Lipstick -MAC - Laugh A Lot
venused 4/21/2010 11:49:00 PM
This is an absolute perfect MLBB colour for me. It's slightly darker than my natural lip colour, so it evens them out and defines them nicely, while adding a pretty sheen. Love the lustre formula, too. If you have fairly pigmented lips, and are looking for a good everyday lipstick, definitely check it out.
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Polishes -Zoya - Professional Lacquer
venused 4/21/2010 11:45:00 PM
I'd heard a lot of good things about Zoya but never gave the brand a try, instead sticking to the more popular OPI. I'm glad I gave Zoya a shot, though, because I've been really impressed. The line has lots of great polishes that fill in the blanks in OPI's standard lineup, such as some really awesome greens and blues. I had trouble narrowing down which ones to try first. Since I'm new to the brand I've only tried a few of their polishes, but I'm really impressed with the formula so far. All three I choose are fairly consistent in their formula (opaque in two coats, thick but not goopy); an issue I often have with OPI, is that they vary from extremely thin to extremely goopy, so you never really know what you're going to get. The brush is also a very nice size. Not too long, too thin, too thick or too floppy. If you're as clumsy as me, the brush can make or break application. I actually don't have much of anything bad to say about Zoya. I prefer the OPI packaging, but that isn't much of a complaint. The only real downside to Zoya is that they are less accessible and slightly more expensive, around here, anyway.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -MAC - #217 Blending
venused 2/7/2010 4:42:00 PM
What to say about this brush? It's my absolute favourite brush of all time, and I own a couple of them. It's the brush I'd take to that metaphorical deserted island. If I'm in a rush I'll do my entire eye with just this one brush for the sake of time saving. I know a lot of people sing the praises of the 239 as the best eye brush, but I actually prefer the 217 for packing on colour, since it's slightly flattened on one side it picks up colour well. It has the added bonus of being an awesome (and very soft, non-prickly) blender brush on top of that. If you're new to MAC brushes or just looking for a great multitasking brush, this is one you need to try.
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Polishes -OPI - Senorita Rose-alita
venused 2/7/2010 4:34:00 PM
I can't imagine this being a particularly unique colour (not many pinks are) but it's just so pretty on. It's a hot pink with a golden sheen. It's a perfect toe colour for me, and just makes me feel a little brighter and happier wearing it underneath all my heavy winter attire. It's one of those rare shades (for me anyway) that I am happy with just one coat of. It goes on entirely opaque and lasts forever with a good top coat.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Naked Lunch
venused 1/19/2010 10:02:00 PM
Ha, this colour deserves 5 lippies for its name alone. The English major geek in me rejoices at the reference. However... the colour itself is pretty awesome, too. It's a shimmery nude that goes with just about anything. It's well pigmented for being so light and is perfect for office/daytime looks. It reminds me of a less frosty, icy version of the famous Stila Kitten, it's a bit warmer, more golden.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Smoke & Diamonds [DISCONTINUED]
venused 1/19/2010 9:56:00 PM
A unique silvery-grey colour, that's a little more grey than silver. It's got a nice sheen, though. The starflash formula is to die for, too; too bad it is limited edition. I hadn't really touched this colour in ages, but recently re-arranged my palettes and rediscovered its awesomeness. It's a great colour that goes with pretty much anything. It's great for smoky eyes, a crease colour, you name it.
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Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
venused 1/19/2010 9:49:00 PM
I was sorely disappointed with this foundation based on all the hype surrounding it, and how many people claim it as their HD. I think most of them must have extremely oily skin, because it dried me out big time, looking scaly within hours, and I didn't even use a setting powder. It highlighted dry patches rather than covering anything. Coverage was good, but nothing spectacular or 'HD'-worthy, if you ask me. The one good thing I can say is that MUFE had great shade matching. I got a near perfect match, a rare feat for my pale skin. Way too expensive for what you get, IMO, and absolutely horrible for dry skin.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Cargo - Suede Blush in Montebello
venused 1/19/2010 9:41:00 PM
There is no other word for this blush but pretty. Mine is comprised mostly of light pink and beige splashes, with just a few areas with a hot pink colour. It's extremely easy to wear, and brightens up cheeks instantly with a pale rosy pink colour. However, I think this blush is one that will work best for those with lighter skintones. It might not show up if you're darker skinned, or have a strong tan.
