xoliana
Member Since: July 31, 2016Reviews
Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick
I received a deluxe sample of this in the shade N9 with a Sephora Birthday Gift. I find everything about this lipstick to be quite average. The shade that I have is supposed to be a "universally flattering" copper pink colour. It's not a copper... +
I received a deluxe sample of this in the shade N9 with a Sephora Birthday Gift. I find everything about this lipstick to be quite average.
The shade that I have is supposed to be a "universally flattering" copper pink colour. It's not a copper pink, but more of a darker, neutral brown-red. It doesn't look bad, but it's also not the shade that it's supposed to be, and certainly not how it appears on the website. (For reference, I've uploaded the photo from Sephora's website as well as a photo of the product I have both in the tube and on my lips.)
The pigmentation is good when applied, but fades both quickly and easily throughout the day. This is supposed to be a satin lipstick with a translucent and shiny finish, but I find that it's somewhere between a satin and a matte, and certainly not translucent or overly shiny.
This lipstick also claims to be highly moisturizing, with 8-hour hydration. I find that it's quite the opposite, and that it's very dry on the lips, one of the driest formulas I've worn over the past few years.
In essence, this lipstick is simply not as advertised, in any way -- when it comes to colour, finish, or moisture. If it hadn't claimed something so different, I may not feel as strongly as I do, but it almost strikes me as a completely mislabelled product. I personally would not recommend it.
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Smashbox Cream Eyeliner Palette
I'm not sure if this comes in different shade selections or not, but the back of my palette says "Proof", so maybe that's what this particular selection is called. This palette contains ten shades of cream/gel eyeliner as well as a brush applicator... +
I'm not sure if this comes in different shade selections or not, but the back of my palette says "Proof", so maybe that's what this particular selection is called.
This palette contains ten shades of cream/gel eyeliner as well as a brush applicator and a magnified mirror. The pans are small, but it's a great way to sample the formula as well as try out different shades and figure out which ones you may like to try in a full size. It's also very handy for travel as it's pocket-size.
The brush that comes in this palette is just okay. It's straight, not angled, which makes it harder to do a wing, especially since it's a bit thicker than your typical angled liner brush. If you're just applying a line to your upper or lower lashes, this does an okay job, but the bristles move and separate more than I would like.
As for the eyeliner, I will give a brief review and description of each shade as follows:
Lava: Despite the name, this is a greyish colour with some fine micro glitter. Because of the glitter, the consistency is not as smooth or opaque, but it does still go on easily. It's one of my favourites in here and it pairs well with many eye looks.
Picasso: A dark navy. The colour is very rich and pigmented, applying in just one stroke. If you want just a hint of colour without it being too bright, this looks great.
Midnight Purple: A dark eggplant purple. Unfortunately, this one is a little patchy and requires a bit of effort to build it up. Once you do, it does look nice.
Midnight Brown: A medium brown. This one applies very pigmented, but be careful you don't have too much onn your brush as I find that it can look the tiniest bit crumbly. A good alternative to black.
Putty: This is a taupe which goes on darker than it appears in the pan. I actually find it goes on darker than Midnight Brown, in most cases. This is a cooler colour than Midnight Brown.
Caviar: Your basic black. This is one you can build in intensity, from more of a deep charcoal to a true blackest black.
Thunder: Speaking of charcoal, this is definitely a dark grey. It's very smoky and smooth. It's similar to the colour payoff you get with one stroke of Caviar, so if you want a grey liner, just use this one.
Midnight Green: A dark forest green. This probably applies the smoothest of all the "colourful" shades in here, with rich colour payoff more immediately than either Picasso or Midnight Purple.
Deep Bronze: This is the only other shade with glitter in it, and it's a stunning bronze. However, this shade is very dry, and it works better if you wet your brush a small amount before applying, otherwise it can be almost too dry to work with.
