Treatments -Estee Lauder - Advanced Night Repair (Serum) 
blooiejagwa 9/30/2011 10:30:00 AM
EDIT: been a yr or so.. this is still my go-to cure for when my skin feels inflamed or irritated. just a tiny dab is all i need and it feels better. i don't use it regularly anymore, only to calm down my skin. yogurt mask is also good but i think this is worth having still. // CRAAAZY that this breaks people out! For me, this does the exact opposite--it stops breakouts dead in their tracks, and heals old pimple-induced blemishes!!!! . I took this with me on vacation, and anytime I noted a pimple forming due to stress/bad weather/whatever, I'd dab this on at night and the next morning it'd be totally healed. Also.... helps with OLD blemishes (you know, the kind that have TECHNICALLY gone, but still seem to hang around, a ghost of their former selves, in rough and pigmented patches?) . Similarly, this morning I realized I got a nasty painful pimple in a spot I don't normally get any--btw, this coincided neatly with recent usage of Dior Airflash (AMAZING FOUNDATION but with many cons, one of them being that my skin HATES it..still, I recommend it HIGHLY just cuz of the incomparable finish)... . Anyway, dabbed on EL serum... guess what, the pain from it is already gone, and it's REDUCED in size/redness! . So yeah. I only use it for such moments, otherwise, I don't really note any difference, like if it's even doing anything normally. I just save it for bad skin times... it miraculously seems to heal it up within that day, or by the next day! Weird but true! . Finally, it seems to help fade away old scars, although I'm not 100% sure about this, so don't take my word for it. (Could just be natural healing/renewal process). . I was totally prepared to hate this, thinking it'd be useless and a purchase I'd regret.. well, exact opposite is true, and it's been, what, over a month? Also, I think this'll last me a loooong time, esp since I don't use it every night. The lame EL claims that this will stave off aging process, blah blah blah, i don't believe that. I think only an idiot or very desperate person would believe that they can totally prevent aging process putting their hopes in a jar on every day. Seriously, facial aging and wrinkle formation is muuuuch more complicated than that. For example, the bones in your face, the facial cartilage and the whole structure that is holding your face together, so to speak, deteriorates and 'shrinks' over time. Most age induced wrinkles form due to this and they are unpreventable. . People who go into mild depression because the face in the mirror is no longer as pretty and youthful as it used to be need to get a grip on themselves, stop placing too much value in their outward appearance, and accept it. Like the japanese idea of wabi sabi, that aging and imperfections add aesthetic beauty and should be accepted as natural process of life not a disease or something to be cured. The Estee claims are really deceptive n false. This or any other product can mainly improve texture but not treat the underlying cause.
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Fragrances -Alfred Sung - Shi
blooiejagwa 9/30/2011 10:14:00 AM
I always get compliments with this on, even if it's the tiniest most economical spritz! It's a watery floral which smells very familiar, as though there are a lot around similar to it, but simultaneously unique and refreshing. I do love it, as do the people around me. Problem is I am allergic to it. I sneeze when I have it on, and if I spray on my skin, there's a burning sensation :( . DH ADORES it, which makes me torn between using it and getting that familiar delighted look "oh you're using that one! my favourite!", or just putting my comfort first, and NOT using it, thus avoiding sneeze-fests and whatnot. Thus far I've adhered to the latter policy, not too strictly though--as everyone loooves compliments, esp from their nearest and dearest!
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Fragrances -Christian Dior - Miss Dior Cherie
blooiejagwa 9/30/2011 10:06:00 AM
edit: i figured out the deal with this. ONE dab (slight dab) will do ya. no more, seriously, it's OVERPOWERING that way. but that one dab is perfect, especially in summer. this is something to wear with light airy dresses and colourful t shirts and sandals. i.e. very summer, very fun and vibrant mood and weather.... in these scenarios it works. not in the dead of winter with like, 2 spritzes on. it's too strong for that. - I have TWO bottles of this, one bought when it first came out, one bought last year. They are totally different. The first one has less fruitiness to it, and more popcorn/strawberry/caramel. The second one reminds me of pineapples and other such fruit. . DO like this, it's not that I don't. I even wore this on my honeymoon. But there's something about it that makes me ill now, everytime I wear it... like even yesterday, I had it on (the LIGHTEST dab), and the whole day I was wishing I could get home to wash it off. I literally felt dizzy and sickened with that smell haunting me. That's what happens every time I smell it. It's not that I'm allergic, either. I don't know what it is, because I used to love it. . It's like, overwhelmingly fruity with green and champagne notes. There's just something about it that makes me feel SO SO nauseated. Which is a shame, because the bottle's still full and my husband really likes it on me. But I guess I'll pass it on to my cousin or friend or someone who can appreciate it better!
