silentsonata
Member Since: April 17, 2009Reviews
Maybelline New York The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara
For a ~$6 drugstore mascara, this isn't really that bad. I've always been apprehensive about Maybelline mascaras since there's always been a disparaging gap between the claims made in their ads and the actual results I get when I use... +
For a ~$6 drugstore mascara, this isn't really that bad. I've always been apprehensive about Maybelline mascaras since there's always been a disparaging gap between the claims made in their ads and the actual results I get when I use their products. The ads for Falsies is ridiculous because of the amount of photoshopped lashes that appear on the model, so don't get your hopes up for as dramatic a result as THAT! However, as a drugstore mascara I find it curls, thickens, darkens and lengthens my pinstraight lashes a decent amount, and keeps my lashes curled for 24 hours.
HOWEVER, I do find that sometimes my eyes water when the mascara wand is close to my eyes, as if there are fumes being emitted from the mascara formula. I don't find that the wand shape does anything to change the way my lashes look. Sometimes the formula clumps when I'm layering on a second or third coat. During days I encounter extreme environmental temperature changes, the mascara may smudge on my bottom lid, but otherwise I can sleep on the bus with this stuff on and it doesn't smear. At the end of the day, you will definitely require a solvent based makeup remover to get rid of this stuff, it can be quite stubborn.
My final word on this is that it's a pretty decent mascara for the price, and I personally think it's the best that Maybelline has to offer. However those with sensitive eyes may want to avoid this. Finally, don't expect the same results as that portrayed in their ads, it won't happen.
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Clinique Superpowder Double Face Makeup
For those of you who have combination skin (shiny, oily t-zone and chin, super dry cheeks and lips) this product may be for you. I've had a difficult time finding a foundation for my skin tone that is also good for my skin type, but I finally... +
For those of you who have combination skin (shiny, oily t-zone and chin, super dry cheeks and lips) this product may be for you. I've had a difficult time finding a foundation for my skin tone that is also good for my skin type, but I finally stopped my search when I picked up this product.
This powder can be applied with the sponge for moderate coverage, or a brush for more sheer coverage. Either way, you're going to end up with completely natural looking skin with all small imperfections evened out. This is great for touching up the parts that get oily, namely the forehead, nose and chin, in the middle of the day, and I have never had it clog my pores. In fact, this product was my saving grace, as I completely broke out after using the L'oreal mineral skin makeup so I finally got this clinique foundation to provide coverage while my skin healed. I apply a layer of this foundation after I've applied concealer for a matte, flawless finish to my face.
The compact is magnificently built, as the metal button never lets this open while it tumbles around in my purse, so I have no fear of the product getting contaminated. I feel ultra feminine popping open the mirror to check my makeup in the middle of the day, I highly recommend this product if you have combination skin, I thought it was absolutely worth it to achieve that flawless, makeup-less look.
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Quo Lipgloss Stick
My mom first bought the Quo Lip Gloss Stick, and I borrowed it one day and fell in love with it and went out to get my own. I have light-medium, yellow undertoned, Asian skin and the color "Bitten" works beautifully for me. It's a VERY... +
My mom first bought the Quo Lip Gloss Stick, and I borrowed it one day and fell in love with it and went out to get my own. I have light-medium, yellow undertoned, Asian skin and the color "Bitten" works beautifully for me. It's a VERY flattering shade of translucent red.
I hate lipstick (they always dry out my lips), but this product did not feel like lipstick at all. It is comparable to Chanel's Coco Rouge line for a fraction of the price (especially when you get it at Shopper's Drug Mart on sale)! It's ultra creamy, offers a subtle hint of shine, and smells like a cup of cappuccino.
It is not long lasting so it will not dry out your lips, but you will definitely need to reapply this after eating or drinking. The only thing that could make this better is if there was SPF added in it. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend this product for women tired of drying lipsticks, or young people who grew up on lip gloss and have never found a lipstick they liked. This is the perfect product that combines the rich color of lipstick with the comfort of a non-sticky lip gloss. Comes in a variety of flattering shades!
