Artsy
Member Since: October 15, 2009Reviews
Lorac Oil Free Neutralizer
Like a lot of people out there, I have combination skin, with an oily T-zone and reddish areas to my complexion. I particularly dislike, but partake in an every day battle with the funny little red areas on the wing tips of my nose. Too much... +
Like a lot of people out there, I have combination skin, with an oily T-zone and reddish areas to my complexion. I particularly dislike, but partake in an every day battle with the funny little red areas on the wing tips of my nose.
Too much concealer and your pasty face, or it's just sitting there in your pores, or in the creases of your nose ( which I just recently learned are called the "wing tips" area of the nose ) become patchy looking with product. It is a never ending quest for the ultimate product to help deal with this area of my complexion! Drives me nuts....but do love products!!
So...I am trying LORAC's Oil-Free Neutralizer in my battle to have smooth/even coloured wing tips! So far, it's been an interesting experience to say the least. This is a liquid product in a glass bottle with a small pump that seems to squirt out way to much product. So learning to get just the right amount has been a challenge all on it's own! Once I do, it's one of those products that is practically dry on your fingers before you apply it to the area you need it. Once you do apply it, work fast with it, get it blended in.
You have to work fast with this stuff, and use just the right amount. Otherwise you fun the risk of looking "ghoulish" and pasty grey in areas where you have applied it. Again, another product that once it's on, it's not moving or coming off w/o make up remover. Use moisturiser under it, or no matter what you do you will never get it to sit smooth on your skin.
Once it's on, it does help hide and neutralize the red areas, that I can attest to. But man!! Is it difficult to get just the right amount out of the bottle onto your finger. I struggle with this every time....however, I shall over come.
Who can use this product??...well....I am not a make up expert but I can't see, even with the right application method, anyone with darker skin tones being able to use this. It's a liquid, but it drys almost instantly when applied to the skin, and it becomes very flat, and very dry. It's almost a greyish colour all by it's self before you apply the rest of your make up over it. I am not sure how anyone with olive skin right on up to darker skin tones could benefit from this?....but I stand corrected if not the case.
So far I like it....so far it is helping to neutralize those reddish areas, and it last me all day. It doesn't cause any more oil or shine to appear, but then it doesn't stop it either. It does help colour correct though, and that's what it is designed to do.
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Smashbox Anti-Shine
Oily T-Zone areas could all do with a little of this stuff! it works, and it works well. Smashbox has a few of my fave products in it's collection, and a few of my not so faves. This "Anti-Shine" is one of my faves. It works, and it lasts... +
Oily T-Zone areas could all do with a little of this stuff! it works, and it works well.
Smashbox has a few of my fave products in it's collection, and a few of my not so faves. This "Anti-Shine" is one of my faves. It works, and it lasts both in terms of product in the tube, and when it's on your face.
There is a trick to using it though...when you are applying it to the areas where you want to control the shine factor, you have to work fast with it. It has a tendency to soak and dry in fast, and once it does there is no more blending, it is in place and is not going to budge unless you take it off with make-up remover.
That being said, I like it. Once you get the hang of using it, it is the ideal product to use on those areas of your face that you need to control the shine. I use it (mostly in summer), around my nose, chin and forehead T-Zone area. You just need a little dab of it, and it's not a build able product. Once you have the little bit you will need, and you place it on your skin, you have a very short time to blend it in. There is no real colour to it, it's a neutral tone, so with the right application anyone should be able to use it.
If you use too much....you get a patchy look...so be careful. Just practice a bit with it first, and make sure to check your make-up application in natural light, BEFORE you step out into the world, otherwise if you didn't apply it right you can end up looking really flat in areas. Besides, you need to check what your make up looks like in the natural light of day before you go out anyway....every time. Otherwise, people like me will hone in on that unnatural foundation line along your jaw bone, or that blush that is sagging down to your chin. All kidding aside....people notice this stuff!!
Anyone with problem oily areas can use this product....I have sensitive skin and it's never created a reaction on my complexion. It is an awesome product for hot humid days, and for special occasions when you are applying more make-up and need the back up of an oil/shine control product.
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Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter
Don't quote me on the price, I bought Benefit Cosmetics "high beam" a while ago now....so can't remember exactly. This is my go to product when I feel I need a little pick me up, and/or instant glow. When I use it I always receive... +
Don't quote me on the price, I bought Benefit Cosmetics "high beam" a while ago now....so can't remember exactly.
