Eye Shadow -Annabelle - Eye Dust - Golden Pink
smurfkitten 8/19/2008 7:49:00 PM
I typically don’t like pigments/loose eye shadows of any kind. I’ve found them to be messy, with lots of fall-out, and just a general pain to use with results I could get more easily from a pressed shadow. The reason I bought Golden Pink is because I read about how pretty it was on MUA, so when I saw it on sale along with a bunch of other Annabelle stuff I wanted, I figured why not take a chance and so I added it to my haul. I’m happy I did… this is such a pretty colour… a baby pink with the most beautiful golden shimmer. Looks very delicate on my cool-toned, fair skin. It’s well pigmented and very, very shimmery. Lasting power is alright, but use it wet and it improves a lot (I always use these wet now). As for the packaging, well… I’m one of the few who actually like it! The little container is cute and most importantly the brush I usually use to apply it fits perfectly inside the hole and I can scrape off any excess product without wasting any. For me, wastage has been minimal so far. This product definitely deserves a “will repurchase” check from me because after liking Golden Pink so much, I returned and added Chiffon, Azure and Cool Mint to my collection. They’re all nice colours but Golden Pink is still my favourite by far. I really recommend these as a cheap alternative to MAC pigments for beginner pigment users such as myself, or even those more experienced… everyone should have fun playing with these.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Annabelle - Eye Dust
smurfkitten 8/19/2008 7:48:00 PM
I typically don’t like pigments/loose eye shadows of any kind. I’ve found them to be messy, with lots of fall-out, and just a general pain to use with results I could get more easily from a pressed shadow. While I can’t say that I’m a complete pigment convert, I do enjoy having a few of these around to experiment with. The reason I bought one of these is because I read about how pretty Golden Pink was, so when I saw it on sale along with a bunch of other Annabelle stuff I wanted, I figured why not take a chance and I added it to my haul. I really fell in love with the gorgeous golden sheen and with some practice, the texture became easier to work with. Nicely pigmented, very very shimmery… Try using these wet – the lasting power is really good!! I’m one of the few who actually like the packaging… the brush I usually use to apply it fits perfectly inside the hole and I can scrape off any excess product without wasting any. My one complaint is the small colour selection… all shimmery brights and no neutrals or dark colours. After liking Golden Pink so much, I returned and added Chiffon, Azure and Cool Mint to my collection. They’re all nice colours but Golden Pink is still my favourite by far. I’d definitely recommend these as a cheap alternative to MAC pigments for beginner pigment users such as myself, but even the more experienced should have fun playing with these.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - You Don't Know Jacques!
smurfkitten 8/14/2008 7:24:00 PM
You Don't Know Jacques is the colour of slush. Yes, the colour of half-melted, dirt-covered snow… on your nails! Aaahh! Since I’m a fan of weird, off the beaten track nail colours, I adore this shade. I have a few (perhaps silly) gripes.. Honestly, I don’t understand why this is in the France collection and not the Canadian collection. Surely us Canadians get more slush. I don’t understand the name of this polish either. It should be called something like, “Wet Cement Slush”. Or “Slushy Spring Prelude to Summer”. Fine, maybe not, but it is the colour of slush. Just so my point is clear. For those of you who have never seen slush (you lucky ducks!), You Don't Know Jacques is a medium gray with a hint of brown, looks true-to-bottle. It could also be seen as a very sophisticated, trendy shade… depending on your point of view. It dries to a creamy matte finish with absolutely no shimmer. This is a great colour for fall, for those of you like myself who have enough dark red and purples and crave something different. I have fair, cool-toned skin, and I accept that this is probably not the most flattering shade on me but I am so prepared for some un-enlightened slush-haters to doubt me. Anyways, as for the formula.. ‘tis great. I couldn’t ask for better. I love OPI.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Bare Escentuals - Buxom Lips - Dominique
smurfkitten 8/14/2008 5:50:00 PM
I can’t decide if I really like or dislike this. I’m yet another reviewer who got a free deluxe sample from Sephora. I love the tingly sensation… it’s like the feeling of Burt’s Bees beeswax lip balm, except this tingles for even longer! (BB: 5 minute tingle, BE: 1 hour tingle). I dunno why, but I really, really like the feeling. I like the sweet vanilla cakey smell and cute packaging, as well. Does it make my lips bigger? I don’t notice a difference, but then again I already have full lips, so maybe the effect would be more noticeable on those with thin lips. The texture is a bit grainy and a lot sticky. There are big, huge, gigantic chunks of glitter… no fine shimmers here, people. If I smack my lips, I can see the glitters migrating towards my cupid’s bow and up onto the skin outside of my lip line… uh oh.. so this is not for compulsive lip smacking girls. So… I don’t really care for the product itself that much but I do love that tingly feeling. Since I love the tingle, I might repurchase this product in one of the colour versions... I'm not a fan of clear glosses in general, so as for “Dominique”, it’s a no-go for me.. however I am glad I chose this as my freebie:) I LOVE THE TINGLY FEELING. …I’m done now…
