Highlighters -LORAC - 3D Liquid Lustre
vyvyanne 3/6/2013 4:41:00 PM
So I first saw xsparkage using this and she made it sound/look AMAZING. I'm not a HUGE glitter fan (but I like it well enough). I kept putting it off and finally gave in. I had bought this with the intention of using it as an inner corner highlight and also on top of other eyeshadows to 'transform' the color. The glitter in this concoction is very finely-milled, so much that it could pass as large shimmer/a sheen. I think the product is quite expensive for the amount you get. I don't believe in paying $15 for glitter but... it was just too pretty. I do like that it's already a liquid so you don't have to buy a separate glitter base to mix with a loose glitter. I also think the eye dropper is genius --- it really reduces the potential mess. Having said that, application still can get quite messy. Even if you use the smallest drop possible (I try for half a drop), the dropper still disperses way too much product. Maybe it's because I have small eyes... but I always get a lot of product waste --- which sucks since there isn't that much product to begin with. Half of the tube is the glitter and the other half is the liquid which you have to shake before using. The main reason I took off one lippie is because the clear fluid (whatever it is made of) does not help the glitter adhere to your lids. I bought it kind of thinking that was the point... But as soon as the liquid evaporates, the glitter will move when touched (maybe I'll use a setting spray immediately after application?) Pretty lame move on Lorac's part... But how much will you sacrifice for beautiful shimmer? Seriously, the 3D lustres are SO GORGEOUS and ENCHANTING. I could drool over them for ages. I also haven't tried the 3D lustres on anything else but my eyes. I imagine it would be equally as beautiful on your decolletage. I think Sephora said you could use it on your cheeks... but I think it would be overkill --- also would probably emphasize pores.
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Moisturizers -Cetaphil - Moisturizing Cream
vyvyanne 3/6/2013 4:29:00 PM
I was in search for a night cream --- something gentle but very moisturizing especially because I get really dry during the wintertime . I heard a lot of great things about the Cetaphil one ... it doesn't irritate and is super gentle. Good: - It's cheap! I got the big tub and it'll last me forever (it wasn't too expensive either... compared to the Aveeno moisturizer which I use during the daytime). - not scented --- I'm not sensitive to scents but I like the fact that it didn't have a strong fragrance - very moisturizing (expanded below) - gentle; sometimes daytime moisturizes (especially those with SPF) can sting my eyes at the end of the day [product traveling and me rubbing my eyes] but this did not sting, ever :) Neutral: - no SPF; I don't like the smell of SPF & didn't need it as I wanted to only use this during the evening. Bad: - clogged pores!!! (expanded below) - packaging was meh --- a tub? could be unsanitary! I accidentally left my lid off for a couple of hours... >.< and you have to dip your fingers in to get the product So at first I was skeptical about this but I bought into the hype and decided to try it out. I had previously been using the St. Ives moisturizer. They are similar (not comparable though) --- in a tub, no SPF, gentle etc. This product is quite thick and oily. I thought that was okay because during the winter I would get dry spots and this really helped to effectively moisturize my skin by morning. I also like that I can just randomly use this on my body too. What I really DISLIKE about this (and my reason for not re-purchasing), similar to another reviewer, THIS CLOGS MY PORES. A HUGE no-no for me since I grew up with acne (still get the monthly breakouts too). It doesn't break me out... which means it's gentle? but it clogs like no tomorrow. I should have been suspicious because every morning my face is SUPER OILY (which I didn't mind because I was going to wash it off). At first I thought I was using too much but the cream just sits on your face and doesn't sink in. It didn't immediately click that my clogged pores were due to this cream and no amount of exfoliating would alleviate the issue. I'm pretty bummed about this discovery :/ I'll probably continue to use it on my body, as well as the infrequent spot treatment for dry spots :)
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Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked Palette
vyvyanne 12/2/2012 9:27:00 PM
