Bronzers -BeneFit Cosmetics - HOOLA
xjennlee 1/6/2011 5:16:00 AM
This is definitely my favorite bronzer out there. Set aside the fact that I absolutely love Benefit products, this bronzer is matte and brown instead of orange, which I look for in bronzers. The application is very easy and smooth. However, you have to make sure to use it lightly. Using too much can make you look "dirty", but that rule honestly applies to any type of make-up. Anyways, this bronzer is perfect for contouring my cheeks, but can also use it as a bronzing blush color as well. Benefit has great deals where they tie products together for a cheap price and they usually have Hoola a part of the deals so definitely snatch one when you can find it!
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Bronzers -Too Faced - Chocolate Soleil
xjennlee 1/6/2011 5:10:00 AM
This is one of my two favorite bronzers. I love how it's matte and truly brown; not orange like most other bronzers. And not to mention - it smells amazing :) I always take a sniff before application, haha.The packaging also has a mirror which comes in handy during application. Anyways, I mostly use this for contouring, but the color suits my skintone (NC30) well enough for me to be able to use it as a bronzing blush on my cheeks for a healthy-looking, sun-kissed look. It may be a bit pricey, but I've spent so much money on other useless bronzers that made me look so orange that I'm happy I finally found one that works.
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Crème -Maybelline - Dream Smooth Mousse
xjennlee 1/6/2011 5:06:00 AM
I usually never touch Maybelline facial products, but after watching a review on YouTube, I decided to give this a try and I honestly really think it's great. HANDS DOWN my favorite drugstore foundation. I was a bit hesitant at first because I didn't think it would cover my blemishes, but it did while not making my face look cakey. This is very light on the skin with great coverage (I have a lot of scarring and redness on my cheeks). Even though I have combination skin, the foundation is not too oily nor too dry; I do put a powder on top afterwards (I always do regardless of the foundation). The packaging really sucks though. I still don't understand why they made their packaging like that... but since the product works well for me, it doesn't bother the overall rating.
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Blush -Maybelline - ExpertWear Blush - Dusty Mauve
xjennlee 1/6/2011 5:00:00 AM
Three words to describe the product: waste of money. Like everyone mentioned, in the pan, the color looks very versatile like an everyday-color. I honestly bought it because CVS has having a 75% off sale on this product. After swatching it on my wrist, I couldn't see anything but thought it would be different when it would be on my face with a heavy hand... completely wrong. I couldn't see anything except sparkles even after multiple applications. I'm so disappointed :( I really wanted to have a nice go-to blush but I won't be using this at all. Not even as a highlight because it takes too many applications to even show up slightly on my skin (NC30 for reference). FAIL :(
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Pressed Powders -Cargo - blu_ray high definition pressed powder
xjennlee 1/6/2011 4:55:00 AM
I really do like this product. It's very easy to apply and the results are amazing. My face looks flawless afterwards where I can barely see my wrinkles or fine lines when looking in a mirror (well not unless I'm looking very close to the mirror... :p). The only downside I found with this product is the color range. I'm an NC30 for reference and I found shade #20 too light for me and #30 a little darker than my skin color. I use #30 since I don't mind being a little tanner than usual, but I've heard of other people finding difficulties choosing their perfect shade as well. I know some people mix two shades together, but since this product is $30 for each, I'd just go for a darker of the two shades (I think it's better being a bit more tan than chalky and pale). Anyhoo, the coverage is great and not cakey at all. I will definitely be repurchasing. I just wish it was a little cheaper :(
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Liquid -Studio Gear - matte foundation
xjennlee 1/6/2011 4:49:00 AM
I'm honestly not too sure about this product. While it does provide great coverage, I think the color range is not too good. I'm an NC30-35 for reference and I still haven't found my perfect shade... I've used three different colors already and I need to go back to Ulta to try another one now. After application, the color goes a bit darker after a couple minutes. The finish is definitely not matte so I always have to use a powder afterwards. Other than the color problem, I think this foundation is very affordable ($23) with amazing coverage and easy application. I have very sensitive and acne-prone skin and the foundation hasn't broken me out so far.
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Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
xjennlee 8/31/2009 12:15:00 AM
This is definitely one of my favorite foundations. I used to use MAC Mineralize Skinfinish all the time, but I sometimes found it a bit too thick for an everyday foundation. I recently bought this for around $11 and I really love it. It blends so easily and covers my blemishes perfectly without any concealer. It did take me a while to find my shade, but I eventually did (I use Buff Beige; NC30-40). I haven't broken out or anything since I've used this so I will definitely be using this from now on.
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Cleansers -Basis - Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash
xjennlee 8/31/2009 12:11:00 AM
This is absolutely my FAVORITE cleanser of all time. It's so gentle for my sensitive skin and it does help clear up my mild acne. I was really upset when I couldn't find it anymore, but I recently found it at my Wegman's store (upstate NY!) and have been using it since. Just a dime size will really erase all makeup and make your face feel clean after one wash. Although it is cheaper than other products, I say it does a lot more than them.
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Lip Treatments -MAC - Hello Kitty -- Pink Fish Tinted Lip Conditioner
xjennlee 3/19/2009 9:09:00 PM
I have mixed feelings about this. First of all, I must say that I absolutely love the cute Hello Kitty packing and the smell. Those two were the only reasons I really picked this up at the counter, haha. After applying, I realized that it really moisturizers my lips and makes them look healthy. However, I'm not a big fan of the color. It's a dark bubble gum color on my lips and it looks a bit unnatural to me. I don't use this everyday (although I really wanted to) but I do take it around in my purse whenever I feel like my lips really need some moisture. Although I am happy that I've picked this up, I probably won't repurchase if it wasn't a LE because of the color.
