Treatments -Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream
charlies04 12/16/2010 9:51:00 AM
I had to give this product a 4 cos it definitely does the job as a rescue for dry chapped lips!! I love using balmy thick rich moisturization on my lips, and although some cheapy lip balms can work (I've used a creamy Hello Kitty lip balm from H&M which is almost as good as this one) the eight hour cream is the one if you want to be sure your lips are being looked after! As most people have mentioned, the smell is very off putting at first, and has made me think twice about buying this product, but the smell doesn't linger after application and the moisturizing affect works instantly-I've used this a lot when i'm with my bf to make my dry cracking lips more kissable! Hehe. The 50ml tube is quite long lasting, so for the price i would say its a good product. I've tried on Sisley's and Dior balms but Elizabeth Arden is still the best as a chapped lip rescue treatment-only thing i don't like about this product is the lipgloss shiney effect it leaves on the lips.
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Foundations -Giorgio Armani - Face Fabric Second Skin Nude Makeup
charlies04 12/16/2010 8:38:00 AM
This is my new HG summer foundation (i would not use this as a winter foundation)! The texture and consistency is great for hot weather! Its hard to believe its not a proper foundation because it evens out skin tone and imperfects beautifully, and without being cakey! Its perfect for summer-though i use the limited edition 'radiance' version which is a much better match for my skin! I'm a perfect match for MAC NC15, No. 1 in the usual face fabric is way too light for my skin and the no.2 is too dark. Were as, In the face fabric radiance i'm a perfect match for no.1!
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Moisturizers -Origins - Balanced Diet
charlies04 12/16/2010 7:55:00 AM
I'm a combination to Oily skin type, and I actually really liked this product! I was given it as a sample (along with the checks and balance cleanser-which my skin didn't like much) and i immediately felt affinity with this product! Cos I have Oily-ish skin I'm always advised to use gel type formulars, which i don't particular like, so this milky watery texture works great for me! Its supposed to 'de-shine' but, as mentioned by an other reviewer, it doesn't really do that-which is another thing i like about it, even though i have Oily skin i don't want to matte it i just want to make sure i don't get spots and breakouts. This product gives a nice radiant glow to my skin aswell! I think i will definitely have to purchase this at some point! UPDATE: I've bought the full size bottle of this now and i'm still very much loving this moisturizer (although my HG is still Nina Ricci). Was told at a department store 'Origins' counter that this product was being discontinued but luckily managed to find it at a large Boots store-really hope it isn't being discontinued because I much prefer it to the 'Zero Oil' replacement. Still a good four lippies from me!
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Cleansers -Origins - Checks and Balances
charlies04 12/16/2010 7:42:00 AM
I consider my skin to be combination to oily, and I found this product too harsh for my skin. I tried a pot sample, given to me by the SA who told me this was a best selling cleanser, but i had to stop using it after only a few uses cos it was just making my skin too red, dry and sore though radiant and glowy! Lol. I really wanted to like this product (its peppermint smell is delicious), psychologically the 'Origins' brand is something i would totally buy into but having tried a few different products its difficult to find something that doesn't irritate or disturb my skin.
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
charlies04 12/15/2010 11:10:00 PM
Its really hard to find a good concealer, and although this one isn't perfect, its by far the best i've tried! I would call it an 'industrial strength concealer'. I use concealer just for spots and redness rather than undereye. I've tried Bobbi Brown creamy concealer, Boiing by Benefit, Hide the blemish by Rimmel and sampled Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage and MAC Studio Fix Concealer is still on top! Its very affordable at around 12quid too! Its can look a bit 'cakey' sometimes and feel a bit drying.......but other than that its the best!
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Stick -Bobbi Brown - Foundation Stick
charlies04 12/15/2010 10:45:00 PM
I turned to this product as soon as Rimmel stopped selling their 'clear complexion' as creamy stick and changed it into powder (powder yuck-my all time pet hate)! And I haven't looked back since! Its quite expensive, at 26 quid, and i guess i could try MAC or other foundation sticks but i don't think i'll able to be bothered once the stick runs out i'll probably just buy BB again! It works fine on my oily-ish skin but then i do like a non-matte look, but i would say if your skin is exceptionally oily, or average oily and you don't want anything to make it more oily, then this stick may not be for you! It has good coverage though i would still use a seperate concealer to cover up spots and redness.
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Eyeliner -BeneFit Cosmetics - Eye Bright
charlies04 12/15/2010 10:26:00 PM
I like this product cos i got it free with Glamour Magazine (which cost me 2 quid each-I bought two of them), and for that price it is definitely worth having in my makeup bag! However, for its usual 14 quid RRP would i buy it? Not on your nilly! And for that reason i'm out!
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Mascara -Giorgio Armani - Eyes to Kill - Excess Mascara
charlies04 12/15/2010 10:19:00 PM
This is my new HG mascara! Love, love, loving it! I haven't tried the normal 'Eye to Kill' mascara so i can't make a comparison! But i have tried soo many rated mascaras over the years such as Chanel Inimitable, Lancome, YSL, Givenchy, Dior, Benefit and i've always had to wear about three mascara at once to give the desired volume, length, definition and curl effect! So even though this is the most expensive individual mascara i've bought to date (at 23 quid) it probably works out the cheapest cos i'm only wearing one mascara at any one time-I don't feel i need to wear any other mascara with this one!-cos even though it doesn't even cover all the desired effects above, it just simply makes me feel so confident and sexy without needing to be pretty! Its 5 star packaged, 5 star feeling, 5 star smelling (its perfumed). Forget Megan Fox, if angelina jolie was a mascara she would be this one! EDIT: I've bought the original eyes to kill now and i still much prefer this 'excess' version!! I like a DRAMATIC eye and a geisha Japanese long eye rather than big popping out eyes, so the 'excess' is still the GA mascara for me. Though now liking both!
