Toners -Lancome - Tonique Radiance
sweetgardenangel 5/21/2012 10:17:00 PM
Geez, I cannot fathom some of these bad reviews! I find this product excellent after I use my Lancome Cream Confort cleanser and the Lancome Bifacil for the eye makeup. It's excellent because it: * erases anything that my other cleanser misses (and the white pad is proof of that!) * seems to keep pimples, cystic, millea at bay * gives clarity to the skin by cleansing it, creating a very fresh, but not tight feeling * love the subtle flower scent (my nose doesn't detect alcohol so maybe they have amped up their fragrance area) * controls oiliness in my T-zone For years, I used the Lancome Focus Toner, which was extremely beneficial for my skin. It kept acne at bay, and stabilized my skin. It was recently discontinued, so I sampled this product as a substitute and am liking the product as a suitable substitute for my old Focus Toner.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Lancome - Artliner
sweetgardenangel 5/21/2012 3:44:00 PM
Wow! This Artliner is a real black liner, that is soooo easy to apply! This is called Noir, and I've determined that the price is justified by its high quality. It is a charm to use. It's a liquid liner, with just a bit of shine to it. It lasts forever, and ever, and doesn't smudge on its own. It's a breeze to make cat=eyes, which is my reason for the purchase. I thought it would make it easier to make cat-eyes. Currently, I will on a hiatus from my favorite MAC Blacktrack fluidline. I don't know how long the Artliner will last, since I just purchased it the other day. Nor do I know how soon it will dry out. But as it stands now, I am very pleased with the product.
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Lipstick -Lancome - Rouge in Love- 340B Rose Boudoir
sweetgardenangel 5/19/2012 11:20:00 PM
Lancome lipsticks, belonging to Rouge in Love, are fantastic for several reasons. Rose Boudoir, #340B, is a wonderful combination of pinky-coral, with slight shimmer that brightens up your entire face! Never really having this particular hue, in my small collection, made this a more unique and special discovery. With anything corally being the rage for Spring, I was even more determined to acquire this particular lipstick. After testing the Rouge in Love collection at a local dept store, I settled on this particular one. However, the SA informed me of its popularity, and the realization that they were completely out of stock for this color. Dismayed, I ordered it on line with the Lancome site! This color wears wonderfully for the entire 5- 6 hours. It even lasted through a lunch of pizza and pepsi! I lined my lips with a corally pencil by YSL, whose name escapes me. However, there was no feathering, no balling up, and the moisturizing effects were astounding. My lips didn't dry out, nor did they exhibit peeling, or chapped tendencies. I happened to have a lovely Illamasqua Hussy blush which I paired with the lippie, and the entire coral look, with neutral eyes, was really awesome. If you haven't tried the RIL by Lancome, be sure to investigate them on your own. There are plenty of colors in the hues of corals and reds, with just a few nude or browns. Their magenta or fuchsia lippie called Midnight Rose is my other favorite (which reminds me of MAC's Rebel).
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Lancome - 377N Rouge in Love - Midnight Rose
sweetgardenangel 5/13/2012 11:04:00 PM
"Midnight Rose" has a special spot in my fave lippies because it earned that award for being one of the most enduring lipsticks and at the same time, very moisturizing. This lipstick, belonging to the "Rouge in Love" series by Lancome, is a terrific solution to anyone searching for that perfect fuchsia colored pinky-purple hue. Its opaque, entirely on the lip. Where some lipsticks cannot uphold the opaqueness and disappear in spots, this one DOES NOT DISAPPEAR. It lasts through eating and drinking, and even smacking of lips, or licking of lips, too! This is not matte, but slightly shiny. The color is incredible. Although I use lip liners which match, there were no signs of feathering or color leaching out south-ward. This is certainly not a sleeper. It is a winner "thru and thru" and will receive lots of love by being worn with confidence and pride. Certainly worth a second look! I know I'll be trying others in this line.
