September '11 Used It!
In September, I used up six full-size products and five sample sizes.
- SN Devoted cream blush*
Not bad - though the formula's recently been reworked to exclude the cyclopentasiloxane Karen used to use. I found it easiest to use with a duo-fiber brush: then it was fine over powder foundation.
- Garnier Nutrisse Moisture Rescue Gel Cream*
I used up some of this in my frankenlotion, and used the rest of it on my face as a moisturizer. It's ok, but I don't think I'd buy it again. I've tried other water-based serums that I liked much better.
- Sally Hansen (Carmindy line) luminizing face primer*
Don't waste your time. Even if you really want to look like a vampire from Twilight, there are cheaper ways to do that. It didn't even really help my makeup stay on. Instead of "Luminizing," it should say "contains chunks of glitter."
- Silk Naturals Oatmeal Serum*
I liked this better than the Green Tea and Aloe, but if I use their Awesome Sauce, there's not really a need to keep it around.
- Nuance Salma Hayek Volumizing Conditioner*
Worked fine, smelled a little "ripe" for my tastes.
- Garnier Fructis Intense Cleanse anti-dandruff shampoo*
Just slightly too harsh for me. I did enjoy the little scrubby beads in it, though.
- Aromaleigh seafoam pure matte eyeshadow sample
Nice pale blue.
- TanTowel (one)
First time I'd ever tried a self-tanner. My legs glowed for a couple days, but I was glad when it wore off because I didn't apply it super evenly, and it was nice to be the same color all over again. I think I'm fine with being super white and don't want to spend the time to look darker.
- Urban Decay makeup remover sample decant (new kind)
Does not smell as good as the old kind.
- Sample baggie Meow Pink Inc. Blush - Cashmere
I want a full size of this pretty badly - it's beautiful. Subtle, but leaves me glowy. Hard to overdo.
- Boots Naturals makeup remover sample decant
Fine. Nothing special.
Showing posts with label Meow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meow. Show all posts
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
200th post!
And kind of a random one, at that. I used up some more stuff. And I'm gonna see if I can go until October 15th before buying anything new (including makeup, skincare, haircare, nail polish). I need to shrink my collection some. Or a lot. It's time for some major detox - I had a stressful summer and compensated by buying things.
Using things up feels good, but it's also a methodical process that keeps me away from a lot of my collection.
And, it's 5 days away from when Project Use It hits the yearlong mark. I wonder if I can get to 200 products by then? After the year, I don't know what I'm going to do about keeping track of stuff - maybe a monthly or biweekly post?
Things that are gone now:
*SN Bubbly GWP eye shadow - can't buy it again, but it was lovely. I even got a compliment on it from the lady at Ulta! I'm kind of looking forward to moving onto something else now, though. It was a tan champagne shade with lots of sparkles.
*Meow Pampered Puss foundation sample - Sleek Persian. I did like this enough to get a huge tub of it at their recent sale. Probably could have waited some more, as I still have an Aromaleigh full size and a tub of adorned with Grace. Oh well.
*Nuance Salma Hayek Tinted Moisturizer samples - Light. I took three of these, because they're really only good for testing the color if you only have one. Turns out three of these are also not enough to test out coverage. I ended up piling my normal stuff on top of it, because it was like it didn't do anything.
*Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer. This claimed to be a way to make your nails look better without polish. I say it's basically a very thin, very fast drying clear nail polish. I also say it's not worth the effort, which is why I had it sitting around for years and had to make a conscious effort to use it up so I could harvest the silver balls for a Frankenpolish.
(Since Sept. 2, 2010)
192 items gone
71 full size items gone
Using things up feels good, but it's also a methodical process that keeps me away from a lot of my collection.
And, it's 5 days away from when Project Use It hits the yearlong mark. I wonder if I can get to 200 products by then? After the year, I don't know what I'm going to do about keeping track of stuff - maybe a monthly or biweekly post?
Things that are gone now:
*SN Bubbly GWP eye shadow - can't buy it again, but it was lovely. I even got a compliment on it from the lady at Ulta! I'm kind of looking forward to moving onto something else now, though. It was a tan champagne shade with lots of sparkles.
