Concealers -Almay - smart shade
Rachel1234 8/20/2008 12:50:00 PM
This is the best concealer that I've ever owned. And I've owned A LOT. From drugstore brands to Lancome, Estee Lauder, and Chanel - but this concealer is better by far than any of them. This goes on smooth and creamy, and it gives a soft matte finish - but never dry. It does not settle in fine lines, crease, dry out skin or turn flaky. It goes on beautiful and natural. And I can't believe how well it matches my skin color. I've always had a real problem with concealers for under my eyes - the colors never looked right - they were either pale and ghostly, or pinky, or orangey, and they almost always creased or turned dry/flaky. Almay has managed to create the perfect concealer (at least for me). The "Smart Shade" coloring ... I have no idea how they do it ... but it matches my skin PERFECTLY. Looks like I have nothing on, just perfect skin. I use the color "Light".... it goes on really pale (almost white) then I tap, tap, tap, tap, tap it all around my eye area and the color just transforms into my exact skin color. It's amazing. Then it keeps my skin soft and natural all day. Really, REALLY great stuff! 5 lippies!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Lancome - color fever shine-Bronze Heat
Rachel1234 8/20/2008 11:58:00 AM
Bronze Heat a pretty, peachy-bronze color with sparkles. It manages to be bronzey and natural at the same time. It's not a metallic bronze, rather it is more like a bronzed peach color. Really pretty. It adds a "pop" by way of all the pretty sparkles. I like the color a lot, but I find that it doesn't have that great of staying power. As long as I don't eat or drink, it looks great. But it comes off easily with food or drink. It doesn't leave any kind of "stain" on lips (I like the "stain" from lipsticks because it keeps my lips a bit colored until I can reapply). So based on that I don't think I'd buy it again. But the color is sooooo pretty, It's a tough call. The texture is smooth and slick (lipstick-lipgloss hybrid) and it does keep my lips soft and hydrated for a long time. I'm gonna go with 3 lippies because the color is beautiful, the texture is moist and nice, but the staying power is not as good as I would like it to be. I think that seems fair.
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Lipstick -Lancome - Color Fever Shine - Old Flame
Rachel1234 8/20/2008 11:47:00 AM
Old Flame is a rosy, Your-Lips-But-Better color. Very similar to NARS Dolce Vita. It's a beautiful, soft, gentle color - No sparkles or glitter. The texture is smooth and slick (feels like a lipstick-lipgloss hybrid, which it is), and the feeling on the lips is moist and comfortable. Kept my lips soft and hydrated for hours and faded gradually, although it was a little hard to tell because Old Flame is such a YLBB color in the first place. This color is really lovely and natural and I would definitely purchase again. By the way, it looks much darker in the tube than it does on your lips, so don't be scared off by how dark it looks in the tube - it goes on sheer and rosy. :)
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Shimmer Wash in Seashell
Rachel1234 8/15/2008 12:01:00 AM
Very pretty shimmering nude color. Perfect for an all-over wash of color on the eyelid. Just add a bit of eyeliner and some mascara and your good to go. Very natural, yet adds a shimmery "pop" to the eyes. Lasts all day without creasing. 5 lippies!
