Almay One Coat Triple Effect Mascara Review

Almay Claims: 

Get fuller, longer, curvier lashes in one coat for 100% pure impact. the patented triple action gel formula instantly builds, extends and sculpts your lashes. triple impact brush wraps mascara evenly around every lash in one smooth application. gently formulated with aloe and vitamin b5 to help keep lashes conditioned. extra gentle, non irritating formula.

This is probably one of the first mascaras I ever tried. I really enjoyed the way it made my lashes look thicker and longer. The brush was probably the best and worst part of the whole ordeal. The brush gave me control of where exactly I wanted to apply the mascara since it's a one sided brush. The one thing that kinda sucked about the brush is that it didn't give much of a one swoop and you're done. It was constant application for the regular look.

Overall I truly enjoyed the mascara. It did flake a bit but not enough for me to discontinue the use of this mascara, I finished the whole tube dry. I wouldn't repurchase just because I've had better mascaras.

Pros:
Hypoallergenic
Longer Lashes
Thicker Lashes
Brush

Cons:
Smudges
Flakes

Over All Rating:

Almay One Coat Triple Effect Mascara can be purchased at drug stores for $6.89 (prices vary) US.

Sonia Kashuk Matte Blotting Papers Review

Sonia Kashuk Claims: 

These sheets instantly absorb excess oil without disturbing makeup or leaving a powdery residue. Perfect for touch ups on the go! Includes pouch and 100 blotting papers...

After my failed attempt at Oil Blotting Sheets with E.L.F. Essential Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets, and after much success with Sonia Kashuk's Highlighting Brush, I figured that these blotting sheets would be magnificent. I saw them at my local target and figured getting 100 sheets for $6.99 would be a steal. I use these for a couple of days and noticed that make up was being left behind on the blotting papers.  That was the end of our relationship.

After carrying these in my bag for a few months I realized that I would rather use some blotting powder to control my oil than have these sheets disturb my make up.

The one thing that I really did like about these sheets is the fact that they are pretty big and only need one to get all the oil. They do absorb oil pretty well, but half my make up ended up on the sheet as well. With that said, my search for the perfect oil blotting sheets continued.

Pros:
Inexpensive
100 per Pack
Big Sheets
Nice Case

Cons:
Don't Control Oil
Shift Make Up

Over All Rating:

Sonia Kashuk Matte Blotting Papers can be purchased at Target & Target.com for $6.99 US.

Upcoming Release: MAC Matchmaster Foundation SPF 15

With our all races credo, we’re redefined what a perfect match should be with new Matchmaster Foundation SPF 15 technoloigy, using translucent pigments to create a formula that enables a fully personalized finish influenced by the subtleties of your own skin tone. Adding to Matchmaster’s true-to-life appeal is its moisturizing demi-matte finish, medium buildable coverage, and line-reducing soft focus powders. Add the fact that this formula reduces excess shine-creating oil, and who could resist?

Shades: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5 &10.0


Suggested Retail Price: $32.50 US/$39.00 CDN

Available:
North America, September 22, 2011
International (excluding Asia), September 2011
International (Asia only), September 2012

Sonia Kashuk Highlighting Brush Review

Sonia Kashuk Claims: 

This airy brush provides the sheerest application for foundation, highlighting, bronzer, or blush.

When I first started playing with make up the first brush that I ever purchased was M.A.C's 187. Reality finally set in that I had spent $42.00 on a brush that I didn't know how to use properly. I was barely getting into make up. I decided to return the 187 but desperate looked online for something comparable that I could work with. I found this baby.

The Sonia Kashuk Highlighting Brush is everything that I could ask for and more. Not only does it work identically to the 187 but it is also very inexpensive. It literally cost a fraction of the price of the 187. If I had the chance to change the past, I wouldn't. I'd keep this brush. I can use it for powder, liquid, bronzer, highlighting. It's a multipurpose brush that I always reach for.

I have a few very pigmented blushes that only this brush can work with. It picks up just the right amount of product. I'm glad I picked this one up.

Pros:
Inexpensive
Blends Well
Airbrush Look
Holds Right Amount of Product

Cons:
Sheds a Bit at First

Over All Rating:

Sonia Kashuk Highlighting Brushes can be purchased at Target & Target.com for $12.99 US.

E.L.F. Essential Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets Review

E.L.F. Claims: 

These amazing little sheets instantly absorb oil, minimize pores and mattify shiny skin. Woven texture eradicates shine and keeps skin matte for hours. Green Tea Extract helps re-texturize skin and masking facial imperfections. Travel pack fits neatly into your purse for on-the-go touch-ups.

