Lip Gloss -Korres - Cherry Full Colour Gloss in 33
Mandibulo 10/18/2011 9:20:00 AM
Most of this review is copy-pasted from my previous Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss review, as my love for it remains the same - it only changes colors. Nothing but the best to say about this product! It's a lovely neutral brownish nude with fine gold shimmer running through it - makes the lips look plump and juicy and healthy and candy-like. The color payoff is rather sheer, meaning it doesn't look as strong on the lips as it does in the tube, but for a lip gloss it's more than decent. However the most awesome bit is the feel of it as well as its staying power: Its consistency is so smooth, far from sticky and goopy and thick; it just feels lighweight and incredibly moisturizing. Plus it lasts for absolutely hours and wears off evenly without leaving any gross residue. The only downside to it (but a plus for some) is the obnoxious fake cherry scent it carries, however that fades fast enough and all you're left with is fresh, conditioned, beautiful looking lips. At this price this is hands-down the best lip gloss on the market, better than some higher end brands even. Will get all the colors cause they're just gorgeous and feel wonderful on! So recommended.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -MAC - Cream Color Base in Pearl
Mandibulo 10/18/2011 8:30:00 AM
A very strong highlighter, even applied with a light hand. It's a pale gold/champagne color with a very dewy and shimmery finish to it. When used in moderation, it creates a very polished look, quite formal and glamorous - not something I'd pick for daytime though. However what's great about it is its golden hues; they match my light, yellow-toned complexion perfectly. It stands out even more in summer with a tan. Again, if you use sparingly, it looks phenomenal on the cheekbones, brow bone, cupid's bow, center of the lips, even the collar bones. If you're going for an ultra shimmery look overall, I suppose you could layer a similar color eyeshadow or highlighting powder over it, but that's just way too shiny for my taste. I've also used it on the lid on top of smoked out kohl liner, just to give it bit of a wet/lived in appearance, and it looked wonderful. It creased, of course, but that was kind of the point with that particular look. Recommended!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Clarins - Delectable Self Tanning Mousse with Mirabelle Oil SPF 15
Mandibulo 7/11/2011 9:25:00 AM
This is the first self tanner I've ever tried, so I can't really compare it to anything else but the natural result of sun exposure. First off, the product itself feels so light and moisturizing. It's a white mousse that takes nearly no effort to sink into the skin. Its scent is quite pleasant in the pot, sort of fruity and fresh, but it turns horrible soon as it melts in, and although the first strong wave doesn't linger, its annyoing echo stays on till your next shower. But I could live with that; what makes me think I wouldn't repurchase this product is the color. It's not the worst fake tan color I've seen, it can convince most people that you got it naturally by staying out in the sun. You just can't get a deep tan with this, because it will be a deep orange. If you only want a very subtle "glow", then it's fine. But I was hoping to skip sunbathing altogether this summer, and get my tan out of a pot instead. As I see now, that ain't gonna happen. Don't get me wrong, I actually look tanned thanks to this. My color is definitely darker after two consecutive applications, and people haven't noticed any unnatural color payoff or orange hues etc.. The thing is, *I* have noticed, and that's what's disturbing. I am naturally very yellow toned, so when I tan at the beach, I only get this lovely reddish tan for a couple of days, then end up with a sallow bronze color until it fades out completely. This self tanner gives me exactly that second color. I look yellow, on the verge of orange, when I have this on. I haven't dared to build it up even more, because I'm scared I'll turn into a carrot. It takes a while to develop too; in my experience, it might show up slightly about an hour after the application, but you'll get its full effect the next day. As for its performance (streaking/settling into creases/clinging to rough patches), I can't really fault it, because I haven't been super vigilant with regards to its maintenance. So any light streaks or extra pigmentation around the elbows are probably due to my insufficient maintenance method. Anyways... off to get roasted, and leave this in my drawer for when I need to just boost my already tanned parts, or for when I'm desperate and prefer yellowy legs to milky white ones. Prolly wouldn't repurchase.
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Makeup Brushes -Sigma - F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki (was SS197)
Mandibulo 7/4/2011 12:26:00 PM
This is an excellent brush which has turned my makeup application into an utter delight. It's so dense and flat, it buffs liquid/cream foundation right into the skin, making it look so natural and well-blended! I could honestly say it's my favorite face brush, along with my Mac 187. It's synthetic, and up until this day it hasn't even shed one hair on me. Plus I believe that pretty much all Sigma brushes, like this one, are incredible value for money. Great, affordable brushes - a serious investment. This genius brush is one of their star products in my opinion. I would repurchase.
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Palettes -MAC - Pro Colour Palette Blush
Mandibulo 7/3/2011 3:55:00 AM
What I said in my review of the pro eyeshadow palettes goes for the blush palettes as well: A great, elegant, sleek way to store your blushes. They take up way less space in your makeup drawers and you don't have to pick which colors to take away with you on vacation, 'cause they're all stuffed in there already. Lovely solution for a practical, as well as aesthetically pleasing, product layout. Will repurchase.
