Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Sunlight Sparkle Eye Shadow
CoonieR 4/19/2009 6:35:00 PM
This is what I'd consider a splurge and not an everyday necessity at $24 ($4 more than other BB shadows). Sunlight goes on like a very sheer wash of golden shimmer. This looks pretty when applied over other shadows, but it doesn't have enough pigmentation to wear on its own, IMO, unless you only want a hint of glitter/shimmer. I do like the subtle shimmer effect, though, that this gives and how it looks glorious in sunlight. It would be pretty for a special occasion over other warm shadows, but it's definitely not a must-have.
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Lip Gloss -Korres - Cherry Full Lip Gloss in Beige Pink 32
CoonieR 2/12/2009 8:13:00 PM
Korres glosses don't get enough love on MUA! They are wonderful and rival other pricier glosses. This is my second Korres gloss; I have the #23 as well and have been impressed with their pigmentation and lasting power. This is a lovely shimmery beige/champagne color that's fairly neutral (in other words, not super-warm). I swatched it next to Laura Mercier's Champagne Lip Glace and this is an amazing dupe--yet it costs $6 less for 0.8 oz more product. The shimmer is understated and not glittery and is relatively well pigmented. The texture is nice too. Even though this is shimmery it doesn't leave any gritty feeling on my lips and it feels very moisturizing and smooth. It lasts a few hours without reapplication. The scent is a little strong (which is why I gave it 4 instead of 5 lippies) but not offensive--it's a cherry vanilla scent. This seems like a bargain next to other glosses at Sephora. This is definitely repurchase-worthy and likely not my last Cherry Full gloss.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -MAC - Mineralize Skinfinish in Blonde Degradé
CoonieR 2/8/2009 8:28:00 PM
This was my first MSF and I have to say that I'm impressed. I've received a few compliments from people when I've worn this, none of them about my blush per se, but about my "color" or "glow," which is a good thing given I prefer a natural look and don't like blush that stands out. This is a pretty true pink--not salmon colored, not hot pink, not mauve, but a rosy pink. It goes on relatively sheer but can be built up for more color. The shimmer is subtle and definitely not OTT. On my NW20 skin it looks like a subtle blush. I wouldn't use this as an all-over highlighter (I'd probably look like I had a sunburn!), but it's nice as a blush. I like the texture too and how you can add more color with multiple layers. It seems to last all day, even on my oily skin, and blends nicely. It's on the pricey side at $28 (IIRC), but a little goes a long way and it will likely last me for years. Love it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -MAC - Ever So Rich - Cremesheen Lipglass
CoonieR 2/7/2009 8:54:00 AM
I'm torn on this one... I wasn't blown away by any of the new Creamsheen glosses until a SA insisted that I try one on, which is when I decided to buy Ever So Rich. In the tube, it looks like a pretty lilac/pale lavender color with a hint of pink, but on, it's very sheer and looks like a milky lilac/pink color. I could see pairing this with many pale pink or slightly lavender lipsticks or wearing it on its own for a subtle look. My lips aren't super-pigmented (I'm NW20 BTW) and the color did show up nicely. The texture is nice too. It does feel creamier and thicker than Lipglasses usually do. There are other glosses out there (Korres comes to mind) that have a similar texture. This does have the classic MAC vanilla scent too, which is nice. It lasts about 2-3 hours on, so I find I have to reapply it as often as just about any other gloss, but it feels good while it lasts. The only reason I'm giving this 3 lippies instead of 4 or 5 is that I honestly don't think it's too unique or special. There's nothing wrong with it, but I just can't get excited about this one. That said, if I use it up, I'd repurchase it despite the hefty price tag ($18).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Mica Sparkle Eye Shadow
CoonieR 1/30/2009 8:50:00 PM
I'm officially a sucker for BB eye shadows. At first I thought, "Is Bobbi nuts? Who's going to pay $24 for a LE shadow that's the same size as her other shadows with less color payoff?" I saw the new sparkle shadows in Nordstrom and became that person. These shadows are really pretty but not must-haves IMO. Based on my NW20 pale skin, blonde hair and blue eyes, the MUA and I agreed that Mica is the best of the four shades for me. It reminds me of Rockstar in the pan and goes on as a very sheer shimmery wash--there's no color to this really. It does leave a beautiful wash and can be worn over other shades (I'm wearing it over Stone right now) without being OTT. Since I'm over 30 I've started watching out for glittery or shimmery shadows that might accentuate the fine lines that I've started showing and this shadow does not settle into fine lines--it's great that way. There's minimal fallout too, which is great (Rockstar, by comparison, leaves a ton of fallout). This isn't one I'd buy instead of similar ones (Rock, Rockstar, etc), but I like having it in addition to those. Not a must-buy at $24, but it's pretty and nice enough to tempt me to check out the other Sparkle Eye Shadows.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveda - Hand Relief
CoonieR 12/29/2008 10:50:00 AM
I've tried numerous hand lotions in a quest to find one for my seriously dry winter skin and this is one of the best. Most are too greasy or not moisturizing enough, but this is fabulous--it absorbs very quickly, is light, and smells good--kind of citrusy and herbal. They don't give it away--it's on the expensive side-- but a little goes a long way and a tube should last through the winter. I liked this so much that I bought an extra tube to keep at my desk.
