Product Reviews by Marianthoula

Concealers -Sisley - Eye Concealer With Botanical Extracts
rated 2 of 5
Marianthoula 9/19/2011 3:44:00 AM

I really wanted to love this product BUT... ... the fact is that I hate it, and only used it so I do not throw away the money I spent on it. Thank God I bought it on 35% off. I have this in No1, and though it matches my skin better than the rest of the shades, the results I get are awful. It seems to dry my under eye area, making it look like some sort of lizard-skin, with tiny bumps all over (bump-bump-bump). It also seems to emphasize my soft lines making them look like ravines. Really! I was horrified! But to its defense, the staying power is good. Now, when I bought it I used it over the Sisley eye balm, but even so I had the above results (then I tried Nuxe, a local brand, a couple of other companies' samples etc - all the same). I still have not managed to use it all up, even after 3 years (OK, the 3rd year I got back to my Clinique), but it is really silly to pay all that money, get that much product and then be expected to finish it in 12 months. Also, I rated the packaging with 3 because I have problem getting the correct quantity. The product is more runny-less creamy, but the tube is hard and it needs some pressure. So I end up with more product than I need, and it is then difficult to put it back in. Another issue with the packaging: the back end, the sort of crimped one, well on me it broke and the breaking seems to continue on the rest of the plastic, on the length of the tube. It is only a hair fracture in the plastic, about 1-2 mm long, but I already see that some product seeps to the surface. I do not mistreat my MU products and I certainly never experienced something like this before, but it annoys me. I paid so much for it! Why the crappy package? I am definitely not buying this again.

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Concealers -Clinique - Line Smoothing Concealer
rated 4 of 5
Marianthoula 9/19/2011 3:24:00 AM

I am currently on the 3rd tube of this. I have been using No 01-Ivory in the past. Then for about 5 years I was in-between products, I got tired of looking and decided to come back to that. Imagine my surprise when I almost started a fight with the Clinique SA, me insisting on buying shade 01 and her insisting there was no such shade. Anyway, I settled on 02, which is still OK for me. Now I see No 01 is non-existent anymore. Sorry girl! But you should have been better informed. Were you not at all curious, why the numbering started at 02? Anyway, I like the consistency, it covers my -slight- under eye circles well and brightens my complexion without drying the skin. I have some small under eye lines since always, and even though they are not covered, neither are they accentuated. I touch it afterward with a brush with the slightest bit of loose powder to set it (Chanel loose powder) and it looks great for hours. Used lightly on top of a blemish it helps cover it. Now I know MU artists say that when we use a lighter concealer we actually bring the pimple out and actually highlighting it, but I am very happy with the results I get from this product. As for the doe-foot applicator, I never had a hygiene problem with my previous 2, so its not a big deal to me. Ever since I saw the ArtDeco concealers I thought maybe I should give them a try, but even if I do, I think I will buy this again - just to be sure.

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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Extase Flash Plumping Mascara
rated 2 of 5
Marianthoula 9/19/2011 3:00:00 AM

I am reviewing this from a sample I got from Dior SA. I HATE it, if used alone. It deposits so much product in the lashes, that it is impossible to work it into a "wearable" look. I thought it was so cheap! I had trouble shaping/spreading the product even with a lash comb afterwards. But now I have found the trick: I use Extase once then comb it out with my MaxFactor Lash Extension Effect and the result is stunning! I have long but thin and downturned lashes. The Extase adds all the volume and ooomph they need, and even without a curler they reach for the sky! I cannot use a liner on my small eyes, but this defines and enlarges my eyes gorgeously. Il love using this combo, because nothing else can give me the volume that Extase does, and this is why I want to buy the full size. Now, I do not propose you all use a second mascara, that would beat the purpose of using Extase in the first place. I seem to be doing better handling the Extase with practice, so I see how this goes. But if you so happen to have a second mascara (preferably lengthening) I say give it a try. EDIT 27/12/2011: Dropped it from 4 to 2. On the combo I mention above it works wonderfull. But since it does not say otherwise, I expect to have at least decent results when I use it alone. Unfortunately, this is an unacceptable product for its price and brand, to be used alone. Thick, clumpy, dragshow (not in the good way) eyelashes, and a ton of product dragging them downwards. I will not buy this product.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you?   Yes     No


Other -Unlisted Brand - Baking Soda
rated 5 of 5
Marianthoula 9/14/2011 11:27:00 AM