Cameo: The darkest brown in here, like a dark chocolate. It is extremely pigmented and buttery, so be careful when you apply it as it can smudge, it's that smooth. Once it locks into place, you should be okay
These are great shades and formulas. If you enjoy gel eyeliner and want a selection, this palette is a good way to go.
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Urban Decay Skull Shadow Box
This was the very first Urban Decay product I bought, when I was just eighteen and didn't have a Sephora near me. I had my parents drive me two hours out of town to get to the nearest one, where I found this palette and began my love affair with... +
This was the very first Urban Decay product I bought, when I was just eighteen and didn't have a Sephora near me. I had my parents drive me two hours out of town to get to the nearest one, where I found this palette and began my love affair with the brand. Although this particular palette has since been discontinued, it's still a beloved and nostalgic part of my makeup collection, and it's something that you can still come by in various corners of the internet.
This palette, so named for the pink skull on the cover, is a little flip palette which contains nine eye shadows, sponge-tip applicators, and a mirror. The colours come in a variety from pale to dark, neutral to colourful, and make it both versatile and suitable for all occasions. The shades are as follows (* indicates a colour no longer available from the Urban Decay eye shadow line):
*Cherry: This is one of my favourites, though sadly there's not much left in the pan anymore. The base is a very pale pink and it contains micro glitter, making this a bit grittier in texture, but still very easy to apply. Minimal fallout, even without a base.
Midnight Cowboy Rides Again: A favourite of many, this is a light champagne brown with micro glitter. You will receive quite a bit of fallout if you don't use a proper base.
Grifter: This is a gorgeous purple-pink shade. It's more of a shimmer than a glitter. This was the first colour I hitpan on, but I went on to buy a full size single shadow. It goes on very smoothly and works well with a bunch of different shades.
*Vert: This is a satin shadow. The pigmentation is stunning, and it works well with a lot of the more neutral shades in the palette to create an earth-toned look. It's a very true green.
Oil slick: Honestly, I almost never use black eye shadow, so this remained fairly untouched. This has small flecks of glitter in it and it has a very stiff and hard texture to it. I was never a big fan of this one. My least favourite of the bunch.
Shattered: Not quite a sky blue, this has the same satin texture as Vert. It's a very wearable blue, even if you're not big into colour. It's buttery soft and looks so pretty all over the lid or as an accent.
Blunt: This is hands down my favourite golden shadow of all time. This is also a satin, so it has just the right amount of shimmer when the light hits. It complements so many different skin tones, and it glides on so, so smoothly.
Chopper: This is a shimmer shadow in a warm copper shade. I find it's a tad too warm for me to use in large amounts, so it really depends on the look. It is a beautiful shade, though, and it looks stunning with a bright cobalt blue.
Twice Baked: A rich chocolate brown, like you would find in baked brownies! It hasn't got as much micro glitter as Cherry or Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, but it definitely has some glitter. I find you don't really notice it after it's been blended out. This works great for a smoky eye look, but it has a bit of a crumbly texture, so there is a touch of fallout.
This is a great palette. If you can still get your hands on one online, go for it! If not, I'd recommend buying someof the eye shadows that Urban Decay still sells. They have since reformulated and have gotten even better.
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CoverGirl CG Smoothers Concealer
Before I started using liquid concealers, this product was my go-to. I used it all throughout my late teens and well into my twenties. I still have one and use it here and there. Because the skin tone shades are too dark for me, I would always... +
Before I started using liquid concealers, this product was my go-to. I used it all throughout my late teens and well into my twenties. I still have one and use it here and there.
Because the skin tone shades are too dark for me, I would always buy the Illuminator, which is very pale. It's not technically meant to act as a concealer on its own, but it matches my skin well.
It could be because I was using the Illuminator and not one of the actual concealer shades, but I never found that this had very good coverage. It's a light coverage only, and it always worked a bit better on my breakouts rather than on my under eye circles. If I had a pimple, this provided a small amount of help, provided I didn't blend too hard. Under my eyes, this has never done much.
