Makeup Brushes -MAC - #187 Duo Fiber Face Brush (Stippling, Skunk Brush)
josette 4/13/2008 5:37:00 PM
I didn't really care for how this brush worked with my liquid foundations which is why I bought it [MAC Studio Fix Fluid and Stila Illuminating Foundation] It was too soft and flimsy feeling to effectively apply my foundation - maybe because I have a problem with large deep pores on nose and chin. Because of this I actually took a very long time trying to make it give me some coverage with this. I have much better luck with liquid foundation using my Stila #27 Perfecting Foundation Brush because it's firmer and not as oversized as many foundation brushes.
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Makeup Brushes -Stila - #27 Foundation Brush
josette 8/29/2007 1:33:00 AM
Give it up for Stila again! This is a wonderful foundation brush. The MAC and Smashbox foundation brushes are so big they are hard to control. This Stila 27 is the perfect size - a little shorter and narrower yet big enough to apply the foundation quickly. It is firm enough for stick foundation yet so soft against the skin. No shedding. Recommend highly.
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Crème -Becca - Stick Foundation
josette 8/5/2007 10:44:00 PM
I just love this foundation stick for several reasons 1] The texture is perfect. Not greasy like the Bobbi Brown stick and not too light a coverage as with the MAC stick. This Becca stick gives medium coverage and the finish is like satin - not dry and not dewey. 2] I like the portability of a stick foundation as I travel frequently. I apply it with a small Smashbox foundation brush and then use a smoothing, pressing motion with my fingers. 3] The range of shades is vast so everyone can find their perfect match. I have light/medium skin with yellow undertones (Mac NC25, Stila 30 Watt). I went to Sephora and found that 'Tahini' is my exact match. Banana was just a little lighter and Macadamia was a bit deeper. If I purchase the concealer compact, I'll get it in Banana. If I get the powder, I'll get the Sesame. Other brands are often too neutral or too 'orange' (Prescriptives I'm speaking to you...) Yellow undertones are not the same thing as 'golden' or orange and Becca seems to understand that.. So the look I get with this is natural and doesn't look different than my neck. Just be sure to moisturize your face and throat first or apply primer.
13 out of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Bobbi Brown - Extra Spf 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm
josette 6/25/2007 10:44:00 PM
I have mature, combination skin and this was much too heavy and emoliant for me. It has almost no coverage rather than having 'sheer' coverage. My face looks like it's covered with a shiny old fashioned night cream and this product has a strong chemical smell which is irritating to my eyes. I like tinted moisurizers [Stila light and MAC nc30] as I get sheer coverage which evens out the skin tone [light to medium with yellow undertones] and then I follow that up with my Mally concealer and then a light dusting of T LeClerc banane powder. This approach looks natural and like I just have good skin. But with this Tinted Moisturizing Balm, it's so greasy that even after blotting with tissue - the concealer will not adhere properly. Even the powder won't make it stay - just slides off. I also have little balls of this stuff on my face as I smooth it on. Kind of strange. What a pretty picture you all must have of me..... I originally got it because you don't need any moisturizer underneath but it's not worth it unless you have sincerely dry rough skin.
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Shalimar
josette 9/3/2006 9:16:00 PM
This is one of my favorite 2 fragrances in existence! It is a light oriental yet is lasting too. A sophisticated scent and totally unlike anything else. I think the key is to apply it lightly to really appreciate it. First of all it is the only scent I receive compliments on from men. Every time I wear it my husband says I smell great which is lovely and unexpected. I also have had men I don't even know say that my cologne smells so nice. Secondly, in my mid fifties I enjoy simplifying my life and honing my choices down to only the best. So for instance I now only purchase 2 fragrances - Shalimar Eau de Parfum and Pure Grace cologne by Philosophy. They are polar opposites but both are unique. I love one for daytime and one for evening. There is a reason Shalimar has been a continuous success since the 1920's. Try it and see if it suits your body chemistry.
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Scrubs -Lather - Bamboo & Lemongrass Body Scrub
josette 7/8/2006 9:13:00 PM
This is absolutely the best, most effective body scrub I've used; and I've tried countless high end and drug store brands. I like to self-tan so I need a good exfoliant. I only have to use this once every 5 - 7 days because it really works. Many brands are so 'gentle' they don't make a genuine difference in your skin. Many brands are so moisturizing they leave you greasy as well as a slippery tub. This leaves your skin absolutely smooth - gets rid of all the nasty little bumps etc. No grease on the bottom of the tub. The dark granular residue just rinses down the drain. I apply either my body lotion or self tanner and my skin is baby soft for days! A little expensive - I get it from QVC - but the huge pot lasts a long time as a little goes a long way and you're not using it every day. Bravo to this item.
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Lipstick -MAC - Lustre - Eager
josette 4/26/2006 7:27:00 PM
I cannot give any MAC lipstick less than a 2 or I would with this one... I got it today as a 'Back to MAC' and have already thrown it away. That's fast even for me. I quickly chose it because I had an idea it looked like the lipstick equivalent of the beautiful lipglass 'Lychee Luxe'. I dabbed it on in the store and it looked ok so I got it. Well, where the lipglass looks juicy and attractive and fruity - "Entice" is hideous as a lipstick. It made my mouth 'stand out', even trying to tone it down with lip pencil and blotting off some. Though the colors are similar, this is one to be careful of - gets uglier and louder with time.
