Foundations -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals Ready Foundation
wintertragedyx 10/16/2012 3:09:00 PM
I have used the new Ready foundation now every day since it was released a little over a month ago. I have OILY skin, no combination about this grease slick! It was an uphill battle, in the snow, to figure this foundation out. First, I received the QVC special edition version in Fair that included the new brush. I usually alternate between fair and golden fair in the Original formula and use fair in the Matte. When I received this product and applied it with the Precision Face Brush....the results were ghastly. I was so Casper white that I immediately burst out laughing at my rather horrendous reflection. I also discovered that the brush made for this foundation gives you some serious coverage. I usually like medium-full coverage but wow, it was even too much for me (and at the time I had some nasty cystic acne and acne hyper-pigmentation to cover) I went to Ulta to find a better match, and one of the associates applied golden fair and thought it was a perfect match. Honestly, in natural light (we were by the ginormous windows during the day) it did not look bad. A little flat, perhaps, but that is what blush and bronzer are for! I got it home and looked at my face in my bathroom light and instead of being Casper white leaning pink, I was now Casper white leaning yellow. SIGH. Blush and (lots) of bronzer DID help this, but who wants to lay on the products every single day? I used Golden Fair for about 2 weeks, trying to make it work, because besides the off color match I loved the formula after I ditched the precision brush. I started to use the Eco-tools Bronzer brush (this is not for lack of brushes, my brush collection is EXTENSIVE and covers everything from Coastal Scents to Hakuhodo)-- I lightly tap the large head of the bronzer brush in the powder so all bristles are covered and started to buff it in to the skin. The brush is so soft, and does a wonderful job of holding powder pigment (which is surprising for a synthetic brush) Anyway, like I said, I could make this work with loads of bronzer, but I thought that there HAD to be a better match out there for me so I took a chance and ordered yet another color off of Ebay this time (there are some really good deals right now for this foundation!) My Fairly Light arrived a few days later and FINALLY it was a match made in heaven. At first I thought it was going to be too dark, but once I started buffing it out, it blended seamlessly with my skin and gave me some life back. I could not be more pleased. Some other things I have noticed: 1) This foundation lasts on my suuuuper oily skin, even through multiple blottings. I never expect a foundation to PREVENT the oilies completely, as I have tried so many foundations for oily skin and they just can not hold up to the amount that my face produces. But if a foundation is still covering my redness even after I blot my extremely oily t-zone it is a winner! 2) A silicone based primer makes this foundation apply like a dream. I find that I must use a silicone based product because my HG sunscreen (Devita) can cause this to apply a little heavy and unevenly if I try to apply it directly after ss application. I am sure you do not HAVE to, but it is definitely my preferred application method. 3) Get color matched. At a BE boutique if you can. Otherwise, it is going to be some serious trial and error trying to find your shade >_> 4) In the month+ that I have used this, it has not given me le zits. YAY! THE FINAL VERDICT: Is it better than the Original and Matte BE foundation formulas IN MY OPINION? YES! It has MUCH better coverage with minimal effort, it does not leave your skin shiny (original) or completely dull (matte), it does not rub off on my phone (both did this to me), and lastly....I do not have foundation droppings (lol) all over my counter and sink, yay to less messy!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -John Frieda - Precision Foam Color
wintertragedyx 12/13/2011 6:43:00 PM
My experience with this hair color has been nothing short of awesome-- I've dyed my hair with almost every shade of blonde in this line and liked them all but I absolutely love the Medium Ash Blonde. My hair is naturally dark blonde and it turns out pretty much exactly like the girl's on the box after a few days. It DOES leave me with a little, tiny, only-noticeable-by-me tinge of green for a few days though. I love the ease of application. I love the nice quality gloves that come included with each kit. I find that this is one of the only dyes that does NOT leave my hair brittle and dry feeling, especially during the initial rinse. I can't say enough good things about this hair color. It's my personal HG!
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 188 Small Duo Fibre Face brush
wintertragedyx 11/17/2011 7:48:00 PM
Originally bought this brush for foundation ($24 at the Orlando CCO) but it is wayyyyyy too small for that (for me, atleast). I was perplexed about how I would use this brush but finally found the thing it is absolutely PERFECT FOR! Any sort of cream blush. I have used it with Tarte's cheek stain (another product that so many love and eluded me for the longest time...until trying it with this brush!) and Stila's convertible color and it stipples JUST the right amount of color and blends it like a dream. Now I will never eeevvveeerrr be without one of these little beauties.
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Treatments -Makeup Artist's Choice (MUAC) - TCA Peel
wintertragedyx 11/12/2011 10:47:00 PM
So this is not really a review of this product (yet) but I really wanted to mention this because I couldn't find anything ANYWHERE about this: I did a test patch of 15% TCA and it frosted immediately (I am 25, use lactic acid peels at 40% weekly for like 3 months now) The patch was right on my jawline up by my ear and was about a quarter size. I was pretty worried about it doing something horrible (like scaring) so I neutralized it with baking soda after about 2 minutes. The frosting did not subside for about 20-25 minutes afterwards (was pretty worried about this also) but later read that this is completely normal. What I couldn't find any information on: Almost immediately afterward (right after the frosting subsided, so like a half-hour maybe) I developed these REALLY dark pigmentation spots on the lower half of the test spot. There was no previous like...freckles or anything there before. There were two of them, side by side, that looked like massive flat moles. Needless to say, I was pretty horrified. I frantically checked the interwebs for any information and couldn't find anything. I was praying that the dark spots would peel off. And...THEY DID. BUT!! It took, I am not kidding you, 10 days for the test spot to -> START <- peeling (I seriously began to think the darn thing would not peel). It then peeled for about 5 days thereafter. I just wanted to say this so if anyone else has the same thing happen, don't panic! :) They will peel off, even when you think they might not!