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Blush -Bobbi Brown - Blush in Nectar
Rachel1234 8/14/2008 11:49:00 PM
Okay, this did not look scary in the pan at all to me. Maybe I'm used to bright blush ... I don't know. But I was surprised at how muted this looked, Based on the previous reviews I expected this to be brighter and more vibrant. I guess everything is relative though. To me, it looked like a warm, gentle rose color in the pan. And it went on my PPP skin as a soft, warm pinky/rose. Very pretty. Very natural flush. Nothing wild or crazy here. Just a pretty, natural "flush" color. Perfect for everyday wear. Now, if your looking for scary bright, try Bobbi Brown's "Apricot" blush ... that one is scary bright pink ...almost neon pink ... but it still goes on so pretty! :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Lancome - Absolue Premium Bx Cream
Rachel1234 8/14/2008 1:47:00 PM
I use this cream just around my eyes. I have very oily skin on my face, but the skin around my eyes is growing more fragile, thin and with fine lines with each passing year (I am 36). So although this cream would be much too rich for the oily skin on my face, it is PERFECT for my eye area. In fact, I * LOVE* this cream for my eyes! After 3 weeks of use it has actually firmed the skin around my eyes, lessened the fine lines by at least half (seriously), and seems to have plumped up the skin and returned it's thickness. The skin around my eyes looks so much younger and healthier. I am very, very happy with this cream. I understand it has something to do with the new ingredient in this cream that penetrates skin and causes the skin cells to increase their communication with each other, increasing collagen production and all that other good stuff. I can definitely attest to the fact that it works. And the spf 15 is a big plus for daytime. The Absolue Premium Bx Eye Cream has no spf, which is why I chose this cream instead. Got to have that spf! :) I know that Lancome also makes this Premium Bx in LOTION form that is supposed to be more lightweight and for normal-combo skin. And I plan on trying that lotion for my face soon. But at $115.00 a pop, I think I'll finish my present moisturizer first. The skin on my face is oily, so it actually has aged very little. The natural oil, as annoying as it has been all these years, has managed to keep my skin soft and moisturized. It's maybe a little less firm than it used to be. But I'd like to see what improvement the Premium Bx Lotion could make in my skin. Just remember, this Absolue line is made for mature skin, so the cream formula is rich! It is for people with dry skin. People with oily skin should know better than to put it all over their face, It's not the fault of the cream that people are using it improperly. If you have normal-oily skin, Lancome makes an Absolue premium Bx LOTION for you to use. It's lightweight so you won't break-out or get clogged pores from it. This Premium Bx Cream is made for dry skin! Please use the right form for your skin type. Otherwise don't give the product bad reviews when it specifically states it is not for your skin type. I don't think that it's fair to the product or to the target group of women who actually need this product and are looking for helpful reviews. If you have no wrinkles, don't complain that it didn't remove any wrinkles. If you have oily skin, don't complain that this "mature-skin CREAM" clogged your pores. Use the products made for YOUR skin type. Like I said, I use this cream just around my eyes where my skin is more dry and fragile, and it has really improved my skin. I am very pleased with the results. For me, it's worth every penny. :) My advice: give it a try. You can always send it back. Use the right formula for your skin,and give it 3-4 weeks. I truly believe you'll see results. JMHO. :)
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Garnier - Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Sun-Damage Moisture Lotion SPF 28
Rachel1234 7/23/2008 7:19:00 PM
UPDATE: Okay, after a while this started to make my skin look shiny during the day. I guess my skin had an adjustment period to this. Anyway I've stopped using this and would not recommend this for oily skin types. I imagine it's good for normal-dry skin types though. I have very oily skin and this moisturizer works really well for me. It's nice and lightweight, absorbs really quickly into my skin, and leaves my skin soft and satiny .... not greasy or oily at all. It does not increase the oil on my skin during the day - in fact, my skin stays matte longer (I only need to blot once a day now instead of two or three times a day). I can feel a mild tingle when I first apply it (from the Vitamin C), and that passes within a few moments. I love the stable UVA/UVB spf 28 protection. The scent is pleasant. I've been using this for about a month, and my skin looks noticably more even and luminous. I have a couple small age spots on my cheek and those seem significantly lighter than they were. All in all, I am very happy with this moisturizer and will definitely purchase again. 5 lippies!
