Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline in Ash Violet
syeung2 4/11/2013 2:09:00 PM
LE, Fall 2011, MAC Fall Colour Collection
Product - Ash Violet is a soft/muted heathered purple with faint silver and burgundy microshimmer. Not too dark/harsh, too grey, too purple, and not too flat or flashy. For my AAB/NC25 coloring and dark brown eyes, this is a nice alternative to brown and black for everyday. Good pigmentation and staying power. Does not smudge or run on my sometimes oily, sometimes watery eyes. Has the usual smooth creamy texture and staying power of Fluidlines in the usual sleek and sturdy packaging.
Comparisons - More purple, less muted than BB Black Mauve Shimmer Ink. Only slightly less purple, slightly less vibrant than BB Violet Ink in the pot, but Ash Violet wears darker, more heathered.
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BB Cream -Skin79 - Super+ BB Cream Pink Label
syeung2 4/11/2013 10:59:00 AM
Product - Very impressed with this product. I have been using this for about a month. I don't have any major skin issues (so I can't attest to any healing or preventative properties), but I prefer to wear a TM or BB cream to even out my coloring. This BB cream does in fact lean a little grey-purple before application. Since I don't need a ton of coverage, and we live in a very dry climate, I blend this 50/50 with my moisturizer/serum before applying - something heavier when my skin is feeling particularly dry, or a light daily SPF15 moisturizer during summer months. (I'll update this review if I ever wear it straight from the bottle.) It goes on smoothly and blends easily. Unlike some TMs it doesn't seem to highlight dry flaky areas of skin as badly. Does a great job of evening out my coloring and leaves a flawless canvas with which to work. I'm AAB/NC25 so I suppose this BB cream was "meant" for gals like me. Indeed, it is an excellent match for me. What I like most about this BB cream is its water-resistance - it may even be waterproof. My old TM would rub off easily whenever I touched my face, blew my nose, whatever. This BB stays puts and never comes off on a tissue or scarf or hands, yet it doesn't plug my pores or weigh down my skin. Doesn't feel heavy or greasy or drying. I love that I can touch my face during the day and not worry about it wearing or rubbing off. It wears so well, it feels like I'm not wearing a BB ot TM at all. Washes off without difficulty at the end of the day with my usual skincare routine.
Other - What the heck is "beblesh"? LOL.
Overall - Pretty sure this is a HG item, but I'll be trying some of the other Skin79 BB formulations anyway :)
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorstay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Premium Pink
syeung2 1/16/2013 12:05:00 PM
Color - Premium Pink looks like a slightly shimmery girly pink in the tube and wears quite true on my lips. Against my skintone (AAB/NC25, yellow undertones), the pink stands out more than with Perfect Peony (which is more golden-pink); Premium Pink is more of a true pink on me. It's not really dark enough or bright enough on me to consider it "fuschia" as other reviewers have; it wears much tamer on me I guess.
Product - The directions say to apply in a very thin layer, and practice confirms this is the best method. You can always add another layer if needed. The lipcolor provides very dense coverage, so you don't need much to get the proper color effect. It dries slowly so you have plenty of time to work with it, which I appreciate. It is a little tacky during the 5 minutes or so it takes to dry; later on, if you smoosh your lips together, it still feels slightly tacky (but no more so than with regular lipstick, IMO). However, to the touch (i.e., kissing, etc) the lips feel satiny-dry and smooth and definitely not tacky. No weird feel or taste when I lick my lips during the day. Dries to a satin finish and true to the color in the tube. Excellent staying power, with no change in coverage or texture. Lasts through meals, much to my excitement. Requires oil-based makeup remover or cleanser to remove. Best of all, it doesn't dry out my lips!
Product Comparisons - The two-step (color plus topcoat) systems like MF Lipfinity and CG Outlast did not work well for me: the lipcolor dried way too fast and made my lips dry and peel horribly. Plus I don't like to be bothered with carrying around and touching up with a special top coat all day long.
