CD/Books/Movies -Yankee Candles - Black Coconut
MalibuMands 1/28/2013 12:24:00 PM
BLACK COCONNUT is one of Yankee's new spring 2013 fragrances, and is described as "sunset in paradise... rich coconut, cedarwood and island blossoms promise an evening of luxurious tranquility". There's not much more that I can add to that - the woody notes tone down the traditionally sunny feeling of the coconut, making it seem 'darker'. I'm not sure what floral notes are used, but there is a powdery undertone to the coconut and woods. As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. The fragrance lasts as long as the candle does and is strong enough to travel over the house. I even catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit. I've found that the tarts and tea lights throw off a stronger scent than the candles, so I think that they are the better buys.
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Lipstick -Avon - Shine Attract
MalibuMands 1/24/2013 12:44:00 PM
Buying cosmetics from Avon is always a gamble and, for me, this is one of those times that it doesn't pay off. I ordered Orchid as in the brochure the shade is a purplish berry, only to find that it applies as a pinkish red berry. The shade I have was already a letdown, but the fact that the pop of colour in the lipstick is surrounded by a clear gel, means that the colour is diluted when you apply it. I probably wouldn't have minded the iffy shading in the brochure, if the product had applied nicely! The gel in the lipstick is glossy, so the lipstick isn't drying... But the gloss does mean that the product doesn't last long; within two hours it'll need touching up. The packaging on the product doesn't bother me - in fact the clear lid is good for quickly spotting items in makeup bags.
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Lipstick -Boots - 17 - Lasting Fix lipstick in Chili
MalibuMands 1/21/2013 5:19:00 PM
I've never really been into strong lip colours before - the shape of my lips is small, and my top lip is practically invisible - but after spending most of my makeup wearing years focusing on my eyes, I became bored and starting looking at brighter lip colours to shake up my look. Here is one of my experiments... 17 CHILI is a light and bright red, with has a strong orange undertone. Bright red mixed with orange sounds very harsh, especially to someone who is fairly new to brighter lip colours, but the end result is actually wearable - I feel comfortable wearing this shade in public. The finish to the lipstick is creamy and easy to distribute evenly - I find it similar to MAC Amplified finishes. The formula hasn't had a drying effect on my lips. The lasting power is pretty good; four to five hours, depending on food or drink, and the colour does fade evenly. 17 is a makeup brand exclusive to branches of Boots in the UK.
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Blush -Revlon - Photoready Cream Blush
MalibuMands 1/17/2013 10:07:00 AM
I love very other product I've tried in the Revlon Photoready line, so I thought that the cream blushes would be just as good and bought two [Pinched and Flushed] at the same time. A buy that I'm beginning to regret. I'm reluctant to say that this a bad product, as the formula is top-notch in how well it applies; it so extremely easy to blend into skin, perhaps too good... Pinched is a peachy shade, that looks lovely in the pot but barely shows up on my fair skin. I have the skintone of Casper, so I was really surprised that the shade barely shows up. I've tried layering the colour, but as the product blends so well on skin, layering it makes no difference; the formula seems to just melt away into my skin. The way the formula blends so well and melts explains my problem with Flushed. Flushed is a bright pink, that looks scary in the pot, but applies as a sheer and wearable brightening pink. I fell in love with this colour as soon as I applied it, so I was upset by the lasting power; the blush can barely last five/six hours on skin - and my skin is very dry. I've tried setting the blush with powder, but the doesn't make any difference. I've rated the blushes 3 stars as I do still wear them - only on days I'll just be out for a few hours, as they aren't suitable for 'all day' looks. Such a shame the colour pay off is so iffy, as they give my cheeks a nice luminous glow.
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Pressed Powders -Revlon - PhotoReady Powder - Fair/Light
MalibuMands 1/17/2013 9:27:00 AM
Revlon's PHOTOREADY powder seems to melt seamlessly into my skin, with a colour that matches my fair skintone. The powder applies evenly, and it is easy to build up the product for a light/medium natural looking coverage; the finished look is mostly matt, but it still seems to have a slight glow to it. The coverage is so good that I don't need foundation under this, just a little dab of concealer on any blemishes. The PHOTOREADY powder is meant to contain the same reflective pigments that the foundation does, but, unlike the foundation, I can't see any hints of the 'sparkle'. PHOTOREADY powder feels so lightweight; I feel like I'm not wearing any make up. I do have very dry and sensitive skin, but I've not experienced any dry patches or caking, I've also not experienced that tightness and itchy feeling, which a lot of other products have given me.