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Gels/Soaps -LUSH - It's Raining Men
blooiejagwa 9/30/2011 7:00:00 AM
Edit: DH also uses due to beautiful yummy scent... Although was initially put off by name.. . When I discovered HIWTK solid perfume was discontinued, even in LONDON, I was inconsolable ...(temporarily, that is. I then spotted some Jamaican street performers, outside the store--doing fun flips, cartwheels, dances, stunts--their brilliant, jaw-dropping performance successfully revived my waning spirits. Sadly, hubby pulled me away before I could empty out my wallet to thank them for the favour) . THIS IS THE NEXT BEST THING to that perfume! it's like...shower gel, yeah? but i also use it in my hair (cuz the bottle says to! so it must be fine)... AND OMG THE SCENT LASTS AND LASTS AND IT'S LIKE HONEY MIXED WITH AWESOMENESS (read my ancient HIWTK solid perfume review, under pertiegurlie account, to understand how insane I go for this scent)....! . To be honest, the shower gel leaves my hair feeling rather knotted right after I wash it out (but who cares? that's what conditioner's for)... also, scent doesn't last too well on the skin, only in hair, but hey, it's not claiming to be perfume, nor save the world! I'm happy, not ecstatic, about the purchase (now, if they only brought back the HIWTK solid perfume, I'd be doing backflips like those streetperformers...)
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Christian Dior - Rouge Dior - Fall 2010 - Haute Couleur Voluptuous Care 
blooiejagwa 9/30/2011 6:42:00 AM
WOW. That stands for Wonderful Outstanding Win! Best purchase of the month... ... I got this in 976 (Daisy Plum) but honestly I tried loads and they were all soooo beautiful.. Daisy Plum just stood out as being unique and difficult to dupe in the drugstore...(i.e. no guilt.. as soon as i saw it i was like i don't care about the price, it had me in raptures) . These lippies have such richness in the pigment and the formula! So moisturizing, long-lasting (SOOOOOOO GOOD!! Better than my other dior and chanel lipsticks, even, and wayy better than MAC, rimmel, and revlon ones!!)--and oooh! Noww... can I talk about the shade I got? . 976--Deserves soo much love! It's just this heartstopping rich wine.... with subtle shimmer that doesn't look cheap at all...the colour looks like a blend of amethysts and rubies! And it lasts through a full meal with barely any fading! (And... TMI maybe? thru smooooooooooooooooochhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhingggggggg) Also, my hubz always compliments me when I wear it.. not "nice lipstick" type compliments... but "u look amazing" ones!! Worth it, I think. :) Now, if u wanted a dupe, i searched ds and found a great one in the L'oreal line, i think it's called..mauve...er.. something or other.... forgot... who cares, get this!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -MAC - Smolder eye kohl
blooiejagwa 9/30/2011 6:02:00 AM
Edit to say: i had this in my waterline AND all over lid (blended out) all day yesterday and it didn't wear off at all. This is after takin TWO showers, on the same day (it was burning hot outside). Plus DH complimented my eye m/u!! . Smudges brilliantly! I draw a thick thick line on upper lids and smudge that with brush or clean finger =effortless gorgeous smokey smudgy eye!!! For waterlining it is unsurpassed... Slightly smudges thru course of day, not a lot but mildly which just improves the look!! Get loooooads of compliments when i use this alone, no other makeup!!! Also i prefer it to the many many ds liners i've tried (although covergirl liquiline us brilliant too!! If ur on a budget i hiiighly recommend that instead!!) overall: awesome liner that not only does the job, but is versatile as u can smudge it so it looks like a bluish grey smokey eye! . To help out jamejame or anyone who wants this to look good but doesnt get how to: three or more thick black lines on lid. Use flat brush to blend. Blend from outside, inwards and then line waterline. Line lower lashline just a bit (dot it on) and smudge all the way out so u have a smokey cat eye shape. You can use a Q-tip to smudge it, it'll work fine, and blend the edges with your finger, in a pinch. Blend more if u want... Add eyeshadow if desired... ( patina work great with this! Effortless arab eye makeup! Can add inner corner highlight, or a highlight in middle of upper lid, etc)... But ur basically done. Takes three min max.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Prada - Candy EDP
blooiejagwa 9/30/2011 5:34:00 AM
More like a good quality air freshener smell than perfume imo. Not worth price tag. The free sample i received, i will be using for my car. Interesting and pleasant scent, but something discordant in it keeps it from reaching its potential. Either there is something jarring in the notes or something severely lacking... It definitely smells 'rich' though, and it would make a good gift for someone stylish...but standoffish... Or someone who wishes her perfume to evoke an aura of sophistication and wealth...
6 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Christian Dior - Diorskin Airflash
blooiejagwa 9/30/2011 5:24:00 AM
I love the finish but colour selection leaves something to be desired. Not worth price tag but still see myself repurchasing this as, with regards to smooth natural sliiightly glowy finish (YBB), this is unsurpassed. Longevity is also superb. If they expanded the colours in this line, this could easily be my lifelong HG! As it is, though, i feel dissatisfied because one shade that i was initially matched to ended up being too orange--exchanged that to get 301 which is my skin colour exactly... But a tad too yellow :( Edit to say: definitely leaves a sallow dull cast on my skin. Also have been getting Under the skin raised bumps when i use this. Lastly, it is a pain to get off. I have to triple cleanse before i stop getting foundation residue upon drying with paper towel! Reeeeally not worth the price unless they tweak the colours at least. I still love it though! Edit 2: I tried this with a stippling brush. OMG best model-esque skin EVER, nice dewy sheen, good coverage but not to the point that it looks fake like plaster, perfect in every way! TRY IT WITH A STIPPLING BRUSH!!