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Palettes -MAC - Pro Colour Palette/Small Eye Shadow
Mandibulo 7/3/2011 3:41:00 AM
These are so convenient to store Mac eyeshadows in! The pain is to depot them, stick the names on the back of each pan and find magnets for them so they can stick to the palette, but once the task is over, voila: Pretty, safely stored eyeshadows that you can look at and examine whenever you want. This layout also helps to get you out of your makeup rut - when you see all the colors at the same time you get more inspired and adventurous. I looove the appearance of these palettes. They're so flat and sleek, I adore all Mac packaging, I find it uber chic and minimal. It's really a joy, having all my eyeshadows in one place (well... a couple of palettes for the time being), taking them anywhere I want without having to choose which ones I'll leave behind due to space restrictions; I couldn't re-live Sophie's choice one more time, and now I don't have to! Get one of those babies and you won't regret it. Will keep repurchasing.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Sable Eye Shadow
Mandibulo 7/2/2011 6:18:00 AM
This is a color it took me sooo long to pluck up the courage to try on. Eventually I did, and I've now come to think it's beautiful, but you need to be careful how you apply it, or it's almost certain it's gonna make you look sick. I used to think of it as a warmer Satin Taupe, but in fact it looks way warmer on, so I don't compare the two anymore. This is a frosty, rosy-bronzy taupe color. It's quite warm, it looks kinda copperish on the eye - which is so pretty, but that's about as copper as I'll ever go; when I used it for a smoky look I lined my entire eye with black too, just to make sure I wouldn't look tired. A special effect this had on my eyes which greatly surprised me, was it seemed to bring out their brown color! This made no sense to me at all, normally those warm orangey/coppery shades look wonderful on blue or green eyes, whilst they do nothing much for brown... but something happened, I don't know, maybe it picked up whatever green undertones my brown eyes might have (of which I know none), and it made them look slightly hazel from a distance. So yes, go for it. If I did it, you can too. Its pigmentation and payoff is amazing so it's gonna look very impressive if you wear it right. Would repurchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Bourjois - Healthy Mix Foundation
Mandibulo 6/29/2011 9:45:00 AM
So pleasantly taken aback by this foundation! It's got so many pros, and definitely not that many drawbacks at all. I'm NC25 and got this in #52, which is a pretty perfect match for me. The first time I applied it I thought it ran too yellow, but that's just 'cause I'd put way too much on. Don't get me wrong, it does run fairly yellow - but this way it neutralizes any redness beautifully, say around the nose etc, without the need of concealer on top. It's pigmented enough, it goes on smooth, it blends very easily, it gives a luminous finish, it lasts long and it's got a fun smell. But the best thing about it is it looks oh so natural! Its texture feels so light and modern, and it's barely noticeable close-by; obviously people can tell you have some sort of foundation on due to your completely uniform and perfectly even skintone (medium-buildable coverage = love), but they can't SEE it. This is an awesome product. I love it, trust it and cherish it as much as my Chanel Pro Lumiere, only for different reasons. And it's actually serious stuff, it's not just "good for a drugstore brand", it's good in general, compared to every low and high end foundation on the market. Like, I would be willing to use this on my wedding day (some day). Last but not least, its price is dreamy for such a performace, in my opinion! Will repurchase.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -La Roche Posay - Anthelios XL 50 Creme Fondante PPD 25
Mandibulo 6/29/2011 8:30:00 AM
Recently got this product after being pulled in by the fact that the Anthelios line provides a variety of formulas aimed specifically towards different skin types, which I thought was ingenius. The formula I picked is the one intended for dry skin, which is supposed to be loaded with hydrating elements to keep the skin supple and comfy, something I find extremely convenient in summer, since this particular consistency eliminates the need for additional moisturizer. The thing is, I often find it too be a little too thick. It does sink into my skin eventually, but it feels overly heavy and almost too hydrating, making me look shiny for a couple hours after I apply it. Probably the oil-free formula for normal/combo skin would fit me better; still need to experiment on that. The cream does leave a noticable white cast all over the face, as well as a few streaks, especially near the hairline, even though I make it a point to blend it as well as I can. I'm not too bothered about the white cast though, because all sunscreens (especially those containing SPF 50+) seem to have the same effect, plus if I absolutely dreaded the white cast I'd go for a tinted sunblock. One thing it does impeccably though, is accept makeup. Even the thickest, cakiest pastes (like my Mac studio finish concealer) melt into the skin better than ever, without sitting on top of it, and they remain like that throughout the day. Impressive! As for the rest of its benefits, it seems to protect me nicely - I don't even tan with this on, my face stays milky white all summer while my body tans, and I just unify the two with makep. Its scent is quite sunscreen-like, which I love, only a tad more on the medicinal side. So if you're willing to deal with the ghostly look and heavy feeling on your face, by all means go for it. I'll prolly keep my options open.
