Mascara -New York Color - Big Bold Ultra Volume Mascara
trharvey 8/10/2012 7:55:00 PM
I have found my go to mascara! After reading many reviews online, I seen this at WalMart and decided...what the heck? for 5 bucks, I 'll give it a try...and I've got to say that I am so glad I did. For the record I've got straight, sparse, hard to curl lashes. This not only adds volume & length, but it holds my curl better than anything I've tried. The wand is big...& my first thought was crap! But I swipe the wand on a tissue, I get great natural looking lashes.This 'teeth' on the wand really grab all my lashes. No clumping, and no smearing or flaking at the end of the day. The product is neither dry or wet in my opinion, it's somewhere in between. Which is exactly what I want. Will I buy this again? Heck yeah!
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Eyeliner -Studio Gear - Cake Liner
trharvey 6/9/2012 9:40:00 AM
I've been looking into cake eyeliners for quite some time to tightline with. I was going to buy Laura Mercier's cake eyeliner, but while cruising on Ulta's website I seen the Studio Gear, thought why not, and placed my order. It is fabulous! I just put a drop of saline solution (I wear contacts) in the lid and put some product on my brush. I'm using my ELF concealer brush because it's small and really gets the eyeliner right where I want it. It doesn't transfer and lasts all day. I have a hard time with eyeliners staying put all day when I line my upper lids, but this stuff doesn't budge. Well worth the money because it will last a long time. So glad I bought this!
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Crème -Revlon - ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup
trharvey 6/4/2012 4:46:00 PM
After reading all the hype about this product, I was really disappointed. I had really hoped this would be my HG foundation. The color shade is very limited, but I did find that Sand Beige looked rather well on me. The consistency of this product makes it feel like it sits on top of my face. I tried applying it with my fingers, sponge, and a buffer brush - still I could not get it to look right. After a couple of hours my face was a shiny mess and you could barely see that I had any foundation left. I normally love Revlon Colorstay products, but this was a definate miss in my book. After a week I took it back to Target.
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Mascara -Bare Escentuals - Flawless Definition Curl & Lengthen
trharvey 4/7/2012 8:13:00 PM
I purchased this mascara during Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty event for 50% off I think. I have been on the hunt for a new mascara for quite some time. When I looked at the applicator display in the store, I really like the fact that there were both short & long fibers. I won't judge a mascara on the first time I use it. But after using this for 2 weeks, I can honestly say I am not impressed. I really wanted to like this mascara. I loved the way it really coated my shorter lashes but that's as far as it goes. I have straight lashes that don't hold curl. This mascara added some (not alot) of length and I could not see any difference in curl. The biggest disappointment was how much it flaked. While at work, I check my makeup at lunch & would always see huge flakes on my cheeks & it transferred onto my eyeshadow (even with UD primer!) When I apply mascara I always scrape the wand on the side of the bottle & then I wipe it once on a paper towel. That made no difference...there always seemed to be huge globs of this on the wand. A big disappointment for me.
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Highlighters -New York Color - Colour Wheel Mosaic Powder Translucent Highlighter Glow
trharvey 3/29/2012 8:23:00 PM
If you are looking for a 'highlighter', this is not the product for you. If you are looking for a setting powder that doesn't leave that 'flat' look...then you should give this a try. I love the mix of shades with very little shimmer. I use this as a setting powder and couldn't be happier. It controls my oil fairly well, but I love the fact that my face doesn't look flat and cakey. I will definitely buy again.
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Oil-Free Redness Soothing Facial Wash gel
trharvey 3/5/2012 1:42:00 PM
As I write this review, my face is red and itchy after using this product twice. I was looking for something to help with my rosacea, but this is definitely not it! I used it last night to remove my makeup and woke up this morning shocked at how my face looked. I am splotchy red and itchy all over. After researching the ingredients online (the first 2 listed after water) I found out one is a harsh cleanser and the other an irritant to those with sensitive skin. I will be returning this item and will probably never buy another Neutrogena product again.