*Meow Pampered Puss foundation sample - Sleek Persian. I did like this enough to get a huge tub of it at their recent sale. Probably could have waited some more, as I still have an Aromaleigh full size and a tub of adorned with Grace. Oh well.
*Nuance Salma Hayek Tinted Moisturizer samples - Light. I took three of these, because they're really only good for testing the color if you only have one. Turns out three of these are also not enough to test out coverage. I ended up piling my normal stuff on top of it, because it was like it didn't do anything.
*Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer. This claimed to be a way to make your nails look better without polish. I say it's basically a very thin, very fast drying clear nail polish. I also say it's not worth the effort, which is why I had it sitting around for years and had to make a conscious effort to use it up so I could harvest the silver balls for a Frankenpolish.
(Since Sept. 2, 2010)
192 items gone
71 full size items gone
Saturday, August 20, 2011
another used it! (And I liked over half the stuff!)
Hey everyone! I got a job! I'm working with elementary school kids and teaching them Spanish. So, I've been pretty busy this week.
Anyway, I've used up some more stuff.
*Silk Naturals Vitamin C Peptide serum - Good stuff, though I'm going to be trying out the new Awesome Sauce as a replacement. I used this in the morning under my sunblock.
*Meow Flawless Feline foundation sample - frisky chartreux. I wanted to try the Flawless Feline formula, and was able to get this as an extra in a swap. I think Pampered Puss is still better for me, as this was a bit thick and cakey on me. My skin's improved since I started reviewing foundations, so now I don't need them to have as much coverage.
*adorned with Grace Minerals Animated blush sample - This is a good shade for fair ladies to add a natural-looking flush. Strangely, on me, it actually worked like a cross between bronzer and blush. There's no brown in it at all, but the peachy shade worked to give me a just-been-outside look. I might order this next time I order from there.
*Bliss Steep Clean mask sample. I got this at Sephora. There are two packets, one with blue gel and one with a yellow cream. You mix the two to make a slimy green paste, which you then apply to your face, let sit for five minutes, and rinse off. I'm really not sure this did more than stink and burn my eyes with the fumes. Bleh.
*Kiss My Face Face Factor SPF 30 sunblock. I would consider buying this again, too. It wasn't my Holy Grail of sunblocks, but it met most of my specifications (zinc oxide, nothing I'm allergic to, no noticeable fragrance). Even if I used a lot, it seemed to sink in within a few minutes.
(Since Sept. 2, 2010)
185 items gone
67 full size items gone
Anyway, I've used up some more stuff.
*Silk Naturals Vitamin C Peptide serum - Good stuff, though I'm going to be trying out the new Awesome Sauce as a replacement. I used this in the morning under my sunblock.
*Meow Flawless Feline foundation sample - frisky chartreux. I wanted to try the Flawless Feline formula, and was able to get this as an extra in a swap. I think Pampered Puss is still better for me, as this was a bit thick and cakey on me. My skin's improved since I started reviewing foundations, so now I don't need them to have as much coverage.
*adorned with Grace Minerals Animated blush sample - This is a good shade for fair ladies to add a natural-looking flush. Strangely, on me, it actually worked like a cross between bronzer and blush. There's no brown in it at all, but the peachy shade worked to give me a just-been-outside look. I might order this next time I order from there.
*Bliss Steep Clean mask sample. I got this at Sephora. There are two packets, one with blue gel and one with a yellow cream. You mix the two to make a slimy green paste, which you then apply to your face, let sit for five minutes, and rinse off. I'm really not sure this did more than stink and burn my eyes with the fumes. Bleh.
*Kiss My Face Face Factor SPF 30 sunblock. I would consider buying this again, too. It wasn't my Holy Grail of sunblocks, but it met most of my specifications (zinc oxide, nothing I'm allergic to, no noticeable fragrance). Even if I used a lot, it seemed to sink in within a few minutes.
