Archive for the ‘Product Reviews’ Category
Product Review: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
- Author: BeautyDiva
- Filed under: Product Reviews
Jul 4,2008
I was recently a bridesmaid in a good friend’s wedding (Congrats Meghan and Cade!). Before the big show, the bridal party descending on the makeup counters of Nordstroms to have our makeup done. I wasn’t wild about the look I was given (why do all makeup artists darken my brows to such freakish levels?!?) and amended it later on - ie, wiped half of it off to the point where my husband recognized me again. But there was one standout product that I liked so much, I ended up buying it and now use in in my daily beauty routine - Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wearing Gel Eyeliner.
A few years ago, I’d tossed out my eyeliner pencils in favor of powder and a slanted eyeliner brush. I liked the softer look better, it was easier to apply and didn’t show mistakes very easily. But lately, I’d been disappointed in how the shadow would wear off by the end of the day. I’ve always loved the look of liquid eyeliner, but never perfected it’s application well enough to use but only on special occasions. The look of this Gel Eyeliner was similar to a liquid, but looked slightly softer and didn’t require a super steady hand. The makeup artist showed me how to apply it with a tiny eyeliner brush and to make short steady strokes to achieve a natural looking line. She also chose the color Sepia Ink - a dark brown to go with my fairer skin and give me a natural look (and then yes - comically blacken my eyebrows so that you could see them coming from a mile away).
I love using the little pot of gel eyeliner. Despite it’s small size, it could last for years! I’m still getting used to applying it and have made some mistakes, but it’s a lot easier to clean up a smudge with a q-tip than to have to remove the immediate permanence of liquid eyeliner and have to start from scratch. I definitely recommend using a clean tiny brush to help the application easier. You can also go with a thin line for day and add a little oomph to it for a more dramatic evening look.
What do you think of this eyeliner? Any tips for making the application go on smoothly?
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Product Review: Avon ANEW Ultimate Contouring Eye System
- Author: BeautyDiva
- Filed under: Product Reviews
Jul 2,2008
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - Avon has to have some of the most fun packaging designs for their products. Like their other systems that I’ve tried in the past, I was at first surprised that the system came in only one package. I’d look around for the other box for the other step in the system for a minute before realizing it was all packaged together.
The ANEW Ultimate Contouring Eye System contains a pot of rich eye cream, with a solid “elixir” packaged into the top. The cream is used in the morning and evening. In the evening you add the elixir after your put on the cream.
In the past I’d only used creams in the evening, preferring gels to prevent the oily look, or greasiness interfering with my eye makeup. This cream, while nice and rich neither left an oily residue nor interfered with my eye makeup - my concealor and eyeshadow stayed put just fine on top of it. I’ve only been using the system for a week, so I haven’t noticed any difference it fine lines, bags or dark circles, but the skin around my eyes is definitely a lot softer. The only drawback I’ve found is that the product stings a little if you get it in your eyes. Which you’d avoid anyways, since it’s intended for the skin around the eyes - but fingers sometimes slip.
Let us know if you’ve had a chance to use this product for a while and what you think of the results.
Beachproof Your Mani and Pedi
- Author: BeautyDiva
- Filed under: Product Reviews
Jul 1,2008
Check out these great “tips” from Neri Ortega, nail expert of Butterfly Studio Salon. She recommends the following for a long lasting, perfect manicure without chipping:
1. Following a hand massage, it is vital to clean the nail bed twice with acetone or acetone free nail polish remover to make sure that there are no emollients left on the nail- a clean, oil free nail bed is the most important part of a lasting manicure, as it creates a clean surface to begin on.
2. Continue with a protein based base coat- this is key in keeping polish from chipping. A strengthening treatment like OPI’s Nail Envy, works wonderfully to keep nails strong, and polish from chipping.
3. Following the application of polish, a good basic top coat is needed. Neri recommends Essie, and prefers classic top coats over “quick dry” as she finds that quick dry top coats tend to peel faster.
4. Pushing back cuticles rather than cutting them will also help a manicure last longer. To keep nail polish looking shiny and new, and cuticles from looking dull and ashy, she recommends a good cuticle moisturizer like Solar Oil- the oil treatment will multi-task to keep your manicure going for extra days.
Share your tips for a good looking, long lasting manicure by leaving a comment.
Product Review: Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation
- Author: BeautyDiva
- Filed under: Product Reviews
Jun 30,2008
Stila has a ton of great products and as you’ve probably noticed, is one of my favorite brands. I was excited to try their Illuminating Liquid Foundation since it says that it “hides flaws and imperfections so your left with a luminous, air brushed look.” I’ve tried this foundation a few times and don’t think it’s the right daytime foundation for me. I have skin that tends to be oily, so adding a foundation with a hint of sheen to it made me look like an oil slick by the end of the day. Adding powder helped tone down the oily look, but really defeated the purpose of wearing an illuminating formula.
I did, however, love wearing it out for the evening. Starting with a clean face and only wearing the makeup for about 5 hours, looked gorgeous. If you have normal or dry skin, this foundation will probably work really well for you. If you feel your complexion is looking a little dull, this could also work really well for you. The illuminating part of the foundation can really help you look awake too and isn’t overly shimmery. The formula itself is very lightweight but gave pretty good coverage. I had to be careful though, not to wear too shimmery of an eyeshadow with it, as the overall effect was a but too sparkly.
Another way to wear this foundation that worked well for me and might be a better daytime option if you think it is a too illuminating for the office, is to use it like a highlighter. I found that a little on the apples of my cheeks was an excellent and very subtle highlighter.
Have you tried this foundation? How’d it work for you?