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.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Kat Von D - Foiled Love Lipstick - Forever & Never
MalibuMands 12/15/2012 5:22:00 PM
Forever & Ever is a golden peach shade, that has a matt finish. The shade is in the Foiled Love collection, which means that the lipstick has a metallic gleam to it. I bought the Star Kissed Lipstick Set last month, which features this shade. This is the only reason I own it; if I saw it on it's own in-store I wouldn't look twice at it. The gold tones and foil finish do nothing for my cool, pale skin - I look as though I've been sucking on a doorknob if I'm not careful [see above pic for my full-on look]... If I apply it lightly and blot carefully I can just about get away with it, so I've given it 3 lippies as I'll still occasionally wear it. I love that the matt lipsticks by Kat Von D all seem to have a long-lasting finish that dries like a stain. I put in on in the mornings, eat and drink, but colour is still on my lips up to six hours later - there is no feathering, no transfer on cups, and the colour still looks even. My lips are dry, but the formula doesn't flake.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -MAC - Viva Glam Nicki
MalibuMands 12/11/2012 6:30:00 PM
VIVA GLAM NICKI is a yellow based shade of hot pink - and by hot pink I mean it looks almost fluorescent with my very fair skin. I think that this shade is a cross between MAC's much sought after LE shades Candy Yum Yum [Quite Cute] and Strayin' [Hello Kitty]. Despite the brightness of the shade, I think that this is far more easier to pull off, and flattering, then Nicki's debut MAC lipstick Pink 4 Friday. The finish to the lipstick is satin, that is easy to apply and hasn't had a drying effect on my lips. The lasting power is average for a lipstick; no less and no worse then other brands [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.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Boots - 17 - Blow Out mascara
MalibuMands 12/11/2012 6:07:00 PM
17's BLOW OUT mascara does it all; the colour is very rich [I've got blackest black], great separation, added length and the most noticeable volume increase that I've ever had. People have commented on my false lashes when I have worn this mascara, it really is that good. I usually wear two coats. It is so easy to build up the finished look of your lashes with BLOW OUT, and the formula never cakes or flakes. Plus it holds my curl all day and is easy to remove. The volumizing abilities of this are unbeatable, plus the increase of length is good too - my lashes end up hitting the tops of my sockets. The first time I used this mascara I was disappointed by the fact that the brush is big, which I'm not fond of. However the size of the brush is a plus point with BLOW OUT, as the size and shape of the brush separates, fans and curls lashes, right from the roots to the tips, so my eyes really pop. What else can I say? BLOW OUT is an amazing mascara and the price [£6.29] is really good too. I'll have to try more of Boots 17 mascaras - the couple I've used are both really good.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Katie Price "Stunning"
MalibuMands 12/5/2012 5:41:00 AM
STUNNING opened nicely; I love the long top note of mandarin. It didn't smell plastic at all, just juicy and freshly sweet. Sadly it just went downhill from there. I love strawberry and violets, but couldn't detect them thanks to the overwhelming jasmine note… and when the dreaded (cue scary music) patchouli note mingles with the jasmine my stomach turned. Overall I found STUNNING to be a flatter version of Miss Dior Cherie, the only difference is that the patchouli in this is strong and cloying, so gave me migraines most f the times that I wore it. I thought the bottle and pink juice – although gaudy – were fun and cute. The staying power is very impressive for the reasonable price. Nowadays you can pick up the smaller bottles of STUNNING for under a tenner. Scent notes; Mandarin, strawberry, violet, bergamot, jasmine, patchouli and vanilla.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Candles -Yankee Candles - Sparkling Snow
MalibuMands 12/3/2012 4:12:00 AM
SPARKLING SNOW is one of Yankee Candles 'Festive Collection' fragrances and is officially described as "the crisp, naturally fresh scent of gleaming, snow-covered pines with hints of patchouli and fruit". I'd describe it as fresh mint and pine, with a undertone of patchouli, for a earthy bite. I'm not sure what the fruit is - sometimes I get a light breeze of what I think is cherry, but it is so faint that I can't be sure. I do enjoy the fragrance as it is fresh/clean, and the pine is very festive. I usually prefer Yankee's sweet/spicy mixes for Christmas, but this is an exception. 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. 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.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Nicole by Nicole Richie
MalibuMands 11/30/2012 6:16:00 AM
