Eye Shadow -Pure Luxe Cosmetics - Vanilla
hp11989 12/19/2009 5:16:00 PM
Overall rating: The Pure Luxe Web site describes this shade as "soft creamy vanilla with subtle silk finish." I gave this product five lippies for its subtle sheen and the subdued brightness it brings to my brow bone. Perfect brow bone highlighter for all eyelid shades, particularly shimmery ones so you don't end up with OTT shimmer. Perfect for work wear. The color is pale pearl ecru. I can see teensy, sparse shimmers in the pot but not really once it's applied. As a previous reviewer said, this is somewhat sheer so don't overblend. This is a real winner in my book and might even replace my Bobbi Brown matte Bone eyeshadow! It's similar but 1/10 of the price!
Where did I buy this: Pure Luxe Web site.
Price: About $1 or so for a 1/4-teaspoon sample.
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot.
Would I buy again: Yes!
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Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - About Face Pisces Collection in Blazing Angels
hp11989 12/19/2009 4:28:00 PM
Overall rating: This shadow is described on the About Face Web site as "intensely sparkling raisin shimmer with dazzling bits of multi-colored sparkles," and I say that the description is ***almost*** spot on only because the base color can look like a dark navy, too. Either way, it's a gorgeous smoky color, but only (for me) when worn over Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy (PE), which releases its true nature! It lets you see all of the individual sparkles, like stars twinkling on a dark, clear night. Over UDPP alone, it was an acceptable but somewhat flat grayed grape purple, but PE really made this color shine!
Where did I buy this: About face Web site.
Price: A mere $1 or so for a small sample.
Packaging: Annoying, deep zip-lock sample baggie, but for this great shade, I can deal!
Would I buy again: Yup!
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Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Sassy Minerals Shimmer Eye Candy in Drama Queen
hp11989 12/9/2009 6:36:00 PM
Overall rating: Finally, an SM shadow I can completely get on board with! The Web sire description is almost entirely perfect: "rosy chocolate brown with purple sparkle," except the sparkles look more fuchsia to me than purple, but that's one fine hair to split. It's an absolutely gorgeous, fairly deep brown-wine shimmer with the above-mentioned fuchsia sparkles, which didn't show up great applied dry, but they added dimension nevertheless. On the lid, it reminds me a bit of Bobbie Brown Burnished Rose, but they're not identical. I can't wait to try this over Pixie Epoxy! Also, for a new company they have a very wide range of shades in different formulations.
Where did I buy this: Sassy Minerals Web site.
Price: Only $.75 for a 1/4-teaspoon sample. Shipping was very reasonable, too.
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot; no sifter cap, but my entire order came wrapped in black fishnet and tied with a silver bow. Nice touch, SM!
Would I buy again: You bet your bottom dollar I would!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Sassy Minerals Shimmer Eye Candy in Why Not?
hp11989 12/9/2009 6:25:00 PM
Overall rating: Again, I don't know what they're smoking over there at SM, but they describe this color as "deep smoky graphite with red and silver twinkles." In the pot, the graphite is there, but the twinkles are light to medium blue; no red or silver at all. I couldn't get them to show up too well either, even with Pixie Epoxy. Still, it's a gorgeous color, just not what they describe and not on my Casper-the-Ghost complexion. Would make a great liner or smokey eye. Also, for a new company they have a very wide range of shades in different formulations.
Where did I buy this: Sassy Minerals Web site.
Price: A mere $.75 for a 1/4-teaspoon sample.
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot, but my entire order came wrapped in black fishnet and tied with a silver bow. Nice touch, SM!
Would I buy again: Nope, but I *will* use up the sample when I'm feeling daring, LOL.
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Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Sassy Minerals Shimmer Eye Candy in After Party
hp11989 12/9/2009 6:14:00 PM
Overall rating: Dang! I wanted to really love this shade based on the Web site description: intense sparkling smoky gold with flashes of copper. It looked so gorgeous in the pot: like dark toad green with copper and gold flashes; like unearthed ancient treasure. However, no matter how carefully I applied it, I couldn't get the shimmers to show up really well, just so-so. Plus the color was just too deep on my pale skin. In fairness, I still gave it five lippies because it is a freaking beautiful color, just not on me. Would make a great liner or smokey eye. Also, for a new company they have a very wide range of shades in different formulations.
Where did I buy this: Sassy Minerals Web site.
Price: A real steal at $.75 for a 1/4-teaspoon sample.
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot; no sifter cap, but my entire order came wrapped in black fishnet and tied with a silver bow. Nice touch, SM!
Would I buy again: Sadly, no.
