Self Tanners -St.Tropez - Everyday Daily Moisturiser
malabu 5/27/2010 6:30:00 AM
This product is amazing, especially for first time users and those with pale or fair skin. It's my first self tanner product ever because I've been very afraid to try self tanners on my pale skin after seing how girls can look like carrots when they use it or they look dirty and fake. I think that if you use a self tanner it shouldn't be noticable at all, I would rather be pale then! So I thought that a gradual tanner would be a safe way to go and it really is! I bought the light one. I applied it to my arms and chest in the night after exfoliating. The next morning I couldn't see any difference. But later in the afternoon I noticed some glow and after the second application the next night I had achieved a very healthy and perfect glow. The smell is ok, I know that self tanners often smell horrible, like a sweet banana milkshake, but this one is very tolerable I think! The consistency is good and so is the package. It's a bit expensive, which is the only downside to it, but with self tanners I would rather pay a little more to have a good result! It's not the one I would use for my whole body everyday, that would be expensive. I use it for my arms, shoulders and chest and if I plan to wear dress I will use it on my legs just to take away the paleness. I will recommend this product to girls who are fair and pale and afraid to try self tanners, first time users and those who want a natural and healthy glow that you can build up gradually!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Korres - Wild Rose 24-Hour Cream
malabu 5/22/2010 4:58:00 AM
I bought this cream because it's free from a lot of ingredients such as parabens, which I prefer to avoid. They write the ingredientes that it doesn't include on the package so it's easy to see what's in it and what's not. I also like the fact that it has SPF6, but it's not enough, I ask my self why they added SPF if it's so low that it doesn't really have an effect!? It should be like SPF15 if any. This cream was no success! It leaves sort of a layer on the top of my skin that feels dry and rough. After using it for some weeks it seems too greasy and heavy for my skin in general, it clogs my pores and they become more visible. It also seems ichy and sometimes I think it makes my eyes sting a little, it might be because of the SPF? But I have used creams with SPF without having that problem. I have a certain area on ym cheek that always turns red if my skin gets irritated and with this cream it turns red instantly. As for the scent, this has a heavy rosy smell (heavy as sunscreen scents), I prefer it a little more fresh and light. The more I use it, the more I dislike it. As for the packaging I always prefer a tube or something more hygienic instead of a jar. First I liked it, but then I started to notice these things that I mentioned above and now I have decided that I will not buy it again. I can't even use it as my emergency moisturizer when I run out of my favorite, since it instantly makes a mess on my skin! Tip: For a great moisturizer without parabens I can definately recommend Weleda Almond Soothing Facial Cream (Intensive Facial Cream) which has received very good reviews on makeupalley. It's fabulous. Healthy ingredientes, nice light smell, comes in a tube, moisturizing but not greasy!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Jane Iredale - Pure Pressed Base
malabu 5/2/2010 1:35:00 PM
The more I try this product, the lower rating I give it! I have had good days with it, but mostly bad days! If you have very good skin and don't need much coverage, this can be a good choice for you. However, if you are looking for coverage, I would not recommend it. It evens out the skin tone, but coverage is VERY light (not good for acne or blemishes, etc.). The light coverage makes it so hard to control the amount you put on if you try to build layers because you can't see where the brush has been already. I end up with clogged pores and uneven, low coverage. It seems to turn a little darker during the day and on my normal/oily skin it tends to get quite shiny. lt's a plus that it has SPF and contains no parabens. Offers a good range of colours, just a minus if the color turns darker after a while. I think it's too expensive compared to what it does for me and how fast you use the product. I will not buy it again. CONS: - VERY LIGHT coverage (hard to build layers evenly with good results) - Clogs pores - Shiny, especially in t-zone - Turns darker on me? (bisque) - Expensive - PRO: - Good range of color - Evens out skin lightly - Paraben-free and SPF
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Treatments (Eye) -100 Percent Pure - Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
malabu 3/26/2010 5:36:00 AM
I like this eye cream alot! It's hard to know what to expect from an eye cream since I don't believe that any cream can make wrinkles, fine lines or dark circles disappear. However, this eye cream is very hydrating for my medium-dry skin which might help preventing or reducing the appearance of fine lines. It doesn't irritate my eyes at all, so it's not causing dark circles, eye bags or red eyes. A little goes a long way and it's very light and easy to apply. I don't find it too greasy since I like a little hydration around my eyes. As for applying makeup, I only apply it under my eyes for daytime since most hydrating creams tend to make eyeshadow crease on the lids. I bought this because it doesn't contain any "toxic" ingredients!! It does contain a little perfume or scent - a light and discrete smell of sweet vanilla/café latte, it's fine with me, I like the smell. I love that it has a pump, however it's not a good pump, it's a little tight so it's hard to control the amount that comes out and I end up using more than I probably need. You only need ½ pump. When my bottle was almost empty, the pump was really unpredictable and started to spit the cream in all directions. After 4 months the cream that sits on the sides of the bottle became yellow and I also see saw some condense on the inside of the bottle. Maybe because it doesn't contain parabens and those things. I also found it hard to get all the cream out of a bottle in the end, I hate to waste. However, I don't believe that it has any negative effect and I'm satisfied with the cream so I will buy it again!