14 out of 16 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Garnier - Anti-Dark-Circle Eye Roller
wintertragedyx 11/12/2011 10:22:00 PM
After trying this product, my Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat went back to Sephora...not going to lie. I wanted something to conceal and hydrate my undereye area. This little beauty has met and exceeded my expectations. I purchased this for $12 at Wal-Mart which I think is a great price for the quality of this product. Application is super easy and fun. I love the rollerball, it feels cool and soothing. I have very dark circles and fair skin, and while this doesn't completely "erase" those suckers it does fade 'em into my skin so they're not obvious. It doesn't cake up or dry out my eye area or make my fine lines more noticeable. If anything, it actually hydrates those lines and diminishes their appearance.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Yves Saint Laurent - Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch)
wintertragedyx 11/12/2011 10:09:00 PM
I wanted to love this product. And at first application, I did. The consistency is very smooth and very easy to blend. As an under eye concealer it offered very sheer coverage. As an illuminator it just didn't deliver, I guess it just matched my skin too well (neutral undertone-nw/nw 20) Under the eyes, after a few hours, it unfortunately settled into my fine lines and just highlighted them (never understood what "settle into fine lines" meant until I turned 25!) It seemed to accentuate my circles after a few hours worth of wear also. I expected much, much more for a $40 product. This sucker is going back to Sephora.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -MAC - Zoom lash
wintertragedyx 11/9/2011 4:02:00 PM
Seriously, MAC? What in the world is up with this terribad stuff?!? I got a full size tube of this mascara with a "look in a box" purchase that I made at my local CCO. When I first applied it, it was awesome. It gave my little wimpy lashes the fullness and volume that they crave! Within 20 minutes, the mascara had creeped under my eyes, making it look like someone punched me. Twice. I've never had a mascara make me look like I'm a drug addict, but I'll be jiggered if this Zoom lash doesn't do it every time. I tried to give the product the benefit of the doubt. Mayhaps my little eyebags were too moist. Or too powdery. No, and no, It doesn't matter. I have to wipe my under eyes CONSTANTLY throughout the day EVERY SINGLE TIME I wear this stuff. Not even cheap, drugstore mascara does that to me. Save yourself some grief and even if you get a FREE tube, toss it out (seriously, don't even give it away..........it's that bad.) >:|
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Liquid -NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation
wintertragedyx 11/3/2011 6:25:00 PM
I have been using this product for a little over a month now. I do not use it every day, I have many foundations that I go between (mineral, bb creams, other high end foundations) but every time I use this foundation, I am wow'd. Originally I bought this in the shade Siberia. I loved it then because it glided on my skin like silk, but unfortunately it never "blended" very well with my skin and within an hour or two my skin would look kind of "patchy". I was sad because the finish of this product was so gorgeous. After reading a few reviews about other people's experience with this product, I decided the color must be off. I marched myself down to Sephora and exchanged Siberia for Mont Blanc. Now it blends like a dream. It literally disappears into my skin and looks great all day. I am oily in my t-zone, and do have to blot one or twice, but I have to do this with ANY foundation that I use. So, if you are having a bad experience with the blendibility of this product, I would suggest maybe trying a different shade. You may have a much, much better result!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked Palette
wintertragedyx 11/3/2011 6:05:00 PM
So I broke down and finally bought this palette during the Sephora FF sale this year. I almost didn't want to like it, I didn't think it was possible that this thing would live up to all the crazy hype. But it does. It's really as amazing as everyone says it is. One thing I was worried about is that there would be lots of eyeshadows with chunky glitter (UD is notorious for this) but there's only like 2 shadows that have any of the chunky stuff in them, and even then it's not too much.
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BB Cream -Skin79 - Super+ BB Cream Pink Label
wintertragedyx 8/21/2011 11:35:00 PM
This is my first BB cream. I ordered it directly from Skin79's website ($29 with free shipping) because I was paranoid about getting a fake-- saving a few dollars and taking a chance wasn't worth it to me. I love this stuff. I have between nc15-nw15 skin, so I am very fair. This is the only product I have found that does not either turn me too pink or too orange. It is slightly grey, like others have said but I find that it blends really well and matches my natural skintone pretty much immediately. It's neither too thick nor too thin. It gives me very nice coverage. I don't have too much in the way of active acne but I do have some nasty red acne scarring right now. I usually put a little more product on those problem areas and add a little powder and my skin looks doll-like. I've never found a foundation that will give me such a natural-looking, glowing effect. The packaging is so nice too. I love the pump, it's very convenient! I wish the bottle was see-through though as I never want to be without this product and it's going to be hard to tell when I'm running out! EDIT 11/03/2011: I have tried many BB creams now. I ended up trading this one away. It is still a nice BB cream-- this is many people's first, and it works great for a lot of people. I found that the greyish cast was just bothersome and the scent started to gag me out a little. My personal favorites, after trying many different brands, are the Lioele Dollish Vita Veil BB cream in either natural green or gorgeous purple and the Skinfood Good Afternoon Tea (peach green tea or apple cinnamon tea-- these smell sooooooooooooooooo good) So I took off a lippie because although it is a very good quality bb cream, it is not as great (my HG) as I originally thought.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No