Makeup
- pixie_dust » See my profile
- Points: 73600
- Reviews: 491
Here are all my reviews:
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This stuff was just awful. I have been using the Suave dry shampoo (yellow cap) for the past few years and why I decided to switch is beyond me. When I first used it, the white powder sprayed all over my clothes. How that happened when I was aiming it at my head (specifically, my roots!) is also beyond me! What did hit my head fell off in white powder on my shoulders. I rinsed the nozzle just in case it was clogged but it wasn't. That happened the first few times, then after that, the spray was clear and mostly alcohol based (similar to the new Herbal Essences line of dry shampoos, which I also don't care for; I prefer a powder base). It did nothing to absorb the oil with the powder and without. A can of the Suave will typically last me 4 months. This product was about two weeks with every other day use. There was something DEFINITELY off about it. In addition, the smell REALLY lingers; when I say linger, I mean 6 and 8 hours later. I love fragrance but this one is just much too strong. I will be going back to my Suave! :)
March 5, 2015
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If you have the Maybelline quad Cafe Au Lait, you have 4 of the shadows that are either identical to this palette or so extremely close that you almost don't need to spend more on this palette. With that being said, I was very disappointed with the pigmentation in this palette and the difficulty with blending. The blending was so difficult that after applying a small amount of eyeshadow in the crease with a contour eyeshadow brush, it took a good minute to blend the shadow and not see the original dab where I first applied it. As far as blending is concerned, it is probably one of the worst I have experienced in the last few years. Some of the shades are more pigmented than others, but overall it isn't even worth the $10. I would rather spring for $20 and get 4 good, quality shades than 10 low quality shades.
March 5, 2015
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Revlon Lash Potion Volume + Length Waterproof Mascara by Grow Luscious
Difficult formula to work with :(
I saw this recommended on Beautypedia, and I have such oily eyelids and skin that I thought that maybe I should try a really good waterproof formula to see if that would help the mascara "smudging" from the oil on my skin. This one came highly recommended, but as far as mascaras go, and even waterproof, it misses the mark in several areas. I did like the brush and the color is a super rich black, but the cons outweigh the few pros. First, those annoying "little black dots" that can appear at the very tip of each lash were bountiful. I normally apply 2-3 coats when applying mascara, and with this one, 3 starts to give a spidery, crunchy appearance. I don't normally go for a "natural" looking mascara (I love some good volume!) and this one is definitely not natural (unless you do a very minimal first coat) looking, but after those few coats, it really gets over the top. While the mascara is waterproof (I have taken showers and washed my hair over the tub with this mascara on and no running) it does flake (albeit minimally, but still) and the formula can smudge during the application process if you aren't careful. Overall, I will be trying another formulation to see if it works better.
March 5, 2015
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I purchased an ELF palette recently, and even though the palette was not my favorite, the brush was a pleasant surprise! I prefer the ELF Studio line to the Essential line, but I did receive this exact brush in black to match the palette. I didn't think that I would use the brush that much but I really am. It isn't as sharp as an angle as it could be, but it is much easier to apply the darker shades to the crease before blending out with the Crease brush. Before this brush, I was using the Contour eye brush and it wasn't as easy to apply as this one. Even though I tossed out the palette, I kept this brush. To my surprise, this Essential brush really is "essential!" The only con; the angle isn't really sharp and some of the bristles are not even. However, I am not using it for extreme precision so it is working just great.
February 18, 2015
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I actually really like ELF products; every so often I do a haul from the website and it is like Christmas morning! :) People have been crazy for their blushes but I just think they are ok. The blush choice is extremely limited; I believe there are 5 options for blush color. The price is right at around $3. I find that after a few uses, the texture changes and becomes a bit more rough for lack of a better description. Except for Pink Passion, I didn't find that most of them were all that pigmented either. They are good in a pinch if you need to run into Target or Walgreens but I wouldn't necessarily use them as an everyday blush. On the plus side, the packaging is sleek and modern and there is a mirror. Although I think the WNW blushes are silkier and better quality for the same price, ELF does have a better all around package. I have tried all colors and Pink Passion is my only favorite.
