Moisturizers -Dr. Hauschka - Melissa Day Cream
tshinn 9/13/2012 10:34:00 AM
I really, I mean really, wanted this product to work for me. I have super oily and extremely sensitive skin. I was using Elemis' Daily Shine Control for years but it has been discontinued. So, in need a of a product to replace the Elemis, I decided to give the Melissa Day Cream a try. I bought a 1-ounce tube for $39.95 USD at my local Whole Foods. The cream has a lemon-infused scent and the texture feels light yet emollient. I can definitely detect a delicate presence of essential oils when I applied a small amount of cream to my skin. My face felt moisturized, balanced, and soft. However, after a few days of wear, I began to notice major breakouts forming on my skin. I am in my late 30s and I have not had blemishes like this since I was in high school. I immediately stopped using the cream and switched back to what little Elemis Shine Control I had left. My skin has calmed down but I still have breakouts in the aftermath of this product. Like I said earlier, I really was hoping for an adequate replacement for this day cream but alas, my search continues. Furthermore, I think if your skin is sensitive and normal/dry with the occasional breakout, the Melissa Day Cream may work better for you. I suspect this product is too rich for oily-skinned people like myself.
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Lipstick -Illamasqua - Box (matte)
tshinn 6/30/2011 11:48:00 AM
I really want to love this lipstick! As a girl who wears 40s and 50s clothing daily, a bright red, matte lipstick is a must! When I found Illamasqua at the Sephora at the Venetian in Las Vegas, I was so excited. As I browsed the lipstick colors, I immediately zeroed-in on Box, a bright, intensely pigmented, blue-based red. The color reminds me a lot of MAC's Ruby Woo. Box is slightly darker in tone than Ruby Woo and Box's texture is not as drying. The matte formula is smooth when applied and even though it feels drier than most standard lipsticks, Illamasqua's lipsticks do not chap my lips after being worn all day. Whenever I wear reds by Nars, MAC, Besame Cosmetics, or Julie Hewett, I get about four hours of flawless color. However, after an hour or so of wearing Box, the lipstick looks smudgy and patchy. I thought this phenomenon was due to the MAC Lip Prep and Prime lip primer I put on before application, but when I read the previous reviewer's experience, I realized it is the lipstick itself! Because this lipstick rubs off easily, I have to re-apply often. Nevertheless, I really wanted to adore this lipstick because it totally epitomizes retro glamour but its weak staying power is a letdown.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -RoC - Retinol correxion eye cream
tshinn 1/18/2011 8:11:00 AM
Now that I am getting older (mid 30s), I notice wrinkles are starting to form around my eyes. I have been plagued with dark circles and puffiness for years due to heredity but now that wrinkles are becoming evident, I thought I would give this product a try. When I first opened the tube, a lot of product oozed out and I had to wipe it off the opening with a tissue. Per package directions, I applied a few dots around my eyes after cleansing my face and went to bed. When I woke up in the morning, my eyes were watering and the surrounding skin felt slightly irritated. I have very sensitive skin and as a result, I try to stay away from products/ingredients that could cause break outs and reactions. I have used other products in the RoC line that were great but this eye cream is not one of them. It is awful. This cream caused my eye puffiness to worsen due to the irritation and when I applied my MAC concealer, the skin under my eyes seemed dry, flaky, and my wrinkles looked worse! Not good! This stuff is in the garbage!
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Mascara -Revlon - Fabulash Waterproof
tshinn 6/22/2010 5:58:00 PM
I have to rank this amongst the WORST mascaras I have ever used! I bought this on Sunday with the hopes of having lush, black lashes at my in-laws' pool party. I swam for an hour or so and sat outside on the deck. Upon returning home I looked in the mirror and I was horrified. Not only was the mascara pretty much gone, it left two "raccoon circles" under both eyes. Being a fair gal, I decided to give this product another chance. I put it on yesterday morning before I left for work and when I got home, I noticed that even though there was some mascara left, I still had a major case of the raccoon eyes. I immediately washed it off and threw the tube in the trash. This mascara does not last a typical work day, let alone a day at the pool. This product is NOT waterproof. It is not even "anything proof!" Revlon really missed the mark on this one. If you are looking for a mascara that lasts, water or not, stay away from Fabulash Waterproof!