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Liquid -NARS - Sheer Glow Foundation
Mandibulo 6/27/2011 9:48:00 AM
Mixed feelings about this product. I liked it at first, but now I have second thoughts about it. The name is irrelevant to the product to begin with: It's far from sheer, and it doesn't necessarily give you a glow; however, these two bits about it I love. For reference I'm NC25 and I have this in the color Ceylan. It did come off quite yellow in my initial application, but soon as I buffed it into my skin it looked absolutely normal. A great thing I noticed straight away was how pigmented it was. It covered the breakouts around my chin with minimal effort on my part, aka no building up and no concealing afterwards. Another big plus was the fact that, being so yellow-toned, it counteracted any redness on my face almost like a color corrector, so I didn't need to go back in and conceal that either. Those were two major advantages that made my life easier. As for its finish, it made my skin look just like I wanted it to: Alive and subtly glowy, but not sheeny or anything above a satin finish. Far from matte and far from shiny. However, one complaint I soon came to have was that it would cling to the drier parts of my face (which I didn't really have much of anyway, as I used a very potent moisturizer), as well as cake up in several places, something I had never had a problem with before. My second complaint was its staying power: If I wore it in the morning, it would have lost half its coverage by sometime in the early afternoon, so there was no way I could drag it out till night time and go out straight away - I'd have to go home, remove it, cleanse my skin and re-apply a whole new face for the evening, something terribly aggravating for my sensitive skin. I also have a bone to pick with the packaging, it's glass and heavy and it doesn't have a pump. So I don't know exactly how many lippies I should subtract, maybe I should have given it 4 instead of 3 because of its pigmentation and beautiful finish. I'll just try it on again soon, maybe using different application methods this time, and report back. I'm not sure whether I'd repurchase though, maybe I'll just stick with my Bourjois Healthy Mix which I find very similar but for half the price (a little less pigmented but way more natural looking, yet still yellow-toned and luminous). In any case, I'm on the fence.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Chanel - Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Make-Up ] [DISCONTINUED]
Mandibulo 6/26/2011 2:07:00 PM
This product claims to be a medium-buildable coverage, professional finish (aka semi-matte/natural) foundation. I disliked it at first. I thought it took an orange hue on my skin, plus I found the coverage inadequate and the consistency a bit awkward - I could even swear it accentuated my pores, which I don't usually have a problem with. So I let it sit in my drawer, disappointed, while I slapped on other foundations during the following months. Recently I re-tried this -the $$ I'd spent for it must have been urging me to give it another chance- and my impression from that second tryout was totally different from the initial one. My new conclusions were the following: It doesn't take an orange hue on me, it must have just been my idea. The color (20/Claire) is still not 100% of a perfect match (a tad too peachy on my NC25 skin), nevertheless it's very decent and it livens up my sallow complexion. Its lasting power is just fine, I don't know what everyone is complaining about. Its finish is ideal for me - luminous, satin, luxurious, it just makes your skin look so polished and lovely. Its coverage is indeed medium but buildable, so no complaints there either. As for the packaging, I guess it was meant to be sleek and grown-up, but somewhere along the way it kinda went wrong - opalescent glass bottle (=classy) with a flimsy plastic black cap (=cheap). So this product is not particularly convenient for travel since it's fragile and heavy, but at least it has a pump, which disperses just the right amount of liquid you need in order to cover the entire face. But I left the best bit for last: It looks so natural. It looks wonderful even in daytime under the hot, unforgiving sun. It is by far the most natural-looking medium coverage foundation I've ever used. It's difficult to look caky with this on. It just becomes one with the skin and it's quite effective when it comes to evening out the skintone and covering minor imperfections, plus it also looks realistic and discrete. NOW I get all the hype about Chanel foundations. This must be why they're always recommended by pros, and why they stand out so much in the high-end makeup world in general. I admit its awesomeness, and I bow to it. It's comparable to Mac face & body, only this one provides substantial coverage. Unfortunately it will be discontinued very soon, so I hope Chanel comes up with an equally magnificent formula to replace this one, or I'll be bitter about it. Recommended!
