Misc Beauty Tools -Trish McEvoy - Eyelash Curler
mxk2 8/4/2008 3:35:00 PM
Best curler I've ever tried *for my eye shape*. The key to liking vs. not liking an eyelash curler is how it fits the shape of the eye. The Shu curler, which seems to top the "best of" lists, does not fit my eye because the curve is too shallow. In contrast, the Trish curler has a deeper curve; hence, it wraps around my lids well and curls all the lashes and doesn't pinch. It also curls easily - one good squeeze is all it takes. I agree with the grip below that can't buy the refill pads, but the curler is go great in every other way I can't knock off points for it, especially since I used my old Trish for a couple years a before finally replacing with a new one last fall. (tip: to double the life of the pad, when you feel it's time to replace, take it out and flip it upside down - voila! new pad at your service).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Bobbi Brown - Rose Petal Creamy Lip Color
mxk2 3/29/2008 12:35:00 PM
One of the few BB lip colors that doesn't do the funky Bobbi color morph - it actually stays the same color on my lips as opposed to turning into some funky warm shade. Rose Petal is a lovely neutral soft rosey-pink - it's not a warm shade, but has a bit of warmth in it to tone down and neutralize the coolness. There is a bit of shimmer to it, but it's not overt. I have pigmented lips, and on ME this is a light shade but has enough of a gentle punch to still look good - and it's no small feat to find a light lipstick that is flattering when you have light skin and pigmented lips, so I'm thrilled with that. The formula is very comfortable on the lips and isn't as sheer as I thought it would be, I'd say it's in between a sheer and traditional in that regard (a good thing), nor is it very creamy upon application - it applies in the same vein as a traditional non-creamy lipstick but once on the lips transforms into a creamy texture. In other words, it's not a goopy mess like some other creamy formulas (another good thing). While the staying power isn't as strong as a traditional lipstick, it does last a decent amount of time on the lips. Overall, a really nice formula with a lot of positive attributes and a shade I'm very pleased with - we have a winner here!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -GHD - Original GHD Hairstyling Iron with Ceramic Technology
mxk2 12/25/2007 2:21:00 PM
Please note: This review is for the new 1" GHD model MK4. Yes, it's pricey - and yes it's worth the hype. I use an iron to curl/wave my hair and add volume, not to straighten, so my review is based on how the iron performs that regard. I was using the Sedu Revolution, and it thought it did an okay job, but had a lemming for the new GHD (MK4) that just would not die, so figured what the heck, I'll try it and return if it doesn't outperform the Sedu. First time I used the GHD, right out of the box, no question it was the winner. The waves were smoother and more uniform, my hair was shinier, one pass did the trick, and the waves held up for a longer period of time. I am extremely pleased with this iron and wholeheartedly recommend it if one can afford the purchase. Side note: I also purchased the wider GHD (1.77" plate) to try that one, and while it does have the capability to flip or wave the ends to some degree, the 1" absolutely is the way to go if you want an iron to curl/wave with, the wider plates of the other model are just not as well suited for waving/curling. Will be returning that model and sticking with the 1" MK4.
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Styling Tools -GHD - IV Styler (all sizes)
mxk2 12/25/2007 2:12:00 PM
Yes, it's pricey - and yes it's worth the hype. I use an iron to curl/wave my hair and add volume, not to straighten, so my review is based on how the iron performs that regard. I was using the Sedu Revolution, and it thought it did an okay job, but had a lemming for the new GHD (MK4) that just would not die, so figured what the heck, I'll try it and return if it doesn't outperform the Sedu. First time I used the GHD, right out of the box, no question it was the winner. The waves were smoother and more uniform, my hair was shinier, one pass did the trick, and the waves held up for a longer period of time. I am extremely pleased with this iron and wholeheartedly recommend it if one can afford the purchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Aveda - Light Elements Smoothing Fluid
mxk2 12/14/2007 6:33:00 PM
While the Smoothing Fluid didn't weigh my hair down as much as other silicone products I've tried, it did make it look very greasy, even when applied sparingly. Will be returning it to the Aveda store.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Mattene in Rapturous
mxk2 10/24/2007 11:15:00 PM
This is not a cut-and-dry review for me, because while the product itself is very good, it is not a product suited for me. Rapturous is a beautiful rich berry-red, it is just gorgeous with my coloring (light skin, blue eyes, dark brown hair). The formula of the lipstick is indeed matte, but not ultra-matte. It applies smoothly and beautifully, and the color stays stays true, pigmentation is fantastic. It also feels comfortable on the lips. So what's the problem? The problem is that matte finishes tend to be....um....well, I'll just say it -- a matte finish is aging. If you're 20-something, no big deal. If you're 30-something, maybe a big deal, maybe not, depends. If you're upper-30s and above, matte lipstick is just not such a good idea. Like I said, the color itself is simply beautiful with my coloring, but the finish of the lipstick took away from the glow of my skin and just made me look.....older. Yes, throwing some lip balm over the top made it look better, but what's the point of doing that when there are some great creamy formulas on the market that last a good amount of time (Px Colorscope, for instance). I have to pass on the Mattene...
