Top/Base Coats -Mavala - Barrier Base Coat
monik 3/17/2004 5:42:00 AM
This product is ok, not fantastic. It keeps the polish from staining my nails, it's thin so it doesn't take long to dry, and (with the colorfix top coat) it keeps the polish on my nails very well. However, the reason I chose this above the 002 Protective Base Coat is because I hoped it would keep my nails from splitting - and it doesn't. Maybe I was expecting too much, I don't know. Currently trying the Scientifique Nail Hardener instead! The packaging is ordinary, the price is reasonable, I'll probably buy it again, or maybe the 002 instead next time.
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Palettes -Face Stockholm - Pro Palette 4-Pan Compact
monik 3/12/2004 11:26:00 AM
I love this. I use a big palette to keep my shadows in at home, and this to bring three eyeshadows and a blush with me. So far, I've found that eyeshadows from MakeUpStore and La Femme fit, aside from FS's own. The palette is incredibly stylish, really thin and matte black. The mirror is huge. The price is ok, not cheap but I only need one. I think I would really have preferred a system with magnets though, because it is a bit tricky to dig the shadows out of the foam to move them around. EDIT: I've torn the foam out of my eyeshadow palettes and put magnets in them instead. Now I can use them for all my pressed eyeshadows, blushes and cake liners! Doesn't look as neat, but it saves a lot of space and it's soooo much easier to move stuff around. So far, I've found that depotted La Femme e/s and cake liners, and TBS blushes are magnetic enough to stick, and depotted MAC and IsaDora shadows are not.
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Blush -Face Stockholm - Powder Blush Strawberry
monik 3/12/2004 11:18:00 AM
My first really good blush. I wanted something that just looked like I was a bit embarassed... and this was the right colour. Matte, sheer pink (I'm really pale). It comes in a pan which fits in my e/s palette, is pretty easy to apply, and lasts all day. I only wish it was cheaper. Edit: No, it's not really easy to apply - there is so much pigment in it! Well, I'm learning I hope. Should mean it lasts long.
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Eye Shadow -La Femme - Sparkle Dusts
monik 3/12/2004 4:58:00 AM
Love them! I've got three. No 27, Sable, is a lovely bronzey brown. No 31, Black Orchid, is a dramatic deep dark purple which makes my eyes flash like emeralds. No 14, Champagne Gold, is a really intense golden shimmer which I'm having a bit of a problem with - can't seem to apply it lightly enough. Ah well, I think I'll get the hang of it, or I'll just have to mix it with some other loose shadow. I'm definitely getting more of these with my next order (have to get them shipped over the Atlantic). I certainly think they are as good quality as Face Stockholm's Eye Dusts, even though the colours may not be as sophisticated.
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Mascara -La Femme - Cake Mascara
monik 3/12/2004 4:48:00 AM
I like cake mascara because it's so hygienic. My staple is IsaDora's black cake mascara. Compared to that, the la femme one is thicker, gives more length and definition. The price of course can not be beat - that cake is huge, and it cost $5. The only thing that makes me take off a lipstick is the packaging. It's too big! Not only does it look like you're supposed to put glasses in it, and take up half my m/u bag, but the huge case surrounding the cake actually makes it difficult to reach the cake with a brush. I still think I'll buy this again though. EDIT: another two lipsticks off: this flakes. Not going to get it again.
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Eyes -La Femme - Eyeshadows
monik 3/12/2004 4:41:00 AM
I got my first la femme shadows the day before yesterday - three loose and seven pressed ones. This review is for the pressed ones. They are all matte except for a beige one which has a bit of shimmer. They have two flaws that I've thought of so far: I have to order them online because they aren't available here, and the packaging is not exactly fantastic. Now for the pros - Let's compare them to all the other matte eyeshadows I have ever used: WAY better that The Body Shop, IsaDora, and Ellen Betrix. A little better than MakeUpStore. On a level with Face Stockholm, which cost five times as much! The colours I got are all nice basics, nothing special. However, they are packed with pigment, last all day without creasing, and were really cheap even though I had to have them shipped over the Atlantic and pay 25% tax and customs when they arrived. And they fit my Face Stockholm palette! I'm definitely getting more of these. EDIT: Now that I've ripped the foam out of my e/s palette and put in a big magnet instead, I'm pleased to find that the La Femme pans stick very well to it and don't need to have magnets added (like MAC and IsaDora pans).
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Polishes -L'Oreal - Jet Set Nailpolish
monik 3/5/2004 5:01:00 AM
I was surprised at how thick this polish was at first, but I don't think my bottle is too old, since it still dries very quickly. I guess it's supposed to be thick so that one coat is enough. However, the bristles on the brush were really uneven, so it was impossible to get a good result with one coat. The colour is gorgeous, a dark green with lots of gold shimmer. It turned matte when it dried, but I use a good topcoat, so that is ok. Overall, it's an ok polish, it only has the flaws that quick-dry polishes usually have. I prefer polish that doesn't dry quite so quickly - makes application easier - so I will not repurchase.
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - Demon in the Dark soap
monik 3/1/2004 5:10:00 AM
I love this soap. Smells lovely, lathers well, not too harsh. I think lush's soaps are pretty expensive, but I'll probably repurchase anyhow.
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Bath Treatments -LUSH - Creamy Candy Bubble Bar
monik 2/25/2004 3:26:00 AM
I love the bubbles, and lush in general, but I'm not crazy about the scent. Smells like the most artificial red candy tastes. I'll probably try some other bubble bars though.
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Top/Base Coats -Unlisted Brand - Mavala - Colorfix
monik 2/22/2004 2:54:00 PM
Oooh, shiny! Usually my nailpolish is matte after 12 hours and chipped after 24. With the barrier base and this topcoat I've had it on for four days and it's still perfect. It's not cheap, but ok for this result. EDIT: This time, my nailpolish has been exposed to more wear than usual, and has been cracked and turned matte in some spots. I just applied another coat of colorfix et voila! - it's like new again.
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Lipstick -Clinique - Different Lipstick - Tenderheart
monik 2/19/2004 8:40:00 AM
Another nice, subtle shade from Clinique. Gives a tiny bit of colour to my lips, smells ok, terrible package (the green one), too expensive. I wear discreet shades like this to keep me from biting my lips, when more colour would be too much. Feels nice and soft on my dry lips.
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Lipstick -Clinique - Moisture Surge Lipstick
monik 2/18/2004 7:36:00 AM
I have this in Whimsy. I like it. It makes my lips so soft, even though it is cold and windy outside. I usually prefer more dramatic lipsticks, but when I want to look like a good girl, or emphasise the eyes more, this is great - a subtle colour and a little shimmer. However, I'm glad I have a lip palette because Clinique just won't give up that ugly packaging. WHY oh why don't they at least pick a nicer green?
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Lipstick -Estee Lauder - Pure Color Lipstick- Rose Tea
monik 2/17/2004 6:51:00 AM
I receiced this in a swap, and I love it! It is the perfect nude shade for me, it feels so nice and soft, and is really easy to apply. I don't like the packaging - it doesn't look good and the top comes off really easily. However, I use a lip palette so that isn't a problem. I'm really really glad I swapped for this, because I couldn't afford it otherwise - so no repurchase. In the future perhaps...
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Lipstick -Estee Lauder - Pure Color
monik 2/17/2004 6:46:00 AM
I have this in Tea Rose, received in swap, and I love it! It is the perfect nude shade for me, it feels so nice and soft, and is really easy to apply. I don't like the packaging - it doesn't look good and the top comes off really easily. However, I use a lip palette so that isn't a problem. I'm really really glad I swapped for this, because I couldn't afford it otherwise - so no repurchase. In the future perhaps...
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Lip Gloss -DuWop - Lip Venom
monik 2/16/2004 12:52:00 PM
Love the smell, love the tingle, and it does bring a little colour and (very little) pout to my lips. I received this in a swap, and I wouldn't buy it because of the price, but I really like this one. I just might try one of the lipsticks, I would like some more colour.
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