Reviews by Caprig

Caprig says "Yep. The Box Was Smashed, Alright." about Smashbox Wish For The Perfect Palette

Caprig — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:00:50 GMT

When I first saw the Smashbox Holiday Palette in the Ulta Brochure, I thought to myself, "Yep, another cosmetic company dumping their junk into a cheap palette and pawning it off for Christmas."

The palette set up reminded me of those CVS palettes that have brick hard eyeshadows and pigmentless makeup in them for $9.99. The problem is that this palette is not $10- it is $52.

After the Tarte Treasure Chest Palette, I figured that nothing else this holiday season would catch my eye. However, as a true makeup artist, I never pass up an opportunity to play and discover when it comes to new products.

WHAT IS THE SMASHBOX WISH FOR THE PERFECT PALETTE LIKE?

SMASHBOX WISH FOR THE PERFECT PALETTE is an amazing array of color and texture. Smashbox has a tendency to be a bit more translucent than other brands. They have excellent pigmentation but their translucence allows them to compliment the face and eyes without drawing attention to wrinkles, crepe, or creases.

What comes in the SMASHBOX...

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Caprig says "They Called the Murder in to the 911 Center" about DuWop Peacock Palette Shades of Decadence

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:16:09 GMT

Matilda sat up in bed like a high powered jacknife, eyes popping open wide and clutching the sheets to her chin.

"HAROLD! HAROLD!"

She shook her snoring husband violently.

Harold sat up groggily in bed to his hysterical wife.

"What is it Matilda?"

"I think someone is being attacked"

Harold plopped back down onto the pillow and started to snore again.

"HAROLD!!! WAKE UP! SOMEONE IS BEING MURDERED!"

At that exclamation, Harold sat up more awake this time as the bloodcurdling shriek pierced the air again. This time he flew out of bed and ran to the window. The sky was still dark, but there was no mistaking the terror filled screaming of what was most likely an attack victim.

Matilda was racing around the room muttering about the neighborhood going downhill when Harold jumped in the air as the screaming seemed to come closer.

"That's it, Harold. I am calling 911"

I quietly added the finishing touches to my peacock painting as my fellow artist finished her story.

... "and so my...

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Caprig says "No Peanuts in My Head, That is For Sure." about Lancome Renergie Microlift Eye R.A.R.E. Intense Repositioning Eye Lifter

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:30:16 GMT

Give me five things and I can be happy:

Face Contour and Eye Contour Serum
Great Skincare moisturizer (I happen to like Absolue for fall winter and spring)
MAC mineralize skinfinish
Mascara
Lipgloss

Take away one of the five- and I am not happy.

When my bottle of LANCOME HIGH RESOLUTION COLLASER 5X EYE serum began to run REALLY low, I was getting a bit nervous. I really like my eye creams, and if I don't have those, makeup does not go on well and I feel icky.

I was about to try to figure out a way to get another replacement, when I saw that LANCOME had FINALLY come out with another eye lifting serum in the RENERGIE line. It is called (get ready for this ridiculous mouthful ...)

LANCOME RENERGIE MICROLIFT EYE R.A.R.E INTENSE REPOSITIONING EYE LIFTER.

Okay, who names this stuff? Can they NOT exercise some imagination and make a simple title that does not take half a day to utter?

WHAT IS RENERGIE MICROLIFT EYE RARE INTENSE REPOSITIONING EYE LIFTER LIKE?

In contrast to the HIGH...

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Caprig says "My Hair NEEDED to Gain Weight " about Aubrey Organics Bga Protein + Shampoo Liquid 11 oz

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:05:47 GMT

Sometimes natural products are not necessarily GOOD products. Sometimes, however, they are AMAZING.

One of these cases is the AUBREY ORGANICS BGA PROTEIN + STRENGHENING SHAMPOO.

WHAT IS AUBREY ORGANICS BGA PROTEIN + STRENGTHENING SHAMPOO LIKE?

AUBREY ORGANICS BGA PROTEIN + Shampoo is called BGA because it stands for Blue Green Algae.

