Powder -Alima - Satin Matte Mineral Foundation
fabulyss 6/21/2012 12:01:00 PM
I've been procrastinating writing a review for Alima because I honestly fear my endorsement simply won't do it justice. Instead, I'll tell you a short, Alima related story... The other day I was walking through the beauty section of Neiman Marcus (out of boredom really, not b/c I was intending to purchase anything). A sales associate from the Sisley brand offered to give me a free facial at the counter, so I went ahead and sat down at the counter. As the SA was applying a cleanser, she suddenly gasped, took a step back, and in sheer awe said...."You were wearing makeup?!" I was slightly embarrassed because clearly she was referring to the sprinkle of acne on my forehead revealed by the removal of my foundation. I told her that yes I was wearing makeup. She replied, "Your skin looked absolutely flawless, but I had no idea you were wearing foundation! That's the best color match I've ever seen. I've never seen foundation look that undetectable before". This is all coming from a sales associate at the beauty counter at NEIMAN MARCUS!! That's Alima in a nutshell: lightweight, traceless, natural, perfect coverage, long-lasting, the absolutely perfect color match, build-able coverage...I could go on and on! Plus their customer service is unparalleled. Never in a million years would I ever expect to wear powder foundation, but it's my HG product and I cannot recommend it enough.
22 out of 23 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Alima - Satin Matte Eyeshadow in Dove
fabulyss 4/25/2012 5:01:00 PM
I quite like this color actually. It's a pale matte stone gray that doesn't turn blueish like most grays. It's perfect for the crease and/or to line the lower lid, especially for pale ladies like me. It is indeed matte so if you can't handle that just dab a bit of vaseline on top or blend it with one of their shimmery shadows. I've tried plenty of Alima shadows (it's my favorite brand of makeup) and none of them have ever creased on me - I didn't even know that was possible! In general I think I prefer Mink for an everyday crease look but I'm glad I bought this sample.
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Mascara -Tarte - Lights Camera Lashes
fabulyss 2/12/2012 5:46:00 PM
I received a mini version of this, but I'm assuming the formula and brush are the same as the full sized tube. It's really a terrible mascara. The biggest issue, as the previous reviewer mentioned, was that it criss-crossed my lashes in a way that made them look sparse. No darkening, no curl, no thickening, no lengthening. Luckily, Tarte's Amazonian Clay mascara fits the bill for a great everyday mascara with a low ewg.org toxicity rating.
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Sultana of Soap
fabulyss 2/3/2012 6:14:00 PM
This is a gorgeous soap, much more attractive than the online photos convey. It's pale pink with small pearly stones (presumably moisturizing?) and chunks of fruit. I would honestly consider purchasing it for a guest bathroom or just to display a couple of chunks in a vintage bowl in the bathroom! Overall though I think this soap is only worth it if you're absolutely in love with the scent (I'm into more naturally derived ingredients & fragrances myself). PROS: It cleans well, lathers well, lasts longer than other Lush soaps I've tried, and it definitely leaves a faint scent on the skin for quite a while after use. CONS: I don't find it to be moisturizing enough and while I'm sure the chunks of fruit are beneficial when eaten, all they do is break off and drop down the drain. Also, the scent is incredibly strong and while it's rather pleasant it bothers me that it's artificial (the notoriously vague & often toxic ingredient 'perfume' is listed on the website). Anyone with sensitive skin would probably want to avoid Sultana for this reason.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Strange Invisible Perfumes - Arunima
fabulyss 1/22/2012 8:11:00 PM
I could easily see how one would dismiss this at first whiff. Initially, I hated it but after an hour it really starts to turn into a pleasant warm fragrance. In fact, the longer it's on the more I like it. It reminds me a bit of Musc Ravageur or L'Artisan's Tea for Two without the harsh heaviness. I pick up scents of warm vanilla, honey, Indian spices, and very faint cigar smoke. The SIP website lists the notes as: Blue lotus, Madagascan Vanilla, Rrankincense, Lavender, Ginger, Cardamom Key lime. All in all I'm not completely sold but it's absolutely worth trying out. I've only tested a few of the Strange Invisible Perfumes (I just bought Epic Gardenia), and I certainly can't wait to try more.
