Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Porridge Soap
IllumiGem 11/26/2010 7:25:00 AM
Being rather new to Lush and wanting to try a good starter variety of some of their more famous products, PORRIDGE was one I had to try. Scent-wise this soap definitely doesn't disappoint. It smells like sweet porridge/oatmeal with a hint of orange. MMM...so yummy and soothing. It lathers quite well for me and I actually don't find the porridge bits to be too abrasive. Of course that could be because my skin is accustomed to much harsher products like Buffy. The only reason I took off a lippie was the price. Yes it's great soap but definitely way overpriced for something that I'll wash down the drain in 2 minutes. In fact for the value, and if I could, I'd actually knock this down another half lippie because the soap doesn't look like it'll last very long.
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Lip Gloss -Rimmel - Vinyl Lip - Snog 
IllumiGem 2/22/2009 6:17:00 PM
I randomly picked up Snog and Rhythm on a recent drugstore haul. Never did I expect to love them so much! I usually use MAC l/gs but have recently started getting irritated with the sticky texture that I once loved for the staying power. Color: Snog is fairly pigmented, as in good color pay off, but still considered a sheer berry color and not opaque. There's a minimal amount of very fine shimmer but nothing you can detect as glittery or frosty. Texture: Lovely texture! Not sticky yet not thin and runny at the same time. When on my lips it even feels moisturizing and smooth. Scent: Smells really strongly of TANG...as in the orange drink mix. Altho not particularly offensive, I'm glad the scent doesn't last very long. Staying Power: Not so great. Lasts maybe 2 hours...tops. But for the price I don't mind reapplying. Packaging: Cute and simple. Not overtly screaming "DRUGSTORE LIPGLOSS". I like the purple lid/handle with the crown imprint on top. Comes with a doe-foot applicator. They don't print the name of the color on the tube. Only on the plastic wrap that everybody throws away! Haven't had them long enough for the writing to rub off yet. Overall: I haven't found a lipgloss (drugstore or not) that I've liked so much in a while. It's good stuff :)
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Lipstick -MAC - Dame Edna - Coral Polyp
IllumiGem 1/10/2009 4:11:00 AM
This lipstick is INTENSE CORAL not intended for the faint of heart. But I love it! I've always been more conservative with my eye makeup so love to play up my lips instead. This color isn't getting as much love compared to the more favoured Gladiola lipstick from the same collection. I have both and actually prefer Coral Polyp because when applied lightly and paired with Love Nectar Lusterglass, it gives me the perfect coral lips! Will be great for summer :) For reference I am an NC25-30.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Midnight Cowboy
IllumiGem 12/1/2008 1:21:00 AM
Wow, the glitter in this shadow pisses me off so much. I was running late tonight and thought I'd quickly throw a neutral look together with Midnight Cowboy as my highlight and inner corner color. I didn't realize until it was too late that there was so much insanely large chunks of glitter. I tried to get rid of it, but the glitter just went everywhere...and eventually ALL OVER my face! yeah, great for a halloween custome or crazy night on the town where you don't mind your face looking like a disco ball...but NOT for anything else.
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Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous Lip Gloss (general)
IllumiGem 11/5/2008 9:11:00 PM
My local drugstore was having a sale on these for $3-$4 a pop. So after hearing so many good things, I bought 5 of them...Nude Lustre, Glossy Rose, Toast to Shine, Amplified Pink and Raisin Glaze. I was very happy with them after trying them all on. They aren't as sticky, so staying power doesn't compare to high end glosses. However, I know some would willingly sacrifice staying power over something that's not sticky like MAC. I, on the other hand, don't really mind either way...sticky isn't so bad. I have had raisin glaze on for 2 hours now, still on but just a little faded For me the glosses do not migrate and I love that. I don't have hours to pretty myself up in the morning, so not having to line before applying l/g is great! I find no offensive scent or odor in them. The packaging is very elegant and simple, but pretty. I also like that they have the expiry date etched onto the side of the l/g tube near the bottom. The biggest bonus is that these all have SPF15!! The only reason I took off one lippie, is because the pigmentation just isn't that great. They're all very pretty and mostly shimmery, but after trying all 5 on, I can't honestly tell too much of a difference in color on my lips. They can ALL be classified under MLBB shades for me. While that might be kinda nice for 1 or 2 tubes of lg...I've got 5 glosses that look totally different in the tube but don't perform upon application. I mean, Raisin Glaze looks so crazy and intensely copper...unfortunately just appears as a sheer peachy/pink on my lips. Maybe I've been too spoiled with MAC's l/g...but still very disappointed in the pigmentation department. With that said, 5 tubes of these babies will give me the glossiest, juciest, most sun-protected lips with a tint of shade for a LONG time to come.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Dazzleglass in Miss Dynamite
IllumiGem 10/24/2008 6:51:00 PM
yes, Miss Dynamite is indeed a very unique color...in the tube. But on my pigmented lips it didn't show up at all like the coppery, Antique Gold color that I thought it'd be. Instead it looked like I just put on clear lipgloss with a little bit of VERY find shimmer. I even tried first applying a nude, pale (lip erase type) lipstick to see whether it'd help...the verdict is NO. Perhaps it would work ok over top of darker lipsticks, but I have other less expensive glosses that serve that purpose already. I guess this would be good if you wanted an understated dazzleglass... But why would anyone pay extra $$$ to achieve "under-statement" with a dazzleglass?? Anyways, it's too bad I'll probably have to return this...
