Moisturizers -Dr. Hauschka - Normalizing Day Oil
Cara_M 5/8/2012 9:27:00 AM
I received a sample of this with a skincare kit. Like everyone, I really wanted to love it, but the range really did not work for me. I broke out like crazy (especially from the EVIL clay mask) but persevered until the end of all of the products - so I know that I wasn't purging, the products just weren't for me. This is the last product that I have left , and I'm currently using it at night under a night cream. I don't feel like it has broken me out, per se, but it certainly isn't having any beneficial regulating or hydrating effects, and it doesn't sink in very well, in my opinion, so I am just looking forward to using this up and getting it off my dresser - definitely not a good sign!
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Lip Treatments -Dermalogica - Renewal Lip Complex
Cara_M 5/8/2012 9:15:00 AM
This is more of a lip TREATMENT than a balm, I think - it's one of the few Iip moisturisers that actually repairs problem lips rather than coating them with a layer of gunk that has little deep down effect. I used to be blessed with lips that seldom dried out, and certainly never to the degree that a few swipes of vaseline and drinking more water couldn't fix them. Recently stress gave me really dried out skin and lips (I had a ring of dry skin on the outer rim of my lips that just wouldn't budge despite me trying tons of balms from my stash). I remembered that this had come with my glossybox a while back and decided to give it a try. VERY glad that I did. Sure, I don't adore the texture, and it doesn't give me shiny lips (just moisturized looking) but I do trust this to sort out minor dryness immediately, and more pronounced dryness over a few days of regular use. I have TONS of lipbalms (vaseline, rosebud salve, kiehls, lancome, eight hour cream, figs & rouge etc) so I am hoarding my sample to use only in times of need, so I can concentrate on using up all the tubes and pots clogging up my dresser and handbags, but if I ever finish them all, this is the one I'd rebuy.
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Moisturizers -Burt's Bees - Marshmallow Vanishing Creme
Cara_M 5/8/2012 8:56:00 AM
I received this in a sampler kit, and I must say I really wasn't a fan, The consistency was akin to a much harder body butter, very dense (I had to scrape it out with a fingernail) yet greasy like vaseline when I warmed it between my fingers to spread on my face. I persevered with the sample, using it as a night cream (there is no way I'd have this on my face during the day, as it was so dense and greasy) but I can't say there were any positive results on hydrating my stressed skin, and I noticed my pores clogging, ew. Also, it smells like candy bananas which I really didn't like. I was so glad to finish the tub of this and definitely won't be rebuying!
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Brows -Unlisted Brand - RapidBrow
Cara_M 4/22/2012 5:08:00 PM
I've had exactly the opposite experience from the reviewer below - I've been trying to grow in my brows since August 2011 and started by using the Ardell brow and lash product for months to no effect. I've now been using RapidBrow since its launch, so for maybe 2-3 months (I forget how long exactly), though only once a day (the instructions suggest twice daily) and I've had significant brow regrowth as a result! It did take quite a while to kickstart - I've only very recently seen a result, but loads of hair seems to have grown back in at once! I haven't given it a 5 rating as there are still some stubborn areas where no hair as come in yet, and the new hairs look a little fine, but I'm excited to see what my brow technician can do with my new fuller brows! The tube seems like it will last me another few months, and I'd definitely repurchase down the line, but I'm keen to try Lilash & Librow to compare results...
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Liquid -Guerlain - Parure Aqua Fluid Foundation SPF 20
Cara_M 4/22/2012 4:58:00 PM
I'm shocked at how little love this foundation is getting on here. I was looking for a replacement for Chanel Teint Innocence (with maybe a tad more coverage). I tested all Chanel, Dior, Armani and Guerlain's foundations, and settled on Parure Aqua as the best fit for my skin. It leaves an amazing glow finish - my skin isn't the best at the moment, but with L'or base, a pump of illuminator mixed in and this foundation my skin looked radiant and my blemishes were pretty much unnoticeable! I'm also suffering with dry patches caused by stress, and this is the only foundation I've found which doesn't highlight them. I wear this in the evening only - I stick to a compact foundation for day, so this may be a bit too glowy for some in the day time, and it does need a few powder touchups throughout the evening if it's warm, but that's fine with me, and I never looked greasy, more just really really glowy! The foundation is light, but covers reasonably well, while still looking like skin. The fragrance doesn't bother me, but it may be too much for some people. All in all, this is a win for me, and worth the relatively high price tag.
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Liquid -Guerlain - Parure Gold 
Cara_M 4/22/2012 4:47:00 PM
I really wanted to love this, as I've read so many positive reviews that I was expecting great things. I sampled Parure Gold, Aqua and Lingerie de Peau (as well as quite a few other foundations) in the search for a replacement for my discontinued Chanel Teint Innocence. This foundation was certainly OK, though I was first matched with number 3 which oxidised really badly. When returned to the counter at a later date, we finally worked out I was actually a shade 1, and I took a sample home to try again. The finish is quite natural even though it's supposed to give med/full coverage, however I found it highlighted any dry patches. I didn't notice the alleged lifting effect or find it covered blemishes/redness as much as I'd hoped, and the finish was more matte than Parure Aqua which I utilmately ended up choosing to purchase instead of this. I love Parure Aqua, but Parure Gold wasn't for me, especially for the fairly hefty pricetag.
