1) I feel that they are utterly unaccessible to the general public! Spiritually, physically, emotionally, economically. I've talked to A LOT of people about how they feel when shopping at a Mac counter and most of the time they feel incompetent. That's never a good way to do business.
2) Cheaply made products that are overpriced! I've hear far too many times from far too many people that MAC products make them break out, ect. I personally don't want to pay three times the average price of a half decent product.
3) Marketing scheme! The reason Mac does all of the the "Limited Edition" lines is because it is an excellent way to make more money! People don't want to miss out on things, everyone wants to feel special, and this is an age old marketing scheme that works! Problem with that is... that more often than not there will be a number of products that aren't limited edition in with the actual new colors/products. This is why you end up with five or six of the same color... Look at Urban Decay and how many of their palettes have five old colors with five new colors, while people want the new colors and buy the product for that, they also end up rebuying products that they already have and probably don't need more of. Its why I don't buy palettes unless I'm completely new to the brand... Like I will probably buy the Naked palette.
4) Horrible costumer service!
5) Color! I know a lot of women out there who LOVE the selection of colors in MAC foundation... problem is... is that most of the time, They're only shopping for one or two colors/shades. Illamasqua has so many more shades, mainly because they're a theater company, but in their pressed powders alone there are 15 varying, different shades. Mac has whole different sets of press powders with maybe two different shades for each one... At least on their website... Given, those are just one type of product, but check out both sites and see for yourself. And yes Illamasqua is an actual "High End" brand as far as price and product... whereas MAC is significantly cheaper, but Illamasqua is a Theater makeup company... they make their products to last!
6) The whole Rodarte scandal... If you don't know about this Google is your friend.
MAC Site
Illamasqua
Rodarte
Juarez
The rest is up to you...
Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cosmetics. Show all posts
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
My gift from E.L.F
I got the Mini Makeup Collection as my free gift with an order code. I actually really like it! It has a HUGE mirror in the lid. Its pretty convenient and easy to use. I just wish I knew what the color names where.
The Collection Includes:
9 eyeshadows
1 cream eye shadow
1 blush
1 bronzer
10 lip glosses
1 brow powder
1 eyeliner pencil in Black
1 dual ended eye shadow applicator
1 face brush
1 lip brush.
I love this!! The colors are so amazing! Great pigmentation! I like the lip brush. The eyeshadow applicators are both foam, so I won't use them. The face brush is so soft, but I probably won't use it.
The eyeliner is so smooth! Brow powder seems sheer enough to be usable for everyone. The blush is AMAZING!!! The pigmentation is great, the color is so beautiful!!! Its this peachy-pink with gold micro glitter!!! The bronzer is nicely pigmented with gold micro glitter.
The eyeshadows:
The cream one is a nice milky shimmery cream color. Very sheer, very wearable.
The Shimmery brown: is beautiful. Its a bronze-antique gold, very pigmented!
The Shimmery gold: this is a milky gold color with gold micro glitter.
The Shimmery dark green: not nearly as pigmented, but its this build-able forest/olive green. With sort of reddish micro glitter.
The Shimmery pale green: has no pigmentation!
The Matte Brown: is sort of a reddish brown.
The Shimmery Duo-chrome: Is super pigmented!!! Its a gold-ish, green, brown... Its a beautiful color!
Shimmery silver gray: Very sheer, a pretty silver color.
Shimmery charcoal gray: Is amazingly pigmented! Has silver micro glitter.
Matte black: It has micro glitter, but that doesn't transfer. Pretty pigmented.
The Lip glosses:
Translucent glitter: Exactly what it says it is, the glitter is a multi colored duo-chrome.
Baby Pink: This has a shimmer/sheen to it, this one probably has the worst color payoff.
Pink-pink: This is a little matte, but the color payoff is perfect! Its like a lipstick!
Brown: Its a sort of reddish brown.
Gold: Is beautiful, milky gold.
Red-Brown: A deep mahogany color. Slightly shimmery.
Rose: Such a beautiful color. Very pigmented!
Deep Rose: Very pigmented!
Deep Pink: Beautiful color, a little matte.
