Blush -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Blush 
PunkKitten 1/29/2011 10:43:00 AM
I purchased this with a GC I had received for Christmas. I went into Sephora looking for a true peach blush. I do have and adore NARS Luster, however I wanted something more "sweet" looking without being pink. Even though I'm cool toned I loathe pink - I can rock rose, coral is cool and peach is lovely, but pink eeks me out - perhaps because I feel it makes me look even more ruddy (and since I became a redhead again, I'm not wild about cool mu with warm hair). Anywho - I was roaming around the store and happened to find myself by the Josie Maran display. I love the fact that it has biodegradable packaging, no bunnies were harmed in the formulation and it is "good" for your skin. I stumbled accross blossom which is a lovely soft peach - no pink, just soft peachy goodness. I bought it and never looked back. Pigmentation is great, I never look like a clown and even though I use a MAC MSFN as my base this does not make it look super powdery on my skin (you know if you use BE how sometimes it looks like layer upon layer of flour is on your face?). I have really been surprised by this line and love everything I have tried thus far (oil, illuminizer, e/s) and would reccomend this blush for LLLs like me who want a soft sweet peach flush on their skin.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15
PunkKitten 12/14/2010 1:14:00 PM
I can not believe I haven't reviewed this sooner! I am a gloss, chapstick girl and have always been on the lookout for chapstick like products that are a) not tested on animals b)don't contain crazy cancer causing substances (I mean, you do kind of eat it off your lips) and have spf in them. I do have an Aveda lip tint that I LOVE, however hubby always complains when I smooch him with it on (he says it stinks). So last Christmas I drug him into Sephora on a mission to find a "non smelly" lip product. Then end result was this. I find it super moisturizing, sweet smelling (reminds me of lemonaid!) and it gives my very pale pout a lovely rosy color. No complaints about this I used up my first tube and repurchased and I intend to do it again and again!
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Blush -NARS - Luster
PunkKitten 7/27/2010 8:41:00 AM
Let me preface this by saying I had purchased this blush two years ago and thought I didn't like it. I was also sick as a dog at this time period and no makeup seemed to help in that. I am a LLL with cool undertones and I despise, DESPISE pink and purple blushes. This past Christmas I was in Sephora playing with the NARS blushes. I had tried Deep throat (really pretty, but too pink for me), looked at Outlaw, Madly and Serato (pretty, but not right), Gina is lovely, but I prefer just a hint of shimmer, and then began playing with Luster again. This really is a pretty apricot shade - NO PINK and just a bit of brown. I snatched up a box, paid for it (again) and never looked back. On me Luster is part light bronzer, part apricot peach blush. It is completely natural looking, makes me look like I've gotten a little hit of sun, and does not make my face look even more pinkish than it already is. It is what I was trying to create, rather unsuccessfully with bronzer and blush. So, if you are looking for a lovely shade of apricot without any pink, I highly reccomend you help put money in Mr. Nars pocket and go get yourself some Luster!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -NARS - All About Eve Duo
PunkKitten 2/15/2009 9:50:00 PM
For as much of a Nars addict (and lover) that I am, I must say that this is one product that left me wanting more. I purchased it because I thought it would be a great "everyday" combination to wear on my eyes. The colors are beautiful, however they both look very "blah" on my LLL skin tone. I apply them and my eyelids look exactly the same. They are great flesh toned shadows with minimal shimmer, however I think there would be other skintones they would suit much better than mine.