(Since Sept. 2, 2010)
185 items gone
67 full size items gone
Friday, February 11, 2011
Basic advice on buying good product on the Internet
I wrote this on a forum I'm on after being surprised by the number of people recommending products by known repackagers (or people who just mix mica with a base). The member had also recommended EDM and Aromaleigh. The former I won't buy from, and the latter nobody can anymore. :(
Anyway, I thought it was a helpful summation of everything I know about how to buy good makeup over the Internet.
"I don't shop at Everyday Minerals anymore, and haven't in over a year. This is why.
Aromaleigh is also closed now, she started the process over the summer. I'm still pretty bummed about that.
Other companies I've personally found trustworthy and high-quality:
1. Fyrinnae - hands down your best choice for bright eyeshadow
2. adorned with Grace minerals (excellent foundations for warm toned fair-to-medium ladies, wonderful blushes)
3. Silk Naturals - excellent everything, also has lip stuff and skin care.
4. Hi-Fi cosmetics (etsy) - good stuff!
5. Darling Girl cosmetics (ecrater) - she's new to the game, but her stuff is really, really good.
6. Meow (though you want to wait for their free shipping specials - normally they gouge you on that)
7. Sassy Minerals (I forgot this one in the post, but I have stuff I'd like to get from them.)
Some new ones I've heard positive things about from bloggers I trust but haven't tried yet because I have bills to pay instead: Brazen Cosmetics, Shiro Cosmetics, Scaredy Cat cosmetics, Sobe botanicals
This is an old post by Phyrra, but it's a helpful guide to seeing if the company you want to buy from is a good bet.
You ALWAYS want to google a new-to-you company plus the word "repackage" because otherwise you might end up paying top dollar for unblended mica, which will fall off if you don't have a base and means that the "creator" hasn't been doing anything more "creative" than transferring powder from baggies into jars and "creating" the idea that she made them herself. If you want unblended mica, you can get entire tablespoons direct from the supplier, TKB trading. The TABLESPOON of product in their smallest size only costs $1.50, so you could get 14 colors and just meet the order minimum.
Also, some companies have been remarkably unscrupulous in selling unsafe product, harming people, and somehow getting away with it. This post by Ana of Lipsticks and Lightsabers horrifies me in more ways than one."
Anyway, I thought it was a helpful summation of everything I know about how to buy good makeup over the Internet.
"I don't shop at Everyday Minerals anymore, and haven't in over a year. This is why.
Aromaleigh is also closed now, she started the process over the summer. I'm still pretty bummed about that.
Other companies I've personally found trustworthy and high-quality:
1. Fyrinnae - hands down your best choice for bright eyeshadow
2. adorned with Grace minerals (excellent foundations for warm toned fair-to-medium ladies, wonderful blushes)
3. Silk Naturals - excellent everything, also has lip stuff and skin care.
4. Hi-Fi cosmetics (etsy) - good stuff!
5. Darling Girl cosmetics (ecrater) - she's new to the game, but her stuff is really, really good.
6. Meow (though you want to wait for their free shipping specials - normally they gouge you on that)
7. Sassy Minerals (I forgot this one in the post, but I have stuff I'd like to get from them.)
Some new ones I've heard positive things about from bloggers I trust but haven't tried yet because I have bills to pay instead: Brazen Cosmetics, Shiro Cosmetics, Scaredy Cat cosmetics, Sobe botanicals
This is an old post by Phyrra, but it's a helpful guide to seeing if the company you want to buy from is a good bet.
You ALWAYS want to google a new-to-you company plus the word "repackage" because otherwise you might end up paying top dollar for unblended mica, which will fall off if you don't have a base and means that the "creator" hasn't been doing anything more "creative" than transferring powder from baggies into jars and "creating" the idea that she made them herself. If you want unblended mica, you can get entire tablespoons direct from the supplier, TKB trading. The TABLESPOON of product in their smallest size only costs $1.50, so you could get 14 colors and just meet the order minimum.
Also, some companies have been remarkably unscrupulous in selling unsafe product, harming people, and somehow getting away with it. This post by Ana of Lipsticks and Lightsabers horrifies me in more ways than one."
