Makeup
- Retrodiva » See my profile
- Points: 8360
- Reviews: 159
Here are all my reviews:
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I've tried both the Blazing Blues and the Firecracker three-kit shades, and with both of them I noticed that they are matte, which I really like, and that they are more sheer than many of the brands that are out there these days. Not to say that the colors aren't completely vivid, they absolutely are. But they go on and stay on quite sheer. Those who are used to or want a lot of color will have to build these up layer by layer. I found, however, that I loved the look of sheer and vivid - it's unique to what is going on in the beauty world right now. A few other tips: be sure to use an eyeshadow brush versus the included applicator, which isn't even worth including. If you find that the colors don't stay, try an eyeshadow primer, or even a skin primer on your lids and see if that doesn't help. Paired with jet black eyeliner and a thickening mascara, these shadows are well worth the $4 you'll pay for them.
August 9, 2008
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This weekend I went on a little staycation. I gathered up the kids, packed a bag, and went up to Williamsburg, Virginia to visit Busch Gardens: Europe and the Prime Outlets for the tax-free weekend. But do you know that I must have picked the hottest weekend of the year to go hang out in an amusement park all day? Oh, yeah. When one visits an amusement park on the first day of August, one must be prepared to sweat. Now, I could be all feminine about it and talk about how I perspired, or glistened, but that would be ridiculous. It was hot and steamy with no breeze. Every chance I got I would seek out some shade and chug half a bottle of water. $5 Italian ice never tasted so good. It's a darn good thing that I had on my Secret Clinical Strength Advanced Antiperspirant Solid so that I didn't offend anyone around me. In all honesty, I have never had a anti-perspirant work so well. In fact, I was tempted to offer it up to a few people around me at various points in the day. Secret Clinical Strength Advanced Antiperspirant recently won Allure Magazine's Breakthrough Award and Reader's Choice Award, and I'm not at all surprised. This is one product that really lives up to the hype. According to the manufacturer, Secret Clinical Strength Advanced Antiperspirant provides three layers of protection: clinically proven, prescription strength wetness protection; odor-fighting capsules that absorb odor all day, and skin soothing condioners such as petroleum and dimethicone. It contains 20% aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex GLY, the maximum level active ingredient allowed without a prescription in an anti-perspirant, and seems to be a favorite of many dermatologists who recommend it to patients with severe underarm wetness. It's best to apply it at night, like many prescription products. The reason for that is that the body is at it's most natural temperature and is most receptive to forming a strong barrier against perspiration. While I've never been one to have a problem with severe underarm wetness, you can be sure that I'll never be in this camp now, considering I have a secret weapon: Secret Clinical Strength Advanced Antiperspirant Solid. I won't be without it, especially when I'm very active, it's very hot, or I'm crazy enough to go to an amusement park in August.
August 3, 2008
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Max Factor Vivid Impact Highlighting Mascara is certainly interesting! I've tried both 24 Karat Brown and Blazing Black and actually really like them both. Here is how it works: you apply the basecoat (black, brown, or blue base) to your liking (you know me, I personally do about three coats), then use the highlighting top coat which adds dimension to the lashes with it's iridescent pearlescent formula. You can make the highlighting color as dramatic as you like, although I find that just a hint of color is really all I need. The basecoat mascara is a good one. The brush is typical of what we're seeing on the new mascaras - a plastic brush with short bristles for maximum seperation and minimal clumping. Max Factor is calling this their iFX brush, and claiming that it helps make your lashes look 70% longer than no mascara at all. I don't know about that statistic, as I think most of those are just about unprovable, but it did add a great deal of volume AND length to my lashes, which is very important for me. The highlighting top coat is fun to play with. It's lighter, not as pigmented, and truly meant to add highlights versus color, so don't be afraid of the crazy shades that you see on the package. Like any new product, you will have to play with the highlighter a bit to get exactly the look you're going for - increase the highlights for a dramatic look, or just lightly brush it on for an everyday look. I haven't used it for dramatic looks, but I can tell you that I've received a lot of compliments on my eye makeup when I brush just a bit of highlighter on it. Not enough to change the color of my mascara, just enough to add a bit of interest.
August 3, 2008
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This is my absolute favorite highlighter. While most people are all about using it in the corners of the eyes, I love it the best in the cupid's bow of my upper lip. It's shimmery without being glittery, noticeable without being obnoxious. It's in pigment form, so it's easily controllable, and you can use it in many different mediums. Very versatile and easy to use.
August 2, 2008
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If you like inky, dramatic lashes, then you will love Lash Injection. One coat will give you a fantastic coat, and you can build it to develop lashes that look just as plush as false ones. One caveat: there is a learning curve with this mascara. It's not your typical formula, and requires a bit of getting used to. If you're not careful, it can clump and turn into a bit of a mess, but keep working with it. You will eventually get the hang of it and love the end result.
August 2, 2008
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This lightly-berry scented conditioner is ideal for thick, coarse, wavy hair like mine. It helps detangle and lightly conditions without being overbearing. This product works better for me than many high end hair products. I would recommend it highly.
August 2, 2008
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I was a bit skeptical when I first tried this, as I've gotten used to my Paul Mitchell Super Skinny line. However, I have been using this for two weeks, and I am very, very impressed! Makes my hair super soft, shiny, and helps with the frizz factor that I am forever fighting. While it's supposed to be for medium to long damaged hair, I can't imagine that any hair that is a bit on the coarse side wouldn't benefit from this shampoo. Well worth the drugstore price.
August 2, 2008
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I wanted to fall in love with it. Anything that helps my skin look matte, I want to use every day, all the time. But I honestly cannot think of one reason why anyone should buy this product. Not a single one. First of all, the price is absolutely outrageous. Outrageous as in $42 for a little over 1 oz. This is not a moisturizer. This is not any sort of treatment for any other skin problem except oil control. This means that you are applying this over your La Mer, or whatever moisturizer you're using (which in my case is currently Bliss Steep Clean Moisture Lotion, but whatever). Secondly, it doesn't really do what it claims to. Here are the claims from Sephora's website: Clinical trials using state-of-the-art high resolution tools measured: -44% reduction in sebum levels -39% increase in mattification -37% reduction in pore size -35% reduction in visible shine -19% increase in hydration Now, let me throw a disclaimer out there: I am only one person with my own experience. You may find this product works really well for you. My skin is very oily with large pores and without any treatment at all, I can blot off a great deal of oil two hours after cleaning my face. You may not have such an extreme case, and this may do exactly as it is supposed to for you. I can really put these products to the test, however, and I did notice a bit of mattification, perhaps four hours worth. A slight reduction in sebum levels and visible shine. I don't need the hydration, so that was irrelevant. I saw no change in pore size. I personally wouldn't recommend this for anyone. I'd recommend someone use a good moisturizer with oil control and mattifying properties already in it, and a very good primer. Those two things, plus an occasional blotting paper is all you need.
August 2, 2008
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Well worth it's price - this cream not only helps even out fine lines, but helps with my undereye puffiness and dark circles as well. Bliss claims it is the caffeine, but whatever it is, I'm liking it. I use just a spare amount twice a day, and after only a week I've seen major results.
July 17, 2008
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I love this product for texturizing - it helps make piecing out my hair much easier, and the hold is fantastic. You have to use it sparingly, however, or you may end up with overly greasy hair. Price is a little on the high side, but I haven't found a comparable product in the drugstore yet.
July 17, 2008