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Electro Flash Pink Split
IllumiGem 8/26/2008 1:28:00 AM
yes, it seems that poor Pink Split isn't getting a lot of love from the previous reviewers, but I gotta say I'm in the minority and in fact loving this duo. Although the colors are on the sheer side, they flash pink/purple in certain lighting and silver/grey in others. I do agree with the INSANE amount of fall out...it's pretty ridiculous if one's going for an office, daytime look. And I almost even returned this baby because of it. BUT I tried PS for a night out last Friday (with a little bit of black eyeshadow in the outer -v). It was gorgeous! The extra fall out when applying the makeup actually created a very pretty highlighting, shimmery affect (that could've been just a fluke, lol). Once I set everything, it stayed put...through a whole night of dancing, sweating and second hand smoke...it didn't budge. Very pretty and subdued duo...once you control/get over the fall out, of course.
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Fragrances -Nina Ricci - Nina (New)
IllumiGem 6/3/2008 4:16:00 AM
Just after I purchased Nina last year I realized a close friend of mine also received it for her birthday. Since we spend a lot of time together I didn't want to clash perfumes. I stashed the new bottle away & never even touched it. Not until recently did I I rediscover it as the perfect fruity, gourmand scent for the summer! Who could resist florals, apples & toffee? On me this has amazing staying power to boot. Took a lippie off bc I feel one could easily go overboard with this scent...becoming too sweet. However, any time I feel I've gotten too "spritz happy" I get a compliment on how good I smell. I've even once received 3 compliments from 3 different guys in one day. To quote one of them, "I just can't walk away from her because she smells like all sorts of pretty"...clashing or not, I'm wearing this again!! my girl friend doesn't wear it that often anyway ;)
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Concealer Brush
IllumiGem 4/10/2008 6:57:00 PM
Aside from my MAC brushes, this is by far the BEST brush. Because of it's small and convenient size it's extremely versatile...also bc it's so cheap, you can afford to be experimental. 1) I've used as an actual concealer brush maybe once and it works...but there are better brushes out there for that purpose 2) It's an excellent eyeshadow brush to pack on smaller details, or to highlight the inner corners of my eye & brow bone area. 3) I like to do my own nails and this is the BEST brush for detail nail art (french tips, stripes...) 4) Also works as a lip brush. 5) I haven't done so but, in a pinch, I'm sure this could make a decent eyeliner brush. I seriously have 7 of these as back ups. Really great find for it's price.
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Lipstick -MAC - Mattene in Flattering
IllumiGem 11/5/2007 3:01:00 PM
I can see why this is flattering for so many women (appropriately titled^^). It's not too pink, or orange, or brown or pale...like SO many others I've tried and discarded. It's a very healthy, pinky, flesh tone color. Texture wise it's not drying (but I stil need lipbalm underneath) and the lasting power is quite impressive. I accidently fell asleep with this on and hours later my lips still look great. Finally I've found my perfect MLBB lipstick. It would be so very nice if MAC indeed made this permanent!
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Blush -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish - Glissade
IllumiGem 10/16/2007 12:14:00 AM
I had been deciding over this or Lightscapade on my recent trip to a CCO. Because Glissade swatched so beautifully on my hand I chose it over the latter. And boy am I KICKING myself for that choice! I chose a compact with deep and dark pink veining, thinking this would work well as a blush. Unfortunately it just turned out a big disco ball mess on my face. The color is also not very dark despite the dark veining...so when I try to build to add COLOR all I get is GLITTER...not subtle shimmer that flatters...but very obvious and unattractive GLITTER. The only reason I'm giving this 2 lippies is because I can see myself using it maybe on my body or for clubbing...also, not having to pay full price helps. If anybody out there is feeling like they would like to give up their LIGHTSCAPADE in exchange for a GLISSADE that's been used only once, please message me.
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Lip Gloss -Baby Pink - Lipgloss
IllumiGem 10/2/2007 10:10:00 PM
I think these glosses are great for the price. I seem to be in the minority, but I love the sticky feeling of lipglosses...I say the stickier the better!! That satisfying feeling of pressing my lips together and still feeling that stick lets me know I don't have to reapply yet. I know. I'm sick. I have Pearl, Strawberry, Apricot and Peach...and love them in that order. I was really surprised by the quality. Definitely not as pigmented as my MACs but definitely sticky...just like I like'em! lol~
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Lip Treatments -Baby Pink - Milky Balm
IllumiGem 10/2/2007 10:02:00 PM
This stuff is like putting sticky, creamy milk candy on your lips...smells great but has no flavour. It really moisturizes and the packaging is so cute! It's cheap but there's also very little product. I still love this and will definitely repurchase.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Young Spark
IllumiGem 9/26/2007 2:45:00 AM
Young Spark is like the lighter and pinkier version of VGV for me. I first fell in love with Perfectly Pink from the same line, but read great reviews for this l/g as well. I placed on order online and I'm so glad I did! Wish I got a backup. Love it!!
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Optical 3D Glass
IllumiGem 9/26/2007 2:33:00 AM
Even tho I gave this 4 lippies I really mean 3.5. I'm being generous b/c for some reason this works really nice with my lips and gives me that healthy, natural pop of color. However, it was totally not the caramel brown that I expected from Optical. The duochrome (3D) effect shows up well...with really fine red and gold shimmer. But the gloss itself is just WAY to sheer. Slightly disappointed but think I can still make this work. Edit: Nope, too sheer...so I had to knock it down a lippie.
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