Polishes -NARS - Anardana
KillerTofu 6/18/2013 11:49:00 PM
Anardana is from the Spring 2012 collabo collection with Thakoon. It is described as 'azalea pink', and "anardana" means "pomegranate seeds". It is a deep pink creme, with nice pigment saturation. It covers nicely in 2 coats. The formula is wonderful, it flows over the nail smoothly, and the brush deposits color evenly. Wears well, no earlier-than-acceptable chips. My only complaint is the awful, cumbersome square cap. Yeah, it looks nice, but why can't NARS be like other high end brands and have the square part of the cap detach? It's so awkward to hold while painting, but the polish color and quality are good enough to make me put up with it. I don't know of any dupes, but China Glaze Heli-Yum is similar.
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Top/Base Coats -Orly - In A Snap
KillerTofu 6/17/2013 8:55:00 PM
I hate this stuff. It's thin, watery, and takes aaaaaages to dry. It's a shame, because I love Orly's packaging (the rubber cap is so easy to grip), and it doesn't smell as toxic as Seche Vite, but it's just so horrible. I can't believe they call this a "quick dry" top coat. Next.
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Top/Base Coats -Seche Vite - Dry Fast Top Coat
KillerTofu 6/15/2013 4:19:00 PM
This is such a divisive product! I used to hate it, until I figured out the best way to use it. The most important thing: Do NOT use this on nail polish that has dried. I used to experience the worst shrinkage with SV, until I actually read the directions and used it before my nail color has dried. As long as I wrap my tips, this product is aces. It dries super fast, prevents chips, and it gives more glossy shine than any other top coat out there.
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Top/Base Coats -Essie - fill the gap! ridge filling base coat
KillerTofu 6/6/2013 7:59:00 PM
First, I should say that this is the only ridge-filler I've tried. The application of Fill The Gap is a little thick, and can be streaky. It dries relatively quickly, to a sheer milky color with a matte/satin finish. After it dried was when I noticed the smell. During application, it has a typical nail polish smell; however, when it has dried, it has a soft, slightly sweet, powdery smell that I love. I'm not sure what could be in it to give it this quality, but it's actually quite nice. Fill The Gap didn't quite give my manicure the glass-smooth look certain bloggers have (which I was really hoping for) but it did create a nice, smooth surface that made the application of subsequent coats a breeze. It is basically a primer for the nails. I honestly can't say if it extend the longevity of a manicure, as I change my color every other day. The thing that makes Fill The Gap an essential part of my manicure routine is the stain-preventing quality. It really, really prevents staining, which makes it worth it's weight in gold. Just FYI, my method is as follows, from first coat to last: Essie Fill The Gap, China Glaze Strong Adhesion, color, Orly Bonder, color, Seche Vite (with tip-wrapping and applying the SV before the last coat has dried completely).
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Top/Base Coats -Color Club - Vivid color intensifying top coat
KillerTofu 5/20/2013 10:00:00 PM
This is the *PERFECT* refresher topcoat! I was looking for a topcoat that I could use to freshen up a manicure and this is it! The formula is perfect - thin, so it flows easily, but not watery. Even though it's not a 'quick dry' top coat, I'd say it still dries nice and quick (I was able to use it and then unload the dryer 10 minutes later). As far as the claims that it brightens and enhances nail polish colors...sure, why not. It definitely gives a not-so-fresh manicure a brilliant, wet-looking shine, which makes the color pop! In my quest for the perfect 'refresher', I've tried CND Shiney, and Orly Glosser. I haven't tried Essie Shine-E yet, but Vivid is so amazing I'm not in any hurry to!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Maybelline - Lash Stiletto
KillerTofu 2/11/2009 7:10:00 PM
What a disappointment. I was so excited to try this! Everything from the name (Stilettos? Mascara? Yes, please.) to the claims ("patent" shine? Absolutely!) to the packaging (I adore how the bottom of the tube, the "sole" if you will, is bright red. Very Louboutin.) drew me in.
