Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Lucy Minerals Foundation
thor7262 8/1/2012 8:36:00 PM
After trying a lot of samples of Lucy Minerals regular formula and many other brands of mineral makeup, I can honestly say that I love this brand the most. I am nearing 50, and my skin hasn't gotten any easier to deal with over the years. It still breaks out occasionally, and still can become quite oily when the weather is humid, but also now has some wrinkles to deal with. So the fun (not) with trying to find the perfect makeup hasn't improved with age, until now. I love Mac Face and Body as far as finishes go, but sometimes it can seem too heavy for the hot, humid summer, and some of the ingredients are likely not very skin friendly. This is where Lucy Minerals are perfect. If applied properly and sparingly, it gives a beautiful finish that lasts all through my work day and into the evening. It can even withstand my HIIT and weight lifting workouts, which is kind of amazing. To apply, I start by using concealer wherever needed, then a very thin layer of Mac Set Powder. Then starting with a very tiny amount of mineral powder, I stipple it on with an E.L.F. powder brush. The finish is flawless. It' s mostly matte but not in a dried out way, and wrinkles and flaws are also muted. I use Creamy Bisque in Lucy's and for comparison, C2 in Mac F&B. Sometimes if my neck and chest looks a bit darker than my face, I'll add a little Golden Medium to go a shade darker. I ordered a Lucy's kit for my daughter, who loved the samples I gave her. She has concerns with breakouts, but hasn't had any issues so far. Both of us are getting the oil control finishing powder with calcium carbonate, so I'll update after trying it with the minerals. For the amount you get, the price is excellent. If you like minerals, but haven't had much luck with some of the other brands, you really should give Lucy's a try. Just remember to start off using a VERY light hand to avoid any caking. I think one of my favorite things about Lucy Minerals is that they are so good for your skin. It helps too that the owner, Annie, really cares about her customers.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Skinceuticals - Physical Fusion SPF 50
thor7262 7/27/2012 10:52:00 PM
I love this sunscreen. It doesn't take much to cover my whole face, and it doesn't cause my skin to become oily the way most sunscreens do. It has a light feel and works perfectly under both mineral makeup and liquid foundations. It's kind of pricey and seems like a small bottle, but it spreads on easily with just a few drops. I started using it a few weeks ago and I can already see a difference in hyperpigmentation fading. It's an awesome product that I'll continue using. I would highly .this for any skin type
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Satin Lipstick - MAC Red
thor7262 5/31/2012 8:10:00 PM
When my favorite red lipstick, Mary Kay Red Salsa was dc'd a few years ago and now it's going for crazy prices on e-bay (for old lipstick), I gave up and had to try a bunch before finally finding Mac Red. I love the color! It's a true blue vibrant red. It could last a little longer, but I think that's the trade off for a moisturizing lipstick versus a staining, drying formula. I use it whenever it feels like it's worn off during the day. It doesn't dry my lips out at all. I'll keep buying this because I know it's always fresh when I get it and the price isn't bad. Love this lipstick!
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Liquid -MAC - Face and Body Foundation
thor7262 5/13/2012 8:19:00 PM
I've been reading reviews of Mac Face and Body foundation for a while and started using it about a month ago because of the great reviews here. I love it! No, I don't have perfect skin, in fact far from it. That's what God made concealers for. I'm getting close to 50 and still struggle with oily skin and a few breakouts when it's warm out, but nothing a little powder doesn't fix. I have to say that this foundation is awesome, lasts all day, photographs very nicely, and hasn't caused any breakouts. I have it in C-2 and it blends perfectly and really looks like I'm not wearing foundation at all. I love that I can layer it in two coats and it never looks cakey. I apply it with my fingers letting it thicken as I blend. At my age, you can bet I've tried a lot of different foundations, and now I know why so many makeup artists use this for fashion shows and movies. Thanks for convincing me with all the good reviews!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Promaxyl - Eyelash Renewal serum Rapidlash
thor7262 11/5/2010 6:20:00 AM
I only started using Rapidlash last week, and I had a bald spot on my right eye from my eyelash curler ripping lashes out. I didn't think those lashes would ever grow back, but by the third day of using this I could see some stubbly hairs growing there. By the end of only one week, the lashes where the bald spot was are long enough to show up now with mascara. Rapidlash is working great for me so far. My other lashes already are longer than they were last week. I can't wait to see what happens after the 4th week and will update the progress then. I would definitely buy this again. Edit: 12/1/10 This really works! I have more eyelashes now and they're longer. I don't notice any thickening and still wear mascara, but I'm very happy with Rapidlash.
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Mascara -Za - Cutie Curl Mascara- Volume
thor7262 7/16/2010 4:45:00 AM
This mascara hold a curl. I searched and tried many other curling mascaras that did nothing and even uncurled my naturally straight lashes after I curled them. Cutie Curl holds the curl all day and doesn't clump, even with the humid weather in PA.
