Loose Powders -Scott Barnes - Diamond Dust
Embeth3 10/30/2009 4:11:00 AM
Holy hole in a donut Batman, this stuff is AWESOME! I got a 2 pack for about $22NZD (overseas, Scott Barnes isn't available here) and it is SO great. The powder is packaged in a screw top jar with a plastic sifter under the lid, which I have to admit, isn't my favourite.. I tried peeling back just half the sticky bit to stop too much powder coming through but it didn't work. As long as you store this flat and are careful and don't tap the bottom too hard, you shouldn't end up with an oversupply of product. I apply with a big soft powder brush, it goes on an ever so faintly yellow based beige colour with *very* fine shimmer, it's hardly noticeable to the naked eye but boy, do you look radiant! Normally I would mark it down for being cumbersome (I much prefer pressed powder) but I love it so much it deserves the whole 5. LOVELY.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Stila - Lip Pot in Baie
Embeth3 10/30/2009 3:54:00 AM
I got this in a trio (with Cerise and Mandarine) overseas for about $17NZD so I can't complain about the price too much. There is one store that sells them in NZ and they retail for $45NZD each, which is patently ridiculous. However, Baie is a lovely pink shade, not too warm and not too cool toned, so would suit a wide range of skin tones. The texture is very pleasant, soft and not even a hint of stickness, with no discernable scent or flavour. The colour is lovely, well pigmented but it doesn't last much more than an hour or two on me, but for something marketed as a balm that's not too surprising. It does well as a balm, it is not designed to be a long lasting colour on your lips but does leave them soft and smooth afterwards. Cerise (true sheer red) and Mandarine (which looks scary orange in the jar but applies as a lovely peachy apricot shade) are great as well. The pots are very cute - I know some people don't like using their fingers but as long as they're clean, no worries. Would definitely buy more shades but not at retail prices!!!!
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - 10
Embeth3 10/22/2009 5:19:00 AM
This is a great bronzer/highlighter duo, makes aplication a breeze, even for makeup novices. Even I appreciate the simplicity! Gives a very lovely, natural look to cheeks used as recommended - or just use each shade separately or blend as so desired. I was a little bit apprehensive the highlighter would look too chalky on me but it blends nicely with a hint of shimmer. Works well for me (light medium) but I suspect anyone with a medium, deep olive or darker skintone will not find this a good product - it may not show up at all. Doesn't last for ages and the packaging makes it inconvenient to carry around for touch ups. I really like this, has nice colour payoff to begin with, just wish it lasted a bit longer - or at least came in a solid lidded compact so it was easier to transport!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Coralista
Embeth3 10/22/2009 5:05:00 AM
This is a really pretty colour - a medium pinky coral with generous amounts of gold toned shimmer. In fact, I find there is more shimmer than pigmentation, so layering doesn't intensify the colour, just adds more "glow" - unfortunately to the point of being a bit too much if you over apply. I find this best over a pink cream blush - Scott Barnes Color Cream in Bloom is nice with this layered over. On it's own, it looks nice for an hour or two but the colour fades pretty quick. It has a gorgeous fragrance and the packing is cute and funky but not very practical. The brush is OK, not fab but does all right in a pinch. So I wouldn't really regard this as a blush, more of an intense pink gold highlighter - it is very pretty on but just doesn't have enough pigment or staying power for me. I want to like it more, but it just doesn't do it for me as a blush I'm afraid. I wish it did!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Christian Dior - DIorKiss Hawaii Coco
Embeth3 10/14/2009 8:43:00 PM
This is quite simply the prettiest shimmery and sparkly pink lip gloss ever. Well, I think so anyway! Goes on quite sheer and gives just a hint of colour on bare lips but over any pink lipstick it looks amazingly gorgeous. Light coconut scent, not overpowering or sickly. LOVE.
