Lip Treatments -Burt's Bees - Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil 
Ancatje 12/24/2012 8:13:00 PM
This lip balm is ok - not bad but not great either. Moisturises fine and has a very very slight pink tint to it, but I feel like I have to reapply often. It has no spf, so you can't use it outside. It's about £3.50 which is a bit expensive for it to not work that well. I do prefer it to the Acai Berry one, purely because it has a better smell and a slight tint, but I won't be repurchasing either of them.
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Lip Treatments -Blistex - Relief Cream
Ancatje 12/24/2012 8:01:00 PM
I can't believe there aren't more reviews of this! This is an amazing product and only costs about £2.50. It is medicated, so I wouldn't use it all the time, but I do use it especially in the winter, when I get really dry and cracked lips. A couple of weeks ago I had two cracks in my lower lip, really sore and you could see the raw skin. I put this on at night, and the chapping was sealed by the morning, and completely healed in 2-3 days. This comes in one of those metal tubes, which I don't mind but if you carry this in your pocket, the metal can tear and there'll be lip balm coming out of the tube where you don't want it. Better to either leave this at home or carry it in your bag in a safe pocket. The consistency is smooth and it's minty so you get a cooling effect straight away. It lasts quite a while on your lips so you don't have to constantly reapply. Leaves a white cast though so I wouldn't use it outside of the house. Highly recommended as an "emergency" treatment for very dry cracked lips!
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Lips -Soap and Glory - Smooch Operator
Ancatje 12/24/2012 11:36:00 AM
This is a "lip butter balm" tub that contains 9g of product and is £6 in the UK drugstores. First off, I am pleasantly surprised at the nice smell of this lip balm. Unlike other S&G products I have tried, with overpowering smells, this has a light coconut scent, very pleasant. The consistency of this is waxy, a bit like the Carmex or Blistex balms in a tub. This means it doesn't move around on your lips as much, which I like, and makes it good for under other lip products like lipstick! However, and the reason I give it 3 lippies, it is not very moisturising. After about an hour, the effect goes and you have to reapply, and my lips are not left noticeably more moisturised than before. In fact this product doesn't really make them softer at all. For £6 this is a rather expensive lip balm, so I'd expect it to perform better. To be clear though, I don't dislike it, and I really like the smell, so I might repurchase when I run out, if I feel like splurging on a balm.
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Brows -E.L.F. - Eyebrow Kit
Ancatje 12/18/2012 6:34:00 PM
ELF products are more miss than hit a lot of the times with me. I like a couple of their brushes, but not much of their makeup. This brow kit though I think is very very good! I have it in Dark, since I have dark-ish brown eyebrows, and this matches them well. The wax is a dark grey-ish brown which is perfect for dark brows, and the texture is a bit drier, which I find ideal because then it doesn't smudge and budge. The powder side I tend not to use, because the colour stays on fine with just the wax. Also I feel the powder can make my brows a bit too dark/ strong for my liking - but the colour match is good and the style may be on someone else's taste! The little brush that comes with it is quite handy, the hard angled side is perfect to use with the wax. The fluffy side deposits a bit too much colour, but you can still work with it and it's fine for on the go. I've had this for ages, since I don't use it too often due to laziness and now having a fringe, but the wax hasn't dried out on me at all! Very good value for money!
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Lip Treatments -Palmers - Cocoa Butter Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Butter
Ancatje 12/16/2012 12:31:00 PM
This lip butter feels soft and soothing on my lips and moisturises them well. It's not an intense moisturising treatment, but it's very good for day to day and stays on my lips for a long time. The smell is lovely - smells like After Eight chocolate mints to me! Even though I don't usually like anything with a scent on my lips, this is quite nice and the smell doesn't linger. I'd say you can use this as a clear gloss, as it gives a shiny glossy finish. Not good for under lipstick/ lip stains etc, but great on its own or on top of lipstick. It's quite similar to a lip gloss in consistency, so careful not to put too much on, so as you don't get the drooling-from-the-side-of-your-mouth effect! I actually prefer to buff this in with my finger to prevent that, as I feel putting it on straight from the tube can get messy.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST Weekly Resurfacing Treatment
Ancatje 12/13/2012 7:37:00 AM
I can't help but add to the good reviews. This stuff really works! The texture of my skin has improved and the uneven skin tone had been getting, well, more even. I love how it's a clear water-like liquid, so I can use whatever other moistuiser or treatment I want on top and still not feel greasy. I apply this with a cotton ball as I feel that when I used my fingers I would use up more product. I have fairly sensitive skin and use this 2-3 times a week, depending on what my skin's doing at the time and other products that I'm using.
