Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - L Ete en Douce
doree_001 2/11/2009 7:54:00 AM
I agree that it is a calm fragrance, "summery". Fresh and clean, somehow very dry, but at the same time a way too detergent-like. I usually like those kind of "clean", even soapy smells, but this one developes into a too "laundry-detergent" type of scent. It lacks a "sparkle".
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Fragrances -Van Cleef & Arpels - Feerie
doree_001 2/11/2009 7:04:00 AM
It is hard to say anything original about this fragrance. I expected something more distinctive from Van Cleef&Arpels. It is not a bad fragrance, but nothing more than that. It lacks originality and it is not very distinctive. It goes with the trend of a fruity, lightly sweet fragrances, the staying power is rather good and - luckily - doesn't turn to be cloying. It has more "smoothness" than other fruity fragrances and it is not overpowering - that's good. But I think it is very "forgetable", nothing special. Between 2 and 3 lippies. Description: Floral-Woody Musk fragrance TOP NOTES: Violet, Red Berries, Cassis, Black Currant, Italian Mandarin, Green Leaves MIDDLE NOTES: Bulgarian Rose, Egyptian Jasmine BOTTOM NOTES: Iris Butter, Vetiver, Musks
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Yves Saint Laurent - Cleansing Silky Balm
doree_001 2/11/2009 6:54:00 AM
This is a cleansing balm for drier or sensitive types of skins. It is the one in a 150 ml (5 fl.oz.) rose tube. While it looks very rich at the first moment, IMO it is more a creamy-gel consistency, not exactly "balmy". Actually, seems quite 'siliconic' to me. It cleanses the makeup rather good, but I don't enjoy the consistency so much, because I am not fond of anything that reminds me even a little bit of a 'siliconic' texture.
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Skincare - Face -Estee Lauder - Advanced Night Repair Concentrate
doree_001 1/3/2009 9:39:00 AM
Seriously good product or better to say - treatment. It really improves skin's condition and skin's texture. I have been using it for 10 days now and I am going to use it for 21 days, as it is recommended. Makes the skin better and healthier looking, brighter, smoother, firmer, more alive. My skin looked a bit tired and sallow lately when I started to use it, and now - after 10 days - I look so much better, somehow revitalized with a nice skin ( I got some compliments for my skin, too). I am very satisfied with this product (I use it only PM, not AM). Comparing with the price of some other periodical treatments for the skin (like Sisley Elixir, some ampules from other brands etc.) it is even not so expensive! Only one thing which I don't like: a dropper can be a trouble, because the serum is very thick - sometimes is a problem to drop it properly. EDIT (01/15/2009): I have finished my 21-day treatment with this serum. I was most satisfied with it in the first days of use (first week or so). After that, improvement was not so obvious any more. Anyhow, it is a good product -- it helps regarding skin elasticity and sensitivity: now it is very cold here, but my skin doesn't suffer as usual in winter. Maybe this serum has improved its resistance or something like that. It doesn't deserve 5 lippies, but for sure 3+ or 4.
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Fragrances -Tom Ford - White Patchouli
doree_001 12/6/2008 8:10:00 AM
Very chypre, sharp, herbal, bitter. White flowers with sharp mossy notes. I don't particularly like it, it is somehow retro (not very original or inovative reminiscent of old chypre fragrances).
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Chanel - Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Luminous Matte Fluid Makeup SPF 15
doree_001 10/25/2008 10:09:00 AM
I got some samples of this foundation, although it is not for my skin type (dry). I wish I had this foundation when I was younger and had a mixed skin -- days when I had a hard time to find a good foundation. This is really good! It has a nice creamy but light texture, good coverage but not masky, luminous - mat (combination that is really hard to find!), easy to apply and blend. I think this could be almost perfect for a mixed skin. 4+
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Chanel - Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Make-Up ] [DISCONTINUED]
doree_001 10/25/2008 9:59:00 AM
This is semi-transparent on my skin and really doesn't cover much, so I am surprised with some reviews saying it is a heavier foundation. It is light, quite pleasant feeling on my skin, not heavy at all, absolutely not mask-like. Doesn't turn oily on my skin and it is not shiny, not matte either, but far from "oil slick" (but my skin is dry - I don't think it is good for oilier skin types). Good light reflective properties but not exceptional - nothing so very "professional" in it. Gives a good "light" and makes the skin less dull or tired, but absolutely doesn't improve the look of aging skin, lines or wrinkles - therefore it is better for younger skins. Looks rather natural on the face, but Chanel traditionally has not a color for my complexion. :-( I tried only some samples and would not buy it, because I can't find the right color for me. Between 3 and 4 lippies. *(I tried at the same time some samples of Mat Lumiere foundation and I like Mat Lumiere better - better creamy texture and coverage, although it is not for my dryish skin).
