Archive for the ‘Review’ Category

While making my weekly Whole Foods run, I decided to pop into the Walgreens next door to check out the Revlon Colorstay foundations. One of my trusted homies suggested the Revlon Colorstay as an affordable substitute for her fave Bobbi Brown foundation.  She informed me that she can wear white in peace because none of the foundation stains her clothes. Woohoo

The Walgreens’ store where I went did not have any color beyond Caramel, which some say is similar to MAC’s NC45 foundation.  Instead, I picked up the Revlon Custom Creations SPF 15 Foundation in Deep (Retails for $13.99.) According to the Revlon website, the foundation “offers five shade settings, making it easy to fine-tune your foundation shade for the perfect match.”  How many of us have mixed foundation to a create shade that is suitable for our complexions?  I know I have!! I think the concept is a great idea, but does not go far enough.  There needs to be a darker custom creation.  Maybe a (070) Revlon?? I am not railing against Revlon because the company does  sell foundations for darker-skinned women.

The Deep (060) shade works for me.  I use the 4.5 on the dial. For some reason, I found it difficult to press the button to release the foundation … almost broke my nail.  But really, that is a minor inconvenience.

I like this foundation … lightweight and looked natural. I would not replace my Makeup For Ever foundations for this foundation,  but I will add to my stash, specifically for running errands.

Overall Rating: 3.75
Price [Value]: 3.5
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? Yes

“If You Let Me Stay” by Terence Trent D’arby aka Sananda Maitreya

Neutrogena has proven that discount brands do care about the quality of products that are offered to the masses.  A recent post mentioned that Neutrogena wipes as one of the best make-up removers compared to discount and high-end brands.  Phyllis of Forty is the New 20 blog told me Neutrogena wipes were the best she had ever used.  I had to try them out and  yes, the wipes are good, especially at removing mascara and eyeliner.

Because of my positive experience with the wipes, I decided to try the Neutrogena Deep Clean Relaxing Nightly Cleanser

(6.7 fl oz [124 ml]), price is < $8.00 USD. The product is purple with mini beads.  Fortunately, the beads are not abrasive. The lather is foamy, which I like very much!

The first time I used the cleanser after a long day of wearing makeup. First, I cleansed my face with the Neutrogena wipes and washed my face with the deep clean cleanser twice.   My face did not tingle, which was a fear because I have somewhat sensitive skin.  My skin did feel quite clean.

Overall Rating: 4
Price [Value]: 4
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? Yes

I would definitely purchase the item again, even though I am not a huge fan of the scent.  The scent is not offensive, so some will enjoy it.

Mix Maven

I was introduced to the cosmetic brand,  FACE atelier via Specktra.net.  Some of the members loved the products, especially the foundations.  I was re-introduced to this brand at The Makeup Show in Los Angeles.  The Pro-Team was quite helpful. FYI: FACE atelier is the official makeup sponsor of Madonna’s Confessions Tour.

I was matched up to the Ultra Foundation PRO in Cocoa #10, which happens to be the darkest shade FA carries in the line.  FACE atelier needs to create darker shades because it is the right thing to do, BUT FA does offer products called Zero Plus and Zero Minus to foundation darker or lighter.  The foundation costs $30 for the size is a bit steep, but I love it.

I really like the coverage and the liquid does not burn or tingle my face like some other high-end brands. I love the fact the foundation is unscented. There is no SPF in the products, so users can always add the desirable number of SPF.

Sidebar: Use the Beauty Blender sponge for smooth application.  All beauty mavens  should be using the Beauty Blender and cleanser, which is the best EVER!!!

Face Atelier products can be found online as well as in salons and boutiques around the world. I wish that FACE Atelier was available in more stores.

Mix Maven

Recently, I decided to try the Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara, Black Velvet.  I had never used Max Factor mascara before, but I wanted to try it out.

I like this mascara lot.

The formula does not leave my lashes clumpy.  They looked quite plump and full after  two coats. I was pleased. Definitely worth the money. Sidebar: I am glad to see that you do not have spend $$$ to get lush lashes.  I definitely will re-purchase.

Early on my beauty experience, I only wore lipsticks and glosses. My favorite brand was Max Factor.  I loved the way the colors looked on my lips as well as how they felt when the color faded.  So, I decided to try the Max Factor Vivid Impact Lipstick in Rose Rage.

The application was smooth and even. The color is pigmented, so a little goes a long way. I love this shade because I believe any woman can wear this color and look tres fabulous.  Women of Color (WOC) have no fear, you will look gorgeous in this shade.

