Fragrances -Hermes - Eau des Merveilles
pxcrunnercat 10/28/2011 10:39:00 PM
This is one of the few fragrances that I own that I have gotten compliments on. A coworker of mine loved it so much that she asked me to write down the name of it for her so she could purchase it for herself. It's citrusy but warm, with musk and woods and a slightly masculine spiciness to give it depth and intrigue. Personally I am not put off by the slight masculinity, it works really well with the warmth and citrus vibe and overall, the fragrance is far from a unisex scent- I could not imagine it working well on most men. It's very original and wonderful. Unfortunately, it's also pretty expensive. I have a small 1 oz bottle received in a swap that I cherish and use sparingly. If I ever had extra funds, I would undoubtedly repurchase this fragrance.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Guess by Marciano 2008
pxcrunnercat 10/28/2011 10:20:00 PM
I had an interesting experience with this perfume. My first sniff of it produced an overwhelming reaction of "ew!" and here's why: I am generally easy to please as far as fragrances go, but there are some combinations that have never worked for me. One of these is fruit and woodiness/spice. Fruit and sweetness, fruit and musk, fruit and floral, I can handle. But fruit and wood/spices have always produced a negative reaction from me, mostly in the form of several fragrances by Versace. And I get a lot of fruit and spices from Guess- a generic fruity smell (actual notes include grapefruit, orange, and star fruit) and cardamom and wood in the drydown. HOWEVER... as I kept sniffing this fragrance, and as I have kept wearing it on different occasions, it has grown very much on me. In fact, I'd say it's borderline addictive. It's very warm and something about it really draws me in and want to keep sniffing it- I literally keep bringing my wrist up to my nose when I have it on and I don't get that impulse frequently when wearing perfumes, even ones that I am very fond of. I wish I could pinpoint and articulate what exactly is so fascinating about this fragrance, but I can't, so suffice to say that I am borderline obsessed with it and highly recommend it as a fall/winter fragrance to anyone who enjoys warm fruity woody fragrances. Another bonus is that's not very expensive- I got a 3.4 oz bottle for less than $30 on ebay.
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Fragrances -Viktor & Rolf - Flowerbomb Extreme
pxcrunnercat 10/28/2011 10:10:00 PM
I very much like, but do not love this perfume. It's a sugary sweet amber scent with an undertone of smooth sexy musk. The amber is the post prominent note. While I love amber, and honestly, the smell of this fragrance is delicious, it reminds me a lot of a sweeter version of my BBW Sensual Amber which I could get by layering Sens. Amber with a sweet vanilla perfume like VS Vanilla Lace. Also I was disappointed in the sillage and lasting power- I couldn't smell this on me unless I had my nose right up against my wrist and it faded to almost nothing within 3 or 4 hours. I'm glad I tried this legendary fragrance, but I won't be repurchasing.
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Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Womanity
pxcrunnercat 10/27/2011 5:35:00 PM
I love the review likening this fragrance to something Angelina Jolie would wear. I agree 100%! It's musky and strong and salty and hot. It's quite loud, but if you enjoy the scent, the strength is actually a positive thing. I love it- it makes me feel strong and sexy and different. I find it very much the essence of the modern femme fatale. Not scent for everyday, but it's perfect for some moods and situations and absolutely irreplaceable in my collection.
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Mascara -Hard Candy - Lash Ink - 4 Day Lash Stain
pxcrunnercat 10/16/2011 12:32:00 AM
Disappointed. I guess, to be fair, I didn't have distinct expectations from this product. I mean, what was I expecting? It is mascara- you are applying product to your eyelashes. For me, this applied like a low quality mascara- very thin and watery and made my lashes clump together. Ok, not a huge deal, I just combed through my lashes with a lash comb and went on my merry way. Come night I wash off all my makeup and predictably, the mascara doesn't come off. So far so good. But when I wake up in the morning, here is where the mess starts- YES, I still have mascara on, but my eyelashes are also horribly stuck together, mashed to one side or the other, and they are pretty much stuck that way. I can't really fix them or make them look normal. And I get to live with really awful clumpy lashes for the next 3 or 4 days. Complete failure. Will never repurchase.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Total Face Brush
pxcrunnercat 10/16/2011 12:28:00 AM
I use this brush everyday to apply loose powder after applying my liquid foundation. It works perfectly for that purpose- the brush picks up just enough powder, but not too much, and distributes it evenly around my face. I have also used it for blush, but I prefer other brushes for that purpose. Overall, to apply loose powder, it's a staple for me.
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Eye Primer -E.L.F. - Eyelid Primer
pxcrunnercat 10/16/2011 12:24:00 AM
You know, I have never used a high end eyeshadow primer. In fact I have never used an eyeshadow primer that costs more than one measly dollar, and due to this amazing little gem of a product, I don't believe I ever will. This primer makes shadows blend very smoothly and easily and it makes them last, hours and hours, even though the night which I should not have been bad enough to find out, but was (I blame college). This primer does everything I could ever ask a primer to do and I will be loyal to it forever. I have repurchased it several times and will continue to do so. An everyday staple and HG product for me.
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Powder Brush
pxcrunnercat 10/16/2011 12:19:00 AM
I have MUA to thank for this one. I just started using liquid foundation and wasn't achieving the results I wanted applying with a sponge. I knew I needed to start stippling it on with a brush but I didn't know what brush to use, especially because as a college student, I have a limited budget. I did lots of research on MUA, and decided that the ELF Studio Powder Brush was my best bet. Ran off to Target to get it and BAM! PERFECTION! Seriously, this has made a world of difference for me- applying my foundation is much easier and less time-consuming, and it looks much better than sponge application. It applies smoothly and evenly. I wouldn't say it gives an airbrushed finish but that's likely because I have pretty bad skin and I'm just using drugstore foundation, nothing high-end. However it gives a much more flawless finish than using a sponge. I'm very impressed and glad MUA led me to this wonderful tool. Best part was that I only paid $3! Will repurchase for sure.
