Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Sugarbomb
darkharbour 12/5/2012 11:25:00 AM
The color is very nice on my NW20/25 skin and appears as a nice warm berry shade. Pigments are good and it lasts. All of this is marred by an excess of shimmer, though. It might work for evenings but is definitely too much for me in the light of day.
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Conditioner -Nuance by Salma Hayek - Raw Honey Color Protect Conditioner
darkharbour 12/5/2012 10:23:00 AM
Count me in! Really nice rich conditioner for my colored, curly mature hair that has been processed for years. Has a lovely soft honey scent similar to Perlier bath products.
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Moisturizers -Peter Thomas Roth - Laser-Free Regenerator Moisturizing Gel-Cream
darkharbour 12/5/2012 8:54:00 AM
This is a thick, heavy, viscous pink gel in a jar that feels like a cross between a very heavy makeup primer and hair styling wax. It sits on the surface of the skin, and feels like a heavy, occluding layer. The surface looks matte, but the feel is very slippery. I could feel my pores clogging on contact. It did nothing for me. I have mature skin.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Whipped Argan Oil Vanilla Apricot
darkharbour 12/3/2012 1:51:00 PM
Very rich and very moisturizing. The scent is very nice. Not like fresh apricots, but sort of like apricot jam, vanilla and honey blended together. It will really fix any dryness no matter how severe. The proof is a New England winter, with central heating and bitterly cold outdoors. It passes with flying colors. One small gripe. Would like to see this in a squeeze tube that can set on its cap.
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Conditioner -Clairol - Honey,I`m Strong
darkharbour 12/3/2012 1:48:00 PM
Reasonable product given the price! Worked well on my colored, mature, naturally curly hair that is prone to breakage. Softly scented with apricot. Try it if you are on a budget and have damaged hair.
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Shampoo -Clairol - Herbal Essences - Honey, I'm Strong
darkharbour 12/3/2012 1:47:00 PM
This worked quite well on my colored, mature, naturally curly and prone to breakage hair. Not the very best of best. But certainly a "do", especially if you are watching your money. Very soft apricot scent. Try it if you are a budget and have damaged hair.
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Conditioner -Living Proof - Restore
darkharbour 12/3/2012 9:59:00 AM
As with the shampoo, I cannot get excited about this product and I need to feel excitement to pay such a price. It has not restored anything. Prior to using the shampoo, conditioner and mask, I used an Herbal Essences duo (honey-apricot strengthening) and honestly see no difference between this and that DS cheapie. After using the shampoo and conditioner or mask, I still have to apply a cream or oil for my hair not to be flyaway and dry. Smells strongly of bergamot/grapefruit. I have colored, mature hair that is naturally curly and shoulder length.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Living Proof - Restore
darkharbour 12/3/2012 9:54:00 AM
I cannot get excited about this product. My hair is not as soft and healthy as I would hope. It has not dried me out, but it has not restored anything. I had finished up a " honey/apricot strengthening" Herbal Essences duo before using this, and honestly see no difference. And I have used the conditioner and mask as well. Very strong bergamot/grapefruit-like scent. I do like the bottle, though. Pricey.
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Fragrances -Philosophy - Living Grace
darkharbour 11/30/2012 10:38:00 AM
Usually I can find something to like in the Graces. This one is an epic fail for me despite my commitment to layering the shower gel, dry oil, and spray fragrance. It starts out as some non-descript budget dryer sheet sort of scent and mercifully disappears in an hour or two. On a positive note, it does not cause headaches or make my co-workers complain.
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Lipstick -Edward Bess - Forever Yours
darkharbour 11/29/2012 12:45:00 PM
This is a mid toned mauve (cool lavendar-pink beige) that is easy to wear as a MLBB shade (NW 20/25 here.) It has a very light shimmer. It is highly pigmented and looks richer on the lip than what you would expect looking at it in the tube. Opaque, but creamy. Soft, moist finish. Has an odd chemical scent -- kindy of smoky and boozy -- like you were drinking Scotch and smoking Camels. Utilitarian glossy black round case that clicks shut securely.
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Lipstick -NARS - Viridiana
darkharbour 10/23/2012 11:30:00 AM
Burgundy? No. More of a deep, earthy rose. This is definitely a blue-toned shade, but it has enough neutrality not to look amiss on a warm toned face. Not glossy or shimmery. Rather opaque, and with minimal shine. Make sure your lips are MOIST but NOT GREASY when you apply this, so as to avoid having your lips feel dry. No scent or smell. This is a lovely addition to your fall and winter lip wardrobe. This is a serious lip look, but it is mute and not bright or garish in the least. You cannot help but feel elegant while wearing it. It works with deep forest greens, plums, wines, berry-tones, grey, black and winter white.