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Moisturizers -Garnier - Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Sun-Damage Moisture Lotion SPF 28
Rachel1234 7/23/2008 7:18:00 PM
UPDATE: Okay, after a while this started to make my skin look shiny during the day. I guess my skin had an adjustment period to this. Anyway I've stopped using this and would not recommend this for oily skin types. I imagine it's good for normal-dry skin types though. I have very oily skin and this moisturizer works really well for me. It's nice and lightweight, absorbs really quickly into my skin, and leaves my skin soft and satiny .... not greasy or oily at all. It does not increase the oil on my skin during the day - in fact, my skin stays matte longer (I only need to blot once a day now instead of two or three times a day). I can feel a mild tingle when I first apply it (from the Vitamin C), and that passes within a few moments. I love the stable UVA/UVB spf 28 protection. The scent is pleasant. I've been using this for about a month, and my skin looks noticably more even and luminous. I have a couple small age spots on my cheek and those seem significantly lighter than they were. All in all, I am very happy with this moisturizer and will definitely purchase again. 5 lippies!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Nivea - Sun Kissed firming moisturizer light to medium skin (body)
Rachel1234 6/7/2008 11:33:00 AM
This a beautiful self-tanner! It tans gently and gradually. No streaks. Beautiful golden color. Not a hint of orange. Absolutely perfect, natural, golden color. The color appears gradually over the course of 3 - 5 days. I've been using it for 5 days now, once a day (in the morning after my shower), and the soft increase in color each day is perfect. This looks like a real, genuine tan (I used to tan a lot before I realized how bad it was for my skin), and the color I am getting from this self-tanner is exactly the same as my natural tanning color! Beautiful, natural, perfect results! I also like how thin this is in consistency - it absorbs nicely and feels very light going on. The scent is of peaches and mangos, and I smell no self-tanner scent at all. Great product! Highly recommend!!! 5 lippies!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Marc Jacobs - Pear EDT
Rachel1234 6/2/2008 5:07:00 PM
Marc Jacobs Pear EDT is a gorgeous, energetic scent. At first spritz it seems gender-neutral, as if a man could wear it as well as a woman. But then after it dried down, it morphed into a decidedly feminine, mildly sweet, sensual scent full of this awesome energy. It reminds me of shimmering, warm, golden pears on a windowsill in July and bright yellow sunshine. It has the energy of a sunny day, and the warmth of sweet, baked pears. It is so hard to describe (and I'm not good at describing scents to begin with). It brings to mind the colors yellow and gold. When I spritz it on, it feels like liquid energy just fills my senses. It is a unique and beautiful scent. It smells feminine to me (on the dry-down), but just barely. A little less sweetness, and it would have tipped over into the male arena. But it has just enough sweetness (not too much) to bring it over into the feminine. And that subtle sweetness is perfection. Definitely feminine. Very sensual. It lasts fairly long on me, so no complaints on lasting power. And my husband says it smells "sexy". That's saying something because he never comments on my perfume, It comes in a heavy, classic rectangle glass bottle, and is a huge 10 ounces. It comes with a spritzer and a regular screw on cap, so you can apply it whichever way you prefer. I prefer to spritz it all over in the morning, The scent lingers on my skin all day, and every time a catch a bit of the scent in the air, feelings of happiness and positive energy fill my senses. Unique scent. 5 lippies! :)
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Tea Tree Oil
Rachel1234 6/2/2008 7:32:00 AM
Tea Tree Oil is a very strong antibacterial/antiseptic. From what I've read, it's also supposed to be able to kill MRSA (meth resistant staph bacteria) when applied topically. It is one of very few oils whose antibacterial properties can penetrate into the deeper layers of skin to treat infection below the surface of the skin where regular topical treatments cannot reach. I use Tea Tree Oil on any cuts, scrapes or blemishes that anyone in my family gets. I find it superior to Neosporin because I believe it works better at preventing/healing infection, and secondly, it allows the wound to breathe and dry which allows a scab to form and speeds healing - neosporin keeps the wound moist and delays scab formation. The longer a wound is moist, the longer it is susceptible to bacteria and infection. A scab is a barrier, like skin, that can keep out bacteria. Just wash the cut/blemish, apply Tea Tree Oil and cover with a band-aid (if you want). The Tea Tree Oil prevents infection and helps speed healing. You only need to use it once or twice a day - if you use too much of it, too often, undiluted, it can dry out your skin. Tea Tree Oil is also recommended to treat mild cases of impetigo since it can penetrate the skin layers and is very effective at killing both staph and strep bacteria. For impetigo it is recommended to apply 3 - 4 times a day (wash area gently to remove crusts, then apply Tea Tree Oil. Be very careful to thoroughly clean and