Even though this has kind of a greasy consistency, I actually find that this really clings badly to dry patches. I have very dry under eyes, and even when I was younger and this was less of an issue, this looked extremely dry and cakey. As a concealer that's part of the "smoothers" line, it doesn't really live up to its title.
If you're looking for very light spot concealing and can't afford an expensive product, this is okay. If you require anything more than light coverage, especially under the eyes, I wouldn't recommend this
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GOSH Let's Twist Waterproof Eye Liner
I bought this in the shade Kamikaze, which is a neon lemon-lime. The shade range is very good and has both basic black and brown as well as very colourful options. This is an automatic pencil eyeliner, meaning you just twist it up every time you... +
I bought this in the shade Kamikaze, which is a neon lemon-lime. The shade range is very good and has both basic black and brown as well as very colourful options.
This is an automatic pencil eyeliner, meaning you just twist it up every time you need more. Unfortunately, the tip won't stay sharp, like how you first buy it, but will instead flatten out as you use it. It's too bad this doesn't have a sharpener in the lid, like some pencils are now employing.
The formula itself has to be the absolute best I've ever tried in terms of non-smudging, non-budging, long lasting, and waterproof. This stuff would probably last through a hurricane, if you needed it to! The formula is a bit on the waxy side, but it does glide on quite smoothly considering how well it stays put. Usually, long-wearing eyeliners can be stiff and drag a bit on the skin, but this one isn't really like that, and when you need to take it off at the end of the day, it does come off fairly easily without excessive rubbing.
This is definitely the best automatic pencil I've come across. I just wish it had that sharpener in the lid.
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Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil
I bought this in the shade Cashmere White. I wanted to buy a pure white eyeliner pencil, and it was surprisingly hard to find one at the drugstore that had some sort of seal around it. I'm very picky about hygiene. This eyeliner pencil is smaller... +
I bought this in the shade Cashmere White. I wanted to buy a pure white eyeliner pencil, and it was surprisingly hard to find one at the drugstore that had some sort of seal around it. I'm very picky about hygiene.
This eyeliner pencil is smaller than most other pencils. It's not a kohl eyeliner, which is stiffer in texture, but instead has the smooth consistency of a gel. It goes on very nicely, with even application and pigmentation. I haven't tested its waterproof abilities, but considering how well it stays on throughout the day without moving, I imagine it would perform quite well under such conditions.
The only drawback I've found is that the pencil is quite soft, and therefore has a tendency to lose its pointed tip very easily. It will round out and wear down after only a couple of uses, which means you will have to sharpen it frequently, and this doesn't sharpen easily. It's not an automatic pencil, so the use of a traditional sharpener is required, however I've found that it loses its shape after going through the sharpening process. This doesn't happen with my other pencils, so I believe it's the pencil itself and not the sharpener.
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Tony Moly Strawberry Nose Pack
The Tony Moly Strawberry Nose Pack is a 3-step pore cleansing system for the nose. The packaging is absolutely adorable, which is standard for most Korean products, and the three strips inside smell like strawberries and candy. Yum! There are... +
The Tony Moly Strawberry Nose Pack is a 3-step pore cleansing system for the nose. The packaging is absolutely adorable, which is standard for most Korean products, and the three strips inside smell like strawberries and candy. Yum! There are pictures on the package, as well as instructions in both Korean and English.
The first step is to apply strip one, which is a very moist, soaked-through strip. It's not sticky, but more like it's been drenched in some sort of water. You leave this on your nose for about 20 minutes, during which time your nose may begin to tingle (mine did). This is supposed to open up the pores and ready them for the next step.
The second step is your typical pore strip. You place this onto your wet nose and wait for it to dry enough to pull off. Pretty basic stuff.
The final step involves the third strip, which is like a little mask for your nose. It's slimy, like a sheet mask, and it's supposed to close your pores up again. It says to leave on for about 10 minutes, but it feels pretty nice, so you can leave it on longer if you'd like.
