Reviews about Misc. Cosmetics

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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ApriBambino says "mark Go With The Pro Mini Brush Kit, a beauty gift she'll love." about mark Go With The Pro Mini Brush Kit

ApriBambino — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:40:57 GMT

mark Go With The Pro Mini Brush Kit

First off let me say that mark is a hip, contemporary line of beauty and skincare products and it's a member of the Avon company.

I enjoy using makeup brushes but hate carrying around full-size tools like a blush brush or shadow applicator. I saw this cute little set on the meetmark.com website and just had to have it.

The chic soft faux leather black case with pink trim is perfectly sized to hold all the tools you need to 'do up' your entire face on the fly. Inside are 5 sized-right very functional brushes which include the following..

A full head soft bristle Powder brush measuring 4" long, can also be used to apply blush.
A Taklon Concealer brush at 3.75 inches long.
An full Eye Shadow brush at 3.5 inches long, great for achieving a smudgy smokey-eye look.
A Lip Color applicator brush at 3.75 inches long. If you don't use a lip brush this can certainly be repurposed as an eye liner brush too...just a thought.
An Eye Liner brush at 3.75 inches...

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this2shallpass19 says "Mineral Fusion Kabuki Brush provides great coverage!" about Mineral Fusion Kabuki Brush

this2shallpass19 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:39:10 GMT

When I worked at Whole Foods Market, I was the body care buyer, so it was my job to buy the products that stocked the shelves. We decided to bring in a brand-new line of all natural make-up called Mineral Fusion, and I am so glad I did. Their products are not only all natural, but not tested on animals and loaded with antioxidants that are good for your skin.

I have been using my Mineral Fusion Kabuki Brush for about a year and a half now and it is still in great condition. Someone from the company told me that some of their brushes are made from squirrel fur, but I'm not sure if the Kabuki Brush is one of those. Their website does say that "no animal is killed for the sole purpose of making a brush".

I use Mineral Fusion Pressed Base, which is a mineral foundation compact. I swirl my Mineral Fusion Kabuki Brush in the powdered foundation and apply to my skin. This kabuki brush provides medium to full coverage. The bristles are soft and feel nice on the skin. ...

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morningangel513 says "Much better than the original!" about Bare Escentuals Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Refillable Buffing Brush with Mineral Veil

morningangel513 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:46:11 GMT

Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Refillable Buffing Brush with Mineral Veil is the newest version from Bare MInerals. The original brush, as read in other reviews, isn't that great.

This brush is a shiny new pinkish red color, supposedly limited edition, and comes prefilled with original mineral veil. I must admit, I was hesitant to buy this one because of the problems I had with the original black one. But, I went to Sephora and tried it out before buying. The powder comes out of the brush head much better and in a greater quantity than the original.

Like the original, this brush comes with the clear jar that screws into the bottom of the brush. It is already filled with original Mineral Veil. After twisting the bottom 'open' or a little past open, turn the brush upside down and give it a few good shakes and/or taps on your hand until you see powder on the tips of the brush. You can then apply it to your face, or turn the brush to the 'buff' position which brings the brush head down to a...

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ellen68 says "really covers " about almay almay bright eyes concealer

ellen68 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:38:10 GMT

It's been a journey to find make up that actually works and stays on for the duration of the day. I had been using another brand of concealer but was not happy with the results as it took many layers to cover the dark inner eye circles. I was on an exploration into new untried products when I came across Almay Bright Eyes Concealer. I bought this during a time when the dark circles seem to be worse than usual so it was the perfect timing for a new test product. The results were awesome compared to what I had been using. It was not complete coverage, but it undoubtedly did a far better job in covering the darkness of the circles. It did completely cover the red splotchy spots that I sometimes get on my cheeks. It not only covered the redness and toned down the darkness, but it did it without the cakey makeup build up that sometimes happens with concealer mixed with foundation and finishing powder.

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ApriBambino says "Conditions lashes & brows, making them stronger and fuller." about Ardell Ardell Brow & Lash Accelerator Treatment Gel

ApriBambino — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:53:43 GMT

Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator

I can't believe it took me this long to review this long-time favorite beauty staple that I've been using for about five years. I like to curl my lashes and I try a lot of different mascaras, removing them can be difficult depending on the brand/formula; this can wreak havoc with lashes causing them to become brittle, break and fall out. I would try other things like olive or baby oil on them, even Vaseline which I'm not a fan of but they would only cause my eyes to become blurry & puffy and did nothing for my lashes except make them oily and wet looking.

