Mascara -Clinique - High Impact Mascara
roarwoman 12/8/2009 12:12:00 AM
I first used this product last year and immediately liked it. But as we all know, love is fickle and I moved on to other stuff. I have recently bought another tube and am shaking my head that I stopped using it in the first place. I paid $18/CDN. The formula is shiny, really black in color and goes on with no clumping. Layers can be applied (I have done up to 3) and while my lashes get thicker and longer, still no clumping. I also have curl, I noticed that today and it was pointed out by my brow technician. She asked if I used an eyelash curler!!! I like the brush, a medium size head brush that allows me to get into the corners of my lashes (outter and inner) without smearing all over the place. I think this time around I will stay a little longer with this one :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -Lancaster - INFINITE BRONZE CARROUSEL COMPACT POWDER
roarwoman 11/6/2009 10:36:00 PM
This a such a wonderful compact, with beautiful colors that do what the other reviewers say they do. In the winter I usually use a bronzer, but I always try to avoid the 'tanned' look, as I'm more interested in having a healthy glow. Problem with a lot of bronzers, the color is not true and instead of looking healthy you look orange or worse orange/brown. This product gives the ideal amount of color with out being over the top, and the peach and pink colors are fantastic on there own or as highlighters. I find that I can be a bit more carefree with this bronzer and not have to worry about over doing it with color. I use all the way down to my collar bone and then apply blush to the apples of my cheeks. The result is natural not fake. The size of this product is HUGE so I expect I will still be using it when the summer rolls around. Really good find, excellent buy.
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Mascara -Too Faced - Lash Injection
roarwoman 10/22/2009 3:21:00 PM
The only good thing about this mascara is that I got it for free. The brush is alright, but the formula left me with sticky, clumpy lashes that lacked volume and length. After wearing this mascara for a few hours I had the joy of wiping away the flakes that kept appearing under my lower lashes and on my cheeks. Near the end of my day this stuff was literally crumbling off of my lashes. I have tried a lot of mascaras in my day and this rates as one of the worst.
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Lip Gloss -Too Faced - Smurfette Mood Swing Emotionally Activated Lip Gloss
roarwoman 10/12/2009 6:36:00 PM
I just bought this product and I' am really impressed. I love the natural pink tint that my lips get and, depending on the temperature, the color goes from light pink to a darker pink/red color. I find that my color doesn't vary to much, and the shade I get really compliments my skin. I was looking for somthing that didn't 'stain' my lips and this seems to be the perfect solution. Great application tube, nice fruity smell to the gloss without being overwhelming, and the color lasts a respectable amount of time. I thought the price was a bit steep $32 CND, but I also suspect that this tube will last me a long time. I would re-purchase and recommend to anyone looking for a natural hue, without the hassle of tinting or staining your lips.
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Sunscreen -La Mer - Fluid Spf 18
roarwoman 10/9/2009 3:46:00 PM
I bought this product a few years ago, it was a great sunscreen and moisturizer in one for the spring, summer months in Calgary, but not enough for the winter. I have since moved on to other product due to the outrageous price tag of $87.00. The reason I'm writing a review years later is that, this is one product that I would consider re-purchasing and have thought about it again and again when I pass Holt Renfrew. I had a bad case of acne and this product, while not helping it, didn't do anything to make it worse. It was very calming on my skin, as I was under going treatments at the time. I liked the smell, it absorbed really quickly and my face felt comfortable all day. When you buy as many products as I do, you remember the one's that stood out, even if you are not using them anymore, and this is one on my list that I would tell someone to buy if they had the $$ to spare.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Physician's Choice - pHaze 15 C Quench
roarwoman 10/9/2009 2:52:00 PM
This Vit-C serum helps to strengthen and plump the skin, smooths fine lines and minamize pores. This product is not something I would reccomend to anyone other then those who have dry, aging, mature or sensitive skin types. Not appropriate for acne prone skin as the product contains hyaluronic acid, a humectant that holds water in the skin. I have used this product on myself and on my clients and never have I seen or heard of discoloration of the skin. It contains absorbic acid which helps even skin discoloration, and is a powerful water-soluable anitoxident. The Glutathione helps strengthen and rebuild collagen bonds resulting in firmer plumper skin. This product sells really well in my clinic and I haven`t had a complaint yet. I recommend this product and considering that the serum will last you a very long time due to the concentrated amount you get in one pump, at $106.00CDN, that is a bargin in my books. As much as I love MA, I find that a lot of people do not bother to investigate what is IN a product before they spend their money on it. That is why you should always talk with someone trained in PCA skincare, so that you get the RIGHT product and don`t end up wasting your money and being dissapointed.