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Blush -New York Color - Blushable Creme Stick #645 Big Apple Blush [DISCONTINUED]
trharvey 7/13/2011 7:08:00 PM
This is my first go at using a creme blush. I'm glad I got a wonderful product on my first try. I apply it with my stippling brush for a slightly flushed look and set it with my ELF powder blush in Tickled Pink and it is the perferct combo. VOILA! It lasts all day which totally surprises me since my face is super super oily. I tend to purchase blushes similar to BE Golden Gate so this shade was quite a change for me. I love the way it looks.
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Blush -E.L.F. - Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder
trharvey 7/13/2011 7:02:00 PM
To begin with, I'm kinda new at using bronzers. But I found out very quickly that bronzers with any kind of sparkle is not for me. Both the blush and bronzer are highly sparkled and with my oily skin, the less shine and sparkle my face has, the better. I will keep it in my drawer as a back up should I ever need it, but this one will not be my go to blush/bronzer.
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Powder -Coty - airspun loose face powder translucent extra coverage
trharvey 7/13/2011 6:59:00 PM
When I found out this product hadn't been discontinued, I couldn't get to my Walgreens fast enough to buy some. The young girl who checked me out said , "My grandmother used this stuff. What is it?" I replied, "The best loose powder you can find. There's a reason your grandmother uses it, because it's a classic. I bet she has beautiful skin. " To which she replied, "yes she does." I love the smell, the consistency, and the oil control this product has. In fact, in my whole life I have only purchased 3. They last that long. I had been using NYC loose powder for the last 2 years and just hadn't been completely happy with it. When I got home, I compared the 2 and guess what? NYC is owned by Coty. WOW! But I could never find the ingredients for the NYC loose powder to see what the difference is. But that really doesn't matter because, I'm set for the next couple of years and hope that Coty never discontinues this product.
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Liquid -Rimmel - Stay Matte + SkinPure Complex Clarifying Matte Foundation
trharvey 7/13/2011 6:49:00 PM
So I seen this in the clearance section of Ulta yesterday and decided that for $1.79 it was worth a try. The shade is 102 Warm Ivory. After trying it out today, I wish I would have just kept walking past it. It comes in a tube and the consistency is real thin. It kept squirting out all over the place. At the best it is light coverage and I prefer medium. The shade is alot lighter once you apply it. I was in a hurry this morning and as soon as I put it on - I thought YUCK! But I was running late and thought I would see if the 'stay matte' claim held up. But it failed horribly. Withing an hour of putting it on I looked like an oil slick. So this too will go into the back drawer full of other foundation fails. I'm going back to my Merle Norman Aqua Balance which until I find something better, will be my HG>
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Liquid -Merle Norman - Luxiva Aqua Balance
trharvey 7/4/2011 2:56:00 PM
I have been using this foundation for about 3 weeks now and I love it. I have fair-medium skin with neutral undertones and L22 is a perfect match. I have super oily skin and while this foundation doesn't completely take away my oilies....it does keep them away longer than any other foundation that I have tried. At the end of the day, I still have coverage and that's a huge plus for me, because most foundations just slide right off my face. The coverage is medium but buildable to full if you want. It's in a tube and sometimes alot of product does come out. If it had a pump that would be awesome. I have tried all methods of application and found that I like using a sponge the best. I've used this with the primer Merle Norman has, I don't know if that makes a huge difference or not. I haven't tried it on it's own. I will definately be buying this one again.
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Cleansers -Formula 10.0.6 - Best Face Forward Daily Foaming Cleanser
trharvey 4/28/2011 10:06:00 PM
I love love love this cleanser...I cannot say enough positive things about it...the smell is wonderful....kinda fruity almost. It's a gel like consistency when it comes out, but then it foams up like CRAZAY...and it removes every trace of makeup. I am a super super oily girl. This product cleans my face without making it feel dry and tight. My skin feels so smooth after I wash it...all I want to do is touch my face. Now I've got to let you know, I haven't noticed a reduction in my breakout level since using this product. But, my acne is hormonal....but I think if you do have breakouts due to bacteria ...this product would clear it right up without drying you out.... I would not recommend this for people with dry skin. This line is definately for the oily skinned.