When I found this product, I was sceptical that I'd see little to no results but boy was I wrong. First off let me say, it's not an expensive lash treatment, I usually find it for around $5.00 and on sale for about $3.99. It's loaded with lash conditioning proteins like Panthenol, Soy and Wheat which help hydrate and plump the hairs.

It's to be applied to clean lashes and/or brows overnight...

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Caprig says "I was ATTACKED in Sephora" about Tarte Treasure Chest Limited Edition Holiday Palette

Caprig — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:33:39 GMT

Feeling housebound for three weeks, I just HAD to get out.

I looked desparingly at my eyeshadow drawer. There sat a beautiful eyeshadow trio that I loved to look at, but I just could not wear on my eyes. I figured since I had to go out somewhere, I might as well return it where I got it at Sephora and have some store credit to have fun with.

I had been saving up my Sephora gift cards and store credits, for the last year for such a time as this. I really wanted to get something special but could not come up with a lot of extra cash to do so.

Some people had told me that I needed to get the Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume II. I did not have time to do much playing so I went into Sephora, grabbed the BOOK OF SHADOWS VOLUME II from URBAN DECAY and then I went up to the counter to exchange and pay for this new acquisition.

When the sales associate began to ring up the whole transaction suddenly we both jumped up when someone said loudly, "NO! DON'T BUY THAT!"

Now a little intuition...

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Jo says "Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brus" about Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush

Jo — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:33:43 GMT

This is the last review of my Bare Escentials kit in which I got three brushes. The one I am now reviewing is the Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush.

Pros

I use the Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush exclusively for my Bare Escentuals Warmth All Over Face Color.

The brush is small coming in at 4 3/4 inches with the tapered bristles being 1 1/2 inches. The overall smaller brush (versus the Full Flaweless Brush) makes putting on my Warmth easy. I don't get as much color on the brush as I would with a larger one. I dab the Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush into the pot of Warmth and sweep my cheeks. I find the bristles to be soft (made of goat hair) and if I have put too much color on my face the brush is the perfect size to sweep the color over my entire face giving me a bronze look.

You can, of course, use this brush for any application. I just learned from the salesperson at Sephora to use the brushes in the way I have described in other reviews...

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this2shallpass19 says "I don't like their make-up, but the brush is nice!" about Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush

this2shallpass19 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:58:33 GMT

I have a Mineral Fusion Kabuki Brush for my applying my mineral foundation, but that brush is designed for medium to full coverage, so I needed a brush that would provide less coverage for my blush and bronzer. I found a brand-new Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush on eBay for only $8.00 instead of the retail price of $22.00.

I absolutely do not like Bare Escentuals Foundation or Mineral Veil, but their Flawless Application Face Brush is very nice. the handle is relatively short, for easy application. The bristles are tapered so that the bristles at the very end of the brush are the longest and they slowly taper to shorter bristles.

Their website says that this brush provides "light to medium coverage" and I agree. It is perfect for applying blush and bronzer and would not provide enough coverage for mineral foundation. This brush is made with high-quality materials because it almost never sheds bristles and the hardware is holding up nicely. I am glad I bought...

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Caprig says "Blot Me Out with Spring " about Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush

Caprig — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:51:06 GMT

I have been an artist for years now, and one thing I have learned is that when it comes to brushes- it is best to get high quality (remember, I said QUALITY not PRICE) and get brushes that will do the job well.

I had been pretty well set with my brush collection when a dear friend sent me a surprise gift bag in the mail. The bag was loaded with a ton of Bare Escentuals products including all of the brushes. I did not have much regard for the quality of Bare Escentuals products until I began to mess around with the MAXIMUM COVERAGE CONCEALER BRUSH.

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM COVERAGE CONCEALER BRUSH LIKE?

One thing I particularly look for in a brush is a good spring. When working with synthetic brushes, having a good springback is important especially when applying makeup in precise locations.

The BARE ESCENTUALS MAXIMUM COVERAGE CONCEALER BRUSH is 5 inches long from tip to tip. The actua bristles are 3/4 inches long and are in the filbert shape (which means rounded tip). The edge...

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ApriBambino says "Avon Be Blushed gives natural looking subtle color to cheeks" about Avon Be Blushed Cheek Color

ApriBambino — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:35:37 GMT

Avon Be Blushed Cheek Color

For years I've used powder blush, mineral blush and gel blush with so-so results. Never wanting to try stick blush as I'd heard bad things about how it streaked, faded and didn't blend well at all, I never gave it a second thought.

