Lip Gloss -Chanel - Pin Up Glossimer [DISCONTINUED]
a67penguin 1/27/2004 8:34:00 AM
I voted not to purchase this one again, not because there's any problem with its quality... just b/c I know Chanel will come out with another glossimer to replace it anyway. This is a gloss to wear OVER other lip colors-- I guess if you're very fair, you might get away with wearing it on its own, but I find it to be blah straight gloss with some sparkle if its worn plain. Now-- matched with my VL Chocofudge l/l, this combo looks amazing! I'm considering sending the combo into 3 Custom Color and seeing what sort of a lipstick or gloss they could make out of that combo. In all, a good addition to your gloss collection. :-)
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Lipstick -Shu Uemura - Lip Rouge
a67penguin 1/27/2004 8:31:00 AM
I RISed two of these from a lovely swapper who has the good fortune of travelling to Asia to visit family. She sent me "Brown S 758" and "Wine M 281." I think the letters denote whether the lipstick is more matte, or less matte, but both of them seem pretty matte to me. Talk about a longwearing lipstain! These really are worth whatever penny they cost (around $18? not bad!) And the colors are just perfect for me. The Brown is a misnomer-- its more of a red with a slight brown cast. That works well with my coloring. I finally have found a great red lipstick that lasts, and doesn't look overly dramatic! Wrt the "wine," this one is more of a burgundy that pulls up ever so slightly mauve, but not obnoxiously so. I'm wearing it today with a pink sweater and I think, even though its matte and strong looking, it doesn't clash with my coloring, or my outfit. Both are winners, IMHO, and if the colors don't work for you-- well, check out more colors at a Sephora near you! P.S. One thing about the plastic containers-- frankly, I like being able to see the colors through the plastic, so they don't bother me at all. I don't think they look cheap, either. Certainly not so upscale as Chanel or Dior, but I'd prefer getting more for my $ on the inside of the package than on the outside anyway. HTH!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Becca - Concealer compact
a67penguin 1/21/2004 2:14:00 PM
Hands down, absolutely the best. Why I waited so long to buy it, I cannot say. You won't be disappointed. Doesn't crease-- either the full or medium coverage. I guess I waited b/c I thought the fx stick was as good, but that is much more sheer. These concealers really last for an entire day. I'm a brulee, incidentally.
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Bronzers -Becca - Pressed Bronzing Powder
a67penguin 1/12/2004 11:58:00 AM
I bought this in Salsa, a true brown shade. I believe it cost around $30 at Nordstrom's, but as soon as I tried it, I had to have it. NARS is supposed to set the standard in bronzers, however, Becca has more shades of bronzers you could shake a stick at (big surprise considering their wide array of other skin items to fit all shades). You'd be hard pressed not to find a shade you like, unlike the NARS shades, which either are too light, or too dark and in any event, appear muddy on my face.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Chanel - Satin de Chanel Golden Dream
a67penguin 1/12/2004 11:55:00 AM
What a complete disappointment. Upon first appearance, this would appear to be a highlight dream product. It doesn't last more than an hour, and even when one first applies it, barely shows up on the skin. Understated highlighter is a definite must, however, why bother if it doesn't show up at all? Very expensive ($50) and doesn't live up to the hype. Don't bother.
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Crème -RMK - Creamy liquid foundation
a67penguin 1/6/2004 10:51:00 AM
Man,this is good stuff. Covers so well I don't need a concealer, however, I also don't have "foundation face," either. I wear 103 (I have a full tube of 104, but its a bit too dark/orangey for me). Just great stuff. Too bad its sold only in Asia.
