Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Dickinson's Foaming Facial Wash
tlanpn 1/19/2013 2:08:00 PM
I use a Clairsonic Mia to get off my make up every evening so I am always on the hunt for a truly "foaming" facial cleanser. Because of the great reviews on this product, I decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately it is not really "foaming" when used with the Clarisonic, but that is not really a problem. It does take off all my make up without a problem and leaves my skin feeling wonderful, not dry and tight as most cleansers seem to do. I like the pump bottle. The major problem is the smell. Technically it is not supposed to have a fragrance, but I wish that it did. To me, this smells like wet moldy socks. Initially I thought that the smell might be because I needed to change out my Clarisonic brush head, but no, I opened the bottle of the cleanser and there was that smell. YUCK! I will not buy this again. While it does work well, I recommend that you smell it first and see if you have the same olfactory system I have. If the smell does not put you off, then go for it as it is a good basic cleanser that does not cost an arm and a leg.
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Brows -Make Up For Ever - Aqua brow
tlanpn 1/19/2013 1:50:00 PM
This is definitely my HG. I have been searching for the perfect eye brow product for years. Pencils, creams, and powders all seemed to be either not the right color (too dark or too light) or I was afraid to accidentally run my finger over my brow and take it off. I have very dark brown, almost black hair so it has always been hard to find the right color. Aqua Brow #40 is the answer. It must be applied with a brush. I use Joey New York's State of the Arch double ended brush which is the best as it allows me to only squeeze out a tiny amount of the MUFE Aqua Brow and define my brows perfectly. Check out ebay if you want that brush. You only need a tiny amount and it is definitely long lasting as I have fallen asleep and awoken still with perfect brows. I do not mind the little tube as it allows me to squeeze out just the right amount and because I use so little, this tube should last forever making the initial cost not really a concern. It is worth the money. I once heard that as far as make up is concerned, it is the three "e's" that should always be done: eyebrows, eyeliner, and eyelashes. Try this, you will not be disappointed, but make sure that you go directly to the MUFE website to decide on the right color for your skin, eyes, and hair as some stores only stock a limited color palette.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -It Cosmetics - Celebration Foundation
tlanpn 6/17/2012 12:49:00 PM
I have never written a negative review on anything before now and frankly if I could give this product a zero, I would. When I saw this demonstrated on QVC and they said the magic words, "anti-aging" and " good for your skin," I just had to try it. Got this on a Thursday and decided to try it the following morning. Big mistake! First, it was almost impossible to figure out how to get to the make up out of the compact. It looked like there was a separate cover protecting it, but finally I realized that it was just covered by a small piece of plastic. Undeterred, I proceeded to apply it with the most perfect brush that is included. Second problem, unlike what I had observed on the QVC demo, it just seemed like no product was being applied and it certainly did not cover anything. But that was not the worst problem. When I finally thought that it was applied, I finished off the rest of my make-up as I usually do and went off to work. To be clear, I do not have sensitive skin and have no allergies. Within an hour of application, my face was on fire and I literally had to leave work, rush home, and wash it off ASAP. My face was covered with hives that turned into welts and then blemishes by the following morning. Now over six weeks later, my skin is almost healed. For someone who has always been complimented on my skin, this has been a horrific experience. My advice is to avoid this product at all costs.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - the microdelivery exfoliating wash
tlanpn 3/17/2012 5:25:00 PM
I used to like this product, but I believe that they must have changed the formula. Because of the expense, I usually bought the 32 ounce size, however with my last bottle, before I was even halfway through, it appeared to separate. That meant that what pumped out was just liquid with no scruby particles. No matter what I tried, I could not reintegrate the layers and landing out throwing the rest of the bottle away. I believe that Philosophy is cutting corners to increase their production rate. Unfortunately while I am always tempted by their advertising, I am ultimately disappointed in their products.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Maybelline - Dream Mousse Blush - Cloud Wine
tlanpn 3/17/2012 5:18:00 PM
Love the color of this cream mousse blush! I use my fingers to apply and I never have to worry about it being too much even though I tend to be very heavy handed with blush and bronzers. I have not had a problem with any break outs or skin irritation. I also have never had a problem with it drying out and can use it till the very bottom of the jar. You cannot beat the price! I must say that I am very impressed with the Maybelline brand products.
