Beauty Product Reviews | Page 11

Super Creamy and Smooth

This set was my introduction to the Ardency Inn Modster eyeliners. I hadn't even watched them before. But I am always on the hunt for super creamy smooth stay put black eyeliners that I can use on set. Something super black and that won't become a hot runny mess under hot camera lights. It took one swipe of this on my lash line to know I had found a Holy Grail liner. It wore great for the whole day and I was able to test this out on set and was able to create a nice soft smudgy look as well as a crisp black line. Both ways gave me a long lasting wear time and held up under bright hot lights. Once it sets it's pretty hard to manipulate so be aware of that if you are wanting to soften or smudge it out. The coffee is a nice soft warm brown that is perfect for creating more natural defined eye looks. The gold is fun, but didn't show up as well on me and had a patchier application. That is why I knocked half a star off since this is for the trio...it's cool but I just don't think I will reach for it.

Intense color payoff and wears like a chapstick

Circa Rose is definitely a bright hot pink! It leans more towards a neutral pink but the slight blue undertone does help it really pop. For the photo I applied one swipe to my lips so you could see how pigmented it really is. It is full coverage with one pass and wears well throughout the day. It's a very comfortable formula and I don't have to worry about it looking patchy or cracking as the day wears on. I actually think it feels like Burts Bees chapstick when it's on the lips. The other shade I have is Valentine and it's a gorgeous universal pink toned nude. I feel like it's a must have shade for fall!!!! Leave the liquid lipstick trend behind and spend your money on these lipsticks! You will also appreciate the magnetized lid and the sleek black packaging.

Chemical Free Brush cleanser!!!!

I have tried so many brush shampoos, and brush cleaning methods over the years and this is my tried and true, ride or die brush shampoo. It gives brushes a gentle and deep clean and is safe for natural or synthetic brushes. Makeup brushes are a major investment and it's important to take care of them. The London Brush shampoo gives us an affordable healthy option for cleansing brushes. I am amazed at how long the soap lasts as well. A few weeks ago I cleaned 200 brushes and still had product left in the soap cake. That's pretty impressive. And what is even better I can always rest assured that my brushes won't have any toxic chemical residue on them after being washed! I have used every formula and the English Lavender is my favorite for the scent, but all the scented ones are lovely.

Average mascara...

I know this is a Holy Grail for so many but I found it to just be very average. I think the wand makes it difficult to apply and it doesn't leave my lashes looking fuller or longer than a normal mascara. The formula is nice but I didn't find it to build well if I applied multiple coats. I will say though that it didn't flake, smudge or run on me even in very humid weather. So that was a plus. If you like these types of synthetic wands then I am sure you will like this, but don't expect to have lashes that look like you are wearing lash extensions!

Foundation swiss army knife!

This is a great multi-tasker! I love how this buffs in cream or liquid foundation. I didn't get streaks or patchy coverage with it at all. And it's also amazing for powder foundation! I used this with the IT powder foundation and felt like I had a full coverage yet still natural finish to my face. All on one day I used it with a cream foundation, the cover fx cream contour kit and then with setting powder. It's one of those brushes I know I can travel easily with since it's great for multiple use. I would go as far to say that this is my favorite kabuki brush in my whole collection! It is a little more difficult to wash though because of how dense it is. I use the London Brush Co soap because I feel like you can really scrub it in the soap cake, and it rinses out easily.

Nice for a blended contour!

OK, this is a very dense synthetic brush...which means you need to use product sparingly! I have tried this for highlight, blush and contour. And of the 3 I prefer it as a sculpting brush. But you need to tap your product off unless you want a very intense dramatic contour. Which if you want that this delivers! But if you use product sparingly then you will get a beautiful diffused contour that looks natural and soft. I don't suggest it for blush because it is just to dense, and while it's listed as a great brush for highlight I prefer a fan brush for that so it looks light and airy. I wish the handle was a little longer or thinner...

My favorite synthetic powder brush!!!

I am kicking myself for waiting so long to get this brush! The price had me a little on the fence but I am so glad I have it now! Since the day I got it, it has been my go to powder brush. I love how it is cut, because it gives the most perfect even finish. I never end up with cake face and the taper allows for me to set around my nose perfectly. When I am using it to set my face I prefer to use it more on it's side because of the way it splays out and covers larger sections of the face. However I have also been using it at the end of my makeup application for a seamless blend. The shape of the top is great to just do a nice gentle "buff and swirl" to make sure the face and neck are blended!

If you are on the fence...you won't be disappointing with this brush! I will mention though that the drying time for these brushes is longer than normal, so I wash them early in the day if I want to use them the next day.

Fantastic alcohol free toner!

For some reason so many women (and men) skip this crucial step in their skin care regimen. For my combo skin this has been a real life saver and I can always tell the difference if I skip toner. You may have been turned off by toners in the past because they make your skin feel tight and hot or red. Thankfully Indie Lee makes a toner without alcohol! Additionally it have aloe vera which helps repair skin. I love this toner!!! Toner helps to gently exfoliate the top layer of dead skin and restore your face to a proper PH. Those two benefits make a significant difference in how your makeup will go on and wear throughout the day!

Didn't work as a foundation for my combo skin

I love the CC+ original formula. It's got great coverage and is long wear for me. So I was excited to try the CC+ Illumination because I love a little glow for summer. Sadly with my combo skin I looked like a disco ball within a few hours. No matter what I set it with. It was perfect and just the right amount of glow for about 2 hours. But as the day went on and it warmed up on my skin it was so oily looking and really highlighted any skin texture and imperfections. My best friend has dry skin and this is the perfect solution for her skin type. I have found a great solution though! I tossed this in my beach bag and wear it as sunscreen on beach days! I get great SPF protection and it gives my skin a nice even look and I figure when you're at the beach you can be as glow as you want!!!

Create contour on a variety of skin tones with one palette

I have mixed feelings about contour palettes for personal use because there are going to be shades you never reach for. However with a palette your odds of finding a great contour shade for your skin tone are great! I gravitate to mixing the middle two shades and love the way I can sculpt my face with them. I rarely use the highlight powders in this kit but they are all nice and buttery. This would be a great kit for a new makeup artist looking for an economical way to build their pro kit. I have 5 of the main contour kits that are out right now and I appreciate that this one has the deepest contour shade as well. For the price, shade range and the quality this is a top pick.