Makeup Brushes -NARS - Ita Brush
GPD 5/12/2011 5:07:00 PM
OMG I adore these brushes! I have both the Ita ($39.00) and the Ita Kabuki ($38.50). I don't know why it took me so long to invest in these! Perhaps it was because I did try a few of the NARS brushes (push and bronzer) and I was less than impressed. I found them to be scratchy and just blah for the price tag. Then I got a makeover and the MA used the ita on me for bronzer and I just HAD to have them both. Now do I really *need* them both, probably not. Is it nice to have both...yes. The ita kabuki is much wider and a little "fluffier" than the ita, which makes it perfect for bronzer. For blush I think the ita kabuki wouldn't really work as it would cover too much cheek = clown. The regular ita however is perfect for bronzer, blush or highlighter. They are great for flawless application and it deposits the perfect amount of product...even with my super pigmented blushes. Overall I'm impressed by the quality and softness of the bristles. I have experienced NO SHEDDING with either of these brushes. My one tiny tiny, not even really a complaint is that the handles are kind of awkward to use as they are flat vs round and the handles are the same rubbery material the NARS cases are famous..or infamous for depending on how you look at it i guess. I like it, but my OCD side can't stand the finger smudges I get on them. Ah well. I'll live. Also I heard one or both of these will be discontinued at some point, per the MA who did my makeup that day...I really hope not b/c these are FAB and well worth the investment!
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Highlighters -NARS - Illuminator in Copacabana
GPD 4/27/2011 2:12:00 PM
THANK YOU NARS!!! I love this stuff!!! It looks kinda small, but if you consider how little you actually need....it's humongo! I only use about 2 pinheads worth of product to highlight my cheekbones, bridge of nose, brow bone, etc. Too much and it's glitter/disco city. It also is fabulous to mix into your foundation for a luminous glow. Also the NARS MA was telling me you can use this OVER powder products as well which is nice. I find this to be more "glowy" as compared to the copacabana multiple. I can't really decide which i like better...they both are so easy to use and both look beautiful! (NC20-ish, nars deauvalle)
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Hourglass - Femme Rouge - Raven
GPD 4/7/2011 1:08:00 PM
This is my second Hourglass lipstick. These are super pigmented and have great coverage with one swipe. The squared off tip kind of annoys me, but supposedly it’s supposed to be better for when using a lip brush. At any rate, I find these moderately moisturizing as far as lipsticks in general go. (My fave all time moisturizing lipstick has to be the Chanel Rouge Allures…in the cool click packaging.) The color range is a little limited, but overall there are some great classic colors to chose from. Raven is kind of hard for me to put my finger on how to describe it. It’s not warm but it’s not cool toned/fuchsia either…and it’s not quite neutral? It’s a bright cheery red/watermelon/cherry/strawberry kinda color with perhaps a hint of coral to it. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It has a natural “shine” to it as it’s not matte, but not glossy either. As with any red lipstick, make sure your lips are well exfoliated and moisturized. (I like to use a lip balm like the EOS spheres under for added moisture.) I have had no issues with feathering with this lipstick, even without using a lip liner. Overall this is a win on my warm/yellow nc20-ish nars Deauville skintone. While it is a little price-y at $30 a tube, they are re-fillable and the packaging feels luxurious and nice in my hand.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -L'Occitane - Repairing Serum for Dry & Damaged Hair
GPD 4/5/2011 3:06:00 PM
As the reviewer before me, I too am obsessed with this line (shampoo, condit, hair mask). The smell is amazing and my hair definitely looks and feels healthier and shinier! My one gripe is that I find this a tad expensive at $24.00 for 3.4fl oz. But I suppose with that said, I only need a small amount to smooth through my dry hair to tame fly aways, boost shine, and give my hair the awesome smell. The gal at the boutique said that this can be used as a heat protectant as well. I looked at the ingredients and I am no expert, but none of the ingredients really look like they would do much heavy duty protecting. At any rate, this is a lovely product and I will continue to re-buy this stuff!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Tarte - Cheek Stain in Tipsy
GPD 4/1/2011 5:35:00 PM
I adore these cheek stains! Yes they are kinda pricy at $30 a pop, but they are huge (28.4g) and will last you 5 lifetimes. I also like that these contain natural ingredients and all that other good stuff. I don’t think these are really that sticky if you apply sparingly, either way I have dry skin so I do like that these are on the “sticky” side. It also helps to toss that inner insert cap so the product isn’t as “juicy”. These all look scary and dark in the tube, but they go on super sheer and buildable. Tipsy is a perfect peachy pink shade on me that isn’t orange and isn’t too red. It gives me such an innocent healthy glow. So perfect for spring/summer! I find it very flattering on my warm, asian nc20-30/nars deauvalle skintone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Tarte - Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride
GPD 4/1/2011 5:32:00 PM
I adore these cheek stains! Yes they are kinda pricy at $30 a pop, but they are huge (28.4g) and will last you 5 lifetimes. I also like that these contain natural ingredients and all that other good stuff. I don’t think these are really that sticky if you apply sparingly, either way I have dry skin so I do like that these are on the “sticky” side. It also helps to toss that inner insert cap so the product isn’t as “juicy”. Blushing bride looks near black in the tube, but swatched upon fingers it is a deep browned, pummy rosey shade. When applied to my cheeks, it gives a gorgeous sheer healthy flush. It’s not too red and not to purple. It’s just right. I find it very flattering on my warm, asian nc20-30/nars deauvalle skintone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Occitane - Labdanum de Seville 
GPD 3/30/2011 6:04:00 PM
Originally I went into L'occitaine for a hair mask (which I looove the scent of...I wish they'd have a perfume with this scent). Anyhow, I ended up sniffing some of their perfumes and fell in love with this. It was a bit of an impulse purchase, but I just had to have it! It smells absolutely divine. It is a spicy, tea-like, sweet, amber-y concoction of goodness. In my opinion it has rather low silage and hangs close to the body. I wish it was a little stronger, but I like that I can wear it to the office without worrying about offending officemates. I love how the perfume is not cloying or headache inducing. The bottle is absolutely adorable! This is part of their "Voyage en Méditerranée Collection" and the packaging has such a cute theme. The bottle has a windrose (aka compass) on the lid with N, S, E, W on each face of the bottle. The shape is really lovely as well, very attractive on my perfume shelf. The price point isn't too bad either at 2.5 fl oz for $66.00usd. My one complaint is that it's rather fleeting on me and I find myself re-applying this throughout the day. I did sniff some of the other fumes in this collection and I think I may have to go back for the Jasmine one as well.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -NARS - The Multiple in Mustique
GPD 3/15/2011 3:28:00 PM
I am in love with NARS multiples! I currently own Cap vert, Coppacabana and South Beach mini size. The texture on some of these are hit or miss and I find the bronzer multiples, which are matte, to be much creamier than the regular line multiples. Mustique is one of the “creamier” ones, which is nice. Multiples have a rather unique texture imo that I find hard to explain..they feel kinda like a powder when I go to apply but not quite? At any rate, I am such a sucker for peaches I had to have this. It reminds me of a very toned down, less shimmery, less duochrome version of MAC Pink Bronze pigment as it is a bronzy peach with a flash of pink. It’s a rather unique looking color. Sadly this to be one of the sheer-er multiples, which is ok as it make the application of this really simple. Just a swipe where I want it then I gently blend with my fingers being careful I don’t blend too much or else it kinda disappears on my nc25-30 yellow under tone skin tone. It looks a scary orange-y tangerine, coral, pink, bronze in the tube, but applied it gives me a natural pinky/peachy bronzed glow. I love that this is a shade I really can use on eyes, cheeks and lips for the perfect almost “au naturel” warmed summer look.
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Blush -BeneFit Cosmetics - Sugarbomb
GPD 3/15/2011 2:47:00 PM
The Benefit blushers have always intrigued me, but I just hate the cardboard box packaging! It’s just so darn bulky and seems cheap. This is my first Benefit blusher and it’s just absolutely adorable, though the box just looks kinda small. At any rate, I wasn’t so sure at first, because a lot of the previous reviews said that it doesn’t show up or is more like a highlighter on their NC25/NC30 skin tone (which is about my skin tone). But I was in the mood to spend and figured I’d finally splurge. I tested it on my hand and yes it is a really sheer peachy golden shade, vaguely reminds me of UD X e/s, however when I applied to my cheeks it looks nothing like it does on my hand. It gives my cheeks a lovely glowing peachy warm bright happy glow. While it does give me a glow. It’s a very quick easy, goof proof color I don’t need to focus too hard on to apply. It smells lovely, kinda sweet with a hint of floral? The brush is an annoying shape to try and use to apply blush with, but it is soft, and nice to hold. Overall I’m glad I caved and got this :D *****UPDATE****** I returned this. it fades quickly on me and was an odd muddy orange-y shade on me. Not to mention the packaging is so darn irritating. It's hard to fit a brush in there and swirl so as to get a mix of all the colors.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Becca - Wisp soft touch blush
GPD 2/25/2011 1:46:00 PM
Hm. I feel a little ambivalent about this. I feel it's a little sheer and on the orange side. I don't particularly mind sheer, but it's just an odd shade of orangey nude on my yellow undertone NC25-30 skin tone if I don't blend it with a different blush. It looks incredibly shimmery in the pan, but it's very natural and NOT glittery/shimmery once applied. I guess overall I do like this blush, but it wasn't what I was hoping it would be. I was really hoping it would be my HG glowy nude blush but alas, the search continues.