Packaging - The cylindrical tube is transparent so you can see the shade inside (a good thing) and the black screw-top houses a flocked doe-foot wand. The overall size is bigger, thicker than I would have preferred, but since I don't have to take this with me to reapply, this is moot. Personally I would also prefer a squared shape, just so it won't roll around on the counter :)
Overall - Another winner shade for me in a product I love.
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Mascara -Too Faced - Lash Injection
syeung2 1/16/2013 11:38:00 AM
NOTE - The mini size has consistently poorer reviews than the full-size tubes (maybe the minis dry out faster); I tried a mini years ago and didn't like it. Since then, the formula appears to have changed. This review is for a full size tube purchased in Jan 2013.
My lashes - Stick straight, so I always use a lash curler. My eyes water and my lids get oily by the end of the day. My lashes are black, so as long as the mascara comes in black, I'm satisfied.
Waterproof/Oilproof? - Yes/yes.
Adds volume? - Yes.
Adds length? - Yes.
Adds definition? - Yes.
Holds curl? - Yes.
Removal? - Easy - tubes all come off with warm water.
Packaging - Straight black tube. Brush head is a fat and dense bristle type that tapers down at the tip; works well with my sparse lashes to thicken and separate.
Overall - Good replacement for my discontinued holy grail (Philosophy The Supernatural mascara). I don't get lashes as dramatic as the ads promise, but it's enough to make me feel pretty - and isn't that the point of makeup? :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Pop Beauty - Peak Performance Mascara in Brilliant Black
syeung2 1/16/2013 11:28:00 AM
My lashes - Stick straight, so I always use a lash crimper. My eyes water and my lids get oily by the end of the day. My lashes are black, so as long as the mascara comes in black, I'm satisfied.
Waterproof/Oilproof? - Yes / Yes
Adds volume? - Yes
Adds length? - Yes
Adds definition? - Yes
Holds curl? - So-so. The wetness of the formula pulls out some of my crimping work while it dries.
Removal? - Easy - tubes all come off with warm water.
Packaging - Black plastic casing. Click-pen type applicator pushes formula up through multiple holes at the base of the angled comb tip. The tip has comb-like tines to apply the mascara and separate at the same time. The tube overall is slightly thicker than other click-pen types and feels pretty sturdy. I like the concept of feeding the mascara formula to the applicator, which keeps it fresher longer. You'd want check on the feed if not used regularly, though.
Other comments - Novel packaging idea, and there is a learning curve for nailing down the best application technique. For my sparse lashes, I only click up enough mascara to wet the base of the applicator, and that seems to be the right amount for me.
Overall - Good tubing properties. Perhaps not the best formula for holding crimped lashes - better for gals with natural curl. One lippie off since I'm not completely in love with this applicator, and another lippie off for pulling out my crimping work.
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Polishes -Nicole - For Gold Times Sake
syeung2 8/15/2012 10:16:00 AM
LE, Fall 2012, Target Exclusive. For Gold Times Sake is what I would call a blackened gold like pyrite or "fool's gold"; it's a blackened dark taupe with a metallic finish and multicolor shimmer. The shimmer leans heavily towards gold, with some blue and green for iridescence. Two coats gives you the full effect and opacity. One coat is more subtle and leans more olive overall, though the metallic finish and shimmer still command attention. It's a very complex shade - and one of my favorites!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Smashbox - Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Vamp
syeung2 8/7/2012 12:50:00 PM
Product - Creme/gel liner in a soft/muted plummy brown. Sephora lists this as a "dark purplish brown" but it's not *that* dark, nor that purple... but that's why I like it - I already have plenty of brown and purple liners in my stash. Vamp is not too dark or harsh, great for everyday with my AAB/NC25 coloring and dark brown eyes. The plummy tones soften the color and make it not so hum-drum as the average brown. Good creamy texture, goes on smoothly. Good pigmentation and reasonable staying power. Does not smudge or run on my sometimes oily, sometimes watery eyes.
Comparisons - More brown, less purple, less shimmery, and not as dark as BB Black Mauve Shimmer Ink.