Some of the products used in this FOTD:

• Face Atelier Foundation
• MAC Natural MSF in Medium Deep
• MAC Melon Pigment
• Urban Decay Secret Service matte e/s
• Too Faced George and Weezie e/s duo
• L’Oreal HiP Color Rich Cream Eyeliner in Black
• MAC Petticoat MSF

Mix Maven

I have been totally obsessed with obtaining Pink eye shadow (e/s) for the last few months.  In the past, I have poo-pooed the thought of any WOC (women of color) using pink eye shadow on the lid because I felt like it did not work.

You are probably thinking “when did this change of heart occur with Pink e/s?” The Heatherette for MAC! The Heatherette Trio 2 included a light pink, a grape purple and midtone pink.  I got the Trio #1 instead because I love any shade of teal. But then, I noticed many Heatherette Trio #2 WOC FOTDs on Specktra.

During the early part of the summer, I realized  that I needed to have the Heatherette trio #2 in my collection.  I searched high and low for the Trio, but I could not find it, so I was on the hunt for mid-tone pinks.

To date I have:

• Urban Decay Hot Pants – Smooth and wonderful.
• MAC Sunset B – The right shade, lustre-like (which is not good), but definitely works with some paint pots and NYX jumbo eye pencils
• NYX Dolly Pink - too much fall out, seems to work well with NYX jumbo eye pencils
• Pink Too Faced Shadows – Wonderful and smooth, the color payoff is strong.  Definite must haves! Check out Swatch Gallery for images.
• Nouba single e/s 51 - Bright Pink shadow is a must have. The texture is smooth and the color payoff is strong as well.  (Sidebar: I have a few of the Nouba products, an Italian cosmetics brand, and I really like the stuff I have.  The price is comparable to MAC, but I have found a website that offers discount prices on the brand)
• Bourjois Shimmering Shine Eye Shadow in Rose Electron - I have only swatched it on my hand and the liquid eye shadow is quite brilliant and I cannot wait to wear it
• Korres Pink e/s – Looks like a soft silvery pink on me.
• Pop Eye Cakes in Bright Pink – The texture and color payoff are fine, but I think with a good eye shadow base, the pinks will sing.

(All products are MAC unless stated)

Face

• MSF Dark
• NYX Concealer in Nutmeg

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• L’Oreal De-Crease Base
• Nice Vice Paint Pot
• L’Oreal Cream Rich Crayon Adventurous
• Nouba Single e/s  51 (Bright Pink) on lid
• Korres Pink e/s (inner corner)
• Nouba Single e/s 24 (Midnight Charcoal) in crease
• Black Ore Solar Bits (in crease)
• Tan side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Adventurous (highlighter)
• L’Oreal Naturale Mascara in Black
• Too Faced Foiled Liner – Black Beauty

Cheeks

Warmed MSF

Lips

• Sweet Tooth T/T
• Cyber l/s
• NYX Narcissus l/s

You still have time to support the Total Beauty – Total Cure Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

Hey Pumps and Gloss-ers,

Please add Purely Cosmetics to my list of favorite brands.

Purely Cosmetics is a mineral cosmetics company based in California.  The owner, Robyn, is a mentch (just for you, Robyn).  She sent me a few samples of the new, limited edition Cream To Powder Shadows.  I absolutely love them.  The shadows are solid, yet soft.  The shadow has staying power and highly blendable. Some have compared it to MAC’s Paint Pots, but I think the Cream To Powder Shadows are better than Paint Pots *gasp* and I love Paint Pot as a shadow base, but not as shadow. The shadows glide on the eyelid with no streaking and the color payoff is strong.  I tell you, I am in love.

In the FOTD below, I used the Cream to Powder shadow as base and shadow.

I created this look for church, a very soft and sassy look.  *Yes, you can be slightly sassy for church* lol

Face

• NC 50/NW 43 Studio Tech Foundations
• NYX Concealer in Nutmeg

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• L’Oreal De-Crease
• Nice Vice Paint Pot
• Too Faced Heiress e/s
• Knight Divine e/s (hint of)
• Purely Cosmetics’ Cream To Powder Shadow in Slate Blue
• Femme Fi e/s
• L’Oreal Naturale Mascara in Black
• Barry M kohl liner in Navy Blue

Cheek

• Gleeful Mineralized Blush
• Porcelain Pink MSF

Lips

• Pucker Tendertone
• MoonBathe Honeymoon l/s

Please get the Limited Edition Cream To Powder Shadow duos and/or palettes, you will be very pleased.  The price is definitely right, so if I were you, I would get 3 of each color.

Overall Rating: 5
Price [Value]:5
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? Is a HECK YA sufficient

Mix Maven aka Mix Meyven