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Candles -Yankee Candles - Paradise Spice
MalibuMands 1/17/2013 5:12:00 AM
PARADISE SPICE is one of Yankee's new spring 2013 fragrances, and is described as "an exotic island treasure...perfectly ripe banana and creamy vanilla, unexpectedly spiced with prized cinnamon and cloves". There's not much more that I can add to that, just that the spices are very mild and the banana is stronger then the vanilla, so the fragrance isn't too sweet and cloying. As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. The fragrance lasts as long as the candle does and is strong enough to travel over the house. I even catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit. I've found that the tarts and tea lights throw off a stronger scent than the candles, so I think that they are the better buys.
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BB Cream -Boots - 17 BB (blemish balm)
MalibuMands 1/15/2013 6:22:00 AM
I have very pale skin, so none of the Boots 17 foundations are actually light enough for me; even the Porcelain and Ivory shades. 17 BB BLEMISH BALM feels a bit watery, so I wasn't expecting much. But the formula actually works in it's favour; it feels very light and silky on my skin and blending is super easy. Once blended, the results are a smooth satin finish, with surprisingly good coverage. OK, it won't cover my hormonal breakouts, but my main problem is discolouration, which this product solves. It even reduces the appearance of my pores AND undereye circles too. I've found it to be transfer resistant, long lasting and it doesn't settle in my fine lines. Flaky skin? a thing of the past. I think the packing is very user-friendly; It's in a squeezable, slim tube, so you can squeeze all of the product out. Plus; it's a ideal size for small bags and the lid is very secure. 17 is a brand which is exclusive to Boots stores in the UK.
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Lips -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Stain Balm - Crush
MalibuMands 12/30/2012 11:45:00 AM
CRUSH is a richly pigmented berry shade. As the shape of my lips is small, and my top lip is practically invisible, I struggle with reds and vampy shades, as they make my lips look like tiny slashes on my face. CRUSH is a great discovery for me - the red/plummy overtones appear less harsh in this shade, as the pinkish and brown undertones in CRUSH soften the colour. My lips have been kept hydrated and flake free during cold weather and central heating, since using Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain. And, true to it's name, not only is it a effective balm, but the colour actually does wear like a traditionally drying lip stain - it stays put for hours, through both eating and drinking. I can't believe that it took me so long to try these stains; Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain is now my favourite lip colour. They remind me of Tarte's Lip Surgences, but these are better as they don't melt in the tube and the caps don't crack, making a mess in my bags.
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Fragrances -Aquolina - Gold Sugar
MalibuMands 12/27/2012 3:31:00 PM
The mandarin is a very long lasting notes, that gives the fragrance a subtly fresh feel. The coconut and creme brulee are both present though the entirety of GOLD SUGAR too, so the sweetness is more creamy, rather then outright sugary. The floral notes aren't strong enough to stand out from the fruits and creamy vanilla notes. There is a powdery undertone to the fragrance, so I'd guess rose and perhaps peony, but at the end of the day I am just guessing. There is no strong indication between the heart notes and the base, thanks to the constant trickle of soft fruits, cream and vanilla. The main shift in the direction of the fragrance, is that the creamy notes become cleaner as the musk develops. The notes also become a bit more milkier as the fruit notes die down. Official scent notes: Mandarin, citrus, neroli, mixed florals, crème brule, coconut, Australian sandalwood, musk and creamy accord. Overall: I like GOLD SUGAR a lot more then I thought I would, and it is quite different from Pink Sugar - not just a quick cash-in release for Christmas. I admit that I do like the original more, but I will re-buy this softer, less sweet edition as I have found myself wearing it a lot. The creaminess is so soft, warm and comforting.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Honey
MalibuMands 12/22/2012 3:41:00 PM
HONEY is a well-pigmented glossy, pinkish nude shade; it is almost the same shade as my natural lip colour - just a bit more flushed. I use this shade almost daily, as it goes with all makeup looks and has a fantastic formula. My lips have been kept hydrated and flake free during cold weather and central heating, since using Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain. And, true to it's name, not only is it a effective balm, but the colour actually does wear like a traditionally drying lip stain - it stays put for hours, through both eating and drinking. I can't believe that it took me so long to try these stains; Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain is now my favourite lip colour. They remind me of Tarte's Lip Surgences, but these are better as they don't melt in the tube and the caps don't crack, making a mess in my bags.