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Lipstick -NARS - Gipsy
darkharbour 10/23/2012 11:25:00 AM
Outstanding basic red that does not jump off your lips and into the faces of those looking at you. This red is earthy and muted, somewhat brick-like, and even though it pulls warm, a mid-tone NW can pull it off. ( I am NW 20/25) This is a red that can be worn to the office and on weekends. I would say that this color is more a propos for fall and winter, but don't let that stop you. As with many NARS lipsticks, there is an art to wearing them so as to avoid dryness. These are highly, highly pigmented, and much stain is left behind. So, it is important to have your lips moisturized (but NOT greasy!) when you apply it. Very long lasting. Soft luster, no shimmer, no gloss. Somewhat sheer. No scent/flavor.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Unlisted Brand - Ready to Wear Makeup Brush Set
darkharbour 10/15/2012 1:06:00 PM
I purchased these on a whim from HSN. For 39.95 USD I got a collection of brushes that rival MAC. So wonderful. Very soft and perfectly shaped. The handles are thick but very light and very easy to maneuver. My ONLY complaint -- I want MORE! This is an excellent starter set for someone wanting a new set of brushes. These are made in China. Here is what you get: Each brush is numbered to make it easily identifiable Handles made of wood with aluminum ferrules Large Powder Brush 01 Full head Very soft fibers Perfect for all-over powder or bronzer application and for blending out blushes Bristles made of goat hair Angled Blush Brush 02 Perfect angle to help define cheekbones and jawlines Excellent for more precise blush or bronzer application Bristles made of goat hair Contour Brush 03 Perfect shape to blend your blush on the "apples" of the cheeks or along cheekbone Bristles made of goat hair All-Over Shadow Brush 04 Special tip helps you apply and blend eyeshadow in the crease in just a few strokes Bristles made of pony hair Eye Brush 05 Universal shape Use it to apply light colors all over the eye, mid tones on the lid or darker shades in the crease Bristles made of pony hair Eye Brush 06 Shaped specifically to help you apply darker shades in the crease, outer corners and under lower lashes Bristles made of pony hair Pointed Crease Brush 07 Perfect for applying and blending darker shadows along top and bottom lash lines for smoky looks or for a defined crease Bristles made of pony hair Angled Liner Brush 08 Firm but with soft bristles Ideal for defining along the lash line, eyebrows or outer corner Bristles made of synthetic hair
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Fragrances -Philosophy - Eternal Grace
darkharbour 10/9/2012 10:25:00 AM
All of the Philosophy Grace fragrances serve a purpose. There are places where you must not wear an intense or distracting fragrance. And there are wearers of fragrance who beg only to prolong that fresh from the shower smell of fine shower gel and squeaky clean skin. That is what those wearers want, and there is this niche, and Philosophy fills it nicely. Clean, fresh smells whose variances are similar to detergent scents. (No sneering here, as I am a devotee of all things Gain Original. ) Two issues I do not like about the Grace line. They do not last long and really require you to layer the shower gels, body lotions, and fragrance spray. And lastly, given what they are, I am not convinced they need to be as pricey as they are. Which brings me to Eternal Grace. There are feverish devotees of Tova Borgnine's original Tova fragrance. The stuff you get on QVC now has been messed with and not in a good way. Those devotees should score a bottle of Eternal Grace. They will be pleasantly surprised, but, of course, for the lasting power. Otherwise, this reminds me so much of the Tova of 30-35 years ago, my heart sings. Bergamot, lavendar, musk and jasmine seem to be involved here. Very brisk from the first two herbs. As clean as the wind in April. Not sweet. Love it.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Too Faced - La Creme in Coral Fire
darkharbour 10/4/2012 3:25:00 PM
Just lovely. Great, solid, hand-friendly case. The shade is called Coral Fire, but don't let that scare you. A healthy dose of mauve makes this shade very wearable, and your lips do not walk in the room ahead of you. You can wear it to work, you can wear it on the weekend. I am NW 20/25, and it works! Texture is rich and creamy, and the color applies softly. While not sheer, it is not heavy and opaque. I find it to be moisturizing. One note: this has a distinctive lemon-vanilla scent and smell. I sort of like it, but not everyone will.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No