Eyeliner -Bobbi Brown - Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Graphite Shimmer Ink
appleqn 2/13/2010 1:11:00 AM
I was a little hesitant to get yet another pot of Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner as I already have 3 and can never seem to finish using them up - but the color of Graphite Shimmer was too beautiful to pass up! It's such a gorgeous gunmetal dark gray, it appears like a complicated black under darker lighting but when I'm out under full sunshine, it has glints of blue to it. To compare this with the first few batches of gel eyeliner, I'd say that the texture has improved to the point where it feels different. My previous (non shimmer) pots were a little thicker & stiffer, Graphite Shimmer seems to be true to its name - more gel-like and pliable. However, the improved texture proved to be a slight con for me as where the previous liners did not budge, Graphite Shimmer would leave little shimmery stains around my oily lids at the end of an 8 hour work day. Though, I'm not too fussy about precise lining and would usually just use a cotton bud to touch up the line.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -MAC - Cleanse Off Oil
appleqn 12/28/2009 1:38:00 AM
I've been using the Shu cleansing oil for years before wanting to look for a cheaper alternative. After giving the MAC one a try, I never went back! What I love about it? For a cleansing oil, it is really light weight, doesn't clog my pores up and get stubborn makeup/sunscreen off while making my skin feel soft. I'm also delighted by its fresh, lemon tart scent. The fact that it's a lot cheaper than the Shu, Bobbi Brown versions and that I can collect the empty bottles for Back 2 MAC also add plus points to it. Note: I only use this on days where I wear makeup/sunscreen.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Giorgio Armani - Face Fabric Second Skin Nude Makeup
appleqn 12/28/2009 1:29:00 AM
This is probably one of the only few foundations/tinted moisturizers that is a staple in my stash. As the previous reviewers have mentioned, this isn't strictly a tinted moisturizer as you will need some kind of base/moisturizer under it or you might find this a little dry. I usually apply moisturizer, sunscreen then followed by the Face Fabric. I'm a little hesitant to also call this a foundation as its coverage is really minimal. What I love about this is that it's incredibly lightweight (that famed Armani makeup reputation at its best) - it doesn't really hide imperfections but blurs them instead. I usually hide my freckles with a concealer after it. I've been wearing this all day for years and it doesn't break me out. Incredibly easy to blend, it dries to a soft, velvety finish. Highly recommended.
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Eyes -MAC - Greasepaint Stick
appleqn 12/28/2009 1:19:00 AM
These were really hard to find and sold out nearly everywhere. Fueled by all the hype of this both on MUA and beauty blogs, I managed to find the last one at the HK airport. After using it for a while - does it live up to the hype? Well, yes and no. The colour's a gorgeous, complex black with hints of purple that surprisingly doesn't make me look bruised/enhances dark eye circles like most plum eye colours do. It does stay amazingly on for a long time but sadly, wasn't completely smudge free on my oily eye lids and I'd to be really careful about accidentally touching them with my fingers as it'd make a big mess. It also comes with its own sharpener so you needn't worry about finding a jumbo pencil sized sharpener. However, that is the prelude of its downside for me. I've small eyes and prefer more precise lined eyeliners. Its chunkiness and easily blunt tip made it harder for me to get really close to the lash line. I'm also reluctant to keep sharpening it as it's limited edition (well, now for the time being) and I don't want to run out of it before I can get a spare! On the plus side, after lining my eyes really carefully & cleaning up any messy smudges with a Q-tip, it instantly adds a goth/punk kinda vibe to your look. I love wearing this on days where I'm casually dressed (think skinny jeans, ballet pumps and a fitted cotton tee) - however I did get a comment from a small kid that I looked like (her words, not mine) "a demon". Given the fact that I usually have a lemming for all things LE, I don't regret this purchase and if they launch it again, would probably see myself getting a spare.