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Eye Shadow -Unlisted Brand - Sassy Minerals Shimmer Eye Candy in Impeccable
hp11989 12/9/2009 6:06:00 PM
Overall rating: This shadow came in just shy of five lippies just because it is probably dupable somehow. However, what it looks like on the lid is completely different from what it looks like in the pot. The SM Web site describes it as a "sandy taupe with rosy tones." I don't know what they've been smoking, but there is absolutely NO ROSE in this, undertone or overtone! In the pot it looks like shimmery dirt mixed with sand. I wasn't sure whether to try it as a brow bone highlighter or a lid color first. Applied dry and lightly as a brow bone highlighter, it is quite smooth and pearly, but the color is a bit too deep for me, almost a very light taupe. I prefer whites, nudes, and pale pinks. I'm too pale to try this dry on my lids, so I put it over Fyrinnae's Pixie Epoxy and got a beautiful shimmer, glowing shade of silver and gold that apppeared mixed together seamlessly. I think most cosmetic companies would call it a "platinum." No matter the name, it's lovely, but I can't help thinking it would be dupable because it's not complex; just really pretty. Would be great for New Year's Eve! Also, for a new company they have a very wide range of shades in different formulations.
Where did I buy this: Sassy Minerals Web site.
Price: A steal at $.75 for a 1/16-teaspoon sample, but it's more like a 1/4 teaspoon :-)
Packaging: Standard screw-top sample pot; no sifter cap, but my entire order came wrapped in black fishnet and tied with a silver bow. Nice touch, SM!
Would I buy again: Maybe :-)
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Primer/ Corrector -Everyday Minerals - Mint Color Corrector
hp11989 11/29/2009 7:33:00 PM
Overall rating:I agree with "knitknit" that applying this color corrector over red skin just looks like green powder on red skin! It does even out my ruddy skin a little bit, but then it leaves a ghoulish green cast and spotty coverage even after I've applied my regular foundation. EDM's Pick Me Up Pink is far better for pink or ruddy-toned fair skin and makes a nice natural-colored blush as well. I've even used it as a brow bone highlighter in a pinch!
Where did I buy this: Got in a swap, but you can get it at the Everyday Minerals Web site.
Price: Very inexpensive: $2.50 for generous sample or about $6 TO $7 full size.
Packaging: Screw-top sample pot with sifter cap: the best you can get in any loose powder cosmetic product.
Would I buy again: No.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Bio Oil - All Products
hp11989 11/29/2009 7:24:00 PM
Overall rating: I'm not usually one to make a quik decison about a rating, but this stuff is so freaking good, I have to do it! I am using it to fade a fresh, large scar that starts at the outside corner of my left eye and extends almost up to the brow bone. Ouch! After only about 5 days of twice daily use, I am noticing a big improvement in the appearance of the scar. It is softer, blurry almost, and lighter in color. The bottle says to use this twice daily for three weeks for scar improvement, but I have a feeling I won't have to use it that long. I am also testing it on a large-ish sun spot on my left wrist, and that is now lighter in color, too! I have also used it to massage my mom's dry legs, and the bottle says it can also be used as a bath oil.
Where did I buy this: Drugstore.com.
Price: $11.99 for 2 oz., which is not bad at all considering I don't need to use much for each application. It should last me well beyond the recommended 3 months.
Packaging: Nice squatty plasic bottle with a dropper-cap (not a dropper on a "stem"; that would have been a bit better).
Would I buy again: Yup!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Givenchy - Gloss Interdit - Rose Taboo
hp11989 11/29/2009 6:39:00 PM
Overall rating: First, you should take into consideration that I'm not a big fan of wearing stuff on my lips, so this product was just "meh" to me. I got it as a BI bonus item for 100 points, so when you consider that each point represents $1, this was one expensive little lipgloss sample! Sephora.com describes it as "rosy mauve," and that's a pretty accurate description. To me it seems a true neutral rose, on some gals even a MLBB shade. It applied very nicely (brush applicator) and wasn't sticky. I did not like the perfumery scent. The label says "plumping effect," but I didn't see any change in the volume of my thin lips. I wish I had chosen something else for my $100!
Where did I buy this: I didn't buy it, but I'm assuming it's available at any high-end department store with a Givenchy counter.
Price: $24.50!
Packaging: Nice, non-splayed brush applicator in a slender squared-off tube. Nice change from the regular round tube. Classy looking, I must say.
Would I buy again: Nope.
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Eye Shadow -Bare Escentuals - Glimmer in Amazing Amanda
hp11989 11/29/2009 6:15:00 PM
Overall rating: I gave this product 5 lippies because it *is* an amazing color, just not on me. Which is surprising because pink shades usually look really good on me. This duochrome shade reminds me of MAC Pink Bronze, which didn't work for me either. This color is a mix of bright strawberry pink and bright orange! Applied dry, it melded into a bright coral pink. Applied over Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy, it came out a bright pink with a scary metallic orange overtone. Definitely OTT for me even though I love shimmers and metallics. This one will get you noticed, ladies!