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Lipstick -MAC - Ramblas Red
Cara_M 3/11/2012 4:54:00 PM
This is my go-to evening red when I want to vamp it up. It's bright and vibrant, but a tad deeper and less matte than the more 'pin up' reds like Russian Red, Ruby Woo etc. I wear the pin up reds with a neural eye and winged liner, whereas Ramblas Red looks great with a smoky eye also, and a sweep of clear gloss over this is stunning. I'm a NW20 with almost black hair & green eyes, I'd recommend this to all girls with similar coloring.
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Toners -Dermalogica - AGE Smart Antioxidant Hydramist
Cara_M 3/5/2012 6:29:00 AM
There is nothing bad about this toner, in my book, but I'm not convinced it actually does much for me. My skin is killer dehydrated at the moment due to stress and winter, I've added this to my regime, and my skin is still pretty dry. I know this can't work miracles, but I was hoping for a little more! If your skin is pretty normal to begin with or you're just looking for a simple toner, I think this will be fine, but if you are struggling with temporary or longer term dehydration, I think you'd be best to look elsewhere for help!
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Eyes -Ardell - Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator Treatment Gel
Cara_M 3/1/2012 11:04:00 AM
Sorry to rain on the parade here, but this really did nothing for either brows or lashes for me, and I've been using it for months! Talika Lipocils worked great on my lashes when I tried it last year - I'd recommend that instead. I've ditched this and am trying RapidBrow on my my brows now and am seeing some improvements already. The Ardell product may be cheap, but I'd prefer to spend a little extra to get something that WORKS.
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Lip Gloss -BeneFit Cosmetics - her glossiness in who are you wearing
Cara_M 1/4/2012 7:43:00 AM
This gloss is totally underwhelming. In the tube it looks a pretty, pigmented bright cool toned pink. On my lips - pretty much sheer with the slightest pink tinge, unless I gloop a ton of this on. It smells nasty too - and I'm not generally sensitive to makeup smells. This gloss is super expensive too - sadly I bought 3 colors in an impulse post Christmas splurge, and I really wish I could return them as there is much better to be had elsewhere (like Mac, Revlon, Nars, Bourjois). I've added this to my work makeup bag rotation in an attempt to use it up!
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup
Cara_M 12/28/2011 6:41:00 PM
I tried a small sample of this I got with a magazine out of curiosity as I'm a bit of a foundation snob, and at first it seemed ok. I had no problems blending it, coverage was sort of ok, not great on spots or redness though. After a short while I realised that this was settling in strangely in the creases around my nose and had developed streaks! No foundation I've ever used before has EVER streaked (admittedly I usually stick to high end - Armani, Chanel, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Mac and Dior) and this also ended up sticking to any dry bits and making my skin look flaky. I had worn my usual Chanel Teinte Innocence the day before and the finish was MILES better. I'd never buy this - I'd much rather use less of a better formulation. In terms of long wear Estee Lauder Double wear kicks this to the kerb.
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Treatments -Mavala - Cuticle Oil
Cara_M 12/27/2011 1:59:00 PM
I love it when a MUA search turns up gold! I would never have thought to get this oil, but it's fabulous. This winter my cuticles and all around my toenails have been dry and ugly and spoilt the look of my feet. I kept having to treat myself to pedicures (which are expensive here) to rescue them, whereas previously I could get away with doing it all myself. I started using this a few days after my last pedicure, and I love it! The skin round my nails looks healthy and my feet still look freshly pedicured - RESULT.
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Lip Gloss -Bourjois - Effet 3D Cocktails Lip Gloss in Cassis Tropical 26
Cara_M 12/26/2011 4:38:00 PM
I love this gloss - it's a super glossy sheer berry that looks amazing with smoky reddish purple toned eyeshadows. It looks awesome with berry or green toned clothes also. It has just the right amount of pigment and is the perfect shade of berry - not too purpley. I'm so sad this was discontinued :(
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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Iconic High Definition Lash Curler Mascara
Cara_M 12/8/2011 6:04:00 AM
Sorry to rain on the parade here, but I'm a Dior mascara fan and I don't rate this mascara at all! I have long lashes and LOVE Extase and Diorshow to add a bit of thickness. I really wanted to try Iconic because of the amazing reviews, and experimented with it on its own for daytime (clumpy, nondescript) and layered with Extase for evening (looked worse than using Extase alone). The brush isn't great, in my opinion, so I'm not sure if it's the formulation or the brush that isn't working for me, but this was a great big waste of money for me. EDIT: I upped this from 2 stars to 3, it's growing on me a bit more as I'm using it up during the day.
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Top/Base Coats -Creative Nail Design - Super Shiney high gloss top coat
Cara_M 12/8/2011 5:56:00 AM
This takes a while to dry, and really is NOT 'super shiney' on my nails. I could forgive the drying time if it gave the effect I was looking for, but I don't at all get the high shine finish other reviewers mention. It's the worst high end topcoat I've used...poshe and seche are much better, as is Sally Hansen. I can't wait to finish my bottle and get on to something better.
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