Enter Avon and their summer cosmetic sale (yes I'm a sucker what can I say), dipping my toes into something different I purchased the Blushing Nude shade as the most natural choice for summer wear.

Avon Be Blushed Cheek Color has a light powder/cream consistency that blends very well when applied it to moisturized skin. I liked what I saw and felt as It blended on smoothly and looked very natural, kind of lit from within. Having combination skin I was surprised the color lasted all day and I only had to touch up a bit just as a refresher before heading out for a quick bite with the hubby. I've since purchased the Golden Rose, a pretty glowy but not sparkly subtle pink shade. a bit more glam for evening but everyday wearable...

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Loriel13 says "Concealer that does what it's name implies!" about Kat von D Concealer

Loriel13 — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:39:31 GMT

As the Sephora.com page for the Kat von D Concealer states: this is a heavy-duty, highly pigmented, transfer-resistant and water resistant concealer. It is oil-free - which is a HUGE bonus.

Every other concealer I have ever tried has ended up floating of a layer of oil and sweat produced by my skin during the working day. So, when I use the phone, I leave sticky face prints on it, when I change clothes, the makeup transfers to the clothes (which is usually impoosible to remove), and it looks streaky and chalky.

Not so with Kat's new product. I didn't buy it to cover tats, even though I have 2, but to cover up the dark circles under my eyes that are a gift to me from my DNA and accentuated by each additional birthday. I also have a reddish cast to my nose and lower cheeks due to lupus (an autoimmune medical condition).

I gave up on trying to find concealers after the miracle of the mineral concealer was announced a few years ago. It resulted in the same condition I described above,...

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BayouBengal says "The Body Shop Is Awesome, Especially the 75% Off Sale!" about The Body Shop Bath and Body Products

BayouBengal — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:12:12 GMT

The Body Shop is one of my favorite stores. I'm one to pick up just about anything in the store to try it out. At The Body Shop I can try out most products in the store before buying. This saves me money sometimes. I've rarely bought something from The Body Shop that I decided after getting it home that I didn't like it. So what all do they have?

The Body Shop

The Body Shop is a retail store that sells bath and body products, makeup and skin care products for the most part. The unique thing about The Body Shop is that their products are made from natural ingredients. Those "natural ingredients" are purchased through trade agreements in third world countries.

Why does this matter, you may ask? First of all, it gives a disadvantaged community an income and money coming in that they normally would not have.

The prices are a bit on the high side when purchased at regular price. However, there is always something on sale. I always stock up when they have the 75% off sale....

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Jo says "Bare Escentuals Concealer Brush works like magic" about Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush

Jo — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:56:44 GMT

I never knew a brush could do what Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush does. $20.00 may seem like a lot of money for a makeup brush but this isn't just any makeup brush. It truly is a concealer. Used with my Bare Escentuals Foundation which I put on after Bare Escentuals Primer it works like a charm.

The brush is tapered and very narrow. Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush measures close to 5" but the bristles are only about 3/4" long.

The Brush can be used before or after putting on your foundation. I use it after. This is what I do. I apply my Foundation with my Full Flawless Face Brush. I then take the Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush and dip it into the foundation. I dot on the foundation on areas I want to cover and they magically disappear better than any concealer I have every used. I apply it (as I was told to do in Sephora) where my marionette lines would be if I had them as well. On some areas I spread the Foundation on; other areas...

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ApriBambino says "LOVE this Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Buki Brush, it's SO soft" about Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush

ApriBambino — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:49:15 GMT

Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush

How do I love thee oh Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Kabuki Brush, let me count the ways. I've been using Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation for a long time and I love it; the ONLY way to get perfect coverage and a soft natural look is to use this brush, hands down.

The bristles are packed full so it's not a skimpy,flimsy brush that barely applies anything at all. The softness it imparts on the skin is fabulous, it's like a velvety kiss as you buff on the foundation, I find it soothing if not relaxing. Of course, as with any makeup and it's tool, you control the coverage you want but this will apply it perfectly and seamlessly so it looks like your skin but so much better.

This is an excellent quality brush and doesn't have that funky harsh glue smell so many do. I've cleaned mine with a mild baby shampoo solution and left it standing to dry so the bristles keep their shape, it works like a charm every time.