I love the Naked Palette! Before this, I was not really a fan of nude colors... I've always been more a bright colors gal! But when everyone was raving about how awesome the Naked Palette was and what a great deal it would be... I just had to try it. I was lucky enough to be one of the early ones to get it. In the height of the craze when it was sold out everywhere, I just happened to walk into a random Sephora and decided to ask if they had it in stock --- they did! I bought it without hesitation and have not looked back since. It's true that, in a pinch, all you need is this palette to create a whole variety of looks. I went abroad and only took a fraction of my makeup --- the Naked Palette being one of the only palettes I brought with me and it was totally fine! I love their variety of textures (although more mattes would have made it ++++) Naked and Buck are both awesome colors to blend out edges and add more dimension to the eye. I've used Hustle, Darkhorse and especially Creep to darken up the crease, or just the general look. Love Virgin for highlighting the browbone and Sin for the inner corner highlight. Half Baked is an AWESOME golden color that can be used by itself for sure, but also over other shadows (Sugar Pill's Love + [matte red] comes to mind) to transform them! The eyeshadows are awesome quality, just what UD is known for --- they texture is smooth and they apply well. I always use a eyeshadow primer when applying eyeshadow so I can't how it would be if someone used it just on the lid bare. I would say that my worst experience with fallout with be Sidecar -- it had glittery flakes in there; I can't say I really enjoy the glitter fallout but it's still a great color. I can honestly say that I use every one of these colors regularly (and that's saying a lot... bc I have way too many eyeshadows to use in a lifetime >.<) --- the one I use the least would have to be gunmetal. For my smokey EOTDs I usually still prefer a bright lid color and smoke them with out with a matte black or something. I don't think this palette is expensive because all the shadows are full-sized and totally worth it if you had it up. Mine also came with a duo-sided 24/7 eyeliner (I heard later versions came with an eyeshadow brush?) It's nice that they have a mirror, but I hardly use it. Also, the velvet packaging is lovely/pretty to look at. Mine had gotten a bit dirty (not extremely icky) but I would have preferred the packaging they used on the Naked2 Palette. Also, it should be noted that the Naked Palette is full of warm colors --- if that's not your thing you may not like it --- conversely I've heard that the Naked 2 has more cool colors -- so check that out! I think this Palette would make a LOVELY gift for someone. I would probably never repurchase this only because I don't think i would ever finish it (if I do finish it, it would be either Buck or Naked... and in that case I would just buy the full size version... if they sell it :) )
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Lips -Giorgio Armani - Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color
vyvyanne 12/2/2012 9:11:00 PM
I have the lip maestro in 400 (classic blue red) and 502 (deep mauvey-pink). I absolutely love these! I knew they would be great from Temptalia's review & from other beauty blogs. I'm really into the long-lasting matte lip products and these are perfect. First off, the packaging, as people have mentioned online, is a little tacky. The red handle looks a bit cheap, even if the tube isn't made of cheap plastic. I do really like the wand --- it's like the NYX megashine but longer and much better quality. The pigmentation is fantastic -- you only need one swipe. I've heard mixed reviews about how long this product wears. I've worn lots of long-wearing/stain-like lipsticks and I think the lip maestros wear fantastically well. Yes, it's true that they never quite set (wet and much product will come off) but they stain instantaneously --- even after eating and drinking they'll last. I also love the fact that they wear well and last. Some stains start to flake off (due to excessive drying of your lips) ... which is gross. With these, they haven't done that. I've even worked out with it on (intense sweating and it was still great). The finish is matte ... but with a sheen, so it isn't completely flat color. The slip/texture is quite thinner, thinner than a lipstick but not like... Revlon colorstay ? those LE long wear lipsticks that felt like water? I wish the color range was wider, but there are plenty of colors to choose from already. I would definitely repurchase if there were more colors that I wanted. My favorite is 400... but apparently 400 & 502 looks similar on my lips (even though in the tube they are quite different). Oh, and to note, even though applying it straight from the tube, it is quite opaque, you can definitely use your fingers --- or a lip brush and dab it on for a light stain; awesome! I don't usually spend $32 on a lip product but I think these are worth it, especially if you find that one special color that you can rock again and again. <3 these!
