Beauty Product Reviews

Pretty Well-Rounded Palette

NYX's limited edition Crimson Amulet Collection is an overall well-rounded palette. There's a nice arrangement of neutral and colorful eyeshadows (24), several shades of blush, a highlighter, several lip colors, a HD Eyeshadow Base and a Liquid Liner, all packaged in a book-like palette with a mirror and snap closure.

Eyeshadows - A mixed bag of textures and pigmentation, though overall nice quality. The matte shades seem a bit softer than the shimmer shades, though they're all pretty soft so there's some fallout to be had. Each shade applied smoothly, blended well, and wore all day and night when placed atop a primer.

Blushes & Highlighter - There's a nice array of blushes, ranging from a natural baby pink to a rich, bold raspberry. There aren't any peach shades - they're all varying shade of pink with blue or yellow undertones. Each shade was nicely pigmented, blended well, and wore all day and night with minimal fading. The highlight shade is a chalky off-white with subtle shimmer. I didn't find it offered any luminosity, but I did find a use for it as a brow highlight!

Lip Colors - Really surprised me with their phenomenal pigmentation! There are four, which are a bold, blue-toned fuchsia, a yellow-toned carnation pink, a bright blue-toned pink (think OCC's Narcissus Lip Tar), and a neutral beige-nude with a hint of peach. They're incredibly creamy, ultra-pigmented, and lay evenly on the lips without drying or settling. Each shade wore for a respectable four hours.

The Base & Liner - The base didn't perform well for me, but I have oily lids and the only primer that has worked for me is TFSI. Despite its inability to uphold my shadows, it slightly evens out the veining on my lids, but it takes a while to dry. The Liquid Liner is jet black with a nice shine, and is a brush tip. It's surprisingly easy to control (I'm not that skilled with brush tips), and I can create both thin or thick lines without error. It, too, takes a while to dry, so I don't recommend immediately following with your curler. Once it dries down, though, it doesn't transfer or fade.

Noticeable Long-Lasting Results

Sibu's Repair & Protect, along with my cleanser and toner, has cleared up my acne-prone skin, prevented future breakouts, and has evened out my skin tone. It's a miracle in a bottle!

Repair & Protect is packaged in a glass bottle with a pump. It's space-saving and hygenic, and one pump is plenty. One bottle has lasted me an entire year, and this is with daily application! It has a light citrus scent that dissipates quickly once on the skin. It absorbs quickly, too, and doesn't leave behind any residue.

I've noticed a substantial improvement to my skin's appearance - it's smoother, more even, and clear. I love that it's all-natural and cruelty-free, and I will definitely be re-purchasing when the time comes!

A Must-Try for Acne-Prone Skin!

I've tried many a toner in my day and still struggled with blemishes, uneven skin tone, and excess oil. That was until I incorporated Neutrogena's Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner into my routine!

It has a delightful, yet subtle, cucumber scent that doesn't linger on the skin for long. It doesn't burn or sting the skin, and it effectively clears up existing acne while preventing further breakouts. Not only does it keep my skin clear, but it (along with the other products in my routine, I'm sure) has helped to even out my skin tone and reduce my facial redness. I've noticed my oily skin isn't as oily, though I wouldn't call it oil-controlling.

I almost immediately noticed an improvement in my skin once I began using this product, and I'm not on my third bottle. It continues to deliver after all this time. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an inexpensive, yet amazing toner.

Comparable to Benefit They're Real Mascara (But Better!)

(In shade Blackened Brown.)

First, let me spoil this review by saying I absolutely love this mascara. I've since tried two other mascaras and I keep coming back to 3D PhotoReady Volume. This was even the mascara I used for my wedding look!

The wand is much like Benefit's They're Real Mascara with the rubberized wand and round tip bristles. However, I didn't get any volume from Benefit's They're Real, and it pulls the curl from my lashes. Revlon's 3D PhotoReady Volume Mascara provides volume, lift, separation, and length, without pulling the curl from my lashes and all while still looking very natural. It's easy to apply to lower lashes, too, thanks to that rounded tip.

The formula is just right - not too wet, not too dry, and it doesn't smudge or flake. It wears perfectly for the 12-16 hours I typically wear my makeup. It isn't difficult to remove with a makeup removing cleanser.

I really haven't found any qualities I dislike about this mascara. I highly recommend giving it a try, especially if you're looking for that does-it-all mascara that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

Revlon's 3D PhotoReady Volume Mascara can be found wherever Revlon products are sold (drugstores, super stores such as Target or Walmart, ULTA, etc.), online via <a href='http://drugstore.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>drugstore.com</a> and <a href='http://ULTA.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>ULTA.com</a>, and retails for around $8.99. There are three shades available, including Blackened Brown.

