Makeup Brushes -Ecotools - Bamboo 5 Pieces Brush Set (Mineral Makeup)
superha74 2/25/2010 7:36:00 PM
I'm singing along to everyone's praises about these amazing brushes. I have to say that I don't use these for mineral make-up at but rather my liquid foundation. The powder brush buffs my La Mer foundation just as wonderfully as my Sephora Airbrush but at a quarter of the price! Also the baby kabuki makes my Maybelline Dream Matte pressed powder as flawless as my MAC MSFN. And the concealer and eye shader are both wonderful...I find myself reaching for them more often than my MAC or NARS brushes!!! Would recommend them to anyone and everyone...best $10 I spent in a long time.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Everyday Minerals - Pressed Powder in Fairly Light Golden
superha74 6/24/2008 12:42:00 AM
I love this product. I was just about ready to give up on EM all together after failing to find a color match in their loose minerals, however, after reading all the reviews on the pressed, I figured it was worth one last try...I am so glad I did! I'm on my second compact because I use this everyday with the flat-top kabuki. Initially, I used it dry and buffed it in over my MAC Prep+Prime with very nice results but recently, I have been using it wet(dip the brush in the powder, then spray the bristles with Fix+)and it looks like skin! It still provides great coverage and in the areas where I have old acne scars, I stipple the wet product and buff till smooth...this technique also makes the foundation long-wear and sweat-resistant which is why it makes the perfect foundation for the summer! Love, love, love this product...for reference I wear C3 in Studio fix powder and it's a perfect match. Must have!!!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Naughty Nauticals - Port Red
superha74 6/3/2008 12:28:00 AM
It's going to be so hard NOT to wear thios color everyday!!! It not only is the perfect red but unlike the other MAC lipsticks, this one is not drying or chalky but smooth and reflects this gorgeous golden sheen. Just enough frost to make it interesting but not glittery at all and it brightens up my face like no other color in my arsenal. It is a "Look at Me" red so be prepared for lingering stares(from both sexes!) Can be worn for a glamour girl pin-up look or toned down for an everyday office look. A must have for your makeup collection.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Beauty Powder - Alpha Girl
superha74 5/27/2008 1:21:00 AM
I may be the only MUA who doesn't like the packaging of this product. I hate having logos all over everything so I normally like the classic MAC packaging because it's black and discreet which is exactly what this compact is NOT! None the less, I love the product inside...I wear NC30 in Mineralized Satinfinish foundation and I use this all over to warm the skin with my beloved 187 and then use a sponge dampened with Fix+ and blend into the apples of my cheeks. The results are a glowing peaches and cream look that makes me appear well-rested and fresh(which is quite the opposite with a teething 9 month old at home) For rare evenings out, I'll swirl Light Flush MSF over Alpha Girl and highlight with CCB in Pearl for a "glow from within" look paired with smokey eyes and baby pink lips. I've included a pic of this look >>>> http://img.makeupalley.com/4/7/2/4/977219.JPG Let me know if this helped you!
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Jergens - Natural Glow
superha74 4/30/2008 1:35:00 AM
Got this in a 3 piece value pack from Costco..2 full-size tubes of the Natural Glow and a tube of the 3-day express. The idea is to use the 3 day express in order to get the desired glow and then use the regular Natural Glow daily to maintain the color. Having used some of the high-end self-tanners on the market(Chanel, Shiseido, Lancome, Michael Kors) and recieving either so-so color or getting overpowered by the smell I decided for the price, it was worth trying. I am so glad I did! The 3 day express gave me an even, golden tan that looked like I just back from the beach. My husband even noticed and didn't believe I used a self-tanner till I showed him the spots between my toes and he saw how pale I was! I've been using the original Natural glow to maintain the tan and it's slowly deepening the color. I do use a regular moisturizer every other day now because I'm very happy with my present results. As for the smell, it's not overwhelming but there is a faint chemical scent that fades eventually. I had paid $11.99 for this set from Costco and would definitely recommend it just on price alone. The color payoff is great and no signs of orange anywhere. Will try the one for the face next and hope it gives me the same results.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - XXL Curl Power
superha74 3/10/2008 10:28:00 PM
This mascara does a great job maintaining the curl on my pin straight asian lashes(with the help of my Shiseido eyelash curler) but that's pretty much it. The primer does thicken the lash but no matter how many coats of mascara I apply, the primer peeks thru and my lashes look grey and dirty. I also noticed that the mascara seems to be drying out already and I've only had it for 2 weeks! The formula went from smooth to brittle and it now flakes and clumps. I think the curling comes more from the brush than the formula so when I'm finally done with this mascara, I'm going to try the brush with my other mascaras and see if the curl stays longer. Will update when that happens.
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Mascara -Revlon - Lash Fantasy Mascara
superha74 3/10/2008 10:19:00 PM
I'm torn about this product...the primer is actually pretty decent for a DS brand and the mascara works great on my non-existing bottom lashes..however, on my top lashes, it totally took the curl out and after trying to apply a 2nd coat, it starts to flake. I tried this with my MISSHA primer(my HG) and it clumped and flaked even more! I've taken to just using it on my bottom lashes for now with the accompanying primer until I use it up or it dries out..whichever comes first. I don't think I would buy this again.
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Mascara -NYX - Doll Eye Mascara - Volume
superha74 3/2/2008 11:58:00 PM
Just reviewed the Long Lash version and loved it. I tried this today and it's almost as wonderful. My only complaint(and probably because I got the wateroproof instead of the regular) was that it felt a bit dry on my lashes. It did last all day and did not smudge so I'm happy about that. It also didn't hold the curl as nicely as the Long Lash but I would buy again..just not the waterproof version.
