Lipstick -NARS - Casablanca
singwritenow 4/21/2006 3:32:00 PM
Usually I don't place much emphasis on the packaging of a product unless it really stands out, but have to say that my most favorite thing about this lipstick is the tube that it comes in! I originally bought it for the gorgeous peach, tawny brown shade and how well it compliments my skin, but to my delight am in love with the small, square black tube it comes in, so chic and elegant. The large NARS lettering across the top adds even more sophistocation and the feel of the tube's matte texture is another plus. The shade of Cassablanca is exactly what I was looking for, a perfect natural peach caramel to go well with my green shadows. I knocked off one lippie because while the color is richly pigmented, it doesn't last long on me at all. Because I'm such a lipstickaholic and love the tube this comes in so much, I love reapplying it! This shade looks smashing worn underneath my Cargo gloss in Xai-Xai. Worn together, this gives my pale lips more pigment, the perfect combination for a nude look that goes with everything. This lipstick isn't drying like a lot of metallic lipsticks that I have. I'm sure I'll run out soon as much as I've been using it lately. Will not only repurchase this shade but am now on a mission to try some of Nar's red lipsticks!
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Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Voleur de Roses
singwritenow 4/21/2006 3:22:00 PM
This has been my signature fragrance for years and I still get so many compliments on it. Imagine walking barefoot down a lush green, damp, mossy path in a small European village on a warm summer evening that leads to an enchanted, secret rose garden. You open up a worn white iron gate covered with sprawling ivy. Inside is the smell of earth at dusk, sun-drenched roses and the mist of a light rain wafts through the air. The scent captivates you, inviting you in. The gate creaks open and up ahead in the distance you see a gothic cathedral in the twilight, ancient and mysterious that beckons you to risk traversing into the darkness ahead. The luxurious scent of roses mingled with earth and rain makes you want to stay a long time in the garden but because you sense something so mysterious ahead, you know that you have to wander further into the night to discover what the enigma is. Voleur de Roses is a sumptuous combination of sultry, earthy, roses in springtime, but the mellow patchouli deepens the sweetness. The first few spritzes on me I get a subtle hint of mature rose but after the dry down the rose fades into more of an earthy, slight patchouli, fading into a hint of musk. Mysterious, dark, earthy, yet refined, I could never tire of this fragrance. I spent a lot of time trying on many of L'Artisan perfumes before I found just the right one and almost got Patchouli Patch. But Voleur de Roses blends so well on me, the hint of rose softens the pungence of the Patchouli. I could never tire of this and wear it spring, summer, fall and winter. Whenever I need an instant mood lifter, this fragrance does it. I have to order in online now because I can't find it in Atlanta anymore. Saks was the only place that had it and they still carry this line but not VDR. Discovering this fragrance made me realize I could never go back to mall perfumes again. If this particular blend doesn't work on you, give L'Artisan's line a try and discover the world of difference a boutique fragrance makes.
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Lip Gloss -Stila - Grapefruit Lip Glaze
singwritenow 4/20/2006 4:40:00 PM
Stila's Grapefruit imparts a a nude petal peach milky pink but nothing about this gloss makes me want to rush out and buy another one. I like the brush in Stila's lip glazes probably more than sponge applicator glosses but am rather displeased with the small amount of product that you get for a high end gloss. I do like how it's less sticky than lipglasses but overall, this is a rather innocuous gloss that doesn't excite me that much. I think I prefer Bourjois 3D glosses over Stila's lip glazes. The colors are more pigmented, the brush applicator is just as nice, they're not as expensive and you get more product. Don't think I'd repurchase.
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Blush -Cargo - Louisiana
singwritenow 4/20/2006 3:34:00 PM
I am in love with Cargo products. Everything I have ever gotten from them has been top of the line. This blush is no exception. Richly pigmented and long lasting, Louisiana is what I wanted Nars Orgasm blush to be. It's becoming my HG blush, my favorite of all powder blushes I own. It's a perfect combination of peach velvet bronze/gold shimmer but just enough to look natural, imparting a dewy soft natural glow. Lately I have been more into cream blushes but this one is surpassing my beloved Stila CCs because it gives my skin a natural, healthy radiant look, especially when I pair it with Smashbox Softlights in Shimmer as a contour and Louisiana on the apples of my cheeks. Even though it's a powder blush, it has a silky texture and supple sheen that looks as good or better than any of my cream blushes. Another thing I love about Cargo is the silver tins their products come in, perfect for travel. Also, you get your money's worth because you get so much product! This is one of the most beautiful and radiant blushes I have used, especially for my fair skin with yellow undertones. You can dress it up or down, perfect for natural looks or when you want to go for drop-dead gorgeous glamour. I find myself reaching for it every single day which is rare because I usually enjoy using a different blush daily. This shade looks fabulous and doesn't compete with any of my bold lipsticks or with smoky eyes & nude lips. The soft golden peach sheen in Louisiana seems to compliment every color I wear. I'm so glad I found you, Louisiana! If Nars O has become lackluster for you, give this blush a try! A definite repurchase for me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Shu Uemura - Eyelash Curler
singwritenow 4/20/2006 12:19:00 PM
Shu puts poor Revlon to shame. This eyelash curler combined with my HG mascara, Loreal's Voluminous, makes my light, thin lashes look lush, thick and amazingly full. I was stunned by the difference. This is so worth the price and having to replace it when the second pad wears out. The money I used to spend on high end mascaras until I discovered Loreal's Voluminous, can easily be used on another Shu. The curl holds and lasts all day, unlike my old Revlon that held a curl for about 3 minutes. If you don't have this yet, it lives up to the stellar reviews on MUA. A staple must have for anyone's makeup collection. Buy it now!
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Eye Shadow -Paula Dorf - Envy (Glimmer)
singwritenow 4/14/2006 4:41:00 PM
Envy is a smoldering jade topaz olive green, perfect for smoky green eyes. I got this to go with my new Cargo Xai Xai lipgloss. Paula's e/s collection is amazing and this color may even top my fav beloved green of all time, Lorac's Jade. They look great layered together actually. What a fabulous discovery this purchase was.
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Eye Shadow -Paula Dorf - Day Dream (Glimmer)
singwritenow 4/14/2006 4:29:00 PM
I'm beginning to feel like I'm sounding like a spokesperson or commercial for Paula Dorf because I can't stop raving enough about her e/s. I LOVE this line! If you read my other reviews I go into much more detail about why this is my new HG e/s of all time. Day Dream is just that, a dream of a shadow, a richly pigmented perfect mauve with brown/gray undertones. Earthy with a hint of purple, not too brown, not too purple, just right, a perfect day dream, especially for blue or green eyes. Expensive but worth it.
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Eye Shadow -Paula Dorf - Eye Color Glimmers
singwritenow 4/14/2006 4:19:00 PM
Paula, where have you been all my life?? You have simply the most stunning shadows I have ever laid eyes on. Your line frankly puts any other e/s I have ever used to shame and I say this with conviction because I am an eye shadow addict! This has quickly become my HG e/s of all time. I don't know how or why I didn't discover this line sooner. The colors are exquisite, both glimmers and mattes, a vivid array of velvet browns, grays, greens, purples, peaches, the whole spectrum, but with more pigment, intensity and vibrance of anything I've ever seen. Even my Stila shadows don't compare, as much as I love them. If you haven't tried PD's e/s, they are worth every single penny. You get a whole lot of product for the price, the most exquisite colors, textures and long-lasting wear of any e/s I've tried. EVER. This is the best makeup discovery I've made in years! Forget MAC and even Stila e/s ( I hate to say it because I really do love them both!) but they're both owned by Estee and I swear I can tell a huge difference in the formulation since Estee bought them out a while ago, especially MAC. Their colors are great but the texture and wearability has changed. Paula Dorf e/s are what MAC used to be but more beautiful and long lasting. Paula, please don't sell out to Estee! I can't rave enough about this line. Deserves more than 5 lippies!
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Eye Shadow -Paula Dorf - Eye Color Glimmer Nymph
singwritenow 4/14/2006 3:35:00 PM
Nymph is a sophisticated, grownup version of MAC's surreal with more gray. I have stumbled upon a diamond mine with this PD e/s. A stellar product worth its weight in gold. This color is the most exquisite silver blue green e/s I've ever seen. Goes on like velvet, looks amazing, feels sumptuous. I would give this a #10 lippie if I could. Huge amount of product for the price. This is the best e/s line ever.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Cargo - Lipgloss- Xai Xai
singwritenow 4/14/2006 2:49:00 PM
Cargo's Xai Xai is a silky smooth gorgeous 1/2 caramel, 1/2 bronze copper nude shimmer that looks amazing on paired with sultry jade green smoky eyes. The down side to this gloss is it fades after five minutes on and I have to constantly reapply. Cargo glosses are gorgeous, but when this one is gone (which will probably be soon!!) I don't think I'll buy another one.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Lustreglass in Flusterose
singwritenow 4/13/2006 5:38:00 PM
Flusterose is a coral rose pink with shimmer. I like to wear this over my MAC Lovemate lipstick but looks stunning worn alone paired with a smoky eye, especially with Lorac's Jade green e/s. A nice change from my fav MAC lipglass, Nymphette. Lustreglass seems to have the staying power of lipglasses without the stickiness. This is a great staple pink gloss. I like the rosy pigment in Flusterose.
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Lipstick -Stila - Wendy Lipstick
singwritenow 4/13/2006 5:28:00 PM
Wendy is a good everyday lipstick that feels great on. It's moisturizing and glides on smooth. I usually wear vivid, bold lipsticks and was looking for something that looks natural on me for weekend wear or when I just want a pop of color on my lips. I am fair but have yellow tones to my skin so the light burgundy brown in Wendy gives my lips a nice wash of color.
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Eye Shadow -Stila - Wheat Eyeshadow
singwritenow 4/13/2006 5:19:00 PM
Wheat is an everyday tan staple e/s with shimmer. I have a ton of tans and beige shadows but wanted something with shimmer. I love the silky texture of Stila's shadows and how they stay on all day. Can't wait to try with vivid liners. Would repurchase.
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Eye Shadow -Stila - Twig Eyeshadow
singwritenow 4/13/2006 5:16:00 PM
Twig is an unusual dramatic maroon brown e/s that looks stunning as a liner and used in the crease. I wore it yesterday as a liner with Bobbi Brown's Gray e/s on my lids and MAC's Vex on my brown bone, paired with MAC's Lovemate metallic berry lipstick, MAC's Harmony blush as a contour and a pop of Lorac's Desire on the apples of my cheeks. The berry shade of the lipstick picked up the shimmer of the Twig e/s and the combination looked stunning. I can't wait to try this used wet as a liner for more intensity. This color is so different and looks amazing on. I think it would especially look good with darker skin tones but also looks good on my fair complexion. The combination possibilities of this e/s is endless. Really makes eyes pop. Besides Stila's Diamond Lil, this is my fav.
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Eye Shadow -Stila - Cassis Eyeshadow
singwritenow 4/13/2006 5:02:00 PM
Cassis is a rich, velvety royal purple that looks great as a liner used wet. I like to blend it in with a smokey eye or use it in the crease. It actually works well as a liner used both wet and dry for different looks. This color seems to make my gray blue eyes look green especially when paired with MAC's Swish on the lid and Yogurt on the brow as a base. I've been looking for the perfect purple and this is it.
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