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Eye Shadow -Stars Makeup Haven - Eyeshadows
vyvyanne 6/3/2010 3:26:00 PM
- I have two 15palettes full of SMH eyeshadows! I plan on adding about another 30 to my collection. the 15palette package comes with a palette, each shadow individually packaged, and magnets (the palette and shadows arent magnetized so a little assembly is required). the palettes they come with are smaller than a MAC 15pan pro palette and inside between the holes are foam (which can be removed if desired). - Most of these shadows are soft, pigmented and blend so easily. My favorite color of theirs is FRESH --- perfect and bright green. Everytime I wear it, I get compliments! :) - i must warn that out of the newer additions, they seem to be less pigmented (more sparse?) - i also enjoy their matte eyeshadows, not crumbly or dry. -currently at starsmakeuphaven.com 15eyeshadows+palette is $50, while 28 is $79.95. Individuals are around $5 --- very afforable either way. -if you only want a few shadows, some of my recommendations include fresh, wine not, plum crazy, and fireflies (somethinglikethat:X). -if you are into collecting palettes/collections, i would definitely recommend you add SMH eyeshadows into the mix. hope this helps!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -China Glaze - In the Lime Light
vyvyanne 6/3/2010 2:23:00 PM
- This is currently my favorite green nail polish (my favorite color is green!) - I've read a few of the low lippies this np has gotten on MUA and I can say that none of the chipping or bubbles has happened to me. sometimes those things can happen if you do not apply NP properly (or shaking the bottle, no!, roll it between your hands to mix it) - also it does not dry shiny like a creme or jelly or others would becaue it is a NEON, just about all the neons i've encountered don't naturally dry shiny; it is in their formula, you have to apply a topcoat if you want that look. - i love that it isn't a strange green neon, there are extra shimmers added. :D love! - while i have to admit that the formula is thinner than other CG NPs, it takes a few coats to get it as opaque as i would like but that i can live with since the end result is so awesome! - this is definitely an eye-catching and any-season-wearable (IMHO) color :D ; i love it so much, i even have a backup for it (and was thinking of getting another :X )
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Lipstick -NARS - Schiap
vyvyanne 6/3/2010 2:15:00 PM
Color: bright, beautiful pink (sephora lists it as a "semi matte shocking pink" packaging: love the matte finish, same style as other NARS cosmetics. simple, sleek, cute formula: this was my first NARS lipstick and .. it had a weird smell to it (maybe this is their regular lipstick smell, without any fruity/candy scent?) it wasn't TOO strong, but I wasn't a fan. Also, I know this was a matte lipstick but I found it quite drying to the point where it was difficult to apply, almost. I usually wore this with a gloss on top (too dry lips? no way!) , which made my lips look gorgeous :D NARS lipsticks are .12oz but it looked smaller than other lipsticks.. end result: I returned it because it was $24 (compared to MAC $14) and I felt that I shouldn't keep it if I wasn't completely (or at least closer to it) satisfied with it. too bad, it was one of my more favorite eye-searing bright pinks :( .
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Lipstick -MAC - petals and peacocks
vyvyanne 6/3/2010 2:06:00 PM
first off, love this color! it's such a bright pink and I love MAC's amplified creme formula. It goes on smooth and doesn't dry out my lips. Top it off with some gloss and it REALLY shines :) It also stains somewhat so hours after the lipstick's faded it leaves a subtle pink to the lips. I also love how you can build up the color. At first I would wear it thick and dramatic-like but other times I just apply with a light touch and it is still considered very bright. Also, I let a few friends try it and it looks just as good on different skin tones. love! The packaging is also a refreshing and cute change to traditional MAC lipsticks. Too bad this is LE
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Mascara -Maybelline - Define A Lash
vyvyanne 6/3/2010 1:59:00 PM
quick review: I use this mascara 98% of the time on my lower lashes. I don't want volume really , just length and definition. I think this mascara does what it says, it creates length and defines my lower lashes. I have it in waterproof and blackest black(?) and have repurchased it at least 2x. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to be anyone's HG (most people are looking for length and volume right?) but for what I use it for, it does its job! Sometimes when I'm lazy or don't want a dramatic eye, I'll use it on the top. hope this helps!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -L'Oreal - HIP Color Rich Cream Crayon in Perfectionist
vyvyanne 12/30/2008 8:57:00 PM
I have all the colors... all of them but this is the only once I use everyday. It is my current HG eyeliner, I LOVE this and if I didn't have this, I wouldn't know what to do. Other drugstore liners smudge, smear and wear away... so fast and this one doesnt budge! once it dries. If you apply it very thickly, it'll probably be a little hard to remove, but it isn't typically too tough to get off. I use this daily to line my waterline and it stays put, except by the end of the day the outer edges wear away a little (I have small, chinky eyes... probably has something to do with this). I don't really use the other colors because black gives me most dramatic effect (on the waterline) so I usually only use that. I am almost done with it, and soon I will go buy another. A green one I had once ... the stick fell out of the tube... and I had to throw it away. The black one does it too; like it is loose and I take care not to let it fall out. That is one of the only bad things. It always comes with a sharpener at the other end; kind of wasteful if you ask me, but if you want a pointed, and thinner point it works (I've used it before). In my earlier days I used to use this as base and it works pretty well as that too (just don't use too much or it'll crease). I only buy HIP products when the drugstores are on BOGO for it, otherwise it would be too expensive, drugstore-wise. LOVE this =D
