Shadowball
Member Since: October 10, 2011Reviews
L'Oreal Carbon Black Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner
Usually I buy cheap, crappy eyeliners (like NYC or Wet N' Wild), so for once I decided to get a decent one. I was drawn to this particular eyeliner for a few reasons: first of all, very dark black (other choices were brown and dark grey)... +
Usually I buy cheap, crappy eyeliners (like NYC or Wet N' Wild), so for once I decided to get a decent one. I was drawn to this particular eyeliner for a few reasons: first of all, very dark black (other choices were brown and dark grey). Second, the softness of a liquid liner with the precision of a pencil (meaning a bolder line). And lastly, the promise of "lasts up to 16 hours). I don't expect it to last that long, but if it lasts longer than one of those 99-cent Wet N' Wild pencils, it's got my attention.
Was not impressed with the price, but I'm cheap and I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run. And honestly, I'm quite pleased with it. It can get a little messy if used on the lower lids and may require a touch-up in the corners of the eyes now and then. Overall, though, it stays put relatively well for a cream liner. I fell asleep with it on and when I woke up, it wasn't smudged. Mine did not come with the blending tip on the other end, but I don't usually blend my eyeliner anyway - I like a thick, bold and solid line.
So if you're looking for a long-lasting and bold black eyeliner, this is a really nice one if you don't feel like going to Sephora and giving them your first born for an eyeliner. You can most likely get this at any CVS or Wal-Mart.
-
Wet n wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss
I wear lip gloss a bit more for the shine and keeping my lips from getting too dry as opposed to color, and since I ran out of my favorite Lip Smackers Strawberry lip gloss, I decided to get some more. I couldn't find that same kind at CVS, so I... +
I wear lip gloss a bit more for the shine and keeping my lips from getting too dry as opposed to color, and since I ran out of my favorite Lip Smackers Strawberry lip gloss, I decided to get some more. I couldn't find that same kind at CVS, so I went with Wet N Wild Mega Slicks. I know by now to not expect incredible quality from this brand, but the price was relatively low and I was willing to give it a shot.
So I tried the clear one called Crystal Clair (561A) or something like that. I prefer liquid glosses with little wand applicators, so this brand stood out to me. It's got a nice scent, but you don't get much when you dip the wand in the bottle and I found I had to apply several coats before my lips stopped feeling tacky and started looking actually shiny.
However, this stuff dries out quickly. I can deal with that, but I was expecting something calling itself "Mega Slicks" to have a bit more gloss going on. Due to the shade I chose, I can't say how vibrant the color is. Would I buy this again? Probably not. Instead, I would recommend the liquid Lip Smackers gloss or Jordana's Lip Out Loud, both of which run about $2-$3 each (I don't think Lip Smackers has tinted glosses, but Jordana does and they are lovely).
As others have said, if you're looking for a color to test out, sure, give these a try. It won't set you back too much if you hate it.
-
Benefit Cosmetics Eye Bright Pencil
Someone recommended this product in passing and I went looking for it. Sephora's $20 price tag was waaaaay too much, so I went to eBay and got it for $7. Same product, brand new, never used or opened. Whoohoo! I have to say I really like this... +
Someone recommended this product in passing and I went looking for it. Sephora's $20 price tag was waaaaay too much, so I went to eBay and got it for $7. Same product, brand new, never used or opened. Whoohoo!
I have to say I really like this product. This product is not stark white - it's off-white and has a little pink in it, so it's not glaringly obvious on your skin. It goes on very smooth and it really does perk up the eyes, especially when you use it along with some bold eyeliner. The contrast between the two colors will make for some dazzling, gorgeous eyes.
This item was suggested as a way to brighten the eyes for someone with glasses, and it works wonders for glasses-wearing me. However, it's not too bold for someone without glasses. I use it in the inner and outer corners of my eyes and up close it might not look like much. But when you take a step back, you will see a difference.
As a small note, be gentle when you use this product. The makeup inside the pencil is very soft; I used a little too much pressure and ended up pushing the tip up into the pencil itself. Oops. Use a light stroke when applying this. Otherwise, if you need to perk up tired-looking eyes or just to add a little extra sparkle to alert eyes, this is a great product and I highly recommend it.
