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  • Cat Lover
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Beth_Editor_in_Chief

  • Where you live:Los Angeles
  • Ratings: 34
  • Reviews: 31
  • Name: Beth Mayall-Traglia Editor in Chief of TotalBeauty.com

November 7, 2008, 4:44 pm

Looking to turn favorite eye shadows into liquid liner? Keep looking. Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Transforming Potion is a brilliant concept -- a clear liquid liner base without pigment, packaged with two brushes for thick or thin lines -- but it's flawed in delivery. Its brushes cannot retain enough pigment to draw a solid line, and over time, re-inserting the used brush turns the clear liquid muddy in color. Wear is below average. A much better bet for less money: Paula Dorf Transformer or Urban Decay Liquid Eye Liner Vintage.

Product Reviewed: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Transforming Potion

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

November 7, 2008, 4:37 pm

We require that a product deliver high "wow" factor to add another step to beauty routines -- and we're usually underwhelmed by primers. So we skeptically smoothed a dab of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, a translucent shadow primer, onto just one lid, then applied shadow for several days. Surprise: Richer pigment on the primer lid. By day's end each time we tested, the primer lid had worn noticeably better, resisting creasing and color. Those with oily or mature skin will consider this a staple.

Product Reviewed: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

November 7, 2008, 4:33 pm

Don't let the "Ultra Rich" fool you. Kinerase Pro+Therapy Ultra Rich Eye Repair is light enough to wear under makeup without getting raccoon eyes -- a solid performer that absorbs fast, moisturizes well and won't clog pores. But claims of "Eye Repair" are slightly over-hyped; "severe, visible signs of aging" and "damaged skin" won't be reborn, just a little better moisturized. Take caution at applying too close to the eye or suffer an unusually intense lemon-juicy sting.

Product Reviewed: Kinerase Pro+Therapy Ultra Rich Eye Repair

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

August 12, 2008, 10:40 am

This product somewhat helps wavy hair stay straight, but doesn't leave it soft or shiny. On the contrary, it leaves a stiff residue like firm-hold hairspray. Sprayed on wet hair, it's undetectable, but you'll feel like you're blow-drying with no product -- an unpleasant experience that causes breakage. Frizz-Ease Clearly Defined Style Holding Gel is a better alternative; it straightens and allows the brush to glide through hair.

Product Reviewed: Frizz-Ease Straight Answer Straightening Spray

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

August 7, 2008, 10:39 am

Finally, an inexpensive self tanner worthy of gushing over. How do we love thee? Let us count the ways: 1) Remarkably realistic color (and so much of it!) that's more golden brown than that of competitors; 2) A truly moisturizing lotion -- oil-free, packed with aloe and vitamin E and non-sticky; 3) A smell you won't crinkle your nose over. But its "streak-free" claim? Well, the lotion's tint helps, but no self tanner can ever be completely streak-free. (Note to companies: Prove us wrong.)

Product Reviewed: Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Lotion

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

August 7, 2008, 10:28 am

This mid-weight finishing cream adds nice texture to flat-ironed hair, and smoothes flyaways after a blow-dry. It does double-duty as a styling cream; work through wet hair for curls that air-dry more ringlet-y, or blow-dry straight. The effect is moisture and subtle shine. After too many days of heat styling, I rely on this infusion of avocado oil to rehab some damage.

Product Reviewed: Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Creme

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

June 27, 2008, 10:49 am

While it performed as a most basic mascara, with a name like this I expected Boots Longer Lashes Mascara to, y'know, make my lashes longer. The slightly dry formula coated lashes sparingly and without lengthening, leaving a feathery, am-I-wearing-any-mascara look. By lunchtime I knew the answer to that, as my under-eye areas were slightly smudged. Removal was super easy -- just cleanser and water did the trick.

Product Reviewed: Boots No7 Longer Lashes Mascara - Black

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

May 1, 2008, 6:44 pm

At age 30 it started: looser skin under my eyes, crepey texture above. Of the two dozen fixes I've tried, StriVectin-SD performed best at increasing skin plumpness and reducing wrinkles. Our product-testers had similar results (see <a href="http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/p_eye_cream_test" target="new">Our Six-Week Eye Cream Expos&eacute</a>). What's the magic? Peptides and antioxidants increase skin thickness and aid collagen buildup -- same principles as when it hit the market as a stretch mark reducer. The heavy cream may be pore-clogging for some users; those wanting to lighten dark circles should save their money.

Product Reviewed: Klein-Becker StriVectin-SD Eye Cream

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

March 24, 2008, 1:51 pm

Bored by your basic black cat eye? Branch out into the eight funky colors of Urban Decay Liquid Eye Liner Vintage to get long-lasting wear delivered by a versatile, quality brush. Pigment density varies from shade to shade, though – purple Crash requires two coats; blue Speed is good with one – so test before buying. Instructions suggest smearing “all over lids for brilliant, long-lasting” eye shadow, but we found this drying – a potential wrinkle-enhancer. Dries to a subtle metallic finish.

Product Reviewed: Urban decay Liquid Eye Liner Vintage

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

January 21, 2008, 6:27 pm

This highly pigmented, chubby crayon delivers long-lasting wear with some moisture. The rich matte finish works remarkably well in the strong reds, though any of the colors can be topped with gloss. (Just know this affects length of wear.) Vitamin E and silicone help you forget you're wearing rich color. A pencil makes for pretty precise application -- but eventually you'll be reaching for a Nars custom-sized sharpener (which you must buy separately -- boo).

Product Reviewed: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

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