Styling Products -Sebastian - Potion 9
violetmist 3/20/2013 11:58:00 AM
I used the original product which was not a leave in treatment but it was top notch for smoothing and moisturizing my fine, wavy colour treated hair. It just took all the frizz away in a way that was nourishing my hair. Then poof! it went off the market so I am ever so happy to see this new formulation as a leave in product. It only delivers the good stuff - moisture, shine, body and smoothness (bye, bye frizz) and none of the bad. It does not weigh my hair down or look greasy and build up. I bought the large bottle because I'm going to use it all and at $33. it will take at least ten years to use up because you only need a small amount. So sorry I didn't spot this product a few years ago when it first came out. It is truly in a class by itself.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clinique - Moisture Surge Intense
violetmist 2/23/2013 7:08:00 PM
This saved my face from the effects of wind and biting cold this winter. Paula Begoun doesn't seem to like it because its jar packing (ok - me too) but also says it isn't the best at hydration. I beg to differ. I just use it at night time and my face is still plumply hydrated in the morning. It doesn't have sunscreen so I wouldn't use it during the day. I really like this to fill a temporary climate need. There is NO FRAGRANCE in Clinique products since it is not allowed.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -L'Oreal - Revitalift Miracle Blur
violetmist 2/22/2013 4:45:00 PM
I have a sample of this and I can't find it in the stores yet. It is WOW, WOW, WOW! Says its not a primer yet in texture it looks and feels like my Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. However .... it behaves like something else entirely. It really gives you an airbrush finish with or without makeup. Honestly it does! A lot of cosmetic companies use that terminology to pitch their product and it is far from that fact but this one is amazing. I like what my Clarins product did, it was best in its field. I have good skin but as I get older and that collagen disappears the pores look larger (they don't actually get larger but that underlying plumping is gone). I needed a primer so my makeup would look ok. This makes my makeup look like I'm 20 again. So beware - when this is stocked on the shelves I'm going to buy it all up!
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Cover Girl - Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm
violetmist 2/22/2013 4:26:00 PM
Wonderful new category of lip cosmetic. It is much more hydrating and with a better feel than the Clinique Chubby Stick - and about half the price. I am fair with highly pigmented lips and the Plum twist is just beautiful. Very soft looking texture (inviting I would say!) yet the colour amps up my own lips a little so it brightens but without the look of being made up. I keep reapplying too since it doesn't last that long but I really don't care. One of those products you don't need a mirror for. Feels wonderful too.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Burberry - midnight brown eye shadow
violetmist 2/4/2013 5:29:00 PM
On a dreary chilly January I figured a new eyeshadow with free shipping from Nordstrom would be the pick me up. Though I expected when it would arrive I would be excited for a minute and then wonder why I purchased YET ANOTHER eyeshadow in YET ANOTHER brown. The product was the biggest surprise ever. It is a medium, leaning to cool brown with the teensiest bit of plum undertones and golden flecks (which really should be called illuminators because they are not anything like glitter). The pigment is very intense but it applies beautifully and the colour is out of this world sophisticated.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Lypsyl - Regular Lip Balm
violetmist 1/13/2013 5:10:00 PM
A highly moisturizing lip balm with beewax, shea butter, vitamins A and E. No spf but I wanted this for nighttime hydration and it was ever so hard to find a product without spf that would moisturize. Does a fantastic job of hydrdation and lasts through to morning. Very smooth texture and an adorable (and very convenient) package. It pushes up with a side lever so you always have the right amout and the little lever is shaped like a bee.