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Kohl Power in Raven
smurfkitten 8/12/2008 7:27:00 PM
I bought two Kohl Powers: Mystery and Raven. I have to say that I prefer Mystery and have definitely been using it a lot more, but Raven is a very unique colour and worth checking out. It’s not too red or coppery… shows up on me as a black with lots of plummy shimmers. This is one you really need to swatch for yourself and not reply on online photos. On Kohl Powers in general… I like the fact that these are so smudgy… I wear them on my lower lash line (not the waterline, these are no good for that, I use Smolder), smudge it, then clean it up with a Q-tip to get the exact look I want. Since I’m a big fan of dark smudge-y eyeliner, I love these pencils. I’m so glad they were re-released so I could get my paws on them. Anyways, I love these, but I’m only giving them four lippies since they are not good on the waterline and therefore less versatile for me. But I would still definitely repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Kohl Power - Mystery
smurfkitten 8/12/2008 7:24:00 PM
I bought two Kohl Powers: Mystery and Raven. Mystery is a gorgeous super dark teal with shimmer. It’s a really beautiful colour… seeing swatches of it online do not do it any justice. Even swatching it on your hand is nothing like using it on your eyes for the first time. I like the fact that these are so smudgy… I wear them on my lower lash line (not the waterline, these are no good for that, I use Smolder), smudge it, then clean it up with a Q-tip to get the exact look I want. Since I’m a big fan of dark smudge-y eyeliner, I love these pencils. I’m so glad they were re-released so I could get my paws on them. Anyways, I love these, but I’m only giving them four lippies since they are not good on the waterline and therefore less versatile for me. But I would still definitely repurchase.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Chanel - Mascara Exceptionnel
smurfkitten 8/9/2008 12:42:00 AM
I got a free sample mini-tube and was really excited to try it. The brush looked really spiffy. I tried to rotate the brush while applying.. did my right eye and was amazed at how long it made my lashes after only one swipe. However, I had more trouble getting my left eye to look as good... I'm right-handed and it was more difficult to twirl the brush on my left eye. So, I ended up with one eye with really super long lashes, and the other just looked clumpy and sad. Maybe I'll get better with practice, maybe not. One swipe wasn't enough to give me any volume, but with adding another swipe added tons of clumps. This does not seperate at all... So then I had long lashes that were stuck to eachother in points. Oh, and it doesn't do a good job at holding a curl, either. I had to spend a lot of time with my lash comb to make it look decent. I might make one or two more attempts with this, on days where all I have to do is errands and my appearance is less important than usual... I'll update if there is a dramatic change and I suddenly love this but it is probably just going to go in the garbage. There is no way I would ever fork out the cash for this... avoid this one! *edit* It wasn't just user error on my part... During a Chanel make-over, the MU applied this on me and it still looked clumpy and felt crunchy. Gross.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Shiseido - The Makeup Extra Length Mascara
smurfkitten 8/6/2008 3:26:00 PM
Since I’m a contacts lens wearer, I probably should have never bought this in the first place… an expensive mistake:( Those fibers were hazardous when they fell into my eyes and just plain ugly when they fell onto my face!! And they didn’t even look that good when they were on my actual lashes. The formula is on the dry side but also a bit clumpy. At least it doesn’t smudge. Anyways, I’d never repurchase this or any other mascara with those damned fibers. Definitely stay far away from this if you wear contacts… or even if you don’t, because this mascara is pretty all-around awful.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -L'Oreal - Telescopic
smurfkitten 8/6/2008 3:19:00 PM
This mascara didn’t really *do* anything for me. On the plus side, no smudging, clumping or flaking! But then…. No length, definition, volume, or holding a curl. Made me say to myself, what’s the point? Maybelline Full & Soft is tons better.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Korres - Shower Gel - Guava
smurfkitten 8/6/2008 3:06:00 PM
Smells very yummy! The scent fades quickly, which can be a good or a bad things depending on whether you want to wear perfume that day or not. The anti-aging claims that it will “stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis” seem really, terribly far-fetched to me. It’s a good shower gel, but I wouldn’t count on it to do much more than clean. I won’t be repurchasing this because over time it dried out my skin… I think it’s because of the very high (it’s the second ingredient) sodium laureth sulfate content. Avoid this if you have sensitive skin.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Chanel - Rouge Allure Lover
