prettyrainbow
Member Since: October 19, 2009Reviews
AcneFree 3 Step Acne System
I tried the Acne Free system (Normal Formula) a while ago thinking it would have the same effects as Proactiv, but at a cheaper price (I paid $30 CAD). I wanted to get rid of blemishes that would appear in the T-Zone, so I decided to give it... +
I tried the Acne Free system (Normal Formula) a while ago thinking it would have the same effects as Proactiv, but at a cheaper price (I paid $30 CAD). I wanted to get rid of blemishes that would appear in the T-Zone, so I decided to give it a try. It is a three step system which contains the ingredient benzoyl peroxide which is supposed to help eliminate the acne and impurities that lie underneath. The kit comes with a Purifying Cleanser, a Renewing Toner, and a Repair Lotion.
I used this product for the duration of approximately 3-4 months without seeing any significant change or improvement. I still continued to get breakouts and it actually made my skin feel itchy and very dry. I did use a moisturizer to hydrate my skin, but I expected the repair lotion to do that. The Repair Lotion smelled so bad I could not take the chance of applying it to my skin before I headed out the door every morning. Therefore, I would have to apply it at night, but I still noticed a lingering odor on my skin the next day. I also found the bottles to be very small in size.
If you have moderate to severe acne, this will not get rid of it (especially if you have cystic acne). I regret not having purchased Proactiv to begin with. I won't be considering this product again. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me.
-
Revlon Illuminance Creme Eyeshadow
I purchased the Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadows in Precious Metals and Skin Lights. When I saw that they provided 4 cream shadows in one, I not only thought it was economical, but also convenient for creating many eyeshadow looks. These make a... +
I purchased the Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadows in Precious Metals and Skin Lights. When I saw that they provided 4 cream shadows in one, I not only thought it was economical, but also convenient for creating many eyeshadow looks. These make a great base for your powder eyeshadows (I also put a primer on the lid prior to applying the cream shadow). The colors go on smoothly and blend out well. Some of the colors are more sheer than others and there are a few shades that do not contain any shimmer. I find the shimmer to be subtle enough and it does not interfere with the powdered eyeshadow you put on top of it.
Without a primer on the lid, these cream shadows tend to crease (however, I haven't yet found a cream shadow that doesn't), but when I applied the primer, it seemed to stay put. These are also convenient if you do not have a lot of time in the morning and want to look put together and presentable. Just a swipe on the lid and you can perk up your look in an instant. However, just make sure you blend it in very well. The colors are great for everyday use.
These did not irritate my eyes and the products have been lasting me quite a while. You really don't need very much on the lid for the regular shadows to grab onto. I would consider buying this again.
-
Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips
I have been using the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in "Vegas Strip" for quite some time now and it has become one of my favourite, versatile makeup product. It can be customized to be used as a bronzer, a blush (depending on the shade you... +
I have been using the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in "Vegas Strip" for quite some time now and it has become one of my favourite, versatile makeup product. It can be customized to be used as a bronzer, a blush (depending on the shade you choose), eyeshadows and highlight (even though it is not mentioned on the packaging. Each of the Shimmer Strips come with 5 gradient strips of color ranging from dark to light bronze/golden. I found the "Vegas Strip" to be best suited for very fair skin as it is the lightest of the shades. Their are 6 shades to choose from, depending on your skin tone and the effect you want to achieve. The colors are firmly packed, but very soft to work with. You will not get a messy fallout with this product.
As a bronzer, this left my face with a subtle glow, but not too dark to be considered a tan. Therefore, if you want a suntanned effect, I would go with one of the darker shades. The color is buildable, as you can swipe it across the darkest shade and use it for contouring as well. I didn't really use this as a blush, since the shade I chose was more golden than pink. However, It made for a wonderful cheekbone highlighter, especially when I used the lightest golden shade. This does leave a shimmer effect, but it doesn't cry out kiddie makeup. It blends in very nicely and leaves you looking luminous.
I've also used it as eyeshadows and I must say, the strips are pigmented enough to actually show up on the eyelid. It looks gorgeous during the summer, especially when you want a golden, bronzy look. You have all the shades you need in one convenient palette. The colors last practically the whole day and do not crease in the lid.
I give this an A for versatility and quality. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars I would! The product is made in Italy, and like most Italian products I've tried, it surpasses my expectations.
-
Mary Kay Satin Hands Set
I've tried a few Mary Kay products over the years and I've been pretty pleased with the results. However, if there is only one thing that I would absolutely choose to purchase for the rest of my life out of all their products, it would have... +
I've tried a few Mary Kay products over the years and I've been pretty pleased with the results. However, if there is only one thing that I would absolutely choose to purchase for the rest of my life out of all their products, it would have to be the Satin Hands Pampering Set. This includes an Extra Emollient Night Cream, a Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub, and the Hand Cream - to be applied in this order for the best results. You basically start off with the night cream and them apply the scrub over it and it will eliminate all the dryness. Rinse your hands and pat them dry and proceed with the moisturizing hand cream. I can gaurantee you will feel like a princess (or prince, for all you men who like to feel pampered as well!).