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Moisturizers -Physician's Choice - PCA Skin phaze17 rebalance
roarwoman 10/9/2009 2:29:00 PM
I gotta say that some of the reviews of this product are, from what I`m guessing, from people who bought these products but never had their skin assessed properly by a trained PCA professional. I sell PCA in my skin care clinic and I never have a problem with returns or complaints, quite the opposite. The Rebalance cream is wonderful especially for people who have just had a chem.peel, laser treatment etc. The product contains Evening primrose and Borage Seed Oil which contain the highest natural sources of Omega-6, GLA-Vitamin F which helps maintin cell growth and Vit.E, C and B5 all powerful anitoxidents. I use this on myself after a peel and notice right away that the stinging and burning from my peel fades away. Would I give this to someone with acne, oily skin, of course not. Is this a cream most suited for post treatment care, absolutely. Should one use this as a regular day and or night cream, depends on their skin care needs. That is why these products are sold through licensed facilities or in Dr. Offices, so that a consumer can get the right product and knows how to use it. Reading the reviews below me and other PCA skincare reviews I seriously wonder how many people have 1. had this done and 2. had it done properly. A great cream, my clients and I love it.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Physician's Choice - pHaze 5 Nutrient Toner
roarwoman 10/9/2009 2:18:00 PM
I`m jumping on the band wagon here regarding this product. Yes it`s expensive, but like all PCA product, you don`t need a lot to get the job done. The main ingredients are Pumpkin Wine, Phenyl-n-butyl ( a free radical quencher) Amino guanidine (assists in the loss of collegen) and A.G.E which is an advanced glycation end product to help keep the skin really smooth and soft. This is a good toner even for people who experience mild to moderate break outs. The AHA`s help to refine the pores and the enzymes from the Pumkin Wine removes dead skin cells without overdrying the skin. I have used this toner for the last two winters and see immediate results. I switch to the Smoothing Toner in the summer. Another great product from PCA
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Physician's Choice - PCA Skin Phaze 18 Clearskin
roarwoman 10/9/2009 2:09:00 PM
I am surprised that there are not more reviews on this skin care line, because it`s amazing. I started using the line about a year ago and the first product I picked up was the Clearskin. I have used many products in the past that claim to clear up acne whilst keeping the skin calm and hydrated. This is the only product I have found that actually does that. The texture is light, the cream blends in easily and the results are very visable almost right away. The cream reduces inflammation, assists in clearing up active pimples, kills bacteria on the skin, controls and reduces the amount of oil your skin produces. I paid $52 CDN for it and can tell you that the product goes a long way, you don`t need very much at all. I`m taking a lippie away for packaging, because it`s in a plastic jar, no pump. Trying to keep the skin clear of bacteria, it doesn`t make sense that the company would allow the double dip method, a pump would be much more sanitary. I`m also minusing a lippie for the scent, which fades, but is pretty intense when first applying and it`s not pleasent to say the least. All in all though, this is a great cream which achieves the promises the company makes and has kept my skin clear for over a year now.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Guerlain - Meteorites Poudre de Perles Nacre Des Mers 10
roarwoman 10/9/2009 1:46:00 PM
I have been a fan of this product in the loose ball form for many years. I don`t always buy it due to the price, but I also find that when I do, it lasts me forever. Wanting to try something new I purchased this for $70 CDN, but I was expecting to pay a lot, so the price wasn`t that surprising to me. Unlike some reviewers here, I love the scent of this product, and it dissapers almost immediately, I have never been able to smell it durning the day at all. I`m not sure what some people expect this product to do for them, but when you look at the color and texture of the product it should be obvious that this isn`t a full coverage or even light coverage powder. This is a highlighting powder only, and can be used in a few different ways. If you want a sheer illuminated look then sweep a few layers over your completed makeup. I find that it gives my face a nice glow and enhances the color of my blush, making it look somewhat irredescent, but not enought to alter the actual color. I use my shadow brushes and apply the powder under my eyebrows or over my existing eyeshadow color and, again, it offers a very pretty enhancment. I have also used the powder over my lipstick and achieved a really nice shimmer. Using a sponge I get a more concentrated amount and use that to highlight my cheeks and temple area. I always notice this product is working because my skin looks illuminated, like is has an inner glow and that is what it`s meant to do, provide subtle highlights. The price is crazy, but the product will last you a long, long time. I would ask to have the powder applied first at the counter, wear it for a few hours and see what you think before making a purchase.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Fresh - Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask
roarwoman 10/9/2009 1:13:00 PM
I was cruising around in Quorra, like I usually do and once again was looking at the Fresh product. I have only used the Fresh Sugar chapstick and the new rose tinted one, and I was really happy with both products even though I thought they were a little overpriced. I have heard some good and bad things about this mask and apparently I had $104.00 burning a hole in my pocket, cause I bought it. The consistancy reminded me of fresh bacon grease, except lighter in color. It certainly didn`t smell like bacon, it had a very light rose and cucumber scent. I felt the cooling sensation immediately and left the mask on for the recommended time. A little hard to wipe off, it turned a bit slimey, but eventually, using a warm face cloth, I managed it. I was dissapointed to find that my skin, while feeling softer, looked pretty much the same. After applying my night time product, I went to sleep. This morning though, I really noticed a change in my skin. It look fresher, tighter and was very soft. My day time skin product melted into my skin and the over all look was dewy and soft. So, the mask did work, just in a prolonged manner, but not well enough to justify a $104.00 price tag. This will be used sparingly and once the glass jar is empty, I will probably use that for holding q-tips or cotton pads as it`s really nice.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Palmers - Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula
roarwoman 10/9/2009 1:47:00 AM
This product now comes ......wait for it....FRAGRANCE FREE!!! I have never minded the smell of this product, but after slathering it on for the five months of dry winter weather that we get, I get tired of the smell. Same formula, rich and creamy, leaves my skin feeling like silk, I use it straight out of the shower after exfoliating and on my hands and rough areas (feet, elbows) in the morning. I can layer perfume over the frag. free lotion and there is no alteration in scent, which is great. I switch between this and L'occitane's Rich Cream Shea Butter for very dry skin. Because L'occitane is so expensive, I use it a few times a week and Palmers for the remainder. To be honest though, I think this stuff is just as good as the tube that costs $65.00. Not everyones cup of tea, but for the price and the results plus the fact that it's available everywhere, this is a staple for me.
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Fragrances -Kat Von D - Sinner
roarwoman 10/7/2009 1:57:00 PM
I don't really need to say anything else, just read the reviews below me. Obviously this either works with or against your chemistry, it made me smell funky, and not in a good way. My boyfriend asked me, if I had showered after the gym, cause I smelled 'kinda sweaty', that pretty much sealed the deal and I returned it pronto. They were good about it and didn't seemed to surprised, which makes me wonder if this is happening a lot? Sephora is really campaining the hell out of the Saint/Sinner line by Kat. D in Calgary, but I feel that there are WAY BETTER scents that could use the publicity.
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Treatments -BeneFit Cosmetics - Boo Boo Zap
roarwoman 10/5/2009 6:14:00 PM
WOWZA, did I ever get smoked on this product. I have been following the 'cult' buzz of BooBoo Zap for a few years and when presented with the opportunity to buy it, decided it was now or never. Like all things BeneFit, you pay for the cool graphics and packaging, so basically twice as much as you should be paying. $26 CND, yup, that's steep. Anyway, throwing caution to the wind, I bought it and ran all the way home to try out my long coveted prize. The smell was the first thing that caught me off gaurd, but I was trying to be optimistic. Applying the formula to my acne, I felt that the product burned quite a bit. Who cares right?? If it makes that pimple dissapear, you can set my face on fire!! Jump to the next morning, and I had nothing to show for it. Zits, still present. Except now the skin around them was all dried up making it impossible to wear concealer. I didn't over use the product or anything, it just didn't work. I tried several nights in a row and the zits still persisted without any sign of clearing up. Maybe it's the unsanitary application method? Finally, I reverted back to my tried and true method and voila, 24 hrs later, they had dried up like the desert. This product was an absolute waste of money and way, WAY, over-hyped!
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Eyes -BeneFit Cosmetics - Big Beautiful Eyes
roarwoman 10/5/2009 5:51:00 PM
I have come to realize that my purchasing of BeneFit product sometimes has more to do with the packaging then the product. For instance, Big Beautiful Eyes. Had I been paying closer attention I would have noticed that the colors, while nice, are uninspired and the inclusion of concealer/primer didn't really give the palette any extra bouns points. I have fair skin, green eyes and brown hair, so realistically this kit should have worked well for me, but alas, I didn't get Big Beautiful Eyes. I got normal, kinda muttled, not very attractive eyes as the colors blended into one another without making any statment on their own. The cost of the kit was $38 CND, which is the norm for BeneFit. Overall, I tried the kit a few times, lost interest and threw it out when I did the fall overhaul of my makeup drawer.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No