Better than or equal to MAC
- Thread starter Diviniti
- Start date
lizsybarite
Well-known member
Aside from the usual others (UD shadow & mascara, NARS blush, etc.), I use my trusty ORRA 88 palette a lot:
Got it off of eBay for around $40. The colors have a good pigment & lasting power if I'm using a good base. Frankly this should have stemmed my appetite for buying more eyeshadow but I just moved on to my third 15-pan palette so I guess that didn't work! Nowadays it's mostly unused - sad, because I really do like it. It has prevented a lot of purchases of colors I wouldn't use enough to justify, like Chrome Yellow. So I guess it was worthwhile.
Got it off of eBay for around $40. The colors have a good pigment & lasting power if I'm using a good base. Frankly this should have stemmed my appetite for buying more eyeshadow but I just moved on to my third 15-pan palette so I guess that didn't work! Nowadays it's mostly unused - sad, because I really do like it. It has prevented a lot of purchases of colors I wouldn't use enough to justify, like Chrome Yellow. So I guess it was worthwhile.
joytheobscure
Well-known member
Urban decay - revlon for their superlustrous glosses- nars blushes (I need more) B.E. shadows...
michy_mimi
Well-known member
I am an Urban Decay Junkie!
Their eye liners are brilliant and come in alot of colors. I also couldn;t live without the Eyeshadow Primer potion and my Biker Lipgunk!
Their eye liners are brilliant and come in alot of colors. I also couldn;t live without the Eyeshadow Primer potion and my Biker Lipgunk!
sbetsy
Well-known member
In my traincase, other than MAC, you'll find:
Chanel glossimers and lipsticks (I don't care for Chanel's shadows - not enough pigment).
Smashbox brushes, foundation primer, eyebrow powder/wax duo.
Nars palettes and blushes (orgasm = yum, laguna = yum) - dolce vita l/s.
bare escentuals - powder foundation and FOILING GLIMMERS. I love those.
Estee Lauder and Lancome shadows.
Lancome make-up remover.
Clinique black honey lip gloss and naturally glossy mascara and this great smudgy eyeliner that has its own sharpener in the cap.
DuWop lip venom - but I'm thinking about trying Lip Fusion.
Shiseido eyeshadow quads (gorgeous - I have flora and fauna and sea and sky).
Dior lip gloss (nothing I put on my lips is as pretty as Dior's lychee rose).
Chanel glossimers and lipsticks (I don't care for Chanel's shadows - not enough pigment).
Smashbox brushes, foundation primer, eyebrow powder/wax duo.
Nars palettes and blushes (orgasm = yum, laguna = yum) - dolce vita l/s.
bare escentuals - powder foundation and FOILING GLIMMERS. I love those.
Estee Lauder and Lancome shadows.
Lancome make-up remover.
Clinique black honey lip gloss and naturally glossy mascara and this great smudgy eyeliner that has its own sharpener in the cap.
DuWop lip venom - but I'm thinking about trying Lip Fusion.
Shiseido eyeshadow quads (gorgeous - I have flora and fauna and sea and sky).
Dior lip gloss (nothing I put on my lips is as pretty as Dior's lychee rose).
mima
Well-known member
high end:
NARS
the blushes, both powder and cream are to die for. the e/s are hit or miss, but the ones with good pigment are wonderful, and there are some really unique colours in the line. the multiples are fun to play with. i find the lipsticks have a weird crayon smell and can be drying.
YSL
the touche eclat, faux cils mascara are totally worth the splurge. YSL also makes some gorgeous lipsticks (pure shine) and eyeshadow duos and blush
lancome
i can't live without my artliners. i am a total klutz but these are pretty much idiot-proof.
the juicy tubes are nice, but like lancome blushes, i think they're overpriced. i like the powders too, but not enough to repurchase, mainly b/c of the price tag
christian dior
i have stopped wearing foundation, but when i did, dior it was. i also LOVE their lipsticks and lipglosses -- all the different kinds and finishes, but especially the addict shiniest range. the mascaras, especially diorshow and maximeyes are HG, i alternate between YSL faux cils and dior mascaras (and lately, max factor lash perfection)
stila
i like the texture of the e/s and blush, and i like the lip glazes but couldn't tell you why. however, i only buy stila when i find it on sale. i'd never pay regular prices.
