Blush -Laura Mercier - Canyon Sunset Cheek Melange
sweetgardenangel 9/15/2012 6:39:00 PM
Seriously. Hands down, Laura Mercier has one upped herself on this lovely blush. It has a variagated "sunset" pattern, from pale pink, medium pink, pale coral, and even, a nude pinky beige in the mix. I swirl my brush all around and it produces a beautiful warm glow on the cheeks. First time wearing it today, it created a subtle apricot glow that looked absolutely lovely. The sparkles disappear, so don't think that it's a sparkly mess. It's an overspray on the entire palette that disappears after a use or two. You can swirl the brush into each individual area if you want to emphasize that color. Or you can swirl all over, as in my experience. The color is very unique and I can't even come up with a dupe for this one. Wearing power is long, for about 6-8 hours, I'd say. Your skin doesn't morph into a different color around mid-day to the oilies. So the integrity of the blush maintains the same hue/color throughout the day. All in all, I love it. To make things even better, it was a real deal on the Mercier web site, as it was in the au revoir part! So $20 instead of $40 makes such a blush soooo much sweeter!
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Blush -Laura Mercier - Second Skin Cheek Colour: City Pink
sweetgardenangel 9/14/2012 3:16:00 PM
This City Pink was a bit diappointing. Pigment was poor. Staying power is poor, and needs a creme blush underneath to even make it appear better. This was in a pallette that was LE. Although I regularly acclaim a lot of the Mercier products, I am sorry to say that this blush could not cut it.
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Lipstick -Laura Mercier - Sweet Cherry
sweetgardenangel 9/14/2012 3:07:00 PM
Laura Mercier is one of my favorite HGs on several products, although a few years back the lipsticks were not my HG! Until they came out with these new "gel lipsticks." I am really really impressed! 1. Very moisturizing 2. Color payoff is beautiful. This red is tomato red, and although it it perceived with solid opaque qualities, it's still sheer if that makes any sense. 3. No feathering at all. 4. The color grips your lips, and makes them look even bigger! (+++) 5. Wearing time was disappointing. But because the product is so healthy on my lips, I will not balk at re-applying. In actuality, it wore about 3 hours. 6. I got this on sale in the "au revoir" section of the Mercier web site and consider $15 a good buy for this one. I just love the color. Slight shine, and it dries down with just a nice enough stain. I'm going to gamble on some other colors.
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Lotions/ Creams -Lancome - Nutrix Royal Body
sweetgardenangel 9/6/2012 8:18:00 PM
Seriously. This is an excellent workhorse to combat dryness, especially on your hands, elbows, and legs, too. This wonderful, fragrant moisturizer is ideal for the dryest of skin. It's not sticky, but absorbs readily and immediately, leaving super softness that you keep smelling because the fragrance is absolutely intoxicating. I would definitely buy this tube (it's a gwp) once I've exhausted the supply. I highly recommend it.
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Eye Makeup Remover -Neutrogena - Oil Free eye makeup remover
sweetgardenangel 9/6/2012 7:03:00 PM
Seriously. This inexpensive product ($6.50) does the job and removes your eyeshadow, liner, and mascara very easily and effectively. There is no stinging, or eye watering. After I do the Neutrogena, I use Boscia's Makeup Breakup, over the entire face, including the eyelid area since it's so gentle and lovely. Consequently, I do not experience oily eye lids as a few posters reported. You can't beat it. I would definitely re-purchase. It keenly removes everything without a bit of pulling, which is key in handling the eye area. I use one cotton round for both eyes. Luv it.
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Nails -Lippmann Collection - Glamorous Life
sweetgardenangel 8/29/2012 11:08:00 PM
Absolute in love with this color! Depending on the light condition, it appears as a soft gold neutral. I'm hard on my nails, however this formula lasted with only minor tip chipping for about 5 days. The chipping is not obvious, since is so neutral and complimentary nude. It's a very unique color, and this was bought in conjunction with the Good Morning America Steals and Deals. So, this was a very good introduction into the Lippmann collection. Very pleased, indeed.
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Shampoo -Alterna - Bamboo Abundant Volume
sweetgardenangel 7/24/2012 10:48:00 AM
This shampoo is my absolute favorite! I discovered it when Sephora threw in some freebie sample packets on my last order! So happy about that, or I may not have discovered until some time later! This shampoo actually does volumize my hair. My hair is fine, color-treated in dark brunette so I was concerned on retaining my color, as I do the color myself. It moisturizes at the same time. Since it is chock full of very quality ingredients, it does not foam up like your ordinary shampoo that is spiked with sulfates or detergent. My hair DOES feel stronger, more resilient and more responsive to hair drying with a round brush or flat brush, depending on the look of my bob hairstyle. It also improves the frizzy situation, where, when I walk outside, the humidity doesn't alter my hair style into a flop! I am also a firm believer to follow up with the Bamboo Abundant Volume Conditioner. It, too, is wonderful in my hair routine. In addition, after your comb-out, I place a dab of an extremely magical moisturizing cream by Alterna, called the Silk Sleek Creme. It smells so spa like, I'd adore a body cream in that mesmerizing scent. I took one lippie off the overal evaluation because of the packaging. You twist the top and there is like a bubble of ingredient which pops up when you squeeze. I find I like a smaller quantity of product so I always try to 1/2 bubble the thingie. Also, you MUST store the conditioner upside down, otherwise, it is next to impossible to get the conditioner through the bubble thingie. And with only 8.5 ounces of product, you can swiftly go through the product because so much comes through the bubble thingie. So it requires a bit of practice for getting the product out in minimal quantity. I am thoroughly thrilled with all these new products and will continue to use them as my HG.
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Mascara -Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
sweetgardenangel 7/22/2012 2:33:00 PM
I knew MUA's advice on a good mascara was spot-on when it took me 2 weeks to finally find the product! I was successful at K-Mart's and for $3 it was a steal, and by the way, the very last one on the hook! First, after I opened the package, I examined the wand. I found it to be small, with tiny "teeth". I am not an expert in mascara, btw. I usually use the freebie ones in gwp at highend beauty products at the department store. Anyways, the teeth of the wand separated my lashes and made application a dream. They were wet, though & you have to be careful during the first couple minutes to let the lashes dry so the mascara won't bleed or transfer to any other area. The lashes were indeed longer, and because I have few lashes, they did appear spidery but I didn't care. I'm dealing with stubborn, short, straight lashes that are a major pain, so when I find a product that reverses these setbacks, I'm a happy camper. When it came to applying my eye makeup remover at the end of the day, it was super easy peasy. I didn't have to keep wetting my cotton round, and applying and re-applying. Grade: A
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Lip Treatments -Fresh - Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15
sweetgardenangel 7/20/2012 9:37:00 PM
Sephora gave this Sugar Rose and Regular Sugar in a mini duo on behalf of my birthday. Let it be said, that my lips plague me. I'm totally responsible, though...haha. I lick them at times, really not aware of that habit. They peel horribly in the Winter and the Summer, and it doesn't do any good by manually rubbing my finger along my lips, and removing any loose peel. I know, wow. So, consequently, I love having lipstick on because I don't peel them when it's on! However, at night, that's a different story. That's when I experimented with the regular Sugar Mini and discovered that my lip's condition was 10 times better than usual. I've tried many balms, and always applied them at bed-time. I've had luck with Aquaphor, Jack Black, and Haunt balm. But I have to say, that Fresh is the Best. I don't care what the cost of the regular size would be....but when I'm finished with this duo, I'll buy Fresh!
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Blush -Besame - Crimson Cream Rouge
sweetgardenangel 7/20/2012 11:26:00 AM
OMG! I found my HG in a red blush! This cute, retro gorgeous tin houses the most beautiful red cream blush! I have held my BECCA in high esteem as far as their cream blushes, but this new HG now rivals BECCA! This blush successfully blends on top of your cheeks, and lasts pretty good through the day, considering my skin is partly oily combo. The red color creates a wonderful "just pinched" cheek, and it melts into your skin giving a natural red blush. I utilized my MAC skunk brush and just one tap will produce a very pigmented hue, and just a few strokes, and it effortlessly blends into the cheek. Some cream blushes don't have this creamy, effortless characteristic and consequently, makes blending a real challenge. But this product, thankfully, is definitely a quality product, making application easy peasy. The only drawback is that their products are smaller in size in comparison to other high-end products. However, I am overlooking this detail, as it is such a desirable product. Also, the price on the product is reasonable, around $20 or so. So, it's not like buying a HE product that runs around $50! It's a beautiful color on the cheeks and I'm so thankful for researching this product on MUA! You gotta research it, consider it, and order it ASAP! As a lover of antiques and vintage stuff, I must admit, that once I am through with this blush, I definitely will keep the awesome tin and display it on my dresser or dressing table. Grade? A+
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Lipstick -Shiseido - RD 516 Cerise
sweetgardenangel 7/11/2012 6:00:00 PM
Always on the lookout for a lippie that has that raspberry pinky-red, I chose Shiseido, since they are often under-rated for such quality lipsticks. My opinion of this lipstick: * the color is luscious raspberry (my fave hue) * it lasts for several hours * greatly comfortable and moisturizing * gives off a wet, shiny look that begs to be kissed! * adviseable to wear a lip liner, I don't trust real moisture lipsticks because sometimes they travel south of the border. * No indication of off-taste or even smell I would rate this lipstick highly and will try others in the Perfect Rouge category. Love the color. It brightens up the whole face!
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Makeup Brushes -Sonia Kashuk - Bent Eyeliner Brush
sweetgardenangel 7/8/2012 2:25:00 PM
Why haven't I heard about the wonders of this brush? Let me just say, that MUA members are usually on the cutting edge of these things. That is exactly why I find myself repeatedly reading through the site and LUV doing it! You learn so much. This brush is: ~$6 and so economical ~Nice bristles which remain contained together instead of fly-by-ways ~Draws a perfect line with MAC Blacktrack and the tail of the wing is created SO MUCH EASIER with this brush! ~This brush out performs those brushes that are 4 times the cost or more! ~So cheap that going back for a couple more would be a good idea. Luv, luv, luv!
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Eye Makeup Remover -Sonia Kashuk - Remove
sweetgardenangel 7/7/2012 10:09:00 PM
This is an excellent, effective means of removing your eye make-up, including waterproof mascara, etc. It's a bi-phase formula, so you shake it up, pour onto round cotton, and voila, it pretty much gets rid of everything! You don't need a great amount of product, since I was able to use only one round cotton on both eyes. *** No stinging eyes *** It's comforting on the eye, because it applies with a coolness that's so refreshing. *** Economical. *** No reactions as yet, so keeping my fingers crossed.
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Styling Products -Alterna - Bamboo Volume Plumping Strand Expand
sweetgardenangel 6/25/2012 8:53:00 PM
This Alterna styling product, Strand Expand, does successfully in creating the volume in my hair. Even moreso, when it is combined with Alterna's Silk Sleek Brilliance Creme. The frizzies are kept at bay, the volume is created, and my inverted bob seems to be a lot more swinging in a slanted line. The aroma is nice, too. The blow-drying was a charm because this styling aid pumped up the volume so easy peasy! Also, I liked the texture of my hair after the dry-out, and was glad there was no icky residue like some products leave in the hair. No greasiness, no stickiness. Al the Alterna products seem to be on the costly factor when you figure that the product is in small quantities. If you search the net, you will find that these $22 bottles are available for $15 at Pandora. I will test out the Bamboo Volume Abundant Shampoo and Conditioner and report back on another review for them. But for now, I highly recommend this product! Also you really only need to pump out a small amound of product, for the fantastic results, which is a "good thing" as Martha would say, considering the price point.
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Styling Products -Alterna - Bamboo Silk-Sleek Brillance Cream
sweetgardenangel 6/25/2012 8:41:00 PM
This styling product smells divine, and enhances my hair texture by erasing the frizzies, making it shiny and sleek! In tandem with other Alterna products, such as the Strand Expand, it works doubly hard and seems to pump up the volume in my hair, like 3 times its normal thickness! I would highly recommend this product because the hair's ends are no longer doing a kink job or "collick" (sp?) on me and not cooperating in going smoothly in my inverted bob style. There are layers in my hair which are being grown out because they are not conducive to the style bob I desire and this product makes them lay where they should!
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