Powder -L'Oreal - Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral powder 
Codeblue 1/1/2013 3:33:00 PM
This mineral foundation runs circles around Bare Minerals. It probably lasts 2 or 3 times longer and is a real bang for the buck! I do use the Bare Minerals primer and then brush this on (lightly, of course). My only criticism is where they put that silly brush and I wonder "Why here......?" Very awkward and unwieldly, much less efficient. I have lots of brushes, so no biggy. Sure hope they never stop making it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Angel
Codeblue 12/25/2012 4:03:00 PM
My husband, Mr. Blue, went all pinched face when I came home one day after squirting some of this stuff on from a perfume sample bar at Nordstrom's. I sometimes tend to overdose when trying out a new scent, and this was one of those days. His comment was "WHAT are you WEARING? Ugh!" Later, I got a sniff of it while stuffing laundry in the washer, my first reaction was "Mmmmmm...." My second reaction was "Well, to heck with him. I love this stuff and I'm gonna wear it. It's awfulness can't possibly compete with his clothes after he gets home from a successful round of trout fishing." So off I went to eBay and snagged myself a bottle. I've found the secret (like with so many other heavy duty scents) is to use it lightly. Very lightly. Mr. Blue eventually ate his words after I transferred some to a rollon applicator and only applied a small swish. Ahhh, better. Trouble is, I get whiffs of it on the train to work. In Walgreen's. In Safeway. At the race tracks. In Vegas. At the theatre. From women walking their dogs. Undaunted, I love it anyway and wear it despite the fact that I've always taken the path of being one of those who listens to a distant drummer and hates jumping into the rat pack of the mediocre. This juice is definitely NOT mediocre although does seem to have many perfumistas who hate it. Well, girlies, maybe you just put too much of it on. Any scent will go nasty if you opt for overkill, and this one can pack quite a whallop. It's particularly agreeable with my chemistry during the winter months, although I truly never know just when I'll get a yen for it. I've found that if I apply a non-scented lotion on my neck and chest (where I apply perfume) after my shower and shampoo, it softens the scent of even the raunchiest of perfumes after the lotion has absorbed into my skin. (I prefer Body Time's sea aloe moisturizer since it goes on light and stays that way.) Not quite sure why unless it supplements the body's natural oils, but it works for me.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Penhaligon's - Bluebell
Codeblue 1/8/2012 10:24:00 PM
LOL I love the old vase water description and that very thought ran through my head when I first spritzed this on. After a few moments, I started to smile and wondered "What IS this potion?" I find it so hard to describe but impressions such as cold, formal, old, young, bitter, restrained, stuffy, embalmed, inhibited, fresh, haunting, spring, subdued, proper, and ladylike ran through my head. The putrid old vase water was gone and I was left stumped for words, which for me is a rarity if not miraculous. Left me shaking my head, but still smiling. Final impression: contradictory. Maybe that's why I like it, because it dances to its own tune, like me. It's most likely a simple matter of body chemistry. Tut tut well done, Penhaligon old chap!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Unlisted Brand - NYC - eyeliner and brow pencil in charcoal
Codeblue 1/8/2012 10:08:00 PM
Being a blonde with brown eyes, it's hard to match my skimpy eyebrows with a soft color that's not too orange or an off-key shade of brown. I bought one each of Wet 'n Wild and NYC's charcoal, which I gently dab on (since it doubles as an eyeliner, too, so easy does it), then blend in with Maybelline's blonde pencil or brow powder. Works good! The blonde mixed with W&W (or NYC's) charcoal turns into a soft ash brown shade that's perfect for my light coloring and doesn't leave me with a Cruella DeVille look. With my fair Anglo-Saxon skin, it's a match! BTW, I was thrilled to find that if I wash the eyebrow powder brushes with a gentle shampoo, they're as good as new - any waxy and/or oily residue is gone. No need to spend 10 bucks on a new eyebrow or blusher brush! Ditto for other makeup brushes. I've had some for years, and after I wash them, they come out soft, clean, and smellin' good.