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Wet n wild MegaSlicks Lip Gloss
In my mind, wet n wild is part of the walmart family brand of products. I know that's not really the case, but I've only ever seen these products sold in walmart, so I don't have high expectations for their products. I bought this... +
In my mind, wet n wild is part of the walmart family brand of products. I know that's not really the case, but I've only ever seen these products sold in walmart, so I don't have high expectations for their products. I bought this product because I wanted to try a new lip color but didn't want to shell out more than $3 for something that might not work for me. So usually I turn to dirt cheap brands, like wet n wild, to use as a 'tester' by finding a color that matches something that costs a bit more.
I got a cherry colored lip gloss (sorry, I forgot the name but the bottom of it says 569A if that means anything) and it goes on with lots of shine and a tiny hint of color, which I felt looked perfect for my light-medium with yellow undertones skin. I usually like doe foot applicators, but for some reason wet n wild applicators seemed to give my lips a slight 'rug burn'. Perhaps it doesn't pick up enough product to properly lubricate the applicator, or maybe the applicator fibers are too coarse, I'm not sure. I personally did not have a problem with the scent or the taste, honestly I couldn't taste anything and the smell was just sweet and sugary.
The packaging is sturdy, however the reflective printing on the tube will inevitably chip off the longer you toss it around in your bag.
Bottom line, if you're looking for a super basic lip gloss, or want to experiment with colors or just need a cheap little pick-me-up, this lip gloss is pretty worth it.
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Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
As an Asian with oddly formed eyelids, most eyeliners will smudge under my eyes and give me the raccoon look halfway during the day. However, after finding this eyeliner I didn't have to worry as much about that anymore. As long as I applied... +
As an Asian with oddly formed eyelids, most eyeliners will smudge under my eyes and give me the raccoon look halfway during the day. However, after finding this eyeliner I didn't have to worry as much about that anymore. As long as I applied concealer right under my eye and a liiittle bit of powder on top of that to set it, this eyeliner will emphasize my eyes without smudging. It took a LONG time to find a creamy, easy-to-apply eyeliner that did not smudge, and these pencils are just so long and last FOREVER for me that I don't think I will ever switch to another brand of waterproof eyeliner.
I also wear contact lenses from time to time and this eyeliner did not irritate me. I also stab my eyes sometimes because I'm an awful klutz, and I'm still not blind! Hurrah!
I also like the blue color for brown eyes, but what I do is rim only the BOTTOM of my eyes and just have some black mascara on and skip eyeshadow altogether to make my look more fun. If you're not bold enough to experiment with funky, vivid eyeshadow colors, then a subtle bit of eyeliner on the bottom of your eye might be a better option.
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Bonne Bell VitaGloss
I LOVE this lip balm for it's moisturizing properties and clear, shiny finish. It smells absolutely delicious, and is very enticing to your date when you're closing in at the end of a hot date night! It's provides nearly all the shine of... +
I LOVE this lip balm for it's moisturizing properties and clear, shiny finish. It smells absolutely delicious, and is very enticing to your date when you're closing in at the end of a hot date night! It's provides nearly all the shine of a lip gloss without ANY of the sticky, tackiness associated with lip gloss, and has comfortable, moisturizing properties too. I would have given the quality 5 stars if it had SPF properties, but unfortunately that is not the case. Maybe bonne belle can think about adding some of that in the future. Do NOT be fooled by the low price of this product, this is a HIGH QUALITY product that will moisturize just as well as something costing $10 . I managed to purchase a handful of these at my local Loblaws in Canada as they were on sale at $1.50. They're quite compact, and will fit in even the tiniest of evening clutches, so when you're wearing long-lasting lipstick that's drying out your lips on an evening out, swipe this overtop to instantly get rid of that drying, tight, stretched-lip feeling. -
Neutrogena Wave Power-Cleanser and Deep Clean Foaming Pads
The Neutrogena Wave is supposed to 'deep clean' your skin and Vanessa Hudgens was even signed on to promote its sudsy, lathering qualities on television. Sure it cleans your skin, but I find that the overly-touted vibrating function did... +
