KaylaRayLoves
Member Since: April 22, 2016Reviews
e.l.f. Cosmetics Zit Zapper
This isn't the best blemish remover. Its not even top ten, but it is super easy to use and works really well when paired with another product. It goes on completely clear and dries down quickly. I find it helps take down redness and swelling around... +
This isn't the best blemish remover. Its not even top ten, but it is super easy to use and works really well when paired with another product. It goes on completely clear and dries down quickly. I find it helps take down redness and swelling around a blemish but doesn't work very well at removing it. Its not surprising though, since its not a benezoyl peroxide product. -
Nyx Extra Creamy Lipstick
I have this in the shade Heather, a cool tone nude-ish pink. It feels really nice on the lips and applies very smoothly. It feels very moisturizing and protecting, kind of lip a balm. It has good pigmentation and a nice slight sheen. Its not long... +
I have this in the shade Heather, a cool tone nude-ish pink.
It feels really nice on the lips and applies very smoothly. It feels very moisturizing and protecting, kind of lip a balm. It has good pigmentation and a nice slight sheen. Its not long wearing, but it makes no claims to be so, so I don't mind at all. I haven't noticed any feathering, but it does transfer, but again, it makes no claims to be transfer resistant. It is a really well made traditional cream lipstick and it does its job well. My lips never feel dried out after wearing this all day.
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COVERGIRL Katy Kat Eye Mascara
I so wanted to like this mascara. The formula seemed like one I would life (kind of wet) but it just didn't work. THere is always way too much product on the oddly shaped brush. It deposits clumps no matter how much you try to avoid them. And on... +
I so wanted to like this mascara. The formula seemed like one I would life (kind of wet) but it just didn't work. THere is always way too much product on the oddly shaped brush. It deposits clumps no matter how much you try to avoid them. And on top of that, by the end of the day it looks like I am doing a panda impression. This is a hard pass for me. -
Bonne Bell Lip Smackers
I get so nostaglic everytime I use a tube of lipsmackers. I've been using is since I was 12 years old. I've never not had a tube in my possession since then. It's a good basic balm. Most are tinted, but generally the tint doesn't show up on the... +
I get so nostaglic everytime I use a tube of lipsmackers. I've been using is since I was 12 years old. I've never not had a tube in my possession since then.
It's a good basic balm. Most are tinted, but generally the tint doesn't show up on the lips. Some have shimmer, most don't. It feels nice on the lips but doesn't do anything special. It's the scents that make this balm a special. Think of scent and lipsmackers probably makes a balm in it.
LipSmackers will always have a special place in my heart (and my makeup bag) even though I've moved on in terms of my lip products.
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Burt's Bees Lip Crayon
I have this in the shade Niagara Overlook. It's a really wearable pink shade that it perfect during the day. Even though it says its a lip crayon, its more like a lip balm with a high tint. IT goes on pretty sheer if you go with one layer, but I can... +
I have this in the shade Niagara Overlook. It's a really wearable pink shade that it perfect during the day. Even though it says its a lip crayon, its more like a lip balm with a high tint. IT goes on pretty sheer if you go with one layer, but I can build it up either 2 or 3 passes. Its really comfortable on my lips and its really quick to apply. IT doesn't last a very long time, but I don't mind reapplying it. Id rather have a comfortable lip product that I have to reapply than an uncomfortable one that lasts for hours. -
Essence Get BIG Lashes! Mascara
I love essence mascaras. This one isn't my favourite, simply because it's not the brush style I am most comfortable with, but the formula is awesome. IT builds up well and doesn't crumble or flake. And it comes off pretty easily with the right... +
I love essence mascaras. This one isn't my favourite, simply because it's not the brush style I am most comfortable with, but the formula is awesome. IT builds up well and doesn't crumble or flake. And it comes off pretty easily with the right makeup remover. Micellar water doesn't fully remove it, but any old eye makeup remover will. -
Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips
First off, these things are expensive. And you only get one manicure out of them. Because they are real polish strips, they will dry out without hours of opening so you can't save left overs for a second mani. If you have small enough toes you can... +
First off, these things are expensive. And you only get one manicure out of them. Because they are real polish strips, they will dry out without hours of opening so you can't save left overs for a second mani. If you have small enough toes you can get a mani and pedi out of one set, but it requires a lot of cutting to get one strip in to 3-4 pieces so you have enough to do all your toes. I can be done and it's not terribly difficult, just fiddly.