Saturday, January 9, 2010
EOTD - New Year's Eve eyes
Just for fun, I took pictures of the eye look I did for New Year's Eve. I'm pretty proud of it as it's one of the fanciest looks I've done and it worked pretty nicely. Maybe it was too much for the small party with friends I went to, but both the eyes and the party were a lot of fun.
Eye open:
Eye closed:
Products used:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance on entire lid (free sample from Sephora, woot!)
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy on lower lashline, lid, and just above the crease.
Meow ScandalEyes Traci L. on inner third of lid.
Fyrinnae Equality on outer two thirds of lid.
Fyrinnae Immortality as upper liner and above the outer crease.
Silk Naturals Sonic to highlight (I am almost out of this sample baggie!)
Meow VandalEyes Breaking and Entering to line lower lashline (I like this color but want to buy a green liquid liner instead of purchasing a full size - it migrated later in the day)
Gabriel Color Mascara in Black Brown.
I liked this because it was dramatic without being overpowering for my fair skin and it brought out my blue eyes.
What did you do for New Year's?
Eye open:
Eye closed:
Products used:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance on entire lid (free sample from Sephora, woot!)
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy on lower lashline, lid, and just above the crease.
Meow ScandalEyes Traci L. on inner third of lid.
Fyrinnae Equality on outer two thirds of lid.
Fyrinnae Immortality as upper liner and above the outer crease.
Silk Naturals Sonic to highlight (I am almost out of this sample baggie!)
Meow VandalEyes Breaking and Entering to line lower lashline (I like this color but want to buy a green liquid liner instead of purchasing a full size - it migrated later in the day)
Gabriel Color Mascara in Black Brown.
I liked this because it was dramatic without being overpowering for my fair skin and it brought out my blue eyes.
What did you do for New Year's?
Saturday, December 12, 2009
adorned with Grace mini-haul plus bonus SN/Meow swatch pics
So, I got my awG mini-haul the other day. Here's pics!
Eye stuff in one pic, plus face stuff in the other pic.
Swatch pics! All eye swatches over ELF mineral eye primer. Blush swatches on bare skin.
Top row: Steadfast (d/c), Capricious (d/c), Enthralling.
Bottom row: Forebearing (d/c), Remarkable, Enigmatic.
The full sizes were a clearance trio, which I'm glad I bought, and the samples were a surprise. I can see myself using up the samples and buying full sizes.
Top: awG Wonderful.
Middle: EDM Nick Nack. (like, but would like a non-EDM replacement when I run out)
Bottom: awG Beautiful.
I wanted to find something similar to a few EDM blushes I liked and keep finding that the texture of other brands is better.
Bonus swatches!
Left four are Silk Naturals, right four are Meow Cosmetics.
Top row: 9:59 (GWP), Satin (freebie sample baggie), VandalEyes Breaking and Entering (sample), VandalEyes Grand Larceny (sample).
Bottom row: Lime (full size), Sonic (freebie sample - getting a full size soon), ScandalEyes Traci L (freebie sample baggie), Egyptian Treasures Sand Dune (full size).
Eye stuff in one pic, plus face stuff in the other pic.
Swatch pics! All eye swatches over ELF mineral eye primer. Blush swatches on bare skin.
Top row: Steadfast (d/c), Capricious (d/c), Enthralling.
Bottom row: Forebearing (d/c), Remarkable, Enigmatic.
The full sizes were a clearance trio, which I'm glad I bought, and the samples were a surprise. I can see myself using up the samples and buying full sizes.
Top: awG Wonderful.
Middle: EDM Nick Nack. (like, but would like a non-EDM replacement when I run out)
Bottom: awG Beautiful.
I wanted to find something similar to a few EDM blushes I liked and keep finding that the texture of other brands is better.
Bonus swatches!
Left four are Silk Naturals, right four are Meow Cosmetics.
Top row: 9:59 (GWP), Satin (freebie sample baggie), VandalEyes Breaking and Entering (sample), VandalEyes Grand Larceny (sample).
Bottom row: Lime (full size), Sonic (freebie sample - getting a full size soon), ScandalEyes Traci L (freebie sample baggie), Egyptian Treasures Sand Dune (full size).