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Mascara -NYX - NYX Doll Eye Mascara- Long Lash
superha74 2/28/2008 5:56:00 PM
After reading the reviews, I decided to give this and the Volume Waterproof a try. I am so glad I did! My lashes really do look doll-like! For the record, I have thin,short,straight asian lashes that seem to almost never curl. I curled them with my Shiseido eyelash curler(heated with a blow dryer for like 1 minute), applied my MISSHA lash primer(my HG) and with one coat of the Long Lash mascara I got WOW! My lashes not only stayed curled, but they looked longer and thicker than I've ever seen them! I also got great separation so no need for a lash comb(which I always have to use)and so far, no smudges or raccoon eyes! I'm going to try the Volume Waterproof tomorrow and let you know but as of right now, I am retiring my Lancome Fatale mascara as my HG(and at $25 a tube,thank GOD!)for this great find. Thanks again MUA!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - #187 Duo Fiber Face Brush (Stippling, Skunk Brush)
superha74 2/26/2008 5:08:00 PM
First of all, I am so glad I am not the only 187 nut on this site...I own 4 of them! I have a Pro card so it didn't cost me as much as it would someone else but they really are perfect. I use one just for liquid and cream foundations, one just for mineral skinfinishes, one just for blushes and one to use on my clients. A great tip I've discovered was if you spray the 187 with Fix+(or just plain water works) and then swirl into the MSF's they become a creamy consistancy that lasts for hours! Honestly could not live without this brush. Have tried other brands version of the 187 in search for a more affordable alternative for my obsession but they just aren't the same...although, the large fiber optic brush from essentialbeautysupplies.com is perfect for applying Final Seal to seal in your look. If you've tried to apply your foundation but it always looks a little "off", invest in this brush..it makes such a difference! Just beware of the birth of a new obsession!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Loose Powders -Dermablend - Setting Powder (loose & pressed)
superha74 2/22/2008 12:56:00 AM
I had a sample of this that I had been using as a "Death Powder" for my special effects make-up...need I say more? Just got the large jar in a swap for an upcoming zombie movie I'm working on in a few months. It does a great job sopping up the oilies and stands up to humidity but if you are looking for a loose powder to set your make-up MAC invisible powder is a much better choice.
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Liquid -La Mer - Skincolor De La Mer The Treatment Fluid Foundation SPF 15
superha74 2/22/2008 12:41:00 AM
I got hooked on this foundation when I was an SA for La Mer. We all recieved a full size bottle to keep and I hadn't tried it till I ran out of my Armani LSF. Holy Moly! Same lovely texture of the Armani without the silicone! Not as luminous, but I consider that a plus. My skin also improved after a couple of weeks of using this. A little goes a long way with this product(I also use my 187 brush to apply so VERY little is needed)so I was able to use this for almost 6 months. Unfortunately, by that time, I no longer worked for La Mer and had to pay full price(OUCH!). It's so worth it..my skin never looked better. I do have to say, contrary to one of the reviews below, this foundation DOES NOT contain the La Mer miracle broth but does contain red,green and blue tourmaline which not only contributes to the soft luminosity of the finish but forifies the skin and strengthens its natural barrier function. As a result redness is reduced, fine lines are minimized and overall more even tone to the skin. If you don't mind morgaging your house for beauty, definitely give this a shot!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Glycerin
superha74 2/22/2008 12:27:00 AM
Been using this for years in my special effects makeup and homemade mixing medium but after reading all the reviews, decided to give it a try as a moisturizer. I washed my face, applied my toner and with moist hands I put one drop of glycerin on each hand and massaged into my still moist face. I immediately noticed a plumping in my skin which was nice. However, after an hour, my face felt a bit itchy and when I looked in the mirror, I had large, red bumps in various spots on my face:-( I proceeded to wash my face again and applied Benedryl on the spots. I massaged in Camellia Seed oil to prevent excessive drying and the next morning, my face stopped itching but the bumps had become huge cystic blemishes! I haven't had this happen ever since I'd changed my skincare routine when I was pregnant...as I'm writing this review, I'm sitting here with a ricebran mask on to diffuse the damage. Will never cheat on my Camellia Seed oil again! When you attempt to try glycerin- PROCEED WITH CAUTION!
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Crème -MAC - Full Coverage Foundation
superha74 2/10/2008 4:23:00 AM
I've been using this as a tattoo cover on my clients for years and for some reason, I never tried it on the face. After reading the reviews I figured why not? I started with my foundation brush and stippling it onto the face the same way I usually apply when I use it as a tattoo cover but no matter how little I used it just looked a little blotchy. Then I tried applying with my beloved 187 brush, but it looked too heavy. Finally, I sprayed my 187 brush with Fix+, then swirled the brush in the foundation and stippled it onto my face...can I say WOW!!! Pores..GONE..redness..GONE..scarring..GONE..just a perfect dewy canvas. Add a pop of blush and a stroke of powder in the T-zone and I was done. It also lasted hours thru sweat and humidity. I've started using this on my clients as well and it is almost as good as the airbrushing I normally would use on them. Because of the application, very little product is necessary so the compact will last you a long time. My only complaint is that the little plastic dome keeps popping out of my compact. I've had to glue it back in place 3 times already! Also, I'm normally NC20-25 in Studio Fix but I use C20 in the Full Coverage(I have NC20 and NC30 in this formula but the C20 was the best match)so I would have a SA match you before buying your MAC shade.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Lancome - L -extreme Mascara
superha74 1/29/2008 8:48:00 PM
I'm a huge fan of Lancome mascaras(my HG is Fatale) so you can image my diappointment when I tried this one and it started flaking into my eye even before the second coat. I tried this with and without mascara base and both resulted in flaking and smears under my lower lids. Thankfully, I got this in a GWP so I didn't have to shell out any money for it, but even so, I would never use it again.
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