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Highlighters -Giorgio Armani - Fluid Sheer #2
charlies04 12/15/2010 9:58:00 PM
Nope sorry, i don't get it! This has broken my GA cosmetics love spell! I usually love GA products but this one is TOTALLY lost on me!-I've tried it with my Luminous Silk foundation and it may add a little greasy shine to my skin but what it the point in that anyway?? At 32 quid, what is the point in this product? Instyle magazine listed it as the best skin illuminator for best beauty buys 2010!-maybe i just don't particularly need this product for myself or got it in the wrong shade. But either way I'm ever beautiful without it. 32 quid i didn't need to spend.
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Cleansers -MAC - Makeup Remover Wipes
charlies04 12/15/2010 9:43:00 PM
I know not everyone likes these but me personally-I LOVE them!! They are my HG wipes! They are so refreshing, luxurious and don't leave my face feeling tight or dry. I've tried some Olay wipes which were pretty amazing, in fact did the job probably better then these MAC wipes, but nothing perks me up or makes me feel quite so special as when i use MAC wipes! I repurchased these-I first bought the 45 sheet pack just to try cos i loved using them to clear off makeup when trying on at the MAC counter. I seem to remember the 45 sheets feeling slightly thicker than the sheets in the 100 sheet pack. I don't use them everyday, cos they are rather pricey, I generally use them when i'm going away for the weekend and need something to keep my skin fresh without taking all my skincare products with me, or just days when i want to spoil myself! They aren't particularly great at removing eye make-up, they are really just used best as a skin refresh and pick me up!
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Eyeliner -Chanel - Le Crayon Khol - Noir
charlies04 12/15/2010 8:22:00 PM
Firstly, I've been using this Khol pencil almost EVERY single day for the past 5 years!!-and i'm still not even close to finishing the pencil! I originally thought 12pounds for it was pricey at the time of purchase, but for cost per usage its really not! Its lasted me forever! So I haven't even had a chance to try any other HE khols yet! This Chanel pencil is very pigmented, waxy, non-irritating to the eyes and gives a great 'khol' effect! Though it does seem to disappear after a few hours-so the only thing i would question is it staying power! So would like to try the MAC one eventually to see how it compares! EDIT: I've tried MAC Khol pencil in 'Smolder' now (which i believe is the equivalent to this one) and i still prefer Chanel's cos it just makes my eyes look much more sexy and pretty. Chanel's is a few pounds more expensive but you get a sharpener with it too, so i still think this one is the best! Oh and the staying power between Chanel and MACs is about the same.
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
charlies04 12/15/2010 7:56:00 PM
I had to give this product a 5! Its the first beauty counter foundation I ever bought......I was just wondering from department store beauty counter to beauty counter looking for my first ever 'proper' foundation-had heard a lot about Dior and Chanel foundations but not really known much about the brand MAC other than lipsticks. Then i tried on NC15 Studio Fix (which i neva even heard of before-so i had zero expectations) and met my perfect match! It was good coverage, great skin match, easy to apply, good texture, cooling on the skin and non-expensive! And 10 other foundations later its still a winner! Its the sort of foundation every girl should start off with! If you don't know what to buy or your rush for time just buy MAC and you can't go too wrong-thats what i say! Though I would say, this foundation is for younger and more combination/oily type skin-I tried it on my mum who has mature dry skin and it made her face look hairy!
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Crème -Bobbi Brown - moisturizing cream compact
charlies04 12/15/2010 7:37:00 PM
I have already repurchased this product once! The key to making this product last longer is to not use the sponge provided cos it totally eats up all the product! This makes a big difference-the product lasts sooo much longer! There is so much that I love about this compact; the fact its moisturzing, reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, gives a flawless supple dewy effect-as most Bobbi Brown bases do! On the down side it can look very heavy and makeupy.....so it maynot be every girls cup of tea.....but its certainly mine! And even though i don't use it too often, its something i'll always wanna have in my select makeup stash!
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Skincare - Face -Liz Earle - Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish
charlies04 12/15/2010 7:08:00 PM
Just started using this product, and yes it has cleared-up my skin within the first couple of uses. I've been using Chanel Lait Douceur/cleansing milk for about 5 years (which has always made my skin look radiant-even stopped me needing to wear foundation all together), but since starting to use foundation again, daily, I need something that stops my skin from getting too oily and maintains my skins natural balance, and although this Liz Earle Cleasner is very good-it leaves my skin feeling tight and very squeaky clean-which I'm personally not a fan of. So I would use this product a couple times a week rather than everyday. Though that said....it does remove eye make-up exceptionally well! Having to remember to clean the muslin cloth is little annoying though! Overall, I'm not sure if i'll repurchase this product...its a good enough cleanser but may try a few other cleansers on the market for something more to my liking!
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Liquid -Giorgio Armani - Luminous Silk Foundation
charlies04 12/15/2010 6:22:00 PM
This is my HG foundation for Autumn/winter. I've tried a fair few foundation samples: Chanel, Dior, MAC, Bobbi Brown, YSL and MUFE, and even though I liked some of them they didn't feel like 'my foundation'. Every girl wants that foundation that feels like her very own custom-made product and this is the one for me! Its so lightweight, skin like and sophicated! The only thing I don't like about it, and the GA range in general, is the difficulty of identify shades and the different products (all the bottles look soo similar), I get very confused at the GA counter......but maybe thats just because i'm as blonde as my hair colour! lol. I would repurchase this product.
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