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Blush -MAC - Sheertone Blush in Gingerly
malabu 3/13/2010 7:00:00 PM
My mother wanted a blush that would look natural and sheer on her medium skin (and fit her age: 50+) with a color that she could use for all ocasions, so that she only needs to have one blush in her makeup collection. The MAC makeup artist chose the Gingerly blush for her and the result was very pretty and she loved it! A natural bronzy-tan-peach-reddish color that gives a glowy and healthy look. It gives a more mature look than with pink blushes, so it's very appropriate for middle age women. A thing to be aware of is that you might want to add the color with a light hand if you have a fair skintone. I tried this on my winter fair skin and it looked too orange on me, so be aware of that if you are pale, remember to check in day light.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Samoan Sand
malabu 3/6/2010 2:34:00 PM
Samoen Sand is a nude color with a peachy undertone, but for my pale skin which has cool undertones it seems too yellow, I can't stop thinking about a smoker's nails. I think I need something with a pink undertone instead. The quality is fine, it lasts for 4-5 days and I usually apply two layers. Easy to apply like all OPI polishes becasue of the perfect consistency and nice applicator, but it did streak a little though which I haven't experienced with OPI before. I will not buy Samoan Sand again because the color is too yellow for my skintone.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Cork
malabu 3/6/2010 2:10:00 PM
"Cork" is a good color to use for eye brows, especially for blondes since its a soft brown. A MAC makeup artist recommended the color for my crease and it looked ok, but it's not always a success on my crease for some reason. I know that Kim Kardashian's makeiup artist has used this one on her crease, and also on her brows. A decent matte crease color. I will probably use this for my brows in the future.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Jurlique - Foaming Facial Cleanser
malabu 2/23/2010 2:44:00 PM
This face wash foams well and seems to cleanse remnant makeup. I also like the fact that it has less chemicals and no parabens in it. The scent is quite neutral, though it reminds me a little of the liquid soap that you use for the dishes. It's very drying to my combination/oily face, lips and hands, which makes it seem too harsh for my sensitive skin. On the packaging it claims that it's "hydrating", but for me it has had the opposite effect. I have to apply a hydrating cream immediately after washing, and still after that, I feel that my skin is dryer than normal, especially during winter time. I will not buy this again.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex SPF 6 for Combination/Oily Skin
malabu 2/13/2010 4:44:00 AM
The lightest color (ivory) matches my skin quite well. In general I think it has a good coverage without looking like a powder mask. I have shared opinions about it though, it gives me good days and bad days. Sometimes it's just perfect. Good coverage and staying power, excellent colour match, flawless!! But at days it doesn't give me the desired results. Sometimes it seems a little too heavy like a mask, sometimes it lacks staying power (I never use primer) and sometimes I'm not happy with the coverage. Very strange!!! Maybe it depends on my mood and the time I dedicate to apply it. Despite the mixed feelings, there is no doubt that this is in the high end of foundations and especially drugstore brands. The package is absolutely horrible! There is no pump or anything to control the amount that you put on your hands. It can be difficult to work with it, since it dries very fast and also difficult to get of your fingers and hands with just water and soap. On the good side it's very cheap and probably better than many expensive brands. I would buy it again unless I find something better.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - All That Glitters
malabu 2/12/2010 8:13:00 AM
I find it to be too red/orange which makes me look tired and sick! This is a general problem for me with especially browns. Everytime I go to a MAC counter and ask for colors and mention my problem (even when I had a makeover done) they ALWAYS choose this color to match my blue/green eyes along with other warm tones. When I tell them that it doesn't work for me they are shocked and don't know what to say! It came to a point where I thought that I just couldn't wear makeup at all and I never understood how come I could wear it better as a teenager when I had NO clue about makeup and now in my 20s it looked worse after learning all the tricks!?? It turns out, they have been misleading me all the time! I had to find out on beauty blogs that a fair skinned girl with cool undertones often can't use colours that are warm (like this one!) but instead I have to look for colours with cool undertones! Nobody told me that and now I feel so stupid, all this time hunting warm colors! If you have the same problem, maybe that is the reason why this doesn't work..it's not only a matter of finding a color that brings out your eyecolour! I also find it a little too glittery for my lids, it makes them look like elephant skin though I haven't got any wrinkles. It might work for some people though, the color in itself is nice. I would not buy this again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Satin Blush - Well Dressed
