Beauty Product Reviews | Page 5

Incredibly natural

I get the most natural yet effective contour with this. It blends like a dream both with a sponge or with my Sonia G Lotus Base brush. I use this to enhance my cheekbones and the Lotus Base shape fits perfect for contouring the nose in one fell swoop. This is the only contour I can wear along with light coverage foundations or tinted moisturizers like the Fenty Eaze Drop. It is the only acceptable looking contour for the jaw/under the chin area that does not look obvious that I've contoured there. It does not lift or disturb any foundations I've used with it, from very light to medium-full coverage. Cream blush blends in well with the product with no issue. The color is perfect to create natural shading and give structure to the face. Even the applicator doesn't bother me once I got the hang of how much product to disperse. Be sure to put it in the off position when not dispensing the product so you don't potentially end up with a mess. The product works like magic and I totally get the hype! There isn't a whole lot of product per tube but it works so well I don't mind buying more. It does sell out quickly so I would recommend snatching one up when available!

Powder that does not look like powder

When I first used this, I thought the product had formed hardpan since my brush barely picked up any product. I quickly realize this is by design as the product is a very thin, baked formula. It is the least powdery powder I have ever used. My favorite way to use this product is as a finishing powder to buff over all the complexion products to ensure a seamless finish. The powder also imparts a very subtle luminosity and helps to blur texture and pores. There isn't a whole lot of coverage so the powder does not change the color of my foundation, which is light-medium, neutral leaning warm. When I am using a very light coverage concealer just to even out the skin tone for a no-makeup/makeup look, I will also use this powder to set. I will also use this to set all over when my skin is super dry as it does not accentuate the dryness and does not look like I've even applied powder. If you enjoy using Guerlain Meteorites as a finishing powder, I suspect you will enjoy this product as well. It is more pore blurring than the Meteorites and imparts slightly less luminosity.

Great for acne on the body

I had been using this for a while and got the itch to try out other body products. A week or so into the new body wash, I was getting more breakouts on my back and didn't understand why. This product worked so well for so long that I eventually forgot that I need a product like this to maintain a clear back. I didn't realize how much I needed this until I stopped using it! The product does lather up and a little goes a long way. It has a grapefruit scent that is not overwhelming. It contains 2% salicylic acid as the active ingredient to help with clogged pores. There is allantoin to soothe and panthenol to nourish the skin. When I want to try a new body wash, I will still use this on my back and other breakout-prone areas. If you suffer from breakouts on the body like me, I recommend using this on your back after you've rinsed out your conditioner. I find this works best as some heavier hair masks and conditioners can exacerbate breakouts if not rinsed off with some type of body cleanser afterward.

Gentle yet effective

I've been able to use prescription tretinoin at least 4 nights per week but it is way too strong for me to use on a nightly basis. I find this product super useful for the off nights from tretinoin when my skin needs a break but still needs some form of retinol to keep the breakouts at bay. The consistency is creamy and emollient enough that it doesn't dry out my skin like tretinoin. I will still follow up with a moisturizer since my skin is very dry.

But how do I know this product is effective when I mostly use tretinoin? I've also been using this on my neck and decollete area, which is way too sensitive for tretinoin. However, I've not been able to use this for more than the 4 nights suggested as it does make my neck area sensitive. I recommend being patient with this product, as I did not see results initially but after a month or so of consistent use, I was able to boost my tretinoin routine and the lines from my "tech neck" has become less visible. I wish I had this product when I started tretinoin as I can gradually work my way up instead of going straight to the deep end. Retinol increases skin cell turn over so you get all sorts of benefits. It can help the skin become less congested which leads to fewer breakouts. When new skin surfaces more quickly, you will see the skin's texture become more refined. It even helps with hyperpigmentation to a certain degree. If I were allowed two skincare products, I would choose sunscreen and retinol. Again, you won't see results overnight but the accumulative effects are pretty amazing.

Perfect and effortless blend every time!

I purchased both the Neutral and Warm Mattes palettes after a major declutter. I realized that I had been hanging onto palettes for five years or more, much longer than the two years suggested for most shadows. While the palette and each shadow are quite small, this is perfect for someone with a sizeable collection of shadows to ensure the palettes will be used up before they expire. This is also the perfect size for travel and took up barely any space in my carry-on luggage. When trying not to have to check in luggage, every square inch of space is precious. I was able to pack two palettes with the space of one. Each shadow is magnetic, which allows you to curate your own selection of shades.

You can argue there is nothing special about the colors in either palette and for most of us with a few palettes or more, you may already have the same colors within other palettes. However, the quality of Viseart shadows is second to none and these palettes are no exception. Every time I use the shadows, I'm consistently surprised by how easy they are to blend and how little effort I have to put in for a polished look. The colors have a perfect amount of pigment to blend easily while you can still distinguish the different shades used. You can build so much nuisance and depth with these shades and they're always consistent and reliable. I had been decluttering and buying only the products I consider the very best and that are a joy to use. Needless to say, these Viseart palettes are on the top of my list and I can't wait to get my hands on a few more!