chanel
i love the blushes, they're really gorgeous, and i like the lipsticks too, especially the aqualumiere range. i think the e/s quads are very sheer, and totally not worth it, but the new duos are lovely and pigmented. chanel has lovely lipliners and eyeliners, but i don't think they're all that better than mac, especially for the price, so i won't repurchase them. i adore the tecture and finish of the glossimers, but think there are not enough colours for darker skintones/pigmented lips. the cristalle glosses are waaay too sheer, i only own one.
guerlain
everything in this line is fabulous. i especially love the lipsticks and lipglosses (the kisskiss range in particular), the annual bronzers that that come out every summer and are like works of art. the e/s are pigmented. the blushes are very nice, especially the mousse ones.
elizabeth arden
i'm not a huge fan of elizabeth arden makeup, but i like their skincare a lot. some of it is HG status
armani
i have a small collection or armani, and i'm extremely glad i have it, but i won't be getting much more, b/c i think the quality is not on par with the price. that being said, i do want to add a few more fluid sheers and an LSF to my stash. but i don't get the fuss over the e/s, sure they're nice, but...nothing special.
vincent longo
the lipsticks, lipglosses and lip stains are EXCELLENT quality. i love them!
sephora brand
i love the lipsticks and lip gloss crayons. the lipliners and eyeliners are good too.
clinique
i have fallen in love with clinique lately. they have fantastic glosses and lipsticks (butter shines!), as well as lipliners and eyeliners (the creamshapers are really wonderful). i really loved the black honey collection. i have repurchased happy heart perfume several times. i don't own but plan to purchase the blush brush, DDMGEL (not lotion), the strawberry fudge colour surge duo...
lise watier
love the lipglosses and e/s. the skincare is nice too. the lipsticks are pretty but don't seem to suit my skintone. the loose e/s rock my world
quo
once upon a time i loved almost everything -- brushes, lipsticks, lipglosses, e/s, eyeliner, blush etc etc but then they went and reforumlated everything and now i'm not feeling it, but often pick up the seasonal colour collections, especially the holiday ones
low end
revlon
the moistrous l/s and superlustrous l/g are holy grails. FACT: i own every single superlustrous l/g ever released in canada. EVERY SINGLE ONE.
l'oreal
i buy the colour juices instead of lancome's juicy tubes. i really like their blushes and lipsticks too. their eyeliners and liquid liners are not as good as lancome's but for the price, they work. i don't like the eyeshadows though. the hydrafresh moisturizer is a HG
marcelle
i love the lipglosses, e/s and blush.
rimmel
i love everything, from the lipstick to the eyemake up remover and everything in between
nyx
this is mac quality for a fraction of the price. love the e/s, l/g and the loose e/s (like pigments)
wet n wild
cheap and fantastic. i love their products as much as i love my chanel, nars or armani! love the blushes, bronzers, highlighters, e/s singles, lipliners....
nyc
some wonderful products for less than the price of a coffee! their holiday and summer collections have really great knock offs of high end products. love their glosses especially
i don't use much covergirl, but like the new lash exact mascara and the oversized lip tint/sheet lipsticks, and the LE eye make up in clickable pens
EDITED TO ADD:
lancaster is totally underrated but makes incredible blushes (love them as much as my NARS if not more)
shu uemera blushes and ME eyeshadows are to die for. totally worth the $$.
shiseido m/u is ridiculously expensive, but i love my lipsticks, the one l/g i own from them, and the hydro eyeshadows are soo fun. the regular e/s are sometimes a bit too sheer.
love cargo e/s and blush (can;t resist their l/g but it is sheer and the containers are annoying)
sally hansen has some cute m/u, as does neutrogena
recently i've been playing w/ urban decay
NARS
the blushes, both powder and cream are to die for. the e/s are hit or miss, but the ones with good pigment are wonderful, and there are some really unique colours in the line. the multiples are fun to play with. i find the lipsticks have a weird crayon smell and can be drying.
YSL
the touche eclat, faux cils mascara are totally worth the splurge. YSL also makes some gorgeous lipsticks (pure shine) and eyeshadow duos and blush
lancome
i can't live without my artliners. i am a total klutz but these are pretty much idiot-proof.
the juicy tubes are nice, but like lancome blushes, i think they're overpriced. i like the powders too, but not enough to repurchase, mainly b/c of the price tag
christian dior
i have stopped wearing foundation, but when i did, dior it was. i also LOVE their lipsticks and lipglosses -- all the different kinds and finishes, but especially the addict shiniest range. the mascaras, especially diorshow and maximeyes are HG, i alternate between YSL faux cils and dior mascaras (and lately, max factor lash perfection)
stila
i like the texture of the e/s and blush, and i like the lip glazes but couldn't tell you why. however, i only buy stila when i find it on sale. i'd never pay regular prices.