Plum: A little shimmery, very pretty color.
I will work on posting pictures soon!
The Collection Includes:
9 eyeshadows
1 cream eye shadow
1 blush
1 bronzer
10 lip glosses
1 brow powder
1 eyeliner pencil in Black
1 dual ended eye shadow applicator
1 face brush
1 lip brush.
I love this!! The colors are so amazing! Great pigmentation! I like the lip brush. The eyeshadow applicators are both foam, so I won't use them. The face brush is so soft, but I probably won't use it.
The eyeliner is so smooth! Brow powder seems sheer enough to be usable for everyone. The blush is AMAZING!!! The pigmentation is great, the color is so beautiful!!! Its this peachy-pink with gold micro glitter!!! The bronzer is nicely pigmented with gold micro glitter.
The eyeshadows:
The cream one is a nice milky shimmery cream color. Very sheer, very wearable.
The Shimmery brown: is beautiful. Its a bronze-antique gold, very pigmented!
The Shimmery gold: this is a milky gold color with gold micro glitter.
The Shimmery dark green: not nearly as pigmented, but its this build-able forest/olive green. With sort of reddish micro glitter.
The Shimmery pale green: has no pigmentation!
The Matte Brown: is sort of a reddish brown.
The Shimmery Duo-chrome: Is super pigmented!!! Its a gold-ish, green, brown... Its a beautiful color!
Shimmery silver gray: Very sheer, a pretty silver color.
Shimmery charcoal gray: Is amazingly pigmented! Has silver micro glitter.
Matte black: It has micro glitter, but that doesn't transfer. Pretty pigmented.
The Lip glosses:
Translucent glitter: Exactly what it says it is, the glitter is a multi colored duo-chrome.
Baby Pink: This has a shimmer/sheen to it, this one probably has the worst color payoff.
Pink-pink: This is a little matte, but the color payoff is perfect! Its like a lipstick!
Brown: Its a sort of reddish brown.
Gold: Is beautiful, milky gold.
Red-Brown: A deep mahogany color. Slightly shimmery.
Rose: Such a beautiful color. Very pigmented!
Deep Rose: Very pigmented!
Deep Pink: Beautiful color, a little matte.
Plum: A little shimmery, very pretty color.
I will work on posting pictures soon!
Part of my E.L.F order that didn't turn out well.
I also ordered the Translucent Matifying Powder.. but it came shattered! Its completely unusable! The powder got EVERYWHERE!!! Including on my pants. I've contacted E.L.F, and while they don't do returns... I can get a new one. I'm glad because I really wanted to try this product. This was $3.
E.L.F Package First Impression!
Here's what I ordered:
Eyelash curler:... this is the first one I've ever owned or used. It came with an extra silicone pad which is really considerate! This was from their studio line. I bought this for $3.
Mineral Eyeshadow primer: This was $3
Shimmer eyeliner pencil: I got two of these one in Bandit, which is black with subtle sparkle, and the other in Twinkle Teal, a green shimmer, foiled color. I love these, just trying them, they are so smooth! There's a sharpener in the cap, which is nice if your traveling. These were a dollar each.
Eye Widener: Basically a shimmery white eyeliner. Its SO SMOOTH!!! The color is beautiful! I can't wait to use this! This was also a dollar!
Clarifying Pressed Powder: I got this in Ivory. It's a matte powder, its so smooth and seems to have pretty good coverage, but I got this to use as a setting powder. I think it will work wonderfully for this. It came with a puff, but I think a brush will work better. This was a dollar!
High Definition Powder: This also cam with a puff, but I'll also be using a brush with it. There's powder on the container, which isn't very professional. It shows that this wasn't packaged correctly and its a waste of product! I know this is fairly cheap, but no one wants to waste money. The powder is white, which means that it won't muddy foundation, like Mineral Veil does. I think the powder will work perfectly as a setting powder. Its very smooth. I bought this for $6
Body Glow: This is one of E.L.F.'s new products. This also came with a puff and I might use it since brushes can buff away the powder and transfer it very easily. This was packaged really well! I like the container. The powder is really shimmery! Its sort of a pale gold and you get SO much product. This was $6.