This set is the most luxurious experience your hands will ever come across. It will make your skin feel so polished and smooth, exactly like satin! Say goodbye to rough, unsightly cuticles, dry knuckles and aligator skin and hello to beautiful, touchable hands. Great for special occasions where you will likely need your hands to look their best (i.e., a job interview, a date, or every day for that matter! It is just sooo great!!). I got so many compliments after I used this and some who touched my hands had to have a second look because they were amazed at how soft they were.
This product is worth every penny and is a great investment. It also seems to last forever because you don't need to use very much to get excellent results. This is definitely something you will not want to live without!
-
Maybelline New York Cover Stick Concealer
I recently ran out of concealer, so when I stopped by my drugstore, I noticed the Maybelline New York Cover Stick Concealer and decided to give it a try. The price was very reasonable and I like that it was in the form of a stick (similar to a tube... +
I recently ran out of concealer, so when I stopped by my drugstore, I noticed the Maybelline New York Cover Stick Concealer and decided to give it a try. The price was very reasonable and I like that it was in the form of a stick (similar to a tube of lipstick) and could easily fit it in my makeup bag for any needed touch ups during the day. I also figured the stick formulation would probably last me longer than the liquid concealers. I was eager to try this out when I got home and I had the perfect canvas on my face for it: dark undereye circles and a few blemishes! So, what were the results??
Well, to start off with, let me state what the company claims this product is supposed to do. It should be able to cover blemishes and dark circles and it is waterproof, meaning it should last for hours. They also claim that it won't clog pores and will blend in smoothly and naturally with your skin.
I must say, this concealer is pretty pigmented and does deposit a good amount of product as it does go on pretty smoothly. On a positive note, the shade almost perfectly matched my skin tone - I purchased mine in Ivory which is good for light/pale skin. However, I think I was pretty lucky, since this was the only shade offered at my drugstore. This product does come in eight shades, so if you don't find your shade in stores, you might want to look for it online.
There is certainly enough product in the tube to last me a while, so it is economical. It did do a good job at covering up blemishes and it did stay put for approximately 3-4 hours before I touched up. You really don't need to put a whole lot for it to cover up the imperfection. I didn't have any breakouts when I used this, so I know it is pore-friendly and it is very easy to use - all you need is a dab and just pat it out with a concealer brush or your fingertip. Although it did go on smoothly, I did notice that the product looked cakey on dried up blemishes. Its thick consistency accentuated the fact that I had a blemish rather than hiding it and I noticed a white concealer spot on my face even after I blended. However, on a smooth suface, it did cover and hide the imperfection quite well. I would recommend exfoliating your skin prior to using this and maybe avoid it during the winter months. This would probably work best during the spring/summer months.
As for undereye circles, I wouldn't recommend using it in this area. It didn't do much for camouflaging the darkness and it did look a little cakey when it got into the fine lines around the lower lid. However, I tried applying it to the top eyelid and it did cover up any blue vein discoloration and provided a clean slate for my eyeshadows to go on. If you are looking to hide undereye circles, the concealer needs to have a peachy/salmon tone to it. This has a beige tone, so it will not mask the dark shadows. It does work wonders for concealing your lips when applying red or nude tone lipsticks. It will help show the true color of the lipstick.
Would I purchase this product again? I would say yes if I am looking for something to cover up minor blemishes and don't want to spend a fortune on concealer. It's not a perfect concealer, but I do think it is a good emergency product when you don't have anything else on hand.
-
Gillette Venus Embrace Razor and Razor Heads
The Venus Embrace has been my go-to razor for the past few years and I'm pretty pleased with its quality and effectiveness. It does leave my legs feeling smooth and I rarely need to shave the same area twice, when the blade is new. After a few... +
The Venus Embrace has been my go-to razor for the past few years and I'm pretty pleased with its quality and effectiveness. It does leave my legs feeling smooth and I rarely need to shave the same area twice, when the blade is new. After a few uses, however, the blade does start to turn dull and I notice that it does miss a few spots here and there, but I guess that's only normal. I do get inor cuts the first time I use a fresh blade.
I find these razors and their replacement blades to be a little too pricey. The razor is comfortable to hold and you can change the blades very easily with the push of a button. The old blade falls out and you just snap the new one in. I like the moisturizing ribbons and when they fade away, you know you need to change the blade. It's a good way to ensure you always have a sharp razor to work with. Not every Venus razor comes with this feature though.