chanel
i love the blushes, they're really gorgeous, and i like the lipsticks too, especially the aqualumiere range. i think the e/s quads are very sheer, and totally not worth it, but the new duos are lovely and pigmented. chanel has lovely lipliners and eyeliners, but i don't think they're all that better than mac, especially for the price, so i won't repurchase them. i adore the tecture and finish of the glossimers, but think there are not enough colours for darker skintones/pigmented lips. the cristalle glosses are waaay too sheer, i only own one.
guerlain
everything in this line is fabulous. i especially love the lipsticks and lipglosses (the kisskiss range in particular), the annual bronzers that that come out every summer and are like works of art. the e/s are pigmented. the blushes are very nice, especially the mousse ones.
elizabeth arden
i'm not a huge fan of elizabeth arden makeup, but i like their skincare a lot. some of it is HG status
armani
i have a small collection or armani, and i'm extremely glad i have it, but i won't be getting much more, b/c i think the quality is not on par with the price. that being said, i do want to add a few more fluid sheers and an LSF to my stash. but i don't get the fuss over the e/s, sure they're nice, but...nothing special.
vincent longo
the lipsticks, lipglosses and lip stains are EXCELLENT quality. i love them!
sephora brand
i love the lipsticks and lip gloss crayons. the lipliners and eyeliners are good too.
clinique
i have fallen in love with clinique lately. they have fantastic glosses and lipsticks (butter shines!), as well as lipliners and eyeliners (the creamshapers are really wonderful). i really loved the black honey collection. i have repurchased happy heart perfume several times. i don't own but plan to purchase the blush brush, DDMGEL (not lotion), the strawberry fudge colour surge duo...
lise watier
love the lipglosses and e/s. the skincare is nice too. the lipsticks are pretty but don't seem to suit my skintone. the loose e/s rock my world
quo
once upon a time i loved almost everything -- brushes, lipsticks, lipglosses, e/s, eyeliner, blush etc etc but then they went and reforumlated everything and now i'm not feeling it, but often pick up the seasonal colour collections, especially the holiday ones
low end
revlon
the moistrous l/s and superlustrous l/g are holy grails. FACT: i own every single superlustrous l/g ever released in canada. EVERY SINGLE ONE.
l'oreal
i buy the colour juices instead of lancome's juicy tubes. i really like their blushes and lipsticks too. their eyeliners and liquid liners are not as good as lancome's but for the price, they work. i don't like the eyeshadows though. the hydrafresh moisturizer is a HG
marcelle
i love the lipglosses, e/s and blush.
rimmel
i love everything, from the lipstick to the eyemake up remover and everything in between
nyx
this is mac quality for a fraction of the price. love the e/s, l/g and the loose e/s (like pigments)
wet n wild
cheap and fantastic. i love their products as much as i love my chanel, nars or armani! love the blushes, bronzers, highlighters, e/s singles, lipliners....
nyc
some wonderful products for less than the price of a coffee! their holiday and summer collections have really great knock offs of high end products. love their glosses especially
i don't use much covergirl, but like the new lash exact mascara and the oversized lip tint/sheet lipsticks, and the LE eye make up in clickable pens
EDITED TO ADD:
lancaster is totally underrated but makes incredible blushes (love them as much as my NARS if not more)
shu uemera blushes and ME eyeshadows are to die for. totally worth the $$.
shiseido m/u is ridiculously expensive, but i love my lipsticks, the one l/g i own from them, and the hydro eyeshadows are soo fun. the regular e/s are sometimes a bit too sheer.
love cargo e/s and blush (can;t resist their l/g but it is sheer and the containers are annoying)
sally hansen has some cute m/u, as does neutrogena
recently i've been playing w/ urban decay
kissmypinkstar
Well-known member
Urban Decay. UD shadows are an amazing texture. Their primer potion is to die for too!
justalildirrtyx
Well-known member
i love:
NARS eyeshadows are sooo pretty! i also love their lipsticks they stay on pretty long.. and also their blushes are definetly good too.
Bobbi Brown's shimmer brick compact! ..there's all different colors [i use bronze for bronzer, but you can use it for eyeshadow too!]
NARS eyeshadows are sooo pretty! i also love their lipsticks they stay on pretty long.. and also their blushes are definetly good too.
Bobbi Brown's shimmer brick compact! ..there's all different colors [i use bronze for bronzer, but you can use it for eyeshadow too!]
