare this to. In fact, I would say this reminds me of Palmolive dish soap. It’s not awful, but it’s not good either. Fortunately, the smell doesn’t seem to last that long after applying.
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: So far, after only having used this for two days, I have seen an increase of small, irritation type acne. The dispersal of the acne (some on cheeks/forehead and chin) tells me it’s probably the cleanser rather than just me. Nothing big or serious, but who likes any kind of acne?! It could just be a fluke, but if it keeps up longer than a week, I’m ditching this and going back to Purpose. Also, this stuff stings my eyes like crazy, although it does get more of my eye makeup off than I thought it would. Finally, I do feel this cleanser dries my face out more than normal, which I do not prefer. I already seem to have issues with flaky skin, and this seems to exacerbate the situation more.
PRICE: I paid about $6 US dollars for this product, which is more expensive than the Purpose Cleanser I usually buy. Seeing as how I haven’t used this product for very long, I can’t say whether this is a good price or not. It’s probably ok if the bottle lasts awhile, probably not if it runs out within a week and a half.
OVERALL: It should be said I bought this only due to the fact that my regular Purpose Gel Cleanser was not in stock at my local Walgreens. I begrudgingly purchased this, because I figured it’d be a good stand-in for my favorite, but so far I am sort of disappointed with it due to the increase (albeit a small one) in irritation-style acne and extra-dry feeling skin. Personally, I will probably discontinue using this in a few days, when I can get back to Walgreens and pick up some of my beloved Purpose cleanser. For anyone looking for a simply OK cleanser, this one is probably going to get the job done. However, I will most likely never purchase this one again.
INGREDIENTS: Water, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Glycereth-7, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Stearate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Tetrasodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Citric Acid, Fragrance.
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Palladio - Liquid Eyeliner
stacialue0330 12/22/2006 2:02:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal skin to slightly oily skin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Liquid eyeliner.
PACKAGE: Small, travel-ready bottle, with screw top wand applicator.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Thin liquid.
APPLICATION: Using the tip of the applicator, I carefully lined both the upper and lower lids of both eyes. Even though I’m a first time liquid eyeliner user, this stuff was very forgiving upon application. The trick is to immediately wipe away mistakes before the eyeliner has time to dry.
SMELL: No smell detected.
STAYING POWER: If I don’t cry, this stuff stays on like a champ. It doesn’t smudge or wear off, and I love that about this particular eyeliner. However, if you’re going to be crying in the near future, stay away.
NATURAL/COLOR?: I bought this in bronze, and it is a great color for me. It can be applied more thickly for drama, or smudged for a more smoky look.
SUNSCREEN: None.
IRRITATION: Sometimes, upon first applying, I do get a bit of irritation along my lids. Thankfully, it goes away after awhile. I don’t wear this everyday, so it’s not really an issue for me.
OVERALL: A great liquid eyeliner and cheap, too! Bought it at Sally’s for less than $6. Will repurchase!
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Revlon - Illuminance Creme Shadow
stacialue0330 12/22/2006 1:53:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal skin to slightly oily skin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Eyeshadow quad.
PACKAGE: Packaging is understated and relatively sturdy.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Light and creamy.
APPLICATION: I just used my middle finger, swiped some color from the container and applied to my lids. The color went on easily and blended wonderfully.
SMELL: No smell detected.
STAYING POWER: Unlike many others here, I’ve found that the eyeshadow stays just fine. I usually apply over eye concealer, which may help to maintain the color all day long. Still, it removes easily enough with eye makeup remover. I have noticed slight creasing during the day, but it’s not so much that it bothers me to the point that I wouldn’t wear this again.
NATURAL/COLOR?: I bought this in Skinlights, and the tones are beautiful with my eyes and skin tone.
SUNSCREEN: None.
IRRITATION: No irritation with this eyeshadow whatsoever.
OVERALL: I really do like this eyeshadow. I’m not one to wear much eye makeup on a day-to-day basis, but this stuff comes in handy and looks great for the occasions that I do wear it. Whenever I do run out, and if this particular set is still being sold, I will definitely repurchase.
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Revlon - ColorStay Under Eye Concealer
stacialue0330 12/22/2006 1:36:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal skin to slightly oily skin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A concealer specifically designed for the eye area.
PACKAGE: Packaging is weird and sadly lets you know how little concealer you’re getting for the money. Aside from that, it’s a wand-type applicator, which I usually stay away from. Even so, the lid stays on and there is little risk of accidental spillage with this product. Should travel well.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Thin to medium gummy consistency.
APPLICATION: After screwing the bottom portion to get some concealer to come out of the applicator about a THOUSAND times for the first application, I dotted the concealer along undereye and eyelid areas and blended with my ring finger. It was a little frustrating, because even though I thought I had enough product to to the job, I found that upon blending it would disappear into my skin almost. I had to use a little more to get good coverage.
SMELL: No smell detected.
STAYING POWER: This is where the product lives up to its name: My under eye circles and bluish lids were completely covered (after I got the right amount of product on them) all day long. It didn’t budge or crease too much, and I was able to remove it well with some simple eye makeup remover.
