Archive for Product Review

Price: $24
Where to buy: Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Sephora, Saks, Neiman Marcus, narscosmetics.com

Personally, I find myself not liking lipgloss anymore. I find that the liplosses I have from MAC give too much of “glass” like look which is what some people want, but I find the finish to be too much for my style. I still use the lipglosses I have, mostly for videos only, but I am no longer purchasing them anymore. However, my exceptions are NARS lipglosses and MAC dazzleglasses. MAC dazzleglasses because I am a glitter addict and NARS lipglosses because they do not feel sticky and give a modest shine, not the intense glass look. I see NARS as the “mature” lipgloss. NARS lipglosses are great if you are in a professional environment or are just tired of insanely shiny lips like I am.

Here are some things that I purchased within the past few months. Surprisingly, no MAC. The new items MAC has released in their collections haven’t impressed me much. Many new products are looking like items I already have.

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4x Fuller lashes. Dramatic volume effect. Separates & builds every lash. Patented Volume Maximizing Brush. L’Oreal presents Voluminous Volume Building Mascara. Uniquely formulated to resist clumping, soften lashes and build lashes to 4x their natural thickness. Unique maximizing formula quickly thickens and builds lashes in a single application for a full and dramatic lash look. Patented Volume Maximizing Brush thickens lashes evenly, smoothly leaving them soft with virtually no flakes, smudges or clumps. Voluminous with Panthenol and Ceramide-R protects and conditions lashes leaving them supple and soft to the touch, resisting clumping and flaking. Ophthalmologist and allergy tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Clump-resistant. Fragrance-free. Made in U.S.A.

Place brush at base of lashes and gently sweep up to tip – no need to pump the wand. Removes easily with soap and water.

Where to buy: CVS, Target, Walmart, Ulta, etc.
Price: ~ $7*

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This mascara builds full, soft thick lashes without the brittle feel.

• Prevents loss of lashes with patented Quick Dissolve System that allows easy mascara removal
• Won’t run, smear or smudge
• No clumps, no globs
• Contact lens safe and hypoallergenic

Price: ~$7 USD
Where to buy: Target, CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, etc.

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Wave this magic wand before your favorite mascara for lashes that appear thicker, longer and stronger… right before your very eyes. Tiny fibers band together, cling to every lash, and construct towers of Babel… reaching for heavenly lashes. Just apply Eyelash Primer Potion, then apply your favorite mascara as usual. Your lashes will look fake, but the magic is real.

Our protein-rich and paraben-free formula conditions, fortifies, and thickens lashes with Silk Protein, Panthenol, and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.

Size: 9 ml/0.30 US fl oz.
Price: $20 USD
Where to buy: Sephora, Urbandecay.com, Ulta, Macy’s, etc.

I’m going to be using MAX Factor’s Lash Perfection Stretch and Separate. First here are my lashes with just mascara, no primer.

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Where to buy: Sephora
Price: $27
Size: 0.28 oz

What it is:
A highlighting blush created especially for use with high-definition film.

What it does:
Created to provide flawless results while looking completely natural during high-definition filming, blu_ray™ Blush/Highlighter is a universally flattering shade of blush with a velvety formula that adjusts with ambient lighting, providing a natural finish day or night.

What else you need to know:
Photochromatic pigments adjust with the light to ensure natural looking makeup. The blu_ray™ Blush/Highlighter is created with just the right amount of shimmer to look good on film or television and in your photos. It is perfect for highlighting the upper cheekbones for definition and a sculpted look. The irregular particle size helps to scatter and diffuse the light creating an optical blurring that gives the look of a softer, refined skin texture.

I bought this blush mostly for the sheer novelty value of it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very attractive colour, but I was drawn to the whole “blu_ray” thing. I’m a sucker for anything “HD” and “blu ray”.

I liked the product and used it several times but ended up leaving it on the bottom of my pile of blushes. I recently started using it again and holy cow! I’m such an idiot for not using it as often as I should have.

