Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Matte Silk #14
alabasterhaze 6/22/2005 12:38:00 AM
I'm in the minority here, but I think Armani has tripped up on this one. Maybe it's my higly pigmented red lips, but I've tried so hard to like this, and it's just awful on my cool toned, very fair (UD Apparition, Becca Porcelain) skin. This is one of the few Matte Silks that looks the same in the tube and on my lips. Like Matte Silk #13, this is a Fall/Winter color that's heavy on the gold shimmer. The problem is, this chocolate brown color is way too dark for me. I can wear darker lipsticks, but not if they're brown. The gold shimmer is just a bit over the top and reminds me of something that was popular in the mid-1980s. It's pretty as a stain only, but for me, that means blotting off almost all the color. Creamy texture, very moisturizing and highly pigmented, Armani Matte Silks will be discontinued in the next few months. If you love them, grab them while you can!
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Matte Silk #13
alabasterhaze 6/22/2005 12:19:00 AM
This is a really difficult one to describe, as it's multi-tonal. Like many of the Matte Silks, this one looks totally different in the tube than on the lips. It's similar to Matte Silk #14 in that it's heavy on the gold shimmer. Like #14, this is a Fall/Winter colour. In the tube it looks like a metallic plum w/ a little brown. On my pigmented red lips, this is a gorgeous mauve/plum w/ gold shimmer. Upon application, I see no brown at all. I think this would work on warm and cool skin tones; it's a glam shade that I'll be sad to see taken off the shelves. Yes, Armani is discontinuing the Matte Silk line in a few months, so get them while you can!
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Matte Silk 2
alabasterhaze 6/21/2005 11:39:00 PM
I'm in the minority here; this is not a MLBB color, but rather a rosey brown that goes on purely rose on my very pigmented, red lips. Although this is in the Matte Silk range, this is one of the lipsticks to have shimmer, in this case gold. It's very subtle, though, just enough to add more warmth to the color. In the tube, this lipstick is more brown than rose, but it really changes color when on my lips. The Matte Silk line is full of vibrant colors, but along w/ #1, this is the most neutral color. This looks lovely at night, especially topped w/ Armani lip shimmer #16 or #20, or a clear gloss during the day. This color would work on warm and cool toned ladies, and it's best w/ a peach blush or a dusty rose ( Chanel's Cedar Rose, for instance). The Matte Silks are creamy, moisturizing and highly pigmented (I don't see how some of the reviewers below found it to be sheer). The Matte Silk range will be discontinued in a few months, so snap these up while you still can!
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Matte Silk 4
alabasterhaze 6/21/2005 10:39:00 PM
Fuschia! I've been looking for a workable fuschia (I know that sounds like an oxymoron), and here it is. As with all Armani Matte Silks, you can't go by what the color looks like in the tube. I thought this would be a raspberry color, but this definitely goes on brighter. Having said that, it's not a super bright, in your face fuschia, but an introduction to fuschia, or Fuschia for Fraidies, as I like to call it. #4 is a bit darker than most fuschias, though. It's a lovely color on cool toned PPPs, but this can be really iffy on warm skintones. Creamy, moisturizing texture and highly pigmented, like all Matte Silks. Armani will be discontinuing this line in a few months, so pick these up while you can!
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Matte Silk Lipstick #11
alabasterhaze 6/21/2005 10:03:00 PM
This one was a bit of a disappointment to me. I'm just not a red lipstick girl, so I've got to give up on my quest to find the perfect red (it doesn't exist). This has berry undertones in the tube, and it looked like the perfect evening lipstick. As a cool toned PPP (UD Apparition, Becca Porcelain), I have to be really careful w/ my lipstick entering the room before I do. Even then, if it's a pretty color, I can sometimes pull it off. On my red, pigmented lips, this was a warm red, no blue tones at all. It's a deeper version of Matte Silk #9. Whereas Matte Silk #9 is a brick red, this is a just a deeper version of that color. It's not a very interesting color, and I've seen dozens like it in other lines. The Matte Silk line is creamy, moisturizing and highly pigmented. Unfortunately, Armani will be discontinuing this line in a few months, so get them while you can!
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Matte Silk # 9
alabasterhaze 6/21/2005 9:46:00 PM
If you love reds, you will probably love Armani's Matte Silk line. There are so many rich warm and cool toned reds; there is a color bound to please most red lipstick lovers. I just have to accept the fact that most reds look terrible on me, especially warm toned reds. On my pink toned toned, very fair PPP skin (UD Apparition, Becca Porcelain), this just does not work. A deep, brick red w/ lots of brown to it, this can be worn during the day or evening. It looks better on me w/ any number of glosses, but that defeats the purpose of a MATTE lipstick. I think this color would look great on warmer toned ladies. These lipsticks are very creamy and moisturizing, with great pigmentation. The matte silk line will be discontinued in a few months, so buy them while you can!