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Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Priti Polish in Blue Eyed Brunette
fabulyss 1/19/2012 10:51:00 AM
I've just made the switch from toxic to non-toxic products and I'm thrilled to discover that Priti Polishes are of the highest quality. Super glossy with no chips. The colors sometimes apply like watercolor paint so it can take 3 or 4 coats to get the most opaque color (it depends on the shade though). Blue-Eyed Brunette is officially described as "A 30's inspired semi-sheer orange designed specially for the HBO show 'Boardwalk Empire'". Of course, Boardwalk Empire takes place in the 20s not the 30s, but that's neither here nor there. It's such a gorgeous shade and it's so refreshing that it's juicy and sheer rather than harsh and bright like most of Essie's and OPI's colors. I could see this color being flattering on everyone! I'm traveling to Palm Springs soon and will be wearing it on my toes & fingers (:
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Illusion d'ombre Eye Shadow - Mirifique
fabulyss 12/5/2011 4:02:00 PM
I don't think mousse eyeshadows are revolutionary but I quite like this product. The color reminds me of black sparkling granite. It's everything I wanted the Ombres Perlées palette to be. The former would crease and go on very patchy. This shadow is so easy to apply and blends like a dream! As a liner you can make this very precise with the right brush, or you can get that Kate Moss rock n roll winged liner with a bit less precision. I prefer to wear this as a shadow, heavier at the outer third of the eye, blending in - it looks like I'm wearing 3 different shades of smokey colors (soot, charcoal and smoke, oh my!) Great lasting power too!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Musc Ravageur
fabulyss 11/11/2011 9:44:00 PM
How is everyone smelling sex in this? It doesn't smell remotely human/animalistic; it smells like the chemicals in Carmex lipbalm.
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Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Portrait of a Lady
fabulyss 10/8/2011 11:13:00 PM
I don't quite know how to put this...this fragrance creeps me out. It smells like rock n roll combined with the scent of a movie villain. I know that sounds non-sensical, but that's what it smells like to me. It's everything I wanted Musc Ravageur to be. And I f------ LOVE IT!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Hourglass - Illume Creme-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset
fabulyss 10/5/2011 1:06:00 PM
I love, love, love this. I'm not a blush person AT ALL. I have pale skin that gets red quite easily so I usually end up looking ruddy if I apply blush or bronzer, but this duo is absolute perfection. I use this product with Hourglass's blush/foundation brush (which itself is a two-in-one product and totally worth the money). The packaging is luxurious (the top of this sleek compact swivels backwards to reveal a large mirror on the other side). The colors are natural and glowy. The finish is creamy without being shiny and without glitter/shimmer! A couple times I've swiped the cream blush on my lips - it's a lovely pale pink. Personally, I prefer to use these colors separately (the bronzer makes a great blush on it's own IMO), but every now and then I'll use it to contour. Yes it's expensive but it's two-in-one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Mario Badescu - Acne Facial Cleanser
fabulyss 8/22/2011 12:39:00 PM
I prefer MB's Enzyme Cleansing Gel. This product did not do anything to heal existing breakouts nor did it prevent my monthly hormonal acne. It doesn't remove makeup very well so I often have to cleanse twice (perhaps that's why it does nothing to prevent my acne?).
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Hair -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Argan Oil Hair Serum
fabulyss 8/6/2011 4:02:00 PM
I don't know what to say really. I received this in one of her Argan kits, but unfortunately it must have gone bad. The serum clumped so thick it wouldn't come out of the dropper. I had to take the top off and pour the thick as molasses serum in my palm. When I applied it through my hair the chunks wouldn't spread and my hair just clumped together. Judging by everyone else's reviews mine must have just been rotten or expired and there's no excuse for that. It smells divine though.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Herbalism
fabulyss 7/22/2011 9:25:00 PM
If you have mature, dry, permanently blemish-free skin and don't mind a green mess in your sink and on your face - this product is perfect for you. If not, don't bother. This leaves a waxy/oily film on your face.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Josie Maran Cosmetics - gogo Mascara
fabulyss 7/22/2011 8:53:00 PM
This has never clumped on me - even after owning it for months. It's a very natural looking mascara. It would be virtually undetectable if it wasn't for it's fantastic ability to hold curl. I was fairly impressed with it's lack of flaking as well. The only negative is if you touch your lashes it will smudge like crazy (at any point during the day). But if you remember not to rub your eyes, and if you're in the market for a natural, everyday look I would definitely recommend it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -LUSH - Eau Roma Water
fabulyss 7/14/2011 11:22:00 AM
Just like other rose waters, this one: moisturizes, smells divine, feels luxurious, doesn't really prevent acne, doesn't really deep clean, but softens and moisturizes the skin! Eau Roma, in my opinion, smells lovelier than most rose waters. My only problem is that it contains METHYLPARABEN, and if you do any research at all on this particular paraben you'll find that "Studies indicate that methylparaben applied on the skin may react with UVB leading to increased skin aging and DNA damage." RUN AWAY FROM THIS PRODUCT!!!!!!!
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