Natural Radiance Blusher: I was a little confused on how to open it, but I finally figured it out. It opens like a drawer, but its really had to open! In fact I just cut myself trying to get it open. Please, if you get this be vary careful getting if open, I literally just cut a chunk out of my skin. As a company, you probably don't want to make your costumers bleed trying to get your product open. If you do get it open, don;t let it click when you close it. I got this in the color Glow. Its such a beautiful color, but the container is so small! But for a dollar, how much product can you expect. Powder is very nice, great pigmentation, very smooth powder. I think this will blend really well!
Studio Blush: I got three of these at $3 each. The containers are great! They resemble NARS packaging. It comes with a little mirror. You get quite a lot of product. The texture of the powder is great! The first color I got is Peachy Keen, its not quite as pigmented, and its more of a glow-y color. I think it will be great for a subtle look, the color is more brown than peach, but I can use this as a bronzer! The next is Tickled Pink, I LOVE this color! I wish the color payoff was better, but its matte. This is my first matte blush, I think it will be interesting to use. The last color is my favorite!!! Its a color called Blushing Rose. It looks really dark, but its so beautiful. A red rose color with gold-ish micro glitter. Color pay off is really good! The color is amazing on the skin, but the glitter doesn't come through as much as I'd like. This color is a little iridescent, which is what most people would call duo-chrome. I love it!
Shimmering Facial Whip: I think this product can be used so many different ways! I'm really excited about it! I have the color Lilac Petal. You could use this by mixing it with your tinted moisturizer or foundation to make it dewy(I think e.l.f suggests this.), You could use this as a lip tint, either by mixing it or using it on it's own, a high light, eye shadow base, ect! Consistency is nice and creamy, and its very light, it blends well. It has a great smell, very subtle orange. I wish the lilac came out more. This was a dollar!
Lip lock Pencil: This is just a translucent lip liner, I'm not sure how it will work, but I think its really interesting! I just opened it and it broke... I'm not even sure how. I think I can still work with it, but it sucks that it broke... I think its because the packaging doesn't fit securely around the product... There's a lot of space around the product! Which is weird because this is one of their studio products. This was $3.
Eyelash curler:... this is the first one I've ever owned or used. It came with an extra silicone pad which is really considerate! This was from their studio line. I bought this for $3.
Mineral Eyeshadow primer: This was $3
Shimmer eyeliner pencil: I got two of these one in Bandit, which is black with subtle sparkle, and the other in Twinkle Teal, a green shimmer, foiled color. I love these, just trying them, they are so smooth! There's a sharpener in the cap, which is nice if your traveling. These were a dollar each.
Eye Widener: Basically a shimmery white eyeliner. Its SO SMOOTH!!! The color is beautiful! I can't wait to use this! This was also a dollar!
Clarifying Pressed Powder: I got this in Ivory. It's a matte powder, its so smooth and seems to have pretty good coverage, but I got this to use as a setting powder. I think it will work wonderfully for this. It came with a puff, but I think a brush will work better. This was a dollar!
High Definition Powder: This also cam with a puff, but I'll also be using a brush with it. There's powder on the container, which isn't very professional. It shows that this wasn't packaged correctly and its a waste of product! I know this is fairly cheap, but no one wants to waste money. The powder is white, which means that it won't muddy foundation, like Mineral Veil does. I think the powder will work perfectly as a setting powder. Its very smooth. I bought this for $6
Body Glow: This is one of E.L.F.'s new products. This also came with a puff and I might use it since brushes can buff away the powder and transfer it very easily. This was packaged really well! I like the container. The powder is really shimmery! Its sort of a pale gold and you get SO much product. This was $6.
Natural Radiance Blusher: I was a little confused on how to open it, but I finally figured it out. It opens like a drawer, but its really had to open! In fact I just cut myself trying to get it open. Please, if you get this be vary careful getting if open, I literally just cut a chunk out of my skin. As a company, you probably don't want to make your costumers bleed trying to get your product open. If you do get it open, don;t let it click when you close it. I got this in the color Glow. Its such a beautiful color, but the container is so small! But for a dollar, how much product can you expect. Powder is very nice, great pigmentation, very smooth powder. I think this will blend really well!