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Liquid -MAC - Face and Body Foundation
Mandibulo 6/26/2011 9:56:00 AM
This is a truly good foundation if you pick it for the right reasons. What it doesn't provide is coverage, but all its other attributes are spot-on. It basically has the lowest coverage ever - like a tinted moisturizer. It just evens out the skintone, unless you have big issues with acne, general redness or rosascea; it's not potent enough to cover or disguise imperfections, let alone breakouts or discoloration. It provides a uniform result, and that's as far as it goes, however you can build it up to a sort of medium coverage after you let the first layer dry and then reapply. So you're thinking, why would I want a foundation that almost doesn't act like one? Well, because it kicks ass in other domaines: It looks incredibly natural, I'd say invisible. It's undetectable, nearly impossible for the naked eye or the camera lens to trace it. It goes on so thin and sheer and liquidy and runny, and all that inconvenient stuff which, nonetheless, translates to a very natural finish. It gives a dewy look to the skin and it doesn't cake up, doesn't settle into fine lines, doesn't cling to dry patches and, although it's quite glowy, it doesn't accentuate my pores. Besides, it's so long lasting. When you first put it on it feels rather sticky and unpleasant, but soon as it dries, it's transfer-proof. Also looks great on the decolletage and shoulders, or even on the legs on a summer night, as it unifies the entire area and makes it look healthy and moisturized. Another plus is it looks just as good set with powder - so long as the powder isn't overly heavy. Bottom line, this foundation is, minus the coverage "problem", perfect in my opinion: Light, budge-resistant, long-lasting, dewy, natural. It's actually not ideal for me at all, however I couldn't help but give it the lippies I think it deserves, even though it doesn't fulfill my needs. I have problem skin and I need to do a whole lot of concealing work on top of this every time I wear it. But if I have the time to do it, I just don't mind that much, since it works absolutely perfect for daytime. I can wear it to class and look awake and revived, yet far from made-up. Recommended for people with already good skin, or for those of us who don't mind spot-concealing afterwards because the overall finish is just that good. Would repurchase.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Dove - Skin Indulging Cream Shower
Mandibulo 6/25/2011 1:20:00 PM
Yay, I'm the 6th reviewer to share the Dove love. Love it love it love it. Wouldn't change it. It's been around for many years, so my mom has also been a major fan since her teens, only she keeps telling me how the old formula used to be so moisturizing and how it left your skin feeling supple and velvelty, so that's why I subtracted one lippy. The Dove of my generation doesn't do all those things. It just cleans you up nicely and smells gorgeous and leaves your skin normal. Nevertheless, I do adore it, mainly due to its irreplacable scent. Will keep repurchasing.
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Conditioner -Pantene - Pantene Smooth and Sleek Conditioner
Mandibulo 6/25/2011 12:38:00 PM
Again, this review is referring to every existing type of Pantene conditioner, not just the smooth and sleek one. I love it as much as the shampoo. I consider them a match made in heaven. The conditioner is a thin white cream with an impeccable smell, that makes my hair smooth and soft like no other. It looks and feels silky after I've used this. I focus mainly on the ends rather than the roots (aka from the ear downwards), and it just detangles my hair without the additional need of a comb or brush. Half the year I let it airdry without even combing it, I literally just remove the towel before I go out the door, and within five minutes my hair is wonderfully flowy and sleek - so much so, that people always seem to want to touch it. The ultimate bonus is that in my ten years of using this, I've never had dry or split ends. I can't tell for sure whether it's thanks to this product or not, because I'm unbelievably ignorant when it comes to hair, but I suppose it must deserve the credit, since I always hear people complain about all that stuff, whereas I haven't had similar problems so far. I've even had professional hairdressers comment on my potent conditioner just by going through my hair, without them even knowing which one I've used. If that doesn't say something about this product, I don't know what does! Will keep repurchasing!
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Shampoo -Pantene - Pro V clarifying shampoo
Mandibulo 6/25/2011 12:18:00 PM
Ok just so we're clear, this review is referring to every single kind of Pantene Shampoo - classic care, straight & sleek, nature fusion, you name it. I've tried them all, and I find their performance extraordinary. I know absolutely nothing about hair. I never use styling products, and half the year I don't even use a hairdryer. So this comes from an absolute hair rookie: I love it. I've been using it for ten years straight and I haven't found another brand that holds a candle to this one. It's amazing. I wash my hair in the shower, and when it dries it's left incredibly light, glossy and sleek. I have naturally straight, heavy hair with very little volume. This shampoo leaves it so clean it just flows in the wind, almost weight-less and quite voluminous, for about an entire day. After that I don't need to wash it for another 3-4 days: On the first day my hair is commercial-clean, on the second day it looks great, on the third day it looks very decent, and on the fourth day it starts to look not so fresh, so right there or on the fifth day tops, I'll wash it. This might sound like too rare of a wash comparing to most people, but I seriously want to squeak in terror when I hear especially women say they wash their hair every day or every other day. I imagine if I did that, there wouldn't be a single hair left on my head by now. Plus why do it, if it looks so good and fresh for 3 days in a row. Aaanyhow, my favorite scent is the Nature Fusion one. It's divine, makes me want to eat the whole thing. Have been and will be repurchasing!
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