Beauty Product Reviews

Why is this so genius?

I am so not an expensive skin care person (okay, I have the blue cocoon cream and that's pretty genius). I really am a fan of sunscreen, retinol, acid exfoliator, you know, basics. But this oil got so much real attention that I had to see for myself. Within a week of using it, both my husband AND my best girl friend told me my makeup looked great when I wasn't wearing any. I don't know the magic is, but it's lovely. Helps with tone, texture and evens out spots. And it just smells delicious. It seems like a lot of money for one thing, but if you can swing it, Vintner's Daughter makes a beautiful product.

Lovely for my sensitive dry skin

I have dry skin that has not tolerated the traditionally high-rated Vit C products or retinols (I am looking at you Drunk Elephant, Sunday Riley, plus OTC/prescription retinoids), and I find that this is gritty and oily, but not gross/greasy. I do think it is best to do a patch test after reading that a few people had bad reactions. However, for my skin, the HA Spheres might have made it that I do not have stinging and I wake up with smoother skin. I cannot say I have used it long enough for other long term effects, but again, have long been researching Vit C in general, so I have hopes. One point off for the grittiness--I would say "suspension" is an useful way to describe this!

Nice contour. Loving this stuff!

I've been into the RCMA foundation of late. I'm not a pro, but warmed up in your fingers, and a tad bit makes a nice contour-tantour for the slightest bit of realistic definition. Hype believed. Go sparingly or you will be muddy.

natural, gives a believable flush

Really loving this as a buildable blush to use with fingers (be careful of overdoing it!) Very nice, current fave in the rotation, I would imagine it would be pretty layered with a powder blush for more staying power, but this is pretty stable for me even during the summer months, normal skin, kinda NC-15-20ish. Goes well with the RCMA foundations currently.

natural "skin" looking skin. Watch the tutorial

I'm not a makeup artist, and not a fan of "cakey" makeup. Just skin that looks like skin. I'm about an NC-15-20 in "Mac" for reference. This is best kinda "warmed-up" on the back of your hand (or a palette if you are sophisticated). I kinda eyeball it and mix some colors together, and spot it on areas that need some coverage--ruddy cheeks, around the nose--and kinda bounce it in with beauty-blender. Very highly pigmented. For the rest of my skin, I leave the good parts without foundation. I also use a darker shade of a single RCMA to "contour" or "tan-tour" kinda in the cheekbones and I mean the tiniest bit plus a little makeup-atelier blush cream in Amber Rose. In terms of a base, I would say something oil based, not silicone, like the Marc jacobs coconut one. I have not used it as a concealor, but I have done a smidgen of a a highlight with a lighter color. Seriously very pretty, adjustable coverage, but good for us no-makeup makeup girls too. And fun.

My Go To Red

I've been obsessing over this Sisley Photo-Lip Twist for a year when I first swatched it (the price point seemed high). I have Cherry, and NC-15 skin, so cool colors and reds are sometimes hard to pull off. This sheer balm is an absolutely work-appropriate, flattering gloss-balm-lipstick hybrid that stays put and is hydrating. It is much more long lasting than a "tinted lip balm" and psyched I got it.

Winner winner chicken dinner

I wasn't sure about mint condition but it was the last one left, so I went for it. I was afraid I would look "bruised" and not so sure. Actually it's quite cool. I mixed it with another highlighter, and used a fan brush. I dunno how to explain it, but it totally works, even in natural light (and for reference I'm pale NC15 with yellow undertones). If you have a bazillion "dupes" in the copper to light pale range (and I know you do!) this is a good one to add to your collection.

Nice pigmented product. Brush a mess.

I love ND products (eye shadow = swoon)) but her packaging is horrible. The lid has popped off of my highlighting stick, both the foundation and primer are oily and separated, rendering it basically useless. This applicator was immediately sent "frayed." I did bring this to Beautylish's attention, and they send they would send a replacement, which they have not done. If I use lip brush, it is a nice coverage, long lasting, not sticky gloss, smells good. Unfortunately, given that my other products are sub-par (minus the shadows) I will not be ordering or experimenting with any of ND products again. And I did not receive a replacement, despite Beautylish's usually awesome customer service.

A brilliant palette from day to night--unexpected golden goodness!

The hype is real! These are the smoothest, most delicious eyeshadows on the market. A sweep a base color, and a tap of one of the more intense colors with your finger in the center of the lid and you can run out the door. A more sophisticated khaki, smokey look can be created with the browns, intensified even more at night. Carry this in your bag to create all of these looks. Love!

Paging J. Lo

I have to admit, I bought into the "Natasha Denona" system with excitement. To give you reference, my favorite foundation prior to this is MAC Face and Body or Charlotte Tilbury because I love the sheerness and ability to layer in some areas that both products provide. I'm not really a "full coverage" kind of girl, but I do need help with skin texture and luminosity. This foundation meets the mark! It's a little thicker than I expected, but still lightweight. It by no means feels cakey or masky. I actually think it is applied best when "buffed" with a Kabuki brush, or wet Beauty Blender. I did "Neutral Porcelain" and it was a great match, not to pink or orangey (for reference I am pale, and have slight olive to neutral undertones, which makes me a NC-15 in MAC) It is by no means a greasy, gleamy product, and has a lovely, lasting finish.