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Review: Meow Cosmetics Pampered Puss foundation
Today, I am wearing Meow Cosmetics Pampered Puss foundation.
How's it doing?
A. Color matching.
4. Close, but not quite.
B. Coverage.
2. Barely covers blemishes. My skin tone is a bit more even, and it is a sheer formula, but I'm not super happy with it.
C. Adhesion/durability.
2. Lasts most of the day, but becomes patchy or rubs off easily. It's kind of patchy now.
D. Combination skin friendliness factor.
1. Turns me into an oil slick or dries me out. I bet this foundation would be great for someone with normal skin. But my T-Zone is an oil slick right now, and some dry skin I have around my jawline (Thanks, Retin-A!) is more prominently dry than I'd like.
E. Irritancy.
3. No problems at all. It is aimed at women with sensitive skin, so at least it does that.
F. Presentation
2. Functional packaging. Samples come in baggies, and the small and full size jars look pretty good. My entire order came in a nice leopard-print cloth drawstring bag, which I thought was cute. Loses a point for the size and shape of the bags, though. They should really use some shorter bags for their samples.
G. Value
3. Exceptionally good value. Much more volume per dollar than you'd expect.
H. Company is nice to work with, good customer service. 1 point. I did have a helpful email exchange about color choices, and shipping was prompt.
Total: 18/30. This is not the foundation for me. I've been wearing it for about 7 hours and am going to need to hit up the emergency mattifying lotion in my purse before I go teach in an hour. I'm still on campus for another six hours, too. It's too bad, because I really wanted to like it, especially because of the value in the large size jars. It worked better a few days ago over a primer, and I bet a nice finishing powder would help a lot with the oil, but that's a lot more work than I want to put in most days. If you don't have crazy combination skin, this would probably work really well for you. If you do have crazy combination skin, this is not the best choice out there. I actually think my skin looks better with just Fyrinnae Velvet Gel Primer over my moisturizer than it does with this stuff on.
In unrelated news, I think I should be getting my adorned with Grace haul today or tomorrow, so there'll be an upcoming review of that soon.
How's it doing?
A. Color matching.
4. Close, but not quite.
B. Coverage.
2. Barely covers blemishes. My skin tone is a bit more even, and it is a sheer formula, but I'm not super happy with it.
C. Adhesion/durability.
2. Lasts most of the day, but becomes patchy or rubs off easily. It's kind of patchy now.
D. Combination skin friendliness factor.
1. Turns me into an oil slick or dries me out. I bet this foundation would be great for someone with normal skin. But my T-Zone is an oil slick right now, and some dry skin I have around my jawline (Thanks, Retin-A!) is more prominently dry than I'd like.
E. Irritancy.
3. No problems at all. It is aimed at women with sensitive skin, so at least it does that.
F. Presentation
2. Functional packaging. Samples come in baggies, and the small and full size jars look pretty good. My entire order came in a nice leopard-print cloth drawstring bag, which I thought was cute. Loses a point for the size and shape of the bags, though. They should really use some shorter bags for their samples.
G. Value
3. Exceptionally good value. Much more volume per dollar than you'd expect.
H. Company is nice to work with, good customer service. 1 point. I did have a helpful email exchange about color choices, and shipping was prompt.
Total: 18/30. This is not the foundation for me. I've been wearing it for about 7 hours and am going to need to hit up the emergency mattifying lotion in my purse before I go teach in an hour. I'm still on campus for another six hours, too. It's too bad, because I really wanted to like it, especially because of the value in the large size jars. It worked better a few days ago over a primer, and I bet a nice finishing powder would help a lot with the oil, but that's a lot more work than I want to put in most days. If you don't have crazy combination skin, this would probably work really well for you. If you do have crazy combination skin, this is not the best choice out there. I actually think my skin looks better with just Fyrinnae Velvet Gel Primer over my moisturizer than it does with this stuff on.