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Cleansers -Chanel - Huile confort silky cleansing oil
doree_001 10/25/2008 9:49:00 AM
This is a cleansing oil from Chanel new cleansing range. It is pleasant on the skin and very light oil in consistency (which is fine with me) but it absolutely can't efficiently remove heavier makeup. In fact, I don't think that it removes even a "normal", not heavily applied, foundation very well. It also can't remove eye makeup (mascara) although it is a cleanser for face & eyes. I even don't wear waterproof mascaras but have a stubborn Guerlain Le 2 mascara at a moment and this cleansing oil can't remove it at all. Anyway, I would recommend it only for a lighter makeup or for a morning cleansing of a dry skin when you don't have makeup at all. I am not an expert for ingredients, so can't explain is it really so high-quality regarding ingredients. All in all, I have expected more from this one so I would not repurchase. Packaging is excellent though.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Chanel - No 5 Eau Premiere
doree_001 10/25/2008 6:15:00 AM
I don't care for this - actually it is a disappointment for me. It is just a watered down version of a regular No.5, pale and rather unimpressive, not charming at all. (I am not the fan of original No.5 either, but original is better although rather oldfashioned for my liking.) I don't see anything new, fresh or airy in this version. Yes, there's maybe a tad less aldehydes, but it is still an aldehydic-woody composition just with a rather sharp citrus added, that doesn't fit into this composition at all. I don't find it fresh and airy, as many have described it, but boring, dull and musty.
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Liquid -Lancome - Color Ideal
doree_001 9/30/2008 9:07:00 AM
I got a sample of this foundation (although I didn't ask for it - a saleslady just put it into my bag with other samples). I thought that this type of foundation was not for me - this is a light foundation and I thought it was supposed for young ladies, I use foundations for mature skin. Anyway I tried it, expecting not to be satisfied (I expected poor coverage and not sufficiently moisturizing texture). But, well, I am pleasantly surprised: this is a nice foundation, very pleasant on the skin, light-feel and the skin can breath. But it also gives a decent coverage (medium, I would say), perfects and uniforms the color of your complexion and have a decent light-reflecting properties... Looks very natural on the face, almost like you have not makeup, but just have a nice, healthy, radiant complexion. No mask-like look, very natural...This would be nice for everyday - day wear, I think that I really should not stick only with heavier foundations for mature skins... This looks nice and it is also very moisturizing, what is very important to me - and I really didn't expect it would be enough moisturizing for my dehydrated, a bit sensitive and demanding skin (it is more moisturizing than a new Lancome's PHOTOGENIC LUMESSENCE foundation for dry & mature skin, which I tried some time ago and was not satisfied at all - it was drying and dull-looking, absolutely not enough moisturizing). Staying power is also very good - no oxidation or color change, in my case. Lancome web-site says it is a fonudation for "all skin types" , "perfected, even and fresh natural finish", SPF 15.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Lancome - Color Ideal Hydra Compact Creme Makeup
doree_001 9/30/2008 8:51:00 AM
Very good creamy compact foundation. Easy to blend, it is silky, smooth, gives satiny-look, but not too shiny. Medium coverage, very light feel on the skin (moisturizing, but not heavy or oily). Doesn't turn to powder, it stays creamy, so I am not sure would it be good for oily skins. I think it is most suitable for dehydrated skins, normal or normal to dry (not extremely dry). I rarely use compact foundations, but this one is good to have in a purse in a case you need a quick touch up. I wish the compact (container) was smaller, with a better sponge.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Chanel - Face Contour Brush #5
doree_001 9/26/2008 3:14:00 PM
The best blush brush I have ever had! I will try other Chanel brushes too.
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Skincare - Face -Guerlain - Orchidee Imperial Serum
doree_001 9/14/2008 1:04:00 PM
I got 3 samples of this serum; now I have finished 2 of them and I admit that it is very good. I like it more than Orchidee Imperial cream... Well, it seemed a bit sticky, too rich at first (it has an emulsion-like texture) but it sinks perfectly and revives, revitalizes the skin. Mature, dry skin really drinks it and absorbs it well. It is very pleasant on the skin and especially effective with Orchidee Imperiale cream... Skin is smooth and looks good and healthy when you use it. I would like to know is it really that benefitial after a longer use.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Guerlain - Orchidee Imperiale Rich Cream
doree_001 9/14/2008 12:55:00 PM
This cream is definitely too rich for me, although my skin is dry. First time when I tried it (I have a sample) I thought it was very sticky... Then I used it for a couple of nights when my skin was very dehydrated and dry... I was surprised that it sinked very well into the skin, making my skin very smooth, silky, refreshed and well-toned in the morning. However, after using it for 2 or 3 nights I got three huge breakouts (painful cysts) on my chin and forehead (I don't remember when it happened to me with other creams). I suppose this could be a great cream for 50+ or even 55+ (and older) ladies with dry skin. I wouldn't recommend it for younger, because it seems that it contains many active ingredients which can only irritate younger skin. I am also slightly concerned with a slightly silicone feel of all Guerlain creams - therefore I prefer Sisleya and other creams from Sisley range, although I admit that Orchidee Imperial creams (both textures) give a better "cosmetic effect" than Sisleya (I mean: immediate effect - "flash" effect that improves the look of your skin). But, on the other hand, I am not sure do they really improve skin that much in a long run. For example: I used Orchidee Imperiale Cream (original one) last Summer and Fall and after couple of months of use my skin became dehydrated -- seems that the cream simply stopped to work. So - I am always quite skeptic with Guerlain (I am faithful only to their Anti-Ageing Foundation). One thing is certain: if you want to look good when you go out - Orchidee Imperiale creams will give you good look.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Guerlain - Issima Super Aquaserum Optimum Revitalizing Hydrator
doree_001 9/14/2008 12:38:00 PM
This is a nice moisturizing serum. Rich infusion of moisture and it is especially pleasant to use in summer (I used up my samples this summer and I prefer this serum to Super-Aqua creams). I am not sure would I buy it or not, because I tend to purchase more complex anti-aging serums (I am in late 40's), not only moisturizing. Regarding moisturizing serums, I also slightly prefer Kanebo Moisture Polish Essence.
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