Mascara -L'Oreal - Le Grande Curl
kitty62 4/9/2003 12:25:00 AM
First, let it be said that I've just about given up on mascara .. all mascaras. I can't deal with the flaking and smudging and, worst of all, clumping. But every once in awhile, I give it a try again. Unfortunately, this one does little to restore my faith. It's OK .. no flaking, a small amount of smudging at the end of the day, only a bit of clumping. It produces a slight curling effect, but it doesn't last. I'll finish this one up, but then I'll go back to my curler and clear brow/lash gel.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
kitty62 4/5/2003 11:31:00 AM
Judging from all the previous reviews, (See also "Pot Concealor. I believe we're all talking about the same product.) this is a classic YMMV. I, for one, have never found anything that approaches the dark-circle coverage I get with this. I love the consistency, and with a little eye cream underneath, blending is easy. I've never had a problem with this creeping into lines (I'm 40), and I'm lucky enough to have found a perfect color match (NW20). I also think it's a tremendous value: I have been using the same pot for over a year and more than half is remaining. The SPF15 (titanium dioxide) is also a neat selling point. Occasionally, I've needed to reapply late in the day. (I don't wear any kind of foundation or powder over this. A sweep of powder would probably enhance staying power, but I have never liked the look of powder on my skin.) This concealor is also great for covering red marks left behind by old blemishes, but because I find that it doesn't really grab on anything very oily, I generally don't use it over active zits. For those, I'd recommend Almay Amazing Lasting. For particularly tough ones, I've used the MAC over the Amazing Lasting with good success.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Lustre in Syrup
kitty62 3/29/2003 2:32:00 PM
This pretty, muted lavender is just a little too cool for me (LLL w/ golden-pink undertones), but it's so light and sheer that it's workable. I like it with Lust Lipglass overtop or Oak lip pencil underneath.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Stila - Callas Lipstick
kitty62 3/28/2003 9:33:00 PM
This is the first red lipstick that worked for me: a warm, leaning-toward-brown, not bright at all, no blue tones. Definitely evocative of the infamous diva. It's dark, matte, and very opaque -- a dramatic contrast with my fair skin -- so it requires absolute precise application. Beacuse I don't often have the patience, and beacuse this is such an attention-getting look, I reserve it for special occasions.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Alchemy - Nail Potion
kitty62 3/27/2003 3:16:00 PM
This line has some interesting out-of-the-ordinary colors and is formaldehyde- and toluene-free (a big selling point for me). They also get high marks for streak-free coverage, chip resistance (a week-plus on fingers and at least a month on toes, with Seche Vite top coat) and high shine. At $10 a bottle, however, the price is a bit steep, so I'd say go for it if there's a color you must have. Favorites so far are Hemlock (rich, deep red-brown) and Black Walnut (dark purple-burgundy with no brown tones). UPDATE 1/3/04: I had originally given these only 4 lippies because their price was nearly twice those of other quality brands like OPI. But after using them for more than a year (alternating with other brands), and trying a $16 chip-happy Dior Addict polish, I've decided they really deserve the 5th lippie. Everything is relative ..
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Zoya - Professional Lacquer
kitty62 3/27/2003 12:44:00 PM
These are a real find: At $5 a bottle, on par with Essie, cheaper than OPI, and unlike those brands (and most others), toluene and formaldehyde free. You won't find the wackier shades here, just a nice range of pinks, beiges, berries, and reds. Favorites so far are Flowie (a medium pink-beige with no orange tones) and Natalie (a soft rust). One caveat if looking at or ordering from zoya.com: the real-life colors are darker than what you'll see on the screen.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - The Pour un Ete
kitty62 3/19/2003 1:50:00 PM
Is my nose fooling me? After trying this four times, I still can't detect the tea notes. On my skin, this is a light, slightly stuffy floral that reminds me of the pretty little soaps my mother would put near the bathroom sink when we had guests. Not an entirely bad thing, but not my cup of tea, so to speak, for a pricey boutique fragrance.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No