Lip Gloss -Calvin Klein - Delicious Pout Flavored Lip Gloss
Embeth3 3/11/2012 9:45:00 PM
I'm fairly indifferent about these, though leaning more towards like than dislike... They're a pretty standard gloss, look pretty and sparkly in the tube but apply sheer with a minimum of glitter. Faintly sticky, fairly thick but has a good "glide" to it, yeah, your hair will stick to it if's it's windy but it's just like any gloss that way. Not super long lasting or anything but gloss never is on me. I have three different colours - Burst (yummy peach apricot), Sparkle (mid toned pink) and Cupid (gorgeous lush raspberry with gold glimmer) but they all look fairly similar on. They have nice, non offensive fruity fragrances (Cupid smells like raspberry to me, which I love) but they aren't as pigmented as say, Juicy Tubes. Much, much cheaper though. The packaging is a bit weird, I find it a bit angular and chunky looking for my personal preferences and the cap is just a click on-click off type deal (I prefer screw caps for carrying around) so overall, yeah they're just like any other gloss really.
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Treatments -L'Occitane - Shea Butter Nail & Cuticle Cream
Embeth3 3/11/2012 9:11:00 PM
This stuff works great. It comes in a 15mL squeeze tube with a navy plastic cap, the packaging very typical of L'Occitane products, minimalist and elegant. You only need a tiny dot on each nail, it is a bit greasy when first applied but sinks in quickly and absorbs really well. It makes nails moisturized but not soft (more flexible!) and reduces the occurrence of dryness, snags and tears in both cuticle and edges of the nail bed. It can be used as a cuticle cream (to push them back with an orange stick gently, just apply a bit more generously to the cuticle itself) if you don't have a cuticle remover handy. I keep one at home with my general nail kit and one on my desk at work (mostly because my computer takes an eon or so to boot up so I manage my time wisely by putting this on while I wait for it to behave). It has a fairly innocuous, vaguely powdery smell, not my favourite but not terrible or anything. It leaves nails glossy, well nourished and healthy looking. It doesn't really help with my chronic peeling (I didn't expect it too) but it has improved the overall appearance of my nails. My best friend loves it too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Blushcreme - Posey
Embeth3 3/11/2012 8:57:00 PM
I'm torn about Posey - I love the colour but I dislike the texture, it seems ever so slightly tacky and I don't find it blends super easily, though that could either be my technique or the foundation formula I'm putting it on over... I find it works best when I dab on tiny amounts across my cheek area and then gently blend them together - if I do one major dot of colour and try to work it out (which is my preferred technique because I'm lazy like that) it tends to streak and fade. To be honest, I don't remember if I purchased the Cremeblend or Blushcreme but I know it was duped across two different formulas, which I find hugely confusing. I just use my Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges instead.
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Skincare -Jack Black - Pure Face Daily Facial Cleanser
Embeth3 3/11/2012 8:39:00 PM
Screw men - ladies buy this for yourselves, LOL! A very generous tube of excellent cleanser for a decent price (I got mine off strawberrynet because Jack Black isn't available in NZ), it smells amazing, very much of the sage it lists on the front. It's fresh, clean and does a superb job - this takes off makeup, even waterproof mascara and long lasting eyeliner!!!!! It's not harsh or drying either, I've used Neutrogena, Olay and Dior cleansers that strip the skin more than this, even if I don't mind this so much because I'm too damn lazy to use a separate eye makeup remover and just want a cleanser that removes all my makeup anyway, but it's nice to have something that does what I want without stressing out my skin. Packaging is nice, a cobalt blue squeeze tube with a black plastic flip top lid (it comes in different sizes with the largest one being 473mL in a pump dispensing bottle, which would be great for in the shower), the label is classy and a bit vintage looking, which I really appreciate. Ingredients are listed on the back, not on the box (which it doesn't come in anyway), which is also a bonus. The texture takes some getting used to - I tend to use creamy/foaming cleansers that spread easily with a little water but this stuff is very... interesting. To be completely honest (and PLEASE don't let this put you off, because it makes me giggle) the consistency is a bit like semen (I know, I know, my boyfriend agrees, it's true). Thick, kind of smeary but not sticky as such, it just kind of clumps a bit at first when you try and spread it out but it then seems to melt into a faint sort of lather when you massage it into damp skin. I'm probably not explaining it at all well, but it isn't a major flaw as far as I am concerned (the amazing herbal fragrance more then makes up for it!) but just something I noticed. It doesn't detract from the efficacy or quality of the product in any way. I definitely plan to purchase this again, plus my boyfriend uses it so he can pay for it next time, ha ha!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Christina
Embeth3 3/11/2012 8:18:00 PM
OK, so I finally found a lipstick with my name on it (literally), LOL. I'm glad it's gorgeous! Christina is a lovely berry red with plenty of bronzey gold shimmer. It's not overly warm though, so would most likely work on a range of skin tones which is always a bonus. Excellent pigmentation, reasonable lasting power, not much fragrance, maybe a little waxy if you sniff the tube directly but I don't notice any scent while I'm wearing it. Packaging is standard matte black with NARS around the lid in white lettering, not what I'd call chic or elegant but practical and functional. My one (tiny) criticism of Nars lipsticks is that the angled surface area for application is at a slightly weird degree and seems bigger than usual, which takes some getting used to, especially for the precision application this colour demands. Totally worth it though, because Christina is GORGEOUS.
