Brows -Revlon - Colorstay Brow Enhancer
figtart 11/1/2009 9:04:00 PM
I bought this brown enhancer in medium brown and am not that impressed with it. It comes with a tinted wax on one side and a brow highlighter on the other. As another reviewer mentioned, the brow color side is too waxy and does not have enough tint. Plus, although it has the twist feature I like, the tip needs to be finer for better control. The soft pink browbone highlighter is okay, but by contrast, is too thin for the job. So, this is a product that tries to do two things, but does neither of them well. I prefer Revlon's "Brow Fantasy." Although it's a silly name, it's also a two-in-one product with a good brow pencil (albeit that requires sharpening) on one end and a decent tinted brow gel on the other end with a mascara-type wand.
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Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Timbuktu EDT
figtart 9/27/2008 6:32:00 PM
You had me at "Timbuktu!" I was ready to buy this fragrance based on the name alone, but tried to be rational before plunking down $135 for 100 ml, so I did a little research. First, I checked out online reviews and read Luca Turin's 5-star review in his book "Perfumes - The Guide." He calls it a masterpiece of nouvelle parfumerie, and describes it as an "almost infrared shimmer of woody freshness." Okay, now I'm really intrigued! So, I ordered a small sample from theperfumedcourt.com and wore it for a few days before giving in and splurging on a full bottle. Having said that, this fragrance is not for everyone and definitely not for everyday use. Because of its distinct woody, smoky scent with hints of vetiver, sandalwood and incense, this could really knock people out near you if you overdo it! I would strongly suggest wearing only the tiniest amount and trying a sample of this first before purchasing, because a little goes a long way. In fact, if I had it to do over again, I probably would have just purchased an 8 ml. decant online (but I must say I love the bottle). According to L'Artisan's marketing materials, Timbuktu is a modern French spin on an ancient West African perfume rite. Master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour was inspired by his travels to Mali in West Africa and returned to L'Artisan enchanted by the mystical perfume art, called Wusulan, still handed down from mother to daughter as a magical spell to seduce and secure one's true love. Timbuktu notes include green mango, pink pepper berries, cardamom, karo karounde flower, smokey incense of papyrus wood, patchouli, myrrh and vetiver.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Chanel - Irreelle Blush in Incognito
figtart 9/27/2008 6:08:00 PM
I've read through others' reviews and agree that this blush is perhaps not the best choice for those of us over 40 since it's a bit too shimmery for my taste. This color made my cheeks appear a bit muddied (I have rosacea, so maybe I had a little color clash going on there!) I also had the problem others have had of the blush becoming hardened after a few months and not being able to pick much blush up on the brush. As much as I love most Chanel products, I've switched to NARS blush in Orgasm. The texture is perfect - not so soft that you pick up too much on the brush, but not so hard that you have to keep reapplying. The color just works better for me as well.
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Pressed Powders -Chanel - Poudre Douce 30 Rosee
figtart 9/27/2008 6:00:00 PM
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir! It's odd that Chanel uses the name "Rosee" for this product, since you would expect it to be on the pinkish side, but instead, this is quite milky pale - too ghostly even for my pale self! It's hard not to love most Chanel products - they're beautifully packaged and are of high quality. But this one just didn't do it for me. As some others have mentioned, it's too pale and sparkley, so it's time to resume my hunt for a great pressed powder.
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Moisturizers -DHC - Extra Nighttime Moisture
figtart 9/27/2008 5:52:00 PM
I had high hopes for this product as it seemed like it would be a good no-frills unscented nighttime moisturizer, but after applying it for several nights in a row, my skin started turning pinker (I have rosacea) and getting flakier, so it's back to my Eucerin Redness Relief for now!
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Fragrances -Bulgari - Green Tea
figtart 9/27/2008 1:12:00 PM
In his book "Perfumes - The Guide," Luca Turin gave this 4 out of 5 stars which prompted me to sample it, then later purchase Bulgari Eau Parfumee "Au The Vert" (green tea). I must say I've fallen out of love with it since purchasing it about 3 months ago. At first, I enjoyed the bracing, but not overpowering unisex (barely) floral green tea fragrance,one that Turin calls, "a sort of cK One for grownups." But it began to smell slightly medicinal to me after a while, as if I were spraying a lovely fragrance with a jarring hint of Lysol on myself. For tea-based fragrances, I would instead recommend either "Bergamote" from The Different Company, or "Osmanthe Yunnan" by Hermes. Each is delightful in its own way and grows on you, rather than the opposite effect this fragrance had on me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Eucerin - Redness Relief Soothing Night Creme
figtart 9/12/2008 7:11:00 PM
I've used this for a couple of years and really can't live without it. I hope Eucerin never stops making this great product! I have sensitive skin with rosacea, and have tried countless other moisturizers that claim they are for sensitive skin, but most of them wind up making my skin redder and more sensitive! My skin can become so dry and flaky, I actually use this in the morning under my makeup, rather than just at night as the name of the product suggests. I put it on and let it absorb for a few minutes before applying my foundation. It keeps my skin calm and nicely moisturized without ever feeling greasy. This product, along with IPL (intense pulse laser) treatments from my dermatologist once or twice a year, as well as prescription Metrogel (Metronidazole) have really kept my rosacea under control. At night, I use either this, or if my skin is super dry or flaky, I use the hideously expensive Chanel Sublimage Essential Regenerating Cream. The Eucerin Redness Relief Soothing Night Creme is a white cream that comes in a 1.7 oz. jar with a screwtop and costs under $15.00 at your local drugstore.