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Blush -Maybelline - Dream mousse blush in soft plum [DISCONTINUED]
Embeth3 10/2/2009 12:58:00 AM
I bought this today and am quite impressed. I intended to go for the Peach one but the colour seemed too light for me when swatched. Pity, 'cos it looked cute! Anyway, I was initially concerned this would be to cool toned for me but it isn't. It gives a lovely mauve pink glow with small gold shimmer particles and is really easy to blend. The formula is super smooth and goes on evenly without streaking. I did find I needed to really rub it in a bit more vigourously than I first anticipated or it tends to sit on the skins surface and look a tiny bit blotchy. The only down side it that you can unintentionally pick up a bit more product than you need because it is so light - and I wish the lids were flat so I could stack them! Edit - I took a lipstick off because it just doesn't last. Even after beign set with translucent powder, it fades after about 3 hours on me. Disappointing.
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Primer/ Corrector -Natio - Ageless Illuminating Primer
Embeth3 9/27/2009 5:12:00 PM
I really like this stuff! I had been using Smashbox Photofinish previous to this, which was fine but that left me with a vaguely sticky feeling with one of my foundations. This primer doesn't contain silicon so it doesn't have that "glide" sensation to it - it is a very liquid formula and quite runny but you only need a little blob and it smooths in really nicely. It contains aloe, shea butter, lemon, sesame, lavender and rosehip oil so it's nice to know it's not packed full of artificial rubbish. It smells lovely and fresh too. I let this sit on my skin for a couple of minutes before applying my foundation, which goes on really smoothly and lasts all day. I'm not sure how much of this is down to the primer and how much is the foundation (Diorskin Nude Natural Glow) but my makeup still looks great when I get home after work so that's all I can ask! This is touted as "illuminating" but I cannot detect any sparkly bits or shimmer - which isn't particularly useful when you're applying foundation over the top anyway so I don't mind. This isn't going to fill in huge pores or reduce scarring but it is a really nice product to use, cheap and effective. I'll keep using it!
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Mascara -Stila - Major Lash Mascara
Embeth3 9/26/2009 1:11:00 AM
It took me a couple of tries to figure out the best way to use this - which for a mascara, shouldn't be that difficult! The best effect is acheived by *very* light strokes, several coats are needed to give definite volume - if you're too heavy handed, it clumps a bit and then you end up with crumbly black fallout when you try and comb it out. It has good pigmentation but really sticks to lashes so I find it doesn't wash off as easily as I like - I have to wash twice with foaming cleanser to get it all off, which is a real drag, or use an oil based eye makeup remover, which irritates my eyes so I can't really win :-( I'll stick with my Clinque Naturally Glossy mascara for everyday and Diorshow for a more dramtic look.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Embeth3 9/26/2009 12:57:00 AM
I've been using this for 2 weeks now and I have noticed a definite improvement in my skin. The cream itself is very rich, so you only need a small amount. It takes a little while to absorb after it's applied, it doesn't melt into your skin like some moisturizers but I don't find it sticky or greasy and after a few minutes the "heavy" feeling disappears. The fragrance is noticeable, sort of floral fruity but I don't find it overpowering and it fades fairly quickly. It may just be my imagination, but I think it leaves a VERY fine, sort of micro shimmer that gives a nice, radiant glow effect. It leaves my skin plump and well moisturized, I don't have major lines or wrinkles yet but there is still a visible difference - I look about 3 years younger, which is nice! I also have a small red mark on my right cheek, it's been there for years and after 2 weeks of use it is less than half its original size - I'll be hugely impressed if it disappears altogether. It doesn't seem to have any exfoliant effect at all, but I wasn't really expecting that anyway. I use it at night time only, because it is a bit too rich for continued day use as well - my skin would likely be a bit overwhelmed if it was constantly slathered in the stuff! Like I said, it is a really rich texture so easy does it. I wouldn't call this a "miracle" cream as such (if there is such a thing), I think it would be better suited to more mature or very dry skin types for there to be really dramatic effects but I am pretty pleased with the results I've got from using it! Will definitely repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No