Studio Blush: I got three of these at $3 each. The containers are great! They resemble NARS packaging. It comes with a little mirror. You get quite a lot of product. The texture of the powder is great! The first color I got is Peachy Keen, its not quite as pigmented, and its more of a glow-y color. I think it will be great for a subtle look, the color is more brown than peach, but I can use this as a bronzer! The next is Tickled Pink, I LOVE this color! I wish the color payoff was better, but its matte. This is my first matte blush, I think it will be interesting to use. The last color is my favorite!!! Its a color called Blushing Rose. It looks really dark, but its so beautiful. A red rose color with gold-ish micro glitter. Color pay off is really good! The color is amazing on the skin, but the glitter doesn't come through as much as I'd like. This color is a little iridescent, which is what most people would call duo-chrome. I love it!
Shimmering Facial Whip: I think this product can be used so many different ways! I'm really excited about it! I have the color Lilac Petal. You could use this by mixing it with your tinted moisturizer or foundation to make it dewy(I think e.l.f suggests this.), You could use this as a lip tint, either by mixing it or using it on it's own, a high light, eye shadow base, ect! Consistency is nice and creamy, and its very light, it blends well. It has a great smell, very subtle orange. I wish the lilac came out more. This was a dollar!
Lip lock Pencil: This is just a translucent lip liner, I'm not sure how it will work, but I think its really interesting! I just opened it and it broke... I'm not even sure how. I think I can still work with it, but it sucks that it broke... I think its because the packaging doesn't fit securely around the product... There's a lot of space around the product! Which is weird because this is one of their studio products. This was $3.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Hard Candy Visibly Wet Lip Pencil in Candy Apple
I actually really like this! I got it at Walmart for $6. It has absolutely no scent, but the pigmentation and texture is just FANTASTIC!!! It has cinnamon... I think, which they should warn people about, but for some reason don't. Its quite surprising to put something on your lips and feel them tingle... when your not expecting it is worse. As far as plumping, I don't notice a difference, and its not especially moisturizing, but the pigmentation is really worth it. The color is just amazing. Its bright red... but not an orange-red, its more of a royal red with red micro-glitter. The actual product is pretty glossy and really smooth. It doesn't seem to feather or dry out which is the good thing. It doesn't dry out my lips, but it doesn't add moisture either. I give this a 9 out of 10!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Review: HardCandy Sheer Envy Primer and Illamasqua
I like this a lot! This is $8 at Walmart, but its 1.6 fluid ounces! My Illamasqua primer is only 1oz. for 19 euro, but I got a discount which was 20% off, so I got mine for about four euro off... So 17 euro plus shipping. The reason I actually got a discount is because there was some sort of shipping problem. And they didn't ship my order... which happens around the holidays, its pretty common, and I'm glad we have it all figured out. Here's what I'm worried about... I still haven't received either package. The first package is pretty late... like three weeks to a month... but again it is the holiday season and the mail system has been slow since the bombs from Yemen were found... so it will take longer... I just wished I had a tracking number...
Okay... Back on subject. I just got this today, so I've only tried it a little bit, so I guess this is more of a first impression than a review... I don't know if I can steal that or not since Xsparkage has already used it for her video line and probably for blogs too. Oh well. The consistency is really interesting. It has several types of silicone in it, Dimethicone, silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer and several others. So if you have an allergy to silicone.... DO NOT USE THIS!!!! I had to shake mine before application, it seems to separate pretty easily. Coming out of the tube... the primer itself is white but it blends clear. The texture is kinda like collagen. Like hydrated collagen or really thick Jell-o. It blends really well... very smooth, but like most silica based products it doesn't exactly dry, or at least it doesn't feel like it does. Its very light weight, but I can't tell how it will do with fine lines or large pores.
I'd like to mention that this company, DOES NOT test on animals which is always a good thing. It's cheap, accessible, and you get quite a lot of product for the price. Hard Candy also has really good quality products. I definitely recommend them! As I use this, I'll probably post an update as well as a comparison between Hard Candy and Illamasqua.