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Blush -Kevyn Aucoin - The Creamy Moist Glow - Liquifuschia (Hot Pink)
sweetgardenangel 5/3/2012 8:23:00 PM
This cream blush, as noted earlier on the reviews, works like the texture of a gel. Instead of using your fingers, I use my MAC skunk brush and tap lightly and apply. Application has to be a stipple process, because it doesn't easily move around like an emollient creme like, for instance Becca. However, the color pay-off is incredible, since it looks like an incredible bright pink glow as if you came in from skiing outdoors. Of course, you can control the amount of "pinkness" depending how much you stipple. This looks amazing on the apples of your cheeks, and creating a lighter pink up to the temples. On top of the cheekbones, I place highlighter to further create a glow, but a brightening glow! I love the shade of this pink. It's not a routine pinky-mauve, but a cool pink which I have been seeking for a long time! Lasting ability is great. At least 8 hours. It doesn't disappear by absorbing into the skin. Nor, does it look fake, like sitting on top of the skin. It looks like real skin that is blushing. I applied Mercier Translucent Powder on top, and the color is still vibrant. This is a great addition to my small stash of blush. It compliments rose-colored or pink lipsticks very well. The small, round palette is pretty pricey, but I believe well worth it since you only need a small quantity because of the highly pigmented nature. I am impressed by Kevyn Aucoin products, especially the Candlelight highlighter, and now, this fab blush. Very well worth a second look! You won't be disappointed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross - Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel
sweetgardenangel 4/26/2012 3:57:00 PM
I have mature skin (age 55), that gets the random pimple, but on the whole, pretty darn good skin, without any scarring, nor any rosacea. It is still combo skin with constant battle of the oilies on the T-zone. But it is maintained wiith the minimal of high end products. I must have good genes, since very little wrinkles are occurring, only "the eleven" between the eyebrows. Anywhoooo, I began to get milia along the left jawline one month ago when I tried Chanel Blush called Horizon. (Yes, I know, the blush was not on the jaw line) So I discontinued the product, thinking it was the ingredients which included fragrance. But, I still had the darndest milia along there, and nowhere else. I tried creams. I tried ZapZit with salicyclic acne buster. All to no avail. Then I read MUA on Dr. Dennis Gross and his Alpha Beta Pads and decided to get a small box of 10. I never had AHA, or BHA, or Glycolic, or Vitamin C, or the scores of products that promise to "end all" cr*p. So I was a bit leary of alpha hydroxy and the hype, as well as the downside of possible potential acne breakouts, red, irritated skin, etc. I also contemplated a dermatologist visit. But, back to Dr. Gross. Three treatments of these pads, and the milia is pretty much GONE, GONE, GONE. These milia were not red, pus filled or the like. They just were teeny tiny bumps in one area, incapable of erupting like a pimple. And I knew better than to even touch them, let alone, bust them. I also happened to have a whopper of a pimple that refused to budge or bust and this stuff FLATTENED IT WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF REDNESS OR IRRITATION. GONE. But it's astounding that Dr. Gross was the cure-all. With applications done at bed-time, I would wake up the next morning and observe that the face was clear, smooth, and radiant. Even right after application, it was apparant that it worked its magic, because the silkiness that resulted from the application, was glorious. I couldn't stop running my finger down my cheek and feel the smoothness, the silkiness, and the clean, fresh feeling that I love! I am a firm believer in Dr. Gross' pads, albeit a bit expensive. However, you have to evaluate your "outcome." Then, decide if you are too dry, or whatever. Indeed some people heavily moisturize after the application. Some add Vitamin C after application. Well, in my case, dryness did not OCCUR. Consequently, I didn't need to add all that heavy anti-aging cream, because my face is inherently oily enough! Indeed, if dryness occurs, I'll add a night time moisturizer. But for now, I will not be changing around a bunch of products, but rather, maintain a routine with this Alpha Beta pad. Later, I'll seek an exfoliator, like ExfoliKate, or something similar to treat the skin to some sloughing off. But right now, I'm sitting pretty, as well as extremely grateful, to achieve my old WONDERFUL skin back again, thanks to Dr. Gross!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Guerlain - Rouge Automatique #167 Guet Apens
sweetgardenangel 4/23/2012 6:02:00 PM
Guerlain's plummy lipstick, Guet Apens, is a wonderful, moisturizing lipstick that has the lasting power of 4-5 hours! The Rouge Automatiques do not disappoint! I highly regard the product since it is so easy on the lips. They are NOT drying, so therefore, no peeling, chapped lips. They stay within the lip line really well, but I always apply a lip liner. They don't slurp around like some of the YSL's. I feel confident with it, in that regard. I own 3 Automatiques and feel I'm ready to try a nude one! Chamade (#164) is TDF as well as L'Heure Bleue (#168) and this one! This is my HG now. Love, love, love. (GA is my 2nd love)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Giorgio Armani - Regenessence High Lift Creme
sweetgardenangel 4/23/2012 5:49:00 PM
This Armani product was tested from a sample of a tube, in a gwp. With that said, I would have to assume high expectations of this product since it retails for $150! Don't get me wrong. I've always said "you get what you pay for". And I give high five to the lipstick, & mascara line, which are my HG's. So far, my skin has felt contoured and yes, even supple and tighter. No breakouts. It readily absorbs quickly. It is not a dense cream, but a lighter cream. It provides a good base for the application of foundation. And you don't have to wait a few minutes, either, for the next step of applying makeup. But, gahhh, I just can't see myself spending that amount on a creme!