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Self Tanners -Clarins - Self Tanning Milk SPF 6
josette 4/20/2006 2:31:00 PM
This is my HG self tanner. I have tried Every Brand from drug store types to high end to mail order and this is unparalled for me. It gives me a believable golden tan [I have light skin] and I apply it every 6 days on my legs only. It goes on creamy and white - as I don't like the kind that goes on brown. It's not runny nor is it foul smelling. The color I end up with is perfect - one coat gives me a lovely tan. Some self tanners are too light - so you have to put them on every other day - to me that is more expensive in the long run. Some tanners are too dark and streaky - like a reddish brown color. So I will continue to purchase this forever - I surely hope they never discontinue it!
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Foundations -Stila - Natural Finish Oil Free Makeup
josette 4/14/2006 6:02:00 PM
I have found that Stila makes the best foundations out there; and this is the best oil-free foundation I have used. The color C is perfect for my 30 Watt/ NC25 skin and it goes on smooth and creamy - none of that watery/powdery matte oddness that liquid oil free makeup can have. The pour bottle didn't bother me either. The coverage is light but you could blot with tissue and then apply another thin layer to adjust that if needed. The only reason I marked I would not buy it again is that on my combination skin with mild rosacea - I am better suited to the Stila Illuminating makeup [my absolute HG foundation]. And if I want lighter coverage in summer I prefer the Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer because it has SPF 15. I always use Stila Eye Concealer in Light on my undereye circles and redness on cheeks anyway. Then a bit of loose T leClerc banane powder.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Caswell-Massey - Almond Cold cream soap
josette 4/13/2006 10:45:00 PM
This is such great soap - very dense and makes creamy rich lather. I love the oval shape, the generous size and the light almond scent which I wish were stronger. My husband likes this soap too as it isn't girly. I am old fashioned in that I don't like shower gel liquid type soap - I want a good honest bar of high quality soap and a washcloth. There is no comparison using this and a bar of Dial or Dove or Camay. This is worth the price and lasts a long time.
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Gels/Soaps -Claus Porto - Vetyver Bath Soap
josette 4/13/2006 6:28:00 PM
This is an enormous bar of the most wonderful soap and it lasts for ages. I get it at Casswell Massey and is the only vetiver fragrance soap there is available that I have found. I love this clean, green, scent with a bit of musk - really unusual - a lemon grass scent that gives the bathroom a nice smell but not noticeable on the body once I'm dressed. This and the Casswell Massey Almond and Aloe Soap are the only ones I repeatedly purchase.
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Moisturizers -Principal Secret - Reclaim SPF 15
josette 4/7/2006 10:46:00 PM
This is my absolute HG daytime moisturizer. It acts as my sunblock, moisturizer, and is perfect under makeup - helps it go on smoothly. Light and creamy texture and a generous amount in the practical container - excellent quality here as in all the Reclaim line - all of Principal Secret really. The price is moderate as I buy it in a kit from QVC online called 'Reclaim Your Beauty'. It is the only cream that actually made a difference to my skin - feels like glass now. Before this I'd been using an ultra expensive brand that had me using pads, serums, liquids, and creams. Who has time for that and wants to store all that clutter. Yet this Reclaim is what helped me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Principal Secret - Reclaim Night cream
josette 4/7/2006 10:34:00 PM
My HG night cream and the only one I've purchased more than once. Lovely creamy consistancy that melts into my skin and seems to feed moisture and strength into my mature, combination skin. I'm grateful for a simple system like Reclaim where I don't have to use 5 different serums and pads and heaven knows what all each night. Most importantly my skin feels smoother and firmer than ever. The price is moderate and lasts a long time. I get it in a kit from QVC online called 'Reclaim your Beauty.
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Treatments (Eye) -Principal Secret - Reclaim Eye Cream
josette 4/7/2006 10:05:00 PM
My HG eye cream. Gentle, soothing and effective. A nice creamyness about it and it's such a simple approach to protecting the delicate eye area. I love the whole Reclaim line because it's uncomplicated and makes my skin feel calm and very smooth. I use it both in the morning and before bedtime. The price is moderate and it lasts a long time. I buy it online from QVC in a kit called 'Reclaim Your Beauty'.
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Cleansers -Principal Secret - Reclaim Total Facial Cleanser
josette 4/7/2006 2:49:00 PM
My HG cleanser. It is affordable, easy to use, and makes my skin clean yet soft. Some cleansers are too harsh, some leave your face greasy and you need a toner afterwards. This is a simple method. Unlike gel or cream cleansers, you just rinse this off with water and a washcloth. You don't have to wet your face in advance and work up a lather in your hands. Very high quality like everything else in the Reclaim line. I buy it in a kit on QVC called Reclaim Your Beauty.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No