Packaging - Small eyeliner pot, clear plastic tub with glossy black plastic screw on lid. Slightly narrower and shorter than the Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner pot.
Overall - Good staple shade to have. I think the shade is limited edition though.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
syeung2 7/27/2012 11:21:00 AM
I like the product but not the packaging. The product is a soft, moist balm, which applies nicely without melting and running beyond the lips. It's so soft that I would expect this to completely melt in the car on a warm day... so I keep this sucker at home in the drawer. Definitely saw improvement in my dry, eternally peeling lips after wearing this to bed the first night. The packaging is metal, the type of lipstick tube with a really long cap, and this cap screws onto the base. The product screws up like a lipstick. Aesthetically the packaging is pleasing but functionally I'd prefer a chapstick-type lipbalm tube.
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Toners -Neutrogena - Alcohol-Free Toner
syeung2 7/27/2012 11:08:00 AM
This is a staple for me. Light and refreshing, cleans my skin without drying, and removes almost all my makeup - it isn't as effective on long wear cream/gel liners, but I generally use an eye makeup remover for those anyway first. Doesn't sting or irritate. This works when my skin is normal or when it's dry/combo, and of course also when it's end-of-the-day-greasy. I've tried other comparable products but keep coming back to this, both for the price/value and quality/effectiveness.
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Polishes -L'Oreal - Precious Coral
syeung2 7/26/2012 10:09:00 AM
Precious Coral is a rusty red-orange. I'm not a huge fan of misleading shade names, and this is definitely more of an orange than a coral color. It wasn't the standalone shade I was looking for, but the quality is nice and I can always use it as a base to other shades/toppers. Precious Coral is an opaque creme with excellent coverage with just a single coat, and very glossy. Good for summer and not as bold as outright red.
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Lipstick -Revlon - ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick in Buffest Beige
syeung2 7/26/2012 10:00:00 AM
Color - Buffest Beige is a neutral nude-beige with faint shimmer. It's a great nude lipcolor for me (AAB/NC25) - the kind of nude where your lips nearly blend into your skintone and it de-emphasizes the lips. Pairs well with a dramatic eye. NYX Round Lipstick in Cream is similar but frosty.
Product - The directions say to apply in a very thin layer, and practice confirms this is the best method. You can always add another layer if needed. The lipcolor provides very dense coverage, so you don't need much to get the proper color effect. It dries slowly so you have plenty of time to work with it, which I appreciate. It is a little tacky during the 5 minutes or so it takes to dry; later on, if you smoosh your lips together, it still feels slightly tacky (but no more so than with regular lipstick, IMO). However, to the touch (i.e., kissing, etc) the lips feel satiny-dry and smooth and definitely not tacky. No weird feel or taste when I lick my lips during the day. Dries to a satin finish and true to the color in the tube. Excellent staying power, with no change in coverage or texture. Lasts through meals, much to my excitement. Requires oil-based makeup remover or cleanser to remove. Best of all, it doesn't dry out my lips!
Product Comparisons - The two-step (color plus topcoat) systems like MF Lipfinity and CG Outlast did not work well for me: the lipcolor dried way too fast and made my lips dry and peel horribly. Plus I don't like to be bothered with carrying around and touching up with a special top coat all day long.