Where did I buy this: I swapped for this, but you can get it at Sephora or any freestanding BE counter at the mall.
Price: Between $13 and $14 for a large pot.
Packaging: Large screw-top pot with sifter cap: The best you can get in a loose cosmetic product.
Would I buy again: Sadly, no.
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Eye Shadow -Bare Escentuals - Glimmer in Amazing Amanda
hp11989 11/29/2009 6:15:00 PM
Overall rating: I gave this product 5 lippies because it *is* an amazing color, just not on me. Which is surprising because pink shades usually look really good on me. This duochrome shade reminds me of MAC Pink Bronze, which didn't work for me either. This color is a mix of bright strawberry pink and bright orange! Applied dry, it melded into a bright coral pink. Applied over Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy, it came out a bright pink with a scary metallic orange overtone. Definitely OTT for me even though I love shimmers and metallics. This one will get you noticed, ladies!
Where did I buy this: I swapped for this, but you can get it at Sephora or any freestanding BE counter at the mall.
Price: Between $13 and $14 for a large pot.
Packaging: Large screw-top pot with sifter cap: The best you can get in a loose cosmetic product.
Would I buy again: Sadly, no.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Coastal Scents - Goldstone Mica Powder
hp11989 11/6/2009 4:28:00 PM
Overall rating: Although the name "Goldstone" does not accurately describe the actual color of this product, it is a perfectly respectable antiqued and gilded medium green eyeshadow. I would put it in the same family as the "Olivia" mica powder, which I raved about in another review. However, it has neither the oomph or pigmentation (but does have the creamy texture) of Olivia, so I shall just stick with her, LOL.
Where did I buy this: Coastal Scents Web site.
Price: A mere $.75 for a HUGE 3/4 to full teaspoon.
Packaging: Annoying zip-lock sample baggie, but there's enough product to merit transferring to a sample pot if you like the color.
Would I buy again: Nope.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Cream Eyeshadow in Midnight Cowboy
hp11989 11/6/2009 4:17:00 PM
Overall rating: I thought these cream shadows had been discontinued, but I got a sample in my recent Sephora FF order that begs otherwise, so here's my review. I've been around the UD block a few times and don't really like them that much anymore. I especially know the glittery reputation of Midnight Cowboy, so I wasn't expecting to like this shadow at all. However, I thought I'd give it a chance, and I liked it! I used it on my brow bone as a highlighter, and the effect was like applying a sheer beige eyeshadow in which there were sparse, teensy silver microglitter. Think UDPP with sparse silver microglitter. I thought it was quite respectable for evening wear and added some oomph to my made-up eyes.
Where did I buy this: It can be had at Sephora and Ulta.
Price: Not sure but probably reasonable given the prices of UD eyeshadows.
Packaging: Don't know because mine was on a sample card.
Would I buy again: Maybe :-)
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Eye Shadow -Coastal Scents - Amethyst Mica Powder
hp11989 11/4/2009 7:47:00 PM
Overall rating: I have for a long time been searching for some good purple shadows for my skin tone (light, cool-toned) and eye color (hazel green), and maybe I've become jaded by my search results. The other Coastal Scents mica powders I've tried have in the most part been amazing, so I was really expecting this color to knock my socks off. Not. Having said that, it *is* an extremely respectable bright medium violet shade, but it's not metallic enough for my taste. I tied it dry, wet, over UDPP Sin, and over Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy, which I really expected to bring out the shimmer. To no avail, however. It's just a medium shimmer shadow, and there just wasn't anything I could do to up the impact. The pigmentation is very good, and the texture is thick and buttery. Good staying power over UDPP.
Where did I buy this: Coastal Scents Web site.
Price: A mere $.75 for a huge sample, at least 3/4 to a full teaspoon.
Packaging: Annoying zip-loc sample baggie, but there's enough product to merit transferring to a sample jar.
Would I buy again: Sadly, no.
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Blush -Everyday Minerals - waffle cone
hp11989 11/4/2009 7:37:00 PM
Overall rating: Caveats to this review are that I'm a very new blush user, and I'm very light and cool-toned in complexion. So, blush scares me a lot. I'm afraid of overapplying and looking like a clown. That being said, this neutral to warm-toned blush worked well as a not-too-shimmery bronzer for me! It applied nicely with my Ecotools brush blush. The shade warmed up my skin a bit and made my cheekbones stand out. The shimmer in it is very subtle; nothing OTT. I'm quite happy with it and will try it as a neutral eyeshadow, as other reviewers have commented :-)
Where did I buy this: Can be had at Sephora or any freestanding BE store at the mall.
Price: I swapped for this but can't imagine the price is too much based on my experience with buying BE shadows.
Packaging: Best you can get in any loose cosmetic product: screw-top pot with sifter cap.
Would I buy again: Probably not because I'm so pale and seem to be better with pink shades, plus the sample I have is HUGE!
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