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Superglass in Sweet Tart
tshinn 5/12/2010 5:07:00 PM
I really wanted to love these glosses! I had been waiting and anticipating their release and after I purchased Sweet Tart, I discovered that my excitement was in vain. Sweet Tart is a soft baby pink shade that goes nicely with corals, pinks, peaches, nudes, and brights. The color is light and pretty but the chunks of glitter are just too much. When the gloss wears off, there are pieces of glitter left behind which look odd and out of place. The texture of the gloss is thick which I like and even though the glitter is too large, I have to admit that I did not sense any grit on my lips. I think someone else said they think these glosses are juvenile and I have to agree. I can totally see these glosses on a 15 year old and it would be appropriate. But for me, a woman in her 30s, the glitter is a bit OTT. Unless you LOVE glitter, I would skip these.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega Last Lipstick
tshinn 4/29/2010 6:05:00 PM
I just bought this lipstick at CVS recently while visiting family on the East Coast. I paid $3.14 ($2.99 plus VA state tax). I bought this in the Red Velvet shade. The color reminds me of MAC's discontinued Mattene lipstick in Seriously Rich. The overall hue is a bright, true red and there is a slight pinkish undertone. The black and clear packaging is a bit schlocky i.e. cheap, yet it is an improvement over their original stuff. I do not like how the lipstick itself sticks out of the tube and won't swivel all the way down. Therefore, when putting the clear lid back on, I need to make sure I do not nick the lipstick and end up smearing product on the outside/edge of the lid. Unlike most WnW lipsticks in my past (junior high/high school), this lippie thankfully lacks the famous 'plasticky' scent. I cannot detect any real scent at all. If there is any scent, it is slight. The lipstick glides on and stays on a couple of hours and when it fades away, it leaves a slight yet even stain. I applied MAC lip pencil in Cherry to finish the look and the liner was a little bit darker than Red Velvet but it paired nicely. This lippie can seem a little drying if you are not used to wearing mattes but I have to say that the dryness is no where near that like MAC's Ruby Woo. If the dry quality is bothersome, put clear lip balm over the lipstick or you can pair it with a gloss like MAC's lustreglass in String Bean or Lustreglass in Venetian. Overall, I am impressed with this little find. I mean, yes, the packaging is weak but the product is great. I cannot complain about 3 bucks and great lips. I do prefer my MAC and Julie Hewett colors but this WnW product is good for the price and neat to try.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Lancome - Color Design in Retro Rouge
tshinn 1/19/2010 2:13:00 PM
I bought this product with the hopes it of it being an intense red shade. The color is pretty and the slight glitter effect is lovely but the color is not really red but rather it is a coral-tinged, sheer-like red. With a name like "Retro Rouge," I was hoping for a true retro, vintage 40s red. The name is very misleading and the color on Lancome's website is more a deep red than in person. The texture felt moist at first but the little bits of glitter dried out my lips over the course of the day. This lippie is pretty if you prefer lighter tones of red. But if you are seeking a deeper, true vintage red, than try Red Stiletto. I ended up exchanging this lippie for the Red Stiletto, which is up more my alley.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -La Mer - Creme de la mer moisturizer
tshinn 10/5/2009 12:34:00 PM
I got this as a sample from Neiman Marcus last week. I have heard raves about this product for years from various magazines. I have to say that I have no idea why. La Mer is not only very expensive ($230 USD for two ounces), it seems very cheaply made like Ponds or Nivea. Also, the product even smells like Ponds Cold Cream. It has an old-fashioned rose scent. Due to its heavy, oily texture, I cannot see myself wanting to get La Mer on my oily PPP skin. However, for the past three nights, I have been using a small amount of it under my eyes. So far, I have had no irritation which is good. Yet, I have not noticed any miraculous changes either. Like I said earlier, I think any drugstore brand eye cream would be better suited. Overall, I would never buy this. To do so, IMHO, would be stupid. I know that La Mer = RIP OFF! Check out this link I found: http://www.savvyskin.com/get-a-125-wrinkle-cream-for-99-cents