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Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Eye Shadow in Espresso
CoonieR 12/2/2008 5:45:00 PM
Darn it, Espresso snuck up on me... I wondered why they had to include it in every freaking palette, but after resisting it (thinking it was too dark to use as a shadow) I finally tried it as a liner and immediately understood why it's in every palette. This is great as a liner! This is a very deep brown shadow that's almost black, as the name Espresso would suggest. It's deeper and darker than MAC's version of Espresso. Since I'm NW20 and on the pale side, I don't use this as a shadow very often, but I use it just about every day as a liner. It looks good with pretty much any color combo--I love pairing it with the Shimmering Nudes palette and most of my neutral shadows (love it with Golden Peach and Fawn). When applied with my angled MAC 266 brush as an eyeliner, this has an excellent texture and lasts all day and into the night. I find that it lasts longer than other shadows, but I'm not sure if that's because it's usually not on my oily eyelids. In any case, this lasts as long as I do usually. This is definitely a staple in my train case. Even though I had it in the Shimmering Nudes palette, I ended up buying a single for travel. A little goes a long way--this pan will likely last for years even though I use it every day!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Metallic Eyeshadow in Rockstar
CoonieR 11/29/2008 11:30:00 PM
Caution: BB Metallic eye shadows are addictive! Rockstar was my 4th Metallic shadow and it didn't disappoint. This is a great shadow for a holiday or special occasion look and is true to the "grown-up shimmer" look that BB goes for. The color is a true silver on my NW20 skin. Not blueish or yellowish--pure silver. It's neutral that way. It's quite shimmery and that's the reason I subtracted a lippie, I always manage to have shimmer/glitter fallout on my cheeks when I use Rockstar. It's beautiful and the shimmer isn't chunky or OTT, but I can't see wearing this to work. This was gorgeous, though, when worn with Stone in the crease--that was my Thanksgiving look. Over UDPP it lasts pretty much all day (9-10 hrs) without creasing. Overall, this is a good shadow for weekends or special occasions. Because of the shimmer fallout I can't wear this every day, but I'd buy it again for a fun look.
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Makeup Brushes -Kevyn Aucoin - Medium Eyeshadow
CoonieR 11/11/2008 7:45:00 PM
***HG eyeshadow brush*** I've found the one! I love this. After trying BB, MAC, Sephora and Paula Dorf brushes (none of them were bad, but not HG), I decided to splurge on KA's brush. They don't give these away ($32), but the quality is outstanding and I consider this an investment of sorts. This is excellent for applying eyeshadow to the lid or all over AND blending. I'd been using a MAC 239 and 217 to apply and blend, but this brush does both... and better than the two MAC brushes overall, IMO. It picks up just the right amount of color and blends really well. This brush even looks good, with its elegant red handle. It doesn't shed (even after washing), unlike others I've tried, and I can see this lasting for years. I will definitely add more KA brushes to my collection.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -LORAC - Multi-Platinum
CoonieR 10/12/2008 9:58:00 AM
After being so disappointed with how the shadows in the Croc palette looked on me, I decided to try more LORAC shadows in cooler colors, and the Multi-Platinum palette seemed like a good one to get. You basically get 6 shadows and a blush for $37, which seems like a bargain to me (usually LORAC shadows are nearly $20 ea). These are much better colors for me (I'm a NW20/blue eyes/blonde hair for reference) than the Croc palette. The colors are more neutral/cool (others have described them nicely below, so I won't get into details there) and great for a quick smokey eye. I do love the Sapphire Storm shade--it's a lovely metallic smokey teal shade that adds a little something extra to a smokey eye. The blush is pretty too, although I agree that it's more of a peachy pink than "a cool pink," as described on Sephora's web site. The shadows in this one, like the Croc palette, are soft and silky and blend beautifully. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the glitter/shimmer fallout. The glitter ends up under my eyes inevitably. I can't wear this to work without feeling like I look like Diana Ross in an accountant's office, so I had to subtract a lippie for the fallout. Overall, though, this is a good palette for creating fun weekend looks and again leaves me wanting more LORAC shadows.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Bobbi Brown - Metallic Eye Shadow in Iced Blue
CoonieR 10/11/2008 12:15:00 PM