BGA PROTEIN + Shampoo is designed for oily, thin, and damaged hair. Another in the AUBREY ORGANICS all natural shampoo line, BGA PROTEIN+ shampoo has no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in it. It still will suds up just enough to let you know it is working, but it does not strip hair at all. Because it does not have Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in it (or derivatives) color will stay in hair much longer than with traditional chemical laden salon shampoos.

BGA Protein + Shampoo comes in an 11 oz container for around $10. It has a pop top for easy use and a squeezeable plastic container. The fragrance is herb in nature, making it appropriate for men or women to use. ...

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Caprig says "All This Needs is a Whistle and a Tan" about Aubrey Organics Gpb Conditioner Liquid 11 oz

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:49:44 GMT

A very good friend of mine was in trouble. Their hair was brittle, frizzy, and severely damaged. All of the salon products in the world would not touch this dear one's hair. Usually their hair was very luciously wavy and curly and full. What they had at this point was a brittle crunchy straight mess of yuck.

Since I had been the one to do my friend's hair for a long time, I felt partially responsible to help my friend get their hair back to where it should be. Prematurely gray, they had to dye their hair in order to get respect at work (sad but true) and due to lots of stress factors, their hair was in desperate straits.

One day I was doing research on the internet and found a blog by a woman who said that she had the same exact problem and NOTHING worked - until she found AUBREY ORGANICS JAY SHAMPOO and GPB CONDITIONER.

Her long description of her hair coming back from hopelessness was very interesting and inspired hope in my friend that they would not have to cut their hair...

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Caprig says "Who is the Biggest Sucker?" about Lancome Renergie Microlift RARE Intense Targeted Repositioning Lifter

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:22:56 GMT

"NNNNOOOOOO!!!!"

I wailed mournfully as I tried to get the last of my miracle face lifting serum from the pump bottle.

"NOW I HAVE TO LOOK DROOPY AGAIN!"

My very patient husband who is finally getting the hang of woman talk after decades of marriage came in and patted my back patronizingly.

"That's okay, honey. You are always beautiful to me."

I glared angrily at the empty bottle of face lifting serum.

Yep, LANCOME did it again- they discontinued a product that I loved and left me with nothing to substitute for it.

Finally, I saw that LANCOME had released a new product for anti aging- RENERGIE MICROLIFT R.A.R.E. INTENSE TARGETED REPOSITIONING LIFTER SERUM.

(Let me stop for a moment and ask rhetorically- Do these people NOT have any sense of imagination? I mean, come ON! They keep adding this verbal clutter to all of their product titles making it take an entire review just to give the title of the product to you...)

WHAT IS LANCOME MICROLIFT RARE INTENSE TARGETED REPOSITIONING...

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Caprig says "They All Had Under Brow Peanuts In Their Heads " about Lancome High Resolution Eye Collaser

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:54:43 GMT

The day that Lancome discontinued my favorite eye serum called RENERGIE LIFT CONTOUR EYE was a dark day indeed.

Gone was my ability to battle puffy eyes in under a half hour.

Gone was my confidence that if I needed a quick fix for my eyes, I could do it in a moment.

And gone was my patience with Lancome for their obnoxious habit of constantly discontinuing excellent products and leaving me with no substitutes for a year or two until they developed a new one.

I searched for a long time for another product to take the place of my wonder eye lift.

One day, I was about at my wits end with LANCOME, and I saw this new eye serum that had been put on the counter display. It was called HIGH RESOLUTION EYE COLLASER-5X SERUM. I had tested out previous High resolution products and was NOT impressed.

I asked my favorite counter girl if this new serum worked. When she turned around to look at me, what I saw literally made me stare.

Under the inner 1/3 of her eye brows were these two peanut...

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Caprig says "Will Not Totally Vanquish the Dragon, Needs Partner" about Lancome Renergie Microlift Eye Cream 1 5g/0.5 oz

Caprig — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:20:16 GMT

Puff the Magic Dragon does not live by the sea. Sometimes he moves into that tiny little area under the eyeball- that special little annoying resting place where he likes to nest and bring his bags.

This leaves a person feeling rather awful- okay, well, it sure leaves ME feeling awful, anyway.

Nothing is more frustrating than to wake up after a stressful night or a night after having a little wine or crying, or whatever, only to find that Puff has taken residence complete will large bags under my eyes.