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Shampoo -Avalon Organics Botanicals - Biotin B-Complex Thickening
tshinn 8/5/2009 1:40:00 PM
Oh, I really, really wanted this product to be my HG. I recently purchased the shampoo and conditioner and I think the shampoo in particular is causing me to lose more hair for some reason. I have been on birth control pills for over 15 years and after recent sterilization surgery, I am now off of the pills. My sister told me that after being on hormones for so long that I should expect to lose some hair for a couple of months as my body adjusts to the change. Great. I already have fine hair as it is and the idea of losing hair is freaking me out. So, to help prepare for any hair loss, I have been taking biotin-infused multi-vitamins since May 2009 and using biotin shampoos. (It is now early August 09) The vitamins are making my hair and nails grow fast but once I started using the shampoo along with the conditioner about 2 weeks ago, I noticed a lot more hair fall. When I told my sister I was losing hair after being off the pill for only two weeks, she stated that my hair fall was happening too early. She said that I should have started losing hair after a month not after two weeks. The only thing I have changed other than stopping the pill, is the introduction of these products to my regime. I am so confused and frustrated with this because during the two weeks I used these products, I did not notice any change (positive or negative) and then all of a sudden, major hair fall. I hope this product(s) work(s) for you but it only made things worse for me. I hope the vitamins will help and I also hope the hair loss will be temporary and then grow back. If not, I will be investing in some good wigs. This sucks.
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Lipstick -Julie Hewett - Belle Noir
tshinn 6/30/2009 12:38:00 PM
After several months of deciding whether to spend 22 USD on a tube of this lipstick, I finally "bit the bullet" and purchased Belle Noir. Belle Noir is a true coral, orange-based red. I have MAC's Lady Danger and when I swatched each shade side by side on the back of my hand, the Lady Danger was just slightly more red-based than Belle Noir. But the two colors are pretty much the same. Normally, MAC lipsticks (esp the matte reds) are my favorites. I love the matte look, the drier texture, and the intense color pay-off. However, when I tried on Belle Noir yesterday, the texture felt creamier yet lighter. The color was intense and bright. The lipstick also did not have any taste, which is a huge plus for me. I paired Belle Noir with MAC's lip pencil in Redd and the two are a perfect match! After a couple of hours, the lipstick stayed put well and my lips felt comfortable and soft. I really like Julie Hewett's formula so far. The gold tubes have a great vintage look too. I can see myself buying more, particularly Rouge Noir and Sin Noir.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Cream eyeshadow in Moonshine
tshinn 4/9/2009 2:52:00 PM
I purchased this product yesterday at Sephora. The Cream Shadows are a new collection of eye shadows from Urban Decay that debuted around February. This collection contains 12 shades that range from pale pearl silver, deep purple, green, pink, to black. Most of the colors contain small bits of glitter but a few are just metallic. However, all shades are shimmery and are priced at $17.00 usd. I bought Moonshine which is a pale white pearly silver with lots of silvery glitter. The base color of this shadow is basically a white pearl with a silver undertone. Imagine a super shiny dime fresh from the Mint: that is this shade. UD's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Dime is slightly more silver-toned than Moonshine but the two colors are close. When I put this on this morning, I started