(For my blog review, swatches, and other photos, please follow through here: <a href='http://www.neutrakris.com/2012/03/revlon-photoready-3d-volume-mascara-in.html' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>http://www.neutrakris.com/2012/03/r...</a>)

Fantastic Quality, Affordable, Large Color Selection & Finishes

I purchased these during one of many BH Cosmetics sales - I got the 6 color palette and filled it with a warm and cool shade of each finish. They are all phenomenal quality - incredibly pigmented, non-chalky, easily blendable, and long-wearing!

The pan sizes are the same as MAC, so the shadows will fit into a MAC palette and vice versa. BH Cosmetics doesn't use shade names, but use numbers and a lettering system that matches whether it's a cool or warm shade, and which finish it is. I will definitely be purchasing more of these singles!

In regards to the palette, there are divots around the edges of the pan slot so you can easily remove your shadows. The mirror spans the entire lid of the palette, and both the mirror and actual palette have a nice weight to them.

I recommend purchasing one, especially if you visit during a sale.

-- Image shows shades BHWM20, BHCM15, BHCS16, BHWS05, BHMS05, and BHMM20.

SuperSHOCK Eyeliner in Metallic Teal

I have to agree with Leanne - mine was terribly dry! After numerous dips I had this skipped, not-fluid line, and don't even try applying this to your waterline.

While Cici says she had to add product to make it work, I don't feel like a product should need any assistance, especially having to mix it with something else to get it to do what it's supposed to do. I'm not saying it needed to be more pigmented, or more long-wearing, but you should at least be able to *apply* it!

Of all the Avon products I've tried thus far, this was the most disappointing. I'd skip it, and try one of their superior quality products like their Ultra Color Rich Lipsticks!

-- Photo attached is after multiple re-dips.

High-End Quality, Drugstore Price Tag

I have both Wineberry and Wink, and these lipsticks have quickly jumped to the top of my favorites chart! The packaging is sleek, complete with engraved "Avon" lettering on the lipstick a la Chanel.

Both shades were intensely pigmented, and creamy, requiring just the lightest hand to deposit premium color on the lips. Since they're so pigmented, they wear for several hours (4-6 depending on how much I'm drinking or if I've eaten). They're moisturizing, don't settle into the lines in my lips, and both shades provide a subtle sheen for a semi-glossy finish (both shades are satin finishes).

Of the two shades, "Wink" is my favorite, and reminds me a lot of MAC's LE "Ever Hip" that released in the Fashionflower Collection. It's very much a Spring/Summer shade - flirty, feminine, and easily wearable for any skin tone.

"Wineberry" is nice, too, though it's a blue-based burgundy, so it doesn't entirely suit my fair ivory skin tone. It's not unwearable, but it's not a shade I typically reach for. I think darker skin tones than I will enjoy this shade more, and will appreciate it's daytime to nighttime look.

At just $7 per lipstick regularly-priced, they're quite the steal - the quality is superb! Even better, when they're on sale, you can snag them for about $3.99! (At the time of this review they're $3.99 and there's a free shipping promo going on!) There are over 30 shades in a variety of finishes (matte, satin, metallic, etc.), so you're sure to find something that suits you!

Blonde B04

I purchased this product when it was on sale during my first Avon haul, and I'm quite impressed! The pigmentation is almost exact to my natural brow color, and it lasts all day and night when set with a clear gel. The only thing I don't like is it's a bit rough, and if you're not gentle, you'll find you'll pull out some brow hairs as you're going along.

Other than that, the color is buildable, so you can have a bold a brow (or not as bold) as you prefer, and the price is extremely reasonable, especially when it's on sale!

883 Smoky - Runny, Faded, and Disappointing.

I purchased this product after having read a rave review here on Beautylish, as I would've otherwise passed since I don't experiment much with waterproof products. Sadly, this product did not perform for me.

The felt tip is hard, and sometimes hurts my lid. The formula is runny, the pigmentation is poor, and while it delivers on its waterproof claim, it just doesn't come off! I tried baby wipes, Almay Makeup Remover Pads, and even Urban Decay's Meltdown Makeup Remover, and I was still left with traces of eyeliner.

If you have to try a liquid eyeliner from Wet n' Wild, I recommend their Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliners. While they have a brush tip, they're much more pigmented, and they wear tremendously well, without being a pain to remove.

Phenomenal! (001 Pink Truffle)

Plainly put, this product is amazing!

I love the packaging (very Chanel-esque). The consistency is very smooth, creamy, yet lightweight. The Lip Butters have the pigmentation of a high-end lipstick, with the consistency and moisturizing benefits of a lip balm, and the shine of a lip gloss.

My only complaint is the wear, but for being a butter and not a lipstick, I guess they're on-point. I feel like they wear off easily through drinking, which is a bit of a pain.

Other than that, Revlon's Lip Butters are a must-try! I totally understand why they're selling out everywhere, and I do hope they're not Limited Edition.