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Lipstick -Guerlain - Rouge Automatique
Embeth3 8/11/2011 9:16:00 PM
Ahhhh, Guerlain - how do I love thee, let me count the ways... First, these are as good as Rouge G's but cheaper and the packaging is not as bulky. Formula = excellent, lightweight but extremely pigmented, long lasting, not too fragranced (I found KissKiss to be unbearable unfortunately) and yes, the geek in me rejoices at the ultimate in lipstick gadgetry! (I admit to several moments of cognitive dissonance re the "push down to make the lipstick go up", but hey) I have three shades - 165 Champs Elysees, a gorgeous bright (!) pink, not quite fuchsia but definitely a kissing cousin, so to speak. Slightly cool toned but not unwearable for warm skinned beauties, in my opinion. 164 Chamade, not quite as bright, but still pink, has more brown/mauve tones, slightly warmer. And oh be still my beating heart! 120 Coque d'Or... a gorgeous slightly sheer red with a tint of strawberry and charmingly discreet little gold sparkles. Stunning, especially with Chanel's Nakkar glossimer layered over the top (swoons!) It's been ages since I fell so hard for a lipstick (at least a month, ha!) but this little beauty has captured me. It does look slightly orangey in the tube but please don't let that put you off trying it, if warm reds are your thing. Will probably pick up 104 Jicky (warm mauve nude) and 160 Bal de Mai (shimmery rose) as well.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Bobbi Brown - Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Antigua
Embeth3 4/25/2011 10:41:00 PM
Ooh la la! Pretty close to blush perfection - though light skinned, pink toned beauties may be able to work this as a bronzer (I honestly haven't tried, I just use it as a blush, it's so pretty!). Antigua is a nude toned beige pink, slightly dusky and with a very subtle shimmer. It's not sparkly like Maui but it does have a little bit of glow to it, I'd say a satin finish as opposed to shimmer. It is definitely more pink (as in Image 4 above) than brown though, but neutral, rather than warm or cool. It's not super duper pigmented and may need a couple of layers (which is my preference actually because it's easier to build up the desired intensity) to really show up, though this of course, depends solely on your skin tone to begin with. Great for doing a diffuse pink wash of colour and then adding a smaller, brighter pop of colour right on the apples, gorgeous with a smidge of nude or peach toned highlighter or simply lovely all on it's own. The 9 gram pan is very generous, if ever so slightly powdery at for $65NZD (I got mine for $45) so for about $7 per gram, it's more cost effective than most L'Oreal or Revlon blushers. Hard to go wrong with this!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Bobbi Brown - Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks - Powder Pink
Embeth3 4/18/2011 7:24:00 PM
Powder Pink is a warm, slightly peachy pink with soft brown undertones. It's an incredibly flattering colour for warm or yellow based skin tones, goes on smoothly, blends like a dream and can be layered for more intensity. It gives a very subtle look and is a great base layering shade that gives depth to just about any other powder shade of blush. I rarely wear just a single blush colour on it's own, so it's nice to have something so versatile and yet so pretty! Pot Rouges have a great formula, light, not tacky or sticky and easy to apply - I like to do two or three dabs of colour and then pat out gently, blending from the top of my cheek down and forward toward the apple (smile bumps!) and it always looks natural and effortless. It looks fine on lips, maybe a little drying unless you slick a layer of balm on first and it also emphasizes lip lines a bit, though the colour remains even and doesn't settle into them. Wear time on lips is not so great, maybe an hour or two before it fades. The jar is tidy, small and compact, though it holds a fairly generous 11mL, which is more that double your typical cream blush. Overall, a pretty shade of a great product!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Antipodes Vanilla Pod Day Cream
Embeth3 4/14/2011 11:08:00 PM