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Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - HIP Pure Pigment Shadow Stick
vyvyanne 12/30/2008 8:49:00 PM
I don't remember what color I got this in but it was a teal blue and I just did not know what to do with it. I did not give up right away, researched on the internet and on youtube with just how I was supposed to apply this thing. Some people praised it and loved it, but I just couldn't It was too hard to use dry. I suspected there was a lot of potential in this thing, but it just wouldn't work for me. I tried mixing medium, water, and other liquids to mix with this and it didn't budge off the damn stick. The product packaging I found was very strange... It would have been interesting if it was in a twist up tube... I ended up cutting it up and putting it into a jar, trying to use it as a loose pigment of some sort. I haven't used it since I sliced, diced and minced it up, but maybe the next time I use it, it'll have better color payoff.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -L'Oreal - HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Black
vyvyanne 12/30/2008 8:43:00 PM
I have all five of these in brown, teal, blue, purple and black. I think they work fine and black seems to be the most popular. I don't wear eyeliner much anymore except in my waterline. Rarely when I do line my upper lashline, I'll use this and it goes on very smooth, dark and creamy. The reason I would not purchase this again is because since I don't use it very often, I don't think I will ever finish it. I have had this pot for a long time and it has not dried out on me and if it did I imagine I would just scrap off the top layer and the bottom would still be creamy. I did not find any trouble using the brush provided but I did wish it was thinner (usually the lines I want are thick, so it really doesn't matter to me). They stay on very well and are super easy to remove. The reason I know this is that for Halloween this year I have a mime, white face paint with a lot of black eyeliner drawn for dramatic effect. I drew black lines dripping down my face and used this baby for the whole thing. My friends and I had a mime army and someone had brought their own black eyeliner pencil to do the drawing. Not only was the cream eyeliner easier to draw onto the face, but it outlasted their as well (sharpened to death, sad death =P). I am happy it got so much use out of it... it is very unlikely I will ever finish this current pot.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - Cream shadow paint in Lofty
vyvyanne 12/30/2008 8:36:00 PM
I have these cream shadows in steely, secretive, and lofty. I had nervy, but it was too dark for me. At first I used secretive as my second base, after UDPP and it was always too light and I didn't think twice until I got lofty and decided it was a better color. What can I say? Lofty matches my skin tone pretty well, and it doesn't crease for me; I apply it lightly on my whole lid up to the browbone as a base for my shadows. A little goes a long way and I have been using this for a long time and still a have long way to go (I even already purchased a backup... too early). This keeps my makeup from creasing 12+ and even after a long night of partying I come back and my eyes are still going strong. Although I have not tried its MAC counterpart, I do not really want to. I guess I'll wait until I finish my two lofty. Also one or twice with my other paints, it did leak a weird oily goo. I just wiped it away and continued to use it. It was gross but it did not affect the quality of the product. I only buy HIP products on BOGO so I think I got it for around $6? Not sure, it was way too long ago. I usually buy HIP at either rite aid, cvs or walgreens
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Lip Gloss -L'Oreal - HIP Jelly Balm [DISCONTINUED]
vyvyanne 12/30/2008 8:28:00 PM
I have these in succulent, savory, and luscious. I had ripe, but I lost it =( it was a very nice sheer red color. I only buy HIP products when they are on BOGO because otherwise I would consider them too expensive for drugstore. I am planning on getting the rest of the colors, that is how much I love them. They are not at all sticky to me and I love that it is a little thick, love a little texture to my lips. It is indeed very glossy and moisturizing. I do notice that it doesn't last very long. I also love that the color is sheer so it can easily be applied over lipstick to modify the color or on lips by itself is nice. I don't mind that it is in a pot, but I do agree that it is more of a hassle, even if it was in a tube, I'd still apply by hand because it gives me more control. My favorite of the four is succulent and I have already hit pan with it and.... I wouldn't 'give' up and say these are my hg glosses/balms but I would definitely buy them again and they are what I always reach for. When I leave the house in my pockets are usually my cell, keys, chapstick, and a hip jellybalm =)
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Polishes -Wet 'n' Wild - Wild Shine - Sapphire Blue 445D
vyvyanne 5/12/2007 3:55:00 AM
I loved this color! I own a lot of different brands and nailpolish colors. This one was the first wet'n'wild color I tried... I had even promised myself days before that I wouldn't buy anymore nail polish but it was so pretty! I tried it as soon as I bought home and it was perfect. The color was a nice dark blue with 'sapphire' undertones. It also had a nice texture for its price; I've purchased other nail polish that was around this price and they were really cheap/thin. One thing that I didn't really like was when I removed it, it was harder to remove than my other ones. I had to rub harder and the first 'layer' to come off would be the color. Then i was left with the metallic undertone and I had to RUB again, but it wasn't a big problem. Oh, and I'm not exactly sure what I bought it for, but it was probably only 0.99 so good price!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No