I just love baking soda as an exfoliator for my face. I mix it with Cetaphil cleanser (usually 1 teaspoon of soda with 2 pumps of Cetaphil, but the consistency is a matter of personal choice) and lightly scrub my face and neck once a week. It beats expensive exfoliators into oblivion (Sisley, I am looking at you...). And you know what? My aesthetician did not believe that my soft and smooth face was all due to this! People will not believe you when you tell them this dirt-cheap product does such great job! You will never ever have to dish out your hard-earned money to other stuff as long as you can use that beauty trick. I also use it to exfoliate my body (same technique-larger quantities) but I am usually too bored to do this more than every 2-3 months. - - - - - EDIT 21/01/2012: For body I have switched to a Salux towel. Sooooooooo easy and effective! - - - - - I have not yet tried this for my teeth, too scared of abrasion. Another use is to add a tablespoon in the detergent compartment of my washing machine. It is supposed to prevent deposits from the water building on the inside of the machine. I do not know how well it works, though. I always do a cycle with Viacal 2 times a year, just to play safe! I gave packaging quality a 5 because you can put it in any container you like :) Quick, easy and clean. The price is (of course) unbeatable and I will continue to repurchase.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you?   Yes     No


Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Midnight blue-15
rated 1 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 10:17:00 AM

Product number = 115867. I am reviewing the colour of the NEW palette (black opaque case with mirror). I do not know if it was available in the old palette (transparent cap, no mirror). See my previous reviews for general differences in the palettes. If I ever ask someone to kick my butt all the way around my city for a stupid purchase, Midnight blue would be the reason. WHAT WAS I THINKING? Oh wait! Was I thinking at all in the first place? It looks gorgeous in the pan. Stunning even. Then you swatch it on your finger and is shows a dead blue black shade and you wonder "where is the sparkle, the shine?". But you know its Sisley so it cannot be crappy so you say "What the heck? I am getting this and pray it works". Well guess what? It doesn't! This is quite soft, not gritty in texture but when I apply it I get the same uneven application as I get with Burgundy, in a muddy shade. Crappy, patchy, lifeless, dead blotch! There are two good thinks about this: 1) the case: is quite good, sturdy, with a safe closing. The mirror is a cute touch but unnecessary for my needs. The sponge is pretty much useless. 2) I love being sarcastic and this... this thing gives me enough opportunities to do so. Hence the 1 lippie. Otherwise it would have been a 0. Of course I would not repurchase and that is partly because of the product itself and partly because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.05oz - 1.5g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Deep lavender-13
rated 2 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 9:56:00 AM

Product number = B051215 I am reviewing the colour of the NEW palette (black opaque case with mirror). I do not know if it was available in the old palette (transparent cap, no mirror). See my previous reviews for general differences in the palettes. Deep lavender is another sad excuse of a Sisley eye shadow. First of all this is not a very lavender-reminding colour. Its more light blue to me, I would like to see some more purple in it to remind me of lavender. Yes, I actually had lavenders in my parents house and I know how they look like. It is soft, it is smooth, but it is so sheer I find it almost impossible to apply it. By the time I build it to a normal (as in "actually visible") intensity, it looks dirty and muddy. I definitely not get the colour in the pan. Not with my MAC 239, anyway. I usually use my finger to apply it and I waste so much product this way. It is one of my least-used colours and it has the biggest dent in the middle from my finger dipping in it. The case is quite good. Sturdy, with a safe closing. The mirror is a cute touch but unnecessary for my needs. The sponge is pretty much useless. Of course I would not repurchase and that is partly because of the product itself and partly because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.05oz - 1.5g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price.

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Stardust-17
rated 4 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 9:41:00 AM

Product number = 116127. I am reviewing the colour of the NEW palette (black opaque case with mirror). I do not know if it was available in the old palette (transparent cap, no mirror). See my previous reviews for general differences in the palettes. Ah, dear Stardust. What can I say about you... As with all the Sisley e/s what you see in the pan is pretty much what you get upon application. It is a richly pigmented deep gray/silver, dark, opaque, with a greenish tone. On the pan you can detect a shimmering effect that looks like, well, shimmer but upon application I cannot detect any shimmer at all, instead I have this satiny-metal finish. It has not the heavenly feel of the old palette but it still is very soft and easy to work with. It wants to be applied to your eyelid, to work with you. I can pick it up very good with my MAC 239 and blend it decently with my MAC 224. No dust fallout, such a good boy. I use this for my favourite gray/silver smokey, along with Silver touch on the inner corner and Graphite on the outer V and a black smudged pencil. I have not yet tried it alone, and now that I write I wonder why. I guess it would make a good autumn-winter colour. I'll see... The case is also quite good. Sturdy, with a safe closing. The mirror is a cute touch but unnecessary for my needs. The sponge is pretty much useless. I would not repurchase because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.05oz - 1.5g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you?   Yes     No


Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Burgundy-11
rated 2 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 9:26:00 AM

Product number = B051024 I am reviewing the colour of the NEW palette (black opaque case with mirror). I do not know if it was available in the old palette (transparent cap, no mirror). It reminds me of No 9 Amethyst but there is no actual comparison between the two. Burgundy is a sad excuse of a Sisley eye shadow. See my previous reviews for general differences in the palettes. This is a deep plum colour, rich and intense, quite true to the pan. B U T -It is like chalk upon application -It applies in patches. I mean it grabs in some places and it applies faded in others - all in the same move of application! See the other Sisley reviews, I do not have such problems with other e/s and I use the exact same brushes. Theoretically, you can build this colour to the intensity you want. If you want it sheer you have to be careful. As a first swipe it is quite strong so use a light hand. But if you try to build it more intensely than that first swipe it is just awful. or me it gets a muddy plum, very dirty-looking (and I mean it the bad way!). I do not know, I am so disappointed in this e/s that I will stop the review here, there's nothing more to add. I hope it works better for all of you out there brave enough to use it. Needles to say I will not repurchase.

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Silver touch
rated 3 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 9:06:00 AM

Product number = B041288 I have mixed feelings for this as well as the other "Touch" products. I seem to have trouble picking up the colour with my brushes so I usually end up using my fingers. I am not sanitary-crazed to think I will die of bacterial infection due to this. My problem is that I end up using too much product on my finger than what I deposit on my lids. I have used it the most compared to my other two Touch and I have hit pan i the middle of the product already. Big waste of money... Even so, I get a beautiful lid colour but it does not seem to last very long. I usually wear this on the inner half of my lid with Stardust on the middle and Graphite on the outer half and black pencil. It is my most favorite smokey; I only wish it lasted more than 4-6 hours. Another way to use it is layer it first and then apply other e/s on top, so they get this shimmering effect. Well, this gets me a glittery mess most of the time so I rarely do it. I do not experience any colour fallout is used on my smokey or alone, but I do get transfer and fallout if I use the layering method-not good. I have also tried this as highlighter on my cheeks - the verdict: just say NO! I would not repurchase because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.04oz - 1.3g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price.

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Golden touch
rated 3 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 8:52:00 AM

Product number = 60331. I have mixed feelings for this as well as the other "Touch" products. I seem to have trouble picking up the colour with my brushes so I usually end up using my fingers. I am not sanitary-crazed to think I will die of bacterial infection due to this. My problem is that I end up using too much product on my finger than what I deposit on my lids. I have used it sparingly but it already has this big hole in the middle of the product. Big waste of money... Even so, I get a beautiful lid colour but it does not seem to last very long. I usually wear this on the inner half of my lid with Copper Touch on the outer half and brown pencil. It looks lovely, but I wish it lasted more than 4-6 hours. I do not experience any colour fallout. I have also tried this as highlighter on my cheeks - it makes me look ill! I wonder who could wear it? I would not repurchase because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.04oz - 1.3g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price.

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Toffee-7
rated 5 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 8:42:00 AM

Product number = B051116 I am reviewing the colour of the NEW palette (black opaque case with mirror). I do not know if this was in the old palette (transparent cap, no mirror). See below for general difference in the palettes. The colour is a sweet dark brown, with a redish tone somewhere deep in it. The payoff is true, I get the colour I see on the pan and it compliments my dark brown eyes. The opacity depends on how much product you use. I do not load my brushes because I prefer to build the intensity and this e/s can really help you build the intensity you want. I use it either in the whole lid with my MAC 239 or in the crease with my MAC 224 (office appropriate) or BB eye contour (more intense crease). I did not experience dust fallout and it is a very good thing, given that it is a dark colour. The texture is quite smooth, not at all gritty, unlike some other of the new palette colours. It is definitely not as buttery, feather soft as the old palette texture of other colours, and this is why I stopped buying Sisley e/s in general. It lasts extremely well on my eyes, with minimum creasing after 8-10 work hours. I prime my eyes first with concealer and a light dusting of loose powder. The pan lasts quite long and I do not intend to throw it away on expiration date (have it 4 years now and still as good as new!). I would not repurchase because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.05oz - 1.5g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price.