Lancome has some great products, but unfortunately, they change products more often than most people change their underwear. If you like something, you might only get to purchase it once before it disappears and you are left wondering why they have left you high and dry with no options.

Such was the case when Lancome changed my favorite eye products and left me with no choices. All of their eye creams left me with burning watery eyes and I was very frustrated. I was about to give...

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Caprig says "We Waited FOR HOURS" about Sobon Estate Syrah (or Shiraz), Rose Wine

Caprig — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:12:53 GMT

I am SO not a wine snob.

I mean, when I first saw all of those people swirling and chewing and spitting with such intense concentration, I thought they had a screw loose.

You know those descriptions? ... The ones that say *cherry pie, blueberry, or chocolate tones*? After sampling many wines over the years, I thought those people were certifiable. I mean, how the heck could a bunch of molded grapes turn into such delightful flavors as THAT?

My husband, well, he naturally sniffs and swirls everything- even his water. I mean, this guy is a total scientist when it comes to analyzing anything he consumes or partakes in. He is a hands on learner.

The first time he urged me to try some wine and I watched him go through his exploration of the stuff in the glass, I thought "What have I gotten myself into?"

Over time, however, I learned that is just his way of doing everything- not limited to wine.

I had been trying wines for years, and learned that I could not have anything with heavy...

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Caprig says "GENIE! GENIE! WHERE ARE YOU?" about Urban Decay Primer Potion

Caprig — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:41:26 GMT

I have been very interested in getting a variety of product that I can use on various people. As a makeup artist, I am well aware that some products work well for some people, and not very well at all for others.

One of the products I first heard about some years ago now, is a product by URBAN DECAY called PRIMER POTION. I saw many raves and glowing reports about this miraculous stuff that kept on eyeshadow all day long and even through sleeping for some people.

I could not wait to try some of this fabulous stuff.

Since at that time we had nothing local to try or buy anything really good for high end makeup work, I had to send away for the URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION.

WHAT IS URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION LIKE?

In a Genie In A Bottle container, URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION comes with an interesting lid that fits with the whole theme of the bottle. The applicator is a bit of a sponge tip similar to some lipglosses. It used to be straight, but now it comes slightly bent to make it seem...

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Caprig says "The Lid Houdini " about Tarte Lifted Natural Eye Primer With Firmatrol

Caprig — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:23:32 GMT

Whoops!

Where'd he go?

Oops- there- no. Wait. Over Here.

Nope, missed again.

As a makeup artist I am always on the lookout for product that enhance the makeup process. One thing that is very important is using a good eyeshadow base or primer.

The purpose of a primer is to provide a barrier between the lid skin on the eye and the makeup products which often have irritating ingredients in them. Also, it is to smooth out the skin surface so that eyeshadow application is more smooth and flattering.

I saw a product advertised which claimed that that it not only is a fantastic primer, but a LIFTING primer which lifts the eye area and provides an even better surface for eyeshadow application.

WHAT IS TARTE LIFED NATURAL EYE PRIMER WITH FIRMATOL LIKE?

TARTE makes an eyeshadow primer called LIFTED- NATURAL EYE PRIMER with FIRMATOL. The primer comes in a container which is purple metallic and looks very much like mascara.

The applicator is a sponge applicator which brings out a little...
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Caprig says "A Trip To Reform School" about Diesel Fuel Life 75ML Eau De Toilette New Edt for Men

Caprig — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:22:19 GMT

There is this young man that I know that is very handsome. He is a male, however, and he is still young enough that he still struggles with the question of why he needs to shower every single day.

We finally got him to deal with that problem, when the topic of discussion became now, you have to wash your clothes after one wearing.

As things were beginning to hit a plateau, a certain sensitive boss at work went up to this aforementioned young man and told him that he needed to do something about this odor problem.

Silent prayers were offered to heaven in thanks for this breakthrough, and this certain young man began to take a bit more care in his personal hygiene.

One of the ways that he chose to try this, was to look for a scent that would compliment his body scent instead of fight with it, and that was no easy task.