Berry notes seem to be popping up in most new mainstream perfumes now and NICOLE RICHIE opens with a rich blackberry note. I can't pick up the Seville oranges, but I can make out what I think is raspberry. These berry notes are long and distinctive, so carries down to the heart of the perfume. I'm not able to separate any floral notes apart from the listed rose and a hint of lily from the sweetly powdered floral jumble heart of the fragrance, as the patchouli develops quickly and lasts for the duration of the perfume. The rose mixes with the slightly spicy vanilla, for a pleasant 'Turkish Delight' aroma. I'm not familiar with papyrus, but I'm guessing that it is responsible for the slightly bitter spiciness that hides under the sweeter notes. There is no strong indication between the heart notes and the base, thanks to the constant presence of the powdery floral/vanilla mix and patchouli. The soft, creamy cashmere and sandalwood mingled closely together so it is a warm, comforting mix, that is again similar to the heart notes. Official scent notes: blackberries, oranges, golden amber, Moroccan rose, lily of the valley, papyrus, cashmere, sandalwood, sugared patchouli and vanilla. I find NICOLE RICHIE sweet-but-not-too-sweet, creamy, slightly spicy and also woody, so I think it is perfect for the colder weather, although it's something that I'd probably wear all year round as the juicy fruits stop everything else from becoming too much. NICOLE RICHIE is very wearable and can be worn to work, casual wear/weekends and crowded parties, but it's not unique enough to make me feel glamorous on special occasions. Overall: NICOLE RICHIE is pleasant and easy to wear. The reasonable price and good longevity [between six and eight hours] make up for the lack of originality, so the perfume is a pretty good buy and a nice gift choice. I'm not sure if I'd rebuy it, before checking out altrnatives.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Schwarzkopf - LIVE Color XXL in Cyber Purple
MalibuMands 11/25/2012 5:13:00 PM
CYBER PURPLE is a tricky colour to describe, and it is tricky to photograph as the colour seems different in various lighting conditions. At it's core it is a dark pinky/purple, but as I said, the shade you will see depends on the light source reflecting on your hair. The varying shades the colour morphs between remind me of all of the other schwarzkopf purple based shades I've used in the past - Ultra Violet, Dark Violet, Mystic Violet and Glam Rock Black. I've taken the photos above - they are of my own hair, solely in CYBER PURPLE, so you can see what I'm trying to say. My hair still feels and looks glossy and there is no clinging chemical scent to my hair. I've been colouring my hair for over half my life and in the past I've used every other purple/violet shade that Schwarkopf makes, so feel qualified enough to say that this has great staying power for a dye containing purple Violet shades can fade as quickly as red shades do, but after four/five weeks the fade is minimal and the purple undertone still shines through - which surprised me, as the water runs pink after washing my hair for a few weeks after colouring it. That is my only negative for CYBER PURPLE; don't use white towels after showering :) [CYBER PURPLE is only recommended for use on dark blonde and light/medium brown hair]
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Charles Worthington - Miracle Repair Elixir Oil
MalibuMands 11/24/2012 2:11:00 PM
I have extremely thick hair and don't usually put any styling products on it, as it makes my hair heavier and look greasy. However I was on holiday this month and the weather was unusually hot, so my [coloured] hair became fried and was in need of serious help. Since argan oil is being hyped up, I decided to try something that contains it... I've now been using Charles Worthington Miracle Repair Elixir Oil for a couple of weeks and am delighted with the results. My hair is almost 100% frizz free, feels very silky, doesn't look lank or greasy, and feels more lightweight than usual. I've never used a serum that has worked so well on my hair before - these results were visible after the very first time that I used this elixir oil. The condition of my hair has improved so much, that now I only apply the oil every other wash; the very ends of my hair can become frizzy after styling - but there is not as much as normal for me though. The only thing I'd caution you with is that the second wash results can vary slightly. It's always given me less frizz then usual, but there is some the majority of the time.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Lancome - Hypnose
MalibuMands 11/22/2012 5:32:00 PM
This ticks all of the mascara-dream-list boxes for me; Great separation, added length and the most noticeable volume increase that I've ever received. It is so easy to build up the finished look of your lashes with HYPNOSE, and since it was made with this in mind, the formula never cakes or flakes. Oh - and the colour is so rich too :) I've not experienced flaking or smudging, plus it holds my curl all day and is easy to remove. The volumizing abilities of this are unbeatable, plus the increase of length is good too; and since the brand doesn't promise any added length with this product, I think that this is a great added bonus. The brush is a regular size with short bristles so it is easy to use and It grabs, coats and pushes every lash out and up (even those little stragglers in the outer corners of the eye), without hitting my socket line [which wands with longer bristles do].