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Concealers -Clinique - All About Eyes Concealer
figtart 9/10/2008 10:30:00 PM
This concealer is disappointing. As other reviewers have noted, you have to use this concealer incredibly sparingly and apply very carefully, or it looks masky. It doesn't blend that well, and It seems to settle in creases. On a positive note, the colors are good. I've recently started using Lancome's Effacernes undereye concealer and I think it works much better, truly brightens the eyes, covers those dark circles, and gives a soft, matte finish. It comes in a ton of colors, and at $27.50, (almost twice as much as the Clinique) it ain't cheap, but it's worth it!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Cover Girl - Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream [DISCONTINUED]
figtart 9/9/2008 9:54:00 PM
This review is for Cover Girl Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream Foundation. I bought this in 110 Classic Ivory in order to try something more moisturizing than the Estee Lauder Double Wear I've been using for some time. Double Wear is a great foundation, but occasionally I get the flakies with it and wanted to try something different. This foundation just did not work for me. Although it went on beautifully, and the color looked right, by midday, my rosacea was peeking through, and even though it's a moisturizing foundation, my skin started getting flakey by that afternoon. So, it's back to Estee Lauder for me for now!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Liners -L'Oreal - Colour Riche Lipliner
figtart 9/8/2008 11:18:00 PM
I bought this in Rose Absolu (part of the Beyond Pink collection) and although I like the color, I must say I'm not impressed with the product. It does not go on easily (drags on my lips), nor does it stay on very long. I like to use liner on my lips under lipstick sometimes for the staying power, and this is also quite drying when used for that purpose. I'm switching back to Chanel's "Le Crayon Levres" in Rose-Tawny, which goes on more smoothly and is not as drying.
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Lip Gloss -Sally Hansen - lip blush plumping balm
figtart 9/7/2008 5:58:00 PM
Just like unicorns, mermaids and faeries, I want to believe that lip plumpers exist! Sadly, I have yet to find one that does what it claims, so I must step away from the lip plumpers! Having said that, this is a lovely barely-there pink lip gloss with a built-in lip brush. If I were judging this product as a gloss only, it would get four stars, but since it's claiming to be a plumper, I'm giving it three.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Technakohl Liner in Uniform
figtart 9/6/2008 9:39:00 PM
I love the neutral olive brown color of "Uniform," but the staying power of this liner leaves something to be desired. It seems to sheer off of my upper lid after a few hours. Maybe I'm not putting enough on, but I hate caking on makeup. For staying power, I prefer Make Up For Ever's "Aqua Eyes," which is waterproof. For ease of application, I prefer Clinique's "Quickliner for Eyes."
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Make Up For Ever - Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Mat Black 0L
figtart 9/6/2008 9:26:00 PM
I use this on my upper lids only, and I find this easy to use, creamy to apply, and long-lasting. I had never heard of the brand before shopping at my local Sephora and wound up purchasing it in Iridescent Navy Blue (3L). This eyeliner stays on better than any (pencil) eyeliner I've ever used, so you'd better be willing to use eye makeup remover, or else live with it for several days on your eyes!
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Wear Infinite Long Lasting Powder Eyeliner
figtart 9/6/2008 9:18:00 PM
I bought this in Brown Suede and love the color, and how easily it glides on, but as other reviewers have noted, this does not have the staying power of something with "Infinite" in the name! I have had no problem with sharpening or crumbling, but would say there are better products out there that stay on longer, such as Make Up For Ever's Aqua Eyes, or Clinique's Quickliner for Eyes.
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Eyeliner -Chanel - Le Crayon Kohl in Black Jade
figtart 9/6/2008 9:10:00 PM
I'm a big fan of Chanel, and the Black Jade is a beautiful color, but this pencil is a bit too dry for me and drags on my skin when I apply. The liner also does not last as long as I'd like and tends to smudge a bit (in a bad way.) So, regretfully, I've stopped using this eye pencil. I would recommend using Clinque Quickliner for Eyes instead. It's creamier but longer lasting and has a smudger on the other end. It's a twist-up applicator, though, not a pencil, so you may not like it if you want that super-sharp line that you can get with a pencil.
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