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Eye Primer -NYX - Eyeshadow Base in White
tlanpn 3/17/2012 5:10:00 PM
I have very oily eyelids and no primer seemed to be able to prevent the fading, creasing, and smudging of anything I used. While this primer also comes in a beige color, I decided to try this white one first. On its own, I apply it all over my eyelid and even put a little dab in the inner eye corner. While I never leave the house without eyeliner, even if I decided not to wear an eyeshadow, this primer opens up the eye without making me look like a ghost or ghoul. Normally, however, I apply my Maybelline EyeTattoo to the lid and I am out the door knowing that my eye makeup will now stay where I have put it until I am ready to remove it at night.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Maybelline - Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow
tlanpn 3/17/2012 5:00:00 PM
Similar to MAC paint pots for a lot less money, these are easy to apply and last all day for me even though I have extremely oily eye lids. I have several of these now. I really like the Bad to the Bronze and tend to reach for that most often for daily wear. I also like Pomergranate Punk. I use the Too Cool as an under brow highlighter. I also have Tough as Taupe which is the only one I regret buying. It is a more dull flat shade without any specific shine to it like the others. They have shine and give light to the eye without being overly glittery. I like the fact that these are creams. I use a Tarte cream eyeshadow brush to apply (best brush ever!) and my eye makeup is set for the day. No creasing! For the price, these little pots will last forever. I look forward to trying some of the other colors in the near future.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Maybelline - Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
tlanpn 3/17/2012 4:41:00 PM
I am an eyeliner junkie. Having tried MAC, BB, Smashbox, L'Oreal, Wet 'n Wild, Tarte, Mally Beauty, etc., I stumbled upon this little gem at a my local Ulta. I decided to give it a try. I have have oily lids and no matter what I do including eye primer, everything seems to smudge and disappear after a couple of hours. I also usually find that most "black" eyeliners are really not truly black, but either look sort of charcoal when applied or fade to a charcoal. Not true for the EyeStudio. Not only was it easy to apply a nice clean sharp BLACK line just at the base of the lashes, but it did not budge or fade throughout the day. I even liked the brush included which is rare as most are cheap and useless. This is definitely my HG! I have not had the problem with the gel drying out and I have had my current pot for several months now, but even if it did dry out, the cost is nominal in comparison to the other major brands. Well worth the price for a great BLACK gel eyeliner that lasts and does not smudge.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Beyond Belief - Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Deep Pore Oil Free Foaming Cleanser
tlanpn 2/21/2007 4:40:00 PM
Available at Sally's, Beyond Belief ABH Pore Refining Foaming Cleanser only costs about $7.99, but is often available through sale or promotion. The pacakaging is ingenious as somehow the pump mechanism really does whip the cleanser into a shaving cream type foam. The lather is effective for face makeup, but it did not completely remove my eye makeup. My skin felt soft after use, but over time, my combination skin began to break out because it is just too moisturizing for my skin. The fragrance is light and pleasant. I would not reprurchase because I need something for normal to oily skin and this probably works better for normal to dry skin. I also wish that it could really remove all makeup, but it is a good value and worth a try if you are the right skin type.
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Cleansers -Basis - Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash
tlanpn 2/21/2007 4:19:00 PM
I have finally found my HG cleanser! This product is perfect for combination skin that can sometimes get too oily from antiaging skin regimens. It comes in an easy to use squeeze type bottle and a quarter size amount is enough to clean the entire face of all traces of makeup and grime. It does not lather as much as I would like, but I also use a face brush and that seems to make it foamy enough for use. It is very gentle to the eyes and yet is able to completely remove all eye makeup without rubbing. The smell is very pleasant (citrus), but definitely not overpowering. It rinses off completely and leaves my skin feeling clean and soft, never dry. My skin is also clearer than it has been in years because I was probably overhydrating it with a moisturizing cleanser and my usual skin moisturizers. It is a steal at $4.99 and because a little goes a long way, it really is a GREAT value. Thank you, MUA, for showing me that a product does not have to be expensive to be effective.