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Bronzers -Nuxe - Poudre Eclat Prodigieux Multi-Usage Compact Bronzing Powder
GPD 2/25/2011 1:23:00 PM
Fabulous bronzer! I have a bronzer addiction and I've tried A LOT of bronzers. I must say that this is one of the best (for me) that I've tried. I find some bronzers are too orange, red, or muddy..but this is just perfect. It looks scary, dark and red toned in the pan but it actually applies sheer, yet build-able. This bronzer has the right balance of brown and rosiness to create a believable sun kissed glow in my yellow undertone NC25-30 ish skin tone. Not to mention it comes in a pretty gold tone package with a lovely mirror and it's HUGE to boot so easy to swirl a big fluffy brush into. Definitely a lot of bang for the buck (25g for $36 usd). Overall I love this and hope it doesn't every get discontinued!!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Leonor Greyl - Lait Lavant a la Banane
GPD 1/21/2011 9:37:00 AM
After reading the great reviews here, and the fact that I am loving Leonor Greyl products I decided to get this. I'm always looking for a nice mild shampoo that will help give volume to my medium/fine oily scalp/normal ends hair. I am kinda on the fence about how I feel about this shampoo. I'm used to low-sudsing shampoos, but this is literally like water. The first time I used this I spilled a bunch of it trying to get it on my hand. I wish the packaging was a little different...instead of the traditional lid, i wish it had a squirt type top so I can just apply directly to my hair and have some control over how much comes out. Ah well. I may end up transferring containers. At any rate, it definitely does a good job cleaning while still being mild and i absolutely LOVE the smell. So yummy!! I am not sure if I would re purchase as it is incredibly pricey for such a small amount and I feel like because it's so watery it's too easy to waste a bunch on accident. There are a lot of other great low suds shampoos out there that are easier to use such as CTonics. *****UPDATE****** I found the perfect bottle to transfer this product into...my old, clean contact lens solution bottle. With this new packaging, I can squirt the exact desired amount into my hand without wasting product as I did before because too much product came out. Perfect! I still think this is a rather pricey product though, not sure I'd re-purchase based on the price alone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Leonor Greyl - Palme
GPD 1/18/2011 9:03:00 AM
I recently discovered this line and so far I'm loving everything!! I was really worried that this oil would be too heavy and/or greasy on my medium fine hair, or that it would be impossible to wash off :::coff global goddess alma hair oil coff::: But I was impressed as this is easy to wash off, even with a mild shampoo! It is rather expensive at 47.00 for 3.2 fl oz. however, a little goes a loooooong way. I love how this stuff is so multi-purpose, pre shampoo treatment, beach/pool hair protectant..and it's not listed as such, but I like to use this as a shine serum/fly away tamer. On my shoulder length hair, I just need a light coating on my hands and that's enough to smooth flyaways and give my hair a nice shine, and I think that's really honestly enough to use as a pre-shampoo treatment. Love this stuff!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Unlisted Brand - RMS- Living Luminizer
GPD 11/11/2010 11:52:00 AM
I was suckered into this based on the fact that Giselle and other gorgeous models use this for that gorgeous glow. First off, it's rather expensive at 7g for 38 usd. BUT you do only need a little, so it should last you a long time. It gives a nice subtle, well moisturized skin glow without obvious shimmer... but unfortunately I find the "glow" disappears rather quickly on me. I find myself re-applying often. It looks like a slightly off white cream color in the pot, but applied it just gives off a glow.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Unlisted Brand - RMS Beauty 'Un Cover-Up
GPD 11/11/2010 11:48:00 AM
Recently I've been on an "all natural/organic" hype when I stumbled across this little gem. Yes it's somewhat expensive 7g for 38 dollars, BUT since it is all natural and does not contain any fillers, you only need the smallest dab. So in that sense 7g is HUGE and should last you a long time. I am somewhere around a mac nc30-ish and 22 is perfect. 33 is a tad dark and too olivey on me, but I can still use it as the shades seem to be somewhat forgiving while still providing amazing coverage. They seem to almost "melt" into my skin. I love how moisturizing they are and budgeproof. I also love how this can be a multi-tasker and can be use to spot cover as a foundation. My only gripe is when I use it as an under eye concealer, I need to make sure I set it well and let it sink in or else my mascara runs. (though I think this is a personal issue since my eye shape causes my lashes to rub on my lower lid excessively hence the raccoon eyes...damn asian eyes.) At any rate, I LOVE this!! Cuts my morning routine down a lot!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No