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Matte Silk 12
alabasterhaze 6/21/2005 8:41:00 PM
Wow, does this look scary in the tube. Goth Grape! Really dark, something I envisioned on Siouxsie Sioux. How wrong I was; you just HAVE to try this on; it's a lovely evening color. I blot this down so that it's just a stain, which works on my very red pigmented lips. I think the reason I can wear it on my very fair (UD Apparation, Becca Porcelain) PPP skin, is that I have pink undertones. This has so much blue in it, that I wouldn't call it a red at all. It's a beautiful dark violet color that would look great on pink toned girls looking for a dramatic yet sophisticated evening look. I don't know if this would work on warm or olive skin tones, but it might. I still worry about if my teeth look white enough (some people worry about getting lipstick on their teeth; I just worry if the dark lipstick will make my teeth look yellow). I can't think of any lipstick color this compares to, as it's so unique . Not for the faint of heart, but great w/ a swipe of berry blush. In fact, Becca's Lotus Cream Blush is Matte Silk #12's blush twin. Again, you really do need to blot this, or you will look like you're wearing Goth Grape. Armani will be discontinuing its Matte Silk line soon, so get them while you can! The creamiest matte lipstick out there, great pigmentation and staying power.
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Matte Silk Lipstick #10
alabasterhaze 6/21/2005 8:10:00 PM
This is a lovely burgundy, that happens to be more on the blue than the brown side. Very 1940's screen siren. Not as dark as Chanel's Vamp, but this lipstick is not for the faint of heart. I highly recommend it to you red lipstick lovers. It's just doesn't work on me, a very fair (UD Apparition, Becca Porcelain) PPP w/ cool to neutral undertones. I wish I could wear this color, but the lipstick overpowers me, and I think I'm really a pink lipstick gal at heart. I also believe that a really dark lipstick draws attention to the color of your teeth. I'm obsessed w/ teeth whitening products, and my teeth are pretty white (they had better be, I have veneers!). Yet, I put on Matte Silk #15, and I don't really feel like flashing a big grin. I could tone it down w/ a gloss (it looks lovely w/ any gold gloss over it), but that would negate the point of buying a MATTE lipstick! These will be discontinued soon, so get them while you can. The formulation rocks! Matte, yet creamy, high pigmentation and very long lasting. A winner from GA, but just not working for me.
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Shampoo -Bumble & Bumble - Creme de Coco
alabasterhaze 6/15/2005 6:57:00 PM
Wow! I am generally not a fan of Bumble & Bumble shampoos, but this one's a winner. Heavenly smell (coconut and mallow), lovely texture (rich, but not overly so), and lathers well even though it has a relatively low pH. This shampoo is highly recommended for chemically processed hair of any kind, and I prefer it to the Gentle Shampoo (which I had formerly used).
From the Bumble site: "Coconut oil adds miosture and shine; Murumuru Butter restores sheen, softness, improves flexibility and tames frizz; Mallow and Milk Thistle soothe and protect from free radicals."
I had my hair highlighted today, and it was tangle-free after one use of this diving smelling shampoo. This product did not weigh down my hair at all, which was a nice surprise. The heavier shampoos that are recommended for color treated hair (such as Phyto's line) tend to weigh down my hair and leave it lifeless; I've used this shampoo for a week without any limpness or greasiness.
Retail prices vary from salon to salon, but I would only advise purchasing from a an authorized reseller. I've heard horror stories of watered down product bought from discount stores.
My only complaint with this shampoo is that it is not Sodium Laureth Sulfate free, but there are very few shampoos that I like that are free from this nasty chemical. Oh,well.
I HIGHLY recommend using Creme de Coco Shampoo in conjunction w/ Bumble & Bumble's Creme de Coco Conditioner for a real (and coconutty) treat. I'll review that seperately. No, your hair won't smell like Hawaiian Tropic; it's a fragrance YOU will enjoy but not the nearest 50 people around you!
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Scrubs -Fresh - Brown Sugar Body Polish
alabasterhaze 6/14/2005 6:15:00 PM
I have repurchased this scrub, but I never will again, as this was the cause of my developing horrid red bumps on my arms. I took this jar to the dermatologist, and her opinion was that the sugar crystals were way too large, which can cause irritation to skin. I don't have sensitive skin, but my skin cannot handle this stuff. If you're intent on a scrub of this kind, I would recommed making your own scrub using brown sugar (the pourable type), sweet almond oil and jojoba oil. This is a really basic one, ladies!
On Fresh's website, the company claims that this will not cause irritation if used after shaving, well I beg to differ. My non-sensitive skin turns tomato red. I much prefer Aqua Dessa's scrubs, which are the same amount of product (14 ounces) for half the price.