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - Idol Eyes - Creme Shadow Pencil - Pixie
pxcrunnercat 10/16/2011 12:13:00 AM
HG product! I use it every day as a highlighter for the inner corners of my eyes. Simply put, it is perfection for that purpose. Perfect color, very blendable, really opens up my eyes. I have also scribbled the color on a fingertip and rubbed it all over my lids for a light shimmery no-makeup look. I swear it makes my eyes look bigger and brighter and more awake, especially paired with little or no eyeliner and lots of mascara- I get almost a doll-eyed look. I do this mainly on days where I haven't gotten my 8 hours and my eyes are showing it. Both of those ways of using this pencil are absolutely indispensable for me. Plus I think this pencil is what, like $2? A real bargain for such a awesome makeup item. I already have repurchased and will again.
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Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Tinted Lip Balm - Tiger Lily
pxcrunnercat 10/16/2011 12:07:00 AM
I love this lipbalm! I think others who aren't satisfied with the color may have skintones that are too dark to be flattered by the color of the balm- a very light peachy-pink. I have very pale skin and this is a great everyday color for me- just a hint of very natural looking color that I like to wear with a darker eye look or just an overall natural look. The balm itself performs well- it moisturizes very well and lasts a couple hours, tops, like every other balm. Very much worth having to me.
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Blush -E.L.F. - All Over Color Stick - Persimmon
pxcrunnercat 10/15/2011 11:52:00 PM
This product is good for only one thing, but it is extremely good at that one thing- which is highlighting. After my makeup is all done I rub a little of this onto my index and middle fingers and pat/swirl this over top of my cheekbones and sometimes in the outer corner of my eyes as a highlight. It works perfectly for that. I think next time I will buy the liquid formulation in a tube because that might take a little less time to apply and would be easier to blend. But overall I'm VERY happy with this product- it does exactly what I want it to.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -E.L.F. - Eyebrow Kit
pxcrunnercat 10/15/2011 11:46:00 PM
I don't know where I would be without this product. Now my case is likely very different from the average MUA-er. I have very bad anxiety and it manifests through several bad habits I have- biting my nails, and, most unfortunately, pulling my eyebrows and eyelashes out. I have done it so badly that my eyebrows appear extremely patchy, or at worst, nearly invisible. And I don't know if you've ever seen a person without eyebrows, but it looks absolutely ridiculous and very noticeable. I know these are horrible habits and I'd sure love to be able to stop, but for now, this powder duo from ELF is what is allowing me to save face- literally. Being a fair redhead, I only have need for the lighter color- I haven't even touched the darker. But the light color is a perfect match for my brows and it's easy to apply and blend and stays put. One of my most loved makeup items. Also very inexpensive and it lasts a LONG time, even with everyday usage. Mine has lasted me over a year and hardly shows any use.
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection - Blue Had Me At Hello (737)
pxcrunnercat 10/15/2011 11:39:00 PM
I feel really sorry for all those makeup wearers out there who are entirely devoted to high end brands, because they are missing out on some seriously awesome and cheap makeup in the form of Wet N Wild products. For instance, this palette. Utterly phenomenal. I wore the teal color to work today (a mere 3 hour workshift mind you) and got a compliment on my eyes. Wow! I love this palette for the quality and intense pigmentation of every shadow, and variety of looks that you can create with them. You can create a traditional smokey eye, a dark blue smokey eye, a teal/dark blue smokey eye, a light teal eye, a dark teal eye, and a pale blue eye. All of the shadows are slightly to moderately shimmery but I appreciate that. Especially love the black very sparkly shadow- very unique. Considering the price, a mere $5, this palette, simply put, cannot be topped. Highly recommended. Would I repurchase? You damn right- already bought a backup!
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Eye Shadow -L'Oreal - HiP Bright Duo - Showy
pxcrunnercat 10/15/2011 11:32:00 PM
This eyeshadow duo is AMAZING for the price. The two shadows are a metallic teal color and a matte blue color. I have only used the teal- I pat it over the top of matte teal eyeshadow to add a metallic sheen. I love it this way because not only does it add the extra dimension of metallic-ness, it also deepens and intensifies the color. However, I have only used the duo a couple times and am super excited to use the matte blue in conjunction with the teal. I sometimes create a smokey eye with black and silver- silver on the inside corner fading into black on the outside corner. I bet this teal-dark blue pair of shadows will make brighter, more distinctive take on that type of smokey eye. Absolutely love this eyeshadow duo and would repurchase in an instant. Well worth the money and easy to find in drugstores.
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Liquid -Neutrogena - Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup
pxcrunnercat 10/10/2011 1:11:00 AM
Sorry to say this product did not work for me at all. The color match was poor- I'm very fair and the fairest shade (10 Classic Ivory) was a touch too dark and yellow and just "off." The worst thing about this product was how it made my skin feel. I have combo skin- a very oily t-zone and normal to dry skin on the rest of my face. My cheeks and jawline in particular tend to be a little dry. The foundation applied well and looked perfect besides the color discrepancy. However within a couple hours my skin felt noticeably dry and tight and a little itchy. When I looked in the mirror I noticed very obvious flaking around some blemishes that are in the process of healing. This product may work in conjunction with a good moisturizer and for girls who are not as pale as me, but it was not a good fit for me personally. I also found it to be on the expensive side for a DS foundation and I don't find that the product is worth any more than other DS foundations. The bottle also does not have a pump applicator, which I prefer. I will not be repurchasing this foundation.
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