-
L.A. Girl Mark My Eyes Black Liquid Eye Liner
I'm always on the lookout for the boldest, blackest black eyeliner out there without spending an arm and a leg, and a good place to look for dark, intense makeup is Hot Topic. I spotted this thing that looked like a marker called Mark My Eyes by... +
I'm always on the lookout for the boldest, blackest black eyeliner out there without spending an arm and a leg, and a good place to look for dark, intense makeup is Hot Topic. I spotted this thing that looked like a marker called Mark My Eyes by L.A. Girl. Taking a peek under the cap, I couldn't believe how thick the brush was! Considering I love my eyeliner dark and thick, I had to buy it. And at $7.00, definitely a good price.
I tried it the moment I got home and I loved it - the thickness of the line can be varied just like with a marker, the color goes on smooth, it's a beautifully bold shade of the darkest black and it's long-lasting. A gorgeous product.
The only downside to this item, however, is the fact that it cannot be applied over eyeshadow. I did this and powdered eyeshadow will stick to the tip of the eyeliner, which causes the flow of color to slowly thin out and eventually the thing stops working entirely. Cutting part of the tip off doesn't help either and I ended up having to throw mine away. So as long as you apply it to your bare eyelids and no eyeshadow in between, this item is well worth the price and a must have for anyone who loves thick eyeliner. I fully intend to buy another sometime because I miss it.
If you don't want to go to Hot Topic, you can get this on eBay for about the same price as in the store or on L.A. Girl's site.
-
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner
I spotted Aussie 3-Minute Deeeeep Conditioner by chance at CVS while browsing the hair care aisle. I saw it on sale and decided I'd give it a shot. I use it once a week (all other days I use regular conditioner) and I have to say it's so... +
I spotted Aussie 3-Minute Deeeeep Conditioner by chance at CVS while browsing the hair care aisle. I saw it on sale and decided I'd give it a shot. I use it once a week (all other days I use regular conditioner) and I have to say it's so hard to resist using it more often. I absolutely adore the way it makes my hair feel; despite being bleached, my hair is still alright-feeling, but Aussie's deep conditioner just makes it so silky smooth and keeps tangles at bay. It's worth having my head stink like coconut (a scent I'm not particularly fond of).
This may be an issue for other folks, but using this stuff will also make it a lot more difficult for your hair to hold a style. Personally, my hair is straight as a board and I like it that way, so this was not a problem for me. But if you curl your hair, don't expect those curls to stay.
Also, I rated this product's price as a 4.5 just because I felt it was a bit expensive considering the size of the bottle. I'm a fan of Suave and V05 (dollar shampoos), so for my own hair care budget, this was definitely a pricey item. Worth it, but the cost is why I only deep-condition once a week. I'd totally recommend this product, though - it works beautifully and your hair will feel so gorgeous afterward.
-
Bonne Bell Lip Smackers
I don't care if this stuff is for younger girls and teens, I think the products are great. Personally, I love cosmetics with sweet scents and I have three Lip Smackers products - Strawberry, Bubble Gum and a clear Strawberry gloss. I love the... +
I don't care if this stuff is for younger girls and teens, I think the products are great. Personally, I love cosmetics with sweet scents and I have three Lip Smackers products - Strawberry, Bubble Gum and a clear Strawberry gloss. I love the smell of all of them, and the clear gloss goes on incredibly shiny and actually seems to kind of make the lips look more full and pouty.
The cost is great and it does keep my lips moist. Who says we all gotta grow up and use Chapstick? Screw it - I happily wear my Lip Smackers on a regular basis and I adore having bubble gum and strawberry scents right under my nose.
-
Jordana LOL Lip Out Loud Super Shiny Gloss
I've used Jordana's cosmetics for quite a while and have come to trust them as a brand that strikes a great middle ground between quality and affordability. While the quality may not match that of more expensive makeup, it definitely does... +
I've used Jordana's cosmetics for quite a while and have come to trust them as a brand that strikes a great middle ground between quality and affordability. While the quality may not match that of more expensive makeup, it definitely does very well considering the low cost of its products.
