Polishes -OPI - Brand new skates
smurfkitten 11/30/2008 5:44:00 PM
Love this. Definitely one of my favourite shades from the Holiday 2008 collection (I don't like sparkly reds that are oh so common as holiday colours). It's a gorgeous gunmetal grey with tons of glitter. Looks true-to-bottle with two to three coats. Brand New Skates is an unusual colour given that it's not just another metallic silver, but a true grey. As with all of the OPIs I've tried, awesome formula: applies smoothly and easily, dries quickly and evenly, chip resistant and long lasting. Definitely try this one if you're seeking a unique winter-y shade.
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Polishes -OPI - Sit Under the Apple Tree
smurfkitten 11/21/2008 11:43:00 PM
Bleh - didn't like this one at all! Looks way too yellow on. It's kind of fun to experiment with on my toenails, though (now that they are hidden 'cos it's winter). This polish turns dark colours into golden shades. Weird. Anyways, a rare "no repurchase" for this OPI.
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Polishes -OPI - Crepes Suzi-ette
smurfkitten 11/21/2008 11:08:00 PM
Crepes Suzi-ette is a warm, muted brick shade with full, opaque coverage. The finish is nice and creamy, no shimmer, with an almost gel-like quality once it has dried. Since I usually go for the bold reds, this demure red is a welcome addition to my collection. It's work friendly without being boring. Great formula, as I have found with most OPI polishes... applies easily and smoothly, not goopy at all, dries quickly and evenly, and is very long lasting and chip resistant. Another OPI polish I adore!
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Lip Gloss -Bare Escentuals - Buxom Lips Full Color Vanessa
smurfkitten 11/8/2008 3:47:00 AM
These glosses, which are really more like liquid lipsticks, are my alternative to the dark lips trend. I love these, Vanessa in particular. It’s a dark, but not too dark, deep red. Shiny and “glossy” with a tad of shimmer. The colour is highly pigmented and really does look on my lips like it does in the tube. I apply it with a lip brush for maximum precision, because I’m very picky. The regular Buxom lips were too lacking in colour and too glittery for my liking. The only thing I prefer about the regular ones is that the tingly feeling I so adore is much stronger. The tingly feeling in the new Full Color ones only lasts a few minutes, versus an hour. Honestly, I don’t think that either really made a difference with regards to plumping my lips; maybe it’s because my lips are already quite full, so perhaps the effect would be noticeable on someone with thin lips to begin with. Anyways, I also have Carmen, and I love that shade too. Might pick up a few more:) If you like the idea of a shiny, opaque lipstick in lip gloss form, definitely give these a try. *Edited to add: The staying power of these glosses is amazing:) It reminds me of the staying power of a lip stain minus the drying factor. They stay glossy with no colour fading for hours and hours. One of the longest lasting glosses I've ever tried.
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Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - HiP Concentrated Duo - Rascal #936
smurfkitten 11/8/2008 3:30:00 AM
This does not fit my definition of highly pigmented eye shadow. It need to be really loaded up onto my brush to become anything less than sheer. These are only workable with good quality brushes, IMO. Oh, and I hate the packaging with that stupid bottom compartment containing the itty bitty sponge applicators that I always accidentally open. Why did I buy this (other than the fact that I was motivated in part due to a sale)? I like the colours. They look surprisingly nice when well blended, and the lasting power is good when used in conjunction with my favourite TFSI base. The baby pink looks very pretty against my fair and cool skin and the gray shade makes for a great outer-v to add depth to my small eyelids. However, I would probably not repurchase this.