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Lipstick -MAC - Lipstick in Fluid
blooiejagwa 9/28/2011 1:02:00 AM
Edit/ still goin strong with this. It is beautiful and perfect. brings out my brown eyes it may sound strange.. But lipstick colours can enhance your eyes, this certainly does. holy grail . Very unique colour. Brownish-magenta? It's hard to describe. DH always compliments me when I use this. Feel very Catherine Zeta-Jones with this on, as we both have dark colouring, and she often wears lovely muted brownish-purplish colours like this. BTW ignore the dark lips=bare eyes rule with this; it works best with a smoky, or thickly lined eye. Very very very gorgeous colour. I like it even more with revlon nude attitude underneath, to blot out my naturally pigmented lips. (Dont use lipliner with it as that will spoil the effect. Longevity of this lipstick is so-so. But honestly this is an awesome lipstick. Sophisticated looking, subtly edgy, interesting colour, and even if it seems weird when u put it on...if u wait maybe one minute after the initial application, it settles into a really soft and pretty lip colour that goes equally well with both a neutral AND smokey eye. Trust me...this is awesomeness. edit: this on top of other lipsticks, gives them a really cool look.
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Fragrances -Elizabeth Arden - Fantasy Britney spears
blooiejagwa 9/28/2011 12:53:00 AM
Edit- this scent is soo good- i don't care WHAT perfume snobs may think.. Everyone around me likes it and so do i- also its sillage and lasting power beat all my Dior n Armanis. - I have loads of fragrances--Fantasy is not even close to being my fave. Yet, it is very pleasant and mood-lifting. Cheerful, sweet, but not headache-inducing. Also, aside from my hard-to-find Arab perfumes I got in Saudi Arabia, this is my hubby's fave from my fragrance collection. Which counts. A lot.
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Mascara -Chanel - Inimitable Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel (Waterproof Version)
blooiejagwa 9/28/2011 12:47:00 AM
My cousin gave this to me as part of a gift--it's PERFECT. I've tried tons of 'scaras, ds mostly--this is the best for what I want. And it held up through me BAWLING constantly when watching the Lion King theatre performance... ! No panda eyes. Also, it layers well, doesn't clump, separates perfectly, very very black colour...hmm what else.. volumizes decently (I don't like too much volume, actually)...lengthens...HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Estee Lauder - Day Wear Sheer Tint Release SPF 15
blooiejagwa 9/28/2011 12:40:00 AM
edit2: So despite my terrible review, now that i'm ALMOST through the original bottle (a year later), I rebought this. You see, i tested it at the counter, and I think they actually may have reformulated it slightly--it doesn't go dirty brownish-ORANGE anymore. . I did a side-by-side comparison, as there is still some in my old bottle (i did not use it daily as i realized how bad it made me look)--- there is a definite difference in the two--my new bottle swatches less dark and not dirty brownish-orange at all! In fact, it's more of a beige-toned bronzed effect than the other one, and blends into skin better. They DEFINITELY changed something about this product, it's impossible that it's the same as it was a yr ago (2011) when i got my first bottle. Also i actually look bronzed but not orange. Rating going up. Btw the other thing they changed is significantly decreased the fragrance, the smell has been toned down, which to me is not good, but might make others happy. Edit: the best thing about this product is the colour of the tube and the cucumber scent. Saw pics of me with this on, I looked AWFUL!!! As though i'd smeared a mix of dirt and grease on my face. I look better with no makeup on, and plain moisturizer!! What they did is put drops of very cr@ppy drugstore foundation that oxidizes in the little gray balls that burst onto your skin. Rating is going down. Oh it looks better with a bit of bronzer to give shape to the face, and make the muddiness more 'glam' than grimy. But honestly i was looking for a one-step tm that wouldn't require extra stuff to make it work. note to self: never trust an estee lauder sales rep again. Almost every EL item that i own (& i own a lot, mostly gifts from ppl, some that i bought) SUCKS. I know Nicola from pixiwoo really loves this product, but i actually think hers is a different version, the one that got discontinued-- as the packaging is different. . Original review: Smells good, moisturizes well. But the "tint" provides a tanned look which doesn't look natural or pretty in the least. This coming from someone who is already naturally tan. Not worth price tag, in my opinion. I will use it up since I already bought it, but I mix it with a paler foundation--and I don't see the point of TM if you're gonna be using foundation anyway! DO NOT RECOMMEND.
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Lipstick -Rimmel - Lasting Finish - Amethyst Shimmer
blooiejagwa 9/28/2011 12:34:00 AM
It is a beautiful violet-pinkish colour that is the perfect balance of subtle brightness--elegant, not too in-your-face, but not dull either. The best thing is it has this subtle iridiscence and duochrome effect... Very subtle but it's there. It really lifts the face and looks gorgeous.
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