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 Black
tlanpn 12/11/2006 8:44:00 PM
As a big eyeliner fan who has always used a pencil liner in the past, I was anxious to try this when I first saw it on QVC. I have never really liked the Smashbox cream eyeliners as I find them difficult to apply with the "special" brush and technique and they smudge under my eye like everything else. For $34.54, this came with a bent eyeliner brush that I love. You can just buy the eyeliner pot for $22.00. I have always used a dark brown liner in the past as I think that black liners can sometimes look too harsh and severe especially if applied in a thick line, but this black was wonderful. It still smudged under my eyes like the rest I had tried, but not as badly. For the price, I think that it is expensive and I would not buy it again simply because I have discovered MAC eyeliner gels which beat everything else out there. I am grateful to Smashboc and QVC because I never would have discovered the MAC product if I had not first dipped my feet in the water with this product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Fluidline Eyeliner Gel Dipdown
tlanpn 12/11/2006 8:24:00 PM
First, let me say that I am a BIG eyeliner devotee. I am lucky enough to have long dark lashes so I find that I don't need mascara, just a little eyeliner and I am out the door. I also have the oiliest eyes in the world and no matter what I have tried (and I have tried them all), in an hour my liner has smudged under my eyes. Not with this product. At the end of the day, it was still right where it was supoosed to be. I love this deep brown color and the price is very reasonable at $14.50 though I would pay much more for this product if necessary. I use a bent eyeliner brush and application is easy and flawless. You can draw your line as thick or as thin as you like and it always looks perfect. There is a lot in the little jar that should last forever even for an eyeliner fan like me. Would I buy this product again, YES! This is definitely my HG product. My search for the perfect liner is finally over. Now I will have to try some other colors. Thank you, MUA, for letting me know about this wonderful product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Philosophy - The Microdelivery Peel Pads
tlanpn 12/10/2006 10:25:00 AM
At $35.00 for the 60 count jar, the cost for these Microdelivery Peel Pads is not exorbitant and you can get them cheaper on ebay. I liked the idea of these peel pads as you can use them on your neck whereas the ones from Dr. Denese say specifically that they are not for use in that area. Unfortunately, even though I do not consider my skin sensitive, I noticed that they did "burn" my face and neck. While that goes away relatively soon, after using a whole jar of 60 count pads, I did not notice any difference in my skin. I agree with previous reviewers that the pads are flimsy and somewhat difficult to get out of the jar one at a time. I was also aware of the "sticky film" which is why I only used them at night knowing that I would get up the next morning and wash my face. Obviously, that is not what I am looking for in a pad peel system. I will not be repurchasing. I guess that I am just not a Philiosphy girl as I do not really like any of their products.
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Lip Liners -Models Prefer - LipLiner set of 6
tlanpn 11/18/2006 8:28:00 AM
I liked the idea of a set of six lip liners for about $20.00 from QVC and the size of the liner pencils did not bother me for that price. The colors included are soft orange, natural pink, dark red, nude brown, dark brown, and purple wine. Unfortunately, most of these colors are simply unwearable unless you are into goth type make up because they are just too dark or just plain wrong. Who needs an "orange" liner? I would not repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Models Prefer - Model's Prefer Perfect Match Foundation
tlanpn 11/18/2006 8:21:00 AM
Like most of the reviewers, I could never find my "perfect match." Maybe because I am on the darker end of the scale, I just could not get the right blend. Sometimes more of the dark canister would come out, sometimes more of the light. Either way, it just did not work for me. Maybe this would work better for someone in the true medium range where you would want equal amounts of both colors. I also could never get it primed and it never seem to stay primed so you land out wasting a lot of product. The bottle is huge and only a small part of that is devoted to product. I never could fully evaluate the make up as I always landed out having to wash it off and start over again with my Philosophy Air Brush. This is definitely not worth the price and even the refills are expensive.
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