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Cleansers -Desert Essence - Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Organic Tea Tree Oil and Awapuhi
smurfkitten 11/8/2008 3:21:00 AM
A mixed review on this – I would give it 3.5 lippies if I could. This cleanser makes my face feel literally squeaky clean, which is great sometimes and not so great at other times. It’s great for after exercising, being outside in humid weather, etc. when my face is feeling gross and sweaty. Squirts out looking water-y but foams exceptionally well and really cleans away all traces of make-up and oiliness. Apart from the very reasonable price, I also like the fact that this company makes a large refill bottle. I think that's a great idea and I don't know why other natural-type companies don't do this as well, especially those with the heavy glass containers. Anyways... The downside to this product is that when my typically normal skin becomes normal-to-dry in the winter months, this cleanser is too harsh/drying to be used on an everyday basis, and I only use it after I go running (~3x a week). The strong tea tree oil smell was awful and overpowering when I first began using it, but lo and behold I got over it. I still do wish it smelled better, though. As for the ingredients, they are: Castile Soap, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Organic Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Root Extract, Hedychium Coronarium (Awapuhi) Root Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) Extract, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Petitgrain) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil. I think that the tea tree oil is effective at minimizing my occasional hormonal breakouts, and I’ve heard, and experienced myself, how wonderful olive oil is for the skin, so those were my two big reasons for trying this cleanser in the first place. The main ingredient is Castile soap, which I had to Google, otherwise known as pure vegetable-derived soap. I don’t think the Coconut oil is an issue as far as being comedogenic, since in a cleanser, it will only be on your face for a few minutes. It didn’t make me breakout, anyways. The Peppermint oil might be problematic for those with sensitive skin, even though it is the last ingredient and probably only a tiny amount is included. Bottom line: People with dry or sensitive skin should avoid this. I’d recommend it to those with oily skin, or for those with normal skin who are looking for something to give them that squeaky clean feeling when the circumstances are warranted.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Club Eye Shadow
smurfkitten 9/13/2008 9:26:00 PM
Club reminds me of Shiseido’s Spring Plum e/s. It’s a weird colour that you simply must swatch yourself. No use explaining it. I love this for a smokey eye, applied with my NARS smudge brush (also fabulous, btw). That’s a very easy, quick look for me to do... totally not what I was anticipating from such a unique, weird colour. Texture is good, not the best, but definitely workable. For reference, I am fair and cool-toned.
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Eye Shadow -Chanel - Reflets D'Ombre Quad
smurfkitten 9/13/2008 9:22:00 PM
Great quad!! All of these years, I haven’t been too thrilled by Chanel quads. I have only found one, Spices, that I have liked enough to buy. None of the colour combos really appealed to me that much. Enter Reflets D'Ombre… First of all, these shadows are surprisingly pigmented and very soft. Super easy to blend and work with. The wonderful texture makes the wonderful colours of this quad a pleasure to use and wear. The major downside is the incredibly poor lasting power. I have dry eyelids, not oily at all, and this will crease and fade and whatnot in a matter of hours. Like four. (I had this applied during a Chanel make-over, loooved it, bought it and a bunch of other goodies, did some more shopping, then got home, looked in the mirror, and was disappointed!)The problem solver is my trusty Too Faced Shadow Insurance. With that, everything is a-okay. Here’s a run-down on each colour: Brown -> A very pigmented, medium brown with shimmer. Cool-toned. Looks gorgeous on me. My favourite shade! I like it for a daytime brown smokey eye. Very sexy but subtle (well, for me anyways). Ivory -> The highlight shade of the bunch. I didn’t expect to be excited by this one.. but then the first time I used it, I fell in love. Verrrrrry shimmery. It is like sweeping on pure shimmer. Shimmer without any chalky white pigment underneath, if that makes sense. Different from my other favoured highlight shades, and a worthy addition to my highlighting collection!! Gold -> A yellow-y, soft gold. My least favourite shade, no surprise there. I’m fair and cool-toned, and I harbour a huge huge gigantic fear of warm eye shadows. Huge fear of looking orange. Well, this gold isn’t too bad as an accent shade, I have to admit. Wouldn’t wear it over my whole lid, though. Best blended with the pretty brown. Dark teal/blue -> Is it blue, is it green? A colour that will look different on everyone. Looks more teal on me. Also great with the pretty brown, as it should:) I like using it wet as an eyeliner, as well. In conclusion, this is a great quad that I’m glad I bought. I don’t think it’s LE, thankfully. If you’re considering a Chanel quad but aren’t sure which one to buy, get this one!! (One lippie off for the sucky lasting power. Since most shadows do not crease on me, these ones must be especially bad.)
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Eyeliner -Chanel - Professional Eyeliner Duo La Ligne De Chanel
smurfkitten 9/13/2008 8:35:00 PM
My first experience with cake eyeliner… and a it was a grand success!! Now I’m hooked, and since this compact should last me for years, I no longer need to look for the perfect cake eyeliner. The pure black side is my new best friend. I’m seriously in love… I have been using it ~4 times a week to tightline. It works amazingly well for my upper and lower waterlines. It actually lasts all day! I’ve been searching for so long for something that lasts on my waterlines, since I looove the look of them lined… Moving on… I use my MAC# 210 brush with some water to apply it. Big bonus: when I accidentally get some in my eye, it doesn’t cause any irritation or stinging whatsoever, even when I am wearing my contacts. Anyways, as for the shimmery/sparkly side.. I can’t say that I have experimented with it too much, but on the few times I have used it, it does not look OTT or anything, just mildy shimmery and makes for a great night out sexy smokey eye.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Dazzlelight
smurfkitten 8/23/2008 8:33:00 AM
Sooo pretty! The perfect shimmery sheeny highlight shade:) It really picks up on the cool tones in my skin and looks like Benefit High Beam, but in powder form! Not frosty at all. Great texture – reminds me of NARS Alhambra… soft, smooth, super easy to blend… A very “easy” colour in general. My one complaint: I don't like MAC packaging. But in this case that's trumped by how much I love the actual product. Anyways, this is a definite repurchase for me:)
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Pressed Powders -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Medium
smurfkitten 8/23/2008 8:22:00 AM
I have fair, cool-toned skin. With a tan (as much as I let myself tan, lol), this is a perfect shade for me. I’ve been using this for about a month, to set my foundation… and I love it!! Looks very natural, not chalky or powdery at all. Lasting power is good, even in hot and humid weather. I apply it with a powder brush. It gives light coverage but does a really good job at evening out my skin over any spots where I used concealer, so it is as effective as a higher coverage powder without the negative cakey/powdery/chalky side effects. I think this might just reach HG status with me… as long as the Light Medium shade works for me in the winter, when I’m more pale.
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Makeup Brushes -MAC - 266 Thin Small Angle (Synthetic hair)
smurfkitten 8/22/2008 6:56:00 AM
This is my HG brow brush. I didn't want something too stiff because I'm a newbie at doing my brows and I have an intense fear of fake-looking, too dark brows.. plus something that would also be good for eye liner would be ideal. I found what I was looking for!! The #266 is a good quality, versatile brush that will last for years with TLC... although I must admit that as of late I have only been using it for brow powder and not washing it after every use...
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Lip Gloss -Chanel - Lipgloss in Delight
smurfkitten 8/21/2008 4:51:00 PM
I did not actually purchase Delight, but had it applied during a make-over and wore it for the day. I was really excited about this colour – it is so beautiful and unique-looking in the tube! On me, though… it was kind of “meh”. I have pretty pigmented lips… the MA put concealer over my lips and then really loaded the gloss on. It was really, really sparkly (definitely not just shimmery) and almost frosty-looking, which I despise. I hated the texture… sticky and thick!! Maybe if less product was applied the texture would be more to my liking, but then the colour pay-off would be zilch and paying the high cost would be pointless. My lips did look cooler and paler, but it wasn’t a look I couldn’t achieve already with concealer and a sparkly gloss… Which I already have enough of, so I didn’t buy this. Didn’t live up to my expectations.. I wanted something more pigmented, less sparkle. For my fellow Canadians, Annabelle (cheap drugstore line with good quality products) makes a gloss called Super Sweet that is similar to Delight… sheer and sparkly with a slight lavender tinge. Not a perfect dupe, but much more affordable.
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Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
smurfkitten 8/19/2008 7:56:00 PM
First off, sorry, haven’t tried UDPP, can’t compare the two:( I don’t even have oily eye lids to begin with and usually I do not have a problem with eye shadows creasing on me. However, with the humid weather this summer has brought, I do notice now at the end of the day some creasing and fading with several of my favourite brands. I decided to buy this one instead of UDPP because of reading how awful UDPP packaging is, how you have to chop open the bottle to get a lot of un-reachable product out… yeah, that really turned me off. Anyways, TFSI has been a success for me and I feel pretty lucky that the first e/s primer I have ever tried ended up being an HG product for me. I don’t plan on trying any other similar products…. This one is easy so apply, goes on very smoothly and absorbs very quickly. It isn’t drying, even on my prone-to-dryness lids. I’ve tried cream, powder, and loose e/s products over this and they are all easy to apply and blend. It does not alter the colours at all. Does what it’s supposed to do without any of the negatives assocaited with e/s primer. I'll definitely continue to use this throughout the summer. For what it’s worth, I recommend TFSI.
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Eye Shadow -Annabelle - Eyedust-Chiffon
smurfkitten 8/19/2008 7:50:00 PM
The first eye dust I bought was Golden Pink… and I loved it so I went back and got three more, including this one, Chiffon. I typically don’t like pigments/loose eye shadows of any kind. I’ve found them to be messy, with lots of fall-out, and just a general pain to use with results I could get more easily from a pressed shadow. I have to admit that I really like these, though. It helps that they were on sale, and cheap to begin with… but it’s an awesome product regardless of price! Chiffon is a pale, super shimmery very light yellow. I hesitate to even call it yellow because on me, fair and cool-toned, it’s really more of a creamy white with a verrry slight yellowy-ness. It’s great for brightening up my dark brown eyes. Lasting power is alright, but use it wet and it improves a lot (I always use these wet now). As for the packaging, well… I’m one of the few who actually like it! The little container is cute and most importantly the brush I usually use to apply it fits perfectly inside the hole and I can scrape off any excess product without wasting any. For me, wastage has been minimal so far. While I can’t say that I’m a complete pigment convert, I do enjoy having a few of these around to experiment with.
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