Amazing texture and feel

There are products that do their job and then there are those that go above and beyond with a wonderful sensorial experience during application. While there is nothing spectacular about the packaging, they have absolutely nailed the texture of this cream. It's hard to describe without the actual experience of applying it or feeling it in your hand but essentially, it is a gel-cream formulation that maintains an airiness while being substantial. It does not have an obvious water break effect that some gel creams have and I would say it has the perfect amount of emollience on the skin.

Even with my nightly tretinoin use (which can cause dryness and flakiness), this cream helps my skin sustain a level of moisture throughout the night so that I wake up with balanced and nourished skin. To get this effect, I generally have to opt for a heavier cream or even double moisturize with a more occlusive product (slugging).

I have not experienced any breakouts or irritation from this product. While the product is fragrance-free, I can detect a slight minty scent that must stem from the natural ingredients. I would normally share my face cream with my partner but after I used this a few times, I asked him to use something else so I can reserve this for myself. I will definitely be purchasing the 50 ml version once I run out.

Perfect liner to overdraw and create dimension

Iconic Nude is the perfect cool-toned nude pencil to not only add dimension but most importantly, create the look of fullness to the lips. When I overdraw a bit, the color is deep enough to hide the natural lip line even with a good amount of pigment to my lips. When you pair this with a lighter nude lip product, the slight gray undertone will really create that cast that makes the shape of your lips instantly look fuller and more 3D. My favorite way to use this for a bulletproof combination is to outline the lips with this pencil and shade in the outer corners. I will then go over the whole thing with my Anastasia Beverly Hills Pure Hollywood liquid lipstick (or you can use any lighter nude lip product). You're still able to see the depth of color around the perimeter, which creates the dimension while the whole thing becomes a seamless blend.

Since the swatch on the lips is done in studio lighting, I was pleasantly surprised to find the shade is deeper and more cool-toned in person. The formula sits right in the middle of being stiff enough that it can help you carve out a clean edge while creamy enough that there is no drag. The product has good cling and staying power as well. I love a lighter nude lipstick but was deterred in the past since they wash me out. This liner was truly a game-changer as I can now wear light nudes shades without my lips looking flat or blanked out.

Pairs perfectly with strong actives

Since using tretinoin 0.1% nightly this year, this is my go-to moisturizer. For those not too familiar with prescription retinoid, tretinoin does wonders for clearing up acne and hyperpigmentation. However, it comes at a cost of potential irritation, dryness, and flaking at least in the beginning and then again when you don't moisturize well. The consistency of this is a bit thicker but melts onto the skin in a way that spreads easily. It envelops your skin in a mild, cushiony layer of softness and moisture. Since there are no actives in this moisturizer, it is the perfect non-reactive, non-irritating paring for skin that has been through the wringer due to actives, or is simply dry and flaky.

For reference, I have very acne-prone combination skin and this moisturizer is perfect for winter and nighttime use. For oily skin, this may be too heavy at least of use during the day. It has never broken me out and always helped to minimize the dryness I usually experience from tretinoin the next day. To be honest, it isn't the most interesting or active laden moisturizer but sometimes that is exactly what you need.

Gave up on mascaras until I found this!

I wore mascara for many years while in school but ever since I've learned how to put on falsies, the effect of mascaras on my wimpy, short and straight lashes has just been disappointing in comparison. I did not bother with mascaras for many years because it never did enough for me to warrant the effort. I was definitely shocked to find that this mascara not long made my lashes visible-lengthening, thickening, and separating, but that it didn't take a million coats to get there! Since I have straight Asian lashes, waterproof is a must or the lashes will point straight down upon application. I've been able to get somewhat decent lashes with other mascaras but was it really worth sitting there applying so many layers that your arm starts to get tired? With that many layers, the mascara also starts looking clumpy, which for all my life, I accepted that to be how it has to be so my lashes are visible. Well, no more! This mascara not only builds up perfectly in a few coats but each lash is separated and non-clumpy! It does not flake, budge, smudge in any way. I trust it so much that I wore it to a wedding recently in lieu of falsies. Yes, it is that amazing and reliable, like that good friend that always comes through for you and knows the perfect thing to say.

Boost of energy without the jitters!

Being mostly a coffee/espresso drinker, I'm so surprised that I've been able to switch over to matcha lattes! While coffee does give me that much-needed boost of energy in the morning and late afternoons, this does the same but in a very calming way. I've had matcha lattes in the past this definitely feels like a higher quality, more refined version of the ingredient. I've never had the experience of being more alert but calm at the same time. It was strange initially but now, I find myself making matcha latte at least once a day. I've tried other brands of matcha from the grocery store but definitely prefer this one both with the effect on energy and the purity of the green tea taste. Would totally recommend but be warned, this stuff is highly addictive and may take the spot of your favorite coffee!