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Where to buy: Sephora
Price: $24 USD
Size:

Finally, a blush that makes sense. These blushes are packaged in oversized tins. Why is big better? The large surface area lets you pick up pigment evenly on a blush brush for a better application. These blushes are moist, sheer powders that glide easily on the skin.

I don’t think this would have been a blush I would have purchased on my own. Thanks to the wonderful reviews made by others on the internet, I picked up this blush. For one, I know that Cargo blushes are the best in my opinion. Way better than NARS and MAC for me. You get a lot for what you pay for and Cargo blushes are so finely milled*, pigmented, and easy to blend.

My only problem probably is with the packaging. I do think the concept of a tin container is sort of cool and hippy feeling, but I just like the convenience of a compact more. I’ve read some people hae had problems with the lid being on too tight and hard to open. I find that my Tonga blush is actually too loose.
Tonga is a matte plumish pink shade that looks pretty average in the pan. It’s not a shade that would have caught my eye. When I apply this on though, my face instantly brightens up and I look like I am filled with life. It makes my skin look healthier and the shade looks so natural on. I’ve been getting into matte blushes lately and I can honestly see myself using this blush regularly for years to come. Will definitely repurchase when I run out.

* I’ve read some people hate that Cargo blushes are so finely milled because it flies everywhere. The key is to lightly swipe your brush onto the blush. Do not aggressively swirl your brush into the pan as you would with a lot of other blushes that are pressed too hard. I like this as you don’t have to dig into the pan to get the product you want.

My next conquest will be Catalina blush by Cargo

Love Alert, Extra Amps, Like Venus, Rags to Riches, Steppin’ Out, Smile, Bare Necessity, Baby Sparks, Sugarrimmed

Vie Veneto

Price:$18 USD
Size: 1.92 g / 0.06 us
Where to buy: MAC store, MAC counter, or Maccosmetics.com

All of the dazzleglasses in the first photo are part of the permanent MAC line! These came out earlier this year with the Double Dazzle collection. I had purchased three dazzleglasses before (Sugarrimmed, Love Alert, and Baby Sparks) during the first release of the dazzleglasses. I was so excited to find out a couple months later that dazzleglasses would be re-released as permanent items. I waited and waited and they finally came out a year later! I was definitely prepared for their comeback!

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Where to buy: Ulta, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc.
Price: ~$8.00-$9.00
Size: 1.10 g

These are just like the Makeup Forever aqua liners or the Urban Decay 24/7 pencils if not better. L’Oreal HIP just came out with some metallic eyeliners as well which I assume are supposed to be comparable to the metallic shades of Urban Decay’s pencil liners. Let me know if you’ve tried those and what you think about them.

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1. Cargo Tonga blush – I am really falling in love with Cargo blushes. They really don’t get the credit they deserve. All their blushes are so finely milled and easy to blend. I’ve been straying away from frosty blushes and I’ve learned that I really really like matte blushes or blushes with a matte base with shimmer in them. Tonga is such a natural colour. It’s great when you’re not wearing makeup as it gives a flush of life to the face

2. N.Y.C. (New York Colour) Roll on lipgloss – YEAH! I randomly purchased this for the sake of memories. I remember I CHERISHED this lipgloss so I wanted to see how I felt about it now. I used this stuff in grade school in the same scent (Banana Berry) and I know N.Y.C. is usually seen as a kiddie brand but this is great! It has all kinds of oils in it so it’s super moisturizing. Not sticky and thick AT ALL. Plus it’s only $1.99!

3. Japonesque Blush Brush – I noticed that I’ve been applying my blushes with this brush exclusively. No more MAC 187. It’s a perfect size for the cheeks and feels sooooo soft! I love the Japonesque squirrel hair brushes. This is a flat blush brush so you first tap the blush onto the cheeks and then sweep. “Pat pat sweep”. I had initially bought this brush for all over powder application, which didn’t turn out too well, but things worked out for the best! Ulta recently had a BOGO free on Japonesque so you can get them for cheap during a promo!

4. Cargo Blu_Ray – I bought this a while back and for some reason neglected to use it. Why???!!! It’s awesome! So finely milled, blendable, and a gorgeous soft subtle colour. I think it’s becoming my favorite blush!