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Brows -Wet 'n' Wild - Brow & liner pencil
Codeblue 1/8/2012 10:01:00 PM
Being a blonde with brown eyes, it's hard to match my skimpy eyebrows with a soft color that's not too orange or an off-key shade of brown. I bought one each of Wet 'n Wild and NYC's charcoal, which I gently dab on (since it doubles as an eyeliner, too, so easy does it), then blend in with Maybelline's blonde pencil or brow powder. Works good! The blonde mixed with W&W (or NYC's) charcoal turns into a soft ash brown shade that's perfect for my light coloring and doesn't leave me with a Cruella DeVille look. With my fair Anglo-Saxon skin, it's a match! BTW, I was thrilled to find that if I wash the eyebrow powder brushes with a gentle shampoo, they're as good as new - any waxy and/or oily residue is gone. No need to spend 10 bucks on a new eyebrow or blusher brush! Ditto for other makeup brushes. I've had some for years, and after I wash them, they come out soft, clean, and smellin' good.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Albert Nipon EDT
Codeblue 12/11/2011 11:55:00 AM
Fickle, moody me. I enjoyed this stuff in the 80's and, since it's so cheap, I treated myself to a couple of bottles awhile ago. Ever had a scent that gets on your nerves after a few hours or that you have to be in the right mood to wear? Well, that about nails it when I take a whiffer of this one. It either delights or repulses my sensibilities, usually the latter. I simply don't understand why it's still in production and yet various other lovely fragrances have vaporized into oblivion. Overstock maybe? It's a spicy floral, but yet on some days I pick up a whole lotta clove and a hint of Vicks Vaporub, despite the fact that it bears citrus, rose, jasmine, and carnation notes. It can be sharp and nauseating on one day or, on rare occasions, a sunny autumn day on others. Either way, it wears me out by the end of the day because it absolutely refuses to soften. If you're a vintage perfume lover, bypass this one. If you're really into spicy go for it! One word of caution: don't spritz this on yourself on an empty stomach or it (your stomach) will do a whoopsie or two. Sorry, Albert. It just doesn't do it for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - Hiris
Codeblue 12/11/2011 11:03:00 AM
It's interesting to read that the carrot note seem predominate to so many of us. Huh. We're all so different, thank heavens. I get iris, iris, and more iris. I can live with that. For some, this is a summer frag; for me it's all winter coziness that sooths my tired soul a bit as I bite the bullet, bundle up, and grumpily stomp out the door to face a nasty wind that chills to the bone. I bought a small bottle of this unsampled and on a whim and lucked out for once. It's a lovely scent on me and somehow I can imagine stars of the 40's and 50's wearing this one if it had been around then because it strikes me as subtly glamorous.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - New Dana Perfumes - Toujours Moi
Codeblue 12/23/2010 3:10:00 PM
If you sneer and consider powdery scents "old lady" then go away. This is femininity, softness, and subtlety at their glorious zeniths. I had a couple bottles of this stuff laying around ignored for a few years (one Corday, one Dana) and after a shrug and a sniff, gave them each a retry, one on each wrist. I love them both. Mr. Codeblue loves them both. The cat even started rubbing my leg and purring. I really enjoy winning my perfume polls with the 100% landslide victories at my house. Of course, there are the Corday purists who dramatically wipe a small tear from their cheek and sigh "Dana ruined this scent. It's just not the same." Oh pish tosh. I have both Corday and Dana versions and y'know what? I can't tell the difference. If you must weep over the long lost Corday version, then hop on over to eBay, make a bid and pay twice what you should. Frankly, I'm happier with Dana's juice because it smells the very same to me and lasts longer. This is a beautiful, sparkling hidden treasure that's been ignored by the perfumista aristocracy because of its so...[gasp!] cheap. Shhhhh. Let's keep it that way.