malabu 2/12/2010 7:53:00 AM
I have fair skin so it can be hard to find a blush that matches and blends well without making you look like a clown. I must say that Welldressed from MAC is nice blush! The colour is pretty for light skin (it was recommended for me by a MAC makeup artist), it adds a subtle and natural pink to the cheeks with a hint of warmth that makes me look fresh and healthy, as if I had been taking a walk in cold weather. More important is that the colour doesn't make me look more pale or sick as some blushes tend to do. The blush blends really well and easily without leaving harsh lines, so it's quite safe to play with. I can highly recommend this blush for people with pale or fair porcelain skin. I will buy this blush again! *UPDATE*: Tried this on my mother, she is fair-medium and have dry skin. It didn't really show up on her, so i guess it depends on your skin tone??
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Clarins - Instant Light Lip Perfector - Rose Shimmer
malabu 2/12/2010 7:37:00 AM
I'm too lazy and mean to buy and test a lot of lipglosses so I'm glad that I found this one from Clarins! It's a neutral lipgloss with a hint of rosy-pink to it (shade 01) which I can use on a daily basis and for all ocasions. The result are beautiful and shiny lips that appear a little more volumous.I have an issue with sticky lips (!), so I was happy to learn that this doesn't feel sticky or drying. It's like wearing vaseline. I also tested this on my mother who hates sticky lips as well, and she loved it and it added a youthful shiny look to her lips. I also hate when a lipgloss creases and leaves this white ugly stuff around the lips, but this doesn't seem to do that. I have repurchased this product one time and will buy it again because it's worth the money if you look for something neutral and nonsticky that makes your lips look moistured.
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Haux Eye Shadow
malabu 2/4/2010 10:43:00 AM
I bought this color after receiving color advice from a MAC makeup artist. It was suppose to bring out my blue eyes paired with All That Glitters on the lid. It was a nice combination with those two colors and it probably brings out the blue. Unfortunately, it did not look nice on my skin at all since it turned very reddish and looked like I was having an allergic reaction or was sick, especially in daytime light. I want to go for a more brown shadow next time without the red tones in it, they just don't work for me at all! I have fair skin with cool undertones. I would not buy this color again.
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Concealers -Lancome - Effacernes
malabu 12/29/2009 8:26:00 AM
This concealor is the best one I've tried! I have been using it for over a month now. It has a good coverage, stays on all day and feels light on the skin without drying or setting into lines. I also use it as a primer around the eyes to brighten up the area, eliminate eventual redness and make me look more awake. I'm very critical with concealors since thay can make you look tired, wrinkled and older if you chose the wrong one. I have so many bad experiences with both expensive and cheap concealors that dry the skin and set into fine lines so they become wrinkles and most of them do not cover what they are supposed to. The package is good and hygienic. It contains SPF10 to protect from the sun which is very good. With this concealor I have found my favorite concealor so far. It is a bit expensive, but I would say that it's worth it to invest a little more in a quality product.
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Treatments (Eye) -Nivea - Q10 Plus Wrinkle Control Eye Cream
malabu 12/29/2009 7:56:00 AM
I have almost finished a tube of this eye cream and it's a pretty average one. I'm in my middle 20s and might be too young for an anti-wrinkle eye cream, but I see no signs of improvements or changes in any ways for my sometimes dark circles or eye area in general. It's not sticky or oily, it gives an okay hydration for day time use and I'm able to use it with concealor without problems. Maybe older women would prefer more hydration? I always prefer eye creams without parabens and chemicals, and this is not a clean product in that matter. The positive things are that it has UVA/UVB filter and contains no perfume. I bought this cream as an emergency product on my vacation and will not buy it again.
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