The Neutrogena Wave is supposed to 'deep clean' your skin and Vanessa Hudgens was even signed on to promote its sudsy, lathering qualities on television. Sure it cleans your skin, but I find that the overly-touted vibrating function did little to deep clean better than my usual facial cleanser, and it didn't lather much at all. The selling point of this product I think is the novelty of the vibrating machine. I did not find that it made considerable difference in exfoliating, deep cleansing or increasing circulation to my face. Actually, this product left parts of my super-combination skin particularly dry and uncomfortable, which discouraged me from using this product too often. Although the machine is waterproof, I abhorred the refill pad packaging, as the inner plastic bag is non-resealable and the cardboard box does not look like it can keep the pads from drying up very quickly. Sadly, I admit that I fell for the hype and got duped into buying this product. I would not buy the machine or the cleansing pad refills ever again. If you're the kind of person who's happy always being first to wait in line for new gadgets like the iPad or the PS3, then this might be for you. If you're really lazy and can't be bothered to move your hands in little circles to wash your face, then this product might be for you. Otherwise, I'd say skip this product and spend your money wisely elsewhere. -
Blistex Raspberry Lemonade Blast
This lip balm smells like summer picnics by the sea. It's absolutely DELICIOUS, and goes on super smoothly and moisturizes very very well. It's not overtly waxy and is perfect for giving your lips SPF protection all year long. In the winter... +
This lip balm smells like summer picnics by the sea. It's absolutely DELICIOUS, and goes on super smoothly and moisturizes very very well. It's not overtly waxy and is perfect for giving your lips SPF protection all year long. In the winter, apply this for a reminiscent taste of those warm summer months. The packaging is simple, attractive and very durable. I toss my tube, drop it, throw it at people, step on it, and crush it at the bottom of my purse and it takes every beating without complaint, and re-emerges ready to smooth and protect my lips whenever I need it. I have chronically dry, chapped lips and I use this product before I go to bed to soften my lips overnight, and layer it under my lipstick to give my lips sun protection. For a clear, pleasantly scented, moisturizing and protecting lip balm, you can't go wrong with Blistex lemonade raspberry flavor. Five stars, with relish! -
COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara
I have pin-straight eyelashes that have never ever been bested by any mascara brand. Nothing has ever convinced my lashes to perk up and achieve that lovely, natural curl you see in the magazines until I tried the Lash Blast Mascara. I pinch my... +
I have pin-straight eyelashes that have never ever been bested by any mascara brand. Nothing has ever convinced my lashes to perk up and achieve that lovely, natural curl you see in the magazines until I tried the Lash Blast Mascara. I pinch my lashes with a tweezerman lash curler and brush on two coats of the Lash Blast in brown, wiggling it to allow the brush to grab every lash (unfortunately the product was so popular at my local drug store, black was all sold out so I had to settle for brown, but the difference wasn't really noticeable, phew). With every stroke, my lashes were boosted and thickened, and the formula dried in a decent amount of time so that I can quickly blink without getting mascara all over my lower lid. For some magical reason, I've never been able to smudge my upper lid with this mascara, so perhaps the shape and thickness of the wand and brush helps to prevent mistakes. My waterproof version helped to prevent smudges, which is incredibly important for me because I have Asian eyes that smears smudgeable makeup from the top lid onto the bottom lid whenever I close my eyes.
This mascara wasn't the cheapest on the shelf (very few mascaras can compete with Maybelline's $6 CAD), but it was very attractive when compared to other mass market brands like Rimmel and L'Oreal. I think I remember purchasing mine for around $10 CAD, and I've been able to keep using it for the last month or so and it doesn't look like it's about to run out any time soon! (Yay!)
Personally, I was never attracted to the fatness of the tube or the bright day-glo orange color. In fact, I felt it looked kind of gaudy and reminded me of bad fashion trends from the 70's and 80's. However, whatever's inside the packaging is a wonderful product and I'm glad I gave this a chance, because I've finally found a favorite mascara.
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