Aaaaand then I tried it. First of all, the shade "Very Black" was anything but. "Slate Grey" is more like it. It gives adequate length, but nothing to get excited about. Nothing at all in the volume department, but I wasn't really expecting it. Oh, and it has that cloying rosy fragrance that some companies insist on putting in their mascara. I can't figure that out. Mascara doesn't need a fragrance. It just doesn't.
Won't repurchase.
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Shampoo -Bumble & Bumble - Sunday Shampoo
KillerTofu 11/11/2007 10:19:00 PM
This is a great clarifying shampoo! It does the job without stripping hair. Of course, I follow with a moisturizing conditioner (Fekkai Technician). The fragrance is extremely light, and smells a little like tea. A little expensive, but there's always eBay!
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Makeup Brushes -Sephora - Professionnel Platinum Blush Brush #49
KillerTofu 11/11/2007 10:14:00 PM
Another great brush from Sephora Professionnel. Very soft, cruelty-free, and reasonably priced. The slant shape is perfect for blush application.
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Makeup Brushes -Sephora - Professionnel Platinum Powder Brush #50
KillerTofu 11/11/2007 10:11:00 PM
I love this brush. It's so soft and luxurious, yet not super-expensive, and not made from innocent creatures. Win, win, win!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bliss Labs - Naked Body Butter
KillerTofu 11/11/2007 10:07:00 PM
This moisturizer isn't bad, it's just not all that great, especially for the price ($35/8.5oz). It moisturizes pretty well, but it leaves a very greasy film on your hands afterwards. It's just not worth it.
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Moisturizers -DDF - Ultra Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew
KillerTofu 11/11/2007 10:03:00 PM
I love this moisturizer. It's not too heavy, and it doesn't contain lanolin or any fragrance agents. And, most importantly, it doesn't irritate my skin or cause breakouts. My HG moisturizer.
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Mascara -Dejavu (Imju) - Fiberwig Lash Knockout
KillerTofu 11/11/2007 9:31:00 PM
This is the most lengthening mascara I've ever used! I have short-ish, naturally curled lashes. For me, length is more important than volume. This mascara gives me more length than I thought was possible...and it still looks natural! I've found that I like it better over bare lashes. When I used it over a primer (Shiseido), the result felt kinda crispy and not as natural. Over bare lashes, it goes on smoothly, and gives me lashes for miles. It is expensive, but I'm willing to pay the price for it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Softsoap - Pink Grapefruit Splash- body wash
KillerTofu 5/8/2007 8:12:00 PM
Man, SoftSoap is really on a roll! This body wash and their Pomegranate and Mango one are luscious, scrumptious treats! I have a ridiculous number of body-washes, but I always find myself reaching for these two.
Nice lather, not too drying, nearly perfect. The only reason I can't give it 5 lippies is because of the gelatin. *gag* It can't be necessary, and gelatin is one of the nastiest things on the planet. Look it up.
(I'll just pretend it's not there.)
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Mascara -NYX - NYX Doll Eye Mascara- Long Lash
KillerTofu 3/17/2007 12:23:00 PM
I'm so torn about this product. First, let me just say that it is a WONDERFUL mascara. It's not perfect, but it's close. I was not blessed with long lashes, and this mascara makes my eyelashes longer than any other mascara I've ever tried, and I've tried alot, from designer, to department store, to drugstore. In fact (and I can't believe I'm saying this), it makes my eyelashes almost too long. For my line of work (veterinary medicine), it's just a little much. That said, it's the perfect mascara for going out.
I'm not sure if it's the brush, the formula, or pure magic, but the lengthening power of this mascara is overwhelming. My only complaint about the product itself is that it tended to clump a little as I brushed it on, which is why I gave it 4 lippies.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Telescopic
KillerTofu 3/11/2007 6:30:00 PM
This is bad mascara. It clumps like crazy. That's all I really have to say.
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