Okay... Back on subject. I just got this today, so I've only tried it a little bit, so I guess this is more of a first impression than a review... I don't know if I can steal that or not since Xsparkage has already used it for her video line and probably for blogs too. Oh well. The consistency is really interesting. It has several types of silicone in it, Dimethicone, silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer and several others. So if you have an allergy to silicone.... DO NOT USE THIS!!!! I had to shake mine before application, it seems to separate pretty easily. Coming out of the tube... the primer itself is white but it blends clear. The texture is kinda like collagen. Like hydrated collagen or really thick Jell-o. It blends really well... very smooth, but like most silica based products it doesn't exactly dry, or at least it doesn't feel like it does. Its very light weight, but I can't tell how it will do with fine lines or large pores.
I'd like to mention that this company, DOES NOT test on animals which is always a good thing. It's cheap, accessible, and you get quite a lot of product for the price. Hard Candy also has really good quality products. I definitely recommend them! As I use this, I'll probably post an update as well as a comparison between Hard Candy and Illamasqua.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
I hope everyone had a great holiday!! Update!
I will be posting a blog on all of the things I received and some of the things I'm giving before I send them, but that will have to wait until I get back home. Currently I'm at my parent's house, enjoying a lovely WARM holiday with them! It's like 50 degrees Fahrenheit!!! That's SUPER warm for Colorado. I've also ordered some cosmetics from Elf... a brand that I've never tried... so I'm pretty excited about that. I'm thinking about getting a standing mirror for tutorials, which I'll probably get. I also ordered some skincare products, including a Lactic Acid chemical peel kit, which I think will be really interesting if my skin can tolerate it. I'll also be posting a blog on what I've learned about chemical peels. I hope I can get a better web cam program so I can start making videos again.
I would love to hear what everyone got for their holiday an/or what you got others! Please give me some ideas for next year!!!! ;P
I would love to hear what everyone got for their holiday an/or what you got others! Please give me some ideas for next year!!!! ;P
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Update... 11/17/10
I ordered the riche liquid foundation from Illamasqua... finally! We'll see how it works when it gets here and I'll do a review. Lets hope it works and I don't have to return anything... I've also gotten a new keyboard for my comp, so I'll have working nine and question mark keys. *just in case you were wondering why I haven't been typing either of these*
E.L.F cosmetics
Otherwise known as eyes, lips, face. I wanted to purchase some items from this site, but its yet another site that apparently doesn't have a paypal option.... Which sucks... but what are you going to do. Thing is, is that there was a little paypal seal at the bottom of the page. Can any one explain this.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Cosmetic Acne
I believe I have cosmetic acne, probably from using an exfoliator that is too abrasive, and from using too many skin care products... Even natural skin care can cause cosmetic acne, and men can get this as well. Something to remember is.... not all oils will clog your pores... one of these is sunflower seed oil.
Right now I'm really hating my skin... I have acne all around my mouth area, this can be a sign of hormone imbalance, by the way, so it kinda looks like I have herpes..... Yay.... But I know for a fact that I don't have herpes, because I've been tested for it. I'm going to only wash my face once a week with a cleanser for a while and see how that works. Otherwise, I'll just use water...
Right now I'm really hating my skin... I have acne all around my mouth area, this can be a sign of hormone imbalance, by the way, so it kinda looks like I have herpes..... Yay.... But I know for a fact that I don't have herpes, because I've been tested for it. I'm going to only wash my face once a week with a cleanser for a while and see how that works. Otherwise, I'll just use water...
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Hardcandy Cosmetics
This is a really easy, cheap, accessible brand that I really like. So far I have two eyeliners, a green one called Bamboo, and an aqua blue one called Chop Suey. I have some mascara in Electric Blue, and I have Foiled Again Metallic Shadow stick in Celestine. Which I think is supposed to be used alone, but it will crease if you do that. I use it as a base for some of my eyeshadows and it works really well for that. I love the mascara; I don't find it clumpy or too wet. I love the eyeliners because they are very pigmented, and go on super smoothly! 10 Stars for all the products I just listed!
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