This is my go to product when I feel I need a little pick me up, and/or instant glow. When I use it I always receive compliments on how healthy I look.
Benefit has a few of these cheek stains out now, and I haven't tried them all, but what I can say about "high beam" is that on my fair skin, it gives me just the right sheen and glow, w/o sparkle and razzle dazzle. Apply it to your skin BEFORE foundation or powder, and after your moisturiser has settled in. Otherwise it won't blend in and will sit on top of your make up, creating a very un-natural appearance.
Then you can put your foundation or powder over top of it and you get this gorgeous, soft natural glow from within type effect.
High beam is a soft pinky pearl colour, comes in a short glass bottle with a small brush in the top of the bottle ( just like nail polish applicators ), and you just dab a small amount using the brush where you want to hi-light your face. I usually put it on the apple's of my cheeks, blend back, and put a little dab on the high points of my brow arch, and blend really well. It's a very easy product to work with and blends in extremely well. You get quite a lot of it in one bottle.....I have had mine for around 6 or 7 months now, and I can't see it running out for quite some time. I use it almost daily too.
I think with the right application, anyone could use this product. But I stick to the idea of putting it on under all your other facial make up....other wise the effect is not a pretty one!
Tip:...mix a few drops of "high beam" in with your moisturiser and blend into your complexion well for an all over glow. Again, be careful how much you use...you want to look glowing with health, not glowing from fever!!
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tarte A Perfect Whirled Natural Cheek Stain
Well, I have to say that paying this much for a cheek stain was a little nutty....that being said, turns out I like the stuff and it will last me for ages. tarte cheek stain "a perfect whirled", comes in a short, stocky little push-up stick. Be... +
Well, I have to say that paying this much for a cheek stain was a little nutty....that being said, turns out I like the stuff and it will last me for ages.
tarte cheek stain "a perfect whirled", comes in a short, stocky little push-up stick. Be careful when you are first pushing it up, go gentle or the whole stick of stain comes out, and then you have to figure out how your going to push it back down w/o squishing it all. yeah, it happened to me....
Ok...so this one is a great cheek stain for the summer months, or for maybe using when vacationing down south. It really sparkles on my fair, freckled skin, so to use it in winter months, I would probably end up looking like a tween china doll. Also, I would suggest applying it with your finger tips....if you put the stick directly on your cheeks then smooth it out, you end up with far too much product.
This is a product that doesn't contain any harsh unnatural goodies....it's packed full of antioxidant rich fruit extracts.....the only fragrance is a slight hint of fruit, but your not going to smell like berries if you use it. There is also natural mineral pigments in it, and it's preservative free.
What I like about it is this, it's one of those products I call, "fun" stuff....it's easy-peasy to use, it's convienient, it's got just the right amount of sparkle to hi-light your cheeks, and there's a lot of it. It kinda reminds me of those giant Lip Smackers tubes we had as kids.....yes, I am THAT old.... : )
Who could use this cheek stain??....well....I think with the right application anyone at any age could use it....it just depends if you enjoy a little sparkle in your cheek or not. The "perfect whirled" stain colour I have is a soft, soft pink, it goes on my skin and creates a soft flushed effect, with a hint of sparkle to it. If I accidently over apply it, the colour can go a deeper pink to cherry tone....but it's easy to take off, and very easy to blend because it's in a stick form.
I like it....and as I said, you get a lot in one stick.....just make sure to keep the cap tightly fitted on it, it can dry out apparently.
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Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara
As part of my most recent hunt for the ulitmate mascara for myself, I picked this new formula up from Maybelline. The Great Lash formula has been around for years, this new one, Great BIG Lash is a little wonder at a mere $6.99 no less!! I have... +
As part of my most recent hunt for the ulitmate mascara for myself, I picked this new formula up from Maybelline. The Great Lash formula has been around for years, this new one, Great BIG Lash is a little wonder at a mere $6.99 no less!!
I have been truly surprised with this mascara.....it has a great big brush, and really coats every single lash exeptionally well.You get tons of volume with this formula, and the" Very Black " colour is super super black and velvety! I wear it a lot, as an every day type go to mascara. (I save my expensive stuff for special occassions, or when I want a more made up look) So far.....no smudges, no flaking, and it lasts without clumping up at the end of the day. It washes off easy too.
I love this stuff! It's an amazing deal of a product!