In unrelated news, I think I should be getting my adorned with Grace haul today or tomorrow, so there'll be an upcoming review of that soon.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Search for replacement foundation
I've been wearing Everyday Minerals matte foundation in Golden Fair for about a year and a half now, and I only have a sample-sized jar left of it. When I want heavier coverage, I use their pressed foundation in Fair Yellow (discontinued), and I've hit pan on that. There's about a silver dollar's worth of pan showing, and all the rest of the product is hanging around the edges.
As mentioned two entries back, I've decided to take the bulk of my makeup purchases to other companies due to some recent changes at EM. I need new foundation, and I'd like it to perform at least as well, if not better, than EM. Besides, they don't even make my color of pressed foundation anymore.
Requirements:
1. not be full of crap.
2. match my fair, but golden/warm toned skin.
3. cover unevenness, occasional acne, and my surgical scar (which is mostly pretty faded by now).
4. not break me out.
5. not make me oilier than normal or make the occasional dry spots stand out
6. have some sun protection in it
7. not cost an arm and a leg.
Ideally, I'd like one buildable one for days when I want sheerer coverage, and one heavier coverage one.
So far, I'm doing better with samples for the sheer stuff than I am for heavier coverage.
Sheer/buildable:
Meow Cosmetics Pampered Puss in Sleek Chartreux seems to be a good match - will update on performance later. $23.95 for a quarter cup of the stuff isn't bad, either. It's twice as much as EM's foundations, but for at least four times the product.
Silk Naturals: I got samples of the original formula, and on their forum foundation matching maven Jen W's advice, tried the Warm Gold. I mixed one part of that with 10 of the Ivory (white foundation base), and it blended into my skin really well when I swatched it.
I'd also like to try adorned with Grace, but not a lot of her shades look fair enough, so I might have to mix. Aromaleigh could be promising as well, but their foundation is more expensive than I'd like.
EM's pressed foundation is unique in the affordable mineral makeup market, and if they still had Fair Yellow, I'd probably still buy it, even if it was just a tad too yellow. Instead, I'm on the prowl for something else to wear when I'm dressed up that can also serve the double-duty of layering over my undereye concealer.
Earthen Glow Minerals makes a couple mousse foundations that look promising, but since they don't have the ingredients lists available online, I'm waiting on a response from them about what's in it. If they don't include any of my allergens or other no, thanks ingredients, I might give it a go.
As mentioned two entries back, I've decided to take the bulk of my makeup purchases to other companies due to some recent changes at EM. I need new foundation, and I'd like it to perform at least as well, if not better, than EM. Besides, they don't even make my color of pressed foundation anymore.
Requirements:
1. not be full of crap.
2. match my fair, but golden/warm toned skin.
3. cover unevenness, occasional acne, and my surgical scar (which is mostly pretty faded by now).
4. not break me out.
5. not make me oilier than normal or make the occasional dry spots stand out
6. have some sun protection in it
7. not cost an arm and a leg.
Ideally, I'd like one buildable one for days when I want sheerer coverage, and one heavier coverage one.
So far, I'm doing better with samples for the sheer stuff than I am for heavier coverage.
Sheer/buildable:
Meow Cosmetics Pampered Puss in Sleek Chartreux seems to be a good match - will update on performance later. $23.95 for a quarter cup of the stuff isn't bad, either. It's twice as much as EM's foundations, but for at least four times the product.
Silk Naturals: I got samples of the original formula, and on their forum foundation matching maven Jen W's advice, tried the Warm Gold. I mixed one part of that with 10 of the Ivory (white foundation base), and it blended into my skin really well when I swatched it.
I'd also like to try adorned with Grace, but not a lot of her shades look fair enough, so I might have to mix. Aromaleigh could be promising as well, but their foundation is more expensive than I'd like.
EM's pressed foundation is unique in the affordable mineral makeup market, and if they still had Fair Yellow, I'd probably still buy it, even if it was just a tad too yellow. Instead, I'm on the prowl for something else to wear when I'm dressed up that can also serve the double-duty of layering over my undereye concealer.
Earthen Glow Minerals makes a couple mousse foundations that look promising, but since they don't have the ingredients lists available online, I'm waiting on a response from them about what's in it. If they don't include any of my allergens or other no, thanks ingredients, I might give it a go.
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