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Quartz-1
rated 5 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 8:38:00 AM

Product number = 81030. I am reviewing the colour of the OLD palette (transparent cap, no mirror). There is No 10 Quartz in the new palette (black opaque case with mirror) but I have not compared the two. See my previous reviews for general differences in the palettes. This is a standard taupe eyeshadow. The colour is true to pan but you can also achieve a very light wash as well. It can look a little boring in the pan, but it has a lovely silky finish on the skin. Although the colour is not very flattering for my coloration, I find that I always reach for it. I cannot explain it... It appears gritty in the pan but it is not. I has buttery soft texture and my MAC 239 picks it up really well and applies it without fallout. I can also blend it really nice with my MAC 224 without risk of "erasing" the colour due to overblending. I can name if "foolproof", along with Toffee and Graphite of the new palette. It lasts extremely well on my eyes, with minimum creasing after 8-10 work hours. I prime my eyes first with concealer and a light dusting of loose powder. The packaging may seem cheap but it performs good for eye shadows that I had for years. No more than a 3, though. The sponge applicator is also ridiculous. Even if I could find it again, I would not repurchase because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.05oz - 1.5g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price.

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Transparent bronze-4
rated 3 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 7:52:00 AM

Product number = 30821. I am reviewing the colour of the OLD palette (transparent cap, no mirror). It is not available in the new palette (black opaque case with mirror) but there is No 6 Jungle that is similar in colour but quite a different thing altogether (review will be coming soon). See my previous reviews for general differences in the palettes. This colour does not look at all bronze to me, transparent or not. In the pan it is more khaki-olive green with very fine golden specs but in the lid it is a very transparent pale-golden colour with a satiny finish and the specs barely showing. It has buttery soft texture and my MAC 239 picks it up really well and applies it without fallout. For its performance it receives the 3 lippies. Other than that I am a little disappointed. It is really sheer and I do not find many uses for it, such a pity because in a different person it might have been lovely. Even if I could find it again, I would not repurchase because I do not look well in this colour and because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.05oz - 1.5g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Transparent lilac-6
rated 4 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 7:32:00 AM

Product number = 20305 I am reviewing the colour of the OLD palette (transparent cap, no mirror). I do not think it is available in the new palette (black opaque case with mirror). See my previous reviews for general differences in the palettes. This is a light purple colour that is more intense in the pan than what you actually get in wearing it. It applies very sheer, almost non-existent and has very low opacity. I have to really pack my MAC 239 to get it to show on my eyelids and I use way too much product to make it show. It is buildable but do not expect to reach the intensity in the pan You will get cackey before you even see it as colour instead of as washing. I also find that it does not take any blending. If I so much as touch it with my 224 it is being erased. But I do not get any shadow fallout when I apply. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful silky colour that I use mostly on spring. I usually pair it with Iris-18. It lasts extremely well on my eyes, with minimum creasing after 8-10 work hours. I prime my eyes first with concealer and a light dusting of loose powder. It is the only shadow of Sisley that I have run out on and had bought again but now even if I could find it again, I would not repurchase because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.05oz - 1.5g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price.

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Eye Shadow -Sisley - Botanical eye shadow in Iris-18
rated 4 of 5
Marianthoula 9/13/2011 7:24:00 AM

Product number = 20513. I am reviewing the colour of the OLD palette (transparent cap, no mirror). I do not think it is available in the new palette (black opaque case with mirror). See my previous reviews for general differences in the palettes. This is a purple colour that is more intense in the pan than what you actually get in wearing it. It applies very sheer and has such low opacity that I was tempted to give it 3 lippies. I have to really pack my MAC 239 to get it to show on my eyelids. It is buildable but do not expect to reach the intensity in the pan. I also find that it does not take any blending. If I so much as touch it with my 224 it is being erased. Perhaps someone more experienced could blend it, but I can't. At least I do not get any shadow fallout. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful silky colour that I use mostly on spring. I can totally wear it in the office and nor be provocative. I usually pair it with Transparent lilac-6. It lasts extremely well on my eyes, with minimum creasing after 8-10 work hours. I prime my eyes first with concealer and a light dusting of loose powder. Even if I could find it again, I would not repurchase because Sisley is ridiculously overpriced. Now that I have come to my senses after my Sisley craze I am not dishing out 32+ Euro per e/s even for the quantity I get (0.05oz - 1.5g). I am sure I can find something else with more or less the same performance for a better price.

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