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Lancôme Paris Hypnose Mascara
For the past few months I have been on a mascara kick.....a sort of hunt for the ultimate mascara if you will....so, shamelessly I must report I have about 7 or 8 different tubes right now, and this one from Lancome completely stands out for me!... +
For the past few months I have been on a mascara kick.....a sort of hunt for the ultimate mascara if you will....so, shamelessly I must report I have about 7 or 8 different tubes right now, and this one from Lancome completely stands out for me! Ok...Ok...so it's really expensive mascara, but this stuff is lovely....it really works. Do I feel it's worth $30??....well, it was a total treat for myself....but I do love the results I get with it.
Lancome is known for their high end mascara's and like any other product junkie, there are certain things you just have to end up trying because of all the hype/talk/advertising/ etc....I am very happy I tried the Custom Volume Mascara by Lancome. Not too happy that I had to spend so much for it, but I have to admit, the quality is there.
I love the long slender brush....it makes it easy to get all your eye lashes. I love that the formula isn't thick and goopy...it's thin, and goes on w/o clumping.....no matter how much you put on. However, like all mascara's the more you apply, the more chances of clumping, so just give your lashes a comb and seperation at the end of the application to clean them up, and curl them.
I can tell in pictures of myself when I have this mascara on because I can actually see my lashes enhanced with the product. It lasts all day, I haven't experienced it flaking, or clumping up or smudging for that matter.
I would definitly purchase it again, even though it is expensive because the quality is there and I love this formula and brush applicator!
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LORAC Double Feature Concealer/Highlighter
I really like LORAC products for several different reasons, but mainly because they are geared towards people with sensitive skin issues, and they are quality products that don't contain harsh ingredients. LORAC's Double Feature concealer... +
I really like LORAC products for several different reasons, but mainly because they are geared towards people with sensitive skin issues, and they are quality products that don't contain harsh ingredients.
LORAC's Double Feature concealer is a cream concealer with a hi-lighter, all in one product. It is a slim stick design, complete with a roller ball to help smooth out the concealer. It comes in 3 different shades and is free of nasty's like: Parabens, Sulphates and synthetic dyes and fragrances. The concealer is on one end of the stick, and the hi-lighter is on the other.
I had been looking for a hi-lighter that would accentuate, not sparkle and razzle dazzle like "Tween" make-up, and was referred to this cosmetic by a good friend, who's skin I had commented on. I am happy to say that LORAC's Double Feature is exactly what I was looking for!
The concealer is smooth and creamy....(now I am not a huge fan of using the roller ball)....it blends just fine using my pinky finger, and the roller ball can sometimes tug just a pinch on the skin. I wouldn't use the concealer to conceal major imperfections, it's a little too sheer for that kind of application. What it does do really well, is conceal areas under the eye, at the corner of the eye, and wing tips of the nose. It is super blendable and doesn't just end up in creases. It doesn't flake or look cakey either. It's incredibly soft and easy to work with. It's a very sheer concealer, with medium type coverage I would say.
Now the hi-lighter is my fave part of this dual product! It's what I call a "grown-up" hi-lighter....it hi-lights, it does not add sparkle and shimmers. You just need the teeniest amount of it too.....you apply it using the wand, and place small dabs of it along your cheek bones, or in the inner corner of your eyes, or on your eye brow area......and blend. What you get is this gorgeous natural reflection of light....no silver or gold tones of sparkly mess. I use it every day...and just apply more for a more dramatic effect for evening out type make-up.
I can highly recomend this concealer/hi-lighter for anyone who wants a natural looking light reflection, and sheer coverage in a concealer. I love the stuff!
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MoroccanOil Moisture Repair Shampoo
I am not sure about the price.....can't remember now, so just made my best guess. Anyway....as most gals out there, I have an under the bathroom sink cupboard that is jam packed full to the brim with all sorts of different products, but mostly... +
I am not sure about the price.....can't remember now, so just made my best guess.
Anyway....as most gals out there, I have an under the bathroom sink cupboard that is jam packed full to the brim with all sorts of different products, but mostly hair care items. Well, no matter what kind I try, I keep venturing back to the new Moroccanoil products. So here's why....