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Mascara -New York Color - Showtime Waterproof Volumizing Mascara
Ancatje 12/10/2012 6:09:00 PM
This is very cheap so I wasn't expecting wonders, but I have seen good reviews of this and wanted to try it out. Not impressed, is what I have to say. For a waterproof mascara, this does not hold a curl AT ALL. I have and used plenty of non-waterproof mascaras that do hold a curl all day, so I find this aspect of the NYC mascara unacceptable. It doesn't volumise much and only adds a slight length, and you have to fiddle with the brush a lot to get a decent result. A result that doesn't even last, and half an hour in I end up with poker straight lashes. Why bother!
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Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Nails Inc - Victoria
Ancatje 12/8/2012 10:27:00 PM
I disagree with the reviews below. Yes, the colour is pretty - with one coat it looks like a darker berry-ish hot pink to me, and with two coats it's a dark wine/ black cherries colour. It's glossy and can be worn on both fingers and toes. But - and this is a deal breaker for me - the formula is very thick and gloopy, and the application is very streaky and uneven. Doesn't matter whether I put on one coat or two, always the same uneven effect, more so with one coat. I don't mind the fact that it's thick, but I've used this maybe 10-15 times now and I always get the same uneven result. I've seen this shade since in a couple other brands, so I'll probably use this up on my toes (since there it's less noticeable that it's not perfect) and not buy it again.
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Mascara -Maybelline - Volum' Express The Colossal Waterproof
Ancatje 12/7/2012 8:47:00 PM
Can't understand the good reviews for this product. For me, this holds no curl AND smudges like mad! I have no problem with regular non-waterproof mascaras holding a curl, but this one just does not. Ten minutes in and my lashes are poker straight. Not the desired or expected effect from a waterproof mascara! If that wasn't enough, it smudges, so that the first time I've used it, by the time I got to work, I had grey shadows under my eyes. I thought hey, maybe it was a one off, so tried it again a few more times - same result! Again, not what I'd expect from a waterproof mascara, especially since the only reason I use a waterproof one is because now that it's winter my eyes are a bit runny from the wind when I'm outside, so I don't want to end up with mascara under my eyes. As for volume and length... it does give some volume, but it seems more natural to me, rather than full lashes, and I can't see much effect in terms of length. It also isn't as black as I'd like it. Disappointing product.
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Moisturizers -Cetaphil - Moisturizing Lotion
Ancatje 11/27/2012 2:30:00 PM
If you want a good basic moisturiser, with no scent, a decent price, and that won't irritate your skin - this is it! I don't use it everyday, not at all, but it's good to have around when I just want something simple. It's good under makeup too - sinks in quickly but at the same time gives enough moisture that your skin is left nicely prepped.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Oilatum Natural Face Repair Cream
Ancatje 11/27/2012 2:25:00 PM
For my dry-combination skin, this is not suitable for daily use or for use under makeup. I'd say the texture is that of a night cream - a bit thicker, but not so thick that it sits on top of your skin. It does take a little while to sink in though, so that's why I use it either as a night cream, if I feel my skin is drier than normal and irritated, and especially in the winter, OR if I've used a mask for drawing out impurities and such and feel that I need something to calm my skin down a bit after. I can only detect a very slight fresh/herbaly scent in this. Very soothing and moisturising and handy to have around!
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Lip Treatments -Carmex - LipBalm
Ancatje 11/27/2012 6:46:00 AM
PROs: - This really works. I don't use this on a regular basis (see cons belIow) but I keep it beside my bed and every now and again I put a thick-ish layer of this on my lips at night. In the morning I always wake up with super soft lips and all cracks that may have been there gone. - It's cheap CONs: - The smell. It's kind of a mentholy waxy rubbery smell, really strong (some may like it?), and I HATE how it just lingers on. As I said I put this on at night sometimes, and I can just feel the horrible smell up to the point that I fall asleep. Really puts me off. - The packaging. The jar is just so small/ narrow, that when I get about half way through it, I find it really hard to get any product out. Persisting, you get it all over your finger and under your nail - disgusting! Unless you take it out with a cotton bud or something, this is bound to happen. I'd much prefer it if it was in stick form, or just a larger Vaseline-like jar.