smurfkitten 8/6/2008 2:55:00 PM
Lover is a very sexy, very cool-toned (blue undertones), luscious rich red. Gorgeous. Really complements my fair, cool-toned skin, and makes me look like a doll (in a good way). I really like the Rouge Allure line not just because of the great colours (or the cool and oh so fun packaging, but that sure doesn’t hurt!) but mainly because the formula is highly pigmented, long lasting, feels smooth and creamy, and is not drying at all. My lips tend to be high maintenance and are very easily dried out and become flaky. I wear it with the Precision Lip Definer in Carmin. These are very expensive lipsticks but didn’t disappoint and lived up to all my expectations for the perfect red lipstick. HG red for me.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Chanel - Rouge Allure - Genius 07
smurfkitten 8/6/2008 2:51:00 PM
This colour is perfect for me. I have fair cool-toned skin and stay away from corals or peaches or anything I see as too warm-toned because I have an intense fear of looking orange. Genius has enough pink so that the warm coral is flattering, not clashing. A lovely summer shade. I really like the Rouge Allure line not just because of the great colours (or the cool and oh so fun packaging, but that sure doesn’t hurt!) but mainly because the formula is highly pigmented, long lasting, feels smooth and creamy, and is not drying at all. My lips tend to be high maintenance and are very easily dried out and become flaky. Expensive, but I would definitely recommend this line to anyone, and Genius is an HG “warm” lipstick for me, so I’m a very happy camper indeed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Mink & Sable - Starflash Collection
smurfkitten 8/6/2008 2:34:00 PM
Okay, I’m not the biggest MAC eye shadow fan out there… actually I usually don’t care for their eye shadows that much at all.. I know, heresy! *ducks* So, I don’t get excited about their zillions of new collections with LE shadows.. but I absolutely LOVE these Starflash ones:) The colours didn’t look all that great at first glance, but with all the hype surrounding Smoke & Diamonds, I got curious and figured I should check it out ‘cos I was going to buy a few of the Kohl Powers anyways. I, um, ADORE, Smoke & Diamonds, and got Mink & Sable to go along with it. I love it equally as much:) For reference, I’m fair and cool-toned. Mink & Sable appears as a shimmery deep (without looking “blackened” or having a black base) olive with a gorgeous slightly golden sheen. As for the texture of the Starflashes… PERFECT. Super soft, highly pigmented, blends perfectly with little effort. They are just so easy to wear. Never creases on me. I just might have to go back for a couple more…
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Smoke & Diamonds [DISCONTINUED]
smurfkitten 8/6/2008 2:28:00 PM
Okay, I’m not the biggest MAC eye shadow fan out there… actually I usually don’t care for their eye shadows that much at all.. I know, heresy! *ducks* So, I don’t get excited about their zillions of new collections with LE shadows.. but I absolutely LOVE these Starflash ones:) The colours didn’t look all that great at first glance, but with all the hype surrounding Smoke & Diamonds, I got curious and figured I should check it out ‘cos I was going to buy a few of the Kohl Powers anyways. I haven’t have much luck with grey eye shadows in general and I usually steer clear of them… I have fair, cool-toned skin and dark greys tend to look too harsh or bruised, light greys look too chalky or washed out. Smoke & Diamonds is the perfect grey for me – a medium grey, shimmery, pearly, easy to blend and wear with many other colours – I don’t really see the taupe though. Now I’ll never need to search for or buy another grey! Bahahahaha:) As for the texture of the Starflashes… PERFECT. Super soft, highly pigmented, blends perfectly with little effort. They are just so easy to wear. Never creases on me. In conclusion, I ended up purchasing Smoke & Diamonds and Mink & Sable… and I might return for a few more because of the AMAZING texture! A total HG grey for me. Definitely lives up to the hype, IMO.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Annabelle - Duo Blush in Doll Face
smurfkitten 8/5/2008 12:51:00 AM
Annabelle is my favourite drugstore brand:) I love quite a bit of their stuff, so when I saw these beautiful blushes on sale, I simply had to buy three:) And I’m glad I did. I always wear both sides of this duo at the same time and it turns out as a sweet, pretty pink with a tiny, tiny bit of shimmer. Doll Face is nice, but I prefer Immortal Coral more… perhaps because I already have several baby pink blushes… The texture is nice – very soft, highly pigmented and incredibly easy to pick up with my brush. My only gripe with Annabelle blushes is the lasting power… it’s okay but not great like my favourite NARS blushes… and so that’s why I’m giving this four lippies rather than five. It’s still a good blush and definitely still worth buying, though, and I would definitely repurchase, even if it wasn’t on sale…
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No