with a coat of UD Primer Potion. Then I applied MAC's Paint Pot in Bare Study. I then applied Moonshine with a MAC brush in 242 on my lids. One coat creates a soft, shimmery effect that is somewhat subtle. The look was basically a wash of pale pearly shimmer with a nice touch of glitter. After letting the first coat dry a few seconds, I applied a second coat and the effect was brighter and more glittery. The pearly silver made my lids brighter and the glitter was more noticeable. To finish, I applied a small amount of UD Primer Potion on my lower lash line and then Dime pencil. After some black mascara, I was done. Now, after 5 hours, my lids have not creased. This product is holding up well so far. The level of fallout is slight and I can simply wipe it off with some pressed powder. Moreover, during application, the level of fallout is again, not that bad, but it does happen somewhat. Now, the level is NOTHING like the powder glitter shadows, i.e. Maui Wowie. Now, my big gripe with this product is the packaging. Can we say lame? What is UD's fascination with that damn doe-foot wand applicator?! Really, Wendy, really? Enough already! Like UD Primer Potion, the product is good but the packaging totally gets in the way. The design team at UD really should have selected a squeeze tube for both the Primer Potion and these cream shadows. The wand applicator applies too much product and over time, you may end up losing product that is stuck on the sides of the tube. Again, squeeze tubes are so much better for this. Think Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Alas, since the UD people seem hell-bent on stupid packaging (Pocket Rocket, the dagger lipsticks, shadows, etc), you can get around this by using brushes. Apply the shadow on a petri dish, palette, or the back of your hand and that way, you can better control/improve application. In conclusion, Moonshine is a pretty color but it requires at least two coats to show up and there is nothing really unique about this shade. I have seen many versions of this color before. I will try other colors eventually, but I will not buy this particular shade again. I would give 4 lippies based on the smooth texture, the long-lasting formula, and because the glitter fallout is slight. Yet, I would take off one lippie because the wand applicator is a waste of plastic and the overall design is not conducive to this type of cream formula.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Pro Lipstick - Show Orchid
tshinn 4/2/2009 5:46:00 PM
I have wanted to buy this lipstick for a long time but since it is a MAC Pro shade and I was not a member, I took to searching for it on eBay. Then earlier this year, I became a MAC Pro member using my modeling portfolio. No more eBay for this gal! Not only can I get most products for 30% off (not including special holiday collections or Viva Glam), I have access to the Pro goods, like Show Orchid! With that said, I was very excited when my order containing Show Orchid from MAC Pro online arrived the other day. Finally, this lipstick was mine! Show Orchid is an Amplified Creme. It is a super bright, intense hot pink with a slight iridescent sheen that is very subtle. The lipstick has a blue-ish base and the texture is very smooth and creamy. When comparing Show Orchid with other MAC brights like Girl About Town or Pink Poodle, this lipstick is more blue-pink and more bright in tone. Girl About Town has more red in it and even though Pink Poodle is close, it is not as bright/neon as Show Orchid. Another reviewer used "neon" to describe this color and they are absolutely correct. This color is bright and powerful so if you prefer toned-down/subtler shades, this lippie may not appeal to you. However, if you are a hot pink fanatic like me and are accustomed to wearing colors like this, you WILL love Show Orchid. Also, when wearing colors like this, liners are a must. The best liner to pair with Show Orchid is MAC's liner in Magenta but you can use MAC's pencil in Cranapple (it brings out more of a red pink tone while Magenta brings out tones of blue-pink violet). Overall, I would buy this again for sure. It is bright, fun, and totally compliments my psychobilly/vintage style. Another winner from MAC!