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Moisturizers -Formula 10.0.6 - Seriously Shine Free Mattifying Moisturizer
trharvey 4/28/2011 9:59:00 PM
Oily skin ladies - read this.... If you are looking for a effective, inexpensive, mattifying moisturizer, I suggest you give this one a try. I bought this after reading reviews and watching some videos on YouTube and thought - what the heck - it's pretty cheap - I've not nothing to lose. And I'm super glad I did. I went to my local Ulta and bought the cleanser, toner, detox mask, and this moisturizer all for less than $30. I love all of the products. I know some of the other reviews talk about the scent of this item. Yes it is strong right after you put it on. But is goes away after a minute or so. My face feels and looks wonderful afterward so I can tolerate it. The consistency is kinda thick. But even after about 2 hours - my face has no shine. I have been using Neutrogen oil free and I looked like an oil slick after 30 minutes. When I say super oily - I mean super oily! LOL For the first time, my skin actually feels normal. I've been using this product twice a day for the last week. I feel my skin is in much better shape due to using this product. Matter of fact - I have even noticed that my foundation looks better throughout the day! If you are on the hunt for a mattifying lotion - get this one....
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Masks -Formula 10.0.6 - Deep Down Detox
trharvey 4/28/2011 9:47:00 PM
Can't believe I finally found a mask that doesn't dry my face out like crazy!!! I bought this after seeing reviews on YouTube. I thought, what the heck, the routine my derm has me on is no longer working. I'm so glad I did. The price is great, I think I paid like $6 or $7 at Ulta. Matter of fact - I bought the cleanser, toner, mask, and anti shine moisturizer for less than $30. I know some other reviews state they have quite a bit of stinging when applying this mask. The only stinging, tingling I feel is right after I apply it. It only lasts for a few seconds and then its gone. And I consider myselft to have sensitive skin. The scent..well to me - there really is no scent to it. I like the consistency. I leave it on for about 10-15 mins like they suggest. When it dries my face is tight, but not real tight. After I rinse, my skin is smooth feeling. No redness, no stinging or tingling. Which I had after I used the clay mask my derm had me using...my face was SO red and stinging after using that one. UUgghhh I have used this three times in the last week. I will buy this product again and again. Oh yeah, while I do have monthly breakouts...I haven't noticed a reduction in my breakout level, but my acne has more to do with hormonal issues than clogged pores. If you are looking for something wallet friendly and effective - give this one a try!
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Liquid -Boots - Lifting & Firming Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
trharvey 4/24/2011 2:16:00 PM
I bought this foundation before I went on my "no buy". I cannot say how disappointed I am. For reference my current HG foundation is ELDW in Fresco 2N2 (NC30ish). I brought along my sample of ELDW to make sure I got the closest match possible. I bought 15 Nude because it looked like a spot on match. When I tried it yesterday - the first thing I noticed was that the foundation had a very strong yellow undertone..but when I applied it with my foundation brush, it blended in very well and while it was not a perfect match, it looked better than what I orginally expected. But by the time I was done applying the rest of my makeup (about 20 mins later) it had settled into my lines and pores and was accentuating some flakes on my chin. EEWWWW!!! I even tried it again today and applied it with my fingers - still a no go....I have been using the Boots Instant Matte and though I forgot to apply it before my foundation I put it on top of my foundation and noticed that it caused the foundation to run. This doesn't happen when I apply it on top of my ELDW. I am looking for a backup to my ELDW so when my funds are low I have something to fall back on. But this foundation isn't it. I will be returning it to Target.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No