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Blush -Illamasqua - Cream blush Brazen
sweetgardenangel 4/22/2012 9:06:00 PM
Illamasqua's cream blush called Brazen is highly pigmented, in a red with cool tones. It blends easily, however, one has to restrain dabbing the Mac 187 into the blush, because it's overkill on the cheek. If you have a heavy hand, I would first dab the brush and tap on the back of hand, and then transfer to the cheek. The color is very pretty, and longevity is a full day. It gives a dewy look, rather than matte. But, because of the strong pigmentation, I really don't like it as much as my Becca cream blushes. I would much rather build up a blush, than to attempt to take away or mute the blush down. Color payoff is A. But application is a bit tricky so that's a B-.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Guerlain - Chamade - 164
sweetgardenangel 4/22/2012 5:55:00 PM
Guerlain's Rouge Automatique in Chamade #164 is fantastic pinky-red lipstick that is: *moisturizing *long lasting for 4 hours *lovely texture that makes lips look plumper *not over the top, but definitely a day-time lippie *sometimes takes on a coral look, depending on light *allows you to wear either red blush, or pink blush, or coral blush *my favorite color in addition to some of the "cool" red/pink/purple ones such as 167 and 168! Love it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
sweetgardenangel 4/21/2012 5:22:00 PM
Love, love, love. After years of Urban Decay Primer Potion, I am now a convert to the Shadow Insurance! Why you may ask? 1. Texture is far superior. My Blacktrack gel slides and performs on a whole new level. And here I thought I needed a new brush because the clarity of the line was getting edgy. And it was the base (or primer) all along! 2. Long lasting, without getting the oilies. 3. Color remains the same for the shadow that is applied over it. 4. It performs as a matte, which happens to look far better on my "mature" lids. The potion was getting globbedy=gook, if you know what I mean. Absolutely wonderful!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Clean - Warm Cotton
sweetgardenangel 4/10/2012 5:38:00 PM
I just cannot believe the bad rap that some reviewers have for this product! I like it! A lot, in fact! It has a unique clean scent. No, not like Tide, or Gain. But, instead, a little lemony, a little green, and all in all, a comforting scent that lasts until the next morning!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Guerlain - Guerlain Rouge Automatique - L'Heure Bleue 168
sweetgardenangel 4/10/2012 5:27:00 PM
This is a marvelous Guerlain Rouge Automatique in L'Heure Bleue #168, that comes off on my lips as a dark pinky-burgundy! Almost pinky-berry red. Perfect for Summer! This lovely shade plays well on my lips. Only one swipe, and you get an awesome opaque color that brightens your entire face. It definitely is a moisturizing lipstick. I matched this color with a lip liner from Chanel called Carmin. I doubt that it would even feather without the liner. It melts into the lips, and covers completely without any streaking. The longevity was about 3 to 4 hours. Quality through and through, the packaging or casing, is one without a cap. The little trap door is opened by "pushing up" the lever, and the lipstick rises. You'll be secure in knowing that you can plop this lippie into your purse, and know the top won't come off. Five stars for the casing. Five stars for this quality Guerlain lippie. I would definitely buy a back-up to this one, because the color looks so lovely. Love, love, love!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Highlighters -Edward Bess - All Over Seduction
sweetgardenangel 4/10/2012 5:13:00 PM
Edward Bess' highlighter, called Sunlight, is a light champagne color/hue. It is not a golden glow, nor a bronzey glow. However, this particular hue is better suited to fair or pale types, in the Winter. IMO, the golden glow highlighters look more appropriate on tanned skin, a summer time highlighter. This product is in a teeny tiny compact that measures the size of an eyeshadow! However, it can be applied with a small skunk brush or fingers on your cheekbones, under eyebrow, cupid's bow, etc. New to highlighters, I had to experiment on application methods! I felt that it was difficult to lift the products by tapping my skunk brush onto the cream. However, it did get transferred successfully onto my cheekbones! I applied "Sunlight" after foundation and was delighted to see the overall effect after applying blush, then Mercier's translucent powder. No bits of sparkle, or glitter with this highlighter!. It looks soooo lovely as the skin eminates a soft, natural glow on your face. It doesn't streak, or look fake, or over-the-top! Frankly, it looks like you came back from a well-rested vacation, with plenty of sleep, sunshine, and relaxation! I can't judge if the highlighter produced any acne or millea because I only used it for one day! However, if it continues to give a beautiful glow, without any dire consequences, I will continue to enhance my makeup with this little gem! Why I waited so long for highlighter is beyond me! A +++++++
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -TheBalm - mia moore
sweetgardenangel 3/20/2012 9:38:00 PM
Hautelook had theBalm on last month, so I ordered this one and IMa GoodGirl in nudey/apricot color. This red lipstick is outstanding because *it lasts for at least 4 to 5 hours, even thru drinking coffee and having lunch, too *it locks in moisture *it makes my peeling, not perfect lips, much better, almost smooth *it disappears after 4 hrs,leaving a stain evenly on lips *the cost was phenomenal ($8.50) on sale *seems to plump my lips *the color reminds me of my Illamasqua "Drench" theBalm is innovative, and a forward-thinking cosmetic company which deserves recognition. Love their products.
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