Blush -NARS - Orgasm Blush
lola610 1/23/2005 5:03:00 PM
In terms of cosmetics, this little blush is a legend. I tried this years ago and Orgasm never quiet made its way into my makeup routine. I always thought of it as being too sheer and pale to show through when in truth, I just wasn't a blush person. I really have to thank Stila's Amyrillis Rouge Pots for introducing me to the wonders of a nice warm cheek color. Someone mentioned in a MUA review that Amyrillis is like Orgasm minus the gold sparkle. I was finally tempted to try Orgasm again, esp now that I've just ordered my Orgasm gloss. This is a truly beautiful color and golden peach/pink is one of the universally flattering shade one can find. And I suppose it makes more sense for my lightly bronzed complexion than a cool berry blush which always looked a little fake on me (although Sin does give the perfect wind burnished rosy cheeks). I really think I'm sold this time around. Can't wait to try the gloss and the blush together. Nars blush are hands down the best around.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Scott Barnes - Luminizing Mist
lola610 1/21/2005 12:56:00 AM
This is perfect. As it turns out, one can't possibly achieve overall glow with highlighters alone (I personally am happy with the results I get with my NARS Copacabana). Nevertheless, to get that luminosity, the "sculptural sheen" if you will, this is THE only product that I have tried that has delivered. Korres makes an orange water that is close but not as moisturizing and the effects are certainly more transient. I set and refresh my makeup with this. It's perfect. I can't rave enough about this and my only complaint is this darn bottle. One, there needs to be a travel size and two, this amazing product deserves a sturdier container. The cap to mine was cracked in four different spots by the time it arrived at my door from Saks. But nevertheless, this is my HG. I always thought that Kate Hudson's luminosity and the infamous J Glo was the result of fancy lighting but I guess this mist is what does it. There is the spot highlight glow you get with your cream/powder/liquid highlighting shimmer fluid and then there is this. I can almost see myself going completely makeup free with this product on (I currently use it over Armani LSF and dust my T-Zone with a TINY bit of LeClerc just to keep the grease shine at bay for my workday). If you have good clear skin, you are bound to look perfect with this.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Giorgio Armani - Eye Shadow #41
lola610 1/21/2005 12:44:00 AM
Hands down the best color and quality for the classic Gucci-esque smoky eye. It's dramatic enough for night (when layered) but subdued enough for the day, since it's not a bright color. It also happens to be a complex color that I find to be rather unique (I bought this on a whim as I was buying my 6th? bottle of LSF) The formula is also EXTREMELY long lasting, this suffered through NYC's summer subway meltdown and is holding up now in snow storms like a trooper. This is the shadow that I use everyday and the quantity you get will last for quiet a while. I do feel like I have found the best color for me; it is definitely THE favorite color I have ever used.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Christian Dior - Pure Poison
lola610 1/16/2005 5:49:00 PM
I had one of those frangrance sampling paper strips sprayed with Pure Poison in my pocket for over a week and everytime I smell is, I was tempted to go and buy this scent. I finally caved in today and bought the smallest bottle (I am never loyal to a single fragrance long enough to purchase anything more than an 1-oz container). Anyways, despite complaints of this being masculine or pedestrian, I find this perfume to perfectly suit my mood of the moment. It's heady, its seductive and its dark and almost too sexy and begs for a pair of spike heels. Somehow, even though the two scents are wildly different, this brought me back to the days when I first smelled Gucci Rush (5 years ago, to be precise) and became, albeit shortly, addicted. I almost don't care that this is a mass-marketed scent and not one of those rarified boutique fragrances that I tend to fancy. All I've got to say is that this captured my imagination.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Rimmel - Volum' Eyes
lola610 1/16/2005 5:04:00 PM
This really isn't half bad, despite all the bad review here. I've used only a few drugstore mascaras (I have been stuck on YSL's fabulous Faux Cils forever!) but this seems like a reasonable formula. In fact, the comb actually does what it claims. I have to wait and see if it actually wears (my HG test is whether a mascara will hold a curl or, better yet, lift my lashes like YSL) well but I really can't complain for now. You really do have to wipe of the comb a bit before you put it through your lashes or else I can see how it can result in a HUGE mess.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Jaqua Girls - Foaming Caramel Cappuccino Hydrating Shower Syrup