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
tshinn 3/31/2009 12:19:00 PM
I got a sample of this in shade NC15 yesterday from MAC. I was ready to buy the product but the SA/MUA told me it was sold out and they were not expecting a shipment for a couple of weeks. She gave me a generous sample and informed me that a "little goes a long way" and "to use only a pea-sized amount." She went on to say that the first day she used it herself that it literally slid off her face. Then, in training, she and the other MUAs/SAs were instructed on how using a small amount was the key. With *all* that said, I guess the bad reviews here are for girls who may have applied too much of this? I know that everything does not work for all of us but maybe the negative reviews are based on application. This foundation comes in a soft plastic, clear tube with a black screw cap lid. The formula is thick and creamy. I applied this in sections on my face with just my fingers, instead of using a foundation brush or sponge. IMHO, I think using a brush would pick up too much product and therefore make you look/feel like you are wearing a heavy, greasy mask. Sponges are never ideal for creamy, heavier foundations anyway. So, fingers it is. After I finished applying, I stood back from the mirror. My skin looked even and flawless. Talk about awesome! All the little pores in my nose and the redness in my cheeks were gone. Whoo-hoo! I did not see any buildup or cakey-ness. Another plus. Moreover, my skin did not feel coated or heavy. Now, I have been wearing this for over three hours (since 9 am) and my foundation has no slid off or gotten cakey. I am really liking this product so far! I will more than likely buy this once my sample runs out. Another thing to note, the MAC MUA/SA recommended NC15 for my PPP skin w/red undertones. Normally, I am a NW in MAC but the MUA/SA told me that this particular foundation in MAC's collection has quite a bit of yellow in it and had I selected the NW15 instead of the NC, the result would have looked way too dark/yellow. So, if you are a red-toned gal like me, go for the NC instead. Overall, I would buy this for sure. The texture is fabulous and I love how it nicely covers my flaws. The only reason I am taking off a lippie is due to the fact this foundation is a tinge too yellow so matching could be trickier than normal.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -New York Color - Smooth Mineral Pressed Powder Foundation
tshinn 2/19/2009 3:53:00 PM
Wow! I am totally surprised at how great this stuff is! I bought last week at my local Target for $4.99 and I am so glad I did! I have been trying to find a good SPF mineral powder that I can quickly apply on days I am out running errands and/or skiing. I always use MAC's Prep and Prime SPF 50 as a base and the idea of putting on foundation just to ski is a bit "over the top." So when I saw this cutely packaged, mineral pressed powder (and at such a great price), I grabbed it immediately. I bought the lightest shade, Natural Light, and it matches my PPP complexion pretty well. However, the mini kabuki brush that accompanies this is kind of weak. Instead, I use my MAC # 109 brush to apply and viola!, perfection in a flash. Then all I do is apply brow gel, tinted lip balm or SPF lipstick, and I am out the door in 5 minutes. Another reason I love this powder is how it is pressed! No fluffy, loose mineral mess! Also, I like how the texture and finish of this product is matte and not mica-like at all! Yay! Overall, the price, the quality, and the finish make this powder a total winner!
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Lipstick -Yves Saint Laurent - Rouge Volupte #10 Provocative Pink
tshinn 2/19/2009 3:40:00 PM
This is my second tube of Rouge Voulpte and now I am hooked. My first purchase was #18 Red Taboo. This color, Provocative Pink, is a bright blue-based hot pink in the tube (reminds me of MAC's Heatherette Hollywood Nights). Once applied, the color is just amazing and looks very true to the tube color itself. The texture of this lipstick is very soft, almost smooshy so be careful when twisting the tube up and down and whilst applying. I was worried the product would be too soft and therefore cause a bleeding effect on my lips but I was wrong. Although the lipstick is very creamy and silky, it stays put and lasts a long time too. My lips feel moisturized and look fabulous for hours! When the lipstick wears off, it leaves a nice, even stain on my lips.I also like the fact how this lippie is SPF 15! I wear this on my ski days, especially when the sun is out and reflecting off of the snow. There is even a small mirror on the top of the beautiful gold tube that make quick touch-ups a breeze! The ONLY drawback to this product is the price. $34.00 USD is a lot to pay but wow, it is worth it. I love this lipstick and I want to buy more but the price tag is making me think twice. Overall, this is a great product that truly lives up to its promises but the price is quite a bit of a letdown. I will have to save up for more. Ah, what we do for beauty!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No