NATURAL/COLOR?: I bought this in Light, and so far, it seems to be the color that gets the blue out without clashing too much with my natural skin tone.
SUNSCREEN: Yes. SPF 10 or 15, I believe
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: Sadly, this concealer does tend to dry the skin out around my eyes, but I find that if I moisturize a lot—morning and night—that the dryness is reduced quite a bit. I only use this around my eyes, so no breakouts at all.
OVERALL: I like this concealer. This is my first tube, but I’m kind of worried that it may have recently been d/c’ed. When I purchased this tube, they were doing the “buy one, get one free” deal. I didn’t get two, because at the time I wasn’t sure I’d wind up liking it. Now, I wish I would have gone ahead and went with the deal. Hopefully, there will still be some left when I need to get some more, or I’ll be searching again for a new concealer!
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Shine Free Pressed Powder
stacialue0330 12/22/2006 1:17:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal skin to slightly oily skin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A light pressed powder for shine/oil/breakout control.
PACKAGE: The packaging is cheap, for sure, but as long as you don’t drop it you’ll be fine. It’s a simple dark blue color, so it doesn’t attract too much attention. The powder puff included is your run-of-the-mill puff, which is fine for this product. The best thing I like about this compact is that I haven’t had one come open on me accidentally yet.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Medium to fine texture, depending on how you apply it.
APPLICATION: Using the puff, I lightly dusted my entire face. The powder can go on pretty thick if you’re not careful, so watch out.
SMELL: No smell detected.
STAYING POWER: I’d say this stuff is pretty darn resilient. I still get a bit of shine later on in the day, but the amount of repowdering is kept to a minimum.
NATURAL/COLOR?: I used the Ivory, and on my complexion it wasn’t noticeable at all. I just looked put together and natural.
SUNSCREEN: None.
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: I’ve been using this powder since late August, and so far my face seems to be tolerating it well—as far as breakouts are concerned. However, the drying agents in the formula will irritate your skin and dry it out even further if you don’t moisturize like crazy before applying.
OVERALL: A good powder, and so far, my HG until something else turns my head. My only complaint is that it seems to run out rather quickly, but being only $5 a compact it doesn’t hurt too much to go pick up a new one. EDIT: I have been using this particular powder for some years now, seeing as it's worked well enough that I haven't felt the need to find anything else better. My complaints now are the same as the ones I reported when I first reviewed, however I am going to put more emphasis on the speed with which this product runs out. Seriously, it seems as if I'm buying a new compact once every two weeks!! Also, sometimes it seems as if the consistency varies a bit from compact to compact. Still, it hasn't left me with any serious skin issues, so I'll continue to repurchase.
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Almay - Clear Complexion Light & Perfect Pressed Powder
stacialue0330 7/12/2006 1:25:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal skin to slightly oily skin.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A light pressed powder for shine/oil/breakout control.
PACKAGE: What can I say? This package is crap. Before Almay had the insane idea to redo their entire line, the case used to be a discreet silvery-gray compact. Not necessarily the flashiest or nicest packaging, but it got the job done w/out calling undue attention to itself. It was sturdy, and I could count on the clasp remaining shut. This new monstrosity is extremely loud in design (bright yellow packaging w/a cheesy “A” on it that tends to scratch off after awhile). Classy. Plus, the clasp DOES NOT STAY SHUT, and I’ve already had this stupid thing spring open on me a few times. Puff applicator is the same as in the last version, which isn’t the greatest, but again, it gets the job done.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Very thick, for a pressed powder. This is almost like a powder foundation, in my opinion.
APPLICATION: I used the powder applicator that came with the compact and, using a light hand, applied it all over my face. One thing I can say about this new version is that the chemists at Almay must have made it much more powdery. It felt like I was putting on WAY more product than I was intending to, but it was almost impossible to get it to work any other way.
SMELL: No smell detected.
STAYING POWER: It stays on fairly well, although shine/oil breakthrough was a given. It’s summer right now, so I’ll give this the benefit of the doubt and assume that it’ll hold up much better in cooler temperatures.
NATURAL/COLOR?: This is where I want to wring the necks of all the marketing asses at Almay. The color of this powder, after it’s applied and mixes with your natural oils, is ORANGE. ORANGE. ORANGE. Plus, they’ve discontinued the translucent version of this powder, which was my absolute baby of DS powders. I have been using that specific shade for over ten years, and they go and have the nads to completely get rid of it. Now, using “light”—the next lightest shade available since the line redo—my face looks too dark. I’m extremely upset about this development and am now going to have to try to search out a new powder to take the place of my old beloved translucent Almay powder.
SUNSCREEN: None, just like the old version.
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: No breakouts, just like w/the old version, which is somewhat chapping my butt. I know I’ll have to go through the entire trial and error crap to find a new powder. I’m so mad at Almay for putting me through this!!!!!!