lola610 1/16/2005 4:58:00 PM
This is the best caramel scented product ever mainly because it is so authentic. I am always intrigued by these food inspired products but have always been disappointed (none of Philosophy's shower gels smell apetizing to me). Haven't used it yet but this is something I purchased based on the scent alone. And since I don't expect much out of a shower gel (so long as I don't get an allergic reaction) I feel like this is definitely going to be a keeper for me. I also bought the Chocolate body butter which is also fantastic smelling.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Jaqua Girls - Chocolat Sinfully Rich Body Butter
lola610 1/16/2005 4:54:00 PM
Because I tan in a bed on a weekly basis, I use body butters to keep my skin hydrated and my color deep. I go through about two Body Shop butters a month which is why I'm slightly hesitant to upgrade (price-wise) to this. I'm not sure if this will completely replace my old standby but this is definitely a delicious alternative to the Body Shop's somewhat artificial scents (although Mango and Nut is pretty good IMO). Anyways, I just bought this because this is THE most delicious chocolate scented product I have encountered. It's completely irresistable. I guess the scent alone justifies the price tag for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Neutrogena - Advanced Solutions Facial Peel [DISCONTINUED]
lola610 1/9/2005 6:51:00 PM
I am on my third jar and have already turned my mother and my aunt onto this wonderful product. The only gripe I have against it is the packaging, having spilled most of my first jar. Note to Neutrogena, this peel is just too liquidy to be kept in a jar. It is not cheap for a drugstore product (it's almost $30 in Manhattan) and doesn't last very long. This facial habit will no doubt cost more than my La Mer cream through the course of the year. Having said that, this is definitely worth its price, the inconvenience of sticking ones fingers in jars and its repulsively coy scent. I have always had very clear skin, give or take the monthly pimple. The fact is that even if you believe you skin to be perfect, one can derive untold benefits from the kind of deep exfoliation this facial delivers. I have a stubborn trouble patch on the bridge of my nose between my eyes that have persisted through steaming, extractions, pore vaccuums (Rodan and Fields), and masks high end and low (Ellen Lange, Ahava, Bliss Task, Remede, Queen Helene just to name a few). It took about six weeks and some light handed extraction before I saw all those pesky white/black heads disappear. For this alone, this product is worth five times what they are charging for it. UPDATE: I am on my fifth(?) jar now and this is magic/miracle/HG in a bottle. My skin has NEVER looked this good. I glow makeup or no makeup. I bought 4 jars when this stuff was on sale on Drugstore.com and I plan on using this FOREVER. Forget the Creme de la Mer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Kerastase - Lumi-Extract
lola610 10/6/2004 12:25:00 AM
One of the best hair products I have ever tried. I am using this in conjunction with the Mousse and Serum Nutri-Sculpt, two other amazing hair products. As some reviewer had already mentioned before, this is now called Lumiere Nutri-Sculpt. I think Kerastase's marketing angle on the line is that these are styling products that also somehow nourish one's hair. The entire line, with the blatant exception of Vernier Nutri-Sculpt, is exceptional. Lumiere adds just that perfect final touch to my hair. It gives the kind of deep shine and definition that one would see in hair commercials. Lumiere gives just that tiny tiny bit of hold to my lightly curled hair, which is great because one really shouldn't have to pile on three different finishing products. I like the truly sleek looks that this gives without sticking my hair together into too obvious pieces. My hair retains the softness and movement from the mousse and the serum. This is perfect product. I LOVE IT. Too bad it's $30 (all the products are about $30 a pop) and I can't bear to use the Nutri-sculpt line everyday.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Kerastase - Nutri Body
lola610 9/16/2004 12:06:00 AM