Man, this stuff smells good enough to eat! Antipodes line is based mainly around avocado oil and this is no exception. Plus it also contains shea butter, manuka honey, vanilla, kawakawa leaf extract and other delectably good-for-you ingredients. The cream has a thick, luxurious texture, spreads easily and takes a wee while to absorb completely. I find it calms my skin down, reduces redness, soothes any little blemishes and leaves it feeling nice and velvety. It comes in a fairly plain brown glass jar, simple black screw top lid and the label is straightforward but still attractive. Now, the scent of this is completely natural and has no added fragrance so far as I know. And it is HEAVENLY. Sort of sweet, vanilla cinnamony with a hint of sandalwood deliciousness. Or as my fiance commented "Your face smells like donuts." I must have looked a bit surprised because he quickly added "Really good yummy ones!" I have caught him using it too!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Pupa - Multiplay Triple-Purpose Eye Pencil
Embeth3 4/5/2011 11:22:00 PM
Wowza. These are good. No, no these are great! Smooth, pigmented, easy to apply, beautiful colors (and lots of them!), not too spendy and they do not budge, smear, flake or fade at all. I have several and I am deeply impressed. I want more! 02 - deep, dark forest green 05 - medium bright purple 08 - metallic greyish brown 13 - unusual metallic grey toned blue 15 - metallic vibrant teal green I also want 17 (olivey green) and 31(bright metallic violet). Super fabulous!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Pupa - LUMINYS
Embeth3 3/13/2011 10:56:00 PM
I have both a Luminys Baked blush (single colour) and the Baked All Over Blush, which is the 4 colour striped pan. The single Lumynis blush I have is shade 06, which is a gorgeous deep raspberry shimmer (bottom right hand blush in first image), it's marbleized (like MAC MSF Petticoat) and swirled generously with pale pink and bronzy gold. It has a beautiful soft texture despite being baked, is very pigmented (you don't want to be too heavy handed with this!) and gives a lovely glow that lasts all day but doesn't look too frosty. It is simply gorgeous to look at in the pan but I find the packaging to be a real turn off. Not enough to make me hate it because the product itself is too awesome for that but it's a bulky oval perspex or lucite type compact with a flimsy plastic lid, which has a little porthole, so you can see the colour through it. It looks like a little UFO, which is kind of kitsch-cute but the plastic lid is really cheap looking and not very strong so I don't like it at all. The compact base is actually quite nice to hold but it's very much let down by being an awkward shape and hard to stack and store. 3.5g but will last for ages. However, it is the product inside that counts and it's a total winner for me. I have just ordered 08 and 09 as well. The Baked All Over Blush and Powder is brilliant as well (image 4) - the 4 stripes are a soft demi-matte beige, metallic caramel beige, deep shimmering raspberry rose and frosty icy pink/white. If you have a small enough brush, you could try using them individually but swirled together, they made a lovely, pastel ballerina pink shimmer. You can also sweep the top or bottom two colours together for a different affect - the deep rose and light pink make a good blush/highlighter combo and with a deft hand you can apply both at once, if you have the right brush and can pick up the colour in it's horizontal strips. The compact on this one is better, rounded more then oval but still quite big and bulky. The lid is matte brushed silver (plastic) and has a decent mirror in it. The hinge on mine is quite loose so it flops forward by itself if I don't push it back far enough, which is a bit annoying. Still, it's a very pretty, very versatile product that I am sure will get a lot of use from me! EDIT: 08 is a gorgeous peachy coral, with swirls of pink and bronze, reminds me a bit of Bobbi Brown Shimmerbrick in Nectar (though not as frosty looking). 09 is a delicate light petal pink, maybe a little light for me during summer months but a great layering or pink enhancing shade, with a little shimmer! EDIT 2: Also picked up 02, which is a soft caramel-ly tan, swirled with gold shimmered chocolate - together these give an amazing warm nude glow. I have a million other blushes and nothing quite like this shade! Also, 07 is a slightly dusty rose pink, very subtle and wear-with-anything. 10 - HOLY MOTHER OF... This looks beautiful in the pan, a rich red raspberry rose with hints of copper. I haven't worn it yet but swatched it is incredibly pigmented and I suspect will give the most perfect "I've been walking on a winter da" flush to cheeks. (yeah, it totally does!) I really, REALLY like these! LOVE.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Shiseido - Perfect Rouge Lipstick