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Eyeliner -Chanel - Stylo Yeux Waterproof - Jade
appleqn 12/28/2009 1:07:00 AM
I've to say that this is one of the prettiest teal colours I've seen in a while! I've been using MAC eyeliner pencils for a while but was attracted to how bright and colourful this was at the Chanel counter and even though it was considerably more expensive than the MAC ones, I decided to get this. Texture wise - I found it a little hard and stiff, it tended to drag a little on my lower lash line. Initially, I was a little dubious over its "waterproof" claim as I've really oily lids (to the point even Bobbi Brown's gel liners can run on me on a humid day) but I was amazed that it didn't smudge or smear after a long day of wearing it. Packaging is ingenious - even the temp staff at the Chanel counter wasn't aware that it had a little sharpener concealed within the pencil! Overall verdict is that this is an extremely bright and fun colour. A little expensive and the texture is stiff but its extreme waterproofing works wonders for a pencil.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55
appleqn 5/20/2009 9:40:00 AM
Before this, my holy grail sunscreen was Shiseido but I was curious about the review the Neutrogena one received, not to mention how it's so much more budget friendly so I decided to give this a go. In comparison, the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 is heavier and creamier and while it isn't greasy, it leaves my skin feeling a bit more moist. When I over applied, it tends to pill up on top of my moisturizer. I layered a base of Clinique Moisture Surge, followed by the Neutrogena Sunblock and Armani Face Fabric and the sunblock made the Face Fabric seem less powdery and more glowing/radiant. It might be a bit too heavy for acne prone/oily skin but the sun protection factor is great.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - A'kin - Rosehip Oil
appleqn 5/20/2009 9:21:00 AM
I've to admit, I've been concerned about parabens in skincare for a while and was attracted to this because it is meant to be organic as well as free of parabens. I was initially worried that it would be too heavy or rich for my skin but was pleasantly surprised that it absorbed quite fast. I didn't mind the scent at all given that there's no artificial fragrance. It leaves my skin feeling re hydrated. Would re-purchase and recommend to friends.
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Mascara -Dejavu (Imju) - Fiberwig Lash Knockout
appleqn 5/20/2009 9:11:00 AM
I'm amazed by this mascara - it does an exceptional job of lengthening my lashes as well as superb staying power without smudging. However, it seemed to weigh down my lashes a little and does not seem to curl. It removes easily with an oil based makeup remover. Would re-purchase as it's reasonably priced and does give me spiky, dolly lashes.
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Shampoo -TiGi - Catwalk Honey & Oatmeal shampoo
appleqn 12/30/2006 4:10:00 AM
I've to admit, one of the main reasons why I'm attracted to this is because of the scent, it smells like freshly baked cookies. Apart from that, the shampoo is gentle but doesn't seem to moisturize particularly and I need to follow up with a conditioner.
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Styling Products -Kerastase - Elasto-Curl Leave-in
appleqn 12/30/2006 4:00:00 AM
The scent is gorgeous! It smells really fresh and definitely perks my mood up. I find that using this on damp hair usually defines my curls but don't really notice any softening/glossy effect with this. It lasts the whole day but if I go to bed with this, my hair usually ends up flat again the next day. Would re-purchase but am also on the hunt for something that would make my curls look glossier.
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Blush -MAC - Blushcreme Pearl Sweet William [DISCONTINUED]
appleqn 3/26/2006 4:28:00 AM
This is one of the prettiest blushes (apart from Summer Lily) which I have seen in a while and *blushes* the name is adorable too. It does have the tendency to apply a tad too frosty if heavily applied but when applied with the right amount and a lot of blending, it looks oh-so-cute ballerina pink with pretty silver shimmer. The texture seems to me a little stiffer than other Blushcremes. Would definitely re-purchase.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Powersurge Eye Kohl
appleqn 2/26/2006 1:53:00 AM
Despite the fact that Kohls & my oily lids don't seem to get along very well, after reading the raves for Powersurge, I knew I'd to try this and this didn't disappoint me. The color is a beautiful dark, bronzey gold that would blend well with most greens. As expected, it doesn't last that long on me but I found that if I applied base, then a fine, thin line of BB's gel eyeliner, then Powersurge, it lasts really well but it does take some time. Anyway, the beautiful color makes up for the lasting power. Would re-purchase.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Powerpoint - So There Jade
appleqn 2/26/2006 1:48:00 AM
I'm having mixed feelings about this, for one, the color is incredibly unique and gorgeous but on the other hand, the consistency is horrible on my oily eyelids. It doesn't go on smoothly and when I try applying this close to my lashes, I end up smudging this all over my lashes and had people asking me if I was applying blue mascara. I found that the trick to overcoming this would be to apply a fine line of black eyeliner then applying So There Jade directly above it. This is such a beautiful and complex blue-green (as a previous reviewer mentioned, like Steamy in an eyeliner form) and I love teal-peacock colors.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Buried Treasure Powerpoint
appleqn 2/26/2006 1:42:00 AM
Of all the Powerpoints I've ever tried, this and Bountiful Brown are one of my favourites/classics. At first glance, it seems like a normal black eyeliner but when applied on, wow! It doesn't go on a harsh black but more of a charcoaled dark green with beautiful shimmers, definitely not your standard black. Wonderfully easy to apply and blend and lasts longer than Kohls.
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Eyeliner -MAC - Powerpoint - Bountiful Brown
appleqn 2/26/2006 1:39:00 AM
Oh wow, this is one of the most gorgeous eyeliner colors I've seen in a while. It goes on a rich chocolatey (almost coffee) brown and has really fine yet noticible shimmers. Like with all other Powerpoint formulations, it lasts longer than Kohls. Incredible easy to apply and would definitely recommend as well as repurchase.
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