Firstly.....the fragrance is heavenly! It's warm, and spicey....which I personally love....I don't like floral and fruity....Secondly.....they work!! they flat out work....they make my long, wavy/course hair, soft and silky....they take away the frizz/Brillo- pad like effect some shampoo's and conditioners seem to leave me with...they add softness and shine, they don't strip my hair. Thirdly.....if I want to use a flat iron, the Moroccanoil products protect my hair from the heat....and if I want to leave out the styling to let it do it's thing naturally....I have soft waves, not crazy fly away frizz and poofiness!
I also use the Moroccanoil, conditioning oil on my hair after the shampoo and conditioner, and I find the oil itself has a great warm and fragrant smell and is rich in conditioners, you don't need much at all. Which reminds me....I only just replaced the first bottle of oil which I bought in the spring! So the products last a good long time. I have also found that the more I use the products, the better the condition of my hair.
The products seem to work on all sorts of different types of hair too....as I mentioned, I have thick, naturally wavy/course hair....while my g/f has fine, pin straight hair and she gets amazing results as well! When you use all 3 products, the shampoo, conditioner and the oil, you are left with soft silky hair that styles perfectly with or without tools, and a lovely soft sheen to your hair.
I can highly recommend these products to anyone...I have had nothing but the best results with these products!
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Too Faced Queen for a Day Kit
Lately I have been trying to purchase cosmetics available in one kit.....so that I can either get the best of that particular companies products all in one, and save a little money.....or, try some new cosmetics out from a line I have never tried... +
Lately I have been trying to purchase cosmetics available in one kit.....so that I can either get the best of that particular companies products all in one, and save a little money.....or, try some new cosmetics out from a line I have never tried before.
Most recently I purchased Too Faced, "Queen for a Day" kit.....it comes with a gorgeous, full sized cosmetic bag, limited edition eye shadow quad in soft pinks, and sparkly mochas, Anti-crease eye shadow primer, mini mascara, the softest little kabuki brush I have ever used!....winter bronzer (which I am in love with surprisingly enough) and a sweet nudey pink lipstick.
I have to say....I am really impressed! Not only is the quality there, but so is the quantity, and the colour choices are stunning! Like I said....I am in love with the " Snow Bunny" bronzer.....I have never used bronzer before, because I always thought it would make me look orangey, or too shiny, or too bronzy......but the colour edits in this gorgeous full sized compact compliments my skin tone, and gives me the sheerest hint of a healthy glow!....I use the bronzer now instead of blush I like how it looks so much! There are four slim bars of bronzer tones in the compact....hi-lighter, natural tan, soft pink blush and a pale mocha....somehow when you sweep that softer than soft kabuki brush over all the colours together, they mix up and you get this lovely, healthy glow.....and above all, it looks natural!!
The full sized eye shadow compact has four natural tones of pinks, silver mocha and a matte chocolate. They go on smooth, and they stay on all day. I am having a great time mixing the colours for different effects, or just wearing one colour at a time. As I said before, the quality of these products is there!!
The only thing mini in this kit is the mascara, the rest of the products are all full sized. The eye shadow primer works as well as Urban Decay in my experience, so I am very pleased!
Highly recommend this kit for anyone wanting to try Too Faced, or anyone who wants a nice treat for themselves!!
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Carmex Click Stick Lip Moist Mint SPF 15
I have used Carmex lip balm for years!!....this is one of those products I simply can not live without!! It was one of the first lip balms to come with a protective spf so that's why I initially tried it. Once I did, I was hooked! I have driven... +
I have used Carmex lip balm for years!!....this is one of those products I simply can not live without!!
It was one of the first lip balms to come with a protective spf so that's why I initially tried it. Once I did, I was hooked! I have driven to the next town to buy this stuff when I run out if my local drug store doesn't have it!!
What I love about it??.....it lasts and lasts and lasts!! You don't need to keep reapplying it......it's not greasy and slippery, nor does it taste like sunscreen...yech!!....it's waxy, BUT without being cakey....it's smooth with a hint of tingly menthol (?) on your lips. The spf is great too, to help stop cold sores from forming.
I have tried the Carmex in the pots, but not only does it not have the spf that I like, it's a little messier to apply, and a little greasy. I have tried the Carmex in the tube, you squeeze it out, but again, too greasy for my liking. So I keep coming back to the sticks, and stock up on them about once a year. The pocket of all my coats and every hand bag I own has a stick of Carmex in it!!
It works amazingly well as a lip stick primer too....I always apply the Carmex before my lipstick and get compliments on my lipstick colours and that they last, all the time!
This for me is my MUST HAVE product!!
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