I love this. I've been using Phomollient for the longest time and got "suckered" into this by Style.com which recommended this along with Serum Nutri-Sculpt for sumptuous hair. I bought both, along with Vernis Nutri-Sculpt (which is a bad product that destroys whatever beautiful results I achieved with the other products and stinks of alcohol). This stuff feels really disgusting when it's wet in your hair, somewhat sticky actually. But once the hair is blown out, the shine and the body and the softness is just absolutely unbelievable. No stickiness remains, just pretty hair. I pretty much have the Michael Kors runway hair that I've always wanted. LOVE! Definitely worth the $30 price tag.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Kerastase - Serum Nutri-Instant
lola610 9/16/2004 12:01:00 AM
The best I've ever tried. I think this product is now called Serum Nutri-Sculpt and was recommended by Style.com along with Mousse Nutri-Sculpt as THE cocktail for luscious hair. I was skeptical because I have tried so many of these silicone-type serums that did nothing but weigh down my hair and make it look too oily. But this stuff is unbelievable. You use so little of it (I have very long and semi-thick hair and two to three drops more than suffice). My hair is transformed when I use this, absolutely the softest and most lustrous I've ever seen it. Definitely worth the $30 price tag.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Classified Cosmetics - ERA Face Spray Foundation
lola610 9/5/2004 10:44:00 PM
Good foundation but I just was not impressed. I liked the finish when the makeup was fresh, but half a day in the office, my face start to look cakey and uneven. I bought this a few months back and didn't start using until recently. Unfortunately, I think I will be returning to Armani LSF, which is still the finest (albeit pricey and even pricier now at $50+tax) foundation on the market IMHO. Although this does a great job of evening out my skintone, this just doesn't give the supple finish I'm looking for.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Classified Cosmetics - Rayz Spray on Bronzer
lola610 8/28/2004 8:05:00 PM
I liked this well enough but I have finally decided to take this back to the store. Although this is a fine bronzer (albeit a tad too pink/brown and sparkly), the mess it has made in my bathroom has just become unbearable. The tendency for this product is to get EVERYWHERE and I'm not too thrilled with having to go out on my balcony so my furniture and rugs don't get soiled.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Lancome - Juicy Wear
lola610 8/9/2004 6:09:00 PM
This is definately one of the BEST longwear lipcolors out there. I wouldn't call it miraculous, if only because of the terrible selection of colors available right now. Personally, I prefer lighter, more neutral shades which, ironically, don't require long wearing because my lipcolor doesn't change noticeably with or without any lip products. But I recently fell in love with Dior's Shiniest Beige and the idea of the YBLL color. I purchased Juicy Wear in Sweet Nude in part because it is very similar to Shiniest Beige and mainly because the line's other colors were either too dark/red or chalky looking. Dirty Pink, for example, is the kind of color that would make me look deathly. On the other hand, if you do prefer dark lips, colors like Candy Apple (which I purchased for my mother) or Seductive Berry are gorgeous reds. I guess since this is a long wearing lipstick, the test is in the eating. This is not completely transfer resistant but it is damn close. And because the top coat transforms the matte color coat into a luscious creamy finish, I have no problem with the initial dryness either. It is a great product and frankly, long wearing only truly matters when you are wearing a heavy dose of color anyways. I just hope that my mother enjoys this as much as I do.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Christian Dior - Dior Addict Ultra-Shine Sheer Lipcolor in 222- Shiniest Beige
lola610 6/29/2004 10:23:00 PM
One of the best formulas and colors out there. It's not really a beige but a very subtle and neutral pink. Looks very natural and is the most convincing YLBB color I've ever tried. Gave my lips the supple look I've been after but can't seen to achieve with greasy sticky glosses. I like to add just a dab of Lick of Taffy to the center of my bottom lip for a even poutier effect . I love this lipstick and while $23 for something that lasts about a month at my frequency of reapplication, it's definitely worth every penny. It's one of the first lip products I was ever able to finish the entire tube of and something I wouldn't think twice about repurchasing. Although I'm usually not a sucker for fancy packaging, I must admit that there is a certain je-ne-sais-quois to this particular tube of lipstick.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No