Fragrances -Issey Miyake - a scent by issey miyake
ora613 12/20/2009 5:39:00 PM
I was wary, as I am one who hates the original Issey. This isn't at all like it. It is fresh, yet not sharp, and I love galbanum. I ordinarily like woody orientals best, but there are lots of occasions when you can't wear them without offending or feeling like an idiot. There is a category, in which A Scent belongs, that is just right for business or other events where you want to be taken seriously yet still smell like a woman: Miss Dior, Chanel #19, and my HG, Balmain's Vent Vert. It's only my loyalty to VV that keeps me from giving A Scent by IM that fifth lippie.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - Pretty
ora613 11/5/2009 11:38:00 AM
I'm not crazy about most Arden perfumes. They seem to have a rough edge to them. Pretty does not; it's definitely soft and has a mellow drydown. That said, it's really pedestrian--as many reviewers have noted. Imagine describing a possible date to a guy. She's....pretty. Not dazzling, brilliant, outstanding, spectacular or special. Just...pretty.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Christian Dior - Miss Dior Cherie L'eau
ora613 11/3/2009 1:01:00 PM
I like the citrus=y top notes a lot, and the floral middle is ok. What gets me is the musk base note. I think citrus and musk are always a terrible combination. Why would you do it, unless you've run out of perfumery ideas. I mean citrus is fresh and light, musk is dark and sultry. Strawberries and sauerkraut, galoshes and ballgowns.
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Fragrances -Marc Jacobs - Lola
ora613 11/2/2009 9:45:00 PM
Hello-o. Didn't somebody tell Marc Jacobs that fruity perfumes are over? It doesn't help to stick a big blowsy rose in the plastic fruitbowl, either. Giving one lippie for the bottle, and another for naming it after one of my favorite songs: Lola by the Kinks. If only they'd put that funny, naughty tune in a bottle!
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Fragrances -Marc Jacobs - Eau De Parfum
ora613 11/2/2009 9:39:00 PM
Very lovely scent. This is a clean--not cloying--gardenia. I disagree with the saleswoman who compared it to Fracas. Fracas is on the heavy end,with tuberose. MJ is more wearable, ie, you can wear it most places without smelling like you're trying to seduce everyone in sight. MJ is not overbearing, yet still feminine and sexy. It's a bit like Elizabeth Taylor's Gardenia, which I also like.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Unlisted Brand - Fruitopia-Total Volume Shampoo
ora613 10/22/2009 9:39:00 PM
There I was in CVS when I got some coupons to try this shampoo for pennies. My hopes were not high, as I've tried every volumizing shampoo/ conditioner around on my very fine hair and never felt especially loyal to any. OMG, HG on the first try! Used up the shampoo and bought another plus the conditioner. First let me say what this shampoo is NOT. Not sticky, not drying, not coating, not producing fly-aways, not perfume-y, not medicinal. Just a terrific cleansing experience, as good as clarifying shampoo but without stripping color. A half-teaspoon makes tons of suds, then rinses clean. It has a faint banana scent. Hair is shiny, bouncy and really full. I've heard this is a knock-off of Herbal Essence. I haven't tried that, but the reviews here don't describe a product as wonderful as Fruitopia. It's made in Canada. Any northeners know it?
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - Mariah Carey FOREVER
ora613 10/12/2009 5:26:00 PM
This is so generic-smelling, it's like store-brand air freshener. What a waste of a pretty bottle (for which I am giving it a lippie).
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Lotions/ Creams -Curel - Ultra Healing Daily Moisture Therapy Lotion
ora613 8/13/2009 9:51:00 PM
Wow, this really is moisturizing! You could probably cure a rhinoceros hide in this stuff. It's summer now so I'm just using it on my feet, which take a beating in sandals. Come winter it should be handy for general dry skin, maybe even my face. Pleasant scent.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Olay - Professional Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex
ora613 7/21/2009 6:44:00 AM
Love this. Was wary because of price and because most moisturizer claims are humbug, but I really do see a difference after a few weeks of use. Some of the benefit is no doubt from the circling massaging way it is applied, differently from other eye creams, because it doesn't drip down and irritate the eyes. Consequently, it improved the crepey above eye skin, which I hate even more than crow's feet. Still didn't do much for my under-eye hollows, but what can you expect from someone who lives on 4-6 hours sleep/ night.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Tabu - Tabu by Dana cologne splash
ora613 7/16/2009 9:19:00 PM
Yeah, I wore this in high school too, but oddly everyone liked it on me. Even my mother! Yet I did get sick of it, and as I discovered the whole big world of perfumery, abandoned it. But I have gone back to it, and I wear it occasionally, and it's good! They say this is one of the rare oldies whose formula has not been changed. It's cheaply priced and, some say, deliberately "cheap," as in slutty, but there are a lot of hotshots in the fragrance world who admire it--some from a distance. BTW, although all the formulations, including cologne are strong and long-lasting, I think the perfume smells just a little bit more delicate. Also the perfume is in a pour bottle, so you can put on just a dab, which in all cases, is enough.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Wet 'n' Wild - Wild Shine in Burgundy Frost (412A)
ora613 7/2/2009 9:29:00 PM
I don't usually like dark polish with my PPP skin, whch looks too stark, but this is a pleasant exception. So refined looking, who would guess it's cheaper than cheap? I always use drying top coats, so I can't comment on the dry time, but really, there is so little difference in most brands.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Milani - Foxy Lady 34
ora613 7/2/2009 9:23:00 PM
Prettiest color ever! Even if you don't care for dark colors try this, it might work for you because of the subtle sheen. Although it seems like a typical autumn color, I wear it year round, whether my nails are short or long. As many have pointed out, Milani is as good or better than the high-priced spreads.
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Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Egyptian Magic Healing Cream
ora613 6/25/2009 4:30:00 PM
I bought this after reading MUA reviews. It was a little oily to wear as a night cream, but it does have a lot of uses. It is my go-to jar for when my lips are chapped, cuticles are ragged, etc. It seems like Vaseline, or its cousins, such as Aquaphor, which I love, but it works when the others don't. Really, it never stings. Even if you get some in your eyes (my emergency eye cream) you can feel how benign this stuff is. when I suffer windburn even pure olive oil feels irritating, but EM doesn't. A unique product. EDIT: Although it still does a good job on lips, cuticles, etc. it is beginning to smell really rancid. OK that proves that it is natural, and it still works the same way, but the smell is a real turn-off. Are you supposed to keep this in the refrigerator, or what? It's a big jar, so I still have a ton left.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Clinique - All About Eyes Rich
ora613 6/25/2009 4:20:00 PM
This product did nothing but lie there. It didn't smoothe lines, didn't lighten shadows, didn't sink in, and didn't moisturize. I've about had it with Clinique products, it's like they water them down or fill them up with some cheap wax. I ended up using this on my feet--and even my heels didn't feel any softer!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -LaLique - LE PARFUM edp
ora613 6/25/2009 4:05:00 PM
I tested this in an airport and was sniffing my wrist through a 10-hour flight. Beautiful oriental, not overly sweet or powerful, but outstandingly long lasting. Sometimes when I wear it for the evening I can still smell it on my pillow in the morning and think it's going to be a great day. Wish they had this in a pure parfum, but as is, it still has a permanent place on my dresser.
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