Applying them looks simple, but in practice you need to have a steadier hand than you would to just apply nail polish. Strips need to be trimmed to fit your cuticle, which can be very difficult for beginners. And if they aren't applied perfectly the first time, too bad because you can't reposition them. If your nail wasn't prepped perfectly, too bad, because that sucker is going to fall off in 2 hours. If you don't file the edge straight down with the perfect amount of pressure, too bad, because now water is going to get under that strip and boom! no more polish on that nail.
If, after all that, you do manage to get them on perfectly, don't get too excited. These chipped off my nails within hours. The edges aren't smooth, so they get caught on things and pull away and if any water gets under the strip (like ANY water. Don't even sweat) they will peel right off. You'll be lucky to get a full day of wear.
Putting a gel top coat can extend the wear to a few days, but most people don't have a gel lamp.
So after all that, you need to remove them, well the fun doesn't stop here. As soon as the acetone is open, the strips during to a sticky, gummy and sometimes glittery mess that leaves a really weird residue on your cuticles and nails. Seriously, the mess starts before you even start using the remover. Its like the stripes get a whiff of the fumes and immediately start to denature. And don't even bother with acetone free remover, or even regular strength remover. The stripes just turn in to a gummy mess without even coming off the nails and leave a thin layer of glitter over everything you love. So unless you use straight acetone, the gummy mess isn't going anywhere.
So after all that, you are out $12, have dried out nails, likely with some glitter wedges under your cuticles and you only got about half a days worth of wear from that mani.
Skip this product, and invest in a decent base, colour and top coat. Even if you have an unsteady hand you can clean up the cuticles and have a mani that lasts a few days at least and it didn't cost $12 per mani.
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CND CREATIVE PLAY Base Coat
There is something about this base coat than will surprise the hell out of you. It doesn't look like anything special in the bottle, or even when you first apply it. It's a bit on the thin side, dries down matte, doesn't claim any ridge filling... +
There is something about this base coat than will surprise the hell out of you.
It doesn't look like anything special in the bottle, or even when you first apply it. It's a bit on the thin side, dries down matte, doesn't claim any ridge filling promises. But Oh, My God. This stuff is magic. Somehow, despite having a super thin formula, it hides nail imperfections, dries super fast, and makes any polish last longer! It has a bit of a tint to it with blurs any staining, discolouring and even the nail line so the polish goes on super smooth and even.
When I used it with the full creative play line (base, colour and top) I got 5 days of wear. Five full days without chipping and tip wear. I barely get than with gel polish, let alone conventional polish. Not even the lightless gel polishes.
With other polishes, it does extend the wear time by 1-2 days which makes me happy.
Seriously, if you don't get anything else from this line, get the base coat!
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CND CREATIVE PLAY Top Coat
pros: does dry pretty quick, less than 5 min not terribly expensive doesn't smear nail art as badly as most other topcoats does last longer than other topcoats nice and shiny. When used with the creative play base and colour, it does last a long... +
pros:
does dry pretty quick, less than 5 min
not terribly expensive
doesn't smear nail art as badly as most other topcoats
does last longer than other topcoats
nice and shiny.
When used with the creative play base and colour, it does last a long time easily 3-5 days.
cons:
hard to find, not many places sell it
thin formula. I usually use two coats to build up the strength
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Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish & Miracle Gel Top Coat
There are a lot of lightless gel polishes that make big promises. None of them deliver, including this one. It is over priced for what it is and doesn't last much longer than regular polish. pros: -Decent colour range -Formula is actually pretty... +
There are a lot of lightless gel polishes that make big promises. None of them deliver, including this one. It is over priced for what it is and doesn't last much longer than regular polish.
pros:
-Decent colour range
-Formula is actually pretty good, smooth, pretty self-leveling, not goopy and most shades are opaque in 2 coats.
-lasts about 2-3 days on my nails (about average) before chipping or tip wear
-Easily available
-New colours added several times a year,
-The top coat is actually good. Nice and thick (similar to the gel topcoat) than smooths out imperfections. It does a pretty good job with nail art too. It doesn't smear as easily ad other drug store top coats.
Cons:
-More expensive than other conventional polishes, and comes with less product in the bottle
-Absolutely does not last the promised 7+ days.
-You'll go through the top coat pretty quick because it is such a thick formula.
-There is nothing special about the polish. It is no more long lasting than a regular polish. It's the topcoat that is special. It can perform slightly better than a regular top coat, but it can be used over any polish with the same result. But, it's still over priced. There are better, cheaper options like Revlon colorstay gel-envy diamond top coat.
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