Beauty Product Reviews | Page 4

bardot in a bottle

I could go through a bottle a week and have the most amazing looking hair in the world. It instantly lifts and gives a TON of effortless looking volume without feeling sticky or heavy. For extra lift, I like to hold my hair upwards at the crown and bounce it while spraying it. Back comb just a tiny bit at the root and it's styled all through the day even in San Francisco's downtown wind tunnels.

Instant Twiggy lashes

This mascara truly pulls each lash to it's maximum length while not weighing them down despite it's glossy, rich formula. It evenly coats lashes and allows for multiple coats without clumping. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I've been using this for about 2 months now as it promises growth but you really get a true "twiggy like" doe eyed lashes with minimal effort.

Truly is "botox in a bottle"

I feel like the claim of "botox in a bottle" has been a catch phrase of every new skincare product since the 90's. However, this is truly "it." I highly recommend letting the serum truly absorb into the skin for a good 5-10 minutes before applying moisturizer, however, during that time you will feel your skin physically tighten and lift. I can't say for sure if this is a permanent effect but I can say upon washing my face at night, my skin does seem to remain tighter, and pores more refined.

Way more product than you think

I can go on and on about how this made my extremely sensitive skin as smooth as a baby's bottom with zero irritation or redness, however, I'd like to focus this review more on a great lesson learned from my experience with it. As someone who uses Dr. Dennis Gross' Alpha Beta Hydroxy Pads on a daily basis, I was taken aback on why there would be so few tubes. However, lesson learned when I excitedly popped off the top tossed it in the trash, and began my facial. I used about 1/8th of the tube for my entire face and neck and shortly after realized that I couldn't let this [literally precious] product go to waste so I decided to see how it'd work on my arms where I suffer from Keratosis Pilaris which had flared up in the cold weather. Anyone with KP knows how impossible it is to really smooth out but one treatment did the trick. So, in the end, for me the product did not go to waste and I had a new discovery, however, for everyone else out there...I have also since discovered that you can you can use the caps to reseal the tubes by turning them around and pushing the rounded end in firmly. A good 8 uses per tube which makes about 32 uses or so; even less than Dr Gross' daily peels. Not a bad deal.

A foundation that actually wears better throughout the day

I like to sometimes imagine myself as a rich 70-something year old woman, indulging in the fanciest of products and an amazing rich lifestyle. Realistically I'm a 20-something girl living in an urban environment running around with the hustle and bustle of the city which in most cases will lead more to the lifestyle of the 70 year old woman on the subway carrying a bad attitude to match her skin. That being said, it's extremely important to me to use only the best products that my future 70 year old self would approve of. Sure, it has a hefty price tag but it's worth it. Despite it feeling like silk on the skin, and knowing of it's anti-aging benefits, it literally blurs any imperfections (for me, pores, fine lines) and for you fair-skinned ladies, there is a color that is a perfect match for you. The best part? As I'm running around town, my foundation seems to actually look better throughout the day. I don't know how that could possibly be, but it's true. Ask any of the haggard 70 year old ladies on the train late night tonight...she'll vouch for me and might just get a bottle herself.

Like a second skin

Apparently, I'm a foundation hoarder, but I didn't realize it until recently. You see, working at Beautylish HQ, questions around what our customers want/need are often asked. The questions that were raised in a meeting one day were "Why would someone need more than one foundation? Who buys new foundation when they're already happy with the one they're using?" I didn't know how to answer...DId I have a problem? Or was I just in search of what can always be better? After finally trying RCMA, I think it's the latter. Some may see it as a foundation addiction where I see it as refining one's palette (no pun intended).

I followed all the application techniques and mixed what I thought to be my (incredibly difficult to match) base which was a mix of KA-2-3, using a wet beautyblender in a spackling motion. My first thoughts were "this doesn't really have all the coverage it's hyped up to have!" It didn't feel heavy like a foundation, didn't apply streaky like a foundation and more importantly I didn't SEE it on my skin. So I applied more. I still couldn't feel nor see it and even looked at my sponge to make sure it was picking up product. Yep, the pink of the sponge was in fact covered.

The funniest thing happened minutes later, though...I have a tiny beauty mark near my chin and I noticed it was covered. Hmm...I then looked closer in natural light and all surface redness was gone, too. DUH! The reason I couldn't SEE it was because it ACTUALLY MATCHED. The reason I couldn't feel it? Because it's super lightweight and doesn't cake on. SOLD.

A true gem in any brush collection

I owned Wayne's collection for some time now and like any of his sets, I feel that everyone has a natural gravitation to their favorites that are tried and true at this point. Since the 04 was so perfect for my semi-hooded eye in the crease, I didn't really find use for the 05 and it collected it's share of [very colorful, sparkly] dust sitting on my vanity over time. However, one day I decided to go wild and try it out for a really defined smokey eye look. To my surprise, not only was I able to achieve this look but the brush became a coveted staple that will always be a part of my even 10 minute daily routine.

SInce the bristles are so soft, no matter how pigmented the shadow you are using is, it sweeps without dodging on the lid, and because the brush is so controlled, there is no fallout.

Another fear when using detailing brushes is the color going on too strong...I simply don't have 30 minutes to dedicate to blending, sorry. But I was again pleasantly surprised that due to how tapered the brush is, it blends on it's own for a clean, defined, quick (not rushed) look.

Brilliant concept

I'm a die hard Sensual Skin Enhancer user so when I saw a liquid based foundation I was intrigued but didn't think it would give me the coverage that I need. Much like the Sensual Skin Enhancer, there is definitely a learning curve to using the product, so let me start by saying this isn't a lazy girl's foundation. You MUST prep the skin; cleanse, tone, moisturize and prime. Once you have a clean canvas, the foundation glides on like silk and you have a really clean, polished look. I'll also mention that the colors are really unique from other KA foundations...they have a broader undertone range which is great so I definitely recommend getting a Beautylish consult to find your color :)

Ultimate classic blue red lipstick

This shade has been the missing red since the 1950's. For red lovers, I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from in saying that, too. Want that perfect red Marilyn Monroe Pout with pearly whites? Sure, there's MAC's Ruby Woo...but WHY has NO other company achieved this level of perfection in a red for over 60 years? It's mind boggling until you realize the genius that is "So Charlotte" and her thought process over every shade

All of her shades are SO WELL thought out. The nudes do not wash you out or look muddy while the reds are so bold and brilliant in color, with it's cool blue base making it perfect for any skin tone, and making those pearly whites brighter.

**Tip: The color is super moisturizing so it takes about 10 minutes to dry, however, Charlotte's Lip Cheats are waterproof, so just finish with a little of her Lip Cheat in Kiss ' N' Tell (also blue based) and you're good for the day!

High Pigment, Never Creases

Having semi-hooded eyes, I'm always a bit hesitant when it comes to cream eyeshadows. However, the vibrancy of the color swayed me to give it a shot. Not only did the color and shine stay put all day with absolutely no creasing, the ease of application is amazing.

Ttp: This baby dries quick. While this is great so I don't have to sit with my eyes closed for more than 5 minutes, you literally have about 20 seconds of playing time to blend it out. My suggestion is to blend out with your finger and follow with a loose pigment such as Sugarpill Goldilux (<a href='http://www.beautylish.com/s/sugarpill-cosmetics-loose-eyeshadow-goldilux' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>http://www.beautylish.com/s/sugarpi...</a>) to set it and blend it out.