Packaging - The cylindrical tube is transparent so you can see the shade inside (a good thing) and the black screw-top houses a flocked doe-foot wand. The overall size is bigger, thicker than I would have preferred, but since I don't have to take this with me to reapply, this is moot. Personally I would also prefer a squared shape, just so it won't roll around on the counter :)
Overall - Love this product and the shade is an excellent nude for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Revlon - Top Speed - Poppy #420
syeung2 7/25/2012 1:58:00 PM
Gorgeous, deep rosy-coral shade with metallic finish. Bright, lively, vivid, summery color. Not too orange, not too pink, not too red, not too metallic. It looks a little pinker in the bottle but more coral on my toes. Very good coverage with just one coat. Dried quickly. I did not find this thick or streaky.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Sephora - Pantone Universe Color of The Year Blush Duo
syeung2 7/25/2012 12:25:00 PM
Product - Gorgeous tangerine-themed powder blush duo. Rich, bright, lively colors. The Desert Flower shade (Pantone #15-1435) is a "matte light orange" or a warm rich coral-peach. Coral (Pantone #15-1439) is "tangerine with gold shimmer" or a vivid peachy coral with very fine golden shimmer. Pigmentation for both is excellent, so be sure to use a light hand when applying. Staying power is also very good. The shimmer in Coral is very fine, not chunky, and rather pronounced; plus, it's pretty tenacious, so don't expect excess shimmer to be swept away easily with a fan brush or to fall away as the day progresses. The shimmer in Coral is at my upper limit for shimmer-tolerance, which means it may be too shimmery for some (though you could blend it down using the matte shade). I don't know how many people wear straight-up-orange as a blush color, but this has enough red or coral tones in it to not look unnatural. This duo works well with my AAB/NC25 coloring and yellow undertones.
Comparisons - Desert Flower is similar to Becca Lip & Cheek Creme in Petal in the pot. Coral is similar to NARS Torrid, though Torrid leans a little more pink and Coral a little more orange. NARS Taos is deeper, more rose-red, and less vivid in comparison to Coral.
Packaging - Large white plastic square base with two large rectangular pans of color. Mostly translucent (i.e. slightly frosted) plastic square plate serves as the lid, with four magnets at the corners to align and secure it to the base. The lid is surprisingly secure but I'd still be cautious traveling with this. Hefty in overall weight. Thinner but a little wider than a BB Shimmerbrick compact. About the same size as the Julie Hewett quad palettes; the JHLA palettes are a tad longer since they are rectangular rather than square.
Overall - Love this. Very summery. The pigmentation is very rich, so use a light hand.
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Lips -Tokidoki - Gelato Lip Balm Stain
syeung2 7/24/2012 3:58:00 PM
Donutella - bright reddish peach in the tube, but wears more like a soft natural peachy nude (MLBB) tone
Mozzarella - bright reddish orange in the tube, but wears more like a bright warm-toned rosy pink on me (AAB/NC25). very bright and vibrant color.
Product - The pigmentation is surprisingly rich for a lip balm, and perfect for a lip balm stain. And it does actually stain my lips for several hours, and without drifting onto my face. The color wears evenly, too - no odd faded rings on the lips! Feels like a lip balm, soft and moist, not hard or waxy.
Comparisons - Texture and wear remind me of Tarte Lipsurgence lip balm stains, though the Tokidoki last a bit longer. Texture also reminds me of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment.
Packaging - Twist-up lipstick type tube with long lid and short exposed base. Clear plastic lid with tokidoki graphics specific to each character/shade.
Overall - I love lip balm stains and these are a great find (did I mention they have great pigmentation?), plus they were a steal on Sephora closeout at $5 each.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bobbi Brown - Creamy Color for Lips and Cheeks
syeung2 7/24/2012 3:11:00 PM
LE, June 2012, Desert Twilight Collection
Product - Pink Truffle is a lip/cheek cream in "neutral pink rose" or a plummy dusky rose with nude-brown undertones. Texture is creamy and moist (but not greasy), moderately pigmented, and buildable. Not too thick or too runny. Easy to work with. Feels great on lips, not drying.
Comparisons - The shade is (unsurprisingly) a dead ringer for the BB Pot Rouge with the same name; the Creamy Color formulation is less of a solid, more of a cream in comparison... duh. :)
Packaging - Opaque, glossy black squeeze tube with fine pointed squeeze tip and screw on lid. About the same size as the BB mini tube tints that come in sets. Very pocket-friendly and good for travel. I wish there was a representation of the color inside on the tube's exterior, though.
Overall - Great multi-use product from BB. In deciding whether to get this versus the Pot Rouge, it comes down to your personal preference for application method.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No