-
NYC Ultra Last Lipwear
I really like the N.Y.C. lipsticks and own quite a few of them. The price is amazing, only $1.99 at Walmart or drugstores. The colors are very pretty and the pigmentation in these lipsticks is quite good. The colors do stand out on your lips and it... +
I really like the N.Y.C. lipsticks and own quite a few of them. The price is amazing, only $1.99 at Walmart or drugstores. The colors are very pretty and the pigmentation in these lipsticks is quite good. The colors do stand out on your lips and it does seem to last me a while. Most of the shades I own are of a frosty finish, but I would like to see more regular cream finishes from this brand. I find the N.Y.C lipsticks to be moisturizing and I've never had any problems with it feathering outside of the lips. Some of their lipsticks actually contain vitamins A and E, so it does help nourish and contition your lips. I think many of their shades would look good on a variety of skin tones and it certainly is great for those starting to experiment with makeup, since they are so cheap. The packaging is also very cute and somewhat sophisticated. I look forward to collecting all of the shades! -
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foaming Scrub Pink Grapefruit
I bought the Neutrogena Oil-Free Foaming Scrub in Pink Grapefruit, because I was attracted to the pink color! However, I was also curious about how well this would work on my "time of the month" mild acne outbreaks. I must say, the scent is... +
I bought the Neutrogena Oil-Free Foaming Scrub in Pink Grapefruit, because I was attracted to the pink color! However, I was also curious about how well this would work on my "time of the month" mild acne outbreaks. I must say, the scent is absolutely divine. If you love citrusy scents, you will very much appreciate this product. Some people may be thrown off by this, but it doesn't bother me. In fact, it wakes me right up the instant I smell it.
As for the scrub, it isn't rough and grainy like nut-based formulas (ex: almond or walnut scrubs). It has gentle beads and what feels to be a sugar-like exfoliant which does not irritate my sensitive skin. I apply the scrub to my face with my fingertips and gently exfoliate in a circular motion. It does lather up, but you still feel the scrubbing underneath. I don't use this as a daily facial cleanser, but rather twice a week as an exfoliator. It rinses off very easily and leaves my skin feeling very fresh and glowing.
However, as for its anti-acne benefits, I didn't see much of a difference in terms of alleviating or completely eliminating the spots. I don't think this product has enough acne medication (i.e., salisylic acid) in it to make a drastic difference. So if you suffer from moderate to severe acne, this probably isn't for you. I will continue purchasing this though, since I do like how gently it exfoliates and the scent is practically edible. The price is decent and you do get a good amount of product as well. You certainly don't need to apply very much on your face, so it will last you a long time, if you use it a couple of times a week, like I do.
-
Bonne Bell VitaGloss
I found the BonneBell Vitagloss at my dollar store, so for the first advantage, I am thrilled with the price. I also like the cute packaging and how sturdy the gloss/balm is in the tube. Its texture is of a gel-like consistency and it rolls up like... +
I found the BonneBell Vitagloss at my dollar store, so for the first advantage, I am thrilled with the price. I also like the cute packaging and how sturdy the gloss/balm is in the tube. Its texture is of a gel-like consistency and it rolls up like a lip balm, instead of a sponge tip applicator. The scent/flavor I purchased was mango and it smells and tastes like a fruit beverage would. I would say that this is the adult version of a lipsmacker! :P
As for applying it on the lips, it glides on very easily and does not leave a sticky, goopy mess. Your lips will have a subtle, wet shine to them and I did notice a slight hint of color. It is extremely sheer however. This gloss/balm did hydrate my lips when I first applied it, but it does dry up fairly quickly, so I did swipe it on several times during the day. I didn't mind though, since it tastes and smells so good! However, if BonneBell could find a way to make this a long lasting hydrating lipgloss, I would say it would be an absolute winner. I did get a few colleagues hooked on it though!
-
Annabelle Cosmetics Kohl Eyeliner
I am always looking for a great kohl eyeliner pencil and Annabelle's brand did not disappoint. This is an averaged sized pencil and it's tip is the perfect size to comfortably glide onto the lashline. It goes on so smoothly and does not tug... +
I am always looking for a great kohl eyeliner pencil and Annabelle's brand did not disappoint. This is an averaged sized pencil and it's tip is the perfect size to comfortably glide onto the lashline. It goes on so smoothly and does not tug at the delicate skin on the lid. I didn't even need to warm up the tip before using it for the first time, which is great. It sharpens easily and I haven't had any issues with the tip breaking off or anything like that.
I applied the Annabelle Kohl liner to both my top and bottom lash lines, as well as the waterline and it stayed put for hours without smudging. I did apply eyeshadow to set the eyeliner though.
As for the colors, I simply adore them. They have your basic neutrals and some fun colors that I just have to collect soon. I also like how the colors stand out and compliment the eyes. This did not irritate my eyes at all and it was a breeze to remove. It actually came off with one swipe of a cotton pad that had a few drops of eye makeup remover. I didn't need to rub my eyes to get it completely off.
The price is also decent and I usually wait for a sale, so I got mine for approximately $3.00. I'm really happy I purchased this.
-
Looking for more?
Check out our other review websites:
