Lip Gloss -Stila - Kitten Lip Glaze
GPD 10/18/2010 3:04:00 PM
Normally I steer clear of these click pen type glosses as I tend to over click them and then end up with gloss all over the place. I had one accident with this gloss, but for the most part, I had no issues with the click pen style. I'm not particularly fond of the color. If i'm not careful, it's waaaay to frosty/nude. The texture is sticky, but slick if that makes sense. I dont' really like how this gloss is as I think this causes my lips to flake/peel?? Overall, I wouldn't buy this or other stila lip glazes because of the way it makes my lips feel (flake/peel).
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Bronzers -Edward Bess - Daydream
GPD 10/14/2010 10:39:00 AM
This is my first product from Edward Bess, and I must say I want more! The packaging is very simple without any bells or whistles which I like. It comes in it's own nice velvet pouch and the slim compact is shiny, round and smooth with Edward Bess across the lid. Upon opening, there's a nice handy mirror and you are greeted by a burst of sweet fig. Edward Bess is imprinted into the powder, which is a gorgeous peachy bronzy shade in the pan. The product picks up well on a brush and applies smoothly and blends flawlessly onto my skin. I was originally a little worried that daydream would be too light on my yellow nc30-ish skintone, but it's perfect. Just gives me the perfect sunkissed glow w/o screaming BRONZER! The bronzer isn't too brown as it's softened with a hint of peachiness to it, but by no means is it orange either. Overall fabulous product! With that said, it is a bit pricy at $48usd for 0.3 oz/8.5g but I love it so much, it's well worth the price tag.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Senna - Hot Chocolate
GPD 10/13/2010 9:56:00 AM
This is a discontinued palette, but if you keep an eye out for the discount sites, you may be able to get a hold of this. I got mine off one of those sites for $15.00 which is a great deal!! (iirc, it retailed for $35.00) The compact, gold, slim palette comes with a great functional dual ended brush, a fluff brush and a flat brush for lining. There are 5 gorgeous shades: *Vanilla* soft matte nude cream, *Au Lait* a matte grey-ed neutral nude/brown, *Gold Leaf* sheer shimmery/sparkly neutral gold, *Ganache* deep warm chocolate brown, and Rum-stunning deep browned plum.
They are the perfect set of matte/satin finish neutrals (except for gold leaf), but can be played up for more drama. I love this palette for the office as I have been steering away from shimmery products. All the shadows are superbly soft and easy to blend. They have great pigmentation, though I do find Gold Leaf on the sheer side, but it's perfect to layer right in the middle of my lid for that extra pop and dimension. Both Rum and Ganache are perfect to line your eyes for a soft, yet defined look. I absolutely love this palette for my yellow nc30-ish skintone. Absolutely fantastic.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -Laura Mercier - Fall Favorites Face Palette - Sak's Exclusive
GPD 10/9/2010 1:42:00 PM
After much debate, I caved and got this. As a neutrals collector (with nc30-ish skintone) I just had to have this, but the sensible side of me balked at the thought of shelling over 125.00 usd for this. Yes this is expensive, but you get so much: quality brushes (a blush brush, pony tail brush, a travel lip brush) and a nice palette that contains 2 blushes, 4 shadows, and 3 glosses plus a full sized mascara all in a cute satin magnetic closure clutch.
(GLOSS) Crystal:sheer nude shimmery golden gloss. Black Currant: sheer juicy berry flush. Orchid: soft sheer pinky nude.
(SHADOWS) Stellar: A gorgeous brightening, but not chalky or overly white "cream". Bamboo: My perfect crease color. A soft taupe-y brown/nude, "shadow of skin" brown.Coffee Ground: A softer than black. Rose: Soft pinky rose, I dont' like using this all over because it makes me look ill. Just a dab on the middle of my lid looks nice though.
(BLUSH): Apricot Blossom: Soft pinky peach. It looks really shimmery in the pan, but once applied it's not visibly shimmery/glittery. Spice: A mauve-y/nude "spicy" brown.
The mascara is not bad, I find it doesn't smudge which is fabulous. I just wish it gave my puny lashes some volume instead of just length. The brush is really nice and small, and perfect for my small eyes and puny lashes.
Overall, I really adore this set. I really hope I don't go through this too fast. Sadly it seems the glosses and the blushers are not part of Laura Mercier's regular line! :( Which is such a shame because they are absolutely all gorgeous! With that said, these colors seem to pop up a lot in her palettes so there's hope! :D If I could I would have only taken 1/2 a star off because of price and lipglosses in pallettes are irritating as you go through them quickly and flecks of e/s get's stuck in the glosses. Also while the lip brush is fabulous, I hate how the cap doesn't click onto the back end of the brush so you have to keep track of 2 parts...but overall, this is a fantastic set and I'm really happy I got this. I can totally see myself getting good use out of all the products.
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Palettes -Stila - Blanc Palette
GPD 9/30/2010 1:53:00 PM
I got the "original" winter LE palette in the cardboard packing vs. the non LE in the metal casing. Yes there is a difference! IIRC the non-LE contains: Heather, jezebel and twig e/s and a blush (not sure on the name). The LE one has "all new" colors---> (BASE) is a shimmery off white with slight micro micro glitter flecks. (LID) is a gorgeous shimmery golden champagne shade. At first glance I was dissapointed because I thought it was wheat, but thankfully they are VERY different. (CREASE) is a dark shimmering, but goes on kinda matte, green tinged dark chocolate brown. (BLUSH) festive rosy just in from the cold flush.
With all that said, I did take a lippie off because the colors are rather dissapointingly sheer even under a base. I don't know what I am doing wrong, but it just doesn't show up that well on my NC30-ish skintone. But aside from that the shadows are buttery smooth and easy to apply. Not to mention the packaging is absolutely gorgeous. The case while it's not metal, it's a very sturdy, re-inforced cardboard type material. The design is beautiful and in what I think is a felt/vellour type material.
Overall this is a lovely, but probably dupeable pallete. It's very versatile and can be used for a daytime or a night time look. If you can find this and you love neutrals I say get it...imo a girl can never have too many nudes in her collection!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous Lipgloss - Nude Lustre
GPD 9/28/2010 4:17:00 PM
I bought this when it was on sale bogof along with Revlon Firecracker. This is a very pretty color. Perfect for everyday/office. In the tube it's a shimmery fleshy pinky nude shell color with maybe a tinge of orange. On my lips it's the pefect peachy pinky hint of brown/nude on my nc30-ish skintone. It goes on easily and is not sticky at all. I find it moisturizing and it has a pleasant smell..It's hard to put my finger on exactly what it smells like but kinda floral, kinda sweet with a hint of play doh but more pleasant in smell. Overall I'm impressed and pleased with my purchace!! This is my go to gloss when I don't know what lip color I want to put on. :D
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Bronzers -Jane Iredale - Sunbeam
GPD 9/21/2010 9:48:00 PM
I recently discovered Jane Iredale and had to have this as I'm a blush/bronzer fanatic. I have both this and the moonglow. On the site it's described as "Made with 24-Karat gold flakes, this product can be used to subtly create the "Golden Goddess" look. Brush it on the cheeks, eyes and lips, or use as an all-over bronzer." This has 4 quadrants of color, a tan/brown, rosy pink, mauve-y terracotta/auburn shade and a soft pale "white". None of these colors are harsh or stark. It imparts a soft sunkissed blushing "glow" without being glittery or shimmery. I do warn that too much will leave you sunburnt in appearance though. I also love that this is a great multitasker as it can be used all over. It is a bit pricey at around $45, but it's soooooo worth it!!!
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Bronzers -Jane Iredale - Moonglow
GPD 9/16/2010 9:28:00 PM
I recently discovered Jane Iredale and I'm so happy I got this. (I also own Sunbeam as well) Unlike sunbeam, this is more subtle. I like how it gives a nice subtle bronzed, glow-y, dew-y look. It's almost a "highlighter-ish" shade on my nc30/jane iredale latte pressed powder skintone. If anything this vaguely reminds me of a powder version of NARS St. Barts multiple..a somewhat neutral toned light bronze-y shade. If over applied or on the wrong skintone I can see this turning ashy/gray-ish...so try before you buy!!!! Anyhow, this comes with 4 quadrants of color: a soft peachy gold, "white", brown/tan, and a rusty copper. Moonglow has great versatility. I would totally use the colors separately on my eyes. Meanwhile the sunbeam shades are not the kind of colors that would flatter my eyes. My one tiny gripe about the moonglow is that it's a bit "dewy"and if over applied it makes you look like an oil slick.
Overall this is a great product, a bit pricy at $45 and I don't like the opaque screw off top, but it's beautiful so I can over look it. The packaging is actually not bad. Plain, simple yet elegant. Lovely!
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Makeup Brushes -Jane Iredale - Handi Brush
GPD 9/16/2010 6:41:00 PM
I recently discovered Jane Iredale and at first I wasn't at all tempted by this brush because it looked so small and dinky. But I found this for a good deal and bought it after reading reviews here. I am really glad I did! This is perfect for applying mineral foundation. I have both the mac 109 and the Stila 21 brushes. It's like Goldilocks and the 3 bears. the 109 is too small..the stila 21 is too big...the jane iredale is juuuuust right. It buffs in my jane iredale pressed powder foundation perfectly every time and it's handy (as the name implies) to carry around in the little sturdy plastic pouch it comes in. Its everything I could want in a brush: no shedding, soft and NOT prickly, easy to use, and has a nice simple design I like. I am definitely contemplating getting a second to keep in my purse for touchups. FANTASTIC brush!!!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -NYX - Mega gloss- Sponge Cake
GPD 9/10/2010 1:29:00 PM
This was reccomended to me a long time ago by the lovely mu board lovlies, and i *fingally* got this. It's gorgeous! A fantastic everyday neutral, work safe kinda color. It's a mauve-y pinky rose-y color with lots of shimmer (but no frosty). It's very moisturizng, smells delish like angel food cake and NOT sticky. Like all the other previous reviewers who mentioned this is a dupe for the MAC VG gloss, I agree. However, I much rather prefer this to the MAC. This for some reason looks better on me than the MAC VG. I think because it's a little more sheer and somewhat more neutral/warmer toned. Overall I love this gloss and will re buy if I ever run out!! I love the cute packaging, not to mention you get a TON of product all for around $7 bucks or so. Also I like the applicator, it's like a doe foot, but flatter and wider making for easy and quick application.
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Lip Gloss -NARS - Risky Business
GPD 9/9/2010 9:24:00 AM
As much of a NARS fan as I am, I've always felt kinda "meh" about their lip products. I found their lipsticks went rancid or got really dry and icky quickly. And their lipgloss color range has always been boring to me...all very neutral, sometimes sheer, office safe kinda colors that all ended up looking the same on my fairly pigmented lips. Anyhow, I got this in a set of 3 mini glosses and now I'm smitten and NEED the full size once my mini runs out. The color enhances my natural lip color to a gorgeous healthy flush, without making my lips look too boldly red. It also has a gorgeous shimmer (not over the top though) to it which makes my lips look plush and full. As for the texture, these glosses are moisturizing, not sticky at all and give my lips a nice glossy yet natural, just licked sheen. I think I need more NARS glosses now!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -NARS - Cream in Lili Marlene
GPD 8/31/2010 8:11:00 PM
I was a little weary of this as it is a blue toned kind of gray. But it's absolutely faaaaaabulous! It totally looks gorgeous on my brown eyes. It gives nice definition to my eyes without the harshness of black. This is a matte shade, which I think is the reason why it doesn't crease as badly as the shimmery ones ie corfu. This is beautiful as the other reviewers mentioned as a smudgey liner look as well. Stunning! Price-y at $22 a pop but I love it none-the-less. (nc30-ish)
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Eye Shadow -NARS - Cream - Mousson
GPD 8/28/2010 3:24:00 PM
I agree with everything the previous reviewer said below. It's a gorgeous shimmery silvery sage mossy green. I find that it's best to apply using a brush vs. fingers as it gives the best application of this product. I like how these are not greasy or oily to the touch. They are cream to powder-y. It's not "quite" powder once applied, but they aren't greasy either. The staying power is decent, but I do find they crease w/o UDPP underneath. But overall they are fabulous...i just wish they weren't so expensive! $21.00 a pop!
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Blush -Unlisted Brand - Contrived Pressed Blush in Foreplay by Rock and Republic Cosmetics
GPD 8/21/2010 7:44:00 PM
So I've been trying to resist these R&R blushes forever and then I finally caved and now I'm on my 3rd blush. I got this at an awesome price but they usually retail for $40.00 but if you keep an eye out you can find these for much much cheaper (wink wink, nudge nudge). At any rate, this is a fantastic blush! The packaging is a tad bulky, but I kinda like it. It has a magnetic closure which I thought would be flimsy, but it's actually kinda nice imo. The quality is quite impressive, right up there with NARS in my book. The pigmentation is amazing, but still very blendable and not chalky. I was rather scared about buying this one because in some pictures it looked rather brown and muddy. I am really glad I ordered it though because it's absolutely gorgeous! It's a perfect nude peachy color on me. I love it!!!
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Blush -Unlisted Brand - Immoral - Pressed Blush - Rock & Republic
GPD 8/21/2010 7:42:00 PM
So I've been trying to resist these R&R blushes forever and then I finally caved and now I'm on my 3rd blush. I got this at an awesome price but they usually retail for $40.00 but if you keep an eye out you can find these for much much cheaper (wink wink, nudge nudge). At any rate, this is a fantastic blush! The packaging is a tad bulky, but I kinda like it. It has a magnetic closure which I thought would be flimsy, but it's actually kinda nice imo. The quality is quite impressive, right up there with NARS in my book. The pigmentation is amazing, but still very blendable and not chalky. Immoral is insanely bright coral orange-y color in the pan. It looks like it "might" be similar to NARS Exhibit A but it's really not. It's more of a peachy coral flush while NARS Exhibit A is more of a reddish orange flush. Anyhow, don't be scared of it's brightness! If you use a light hand and a skunk brush, it gives a perfect summer coral-y glow.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No