Fragrances -MAC - MAC Creations Fragrance Blend Variation Parfumee MV2
MaryEllen 12/20/2002 10:34:00 AM
I this scent is a deep, complex vanilla bourbon with notes of lemon, lavender creme, vanilla mousse and heliotrope. Don't trust how it smells initially--it develops on the skin into a rich, winter-y, voluptuous scent that's delicious but quite heavy--I only wore it at night and ended up swapping it away.
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Other -Stila - Last 10 Days Set #1
MaryEllen 12/20/2002 10:28:00 AM
This is a very nice set that includes Noelle lipstick (a reddish/brown/plum color, less plummy than Luce, no shimmer), Cameo blush (a peachy-pink with light shimmer), and lip pencil #16. The blush is very pretty on the skin, giving a light-colored flushed look (it also seems to be slightly more finely milled than some other Stila blushes), and Noelle is a not-too-dark neutral that looks great on my C3 skin. This set is a great value--$25 for a lipstick/blush/liner from Stila? Merry Christmas!
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Blush -Linda Cantello - Sweet Cream Blush in Brit
MaryEllen 12/18/2002 11:31:00 PM
This is a wonderful cream blush--clever dispenser (very travel-friendly), has a mousse-like texture, is easy to blend, and just lights up your face and makes you look happy. There is a very slight shimmer to this, just enough to give you a glow without looking fake. I like it so much I ordered Yank, too. Here are the ingredients for those interested: -cyclomethicone -talc -cyclopentasiloxane -ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate -tribehenin -boron nitride -polysilicone-11 -dimethicone -silica -tocopherol acetate -ascorbic acid -dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer -cetyl dimethicone copolyol -polyglyceryl-4 isostearate hexyllaurate -isopropyl titanium trisostearate -salicylic acid -butylparaben -isobutylparaben -isopropylparaben -May contain: Iron Oxides (C177491/C177492/C177499), Titanium Dioxide (C177891), Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride, Carmine (C175740), Manganese Violet (C177742), Ultramarines (C177007)
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Palettes -Trish McEvoy - Sweet Dreams
MaryEllen 12/18/2002 2:04:00 PM
This small palette (it's the size of the Down-to-Earth type palettes) comes with 3 transparent cream colors--a light pink, a champagne, and a muddy brown. The colors didn't work for me, and they were very sheer--you'd have to apply a ton to get even a subtle effect. I returned it.
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Lip Gloss -Chantecaille - Lipgloss in Nectar
MaryEllen 12/13/2002 1:47:00 PM
Ditto everything annas said--it's gorgeous, wears well, and the compact is wonderful, despite the outrageous price. Great over Lotus lipstick or alone. It's also very moisturizing.
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Eye Shadow -Chantecaille - Coriander e/s
MaryEllen 12/13/2002 1:45:00 PM
I love this shadow. It is a very unique light brown color with slight shimmer--it's unlike any other brown shadow I've ever seen. It absolutely lights up my blue eyes like nothing else. The texture is sublime and it blends easily, but other reviewers are right--these are not the best shadows to apply wet.
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Lip Treatments -Paula Dorf - Perfect Illusion
MaryEllen 12/13/2002 1:46:00 AM
This is, absolutely, the best product to prevent bleeding of lipstick and gloss! It comes in a stick and is clear, odorless, and not at all waxy (looking or feeling) on the skin. It prevents lipstick and gloss bleeding, and extends the wear time of any lip product. Highly recommended!
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Fragrances -L'Aromarine - Vanilla Perfume Pen
MaryEllen 12/9/2002 2:24:00 AM
This is a handy refillable pen that comes filled with .33 oz. of spray-on scent. I got the vanilla, which is a wonderful, deep, foody scent--like L'Occitane's Vanilla Home Scent, more of a bourbon vanilla. It has fair staying power. My only complaint about the packaging is that the body of the pen is glass, which I could easily break (although it seems pretty sturdy). You can find the pens at www.unearthlybeauty.com (Venus); smallflower.com carries other products, including bottled EDTs and bath gels, etc. that come in beautiful retro packaging. A variety of other scents are available as well. Inexpensive, too.
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Fragrances -Fresh - vanilla edt
MaryEllen 12/9/2002 2:17:00 AM
I find myself reaching for this scent every day this winter. It's a vanilla with character--not too sweet, not heavy, just right. It also goes well with every body lotion I have, and is wonderful combined with Jo Malone's Nutmeg and Ginger. The redesigned bottle is gorgeous, too.
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Moisturizers -La Mer - Creme de la mer moisturizer
MaryEllen 12/9/2002 2:06:00 AM
I have combo/dry skin and when I first used LaMer, I really slapped a fair amount of it on every night--and promptly broke out. I finally figured out that using much less than I had been using (just a tiny bit, warming it up well on my hands and patting it on), and not using it every night (I just put it on when my skin feels dry) is the ticket for me. Voila--skin miracle! I wake up with glowy, hydrated skin in the AM. It's all in the technique with this product, IMHO.
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Loose Powders -Chantecaille - Loose powder
MaryEllen 12/6/2002 12:41:00 AM
This is a fabulous powder, particularly if you have normal or dry skin (it is not drying and doesn't highlight dry patches). It is very finely milled and goes on like silk, with either a puff (a high-quality, washable puff is included) or a brush. It makes skin look like velvet--just a beautiful finish. If you tend to be oily, it might not be absorbent enough for you--I use LM Translucent on my t-zone (when I need it), then the Chantecaille over all with a brush.
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Lip Gloss -MAC - Lipglass Stain Petites
MaryEllen 12/3/2002 2:37:00 PM
This is a nice set, to keep or give as a gift. Electron Pink is a bright, full-on pink; Hi-Resin Rose is a pretty, girly, spring-y pink; Infrared Wood is a great YLBB brownish-rose neutral; and Chroma Camel is a true nude (think concealer color). I broke up the set--I'm keeping the rose and wood, giving the pink and camel because there is no way these will work on me. The plastic box it comes in is a little flimsy, but it's a great deal for the price.
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Palettes -Calvin Klein - Holiday Lip Palette
MaryEllen 12/3/2002 1:30:00 AM
This palette (which measures about 3x3 in. and is very slim) has 4 shades of the Double-Satin lip color--Pink Smoke (glossy nude pink w/beige undertones), Maple (glossy light pink/brown), Burgundy (warmish medium toned red/brown), and Cognac (warmish medium toned brown/red). Since I totally missed the boat on these lipsticks the first time around, I was glad to snag this palette. The colors are all quite neutral and wearable, and the selection ranges from natural to somewhat dramatic. They feel wonderful on the lips and have a glossy finish, yet wear much better than a gloss. There is a fair amount of each color (at least as much as in the BB palettes). It comes with a good-quality lip brush, too (but no mirror). For $23, I'd buy it again.
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Lip Treatments -Prescriptives - Lip Specialist
MaryEllen 12/2/2002 10:20:00 PM
This is an OK lip balm, but not $15 worth of OK. It comes in a pot, is clear, has a pleasant, light slightly minty/fruity scent, and is not heavy or really glossy on the lips. That having been said, there's nothing special about it--it wears off pretty quickly, isn't all that moisturizing, and is a little too slick to wear as a lipstick base. I'm returning it.
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Palettes -Christian Dior - Street Chic Lip Palette Bracelets
MaryEllen 12/2/2002 10:15:00 PM
Why, oh why, did I not listen to the wise MUAers? While I love the lighter of the 2 colors in the red palette, this thing is tiny, awkward, and useless (unless you're really a fashionista and would love the logo). Back to Sephora it goes tomorrow!
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