Embeth3 2/16/2011 8:14:00 PM
I have this in two shades, Titian RS306 and Venetian Rose RS711 and I love them both. The formula is great, very pigmented yet very light, almost weightless when applied. Lasts reasonably well and leaves a soft stain behind as it wears off - no dreaded ring of colour! Absolutely no scent or taste, which is great. I don't mind some lipstick fragrances, but that chemically waxy "no fragrance" is plain nasty. The packaging is great, the tube is really sleek and elegant, dark metallic purple metal. Very luxe! It has a slightly odd shape - like a square with rounded off corners with a shallow groove in each side. It's lovely to hold, as well as to look at. The colours: Both are rose based shades (as designated by the RS code in the name, RD = Red, PK = Pink, BE = Beige, etc). Titian RS306 is a lighter brighter neutral rose pink, not quite candy but still pinker than my normal lip colour. Venetian Rose is a deeper, cooler, slightly lilac toned rose, very classy and sophisticated. They look fairly similar in the tube but look very different when applied. I intend to purchase Blush RD732 and possibly Roseate RD734 as well! EDIT: Picked up Blush and OHMYGOODNESS! It is so, so pretty! It's red but it's not RED. It's an amazingly flattering shade, very neutral, slightly beige toned and not look-at-my-lips but has a bit more oomph than MLBB shades. Utterly gorgeous!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Estee Lauder - Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme SPF 15
Embeth3 2/14/2011 4:27:00 PM
This is a moderately OK cream but for the price you pay, it's a bit disappointing performance wise. First, the smell: I am not super sensitive to fragranced products but this is STRONG. It is a pleasant, sort of floral smell and it's rather nice to have a small sniff of but I just find it overpowering on my face. And it lingers longer than I'd like. The texture: Firm to the point of buttery, not really creamy at all. Takes a while to absorb and can form little gooey rubbery sticky like balls if you rub it too much. Although I have have very dry skin (I'm on isotretinion) this is too heavy for me for daytime, which is a pity because the SPF 15 is a nice touch, but completely useless at night time, when most people prefer to use a richer cream. The packaging: Pale lilac pink pot with a luxe gold lid, quite nice to look at, easy enough to use, but bulkier than I prefer. The performance: Hard to say, considering I've only used it half a dozen times so I haven't noticed any firming or lifting yet (and didn't expect to) but I did a night by night comparison with Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream, which is the closest approximation I had in my stash. Olay wins hands down, nicer texture, absorbs faster and my skin feels noticeably smoother in the morning. I think I'll stick with that instead...
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Estee Lauder - Radiant Rose - Love Your Lips Collection
Embeth3 2/9/2011 7:25:00 PM
Super pretty! I've always been a big fan of the Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre lipstick formula and this is a really flattering shade of peachy coral pink cream. Pigmented enough to be opaque in a couple of swipes, lasts reasonably well and has a sweet fig scent. Has LOVE (with the O heartshaped) imprinted on both sides of the lipstick itself and comes in a retro gold fluted case with the swirly EL initials on top. Lovely!
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Lips -MAC - Lustre in Lovelorn
Embeth3 1/19/2011 11:04:00 PM
This is a really pretty medium, slightly blue toned pink. Very wearable except for the fact it goes on quite sheer and applies (on me at least) quite patchy and unevenly. Which is enough for me not to love it or buy it again - there are so many other similarly pretty pink lipsticks out there that don't have this issue. Disappointing, because it is a very nice shade.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No