Bronzers -Chanel - Irreelle Soleil - Toundra [DISCONTINUED]
darkharbour 6/3/2007 7:14:00 PM
Toundra is the HG bronzer for LLL or PPP with a warm undertone -- which can be achieved if you use a self tanner, even if you are normally cool. It is a peachy bronze color that makes you look healthy, not dirt-smeared. If you need a cool toned bronzer for pale skin, look for EL Bronze Goddess. I keep both in my arsenal. What keeps me from giving it five lippies is the heavy fragrance -- don't care for that in makeup.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Bliss Labs - The youth as we know it
darkharbour 5/8/2007 8:16:00 PM
This was a nice night cream, but nothing special. It moisturized my skin well, was not greasy, and it did not cause me to break out. Two gripes: It smells like orange and I prefer fragrance free. A tube would be more hygienic than a jar. Overall, it is not worth the money when you can buy Olay or Aveeno for so much less. It is not a bad product, but I doubt I would repurchase it. I am 50 with a few lines, and otherwise normal skin.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Paul & Joe - Bleu
darkharbour 5/6/2007 12:04:00 PM
Just lovely. If you are a devotee of Talco Delicato, Teinte de Neige, or even Keiko Mecheri's Loukhoum, this one is for you. If you detest powdery fragrances -- and many do -- please run in the opposite direction. And leave this little wonder ALL to me. It is less goumand than KM, and more Green than Talco or TdN, but it is a wonderfully soft, cashmere shawl of a scent that is long lasting and nicely evolving on the skin. Starts out a bit like Shalimar but then develops into a powdery woody scent.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Queen Helene - Apricot Hand and Body Lotion
darkharbour 5/5/2007 9:50:00 AM
Pros: It smells good, it is light and absorbs easily, it works, and it is cheaper than dirt. Cons: It is very runny, drippy, and liquidy wet, it comes in the most ugly-a$$ bottle. Net: Thumbs up.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Escentric Molecules Escentric 01
darkharbour 5/5/2007 9:40:00 AM
Sorry, Ladies. This was just plain horrid. This is a hamster cage recently cleaned with hopsital grade, fake-citrus smelling, disinfectant -- chemicals and cedar shavings. Remember that cleaner from the seventies -- Janitor in a Drum? Well, I just had a flashback. It lasted forever, and I waited patiently for a warmer, more mellow dry down. It did not occur. They could use this this stuff for chemical warfare or as a torture device -- I would spill my guts to make it stop.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -New York Color - Liquid Lip Shine in Sungold Pink
darkharbour 5/4/2007 3:53:00 PM
Gorgeous color. Peachy-pink swirled with subtle gold shimmer. Goes on lighter than what you would expect, but still pretty. Less "glossy, buttery" than some glosses, more like a shimmer lipstick in finish. It is less sheer than many glosses. Soapy taste, no stickiness. At this price, who not? Update: I recently bought Chanel Twinkle Glossimer -- these are virtually identical!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Diptyque - Elide (Eau d"Elide)
darkharbour 5/4/2007 9:53:00 AM
This would appeal to someone who liked SL Ambre Sultan. This is one of those mincemeat pie, sugared almonds, candied citron, and spice scents. It smells richly gourmand on me, and so far the sillage is powerful and it is long-lasting. It is sweet in a honeyed, languid way, rather than a saccharine overload. I doubt I would buy it again, as it does not appeal to my taste. But I could see the charm it might have for others.
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Fragrances -Keiko Mecheri - White Petals
darkharbour 5/3/2007 10:18:00 AM
Well, this is one in your face floribunda! There is almost a citrusy topnote I would expect from orange blossom, and sometimes honeysuckle can do this. Chanel 22 it is not, but it reminds me a bit of White Shoulders layered with 4711. It is strong-- spritz lightly or you will get the vapors. This wants a flouncy dress, high heeled mules, and a wide brimmed hat.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Keiko Mecheri - Musc
darkharbour 5/3/2007 10:13:00 AM
This starts off smelling like the shoe polish my Mom daubed each week on my white, Sunday little girl shoes. Quickly, it evolved into a light, but tenacious bar soap smell. No real earthiness here. I happen to like soapy smells, hence my score.