Also, this scrub doesn't contain any broad spectrum preservative against gram-positive or gram-negative bacterias,yeasts or molds, which in my opinion, every jar of scrub should have! Think about it, you're sticking your hands into a tub of product that is sitting in a "warm" environment (your tub or shower), just waiting to collect bacteria and the like. Yuck!
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Lip Gloss -Giorgio Armani - Lip Shimmer #14
alabasterhaze 6/13/2005 4:23:00 PM
I can rarely wear browns, but this is a universally flattering dark chocolate brown gloss w/ gold shimmer. It's a deeper version of Lip Shimmer #4, which is a metallic, light milk chocolate brown and more of a summer color. In the tube and on the hand, there are no rosey tones to this gloss. However, on my heavily pigmented red lips, this gloss is a deep rosey brown! I notice this isn't the case w/ the other reviewers, but I have tried this under all types of lighting and always get the same effect. I consider this a more wintery color, and it's opaque enough to wear on its own. I suppose you could wear it over browns or rosey brown lipsticks, but I tried that (over Mania #2, Matte Silk #2, and Mania #25), and I don't like the look. This looks great w/ Chanel's Chocolat Le Crayon Gloss Lip Liner.
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Lip Gloss -Chanel - Glossimer in Glaze
alabasterhaze 6/13/2005 3:50:00 PM
This is one deceptive looking gloss. It looks rosey pink in the tube, but it goes on clear w/ a slight pink tint. If you want to add a minute amount of cool pink to your lipstick, then this is the gloss for you. This is one of the few Glossimers that has no shimmer (Giggle, Petunia and Praline are others). Great gel texture, long lasting -- I love Glossimers, but this color is disappointing.Stick to a relatively nude lipliner w/ Glaze, like Guerlain's Cupidon. If you are looking for this exact color and don't mind some subtle gold micro shimmer, look no further than Armani Lip Shimmer #9. It's everything Glaze should be, but isn't!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Giorgio Armani - Lip Shimmer 18
alabasterhaze 6/13/2005 2:50:00 AM
The perfect plum gloss! It's not the typical Armani "metallic" lip shimmer, either. This does have gold micro shimmer, but it's subtle in the tube AND on the lips. This is the perfect companion gloss to Becca's Cream Blush in Lotus, or it could be worn w/ any great berry, mauve or cool blush (Nars' Cream Montenegro, Pout's Violet Vixen, etc.).
I can wear this gloss alone, which is unusual for an Armani lip shimmer. It's not too dark, so you're not venturing into goth territory, and there aren't too many brown or too many blue tones,making it the perfect plum! This would look great on warm and cool toned gals. The gel texture is lovely, and as usual, there is no fragrance. I love the straight brush applicator (that never splays) and the sleek clear and black plastic packaging. I don't mind paying $1 more than a Chanel Glossimer for a GA Lip Shimmer USD $25.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Giorgio Armani - Lip Shimmer 17
alabasterhaze 6/13/2005 2:06:00 AM
Okay, this is a weird one. Purchased as one of the Summer collection, I bought it sight unseen. One reviewer complained that Armani's Lips Shimmers could be metallic at times, going way to far beyond shimmer. This is one of those times. Yikes, this is a straight up bronze. No way can I wear this one on its own. As ususal, there is the great GA texture, lasting power, sleek clear and black packaging and lack of fragrance. However, I can only wear this over warm lipsticks such as light pinks (Mania #1) Nudes (Mania #3) or warm reds (there are so many of those, you could insert anyone in here, but GA Shine Lipstick #8 would work). I don't really wear many nudes, and I don't wear peaches (unless they have pinks in them), so I'm sort of stuck! I guess I won't be using this $25 lipgloss all that often. Too bad it's too metallic! I haven't a clue if there's any lipliner out there that would look good w/ this shimmer. Well, if they ever bring back the 80s, I have the PERFECT gloss!
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Lipstick Mania 23
alabasterhaze 6/13/2005 1:51:00 AM
My favorite from the summer Mania releases of #21 - #25. This is warm rosey color w/ strong apricot undertones. Having said that, it's very wearable! I love this on cool, neutral and warm skinned ladies; it's just a universally flattering shade. There's a shimmer to all these new releases, and this one is no different; it has a subtle gold shimmer. Rose is the main color, w/ apricot showing because of the gold shimmer. This looks lovely w/ GA Lip Shimmer #16 over it (a Champagne color) or Lip Shimmer #20(a pale coral gloss w/ gold sparkles). I love that Armani has no fragrance and sleek black packaging. Some people complain about smudging, but the Mania tubes are not matte, so they don't smudge. USD $24.50 for a 4.2 ml tube.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No