When I first saw these at the cosmetics department at my local Target, I couldn't hold myself back. I knew that I had to try such an inexpensive item. What did I have to lose?

I tried these out and I absolutely loved them the first few times I used them. I noticed that they were taking the shine away from my oily nose, chin and forehead. I didn't notice much of the "oil controlling properties" that it claimed since my oil was instantly coming back.

In the process of constantly blotting my face I started to realize that these blotting sheets were shifting the make up around my nose.

Pros:
Absorb Oil
Inexpensive

Cons:
Don't Control Oil
Shift Make Up

Over All Rating:

E.L.F. Essential Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets can be purchased at Target, Target.com & EyesLipsFace.com for $1.00 US.

Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Waterproof Mascara Review

Maybelline Claims: 

Does For Lashes What Stilettos Do For Legs 55% LONGER LASHES, shiny patent finish Waterproof

I am very scared when it comes to trying out a product that I cannot return or exchange with a breeze. I'm also not the biggest fan of waterproof mascaras. The reason being is that most waterproof mascaras tend to get hard, flaky and end up leaving specks all over my face.

The reason that I decided to look for a good waterproof mascara is because my bottom lash area tends to get very watery and other waterproof mascara seemed to always smudge. I was on the hunt for the perfect waterproof mascara that I could use on my bottom lashes. I wanted to look for one that wouldn't run down my cheeks. I spoke to a friend of mine and she recommended the Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Waterproof Mascara. We ended up at the store the same night and I decided to give it a try. I tried it on my bottom lashes and was satisfied with the fact they didn't smudge. I decided to go that extra mile and see what this mascara did for my top lashes. Needless to say, I don't think I can ever look at another waterproof mascara the same way. This mascara accomplished everything that I was looking for in a mascara. It gave me length, volume and kept my top lashes curled. Keeping my lashes curled is something that I've struggled for quite some time and I think I found my solution.

Although this mascara does everything my other mascara haven't been able to accomplish, there is one down fall. It's almost impossible to remove with eye make up remover. I feel like I have to rub my face for ages before it actually comes off and still manages to leave some residue.

Although it is a pain to take off, I always reach for this before anything else in my make up bag. This mascara is truly amazing. I guess now I shall be on the hunt for a perfect eye make up remover.

Pros:

Longer Lashes

Thicker Lashes

Volumizing

Smudge Proof

Waterproof

Keeps Curl

Cons:

Hard to Take Off

Over All Rating:

Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Waterproof Mascara can be purchased at drug stores for $8.95 (prices vary) US.

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation Review

Make Up For Ever Claims: 

The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion products use innovative formulas to create a new generation of make up which is both invisible on HD cameras and to the naked eye. The HD Foundation is an oil-free medium-to-full coverage liquid foundation which covers skin imperfections, while remaining invisible on-screen and in real life. Its extremely fine texture is supple and easy to apply. Enriched with moisturizing agents, it leaves the skin soft and radiant. It is available in a wide range of shades to suit all skin tones. 

When I first walked into Sephora I practically ran to the Make Up For Ever section of the store. I wasn't sure what color I would be but I knew I was going to be around the medium range of the foundation. I was promptly matched by one of Sephora's sales associates. She was truly a doll and helped me out with this product. The one thing she didn't mention is that this product has no type of oil control or mattifying properties. The thing is I have oily skin, and this foundation can't battle my dangerous t-zone.

In store the associate applied the product with a sponge, which I am personally not a big fan of, since sponges harbor bacteria and soak up most of the product. Once she was done applying it on my whole face I was really satisfied. It truly looked like I wasn't wearing any make up. The sales associate decided to set it with the Make Up For Ever HD Powder. Once it was set with powder, the appearance of make up was more noticeable. I was truly happy with the end results and was sure this was going to be my Holy Grail Foundation. The associate offered me a sample so I decided to try it out and buy it if I liked the results.

I am truly happy that the associate offered me a sample of this product. If she hasn't offered the sample, I would have bought the foundation and returned it the very next day. The foundation started melting off my face once I stepped outside my home the next day. I applied it with M.A.C's 188 brush, and I apply almost everything with this brush. My t-zone looked super oily and very unflattering. I really wanted to love this foundation.

Pros:
Blends Well
Good Color Match

Cons:
Low Coverage
No Oil Control
Doesn't Last Long

Over All Rating:

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation can be purchased at Sephora, and Sephora.com for $40.00 US.