Beauty Product Reviews | Page 6

Soy ya say...

Soy...not my beauty supply store 100% pure acetone I've learned is tried and true but SOY - you say, to remove my nailpolish???

My first thought was that this must only work with the RGB nail polishes being that they contain a lot of non-harmful ingredients whereas my super non-chip generic brand needs the "good" stuff to take it off.

Good, meaning paint thinner, of course. Not "good" as in "good for you" or rather even, effective, non drying, nor smelling like your nose hairs are burning off that is the RGB Nail Color Remove. I was in awe rubbing (gently, even, mind you) my reddest of red nail lacquer off with these pads. One pad and my hands were clean - no left over pink hues - nothing.

Tip: When using the pad, apply a single layer to each finger and toe (if doing both mani and pedi) and let set for a quick second before gettin down and dirty in the removal.

Tried and True even before it's time

I love my benetint. I probably shouldn't admit that I've had the same bottle for close to 10 years now (hey - it still smells like a fresh dozen of roses and applies just the same as it did when I was x old and this was my pride and joy BENEFIT product as a youngin').

Made initially years and years ago as a way "ladies of the night" could make their nipples more pink, it does the same for the lips cheeks. Adds just the right amount of subtleness for those days when you want a fresh subdued look for a sunny afternoon with a nice rosy scent to match.

Hint - follow with a gloss (I like Armour as it locks the color in for longevity) for a more moisturized look.

Best investment for your kit

I often get asked by clients, "what is my undertone". Maybe it's because while I'm surrounded by paint and spackle I know rest assured that there WILL be a shade for my client no matter what his or her undertone, surface tone and everything in between. It blends seamlessly and has no flash back on camera. Also, for personal use, I know it's not going to break me out as some stage makeup might. To have each color in your kit can be pricey but it's called FOUNDATION for a reason. Worth the investment.

Purchased for the packaging alone but was happily surprised by more

I love Anna Sui. Her packaging is gorgeous and she makes fabulous products. But I'll admit it - there are plenty nail polishes out there and it may have been the phenomenal packaging that initially sold me.

However, I must say that the product itself is amazing as well. Just like the description says, the color appears JUST like it does inside the bottle - no surprises, no applying layer after layer that's just going to chip and peel off in a day...

It applies gorgeous and buttery and smells like roses. No really...not just for a few hours...for the entire time you wear it. Although, I should re-think how it looks when I am in public SMELLING my fingers. :/

Feels Like A Denman With Class

If you're familiar with Denman brushes you know the bristles are what sets it apart. It softly massages the scalp while bringing your natural oils towards the base of the hair shaft. Not only that but it is THE ONLY brush you should ever use for extensions or wigs. As much as I love my Denman though, he goes back into the bathroom cabinet after use.

Now, the Anna Sui brush on the other hand has just as many qualities as the Denman PLUS the fact that it's beautiful. I love the fact that Anna Sui also has a cute brush holder perfect for placement on a vanity. <3

Ophthalmologist tested, Alicia P. trusted.

The first signs of aging are around the eyes and the hands. However, with how sensitive my eyes are, every time I try a new eye cream, I end up pulling at the skin more and more to wipe away the tears that form from how irritating they are. It can get so bad that the tiniest particle stuck under my contacts can cost me a trip to my own Ophthalmologist which is why I gave this eye cream a shot.

Immediately I felt a cooling effect and it was absorbed quickly into my skin without feeling heavy or greasy. Zero irritation and I noticed any puffiness from my poor sleeping habits was not as bad as it normally is.

It baffles me that if toothpaste is tested and approved by dental hygienists why every eye cream on the market wouldn't go through ophthalmologist testing.

If you were already blown away by the magic of coconut...

There's more. One of the reasons I truly believe in rms is because I know every ingredient, particle or element is of the highest quality there is. Sure, I might opt for the generic brand's cooking oil but when it comes to my face - no way. Knowing what grade of ingredients shouldn't be such a mystery or chore so thank you, Rose Marie for saving me the time researching. The rms Raw Coconut Cream is just that - the highest grade of unrefined coconut oil there is. The top shelf stuff.

I usually get into physical fights with most makeup removers - something you'd see out of a bad infomercial - tugging at my eyelashes too hard to get the day's mascara off, using cotton pad after cotton pad with a plethora of black stained cotton now skattered all around the bathroom floor...only to end up in a losing battle looking like Rocky Balboa with two swollen black eyes from 1) the products just not working and 2) harsh chemicals causing my sensitive eyes to swell.

With rms' Raw Coconut Cream there is no battle - just soft supple skin that smells as heavenly as my skin looks (not to toot my own horn or anything). That's not to say that the generic stuff doesn't have a place - it just relocated to my kitchen pantry instead.

Read any of my reviews and you'll see I'm a skincare junkie. Every morning and night - cleanser, serum, moisturizer...not to mention all the treatments and exfoliation every other day of the week.

And GOD FORBID I don't wear a primer under my makeup!

Here's my story about how the rms Beauty Oil changed my entire perspective on skincare.

Day 1: Knew very little about rms but received a sample from Beautylish. Used it after cleansing that evening and put my moisturizer over it. Woke up with glowing (not greasy) skin.

Day 2: Used rms Beauty Oil AM after cleansing followed only by my primer before foundation. Didn't even need my moisturizer as my skin felt firmer, softer, and fully moisturized.

Day 3: Used a little too much that day (you literally only need a drop for your entire face and neck) so I skipped my primer. Never have I not needed to touch up my makeup throughout an entire workday. WHAT?!

Day 4: Pores smaller, skin smoother, firmer and overall more radiant. One step.

Did I mention that this 3 day adventure was all from ONE sample? Sold.

One Little Tube - So Versatile

I'm someone who likes a bold lip - I don't think that would come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. But as a makeup artist I know that not every client has the same desire. I love that OCC has mastered offering a SUPER wide color range and that the finishes can be so versatile in application. For a bold lip you can apply a lot of product with a heavy hand and it will stay while still looking fresh and supple or you can use just a tiny amount to rub into the lips for a stained or bee-stung look. You can even take a bit and apply to the cheeks for a soft blush on the apples of the cheeks when going for a night on the town and can only bring lipstick and a compact. Brilliant.

So Many Primers...Which One To Choose...

I've tried just about every primer on the market. While some may say there is very little difference between them, Too Faced has really made it clear that you CAN have options when it comes to your primer. I personally loved the original Primed and Poreless as while not designed specifically for a combination skin type, it has far less of a silicone feel to it so my makeup does not slip but has just enough so it doesn't "ball" when applying it to the dry areas. I also like the fact that it comes in an easy to squeeze bottle so you get every last ounce versus the pump bottles of "brand x". A must have before applying any foundation.