19 out of 20 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Calvin Klein - Obsession
Codeblue 12/5/2010 4:39:00 PM
I tried to find something to like about the one but just don't get it. A pleasant scent, but a big yawn nonetheless. Everyone and their dog seems to be wearing it which goes to show you that a frenzy of advertising can sell almost anything. Probably my chemistry, but after the drydown, I seem to pick up something synthetic, like melted plastic. I view it as a poor woman's version of Anne Pliska, which is one of the classiest fragrances around.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Dolce & Gabbana - Dolce & Gabbana for Women
Codeblue 11/28/2010 12:23:00 PM
The more often I wear this, the more I love it. It's an understated, sophisticated scent that exudes class. It's a terrific winter scent. Funny how some fragrances mix better with my chemistry in winter than in summer, i.e. I can't do No. 5 in summer but it works its magic for me during the winter. Go figure. I got a sample of D&G, then a bottle on eBay for $25.00. It lasts and lasts on me and I love the smell of my clothes after a day's wearing. Methinks it takes a certain type of person to pull this one off - definitely not for the young 'uns who want to play grown up and/or dress up. Best for them to stick to the fruity or aquatic fragrances, which grannies like me usually can't do. loll
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Davidoff - Cool Water for Women
Codeblue 11/25/2010 4:30:00 PM
Very rarely do I give a scent a bad rating unless it's truly awful. Well, this one definitely falls into the truly awful category. I smell it on the train, I smell it on the bus, I smell it at Safeway. I think everyone and their dog wears this. So hideous it makes my teeth ache. This fragrance will wear you, you don't think you're wearing it.
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Fragrances -Prada - L'Eau Ambrée
Codeblue 11/25/2010 11:28:00 AM
I got a whiff of this in a magazine while waiting for my hair stylist and was immediately smitten. Watching me rub my wrists against the page seemed to entertain the other patrons who sort of looked around at each other, rolling their eyes. It settles very nicely on me, and I don't feel it's old ladyish at all and would rather define it as sophisticated. It's unique, and I love unique. This isn't for everyone, that's for sure, but when I see my husband lift up his head, put down the remote, and sniff the air, I know I've got a hit. Since I hate aquatic scents, I'm ever so grateful that it doesn't carry that particular note like so many of the new scents today.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Lea St. Barth - Lea
Codeblue 9/26/2010 2:58:00 PM
Here's one scent that no one will earmark as "an old lady's scent". Hah! And I'm an old lady. Hey, I'd guess that anyone can wear this one. It's beyond chocolate and vanilla and cherries, and segues into a simple "Delicious!" It's a friendly, cuddly fragrance and goes best when worn with a smile. I'd say it's more suitable for winter but who cares? I rejoiced when I found a bottle of it, winced at the price but bought it anyway. No regrets whatsever.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Promaxyl - Eyelash Renewal serum Rapidlash
Codeblue 9/26/2010 2:37:00 PM
This product took awhile to kick in, but by all means be patient. It took three months to be effective and now after almost 4 months my lashes are long and lush. No more skimpies! Lilash and Careprost burned my eyes, this one doesn't. Lilash also gave me fantastic results but I got an eye infection from it. Ouch! Being a blonde Caucasian, fortunately my eyelashes have a lot of natural curl of their own but they're baby fine like my hair. This serum seemed to thicken the lash shaft a bit and turn them darker. If it curls them even more, they'll be doing loop-t-loops. Edited to add: jarjarjarjar has a great idea with using Rapidlash with castor oil. I did this for awhile and it's nice to see that someone else has confirmed it! I try to apply Lilash in the morning before I put on my makeup and in the evening, before I go to bed. After it dries at night, I take a Q-tip and brush the castor oil on my lashes and eyebrows. Great combo!
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Fragrances -Chanel - No.19
Codeblue 5/2/2010 5:58:00 PM
Chilly and unyielding, this one. To me, it comes off as a power scent of the 80's and as an icey stare across the board room. I'm glad I only ordered a sample of this and didn't go whole hog on purchasing an overpriced bottle. It came off as a void, expressionless metrosexual scent on yours truly. I guess I could try to convince my husband to give it a whirl, except after I applied it, he made a face when he sniffed my wrist. Great for an in-charge personality who is comfortable overthrowing her feminine side. I do give it credit for being no-nonsense; but cold mashed potatoes have more personality. I can't say that I hate it because I'm sure it smells luscious on many of its fans.
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