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Mascara -Christian Dior - DiorShow BlackOut Waterproof
thor7262 1/17/2010 9:55:00 AM
I love Dior Show Blackout! After my cheap Maybelline "Sky High Curves" was discontinued, I tried so many different mascaras from Mac, Bobbie Brown, CG, Mary Kay, Clinique, etc. trying to replace it. I finally caved after reading reviews for Dior Show, and got this one. Its the best I have ever tried. I have fine dark hair and short, fine, straight eye lashes. I need waterproof to hold curl and this does it all day with no drooping. Its a great black too and I swear I look younger when I use it. Yes, its pricey for a product that needs replacing so often, but I'll happily fork over $24 to Sephora for a set of perfect eye lashes that do more for my face than all of my other makeup does. It stays on so you need a good remover, but its so worth it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
thor7262 4/19/2007 5:09:00 AM
I use MAC concealer in NW 20 and it's great! It covers anything and doesn't look cakey by the end of the day. I think the trick is making sure it matches your skin perfectly. I use a brush to apply it and then blend it in. I don't use it for under eye circles, and I don't think it's really meant for that because it's thick and dry. I don't have any problems with blending, but I could see where people would if they used too much. It's cost effective and lasts a very long time.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Antique Lace
thor7262 3/10/2007 3:21:00 PM
This is one of my favorite Black Phoenix creations. My husbands loves it, but he likes vanilla, and that's what it smells like on me. It's a sort of dreamy, calming scent. I almost wish I could smell the lacey flowers in it that some people smell, but I only smell the vanilla. I like it enough to get a full size bottle. Edited 4/8/07- I did eventually smell the dried flowers in this. It's weird how chemistry works sometimes. So, I just got a 5ml of Antique Lace and still love it. The 5ml seems to be more rounded and I can smell both the vanilla and soft flowers in this, and almost a musky smell. Whoever said it smells like Vanilla Fields is way off, because I have a bottle of that stinky stuff and use it to scent the dog's bed, but would never use it on myself. I love Antique Lace!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Principal Secret - Reclaim Total Facial Cleanser
thor7262 2/18/2007 9:02:00 AM
This company has some convincing marketing. I ordered the thirty day kit from the website, and DID NOT join the club. A few weeks after I returned the starter kit, I noticed they were charging my account again. I called and said I haven't received a refund for what I sent back and was being charged again. I was told that everyone who orders from the website automatically becomes a club member and my ninety day kit is on it's way. I complained and they are going to refund the price of the one that's on it's way and my original trial kit, BUT, they make you pay for the shipping on both kits! So, that's another $8.95 for the kit I didn't think I ordered. Plus, I'll probably have to pay shipping again to send it back!! Be careful, and if you have to try this, it might be safer to get it from e-bay, so you aren't paying for something you didn't think you ordered. I will NEVER order from this company again!!!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Chanel - No.19
thor7262 3/4/2006 11:51:00 PM
Chanel 19 was the only scent I wore for years. I wore it while my kids were growing up. My daughter poured a whole bottle of pure perfume on herself when she was a little over a year old. She said she wanted to smell good. Then for whatever reason I tried a lot different fragrances, but was never really satisfied with them. It's very true that we associate memories with smell. I hadn't worn Chanel 19 in years and then while shopping I saw it and sprayed some on my wrist. When I got home my grown up son said " oh my gosh, I just had a rush of memories from when I was little". Then he grabbed my arm and sniffed my wrist, and said he missed smelling that. Guess it is a great scent for me after all.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Laura Mercier - moisturizing foundation
thor7262 1/15/2006 10:28:00 AM
I tried Laura Mercier Oil Free about five years ago in Las Vegas, while staying at the Venetian. I had a facial there and was given a full-size tester of Warm Ivory Oil Free (guess I must have spent enough to get it). I didn't know how to use it I guess and didn't like the high pigment content. It looked kind of chalky. Recently I am using Laura Mercier Moisturizing in Blush Ivory. It's the best! It's easy to apply and stays looking fresh all day. It's best applied with fingers, then blended with a damp sponge. The color is perfect, and it looks great in photos. For the summer, I'll probably try an Oil Free in Blush Ivory since I tend to get oily when the weather gets hot. The foundations work even better with the Laura Mercier primer and translucent powder. There's a good reason a lot of celebrities wear this.
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Fragrances -Philosophy - Amazing Grace cologne
thor7262 11/24/2005 1:10:00 PM
Philosophy Amazing Grace is a very pretty fragrance. I agree with everyone else that it could last a bit longer, but I can still smell it at the end of the day if I layer it with Amazing Grace lotion. It's very subtle, but feminine.
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Blot Powder
thor7262 10/11/2005 9:32:00 PM
Here's my Mac Blot experience. I've been using it for about two weeks and it really works great. So, today I'm sitting at work and it's around 11:00am. I'm feeling kind of oily, so I reach down for my compact and it's not there. Last night our Steelers had a Monday night game and won of course, but my DH stayed up too late for the game and decided to skip work this morning. So, I called him and said sweety I forgot my compact, can you bring it over for me? He must think I'm nuts! He drove 18 miles one way to bring me my blot so I could get feel good again and get back to work. Love it!!
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Treatments -Advanced Skin Technology - Green Cream by AST
thor7262 10/1/2005 3:08:00 PM
Thanks to MUA for the great reviews about green cream!! I am using a sample of level 6, and I think I love it! I ordered a full-size and will update after a week or two. I have some clogs, wrinkles, and pigmentation to work on, which the green cream is perfect for. I am also using the Philosophy Makeup Optional kit, and loving it too. Update: Ok, this works better than anything I've tried. My pigmentation is fading really fast. Lines are getting less noticable. If you're unhappy with your skn, give this a try! January 15,2006: I ordered Level 9, since I love this product so much! You can expect some minor flaking and possibly some irritation in the beginning, but it is so worth it to go slow with this and keep using it. Update: September 23,2006: I am still using Level 9, but have switched to non-detergent cleansers. I am currently using Devita Aloe Moisturizing Cleanser, which is nice for oily/combo skin because it's gentle and balances my skin. Still love Green Cream!
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