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Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Nude Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 [DISCONTINUED]
PunkKitten 2/8/2009 6:24:00 PM
The first thing I must admit to all of you is I am a foundation phobe. Foundation has always scared me for some unknown reason...perhaps because I thought I would look like I spread batter on my face. After a brief love affair with bare escentuals (ahem, colored flour), I graduated to TM...picking the second most expensive in sephora, Dior's Hydraction Skin Tint. I was very impressed. Light, natural coverage and I didn't look like I was dipped in batter. Around December I started hearing rumblings about this new Dior foundation. My little ears perked up and I hounded my local Sephora with numerous phone calls to see if they got it in. I even PRE-TESTED other Dior foundations so I could purchase the correct shade right away (for me, Peach 023). When they FINALLY got this in I purchased it without even trying it. After using it for a week I must say it is pretty close to perfect. I think I like my TM a bit more (remember foundation frightens me :o) but the coverage with this is light. I think it looks exceptionally natural on my dry skin and it covers my acne scarring and dark circles so I don't need to pile on cover up. It is glowy without being oily. In fact, with this foundation I don't have to powder my makeup to set it (and I naturally get shiny throughout the day) and it stays put. All in all I would reccomend this foundation. I want to continue to use it before I leave a 5 lippy rating, however I am that impressed with it that I give it four lippies to date - pretty big considering this is the first real foundation I have bought and have continued to use on a daily basis! At least do yourself a favor and try it - I doubt you will be disapointed!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Desert Essence - Jojoba Oil - 100% pure
PunkKitten 2/1/2009 12:17:00 PM
After hearing all the wonderful things jojoba oil did for other MUAers I had to try it. I balked at the price (yet I will drop $22 on eyeshadow - go figure). I began using it as an eye makeup remover and it did good things. Then I moved on to giving myself a little facial massage with it and it did even more good things. Recently I started mixing it with my cleanser (which is Burt's Bees baby shampoo - don't laugh - it works and doesn't irritate my face) and the results were wonderful. I get really dry in the winter and mixing it with my cleanser keeps me feeling soft and looking hydrated. Sometimes I even mix it with my moisturizer before bed if I'm feeling really dry. It absorbs wonderfully. It hasn't caused any breakouts and I agree that the hormonal visitors that come once a month seem to heal much faster. It even works as a nice deep conditioner (and shampoos right out). I can't say enough about this great oil that doesn't make me oily. You might think you don't need a bottle of this stuff, but trust me you do!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Aveda - Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother
PunkKitten 10/29/2008 1:42:00 PM
I adore this product and it is SO popular at the salon where I work we can hardly keep it in stock! I use it on myself daily and on practically every client that sits in my chair. I love the feeling it gives to all hair types - it really softens hair! For myself I apply a pea sized blob all over my head (starting from the back working forward). I find it makes my hair a bit smoother and easier to work with (it also smells wonderful, light and lemony). Now, my hair is fine in texture. I can get away using this by itself, however if you are coarse, curly or thick, you may need to couple it with another product (hang straight for example) to see the same benefits. Love love love!
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Conditioner -Aveda - Smooth Infusion
PunkKitten 10/29/2008 1:35:00 PM
The same raves I had for the shampoo I have for the conditioner as well. Of all the shampoo and conditioner sets we have on the back bar (and that I also have in my shower), smooth infusion is what I reach for most often (next to color conserve for color clients). It really softens hair. I have very "pokey" straight hair. This doesn't leave me greasy, it just leaves my hair unbelievable soft. This isn't a heavy conditioner, but I do find it moisturizes dry hair nicely. It is also great to use on tangle prone children. I can't reccomend this set enough!