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Paris Hilton - Dazzle
MalibuMands 11/20/2012 8:04:00 AM
The peach is the strongest fruit note on me and gives the fragrance a soft, fuzzy feel. The cherry and apple gives the quieter fruit a bit of bite and energy, whilst the powdery vanilla is present through all of the fragrance. The floral notes used in DAZZLE remain watery and in the background. Aside from a breeze of orange blossom, violet and honeysuckle, none of them are strong enough to stand out from the fruits and vanilla. This is definitely a fruity perfume. There is no strong indication between the heart notes and the base, thanks to the constant trickle of peach, cherry and vanilla. The grapes [champagne] give DAZZLE another shot of fizzy energy and the patchouli tones down the sweetness, so that the blend isn't linear. Scent notes: Pink lady apple, maraschino cherry and peach nectar, violet petals, pink calypso orchid, orange blossom, vanilla, pink champagne, white patchouli and musk. Overall: DAZZLE is 'nice' and is pleasant and easy to wear. I'll mainly stick to wearing it on 'casual' days, but you could get away with wearing it to work if you wanted to. Who cares if the bottle says 'Paris Hilton' or 'Robert Piguet'? If the juice is something you like, then that is all that matters. It's true that DAZZLE isn't in the slightest bit original, but it wears well and it isn't invasive to other people; I wear perfume for me, and am not comfortable with it invading other peoples space.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Candles -Yankee Candles - Sugared Apple
MalibuMands 11/19/2012 3:41:00 PM
SUGARED APPLE is one of Yankee Candles four [for the UK] new Christmas 2012 fragrances and is officially described as "A deliciously sweet apple treat . . . a perfect recipe of juicy apples sprinkled with sugar and vanilla". There's not much else to say, except that there is more sugar and vanilla then apple. I do enjoy the fragrance as it manages to be a perfect balance between sweet and fresh, but it's not something I think of as being overly Christmassy; it is more of a everyday fragrance for autumn/winter. 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. I don't regret buying my box of tealights, but I don't think I'd buy this particular fragrance again; the scent is quiet and the throw is pretty poor by Yankee's usual standards. It's not a bad candle overall, but it doesn't wow me either.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Candles -Yankee Candles - Cherries On Snow
MalibuMands 11/18/2012 6:45:00 AM
CHERRIES ON SNOW is one of the fragrances in the Yankee Candle Festive Collection and is officially described as being "An enchanted, sparkling blend of bright, juicy cherries with sweet almonds and an icy freshness". The description is accurate; CHERRIES ON SNOW combines the iciness of peppermint, with the freshness of juicy cherries. This is then warmed up with a sweet, soft and creamy almond and vanilla undertone - I could eat this candle. 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. 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.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Candles -Yankee Candles - North Pole
MalibuMands 11/16/2012 4:48:00 PM
NORTH POLE is one of the fragrances in the Yankee Candle Festive Collection and is officially described as being "What holiday dreams are made of . . . a sweet blend of icy cool mint and sugary rich vanilla cream". I just love the combination of the icy and energetic peppermint , with the soft and creamy vanilla undertone - I could eat this candle. My only complaint with this fragrance is that you can't buy it in the UK :( 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. 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.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - kim kardashian Glam by Kim Kardashian
MalibuMands 11/6/2012 2:29:00 PM
Kim Kardashian definitely loves her some tuberose, because at it's core GLAM is basically the same as her self named debut perfume; it is a floral jumble and the only individual floral note strong enough to stand out individually is the tuberose and, only some of the time, the jasmine. The bitter floral jumble is so powerful that it hides almost everything else that the perfume has to offer. The fragrance is one dimensional and boring, with very little difference between the top, heart and base; There was a short lived burst of lemon in the opening, then a laundry detergent undertone develops quite quickly, and finally the musk note develops and joins in the mess [I'm not a fan of musk, so that is something else I could do without]. Laundry detergent? I'm not sure what it is, maybe the water melon combined with clean floral notes, such as orange flower, lily or neroli. The individual notes are too closely mixed together to separate and the soapy mix hides the berries, orris and wood notes, so GLAM is rather cold. Official scent notes: Watermelon, juicy red berries, citrus, star jasmine, tuberose, rose absolute, orris butter, sandalwood and musk. Considering that GLAM applies strongly, the poor longevity surprised me. It averages between four and five hours,which, considering the impressive longevity of both Kim Kardashian and Gold, is poor. I don't think I've ever given a one star rating to a perfume on a review site. It's nothing to do with liking or hating Kim herself; even if I don't like the fragrance itself, I'll find something else - for example the longevity - to be good enough for a two star rating, but there is nothing here for me to recommend about GLAM.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No