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Eyeliner -Maybelline - Master Smokey
MalibuMands 12/22/2012 3:13:00 PM
I found the MASTER SMOKEY is easy to apply, as it doesn't drag across my eyelid or scratch the sensitive skin and the line applies with a even colour in one stroke. It is also easy to smudge the colour out. This is where my problems start, as it is too easy to smoke out - the smudger works more like an eraser for me. Rather then this being a fast and easy alternative to using eyeshadow, I find myself having to take ten minutes blending, shaping and layering my MASTER SMOKEY until I get a nice, wearable look. Then comes problem two; this is NOT 'long lasting'. I'll look in the mirror after about six hours and there will just be a little colour in my crease, the rest of the liner will have vanished. My skin is dry and setting the liner with powder makes no difference. Ican set it with eyeshadow, but that defeats the purpose of using it for a smokey look in the first place. It's a shame; I bought the MASTER SMOKEY on a 3 for 2, and love the colours [I have black, grey and navy]. The pencil itself is very nice; not too hard, not too soft, but the size and price is pretty bad for using this purely as a liner. Rimmel's kohl pencils are cheaper, but smudge better.
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Lips -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Lovesick
MalibuMands 12/19/2012 11:51:00 AM
Lovesick is a well-pigmented glossy, hot pink shade. I do really like the shade, but it is lighter and brighter on me, compared to the shade that Emma Stone is wearing in the above ad - we both have fair skin, so I'm not sure what is going on there; either Emma has very pigmented lips, or someone went overboard with touch-ups in Revlon's marketing department. Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stain ensures that my lips are kept hydrated and flake free during cold weather and central heating. And, true to it's name, not only is it a effective balm, but the colour actually does wear like a traditionally drying lip stain - it stays put for hours, through both eating and drinking. I can't believe that it took me so long to try these stains; I wear them all of the time, now that I do have them and they have quickly become my favourite lip product. They remind me of Tarte's Lip Surgences, but these are better as they wear for much longer, they don't melt in the tube and the caps don't crack, making a mess in my bags - not to mention that Tarte isn't officially sold in the UK. I want go on to buy every shade of these balm stains, as I love the three that I own, so hopefully all of the shades will be released in the UK soon.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Candles -Yankee Candles - Home For The Holidays
MalibuMands 12/18/2012 11:21:00 AM
Home For The Holidays is one of Yankee Candles 'Festive Collection' fragrances and is officially described as "holiday spices of cinnamon and clove, mixed with earthy cedarwood and balsam". There's not much else to say, except it smells like the wood is pine - that must be the combination of cedarwood and balsam. Also I sometimes pick up on orange too, but maybe my nose is playing tricks o me, because I automatically think of spiced oranges because of the clove and cinnamon. I've found that the tarts and tea lights throw off a stronger scent than the candles, so I think that they are the better buys. I personally prefer to use the tealights; as well as having a stronger fragrance, there's the fact that for the price of a box of 12 scented tealights you get a total of 48 to 72 hours burn-time, so they offer the most value for money. The tealight costs less then 12 tarts or samplers would, so as well as being cheaper - and offering a similar burn time - then either the small jars and tumblers, and over half of the price less then the medium jars or tumblers.
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Foundations -Unlisted Brand - Leichner Camera Clear Tinted Foundation
MalibuMands 12/18/2012 5:06:00 AM
I came across Leichner CAMERA CLEAR foundation whilst browsing Amazon for a suitable foundation for my very dry skin. I remember coming across it before and being tempted by, but not getting it because trying to colour match it via the unhelpful chart is a shot in the dark. However as it is so cheap I decided to just order the lightest shade [porcelain] and hope for the best. When it arrived I was disappointed, as whilst the shade is nice and neutral, it looks a bit darker then what the shade name would suggest. However the creamy formula is so light and silky to apply, that blending it into the skin for a better colour match is easy. Once blended, the results are a smooth satin finish, with medium coverage (it can provide fuller coverage with layering). I've found it to be transfer resistant, another plus. I've worn with a primer, without one, with powder and alone; my preferred look is skipping primer and setting the foundation with a touch of powder, as that is long lasting and gives a natural, un-cakey look. Finally; This hasn't oxidized on me. negatives? For me, this doesn't have any. However if you don't have dry skin the moisturizing ingredients in this foundation will become greasy on your skin, so I wouldn't recommend Leichner CAMERA CLEAR to anyone other then those with dry skin. Also: remember that it applies lighter on the skin then it looks in the container, so bare that in mind.
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Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam Nicki
MalibuMands 12/17/2012 9:08:00 AM
If you like MAC's yellow based, hot pink VIVA GLAM NICKI lipstick, then you need the lipglass edition too. This is almost exactly the same shade as the lipstick; The pink colour is just a teensy bit less fluorescent on my fair skin, as the base isn't quite as yellow s the lipstick shade is. The finish to the gloss is a cream and seems to have a thicker formula then my other MAC lipglasses, but it still gives a lovely polished shine to my lips and hasn't had a drying effect on my lips. The lasting power is good for a gloss; three/four hours, depending on food/drink. I've had no problems with the packaging and I don't mind the price as 100% of the proceeds go to the MAC AIDS Fund and the VIVA GLAM program.
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