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Sculpt [DISCONTINUED]
xjennlee 2/24/2009 11:13:00 PM
I usually don't use much concealer since it usually gets too cakey, feels thick, sinks into fine lines, or even shows dry patches (Studio Finish was exactly everything I wrote down for me). However, after reading the reviews and wanting to try something new, I decided to purchase this and I absolutely love the texture. Since it's creamier, it is very easy to blend out and it usually doesn't look too cakey. I sometimes only use this to cover up blemishes and leave the house without foundation on - still looks great. The coverage is buildable, but a little does go a long way. I have lots of acne scars and this covers them up without looking "covered-up". I'm an NC30 for foundation and have found that the same shade for this concealer suits me well. I will admit that this is a bit drying for my dark circles but that's alright since I normally use Moisture Coverup... Overall, it's definitely worth to try it out cause I'm sure you'll love it just as I do!
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation
xjennlee 2/11/2009 6:11:00 PM
Very surprised with this product! I only relied on Mineralize Satinfinish when it came to MAC foundations (others were too dry, thick, or hard to blend), but after reading so many great reviews, I've decided to give this new foundation a try. Although I normally wear NC30, because of what people told me on how the NCs tend to be more yellow than usual, I made sure to go to a MAC counter and have a MUA pick the correct shade for me; regardless of the reviews, I am still an NC30, ahah : ) What I love most about this product is that is easily buildable with great coverage. This doesn't mean that the foundation gets thicker - I found Studio Fix way too thick for my liking but Sculpt hasn't made my face look "covered-up" yet. It is very blendable too; it doesn't sink into your skin quickly so I blend it out with my 182 after application. I lastly set the foundation either with Fix+ or an MSF, which makes my face look flawless and matte. Because I do have an oily T-zone, I do use Blot Powder at least twice a day but that's really not a big hassle for me.Very impressed : )
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Highlighters -MAC - Dame Edna - What A Dame
xjennlee 2/11/2009 4:42:00 PM
This was the only product I was really interested in for the Dame Edna line, but I ended up being disappointed by it : ( Regardless of the reviews here on MUA (since everyone has a different taste!), I decided to give it a shot for a week or so, just to see how it goes... And this highlighter was really nothing special at all. The matte finish did not last long nor didit show up on my NC30 skin. I had to apply it over and over again so that the color would show a bit, but doing so just made my skin look very chalky. It did not give me a "glow" at all, but made me look like I had extra powder on top of my cheeks & T-zone area (the places I usually want highlighted). Although the packaging was pretty cute because it came with its own sponge and mirror, I found myself being extra careful with the compact itself since the little red sunglass is a sticker and it was slowly starting to peel off... how annoying : ( Well overall, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone honestly. In my opinion, MAC Soft and Gentle MSF is 100 times better!
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Highlighters -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle
xjennlee 2/11/2009 4:31:00 PM
This MSF is a great highlighter. I've used countless drugstore brands, MAC 'What a Dame' highlighter powder and NARS Albatross before, but I found them to be somewhat invisible on my cheeks (NC30 for reference!) and chalky without much lasting power. I was on the search for a something that wouldn't be too glittery but provided enough color to make my cheeks "stand out" and this is the winner! Using my 168, I gently swipe the product on top of my cheeks and a bit on my T-zone area as well. If you put too much, your face will look too shiny but with a light hand, your face definitely just glows beautifully both indoors & outdoors : ) The color in the pan looks brown but it is actually a very light beige with tad bit of white when applied - so pretty! I was a bit hesitant to purchase this since it's somewhat pricey ($27) but I think it's worth the price since I won't be buying or needing any other highlighter.
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Lineur Intense liquid liner - brush tip
xjennlee 2/5/2009 8:26:00 PM
I decided to buy this after my HG eyeliner was discontinued (an Asian brand) and I'm very satisfied with it. I've tried other brands such as Almay and Covergirl and was really disappointed to waste $6+ but this eyeliner is definitely worth every penny. The application is very smooth and the brush is skinny so drawing a thin line is easy. I don't use felt tip eyeliner because it hurts my eyelids during application and find the ending results splotchy. Anyways, I had this on today for over 8 hours and it looked exactly like it did when I first applied it on this morning. I never leave the house without eyeliner on so I'm pretty picky when choosing an eyeliner to use... and this one is the right one : ) Perfect!
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Lotions/ Creams -Nivea - Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme
xjennlee 1/24/2009 12:01:00 AM
I think this is one of the best moisturizers I've used. I have combination (and acne-prone) skin and the winters are always the worst for me. I first bought Ponds Dry Cream because it seemed like the "universal moisturizer for dry skin" but I was wrong. It did not work for me - I found it way too thick, it made my skin look greasy, and I broke out a couple times. I then turned to Nivea's instead after reading the reviews here and I am absolutely in love with it. I've been using it for a couple days now and I can already see the difference on my face. It's very smooth, light (but provides great moisture), and absorbs quickly into your skin. After using this, my acne has gotten alot and noticeably better (it was horrible when using Ponds). I no longer have dry patches on my skin when applying liquid foundation too. I will religiously be only using this moisturizer now. I'm happy I don't have to go searching for a moisturizer anymore!
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