I certainly found this to be more effective at cleaning the gunk out of my pores than something like a Biore strip. The whole thing feels much more soothing as well. After you remove the nose mask, it does feel rather sticky, which is the only downside that I found, but if you mix in a bit of water and rub the excess in, it's not so bad.
I would recommend this if you're prone to any sort of blackheads on your nose and you find that most pore strips are too harsh or don't seem to do anything for you.
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COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers Eye Shadow
I bought the Tropical Fusion eyeshadow quad. This quad contains a lemon-lime shade, an orange shade, an aqua shade, and a fairly dark cobalt blue shade. They are all satin to shimmer finishes. I will work through this shade by shade. Lemon-lime:... +
I bought the Tropical Fusion eyeshadow quad. This quad contains a lemon-lime shade, an orange shade, an aqua shade, and a fairly dark cobalt blue shade. They are all satin to shimmer finishes. I will work through this shade by shade.
Lemon-lime: This is the lightest shade in the quad. I have very pale skin to begin with, so I find that this shade barely shows up on me. Even so, I believe this may be more of a pigmentation issue than a shade issue. The colour itself has a different consistency than the others, which may be why.
Orange: This is a beautiful colour, and it's very easy to get the pigment to show up, but it's extremely dry and crumbly. This leads to a lot of fallout.
Aqua: Another beautiful colour, and probably the highest quality shadow in this particular quad. Even though this is still on the dry side, it does apply fairly easily and has minimal fallout. This has a lovely shimmer to it.
Blue: Very, very patchy. This takes more effort to apply evenly, and it often doesn't stay on well throughout the day. It's very dry and stiff, and has a lot of fallout.
Overall, these shadows are not very good quality. I personally think it's better to save up a bit more and buy shadows that actually work for you. You often don't even have to leave the drugstore to find them.
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Revlon Illuminance Creme Eyeshadow
The shade range on these shadows is very good. There's something available in everything from cool tones to warm tones, very bright to very neutral. They typically come in a quad, with each shade complementing its neighbour. The formula on these... +
The shade range on these shadows is very good. There's something available in everything from cool tones to warm tones, very bright to very neutral. They typically come in a quad, with each shade complementing its neighbour.
The formula on these cream eyeshadows is very thick. I find that they're easiest to apply with a fingertip, and then later blended with a brush if need be. The problem is, as with many cream shadows with this type of consistency, they never really dry down, instead settling into the creases of the eyelid. I found I was constantly having to pat the product back down throughout the day, as it was just bunching up.
If you buy one of the paler shades, I think that it would be okay under the brow bone and/or in the inner corner with a light dusting of a shimmer shadow on top. These areas don't naturally have folds like the eyelid does, so the shadow has far less of a chance to crease in any way. Otherwise, I don't feel that these are worth it. They may have been decent for their time, but better formulas have since come out.
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Rimmel London Metallic Eye Gloss
The Metallic Eye glosses are a range of cream eye shadows from Rimmel. I have one in the shade Soho, which is a very pale, ballerina pink. I'm not sure if they're still available in stores as of the date of this review, however they're still... +
The Metallic Eye glosses are a range of cream eye shadows from Rimmel. I have one in the shade Soho, which is a very pale, ballerina pink. I'm not sure if they're still available in stores as of the date of this review, however they're still available online.
Though the colours on these eyes shadows are very beautiful, and they do have a sort of metallic finish which is unique for a cream shadow, the formula itself isn't very good. These are very highly prone to creasing, whether you apply a primer beforehand or not. If you decide to apply some sort of powder product on top of this, that will also settle into the creases on your lid.
The best way that this product can be used is as an accent. You could dab this under the brow bone, in the inner corners, or even on your cheekbones, if the colour is suitable. But as an eyeshadow, this doesn't really work.
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