He took me on a trip to Sephora and went through the entire store examining every scent carefully and even *I* a veteran shopper at Sephora was in awe of his shopping technique....
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Caprig says "Make Me Want To Eat Sushi" about Allen B. Dart Knee Jean

Caprig — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:40:37 GMT

I don't know about you, but finding a pair of jeans that is comfortable and actually PRACTICAL is one of the most difficult quests that I could be on.

Either the jeans are too long, too short, too low, too big in the back, too tight in the thighs, you name it, that seems to be one of the problems with each pair that I try on.

I found a decent pair of jeans from the designer at JC PEnneys called ALLEN B. ALLEN B. is one of the new designers that JC Penneys has brought in to modernize their clothing offerings for misses and fashion conscious women.

Since I enjoyed my one pair of Allen B (except the weird belt loops), I thought that when I got a really nice gift certificate that I should try another pair.

When I was at the store, I tried on the jeans and was thrilled- they fit fine in the thighs, were not too long and seemed to be very comfortable. I hurried out the door to get home and rued that day since.

WHAT ARE DART KNEE JEANS LIKE?

ALLEN B. DART KNEE JEANS are really interesting. ...
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Caprig says "007 of Lipgloss" about L'Oreal Colour Juice Lip Gloss

Caprig — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:18:11 GMT

I used to be a big customer at LANCOME years ago. The JUICY TUBES were some of the nicest products out there. They moisturized, gave some decent color and had non-offensive flavor/fragrances.

There was a collection out that I LOVED. It was called the POP collection. I totally adored some of the colors in that collection and they sold out very quickly. The colors were perfect for me, and I wanted to get as many as I could before they were gone.

A few months later, I was walking through a CVS store and saw a huge display called POP and Lo and Behold, it was LOREAL COLOUR JUICE with direct copies of the exact same colors of many of those in the LANCOME collection.

I purchased one of each (it was buy one get one free) and was pleasantly surprised that the formula was the same or better in quality for a lot less money. When compared with the LANCOME counterparts- they were identical (the colors that appeared to be the same anyway). Wow, LOREAL COLOUR JUICE was like LANCOME JUICY...
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Caprig says "Leper Lips - a Small Price to Pay to Look Good" about L'Oreal Glam Shine

Caprig — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:56:45 GMT

I have been using L'OREAL GLAM SHINE since it first came out some years ago. The colors that were offered at first were nice, but then over time some really great colors came out that made my clock tick.

L'OREAL GLAM SHINE is quite emollient. It has a faint artificial berry flavor to it, but it is not sticky at all. I would say that it is more slippery and lubricating than it is sticky or gummy.

It is hard to describe GLAM SHINE from LOREAL in an overall category because each color is different and performs differently.

I can say that my favorite colors are FUSION (650 berry pink with aqua shimmer), Prima Donna (nude with silver shimmer #110) , and DIVA (700 dark berry color with lots of silvery shimmer).

WHAT IS GLAM SHINE LIKE?

L'Oreal GLAM SHINE comes in an hourglass shaped tube. The top screws on with a long doe foot applicator. I am not a big fan of this type of applicator, but in this case, it does apply a good amount of product. Some brands the doe feet do not apply much...
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Caprig says "Um It's That Cat Wearing a Dress in High Heels" about Stila Barbie Smudgepot Little Black Dress

Caprig — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:38:24 GMT

*SCRREEEECH!*

The girl in Sephora showing me around jumped and then laughed out loud.

* I JUST HAVE TO HAVE THIS!*

She continued to giggle as we looked at the different samples of STILA BARBIE SMUDGEPOTS. First there was Little Black Dress. Then Purple Pumps. Next to that Cobalt Clutch. And then another new one that had been recommended to me called Kitten. Gosh, so many pretty colors!

I was gazing longingly at the two splotches of glittering eyeliner on my hand. One was a brilliant purple and the other one was black with reddish purple glitter in it. The beautiful purple hued lights dancing off my hand was mezmerizing.

I continued to wander through the store bumping into people and displays while staring almost in a trance at the lovely colors dancing around my hand.

Finally I went up to the counter and asked one of the sales clerks to help me find these lovely eyeliners to purchase.

