Eye Shadow -Victoria's Secret - Beauty Rush Luminous Shadow -- After Midnight
MalibuMands 2/25/2008 12:43:00 PM
I love Victoria’s Secret’s Beauty Rush eye shadows. The shimmering colour is loose in a spill-proof pot. Being loose the colour is richer, long lasting & crease proof. The easy to use applicator is built into the lid; you can’t go wrong with it. A must own. The next time I go to the US I’ll be stocking up!!
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Eye Shadow -Victoria's Secret - Beauty Rush Luminious Shadow in Gold School
MalibuMands 2/25/2008 12:42:00 PM
I love Victoria’s Secret’s Beauty Rush eye shadows. The shimmering colour is loose in a spill-proof pot. Being loose the colour is richer, long lasting & crease proof. The easy to use applicator is built into the lid; you can’t go wrong with it. I'll buy the shadow again, but not in this shade. GOLD SCHOOL will do no favours to pale ladies out there if used over the entire lid. It works lining the inner corners of the eyes, but e/l is easiler to apply for that (see photo above).
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Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - Curious Heart by Britney Spears
MalibuMands 2/9/2008 2:40:00 PM
Friendly warning to avoid disappointment; the scent is the same as the original CURIOUS, it’s just the decorated bottle that is limited. Other people describe CURIOUS as sweet and light from first application, but the top notes give a sharp, tangy first impression on me, before settling into the fruit-infused heart. I'm not sure where this sourness comes from - I guess white florals largely don’t work well with my body chemistry. I’d describe the heart as being a ultra-feminine mix of jasmine and tuberose, with a hint of pear lightly watering down and sweetening the strong floral notes. There is also a soft powderiness present underneath everything, which adds a vintage feel. The vanilla infused woody base further calms the florals down as is lovely and delicate, and adds a creaminess to the drydown. I do wish that the base phase lasted longer. On the minus side CURIOUS is heavy in warmer weather, so spray lightly. Plus, being such a popular fragrance (almost 700 million bottles sold so far), I regularly smell it on other people. This doesn’t bother me, but it may put some people off. Scent notes: Magnolia, pear, lotus, tuberose, cyclamen, jasmine, sandalwood, musk, white woods and vanilla.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -J. Lo - Deseo
MalibuMands 2/8/2008 5:36:00 PM
I’m rubbish at describing scents, but here I go: On application the fragrance is ‘green’. The notes of bamboo leaves, bergamot and yuzu are fresh, but not heavy. If anything I was surprised by how light DESEO is. After a short while the fragrance ‘warms’ with the geranium, orange blossom and mimosa. Other people who have tried DESEO have said the scent is sweet and fruity, but I haven’t experienced this. I can detect a faint hint of coconut, though there’s no mention of this is in the fragrance notes. Maybe it’s just because I’m reminded of suntan lotion!! The mineral accord in the base is the most dominant for me; it lends an aquatic air to DESEO. I can also detect the woods, bringing to mind tropical woodland by a beach.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - OPI Ink
MalibuMands 1/15/2008 4:38:00 AM
I usually avoid nail polish with glitter in. It’s just not for me, but I made an exception for this as I was looking for a navy colour that is the shade shade as my Nails INC in Motcomb St, but had a different finish. The navy is a deep, dark blue. It is a great alternative to black or blood shades, during the autumn/winter months. The glitter is very subtle; you have to hold your hands right in front of you to see. From a distance the finish just looks extra shiny. The glitter actually looks like a purplish shade to me. Using my usual base & top coats this polish will last me around 3/4 days with only tip minimal wear; but I’m tough on my nails (self powered wheelchair user), so it will probably last longer on other people. OPI is my favorite brand for varnish as you are guaranteed an even, streak free finish. I’d give this 3 coats for an intense color. My new favourite shade.
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Polishes -OPI - I'm Not Really A Waitress
MalibuMands 1/7/2008 7:03:00 AM
My first OPI product was INRAW. I’m not usually a fan of red nails, but I was advised that this was THE shade to try. I was very surprised by the shade. INRAW isn’t too light, dark or vivid a colour. A rich, jewel shade, with a slight gold iridescence. OPI have converted me!! I’d recommend this shade for autumn/winter. A perfect, warm shade that brightens up a dark, gloomy day. OPI is my favourite brand for varnish as you are guaranteed an even, streak free finish.
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Polishes -OPI - Give Me the Moon
MalibuMands 1/7/2008 6:39:00 AM
GIVE ME THE MOON is my favourite OPI shade. I'm endlessly looking for a dupe, but haven't come close. The colour is so unique. A lovely silvery lilac/light blue shade, with a lovely silver 'glow' to it. The slight silver sheen makes this shade cool and refreshing during the spring/summer, while it looks frosty and crisp in autumn/winter. I recommend 3 coats for a solid colour. 2 coats gives a nice, iridescent colour. Using my usual base & top coats this polish will last me around 4/5 days with only minimal wear; but I’m tough on my nails (self powered wheelchair user), so it will probably last longer on other people.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Lipglass- Pop Mode
MalibuMands 12/28/2007 6:13:00 AM
While I don’t love POP MODE & I wouldn’t buy it again I have to write a review for it. Why? Because it’s great for my colouring. I’ve pale skin, black hair & dark blue eyes. POP MODE compliments my colouring perfectly. My eyes shine & I don’t look washed out. The colour of the gloss is a dark plum/purple, with a slight gold shimmer. A great alternative to red. This shade is great for winter. It’s just too far out of my comfort zone, though I do still wear it on occasion. While it’s not for me, it’s a striking, vampy colour.