OVERALL: Perhaps I’m a bit upset, but I hate this new version of Almay’s Clear Complexion pressed powder. It’s chalky, unnatural in color, and after a few applications, it starts to also look quite patchy, with buildup in some areas. NOT CUTE! Please, someone from Almay bring back the old formula/colors! This stuff sucks!
INGREDIENTS: All you need to know is that this stuff is crap. Don’t try it.
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Active Light Makeup SPF 25 ] [DISCONTINUED]
stacialue0330 7/11/2006 10:40:00 AM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Caucasian PPP (Lancome Color ID I-10 C, Teinte Idole Ivoire 2 C) with normal skin. Previously, I had very oily, acne-prone skin before Accutane treatment.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A medium thickness, long-wearing foundation with an SPF of 25.
PACKAGE: Small, 1 oz bottle that has a screw on top and seems sturdy enough for travel. Opening is small, and if you don’t turn the bottle upside down and allow for excess air to come to the top before taking the cap off, you may experience product squirting out all over the place.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Medium to thick consistency, in my opinion.
APPLICATION: I found the application process with this foundation to be a little annoying. I used a cosmetic sponge to apply, but found that the formula stayed a bit on the wet side for quite some time. This is good in some ways, since it allows you to be able to blend it better. However, waiting for it to stop being tacky was slightly annoying, especially when I’ve been conditioned by the old Colorstay to expect a quick-drying formula.
SMELL: This formula contained a slight smell, but nothing reprehensible. It faded rather quickly after application.
STAYING POWER: This stays on pretty well during the day. I won’t say it completely blocked any shine, because I did get a bit of a sheen during the day since it’s summertime now. However, it didn’t melt off like I expected it might. I even went one step further to see if it was indeed waterproof like the old Colorstay was. This time, the foundation failed the challenge. It was actually quite embarrassing, because instead of the foundation simply dissolving away, it actually balled up and rolled up on my face before I had to go and rub the stuff off in a panick! (I tried this experiment at the local pool.) At any rate, under light activity (I wouldn’t run marathons in this stuff) and air conditioning, this stuff is ok.
NATURAL/COLOR?: I actually picked up a shade that was a tad too light, so it looked a bit obvious on me. However, the color was nice, but I think it’s a more obvious looking foundation. It’s not a light coverage type of makeup, so that should be expected. If you’re looking for a lighter look, apply sparingly or get a different, sheerer formula.
SUNSCREEN: SPF of 25, which is nice, but if you can’t count on this foundation to stand up to sweat, it’s somewhat purposeless.
IRRITATION/BREAKOUTS: I only wore this foundation for a day at a time and did not experience any breakouts from it. Personally, I wouldn’t wear this every day, because it does feel rather thick on and is somewhat hard to wash off. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone with serious problems w/acne, since I think it probably could lead to some skin frustrations with continued use.
OVERALL: An ok, but by no means spectacular, foundation. I might use it for a special occasion, since it really does cover up flaws well, but that’s it. I wouldn’t trust it to carry you through an especially sweaty/wet situation, even though it says ColorStay Active. I probably won’t repurchase this particular foundation.
INGREDIENTS: Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Titanium Dioxide 3.8%, Zinc Oxide 2.1%. Other Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Trimethylsiloxsilicate, Butylene Glycol, Isotridecyl, Isononanoate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4, Isosterate, Dimethicone, HDI/Trimethylol, Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-3, Diisostearate, Magnesium Sulfate, Nylon-12, Alumina, Tocophery Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Lilium Candidmum Bulb Extract, Lactobacillus/Eriodictyon Californicum Ferment Extract, Cymbidium Grandflorum Flower Extract, Serica, Trisiloxane, Lauric Acid, Trihydroxystearin, Ribehenin, Polydimethylsiloxane/Polymethylsilesammonium Polyacrorylolyldimethyl, Taurate, Methoxy Amodimethicone/Silsesquioxane Copolymer, Silica, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Ethylene Brassylate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, MAY CONTAIN: Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxides
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gelly
stacialue0330 5/29/2006 8:05:00 PM
DESCRIPTION OF ME: Very dry, sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate too much fragrance/additives well.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: From the package: “Effective relief from: Sunburn, minor cuts and burns, bites, chaffing, cold sores, rash and skin irritations. A soothing moisturizer for sensitive skin.”
PACKAGE: Bottle stands upright w/product draining down towards the bottom and holds about 4 fluid ounces of product. Travels well.
CONSISTENCY/TEXTURE: Medium gel consistency that absorbs fairly fast upon application.
SMELL: No scent whatsoever.
MOISTURIZING? This is moisturizing if you have particularly oily skin, otherwise you may want to invest in a more traditional lotion. However, it’s great for the occasional sunburn or other minor irritations.
BREAKOUTS/SENSITIVITY: None. In fact, it probably helps to zap zits by reducing the inflammation.
OVERALL: A good aloe vera product that is more transportable than a plant, but probably just as pure. I’ll definitely be repurchasing.
INGREDIENTS: 99.5% Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Carbomer 940, Vitamins A, C, and E.
Thanks to Seclusae2 for the layout!
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