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Fragrances -Keiko Mecheri - Damascena
darkharbour 5/3/2007 10:10:00 AM
For those of you devoted to fresh, clean, outdoorsy scents, this is for you. This is an effervescent, light floral that is not the least bit languid or tropical. Although it is a rose, it does not seem overly rosey to me. You will not smell like tea rose or anything like that. More like the wild beach roses, with some crisp green elements thrown in. Soft, but tenacious. Lasted all day.
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Lipstick -Lipstick Queen - Coral Sinner
darkharbour 5/3/2007 9:48:00 AM
Wow, this stuff. $18.00 at Barney's. This comes in a round, deep indigo-black, matte, metal tube. The tube is in a bubble pack sort of package with funky designs and Poppy's picture and story on the back. It has no smell or taste. Somehow, Poppy managed to create a matte finish lipstick that does not feel terribly dry on the lips, and does not tug as you apply it. It feels like a creamy lipstick on the lips -- not glossy or buttery mind you. It is not terribly moisturizing, but you would not be buying a matte lippie for that, anyhow. That being said, there does not seem to be a lot of heavy wax in this formula, so it feels light on the lips. Lasting time is good, due to the high pigmentation. Now for the color: Not a true coral by any means, but I knew that going into this purchase. It is a shade devoid of blue. It is a medium, salmon- brown, that could read as a nude shade on deeper skin tones. It is more pink than terra cotta, more subdued than russet, less deep than bittersweet. It is a very complex shade that has me captivated. There is no shimmer in this. Note: if you want a more sheer, more glossy version of this color, you would need Saint Coral.
12 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Keiko Mecheri - Passiflore
darkharbour 4/30/2007 9:29:00 AM
KM -- they are love or loathe fragrances. I kind of like this one. It is fruity and tropical without being sweet or cloying, and has no aquaceous element. It is mercifully free of coconut. It is refreshing, but not as crisp as a dry citrus. Keiko has captured in an amazing way the scent of passion fruits. This will either make your heart sing, or make you run screaming in the opposite direction. I am liking this, ladies. This can be quite youthful, but I am pulling it off, despite the fact that I am beyond any age that might even remotely be considered youthful.
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Moisturizers -Estee Lauder - Resilience Lift Face and Throat Creme SPF15
darkharbour 4/29/2007 12:03:00 PM
Thick, rich and sumptuous, and yet it sinks right in. I am 50 years old and have normal to dry skin with a few fine lines. Sagging is my bigger concern. I did not see much in terms of "lift", but this is a nice daytime sunblock cream that really makes my skin texture soft and smooth.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Shiseido - Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizer
darkharbour 4/28/2007 8:01:00 PM
What am I missing? I think my skins seems moist and smooth, but the texture of this on my skin leaves much to be desired. It does not sink in and leaves a sticky film. Not pleasant. Will not repurchase. I am 50 with normal to dry skin; used to be oily.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Bare Escentuals - BareMinerals foundation #2.3 Medium Beige
darkharbour 4/27/2007 9:08:00 AM
I finally figured out how to make this work on mature skin that needs more coverage. Note: I find that I need a shade darker than what I thought I needed. First, you need to repackage it. The packaging it comes with is useless. I use a small jelly jar (actually a Ball canning jar that holds about one cup). Since I mix two shades to get my ideal, this works well for me. You can also use one of the small, plastic Rubbermaid containers meant for packing salad dressing in your lunch, if you use one shade. (That's where I blend some blushes for myself.) Second, the swirl, tap, buff does not work for mature skin. Too much friction, not enough coverage. I dip a small brush in the jar and tap it back and forth vigorously against the insides of the jar, so most of the powder gets knocked off. Then, I sweep it lightly over my face like loose powder. I blend with a latex sponge. If I need more coverage, I dip a latex wedge sponge in the prodcut and daub it on where I need it, and then blend. The sponge helps ensure that it does not get cakey. Third, you need a good, non-greasy moisturizer under this, or a primer. Anything rich or oily will be disastrous. Fourth, for on the go touch-ups, do this. Dip in a brush or wedge and knock off the excess. Transport in a baggie or one of those Rubbermaid dressing containers. Results: Glowy, luminous, healthy looking skin that has a glow to it. Youthful. Golden. Natural-looking.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No