Beauty Product Reviews

HG liner

I love the look of liquid liner but have a terrible time applying it, so I've always used gels. Kat Von D changed my mind. This pen is so thin, and the shape makes it so easy to hold steady and get exactly the line you want, thick or thin. The formula is absolutely perfect. I have oily lids and this is literally the only thing I've ever found that does not budge, even if I sleep in it. I've used UD liquid liner and found that if I tried to touch it up, the whole line would peel off like a strip of paint. Kat Von D doesn't come off until you take it off. Absolutely buying this forever.

These balm stains are my favorite lip product ever, and after buying Sweetheart and Romantic, I decided to try Rendezvous. I guess with the other two, because they're more pink-toned, it wasn't a problem that the product isn't opaque, but it was a huge problem with Rendezvous. The fun, orangey-coral color over my natural lip color turned out uneven, and again, because it's slightly sheer, it looked smudgy around the edges. The overall effect was of a child who's been eating some sticky candy. I'm going to stick to pinks and reds in this color range, and avoid the orange and lavender.

This is my go-to lip product. It's a sweet fuchsia color that can be patted on for a summery flush or layered twice for all-day, full-on color that would look great on any skintone. I wore this to a summer wedding with a Southern menu and only had to reapply once through probably 5 hours of drinks, greasy food, kisses, and sweat. I don't find it to be drying at all, and it fades very naturally so that you don't have any weird spots or lines. The gloss does fade quickly, but that's fine by me.

Just a perfect curler. I have deep-set eyes with small lids and it can be very hard to get the curler in close, so it was amazing to use this the first time and have it just go straight to the root with no fighting. Even more amazing was that it was impossible to pinch, crimp, or pull lashes- I actually tried for a while, and somehow, this curler just does not ever grab the wrong way. You can walk it out the lash with no tugging or snagging and get a perfect, smooth, crimp-free curl every time. I do wish that it came with a replacement pad, but you actually don't have to squeeze hard at all with this curler, so it seems like the pad will last a really long time.

Good for body, NOT for face

When I ran out of my St. Ives moisturizer, I had nothing to put on my face at night. Then I read that the Cetaphil I'd been using on my body was "appropriate for facial use," and I thought, great! I started putting a tiny bit all over my face at night, and my face started breaking out, which I thought must be due to the adjustment. Then I woke up in the middle of the night because my face was itching, and when I rubbed it, I found that my nose area was an oil slick. I immediately went out and bought my St. Ives again, and my skin has cleared up perfectly. I never, ever had such oily skin or breakouts as when I put this on my face. Unless you have VERY dry skin, it's not for you.

My go-to

I have this in Rose and I love the color. It looks totally natural, like I just have a very rosy mouth. I wear it in every season, but in winter, it literally does not leave my purse- I am very fair and it provides just the extra color to make me look alive. If I am looking extra pale, I even put it on my cheekbones as blush, and it looks great and lasts well. Very moisturizing, and has lasted me forever even with constant use. I will say that it does not stain your lips much, so if you're looking for something a bit longer-wearing, maybe opt for Baby Lips. But I really prefer this- it's much more moisturizing, and doesn't smell like candy.

All-Time Favorite

I'm not huge on really sweet perfumes- for reference, my favorites are this, Chloe, and Happy. This is the perfect mix of warm and clean. The smell is indescribable, but imagine Hugh Jackman bringing you fresh cookies. I wore a sample and my boyfriend raved so much he went out and bought me the full size. I wear it every day and constantly get compliments. Definitely a repurchase.

Good idea, terrible packaging

This is basically a loose pigment, but I'm not sure what Revlon expected you to do with it. It's in a weird bottle that you can't get it out of, so you have to use the large sponge applicator. This means that there is a HUGE amount of fallout and almost zero control over where you're placing the pigment. If it were only packaged in a normal pigment bottle, this would be okay, but as it is, I've tried it maybe twice, and then ended up removing the huge mess that resulted.

I know lots of people are saying now that this stuff is horrible for your skin, but whatever, I can't live without it. I have great skin, and my boyfriend is always telling me how soft it is...well, here's my secret. Nothing exfoliates my skin like this does. I only use it once or twice a week and scrub gently. Afterward my face is baby-soft, even my nose, which can get very dry. It's also great for my keratosis pilaris; scrubbing with this has gotten my arms totally smooth and bump-free.

Perfect for everyday

My Clinique saleswoman recommended this, and I'm so glad I listened. I've used it for about a year, and I love it. Just a pea-sized amount foams up enough for your whole face, and takes off every trace of makeup (except my waterproof mascara, but that's because I've gotten this in my eyes a few times trying that out). If it's humid and gross, I'll even wash my chest with this, and instantly feel a million times cleaner. It leaves me squeaky clean, and never irritates or overdries my skin. I take the whole bottle whenever I travel.