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Eye Shadow -Laura Mercier - Eye Colour in Cashmere
mxk2 10/23/2007 5:17:00 PM
This is a beautiful soft beige-pink (or pink-beige, depending on your point of view). It is just beautiful with my coloring, looks gorgeous with blue eyes. It shades the eyes in a subtle, sophisticated manner, never looks overdone. LM mattes are well pigmented, apply evenly, and blend like a dream. Have repurchased.
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Lipstick -MAC - Mattene Formula in general
mxk2 10/14/2007 9:04:00 PM
This is not a cut-and-dry review for me, because while the product itself is very good, it is not a product suited for me. The formula is indeed matte, but not ultra-matte. It applies smoothly and beautifully, and the color stays stays true, pigmentation is fantastic. It also feels comfortable on the lips. So what's the problem? The problem is that matte finishes tend to be....um....well, I'll just say it -- a matte finish is aging. If you're 20-something, no big deal. If you're 30-something, maybe a big deal, maybe not, depends. If you're upper-30s and above, matte lipstick is just not such a good idea. I bought Rapturous and the color is simply beautiful with my coloring, but the finish of it took away from the glow of my skin and just made me look.....older. Yes, throwing some lip balm over the top made it look better, but what's the point of doing that when there are some great creamy formulas on the market that last a good amount of time (Px Colorscope, for instance). I have to pass on the Mattene...
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Lipstick -Bobbi Brown - Roseberry
mxk2 10/11/2007 12:36:00 PM
Agree with reviewer below - this is a lovely rosey-berry-red. It is absolutely beautiful with my coloring, it just lights up my whole face (light neutral skin, blue eyes, dark brown hair). It does not morph into a hot pink or fuschia (as pretty much every other pinky/rosey-red I've tried does) nor does it morph into a weird orange-brown-pink hybid - as most BB shades tend to do on me. The lipstick has good staying power, but the trade-off is a bit of a dry feel. Still, luscious color for gals with my coloring!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Bobbi Brown - Lip Color - Brownie Pink
mxk2 10/11/2007 11:02:00 AM
I look best in neutrals to slightly cools, and Brownie Pink looked pinkish-brownish on my lips with a bit of gray thrown in the mix, very dull and lifeless against my complexion. Rated a 2 for the good quality of BB lipsticks in general (good coverage staying power), but color is not just flattering with my coloring.
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Concealers -MAC - Select Cover Up Color Corrector Peach
mxk2 9/23/2007 10:33:00 AM
This isn't a concealer per se, it is a color corrector. It's not a coverage product, it should be layered under a regular concealer product. The peach tone works beautifully to neutralize blueness, and for me there is enough of a difference when I use this to warrant the extra step in terms of how bright/well-rested my eye area looks. It has a very thin consistency, which is perfect for layering. If you want a *concealer* don't even bother with the Peach Corrector, you're probably not going to be happy, but if you're like me and need to neutralize blueness so your regular concealer works better, this is a little tube of magic.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Bobbi Brown - Ultra Fine Eye liner brush
mxk2 9/23/2007 10:14:00 AM
Great brush! I do not use it for gel liners, as I prefer the LM pull-apart liner brush for the gels, but for applying wet powder eyeshadow liner, this BB Ultra Fine liner brush is great. I've had it almost a year and have experienced no splaying, it has held up very well even though I wash it gently after each use. Love that it comes in a short handle, too.
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Shampoo -Bumble & Bumble - Sunday Shampoo
mxk2 4/26/2007 2:14:00 PM
Love it! It does a great job of thoroughly cleaning hair/removing product and does not dry out my hair at all, and I use this every time I wash my hair (every other day). Admittedly on the pricey side, but well worth it to me. An absolute repurchase.
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Conditioner -DevaCurl - One Condition
mxk2 4/26/2007 2:09:00 PM
Okay, I can't even review this based on anything it may or may not have done for my hair - because I can't get past the scent, this stuff REEKS! The review below that pegged it as lemon Pine-Sol is pretty accurate, and it is strong and lingers - I can still smell it on next-day hair, and its all I can smell even after using other products, every time I swing my hair I get of whiff of Pine-Sol. DH said I smelled like a "grandmother" and said I really don't smell very attractive then later when he snuggled up close to me and really got a whiff he commented that my hair smelled like cheap floor cleaner. BLECH!!
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Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Nude
mxk2 3/25/2007 2:25:00 AM
On me, this is not a nude shade, it is a medium peach. Really dragged me down. (reference: light skin, blue eyes, dark brown hair, look best in neutrals to slight cools). Rated a 2 because the quality is great - silky smooth, well pigmented - and there is a huge amount of product in the pan. Unfortunately, just not a good color on me.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No