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Blush -NARS - Creme Blush in Cactus Flower
PunkKitten 9/9/2008 11:43:00 AM
I have a secret - I believe I finally found my HG blush (shh...don't tell my hubby though, I will still most likely find other products that I need to try :o) I have very cool LLL skin on my face (my body for some reason looks more golden). I also tend to get very ruddy in the summer. Many blushes I have tried are either too pink, too orange or too purple for my taste. I loved style blush by MAC, but found it made me look gilded. I tried this on a whim at Sephora, and ended up purchasing it (after many MUA consults). For me it is the perfect color. It is a vibrant, coral red (I believe Nars describes it as "poppy" and it suits), that does not look overdone in the least. It blends very well on foundation or powder and adds that extra little POP to my cheeks. Should I ever use it up, I will definately repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -NARS - The Multiple in South Beach
PunkKitten 7/30/2008 10:39:00 PM
I love this. I think $40 is absurd to pay for a blush-y type thing, however I would do it again in a heartbeat. This and Dior Hydraction TM would be two (expensive :o) desert island essentials. South beach is this perfect peachy/apricot bronze on my (naturally) cool, self tanned skin. It gives me nice "I sat out in the sun and came in looking this bronzed and beautiful" cheeks. I have a ton of product, however if I do use it up, I will most certianly purchase it again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Christian Dior - Hydraction Deep Hydration Skin Tint SPF 20 [DISCONTINUED]
PunkKitten 7/27/2008 9:06:00 AM
After test driving almost every TM in Sephora I settled on this one. Some were too sticky (DuWop) some too sheer (Stila) and some caked into the pores - one I couldn't even get out of the bottle (This is you Vincent Longo). However with the Dior Hydraction, the coverage is beautiful. It lets my freckles peek out, yet evens out my skin tone. My skin also doesn't feel sticky or dry, it has this beautiful velvety finish and it feels fantastic to the touch also! I set with a tiny bit of BE mineral veil and I'm good to go. I to get shiny in my t-zone but it is nothing a blotting sheet doesn't take care of. If dior discontinues this I will cry - it is that good!
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Sunscreen -Clinique - City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector Broad Spectrum 25 SPF
PunkKitten 7/24/2008 8:45:00 AM
While I loved clinique when I was in middle school, I (as a late 20 year old) have moved on to greener pastures. While my other clinique products have met mr. trash can...or been passed on to my sister - This is the one thing that I will continually repurchase from them as long as they make it. For the last two years I have used it as my summer foundation and love it. I'm a foundation phobe, so the light tint in this is enough to even out my complection, keep me from looking like a grease pit (i set it with BE's MV) and keep my skin safe. It is sheer, but I like my skin to look like skin - I also freckle like crazy in the summer and I don't like to cover them up. It is thick, it does smell a bit like a band-aid (yes, yes it does) but it is my hero ;o)
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Eye Shadow -NARS - Alhambra
PunkKitten 7/15/2008 7:32:00 PM
From the day I swatched this at Sephora I knew it was love. This is a beautiful shimmery neutral duo of eyeshadows. The "rose mist" side is what I had hoped Naked Lunch would be for me - pretty, my eyelids but naturally more glowing and awake. The gold side is beautiful too - soft "warm" eyes. I have used this every day since purchasing and fully intend to repurchase should I use it up. I can't imagine any colors this duo wouldn't look beautiful with and it is an essential thing to have for a natural face. Well done Mr. Nars!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Aveda - Smooth Infusion
PunkKitten 3/14/2008 3:18:00 PM
Love, love love this! I have used Aveda (almost) exclusively for the past 3 years. The first time I used Smooth infusion. I didn't think it would work for me. I have stick straight (my boss calls it "pokey straight") hair. However, I am very pleasantly surprised. It really softens and moisturizes hair without a greasy feeling. My hair is very soft after I wash (and condition). When I first discovered this I was still in cosmetology school and now I work for an aveda concept salon. This is THE set I reccomend to my clients. It is gentle and non stripping on color treated hair too! P.S. Parents who have children with tangly hair. try it on your kids. It gets through snarles with no problems
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Lip Gloss -Chanel - Big Bang glossimer
PunkKitten 1/13/2008 8:05:00 PM
This is a beautiful shimmery, glittery coral lip gloss. When I was at the Chanel counter it immediately lept out at me and both the SA and I thought it looked great on. Unfortunately, it looks good on, but it really lacks staying power. It wears off very soon after it is applied and I'm left with coral and gold glitter all over my lips. I would have expected a bit better quality from Chanel. MAC and BE glosses have better staying power. Overall a nice shade that I will most likely use up, however I do not think I will repurchase.
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