Janelleleo
Active member
Nars eyeshadows, lipstick and blush are all excellent.
Dior lipglosses are great too, very sheer and they go on smooth. Good staying power for a lipgloss as well.
Cargo blushes are great, just as good as Nars or MAC plus they come in loads of interesting colors.
Lancome Mascara is the best in my opinion. Just hands down excellent.
Smashbox also has some wonderful colors and products as well.
I'm also looking to branch out from MAC. I really would love to try Armani or Chantecaille.
Stila is also wonderful as others have mentioend but I find their packaging a little faulty.
Guerlain also has some interesting products that are wonderful, like their loose kohls and meteorites powder. Like nothing else and very worth the cash.
Dior lipglosses are great too, very sheer and they go on smooth. Good staying power for a lipgloss as well.
Cargo blushes are great, just as good as Nars or MAC plus they come in loads of interesting colors.
Lancome Mascara is the best in my opinion. Just hands down excellent.
Smashbox also has some wonderful colors and products as well.
I'm also looking to branch out from MAC. I really would love to try Armani or Chantecaille.
Stila is also wonderful as others have mentioend but I find their packaging a little faulty.
Guerlain also has some interesting products that are wonderful, like their loose kohls and meteorites powder. Like nothing else and very worth the cash.
lindseylouike
Well-known member
My favorite non-MAC products:
Face: Bare Escentuals foundation, Clinique pore minimizer instant perfector
Eyes: Lancome artliner, Clinique mascara, Hard Candy loner or eye candy shadows, Smashbox shadows, Clinique shadows in foxy and south beach
Lips: Clinique buttershines, long last soft shine, colour surge
You'll notice that there's a lot of Clinique--this was my m/u "starter" brand, and a lot of my everyday stuff comes from them, especially since they have a GWP.
Face: Bare Escentuals foundation, Clinique pore minimizer instant perfector
Eyes: Lancome artliner, Clinique mascara, Hard Candy loner or eye candy shadows, Smashbox shadows, Clinique shadows in foxy and south beach
Lips: Clinique buttershines, long last soft shine, colour surge
You'll notice that there's a lot of Clinique--this was my m/u "starter" brand, and a lot of my everyday stuff comes from them, especially since they have a GWP.
disenchanted
Well-known member
NARS for blushes
Laura Mercier for concealors, foundation and powder
some Stila e/s
Bare Escentuals e/s
Laura Mercier for concealors, foundation and powder
some Stila e/s
Bare Escentuals e/s
BehindxHerxEyes
Active member
I love Hard Candy eyeshadows, and maybelline mascara..
Ive heard a million people talk about Milani but whenever I see the brand set up, i cant find any good colors..
Ive heard a million people talk about Milani but whenever I see the brand set up, i cant find any good colors..
L281173
Well-known member
Some various brands that I use are Mattesse cosmetics (www.rickys-nyc.com)
Astarte Cosmetics (www.astartecosmetics.com)
Urban Decay has some great colors also
Sometimes, I think that MAC is overrated.
Astarte Cosmetics (www.astartecosmetics.com)
Urban Decay has some great colors also
Sometimes, I think that MAC is overrated.
:loveya:
nenalinda27
Active member
Smashbox has some nice shadows.
Laura Mercier loose shimmer powder in sundust is a good bronzer
Prescriptives virtual youth foundation.
Lancome juicy tubes and mascara.
Laura Mercier loose shimmer powder in sundust is a good bronzer
Prescriptives virtual youth foundation.
Lancome juicy tubes and mascara.
legallyblond
Member
I have recently found Shiseido eyeshadows to be really nice and new shades fro Spring are gorgeous!
ToVenusTori
Member
EYES: Shu mascara (basic black) and curler, Cargo shadows (WONDERFUL!!!), Urban Decay Primer Potion (of course!) and smashbox brow tech.
FACE: vincent longo foundations (to DIE for!), smashbox photo finish primer, nars blush and chanel blushes, Vincent Longo powder, Body and Soul highlighters, body bronzer, etc. OH and i also like Body and Soul blushes, too!
LIPS: too faced glosses, body and soul glosses (to die for!)
FACE: vincent longo foundations (to DIE for!), smashbox photo finish primer, nars blush and chanel blushes, Vincent Longo powder, Body and Soul highlighters, body bronzer, etc. OH and i also like Body and Soul blushes, too!
LIPS: too faced glosses, body and soul glosses (to die for!)