A few of the other sales associates came over and asked, "What IS that on your hand? It is...
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Caprig says "A Cross Between Perfect and Taupe- Um. PAUPE? PERPE?" about MAC Midnight Madness Mineralize Eye Shadow Holiday 2009

Caprig — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:28:19 GMT

Taupe. The word sends vibrations of earth shaking through some veins of the makeup world. There is something about the quest for the perfect taupe that sends a certain segment of the population into a frenzy.

MAC Smoke and Diamonds is one example- that sent a whole bunch of people into a quest that lasted a year until it was released once again.

Then there was the infamous COCO pigment. There are STILL people who clamor for a small jar of that from anyone that will sell it to them.

One of the things that I have learned about taupe makeup is that it only fits a certain group of people well, but when it fits- it really looks AMAZING.

One of my favorite colors of all time was a MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW DUO from MAC called EARTHLY RICHES. The only problem with it was that the texture was such that it had to be applied with a damp brush on an eyeshadow base to make it stick at all.

EARTHLY RICHES made the eyes truly pop when doing a smokey eye and I found the colors to work well on many...
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Caprig says "From Purple Dirt to this- IT'S A MIRACLE!" about MAC It's A Miracle Mineralize Eye Shadow MAC Holiday

Caprig — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:05:01 GMT

One of the things that I have enjoyed about the MAC company is that they put out something that they have referred to as MINERALIZE products. These are domed cakes of baked mineral containing eyeshadow or other products which give a different sort of finish than the traditional products that MAC has put out.

The MINERALIZE eyeshadows have been very beautiful in the past, despite them having to be used wet to get any kind of good performance out of them.

This year, MAC has released some very pretty MINERALIZE EYE SHADOWS for HOLIDAY 2009 (Magic Mischief and Mirth I think it is called). This time, they have changed the texture to be much more user friendly.

WHAT IS IT'S A MIRACLE MINERALIZE EYESHADOW LIKE?

IT'S A MIRACLE MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW is a beautiful burgundy color eye shadow. The texture is very shiny in the pan, but on the skin it is a lovely rich almost velvety look to it. For a metallic look, you just apply with a damp brush.

One side 2/3 of the pan is the burgundy color,...
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Caprig says "Okay, WHO PUNCHED THE PARROT???" about MAC Blue Sorcery Mineralize Eyeshadow MAC Holiday 2009

Caprig — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:23:15 GMT

PARROT!!! OMG YOU HAVE PARROT?????

I remember the days a few years ago or so that the most highly sought after eyeshadow from MAC cosmetics was Parrot.

The funny part is that I happened to be on the lookout for the *perfect* turquoise eyeshadow for years. I mean YEARS.

Either they were too faded, or too blue, or too green, not iridescent enough, burned, faded, disappered- gosh the list is long, but nothing was working for me.

What I wanted was in your face, iridescent peacock quality brilliant turquoise blue with lime green shimmer or something like that that did not burn, but went in intensely and lasted all day, was easy to blend, and that looked GREAT on me.

Not too much to ask, right?

Well, I happened to make a very rare trip to a MAC counter (we have no MAC anywhere near me) while on a short vacation weekend. I saw this turquoise color, bought it and also a blue turquoise shadestick to use under it, and I was very happy. Not totally happy, mind you, because I had to use them...
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Caprig says "Peppie Le Pew is a Perfect 10" about Clairol Perfect 10 Hair Color

Caprig — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:00:33 GMT

I have been doing hair for years. I mean, gosh, I have been doing hair since I was in high school. I remember my best friend sobbing because I told her that I was going to make her look like Farrah Fawcet and I did. PERFECTLY. Apparently she did not like Farrah, and it never occured to her that I would actually succeed with her hair in doing what I promised.

One of the people whose hair I work on regularly is a male who has been prematurely gray for a long time. He needs to maintain a darker haircolor for the workplace since there is a bit of a bigotry against gray hair and any other *aging* factor in the workplace.

I have used just about every hair dye out there at one time or another from professional to over the counter. I have not been very impressed with many of the brown hair dyes. They are often too brassy or too red in their composition. His hair is on the ashy side which you would think would dye up nicely, but for some reason, no matter what brown we put on him,...
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