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Moisturizers -Clinique - Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer
venused 1/19/2010 9:36:00 PM
I have this in the very dry to dry skin formula. I used to think skincare was skincare and lotions were pretty similar across the board. This cream has proved me wrong, my skin hasn't been in such good condition in the cold, dry winter months in a long time. If you have really dry, bordering on flakey skin, I recommend this cream. It moisturizes without pushing my skin into oily, breakout territory as some other 'ultra moisturizing' creams have done in the past. It's light and sinks in quickly, but I don't feel like I'm missing out on the moisture it promises.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Hue
venused 1/19/2010 9:30:00 PM
Hue is far, far from well pigmented, but that's to be expected from the glaze formula. What it does do is leave the prettiest pinky glossy finish. It works really well with my natural lip colour, just making it look that little bit better without looking made up. Definitely a thumbs up from me.
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Polishes -OPI - Isn't it Romantic?
venused 1/12/2010 11:19:00 PM
Such a pretty colour, with a perfect name. It's a romantic pink colour with a very fine gold-green shimmer that makes it a little more whimsical and interesting than your typical pale bridal pinks. I love layering it over other more opaque pale pinks for a more full finish nail. Without the base, it's a little on the sheer side, but still really pretty. This is one of those polishes that's really hard to mess up, even as a sheer. It doesn't show brush strokes, even with only a single coat. As someone far less than an expert at smooth application, that's a huge selling point, for me, especially with more frosty shades, which tend to show brush strokes the worst.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - "Sheer" Your Toys!
venused 11/19/2009 8:57:00 PM
I love this polish. It's such a pretty grey. I'm a huge fan of grey polishes and this is one of the best. Contrary to its name, I don't really think it's sheer at all. Two coats gives an opaque grey, though I tend to do three to smooth everything out just a little bit more. Formula goes on great, like all OPI polishes. Smooth, shiny, and chip resistant. Definitely recommend :)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Lincoln Park After Dark Suede
venused 11/16/2009 10:13:00 AM
I decided to try this nailpolish for its novelty factor. The matte effect is kinda neat to try, but not practical in the least. It's a little difficult to apply as it dries so quickly; you have to work fast. It's real downfall, though, is how badly and quickly it chips. I didn't even get a couple hours of wear before I had horrible chips in half my nails. I really like the colour, which is really its only saving grace. It looks really pretty with a top coat, too, and takes on a shiny metallic finish. Even with a top coat it chips horribly and doesn't even last a day without being terribly wrecked.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Maybelline - Moisture Extreme - Sugar Plum on Ice
venused 11/4/2009 10:13:00 PM
This is my idea of nice pink-toned nude. I have pale skin, and fairly pigmented pink-toned lips so I find it difficult to wear nudes, so tend to gravitate toward pinks instead. This however, is a really easy nude (with just enough pink) to wear. It's sheer, but not too sheer and frosty, but not frosty. The formula is nice, too.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Smoke and Mirrors palette
venused 11/4/2009 10:07:00 PM
I was really pleased with this palette, opposed to previous years' smoky eye palettes. This one is a little more fitted to my tastes. It's on the slightly more understated side, almost more neutral than dramatic; creating more of a brown/taupe smoky eye than a true grey/black one. I don't know why others are so disappointed with the pigmentation of the shadows, though. The only one that's been giving me some trouble is Deception (and even that is buildable). All the others are perfectly true to their colour in pan. I think perhaps the lighter colours in a 'smoky eye palette' are throwing everyone off.. I really like the packaging this year, too. It's sturdy feeling, and not nearly as tacky as the gaudy gemstones and faux snakeskin motif of last year. Easier to store, too, if you have as many palettes as I do.
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