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Primer/ Corrector -Kanebo - Matte Control Base
a67penguin 12/18/2003 8:57:00 AM
I've tried various "oil control" products and find none really work well... but if you think about it, do you really WANT something on your face that will plug it up completely? If it controls oil, it probably controls more than that and will clog your pores. That said, this product seems to provide a nice middle ground in the fight against oily T-zone by 10 AM. It must have some silicone oil in it, b/c it slides on and provides quite a nice base for your other makeup. Nevetheless, it also seems to "sort of" work to hold back the inevitable oil slick... I might get a couple of extra oil free hours out of it... which probably justifies its steep retail price ($50). You can purchase at Bergdorf's or Taka-what-ever-its-called in NYC.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Kanebo - cream finish foundation
a67penguin 12/18/2003 8:54:00 AM
In my search for HG material (I don't know if finding the definitive product really is my goal, or whether it is the search itself...) I stumbled upon this fx. Honestly, were it not for the BG $25 coupon sale last week, I wouldn't have bothered.... however, I'm glad I did. This comes in a egg shaped jar made of durable frosted glass, and has a screw on heavy sort of lid. There's a bit more than an ounce of product in it (retails for $60). Now-- it looks like whipped cream in the jar, and you are to scoop out the cream with the spoon that's provided with the foundation. You don't need much, but you need more than, say, the heavily pigmented products like CPD or KA SSE. The consistency of the Kanebo, in the jar however, resembles these other products. Coverage is whipped cream light, however, there's enough there to conceal old spots and minor redness/circles, etc. I found I needed to dab a bit of concealer around the eyes. To use, I recommend taking a spoonful of it (the spoon is pretty small) and dabbing it with your fingers onto your problem/red areas. Then use a DAMP sponge to blend, blend, blend. The finish is certainly heavier than my beloved Becca LSF, but what isn't? The feel of it, however, is akin to the Becca. I highly recommend this. I wear "natural beige," which appears much darker in the jar than it appears on the skin when applied. Try it out, esp. if you can get it during a sale special.
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Liquid -Sue Devitt - 70% Triple Seaweed Gel Foundation
a67penguin 12/10/2003 9:36:00 AM
Not only wouldn't I repurchase, I'm returning this foundation. Ugh. Great Sandy Desert came up completely ashy, even though it appears yellowy in the bottle and when you first apply it. It seems thick in the wrong places, and just..... so foundation "fake". I think this is what Mayra meant when she uses the term "foundation face," b/c I didn't find this to be natural looking at all. The only "nice" thing I can say about it, is that it has a nice hydrating and cool feeling when you first apply it. That's about it. Ugh. Don't bother.
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Blush -Becca - Turkish Rose creme blush
a67penguin 12/5/2003 9:33:00 AM
I love all the Becca cream blushes, but I especially love this one. This is just the best color for my MMM/neutral toned skin. The quality is great-- it lasts all day and doesn't cause my skin to break out. I apply it with a GA "blender" brush, although I'm sure Becca has a brush that would do the trick as well. I tap a bit of product onto the apples of my cheeks, and that's it! Make sure you apply this BEFORE your powder, however.
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Cleansers -Shu Uemura - Cleansing Water
a67penguin 12/5/2003 9:30:00 AM
This is a VERY good gel cleanser. It comes with a pump dispenser, which is nice for placing next to your skin, albeit not the best for my gym bag. Sigh. Anyway, the product's quality more than makes up for the fact I cannot tote it around easily. Unlike some other gel cleansers (such as Chanel's), Shu's doesn't strip your skin's moisture, however, it cleans pretty well-- gets deep down, removes makeup, etc. I believe you also can use it for eyemakeup, although I always use a separate remover for that. This is clear, doesn't smell overly fragranced, and is packaged (like all his stuff) simply, but elegantly. A definite HG contender!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Shu Uemura - Principle Eye Zone Complex
a67penguin 11/30/2003 8:18:00 AM
I'm pretty jaded wrt eyegels, nevertheless, this one is a definite re-purchase. It definitely depuffs, but also doesn't leave a film on one's lids, so you can apply e/s or whatever else on top of it. Everyone raves about the MAC fast response cream, and this one costs a bit more than that (about $35), however, its much better. Also better quality than the Chanel age delay eyegel (which doesn't really work anyway).
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Eye Shadow -Giorgio Armani - Eye Shadow #44
a67penguin 11/25/2003 8:10:00 PM
Of all the GA eyeshadows I have (well, the ones you use as a lid color) this one (well, OK-- #26, too) is really the best. Kealoha & Kildale are better at describing the colors than I, however, if you're looking for a good quality, olive-y lid shade, look no further. Thanks, Sherri, for swapping it to me. :-)
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Skincare - Face -Caudalie - Gentle Buffing Cream
a67penguin 11/22/2003 11:43:00 AM
My favorite in the Caudalie line, this buffer really scrubs without irritating your skin. It seems to be moisturizing as well, which always is a good thing in a scrub! I'd buy again.
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Masks -Caudalie - Purifying Mask
a67penguin 11/22/2003 11:42:00 AM
This mask is terrific, however, quite pricey. It is a clay based mask, but doesn't dry out my skin too badly at all. Actually, my skin feels pretty nice after I use it.
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