I received my brush in a TSV from...

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babygirl3171980 says "A liquid foundation Must Have!!" about Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

babygirl3171980 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:40:02 GMT

Okay, so my adorable little kittens completely DESTROYED my twenty dollar Beauty Blenders. Both of them. I was browsing on the internet sometime after that when I happened to come across these! Pretty much the same as the beauty blender. The consistency of the foam is a little more durable, it seems. Almost like its a little firmer. Also, the point on this one is alot finer than the beauty blender. AND BEST OF ALL!!!! THE PRICE! 9.99, plus tax.
Pretty nifty, since I spent around twenty eight on two beauty blenders and the cleanser for them online somewhere. I used it a little while ago, and I actually like it more than the more expensive beauty blender. It got the corners of my eyes no problem, and the edges near my nose better than the other blender. Also the material seems a little less porous, and spongy than the BB. I liked that a lot more because it didn't seem to soak up my foundation like the BB did. It held onto it and applied it more evenly. The only complaint I read about online...

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janicea1 says "What a bargain!" about e.l.f. Cosmetics

janicea1 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:42:28 GMT

I love e.l.f. products. Such a great price for such a great product. I use their foundation, powder, eye shadow, lip liner, bronzer, nail polish and blush. I save so much money that I can afford to splurge with my anti-aging products. I don't know how they sell their cosmetics so cheaply but I hope they never quit. They have products suited to every age and style. If you have a daughter getting ready to start wearing makeup - she can buy everything she needs for just a little money. Highly recommend!

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Jo says " Bare Escentuals Full Flawless Face Brush sweeps my face" about Bare Escentuals Full Flawless Face Brush

Jo — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:06:37 GMT

I got three brushes in the Bare Escentuals kit that I bought. I am reviewing them in the order that I use them. The order is based on the recommendation of a salesperson at Sephora. The first one is the Bare Escentuals Full Flawless Face Brush. Although it retails for $28.00 right now you can buy it at amazon.com for $9.00! (http://tinyurl.com/yejr3gw)

It is a cross between the original Flawless Face Brush and the Full Coverage Kabuki Brush. I have owned one make up brush and truly the Bare Escentuals Full Flawless Brush is excellent.

The Brush is considered a plush, full-tapered brush. The bristle part only measures about 1 3/4 inches and the handle measures 4 inches so it is a compact brush which is easy to tote.

How I use the Bare Escentuals Full Flawless Face Brush

I first put on my Bare Escentuals Primer.

I then take my Bare Escentuals Foundation and sprinkle some in the lid of the package in which it comes. I was told to make sure that the make up was not visible but that it...

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mzokoe says "Great value for these cosmetics!" about e.l.f. Cosmetics

mzokoe — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:14:22 GMT

I don't particularly have troublesome skin so I decided to try the ELF cosmetic line once when their studio line was on sale for half off. I got so many products for such little money!
I really like the mascara, it glides on smoothly and separates my lashes no problem!
I also bought several of the makeup remover wipes. These seem to work great and cost a lot less than more expensive drugstore brands.
I did have one of the products that gave me a little problem. The lip enhancer. It smells strongly of cinnamon which I suppose is what makes your lips "enhanced" after application.
Well it burned my lips and made me chapstick dependent for about 3 days to recover.
I bought 3 blushes, and the blush brush. All are great!
I even tried the mineral makeup (compare to bare minerals) and that seemed to work great also!
I would definitely buy from ELF cosmetics again and would recommend it to anyone who wants a great value!

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TaraLee says "For fruity free trade products look no further" about The Body Shop Bath and Body Products

TaraLee — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:29:55 GMT

The body shop was to my way of thinking one of the first, if not the first of the mall based (or big box if you will) bath and body products speciality shops. Granted it was first in only the higher end malls, including on in the Pittsburgh PA airport, but mall shopping none the less. It predated Bath and Body Works, and the bath product lines by Victoria's Secret, and the GAP etc.

The Body Shop has higher quality products than its imitators, and seems to use more natural ingredients. They are committed to not testing on animals, and using fair trade products, all positive things in my world.

Many of their products are directly responsible for me buying beauty products in obsessive fashion. Their Peppermint Foot Lotion, their Scent it your self Bath and Shower Wash, their dewberry oil for scenting said shower wash. I love their Vitamin E line, and think their body butters are quite fine. I would recommend their olive oil line, anything they make that smells like grapefruit and I think...

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