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Eyeliner -L'Oreal - Gel Intenza Eyeliner in Golden Black
Ancatje 11/22/2012 12:34:00 PM
I bought this for two reasons: 1. because I wanted to try out the L'Oreal gel eyeliner and see how it compares to other gel eyelines I've used before. And 2. because I thought it'd be a bit different from the classic black or brown that I'd usually line my eyes with. Now as for point 1, I think for this price you're better off buying the Maybelline gel eyeliner which I love, or pay a bit more and get the MAC or Bobbi Brown ones. This L'Oreal one lasts ok on me (hooded oily lids), but not as long as other ones, and it creases and transfers easier too! Also, I would really not call this a "gel" eyeliner. I feel like the consistency is more of a creamy powder, if that makes sense... More soft, a bit like the ELF cream eyeliners. Maybe that has something to do with it not lasting as well. It works fine for the waterline for me, again not lasting as long as other gel eyeliners, but decently. As for point 2, in the pan, this looks like a goldeny black with golden shimmer in it. When I apply it though - disappointment! I can't see the golden anywhere and it looks more like a washed out soft black to me. Not really what I wanted. I haven't tried out the plain black in this line, but from the experience with this one, I wouldn't buy these liners again.
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Foundations -Vichy - Dermablend Corrective Foundation
Ancatje 11/22/2012 11:06:00 AM
Oh how I love this! I have different uses uses for this: 1. AS A FOUNDATION: I don't like a full coverage most days. But if I did, or if I went out and wanted something that covers and lasts all night, then this is my choice! Of course you can apply it heavily, but I find that even if you thin it out (either by just using a little bit with a brush for your entire face, or by using a damp sponge), you still get amazing coverage BUT that looks natural, and not cakey! I haven't found a whole lot of full coverage foundations that do that. It also applies smoothly and not streaky, and I find it easy to buff in. Sure, because it's matte and covers so well, it can make you look a bit flat, so you have to compensate by using other products to give some dimension to your face. 2. AS A CONCEALER FOR SPOTS/ BLEMISHES/ REDNESS: My preferred use! This is amazing as a concealer, and I really feel like you don't need to get their Stick foundation if you have this one. It covers everything easily, and most days I find that if I use a tiny bit of this on my redness and spots, I don't need to use foundation at all. I don't powder it either and it stays up anyway! 3. AS AN UNDEREYE CONCEALER: If you find that your circles are really dark and nothing works, try this! BUT - don't use it on its own, as it can be a bit heavy and drying. Instead, mix it with a tiny bit of a lighter light-reflective concealer or a creamier corrector - it works wonders! 4. TO COVER TATTOOS: I have a small colour tattoo and this covers it with no problems, if I need it. Just put a thin layer of this on, then a thin layer of setting powder, then another thin later of this, then another thin layer of setting powder, and so on until you are happy with the results. The secret is thin layer that are built up, so that it really lasts :) ENJOY!
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Eye Shadow -MAC - Trax
Ancatje 11/22/2012 10:48:00 AM
Such a pretty colour but sadly horrible pigmentation! For some reason I only swatched this on my fingertips before buying it, and didn't try to swatch it on my hand - otherwise I would've seen how sheer it is. On my fingertips it showed up like a subtle purple shade with gold shimmer, and I instantly fell in love. At home though, when I put it where it's intended to be, on my eyes, I was shocked to find it just doesn't show up! All I could see was the golden shimmer, none of the purple! (and I'm not a massive fan of shimmery and glittery things) I've tried this with different products underneath, on its own, just over a primer, you name it, but it is just too sheer! If you try packing it on, you only get more gold shimmer, and barely any of the colour, so you end up looking like a disco ball. What a disappointmet. I still use this (I hate wasting products), sometimes over a nude primer, as a wash of (barely any) colour, or over eyeshadows in the middle of my lid as a bit of a highlight, or sometimes if I want to add a different effect to a matte shadow. But I wanted to use this as a regular eyeshadow colour, which I can't do, so I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
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