disinfect anything the crust/secretions touch, including your hands! Wash hands in warm/soapy water, wash towels/pillow cases/sheets in hot water, and throw away any disposable tissues/paper towels that have come into contact with the area. Impetigo is highly contagious and can be spread to others on contaminated objects, like towels, sink handles and hands, so be careful). If the impetigo does not show noticeable improvement within 24 - 36 hours, then you will need to go see a doctor for stronger, prescription strength antibiotics. Tea Tree Oil also helps reduce the itchy-ness of insect bites and poison ivy, and helps dry up and heal the weeping of poison ivy. Because of how strong it is, many people prefer to mix a few drops of Tea Tree Oil within another carrier (like almond oil, olive oil, aloe vera, cleanser, toner or a light moisturizer). This is good for when you would be using the Tea Tree Oil everyday for an extended period of time. Mixing it in a carrier like this helps prevent excessive dryness, flaking or irritation of the skin, yet it maintains the healing benefits and antibacterial properties of the Tea Tree Oil. I use "Thursday Plantation" brand Tea Tree Oil which I purchase at GNC, but I imagine any brand of good quality Tea Tree Oil will work just as well . It's not cheap, but you only need to use a drop or two per application so the bottle lasts a long time. It smells very strong when you first start using it, but then after a while you get used to the scent, and now I actually like it ..... it smells clean and medicinal. Now when I smell it, it reminds me of healing and health. It's a very healing scent. Good stuff! I would never be without it! :)
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Hair Off Facial Buffer
Rachel1234 6/2/2008 7:02:00 AM
Did not work! PLUS .... even though I was very gentle, it took off a layer of skin. Now tell me, if I have to be gentle to avoid taking off a layer of skin, then how can I be firm enough get the hair off? And if I do it hard enough to get the hair off, I'll bleed. What a waste of money. I knew it sounded too good to be true. Now I have red, inflamed skin with tiny cuts on my upper lip. Moisturizer burns the area, and I can't even put concealer on because that burns too. I would have given this zero lippies if I could. It doesn't even deserve one lippy - it didn't perform PLUS did harm. :(
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Lipstick -Lancome - Le Rouge Absolu - Canyon Blush
Rachel1234 4/7/2008 6:18:00 PM
Wow. I LOVE this color. I didn't think I would. I received it as a "Gift With Purchase"' with an order I placed on Lancome.com. It looks so dark and bold in the tube. I was CERTAIN that I would just hate it, but since it was free I tried it on anyway (ready to promptly toss it in the trashcan as soon as I saw the hideous color in the mirror). But wow, was I shocked to see it go on sheer, shiny and gorgeous! It is an absolutely perfect My-Lips-But-Better color! Not too dark or bold at all! Canyon Blush is a beautiful, sheer, glossy, warm peachy-rose color. GORGEOUS. L-O-V-E it!!! Now ...... I have to go on Lancome and buy more of them. Ugh, why does Lancome do this to me??? Definitely 5 lippies! :)
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Bronzers -Cover Girl - Tanfastic Bronzer- Solstice [DISCONTINUED]
Rachel1234 4/2/2008 8:25:00 PM
I really like this bronzer, and I am NOT a "bronzer gal". I am fair with warm undertones, and I use Solstice as a blush. It actually looks like a warm golden peach on me, Not orange at all .... more like a soft, subdued beigey-peach with a gorgeous golden glow. So, soooo pretty! It makes my face look so alive and healthy. It reminds me A LOT of Nars Silvana blush. If you want more info on the color of Solstice, go check out the Nars Silvana reviews, because the color is pretty much exactly the same (at least on my skin). By the way .... I LOVE Nars Silvana. So obviously, it goes without saying, I love Solstice. They look identical on me, but Solstice is one-fifth the price of Nars. Okay, so now I'm sold. 5 lippies! :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Unlisted Brand - NYC Ultra Last Lip Wear - Smooch
Rachel1234 3/18/2008 3:47:00 PM
Smooch is a beautiful, gorgeous, shimmery color - it's rosy-passion-pink color with lots of beautiful peach shimmers throughout. It's really so pretty. The rosy/pink base color is very sexy and yet somehow natural, and the sparkly peach shimmers add a pop of depth and contrast that brings to mind glistening apricots after a summer rain ... both pink and peach, but not mixed together .. separate yet complimentary. Suffice it to say, I love this color, All of my other lipsticks are Chanel, but when I walked past this color 2 days ago while in the drugstore, I stopped dead in my tracks, turned around and went back to it. It was $1.99 and I hesitated to buy a "drugstore"' lipstick. But for $1.99 who cares if it gets tossed. So I bought it, tried it on at home, and in the sunlight the next day, and WOW! *LOVE* it! I'm bypassing my Chanels for this lippy everyday. I'm going back today to purchase 3 or 4 more as backup. This color is going to look amazing this spring/summer! :) For reference, I am pale with yellow/neutral undertones, brown hair/brown eyes (Irish and Italian heritage) and this color looks beautiful on me. 5 lippies!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No