And I have to say I am impressed with Jordana's LOL "Lip Out Loud" Super Shiny Gloss. It boasts a vinyl-like shine that goes on smooth and doesn't get tacky. The color I have is called "OMG" and while it looks red in the bottle, it's actually more of a red-violet once it goes on.
First of all, the color is beautifully bold. Second, it goes on very smoothly and evenly. Third, it has a delicious fruity scent. And fourth, it does take a little while for it to dry up, but even then, it doesn't make your lips feel too sticky (it does a tiny bit, but not like most other glosses). I'm not a big lip gloss person, but I find I want to wear this stuff because it makes my lips feel so silky and I love the scent.
The applicator brush is a really funky shape too, and it allows for more precise application. There are 15 shades in this particular line, ranging from natural flesh tones to bold pinks (and also a totally clear one if you're not interested in something with color). I guess the best way to sum up this product is "yummy." It looks good, it smells good, it will make you feel good to wear it, and you won't feel guilty about buying it.
If you're looking for a lip product that will make you feel like a star on a budget, get a bottle of this stuff.
-
Revlon Illuminance Creme Eyeshadow
I received a compact of this as a gift and I ended up throwing it away. I initially assumed this being creme eyeshadow would mean that it would go on very bold and last longer than a powder-based color. Yeah, I was wrong. The colors were incredibly... +
I received a compact of this as a gift and I ended up throwing it away. I initially assumed this being creme eyeshadow would mean that it would go on very bold and last longer than a powder-based color. Yeah, I was wrong. The colors were incredibly light, the makeup never actually dries, and most of it got stuck in a crease on my eyelids.
From then on, I decided to stick with powder eyeshadow, but if you're on the lookout for a good creme eyeshadow, I would say don't get this one. It's not godawful, but it's not wonderful either.
-
Rimmel London Glam'Eyes Mono Eyeshadow
Here's a product that is affordable, but the quality is a little less than desirable. I've got two compacts of Rimmel London's Glam'Eyes Mono Eyeshadow - Jet Black and a shade of purple. Basically my only complaint about this item is... +
Here's a product that is affordable, but the quality is a little less than desirable. I've got two compacts of Rimmel London's Glam'Eyes Mono Eyeshadow - Jet Black and a shade of purple. Basically my only complaint about this item is how long it lasts. The Jet Black goes on bold and dark, and the eyeshadow itself is very smooth and easy to blend...but after a very short time, it rubs off.
I found the short lifespan of this product to be even worse with the lighter shade; the purple looks vibrant, but actually goes on very light. After about two hours, it had completely rubbed off.
If you don't mind re-applying this stuff on an hourly basis, then by all means get it. I think it only costs a couple dollars. It's not a horrible product, but if you're looking for long-lasting or bold eyeshadow, I would have to recommend trying a different brand. This is something you might give to a little girl to use as play makeup when she wants to dress up like a princess.
-
Milani Neon Nail Lacquer
Initially when I saw Milani's Neon Nail Lacquer in the cosmetics aisle, I was immediately interested due to their selection of gorgeous, vibrant colors. I fell in love with their Rad Purple shade and decided it was worth for four bucks or so (at... +
Initially when I saw Milani's Neon Nail Lacquer in the cosmetics aisle, I was immediately interested due to their selection of gorgeous, vibrant colors. I fell in love with their Rad Purple shade and decided it was worth for four bucks or so (at CVS).
Needless to say, I was disappointed in the quality. First of all, the nail polish is so thin that even after three or more coats, the color was not at all solid and ended up being kind of streaky and uneven; basically it was more like a glaze than a color. And second, due to the aforementioned thin consistency of this stuff, there is no way to make the color as vibrant as what you see on the bottle. In addition, this particular brand of nail polish also doesn't stay on your nails for very long and will begin to chip pretty fast.
Maybe this was just an issue with Rad Purple, but from what I have seen with that particular color, this brand is not worth it. It's not horrible, but I was expecting better color quality from a brand whose slogan is "color with impact." No, there was no impact with this color at all - I've bought dollar store nail polish that lasted longer and turned out better than this stuff.
If you want nice, solid, loud colors, I recommend Sally Hansen or even Jordana - it's cheaper (usually) than Milani and the quality is far superior.
-
Looking for more?
Check out our other review websites:
