Shampoo -Batiste - Dry Shampoo
sydcricket 1/19/2012 10:59:00 PM
LOVE THIS STUFF! I used to buy it in Germany for 4euros in a big can (just under 5 bucks). I was surprised to find it was nearly 8 bucks at Sally's for a way smaller can! Spoiled me! Still, this stuff is the best stuff on the market I've found so far. Dry shampoos are really pretty much all the same (I am aghast at people who spend more than $15 USD!) so it comes down to how much is in the can and the smell. Batiste smell isn't the best, but better than the other cheap German alternatives alternatives. And there is a ton of product in the can! (In contrast, to say, the massively expensive Rene F.) I find that in my dark brown hair, it absorbs quite well. Now that I'm back in the US I'm going to try out some other cheapo brands here, since everyone seems to have a dry shampoo these days, but I'll be stocking up on Batiste every time I go back to the EU.
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Polishes -OPI - San Tan-Tonio
sydcricket 11/14/2011 4:34:00 AM
The formula is lovely and lasts long, true to the OPI name, but the color leaves a lot to be desired on light-skinned hands. A first layer is just a bit too sheer (though not streaky, which is a bonus) but a second makes it much too dark, its a really icky green-tinged shade at this stage, a stark contrast to the first layer which looks like melted caramel and is delicious! It also loses a lot of its shine. I have tried to create a color I love by layering it on top of a nude-pink and that doesn't look bad, but you have to make sure to get the same thin layer on each nail. A miss this time! Update: Found a great dupe for this! Well, 90% dupe and the part about the color I didn't like isn't there! It's P2's 072 Heartbreaker. It doesn't have that green-gray tinge and doesn't look at flat with the second coat. THIS is the color I was expecting STT to be. If you are lucky enough to have access to this (European) brand, it's only 1,79!
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Nails -Unlisted Brand - essence - special effect topper - 02 circus confetti
sydcricket 9/14/2011 1:20:00 PM
This is a 95% dupe of Deborah Lippmann's Happy Birthday at a minuscule price and does it ever make me happy! It's multicolored glitter suspended in clear polish an its very very sparkly. There are tiny round pieces of silver glitter, slightly larger pieces of green and blue glitter and lots of different colored larger hex flakes (pink, gold, green, orange, red). There may even be some other colors in there too! It looks great over lots of nail colors, and as I said, super sparkly. Sometimes a bit difficult to get the glitter to distribute how you want it but I find that to be the case will all glitters and since its a clear base, you can just push them around or reload the brush.
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Nails -Essence - Color & Go - make it golden
sydcricket 9/10/2011 6:38:00 PM
This is one of the new colors added to essence's Color & Go line. It's a gold glitter color with several types of glitter suspended in clear polish. There is gold microglitter, small round gold glitter and bigger gold hex flakes. I'd been dying for a chunky gold glitter but was never able to find one at a reasonable price. I was so happy to find this among the new additions to essence. At first when I applied this glitter over a darker color I was a bit disappointed because the microglitter dulled the basecolor. But applied over a light color (nude or light pink) its absolutely gorgeous! Very sparkly. Like most chunky glitters the application can be a bit uneven, but the chunks were easy to manipulate with some careful swiping. Bling Bling!
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Nails -Unlisted Brand - p2 - 670 elegant
sydcricket 7/3/2011 10:04:00 AM
Well, I am officially NOT a fan of p2's Color Victim line. The colors are very opaque and usually require 2 and sometimes only one layer on the nail, but it seems that is because there is a lot of white in the colors. This leaves them looking very chalky and dull, not to mention clashing horribly with skin color. A sheerer color that builds up in 2 coats is much preferred and creates a much richer color and texture. Elegant, from the outside looks like a nice neutral with a hint of peach, but on the nail really looks flat. In contrast, simliar colors from p2's Last Forever line have that depth that Color Victim lacks. I'd opt for those if going with wallet-friendly p2. I might actually keep this one around (while chucking the other CV's I bought as quickly as I can) because its opacity would lend itself to be used as a stamping color, or for doing small designs, but not as an entire nail color.
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Polishes -Catrice - 050 Moulin Rouge Light
sydcricket 7/3/2011 9:37:00 AM
UGH - is the only word for this polish. I bought it alongside another from Catrices "Ultimate Nudes" line, My Cafe au Lait at Notre-Dame. It is a pinkier version of that nude shade, and the color is indeed beautiful, but the application is so horrible, i can't even use it. The other's consistency was rather thick and streaky and took three coats but ended up beautiful. Moulin Rouge Light is even thicker, streakier, and no amount of coats makes it okay. I would guess it would take at least five and at that point it is so thick it will never dry. Avoid! An near identical shade with far better application is p2's flirt and tease.
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Polishes -Catrice - 030 My Cafe Au Lait at Notre-Dame
sydcricket 6/22/2011 4:06:00 PM
Ohhhh finally! The nude of my dreams! This is a the color I have been searching for! This color comes from Catrice's Ultimate Nudes line and it really is, to quote Gidget, the Utimate. Okay, the application is kind of streaky (thus requiring three coats) and took a bit too long to dry, but the payoff is worth it. Doesn't run too pink, chalky, or dull. It looks like pictures I've seen of MAC's LE "Abalone Shell' which was what I was hunting for. I'd give it up if I ever found a perfect dupe with better consistency, but for now I'm not complaining!
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Polishes -Essence - MultiDimension - 20 Fatal
sydcricket 6/22/2011 3:58:00 PM
This polish is like black patent leather! Love it! I took the plunge and shelled out an extra 35 cents for essence over the equivalent P2 black shade because of my newfound loathing for their Color Victim line and I'm glad I did! Fatal requires two coats but its a lovely black black with an extraordinary shine. Not bad for 1.79euro.
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Lipstick -MAC - Russian Red
sydcricket 6/19/2011 5:21:00 PM
To add to the avalanche of reviews here.. I love russian red! I didn't think I could pull off this bright of red but after watching season 1 of mad men, I had to try! I told the salesgirl I wanted Betty Draper lips and she gave me this and that's exactly what I got. It looks fab. Some reviewers have found this drying. I don't, really, but it is a true matte finish. Perhaps when one is used to more cremey or glossy finishes.
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Polishes -OPI - Over The Taupe
sydcricket 6/19/2011 5:15:00 PM
Yumm whoever said "chocolate mousse" was spot on. This is rather similar to OPI's YDKJ but I found that to be a touch too dark on me. A perfect neutral taupe that's more "pretty, edgy" than "pretty edgy." Formula is fantastic too!
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Lipstick -MAC - Lustre in See Sheer
sydcricket 6/15/2011 11:02:00 AM
This is my every day color! I keep trying to change it up with something new, but I always wipe it off and go back to See Sheer. Im a fair skinned ashy toned bleach blonde and my face in always in dire need of WARMTH as sans makeup I look really washed out. This color adds the perfect amount without being too garish or bright. A lovely corally pink creme. I wear a lot of grays blacks and army greens and See Sheer is a lovely compliment. Its quite similar to VG Cyndi with a little less red. Im dying to find a more bright, reddish poppy version of this. Vegas Volt comes out exactly like I want on my sister (brunette and a little more olive) but its waaay too orange on me! So for now its See Sheer all the way.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Soft Brown
sydcricket 6/15/2011 10:45:00 AM
This color is not one I would never have bought from looking at it, but a make up artist friend recommended it to me a couple years ago, and I wear it almost daily. Its quite incredible. As some other reviewers said, its not tan like these pictures, I wouldn't even call it a "soft brown.'' Its a browny neutral with a dash of burnt orangey peach. Just a little bit in the crease and outer 2/3rds of lid brings out my eyes (dark brown eyes/bright blonde hair). When Im in a rush, this and some mascara will do it for eyes. (Okay maybe a dash of liquid liner, Im so predictable). Also, the color is quite pigmented, I have had the same pan for ages and its still going. Highly recommended!!
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Polishes -Catrice - 240 Sold Out For Ever
sydcricket 6/10/2011 6:42:00 PM
Google image search 'green tea ice cream' and you will see pretty much what this delicious color looks like. The color is much lighter than the pictures show and it dries a little dustier looking than in the bottle. I was suprised that it didn't turn out as bright as I was expecting, but I still find the slightly more toned down version very appealing. Maybe even more so!There is a subtle greenish shimmer that can be seen when in the bottle but its nearly undetectable on the nail. First coat is a bit streaky but the second one turns out divine. A friend of mine calls it 'hospital green' (google search that one too!) but i take that as a good thing!
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Fragrances -Hugo Boss - Boss #6
sydcricket 5/31/2011 1:09:00 PM
FYI - This is sold under the name "Boss Bottled" and "Boss #6". Ive smelled bottles labled under each name and they are identical. Maybe this varies by country? I refer to this fragrance as a "pounce" fragrance, as in, I want to pounce any guy wearing it. Luckily the only one I knows who wears it is my husband, and that's because I bought it for him, after he picked it out while shopping. And he doesnt mind getting attacked every once in a while. I love it because its not that type of boring MANLY-see-I-am-a-MAN-I-dont-wear-PURRRFUME scent that smells too strongly like aftershave or (gag) axe. It's still very masculine to me, but in a much less overcompensating way, and has an musky sweet edge to it. Also, since it is not a brand new scent, I was able to find it at a very good price at one of those discount perfume sellers. Bonus!
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Polishes -OPI - Baguette Me Not
sydcricket 5/18/2011 8:29:00 AM
This color is just what I expected it to be (pictures found on the internet proved accurate). Its a muted deep salmon on the pinky side. Many people describe this as a "mom" color, and it kind of is by the fact it is kind of conservative, but that doesn't make it dull or aging (and hey, my mom has good taste!) Its bright and pretty and safe and classic and the application is flawless and dries quick. I wouldn't buy it again cause I doubt I'll get through the whole bottle but I'm very happy and will certainly wear it for a while.
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