When someone mentions light blue eye shadow, I typically will cringe and think of either 80's Cover Girl ads (yes, brings back memories of middle school) or that awful Mimi character from The Drew Carey Show. Bobbi Brown's Iced Blue Metallic shadow, however, is far from Mimi or an 80's ad and definitely not scary. This is a very pale blue--it's more of a shimmery white with a little sky blue mixed in. than it is a baby blue. It's very pretty when worn with Stone or Heather Mauve and a gray e/l. This is one I can even wear to work without looking overdone or ready to go clubbing. The shimmer is not OTT and there's no fallout, which also makes this good for work or weekends--it's versatile that way. It's simply pretty and different--I love e/s and haven't seen a color quite like this anywhere else. It's lovely on my NW20 skin, but I could see it working on most neutral-cool gals. The texture is great. It's blendable and lasts all day over UDPP. I love these metallic shadows--I really hope that BB grows this line.This one haunted me for the better part of 2 months until I finally broke down and bought it. Definitely a repurchase-worthy item for me.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -LORAC - Croc Palette
CoonieR 10/11/2008 11:59:00 AM
OK, even though the Croc palette didn't work for me, I'm determined to get more LORAC shadows. Why, you might ask? It's because the shadows in this palette are excellent! It's my stupid cool-toned, can't-wear-pink-and-warm-eyeshadows skin that made this not work. The shadows and blush have a fabulous buttery soft and blendable texture that's easy to work with and wears wonderfully. The colors, though, are horrid for my NW20 skintone. The medium gold shade reminds me of MAC Woodwinked, which I also can't wear. They're lovely--don't get me wrong--but lovely on SOMEONE ELSE. Grrr. I really wanted to love this. I could see this looking amazing on someone with brown eyes or a warm complexion. The colors go well together and could create a variety of looks. All in all, this is definitely worth checking out if you have a warm complexion--I only gave it 3 lippies because it's just waaay too warm. I'm very interested in checking out other LORAC shadows and even other LORAC palettes, because this is actually a pretty good deal. You get 4 full size (or darn near close) shadows and a blush for less than $35. This will probably end up on my swap list or in a friend's makeup drawer though. :-(
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Eyeliner -MAC - Spare Change Pearlglide Eye Liner
CoonieR 9/27/2008 2:51:00 PM
I love how these glide on (I guess why they called them PearlGLIDES!) and they seem to last a while. Spare Change was the second Pearlglide liner I tried and I have a feeling I'm going to buy more of these even though Spare Change doesn't seem entirely unique. The color is great for my NW20/blue eyed cool-toned skintone. It's a warm brown that has a coppery sheen to it. It supposedly has glitter in it, but either the glitter is very subtle or just doesn't show up on me, but that's not a huge ordeal. It's VERY similar, IMO to the Rich Ground Fluidline, so I wouldn't say this is a must-have if you already have Rich Ground. I do like this as a nice neutral that would work with other browns/ivories/beiges. As I l already mentioned, it goes on smoothly and lasts as long as I do. While I don't consider this a "must-own," because it is so similar color-wise to Rich Ground, I like how it's smudge-able and easier to apply, because it doesn't require a brush.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Miss Fortune Pearlglide Eye Liner
CoonieR 9/26/2008 7:01:00 PM
Just when I thought I was over MAC, they come out with an excellent array of new liners to draw me back in! The texture of the pearlglide eyeliners is smooth and the colors are funky enough to be fun but (a couple of them) are tame enough to wear to the office. I tried Miss Fortune first--it's a lilac shade on me with pink shimmer--not OTT, but enough sparkle to keep it interesting. This isn't a color I'd wear every day (hence the 4 lippies instead of 5) but it's unique and very pretty. I wore this tonight with Phloof on the lid, Plum Dressing in the crease and Poison Pen in the outer V and Miss Fortune really completed the look. (Even DH commented that it made me look hot. :-) ) I like how it glides on--very smooth and smudge-able with no glitter fallout. The texture is great--I'm tempted to buy all of the shades. I'm not a pink e/s or e/l fan (most pinks make me look ill--I'm NW20 w/blue eyes), but I'm glad I bought Miss Fortune!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Maui Babe AFTER Browning Lotion
CoonieR 9/8/2008 5:14:00 PM
Even though I use sunblock religiously, I'm very fair and tend to burn easily. On a recent trip to Kauai, Hawaii, I re-discovered Maui Babe After Browning Lotion after a marathon snorkeling session and subsequent sunburn (ouch!). In my (somewhat long) relationship with sunburns, I've found that pure aloe (straight from the leaf--not that Banana Boat green goop) works best at soothing the pain and moisturizing, but Maui Babe does just about as good of a job without staining my skin or clothes and a MUCH more pleasant scent. My sun and wind burned skin soaked this right up and it did help heal the burn faster and reduce peeling. It's lightweight and feels really good after it's applied; just be sure to rub it in completely. The scent is more of a fresh scent--it's hard to describe, but it's not unpleasant. I can't say that it's extended my tan, but I like it a lot as an after-sun lotion to add moisture and help the healing process. I've seen this at ULTA and in Hawaii for about $11-$13, which isn't bad for an 8 oz. bottle. From now on I'll probably keep a bottle in my beach bag.
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