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Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Eyeshadow in Caviar
violetmist 12/20/2012 1:10:00 PM
Yes it is good as a liner who wouldn't realize that, but it is also very interesting as a shadow rimming the whole eye - lower lid up to the crease. A little flash is needed then for the lid itself and I use the Bobbi Brown metallic taupe. The next switch up is to use a dark brown eyeliner not a black one. Very cool, very downtown effect but without a lot of makeup. There is a difference between that look and the glam--out kardashian hideousness which you don't want to get caught in. I also use uber pink by BB to keep the lip neutral but not washed out pale.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Tinted Eye Brightener 2012 Reformulation
violetmist 12/19/2012 3:50:00 PM
This product has been reformulated. The line has colours with undertones of either pink or peach and it is a fairly wide range. It is meant to brighten the undereye area and since I have shadows not dark circles this really does an excellent job. The formula is light weight and it sinks into the skin nicely. I use Clarins primer underneath and I find that a few minutes after I apply it the product settles into lines but then I buff it again and its good for the whole day. It is also in a new package which is a tube with a doe foot applicator but I use a brush anyway. It is a very good product and I am alternating it with Bare Escentuals Stroke of Light which is yellow based. It is much too expensive however for what it is and that is why I gave it a 4 rating. $30 bucks come on!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Pantene - Expert Collection Age Defy Conditioner
violetmist 12/19/2012 8:22:00 AM
This is a rave! I began by using the thickening treatment feeling that a conditioner wasn't going to do anything more than the 20 stored in my bathroom. Now those 20 are going in the garbage because this product performs like no other I have ever used. I have incredible thickness, body, shine and MOISTURE. I have colour treated normal hair and this takes it beyond (in combination with the thickening treatment) what I have ever experienced. No sense of product on the hair either. Relative to what I've spent on products this line is dirt cheap. CVS just had this on sale for $7. I've paid $57 and never got what this delivers. PLEASE give this a try - it is beyond amazing.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Urban Decay - Naked Skin
violetmist 12/17/2012 9:19:00 AM
This isn't the miracle that it is promoted to be. I am Sand in Bobbi Brown and it looked like 2. would be a match but like others have said it is much too light. The coverage is good and the texture is light (can even abandon primer if you like). However with just a layer of moisturizer (CeraVe AM) it pilled and rolled off like I've never seen any product do. Just for curiosity I will see if I can find another colour match but I'm sticking with my Armani and Bobbi Brown foundations.
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Concealers -Bare Escentuals - Stroke of LIght
violetmist 12/4/2012 1:44:00 PM
Very impressed with this product's ability to cover and brighten without creasing. I was skeptical since I tried their well rested and bisque concealers and they are not effective and just too dry for the eye area. I have Luminous 2 which is a light yellow. It has just the right amount of light reflecting particles which are not detectable at all but the effect is. I don't have very dark circles but I have deep set eyes and this manages to off set even the shadows that occur with this type of structure. I use a little Clarins primer underneath and it lasts all day - no creasing. Over a few hours it sinks right into my skin as though there was nothing there. What more can you ask for!
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Pantene - Expert Collection Age Defy Advanced Thickening Treatment
violetmist 12/4/2012 1:28:00 PM
This product damaged my hair like nothing I have ever experienced from any product. After a month of use I had such horrible (all over) split and broken ends that I had to trim an inch. While it is in recovery mode (thank you Ojon), I will need to trim more off soon. I have fine, dense slightly wavy, colour treated hair which receives the care and expense of a small child. I shampoo (WEN) 3X a week and blow dry only - no heat rollers or irons. I demanded that Pantene give me my money back on 3 bottles that I purchased because early on it was giving me nice thickening results. I wrote a positive review for the accompanying conditioner because it is so moisturizing but that is because it has to counteract the effect of this thickening product. The conditioner also has a lot of alcohol. If you have had a bad experience get your money back from Pantene. I echo the previous reviewer DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Clarins - Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
violetmist 11/22/2012 7:25:00 PM
I selected this product to smooth out pores and fine lines. It does that to a degree but the makeup still collects in the fine lines under the eyes. Mind you I wouldn't be without it but I still have to use a soft brush during the day to smooth the makeup out. I'm hoping something better gets developed soon.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -NARS - Soft Touch Shadow Pencil- Dark Rite
violetmist 11/15/2012 4:27:00 PM
This is an eye shadow pencil that has a nice texture and fair staying power. It is a midnight blue leaning toward navy that provides enough of a contrast for blue eyes, as most blues are not going give blue eyes the distinction they deserve. I like this pencil because I use it to draw a line in an arc slightly above my crease. I then go over it with Lhasa shadow or MAC Grain. This is a look and you either can pull it off or you can't but if it works for you give it a try. It's quick and makes a modern statement but in a minimalist kind of way. The kind of look that is interesting and pulls you in.
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Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Clump Crusher mascara
violetmist 10/27/2012 1:59:00 PM
This new entrant into the CG line up of mascaras is more than just another option but a real breakthrough. The curved brush deposits the product very evenly on the top lashes and if you reverse the curve and hold the brush vertical for the bottom lashes you are guaranteed not to splash it. This is the only mascara that calls itself 'Clump-free" that actually is. The formula is more volumizing than lengthening but not as heavy as the Lash Blast. Frankly I didn't need to put that much product on in one swipe. Very buildable with NO CLUMPS. Smooth as silk and a great price. I have no idea why anyone would pay for an upscale brand of mascara when CG has you "Covered"! UPDATE: some people have said that the first application from a fresh tube gave them crunchy lashes. This is somewhat true as the formula doesn't apply soft, at first. After 5 or 6 uses the formula gets a little drier as they all do and the finish is soft.
16 out of 16 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No