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Polishes -OPI - Bubble Bath
MalibuMands 12/24/2007 6:42:00 AM
Bubble Bath is a sheer cream/very pale pink shade. While it doesn’t give a solid, colour to my nails, it makes them gleam & look ‘clean’. It’s a go-with-anything polish that is best suited for work. I had no problems with streaks, although the first coat did bubble slightly. I think it was my fault for rushing however. With topcoat this colour lasted me for 4 days. Since I use a self-powered wheelchair, I found this very impressive. I think this colour is perfect for short nails. I have very pale skin, but I didn’t feel that the colour washed me out. I would buy this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer
MalibuMands 12/21/2007 6:00:00 AM
I’d never really understood primers before, but having tried this there’s no going back!! Immediately after application my skin was smoother, the lines on my forehead appeared reduced & my pores less noticeable. My makeup lasted through an 8 hour working day & looked fresher. I’ve no complaints about this product. Will buy again.
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Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - Britney Spears Believe
MalibuMands 12/16/2007 3:03:00 PM
BELIEVE opens with a sweetly, fruity burst of guava pulp and tangerine. Sweet, but not sickly sweet. It’s not as overpowering in it’s sweetness as FANTASY, IN CONTROL or MIDNIGHT FANTASY. It’s the middle notes of honeysuckle and linden blossom that make BELIEVE stand out from the current tidal wave of ‘sweet shop’ fragrances that have been cropping up with alarming frequency. The middle notes lend a ‘grown up’ feel, as the sweetness in the scent calms down. The base notes of patchouli, amber and pink pralines lend comforting warmth, minus the sugar rush I was expecting. While BELIEVE may just be the latest in a long line of sweet fruity/floral, it knows where to draw the line between pleasantly ‘come closer’ sweet and ‘child’s first perfume’ syrupy sensory overload. BELIEVE is Britney’s most wearable fragrance that grown women can easily wear without embarrassment.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -Unlisted Brand - Soap and Glory - Flake Away
MalibuMands 11/25/2007 11:50:00 AM
I usually skip body scrubs as I have dry & sensitive skin, but I’ve just bought the ‘Travel Agent’ gift set so I’ve given it a go. It’s non-drying, non-irritating & it smells divine thanks to the ingredients including shea butter, peach seed & sugar. My skin is silky & smooth. I’m buying more of this pronto!!
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Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - With Love by Hilary Duff
MalibuMands 11/23/2007 5:50:00 AM
I’d been avoiding this because I thought I was getting too old for these tween celebrities releasing fragrances. I don’t mean to sound snobbish, but queuing up to buy something by Hilary Duff? No, thank you. I just couldn’t resist it in the end though. I’m very pleased to say I was wrong. At first spay there is a pleasantly sweet fruit/floral top note of mangosteen fruit, mangosteen blossom & vanilla. Don’t be put of by this, admittedly these top notes doesn’t help peoples first opinions that WITH LOVE is a ‘younger’ scent. It’s the middle notes of exotic spices, chai latte, balsam, incense and wonderfully ‘creamy’ amber milk that make WITH LOVE stand out from the crowd. I’m not sure how to describe the effect other then ‘warm’. The spices & incense aren’t too heavy, but lend a wonderful scene of sophistication. Not something I expected!! The base of cocobolo wood and amber musk blends nicely with the middle notes, so the transition is very subtle. What can I say? I was really surprised by the depth of WITH LOVE, and think it should be marketed for people out of their teens. It’s perfect for any time of the year, and for everyday wear, and evening or special occasions.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Soap and Glory - Sexy Motherpucker Lip Gloss
MalibuMands 11/22/2007 3:46:00 AM
Browsing in my local Boots, I did a double take after misreading the cheeky name of this product. I had to buy one, the name and packaging was begging me to empty out my wallet. Once I’d gotten home, I released I’d picked up an orangey gloss instead of the reddish one I’d wanted, but I couldn’t resist opening it & trying it out anyway. I’m glad I did! PERFECT PEACH looks intimidating & unwearable light orange in the tube, but fortunately it goes on naturally pink, with a slight peachy sheen. As the gloss is thick it’s long lasting & won’t ‘bleed’ outside your lip line. The gloss is scented with a lovely chocolate orange. But the main interest in this gloss is its plumping power. The gloss works in the same way as LipFusion (collagen micro spheres in the lip gloss are instantly absorbed by the lips, and seek out the body's natural moisture. They then hold onto the moisture they've collected, creating a mild "swelling" of the lip tissue), so there is no irritation and stinging. Instead the formula ‘fizzes’ like a Coke would. This fizzing effect isn’t instant; it will take a few minutes. YES, I did notice a difference after use. The fine lines in my lips were smoother & my lips did seem fuller then usual & I definitely felt pouty!! I will be sure to try out some of the other available colours. The price is roughly the same as Lip Venom & Lip Injection, but the results were much more noticeable.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Paris Hilton - Can Can
MalibuMands 11/14/2007 5:22:00 AM
Described as being a blend of clementine, cassis, nectarine, black current, orchid, orange blossom, soft musk, wood and amber. CAN CAN is a very light & sweet fragrance, but the sweetness is made more adult and sexier by being close to the skin; it whispers 'come closer'. The lasting power is good (although close to the skin), the price is very reasonable and I like the simple clear up-turned light bulb shaped bottle and clear juice. ** If you decide to test it in the store, apply it to your skin, rather then a strip. On the strip it smells like a PINK SUGAR clone. On skin you’ll be able to detect the subtle floral notes.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No