February 18, 2015
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UPDATE 2/15/15: I recently decided to pick up this product again and give it a go. When I am testing a product, I use all HG, tried and trued products, other than the one product I am testing. I try to keep all the "variables" the same to REALLY get a feel for the product and how it performs. What was so strange about the "re-try" of this product was that the first few days were PERFECT. I was getting about 12-15 hours of wear before there were any flakes. Then, after only a few days, I was getting 6-8 hours before flakes. The last few days I even used a primer (although, I question whether or not mascara primers actually work - more on that on another review) with no added benefit. I originally scored this as a 6 and I would now switch this to a 7. I did get length and definition, and even a bit of volume, but I can't work with a mascara that is so flaky. On the plus side, no smearing which was a good thing; however, my eyelids are very oily and it did leave a line of mascara on my eyelid about 4-5 hours in, even with a HG eyeshadow primer. In all fairness, this happens to a lot of mascaras that I try that are not "dry" enough. I often get better results with a waterproof or water resistant mascara, so I may visit that option with this mascara. ..........................................................................................I love a bargain but only if the product works well! This mascara had far too many flakes. I kept having to clean under my eyes throughout the day. It's such a bummer too because besides that, it wasn't that bad. This is a definite deal braker for me.
February 15, 2015
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This is an okay primer. It is fragrance free (yaaaay!) and has no tint (clear); it is the traditional silicon primer. I think this would be a great primer for someone new to primers. It does a decent job, but it doesn't go above and beyond that. Some areas that I was a bit disappointed in are: no oil control (there is no claim for this, but often folks with larger pores have oilier skin, so this would have been a nice touch!), no real pore "filling" (even when stippling and tapping into the pores) and no real longevity from my foundation as a result of this primer. Basically, what it does is that it smooths out the skin and improves texture. It "blurs" some of the imperfections and makes it easier to apply foundation; however, any good moisturizer can help in this area also. I would recommend as a decent primer, but there are other "workhorses" out there that will deliver a bit more for near the same budget.
February 14, 2015
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I have tried both the ELF Essential Eyeshadow and ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer, and I really couldn't tell the difference between the two so why not just get the Essential version for $1 versus $3 for the Mineral? My review is pretty much the same for the Mineral primer, so here it goes..... Oh, and sidenote, I have noticed some fading with certain ELF shadows, but like any eyeshadow and primer, you kind of have to play around and find which shadows and which primers work best together. I have tried both high end and drugstore primers and have not come across anything PERFECT at any price point, but this is pretty close. Here is goes................ I used to use Loreal's eye primer that was around $8 and the primer would always crease itself! What a waste of money. I then came across this in my local Target; I have always had pretty good luck with their products and for the price who cares if it doesn't work? I won't feel guilty. My mom and I both bought one and gave it a try; hooray! We couldn't believe how well it worked. If your eyelids are especially greasy, you may still need to blot them at the end of the day, but this primer is just fantastic, and for the price you just can't beat it. I would definitely recommend and will be repurchasing in the future. It keeps even "budget" eyeshadows on and in place.
February 14, 2015
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In all fairness, this is certainly not marketed as a dry shampoo. However, when using it for other things, I think it is just okay, but there are better options available. I don't care for it for rashes; rashes need healing and moisture (like Aquaphor) and often times a rash is irritated and can burn or itch and be very dry to the touch, so why people add powder which is more drying is beyond me. Powder is good at PREVENTING a rash, diaper or otherwise. But once you have a rash, a medicated ointment is a much better option. I have used this in the summertime to keep moisture away but I find it to be too messy to work with. I prefer a spray deodorant instead. I first heard about this exact Johnson's powder on You Tube to use as a dry shampoo. I kind of liked the idea - I am trying to find more ecofriendly products and I was starting to get away from the spray shampoo since it is in an aluminum can and has so many chemicals added to it. However, the powder just wasn't enough for me. First off, it was of course very messy. It was difficult to control and didn't absorb oil as well as my Suave Dry Shampoo does. It didn't work for me at all. There are just all around better options for most of the uses for this powder. As far as the scent is concerned, I thought it was just okay; not as pleasant as I thought it would be.
February 13, 2015
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Maybelline New York Shine Free Oil Control Translucent Pressed Powder
Poor Oil Control; Poor Packaging
This product is a "no, thank you" product for me! Not only was the packaging reminiscent of the 90's IMO, but I didn't see any oil control as a result. I bought this in Golden and was looking for a compact that I could toss in my purse and use for touch ups (after blotting sheets) throughout the day. I found this powder to be a bit cakey, even with the blotting sheets first; it brought me back to the 90's when people didn't use sheets and only used powder, and makeup was cakey and unnatural looking. Can you tell I just wasn't all that pleased with this product? :) It just didn't work for me. The color was spot on but it didn't work well for what I needed it for. On the plus side, I have used this as a setting powder with a brush, and although I didn't experience oil control with this, I did like the way the powder looked and felt. In other words, I would suggest applying this powder only with a brush and lightly, to avoid that cakey, overdone appearance. If your skin is oily like mine, I think you will be disappointed with the lack of any real oil control ingredients. I am going to try the ELF HD Mattifying Balm and see if that works, and also Neutrogena Shine Control Pressed Powder. Wish me luck!
February 12, 2015
